RADICALISATION, resident evil [1] ✓

⤿ xxvi. one for the road

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𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑒𝑒: 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑜𝑜𝑟 𝑡𝑜 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑒𝑑𝑜𝑚

𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑡𝑤𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑦-𝑠𝑖𝑥: 𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑜𝑎𝑑

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Umbrella Laboratory (NEST), Raccoon City — September 30th, 1998

     Mason knows instantly that this isn't going to be a pleasant ending conversation; that some painful truths are about to come to light, and something inside him breaks at the thought. He wanted to believe that they could all get out of here without having this conversation, but it's clear that Ada is back on track with her mission-orientated behaviour. And, frankly, Mason isn't sure whether Leon is going to be able to trust the woman in red again so quickly once this truth comes to light.

     "I was just thinking about you," Leon says, his hand slipping away from Mason's wrist, dangling dangerously close to his Lightning Hawk Magnum at his waist. "We need to get out of here."

     "That makes two of us," Ada says, sounding legitimately relieved at the sight of Leon and Mason, and that makes the broken piece inside Mason crack further. "I was getting worried about you pair."

     "Y'know we make a good team, but I gotta ask you something."

     The woman in red looks over her shoulder, ensuring that their way out is safe. "The way's clear. Please, tell me you got it."

     "Oh, I got it."

     "Let me verify the G sample and we'll get the hell out of here." She holds out her hand expectantly, dark eyes a little confused at how Leon shifts his weight and stands straighter. "Mason? Leon?"

     "Before we do that... I ran into Annette. She claims you're not FBI."

     "Oh, Leon..." There's a pained twist to Ada's face in the seconds before she pulls out her gun, aiming at Leon, her hand shaking a little. "Why couldn't you just hand over the sample?"

     "Because I realised, as much as I wanted to trust you..." Leon pulls out his magnum, muzzle intent upon Ada. "I didn't. Mason didn't."

     "I really hoped it wouldn't end up like this."

     "So that's all this was... I was just some pawn to you?"

     "Look, I am just doing my job." She is pleading, her dark eyes so sad that Mason feels sorry for the mercenary. "Don't make this hard for yourselves."