"Just a snake." Snake said with a smirk across his face.
The guard continued to point the loaded shotgun at Snake as he inspected his face. "Pitiful American, you are not going to ruin this. Now get up!"
Snake did as told. He quickly jumped up, and held both his hands in the air. His expression still remained... almost cheerful.
"So where are we going?" Snake asked.
"Shut up! Start moving!" The guard said as he quickly jumped behind Snake and jammed the gun barrel into his back.
Snake followed orders willingly at this point and crossed the open courtyard at gun point. As they reached closer to the building, Snake stopped along with the guard.
"Open the door!" The guard ordered with a firm voice.
Snake slowly opened the interior door as they entered into the left wing of the building. He still had no clue where he was going, but he didn't want to find out. Snake found the oppurtunity when they entered a long stretched of empty hallways. He quickly spun around and grabbed the barrel of the gun with his right hand, then quickly lunged forward and caught the guard in the chin with a powerful elbow. Knocking him straight to the ground.
Snake dropped the shotgun and quickly lifted the unconscious body from the floor. He inspected for an area where he could dispose of the guard. A lone door at the end of the hallway caught Snake's eye. He slowly started making his way over to the door, still having no clue where it lead. But the body he was carrying weighed him down, the guard was a hefty man, a good 200 lbs give or take.
As he dragged the body closer and closer to the door, he started hearing faint voices. They were more pronounced as he got closer. Soon he was able to make out the words.
"So has Ocelot seen it yet?" One of the men asked.
"No not yet, Zero took him on a detour." Another answered with a laugh.
"Oh really? Detour? What, lunch?"
"I don't know."
"Yeah well, I'm hoping Ocelot accepts it."
"He might, it's completed."
"Already?"
"Yep, it was completed two nights ago."
"That's great, does that mean we'll be able to go home soon?"
"Oh that'd be great. I'm hoping for the best."
"Yeah well I've got to get going, I've really got to get back outside for my patrol, or else I'll get the Commander's wraith if he finds out someone got in cause of me."
"Alright see you around."
The guards said their good-byes and parted from one another. Each going back to their own designated patrols. Snake heard the footsteps of one coming closer to the door. He quickly heaved the heavy body over his head and onto his shoulders as he slowly moved behind the doorway.
The wooden door swung open. Still leaving enough room for Snake behind it. The guard quickly walked through the door, then made his way down the hallway toward his outside patrol. Snake let out a relieving sigh as the guard walked outside without a clue of Snake's presence.
"I've got to drop this body off somewhere." Snake mumbled as he lowered the body back to the floor and made his way into the now empty room.
Snake entered and carefully laid the body on the floor. He decided to give Otacon and call and tell him that he would have to be late.
"Otacon."
"Yeah Snake?"
"I'm having some problems."
"What's the matter?"
"I've seem to have made my way into the facility itself. Well "forced" into the facility. So I might be a little late."
"Well that's great Snake." Otacon said sarcastically. "I guess we can hold off the chopper for a few. While you are in there I guess you can try figuring out more. But Snake, you can't screw up. Don't get yourself caught." Otacon said in a now concerned voice.
"I hear ya." Snake said as he lifted himself up from the ground. He quickly glanced around the room looking for the ideal spot to release this burden off his shoulders, "the body." The set of lockers on the left side of the room quickly caught his eye. Snake hastily grabbed the body under the arms and dragged him the rest of the way toward the lockers. He inspected each one to see that two of them were unused and had no lock what-so-ever. Snake quickly picked one and swung open the door. He then lifted the body up one last time with the remainder of his strength and shoved him into the locker. Snake shut the door tightly and finally was able to worry about the one thing that truly mattered, Ocelot.
With his hands finally free he calmly pulled out his trusted converted m9 and smiled. He dropped his arms to his side, and began walking slowly down the hallway. As he made his way down the hallway, he glanced around the perimeter. The place was definitely nicely constructed, marble floors, elegant paintings hung on the walls, everything seemed to have a sort of "glow" to it.
"This seems a little too nice." Snake thought to himself as he made his way down the hallway. Still he kept his mind on finding Ocelot. But Snake's only lead was the maintenance lab, which the location was still unknown. The structures of each bases differed. Each seemed bigger and more well designed then the last. But the place seemed nothing more than just a maze to Snake. There were nothing but continual labyrinths of hallways going every which way.
The ringing of his codec interrupted his train of thought.
"Snake?"
"What is it Otacon?" Snake answered annoyed.
"Where are you right now?"
"I'm not sure, it's like a damn maze in here."
"Ok, Snake, Ocelot and Zero should be in the maintenance lab right now."
"Well maybe not right now, I heard Zero took him on a "detour."
"Well then it gives us more time. Looking at your current location you are on the first floor, the maintenance lab is on the bottom floor."
"Oh well thanks for telling me..."
"There is a set of three elevators, three hallways to the left of your current position."
"Got it."
"But Snake, you need high level clearance to get down to the lab. This isn't going to be as easy as the last."
"How should I go about getting clearance?"
"Well the only people allowed in the lab are Commander Zero, and then the lab scientist."
"...And obviously Ocelot at this point."
"Snake, the only thing I can think of is finding yourself a lab uniform, either take it from someone, or find one that's laying around some where. Just do what you have to do."
"Alright. I'll find a way."
Snake disconnected, and with the new knowledge that he required, began looking for the elevators.
"Three hallways to my left..." Snake thought to himself as he turned the corner.
And as Otacon said, there were three hallways branching out far apart from each other. Snake started down the hallway passing up the first without even a glance. He tightened his grip around his m9 as he walked further down, passing up the second hallway. Snake slowed down and pressed his back against the wall as he edged ever so closely to the corner of the third hallway. The supposed hallway of the elevators.
"Three elevators. High security." Snake continued thinking to himself. He slowly turned his head around the corner to take a peek.
"One security camera... That's it?" Snake was surprised by the lack of security. But before he could continue his thoughts, he saw something he wasn't expecting: the Commander and Ocelot turning the corner up ahead. Snake quickly pulled his head back.
"Ocelot..." He once again slowly peeked his head out to study his long time enemy. He was still the same, his clothing, his voice, his smirk. Everything was the same, he didn't seem to have aged a bit. As they made their way closer to the elevators. Their conversation could be heard.
"Oh, you're are going to love it!" Commander Zero said.
"Good, I want to hear some good news for a change."
"Well this is definitely good news. The suit is fully operational, It's even seen action so far."
"Sounds good, can't wait to see it."
"Yes, it's quiet magnificent." Commander Zero said as he pushed the button for the elevator.
"If it's good enough, I'll be willing to take it off your hands by tonight. And you'll be done."
"Excellent, I'm glad to be of service."
The elevator doors opened, and both of the men entered.
"Yes, he'll definitely be grateful---" The conversation was cut off by the elevator doors.
Snake stepped back and placed his finger on his ear.
"Otacon."
"Yeah?"
"I just saw Zero and Ocelot enter the maintenance lab through the elevators."
"Ok Snake, just get yourself down there."
"Zero said that the suit was completed. It had even seen action."
"Really? That's a scary thought."
"Yeah, it really is."
"We're going to have to find out what those suits are made for."
"I can try Otacon."
"Then try."
The conversation ended. Snake, now eager to get to the lab, quickly spun around the corner and started walking toward the elevators. He pressed his back against the wall and slid underneath the camera like it was nothing. It was a poor spot, and easy to avoid. Snake quickly pressed the button for the elevator and waited as it came back up.
"Hmm..." Snake became impatient as the elevator took it's time to get back up.
Luckily the doors swung open and Snake jumped in. He waited for the doors to shut behind him.
"Bottom floor...maintenance lab." Snake said to himself as he pressed the button to go down a floor. A loud noise was heard as the elevator jolted into movement. As he went down the floor, Snake pressed his back against the wall and relaxed himself for the few short seconds that he could. But those seconds were gone as soon as they started, as the doors opened up, only to show more identical hallways. Snake was becoming more annoyed than anything else. As he left the elevator behind he studied each door he walked past. Each had some sort of a purpose, and that purpose was posted on a plank near each door.
"Ammunitions... Computer Lab... Storage Room sec. 2..." Snake continued to read off the names to himself.
"Storage Room sec. 3... sec. 4... General's Office..." None seemed to be what Snake was looking for.
But up ahead, a room caught Snake's eye. "Lab. Equip Room..." Snake walked up to the door.
"Hopefully I'll find something useful in here." Snake said to himself, hoping to find a lab uniform of some sort.
Snake gave a quick budge to the door as he turned the handle, the door swung opened violently.
"Not locked?" Snake questioned.
But it didn't matter, he started searching through all the boxes and equipment in the room. He found many unnecessary equipment: goggles, beakers, test tube racks, test tubes, etc. Nothing that Snake needed. But a box in the corner of the room marked "lab coats" caught Snake's attention. He quickly pushed aside the useless items and went straight for the box. Snake reached down onto his leg and pulled out his combat knife. He quickly sliced through the tape that poorly held the box together.
"Hmm... Looks good." Snake said as he placed his knife away and began grabbing at the lab coats in the box.
"This'll do." Snake took the large white lab coat and fitted it around himself. He connected all the loose ends together. It fit like a charm, the only thing that showed was his large black combat boots. But it was good enough. Snake ripped his bandana off and slicked his hair back. He looked the least bit natural but once again it was good enough. Snake wouldn't show his face to anyone, specially not the other scientists.
In last preparation Snake slipped off both of his gloves and placed them into his back pocket. He took a deep breath and had a pretty good feeling that it would work.But the successful feeling quickly was flooded out when Snake heard voices right outside the door.
"I heard something over here a second ago."
"What do you mean?"
"It was like a large bang!"
"Ok, ok."
"I think someone might have broken into the room."
Snake had a bad feeling, but he did nothing, he just stood there. The door busted open, revealing two shocked guards on the other side.
"..." Snake said nothing.
"...What the hell are you doing out of the lab?" The guard shouted.
"Oh...uh... I was just looking for some extra equipment." Snake said now calm.
"Well you know that the Commander doesn't like you guys outside of the lab. Now get your ass back!"
"Ok!" Snake said now almost excited that the disguise worked.
"Man, and here I thought we had some sort of intruder." The guard said as they both walked back toward the elevator. Snake walked out of the room, shutting the door behind him. He then started back down the hallway toward the lab.
(RING) (RING)
Snake pressed his finger against his ear as he continued walking.
"What is it Otacon?"
"Snake, have you gotten into the lab yet?"
"Not yet, though I did get a lab uniform. This thing makes me look ridiculous."
"Well it's all for the team Snake, hurry up."
"I still don't know where the damn lab is Otacon!"
"Oh sorry!" A faint sound of the clicking of keys was heard. "Well looking at where you should be right now. It should be the double doors down the hallway, right in front of you."
Snake looked up ahead and confirmed. "Yep, that's got to be it. Thanks Otacon."
"You got it Snake."
The conversation ended and Snake started to speed up as he moved closer and closer toward the maintenance lab; closer and closer to Ocelot.
As he came up to the door, he slowed himself down, calmed himself, took a deep breath, and slowly opened the double doors. As he entered, he saw a gigantic room filled with computers, generators, the works. There were working people all over the place, all doing their jobs accordingly. And in the middle of it all was Ocelot and Commander Zero.
"So this is it eh?" Ocelot asked.
"Yes, yes. This is it."
As they conversed Snake made his way over, getting closer to hear the conversation. He quickly hid himself behind a set of generators and pretended to be at work.
"Hmmm... Everything seems to be attached accordingly."
"Yes sir."
"This is nice. Very nice indeed."
"Yes, only the best. Would you like to see it in action?" The Commander asked.
"Why yes, yes I would like to see it in action."
The Commander nodded his head in excitement and walked toward the container holding the weapon. He tapped away at the small keyboard protruding from the rest of the container.
"So what exactly are you going to show me?" Ocelot asked.
"Just a simple demonstration of this monster's power."
As the Commander continued to type, Ocelot was planning something else. He stepped up behind the oblivious Commander and pulled out a remote of his own.
"No, I'll show you it's true power." Ocelot said as he began automating the weapon through his remote.
"What the hell are you doing Ocelot?" The Commander yelled as he turned around.
"I'll show you!"
The tentacles of the suit came lashing out in all directions.
"I'll show you first hand!" Ocelot continued to yell.
The tentacles swooped their way around violently. One of them quickly lashed out and gripped hold on the Commander.
"Ocelot!" He yelled in pain as the tentacles gripped him tighter and tighter.
Snake sat there continuing to watch. He allowed it to go on as the tentacles around Commander Zero tightened further.
"Ocelot! What... What are you doing?"
"You're not needed anymore. You've completed what we have asked you to, so now you must die."
"You back stabbing--- Arrrgghh!" The tentacles tightened further. "Argggghhh... conniving bastard." Commander Zero's final words faded away as his torso collapsed under the massive tentacles. Crimson blood dripped from his mouth.
"That's how we work." Ocelot said as he released Zero's body from the death grip. His body slumped to the floor like a mere rag doll.
The workers around the lab didn't give a notice. They all continued on with their work as if nothing was happening, or had happened. This truly was how he worked, how "they" worked.
"Cruel, he hasn't changed a bit." Snake said to himself in disgust.
Ocelot pushed aside the Commander's dead body as he continued control over the suit. The lifeless pale body the suit had withheld fell from it's chambers onto the cold steel floor. Ocelot climbed into the empty suit.
"Ah, this is a master peace. Fits the body perfect, mimics a weapon perfect. Its marvelous!" Ocelot said to himself as he locked the chambers around his body; taking full control over the suit.
"Yes, I feel invisible. Come on, try stopping me now." Ocelot continued to talk.
"This suit, this armor. This is the revolutionary new age. I dare you, try stopping me."
The suit began to move along with Ocelot. The movement was fluid and natural. This surely was a perfect creation.
"Come on! You know who I am talking to... Snake!" Ocelot yelled aloud in the lab.
"Hmm.. What?" Snake said to himself in shock.
Suddenly the suit's front chamber gave way, opening a large crevice.
"Watch it's power!" Suddenly the suit released a powerful concentrated beam of light toward the open wall. The ray smashed into the surface with a crashing bang. It tore it to shreds as soon as it hit, revealing a large open space leading to the outside.
"Magnificent isn't it?" Ocelot said as he started dashing toward the newly created doorway to the outside world.
"Damnit!" Snake quickly ripped the lab coat off. "You are not getting away again!" Snake quickly jolted out from behind the generators and dashed toward Ocelot.
"OCELOT!" Snake yelled.
"HAHA! Glad to see you join me again for another great leap of faith!" Ocelot yelled back as he took the large leap off of the building. Ocelot and the suit spiraled down toward the rushing waters below.
Snake as hard headed as ever jumped out right behind him, not thinking of the consequences to follow. As soon as he jumped out, he realized his mistake.
"Snake! Grab the rope!" A familiar voice yelled.
Without thinking, Snake closed his eyes, reached his hands out quickly and gripped onto the invisible rope in front of him.He felt the rough physical features of the rope on his hands. He was relieved, the rope seemed to have came from no where but the heavens above. Though reality quickly set in through the sounds of the chopper and the constant screaming of Otacon.
But before Snake could pull himself up, he looked down below him to see what had happened. And to Snake's surprise, out of the waters below, Metal Gear Ray had once again saved Ocelot. He sat on top the beast's head with the new armor, the metal gear, and the familiar grin on his face. He had gotten away once again. But Snake had no longer any time to think. With the last ounce of his strength, he pulled himself up the ladder, and safely onto into the chopper...
"You know, you almost got yourself killed back there." Otacon said concerned.
"I know..." Snake said back as he was healing on the resting bed in the chopper.
"You're lucky that we heard the large crash on the side of the building. I told Gregory to swoop the chopper around to the side. And what happens? You come jumping straight out of the hole right into the chopper. Real lucky Snake."
"I know..."
Otacon said no more as he stood up and walked back up into the cockpit. Snake relaxed on the bed, his tired body sore from everything he had done. Snake realized it himself, he was inches away from death. If it wasn't for Otacon's quick thinking, Snake would be sleeping with the fishes...