=== A COMPLETE PLOT SUMMARY & ANALYSIS ===
=== OF ===
=== THE METAL GEAR SERIES ===
BY GRANT MORRISSEY ZEOBRIA@HOTMAIL.COM
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CONTENTS:
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1. Introduction, Legal mumbo-jumbo, Update History
2. Metal Gear
(i) Plot Summary
3. Metal Gear 2- Solid Snake
(i) Plot Summary
4. Metal Gear Solid
(i) Briefing
(ii) "He'll be through here...I know it..."
(iii) "Call me 'Deepthroat"
(iv) "The brother of light...and the brother of dark..."
(v) "Hot & Cold"
(vi) "We're not tools of the Government..."
(vii) "Les Enfants Terribles"
(viii) "You can't let yourself be chained to fate..."
(ix) Legend
(x) Epilogue
(xi) Conclusions
(xii) Observations
(xiii) Unanswered Questions
(xiv) 'Different Endings' - Otacon
(xv) Somewhat Frequently Asked Questions
(xvi)Themes of 'Metal Gear Solid'
*. The Perils of Nuclear Weapons
*. Tampering with the natural order
*. Independence
*. Confinement
*. Love
5. Game Characters
(i) Solid Snake
(ii) Roy Campbell
(iii) McDonald "Master" Miller
(iv) Liquid Snake
(v) Revolver Ocelot
(vi) Psyco Mantis
(vii) Sniper Wolf
(viii) Decoy Octopus
(ix) Vulcan Raven
(x) Big Boss
6. 'Metal Gear Solid 2 - Son's of Liberty'
(i) Prologue - Discovery
(ii) Legend
(iii) Metal Gear Raiden
(iv) "Laugh! And grow fat!"
(v) Pawns and Players
(vi) Confessions of Dangerous Minds
(vii) Sons of Liberty
7. Conclusion, Kudos and Contact Details.
----======== 1 ========----
INTRODUCTION, LEGAL MUMBO-JUMBO & UPDATE HISTORY
When I started summarising Metal Gear Solid I had no idea what I was getting
myself into. When I started summarising it in November, 2000 I was thinking it
would take a fortnight...one month at the most. Its only after roughly 5 months
work that I've realised what a bugger it was. When I had finished up to Snakes
battle with Psyco Mantis I *knew* why the plot had never been completely
summarised before- its WAY to big and comprehensive. I intially thought that I
could simply summarise the demo theatre- but the characters spoke way to
quickly. So I ended up running the PSX through my VCR and recording the demo
theatre. Once it had been recorded I was following the general cycle of
watching for 15 seconds, pausing, writting down in point form what was said,
and repeating the process. Watch, pause, write. Watch, pause, write. Watch,
pause, write...
This document is copyright 2001 by me, Grant Alan Morrissey. No part of this
document may be reproduced in any way, shape or form, without my expressed
permission. And so on. And so forth. Tresspasers will be
prosecuted...motorcycle riding prohibited...employees must wash their hands...
All bad jokes aside, I don't think I can make it any clearer that this thing
was written by me and all work was done by me. This document is one-of-a-kind
so I'm sure its very tempting to yoink it and use it somewhere else. Stealing
this is unethical and illegal. And, if you are souless and copy this without my
permission and wack your own name on it, rest assured. I WILL FIND OUT. The
Copyright notices strewn through this document are here for a reason.
All recognizable concepts from the Metal Gear series are copyright Konami, and
their usage in this document does not constitute a challenge to that copyright
(heh yeah- like I would) That last sentence was cut-&-pasted from Thomas
Wilde's Resident Evil FAQ (With the RE Stuff replaced by Metal Gear stuff) I
still meant what I said Konami! Please don't sue me!
Needless to say, this document contains spoilers about the entire Metal
Gear series. Please read at your own risk. Remember- the best introduction to
the games is to play them yourselves.
Please, ladies and gentlemen, I don't mind being added to your MSN list. I
like answering questions about the plot of Metal Gear Solid. But IF YOU DO, for
godsake, don't messege me a few days later and ask "Who are you?" before saying
anything else. I HATE THAT. And I promise I will respond with the trully
elequent comparison between yourself and various lower-caste lifeforms you
deserve. Please.
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UPDATES
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April, 20th 2003 - After spending the past half-year of my life learning the
intricities of the sandpit of my backyard (with my head buried in it) I've
somehow managed to remove myself and update a summary on Metal Gear Solid 2:
Son's of Liberty. And resolved myself to complete the summary once and for all
as soon as humanely possible, with work with a certain Australian Police
Service due to commence soon. If I might be so bold as to request you all read,
and heed, a newly added paragraph to the end of the introduction above. Thank
you, and have a nice day
August 5th, 2002 - Apologies for lack of updates. The past few months have been
hectic. I commence training for a new career in September so I'm hoping to have
the MGS2 summary completed by then. Over the past few months I lost some
e-mails that were sent to me. So if you e-mailed me a thought provoking message
and didn't get a response please try again. In other news, another chunk of
summary to MGS2 has been added.
[PREVIOUS UPDATES DELETED. FINALLY]
----======== 2 ========----
METAL GEAR
(AS TAKEN FROM 'METAL GEAR SOLID - PREVIOUS OPERATIONS')
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PLOT SUMMARY
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The Year is 1995. Deep in South Africa, 200km north of Garzburg, Outer Heaven-
an armed fortress nation, established by the legendary mercenary. He was feared
in combat by both his friends and foes as a hero and a lunatic. The "Western"
nations have found that a weapon of mas destruction capable of rewritting war
history is under development at Outer Heaven. They have called upon the
high-tech special forces unit FOX-HOUND to take care of the situation. In
response to this order, Big Boss, the commander-in-chief of FOX-HOUND, sent
Gray Fox, the man with the code name "Fox" which is given to the best member of
the unit "Operation intrude N313"
After a few days, his last messafe being "Metal Gear..." Gray Fox was missing
in action. Taking the situation seriously, the top men of the "West" again
called for FOX-HOUND. Big Boss selected Solid Snake, who had recently joined
FOX-HOUND, as the agent and entrusted everything to him.
Successfully making a solo infiltration to Outer Heaven, Snake got in touch
with local resistance members Schneider, Diane and Jennifer. With their
co-operation, Snake suceeded in rescueing Gray Fox. Gray Fox laid out the
terrifying facts about "Metal Gear" Metal Gear was the development name of a
nuclear warhead-equiped twi-legged walking tank. It can walk through over the
toughtest terrains that would stop normal tanks. It can conduct local warfare
by itself with unique weapons like its vulcan-cannon and anti-tank missiles. It
was indeed a new type of weapon that can conduct a nuclear attack against any
place on the face of the Earth from any l and surface...
With Metal Gear, Outer Heaven was trying to establish its military superiority
over the entire world. In order to destroy Metal Gear, Snake rescued Metal
Gear's chief engineer Dr. Pettrovich and his daughter, Elen, who was taken
hostage to force her father to continue with his development. Snake hears from
Dr. Pettrovich how to destroy Metal Gear.
However, as Snake approached the heart of Outer Heaven and Metal Gear, well
designed traps are set all around Snake- as if his actions are being leaked to
the enemy...
In the midst of the escalating battle, the leader of the resistance,
Schneider, fell into the hands of the enemy, and Snake himself was injured
through the deadly battles with Outer Heaven's best mercenaries. But Snakes
indomitable spirit lead him to the 100th floor basement of the secret base
where Metal Gear was developed. Evading the powerful defense system that wipes
out all intruders, Snake ultimately succeeded in destroying Metal Gear.
Snake tried to escape from Outer Heaven upon completing the
mission. However, during the escape he was comfronted by one man- FOX-HOUND's
commander-in-chief Big Boss. Big Boss laughed at the astounded Snake and told
him the truth behind his mission. While serving as commander-in-chief of
FOX-HOUND Big Boss also ran a mercenary dispatch company utilizing his
connections and capitals from his own years as a merc. He was planning on to
build this company a larger military establishment, and he built Outer Heaven
as its base. His purpose for sending the rookie Snake was to cause information
confusion amongst the west. However, Big Boss miscalculated. He never thought
Solid Snake would make it this far...
Having lost Metal Gear, Big Boss activated the self-destruct system of the
underground base. While the countdown to destruction continued, his screamed
echoed in the emptiness
"YOU HAVE GONE TO FAR. TOO FAR!!!"
On the 100th floor basement, the battle between the 2 men commenced- free of
idealogy and politics. The armed fortress nation Outer Heaven collapsed. The
impenetrabe fortress made from the best military technology and occupied by the
toughest mercenaries burned in flames. Behind him, the flames reached skyward,
as Outer Heaven fell leaving Solid Snake all alone...
----======== 3 ========----
METAL GEAR 2: SOLID SNAKE
(AS TAKEN FROM 'METAL GEAR SOLID - PREVIOUS OPERATIONS')
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PLOT SUMMARY
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1999, the world was facing an energy crisis. It was obvious that the petroleum
would run out faster than what was expected. However, the development of an
alternative energy resource is far from completion. The price of petroleum has
skyrocketed and the world economy in confusion. The 21st century was expected
to be one of chaos. One mans invention changed the entire situation. A Czech
genius and biologist, Dr. Kio Marv, invented OILIX, a microorganism that
refines petroleum to product a highly purified form of petroleum. The world was
filled with hope upon the discovery of this messiah to solve the energy crisis,
but at the same time the world entered a time of tension regarding this new
algae.
Just when the whole worlds attention was drawn to OILIX and Dr. Marv, he was
abducted by someone and disapeared. Nations begun investigations immediatly and
a name soon appeared...'Zanzibar Land'... Zanzibar Land was a democratic
military regime that suddently appeared in central Asia in 1997. When their
uprising took place, the CIS Army, formed around Russia, sent in a suppressive
unit immediatly. Zanzibar Land resisted by gathering a band of Mercenaries from
nations around the world and fortifying most of its land. As a result, the CIS
Army was repeatedly defeated, and Zanzibar Land declared its independence. Due
to the active role mercenaries played, this war was called the 'mercenaries
war' and Zanzibar Land was referred to as an armed fortress nation. A military
nation with a group of strong mercenaries, surrounded by a tough fortress.
According to the latest information, Zanzibar suppoedly was armed
with Nuclear Weapons. The whole scenario was crystal clear. By obtaining OILIX
in addition to nuclear weapons, Zanzibar Land was trying to establishits
economoic and military superiority over the entire world. Concerned about the
situation, the United States of America ordered Roy Campbell,
Commander-in-Chief of high tech special forces unit FOX-HOUND, to rescue Dr.
Marv. Campbell was a former member of FOX-HOUND. He brought back Solid Snake,
the man who single handedly brought down the armed fortress nation of Outer
Heaven 4 years ago, and asked Snake to bring back Dr. Marv and OILIX.
Successfully infiltrating Zanzibar Land and with help from CIA
angent Horry and others, Snake was able to go deep into the fortress and meet
again with Dr. Pettrovich, the chief engineer of Metal Gear from Outer Heaven.
He too was abducted to Zanzibar Land and forced to develop another Metal Gear.
He told to surprised Snake an even more shocking fact. Big Boss, the man Snake
had defeated at Outer Heaven, turned out to be the General Commander of
Zanzibar Land.
Snake rescued Dr. Pettrovich in co-operation with Natasha, Dr. Marv's guard
and former Czech International Secret Police agent, and then headed for the
confinement facility deep in the fortress to save Dr. Marv. When Pettrovich and
Natasha crossed the narrow suspension bridge over the deep valley, a missile
blew the bridge away. Natasha flew into the air because of the explosion. While
unable to do anything to save Natasha, Snake started hearing a well-known voice
"Hey Snake, were good buddies. I can let you go. Just leave this place at
once!" Gray Fox. Snake saw Gray Fox controlling Metal Gear. The best soldier in
FOX-HOUND who, after the fall of Outer Heaven, disapeared as if he followed Big
Boss. Losing Natasha infront of his eyes and letting Pettrovich get taken away,
Snake screamed "Fox! I will not give up!"
After a series of deadly battles with mercenaries, Snake finally made it to
Dr. Marv's confinement facility. However, he arrived to late. He saw Dr. Marv's
corpse and Pettrovich, who could do nothing but just stand there. Pettrovich
told Snake that Dr. Marv could not withstand the repeated tortures because of
heart problems. Snake then recieved an emergency call from Horry. The
information she supplied was very shocking. Pettrovich had been voluntarily
visiting Zanzibar Land to develop Metal Gear. The abduction of Dr. Marv was
conducted under the the directions of Pettrovich himself. After the truth came
out, Pettrovich attacked Snake, but Snake easily put an end to him and obtained
the structual plan of OILIX.
While trying to escape, Snake was confronted by Metal Gear again, controlled
by Gray Fox. The tremendous battle took place in the underground base. Snake
finally succeeded in destroying Metal Gear. However, Gray Fox did not submit
and challened Snake to the final battle. In the midst of a minefield, Snake and
Fox fought without any weapons. A fist-to-fist duel involving no hatred or
murderous intent. During that moment of purity the 2 were bound by forces
transcending words and emotions. Snake won the tough but pure battle against
Gray Fox. However, there was still someone else. Snake had to fight Big Boss.
Just like 4 years ago at Outer Heaven Big Boss was waiting for Snake. "One who
has experienced the tension of battle can never leave the battlefield. I'am the
one giving you something to live for, and that is war" Snake was infuriated at
the arrogant Big Boss "There is only one battle I have to fight. To free myself
from you, to shatter the nightmare...Big Boss, I will kill you!"
With the structual plan of Oilix, Snake and Horry escaped from
Zanzibar Land on a rescue helicopter. Snake once again saved the world.
However, there was no smile on his face. Big Boss's last words kept ringing in
his head "Whoever wins, out battle does not end. There loser is freed from the
battlefield, the winner must remain there and the survivor must live his life
as the warrior until he dies" Snake then disapeared into the whitelands of
Alaska...alone...
----======== 4 ========----
METAL GEAR SOLID
If I die in a combat zone
Tell all the people in homeland
That I did my best.
If I die in a combat zone
Tell that pretty girl of mine
That I bring best memories with me.
If I die in a combat zone
Tell all my best friends
That I died facing the gun.
If I die in a combat zone
I don't need my name on grave.
Etch instead that there was;
A man who lived, fought and died.
From "IF I DIE IN A COMBAT ZONE"
The Song of Mercenaries
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(I) BRIEFING
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The year is 2005. In the remote area of Alaska, located in the Bering Sea, is
the chain of islands known as the Fox-Arcipelago. In there exist's Shadow Moses
island- the location of a top-secret nuclear warhead storage facility. During
an exercise on the Island involving ARMSTECH Inc. (Once the 2nd largest arms
manufacturer in the world and primarily involved in the development of SDI and
Rail guns) and DARPA (The Defense Advanced Research Project Agency. A
government department involved in researching technology for implementation
into military systems and weapons), Next-Generation Special Forces, lead by
members of FOX-HOUND, invade the island and capture it. There, they make the
(somewhat puzzling) demands- they want the remains of Big Boss. They state that
if these demands are not met- they will launch a nuclear weapon within 24
hours.
Understanding the seriousness of the situation, the secretary of defense, Jim
Houseman, call's upon retired FOX-HOUND commander Roy Campbell to deal with the
situation. In turn, Campbell call's upon the services of Solid Snake (now a dog
musher in an isolated part of Alaska) Understanding Snake would not simply hear
him out, armed soldiers are sent out to bring Snake in for a briefing. Within 5
hours of the terrorists taking over the island, Snake has been stripped and is
sitting down, alone, in an isolation chamber.
Campbell comes in, he is quick and to the point, they are in an extremely
serious situation and only Snake can get them out of it. Campbell introduces
Snake to Dr. Naomi Hunter, FOX-HOUND's chief medical officer, and she gives him
a quick injection. Campbell then briefs him on his 2 mission objects- he is to
rescue DARPA chief Donald Anderson & ARMSTECH President Kenneth Baker and he is
to, most importantly, access whether or not the terrorists have the ability to
launch a nuclear weapon.
Snake is quick to point out that he hasn't even agreed to the mission-
Campbell wants to know whether living in Alaska is all that great. All he is is
a dog musher. He then elaborates on the site- the disposal facility is a
hardened underground base. For Snake to infiltrate the base, air insertion is
impossible. Snake must go in through the water- a submarine will go within a
few miles of the island, but then will have to launch a SDV (Swimmer Delivery
Vehicle. The sub must stay away from the island because it may be picked up on
Sonar) Campbell also informs Snake that, unfortunatly, weapon and equipment is
OSP (On Site Procurement. He cannot take anything with him)
The colonel explains that the President is in supervisory control of the
operation but the Secretary of Defense is in operational control. A COG will
not be issued until it can be determined, by Snake, whether or not the
terrorists can launch a Nuclear Weapon. The National Security Agency and the
Defense Intelligence Agency will be working with them as well- but Snake is not
interested in "desk jockeys" Campbells agree's and briefs him on Natasha
Romaneko- she will act as an advisor on the nuclear weapons present on the
island.
Snake is curious- why is Campbell in on the mission? He replies that he knows
FOX-HOUND. Snake doesn't believe him- he wants to know the real reason.
Campbell apologises and admits its because his niece is being held hostage. The
day of the revolt several soldiers didn't show up. Meryl was called in as a
replacement. She is Campbell's little-brothers daughter (he died in the Gulf
War and Campbell was charged with looking after her) At this point Snake
agree's to do the mission, on 2 conditions. The first one being that no secrets
are kept from him. He wants to know everything at all times. The second
condition being that he will only accept orders from the Colonel and no-one
else.
The retired operative ask's Campbell about the injection Naomi gave him.
Campbell gets Naomi to answer it- she knows the soldiers in FOX-HOUND better
than anyone else. She explains that the injection was a combination of
nanomachines and anti-freezing peptites. They will stop his blood from freezing
(even at sub-artic temperatures) Many nanomachines are working in the
bloodstream to replace adreniline, sugar and nutrition (Snake will not have to
worry about food) Neotropics are present (these will improve mental
functioning) and benzadrine as well (responsible for keeping him awake and
alert for 12 hours) In addition, the nanomachines will also keep the CODEC
batteries going.
Snake wants to know why ARMSTECH and DARPA were present on the island. Were
they there for a new weapon? Campbell explains he is not available to access
that kind of information. Snake wants to know if they can launch- Campbell says
that they have given a warhead serial number (seemingly the one they intend to
use) and that it has been confirmed. However, the PAL (Permissive Action Link)
system is present to prevent a launch- but the DARPA chief knows how to stop
it...
The colonel explains that the Next Generation Special Forces aren't just
"grunts" They are heavily armed and their 6 leaders are hardened veterans. The
terrorists are demanding cell specimins from a body (specifically, the
individuals genomic information) the terrorists apparently *need* this
information. The Next Gen Special forces were involved in the human genome
project and, henceforth, have been strengthened through gene therapy. The
military have indentified the genes that make effective soldiers and can put
these into regular soldiers to make them better.
Following the fall of Zanzibar, as is explained the Snake, Big Boss's body,
though badly burned, was recovered. It was possible to restore his DNA profile
from a single strand of hair. So far more than 60 soldier genes have been
identified and these are transplanted into soldiers. Superior soldiers aren't
just trained- hereditary factors are just as crucial. The Next Gen Special
Forces are mainly mercs from Outer Heaven- the U.S. government bought out their
contracts. They were merged with Force 21 and have no real battle experience
(they are "video game players" as pointed out by Snake) All of the Next Gen
Special Forces conspired in the attack. The whole unit went through the same
gene therapy and feel closer than brothers (Henceforth the title "The Son's of
Big Boss") They see the unit as their only family. Campbell explains that there
was no signs they were interested in partaking in an uprising- they were all
evaluated through random, psycological testing as patriotic and upstanding
soldiers. They all had IQ's over 180 and even, at strange intervals, partook in
their own gene therapy experiments.
The agent is then briefed on the worst part of the mission - the FOX-HOUND
members who are the leaders of the terrorists. Snake is briefed on them Psyco
Mantis (who is the worlds most powerful tactioner of reading minds and moving
objects with his own mind), Vulcan Raven (A giant and shayman) Sniper Wolf (who
can stay in the same position, looking through a rifle scope, for days or even
weeks) Decoy Octopus (master of disguise) Revolver Ocelot (Gun fighting and
interrogation specialist) and the leader of the terrorists...Liquid Snake...
This astounds Snake- someone with the same code-name? Snake has his "brother"
explained to him. Following being the Youngest SAS operative to be employed in
the Gulf War, and penetraring Western Iraq for the Secret Intelligence Service,
Liquid Snake was captured and not heard from for several years. He was rescued
and joined FOX-HOUND after Solid Snake retired to Alaska. Snake is greatly
concerned and nervous about the mission, and this is not helped when he is
shown a picture of Liquid...with a face exactly the same as him. Just as Snake
is leaving the room, preparing to prep for the mission, as an afterthought, he
ask's to borrow Naomi scissors. He begins to snip his hair- he doesn't want to
be mistaken for the terrorist's leader...
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(II) "HE'LL BE THROUGH HERE...I KNOW IT..."
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Solid Snake arrives in the lower Dock of Shadow Moses island via the SDV and
surfaces in scuba gear just in time to overhear Liquid Snake warn genome
soldiers that "he" will be through the area they are patrolling (obviously
referring to Solid Snake) before Liquid makes his way up in the freight
elevator. Snake makes his way through the guards and waits for the elevator to
return, then uses it to go to the surface. He hides behind a storage block &
contact's Campbell VIA CODEC who alerts him as to how to go about infiltrating
the main hangar of the complex where Metal Gear is stored further on. At that
point a Russian Hind-D gunship (piloted by Liquid) takes off to intercept F-16
fighters sent as a diversionary operation to allow Snake to infiltrate the
base. There is 18 hours left till the deadline is reached.
Snake goes through the base and sneaks into the DARPA chiefs (Donald
Andersons) cell through the venting system. There he confirms the worst
possibility- the terrorists can, indeed, launch a nuclear weapon. When Snake
queries that the island complex is a Nuclear weapon's storage facility, so the
terrorist's shouldn't be able to launch a weapon, Anderson reveals that Shadow
Moses Island is, infact, the site where a new weapon is in development that
will change the world with its ability to launch a nuke from anywhere on the
globe. The weapon is a new version of Metal Gear known as Metal Gear Rex. The
original 2 weapons didn't lead to the project being scrapped. It was actually
the opposite - it led to a huge joint venture between ARMSTECH and DARPA.
With the terrorists able to use Metal Gear to launch a nuke Snake ask's if
there is a way of stopping a launch. He is told that there is the PAL safety
system- 2 passwords are required to override the safety mechanisms. Donald
Anderson had one and Kenneth Baker had the other. Psyco Mantis, however,
discovered Anderson's one with his mind probing abilities. A guard (Johnny)
hears Anderson talking and tells him to shut up. Anderson, however, waves off
the guard...
The DARPA chief then informs Snake of a safety mechanism that can be employed
to override even the passwords. Apparently Kenneth Baker had the 3 keys
required to do this and was being held in the lower basement. After informing
Snake as to the means to find him Snake tells Anderson his intentions to get
him out of the cell and, ultimately, the compound. With that Anderson begins to
press Snake for details as to whether the government will give into the
terrorist's demands and whether there are any other safety measures for Metal
Gear. Snake insists, in his usual nature, he doesn't know anything. With that
the DARPA chief begins to convulse violently, falls to the ground and dies.
Snake crouches at his side to confirm his condition and contacts Naomi and
Campbell VIA CODEC where both parties conclude their belief that it was a heart
attack that killed Anderson.
Snakes rises from the DARPA chief's side and hears the muffled sounds of a
struggle in the next cell. Within a few moments his cell has unlocked. Leaving
it Snake has a gun pointed at his head by the "guard" on duty. When Snake looks
at the guard he can tell from the shaking gun pointing at him that she is
"green" and plays on her inexperience by taunting her ("Are you gonna' shoot me
rookie?") When things between them reach the tensest stage enemy guards swarm
the cell. Snake fights back immediately. The female guard just stands there
unable to say a word. While shooting the soldiers Snake shouts at the female
soldier "What are you doing? Shoot! Don't be afraid!" As if woken up, she
immediately begins shooting the guards storming the cell with her FA-MAS and
soon the threat has been eliminated. She walks to the door of the cell block
and sarcastically thanks him for his help and begins jogging to the elevator.
Just as Snake begins persuing- she turns around and shoots blindly into the
area Snake was running through, he dodges the bullets and she escapes through
the elevator. Snake looks to where she was...and hallucinates a man with a gas
mask on floating at the elevator. The mysterious figure implies he had been
controlling her at that point and disappears. Snake contacts Naomi to ask her
about it and she informs him that it was most likely "psychometric interference
coming from Psyco Mantis.." (As in, the brainwaves and thoughts of Psyco Mantis
became un-controlled and found their way into Snake's mind)
Snake takes the elevator downstairs into the armory of the compound and uses C4
explosive to gain access to a secret area where the ARMSTECH president is being
kept prisoner. When he arrives in the large room he see's the president tied to
a large central pillar. Upon closer inspection it is revealed the pillar is
booby trapped with wires that would set off C4 explosive connected amongst the
central column. At that point a gun shot is fired at Snakes feet...which he
instinctively jumps back from...and he comes face-to-face with Revolver Ocelot-
Fox Hounds torture and weapon's specialist. After a tense standoff Snake
battles Ocelot and drives him to bay. When Ocelot hides behind a pillar to
reload "...but I'm only gettin' warmed up" a quick, mysterious figure, with a
metallic exoskeleton and a long samarai sword, jumps out of nowhere and cuts
off his right hand (with its gun still in it) as well as cutting Kenneth Baker
down from his trap. Ocelot retreats and Snake confronts the figure demanding to
know who it is- "I'am like you", it says, "without a name..." it then shakes
uncontrollably and retreats. Kenneth Baker seemed to have identified the figure
as he was still regaining himself after being cut down. Helping the ARMSTECH
President to his feet, Snake sits him down against a wall and questions him
about metal gear.
Baker, to, gave the terrorist's his password. Psyco Mantis didn't succeed
because of surgical implants inside the ARMSTECH President's brain that
protected him from psycic probes. However, Revolver Ocelot used physical
torture to get Baker to talk and, in the process, broke his arm. Baker is
surprised and angry to hear the Anderson gave his password due to the mental
probes of Psyco Mantis- because he received the same surgical implants as
Baker. He is also angry when he hears that Anderson died of a heart attack-
saying its impossible and is led to believe that Snake came to the island to
"shut them up" Calming him down, Snake ask's Baker about the 3 card keys he
apparently has in his possession and Baker says that he gave them to a young
female soldier who refused to take place in the rebellion and was incarcerated.
Baker also says he was in contact with the soldier VIA the stolen guards CODEC
and tells him he could contact her by finding her number "on the back of the CD
case"
Baker also tells Snake there may be one person who could find out a way to
stop Metal Gear. Its chief engineer, Hal Emmerich, might know a way to stop or
even destroy the weapon.
Baker elaborates on the history of Metal Gear. With the end of the nuclear age
at the turn of the century it would be thought it would mean the end of the
arms race- not so. Infact, the threat of nuclear war is greater than ever he
says. With nuclear waste storage buildings filled to capacity uses for the
material's had to be found. Greater pounds of MUF (Material Unaccounted For)
are being reported every year and Russian nuclear engineer's had nowhere to
turn, except terrorism, to find employment in their fields. This proves the
existence of a well- maintained black-market for nuclear weapons. Since pretty
much any nation could afford to have a nuclear weapon's program- a new launch
system of overwhelming power was required.
ARMSTECH suffered badly due to cut back's in the military and their failure
to produce the next line of fighter jets. The construction of Metal Gear was
the company's last hope. However, the construction of Metal Gear was financed
confidentially by the Pentagon so mainstream-Government exposure to the project
was unlikely. This means that the capabilities of Metal Gear are not restricted
by "bureaucrats and hard liberals"
"Bribes?" Solid Snake asks
"I prefer to think of them as 'good business'" Baker retorts
The exercise on Shadow Moses island was to test Metal Gears
capabilities with a dummy warhead- after that the Metal Gear program was to be
formally adopted. Baker gives Snake the sole remaining copy of metal gears test
data- the main hard drive was destroyed by gunfire. The terrorist's also don't
know of the existence of the disk.
Snake ask's Baker about the mysterious Ninja that cut off Ocelot's hand-
since Baker seemed to have identified him. As Baker is explaining the cyborg to
be "FOX-HOUND's dirty little secret" and experimental genome soldier he begins
to convulse like the DARPA chief...in the process talking to himself about how
the Pentagon "actually went and did it!" His last words, before he succumbs to
a heart attack are "Their just using you to...."
Speaking to Campbell and Naomi via CODEC both parties agree that Baker died
from what appeared to be a heart attack just like Anderson. Snake ask's Naomi
about the Ninja and she stresses that no-one like it is in FOX-HOUND.
Making contact with Meryl, Snake gets her to open the door of the hangar which
will take him to the Nuclear Warhead Storage Building. She informs Snake that
the island is owned and operated by a dummy corporation of ARMSTECH (It is a
civilian base) Meryl also confirms to Snake her inexperience and her naive
views on what she believed she had to become a soldier. Snake convince's Meryl
to settle down for awhile and ask's her to meet him in the Nuclear Warhead
Storage Building. Snake goes through the hangar door but while going across the
field on the other side of it he receives a CODEC call from an unknown person
called 'Deepthroat' who warns him that a tank is behind a blast door on the
otherside of the snowfield waiting to ambush him. Sure enough, when Snake moves
on a blast is fired at him (which he just manages to dodge) and a tank roll's
out from behind the blast door. The man controlling the tank is Vulcan Raven.
Snake confuses the Tanks electronic's systems with chaff grenades and manages
to kill the gunner of the tank (a genome soldier) to destroy the it. Solid
Snake uses a card key stolen from the body to access the Nuclear Warhead
Storage Building. Vulcan Raven, inside the tank wreckage, communicates with
Liquid Snake and Revolver Ocelot (he actually names the latter "General Ivan"
in this instance- a reference to "Ivan the Terrible" A Russian historical
figure) He warn's the 2 not to underestimate Solid Snake- he is a worthy
adversary.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
(III) "CALL ME DEEPTHROAT..."
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Making his way through the storage building Snake comes to the
computer labs on floor B2...and stumbles upon a metallic hallway filled with
corpses of genome soldiers...they appeared to have been cut with a blade. Then
a barely-alive soldier stumbles around the corner saying it was a ghost...just
as another soldier is impaled on the blade of a Katana sword...by a molgy,
barely seeable figure...who walks into the computer labs. Snake follows and
see's it confronting a quivering, terrified scientist- so scared he soil's his
pants. The Ninja makes it clear to Snake that he has not taken sides (is not
there to help Snake or work against him- he is "from a world" where such terms
are meaningless) But, however, seeks battle with Snake. With that the scientist
runs into a storage closet and the ninja and Snake begin a tense hand-to-hand
combat duel (The Ninja believes that it is foolish to use weapons-
"hand-to-hand is the basis of all combat")
By the end of it the cyborg Ninja's suit is malfunctioning and
electric field's are stabbing out from all over his body. When the ninja is
finally defeated it begins to suffer the same effects as the DARPA chief and
ARMSTECH President. But instead of dying...it retreats. Snake realizes who the
Ninja is and contact's Campbell via CODEC- the Ninja is Grey Fox. His old war
Buddy from Zanzibar and Outer Heaven- believed dead. Naomi admits that he
should've died but didn't. The body of a soldier from Zanzibar was used by
Naomi's predecessor Dr. Clark into gene-therapy experiments. For 4 years he was
drugged, and fitted with a prototype exoskeleton, purely for experimental
purposes. The records say that the "ninja" died in a explosion, along with Dr.
Clark, 2 years ago. Naomi ask's if Snake will kill the Ninja- he says he would
prefer not...but that might be what he want's...
Snake walk's over to the closet where the scientist hid. After
convincing him to emerge he confirm's the scientist's identity as Metal Gears
Chief Engineer Hal Emmerich. When Snake ask's Emmerich about Metal Gear he
explain's that its a mobile TMD (Theatre Missile Defense) to be used for
defensive purposes. Angry, Snake grab's him by the collar and aggresively
tell's him the terrorist's intention to use Metal Gear as a launch system for a
nuclear warhead. Emmerich is shocked to find they plan to put a warhead in a
TMD launcher. He convinces Snake he didn't know what Metal Gear was really used
for by saying the armament of Rex was built a different department- supervised
personally by President Baker who also supervised the assembly of the final
unit. Because he wasn't involved with the armament directly Emmerich doesn't
know what Rex is truly capable of and only know's it is armed with a rail gun
(which uses magnets to fire projectiles at extremely high velocities), a laser
and vulcan cannon.
According to Emmerich, Metal Gear has a launcher on its back for 8 missiles.
Snake questions this saying that if it just used standard warhead's then all
the test data should have been collected before the exercise on Shadow Moses
Island and Otacon realises Metal Gear's co-developer Rivermore National Labs
was working on a new technology that, up until that point, had only been tested
in virtual environments. The test on Shadow Moses Island was for the new
technology. Emmerich realizes the mistake he made in being so naive in the
construction of Metal Gear and begins to blame himself (This is made all the
more worse through his families connection to nuclear weapons- his Grandfather
worked on the Manhattan project and his father was born on August 6th 1945- the
day of the Hiroshima bombing)
Emmerich to pulls himself together (thanks to some not-so urging from Snake)
and the operative ask's him about Rex's location, which Emmerich explains is in
a underground maintenance base north of the Island. Emmerich also say's that
since they haven't sent for him for a few hours they must be ready to launch.
Snake tell's him to go and hide and contact's Meryl to get her to look after
him, but before she can answer she is spotted by guards and communication with
her is abruptly cut off. Emmerich explains that if he want's to find her he has
to look in the only place where she will be by herself. Snake ask's where that
is and Emmerich blatantly tell's him not to be so naive. Emmerich also tell's
Snake to take his keycard so he can progress further through the base and as he
is handing it to him Snake begins to worry about whether he will suffer the
same affect's as the DARPA Chief and ARMSTECH President. Emmerich gets all
defensive with Snake's sudden, caring change of character and is seemingly
fine. He also tell's Snake to call him 'Otacon' (Which stands for Otacu
Convention- a person who likes Japan Animation or 'anime') Otacon originally
got into science to make robot's like the ones in the cartoons. Otacon tell's
Snake his CODEC frequency and then goes off- with the ability to hide easily
because he has a stealth unit the same as the ninjas.
Making his way out of the lab and upstairs - Snake spot's Meryl
entering the female bathroom and follows her. Inside she sneaks up on
him (again) and he confirms her identity with a few sexist comments. She talk's
to Snake about her Uncle and himself and the glory days of FOX-HOUND- they were
real heroes and there was no such thing as gene-
therapy, they didn't need it. Snake detests what she says saying that the only
heroes he knows are dead or in prison. There are no heroes in war. All Snake
believes is he is a man that is good at killing- nothing more. He has no
ambition, no ultimate goal. He establishes himself as a cold individual who
feels his best and most alive when his taking other lives. Meryl is shocked, to
say the least, at this revelation of his character.
Changing the subject Snake informs Meryl of no progress being made in the
negotiations & how, essentially, its all up to Snake. They find they have 2
options- initiate the safety system or destroy metal gear itself. However, to
use the safety system, they need the 3 card keys- Meryl has the first one but
the location of the other 2 is a mystery. Meryl works to try and convince Snake
to let her go with him- she knows the base better than him and can act as a
navigator. Snake is apprehensive knowing that Campbell would want Meryl to be
safe & that she would slow Snake down as well. He allows her after she simply
says he can shoot her if she does.
Meryl walks over the mirror and looks at herself- talking about
how she believed in following her fathers footsteps by becoming a
soldier (She thought she could understand him better by following that course
in her life) She had never used make-up or been like other girls- she had had
her heart set on the military her whole life. It had been her driving force. By
being through the experiences on Shadow Moses island she came to realize
something- up until that point she had never TRULY looked at herself. She had
never made her own dicisions. She had always viewed herself as someone who had
to follow. She cries, feeling the emotion of what she just realized. Snake, in
a disciplined and confident manner, gets her to bring herself together. This is
a war- there is no losing. They will die if they do. Realizing the importance
of their actions Meryl brings herself together & tell's him that they have to
take the commander's room in order to get to where Metal Gear is being stored-
the overland route is blocked by glaciers. They leave the bathroom and find all
of the guards have left- and as they make their way to the commanders room
Meryl begins acting weird...
When they get inside Meryl points her gun at Snake and, as if
possessed, stumbles towards him coldly yet seductively muttering sexual phrases
to him. Just when she is less than 2 feet from him a man in tight leather and a
gas mask flashes behind her, floating. Psyco Mantis. The worlds best
tactitioner of physical movement with the mind and controlling of others minds
with his own. Realizing Meryl is under his mental control and will shoot him if
he doesn't act, Snake knocks her out.
After a few quick taunt's Mantis makes his appearance again and
begins fighting with Snake. He dodges his attacks as if he knew they
were coming. In a fierce yet extraordinarily difficult hand-to-hand
combat duel Snake manages to outsmart Mantis (thanks to Campbell's help) and
defeats him.
Mantis, defeated and sprawled on the ground, is approached
ominously by Snake. Realizing he will die soon Mantis tell's Snake he
will look into his future. He then uses an out-of-body experience to
explain to Snake the way to get to where Metal Gear is being stored-
through a secret door behind a bookcase. Asking Mantis why he is helping him
Mantis explains that he has read thousands and thousands of minds & how each
one contained the same selfish and disgusting desire- to reproduce. To pass on
their DNA. Everyone was focused on the future.
Mantis helped Snake because he is different- he has no future, no past- he
lives in the moment. Mantis holds onto the belief that they aren't meant to
bring each other happiness- from the moment we enter the world we are here to
bring each other nothing but pain & misery (this is based on his awful
experiences as a child- his mother died giving childbirth to him. When he
looked into his fathers mind he saw nothing but hate & disgust for him. This
analysis of someone else's mind and the hidden elements within it waked up
Mantis's own subconscious and made him kill his father. The power that was
released from him during that episode wiped out his whole home town, of 1000
people, and horribly scarred his face making him lose his eye's and nose)
Mantis somehow "bonds" with Snake because he understands they both have
buried past's and they don't enjoy looking back on them. Mantis explains why he
became involved in the siege of the island, he didn't believe in Liquid Snake's
ideals, he just wanted to kill as many people as he could. Meryl is disgusted
and nearly hit's Mantis but Snake gets her to stop- Mantis doesn't have much
time left. This prompt's Mantis to look into Meryl's mind & he find's Snake
hold's a large place there. Nearly dead Mantis makes a last request- to have
his mask put back on. With it other people's thoughts force their way into his
mind and he is in his own "world" His last act is to move the bookcase blocking
the doorway with his telekinetic power's- he admits its the first time he used
his powers to help someone and it feels "kinda nice"
Rising from his side Snake makes his way to the secret door prompting Meryl
to follow. She stay's where she is, uncertain of herself after Mantis
manipulated her the way he did. Snake disciplines her telling her never to
doubt herself- just learn something from it and let it make her stronger.
"Snake...can I ask you something?" she says
"What?" he responds impatiently
"I was just wondering..."
"What? Whats the problem now?" Snake is being very defensive.
"Oh oh nothing...so tell me Snake. Whats your name. Your real name" she asks
innocently.
"Name means nothing on the battlefield" he responds indirectly
"How old are you?"
"Old enough to know what death looks like" It becomes apparent to Meryl that
Snake isn't interested.
"Any family?" she urges
"No, but I was raised by many people" Snake face continues to study the hall
that Mantis opened up
"Is there anybody you like?" she questions
"I've never been interested in anyone elses life..." he reluctantly responds
"So you are all alone. Just like Mantis said..."
"Other people just complicate my life! I don't like to get involved" Meryl
isn't sure if he is trying to explain it to her or himself
"Your a sad, lonely man..."
Snake ignores her comment "C'mon...lets go..." He leaves the room through the
secret doorway. Meryl follows.
Traveling through wolf-dog cavern's the 2 of them come to the communication's
towers. A large, wide pathway lead's to the entrance. Just as they begin to
make their way to the cavern's a laser-sight is pointed at Meryl. Snake yell's
at her to get down, but he is to late, Meryl is shot in the left thigh. Falling
to her knee's she is shot again in the right thigh. Now on the ground she
reaches for her pistol which she dropped- and is shot again in the arm.
Realizing the seriousness of her mistake Meryl tells Snake to leave her and
run. Or, furthermore, shoot her so he can go on with his mission. He tell's her
to save her strength. In the pain of the gunshot wound's Meryl realizes the
mistakes and the untutoredness of her feelings of being a soldier. However, she
selflessly beckons Snake to run off and never forget her. Campbell contact's
Snake and inform's him that the sniper is trying to lure him out so that he can
pick him off. Naomi add's that the sniper is most likely Sniper Wolf-
FOX-HOUND's best shooter. Campbell begins to tell Snake how to go about saving
Meryl- but Snake can tell he is getting alarmed and panicked. Snake reassures
him that he will save Meryl- but Naomi scrutinizes him. Saying that his gene's
are that of a soldier- not a savior. Snake barks back that he works on instinct
(not on his genes) and that he will save her- he doesn't need an excuse.
Backtracking to the armory Snake aquires a PSG-1 sniper rifle and heads back
to where Meryl was shot- but she has dissapeared. However, Snake can't
investigate and must deal with Sniper Wolf. He uses his sniper-rifle against
wolf and defeat's her. He makes his way towards where she retreated to look for
clues as to where Meryl went- but at the door to the base of the
communications tower he is surrounded by soldiers and is confronted by Wolf.
After she affectionately toy's with him he is knocked out and dragged off.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
(IV) 'THE BROTHER OF LIGHT...AND THE BROTHER OF DARK...'
---------------------------------------------------------------------
The unconscious operative awakes to bright, circular lights. Snake finds that
he is lying down on a metallic bed with his arms and legs shackled by solenoid
locks. Worst still, he has been striped of his equipment and is lying down
half-naked. His weariness shakes off when he hears a voice...
"Don't kill him yet...I want him alive" the voice says. "I want no more
accident's like the DARPA chief" He sounds distorted, but Snake's sure that is
because he is regaining consciousness. He then overhears a man telling others
not to kill him- it seems he want's no more accidents like the DARPA chief.
Suddenly, the voice becomes clearer. The man is talking to Snake unaware that
he is awake. Snake "stole" what was rightfully his- his birthright. He always
knew he would meet Snake and finally they do- the brother of light, and the
brother of dark. Liquid Snake. Liquid agrees to have some of his DNA taken
while he is still alive- and use it to correct the gnome soldiers mutatons but
not to "cure" them. Apparently Big Boss's DNA is required for that. With that
Ocelot realizes Snake is awake and tilt's the bed from 180 degree's to a full
90- parallel with Liquid Snake. Solid comes face-to-face with Liquid for the
first time. The first revelation made to Snake by Liquid is that they are the
last surviving son's of Big Boss. He also realizes that 8 hours have past since
the start of the mission- there are 10 hours until the deadline is reached.
Oblivious to Snake's presence the FOX-HOUND parties in the room- Ocelot, Liquid
& Wolf discuss the Ninja. It has killed twelve men- how did it learn of the
incident? Ocelot conjectures that there must be a spy amongst them...
Liquid receives a call from Vulcan Raven and must go to deal with more
negotiations- he order's Ocelot not to screw up with Solid Snake like he did
with "the chief". He also observes the seriousness of their current situation-
Mantis is dead. They also have to find out what killed "Baker and Octopus"...he
then leaves with Ocelot's correction that its an interrogation about to be
conducted on Snake- not a torture. Ocelot asks Sniper Wolf, who was quietly
hanging off in the background, if she want's to stay. She declines- citing she
has to feed her wolves. She leaves and Ocelot & Snake are left alone. Snake
asks Ocelot about the new technology on Metal Gear- Ocelot suggests Snake
contact's Campbell for the full story. He asks Snake about the optical disk
that Baker would have given him- Snake doesn't answer. Instead, he asks if
Meryl is OK. Ocelot say's she is- but they are about to play a game. When the
pain becomes to much for Snake he can submit and it will end...but if he does
he will kill Meryl.
Snake resist's Ocelot's torture with Meryl's life at stake. He is taken to a
cell in order to regain his strength. Inside he finds the DARPA's chief's
corpse- drained of blood, apparently dead for days. Campbell contact's Snake
and tell's him that the government won't give into the terrorist's demands.
Snake gets annoyed- telling him to stop playing dumb. He tell's him to talk
about the new kind of warhead for metal gear. He asks why Campbell can't "tell
the grunts" & how deep the cover-up goes. Campbell admits that up until the
previous day the President had not been briefed on the Rex project. The
President could not be informed of the Rex project because the next day himself
and his Russian counterpart are due to sign the Strategic Nuclear Missile
Reduction Treaty-3 (START) Campbell explains that that is the reason for the
terrorist's deadline- although START-2 hadn't even been ratified or the issue's
of TMD's dealt with. If the deadline for the attack went public, when START-3
was due to be signed, it could compromise the Presidents reputation & America's
place as a dominant world superpower. Campbell pleads with Snake to stop the
terrorist's insisting he is the only one who can. The government simply can't
give into their demands (The President had been vocal in his opposition to
eugenics' experiments- so the genome armies can't go public at any cost)
Campbell then tells Snake not to worry about the safety keys- his priority now
is to destroy Metal Gear itself.
Once again Snake is taken into Ocelot's chamber and "interrogated" However,
this time he simply can't last out against the pain he is enduring. He submits
to Ocelot's torture. Snake is dragged back to his cell. Campbell contact's
Snake, and he is overcome with feelings of doubt when telling Campbell that he
gave into the torture. He couldn't save Meryl- how can he save the world? Snake
gave in...he sacrificed her life to save his own. Campbell reassures Snake she
knew the risks- she was a soldier. Naomi also reminds Snake he has a mission to
do, he has to stop blaming himself. After a long pause Snake asks Naomi to talk
about herself to get his mind of the pain from the extreme-electric shock's his
body sustained, as well as the guilt he feels. She say's that it isn't a happy
topic for herself. Snake tries to compel her to talk by telling her the story
of the man who once claimed he was his father- Big Boss. She is even more
shocked to find that Snake killed Big Boss knowing that. Asking how he could,
Snake emotionlessly replies that he just needed killing, Big Boss wanted it.
Snake also explains that that action was the hidden trauma that Mantis was
talking about before he died- the one they share in common. Naomi explains that
she never had any family at all- only a big brother that put her through
school- he was much older and they weren't even blood related. Naomi ask's, as
did Meryl, if there is a woman in Snakes life. He say's he feels like he can
trust no-one after all his war experiences. Naomi then ask's if Snake has any
friends- he without hesitation replies 'Roy Campbell' (who is surprised to hear
that after all the lies he has told him) and one other man who taught Snake
alot- Frank Jaeger. Gray Fox. Naomi is very shocked by this revelation- she is
aware of their final battle. Snake counter's that they were just professional's
on opposite sides- it was nothing personal. Jaeger showed him that ropes while
Snake was still 'green' However, they didn't know each other well (Snake
believed it was like an unwritten law not to talk about personal lives) Snake
asks Naomi why she got into genetics' which she explains was because she wanted
to analyze her fate- she never knew her parents and she she could analyze where
she came from.
Snake fool's a guard, who caught a cold off Meryl and went to the bathroom,
into coming into his cell. He kill's him and escapes. He makes his way through
the facility back to where Meryl was shot. He run's past the blood-soaked
ground but then turns around and walk's back to the spot where she was shot. He
remembers her final word's to him & her willingness to sacrifice herself in
order to help Snake complete his mission. "I was a fool. I wanted to be a
soldier. But war is ugly, there's nothing glamorous about it." She had said in
enormous pain and lossing a great deal of blood "Snake...please...save
yourself. Go on living and don't give up on people. Don't forget me" she had
implored...
As his despair sinks in Snake receives a CODEC call from Campbell who
reassure's Snake that he knows he did all he could. He say's Meryl was a
soldier and was prepared for that. She joined up of her own free will. But
Snake say's his wrong- she felt she had to become a soldier to better
understand her father. He also say's that Meryl was never prepared for real
combat. Snake's old mentor, FOX-HOUND survival instructor Master Miller, then
interrupt's their conversation. He tell's Snake he can have regret's- its only
natural. But he can't let it interfere with his mission. Mei Ling, Snake's
communications support person, back's him up. Then Naomi join's in adding that
Meryl must be special to Snake. Snake moves around a direct answer (yet again)
and in doing so reminds Campbell of a personal joke about Naomi's Grandfather.
Apparently he rose as high as Assistant Director of the FBI during Edgar
Hoover's time. Naomi add's that he was Japanese. However, Master Miller is
skeptical, and presses Naomi for details. She answer's in a UN-confident manner
the questions then abruptly wishes Snake good luck and disconnects.
Snake makes his way up a massive communications tower- which he must pass in
order to make it to the Metal Gear storage hangar. But when he reaches the top
the large communications dish is blown up- as well as the bridge connecting the
2 rooftops. Then Liquid Snake appears in the Hind D gunship. He taunt's Snake
with the helicopter's loudspeaker and Snake makes the only escape possible- by
abseiling down the side of the building. He succeed's and arrives at the
mid-section platform connecting the 2 tower's. He takes the bridge across
to Tower B and rises through the tower. However, near the top, he comes across
Otacon. Otacon ask's Snake if he ever loved someone. Snake is confused- did he
come all that way just to ask him that? But Otacon rephrases- asking if love
can bloom even on the battlefield. Snake says it can, he believes it can bloom
anywhere, anytime. But if you love someone you have to be able to protect them.
Snake asks Otacon to fix the elevator in Tower B so he can access the bottom of
the Tower to which he says he'll take care of it. Meanwhile Snake has to swat
down a bothersome fly...
Reaching the roof of Tower B Liquid surprises Snake by appearing suddenly in
the Hind. He shines his spotlight on Solid Snake and bid's farewell to his
"brother" Solid demands to know why his calling him that- "I'am you!" Liquid
says "I'm your shadow! Why don't you ask your father? I'll send you to hell to
meet him!!!" Snake uses a newly acquired Stinger missile launcher to shoot
down the Hind. After many hit's the chopter finally crashes "See you in hell
Liquid" he says. A large fireball climbs up the side of the building and
disapates above Snake "that takes care of the cremation..." he remarks. Snake
then makes his way to the base of the tower B and notices a parachute in the
trees. He recieves a CODEC call from Campbell and the 2 discuss Snakes find.
They both conjecture the parachute was left in the tree as a warning to
Snake...from Liquid...
He has little time to recover from the relevation that Liquid may still be
alive as he is soon sniped on the snowfield. He call's Otacon who confirms it
is Sniper Wolf who is shooting at him. However, Otacon sounds happy. When
questioned Otacon pleads with Snake not to kill her. He claims she's a good
person. Snake, of course, disagrees with him trying to make him see she's a
merciless killer. However, Wolf interrupts the CODEC conversation. She taunt's
Snake and order's Otacon not to g et in their way. In a silent yet deadly
battle across the expansive snowfield Wolf is murdered by Snake. Believing her
to be dead he makes his way to the warehouse where Metal Gear is being stored,
however, on the way he see's a lone figure spawled on the ground.
Lying down and coughing up blood Sniper Wolf is nearly dead.
"I've been waiting for this moment all my life" she whispers "I'am a
sniper...waiting is my job." Wolf, with her last strength, urges Snake to kill
her. She can't be saved- Snake has to put her out of her misery.
"I'am a Kurd...I always dreamt of dying in a peaceful place like this" she
studies the tree's and star-filled night sky.
"I was born on the battlefield. Raised on the battlefield. Gunfire, sirens and
screams were my lullabies. Hunted like dogs...day after day. Driven from our
ragged shelters" She looks at Snake's eyes
"Everyday I would wake up and find another one of my family or friends dead
beside me. I'd stare at the morning sun and pray to make it through the day"
Her story becomes even more tragic;
"The government's of the world turned a blind eye to our misery. But then one
day he appeared. My hero- 'Saladin' He took me away from all that"
"Saladin? You mean Big Boss?" Snake eases out.
Wolf ignores his question "I became a sniper. Hidden, watching everything
through a rifle scope. Now I could see war...not from the inside..but from the
outside, as an observer. I watched the brutality, the stupidity of mankind
through the scope of my rifle I joined this group of revolutionaries to take my
revenge on the world." Her heart sinks;
"I have shamed myself and my people. I'am no longer the wolf I was born to be.
I sold my body and my soul. I'am nothing more than a dog..."
"Wolves are noble animals, their not like dogs" Snake assures her "In Yupik,
the word for 'wolf' is 'Kegluneq' and the Aleut's revere them as honorable
cousins. They call mercenaries like us 'The Dog's of War' And its true- we're
all up for sale at one price or another." He continues to crouch next to her
"But your different...untamed...solitary. Your no dog- your a wolf"
"Who are you?" she asks "Are you Saladin?"
Snake chooses to ignore her question "Wolf...you spared Meryl's life"
"She was never my target...I don't kill for sport..." she explains.
"I finally understand" her eyes grow wide, speaking her thoughts "Now I finally
understand. I wasn't waiting to kill people...I was waiting to be killed" She
looks over at Snake again. "A man like you...your a hero. Please...set me
free..."
Just as Snake stands, his SOCOM pointed at her head, Otacon decloaks in the
distance. She beacon's to her rifle, which she dropped on the ground, and
Otacon brings it over.
"This gun is a part of me" she hugs it against her chest.
"Everyone is here now. OK hero...set me free..." She ask's with her last ounce
of strength.
Otacon turns his back and block's his ear's.
"Goodbye Wolf" he whispers...
Snake shoots her in the forehead. The powerful sound of the gunshot echoing
throughout the snowfield. Snake then places her handkerchief on top of her head
covering the bullet wound.
"Why are you returning it?" Otacon asks
"Because I don't have anymore tears to shed" he responds. Otacon begins to sob.
"We're out of time. I have to act. Get away from this island...get a start on
your new life" he says to Otacon.
"I want to stay and help you" Otacon manages to say through his grief
"Find a safe place to hide and stay in touch.." he advises Otacon. He turns and
begins to walk off. But just as Snake is nearly out of sight, the snow covering
him up, Otacon yell's to him.
"Snake! What was Wolf fighting for? What are the terrorist's fighting for? What
are we fighting for?"
Snake, almost obscured in black, looks back at Otacon. "If we make it through
this I'll tell you!" he yells back
"OK...I'll be looking to..." Otacon responds to the darkness. He turns on his
camo unit and runs back to the tower...
---------------------------------------------------------------------
(V) HOT & COLD
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Snake makes his way through to the entrance to the underground base & the
blast furnace of the facility. But as he is catching a large freight elevator
down the bottom of the base he receives a CODEC call from Master Miller. Before
anything he ask's Snake to make sure the conversation is secure. Snake ensures
it is which prompt's Miller to say he was in the FBI and, because of that, has
found many error's in Naomi's story about her Grandfather. He says it was all a
big lie. Snake is disbelieving and Miller add's to his story that Naomi might
be a spy. He informs Snake of the exact error's in Naomi's story about her
grandfather- which are well founded. Miller observes that with the mysterious
deaths of the ARMSTECH President & the DARPA Chief and the mysterious Ninja- to
many strange things are happening. Snake suggests that she might be behind it-
Miller say's either that or she is with the terrorist's.
Snake makes his way off the elevator and gets into the underground storage
warehouse. On top of the massive crates of the room a dark, massive figure
begins to lurk- with a large ammo back on his back and 20mm Cannon in his arms.
Vulcan Raven. He begins to taunt Snake & mentally paralyses him then control's
a bird to place the "mark of death" on his cheek.
Vulcan begins to elaborate on Snake's history- stating that Eastern blood
flow's through his vein's and his ancestor's were raised on the plains of
Mongolia. Apparently the Japanese & him are cousin's. Vulcan metaphorically
comment's that although Snakes & Vulcan's are not the best of friends,
nethertheless they will have a glorious battle.
Snake hopelessly tries to reason with Raven "This isn't glorious, its just
plain killing! Violence isn't a sport!"
"Well we'll see if there's iron in your words" Raven taunts
The deadly battle between Snake & Vulcan Raven ravages on for several minutes.
Snake hides himself amongst the boxes while Raven shoot's overwhelmingly with
his cannon. However, Snake comes out the victor. Raven, his strength depleted,
brace's himself against a wall for support. He begin's to reinforce "the
boss's" idea that his existence in the world is no longer needed. His body, as
well as his spirit, shall leave so that he may return to mother Earth and
become one with the ravens.
"SNAKE! I WILL BE WATCHING YOU!" He declares. Then, like Mantis, he assist's
Snake by giving him a security clearance card. Raven explains that he is
helping him because Snake is not one that was created by nature- Snake & Liquid
are from a different world that Raven does not wish to know about. Before dying
Vulcan say's he will give Snake a clue, when Snake saw the DARPA Chief die in
front of him, it wasn't the DARPA chief at all- it was Decoy Octopus. He was
able to deceive Snake, but he couldn't deceive the angel of death. Snake is
confused- why did he impersonate the chief? Why go to all the trouble? Vulcan
simply states he must solve the rest of the riddle himself. At that point the
birds that surrounded Raven in the warehouse begin to converge on him and start
eating at his flesh. Snake turn's his back on him and begins to walk off as
Raven is quickly pecked away. The words of Raven continue to haunt Snake; "In
the natural world there is no such thing as boundless slaughter. But you...you
are different"
"What do you mean?" Snake had asked
"Your path is littered by the corpses of people you have killed. They will
haunt you forever. You will have no peace"
Snake turn's around. Raven's body is gone, leaving only the gun in its wake.
Miller contact's Snake about Naomi. Before the monitor can be switched off
Campbell interrupts and ask's what it is about Naomi. Miller reluctantly let's
him in on their speculation about Naomi. Miller reveal's that Dr. Naomi Hunter
is not Dr. Naomi Hunter at all. There was once a Naomi Hunter- that disappeared
in the middle east. Campbell ask's who she is- Miller reluctantly suggests
she's a spy to
him. Master speculates she may have been sent to sabotage the operation.
Campbell also suggests she might have been part of the uprising. Master goes
further to suggest she might be part of a different group altogether. Master
say's she must be arrested. When Campbell say's their in big trouble if she is
with the terrorist's- Master angrily ask's Campbell if it has anything else to
do with the deaths of the DARPA Chief & ARMSTECH President. Campbell doesn't
know. In any case, Master say's, Naomi can't be allowed to participate any
further in the operation. But Campbell say's the mission can't be completed
without her, this confirms something to Snake, he is hiding something. Campbell
tell's Snake to give him sometime, when he is questioned about this.
Filled with feelings of doubt Snake arrives in the massive hangar where Metal
Gear is stored. However there are no guards there. Otacon call's Snake & Snake
ask's him about this- Otacon speculates that they might be ready to launch. He
also say's he hasn't found out about the PAL safety system- his found something
just as good. He accessed the secret Metal Gear file and found the secret
technology on Rex- the warhead is fired from the railgun like a projectile. The
missile's won't use fuel so, henceforth, it isn't considered a missile. This
means it can get around all kinds of international treaties. But the even more
shocking fact is its a stealth weapon. Although work had been conducted on a
stealth missile since the 70's they could only develop it now because the
propulsion system would show up on radar. The warhead's are also surface
piercing so they can reach into hardened bunkers. Otacon also say's that if
word got out of Metal Gear it could delay START-3, possibly get the US
denounced by the UN & even bring down the President.
Snake ask's the colonel if he knew about the real capabilities- Campbell
admits he did & doesn't make excuses. Otacon say's the result's of the exercise
were better than what they expected- but he can't find the actual data. Snake
say's he had it- but Ocelot took it (seemingly much to Campbell's dismay) Snake
ask's for Otacon's opinion on whether they can launch or not- Otacon say's they
can most probably. The dummy warhead's are designed to be identical to the real
ones so they should launch fine. Otacon gets back to trying to find out how
activate PAL by looking through Baker's files.
Snake makes his way up and over metal gear arriving at the command room where
he see's Liquid & Ocelot talking. He hides and overhears the pairs
conversation. Liquid confirms that no response has been given from America and
changes the prime target, at Ocelot's question, from Tuniton, Russia to
Lochnaw, China. When Ocelot questions why the change Liquid states he wouldn't
want to upset Ocelot & Galouchovich (its their homeland) but Ocelot is
skeptical & Liquid say's its really because if they nuke a major population
centre "the game is over" However, Lochnaw is a nuclear test site (it can still
be covered up) If Lochnaw is attacked Washington will be worried about the
retaliatory strike- which would mean top-secret talks between the 2 countries
resulting in America having to divulge the existence of a new & advanced type
of nuclear weapon. This would also mean a breach of the CBTB (Comprehensive
Test Ban Treaty. A treaty reached by the UN at the Geneva conference abolishing
all forms of Nuclear Testing) meaning America's reputation would be in ruins
and several nations would flock to the terrorist's wanting to purchase Metal
Gears information off them. Liquid is sure this plan will ensure the President
gives into their demands. Ocelot reiterates their demands- Big Boss's DNA & 1
billion dollars. Liquid reveals that the money can be used to cure the genome
soldiers & he is also including something called the "Foxdie" vaccine as part
of the deal..
Ocelot observes that Foxdie killed Decoy Octopus & the ARMSTECH President.
It seems that it affect's older people first, according to Ocelot. He
speculates that maybe it didn't affect Mantis because of his mask, and Liquid
speculates it didn't affect Wolf because of all the tranquilizer's she
continuously took. Maybe its due to the amount of adrenaline in the blood?
Maybe because Foxdie is experimental?
Liquid changes the subject regarding their ally in the terrorist attack-
Colonel Serge Gurlukuvich. He ask's if they have heard from him. Ocelot say's
that Galouchovich still has doubt's over the capabilities of Metal Gear, they
can talk after the test launch is successful & Liquid observes his very
cautious nature. But Ocelot reassures him- Gurlukuvich wants Metal Gear so bad
he can taste it. He say's that if Russian wants to regain its strength as a
military superpower they need a weapon that can't be detected- they need Metal
Gear. However, Liquid is irritated at Gurlukuvich plans to use nuclear weapon's
as a way to restore their superiority- his army is in shambles. Liquid feels
Galouchovich is more worthy of the title of "politician" than "warrior"
However, Ocelot defends him, revealing that Gurlukuvich was the one that gave
them the Hind Russian Gunship and most of their heavy firepower. Liquid
suggests that they join forces with Gurlukuvich- he has over 1000 soldier's
under his control. An alliance is just what's required- since Mantis died the
genome armies brainwashing has begun to wear off. An alliance could boose the
morale of the soldiers. Ocelot say's they can still escape- but Liquid refuses-
They are going to dig in. He reaffirms their position- they can launch a
nuclear missile, to anywhere on the planet, that can't be detected. They also
have spare warheads. Once they have Big Boss's DNA & the money- the world will
be theres! Ocelot ask's about Gurlukuvich's position in all this- Liquid simply
states he has no interest in the rebirth of "mother Russia" Liquid is going to
revive Big Boss's dream "from this day call this place 'Outer Heaven!'"
Ocelot spot's Solid Snake on the video monitor but continues talking with
Liquid about the PAL safety system. They discuss how, since it is the only
thing that can stop them launching, its the number one priority. However they
conclude that Snake doesn't have it in his possession. Ocelot also ask's Liquid
about "the girl" asking if he want's her killed. Liquid refuses- knowing that
Solid Snake care's for her & that can be used to exploit a weakness in him. At
that point Snake receives an CODEC call from Otacon. Snake learns that Otacon
has accessed the top-secret files of Metal Gear. Otacon tell's Snake that if
the PAL is used when the warhead is active, it deactivates it. And vice- versa.
When Snake questions that he only has one key Otacon surprisingly say's he
already has all 3 keys. The one card, it seems, is made of a Shape Memory
Alloy. It changes shape at different temperatures- all Snake has to do is use
it at room temperature, cool it and use it & heat it up and use it. When Snake
looks into the command room to see the terminals that Otacon directs him to
use the cards in Ocelot see's his arm and shoots at him. This causes Snake to
drop the card into a drainage ditch. Liquid spot's Snake when he runs after the
card & taunt's him from behind bullet-proof glass. At that point a red alert
goes off and Snake must fight his way past genome soldier's that Liquid has
alerted. Snake makes his way back to the command room at a later time, when
Ocelot & Liquid have left, and uses the key at room temperature. He then makes
his way to the warehouse where he fought Vulcan Raven & cools the card there.
After he uses the cooled card & he makes his way to the blast furnace, the
hottest place in the facility, Snake receives a CODEC call from Master Miller
who, once again, ensures that the CODEC monitor is off. Miller states he has a
good friend in the pentagon and used him to find out about a assassination
weapon called Foxdie. Miller ask's Snake if he knows about it- but Snake can
only say he heard Ocelot & Liquid mention it. Miller say's its a virus that
targets & kill's specific people. He also can't bring himself to deny that fact
that the manner it kill's people is to similar to the deaths of the DARPA Chief
& ARMSTECH President. It mimic's a heartattack. Snake, also, can't believe that
Naomi was behind it when he understands what Miller is trying to say when he
ask's if she gave Snake any injections. But Snake know's she did- the nano
machines that monitor his body temperature & condition. Miller speculates she
was in the best position- however he doesn't know her motive. When Snake ask's
Campbell whats new with Naomi, since he was going to ask him if he knew about
Foxdie, Campbell say's he placed her under arrest because she was sending coded
messages to the Alaskan base. Campbell is sure at this point that she is with
the terrorist's. Miller supposes that since Naomi might be involved in the
Foxdie incident the vaccine must be around somewhere. Snake shrug's it off
saying he has more important things to worry about- but Miller worries that
Snake might have been infected with Foxdie as well. All he can do, Snake says,
is leave it up to the colonel.
Snake makes his way to the blast furnace and heats up the card. On his way
back to the command room, however, he receives a CODEC call from Naomi. Naomi
explains that she's using a hidden CODEC. Snake ask's if what's was said about
her was true- she admits it is...but not everything was a lie. She did get into
genetics for a genuine reason. She didn't know her parents, she doesn't even
know who she is- she bought her identification. She became involved in genetics
because she wanted to know her age, race. Anything at all. In Rhodesia (what is
now known as Zimbabwe) she was found sometime in the 80's- an Orphan. Due to
the English owning the nation until 1965 there were many Indian laborer's
around and she conjectures that is where she got her skin color from. But she
isn't even sure about that. She becomes angry at Snake's suggestion that she
worry about herself now- stop worrying about the past. No-one else has worried
about her. Naomi say's she was alone...until she met her big brother...Frank
Jaeger. Snake is shocked & amazed at this unexpected twist. Naomi explains that
she was nearly dead from starvation- but Jaeger shared his rations with her.
And Solid Snake was the man that took away her only family. Jaeger & Naomi
survived together- he protected her. She was in Mozambique when Big Boss came.
He brought them to America. However, Jaeger & Big Boss returned to Africa to
continue to fight & thats when Snake destroyed her only source of support.
Naomi says vowed revenge & joined FOX-HOUND. For 2 years she waited, knowing
that being in FOX-HOUND was the best way of meeting Snake, and she became
entangled in the current crisis. She also say's she will get Liquid & the
others. When questioned by Snake Naomi admits she was partly wrong about him &
doesn't hate him. Snake also ask's if she killed her predecessor, Dr. Clark.
Naomi say's that Gray Fox did that- she helped cover it up to look like an
accident & helped Gray Fox hide out. Snake ask's for her opinion on Fox- does
he want to kill him? Naomi say's she didn't understand before- but now she
thinks she does. Gray Fox believes in a final battle with Snake- thats all he
lives for. Snake can't believe it. Snake begins to ask Naomi a question but she
automatically finishes it off- about Foxdie. She explains its a retro virus
that target's & kill's specific people by essentially carrying the virus along
the bloodstream to the heart. There it connect's with the heart cell's &
mimic's a heart attack. Snake ask's if it was programmed into him- Naomi can't
bring herself to answer. He reassure's her that he doesn't blame her for
wanting him dead- but he still has a job to do. Naomi then reveals a shocking
fact...she wasn't the one that made the dicision to use Foxdie. It was injected
into Snake as a part of the operation. Just as Naomi begins to tell Snake
something else, something seemingly more important, communication is abruptly
cut off. She is wrestled away from the CODEC & Campbell returns. He tell's
Snake he can't let Naomi make any more unauthorized transmissions- she's not a
part of the operation. Campbell ignores Snake's enraged accusations of
double-crossing & demanding to know what Naomi said about Foxdie being a part
of the operation. Instead he order's Snake to stop Metal Gear- that being the
number one priority at the moment.
Filled with suspicion for Campbell Snake find's his way back to the command
room of Metal Gear. After he enter's the 3rd PAL key the siren's in the room
begin to activate acknowledging the acceptance of the 3rd key. But the computer
voice announces that the detonation code has been activated! Angry & confused
Snake gets a CODEC call from Master Miller- who thanks him. He say's nothing
can stop Metal Gear now & also apologizes for getting him involved in "that
silly shape memory alloy business" Master explains that he couldn't learn the
DARPA chief's detonation code & even Mantis couldn't read his mind and then
Ocelot accidentally killed him. Because of this "they" couldn't launch- and
understandably "they" were getting pretty worried. Thats when they decided they
might be able to use Snake. They believed they could get the info from him- so
Decoy Octopus was made to disguise as the DARPA Chief- unfortunately Foxdie
killed him. Solid angrily ask's if he had it planned from the beginning to get
Snake to plant the detonation code- Master is shocked by his naivity. He feigns
that he can't believe Snake believed he got it that far by himself. Once again
Master ignore's Snake demand to know who he is- instead saying that the launch
preparations are complete. Once the world glimpses the power of the weapon they
will have no choice but to hand over the Foxdie vaccine. Master observes that
the Pentagon's 'Ace-in-the-hole' is useless now. Their plan to use Snake was
successful- in the torture room. Master is sarcastically amazed, Snake is the
only one that doesn't know, he pities him. Snake once again demands to know who
he is talking to- Master teases saying he will answer all when he finds him- he
very close by. Campbell then interupts- the man Snake has been talking with
hasn't been Master Miller, his body was just found in his house. He looked like
it had been dead for 3 days, Campbell didn't know because his CODEC link with
Master was cut. However, when Mei Ling did a line
search, she found it was coming from inside the base! Snake ask's who it is and
before Campbell can answer Master say's, in a totally different yet instantly
recognized voice, "Me...dear brother" He then take's off his sunglasses &
undoes his pony tail- revealing the face of Liquid Snake. At this shock
revelation Liquid tells Snake he can die- he has outlived his usefulness. The
command room door seal's and begins to fill with poisonous gas. However, thanks
to Otacon's hacking skill's, the door is unlocked again and Snake run's
outside. There he see's Liquid & chases after him.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
(VI) "WE'RE NOT TOOLS OF THE GOVERNMENT..."
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Solid Snake catches up with Liquid right next to Metal Gears cockpit. The
mercenary point's his gun at Liquid- but holster's it on Liquid's simple
question that he'd shoot his own brother? Liquid discloses that he disguised as
Master so that he could manipulate Snake more easily. And he also admits Snake
did well- though the "boys at the Pentagon" would probably be saying the same
thing as well. According to Liquid, Snake has lost his warrior's pride-
justified by Liquid's observation that Solid is following order's with no
question's asked. Snake is no more than a pawn. Rescuing the hostages &
stopping the nuke launch was a just a diversion, according to Liquid. The
Pentagon needed Solid Snake to come into contact with all the terrorist's &
kill them so that they could retrieve Metal Gear undamaged as well as the
bodies of the genome soldiers- all Snake was was used as a tool to spread
Foxdie.
Snake is shocked- does that mean that Naomi was working with the Pentagon?
Liquid say's that they thought she was- but she obviously couldn't be
controlled to easily. A spy Liquid knew in the Pentagon revealed that Naomi
changed the Foxdie program before the operation- but Liquid doesn't know how or
why. Snake wonder's as well. Maybe she was arrested to find that out? Liquid
had no idea she was motivated by such petty revenge. They still don't know what
changes she made to the Foxdie program- but that doesn't matter because Liquid
has added to vaccine to his list of demands. Snake ask's if there actually is
one- Liquid would assume there is but acknowledges that only Dr. Naomi Hunter
really knows.
It might not even be necessary, Liquid admits. Foxdie did kill the ARMSTECH
President & Decoy Octopus but Ocelot, himself & Solid Snake remain uninfected.
It might possibly be a bug- but if Snake isn't infected then Liquid certainly
has no reason to worry. After all, he explains, there genetic code is
identical. Snake half say's & half ask's 'its true'- their twins? Liquid say's
yes but not ordinary twin's. They're linked by cursed genes. Solid Snake
received Big Boss's dominant genes. Liquid got the flawed recessive genes.
Everything was done so that Solid could be the greatest. The only reason Liquid
exists so that Solid could be created. Liquid angrily ask's Snake if he knows
what its like to know you were garbage from the day you were born? He got all
the leftovers. Snake shakes his head in pity. However, Big Boss chose Liquid.
And that's the reason Liquid is obsessed with Big Boss he ask's. Like some kind
of twisted love. Liquid shockingly say's 'Love? Its Hate!' Big Boss would
always remind Liquid he was inferior & Solid Snake killed Big Boss with his own
hands. He stole Liquid's chance for revenge. Liquid want's to finish Big Boss's
dream- he will surpass him. He will destroy him. Solid say's his just like
Naomi- motivated by revenge. But Liquid concurs he is not like Naomi- his proud
of the destiny imbedded into his genes. With that Liquid jump's into the
cockpit of Metal Gear before Snake can get a shot off at him. The tremendous
battle tank begins to tremble & begins to elevate on a raised platform. It
reaches into a large hangar and begins to sit. Intimidatingly quiet.
Metal Gear has finally been activated. Liquid mocks Snake who can do nothing
against the overwhelming fire power of the nuclear equipped walking tank. Snake
gets Otacon's advice via CODEC that if he destroys the radome it will disable
all sensor's & force Liquid to open the cockpit and shoot inside it to destroy
metal Gear. Snake, while dodging insistant missile attack's and heavy machine
gun fire, manages to hit the radome enough to make the large weapon to start to
shudder. It finally surges to a halt and rests. For a few moments it sit's
still- until Liquid mockingly congratulates "Nice try!" Just as the tank
regains its feet and begins to stomp towards Snake Gray Fox decloaks and lands
on the ground in front of him. The foot of Metal Gear tramples to Snake, but
something dart's underneath it before it can stomp on Snake. Fox, underneath
the staggering weight, admits he was the one who contacted him called
'Deepthroat'
"You look terrible Snake...you have aged well" he observes
Snake turn's around and runs. When the weight of Metal Gear becomes to much Fox
uses the weight to spring himself out into a series of intricate flips.
Regainging his composure he fires his plasma cannon at the radome. This causes
Liquid to loose the pair of mercenaries as they hide behind a cargo container.
As Metal Gear hastily searches for them amongst the immense hangar Snake and
Gray Fox finally meet.
"Fox...what do you want?" Snake asks
"I'am a prisoner of death" he responds "Only you can set me free!"
"You have to stay out of this...for Naomi's sake" Snake begs "She's hell bent
on taking revenge for you and only you can stop her!"
"I can't Snake because...because...I was the one that killed her parents!" he
reveals "I was young I couldn't bring myself to kill Naomi as well. So I took
Naomi in, like my own blood, to soothe my own guilty conscience"
Snake is awe-struck. To much is happening at once.
"We might have looked like a happy brother and sister, but everytime I looked
into her eyes I saw her parents staring back at me!" Fox admits. "Tell
her...tell her I was the one that did it!"
Liquid spot's them behind the container "There you are!" he blast's out through
Metal Gear's loudspeaker.
"We're out of time!" Fox alerts "I'll stop it from moving!"
Running out from behind the container, in a stunning display of skill &
bravery, Liquid goes up against the immense weapon. After shooting its radome
and losing his arm, yet continuing to fight, Fox jumps 30 meters up onto a
ledge bringing him at the same level as the cockpit. Just as he flip's around
and is about to shoot, Metal Gear run's full-speed into him- the cockpit
pinning him up against the wall. Liquid mocks Snake over the loudspeaker
"In the Middle East we don't hunt Foxes, we hunt jackals!" Liquid teases. "What
are you going to do Snake? Stand their and watch him die?"
Summing up all his strength Fox uses his one arm, free from being pinned, to
fire his plasma cannon."A cornered Fox is more dangerous than a Jackal!" Gray
Fox manages to urge out. Blast after blast hit's the radome before it is
finally destroyed.
Metal Gear takes a step back and the cockpit falls open, Liquid safely tucked
away inside. "You are indeed worthy of the codename 'Fox'" he congratulates.
"Snake! Fire the Stinger!!" urges Fox, wanting the pain & suffering to end.
Snake can't bring himself to fire the Stinger at the cockpit and kill Liquid-
he'll hit Fox to.
"After Zanzibar, I was taken from the battle" he whispers out in great pain
"Neither truly alive...nor truly dead. An endless shadow in a world of light.
But now...now it finally ends..."
The tip of Metal Gear nudges Fox from the ledge and brings him crashing to the
ground. Landing in a violent and heavy heap, Liquid finally put's an end to Fox
by stamping him on the ground with the immense leg. Under its giant foot- Fox
utters his final words;
"Snake...we're not tool's of the government or anyone else. Fighting was the
only thing...the only thing I was good at. But atleast...I always fought for
what I believed in. Snake...farewell..." Fox is then finally crushed by Metal
Gear and succumbs to a world of shadow.
"You see Snake you can't protect anyone...not even your friends!" Liquid mocks
heartlessly over the loudspeaker. "DIE!"
Firing his stinger in anger and grief Snake manages to execute enough rocket's
into the cockpit, sending Metal Gear crashing towards to ground. It erupts in a
violent explosion and site's dead on the hangar. the force of the explosion
propels Snake backwards into the hard, metal wall. Just before he loses
consciousness he spot's Liquid slowly & patiently walking towards him...
---------------------------------------------------------------------
(VII) LES ENFANTS TERRIBLES
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Snake wakes up to find himself on top of the "head" of Metal Gear
with his hands tied with Liquid Snake standing over him. He comments how he is
still alive "I cannot die as long as you live" remark's Liquid. Snake is
unfazed and rub's in the fact that Metal Gear is destroyed- now Liquids
revolution is a failure. But just because Metal Gear is destroyed, Liquid
say's, doesn't mean he's done fighting. Snake asks Liquid what he really
want's- to which Liquid replies he want's a world where warriors are honored as
they once were "Thats how it should be!" remark's the leader of the
insurrection. Snake says that was Big Boss's dream- but Liquid corrects that it
was his dying wish. When Big Boss was young, during the Cold war, the world
needed people like him. They were valued and desired. Things, though, are
different now. With the bureaucrats & hypocrites running the world war isn't
what it used to be. People like Solid & Liquid Snake are losing their place in
a world that no longer needs them. The whole world contempts their very
existence. Liquid lays out his plans- after he launches the weapon and gets 1
billion dollar's they can bring chaos & order "back to a world gone soft"
Liquid plans that conflict's & conflicts will begin & reunite hatred's- then
they can expand their "sphere of influence"
However, Snake say's that as long as there are people there will be wars. The
problem, Liquid says, is balance. Big Boss knew the correct balance- this is
what made him such a great warrior. "Is that the only reason?" ask's Solid
Snake. "Its reason enough...for people like us..." remark's Liquid. Snake
quickly retort's he doesn't want a world like that- Liquid say's his lying. Why
is he here then? Why does he follow orders while his superiors betray him?
Liquid answer's it for him- he enjoys the killing. Solid can't believe what
Liquid has said about him. But he can't argue it- he has killed all of Liquid's
comrades. Liquid has seen his face when he did it- filled with the joy of
battle. He say's they can't deny it- they were created to be that way. Solid
questions the use of the word "created" and Liquid explains.
'Les Enfants Terrible' (The Terrible Children) the project was called & was
started in the 70's. It was a plan to artificially create the most powerful
soldier possible. The model for that was taken from what was then known as the
best soldier in the world- Big Boss. He was wounded in combat and in coma when
he was brought in. Solid & Liquid were created from his cell's with a
combination of 20th Analogue cloning & the superbaby mechanism. The superbaby
mechanism involved fertilizing a egg with Big Boss's cells & letting it divide
into 8 cloned babies. These were then transferred into a uterus but later 6 of
the babies were intentionally aborted to promote strong feutal growth. Liquid &
Solid were originally octuplets- 6 babies were sacrificed so they could be
created. Liquid says they were accomplices in murder before they were even
born. Liquid & Solid both has the DNA but their creators weren't done yet.
Liquid was used as a guinea pig to create a phenotype in which all the dominant
gene's were expressed- to create Solid Snake. Liquid got all the recessive
genes & Solid took everything away from Liquid before they were born.
Liquid then goes further to reveal that they are not the only children. The
genome soldiers are Big Boss's as well, carrying his genetic legacy. With the
completion of the human genome project, the mysteries of humanity were laid
bare with Big Boss's DNA. With that they found nearly 60 "soldier" genes
covering everything from strategic thinking to the "proverbial killer instinct"
These soldier genes were then injected into the Next-Generation Special Forces-
that is how they became "genome soliders" But they were the results of numerous
sacrifices...specifically human experiments. In 1991, the Gulf War, the
military secretly injected soldiers with 'soldier genes' The so-called 'Gulf
War syndrome' that hundreds of thousands of returning servicemen reported was a
side affect of the experiments. When Solid laugh's what Liquid say's off, with
the statement that it was really caused by exposure to depleted uranium in the
anti-tank rounds, Liquid say's that was just a cover story the Pentagon made.
The poison gas detection units & anti-serin injections were all just lies used
to cover the experiments. Solid also realizes that that means the Gulf War
babies, that vets of the war have reported, are their brothers & sisters as
well. Solid interpret's this to mean that the genome experiments were a
success- but Liquid angrily confirms it was a failure.
Liquid uses the 'assymetry theory' to explain why it was a
failure. Nature favors the assymetry theory. All species that have gone extinct
show signs of symmetry and Liquid & Solid Snake do as well. They are all on the
verge of death at a genetic level. They don't when or what disease will occur-
thats why they need Big Boss's genetic information. Solid is humorously
touched- Liquid want's the information to save his "family" but Liquid puts it
into perspective- in nature animals that don't mate with each other to help
each other- they do it to survive because they want to pass on their genetic
information. Autism amongst blood relatives is a response to natural selection
(called the 'selfish gene' theory) Solid is amazed- Liquids gene's are telling
him to save the genome soldiers? Liquid says you can't fight your genes- its
fate. All living things are created for the sole purpose of passing on their
genes. Liquid will follow what his genes tell him. He'll go beyond it & break
the curse of his heritage. And to do that he must kill Solid Snake.
Liquid tell's Snake to turn around- Meryl is lying down unmoving. Snake is
shocked & tensely asks Liquid if Meryl is alive- he replies that she was a few
hours ago, and the poor girl kept on crying out his name. Liquid is
disappointed in her- falling in love with a man with no name. Solid says he has
a name, but Liquid barks back "No!" They have no name, no past, no future. And
even if they did it wouldn't be theres- they are just copies of Big Boss. Snake
doesn't care- he just wants Liquid to let Meryl go. Liquid says he will...as
soon as their finished. "We're almost out of time" Not from Foxdie, Liquid
reassures, because the Pentagon apparently knows of Metal Gears destruction &
are launching a BDA. Liquid prompt's Solid to call the Colonel if he wants the
full details.
Snake CODEC's Campbell and ask's him what the Pentagon is trying to do-
Campbell say's the secretary of defense has taken over the mission & is on his
way via AWACS to bomb the place. Not only that, B2 bombers have just lifted off
from nearby Galena base armed with Surface Piercing Nuclear Bombs. Snake
frantically tell's Campbell that Metal Gear is destroyed, but Campbell reveals
that the secretary of defense knows that Naomi double-crossed them & is worried
about Foxdie. Now that there is no more danger from Metal Gear, he will do
whatever is necessary to cover it up. Snake understands- the strike will wipe
out all the evidence as well as anyone who knows anything. Campbell tell's
Snake not to worry- he'll stop the strike. He is still officially in charge of
the operation & if he issues a delay order it will confuse the chain of command
& buy some time to give Snake a chance to escape. But Snake is worried- if
Campbell does that he will be seriously reprimanded. Campbell say's its OK. The
truth is FOX-HOUND was already the subject of an undercover investigation &
Meryl was transferred to the island, just before the terrorist attack, as a way
of manipulating him. They forced Campbell to co-operate in exchange for her
life. Snake is moved as he finally realises why Campbell had to lie to him...he
tell's Snake to get out. Helping him is the least he can do after all the lies.
Just as he tell's Snake he is ordering the bombing run to be cancelled, he is
wrestled away from the CODEC. For a few brief seconds their is the muffled
sounds of a struggle- until Jim Houseman, the secretary of defense, appears on
the CODEC.
Houseman explains that Campbell has been relieved of duty. He is under arrest
for leaking Top-secret information & for the crime of High treason. He comments
how Campbell truly believed he was in charge of the operation. He also
reassures Snake there won't be a speck of evidence left on the island- the
President would want that. Snake asks if the President ordered it- Houseman
generalizes the President is a busy man- Houseman has complete authority. Snake
also asks how they'll explain a nuclear attack in the middle of Alaska- to
which Houseman reassuringly replies they've prepared a convincing cover story.
They'll simply say the terrorist's exploded a nuclear device. Snake also
observes that they'll be murdering everyone & Houseman says he might reconsider
if he got the optical disk. The metal gear test data. When Snake say's he
doesn't have it Houseman say's its OK. Solid & Liquid Snake are an
embarrassment from the 70's. They are America's dirty little secret & they
can't be allowed to live. He farewell's Snake citing he must have alot of
"catching up" to do.
Liquid unties Snakes hands. Liquid then walk's over to Meryl, looking down on
her he clenches his fist's in rage. Snake stole everything from him. Only
Snake's death can satisfy him & return to him what is rightfully his. He
comments how she will make a beautiful sacrifice. Liquid then gestures a box
next to her body- a nuclear device timed to go off at the moment of her death.
He then set's the box for 3 minutes and activates it. In a purely hand-to-hand
battle, Snake manages to overcome his "brother" and throw him off the top of
Metal Gear. Liquid bays Solid Snakes name as he falls off into the top of the
weapon into the infinite abyss below.
Snake runs over to Meryl and unties her. He gently lifts her up by her
shoulders and says her name....she comes to and instantly embraces him. He asks
her if she's OK, to which she replies it wasn't to bad. She didn't submit to
the torture...or things worse than that... Meryl says that fighting against the
terrorist's when she was captured made her feel closer to Snake. He gave her
strength despite her fears. She had held onto a single hope throughout all the
pain and suffering- a pain that kept her alive. She wanted to see him again.
Snake and Meryl affectionately stare at each other as Otacon calls by his
CODEC. Snake confirms she is OK and Otacon is extremely relieved to hear this.
Snake informs Otacon that the whole complex is to be bombed soon and they must
evacuate. Otacon informs Snake of the parking garage located next to the
hangar- with a goods tunnel leading to the surface. He reassures Snake that he
will also take care of the security devices located along their escape route.
But Snake wants to know what Otacon will do- Otacon says he is staying. Snake
is angrily concerned for Otacon- staying behind is suicide. Otacon says he is
the only one who can take care of security- he MUST stay. Otacon says he is a
complete person now- he doesn't have to worry about the past anymore. He has
found a reason to live. This prompts Snake to thank Otacon- who is genuinely
flattered by the sincere comment.
Disconnecting, Snake can't bring himself to explain to Meryl what Otacon is
doing. He simply says he is fighting his own battle to be the man he wants to
be. Snake jumps off the top of Metal Gear and uses pieces of debris to reach
the ground. Meryl jumps into his arms as she gets down. They enjoy each others
company for a second before the wreck of Rex begins to violently shudder. Snake
observes how they most probably won't have a love scene after all and Meryl is
sarcastically disappointed. Making their way out, Snake finds his sneaking
suit, and manages to escape the hangar (with one final look back) before an
immense chunk of metal collapses infront of the door.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
(VIII) "YOU CAN'T LET YOURSELF BE CHAINED TO FATE..."
---------------------------------------------------------------------
In the garage, Snake holds genome soldiers at bay as Meryl fights to get a
jeep working. When she does Snake climbs aboard and mans the gun turret and she
drives them through a goods tunnel towards the surface. Just as they are
nearing the exit Snake hears an unmistakable voice call out his name which
echo's down the tunnels. Liquid drives up behind them and starts to shoot at
them. Snake manages to return fire, but as they emerge out of the exit they
crash and are pinned by the weight of the jeep. Snake, in a sudden change of
character, quirkily observes Liquid emerging from the jeep with a FA-MAS in his
hand. As he walks over to Snake and points the barrel at his head he suddenly
is struck by an invisible blow, he falls to the ground on his knees and his
body finally, violently strikes the ground. FOXDIE has killed him. Solid Snake,
however, if both Solid and Liquid have the same DNA...that means his time will
be up soon as well. Snake also notices the air raid hasn't begun...where are
all the bombers?
Right on cue, Campbell call's by CODEC. He informs Snake that Jim Houseman has
been arrested- Campbell managed to get in contact with the President and inform
him of Metal Gear, the training exercise, the "whole thing". All of it was
Houseman acting alone. Campbell was reinstated in control of the mission and
the bombers were ordered to return to base. He observes that Washington wasn't
stupid enough to use Nukes to bury a few secrets. Snake tells Campbell that
Meryl is fine and he can barely control his joy. Campbell is compelled to
apologize to Snake for keeping so many secrets from him- Snake interjects that
it is OK. Campbell is also compelled to remind Snake, as he did at the start of
the mission, that he isn't a Colonel anymore. Campbell tells Snake of a nearby
snowmobile (Mei Ling found it on Satellite photos) it would be good to use it
to escape- the jeep they escaped in sunk into the ocean and they officially
died when that happened. Campbell tells Snake of a helicopter on nearby
Fox-island they can use to escape in. Snake thanks him one last time, for all
of his support, calling him Roy.
Campbell reassures Snake that he'll take care of Hal Emmerich who is still on
the island. Campbell himself and Mei Ling will be OK as well- they have all of
Mei Lings data from the mission on a hard copy. When Snake observes he will run
out of battery power soon Campbell sadly observes that they probably won't meet
again. Snake reassures Campbell that he will pay him a visit sometime. But
Snake has to ask him one last thing...about Foxdie. Campbell responds, before
Snake can even ask, that Meryl was not in the Foxdie programming and she will
be fine. When Snake ask's about himself, Campbell says he will get Naomi to
answer that question (She has been released and is in good health)
Naomi has heard about what happened to Frank Jaeger. Snake gives her his final
message- he wanted her to forget about him and get on with her own life. She
chokes back tears as Snake also tells her Frank said he would always love her.
Snake tells Naomi that Jaeger just saved him and, most probably, the entire
world. Naomi says maybe it was for the best- maybe he has found some peace. He
has never been himself since Zanzibar...he had been like a ghost...
Snake finally ask's Naomi about FOXDIE- if Liquid Snake died shouldn't he to?
Naomi doesn't answer, instead she urges Snake to use FOXDIE as an incentive to
appreciate what he has now- life.
Snake helps Meryl recover herself from for injuries from the jeep crash and,
as they make their way down to the snow mobile, Naomi
explains the nature of DNA and life to Snake. Each person has their fate
written into their DNA when the are born- but that isn't all there is to life.
Naomi has realized that- she'd been to focused on using DNA to learn about her
past. DNA at its best can be used to determine *potential* strengths. It is up
to the person to decide their strengths. They can't let themselves be chained
to fate. Whether Snake is involved in the FOXDIE program or not isn't
important- he has to choose LIFE regardless. And live. Naomi intends to do that
as well. As Snake and Meryl find the snowmobile and push it out of its hidden
cave, Naomi states that ones hopes and dreams are passed VIA our dreams to our
children. Life works in that way- living is a link to the future. Loving and
teaching is how the world is changing- and Naomi has realized that.
And Snake and Meryl climb on the snowmobile. Snake observes, in a optimistic
tone, how he had lived only for himself up till that day. Survival was the only
thing he cared about and he only felt the most alive when staring death in the
face. Now maybe his genes (as they might have been governing his past) are
telling him to live for someone else. Someone like Meryl. She is speechless,
yet happy. She asks him where they are going- but the use of the name "Snake"
prompts him to tell her to call him by his real name "David" He comments how
its time to look for a new path in life. His sure they will find it. Filled
with a new appreciation for life, and observing how Alaska has never looked
more beautiful to him, he rides of with Meryl into the rising sun...
---------------------------------------------------------------------
IX LEGEND
---------------------------------------------------------------------
In the 1980's, there were more than 60,000 nuclear warheads in the world at all
times. The total destructive power amounted to 1 million times that of the
Hiroshima A-bomb.
In January 1993, START2 was signed and the United States and Russia
agreed to reduce the number of deployed strategic nuclear warheads to
3500 - 3000 in each nation by December 31, 2000
However, as of 1998, there still exist's 26,000 nuclear warheads in the world.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
X EPILOGUE
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Sometime after their escape, Revolver Ocelot, the sole terrorist survivor,
communicates with an inaudible person. He informs the individual that the whole
unit was wiped out except Otacon and Snake. FOXDIE should become activated
soon. The warhead data was collected by Ocelot and his cover is stll intact.
No-one knew his real identity, except the DARPA Chief, but he is dead anyhow.
According to Ocelot the inferior one was the winner- Liquid though he was the
lesser one until the very end. No-one knows that the person Ocelot is
communicating with, Solidus, is the 3rd one...
Ocelot then bids goodbye to "Mr. President"....
----------------------------------------
XI CONCLUSIONS
-----------------------------------------
Based on the ending of Metal Gear Solid we can safely say the following things:
1) Solid Snake, Hal Emmerich & Meryl Silverburgh have survived.
2) Psyco Mantis, Vulcan Raven, Sniper Wolf, Decoy Octopus, Liquid Snake,
Kenneth Baker and Donald Anderson are dead
3) Metal Gear Rex has been destroyed
4) The hard-data on Metal Gear's test exercise has been acquired by
Revolver Ocelot. He is the only survivor from the terrorists.
5) Campbell is still in operation control of the mission, replacing the
Secretary of Defense. He will be, most likely, controlling the de-
briefing and aftermath of the operation. His work is far from done.
6) The President has been briefed by both the terrorist's, *and* the
force's working against them, about the situation. He is the only person who
has heard the story about the terrorist action from both sides.
7) Big Boss's DNA is still in government possession. In fact, the
government did not give into any of the terrorist's demands.
8) More generally most of what Liquid talked about in Metal Gear's
control room, with Ocelot listening, has gone up in smoke.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
XII OBSERVATIONS
---------------------------------------------------------------------
1) For those of you wondering- the total time of all of the cutscenes in Metal
Gear Solid runs at about 3hrs and 30 minutes. This is equivalent to watching
'Saving Private Ryan' or 'Ben-Hur'
2) Funny how Campbell, despite the fact he is a retired Colonel, showed up for
duty in his Army uniform and Berret.
3) Those of you interested in an early peak of 'Solidus Snake' take a look at
the pictures in the Commanders room. It seems that Houseman is up there but it
remains a mystery who the other people are.
4) The ability to do this was probably limited by the PSX's polygon power...but
wouldn't it have been more interesting (and symbolic) if Snake & Otacon had
left on a husky sleigh? It would have also made Naomi's words (and the visual)
make more sense at the end of the credits.
5) FOX-DIE, FOX Island, Gray FOX, FOX-HOUND, "...FOX hunting...", FOX
archipelago...any I missed?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
XIII UNANSWERED QUESTIONS
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
1) Naomi helped "Frank" hide for 2 years- but what was he doing in that time?
Surely a person, with such an advanced exoskeleton, wouldn't stayed couped up
in a house or equivalent space for that amount of time?
2) This is the most obvious one...but what is Revolver Ocelot's
affiliation with the "President"? Why was he working for him? Why is he a
double-agent? There are lots of questions to do with this and they'll obviously
be answered In 'Son's Of Liberty'
3) The DARPA Chief & ARMSTECH President weren't the only important
people present on the island. Important government and corporate
officials were present also. Where were they and all the other hostages?
4) What is to become of the bodies of all of the FOX-HOUND members? Will they
be taken to be used in gene-therapy experiments as well?
5) What's to happen to the wreckage of Metal Gear Rex? Surely technology from
the weapon is still able to be obtained from the remains...?
6) Why wasn't Snake affected by FOXDIE at the same time as Liquid?
7) Liquid detailed in his monologue on the top of Metal Gear that the 2 of them
were bore from a uterus. Who was Liquid & Solid Snakes mother?
8) Did Big Boss ever know of Liquid Snake's existence? If he did...why didn't
he ever tell Snake?
9) Why did the DARPA Chief know Revolver Ocelot's true identity? (Maybe
something to do with the fact he was "accidentally" killed during the
interrogation?)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
XIV DIFFERENT ENDINGS - Otacon
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Snake runs over to Meryl and undoes he wrist ties. He gently lifts her up
against his chest...and she slumps in his arms. Snake is overcome with grief
and rage. He screams her name out. He angrily ask's her to forgive him. He hits
the top of Rex feeling worthless for giving into his fear and pain. He sold her
life to save his own. He says he's nothing. His a loser...and was never a hero.
As Snake tenderly apologises to her Otacon arrives and say's she can't forgive
him. She's gone. Snake reminds himself and Otacon that it was because of
himself. Otacon understands- blaming himself makes it easier. It keeps the pain
at a distance. Snake is enraged- she's dead, he lost. Otacon calmly ask's if
Snake is going to stay and die along with her.
Otacon reminds Snake that people die...but death is not defeat.
Otacon lost Wolf...but that wasn't defeat. They'll be together forever, their
love didn't die. Life is more than a game of win or lose. Otacon wants to live.
He walks over to Snake and places a hand on his shoulder, drawing him away from
Meryl's body. Otacon reassures Snake that they can escape in the nearby parking
garage (Otacon has released all the locks) Otacon promises this to Snake.
Snake, in turn, relises that Otacon has hanged. Otacon says he is through
regretting the past- life isn't all about loss. The hangar begins to shake and
collapse...but Otacon isn't scared. He beckons them to destroy it. They can't
destroy the human spirit. Snake gets himself together and speaks to her body.
He hopes she is still watching him. Maybe he can still prove himself to her...
Climbing down the wreckage, Snake retrieves his sneaking suit as Otacon runs
out of the hangar. Just as Snake is nearly out the door, he turns around for a
final look back on Rex and remembers Meryl's innocent body lying on top of it.
He turns around and runs out of the hangar as a giant piece of shrapnel
collapses over the door...
In the garage, Snake holds genome soldiers at bay as Otacon fights to get a
jeep working. When he does Snake climbs aboard and mans the gun turret. Otacon
frantically drives through the goods tunnel for the surface. Just as they are
nearing the exit Snake hears an unmistakable voice call out his name which
echo's down the tunnels. Liquid drives up behind them and starts to shoot at
them. Snake manages to return fire, but as they emerge out of the exit they
crash and are pinned by the weight of the jeep. Snake, in a sudden change of
character, quirkily observes Liquid emerging from the jeep with a FA-MAS in his
hand. As he walks over to Snake and points the barrel at his head he suddenly
is struck by an invisible blow, he falls to the ground on his knees and his
body finally, violently strikes the ground. FOXDIE has killed him. Solid Snake
wonders- if both Solid and Liquid have the same DNA...that means his time will
be up soon as well. Snake also notices the air raid hasn't begun...where are
all the bombers?
Right on cue, Campbell call's by CODEC. He informs Snake that Jim Houseman has
been arrested- Campbell managed to get in contact with the President and inform
him of Metal Gear, the training exercise, the "whole thing". All of it was
Houseman acting alone. Campbell was reinstated in control of the mission and
the bombers were ordered to return to base. He observes that Washington wasn't
stupid enough to use Nukes to bury a few secrets. Campbell tells Snake he knows
Meryl died. He then tells Snake something that makes the loss even worse- Meryl
was Campbell's daughter. He had recently recieved a letter from Meryl's mother,
Campbell's deceased brothers wife, telling him. Campbell was going to tell her
the truth after the mission...
Campbell is compelled to apologize to Snake for keeping so many secrets from
him- Snake interjects that it is OK. Campbell is also compelled to remind
Snake, as he did at the start of the mission, that he isn't a Colonel anymore.
Campbell tells Snake of a nearby snowmobile (Mei Ling found it on Satellite
photos) it would be good to use it to escape- the jeep they escaped in sunk
into the ocean and they officially died when that happened. He also tells Snake
of a helicopter on nearby Fox-island they can use to escape in. Snake thanks
him one last time, for all of his support, calling him Roy.
Campbell reassures Snake that himself and Mei Ling will be OK as well- they
have all of Mei Lings data from the mission on a hard copy. When Snake observes
he will run out of battery power soon Campbell sadly observes that they
probably won't meet again. Snake reassures Campbell that he will pay him a
visit sometime. But Snake has to ask him one last thing...about Foxdie.
Campbell says he will get Naomi to answer that question (She has been released
and is in good health)
Naomi has heard about what happened to Frank Jaeger. Snake gives her his final
message- he apparently wanted her to forget about him and get on with her own
life. She chokes back tears as Snake also tells her Frank said he would always
love her. Snake tells Naomi that Jaeger just saved him and, most probably, the
entire world. Naomi says maybe it was for the best- maybe he has found some
peace. He has never been himself since Zanzibar...he had been like a ghost...
Snake finally ask's Naomi about FOXDIE- if Liquid Snake died shouldn't he to?
Naomi doesn't answer, instead she urges Snake to use FOXDIE as an incentive to
appreciate what he has now- life.
Snake helps Otacon recover himself from for injuries from the jeep crash and,
as they make their way down to the snow mobile, Naomi
explains the nature of DNA and life to Snake. Each person has their fate
written into their DNA when the are born- but that isn't all there is to life.
Naomi has realized that- she'd been to focused on using DNA to learn about her
past. DNA at its best can be used to determine *potential* strengths. It is up
to the person to decide their strengths. They can't let themselves be chained
to fate. Whether Snake is involved in the FOXDIE program or not isn't
important- he has to choose LIFE regardless. And live. Naomi intends to do that
as well. As Snake and Otacon find the snowmobile and push it out of its hidden
cave, Naomi states that ones hopes and dreams are passed VIA our dreams to our
children. Life works in that way- living is a link to the future. Loving and
teaching is how the world is changing- and Naomi has realized that.
Snake & Otacon arrive at the snowmobile. After climbing on Snake observes how,
up until that point in his life, he had lived only for himself. Survival was
the only thing he cared about. Otacon reminds Snake that everyone is like that-
not just him. Ignoring Otacon's perspective, Snake remembers how he only felt
alive when staring death in the face. All Snake wants to do now is enjoy life,
and Snake ask's Otacon about himself. Otacon say's he feels like a new man.
Snake is curious- will he continue his research? Otacon decides he is finished
with science, he is now more interested in human psycology. The whole reason he
got into science was because he was not good with people. He was scared of them
and life. He believed he could never understand them- people were to illogical.
But now Otacon has become sick of being a spectator- he is going to enjoy life.
His going to stand on his own 2 feet and hide no longer.
Snake jokes- does this mean his done with his stealth cammoflage? Otacon
understands he will no longer need it, and they share a laugh as he hands it
over to Snake. Otacon reminisces that they will both be saying goodbye to their
loves now as well, and when Snake doesn't reply, Otacon ask's Snake if he wants
him to drive the snowmobile. Snake refuses the offer. Otacon ask's him where to
and the use of the word "Snake" prompt's Snake to tell him his real name is
"David" They both share a laugh at their names- Hal & Dave. Maybe they should
go to Jupiter...
When Otacon ask's Snake where to, David comments his looking for a new path in
life. His sure he will find it. Starting up the snowmobile, they ride off into
the rising sun...
---------------------------------------------------------------------
XV SOMEWHAT FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
---------------------------------------------------------------------
These are question's that I've taken from personal e-mails and the Metal Gear
message forums available on the net, they're also question's that I've formed
out of assorted pieces of writting associated with the games.
Q. Who are you and what are you doing here?
A. I'm a 20 year old student residing in Sydney, Australia. At the moment I'm
doing my Diploma of Policing Practice. I've completed the first portion and
start the practical (IE. Probationary period as a cop) soon. I do alot of
writting on the side for external publications and sorta get-my-kicks (y'know)
from doing some guide work for computer games. Alas, I degress, I'm not up
there with the greats by actually DOING professional guide work. But I'm happy
with the feedback I get from my work for Gamefaqs.com.
I've written this thing because I was annoyed that nowhere on the net was ANY
information on the plot of MGS (And there IS alot to it) AND, surprise
surprise, no comprehensive work on its sequel either (But I will admit there
have been some great analysis' written)
Q. Why does my manual say 'Sean Barker' did the voice of Solid Snake?
A. Because the name 'Sean Barker' is David Hayter's alias. www.IMDB.com will
inform you that he used the same name for his work on the emmy-award winning
(not) 'Spider-Man: Unlimited' Its a good idea to check out the site to see
what work the other voice actors have done (James Flinders' AKA Liquid Snake
who also has an alias [Cam Clarke], work is also fairly impressive)
Q. What exactly IS FOX-HOUND?
A. FOX HOUND is a specially formed special forces unit inside NATO. Its duty
is, under non-official combat status, to sneak deep into enemy borders where no
national intelligence can enter, and collect information about enemy military
forces.
All members of FOX HOUND have mastered various skytrooper techniques and are
thoroughly acquainted with secret invasion techniques from under and over
water, s