[001] Voice

[no_nukes_plz]

[The voice that comes over the device is distracted and confused.]

How- what?

Skar!

What is it-? Is there something you need?

Skar!

...guess not. [He clears his throat.] Ah... right. I had... a rather important question.

Firstly, is there anyone here who goes by the name Big Boss? And secondly... is it normal for people to be... healed, when they get

Comments

1/ i have no idea

[philanthrotaku]

[Another newcomer, huh? Otacon picked up his Pokegear to answer...]

2/ journal hopping is very likely

[philanthrotaku]

[Wait...that voice sounded familiar.]

[Too familiar.]

3/....5?

[otaku_mk_ii]

[Horrifyingly familiar.]

[But no, he couldn't be here, he was dead and oh dear god--]

4/5

[philanthrotaku]

[...wait...how could he possibly have known Big Boss?]

[No, stupid, focus. Priorities. What to do, what to do...]

[text]

[philanthrotaku]

[Otacon couldn't face him, not yet...but he couldn't bring himself to stay away. So he made a decision.]

Welcome to Johto. To answer your question, I know people who weren't human before coming here were turned human on arrival. Past that, I'm not sure.

[text]

[no_nukes_plz]

[The reply takes a short while to return as he works out how to use the device properly.]

Thank you. What do you mean, "weren't human before"? Do you mean things like dogs?

[text]

[philanthrotaku]

Well, I don't actually know. But this place is unusual. There are people here from different worlds, some of which have things ordinary people might never have even heard of or thought possible.

[text]

[no_nukes_plz]

[Different worlds... He was smiling as he responded, without even meaning to.]

Absolutely fascinating. It sounds like something out of a science fiction movie.

About the other question - do you have any idea? I'd even settle for Kazuhira Miller or Chico Libre at this point.

[text]

[philanthrotaku]

[...Yeah, this was definitely him.]

[Miller--? There was no way it was the same one...right?]

I've heard of Big Boss and Miller, but only in passing. I haven't seen or heard either of them here.

[text]

[no_nukes_plz]

[That was definitely not a good thing.]

I see. My name is Huey Emmerich. If either of them come here, let me know. It's important.

Who are you?

[text]

[philanthrotaku]

[Now that was the tricky part. How many in Johto knew Hal Emmerich and Otacon were the same person? Keeping his identity secret until he was ready to confront this issue personally...it would be as simple for now as choosing a false name.]

[There was a minute or two before the next response.]

Of course, I'll be sure to inform you.

For now, just call me Tabris.

[Of course, mecha anime was the first thing he thought of.]

[text]

[no_nukes_plz]

[Tabris? An odd name... A foreigner?]

Tabris. I'll remember it.

I, uh...

I don't suppose... there is anyone here... that goes by the name Strangelove?

[text]

[philanthrotaku]

[Sure, let's go with that.]

[Strangelove? That was a name he'd never heard before, at least. The full implications of his father's association with Big Boss had yet to sink in; behind the calm text messages, he was trembling uncontrollably.]

Not that I know of. And if it's alright, I have a question for you.

How do you know Big Boss?

[text]

[no_nukes_plz]

...oh. I see.

Big Boss? I was working for him before I came here. I mean, he wasn't going by that name until recently, but... it's a long story. You'd probably get bored with the details.

[text]

[philanthrotaku]

[Working for...?]

[...no. he wouldn't. He wouldn't have...]

[It was another minute before the reply came; Otacon's hands were shaking too badly to type.]

I'm sure. Then what was it you were doing for him, if I can ask?

[text]

[no_nukes_plz]

I headed the R&D team at Outer Heaven.

[Just like that. He isn't mentioning ZEKE, not yet.]