Dr. William Birkin was an excellent researcher at Umbrella, so outstanding that he was almost peerless. From a certain perspective, there were few people in the entire Umbrella Corporation who could compare to him, especially in the field of virus development.
He and his partner, Albert Wesker, worked for Umbrella for many years and achieved many breakthroughs. He obtained what he desired from Umbrella: money, status, and his beloved scientific career. In turn, Umbrella reaped greater profits from him. He was Umbrella's cash cow; few would deny that.
But now, it was time for them to say goodbye. This was because Dr. William had created a new, terrifying virus, something even more dreadful than the viruses Umbrella had developed. If it were just that, their relationship should have grown closer. However, William did not want to hand this virus over to Umbrella; he considered it his masterpiece and wished to use it to gain greater benefits. This viewpoint led him to his demise.
A research institute under the Umbrella Corporation's Raccoon City branch stood as a magnificent, grand, and splendid building. It immediately conveyed the immense power of a multinational corporation. However, this was merely a cover for the underground laboratory. The empty building contained no secrets of any kind. The true classified information was hidden underground. That was Dr. William's experimental Base, the place where the new virus was developed. As Umbrella's cash cow, Dr. William received the most comprehensive protective measures.
However, these thorough security measures sometimes also meant the most stringent monitoring. Dr. William was unaware that his every move was being watched, including his rebellious plans and his research findings. At this moment, he was still in the underground laboratory, fully immersed in his experiment. The newly developed virus had not yet been thoroughly perfected, but it had already demonstrated superior capabilities compared to the original virus.
The virus developed by Umbrella was named the t-virus. He, on the other hand, named the virus he developed based on the t-virus the G-Virus. Although not yet perfect, William believed that it wouldn't be long before G would replace T, becoming the most formidable entity in virus history.
Under the dim light, Dr. William picked up a test tube from the laboratory bench. The liquid inside was a bizarre violet color, and gently shaking it even produced a mercury-like texture, with the liquid surface constantly churning as if boiling. Several visible, giant cell nuclei floated up and down within it.
Looking at the virus reagent, William sighed with emotion.
"What a pity. If I could get that perfect experimental subject from the Hive, the G-Virus could immediately reach its final perfected stage. But it's good that I got her DNA sample; as long as I make a clone in a few months, I can achieve this! I have surpassed everyone, even the so-called Genius girl of the Ashford Family!"
Thinking of this, William Birkin became even more excited. His skin, pale from overwork, appeared even more sinister under the dim laboratory lights. However, he was so engrossed in his inner ambition that he did not notice danger approaching step by step.
While Dr. William was still marveling at his experimental achievements, a group of Soldiers wearing Umbrella Corporation assault team uniforms had already arrived at the laboratory door. Then, with a whoosh, the laboratory door immediately swung open. The Soldiers poured in, surrounding Dr. William, who had sharply turned around upon hearing the noise.
"Dr. William, the Board of Directors demands that you and your new virus be brought back. We hope you do not resist, otherwise some very unpleasant things might happen," one of the Soldiers said. Another Soldier unlocked his gun and pointed it at William. Their meaning was clear: cooperate, or Death.
"I didn't expect you would finally come," William said coldly, looking at the Umbrella recovery team members in front of him. He secretly took out a pistol with his left hand, while his right hand tightly clutched a virus sample.
"Who sent you, Raymond or Spencer?"
"Dr., please hand over the virus you are holding, or we will have to be impolite! You should know what happens when you defy the Board of Directors' orders!" The Soldier did not answer his question but kept repeating his command.
"I will not hand over the G-Virus. No matter what, I will not give the G-Virus to you. No one can take it away!" William clutched the virus tightly. He slowly retreated backward, raising his pistol and aiming it at these Bandits. As he retreated, he accidentally bumped into a table behind him, and beakers clattered to the floor.
The sound caused a nervous Soldier to immediately pull the trigger, and dozens of bullets instantly pierced William's body. Although another Soldier quickly shouted for them to stop, it was already too late. Dr. William collapsed in a pool of blood before he could even say anything.
"Damn it! You'll hit the virus sample!"
Seeing this, the leading Soldier slapped the guy who had fired indiscriminately. But that was all. Then, this guy squatted down and took the tightly clutched virus sample from the dying William's hand.
"Mission accomplished, everyone withdraw!" At this command, the group of Soldiers, just as silent and swift as when they arrived, left the place. Only Dr. William remained, lying on the ground, feeling his body gradually grow cold.
Watching the departing Umbrella special forces, William felt his consciousness gradually thin. He used his last bit of strength, trembling as he pulled something from his embrace.
It was a syringe filled with purple liquid. Through the syringe's tube wall, large cell nuclei were clearly visible inside. At this moment, William, almost without any hesitation, injected the contents of the syringe into his jugular vein.
A mutation began.
Time slowly passed. William, who had closed his eyes as if dead, suddenly opened them. Almost instantly, his eyes turned a vivid blood red. A powerful urge and insane ideology began to assault his already fragile consciousness. Before he completely lost consciousness, he opened his mouth and, with all his remaining strength, shouted with hatred: "Umbrella!
You will pay the price!"
Soon, terrifying sounds erupted. Instruments and tools in the laboratory were knocked to the ground. A strange, indescribable, terrifying giant foot stomped down, crushing these items to pieces with heavy thuds. A roar echoed, and a massive Shadow began to run.
"Headquarters, calling Headquarters, we have successfully recovered the virus, target is deceased. We now need a helicopter for extraction, repeat, mission accomplished, we need a helicopter for extraction," an Umbrella special forces Soldier said into his walkie-talkie. Suddenly, an ominous premonition surged from his heart. He looked up and immediately let out an incredulous gasp: "Damn it! What is that!!!"
His gasp drew the attention of all the Soldiers, who immediately spotted the target that had caused the exclamation. Without the slightest hesitation, the special forces Soldiers immediately raised their MP5s and began firing at the terrifying creature they saw, but the bullets seemed to have no effect.
A powerful claw swiped, and under that giant claw, a Soldier's body was instantly torn into a pile of fragments.
"Damn it! Samuel!"
Another special forces Soldier watched his best comrade being torn into countless scattered pieces right before his eyes. He immediately roared, raised his gun, and desperately pulled the trigger at the culprit. Bullets poured out, then suddenly, his gun made a clicking sound.
"Damn it! Out of bullets!" He frantically pulled a magazine from his embrace, and just as he was about to load it, a strange premonition made him involuntarily look up. Then, a terrifying large eye immediately appeared before him. Intense pain and fear followed.
"Oh!!! No! Ah..." Desperate screams echoed continuously in the secluded alley. Then, it quickly fell silent.
This strange situation went unnoticed by anyone. These days, Raccoon City had become increasingly bizarre. People were wary of everything around them, no longer willing to investigate anything strange. Many had already paid a heavy price for this. And this lesson was enough to teach the remaining people something.
A fear was gradually spreading, as if Hell was slowly opening. Almost everyone began to notice that something was wrong; the increasing number of psychotics in Raccoon City proved this point. These madmen would bite anyone they saw. One eyewitness swore that he had personally seen a passerby's carotid artery severed by a psychotic, bleeding profusely.
Everyone realized that the city was becoming increasingly strange. Many people started going to gun shops to buy firearms and ammunition for self-defense. Weapons and ammunition in gun shops suddenly became bestsellers, which kept the gun shop owner smiling constantly.
And today was the strangest. Before nightfall, the city's broadcast began to announce notices, informing all citizens to try to avoid going out at night. It was said that many strange incidents occurred at night, with many people disappearing as a result, and some even claimed to have seen alien creatures or strange animals. Although these were just rumors, they filled every citizen's heart with panic.
Almost all Police phone lines were busy, and the lack of Police force forced the Police Department to seek help from the largest local power.
Umbrella, however, was very willing to dispatch their private mercenary organization, UBCS, to protect the citizens. This action made many citizens immensely grateful to this renowned large corporation. For many years, the Umbrella Corporation had provided people with numerous job opportunities. It created this city, prospered this city. It could be said that Umbrella created Raccoon City's present, and Umbrella gave this city life.
The citizens all harbored deep affection for this large corporation, yet they did not know. That very day, this city would, at the hands of Umbrella, head towards destruction.