After getting acquainted with the members of the Tactical Force, Eddie smiled and said, "Today is our first official meeting. From now on, we are colleagues. Tonight, I'd like to treat everyone to a good drink at the Raccoon City Bar. Are you free?"
"That's a must! I'll definitely be there." A sudden voice rang out; it was Kevin, the elite agent who had just entered from outside. Kevin possessed excellent combat skills, but he was too lazy, failing the Tactical Force selection twice. It was unclear if Wesker was wary of such individuals.
He returned to the apartment with Jill, knowing they still needed to go to the bar for the welcome dinner that evening.
At the Raccoon City Bar, when Eddie arrived with Jill, all the members except Wesker were present. Jill looked a bit tired, seemingly having overexerted herself. Fortunately, her recovery ability had strengthened; with ample food and a little rest, she would recover.
"Hey, Eddie, right? You'd better take good care of Jill. She's the flower of our Alpha Team. If you bully her, I won't let you off," Chris said, walking over with a drink.
Eddie didn't have a good impression of Chris and was glad he hadn't joined Alpha Team. Chris clearly specialized in antagonizing teammates here.
"I understand. I'll definitely treat her well. In a while, you might even be attending our wedding," Eddie laughed.
Jill didn't refute him but smiled happily. Although their relationship had developed somewhat suddenly, it had initially been to investigate the attacks and disappearances in the mountains. However, it had turned into a fake blind date that became real.
Chris was a bit depressed. He actually had a good impression of Jill and hadn't had a chance to confess before she was snatched away. It was truly frustrating. As for hatred, it wasn't that; just pure vexation. There's a kind of happiness called blessing.
Eddie was very generous with his spending, and all the members of the Tactical Force had a good impression of him. No one disliked befriending someone rich and unpretentious.
The bar's famous beautiful waitress walked over, her brows tightly furrowed. She hesitated beside Eddie, wanting to say something but remaining silent.
Jill found it strange. Her boyfriend was excellent, and she wasn't surprised that competitors would appear. Regardless of who it was, Jill wouldn't be surprised, and she was confident she could defeat all rivals.
"Hey, beautiful Cindy, is there something you need? If you want to confess, you've got the wrong person. This rich, handsome guy already has a girlfriend," Agent Kevin said with a laugh.
"Actually, having two girlfriends is fine! I absolutely support you, Eddie!" Joseph of Alpha Team also teased.
Jill raised an eyebrow. Inciting her boyfriend like this, were they pretending she didn't exist?
Eddie smiled, "Cindy, right? Is there something you need my help with?"
Cindy, the bar's beautiful waitress, took a deep breath before saying, "Mr. Eddie, a neighbor of mine went on a trip to the Arklay Mountains two days ago and hasn't returned yet. I'm very worried about her and hope you can help find her. Thank you very much."
Eddie nodded, "Okay, you can give me her name and specific details, then report it to the police station. I'll find an opportunity to suggest a search to the chief."
"That would be so kind of you." Cindy bowed gratefully, appearing very polite. Beautiful and sweet-voiced, how could such a beauty lack admirers?
Chapter 31: A Beautiful Reporter's Plea!
Late at night in an apartment, Svetlana stood by the window, looking out at Raccoon City. For some reason, she had an ominous premonition, as if something terrible was about to happen in the city.
After her guidance of the Tactical Force, hired by Umbrella, Svetlana had a private mission: to protect Eddie for two months. In return, Alex would give her something that could help her achieve her dreams, a benefit she couldn't refuse.
Ding-dong. Eddie, who was about to rest, was puzzled. Who would be ringing his doorbell?
Opening the door, he saw a cool-looking woman in a light red women's suit and eight-centimeter burgundy high heels, with one side of her short blonde hair covering her right eye.
"Hello, Mr. Eddie, I'm Alyssa Ashcroft, a reporter from the Raccoon City Newspaper. This is my press card." Alyssa handed over her press card.
Eddie looked a bit puzzled. What did this beautiful reporter, who could uncover the Raccoon City crisis, want with him? "I know. We met at the bar. It's late. Is there something you need?"
"May I come in?" Alyssa asked.
"Of course, but I already have a girlfriend," Eddie joked, stepping aside to let her in.
"I don't mind!" Alyssa also caught his teasing tone and responded with a smile. Joking? Who couldn't joke back!
Jill was a bit confused. Why would a beautiful woman come looking for her boyfriend, and at this hour? Was she not putting her, a stunning beauty, in her eyes?
"This is Alyssa, a freelance reporter. And this is my girlfriend, Jill." Eddie briefly introduced them.
"Hello!" Jill and Alyssa shook hands at the same time. Both could feel a faint hostility; excellent women often had a bit of this inexplicable animosity between them.
Eddie poured a cup of coffee and handed it over. "Alright, Alyssa, you can tell me the purpose of your visit."
Alyssa took out her notebook. "I've been investigating the incidents in the Arklay Mountains. I apologize, but I'm actually just a reporter, but I submit a lot of articles to the Raccoon City newspaper, so I often use their identity."
Jill finally perked up. The fact that this seemingly delicate woman had the courage to investigate such terrifying disappearances was impressive!
"I interviewed many patients, all of whom were arranged at Spencer Memorial Hospital. They all recalled some very terrifying things. There are rumors of canines attacking tourists, and also very strange bite marks, seemingly from humans. All of this indicates that the Arklay Mountains are unusual!" Alyssa pulled out her investigation materials.
"So what is your purpose?" Eddie nodded.
"I heard that a few years ago, in a sanatorium in the suburbs, there were similar patients, who were eventually dispersed, and the sanatorium was abandoned. But I interviewed some tourists who escaped, and they said there was still a mysterious man surviving there, and in the abandoned sanatorium, there was also a masked man with a large axe, impervious to weapons, chasing them." Alyssa's expression became incredibly serious.
"Such a thing! If it's true, then the culprit should be that mysterious masked man," Jill said righteously. Compared to before, she was less impulsive; she wanted to hear her boyfriend's opinion.
"I want to explore that suburban sanatorium. If it's really like that, at least I can give an answer to those who are waiting. If I go alone, it might be dangerous. You are a member of the Tactical Force, so I want to invite you to go." Alyssa stated her purpose.
"I will suggest it to the chief. Give me some time." Eddie nodded.
"You're not trying to fob me off, are you?" Alyssa was a bit suspicious, as officials had previously used such tones to delay time and then ignore the matter.
Jill, however, spoke up, "No, Eddie is a very responsible person. You shouldn't speak carelessly if you don't know." As his girlfriend, she was very good at defending her man.
Alyssa, however, folded her arms, making a skeptical expression, "Is that so? Then I'll wait and see."
The next night, Eddie found Sergei. "I received inquiries from a reporter saying there's an abandoned sanatorium in the Arklay Mountains, four or five years old, where there's a mysterious axe-wielding masked man. That should be due to the T-Virus leak."
"So what do you plan to do?" Sergei rotated a tool. He still trusted Eddie relatively well. At least Spencer's attitude towards Eddie was that he could be used, but not heavily relied upon, and he couldn't let Eddie discover that he was the one who had set up Marcus.
"I plan to lead the Tactical Force to search the suburban sanatorium and also investigate whether a new type of biological weapon has appeared. T-Virus can infect plants, so I suspect there are plant-based biological weapons there." Eddie said with a serious expression.
"Why are you working so hard?" Sergei asked nonchalantly, seemingly probing.
"There are bonuses for providing combat data on new types of biological weapons to the company. How can one get married without money? And Uncle Sergei, what do you think about the issue of polygamy?" Eddie suddenly asked a very strange question.
Sergei was a bit suffocated. He had used T-Virus, and strictly speaking, he was a eunuch. His serum was not like Eddie's improved version; the original serum would destroy the reproductive system, leading to becoming a eunuch. Relatively speaking, reducing these troubles allowed biological weapons to exert their maximum power.
"I don't know, you can try." Sergei snorted, annoyed. Discussing this topic in front of a eunuch, was this intentional?
"I think money still needs to pave the way, Uncle Sergei. So, please give Brian an instruction to let the S.T.A.R.S. explore the suburban sanatorium. Maybe by solving something there, we can temporarily block the news reports about us," Eddie suggested.
"I understand. You can go back now." Sergei nodded. Eddie's words sparked another thought in him. Perhaps slightly diverting public attention and easing direct pressure was also a good method.
The latest Talos Project subject was still in the Mansion laboratory and would take some time to complete its cultivation. It was not yet time for testing.
"Marcus? Hmph, whether you're human or ghost, with me here, no one will ever dare to provoke Umbrella!" Sergei gently squeezed, and although his own palm was cut, he crushed the sharp rotating tool into a ball of scrap metal. His injured palm mysteriously and quickly recovered, completely healing in a short while.
Chapter 32: Svetlana's Special Training!
Eddie took some time to visit a high-end apartment. Svetlana was sitting on the sofa, drinking coffee, seemingly having guessed he would come, and had already poured a cup of coffee on the opposite side.
"Please, have a seat."