Author's Note: Well, this is my version of the sequel to Sons of Liberty (because Snake Eater was a prequel). Keep in mind that I have NOT played Metal Gear ACID, so if that game has any bearing on the official plot line of the series, I wouldn't know. As such, this fic does not have anything to do with ACID. So, please enjoy...

Note 2: I've revised this chapter with help from Aden Onitsuka, as well as put in a mention about Snake's sneaking suit that I forgot the first time around, and explained why the guards have silenced guns. Thanks Aden.

Update: I got myself a copy of MGS2, and I've been playing it nonstop. I should be safe as far as plot goes, but I could still make a mistake, so please let me know.

Metal Gear Solid 4:
Dead Heaven

By Dark Sploosh

Prologue: The THOR Complex

The year was 2014.

It had been five years since the incident at the Big Shell. The whole thing was covered-up, of course, explained to the public that Arsenal Gear a new type of ship the government was testing. They said that it had accidentally crashed ashore during the test. Solidus Snake's body was taken from the scene. Arsenal Gear itself had been removed from the harbor and taken to a military research base. The public hadn't suspected a thing.

Just like the Patriots had wanted. The Wiseman's Council may have been long dead, but the Patriots had gone on. Gone on ruling America in the shadows. Manipulating the government and the people.

The man known as Solid Snake wasn't thinking about any of this at the time. He was more focused on what he had to do: find Olga Gurlukovich's child. He had made a promise to Olga, and he intended to keep it.

Solid Snake (David Hayter)

Last week, Otacon had gotten info from "anonymous sources" about the child.

"Anonymous sources?" Snake had asked with a hint of disbelief in his voice. "You never take tips, and the last time you did it turned out to be your sister."

"Snake, I cross checked the info with some files Mei-Ling found on the internet," Otacon clarified. "It's all accurate. There is a Patriot complex in southern Ohio, and we're sure that that's where the child is."

"Fine, but what's he doing there?"

"She is there because the Patriot's want her there."

"She? I thought it was a boy?"

"Olga never said. But the name of the child mentioned in the files was Anya Gurlukovich. I think it's safe to say it's a girl."

"Maybe. It could have been a false name. This whole thing could be wrong."

"Snake, I wouldn't be telling you this if I wasn't sure."

Snake grumbled. "Okay. But who gave you the tip?"

"Like I said, it was anonymous. The person left a signature: AC."

"Another relative of yours?"

"No. It couldn't be. Anyways, that's not the point Snake. We need to get the girl out."

"Right. And how are we going to do that exactly?"

"We're sending you in of course. You go in and get her out. Simple for you, right?"

"Do I make everything I do look that easy?"

"Sort of, yeah."

"Well, it won't be. We don't know anything about the complex. How well is it guarded for example?"

"Relax. Mei Ling's watching it on one of our satellites. They got a small army, about forty or fifty men. A fair amount of weapons and security too. But we can handle it Snake."

"I don't know."

"You want to save Olga's daughter, right?"

Snake grumbled, realizing he had been caught.

"Yeah."

"Good. Then let's get to work..."

Snake looked back on that conversation and shook his head. How did Otacon get him into situations like this? Snake looked around. He was currently hiding in the back of a supply truck that was heading down a long gravel driveway. It was the evening, and it was getting dark. There was nothing but empty plains to the south on him. To the north, where the complex was supposed to be, was a small valley covered in woods. It was April. The trees were still mostly bare, and the ground was still covered with orange leaves, but the weather had warmed up and the animals had returned to the woods.

"Hey Snake," said Otacon over the codec. It was a new model that Otacon had perfected. Snake no longer had to hold his fingers to his ear to hear. All he had to do was think what frequency he wanted and bam, he was patched through.

"How's it going Otacon?"

"Just great. Where are you now?"

"I'm hiding in one of the supply trucks you directed me to. I'm heading down the driveway to the complex now."

"Good. From what we've gathered, the whole place is surrounded with some kind of invisible force field."

"Force field?"

"It's an expression, but I'm not sure what's keeping people out. I just know that something bad would happen if you just tried to waltz over."

Snake got up from his crouch. There were some boxes in his way, but he could see well enough out of the truck.

"There's a small fence, probably electric, but it looks like anyone could just walk around it. There's no other fences or anything."

"Weird."

Snake quickly ducked back down as the truck slowed to a stop. He lifted himself up just the smallest bit to peek out. There was a guard who had stopped the truck. Snake got out his binoculars and zoomed in on the guard.

"Otacon, the guards here are well armed. They've got M4A1 carbines, and fragmentation grenades."

"Remember, these are the Patriots, they can get almost whatever they want." Otacon stated it like it was something everyone should know.

"Doesn't look like they're wearing any body armor," pointed out Snake, ignoring Otacon's sarcastic comment, "they must not be expecting an attack."

"Well, this is a stealth mission anyways, not a full-scale assault."

"Right." Snake zoomed in farther to get a good look. It was getting dark quick, and he would have to start using the night vision feature of the binoculars. "Hmm, the carbines are suppressed. Makes sense, they probably don't want any of the locals to hear anything suspicious."

"And since the Patriots are top secret, they'd run into trouble with any local authorities."

The guard seemed to give the truck the go ahead. As it sped off, Snake realized that the

guard would be able to see him in the back of the truck as it pulled away. Snake quickly drew the silenced Beretta M92F, modified for tranq rounds, that Otacon had given him. He leapt out of the back of the truck. The guard saw him and reached for his radio. Snake brought up the gun and fired a dart straight into the guard's head. The man's hand fell limp, followed by his entire body. Snake grabbed the man and dragged him into a large clump of nearby bushes. Then he cocked the Beretta, it being single action, and ducked behind a nearby tree. The driver of the truck hadn't noticed a thing.

"Otacon, I had to take out the sentry at the main gate. He's out like a light."

"Okay Snake, you should be near the southeast corner of that electric fence you mentioned. The driveway curved around it and leads to complex, which you should be able to see."

"Yeah, it's about a hundred yards in front of me."

"Good. Now then, I need to explain a few things. First, your equipment. You've got the same sneaking suit that you had on the Big Shell, so that's covered."

"Why didn't I get any stealth camo this time around?" Snake questioned.

"It has something to do with that "invisible force field" I mentioned. Whatever it is, it's giving off some pretty heavy electric jamming. It would have rendered the stealth camo useless."

"Electric jamming? How does this place have communications, then?"

"I'm not sure about that. They must have proofed their equipment or something. I managed to do that to your codec at least, but your soliton radar isn't the same. So, no radar this time around I'm afraid."

"Hmm, a challenge," said Snake in an amused voice.

"You need to get used to being without it anyway. It's good to learn how to make do without your usual comforts once in a while."

"Right. What about the "force field?" Snake questioned.

"You need to find out about that yourself. But whatever you do, don't try to leave the perimeter of the complex. The guard must have deactivated it somehow to let the truck pass, but it's back up now. Now, about the rest of your equipment.

"As I mentioned, you can't use your soliton radar this time around. So, you'll have to rely on your instincts to get you through. Your weapons include the usual tranq gun. You know all about that, so I'll move on. You also have a combat knife, which I would prefer you use instead of your fists if you can. Works better."

"I'm more used to my hands."

"Well, you should always try new things. Don't go overboard though and paint the place red though," Otacon cautioned.

"Please, I have some level of common sense."

"I hope so. Other than that, you're gonna' have to find all your other weapons and equipment at the THOR complex."

"THOR complex?"

"Yeah, that's what it's called."

"Is THOR an acronym?"

"Maybe. I don't know what it means."

"Great. What about my support team?"

"Well, there's me of course. My frequency is 180.23. Mei Ling's also here with us to keep track of your vital signs, monitor your progress, and save your mission data as usual."

Mei Ling's cheerful voice floated into Snake's ear.

"Hey Snake, it's been awhile since we've worked together on a mission, hasn't it?"

"Um, we broke into that warehouse in Oregon last month to find some info on new Metal Gear models, remember?"

"Well, it feels like awhile. Too bad we didn't find anything, huh?"

"I'm sort of glad I don't have to fight another one of those things anytime soon."

"Yeah, I guess. Anyways, my frequency is 184.65 this time around, okay? Contact me if you need anything. Bye!"

Otacon's voice returned.

"We also got ourselves a weapons specialist for hire to help you out with your guns. His codename's Gunsmith. I'll patch you through to him."

There was a small static noise, and then Snake heard the voice of a young male with a middle-eastern accent.

"Hello Snake. This is Gunsmith. Nice to meet you."

"You too. So, you're a freelancer?"

"Naturally. I find that being a gun-for-hire is more fun than being tied down to any one army. I'll admit, I was a bit disappointed when I learned I wouldn't be seeing any action this time, but your friend, what was it, Oat-a-cone? He offered me a good deal of money. So I can't complain."

Snake chuckled a bit at the mispronunciation of Otacon's name.

"Well, it's nice to hear a new voice in my head."

"Voices in your head are dangerous Snake. I'd watch out if I were you."

What had Gunsmith meant by that? He had to have known that Snake meant the codec.

"Right. So, how can I contact you?" asked Snake after a pause.

"I'm at 187.99. Give me a call whenever. I know so much about guns it's crazy."

"I'll be sure to do that."

"Okay Snake," said Otacon, "the only thing left to do is let you know about your objectives. Obviously, you need to get Anya out of there alive. But you mustn't get yourself caught. Remember, they threatened to kill Anya back during Big Shell. They may still go through with it if they realize you're trying to save her."

"Let's hope not. I'm not about to break my promise to Olga yet."

"I'll help you out however I can. Now then, you should probably follow the main driveway. The security seems to be light tonight. There may be a few sentries on the driveway, but it's dark, so you should able to deal with them. Also, try to find yourself a better weapon if you can."

"Right."

Snake shut off the codec and lifted the M9.

"Here I go," he whispered to himself, and started down the driveway.

End Note: Please R&R. The MGS plot line is complicated, and if something I've written doesn't match up with a past game, please point it out to me.