Adulthood: The Forging of a Phantom
October 2002 – London, England
The memory of Raccoon City's ashes hung over the world like a shroud. For Alen Richard, it wasn't just a distant tragedy on the news; it was proof of a terrifying reality. The world was fragile. Order was a veneer. And the things that lurked in the dark could erase a city—and everyone in it—in days.
Sitting in his small Cambridge apartment, the silence was suffocating. His adoptive mother, Jessica, was gone. He was utterly alone, the his adoptive mother Jessica R Richard the women he loved gone cancer took away from him he missed her loved she was his every thing . The academic path of virology now felt hollow—a quiet pursuit in the face of overwhelming violence. He needed action. He needed a shield.
In October 2002, he walked into a British Armed Forces recruitment office. The sergeant behind the desk studied him. "Why the military, son?"
Alen's gaze was steady, his voice calm. "Raccoon City, Sergeant. I don't want to read about the next one in the papers. I want to stop it."
November 2002 – Basic Training, Catterick Garrison
From the first day, he stood out. While other recruits struggled, Alen moved with unnerving efficiency. His endurance seemed limitless, his strength remarkable for his lean frame. He wasn't just fit; he was precise.
During live-fire exercises, his accuracy was unnerving. He didn't just hit targets; he anticipated movement. His situational awareness was extraordinary, almost instinctual.
One evening, Sergeant Miller, a hardened veteran, pulled him aside. "Richard. What's your story? I've seen special forces hopefuls, but not like you. You're not just learning; it's like you already know it."
Alen's eyes stayed forward. "Just here to serve, Sergeant."
December 2003 – Meeting with High Command
By the end of 2003, Alen's file had reached General Sir Charles Holloway, a stern, influential figure in the UK defense hierarchy. Alen was summoned to a stark, windowless office in London.
"At ease, Soldier," Holloway said, gesturing to a chair. "Your service record is… unprecedented. Top scores in every metric. Your instructors don't have notes; they have theories."
Alen remained silent.
"The world is changing, Richard," the General continued. "Raccoon City wasn't an anomaly. Our intelligence suggests a new arms race—one not with nuclear weapons, but with engineered pathogens and the… creatures they produce. Conventional armies are useless against enemies that feel no fear, require no supply lines, and can turn our own population against us."
He slid a folder across the desk. Stamped on it: PROJECT: GRAYWEATHER.
"The Americans and we are establishing a joint initiative. A black ops program, so secret it doesn't officially exist. Its purpose: to create soldiers capable of neutralizing biological threats with extreme precision. CIA and MI6 are pooling their resources. We want you to be the first candidate."
Inside were blurred photos of grotesque, mutated creatures and schematics of nightmarish weapons.
"This program will make basic training feel easy," Holloway said bluntly. "The dropout rate is projected at ninety-five percent. Psychological strain will be immense. You will operate in hellscapes no human should witness. If you accept, Alen Richard ceases to exist. You will become an asset. A ghost. Do you understand?"
Alen did not hesitate. He saw not just a mission, but his purpose. "I understand, sir."
2004–2006 – PROJECT: GRAYWEATHER
The facility, known as "The Nursery," was a grim joke among those aware of it, located in a remote corner of Scotland. Here, the rules of warfare were rewritten.
His training was a brutal synthesis of lethal disciplines:
Advanced CQB (Close Quarters Battle): Trained against human opponents and simulations of agile, unpredictable B.O.W.s, targeting central nervous systems and joints to immobilize efficiently.
Biohazard Containment Protocols: Suited up in full NBC gear in under thirty seconds, operated in contaminated zones for 72 hours, performed field decontamination under simulated attack.
Virology & Pathogen Analysis: Focused on practical application: identifying virus strains by symptoms, predicting mutation cycles, locating weaknesses.
Psychological Warfare & Resilience: Sensory deprivation tanks, recorded screams, sleep deprivation, and simulated hallucinogens to replicate the terror of bio-attacks.
Live-Fire Exercises: Using captured B.O.W.s like zombified humans and Cerberus strains, trainees cleared underground proving grounds with limited ammo.
Alen didn't just survive; he excelled. His inherited immunity gave him an unmatched edge. His speed let him dodge attacks others couldn't; his strength allowed precise, devastating strikes. His senses detected faint chemical traces before they became visible.
Instructors watched in awe and unease.
"He's not human," one CIA trainer muttered after Alen cleared a zombie hive simulation in record time. "He moves like he knows what's coming."
The MI6 controller, known only as Warden, wrote:
"Asset demonstrates preternatural aptitude for asymmetrical bio-warfare. Physical and psychological metrics exceed all known parameters. Recommend designation: PHANTOM. Operational use: Tier-0 scenarios only. Existence denied at all levels, including DSO and BSAA."
By 2006, Alen Richard was gone. In his place stood the Phantom Soldier, a flawless and lethal instrument forged in the darkest crucible. He became a secret weapon in a shadow war the world couldn't know existed, a living testament to how far governments would go to contain the monsters they had helped create.