Chapter 24

Ocelot let go of Meryl when they reached Floor 0. He kept one if his Colts pointed at her. She left the elevator first, he was behind.

"Head for that big door." Ocelot ordered.

The door said "Official Personnel Only". Ocelot took a card from his pocket and used on the side of the door. The doors made a loud noise while opening.

"After you." Ocelot waved Meryl to go in.

It was a dark corridor, a few lights were hanging in the ceiling but they weren't that powerful.

Meryl risked conversation.

"Why did you bring me here?"

"Soon you'll know."

"Are we going to Metal Gear?"

Ocelot didn't respond instead he cocked his Colt. Meryl took the hint. She kept silent. At the end of the corridor there were some very old stairs. It seemed that this place unlike the rest of the facility hadn't changed much.

"Go up." Ocelot ordered.

After two flights of stairs Meryl saw what could be described as a great big hangar. The lights were coming on. In the center something very big was covered by a cloth. Meryl guessed what was underneath-

Metal Gear.

"There." Ocelot pointed to some sort of control tower on the left part of the hangar.

The tower was very high, Meryl and Ocelot went up a few flight of stairs before they got up. The top was some kind of control room, filled with computers and desks. Ocelot was greeted by a few soldiers. These soldiers didn't have the same equipment as the others. They wore no balaclavas.

"All is ready Shalashaska."

Meryl noticed they talked to Ocelot in a different manner as the other soldiers did.

"Good. It won't be much longer. Dismiss."

"Very well."

The soldiers went down the stairs.

"They're a precaution, to prevent Snake from entering this place guns blazing. They have orders to apprehend him, not to kill him."

Ocelot was talking to Meryl. She had no idea what Ocelot was thinking about.

"What do you want?" Meryl wondered why he was doing this, why hadn't he killed her? Why hadn't he killed Rose, Raiden and Snake? It didn't make any sense.

Ocelot ignored her. Instead he pushed to a chair. He grabbed a handcuff and cuffed her hands behind the chair.

"Ocelot?" Ocelot's radio came to life

"Yes." Ocelot responded with a calm tone of voice

"You've betrayed me. Who are you working for?"

"What do you mean?" Ocelot knew this had to happen, but he had everything under control.

"I've found about the prisoner, you got her in here."

"I don't know what you are talking about." Ocelot grinned.

"Don't lie to me Ocelot!"

"This is a set up. It was Vamp." Ocelot's tone was firmer.

"That's a lie and you know it. I'm placing you under arrest."

"I didn't want to tell you but I've placed a small camera in Vamp's room. You can access through your computer." Ocelot was grinning even more. His plan was going right on schedule.

"No more games Ocelot."

"Just do it, access video bank number twenty two."

After a few seconds Shadow replied.

"This proves nothing Ocelot."

"Patience." Ocelot knew why Vamp was in this place. He used him in a carefully designed plan.

"This doesn't exonerate you Ocelot."

"I know, but if you give me more time I'll get you more proof."

"I'm placing you under the hangar soldier's guard. If you try to escape they'll kill you."

"Very well." Shadow didn't know that the soldier's now devoted their services to Ocelot.

"Did you like my acting?" Ocelot asked Meryl

Meryl just looked at him. She had no idea of what had just happened. Ocelot had been accused of betraying his superior and yet he was calmer than ever, it even seemed like he enjoyed it.

Ocelot sat in front of a computer and pushed a few keys.

"Yes, good."

Meryl couldn't see the computer screen because of Ocelot's head but it seemed like someone was firing guns.

Snake watched the elevator going up. He then surveyed the boxes and found something he needed. Guns, he found one of those machine guns that the soldier's used this however didn't had a light on the handle. That meant it could be used by anyone. He picked it up, along with extra magazines for the machine gun and Steiner's gun.

I'm ready.

He was going to get Meryl out of here or he would die trying.

The Soliton radar had mapped out the entire floor.

This one's big.

The floor was in fact bigger then the rest of the others populated by long corridors 50 feet wide that stretched along a very big area. He got out of the room and went right. He went slowly, watching for enemies. Then he heard them, soldiers from a corridor to the left. He pressed himself against the wall and peeked. They were walking towards him, being led by one man.

Vamp.

Snake had a run in with Vamp before. Two years ago on The Big Shell, at that time he was unable to defeat him. He could even have died if it wasn't for Raiden. Now however he had to do this alone.

Vamp was still the same, his hair was longer but what got Snake worried was the fact that he had been shot in the head and was still walking.

They got nearer, Snake had to attack first.

He jumped out of the corner, grabbed the machine gun with both hands and began firing.

Vamp noticed it immediately.

Snake.

He jumped out of the line of fire.

Snake saw him do it.

Damn.

He had to take out the soldiers first and then worry about Vamp. The soldiers began to fall to the ground. A few even tried to fire back, but Snake's aim was deadly. After they were all down, Snake looked for Vamp.

"I didn't expect you."

Snake looked to his right. Vamp was on top of some pipes that went along the ceiling. He had what seemed like Raiden's sword on his hand.

Snake gave him no time. He pointed the gun at him and shot. Vamp jumped from the pipes to the ground. Snake followed him with his sight. Vamp then swirled. Snake was apprehensive. Vamp evaded the bullets with his strange dance. Then the machine gun made a clicking sound.

Damn. The magazine's empty.

Snake hurried to get another magazine into the machine gun, but Vamp moved faster. With a kick he threw the machine gun from Snake's hand. In his free hand he had his daggers ready. He was going for the kill.

"Stop!" Someone yelled out.

Raiden went back into the tunnel running, he had to help Snake. He had to gain his trust again. After a few feet into the tunnel he found the elevator and took it down. Raiden looked at the device Otacon had given him.

I have to hurry.

Once he got to the room full of boxes, he jumped out of the elevator and went running out the door.

Right.

He ran to where Otacon had told him, after a few seconds he saw the door that said "Computer Room 2" he entered. He saw what seemed like supercomputers, he looked for the terminal. He found some sort of desk with a computer screen and a keyboard on it.

The terminal.

He ran to it and placed the device on the side. Then he sped off the room.

Otacon was on the Kamov.

"I don't think we've been introduced. I'm Otacon."

"I know all about you Dr. Emmerich."

"Really." Otacon scratched his head in embarrassment. "I'm flattered."

Rose smiled.

"I think there are a couple of rations here." Otacon started rummaging through several equipment that was on the Kamov. "Here they are." He was holding some combat rations. He thought Rose or the child might be hungry.

"Thanks Dr. Emmerich." Rose took the rations.

"Just call me Otacon."

Otacon headed for the cockpit with his computer.

"I'll be right here if you need me."

Rose nodded.

On the cockpit Otacon waited for his computer to give some sign. The device that he had given Raiden would give Otacon access to the entire data on the computers and it would make possible for CODEC transmissions.

He waited a few minutes.

Why is it taking him so long?

Otacon was anxious. This had to work. He had to find out more about Metal gear and about this facility.

Maybe something happened to him.

Otacon was about to give up and head for the facility himself when the computer came to life.

Otacon gave a sigh of relief.

Now let's see.

Otacon pushed a few keys and got to the communications system, using the facility's own radio system of communication he would to use the CODEC to send and receive transmissions.

I think that's it.

"Raiden can you hear me?" He tried reaching Raiden's CODEC.

"Yes. I thought we couldn't use the CODEC?"

"Well now we can thanks to my…"

"I think Snake's in danger I've been hearing gunfire. I'm heading towards the noise now."

"I'll try to reach him…"

"Stop!" Otacon heard Raiden yell out.

Once Raiden was outside the room he had no idea where to start looking for Snake, then he remembered that although the CODEC didn't work in different floors, but it worked if they were on the same floor. Raiden was reaching for his CODEC when he heard gunshots to his left.

Snake.

He began to run. As he ran the CODEC started ringing in his ear.

Snake.

"Raiden can you hear me?" The voice on the other side was Otacon

"Yes. I thought we couldn't use the CODEC?" Raiden said surprised

"Well now we can thanks to my…"

"I think Snake's in danger I've been hearing gunfire. I'm heading towards the noise now." Raiden could hear the noise just around the corner.

"I'll try to reach him…"

As Raiden made the corner he saw Vamp holding his daggers dangerously close to Snake. He acted on instinct.

"Stop!" Raiden yelled out.

"Here you are!" Vamp was smiling. He jumped away from Snake. "You can go Snake. My fight is with this man."

Raiden kept looking straight into Vamp's eyes.

"Raiden what's going on?" Otacon asked

"I've got to go Otacon." He cut off the CODEC transmission.

Snake picked up his machine gun from the ground and reloaded it.

"He's mine Snake." Raiden said decisively.

Snake looked at him with surprise. Raiden was different he had a determination in his eyes. Snake reloaded his gun and pointed it downwards.

Snake realized that Raiden was capable of handling himself. He threw Steiner's gun and extra magazines to him.

Raiden grabbed it. "He's all yours." Snake waved Raiden goodbye and walked away.

Don't die on me kid.