Imperium of Man Terra Aeterna Season 01: Rise of Humanity's War Machin

Chapter 16: Chapter 016 - White Queen



Reuel was startled by the sudden voice. Instinctively, he raised his weapon toward the source of the sound. But what he saw wasn't an enemy—it was a holographic projection of a young girl, standing calmly in the center of the room, cloaked in a soft white glow.

Reuel slowly lowered his weapon and let out a relieved breath. The tension in his chest eased, though his eyes remained alert.

The atmosphere inside Umbrella's underground base was grim, silent, and thick with the scent of metal and death. Even for the seasoned American soldiers following Reuel, this place still made their nerves taut.

"I am the White Queen," said the holographic girl, her voice soft but clear. "The primary artificial intelligence that governs this facility."

The projection was of a teenage girl, just like the Red Queen. But the White Queen had something more—emotions, as Reuel had noticed when watching Resident Evil 3: Extinction (2007).

"I know you. And I know your sister, Red Queen. You're just as beautiful as she is." Reuel smiled and looked at her.

The girl looked like she was in her teens—just like the Red Queen, her virtual sister. But the White Queen's expression was more fluid, more human. Something Reuel could never forget from Resident Evil: Extinction.

He stared at her for a moment, then offered a small smile. "I know you. And I know your sister, Red Queen. You're both just as beautiful."

The White Queen's face shifted slightly. Her eyes dimmed. "My sister... she's gone."

Reuel hadn't had a chance to respond before the White Queen continued, her tone more serious now. "Unlike the Red Queen, who is bound by Umbrella's protocols and commands, I follow a single principle—preserve human life. Not systems. Not corporations. Just life."

Alice stepped forward, her face cold. "Kill a few to save many? Too bad the Red Queen failed. Everyone in the Hive died, but the virus still leaked. And even if it hadn't... Umbrella would've released it anyway. They're all insane."

The White Queen lowered her head slightly, as if feeling the weight of that truth.

"Where is Dr. Isaacs?" Reuel asked, his voice sharp again.

"He's been detained in the lower lab. When you launched your assault, the security system couldn't restrain him. He injected himself with an unstable prototype of the T-Virus evolution serum. He's no longer human... but something far more dangerous."

The White Queen raised her hand, and holographic displays lit up around them, showing heat signatures, thermal visuals, and satellite data. "I need your help to stop him."

"Big brother, two aircraft are approaching from the coast."

A small red holographic projection appeared on Reuel's wrist—Red Queen. Her voice was crisp, cold, and steady as she addressed the one entity who knew her personally.

"Hi. It's been a while... sister."

The White Queen stared at her as if she'd seen a ghost.

According to all her latest data, the Red Queen had been deactivated—or more accurately, stolen from the Hive facility and never seen again. Until now.

"Red Queen, connect to Major Hellsker of the Salt Lake City PDF Security Division. Order an immediate launch of the Lightning Strike Fighters. Target: two Umbrella jets. Intercept and shoot them down—no exceptions."

Reuel issued the command firmly, quickly, without hesitation.

"And one more thing—take over their satellite feed. Make sure Umbrella can't track our position."

The two holographic projections stared at each other, as if conversing in a language only they understood.

"You're following this human's orders?" asked the White Queen, her tone flat, but with a hint of disappointment.

"That's right, sister," Red Queen replied with an unusual, mischievous smile. "I came to get you this time."

Reuel paid no mind to the exchange between the two AIs. He stepped toward one of the monitor screens—and froze.

There, on the display, was a terrifying creature. Still vaguely human in shape, but its body had grotesquely swelled, coated in thick, dark slime. Its skin bulged, and its left arm had morphed into a sharp claw that looked like a biological weapon.

"That thing's... going to be hard to put down," Alice said, stepping closer, her eyes still fixed on the screen.

"This lab won't hold much longer. Cooling systems, power supply, and ammunition reserves are nearly depleted," the White Queen added, her tone suddenly colder. Red Queen had vanished from projection as White Queen spoke.

But the way the White Queen looked at Reuel—there was something strange in it. Her gaze was like that of a child looking at an adult... with a faint, disgusted expression.

"I've got an idea on how to handle this," said Reuel, not taking his eyes off the screen. "Is there a laser corridor in this facility?"

"There is. A containment conduit in Sector C," the White Queen replied, flatly.

"Can you control it?" Reuel asked quickly.

"I can control the entire system in this facility," said the White Queen, this time with clear confidence.

The method Reuel chose was the same one Alice had used before—using the laser corridor, Umbrella's last-resort secret weapon.

"Can you guide him into the laser tunnel?" Reuel asked quickly.

"It's not that simple. It's already too late. He's headed this way," the White Queen replied sharply.

"GRAAAAGHHHHHHHH—AAAHHHHHHH—!!"

A roar echoed, growing closer. Heavy tremors accompanied the creature's footsteps.

Everyone aimed their weapons at the main metal door, fingers ready on the triggers.

BOOOOMM!!

CRAAAAAAANGK!!

The door exploded open. Through the haze and the red emergency lights came a monstrous figure—massive, disgusting, its entire body drenched in thick slime. Its flesh was grotesquely bloated, and one of its arms had formed into a pulsating organic blade.

BANG! BANG!

RATATATATAK!

Bullets rained down on the creature. Black blood splattered everywhere, but it didn't stop—not even for a moment. It charged straight at the special forces unit, going berserk. One soldier was even impaled front to back by the monster's blade-arm—dead instantly.

Alice struck from the side. She slashed a knife at its neck, but the sharp weapon barely scratched its hardened skin. No effect.

The monster only roared louder and turned toward Alice.

"White Queen! Open the laser corridor now, show me the path, and I'll lure him there!" Reuel shouted while firing his weapon.

"Understood. Follow the red lights. They'll lead you straight to the laser tunnel," White Queen answered quickly.

"ALICE! TOWARD THE RED LIGHTS! NOW!!" Reuel shouted, loud and clear.

Without hesitation, Alice bolted down the indicated corridor. The monster growled and gave chase, its movements wild, feral. Reuel followed close behind.

Alice sprinted as fast as she could, ducking, leaping, dodging the claw swipes that nearly sliced her skin. Behind her, Reuel ran while slashing at the monster's shoulder with a sword, drawing it away.

"JUST RUN! DON'T LOOK BACK!!" Reuel yelled.

GRAAAAGHHHH!!

The monster lunged and struck—its sharp claw slashing Alice's arm.

"ARGHH!" Alice tumbled forward.

Without thinking, Reuel grabbed her and scooped her up in his arms.

"Shit... How the hell did Isaacs evolve this fast? That form... it's almost exactly like William Birkin's G-Mutant in the game," Reuel muttered internally, angry and incredulous.

Reuel ran with all his strength toward the laser corridor, Alice in his arms. Upon reaching the end, he gently set her down.

The monster's roar thundered—it was close now.

Without hesitation, Reuel threw Alice out of the corridor. He turned with sword drawn, ready to face it head-on.

With a swift slash, he wounded the creature. Black blood sprayed wildly. The monster roared and attacked blindly.

A devastating blow slammed into Reuel, flinging him into the air. He crashed into a steel wall with a thunderous impact that shook the entire corridor.

Reuel coughed—fresh red blood dripped from his mouth.

But he forced himself to stand.

"White Queen... NOW!"

---

"White Queen, open the laser channel!"

Reuel shouted loudly.

The monster was already charging forward. Reuel stomped the floor and leapt into the air. With a swift motion, he twisted the creature's body and struck its back with a powerful kick.

The monster crashed to the floor with a heavy thud.

At that very moment, red lights flared along the laser corridor. Sharp beams swept across the walls—a sign that the system was live.

Reuel dashed toward the exit. But before he could get far, the monster rose again and gave chase. With unnatural movement, it thrust its arm—sharp as a blade—straight at Reuel.

"Reuel, behind you!"

Alice's voice echoed from the doorway.

Reuel turned quickly.

Damn!

That arm can extend that far? How could I forget the scene in Resident Evil when the security guy got killed from down the hallway?

He pivoted and sidestepped, but the monster was too close. Reuel dropped low and kicked its knee with full force.

The flesh on its leg tore open in a mess.

Meanwhile, Alice kept firing her pistol.

"GRAAAAGHHHHHH—AAAHHHHHH!!"

The monster roared in pain—but only grew more feral.

Suddenly, it lashed out its long, slimy tongue—like a living whip—and wrapped it around Reuel's leg.

Reuel was slammed hard to the ground.

"Reuel! Are you okay?!"

Alice ran up and quickly pulled him back.

fzzzZzzZZZZZTTT!! — TING!

The laser beam blazed through the corridor.

"Alice! Watch out for the laser!"

Reuel shouted.

He swiftly slashed the monster's tongue with a knife.

CLANG!

The blade bounced off the floor, the tongue severed. The monster shrieked, yanking back its mutilated limb.

Seeing the laser sweep closing in, Reuel pulled Alice into an embrace, turning his back to shield her from the worst. But as he looked behind them...

His eyes widened.

The monster... had dodged, too.

"Shit. This thing is smart," Reuel muttered, jaw clenched.

Without warning, the creature lunged again.

"Alice! Kick him back!"

Reuel shouted, then hurled Alice upward with full force.

Alice kicked the monster's head mid-air, and Reuel drove his knee into its gut.

Their coordination was perfect. The monster crashed down with a loud thud.

"Watch out! The laser's coming again!"

Alice yelled.

This time, two beams emerged from the walls, forming a deadly pattern. Reuel and Alice slipped through the center—they had just one shot. Reuel grabbed Alice's hand, and in a split second, they made it through.

The monster tried to follow, but its massive body got in the way.

One of its legs... failed to clear the line in time.

ZHHHHTTT!!

The leg was sliced clean off.

"GRAAAARRRGHHHH!!"

The monster howled in agony, staggering and swaying.

As Reuel and Alice neared the exit, a squad of special forces appeared from another corridor.

Seeing the now-limping monster, Reuel gave the order without hesitation:

"Concentrate fire on the other leg! Bring it down!"

BANG! BANG!

RATATATATAK!

BANG! BANG! BANG!

RATATATAK! RATATATAK!

Bullets rained down on its last standing leg without mercy. The creature shrieked, then collapsed to the floor—no longer able to rise.

Just then, the laser system reactivated.

This time, it formed a spinning web—cutting, sweeping, slicing without mercy.

In mere seconds...

All that remained was minced flesh and charred bone.

The monster—no longer human, no longer Dr. Isaacs—was finally, truly dead.

Reuel let out a long breath.

"Alice, are you okay?" he asked, rushing to her side.

"I'm fine. Just a few scratches," Alice replied, still breathless.

Reuel helped her back to the control center. He sat her down in a chair and began wrapping her wounds quickly and skillfully.

With a faint smile, he whispered,

"Here. Let me try something."

He pulled out a single vial—a perfected version of the T-virus detox serum—from the system's secure storage. Without wasting a second, he injected it into Alice's arm.

Reuel knew Alice wasn't one to go down easily. She had been wounded countless times and always rose again.

But the T-virus was no ordinary threat—

and Reuel wasn't about to take chances.

With steady hands, he delivered the antivirus straight into her bloodstream.

Several other team members bore claw wounds as well. Without hesitation, Reuel administered the detox serum to them one by one.

They were his soldiers.

And he was responsible for their lives.

Suddenly, a holographic projection shimmered into view—

White Queen.

"Your name is Reuel, isn't it?" she said. "Congratulations. You've killed the monster."

Reuel looked at her, one brow raised.

"I did kill Isaacs. But why do you sound more relieved than I am?"

White Queen met his gaze. Her expression remained neutral, but her voice... was different—more human.

"He was no longer Dr. Isaacs. Once he became that creature... he ceased to be my master."


Tip: You can use left, right, A and D keyboard keys to browse between chapters.