Chapter 12: The Bright 21st Century

1996, Raccoon City Police Department (R.P.D.), Downtown Raccoon City

In 1996, Raccoon City was shrouded in an illusion of prosperity.

Under the vigorous promotion of Mayor Michael Warren, an urban renewal project named 'Bright 21st Century Raccoon City' was officially launched. Road widening, new district development, medical upgrades, police reform... The entire city seemed to be striding towards modernization. Yet few knew that behind all this prosperity stood the same shadow: the Umbrella Corporation.

Umbrella injected massive funds into the municipal government, securing deep infiltration into city policies, land approvals, and the public security system. In exchange for political achievements and funding, Mayor Warren willingly handed over the lifeline of Raccoon City to this seemingly glamorous but secretly virus-ridden and murderous enterprise.

That autumn, the Raccoon City Police Department underwent the most significant reform in its history.

With direct funding from Umbrella, the police department officially announced the formation of a new elite unit.

S.T.A.R.S.

Full name: Special Tactics And Rescue Service.

On the day of its establishment, the conference hall of the R.P.D. building was filled with high-ranking police officials and 'observers' sent by Umbrella. The Chief of Police stood at the podium, reading the founding declaration with impassioned fervor.

'From today, S.T.A.R.S. will become Raccoon City's first line of defense, responsible for high-risk missions such as counter-terrorism, major crimes, disaster rescue, and mountain search and rescue! All equipment, funding, and training resources for the unit are fully and freely sponsored by the Umbrella Corporation!'

Thunderous applause erupted from the audience.

No one noticed a man sitting in the shadows of a corner, watching the entire farce with a cold, silent gaze.

The man wore a black suit and dark sunglasses. His face was stern, and his demeanor was unnaturally composed for an ordinary police officer.

It was Albert Wesker.

By this time, he had long since left the Arklay Research Facility, having spent years lying low within Umbrella's intelligence department. On the surface, he was obedient and followed orders, but in his heart, he was always plotting his escape from Oswell E. Spencer's control. The formation of S.T.A.R.S. was not a police reform to him, but a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be marginalized.

As soon as the meeting ended, Wesker turned and walked into the secret office of Umbrella's Raccoon City branch.

The person in charge was already waiting inside. Seeing him enter, he directly handed over an encrypted file.

'Mr. Wesker, the company has arranged everything for you,' the person in charge said in a low voice. 'The police department has fully accepted Umbrella's recommendation. You will directly assume the position of Captain of the S.T.A.R.S. Alpha Team. Your cover is 'former military special forces instructor,' and your resume is impeccable.'

Wesker took the file, his fingertips lightly tracing the words 'Alpha Team Captain.' Behind his sunglasses, his eyes showed no emotion, only a deep, unfathomable calm.

'Good,' he said flatly.'S.T.A.R.S. is fully funded by Umbrella. The police department has no say. Once I'm in, the entire unit's operational direction, intelligence gathering, and mountain patrol authority will be in our hands.'

'Mr. Spencer's intention,' the person in charge added, 'is for you to firmly control S.T.A.R.S. Should any abnormalities occur in the Arklay Mountains or the Research Facility, you can immediately seal off information, clean up traces, and if necessary... deal with any witnesses.'

'I understand,' Wesker's tone remained calm. 'I'm not doing this for Spencer. I'm doing it for myself.'

He kept this thought to himself, unspoken.

To him, S.T.A.R.S. was not a mission or a job. It was a springboard to escape control, gather power, and achieve his own evolution.

A few days later, Wesker officially appeared in the R.P.D.'s S.T.A.R.S. operations room under the guise of an 'elite external recruit.'

Brand-new tactical gear, bulletproof vests, firearms, helicopters, and dedicated vehicles were all in place, each bearing Umbrella's discreet logo.

The newly appointed S.T.A.R.S. Commander, Albert Barry, was the first to greet him.

Barry was burly, honest, and skilled in firearms and mechanical repair. Unaware of Wesker's true identity, he simply saw him as a top-tier expert from the military.

'Captain Wesker, welcome aboard,' Barry extended his hand. 'I'll be counting on you with the Alpha Team. Kevin Dooley is the captain of Bravo Team. We'll cooperate fully.'

Wesker shook his hand lightly, his tone formal and steady. 'A pleasure to work with you.'

Standing in the center of the operations room, his gaze swept over the list of members on the wall. A faint, imperceptible sneer curled at the corner of his mouth.

S.T.A.R.S. was divided into Alpha Team and Beta Team. The personnel roster had already been finalized jointly by the police department and Umbrella:

———— S.T.A.R.S. Roster ————

Alpha Team

Captain: Albert Wesker

Deputy Captain / Demolitions Expert: Barry Burton

Tactical Expert / Former Air Force: Chris Redfield

Demolitions / Lock-picking / Combat Expert: Jill Valentine

Pilot: Brad Vickers

Communications / Technical Support: Joseph Frost

Bravo Team

Captain: Enrico Marini

Members: Edward Dewey, Kenneth J. Sullivan, Richard Aiken, Forest Speyer.

Wesker understood perfectly.

These individuals were all elite police officers, military veterans, combat masters, and tactical geniuses.

They were brave, righteous, and professional.

And they were about to become the most convenient pawns in his plan.

Soon after, Chris Redfield was the first to report for duty.

As soon as he entered the operations room, he was drawn to the tactical maps on the wall. His eyes were sharp, his entire bearing radiating the toughness and straightforwardness of a soldier.

'Are you Captain Wesker?' Chris spoke up directly, his tone crisp. 'I'm Chris. Former Air Force. I heard this is the strongest unit in Raccoon City. I won't hold the team back.'

Wesker gave a slight nod. 'I've seen your file. Top-tier in physical fitness, marksmanship, and tactical command. S.T.A.R.S. needs people like you.'

His tone was calm, but inwardly, he was assessing.

Chris possessed formidable combat strength. Impulsive yet loyal, he was an excellent frontline operator.

A few days later, Jill Valentine arrived.

She wore a neat combat uniform, her eyes calm, her movements efficient. Proficient in demolition, combat, infiltration, and decryption, she was a rare all-around female elite. She offered no unnecessary pleasantries, simply giving a standard salute.

'Jill Valentine, reporting.'

Wesker returned the salute indifferently. 'I've reviewed your file. Demolition and infiltration are your strengths. Alpha Team needs your skills.'

Jill had no idea that this seemingly cool and reliable captain was not a police officer protecting citizens at all, but rather Umbrella's deepest-planted spy within the police department.

As personnel arrived one after another, S.T.A.R.S. quickly reached full strength.

Beta Team Captain Kevin Dooley was steady and experienced. Member Richard Aiken was patient and meticulous. Kenneth Sullivan excelled in medical aid and observation. Edward Jones was formidable in firepower... The entire unit appeared flawless.

After a full-team training session, Barry couldn't help but walk over to Wesker and whisper with emotion, 'Honestly, I never imagined Raccoon City could have a team this strong. Umbrella has really helped out tremendously this time.'

Wesker stood at the edge of the shooting range, watching Chris and Jill compete in marksmanship. His tone was flat and unemotional. 'With money, you can naturally build the best team.'

'But I can't help feeling something's a bit off...' Barry frowned slightly. 'Why is Umbrella being so generous? Sponsoring equipment, helicopters, even dedicated training grounds... That goes far beyond the social responsibility of an ordinary corporation.'

Wesker's gaze behind his sunglasses turned slightly colder, but his tone remained gentle. 'Barry, corporations need reputation, cities need security. It's a mutual exchange. No need to overthink it.'

Barry was easily brushed off by his words and stopped questioning.

He didn't know that Wesker was already sneering inwardly.

A mutual exchange?

No.

What Umbrella wanted was a watchdog.

What Spencer wanted was a guard dog.

And what Wesker wanted was freedom and power.

In the two years following S.T.A.R.S.'s establishment, Wesker consistently played the role of the perfect captain.

He was calm, decisive, an excellent commander, strict in training, never making mistakes, never wavering, earning the complete trust of all team members. Chris admired his judgment, Jill relied on his composure, and Barry believed in his character.

No one knew that with every night patrol, every mountain search and rescue, every classified mission, Wesker would be the first to relay intelligence back to Umbrella.

No one knew he had been quietly collecting evidence related to the Arklay Research Facility, the Hive laboratory, and viral experiments.

No one knew he had long been waiting for a moment.

A moment when Raccoon City would spiral out of control, the virus would leak, Umbrella would collapse, and he could seize the chance to escape and complete his evolution.