The rain fell softly against the glass walls of the penthouse overlooking Vancouver. The harbor lights shimmered like distant stars.
Angelina stood at the window, her silhouette calm but tense. Across the room, Solid Snake leaned against the wall, arms folded, bandana tails resting over his shoulder.
“Do you believe in secret societies?” Angelina asked quietly. “The Bavarian Illuminati. Power behind curtains. Strings behind kings.”
Snake didn’t flinch. “I’ve seen enough shadows to know someone’s always pulling something.”
She turned to him. “Then you understand why I asked for you. I need a Snake.”
Snake’s voice was low and steady.
“You know,” he said, “not all snakes are the same.”
Angelina raised an eyebrow. “Meaning?”
“Some snakes protect the garden,” he replied. “They keep the rats out. Keep balance.”
A pause.
“And some snakes eat poisonous snakes.”
She studied him carefully. “Which one are you?”
Snake smirked faintly.
“That depends,” he said. “Are we dealing with gardeners… or vipers pretending to be gardeners?”
Angelina walked closer, lowering her voice. “Let’s just say there are people who think they own the future. They hide behind symbols and old myths. They don’t like unpredictability.”
Snake pushed off the wall.
“Good,” he said. “I specialize in unpredictability.”
“You’re not afraid?” she asked.
“I stopped being afraid a long time ago,” Snake answered. “Fear’s a tool. You either let it control you, or you aim it at the right target.”
Angelina exhaled slowly. “Then protect me.”
Snake adjusted his gloves.
“I don’t protect people because they’re powerful,” he said. “I protect people who don’t deserve to be hunted.”
She met his eyes. “And?”
Snake walked toward the balcony, scanning the skyline.
“If there’s a poisonous snake out there,” he said quietly, “I’ll find it. And I’ll make sure the garden stays clean.”
A helicopter passed overhead in the distance.
Angelina allowed herself a small, relieved smile.
“Then welcome to the garden,” she said.
Snake didn’t smile back.
“I’m not here to tend roses,” he muttered. “I’m here to deal with venom.”