Chapter 10

Python the sub-zero assassin

Solidus stood by the young woman's side watching over her condition as she slowly recovered from the effects of the drugs. As she did he couldn't help but admire the woman's own natural beauty, Andrius found her alluring, but that didn't explain why they kept her and performing experiments on her. Unless they were attempted to created improved beauty products or something like that, but Solidus thought that idea just ridiculous. But he could at least be certain that whatever experiments they were conducting on resulted in her being kept inside this facility because her the paleness of her skin suggests that either this woman had lost a lot of blood a short time before he arrived or she hasn't been out in sunlight for years.

A few moments later the woman struggled to sit up, after struggling for a bit she moving with lesser difficultly. Solidus helped her by placing one hand her back and the other on the woman's left shoulder to steady the young adolescent, once she was sitting up right, she turned and looked at Solidus. The woman slapped him in the face, after a brief squeal and moment of shock, when she realized that her only form of clothing was the curtain Solidus had covered her with. In fact her shoulders were left exposed along with her feet, which seemed to justify giving Solidus a slap to the face.

"What the hell did I do?"

"I appreciate the help, you saw me" She tried to phase it "unclothed!"

"I apologize, but that is how you were when you fell out of that tank, you weren't moving so I thought you were dead or serious injured."

"Sorry, but I just don't like people seeing me like that period. If you were subjected to the experiments they put me through then you would probably understand. The scientists didn't seem to care I was left naked while they used me as a guinea pig."

"In that case I understand, sorry, but you kinda surprised me."

"No problem, but I was worried when they didn't pull me out of the tank once they were finished with me."

"I think no one was able to get into this room."

"What?"

"When I…dropped in, I found most of this lab in shambles and the usual entrance must have sealed off during the take over by an explosion, possibility caused by a grenade during a firefight."

"Take over, what happened while I was in there."

"I was sent in to deal with an armed collection of Eurasian and ZAFT military forces that staged an armed take over of the Shadow Moses facility. They have commandeered a new weapon the Atlantic Federation capable of firing nuclear weapons to any location on earth using special rail cannons. They have also taken a number of VIP hostages as well along with the threat of them being able to launch a nuclear strike against the Atlantic Federation."

"But that shouldn't be possible with those Neutron Jammers scattered around the earth."

"I know, but there might be a chance that someone may have brought something to eliminate that problem. Aside from rescuing the hostages, my orders are to destroy Metal Gear NEO and eliminate the terrorists."

"And you're doing this on your OWN?"

"I have found some survivors to help out, but it still won't be easy."

"Maybe I could help, but if you can help me escape the Atlantic Federation and anyone else who want to use me as a guinea pig."

"Sure, I don't approve of experiments on humans, but how could you help? Do you have some military training?"

"A little, I was part of the Alliance's Combat Coordinator project."

"You're a combat coordinator."

"Yes and no."

"What do you mean?"

"Although I was part of the Alliance's combat coordinator project and received the same kind of training they got, but I am not a coordinator. Or at least I think I am."

"You think, you're telling me you don't know if you are a coordinator or a natural."

"I don't even have name either."

"Damn"

Solidus was left surprised, and was now deliberating on the subject of what short of experiments they were putting through and for what purpose. Suddenly he got a call from Mr. Tech. "Excuse me; I got a call coming in."

"No problem."

Solidus initiated codec communications with Mr. Tech "Go ahead Mr. Tech, what did you find?"

"Hey Snake, listen I haven't cracked the firewalls protecting the security systems yet, but I did find some information on the woman you found."

"Great, so what is it?"

"Well it's not much; most of the file was encrypted. I am still working through the encryptions for the rest of the file, but here is what I have so far. Turns out the gal you found is part of a top secret experiment that involved using the most advance cloning technology to recreate and produce the most powerful psychic imaginable for military purposes."

"Psychic, you mean someone who has ESP."

"Right, extra-sensory perception: someone who could use telekinesis to sum it up for you. I don't know the specifics yet, but it seems that cell she was kept in was designed to keep her drugged and in such a weakened state that she would be unable to use her powers allowing the scientists to conduct whatever experiments they wanted on her."

"Bastards, this is one of the reasons why I hate the Atlantic Federation."

"I hear you man."

"You mentioned cloning technology."

"Yeah, it seems that they cloned her from the collected cell samples of the person who possessed the strongest and highly exceptional ESP abilities. There isn't any details available yet, but according to what I have her genetic donor was by far at the top of the list tied with another guy, but what made her so amazing is that by the time she was barely a teenager she was capable of a lot of damn good feats with her ESP abilities such as floating around, deflecting weapons, and blowing stuff up according to what I have read."

"That sounds scary, I can see why the Alliance kept her drugged and contained."

"I am guessing she was either too dangerous to let running around or maybe she tried to rebel against them and something happened. Hard to say what the story is, but I can tell you the cloning tech used to create her was top notch. They used a combination of cloning technology and the same genetic techniques used to create coordinators to weed out any genetic defects she may have gotten as a result of being cloned. Apparently aside from the potential of a shorten life span, another thing the Alliance worked out was that she will be able to bare children."

"You mean her genetic donor was sterile?"

"Yeah, apparently she became that way when she was caught in a nuclear blast at a place called the Ural Mountains, a place located in Germany. Although she survived the blast, however the aftereffects is what gave her ESP abilities and left her unable to have children because of the heavy radiation exposure. I am guessing since the Alliance probably weren't planning making any further clones or in the event that they become no longer capable of creating any new clones, so in the event any of these happened, I think they wanted it to be possible to use her for…well… reproduction purposes in efforts to preserve her DNA that contain the ESP gene she gained I imagine."

"Sick bastards"

"Well I don't know the name of the woman, but I should have the rest of the information regarding her genetic donor soon."

"Anything on her clone you can tell me, like her name and other statistics?"

"What?"

"She doesn't even know her name."

"Oh, I thought you wanted to know how she was so you could see if you could start hitting on her."

"WHAT?" Andrius commented "Why do you think I would do that in the middle of a mission."

Mr. Tech laughed. "Nah man I am just messing with."

Andrius let out a sigh as he shook his head. "Ok what do you know about her right now?"

"Well all I have the data is when she was produced, height and weight, but no name. They refer to her as clone subject 003. Also the last experiments they have spent little over a year conducting on her were power-amplification experiments."

"Jerks, well at least tell me her date of birth then."

"According to this she was born C.E. 55, February 10th."

"So makes her about as old as I am" Solidus thought for a moment "Alright thanks for the information, call me again when you have cracked the facility's network."

"Will do." Mr. Tech signed off and Solidus turned his attention back on the young woman.

"Well I found out a little information about you, all I got was your birthday."

"So I was never named."

"Yeah, but maybe until we work the whole name problem out how about a codename."

"Codename?"

"Well something I could refer to you as for now."

"Better not be anything stupid."

"Don't worry, I was thinking…Nemo."

"Nemo?" The woman looked at him with a confused expression. "As in the name of the captain of the submarine from 20,000 Leagues under the sea, but is it also the fact that it means nobody in Latin too?"

"Yes and no, but I wasn't trying to insult you."

Nemo smiled at him and let out a brief giggle "I know, but I appreciate the thought, you are incredibly a welcomed change than those men who did nothing but use me for my special abilities and their experiments."

"Like I said, I dislike those kinds of experiments done on people."

"Then it will be a pleasure being friends Andrius."

"How did you know my real name?"

"Didn't you friend tell you I have exceptional ESP?"

"Oh" Andrius said with a smile as he almost forgot.

"Your thoughts slipped out too easily."

"Thanks for telling me."

"You're welcome." Nemo looked at him for a moment before she said "You want me to stay here so you can go look around for a change of clothes for me right as a pose to me running around like this."

"Do you always read people's mind without asking?"

"No, but I figured that out on my own since its pretty obvious I should acquire a more suitable attire before I go anywhere with you."

Andrius laughed before he replied, "Yeah, I guess you're right. You think you'll be fine her by yourself?"

"Well the only way in is through the ventilation duct right?"

"True, but"

Nemo placed one hand on Andrius's mouth. "Don't worry, I have my abilities. Although I am kinda rusty, but I am more than tough enough to hold my own at least until you get back."

"Alright, I'll try to hurry back as soon as I can." Solidus replied as he reactivated his optical camouflage and leapt up into the ventilation duct opening that led out of the room and into hopefully, an undamaged section of the base. Meanwhile at that moment in the lobby of the administration building one floor above, Python was just walking in when he was receiving a call on his radio.

"Python here, find something?"

"We're not sure sir, but our computer firewalls have stopped an attempt to take over our system from an outside source."

"What is the source?"

"The source of the attacks seems to be coming from one of the computer terminals in the basement, its one of the labs that was sealed off due to a battle that happened during the take over. Shall we send men down there to investigate?"

"Did you tell the Boss or the General about this?"

"No sir"

"Don't send anyone down there; I'll look into the matter personally. Don't inform the Boss or the General about this until I have taken care of the problem."

"Understood sir" The soldier replied reluctantly as Python put away his radio to draw his FN-P90 sidearm. He took the safety off and made sure he had a full clip; he readied the weapon and made his way to the nearest stairwell that would take him into the lower levels of the building.

A few minutes later Solidus found a duct covering he was able to kick out allowing him to climb out. Once on the ground he didn't see any patrolling sentries in the area, which was a stroke of luck for him. Solidus looked around and discovered that he was inside a machine room used for assembling or repairing small mechanical devices. He quickly hurried out of the room, but when he emerged he found that the hallway a short distance away had caved in.

Solidus was wondering he was trapped, but hope returned when he looked to his right and eyed another door. He opened the door and walked inside, upon entering he found himself inside what appeared to be the water works for this part of the facility judging by the number of pipes above his head and around him. He saw some pipes were connected to a number of large heating units to provide heat and water for areas of the facility.

It was a rectangle shaped room with some catwalks that went along the walls to provide maintenance for any pipes close to the ceiling and on the wall if they were ever damaged providing a means of easy access. As he walked through the room to the other end where a door laid, someone emerged from a hiding place in-between the pipes above and surprised attacked Solidus. Andrius was hit in the face with a punch before he was sent flying to the other side with a strong kick. He hit the wall behind him so hard that it broke his optical stealth camouflage rendering it useless.

"Time to come out of hiding boy" Python declared as the entire room began grow colder. "Now we can fight on a fairly equal level without that device to hide you anymore." Python removed the thermal goggles he had been wearing to spot Solidus when he picked his ambush spot.

"Not bad" Solidus said as he brought himself to his feet and drew his 45. "You're another member of the Cobras I take it."

"Correct, I am Python a man who has seen more battles and wars long before you were born. I am called the ancient sub-zero assassin because thanks to an unfortunate near-death experience in Vietnam in 1961 I was forced to don a special suit filled with liquid-nitrogen since my body was no longer able to regulate its own temperature as a result of my close encounter with death. But the suit has had an unexpected side-effect; it has rendered my body incapable of aging any further thus preventing me from dying from old age."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"Because you have very little chance of defeating me, although you are skilled for your age especially since you bested that idiot Qual who thought anger was his greatest weapon. I have had more experience in battle than you, I even fought the mighty Big Boss and despite loosing to him I still lived. So if you have anyone you wish to make peace with then I advise you do so now before I send you to the next world. Prepare yourself boy!"

Python aimed his weapon and fired at Solidus who jumped to the side and roll out of the line of fire. Solidus tried to get in close to attack him, but as he did, he noticed areas of his suit were beginning to freeze over. He was forced to back away from Python while the soldier brought his weapon around and fired on the boy. A couple bullets grazed the boy's arm and leg as he scrambled to evade the gunfire while Solidus fired shots from his gun at Python, but the solider of the ice's reflexes were fast allowing him to evade bullets with ease. The freezing mist continued to grow thicker with each passing moment.

"Not bad, but you can't keep running forever. Sooner or later the deceasing temperatures in this room will mean your death. I have wandered the arctic wastes of Antarctica for twenty years and survived, I doubt you can endure the same especially during the six-months of no sunlight." Python declared boldly as he unloaded the rest of his clip against Solidus who leapt up to take cover on one of the catwalks.

Solidus needed a plan, he couldn't attack the guy at close range with CQC so he had to do something to either render his freezing abilities useless or somehow turn them against Python. An idea formed in his mind as he took his 45 and began shooting the water pipes on the ceiling sending water pouring down onto the water below.

In moments the water was above Python's feet and rising, the water began to freeze over quickly as the soldier laughed it off. "Do you know how many people tired it? Come on boy I was expecting some more original from Fox's apprentice." Solidus wasn't done yet as he threw what grenades he had on him from when he took out those sentries who had been with Shalashaska. He waited a few seconds before he threw them into different areas of the room, mostly close to the walls and corners of the room.

The grenades went off, sending water up into the air and as the water was settling down as a result of the blast, the water was virtually flash frozen in a matter of seconds. Python smiled as the boy badly missed him, he loaded a new clip into the rifle. The arctic soldier pulled himself out of the ice and was standing upon the frozen water that was now a few inches above the feet. Solidus got up and began running across the catwalk looking for something. Python heard the sound of running on metal, and so began firing at the source of the sound.

"Run all you want, but I'll catch you."

Bullets struck the pipes and catwalk just barely a few inches away from Solidus. When the young man finally reached the end he leapt off and slid across the ice towards the door. Once he was back on his feet, Solidus slowly opened the door and walked back towards the machine shop he passed through just before running into Python. Inside the water works chamber, Python was scanning the room while at the same time his ears was trying to find any sounds to indicate where Solidus was. A few minutes passed, and still nothing. But when Python took a few steps forwards he heard a door open followed by the sound of someone running up metal stairs. Python smiled as he aimed his P90 at the anticipated location of his quarry.

Suddenly he heard and crash followed with the sound of what appeared to be something metallic sliding around on the ice. Confused at first, Python readied his knife he drew from his vest as a precaution. Then out of the mist, Solidus appeared, but he was coming at him riding on a sheet of metal the young man had managed to quickly fashion into a makeshift sled. Using an sheet of metal that he pounding to give it curved sides to make it possible so Solidus could slide around on the ice with while standing up utilizing some wire he found to tie one foot down while using a long cord tie to the little craft to steer it. Solidus was heading straight at Python while firing a few shots from his 45.

Python smiled as he jumped to the side to avoid the incoming bullets while he counterattacked with his P90. Solidus slid pass him, but Python knew that the young man would slow down and come to a stop soon. As Solidus neared one of the corners of the room he threw at grenade at moments before the water was frozen solid, Python was surprised when the small frozen crater, a result of the water freezing over just as the water was recovering from the blast.

The effect created a natural ramp that went up against the wall making it possible for to use those natural ramps as a means to regain momentum and speed. When Python saw what the boy was doing, now he understood why Solidus shot those pipes and threw those grenades, the boy wasn't trying to hit him, no he knew the grenades and the water he released would ineffective against him; Solidus figured as much. Instead it made it possible for Solidus to take full advantage of his environment and to give him a speed advantage.

"Well you have made this battle more worthwhile, I'll give you credit for inventive thinking on the battlefield." Python complimented, as he hadn't enjoyed a battle like this in years. Solidus was grinning as he was coming straight at Python once again, but this time he put away his gun and drew his knife instead. "Now you're being foolish." Python aimed his gun and fired, but to his surprise Solidus used his blade to deflect every bullet that came close to hitting him.

Python was confident that the boy's melee attack would fail since his arms will be frozen solid if Solidus got too close. But again, Solidus had another surprise in store. Solidus passed Python, but heard the sound of something bring dropped. Python looked to the floor and a grenade lying a couple feet away from him. As he tried to flash freeze it, but the grenade went off before he had a chance. The fragments from the blast damaged Python's suit, however the damage inflicted by the blast was only minor. Python retaliated by throwing his own grenade at the boy as Solidus was already making a return trip to attack again.

Python let his grenade fly, but Solidus didn't change his course. Solidus bent down and grabbed the top of his sled with one hand and continued on course apparently ignoring the grenade or Solidus didn't notice it. Instead the boy smiled and proceeded onward. Seconds later, the grenade went off.