After hanging up the phone, Alex looked out the window; she was on an island, in charge of a project, surrounded by the sea. This island wasn't marked on any map and was Umbrella's private property.
"Spencer, do you really think you can use me? That I don't know? You old man are truly disgusting." Alex's beautiful eyes flashed with deep disdain. If Eddie hadn't told her, she would have almost been deceived by Spencer. She had been kept in the dark about the so-called Wesker Project.
Her previously somewhat weakened body now felt a bit better, but the genetic defect still persisted. Alex understood her predicament; only her boyfriend Eddie could cure her.
While researching the serum, Eddie was also developing small, portable firearms and vehicles—tools that could be used in sealed rooms and also serve as temporary transportation, replacing helicopters.
In the complex environment of the underground research facility, with vertical elevators alone stretching over a hundred meters, relying on helicopters was unrealistic; he had never seen a helicopter that could fly indoors.
Tap, tap, tap. Annette's high heels clicked. She still came to the lab as usual during this time, seemingly letting bygones be bygones, though he wasn't sure if she was just putting on an act.
"What are you doing?" Annette watched Eddie attempting to assemble a machine, speaking as she walked to the cabinet to prepare coffee.
"Researching something useful. Sergei said he wants me to report to the S.T.A.R.S. in Raccoon City in a month, so I might only be here for a while." Eddie didn't hide anything; he told the truth.
Annette's delicate hand paused while preparing coffee. She frowned and asked, "Why so sudden? Has he discovered something?"
Eddie shook his head, "No, I just submitted a redacted version of my research findings. Spencer's gone somewhere, leaving everything to Sergei. He's probably transferring me to the S.T.A.R.S. for some mission. You all are still safe. Isn't it better that no one is monitoring you?"
Annette handed him the prepared coffee. "It's just a bit sudden. You're going to the Tactical Force? Did you tell Sergei everything?"
Eddie suddenly teased, "Are you unaccustomed to it, or will you miss me?"
Annette raised her delicate eyebrows. "You're overthinking it. That's not the case." She then tilted her head and lightly stroked her golden hair.
"I plan to help you one last time before I leave," Eddie said, suddenly serious.
Hearing this, Annette was puzzled. "What do you mean?"
"You need an enhancement. If you successfully develop the G-Virus, leave quickly; don't linger. Umbrella is never merciful, and given Dr. William's personality, he will absolutely not hand over the serum data," Eddie analyzed, nodding.
Annette was a little nervous but then relaxed her guard. She trusted that her friend wasn't there to seize the G-Virus data. "I don't need it. Just don't tell the higher-ups about us."
"I told you, if it were Alexia from the Antarctic Research Facility, she might be able to develop the G-Virus in such a short time. Although Dr. William is clever, he can't possibly fully test the G-Virus's efficacy, and when it can truly be extracted is still a question." Eddie picked up his coffee and took a light sip.
Annette didn't know whether to be happy or resentful, hearing her husband spoken of this way. "Then I should thank you, but I don't need the enhancement."
"No, as a friend, you've helped me, and I want to see this through. And believe me, if a sudden incident truly occurs, having the serum might save your life!" Eddie said with a serious expression.
"You don't need to concern yourself with my affairs; I'll handle them myself." Annette turned her head away. She found it difficult to accept her friend's kindness.
"It's no use refusing." Eddie lunged forward and knocked Annette unconscious. Sometimes, strength isn't for showing off; otherwise, undergoing serum modification would be meaningless!
Based on Annette's hair, her genetic blueprint was used to construct the maximum tolerable serum for her, followed by cryogenic modification.
.
Chapter 25: Annette's Transformation!
Annette, who had been missing for a day, reappeared. She would never forget Eddie's help; perhaps she would never forget such a good friend in her lifetime. The process of turning an enemy into a friend is always unforgettable, and coupled with their shared dedication to science, they also had many common topics.
Creak! The laboratory door opened. William continued to develop his G-Virus. With this serum, he was confident he could gain immense power within the military, even more than he had at Umbrella, and certainly better than that guy Spencer.
Annette walked with a frown. She hadn't fully adjusted yet; her high heels left a mark several centimeters deep wherever she stepped. As her strength increased, her old habits needed to change.
Picking up a cup to drink water used to be simple, but Annette had already broken several cups. Using her usual strength, the cups couldn't withstand it. Her strength had increased, and she hadn't adapted yet, which both surprised and delighted her.
"Eddie is expected to be transferred in a month, by Sergei. Spencer's whereabouts are unknown. We are temporarily safe. What's the progress on your research?" Annette said calmly, without her usual excitement, seemingly growing more distant from William.
"Transferred? That's good news; he can scram. The serum still needs some tests. How's your vaccine development coming along?" William didn't reveal his own progress. He seemed to distrust even Annette, only trusting himself.
Having witnessed Umbrella's terrifying methods, William felt anxious. Ever since his dispute with Umbrella's higher-ups, he had felt increasingly unable to stay, and he urgently needed to find a new path.
Annette frowned, clearly disliking hearing anyone speak ill of her friend. "The vaccine can only be used within three hours of infection; it's ineffective afterward. The time is very short, and this is the best I can do."
"That's enough. We don't need a perfect vaccine, just a perfect serum," William sneered.
This greatly displeased Annette, who was also a top expert. Was he looking down on her? William was becoming increasingly paranoid, and the conversational atmosphere was nowhere near as good as with Eddie.
"If there's nothing else, I'll leave first." Annette shook her head. She wanted to see her daughter, Sherry. She had a bad premonition, one that filled her with a little fear, a little joy, and even a hint of longing!
In the Umbrella Security Department office, Sergei watched the footage before him. It showed a man at night directing strange creatures to attack pedestrians—footage captured at great risk by his subordinates.
"What do you think, Eddie?" Sergei turned and asked, still toying with the strange rotating blade in his hand.
"Is that the person impersonating Uncle Marcus? Uncle Sergei, send your men out and deal with him!" Eddie feigned anger.
Sergei smiled playfully. "Heh heh, you really are loyal and righteous."
"Uncle Marcus did me a great favor. Although I've rarely seen him, I know that anyone trying to impersonate him is desecrating the dignity of the deceased. That imposter must be killed. Don't you think that's right?" Eddie's eyes were fierce.
This feigned ferocity couldn't scare Sergei. "The Special Operations Force has matters to attend to; they don't have time to deal with him. If you wish, you can go yourself."
"I don't have that ability." Eddie lowered his head, somewhat dejectedly pulling out a cigarette. In his heart, he cursed Sergei's ancestors for eighteen generations; he would never go to the extremely dangerous Executive Training Center—that would be suicide!
"Why don't you have that ability? You do. Don't you still have your Delta Team? I hear it's recently been renamed Wolf Team, and their mission completion rates are excellent. Don't just give them to the company," Sergei sneered.
"No, I must have them; they are mine." Eddie would not relinquish authority. Wolf Team consisted of members he had carefully selected, and they would be useful in many ways in the future.
"You will be transferred to the S.T.A.R.S. as a member. Remember to monitor Wesker. If he makes any unusual moves, report directly to me." Sergei issued an order and then dismissed him.
Eddie walked out of the office, a playful smile playing on his lips. Was this a setup? Good thing he had already laid out his plans in advance; otherwise, he really would have been led by the nose.
Arriving at Raccoon City University, Eddie waited in front of a teaching building. Soon, Suzuki Yoko walked out. "Eddie, sorry to keep you waiting."
Eddie shook his head. "No, let's go to the coffee shop."
He led Suzuki Yoko through several turns, arriving at a subway station. They took the subway to an area near the Arklay Mountains. Due to frequent accidents and murders, very few people came here for tourism anymore. The foot traffic had significantly decreased, yet there were still quite a few fearless or curious individuals who wanted to witness some miracles here.
After exiting the subway, Eddie got on an off-road motorcycle and took Suzuki Yoko to his villa in the mountains.
There was a standard mountain Highway along the way. As they delved deeper into the Arklay Mountains, the forests became denser, and even sunlight was rarely seen.
"That place looks familiar," Suzuki Yoko said from behind, pointing to an abandoned facility to the northeast.
"That's the suburban sanatorium. It was closed and abandoned due to some incidents," Eddie said calmly, his gaze subtly sweeping over the ruins. He could vaguely see a man wearing a hood and wielding an axe, chasing something.
Just as he thought, that place could serve as a good springboard!
Upon arriving at the villa, Suzuki Yoko jumped around, getting her blood flowing. "Why did you bring me here?"
"For something good, of course. You don't seem afraid that I might do something bad to you," Eddie teased, admiring her boldness. In this wilderness, with just a man and a woman, a girl would be in great danger.
Suzuki Yoko shook her head. "I believe you're not that kind of person."
"Haha, well, your judgment is good; I'm indeed not that kind of person. I want you to help me build a supercomputer server, or an instrument capable of copying Umbrella's vast data. Can you do that?" Eddie laughed heartily. Should he be proud, or should he do something about it?
Suzuki Yoko frowned in thought. "Umbrella's database is enormous. It's unrealistic to build a comparable computer in a short time, but copying Umbrella's data, that can be done."