A terrifying roar echoed through the depths of the Hive. Dr. Isaacs and Alice exchanged grim glances.
Vincent Fox spread his hands casually. "Exactly what I predicted."
Alice grit her teeth, eyes burning with resolve. "No matter Umbrella's scheme, I'll destroy them."
"I'm with you," Vincent replied with a grin.
Even Carlos, though visibly wary, fell silent in agreement. The three pressed forward through the dim, winding corridors until they entered a vast chamber shrouded in darkness.
Alice's instincts prickled. "Be careful. If Umbrella's headquarters really is here, this place will be deadly."
Vincent nodded. He knew Alice wouldn't survive a misstep after all, she was the world's savior, the story's true heroine. He wasn't about to let her die and derail his plan.
They advanced cautiously until they found themselves before a luxurious subterranean suite. Holographic vistas of sunlight and clouds covered the walls; a plush leather sofa sat at its center. Seated there in tailored finery, glass of red wine in hand, was none other than Dr. James Isaacs himself Umbrella's true power behind the scenes. Standing behind him was Albert Wesker.
Alice's heart skipped. She hadn't expected to find Isaacs and Wesker lurking in the Hive's depths.
"Ah, Alice… and you must be the young man I've heard about," Isaacs purred. "Care for a glass of 1907 Blanc de Blancs vintage champagne?"
Alice leveled him with a cold glare. "Hand over the T-virus serum."
Isaacs's smile never flickered. "You're awfully naïve, my dear. Do you really think you're the only one who's bonded with the T-virus?"
Before Alice could react, Vincent sprang into action. In a single thunderous stomp the marble floor cracked beneath him, and like a bolt he lunged across the room. Isaacs barely registered the motion before Vincent's blade cleaved through the doctor's arm Isaacs's own hand, the one clutching the serum, fell to the floor.
Vincent pounced on the vial, snatching it up. Wesker flew at him in a blur, but Vincent's low growl "Out of my way" was all the warning he needed. A single punch sent Wesker crashing into the far wall, stunned.
Alice and Carlos stared in disbelief. One moment Vincent had been a calm ally; the next he'd shattered Isaacs's arrogance and seized the serum as though he were an unleashed beast.
Isaacs, clutching his wound, hissed in fury. "You!"
Vincent pocketed the serum and turned silently for the exit. He had no wish for a duel with Isaacs at this point; the vial in his hand meant his mission was 99 percent complete. He just needed to release the serum into the atmosphere and end the T-virus's reign.
"Alice," he called over his shoulder, "this is yours now. I'm off to save the world."
With that, he strode away, leaving Alice and Carlos gaping at one another and at Isaacs, who roared, "Stop him!"
Wesker recovered and charged after Vincent. Alice, snapping out of her shock, raised her gun to intercept. As Vincent disappeared down the corridor, a fierce battle erupted behind him.