Chapter Text
Wrenwood Memorial Hospital: One Week After the Arc incident
What was supposed to be a technical report following a string of mysterious deaths became a living nightmare.
The scene of the crime was the notorious Wrenwood Hotel, where, eight years ago, Grace witnessed her mother's murder. Why her boss thought it was a good idea to put her on this case was beyond her. Being green, she didn't question it.
She wasn't a key. She was just a girl. At least that was what she thought.
Dr. Gideon, the architect of this mess, was convinced Grace was special. Perhaps it was a way to cope with his failed clone memory transfer experiments. He believed Grace was the true clone, the correct one, the key. So many little girls had to pay the price for his failures.
Gideon had also convinced his associate and benefactor, Zeno, that Grace was the key they were looking for. At least his approach was gentle and empathetic compared to Gideon's violence. At one point, Zeno had convinced her she was also a clone, causing her to spin out.
Grace wasn't a clone. It was revealed she was adopted, given up by the infamous Oswell E. Spencer, the cofounder of the Umbrella Corporation, who was responsible for the global outbreak of bioweapons. This monster gave a baby girl to a stranger as some sort of fucked up atonement. Grace was still not totally clear on the motivation.
If she was normal, why was she kept in the dark? Was the association with Spencer enough to put a target on her back? Was it to protect her from the connection? Why did she look so much like the clone girls, like Emily?
Her mother kept secrets. Secrets that cost her life. At least she'd left Grace something: a disk drive hidden behind a painting in the husk that was Wrenwood Hotel. It answered some things. Not enough.
"You are my hope, my blind hope" played over and over in her head from the files. At least her pattern recognition was good for something. She was able to decipher that the key was the code word "Hope." That activated the release of Elpis and implied it was a cure rather than a weapon.
Zeno, in his haste, injected Elpis directly into his neck, assuming this virus would somehow elevate his abilities. It felt like an act of desperation to Grace. Why would he take a chance on something untested? Unfortunately for Zeno, Elpis removed his spider-like T-virus infection and his powers, rendering him essentially human and powerless.
Zeno's unintended sacrifice was all the confirmation Grace needed to use Elpis to save Leon, injecting it straight into his forearm. Instantly, the gnarled spider veins of his T-virus began to retreat, and Leon could feel his sickness replaced with strength.
Gideon and Zeno continued to argue over the true use of Elpis and Spencer's intentions. The argument became heated, and Victor was done taking orders.
“You are nothing but an imitation”
Grace's eyes stayed fixed on Zeno. For a moment, the pain of Gideon's words was written plainly on his face. She understood it now, his empathy for the girls, his disgust at their disposal, none of it was theoretical. It was lived experience. He was a clone too. Grace almost felt sorry for him.
With one swing of Gideon's gnarled arm, he took Zeno's head clean off. Grace was also hit. Thankfully, with the help of Elpis, Leon made a fast recovery and was able to finish off Gideon.
Grace, now on medical leave from the Bureau, was typing every last detail in her report at Emily's bedside. Submit.
The report felt like a weight lifted off Grace's chest. She could finally breathe.
A firm tapping at the door could be heard outside the room. The door opened slowly.
"L-Leon!"
"Grace, I hope I'm not disturbing you. I brought something for you and Emily," Leon Kennedy said, carrying in a beautiful bouquet of flowers. "Something to brighten up the room."
"Thank you, Leon, these are gorgeous." Grace closed her laptop and took the flowers, placing them on a nearby table.
"How is she doing?"
"The doctors put her in a medically induced coma. They think it's going to be a month to recover due to her unique condition, but she is expected to make a full recovery." Grace cracked a small smile, trying her best to reassure herself and Leon. She could tell Leon was feeling guilty about shooting Emily, and to be fair, when he did, that wasn't Emily.
Emily was a product of the Connections cloning program, which carried unique challenges with her DNA. In Emily's case, injuries could produce Nemesis-like mutations where the body and mind turn into a monstrous weapon. Now, with the help of the miracle cure Elpis, she was able to turn back into the little girl Grace rescued at the Rhodes Hill Chronic Care Center. If it wasn't for Leon's help, Emily wouldn't have been cured. Hell, anyone infected with the T-virus from the Raccoon City incident would be dead.
"How are you doing?"
"I'm good. Can you believe they promoted me to field agent? I am still trying to wrap my head around that." Grace still had a lot of questions about how a former technical intelligence analyst ended up in the field to begin with. In the end, she was grateful to help find a cure and save Emily.
"I was surprised you weren't one already. Analysts aren't exactly equipped to handle a zombie outbreak. You not only survived but unlocked the possibility of saving millions of lives." Grace averted her eyes and rubbed the back of her neck. She was not accustomed to this level of praise.
"I did what I had to." Grace brought her eyes back to Leon. "Just like you."
Leon gave a nod and a smirk. "I need to get back to the DSO, still working on the Elpis rollout with Sherry. Please let me know when Emily wakes up."
"Will do." Grace nodded. "Say hi to her for me."
Leon lifted his arm to shake her hand, and Grace came in for a hug.
"Thank you."
"Just doing my job. You take care of yourself, Grace."
Grace settled back in her chair. Before she was able to take a sip of her now lukewarm coffee, she was disturbed by the buzzing of her phone. It was Nathan Dempsy, her boss at the FBI.
Attention urgent. Grace, we require your presence immediately for a time-sensitive operation. I know you are on leave, but your involvement is vital. Meet me at the office ASAP.
What the hell is going on now? Grace packed up her laptop and grabbed her coat. She gave Emily a kiss on the forehead and was on her way.
***
Grace pulled into the empty parking lot of her office. The FBI building was pretty unassuming, a typical business-park structure lined with boxwoods and ornamental grasses. The last light was slipping below the horizon, triggering the solar-sensitive exterior lighting to illuminate. The interior was dark except for the front lobby and what remained of the security lights. Everyone in the office had gone home hours ago, everyone but Nathan Dempsy.
"Agent Ashcroft, I appreciate your responsiveness. How are you feeling? How is Emily?"
"I am fine. Emily is still in a coma. She still has a ways to go," she sighed.
"Your dedication to the Bureau does not go unnoticed. Please have a seat." Dempsy led Grace to the briefing room. The central table was littered with documents and photos. Scanning the chaos, Grace zoned in on the photos. A pale, smartly dressed man, dressed in all white. Zeno.
"Grace, we have intel from our contact at the Connections processing facility. They have contacted the Bureau regarding a possible asset, which we hope to flip." Dempsy handed Grace a dossier.
Subject: Zeno
Position: High-ranking member in the Connections
Risk assessment: High
"I-I thought he was dead, like really dead. His head was removed."
"This was also the Bureau's position. According to our sources, he is alive, but the Connections believe he is dead," he replied. "This puts us in a unique position to take advantage of the situation." Grace was still trying to process the information.
"You will be meeting our contact at 02:00 for asset transfer and transportation to our safe house."
"Are you kidding? He is dangerous." Grace brought her hand to her head. They can't possibly be doing this to her again.
"Our sources say he is in a near-comatose state. He poses no threat in his current condition. You'll be safe. The Bureau will see to that," Dempsy replied.
Grace's eyes shot back down to the table. As she scanned the words and photos, it brought her back to the death, the dread, and the blood. God, there was so much blood. At least Grace had gained some confidence to question her superior's motives this time around.
"Why me?" she questioned in a firm but professional tone.
"From your report, you and Zeno had a rapport. You are best equipped to extract information."
"How long?"
"At this time, we do not have a clear timeline."
"What about Emily?"
"We have our best team taking care of her. We will contact you if her condition changes."
Grace paused and reluctantly agreed.