Chapter 13: Rising Star

The two years from 1996 to 1998 passed in the blink of an eye.

Under the grand packaging of Mayor Michael Warren's "Bright 21st Century Raccoon City" plan, the entire city was immersed in a near-dreamlike, false prosperity and tranquility.

High-rises sprang up in the new urban district, the medical system was fully upgraded, public facilities were completely renewed, and the streets were clean and orderly; the citizens' faces beamed with longing for the future, and almost no one realized that the lifeblood of this city had long been firmly held in the palm of the Umbrella Corporation.

Massive capital injections, policy favoritism, and tacit land agreements brought about the pervasive infiltration of the Umbrella Corporation into Raccoon City; from city hall to the police station, from hospitals to research institutions, the shadow of this enterprise was everywhere.

It was precisely against this backdrop that the S.T.A.R.S. unit, fully funded by the Umbrella Corporation, equipped with the best gear, and staffed by the top personnel, rose to fame in just two short years, instantly becoming the sharpest and most dazzling blade of the Raccoon City police force.

Whether it was counter-terrorism, handling major cases, disaster rescue, or search and rescue missions in the Arklay Mountains, this unit could always complete its objectives with the highest efficiency and minimal casualties, becoming the source of security for the entire city.

S.T.A.R.S. consisted of Alpha Team and Bravo Team, both fully structured with clear divisions of labor and seamless coordination; the members trusted each other through countless training sessions and missions, becoming as close as family.

Gunfire echoed across the training grounds under the sun, and the sound of helicopter rotors often pierced the sky over Raccoon City; between responding to calls, rescue operations, patrols, and training, the members stood firm in their duties amidst sweat and laughter, firmly believing they were using their own hands to protect the light and future of this city.

They were kind, brave, loyal, and fearless, full of hope for the future and holding nothing back from one another.

Only one person, while standing in this light, had a heart that forever sank into the cold shadows.

Albert Wesker.

He arrived at S.T.A.R.S. as a retired military special forces instructor; with judgment that was calm to the point of being cold, impeccable command standards, and a composed, reserved style of conduct, he quickly won everyone over and became the undisputed captain of Alpha Team.

In the eyes of his team members, he was a leader worthy of entrusting their lives to; in the eyes of the police brass, he was the most reliable talent recommended by the Umbrella Corporation; in the eyes of the citizens, he was a hero guarding the city.

But no one knew that he was the most core and secretive spy planted by the Umbrella Corporation within the Raccoon City police force.

Every training session, every mission, and every statement of his was a carefully calculated performance.

He quietly collected all intelligence on the Arklay Research Facility, the NEST laboratory, and the T-Virus project, firmly controlling the operational direction and patrol routes of S.T.A.R.S., waiting silently for that destined catastrophe to descend.

He waited for the virus to leak, for the research facility to fall, and for that perfect opportunity that would allow him to completely break free from the control of the Umbrella Corporation and achieve self-evolution.

The brighter the light, the deeper the darkness in his heart.

It was also in June 1998 that a fresh force, destined to completely change the course of the entire event, officially joined S.T.A.R.S..

The graduation ceremony at the Raccoon City Medical School had just concluded, and the auditorium was still filled with the aura of youth and hope when the eighteen-year-old genius intern, Rebecca Chambers, received an invitation that made everyone envious—one that even she herself could not believe.

A handwritten special recruitment letter from S.T.A.R.S..

You must understand, S.T.A.R.S. only recruited top elites—either retired military experts or senior police veterans; for an eighteen-year-old intern like her, who had just graduated and had zero combat experience, to be directly specially recruited was simply a fantasy.

And the person who personally screened her files and insisted on making an exception to recruit her was none other than Wesker.

The S.T.A.R.S. operations room on the top floor of the Raccoon City Police Department (R.P.D.) was spacious and bright; on the walls hung maps of the Arklay Mountains, tactical deployment charts, and equipment lists, and the air was filled with the scent of gun oil and paper.

Rebecca Chambers clutched her heavy certificates of honor, medical files, and transcripts, standing nervously before Wesker; her small body was taut and straight, her fingertips were slightly clenched, and she even breathed very lightly.

She was young, inexperienced, and had clear, innocent eyes; like a blank sheet of paper untouched by the world, she had never imagined she could ascend to such heights in one step, entering the top tactical unit in Raccoon City.

Wesker sat behind his desk, his fingertips gently flipping through her files; his dark sunglasses obscured all emotion in his eyes, and his tone was calm and steady, devoid of any superfluous emotion.

"Rebecca Chambers, finished medical school preparatory courses early at seventeen, graduated first in the class at eighteen, majoring in emergency first aid, viral biology, trauma treatment, drug compounding, and on-site biochemical analysis."

He slowly closed the folder, his distinct knuckles tapping the desk lightly. "Your theoretical grades, practical scores, and emergency response tests all exceed those of every medical staff member currently serving in the Raccoon City Police Department."

"Th... thank you, Captain!" Rebecca Chambers quickly spoke up, her voice crisp, yet unable to hide her nervousness and excitement.

"After a joint review by the Umbrella Corporation and the municipal police department, it was decided to officially specially recruit you to join S.T.A.R.S.." Wesker looked up, his gaze falling upon her. "This unit frequently executes high-risk missions and requires a frontline medical officer capable of handling biochemical risks, wilderness rescue, field surgery, and rapid analysis of viral samples. Your entire file was personally screened and finalized by me."

Rebecca Chambers was stunned, her eyes widening slightly.

Was it this legendary, calm, powerful, and almost ruthless captain standing before her who had personally chosen her?

"I know you are young, have no combat experience, and have never participated in truly high-risk missions." Wesker's tone remained flat, revealing no joy or anger. "But your professional ability, learning capacity, and psychological resilience perfectly meet the needs of Bravo Team. Starting today, you are officially assigned to the S.T.A.R.S. Bravo Team as an intern medic, reporting directly to Captain Enrico Marini."

"Yes!" Rebecca Chambers snapped to attention and gave a standard, earnest salute; her clear eyes sparkled with light, filled with the determination and longing of youth. "I will definitely train hard, complete my missions diligently, and will never let you down!"

She was filled with gratitude and passion, full of expectations for the future.

But she did not know that Wesker choosing her was not entirely because of her talent.

A young, simple, highly professional intern medic with a clean background, no guile, and full trust in him would be the most logical, natural, and least suspicious pawn in that "mountain accident" that was destined to happen in the future.

Her existence could perfectly conceal Wesker's true purpose and, when necessary, become the most insignificant link in the plan.

Wesker nodded slightly, acknowledging her.

His gaze swept past the window nonchalantly, looking toward the distant Arklay Mountains, which were gradually being shrouded in thick white fog; beneath his sunglasses, his eyes were filled with bottomless coldness.

All the pieces were now in place.

All plans had been fully laid.

The stage of fate was about to officially rise amidst blood and wails.

And this drama that would sweep across the entire mountain range, the entire city, and even the entire human world, had only one name.

Destruction.