A/N: I forgot to mention the Metal Gear's design I based off of Metal Gear Grander, but designed it to serve as a sort of predecessor to the Destroy Gundam in a sense.

Chapter 2

Peninsula of the Dead

Two days later, it was late afternoon as Andrius was taking point ahead of Nemo as `he led her through the dense jungle of the peninsula after departing from the inn. The two traveled by a rented jeep to jungle leading onto the peninsula itself before continuing on foot once they parked it two miles south from an old abandoned hospital complex with vines and various signs of overgrowth covering the entire structure.

It was roughly about five miles east from an old patrol station, but unlike hospital the patrol station much to their surprise was rebuilt and refurbished with new equipment and staffed by Earth Alliance soldiers. Although it was brief because Python didn't want to risk detection, but their last conversation two days ago alerted Andrius that something big was going on. Despite rumors and claims from locals that the peninsula was abandoned and no one had dared to set foot on it following unusual events it was clear that either someone was spreading such claims to keep people away or they had ignored them out right, but likely it could be a bit of both.

Andrius was dressed in his preferred OCTO-CAM5 Sneaking Suit wearing a Solid Eye system eye patch over his right eye and a black tattered bandana around his forehead while wearing a filled ammo and supply vest and belt over his suit with a 45 equipped with a silencer strapped to his leg while he carried a MK22 tranquilizer gun equipped with its own silencer and last and certainly not least he carried a CQC-styled knife on his vest close to his neck.

Nemo followed not too far behind wearing her own OCTO-CAM5 Sneaking Suit acquired through illegal means, but unlike Andrius she didn't wear the same electronic eye patch as her companion. However she did wear some supply belts with a side arm strapped to her right thigh with a combat knife on her waist.

"I can't imagine how anyone can handle walking through this?" Nemo commented as she wiped some sweat off her brow.

"It could be worse…we could be walking through a desert." Andrius mused.

"Very funny"

After a short trek pass some trees the two exited the thick jungle brush and reached the abandoned hospital where Python had told them where he would be waiting for them.

"Sense anyone?" Andrius asked as Nemo reached out and attempted to see if there was anyone else in the area besides her, Andrius and Python.

"No...It's just us. Python is inside."

"Alright…let's get out of the open."

The two young teenagers ran across the tall grass covering the grounds of the old hospital as they reached the crumbling remains of the structure as they cautiously entered the ruin making their way to the corner of the structure where Python was waiting for them. After entering the main administration building the two walked down the dark hallway with Andrius leading the way until the two took a left turn and walked to the end of the hall entering the room on their left where they found Python sitting on the rusted frame of a hospital bed.

"You two are late?"

"Sorry, but we had to sneak pass the Alliance's newly established security network they had set up including that rebuilt patrol station."

"So what is going on here Python the Peninsula was supposed to be deserted?"

"I thought so too, but yesterday I saw something I hadn't expected to see here?"

"What was it?" Nemo asked.

"The Blue Cosmos organization new Metal Gear…codenamed ULTIMUS" Andrius and Nemo were felt shocked and deeply worried by this revelation as Python continued. "While conducting my recon of the area I came across that massive machine taking out an entire attack force of ZAFT machines leaving only one mobile suit. The machine was damaged beyond repair, but they took the pilot prisoner. I did some more extensive recon on the surrounding area and found out about the Metal Gear and the Peninsula had been converted into a secret weapon research and development lab controlled by Blue Cosmos…specifically it was controlled directly by Azrael."

"Muruta Azrael, Blue Cosmos former leader?" Nemo asked.

"Yeah I remember that bastard." Andrius said as he recalled saving Azrael's life and rescuing him during Operation Snake Eater at Shadow Mosses, but he had wished he could have killed the bastard instead of saving him. His only current regret was that he wasn't the one who had ultimately done Azrael in when he heard about his death aboard the Archangel Class ship the Dominion. Heck if he ever met the captain of the Archangel the ship responsible for his death he would make sure to shake the hand of its captain for doing a favor for humanity.

"Then we can assume all of the unsavory rumors about the Peninsula was both exaggerated and spread by the Alliance to keep people out of this area." Nemo noted.

"Yeah…for good reason too. This Metal Gear is on the verge of the completion…the unit is operational and combat worthy, but it seems its railguns aren't completed yet."

"But when it's finished that thing could very well have the ability to fire a nuclear missile to just about any location on Earth." Andrius pointed out.

"So what do we do? Taking Nemo any further into the Peninsula is out of the question…we're already running a high risk of encountering the Alliance here."

"Did you follow that thing to where they are keeping it?" Andrius inquired.

"I tried to, but it left the area in a hurry once it was done. I lost it after it passed over the river separating the western side of the peninsula from the eastern side. It didn't help when it used some kind of form of Mirage Colloid to conceal itself after it took to the air."

"I see"

Andrius fell deep in thought as Nemo tried to figure out what the young man was thinking about while the young man was trying to contemplate the current situation. A part of him wanted to ignore the whole thing and leave, but something else was telling him otherwise. A few minutes more passed until Python nudged the young man saying.

"Are you alright Andrius?"

"Well we can't do anything about this" Andrius began surprising Python, but the possessor of the title of Big Boss went on to state. "Not without gathering some Intel. This is something we can't jump into without knowing what to fully expect."

"So we're going to destroy that thing?" Python asked.

"We have to…if Blue Cosmos wins and gains control of the world through the use of that machine then the world will no longer be safe for coordinators and the violence will escalate all over again. Especially Nemo will be in danger if the Atlantic Federation takes control with Blue Cosmos pulling the strings." Andrius stated.

"I understand and I agree with you." Python said as Nemo smiled. "So what's the plan?"

"The patrol station west of us might have some documents and reports regarding recent happenings around the Peninsula. We'll head there and acquire any reports and documents they might have that could be useful to us. I'll infiltrate and sneak in while you two hang outside…Nemo do you think you can use your powers to glance any useful information off of the soldiers at the patrol station's minds?"

"It will be easy" Nemo replied with a look of confidence in her eyes.

"Python I'll need you to stay with her and cover her while she infiltrates the enemy minds."

"I'll cover her."

"Alright let's get moving…the more we can find out the better. But we'll need to move quickly if we're going to destroy that thing before it's fully operational."

With that the three departed the hospital heading into the jungle making their way towards the patrol station that was an estimated five miles to the west from their current location. Meanwhile in another part of the peninsula somewhere inside an old prison complex near the northern tip of the peninsula on the western side…a young man wearing a simple pair of black shorts and a white sleeveless shirt was lying on a dirty metal bed suspended via a pair of chains attached to the walls.

Dearka Elsman woke up as he moved to sit up in his bed, but felt a surge of pain from the right side of his rib cage and his left leg. His mind was a bit slow, but his recent memories returned to him in a buzz of nightmarish images as he remembered the massive metal gear he and other ZAFT mobile suits encountered.

After being brutally taken down by the monster it picked his machine apart with missile and light beam weapon attacks until the Buster Gundam was heavily damaged. He was knocked out after Alliance soldiers force their way into his machine and knocked him out before he could trigger the self-destruct of his machine in one final last ditch effort attempt to take out the Metal Gear.

Suddenly he heard a series of footsteps approach his door followed by a voice speaking.

"Ah so the prisoner is finally awake. You were out for about two days straight…I guess the commander really did a number on you."

The door opened as two Atlantic Federation soldiers entered the cell while four more stayed outside with their rifles ready. The two that had entered Dearka's cell were unarmed, but the ZAFT pilot's attention fell on the third person to enter his cell. He was around his age with medium-length white hair, pale skin, green eyes wearing a light brown spaghetti western-styled coat with a black tie and an olive green collared shirt he was wearing under his coat. Lastly he wore matching tan pants along with a pair of brown boots with spurs on them, but on his waist was a gun belt complete with a holster for a Colt Single Action Army Revolver and extra bullets around the entire belt and a second belt going over his right shoulder and under his left arm while a holster for a second revolver was on his back.

"Well well so this is the lucky survivor the Commander spared."

"Who the hell are you?"

"Such a rude boy…I am known as Shalashaska in the region of central Eurasia by some of the locals who got to enjoy some of my special talents, but I am primary known as Liquid Snake." Liquid replied with a cold smile on his face while twirling one of his revolvers in his right hand. "Name and rank soldier"

Dearka didn't respond.

"Name and rank soldier" Liquid demanded.

"Go to hell"

"Hold him" Liquid said as he stopped twirling his revolver to put it away in its holster before taking an electric baton a soldier standing at the door handed him before moving towards Dearka. The two unarmed soldiers grabbed Dearka by his arms and held him tight as they pinned him against the wall. With the electric baton in hand he stuck Dearka against the right side of his head sending an electric jolt through his body as well as leaving a painful impact spot on the side of his head. Liquid stuck again this time on the other side of his head in quick succession.

While he was still stunned the two soldiers holding him slammed Dearka face first on the ground before pulling him back up and kneeing him in the stomach for good measure before slamming him back against the wall.

"Name and rank soldier" Liquid asked calmly.

"Dearka Elsman, ZAFT elite pilot."

"Dearka…I heard about you. You were one of the pilots who fought at the Battle of Jachin Due as a member of the Three Ships Alliance…otherwise known as the Clyne Faction. Your value as a prisoner has just gone up a little."

"Well lucky me" Dearka replied sarcastically.

Liquid took a moment to consider a thought he had mind before saying. "Actually I'll tell you what you'll live a bit longer and depending on the commander's mood he might let you go…if you answer one simple question. Where is Lacus Clyne?"

"Why do you want her?"

"I am asking the questions…now answer?"

"She is in space somewhere I am not sure where?"

"Are you sure…according to our Intel she is somewhere on Earth somewhere in the Kingdom of Scandinavia from what I was told."

"It's all I know I swear."

Without another word Liquid jabbed Dearka in the stomach with the electric baton sending a painful jolt of electricity through the young man's body while Liquid held it there for a few moments until Dearka started screaming in agony causing the smile on Liquid's face to grow.

"Somehow I believe you are lying to me" Liquid said coyly as he pulled the electric baton away from Dearka's body causing the pain to cease. "But why rush it…I'll plenty of time to work with you, but I have other ways of getting the information I want." Liquid pulled out a small gold locket from his pocket…he opened it to look at the picture inside of it. "This girl is quite lovely….it be a shame if anything were to happen."

"YOU STAY THE HELL AWAY FROM MIRIALLIA!" Dearka snapped as he struggled to break free to attack Liquid but the soldiers held onto him firmly.

"The commander has already decided to have your friend brought here…a certain bloodsucker I know is going to take care of that. When she arrives I'll give you a front row seat to our little session, what I have been doing to you is nothing…I was only warming up." Liquid said darkly. "Torture and interrogation is what I specialize in…in fact I am considered the best in that field for my age."

"You son of a" Dearka said as he tried one more time to break free to attack Liquid, but the soldiers held onto the prisoner. With a nod from Liquid they slammed the back of Dearka's head against the wall behind them before sucking punching him in the face right before throwing him to the ground.

"We're done here…we'll be back later once your friend arrives."

With those words Liquid and his men left the cell locking Dearka back inside while Liquid proceeded to leave the prison complex leaving the newest resident of the prison complex with those happy thoughts. Dearka the prisoner in question was kicking the door to his cell yelling for Liquid to come back, but Liquid kept walking with a twisted smile on his face.

A short time later as Liquid climbed into a jeep waiting outside the complex for him he received a call on his cell phone from his commanding officer.

"Yes sir" Liquid began as he listened to the voice on the line. "Yes I questioned him and he got defensive when I mentioned we would be brining his girlfriend here. I could break him with enough time and save us some trouble." The voice seemed to object to the idea. "I understand we can't risk losing him, but what about Hectic Recluse. He could rip that information from his mind." Liquid listened to the other voice on the other line while the jeep began driving away from the prison. "Good point…maybe we should rip the location from both of them just to make sure we got the right information. The woman might also know where Lacus is as well…we'll find Siegel Clyne's half of the Legacy. Then we will only need to find the missing half and RAY."

As they drove down the road towards the rail bridge that connected the western side of the peninsula with the eastern side Liquid sensed something for a brief moment and then nothing. Curious for a moment what it was Liquid tried to consider what his odd feeling was about that left him feeling alert. After a few moments of consideration the young man ignored it disregarding it as nothing.

But little did Liquid realize that his younger brother was on the peninsula now.