The roar of engines echoed over the broken valley as the final evacuation convoy cleared the tunnels and emerged into the outskirts of the Arklay mountain range. Barely minutes later, a blinding flash painted the horizon.
Raccoon City died in a fire. The survivors watched in stunned silence as the mushroom cloud bloomed in the distance, its fury devouring the skyline they'd once called home. Adults and children cried. Officers stood frozen. Sherry clung tightly to Leon an Claire until she spotted someone.
"Mom!" Sherry broke into a run, leaping into Annette Birkin's arms. The woman held her daughter tightly, tears streaming down her soot-covered cheeks.
The military convoy waiting outside the blast zone swarmed in. Soldiers armed with biohazard gear and scanners began sweeping the survivors. One by one, they were herded into tents for invasive decontamination and blood screening.
It wasn't welcome for the people who just survived hell but it was protocol. Tony stood near the tree line, watching the chaos with mild disinterest. "Well... I think this is where I disappear," he said casually.
Jasen walked up beside him, arms crossed. "I figured. That's why I transferred 50 grand to Enzo this morning. As a thank you." Tony tilted his head. "Damn. You're full of surprises."
Jasen held out a small, sealed envelope. "This is for you." Tony didn't move immediately. He stared at the letter, eyes narrowing. Then he reached out and took it slowly.
"Why do I feel like this is more than a goodbye card?" Jasen gave a quiet smile. "Because I know who you are. Dante." Tony's eyes widened. "How do you know that name?."
Jill stepped forward, confused. "Wait. Dante? I thought his name was Tony?" Jasen didn't break eye contact. "I'm your friend from a different path. If you go where that letter tells you to, your brother will show up soon and this is what he is after."
Tony looked down at the letter, then back up. A rare, genuine smile touched his lips. "You're a crazy man, Jasen. But... I kind of hope we don't meet again. Your jobs suck. You're cool, though." He turned, vanishing into the trees just as the military police began locking down the perimeter.
Jill approached, arms crossed. "What was that all about?" Jasen stared out at the road. "Just making sure he and his brother meet under better terms."
One Week Later the soft buzz of a television echoed in the background. Images of the Raccoon City incident dominated every major network. A scrolling headline read:
"NUCLEAR STRIKE IN AMERICAN CITY: COVER-UP OR CONTAINMENT?"
Jasen sat in a private residence outside D.C., watching the footage replay as he sipped coffee. The room was quiet. He reflected on the meeting he'd just come from. A roundtable discussion with the highest levels of power. The President and Vice President. The Director of the FBI and CIA. Department of Defense officials. Military advisors and Generals and him.
They'd reviewed everything from the footage. The virus samples and notes. The recovered lab data. The names of those responsible for the outbreak. Jasen had pushed hard not just for justice for the dead and the survivors but for action to be taken.
Leon had been endorsed for his actions in the field for a anti umbrella umbrella organization and was sent for training. Not that he had much of a choice. Claire and Jill firsthand testimony had become vital. Clair also help secretly get the real testimony out there to the public so the US government couldn't deny everything. Annette Birkin had turned over sensitive Umbrella files in exchange for a pardon and protection for her and her daughter.
Barry and Chris, from overseas, had delivered damning intel on Umbrella's UK division, connecting the dots between global branches and hidden political backers.
Jasen stood slowly, turning down the volume on the screen as it played a loop of the mushroom cloud rising over the ruins. He walked to the window, eyes sharp he survived the first hell now many more to go.