I'm Here to Negotiate

"Source of Evil?"

Everyone's attention was drawn by Yinsen's words. Even Mr. Spence-Parks, who was completely confused and still had no idea what was going on, lay on the ground and raised his head to look at the suitcase that seemed to belong to him.

"Could it be..."

There were plenty of smart people present. Thinking back to what Yinsen had said earlier, biological experiments were being conducted in this Hive laboratory, and an Artificial Intelligence called the Red Queen had killed everyone because of a leak.

"That's exactly it."

Yinsen had already opened the suitcase to inspect it. Inside were the Virus Stock Solution and Antiviral Serum he had been thinking about. He closed the case, picked it up, and showed no intention of explaining further.

"Let's keep moving. I doubt you can take this thing back to report to your superiors anyway."

The unspoken meaning was that Yinsen would continue traveling with them. They did not need to worry about him running off after taking it. For now, they were still on the same side, so there was no need to fall out here.

After pondering for a moment, James, the captain, nodded at Yinsen. "Continue deeper into the Hive."

The train slowly started moving. The mercenaries gathered together, though their gun barrels, intentionally or otherwise, were all angled toward Yinsen and the others. Arthur and Yinsen said nothing, but Jill felt uncomfortable all over in this situation.

"Are we really going into that Hive?"

"Of course." Yinsen nodded at Jill. "Didn't you want to know the truth? Now that it's about to be laid out before you, are you backing out?"

Jill had an especially competitive nature and was very displeased by Yinsen looking down on her. "I'm not backing out. I just think we should notify the Police Station. At the very least, we might get some support."

Yinsen waved a hand. "Give it up. The Umbrella Corporation built such a massive laboratory here and conducted unspeakable experiments without a single word getting out. Why do you think that is? Do you really think your report will matter?"

In the Movie Version, the Umbrella Corporation was practically an invisible super-empire, unimaginably powerful. It could casually deploy Nuclear Bombs, then afterward overturn the ironclad evidence and deny events such as the launch itself. In turn, it even framed Jill, Alice, and the others as wanted criminals.

In this world, the Umbrella Corporation was the most powerful force. Not only was it terrifyingly strong in its own right, it had infiltrated every level of society. Jill actually thought a Raccoon City Police Station could help? They would probably turn around and help Umbrella Corporation arrest them instead.

Perhaps Jill had not failed to consider that; she had merely clung to the slightest shred of hope. But Yinsen brutally shattered that final shred of hope.

Jill fell silent, no one knew what she was thinking. Yinsen and Arthur continued resting calmly. Yinsen knew that the coming stretch of time would be their last period of ease, while Arthur knew that if anything happened, Yinsen would definitely warn him in advance.

He did not know how Yinsen had uncovered so much information lately, but he could guess that aside from traveling between worlds, Yinsen had other secrets. However, he would not ask. If Yinsen had not said anything, then that meant the secret could not be shared with him. Persisting in questioning him would not be good behavior.

The train moved quickly, and it did not take the group long to reach their destination.

After getting off, Yinsen and Arthur played dead as usual, quietly watching the mercenaries perform. The only difference was that Arthur still paid attention to how things developed, while Yinsen was more like someone rewatching the movie on location.

Of course, Yinsen and the others' involvement still affected some details. Matt kept staring at Yinsen. If he had not been held by the mercenaries, he probably would have rushed over to ask the questions on his mind.

Yinsen noticed Matt as well. Remembering how this guy ended up later, he casually said to the two soldiers guarding him, "Take off his handcuffs. Otherwise, you'll have to split your attention to take care of him later."

Upon hearing Yinsen's words, the mercenary captain James immediately turned to look at him. "You mean we'll encounter danger?"

"Of course. Didn't you already prepare yourselves for that?"

James frowned. "I want to know what kind of danger." If it was the leaked virus, there seemed to be no need to care whether that guy's handcuffs were removed.

So the danger they would encounter required fighting. In other words, a battle might break out. But who was the enemy? Was there some dangerous creature inside the Hive?

"It's hard to explain, but someone will give you a detailed demonstration soon."

After saying that, Yinsen glanced at the inconspicuous camera in the corner.

"Isn't that right, little Red Queen?"

The mercenaries were startled by Yinsen suddenly waving in greeting. They immediately assumed combat stances, displaying their abundant experience and coordination—several aimed their guns at Yinsen, while the others aimed in the direction he had waved.

Then they discovered that there was only a camera there. Only Kaplan immediately understood what Yinsen was doing.

"You're saying the Red Queen is monitoring us?"

"That's an interesting question. The Red Queen controls the entire Hive. Do you think she wouldn't know we came in?" Sometimes Yinsen truly felt that these mercenaries had overdue IQ bills. They were clearly seasoned, capable veterans, so how could they ask such stupid questions?

In truth, the mercenaries could not be blamed. Artificial Intelligence was only a conceptual thing in this era, and for most people, it existed only in movies or novels. Who would have the chance to see one in reality? Much less encounter a military mission involving Artificial Intelligence?

Thus, naturally, no one noticed that when Yinsen referred to the Red Queen, he used "she" rather than "it."

What was giving James a headache now was something else. Their every move was under the Red Queen's surveillance, and that did not feel good. That thing had killed hundreds of people at the slightest disagreement. Even though he had learned from the Black-haired Young Man that the Artificial Intelligence had reasons for killing those people, he still felt uneasy all over.

On top of that, Yinsen had been hinting that a battle would happen soon, yet he refused to say who they would be fighting. In all his years as a mercenary, James had never encountered such a thorny situation.

"Everyone, maintain formation and stay alert. Take off that guy's handcuffs." After saying that, he pointed at Yinsen and Alice. "You two stay in the middle of the group. Don't run around. We'll protect you."

At the same time, this would ensure that, surrounded by his own people, they could not wander off or suddenly make a run for it.

"Kaplan, Rain, take care of them."

Originally, after the mercenaries discovered that the elevator could not be used, they chose to take the stairs. But after realizing they were being monitored the entire time and could be attacked at any moment, James did not even mention checking the elevator. He directly led his men down the stairs toward the lower level.

The team moved quickly. Even while on alert, everyone maintained their pace. Perhaps they subconsciously did not want to remain in this place and wanted to finish the mission as soon as possible.

Only Jill was still in the mood to ask Yinsen, "Did you mean we'll run into trouble?"

Matt, who had been about to thank him, also moved closer. He suppressed the urge to speak and quietly listened to Yinsen's explanation.

"There'll be a little trouble, but if the negotiations go well, it might just be a simple warm-up."

"Negotiations?"

Yinsen did not answer this time. Seeing that he would not speak, no one pressed him further, and they continued walking in silence.

Soon, just as in the plot, they saw the horrific scenes throughout the laboratory. One flooded lab and office after another stood lined up before them.

When Matt saw this, he suddenly wanted to rush out, but Yinsen grabbed his shoulder. "Don't act rashly. I know what you want to do, but I advise you not to leave the group and act alone for now."

Matt did not listen at all, only struggling as he said, "Let me go."

"If you don't want to be riddled with bullets, I think you'd better listen to me."

Unlike Yinsen, the mercenaries would not be polite with Matt. If he really did anything extreme, they would turn him into a honeycomb at the first opportunity.

Yinsen had only offered a kind reminder. Whether Matt listened or not, he would not meddle any further. After all, he was not some Saintly Figure who would keep patiently persuading people not to do something stupid after being accused of meddling. Fortunately, Matt did not continue being foolish, sparing them a great deal of trouble.

Just like in the plot, the group arrived at the so-called B Dining Hall.

At that moment, Yinsen deliberately pointed James toward the cryogenic units. "You can take a look at what's inside. Let me remind you that those things are alive. If the freezing is deactivated... heh."

After one glance, James did not want to look any longer. He took several steps back and surveyed the entire B Dining Hall, only to be stunned by the number of cryogenic chambers.

"All of these have those things inside?"

Everyone else had looked inside the chambers as well, and they reacted much the same way James had.

"What the hell are these things?"

Yinsen still did not answer, merely signaling for everyone to keep moving.

"The answer lies ahead. A more qualified narrator is waiting for us there."

Then he took the lead and walked forward. This time, no one even reminded him to stop or stay in the middle of the group. Instead, they silently followed behind him, as if Yinsen were the leader of their group.

Yinsen did not stop until they reached the outside of the Main Control Room where the Red Queen's motherboard was stored.

Before him was the Laser Corridor, the one that had been so stunning in the movie and even held a unique status in web novels—countless newcomers had earned their first pot of gold here.

"Unfortunately, this thing won't bring me any benefits. It'll only cause plenty of trouble."

At the same time, his destination was not inside it, but beneath this Control Room. So he stood outside the passage and faced the surveillance camera above him.

"Red Queen, I'm here to negotiate!"