Chapter Sixteen: The American Dream
"I don't enjoy this any more than you, Otacon," the Colonel answered. Nodding to one of the soldiers who stood in their midst, he waited as a collapsible chair was set before him. Taking a seat and draping his military jacket over the back of it, he rested his face in his hands. He did not look up, even as he continued to speak. "And it's certainly not something I wanted Snake to go through, but…there are things I have to tell you."
Otacon looked at him, not believing the pitiful condition that the Colonel portrayed so well. Raising his face out of his hands and shaking his head in something of disbelief, he turned his gaze up to Otacon and put on no smile. He wore a stern expression, but in the dark shade of the coming clouds that eliminated the heat from the moment, it seemed almost unhappy. Like a frown.
"The Universal Freedoms Activists Council is an organization that exists only in the past," the Colonel began, trying to fight back the feelings of sorrow that lurked beneath his heart. "When the Cold War was pulled under the magnifying glass and recognized by the entire world as a potential global threat, the United States began investigations behind enemy lines. The plan was codenamed 'The A-Objective,' after the word amalgamate, which means to integrate or to blend in.
"Over the first two years, they managed to uncover miles of conspiracies linked to the events prior and during the Cold War. Information about Russia's top-secret 'Cold War Project' was scavenged from the cities, but it paled in comparison to the more," he paused, searching for the right word, "exciting story." He sighed heavily, and looked at the floor to compose himself before moving on.
"They found records regarding the Patriots. While the Red Scare was bringing chaos and social disorder to our 'government,' Russia was cooperating with several world-renowned corporations in hopes of securing an all-powerful military offense. It wasn't until the late 1970's that the Russians caught on to the A-Objective of the United States government.
"Following the unwelcome discovery of American agents in Russia, many of those involved in the A-Objective were weeded out. When news of the United States' tactics circulated to other countries, we began to see a rise in terrorist activity hitting home. That was around the time the data retrieved in A-Objective was finally analyzed the hundreds of times it was needed, and truth was told.
"At the conclusion of a complicated information struggle, the results of A- Objective had been circulated through several nations' governments, and a conference was held between members of every one to discuss their findings. With the truth of the Patriots unveiled to the unknowing sponsors of many political events and campaigns, the information began to work its way into the higher ranks. When the government of nearly every world power had complete knowledge of the situation, the UFAC was established. That was in 1983.
"Up until the incident less than a year ago at Hell's Outpost, they were going strong. After having submitted an inside agent to the enemy lineup and having lost contact with that agent for more than a month, their cover was blown and the Patriot's network effectively shut the program down. That, as I said, was less than a year ago." Otacon looked at him – still confused.
"So, who are you?" Frank asked, breaking the stunning silence. The Colonel shook his head and forced a smile.
"I'm the same person as I was four years ago. Colonel Roy Campbell. But, this organization is NOT the UFAC. The UFAC was dedicated to putting an end to the Patriot's network without making public allegations or threats. Just after the UFAC had been set in stone and made an official organization, several representatives left it, seeing the war against the Patriot to be an interminable one. They formed the organization known as FACtion – the very team that has taken control of Manhattan…and the very team that you work for." That last statement drew Otacon's gaze over the Colonel once more. 'No,' he thought, but it was all more real than he could understand.
"FACtion is not an official organization, but is instead a conglomeration of renegade representatives formerly belonging to the UFAC. Both corporations were fairly similar, but FACtion proved to be the 'big brother' of sorts. It has made it its duty to put an end to the Patriot's network at all costs. It is just as innocent as the UFAC. The only difference is its dedication.
"Would you be willing to freeze all of society in a heartbeat if it meant the long-term prosper of a re-instated working government? It wouldn't be a hoax or some political act meant only to entertain and satisfy, but a government true to the beliefs stated in the Declaration of the Independence, along with the Constitution. That is the government we're working toward rebuilding, and we will stop at nothing to fulfill the American dream."
"You've taken a city of over a million people hostage," Frank interjected. "That's terrorism." The Colonel had expected a reply similar to that, but shook his head and chuckled to himself.
"A non-violent organization can't even make a dent in the Patriot's infrastructure," the Colonel answered. "Its taken the sacrifice of thousands for us to even realize that the Patriots existed, and you deny us the right to take a dozen in the pursuit of freedom?" Otacon nodded, subtly and the Colonel mounted his hands on his thighs, pushing his back against the back of the chair and yawning. "Otacon," he said, "I expected your disapproval, but cant you see past the numbers lost and realize the numbers that will be saved? The Patriot runs a Dictatorship, and like Hitler and Mussolini with their Fascist empires, he eliminates all potential threats with the wave of a hand. He is defying everything that makes us Americans, and you are defying those very same rights by restricting our voice and our action."
Otacon shook his head violently as Frank tested the guards by scratching his shoulder with his scruffy chin. They jumped. "All of Manhattan," Otacon breathed, trying to make sense of it all, and trying to find justification for the Colonel's actions, but even as there was the obvious goal of freedom it didn't satisfy Otacon's thirst for understanding. "You've taken complete control of Manhattan, and put Snake and Jack and me in harm's way for yourselves?" The Colonel seemed apologetic. "If there was nothing wrong with FACtion, why would you need to deceive us? Why wouldn't we join you anyway?" The Colonel was quick to an answer, but it shook the heavens.
"You've lost sight of freedom, Otacon," the Colonel exclaimed, leaning toward the two again. Otacon was furious. "You thought that the United States and all of the world was free, but after learning about the Patriots – and the Patriot – you felt too disconnected. You've been searching for some sort of sign all along, but you haven't gotten it." He paused, massaging his forehead. "And now you've forgotten the price of freedom. You think that it's an easily achieved prize, but that isn't it at all. When this nation was formed, thousands lost their lives to support this freedom, and you are not willing to let a mere dozen more – at most – fall with them, even if it means the revival of order throughout the entire world."
Otacon was frozen. He was frozen right there. Somehow, though he wanted to fight it, he knew that what the Colonel said was true. He had lost sight of his objective and had plummeted into a pit of denial. For several years he had been working to restore order, but without sacrifice it can't be done. But then, something struck him. It conquered even the Colonel's statement. He inhaled.
"Those sacrifices…were they not voluntary?" The Colonel was frozen. He was frozen right there. Somehow, though he wanted to fight it, he knew that what Otacon said was true. But, he was in no position to debate the course of action now. He was working beneath several others, and his voice would only be silenced by the wave of a hand and the pull of a trigger.
"Move them back into the building," the Colonel said as he stood and draped his military jacket over his shoulders. "I will report their condition to Him." The soldiers all approved, and before turning away the Colonel saluted Otacon and Frank. With no verbal or physical gesture to stand as a response, he frowned and then started toward the elevator, heralded by a number of military units.
"The American dream?" Otacon asked, sending a cold breeze through the garage and stopping the Colonel where he stood. Waiting, Otacon watched as the Colonel turned back to him, a serious expression taking place of his once humorous sense.
"The American dream," he confirmed, and then he turned away and left them in silence, in refreshing wind, and in a shadow. To himself, he uttered the words again, only so that he could hear them. He did it…almost as if it was an evaluation, or a final take on the situation. He was putting himself to the test as he said it, and all of his goals, morals, and values were laid out before the court of his own being.
"The American dream?" he asked, sighing. And he disappeared into the elevator, requesting sole admittance. As the doors closed on the scene Otacon's eyes met with his. Both of them were right in a sense, and while their routes were different, their goal was the same:
To fulfill the American dream.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: For a while I've been a little worried about whether or not people are actually continuing to read this fanfiction. Please, if you are reading this, review this chapter. If it's the only time that you EVER review something, I don't care. I just need to know that I haven't lost all of my old fans. So please, review if you would be so kind. Thank you -espresso d gecko
"I don't enjoy this any more than you, Otacon," the Colonel answered. Nodding to one of the soldiers who stood in their midst, he waited as a collapsible chair was set before him. Taking a seat and draping his military jacket over the back of it, he rested his face in his hands. He did not look up, even as he continued to speak. "And it's certainly not something I wanted Snake to go through, but…there are things I have to tell you."
Otacon looked at him, not believing the pitiful condition that the Colonel portrayed so well. Raising his face out of his hands and shaking his head in something of disbelief, he turned his gaze up to Otacon and put on no smile. He wore a stern expression, but in the dark shade of the coming clouds that eliminated the heat from the moment, it seemed almost unhappy. Like a frown.
"The Universal Freedoms Activists Council is an organization that exists only in the past," the Colonel began, trying to fight back the feelings of sorrow that lurked beneath his heart. "When the Cold War was pulled under the magnifying glass and recognized by the entire world as a potential global threat, the United States began investigations behind enemy lines. The plan was codenamed 'The A-Objective,' after the word amalgamate, which means to integrate or to blend in.
"Over the first two years, they managed to uncover miles of conspiracies linked to the events prior and during the Cold War. Information about Russia's top-secret 'Cold War Project' was scavenged from the cities, but it paled in comparison to the more," he paused, searching for the right word, "exciting story." He sighed heavily, and looked at the floor to compose himself before moving on.
"They found records regarding the Patriots. While the Red Scare was bringing chaos and social disorder to our 'government,' Russia was cooperating with several world-renowned corporations in hopes of securing an all-powerful military offense. It wasn't until the late 1970's that the Russians caught on to the A-Objective of the United States government.
"Following the unwelcome discovery of American agents in Russia, many of those involved in the A-Objective were weeded out. When news of the United States' tactics circulated to other countries, we began to see a rise in terrorist activity hitting home. That was around the time the data retrieved in A-Objective was finally analyzed the hundreds of times it was needed, and truth was told.
"At the conclusion of a complicated information struggle, the results of A- Objective had been circulated through several nations' governments, and a conference was held between members of every one to discuss their findings. With the truth of the Patriots unveiled to the unknowing sponsors of many political events and campaigns, the information began to work its way into the higher ranks. When the government of nearly every world power had complete knowledge of the situation, the UFAC was established. That was in 1983.
"Up until the incident less than a year ago at Hell's Outpost, they were going strong. After having submitted an inside agent to the enemy lineup and having lost contact with that agent for more than a month, their cover was blown and the Patriot's network effectively shut the program down. That, as I said, was less than a year ago." Otacon looked at him – still confused.
"So, who are you?" Frank asked, breaking the stunning silence. The Colonel shook his head and forced a smile.
"I'm the same person as I was four years ago. Colonel Roy Campbell. But, this organization is NOT the UFAC. The UFAC was dedicated to putting an end to the Patriot's network without making public allegations or threats. Just after the UFAC had been set in stone and made an official organization, several representatives left it, seeing the war against the Patriot to be an interminable one. They formed the organization known as FACtion – the very team that has taken control of Manhattan…and the very team that you work for." That last statement drew Otacon's gaze over the Colonel once more. 'No,' he thought, but it was all more real than he could understand.
"FACtion is not an official organization, but is instead a conglomeration of renegade representatives formerly belonging to the UFAC. Both corporations were fairly similar, but FACtion proved to be the 'big brother' of sorts. It has made it its duty to put an end to the Patriot's network at all costs. It is just as innocent as the UFAC. The only difference is its dedication.
"Would you be willing to freeze all of society in a heartbeat if it meant the long-term prosper of a re-instated working government? It wouldn't be a hoax or some political act meant only to entertain and satisfy, but a government true to the beliefs stated in the Declaration of the Independence, along with the Constitution. That is the government we're working toward rebuilding, and we will stop at nothing to fulfill the American dream."
"You've taken a city of over a million people hostage," Frank interjected. "That's terrorism." The Colonel had expected a reply similar to that, but shook his head and chuckled to himself.
"A non-violent organization can't even make a dent in the Patriot's infrastructure," the Colonel answered. "Its taken the sacrifice of thousands for us to even realize that the Patriots existed, and you deny us the right to take a dozen in the pursuit of freedom?" Otacon nodded, subtly and the Colonel mounted his hands on his thighs, pushing his back against the back of the chair and yawning. "Otacon," he said, "I expected your disapproval, but cant you see past the numbers lost and realize the numbers that will be saved? The Patriot runs a Dictatorship, and like Hitler and Mussolini with their Fascist empires, he eliminates all potential threats with the wave of a hand. He is defying everything that makes us Americans, and you are defying those very same rights by restricting our voice and our action."
Otacon shook his head violently as Frank tested the guards by scratching his shoulder with his scruffy chin. They jumped. "All of Manhattan," Otacon breathed, trying to make sense of it all, and trying to find justification for the Colonel's actions, but even as there was the obvious goal of freedom it didn't satisfy Otacon's thirst for understanding. "You've taken complete control of Manhattan, and put Snake and Jack and me in harm's way for yourselves?" The Colonel seemed apologetic. "If there was nothing wrong with FACtion, why would you need to deceive us? Why wouldn't we join you anyway?" The Colonel was quick to an answer, but it shook the heavens.
"You've lost sight of freedom, Otacon," the Colonel exclaimed, leaning toward the two again. Otacon was furious. "You thought that the United States and all of the world was free, but after learning about the Patriots – and the Patriot – you felt too disconnected. You've been searching for some sort of sign all along, but you haven't gotten it." He paused, massaging his forehead. "And now you've forgotten the price of freedom. You think that it's an easily achieved prize, but that isn't it at all. When this nation was formed, thousands lost their lives to support this freedom, and you are not willing to let a mere dozen more – at most – fall with them, even if it means the revival of order throughout the entire world."
Otacon was frozen. He was frozen right there. Somehow, though he wanted to fight it, he knew that what the Colonel said was true. He had lost sight of his objective and had plummeted into a pit of denial. For several years he had been working to restore order, but without sacrifice it can't be done. But then, something struck him. It conquered even the Colonel's statement. He inhaled.
"Those sacrifices…were they not voluntary?" The Colonel was frozen. He was frozen right there. Somehow, though he wanted to fight it, he knew that what Otacon said was true. But, he was in no position to debate the course of action now. He was working beneath several others, and his voice would only be silenced by the wave of a hand and the pull of a trigger.
"Move them back into the building," the Colonel said as he stood and draped his military jacket over his shoulders. "I will report their condition to Him." The soldiers all approved, and before turning away the Colonel saluted Otacon and Frank. With no verbal or physical gesture to stand as a response, he frowned and then started toward the elevator, heralded by a number of military units.
"The American dream?" Otacon asked, sending a cold breeze through the garage and stopping the Colonel where he stood. Waiting, Otacon watched as the Colonel turned back to him, a serious expression taking place of his once humorous sense.
"The American dream," he confirmed, and then he turned away and left them in silence, in refreshing wind, and in a shadow. To himself, he uttered the words again, only so that he could hear them. He did it…almost as if it was an evaluation, or a final take on the situation. He was putting himself to the test as he said it, and all of his goals, morals, and values were laid out before the court of his own being.
"The American dream?" he asked, sighing. And he disappeared into the elevator, requesting sole admittance. As the doors closed on the scene Otacon's eyes met with his. Both of them were right in a sense, and while their routes were different, their goal was the same:
To fulfill the American dream.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: For a while I've been a little worried about whether or not people are actually continuing to read this fanfiction. Please, if you are reading this, review this chapter. If it's the only time that you EVER review something, I don't care. I just need to know that I haven't lost all of my old fans. So please, review if you would be so kind. Thank you -espresso d gecko