Chapter 68: Fire Queen

16:07.

The technicians went to the fourth level of the Mother Nest, preparing to transport Alekxia's cryogenic vault.

16:47.

The cryogenic vault was moved into a surgery room on the third level of the Mother Nest, while forty fully armed Alpha and Epsilon units guarded the interior and exterior of the surgery room.

16:50.

The Red Queen gave a voice command to the cryogenic vault, opening the sealed vault that had been closed for fifteen years.

Meanwhile, the researcher on standby began to perform a memory-modification surgery on Alekxia, who was still thawing and awakening.

All of Alekxia's previous memories were erased, and then the researcher implanted a chip in her brain for memory fabrication and monitoring.

When necessary, the Red Queen could remotely trigger the chip's self-destruct mechanism, preventing Alekxia from causing casualties among company personnel or inflicting major damage to company property.

After all, brainwashing surgery is highly effective on humans, but after fifteen years of merging with the Veronica virus, Alekxia no longer seems to fall within the human category.

Even though Alekxia's brain shows no difference from a human brain, the researcher still installed the self-destruct device as a precaution.

19:27.

After nearly two hours, the researcher completed the brainwashing surgery on Alekxia.

Subsequently, under the guard of two USS squads, Alekxia was transferred to a specially modified single ward in the third-level infirmary area.

Before Alekxia awakens, three USS squads stationed at the Mother Nest will take turns watching over her, with armed security assisting the squads' guard duties.

January 28.

09:19.

Inside the ward stood a comfortable multifunctional hospital bed.

A television hung on the wall opposite the bed; to the left was a bathroom equipped with a shower, and to the right a window that could simulate surface environments.

The simulated scene outside the window was a park with a slide, sandpit, and swings.

A warm breeze entered the room through a vent, fluttering the sheer curtains on either side of the window.

Alekxia, dressed in a patient gown and covered with a thin blanket, lay on the bed.

Alekxia had long golden hair, a petite face, and her appearance differed from that of typical European women, yet possessed a distinct beauty.

"Ugh…" accompanied by a painful groan, Alekxia forced her brows together and opened her eyes.

Her confused eyes surveyed the surroundings as she pushed herself up with both hands, finally fixing her gaze on the simulated scenery outside the window.

"Ah…!"

She tried to recall the past, but the effort caused a splitting headache, and she pressed both hands tightly against her temples.

Soon.

The headache seemed to ease slightly, and memories surged like a spring, ending her confusion about her origins.

Her name is Alekxia Rixik, born in 1980, graduated from the University of London in 1995, and in September of that year joined Umbrella's Paris headquarters research center.

In January 1997, a director named Sui Bian transferred her to the Mother Nest to assist Dr. William BoKen in researching the super‑soldier program.

However, on March 1, 1997, while she was conducting her usual research, she accidentally knocked over a virus container, and then blacked out, falling into a coma that lasted until now.

"Could it be… that I, infected by the virus, survived?"

Through "memory" she recalled the final moments before the coma and immediately understood what had happened.

"Swoosh—"

?

At that moment, the sound of a metal door opening interrupted her recollection and thoughts.

She turned her head from the bed toward the door and saw Sui Bian in a black suit and BoKen in a white lab coat entering the room.

"Mr. Sui? Dr. BoKen?" Seeing the two enter, Alekxia hurriedly lifted the blanket, intending to get out of bed.

"You're a patient now, stop fussing and just sit properly on the bed."

Sui Bian smiled as he said that, temporarily halting Alekxia's attempt to get out of bed.

"." BoKen, however, kept a stone‑cold expression throughout, seeming in a bad mood.

Can't help it, when acting you have to go all out.

After waking, Alekxia will assist BoKen in research as his deputy.

The former mortal enemy is now a colleague, which is extremely unpleasant for BoKen.

But this is the boss's order, and the boss is standing right there, so even if BoKen is displeased, he has to endure it.

"Fine…" Alekxia, feeling a bit weary, complied with Sui Bian's suggestion and stayed in bed, then looked at the two in front of her and asked:

"Sir, Doctor, how long have I been in a coma?"

"Well, let BoKen explain your current condition to you," Sui Bian said with a faint smile, passing the buck to BoKen.

"Ugh… alright." Hearing that, BoKen composed himself and said to Alekxia:

"Um… Rixik, you were infected by the Veronica virus, but…"

Next, BoKen, following a pre‑written script, explained to Alekxia how she was different now.

For example, the company froze her to keep the virus‑infected individual alive, and through a series of coincidences she perfectly merged with the Veronica virus.

As for why Sui Bian didn't explain it himself, it was to let BoKen adapt early, and also because the system was speaking in his mind:

【Anomalous phenomenon detected: Alekxia Asifort.

Nickname: Fire Queen.

Description:

The subject possesses reaction speed, strength, and regenerative ability far beyond human limits, and has now reached a peak state.

When the subject's blood contacts air, it can, according to its own will, choose whether to ignite.

The subject can also autonomously choose whether to enter a "Queen" form.

There are three types of Queen Form.

1. The whole body's skin turns light gray, the right arm and left leg are wrapped in tentacle‑like and armor‑like material, and the appearance still maintains a human shape.

In this form, the subject's movement speed is extremely fast, and its physical defense capability is extremely high.

It can carry out an attack that turns blood into fire.

It can control organisms infected with the T‑Veronica virus.

2. When the subject suffers a certain degree of attack and damage, it enters a large and ugly 'Queen Ant' form, and the lower body basically loses human characteristics.

In this state, the subject is unable to move, but its ability to withstand damage is greatly increased.

3. When in this form, the subject is on the brink of death, and its appearance resembles that of a 'flying ant'.

Note:

When the subject enters the first form, it can still restore its human appearance according to its own will.

If the subject enters the second or third form, it will no longer be able to restore its human appearance.

It is detected that the subject's current memories have been reshaped, the name changed to Alekxia Ruoxike, but all attributes remain unchanged.

(End of chapter)