Infinite Progress, Starting with Arasaka

Chris nodded.

"..." Vera smiled and said nothing, returning to her desk.

She picked up the receiver, asked her secretary to bring Chris's things in, took out the items from her waist pouch, and plugged a flash drive into her computer. After a moment of review, her expression grew increasingly grim.

Chris stood there, observing the changes in Vera's expression.

After a long pause, Vera looked at Chris, who was standing directly opposite her. "It's not enough."

Chris looked puzzled.

"William Birkin could easily sue me for defamation with this flimsy evidence. He could claim it's special effects and stick to his story. They know I have the technology, so I need concrete proof, like their research progress reports or experimental samples."

"What do you mean?"

"I need you to go back to Raccoon City."

Vera revealed her true intentions.

Chapter 027: Raccoon City Carnival, Opening Act

Umbrella Industrial Park, California U.S.F. Guard Training Base.

"Ah, let go of me! This is kidnapping! I'm a police officer..."

At this moment, a woman in plain clothes, wearing a black hood that obscured her face, but whose voice suggested she was quite young, was forcibly escorted into the building by two Umbrella bodyguards in black. She passed through layers of security checkpoints.

"Rebecca? Hey, let her go!"

The woman was pushed onto a chair. She had been struggling, but upon hearing the familiar voice, she immediately stopped and exclaimed with surprise, "Chris? Is that you?" Just as she was about to ask further, "Did you see Mr. Russell..." a woman's voice reached her ears. "Alright, untie her, take off the hood."

In response, the black hood was removed, and her vision was restored.

"Hoo—" Rebecca took a deep breath, raised her head, and gradually adjusted to the light. Her focused eyes looked at the person opposite her.

"Rebecca."

Seeing Rebecca, who looked a bit disheveled but unharmed, Chris's worried heart eased slightly, but then his anxiety returned.

"What do you mean by this?"

"To our esteemed friend who has traveled from afar, I apologize for my subordinates' rough handling, but it was a necessary security measure. How about a drink of water first?"

Without directly answering Chris, Vera leaned back against a workbench covered with tactical toolboxes. She smiled formulaically, picked up a bottle of mineral water, gestured towards Rebecca with it, and then tossed it over.

Rebecca instinctively raised her hand to catch it. She looked at the blonde woman in front of her, dressed in a dark, high-tech, luxurious uniform, and then at the bodyguard who stepped forward to unlock her handcuffs. She nodded dazedly, "Tha... Thank you."

So cute.

Rebecca Chambers.

Vera sized up the girl, who was barely 18. She was the youngest member of Raccoon City's S.T.A.R.S.

She was petite, with a delicate waist. Her short, boyish brown hair was meticulously styled. Her face was delicate and carried a youthful aura. Her small face was adorned with a pair of bright blue eyes that darted away like a doe's under Vera's undisguised gaze.

Ah, the pure, innocent vibe of a student who had recently entered society.

"Allow me to introduce myself..."

"Vera Adelheid Russell, inventor, genius, pioneer in human bionic engineering, genius professional mechanical developer, youngest Umbrella executive and regional director, youngest billionaire in the USA upon obtaining authorized patents, selected for Washington's key innovative high-end talent pool, leading the investment and development of intelligent control technology, high-end semiconductors, and electronic information industries..."

Speaking at an incredibly fast pace, as if reciting a mantra, Rebecca smoothly took over Vera's self-introduction. With an expression that was either that of a fangirl or an ardent fan, she recited Vera's biography and societal evaluations.

"Senior Russell, you are my role model and object of admiration at school."

Vera raised an eyebrow slightly. "You're a Berkeley student..."

"No, I'm not a Berkeley student. I just happened to hear about your achievements and accomplishments. I voluntarily applied to Berkeley as an exchange student to audit classes for a period. Oh, my major is chemistry, with electives in pharmacology..."

"Stop, drink your water first, and then let's discuss the real reason you came to find me."

Vera lightly tapped the table, her gaze calm as she looked at the excited Rebecca, bringing the conversation back on track.

Now, she had a general idea of why Chris had come to her. It was due to her past "jumping ship" arrangements and her genius persona. The influenced Rebecca might be one of the driving forces.

"Alright, Rebecca, this isn't a college party, nor is it an Umbrella recruitment event."

With a stern expression, Chris was extremely exasperated by the S.T.A.R.S. "ray of sunshine's" fan-girling behavior.

Doesn't she know the time?

Chris fully acknowledged Rebecca's professional qualifications. Although she had just graduated from university, her excellent grades in chemistry had earned her recognition from the police department, leading to her selection for S.T.A.R.S. This was a testament to her abilities.

Similarly, due to her lack of combat experience and her nature as a pure and innocent college student, she had a strong academic air and would often make bold, unconventional moves. This was also something Chris found troublesome.

"Chris, Senior Russell appearing here means... it's successful?" Not at all bothered by the rough treatment she had just received, Rebecca quickly adjusted her mindset and asked.

Chris crossed his arms and nodded. "Something like that."

"So, when do we expose Umbrella's crimes in Raccoon City... uh, Senior Russell, I mean the old Umbrella in Raccoon City."

"I know," Vera said, leaning against the workbench. She clicked the mouse, operating the projector to display the data collected by the S.T.A.R.S. survivors onto the screen. She glanced at the disgusting candid and real photos without turning her head and said, "Because it's still not enough."

"How can I be sure you're not falling into a trap set by that stubborn old man, William Birkin? Am I supposed to believe your one-sided story, from a distant junior whom I don't even know?"

William Birkin was destined to die, but Chris and the others didn't know that. This didn't stop Vera from using his name as a shield and an excuse.

"This... then... we..."

Rebecca was a bit anxious, but at a loss for words, unsure how to explain.

"I'll bring back enough evidence for you. I hope you won't go back on your word."

Chris shielded Rebecca behind him, his tone as hard as rock, his determined expression unyielding.

"Naturally."

Chris and Vera's conversation left Rebecca confused. "What does that mean? Chris, what are you going to do?"

"Return to Raccoon City and gather crucial evidence."

"Huh?" Rebecca's mouth opened slightly. After a moment, she pieced together the logic and looked up, asking resolutely, "When do we leave? We can go together..."

"No, you need to stay here with me."

Vera suddenly spoke, turning sideways and glancing at Rebecca. "Just as he doesn't trust me, I don't trust you either. Hostage, or 'security deposit,' however you want to see it. What if you double-cross me?"

In response, knock knock!

Several tall, fully armed figures moved closer to Rebecca, while Vera continued her threat, "Mr. Redfield, you have a sister you depend on, don't you..."

"Fack you! If you dare touch Claire, I'll kill you!"

Bang! Enraged, Chris kicked over a folding chair and made a move to charge at Vera, but the security personnel firmly restrained and held him down. Click click click, dark gun barrels were cocked and raised, pressing against his head.

"Mr. Redfield, you know very well that my demands and caution are reasonable. As long as the evidence is obtained, and it's proven afterward that you are indeed survivors, victims of William Birkin's experiments, I will compensate you. Generous compensation, even a special recruitment into Umbrella..."

Vera stood up and walked towards Chris, speaking word by word.

"No, if what you say is true, I will personally bury Umbrella. I will reorganize it into a new company and will always open my doors to you."

Having finished speaking, Vera reached Chris and, under the extremely vigilant eyes of the security personnel, extended her hand.

"..."

With a grim expression, Chris clenched his fist, but quickly relaxed it.

"Hmph, I don't care for your compensation. Just do as you say."

He knew very well that the more cautious Vera was, the more it proved she would truly reveal the truth later. Conversely, if Vera believed him too easily, he would become suspicious, wondering if there was a problem.

Vera smiled faintly, signaled the security personnel to stand down, and personally helped Chris up.

"Then, our formal partnership is established. Wishing us a pleasant collaboration."

"..." Although surprised by Vera's power, Chris didn't say much. "When do I leave?"

"No rush. William Birkin has caused such a huge mess, the company's old factions and stubborn old men should make a move. I will raise questions at the board meeting. For Washington, I also need to prepare in advance to provide necessary cover for your actions from above."

This was an excuse.

Speaking of which, Vera stopped and pointed at Chris, then at the handgun and combat knife confiscated from him by security. "Also, choose some suitable equipment to take with you. The way you look... I'm afraid you might be framed for having thoughts of silencing people afterward."

Vera's gaze was piercing.

But on this matter alone, Chris didn't object.

With such strong logistical support and equipment provided, it would be foolish not to accept. He had seen the U.S.F. Security Force of Umbrella's California branch.

"Now, attend the class properly. As survivors who have experienced biological combat, let my people learn how to effectively deal with the 'mess' William Birkin created. You can gauge the level, the sooner the better."

Surrounded by her black-clad bodyguards, Vera's beautiful figure disappeared through the door. Then, click, the room sealed. Rebecca blinked, first exchanging a look with Chris, then looking around at the burly men in the room.

It was then that she realized this place, resembling a luxurious plus version of the S.T.A.R.S. combat preparation room, had a projector, flowcharts filled with notes, spread-out maps of Raccoon City...

And the Umbrella operatives had notebooks in their hands or in their chest pockets, as if they had been in a strategy meeting before she was brought in.

"Class?"

"That's right, class. Rebecca, you've arrived at a good time. Because we have combat experience from that damned mansion, and you're a girl, so you're more meticulous than me. Help me supplement the points we need to be aware of when dealing with those corpses."

Given the circumstances, she had to do her best.

Chris pulled Rebecca to the whiteboard and showed her the table he had compiled.

Imparting his experience fighting biological monsters to Umbrella's combat personnel felt strange, but Chris didn't mind.

On the contrary, it better reflected Vera's responsible attitude towards her subordinates, unlike the attitude in Raccoon City where subordinates and even researchers were treated as disposable materials. It earned him more favor.

This arrogant but shrewd woman, with the demeanor of a typical elite capitalist and Washington politician, was at least better than that bastard named William Birkin.

"I'll repeat this one last time: you must destroy their brain tissue, aim for the head, blow their heads apart. Don't rely on luck..."

1998/9/24

Morning.

Indoor shooting range.

Bang! Bang bang bang—

Wisps of white smoke rose from the muzzle of the assault rifle.

Chris, wearing an Umbrella training undershirt, removed his ear protection. Click click click, he meticulously checked the barrel and magazine with standard movements.

For the past two days, staying in Umbrella's facilities, besides organizing his experience into a document, he had spent his time familiarizing himself with Umbrella's unreleased new firearms.

Anyway, since it was all provided by that woman Vera, he naturally used it freely.

"Amazing, Chris... aren't your arms tired?"

Clap, clap. The alloy targets slid back on pulleys for score review. Looking at the pitted targets, with the indentations concentrated on the chest and head, Rebecca couldn't help but applaud.

"Not really."

Chris put down the unreleased assault rifle codenamed 'Ajax' in his hand, put on his ear protection again, and picked up the WMA Maebow submachine gun. Click. He checked the chamber, loaded a round, aimed, and rat-tat-tat-tat. The target rang out with crisp clang sounds in response.

Then he tried the WCAA assault shotgun firing slugs, the WSA automatic pistol, 'Nowaki', 'Tamayura'...

"Hoo..."

He neatly placed each firearm he'd tried to the side, and Chris carefully examined these killing machines, crafted from special alloys or engineering plastics.

Truly, objectively speaking, he had to marvel at Umbrella's high level of craftsmanship. They were truly like works of art, with every detail highlighting their excellent manufacturing process.

As Chris paused, even more intense gunfire erupted.

It was the training ground for Umbrella's combat troops over there. Accompanied by the sounds of continuous explosions, their full-force firing was much louder than Chris's activity; it was all heavy firepower.

Chris stated with certainty, "They must all be ex-military."

"Russians."

Rebecca nodded and added, "While you were busy getting familiar with the weapons, I chatted with them. It doesn't involve any secrecy protocols; they are indeed Russians, and quite a few of them participated in the war in Afghanistan."

"Private military... Although I know this is common internationally, it's not a good thing."

After all, having served in the air force, Chris's patriotism and sense of justice made him instinctively feel this was not a good thing.

Just as Chris and Rebecca fell silent on this topic—