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.))}

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Big Boss, Sir? [He peers inside.] It's me.

[Hal looks distinctly happy right now.] H-how have you been?

Hal...

[Big Boss feels his expression soften.] Come. Come in.

[He shifts away from his desk, waiting for the younger man to enter.] I have been well. Thank you for asking.

How about you? You looked very pale when I saw you last.

[Hal enters the office, taking off his backpack, and waits for permission to sit down.] I'm glad.

Uhm, I... I've been well, sir. [He smiles, a bit touched by Big Boss's concern.] I haven't b-been out of the library too much these days, t-though. Busy working.

[Big Boss gestures to his desk, giving indication for Hal to take a seat.]

I'm glad to hear that. We can't have you ill now...

Hmm... Now that you mention work, I would like you to have a look at these blueprints. [He turned the monitor around to show Hal.]

I'm unsure what to make of them. Perhaps you could judge them.

[He seats, his attention on the monitor now.]

Is this...? [His first reaction at seeing the blueprints and recognizing what they are is... sadness. In a rational level, of course he knew he would just do the external designing. He's not knowledgeable enough to do anything deeper than that. But still...] I-I see.

[Hal pushes aside the feeling of failure, and starts analysing the blueprints, focused. He's going to do this at least right.]

[John relaxes in his seat, contemplating that look of failure on Hal's face. He had seen the same expression on Frank's face.]

...

[He reached up, cupping Hal's cheek. He brushed his thumb along his cheekbone.] This came to me annonymously. But there are some aspects of your blueprints I prefer. Perhaps if you find a way to incorperate them both together, taking the best of both parts...

What do you think?

[He closes his eyes for a second. The caress does make him feel marginally better, and so does the reassurance. He sighs:] I-I'd need some time to analyse it in a d-deeper way.

[It's just, he's not enough. And the Nexus being how it is, he doesn't know if he'll ever be enough. But he has to stay professional for Big Boss, right?] But, the first thing I spot... Uhm. S-see the cockpit? [he points at it, careful not to touch the screen.] It's completely armoured. That's both an advantage and a problem.

[He slips his fingers through Hal's hair slowly, soothingly stroking him.] I can print you out a copy... or I will give you the passwords to my computer so you may access it at any time.

The cockpit? Hmm... How would it be a problem?

B-both would be okay. [Hal smiles a bit, just a bit. He doesn't want to fail you, ever.] W-whatever you prefer.

Uhm. T-the armor, it protects the pilot, but doesn't let them see outside. They'd have to rely on the robot's system to pilot it.

You have to promise that you won't give the passwords to anyone, or show anyone the blueprints. I need your trust.

[He clasped his hand on Hal's back with a smile.] Hmm. Perhaps change the material of the cockpit. Not glass, but something to enable them to view the outside to see what they are doing... But something that will protect them should something be able to penetrate it.

I swear! [He nods immediately. Big Boss's faith in him is so important to Hal...] P-please, trust me!

That's a good idea... I'll look f-for a suitable material. Maybe the kind that's used in the cockpit of rockets? It's such a shame transparent aluminium doesn't exist...

[He pushes his glasses.] Another alternative would be just to protect the systems better.

I trust you wholeheartedly. You are an important asset to this project, but also important to me personally.

There are advanced pieces of equipment and technology in this building. Use it to your advantage.

...Rockets... That may work.

[Big Boss contemplated it further, and then quickly printed out a few copies of the blueprints. He handed them to Hal.] You may use this computer for research, and perhaps Frank will help you find a suitable material.

[That makes his heart swell. He blushes a bit, and internally swears he is going to make the final design, whatever it is, work as perfect as possible. Just "doing his best" won't be enough. He smiles softly.] T-thank you, sir. You have my word, I won't disappoint you.

Thanks... M-may I hook my laptop to it? [He receives the blueprints and nods. Frank intimidates him a lot, but this is for the project.]

I'd l-like to know who did these, though. [He strokes a finger over the lines of the blueprints. It still hurts a bit to know someone else beat him, but they have kind of a familiar sense on them. Though far more complex than anything him could've imagined, at his age.] They're quite awesome.

[Big Boss felt his eye crease as he smiled.] I'm glad I have placed faith in the right person.

Yes. I should think so.

[He stood up from his seat, gesturing for Hal to sit behind the desk to work if he wished.]

Would you believe that it was you? Granted, several years older... But this is what you are capable of, without even realizing it. You have the power to make something as grand as this.

... Me?

[That was... he needs some time to let that fact sink in.] A-an older me did this?

[Slowly, Hal pushes his glasses. Still trying to understand what he is feeling about this.]

Curiosity killed the cat

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