Thanks Shadowstar for your input. Your right, I should probably intro the new characters a bit more, but I wanted to give the impression they had been there for a while and knew the others. Even so, they should have been explained a little more and I apologize. Hopefully I'll be able to mold their characters more as the story progresses. And sorry for the note within the chapter, that was thrown in the last minute to explain Seraph's name. The chapter was typed out rather quickly and posted just as fast. If you have anything else to add I'd be really happy to hear it, I'm always looking to improve.

Chapter Two : Blueprints

Liquid returned, much to Seraph's disappointment. She hoped that maybe he would trip down some stairs and break his neck. Alas, no. He reported, or rather gloated, that the F-16's had been taken of quite quickly. "Hmm. Then I guess that you're just that good, huh." She said flatly.

"Why don't you take a little detour with me and find out just how good."

"Hmmm… what an invitation." She drawled, dragging her fingers over his chest teasingly. She suddenly turned and walked away. "However, I think I'm going to have to pass. I have a condition you see."

"Condition?" He scowled, frustrated at her games. During the short time he had known her she had only rejected and belittled him. At first it was amusing, their cat and mouse tactics, but now it was starting to get on his nerves.

"Yeah, its called repulsion." She spat, "its an allergy to stupid, and I find it acts up around you."

She didn't even give him time to glare at her before disappearing out the door. She muttered to herself all the way down the hallway. "Pompous… little…"

"Hey, Angel!"

Seraph turned. "Wolf." She smiled, relieved. "I'm so happy to see you."

Sniper Wolf looked confused. "Is there something wrong? What happened?"

"Nothing." Seraph answered as they began to walk again. "I'm just sick of Liquid. Actually I'm getting a little annoyed with the great amount of testosterone hanging around."

Wolf laughed. "I see. Well, hopefully we won't be much longer here."

"Yeah. You know, after all this is over we should go out to brunch or something." Seraph loved her work. She took great pride in her abilities, but sometimes it was nice to get out for a while. Most of her life had been spent training or with Ocelot and his colleagues. When Seraph had met Sniper Wolf they had become instant friends, both being women in a mostly male team.

"That's so… domestic." Wolf commented, smiling slowly, "but it sounds great. It's a deal."

:X:X:X:X:X:X:X:X:X:X:X:

Siobhan Collins spun around in his seat, pausing in the work he was doing to speak to the Boss. "You know, Liquid, maybe you should just leave her alone for a while." He suggested. Seraph didn't like the pushy types. He knew for a fact - - because she had told him - - that she saw Liquid as all talk and no talent.

"I know it sounds like a load of crap," Angel told him once, "but I truly need the strong, silent type. The ones who just do what needs to be done rather than walk around like they're the kings of the castle."

Frankly, Banshee thought it was crap, but not for the reason Angel believed he would find. She was married to her work. It wasn't surprising to him. She had, after all, been trained and raised by Ocelot. Not many knew the story behind that, Siobhan being one of the ones kept in the dark. If Banshee hadn't already known about Seraph he never would have believed that Ocelot would have had it in him to take care of her. Yet, she was his legacy and in that was a motive for patience. Even if there was a desire to care for the girl it wasn't the deciding factor in her presence. Ocelot never did anything that wouldn't advance his own plans.

"And you're such an expert on women all of sudden?" Liquid prodded.

Banshee flinched. True, he and Vertigo, his current lover, were at odds. She wasn't happy with what he was doing. She had never wanted him to join Seraph, Ocelot and FOX-HOUND in the first place much less take part in this little revolt. They both had strong codes of behavior. Siobhan's wasn't necessarily positive, so he was usually arguing with his girl. Something Liquid exploited at every turn to bait him into a fight. "I'm just making a suggestion, Boss."

"You both know I'm such a fan of your romantic endeavors," Ocelot responded sarcastically, "but if you will remember, we have negotiations to attend to."

"True." Liquid answered. "We need to prepare for our guest's arrival." He was referring to Solid Snake. None of the others had any doubt that someone would be sent to stop them, and it would be wise to assume they would send Snake. Who else was there that could match up to FOX-HOUND's special forces other than a former member?

"How will we know when he gets here?" Banshee didn't know much about Solid Snake other than what he had heard, and he had learned long ago not to trust everything legends said. However, he was genetically tied to Big Boss, and that was saying something.

"Oh, I think we'll know…"

:X:X:X:X:X:X:X:X:X:X:X:

Seraph had just finished placing the last of her sensors in key areas when a low beeping sound came from her left pocket. One of them had been tripped somewhere. She pulled out a device and studied it, determining that there was an intruder in proximity to the cells where they had been keeping the DARPA chief and that girl, Meryl. She picked up her radio and flipped through the frequencies until she came upon a familiar one.

"Yes?"

"Ocelot, its Seraph. I think I might have some news. Anyone with you?"

"No. What's your news?"

"I think Snake's here. I placed some sensors and one just went off near the DARPA chief's cell."

"Sensors? You put up sensors, too?"

"I don't trust Liquid to tell us everything."

"A little paranoid?" He kidded.

"I learned caution by watching you." Seraph said grimly. "A lot of men would still be alive today if they were just a little paranoid of you. Forgive me if I'm uneasy around people like Liquid."

"Octopus is in Anderson's cell." Ocelot informed. "We'll know soon enough what Snake has been sent here to do. You know politics, what's obvious and what's true are not always the same thing. After that Mantis' plan will be set in motion."

"This better work, or all of this will be for naught." Seraph answered. "And Ocelot…"

"What is it?"

"Be careful. I have a bad feeling about this."

"Don't worry about me. Take care of yourself."

She sighed, "yes, sir. I will." She clicked the radio off.

:X:X:X:X:X:X:X:X:X:X:X:

Seraph pulled out her other device, searching out the wavelength for Decoy Octopus's transmitter. Unfortunately, earlier the real Donald Anderson had met a very untimely fate, care of her teacher. In a way it was actually a lucky break. They didn't have to worry about the DARPA chief telling Snake any information they didn't want him to know in case they did get away. With him dead they would replace one of their own in his shoes and lead Snake astray, send him down the very path he should avoid.

A smile melted onto Seraph's face. Even if he was as intelligent as the tales told he still wasn't smart enough to see this coming…

FLASHBACK - -

"You fool!" Liquid shouted, the anger transforming his typically calm expression into one of fury. It was not a good look for him. "You've killed him!"

"I'm sorry, sir." Her mentor apologized. Seraph leaned back against the wall of the 'interrogation' room, crossing her arms over her chest. Her eyes moved over the battered corpse of the DARPA chief. He had been a strong one, stronger than anyone would have ever expected. Impressive, but stupid.

"His mental shielding was too strong." Psycho Mantis said. He was standing next to her. "I couldn't dive into his mind."

"He should have told us what we wanted to know." Seraph said harshly. Torture never bothered her, in fact watching her master conduct his inquisitions was one of her favorite pastimes. It was an art. Pain was something that thrilled her, even when it was her own.

Liquid turned his gaze on the young woman. "Perhaps so, but now we'll never get that detonation code."

"Boss," Mantis interjected, "I have a good idea."

"Yes?" Liquid inquired snippily. He was still very unhappy.

"You shouldn't tell him." Seraph turned to her long-time friend. "He's being a jerk."

Liquid's patience dropped - - if he'd had any dealing with this situation. "Silence." He snapped. "Go on, Mantis." What followed was an explanation of how they could coax Snake into gathering all the Key Cards and using them to their needs. Liquid agreed this sounded like the best course of action under the circumstances.

"Well, O brilliant leader," Seraph commented, "why didn't you think of that?" Liquid glared and turned, striding from the room. "He's only jealous because he didn't get to torture someone to death."

"Sometimes," Psycho Mantis said, "I think you need serious help."

She grinned, "and that is the reason, my friend, that you never go into my head."

"Absolutely correct. Once was enough." He riposted in good humor. She laughed.

END FLASHBACK - -

Seraph snapped out of her memories and finally connected to Octopus' frequency. She found an empty room and waited for something to start. There was silence for a few minutes then suddenly she heard a metallic clang, the sound of a grate being shoved aside.

"Who…who, who's that?" Decoy exclaimed.

A pair of feet landed on the concrete floor, and a new voice said, "I'm here to save you. You're the DAPRPA chief, Donald Anderson, right?" It was Snake. Nobody else could have sounded like that.

Hmmm. Seraph thought. You're good. Getting past all those guards.

Seraph thought.

"You're here to save me, huh? What's your outfit?"

"I'm the pawn they sent here to save your worthless butt."

Seraph grinned. She liked him. He had attitude."Really?" Pause. "It's true… you don't look like one of them. In that case hurry and get me out of here!"

"Slow down. Don't worry. First, I want information about the terrorists."

"Terrorists?"

"Do they really have the ability to launch a nuke?"

"What are you talking about?"

"The terrorists are threatening the White House. They say if they don't accede to their demands, they'll launch a nuclear weapon."

"Sweet Jesus!"

Good job, Octopus. Seraph nodded. He's completely buying it. She switched the audio to her headphones and stuck the device in her pocket. Now to go attend to some other business while listening to the show…

:X:X:X:X:X:X:X:X:X:X:X:

Most of the conversation between the Decoy DARPA chief and Snake had to do with the "terrorist" plans, Metal Gear, and the keys cards having to do with the detonation codes. Nothing much of interest to Seraph, considering she already knew a lot of it. Octopus gave Snake a Level 1 card and explained how it worked. She was pretty sure the mercenary could have done without that.

"Okay. I'm gonna get you out of here."

"Wait a minute."

"What is it?"

"You.. Haven't heard any other way to disarm the PAL, have you? From your bosses or anyone?"

That was a good question. If Snake already knew another way then the Key Card plan wasn't going to work as well as they thought."No."

"Are you sure you haven't heard anything?"

"I just said no."

"So, does the White House plan to give in to the terrorists' demands?"

"That's their problem. It has nothing to do with my orders."

"But…what about the Pentagon?"

"Pentagon?" Snake question. However, before the other man could answer he screamed. The sound was so sharp and sudden Seraph jumped.

What the hell?

"What is it?" Snake was yelling over the transmitter.

"Wh-why…" There were horrible strangled sounds. The sounds of someone dying. Panic flooded through Seraph. What was happening? What was wrong?

"Hmmm. Dead." Snake said. That was it. Seraph switched off the com, ripping the earphones from her ears. She began to sprint toward the nearest elevator.

One of the guards passed her on the catwalk. "Lieutenant, what's the hurry?" She had no time to answer. She was already pulling her radio from its holder. The guard shrugged and went on his way. Best he stay out of this. He wouldn't be any help anyway.

"Ocelot!" She cried.

There was a moment before a reply came, "what's wrong?"

"Octopus is dead!" She finally reached the elevator. It seemed like it had taken a long time to get there. She banged on the elevator controls and cursed it for not already being there.

"What? Slow down and explain." Liquid must have grabbed the radio.

"He… something happened. It was terrible… oh, God, those screams…" The doors finally slid open and she hurried into the elevator, hitting the B1 button. "What's going on?"

"We're on our way." It was Ocelot again. "We'll meet you there."

"Yes, sir. Hurry." She wasn't afraid, she was confused. She didn't think their plans were in jeopardy, but something bad was going on. What had happened to Octopus? She had never got to know him that well, but he was an ally in this mess. Has someone done something to him? He'd not been ill, had he? Then again, that didn't sound like just plain ill.


That was chapter two. the short chapters are annoying me a little, but hopefully after a whlie I can pick up the pace. I also want to start getting everyone else in here. so far I've only been concentrating on Ocelot and Seraph. A bit on Liquid. sigh

Review and tell me what you think. It would be most appreciated if you have something constructive to say. And tell me whether I should drop the italics for radio conversations. I wasn't sure whether that was annoying or ok. Thanks.

Shadow.