Chapter 4: Arrangement

"Snake it is imperative that you tell me where you are." Otacon didn't greet Snake with his usual wiry optimism; he continued "Please tell me you're near Olga's position".

"I'm approximately two blocks away from the hospital. Don't tell me something else went haywire."

"You must get back to her at once."

"Gotcha. Mind giving me a hint as to why this is such an emergency…I hate to be surprised." Snake spoke into his codec as he jostled his way through the infested Manhattan streets. He hurdled over nameless desk-jockeys, too entertained with their Blackberries and briefcases to notice a six-foot-one behemoth barreling down their path, but never too occupied to flash a little one fingered sign language Snake's way.

"She's in trouble. I managed to intercept a phone call in the area." Otacon briefed Snake, the chattering of keystrokes resonating in the background. "I can't tell you how I knew but someone has an interest in Olga. This woman goes by an alias…ever heard of an operative who goes by the name "The Boss."

Snake dimly recalled a conversation he had with his father who once held a similar designation "Big Boss." However that name in relation to another operative froze the mechanics of Snake's mind. Even with his extensive research of rebel and radical groups he had never heard of this woman. "Must not be too popular, I've never heard of her." Snake paused mid-sidewalk and was soon overcome by a mob of anal bystanders who took another second of their precious schedule's to glare irately at him but soon that annoyance became puzzlement as they observed that he was having a lengthy discourse with…himself.

"That's the thing that concerns me…she isn't linked to any groups. Not of the proliferation or eradication of Metal Gear and according to the known reports there is no way she could have known who Olga Gurlukovich was or where she was interned unless…"

"Unless…?"

"Unless she had some sort of inside intel and Olga couldn't have given it to her."

"Revolver?"

"Perhaps but now we have to find out. Not only do we have to worry about this woman but her "lackey" too."

"Martial artist? Telekinetic? Insane?"

"No. Nothing about her either. I only intercepted the first few seconds of the phone call. She goes by the alias "Red"."

"They could've picked something more original."

"Yeah…well that isn't our concern."

"You're right…I'm out."

Snake approached the hospital and scoped the entrance for anyone who seemed out of place. Nobody except the usual suspects abounded, nurses, patients with severe temperaments and the occasional doctor. Snake entered the lobby, varnished marble floors slimy with polish, an elegant mural shadowing the desk in the main lobby and a fleet of receptionists there to greet him once again. Snake hastened his way towards the elevators; he claimed the elevator at the far left.

The elevator stopped dead on the fifth floor, jerking slightly. The heavy doors willed themselves opened and as if by some unseen forces that collided and burned right at their feet, Snake saw a woman who he had sworn he would never see again. It was a meeting too out of place to be a coincidence; they both had a reason for being there. From the grimace on Meryl's face Snake knew she couldn't stomach the sight of him either but much to Snake's astonishment she stepped in as if his presence didn't deter her at all.

"Solid Snake," She acknowledged him frailly, "Looks like we're going to the same floor."

"Red, I presume." Snake held her wrist.

"How did you…" Meryl was unmistakably jolted although her expression allotted that she was half-expecting him to know.

"You obviously have never been properly acquainted with Otacon."

"Don't worry I'm not going to hurt Olga. I just need to ask her a few quick questions…and then you could have her all to yourself." Meryl said snidely, insinuating that Snake had a deeper interest in Olga.

"I'm afraid you don't understand…I can't let you see her."

"And why is that?"

"Meryl, given our history I'd really hate to have to immobilize you, I really would. But I'm not above…" the elevator doors once again opened as Snake and Meryl both meet their intended destination. Snake held Meryl close as a slender blonde and a toddler boarded the elevator. "What floor?" Snake asked relieved that they had broken the tension, which had a heavy hold on both him and Meryl. Snake's hand loosened on Meryl's wrist and cuffed Meryl's hand, mirroring the blonde who was taking the same action to keep her toddler from wandering. Snake almost recalled how much of a child Meryl still was as her grip firmed against his, repelling and attracting simultaneously.

"Oh, we're going to the lobby." Her eyes kept wandering to the red headed toddler." Just out of curiosity what are your names."

Meryl and Snake glanced at each other stilly, both trying to find the response.

"Meryl."

"Dave."

"Nice to meet you both, it's nice to see some people have a little common courtesy left."

Meryl's expression softened, "It's not that hard, really we aren't very courteous."

"Oh no of course you are! I haven't had someone asked me what floor I was going to for ages." The blonde's jade green eyes flickered with childish enthusiasm over this small kindness. It was hardly a kindness, but more of a convenience for Snake and a hindrance for Meryl.

"Cute kid," Snake noted as the child struggled to free herself of her mother's arms," Yours?"

"Of course she is! Her name is Hannah." The blonde chortled as she controlled the toddler. "You guys in for an ultrasound?"

"What makes you say that?" Meryl asked hesitantly, as opposed to correcting her.

"Well you look pretty miserable and your husband has this glow about him, the kind that every expectant father has…I bet he's really excited! Plus you kind of look pregnant, although you still have a flat tummy, I'm good at telling these things-looks like we're at my floor!"

"Thanks." Meryl grimaced as the blonde scurried away.

"Well are you?" Snake joked prying her away from the elevator, there was an expression almost resembling a smile on his face, but not quite.

"Enough! Let go of me!"

"You tell me who "The Boss" is and I'll gladly release you."

"I can't tell you that, much less be seen with you."

"No, Meryl I'm afraid you can't have it that way. I know you were planning on paying a visit to me…" Snake carefully unfolded a diminutive piece of white paper he took out of her pocket. "This is my address."

"I wasn't going to pay you a visit. Don't delude yourself…you're the last person I want to see."

"Looks whose talking…dogs are more faithful than you!"

"Your dogs…yes lets discuss them. How you trusted them more than you ever did me."

"I was right to trust them…dogs don't abandon their masters."

"You said it! You're not my master, I'm a human being. Not someone you can control. Not a dog that stays put waiting for you to come and give them whatever spare attention you have! Not a dog that can just wait idly for your touch…even if it takes you a thousand hours or days! I'm not a dog…or as faithful…you're right."

"You knew who I was…"

"Yes you're right. I knew who you were and I made the mistake of thinking you wanted to take Metal Gear and all the memories you have associated with it and throw them away. That you would forget about it and just be happy with me! But I wasn't enough for you. That's why I left, because I felt inadequate next to your obsession."

"Yes I'm obsessed with it…I won't stop till Metal Gear stops being a threat to the world, to your children."

"I don't have any."

"But you will one day, if you want Metal Gear to be a reality for them…then that's on you."

Meryl's cell phone rang…she answered because she had no choice but she wouldn't have if she could.

"Meryl…did you speak to Olga." The voice on the other line was The Boss.

"I couldn't get the clearance necessary to see her." Meryl lied as Snake hung above her staring impatiently into her nervous eyes as they darted between him and ground.