Mayor Warren's report was submitted to the State Legislature, while Asa stood in an unused section of the factory, watching Mikhail lead his team through their daily training from a distance.
After so many days of busy work, the company's structure had a basic framework, and Asa was no longer without people at his disposal.
A few days ago, Jill had contacted him; the materials he had given her had already been passed on to Alyssa, that female reporter with a strong sense of justice.
The entire Raccoon City was full of Umbrella Corporation's eyes and ears, so Alyssa decided to leave Raccoon City and use her connections to expose Umbrella Corporation's evil deeds.
Asa was noncommittal; in fact, after Jill exposed the biological weapons at the Training Facility, Asa believed that many characters from other factions had already entrenched themselves in Raccoon City.
Jill and Alyssa, these two figures at the center of the storm—there were certainly many people watching them in the shadows.
All Asa could do was pray for her safety on her journey.
Turning around, Annette Birkin was looking around the laboratory layout; after a long while, she finally critiqued it:
"Such a crude laboratory, are you sure the effective substance for 'Zombrex' was synthesized here?"
Ever since Annette learned that Asa had a vial of modified T-Virus, she had been unable to eat or sleep for days, constantly thinking about what kind of effects the modified T-Virus could achieve.
Making up a random excuse for William, Annette contacted Asa and came to the Umbrella Pharmaceutical laboratory.
Compared to NEST 1, the equipment in Umbrella Pharmaceutical's laboratory was so crude that it didn't even have a remote operating system; everything had to be done manually.
Annette sighed deeply, then looked at Asa with burning eyes.
"You promised before that as long as I joined your company, I would get the modified T-Virus. Now it's time for you to fulfill your promise."
"Of course, but you have to cooperate and be injected with the NE-alpha Parasite."
"What? This wasn't part of our agreement!"
Annette's expression changed. Once the NE-alpha Parasite matured, it would directly attack the host's frontal cortex and think on the host's behalf. Would she even have a chance to live after being injected?
Besides, wasn't the parasite a research product of the Europe Branch? How did Asa get his hands on it?
"Look at you, getting anxious again."
Asa took out a stack of documents from the side and explained:
"Just like the T-Virus, the NE-alpha Parasite in my hands is a modified version."
Annette skeptically took the data Asa had compiled at the Arklay Laboratory and browsed through it carefully; there were indeed no issues.
It was just that with a single thought from Asa, she would be killed instantly.
Other than that, not only did the parasite have no side effects, it could even improve the host's intelligence to a certain extent.
However, in doing so, her life and death would be held in Asa hands.
"Sorry, this is a necessary insurance. But how is it any different from being at Umbrella Corporation? Did you have the right to refuse there?"
Asa shrugged. Being controlled by Umbrella Corporation was control, and being controlled by him was also control; by comparison, Asa side offered a much brighter future.
For his future core team, Asa would add such an insurance policy. Perhaps this insurance would never be activated, but it had to exist.
Annette pursed her lips and finally chose to agree.
"A wise choice, Madam."
Asa clapped his hands. "Then let's begin."
A moment later.
Annette examined her hands; she felt an incredible power contained within them. In the mirror, her skin, which had suffered from years of work, glowed with new radiance. The dullness, nasolabial folds, and dark circles on her face had all vanished.
"Incredible, the effect the Chairman wanted has really been reproduced."
Annette admitted there was an element of gambling in her decision, partly because she didn't want to be buried alongside William.
From the look of it, she had bet correctly.
Her right hand reached for her tailbone. Just after injecting the T-Evolution, Asa had injected the parasite into Annette's spinal cord.
"Logically speaking, since you forced me to inject the parasite, I should hate you."
Annette frowned. "But now, whenever any thought harmful to you arises in my mind, I'm always talked out of it by myself. Is this also part of the parasite's effect?"
"So it can even do that." Hearing this, Asa secretly noted the effect while remaining calm on the surface.
"Indeed."
"Truly a miracle. A T-Virus with no side effects, and a parasite that stays in a permanent larval state... Asa, how did you do it? You've rarely left the base these past few months."
"Maybe I'm just exceptionally gifted?"
Asa shrugged.
"Maybe you really are. How did I not notice before?"
Annette fell into deep self-doubt.
Just then, the Nokia 5110 in Asa backpack beeped.
After meeting Jill last time, the two had exchanged phone numbers.
This time, the caller was indeed Jill.
The call had just connected when Jill's bitter voice came through.
"Lang, you were right. An infection has broken out at Warren Stadium!"
"When the outbreak occurred, a state-level football game was being held. Now, forty thousand spectators are all trapped inside the stadium!"
"Is the situation that bad?"
"Yes, the entire stadium has been locked down. No one knows how many people inside are infected now."
"Outside the gates are the R.P.D., State Police, FBI disguised as State Police, and CIA disguised as FBI, but right now, no one dares to go in."
"The Deputy Chief has already called for support from the National Guard, but I'm afraid there won't be enough time."
Seeing Raccoon City fall into such a state, the bitterness in Jill's heart was beyond words.
Forty thousand spectators—once they're all infected, let alone a lockdown, the R.P.D. might be completely wiped out.
And the mastermind behind all this is still watching from the sidelines, as if completely detached from the world.
As an elite officer, Jill once again felt a deep sense of powerlessness.
"Jill."
Asa voice was very soft.
"Have you forgotten about the pharmaceutical company I just founded?"
"You mean?"
"After an infected person is bitten, there is a certain window of time. As long as they haven't completely mutated, taking the medicine during this period can save them."
"It's just that this drug hasn't been officially launched yet, so there might be some procedural issues. However, I'm sure those important figures will understand."
"Really? There have been too many infection cases these past few days, I haven't been following your progress over there."
Jill let out a long breath. she always had a feeling that as long as Asa took action, the matter would likely be resolved.
"But, ahem, you know the cost of this drug..."
"I understand. This is an expense the City Government should bear."