"December 4th. We finally succeeded. We extracted the new virus. It is unique enough to be called the 'Progenitor Virus'. I want to bring it back and investigate it immediately..."
"August 23rd. Spencer wants to start a company. He says it's for better research, but I don't care. As long as I can study the Progenitor Virus, he can do whatever he wants..."
"September 19th. Finally... I found a way to build a new virus based on the Progenitor. I mixed Progenitor with Leech DNA. It's a breakthrough. I will call it the 'Tyrant' (T) Virus..."
"October 28th. Rodents aren't enough. I need humans. Only humans can unlock the full potential. Perhaps I can use the lab staff..."
"January 13th. It is complete. My beautiful leeches. Those low-intelligence fools can't understand my joy. I will soon control everything..."
"February 11th. Someone tampered with the entrance again. Spencer is trying to steal my work. I will announce the T-Virus at the next board meeting and take my rightful place!"
The ink on the last page was pressed hard into the paper, revealing Marcus's agitation and triumph. It was the diary of a man descending into madness, sacrificing his humanity for his "beautiful leeches."
Havel sighed, closing the book.
"A madman's story."
"Havel? What are you reading?"
Rebecca and Billy, having recovered from the gas, walked over.
Havel tossed the diary to Rebecca. "Evidence. Read it. It's the confession of a monster."
As they read, their faces darkened. The casual mention of using human test subjects made Rebecca sick to her stomach.
"He used his own staff..." Rebecca whispered. "How can a scientist be so evil?"
"Power," Billy said grimly. "Power corrupts."
"Save the outrage for later," Havel interrupted. "We have the final piece. Let's get out of here."
The Main Hall.
They returned to the grand staircase. Havel placed the completed Black Statue (with wings) onto the left side of the scale held by the Goddess Statue. The White Statue was already on the right.
Clang.
The scales balanced perfectly.
RUMBLE...
The floor shook. Dust rained down from the ceiling.
The massive portrait of James Marcus began to sink into the floor. Behind it, a dark, damp staircase was revealed, leading deep underground.
"The path is open," Havel said. "The real lab is down there."
They descended into the gloom.
The air grew colder and smelled of rot and damp earth. Thick cobwebs draped the walls.
"Wait."
Havel stopped. His instincts were screaming.
"Rebecca, take the shotgun."
He handed her the M1897. He pulled out a Molotov cocktail and his lighter.
Skitter... Skitter...
From the darkness ahead, a sound like dry leaves scraping on concrete echoed.
Two massive shapes crawled along the walls.
Giant Spiders.
They were the size of tigers, covered in coarse hair. Their multiple eyes glowed red in the flashlight beams.
"I hate spiders," Havel muttered. "If one of them bites me, do I become Spider-Man? Or do I just die?"
He lit the rag on the Molotov.
"Fire in the hole!"
[DATA FILES: RESIDENT EVIL 0 CHARACTERS & CREATURES]
(Provided for context)
Rebecca Chambers: S.T.A.R.S. Bravo Team Medic. Age 18. Chemist prodigy. Scrappy but inexperienced.Billy Coen: Ex-Marine Lieutenant. Age 26. Wrongfully convicted of mass murder. Stoic, cynical, but honorable.James Marcus (Queen Leech): One of Umbrella's founders. Murdered 10 years ago. Resurrected by leech DNA. Seeks revenge on Umbrella.Albert Wesker: S.T.A.R.S. Alpha Team Captain. Double agent. Cold, calculating, seeks combat data.William Birkin: Creator of the G-Virus. Wesker's colleague. Paranoid and obsessed with his work.
Creatures:
Zombies: Standard T-Virus infected humans. Slow, hungry.Cerberus: Infected Dobermans. Fast pack hunters.Crow: Infected birds. Nuisance enemies.Plague Crawler: Giant insects. Weak to fire.Giant Spider: T-Virus spiders. Venomous.Eliminator: Infected monkeys. Fast and intelligent.Hunter (Alpha): Reptilian B.O.W.s. Fast, deadly claws.Lurker: Giant frogs. Can swallow prey whole.Stinger: Giant scorpion (Boss).Centurion: Giant centipede (Boss).Proto Tyrant (T-001): Failed Tyrant prototype. Exposed spine/heart.Queen Leech: Final Boss. Mimics Marcus.