67: You Know Nothing About His Power

Even after all the commotion, Ada had gone through to make her point, Lyon just looked at her with a bemused expression.

"What are you talking about?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "Do I really seem like the type of guy who only solves problems with muscle?"

He frowned, slightly displeased, then snapped his fingers. "Jarvis!"

"At your service, sir," came the response from the otherwise unassuming Iron Man suit standing off to the side.

"Open the cable car and get it running," Lyon commanded.

"Right away!" The suit moved forward, several data cables extending from its frame and connecting to the external panel of the cable car. Within seconds, the screen flickered, and with a soft hiss, the armored doors slid open.

"See? I have an AI," Lyon said with a wink at Ada, stepping confidently into the cable car.

The rest followed him inside, still marveling at the seamless efficiency of Lyon's solution. Their murmured praises followed suit, noting how he was always one step ahead of everyone else.

Ada Wong froze for a few seconds, then tilted her head and let out a small self-deprecating laugh. "Heh, acted like a fool."

It wasn't clear whether she was referring to Lyon or herself. She tapped her forehead in frustration and followed the group into the cable car.

Under Jarvis's control, the cable car began to move slowly, gradually picking up speed.

"The research facility ahead should be crawling with zombies and mutated creatures," Lyon said, standing in the middle of the group. "So, as usual, I'll take the lead. You all follow behind."

"Once we've cleared out the underground base, your job will be to help sort out the research materials and equipment."

"As for how to improve the vaccine, I already have some initial ideas. If everything goes smoothly, I should have results by tomorrow morning."

Everyone, including Bard, looked at him with admiration. Marvin and Elliott were filled with excitement, while Ada clapped, though her eyes flickered with some hidden thought.

"Hmph, a big-talking kid. He can't be more than seventeen or eighteen. How about getting a degree first?" muttered Annette Birkin, unimpressed.

...

The cable car quickly reached the station.

As soon as they stepped onto the platform, the group couldn't help but gasp in awe.

"I had no idea Umbrella had poured so much money and effort into this place!"

"This place feels like another world!" exclaimed Marvin and Officer Elliott.

At first glance, the underground research facility left an incredibly deep impression on them.

The research facility was a stark contrast to the sewer they had just come from. The sewer was full of rough pipes and overwhelming stench, while here, the outer walls of Umbrella's research center were made of high-strength titanium metal. The sleek metallic texture flowed throughout the entrance, and the daylight-like indicator lights illuminated the path into the deepest parts of the facility.

To Marvin and Elliott, it felt as if they had stepped into the future.

In their eyes, even Lyon seemed to have toned down his previous aggressive approach. He was no longer smashing down doors with his fists but instead allowing his "metal companion" to handle the electronic door locks by hacking into the system.

Of course, the reality was that the sewers simply didn't have electronic doors for Jarvis to hack, so using Lyon's fists had been the fastest option.

With a soft click, Jarvis effortlessly hacked into the base's system, which required researcher-level clearance. The heavy, triple-layered doors at the outer perimeter of the base slowly began to rise, granting the group of five high-level access automatically. Every door they approached opened on its own, thanks to the intelligent system.

Inside the base, they encountered fewer threats compared to the outside.

Most of the creatures here were standard human zombies. Lyon sent Jarvis ahead to clear out any remaining infected, while he and the others waited.

As they paused to rest, the group began searching the surrounding rooms for anything of use. They stumbled upon several diaries belonging to the research staff. These diaries outlined the timeline of the biohazard outbreak.

The entries described how one individual became accidentally infected during an experiment, eventually turning into a zombie and being dealt with by security forces. Then, panic ensued as the virus leaked out, spreading to rats and other creatures, which carried it up to the surface.

"I can't believe it all started like this... My God," muttered Director Bard, rubbing the corners of his eyes. "I thought my team was the only one working on this kind of research."

Marvin tried to comfort him, "Dr. Bard, you were just forced by people with ill intentions. What we need to do now is save everything we can."

While they were talking, on the other side, Ada approached Annette Birkin for a discussion. Meanwhile, Lyon was checking the security room's computer, reviewing the past logs. Suddenly, the communication line on his device came alive, and Jarvis's voice echoed through.

"Young Master, the mutated creatures inside the base have been cleared out. However, I've identified a creature similar to a Tyrant. It's currently pursuing a small girl hiding in one of the base's corners. Should I intervene?"

"A little girl? Could it be Sherry Birkin?" Lyon muttered, picking up the device.

Sherry Birkin was the daughter of Annette and William Birkin. In the game, William had been forced to inject himself with the G-virus, transforming into a monstrous creature with a mind overwhelmed by the urge to reproduce the virus. However, the G-virus could only be stably transmitted between direct blood relatives. Transmission to non-relatives would result in rapid death for the infected.

In the game, William, after turning into a monster, relentlessly pursued his daughter, Sherry. Later, Sherry was rescued by Leon S. Kennedy and Claire, and eventually became one of the main characters in Resident Evil 6.

Lyon thought for a moment. "Bring Sherry and lure that monster here. I'll take care of it."

The firepower of the Super Mark 1 was more than enough to kill William. However, like the Nemesis they had previously fought, G-virus infectees could continuously mutate and regenerate. If Jarvis were to take William down, the entire research facility could potentially be destroyed in the process.

After Jarvis confirmed the plan, Lyon gathered everyone on the platform to prepare for the incoming battle. The open space of the platform was ideal for a confrontation.

Seeing the puzzled expressions on the others' faces, Lyon positioned himself at the front. "A 'very strong' enemy is on the way. We'll fight it off here."

A few minutes later, the armor appeared, holding a blonde-haired little girl in its arms. Its thrusters emitted long trails of flame as it came to a sudden stop above the group.

"Sherry!" Annette suddenly called out to the little girl. "What are you doing here?"

"Mommy!" Sherry was happy but not overly excited. "This Metal Man saved me!"

Jarvis descended, releasing Sherry, and the little girl immediately rushed into Annette's arms.

Even Ada, who had been restraining Annette, seemed a bit taken aback. At 23 years old, her experience was still somewhat limited, and seeing her enemy as a mother to a little girl made her grip falter. Annette quickly broke free, pulling Sherry into a tight embrace.

"Sherry, I'm sorry I haven't come to find you these past few days." Annette stroked her daughter's hair gently.

Sherry timidly whispered, "Mommy, Daddy has become really scary... he's trying to catch me..."

Annette froze for a moment, staring at her daughter with a flicker of emotion in her eyes, as if something heavy was weighing on her mind.

"He didn't hurt you or give you anything to eat, did he?"

"No... Daddy hasn't caught me yet." Sherry shook her head.

Relieved by her daughter's answer, Annette's gaze softened, but inner turmoil clouded her eyes, an intense struggle playing out in her mind.

"I'm sorry, Sherry," Annette suddenly said something cryptic, her voice heavy with emotion. "I have to do this."

She hugged Sherry tightly for a moment, her expression becoming resolute, as if she'd made a firm decision.

Then, in a split second, Annette turned her head and, with lightning speed, grabbed the gun from Ada's hand, attempting to point it at Sherry to shoot her!

But Ada reacted just as quickly, twisting Annette's arm and pinning her to the ground.

"What are you doing? That's your daughter!" Ada's voice was cold and sharp.

"Exactly because she's mine and William's daughter, I can't let her live!" Annette's face twisted in conflict, yet her voice was firm.

Everyone, except Lyon, was utterly shocked.

What kind of mother could speak such cruel words with such cold determination?

Little Sherry, sitting on the ground, kicked her legs in fear, scooting backward, her face full of confusion and fear. "Mom... Mommy..."

Noticing the horrified looks from everyone around her, Annette gritted her teeth and defended herself. "You don't understand! None of you understand what kind of monster this is!"

"I can't let the G-virus spread. If I do, the world will be doomed!"

"If Sherry stays here, William will infect her with the virus and turn her into a monster too. Even if we send her away, William will still come after her!"

"So, to stop the G-virus from spreading, I can't let Sherry live!"

"And what about you? You should all stop thinking about the G-virus. It's the key to the world's destruction!" Annette barked, her expression wild.

Marvin stepped forward, his face grim. "No matter what you say, that doesn't justify killing your own daughter!"

"Hold on a second. William Birkin? That must be the monster we encountered earlier," Lyon suddenly spoke up, cracking his neck casually. "Mrs. Birkin, have you ever considered the possibility that killing your husband might stop him from spreading the virus?"

"What did you just say?" Annette looked at him like he was insane. "You have no idea how powerful he is!"

"Is that so?" Lyon calmly replied, stepping forward to meet William Birkin, who had just emerged from the research facility, now fully transformed into a monstrous figure.

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