METAL GEAR SOLID: KINGDOM OF NOTHING

CHAPTER 1: UNDER THE SUN

May, 10th. 2009. It was about 10:21 AM. It was cold. Like it's normal for May in Manhattan, but it felt colder than normal. Like the world itself became colder now that, at least for us, the truth slightly revealed itself. Like we were putting our paws in affairs that were none of our business.

But that was the plan. It was always the plan. There was always something we weren't supposed to know, and that's how the Patriots, the U.S. Government, whoever it was, wanted it to be that way. I guess that day was our day of saying that enough is enough. Of upsetting the status quo, and making it statu quo res erant ante bellu.

I wanted to act. Act as quickly as I could. I tried being calm to set an example to Raiden back in Arsenal, but I almost couldn't hold myself. Rex was a product of the Patriots. Ocelot was working for the Patriots. Me, Otacon, we were all used. Put on display as the Patriots' little puppet show. At least before, I thought I had a way to defend myself, when the Pentagon, or the Colonel, or Big Boss manipulated me. But the Patriots were different. They were not exactly tangible. You couldn't grab them by the arm and make them stop. It wasn't as simple as that.

It would never be as simple. I needed to focus. To stop getting so agitated. What's wrong with me? This isn't like me. I had to breathe.

I took a deep breath. I counted to 10. Then I took out my packet. I was craving a smoke. That's probably what it was. I've been agitated like this because I hadn't smoked for almost a week. I almost thought my body decided it was done with this addiction, but today, my brain was talking louder than the rest of it.

Then I noticed a bunch of kids pointing at me. The concerned parents grabbed the kids, turned around and walked slightly faster, away from me. They were scowling at me the whole time. I had no idea why. Maybe they were just weird. I don't know. There shouldn't be nothing wrong with a guy alone at the zoo. Yeah, I was being kind of suspicious, with my black cap and my olive drab, worn out bomber jacket. When I say it was worn out, I mean it was really worn out. You could even see the small holes where linen for a stitched on patch would sit on my shoulder. It was back from the time when I was still in FOXHOUND. Too many bad memories for me.

10:29. Where the hell was--

"Dave." A familiar voice sounded by my side. Somehow Otacon sat on the bench next to me and I didn't even notice.

"Hal. It's not like you to keep ME waiting."

"I-I got a little caught up with traffic. Manhattan's still Manhattan." He was developing a bit of a sense of humor as well. "Not even the taxi could get me here early. Anyway. Any complications?"

"Hmm... the people around us have been looking at me weird the whole time... Do you think we've been compromised? Patriots agents?"

An awkward pause formed. I felt kind of uncomfortable.

"David." Otacon adjusted his glasses on his face. He looked at me weird. His brow was folding as if there was something I wasn't noticing and that everyone else did except me. I felt like a fool.

"What?"

"Central Park Zoo is a cigarette-free park. You can't smoke in here."

"O-oh..." So that's what it was. Not only did I feel like an idiot, I was one too. "...right."

I took out my pocket ashtray from my jacket and put the cigarette I was smoking inside it. Hal sighed and shook his head.

"I know you've been kind of hazy since... 'that' happened, but you can't draw attention like that. We've got to maintain a low profile."

"Yeah, I get it." Otacon was pushing his lectures on to me again, and although I needed to hear them, I didn't like them. "We're kind of persona non grata around these parts. I got distracted. I'm sorry."