{Chapter: 165 William's Clone}
Alice and Ada stared through the glass, her expressions tense. Outside, the world was shrouded in impenetrable darkness. Then, after what felt like an eternity, a faint glow illuminated the void.
"Ice layer. We're underwater," Alice murmured, her gaze fixated on the eerie sight beyond the glass.
Wesker's voice came through, calm and authoritative. "If you want to escape, you'll need assistance. A commando team has been assembled to support you from the ground."
Alice turned slightly, her expression unreadable. "Who's on the team?"
"Among them is your old friend, Luther," Ada informed her, watching for a reaction.
Wesker continued without pause. "Security Chief Jill Valentine has arrived at the Tokyo Test Site. She's actively tracking you. Her orders are clear: recapture you at all costs, and eliminate you if necessary."
Alice's expression darkened. "Who gave the order?"
"Red Queen."
Alice exhaled sharply, barely surprised. "I should have known. Back in Nevada, she completely erased her sister White Queen's hard work."
"Red Queen now holds full control over the Umbrella Corporation. She will stop at nothing to ensure you don't leave this facility."
Wesker's face flickered, static distorting his image. "I've already mapped out an escape route for you. First, you need to navigate the New York simulation site, then head toward the suburbs. There, you'll rendezvous with the commando team. They will escort you through the Moscow simulation site, leading to the submarine dock. From there, take the elevator back to the surface."
Suddenly, his transmission faltered, his face distorting. "Red Queen is intercepting my signal... I'm losing control of the base. You have to hurry. I can't—"
His image vanished, replaced by a dim red screen. A familiar, ominous figure materialized: Red Queen.
"Don't listen to the traitor Wesker," her voice echoed with artificial coldness. "I have regained control of the base. Experimental subjects Alice and Ada Wong, remain where you are."
Compared to White Queen, Red Queen was far more ruthless, her monotone voice laced with an eerie quality.
"Let's go," Alice muttered, and without hesitation, she and Ada bolted for the exit.
"You will all die here," Red Queen declared darkly.
Alice barely spared her a glance. "I've heard that before." She raised her gun and fired at the electronic screen, shattering it into a shower of sparks.
—
After taking down two monstrous, mutated zombies in the New York simulation field, Alice and Ada pressed forward. As they stepped through a shimmering barrier, a stark contrast greeted them—a world that seemed almost normal.
Bright sunlight beamed down, casting warm golden hues over neatly trimmed lawns, towering trees, and picturesque suburban houses. A vivid blue sky stretched above them, so realistic it was almost comforting. But the illusion shattered upon closer inspection. Burned-out cars littered the streets, fires still smoldered, and blood splattered the walls and pavement, painting a scene of recent carnage.
Alice narrowed her eyes. "Something's off about the sky."
Ada glanced up and responded evenly, "It's not real. Just a holographic projection."
As they continued, Ada checked the smartwatch on her wrist. "This is the designated rendezvous point. The commando team should already be here. Why are they late?"
Alice's sharp senses tingled. Her gaze darted to a house behind them. "Someone's inside. Upstairs. Watching us."
Ada met Alice's gaze. A silent understanding passed between them. Weapons at the ready, they advanced toward the house.
The interior was a wreck. Furniture lay overturned, shattered glass crunched beneath their boots, and streaks of blood marred the floor and walls. A single zombie lay sprawled on the ground, impaled.
Alice stepped forward, her breath hitching as her eyes locked onto a corpse. Her expression hardened, disbelief flickering across her face. "William? How is this possible..."
Ada approached calmly. "That's not the William you knew. Don't be alarmed."
Alice pointed at the body, her grip tightening. "Then explain why he looks exactly like him. This isn't a mistake."
Ada's voice remained steady. "Think logically, Alice. You have clones. Why wouldn't others?"
Alice inhaled sharply, forcing herself to stay composed. "You're saying this man is a clone of William?"
"Correct. The Protection Company creates clones for virus outbreak simulations. Every test means the deaths of hundreds of clones. The Umbrella Corporation implants them with basic memories so they react realistically during bioweapon containment drills."
She hesitated before adding, "This 'William' could have been a simple office worker in this scenario. The next version of him might be a homeless man. Another could be an Umbrella operative."
Alice let out a slow breath, relief washing over her. At least it wasn't the real William.
Ada smirked knowingly. "You really care about him, don't you? For a moment, you looked like your entire world was collapsing. That's not the cold, emotionless Alice people talk about."
Alice turned away, her voice clipped. "I just wanted to kill him myself."
Ada chuckled softly. "Sure. If you say so."
A sudden creak from above made them both snap to attention. Instinctively, their hands gripped their weapons, aiming toward the source of the sound.
Alice signaled to Ada, then moved cautiously up the staircase, her senses on high alert.
Upstairs, the air was thick with decay. Another body lay motionless near the hallway, and Alice's stomach clenched. This time, the corpse was unmistakably identical to her. A clone.
"What the hell are they doing here? And why are they connected to 'William'?" she muttered under her breath.
Pressing forward, she reached a bedroom and scanned the surroundings. Her eyes landed on a closed cupboard. Tension coiled in her muscles as she approached and slowly pulled the door open.
With a sudden lunge, a zombie burst out, snapping its jaws. Alice reacted instantly. One hand pressed against its forehead, keeping it at bay, while her other hand fired a shot straight into its head. The creature was sent flying backward before slumping to the ground, lifeless.
A small voice broke the silence. "Mommy, I hid like you told me."
Alice spun, her gun raised—only to freeze upon seeing a young girl staring at her.
The child ran toward her, wrapping her arms around Alice's waist. "Mommy, why did your hair and clothes change?"
Alice stared in shock. This girl—Becky—had mistaken her for her clone's mother.
Gently, she stroked Becky's hair. "It's okay."
Inside the bedroom, Alice picked up a framed photograph. A family of three smiled warmly back at her. Becky gathered her belongings, while Ada observed silently.
"None of this is real," Ada said.
Alice studied the image. "It is to her."
Ada's voice softened. "Her memories are fabricated. Yesterday, her mind was blank. I'm sorry, but these are the facts."
"Mommy, I'm ready! Let's go!" Becky chirped, her school bag slung over her shoulder.
Alice smiled. "We'll leave soon."
A shadow flickered across the room, and a familiar voice interrupted them.
"Hey, Alice. Long time no see. Did you miss me?"
Suddenly a figure flashed by, and a person appeared in front of Alice and the other two,
*****
Announcement of a new workout: "Marvel: The Infinite Crown" - as our library requires an enhancement with superhero content!