The Road to Outer Heaven
Chapter 3: Professional Relationship
By, Frank Hunter

Entering FOX-HOUND's small dining room, Solid Snake and Gray Fox got themselves a serving of the evening meal and sat down at a vacant table. Snake wasn't too surprised at the low quality of the food being served. It seemed that regardless of how high you rose in the military, the dining never improved much.

"I would suggest," Fox told the newcomer, "if you are serious about this business, you find yourself a sturdy combat knife. You can usually take one out on an assignment as long as it doesn't have any markings or labels connecting it to the military."

Snake had turned down Fox's offer to practice with the machete. Blades, as he told his mentor, were not a weapon of choice for him.

"Why do you put so much stock in edged weapons?"

"A knife can be more deadly than a gun at close range. Sometimes, it's beneficial to switch quickly between the two. The boss knows a stance that maximizes your potential to do that. He could show you if you asked."

Snake nodded, taking a bite of his meal. This quickly reaffirmed his concern over how bad the food actually was. "I'll keep that in mind."

"What turned you off to blades?" Fox asked him, beginning an attempt at his own dish.

Snake laughed. "No. You tell me how you scarred your face, then I'll tell you that story."

Smirking at his plate, Fox thought about this. "We're both entitled to our secrets," he answered.

"Well if we're both keeping secrets, what are we going to talk about?"

"Only the job, Snake. You get to know too much about a man and it becomes harder to work with him." Fox mused for a few moments in silence while the two continued to eat. Snake was unsure of how to progress the conversation any further. Fox seemed reluctant to talk about his personal life and he certainly was not going to volunteer details about himself that weren't welcome.

Fox eventually broke the silence with a thoughtful whisper.

"Snake…"

"Hm?"

"Nothing. It's just interesting the boss finally decided to give someone that name."

Getting a bit fed up, Snake decided to ask the question that had been on his mind for hours. "What is it about the snake title that's so significant? It's not just a rank, is it?"

Fox shook his head. "Big Boss didn't tell you?"

"No."

Fox looked at Snake, contemplating for a second. "I suppose it couldn't hurt for you to know. He's never tried to keep it secret or anything and you're bound to find out anyway." Seeing the curiosity in Snake's expression, Fox smiled again and told him.

"'Snake' used to be the boss's code name."

"The boss's code name?!"

"Yeah."

"Why would he give it to me?"

"Hell if I know. He must see something in you," Fox answered. "More than me, anyway," he added lightly, sipping his drink.

The humor was lost on Snake who no longer held any resentment for the title given to him. His confusion, though, doubled. Big Boss must have known something more than he let on. Their interview wasn't so in depth that Snake saw himself becoming the commander's protégé. He hadn't even gotten the impression that Big Boss liked him very much. This turn of events was very unexpected.

"You see why I've been sitting here pondering this?" Fox interjected.

"Yeah I do. What do you make of it?"

"I really don't know. You seem like a good guy Snake, and you're probably an exceptional soldier, but the boss is in a league of his own."

"A league of his own? What about you?"

"Me? Heh. I know my limits, and I can say without embarrassment that they are behind his."

What IS this place? Snake wondered to himself. Could it even be possible that the old man was a better fighter than the swordsman sitting in front of him? How could that even be feasible? The more time Snake spent around FOX-HOUND, the more he doubted that there even were limits on human potential. And why would he deserve Big Boss's code name?

Questions without answers. Snake only hoped that time spent in the unit would bring those answers to him. However, that would only be possible if he could succeed tomorrow…he would have to focus first and wonder later. Snake collected his thoughts.

"What is this field exam I've gotta go through tomorrow?" he asked.

Fox shook his head. "We're being dispatched to South Africa. That's all I know right now. We both will get filled in at briefing tomorrow."

With that, Fox stood up and looked Snake square in the eye. "Forgive me for being serious for a moment, but it is important that you realize something. Tomorrow really is not an exam. Both of our lives will be invested in the success of the mission. Depending on the circumstances, they might be relying on your actions."

Snake kept silent, feeling the impact of Gray Fox's words.

"This is very normal in FOX-HOUND and I don't suppose it should be an issue for you. However, I don't know you well enough yet to trust you fully with my life. Like I said, you seem like a good guy and a decent soldier, but you're obviously green."

Snake felt a slight contempt rise in his chest, but opted not to lash out at his mentor just then. He let him finish.

"Tomorrow you do exactly what I say, when I say it. Here I may be your friend, but on the battlefield I am your superior and this is my operation. If you can keep up with me I will have no problem ensuring that you make it into FOX-HOUND. If you get in my way, snake or not, I will have you out of this unit before debriefing. Is that clear?"

"Clear," Snake muttered, restraining himself. And he'd thought this relationship was going so well.

Just then, Fox lost his serious demeanor and that smirk came back to his face. He clapped Snake on the shoulder. "Good," he said. "No worries, you'll do fine. If there's nothing else, I'm retiring for the night. I'll see you tomorrow morning at briefing."

Snake nodded and watched Fox leave the room, the remains of his meal still on the table. Fox's professionalism was striking. Snake realized he'd meant no offense, but he was very blunt. It seemed that nothing came between the fox and his prey…

Snake felt that his mentor had been wrong about one thing though. Regardless of what happened tomorrow, Fox would come out of it alright. Snake would not be able to do anything to risk that man's life. He was too serious about this work. He would, however, need to watch his own back. FOX-HOUND was indeed more intense than he could ever have imagined. If he was going to survive in this unit, Snake would have to raise himself to a level of skill he had not felt possible before.

Draining his glass, Solid Snake stood up as well. Starting tomorrow, he would begin to hone himself. He would live up to the title he was given. He would not disappoint Big Boss and Gray Fox. He would succeed in this first mission.

Snake left the dining hall and headed for the registrar. He'd find his living arrangement there, and he dearly needed to get some sleep.