Drift Of The Multiverse: [Marvel] [Resident Evil] [DC] [Bleach] [DB]

"The greatest source of evil?"

Ethan's words drew everyone's attention, even Spence, who was still dazed and unsure of what was going on. Lying on the ground, he raised his head to look at the suitcase Ethan held in his hand, one that seemed to belong to him.

"Could it be…"

Some of the smarter ones started piecing things together. They recalled Ethan's earlier comments about biochemical experiments being conducted in the Hive laboratory and how a leak had led the Red Queen to kill everyone inside.

"Is that it?" someone ventured.

Ethan had already opened the suitcase, confirming its contents: the virus stock solution and the antivirus he'd been searching for. He closed it again and held it securely, offering no further explanation.

"Relax," he said simply. "I don't think you'll need to worry about me running off with this."

The subtext was clear: Ethan intended to stick with them for now. There was no need for them to turn on him, at least not yet.

James, the team captain, mulled this over. After a brief pause, he nodded toward Ethan. "Move out. Keep heading toward the Hive."

The train began moving slowly, the mercenaries clustering together. Their actions, however, betrayed their mistrust, whether intentionally or not, their weapons were angled in Ethan and Arthur's direction. Neither of them reacted to the implied threat, but Jill visibly tensed under the atmosphere.

"Are we really going into the Hive?" she asked, breaking the silence.

"Of course," Ethan replied without hesitation. "Don't you want to know the truth? Or are you having second thoughts now that you're so close to it?"

Jill bristled at his words, her strong-willed nature refusing to let her back down. "I'm not hesitating. I'm just saying we should report this to the station. We could get backup, more resources, more people."

Ethan waved her off dismissively. "Don't waste your time. Umbrella built this massive underground lab and has been conducting illegal experiments here, all without a single leak of information. Why do you think that is? Do you really think your report would make a difference?"

Ethan's tone was steady, but his words were razor-sharp, cutting through Jill's faint hope. In the version of events he remembered from the movie, Umbrella was an untouchable megacorporation, wielding power far beyond what most could comprehend. They had the authority to deploy nuclear weapons and the resources to erase any evidence afterward. Worse, they had the influence to twist the narrative, framing people like Jill and Alice as criminals to the public.

In this world, Umbrella's grip seemed just as unshakable. It wasn't just a corporation; it was an empire, with its tendrils reaching into every level of society. And Jill thought the Raccoon City Police Department could help? More likely, they'd sell her out to Umbrella the first chance they got.

Maybe Jill hadn't fully thought through the implications of what Umbrella represented, clinging to a shred of faith in the system. But Ethan crushed that last sliver of hope, bluntly and without mercy.

Jill fell silent, her expression unreadable as she sank into her thoughts. Ethan and Arthur, meanwhile, remained calm, unfazed by the tension in the air. Ethan understood that this brief journey was likely the last chance to relax before chaos erupted. Arthur, on the other hand, had learned to trust Ethan's instincts, if there was any immediate danger, Ethan would let him know.

Arthur had his own suspicions about Ethan. How had he managed to gather so much detailed information in such a short time? The only explanation Arthur could think of was that Ethan wasn't from this world, that he had secrets far beyond comprehension. But Arthur chose not to press the issue. If Ethan hadn't volunteered the truth, then it wasn't something he was ready—or willing—to share. Asking about it would only strain the fragile partnership between them.

The train sped through the underground tunnels, and before long, the group arrived at their destination.

As they stepped off the train, Ethan and Arthur fell into their usual roles, quietly watching as the mercenaries moved into action. Arthur was observant, paying attention to the group's dynamics and the unfolding situation. Ethan, however, seemed more detached, almost as if he were watching a familiar scene play out in a movie.

Of course, their presence had already altered some of the original details. For instance, Matt, the undercover officer posing as a cop, kept his gaze locked on Ethan. Resentment and suspicion simmered in his eyes, though the mercenaries held him tightly, preventing him from making a move.

If not for their restraints, Matt might have already confronted Ethan, demanding answers to the questions that burned in his mind.

Ethan noticed Matt staring at him, the man's frustration and barely contained emotions written all over his face. Remembering what would eventually happen to him, Ethan casually turned to the two soldiers guarding him. "Undo his handcuffs. If you leave him like this, you'll just get distracted trying to manage him later."

James, the mercenary captain, immediately turned to Ethan, his eyes narrowing. "Are you saying we're going to run into danger?"

"Of course," Ethan replied matter-of-factly. "Haven't you already prepared yourself for that?"

James frowned deeply. "I want to know what kind of danger we're talking about here." If it was just the virus, it didn't seem like untying Matt's hands would make much of a difference. But if there was another kind of threat—a battle, perhaps—it raised the question: who, or what, would they be fighting? Could there really be something alive in the Hive?

"It's hard to explain," Ethan replied cryptically. "But don't worry, someone will show you everything soon enough."

As he spoke, Ethan's gaze shifted to an inconspicuous security camera in the corner. He smirked slightly.

"Isn't that right, Red Queen?"

The mercenaries were instantly startled by his words. Years of experience kicked in as they entered defensive stances. Several of them trained their weapons on Ethan, while the rest aimed in the direction he had gestured. However, all they found was the small camera silently observing them.

Kaplan, the team's computer specialist, was the only one who seemed to understand what Ethan meant. "You're saying the Red Queen is watching us?"

Ethan let out a short laugh. "She controls the entire Hive. Do you really think she doesn't know we're here?" He shook his head in mild disbelief. These were supposed to be seasoned, capable professionals, yet the question felt almost childish to him.

To be fair, it wasn't entirely their fault. Artificial intelligence in this era was still more of a concept seen in science fiction than a reality. None of them had likely dealt with anything like this before, much less in a combat scenario.

James clenched his jaw, frustration etched across his face. The thought of being constantly watched by the same AI that had killed hundreds of people was unnerving, even if there had been a logical reason behind its actions. And Ethan's cryptic hints about an impending battle, without clarifying who or what they'd be fighting, only added to his unease.

"Stay in formation," James ordered his team. "Be on alert—and undo the guy's handcuffs." Then, turning to Ethan and Alice, he added, "You two stay in the center of the group. Don't wander off. We'll protect you."

But the unspoken implication was clear: keeping them in the middle also ensured they wouldn't run off, or cause trouble.

"Kaplan, you and Ren, keep an eye on them," James instructed.

Originally, the mercenaries had planned to use the stairs after finding the elevator inoperable. However, knowing now that the Red Queen was monitoring their every move, James decided not to mention the elevator at all. He led his team directly to the stairs, opting for the perceived safety of manual access.

The group moved quickly despite their caution. Even with their weapons at the ready, they maintained a steady pace, as if driven by an unspoken desire to finish the mission as soon as possible and leave this eerie place behind.

Jill, however, wasn't as quiet. She glanced at Ethan and asked, "So you're saying we're going to run into trouble?"

Matt, who had been about to thank Ethan for getting his handcuffs undone, stopped himself and leaned in to hear the response instead.

"There'll be some trouble," Ethan said casually. "But if the negotiations go well, it might just be a warm-up exercise."

"Negotiations?" Jill repeated, frowning in confusion.

Ethan didn't elaborate. When it became clear he wasn't going to explain further, the group pressed forward in silence.

As they moved deeper into the Hive, they came across the first grim sights of the lab. Flooded laboratories and ruined offices stretched before them, each one a stark reminder of the chaos that had unfolded here.

Matt stiffened at the sight, emotion flashing across his face. He suddenly surged forward, but Ethan quickly placed a firm hand on his shoulder, holding him back.

"Don't be impulsive," Ethan warned. "I know what you're thinking, but leaving the group now is the worst thing you can do."

"Let me go," Matt snapped, struggling against Ethan's grip.

"If you don't want to get yourself turned into Swiss cheese, I'd suggest you listen to me," Ethan said calmly.

The mercenaries weren't nearly as patient. If Matt tried anything reckless, they wouldn't hesitate to shoot him on the spot. Ethan's warning was more of a courtesy than anything else.

Fortunately, Matt seemed to regain some self-control and stopped resisting. For the moment, at least, the group avoided unnecessary conflict.

Following the path dictated by the Hive's layout, the team eventually arrived at the area known as Dining Hall B.

Ethan gestured toward the numerous cryogenic freezers lining the room. "You might want to take a look at what's inside," he told James. "Just a heads-up: those things are alive. If the freezing is lifted… well, you'll find out soon enough."

James took a cautious step toward one of the freezers, peering inside. His expression twisted in alarm, and he quickly stepped back. His gaze swept over the room, taking in the sheer number of identical freezers.

"This place is full of these things?" he asked, his voice low.

The rest of the team followed suit, checking the contents of the freezers and reacting with similar unease.

"What the hell are these things?" someone muttered.

Ethan didn't answer. Instead, he motioned for the group to keep moving. "The answers are just ahead. There's a better guide waiting to explain everything."

Without further delay, Ethan took the lead, walking ahead of the group. Strangely, no one stopped him this time. It was as if they had silently accepted him as the de facto leader.

When they reached the entrance to the Hive's control room, Ethan finally came to a halt.

In front of him lay the infamous laser corridor—a feature that had become iconic in countless retellings of the Hive incident. Its reputation in both fiction and reality preceded it, a deadly gauntlet of cutting-edge technology.

"Too bad this thing won't make me any money," Ethan murmured to himself, "just a lot of headaches."

But his actual goal wasn't within the control room. It was below it. For now, though, he had something else to address. He raised his head to the camera watching them from above and spoke clearly.

"Red Queen, I've come to bargain."

***

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