01 / Video / SUBJECT: So-called "Horror Week"

[justkaz]

[Video opens with his face in full frame, along with a long-suffering sigh.]

Alright. For the record, I'm never agreeing to another damn horror themed event for as long as I live. [Glances up as though thinking.] ...Except the costume contest saw some lovely ladies dressing down...

Okay, scratch that. No horror movies. That includes swamp things, aliens, [Mimics someone much more gruff, smirking.] "goddamn vampires", and especially werewolves. I don't need recruits using the full moon as an excuse to run around naked and howling. It's bad for crowd control. And my heart.

[A pause, staring over his shoulder at the scenery through wide windows of the moon base and stars beyond. He snorts, shakes his head, and resumes talking to the camera.]

Must have fallen asleep at my desk, or else I haven’t even started my day. [Frowns, eyeing something beyond the camera.] And since this is a dream, it had better make with the goddamn alien babes, already; considering the crap I had in the projector last night, I'm surprised those lesbian twins are nowhere to be seen...

[Dead air, the blond man adjusting his aviators and seeming impatient.]

...Forget it. This is bullshit. A distinction, then. [Holds a hand in view, adding a finger for every point.] No horror movies. No porn movies. And absolutely no horror porn movies.

With all the shit I put up with, I at least deserve better dreams than this.

Comments

[wordsthatkill]

[ From the video Kaz had first broadcasted, it had looked like he was still in the Observatory and sure enough, that's where he finds him.

Too bad he'd caught him right before wanting to take that shower he'd promised himself after getting some supplies from the cafeteria to last himself and maybe a couple other people for a day or two.

Though Jack wonders -- if Kaz is here, does that mean others are, as well? People that know him while he's still alive, not like that Raiden guy, that is.

Whatever. That's something to worry about later; right now Kaz is his top priority, like so often. ]

Leave, he says!

[ Whoa Kaz, is that your boss covered in zombie gore rudely taking that tablet out of your hands just to hit you over the head with it?

You're lucky if it's not broken now. ]

Did that hurt enough to prove that this isn't a dream, or shall I try again?

[ He raises the tablet again in a threatening gesture, hi. ]

[justkaz]

[It's like something out of a dream - hilarious - when Big Boss, in the flesh, stomps up to him in all his horrendously filthy glory and whacks him with his own damn bendy space tablet.

Kaz yelps, cowering, and raises an arm to shield his face.]

The hell is your problem!? That's the last fucking thing--

[Click.

The few seconds between his willful delusion and reality falling into place see his expression dive directly from irritation to deep, deep concern. A hundred questions flit through his mind as his eyes rove from one detail to the next: gore on the sneaking suit, space outside the window, strangers in all manner of period clothing or otherwise...

"No." He almost says it aloud, instead locking eyes intently with Snake. A flicker of fear in his own before he can clamp down on it.]

What about Mother Base? Amanda, Strangelove? ... ...Cécile?

[At least his priorities are in order.]

[wordsthatkill]

[ He pauses, then slowly lowers his hand and the makeshift blunt weapon in it when he notices that that Kaz is snapping out of it. Because really.

He'd be happier thinking this was a dream too, but he can't take that risk -- might make him careless. ]

I don't know.

[ Matter of fact. He has no damn clue and yes, that does bother him. But he's starting to think they might be better off not being here. ]

But one you see what's out there, you'll be glad that they aren't here.

[justkaz]

[He'd lowered his head into his hands while his boss spoke to him, only glancing up at the man's addendum. Oh, so there's more to this science fiction thriller. Great.]

Is that right. And what, I'm glad to be here? [His expression darkens, eyeing the sorry mess coating Snake's gear.] Looks like you couldn't resist jumping right on in, huh Boss. At least one of us is happy.

[wordsthatkill]

[ He snorts and places a hand at his hip, while tossing the tablet back into Kaz' lap. ]

Don't be ridiculous.

[ Because that's exactly what you sound right now, Kaz. ]

I'd rather be back home, too. I don't wish this on anybody, but we can't change it right now. So pull yourself together.

[justkaz]

[Kaz inhales deeply, lets it out slow. This situation is nothing new: just another instance of kidnapping and blackmail. 「仕方が無い」- can't be helped.

It takes him another couple of deep breaths before he can look Big Boss in the eye, nod soberly.]

I'm here.

[Well, the conviction is there, if not the heart. The tablet is folded into his back pocket as he stands, adjusting his ascot before speaking again.]

What's our next move?

[wordsthatkill]

[ Good Kaz. ]

You come with me to the safe zone. Then, first of all, [ loosely gestures down himself with one hand ] I'm gonna take a shower.

After that... it's mostly intel gathering and evaluation. So if you're gonna be social, I hope it's for the right reasons.

[ Was that a subtle warning? Why yes it was. Big Boss looks tired when he turns around, but still entirely composed for better or for worse. ]

[justkaz]

Sure thing, Boss.

[Compliance is always a good start. Besides, an endgoal of supplying them both with intel will give him motivation, and distraction. He'll need rest before that, though. Food, too.

As Kaz falls into step behind Snake, one detail bothers him, something that was mentioned in passing.]

Hold it a sec. What was it you said before? About... what's "out there"?

[That's not fear talking. Not at all.]

[wordsthatkill]

[ Haha how does he explain that? Here he was hoping Kaz had already heard about it. ]

That's... well. I'm not an expert or anything.

[ Luckily it's only a few minutes to the quarters and they don't encounter any zombies on the way. ]

...Zombies, I think you'd call 'em? They don't stay down.