Chapter 5
"The advantages we have over this world are almost laughable," Big Boss said. "Our weapons, our methods, Mother Base, our training, and especially the element of surprise. They've never dealt with something like us, which only compounds on the fact there's no way they could ever be truly ready for us. But, that doesn't mean were invincible. The people we have, are the people we have."
Ocelot nodded. "Our anonymity is going to work against us there. No legends of Big Boss to dazzle the soldier world with. As far as everyone knows, were just another group of humans with strange weapons."
"We'll have to change that then." Miller said over the radio. "When Diamond Dogs first started, even with our reputation, we still had to work hard to prove we were as good as we said. We didn't just invoke Big Boss' name and people showered us with gifts. We need to spread our name, and that means doing jobs."
"Teyrn Cousland is a good start," Ocelot said. "According to the books we've read so far, in this country, being a Teyrn is one step down from the King. We make friends with him, we've got a foothold in Ferelden."
"Like you said, "Miller replied, "it's a good start, but it won't be enough in the long run. Organizations are made legitimate by the support they receive. We're going to need friends all over Thedas to really enjoy the influence we had back on Earth."
"Agreed," Big Boss said, "but one thing at a time. Right now, let's worry about our immediate concerns, like how to keep Mother Base supplied."
"I've sent surveying teams out into that ocean to the east. They haven't found anything yet, but it's only been a few days."
"Alright. With that taken care of, let's move onto our next issue: intelligence. Miller, I want an infiltration unit briefed and prepped for a long-term insertion."
"Understood, Boss. Where are they going?"
Turning to the map of Ferelden, Big Boss pressed a finger against the largest city in the country. "Denerim."
Diamond Dog Helicopter, Twelve hours later
A helicopter containing five of Diamond Dogs' best sped along the north-east coast of Ferelden. The team was made up of three men and two women, all specialists from their respective platforms.
Tough Guy member of the Combat Unit and team leader was Dark Wolf. Chosen for his exceptional dispatch team leadership skills, the bald British soldier was older than the other team members, but also boasted three decades worth of experience as a solider, both before and after joining Diamond Dogs.
Also, from the Combat Unit was Hissing Harrier, also a Diamond Dog veteran, but also one of the "famous" wandering Mother Base soldiers, a survivor from the fall of Big Boss' previous PF, MSF. Found wandering the plains of Africa, Hissing Harrier was quite the difficult catch, nine years turning him into a paranoid madman. But, after being safely brought back to Mother Base by Big Boss, and after weeks of treatment, Hissing Harrier was given a clean bill of health and chose to re-enlist with his Boss, eager for the feel of home again.
The first female member of the team, as well as Diamond Dogs' best Intel member, was Glacier Mongoose. Third-generation Chinese descendant, the woman who could steal information from anyone and anywhere was Fultoned back to Mother Base out of the claws of Skull Face himself, from OKB Zero. The moment she woke up and realized it was Big Boss, however, she signed up and worked to prove herself worthy of the Legendary Soldier's private army. Long story short, it was a good investment.
The second Intel member and last man of the group was Fire Ox. Recruited out of the Angola-Zaire Border Region, Fire Ox narrowly survived the first vocal cord parasite outbreak of Mother Base and became wholly dedicated to Diamond Dogs after being saved by Big Boss. Also an Intel Team member, his specialty was in blending in with the local populace, as well as getting into places he wasn't supposed to be.
The last member of this dispatch team, also the last woman, was Gray Chameleon. Chosen for her level-head, as well as her ability to operate on just about anyone, or anything, anywhere, Gray Chameleon was one of the best Surgeons the Medical Team had at their disposal. Carrying a veritable portable hospital in her large pack, Gray Chameleon literally held the well-being over her teammate's lives in her hands. A responsibility given to her by Big Boss himself, one she would not take lightly.
They were all briefed, as well as they could, about what they were getting into, as well as what to expect. For this mission, they were all stripped of their usual fatigues and given plain, unobtrusive clothes prepared by the Support Unit based on the Intel Team's reports of the dress style of this new land. Also instructed to leave behind any valuables and possessions that would give them away as foreigners, this five-person dispatch team went from some of Diamond Dogs' finest to completely unremarkable-looking visitors to Ferelden's capital.
They were allowed lower grade primary weapons and sidearms, but one of their objectives was to be completely unnoticed. No traces, no alerts, and no killing, as far as possible. They were meant to be invisible, but their lives were worth more to Big Boss than their sneaking streak.
Their instructions were simple and clear: set up a safe house within the city, preferably somewhere strategic and out-of-the-way, and begin intelligence gathering. Contact potential sources of information and begin the creation of a Diamond Dogs network. It was secondary, but if they saw the opportunity to create moles in the various noble houses, likely out of servants and disgruntled guards, they were to do so, carefully.
No words were said between the five; not out of a grim seriousness or dislike of each other, but because they were all busy with last-minute preparations and studying the dossiers they were given.
"Coming up on the outskirts of Denerim." The pilot called from the cockpit, alerting them all to their impending landing. Thirty seconds later, the helicopter lowered to several feet above the ground and hovered there, allowing the team to drop out from a safe height. Once everyone was out, the pilot said, over their radio, "Good luck down there," and took off.
The five-person team huddled in a circle with their backs to each other, surveying the nearby area, looking for the slightest hint that someone had seen their landing. Through a combination of night-vision goggles and binoculars, they determined they were safe and Dark Wolf quietly said, "Commencing Operation: Intruders Beware."
Castle Cousland Library, Twelve Hours Earlier
"I can assemble a dispatch team of some of our best within the hour for what you have in mind, Boss." Miller said. "It'll take a few hours to prep them, though, but it'll be done by the end of the day."
"Good to hear," Big Boss said. "I also have some concerns about this Mage's Circle they have in Ferelden. Here," he pointed at the map, "on this island in the middle of this Lake Calenhad. This world has magic, something we know nothing about. We need to recruit some experts, and this tower," his finger tapped on the map, "is our best place to get them."
"How do you expect to do that, Boss?" Ocelot asked. "We can't very well walk in and announce we're recruiting."
"I don't know yet, but everything I can think of, that doesn't include kicking in the door and outright kidnapping, involves infiltrating the staff somehow. We're still too new to this world, we can't just implant someone in the cleaning staff. They'll be singled out before they could call in an extraction. Let's table infiltrating the Circle. For now, Miller, I want eyes and ears on that tower from minimum safe distance. Until we know more about how magic works, and until we get eyes in the Circle, I don't want any risks taken."
"Understood, Boss," Miller replied.
The sound of the library door opening cut off any further discussion. "Miller," Big Boss whispered, "get those teams mobilized. I want daily updates on their status and findings." As soon as he cut the connection, Aedan Cousland turned the corner.
After a quick glance of the table and the nearby wall, Aedan said, "Are you two taking an exam tomorrow?"
Chuckling, Ocelot said, "Not quite. Is there something we can help you with, Your Lordship?"
Aedan held up a hand. "Please, you don't have to call me that. My parents are the lord and lady of Highever. Besides, I'm rather informal compared to my family. Just Aedan is fine. Anyways, your rooms are ready."
After quickly clearing the area they were working in, Ahab and Ocelot followed the youngest Cousland out of the library and toward their rooms. His sharp mind ever working, Ahab habitually expanded his mental map of Castle Cousland to incorporate these new areas.
Two left turns and a short walk later and they were in a room with two doors on opposite ends of each other. "I hope you two don't mind sharing a room," Aedan said, pointing at the west guest room. "Normally we would try to get you both your own room, but this was a little short notice."
"Any room is fine with us." Ocelot said. "We're far too used to sleeping on the ground in the middle of the forest." That comment brought unbidden memories to Ahab's mind about the times he would spend laying in the grass and mud waiting for one target to finally show up.
"I…see." Aedan said. "Well, goodnight gentlemen. I will see you in the morning."
Once he was gone, the Diamond Dog trio headed for their room. After locking the door behind them, DD moved ahead, sniffing around the room. As Ocelot trained him, he was making sure there were no intruders, suspicious devices, or anything of interest before giving the all-clear. Considering their hosts and their setting, Ahab was not too worried about that, but did not dissuade DD from his trained instinct. After a few seconds, a single bark from DD indicated the room was clear to his satisfactions.
"Good boy," Ahab said, causing DD to wag his tail in happiness before taking a seat a few feet from the door, intending to guard his masters while he slept.
The room was, by and far, like the rest of the castle he had seen: simple, likely because it was a guest room, yet luxurious. Two queen-sized double beds, with sheets, pillows, and everything, sat in front of them with about four feet in-between them. Several rugs were laid out on the floor, a table was pushed up against the wall between the beds and there was a cabinet on either side of the beds. Several lit candles were the only source of light in the room, and an open window several feet above the beds was the only source of air conditioning.
"Meh, I've slept in worst places," Ocelot joked while claiming the bed on the right.
For the next hour, the two men habitually cleaned and maintained their weapons and gear while DD kept his vigil watch of the door. While Ocelot checked his three revolvers, two on his holsters and the third hidden somewhere on his person, Big Boss took stock of his miniature arsenal. Since they had barely been used since departing Mother Base, he wasn't worried about his ammunition levels or suppressor conditions, but it never hurt to make sure everything could be used at a moment's notice.
"What now, Boss?" Ocelot asked.
"Now," Big Boss replied, "I'm going to sleep."
Two weeks passed and little to nothing of note happened since.
After proving themselves with the Teyrn's test, he had decided to trust them enough to, again, send them out to inspect the forest of Highever for darkspawn or other threats, only now he trusted them to do it alone. There, their days were spent until night when they would return to find most of the castle already asleep.
Miller was consistent with his reports from the Denerim and Circle surveillance teams, which gave Big Boss some peace of mind that his people were doing a fair job of adapting. Such as the Denerim infiltration team.
The security of Ferelden's capital was so lax the team had no trouble sneaking in. Things were slightly more secure on the inside, but not enough to prevent the team from finding and setting up shop in the Alienage. Apparently, as it was as close to the middle of the city as they could get and seated on one of the four bridges that connected the two sides of Denerim separated by the river, it was strategic. They had moved into an abandoned building in the dead of night and were hardly noticed by the elves.
It was surprising that, despite being such a close-knit community, how easy it was for five humans to come and go without being noticed.
The team keeping surveillance on the Circle was having a much less eventful time. There was, apparently, a dock on the lake where boats going to and coming from the tower landed. There was also a small inn there, which the team "commandeered" without much trouble. The owner was apparently grateful for the bag of small rough diamonds they paid him with. With that inn under their ownership, they were able to legitimately explain their presence there.
Apart from that, however, little to nothing of note was reported in those two weeks.
Until today, at least.
As the two men prepared themselves for the coming day, their canine companion lazily stretching on the corner of his master's bed, their thoughts were consumed with the discussion from last night. It was time to spread out into the world beyond the lands of Highever. There were many reasons for it; resources, influence, power. Ultimately, it was time, and the leadership of Diamond Dogs knew it.
To that end, it was decided to begin devoting more resources into the field, starting with Ocelot.
The latest from the Intel team surveilling the Circle in Ferelden showed little to no change. It seemed that staff were required to live on the little island the tower was built on and the only ones that seemed able to come and go without any fuss were Templars or those affiliated with the Chantry. To that end, Ocelot had volunteered to take command there and begin a more aggressive plan to infiltrate the Circle.
What that plan was…he'd come up with one on the helicopter ride there.
"You know the helicopter will have to pick you up somewhere isolated?"
"Yup." Ocelot said as he gently flicked hair-laced water off his razor.
"We can't risk being exposed yet, especially by some passing civilian."
"Yup." Ocelot replied as he patted his face with a wet towel.
"And you'll update Miller every couple of hours on your progress and he'll update me on the essentials."
"Yup." Ocelot said as he slid his arms into his duster coat with a bit of flourish.
"You already know all this." Big Boss stated as he stood up and straightened his uniform.
"Yup." Ocelot said as he holstered his revolvers with a little spinning show.
"So this entire conversation was just a reminder."
"And I appreciate it, Boss." He said, turning in full gear, looking ready to take on an army.
"Okay," Big Boss said as he adjusted his harnesses one last time before strapping his weapons and backpack of support weapons and items on. "Smoke before you leave?"
Not one for smoking, Ocelot was about to decline until something stopped him. With the absolute confidence nothing would happen to him between today and the next time they would see each other, Ocelot still didn't know when that would be exactly. Shrugging to disguise his thoughts, Ocelot said, "Sure. Same place?"
Big Boss nodded, and DD barked, giving his two cents.
A few minutes later, the three were standing at the spot they've "adopted" as their "private" meeting place outside of their room. "Private" because it was on one of Castle Cousland's exterior ramparts and in plain view of anyone who looked up. Comfortably leaning against the wall, Big Boss lit his Phantom Cigar and gave it a few puffs before handing it to Ocelot who was examining the courtyard several stories below them. While he did that, Big Boss radioed Miller for the first daily report.
After a few minutes of smoking and silence, apart from Miller speaking in Big Boss' ear and his occasional reply, Ocelot spoke. "That…is a lot of soldiers." Diverting his attention from the spot on the wall his unfocused eyes settled on while he listened to Miller, Big Boss looked over the guardrail and found he had no reason to disagree with him. From their vantage point, Big Boss, Ocelot, and DD were able to look down on the large crowd of gathered soldiers in front of Castle Cousland. Some were training, some were tending to their weapons and armor, and some were marching in organized lines out the front gate.
"Think they're preparing to march south, like the Teyrn said?" Ocelot asked, handing the cigar back to Big Boss.
"Probably." Big Boss replied, taking a puff before returning his focus to Miller's report over the radio. "Is there anything else?" he interrupted. "Anything of note?"
"There appears to be some sort of elf wedding taking place today in the Denerim Alienage. Apart from that, nothing."
"Alright. If there's nothing else?" Big Boss said.
"Nothing." Miller replied before hanging up.
Just as his hand returned to his side from turning his radio off, the sound of armor clanking and heavy footsteps were hear approaching. Turning, they saw a guard approaching. "Begging your pardon, sers, but the Teyrn is requesting your presence in the Main Hall."
Nodding, Ahab said, "Well, let's not keep the good Teyrn waiting."
It was a short walk down from the ramparts to the main hall and after only a couple of minutes they came to the north entrance door. The guard saluted them before continuing about his business, leaving the three at the door. Habitually, Ahab leaned his left ear against the door, getting a feel for how many people were in the room and who they were.
"Keeping in practice, Boss?" Ocelot quipped.
Ahab grunted, too engrossed in listening to give a proper response. After a few seconds, he straightened and said, "Mostly guards in there, as far as I can tell, based on the armor clanking. I can hear a few voices talking, but the loudest is the Teyrn. I don't recognize who he's talking to."
Reaching for the doorknob, Ahab glanced at Ocelot and, after seeing the nod, opened the door and stepped through. Their arrival drew attention from everyone in the room, though the guards' stares only lasted a couple seconds once they recognized the Teyrn's guests. The Teyrn himself was standing on the step before the fireplace, but there was another man nearby, a man that Big Boss immediately became suspicious of.
There was a time, before he was Big Boss, that Ahab wasn't healthily suspicious of everyone and everything. But after the fall of MSF, and the eventful years after he woke from his coma and became Big Boss, Ahab took nothing and no one at face value anymore. He couldn't afford to; not in a world where no help was coming.
This sense was also responsible for Big Boss' ability to read people, a skill that came especially in handy when "recruiting" in the field: who would be a good fit for Diamond Dogs, what they could contribute, where their skills would best be used, et cetera. Including who was a Troublemaker, or a spy.
This man standing by the Teyrn had all the stereotypical signs of someone who absolutely wouldn't betray them, honest.
"Ah, and here they are now. Ahab, Ocelot, DD, please come and meet my old friend, Arl Howe of Amaranthine. Arl Howe, these are the brave men I told you about in my letter."
"A pleasure to meet you," Arl Howe said, somehow not convincing Ahab of his sincerity. "It takes quite a bit to earn the Teyrn's trust and even admiration in so short a time. You must tell me how you did it."
"Arl Howe," Ahab simply said in greeting. Turning to their host, he asked, "You called for us, Your Lordship?"
"I did," Bryce said. But before he could explain, the sound of the south door opening drew the group's attention, and Aedan Cousland came walking in. He was dressed in a similar suit of armor to what they first met him in, though he was lacking any visible weapons, likely because they were in the "safety" of his house; a complete opposite to the Diamond Dog trio who barely removed their weapons from their person, much less let them out of their sight.
"I'm sorry pup, I didn't see you there. Howe, you remember my son?"
"I see he's grown into a fine young man. Pleased to meet you again, lad." Howe greeted.
"Pleased to meet you as well, Arl Howe. Ahab, Ocelot, DD." Aedan said, greeting the four of them. "How is your family, Arl Howe? Are they here?"
Chuckling, Arl Howe replied, "On no, I left them in Amaranthine, well away from the fighting in the south. They do send their best wishes. My daughter Delilah asked after you. Perhaps I should bring her along next time."
Sensing his intent, Aedan said, "She is quite a bit younger than me, isn't she?"
"Hah! As you get older, those years make much less difference. A lesson often hard won."
Bryce said, "I doubt he'll be receptive, Howe. My fierce boy has his own mind these days, Maker bless his heart."
"A temperament to match his fighting skills. Well done, Your Lordship."
It was here that Ahab was beginning to feel like a third wheel to this conversation and was about to interrupt when the Teyrn moved to have the group of them in his sight before speaking.
"At any rate, I've summoned you all here for a reason. As I'm sure you've heard by now Ahab, my men, Fergus, and I are deploying to Ostagar to join the King's army there. Arl Howe's men are late, but they will be there as well. I am putting my son, Aedan, here in charge of the castle in my absence." He turned to his son at the end to address him.
Though the disappointment of being left behind was there, Aedan did a good job masking it. "I'll do my best, Father."
"Now that's what I like to hear, pup. Only a token force is remaining here, and you must keep peace in the region. You know what they say about mice when the cat is away, yes?"
Ahab knew exactly what he meant. The havoc his soldiers got up to when he was away from Mother Base too long was enough to make him wish he didn't wake up from the coma sometimes.
"There's also someone I want you all to meet. He just arrived this morning." He turned to one of the guards nearby and said, "Please show Duncan in."
The guard he spoke to then proceeded to chest pump harder and louder than any guard that ever came before him before going to bring in this Duncan. Before long the guard returned with who Ahab assumed was Duncan, dressed in some sort of cross between a robe and armor with a sword and dagger strapped to his back, and his black hair done in a ponytail like Ahab's.
"It is an honor to be a guest within your hall, Teyrn Cousland." Duncan said as he approached the group.
"Your Lordship," Arl Howe said, "you didn't mention that a Grey Warden was present."
"Duncan arrived just recently, unannounced." Bryce said. "Is there a problem?"
"Of course not," Howe said, too quickly for Big Boss to believe in his sincerity, "but a guest of this stature demands certain protocol. I am…at a disadvantage."
And until I say otherwise, I'll see that you stay that way, Big Boss bitterly thought to himself. No matter how disciplined his mind was, when it wasn't being haunted by nightmares and phantoms, Big Boss could not shake the thought that this Howe was going to be a problem down the line. Were he not in the presence of the Teyrn, who he was trying to maintain a cordial relationship with, he might've interrogated him and then Fulton him back to Mother Base for good measure; then let Ocelot take a swing at him. "We rarely have the pleasure of seeing one in person, that's true." Bryce said, interrupting his thoughts. "Ahab, have you learned of the Grey Wardens in the few days you've been my guest?"
"Your library was extensive enough to include the Grey Warden order, Your Lordship. They are a group dedicated to eradicating the darkspawn, is that right?"
"Eradication is the end goal, but quite difficult to accomplish," Duncan said. "A pleasure to meet you, Ahab, is it? Please excuse me, but those are curious weapons you wield. I do not believe I've seen the like."
"You'd have better luck getting this Blight to end tomorrow than prying that out of Ahab." Aedan said. "Ahab and Ocelot are very tight-lipped about themselves."
Aedan's words reminded Ahab of all the not-so-subtle ways Aedan tried getting Ahab to talk about anything personal in the time they've been at the castle. The boy had the potential to be a real persuader, but he was nowhere near Ocelot's level when he turned on the charm, or even Ahab's if he put in the effort.
"Regardless, it is thanks to Duncan that we were warned about the darkspawn rising in the south at all. Without him, we might've not noticed until it was too late. Duncan came looking for recruits before joining us and his fellow Wardens in the south. I believe he has his eye on Ser Gilmore."
"If I might be so bold, Your Lordship, I would suggest that your son, as well as you guest, Lord Ahab here, would also be excellent candidates. Your son has the makings of an excellent warrior and Lord Ahab is clearly a veteran soldier. The Wardens would be lucky to have them both."
As a father should, the Teyrn protectively put himself between Duncan and his son. "Honor though that might be, this is one of my sons we are talking about. And Ahab is a guest of mine, not under my rule. I have no control over his fate."
Ahab was internally grateful that their time in Highever didn't give the Teyrn a false sense of control over him and his companions. The last thing he wanted to do now would be to clarify that in front of all these people.
"Fear not, Your Lordship. While we Wardens need as many good recruits as we can find, things are not quite so desperate that I intend to force the issue. As for you Lord Ahab, I hope I did not insult you with my words."
"No insult taken," he replied, "and it's just Ahab, no 'lord'."
"Pup," Bryce said to his youngest son, "can you ensure that Duncan's requests are seen to while I'm gone?"
"Of course, Father."
"Excellent. In the meantime, find Fergus and tell him to lead the troops to Ostagar ahead of me."
"But I'm not done talking to you yet, Father."
"We'll talk before I leave tomorrow pup. I must discuss the battle plans in the south. Be a good lad and do as I ask. We'll talk soon."
Once the Aedan was gone and the door shut behind him, Bryce let out a deep breath Ahab didn't notice he was holding. "I half expected him to argue my request. It's never a good feeling when the rest of the family leaves and one stays behind to watch the house."
"I'm sure the lad understands your reasoning, my friend." Arl Howe said. "It wouldn't be responsible of you to risk all your heirs in one conflict. A Blight, no less."
"Yes, yes, you're right. Regardless, I'm sure you're wondering why I called you two as well, Ahab and Ocelot." A bark from DD caused him to amend his statement. "I mean three, of course. As I said, Fergus will be leading the bulk of my soldiers to Ostagar ahead of me while I make a few last-minute preparations for Aedan to assume temporary leadership of Highever. Tomorrow I will leave with Arl Howe. I asked you three here to inquire about your plans."
"Our plans, Your Lordship?" Ocelot asked.
"On the day of your arrival, you said that you would be returning to your homeland with the information you obtained on Thedas. I am merely asking when you would be departing."
Seeing this as the opening he was hoping for, Big Boss said, "Actually, Your Lordship, Ocelot was just about to depart today."
The eyes of the Teyrn widened in surprise. "Really? That is unexpected. I hope no one in my house has done something to warrant this sudden departure."
"You have nothing to worry about," Ocelot said. "We've actually stayed longer than we intended to anyway. The longer we're away, the more time for our people to assume the worst, you see."
"Ah," Bryce said, nodding in understanding. "Of course. The last thing I would want is for there to be a misunderstanding between our two lands. The death of an emissary on foreign soil is always a poor first impression."
"Exactly," Ocelot said, keeping his satisfaction at another successful persuasion attempt to himself. "I'm glad we understand each other."
"Why do you ask? Eager to be rid of us, Your Lordship?" Ahab deadpan asked.
"Of course not, Ahab," Bryce replied with a chuckle before adopting a serious tone. "Quite the contrary, actually. I would like to engage your services as mercenaries."
That was a surprise. Since their first meeting after arriving at Highever, Teyrn Cousland had not discussed their statuses as mercenaries once. After explaining the reason they called themselves mercenaries; doing their best to alleviate his concerns, the Teyrn seemed to accept it and the matter appeared to be closed.
Not entirely, it seemed.
"You want to hire us, Your Lordship?" Ocelot asked.
"You three, and the force you lead from Outer Heaven." The Teyrn said, not an ounce of humor, or anything other than seriousness, in his voice.
"Your Lordship!" Arl Howe exclaimed. "Are you sure that's wise? Granting such a large amount of trust to these…strangers?"
Everyone in the room could tell that wasn't the words Arl Howe had in mind to describe Ahab and his companions. It was just the kindest.
"They may be strangers to you, Howe, but not to me. They've proven themselves already. And if my sons' assessment of their abilities is anything to go by, they will only be an asset in the King's army. And if their company is as skilled as them, I would have to be a fool not to ask." Turning to Ahab, he said, "Listen Ahab, I am aware this must come as a surprise, but the situation has changed. Were this just another darkspawn incursion to the surface, I would not ask. But it isn't, and it will take every capable man and woman to stop this Blight in its path."
For his part, Ahab was just proud that he managed not physically react to the Teyrn's request. This was exactly what Diamond Dogs needed: an opportunity to make a name for themselves again, gather information about the world, locate resources for Mother Base, and give his men a cause to fight for. It was unnatural for soldiers to sit still for too long, without a goal to work towards. This would be perfect.
Ahab snapped out of his musings when he noticed Teyrn Cousland and Arl Howe arguing over the merits of hiring an unknown mercenary company. He decided to put an end to the debate.
"Alright."
That stopped the two men's arguing in its tracks.
"Excuse me, Ahab?" Bryce asked.
"Alright, we can work for you." Ahab clarified.
No one said anything for a few moments until the Teyrn did. "Excellent. We can discuss the details later. For now, I must speak with Arl Howe privately."
Sensing the polite dismissal, Ahab nodded. "Teyrn Cousland. Arl Howe. Duncan."
Ocelot and DD had already started heading for the door and Ahab was about to follow when Duncan stopped him. "I would like to speak with you before we depart. Perhaps later tonight?"
Ahab nodded and left, not one to waste words. With the door shut behind them and making sure they were alone in the castle's enclosed open passageway, the two men made eye contact and Ocelot said, "Nice going, Boss. Got us a job without asking for one."
Sensing the underlying sarcasm, he said, "Shut up," before moving down the passageway. "Now, before you leave, un-shut up and fill Miller in on this new development. Find somewhere isolated, where there's no chance someone can overhear you."
"Overhear? You suspect something, Boss?"
"All these new soldiers, Arl Howe's men. Something's nagging at me."
"You think the Arl will try something?"
"I think that Arl is somehow more untrustworthy than Emmerich."
"Got it. What are you going to do?"
Rather than answer, Big Boss took one of his Phantom Cigars from his pocket, stuck it in his mouth, lit it with his iDroid, and took a long drag out of it. Breathing the medicinal cloud out, he replied, "Make sure to regularly update Miller. I imagine I'll be a little too busy to hear every single report. And be careful."
Nodding, Ocelot headed for the trio's room, intending to do one last check of his belongings before departing for the Circle Tower, leaving Big Boss and DD alone in the open passageway. "Let's take a walk, huh DD." Big Boss said.
"Bark!"
The rest of the day passed unnoticed to the leader of Diamond Dogs. Ocelot departed unnoticed by anyone other than Big Boss, who had reconvened to his earlier spot on the ramparts for its isolation and overlooking position.
Later that night, Ahab found himself back in the castle's library, perusing Teyrn Cousland's books for any bit of helpful info for what must've been the hundredth time since their arrival. Between Ocelot and himself, the two managed to send scans of at least half the library back to the Intel Team, including maps of the known world. It was truly what they needed, a noble's library like this. They were far more informed of the world than they were a couple of weeks ago.
But by now, it was clear this source of information had begun to run dry.
He knew what the problem was. This was a Ferelden castle, run by a Ferelden lord. It would stand to reason that the library would be stocked with lore concerning Ferelden. Yes, there was the occasional history book about the other countries of Thedas, but none detailed enough for his tastes, nor were they unbiased enough.
It seemed that for Diamond Dogs to know what was going on elsewhere in the world, they would have to have people there. A problem for another time, Big Boss thought to himself as he perused the same general Codex he had the last three days. Slamming the Codex shut and rubbing his sole functioning eye, Ahab stood up from the table and returned the books he removed to their places on the shelves. As he absentmindedly cleared the table he "reserved" for the last few days, his mind was already planning possible future incursions to other nearby countries.
Stepping out of the library, Big Boss was only mildly surprised to see the sun had set. It wasn't uncommon for hours, even a day, to go by and Big Boss won't notice, but that was always within the safety of Mother Base, or, if in the field, had the watchful eyes of DD or Quiet keeping one eye on him while he rested in-between objectives. This was concerning, and he would need to be more aware of time in the future.
Clearing his mind, he pulled out the last Phantom Cigar he had on him and was about to light it when he heard footsteps approaching from around the corner. Not hearing the tell-tale clank of armor, Big Boss quickly deduced it was either one of the nobles or servants, since, based on his observations, no commoner was allowed in the castle this late. The footsteps were relatively light, indicating regular clothes and boots, but weren't…meek, for lack of a better word. It wasn't a servant, more likely one of the nobles.
Deciding against smoking in his host's face, Big Boss pocketed the Phantom Cigar and said, "Evening, Teyrn Cousland."
A chuckle was heard as the Teyrn turned the corner. "That is quite impressive, Ahab. How did you know?"
"Lucky guess," Ahab simply explained.
"Uh-huh," the Teyrn said, not believing him. "We didn't see you at dinner. Don't tell me you were cooped up in the library again. A dedication to knowledge is admirable, Ahab, but there is a point where it become unhealthy."
He chuckled in response. "There are worst things to suffer from, but you're right. My eye hurts."
The two men shared a chuckle over that, but his playful words stirred something in Bryce Cousland's mind. Something he had been itching to ask of the scarred, and clearly dangerous, veteran he had been hosting.
"Might I ask you something, Ahab?"
"Yes?" he replied, confirming and asking what at the same time.
"What happened to your eye?"
Big Boss froze in response to his question and a dozen thoughts ran through his mind in the span of a couple seconds. When Ahab had learned the truth of his identity, he spent months coming to terms with it, the smallest thing sending him into a seizure of flashing memories and the smell of smoke and burning flesh. Now, he could remember and not relive, but that didn't mean it was an easy thing to talk about.
"It's a long story." He simply said.
Sensing he crossed some line, Bryce said, "I apologize. I did not mean to pry."
Before Ahab could respond, however, they heard screams and the sound of clanging metal.
The two veteran soldiers only had to share a look before they sprinted down the passageway in the direction the fighting could be heard. As they ran, one thought kept running through his mind: someone made the grave miscalculation of trying something with Big Boss in the house. He would show them what a mistake that was.
Okay. Wow. It's been...a while.
I hope everyone believes me when I say I am so sorry about this. Months...jeez. And this story is probably not the one most of you have been hoping will be updated. Well, there is a reason for that. Whether it's a good reason; you be the judge.
In regards to my "He Who Guards The Avengers" story, the recent MCU releases starting with "Loki", which I love, really chipped away at my motivation. Given that "Loki" provided a relatively good explanation for a Guardian to go into the past - possibly to correct a "variant" or something - that chipped away at my motivation. From that point forward, on top of a serious bout of writer's block, that story has stalled, but not stopped, and especially has not been abandoned. I hope to have a chapter out on that soon, but let's focus on the positive.
While I have been struggling with "He Who Guards The Avengers", "The Man Who Stopped The Blight has benefitted from that lull in chapter postings, as you will soon see.
Thank you everyone for your patience, for sticking with my stories by reading and rereading them, and I hope you all had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!