"And that is another job most excellently done, da?"
Courtney tried to brace for what she knew was coming but it was no use. Boris' heavy hands came down on her and Kevin's shoulders in a painful grip. The older man didn't mean to be hurtful, he just often forgot his strength in his exuberance. Courtney could hardly fault their boss about being excited about a successful mission after all the tension lately and so she took the bruising grip with as much grace as she could manage.
The excitement was certainly infectious because the client, formerly a ball of nerves who had been taciturn and pacing during the entire mission, erupted in to a completely different person. Save for a few words that she had picked up from Boris over the years Courtney didn't speak a word of Russian. Then again she didn't need to speak the clients language to be able to understand the joy and relief that the rapid words and big gestures were conveying.
Boris, speaking with his country man in their native tongue, engaged the thankful client and began to address the inevitable follow up questions and concerns. Courtney and Kevin exchanged a satisfied look over their laptops. She sat further back in the luxurious plush chair and let this moment of victory wash over her, at least for a short while.
They were currently in the sitting room of the exceptionally wealthy client using it as their temporary base. It was more often than not that they conducted their missions from either headquarters or some van or building near the action. To actually have a chance to work from the decadent depths of a mansion was something that Courtney was thoroughly enjoying.
Maverick had been called in on this admittedly simple mission to escort the client's daughter to safety. The young woman had tried to flee from her ex spouse who was apparently involved in a gang of some notoriety but had been unsuccessful in her escape. That was when Maverick had been called in to rescue her.
Admittedly, it was not the sort of mission that needed all of them there, not to mention the high ranking agents involved, but the client was a man accustomed to getting his way and had the funds to ensure he got what he wanted. Given Maverick's current expenses upgrading security, Boris was not in a position to turn down an easy paycheck.
Their boss, who was still talking with their spirited client, failed to notice that his phone was ringing where he had left it on the expensive oaken table. Not wanting the man to be disrupted while working, Courtney nodded to Kevin who was also eyeing the phone slowly vibrating its way towards the edge.
"I've got this." She scooped up the device before it fell and accepted the call from the number she recognized as belonging to headquarters. "Hello, this is Ms. Collins speaking. Boris Popov is currently with…"
Courtney's practiced greeting froze at the near panicked voice on the other end of the line. The frantic caller continued on in the wake of her silence, rattling off reports and painting a picture most dire. Movement caught her eye as Kevin waved, trying to get her attention. Professionalism and much experience with bad news had her expression unchanging through the urgent words of the caller, but Kev must have seen the color drain from her face.
He quirked an eyebrow at her as if to say 'Whats going on?'
She had no idea how to reply to him. How in the world could she indicate in a way that would not disturb their current client that Maverick headquarters had been attacked and that their two most 'supposedly well guarded' individuals were now considered missing? The company's business would take a massive hit if this got out. The most she could manage was a small helpless shake of her head.
"I will pass on the message." She told the person on the other end of the line as calmly as she had ever done. "Stick to outlined protocol. You will be informed if your orders change."
The caller was unhappy but agreed with her commands. Courtney ended the call and looked over to Kevin who seemed as if he were fit to bursting with all his unasked questions. She spared a look over to Boris and the client. Both men were laughing with the client pouring himself a generous drink, no doubt to soothe his nerves from the tense hours earlier when it seemed as if his daughter might not reach the airport. The client's guards remained unobtrusive in the background and seemed to pay Kevin and herself little mind.
Seeing that they were being unobserved she slid out of the expensive chair and over to her coworker. Leaning in close enough to where her lips nearly grazed his ear Courtney relayed the news.
"There has been an attack at Maverick. Casualties. Raiden and John are missing."
Kevin whipped around to look at her in a motion that was sure to have hurt his neck. She watched as he processed the weight of what she had just told him.
"...What?" He sharply whispered. She only nodded and primly returned to her seat before the client could suspect that something was off with her body language. Although that seemed unlikely as engaged as he was with their boss with a story. Courtney discreetly chewed on her lip. They desperately needed to speak to Boris in private, but how to pry the man away without seeming rude?
Kevin came to the same conclusion as she did. But unlike her, he knew what to do about it.
"Mr. Morozov." Kevin called out as he hopped to his feet. The two older men looked at him, halting mid conversation. "I know I speak for all of us when I say we are glad that your daughter made the decision to leave her ex and return home to you. We here at Maverick are proud to have made that happen."
"I have been truly blessed to work with such fine and honorable individuals." Mr. Morozov held his already dwindling glass up high. He once again turned and embraced their boss tightly, who hid his discomfort at the physical contact well. "What you all have given me this day is worth more than any money could buy: peace of mind. I wish my dear Nadya would have chosen her lover better but children yes? They always know better than their parents. But she is on her way to safety now and it is all because of such a fine company."
"Well we do specialize in protection which is why I gotta ask, what kind of security measures do you have in place here? Now that she'll be home soon? Are you sure that they are sufficient?" Kevin cast a look to the two guards lingering in the corners.
Boris shot Kevin a stern look and a subtle shake of his head as Mr. Morozov sat his hand heavily down on the table with an indignant spark. Courtney fought the urge to drag Kev away from whatever he was trying to do and tensely watched the scene unfold.
"Why, I have nothing but the finest of security that money can buy. You doubt my ability to keep my daughter safe in my own home?" Irritation thickened the man's accented English considerably.
"I don't doubt that at all Mr. Morozov." Kevin held out his hands in a placating gesture. He also shot a quick glance to Boris to try and convey that, yes he has a reason for this, and no, he has not lost his mind. "Like I said, we are a security company specializing in protection. Guys like her ex? They typically don't stop at the first road block. The moment you hired Maverick we made an absolute commitment to Nadya's safety. And that includes her destination. I only brought up the subject of your home security in case you would like us to have a look. A consultation free of charge."
Mr. Morozov looked between Kev and Boris in mild confusion. Catching on, Courtney stepped in to assist her floundering coworker.
"It is true Mr. Morozov. We greatly appreciate you putting your faith in us and hiring Maverick Security. We want to ensure that you absolutely get the full value of what you have paid for. And if I may be so forward…" Courtney laid on the charm that so often had the more difficult clients eating out of the palm of her hand. "I know that we are supposed to stay objective and professional but I admit becoming invested in Nadya's safety as well. It would soothe some of my worries if you would be so kind to allow us to give you a courtesy consultation. If anything, just to repay you for your rare generosity for hosting us in your beautiful home."
The burgeoning offense that had been taking root in Mr. Morozov at Kevin's words dissolved away instantly. The man shoved aside his glass and came around the bar to take up Courtney's hands in his.
"The staff of Maverick Security are not only capable, but compassionate and lovely as well. Please forgive my temper. I have been very worried for a very long time. I am afraid that stress has caused me to misinterpret your words."
"There is nothing to forgive Mr. Morozov. I don't have children yet myself but I can only imagine the strain you have been under lately. I am glad that such a troubling time for you is coming to an end."
"Oh I'm sure my Nadya will find a way to cause me more heartache and grey hair." Mr. Morozov laughed, releasing her hands. "Children seem to find new ways to break your heart every day but fortunately the love of a parent love knows no bounds. Now." He turned away from her to face Kevin. "Let us go review my security measures. It will be my honor to have it inspected by such fine upstanding people."
"The honor is all ours sir." Kevin replied, matching Mr. Morozov's jovial mood as they left the room with the older man draping his arm over the shoulders of the younger. The two guards trailed silently like smoke after their boss.
The pleasant smile Courtney wore faded away as the four left, leaving only her and Boris remaining in the lovely sitting room. The man in question approached her, hands folded placidly behind his back, and observed her curiously.
"I do hope there is good reason for this insubordination." Boris said calmly, thankfully more curious than angry. Courtney leaned in and kept her voice low in case there were any eavesdropping guards or recording devices nearby.
"Maverick has been attacked with casualties. Raiden and John are missing." Just as she did with Kevin she got straight to the point. Unlike her coworker Boris did not react with shock or even anger, but with a subdued stoicism. The older man remained silent and motionless as a statue as he thought deeply about the situation. After several moments of silence Courtney couldn't take it any longer.
"Sir, what are we going to do?" She whispered pleadingly.
Boris did not reply to her immediately, but instead turned away. She fidgeted as he weighed his choices for several long moments. Eventually he turned that intense look back to her.
"Courtney, I must ask great favor of you." He said with utmost sincerity. "Will you stay here and continue to ensure that Mr. Morozov is happy, unaware that anything is amiss, and direct the rest of the operations to ensure that his daughter arrives safely? I must get back to Maverick at once and take care of this."
"Of course I can stay." Courtney answered at once, not even a heartbeat of hesitation. "You can count on me. I can think of at least three ways off the top of my head to spin it on why you had to leave so abruptly."
"Spasibo bol'shoye. You are invaluable Ms. Collins I knew I chose well when I hired you."
"Don't worry Sir. I'll have Mr. Morozov eating out of the palm of my hand. And if Kevin doesn't put his foot in his mouth, perhaps even a new security contract." She said with absolute confidence. Courtney didn't get to be in such a high ranking position at Maverick for nothing.
"I am afraid that I must take Kevin with me." Boris said regretfully as he retrieved his phone from where she had replaced it on the table. "But do not worry. I will be leaving you with guard and you will be absolutely safe."
"It's too late for me not to worry. At least…not for myself that is." She rubbed at her arms as she thought of all that must have occurred while the three of them were safe in this lush and well guarded mansion. They had tried so hard to ensure everyone was safe at Maverick but it was apparently it had all been for naught. They had just got him back and now Raiden was missing once more. And whats worse, John was also missing now along with him.
It would be hard to do her job with a bright smile when her insides were twisting with worry over her missing friends. Courtney could do it, and do it well too, but on the inside she would be a worried miserable wreck until she received word that they were found safe and sound.
-0-0-0-
Raiden woke instantly from an uneasy sleep by a sudden shift in movement. He didn't wake with a jolt or even an opening of his eyes but instead with complete motionlessness. Before his conscious mind had a chance to catch up with his waking he was already reaching out with his senses for any enemy nearby, ready to lash out with lethal force.
Someone was softly breathing to his left, close enough that he could feel their body heat. He tensed up ready to attack whoever had managed to creep up on him. Before he could strike there was the sound of an engine being killed and the jangling of keys capturing Raiden's attention.
"Rise and shine back there." An irritatingly cheerful voiced called out softly. "We're here."
It was Sam's voice, Raiden realized. The attack at Maverick, their escape, it all came back to him in a rush as wakefulness fully set in. He opened his eyes and looked about. The filthy interior of their stolen van was the sight that greeted him. The presence to his left that he had very nearly attacked was his own son curled up beside of him.
John slept on wrapped in the ratty blanket, oblivious to the danger he had been in.
'Stupid for falling asleep.' Raiden harshly scolded himself as he sat up in the back of the vehicle and scooted away from the teen. He had resolved to stay awake early on in the trip, both because he knew better than to sleep around others and also the suspicious part of himself wanted to see exactly where it was that Sam was taking them. Unfortunately despite his best efforts a tired mind plus an emergency repair cycle meant lights out the moment he was safe and not moving.
At Sam's declaration of arrival Wolf had lithely risen to his feet from his corner of the van. The machine opened the back doors and gracefully slipped out into the night. A quick check with his internal clock told Raiden that it was only 4:14 am. Leaving John where he was for the moment, he carefully maneuvered around the assorted clutter of the van's former occupant and followed Wolf outside.
An expanse of desert scrub land bathed in moonlight was the sight that greeted him upon exiting. It was was chilly stepping into the night air. His internal systems increased his temperature in response to the cold. Overhead the milky way blazed across the sky, a sight that could only be seen far away from civilization. Raiden's attention was pulled away from the stars to the sound of a closing door and Sam's footsteps as he approached the back of the van.
"I advise the three of you wait here while I scout out the area first. I will return shortly." Wolf announced without preamble to the two men before darting around the van out of sight. Following the direction that Wolf had gone, Raiden took a look at the mysterious destination that Sam had spirited them off to.
Sitting amidst all the shrubs and dust seemingly forgotten by both man and time was an old wooden building. At first it seemed a classic style lodge but the numerous thick windows and concrete foundation suggested that it was more utilitarian rather than used for vacations. The building itself was long and laid out in the shape of a capital L In the distance Raiden spotted what appeared to be rusted playground equipment barely visible in the moonlight.
Sam walked up beside of him to take in the view as well. He seemed to have a somewhat sour look on his face at the sight of the building. Given what all the other man had told him on the ride over, Raiden doubted that he had many fond memories of this place.
"Before you ask, we are somewhere in New Mexico." Sam cast him a glance before looking at the dusty old building once more. "I came across this place by pure chance when I was fleeing Colorado and headed for the border. It's not listed on any maps. None that I know of anyways. It's not much inside but it sure beat sleeping in the dirt."
The nearly cheery way Sam delivered this information was at odds with the look in his eye that spoke of bad memories and dark thoughts. Raiden knew that look well from the mirror and despite their differences respected the man beside him enough not to address it.
"What was it for I wonder?" Raiden followed the glow of Wolf's eyes through one of the windows as he inspected the room and moved on. "I would say military except there's a swing set back there?"
"I think it used to be some kind of scouts building or club house due to the left over decorations inside. I don't know. You'll see for yourself later. I didn't exactly care about the decor last time I was here." Sam gave him a smile that on the surface appeared to be charming but held a jagged under layer, like silk draped over broken glass.
"What about water? I highly doubt the plumbing still works." Raiden could last for quiet some time without water if need be, blood loss or no. He held no doubts that Sam could also hold his own for a while as well. John was a different story altogether.
In addition to already being injured, his son had never had the harsh conditioning that the two men had, the rough life that forced them to be hard. Raiden never wanted John to even remotely have to endure the same sort of hardships that he had survived but now looking out over the desert lands that were soon to turn into an oven after sunrise, he began to wonder if he hadn't been too soft on the child.
"There's an old pump well out back. Still worked when I was here. I do not know if it still works, it has been some time after all. If not, well...that is a problem for tomorrow. I plan on driving no further tonight, thank you very much." Sam emphasized his point by shifting into a great back popping stretch.
"And you're sure that Boris will know to look for us in this place?"
"Honestly, I have no idea." Sam stepped away with a shrug and a wave of his hand, becoming frustrated with all the questions. "All I know is that we need a hidden place to stay and lick our wounds for a while until everything blows over. I know from personal experience that this place is good for that. But if you still have complaints I am open to suggestions. I would love to hear a better idea if you have one. I'm all ears." With an exaggerated motion he turned and listened for any other options. When Raiden didn't reply with anything other than a sour look Sam brushed off the topic and began strolling towards the back of the building.
Raiden wordlessly watched the man move away out of sight. The both of them staying in close proximity for an unknown amount of time was a recipe for disaster, he just knew it. More pressing circumstances may have their attention now, but the type of bad blood that existed between the two of them was not the kind so easily overcome or ignored. The situation was a filled powder keg and now all it would take would be a spark.
The foreboding thoughts were shoved aside as Wolf quietly approached, finished with his inspection.
"Other than local wildlife which I have frightened off all is safe. There are many areas inside to choose from to sleep, although they may not be considered ideal. Regardless, it is my advice that you rest while you self repair. This advice extends to John as well."
"Yeah Wolf. Sure thing." Raiden sighed finding himself wearied with the situation. The impossible longing to go home with Rose and John and finally rest raised its head once more. "Help me get John will you?"
The bleary towheaded boy looked about in confusion as he was lightly shaken from his deep sleep. Despite Raiden telling him that he needed to get up, John only muttered about resting a few more minuets before nestling back down. Wolf picking him up and moving him bodily out of the back of the vehicle before he was quite aware did nothing to help the teen's puzzlement.
"Wha…? Where we goin?" John's voice was thick with sleep as he looked about at the blaze of stars above them and the empty lands all around in confusion. Rather than have him attempt to walk, Wolf simply carried the boy on his back as he did earlier that day. Or yesterday rather.
"We've reached a safe spot for now." Raiden told his son, walking in step with Wolf's thankfully slow pace. "We're gonna go inside and catch some rest. We can worry about everything else tomorrow."
"M'kay." John agreed clutching the blanket tightly about himself. He was looking about but clearly not taking much in.
Entering into the building Raiden lamented the lack of proper night vision that these civilian eyes had. Thankfully the numerous broken and uncovered windows allowed for plenty of moonlight to see to walk by but unfortunately not much else. Wolf confidently led the way eventually taking them to a room down the hall. The dim lighting revealed what appeared to be a bunk room. The room held rows of wooden bunk beds that had been largely stripped bare but a select few still held dusty old mattresses.
It was to one of these old beds that Wolf took John, who gratefully collapsed into it. Still wrapped in the van man's dingy old blanket, the teen was out nearly as soon as he had settled down. Raiden looked down at the sleeping boy for a few moments before turning to Wolf.
"Can you do me a favor Wolf?" He asked in low tones so as not to disturb John, however unlikely it would be that the boy would wake.
"How may I help?" Wolf looked up at him curiously.
"I'll have to find somewhere different to sleep tonight. Could you stay with him and watch over him for me?"
"I shall." The machine gave him an exaggerated nod with that great wedge shaped head. "Although I must ask, why must you sleep elsewhere?"
"It's better if I don't sleep close by anyone else. It's not safe. Lets just leave it at that."
Only a slight rustling announced Sam's appearance in the doorway. He briefly took in the scene with the three of them before motioning for Raiden to come with him. Without seeing if he was being followed, the man disappeared out of sight back into the dark halls. Raiden looked to Wolf who simply nodded and settled down beside of John, who was already softly snoring.
Raiden quietly followed the direction that Sam had wandered off in. He spotted the man in the light of an open door leaning against the doorway. Sam gave him another beckoning nod and slipped outside. With a flare of annoyance at being led about like a puppy, he followed the other man back out into the moonlight.
"A good bit of news for once." Sam tossed over his shoulder as he lead the both of them to a worn looking hand well pump. "It still works." He picked up a bucket, the water spilling over the sides and re-hydrating the soil that was caking the outside of the tin.
"That's one worry taken care of at least." Raiden peered into the bucket full of earthy smelling water offered out to him. Through the reflection of the stars he could see the silt settling at the bottom. "This buys us some time. The food issue is still a concern but I have some ideas about that."
While he was quite skilled in wilderness survival, Raiden couldn't exactly go hunting as damaged as he was. There was always the option of setting traps for small game. If need be Wolf could always go raid a nearby town for supplies but that came with the risk of being found out. They would save that option to only be a last ditch resort. He knew that John had to be starving by now but unfortunately the boy was going to have to wait a bit longer.
"I do not care to hear your ideas." Sam said bluntly. Raiden shot a look up at him, mildly offended by the comment. "I am tired. It has been a long day and I am done with everything for now. We can find a solution or leave tomorrow. I am going to find a place to sleep now. And you…" He thrust the bucket forward into Raiden's arms, causing some of the water to slosh out. "...can use this."
"I didn't get you anything." Raiden sarcastically replied as he took the item.
"I don't need it, you do. I know you have a reputation and enjoy this kind of thing but being coated in dried blood is a little disgusting, don't you think?" That biting comment was tossed out as Sam turned and disappeared back into the darkened lodge.
Raiden coldly watched the other man leave. Sam's hands were no cleaner than his, so who was he to judge his past. Then again that was metaphorically. Raiden looked down at his hands holding the bucket to see faint bloodstains in the seams of his joints. Looking into the water, his darkened reflection looked up to meet him. Blood was liberally speckled throughout his hair, standing out strikingly against the pale blond. There was a large smear across his brow, the long dried liquid cracked and flaking off.
Sam was right. It was disgusting. Raiden lamented the fact that John had seen him like this.
Before soiling the water, Raiden took a long drink in part to stave off dehydration from the blood loss but mostly just to taste it. The drink was something cool, fresh, and honest from the earth and made him almost nostalgic.
'Dok was right.' Raiden acknowledged bitterly as he took a second smaller drink. 'The new tech almost makes it taste real.'
It took several draws from the well to wash the blood out of his sweatpants as best he could. He had got more gore on himself than he realized. Despite his scrubbing and the fresh water the stains stubbornly refused to come completely clean. The more ironic part of himself drew the appropriate parallels between the pants and his own blood soaked soul as he worked.
With his shoes still in the room on the twenty ninth floor at Maverick and his shirt currently being used as bandages, the pants were thankfully the only clothes that he had to attempt to wash.
Wringing the clothing out as best he could without ripping the fabric, he set the pants aside to tend to the rest of the filth. Sitting on a rock wearing only moonlight, Raiden watched the rust-tented water run off of himself in streams as he bathed. He mechanically went about the task while his brooding thoughts were miles away.
After everything that Boris and his crew at Maverick had done for him this was how he had repaid them: trailing destruction and bloodshed in his wake. Even when he honestly strove for peace it seemed that violence sought him out. Raiden's fatalistic comment to Snake years ago sprung back to mind.
'It was never going to work out for me. It even rained the day I was born.'
Water dripped from his hair, reminding him of what he had been told by his mother long ago. No matter how he tried to claim it, to own it, the misfortune of being born under an unlucky sign had left its mark on him. Raiden had never considered himself to be the superstitious type but he sure as hell couldn't deny the results. He wondered if his mother would have still kept him if she had known what his lot in life would be or would she have thrown him in the swollen rivers for a more merciful fate.
It was strange… he couldn't even remember what she looked like any more.
He could remember nothing of his father. Not what he looked like, nor how he acted. All Raiden could recall was the impression that the man was tall. But then again what child didn't see their father as larger than life? He wondered how John saw him now after the boy had gotten a glimpse of what he was really like.
Raiden drew another bucket of water and began to furiously try and scrub the dried blood out of the fine seams of his fingers. He scrubbed as if it were not too late to try and hide what had already been seen. Other than the basics of how to defend himself if need be, he had wanted to keep John away from any aspect of this kind of life. A life of missions and intel. Espionage and secrecy. Of hunting and killing.
The teen should be staying up way too late with his video games and online browsing. He should be giving Rose a few more grey hairs by getting up to innocent mischief that had no higher stakes than scraped knees or a cracked bone. He should be discovering girls and looking at the world in a different light.
Now the only light the teen was seeing the world in was one of death and violence. Betrayal and fear. That look of terror that John had given him while hiding under that truck drenched in blood was one that Raiden would never forget.
In a fit of anger he knocked the bucket over, spilling the water onto the sandy earth which drunk it up greedily. If his fate in life was one of violence then there was no point in running from it. As he had decided many years ago if he was to be a weapon then he was going to strike at whoever needed to be taken down the most. Hunter was a worthy target if Raiden ever had one. Not for the wrongs done against himself, but for causing that terror in his son's eyes.
Sitting back down on the rock to dry off in the cool night air, he turned his thoughts where they needed to be the most: the battle ahead.
He had become complacent and lazy lately, Raiden concluded with bitter honesty. He had grown accustom to using overwhelming force against his opponents. Cutting through UG's like wet paper. Grappling with Metal Gears and tossing them into the air.
There was no need for caution because whenever he took damage there were no true consequences. Even the most dire damage could be shrugged off and easily be repaired. Granted, in his earlier days of being a cyborg it was far harder to come by repairs and thus more risky to fight carelessly. But back then Raiden had been so reckless because he had been borderline suicidal over everything that had happened to him. Upgrades and confidence later fueled a different sort of recklessness that had him charging headfirst into the fiercest of battles without a seconds hesitation.
It was invigorating to wield that much power. To be untouchable for once instead of hiding in lockers or huddling in the mud and greenery of the jungle. But as had been most thoroughly proved to him, Raiden wasn't untouchable. That was apparent now more than ever as just a few cyborgs had been enough to make him struggle. It was a whole new type of ballgame going up against the Hunter.
Or rather...a very old one that he had nearly forgotten the rules to.
It wasn't brute force that had taken him down in that alleyway in Romania, it was a trap. Raiden had never seen it coming. His old self would have been wary of such a suspicious set up with the child. The Raiden that was still riding the high of defeating the Senator and hunting down all the others involved, had gotten used to being a nigh unstoppable force and had just barged right on into Hunters clutches.
Raiden stared down at his still damp feet with the dusty soil sticking to the moisture. Soft synthetic skin that was designed for seeking out touch rather than resisting steel. Instead of being a comfort it was a reminder that he was still paying for that mistake.
There was no superior technology, weaponry, or support now. Wolf and Sam were still fully capable, yes, but Raiden knew that this was not going to be might against might. Hunter was not going to march right up to them and announce his intentions to fight. He was going to wait until his target was caught unawares and vulnerable and would use underhanded tactics to ensure his victory against the stronger opponents.
And after securing his victory Hunter would ensure that Raiden would go back into a basement, except for this time he would be locked away somewhere so remote and so deep that he would never be found again.
Raiden knew that if he continued to approach this new opponent the way he had faced others in his recent past then he was as good as dead. His old tactics that he had tried so hard to bury was not something he wanted to willingly think of again, but it seemed as if he had little choice. If he was going to overcome this opponent that stuck to the shadows and used others for his dirty work then he was going to have to go back to his combat roots.
To what Solidus had taught him.
Not the gore filled lessons such as how to properly skin a human and keep them alive for as long as possible. Or how to inspire better performance of those under his command by making a scream filled example out of the weakest link. But the lessons on stalking, vigilance, and treachery. On how to wait motionless for ages while waiting for a target to move. How to sniff out an ambush and use that knowledge to one's advantage if possible, escape if not.
Those lessons had been tucked away in the darker parts of his mind that he had tried for the better part of three decades to forget and now he was going to have to dig them back up. 'Well why not.' Raiden thought to himself with a dark chuckle. 'The Ripper has already been awoken. Why not invite the rest of my demons to come out and play?'
Hal had told them that Hunter was targeting the former members of the Small Boys Unit. This man could be anybody from one of the former members themselves to one of the very rare survivors of their raids. Either way, it was likely someone of a similar background as his own. If he could think like the Hunter then that just might give him an edge. After all, one of the prime rules of hunting was know your prey.
Except now he was the prey and he had to prepare to survive being hunted.
Raiden abruptly stood and retrieved his damp pants, tired of sitting outside naked and brooding. He could hardly put those old tactics to use as diminished as he was in his abilities. If he was going to be able to stand up against his opponent then that needed to change. He needed to change.
The time for being gentle on himself while he recovered was over. It was time to get serious about reclaiming what he once was. It was time to start turning himself back into the killing machine that he was born to be.
.
Authors notes: You guys have no idea how hard I tried to post yesterday. I had everything planned to post on April 30th but the universe had other ideas. Every single bit of bull crap it could throw at me yesterday smacked me right in the face. So here is the new chapter, a whole day late. Perhaps next year I can get it on the proper day.
A bit of a slower chapter after all the excitement of the past three. We are moving into a different little arc here and I hope that it was well worth the wait.
P.S- Spasibo bol'shoye means thank you very much