Crossroads

Chapter One

Mid-March 2009

Four years had passed since the Harvardville Airport; since my resolve to join the BSAA. It had been hard convincing the Redfield siblings -mainly Claire, to let me have any further involvement with bioterrorism. For one, I was still only fourteen at the time with, as Claire put it, so much more to live and strive for than putting my life at constant risk. Though luckily, I had the backing of Chris who managed to persuade her:

"I say we give her a chance; she's proven herself capable of handling a firearm, and she thinks quickly in worst-case scenarios. Plus it's not so easy to continue life like normal after witnessing and going through something like that -it stays with you, whether you like it or not."

Now clad in the very uniform of the corporation I'd fought tooth and nail to get into, I felt as though I was finally on the starting track to make a difference. I'd made a silent promise to my father, wherever he was; I'd survive no matter what and prove that I'm more than just the name of his I carry -I wouldn't let his sins drag me down.

"Caraway team; an upcoming mission brief is in fifteen minutes. Please assemble in the meeting room, location seven a.s.a.p." A male baritone voice called out over the speakers and over the sound of gunfire in the shooting range. 'Fifteen minutes, huh? That room is only upstairs and down the hall, giving me at least five more minutes practise. I wonder why they're sending us on a mission so soon?' I thought, readjusting my noise cancelling headphones and lining my sight down the scope of my sniper again to the head of my moving target. My breathing evened, shoulders relaxed and stance perfect as I held my finger over the trigger. 'Not quite... Not quite... Now!'

With a muffled bang and a blink from the slight recoil, a hole shot straight through the forehead of my target, 'Bullseye.' The next three targets I shot in the heart as inclined, and the last five perfect headshots. Satisfied, I flipped the safety back on my gun and pulled off my headphones, just catching the echo of a whistle following my last shot.

"I heard rumours of a rookie with an excellent shot, the best of the best, but I wasn't sure it was you until I saw that. Nice work, kiddo." Chris Redfield stood at the top of the small set of stairs, a proud grin on his face as I caught his sombre eye. I felt the corners of my own mouth curl into a smile and cheeks flush as I emptied the remaining bullets and popped them into slots on my belt before slinging the strap of the gun onto my shoulder, signing out of my shooting booth.

"Long time no see, Chris. No way am I the best -there's plenty of others with a quicker, preciser shot than me. I only got scouted so quickly because you put in a good word for me at the academy -compared to some of the others with military backgrounds, I've still got a lot to learn." I laughed, making my way over to him. He gave me the usual clap on the shoulder that turned into a brotherly side-hug as we made our way down the hall and to the elevator to go up.

"Such modesty, but in my eyes you'll be in Alpha in no time." I threw him a look of disbelief that he rolled his eyes at. "Okay, okay, I'll say no more. In all seriousness, looking forward to your mission? I heard there's a few pretty good rookies in your team, including you. Don't let them outdo you, kid." He gave my shoulder a nudge with his just as the elevator doors pinged open and we stepped out opposite a row of lockers. I walked down past a few until I came to mine, unlocking it and placing my gun and equipment inside.

"Hey, despite what I said I still spent four years training my butt off and even sparred the legendary Chris Redfield and lived to tell the tale, no way am I going to let those guys outdo me."

His surprisingly loud laugh was all I got as I walked off ahead of him, a large grin on my lips as I looked back over my shoulder, pleased to see the hard edge gone from his face, if only for a moment. "But I'll do my best on this mission and not let my team down. I'll make it to the top and get into Alpha; I promise you, Chris."