003 [audio]

[deathlessness]

I knew a man once. They called him the Iron Dragon. He was a general in the army of the Union when I was still a pup. There wasn't a man alive who could match his skill with a blade, or his compassion and generosity… He was a good man, a kind man, famed for his heroism

Comments

audio.

[escapedpandora]

...That's a sad story.

audio.

[deathlessness]

It is, isn't it? [Even more so when you knew who exactly that coward was.] Most of my stories tend to be like that, I'm afraid. I hope you weren't too disappointed.

[escapedpandora]

No... that's how most stories really go, isn't it?

[deathlessness]

...A lot of them, yes. How old are you?

voice

[formerfoxhound]

[Snake knows all about how thankless being a hero can be. Not that he'd ever let anyone get away with calling him one for long. The story itself is familiar, to an extent. Sort of has a different ending, though.]

...thankless, huh?

[He answers the feed almost immediately, but takes him another minute to work out what he really means to say. For all his distant behavior, part of him has always been deeply invested in protecting people. That's why he does what he does. He'd felt a measure of powerlessness in being stuck here, too fed up with the government and his experiences in the military to even consider the police but unable to bring himself to sit back and do nothing for too long.]

...

[Finally.]

Can't say I'm much of a knight. But I can help.

voice

[deathlessness]

Really now? Well, that's a better start than I'd hoped for already. The name's Urick, by the way.

voice

[formerfoxhound]

Don't get your hopes up. You're likely to make just as many enemies as friends over this. [Maybe more.]

I can't make many promises yet. But I'm interested, if you're serious.

[Questionably legal, nonprofit organization dedicated to the welfare of humanity? ...Right up his alley, actually. He's done this sort of thing before. Just at a different sort of scale.]

Solid Snake.

voice

[deathlessness]

Yes, I'm aware of that. If you want brutal honesty, I'm not entirely sure what I'm doing, so... let's just say the help is appreciated, eh?

Solid... You don't happen to know a man named Liquid, do you?

video

[killswithapen]

Yaha related me to this general Oror once, despite knowing that I murdered a thousand people. That doesn't sound like any kind of role model to me, least of all one intending to distribute and organise that kind of power. I will never support vigilanteism; even less so organised vigilanteism. So if you want to make a difference, join the police, get paid for it, and follow the laws and rules that they must follow, because there's a reason those laws exist.

permavoice

[deathlessness]

Did he now? There's quite a difference between a soldier fighting to protect and a murderer killing for... whatever twisted reason he has, don't you think? Still, if you know Yaha, you'll be aware of how deluded he is. No offence, of course. I'm sure you'd make quite the knight in his twisted little world.

You know, I suppose my world must be rather different to yours. I've never known wanting to help people-without even turning a profit, I might add-to be any kind of crime. And perhaps my memory fails me, but wasn't Yaha with your police? I wonder how well he ever followed the rules. Thanks for the suggestion, though! I'll be sure to keep it in mind.

Likewise, voice!

[mentis_reae]

Forgive the interruption, but there's a difference between "wanting to help people" and vigilantism.

[deathlessness]

Oh, I'm aware. Never said there wasn't. But I'm quite sure a murderer has no place instructing others to follow your laws.

[Or degrading the name of the one man Urick respected above any other. That might just be a sore point.]

I live in these districts where the police turn a blind eye, and I see more people dying here than I can do anything about on my own. Deaths that could be avoided if someone lifted a finger to help, be it against darkness monsters or... well, you get the picture. So you'll forgive me if I'd rather do what I can, where I can, than join the ranks alongside- [Alongside Yaha.] -alongside murderers, to do nothing but carry on that trend. If that makes me a criminal, so be it.

[voice];

[cadaverdaddy]

heeehehehe~ Being a hero is quite the thankless job~ and cowards are always the reason for the fall of those they love so dearly~ Nothing changes, nothing at all. But- teeeheee So amusing it is that pursuit of peace only brings about more war~ No matter the intention, there are always headstones to erect, to line the path worn by even the greatest and most noble.

There are still lives and souls lost~ unintentional or perhaps not so~ peace makers cannot call themselves saints and saviors, now can they?

Regardless~ huhuhuhu~ I can assist, with information~

[voice];

[deathlessness]

[...Bad feeling about this one already. Oh boy.]

I'm hardly looking to call myself a saint, but it'd be nice to feel like I'm actually able to help, I suppose. I don't know, perhaps that's selfish of me.

[A pause.] What kind of information would that be, exactly?

[voice];

[cadaverdaddy]

[There's no escaping.]

Perhaps it is, perhaps it is~ Is your only motivation to aid, or is there something more? Something more personal, hmm? That will deem the selflessness of your future actions~ heeheeehehehehe

Are you willing to line your path with corpses for this~?

[A soft hum.] Anything that you may be in need of~

[voice];

[deathlessness]

Personal? [Well, that one's easy.] It's the best way I can think of to atone, if that counts.

I'd rather avoid too many corpses if I can help it. That's kind of the point.

voice;

[proxysearch]

Not all of the police are corrupt...but considering they allowed Yaha into their ranks, I can't say they're very good judges of character. Regardless, Newcomer numbers in the police force are dwindling.

You realize that this is something very similar to vigilantism, correct?

[Private]

I'm fine. You shouldn't worry about me.

voice;

[deathlessness]

I suppose it is, yes. You don't think that will cause problems, do you? You see, I'd prefer to avoid associating with the police even if Yaha isn't with them any more. I rather suspect their view of me will have been somewhat coloured by his conduct.

[Private]

Perhaps I shouldn't, but I can't really help that now, can I? I'm not quite sure whether involving you again was the right thing to do or not. I didn't intend... for things to turn out the way they did.

voice;

[proxysearch]

I understand. The creation of a force outside of the police's jurisdiction, however, is bound to cause trouble, especially if it's comprised solely of Newcomers. I'm not going to tell you to stop, though, so long as you understand the implications and the trouble you might get into.

[Private]

It's part of my job, Urick. I have to take the good with the bad. You shouldn't feel responsible.

voice;

[deathlessness]

Of course, that makes sense. Don't intend to cause trouble, just cover the area the police turn a blind eye to, but I suppose they won't know that, will they? Not to worry, I'll work something out.

[Private]

No, but I'd... still like to make it up to you somehow, if that's at all possible. Even if it's only the smallest amount.