Sincerity or Acting

09:12.

A researcher clad in a white hazmat suit walked into the interrogation room, escorted by four Alphas.

Noticing someone had entered, the Plague Doctor, who had been scribbling away, stopped his work and looked up at the researcher and his entourage.

Because of the bird-like mask, it was impossible to discern the Plague Doctor's facial expressions; it was unclear whether he was pleased or angry.

That is, if he even had a face.

The four Alphas stood in the four corners of the interrogation room, their MA5Bs loaded and aimed at the Plague Doctor.

A sedative containing Lavender was also ready; should the Plague Doctor suddenly show signs of aggression, it could be pumped into the room through the air intake.

As soon as the researcher pulled out a metal chair and sat down, the Plague Doctor spoke first in a magnetic voice: "Ah, you've finally arrived. Let us begin the questioning quickly; do not waste my time."

Hearing this, the researcher sitting opposite the Plague Doctor asked: "From your words... it sounds as if you are already accustomed to being interrogated, are you not?"

The Plague Doctor spread his hands, glanced around the room, and said with a tone that suggested 'you know the answer to that': "Isn't that obvious?"

"Then, when was the last time you were questioned?"

"Hmm..." Upon hearing the researcher's question, the Plague Doctor tapped his left fingers rhythmically against the table while his right hand pinched his head, as if struggling to recall.

After a moment of contemplation, the Plague Doctor ceased his fidgeting and continued: "I cannot specify the exact date. I only remember that humanity was plunged into deep water and scorching fire at the time...

Oh, right, the officers interrogating me were talking about the Austro-Hungarian Empire declaring war on Serbia.

Not long after that, the barracks where I was being held were overrun by a group of soldiers in grey uniforms, and I took advantage of the chaos to leave."

Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Serbia.

It was clear that the period the Plague Doctor was referring to was World War I.

Having received this answer, the group learned another fact about the Plague Doctor: he possessed an extremely long, if not eternal, lifespan. After all, World War I had taken place eighty years ago.

After a brief pause.

The researcher asked again: "Then, how should I address you?"

"A name... a title..." The Plague Doctor once again displayed a look of recollection, but this time he quickly shook his head and chuckled softly:

"Doctor. Doctor will suffice."

"Very well, then, Doctor. I would like to know why you killed those humans, and what you used to—"

"Killed?!" The Plague Doctor suddenly interrupted the researcher, his voice rising with clear displeasure: "Treatment! It was treatment! I cured them! They were infected with the plague!"

"Treatment? Yet they all turned into mindless living corpses." The researcher did not retreat in the face of the Plague Doctor's anger, instead bluntly bringing up the tragedy at Apartment 26.

"Sigh..." The Plague Doctor let out a sorrowful sigh, leaning back into his chair. He no longer met the researcher's gaze, looking as if he had suddenly lost all energy:

"That was an imperfect treatment. In truth, I have spent my entire life researching cures for the plague. If sacrificing my life could save humanity, I would do so without hesitation.

But things have gone against my wishes; the plague will not disappear so easily."

"." (x N)

Observing the Plague Doctor's 'I am the first to act for humanity' persona, the researchers—with the exception of Sui Bian and the Alphas like Hunk—all felt that the Plague Doctor was quite the actor.

After the Pseudo-Zombies and the tenants' corpses were transported to the research center, the researchers had begun autopsies, examinations, and experiments.

They all suffered from various underlying ailments, but there was no such thing as a 'plague.'

If anything, only two of the corpses tested positive for the current influenza virus, commonly known as the cold.

Sui Bian understood the nature of the plague, which was why he didn't doubt the Plague Doctor's heartfelt lament just now. As for Hunk and the Alphas...

Their mindset was simply: 'I only follow orders; I don't care if you're genuinely doing this for humanity or not.'

The atmosphere in the interrogation room remained heavy for a moment.

"The plague." The researcher finally broke the silence: "What is the plague? We examined the bodies of the deceased and found no viruses, bacteria, or fungi of any kind."

"The plague..." The Plague Doctor explained, still sounding dejected: "It is everywhere. It represents natural disasters, extinction... er... how should I explain it in your words? Emotion? Thought? Sensibility...

In any case, many have already succumbed, and more humans will succumb in the future, until a perfect method to cure it is developed...

A vaccine. Yes, a vaccine. In fact, I am already close to completing a vaccine! So do not waste any more time. Quickly, take me to see my new laboratory and living quarters!"

By the end, the Plague Doctor's emotions were rising, as if he were impatient to continue his experiments.

"Sir?" Seeing the Plague Doctor's enthusiasm, the researcher turned to look at the one-way mirror, as if seeking further instructions from Sui Bian.

Inside the observation room.

Sui Bian pinched his chin with his left hand, staring at the highly motivated Plague Doctor in the interrogation room. After a moment of thought, he ordered Hunk, who stood beside him:

"Captain, have your Alphas transport this strange doctor to the Hive. Arrange a comfortable cell for him, and keep him under close surveillance until I return to the Hive."

"Understood." Hunk nodded slightly. Without asking why Sui Bian was not returning to Raccoon City with them, he turned and walked out of the observation room.

Following this.

The researcher in the interrogation room relayed part of Sui Bian's orders to the Plague Doctor, promising him new living quarters, though he said nothing about a new laboratory.

Upon hearing this news, the Plague Doctor did not make any further demands. Instead, he cooperated fully, leaving the interrogation room to be escorted by the Alphas and technical staff to the Umbrella military airfield on the outskirts of Paris.

Sui Bian now held initial power, no longer needing to "smuggle" himself to travel across the globe.

Therefore, under the arrangements of the Red Queen and the Headquarters Building's control center, the convoy escorting the Plague Doctor arrived at the airport at 10:15, and at 10:25, they boarded a company-owned C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft bound for Raccoon City in the United States.

Meanwhile.

Sui Bian had the Red Queen archive the incident involving the Plague Doctor and instructed the White Queen to select a site among Umbrella's various bases and facilities that was sufficiently large and preferably isolated from the world for renovation.

The purpose was simple: after gaining authority and control over the Plague Doctor, Umbrella would require an "Anomalous Phenomenon Containment Center."

While the Plague Doctor's temperament and the calming properties of lavender allowed for temporary containment within the Hive, they would inevitably encounter more dangerous entities in the future.

Thus, by establishing an Anomalous Phenomenon Containment Center, even if containment were to fail, it would not immediately result in large-scale casualties.

Just as the two Queens began their work, the four UBCS combat platoons previously deployed in Eastern Europe arrived at a suburban airport in Paris at 10:32, in accordance with their orders.