An underground bunker on the outskirts of Heroesland. The structure was a secret laboratory and tactical center, built in the early years of King Vesker's reign with funds from the state treasury. The massive outflow of funds went unnoticed because, under King Vesker, the nation's economy was rapidly developing. The bunker was built as a temporary refuge in case of war or any other critical situation, and it also housed ongoing research into biological weapons. It was the creator's personal whim.
Among the flasks filled with various colored liquids and the tanks filled with strange fluids containing suspended human bodies, a man in a doctor's coat hurried around, constantly adjusting his transparent glasses, which, unfortunately, did not hide his obsessed gaze. This thirty-year-old man was found by Vesker several years ago, after he was expelled from some research center. Since then, he has worked tirelessly for Vesker, and he was the one who created the alpha version of the U.G. virus, which Vesker later modified and used during his rise to power.
The automatic doors behind him opened, startling him, as he had been the only living person in the facility for a year. He immediately ran to the red button on the control panel, which controlled the bunker's self-destruct function. Only his great speed prevented Vesker from stopping the catastrophe; he grabbed the scientist's arm before the red button was pressed. If the explosion had occurred, the explosives mixed with various toxins, poisons, and viruses could have infected all the surrounding areas! Although, of course, Vesker was more concerned about having to regenerate and eliminate the toxins and poisons from his body for another month.
9 hours before the incident.
Neyra and the others, under the command of VisTrit, were making their way through a dense forest, heading towards Vesker's secret base, the location of which, apparently, was not so secret. The local fauna now consisted of ogre wolves, dragon trolls, and other lovely creatures. They were so scared that they crossed the forest very quickly. VisTrit told everyone that they could still turn back and leave, but everyone said no, that they would go to the end. Or maybe going back through the dark forest filled with mutated animals without a guide wouldn't be very smart... When the whole team was ready to enter the base, a robot lizard appeared, which easily destroyed Brackman, and then, in the heat of the battle, pierced Neyra with a 50-centimeter blade.
The Queen woke up in a cold sweat, her heart beating like a train moving at a speed unattainable by a normal train. "Horror! What a nightmare!" she thought.
8 hours before the incident.
Vesker was sprawled on the sofa, drinking wine straight from the bottle, staring at the screen, which was showing a news program. Amco was more popular than ever, cute, kawaii, funny, and just great; they were showing him having a good time. They were showing how people were discussing politics and their rulers. It was all as usual, a typical program for peasant simpletons. Vesker finished the bottle and tossed it aside, then leaned back on the sofa. There was some disappointment and sadness on his face... because of the mutation, or, as he preferred to say, the evolution of his body, he couldn't even get drunk. "I'm like Hitler, sitting in a bunker and indulging in this poison, the only difference is that I won't die from it." He was bored; he couldn't just sit around and do nothing, or watch another piece of crap on TV. He called the scientist and told him to show him what research had been done in the last year.
The dark-haired man in glasses quickly perked up, as he could now share his successes with someone.
Among the many developments, there was little of interest, poisons, toxins, anthrax-uyaks, and so on. At the end of the "tour," the man pointed to one of the laboratory screens and proudly said:
- My King, our U.G. 5.14 Beta upgrade is complete!
Vesker's eyes glowed with red flames, and a cunning smile appeared on his face.
7 hours before the incident.
The Queen was still in bed; the dream she had was still bothering her; she felt a sense of déjà vu; it seemed to her that it had all happened before, but at the same time, she was worried that it might be a prediction; moreover, over time, she convinced herself that it was. After all, that's how it happens in movies and Japanese cartoons! Suddenly, the huge window of her luxurious apartment opened, and a cold breeze blew into the room; it was raining outside, and a storm was raging. Neyra, without turning on the light, got up to close the source of the irritation, and as she approached the window, she bumped her head against something hard; she looked up and saw Vesker's face, whose blood-red eyes flashed in the moment when lightning struck in the distance. She screamed, but Vesker didn't pay attention; he grabbed a syringe and injected something into her body, injecting the needle into her neck.
Waking up in bed and again covered in sweat and with a racing heart, Neyra thought it was just another dream.
2 hours, 50 minutes before the incident.
The city hospital was full of patients, so much so that it was impossible to get through. This was not uncommon lately. And it wasn't even because the number of people getting sick had increased, but simply because there was no one to treat the sick. Most of the doctors were on strike in the streets of the city, protesting against the new government.
Neyra tried to get into the doctor's office without waiting in line, but someone stopped her and said, "Hey!"
- What "hey"?
- There's a "live queue" here!
- But... I have an appointment!
- There are no appointments anymore; there are too few doctors and too many patients. The new queen and king are to blame for everything!
"Yes!" the people in line chimed in. Neyra realized that it was better not to say who she was and not to get too upset, but just to wait in line. After an hour and a half, she finally got to the doctor, who greeted her with a pleasant smile.
- Thank God, doctor, that at least someone is still showing kindness!
The doctor, after listening to the patient's complaints about nightmares, offered to inject her with a medicine, which she agreed to. As he injected the drug, his face was even more smiling than when she entered the office. The Queen thanked the doctor and left. The doctor immediately finished seeing patients and hurried to leave.
5 minutes before the incident.
- I don't want to be near you!
- But we are the king and queen! Neyra!
Both rulers wandered through the queen's apartments and argued for a few more minutes. Then she sat down on a double bed covered with a blanket made of pleasant material. Arandor sat down next to her and tried to please her with gentle touches. Neyra immediately tried to break free from his embrace and hit him, but she couldn't, and she gave in. Deep down, the queen was in pain as the virus spread through her veins, making her incredibly compliant.