"At that time, Richard secretly came to me and asked me to conduct a basic assessment of the dangers of the T-Virus..."
"We held secret talks for three days and ultimately concluded that this thing absolutely could not be spread on a large scale. So even though it had a vast market, the Crawford family was not tempted by the T-Virus."
"And we unanimously agreed that a safeguard should be put in place for it..."
Kevin seemed thoughtful as he looked around.
"A Bioterrorism Security and Assessment Alliance... BSAA?"
Dr. Charles nodded slightly and continued explaining the origins of the BSAA to everyone.
"But because our foresight was not recognized, the Crawford family consortium was unwilling to single-handedly withdraw a large amount of funding and invest it in the illusory field of bioterrorism security and assessment."
"Therefore, Richard used his archaeological research materials and some artifacts related to the Ndipaya Empire as bargaining chips, then leveraged his connections with the United Nations to establish the prototype of the BASS..."
"At first, the BSAA was more like a semi-private organization that used the name 'Bioterrorism Security and Assessment' as a cover to conduct secret archaeological research into the Ndipaya Empire."
"To avoid crossing the line, the BSAA had few personnel, most of them clerical staff primarily responsible for intelligence gathering. It did not even have an organized armed force."
"You should know that when the siblings infiltrated Raccoon City, they only used 'humanitarianism' as an excuse. Matt's official profession was merely that of a part-time war correspondent..."
The explanations were quite reasonable. Kevin nodded in partial agreement and continued listening to Dr. Charles.
"As for your identity as a BASS Senior Agent, it was nothing more than an honorary title..."
"Your parents had accomplishments in archaeology and biology. They were mutual friends of Richard and me, and they helped us greatly during our search for the Ndipaya Empire."
"But I'm sorry. After their fingers were cut by a purplish-red crystal in the soil, they gradually developed an unexplained infection after returning to America from the Ndipaya Empire cemetery, and they died one after another."
"To make up for what we owed them, Richard had secretly supported your living expenses and education all these years according to the salary and benefits of a BSAA Senior Agent..."
Kevin's calm face revealed neither joy nor sorrow, as though he were merely listening and analyzing everything.
After all, he truly could not imitate the feeling of losing both parents. Rather than put on a clumsy performance, he might as well quietly be an audience member.
"We thought it was all just our delusion, but in the end, everything still happened."
"At first, Umbrella Corporation found me and coerced me into handing over the T-Virus research materials."
"I had planned to seek Richard's help, but by some unfortunate coincidence, that Old Man disappeared during an archaeological expedition in Cambodia! The Crawford family fell into internal turmoil."
"Left with no choice, for Angela's sake, my wife and I could only submit and cooperate with Umbrella's virus research."
"It was not until three months ago, when you came, that I realized there seemed to be a turning point. But I still did not hold much hope."
No wonder this "mentor" had accepted him so readily and had even made him Angela's tutor.
Guilt was probably one reason. More importantly, Umbrella had sunk deeper and deeper into the field of bioterror experiments.
Kevin's arrival had brought Dr. Charles a glimmer of hope for escaping his current situation.
"I'll take it from here..."
"After going through the family struggle, Countess Lara eventually reclaimed control."
"While sorting through her father's belongings, she discovered research materials concerning the Ndipaya Empire and the Sun Stair Flower, as well as the 'Bioterrorism Security and Assessment Measures' jointly signed by their fathers' generation."
"That opened up a new path for Countess Lara, who had been searching for her father's whereabouts."
"So, she secretly entrusted Lisa and me with investigating Umbrella Corporation's background in Raccoon City."
"On the other hand, we were to find a way to contact the two of you and get you out of Raccoon City if possible."
Matt's continuation made everything clear, and it all became perfectly logical.
"So that's how it was..."
Kevin's response carried a deeper meaning. This world was making everything reasonable and controllable, as though it possessed some kind of self-protective consciousness in the dark.
"We're here, Crawford Manor!"
James, the driver in the front seat, quietly informed them that they had arrived.
The Commander's lips curved into an eerie smile. He was becoming more and more interested in this Countess.
Perhaps this would be an interesting meeting.
PS1: Let me say this again. If you want to add other plotlines, go to the book review section and pick a side. I'll pin several proposed choices.
PS2: Those worried that the later plot will fall apart need not be. I'm connecting everything together and making the plot logical.
The connection between Tomb Raider and Biohazard Crisis is pretty good, right? My two favorite goddesses and two favorite worldviews back then.
PS3: Lara's setting is a combination of Tomb Raider 1 and the reboot version.
As for her appearance, I still think Angelina Jolie's two films were the most classic.
PS4: By the way, I recommend a book, a crossover anime novel about The Saga of Tanya the Evil. It has substantial content. Those interested can check out Did I Do Something Wrong by Praying to the Gods?
Teammate Killers Are Increasing
Having money was great...
The extended Lincoln pulled into the courtyard. After Kevin got out, even though he had mentally prepared himself, he was still stunned by the luxurious manor before him.
Lush greenery meticulously trimmed by gardeners, gravel paths leading in all directions, marble sculptures scattered along the way, exquisite artificial fountains, and a towering Gothic castle in the distance.
The Commander even spotted purebred warhorses Countess Lara kept in her private stable. The feed for those little guys probably cost more than half a month's salary from his previous life.
The weight of history, the longevity of inheritance, and the extravagance of the decorations all revealed just how wealthy the Countess before him was.
Looking at the two female companions beside him, who were equally stunned, Kevin felt slightly more balanced inside.
After all, these rough Umbrella men and RPD officers around him were basically typical poor people. As long as he was not the worst off, that sense of superiority would always make him happy.
Soon, the three of them were led to a side hall for inspection and told to surrender their weapons and other dangerous items.
The man assigned to search Kevin had knotted muscles, a burly build, short brown hair, and the standard black suit and earpiece. He looked extremely capable and was clearly a veteran who had experienced war.
However, the Commander found the way this guy looked at him rather strange... It contained a mixture of gratitude, curiosity, and disdain...
I hope you don't have any bold ideas...
Because of some filthy psychological trauma, the Commander never dared turn his back on this strange mercenary and instinctively kept a safe distance from him.
After the thorough body search ended, Kevin fled the side hall with his scalp tingling, nearly crashing straight into Alice and the other two as they approached while chatting.
"Hello, Commander! Thank you for saving Raccoon City and gathering evidence of Umbrella Corporation's crimes!"
"More importantly, Sister Jill and Uncle Barry were able to escape safely thanks to you!"
A short-haired girl with tawny brown hair, dressed like a bodyguard and following behind Alice and Jill, hurried up to Kevin and chattered out her thanks.
"You are...?"
Facing the cute but somewhat reckless girl before him, Kevin smiled politely and asked softly.
"Oh, sorry, I forgot to introduce myself..."
"Rebecca... Rebecca Chambers. I formerly belonged to Raccoon City S.T.A.R.S.'s Group B, where I served as a medic."
"I'm now officially employed by the BSAA and on standby at all times!"
The eighteen-year-old medical prodigy raised her hand in salute as she spoke. Her little-sister-like manner made Kevin feel a trace of affection.
However, this girl clearly had little sense of caution. Not only had she voluntarily revealed her previous position, but she had also disclosed her current status without holding anything back.
S.T.A.R.S. was divided into two teams, Alpha Group, Group A, and Beta Group, Group B. During that bioweapon escape incident at the abandoned sanatorium outside Raccoon City, Group B's roster had basically been crippled.
Rebecca was more or less the sole survivor, while Group A had quite a few formidable people.
Besides Jill and Barry, the most legendary were naturally Captain Wesker, an Umbrella Corporation spy currently on the run, and a certain former Air Force pilot.
So, the muscular man who had searched him earlier was probably Claire's brother—Chris Redfield.
That guy and Leon, one with parted hair and one with a flat top, were close associates. They had once been collectively known as the "teammate killers" of the Biohazard Crisis world. Countless teammates had died around them.
Kevin remained calm on the surface, but inwardly he was frantically criticizing Countess Lara's eye for recruitment.
Putting those two bad-luck stars in the BSAA, was she not afraid the entire organization would die out?
Damn, no way! If I ever assigned teams, I'd definitely shove those hard-to-kill freaks together and throw them far away.
Otherwise, there'd be no way to live like this!
After chatting briefly, everyone changed shoes and socks under Rebecca's guidance, then stepped onto the Persian carpet leading directly from the entrance to the reception room.
The castle's interior furnishings were equally understated yet luxurious. Nearly every piece of furniture bore the mark of private custom work, while oil paintings of successive heads of the Crawford family hung along both sides of the corridor.
Judging from the contrast of colors and the beauty of the lines, they were clearly the work of famous artists. The most valuable items, however, were undoubtedly the antiques displayed along the way.
After walking for nearly ten minutes, they finally reached the reception room.
At that moment, the renowned adventurer Countess Lara was waiting at the round table. When the guests arrived, she waved for the BSAA's key figures to take seats as they pleased.
She was a strikingly heroic beauty, and she hated rules, rebellious and arrogant, unwilling to follow the usual path. Those were Kevin's first impressions of his own backer.
The Countess before him was not dressed in traditional attire for receiving guests. A black tactical vest paired with tight brownish-green shorts made her look sharp and energetic. She even wore hiking boots.
For ease of movement, her brown-golden long hair had been tied into a simple braid behind her head. Two holsters hung from her sturdy, healthy wheat-colored thighs.
Her Western features were deeply sculpted and sharply defined, constantly radiating fierceness and edge.
Combined with the way she leaned against the back of her chair with one leg crossed over the other, this woman was absolutely a bad example of classical British aristocratic etiquette.
Fortunately, when Dr. Charles entered, the rebellious Countess finally restrained some of her flamboyant personality. She lowered her crossed leg and pressed the bell on the dining table.
The dishes the servants brought out one after another included famous British delicacies such as Yorkshire pudding, Beef Wellington, and Scottish haggis. Naturally, there was also refined, high-end French cuisine.
Kevin treated the meeting as though it truly were a banquet, tasting each dish one by one. Whenever he encountered something he liked, he enthusiastically recommended it to Jill and Alice.
As for the other BSAA members under Kevin's command, they were also part of the banquet. Seeing how relaxed the Commander was, they naturally ate with gusto as well.
As she observed Commander Kevin, Countess Lara's lips curled upward, her brows lifted slightly, and a trace of contempt appeared in her smile.
This pretty boy was supposed to have turned the tide in Raccoon City and played Umbrella, the U.S. military, and Mayor Warren in the palm of his hand? Ridiculous!
Well, this arrogant athletic Countess was clearly a muscle enthusiast and someone who only respected strength. Kevin's mixed-race pretty-boy appearance did not fit her image of a hero at all.
Therefore, Countess Lara naturally interpreted the severity of the Raccoon City Biohazard Crisis as nothing more than dull exaggeration intended to praise someone.
After eating and drinking their fill, Kevin helplessly put down his knife and fork, quietly sipping the richly flavored black tea without taking the initiative to start a conversation.
Because the combination of hating rules, rebelliousness, and arrogance was enough to make Kevin keep his distance from her.
They... meant endless trouble...
Having just picked up his life from the catastrophe of the Biohazard Crisis, the Commander only wanted a proper vacation. Before the next Calamity Virus appeared, he wanted to quietly be a couch potato for a few days, even if it meant rotting in bed.
So, can we stop stirring up trouble, boss?
Unfortunately, just as Kevin feared, once everyone had finished eating, Countess Lara placed both hands on the round table and slowly rose, smiling as she looked directly at the helpless Commander.
"I have great faith in everyone's professional standards and your achievement in saving a city. However, as the BSAA's largest financial supporter, everything must be done according to the rules."
"Therefore, I need to assess certain people's professional capabilities..."
"So, are you ready, Commander?"
This is what you call following the rules? What a load of crap! Kevin rolled his eyes helplessly at the Countess across from him, whose gaze was provocative and whose expression was eager to try.
Here it came... trouble...
PS1: Thanks to reader @{"reader_id":"703067","reader_name":"Long. Akaya"} for the blade gift, and to all readers for their monthly tickets.
I hope everyone can regularly cast their unused recommendation tickets and monthly tickets for this book every day. It is very important for the work's growth.
Compared to some of Book Guest's mainstream styles, this book is relatively realistic and niche. I hope everyone will support it.
Let's Do Something Interesting
"There's a good show coming!"
"Commander versus the Countess. Anyone interested in making a bet?"
James, the Black man, nudged Leon and Barry beside him with his elbow, the teasing in his eyes well concealed.
This group of former subordinates had no intention of helping at all. They gathered together in a corner, whispering among themselves with expressions of eager spectators.
"Bet on the Commander to win: one pays three. Bet on the Countess to win: one pays point five..."
Before you continue