Chapter 21: Sharpening the Blade for Spencer

Open the equipment crate.

It reveals the Mechanical exoskeleton, hydrogen battery, and MA5B, along with various accessories and attachments for the MA5B.

There is a modified M-26 external shotgun, and also an upgraded M203 external grenade launcher, giving the MA5B multiple options to boost firepower.

"What is this…?"

"How does it look just like a sci‑fi movie weapon?"

"Can these actually be used?"

"But I have to admit, it does look really cool."

Seeing the Mechanical exoskeleton and MA5B inside the crate, several young STARS immediately began whispering among themselves.

Two Alpha members ignored the STARS' chatter and began skillfully assembling the Mechanical exoskeleton in front of everyone.

In less than a minute, the Mechanical exoskeleton was fully assembled.

Sui Bian, with his hands clasped behind his back and a smile, introduced to the STARS: "Everyone, this is our company's newest single‑soldier frame, NEST‑Exoskeleton‑1, abbreviated NE‑1.

It can grant the wearer strength, speed, stamina, and shooting accuracy beyond that of ordinary humans."

While speaking, Sui Bian walked slowly to another equipment crate, bent down, reached out with his right hand to take out the MA5B, stood upright, gripped the MA5B with both hands, and continued:

"Combined with our company's MA5B next‑generation assault rifle, the wearer can become a comic‑book or movie‑style super‑hero with 'one‑shot‑one‑kill' accuracy, never a mere human outline master."

He finished speaking.

Sui Bian looked at Chris, who was seated in front of him, and said, "RedfieldCaptain, why don't you try the Mechanical exoskeleton to verify that I'm not exaggerating, what do you think?"

"No problem," Chris replied gladly.

Then Chris stood up, stepped forward, and, with the help of the two Alphas, donned the Mechanical exoskeleton.

Chris moved his limbs a bit to get used to the exoskeleton and assessed, "Hmm, nothing feels uncomfortable."

"Then... you can try a full‑power vertical jump on the spot," Sui Bian said.

"Alright, I'll try."

Chris bent his knees and then thrust upward with all his might.

!!!

That jump instantly stunned the STARS, including Chris, because it reached a height of nearly five meters.

Even though the STARS didn't know that the standing‑high‑jump world record, set by a Swede, is 1.9 meters, they knew that a human could never reach five meters.

"Tap‑tap!" two sounds, and Chris landed steadily.

Moreover, Chris felt no noticeable jolt in his feet, indicating the Mechanical exoskeleton's shock‑absorption was outstanding.

"How does it feel?" Sui Bian asked with a faint smile.

"Im‑... impressive," Chris stammered, a bit stunned.

"Hehe," Sui Bian chuckled again, then addressed the equally stunned STARS:

"Behind you is Umbrella. In the future, even more high‑tech weapons and gear will emerge one after another, so you will have the resources to confront those so‑called anomalies."

"If that's the case... I have no objections," Marini said first.

"Me too," Gill added.

"With these sci‑fi weapons, I feel confident now!"

"Isn't that the devil? Take it down!"

Seeing Sui Bian display the Mechanical exoskeleton and MA5B, everyone's confidence surged.

"Very good," Sui Bian said, showing a pleased expression:

"You are Umbrella's first mobile task force, code‑named Kronos (Χρων), meaning the ferryman of the dead, but your role is to ferry those anomalies."

———————

…

Next.

Sui Bian led Chris, Marini, Gill and the other Kronos members out of the warehouse, driving through a hidden passage in the southern suburbs of Raccoon City toward the hive.

At first, Chris and the others were shocked that such a massive underground facility existed beneath Raccoon City, but they soon accepted the fact.

After all, Akelei Shanqu already has two sizable underground installations, so a hive beneath Raccoon City is understandable, especially since Umbrella transformed the entire city.

According to the contract, after becoming Umbrella's MTF, Chris's group must reside long‑term in the hive and initially undergo professional training from Hank and the other Alphas.

Although Chris and the others were elite police, and Chris and Gill also came from the military, there remains a considerable gap compared to the average elite unit background and the Alpha troops trained against B. O. W. s.

Even after training, the MTF must remain stationed in the hive on standby, but the contract explicitly states that every four months members receive a brief leave to be with family or children.

The 16th.

All current Kronos task‑force members officially moved into the hive, received Alpha training led by Hank, and learned how to use the Mechanical exoskeleton and MA5B more efficiently.

From the 16th to the 30th.

In the latter half of June, after drills with Hank and the Alphas, the cohesion and tactical skill of Chris, Marini, Gill and the other Kronos members improved dramatically.

Marini, the most experienced and respected, became Kronos captain, while Chris, who scored highest in the comprehensive tests, took the role of vice‑captain.

During this time, Sui Bian was far from idle; he had the Red Queen covertly hire a number of second‑rate mercenaries, who then harassed Umbrella facilities in Africa and the Middle East to divert Spencer and the upper‑echelon's attention.

At the same time, with the assistance of the Red and White Queens, Sui Bian began cramming all information about Umbrella, learning how to handle corporate affairs and so on.

The two AIs assigned him a director position, but he couldn't just hold a title without understanding, so he had to study.

End of the month.

It seemed that being freed from Spencer's trouble put BoKen in a calm mood, allowing G‑virus development to progress slightly faster than in the game.

According to BoKen's report to Sui Bian, the G‑virus should be completed by mid‑late August, after which they can start extracting serum from Sui Bian's body.

August 14.

After 60 days, the hive possessed 84 Mechanical exoskeletons, 177 MA5Bs, and 41 hydrogen batteries.

This is enough to equip two USS combat squads, and it also signals that it's time to fully control Umbrella.

August 15.

00:30.

Sui Bian, together with the Alpha and Omicron USS squads, used the route secretly given by the Red Queen to head to Europe.

After 17 hours, Sui Bian, Alpha, and Omicron, a total of 41 people, met up 40 kilometers west of Dubolin, Aierlan.

The meeting point was in the mountainous area of Dubolin, and the straight-line distance to Sibensai Castle was about 7 kilometers.

(The following times are Irish time.)

11:00.

The Red and White Queens, under Sui Bian's orders, forged Sibensai's command, prompting all board members to go to the Sibensai family's castle, requiring an internal meeting to resolve the company's current crisis.

12:14.

All board members were European nobles, so by 12:14 they had all arrived at Sibensai's castle.

Meanwhile, Sibensai, who was at the center of the vortex, claimed that he had never issued a summoning order.

(End of chapter)