Future Convergence Part 2

The air in the apartment had settled, but tension lingered like fog. Rebecca sat forward on the couch, her eyes flickering between Jasen and the Birkins with a mixture of awe, unease, and intense curiosity.

"Okay," she said, eyes wide, voice low but rapid, "I have so many questions. What exactly is going on? What are you planning? What was all that about Sherry and viral compatibility?"

Jasen glanced at William and Annette. Neither objected. He turned his full attention to Rebecca.

"I told them what I'm about to tell you. There's something coming, Rebecca. Something that will change everything you know about the world, medicine, biology—humanity itself. Umbrella isn't just a pharmaceutical company. They're building weapons. Biological ones. And they're using this city to do it."

Rebecca's eyes widened. "Weapons? You mean the rumors about secret labs and illegal virology testing are true?"

Jasen nodded. "And worse than anyone realizes. That's why I needed you here. You're sharp, Rebecca. I've seen your work, read your reports. You can help the Birkins develop what they'll need to survive what's coming—and maybe keep this city from falling apart."

Rebecca sat back, silent for a moment, then leaned in again. "Wait... Wesker? Is he involved too?"

Jasen's expression darkened. "He's not just involved. He's one of the architects. Embedded in STARS. He's part of a program Spencer started years ago to breed perfect soldiers and scientists. He's loyal to Umbrella—or at least to his own version of their vision."

Rebecca blinked fast, shaking her head. "Why hasn't anyone said anything? Why doesn't Chris know? Jill?"

Annette finally spoke up. "Because if something did happen—if it all went wrong—Umbrella would cover it up. They've done it before. Wiped clean entire facilities. Buried data. Removed anyone who asked the wrong questions."

William added, arms crossed, "And if they knew what you knew, Rebecca, they'd make you disappear too."

Jasen nodded grimly. "That's why I've kept it small. Barry knows. Marvin knows. And now you. You're in this because I trust you."

Rebecca sat back, processing it all. She didn't speak, but her expression said everything—she was in.

Then Jasen stood and moved toward the safe beneath the false panel in his wall.

He opened it carefully and returned with a small reinforced case. Setting it on the table, he popped it open with a soft click.

Inside, nestled in foam, was a vial filled with a faintly glowing, slightly iridescent liquid. It pulsed faintly, like it was alive.

Rebecca leaned forward. "What is that?"

The Birkins had already moved closer.

William adjusted his glasses. "This... this is a T-virus prototype. Strain 00X. This isn't standard. This is early-gen. Highly unstable. Mutagenic properties off the charts."

Annette added, her tone shifting from suspicion to fascination, "I haven't seen one of these since the early Raccoon models. It's... partially hybridized. Some base G markers present. This is an experimental precursor to the Arklay outbreak strains."

Rebecca looked up at Jasen. "Where did you get this?"

"Confiscated it during a raid. One of Umbrella's delivery boys had it tucked away in a black case. Wasn't supposed to be found."

William was still inspecting it. "This... could kill you if you're not compatible."

"I know," Jasen said, calm. "But I want to test it."

Annette stared at him. "Why?"

Jasen reached into his jacket again and pulled out another vial—this one containing a deep crimson fluid.

A blood sample.

The label on the side read: DMC-BLD: Sparda Descendant.

He set it down next to the virus.

"This," he said, "cost me one hundred grand. One hundred grand for a vial of blood from someone whose ancestry goes back to Sparda."

Everyone at the table froze.

Annette spoke first, voice skeptical. "You actually believe the Sparda legends? That he was real? That this is his bloodline?"

Jasen nodded. "I do. And I believe that blood can do things normal human genetics can't. If it's what I think it is... and if the T-virus reacts to it the right way..."

William slowly sat back. "You think you can survive this."

"Not just survive evolve."

Silence settled for several long seconds.

Then Rebecca leaned forward, eyes locked on the vial. "You want us to combine the blood sample with a strain?"

"I want you to run every test possible. Examine compatibility between this blood and the T-00X. Then see if it would survive G-strain modification."

Annette asked carefully, "And if it works?"

Jasen answered, "Then we'll have a new template. Something that might be resistant—maybe even immune—to every known strain of T or G. And if it doesn't? We learn. But I need you to be careful. Don't lose it. Don't break it. And definitely don't let Umbrella find out."

The Birkins stared at him, fascinated and horrified.

Finally, Annette gave a slow nod. "We'll test it. Quietly."

William added, "And if we get results, you'll be the first to know."

Rebecca looked between them all, then nodded too. "I'm in. If this really could help prevent what's coming... then I want to be part of it."

Jasen exhaled, tension easing just a little.

They had the vials.

They had the minds.

Now, they just had to survive what came next.