Metal Gear Solid X

Chapter 5- Cadaverous Predicament

Part One

The street life wasn't very kind to Snake. Dodging police and living off unemployment didn't make for a very comfortable living situation. The darker side of New York seemed to greet him every time he walked inside his disgusting apartment. He sat down in the dank living room. A busted TV was the most noticeable thing in the room, followed by a lamp with a cracked lampshade. "If there's a rock bottom, then I think I've damned well hit it." Snake said to himself. A half empty bottle of whisky stood on table next to the couch, Snake grabbed it and crooned his sorrows to his pal Jack Daniels.

Life wasn't much better for Raiden either. He had a wife to take care of and a child to prepare for. The last year on suspension had killed all his finances and he found himself being supported by Rose and her paycheck. He sat at home most times, a pistol next to his chair. Paranoia seemed to envelope his life as he halfway expected Impal to burst through the door and shoot at him. "Hell, I'd welcome it..." Raiden said in a drunken slur. The door opened and Raiden immediately reached for his gun and pointed it at the door.

"You've been drinking." Rose said exasperated.

"Nah, baby! I'm just realizing things." He said laughingly.

"Damnit Jack! We can't go on like this! This baby could come anytime!"

"Then he can drink with me!!" Raiden said and threw up.

"Goddamn..." Rose sighed and got a rag. "I'm sending you to rehab, I won't let my baby be raised by a drunken ass." Raiden didn't respond as he was passed out in a puddle of his own vomit.

When he awoke, Raiden found himself in a padded room with a mirror on one side. "What the blue..."

"Shut it." A voice said out loud. "You're here because you can't keep it together. We're getting you back in shape."

"Colonel Davis?" Raiden said quizzically. Seeing his former commander infuriated the young agent. "You're the cause of this you bastard! It's your goddamn fault for fucking up my life!" He shouted, enraged. He pounded on the glass mirror and a small crack appeared.

"You done?" The colonel said stonily.

"Yeah." Raiden said as he dropped to his knees.

"Let me get you up to speed, Impal has almost taken control of Afghanistan and the president isn't helping one bit. This is totally up to us. Snake is already briefed and ready to go, his drunken stupor wasn't as bad as yours." The colonel said to him.

"I see, so it's suspend until you need us..."

"Something like that." The colonel responded. A door in the room opened and Raiden looked at it and walked through. The armory lay before him. Picking up his faithful SOCOM and katana he put on his sneaking suit. "Glad to see you guys didn't totally screw up my things." Raiden said as he checked his blade.

"And if we did then you could get over it. Your plane leaves in fifteen minutes."

"Wait, wait, wait... Rose! I've got a baby coming! I can't go now!" Raiden suddenly shouted.

"She's been told and is pissed, but understands." Davis responded. "Good luck." Raiden shook his head and walked out to the hanger. Snake greeted him with his typical demeanor.

"It seems like they need us again." He said gruffly.

"Evidently, let's kick this guy's ass and get home." Raiden said loading his pistol.

"Still bringing the pea-shooter I see." Snake said as they boarded the plane. The darkened sky above didn't entail a happy ending for this flight.

(I'll finish this chapter later this weekend)