"Honestly, if you can't gather any additional information on this situation, I'll just have to find someone who actually can. It appears that your skills might not be quite suited for this particular assignment," she said, her voice calm and almost feline in its smoothness. A devious smile crept across her lips as she heard the voice on the other end of the line clear their throat nervously. "Uh, no, ma'am. I'll make sure to keep digging into the target," came the hurried reply before the call abruptly ended.
With an air of poise, she delicately placed the phone back down on the vintage mahogany desk, taking a moment to appreciate the view from the Slade Estate's third-story office window. Her field of vision was directed down to the estate grounds below, but her gaze quickly shifted beyond to the sprawling suburban district of Cedar—a place she found utterly distasteful. Here, the so-called 'good Samaritans' of Raccoon had encroached upon what were once serene landscapes. The idyllic view, once graced by the gentle curve of the river reflecting the soft hues of the morning sunrise, was now marred by relentless urban development. It seemed like a crime against nature to her. A wave of impatience washed over her as she considered her eventual escape from this city; all the hard work, the sacrifices she had made, and the heartache she had endured would surely culminate in a bright future worth every ounce of struggle.
As she smoothed out the fabric of her tailored suit dress, lost in her spiraling thoughts, she turned her head slightly, allowing her icy-blue eyes to flicker towards the rear of the room. Her silky blonde hair cascaded gracefully with the movement, catching the sunlight streaming through the window. "Banner," she called, her tone taking on an authoritative edge. "I need you to fast-track our plans. I want you to apply pressure on the Chief and squeeze that indulgent fool for any and all information related to Detective Keen, and let's not forget the transfer recruit. I will leverage a deal with the Mayor right after tomorrow's conference. The game board is becoming overcrowded, and I do not like it. There are far too many variables not aligning the way I need them to. We also have sample analysis underway in the labs; I want you to proceed with sample two in conjunction with Birkin's pet project. You know how this works—make it happen at the prison. And while we're at it, we now have access to Umbrella's security network."
A man clad in a sharp black suit, his demeanor serious and unyielding, stood in the shadows toward the back of the room. He nodded, acknowledging Lilith's commands before turning to make his exit through the impressive double doors crafted from solid oak. Rays of light filtered in, gleaming off his dark sunglasses as he stepped toward the threshold. Just as he was about to cross through the doorway, he glanced back, curiosity coloring his tone, "And what about the other target, Miss Slade?"
With a slight wave of her hand, her attention momentarily diverted to the computer screen displaying a digital image of Koi's restaurant, she replied with measured steadiness, "No need for that just yet. I'll make a call as soon as you leave to arrange for Dade to be transferred to the lower level of the prison facility so that if any mishaps occur, we won't have the unknown escaping. As for Atticus, it's not worth tempting fate again—not at this critical stage. We have to proceed with caution; as long as he keeps himself out of trouble and doesn't attempt to flee, we'll be alright. Ideally, I would have preferred a more straightforward delivery, but we must await the right moment. In the meantime, let's focus on tying up any loose ends. I trust your judgment on how to go about it; you always have a knack for being creative in that arena. I'll deal with The Den on my end. With Umbrella distracted by the current events, now would be the time to make our plays."
The man nodded once more, understanding the gravity of her words, before making his exit through the intricately designed double doors. The sound of his footsteps faded as Lilith turned her gaze back out the window, her mind racing with possibilities and plans that lay ahead.
As Lilith redirected her focus back to the glowing screen of her monitor, she methodically navigated through the various folders of her messages, finally landing on the most recent one from her head of research. The tension that gripped her intensified as her nails bit into the flesh of her palm when she instinctively clenched her fist, drawing a small trickle of blood that stained her skin crimson. She inhaled deeply, forcing her eyes shut in a bid to drown out her own voices swirling inside her mind. Pain was an old acquaintance to her, a constant presence since her childhood days; it had never truly fazed her. But the growing frustration from yet another unexpected delay made her blood boil. People, she thought bitterly, were notoriously unreliable.
"Patience is bitter, but the fruit is delicious," the phrase slipped from her lips, an effort to calm her storming thoughts and remind herself that good things come to those who are willing to wait. Memories of her oldest brother flooded back—a man of intelligence, certainly, but his misshaped impatience and overinflated ego were always his biggest downfalls, time and time again. In her eyes, they were marks of weakness. Glancing quickly at her bloodstained palms, now mostly healed but still tender to the touch, she wiped away the evidence of her emotional strain with a napkin, letting out a slow sigh of exasperation.
Turning her attention to the camera monitor, she tried to adjust the angles to get a glimpse of Koi's; yet, she was disappointed to find that only a single camera had his location in view. With a growing sense of curiosity, she delved into the video recordings of the prison, eager to decipher the particulars of what had transpired that morning between her oldest sibling and the new detective. The absence of audio gnawed at her, making her anxious; what secrets could the detective be hiding? Perhaps her brother had bribed the guards to sweeten their cooperation. With the current city management being so lackluster, it certainly wouldn't have been the first time such dubious dealings had occurred.
Feeling the weight of the moment, Lilith stepped out onto the balcony of her room, appreciating the crispness of the air that surrounded her. The trees that enclosed her grand estate usually provided an oasis of greenery and fresh air, but even that was threatened by the encroaching decay of the city—an undeniable and bitter disappointment. Today, however, the usual chorus of crows that often perched in the trees was quiet. Instead, a solitary large crow rested on the balcony railing, its gaze fixed on her as it cawed, it's eye's looked slightly clouded. Swiftly closing the expansive glass doors shut behind her, she pulled out her PDA, fingers flying over the screen as she paced toward the office door, her heels clicking sharply on the tiled floor with every purposeful stride.
Lilith had no time to waste; she needed every bit of leverage she could muster against Mayor Warren while simultaneously trying to clean up the various messes that had been piling up recently. She couldn't help but chuckle to herself at the thought of how she had stealthily pilfered information right from under Spencer's nose, gaining insights into his top-secret projects. No matter how much influence the old madman had on her life, especially during her time at the training facility, she had always planned to cross him. Yet, glancing at the picture hanging over the desk of the old man Spencer and herself standing side by side in lab coats, she remembered his words: "If I were to have a daughter, I'd prefer one like yourself." A moment of amusement flickered in her usually serious expression; she knew she was brilliant, as she'd outsmarted him after all, but the urgency of the situation quickly extinguished it. Time was ticking. A surge of irritation rushed through her, knowing well enough that she always despised being held back by other people's failings.
Coincidentally, her recent networking efforts had led her to uncover Birkin's clandestine misdeeds and unscrupulous side dealings. She had even stumbled upon his nefarious plan to overload the waste disposal facility with test subjects. It was a dangerous secret, one that could potentially cut both ways, and the damage was already done. But it intrigued her nonetheless as she pondered how best to wield that information—perhaps to slip it to Umbrella or the old man Spencer himself.
Once she stepped onto the third-floor corridor, she made her way down the hall until she came to the grand staircase that spiraled down to the first floor. Just in time, she caught sight of Banner, casually making his way down the elegantly decorated stairs and disappearing into the library before slipping through the door double doors before clicking closed, a calculated calm in his stride. Lilith turned on her heels, directing her steps down the stairs as well toward the main library while her eyes remained glued to her PDA, diligently orchestrating her plans, positioning each pawn on her chessboard before the bishop made its move. Timing was everything; it was an art she had mastered with meticulous precision, subconsciously turning towards the library doors and sliding through them.
She hadn't seen her brother leave that cursed restaurant, but it seemed the relentless journalist was still held up at the hospital—a fortunate turn of events, as she knew the journalist, Julie, would be less inclined to ask the indiscreet questions that could potentially jeopardize their plans. The advantage of having leverage over her brother's high school sweetheart was undeniable, a tool she found almost too easy to manipulate when needed. Yet, lately, things had shifted; Julie had become more astute, covering her tracks with a shrewdness that made Lilith's job that much more difficult. The breadcrumbs she had laid years ago had become harder to follow, and gaining any kind of leverage on her marionette had morphed into a challenging pursuit. Perhaps Julie was starting to play the same dangerous game, displaying a cunning wisdom that was wise enough not to stir up trouble that could lead to unintended consequences. Lilith needed to fix this when she had the chance.
Lilith's heels echoed sharply against the polished wooden floor; each click resonating like a heartbeat in the hushed sanctuary of the library. She walked with purpose, her gait steady and confident, maneuvering past towering lines of bookshelves, each filled with volumes that whispered secrets of centuries past. The library, a majestic space adorned with rich wooden accents and ornate molding, held a certain warmth that drew her closer as she neared the focal point—the grand, handcrafted fireplace that dominated the far wall, its intricate carvings telling stories of artistry and craftsmanship.
With a nostalgic sigh, Lilith closed her eyes for a brief moment, inhaling deeply the familiar scent that enveloped her. It was a heady blend of aged paper, the bibliomania permeating the air with the scent of leather bindings, and the inviting aroma of well-rounded wood polish. This comforting aroma became a portal to her childhood, transporting her back to a time before the complexities of her current life took hold—before the tests that tested her very essence and the experiments that had reshaped her. Those innocent years felt like a distant memory now; a time when she was blissfully naive, wrapped in a cocoon of ignorance about the harsh realities that lurked in the shadows of the real world.
Her reverie, however, was disrupted by the piercing memory of her brother, Atticus. His fateful decision to abandon their shared life for the uncertain fate of a street urchin struck her like a stone. He had been too fragile, too caught up in the simplicity of black and white thinking; he failed to grasp the gravity of the choices that lay before them. Was she wrong to seek out the hard path over the blind escape? No, she convinced herself. She had endured; she had risen above the hardships, while Atticus chose to flee like a coward.
As her gaze drifted to the imposing fireplace, she noted the beautiful Greek letters that adorned its pillars on either side sticking out slightly. With a determined flick of her fingers, she pressed one of the symbols, triggering a subtle series of mechanical clicks. The sound of stone grinding against stone filled the library, and she watched as a concealed door began to slide open dramatically, revealing a narrow, shadowy passage that descended down below the estate grounds.
The dim light tricked her into a sense of foreboding, yet she embraced it, making her way down the dimly lit staircase. Each step felt like a journey deeper into the very heart of the earth, a descent into secrecy and purpose. When she finally reached the bottom, the passage ground closed again, and she was met by a pair of grand, solid red sliding doors emblazoned with a striking black and white umbrella logo illuminated by a single utility light overhead. This emblem, a nod to their clandestine operations, served as a near daily reminder of her commitment to a cause greater than herself. Though that was purely her parents' goal.
With a practiced motion, she produced her security card, holding it out to the scanner embedded in the bricked stone wall. A beep confirmed her access, and the doors slid open with a mechanical hiss, revealing an elevator waiting patiently. Lilith stepped inside, her heart racing with anticipation as she turned to face the control panel. With her finger, she pressed the glowing red button that would initiate her descent into the depths, feeling a surge of adrenaline course through her veins as the doors sealed shut around her.
As the elevator began its journey, she felt a dislocating weightlessness wash over her, a sensation that was both thrilling and unnerving. The world above seemed to fade away as she descended further, the hum of machinery and dim lights becoming her only companions. After a few minutes, the elevator began to decelerate, and just as the doors slid open, Lilith stepped out, striding confidently onto a large platform cluttered with an assortment of shipping containers and supply boxes. The fluorescent lights flickered overhead, casting a dull glow across the chaotic scene, illuminating a world that was vibrant yet stark.
She qualified her surroundings quickly, her eyes darting to the side where she could just make out the landing docking area for the freight train—an essential hub woven into the fabric of their operations. With purpose, she approached a set of heavy industrial doors, pushing them open to reveal a broad utilitarian corridor. The corridor was a stark contrast to the warmth of the library, but it was a space brimming with potential as she strode forward, her heels rhythmically clicking against the concrete floors.
As she walked, she passed a series of nondescript offices, each labeled with workers' names, and a break room where murmurs of casual conversation fluttered through the air. Another corridor branched off toward faculty rooms, but her destination lay further ahead—the upper-level security room. She approached the door, scanning her card swiftly. The soft click of the mechanical lock echoed in the hallway as she turned the lever, pushing the door open to reveal a room filled with lockers and a sprawling array of controls and radio equipment.
On the far wall, a large digital interface flickered to life, displaying a multitude of screens that monitored their expansive operations. Two members of the security staff were stationed there, their eyes locked onto their tasks. One of them, an older gentleman with salt-and-pepper hair, turned and met her gaze. She felt the weight of his scrutiny, a mix of recognition and expectation flickering in his eyes as Lilith stepped fully into the room with a slow steady pace.
"Good afternoon, ma'am. Is there anything I can do to help you?" the older of the duo inched forward, a grey-haired man whose name tag read 'Roberts.' A half-smile tugged at the corners of his lips, revealing some faint signs of age around his eyes, though his face retained a somewhat youthful vitality.
Lilith regarded him with a subtle expression, her lips forming a ghost of a smile. "I only ask that you ensure everything I requested is completed. Have the infected staff members been successfully isolated in their quarters?" As she spoke, her gaze shifted to the younger security officer beside Roberts. He was notably younger, his expression a mixture of neutrality and weariness, accented by his slicked-back black hair and dark sunglasses perched on his nose. His demeanor was somewhat reassuring, yet there was a certain uneasy tension that permeated the air around him.
The younger officer tilted his head slightly before responding in a steady tone. "The affected subjects have been quarantined, ma'am." Lilith nodded in approval, taking in the information and silently assessing the situation. However, the older guard's brows furrowed in confusion as he shifted his attention between the two younger individuals.
"Haven't we identified all the leaks yet?" Lilith pressed, focusing her attention back on the younger officer, her curiosity piqued. "Yes, we have. Would you like me to plug the leaks within the facility?" the young officer inquired, his tone maintaining professionalism despite the grim atmosphere. Although Lilith's smile remained faint, there was a spark of approval in her eyes.
"No, not just yet. Focus solely on the security teams for now," came her cool, measured reply, each word dripping with intent.
The young officer, whose name tag bore the name 'Brent,' nodded and remained fixed on the various screens displaying their current situation. A sudden, confident motion saw him slide a Beretta M9 from his holster, extending it towards Officer Roberts. An almost playful grin crept onto Lilith's face as anticipation glazed her eyes.
At that moment, Roberts remained entirely oblivious to the charged atmosphere, his confusion mounting as he turned, only to come face-to-face with the business end of the handgun. The next instant, the weapon discharged with a flash as the sound of the gunshot reverberated through the cramped space. Time seemed to freeze as the impact knocked Roberts's head back violently, his body slumping into the chair, while the grisly aftermath painted the walls and floor in horrifying detail.
Brent turned to Lilith, his expression shifting to one of focused determination. "Just the security teams, then? That leaves two biohazard response units and five faculty members still unaccounted for," he clarified, his gaze steady behind his shades as he observed her reaction.
For a brief moment, Lilith's glare bore into his, but he seemed completely unfazed by the intensity of her gaze. She narrowed her eyes, measuring her words carefully before she spoke. "Eliminate the biohazard response teams along with the security personnel. Perhaps pick off a couple of the faculty members as well. All the while, monitor any communications from the remaining networks. Let them feel safe; perhaps we can uncover who they're leaking vital information to. Not that it will matter for long."
As if on cue, Lilith felt her PDA vibrate inside her jacket pocket. She deftly fished it out, her eyes scanning the screen with intrigue. A little brow furrowed, she found she was still keeping tabs on Umbrella's relentless hunt for the S.T.A.R.S. members. The radio transmissions from her chief security officer indicated disturbingly high activity in a neighborhood within the Cedar district. The thought of Umbrella focusing on anything other than her operations brought her a strange sense of satisfaction. It gave her the advantage she needed, keeping their attention diverted while her intricate plans unfolded without a hitch.
With the officers and Umbrella's hit squads tangled in their own conflicts, it assured her secrecy. She smiled to herself, envisioning the moment when—as the bugs finally noticed the tangled web she had woven—she would have already gotten what she desired, savoring her 'snack' before leaving this godforsaken city behind. Time was her enemy, but soon that wouldn't be a concern anymore; she would gather every last piece before slipping away unnoticed.
Lilith watched intently as Brent engaged the radio to relay her orders. As moments passed, two screens flickered ominously, alerting her of the responses unfolding in real-time. Suddenly, two bodies tumbled lifelessly from their chairs in the response unit lounge, adding to the macabre scenario. The camera shifted to reveal a female researcher hunched over a microscope, unaware of the fate that awaited her until a brutal shot rang out, splattering crimson across the sterile white lab walls. Her body crumpled, hitting the table with a sickening thud as it rolled off-screen, blood pooling around where she once stood.
A voice crackled over the comms, pulling Lilith from her trance-like focus. "Targets terminated," the voice reported with chilling calmness. A victorious sense of relief washed over Lilith as she leaned back, eyes glimmering with satisfaction.
With a subtle yet deliberate nod of approval, she pivoted on her heels, her polished shoes clicking against the hard floor of the upper security office. As she made her way to the door, she called back over her shoulder, her voice smooth yet commanding, "Be a dear and let the doctor over in Research and Development know that I'll be descending shortly to review his progress on project O." Her words hung in the air with an unmistakable authority that left no room for debate.
With that, she swung the door open and stepped out, walking with purpose down the gleaming corridors that led to the central elevator. Each step resonated with confidence, echoing her determination as she navigated the maze of sterile white walls, knowing all too well that if she wanted her project to come to fruition quickly and effectively, she would need to dive into the work herself. The reality was harsh; many of her experimental subjects had met with failure, and only a handful had shown even the slightest promise worthy of continued study. Yet, with the recent advancements from Griffith's research and Birkin's' contributions, she felt a spark of hope. If she played her cards right, she could ultimately create a military application out of her findings: an army of obedient super-soldiers at her command would be the pinnacle of her secondary objectives.
However, her current progress was far from satisfactory—only two prototypes to showcase were simply not enough, especially considering the mixed outcomes she'd observed in her trials. Yet, she remained optimistic. The test involving her older brother, Dade, held significant promise; it would reveal how their genetic makeup interacted, particularly in light of the B-Virus that had been injected into their parents during earlier experiments. She hypothesized that these subjects might yield better results when combined in a fusion process. Deep down, she craved something beyond mere advancement for the sake of science; she was driven by an unquenchable desire to achieve what her parents had failed to accomplish: immortality. She envisioned herself as a goddess among mere mortals, unchained by the constraints of time, constantly evolving and enhancing her existence.
As Lilith neared the elevator, she caught sight of a faculty member passing by. The woman, with her short hair and thick glasses, cast her gaze to the floor, moving nervously against the wall to avoid any chance of interaction. Lilith couldn't help but relish the thrill of power coursing through her veins as she silently observed the woman's demeanor. There was something intoxicating about the fear she inspired in those around her.
Stepping into the elevator, Lilith turned her head slightly, allowing a satisfied smile to break across her lips. She felt an almost palpable sense of victory as she glanced back at the lab assistants back as they disappeared around a corner of the corridor, remembering how her eyes were wide with trepidation as she walked past, prompting them to hastily scurry away, as if her icy blue gaze alone could freeze them in place. The elevator doors slid closed with a soft chime, sealing her moment of superiority before her descent to the lower labs.