42 A Deal Must Be Struck (part 2)

Jason pulled out his wallet and revealed everyone in the hall a BSAA badge inside of it. Steve openly asked, "...You?"

Jason suddenly looked ashamed that Steve responded that way. Jason gave a nod, "I was originally a mercenary that was part of Wesker's "Ultimate Plan" but when he died, I chose a side that would keep me safe and healthy, but I knew good people were stuck here. I knew if I didn't return here before the BSAA did, many would die. So I got my hands on only two of the founders and requested to be a spy of this facility and to keep an eye on the people and information they had and send back information monthly. Six out of the eleven founders know I'm here."

Steve along with Clyde and Yumi were dumbstruck as James was listening carefully. Steve gave a whimpering scoff. The "enemy" has been helping him this whole time. Jason was the first person he saw when he broke free from the coma. Jason was by Ada's side and was even working with her. Jason did so much to convince Steve that he was on their side. To know that his ranked Second Lieutenant in the BSAA puts all of that trust on the line. Steve saw Team Charlie's weapons lower and relax. They all seemed just as shocked as Steve's side.

Steve spoke softly, "How the hell am I going to believe anything you say after knowing... this?" Steve seemed defeated and unsure if he and his friends would be able to flee from this. A part of him wanted to make sure to find a way to bring Jason with him instinctively but he had to remind himself he's no longer part of the team.

Jason looked at steve and calmly nodded before he spoke, "You can trust me, Steve. I know what everyone has been through. I know you are not a threat to the world and I need to prove it to them and the BSAA as a whole," Jason placed his hand on Steve's shoulder once more and gave a reassuring smile to Steve, Yumi, and James. Billy did not like this. He did not seem to trust anyone aside from Steve.

Steve knew they did not have many options and at first glance, this was the most sound and safest decision he could make. He thought he could trust Jason. If he could, this was the only way to make sure his friends will be by his side in the end. Steve had to make one more demand and then he would submit. He faced Jason directly and spoke, "They stay by my side, with no restraints, and will not be prisoners. No matter what! You make that happen."

Jason gave a nod, "I'll make it happen..."

Steve blinked. He did not think it'd end up this easy. Something has got to happen. Something that would prevent such sudden good news. Steve turned around to face his friends. James gave a shrug, clearly insinuating that he was unsure of what to make of all of this. Clyde furiously glared at Jason. It was obvious Clyde did not like this plan, but he usually does not like any plan until it has been done. Yumi held Steve's hand still as she looked unsure as well. Yumi had her eyes focused on Steve, though. She was going to be by Steve's side no matter what decision Steve was going to make.

Steve turned back to Jason and then to Team Charlie and spoke, "Are all of you fine with this?"

Cara glanced at her team and gave a shrug, "We don't exactly have a say in this, but if I did, I would say that I'm confident nobody wants to be enemies, here. My team will have you under our custody, which means we will be by your side as well. If the Second Lieutenant says that he can make it happen, then I'm by your side."

Steve slowly grew a gentle smile and scoffed lightly. That was it. No blood needed to be shed. Steve gave another heavy sigh as relief washed over him, "OK, then!" Steve chuckled as he saw All of Team Charlie kept their arms lowered and all relaxed. All except one. The sniper. The one with the large code mounted to his assault rifle. His gun was still pointed directly at Steve's head. Steve froze the moment he noticed that was still a target. Steve spoke. Steve sounded worried and quiet, "I... I don't think all of you got the memo..." Steve looked directly towards the young sharpshooter. Soon everyone else did.

Cara looked to her teammate from behind and she stood aside to get away from the direction the gun pointed. Cara then spoke calmly, "Faulton. Lower your weapon. We've met a truce. We can relax."

"Why are we still talking?" Todd spoke under his shaky breath as he glared at Steve with his assault pointed directly at Steve as well, "This fucking... Thing should be on the ground, dead, from all of us laying waste to it." Steve's eyes widened to such bold words.

Steve realized what was wrong. This guy, Faulton, never broke eye contact with Steve. He had stared into Steve's eyes long enough to be convinced that Steve was just another BOW. Steve had a short breath as he tried to look helpless to the sniper. Steve was not afraid. Fear was something he hasn't felt in a long time. Sure panic and anxiety, but he was not afraid of this kid.

Cara was baffled that her youngest member was so prone to fear. She faced him directly as she gave her order with her stern voice, "Todd, lower your gun. Now!"

"I'm sorry Captain. I can't follow that order. I have designated Steve Burnside as a Bio Organic Weapon and must be eliminated," Todd was openly stated to his captain as he lifted his finger to the trigger of his assault rifle.

Carlos, the man that was next to Cara spoke up as he visibly tensed up in frustration, "Come on, kid! Drop the gun and back off!"

Jason spoke up in a sudden panic, "Captain Ambers! Control your team!"

Cara got to the side of Todd's face and spoke honestly, "Todd this is insubordination. Stop this. Please! What the hell do you think you're doing?!"

Todd, without a second to wait, responded, "I'm protecting the world..."

Carlos, in an instant, reached over and grabbed the barrel of Todd's gun and yanked it to the side instinctively in an attempt to prevent someone from getting shot.

BANG!!!

The gunfire echoed in the halls and rang in everyone's ears. Steve tensed and jumped as he readied for death. He held his breath as he tried to brace himself for the bullet, somehow. There was a moment of pure silence. Steve's eyes slowly opened. The boys on Cara's Team had their sharpshooter, restrained and on the ground. Steve then took a sharp inhale and noticed that he was not in any pain what so ever. His hands palmed his chest and hips as he checked for any blood or bullet holes. His adrenaline had him shivering out of pure shock. The bullet missed him...

Steve gave a soft scoff and a chuckle as he realized that their sniper missed him within fifteen feet and with a strong scope, "Heh... Y'might wanna recalibrate that scope," he said in a very uncertain and sarcastic tone. He looked at his body one more time to confirm that he did not get hit. He gave a soft and kind grin as he looked at Cara and spoke, "Thank you for protecting me," his voice showed genuine kindness as he then noticed the look of dread and shock on their faces. The color on their faces all gone as they were all focused to the right of Steve.

Steve felt a part of him demanding himself not to look at what they were all staring at. A gut retching feeling loomed aside him as he then heard a whimpering voice whisper, "...S-Steve?"

His name echoed quietly in his ears as he turned to see. Yumi. Her body lightly shivered as she clutched her hands to the deep crimson the hugged her white shirt. Her eyes looked at Steve with fear that enveloped her expression. A glisten of hope shined in her eyes as she obviously thought that Steve could save her from this, somehow. Her small shaken hands opened to reveal a dark red hole where the bullet pierced straight through her.

In that one moment, Steve found certain emotions he had never expected. Sadness, devastation, hope, and fear... Steve stood frozen at the moment. The sight alone of someone who he promised to protect bleeding out as she fought to keep standing for him. It left Steve in tears as they suddenly streamed down his cheeks. He wanted to speak and promise Yumi that she would be OK but the only thing that left his lips was a whimpering, "No..."