[Raccoon Mansion]

[March 13, 2022]

Candice eyed the projection screen. The large, 3D display showed the map of the surrounding area. The city, the mansion, and a hundred kilometers of forests.

Half a dozen operators were working on stations. They were reviewing any data, and coordinating their drone fleet.

Doctor Akagi’s fauna drones were incredible. They had gathered so much information and in a very short period of time. Even now, these ‘owl’ drones got stationed around the forest.

They could ‘sleep’ during the day. Maintaining vigilance, and then fly home at night to recharge.

Candice’s only regret was not having these years ago. So many situations where even one of these could have allowed them to dominate a battlefield.

Now a hundred of these owls were looking over the area. Silent security for their temporary lodgings.

With Johnny’s sudden paranoia, she felt better with eyes in the skies.

Tonight was a big night. Both leaders would be present in Raccoon City to discuss the election results.

The escort was 'small'. Seven Warthogs, and twenty-one soldiers. Not including Johnny, Kori, and Kara. Though it was more then enough to ensure that he could get out asap.

The Mansion was already locked down, and the portal had been well tested over the last few days. No issues.

If problems did spring up, then 4,000 power armored soldiers could rush out. Then down the hill to provide whatever support they needed.

Candice knew that Johnny hoped that he was being too paranoid. Fenris thought he wasn’t paranoid enough.

She wanted to believe like Johnny, but leaned towards Fenris. Better to considered crazy then proven true. Bangkok was proof enough of that, and she only was there for half of it.

Candice sighed for the umpteenth time. She walked out of the tent and eye their new Pelican drop-ship. Sue had promised that it was everything they had dreamed of.

Fast. Reliable. Deadly.

A perfect companion to their modern forces.

She felt that with how things were going in Venezuela, they would get tested soon.

—

Fenris grinned as he drove. The white warthog was something he needed in his life. The handling, the power, the ‘tiny’ arc reactor under the hood.

The dozen other escort vehicles were in a formation, giving them command of the streets.

People stopped, stared, and took photos.

The all white vehicle with its gull wing doors. It was a something that spoke to him. He was always a fan of the Bricklin SV-1, the DMC DeLorean, and Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG.

The cars he had dreamed of when he was in First Service. His squad had all bonded over those fantastic designs. So exotic, so sleek, so expensive.

This though… This was something that was already in his hands. If he couldn’t have this one, then he could have another one made. In either ho trod red, or that new matte chrome.

Candice leaned against the window as she sat in the passenger side. She fumed in silence.

For some reason both men had vetoed her suggestion that she drive. It made no sense.

Sure she had an accident or two, but that didn’t mean she was a bad driver!

Kori looked out the window as the trees whizzed by.

This country had a variety of animals, and many of them were soft and cuddly!

She had already flown around the countryside. Seeing what the surrounding mountains and beaches had to offer.

Raccoon City was well named as there was a lot of raccoons in the area. As well as other animals, both on land and in water.

She wasn’t sure how long they were staying, but she she intended to spend more time studying them all!

Kara stood in the back bed with the gunner. The man was serious, holding onto the locked weapon as he scanned the area. The seriousness of his job had him focused.

Kara lounged as she let the wind whip at her body. She found herself loving the ability to fly, and this was close enough. Her relaxed posture belied her attentiveness. While she could react to anything, she felt it was better to be safe then sorry.

After tonight, they would have another week before they left to go back home. If she was being honest, she missed the Long House already.

While she adored the Kents, her new friend lived on Val Verde. It was lonely here on Earth. It hurt to know that everyone she knew, loved, had died.

All but one.

Kal was nice, and kind, but also very busy. It was still hard to correlate the small child she had held in her hands only months ago. Now he was a man, trying to protect her.

It was amusing, but also painful. She had so looked forward to teaching him many things, and showing him the world.

Now it was him showing her things. Telling her how to do things.

It grated on her to be honest. She knew he meant well, but it still annoyed her.

Her mind wandered back to those white beaches, endless drinks, and afternoon naps. That was something she understood and was far less frustrating.

Those are what she found herself yearning for as she passed time at the Kents. It was paradoxical that she desired freedom, yet desired to stay on that island.

The passing trees blurred as I stared at them. My mind reviewing the plan for tonight.

The information package that Emma had left behind was very insightful.

Regardless of how the interview turned out, the ending should be spectacular.

—

A dozen armed, and geared people were waiting for us. The parking lot was near empty when we arrived.

The seven warthogs made that parking space shrink. The soldiers ensured that the space seemed almost too small.

They formed a defensive circle, with guns in their hand. Unlike the parade, these soldiers were ready for violence. Heavy weapons supported by power armor was always intimidating.

I stepped out, nodding to myself. They looked good, and Candice knew what she was doing.

It was odd being the VIP. Though knowing that they were here to back me up let me relax.

Breath in, breath out. This wasn't my first interview, but it was something different.

I let out a breath and smiled. I was a leader, and could not show my nervousness. I centered my thoughts and stepped towards the building.

Two men were walking towards us. Fenris and Candice, in full armor, stopped as they stopped. The four of them eyed each other.

The two non-armored people didn't seem phased that they were within arms reach. The power armor could rip soldiers limb from limb. I found myself impressed.

“Supreme Leader,” the tall, clean shaven, blond man greeted in a cool and professional manner. He gestured to the brunette, and mustached man to his left. "I am Captain Albert Wesker, and this is my Vice-Captain Enrico Marini."

It was the training of putting up with arrogant VIPs that let me keep my composure. Wesker. If he was anything like the man I knew, then he was already bad news.

Impressed or not, I was sure he could fight off a power armored soldier.

Another thought intruded. His hair was as greasy as I had always thought. Greasy bastard.

“Supreme Leader,” Vice-Captain Marini greeted. “We have a dozen elite officers on the inside. The building is secure, and we can react to anything from protests, to riots.”

“Thank you gentlemen, I will only be bringing these four with me,” I replied with a smile. I gestured to the two armored soldiers, and the two young ladies.

We passed the guards and made our way into the building.

The Raccoon News Station was simple, and bustling with employees. Many of who stared, but did not approach us.

I was lead into the interview room.

I passed the two who I knew by sight. Chris Redfield, and Jill Valentines. They didn’t do more then glance at me, and I only nodded to them in return.

If anything went wrong, it would be important to watch out for them. Skilled, competent,and able to think while under fire. Those are dangerous traits for armed people.

Inside, I smiled as I greeted Luis Gonzalez. We shook hands and shown our seats by the anchorwoman.

Virginia Rodriguez smiled, showing her white teeth. She was well manicured and groomed to showcase a professional woman. Someone who had climbed the ranks to become the face of the local news.

In her hands was the set of questions that had gotten agreed upon before my arrival. I would eat that stack of paper if there wasn’t at least one surprise in there.

I smiled and saw the hard glint in Luis’s eyes.

“Alright, we are ready to start!” a man said as he spoke to us, and everyone else in the room. “We are going live in 3. 2. 1!” He gave a thumbs up as the camera’s red lights lit up.

“Live from Raccoon’s City News, I am Virginia Rodriguez and I am honored to host two esteemed leaders today. Supreme Leader, I hope that your stay in Venezuela has been pleasant?”

I smiled at Virginia, then at the camera and my smile widened.

—

Chapter 32: Exclusive Live Interview! Tonight at 8.