Chapter 63: It's About Time
In the sewer hideout, Jill and Chloe were making their final equipment preparations.
They left everything they didn't need at the hideout, carrying only the weapons, ammunition, and lighting equipment necessary for the mission.
They checked every piece of gear no fewer than ten times to ensure nothing would go wrong during the operation.
In the evening, Chris called.
"Jill, are you guys okay in Raccoon City?" Chris's voice came through the phone, steady and strong. "Over here in Paris, Barry and I have already begun investigating Umbrella. The water here is deeper than we imagined."
"Don't worry, we're still safe," Jill said, holding the phone and looking at Chloe.
"Listen, Jill." Chris's tone became somber. "Don't risk doing anything stupid; your life is what matters most. We can find other opportunities for evidence of Umbrella's crimes later, but if something happens to you, everything is gone. I don't want to lose another teammate, understand?"
A warmth spread through Jill's heart, and a smile touched the corners of her mouth. "I understand. Don't worry, Chris, I'll stay alive to find you. Wait for my good news."
"Take care."
After hanging up, the sky had turned completely dark.
Chloe stuffed the last magazine into her tactical chest rig and looked up at Jill. There was no trace of fear in her eyes, only absolute determination. "Jill, I'm ready."
Jill walked over to her side, reaching out to straighten the collar of her combat uniform and adjusting the shoulder straps of her bulletproof vest to the most comfortable position. Her movements were gentle yet carried an unquestionable strength.
"Remember, once we're inside, keep up with my pace and don't be impulsive. No matter what happens, don't get separated from me," Jill said, looking into her eyes and emphasizing every word.
"I'll remember," Chloe nodded vigorously.
The two sat on the floor, leaning against the cold wall, neither saying a word. The entire world was so quiet that only the sound of their breathing remained.
In less than five hours, Hunk would raid the NEST, just as William and Wesker had teamed up against Marcus years ago.
Chloe turned her head to look at Jill's profile. In the dim light, Jill's features were still gentle, but her eyes held a blade-like resolve.
She suddenly remembered that when she played Resident Evil in her previous life, her favorite character was Jill Valentine. She was brave, righteous, gentle, and strong; even in hell, she never gave up hope or stopped protecting those around her.
And now, this person she had looked up to countless times on the screen was sitting right beside her, about to venture into that death-trap known as the NEST.
"Jill," Chloe spoke softly.
"Hmm?" Jill turned her head to look at her.
"When this is over, let's leave this place together, okay?" Chloe's voice was very soft, yet filled with anticipation. "Go somewhere without Umbrella, without viruses, and live a quiet life."
Jill looked at the light in her eyes, momentarily stunned before she smiled. She reached out and ruffled Chloe's hair, her tone incredibly tender. "Alright. When this is over, we'll leave together. We'll go somewhere sunny and never come back to this hellhole."
Chloe smiled, her lips curving into a beautiful arc. For the first time in two lifetimes, she had such a clear hope for the future.
10:00 PM. Only one hour left before the attack on the NEST.
The two put on their combat uniforms, donned their communication headsets, and equipped all their gear. Jill did a final check of their weapons, sliding a spare handgun into Chloe's drop-leg holster.
"Testing the headset," Jill pressed the talk button, her voice coming through clearly to Chloe.
"Loud and clear, Jill," Chloe replied, also pressing her talk button.
Jill nodded, picked up the rifle from the table, and extended her hand to Chloe. "Ready?"
Chloe took her hand and nodded firmly, her eyes devoid of any fear. "Ready."
The two pushed open the control room door and stepped into the boundless tunnel. A draft carrying damp moisture and a faint scent of blood blew against their faces, bone-chillingly cold.
Without a moment's hesitation, they turned and ducked into the sewer pipes, their footsteps light yet firm as they moved quickly toward the NEST.
Meanwhile, the USS Alpha Team, which had long been lying in wait in Raccoon City, had already infiltrated the NEST under Hunk's leadership.
Inside the NEST, William Birkin was carefully placing virus samples into an encrypted briefcase, with Annette standing beside him, her eyes full of worry.
He was prepared for a fight to the death; even if it meant mutual destruction, he would never hand over his life's work to those profit-driven merchants at Umbrella.
Far outside the city, Leon was looking at his brand-new police badge, hesitating over whether to leave for Raccoon City early.
He watched the news reports about the flu epidemic with anxiety, completely unaware that the city he was about to head to had already entered its countdown to doomsday.
Meanwhile, Ada Wong, dispatched by Wesker, was hiding in a safe house on the outskirts of Raccoon City, wiping her sidearm and waiting for the right moment to enter the NEST. She was like a leopard lurking in the shadows, patiently waiting for her moment to hunt.
The end of Raccoon City was close at hand.
Jill and Chloe had already entered the underground pipe network, walking step by step toward the NEST. Their raid on hell was about to begin.
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