"With Umbrella’s resources, do you really need me to arrange an introduction?"
Howard West’s question was half genuine curiosity, half polite refusal.
After several dealings with Evenson, he’d begun to suspect Umbrella possessed enough influence to rival Hydra itself.
If such an organization wanted to approach a cabinet secretary or a senior military official, he wouldn’t have found it strange.
But Justin Hammer?
A second-rate arms manufacturer?
That was suspicious.
Howard had no desire to insert himself into something he didn’t understand.
Crafty old bastard.
Evenson smiled faintly.
"Because I don’t intend for him to learn very much."
Before Howard could reply, Evenson continued.
"When Umbrella works with people of your stature, Mr. West, we’re willing to be open."
"It’s a matter of respect."
The compliment landed exactly as intended.
Respect from an equal was worth far more than flattery from a subordinate.
"But Justin Hammer is different."
"He isn’t qualified to negotiate with people like you or me."
"We’re simply going to make use of him."
"And for him to accept that arrangement without causing trouble..."
"...he’ll need someone important reminding him where he stands."
Now Howard understood.
Umbrella had no intention of forming a lasting partnership.
They planned to squeeze every ounce of value out of Justin Hammer and discard him afterward.
The only question was why they needed him.
Then the answer became obvious.
Without demonstrating overwhelming influence, why would someone as vain as Justin Hammer allow himself to be used?
Umbrella wanted Howard to appear.
Not as a partner.
As a warning.
Someone whose presence alone would convince Hammer to stay obedient.
Howard considered it carefully.
There was no obvious profit for Hydra.
It amounted to making a phone call and attending a meeting.
Nothing more.
Still...
That meant Umbrella would be using him.
Then another thought occurred.
Isn’t that exactly how our relationship already works?
Mutual exploitation.
Besides...
The last time he’d shifted blame onto Umbrella, S.H.I.E.L.D. had discovered the company’s existence.
Judging by Wesker’s tone a moment ago, Umbrella had figured out exactly who was responsible.
Yet they hadn’t retaliated.
That restraint was both a courtesy and a warning.
Returning the favor seemed only reasonable.
Otherwise, the partnership might become an open feud.
"...Very well."
Howard nodded.
"I’ll do it."
"Just tell me when."
Evenson relaxed slightly.
"No rush."
"Any time within the next three months."
Howard asked one final question.
"And under what identity will you attend?"
He meant something very specific.
If Umbrella wanted to keep Hammer in the dark, perhaps even the representative’s identity would be fabricated.
"As Umbrella."
Evenson answered immediately.
"Otherwise there’d be no point."
"But it won’t be me."
"It’ll be one of my colleagues."
Howard’s eyes narrowed.
"Who?"
Evenson glanced toward the front counter.
Sarah had already fallen asleep, her head resting lazily on folded arms.
He smiled.
"Umbrella’s Head of Security."
"Jill Valentine."
"Jill Valentine..."
Howard slowly repeated the name after hanging up.
"Sounds like a woman."
He turned toward his secretary.
"Send people to investigate."
"I want everything you can find on a woman named Jill Valentine."
"I refuse to believe everyone in Umbrella is invisible."
United States Army Research Facility
General Thaddeus Ross stood inside his office studying a military service record.
Across from him stood a stern, weathered officer.
"Major Blonsky..."
Ross looked up from the file.
"Why are you still only a major?"
"According to this record, you should have been promoted years ago."
Lieutenant Colonel.
Perhaps even Colonel.
Emil Blonsky had earned enough battlefield honors to justify either rank.
Blonsky stood with his hands clasped behind his back.
"I enjoy fighting, sir."
Ross understood immediately.
Major was effectively the highest rank from which a soldier could still expect to see regular frontline combat.
Promotion meant command.
Command meant paperwork.
Blonsky preferred battle.
"A born warrior."
Ross offered no further comment.
Instead, he studied the man’s tired expression.
"You’re still thinking about Brazil."
Blonsky sighed.
"Honestly, sir..."
"That was the most humiliating defeat of my life."
Not long ago, he’d led the special operations unit he’d personally trained into Brazil to capture Bruce Banner.
At first, he’d assumed the mission would be simple.
Headquarters kept insisting the target was extraordinarily dangerous.
Yet the man he found looked like a harmless academic.
Thin.
Soft-spoken.
No military bearing whatsoever.
Unless the Boy Scouts counted.
Blonsky had guessed Banner was some terrorist organization’s technical specialist.
Someone who built weapons, managed finances, or possessed valuable intelligence.
Someone important enough to capture alive.
Then the operation began.
And everything he’d believed collapsed.
The timid scientist transformed into a towering green monster.
Bullets did nothing.
The creature treated forklifts like bowling balls.
The battle became a massacre.
His elite squad had been annihilated.
Blonsky was the only one left standing.
"My skills are sharper now than they were ten years ago."
He laughed bitterly.
"I could probably frighten my younger self."
"But experience can’t replace youth."
"I’m getting old."
"You were right."
"Maybe it’s finally time to leave the field."
"An office doesn’t sound so bad anymore."
His smile carried the weight of a veteran who knew his best years were behind him.
At forty years old, Blonsky was already considered old by special operations standards.
His experience had only grown.
His body had not.
Combined with the disaster in Brazil, it had nearly extinguished his fighting spirit.
Ross, however, wasn’t ready to lose him.
"I may have an opportunity for you."
Blonsky looked up.
"What kind of opportunity?"
"A nicer office?"
Ross smiled faintly.
"I can make you twenty years younger."
"Perhaps even better than that."
Blonsky frowned.
"...Excuse me?"
Ross motioned for him to follow.
As they walked through the facility, Ross spoke quietly.
"I’ve spent years pursuing the Super Soldier Program."
"The results have always been disappointing."
"Success rates were too low."
"The side effects too severe."
He paused.
"But recently..."
"There has been a breakthrough."
Blonsky’s curiosity grew.
"A breakthrough?"
Ross nodded.
"It began with a gift."
"A month ago..."
"A group of unusual visitors came to this facility."
"They weren’t exactly friendly."
"But they brought us something that could only be described as a blessing."
...
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