After finally getting a break from school work and help from my beta's Angelbecca and now Bomb Crazy(AKA SniegZ) for helping get this back to me and helped review it. I do hope that everyone continues to enjoy the story. I do not own Full Metal Panic or Metal Gear Solid. I do own Michael.
The L'Ambroisie was one of the most expensive but romantic restaurants in the whole city of Paris. It was located in one of Paris' oldest areas called the Place des Vosges where it was official inaugurated by the wedding of Louis XIII and Anne of Austria.
It was the hope of the silver haired man sitting at the table directly across from his date that she would realize where she was.
Most people would save for a lifetime to have a chance to eat at what was considered to be Paris most romantic restaurant.
The woman that silver haired man had fallen for, Kaname Chidori, was finishing her food in front of him. He had to admit that she looked dazzling in the dress that she was wearing along with the handpicked jewelry she was adorned with.
He had given her every thing she had on at the moment. The gold necklace and sapphire diamond she was wearing went perfectly with the red satin dress she had on. Pretty much everything about her was perfect in his eyes.
Pretty much everything….
The only problem was that she did not seem to really care about it. She only seemed to continually reject all of the material goods and efforts made to please her. Leonard had even hand picked maids to suite her tastes! The only problem was that she did not seem to really care about it. She only seemed to just continue to reject it.
"What is wrong?" He asked with genuine concern. Leonard was hoping that once he showed her what she could have, she would forget about her old life.
More importantly, forget about him.
She continued eating without giving him a second thought or notice. If Kaname could do one thing, it was to ignore and infuriate people.
However, Leonard was not like any other person she had encountered. He only seemed to be more drawn to her every time she seemed to fight back or showed any outbursts.
"Look around you Kaname," He said leaning back in his chair, "You have the potential for so much and you can have almost anything you ever wanted. I thought it was the dream of most girls to have anything they wanted."
Kaname put her fork down and looked at him. Her eyes were somewhat cold and angry, "Not every girl wants to be taken from all that they love and know."
Leonard only smiled and moved his plate so that he could put his elbows on the table, "Be happy? With people that could never understand you or appreciate your abilities? You would only be wasting your talents when they allow you do so much more." He turned to the clear night sky and the lovely view that the city cast in the distance.
"I wanted to appreciate for the abilities that Kaname Chidori can give," She grabbed her fork and continued eating, "Not Kaname Chidori the whispered."
The clear distinction between the two was clear. However Kaname was not sure how much longer she could keep that distinction. Everything around her was as a result of what was in her head not what she could do without the cursed talents of the whispered.
The way Leonard talked about it seemed that she would always be Kaname Chidori the Whispered not Kaname Chidori normal high school girl.
She looked Leonard in the eyes, "Were you? It was only a matter of time before your so called friends would start to realize what was going on. I'm sure the rumor mill as you would call it started to include you."
Kaname was silent at that. In her mind she hoped that Leonard was wrong about it. She didn't want to believe that everyone started to talk about her and her abilities, but there was a nagging feeling that he might be right.
She took a deep breath, "At least he appreciated me as a person and not as an object of value." Kaname knew that Leonard hated it when she spoke highly of Sousuke.
It seemed to be the only real way for her to fight back. Her options were limited with her family and friends were under the watchful eyes of a sniper scope.
Leonard's face contorted with anger slightly but was able to control. He took a deep breath through his nose and looked at her, "How you could ever like a man like that still baffles me."
"So smart and you cannot understand what it means to have a heart." Kaname put her fork down and took sip of her drink. Thankfully, Leonard was not the kind of person to slip anything in it.
If he ever tried anything like that, contract be damned Leonard would be a dead man. Wolf would make good on her promise to him. If he tried anything, and anything meant anything, he would staring down the barrel of a PSG-1 sniper rifle. She was not a woman to trifle or test with it.
Leonard smiled slightly which infuriated Kaname slightly, "A heart you say? What about all the people that were killed at the road where you two had your wreck? Or the workers that were being killed will those two brothers watched? If they had hearts would they not have tried to save them," He merely scoffed and looked at her, "Those two are like wild animals brought to civilization. All that needs to be done is something to make them revert to their true selves." He finished with a bit of confidence in his argument.
Kaname froze for a second not really sure how she should answer. She remembered so clearly the harbor incident. Michael's reaction to whole thing was less than what Kaname wanted. His logic was right and his thinking was right but it still did not mean it was the right thing.
And Sousuke.
How could she ever look at him for betraying him? Michael's words were strong when he went to help Sousuke. However her words to him before the Venoms attacked were cold and cruel to the young man who was fighting for her. She wondered what he was doing right now and wondered if she was looking for her.
No doubt he was looking every corner of the world for her.
Kaname just wanted him to leave her alone. If she left more pain and suffering would fall on her loved ones. Sousuke and Michael must be suffering right now in their search for her. The bond between Sousuke and Michael was a bond that only spoke through actions and the years of trust while fighting.
They supported each other if they ever needed help. That was there greatest strength and there greatest flaw. It only led to them being hurt.
She hated seeing others suffer so much and to see someone that she loved suffering a great deal just hurt her more.
Leonard only smiled at Kaname's silence, 'No doubt she thought that she betrayed Sousuke by leaving and the killing he did made it all the better. Now, if Michael could be killed than that would be one less fly to deal with.' Leonard thought to himself with a smile on his face.
Leonard scoffed at Raven and Ocelot's repeated warnings about the two men. In Raven's eyes they were the personification of a fox and a dragon.
Relentless, cunning and growing stronger the closer they go to him were Raven's rather ominous warnings. Leonard could not help but feel that these so called specialist were nothing more than hot air if they were afraid of a couple of teenagers.
These two are human just like everyone else. They bleed, get hurt and even feel something in their hearts. Leonard only smiled wondering if they even had hearts. Still they were annoyances that needed to be dealt with as soon as possible. Once out of the picture he can-
His thoughts were interrupted when he felt his phone go off. Leonard's night just got a little better.
"Excuse me my dear." With that he left the table.
Kaname picked up her drink, which happened to be wine, and took a big gulp of it. She maybe underage but she was going to enjoy it, "About time he left. Best part of the whole night." She was never one to be uncivilized but whenever Leonard left her alone it was some kind of call for celebration. Even though it would be short lived.
Kaname put her glass down and looked at the city, "Sousuke." She whispered quietly hoping that he was okay.
Leonard looked at the caller ID on his cell phone. It was labeled Mr. J.
It was the assassin sent to take care of someone.
Most the assassin in the organization was labeled with a letter of the alphabet. The further down the alphabet they were, the more dangerous the assassin.
He answered the phone, "Mr. J, I do hope that we are talking on good terms."
"Unfortunately we are not sir. I appear to be dead with a bullet in my head by the hands of the more talented target."
Leonard recognized the voice and tensed up, "Mr. Kanzuki, so you're still alive?" He turned away to not draw attention to himself as a couple walked by. He said alive with some bitterness in his voice.
"Why yes I am Mr. Girl and I happen to be standing over the body of the man you sent to kill me. I must say that your quality must have dropped. I'm sort of offended by it." Michael joked with him hoping to further infuriate Leonard.
"I must admit you have surprised me that you are still alive. If you are offended by the lack of quality than I apologize." Leonard said trying to keep his cool.
"Oh don't, I'm sure you will say something different in person."
Leonard froze, "In person? I take it FOXHOUND is still around?"
"Assume what you want but something you should know. 'A wounded man shall say to his assailant if I live I will kill you. If I die you are forgiven.'" Michael finished.
"The motto of the OCELOT unit, I thought you left those teachings." Leonard taunted.
"I did, but it should be a lesson you should be familiarize yourself with. He has become a real one man army." Michael finished.
"I'm sure you mean the good Srgt?" Leonard asked. He was confused by the phrase 'one man army'. What exactly did it mean?
"See you soon and tell Kaname I said hi." Michael finished as he sounded like he put the phone down.
Leonard listened more intently trying to figure out what he was doing. He heard a rustling sound than footsteps as it went back.
Then a loud shot was heard which caused Leonard to jump away from the phone in total shock. He landed into the back of the wall and started to pant as his heart pumped loudly.
Everyone looked at the frazzled young man who seemed to have something wrong with him.
Leonard closed his phone, "I'm sorry, loud static on that end. I was not expecting that."
Everyone around him went around his or her business not giving a second thought to the odd feminine man with the 'static' cell phone.
Leonard was less than pleased with what just happened. A man who was not even there was still able to humiliate him. Not only that, Michael had outsmarted an assassin sent to kill him.
An assassin that came highly recommended by Mr. Gold.
Leonard regained his composure and went through his phonebook. He found the number he was looking for and dialed it immediately. Soon he heard the voice of old acquaintance.
"Ah, Mr. Silver what can I do for you?" The low voice called out through the receiver.
"Mr. Ocelot, it would appear that Mr. J has failed." Leonard stated getting straight to the point.
Ocelot only chuckled, "I am not surprised, if you think that someone like J could kill my little brother than you are more of a fool than I thought."
Leonard would not be made a fool again! Not be by these men below him!! He was superior to men like Ocelot, Michael and much more superior than Sousuke!!
Leonard continued, "I was hoping about the progress of Mr. K?"
"Mr. K believes he found another whispered and as an added surprise the good sergeant was near her." Ocelot answered.
Leonard smiled perhaps the night had not been so bad, "A whispered with the sergeant, is she a girl?"
"Yes she is and apparently she is quite the looker." Ocelot knew where Leonard was going. Kaname had been cooperative since her family was being threatened but in some way she still resisted. If her so called savior was distracted by another girl, than the project would be finished a lot quicker.
"Very good, when will Mr. K make his move?" Leonard was hoping to get the news tomorrow before his morning paper and breakfast with his lovely angel.
"Tonight," Ocelot stated and continued with, "He has already made preparations for him to die. The men are in place and the AS suits will take care of him."
"Is he that much of a threat?" Leonard asked. Sending in AS suits to take out one person seemed much, but it would get the job done.
"Apparently he has joined an underground AS team and participated with the underground fights that Namsak is famous for. He has been reported to be piloting an RK-92. Even with that, his skill is remarkable." Ocelot answered.
"If he is piloting an RK-92 than it should be no match for an M9." Leonard stated.
"Never underestimate his skill. Sousuke has a talent for pulling something off. I would advise that you consider both of them as serious threats." Ocelot strongly stated again but every time he said something like that it seemed to fall on deaf ears.
"I do consider him a threat. That is why-"
"Than why did you not send Mr. X to take care of them both?!" Ocelot demanded. Mr. X was their best assassin with no failure in taking care of his target. He had eliminated Mr. Y and Mrs. Z with such skill that everyone called him the best. No one could touch his skill.
Ocelot tried to convince both Mr. Gold and other members of the committee to take out both of them before they became bigger threats. However, his advice fell on deaf ears like before.
Leonard stumbled for a second surprised by Ocelot's outburst. Even though Ocelot took orders from Leonard it was not wise to make an enemy out of him. Ocelot had a habit of killing his employers without any reason or justification. Leonard was silent than started to talk, "Mr. X is eliminating some of the more hesitant elements of the organization on Mr. Gold's orders. His mission is more important than taking care of two nuisances."
"Watch your tongue boy," Ocelot warned. Ocelot knew the Leonard had lost his best opportunity to kill both of them. He had seen too many times the arrogance of people who had too much power, "It is that attitude that will get you killed by them. They are NOT to be underestimated and to be watched very carefully. They will come and when they do, they will be stronger than you can imagine." Ocelot hung up the phone.
Leonard was seething right now. The usually cool and levelheaded man was not going to be told or humiliated by those below him. Slipping his phone into his pocket he soon regained control of his emotions hoping to avoid giving Kaname a chance to pick at him more. Walking past a couple he soon returned to his all too familiar collected face heading pack to Kaname.
Right now, he had a dinner to finish and hopefully his morning would be better. He could not wait to read that report.
Michael twirled his Mark 23 into his holster, "That was kind of fun." He said looking at the smoking cell phone in the middle of the room. Michael smirked looking at the hole right through the middle of the phone.
"Still," FOXHOUND operative Cehn asked, "Was it necessary?"
Michael nodded turning back toward the empty room, "Yea, a chance to make a fool out of that arrogant ass I cannot pass up."
Cehn just shrugged his shoulders and he followed Michael into the other room.
Cehn Kuhn was one of the few operatives from China. Right now they were in the poorer areas of Hong Kong using it to complete there mission. Cehn had been in charge of keeping tabs on Northern China and had played a huge role in raising the bell about Gates and Gauron.
He was also one of the few operatives to survive the attack that almost devastated FOXHOUND. After the attack the new command staff was able to determine what its next plan of attack would be. It was decided that some of the operatives were to be sent back to their original posts to keep an eye out for any activity of Amalgam. They had official orders to remain silent and just watch.
Solid Snake had promised that when they struck back, Amalgam would know the meaning of the word fear.
Once the operatives were back in place new information and leads started to come in. Some had reported leads and others had dead ends. Amalgam for all purposes had decided to just wait and continue to build its strength.
FOXHOUND decided to consolidate its strength and wait for the right time to strike back at Amalgam.
FOXHOUND was able to get in contact with the surviving forces of Mithril aboard the TDD-1 at least a week ago. They would be arriving at FOX base in a few days bringing a house warming gift with them
Captain Tessa and surviving members of the SRT team had been able to locate and successfully lured out an Amalgam agent. This would hopefully lead to finding out the identities of those in the inner circle.
Michael walked into the room looking at the assassin known as Mr. J. His face was bloody with a black eye and already missing a tooth. He was hand cuffed behind a chair and spat at Michael's feet.
It was a stroke of luck that Cehn had reported that a believed assassin working for Amalgam was reported being in Hong Kong eliminating a mob boss. The boss had apparently decided to not flee and was killed immediately.
Colonel Campbell had decided that this was a good chance to get information and had Michael head the operation while at the same time use him as bait.
From a report in Pakistan, it was reported that there was a bounty on the heads of both Michael Kanzuki and Sousuke Sagara. Apparently Leonard had changed his mind and wanted to kill them.
It only bothered him that Sousuke's bounty was higher than his.
Michael only smiled after he read the report. He knew that Leonard lost his best chance to kill both of them. Now he would regret it.
It was all a simple matter of putting out the rumor that Michael was checking out a lead to Amalgam and the rest was set.
The moment he entered Hong Kong he knew that he was being followed but what the would be assassin did not know was that four fully equipped FOXHOUND soldiers were tailing Michael using Stealth Camo.
Once the Michael reached his destination the assassin made his move and than FOXHOUND did. The operation went from good to better once Michael saw the phone with a text message sent from Leonard.
The phone could have been used to trace calls and get more information about Amalgam. However the risk was too great risk for FOXHOUND to take. There was a strong chance that if they tried to hack it, than Amalgam could hack into them and find there new base.
That was a risk that they could not take. Not until their operation was set.
It was decided that they would return to the old style of information gathering the Colonel called' listening through the walls.'
Needless to say, it was right on track.
Michael looked around and saw four fully armed and equipped FOXHOUND soldiers in the corners with their assault rifles aimed at Mr. J. In the middle of the room was a big black bag.
"Now Mr. J," Michael took a chair in front of him and looked at him, "Shall we continue with this?" Michael leaned back in the chair crossing his legs. Mr. J was not too badly beaten up but if he did not answer their questions, than it would get ugly real fast.
Mr. J was silent as he looked at him.
Michael uncrossed his legs and looked at Cehn, "You lost a girlfriend to Amalgam am I right?"
Cehn nodded, "She saved my life before taking a bullet in the head!" Cehn had been one of the strongest advocates for striking hard at Amalgam and get any kind of information through any means.
Michael pointed to the four soldiers with their rifles, "These men all lost brothers and sisters because of your organization."
The men nodded in agreement.
One said, "Make him pay Major."
Michael's eyelid twitched slightly after hearing that. His hand slapped his forehead and sighed in agitation. Michael could hear the slight chuckling with his reaction with the men around him. It was a new thing that the men at HQ did. Michael would always get mad when anyone addressed Michael by his new rank.
The first time they addressed him, the reaction was less than presentable for a Major.
Michael took a deep breath and promised to make that guy pay, "Regardless of that, my men," He looked around the room, "are all too eager to beat the living shit out of you to tell us what we want to know." He said in an icy cold voice.
Mr. J gulped and spoke in French, "Why should I tell you anything? Even I did what good would it do you and your organization! FOXHOUND is crippled and our power is even greater! Our influences make it as such!!"
Michael chuckled and answered in perfect French, "What makes you think that we already know about some of your organization? You seem to have many ties to government officials but not just them," Michael motioned with his head and a soldier hit Mr. J with the butt of his rifle across his face causing him to fall out of his chair. Michael got up and unzipped the black bag and pulled out two bayonets.
Cehn grabbed his shirt and pulled the man out of the chair and slammed Mr. J against the wall. Mr. J gasped out loud as the wind was knocked out of him. Catching his breath Cehn grabbed his throat and pressed him against the wall, "Last chance! Tell us! Where is Amalgam going to be?! We have rumors that they are gathering for some kind of celebration but for what!?"
There was recent information from FOXHOUND around the world as well as a mole in the organization known only as 'Black Tree'. 'Black Tree' was an operative that had been able to get a hold of FOXHOUND and present them with reliable intelligence about Amalgam's movements. Though small, it was something to act on. In the recent reports that Black Tree and operatives gave was that several believed members of Amalgam had been active in different ways.
Photographs had been sent to HQ with members all together in some joyous celebration. The one that caught everyone's eye was when Dr. Hunter was caught on camera giving some kind of invitation to a member who was the head of Lock and Martin. It was an industry infamous for designing and building technology related to missiles. They had already been under FOXHOUND's eye for giving missile technology to terrorist organizations.
Michael walked past Cehn holding the bayonets in one hand, "Is he going to talk?"
Mr. J spat as Cehn's face.
Cehn got up whipped the spit from his face. He took out a rag and looked at Michael, "Guess, not sir."
Michael sighed in agitation and pointed his bayonets at Cehn in a rather unpleasant fashion. Cehn only laughed as the bayonets were point at him, "Cehn! Call me sir or major one more time and I promise you, you will be seeing how gray this wall is." Michael said looking at Mr. J. He got down on his knee and put one of the bayonets down, "Don't say that we tried to pleasant," He took the bayonet in his hand rammed it hard through Mr. J's shoulder blade and kept pushing until the blade was good impaled all the way through and was firmly stick in the wall.
Mr. J screamed as the blade when through skin, muscle and right through his shoulder bone. He never felt such pain before in his whole life. Mr. J knew that he was already over his head trying to kill this man, kid, torturer….
Ocelot had warned about-
His thoughts were stopped when the other bayonet was rammed through his other shoulder in the exact same spot and manner. Soon, he was pinned to the wall with blades ripping apart his skin.
Michael looked at him than back at his men. He could already tell that the other men where somewhat uneasy about this. They knew about his past and relationship with Ocelot.
Still, he had a job to do.
Michael grabbed Mr. J's throat and slammed his head against the wall. He looked at Mr. J with an icy and cold look in his eyes.
Mr. J looked at him and shivered slightly. He could feel the intent to kill in him and with his eyes he would do it without hesitation. Mr. J gulped hard as his body started to shake slightly as the fear increased. He looked over at the bag and if this was the start than-
"Answer my question."
Mr. J looked back at Michael as his grip around his throat tightened and started to push his body up. He screamed in pain as the blades start to tear into his bone as he was lifted up.
"What is Amalgam doing?"
"Okay, okay," Mr. J answered in English, "It is a party to celebrate the inauguration of President Baker."
One of the men lowered his rifle, "President Baker of Armstech!?"
Michael dropped Mr. J and ignored the man panting, "That President Baker? I thought Armstech went bankrupt months ago."
The man who called Michael 'Major' answered, "They were suppose to but they are still in the competition market. Rumor has it they had been building some rather impressive weapons."
Michael rubbed his chin, "Under the funding of Amalgam building Venoms and Behemoths along with advancing those technologies." He turned to Mr. J and resumed his questioning, "What does Armstech have to do with this celebration?"
Mr. J took a deep breath to control his already shaking body, "I don't know." He turned frantic, "I don't know! I don't know I swear! It has something to do with a new weapon."
"What kind of weapon?" Michael demanded, "A new Venom or Behemoth? Or a mass produced version of Belial?" Michael knew that it was unlikely that they would mass produce that model. Leonard must love having his own personal AS.
"I don't know I swear. It is under lock and key but it rumor has it that it relates to missile technology. That is way Lock and Head is involved with this joint project. We also heard that some girl is working on it."
Michael snapped to attention and slammed J's head against the wall. This was what he really wanted to know, "Does she have blue hair? Around my age with an attitude that if you called her bitch she would knock you straight out!? Who is it?!" He yelled trying to get this information out of him.
J screamed as Michael started to lift him up. Cehn chose that moment to intervene. He pulled Michael's hands away from Mr. J's neck.
Michael snapped to attention and let him go.
J looked at Michael. His eyes frantic with the only hope of getting out alive, "I don't know who is working on it! All we know is that someone is heading it and Baker is joining the organization! A party is scheduled in Paris France in two weeks! That is all I know, I swear!!"
Michael looked at him listening to his pleas. He looked back at his men and they pulled the bayonets out of him. Mr. J slumped down as his blood poured into the ground. His body went into the fetal position as Michael turned to Cehn, "Cehn, arrange transportation to get this man back to FOX base. Your four," He turned to the four armed men, "I need you to-"
His CODEC went off and it was Snake calling.
Michael sighed and answered with his normal call sign of Sword-one, "This is Sword-one Snake."
Michael could hear Snake perfectly on the other line. Mei-Ling was a genius to completely remodel the CODEC to prevent any jamming or hacking by anyone. The new design was based on nano-machines and surprisingly a cell phone.
Using the caller idea as the bases of this idea, Mei-Ling was able to completely make the CODEC channels exclusive to those that knew them. They all ran on different frequencies like cellphones and they could only reach people that knew the proper channels.
Basically, Mei-Ling created the next generation of cellphones.
Snake's voice came through clear, "Well, it seems that you have been busy Major." Snake gave a low laugh with that as he heard Michael give certain curses to his superior.
Michael regained his composure promising to get Snake back for that, "We captured the assassin known as Mr. J and we were able to get valuable information out of him."
"Out of him?" Snake inquired, "Did you use your bag?"
Michael was silent than spoke choosing his words, "Certain measures needed to be taken to get the information out of him. If I recall, the Colonel's orders were to get anything out of him by any means."
Snake was afraid about that. Michael was the most dependable soldier they had. However, with their situation right most were afraid about the methods he would use to get the job done.
Still if Snake was there he would have done the same thing to get the information he needed, 'Okay what did he say?"
Michael explained everything. The party for the Armstech President and about a new weapon with ties to Lock and Head.
"This getting dangerous," Snake continued, "If Amalgam is funding Armstech than it could mean that they are making something."
Michael was silent as he listened to Snake, "Snake wasn't Lock and Head designing some kind of new missile system. One that does not rely on rockets but rail guns?"
Snake thought about it for a second, "We heard rumors about it but they announced that the project was scrapped. No doubt they said that to make sure they did not draw attention about it."
Michael put the pieces together, "So a huge system with potential is shut down by an organization with well known ties to Amalgam. It has to be something dealing with black technology."
"That much is true. They have two whispered that we know about and who knows how many more." Snake was trying to get more information about any potential whispered. However, with FOXHOUND's condition they could only keep small tabs on those that were believed whispered or could not get access since they were remaining in the shadows for the time being.
"Either way it is something that is just going to be a problem in the future."
"Stating the obvious Holmes." Snake joked, "Still we have something important to tell you and it deals with Sousuke."
Michael tensed hearing that.
"We have some information that Sousuke is being targeted. Apparently Mr. Jackal is ready to have him killed." Everyone around FOXHOUND addressed Mr. Silver as Mr. Jackal since it was a befitting name for a scavenger like Leonard.
Michael was afraid of this, "Snake I'm-"
"Granted."
Michael froze when he heard that, "I'm sorry repeat that."
"The Colonel is ordering you to bring Sousuke back to HQ. With the remnants of Mithril arriving this week, it's about time that we make ourselves a little known. We will start preparing for this party."
"Will I get back-up in Namsak?"
Snake just smiled, "Three squads will be waiting for you when you arrive Major."
"Damn it Snake, how many times do I have to tell people not to address me by that?!"
Snake laughed, "Everytime you react like that we will."
Michael gave up, "Whatever, what about Hong Kong? Do we have a means to get Mr. J and my men back to HQ?"
"Taken care of already," Snake answered, "The information is being sent to them through their CODECS."
"Good, I'll leave immediately."
Snake was about to close the channel, "You better get there quick. Rumor has it that things are not going to be pretty." Snake closed the channel.
Michael took a deep breath and turned to his men, "Alright, Cehn you just got the orders from the Colonel?"
Cehn nodded, "Yeah, we take the prisoner to point 12 and proceed with path delta."
The four men nodded and went to drag Mr. J up along with the black bag.
Michael grabbed his coat and walked out with his men. It was a few hours from Hong Kong to Namsak. Hopefully, that would be enough time to get the operation together.
The charred remains of the Rk-92 known as Crossbow were left behind in Souske's wake of destruction.
Clutching the HK-MP5S with a loaded magazine he staggered through the crumbled arena that held the most intense battle it would ever see.
Ten AS suits attacked Sousuke and one by one they fell at his feet until his only target left was the man known as Mr. Kurma.
It was the only real lead that he had to finding Kaname but that trail toward his goal was seeped in blood and the death of others.
Nami was dead.
Her entire work crew was also killed by Amalgam assassins sent to kill him.
There deaths were all on his head and his head alone. Sousuke bore the guilt with the face that even though these deaths were unintentional he was still part of the reason why they lost their lives.
Machine gun fire erupted near him as Sousuke quickly took cover behind a crumbling pillar.
Checking his ammo he panted as his blood stained suit leaned against the cement wall. The high velocity bullets that Mr. Kurma was firing were eating away at the pillar little by little. Soon Sousuke's cover would be gone.
Without even looking or trying to aim he fired his gun over the side in an attempt to push Kurma back and get some new cover.
Sousuke heard cursing and quickly went to another pillar to regroup and reload. He was down to one and a half clips and his options were running out. No back-up was coming and the RK-92 was completely destroyed beyond repair after his battle with the AS suits sent to stop him.
In the heat of battle his regret toward Nami and her crew were still fresh on him. More blood had been spilled on his hands in his attempt to find Kaname.
The young red haired girl had welcomed Sousuke and for a while he felt the same peace that he felt whenever he was with Kaname.
What would she say to him with these events?
Would she despise the fact that his attempts to find her he had caused more people to be killed and more people were dragged into an unnecessary battle?
More fire erupted near his side and Sousuke quickly returned fire to push the enemy back. It was not Kurma but instead another troop sent by Amalgam to kill him. The bullets ripped through him and landed with a thud.
The gun clicked empty and an explosion erupted in huge flash of fire that threw Sousuke back.
His back slammed into the floor knocking the wind out of him. Sousuke quickly rolled on to his back and tried to recover his stance. He started to crawl in an effort to try and get some kind of cover but felt fresh pain from his leg.
He looked and saw a piece of shrapnel from the arena seats embedded deep in his leg.
Sousuke sluggishly reloaded his last full clip and started to stand using the seats as a brace to try and keep himself vertical.
His hands were shaky as his blood seeped out of his suit as his vision was becoming blurry and his normal razor edge focus was diminishing rapidly.
Sousuke heard a step and opened fire behind him. A man's flesh was ripped open as the bullets shoot through his enemies' body.
A click from his gun and-
BANG!
Before Sousuke could even register what he just heard a powerful force ripped right through his Mithril AS suit. Normally this suit was bullet proof and tough against fire. However it was not designed to stop the high velocity bullets that Mr. Kurma was shooting.
The only thing he knew was that he was shot back and rolling across the arena stands like a ball down a hill.
He could feel his arm break and ribs crack with each stand he hit. The pain never really came to him as a shock but more as a surprise.
Finally he hit the dirt floor of the arena with a loud thud.
Sousuke could only feel himself floating.
Mr. Kurma's heavy breathing was the only thing in the arena. He took out a camera and took a few pictures of the body and even managed to get a few close-ups of it.
Mr. Kurma only smiled as he handed the camera to a man of his, "Send these to Mr. Silver along with my report. Tell him to send the money to my bank account the usually way."
The man saluted and left.
Mr. Kurma could not believe that this, this, kid, could cause so many problems for his clients.
Granted that he was an impressive pilot and could have been a find addition to Mr. Gold's army but orders were orders.
As he walked down the steps to further examine the body. Kurma adjusted his sunglasses and reloaded his gun.
The reports of his so called brother coming were confirmed by spies in stealth camo. Rumors he heard were that this Michael Kanzuki was dangerous. He had good experience in stealth and was a highly proficient in close quarters combat or CQC for short. It was this very style that made Big Boss a respected and fear legend when he was alive. It seemed that Big Boss's talent was strong in this kid.
His feet touched the dirt of the arena and looked the bleeding body in the center. Looking up Kurma was reminded of the gladiators of Rome. He took a deep breath and visualized the masses around him cheering and yelling for the final kill.
He looked and-
Quickly turning he opened fire at a figure and saw the body fall.
Quickly regaining his composure Kurma realized that it was not one of his normal men. Another unit maybe?!
That French guy Sousuke was with may have had other connections. Maybe it was a government intelligence agency maybe?
He froze thinking for a single second and one word escaped his mouth, "FOXHOUND!?"
Kurma needed to get out before-
A click of a hammer was heard behind him. Kurma turned and-
Multiple bangs were heard as Kurma felt his back and chest rip apart from bullet holes that ripped his body apart.
His knees touched the ground and turned.
His target was still alive holding the smoking machine gun. The little bastard had planned for this.
Sousuke watched the body fall and started to crawl as fast as anyone could crawl.
Each breath seemed to be his last as the life and strength left his body.
He could not die! No he could not die! Not here!! Not now!!!
Sousuke promised her that he would bring him back. His brother promised to help him, promised full support of Snake and the other members of FOXHOUND to assist in this war. He would not disgrace the memory of Big Boss by just lying their. He had a personal mission to complete.
Finally getting close he pushed Kurma to his back and grabbed his coat as tight as his body would let him. The grip was weak but still got Kurma's attention, "WHERE IS SHE!? WHERE IS KANAME!?" Sousuke could hear the sounds of soldiers coming and he needed to get out. If Kurma had back-up he would be dead.
"Screw you," He muttered out as he coughed up blood, "The men around her are more dangerous than you could ever imagine. Ocelot was only the beginning!"
Sousuke's body allowed more strength as he shook Kurma again, "Please!"
Kurma started to laugh, "Do you do this for love?! Do you love her!? Are you willing to face the devil's own to get her back!?" It was a joke to him and he got some enjoyment out of it. The men around Leonard were dangerous and at most psychotic. He only met Liquid once and that was enough for him.
"What is wrong with that?!" Sousuke countered. Whether he loved her or not was irrelevant. When sleeping in Nami's room underneath her bed he still wondered about Kaname. It seemed that some days he could barely remember what she looked like. What she was wearing the day she left to save him and Michael.
The dance picture was all that he had. It was tucked safely as a good luck charm in his suit.
Now that memory was soaked in his own blood.
Still, there were those that loved her that wanted to see her again and he would see to that!
Kurma laughed at him. The attempt was straight out of some cheesy novel but none the less, "Grenada, San Carlos, or Madrid. She is in one of those places," Kurma coughed up more blood as he felt Death's grip on his neck, "I should not have quit smoking."
With that Kurma stopped breathing.
Sousuke started to crawl away from the dead body muttering, "San Carlos, Grenada or Madrid." A lead, he had found a lead.
His arms started to get heavier and his vision started to get darker. Sousuke never felt his head touch the ground.
The only thing he saw was Kaname looking at him smiling. He reached out to the figure muttering, "I just wish," His breathing started to get heavier and heavier, "I could be by your side." With that Sousuke stopped moving.
The morning scene from the suite was spectacular.
The view combined with the morning light gave the city a spectacular glow that left anyone in awe.
Leonard could not have picked a better morning with the news in front of him. Sipping his coffee he reread the report to make sure of everything.
Leonard could not happier with the pictures on his laptop. The man that Kurma gave the pictures sent them via an email to Leonard as soon as he got hold of a computer.
After that there was no more communications, nothing from either Kurma or the man who sent the pictures. Each picture was taken from afar and even managed a close-up to confirm that it was indeed Sousuke's body and not a dummy. His condition and blood dripping wounds could only assume that he was dead from Leonard's guess.
Leonard sat down looking through the pictures of his dead rival. The position had all but confirmed that even if he killed Kurma, Sousuke would die of blood loss within an hour or so.
Now to deal with-
The door opened and his guest had arrived to eat breakfast with him.
Kaname had changed into a normal pair of pants and shirt. His only wish was to see her in the exotic lingerie that he had sent up for her and when she first joined them at his magnificent him. Leonard only shrugged his shoulders, he was a man of patience and his patience had paid off.
"What are you smiling about?" She hated when he gave that look. It was a look that made her aware that he knew something that she did not know. What else did he do to keep her cooperation? Threatening her friends and even going so far as to show live feed of a sniper scope following her father and sister had rattled her nerves greatly that day.
Leonard only smiled and sipped his coffee, "Just good news for me."
Kaname only scoffed, "If I recalled, you're so called good news last night turned out to be bad news for you." She smiled remembering when he came back. He was slightly frazzled and annoyed about something. The only thing that came to her mind was either Sousuke or Michael or maybe both were alive. Not being able to get what he wanted frustrated the pampered man.
Leonard gave a low chuckle that gave Kaname chills, "This well made up for it." His eyes pierced at her as he shot a glance at the slightly closed laptop.
Kaname gulped feeling her heart race and the color drain from her face. She rose from her chair looking at the laptop and back to Leonard.
His eyes only seemed to pierce through skin looking through her and watching her. The eyes of a predator that knew his prey was caught.
In one fluid motion she pulled the computer over knocking over the ceramic plates and crystal glasses that were set-up for them for breakfast.
She pulled the screen up and covered her mouth to control the scream. Her eyes as wide as plates and her face as pale as a ghost.
In front of her was a picture of the dead body of Sousuke.
She could tell his face even if the quality was bad. The suit he wore and the hair were all clear indications that the picture in front of her was indeed Sousuke.
She stumbled back feeling her body tremble as the shocking realization sank in.
He was dead.
He was dead because of her!
The one person that she wanted to be at her side was no more. He had looked for her and was only presented with the loving arms of death.
Leonard rose, "Kaname of-"
"SHUT UP!" She threw her chair at him wrecking the computer and causing damage in the plaster wall behind Leonard.
Leonard only smiled as he looked at her. Dodging the chair was no problem the only problem was to go from here.
If he could calm her down she would listen and-
"You're sick!' You're sick!!" She yelled rushing to her room slamming the door behind her.
Leonard could only watch in surprise to this. Sousuke was a killer. He killed and killed so many people in his life regardless of whose side he was on or even what his enemies did. He was at best he was just a wild animal looking for blood and nothing else. Such a beast did not deserve a beauty like Kaname.
Leonard was deserving of it and no one else.
Now if he could just take care of one minor-
His phone went off and it was the man known as Vulcan Raven. He was a giant from Alaska who was a shaman for a Eskimo tribe.
"Yes, Mr. R what can I do for you?" Mr. R was his call sign in the assign in their assassin's guild.
"Mr. Silver, I am already well aware of the photos that you sent to the committee," Raven replied, "Mr. Gold told me about it along with the report about Michael."
Leonard tensed a little around Raven's deep voice. Even though, Raven took orders from Leonard, it was easy to be intimated by a man of Raven's side, "Yes and with one problem gone we can-"
"If you think that the dragon is dead than you are wrong Silver." Raven replied in a dangerous tone, "The fox is still alive. If either one is still alive than they will hunt you down!"
Leonard had no time for the rather cryptic and mystical magic that the shaman preformed, "Mr. Raven, the pictures are conclusive. Sousuke is dead. He is no longer a problem to us or the project."
Raven was silent and than spoke, "I will warn you one last time Silver," A paused, "The dragon and fox shall come. Soon, the dragon will become ablaze in fire. It will be a fire that will consume all that it burns. The fox will rise to challenge and stand by the dragon. That is what I have seen and I advise you to take it to heart if you want to live." With that the phone clicked off.
With that, the first chapter of Project R is done. Now, I have some bad news. With my school load the way it is right now I hope to get at least one or two chapters out a month. I hope that everyone does enjoy it and sorry for the long wait. One thing I want to do is get any ideas of a code name for Sousuke in the future. FOXHOUND usually have codenames going with a animal and something they are good at. Example Sniper Wolf. She is the personification of a wolf with skills in sniping. I am thinking of going with Metal Dragon with reasons to explained later. Let me know! Till next time.