Resident Evil: Catalyst

10

Jacks made his way down the hallway. He didn't have a clue where he was going, or if going this way was going to help him, try and get down to the ground floor of the massive base. He had picked up a metal pole that he had found in the rubble. It may not be as good as a gun, but it was at least something if Alex appeared again and attacked him from the shadows. Or if he came across an infected person.

As he neared a corner, he heard someone approaching. 'Shit', Jacks thought as he quickly set up by the corner, readying his makeshift metal bat to hit whatever it was on the head. Once the thing appeared in front of him Jacks had to try and stop himself from hitting him on the head. "It's bloody you", Jacks hissed as he recognised Ivan, who jumped out of his skin and aimed his gun at Jacks. "Of all the people, why did it have to be you", Ivan groaned as he lowered his weapon.

"Nice to see you too", Jacks said as he pushed himself off the wall. "What are you doing on this floor?", he asked him.

"I could say the same to you", Ivan snapped.

"Trying to get back to Scott, you?", Jacks asked as he walked past Ivan going in the direction that Ivan had come from. The BSAA agent grumbled to himself before he turned and chased after Jacks, "I was looking for survivors", Ivan explained as he fell into step alongside Jacks.

"Got a spare weapon on you?", Jacks asked as he walked.

"Not one that I would give to you", Ivan retorted. Jacks started to laugh sarcastically, but a sudden pain in his chest made him stop. Leaning on the wall for support as a burning sensation coursed through his chest. "Fuck me", Jacks muttered under his breath. "You alright?", Ivan asked him.

"No, I'm taking the piss... what the fuck... do you think?", Jacks snapped at him between painful breaths.

"Alright. Just sit down", Ivan ordered as he took Jacks shoulders and made him sit down on the floor. Holding his chest Jacks leaned his back against the wall as he slowly sat down. Ivan began to search his pockets then he pulled out a strange-looking syringe. Before Jacks could say anything, Ivan grabbed Jacks arm and stabbed the needle into his arm. "Ow! What was that?", Jacks yelled as the pain in his chest quickly subsided.

"Just a handy injection", Ivan said as he capped the needle and put it back in his pocket. Searching his pockets again he took out another thing. This one looked like a watch and gave it to Jacks. "Put it on", Ivan ordered. Doing what he said Jacks put it on his left wrist. The screen lit up and a green heart monitor appeared. "Fancy watch", Jacks commented.

"It's a codex", Ivan bluntly replied. "As long as that stays green your fine. Now get up".

Carefully Jacks got up off the floor. Once he was standing again, Ivan handed him a gun and a torch. "Don't shoot me in the back with it", Ivan said as Jacks took the gun.

"I'll try not to", Jacks replied. "We need to get to the ground floor".

Ivan shook his head, "I'll stay up here and try to find people. There's a maintenance ladder you can use to get down". Jacks nodded his head in understanding just as the lights went out.

---

Flicking on his torch, Scott attached it to his shirt to light the way in front of him. "The emergency generator should have kicked in", Scott said.

"It must have been taken out with one of the blasts", Natalie commented.

"Typical", Scott said as he moved down the pitch-black hallways. He strained his ears to try and pick up the slightest sound, in case an infected person appeared out of the dark. Someone calling out for help caught his attention. Picking up the pace, Scott rushed towards the voice with Natalie hot on his heels. Turning the corner Scott saw a door to one of the labs. A woman was laying on the floor trying to squeeze underneath the metal shutter that was fitted onto all the lab doors. So that lab workers and survivors could lower the shutters in the event of an outbreak.