The warehouse was quieter than usual that evening, the group recovering from the day's efforts. Jill stood near the fire, her gaze distant. She hadn't shared much about her scouting trip earlier, but now she seemed ready to speak.
Azizah noticed her pensive expression and nodded toward her. "Something on your mind, Valentine?"
Jill turned to face the group, her lips pressed into a thin line. "Yeah. I ran into some people earlier. UBCS."
The name drew immediate reactions. Kevin frowned, George looked skeptical, and Alyssa muttered a curse under her breath. "Umbrella's dogs?" Alyssa said sharply. "And you're still standing here?"
Jill raised a hand to forestall further comments. "Trust me, I'm not thrilled about it either. But they weren't trying to kill me—at least, not directly. They said they're here to help evacuate survivors."
Azizah tensed at the mention of UBCS. She remembered them from the game mercenaries hired by Umbrella, supposedly for containment but often serving darker purposes. Her mind raced with the implications.
Leon folded his arms, his expression skeptical. "Let me guess: they're claiming they had nothing to do with the outbreak?"
"Exactly," Jill replied, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "They're 'just following orders.' But the thing is, they're actually equipped to save people. They've got weapons, supplies, and transport. More than we have."
Mark frowned. "So, what's the catch?"
Jill sighed, running a hand through her hair. "They want me to assist them. They said the more people we can save, the better. But let's be real—we all know who signs their paychecks."
---
The group fell into tense silence, each person weighing Jill's revelation. George was the first to break it. "If they really have the means to save lives, we'd be foolish not to use them. But we can't trust them completely. Not after what Umbrella's done."
David leaned against a crate, his expression grim. "Sounds like a trap to me. Get close to them, and you're just as likely to get stabbed in the back as you are to be handed supplies."
Cindy looked between them, her voice hesitant but hopeful. "Maybe they really are trying to help. Not everyone in Umbrella is… bad, right?"
Alyssa scoffed. "That's naive, Lennox. The whole company's rotten to the core."
Azizah stepped in before the discussion could escalate. "Let's focus. Jill, what do you think? Are they worth the risk?"
Jill hesitated, her hands on her hips. "I don't trust them, but they're not all bad. One of them—Carlos Oliveira—seemed different. He's the one who convinced me to think it over. He seemed genuine, like he actually wanted to help."
---
The group continued to debate the merits and risks of aligning with the UBCS. Leon, still wary, leaned toward outright rejection. "Even if this Carlos guy is legit, he's just one person. What happens when Umbrella decides we're expendable?"
"Then we deal with it," Jill said firmly. "But right now, we're barely surviving. If they have the means to get survivors out of this city, we owe it to the people we're trying to protect to at least consider it."
Mark Wilkins, silent until now, nodded thoughtfully. "She's right. We've got families out there, scared and hiding. If the UBCS can help us reach them, we'd be turning our backs on those people if we don't try."
Azizah crossed her arms, her mind racing. Her system hadn't offered any warnings or updates about the UBCS, which meant the decision was entirely up to her and the group. "Let's assume we work with them. What's their plan?"
Jill glanced around the room, then lowered her voice. "They're setting up an evac point near Memorial Hospital. They're sweeping the area for survivors and consolidating resources. But the hospital's crawling with infected, and they're stretched thin."
George's expression darkened. "Memorial Hospital was overrun days ago. If they're trying to set up there, it's a death trap."
---
After more back-and-forth, Azizah finally raised her hand to silence the group. "Here's the deal. We don't trust Umbrella, but we're not in a position to ignore help—especially if it means saving lives. Jill, you'll meet with them and keep us updated. But we stick together. No one goes off on their own."
Jill nodded, her gaze steady. "I can work with that. I'll see what they're really about and keep my distance from anyone who seems shady."
Alyssa smirked. "That's everyone."
Jill rolled her eyes. "Fair point."
Azizah turned to the rest of the group. "In the meantime, we prep for the worst. Reinforce our defenses, stock up on supplies, and plan alternate routes out of the city. If things go south, we need to be ready to move."
The group murmured their agreement, the tension easing slightly as they shifted focus to practical tasks.
---
Later that night, Jill approached Azizah while the others were busy. "Thanks for backing me up," she said, her tone quieter than usual.
Azizah glanced at her. "You're trying to do the right thing. That's more than most people would bother with."
Jill hesitated, then added, "Carlos mentioned something else. He said there's someone in the UBCS who's been acting… strange. A guy named Nicholai. He didn't give details, but I'd bet my badge that he's trouble."
Azizah's voice grew cold. "Nicholai Ginovaef. He's one of the most dangerous operatives Umbrella has. If he's involved, there's a good chance this 'evacuation' is just a cover for something else. He's not the kind of man who helps people without expecting something in return—or worse."
Jill's expression darkened. "Carlos didn't say much, but I got the same impression. Nicholai's trouble. Always watching, always calculating. If he's part of this, we'll need to stay two steps ahead."
Azizah nodded, her expression hardening. "Agreed. Let's just hope this doesn't blow up in our faces."
---
To Be Continued...