Umbrella Corporation

"Preserving the health of the people." - Mission Statement
"Nothing Is Impossible." - Company Slogan

Umbrella was a large pharmaceutical conglomerate based in Europe which officially developed a wide range of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and other derivative products such as food products. In addition, Umbrella developed and sold biological weapons and specialized in genetic engineering and related technology. Umbrella's sphere of influence even reached the United States Senate. Umbrella was a member on the executive board of the Global Pharmaceutical Consortium, and used its position to great extent in the development of bio-weapons. The Umbrella logo consists of an octagon divided into twelve segments: six red and six white. Although the details are unclear, the design seems to be linked to the Spencer family's coat of arms. 1

History

1960-1967: Genesis

The genesis of Umbrella Corporation began with Lord Ozwell E. Spencer and Lord Edward Ashford, two well-known nobles in Western nobility, along with the biochemist James Marcus. Originally, Ashford, the fifth-generation head of the prestigious Ashford family was conducting a search with Spencer in the 1960s on an existing unknown virus which could directly promote evolution in a living organism. The two were joined by Spencer's university colleague, Dr. Marcus. The three eventually ended up discovering the existence of a new viral strain. Through reading the "Survey Of Natural History" volumes penned by Henry Travis after being initially interested in the folklore contained within, Spencer hypothesized that the "Stairway to the Sun" flower in the rituals of the Ndipaya tribe held significance. After sharing this information with his compatriots, the three set out with an expedition team to search for this rare flower species in West Africa in September 1966. After three months of searching and staving off attacks from the Ndipaya, the expedition's efforts were rewarded on December 4, 1966 after the discovery of the Progenitor Virus which inhabited the Sun flower, a virus which could alter and recombine the DNA of an organism. Afterwards, they also renamed the Sun flower which contained the virus as the "Progenitor flower". 2

They promptly returned to the United States with samples of the flower and began conducting immediate research. Marcus and his student Brandon Bailey left to attempt to mass-produce the Progenitor flower and culture the Progenitor Virus. By 1967 however, the initial culture samples of Progenitor produced by the two in the US did not have any DNA-altering characteristic and cultivating the flower itself yielded no sign of the virus at all, showing that culturing of Progenitor was impossible outside of its natural habitat. 3

Spencer had taken initial samples of the virus cultured in Africa back to his newly-constructed private Arklay Laboratory in the Arklay Mountains, where he conducted human and plant experimentation with the virus. Two mutant strains of the virus were administered to Jessica Trevor (TYPE-A) and Lisa Trevor (TYPE-B) on November 10, 1967. Jessica died from the TYPE-A strain, whilst Lisa survived from the TYPE-B strain but with severe defects. Jessica's body was buried while George Trevor himself died from starvation or dehydration in the mansion later. Lisa was maintained as the Arklay Laboratory's main test subject, and she received countless injections of the Progenitor Virus and its many strains for two decades, gaining near-immortality in the process. 4 Meanwhile, Ashford left the team with samples of Progenitor to conduct his own research on the virus along with his son, Alexander Ashford.

1968: Foundation

On March 23, 1968, Spencer presented the idea of starting a pharmaceutical company to mask their bio-weapons program to Marcus and his student Brandon Bailey. With the financial help of Ashford and the use of his own wealth, the “Umbrella Corporation" was established; with Spencer, Ashford and Marcus as its founders. Other prominent European noble families became involved with the company, such as the noble Henri family of French origin. This noble background is most likely partially responsible for the corporation’s swift growth. 5

Research was still at a relative standstill due to the lack of the Progenitor Virus, so Marcus and his student Bailey decided to return to Africa in April 1968. To accommodate this, Umbrella sent soldiers to take control over the land owned by the Ndipaya, including the Sun Garden were the Progenitor flower grew. In July that same year, Edward was killed in a laboratory accident due to infection from Progenitor. However, it is believed that he was in fact murdered by Spencer. As a result, Spencer was able to acquire Ashford's share of the company. In August, Umbrella succeeded in chasing the Ndipaya off their land and taking control over half of the underground ruins where the Progenitor Virus was located. Meanwhile, the Umbrella Research Center was officially established in the same month in the Arklay Mountains. Marcus and Bailey initially prepared to depart for Africa, but under Spencer's incessant requests, Marcus was appointed as the first director of the new Research Center. However, this was part of a plot by Spencer in an effort to minimize Marcus' standing in the company while increasing his own. 6

The Africa Laboratory was completed in 1969 with Bailey as director. In November 1969, Alexander Ashford finished the renovation and building of the Umbrella Antarctic Base, as well as the Antarctic Laboratory which was based on designs from the Arklay Laboratory's mansion left behind by George Trevor. Here, he commenced the CODE: Veronica project. In 1971, the fruit of the project was bore with the twins Alfred Ashford and Alexia Ashford being born. Along with the Antarctic base, the South Pole branch of the company –Umbrella Antarctica-- was officially established.

With its position in the Global Pharmaceutical Consortium executive board, Umbrella used the medicines and techniques developed by its fellow pharmaceutical companies and applied them to their own bio-weapons research and development. They commissioned each of the respective companies to only partially develop certain medications so that they could not be traced to what was ultimately being developed.

Meanwhile, Marcus conducted injection experiments with Progenitor on insect, amphibian and mammal-based creatures. 7 Furious after the experiment's failure, Marcus began to use company employees and executive candidates as test subjects for Progenitor. The total amount of deaths totalled around 20 people. The experiments were kept secret by Umbrella.

1977-1988: A Struggle of Power

On September 19, 1977, James Marcus finally discovered a new method for building a new virus type in an attempt to weaponize the Progenitor Virus for military use-- using Progenitor as the base element and infusing it with leech DNA. This method would later lead to a breakthrough discovery that would revolutionize the course of biological weapons research. On January 13, 1978, Marcus successfully completed development of the first strain of the t-Virus (Tyrant Virus) which would become the basis for B.O.W. development. Immediately following, Marcus created the first original B.O.W.s, launching a plan to surpass and replace Spencer as the head of the company and cement his position as Umbrella's preeminent scientist by announcing the t-Virus at the next director's meeting.

Marcus' plans were foiled by Spencer's own plot however. By using Albert Wesker and William Birkin, top students at the Umbrella Research Center that Marcus trusted, Spencer was able to acquire the t-Virus for himself to further his own research. In July, the Research Center was shut down and Wesker and Birkin transferred their t-Virus research to the Arklay Laboratory, where they became chief researchers. 8 Marcus on the other hand continued his own research in the desolate and abandoned facility.

Alexia Ashford graduated at the top of her class from a prestigious university in 1982 at the age of 10, having the honor of being named valedictorian. She was offered the position as chief researcher by Umbrella (an action engineered by her father, Alexander), and was assigned to the Umbrella Antarctic Base where she conducted research into the t-Virus, and eventually discovered the t-Veronica Virus. Meanwhile, the Arklay B.O.W. Research Team had succeeded in stabilizing the t-Virus for developing B.O.W.s, producing the "Zombie" creature. The first biological weapon geared for combat was also developed, later known as the "Hunter". Meanwhile, Birkin began to view Alexia as a rival, leading him to become increasingly frustrated and eager to produce results but hampering experiments in the process. 9

In 1982, Alexia subjected her own father Alexander to an injection experiment with the t-Veronica Virus. After the virus failed to adapt to his body and transformed him into a mindless monster, his mutated self was locked up in the basement of the Antarctic Base, with his sudden disappearance remaining unexplained. As a result, Alfred became the seventh-generation head of the Ashford family. A year later in December 1983, Alexia was declared dead following an accident during development of the t-Veronica Virus. The virus and all the research was deemed lost by Umbrella, but in actuality, Alexia had administered the virus to herself and entered a cryogenic stasis in order to allow the virus to adapt to her body. To maintain the secrecy of this plan, it was reported that she had died due to accidental exposure to the virus. Meanwhile, Wesker began to research secondary exposure to the t-Virus, and began to have reservations about Spencer's overall plans while Birkin became his normal self once more and resumed his research. In 1984, a Japanese subsidiary company of Umbrella was established as Umbrella Japan Co., Ltd. Later, the “Umbrella Laboratory Japan” was constructed in 1987. The Africa Laboratory also managed to begin the mass-production and cultivation of the Progenitor flower and extract the Progenitor Virus. These samples were shipped to Umbrella’s laboratories throughout the globe.

1988-1998: Consolidation

In the years following its establishment, Umbrella now had branches all over the globe and had become the leading supplier of pharmaceutical products in the world. The Umbrella Corporation became a ubiquitous supplier of an assortment of household medications. From pharmacies to convenience stores, their distribution routes were wide-ranging and Umbrella quickly became a household name. With its growing popularity, it extended its business into other areas including cosmetics, food products and chemicals. It had become No. 1 in business for its recruitment of producers, management and delivery personnel, largely due to its open-ended and equal-opportunity functions which removed any discrimination on the basis of race, sex or religion. While its public image grew in popularity, so did its dark underworld of biological weapons. In time, almost every industrialized nation on the globe became involved with Umbrella and its bio-weapons, with the United States government being its top customer. Umbrella also supplied its B.O.W.s to guerrilla groups and terrorists.

Marcus' Assassination

For a full decade, James Marcus worked in isolation beneath the Research Center, attempting to develop his own B.O.W.s. Meanwhile, after the B.O.W. research and t-Virus project being conducted at the Arklay Laboratory had reached its Third Phase, certain voices within the company called loudly for Marcus' research to be shut down completely. At an unspecified date in 1988, in exchange for Spencer's money, Wesker and Birkin assassinated Marcus. A group of soldiers stormed Marcus' laboratory and opened fire, taking the doctor by surprise and mortally wounding him. As he lay dying, Wesker and Birkin approached him, and gloated about the success that they would now reap from his work. Marcus' body was dumped with the Queen Leech he was developing, and the results of his research (including the insect-based Eliminator, insect-based Plague Crawler and frog-based Lurker B.O.W.s) were analyzed by an Umbrella research team and considered for development. The Plague Crawler was developed for a short time but halted when it was decided that it lacked intelligence as a B.O.W., and an order was given for all specimens to be destroyed. The Lurker was abandoned from the beginning. The Eliminator was considered for mass-production, but was scrapped at the last minute due to its limited abilities. Instead, the Umbrella research team concluded that humans were the most viable test subjects for B.O.W. development. In response, the Arklay B.O.W. Research Team under Birkin announced the Tyrant Plan, but suspended the program due to the lack of compatible test subjects. Meanwhile, Spencer raised the security level clearance on knowledge of the Africa Laboratory and rendered it top-secret known only to himself and a handful of employees. 10

Nemesis Project

Meanwhile, in an attempt to find methods to better control B.O.W.s and increase their intelligence (thus improving their effectiveness on the battlefield and capacity to follow orders), Umbrella Headquarters ordered all its directly-administered research facilities in Europe to begin research. In 1988, the Sixth Laboratory in France had announced the "Nemesis Project" which included the use of genetically modified organic parasites to enhance a B.O.W., providing the intelligence and biological body for combat separately. Wesker and Birkin managed to acquire the initial prototype parasite specimen with the aid of Spencer, and injected it into Lisa Trevor. Initially, the parasite disappeared in her body, but further examination turned up interesting results. After making further refinements and bringing about mutation, Birkin discovered the basis for the G-Virus from her DNA. 11

Tyrant Plan

In 1991, Umbrella gained new support in the form of ex-Soviet soldiers left over from the collapse of the U.S.S.R. One of these soldiers, Sergei Vladimir, came to Umbrella looking for work and would prove to be instrumental in the establishment of the Umbrella Biohazard Countermeasure Service and Monitors. For years, Umbrella amassed a number of former soldiers, mercenaries, convicts and war criminals to serve as the basis of their private militia. It was also discovered that Sergei possessed the genetic match necessary for becoming a Tyrant after passing a primary test. In response, 10 clones of Sergei were created and turned over to Umbrella at the urging of fellow former Russian Special Forces; Nicholai Zinoviev. As a result, Sergei became an integral part of Umbrella's Tyrant research programs, rising through Umbrella's ranks as Spencer's right-hand man. With the specimens they required now provided, the Arklay Laboratory resumed the Tyrant Program under Birkin and Wesker's initial leadership, producing the Proto Tyrant (T-001 Type), an initial failure, and Tyrant (T-002 Type).

Javier Hidalgo

In 1991, a well known South American crime lord called Javier Hidalgo approached an Umbrella researcher connected to the Ashford family whilst looking for a treatment for his fatally ill wife. After purchasing a t-Virus variant from the researcher, he administered it to his wife and continued to buy samples of the virus. Despite his wife becoming a monster in the end and him losing trust with outsiders such as Umbrella, Javier continued to purchases virus strains and B.O.W.s from Umbrella over the next decade, becoming one of their top customers.

Raccoon City: Home Of Umbrella

With its sphere influence completely engulfing Raccoon City, Umbrella began construction of an expansive underground laboratory in 1991, with a large-scale chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing plant built over it as a disguise near the city limits. This chemical plant was a vast source of revenue for Umbrella and the city. Spencer himself also gave the green light for William Birkin's G-Virus Project while Wesker transferred to the Umbrella Intelligence Department. In 1992, Umbrella solidified its firm hold on Raccoon City by contributing funds for the refurbishment of the City Hall and Raccoon General Hospital. In 1993, Birkin transferred to the underground lab beneath Raccoon City to continue G-Virus development, and entered regular meetings with police chief Brian Irons to ensure that the company's activities in the city would remain secret, beginning regular bribes with him in the process. Umbrella had contributed generously to the development of welfare, public service, public health and public orders of service in the city, gaining a large influence in the city's politics by lining the mayor's pockets. Under this umbrella, Raccoon City thrived. By 1998, 3 out of every 10 citizens in the city were employed by Umbrella in some form or another.

Meanwhile, Alfred Ashford graduated from a university in England and was installed as the director of the Umbrella Antarctic Base and commander of Rockfort Island, eventually becoming an Umbrella executive. In December, the Military Training Facility on Rockfort Island was established to train Anti-B.O.W. squad members and agents of the Umbrella Special Forces. In 1994, B.O.W. research at the Arklay Laboratory continued with a researcher named John Clemens being transferred from the Chicago Laboratory in order to succeed Birkin as chief researcher. Alfred Ashford also constructed many facilities on Rockfort Island following the completion of the Training Facility, including a private mansion, bridge and a prison complex.

In 1996, mayor Michael Warren announced the "Bright Raccoon 21" plan, sponsored by private corporations, Umbrella being the main sponsor. The plan included the establishment of the Raccoon City Police Department's Special Forces "S.T.A.R.S." team with Umbrella's generous donations making the formation of the unit possible, and using their influence to help install Albert Wesker as Captain. Umbrella contributed at least 50% of the funds for the entire Bright Raccoon plan, establishing Umbrella's positive corporate image hoping for all possible doubt on it to fade away. Meanwhile, future Umbrella Special Forces agent HUNK received combat training on Rockfort Island.

Umbrella continued its illegal experiments, making countless developments and improvements at the Arklay Laboratory. Meanwhile, other branch offices began using new discoveries to improve on the developments at Arklay. At some point, Umbrella successfully created their most highly developed B.O.W.-- Tyrant T-103 Type. The Arklay B.O.W. Research Team continued to produce countless B.O.W.s under Spencer's direction, and soon proposed the "T-A.L.O.S. Project" to Umbrella HQ as an alternative to the Nemesis Project; a means of developing a next-generation B.O.W. 12 In a mere 10 years, the corporation's scale and network had grown immensely on a global scale, such as the purchase of Sheena Island and building of a Waste Disposal Facility and Seabed Laboratory in the Atlantic Ocean.

1998: Outbreak

Almost ten years after his assassination, the Queen Leech managed to "revive" James Marcus, inheriting his memories, will and personality and vowed revenge against Umbrella. In May 1998, the mysterious clone of Marcus attacked the Umbrella Research Center with an army of countless mutated leeches. On May 11, the very same clone caused a large-scale viral leak of the t-Virus in the Arklay Laboratory. Three other facilities were also attacked, including the underground laboratory in Raccoon City, nearby factory and Arklay Treatment Plant. In response to the disaster, Umbrella formed the Raccoon Disaster Contingency Committee to evaluate the situation and determine the course of action. 13 The appearance of mutilated corpses throughout the Arklay Mountains and Raccoon Forest spurred panic amongst the citizens of Raccoon City, leaving the S.T.A.R.S. no choice but to intervene. Making up for this, Umbrella formulated a plan.

Mansion Incident (July 22-25, 1998)

Around the same time, Wesker and Birkin ordered the "Reclamation Project", Umbrella's attempt to investigate and reclaim the Research Center and bring it back under operation. The investigation was divided into two Investigation Units, with supplies and human resources divided between them and sent in. However, the first unit was wiped out by the B.O.W.s infesting the facility whilst the second unit was annihilated after the Queen Leech attacked the Ecliptic Express on July 23. A television conference was held which decided on the fate of the Arklay facility, with calls for its destruction being readily apparent. On July 22, the X-DAY order was sent out to Albert Wesker by Umbrella HQ, using the opportunity to gather live combat data on the facility's B.O.W.s by pitting them against the S.T.A.R.S. teams. 14 In response, Ozwell E. Spencer issued a letter to Sergei Vladimir calling for the retrieval of the T-A.L.O.S. prototype, thinking it a waste if it were lost in the destruction of the facility, intending to use it as a backup plan for Umbrella’s potential downfall. 15

Between July 23 and 25, a large amount of combat data far beyond what was anticipated was gathered from the B.O.W.s in the Arklay Laboratory which ensured that Umbrella could improve upon their products. The damage caused by the betrayal of Albert Wesker was also minimized due to Sergei Vladimir locking out his access to the U.M.F.-013. While Umbrella succeeded in destroying the Laboratory and the Research Center, the virus had already begun to slowly leak into the nearby Raccoon City.

The results from the mansion incident allowed Umbrella to make various improvements. Tyrant mass-production was commenced on Sheena Island, allowing for the mass sale of Tyrants as B.O.W.s. Umbrella research teams were also alerted by the inability to control the Tyrant during the mansion incident. In response, the France branch decided to utilize the Nemesis Project with the administration of the Nemesis parasite to a mass-produced Tyrant, producing the Nemesis-T Type. The B.O.W. development team on Sheena Island also devised another improved form of Tyrant-- the Hypnos-T Type, developed through the artificial Hypnos Gene. Improvements were also made to the Hunter B.O.W. using the data acquired from the mansion, with the American branch developing the Hunter B and the European branch developing the Hunter Y.

On August 20, Umbrella deemed Morpheus D. Duvall, the head of one of the sections of the Paris branch's R&D department responsible for a "serious mistake" which supposedly led to the outbreak in the Arklay Laboratory, using him as a scapegoat. This action led Morpheus to go underground and plot against Umbrella. 16

At some point, Ozwell E. Spencer, through a dummy corporation of Umbrella, purchased an abandoned chemical plant previously owned by the Russian government in the Caucasus region of Southern Russia, investing foreign capital into the construction of an expansive underground laboratory. This laboratory became the headquarters of Sergei Vladimir, who was a prominent Umbrella executive.

Raccoon City Incident (September 20 ~ October 1, 1998)

Only a few days after the mansion incident, the P-12A Incineration Facility became completely unable to process the growing level of waste material and guinea pigs from Birkin's laboratory and subsequently became infected with a new mutation of the t-Virus. As a result, the infected material and guinea pig bodies began to seep into the soil surrounding the facility, slowly spreading the virus further. Escaped creatures from the Arklay Laboratory also continued to roam Raccoon Forest, with new creatures being born as a result of secondary t-Virus infection such as the Mega Bite. The abandoned private hospital in Raccoon Forest had also since produced a new human/plant hybrid "Green Zombie" creature as well as infected plant life.

By September 1998, William Birkin had come to disagree with a number of Umbrella executives within Umbrella HQ. In response, Birkin planned to abandon Umbrella and turn himself and his research over to the US Army. Initially, Umbrella deployed spies to Birkin's laboratory to retrieve the G-Virus only for the spies to find themselves the victims of Brian Irons. As a last resort, Christine Henri, an executive in the France branch of Umbrella, ordered two teams of the Umbrella Special Forces led by HUNK to infiltrate Birkin's laboratory on September 20 and retrieve the G-Virus through force. On September 23, the team approached Birkin in his lab at gunpoint. In a short confrontation, they retrieved the case containing samples of both the t-Virus and G-Virus and made their way through the sewers. However, Birkin had a sample of the virus himself, and promptly injected himself with it and mutated into a monster known only as "G". After tracking his assassins to the sewers and acting on his last shred of human will, Birkin decimated every single member with only two survivors, smashing the t-Virus capsules in the process. The spilled t-Virus was eaten by the many rats, mice and roaches in the sewer system, and the virus quickly spread throughout the city with them as a vector.

Beginning on September 24, Raccoon City was consumed by the t-Virus. Hideous monstrosities roamed the streets, and the majority of the city's population of 100,000 was eventually transformed into Zombies. Even more civilians from another city were infected due to a football match taking place at the time of the outbreak. Using the opportunity, on September 26 Umbrella dispatched the U.B.C.S. with several Monitors on September 26 to be used as test subjects to gather combat data against the many B.O.W.s and secondary infectants in the city, with Zombies as the primary subject of their investigation. Umbrella also dispatched the experimental Nemesis-T Type to eliminate the surviving S.T.A.R.S. members so combat data could be collected on it.

On September 29, control of a certain helicopter was transferred to Sergei Vladimir. From this helicopter, five Tyrants were deployed to the P-12A Incineration Facility to annihilate a team of US Army Special Forces sent to rescue William Birkin, retrieve the G-Virus and gain custody of Umbrella researchers while a sixth Tyrant was deployed to the R.P.D. and tasked with retrieving the G-Virus from the pendant belonging to Sherry Birkin. Sergei also sought to retrieve the U.M.F.-013. At dawn on September 30, HUNK managed to successfully escape Raccoon City with the G-Virus, handing it over to executives of the France branch in Loire Village. Around the same time, Umbrella also deployed about 20 Hunter B bodies into the city via truck on September 30.

At some point, a small U.B.C.S. team was dispatched to find Dr. Cameron to retrieve her research findings on a new experimental virus. Umbrella also sought to carry out many other objectives within the city, such as the destruction of key facilities with evidence of Umbrella's involvement, retrieval or destruction of important documents, recover samples from the Umbrella laboratories and finally; assassination. Umbrella also transported an experimental B.O.W. known as “Nyx” into the city in order to acquire data on the specimen. The 2nd Special Forces squad responsible for the transport was soon wiped out, with many of its members becoming Zombies. Its leader, Senior Captain Rodriguez, betrayed Umbrella and planned to steal the specimen. As a result, Umbrella ordered Tommy Nielsen to retrieve the specimen. On October 1, Nicholai Zinoviev, the last surviving Monitor in the incident after murdering the rest, successfully blew up the Raccoon General Hospital and Raccoon University, as well as assassinating rogue former Umbrella researcher Greg Mueller.

Eventually on October 1, the US President and a select Senate committee decided on bombing Raccoon City in the form of the sterilization operation (internally known as Mission CODE: XX), an order Ozwell E. Spencer himself put forward with his influence in the Senate but managed to delay until dawn on October 1 to fully complete its operations within the city. The US Army launched a missile armed with an experimental warhead at Raccoon City along with a variety of other missiles, wiping it off the face of the earth. Just prior to the missile touchdown, Sergei Vladimir escaped with the U.M.F.-013 along with an elderly Umbrella officer.

1998-2004: Folding Umbrella

Immediately following the Raccoon City incident, ripples were sent through the US government as they launched an international enquiry into the Umbrella Corporation, eventually bringing them to the Supreme Court. Umbrella was faced with many more lawsuits from many different institutions, public or otherwise. Meanwhile, they began preparing themselves for a revival. To accommodate this, Umbrella began to set up "hangars" in remote regions throughout the world to store their developmental B.O.W.s and viral anti-bodies in stasis. Cargo ships were also utilized to transport their B.O.W.s, which it continued to sell. However, numerous anti-Umbrella organizations and activists began to crop up and public opinion of the company began to fall, sparking a sharp decline in the company’s stock prices. 17 Later, Umbrella itself also became aware of the survival of Albert Wesker and the involvement of a mysterious opposing organization. 18

CODE: Blanket (November 1998)

Immediately after the Raccoon City incident, Leon S. Kennedy, who survived the disaster, became an agent for the United States Secret Service and immediately began conducting his own investigation into Umbrella as a one man anti-Umbrella unit. In the process, he requested that his friend; private detective Ark Thompson, investigate the Umbrella-owned Sheena Island angering Vincent Goldman, the commander of the island who grew extremely suspicious after murdering several teenagers being used as guinea pigs. On November 16, Ozwell E. Spencer also ordered for the closure of the Africa Laboratory as a means to hide the location of the Progenitor Virus to anyone but himself. Days later, the citizens of Sheena Island planned to report him to Umbrella HQ, an action which eventually led to their demise as an enraged Goldman leaked the t-Virus throughout the island. In response, Umbrella dispatched the Umbrella Trashsweeper unit to eliminate all evidence and destroy the island’s facilities as part of the ‘CODE: Blanket’ operation. Although Ark Thompson managed to escape, the UT Commander succeeded in destroying the island. With this incident, Sheena Island lost the Tyrant Plant, the most important facility next to Umbrella HQ itself.

Rockfort Island Attack (December 27, 1998)

Combat data retrieved from Raccoon City allowed Umbrella to make several new B.O.W. developments, such as the Gulp Worm and Black Widow B.O.W.s. On December 17, Claire Redfield, another survivor of Raccoon City, infiltrated the Paris Laboratory while searching for her lost brother, Chris, one of the surviving members of S.T.A.R.S. Her efforts were a failure, and she was captured after an intense chase. She was then transported and detained in the prison complex on Rockfort Island on December 27. At the very same time, the island was attacked by a mysterious Special Forces unit known as H.C.F., led by Albert Wesker. In less than an hour, the entire base was decimated and the experimental t-Virus was leaked in the process.

Not long after, the same occurred in Umbrella's base in the Antarctic, with the t-Virus being leaked and the entire infrastructure of the facility crippled within a short time. Soon after, Chris Redfield became involved in the incident and Alexia Ashford was revived. After activating the self-destruct mechanism, Chris and Claire managed to escape from the facility. Wesker also managed to escape with the body of Steve Burnside, who carried the t-Veronica Virus in his body.

Raccoon City Investigation (1999)

In 1999, the investigation into the destruction of Raccoon City was launched by the US Supreme Court with people wanting to affix responsibility for the incident. Survivors of the Raccoon City incident presented their testimonies, but the lack of evidence (most of which had been eradicated with the sterilization operation) and the withholding of testimony by government employees who feared being implicated made the case drag on without a conclusion for several years. The US government did not come out unscathed, as the deep pockets of Ozwell E. Spencer ensured that the best lawyers and false testimonies money could buy would shift part of the blame for the tragedy to the US government.

Meanwhile, the leak of the Hunter research data and existence of the Hunter II developed by Umbrella's opposing organization pressed the corporation into discontinuing the Hunter series. In order to replace the series, which was their top product on the B.O.W. market, they developed a replacement B.O.W. known as "Anubis".

At some point after the Raccoon City incident, the current Presidential administration came under heavy fire once its involvement with Umbrella was revealed. This led to the sudden resignation of the President and eventually, the new administration set up a completely reformed structure which heavily opposed Umbrella and biological weapons. The US government set up its own anti-Umbrella task force within USSTRATCOM, charged with investigating and dealing with dangerous situations implicated by elements of Umbrella; the Anti-Umbrella Pursuit and Investigation Team.

Spencer Rain Bioterrorism Incident (September 18 - 23, 2002)

Although the stock price of Umbrella across the board began to drop, Umbrella refused to abort the research and development of B.O.W.s and the t-Virus. With Umbrella's B.O.W. program now largely underground, Umbrella continued its activities. One result culminated in the t+G-Virus, developed by the Umbrella Development Laboratory Paris Branch through fusing the t-Virus and its antibodies with the G-Virus at a molecular level. The first agent, a failure, was used to develop the Tyrant 091 which was later showcased on the Spencer Rain. On September 18, 2002, the Umbrella Development Laboratory Paris Branch was attacked by a terrorist group led by Morpheus D. Duvall. In the process, three samples of the t-Virus were stolen, including a sample of the newly-developed agent 092 of the t+G-Virus. 19

At the same time, Ozwell E. Spencer had secretly prepared an auction on the Spencer Rain in order to raise funds for the company's revival. On September 22, a bioterrorism incident took place on the ship after Morpheus and his group sea-jacked the cruise liner. Morpheus then leaked the t-Virus on the ship, infecting even his own men. After being injured in a grenade blast, Morpheus later injected himself with the t+G-Virus and changed the ship's course to the Umbrella Waste Disposal Facility in the Atlantic Ocean where his missile silo was constructed. Through the efforts of USSTRATCOM agent Bruce McGivern and Chinese agent Fong Ling, Morpheus was killed and in the end, the Spencer Rain, Waste Disposal Facility, Seabed Laboratory and Missile Silo were all destroyed. With the bio-terror incident on the Spencer Rain, Umbrella lost a lot of precious samples and customers.

Bankruptcy & Dissolution (2003 ~ 2004)

Umbrella's activities were now focused primarily in one place: Russia. The attack on the Paris branch only a year prior and the loss of many of its most valuable customers and samples dealt a heavy blow to Umbrella. In response, Sergei Vladimir began to prepare for a revival once more by continuing development of T-A.L.O.S. to become the company’s next generation B.O.W. for sale.

Operation T-A.L.O.S. (February 18, 2003)

On February 18, 2003, the Caucasus Laboratory was raided by an anti-biohazard unit including Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine. Albert Wesker also sneaked into the facility in search of the U.M.F.-013-- Umbrella's main frame, and successfully leaked the t-Virus. Both parties succeeded in their goals, with Chris and Jill destroying T-A.L.O.S. and Wesker killing Sergei, backing up the main frame on a hologram memory disk and then wiping the U.M.F.-013 completely.

With Umbrella's ace-in-the-hole and entire infrastructure destroyed, the company's end was nigh. After Wesker presented anonymous evidence from the information he obtained to the Supreme Court claiming to be close to Ozwell E. Spencer, Umbrella was declared guilty of all charges relating to the Raccoon City tragedy, taking full responsibility for the incident and losing all of the lawsuits against it in the process. Umbrella was ordered to to shut down by the US government with its business decree suspended indefinitely. Following this, Umbrella's stock prices worldwide quickly crashed, bankrupting the company and ending it completely. 

In order to evade capture, Ozwell E. Spencer became a fugitive and disappeared, pursued by the FBI and Russian authorities.

Aftermath (2004 thereafter)

The last element of Umbrella, its subsidiary company "Umbrella Japan Co, Ltd.", ceased to exist on March 10, 2004 following a meeting of the board of directors. After receiving the order to cease operations, various former employees and researchers began leaking viruses and B.O.W.s from the company onto the black market. Troublemakers such as rouge nations, guerillas, and terrorists rushed to buy the evil weapons created by Umbrella and the world was rocked by bioterrorism incidents. Umbrella's dark legacy was passed onto Albert Wesker through the U.M.F.-013, whilst its remnants continued to cause chaos throughout the world.

Branch Offices

Umbrella Europe

Umbrella Europe was the main branch of the corporation. Umbrella Europe was the site of the company’s head office, and had at least eight research facilities under its jurisdiction, with additional jurisdiction over Sheena Island and the Waste Disposal Facility and Seabed Laboratory in the Atlantic Ocean, Umbrella Europe ceased operation completely after being declared guilty of all charges related to the Raccoon City incident. The head office announced being placed in receivership on March 4, 2003. 20

France Branch

The France branch of Umbrella which includes the Sixth Laboratory was responsible for the Nemesis Project, as well as issuing the order for the retrieval of the G-Virus from William Birkin on September 20, 1998. An executive of this branch, Christine Henri, is also the head of one of the branch’s R&D facilities.

Paris Branch

The Paris Branch of Umbrella is the Paris Laboratory (also known as the Umbrella Development Laboratory Paris Branch). In December 1998, Claire Redfield was caught by the facility’s security forces after breaking into the facility in search of her brother Chris. The facility was responsible for the development of the new viral agent; the t+G-Virus. In September 2002, the facility was raided by a terrorist group led by Morpheus D. Duvall.

Russia Branch

The newest and last branch of Umbrella, established in 1998. After purchasing a previously government-operated chemical plant in the Caucasus region of Southern Russia through a dummy company, foreign capital was invested by Ozwell E. Spencer into its renovation and the development of an expansive secret underground laboratory, known as the Caucasus Laboratory. After the incident, the U.M.F.-013, RED QUEEN and T-A.L.O.S. development were all moved to this facility. It was responsible for the mass-production of B.O.W.s following the Raccoon City incident, also supplying the destabilized conflict regions throughout the world with their weapons while preparing for a revival with T-AL.O.S. The commander of this branch was Sergei Vladimir. 21

Umbrella USA

The second main branch of Umbrella. With operations throughout the United States, including the Chicago branch and Raccoon City branch, Umbrella USA made many significant contributions towards Umbrella's B.O.W. program. With the destruction of Raccoon City and increasing pressure from the United States government, Umbrella USA was dissolved in February 1999 after their company stocks plummeted and the government issued an indefinite suspension of business decree to the company.

Raccoon City Branch

Arguably the most important branch belonging to Umbrella, based in the "Home of Umbrella" virtually owned by the corporation. Umbrella's foothold in Raccoon City was the city's main feature, with several laboratories, a manufacturing plant and even public institutions being bought and paid for by Umbrella.

Chicago Branch

The Umbrella Chicago branch was established in Chicago, IL as a bio-weapon laboratory similar to Arklay Laboratory. It has existed since at least 1994 and may have been around as early as the 1980s, though it seems to be more recent since employee training was conducted in Raccoon City.
One particular researcher, Dr. John Clemens, spent some time there before transferring to Arklay Laboratory to succeed Dr. Birkin as chief researcher, and to assist in the development of the t-virus. In comparison, the cruelty of research was abhorrent, and he reported this to top officials (presumably Umbrella executives).
By July 1998, on the fourth Friday of odds months, members of the Chicago branch were attending training seminars in the Raccoon underground laboratory, facilitated by Dr. Birkin, to advance their B.O.W. program. However, the much anticipated September 25 "G" meeting was cancelled due to the biohazard in Raccoon City. Moreover, they are believed to be the "American research team" that deployed Hunter β for combat testing.
After the destruction of Raccoon City on October 2nd, the Chicago branch was the only known laboratory still operating in Midwestern America.

Umbrella Antarctica

South Pole Branch

Established in 1969 by Alexander Ashford following the completion of the construction and renovation of an abandoned mine in the Antarctic. It was comprised of the Umbrella Antarctic Base and the Antarctic Laboratory located beneath it. The base itself was primarily used for the development, modification and transportation of B.O.W.s. Alexander also used the laboratory to conduct the CODE: Veronica project. Due to this nature, it was not known to the public. Antarctica was chosen as an ideal location due to its remoteness and the lack of chance the viruses had to propagate under such extremes.

Umbrella Africa

The African branch of Umbrella was set up officially in 1969 following the completion of the Africa Laboratory and was situated at the site of the location of the Progenitor Virus. It was primarily responsible for the cultivation and shipping of Progenitor samples to the rest of Umbrella's laboratories and other facilities around the world. The director of the branch was Brandon Bailey, the chief researcher of the research team responsible for the discovery of the Progenitor Virus. Eventually, facilities such as Umbrella Plant 57 were established throughout Africa to accommodate actual B.O.W. research and development.

West Africa Branch

The most secretive branch belonging to Umbrella. Its most secretive element is the location of the Progenitor Virus. As such, the Africa Laboratory was only known to the three founders of Umbrella, a handful of Level 9 and Level 10 Umbrella employees and executives, and the researchers that actually worked in it.

Subsidiaries

Umbrella Japan Co, Ltd.

Established in 1984 as a subsidiary company under the main Umbrella Corporation as ‘Umbrella Japan Co, Ltd’. This company was established for the import and sale of chemicals in Japan that had initially been developed in the US, and its head office was based in Tokyo with Koki Igarashi as it’s Representative Director and CEO. In 1987, the Umbrella Laboratory Japan was constructed with the intent of focusing on utilizing biotechnology, original research and enhancing development of products. It is unknown whether this included B.O.W. research. Following the Raccoon City tragedy, its stock prices began steadily dropping due to the publicity of the incident and the Umbrella Corporation’s involvement. Umbrella Japan soon found itself to be the final operating element of the Umbrella Corporation. A meeting with the board of directors on March 10, 2004 determined the company’s fate. Initially, the company attempted to look for an alienation target, but no domestic or foreign pharmaceutical companies or enterprises looking to pursue a different form of business showed interest. On March 14, 2004, Umbrella Japan ceased operation. 22 23

Umbrella Asia

Not much is known about the Asian division of Umbrella, but it is assumed to have operated in similar capacity to Umbrella Japan as a subsidiary company.

Security Divisions

Information Department

Also known as the ‘Intelligence Bureau’. In order to keep them informed and reach out into other fields, Umbrella placed many spies and operatives throughout law enforcement agencies and other government institutions. Prime examples included the Raccoon City Police Department, and S.T.A.R.S.. Realizing that he had reached his limits as a researcher, Wesker requested a transfer to Umbrella's Information Department and later was instated as the captain of S.T.A.R.S. Alpha Team in Raccoon City. Umbrella's intelligence service even went as far as the US government and the Senate.

Monitors

Monitors were agents which operated as part of an internal, unnamed espionage agency within the company. The purpose of this organization was to allow Umbrella executives to keep tabs on employees of the company and to help root out any potential rogue elements. They also specialized in corporate sabotage, assassinations, recovery and destruction. Nicholai Zinoviev was a prominent Monitor. 24

Paramilitaries

Umbrella Biohazard Countermeasure Service

Established by Sergei Vladimir sometime following his arrival at Umbrella in the early 1990s as a private militia. Sergei's leadership and military experience and expertise were pivotal in the founding and management of the militia. From the outset, the U.B.C.S. operated as the paramilitary arm of Umbrella. To the public eye, they were dispatched by Umbrella in response to V.I.P. abduction, corporate terrorism and handling of biohazard outbreaks caused by "illegal" products unauthorized by Umbrella. During the Raccoon City incident in September 1998, the U.B.C.S. was used as cannon fodder against Umbrella's creations in order to test their effectiveness against armed military targets in a live combat scenario. From this, Umbrella would be able to acquire combat data with which they could use to improve upon their B.O.W. products. The vast majority of the U.B.C.S. was composed of ruffians, scoundrels, mercenaries and war criminals that used to serve in their countries' armed forces, men who had nothing to lose and were expendable in the eyes of Umbrella and the world. The U.B.C.S. became the largest test bed for Umbrella's creations and biological weapons. Combat data was collected by the Monitors. Small units of the U.B.C.S. were commonly used in more important missions. They mainly provide backup and armed support, as well as security detail and general maintenance to employees. 25

Umbrella Security Service

The Umbrella Security Service (also known as the Umbrella Secret Service or Umbrella Special Forces) was an elite paramilitary unit consisting of professional agents that Umbrella had used for its most secret of operations. It was a private unit which operated under the direct control of Umbrella executives. The U.S.S. were trained on the Military Training Facility on Rockfort Island and were tasked with the most secretive of missions including assassination, retrieval, safeguarding company assets and transportation of hazardous materials and B.O.W.s. Like the U.B.C.S., the U.S.S. was not under direct command of any specific division or branch office of Umbrella, all top executives of each Umbrella branch were able to utilize the U.S.S. 26

Anti-B.O.W. Squad

Trained on Rockfort Island, the Anti-B.O.W. Squad was a special military force maintained by Umbrella to help combat their out of control B.O.W.s in cases of emergency, such as in testing, training or research facilities.

Weapons Department

Umbrella Industry

Umbrella maintained a weapons department, known as ‘Umbrella Industry’ which developed numerous weapons used in the handling of B.O.W.s, such as the Flamethrower, Spark Shot, Mine Thrower and Linear Launcher. Custom weapons such as the custom magnum issued to some Umbrella personnel were also manufactured by the same division.

Products

Pharmaceuticals

Safsprin - "The common cure". A product used to fight off small-time infections such as the common cold.
Aqua Cure - A product that seems to be popular with women.
Adravil - An ointment used to instantly close open wounds. Umbrella's main, most effective pharmaceutical product.
Uspirim - Headache and migraine medicine.

Food Products

Umbrella Noodles -Noodles developed by Umbrella. Although they contain only 100 calories, they provide a full stomach.

Misc.

Umbrella also develops many other different products unrelated to pharmaceuticals or cosmetics.

Sunglasses -Commonly worn by Albert Wesker. They are normal sunglasses with "Property of Umbrella Corp." inscribed.
Umbrella - A standard umbrella, of which there are several different colors: gold, green, violet, sky-blue and silver among them.

Footnotes

1. 1. The Umbrella Corporation Notes
2. 2. Marcus' Diary 1
3. 3. From Chief Researcher Brandon's Journal - No. 1
4. 4. Family Picture
5. 5. Memo on the Founding of Umbrella
6. 6. From Chief Researcher Brandon's Journal - No. 2
7. 7. B.O.W. Report
8. 8. Wesker's Report II - July 31, 1978
9. 9. Wesker's Report II - July 27, 1981
10. 10. Wesker's Report II - July 1, 1988
11. 11. Observation Note
12. 12. Talos Project Proposal
13. 13. FAX
14. 14. Mail to the Chief of Security
15. 15. Sealed Letter to Sergei Vladimir
16. 16. Dismissal Notice
17. 17. Umbrella Raccoon City Judgement
18. 18. Inspection Report
19. 19. Emergency FAX from Paris Branch
20. 20. Baker FAX correspondence (UMBRELLA)
21. 21. Umbrella Russian Branch Notes
22. 22. Copy ~ UMBRELLA site
23. 23. News concerning the bankruptcy of UMBRELLA
24. 24. Monitor Notes
25. 25. U.B.C.S. Notes
26. 26. Umbrella Special Forces