Metal Gear: Blurred Reality: The Patriots' Game

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Disclaimer: All characters and anything in relation to Metal Gear is owned by Konami and Hideo Kojima. And in no way do I own them... at all.

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"Solid Snake was never one to trust his intuition, he's a man of action.. You tell him something and he goes out to fix it." -Colonel

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A/N: Very long chapter! This is the first chapter in the actual mission, I decided to skip ahead right to the good part and have everyone learn the truth along with the heroes, so enjoy and please review!

Chapter 2: It begins

New York City: A week later.

He soon broke off into a run, the end of the dock approaching quickly. Cold rain began to pelt his face as his boots thudded against the aging wood, water splashing around him with each step.

The wind roared passed as if in protest to his action while he moved faster, the jacket, which he wore flailing behind. The sky exploded in a flash of lightning and thunder, his vision blurring, the fading cloth around his head almost broke free, moving faster yet again approaching the end of the dock a mere 10 inches away.

A mixture of icy wind and rain flew passed, soon his feet no longer touched the floor as he sprung, the left foot catching the top of the gate which separated wood from sea. Lightning stuck, the stray light ricocheting of his body as he was in the air, soaring, flying towards the unforgiving seawater at a remarkable speed.

How did he get into this? His ever-blinking eyes squinted towards the sea looking for a purpose, but he found none.

Time slowed, thunder clapping all around him, the water approached.

Splash. A sleek thud of flesh and water, he drifted down into the darkness of the sea. The shock of the almost frozen December water forced the oxygen from him lungs; his face became pale as he fell into a dark haze--shock? A single memory came to mind, one, which forced him into this mission.

***********************

"Meryl!?"

The Colonel nodded almost grimly, the shadows hiding his face. "Yes Snake, Meryl is alive," A yellow folder landed in Snake's lap, the Colonel spoke again. "The Patriots have her."

Damn them.

"What?" Snake snarled, she was alive.. but how. "How is she alive? Why do they have her?"

Col. Roy Campbell shook his head, the permanent lines in his face showing the mixture of fear for his niece. "Snake open the folder."

Damn the Loyalists.

Snake fumbled in the darkness of the room, opening the small flap on the folder, taking out a small group of pictures.

The top picture showed Arsenal Gear, the words 'New York harbor' scrawled on the lower left corner.

"What does this have to--"

"Last week Arsenal Gear was hijacked from a Government facility," He motioned for Snake to move on to the next picture. "The terrorists brought it to New York, made a home for themselves, and took the city hostage."

The second picture was a Polaroid, one of Arsenal from far away. It was off center and slightly blurry, an amateur must have taken it. "... I don't understand, what does this have to do with them holding Meryl.. you didn't answer my question." The annoyance in Snake's voice was present as he glanced up at the Colonel.

"The Terrorists' only demands are to see the Patriots;" Snake took the initiative and moved to the next picture, .. It was too blurry to make out. "Their names are the Loyalists, if their demands aren't met they are planning to destroy New York, the Patriots home."

"The Loyalists? .. Seems like these guys are history buffs.." He snickered slightly, suddenly the whole matter became clear to him.. he began to understand the reason why he was brought here, a sly idea of the Patriots. "If they agree to their demands the world will know of the Patriots."

Roy nodded. "And if they don't they die anyway."

He squinted, trying to make out the men. The one in the center was Ocelot. "This one is Ocelot.. who are the others?"

Roy shook his head, taking the picture from Snake. "I wish I knew.. However, I believe they may possibly

be members of his private army."

Snake stood, placing the remainder of the pictures on the tiny table next to his seat. "I understand. Meryl is a bargaining chip, a trade off for my cooperation.."

Roy nodded again, closing his eyes thoughtfully. "You know what I am going to ask you."

Snake returned the nod with one of his own. "I'll do it for Meryl... but Colonel.. why is she alive?"

"She was never dead," The Colonel said at once. "Following the Shadow Mosses incident she escaped detection from the officials and went into hiding... they found her however--"

"..I know the rest of the story, but before I do anything I want a few things done."

The Colonel nodded promptly, allowing Snake to speak.

"For one I don't take orders from you," Snake held up one finger, pausing for a moment. "I will only take orders from Otacon."

"Done."

"I also want contact with my entire team at all times,"

A moments hesitation from Roy, but then another nod. "Done."

"Finally I don't want my partners locked up, I want everyone released and sent with me."

"..I.. I can't do that."

"Why not?"

"They want a guarantee that you will complete this mission, everyone must stay here," The Colonel pondered for a moment before speaking again. "I assure you everything else will be allowed."

"...Fine."

The Colonel smiled, relieved it seemed. "Great.. you can go now. The briefing session will be at 8."

***********************

His eyes shot opened, consciousness returning. Damn them.

After a second or two a section of the water seemingly imploded, sending a spray of water into the air. Snake's head emerged from the deep, taking in a deep breath, Arsenal came into view, the large structure coming closer as he swam furiously towards it, the cold rain making his eye sight almost useless.

He swam faster, wanting to make it to Arsenal before he passed out from heat deprivation. A wave crashed around him as he went under again, avoiding the hill of water.

Snake came back up moments later, his bandana was missing.. his lucky charm from Meryl..

Had he seen Meryl that day? He wasn't sure.. all he could remember was...

***********************

"Otacon, you all right?" Snake leaned up against his cell wall after a few minutes of silence, hoping he could here him.

After a few minutes Otacon spoke. "Snake? ..I'm fine.."

Snake grinned, glad to hear Otacon was still ok. "How are the others?"

''There all fine.. I'm kind of mad they took my laptop away.." A small chuckle from Otacon.

Snake couldn't contain his seriousness and spoke again. "I made a deal to have everyone as my contacts on the mission."

"Mission? ... I should have known.."

" Well I don't get captured for a cup of sugar nowadays.."

They both laughed and Otacon spoke again. "So, since we're you're contacts on this mission.. are we free?"

"I couldn't do that much.. but any equipment you need will be given to assist me."

"Good.. anything else?"

"Yeah Meryl is alive."

There was a brief silence and Otacon spoke again. "I'm sorry.. I think I heard you wrong."

"No.. you didn't" He spoke calmly, as if to contain his own confusion.

"But.. how?"

"I'm still figuring out myself.. Otacon.. do me a favor."

"..Yeah...?"

"Try to get in touch with the kid, tell him to contact me."

"Gotcha.. but why?"

"I have a feeling were going to need any help we can get." Snake glanced at the picture of the Loyalists that he had managed to smuggle into the cell with him... one of them was bulky and large.. reminded him of.. no, he was dead..

The other was a woman.. blonde, holding a rifle it seemed.. hmm..

Snake's door slid open at that moment, a solider complete in evening fatigues stepped in, his AN-94 at his side. "Follow me Snake.. the briefing session is starting."

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That's right... a team was supposed to be going in with me...

Why had he had holes in his memory he would never truly figure out.. but before he could ponder the answer he had finally reached Arsenal's sea docks just as that thought came to pass, he rested a hand on the bottom of the docks, looking for a sentry or two.. but surprisingly it was deserted.

With one final glance about the area he pulled him self up and over the connecting poles on to the partly submerged dock.

With landing splash he tossed his jacket over into the sea in one fluid motion, revealing a new sneaking suit, standard Government issue. The fully black suit covered every part of his body in a sort of Kevlar, the same stuff that made bullet proof vests , however this stuff was thin due to all the running and sneaking he would do and should wear out eventually. It was safe.. but it wasn't what he was used to.

He ducked down almost immediately. Pressing a finger under his ear he though of Otacon's number, and sure enough it rang.

Ring, ring.

141.12

Snake: Otacon, I'm at the docks, do you read me?

Otacon: Loud and clear.

Snake: What's the news?

Otacon: Not much, couldn't get in touch with either Meryl or Raiden..

Snake: Frequency disconnection?

Otacon: More like: 'Closed Signal'

Snake: Figures.. what else to expect of a Government facility..

Otacon: I did manage to get some info out of them..

Snake: Oh? And what would that be?

Otacon: Well new intelligence says that there's a new Metal Gear in Arsenal, and that's for certain.

Snake: Are you sure of that? You know that we still can't rule out the possibility that this is a trap.

Otacon: Snake, why would the Government... the Patriots for that matter, set us up on a trap when their the ones who are in trouble?

Snake: Otacon.. we're still wanted even if we are on their side, and I for one know that they will do anything for our heads.

Otacon: True.. all right, we'll just have to keep a sharp eye out for anything that's amiss then.

Snake: Do we know anything on this new Metal Gear?

Otacon: I'm not certain on any capabilities.. but it's name is Endeavor.

Snake: Endeavor... friendly name..

Otacon: I just love sarcasm on a late Friday night.. In any case our goal is to destroy all the evidence on Endeavor and the Patriots before the Loyalists can expose it to the public.

Snake: And how exactly do we do that?

Otacon: I took that into thought.. and there are two ways in which it can be accomplished.

Snake: I'm listening.

Otacon: Well for one we can just destroy Arsenal, and with the risk of Endeavor being destroyed and innocents being hurt its just too risky.. our other option is based on a rumor of a virus protocol being held by one of the Loyalists..

Snake: A virus that destroys information? Why would a Loyalist have it?

Otacon: As a fail safe incase their weapon, Arsenal, is destroyed. And since the Patriots are information..

Snake: They can destroy the Patriots... but, why wait.. why not do it now?

Otacon: Well.. your guess is as good as mine.. I'm not sure whether its to toy with them, or maybe something else..

Snake: Hm...

Otacon: Snake, do you see the entrance to Arsenal?

Snake: Yes, right ahead. But it requires a level 2 card, I was given a level 1.

Otacon: All right then, check the surrounding perimeter for an enemy sentry he should have one on him.

Snake: How do you know this...?

Otacon: Common sense, there is a soldier walking the perimeter and eventually he would need to get inside..

Snake: So he should have the card on him.

Otacon: Absolutely. Snake, can you see him?

Snake: Mm.. no not in this weather, hold on let me check with my scope.

Snake reached into a concealed pouch on his left side, pulling a, smaller than usual, scope and began to trail the surrounding perimeter.

"See him yet?"

"Affirmative. One sentry, Russian , weaponless."

The sentry looked around quietly, as if he was suspicious about something.

"Weaponless? You sure..?"

"Positive. No soldier walks around barehanded if he has a weapon on him.. , he seems to be looking for something."

"His weapon?"

"Most likely, I never met an unarmed sentry."

"Well, weapon or not try to avoid confrontations, Snake."

"I know the drill.. I wouldn't want more than one guy after me weaponless anyway."

Snake put the scope back into the pouch, already working out the strategy he would use to surprise the enemy.

Otacon: Ok Snake, go get that card.

Snake: All right .. by the way, Otacon, who do I contact when I want to save my progress?

Otacon: Unfortunately it wont be me this time.

Snake: ..I'm so dissapointed.

Otacon: Hey! I was pretty darn good, I don't care what you think!

Snake: Yeah, what ever.. So who's it this time, Mei Ling?

Otacon: Of course, I was saving for you last time because Mei Ling was busy with the SSCEA, but since she's here with us she's going to be you're advisor for this mission.

Snake: Glad to hear it, tell me her frequency again.

Otacon: Gladly, its 140.96

The Codec automatically saved it for future reference.

Snake: All right, I'll get the card ASAP.

Otacon: Just be careful, contact me when you get inside.

Snake: All right, talk to you then.

End of Transmission

Snake stood up just as the sentry walked around the corner, seeing this as good a time as any he ducked around the corner, walking in a full circle around the cylinder like entry way until he was behind the soldier.

A short three foot steps brought him directly behind the sentry, who was decked out in the Russian attire he encountered in both the tanker and big shell incident.

In one fluid motion Snake swung his arm around to the front of the soldier, before the guard could gasp Snake pulled his arm back, chocking the sentry with just enough space to breath.

"All right," Snake snarled, slightly tightening his hold on the guard showing him he meant buisness. "give me the key card and I wont snap your neck."

'S-Snake?" The guard manage to chock out, surprising Snake as he let up on his hold just enough for the man to talk.

"Who are you!?" Snake demanded, letting him go, confusion rampant in his voice.

The guard turned, glancing at Snake, his blue eyes shining through the rain.

"Snake.. its me." The guard took off his mask, blonde hair falling around his shoulders, it was Raiden.

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End of Chapter.

A/N: The mission is underway! I know it was pretty long, I had to explain a lot of the stuff since I just skipped straight into the mission. So please review and tell me what you think! And check back soon because I will be posting again very soon.