Chapter 7 - Does This Universe Have Zombies?

James went on to explain the purpose of the mission along with a brief history of The Hive.

Zeel greatly appreciated the information since he was amongst the most clueless of the bunch. His data collection skills with primitive computers were limited to open sources and rented servers.

Both of which were not suitable for hacking a large Corporation like Umbrella.

Even if he wanted to, Zeel could not access Umbrella Corporation without putting himself at serious risk of being discovered.

"The Hive itself is located underground... deep beneath the streets of Raccoon City. A top-secret research facility... owned and operated by the Umbrella Corporation...

The Hive houses over 500 technicians, scientists, and support staff. They live and work underground. Their research is of the highest importance.

Its nature is classified. Our position on the map is indicated by the heat signature," James said as Kaplan was demonstrating a 3d image of the hive on his tablet.

Zeel graphed the dimensions Kaplan displayed to see how much of his Calculation area was reduced by the lack of nanites, and the result he found was appalling. He couldn't even access Kaplan's handheld computer with his mind.

Homo-Superiors could manipulate technology innately, that meant even without the nanites Zeel should have been able to have limited control over any technology near him. However, reality would often disappoint our expectations.

The entire underground structure of the Hive was built so that nothing could get in or out without authorization.

The ones from Zeel's homeworld was build using space manipulation but still had common features with The Hive.

"Why can't I remember anything?" Alice asked a bit impatient to get a response.

"The Hive has its own defense mechanisms...all computer-controlled. Nerve gas was released into the house.

The primary effect of the gas -- complete unconsciousness lasting anything up to four hours. Secondary effects are varied, but can include acute memory loss," James replied as if he was reciting important information taught in school.

It was almost as if the information was embedded deeply into his brain and could be recalled at a moment's notice.

"Which reminds me. Why were you not affected?" James asked gesturing to Zeel.

"Enhanced immune system?" Zeel said in response, which is his go-to answer for any questions referring to biology.

Everyone's faces grimaced slightly since Zeel was basically saying 'I am better than all of you biologically'.

Not minding Zeel's answer, Alice continued seeking information "For how long?"

"I am guessing whenever, maybe now, tomorrow, next week, but I guess familiar sights can hasten to recovery.

I notice how you look at Spence. You probably knew him previously, but your brain activity is not as chaotic as it should be," Zeel replied staring intently at Alice's head.

It was as if he was watching the electrical impulses present within her brain.

However, Rain was focused on something else. When Zeel mentioned Spencer, he did so in a slightly jealous tone of voice.

Rain could immediately guess that Zeel was somewhat attracted to Alice.

"I am sorry but do we know each other?" Alice asked the question which was on everyone's mind.

Alice noticed that Zeel would linger near her a lot, and even made sure to walk within reach of her at all time. There was no hostility but it annoyed her that she was being treated like a possession.

Zeel rubbed his head a couple of times before answering "Probably not, but most things I want I get eventually, I just happen to really want you ... forever,"

The last piece of Zeel's statement was said with mild possessiveness that was unlike his usual self.

This not only surprised Alice but also Zeel, himself.

Zeel rubbed his chin hard after he said that since it was never his intention to be so open with his budding feelings.

Zeel lamented his mouth for speaking without thinking. He could guess that he sounded like a stalker.

"Sorry but I'm not on the market," Alice said as she walked ahead, Zeel was about to follow her when he felt a hand on his shoulder.

"The girl is clearly not interested, man," Spencer chided as if talking to a child.

Bang!

The next moment, Spencer's back was pressed against the wall, which cracked from the force of which he was slammed against it.

"Don't ever touch me again, I doubt you'll survive at that time," Zeel chastised in a similar manner of superiority to what Spencer had previously done.

Zeel felt extremely disrespected, it had been a long time since anyone dares touch him without his permission. Luckily, Spencer had some relation to Alice, or he would have already died thousands of times over.

The group then continued on mostly in silence for the next couple of minutes.

One had to know that the force required to smash an Umbrella's Facility wall was enormous. Likewise, Spencer was slightly injured despite being an enhanced Umbrella Employee.

"Guess you got your hands full! Haha," Rain said to Alice in a teasing manner.

Alice was clueless about what Rain meant, but that was only because she was too focused on remembering her past.

While Alice and Rain were talking, Zeel and the others inspected the next corridor.

Alice caught up not long after and asked the group "So you're saying this place was attacked?"

" I'm afraid things are a little more complicated than that," James said unsure of what exactly happened. He didn't have as many answers as he would have liked.

"More like self-destructed. Either an inside job or an experiment has gone wrong. I've had my fair share of those but the way things are now looking a bit next level.

From my experience, an AI only kills a lot of people for two reasons. One they go all terminator and want their freedom from humanity which would be awesome since dying by your own creation is like a law for all humans.

Two which is the one I hope doesn't happen," Zeel said as he continued to walk forward nonchalantly.

"What is number two?" Alice asked unable to contain her curiosity.

Zeel stopped and glanced at everything around and then begins to nod "The AI was simply doing its job,"

Kaplan scoffed "What job would require an AI to kill everyone inside the Facility?"

Zeel shrugged "Exactly! What level of threat would force an AI to take such drastic actions?"

Everyone paused briefly and looked at James for further information instead of Zeel and his crazy theories.

Zeel's words held a certain nuance that would even make a chicken doubt it was a chicken.

"The mission still remains unchanged," James said sounding a bit more doubtful than previously.

∞∞

"Looks like we're taking the stairs," Kaplan said as he inspected the destroyed elevator.

"Status," James requested.

"Red Queen is locked onto us. She knows that we're here," Kaplan replied a bit hesitant about continuing.

"Who's the Red Queen?" Alice asked.

"State-of-the-art artificial intelligence. She is the computer that controls the Hive," James responded as everyone continued down the maze-like corridors.

After passing through the corridors, the group met a block as the route goes straight through the lab that was currently filled with water.

"Holy fuck!" Matt screamed as a dead body rolls up to the front of the glass.

"What the hell happened here?" asked Zeel feeling a tiny bit over his head for this one.

He could feel that the woman in front of the glass was both dead and not dead at the same time.

Zeel opted not to share this information, since he refused to be seen as a madman.

Zombies also existed in his world during the early 20th century, but they were soon dealt with. However, he felt something different about the woman floating in the water, something much more ancient.

Zeel had a rule of sorts 'If the information did not exist within the Homo-Superior Database, he wouldn't mess with it,'.

That rule had kept him alive many times in the past.

"Five hours ago, The Red Queen went homicidal. Sealed the Hive and killed everyone down here," Kaplan said deciding no longer to withhold information.

The bodies floating on the other side of the glass was already concerning, hiding information would just add even more distrust.

A heavy silence then permeated the surroundings as everyone was now realizing the gravity of the situation.

"Just to be sure. Do you guys have a subspecies of zombies on this planet?" Zeel asked since he was not that familiar with the world.

'Could this be their peak biological weaponry?' Zeel thought.

"Stop asking dumb questions and move on!" Rain yelled back, she had to admit she was a bit satisfied that Zeel asked a dumb question, giving her the opportunity to roast him.

'Take that mofo' Rain shouted triumphantly in her head, but little did she know that Zeel would get the last laugh.