Chapter 12

The storm was raging outside. Otacon searched the blueprints over and over. He could only find another way in.

Some sort of tunnel was alongside the facility near an abandoned factory.

It's not very safe.

He was decided to go in. He had to find what happened to Snake and Raiden. Otacon got to the Kamov controls. He read the coordinates and flew off.

Snake had to do something before he became unconscious.

"I thought this would be more challenging." Steiner taunted and began laughing.

Snake realised that he had dropped the SOCOM. He tried to use his hands to free his neck, but it was useless. Instead he gathered strength in his hand. He had to be quick or Steiner would break his neck. He clenched his fist.

"SNAP"

With a swift movement Snake's hand crashed straight into Steiner's nose.

Steiner let go of Snake and walked away. Snake fell to the ground.

Steiner was in rage "You broke my nose." Steiner had no idea Snake was that strong "It seems I underestimated you."

Snake was coughing. He had managed to free himself, but he knew that if Steiner caught him again he wouldn't be so lucky. Steiner's strength was enormous. In the ground Snake felt something in his equipment. He had forgotten about the night vision goggles, he could use them in this place.

"But you won't escape the next time." Steiner said still enraged

Snake took out the night vision goggles and put them on. Pitch black, he couldn't see anything.

"How's this possible!"

"Afraid of the dark Snake?" Steiner could hear Snake and the slight noise emitted by the night vision goggles.

"This is no ordinary room Snake, it his filled with a special odourless gas that renders everything black, that toy won't help you."

Snake didn't know what to do. He had no means of defending himself. He took out the night vision goggles and put them back in his equipment. Then he noticed that he still had the knife in his equipment. He wasn't a big fan of blades and he only used it on his missions and almost never as a weapon. This time however it was different. This time he had to use it as a weapon.

"Round two Snake!" Steiner yelled out

Snake had to concentrate. He had to focus on the hearing and forget about his eyes. It was hard. Then he heard a sound. Someone was running towards him, Steiner was coming in full force. He had to be very quick. He had to advance at the right time, or he would die. The sound was near. Very near. It was right on top of him. Snake had to make a calculation of where Steiner's body was. He plunged the knife with all his strength and out came a deafening scream. He felt the knife had punctured something. Then it retracted.

"How did you do that?" Steiner's voice sounded a bit less rough

Snake couldn't wait he had to plunge the knife again. Then the black in front of his eyes became less black. Snake could already distinguish someone kneeling in front of him. The black smoke was fading. Now the room was only dark. Snake could see his SOCOM lying on the floor with the light on.

"I can't let you win." Steiner sounded desperate

He ran to grab his SOCOM. Steiner went for his gun on his belt and shot. His sense of hearing was affected. He had shot nothing but air.

Snake grabbed the SOCOM and pointed it directly at Steiner. Steiner's nose was indeed broken as were his specs. Snake could see his eyes, clear white. He had stabbed Steiner in the heart and yet he was still standing.

Steiner could hear the SOCOM being cocked on Snake's hand.

"I guess Shadow was right about you." Steiner was fumbling trying to get up.

"My strength is of no use now, but I too have a gun."

Snake shot straight to the chest area. Steiner moved to the left. The bullet scraped his arm. He had moved a little to the left just before the shot. His hearing was still good enough for him to know when Snake would fire.

Snake began hearing noises coming from behind the door, it seemed like someone was trying to get in.

"It seems we're going to have some company." Steiner struggled to talk.

Snake could see Steiner pointing his weapon. It was some sort of Glock. Snake froze for a few seconds as he didn't know what to do. He couldn't waste bullets for Steiner would move away. The pounding on the door became bigger. Snake suddenly had an idea. Now it would work. He reached for a stun grenade. A shot passed over Snake's head.

"No toys this time Snake." Steiner was getting worse by the minute.

He knew he was going to die.

"Let's settle this like men."

Snake removed his hands from the grenade.

"Alright." Snake agreed.

It took a few minutes for Otacon to get to the place without being spotted, thanks to the stealth Kamov. He got out, taking a rope and a flashlight with him.

I hope this works.

Otacon was near a very old factory. He knew that the tunnel that passed alongside the facility was near. He had a small portable digital device with the blueprints. The rain and the wind were getting even stronger. Otacon had a tough time inspecting the area, it looked like it had had been abandoned for quite some time. After a couple of minutes he found a small entrance, it had no signs whatsoever. Otacon went in. It was a very dark tunnel and Otacon turned on the flashlight and went further in. He felt like he was going deep into the earth.

I'm coming.

He was apprehensive. He wasn't sure if he would make in time. Maybe Snake and Raiden were already dead. He shook those thoughts out of his head and walked on.

Meryl began waking up. She felt a terrible pain in her back. She took out the balaclava, got up and looked around, there was no one there. She could hear a muffled sound. It was coming from a door. She neared the door and pressed her ear against it. She heard the sound of a shot.

Snake is that you?

Meryl began banging on the door, trying to open it. It wouldn't move. She began using her weapon. The door began to budge so she banged harder. In a few seconds the door came of its hinges. A stream of light entered the room.

She could see Snake. His face was red for he had been punched. He was pointing his gun. Meryl looked to the other side. Steiner's nose and specs were broken. He had one hand to his chest and a Glock in the other.

"Meryl, stay out of this!" Snake shouted

She froze. She didn't know what to think.

"He's right, this fight is between us." Steiner said has he coughed blood through his mouth.

She stood there, waiting.

Snake wondered if he should waste a bullet or if he would wait for Steiner to come closer.

"This is my last battle. Make it a good one Snake." Steiner began running

Meryl looked at Snake, he wasn't moving. Meryl wondered why.

"Ahhhh" Steiner was screaming in rage "Diiiiiiiieeeeee."

Shots began being fired. Snake jumped into a roll. The shots followed. Steiner was getting near Snake.

Snake got up very fast. Steiner was just a few feet with his gun pointed at him. Snake lifted his gun and shot.

Steiner was standing still, 10 inches from Snake.

Meryl saw the whole thing. Steiner had his arm over Snake's shoulder. Snake had been smarter. He stayed low until the very last moment. When he got up Steiner was already to close to him to shoot.

Snake moved away and Steiner fell to the ground.

Snake gave a sigh of relief. This had been a tough fight. Meryl was looking straight at him.

"It's been a while hasn't it?" Snake gave a very faint smile.

Meryl nodded.

Snake sat on the floor catching his breath and gathering strengths. Meryl came by his side and sat down with him. She put her hand on Snake's bruised face.

"I've missed you Snake."