The night seemed to be endless. Sleep was now unobtainable. How could he sleep? He felt more awake than ever. It was as if the dark veil had been pulled away from his eyes, now catching a glimpse of the true side of the world. Even the words seemed to have forced itself down his ear, then making laps around his mind.

I'm big boss, and you are too. As if that made any sense. The man he became was nothing more than shadow- a phantom- just as they wanted. He was supposed to support the legend, not become one. Nothing more than a pawn in the proxy game of war. He chuckled. He supposed that the name he was given was given to to him for a reason: The venom of bitter hate and revenge that coursed through his veins the same way as his blood did. The punishment of what would become after.

Snake clutched his pillow, tension coursing through his arm as he tightened his death grip. Drops of sweat ran down his heated face, parts of his hair stuck to his skin like glue. The sound of a ticking clock overlapped his pounding chest. Paranoid thoughts repeating themselves.

First, he needed to find what was being used as a way to communicate with the so called "real Big Boss". Nothing could go smoothly if there's was no way to check in with the one in charge. The best way to figure out what was happening was to first cut off ties to any other third party, and he knew how. Mother Base had satellites, and where there was a satellite, there was a radio tower. There was one located on top of the main platform... where Ocelot's office was. His room was located on the first floor somewhere below the radio room.

The bed creaked as Venom slipped out and headed towards the door. It released cold steam as it opened, sending in the warm air from outside into the air-conditioned room. The sudden switch of temperature made him sneeze. Despite the time being midnight, the air still smelled salty, and it was somewhat refreshing. Snake appraoched the railings before heading down the steps. No matter what time of day it was, the base was never quiet, and he preferred it that way. Looking down, he noticed two of his men down at the first floor smoking.

The more closer he was downstairs the more clear the conversation between the men were.

" ...I heard it took four men to hold her down, including the Boss!"

"No way, really? Didn't she have to be tranquilized twice before she was knocked out cold?"

"Rumor has it, it was four."

"Jesus!"

"Yeah. Man, Black Mastiff was one lucky son of a bitch."

"Don't even see why the Boss decided to keep her. She's obviously working for Cipher. Even commander Miller doesn't trust her."

"But you have to admit, that body she has is just… damn. I'll tell you, I didn't need to secretly keep that stash of the Playboy magazines anymore."

"Heh, me too. You know, You'd think the Boss just has her around to… you know…"

"Don't you even say it."

"But haven't you heard the rumors? I heard that sometimes you can hear moans from the Boss's room, and not to mention the woman would be nowhere in sight. I'm telling you man, her cage was empty!"

"Well… that would explain why she takes a shower every so often…"

"Then how about I explain to you why your assess are about to be kicked off this base."

The two soldiers almost choked on their cigarettes. Even in the dark area, their faces turned ghostly pale. This man had enough power to even throw them into the ocean and still receive a medal.

" Boss!" The two immediately saluted in sync. Both were shivering and muffled prayers underneath their masks.

"I'm going to ignore what you just said. Do you two know where the radio room is?" Regardless of this being his base, Venom never really spent a lot of time exploring it. He mostly went into the rooms Paz was in and his bedroom.

"Down to the left and the door to the right up the stairs, sir." One of them replied, still frozen into submission.

"Right, thanks," Snake nodded and continue to head down the lane.

"Um… Boss?"

"What?"

"Is it true? The rumors, I mean."

Venom turned to the soldier and smirked. "If it were true then we would all have been dead by now. Also, she can't travel from the Medicine platform to here without an alarm going off. It's too far for anyone anyone to not notice a prisoner escaping."

"Oh… I apologize, sir"

"It's fine. Don't let this conversation happen again." He waved his hand. "As you were."

"Sir!"

He continued down the platform, his mind cluttered with thoughts. He then paused in front of the two doors. One was orange while the other- of course….

It had a picture of an ocelot taped to it.

He let in a sigh, pushing the door open carefully in hope that no one was inside again. Perhaps he should check this room before the radio room for any information. Ocelot never really sleeps in here either. He usually takes a five minute nap on the couch in the lobby and that would have been enough to fuel his energy for a day or two.

After fully entering the doorway, Venom gently closed the door, which, unfortunately, emitted a loud creak before echoing the sound of the door clicking into place. He froze, if this didn't alert anyone he wasn't sure what else could. A few moments of dead silence passed by, then realizing that no one was nearby, he relaxed, deciding it was safe to casually look around. To his surprise, the room had been cleaned. Several hours ago it looked like a wreck, and now it were as if no one had even lived in here. He wondered where the box of cassette tapes went- no that he even cared about them. One already did enough damage.

Now, if Ocelot were to keeping in touch with the other Boss, what would he use and where would he store it? He checked the two drawers behind the desk, making an attempt to open one of them, but felt resistance from it.

Damnit Ocelot! Where's the key! Venom frantically searched the desk for anything that could work as a key replacement. A card, hairpin, anything would do. Then he remembered, he had an ID card of his own that allowed him to enter buildings. Everyone had them, and he felt kind of embarrassed for not using this method earlier. He pulled the card out of his front pocket and slipped in the tiny crack of the desk. He jerked the drawer as the card went in, opening the lock.

But to his dismay, only two sheets of blank paper and a pen appeared inside. Shit!

He didn't know how much time he had left. It took a few minutes to open the drawer, and his card was already busted. He tried to search for a substitute, lifting stacks of paper and going through pencil holders- until- he spotted a paperclip. Snake had never felt more relieved. Unfolding it, he stuck the paperclip inside the keyhole and fiddled it around. Why wouldn't it open? Realization struck him as he recalled needing a bobby pin to help the paperclip. Where was he going to find that? Never mind that, there has to be something I can use to help ope-

"Looking for something?"

Shit.

Venom spun around at the sudden appearance of the man's voice. His focus on unlocking the drawer distracted him from what was occur around him.

"Ocelot, what are you doing here?" he stalled, closing the already-opened drawer behind the desk.

The man shrugged, giving an exhausted, sarcastic smile. "I don't know… maybe because this is my room?" Ocelot gave him a dubious look, for whenever he took a few steps forward Venom would take a few steps back. "Now, if I didn't know any better, I'd say that you're looking for something of mine."

Venom furrowed his brow in suspicion but remained silent. He knew he was a terrible liar, maybe he was trained that way- unable to bend the truth in risk of "failing the mission." That was probably why he rarely spoke unless when needed to.

The western man pulled out dangling keys and pick out the paper clip before continuing to open the drawer. "Triple," he said. "Designed to make it near impossible to break in." Venom snorted. Then I guess I must be that good with a card. Ocelot took out a thick orange envelope and handed it over Snake, who jumped away.

He rolled his eyes. "Relax. Here, take it."

Snake continued to eye it as if it were about to grow legs at any second. "What is it?"

"It's the file with all of the applications sent by everyone around the world, remember? You gave it to me so I could deal with it later, but I guess you've changed your mind and now you want it back."

Snake sighed, relaxing his shoulders. "Ah, right. I'll get on it." before he could grab the envelope, Ocelot snatched it away.

"Are you feeling alright, boss? You seem to be getting all jumpy all of a sudden. Not even DD feels safe around you at your current state."

"I'm fine. Just need some rest," he said, dismissing the question. He was handed the envelope and stepped outside, cursing himself. Idiot! How did I fail accessing information on my own base? It didn't matter anymore, for he already had what was in there, even though it served no purpose into what he was looking for. However, while this was still embarrassing for him, a dark thought clouded over his mind.

Ocelot , does he know? After witnessing him attempting to break inside a drawer must have have seemed odd for not the least suspicious. That can't be good… If anyone were clever as they were cunning, it was Ocelot. The man could get away with anything even if his name was all over the crime, not to mention he was a master at persuading people to do what he wanted. Damn, he must have known that the jig is up, and he's probably calling Big Boss now.

No, I shouldn't start assuming that! Venom shook his head. He decided that it was best to head over towards the rail and watch the sunrise, despite the time still being too early. He stared at the moon, half of it was as white as salt, while the other was shaded…

Like a phantom.

To his dismay, even the moon made him upset, and the crashing waves made it no better. He pulled out a Phantom Cigar and lit it, puffing out the smoke as the world around him continued on by. But what if Ocelot knows… His thoughts returned. What will happen to me?

He froze, dropping the cigar with his gaze staring blankly at the rising sun. It bled into the sky, giving a warm pink to spread into the blue. He was right, what would happen if Ocelot knew? Would he call off the operation? What if they had to kill him and find a replacement?

A replacement…

His heart raced, his ears pounded, he began to sweat. His life was at risk. Everything he built was at risk. What would they do to him?

Interrogation?

Torture?

Immediate death?

In the midst of his anxiety, a hand was placed onto his shoulder, snapping him out of his own head. "Snake, are you okay?" Venom turned around and noticed Kaz. He looked like he seen better days.

The man nodded. "I was just thinking. "

Kaz scoffed. "By breathing heavily and shaking? What kind of thoughts are in your head? "

"You have no idea" Snake picked up his fallen cigar and eyed it. Damn, too short to light it again. He grumbled, tossing the bud over the rail and into the sea. The two men stood there, marveling at the beauty of the new sky. A few seagulls flew by, riding along the wind gracefully. At least you're free, Snake breathed, envying the birds' free will. The blowing winds covered up the awkward silence that lasted for a few minutes.

" Kaz, do you trust Ocelot?"

"Huh? What kind of question is that?"

"Well, I just assumed that-"

"I wouldn't trust him in a room full of armed guards even if he only had safety scissors with him! Listen, Boss, I know you and ocelot go way back, but you don't even know him. He only appeared just to fight you in the beginning, and now he wants to work for you? Doesn't that seem even a little suspicious to you?"

Venom furrowed his brow and hummed in response. Though he never met Ocelot before the hospital incident, the man was awfully friendly- that is, if he doesn't know the truth. If he did, then this was all a ruse, a well-set stage for the puppeteer to control his puppets. From this point on, he couldn't risk speaking to Ocelot. The man could spot a slight deterrence in personality through steel walls. He had yet to determine on whether he should be trusted or not.

"I'm going to go back to bed," Venom announced, turning away from the rails.

"In your room?" Kaz raised a brow. "I thought you can never sleep well enough in that place."

"I don't. That's why I usually rest in the chopper. But this time, I'll go somewhere else."

"And that would be…?"

"None of your business. Go make sure Ocelot is on duty and not chatting with Big Bo-" he froze. Careful, fool! There was an awkward silence, leaving Kaz to sigh and nod.

"Maybe you are that tired, Snake. Get some rest."

"Right." Deciding not to add anything else, he quickly walked away and headed for a nearby jeep. As soon as he approached one, he stepped inside and turned the key to ignition, giving out a low rumble from the engine. He really needed some sleep. His mind was barely starting to function.

The crisp air blew against his face as he drove down the long lane. It felt relaxing after being all hot from anxiety. He forced himself to keep his eye open. One wrong turn and the car would end up in the he reached the medicine platform, he stopped the engie and exited out ofthe vehicle. He got out and stretched before being drawn to where faint music was being played. It was jazz, and oh how it felt so soothing when he was tired. He was drawn to it like a moth to a light, slowly following its smooth rhythms downstairs, then halted in front of a cell. The woman inside, who was laying down on her bed with her legs casually swaying in the air, noticed the visitor and gave a warm smile, which was returned by a more fatigue one.

"Mind if I come in?" he barely spoke, yawning out most of his words. The music was really wanting him to pass out right here and now.

Without question, Quiet got up from her bed and opened her cell door after Venom unlocked it. She stepped aside as the man came in, immediately heading for the small bed. He collapsed into it, feeling relieved. His mind and body felt at ease. It was almost as if he was destined to be this bed. He hummed to himself and exhaled, adjusting his position before allowing his mind to rest. He felt a shift in weight on the bed near his head. Suddenly, he felt his head being lifted up and placed into a lap. A soft hand gently stroked his hair as if he were a cat. He and the woman had grown really close. He could trust her with a weapon without being shot, and that took a while to Convince Kaz Quiet was an ally.

"You have no idea how content I feel right now," he said to Quiet, who was still smiling softly and petting him. "I've been having a rough day." The woman continued to run her fingers again through his hair, making him sigh as a response. Before he knew it, his mind began to blur before entering darkness. And oh how welcoming it felt. No voices or thoughts had followed him, allowing himself to be was the first time he felt actual rest in a while.