fissionmailed | Curiosity killed the cat

[Zanzibar!Big Boss was currently sitting in his office. His long legs were outstretched and his hands were clasped together neatly. The ticking of the clock on his wall was the only sound that could be heard next to his heavy breathing.]

[He had just recieved an annonymous e-mail. One containing blueprints for what looked to be a fully designed and completed Metal Gear.]

[Whether or not this was dumb luck or someone was actually working for him without his knowledge went over his head entirely, but he had to think about how he was going to use this information, and how to keep it hidden from prying eyes.]

[He knew he would have to discuss it with Fox. Perhaps his young Doctor Emmerich, too. Both of their opinions mattered to him, especially considering how loyal they both were to him. If the blueprints were genuine and flawless, they could get onto building it right away.]

[Big Boss puffed on his cigar for a long while, idly peppering smoke out between his lips now and again.]

_{((ooc: Open to everyone.))}

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Big Boss tenses when Otacon enters. He slants his single eye, curious as to why he had come into the room without asking.]

Excuse me?

[Hal tilts his head and speaks conversationally.] Actually, my design for REX isn't perfect. The cockpit and the pilot are vulnerable to attack, as the Liquid on my world found out the hard way. You'll have to watch out for that.

As much as I'd love to play mysterious unidentified informant with you for a little longer, I need to ask you for a favor. [He leans forward, eyes intent.] And I’m willing to trade for it.

... Those blueprints. They were yours, Doctor Emmerich?

[Big Boss stroked his beard slowly.] I knew you had it in you to create something so fantastic.

[But something didn't feel right.]

You and I had a very long conversation recently, speaking of how we would agree to disagree on our plans of action. That we are both two very different beings. You believe war should be overcome with peace.

Why are you handing me blueprints?

[The old man cocked a brow.] I don't think you're in any position to offer a trade, doctor.

I remember that conversation. It's why I chose you to send REX's schematics to. Let's just say... I've had a change of heart since we last talked.

[He laughs.] Sure I am. I've thought up a solution around REX's weakness and I'm willing to share it with you. Except a problem has cropped up for me and I need help getting rid of it. It'd hardly be a problem for you, though. In fact, you might even enjoy fulfilling my request.

...Right.

[Big Boss responds slowly, for he's uncertain whether or not to trust this Otacon. His eye remains slanted, but he leans back in his seat to look up at the young doctor.]

What's your problem?

Snake's avoiding me and it's upsetting. Since I lack the strength to actually force him to return to me, I'm asking you to do it. You can bind him, gag him, shackle him, restrain him however you like. All I ask is that you hurt him as little as possible, preferably not at all if it can be avoided. [He reaches into his pocket and pulls out one of the modified SOCOMs he created for Snake, as well as ten rounds for the weapon. He sets everything on Big Boss' desk.] This has been modified to fire tranquilizer rounds. Feel free to use it liberally.

I'll give you my codec number and you can contact me when you've got him. Once he's in my hands, I'll give you the plans for a prototype personal force field I've been working on. It's an electromagnetic field designed to repel anything metal and portable enough that you can outfit it on your chosen pilot for REX. [Hal had gotten the idea from Fortune on the Big Shell and had been in the process of creating a shield generator for Snake before he stepped into the room.] There's a charge time of 30 seconds for every half-hour it's in use, but I figure you can get around that if you use two.

Snake is avoiding you?

[Well that certainly didn't sound right. Big Boss was rapidly finding the humour in the situation, however. He stiffled a chuckle, smirking as he stared at Hal.]

You do realize my motive is to destroy all Snakes, don't you? Asking me of all people to return him to you without harming him is asking too much. Not only that, but my plans aren't ready to reach fruition yet.

Why can't you do it yourself?

[He clasped his hands together, leaning his elbows on the table, intregued by this new development. Perhaps he could put these ideas to the young Hal and Frank.] _{Interesting...}

Yeah. [Hal's calm smooth mask slips for the first time since stepping foot into Big Boss' office. He grits his teeth, clearly irritated.] He's avoiding me because of something I said.

[Then the professionalism returns.] I get that you hate him and want to see him destroyed. But think about it practically. There's going to be a lot of Snakes after you once you start your rampage across the nexus. Taking them all down at once might be disastrous for you. There's always the chance they'll manage to stop you before you reach your goal. A preemptive attack is smarter. Take them out one-by-one first, then put your plan into motion.

Give him to me, and I'll ensure that he stays out of your way. One less Snake for you to worry about.

I can't do it myself because I can't sneak up on him. Even with the stealth camo turned on, he'd know I was coming.

[Hal's counting on the fact that young Hal would never have seen the force field in action and thus would be unable to recreate it.] Well?

Trouble in paradise?

[Big Boss smirked, and shook his head a little. Hal did put forth a very tempting offer. Anything to have Snake suffer a little longer... Though wouldn't keeping Snake away from Otacon be better? If it meant hurting Snake in the long term, that would be an ideal situation.]

Hmm. [He folds his arms tighter across his broad chest, still contemplating the offer further.]

If I find him, I will think about handing him over to you.

I hurt him. But it was necessary. I can't stand competition. [Never mind that the competition was himself.]

[Hal doesn't like the way Big Boss phrased that. He wants an assurance instead of a consideration. But he knows that pushing for more will probably compel Big Boss to not help him.] Good. Snake is mine, a fact that he is too foolish or stubborn to realize right now. [His eyes are bright and there's a bit of a wild look in them.] Maybe he can't stand to see me right now, but he'll come around eventually. He always does.

[Calming down a bit.] My codec number is 141.12. I'll be expecting your call.

I see...

[It was like talking to a completely new, different Hal. But he doesn't press the issue. He sits with his hands clasped over the desk, contemplation stricken on his face.]

He belongs to you, does he? Hmmh.

If you think so.

[Big Boss takes a mental note of that codec.] Alright. I will keep in touch.

[The arrogance is back now.] Oh, no. I don't think so.

I know so.

[He nods in acknowledgment.] Thanks. I appreciate it.

[Then walks out of Big Boss' office, pleased with himself.]

Curiosity killed the cat

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