Chapter 6: The U-TIC recruits a new member.
While Snake and Otacon were getting acquainted with this new world, Liquid was also getting acquainted with it.
Albedo: Well, there they go. Heh heh. I guess they know that not even I can get the Zohar now. But it will be mine.
Albedo and Liquid were watching the Elsa fly away, while U-DO completed itself. It now looked like a giant ball of purple-red energy. It was the size of the planet that it had just consumed.
Liquid: Could you mind telling me what the hell is going on!
Albedo: Patience, my new friend. First tell me, how it is that you are here?
Liquid: First, I need to know where here is. Or when…
Albedo: I'm going into warp space. Tell me on the way.
Albedo enters a transfer column, heading back to Pleroma.
Liquid: This is quite amazing. Where are we headed?
Albedo: First, I need to know more about you. What year do you think it is?
Liquid: 2009, I hope.
Albedo: Well, sorry to inform you, but it's the year 4767. I guess you are a little lost, muaha ha ha haw!
Liquid: Silence, you fool!
Albedo: Or what, you'll blow my head off. Ahhrg ha ha ha haaa! Ohh ohh ha ha haww!
Liquid: Erghh! How is it that you can do that in the first place?
Albedo: I have regenerative capabilities, thanks to U-DO. U-DO is that thing that consumed Old Miltia.
Liquid: What the hell is Old Miltia, and what the hell are you talking about!
Albedo: Old Miltia was the planet we were on. U-DO was the being that consumed it and took its place. I was… evolved by it. But, anyway, I am slightly familiar with the era of 2000, but you don't appear to be from there either.
Liquid: I'm almost afraid to say, but… I'm from 2009 A.D.
He says, emphasizing A.D.
Albedo: A.D.? It is T.C. now.
Liquid: Argh! That means I'm even further in the future. Well, it doesn't matter anyway. I'm screwed either way. Damn it! Now I'll never be able to destroy the Patriots. Ocelot was of no use in finding them. But at least I can still kill Snake…
Albedo: Looks like we have a lot to know about each other. This will be a long trip, so I guess we might a well.
Liquid: Fine. Snake appeared to have gone with that other group. Are they your enemies?
Albedo: You can say that.
Liquid: If I join you, will there be a chance for me to kill Snake?
Albedo: Most likely, if he joined them.
Liquid: So be it.
Liquid tells him how he got into the Zohar, similarly to how Snake explained it to the others. Without many details or explanations as to why he was at the lake, or anything about the Patriots or Metal Gear. Albedo then tells him about the U-TIC, their mission, and the situation, leaving out any secrets Liquid didn't need to know.
They finally arrive at Pleroma. They walk into Commander Margulis' office.
Margulis: Did you retrieve the Zohar.
Albedo: I was unable to secure it. U-DO interfered.
Margulis. I thought it would happen. Don't worry, it is still within our grasp. We'll just wait for that little 'toy' to take care of it for us.
Albedo: You mean that battle android?
Margulis: Yes.
He turns around to face Albedo and notices Liquid.
Margulis: Who's this! Why have you brought him here!
Albedo: I thought you might want to meet him. This man, along with two others, came out of the Zohar while I was trying to retrieve it.
Margulis: Really? Where are the other two?
Albedo: They went with my brother's friends.
Margulis: You mean, those with the 'toy'?
Albedo: Indeed.
Margulis: What were they doing there?
Albedo: I assume they were on Second Miltia when ma belle pêche linked up with the U.M.N. Since their headquarters in on Second Miltia, they were probably informed immediately through Helmer. In any case, this man emerged from the Zohar after being frozen in it for over 4000 years. At least, that is what it seems.
Margulis: I wonder if the same thing happened to those that touched the Zohar and vanished. But then again, it was merely an emulator. I still think those men are dead.
Albedo: Well, this man was quite a warrior in his time, or so he claims. Perhaps he may come in handy to you, or us.
Margulis: He is a mere human. Of what use could he be to me.
Liquid: I didn't even care about joining you. All I want is a chance to eliminate Snake. It is all I have to live for, now…
Margulis: Snake?
Albedo: One of the two men that also came out of the Zohar. If this man joins me, he most likely will be able to battle his brother. That would be quite an interesting fight to see.
Margulis: How do you know?
Albedo: From what he's told me. I'm sure he didn't lie to me. There was sincerity in his words.
Margulis: Let's test his strength then. Pellegri.
Pellegri: Yes?
Margulis: Inform me of any calls pending. I'll be outside.
Margulis, Albedo and Liquid step outside.
Margulis: Men!
He calls four of his guards standing watch outside.
Guards: Yes, sir!
They all say, saluting him.
Margulis: Put down your weapons.
They all put their rifles at their feet.
Margulis: Not there! Off to the side!
He said, pointing off to the left.
Soldiers: Yes, sir! Sorry, sir!
They all pick up their rifles, and carry them off to where Margulis had pointed. They set them down there and come back to where they were.
Margulis: I want you to engage in hand-to-hand combat with this man.
He said, pointing at Liquid.
Margulis: What's you're name?
Liquid: Liquid Snake.
Margulis: No weapons.
Liquid: I don't have any- oh, right.
He takes out his remaining revolver, and tossed it at Albedo. He catches it with both hands and looks at it in confusion.
Albedo: What an inferior weapon. My brother might like this. Ha ha haa!
Liquid: Keep it. I have no use for it.
Liquid takes off his trench coat and tosses it aside. He moves over to the guards and brings his fists up, preparing himself to fight.
Albedo: Ladies and Gentlemen, in this corner…
Margulis: Cut it out.
Albedo: You need to loosen up a bit. Just start the fight.
One of the guards approaches Liquid and throws a right hand hook. Liquid dodges to his left, and grabs the guard's hand. He pulls him towards him and knees the guard in the stomach, hard. Still holding the guards hand with his right hand, he reaches over with his left and puts his hand on the guard's mouth. He pulls back his hand hard and breaks the guards neck. He falls to the ground, dead. Another guard comes quickly with a sidekick from his left leg. Liquid grabs it, like the other guard's arm, and pulls him I the same way. Liquid kicks the guard's other leg, breaking it at the knee.
Guard: Arghh!
He fell to the ground in extreme pain. Liquid bent down on one knee beside the guard. He began punching him in the face furiously. The other two guards began to move towards Liquid, but Margulis motioned them to stop. Liquid was still preoccupied with the other guard, whose face was becoming disfigured. The guard tried to lift his head, only causing every punch to smash the back of his head against the hard floor, cracking his head open. He was soon dead, a pool of blood forming behind his head. He turns to face the other guards remaining. They both turn to look at Margulis. He nods, indication they may proceed. The two guards attack simultaneously, side by side. The guard to the right of Liquid threw a straight punch with his right hand. The other guard did the same, but threw his left hand. As both fists nears Liquid's face, Liquid bends back, dodging the firsts. The two guards stumble forward from the momentum of their punches. Liquid raises both his hands and puts them on the faces of the guards. He brings both his hands together, smashing both the back of the guards' heads together. Then he pushes them forward from their heads. They fall to the ground, dazed. The one that was to the right tries to get up, but stumbles and falls off to the right of Liquid, close to where Albedo was. He couldn't get up yet. He was still too dazed.
Liquid: Pathetic!
The guard that was to the left manages to get up and lunges at Liquid. He stops him dead in his tracks with a quick left jab. Then he uppercuts him, sending him in the air. He lands hard on his back. Liquid moves over to him. He lifts him up and brings him over his head with both hands. He then brings him down, getting on one knee at the same time. The guard's back hits Liquids other knee, breaking his back with a sickening crack. Liquid gets up, letting the guard's body fall to the ground. He was dead. Liquid turns to his right as he hears a yell. It was the other guard, aimlessly running at Liquid. He throws a punch, but Liquid grabs it and breaks it all the while spinning the guard in the air and sending him to the ground. Liquid then raises his right foot over the guard's defenseless body. He then noticed the spurs on his boots.
Liquid: Mmmm…
He brings down the spurs from his right foot into the guard's throat. Liquid moves his foot side to side, pushing the spurs in even deeper. He then pulls them out hard. Blood gushes out of the wound like a fountain. The guard reaches for his throat, but it falls to his side. He was dead before it got there.
Liquid: Hmph. I wonder if Ocelot ever tried this?
Albedo: Impressive, old man. Ha ha heh hehh!
Liquid: I'm not as old as you think…
Margulis: Your are indeed a fearsome combatant. Too bad you lack Ether capabilities. But perhaps you can still be a worthy opponent.
He takes out his sword and entrusts into the ground beside him.
Liquid: Is your head going to grow back on if I knock it off?
Margulis: I see you've confronted Albedo. Don't worry. I won't use any of my 'talents'.
Pellegri: Sir, you have a call. It's 'him'.
Margulis: This will have to wait. Stay here. I'll be back soon.
He turns around and faces Pellegri.
Margulis: Order some men to clean this mess up.
He says, as he walks past her into the building. She hadn't noticed the dead guards on the floor. She lets out a loud gasp when she sees them.
Pellegri: Oh my God!
She almost pukes at the sight of the man Liquid stabbed with his spurs. She recovers and goes back into the building to inform the guards inside.
Meanwhile, Margulis was looking at a large, holographic screen with the image of a man in a scarlet cloak.
: I know what happened. Preparations to recover the Zohar are in place. The battle android is receiving the orders as we speak.
Margulis: Very well… Master Kevin.
Kevin: Dispatch Albedo to retrieve the Zohar after it is done. After he has recovered it, he is to bring it to us. We also need the Y data that now resides within him.
Margulis: Very well, sir. Give my regards to Master Wilhelm for me.
Kevin: I will.
The screen then closes, and Margulis goes outside again. The four bodies had already been carried away and two guards were now cleaning up the blood. They soon finished and walked back to their original posts.
Margulis: Now, where were we?
Liquid was leaning against a wall near Albedo. He was completely relaxed, as if nothing had happened.
Liquid: I guess you and I were going to go at it.
He says, as he approaches Margulis. They come face to face. They then put up their fists at the same time.
Albedo: This ought to be good. I'm so glad I brought this guy back with me! Ahh ha ha haa haaa!
Liquid throws a left punch at Margulis, but he dodges to his left. Liquid quickly throws his right fist, but Margulis moves to his left even more, creating an angle on his body. Liquid seizes this opportunity and kicks Margulis' legs, knocking him to the ground. He quickly rolls away from Liquid and just as fast, gets back on his feet.
Margulis: Not bad. But let's see you stop this!
Margulis runs towards Liquid and jumps in the air with a sidekick. Liquid grabs his foot with both hands, trying to catch it, but the kick is too powerful. Margulis' foot proceeds and hits Liquid in the chest, sending him flying. He lands on his back hard, 15 feet away. He sits up and shakes his head, getting rid of the dizziness. He then gets back up on his feet.
Liquid: You sure you're not using any of your 'talents' to help you? I don't think even Bruce Lee's sidekicks where THAT powerful.
Margulis: Who is this… 'Bruce Lee'?
Liquid: Never mind. Let's finish this!
He runs at Margulis and shoots out his left leg at Margulis' right side of his head. Margulis blocks it with his right arm. At the same time, Liquid jumps in the air using his right leg, spins in the air, and gives a powerful forward kick with his left leg. Margulis raises both his hands in front of his face to stop the kick, but he underestimates its power and it shoves Margulis' hands into his own face. He stumbles back as Liquid lands on his feet. Margulis recovers quickly and does a sweeping kick with his left leg, but Liquid jumps in the air, dodging it. He quickly does a downward punch, hitting Margulis in his forehead.
Margulis: Argh!
Liquid was about to punch him again, but Margulis grabs him by the belt buckle with his right hand, and grabs him by his throat with his left hand. He then lifts him over his head and throws him against a wall 10 feet away. Liquid hits it hard, then falls to the ground even harder.
Margulis: Heh heh heh. What!
Liquid miraculously gets up. There was a flaming fury in his eyes.
Liquid: Arghh!
He puts his hands to his side and begins gathering energy. He then unleashes a pillar of flames at Margulis.
Albedo: What! How is that possible!
Margulis appeared after the flames cleared, his arms forming a cross in front of him. There was a bewildered look in his face, but even more bewildered was Liquid.
Liquid/Snake: The Wave Existence…?
