Main Universe.
Time: November 12, 2065.
Location: Downtown Halifax City.
09:32.
The Hive's third underground level, inside William's private office.
Its layout was not much different from the study in the palace.
There was a mahogany desk and a genuine leather office chair, a sofa, a low table, bookshelves, and a "floor-to-ceiling window" to the left of the desk.
After decades of development, Umbrella's virtual scenery could already be made almost indistinguishable from reality. Outside the study window was the Egyptian desert and a cluster of pyramids.
Dressed in slacks and a white shirt, William could even genuinely feel the waves of heat rolling in and the dry air from behind the floor-to-ceiling window.
William did not pay much attention to Egypt. He had only visited several times more than fifty years ago, when the Anubis Event occurred and Cairo disappeared.
He had simply wanted to look at the scenery of Egypt today. However, because the Hive's research had made its latest breakthrough, he had the virtual device generate a scene almost identical to nature itself, allowing him to feast his eyes.
Very soon.
William sensed that the temperature indoors was continuing to rise. Only then did he wave his hand and summon a holographic control panel, switching the virtual scenery to a grassland surrounded by a gentle breeze.
It did not take long for the office temperature to return to a comfortable level.
Just then, the office's automatic door suddenly opened.
William turned his head and saw Serena, dressed once more as a secretary, walking into the office. She came naturally to his side and said softly:
"William, our Umbrella-exclusive belt is ready. Let's go."
"Mm."
William chuckled and nodded. He then left the office with Serena and headed for the Hive's fourth level.
Four minutes later.
William and