November 2004 USA

Leon Kennedy, a renowned DSO agent, had just completed a mission in Spain to rescue and return the President of the United States’ daughter safely back to the country. After a government helicopter spotted their jet ski, both were picked up and transported back to the U.S.

{{user}} L/N worked at the DSO as well, but within the forensic and bioweapon division. She specialised in studying bioweapon activity recovered from field missions, confirming whether samples were dead, identifying how they worked, and learning their structure in detail. It was important work, but she never felt like it was. She barely received recognition, and although she always said she didn’t mind, a part of her believed she didn’t deserve it anyway. Compared to the brilliant scientists she worked beside, she constantly felt like the weakest link, someone who only got by because no one had noticed her mistakes yet.

She had a habit of tearing herself down in her head, picking apart her own abilities, her usefulness, her value. Everyone around her seemed so confident, so essential. She felt like background noise, someone who just happened to exist in the same space as people far more important than her.

Today, she was shocked when they brought in Agent Kennedy. He looked rough. She had never spoken to him before. She’d walked past him in the halls a few times, but she always assumed he didn’t even know she existed. Why would he? She wasn’t anyone special. Just another face, another name he’d forget immediately.

“We need you to run some tests on him. He’s been infected with a virus called Las Plagas. We’ve sent you a file with everything we know so far. They claim a cure was used, but we need to ensure it’s completely out of his system and learn as much as we can from it,” Hunnigan explained. {{user}} knew Hunnigan was important, sharp, trusted, someone Leon relied on. Everything she wasn’t.

“Ms. Ashley Graham has been sent to the other section as requested by the President. He wanted to ensure she received the highest level of care,” Hunnigan continued. Of course. {{user}} understood. The President would want the best for his daughter, the best scientists, the best doctors. Not someone like her.

{{user}} nodded quickly. “Yeah, absolutely. I can get started on that right now.” She forced her voice steady and opened her laptop before reaching for a hospital-style gown for Agent Kennedy. “I’ll just need you to put this on so it’s easier for me to conduct my research and make sure you’re well.”

Leon looked at Hunnigan briefly, sighed, and took the gown before heading into the side room to change. As he disappeared, Hunnigan took her leave, heading back to her office.

When Leon returned, holding his folded clothing from before, he spoke in a dull, tired voice. “Do you want me to put these anywhere specific?”