OTACON
It's like Snake isn't a person. He's like an alien life form bred for combat, not satisfied unless he's in battle. We're friends and all–actually, we're probably the best friend the other has ever had. But I still feel like we're too different to even talk. Snake's fine with it, but I think people shouldn't devote themselves to morbid self-attention. I think people should strive to be like other normal people. Not my words, but I believe them enough to try.
On the plane ride to England, all snake could do was fiddle with his guns and talk about fighting. Which situations, in the past, reminded him of this particular mission. Even if it was monkeys instead of people, I know the rush was the same for him. And the possibility of another fight with Ocelot must have gotten him all, well, I don't want to think about what goes through his mind.
I started thinking about Sniper Wolf just then. I wondered what we would be like if she wasn't killed. I don't like to believe that Snake killed her, because I couldn't choose a side. Instead, I like to think that she killed herself, through the path she chose. Money over love. Power over life. That kinda thing.
It must have been because she and Snake were so similar. But Snake always had someone telling him what to do until now. I wondered, if Snake didn't use his talents for the American government, would he have become a bad guy too.
Another thing I hate about Snake. He doesn't like to chat, which leaves me with nothing to do except to think about this kind of thing. And I never have a book handy to distract me.
We landed in England after a few hours in a Concorde. Thank God for that. I can't stand long boring plane rides. When a passing cloud by is an exciting change of pace, you know you're in trouble. In a lab, I at least have things to play with.
The Colonel briefed us on the plane. He wasn't there in person, he was on a video screen in front of us and the call was placed using headsets. He didn't really have anything new to say.
The mission objectives: First, find and neutralize some rogue monkeys, or apes–he wasn't so sure–and neutralize them. Second, find the probable source of the simians. Snake was secretly hoping it was Ocelot, to make the trip worthwhile.
I was hoping it would be a vacation, punctuated with a bit of meandering and order barking. I knew it wouldn't be though, nothing with Snake ever is. But still I hoped.
Treated like cargo, we were carted off from the plane into a mobile command unit on a cliff overlooking the forest in question. Being England, it wasn't much of a forest, and even less of a mountain we were perched on. It was enough for me. The forest and the surrounding areas where the monkeys were making menaces of themselves, being so small, I figured Snake would make short work of them.
What made me most uncomfortable was the lack of organization. At least it seemed that way to me, because everybody was doing everything, without any kind of commanding officer. I don't know, maybe they were so good they didn't need anybody telling them what to do, but it made me uneasy. I guess I feel secure with a boss behind my shoulder. Someone to save me from my eventual blunders.
Snake was the first to speak up, after a long while of nobody speaking to us.
"Do you really think we had to be here?"
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"There's soldiers, engineers, and technicians here. And I didn't really notice any signs of a human resources shortage since we got on that plane."
"Maybe they need somebody who they know will get the job done. Even if it's England, these military types must know all about you by now. Besides that, I'm sure Campbell told them what little else they needed to know before they were convinced."
"Hmph. Or maybe they need a foreign patsy. You know the only reason I decided on coming here was because Ocelot's name was dropped. Even if I'm in the middle of a firefight, I'll drop this mission if I come to find it was a lie. And I'll be counting on you to verify that rumor yourself."
"I'll see what I can dig up."
"I know you will, Otacon."
A short man with gray hair and a commanding presence interrupted us before it got too awkward.
"My name is Grayson." he said. "Captain Grayson. I'm in charge here. However, I was given word that you would not need or want an outlined mission itinerary, so I'll just give you the details you need."
He did so. The ones we were given so many times before, and a few more of no consequence.
"If you need any more information about your environment or equipment when you get out there, contact us through codec."
"If it's just some apes, I'll be back in a few hours without further contact with the base."
"Here's hoping it's that simple, Snake." said the Captain, taking a shot from his flask.
I took snake aside to make sure his codec was operational.
"Snake," I said. "I don't think this guy is going to be of much help. Same thing with most of these guys in here. Most of them don't appear to be doing anything but staring at monitors."
The green glare from the screens made them look like zombies.
"You're right. That's why I depend on myself, as much as I possibly can. If I have any concerns, I'll contact you first. And while I'm out there, find out what you can about this Grayson and his outfit here."
"Do I ever do anything else with my spare time?"
"Yeah, you watch Japanese cartoons and play computer games and–"
"Nevermind. Just get out there. You don't want to mess with primates in the dark."
It was true, but he didn't have to say it like that.
"See you in a few hours."
Snake held out his hand and I took it into mine. My hand was sweaty from nerves, his sweaty from anticipation, I'm sure.
"See you later."
Snake exited the mobile command unit, dispiriting clanks echoed with each step he took. I really didn't like being cooped up in a confined space, especially with a group of strangers, so I tried to keep busy. My codec went off no more than ten seconds after Snake had stepped out.
It was the Colonel.
"Colonel, is that you?" I asked.
"Yes."
"Where are you? I thought you would be here in the command post."
"No, I'm still the US. My only task was to make sure Snake accepted the mission. That was supposed to be the end of my involvement. But then I got a call this morning, somebody in the NSA thought this mission was important enough to be closely monitored. Apparently, they believe that this situation might be partially attributed to some technology stolen from the Pentagon years ago. So they wanted someone kept abreast of everything that happens there. They could have gotten anybody, but they selected me because of my past with Snake."
I was afraid of this. Some monkeywrench to complicate things further. I was looking forward to some fish, chips, and Guinness before dark. We'll never have an easy mission.
"If they wanted you involved, why didn't they send you here in person?"
"NSA guidelines. We can't alter the deal with the British at this point, not after we promised minimal intrusion. Whatever you do, don't make them aware it's me you're communicating with. I'll contact snake directly from here. What's his frequency?"
"144.67"
"Before you ask, I got your frequency and complete data on everybody and everything in that command unit you're in from a satellite pointed at your location. It sticks out like a sore thumb."
"Just how bad are these guys at what they do, Colonel?"
"Don't rely on them. Give Snake whatever he needs and you'll both be fine. I've arranged a care package, which he should be receiving shortly. I'll contact him right away and let him know. I'll keep you updated."
I hate using codec sometimes. They always sign off without giving me a chance to have the last word.
