Chapter 15: Trials
#15 of Road Rover's Degeneration
The group made their way to the gate slowly and cautiously, they didn't want to cause a disturbance....yet. They all surveyed the area, it was a typical Umbrella setting. A giant white building with windows encasing the facility, two guard towers, and some various storehouses. What was strange was the guard towers were empty, and the gate was wide open.
"Looks like were being invited in....." Jill whispered.
"Typical Wesker trap, but we have to press on." Chris added. "Alright follow me, and keep low. We're going in the front!"
They all nodded and went into a crouching run with their weapons drawn and at the ready. They mad it to the front door and peered inside, vacant.
It's a trap....but we have to take the bait unfortunately. Keith thought.
They burst in through the double doors, weapons drawn. No alarms, no creatures, nothing.
"This is definitely trap." Exile commented. "Hey what's that?"
They all looked toward where Exile was pointing and noticed a hologram of the facility. According to the map the lower you went into the facility, the higher the biohazard contamination was. Chris noticed the bottom level had an area called "Genetic Research",
"That's where we're headed" he pointed at the hologram. "Wesker may be smart, but he's predictable."
"How do we get there?" Hunter asked.
"According to this, all the elevators have been locked down....typical. We'll have to use the stairs...but we'll also need a code to get in down to the lower levels....this is gonna be hard." Jill replied.
"Welcome my friends!" a voice rang out over the intercom. "How do you like my new facility?"
"Wesker!" they all said in unison. "Unfortunately getting to me won't be all that easy...I have a set of trials for you to pass. Defeat them, and you'll have your meeting with me. I just hope you're up for some tearful reunions....and farewells! Hahahhahhaaaa" he rang out.
Suddenly a shutter came up and separated the two parties, and it was locked tight.
"Chris! Jill!" Keith shouted banging on the metal grating.
"Unfortunately these trials are on a personal level and are adjusted accordingly. Your communication has been severed, and now you all are on your own. Good luck.......HAHAHHAHAHAHAAA!" he finished.
"That bastard!" Hunter shouted.
"I'm gonna tear his head off!" Exile shouted.
Dammit! Calm down Keith, you can still do this, with or without Chris and Jill. It's gonna be tough....but we can do this. We are brothers after all.
"Let's go guys!" Keith shouted.
They pressed forward down the metal hallway into the unknown, ready for anything.
"Keith! Exile! Hunter!" Chris shouted.
"It's no use Chris, we have to keep going." Jill said.
"They won't survive this! This is Wesker were talking about! We....." Chris panicked.
"Chris, he's a Redfield. He's going to be fine; what's more he has his two friends as back up. They'll be fine, we need to push on so we can get to Wesker the same time they do. That's what I'm more worried about right now." She calmly replied.
He nodded and they pushed on.
The trio walked down the hall slowly and cautiously, tracing the area with their weapons. Still no signs of life were to be had though. They eventually came to an elevator, it opened automatically.
"Get on" Wesker ordered.
All three did so and the door shut. The elevator descended downward, and eventually came to a stop, and the doors opened. They were shocked to see the hallway was an exact mirror image of the interior of the Road Rover's headquarters.
"What is this?!" Hunter exclaimed.
"Some sort of Illusion?" Exile questioned.
"It's the real deal..." Keith said touching a wall.
"I'm going to make you relive your previous nightmares that lead you to my humble abode....can you survive them yet again? Hahahahhaha" Wesker laughed.
"You bastard! You won't get away with this!" Hunter shouted.
"Calm down comrade. He can't hear you anyway. Let's go." Exile responded.
"Hunter! HELP ME!" a voice shouted.
No way......Keith thought
"Colleen!" Hunter shouted, and he took off running.
"Wait! It's a trap! Dammit!" Keith shouted.
Exile and Keith ran after Hunter with all they had, and they eventually caught up with him. They were in the main hall, or at least a copy of it.
"Colleen!" Hunter shouted. Exile and Keith looked up, Colleen was tied to a wall, struggling and screaming.
"Help!" she shouted. Standing next to her was the axe man again, ready to go.
"STOP! PLEASE!" Hunter shouted with tears in his eyes. The executioner said nothing, and proceeded in front of her. He swung his axe and tore her apart, blood everywhere.
"NOOOOOOOOOOO!" Hunter shouted and fell on his knees.
All of the sudden a rumbling occurred, and then they heard the sounds of the creatures.
"Dammit! Hunter get up!" Keith said picking him up. Hunter was still in so much shock, he'd lost her twice.
"That isn't Colleen! You saw her die in the facility! It's just a clone! WAKE UP!" Keith shouted.
Hunter was still motionless, so Keith did the only thing he could think of, kiss him.
"THIS is real Hunter! I'm real! Standing in front of you!" Keith shouted in desperation.
Hunter finally stirred and stood up, ready to fight. "Thanks Keith....." he replied.
"Let's do this guys! YAAAAAAAAAAA!" they all ran in and started fighting.
"Jill look out!" Chris shouted.
"Woah!" she shouted.
They were fighting the large snake they had encountered all those years ago. They were in an exact replication of the mansion they were first sent in. Jill barely rolled out of the way, and fired at the open mouth of the creature, causing it to reel back in pain. "Keep on it!" Chris shouted.
She jumped back down to the floor, and joined her partner.
"Looks like Wesker's been busy!" she replied.
"Yeah! A typical psycho!" Chris jested.
"Here it comes!" she shouted.
The three were fighting as hard as they could, landing perfect headshots, and quickly overcoming the crowd they had such a struggle with when all this began. But the executioner was becoming a real problem, he was absorbing bullets like a sponge! What's more that axe had some range! At least he was taking out some of the creatures along with some of his swings though.
"AUGGGHHH!" Hunter shouted, being struck by the Axe.
He pulled himself up and tried to limp away, only to be supported and needled by Exile "Be more careful!"
"Thanks man!" he replied.
There were a few more creatures left, but the time had come to finish the executioner.
"Team up!" Keith ordered.
He fired his AK at the guy's head and he hunched over. Exile did a hard uppercut, making him reel backwards, Hunter followed up by a roundhouse kick, and with a well place somersault kick by Keith , the executioner fell to the floor. They finished off the others, and got clapping over the intercom.
"Well done! Excellent Performance indeed! Now, two more to go! Feel free to replenish ammo at the armory next to the elevator before pressing on! Ahahhahahhah!" Wesker said over the intercom.
"Ch." Keith sneered.
"Jill now!" Chris shouted. Jill shot the chandelier and it came crashing down, taking out the snake.
"Well done! You were my best soldiers after all! I wouldn't have expected anything less! Your friends are doing well also. This is becoming quite the show! Now go get some ammo from the armory and head down the elevator!" Wesker ordered.
The two soldiers said nothing, and headed on to their next trial.
The elevator descended downwards, and then came to a complete stop. The doors opened, and they stepped out into what seemed like Keith's submarine.
Noooooo......this is...
"Can you save him in time?" Wesker whispered over the intercom. "There is still a chance...."
Keith ran to bathroom and looked for Blitz, but only saw the blood on the floor.
"Or maybe not....." Wesker laughed. Suddenly something crashed out of the ceiling, it was Blitz!
"Blitz!" Hunter and Exile shouted.
Keith put out his arm and shook his head. Blitz began cackling and then transformed into that horrible tentacle creature.
"RUN!" Keith shouted.
"S.T.A.R.S!" the creature rang out.
Jill rolled out of the way, and shot the creature in the head.
"You should be more careful on who you date!" Chris shouted. "WOAH!"
He barely avoided Alexia's fire punch.
"You're one to talk!" she shouted back. Chris aimed for her head, but missed only to be grabbed by her.
"Chris! Augh!" she shouted being picked up by Nemesis. "Hahahahhaa. Are you enjoying the reunion?" Wesker oozed out of the intercom. "Ahhhhhh!" Jill screamed.
"Jill!" Chris shouted.
The trio ran back to the control room, and they attempted to open the hatch, which was locked.
"Dammit! I'll have to self destruct the ship. It's the only way to override the maximum lockdown, and we can't fight that thing!" Keith shouted.
Keith went to the control panel, and input the code.
"Hurry!" Exile shouted, firing at the oncoming creature.
"Got it!" he announced.
"Come on!" Hunter shouted, climbing the ladder.
The other two followed suit, and they shut the hatch, sealing the monster inside.
"Keep running!" Keith shouted.
BOOM! The submarine blew up, and sank, hopefully taking the creature with it. The three panted as they sat the ground, still reeling from the massive experience.
"Awwww.....you couldn't save him. Too bad. Nice fireworks though!" Wesker laughed.
"YOU NASTY FUCKER! I'M GONNA......" Exile shouted. His rage quickly cooled into sadness.....he lost two comrades all over again.....it was too much. He fell to the floor and started sobbing. Keith went over and hugged him as hard as he could.
He whispered "This is just psychological crap he's playing on us....don't forget what I told Hunter, this is reality."
He kissed Exile and Exile got up, feeling a lot better.
"Thanks comrade...it's just...." He began. "I know......" Keith soothed. "Let's move on."
*Pant Pant* The two Ex-S.T.A.R.S. members were heaving from their encounter from some of their toughest enemies. The corpses were smoking from all the ammo they used up on them, and were completely lifeless now.
"My my......I see we still have our old fighting spirits! Good work! One more to go! You know the drill....." Wesker said.
The elevator opened and the dog trio stepped out into what seemed like a lab with giant tubes along the outer walls. The center was completely empty though, as if the room was made for....testing. The three proceeded slowly and then all of the sudden two tubes sprang up from the middle of the floor, and then Wesker came back on.
"I told you there would be reunions......well enjoy!"
The tubes opened and the trio were shocked at what they saw.....it was Blitz and Colleen!
The test tubes opened and the duo saw two of their old team mates. Rebecca Chambers, and Barry Burton!
"Barry?! I thought he was still alive in Europe!" Jill exclaimed.
"Rebecca?! She should be in Japan!" Chris shouted.
"Well here they are! I've made a few changes...I hope you like them!" Wesker chuckled. The two opened their eyes and stepped out.
"No way....." Keith said in disbelief.
"It's another trick!" Exile shouted pointing his gun at Blitz.
"No....it's really us!" Blitz said.
"In the flesh blokes!" Colleen said.
Something was wrong....they were too happy....too calm. Keith examined them closely; they were perfect clones, they even had the slash marks on Blitz down to the t. Colleens wounds were still visible also, especially where her throat was torn out.
"If you're really Colleen....what did you give me on our first date?" Hunter asked.
"A gold necklace with a tennis ball pendant on it! It's your signature symbol!" she replied happily.
"If you're really Blitz.....what is my nickname for you?" Exile asked.
"Weird boy of course! Along with other various ones....." Blitz replied.
These things were really Colleen and Blitz!
"How did you get here?" Keith asked.
"Oh! Our new master saved us! He's crackerjack! He's gonna rule the world!" Colleen replied.
"Ya! And we have parts in the new world order! You should join us!" Blitz said.
They were all shocked, they were under Wesker's control!
"Never! We'll never follow him! Why you guys!?" Hunter pleaded.
"Simple...the power!" Colleen said.
She fan kicked Hunter and sent him flying into one of the test tubes, luckily it was empty.
"That's right!" Blitz shouted and punched Exile in the face, sending him flying.
"I may be a "weird boy", but who's dominate now bitch!"
"Guys!" Keith shouted.
"As for you Keith, we owe you a debt of gratitude. If it weren't for you, we wouldn't have obtained such glorious power!" Colleen proclaimed, sliding her hand across his back.
"Ya, and for this....we'll kill you quickly and painlessly. Unlike our former partners here!" Blitz said.
Colleen grabbed Keith by the neck from behind, and Keith struggled to get free, but couldn't. Blitz unsheathed his claws and prepared to gut Keith.
"Barry! Please stop!" Jill begged as she was being choked by her mentor.
"Sorry, but I gotta make a Jill sandwich outta you!" he laughed evily.
"Rebecca! Wake up! It's me Chris!" Chris said, being pinned by Rebecca.
"I know exactly who you are! But who cares, I possess such glorious power now!" Rebecca said.
Jill and Chris both nodded, they weren't their friends anymore. They threw them off and un-holstered their pistols, ready to go.
Keith was struggling with all he had, but it was no use.
"Aughh!" Colleen shouted.
"Ooooof!" Blitz rang out.
The two former rovers were overtaken by their ex-partners. Exile had Blitz pinned, while Hunter had Colleen.
"Comrade go!" Exile commanded. "We can take these two!"
"Go after Wesker! We'll catch up!" Hunter added.
"Guys no!" Keith said.
"We'll be fine! GO!" Exile shouted.
Keith did as he was told, he ran into the hallway to the elevator and went down to face Wesker. He felt bad leaving them behind, but in his heart he knew they would be okay.
Jill and Chris lowered their pistols and examined the corpses, they were dead alright. "My, My...quite a temper! Well you did it! Now come to me!" Wesker said.
"Huntie-Wuntie, you're so pathetic!" Colleen said throwing him off. "You should join us! It's so much fun!"
"Never....." Hunter hissed. "You're not Colleen, not anymore!"
Colleen's eyes narrowed and her brows furrowed "Fine have it your way. I never really liked you anyway, you pussy!"
She went over and picked Hunter up, and began overwhelming him with kicks.
"Comrade! Wake up! Wesker is bad guy! I know you're not like this!" Exile pleaded
"SHUT UP! You never cared about me before! Why are you starting now! SCREW YOU! At least now I have respect!" Blitz shouted.
Exile coughed "Blitz...I'm sorry...."
"TOO LATE!" Blitz announced and began pounding him into the floor.
Exile caught one of Blitz's punches and kicked him off. Exile knew what he had to do, he ran towards Blitz with all he had. Hunter caught Colleen by a leg and threw her away from him. As much as it hurt him, he had to kill her. He pulled out his pistol and began firing at her, but she was moving so fast! She kicked him, but he reacted and kicked back. Blitz and Exile were butting their brute strength against one another, throwing punches, hooks, and various wrestling moves. It seemed never ending! Keith pulled his Desert Eagle and fired at Blitz, but he quickly dodged. Eventually Hunter seized Colleen and held her down.
"You can't do this! You're nothing but a pussy!" Colleen shouted.
"Try me....." Hunter said.
BAM! He shot Colleen in the back, killing her instantly. Exile caught Blitz and pinned him, he pulled out his pistol and aimed at his chest.
"Ha! I know you're nothing but a paicifist! You ain't got........."
BAM! BAM! Exile shot him twice in the heart, and he moved no more. The two Rovers panted heavily and looked at each other. They were both full of sadness, but also full of pure rage. They had killed their own friends, but they knew who caused this, it was not them, but Wesker. They both got up and headed down the hallway, but were shot with some sort of needle. They passed out and hit the floor.
"Good work you two! Now prepare them!" Wesker ordered. "Yes master!" Colleen and Blitz replied. They dragged them away into the darkness.......
Almost there....
Keith was a little nervous as the elevator approached the final destination.
Guys...I hope you're ok....please be safe.....
The elevator opened and Keith got out. He was sooned joined by Chris and Jill.
"Guys!" he shouted and ran over to them. They hugged each other, and then were interrupted by Wesker.
"Well isn't this touching!" They all looked at him. He was wearing all black, with a long jacket to boot and on top of that, he still wore his signature sunglasses.
"Wesker!" they all shouted. "Congratulations! You made it! Now....let's go!" Wesker rushed at them at the speed of light, and the final battle began.