Chapter 20: Employee Grades

The files on the Leech Queen, anomalous phenomena, and grade classifications were produced solely by Sui Bian, and then archived and preserved by Hong Hou.

BoKen, Wang Zhaofeng and the other Nest employees do not yet understand these; even if they are told, the employees may not believe them.

In another two months, once all matters are ready, he will be able to sharpen his knives and seize control of Umbrella.

Alpha, Omicron, Epsilon, and Zet—the four USS units—are obedient to the company, or rather to its representative.

As for informing STARS in advance…

There's no point in agonizing over this; the first MTF founded on STARS was assembled by his own hand.

Put simply, because of their status, the USS have their "loyalty" maxed out, akin to a bodyguard relationship, while the MTF is Sui Bian's primary direct unit.

"A true son."

Another point is that the earlier one knows of the existence of anomalous phenomena, the better prepared mentally one is, and the more targeted training can be conducted.

Since employees are mentioned, Sui Bian has also restructured employee grades, dividing them into four levels.

A, B, C, D.

Grade D: consumables.

As Sui Bian originally planned, he intends to use Umbrella's influence and wealth to engage in long‑term, stable underground dealings with prisons, handing over death‑row inmates, heavy‑sentence convicts, and rapists to Umbrella.

These employees' main duties are to be studied, tested, and sent to die.

It won't be long before D‑boys are born.

Grade C: basic components.

These employees must sign confidentiality agreements and formal contracts, handling the normal operation and construction of Umbrella's various biological, chemical, and armaments facilities.

For example, Nest cleaners, maintenance workers, engineers, and armed security.

Grade B: indispensable.

These form an essential component of Umbrella, indispensable personnel for all research divisions, essentially the ceiling of humanity in every aspect.

William BoKen and Wang Zhaofeng are representatives of Grade B personnel.

Grade A: armed forces.

USS, MTF, and the as‑yet unorganized dedicated units all belong to this level.

During combat, authority completely supersedes Grades D, C, and B, ensuring that Grade A personnel's judgments remain unaffected.

When a situation is deemed irrecoverable, Grade A personnel have the authority to physically erase all evidence, including Grades D, C, and B personnel.

However, if hope still exists, Grade A personnel will spare no effort to rescue Grade B personnel.

Note:

Employees in Umbrella's regular sectors—such as film, digital, real estate, and consumer goods—are not counted in the "employee grades" and are classified as "civilians".

The last one is Umbrella's Board of Directors, but after next month there will be no board, because only Sui Bian remains as the sole "director".

He paused.

"Mr. Sui," Marini still asked, "You only played some files and have no actual photos or videos; how can I convince you that so‑called anomalous phenomena exist in this world?"

"Indeed, without evidence it's hard to persuade you," Sui Bian explained without denial:

"In fact, anomalous phenomena cover a vast range; some people themselves may be anomalies. For example, someone's good luck might stem from siphoning others' luck, and those whose luck is drained could very well die because of it," he said.

Sui Bian spoke, his gaze unintentionally sweeping over the attentively listening Chris, then turning to Marini to continue:

"The James Marcus we previously dealt with also fell under anomalous phenomena, because only he, after infection, becomes a Leech Queen, whereas ordinary humans become mindless zombies," he said.

"Then…" At that moment, Barry Burton, clad in a red vest and silent until now, suddenly asked, "What non‑human anomalous phenomena exist?"

"Legendary vampires, werewolves, angels serving God, the fallen angel Satan—these are all possible; after all, some things don't arise from nothing," Sui Bian smiled.

"What?! Satan?? If vampires and werewolves can be dealt with, then… how do we handle Satan? He's the lord of Hell…"

Hearing Sui Bian, Blaidd Vicks, also in a distinctive yellow vest and the most timid of STARS, immediately sighed.

If it were earlier, Blaidd's teammates might have sneered, but now the STARS, like Blaidd, wear worried expressions.

How to deal with Satan?

That's a fellow even God can't handle.

Moreover, this is in the United States, where many believe God and Jesus truly exist, and that includes Satan.

Although the STARS aren't staunch believers and don't really care about God or Jesus, after learning about anomalous phenomena they inevitably feel some retreat.

One person is an exception.

Chris.

Chris, his face resolute, said to his teammates, "Even if Satan truly exists, we must drive him back to Hell, because we are both human and police!"

"Hmm, Chris is right; if we don't act, should we let our wives and children suffer?" Marini echoed.

"The captain is right."

"Exactly, that's what police are for—to quell crime and protect the innocent!"

"This time we're eradicating demons, ha ha!"

With Chris and Marini leading, the atmosphere instantly livelied, even tinged with a generous willingness to die.

"Heh," Sui Bian chuckled at the right moment, "Everyone, we still aren't sure whether angels or demons truly exist, and besides, Umbrella can't let you stubbornly resist with your original weapons."

"Original weapons?" Jill asked, curious.

A frequent participant in numerous 3D videos, Jill has short dark‑brown hair, wears a light‑blue women's short‑sleeve shirt and black jeans, her appearance resembling the reset version but less masculine.

Having watched many of Jill's "works" before crossing, Sui Bian's gaze flickered away, seeming unwilling to meet Jill's eyes.

A bit of guilt, huh…

He then turned to the two Alphas standing behind the STARS and said, "Let the officers see our latest weapon."

"." (x2)

The two Alphas silently nodded, then turned and left the warehouse.

In no time, the two Alphas, under the curious gaze of the STARS members, pushed two handcarts back to the warehouse.

On the handcarts were two large equipment boxes.

The two Alphas pushed the carts to Sui Bian's sides, immediately...

Click~.

Accompanied by the clear click of the equipment box's latch unlocking, the items inside were revealed before the STARS members.

(End of chapter)