Wow. Sorry about the update lack. I think I'm back on track now.

Thanks for those awesome reviews FernClaw, Jag Lady, Hordak's Pupil, lily moonlight, The Python, Andi Mack, MutantLover09, badkidoh

8. Travels

"All computers are set up?" Mei Ling questioned, finally plugging in the cord into the outlet and yawning. She rubbed her eyes and gave a glance out Hal, who looked to be running on a cup of coffee and possibly a Pop-Tart. The rest of the house of silent at five thirty AM, but that didn't mean that no one else was up. Meryl and Dave were moving about a separate part of the house, and both people in the technology room knew it had nothing to do with sex.

Hal nodded the OK to the Asian and turned on the computer, hoping for some sort of quick load-up process. It had been a while since he had plugged in the computer that Mei Ling was going to be using. And now, here he was- about to use it for the first time in over a year. Dave had some of the "crappiest technology one could ask for in the twenty-first century," as Hal so eloquently put it. He sighed and walked over to Mei Ling, who was plugging a set of headphones into the computer jack on the already-loaded computer.

"Any idea when Dave'll be in here?"

She shrugged. "I'm not sure."

The tension in the room was clear, as both people's minds flashed back to the dreams they had only a few hours ago. It almost seemed too real that the group was actually going to help their friend not only find the cure, but go back to the island of his nightmares. The otaku and the technology specialist gave each other meaningful glances before hearing Meryl clomping in and looking exhausted.

"You okay?" Hal asked.

The redheaded woman gave her friend a look. He turned away and shook his head, muttering an apology and walking into the kitchen with Aero at his heels. She whined slightly, and he found himself walking to the back door and opening it for her. Eagerly, she trotted out and ran to the helicopter in the distance. Hal made no attempt at stopping her from her run, and he shut the door and turned back to the house. He shook his head and walked to the cabinet, opening it and looking inside.

"There's gotta be some ibuprofen in here," he muttered.

Mei Ling came from around the corner. She blinked. "What are you doing?"

"I have a headache. Need some meds."

She rubbed her head. "Listen, Hal. I know you're worried. I'm pretty sure all of us are. But it's during these sorts of trials that we must bond and show the world that we can overcome anything." She slipped her hand into his. "It'll be okay. We just need to work together."

Meryl gave a tiny grumble and sat down on the sofa. Mei Ling led Hal into the other room, his hand still gripping the ibuprofen bottle. She sat him down in the chair, and he slipped on the headset. She walked to her own computer and typed in a couple of things, bringing up a screen of a layout from Shadow Moses Island. She had no idea how helpful it would be, but she figured it was best to know where Dave was at all times.

There was a creaking of wood outside the room once more, and the trio turned around to see a familiar sight. It was one Hal smiled at, seeing the image of his hero standing in the doorway. One Mei Ling blushed at, turning away and giving a small giggle because of the crush she had on him merely a year ago. One Meryl remembered so fondly from the time she worked with him on the island- the one that she had rescued from after a one-on-one fight with his brother.

Solid Snake stood in the doorway in full form. His Sneaking Suit still fit as if he had worn it only yesterday, the bandana around his head drooped and slightly slapping his back. He wore one belt around his waist for holstering his .45 SOCOM handgun, standard military issue. His eyes showed weariness beyond his years, but somehow, he kept his revitalized image. It almost seemed like he was ready for another mission he had been ever so willingly dragged into. This time was an exception, though.

He was ready for this mission. He was ready to do what he had to in order to find what he desired- a cure to stop a virus.

Hal pushed up his glasses and gave a smile of what he thought was confidence, relief, and determination. "You ready for this, Snake?"

The operative returned the smile. "You the one ready for this, Otacon?"

Same old, same old. Otacon felt he could take the world.

Meryl gave Snake his SOCOM and swallowed as he walked out to the helicopter waiting for him. "Y-you know… I could just- well, you know."

"I need to do this alone, Meryl," Snake told her calmly. Even as he spoke, a fierce fire glowed in his eyes, resonating from his very core. "You need to stay here with Otacon and Mei Ling and help me along the way as best as you can from here at the house."

She looked frustrated, and the man was given a fond memory of the first time she looked at him on Shadow Moses. "I won't get in the way! Promise."

He grabbed her hand and stared straight into her eyes. She flinched and tried to look away from Snake's eyes, but she knew she couldn't. His voice was quiet. "Meryl. There is nothing you can do to help me on the island. It isn't infested with guards, being run by FOXHOUND, or full of dark secrets hidden from me in the past. As much as I'd enjoy catching up with you, I don't think right now is the time." He forced his voice to stay steady. "I need you to be my look-out, my aid. My eyes, my ears, everything." He paused for a moment. "I also need you to keep the huskies company."

"I'm not a dog sitter!" she hissed, yanking her hand away.

Snake smiled. "Nope. You're a feisty solider who's seen hell and back. And don't think of it as dog sitting. Think of it as company for the animals that need someone to look to for help while the master is gone."

Meryl said nothing for several seconds. The old hero got into the helicopter and blinked at the sight of Aero sitting obediently in the seat across from him. She whined slightly and laid her head on his legs, earning herself a scratch behind the ears. Snake looked out and saw Meryl standing there still, looking away towards the house.

He sighed. "I have the Codec. Call me if you need something."

She just nodded, waving to the pilot of the chopper.

Nastasha Romanenko grinned from the pilot's seat. "Solid Snake. It's been a while."

Snake blinked in astonishment as he closed the compartment door and gave a shocked smile. "Nastasha! I didn't know you were a pilot!"

"Some things in life are best left unknown until the right time," she replied smoothly, her voice thick with a Ukrainian accent. "I guess right now is when you should know that I do have a license. Not that I would ever use it, but…" She trailed off here before regaining her composure. "So, how is life in Alaska? We do have nearly an hour together."

Snake leaned back in his seat, Aero's head resting in his lap. He had time for maybe one short story with his former weapons analyst specialist.

Awww, Aero's going with Snake! Nice to have a little company. Right? :smirks: Reviews are nice. Thanks for reading!