Annette also didn't doubt Eddie's motives. After a moment of contemplation, she said, "To adapt to the T-Virus, one must either have a one-in-ten-thousand compatible physique or strong internal organs and physical fitness."
These words gave Eddie great inspiration. Looking at many Tyrant products, they all had the flaw of exposed hearts. It wasn't that these hearts were bad; on the contrary, these exposed organs were key to supporting the body's strength. Excellent software also needs powerful hardware; insufficient blood supply would prevent the serum's effects from being fully realized.
"I understand, thank you!" Eddie gave Annette a hug, then turned and returned to his workbench.
Annette, suddenly attacked, was stunned for a while before finally shaking her head. This guy seemed a bit like a younger brother, and she was a big sister offering advice. Perhaps becoming friends with him was a good choice; having another friend was certainly useful. It seemed that besides him, Annette and William, as a couple, had no other friends.
Only Dr. William, engrossed in G-Virus research, noticed nothing. His eyes were solely on the G-Virus; other so-called friendships and family ties did not exist.
If William had truly considered his family, he would know that his secret contact with Umbrella and high-ranking military officials was extremely foolish, especially with Spencer aware and without even proper confidentiality measures.
And his only friend was Wesker, who was already preparing to flee after the Arklay Mountains incident, sensing Umbrella's impending doom.
Eddie was still researching ways to adapt the serum. Annette was indeed a virologist; her occasional words gave him great inspiration. If Karena on the S.T.A.R.S. could win over Christine Yamata, plus that biologist, they could definitely develop a T-Virus that enhances physical fitness!
However, there was still a serious problem to solve. The T-Virus originated from a flower called the Stairway to the Sun. These flowers possessed powerful toxicity. Those who could withstand them gained immense power and extended lifespans, living at least two hundred years! And still be full of vigor!
The only drawback, perhaps, was the loss of reproductive ability. Simply put, men would become eunuchs, and women would be unable to bear children.
If this drawback were presented to Spencer, he would probably accept it. As long as he could live forever, whether he was a eunuch or not wouldn't matter.
Chapter 13 Katherine's Apology!
Eddie couldn't accept that. Such immortality would be meaningless; an immortal eunuch's life, what meaning would it have? This very, very serious defect had to be resolved.
Meanwhile, at the headquarters of the Pharmaceutical Alliance, in a video conference room, a woman wearing a bright red cheongsam, ten-centimeter burgundy high heels, and smooth, side-parted short hair sat in the central chair.
The screens on the table lit up, showing a corpulent businessman, a thin man in his thirties, and an old man on the verge of death.
"Agent Ada, our Alliance now has something for you to do," the corpulent businessman said, while the other two listened, especially the younger man, who seemed to be learning how to handle such matters.
However, the man looked at Ada with a hint of admiration and infatuation, but dared not express it.
This woman, dressed in a bright red robe with her fair heels in high heels, was the highly popular Ms. Ada Wong!
"What's the mission?" Her tone was concise, befitting a mature woman.
"We need you to retrieve the G-Virus in Raccoon City. We will transmit the target location to you, as compensation for your failure to obtain the T-Virus," the corpulent businessman said.
"The Arklay Mountains are full of monsters; I can't go there. Regarding the G-Virus you mentioned, if the price is right, I will do it." Ada did not agree immediately, instead considering whether it was worth it. As a spy, she sought to maximize her interests.
"You have no choice. You'd best do as we say, or an additional international warrant will make it impossible for you to move!" the corpulent businessman said coldly.
"How unreasonable. However, this mission seems rather good; I'll accept it. What's the timeframe?" Ada subtly frowned. This was the second time she had accepted a mission related to biological weapons. Frankly, she would rather face drug lords and arms dealers than those things that were neither human nor ghost.
"You can depart now. You have four months," the corpulent businessman said coldly.
"I understand. The price is double what it was before!" Ada responded coldly.
"No problem. If there is combat data, we can increase the price fivefold," said a different thin, middle-aged man, looking at Ada with a hint of infatuation.
Ada also noticed it, a cold sneer forming in her heart. Another shallow man who only valued her looks. "I received it. I'll get to it now!" She then hung up first.
The middle-aged man on the other side remained silent until his assistant came over to call him for a meeting, then he reacted. "Supervisor Simmons, the family meeting is about to begin."
"I understand. You may go first." Simmons was silent for a moment, then quickly reverted to his astute, powerful self.
After hanging up the phone, Ada took out a map of Raccoon City, marking Umbrella's research facilities, including Spencer Memorial Hospital and the park.
"It's a pity that John died; otherwise, I could have continued to use him. I need to find an informant. Who should I look for?" Ada's beautiful eyes lingered on the map for a moment, then a charming smile appeared, as if she had decided something.
It was another new day. Eddie opened his eyes. He was in Jill's apartment. Jill had already left, spending this time focused on training. It seemed she was preparing for the upcoming battle, not at her own request, but at the request of their captain, Wesker.
Wesker's good intentions were entirely due to his desire to improve the combat readiness of the S.T.A.R.S. to better test the experimental data of various biological weapons.
After washing up, Eddie smiled at the bread on the table. Jill was indeed a very suitable girlfriend; she even left him breakfast.
He took a test tube from his pocket. Inside the test tube was a T-Virus solution diluted countless times, along with a small piece of Eddie's skin. This was to test whether this type of serum was suitable and compatible with him.
Just one glance, and Eddie was stunned. He had estimated it would take three days, but in less than twenty-four hours, the skin seemed to have adapted to the serum and was beginning to self-repair, transforming from an imperceptible degree to being visible to the naked eye.
"Is it repairing according to the biological genetic blueprint? It seems necessary to proceed to the next stage of testing," Eddie muttered to himself. This diluted serum could enhance his physical fitness. Although he still couldn't become as invulnerable as a Tyrant, it was enough for self-preservation.
The advantage of biological weapons was that they were cheaper than ordinary firearms. Even a Tyrant's price was only comparable to a tank. Expecting flesh and blood to withstand tanks, planes, and artillery was something only people who read too many novels would imagine.
As he arrived downstairs, a car stopped in front of him. A youthful and pretty face appeared in the driver's seat; it was Katherine, the mayor's daughter!
"Hello, good morning, Eddie. Have you had breakfast?"
Since the staged act with Ben, Katherine had cut ties with him after seeing his true colors. Fortunately, there had been no deep relationship, so she hadn't suffered any loss. She also felt disgusted by her previous judgment and harbored a hint of apology and curiosity towards Eddie.
"I have. Is something up?" Eddie nodded, his mind still on the enhanced serum; he had no time for romantic dalliances.
"Yes, I'm going to treat you to pizza, burgers, and cola. Want to come along?" Katherine smiled sweetly.
"No thanks, I have things to do. Let's save that meal for later. If there's nothing else, I'll be going now. Talk to you next time." Eddie waved his hand, preparing to leave.
"Wait, do you dislike seeing me that much? Alright, I want to apologize to you. I'm sorry, I was wrong before. Ben was my friend then, and I didn't know you, so of course I spoke well of my friend. Now you're my friend, a good friend, and I will definitely stand by you," Katherine said firmly.
Eddie was a little surprised. What was this rhythm? "You're mistaken, I'm not angry. I really do have things to do. I have an idea. You know, scientists need to conduct experiments quickly when they have an idea; who knows, there might be a breakthrough."
Katherine breathed a sigh of relief after hearing his explanation, seemingly a bit worried. "Alright, then I'll treat you to a meal next time. Actually, I'm leading someone this time. That person said they were looking for you."
Chapter 14: Tactical Instructor! Svetlana!
Eddie was very curious. Who could this person be, important enough for the mayor's daughter to lead them? "Who's looking for me?"
"It's me!" A woman with smooth, golden short hair, firm eyes that also revealed a hint of having seen through life and death, and a beautiful face that wasn't stunning but very appealing, a natural beauty that never grew old, unlike some cookie-cutter internet celebrity looks.
What was most striking was her aura, a natural display of herioc grace.
"Who are you?" Eddie was a little confused. The woman in front of him looked somewhat familiar, but he couldn't recall who she was.
"I am entrusted by Ms. Alex to protect you for the next three months, and I am also the specially appointed training instructor for the Raccoon City S.T.A.R.S.. My name is Svetlana Belikova; you can call me Svetlana," the woman in special combat gear stated calmly.
"You're Russian? Nice to meet you, I'm Eddie. Thank you very much for your protection. You're instructing the S.T.A.R.S., so how do you have time to protect me?" Eddie smiled.
"The instruction for the S.T.A.R.S. takes one month. My entrusted protection period begins after that month. I'm just informing you. Before then, the death of an employer is not within my responsibility," Svetlana said with a serious expression.
Eddie shrugged, "Alright, it seems I still need to be careful before then, lest I lose my life. Can we exchange phone numbers? I have to go; talk to you next time."
Eddie had actually remembered. Wasn't she the future female president of Eastern Slav Republic? He hadn't expected her to still be a special operations instructor now; no wonder she could defeat Leon, who had undergone agent training, with just one hand!
How did Alex know such a formidable woman and introduce her to him as a bodyguard? Alex was truly a mystery. Fortunately, she was on his side; if she were an enemy, it would definitely be a huge headache!
With the phone number in hand, Eddie drove himself to the laboratory. He had to survive and escape the Raccoon City crisis four months later. Spencer wouldn't let him out now. Umbrella had clearly turned the Arklay Mountains into its experimental testing ground.
Svetlana watched Eddie's retreating figure, her eyes flickering a few times, seemingly with another purpose.
"Ms. Svetlana, I've brought the person. Do you need to go anywhere else? I can give you a ride," Katherine said with a sweet smile.
"No need. If you're free, you can come to the training center and exercise with us. Mr. Michael also wants me to teach you more self-defense techniques. If it's not necessary, don't leave Raccoon City for the mountains in the suburbs," Svetlana said indifferently, in a businesslike manner.
"That's great, can I also join the training?" Katherine was also very eager to learn. She thought absolute grappling techniques were very cool, especially when dealing with ill-intentioned men; such self-defense could be put to good use.