Sting of the Scorpion
Chapter Six
Student vs. Master
Shadow Moses, 2006...
She had survived. The last thoughts that went through her head as Saladin lifted the barrel of his SOCOM were 'How will James survive in a world like this?' Than blackness.
Wolf woke up on a table, silhouetted faces hanging over her. A great pain was in her face, but she was alive.
"Bring her to the cell," a thick man's voice said.
Soldiers came immediately and threw her into a padded cell with a small square window letting in a patch of sunlight.
Shadow Moses base Camp, 1 Week Later...
Things were looking up for Corporal Matthew Reese; he had found two perfect specimens to suit the Patriots' needs. Both were near death, yet both could be reformed for his needs.
He looked at the files. Psycho Mantis had at least thirty wounds from FAMAS fire, but other than that only needed to be changed mentally. Snake had made him feel happiness, and that would not do for his needs. Or the Patriot's needs for that matter.
The problem lay with Sniper Wolf. She had taken some bad sniper fire, and of course the point blank shot to her skull didn't help matters. The doctors had done all they could, but she would still work.
Reese had a third report from Delta Squad. They had found a child. A child. He had killed a man with a sniper rifle. Of course, seeing as how it was that brown-noser Hennessy, it could be forgiven.
Several of the surviving Genome soldiers had said they saw Sniper Wolf with the boy, but that was preposterous. But, just in case he put the kid with that goody-good, Colonel Campbell. He would decide what to do with the boy.
Reese entered Wolf's cell. She sat, handcuffed to her bed. Her eyes said that she was debating where to gnaw her arm off to get out.
"Greetings," he sneered. "Wolf, look at what you got yourself into."
"Lieutenant Reese. I'm surprised the La-li-lu-le-lo have use for a puppet like you." Sniper Wolf said coolly. "What brings you this far your comfortable desk?"
"I don't care about this whole incident really. There is something interesting in Delta Squad's findings that I might like to share with you."
Wolf looked at him quizzically. "What, the carcass of Liquid Snake is not enough for you?"
"No, it has to do with a child found in one of the barracks. One of my men spoke with him after he woke up from the M9's affects. He said his name was James."
"James!"
"So, you know him? Tell me, what brought him all the way to Shadow Moses Island?"
"His name, mind you, is James Masterson, and he is one of the best snipers this world has to offer."
"Masterson? Do you mean the missing son of the great Commander Victor Masterson?"
"Yes. He has been my ward for two years."
"How would the son of a great soldier like him end up with the likes of you?"
"That question should go to Shalashaska. Wherever he is..."
Arsenal Gear, 2015 (Read Shardclaw Kusanagi's to understand fully.)...
Ocelot stood in Arsenal's control center and looked around the room. He had sent King out because of personal reasons. Fidel was updating him hourly on the situation. This made think of a night ten years ago.
Masterson Residence, 2004...
Ocelot put down the infrared goggles as he ran to the side of the house.
"You were wrong to cross the Patriot's Victor. Now your whole family will pay for your mistakes."
He leaped over a short hedge and pulled out a hook shot. Pulling the trigger, the hook attached to the brick above the window and pulled him up.
Ocelot jumped through the window, glass falling into the room of the sleeping couple within. He quickly drew both his revolvers and fired a duo of shots. A man's scream filled the air as Ocelot flipped a switch, filling the room with light.
Angela Masterson had a hole the size of a quarter going through her forehead and Victor Masterson held onto his thigh. Through his hands viscous blood dribbled down.
"Ocelot," Victor Masterson half-gasped, half-spat. "What in God's name have you done?"
Ocelot ignored this and lifted up the late Mrs. Masterson's head gently. "You had a beautiful wife Victor, it's a shame she had to die like this."
Victor tore his eyes away from looking at his wife's corpse. "It's because of James, isn't it?"
"Getting right down to business, aren't we? Yes, it has to do with your son."
"You and the Patriots just can't give up, you have to control whoever shows signs of being a super-soldier. Like the son of Dr. Matthews."
"You mean Greg. Yes, the Patriots did organize that little affair, but James doesn't have any special genes in him. He was just born to be a better soldier than his father."
"Fine, but I swear, that in my last moments here as Commander Victor Masterson of Delta Squad, that when James becomes old and smart enough that he may kill you and whatever sick plans you have for this world."
Ocelot slowly clapped his hands. "A lovely speech. May you remember it in the afterlife." And with that ado to his old friend, Ocelot pulled the trigger of his Colt Single Action Army and killed the greatest Commander Delta Squad would ever have.
Small steps could be heard and a knock at the door came. Ocelot smirked, opened the door a crack, and stepped out so that the bloody scene couldn't be seen.
A child stood in front of him holding a large stuffed bear, looking up at the strange man with weary hazel eyes. The child eyes still contained the sparkle of an innocent young child.
'Not for much longer anyway,' Ocelot thought to himself. He kneeled down at put a hand on the child's shoulder. "Hello, James, you probably don't remember me much, do you?"
The boy shook his head.
"Well, I am Shalashaska."
"Where's mommy and daddy?"
"They are dead."
James didn't seem to understand this and went toward the door.
"They are gone. I killed them. But they said that their last wish was to make sure that you were taught well."
Tears welled at James' eyes. "But I want my mommy."
"You must be strong for their memory. They were the best soldiers a man could ask for."
Ocelot picked up James, and started carrying him toward the exit. The teddy bear fell to the floor. It's dead eyes staring accusingly like those of Commander Victor Masterson in the next room.
Arsenal Gear, 2015...
He had been asked if he ever felt guilty for what had happened. Ocelot had asked himself the same question many a time.
"But no, I did what was necessary."
Now James' final test lay before him. Would he be able to best his master, or would his broken body join the ranks of the other Masterson's in the afterlife?
Castro HQ, Level 4...
Wolf looked at James while she held the sniper rifle in his face.
His face had changed the most. When she had first met him it had been that of someone who didn't understand life and death. The face she looked at now horrified her. James' eyes were nearly devoid of life, except for a tiny glint of something. Yes, she knew that glint. It showed hope, and a slight innocence left in it.
"It's been many a year, James," Wolf said in her thick Russian accent.
Scorpion scoffed. "James died on Shadow Moses, with you."
"I see you harbor much resentment toward me."
"You abandoned me, saying that I was not ready to actually fight as a soldier. I don't know who's worse, you or Colonel Campbell."
Wolf loaded a tranquilizer cartridge into the rifle. "Be that as it may, I have a final test for you." With that she pulled the trigger.
2 Hours Later...
Scorpion opened his eyes groggily and looked around him. He seemed to be on the catwalks of a warehouse. He gasped and checked for his weapons.
Everything was laid out neatly in front of him. Someone had cleaned, oiled, and placed a fresh cartridge into his PSG1. All his knives and shurikens lay glittering before him. Fate was in it's sheathe before him. Scorpion deftly drew Fate, noticing how someone had polished it and cleaned all the dry blood off.
He lifted his rifle gingerly, and rolled onto his stomach. Scorpion looked around through his rifle. The area was not bustling with activity, like the ones that are about to conquer democracy usually are.
His CODEC went off.
"Scorpion here."
"James, one minute awaked and already you are prepared to kill. I have closed off this whole level so you and I could have the place to ourselves."
"Why?"
"I was brought back. I was not truly dead."
1 Week Earlier...
The La-li-lu-le-lo were desperate. Gregory Kinezono and Linn Aramaki were sent to Japan. Too many people were starting to interfere with their plans. The Berserker Demon would have to wait; he was on a mission himself. The only true threat left at FOXHOUND was Masterson. Alone he was meaningless to their agenda, but with the might of the others in Tokyo-3 he could cause a problem.
Castro would be a sufficient deterrent.
"I see. Yes, it can be arranged. The Trihexalon is nearly completed and will await a field test," Castro said from his quarters.
"Good," Lt. Reese replied. "Masterson may not have powers but he is still dangerous."
"I have seen his record. I have only heard of one sniper better than him in all my years. And that is Sniper Wolf."
"Which is precisely why she will be there to assist you."
Castro put the cigar he had into the ashtray. "Why in God's name are you going to have two assassins in my base at the same time?"
Reese chuckled. "So that they'll kill each other."
Present...
"So, you're here to stop me from killing Fidel?"
Wolf frowned. "Kill him!! It would not matter to me."
Scorpion looked up slightly. A shot was heard and he ducked. A bullet had hit the wall exactly where his head had been seconds before.
"You're still the best," Scorpion said.
"That remains to be seen. Now, let us decide if you have truly learned all that remains to be learnt."
Scorpion pulled back the bolt on his rifle and placed his back against one of the metal beams going through the catwalks to keep them up.
He steadied his breathing and tried to think of a plan. The only time he had been against a sniper even close to this good was that time he had faced Snake in VR. And it was in a place just like this!!!
VR Training, NG (No Good) Setting, Scorpion vs. Snake...
"What the hell?" Greg asked as and Linn he walked into the VR observation room.
"Shh!!" Several people said.
The room was packed with members of FOXHOUND and Philanthropy. Garland Durev, Nagi Naoe, Riku Hanabishi, Tot, Raiden, Otacon, Colonel Campbell, Mei-Ling, Bombshell Bear, Capt. Masaki, Tarantula and... no Snake.
"What's going on?" Greg whispered to Linn.
"Didn't you hear? Both Snake and Scorpion want to accept an assassination mission. So, they're settling it through a good old fashioned VR fight."
In the VR program, Scorpion was equipped with the least amount of supplies imaginable. 2 knives, a rifle with only half a cartridge and a pair of thermal goggles. He had already taken four Diazepam.
He roved his scope over the area. Scorpion knew he would have to draw Snake out. But how?
"This is really a nice fuck-a-row."
He found one of the throwing knives and looked around. If this worked, which was unlikely, he was going to find Snake in a very vulnerable position.
Scorpion threw the knife across the room and saw a muzzle flash as the knife was sot out of the air.
"Sweet fucking Christ."
The thermal goggles were on his head in a matter of seconds. Scorpion saw Snake crouching, loading a full clip into the rifle.
He quickly fired a quartet of shots at Snake's position. Two missed, but the other two connected. Blood poured from Snake's shoulder and thigh.
Scorpion wiped some sweat from his brow and watched Snake try to find a new position. He would have thought Snake knew better than that. Moving from cover when under sniper fire was one of the worst mistakes someone could make.
The barrel of the rifle tracked Snake's movement and shook as a bullet fired and his chest.
Present...
Would Wolf fall for the same trick? He wouldn't know until he tried. He would hate to part with one of his weapons but if he didn't do it, he might not win. The knife slid out of the strap easily.
He breathed deeply and threw the knife.
At first there was silence and then the crack of a sniper rifle. Scorpion saw clearly where it came from and stood up fast, ready to fight.
Though Snake made a mistake of running after having his position discovered. But in this moment Scorpion had the advantage. He had surprised Wolf and now had the moment to run toward her position.
After running around his second corner he could see Wolf thirty yards ahead of him.
Wolf fired several times and one brushed against his arm. Scorpion pulled out another knife and threw it as hard and true as he could.
They both watched the knife's glittering arc as it flew toward Wolf.
She gasped as it hit her in the center of the chest and imbed itself all the way to the hilt in the soft flesh.
Scorpion closed the distance slowly and crouched in front of her.
Wolf coughed up blood. "I knew... you would not fail."
She put his hand to his face but he didn't recoil. This was the closest thing to a mother's touch he had felt in eight years.
"James, you are not meant to die this early in your life. Your name will go down in history."
Scorpion bowed his head. "Why?"
"I do not know why Ocelot thought I would be best to teach you. But, maybe he knew I would teach you how to live and accept death." Wolf spasmed as she steadily lost blood. "I have waited all my life to die, I thought it would happen at Shadow Moses, by the hand of Saladin. But I never knew that it would be delivered in the hand of my student, my son. I loved you the way I never thought possible, as a mother."
"Stop, you're dying."
"No, I must teach you one last lesson. You are different; you deliver death to others, because you are not ready to die. Be prepared to die eventually. Let the blood that flows through through your veins guide you. Now, finish it."
Scorpion nodded slowly and stood. He lifted his rifle and pulled back the bolt.
"Goodbye James. Remember that I will be watching you."
One level down, Castro watched this bloody scene unfold through the monitors and knew that he would not be alive after the day was done.
Scorpion took the Level Five card off of Wolf's body and fell down on his knees.
He cried. He cried for the lose of his teacher and the lesson she had taught him.
Chapter Six
Student vs. Master
Shadow Moses, 2006...
She had survived. The last thoughts that went through her head as Saladin lifted the barrel of his SOCOM were 'How will James survive in a world like this?' Than blackness.
Wolf woke up on a table, silhouetted faces hanging over her. A great pain was in her face, but she was alive.
"Bring her to the cell," a thick man's voice said.
Soldiers came immediately and threw her into a padded cell with a small square window letting in a patch of sunlight.
Shadow Moses base Camp, 1 Week Later...
Things were looking up for Corporal Matthew Reese; he had found two perfect specimens to suit the Patriots' needs. Both were near death, yet both could be reformed for his needs.
He looked at the files. Psycho Mantis had at least thirty wounds from FAMAS fire, but other than that only needed to be changed mentally. Snake had made him feel happiness, and that would not do for his needs. Or the Patriot's needs for that matter.
The problem lay with Sniper Wolf. She had taken some bad sniper fire, and of course the point blank shot to her skull didn't help matters. The doctors had done all they could, but she would still work.
Reese had a third report from Delta Squad. They had found a child. A child. He had killed a man with a sniper rifle. Of course, seeing as how it was that brown-noser Hennessy, it could be forgiven.
Several of the surviving Genome soldiers had said they saw Sniper Wolf with the boy, but that was preposterous. But, just in case he put the kid with that goody-good, Colonel Campbell. He would decide what to do with the boy.
Reese entered Wolf's cell. She sat, handcuffed to her bed. Her eyes said that she was debating where to gnaw her arm off to get out.
"Greetings," he sneered. "Wolf, look at what you got yourself into."
"Lieutenant Reese. I'm surprised the La-li-lu-le-lo have use for a puppet like you." Sniper Wolf said coolly. "What brings you this far your comfortable desk?"
"I don't care about this whole incident really. There is something interesting in Delta Squad's findings that I might like to share with you."
Wolf looked at him quizzically. "What, the carcass of Liquid Snake is not enough for you?"
"No, it has to do with a child found in one of the barracks. One of my men spoke with him after he woke up from the M9's affects. He said his name was James."
"James!"
"So, you know him? Tell me, what brought him all the way to Shadow Moses Island?"
"His name, mind you, is James Masterson, and he is one of the best snipers this world has to offer."
"Masterson? Do you mean the missing son of the great Commander Victor Masterson?"
"Yes. He has been my ward for two years."
"How would the son of a great soldier like him end up with the likes of you?"
"That question should go to Shalashaska. Wherever he is..."
Arsenal Gear, 2015 (Read Shardclaw Kusanagi's to understand fully.)...
Ocelot stood in Arsenal's control center and looked around the room. He had sent King out because of personal reasons. Fidel was updating him hourly on the situation. This made think of a night ten years ago.
Masterson Residence, 2004...
Ocelot put down the infrared goggles as he ran to the side of the house.
"You were wrong to cross the Patriot's Victor. Now your whole family will pay for your mistakes."
He leaped over a short hedge and pulled out a hook shot. Pulling the trigger, the hook attached to the brick above the window and pulled him up.
Ocelot jumped through the window, glass falling into the room of the sleeping couple within. He quickly drew both his revolvers and fired a duo of shots. A man's scream filled the air as Ocelot flipped a switch, filling the room with light.
Angela Masterson had a hole the size of a quarter going through her forehead and Victor Masterson held onto his thigh. Through his hands viscous blood dribbled down.
"Ocelot," Victor Masterson half-gasped, half-spat. "What in God's name have you done?"
Ocelot ignored this and lifted up the late Mrs. Masterson's head gently. "You had a beautiful wife Victor, it's a shame she had to die like this."
Victor tore his eyes away from looking at his wife's corpse. "It's because of James, isn't it?"
"Getting right down to business, aren't we? Yes, it has to do with your son."
"You and the Patriots just can't give up, you have to control whoever shows signs of being a super-soldier. Like the son of Dr. Matthews."
"You mean Greg. Yes, the Patriots did organize that little affair, but James doesn't have any special genes in him. He was just born to be a better soldier than his father."
"Fine, but I swear, that in my last moments here as Commander Victor Masterson of Delta Squad, that when James becomes old and smart enough that he may kill you and whatever sick plans you have for this world."
Ocelot slowly clapped his hands. "A lovely speech. May you remember it in the afterlife." And with that ado to his old friend, Ocelot pulled the trigger of his Colt Single Action Army and killed the greatest Commander Delta Squad would ever have.
Small steps could be heard and a knock at the door came. Ocelot smirked, opened the door a crack, and stepped out so that the bloody scene couldn't be seen.
A child stood in front of him holding a large stuffed bear, looking up at the strange man with weary hazel eyes. The child eyes still contained the sparkle of an innocent young child.
'Not for much longer anyway,' Ocelot thought to himself. He kneeled down at put a hand on the child's shoulder. "Hello, James, you probably don't remember me much, do you?"
The boy shook his head.
"Well, I am Shalashaska."
"Where's mommy and daddy?"
"They are dead."
James didn't seem to understand this and went toward the door.
"They are gone. I killed them. But they said that their last wish was to make sure that you were taught well."
Tears welled at James' eyes. "But I want my mommy."
"You must be strong for their memory. They were the best soldiers a man could ask for."
Ocelot picked up James, and started carrying him toward the exit. The teddy bear fell to the floor. It's dead eyes staring accusingly like those of Commander Victor Masterson in the next room.
Arsenal Gear, 2015...
He had been asked if he ever felt guilty for what had happened. Ocelot had asked himself the same question many a time.
"But no, I did what was necessary."
Now James' final test lay before him. Would he be able to best his master, or would his broken body join the ranks of the other Masterson's in the afterlife?
Castro HQ, Level 4...
Wolf looked at James while she held the sniper rifle in his face.
His face had changed the most. When she had first met him it had been that of someone who didn't understand life and death. The face she looked at now horrified her. James' eyes were nearly devoid of life, except for a tiny glint of something. Yes, she knew that glint. It showed hope, and a slight innocence left in it.
"It's been many a year, James," Wolf said in her thick Russian accent.
Scorpion scoffed. "James died on Shadow Moses, with you."
"I see you harbor much resentment toward me."
"You abandoned me, saying that I was not ready to actually fight as a soldier. I don't know who's worse, you or Colonel Campbell."
Wolf loaded a tranquilizer cartridge into the rifle. "Be that as it may, I have a final test for you." With that she pulled the trigger.
2 Hours Later...
Scorpion opened his eyes groggily and looked around him. He seemed to be on the catwalks of a warehouse. He gasped and checked for his weapons.
Everything was laid out neatly in front of him. Someone had cleaned, oiled, and placed a fresh cartridge into his PSG1. All his knives and shurikens lay glittering before him. Fate was in it's sheathe before him. Scorpion deftly drew Fate, noticing how someone had polished it and cleaned all the dry blood off.
He lifted his rifle gingerly, and rolled onto his stomach. Scorpion looked around through his rifle. The area was not bustling with activity, like the ones that are about to conquer democracy usually are.
His CODEC went off.
"Scorpion here."
"James, one minute awaked and already you are prepared to kill. I have closed off this whole level so you and I could have the place to ourselves."
"Why?"
"I was brought back. I was not truly dead."
1 Week Earlier...
The La-li-lu-le-lo were desperate. Gregory Kinezono and Linn Aramaki were sent to Japan. Too many people were starting to interfere with their plans. The Berserker Demon would have to wait; he was on a mission himself. The only true threat left at FOXHOUND was Masterson. Alone he was meaningless to their agenda, but with the might of the others in Tokyo-3 he could cause a problem.
Castro would be a sufficient deterrent.
"I see. Yes, it can be arranged. The Trihexalon is nearly completed and will await a field test," Castro said from his quarters.
"Good," Lt. Reese replied. "Masterson may not have powers but he is still dangerous."
"I have seen his record. I have only heard of one sniper better than him in all my years. And that is Sniper Wolf."
"Which is precisely why she will be there to assist you."
Castro put the cigar he had into the ashtray. "Why in God's name are you going to have two assassins in my base at the same time?"
Reese chuckled. "So that they'll kill each other."
Present...
"So, you're here to stop me from killing Fidel?"
Wolf frowned. "Kill him!! It would not matter to me."
Scorpion looked up slightly. A shot was heard and he ducked. A bullet had hit the wall exactly where his head had been seconds before.
"You're still the best," Scorpion said.
"That remains to be seen. Now, let us decide if you have truly learned all that remains to be learnt."
Scorpion pulled back the bolt on his rifle and placed his back against one of the metal beams going through the catwalks to keep them up.
He steadied his breathing and tried to think of a plan. The only time he had been against a sniper even close to this good was that time he had faced Snake in VR. And it was in a place just like this!!!
VR Training, NG (No Good) Setting, Scorpion vs. Snake...
"What the hell?" Greg asked as and Linn he walked into the VR observation room.
"Shh!!" Several people said.
The room was packed with members of FOXHOUND and Philanthropy. Garland Durev, Nagi Naoe, Riku Hanabishi, Tot, Raiden, Otacon, Colonel Campbell, Mei-Ling, Bombshell Bear, Capt. Masaki, Tarantula and... no Snake.
"What's going on?" Greg whispered to Linn.
"Didn't you hear? Both Snake and Scorpion want to accept an assassination mission. So, they're settling it through a good old fashioned VR fight."
In the VR program, Scorpion was equipped with the least amount of supplies imaginable. 2 knives, a rifle with only half a cartridge and a pair of thermal goggles. He had already taken four Diazepam.
He roved his scope over the area. Scorpion knew he would have to draw Snake out. But how?
"This is really a nice fuck-a-row."
He found one of the throwing knives and looked around. If this worked, which was unlikely, he was going to find Snake in a very vulnerable position.
Scorpion threw the knife across the room and saw a muzzle flash as the knife was sot out of the air.
"Sweet fucking Christ."
The thermal goggles were on his head in a matter of seconds. Scorpion saw Snake crouching, loading a full clip into the rifle.
He quickly fired a quartet of shots at Snake's position. Two missed, but the other two connected. Blood poured from Snake's shoulder and thigh.
Scorpion wiped some sweat from his brow and watched Snake try to find a new position. He would have thought Snake knew better than that. Moving from cover when under sniper fire was one of the worst mistakes someone could make.
The barrel of the rifle tracked Snake's movement and shook as a bullet fired and his chest.
Present...
Would Wolf fall for the same trick? He wouldn't know until he tried. He would hate to part with one of his weapons but if he didn't do it, he might not win. The knife slid out of the strap easily.
He breathed deeply and threw the knife.
At first there was silence and then the crack of a sniper rifle. Scorpion saw clearly where it came from and stood up fast, ready to fight.
Though Snake made a mistake of running after having his position discovered. But in this moment Scorpion had the advantage. He had surprised Wolf and now had the moment to run toward her position.
After running around his second corner he could see Wolf thirty yards ahead of him.
Wolf fired several times and one brushed against his arm. Scorpion pulled out another knife and threw it as hard and true as he could.
They both watched the knife's glittering arc as it flew toward Wolf.
She gasped as it hit her in the center of the chest and imbed itself all the way to the hilt in the soft flesh.
Scorpion closed the distance slowly and crouched in front of her.
Wolf coughed up blood. "I knew... you would not fail."
She put his hand to his face but he didn't recoil. This was the closest thing to a mother's touch he had felt in eight years.
"James, you are not meant to die this early in your life. Your name will go down in history."
Scorpion bowed his head. "Why?"
"I do not know why Ocelot thought I would be best to teach you. But, maybe he knew I would teach you how to live and accept death." Wolf spasmed as she steadily lost blood. "I have waited all my life to die, I thought it would happen at Shadow Moses, by the hand of Saladin. But I never knew that it would be delivered in the hand of my student, my son. I loved you the way I never thought possible, as a mother."
"Stop, you're dying."
"No, I must teach you one last lesson. You are different; you deliver death to others, because you are not ready to die. Be prepared to die eventually. Let the blood that flows through through your veins guide you. Now, finish it."
Scorpion nodded slowly and stood. He lifted his rifle and pulled back the bolt.
"Goodbye James. Remember that I will be watching you."
One level down, Castro watched this bloody scene unfold through the monitors and knew that he would not be alive after the day was done.
Scorpion took the Level Five card off of Wolf's body and fell down on his knees.
He cried. He cried for the lose of his teacher and the lesson she had taught him.
