"This is stupid. Why am I here? Of all places."
A young man in his twenties walked through the laboratory, dressed in a black suit trimmed with silver lining.
"And where is everyone? If this is the place I think it is… where are the researchers?"
He continued wandering through the facility. Every office and chamber he passed was empty. There was nothing in any of them. The place looked as though construction had only just been completed.
Yet as he kept walking, he came across a door.
Unlike the others, this one bore a familiar symbol — a symbol he knew very well, one he expected to find here.
The Umbrella symbol.
As he approached, the door slid open with a quiet hiss. Beyond it was a large chamber filled with rows of monitors lining the walls, each screen displaying ever-scrolling lines of code.
When he approached the keyboard in front of the monitors, a sudden tink sound echoed in his mind. At the same time, a translucent display appeared before his eyes — something that looked like the interface from a video game.
**
Name: William Wesker
Age: 24
Race: Hum...
**
'Huh? A shop?'
The moment he thought about the word shop, the display changed.
The display show two different sections: personnel and facility.
Inside the personnel section were various Umbrella employees — mostly researchers. Each had a different price, and according to their descriptions, the more expensive they were, the more effective they would be at their work.
But researchers were not the only options.
There were also units from the Umbrella Security Service (U.S.S.) and the Umbrella Biohazard Countermeasure Service (U.B.C.S.).
Their prices varied as well. The U.S.S. units were more expensive due to their elite training and specialized purpose. The U.B.C.S., on the other hand, could be purchased in several formations: a 10-man squad, a 42-man platoon, a 190-man company, or even an entire barracks capable of spawning a 1,000-man battalion.
According to the description, a barracks would spawn only one battalion at first. It would automatically replenish casualties over time. However, if the entire battalion were wiped out, Zeno would need to pay again to reactivate the barracks and spawn a new one.
The U.S.S. worked differently. There were no barracks, companies, or large formations available. The only options were 10-man squads or 42-man platoons, likely reflecting their status as a specialized black-operations unit.
Moving on to the facility section, William found that every major Umbrella facility appeared in the shop: the Arklay Laboratory, the Umbrella R&D Center, Rockfort Island, and many more are available for purchase.
According to their descriptions, once William purchased one, he could choose where it would appear in the world. However, the facilities would arrive empty, without any personnel assigned to them.
And with every personnel member and piece of equipment he purchased, there would also be a monthly upkeep cost, meant to simulate wages, maintenance, and operational expenses required to keep them running.
Exiting the shop, William turned his attention to the display he had ignored earlier when he first saw the shop option.
**
Name: William Wesker
Age: 24
Race: Human (Project Wesker Subject)
Funds: 0
SHOP
**
"Wesker…" he muttered while looking down at his hand — one that didn't feel entirely familiar to him.
After staring at it for a moment, he let out a quiet sigh.
"At least I'm not some ordinary person," he murmured. "And if what I'm thinking is true, then Umbrella Pharmaceuticals probably doesn't exist like it does in Resident Evil. Which means I don't have to worry about them."
Closing the display, he raised his head.
The monitors in front of him had turned into black screens at some point while he was examining the System. Through the dark reflections, he could clearly see his face.
It was identical to Zeno's from Resident Evil: Requiem.
Just then, the monitors suddenly flickered back to life.
One by one, the screens lit up.
And across every monitor in the room, the Umbrella symbol appeared.
Seeing this, William pressed the Enter key on the keyboard.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then the screens changed.
Lines of data began scrolling rapidly across the monitors, followed by several system prompts appearing one after another.
INITIALIZING SYSTEM…
PRIMARY ADMINISTRATOR DETECTED
GENETIC SIGNATURE VERIFIED
WELCOME, DIRECTOR
William raised an eyebrow as he read the words flashing across the screens.
"Director?" he muttered.
Then a little girl appeared on the central screen.
"Red Queen reporting for duty, Director," the girl said through the speakers, her voice feminine yet unmistakably robotic.
William stared at the screen for a moment before leaning slightly closer.
"Red Queen?" he whisper.
"Yes Director William," she said.
Red Queen is a highly advanced and self-aware Umbrella computer. It duty mission is oversight and protection of Umbrella assets, and the protection of Umbrella officer lives.
Though the AI should be in the Arklay Laboratory until it got relocate to Umbrella Russia in 1998 due to t-virus outbreak by Sergei Vladimir.
"Give me a status report," William said. "Where are we, and what year is it currently?"
"Yes, Director."
The Red Queen disappeared from the screen, replaced by a three-dimensional layout of the facility William was standing in.
"Currently, we are in NEST, located beneath the Umbrella 55-storey skyscraper that serves as the administrative headquarters."
"For the date, it is currently September 1st, 1998," she continued.
"The administration building," William began. "What's it for?"
"Its for Umbrella Pharmaceutical, a pharmaceutical company that supplies a wide range of household medications. Its products are available everywhere from pharmacies to convenience stores across North America," the Red Queen replied.
"You are listed as the sole owner of the corporation. It is currently our main and only source of income."
'Ah,' William smiled slightly, though the expression was tight.
'So Umbrella does exist… it's just that I'm the one who owns it.'
"So," William said slowly, "how much money do I have?"
He paused, then added quickly.
"The money I can use without affecting the company's operations."
The Red Queen remained silent for a moment, seemingly processing the request.
"Currently, the company reports an annual profit of 97.4 billion dollars, with 239 billion dollars in liquid capital and assets within corporate accounts."
Another window appeared on the monitor.
"Based on current financial stability, the amount that can be withdrawn without affecting corporate operations is 25 billion dollars per year."
William leaned back slightly in his chair.
"…That's a lot more than I expected."
The Red Queen's calm voice echoed through the chamber again.
"Would you like to allocate funding toward your private account, Director?"
Hearing this, William brought up the System again to confirm something.
Looking at the 0 displayed beside the Money section, and considering the massive wealth currently held under the company's name, he realized something.
It seemed the System only recognized money that was in his personal account, not funds stored within the corporation itself.
"...I see."
"Yes," William said. "Allocate twenty-five billion dollars to my personal account."
The Red Queen did not respond immediately.
A moment later, William heard a notification chime coming from the phone in his pocket.
He pulled it out.
The screen lit up with a banking alert.
$25,000,000,000.00 — Transfer Completed
Almost instantly, another notification appeared in his vision as the System updated.
**
Name: William Wesker
Age: 24
Race: Human (Project Wesker Subject)
Funds: $25,000,000,000
SHOP
**
William stared at the number for a few seconds before letting out a quiet laugh.
"Well… that worked."
Behind him, the Red Queen spoke again.
"Director, with the current funds available, it is recommended that you begin staff recruitment and facility activation. NEST currently has zero operational personnel."
William slipped the phone back into his pocket.
His eyes shifted toward the monitors again, where the System Shop icon waited.
"Yeah," he said.
"Let's see what twenty-five billion dollars can buy."
William focused on the SHOP icon, and the familiar interface unfolded in front of his eyes once more.
The Umbrella symbol appeared.
William selected it and went to the Personnel section.
A long list then appeared before him.
Researchers, technicians, engineers, and security forces—each one displayed with a short description and a price.
He scrolled through the list slowly.
"Virologists… geneticists… bio-weapons specialists…" he murmured.
Some of the entries showed ordinary researchers, while the more expensive ones were highly specialized scientists with decades of experience in virology and genetic engineering.
"Figures," William said quietly. "Umbrella's real power was always its researchers."
He glanced at the prices.
A top-tier virologist cost nearly fifty million dollars.
"A bargain," he muttered.
Without hesitation, he began making selections.
5 Senior Virologists15 Genetic Researchers20 Laboratory Technicians
The System processed the purchase instantly.
**
Purchase Confirmed - $453,000,000
Personnel will arrive within 12 hours
**
William nodded slightly before moving further down the list, towards the Umbrella Security Service (U.S.S.).
Umbrella Security Service, a private operational unit that mainly operate for asset recovery and protection missions, receiving order directly from the Umbrella HQ.
U.S.S. 10-Man SquadU.S.S. 42-Man Platoon
Seeing that they were elite special forces, and considering that he currently possessed only a single facility, William decided not to overextend his purchases.
After a brief moment of thought, he made his choice.
3 × U.S.S. 10-Man Squads
One would serve as his personal security detail, while the other two would be assigned to protect NEST and its operations.
The System processed the order immediately.
**
Purchase Confirmed - $1,500,000
U.S.S. Personnel Deployment Time: 2 Hours
**
Other than the U.S.S., William still needed a security force that can appear on the public eye, one that don't need to be so specialized.
Umbrella Biohazard Countermeasure Service, while not really a unit that serve as normal security, it still can fit the role perfectly.
With this in mind, William straightly purchase two barracks.
**
Purchase Confirmed - $3,000,000
Choose a building that will serve as the barrack so that it can be activated
**
'Huh,' William think as he look at what the System showing. 'I should have thought so.'
"Red Queen," he said, his tone sharp and decisive, "try to locate two five-story buildings near our current location that we can purchase instantly using company funds."
The Red Queen's calm, robotic voice replied immediately.
"Yes, Director. Scanning nearby properties and available assets now."
Before William could fully lean back in his chair, the Red Queen had already displayed two buildings, both located just a ten-minute journey from their current location.
"Good. Purchase both buildings," William said.
As the Red Queen completed the transactions, William begin trying to make those two buildings as the barracks using the System.
**
Detected suitable buildings for 2 × U.B.C.S. Barracks
Convert both to U.B.C.S. Barracks?Yes / No
**
William's finger immediately press the Yes option.
The System processed the order. The two buildings shimmered briefly on the interface, now labeled clearly as U.B.C.S. Barracks – Ready for Deployment.
Seeing this, William turn back towards Red Queen.
"Inform the two barracks and tell them to begin their deployment to the headquarters as security," he said, watching the AI already begin processing his order.
"Understood, Director," Red Queen replied.
A series of schematic displays appeared on the monitors, showing both barracks in real-time. Animated icons representing U.B.C.S. personnel began moving toward the NEST facility.
"Estimated arrival time for full deployment: 35 minutes," the AI added.
William nodded slightly, a faint smile forming.
"Good, when they arrive, I want them to begin establishing perimeter security protocols," he said. "I dont want any security hazard still exist."
"And also," he continued, leaning closer to the monitors, "order the research equipment needed for NEST."
He paused for a moment, thinking carefully.
"If possible, try to find a company we can acquire to serve as a subsidiary producing medical equipment. I don't want anyone tracing what we purchase."
He tapped his fingers lightly on the desk, then added quickly,"While you're at it, also acquire a company that can handle logistics and transportation. It will need to coordinate supplies, personnel, and equipment for NEST and any future facilities discreetly."
The Red Queen's interface shimmered as it processed his orders.
"Understood, Director," the AI replied. "Suitable companies for medical equipment production and logistics have been located. Acquisition procedures are now underway. Estimated completion: 48 minutes."
William leaned back in his chair, glancing at the silent, slowly awakening corridors of NEST.
"Red Queen," he said after a moment, "I think I'm going to step out for a while. I need to see some other matters."
The AI's calm, mechanical voice responded immediately.
"Understood, Director. I can establish a secure connection to your phone and laptop, allowing you to access my interface remotely, even outside of NEST."
William raised an eyebrow, a small smile tugging at his lips.
"Very well. Set it up."
"Connection established, Director. You may access me at any moment," the Red Queen confirmed.
William leaned back, satisfied.
"One more thing," he added. "When the personnel and researchers arrive, make sure to welcome them and assign them to their respective laboratories and roles immediately. I want no delays."
"Understood, Director," Red Queen replied. "All arriving personnel will be automatically guided to their stations. Research teams will begin preparations for operational deployment upon arrival."
William stood and straightened his suit, surveying the monitors one last time. The animated icons of U.B.C.S. units moving toward NEST, the barracks labeled and ready, and the equipment acquisitions in progress all made him satisfied with the situation.
"Red Queen," William said, still standing there, "how do I get out of NEST?"
"You can exit via the main exit that connects to the underground parking of the headquarters," Red Queen explained. "Alternatively, you can use this elevator."
A section of the wall beside the room slid open, revealing an elevator that had been hidden in the room all along.
"It will take you directly to your private office," she added.
William stepped forward and glanced at the elevator, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"Thank you, Red Queen," he said before enter the elevator.
"Your welcome, director," she said as the elevator door close.
As the elevator began to move, William leaned against the railing, thinking over his situation.
With the company already properly set up and generating a large annual revenue, he didn't need to do anything drastic. The researchers could focus on creating new medicines to sell, while the U.S.S. and U.B.C.S. served as protectors—for both the company and him personally.
And with the Red Queen's help, he wouldn't even need to get involved in day-to-day management, as she could handle all operational oversight.
A soft ding announced that the elevator had arrived.
He stepped out onto the 55th floor, the home of his office as CEO and President of Umbrella Pharmaceuticals.
The office was expansive. Behind the large horizontal window, the view of Lake Michigan stretched out below. On his desk lay stacks of reports detailing the company's finances, research progress, and global operations. A sleek computer sat at the center.
William slid into the chair behind the desk, opening the computer to check the company's standing in the corporate world.
Curiosity sparked—after all, he had just suddenly become the owner of one of the largest corporations in existence.
He clicked on a link listing the top global companies. As the list loaded, his eyes widened in disbelief. Two familiar names appeared—companies that shouldn't even exist here alongside Umbrella Pharmaceuticals.
"You've got to be kidding me," he muttered under his breath.
Wayne Enterprises
Stark Industries