Meeting the Team

We reached the office, and as I stepped in behind Rebecca, I noticed the new faces immediately. The room was cramped, a faint smell of coffee lingering in the air, with a cluttered desk shoved into the corner and a chalkboard at the front.

Besides Captain Enrico, four other men stood scattered around the room, their chatter filling the space.

"Thought you'd never show up, Rebecca." One of them exclaimed jokingly.

"Dewey, don't antagonize the rookies." Enrico said with a shake of his head, then gestured to the chairs. "Take a seat."

Rebecca and I quickly found spots beside the others. The room buzzed with small talk as introductions began.

"You're the new guy, huh?" The previous man asked, leaning toward me with an easy grin.

"That's right. Alex Mercer." I gave a small nod.

The four men introduced themselves one by one. And I was already starting to get a feel for their personalities.

"Hey, if you have any trouble in the future, you can come to me. I'll show you the ropes." Edward said, patting my shoulder.

I let out a small laugh. "Thank you."

"Be careful with him." Forest chimed in. "He may try to help, but he'll only make things worse."

Edward rolled his eyes. "Of course you'd be the one to say that, Mr. Perfectionist."

"What, wanting to do things correctly is illegal now?" Forest shot back.

"You just go over the top sometimes." Richard said, chuckling.

"Oh, so now you're all ganging up on me? At least Kenneth's on my side, right?" Forest turned toward him.

Kenneth smirked after a pause. "I try to stay with the winning side."

"Rebecca?" Forest turned to his last hope.

"Don't look at me. I'm just here to stay out of trouble." She replied.

Forest shook his head and muttered. "See what kind of team you're stuck with?"

I couldn't help but smile. "I feel like I'll manage."

"Shush, the briefing's about to start!" Rebecca suddenly exclaimed, putting a finger over her mouth.

Captain Enrico then stepped in front of the chalkboard, clearing his throat. "Alright, enough with the chatting." The room fell silent, everyone sitting straighter in their chairs.

He pointed at the map. "Though you all already know about the incidents, it's only fair to get Mercer up to speed."

"Hm?" I frowned in confusion. "Did something happen in that area?" I asked, glancing at the map of the Arklay Mountains, feeling the room starting to get tense.

"Yeah. You two joined at a pretty rough time for the RPD." Richard chimed in.

Captain Enrico nodded. "As Aiken said, it's a difficult time. Since May 20, dismembered bodies have been found in the Arklay Mountains—victims who were unfortunate enough to pass through the area at night." His eyes narrowed in anger.

"Even now, with the police department on the case, the killings have continued. For now, it's either considered an act of cannibalism or the work of an unknown animal."

"I see…" My brows furrowed as I thought. "Are there no leads yet?"

Captain Enrico shook his head. "None. Everything we know remains speculation."

"If they let us investigate, I'm sure we'd put an end to it." Edward said, frustration evident in his tone.

"I've got to agree. It'd also make us look better than the Alpha team." Forest added with a smirk.

"C'mon, not everything is a competition." Richard sighed, exasperated.

Kenneth remained silent, but nodded in agreement.

Rebecca spoke up, her voice determined. "But Captain, shouldn't we be out there investigating?"

"Rebecca, I've told you all multiple times—this isn't a decision I or any of you can make." Captain Enrico replied firmly.

"What about the people? How are they handling this?" I asked, trying to gauge the city's state.

"They're scared, but still waiting for the RPD's verdict. So far, their reactions are manageable." Captain Enrico explained.

"But if the police don't find anything soon…" I trailed off, already knowing what could happen.

The Captain nodded grimly. "They'll start to revolt. The media will turn against us, and Chief Irons will be forced to act."

"By 'acting' you mean dumping it on us." Forest said dryly.

Captain Enrico shot him a warning look. "Speyer, not when you're on the job or when I'm present."

"Sorry, Captain." Forest replied respectfully, though his tone was less than apologetic.

'So he can say that in his free time…?' I thought, suppressing a grin. Instead, I distracted myself by wondering about Chief Irons. I hadn't had the chance to meet him formally yet.

The briefing soon ended, leaving me unsure of my next steps.

"Um…Captain Enrico…" I started, but he turned to me before I could finish.

"Right, Mercer, you'll be with Rebecca. You two will patrol the streets." He said.

"Again!?" Rebecca groaned before quickly correcting herself. "Can't I be assigned to something more important?"

"Yeah, isn't patrolling the police's job?" I added, sharing her frustration.

Captain Enrico sighed. "Listen, you joined S.T.A.R.S. to help people." Rebecca nodded eagerly, while I stayed quiet.

"We're not superior to the police. We're equals, sharing a common goal: to protect the people." His words carried weight, leaving us no room to argue.

"…Fine." Rebecca muttered as we left the building.

…

"Equals my ass…they're clearly the superior ones." I muttered as I walked alongside Rebecca, watching a police car pass by us.

"Yeah, on missions, S.T.A.R.S. usually has to borrow the police vehicles." Rebecca remarked with a sigh.

"Then why can't we just use one now!?" I grumbled, annoyed.

She shrugged. "Do you even have a driver's license?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.

I froze in place. "...No."

Rebecca chuckled softly. "It's alright. I don't either."

…

The next hour passed mostly in silence as Rebecca and I walked down the streets, keeping an eye out for anything out of place. The city felt strangely subdued, the sunlight casting long shadows across the cracked pavement.

Occasionally, civilians passed by, giving us curious glances. Their eyes lingered a little too long for comfort, making me shift uneasily.

I started to fidget with my fingers, the quiet growing heavier with each step. "Even the people look at us like animals in a zoo." I muttered, hoping to break the silence.

"You're still hung up on the car?" Rebecca glanced at me, arching a brow.

"How can I not be? This is injustice!" I said, throwing my hands up for emphasis.

"Right." She rolled her eyes. "It's better than having you crash me into a pole."

"Hey." I shot her a mock glare. "I'll have you know, I'd be an awesome driver."

"That so? Too bad we'll never get to see it." She replied, smirking.

"Haha." I laughed dryly, an idea suddenly popping into my head. "Hey, Rebecca…" I turned to her, mischief in my tone. "Didn't you say you wanted to see my shooting skills? How about we do that now?"

Rebecca blinked at me in surprise. "We're on the job, Alex."

"So? A little break won't hurt." I argued, shrugging.

"No. We have to keep the streets safe! Those are our orders!" She crossed her arms, feigning righteousness.

"Weren't you the one complaining about how boring it was just an hour ago?" I deadpanned.

"People can change, you know!" She huffed, turning her nose up theatrically.

I sighed, shaking my head. "Fine. How about after our shift, then? Is there even a place we could go?"

Rebecca thought for a moment. "There's a gun shop near the RPD parking lot. It's got a makeshift shooting range. I went there once when the team showed me around."

"That's perfect!" I grinned, excited to try out my own skills.

Rebecca gave me a skeptical look. "Let's get through the shift first, hotshot."

…

After a long, uneventful day, night began to settle over the city. The dim streetlights flickered as we made our way back to the station, dropping off our gear and saying goodbye to the others.

"See you all tomorrow!" Edward waved as he headed for the door.

"Later." Forest chimed in, following close behind.

"Hey, Alex, we should hang out sometime!" Richard clapped me on the shoulder, grinning as he left.

Kenneth gave us a brief nod before heading out without a word.

"Goodbye!" Rebecca and I called after them, and soon we were left alone in the office.

"How'd the patrol go?"

"Ah!" Both of us jumped at the sudden voice, spinning around to see Captain Enrico standing in the doorway, arms crossed.

"Captain…?" Rebecca exclaimed, still startled.

"Sir, were you always there?" I asked, trying to recover.

"Don't look so shocked." The captain said with a raised brow. "If someone sneaks up on you, are you going to react like that?"

"No, sir!" We both answered in unison, standing a little straighter.

"I'll believe you, for now." He smirked before continuing. "So, how was your first day on the job?"

"To be honest…it was pretty boring." I admitted with an awkward smile.

The captain chuckled. "Nobody enjoys patrols, but they're necessary. Things may seem quiet, but the city's been on edge lately. Better safe than sorry."

"We could always stay home…" I mumbled under my breath.

"Hahaha…no." Enrico laughed before his expression turned serious again. "Just keep at it. You'll get used to the routine soon enough."

"Don't worry, sir! We'll keep the streets safe!" Rebecca said with a chipper smile that made the captain arch a brow.

"Alright, alright. I won't keep you two any longer. I've got paperwork to finish. Dismissed." Enrico waved us off.

"Sir!" We both saluted before heading out.

…

Outside, the cool night air was a welcome relief after the stuffy office.

"So, what are you planning to do now?" I asked, glancing at Rebecca.

"Go home." She replied simply, then hesitated. "The gun shop I mentioned earlier is near my apartment. Wanna check it out?"

I couldn't hide my smirk. "So, you are curious about my skills."

"Whatever. You coming or not?" She asked, rolling her eyes.

"Of course I am." I grinned, already feeling the excitement build as we headed off into the night.

…

It didn't take long before we arrived at a shop with a large fluorescent sign reading Gunshop Kendo.

"This is it." Rebecca said, pushing the door open.

The interior was well-lit, with shelves stocked full of firearms ranging from pistols to shotguns, and even assault rifles. Ammo packs were neatly placed alongside the weapons. It felt almost surreal seeing so much firepower in one place, and I couldn't help but think to myself. 'Doesn't seem like the safest choice for display.'

Behind the counter stood a middle-aged man with a rugged build, speaking to a woman in a S.T.A.R.S. uniform. Beside them, a young girl clung to his side, her wide eyes darting curiously around the shop.

"Robert!" Rebecca called out, her voice cutting through the low hum of conversation.

The man turned toward us, raising an eyebrow. "Oh, Rebecca. What brings you here?"

"Wanted to use the range, if you don't mind." Rebecca replied casually.

"No problem." Robert nodded before his gaze shifted to me. "And you are…?"

"Alex Mercer." I said, stepping forward. "Just joined S.T.A.R.S. Bravo Team."

"Ah, good to know you." He extended his hand, giving me a firm shake. "I'm Robert Kendo. Welcome to the family, I guess."

"Alex?" The woman in the S.T.A.R.S. uniform suddenly turned toward me, her expression lighting up with recognition. "It is you!"

"Huh…Jill?" My eyes widened in surprise. "You're part of S.T.A.R.S.?"

"What? You didn't think I'd be cut out for the special forces?" She asked, crossing her arms with a raised brow.

"No, actually…it's weirdly fitting for you." I admitted, smirking.

"That so?" She chuckled, her demeanor relaxing.

"You two know each other?" Rebecca chimed in, glancing between us.

"We're neighbors." I explained before turning back to Jill. "But you don't seem all that surprised to see me like this."

"Well, I did notice the uniform you were carrying yesterday." Jill replied with a teasing smile.

"Right…" I muttered, feeling a flush of embarrassment. 'Idiot, why did I forget about that?'

"So, you're here to use the range?" Jill asked, steering the conversation back.

"Yeah, Alex wanted to show off his skills." Rebecca said with a sly smirk.

"Trying to impress the ladies, huh?" Robert chuckled, a playful glint in his eyes.

"What? No!" I blurted, waving my hands defensively.

"Pfft…" The little girl giggled, covering her mouth as I turned a shade redder.

"Emma, that's not polite." Robert gently scolded, though he was still smiling.

"Sorry, Daddy." Emma said, her voice soft but amused.

"Your daughter?" I asked, glancing between the two of them.

"Yeah, this is my little angel, Emma." Robert said, lifting her into his arms. The girl laughed, wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Shouldn't spoil her too much." Jill said with a shake of her head.

"Ha! You should see my wife then!" Robert countered, laughing heartily.

"Children are so adorable. How could you not spoil them?" Rebecca chimed in, smiling warmly at Emma.

"See? Rebecca gets it!" Robert exclaimed, giving her an approving nod.

Jill sighed, clearly unconvinced. "Don't say I didn't warn you."

Robert turned back to me. "Alright, kid. You want to check anything out or head straight to the range?"

"I'd look around, but…" I turned my pockets inside out dramatically. "I'm broke for now. When I get my first paycheck, though, I'll be back for sure."

Robert chuckled. "Don't worry, I'm not the type to pressure my customers into buying stuff."

He motioned for us to follow him to the back of the shop. The range was modest, with a few lanes set up and human-shaped cardboard targets suspended from the ceiling. Circles with numbered zones marked the torsos, giving a clear indication of scoring.

"Here you go." Robert handed me a Glock with practiced ease. "Show us what you've got."

"Thanks." I nodded but glanced at Emma, who was still standing nearby. "Uh, shouldn't she be in a safer area?"

"Of course. I'm not letting my little girl hang around in here." Robert said, setting Emma down gently. "Emma, can you wait out in the shop for a minute? Daddy will be right back."

"Okay." Emma said quietly, trotting back toward the storefront.

"And don't touch anything!" Robert called after her.

'He must really trust her.' I thought, remembering the sheer number of weapons out there.

"They're all props." Jill said, clearly reading my expression.

"Oh…" I mumbled, looking away awkwardly.

Rebecca smirked, nudging me. "Come on, Alex! What's the holdup? Don't tell me you're chickening out!"

My eyebrows twitched. "Why would I chicken out?"

She shrugged, her smirk widening. "Two beautiful women watching your every move…it's gotta be nerve-wracking."

"Two beautiful women?" I raised an eyebrow and gave her a mock-serious look. "Where's the second one?"

"Hey!" Rebecca exclaimed, glaring at me indignantly.

I chuckled, then turned toward the range. The faint metallic tang of gun oil and gunpowder filled the air as I tried to focus, sharpening my senses. Sounds, smells, even the faint vibration of my own pulse amplified. My brows furrowed as a familiar sharp ache pulsed through my skull.

'The pain's still there...good. That means the doses are still working.' I thought, forcing myself to steady. Shaking off the distraction, I zeroed in on the target.

Rebecca shifted beside me, clearly getting impatient. Before she could say anything, I fired.

The shot rang out, sharp and clean, and a moment later, the bullet punched straight through the middle of the target.

"Bullseye! Hah!" I grinned, turning toward the others. "So, what do you think?"

Rebecca gave a dramatic thumbs down. "Lucky shot! Do it again!"

Jill raised an eyebrow. "Maybe Captain Wesker's right about you being a prodigy."

"Good shot, newbie." Robert said with a smirk.

"How can I still be a newbie after that?" I rolled my eyes.

"Do it again so we actually believe you!" Rebecca crossed her arms, grinning.

"Alright." I said, turning to Robert. "Can the targets move?"

"Does this shop look like it can afford that?" Robert laughed.

"Then...anything else that moves?" I suggested, hopeful.

Robert scratched his chin before grabbing a stack of old frisbees from the corner. "Got these."

"Perfect! Thanks." I smiled.

"You're gonna shoot the frisbees out of the air?" Jill asked, her tone a mix of curiosity and skepticism.

Rebecca added with a teasing grin, "Careful, Alex. Don't let the praise go to your head."

"Why do you all assume I'm overconfident?" I muttered, knowing the truth better than anyone here.

"You ready, new guy?" Robert asked, hefting a frisbee in his hand.

"Yeah." I adjusted my grip on the pistol. "Throw it."

The frisbee sailed through the air, spinning erratically. I drew in a breath, letting my senses sharpen again. Time seemed to slow as I tracked the target, every detail crystal clear.

Just as I prepared to pull the trigger, a stabbing pain lanced through my head, like white-hot needles behind my eyes. My finger jerked involuntarily, and the shot went wide.

The frisbee clattered to the ground, unscathed.

"Can't win 'em all, kid." Robert clapped me on the shoulder.

"You okay?" Rebecca asked, her gaze suddenly sharp

"Seemed pretty out of it." Jill added.

"Yeah, yeah." I said, waving it off. "Let's go again. I'll be ready this time."

"Alright." Robert picked up another frisbee. "Here it comes!"

I took a deep breath, bracing myself as the frisbee soared. The pain came again, dull and throbbing this time, but I held steady, forcing it to the back of my mind. My finger squeezed the trigger.

The sharp crack of the shot echoed, and the frisbee split cleanly in half, pieces scattering to the floor.

Robert let out a low whistle. "Now that's a good shot."

"Maybe you weren't all talk after all." Rebecca mused, arms crossed.

Jill stayed quiet, watching me closely with an unreadable expression.

I exhaled, lowering the pistol. "That should be enough proof, right?"

"Yeah, kid. You've earned it." Robert chuckled, his words surprising me a little.

"I don't know." Rebecca said, her tone playful. "You should show me again after work tomorrow...and the day after...and the day—"

I cut her off, grinning. "You want me to teach you how to shoot?"

"Maybe..." She glanced away, pretending to be uninterested.

"Alright. I'll try to give you some pointers. Can't promise I'll do good though." I shrugged, pocketing the pistol.

…

As we returned to the shop, Robert's daughter ran up, a backpack slung over her shoulder.

"Emma, my sweet little baby angel! Are you ready to go? Did you remember everything?" Robert asked, his voice comically exaggerated.

"Hmhm." She nodded, smiling brightly.

"Those nicknames…" I muttered under my breath.

"They're a little over the top, huh?" Jill finished for me, smirking.

"Just a little." I admitted.

"Shows he's a good dad." Rebecca chimed in.

"Can't argue with that." I said with a small smile.

"Yeah, Robert's a good guy." Jill added as we left the store.

"Come by again!" Robert called after us.

"We will!" I shouted back, feeling oddly at ease.

…

"Do you two need a lift? My car's parked nearby." Jill offered, brushing her hair back as the evening breeze picked up.

"No need! My apartment is really close!" Rebecca exclaimed as she started to walk off, practically skipping. "See you two at the station!" She waved at us over her shoulder.

"Be careful!" I called out, waving back.

"Bye, Rebecca!" Jill added with a smile before turning to me. "So, what are you gonna do?"

"Um, I'd appreciate it if you could take me too." I admitted in slight embarrassment.

She laughed lightly. "Sure, hop in."

Jill led me to a rugged, forest-green Jeep parked a short distance away. It had a slightly worn exterior, complete with scuffed tires and a few dents.

"Huh, this is…" I trailed off, staring at the car.

"Don't say you don't like it. It cost a lot." she said, putting an emphasis on a lot.

"No, it's not that. I can't really judge—I don't even have a car." I shook my head as I got in the passenger seat.

"That's not unusual. You're, what, twenty? You've got time to get one." She started the car, the engine rumbling to life.

"Why are you talking like an old woman?" I laughed. "You don't look much older than me."

She glanced around for a moment before setting her eyes on me. "I'll let you in on a secret…but don't tell anyone." Leaning in slightly, she lowered her voice.

"The reason I don't look much older than you…" She paused dramatically. "…is because I'm not."

I groaned immediately. "Really?"

"What? What did you think I'd say?" She asked, laughing.

"I don't know…something that wasn't this stupid, for starters." I shook my head, unable to hide my amusement.

Jill smirked and shifted into drive. The conversation paused for a moment, and I found myself staring out the window at the passing scenery.

"What model is it?" I asked, breaking the silence.

"A Jeep Cherokee, 1993." She kept her eyes on the road. "You into cars?"

"I remember being once." I admitted with a sigh. "Not anymore."

Her words clicked a moment later. "Wait—1993? And it already looks like this?" I gestured to the exterior of the car.

Jill chuckled. "Yeah. I use it for S.T.A.R.S. missions, and let's just say things don't always go smoothly."

"Huh. Remind me never to lend you anything important." I teased.

She glanced at me with mock offense. "Duly noted. I'll stick to borrowing snacks, then."

The conversation flowed naturally as we drove, mostly about the job and the people in S.T.A.R.S. Jill's no-nonsense attitude mixed with her easygoing humor and mature kindness made it surprisingly easy to relax around her.

By the time we reached the apartment, I found myself wishing the ride had lasted just a little longer.