1
High sun, hot temperature. The desert of Arizona. Only a single home stood in the middle of the endless sand and rock. The air conditioner was humming as it ran smoothly. The phone rang.
Erika Stone, a woman of 25 wearing a white sports bra and tan shorts picked it up. Her black hair was blowing in the breeze that the vents created, her red eyes glaring out the window on her right.
"Hello? Stone residence."
"You know, you really shouldn't state your name. You're supposed to be dead, remember?" The voice was that of a man's. "I've been trying to reach you for two days."
Erika grunted. "I told you I'd be away. You know I don't listen to my messages."
He sighed, knoing his fiancee was right. "Yeah, yeah... Listen, I've recieved some intel from a friend regarding information on three models of 'Metal Gear', as well as the whereabouts of Shalashaka." Clicks of a computer mouse could be heard. "I've sent you the coded data." He paused. "Erika... The mission starts in four days. Let me know befor then if you want in."
'Click!' He had hung up.
"Guess I better check my e-mail." She paused, thinking for a moment. "Something about this just doesn't seem right. Philanthropy's got to be involved-- but why now? Why one year after Arsenal and the destruction of the Big Shell?"
She walked over to a cupboard and grabbed a glass, then walked over to the fridge, filling the glass with lemonade. Her computer was running in the next room; the humming could be heard.
Her 'inbox' had two e-mails in it; one from 'Damon', who had called earlier, and one that was annonymous. Her pager had gone off, vibrating. Ignoring it, she deleted the annonymous letter and opened the one from Damon.
It was a long and somewhat detailed report. There were pictures attatched. Apparently, they were blueprints for the three models. Below was all of the information.
"As you know, METAL GEAR is a tank-like machine capable of launching nuclear assaults on specified areas. There are currently three different versions of METAL GEAR in development at a top secret location. These models are codenamed REXv.2, RAYv.3, and SINv.1, the worst of the trio. It is the most dangerous version that has ever been created to date."
She clicked on the photo files, taking a closer look at each. Erika noticed many similarities between RAY and SIN, as well as a few between REX and SIN. Closing the files, she went back to reading the data.
"METAL GEAR SIN is the newest model of the weapon. Nothing has come close to surpassing its unparallel capabilities, not even the newest models of REX and RAY. The Patriots' ARSENAL GEAR cannot stand up to it either. This machine is the ultimate. It is a quad and bi-pedal machine, and is the strongest of the three. It is euipped with more nuclear warheads, missles, and shells than both REX and RAY combined. It also has a stealth camo, an electronic disruptor, and the ability to move underwater. This new METAL GEAR has a stronger defence then REX and RAY, as well as a 50-target lock-on system."
Erika's pager vibrated whil on the kitchen counter for a second time. Sighing, she continued to read.
"METAL GEAR RAYv.3 is stronger than the new REX, and old RAY in terms of offense, but has a weaker defense. It is still able to maneuver underwater and had more firepower than the previous version, as well as the amount of ammunition. This machine also carries nuclear warheads and has a system that allows it to fire on 35 targets at any given time."
She looked up at the clock. It was 2:19pm. She yawned adn stared back at the monitor.
"METAL GEAR REXv.2 is a bi-pedal, tank-like machine with nuclear capabilities, more firepower than the original, a stronger defense than the original, and a 20 target lock-on system. It is truly a stronger weapon than before."
She breathed deeply. " Maybe I should go on this mission. It could be worthwhile." Once Erika turned off her computer, she walked into the kitchen and picked up the phone, dialing the number that had called her. It didn't work.
142.63 to 141.33
"Erika? I take it that you've read over the data. Interested?"
"Yes.Where's the location and when should I be there?"
"You remember the Shadow Moses incident, right? Well, that's the location. Seriously, I'm not joking."
"Five years ago... Damon, do you know why it's Shadow Moses again?"
He grunted. "Stop."
"Stop what? And I'm still waiting on why."
"Call me by my real name. We're not on a mission yet. As for your question, the labs were supposedly in a good enough condition that they could be used for the machines' development, not to mention that they've completely rebuilt a southern building. I don't know all the details, but it seems that the Patriots are completely behind the development of SIN."
"Zack...Zackary, do you know why? I've always assumed that the Patriots were against the development of any Metal Gear."
"Thank you, and yeah, that's what I thought too, until I recieved the information on Shalashaska. Also, it seems they've been suppporting it ever since Arsenal fell, and Liquid took RAY with him. Look, if you can, get to Kodiak, Alaska. I'll arrange for..."
"No. I'll figure out a way.I have some friends that can get me up there with weapons. Just tell me where I'll meet with Philanthropy's agent. I'll infiltrate Shadow Moses with him.
"Right." Zack paused. "Get to Kodiak. A chopper, a KA-62 Kasatka most likely, will be waiting fo you and the others on the heliport. Be there by 7:30pm, pacific time on Thursday. It leaves by then and Rayne...Erika, don't be late."
-codec off-
Still standing by the phone, it was now 2: 51pm. It was Tuesday meaning that she only had a day and a half to get to Kodiak. She picked up the phone again, dialing a long distance number.
"Sharon Campbell here. How may I help you?"
"You know what I want. Get me to Kodiak, Alaska by Thursday, 6:30pm, pacific time. Can you do that, Sharon? I need this."
There was a sigh on Sharon's end of the line. "Fine, the jet will be waiting at the Phoenix airport. Don't be late. It's a seven or eight hour flight. Rayne, I'm going to leave at 11:00 in the morning, so don't be late."
"I'm more worried about you. This'll pay back the debt. See you in two days."
2 HOURS LATER
It was 7:30 in the morning. The sun was shining and it was already hot outside. Erika had just finished a twenty minute shower, and was now looking through her bedroom closet while wrapped in a towel.
The closet was filled with black clothing, as well as a few brighter colors. Below and on both sides of all the clothes were shelves and racks filled with guns, silencers, extra ammo, three different knives, a few pouches and hoolsters, along with anything else she would possibly need while on a mission.
She pulled out a black halter, armbands, gloves, pants, and a jacket. After she got dressed, she pulled out her SOCOM, its silencer, a 7-inch knife, two extra cartridges of ammo for her gun, a holster, and a sheath for her knife. Erika then went to another closet and grabbed a dufflebag of sorts, stuffing all of her gear, including her jacket, inside.
Now in the living room, Erika looked at the clock. "8:47 already? Better get to Phoenix."
141.63 to 140,50
"I'm here. What do you need, Rayne?"
"Be ready to take off at 10 o'clock. I want to leave an hour early, just in case. See you then?"
"Yes. I'll be ready. See you in just over an hour."
-codec off-
Erika grabbed her keys and went out the door, locking it behind her. She tossed the stuffed dufflebag into the right seat of her red Pontiac Solstace. She opened the left door, sitting in the left car seat and trying to foce the key into its slot. The engine roared and the wheels began to turn. The long hot drive to Phoenix had begun.
45 MINUTES LATER
It was now 9:50am and the airport was filled with people who had either arrived or were departing. Erika could see Sharon leaning against a pillar.
"Ready to leave, Ms. Stone?"
"Yes. By the way, it's going to be Mrs. Hartman soon."
Ther jet was that of America's colors and was smaller than most private jets. The inside was luxurious; couches lined the sides and a glass tabe stood in the middle. There was a small fridge in the wall towards the cockpit, of which was filled with red and white wines.
Sitting on one of the couches, Erika held a glass filled with Wolf Blass wine, while the bottle sat on the table.
"I'm ready."
8 AND 1/2 HOURS LATER
It was cold and snowing. The wind was blowing at 27 mph. It was also dark. Erika stood on the heliport, now wearing her jacket. Her gloves were partially visible, while her armbands were completely hidden.
Behind her, a man with short brown and blonde hair stood, holding a black briefcase. He had blue eyes and was wearing beige slacks, a dark green shirt and a white coat. He looked to be 26, but still young.
"Zackary, are you seriously coming? Chances are good that this'll be dangerous."
"Erika..." His left hand was sitting on an M9 while in its holster. "Time to go by codenames. You know that."
Two more people came from behind. One was tall, with red/brown hair, green eyes, and a beard. A blue bandana was tied arouhnd his head and he was wearing a blue-gray tactical suit. The other had blue jeans, a black t-shirt and a white coat on. He had brown hair and brown eyes. Underneath the coat, there was a holster on his right hip that had a silenced 9mm sitting in it.
The taller man spoke first. "So you are coming. We finally get to meet, Black Rayne, Damon."
Erika moved closer to the two men. "You as well, Solid Snake." Her head turned to the man with brown hair. "As well as you, Dr. Emmerich, or should I say 'Otacon'."
One more person, a man with blonde hair and blue-green eyes, came closer. A SOCOM pistol sat in its holster on his right hip. He was wearing a 'skull suit', the type that was issued by FOXHOUND.
"Snake, Otacon."
"Raiden."
Rayne had a puzzled look on her face. "Raiden? Strange code name." She looked around. "It's 7:25. This chopper leaves shortly."