Resident Evil: Catalyst

19

Scott and Jacks searched every room. Most were just labs and offices for a while, as they went further into the base the rooms soon became more disturbing. They came across rooms that were labelled as 'Observation rooms'. A handful of the rooms were empty, while some had adults or children, who looked to be living in there. They had the same design; a bed stuffed into the far-right corner, a table with two chairs right in front of the window and the toilet in the back-left corner, with nothing to give them privacy. Everything was out in the open. All of it visible through the one-way mirror with no place for the people inside to hide.

All the doors were made of metal and needed key cards to open. Paper charts were sitting in holders on the doors. The people inside didn't seem to understand what was going on, even when Scott and Jacks bashed their fists on the window to get their attention the person inside was unphased. They couldn't see out and they couldn't hear what was going on outside.

"What on earth do you think they were trying to accomplish? Everyone looks the same", Jacks asked as they stopped to look inside another observation room where a little girl with long dark hair in a hospital gown, was sitting under the table stroking the hair of a worn out and ragged looking doll.

"Nothing good", Scott replied. "Jill, we've found more survivors in observations rooms further inside the base. Can you tell Leon and inform him that he is going to need a key card to get to them?", Scott asked.

"Copy, we'll pass it on", Jill replied.

"I wish there was more to this shit than just papers that hold no information", Jacks said as he turned to Scott.

"You and me both, come on", Scott agreed as they turned and continued on their way. Checking each room quickly as they went. Eventually, they turned down a hallway with a single door at the end. Stacking up against the door, Scott checked the handle and found the door was unlocked. Looking up at Jacks, Scott watched him nod in understanding. They checked their weapons before Scott carefully pushed the door open. Inside the light was on and it appeared to be someone's living quarters. Nothing like what was in the observation rooms they had just seen.

A glance through the door showed a decent kitchen and a double bed. "One of the scientists' rooms I think", Scott whispered. Opening the door more Scott carefully walked inside.

There wasn't anyone else in the room. But there was more stuff inside. A sofa, a desk and chair, a dining table, a door on the left side of the room. "Clear", Scott said as he stepped further into the room. "These bastards live in better conditions than-", Scott didn't get to finish that sentence as he was jumped from behind.

Arms wrapped around his neck as the person pulled him back. Scott panicked slightly as he was caught off guard. It took him a split second to realise what was happening as he registered his attacker. Scott tried to shake him off, to no avail.

Thinking on his feet Scott lifted his legs, making his attacker hold his full weight. His attacker was not prepared for this and at that moment, they lost their grip. This single second gave Scott the upper hand. Quickly he grabbed his attacker's arms and before his feet hit the ground. Scott used the momentum of his attacker losing his grip and dropping him to the floor, to throw his attacker off him and over his shoulder.

As soon as his knees hit the floor, he instantly grabbed his gun and aimed it at his attacker. Alex was standing on the other side of the room; his hood was down revealing his face. He was breathing deeply and was watching them carefully from where he stood. He looked the same as when Scott last saw him, same hoodie and light grey jeans. 'He must have been above us or behind the door', Scott guessed as he studied the person in front of him.

"Don't move!", Scott ordered as he changed the setting on his gun to switch the ammo out. A useful new trick that the BSAA had added to only a selected number of their weapons for when agents were dealing with both people and B.O.W's.