Chapter 30

09:12.

A researcher wearing a white hazmat suit walked into the interrogation room under the escort of four Alphas.

Upon seeing someone enter, the plague doctor, who had been writing furiously, stopped and looked up at the researcher and others.

Because of the bird‑beak mask, his facial expression couldn't be seen clearly; it was unclear whether he was pleased or angry.

If he had a face.

The four Alphas each took a corner of the interrogation room, chambered rounds in their MA5Bs, and aimed their barrels at the plague doctor.

A hypnotic agent containing lavender was also ready; if the plague doctor suddenly became aggressive, it could be pumped into the interrogation room through the air intake.

The researcher pulled out the metal chair and sat down; the plague doctor immediately opened with a magnetic voice, saying, "Ah, finally you're here. Start questioning quickly, don't waste my time."

Hearing that, the researcher opposite the plague doctor asked, "From what you say… it seems you're already accustomed to being questioned, is that so?"

The plague doctor spread his hands, glanced around, and in a tone of "you ask knowing the answer," said, "Isn't that obvious?"

"Then when was the last time you were interrogated?"

"Hmm…" Upon hearing the researcher's question, the plague doctor rhythmically tapped the table with his left‑hand fingers while his right hand pinched his head, as if straining to recall.

After a moment of contemplation, the plague doctor ceased the small motions of his hands and continued, "I can't specify the exact date; I only remember humanity then being in deep turmoil…

Oh, right, the officers who interrogated me also mentioned that the Austro‑Hungarian Empire declared war on Serbia.

Soon after, the barracks where I was held was seized by a group of soldiers in gray uniforms, and I fled amidst the chaos."

Austro‑Hungarian Empire.

Serbia.

Clearly, the period the plague doctor refers to is World War I.

With this answer, everyone also learned a fact about the plague doctor: his lifespan is very long, since World War I was about eighty years ago.

He paused.

The researcher asked again, "Then how should I address you?"

"Name… title…" the plague doctor again showed a hint of recollection, but this time he quickly shook his head and chuckled, saying:

"Doctor, just Doctor is fine."

"Alright, Doctor, I want to know why you killed those humans, and with what…"

"Kill?!" the plague doctor abruptly cut off the researcher, raising his voice with irritation, "Treatment! It's treatment! I healed them! They were infected with the plague!"

"Treatment? But they turned into mindless living corpses." The researcher did not back down despite the plague doctor's anger and bluntly referenced the tragedy of Apartment 26.

"Alas…" the plague doctor sighed sadly, leaned his body against the chair back, and avoided the researcher's gaze, speaking as if deflated:

"It was an imperfect treatment. In fact, I have spent my whole life researching cures for the plague; if sacrificing my life could save humanity, I would do so without hesitation.

But contrary to my wishes, the plague cannot simply vanish like that."

"." (xN)

Seeing the plague doctor's tone of 'willing to act first for humanity,' all the researchers except Sui Bian, Han Ke and the other Alphas thought his performance was quite good.

After the Pseudo‑zombie and tenant corpses were transported to the research center, the researchers began dissection, examination, and experiments.

They each suffered from various hidden ailments, but there was no so‑called 'plague' at all.

Only two bodies tested positive for the current influenza virus, commonly called the cold.

Sui Bian understands the plague's temperament, so he didn't doubt the plague's heartfelt lament just now; as for Han Ke and the Alphas…

they simply think, 'I only follow orders, regardless of whether you truly act for humanity.'

The atmosphere in the interrogation room grew somber for a moment.

"Plague." In the end, a researcher broke the silence, asking, "What is the plague? We examined the corpses of those victims and found no viruses, bacteria, or fungi of any kind."

"Plague…" the plague doctor, still downcast, explained, "It is everywhere; it represents natural disaster, extinction… uh… how would you describe it in your terms—emotion? thought? sensibility…

In short, many have already succumbed, and more humans will bow in the future until a perfect cure for it can be developed…

A vaccine, yes, a vaccine—actually I'm close to completing it! So stop wasting time, quickly, take me to see my new laboratory and dormitory!

By the end, the plague doctor's emotions rose, as if eager to resume the experiments.

"Sir?" Seeing the plague doctor's enthusiasm, the researcher turned toward the one‑way glass, as if seeking Sui Bian's next orders.

Inside the observation room.

Sui Bian lightly pinched his jaw with his left hand, stared at the vigorous plague doctor in the interrogation room, and after a moment of thought ordered Han Ke beside him:

"Captain, have your Alphas transport this strange doctor to the Mother Nest and assign him a comfortable cell; keep close watch on him until I return to the Mother Nest."

"Yes." Han Ke gave a slight nod, didn't ask why Sui Bian wasn't returning to Raccoon City with him, and turned away toward the exit of the observation room.

Next.

The researcher inside the interrogation room relayed part of Sui Bian's orders to the plague doctor, guaranteeing a new dormitory for him, but said nothing about a new laboratory.

Upon learning this, the plague doctor made no further demands and cooperated in leaving the interrogation room, to be escorted by Alphas and technicians to Umbrella's military airfield in the Paris suburbs.

Now Sui Bian has initially seized great authority and no longer needs to 'smuggle' his way around the world.

Thus, under the arrangements of the Red Queen and the headquarters control center, the convoy transporting the plague doctor arrived at the airport at 10:15 and boarded the company's C‑17 Global King III transport at 10:25 bound for Raccoon City, USA.

Meanwhile.

Sui Bian instructed the Red Queen to file the plague doctor's case and notified the White Queen to select, within Umbrella's bases and facilities, a sufficiently large and preferably isolated site for conversion.

The purpose is simple: after seizing power and controlling the plague doctor, Umbrella needs an Abnormal Phenomena Containment Center.

Given the plague doctor's temperament and lavender‑calming traits, he could be temporarily held in the Mother Nest, but more dangerous entities will inevitably appear in the future.

Thus, establishing an Abnormal Phenomena Containment Center would, even if control fails, prevent immediate large‑scale casualties.

When the Red and White Queens began their tasks, the four UBCS combat companies originally stationed in Eastern Europe arrived at the Paris‑suburban airport at 10:32 by order.

(End of chapter)