Chapter Text
CHAPTER 1
"Agent Kennedy?" Hunnigan said, announcing her presence in Leon's office. "They're ready for you. Have you read everything about the subject?"
Leon leaned back in his chair, one hand rubbing at his temple as he looked at the open file on his desk. Descriptions of a new B.O.W, captured by the BSAA. They claimed it could be reformed, that its mind was still intact and that it wasn't completely a monster.
Leon was beyond skeptical.
He already wasn't sure about how he felt knowing the BSAA wanted to try reforming some B.O.W's instead of ending them. But now? Now they wanted his help.
How was he supposed to help? He wasn't sure yet. Chris said he'd explain it once he arrived.
"Leon." Hunnigan cleared her throat, her arms crossed sternly.
"I heard you." Leon scoffed, standing up with a small groan. He was getting too old for shit like this. He was close to 50 now, but damn it if he wasn't abusing the fact that he's still in his 40s.
A plane ride later and Leon was dropped off at one of the BSAA's facilities. Chris was outside waiting for him, face stern and hands on his hips.
God, how serious was this?
"About time." Chris sighed, the exhaustion on his face making him look even older.
"Nice to see you, too." Leon scoffed in response. "What's the big deal with this, huh? That file you sent was vague."
Chris nodded, almost looking apologetic for a moment. "We didn't want to risk the information falling into the wrong hands. This is serious." He waved for Leon to follow and walked into the facility.
Inside was about as clinical and lifeless as you could imagine. Off white walls and tiled floors, heavy metal doors only able to be opened with key cards and passwords. There were no elevators, only multiple flights of stairs which Leon definitely didn't love. It felt like hours before Chris to lead him to their destination.
A long hall led down to a vault like door. Chris inserted a password and had to scan his fingerprints before it unlocked, opening with a slow hiss.
"Like I said in the file," Chris started. "We believe this monster can be reformed."
"To change it back?" Leon asked.
"We tried already. No luck." Chris informed. "But we think we can convince it to work for us."
"You sure that's safe?" Leon questioned, his hesitance only growing.
Chris gave Leon a look. "It's not showing signs of aggression despite being poked and prodded at by doctor's almost everyday." He said. "If it can handle that, I'm sure with a little work it will fight alongside us."
"So what can you tell me about it?"
Chris sighed and stopped them right outside another door. "It remembers most of its life before mutating, but we've avoided discussing what happened after it mutated. It gets agitated easily, so we don't want to risk making it attack."
"We've tried testing if it'll attack if threatened, but so far nothing. That can change, though." Chris added. "It still thinks it's human."
"How far mutated is this thing?" Leon asked.
Chris shrugged. "Enough for us to care. Its strength levels are heightened, same with most of its senses." He said. "Physically, it has an extra arm that's stronger than the other two and two extra eyes. It's mouth is torn on the right and its tongue has grown when hungry."
"Interesting." Leon hummed. "Well, let's see this thing."
Chris typed in a password and the door opened, revealing a handful of scientists standing in front of some large control panel, watching something behind one way glass. The doctors made space for the two of them as they stepped closer, and Leon felt his breath hitch when he saw what was inside.
The thing inside wasn't like any other monster Leon had ever seen. It wasn't big or imposing. It wasn't clinging to the walls or trying to attack.
It was human. At least for the most part.
It was laying on a cot shoved against the wall, facing the glass. It's hair was messy as if it had been running its fingers through it all day. Its eyes were closed, two still placed normally while the extra two snaked down onto its left cheek. Leon could see that stretched part of its mouth on the right side, jagged teeth clenched tight. The extra arm was sprouted from its right side as well, curled around its body like it was trying to comfort itself.
It was mutated, yes, but it still looked human. Too human.
"What the fuck is this, Chris?" Leon suddenly snapped, turning to face the other man with a stern look.
Chris remained unphazed. "This is what you'll be working with. Subject 14-H."
"He's infected!" Leon shouted. "Can't you fix him?! He's still human!"
Chris furrowed his brows. "Stop shouting. We've done all we could to try reversing the infection. It doesn't respond well to treatments."
He fixed Leon with a glare. "You will do your job or I swear, I will make sure you lose your position. Understand?"
Leon clenched his jaw, turning his gaze back to the person in that chamber, curled up and fast asleep but far from comfortable.
"Leon." Chris insisted.
"Alright." Leon scoffed. "I understand."
The scientists gave Leon a rundown of everything they knew about Subject 14-H. Eating habits, health check ins, stability, treatments...
Everything besides information about who he used to be. Anytime Leon asked for more personal information, he was only met with frowns and shared glances.
Of course.
They soon prepared for Leon to enter the room for the first time. They kept most of Leon's weapons away, only letting him keep a small handgun in case of an emergency. They had him stand in disinfecting cleansers, the spray hitting him in a cold blast.
It felt excessive.
"Agent Kennedy is ready to enter." One of them said.
Another nodded. "Good. Wake up Subject 14-H. Its handler is ready."
A button was pressed and Leon only heard the sharp zap of electricity from where he was standing, waiting for the door to open.
A sharp yelp followed, shreiky and genuinely pained. It made Leon's chest tighten uncomfortably.
"Subject 14-H is awake, sir." The scientist who pressed the button announced.
"Good." The other said. "Open the first set of doors."
The metal doors in front of Leon opened with a smooth glide, opening up a small in between zone. Away from the hall, closer to the chamber.
He stepped inside and the doors closed behind him, leaving him in this white square area. He couldn't hear the scientists outside, but the doors in front of him slid open next.
Finally, he was face to face with what he'd be working with for who knows how long.
He stood by the cot, rubbing the back of his head as he muttered something under his breath in an annoyed tone.
He heard the doors slide open and looked up, eyes widening before shifting into confusion once he saw Leon.
Subject 14-H.