Night fell~
Ophelia returned ho, slightly fatigued.
"Damn it, that guy is stubborn as a mule."
No matter how much she argued, debated, or cajoled, Ivan remained unmoved. He refused to hand over the technology for the Arc Reactor.
Her frustration burned within her.
"Should I just have him kidnapped?"
It was an idea that aligned perfectly with Hydra's modus operandi. However, after so thought, she dismissed it.
The risks were too great—it would attract SHIELD's attention.
After all, Hamr Industries wasn't a pushover. While Stark's military innovations overshadowed theirs, Hamr was still a world-class weapons manufacturer.
Knock, knock.
As Ophelia pondered her options, a knock at the door interrupted her thoughts.
Monts later, a woman dressed in a sleek black suit, resembling a personal assistant or housekeeper, entered.
"Miss Ophelia, we've received a ssage from Base Three. They've developed a new generation of zombie virus."
Ever since the zombie outbreak in Kyushu, Japan, last year, the world had been racing to develop a cure.
But to create a cure, one first needed samples of the virus.
And with access to those samples, who could resist the temptation to study such a potent biological weapon?
Perhaps ethical labs would abstain, but Hydra? Never.
Ophelia imdiately stood from her seat.
"Have they managed to control the zombies?"
The assistant shook her head.
"Uncertain."
"Connect to Base Three."
A mont later, the assistant handed her a specially encrypted phone. All communications between Ophelia and Hydra were routed through highly secured channels to prevent any leaks.
"This is Ophelia."
"Have you controlled the zombies yet?"
"What do you an 'no'? Then what's the point of a new virus strain?"
"Increased transmissibility and aggression? Useless if they can't be controlled!"
"What? The original sample ca from the Middle East? You're requesting authorization for large-scale human experints?"
Ophelia hesitated.
Her concern wasn't for the lives of the test subjects—it was the risk of exposing Hydra's operatives.
"What are the odds of success?"
"Seventy percent? Fine. As long as the other heads approve, I have no objections."
After ending the call, Ophelia rubbed her temples.
She had hoped her scientists had discovered a way to control the zombies, but instead, they were pushing for massive human trials.
Still, if they could unlock the secret to controlling the infected, it would be worth any cost.
Zombies were the perfect soldiers.
They didn't fear death, required no salaries, and needed minimal logistical support. Most importantly, they were an endless resource.
If Hydra could harness them, even the Sentinel Program would pale in comparison.
But viruses were unpredictable and unreliable.
After so thought, she dialed Ivan's number again.
........
Ti passed swiftly.
A month later, Adam concluded his global inspection tour and returned to the United States.
However, instead of heading directly to Umbrella's headquarters in New York, he visited the company's weapons facility in Raccoon City.
The morning sun had barely risen, but the sky above Raccoon City remained dark and overcast. Rain poured steadily, showing no signs of letting up.
As soon as Adam disembarked from his plane, he was greeted by the city's new mayor and other officials, all braving the rain to welco him.
"Mr. Adam, welco to Raccoon City."
"Mayor Amro, thank you for your efforts. I'm only here for a brief visit—there's no need to trouble yourself."
"It's no trouble at all. It's my honor," the mayor insisted.
After exchanging pleasantries, they began walking toward the exit.
Just then, one of the staff holding an umbrella for Adam slipped and fell.
Rain imdiately drenched Adam, causing the mayor to panic. He hurriedly grabbed a spare umbrella and held it over Adam himself.
"My deepest apologies for this mishap, Mr. Adam. I assure you the individual responsible will be dealt with."
Adam rely chuckled and stepped into his car without replying.
"No need to see off. I'll head to the factory on my own."
"As you wish, sir. Safe travels."
Mayor Amro stood in the rain, watching the convoy disappear into the distance. Once the vehicles were out of sight, he wiped the sweat from his brow, his face pale with relief.
Nearby, the staff mber who had dropped the umbrella approached timidly.
"Mayor, surely we don't need to go to such lengths to please him?"
Amro's expression darkened, and he kicked the man aside.
"Shut up! If you want to die, don't drag down with you!"
The staff mber clutched his stomach, disbelief written all over his face as he got up.
"He's just a businessman! Even if he controls Raccoon City's economy, why should we fear him?"
"Just a businessman?" Amro let out a bitter laugh.
"That man isn't confined by rules. If he were just a businessman, I'd sleep much easier at night."
"He's a devil—the biggest devil in Arica. No, in the entire world."
Amro turned and walked away, leaving the stunned staff mber behind.
......
In the car, Adam sat with his eyes closed, resting. Beside him, Luna asked cautiously, "Boss, it seems Mayor Amro is starting to show signs of disobedience. Should we replace him?"
Adam opened his eyes slightly and countered with a question.
"How much of Raccoon City's economy do we control?"
"Besides the Umbrella Weapons Facility, we've acquired most of the city's supermarkets, bars, hotels, and other businesses. Roughly fifty percent."
"That's not enough. Aim for ninety percent or more."
"Wouldn't that violate antitrust laws?"
"Laws?" Adam smirked.
"In Raccoon City, Umbrella is the law."
"I understand, boss."
As the car fell silent once more, a synthetic voice suddenly echoed within the cabin.
"Master, an outbreak of an unknown zombie virus strain has been detected in the Middle East."
"Oh?"
Adam opened his eyes, his interest piqued.
"It seems there are still so talented individuals on this planet. Already developing a new T-virus variant, are they?"
"Connect to the satellite feed. I want to see what's happening."
_________________
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