Huey looked around the lab as he made the final touches to ZEKE's interior. All the controls were ready, the code had been written. All that was needed was a test. That was the hardest part of this. No one could fit inside the cock pit, so he had to turn to other options. It would seem cruel, but it had to be done. It was for the good of everyone. So, slowly he turned over to look behind him, finding Midoriya waiting patiently.
"Do I get to see the surprise yet?" he asked him, DD standing next to the boy.
"In a minute, I just need to finish one last thing," Huey told him, tightening the last bolt on the controls.
"Done, now I just need you to climb in there." he motioned over to ZEKE's cockpit, slightly pushing Midoriya towards the metal gear.
"Why?" Midoriya asked, eyeing the metal gear warily.
"I need to make sure everything works properly; can you help with-"
"Huey, what's going on?" Strangelove interrupted. She looked between them suspiciously, finding the open cockpit of ZEKE along with Midoriya nearby. It didn't take long to put two and two together, and a silent fury took hold of her.
"Midoriya, could you step outside please?" she told the boy. Huey attempted to open his mouth to speak but was silenced by a loud bark from DD. Confused by the situation, Midoriya left, with DD in tow. With him gone, Strangelove looked back at Huey furiously.
"What the hell were you thinking?! I told you that it was a pointless endeavor!" Strangelove shouted at him, her fury taking hold.
"It was for the good of everyone! The AI in ZEKE could fail at any time, a pilot could ensure the chance that it doesn't happen!" Huey shouted back. He knew this would happen the moment anyone found out. But he couldn't fathom why she didn't understand.
"A pilot that can only be between the ages of four and ten Huey! That's not a pilot that's a child!" Strangelove countered angrily.
"With time and further tests, a way to circumvent the issue could be found!" Huey replied, attempting to convince her with what he saw as logic.
She wasn't convinced, yelling back "Which involves dangerous experiments and children! Why are you going through with this?!"
"I told you, it's for the good of everyone!" Why couldn't she see it? It looked bad for sure, but this would only help the MSF. Couldn't she see it?
"What part of this is good?! To put a child in a war machine?! What does this even have to prove, that you could do it!?" That he could, do it? Did she think he had done all of this, so he could claim he made a metal gear pilotable? She was out of her mind. Everything he had done; he did for the MSF. Nothing more, nothing less.
"Damn it, Huey, I'm telling Snake about this!" He froze in his tracks as Strangelove began storming out of the lab. He couldn't let her, if Snake found out too soon it would ruin everything. All that work would be gone. He thought fast as he looked around for a solution. Strangelove halfway to the door, felt Huey grab her arm. She looked back at him and felt all herself get dragged across the room.
Huey acted quickly, dragging her to an empty AI pod. He nearly tore it open, shoving Strangelove inside. Slamming it shut he heard Strangelove start banging on its interior.
"Open this thing! Huey!"
He walked away from it slowly, noticing what he had done. All would be forgiven if he could prove he was right, for that he needed to continue forward. So, ignoring Strangelove's cries, he went out to find Midoriya. All the while Strangelove attempted to break open the AI pod.
"Damn it, Huey! Open it now!"
She kept hitting the pod, using what strength she had. She slowed slightly, his moves becoming less precise and clumsier. Yet she kept going, hitting the pod, shouting, anything.
"So let me get this straight. There's a hero in Japan dressed like a stripper, and she works at a school." Ape said, double-checking with Eagle. He knew heroes were strange, but he couldn't believe this.
"I am dead serious man, it is completely fucking true," Eagle told him, the man going over his newest firearm, a desert eagle. Ape could swear he got it only because of his codename.
"Bullshit, who the hell would let that slip by," Ape replied, the two of them on their way to the R&D department. They wanted to see if someone could make a fifty-caliber assault rifle. Was it dumb?
Absolutely, and they were more than likely acting like children trying to seek this idea out. But did they care? No.
"I'm not even kidding. I heard a rumor from a guy that her costume use to be nothing but a trench coat." Eagle shared, the two of them now entering the lab.
"Now I know you're pulling my leg," Ape commented as they looked around. The lab was entirely vacant, not a scientist in sight. The only thing present was some abandoned equipment and ZEKE.
"Huh, they on lunch or something?" Eagle asked him, as he inspected one of the work benches.
"I don't think so," Ape replied, getting a closer look at ZEKE, "there probably-"
He stopped when he heard a loud bang. Ape looked around the area for the source, unsure if he was hearing correctly. He saw Eagle doing the same, as they heard another loud bang. This one was quieter than the last, however. A third bang, and he found it coming from a large pod in the room. He approached it as the final bang was heard, now nothing more than a low knock.
Unsure of what was going on, he carefully opened the pod, stopping in shock when he found Strangelove inside. She gasped for air as she fell out of the pod. Eagle ran up to assist her, while Ape inspected the pod. It had been locked from the outside if he was correct. Looking back to Strangelove, in a strained voice she told them "Find Huey."
He wasted no time, activating his codec as he sounded a general alert.
"Does anyone have eyes on Dr. Emmerich?" Ape asked.
"I spotted him down C Hall near R&D." Someone on the other end replied, "I... shit he's running."
Ape went out the lab's door, continually checking in on the codec for updates. Emmerich was still somewhere in C Hall luckily, and the rest of the security team was on the lookout now. He took a hard right then, hearing that Emmerich was heading towards him. The noise of an electric motor followed as the scientist ran down the hall. Ape waited for a moment, ducking behind a wall. Just as Emmerich passed him he tackled the man.
Emmerich struggled on the ground, attempting to break free. But he was restrained, as Ape cut the wires on his robotic legs. He silently gave up, as more soldiers arrived around them.
"He tried to do what!?" Snake was beyond furious. It took everything Miller had to keep him from storming into the brig immediately, even though he wanted to join him. Nearby Strangelove was doing her best to recover from her near asphyxiation, with Paz assisting her. Nagant also stood nearby with Soul as well. The soldier who took down Emmerich, one Telepathic Ape, was present giving his account of the event.
"I told him it was a bad idea, but he wouldn't listen to reason." Strangelove shared, her voice still hoarse and lost.
"What was he even trying to achieve?" Miller wondered aloud, with Snake finally calming down somewhat.
"He kept saying something about ZEKE's AI. That it, like Peace Walker, could launch a nuclear strike with us almost unable to stop it."
"Deterrence theory," Snake grumbled as he realized what she was saying.
"He thought that ZEKE could end the world, without a pilot controlling it." His fury seemingly returned. He wanted to punch Emmerich in the face badly. Coldman had already been proven wrong in his theory, that humanity was incapable of destroying itself. So Emmerich's solution was to put it in the hands of a child instead. For what? The small sliver of a chance that he was right?
No, there was most definitely another reason. You don't start a dangerous experiment with a child and claim it's for the good of everyone. The two could never go together.
"So," Miller stated, pulling Snake from his thoughts, "What do we do with him?"
"He's already in the brig, that should be good enough right?" Soul said, looking around the room.
"That makes it worse," Nagant countered, "I heard what some of the soldiers are saying, and quite a few men are up in arms. They might drag him out of that brig and kill him if it comes to it."
"That might be a good thing," Strangelove commented.
"Well, killing him is of no use either. What if the refugees hear of us killing one of our own." Soul countered.
"I wouldn't say he's one of our own now, but he's right." Miller agreed, the argument now looping around. It was ultimately Snake who decided.
"Well give him a trial, once it's done, he'll have his sentence," Snake told them, finishing the argument.
"A trial?" Nagant inquired, a little confused.
"We're not animals, so we won't act like them. He'll get a fair trial." Snake replied.
"I'm just saying. We got any lawyers out here, a judge a jury?" Nagant asked.
"I can check with the refugees Boss," Ape said, everyone forgetting he was present.
"Do that, we need two lawyers, a judge, and at least twelve random people for a jury," Snake ordered, Ape saluting and soon leaving. Emmerich would get his trial, and only then would he be punished.
Ocelot looked at Nezu, the words he had said still lingering over the room.
"You want to meet Big Boss?" Ocelot restated, seeing if the words made sense out loud.
"That I do," Nezu replied, taking a sip from his tea.
"Why?" Ocelot asked him.
"The same reason anyone else would meet with the enemy of my enemy. This international status as an independent entity was always temporary. Sooner or later the HPSC is going to find a loophole or bribe enough politicians to get it revoked. So, I'm looking for allies." Nezu stated.
"Allies that I assume share no relation to the HPSC." Ocelot finished.
"Exactly." Nezu replied, "Spies, politicians, even turncoat heroes aren't trustworthy enough due to past or ongoing relations with the HPSC. That's why I was so intrigued by your organization."
He took a sip of tea, stopping for a moment as he brought over some files.
"You managed to eliminate the cartel in Venezuela in a little under a year. Heroes haven't been getting close for decades. That's who you are, pseudo heroes for hire in a way."
"Well, a hero is a bit of a stretch for what we are. Were soldiers, nothing more nothing less," Ocelot told him.
"Your group's actions say otherwise." Nezu countered. "But back to the point, you also have one major advantage. Unlike the governments of the world, you are a fully independent organization. The whims of the HPSC are nonexistent in your army."
"You make a fair point there." Ocelot agreed, spinning his revolvers in hand.
"Still, what do we have to gain from this alliance?" Ocelot asked.
"For one you'd have another source of intel, rather than just you. Another would be a more legal way to get your equipment. Yes, I know of your deals with the Broker."
"I'm hearing a lot about what we get, but what do you want out of this?" Ocelot inquired. It sounded too good to be true so far.
"As of right now, not much." Nezu answered, "Simply to be kept in the loop of things. Like I said before, this international status is only a temporary measure, and I'm going to need help when it ends."
"What about the heroes, not to mention the students?"
"They won't know about this deal. Not for a while at least."
It left Ocelot pondering the idea put forth. It was too good to let pass by, but Nezu was a hero. Working at a hero school, and training kids to be heroes. The very puppets of the HPSC and who would be the MSF's enemies when the time came for it. However, this deal gave them a foot in the door of one of the largest hero schools in the world.
"I'll bring it up to the Boss next chance I get," Ocelot told him.
"Good, now," Nezu began, "Care for a round of chess?"
"Come on! Move it, you worthless runts!" the overseer shouted as the workers dug. Picks hitting stones and shovels lifting dirt in a massive hole in the ground. It was almost a mile wide, with everyone exposed to the unforgiving sun. And the Tyrant watched it all. The latest in new projects funded by Night Owl.
"I never expected that I would be buying from you." the Tyrant told him as he looked over the designs he had been given. It was glorious to think it was within his grasp.
"Consider it a gift for your hospitality and at a cheap price as well. Along with all the mining equipment, and personnel you might need." Night Owl replied, enjoying a nearby steak.
"Mm, you were right. Robust taste, but this is delicious. What do you suggest next, elephant ribs? Maybe some grilled hippo, oh what about a deep-fried lion?"
"Well, we're going to need more white phosphorus then. Genuinely though, I can't help but be suspicious of this deal." The Tyrant looked back at him then, Night Owl wiping away some grease from his face.
"Oh, you got me. For as much goodwill that I've given you even I can be quite selfish. See, I want one"
It clicked for the Tyrant then.
"Ah, in exchange for all of this, you want us to build it for you." he surmised.
"Not necessarily. Once it's done you can build as many as your heart desires. All I need is the one." Night Owl confirmed.
The Tyrant couldn't help but smile at the picture he was given. The ability to become a nuclear power. To be a force even the HPSC was incapable of stopping. True power. After all, what was one of the HPSC's pets capable of doing in the face of annihilation? What was something as minuscule as a hero, compared to a nuke? Artillery shells and aircraft already broke their invincible visage, even a basic assault rifle. But a nuke? A nuke would destroy it.
"One nuke for as many as I want. That doesn't sound too bad actually." the Tyrant chuckled aloud.
"No, it doesn't." Night Owl agreed, taking another bite out of his rhino steak. The Tyrant could only fantasize about the future, as he looked back over to the uranium mine. The hundreds of souls condemned to dig in it. Forced to suffer from radiation and cancerous minerals. Men, women, and children suffocated in the tunnels that collapsed around them. And the Tyrant couldn't help but have a chuckle.
"Ah hell, bring her over!" he yelled out to one of his men. They left for a moment, leaving Night Owl confused as he watched on. The Tyrant's soldier came back, dragging a young heroine by the hair. Her costume was originally blue and pink, with skin-tight spandex and cut spots revealing cleavage. Now it was torn and beaten, with blood streaking down her face. And Night Owl realized this was going to be good. The hero was defiantly glaring at the soldiers around her.
The Tyrant simply held a smug grin as he looked at her.
"You damn villains! You won't get away with this!"
"Got some spunk in her huh?" The Tyrant gestured over to Night Owl.
"I'll say, I think she snuck a knife with her. Oh, wait that's bone." Night Owl replied, finding the hero's shattered arm. A lone piece of bone jutting out of the limb, broken and more than likely infected.
"Now what was it you said? I won't get away with this?" The Tyrant mocked, before dropping a pistol near her feet.
"Go on, prove it. Stop me, hero. Right here, right now."
The hero weekly clawed for the gun, grabbing it desperately. She was untrained and sloppy, raising the gun and firing a shot. It missed horribly, along with the second and third shots. The fourth shot hit the Tyrant in the arm, but he remained unfazed. Then the pistol clicked, and no other shots were fired.
"Huh, I could swear I loaded more rounds into it," he commented yanking the gun away from the hero. She tried to claw at him, so he responded with a quick kick to the gut. She folded into herself as the Tyrant grabbed her again. In a pained voice, she muttered "The heroes will stop you. The others they'll be back for me."
It caused everyone nearby to erupt into loud laughter. Soldiers had to clutch their sides as they went, with even Night Owl joining them.
"Well, heh, I don't see any heroes around. Do you?" the Tyrant mocked, dragging her over to a better look at the mine. He held her up, letting her witness the surrounding area with her own eyes. To see the destruction and death in front of her. It slowly led her to stop struggling, taking in everything she saw ahead of her.
"And besides," Night Owl joined in then, "Your friends left the continent three hours ago."
He held up camera footage from an airport, one staged by the HPSC and controlled by the Tyrant. An area of heroes stood around, signing autographs, giving out souvenirs, and talking to reporters. Then they left. They boarded a plane and flew away. The hero stopped resisting entirely. All semblance of defiance was gone. She looked on with empty eyes, as the Tyrant tossed her back to the ground. The rest of his men kept laughing at the scene.
"I must say, you always put on a good show." he complimented, looking down at the collapsed hero.
"Well, what is life if you can't have a little fun in it. Besides, for such a pitiful fight she put up, this is a mercy."
"You want us to kill her sir?" the first soldier asked, a second pulling the hero off the ground.
"No, let's make her useful. Send her to the mines. Let her find out what the locals think of heroes like her." The Tyrant ordered.