The events of Biohazard Heroes Never Die / Resident Evil Dead Aim, take place in the latter part of 2002, with the Umbrella Corporation on its financial knees. Following the t-virus outbreak across Raccoon City, at the end of 1998, the insidious pharmaceutical giant was now on the brink of oblivion, with the loss of a B.O.W production line, and their vital North American research facilities. Moreover, in early 1999, following the United States government's nuclear sterilization of the doomed city, the legislative house passed a decree placing a trade prohibition on the company. Umbrella was suspended from all U.S operations, and its share price plummeted. Hit by a trade embargo for its biggest market, Umbrella would have to look outside the U.S, for pooling their resources, If they were to salvage anything and for future success. It would take a determined C.E.O. of obsessive ambition, to prevent the ship that was Umbrella, from sinking without trace. Oswell. E. Spencer's empire was under attack from all sides, and if he was to steer the Umbrella ship safely through choppy waters, fresh approach was essential…

His attackers were numerous, varied, persistent. Some government controlled agencies (such as STRATCOM's Anti-Umbrella Pursuit & Investigation Team), some independent, driven by rival pursuit (such as the G.P.C.s anti-biohazard unit), clandestine organizations, other biological weapon combat groups, and from vengeful enemies within his own corporation. Facilities that were the life blood for his biological research had been destroyed, vital markets for Umbrella's product cut-off, and no immediate route to a financial life-line was on the horizon. If Spencer was to plant the seeds of Umbrella's comeback, he would have to look further afield than the usual locations, even if only to tread water, until his finances were such to fund a resurgence. His choice of destination was inspired, it would be mobile, constantly capable of changing location, and allow the on-site Umbrella employees to work outside the law of those countries that were hot on Spencer's pursuit. He turned to the high seas, far beyond the clutches of International waters.

Together with the strategic placement of any new facility flung to the furthest reaches of the globe, upon remote & inaccessible islands, Umbrella would also look to a fleet of ships, to sponsor its resurgence. These cruise liners would be the company's new floating facilities, able to evade the ever watchful eyes of rival organizations, and the various anti-Umbrella groups, whilst covertly conducting Spencer's viral research outside international law. Not all would give shelter to the insidious virologists working under Spenser's obstinate direction. Another would provide outlet, for the companies essential, vital financial recovery.The life blood for any restitution of former Umbrella glory was financial, and prospective clients would have to be sourced directly to the product. Presentation facilities were housed upon these floating auction houses, and the Spencer Rain was at the forefront of this business plan. It was upon this nautical Umbrella asset, for the new decade, that yet another enemy of the corporation wrought viral havoc, consumed with a bitter vengeance, toward his former employer.

Morpheus Duvall, a likely scapegoat but an unlikely antagonist

Morpheus Duvall was the mid-level Umbrella employee, promoted beyond his minimal ability, caught up in his own egocentric web, and thus destined for professional & personal loathing. Long before blind revenge hauled him to the brink of insanity, and a blind massacre of his own followers, Morpheus was fated to personal decline, and professional downfall, slave as he was to a catastrophic mix of ego-centrism, and narcissism. A truly vehement narcissist, Morpheus would need an outlet for his beauty obsesses doctrine. He would express this motive with a tyrannical strategy, that would realise his dream of a kingdom ruled by beauty, as articulated in the game-file ‘Thoughts On My Kingdom’.

This was not just a passion for superficial attraction, nor a penchant for absolute physical perfection; there is complete tunnel vision behind these words, highlighted by the ultimate value Morpheus attributes to the virtue of beauty. Morpheus's life mission, as detailed in the above mantra, and significantly, the methods he employs to realise that goal, strongly suggest affliction to a specific personality disorder, with narcissism as its route cause. Many of the symptoms associated with this narcissistic disorder are evident as Morpheus resorts to escalating levels of extreme behaviour. The pursuit of purely selfish and unrealistic goals, two symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder expressed through Morpheus's personal mantra; the exploitation of others to reach one's goal, a symptom evidenced when Morpheus takes advantage of Umbrella and its staff to further the construction of his missile silo; exaggeration of personal importance, a symptom clearly evident by the extraordinarily vain conclusion that he is a messiah, chosen to establish a revolutionary world-order of beauty; complete lack of empathy, a symptom initially evidenced by Morpheus's total disregard for staff safety at the hand of his distraction from supervision, and then horrendously enacted in the massacre of his followers.

Bound by his narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), Morpheus would be slave to a perverted value system, one that would drive him to realise his dream for perfection, by severely questionable means. Doomed by his NPD, Morpheus’s consciousness would have little time for anything else outside this ideal, being excessively preoccupied by the disorder's fatal mix of personal adequacy, power, prestige, and vanity.

The individual causes of NPD are unknown, with various theories proposed by research psychologists. One suggested cause that relates directly to Morpheus is the manifestation of a defence mechanism. A theory developed further from this principle, that NPD relates to a defence mechanism against intense feelings of shame, is exemplified by the ultimate lengths Morpheus resorts to in countering his self-loathing. The victim of intense shame, Morpheus exacts the ultimate defence mechanism, physically manifested with extreme plastic surgery (see image below).

This comparable dim view of his peers fuels Morpheus's pursuit for physical perfection, a desire articulated by his mantra on beauty. In expressing, and with attempts to fulfill this personal mantra, born of narcissism, Morpheus devises a tyrannical goal, blinded by this fervent obsession with self-beauty. Such a passionate vision would require a powerful sponsor, and Morpheus knew just the corporation with the resources to realise his perverted plan. Such was the motivation that lead Morpheus to target Umbrella; this was a plan already formulated, rather than developed at a later date, from a rage caused by his dismissal. With the ethically barren laboratories, and morally free science of Umbrella, Morpheus had an employer that could provide him with the vicious tools required. Appropriating ballistic missiles, that he then weaponised with a strain of the t-virus, and his judgement distorted with an insanity enthused by his NPD, Morpheus blackmails the U.S. and Chinese governments. Threatening to engage his biological weapons, Morpheus will demand the moneys to fund his narcissistic paradise in Africa.

He was never to establish his African paradise, and Morpheus's stock was at its highest in the earlier stages of that pursuit, when appointed director of the Umbrella Waste Disposal Facility. This was a development section of the corporations R&D Department, located on a remote island, in the Atlantic Ocean. The island was owned by Umbrella Corporation European Division, a clandestine facility for the disposal, and occasional observance of failed B.O.W.s. Opened from at least mid-1996, this remote asset consisted of two parts; a disposal Facility built directly on the island, and a seabed-level biosphere, housing a laboratory used for viral experimentation. Whether it was the scientists, employed here, premier experiment, is an unknown, but the first reference we have for any program conducted at the facility is contained in the game-file ‘Experiment α Log’, which graphically diarises the stages of experimentation conducted on the test subject Alpha.

Sep 26th 1996: Today we will begin the experiment. The subject is a condemned criminal called '?'. It has been one month since the subject was transported to this facility. He is not exactly aware of what is going to happen to him. However, he seems to be very frightened...

Day 1: Commence Experiment: We hammered a metal rod into the subject's frontal lobe in order to alleviate some of the pain. This was done only for humanitarian reasons.

Day 4: Removal of Eyeballs: We have removed the eyeballs in order to observe its reactions to external stimulation.

Day 14: Dose of Muscle Booster: After administering the muscle booster, we confirmed the unusual development of the muscles. It gained a drastic amount of weight before the treatment.  In the future we will consider using hampering items...

Day 36: Sharpened Hearing: An effect of the eyeball removal procedure has been an enhanced sense of hearing.  It recognizes precisely where a sound originates and its distance from that sound.

Day 41: Experiment Suspended: The experiment has been suspended due to the fact that the subject has escaped.  Even without its vision, the subject is quite dangerous. We should use extreme care not to make sounds when we try to capture it.

It is unlikely that Morpheus had a hands-on role in the above insidious program, but he held the prestigious title of Head Supervisor, with jurisdiction over the entire ground facility, and underwater biotechnology laboratory; and as such, a successful career with the pharmaceutical giant beckoned, had he not had other uses for this invaluable career.

Umbrella recruitment policy often leaves a lot to be desired, and with Morpheus's appointment there was no exception. Preoccupied obsessively with issues manifested by his NPD; those of personal adequacy, power, prestige, and vanity, under this lackluster attention, and supervision, the operations of the island, and adjacent facilities became slovenly.

Morpheus's slapdash approach towards many of the plant's operational procedures, made him a liability, and it was only a matter of time before staff safety became endangered by his ineptitude. This professionally suicidal lack of attention was reported with disdain by the disgruntled 'Operator' in the summer of 1997, who authors in a notebook an 'accident', that inevitably leads to his paralyses, and ultimate death. Yet, this was not the first hazardous incident to occur on the island, under Morpheus's tenure. Almost a year earlier, the ‘Experiment α Log’ file records the suspension of a major research project, due to the escape of its mutilated test subject. Whether it was Morpheus's errant style of management, and supervision, being directly responsible for that potential biohazard is debatable, but he was certainly responsible for the accident that lead to the Operator's fate; and more damningly, for both catastrophes, in the eyes of his employer. The lackadaisical antagonist was fast catching the attention of his insidious employer, but certainly not for further promotion. When the timing was right, he would prove to be a vital scapegoat, for the treacherous corporation, who would look to those two incidents to circumvent their own failings.

Why exactly Morpheus was allowed to continue in his post for almost two years after the accidents at Benthic, is not entirely clear, but he was arguably a dead man walking for some time previous. This fate was sealed when the perfect opportunity for his inevitable dismissal presented itself to an increasingly desperate Umbrella. Thirteen weeks since the initial t-virus outbreak in the Arklay underground laboratory, and the incidents of infectants had gone from those quite easily contained within a clandestine facility, to the catastrophically public discovery of corpses in the foothills of the Arklay mountains, and sightings of monsters all over the city. Umbrella executives would have been intensely feeling the heat, overwhelmed by the ever increasing disastrous, public repercussions of the May outbreak. On August 20th, Umbrella's fear their guilt was on the verge of exposure reached a crescendo, with investigation by both the local media & police, impending just the following day. If Umbrella were to go public, in an attempt to control the story, the exposure of which was gathering pace, they would do well to come prepared. A cover story would need contriving, with a face to fit this deceit; Umbrella required a scapegoat if they were to absolve themselves from any responsibility, for the viral catastrophe sweeping Raccoon City.

Umbrella Corporation had a considerable roster of unfortunate employees, just prime to be incriminated by their vile employer, so why Morpheus D. Duvall, and more pertinently, why an employee with no immediate links to the Arklay facility, hidden away on an inaccessible, remote island, thousands of miles away? That Umbrella had the foresight to keep Morpheus in their pocket, a pre-prepared fall guy for any impending industrial damage is highly debatable, to the point of spurious, but having done so in the story canon, on whose word the finger of blame was pointed, needs identifying. By logically considering which individuals within the corporation had the most to lose professionally by the ticking time-bomb that was the mansion incident, coupled with who held the most convenient reasons to connect Morpheus, the deceitful individual identified him as fall-guy, is clearly apparent. Spurred on by his own failings during the t-virus outbreak, and a guilty secret involving the botched assassination of one of Umbrella's founding members, Dr. William Birkin was most conveniently positioned, and had most to gain, from making this damage-limitation accusation. With Morpheus's appalling professional record thwarting any attempt to advocate innocence, he was hung out to dry.

DISMISSAL NOTICE

Date: August 20, 1998

To: R&D Division

ATTN: Mr. Morpheus D. Duvall

Upon investigation, we have concluded that you are responsible for the incident in Raccoon City on May 11, 1998. Your services with this company are hereby terminated. However, your nondisclosure agreement shall remain in effect. Finally, your final paycheck will be fulfilled in accordance with the "Dismissal Procedure" portion of your agreement.

Regards, Umbrella Corporation. Personnel Division

The desperately pursued corporation was looking for a scapegoat, and Birkin, to prevent his own downfall, duly obliged, identifying the poor soul to take up that mantle. Of course, the deceitful doctor knew well the true identity of the offender responsible for that devastating outbreak on May 11th. He had been caught in the eye of the storm raging through Umbrella's Training Facility, as the true source of the attack made dramatic revelation. From the relative safety of the Monitor room, with Albert Wesker, his odious partner in crime, William Birkin witnesses the newly resurrected James Marcus wreaking havoc throughout their Training Facility. Spencer's two rising stars had been charged with the vital operation to suppress the outbreak, salvage what sections of the facility were still operational, and neutralise the source. The figure on their monitor, now belligerently staring back at them, would throw down the gauntlet to his observers, jeopardising all they had been ordered to achieve.

With confused disbelief at the terrorist’s claim of identity, and increasing anxiety toward his goal, Birkin continues to observe a re-animated James Marcus, the megalomaniac he now knows to be responsible for releasing the t-virus. However, his concern for the consequence of Marcus's actions on his own agenda within Umbrella, are not shared by his unflappable partner. Wesker nonchalantly turns his back on Birkin, taking the service elevator on his journey to puppeteer the approaching S.T.A.R.S members, as he lures them into a fatefully staged investigation. Birkin, begins to panic, exasperated at Wesker’s casual response for this match that could light the flame to an explosive exposure of their now apparent botched assassination, of Dr. Marcus. If discovered by Umbrella, then his incompetent role in the conspiracy which lead him conveniently taking over Marcus's research, his fast-rising career within the corporation would come to an abrupt and fatal end. With that abject attempt to supersede his former mentor, directly causing the Arklay outbreak, which consequently condemned Umbrella's commercial future, Birkin had committed career suicide. He would have to find a suitable replacement to carry the responsibility. With conveniently comparable characteristic, distinctive style, there was only one Umbrella employee that could so suitably match. It was an inspired choice that would shift the responsibility for the outbreak onto the shoulders of a conveniently long haired, robbed Morpheus D. Duvall.

The footage taken in the monitor room (Resident Evil Zero), of Marcus carving a destructive path through the facility, could prove damning evidence against Birkin's cause, making it essential that the chosen scapegoat sufficiently resemble the young Marcus adequately. Youthful looks, long, swept-back hair, a confident, robbed figure, his replacement could only have been one man. It would have been unlikely Birkin knew of Morpheus's incompetent past, which conveniently lent further weight to his accusation, irrespective of this his choice was perfection. Morpheus's past misdemeanors would condemn any protestations of innocence. Significantly, this deceitful argument would find favour from a vital source, and Birkin's career saving argument, was enthusiastically endorsed, by an equally relieved Spencer, the clandestine antagonist who had sponsored Wesker, and Birkin's wicked mission. The returning, and vengeful James Marcus was an even greater liability for Oswell E. Spencer, who professionally, had even further to fall, if responsibility for the assassination debacle traced its way back the instigator.

You want revenge on Umbrella? Get in the queue

The unjust termination of his employment would inevitably lead to a vehemently disgruntled Morpheus, with his over-inflated perception of self-importance, to feel fiercely insulted to catastrophic ends. Umbrella's dismissal was completely inconsistent with the particular high regard Morpheus held himself in, and tunnel visioned, blind revenge was inevitable. But was this the catalyst for his maniacal plan, or did it simply further assist a mission already in the making? That he would passionately pursue revenge could not have held much surprise for Umbrella, yet whilst it must appear his dismissal lead directly to the raids on Paris laboratory and Spencer Rain, these two attacks may have already been conceived. There is significant evidence to suggest Morpheus's mission was already in vengeful motion, the seed of his spite sowed by an earlier cause. The termination of his self-gratifying position with Umbrella Corporation simply accelerated this treacherous motive.

Morpheus's intercontinental ballistic missile base, was an architectural triumph, carved as it was, deep into the Atlantic seabed. Had this underground launch facility been a concrete symbol of revenge, its considerable construction would not have been commissioned until after his dismissal, yet there is compelling evidence it must have been built long before that event, it's purpose not born from Morpheus's vengeful parting with Umbrella. The construction of an ordinary silo would demand a huge period of time, with considerable man-power, and this was quite an extraordinarily silo, built covertly under the Atlantic Ocean. It's construction, at such depth, was a feat of almost unprecedented ingenuity and technical craft, which would dictate the requirement of a specialised team of highly qualified architects, designers, mechanical engineers, and missile technicians. The advantages offered by the construction of a silo beneath ground level relate to protection from discovery & assault, with such benefits heightened from a seabed location. As far back as over 35 years ago, the benefits of such clandestine marine facilities were being discussed with much alarm, by Tony Hodges, executive director of Life of the Land, a Hawaii-based environmental & community action group.

To finance such a construction, would require enormous wealth. Morpheus may have had a generous financial redundancy package, but this would barely scratch the surface for providing wages, let alone actual construction costs for a silo with such specification requirement. Had this astonishing facility been built with the bricks of revenge, then it would have been commissioned by an un-employed Morpheus, with limited funds, surrounded by unqualified mercenaries, without a technical team, and impractically close to the date in 2002, that we have for the silo’s completion. Considering the mammoth technical feat required to install such a facility underground, and moreover, under the seabed with the additional obstacles that would demand, one has to question the decision to commit to such monumental task. Highly ambitious, requiring considerable resources and technical manpower, Morpheus choose this course of action, slave to his NPD affliction, the perceived fruits of this fools errand appeared too valuable to ignore.

We know of Morpheus's band of mercenary sycophants, worshiping him with blind faith, but these were not the types of individuals with the skill sets to construct such an enormous marine facility. Morpheus would have had to have access to a loyal team of dedicated, highly talented professionals, and there was only one time in his life when he could rely on this manpower, utilise such resource, and only one period when he could finance that plan - as a high level employee for the wealthy Umbrella Corporation. What better than to use a conveniently placed team of subordinate technicians and architects already under his direction as Head Supervisor, and better still, on another payee's payroll? Why finance a phenomenally costly mission when Umbrella could pay for their own downfall, and so satisfyingly for the arrogant Morpheus, by the hand of their own employees at the Benthic facility. The initial architectural design and procurement of materials must have been well into production when Morpheus was served his unexpected dismissal. Unexpected yes, revenge inducing to provoke the level of madness required, no, as evidenced in the game-file 'Thoughts on my kingdom'.

Morpheus Duvall's fascist philosophy and corresponding personal ambition, entrenched in such a passionate held belief system, is not a disposition suddenly adopted on losing employment. This ideal for beauty and the ultimate value it should command was a passion brought, not born to Benthic, by virtue of NPD afflicted Morpheus. Almost certainly it’s the driving force behind his desire to seek employment with Umbrella, exploiting its considerable supply of scientific invention enjoyed outside the law; just perfect for pooling together all resources required to initiate, and fulfil his narcissistic revolution. He would have targeted the Director's position to further his fascist philosophy, exploiting the manpower conveniently on Umbrella's payroll. This ulterior motive being main priority would deflect Morpheus's attention away from contractual duties, and supervision of the facility, leading to the biological outbreaks suffered catastrophically at Benthic.

Morpheus was “disappointed” by Umbrella's termination of his contract, rather than induced with all-consuming revenge, calmly turning this unfortunate development to his advantage - “I'll just use them in return”. He consoles himself, presumably relating to a new found liberation, free from those constraints that day-to-day supervision of the facility demanded, and a reference to his non-disclosure agreement, which he must have used for financial leverage when negotiating an impromptu rise in his pay-off. The brief time Morpheus had been in the employment of a corporation with Umbrella's mission statement, would have inevitably provided him with much dirt to dish, if an adequate sweetener was not forthcoming.

And so a healthily paid-up Morpheus takes his leave from the facility he so poorly supervised, charged with responsibility for the Raccoon City outbreak, but with clear intention to return and conclude completion of his clandestine silo. Any building work that may have been under way prior to his dismissal could easily be undertaken without the knowledge of Umbrella, while presented to its architects & construction workers as commissioned with the corporation's approval. It’s debatable when the missile silo was first constructed, but the design was certainly commenced whilst Morpheus was still on site. He would have scoured the Benthic workforce for the most suitable, technically gifted individuals to develop his plan. That his focus was firmly fixed on this treacherous goal, was surely responsible for the appalling supervision of his facility. As Morpheus devised his strategy, attention would be diverted from the responsibilities of Benthic, and switched to the demands of constructing a marine based missile silo. He may even have been engrossed in the silo designs as early as June 1997, when a recently posted employee details the consequences of such lackadaisical supervision, reported in the game-file ‘Operator’s Notebook’.

June 16th, 1997: One month has passed since I was dispatched here. I am astounded at the sloppy supervision of this Umbrella waste disposal facility. It's not surprising that this accident happened.

I know that if I must die, I want to die as a human...

June 24th, 1997 : The supervisor here called Morpheus is so annoying. He drives me nuts. He must pay more attention to worker health management and biological weapons than anyone I have ever met. This facility belongs to Umbrella, but he obviously doesn't think so...

So as early as June 1997, over a year prior to his dismissal and the ambitious Morpheus already neglects the facility he is supposed to be supervising. Lackluster management alone may not be quite sufficient to categorically evidence an alternative focus of silo construction, but when coupled with the more intriguing observation by this Operator, that alternative diversion may be proven without doubt. The Operator's complaint makes telling reference to an agenda Morpheus had above and beyond duties he was contracted by Umbrella to perform - 'worker health management' is an odd priority for the head supervisor of a facility charged with waste disposal. It is all well, and good having a subservient work force at your command, but when the job in hand dictates the construction of a missile launch facility built deep below sea-level, their relative technical abilities & qualifications take on massive significance. How would Morpheus select those employees with the required talents? There is only one method that would adequately identify those duly qualified - individual interviews could be conducted under the guise of health-checks, for to make the true purpose of this head-hunt public, would be to draw the unwanted attention of Morpheus's employer. Under this clandestine ruse, Morpheus would draft his hand-picked, qualified silo work force. This recruitment drive alone would be sufficiently time-consuming and attention diverting to cause Morpheus's deserved reputation for slovenly direction to his contractual duties.

Without Resident Evil Dead Aim affording us the common courtesy of dated files, it’s impossible to exactly ascertain the silo's stage of completion, upon Morpheus's sacking, but I contend from the above evidence, he had completed the designs and collated his chosen workforce, at the very least by that time. The occurrence of his dismissal and resulting financial redundancy, coupled with the consequent closure of the facility, ironically assisted Morpheus's mission beyond measure. He would return to the location of his deceit, coffers filled courtesy of Umbrella’s generous pay-off, fortunately liberated from the corporation’s watchful eye.

Morpheus is duly relieved of his duties, appointed scapegoat for the Raccoon City outbreak, and operations return to normality, as Benthic continues is his absence. Supervision under the auspices of a conscientious executive was a privilege not afforded this Umbrella facility, and shorty after Morpheus's removal, it is decommissioned in the wake of the outbreak. With Umbrella’s attention engrossed by their role and responsibilities in that disaster, the Benthic facility becomes increasingly inconsequential, and is either officially condemned to closure or simply abandoned. This drastic course of action was a direct result of the similarly drastic disasters engulfing Raccoon City, and the consequent criminal investigations fast approaching Umbrella. That there had already been at least one dangerous outbreak, as reported in ‘Experiment α Log’, and potentially two ‘Operator's Notebook’, had no significant baring on Umbrella's decision to abandon the facility, which by its very design, was capable of containing such liberated B.O.Ws. These escaped monsters were actually afforded a level of 'freedom', permitted as they were to inhabit and freely roam designated sections of the facility, ideal for the observation of these more irregular B.O.Ws and secondary infectants. The ‘liberated’ Alpha may have decamped without his captors permission, but there exists two Biological Reports, highlighting B.O.Ws departing as part of an authorised process. The Benthic facility was unique in conducting an advanced, and potentially beneficial type of disposal.

BIOLOGICAL REPORT 2: This is a survey report on the changes to the B.O.Ws which have been considered failures and have been disposed of in this facility.

May 18th: Today I will relocate the observation area to be underground. This area is low on power and so most areas are very dark. I assume creatures fond of dark places must inhabit this area.

May 19th: We saw red shining objects. They look like the eyes of some creature but we have not confirmed the entity yet. It moves extremely quickly and runs away as soon as we approach. I named this creature 'Glimmer', for its glimmering eyes.

May 20th: In order to collect samples, I had some workers go and try to capture a 'Glimmer'. However the plan did not work out and instead, the target attacked them and two people are now dead. 

Researchers at Benthic were quite complicit in developing the unknown benefits that potentially exist among those B.O.Ws initially deemed failures, and to further that goal, initial defects were 'disposed', rather than destroyed. Upon disposal within the furthest confines of the facility, these failed experiments received further observation. A second layer of scientific observation existed for these outcasts, as a fail-safe, should the scientists have been premature in classifying them commercial failures. This was a facility designed and able to contain such wandering liabilities, and as such, the occurrences reported by the Operator and Alpha project scientists, whilst being terminal for other less specialised facilities, would not have such fatal repercussions for Benthic. That Umbrella finally close the facility, during the Raccoon outbreak, lends itself more to an abandonment, rather than an organised decommission. At the height of the disaster sweeping through Raccoon City, or in its aftermath, Umbrella would lack the resources and focus to commit to an expensive facility-wide decommission. Less of a financial burden to simply abandon their responsibility to pay-up every employee contract and dispense every redundancy pay-out, much more cost effective to just walk away. The deserted, unemployed Benthic workforce would be considerably relieved when a returning Morpheus offered them renewed financial stability, and career hope, with Umbrella in no position to match such provision. I date this triumphant return during the height of Umbrella's pre-occupation with the Raccoon City disaster, in late September 1998, five weeks after Morpheus's dismissal notice. His life's most cherished work in significant motion, a mere month previous, Morpheus would be extraordinarily anxious to say the least, for a return to the location that would be catalyst for mission completion. With the eyes of Umbrella firmly fixed on the horrors engulfing the city, Morpheus was free to covertly re-enter Benthic with consummate ease.

ORDERS FROM MORPHEUS

I have arrived and have begun the plan. I need you to make sure all the instrument panels work properly.

Immediately on his return to Benthic, Morpheus makes reference to his plan, with a staggering lack of detail, which can only lead to the presumption full details of his mission were common knowledge by those this file suggests are already on-site, awaiting further order. From this apparent previous instruction, is logical to presume those head-hunted would have already made significant preparations to this return. Upon his pre-dismissal direction, Morpheus's dream team workforce would have made significant progress. This sequence of events allows sufficient time for the completion of a technically demanding marine silo, in time for September 21st 2002, the date Morpheus boards the Spencer Rain. That this hijacking had commenced, signals the fruition of an active, completed launch facility.

SHIP'S LOG:

Sep. 20th (Fri) 2002: It will be four months tomorrow since the Spencer Rain left port. I'm proud that we have been having a safe voyage so far. A representative from Umbrella, the owner of the cruiser, spoke words of appreciation to me.

Sep. 21st (Sat) 2002: Something is strange. Although the crew have reported 'Nothing special", I am concerned that 'the ones' may be breaking free. I will make sure to always have my Magnum pistol with me. 

Sep. 22nd (Sun) 2002: I can't send a signal for rescue. What should I do? The passengers and crew are all dead now...

All I can do is accept what has been happening on my ship as my destiny.

On the Friday all is well aboard the Spencer Rain, but by the following day that safety is compromised, when Morpheus's hijacking strategically commences with the release of B.O.Ws present for auction. Furthermore, this time-line is reiterated by the date given in game-file 'Emergency Fax From Paris Branch', and the corresponding reference to content therein, contained in 'Regular Report No.1162'. The aforementioned fax warns of possible revenge attacks by Morpheus, reasoned from a herein reported theft of '3 t-virus samples' from Umbrella's Paris laboratory. That burglary report, dated September 18th, is consequently referred to again.

REGULAR REPORT NO.1162

TO: HQ Int'l Investigation Dept. ATTN: O'Neal

This will be my final report on Morpheus for a while since it appears that he is starting to suspect something. Until further notice from me, please refrain from contacting me, so that I can devote myself to doing my regular job as his aid. After robbing the lab in Paris, Morpheus appears to be preparing to board the cruiser to auction the items.

Thus we know Morpheus had not yet initiated his forced entry aboard Spencer Rain, prior to the date of his Paris heist on September 18th, yet a mere four days later, the entire crew and passengers aboard the hijacked ship are deceased, as a consequence of Morpheus's botched occupation. (The author of this report and its relevance to whether Morpheus's Spencer Rain mission would succeed, will be discussed after the next paragraph).

Whilst the above report & emergency fax assist in determining the date of missile silo completion, their existence gives rise to further inquiry. For what reason did Morpheus target the Paris lab, intent on theft, despite high risks that could scupper his mission? If the theft of those virus samples was to biologically weaponise his missiles back on Benthic, then why not return to that facility immediately, rather than take the unnecessary detour aboard the Spencer Rain? On the reasonable basis that three t-virus samples would be clearly insufficient for an effective biological addition to the number of missiles required to destroy the major cities of the U.S and China, as Morpheus's plan dictated, and additionally, that he would already have sufficient samples of said virus, at the facility he now re-occupied, it’s a logical conclusion the Paris heist had no connection to his ultimate plan. I contend this precarious t-virus appropriation was driven by financial gain for a project that would have decimated Morpheus’s recent redundancy payment and drained his private finance. Prior to his dismissal Morpheus was able to exploit a workforce bankrolled by Umbrella, but now his silo staff, and mercenary followers would want paying. Morpheus was after all attempting the development of a facility usually financed by major governments, and further still, to house such a mega engineering accomplishment under sea. It is highly likely Morpheus would have sufficient virus compounds on Benthic to cover his range of ballistic missiles, yet would still require further assets to fund his financially astronomical mission.

The particular details of Morpheus's Paris raid are unpublished, but it would not have been an operation directed and completed to Morpheus's complete satisfaction. Umbrella facility security would have had something to offer back in response, suggesting Morpheus came away with merely three t-virus samples due to circumstances that prevented a larger haul. To have forced-entry access to this facility, and intentionally remove such a minute number of samples when so many would have been tantalisingly available, is illogical; this trespass was brought to a swift end by Umbrella security, and with their meagre swag the thieves would have made good their escape with haste. With considerably less loot to offer as lots, the auction awaiting Morpheus aboard the Spencer Rain, would now consequently generate less profit than had been originally planned for. However, that misfortune was little compared to the reality awaiting the budding biological salesman aboard his next destination. Umbrella operatives, disguised as passengers, and crew were awaiting Morpheus's arrival, due to an unexpected tip-off from within his own camp.

We know that such a biding war never took place as all aboard the cruiser are decimated before a sale can take place. I suggest this unexpected mayhem & murder was caused when this financing project, so utterly vital to the success of his goal, was rendered redundant by an addition not factored into the equation by Morpheus. Blinded by egocentricity, the tunnel visioned tyrant failed to notice a non-believer among his sycophantic followers. From game-file authored by the mysterious P.T. ‘Regular Report NO.1162’, we learn Morpheus is oblivious to a spy in his midst.

Periodic Report No.1162 

Headquarters International Investigation Division

Mr. O'Neill: This will be my final report for a while into the long-term investigation of Morpheus' behaviour. It appears he's beginning to become suspicious of me, somehow. Therefore, this report will be my last for a while so I can fulfil my role as his aide in order to avoid endangering my life. I'd like you to refrain from contacting me as much as possible. Now, after carrying out the robbery of the "t-Virus" from the French branch, Morpheus plans to board "that cruise ship." Well, he may already have boarded by the time this report reaches you.

Over the past few months, his behaviour has become erratic. For a long time, his obsession with "so-called beauty" has been increasing more and more. Recently, he's undergone cosmetic surgery to maintain his youthful appearance.His speech and behaviour are questionable. "I'll eliminate all that is ugly in the world and create a kingdom filled with beauty" is a recent saying. The longer this man is left unchecked, the greater risk there will be of him causing a worse accident than before.

Concerning his most recent behaviour, he's approached several foreign countries, including the United States. If something happens, it could be as difficult to handle as the disaster in Raccoon City. Headquarters, I request that you deal with this matter appropriately, before it's too late,

Project Umbrella.net translation

Despite the suggestion there is no clear evidence to suggest Morpheus suspects treachery. Furthermore, Morpheus's reliance on an Umbrella owned facility raid and Umbrella owned cruiser hijacking, must be testament to this fact, that he was oblivious to P.T's deceit. The discovery of such a mole would sabotage any covert plan that targeted said operative's employer, and would have surely lead to Morpheus strategising different tactics to perilously involving the very client that had instructed P.T. and with whom the spy had direct line of contact. That he continued a destination towards Umbrella's sea-bound facility, is testament to Morpheus being oblivious to the double-cross. An ignorant Morpheus heads to Umbrella’s floating auction house, that is to be his financial guarantee, oblivious to the knowledge his date with the Spencer Rain has been exposed in advance.

It has been suggested that Morpheus was aware of this spy, and with such foresight would have ensured P.T was oblivious to his plans against Umbrella, evidenced by the corporation negating to neutralise the rogue Morpheus. However, I argue that Umbrella did take such action, quite logically upon the receipt of Report 1162, which implored for their immediate response to an extreme threat; why instruct this spy, if not to act upon the serious impending nature of his observation, that a t-virus wielding, vengeful ex-employee was about to forcibly board one of your most valuable remaining assets? I contend that heeded by this advance warning, Umbrella initiated disguised operatives, to engage Morpheus's upon boarding the vessel, assuring no auction took place, and an alternative destiny for the three t-virus samples. The operatives that were activated to engage this trespass, were met with more than they had bargained for, not just a lone, post-mutation Morpheus, but a considerably large faction of fiercely loyal African mercenaries. Mayhem ensued, the viruses, and resulting on-board brochure B.O.W.s wrought havoc.

A former employee of Umbrella, Morpheus would be well equipped with the knowledge of where to acquire the product suitable for financing his mission, and significantly where one would showcase such product to facilitate the highest price achievable. Not exclusively driven by revenge, but still his judgement fueled with spite for Umbrella, Morpheus utilised his contacts & know-how gained from a career with Umbrella, to first appropriate from them a suitable finance provider, and secondly rely on the corporation's own auction house to realise such wealthy reward. Cue Paris laboratory break-in, and Spencer Rain hijack. I completely dispute the spurious suggestion that the raid in Paris, and consequent Spencer Rain hijacking, were in some way, a dramatic gesture, designed to attract the attention of those governments he wished to engage in murderous blackmail. These were significant necessities for financing to completion his terrorist cause, and not some mission-jeopardizing side-show. With his mission fund raiser obliterated by the presence of awaiting Umbrella agents, the functionality of Morpheus's silo would be compromised. That Morpheus's weapons system was incomplete, without further attempted investment, is evidenced by the catastrophic, unexplained destruction of the entire Benthic facility, as a triumphant Bruce and Fong Ling escape the island, having slain mutated Morpheus. Had Morpheus's attempt to further finance his weaponry to completion by auctioning stolen virus samples achieved success, then the launch silo on Benthic would have been fully functional, free from faults causing facility meltdown.

A match made in financial heaven

The integral viral development that pervades Dead Aim, and gives rise to its unique, formidable B.O.W.s is the new t+G virus. The introduction of a new virus to the world of Biohazard is normally reserved for series main titles, and arguably this still holds true with Dead Aim. This new development from the insidious laboratories of Umbrella Inc. is referred to as the 'tG' virus for PAL & NTSC regions. However this identification is a Western localisation error! As recorded in ‘Biohazard: Gun Survivor 4’ the correct moniker is 't+G'. The chemistry of this new virus, showcased with spectacular electrical properties, is erroneously detailed in the English localised translation of game-file ‘Research Report #220329’ as simply the direct combination of t+G.

We have succeeded in fusing the ‘t-virus’ and the ‘G-virus’ so that it has electrical properties.

The above text found in the PAL & NTSC releases of Resident Evil Dead Aim is mistranslation of the correct Japanese original, which adds a significant element to t+G chemistry.

研究レポート #220329

【極秘事項】

一般研究員以下のファイルの閲覧を禁ず。

「t-ウィルス」及びその抗体である「G-ウィルス」を遺伝子レベルで融合、電気的な特性を持たせることに成功した。が、試作品である「091」の経過をみるに、いまだ不完全な部分も多い。

今回新たに生成されたv.0.9.2では、当初の目標であった高圧電流の発生がようやく認められた。このバージョンを投与された被験者は電磁的なバリアを形成し、物理的な攻撃をはじき返すことが可能になると推測される。

RESEARCH REPORT #220329 

(Top Secret ) 

Viewing of this file is strictly forbidden to anyone except General Researchers & the Superior.
By fusing the 't-virus" and its anti-body the 'G-virus' at the genetic level, we have succeeded in producing electrical properties.
However, after observing the progress of our prototype '091' it still is imperfect in many ways.
With the newly developed v.0.9.2 our original purpose of generating high voltage current has finally been achieved.
Test subjects injected with this version are expected to build an electromagnetic barrier with the ability to repel physical attacks…

(Crimson-Head.com translation)

There may have been other motive behind Umbrella's desire to introduce the two viral agents together, aside from the invulnerability that an electromagnetic barrier would bring. To expose Umbrella's full intentions behind this experimental virus coupling, one must recognise the significance of t-virus antibody inclusion into the marriage with G; as a pose to the inclusion of t-virus only, without its antibodies. The fusion of Umbrella's two infamous viruses, one in pure form, one in antibody, and both significantly with a common ancestor - Progenitor, would hopefully prove to be an unprecedented commercial success. This success for the corporation would follow from the ground breaking prevention of unwanted mutations.

Whilst Umbrella had finally realised its ambition of obtaining Dr.William Birkin's life work, so treasured, and coveted as it was, the resulting financial success that followed the ill fated operation to expedite G from its creator, was greatly limited. The G-virus was not the expected money spinner for Umbrella. G's failing was its extremely unstable nature on a mutagen level; on administering the virus, numerous spontaneous mutagen stages would follow. These multiple mutations proved uncontrollable, and as such the design and commercial value of the resulting B.O.W. became unpredictable. Fortunately the Umbrella scientists, being expert virologists knew of a process to counter these disastrous mutations. Introducing t-virus as the apparent antibody for G-virus, the scientists were able to constrain the unpredictability of G's development, shackle the spontaneity of its mutagens, thereby producing a new G-virus based mutagen, commercially viable. The process is known as ‘neutralisation’. The electrically weaponised creatures developed from the new t+G virus would enjoy completely stability in predetermined design form, the effectiveness of which would not be compromised by unstable final form mutations, afforded the additional protection of an electromagnetic defence.

t & G forever in electric dreams

Whilst our translation, with its correct additional inclusion into the research of anti-bodies, identifies G as the antibody for t, an appreciation of G's failings, and an understanding of the biological process employed here by Umbrella's scientists, strongly suggests a less literal reading of the original Japanese text would provide a more accurate translation; so that the file reads as t being the antibody for G. The Umbrella scientists that sought to develop a commercially viable product, derived from the originally unstable G virus, were employing a process known in Virology as neutralisation. It was no coincidence that they pursued this route. Virus neutralisation by the introduction of antibodies, is an effective process by which virus infection is blocked. The scientists were hoping to block G's catastrophic mutations, that rendered it a commercial failure. Hence, it was that science which lead those Umbrella scientists, striving to combat the undesirable effects of an ingredient within G, to employ the antibodies of another virus; one which significantly, (it will later be discussed), had a shared ancestry - a common parent of origin.

William Birkin may have called it “sheer perfection”, but just a brief look at the G-virus in action, in the field of battle, reveals mutation development too unstable, with a final form mutation physically too ineffective to constitute viable bio-weaponary. One feature Birkin would have been lauding in proclaiming such perfection is G's capacity to produce a physically substantial, almost indestructible soldier, with just one administration of the virus; in stark contrast to the particularly cumbersome, time consuming research and considerable resources required in the production of Tyrant soldiers. Be that as it may, G's instability and the resulting redundant final form would provoke Umbrella scientists to look for the introduction into G of a prohibiter; a means to constrict G's youthful rashness into a calmer, more stable mutation, without prohibiting its development of superior physical form.

G's instability causes the development of its mutation to produce limb asymmetry. G-virus infection will result in the subject experiencing limb growth of varying speed and development. In Resident Evil's two cases of G virus infection William Birkin (Resident Evil 2) & Curtis Miller (Degeneration), their right arm grows at a far superior rate than the left, prohibiting the extent and effectiveness of their attack, as such disproportion in the two limbs causes imbalance & weapon usage restriction. Why do subjects administered G experience this disproportionate developmental growth of mutation?

In the ProjectUmbrella.net article, ‘The Biology of Evil (Part 3)’ it is proposed this type of limb asymmetry, evidenced with Dr.Birkin & Miller, has precedence in our animal kingdom. An example being Crustaceans, that develop one claw significantly larger than the other; however this process of asymmetry is dependent on usage, rather genetics. The dominant claw is used by the creature far more, and as a consequence its muscle mass builds disproportionately larger than the less frequently used claw. A similar process occurs in humans, albeit on a much less noticeable scale. Our dominant arm is fractionally longer than the other, due to greater use over an entire lifetime, and with greater tissue mass, the limb secretes more growth factor, which allows it to grow slightly faster than the other. It will also secrete more inhibitory pro-hormone, reducing the growth of the other arm. This lead the authors of the aforementioned essay to conclude this process acts as partial explanation for the significant limb size anomaly seen in early stage G infection - as the right arm keeps growing larger, it will secrete more growth hormone for itself whilst also secreting more inhibitory hormone for the inferior arm. The left arm being comparatively smaller than the right, will not be capable of generating sufficient quantities of either hormone to keep up. Although asymmetry levels out by Stage 3 infection, with the left and right limbs both being of considerable equal size, those earlier stages afflicted with such disproportion, hold the soldier at a significant disadvantage in the field of battle, than would be the case, had it enjoyed equality of largeness in both arms. An additional inhibitory ingredient would be necessary to impose such uniformity, if G was to be improved upon.

During the final stage of G infection, the mutated William Birkin transforms into a large globulos mass of flesh, bone, muscle, devoid of any anatomical symmetry or evolved usefulness. Although many limbs remain, the G monster's gigantic mass renders any effective attack movement redundant. In The Biology Of Evil (Part 3) it’s argued this redundant evolution results from tissue growth accelerated to such degree and with abnormally large populations of stem cells in all tissues, the infected cells in Birkin’s body behave like tumor cells. Furthermore, the perversion of an organisms developmental biology, by the introduction of such a ferociously disruptive mutagen, is G's downfall. Physical development depends on chemical gradients across the developing organism directing stem cells when, and in which direction to grow, and significantly when to stop growing. With a G infectant these organising signals again become important because of the degree of tissue growth occurring, but their expression has been disrupted considerably. Disruption of this delicate balance leads to a loss of organisational control, causing sporadic, erroneous growth, as seen with Birkin's final form.

An understanding of G's superiority over the t-virus, as discussed above, it's downfall in the later stages of mutation, and its potential if perfected through neutralisation, strongly suggests that in the process of 'genetic level fusion' of t with G (this 'fusion' catalyst for neutralisation), it is instead the t-virus that takes on the role of antibody for G, rather than G being the antibody for t. If a G infectant's physical superiority & indestructibility were fully realised to maximum potential, through elimination of disruptively unstable mutation, then the virus would need a straitjacket. This lead to the first deliberate modification of G-virus by the introduction of t-virus as its apparent antibody. Those random, uncontrollable mutations which reduce the effectiveness of G as a biological weapon had to be curtailed. No equivalent (similar or otherwise) condition exists for the contention that t is of justifiable need for an antibody's treatment. A less literal reading of the Japanese meaning may be more appropriate in this context, and furthermore, an additional translation, by ProjectUmbrella.net puts G firmly as the antibody.

RESEARCH REPORT #220329 

We fused the 'G-Virus' and its antibody the 't-Virus' at the gene level and succeeded in adding electrical properties. However, progress on the "091" prototype has many imperfect features and could be improved.

(ProjectUmbrella.net translation)

Consequently, as the t-virus antibody fused with G, potential unwanted mutations were targeted by the neutralization process, thereby preventing the newly developed virus from possessing any disadvantageous side-effects for its corresponding B.O.W.s. This resulting viral product, hopefully free from the curse of generating those commercially suicidal mutations, was the t+G. In real science, antibodies can neutralize viral ineffectiveness in many ways; by interfering with virion binding to receptors, blocking uptake into cells, preventing uncoating of the genomes in endosomes, or causing aggregation of virus particles. The above image illustrates human antibodies neutralizing the flu virus H1N1.

Experimenting with antibodies in this way, Umbrella scientists heading up the research were utilizing a formidable process; it could also be employed to counter the infection from even hardier, enveloped viruses. These armoured types come equipped with an extra outer wrapping, or 'envelope', procured from the host cell membrane, and thus enjoy extended survival rates, and cell infection capabilities. (Pictured right is the RNA enveloped virus Influenza). This process of neutralization, when employed with the right choice of corresponding antibodies, can prove to be a very effective strategy for combating these advanced viral forms, of which the G virus can well be considered one. Experimentation with this process will result in these enveloped virus suffering too from the fate of disintegration, when antiviral antibodies are introduced to the infected cell's membrane.

The biology behind this research is strictly dependent on the laws of Biohazard and not those of science! Antibodies are large, Y-shaped proteins (image below) able to identify and remove foreign antigens, and whilst such foreign bodies do indeed include viruses, the mechanics of the interplay between antibody & antigen do not match that of dual virus fusion at a genetic level. Far from it, as discussed, antibodies are produced by the immune system upon the presence of an antigen, such as a virus, they circulate in the blood stream and on contact with the target antigen (virus), they bind to it (image below). Depending on the antigen, the binding may impede the biological process causing the disease or may recruit macrophages to destroy the foreign substance; results that could not be the consequence of two viruses being introduced, at genetic, or any other level.