Chapter 2: Into the Hold of the Unknown

Snake slowly crept along the tanker. His M9 was held out in front of him, finger on the trigger. Otacon had explained that, because of the way it fired, it had to be cocked manually. But it was better than taking on armed Russians barehanded.

He saw one ahead of him, and he slowly crept up on him. He put the barrel of the gun against the back of the guard's head.

"Freeze!"

The guard's body went rigid with fear, and he raised his hands high. Snake slowly paced round to the front of him, and aimed right between the eyes

"Please, don't kill me!" He spoke with a heavy Russian accent

The Russian pleaded for his life. Snake was no sadist. He told the guard to hand over all his items. He was given some M9 ammo, and the guards military ration. He also handed over a set of dog tags, which Snake pocketed, choosing to look at them later. He knew that he would be unable to use the guard's gun, thanks to advanced identification technology. He chucked it overboard.

The guard's eyes widened even more as he saw Snake's hand return to the trigger. Before he could say anything else, a dart pierced his skin, just above his nose, at a very high velocity. Its effect was instantaneous, and he slumped to the ground, unconscious.

Snake slowly dragged his body to the side of the tanker, and hurled it into the rolling sea. His body would probably not be found, least not for a long time. He looked behind him, as his was forward was blocked by a head-high steel barricade. He noticed a small pack on the ground. He picked it up and looked at it.

"Marine issue bandages? Would come in useful I guess"

He crept slowly up the steel stairs he had passed on his way, and before he reached the top, he crouched and looked around for any guards. One had just turned round, and was heading his way.

He ducked in behind the railing just as the guard reached his end. He jumped to his feet and wrapped his arm around the guard's neck. He squeezed harder and harder until the neck gave way with a sickening "crack". He searched the body, but only found dog tags and some rations. He tossed the body overboard.

"No good letting him be found, is there?"

He slowly paced up the walkway, and saw a hold door at the side of the ship, leading into the crew quarters. He walked up to it, and slowly turned the circular handle round. It needed about 3 full turns to open it. He pulled the door open and walked inside, closing the door behind him.