233 It's just the beginning
Two hours later...
The voice of the leader, James, with the nickname "One," could be heard speaking and giving instructions over the helicopter's radio. Jacob was in the second helicopter with Call Sign 1, alongside Rain Ocampo, the doctor, and the amiable J.D Salinas.
Jacob was breaking into a cold sweat, and even though he had mentally prepared for what was about to happen, he still wasn't ready. After all, the concept of zombies was something he had never considered, and now it seemed he was about to experience it firsthand.
At this moment, with the help of his intelligent assistant, the memories of his life as "Jacob Barber" became blurry yet recallable; trivial worries transformed into dream-like memories. An example would be waking up in the morning and remembering that incredible dream we had, but by noon, that dream is hard to recollect.
This sensation was the same as what Jacob felt when he arrived in this world; the fixed memories he had were about the Resident Evil movie and everything related to the plot.
"Zz... Everyone needs to be on alert. There might be external intruders we have orders to eliminate. We must take them out quietly and without drawing too much attention. So, perform a flat sweep of the area before entering the mansion."
"At the same time, be cautious of the two agents who should be inside the mansion. They might be a bit disoriented by the activated mansion defenses. We're uncertain about their current status," ordered James with a serious tone.
At 6 in the morning, the weather is cold and calm. The temperature is low, and a gentle breeze makes the air feel crisp within the helicopter. Jacob's equipment consisted of the special backpack containing his explosive drones, a Beretta 92FS Inox pistol, a Heckler & Koch MP5K submachine gun, and a long knife on his belt, along with his sword placed on the side of the backpack on his back.
In his left hand, he held a mini-computer where he controlled the drones in motion, though this task was mainly in the hands of his intelligent assistant, which was always close by, keeping a watchful eye on their surroundings.
"It's so cold..."
"Are you nervous, Jacob?" J.D Salinas asked with a smile on his face. This man always tried to lighten the team's mood, something everyone appreciated from time to time.
"I have a bad feeling..." Jacob replied calmly, his serious gaze hardened by the cold air hitting his face.
"Don't worry, maybe it's just because you haven't eaten enough. Stay by my side, and I'll protect you," J.D Salinas said, winking at Jacob with a smile.
"Haha, alright. I'll keep that in mind."
"Could you guys please be quiet and check your equipment? We're about to land," scolded Rain Ocampo, looking at the chatty duo with annoyance.
"So soon and she's already mad..." J.D Salinas whispered to Jacob as he put on his gas mask.
"Well, two minutes to descend," said Jacob as he glanced at the watch on his hand and donned a black gas mask. According to the report, the mansion they were heading to had activated its defenses, so there might be some sort of gas in the air.
Everyone stood up, checking their equipment. Jacob secured the backpack on his back. It wasn't too heavy, and his gloves covered every part of his hands. This time, he had tested his intelligent assistant's skill to control a drone and emit words audible to others, so everyone assumed it was a miniature artificial intelligence.
"Zz... Approaching the mansion, get ready to descend to the mansion, Team 1. Clear the entire north side; we'll descend straight into the mansion."
The leader James' voice echoed through the headsets, maintaining constant communication. "Zz... We'll be a few minutes behind you to watch out for a possible surprise enemy attack."
"Understood, sir!"
"Zz... Ready to descend in 1 minute," the pilot said as they prepared to rappel down the ropes.
"Now!" Command 1 shouted as they launched down the ropes.
As the others were descending, Jacob muttered, "Intelligent assistant, initiate reconnaissance process one."
"[Understood, master!]"
On the mini-computer on his left arm, the command activated, and five drones shot out from Jacob's backpack.
With a modified telescopic scope over his right eye, Jacob could observe all the movements recorded in the mansion, while his explosive drones explored the area.
"Jacob, reconnaissance!" ordered J.D. Salinas as he moved ahead of the group.
Jacob was about to tell them that there was nothing unusual when a red light indicated movement—it was the fake police officer who appeared in the initial plot, Matt Addison.
"One of my drones detected an unregistered figure in the mansion's database, possibly a hostile figure," Jacob said, gripping his weapon and advancing in formation.
"Copy that, possible enemy ahead. Let's move to subdue him as soon as possible," Rain Ocampo said, reporting on the mission's progress.
"Understood!" Jacob and the others responded as they approached the mansion's entrance, where Matt Addison was running quickly.
The mansion's lights were already on. Jacob watched the drones, paying close attention to Matt Addison and all his movements. He had to determine if he was the same as the one from the movie; he shouldn't judge him solely based on recognition.
"The target entered the front side of the mansion," Jacob signaled from a distance.
"We've got him!" Everyone responded as they hurried to enter.
"In front of the mansion, I have a woman, possibly an agent guarding the entrance." Jacob continued reporting everything he observed, and upon seeing Alice Abernathy, he informed the team directly.
"Understood, proceed with caution." Everyone held their weapons, their vigilant gazes directed in every direction.
The helicopter carrying James was approaching in the sky, positioning itself directly above the mansion.
Outside the entrance, the ground team took their positions to enter. At that moment, the first airborne team led by James descended, breaking through the windows.
"They're inside!"
Crack! Crack!
Suddenly, the sound of shattering glass was heard, followed shortly by the explosion of a flashbang grenade.
Boom!
That was the signal for everyone else to enter.
"Let's go, now!" J.D Salinas shouted.
Sounds of shattered glass echoed as the outside team entered the mansion. Inside, Alice was utterly confused; she remembered nothing, and now a stranger was gripping her tightly, bombarding her with questions.
Seeing people dressed in black entering the mansion, Matt Addison immediately pulled out his gun to defend himself, but he was swiftly subdued by Command 2 and secured by the others.
"What are you doing? I'm a cop!" Matt Addison yelled, refusing to surrender.
Once everyone entered, Matt Addison had already been subdued. Jacob looked around, then his gaze fixed on Alice, who was now in a corner.
"They're breaking my arm!" Matt shouted in anger.
The last to enter was James "One," coming through the broken window. He walked directly to Alice and stood in front of her, looking at her.
"Your report!" James demanded directly.
Alice remained frozen on the floor, and upon seeing this, One lifted her off the ground, holding her with both hands and said, "Your report, now!"
"What...?" Alice responded, bewildered.
"I want your report, soldier!" One shouted.
"I don't know... what you're talking about," Alice muttered.
As one of the agents guarding this mansion, Alice should have had a report about what happened in this place.
Jacob had already approached James, glancing at the computer in his left hand.
Chad Kaplan approached One and said, "Sir, the primary defenses of the house have been activated. She might still be feeling the effects."
Upon hearing this, James pulled her along, and Kaplan and the others followed.
"And the cop?" James asked as he approached the entrance.
"Matt Addison doesn't appear in the files." Matt was already being aimed at by Rain Ocampo.
"Who are you?" Rain Ocampo asked authoritatively.
"I've just been transferred; they might not have my file yet," Matt Addison replied.
"That's plausible. Cops aren't very efficient," J.D sarcastically remarked.
"Should we secure the cop here?" Rain asked James, ready to shoot.
After a brief consideration, James said, "No, he'll come with us."
"Jacob, what's the status of reconnaissance?" James asked, heading towards the Hive entrance.
"There are no traces of further human activity in the mansion. My drones searched the most common areas, and there's no sign of the other agent. Should I proceed and investigate thoroughly?" Jacob asked, awaiting his boss's response.
"We can't afford this!" Matt Addison protested.
"Try me!" Rain Ocampo said.
"No time, we're entering the Hive," James ordered as the door opened. Command 1 and 2 entered first, followed by J.D Salinas. The doctor entered last, and then Jacob nervously smiled as the door closed behind him.
"And here I was expecting something more tranquil..."
