Traveling Across Movie Worlds

As Rain and Olga departed to complete their mission, I shifted my focus to the next part of my plan.

Terri Morales, a reporter with untapped potential, had been relegated to weather reports and human-interest fluff pieces, but I knew her ambitions reached far beyond that. She craved the kind of story that would propel her into the ranks of top investigative journalists. The outbreak in Raccoon City and the dark truth behind Umbrella Corporation was exactly the kind of story that could transform her career—and I could use her drive to further my own goals.

Contacting Terri

Activating my ability, Technopathy, I tapped into Raccoon City's digital networks. Hacking into local databases and encrypted systems was effortless; finding Terri's personal number took less than a few seconds. I cloaked my call with an anonymous number and used a voice changer to ensure her curiosity would be piqued without giving away my identity too soon.

After a few rings, she picked up.

"Hello?" Terri's voice was cautious, tinged with the anxiety of someone who's been receiving too many strange calls in a crumbling city.

"Terri Morales," I began, my altered voice low and deliberate, "you want the truth about the outbreak, don't you? You want to expose the lies and make people see what's really happening here."

There was a moment of silence on the other end, followed by her measured reply. "Who is this?"

"A friend," I said cryptically. "Someone who can give you what you've been looking for. Proof that Umbrella Corporation is behind the outbreak, that this virus isn't some random tragedy, but the result of deliberate, monstrous experimentation."

I let the words hang in the air, knowing they'd hit their mark. Terri was a journalist; bait like this was irresistible.

"If you're telling the truth, why not just go to someone bigger? Why me?" she asked, skepticism lacing her tone, but I could hear the spark of interest.

"Because you're not them. The major outlets are compromised, and controlled. Umbrella's reach is everywhere. I need someone hungry, someone who has something to prove—and who's willing to take risks to do it. You're not their puppet, Terri. That's why I chose you."

The silence on her end spoke volumes. She was hooked. But she wasn't naïve.

"And how do I know I can trust you?" she asked, a sharp edge in her voice.

"Check your computer," I said simply.

Seconds later, Terri let out a startled gasp as her screen flickered to life. A one-time view video began to play—a flawless recording of how the T-virus was released in the Hive, the hidden Umbrella facility beneath Raccoon City. The video included clear narration explaining each critical moment: the sabotage leading to the viral outbreak, the Red Queen's drastic measures to contain it, and the subsequent arrival of James's team. It showed me and the group fighting through hordes of zombies and Lickers, with details meticulously outlined for clarity.

The footage ended with me and Rain handling the chaos with precision, a stark testament to the horrors lurking beneath the city—and the truths Umbrella wanted to be buried.

Terri's voice trembled slightly, her earlier skepticism replaced by shock and determination. "This… this is real. I've never seen anything like this. Alright. I'm in. What do you need me to do?"

"I want to meet," I said, "to give you what you need to blow the lid off this entire operation. But it has to be done carefully. Umbrella is watching everyone, and if they catch wind of this, you're as good as dead."

"When and where?" she asked, her voice steadier now, full of resolve.

"The old diner on 7th Avenue," I replied. "Noon. Come alone, and don't bring anything traceable—no phones, no recorders. This isn't just another story, Terri. This is survival."

I ended the call before she could ask more questions. I didn't need to convince her further; she'd show up. Curiosity and ambition were powerful motivators, and I'd just handed her the story of a lifetime. Now, I had to prepare for our meeting.

With Rain and Olga focused on their mission, and Terri Morales set to meet me at noon, the next step of my plan involved another crucial piece on the board: Jill Valentine.

Jill was a key member of the elite Special Tactics and Rescue Service (S.T.A.R.S.) special operations unit team and someone I knew would be invaluable. Her tactical mind, combat expertise, and determination to uncover the truth made her a natural ally against Umbrella. If anyone could help keep Terri safe while also bolstering our fight, it was her. I decided to bring her into the fold earlier than in the original timeline and orchestrated a meeting that would connect her with Terri.

Once a rising star in STARS, Jill was now on the outside, her career derailed by her refusal to turn a blind eye to Umbrella's corruption. Her accusations about the company's role in the Spencer Mansion incident had earned her suspension, leaving her without a badge but she was still determined to expose the truth.

I found her drowning her frustrations in a dimly lit bar, trying to use her dwindling network of contacts to gather evidence against Umbrella. She hadn't had much luck. The city was falling apart, and the few people she could trust were either missing or unwilling to risk their lives. Jill was a fighter, but the weight of her isolation and the chaos unfolding around her was starting to wear her down.

Using my Technopathy, I tapped into Jill's personal communicator. With her suspension, it wasn't connected to any official channels, making it easier for me to establish contact. I sent a voice-modulated message directly to her device.

Her communicator buzzed, and she answered with a sharp, defensive tone. "Who the hell is this? How did you get this number?"

"Jill Valentine," I said calmly, my altered voice steady. "You're looking for evidence against Umbrella. I have what you need."

There was a long pause. When she spoke again, her tone was colder, skeptical. "If you really have something, why aren't you handing it over to the authorities? Or the press?"

"You've already tried that route, haven't you? And look where it got you—suspended, discredited, and left fighting a battle on your own. The people in power won't listen, and Umbrella's silenced anyone who might've. But I can give you the proof to expose them, Jill. All I need is for you to meet me."

She snorted, the frustration clear in her voice. "Right. And I'm supposed to trust some mystery voice who hijacks my comms? For all I know, you're working for them."

"Check your inbox," I replied. "There's a video waiting for you. It's a one-time view, and it will answer your questions."

As she opened the file, I waited, letting the footage speak for itself. It was the same video I'd sent to Terri Morales: the T-virus outbreak in the Hive, the Red Queen's containment measures, the arrival of James's team, and our battles against zombies and Lickers. Clear, detailed, and undeniable. Explanations played over the scenes, breaking down Umbrella's operations in a way that even a skeptic like Jill couldn't ignore.

When the video ended, I heard her sharp intake of breath. "That… that was real."

"Yes," I said simply. "And there's more where that came from. But if we're going to take down Umbrella, we need to work together. I'm meeting someone else who can help—a reporter named Terri Morales. I want you to be there."

"Why her?" Jill asked, her tone laced with curiosity and caution.

"Because she has the platform to make this public, and she needs protection. Umbrella won't hesitate to silence her if they find out what she knows. That's where you come in." 

Jill hesitated, but only for a moment. "And where's this meeting happening?"

"The diner on 7th Avenue. Noon today. Bring Terri Morales with you—she'll need someone like you to make it there safely. And I need you both for what's coming next."

"You've got guts calling me out of the blue like this," Jill said, her tone softening. "Alright, I'll play along. But if this is some kind of setup—"

"It's not," I interrupted. "You'll see soon enough."

As the call ended, I knew Jill would come. Despite her frustrations and doubts, she was still driven by the same unshakable sense of justice that had gotten her suspended. With Terri and Jill together, the stage was set for a powerful alliance—and the beginning of Umbrella's downfall.

By noon, the three of us would meet at that diner, and I'd set the wheels of my plan in motion. As I stared out at the decaying city, I couldn't help but smirk. The pieces were falling into place. 

Ryan's plans were always multi-layered, but if there was one thing that remained consistent, it was his ultimate priority: conquering the women who caught his eye. While his words to Rain, Olga, Terri, and now Jill about taking down Umbrella were true enough to lend credibility, his primary motivation was far more self-serving. He wasn't just assembling a team to combat a corporate evil; he was building something personal, something intimate—a harem that would revolve around him.

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Author's Note:

Hey everyone! 😊

Thank you so much for your patience and understanding—I know you've been waiting for this update, and I truly appreciate your support as always. Writing this story and sharing it with all of you has been an incredible journey, and your encouragement keeps me going!

A special shoutout to Bapunu_Jena for your regular support with Power Stones—your dedication means the world to me. It's readers like you who make this journey so rewarding!

Stay tuned, because things are about to heat up in Raccoon City. As always, feel free to drop your thoughts, theories, and feedback—I love hearing from you all!

See you in the next chapter!

Much love,

[Marveric]