I'm not going to bother you much- but I will say this one thing...there is going to be NO and I repeat, no Fatman in this fic. You all wouldn't like that as I do, right? Anyway, reviews will be very much appreciated, but you will know about that when you reach the end of this Chapter.
Last time in 'COE', Raiden manages to get to Tokyo-3 via Unit-3's transport, but has to deliver some important intel to Snake about the resurrection of Dead Cell. But before he tells Snake anything, Misato catches the two and learn of Snake's real identity. Now, Misato will learn the truth of why Snake, Raiden and Otacon are here.
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Shardclaw Kusanagi presents:
Metal Gear Solid: Children of Evangelion
Chapter 6: Invasions
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"Alright. Start talking...Snake."
Misato was seated on her bed in her quarters, while Raiden, still wearing his NERV uniform stood next to a smoking Snake. Snake was just as coolheaded as ever, as he was ready to spit out the details.
"You heard me...I'm Solid Snake." he said. "This is my partner, Raiden. And Hal is also an operative with us. We work for the group 'Philanthropy', an anti-Metal Gear NGO that was formed to stop Metal Gear and expose it to the world."
"Metal Gear? The 20th century predecessor of the Eva series?" Misato asked. "But...you're supposed to be dead!"
"No...Not me, there's still too many things I need to do..." Snake answered. "The world thinks that way...but here I am in the flesh."
Misato swallowed. (I don't believe it! THE Solid Snake that stopped three separate Metal Gear incidents in the past...is right here in Tokyo-3! I thought this was something only dreams are made out of...and I can't believe I made a pass on him!).
"Wow...the Legend...I can't believe it..." Misato was at a loss.
"Legend? A legend is nothing but fiction. Someone tells it, someone else remembers, everybody passes it on." Snake said, blowing out a smoke ring.
"I have read the book, 'In the Darkness of Shadow Moses', and heard all about you. But when the news reports said you went down with that tanker that you sank seven years ago..." Misato was cut off by Raiden.
"That was Liquid's body. He and Snake are identical on the genetic level." Raiden said.
"Liquid Snake..." Misato said sullenly. "So...why all the mystery? Why did you come to Japan?"
"A deception -- for our own protection. We stole his frozen body from some organization. Kind of a hassle though..." Snake said. "Why we came here is simple...we're after a group that calls themselves 'The Patriots'.
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Author's note: Yeah, it's flashback time. If this were MGS2, scenes of Snake on the Tanker, and Raiden on the Big Shell would be revealed. And as an added bonus, the battle sequences of Snake's confrontation with Vamp and Raiden's rematch with Fortune are also included. Use your imagination and just think 'voice overs', 'okay?
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"It all began with that tanker incident..." Snake said. "I'd infiltrated the dummy tanker to obtain proof that a Metal Gear was under development. Shortly after I made it aboard, an armed group led by Colonel Gurlukovich raided the ship and gained control."
Raiden then cut in. "Olga and Ocelot were among the raiding party."
"Olga and Ocelot? Russians?" Misato asked.
"Olga Gurlukovich...daughter of the GRU Colonel. She has been brought up in the unit, it was her life." Snake said. "And Revolver Ocelot...a man that was supposed to be dead. Their target was also Metal Gear RAY. But Ocelot eliminated Colonel Gurlukovich and Marine Commander Scott Dolph -- and he hijacked RAY."
"So he betrayed them?" Misato asked.
"I don't know what kind of deal was going down. All I remember is what Ocelot said at the time -- something about taking it back. Ocelot then sank the tanker along with the soldiers of the Marine Corps..."
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Misato got up and grabbed a can of beer from the small refrigerator. "How did you manage to get out?"
"Hal, also known to us as Otacon...he managed to have a small boat ready for Snake." Raiden said. "That was the easy part. The tough part was not getting dragged down with the sinking tanker -- small miracle when you think about it."
"Then, we learned it was a setup to lure us out." Snake said.
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"Photos of me -- taken by a Cypher -- were released to the public. In turn, we became the world's most wanted environmental terrorists... It was definitely a move aimed at putting a stop to our anti-Metal Gear activities." Snake said.
"But...why you?" Misato gulped down her beer, finding the revelation from Snake to be rather interesting.
"Since the Shadow Moses incident, Snake became sort of a hero. I think the Patriots weren't too happy about that." Raiden said.
"You knew about them?"
"Well yeah...to a certain degree..." Snake answered. "They didn't choose me to be a hero..."
"So they decided to do a smear campaign." Raiden said. "I think the Patriots wanted to make an example of him so everybody would think twice before opposing them."
"So, they did all this to set you up?" Misato was close to finishing her beer.
"No. There's more to it than that -- the Marines' Metal Gear RAY project headed by Commander Dolph was carried out in opposition to the Navy's Arsenal Gear project. To be more precise, the Patriots considered Metal Gear RAY to be a thorn in their side. Hence, they attacked the dummy tanker and stole RAY...They followed this up with the perfect plan. They immediately sent a fully loaded tanker to the same location and sank it, then set up the facility to camouflage the development of Arsenal Gear."
"And they fell for it -- two more puppets in their show." Raiden said.
"Let's not forget you are the one that was part of their grand plan too, kid." Snake said. "The next 'Solid Snake'...damn the Patriots."
"I don't understand..." Misato was almost getting confused. "And what did you mean by the next Solid Snake?"
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"Two years after that tanker sunk, I was sent to infiltrate the Big Shell, an oil decontamination plant." Raiden said. "It was supposed to be my first sneaking mission...but everything involved in that incident was rigged by the Patriots as a big VR mission. From the start of the mission to the planned activation of Arsenal Gear."
"Yeah...a really frigged up plan if you asked me." Snake said. "They called it the 'S3' plan, the Solid Snake Simulation."
"But what Ocelot didn't know was that 'S3" was called is Selection for Societal Sanity... it is a system for controlling human will and consciousness." Raiden said. "It is a method, a protocol that created a circumstance that made me what I am."
"They plan to use this form of 'control' to wipe out the history we know of and censor the Net." Snake said. "But here's the real mystery...the Patriots have been dead for over two hundred years. But that doesn't mean that we are just going to sit back to watch another country get run over by their plans."
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"So, basically, you guys are after a group of power hungry bastards who wants to ruin everything you're fighting for?" Misato grinned. "Well, I can understand that."
"I'm sorry if I deceived you before, but Hal figured it was the best way to stay hidden from authorities." Snake said. "But I was serious about the bodyguard thing."
Misato just nodded. "There's no need for apologies. I can see that you have a job to do, and I won't get in your way. I'm the one who is sorry. Maybe I can make it up to you and your friend if I give you a hand in this."
"You sure about that? This is going to get dangerous." Snake said.
"Look, you helped me out long enough, now it's my turn to return the favour." Misato said. "Come on, what do you say...will you let me be part of your team?"
Snake looked at Raiden with a questioning look. "What do you say, kid? She's pretty alright. And is quite a houseguest once you get to know her."
"I have no problems with Misato on our team. We do need an extra hand to give us intel on the things that go on at NERV."
"Then, welcome to Philanthropy, Misato." Snake shook her hand. Misato complied and returned the shake. "Thanks for trusting me still. I don't know how it will look if I break either Shinji or Asuka's advice."
Misato jumped back. (This was sent up by those kids? Well, can't blame them...they must like him that much to have him stick close to me. I have to thank Shinji for that...)
"Look, there's something that the both of you should know." Raiden said. "Dead cell is back."
"How can you be so sure?" Snake asked.
"There was a hostage takeover at the 1st branch of NERV. The Colonel sent me to deal with the matter."
"Roy sent you?" Snake was surprised. "Why would he?"
"Because he had faith in me. Like you should be." Raiden said bravely. "Anyway, the group was led by Fortune herself and they all had on Arsenal Tengus on."
"Fortune! But we saw her died back at Arsenal Gear." Snake grunted.
"Well, she's alive...no thanks to that luck of hers."
"Wait a minute...if she's alive, how did you...?" Snake was wondering how Raiden got passed Fortune.
"Oh, it was a piece of cake". Raiden smiled. "Although she was carrying two rail guns this time...besides, wasn't it you who said that there's no such thing as a witch?"
Misato chuckled a bit, while Snake twitched a little. "Hmph...it seems I underestimated you, kid. But now we know that the freak show is actually back in business."
"Yeah...Snake had a run in with Vamp just yesterday." Misato told Raiden.
"Vamp?" Raiden shouted. "Did you make him pay for what he did to Emma?"
"No, he got away." Snake said. "It's strange...first Vamp shows up, then Fortune and the Tengus'...what's next?"
"I don't know...but we have to stop them, Snake. I ran into a ninja while I was the first branch, who called itself Mr. M. He said that a new Metal Gear is right here in Toyko-3."
"A new one? As if dealing with RAY-where ever the hell that is- was enough, there's a new one. And what else did this 'Mr. M' told you?" Snake asked.
"He said that this man, Keele Lorenz, may know of the Patriots location." Raiden said. "Also, that Dead Cell is planning a nuclear strike in Tokyo- 3."
"Just great!" Snake said, while Misato gasped.
"I heard about him...actually, it wasn't so long ago I talked to the Committee after Shinji was recovered." Misato said. "He's the head of SEELE alright. But...a nuclear strike?"
"I wonder...maybe its best we call Otacon first thing in the morning and tell him about this." Snake said. "We talked enough for tonight, Misato, let's catch some shut eye."
"Don't you worry about me; I already have a place to crash." Raiden nodded. "Anyway, I'll see you tomorrow."
"Well, it was nice meeting you, Raiden." Misato shook his hand. "But...I'm surprised...you don't look like an average soldier."
"Well...I'm not known as the 'White Devil' for nothing." Raiden grinned.
"Raiden...what were you doing in that tree anyway?" Snake asked.
Raiden was at a loss. "Well...I was looking for you…and I saw you and Misato together. I wasn't spying on you."
"You know, kid, you should meet Shinji." Snake smiled. "You almost act like him."
"I do not!" Raiden fumed.
"Good night, Raiden." Snake closed the door on his friend. Now he and Misato were alone again.
"I'd thought he'd never leave." Misato said.
"He's clueless most of the time, but he's a reliable combat buddy." Snake said. "If any of the pilots meet him, they will like him for sure."
"As much as they like you." Misato smiled. Snake noticed he was alone with her in her room, and she was almost scantly clad, thanks to that sexy nightgown she wore. He coughed slightly and made for the door.
"Snake?"
Snake turned to look at Misato, who was getting up to meet him at the door. "Yes, Misato?'
"Why would you stick your neck out for something this risky?" Misato was now 'dangerously' close to him.
"It's a cause worth fighting for. That's the way I used to look at it, years ago. I was holed up in the middle of nowhere in my home, drinking too much. I, and the people at Philanthropy, have a responsibility to the coming generations, to the world."
"Responsibility?"
"To keep track of the mistakes we've made as a species." Snake said. "We need to remember -- to spread the word -- to fight for change. And that's what keeps me alive."
Misato thought hard about what Snake said. She had been in the dark too long about the truth about NERV. Now, after hearing from someone who has the same views of the mistakes humanity made for hundreds of years, it's no different when Second Impact was caused fifteen years ago. It's as if Misato was fighting for the similar reason and with Snake's help, maybe, just maybe...he can help her do the same for the people of Tokyo-3.
"I agree with you. I think what are doing is probably the wisest thing a man could do." Misato said. "So...does this mean you'll still be our bodyguard?"
"It depends if you still want me around." Snake said. "Don't you worry. Well...Misato...good night."
"Good night, Misato." he said, smiling. The door closed, then Misato dropped back, a happy look on her face she can't remember having.
(Face it, Misato.) She thought to herself, looking at the ceiling. (You're in love with Solid Snake...and you are still in love Kaji. What am I going to do?)
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Snake looked back at the closed door of Misato's sleeping quarters. He smiled to himself, thinking that he too had fallen in love with Misato. But he thought about her and Kaji and not to interfere. But, he just didn't expect it to hit him fast and hard. He will do whatever he can to meet not only Philanthropy's standards, but the people he is currently with in Japan.
(Misato...) he thought. (I'll definitely catch you if anyone tries to harm you. I promise. The same goes for everybody else in this city.)
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Back at the Philanthropy base in the United States, Mei-Ling was having a coffee break, while checking on the mysterious cause of the sudden shutdown of nanocommunication that was between Raiden and Rose earlier that day. She has grown slightly since her teenage days, since joining FOXHOUND, but still was looking cute as ever, with her long dark hair tied up to a single pony tail.
She typed on her console to see that Raiden's' nanomachines were still functional, and was pleased to see that his vital signs were all right. She played over the recording of the last conversation between Raiden and the group, and found an unusual reading detected in the transport that carried Unit-3 to Japan. Her eyes widened after looking at the screen and she got up to activate her phone to call the Colonel.
"Colonel!" Mei-Ling sounded as if she was in a panic. The other end answered with the Colonel who sounded as if he was worried.
"What is it, Mei?" Roy asked. "I'm in the middle of an important meeting concerning the apprehension of the terrorists at the NERV first branch. I told all personnel no interruptions."
"I'm sorry, Colonel..." Mei-Ling begged humbly. "But...both you and Rosemary should get here ASAP! I think I found out why we lost contact with Raiden!"
"What was it?"
"It's...it's the Evangelion. Something entered its body when the transport passed an 'energy cloud'." Mei-Ling said. "The computer indicated a living entity inside the Unit!"
"What do you mean?"
"An...An Angel is in that thing!" Mei-Ling said. "I've confirmed the energy pattern myself. It's dormant for now, but God only knows what it will take to make it come to life!"
Suddenly, Rose was in the Command room, a look of shock and panic on her face.
"What?" Rose was speechless. "Have you managed to fix the jamming of the nanos?"
"Just about done." Mei-Ling answered.
"Get it fully operational on the double! We must warn Raiden and Snake that Evangelion Unit-3 is a threat!" the Colonel said. "Rose, help Mei-Ling if you have to. Find out if they have started activation as yet and tell them to stop the people in charge if they do."
"Already on it, Colonel." Rose sat down alongside Mei-Ling and started to get to work.
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The Codec tone rang. Otacon's face appeared.
"Snake? What is it?" he asked his friend.
"Otacon...Raiden's here in Japan." Snake said.
"Jack? How?"
"He stowed on the transport of Evangelion Unit-3 to get here. He was sent here on a mission by Roy."
"Did something happened back home?"
"Yeah...a terrorist activity went down at the first branch of NERV. He was sent to liberate the base."
"So...the rookie has improved, huh?"
"Yeah, but that isn't all...Fortune and a squadron of Tengus were behind it."
"Fortune? But I thought..."
"Yeah, we all did, but we are wrong now." Snake shook his head. "Also...he claimed that a new Metal Gear was in Tokyo-3 and he got a name to a person who knows the Patriots' hideout."
"Where in heck did he get this intel?"
"...A ninja calling himself, Mr. M." Snake seemed reluctant when he thought about it.
There was a short silence between the two, until Snake spoke.
"There's something else...Misato knows our identities."
There was look of surprise on Otacon's face. "What? How?"
"All thanks to Raiden, what else?"
"This means trouble for us."
"I wouldn't say that." Snake smiled. "She's willing to help us out here."
"I wonder...what for? For some kind of personal gain...or is it that she's attracted to you?"
"There you again...I told you before that nothing's going on between us."
"Well, at least we have some outside help on this. But, now we know that Dead Cell is back in business... we have to play our cards right. I guess this means that our mission has just begun."
"How's the 'VOID' program coming up?"
"Just installed it yesterday. Maya didn't seem to object with it and even volunteered to help out. I'm just hoping that we won't have to use it."
"Me too." Snake said. "Alright, Snake out."
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"T-minus 300 minutes to Unit-3 activation test." a female announcer spoke through the loud speakers.
Back at the Matsushiro Secondary Test Facility, Snake and Raiden conversed what both of them had been up to for the past two days. Snake was rather surprised to hear that Raiden had went through an entire base, such as the NERV first base and was never spotted and handled the Tengus without any trouble.
"You surprise me, kid. You got more potential than I thought. And you have been paying attention." Snake smiled, smoking another cigarette. "I'm sorry I didn't take you seriously."
"See? You just have to let me on this one, Snake. I'm not letting the Patriots get control of another country." Raiden said, in his NERV uniform. "And sides', this is personal. I have my debt to pay too."
"Can't argue about that. Looks like we're both involved in this to till the end." Snake looked around at the busy activity around them. Preparations for the activation are under way and all that was needed now was the Fourth Child's arrival.
"Snake?" Raiden asked.
"What is it, kid?"
"I was just thinking about what Fortune said...about the Evangelions..." Raiden said. "I'm beginning to think that they are no different than Metal Gear."
"How can you say that?" Snake said.
"I've read all the information on the production type Eva-series as part of the briefing for the mission back at the first branch." Raiden said seriously. "I've been thinking that they are some kind of defence weapon, but after hearing all the reports on Unit-1..."
"I know what you're trying to say. At first, we depend on the Eva for survival, then we find out that's just a mask to hide the real truth. That's how it was with Metal Gear...until someone maliciously misuses it or it falls into the wrong hands. We have to be careful that such cases don't turn out, or the world will suffer." Snake said seriously.
"I have to agree with you, David." Misato's voice caught the two agents' attention. She had an almost depressed look on her face, as if the test wasn't her biggest concern. "True, even the people who work with you tends to do keep secrets about these weapons, and not even I can do a damned thing about it."
Snake wondered what could be bothering Misato, but before he can ask, Ritsuko announcement was heard over the loud speakers, stating the test was ready to begin.
"That's us then." Snake said, putting out his cigarette. Raiden got up to get to his 'post'.
"Well, good luck, guys. See you after the test." Raiden said, leaving Snake and Misato behind.
"Shall we go, Misato?" Snake said.
"Yeah, we'd better."
The two entered the Central Command Control Car where Ritsuko and other fellow NERV techs were preparing for the test.
"Data link to Evangelion Unit-1 established."
"About time you two got here. Let's do this." Ritsuko said, writing on her clipboard. "The systems all up and ready for full activation.
"Terrific, let's get started." Misato said lazily.
"That wasn't enthusiaic. You're aware that this Unit will be detached to your detachment once it passes its tests, aren't you?" Ritsuko said.
"Exclusive control of four Evas. If you wanted to you could take over the world." Misato said.
"So, have you told Shinji yet?"
"I'll...tell him after the test." Misato said, with worried expression. Snake looked at her and felt how she was thinking. He decided to stay quiet and observe.
"The Fourth Child has arrived." the female announcer said over the loud speakers once more. "Squad 2, begin entry preparations immediately."
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Back at Philanthropy...
"There! It's done!" Mei-Ling said. It had taken her almost an hour, but it was done. "Nanocommunications back online."
"Contact Raiden on the double!" Roy said.
"Colonel, the Philanthropy data banks have the scheduled time of activation." Rose said, while looking at her monitor. "In less than ten minutes, the Unit will be activated."
"That's not enough time! We have to send backup to Matsushiro as soon as possible or else..."
"But..." Mei-Ling said. "All of our recruits are on the outside, still dealing with the terrorist activity at the NERV first branch! There's no one available!"
"Are you sure about that?" Roy said. "Isn't there anyone here that can get to Japan and assist our agents?"
"Well...there are two recruits that are on stand by..." Mei-Ling had a look of uncertainty on her face.
"Oh…no, not those two." Rose said, rolling her eyes. "It seems that they cause trouble whenever they go..."
Roy sighed a deep breath. "Nevertheless, they had been in FOXHOUND long enough to learn from both Snake and Raiden. We have no other choice but to send them to Japan to assist them just in case something happens. We're short on manpower, but they're all we have left available for now."
"I wouldn't call them 'manpower', more like an odd couple." Mei-Ling snickered.
"Go get Kinezono and Aramaki on the double now!" Roy commanded. "We haven't got much time!"
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"Touji hasn't shown up yet, Asuka." Hikari said, as she held an extra bento box in her hands.
Asuka wasn't as much bothered with knowing if Touji would be there at school, for she already knows he was in Matsushiro. "Yeah, he may not come today."
"I thought we might eat together again today." Hikari said, with a hint of disappoint. "Do you want this?"
Shinji and Kensuke were hanging around at the school's roof top, Kensuke was also feeling moody.
"Unit-3's already arrived in Japan, hasn't it?" Kensuke asked Shinji.
"Yeah, it got here yesterday." Shinji replied.
"This sucks. I wonder whose going to pilot then. Touji was absent today...maybe it's him."
"Ha, I don't think so." laughed Shinji.
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Outside the General Control Point of the activation test, Raiden waited outside near the cage. He then heard the Codec tone ring. He got a safe distance where he could be alone and answered it.
"Jack, can you hear me?" Rose answered.
"Rose? Why are you calling me?" Raiden asked, puzzled.
"Thank God, you're alright. Jack, listen to me. The Evangelion that you were assigned to guard...it's a threat! You have to stop the test!"
"What are you saying? What's wrong, Rose?"
The Colonel's face appeared. "Raiden, an Angel is lying dormant inside Unit- 3. Mei-Ling confirmed it herself."
"It's true. The Angel was the cause of the shutdown of our nanocommunication." Mei-Ling's face appeared. "Now...all that is needed is to awaken it, is to start the activation of the Evangelion."
"Mei-Ling?" Raiden asked.
"Jack, there's no time. Have you found Snake as yet?" Rose asked.
"Yes, sir. He's with the NERV Major at the Central Command Control car." Raiden said. "I'm going over there to stop them."
"Hurry!" Roy shouted. The Codec then shuts off, as Raiden got out of his uniform and already in his Skull Suit, he ran to Snake's location.
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"Entry plugs secure." a NERV tech said, as Ritsuko watched attentively over the test performance. Snake and Misato stood side by side, silently and anxiously waiting for the tense moment when the Unit passes the Borderline.
"Initiating the first pulse." a female programmer said.
"Snake..." Misato whispered to Snake.
"What is it now?" he whispered.
"Transmitting pulse."
"I don't like this...one bit." Misato bit her lips. "Something doesn't feel right."
"Graph read out is normal."
"You're not the only one." Snake said, looking more closely at Misato. "When you're used to situations that look safe, your instinct tells you otherwise."
"Phase 1 contact has been cleared."
"Roger. Operation will proceed to Phase 2." Ritsuko said calmly.
"Full nerve link established."
Misato couldn't help it but clench her fists. This was getting too tense.
"David..." she said quietly, her heart raced faster.
"Harmonics are normal."
"I know..." Snake started to reach for a button on his shirt and loosened it. Misato looked and saw a glimpse of a dark blue fabric beneath his clothing. "I'll protect you."
"What?" Misato looked confused.
"We are now approaching the absolute Border-line."
The Unit was activated, but its eyes were a menacing red colour. The sensors for the command car went out of control and went into emergency mode. The lights went red.
"Break the nerve circuits! Abort the test!" Ritsuko said.
"Mission failure! We got high energy readings in the body!" a female engineer shouted.
"An Angel!" Ritsuko shouted. "NO!"
"MISATO!" Snake shouted, grabbing the person he was standing next to. Misato was still in a state of shock, but she felt safe for the moment when Snake held her to shield her.
"David..." that was all Misato could say; before the possessed Eva howled a cry of struggle as the area they were in exploded.
Outside, Raiden dropped on his knees, seeing the destruction in front of his eyes.
"SNAAAAAAAKE!" Raiden shouted at the top of his lungs. "No..."
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"There's been an explosion at Matsushiro!" Shigeru shouted.
At NERV headquarters, the emergency had already reached the personnel. Otacon, who was standing next to a seated Maya, observed the situation and hoped that Snake and the others were alright. Meanwhile, watching all of this above was Gendou with his folded in front of his mouth, as usual in silence.
(Snake...please be alive.) Otacon thought.
"Damage level unknown."
"Send a rescue squad with the third battalion. We gotta handle this before the self-defence gets involved." Hyuga responded.
"Roger." Shigeru said. "We got an unidentified object detected at the site."
Hyuga reported in. "Its pattern is orange; we can't confirm it's an Angel yet."
"Go to 1st stage alert." Gendou commanded coldly.
"All personnel go to 1st stage alert. Prepare for surface to surface combat."
"All EVAs prepare for launch. Air transportation will go in twenty." Maya said, and then she saw the worried look on Otacon's face. "You alright, Hal? I know your friend is somewhere in that base, I hope he is okay. Sempai and Major Katsuragi too..."
"I'm sure they are fine." Otacon said, patting her. (They'd better be...)
Then he got a ring tone from his Codec. Even with the people he was working with were busy enough trying to keep things in order, he answered it anyway hoping it was Snake.
"Otacon? Can you read me? It's Mei-Ling." her face appeared onscreen. "Is everything okay?"
"Mei-Ling...no, everything's a total chaos down here." Otacon said. "The testing site at Matsushiro had just exploded."
"I know...our satellites at Philanthropy just recorded the image." Mei-Ling shook her head. "Oh, I just hope Snake is alright."
"He's the 'Legend', Mei. He won't get taken down by something like that..." Otacon sounded as if he had some doubt. "Anyway, why did you call?"
"I'm calling to tell you that help is on the way to Snake's location."
"Help?" Otacon thought with a puzzled look on his face.
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"Come on, Greggie, let's do it one more time, hmmmm?" a sultry young woman's voice can be heard from the dark room of the VR cage.
"But...what if somebody catches us, Linn? The Colonel will have our heads for this if anyone catches us again..." a young adult male responded.
"If you do...I'll play the 'innocent catgirl' you like so bad again..."
"Cut it out! We can't do that sort of thing here!"
The lights went on and Rose entered the room. She stopped with an embarrassed look on her face when she saw a dark skinned male in his late twenties, average height, but with a strong built. He had a strand of grey colour on his hair and on his left eyebrow. He was wearing a purple and black version of Raiden's Skull suit, the only difference was that this one had a cloak which ended to his knees. Next to him was a lovely young woman of Japanese decent, with lightly coloured tanned skin, a black dyed shortcut hair style, her right arm was decorated with a large snake tattoo covered in roses. Her white form fitting body suit which was the probably the most single revealing clothing in existence, stunned even Rose.
The two FOXHOUND recruits stood there in shock, their faces turning red and watched in silence.
"Gregory Kinezono and Linn Aramaki...what were you two doing?" Rose asked her hands on her hips. "Fooling around again?"
"Rosemary...it's nothing like that!" Greg put up his hands in embarrassment. "We were just going through some VR training, that's all."
"In the dark and almost out of clothing?" Rose said.
"Busted." Linn growled.
"Can't tell her now that we were going for that Streaking Mode, huh...OOPPS!" Greg slammed his right hand, which was covered in a metallic substance of his suit, on his head.
"Anyway...we have an emergency. We got nanocom back online, but..." Rose stopped.
"But what? Have you found Snake and Raiden?" Greg asked in his deep voice.
"There was an explosion at the location he and Raiden were. We don't know if they are still alive for now."
"What? How bad is it?" Linn asked in shock.
"They are still trying to estimate the damage." Rose said reluctantly.
"Holy Crap! This is serious." Greg took up a heavy machine gun he had lying on the ground and placed it on the strap behind his back. "And why did you come to us?"
"The Colonel wants both of you over there ASAP to find the two of them and assist them. When last we were monitoring the test from our satellite, and the base exploded, the pilot was still in the Evangelion."
"You mean there's a kid trapped in an Eva?"
"Not an Eva anymore, Greg...an Angel." Rose said seriously.
Linn gasped, while Greg stayed quiet.
"Is our Harrier ready?" Greg asked.
"All fuelled up and waiting." Rose said.
"Then let's get to it." Greg nodded to Linn. "We have items we haven't used since the last mission. When we get to Japan, we can let Snake and Raiden have those."
Linn picked up her bow gun and fixed her hair. "Let's blow this joint and get back fast. You owe me one from the last time we went on a mission in Japan."
"Please...not that, Linn." Greg looked up to the ceiling. "It's not you who need the money, I need it more than you do, you know?"
"Yeah...blowing it off on those anime DVDs about those sexy female police officers...'Team Warrior' they call themselves..." Linn sighed. "You know I'm all the woman for you, Greggie..."
"At least aunt Rio made herself rich from those jobs. And she thought me all she knew."
As the two odd agents left the room, a sweat drop fell from Rose's head.
(How does the Colonel put up with those two?)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Raiden was already near the site of destruction, helping out the other NERV members extinguishing the raging fires. He managed to even recover some people trapped under the rubble, but he still saw no sign of Snake and Misato.
"Good God, please let them be okay." Raiden kept saying to himself.
"RAIDEN!"
The young spy turned to see a rather surprising sight. Before him, was Snake in his Sneaking Suit, but it was slightly different than the one he last wore five years ago. The suit was covered in dust, but it appeared undamaged, save for the tattered outer clothing he had on before. He also had on his trademark bandana, but a stream of blood ran from the top of his hairline and the wound that Vamp gave him before had reopened. He was carrying Misato, who was bleeding as well from her forehead and she was crying out slightly in pain. Raiden ran across to help them.
"Snake! Misato! Are you alright?" Raiden shouted, getting out a bandage for Snake.
"Yeah...we're okay." Snake laid Misato down and got a bandage to cover her head wound, yet ignoring his own. "I had my Sneaking Suit on, and Otacon said it supposed to be body armour for cases like these. Guess he was right."
"Mnnnn..." Misato was close to losing consciousness, but she held on to left arm in pain. "OWWW!"
"Take it easy, Misato. You got a serious concussion. And your arm's probably broken." Snake said. (Damn...if I saw this coming, I would have protected her from this.)
"I'll go get Ritsuko." Raiden said, as he got up to find her.
"Un-unh...Oh no!" Misato leapt up in shock. "David...Touji...he's still in Unit-3!"
"The last thing I heard Ritsuko said was that it was an Angel now." Snake said, tearing of the outer disguise he had on and covered her arm with the strips of cloth. "I don't know how it got to be the case, but isn't there someway he could eject from that thing?"
"That is a doubtful possibility." Ritsuko's voice trailed in. Snake turned around to see Raiden guiding Ritsuko.
"The Unit has probably been possessed fully by the Angel. I don't think it within our control anymore." Ritsuko said calmly.
"For heaven's sake, there's a kid in there! What about NERV?" Raiden asked.
"Our communications are shut down. We can't contact them of knowing there's still a pilot inside." she said. "And since we can't do that, Misato won't be able to command the operation."
"Then who will?" Snake asked.
"The Commander himself." Ritsuko said. "God knows what will happen if he does something to harm the pilots."
Snake thought long and hard about this. He was accustomed defending the world against Metal Gear, but today the case was different. A child's life is in danger and it makes a big difference now that he will be up against something twice the menace...an Evangelion possessed by an Angel. He saw the look on Misato's worried face and nodded his head. He was taking a big risk, but he knew that Touji's life meant a lot to other people as well...Misato, Hikari, Kensuke and mostly, Shinji.
"Misato...I'm going to get Touji outta that thing." Snake said, getting up. Raiden and Ritsuko looked at each other in shock, (and it wasn't because Ritsuko found Raiden bore a near resemblance to Rei too.)
"Snake? You're kidding, right?" Raiden said. "This isn't going be a Metal Gear we're going after."
"I know...but this has just become a war and an innocent is caught in the crossfire." Snake told him, now patching up his own wounds. "We can just sit back, do nothing, and watch this kid's life get ruined in front of everybody, as well the people whose lives revolve around him get ruined too. Stay and help, or come and fight...it's your call, Raiden."
Raiden smiled and nodded. "I did say I was coming to help you. I'm coming too. And don't try to stop me this time."
"I had no intention to." Snake said, checking his equipment. He had only some light items, only the C4 and SEMTEX he was carrying, and the only a few chaff grenades. "Ritsuko, take care of Misato for me. If NERV has known here is a mess by now, help should be on the way. Raiden, get your gear. Let's get a move on."
Before Snake left, Misato grabbed his arm. Snake turned around and saw Misato was near tears.
"Be...careful...David." Misato said. "And...tell Shinji...who's the pilot is...he must know...it's the only way..."
"Don't push yourself. Get some rest." Snake told her. "Don't you worry...I'll get him out of there before the Commander tries anything. I promise."
"Snake..." Misato couldn't finish her words, but she slowly nodded off to sleep. Snake rested her hand on her body and got up.
"Let's go, Raiden." Snake said, as he and Raiden ran to a transport they could use. There was no air transport available; Snake certainly wished for a Harrier somewhere...
"Can you drive, kid?" Snake spotted a jeep that seemed reliable enough.
Raiden, who was carrying a case of Stinger missiles and the Stinger, was already on the driver's seat, starting the ignition by hot wiring since there were no keys.
"Did you have to ask? Get in!" Raiden said. Snake jumped in the backseat and in no time, the jeep sped off at a high speed.
(Hold on, Touji...help is coming.) Snake thought. Then he heard his Codec tone rang.
"Snake! You're alright!" Otacon was happy to see him alive.
"Yeah, it'll take a little explosion just to stop me." Snake smiled, flinching a bit to the head wound he had.
"A LITTLE EXPLOSION?" Roy's face appeared with a look of surprise.
"Colonel Campbell?" Snake looked surprised.
"Snake...I had to turn off burst transmission. It seems that the guys back home were pretty worried about you and Raiden." Otacon said.
"So, you're all here to help. Much appreciated." Raiden said.
"Jack, thank God, you're safe." Rose's face appeared now.
"Yeah, same here." Raiden smiled back.
"We can save the reunions for later. Right now, we have to rescue Touji from the Angel." Snake said seriously.
"Angel..." Otacon said.
"An Angel took over the Evangelion, now the Fourth Child's trapped in there." Raiden said.
"And you guys are going to take on that thing by yourselves?" Mei-Ling said as her face appeared.
"No...We're just going to rescue the pilot, Shinji and the others can take care of that thing." Snake said.
"Where are the Evangelions?" Raiden asked.
"It's best that we listen to the situation from HQ here itself." Otacon said while everyone who was on Codec listened in.
"We're receiving an image of the target from the Nobe Mountain Station. Transferring to the main monitor." Shigeru's voice said from the background. Otacon also sends the image of a lazily walking Unit-3 on the centre Codec monitor. Snake didn't look too amused at the sight.
"As we suspected." Kouzou's voice said, silently.
"Transmit the abort signal. Eject the Unit's entry plug." Gendou commanded.
The Codec image's changes to Unit-3's hatch opened. Snake wondered. (So, that's the entry plug ...)
To of no avail, the plug stayed inside the Unit's back.
"It's not working, sir, neither the abort or plug ejection codes are being accepted." Maya said.
"What about the pilot?"
"His heart's still beating and he's still breathing, but he's probably..." Hyuga was cut off.
"I see. Then we must accept the loss of Evangelion Unit-3. Re-classify it as the 13th Angel." Gendou said coolly.
"WHAT?" Snake shouted over the Codec, while everyone else gasped.
"Deploy our forces around the base of Mount Nobe. The target must be destroyed."
"That...that bastard!" Raiden shouted. "He could care less if the kid's alive, but he wants it destroyed anyway!"
"Take it easy, kid." Snake warned his friend. "Otacon...keep your monitor on. It's looks like it's going to be a long evening..."
"Don't worry, you have all the support you can get, just don't get killed." Roy said.
"We're not planning on letting anyone die today." Snake said, switching frequencies. "Shinji...can you read me?"
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Inside the infamous Evangelion Unit-1, Shinji, who was already awaiting orders from his father, was worried as hell for Misato and David. All was silence until the Codec tone jumped him. He reached for an ear and pressed against the call button.
"Hello?" Shinji reluctantly said.
"Shinji, this is Snake." Snake appeared onscreen, surprising the Third Child.
"David...are you alright? What happened to Misato?"
"She's hurt pretty bad, but she's a tough woman. She'll be alright."
"Misato..." Shinji hung his head. "What about you?"
Snake sighed a deep breath. "I'm okay, nothing serious. Listen to me...Misato told me tell you this...it's very important...your friend Touji is the Fourth Child and he's trapped in that possessed Eva."
"TOUJI?" Shinji looked shocked. "But why would he be the pilot? Why didn't Misato told me if she knew?"
"She was concerned about your feelings, Shinji. She didn't want you to feel hurt. I had the same concern too, but..."
"You knew too!" Shinji sounded as if he was betrayed, but Raiden spoke.
"Don't get mad at Snake, Shinji. He was trying to protect your feelings too."
"Who the hell are you?" Asuka's voice cut in.
"Oh, I almost forgot...you kids haven't met Raiden, my partner." Snake said.
"Raiden..." Rei stoically said. "That's an unusual name..."
"Makes up for the boring one my parents gave me..." Raiden said.
"Can we cut the chit-chat? That possessed Eva almost here!" Asuka shouted.
"David..." Shinji was frightened stiff.
"I know, Shinji. I want to help too. We have to work together to get Touji outta there." Snake said. "Are you up to that, Shinji?"
"But...my father..." Shinji said with fear in his voice. "He..."
"Don't you worry about him." Snake said. "I have some explosives with me, now what I want you to do is not to attack it, but keep it down long enough on its stomach, so I can plant the detonation device around the base of the plug and blow an opening."
"But, wouldn't the blast affect Suzahara?" Rei asked.
"No, I had extensive training in C4. The explosives were designed affect only the outside of the layer of the layer they have been placed." Snake said. "The noise of the blast would scare him, but not hurt him."
"I see." Shinji nodded. "Alright, I'll help."
"Atta boy!" Snake smiled. "You kids get ready. Raiden and I will be close to Unit-1's position."
"Roger." Asuka said.
"Understood." Rei nodded.
"Um...David..." Shinji said. "Thanks."
"Thank me after Touji is safe and this Angel is killed." Snake said. "Keep your monitors on too."
"Right. Well, be careful, David."
"You too, Shinji."
Both Codecs turned off simultaneously. Snake waited near a vacant house, explosives at the ready, while Raiden parked the jeep elsewhere close by and anxiously waited for things to come.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"It seems that Snake and Raiden survived the explosion at Matsushiro." a man's voice was heard from a radio to another end.
"Dammit! Why is it that these Angels can't do the job for me and finish them off at once?" replied an angry tone.
"Will you relax? At least now you can do the job yourself and have fun doing it." the voice replied. "They have their hands full now assisting the Eva pilots to rescue the pilot trapped inside."
"How chivalrous of Snake. But that was his biggest mistake."
"Remember, just the First Child and nothing more. Stop Snake and Raiden only if they interfere." the voice said. "Vamp and Fortune had already failed...don't let me down this time."
"It won't happen...he has caused enough turmoil for me, now it's time to return the favour."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"Target is approaching." Shigeru said over the com line in the Evangelions.
Shinji swallowed, as this was an Evangelion he was going to confront. He now knew Touji was inside and couldn't risk hurting him, but he was starting to have doubts. Snake and Raiden were there to help him, he thought, but what will his father do? Allow Shinji and the other pilots team together to save Touji? But that means defying orders.
Still, it was his friend's life on the line; he had to risk even his reputation as a pilot to save a friend. He gained a little confidence from the thought of this and gripped on the control handles even more.
"Asuka, remember, you can't hurt Touji. You have to gang up on the Angel and corner it until Unit-1 has it subdued." Snake said over Codec.
"I know that! But when you do rescue him, I'm not holding back when I finish off the Angel." Asuka boasted.
"And what is my duty, Pliskin?" Rei asked.
"Please...it's just Snake, Rei." Snake said. "Stay on stand by and get ready to support."
"Understood...Snake." Rei felt a little odd saying that, but she stood on the ready.
Over back at NERV, Otacon was watching attentively, when he heard Hyuga call out to the Commanders.
"Commander..." Hyuga said his face full of shock. "Our radar just picked up another unidentified object approaching the mainland at incredible speed!"
Gendou remained unfazed by this report. "Is it another Angel?" Kouzou asked.
"No, sir! It doesn't even have a colour pattern!" Hyuga shouted. "It's moving at 300-400 knots an hour! This thing's not even alive!"
"It's moving underwater, in the lake where the target and the Evas are located!" Shigeru said. "Good God, now it's gone! It's like the radar totally missed it!"
"What the hell?" Otacon murmured.
"IT'S APPEARING NEAR UNIT-0!" Maya shouted.
Suddenly, a large animal like creature, made out of metallic armour, leapt out of the water, and into the air. It had a long tail, a pair of short but large wings that kept it afloat and looked just as menacing as the Evas, although it was only smaller than the giant robots themselves. It was coloured in a brown and light blue camouflage tone and markings of 'MARINES' at the sides.
Snake, Raiden and Otacon looked in surprise and shock, as they only had one thing to say:
"That's..." Otacon shouted.
"...Metal..." Raiden got up from his seat.
"...Gear!" Snake growled.
The Gear landed near Unit-0, surprising Rei. She lifted her rifle to fire, but the RAY shot with a jet of super-pressurized water from its mouth at Unit-0's hands, making her drop her gun.
"My, aren't you a bit slow, eh, Rei Ayanami?" said a voice from RAY.
"Identify yourself." Rei remained calm, but was sensing the awesome power of the mysterious weapon that attacked her.
The RAY stood on its hind legs and the top of it opened. A man wearing homage to Second Impact westerns, a long silver-white dyed ponytail and a long trench coat. He had a moustache and a face that hadn't changed much since the last time Snake saw him alive.
"I am Shalashaska...also known as..." the man puts up his exposed right hand with a deep Russian accent."...Revolver Ocelot."
Rei simply breathed deeper as she put up her Unit's AT Field. Ocelot smiled as the field simply missed him and RAY.
"It missed...?" Asuka, who was watching close by, was stunned. "How could that be?"
"A brave attempt, but..." Ocelot waved his arm, as an electromagnetic pulse wave passed through Unit-0's body. Rei screamed in pain as the currents passed through her body.
"AAAAAUUUUGGGH!" Rei screamed, trying to fight back, but she fell back into her seat, knocked out.
"I can do better." Ocelot grinned.
"Unit-0's out of power!" Hyuga shouted. "Pilot is unconscious!"
"Ayanami!" Shinji shouted.
"The Angel is still closing towards the Evas!" Shigeru said.
"That's it!" Raiden got out his Stinger and ran across to the jeep. "I'm going to take care of that creep once and for all."
"You do just that. I still have to rescue Touji" Snake said, seeing Unit-3 getting closer to them. "Shinji...Asuka, get ready."
"Anytime." Asuka said.
"Same here. Let's do this." Shinji said.
Ocelot turned to see Raiden getting closer to his location. He smiled and simply hopped into the seat of RAY.
"So...little FOXHOUND's going to take 'us' on, huh?"
RAY got into a ready stance, its mechanical howl and its visible blue breath of cold air seeping from its open mouth.
"I'll be glad to take you all on!"
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
To Be Continued...
Ha-ha-ah-ha-ha! This is probably the greatest twist ever invented! I know I had you guy's drooling for more, come on, admit it! You want more, you'll get it! This is just the beginning of things to come for both the pilots and our terrorist-ass kicking heroes, so stay tuned!
Will Touji ever be rescued before something bad happens? How will Snake and Shinji do it? Is Rei alright? Will Raiden take out RAY once and for all? What about Liquid? And will Gendou keep his sanity during this chaos? And what about the new FOXHOUND recruits who are to help Snake and Raiden?
Sheesh, so many questions, I don't even know if I can handle the pressure myself. Okay, now that's said...TIME FOR YOUR REVIEWS, PEOPLE! It's the only way I can keep writing this fic.
Shoot, I do not own the Metal Gear series nor do I own Evangelion. The fic alone is mine. Now, if you excuse me, Misato-chan is calling out for me, heheh.