July 19, 2025 · Sub-level 4 Command Core, Frozen Lotus Temple · 21:12 CST
The command core was silent except for the low hum of cooling fans and the soft pulse of holographic displays. Alen sat motionless in the titanium chair, back to the entrance, facing the glowing blue data wall. Posture relaxed but absolute — legs crossed, titanium left arm on the armrest, right hand making small, precise gestures across the floating interface. The matte-black prosthetic caught the sapphire light, gold inlays tracing faint lines along the joints. The charcoal vest hung open over the rolled-sleeve navy shirt. The wraparound sunglasses rested on the console, unused.
He tapped a command.
"Trinity. Hack CIA, FBI, BSAA, DSO, NSA. Search parameter: t-Virus syndrome. All files. Now."
The sphere spun. Millions of classified documents streamed past in translucent ribbons. Six files locked into place.
≪ Raccoon City Syndrome. Also designated Latent Onset t-Virus Syndrome or RCS. A fatal, long-dormant disease caused by an evolved, latent strain of the t-Virus. It adapts to the host's immune system and antibodies. Manifests decades after initial exposure. Leads to rapid deterioration and death. Unlike acute infection, RCS remains hidden, mutating to evade suppression or incomplete cures such as the Daylight vaccine. ≫
Alen stared at the glowing text. A faint, clinical recognition touched the corner of his mouth.
"Bravo," he said softly. "Now I understand how Gideon found it."
He tapped the armrest. The files transferred instantly to Rebecca's terminal in the medical bay.
"Trinity. Full history of the Daylight vaccine. Cross-reference with BSAA old servers."
The sphere shifted. Old Umbrella files surfaced, stamped with faded security clearances.
≪ The Daylight vaccine is a trial antiviral serum developed by Dr. Peter Jenkins, professor at Raccoon University. Work began August 1998 using notes supplied by Greg Mueller. Goal: complete t-Virus antidote superior to suppressants such as AT1521. Jenkins hid key notes around the university and contacted Dr. George Hamilton to complete synthesis if necessary. Hamilton used university equipment, Jenkins' notes, and a rare DAYLIGHT antibody blood sample recovered from NEST to create the vaccine by mixing Antidote, Hemostat, and Anti-Virus. ≫
≪ Mechanism: Completely neutralises the t-Virus at cellular level. Purges all traces. Resets infection to zero. Grants full immunity in successful cases. Became global standard post-outbreak. Creator Peter Jenkins was murdered during the Raccoon University incident before completion — he had anticipated this and left completion instructions for Hamilton. ≫
Alen absorbed every line without blinking. He issued the next command.
"Global search. Raccoon City outbreak survivors 1998. Kevin Ryman, Mark Wilkins, Jim Chapman, George Hamilton, David King, Yoko Suzuki, Cindy Lennox, Linda Baldwin. Current locations, new identities, medical records. All available data."
≪ All eight survivors changed names and identities after 1998 and left the United States. Physical and emotional scarring documented across all cases. ≫
Eight profiles locked into the sphere in clean blue windows.
Kevin Ryman — Kevin Harlan. BSAA European Branch, working directly under Chris Redfield.
Mark Wilkins — Marcus Vale. Harare, Zimbabwe. Runs the Vale Range shooting academy.
Jim Chapman — James Keller. Berlin, Germany. Married. Subway maintenance. Severe PTSD.
George Hamilton — Dr. Geoffrey Harlan. Missing since 2019.
David King — Daniel Voss. Rural Norway, near Tromsø. Reindeer ranch. Wife and two children.
Yoko Suzuki — Yuki Sato. Missing since 2022.
Cindy Lennox — Cecilia Navarro. Havana, Cuba. Waitress at La Perla diner. Still single.
Linda Baldwin — Lena Brooks. Montego Bay, Jamaica. Nurse at a small clinic. Extreme paranoia.
Alen studied each face in silence.
"As I suspected. Yoko Suzuki and Dr. George Hamilton are missing. Gideon took them for the Daylight vaccine — George knows the exact ratio and synthesis. Priority watch on Linda Baldwin. I am going to Cuba to meet Cecilia Navarro. She will be the thread that pulls the others. Then I will go to the ruins of Raccoon City myself — to the place where Peter Jenkins died. He may have left something valuable."
He tapped one final command. The satellites locked onto Rhodes Hill Chronic Care Center.
"Trinity. Send the entire package to Professor Chambers."
≪ Understood, Master. Files en route. ≫
Alen leaned back in the chair, the blue light washing over his features. He stared at the glowing map of the world — every survivor marked in red, every missing person marked in grey, every thread connecting them running through the invisible architecture of a conspiracy that had been building for twenty-seven years.
The branches belonged to the heroes.
He would walk along the leaves.
The phantom had already begun to move.
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