"Welcome back bet you didnt expect a chapter this quickly lol, anyway this is the aftermath of what happened after the last chapter. I hope you are ready..."
Chapter 164: Silent To Quiet
A silent faulty feeling
A silent fault
A silent faulty feeling
A silent fault
I sigh and fall to the ceiling
I sigh and run to the kneeling
Asylums for the feeling
Ran out of all the meaning
I ran out of
It's hard to fall believing
It's hard to fall
So many men are losing
While out there doing the proving
It's no surprise he is dooming
Bring your friends, bring it all on
Oh, don't suck it up, no
Bring your friends, bring it all on
Oh, don't suck it up, no
Bring your friends, bring it all on
Bring your friends, bring it all on
Bring your friends, bring it all on
Oh, don't suck it up, no
Bring your friends, bring it all on
Oh, don't suck it up, no
Bring your friends, bring it all on
Oh, don't suck it up, no
Bring your friends, bring it all on
Bring your friends, bring it all on
Bring your friends, bring it all on
Oh, don't suck it up, no
We seem to need another
We need you all
While finding our own cover
We cover it all
I find my own completeness
The darkness and the weakness
The light, the fight, the quietness
We are here for you
We are here for you
Don't suffer alone
Tell us
We are here for you
We are here for you
Don't suffer alone
Tell us
The sounds of music silently echoed to its end in a small medical room, laying peacefully in a bed was Silent Butterfly and next to her sitting on a chair was none other than Cub. She was finally cleaned up and her cut near her eye was covered with a plaster and despite the doctors telling her to stay in her bed she kept getting up want to see Silent Butterfly and after many attempts Ocelot decided to just allow the little girl to stay with the sniper in her own private room.
A massive investigation was underway after the chaos caused on the third platform of the Command Center, the reports showed that it was an accident caused by a malfunction from the cranes computer. But there was others who believed otherwise.
What made things worse was that the Child Soldiers were now hostile especially towards Cub herself, many of them blamed Cub for Ralph's death and it just broke the little girls heart as she believed they were her friends but now they despised her. They believed she brought death to where ever she went and they blamed Diamond Dogs just the same way.
Cub just sat in silence looking at the sniper resting peacefully in her bed, she saw Silent Butterfly was now out of her gear and had an gown on covering her and was laying on top of her blankets. All Cub could do was shed a tear as she looked at the woman while the heart monitor kept beeping.
Soon the silence of the room was interrupted as the room's door slowly opened and Cub turned her head seeing Wolf slowly enter with a cub in one hand, his eyes were on the little girl and he gave her a small smile in support. "She's in the best place Cub". He calmly spoke coming to the seat next to her and gave her the cup of water. "We just got to let her rest".
Cub held the cup not saying anything as she looked down at the water while Wolf slowly sat down next to her and he just looked at Silent Butterfly in her peaceful state.
"Its my fault..." Cub whispered and Wolf looked to the girl frowning and she slowly looked up to him with her lip quivering. "Its my fault...I shouldn't have gone into that tower".
Wolf quickly got up and knelt in front of Cub taking her hand in his Cybernetic Hand as the little girl's tears broke free. "Its not your fault Cub dont you dare say that" He whispered placing his other hand on the little girl's cheek.
"None of us saw this coming, the reports say the crane malfunctioned. It was an accident, wrong place at the wrong time" Wolf supported.
Cub on the other hand was still heartbroken. "Ralph is gone..." She took a sharp breath getting more upset. "The others blame me for what happened".
"You had nothing to do with it Cub, you and the kids were playing and an unfortunate event happen. There are somethings we cant see and there are somethings we cant prevent.." Wolf continued to support the little girl and she just looked at him with eyes full of tears.
"Why...why did it happen..." Cub was just so lost and confused and Wolf just looked into Cub's eyes. "I honestly dont know...".
"But...Ralph did something amazing" Wolf whispered. "He gave his life to save you. A child risked everything to get you from danger, do you know why he did it?".
Cub took a sharp breath as her emotions were out of control but thats when she saw Wolf's own eyes watering a bit. "He saw a friend worth more then the world itself, he didn't hesitate at all and he went through everything to get to you".
"I wish he was here so I can thank him for saving you...Cub..I" Wolf took a deep breath trying to continue.
"Wolf?.." Cub looked at him seeing a tear starting to form as he spoke again. "When I heard what happen...I never felt so scared. Knowing what happened to Stefanie...to you...".
"I..I am so happy nothing happened you Cub. I thought...I thought I lost the both of you..". Wolf finally admitted and Cub just looked at him a little shocked over how worried Wolf was, she was just so shocked and she suddenly dropped her cup of water and wrapped her arms around Wolf's neck as she jumped into an embrace and Wolf quickly hugged her tight placing one hand on her back while his other hand went into her blonde hair.
The two just held each other tight in this little moment, Wolf and Cub's bond grew to the point it was unbreakable and they cared about each other, Cub felt safe around Wolf and Stefanie and deep down Wolf had another reason to live along with Stefanie.
"I'm so lucky to have you and Stefanie Wolf..." Cub cried into Wolf's shoulder as he continued to embrace the little girl. "You will never be alone again Cub..as long as me and Stefanie are here...I promise".
During their moment the door leading out of the room opened and it got their attention and they both saw Code Talker rolling in on his wheelchair with Miller, Ocelot and a nurse coming behind them wheeling in a tray of medical cosmetics.
Wolf slowly stood back up picking up Cub with him and he just held her close while the two looked to Code Talker, the old dine then gave a small nod. "Its time Wolf..".
Sighing in frustration Wolf turned his head to Cub and the little girl looked to him. "You have to leave for a while kiddo..".
"But I want to stay.." Cub whispered almost begging and Wolf gently took one of his hands and rubbed a tear from Cub's cheek with his thumb. "Only for a little while, you can come back later I promise".
Cub looked back to Ocelot and she saw him nod with a tiny smile, she knew there was no way for her to stay in the room for the time being so she looked back to Wolf and gave a nod.
Wolf smiled and then gently lowered her back to the ground and the nurse came near her and offered her hand. "Come on sweetie, lets get you something to eat".
Cub looked to the nurse who smiled down at her and Cub rubbed her eyes removing the last of her tears and soon she took the Nurse's hand and was taken out of the room leaving Wolf, Code Talker, Ocelot and Miller.
Once the door shut behind Cub and the Nurse Wolf looked to the group. "Is there no other way?".
Ocelot slowly came up to Wolf placing his hand on Wolf's shoulder. "We tried every possibility, this is the only one available".
"We have to consider the safety of Mother Base Wolf, I have nothing against her but the safety of our men must come first" Miller stated and Wolf looked to him frowning. "She is one of us too Miller".
"I know, I wish there was a way to keep Stefanie the way she has been now. But...she must go back to Quiet again" Miller admitted and his voice had a hint of regret and Wolf lowered his head then looked towards the bed where Stefanie was sleeping.
"Tell me again, what will she lose all together?" Wolf asked still looking at Stefanie and thats when Code Talker rolled around to the other side of the bed looking at the young woman. "Her organs will cease to function, she will need to breath through her skin again just like before".
"And she will need a supply of water to keep going" Wolf guessed and Code Talker looked to him. "Everything she was as Quiet will return to her, but I promise you Wolf. I will find a way to restore what she is today".
Wolf hated that Stefanie was forced to go back to the way she was but the Piethos Parasite within her was indeed a threat to every man and woman on Mother Base, there was no choice to be made that will alter the outcome.
Slowly turning his head back to his front he then looked to Miller. "I assume the men and women have been told?".
It was then Miller took a step forward taking a slow deep breath. "They have, during the meeting I made mention of Stefanie's situation. Wolf, they understand what needs to be done. I want to know as well this doesnt change their view of her and what she has to return to, because they know her and her actions spoke louder than words."
"They are concerned with her well being too, they want her to be safe just like them" Miller revealed and Wolf then slowly turned and slowly approached the left side of the bed looking down at Stefanie just sleeping, it pained him to have this happen but there was nothing left, no options remaining.
Taking a deep breath he gently placed his hand on her cheek and smooth her cheek with his thumb as he looked down at her, the slight touch made Stefanie stir from her sleep and soon Wolf watched as she mumbled and soon her eye lids slowly lifted open and her green beautiful eyes were revealed to Wolf.
"Hey Stef" Wolf whispered and thats when her eyes widened and she gasped as she shot up and quickly embraced Wolf tight as Wolf returned the same love, Silent Butterfly remembered the horrors of what happened as she started crying into Wolf's shoulder knowing what she saved and what she also failed to save.
"Its ok Stef...its ok..." Wolf whispered and soon Stefanie pulled back placing her hands on Wolf's cheeks and she went in for a long kiss in her emotional state. The kiss was short but sweet and soon Silent Butterfly pulled away and both Wolf's and her forehead rested against each other. "Stef...its time".
For the next twenty minutes after calming down slightly Silent Butterfly was sitting up against the headrest of the bed and Code Talker explained everything that was going to happen, he spoke in english keeping up the act that she couldnt speak. Wolf, Big Boss and Ocelot were the only ones who knew that Silent Butterfly could speak a certain language but they kept it secret from even Miller, mostly for the sniper's own protection.
Soon the entire procedure was explained, the only thing that was a concern was the fact her body will enter shock and she would need to be strapped down to stop her shaking and kicking all over the place once the treatment was done.
"Your strength will remain, you may feel a little bit weaker but you will still be the same as you were as Quiet." Code Talker explained and after a few moments Silent Butterfly gave a small nod understanding the situation.
Looking back up to Wolf she gently took his hand which was on the bed next to her and the two just looked at each other, despite the talk they had earlier it was still very intimidating to them now it was happening. But it was the best option for now.
"Are you ready to begin?" Wolf asked as he looked down at Silent Butterfly on the bed and after a few seconds she slowly nodded to him. She was ready to get this over with and with her decision now final the group got ready for the procedure.
Ten more minutes had past and now Silent Butterfly was stripped out of her gown and was only in her bra and thong, she wrists were strapped to the sides of the bed and her feet were strapped down at the bottom of the bed. The straps were tight to the point her veins were showing over her hands and feet but she needed to be tightly secured to avoid any injury to herself or the people around her.
Nobody spoke as she was being prepped and during this whole time Silent Butterfly just looked up to the ceiling as the others were moving around the room. She couldnt help but wonder how her body will react to the treatment, she wondered if the Piethos Parasite will take over in desperation to survive or will the stress and discomfort of the changes will actually kill her.
Her mind was going all over the place but soon Wolf came into her view looking down at her and all she could do was look at him. There eyes spoke more then words and soon he gently placed his hand on the top of her head feeling her soft brown hair.
"It will be over soon Stef, just fight through it like before" Wolf whispered and then Ocelot came around to the other side of the bed with the syringe in hand, Silent Butterfly looked over to him and to the syringe. It was full of antibodies to kill the Borgia Parasite to cut off the Piethos Parasite from feeding off it, she knew pain was gonna hit her hard but she was ready for it.
She gave a single nod and took a slow deep breath readying herself and thats when Ocelot looked up to Wolf on the other side of the bed. "Keep her focused, it will help her".
Wolf nodded and slowly looked down at his girl once more and she looked to her man ready to face the pain that was coming. Gently placing his hands on Silent Butterfly's shoulders he looked right into her eyes full of strength.
"Dont look away...keep on me.." Wolf whispered and all the sniper did was look into his blue eyes, everything faded away and all that remained was Wolf in her vision. Now it was time and Ocelot slowly lowered the needle and slowly pierced it right in her vein in her forearm which made Silent Butterfly groan in discomfort but she remained on Wolf non the less.
"Stay strong kid" Ocelot whispered and then injected the substance into her viens with Code Talker and Miller watching on from the end of the bed, everyone was holding their breath waiting to see what would happen.
The substance was now in Silent Butterfly's body and Ocelot slowly pulled the needle out and then stayed by her side placing his hand on her right shoulder as Wolf placed his hand on her stomach instead. He still had his other han his girl's shoulder left shoulder and the two continued to look into each others eyes.
It was an intense few seconds and soon Silent Butterfly's tied hands slowly began to shake as the treatment took effect and both Wolf Ocelot decided to take action, Wolf took his hand off her stomach and placed it on her left wrist while Ocelot placed his free hand on her right wrist ready to help keep her down. Her breathing started getting heavier as she continued to look at Wolf and suddenly her body began to spasm, her head dug into the mattress and she shut her eyes tight screaming in absolute agony.
Her arms and legs pulled against her restraints but by some miracle they were keeping her down, veins began to appear all over her body as she shaked violently and still screaming at the top of her lungs.
Blood began to pour from her nose and out of her eyes like tears and Wolf looked straight back to Code Talker. "IS THIS NORMAL!?" He shouted in anger hating seeing her like this.
"Her body is rejecting the Borgia Parasite through her bloodstream! She's ejecting the dead parasites!" Code Talker shouted over Silent Butterfly's screaming. Wolf looked back down at his screaming girl and taking a risk he placed both his hands on her cheeks forcing her to look at him. "Stef! Focus on me! You hear me! Focus on me!".
Despite her screams she managed to hear Wolf and she forced her eyes opened despite the pain she was in and she looked right at her man still crying in agony. Veins began to appear over her face and her eyes were becoming bloodshot but she still continued to look at Wolf while in the hell she was suffering.
Suddenly her entire body went stiff and her head went back into the matress screaming even louder but Wolf forced her to keep looking at him and thats when he suddenly saw markings in the shape of a bat form around her eyes, the same bat shape that Piethos had and he looked dead in the eyes of his girl as if he was looking right at Piethos.
"You will not have her...you will not.." Wolf whispered with his hands still on her cheeks. "Beat it Stef...beat that bitch..".
The markings vanished and reappeared countless times in quick flashes and Wolf could see Stefanie was fighting with all her might as she screamed in agony. It was then Code Talker rolled to the bed side next to Wolf and gently took Stefanie's tied hand on the side of the bed with his own markings appearing around his eyes and soon he began to whisper in Navajo chanting a healing method hoping to calm her body down in a spiritual way but her body was still fighting against the treatment.
For another few minutes the agony continued to burn up in Stefanie but like the strong woman she was she continued to fight through it and suddenly she gasped looking into Wolf's eyes as the bat markings of Piethos was finally replaced with the Butterfly Markings of Quiet, Wolf knew at that moment the treatment had finally taken hold. His Stefanie grunted in pain and her body seized to fight back and Code Talker stopped doing spiritual chants and he looked up to Stefanie on the bed.
Suddenly Stefanie's body shook violently and she screamed loudly one more until her body arched off the bed and she shook her head out of Wolf's grasp as she screamed louder then ever before as the back of her head buried into the mattress and all Wolf could do was step back in confusion, her butterfly markings continued to stay around her eyes and suddenly her cries of agony stopped and her body went limp as she fell unconscious on the bed. Everything was now silent and Wolf just looked at Stefanie just in shock at that last outburst.
Wolf, Ocelot and Miller looked to each other wondering what the outcome now was, they didnt know if the treatment worked after that last outburst or did she actually survive and soon they all looked to Code Talker who had his hand on Stefanie's, with his eyes closed and markings still present around his eyes he mumbled in Navajo and all the other three could do was watch on waiting for the news.
It was an intense few seconds but soon Code Talker slowly opened his eyes and looked up to Wolf who looked right at him just waiting for the answer.
"It is done...the Borgia Parasite has been eliminated and the Piethos Parasite has been cut off from its supply. Stefanie is now safe". Code Talker calmly spoke.
"What about her current situation?" Ocelot spoke up. "Must she be forced to be her old self again?".
"I'm afraid so..." Code Talker looked to Ocelot on the other side of the bed. "She breaths through her skin once more, she drinks through it and clothing will once again suffocate her".
"At least the danger has been stopped, thats all that matters" Miller stated and then walked to the door and before he left he looked to Wolf. "I'm glad she is safe now Wolf, I'll let the men and women know".
With that he turned and left the room leaving Wolf, Ocelot and Code Talker alone with Stefanie.
"When will she wake up?" Wolf asked Code Talker and the old man looked back up to him. "She will be out for at least twenty four hours, let her rest and recover from the ordeal. Do not worry Wolf, she is now safe and ok".
Wolf gave a slow nod to the old man. "Thank you Code Talker, for all you have done".
"There is no need to thank me Wolf, all that matters is she is now safe" Code Talker stated and then turned in his wheel chair and left the room now leaving only Wolf and Ocelot.
Wolf slowly looked down to Stefanie once more and the room fell silent for a few seconds until Wolf looked to Ocelot on the other side of the bed. "Has there been any word from Big Boss?".
Ocelot sighed rubbing the back of his head. "Nothing yet, he hasn't responded to our calls. We tried emergency frequencies but they are dead".
"Do you think that..." Wolf trailed off.
"Its possible but if thats the case we need to have faith in the Boss, it wont be his first rodeo. But where ever he is we cant launch an assault if it means all out war with Cipher, we have grown bigger than MSF, but Cipher...we may as well be a small playground in a school" Ocelot stated.
"Let me guess" Wolf sighed crossing his arms. "We are the play ground and Cipher is the school?".
"Exactly.." Ocelot agreed and then looked to Stefanie sleeping and soon he looked back to Wolf. "Dont worry about it Wolf, right now just focus on that woman next to you and your work here on Outer Heaven. If anything comes up you will know even before Miller".
Wolf gave a slow nod. "Understood Ocelot, thank you".
Ocelot nodded back and then made his way out the door now leaving Wolf alone with his Stefanie. Wolf could only look back to the sleeping sniper on the bed and he could see the veins visible on her skin was slowly starting to fade away showing nothing but her tanned skin, his heart broke witnessing her going through so much pain and now she was forced to be the woman she hated being.
Wolf slowly began moving around the best freeing Stefanie from her restraints and with every strap he undid he spent a good minute massaging her wrists and ankles getting the blood flowing through her body again, despite the pain he had in his heart he was just happy that she was now safe from the Piethos Parasite which now layed dormant within her.
After finally undoing all her restraints Wolf then slowly moved to the right side of the bed where Stefanie's head was to her right side as she slept. He slowly sat on the edge of the bed and looked down at her, she looked so peaceful despite the dried blood around her nose and eyes. He knew he couldnt clean it himself as touching the blood was too risky, all he could do was look at her sleeping peacefully.
"I should have known you would pull through, the tough girl like you've always been" Wolf whispered softly unable to look away from Stefanie.
"You scared me pretty bad back there..." Wolf then gently placed his hand on her shoulder feeling her body was so warm to the touch. "I know you can hear me while you sleep, just like we talked about.. you know that this doesnt change how I feel about you. To me your are still Silent Butterfly, still my Stefanie".
"When you wake up dont feel defeated, because you are the strongest woman here. What you have sacrificed for us...for me..you have no idea how important..and how loved you are"
"When you wake up, know that I will be running here as fast as possible and we know Cub will be following behind me desperate to see you again" Wolf gave a small smile and then gently leaned down placing a slow kiss on Stefanie's forward and avoided the blood around her eyes and nose, her skin was warm but a part of her was no snatched away but Wolf made a vow she will be the woman she loved to be once again.
Soon he pulled back and the door out of the room opened and Wolf looked to see some nurses and doctors coming in ready to clean her and move her to a better place in the medical ward, Wolf wanted to stay but he knew she needed her rest. All he could do was continue his duty until she wakes up.
He decided to look back down at her one more time with a small smile. "Rest up Stef, I'll see you soon".
Soon Wolf finally got off the bed still looking down at Stefanie and then with a deep breath he turned walking past the doctors and headed right out the door and into the hallway, Wolf couldnt help but wonder what was going to happen next. He felt peace wasnt going to last forever and chaos would soon return.
Wolf was just lost in his thoughts, unaware of what the future was going to hold, he could only hope that Big Boss would return soon.
"Stefanie's treatment was a success, she has returned to Quiet and Big Boss is still missing. What is going to happen next is anyone's guess...all I can say you are going to be in for the shock of your lives when one of my biggest secrets of this story will soon be revealed :) I hope you enjoyed this chapter because I am writing the next chapter right now!
