That wasn't exactly my idea of fun. Still, could've turned out a lot worse. Riku, I'm kinda disappointed I didn't get to see that... sword... thing in action.

You've got some skill, Soma.











[Private to Otacon//Unhackable]

Otacon.



You all right?

[/private]

SNAKE: [voice somewhat muffled and distant, as though his back is to whatever recording device might be nearby.] Any idea how long it's been?

[a few quiet steps, farther away from the first.]

RIKU: ... no clue.

SOMA: It has been several hours, sir.

[there's a bit of quiet shuffling, steps being taken and becoming farther and farther away.]

SNAKE: [perturbed] Hnnn. What if we doubled back and... [louder] Hey. Where are you going?

RIKU: [slight rustle.] Trying to see where this staircase leads.

SNAKE: Don't go too far on your own. We don't know what this place has to offer.

RIKU: ... wasn't planning on it.

SOMA: [quietly] I would prefer that we all stay together, sir.

[crash.]

SNAKE: Get down-- [silence, after he determines that it's... well, nothing, apparently.]

RIKU: [sigh.]
RIKU: There's nothing wrong. I don't even think--

[another crash, then boom.]

SNAKE: [tense.] What the hell is it?

[silence, the sound of something rolling across the floor. creak.]

SOMA: [rustling] ... should we go after him, sir?

SNAKE: [inaudible grumbling, voice trailing off as he moves] ...kid's gonna get himself killed if he... [inaudible]

RIKU: [steps grow louder, towards them.] So, no exit up there.

SOMA: [in her normal, monotone voice] .... I do not understand the purpose of building so many false doors.

SNAKE: Hey, what is that? I thought you were supposed to be unarmed.

RIKU: What? I never said I was unarmed.
RIKU: [a slight rustle again, before a quiet curse.] ... it makes no sense, but there's an exit. Every maze has an exit.

SOMA: ... it ... does that handle well? It looks unwieldy.

SNAKE: You in any shape to use that thing?

RIKU: [somewhat offended.] I'm fine, and it works.

SNAKE: [serious] Good. Stay on your toes. [pause.] I'm gonna check things out ahead. Don't fall too far behind, though.

RIKU: Mm.

SOMA: [slightly nervous] We should stay together, sir.

RIKU: [lower, as though crouched closer to the floor; to Soma] We should. But we can't just stay here, right...?

SNAKE: You're right about that. Stay close, but let me take point for now. Riku, can you keep an eye on Soma? [to Soma.] Or do you have things under control?

SOMA: I am fine, sir. Thank you for your concern.

SNAKE: [sounding... actually somewhat encouraging.] Good.

[silence.]

[an odd 'shf shf shf shf shf' sound in the distance.]

[a quiet creak, like a door opening.]

( Private//Hackable (Snake's not the greatest with gadgets) )



What's the situation?

Otacon.

What was that you said about death being temporary here...?

Otacon. We have a situation.

There's... giant robots.

A lot of them.

...I still don't see how it's possible for a drug of that caliber to just wind up in a cake unnoticed.



( Private to Celestial Being//Unhackable//Visible to Otacon )



( Private to Otacon//Unhackable )

I don't suppose there's any place to get some smokes around here?


( Private to Otacon//Hackable because he hasn't gotten the hang of the system yet )