Sniffing the Continent

Command Platform, Mother Base

Big Boss is currently sitting as he looks at the report of the aftermath of the storm while also smoking a cigar. Apparently, the storm did only little damage that can be fixed in a matter of weeks at most; it doesn't even reach a month.

"Boss, we've done." Reported one of the staff.

"Good. Anything to be informed?" Asked Big Boss.

"Well...you see, sir. I don't know why but no matter what we do, we're unable to gain any status about the outside world."

"What do you mean?" Asked Ocelot who enters the command center.

"I mean that except the Mother Base and the surrounding area, we're unable to know the location of outside world. For example, our base holds the coordinates of Afghanistan. But when I try to enter the coordinates, it shows nothing. It's as if the country suddenly disappear."

Both Big Boss and Ocelot become silent once they heard look at each other for a while before approaching to the location of the staff. The staff moves away as his superiors look at the control panel. Big Boss then tries to inputs the coordinates of Afghanistan. But after waiting for the loading to finish, the result is not satisfying.

"What the hell is happening?" Said Ocelot to no one.

"No idea as well." Said Big Boss.

After saying that, Big Boss receives a call. He takes his iDroid and accepts it.

"[COMMS] Boss, this is Miller. The intel team managed to find a radio signal."

"[COMMS] Radio signal?"

"[COMMS] It came hundreds of mile at the east. So far, it's our only sign of outside civilization."

"[COMMS] That means it's worth investigating. Get a chopper ready, Kaz. I am going to do it myself."

"[COMMS] Better not, Snake. We don't know if there's anti-air defense at the area. I have a solution though."

Few hours later...

Big Boss is steering a speed boat and heading towards the shore at the horizon. Sitting besides him is one of his buddy, DD. It has been decided that DD will be the one who accompanied Big Boss, being the least suspicious of among other buddies.

When the boat is finally close enough, Big Boss and DD exit the boat and tether it to the beach. After that, both of them walk away from the boat, heading into the inland. When he's away from the sandy beach, Big Boss sees that the land he's currently in is a meadow along with some forest.

"[COMMS] Forest... From the trees, I say that we're in Europe somehow." Said Ocelot.

"[COMMS] Perhaps. Forest doesn't always mean Europe though." Replied Big Boss.

Big Boss decides to head towards the forest. Only few minutes later though, DD begins to bark. The way he barks indicates that he sensed someone.

"Good boy." Said Big Boss as he pats DD.

Big Boss draws his assault rifle as he moves towards the person that DD sensed. When he's close enough, he can see someone is walking through the forest. Big Boss takes out the Int-Scope to have a better look. The person is a man with a rifle and is wearing a civilian outfit.

"[COMMS] Must be a hunter. Boss, he maybe not a soldier, but if you can take his outfit and rifle, you can pass as a hunter." Suggested Miller.

Big Boss silently approach the hunter while the man is looking to the other way. When he's only an arm-reach away from the hunter, Big Boss immediately put the man on a chokehold. This surprise the man, makes him drop his rifle. Big Boss then draw his knife and places it near the man's neck.

"Talk." Said Big Boss.

The man then speak. It sounds strange for Big Boss, but he had heard a similar language spoken by recruits from Europe.

"[COMMS] Alright, Boss. That sounds like French, but there are some hints of Dutch…and he spoke it with British accent. Let me see if we have someone who can understand him." Said Ocelot.

Big Boss waits for few minutes. The man – who was resisting earlier – has begun to calm down, but he can still sense a panic in the man.

"[COMMS] Boss, I found one of our man who can act as a translator. Asked him again."

"Talk." Said Big Boss.

"W-What do you want?" Asked the man, now translated.

"Where am I?"

"Huh?" The man confusion is replaced by fear when Big Boss puts the knife closer to his neck. "OK, OK. You're in Gallia."

"Gallia? Where is that?"

"Gallia is Gallia, one of the countries in Europa."

Silence falls as Big Boss and everyone else hear that words. Something is very wrong in here.

"[COMMS] Boss, I have a bad feeling about this." Said Ocelot.

"[COMMS] So, what do we do now, Snake?" Asked Miller.

"Hmm… Hey, where's the nearest town?" Asked Big Boss to the man.

"You just need to walk a quarter of an hour to the north." Replied the man.

"Thanks."

Big Boss sheathes the knife. But before the man can let out a breath of relief, Big Boss immediately choke him. After few moments, the man lost his conscious. Big Boss then drags the man to a bushes with DD following closely.

Few minutes later, Big Boss comes out from the bushes, wearing the man's clothes; an old green vest over a white shirt, beige pants, and brown boots. He then goes to where the man dropped his rifle and takes it. When Big Boss checks it, he sees that the rifle have a resemblances with WWII carbine.

"[COMMS] Would you look at that? Not something you every day, huh?" Commented Ocelot.

"[COMMS] Ah, I think I know what you want to do, Boss." Said Miller.

Big Boss says nothing in return. He whistles to DD before walking to the north, followed by his trusted dog.

Town

At the street, the normal activities of the citizens are a little bit disturbed by the fact that there's a man with a lot of scars on his face and to top it off, also wearing an eye patch. It's not that uncommon though, as war veterans can have that kind of look and Gallia is no strange of war.

Big Boss looks around the town, trying to find something that can give him more accurate information about "Gallia" and "Europa". He needs to know as many thing as possible, especially the military capability.

Suddenly, Big Boss feels a poke at his feet. Looking down, he sees that DD is trying to point at something with his right front feet. When he looks at the direction, he sees a building. Taking a closer look, he can see people reading from the glass. The building is a library.

Big Boss pats DD before getting inside. However, a voice stops him.

"Hey!" Big Boss turns his head to the right to see a woman with glasses sitting behind a desk. "No pet allowed inside, sir!"

Big Boss gives a sign for DD to wait outside. He closes the door and looks around. Finally, he finds the bookcase he's searching. While he can't read the word on the case, he sees the similarity with the word "geography". He searches through the bookcase and finally found an atlas. It's easy because the word is printed on the side of the book.

Big Boss opens the atlas and looks around the pages. He manages to find the pages with a big word "Europa" on it. Look around to make sure that no one is near, Big Boss takes out the iDroid and scans the page. After that, he searches again and found the map of Gallia. He did the same thing with the map before returning it to the case. There are still many things he wants to search, but he'll save it for some other times.

Big Boss goes towards the door. Suddenly, a man in blue military uniform comes into the library. His presence attracts the attention of almost everyone inside, including Big Boss. The man takes out something from his pocket. He then reveals it to be some sort of poster.

"Everyone, listen! A deserter on the run has been spotted near this town half an hour ago! Anyone who see this face, please contact the authority ASAP and don't approach him! His rank is only a private, but his skills are not to be underestimated!" Shout the soldier.

The face at the poster is in black and white, but the Big Boss can guess that the man has a pale skin and dark hair.

"[COMMS] You hear that, Boss? A deserter. We might get ourselves an informant." Said Miller.

"[COMMS] Yeah, but you have to be fast. The military is looking for him as well." Said Ocelot.

"I am on it." Replied Big Boss.

With the soldier now exit the library, Big Boss follows suit. Outside, DD is sitting near the door. He then start to walk around the town, hoping that DD will find the deserter. At the street, he can see a number of soldiers looking around. They're equipped with a baton and a pistol – looks like semi-automatic – on their belt. Some of them are looking at Big Boss, possibly because of his scars or eye patch. Maybe both. But none of them paid further attention.

Suddenly, DD starts running to one of the alley. Big Boss runs to follow him. After running for a minute or two, DD finally stops in front of a stack of crates. Big Boss takes out his tranquilizer gun and slowly approach the stack.

"Come out! I know you're there! No use hiding!" Ordered Big Boss.

For the first few seconds, there's no response. Then, a pair of hand outstretched from behind the crates. Slowly, the man appears from behind the crates; it's the same man from the poster. He's wearing the same blue uniform but appears to be dusty and more ragged.

"Y-You're not from the military." Stated the man.

"I am. But I am your ticket to get out from here." Replied Big Boss.

"W-Wait, you'll help me?" Said the man in disbelief.

"Let's just say that I need a man, especially someone from the military and a deserter."

"…It's not like I have any choice, am I?"

"You have. You can choose not to follow me. But I doubt you can escape."

"You're right, sir. Anyway, name's Carl. What's yours?"

"Call me Big Boss. Or Boss for short."

The man appears curious about that, but decided not to ask more about it.

Few hours later…

Command Platform, Mother Base

In the end, thanks to Big Boss' skills and DD's help, the trio managed to escape from the town and went towards the shore. Because there are only two seats at the boat, Carl must share it with DD. There was no problem though and Carl seemed to enjoy rubbing DD and the latter didn't mind.

When Big Boss brings Carl to the platform, he's awestruck by what he sees. Big Boss has no idea whether it's because of the buildings, the helicopter flying nearby, or the soldiers walking around. Perhaps the combination of three.

"So he's our new recruit?" Asked Miller as he approach the trio with Ocelot.

"Recruit?" Said Carl in confusion.

Without warning, Miller hits Carl with his cane. Or rather try if Carl doesn't catch it and take it away from him. Miller lost his balance but Ocelot manages to prevent him from falling.

"What the hell?!" Exclaimed Carl as he slowly return the cane to Miller.

"Yeah, definitely one. Worry not, kid. You'll like it here." Said Miller as he takes back the cane.

Miller then calls one of the Diamond Dogs soldier. After talking to him, Miller gives a sign to Carl to follow him. Carl at first feels uneasy, but Big Boss then also give the same sign. With that, Carl, Miller, and the soldier leave Big Boss and Ocelot alone.

Ocelot walks closer to Big Boss and reveals his finding.

"Boss, that map…if you compared it with Europe…"

"They're similar, but there are some differences." Said Big Boss. "What is happening here, Ocelot?"

"I think I have an idea. And I don't like it."

And done.

If you have question or suggestion, feel free to tell me.

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