//on the lonely rail

[otaku-mk-ii.livejournal.com]

[Oh look, it's a not-so-often seen Otacon. And today, he's walking down a hall and back towards his room with a small cardboard box in his arms. In typical Otacon fashion, the box is absolutely full of spare parts, wires, and scrap metal. By all appearances he's back to his old tricks and obviously has something in mind to put those bits and pieces to use.

[It was a shame he couldn't have carried a larger box; there was only so much extra stuff he could fit into his labcoat pockets when he already carried a tranquilizer pistol. Oh, well. Hopefully he could find that room full of parts again if he needed anything else.]

Comments

[formerfoxhound.livejournal.com]

[He hesitates a moment, then pats Otacon on the back reassuringly.]

...you too, Hal.

[otaku-mk-ii.livejournal.com]

...

[Hesitantly, he let go and picked up the box again.]

Y...you really don't have to worry. I'm alright now.

[formerfoxhound.livejournal.com]

[Snake watched closely, crossing his arms over his chest. It's not hugely convincing but then neither of them has ever been a brilliant example of mental health in the first place.]

...been here long?

[otaku-mk-ii.livejournal.com]

...too long, really. More than a year--I think I've lost track.

[formerfoxhound.livejournal.com]

...hm. Longer than me.

[He leaned back against the wall. It's been a little while since he's really seen any Otacon, let alone one from canon. But it's easy to fall back into old habits.]

Ever hear of someone called Viper?

[otaku-mk-ii.livejournal.com]

Viper...? I don't think so, or at least it doesn't sound familiar.

[formerfoxhound.livejournal.com]

Hm. I didn't recognize him either. But he's got it out for me. Something to do with FOXHOUND wiping out his unit.

[He gives Otacon a significant look.]

Mentioned you by name. Be careful.

[otaku-mk-ii.livejournal.com]

...

[Great. First Talib, now some moron with a snake-related codename.]

Don't worry. I can defend myself a little better than I could back home.

[Not to mention Liquid would castrate anyone that so much as looked at him funny.]

[formerfoxhound.livejournal.com]

Rather you didn't have to. [Though it is sort of a relief to hear.]

He didn't make any direct threats. [Not to anyone besides Snake, anyway.] But he made a point of mentioning you and Raiden. Wouldn't hurt to keep an eye out.

[otaku-mk-ii.livejournal.com]

[Sigh.] ...Yeah, me too.

Believe me, I've got some protection. With a little luck, I'll be fine.

[formerfoxhound.livejournal.com]

Luck, huh? [Snake doesn't like relying on luck. Sooner or later it always runs out.]

I can handle him. Just let me know if he decides to start anything.

[otaku-mk-ii.livejournal.com]

...I'll be fine.

[formerfoxhound.livejournal.com]

...

[Right back where they started. Before Otacon can argue he takes the box of scrap from him and hefts it up onto a shoulder.]

So what are you planning?

[He's assuming it's not a giant robot.]