Chapter 4

As Snake reached the connecting bridge the CODEC began to ring frantically.

Otacon?" Snake asked.

"Yes it's me. What have you been doing Snake?" Otacon asked sounding deeply concerned.

"I met with the bomb expert Peter Stillman. I saw that you gave him the cards." Snake pointed out.

"Yeah I had to…hold on Snake…" Otacon seemed to be busy with something apart from talking to Snake.

"Otacon where are you." Snake asked suspecting Otacon had gotten himself in trouble.

"I'm in Strut G Oil Processing Facility." Otacon replied whispering.

"Why the hell are you there?" Snake asked wondering why he couldn't have stayed put.

"Well since I had to go around Shell 1 to reach the Computer Room in the Core section I decided to head for the computer terminal that exists in Strut I Assembly Facility." Otacon answered back, again in a whisper.

"I thought so." Snake's chance to going to Shell 2 instead of Shell 1 paid off. He knew about the computer terminal and he knew Otacon's patience ran low. "But there are soldiers patrolling every inch of this place." Snake replied a bit tired of Otacon's attitudes. "Not to mention the C4's."

"Well I've reached Strut G and I don't think it would be wise to go back. Some soldiers seem to be coming from Shell 2 into Shell 1. I'm currently in a good hiding spot, but I wouldn't mind a little bit of help." Otacon whispered even lower, obviously afraid that someone could hear him.

"Otacon is it true that the man responsible for this terrorist action calls himself Solid Snake?" The question had been in the back of Snake's mind after meeting with Raiden.

Otacon was silent for a few seconds. "Who told you that?" He asked positively surprised. As if wondering Snake could know such a thing from anyone else.

"Is it true?" Snake pressed on.

"I don't have all the info yet, but…yes its true." Otacon replied.

"When you're you planning on telling me?" Snake was clearly upset.

"Snake its not that simple. I don't know all the details, but as soon as I get to the computer terminal I'll be sure." Otacon sounded truthful and it wasn't like him to withhold information from Snake, most of the time.

"Alright. Just hang on. I'm in the CD connecting bridge so I'll be right there."

"Snake, I saw a guard that was going to Strut C with a box of nourishments for the other guards."

Suddenly in the distance of the connecting bridge Snake saw someone exiting Strut D, a guard holding a large cardboard box. "I see him Otacon. He's on the other side of the connecting bridge."

"After that guard there are a few more in Strut D and after that it's a smooth ride to Strut G. I'll be waiting for you."

"Alright, I'll be in touch."

"One more thing Snake, there's a security camera by the door of Strut G so be careful."

"Sure." Snake saw the guard closing in. "I've got to go. I've to handle this guard."

"See ya Snake." Otacon signed off

Snake got ready as the guard approached him. He hid behind the wall that protected the door to Strut C and got his M4 ready. When the guard entered Snake's field of vision he used the butt of his M4 and dazed him. When the guard woke up he would never know what had hit him. Snake was about to start running towards Strut D when he remembered what Otacon had said. The surveillance camera. He turned and looked at both the dazed guard and the cardboard box filled with nourishments. Maybe it'll work. Snake quickly grabbed the heavy cardboard box and threw what food it had inside over the railings of the connecting bridge. He then placed the large cardboard box over himself. I hope this fools it. He started making his way towards the entrance of Strut D with the plan to use the cardboard box as a means to fool anyone that was watching the camera feed. If he timed it correctly the person watching would think that someone moved the box. He was already halfway the connecting bridge when he heard steps coming from behind. He turned around inside the box and saw Raiden just over the dazed guard. Damn kid! Snake turned and pressed on, but Raiden was already running towards him. Damn! Snake had no time to plan his moves in front of the camera. He would have to wing it. As soon as Raiden got too close Snake dashed off as fast as he could and got to the door. Snake didn't even notice the camera, but he heard Raiden stopping, probably seeing it.

Snake entered Strut D Sediment Pool and saw that he was in a cramped space. The entryway was definitely small and he couldn't just get up because if there were any guards around they would undoubtedly see him. Crap. Snake had to move or otherwise Raiden with enter Strut D and possibly see him hiding under a cardboard box. He walked down a couple of steps and then he could see, through the gap on the cardboard box, the whole structure built around the Sediment Pool. Apparently there were two floors around the pool and the only stairs that united the two were near the entrance to Shell 2. Fortunately it seemed that the guards where all in the lower floor getting their orders from another guard that was holding his radio to his mouth. Snake quickly rushed to the connecting bridge of Shell 2. The door was security level 3, but thanks to Otacon that had given Stillman the card keys the door opened as soon as Snake approached it. The connecting bridge that linked Shells 1 and 2 was bigger than the others, with two levels and no guards visible. The sun was pretty high up and beneath the box things began to heat up. Snake walked on when unexpectedly his headphones came to life.

"Pliskin, I saw someone wearing a cardboard box just now...?" It was Raiden's voice.

"A box? I don't know anything about that." Snake tried to fake some amazement. "You sure you weren't imagining things?"

"Of course I'm sure. Do you think it's one of the members of Dead Cell? I don't want to fight someone like that... "

"Why not?" Snake was getting enough of that kid.

"Because it looked so dumb. Anyone who's willing to be seen like that must be completely insane. I mean, he's a psycho; there's no question about it." Raiden spoke with such determination that even Snake started second guessing himself.

"Um, yeah..." Snake answered and signed off. He hadn't stopped moving and was now safe in front of the Strut G door. He quickly got up, threw the box away and entered the Oil Processing Facility.

The sun was strong at its rays stroked the scarred cheek of a beautiful woman wearing a tiger striped uniform. She had just begun her mission and yet the worse perils were still to come. As she headed down the stairs on the exit of the heliport she noticed a shadow underneath and to her surprise the radio came on.

"I've taken care of that annoying fly. What's the situation over there?" The voice was rough and intense.

What luck…"Puzzling." The woman spoke with a slight accent. "I saw a man dressed like a ninja just now."

"Ninja?" The other voice replied with a puzzling tone of voice.

"That's the only way to describe it. A kind of cyborg ninja, complete with a sword.

"What...!" The voice replied obviously surprised.

"Are you hiding something from me?" The woman asked.

"Olga, are you it sure wasn't an Arsenal Tengu?" The voice talked back.

Olga could only refer to Olga Gurlukovich, daughter of Sergei and the heir to his army.

"Don't be a fool. Think I wouldn't know the difference? I've never seen field gear like that, ever." She replied with some animosity.

"All right. We'll intensify patrols. Anything else?"

"Actually...one more thing. You'll find it hard to believe, though." Olga leaned on the rails. "I saw a man hiding under a cardboard box."

"Where?" The man replied not surprised.

"On the connecting bridge to Shell 2." Olga replied.

" Hrmm." The voice on the other side grunted.

"So you believe me this time?"

"I've seen someone use that box trick before. We'll lay a trap on the Shell 2 connecting bridge."

"Over and out then." Olga placed the radio on her waist while somebody in the foot of the stairs shouted.

"Freeze! You must be one of Dead Cell." Raiden shouted.

Olga began to grin. So you're here. "Of course not. What a thing to say." She replied with no fear.

"Drop your gun!" Raiden shouted again.

Olga smiled. "Not a chance!" With a fast movement she leapt over the rails and disappeared.

As Snake entered Strut G he noticed a lot of noise coming from somewhere deep inside the room. A door stood in front of him. With a corridor to the right and to the left side of the door that probably went around the entire Strut. Snake gripped his M4 tightly and reached for his CODEC.

"Otacon are you there?" Snake talked and at the same time kept a careful eye on his surroundings.

"Snake where are you?" Otacon replied through an immense noise.

"I'm near the entrance." Snake talked and suddenly watched as the door in front of him opened up. He quickly grabbed his M4 and pointed.

"Don't shoot…it's me." Otacon was standing by the doorway as the machinery noise behind him invaded the rest of the Strut. He was wearing the same clothes from before, but was now holding a small briefcase.

Snake pointed the M4 and shouted because of the noise. "You were lucky I didn't shoot you."

Otacon got out of the doorway into the entrance and the door closed behind him. He looked Snake from top to bottom. "Nice suit."

"I had to roll up the sleeves because it didn't fit" Snake said.

"That was the best I could do, by the way what took you so long?"

"I had a few problems with one of the Dead Cell members."

Otacon flinched. "Who?"

"Vamp." Snake said in his rough voice.

"Did he recognize you?"

"It was definitely weird, but I don't know. I also met an unexpected visitor." Snake grinned.

"What do you mean?" Otacon asked.

"Nothing…" Snake pointed the M4 down. "Why didn't you wait for me?" He asked Otacon slightly irritated.

"S I said before once I found out that the way to the Core section of Shell 1 had been blown up I realized I had to go to Strut I to get to the other computer termi…"

"Fine…." Snake wanted to hear no more of it. "You know of course that there are C4's placed on each of the Struts."

"Yeah I know, but I thought it would save us some time." Otacon excused himself as he took out his glasses and cleaned them with a tissue he took out from his trousers pocket.

"Well we need to find the C4's first otherwise it won't be safe." Snake clarified.

"Fine, but we better go on to Strut H so that we don't waste anymore time." Otacon placed his glasses back on his face.

"I just have to figure out how to turn the radar on otherwise I won't be able to use the sensor that Peter has given me." Snake took out the small device and showed it to Otacon.

"Oh right, I forgot to tell you about the radar. It seems that this place is really troublesome when it comes to devices used to map out areas. They created some kind…"

"Otacon!"

"Yeah Snake?"

"Shut up and tell me how to log on to a node." Snake remembered Peter Stillman's words placing the device back with his equipment.

Otacon was surprised Snake knew how to make the radar work. "Sure it's this way, but there are two guards guarding the exit." He started walking towards the corridor that stood by the left side.

"Let me take care of them. Wait here." Snake held out his hand.

Otacon stood leaned on the corridor as Snake went on. Near the corner that led to the exit door Snake heard the two guards talking to each other.

"When will that damn thing be ready?" The Russian accented soldiers seemed annoyed about something.

"I don't know. Oh I better go and check on the men in Strut L."

Snake peeked out of the corner and noticed that one of the guards was coming towards him. Humm. Snake held the M4 tightly in his right hand and drew out his USP with the left. As soon as the guard made his way around the corner, before he even spotted Snake, Snake pointed his USP to the guard's head. "Don't move!" The guard threw his hands to the air. "What are you doing?" He spoke with a tone of defiance.

The other guard heard it right away and pointed his AN 94, but Snake wasn't over. He quickly threw his right hand, with the M4 firmly gripped, under his left arm and without seeing where the other guard was he fired. Almost an entire clip before the guard screamed in agony.

"AHHHHHH." The guard fell dead to the ground.

The other however was very much alive. "Please don't!" He shouted with a change in his tone of voice.

Snake whipped around and hit him with his M4 leaving the guard knocked out for some time.

"Snake!" Otacon shouted as he neared the scene. "What have you done?"

"I had to take care of them." He said pulling the guard knocked out near the other one. Luckily there were three lockers near the exit door. "These will do." Snake said as he put them inside and locked the doors.

"Geez Snake, you have to work on your people skills." Otacon grinned.

"The guards were talking about something being ready, do you know what they meant by that?"

"I have no idea, but that's why I have to get to Strut I and find out…Maybe she's in deeper trouble that I thought." Otacon spoke as he nervously tapped on the briefcase with his fingers

Snake knew of whom Otacon was talking about.

"And also there's that thing about Solid Snake I have to check out." Otacon concluded as they reached the door to the GH connecting bridge. A large computer stood beside it. "It's here." Otacon pointed to the computer. "This is a node. There's one in every Strut and it maps out the entire area. Just put your hand there and you're ready to go. Your new nanomachines will take care of the rest.

Snake placed his right hand on the node and waited a few seconds. All of sudden an electric shock went through his body. "What the hell!" Snake looked over at Otacon while taking hand from the node screen.

"As you can see this is state of the art technology. It seems a bit too much for an offshore cleanup facility though." Otacon replied.

The radar seemed to work properly now, but Snake had no time to check Strut G for C4's as Otacon was impatient to get to the computer terminal located on Strut I. "Let's move out. I'll take point and you follow me." Snake said as he grabbed his M4 and head out to the GH connecting bridge.

"Snake you'll need this too." Otacon was holding some kind of card. "I'll be occupied in Strut I so I won't need it, but maybe you will. It can open up to level 5 security doors."

Snake reached with his hand and took the card. "Thanks."

The GH bridge was deserted and it was in fact very similar to the connecting bridges located in Shell 1. Snake and Otacon threaded carefully along the bridge and again Pliskin's headphones started.

"Pliskin, Tell me a little more about Dead Cell." It was Raiden again.

Snake turned to Otacon and rolled up his eyes. "Dead Cell was a shadow unit within the SEALS organization."

Otacon seemed puzzled as to why Snake was talking about Dead Cell.

"Right. They handled surprise raids on vital government facilities, didn't they?" Raiden seemed eager to know more.

"Yes. They were originally put together to check the nation's military security system. The unit was the brainchild of ex-president George Sears..."

Otacon gave a small dire sigh when he heard the name of the ex-president, but hopefully Snake didn't notice.

Snake continued to walk and Otacon followed behind. "Dead Cell was a secret unit positioned at the opposite end of anti-terrorist outfits such as Delta Force and SEALS."

"Were they always a..."

" ...group of madmen?" Snake interrupted Raiden's question. "No. They got weird when Colonel Jackson …Fortune's husband…was sent to jail."

"Sent to jail? For what?"

"Corruption. He misappropriated government funds." Snake replied.

"Sounds like he deserved it..."

"That's what everybody else thought. Except for the members of Dead Cell. They felt the Colonel was falsely accused. Fact is, they took the case to the powers that be. But they never managed to reopen the case."

"Was there any truth to their claim?"

Raiden's question had more implications than he knew. "Who knows?" Snake already knew about the power that truly rules this country. "Whatever the situation is, Dead Cell's name was tainted."

"And Colonel Jackson...?"

"He was being held at Leavenworth..."

" 'Was'...meaning he's been released?"

"Well... in a manner of speaking. The Colonel's dead. Apparently he lost the will to live and died in prison. The members of Dead Cell snapped with the loss of their leader. They underwent a radical change and became uncontrollable." Snake and Otacon were about halfway on the GH connecting bridge.

"And that's why they undertook this terrorist operation?"

"Seems as good a reason as any..."

"What do you know about that strange woman?"

Snake sensed from the question that Raiden had encountered the Dead Cell leader. "You mean Fortune? Her real name is Helena Dolph Jackson...known to her friends as Lady Luck."

"Lady Luck?"

"Yeah. She got the name because bullets seem to veer away from her in battle. People have heard her say that her fortune in battle was payback for the lousy luck she's had in life..."

"Lousy luck?"

"The death of her father, the Marine commander...The conviction of husband and Dead Cell leader, Colonel Jackson...These events were followed by her mother's suicide …the loss of a husband and the idea of a convict in the family apparently took her over the edge...Fortune was three months pregnant at the time and the shock of her mother's death led to the loss of her child. Add to this her husband's death in prison a few months later and...To sum it up, in the six months after her father's death, she lost her family and everything that mattered in her life."

"Geez, she's had it rough..." Raiden sounded sympathetic.

"Yeah. The thing is she didn't grieve long. Instead, she joined the military."

"Now why's that?"

"Do I look psychic? My best guess is revenge. I heard that she firmly believed that her husband was framed...Anyway... by the time she came out of basic training, she'd proven many times over that she was "gifted" with an unusual streak of luck. In fact, some say she sold her soul for it."

"Her soul?"

"Her uncanny luck earned her a reputation that led to her appointment as the head of her husband's unit, Dead Cell. I'd heard that she was welcomed with open arms by Vamp, who was the temporary leader at the time. For Vamp, it also meant welcoming the daughter of his former lover..."

"Vamp and Fortune's mother...?"

Snake knew Raiden was way off, but it also made it clear that Raiden was here unaware that the situation was highly dangerous.

"No. Vamp and Fortune's father... Vamp's bisexual."

"Oh... Wait a sec. I thought Vamp and Fortune..."

"Uh... yeah." Snake implied the relationship between Vamp and Fortune and signed off. He was getting fed up by Raiden's taste for gossip

"What was all that conversation?" Otacon asked as both reached the door to Strut H.

"I didn't tell you before, but I found someone. Someone very strange."

"What do you mean strange?" Otacon had seen strange before.

"A man wearing a FOXHOUND commando suit and to boot he had no knowledge of what was going on here. But…" Snake paused for a few seconds remembering the first encounter he had with Raiden. Those eyes.

"But what Snake?" Otacon asked he got beside the door to Strut H Warehouse.

"I couldn't read his eyes. He seemed like a rookie but his eyes were strange.I don't know…

"Well we better be careful about him then. C'mon I have to get to the computer terminal." Otacon said binging back Snake to reality.

"Yeah." Snake approached the door quietly and opened her up slowly checking the area for any guards. A long corridor stood in front of them, well lit and surprisingly clean. The node rested by the entrance hugging the right wall. Snake hastily approached it and got the radar functioning. Two blue shaped cones appeared on radar with incredible clarity. "Two guards, we may take a while to get past them. "Come on." Snake started to move, the guards were still away so they were relatively safe. The corridor turned right and a stairwell rested on the left. "That leads to the heliport right?" Snake asked Otacon.

The impatience was obvious in Otacon's face. "Snake we don't have time for this. There's something fishy going on here and I would like to know what it is."

Snake frowned and got the slight impression that Otacon was hiding something else apart form knowing that leader called himself Solid Snake. "What are you not telling me Otacon?"

Otacon gave him a puzzled look. "Me, I'm not hiding anything." Otacon was obvious lying, but Snake's attention was diverted to something else. A yellowish blur was visible on Snake's radar. C4! "There's a bomb near the heliport area." Snake said as he turned to Otacon, but suddenly he wasn't there. Snake turned around and saw him running. "Otacon." Snake shouted in a whisper.

Otacon was clenching his briefcase and making his way to the HI connecting bridge.

"Damn!" Snake saw Otacon running with the good fortune to not have being seen by any of the guards. Snake quickly reached for the CODEC. "Otacon respond!"

"Snake I don't have time to waste. When you finish with the bombs meet me in Strut I." Otacon talked in a fast manner and then turned off the CODEC.

Snake sighed in anger, but he knew that Otacon would probably stay safe. I better get started with those bombs. Snake started going up the stairs. He was going to deal with the first C4 bomb.