Plot Summary & Analysis - Guide for Metal Gear Solid
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=== A COMPLETE PLOT SUMMARY & ANALYSIS ===
=== OF ===
=== THE METAL GEAR SERIES ===
BY GRANT MORRISSEY
Contents
1. Introduction, Legal mumbo-jumbo, Update History & Disclaimer
2. Metal Gear
(i) Plot Summary
3. Metal Gear 2- Solid Snake
(i) Plot Summary
4. Metal Gear Solid
(i) 'Briefing'
(ii) 'Arrival'
(iii) 'Storage Building'
(iv) 'Torture'
(v) 'Furnace'
(vi) 'Re-Union'
(vii) 'Revelations'
(viii) 'The End of the Run'
(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. 'Metal Gear Solid 2- Son's of Liberty'
(i) What everyone knew...or thought they knew...
(ii) 'Discovery'
6. 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
7. Conclusion, Kudos and Contact Details.
----======== 1 ========----
INTRODUCTION, LEGAL MUMBO-JUMBO & UPDATE HISTORY
When I started summarising MGS 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. Watch, pause, write. Watch, pause, write. Watch, pause, write......
The main motivation for me to do this was my annoyance at the
complete LACK of ANY comprehensive summary of Metal Gear Solid on the
internet (to my knowledge) I also wanted to get some writting
experience...and have something to do on Friday and Saturday nights
beside's sit on the computer.
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 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!
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UPDATES
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December 1, 2001 - Thanks to Rob McGregor's transcript of 'In the Darkness of
Shadow Moses' it is now confirmed that I was completely wrong about the ending of
Metal Gear Solid, regardless of how justified I was, and I suck. Henceforth,
the 'Different Endings' have been swapped, the 'Why?' and 'The Official Stance'
sections erradicated, and I loose 10k from this damn thing.
November 27th, 2001 - Its finally here. Excluding me. I've updated with a summary
of the opening stage's of Metal Gear Solid 2: Son's of Liberty. Minor update's,
regarding particually MGS2, will continue over the next few months but
comprehensive coverage will have to wait until the PAL release of the game in Feb
2002. For people who have just picked up MGS2 and haven't played its predecessor
I'm hoping this document will help you get an understanding of the original plot
(and its characters)
October 12, 2001 - Some quick wording changes in the headings (nothing special) I
don't trust Hotmail so I've changed my e-mail- if someone has tried e-mailing me
before and gotten no response, try again at my new address ([email protected])
Don't go reading this thing for major changes this update cause there are none -
just some re-written paragraphs.
August whatever, 2001 - Added more chapters to MGS summary so people have an
easier time finding certain FMV summaries. More 'Observations' cause I thought
that was the "forgotten" section of the summary. Gone over the MGS summary for
the kazzillioneth time and fixed some sentences.
August 10th, 2001 - Cosmetic updates. I noticed every paragraph in the MGS
summary starts with the word "Snake" so I fixed that. Got rid of my evil-online
reference cause the site has died for the trillioneth time. Added a new section
the 'Different Endings' about Konami's current stance on the issue.
July 22nd, 2001 - 3 days later I got carried away again. Added a little piece
underneath the 'Metal Gear Solid' heading. New section detailing the characters
from MSG (and I mean DETAIL- none of this 'Age: 20, Sex: Male, Nationality:
British' BS) And, guess what? MORE FAQS!!! Hooray for me...
July 19th, 2001 - Following the floodtide of e-mail I have gotten about Liquid &
the Hind I finally got around to making a big deal about it. I fixed up 'The Best
is Yet to Come' and added some more FAQS (PLUS I placed them in chronological
order) From now on Updates to this document are going to be fairly cosmetic until
I get my grubby hands on MGS2 (Anyone here have a spare PS2?...Anyone?...Hello?)
July 1st, 2001 - Updated the 'Son's of Liberty' section with some basic
information. Heaps more FAQ's added. I've added a new section that deals strictly
with the themes I believe that the game raises.
May 30th, 2001 - 'Different Endings' section is UP! Both the endings are
summarised including a rationale on why I chose my selected ending over the other.
May 17th, 2001 - Thanks to alert readers I recified some of my FAQ's and
Unanswered Questions (as well as added a few more). Once again general odd's &
ends added to this work.
April 27th, 2001 - Since the document got posted at Gamefaqs (to my
immense surprise) I went crazy. The introduction and conclusion has been totally
re-written. Some completely new sections have been added to the Metal Gear Solid
section and I've added a disclaimer to the document as well. Some grammar and
spelling errors were fixed in the summary of MGS as well as a few odd's-and-ends.
The document has been posted online as well (See 'CONCLUSION')
April 25th, 2001 - Document posted at Gamefaqs for first time.
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DISCLAIMER
---------------------------------------------------------------------
************************************************************************
WARNING DANGER CAUTION ETC
THIS DOCUMENT, LIKE ALL THE OTHER PLOT AFFILIATED DOCUMENTS ON THE INTERNET,
DEALS WITH IN GAME REVELATIONS AND INFORMATION THAT WE KNOW.
THIS IS THE ONE AND ONLY DOCUMENT THAT DEALS STRICTLY WITH PLOT ASPECTS OF THE
METAL GEAR SOLID SERIES. IF YOUR DUMB ENOUGH TO ASK ME SOMETHING TO DO WITH
GAMEPLAY- I WILL NOT RESPOND. ALL OF THE METAL GEAR SOLID DOCUMENTS ON THE
INTERNET, MINUS THIS ONE, HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH GAMEPLAY
AND PERHAPS THE BIGGEST WARNING- THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS SPOILERS. IF YOU HAVEN'T
PLAYED THE GAMES YET, I 100% GUARANTEE THAT THIS DOCUMENT WILL *RUIN* THE GAME
FOR YOU AND *DESTROY* ANY PLEASURE YOU CAN GET OUT OF IT. YOU'VE BEEN WARNED.
METAL GEAR SOLID 2 IS DUE FOR A LATE 2001 RELEASE. IF ANYONE DECIDES TO DO ME
A "FAVOR" AND "SURPRISE" ME WITH A COMPLETE SUMMARY OF THE GAME (INCLUDING THE
DEMO) - I WILL NOT READ IT. THAT MEANS *IT WILL NOT GET POSTED* AND THAT MEANS
***YOU WASTED YOUR TIME*** MGS2 WILL BE PLAYED AND ENJOYED BY ME BEFORE ANY
COVERAGE ON IT IS DONE HERE- I DON'T PLAN ON HAVING THE GAME SPOILT FOR ME BEFORE
I PLAY IT!
And now...on with the show!!! (cliche #7361)
************************************************************************
----======== 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')
---------------------------------------------------------------------
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
--------------------------------------------------------------------
The year is 2005. In the remote area of Alaska, located in the
Bering Sea, is the Fox-Arcipelago. In that chain of Island's 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)
Campbell 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
soldier 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) ARRIVAL
---------------------------------------------------------------------
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 (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...
Anderson 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. 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" But where that didn't work- bribes were used.
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) STORAGE BUILDING
---------------------------------------------------------------------
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. Meryl
agree's and begins to ask Snake something, about what Mantis said, but Snake gets
defensive and impatient. Reconsidering her questions & considering its a bad idea
to ask, she ask's him different questions about his personal life- which only
results in indirect and emotionless answer's that reveal he was raised by many
people and is, essentially, a loner. Meryl expresses her sympathies and pity at
his lonely, sad persona and Snake 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 sniping 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) TORTURE
---------------------------------------------------------------------
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 modern
locks. Worst still, he has been striped of his equipment and is lying down half-
naked. He then overhears a man telling others not to kill him- it seems he want's
no more accidents like the DARPA chief. Then the man begins to talk to Snake-
unaware 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. Snake...please...save yourself. Go on living and don't give
up on people. Don't forget me"
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- Snake bidding him
farewell in his usual fashion. Making his way to the base of the tower B Snake
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. She say's
she waited for the moment all her life. She is a sniper- all she does is wait.
Wolf, with her last strength, urges Snake to kill her. She can't be saved- Snake
has to put her out of her misery. Wolf explains that she was a Kurd- she always
dreamt of dying in a peaceful place like the snowfield. She was born on the
battlefield- gunshots and screams her everyday sounds. Hunted like dogs- that was
her whole life. Everyday she would wake up and find a new family member or friend
of her's dead. The government's of the world turned a blind eye to her suffering.
Then one day he appeared- her savior. Her hero- "Saladin" (Big Boss) She was
taught to see war as a Sniper- through the len's of a rifle scope as an observer.
She joined the terrorist's to take her revenge on the world. She believed now
that she had shamed her people in the name of vengeance. She sold her body and
her soul & is less than a whore.
Snake assures her of what she is and what she stands for. People like
Snake (mercenaries) are called "The Dogs of War" and he agree's with the
reasoning behind it. They are up for sale to the highest bidder. But Wolf is
different- untamed & solitary. She's not a dog- she's a wolf. Snake's reassuring
attitude prompts Wolf to ask him if he is "Saladin", but he ignores her question
and asks Wolf why she spared Meryl's life. Wolf says she was never her target &
she doesn't kill for sport. Wolf has tired herself out and urges Snake to "set
her free" (calling him "hero") Just as Snake stands, his SOCOM pointed at her
head, Otacon arrives. She beacon's to her rifle, which she dropped on the ground,
and Otacon brings it over. She believes the gun is a part of her and it must be
with her when she dies. Now that she believes everyone is there she ask's, with
her last ounce of strength, for Snake to put her out of her misery. Otacon turns
his back and block's his ear's muttering goodbye to her. Snake shoots her in the
forehead with the sound of the gunshot echoing throughout the snowfield. Snake
then places her handkerchief, which he acquired earlier, on top of her head
covering the bullet wound. Otacon ask's why he is returning it- to which Snake
simply replies he has no more tears to shed. This distresses Otacon greatly.
Snake reinforces that they're out of time- he has to act. He tell's Otacon to get
away from the island & get a new start on his life. But Otacon say's he want's to
help him, but Snake tell's him to hide and stay in touch. But just as Snake is
walking off and nearly out of sight, the snow covering him up, Otacon yell's to
him- what are the terrorist's fighting for? What is Otacon & Snake fighting for?
What was Wolf fighting for? Snake yell's back that if they make it through the
incident he'll tell him.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
(V) FURNACE
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Snake makes his way past through 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 it will be a glorious
battle. This causes Snake to try and reason with Vulcan- it isn't glorious, its
just plain killing. Violence isn't a sport. Alas, it is to no avail.
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. Vulcan scream's out Snake's name
& declares he will be watching him. 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 and his words haunt Snake with his belief that there is always an end to
slaughter in the natural world. Snake is different- his path is littered with the
corpses of the people he has killed. They will haunt him forever and he will
never have any peace. The next time Snake turns around Raven's body is gone and
there is only the remnants of his large machine gun.
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 Galouchovich. 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- Galouchovich 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 Galouchovich's 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
Galouchovich was the one that gave them the Hind Russian Gunship and most of
their heavy firepower. Liquid suggests that they join forceswith Galouchovich- 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 Galouchovich'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- he say's from that day forth
call Shadow Moses Island "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) RE-UNION
---------------------------------------------------------------------
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 & 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 begonia's 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. Just as the foot is about to step on Snake Fox jumps
underneath the foot and hold it- stopping the immense machine from taking another
step. Fox, underneath the staggering weight, admits he was the one who contacted
him called 'Deepthroat' He also observes how Snake looks terrible & has aged
well. 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-
firing 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
asks Fox what he want's - to which he replies that his a prisoner of death and
only Snake can free him. Snake tell's Fox he has to stay out of this- for Naomi's
sake. She is hell bent on taking revenge for Fox and only he can stop her. Fox
say's he can't because he was the one that killed her parents. He was young and
couldn't bring himself to kill Naomi as well. So he took Naomi and treated her
like his own blood to soothe his guilty conscience. They might have seemed like a
happy brother & sister- but everytime he looked into her eyes he saw her parents
eye's staring back at him. Gray Fox makes his last request to Snake- tell Naomi
Fox was the one that murdered her parents. At this point Liquid spot's them
behind the container- Fox say's their out of time. He then tell's Snake he'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 30m 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- "Are you just going to
watch him die?" Summing up all his strength Fox uses his one arm, free from being
pinned, to shoot the radome and finally destroy it. The cockpit opens and Liquid,
now unable to pin Fox against the wall, comments on how Fox is indeed worthy of
his codename. Fox urges Snake to fire the stinger at the pair to destroy metal
gear- but Liquid say's he'll murder fox as well. Snake can't bring himself to
fire the Stinger at the 2 as Fox mutter's his last words of being taken from
Zanzibar & the battle, neither dead or alive. An endless shadow, in a world of
light. The tip of Metal Gear nudges Fox from the ledge and brings him crashing to
the ground. Liquid finally put's an end to Fox by stamping him on the ground.
Under its giant foot- Fox say's 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."
He then bids Snake farewell, and is crushed by Metal Gear as it
begins to trudge again towards Snake. 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) REVELATIONS
---------------------------------------------------------------------
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 his
still alive- Liquid say's he cannot die as long as Snake lives. Snake observes
how Metal Gear is destroyed- Liquids revolution was a failure. But just because
Metal Gear is destroyed, he say's, doesn't mean his 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. Snake says that
was Big Boss's dream- but Liquid corrects that 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. 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. Snake asks if thats the only reason. Liquid
say's its reason enough...for people like them. 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. And 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 quickly 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. 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) THE END OF THE RUN
---------------------------------------------------------------------
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
-----------------------------------------
From the ending of Metal Gear Solid we know 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) In addition, we know that Meryl was not Campbell's niece, as stated
in the briefing, but infact his daughter.
7) 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.
8) Big Boss's DNA is still in government possession. In fact, the
government did not give into any of the terrorist's demands.
9) 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) Separated at birth- Revolver Ocelot and 'Wheel of Time's' Thom
Merrilin?
3) Funny how Campbell, despite the fact he is a retired Colonel, showed up for
duty in his Army uniform and Berret.
4) 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.
5) 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.
6) FOX-DIE, FOX Island, Gray FOX, FOX-HOUND, "...FOX hunting...", FOX
archipelago...any I missed?
7) 'Buffy: The Vampire Slayer' season 5 finale, at the very end, remind you of
MGS at all? With her urging to her sis to choose life and live, and the way in
which that BIG THING happened (you know what I mean- I don't want to spoil it for
you if you don't know) was simular to the cinematic after you kill Vulcan Raven?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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? (Realistically I can see the logic in him not telling him- but
its still an issue)
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 and he
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 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 student residing in Sydney, Australia. I'm the predictable game & sci-fi
nut-stereotype you associate with lazy teenagers and, as of yet, there isn't much
more to me than that. I'm willing to bet in 5 years time I'm going to look back
on that sentence and wonder why I wrote it.
I've written this thing because I was annoyed that nowhere on the net was
ANY information on the plot of MGS. The closest thing to it was the
walkthroughs that just gave general information on what happened (but no detail's
like FOX-DIE or anything) I thought I'd do the legion of MGS fans on the net a
favour and write this up for them.
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,
so they can sneak by any kind of breaching path.
Moreover, they have masteries and knowledge of survival over extended length in
bushes, jungles and desert and maintain skills in acute tailing, detonating
operation, wireless communication, seizing and reusing enemy weapons, collecting
information, various martial arts, emergency medical operations, linguistic and
hi-techs or essentially anything required for being as a hi-tech special squad.
FOX HOUND members are never chosen as civilians, but are chosen out of recruits
and self-nominees from various special force members.
In the selection proceedure the aspirants initially receive exams in 3 aspects -
physical, psychological and intelligence;
Physical Exam
*. Basic physical ability
----> Short-range run
----> Uninterrupted 80 push-ups
----> Uninterrupted 100 situps
----> 50 meters free swimming
*. Underwater diving ability
*. Lone wilderness march (carry a backpack of 30kg, and conquer
64 km of length in 15 hours)
Psychological Exam
*. Mental recovery
*. Concentration
*. Endurance
*. Self-control
*. ESP expectancy score
*. Marksman ability
*. Recognizing and making decision on emergency environment
Intelligence Exam
*. Language
*. Non-domestic geology
*. World situation
*. Hi-tech technologies
*. Medical in outdoors
*. Detonation operation
*. Concealed communication
*. Foreign weaponry
*. Drills
Those who passed the selection course have to take the following
professional training courses:
*. Battlefield survival test (14 weeks)
*. Shooting practice (very high standard is required; 100% to
the target 548 meters away, 95% to the target 914 meters away)
*. Patrol
*. Conquering mountain terrain
*. Martial arts / Hand-to-Hand combat
*. Border crossing
*. Guerilla combat
*. Land navigation
*. Map reading
*. Escape - avoiding dangers
*. Field combat medicine (10 weeks)
*. Rebelling ranger practice
*. Weapons
*. Nautical control and navigation
*. Diving, underwater sneaking
*. Canoe
*. Parachute skydiving practice (4 weeks)
*. Assault paratroopers skydiving practice: H-A-L-O and H-A-H-O
*. 11 normal skydiving exercises, 15 in full gear, 2 in
nighttime, 2 mass-tactical strategic diving.
*. Intelligence operation
*. Language and customs of destination country (4 weeks)
*. Sneaking technique
*. Improved flammable operation
*. Utilizing hi-tech arms
*. Communication (16 weeks)
(This was taken from the 'Metal Gear 2' manual with shoddy
translation & grammar fixed up- I'm still appreciative I got it though!)
Q. When does MGS take place?
A. The year 2005. After you defeat Ninja Campbell says that Jaeger died in a
mine field 6 years ago. So I put 2 & 2 together (not literally) and got 2005. (As
those events occured in 1999. So, for the mathematically impaired, 1999 + 6 =
2005)
Q. Why was Liquid down in the Dock?
A. He says so himself. He expected Snake to be coming through at any time. I was
willing to bet that minutes before Snake surfaced Liquid had been at the waters
edge looking out for him. Snake certainly had good timing.
Q. Do you think that..uumm...you know...uuuhhh...Snake is...uuumm...a
virgin? I mean...think about it. He has no social skills...no experience with
women...
A. [Expressionless Face. Develop's into pitying look] Anyway...good
question! I doubt it in anycase...he did get fairly sexist with Naomi & Meryl &
Mei Ling. He was just the kind of person that put work first, pleasure second
(explaining his inappropriate social skills on the island) Still...I wouldn't
want to be one of his huskies with him when he spent 11 years in the Alaskan
wilderness...
Q. How was it possible for Ninja to be beaten by Snake? THE GUY COULD HOLD UP
METAL GEAR's LEG FOR GODSSAKE!!!
A. Ninja said he had come back to fight Snake. Thats all he wanted. It would have
been pretty anti-climatic if Ninja had used all his strength and just hit Snake's
head off his head. You could probably assume Ninja held onto not just some mental
humanity, but physical humanity as well. Let me put it this way- Ninja would have
reduced his strength to that of a normal human male's in order to maintain an
even fight. Because an even fight was all he wanted.
Q. How come Otacon wasn't affected by FOXDIE?
A. Because the Pentagon didn't forsee Snake running into him, so they didn't
include Emmerich in its "programming"
Q. Why did Mantis control Meryl to make her try and seduce Snake?
A. He said on his deathbed that of the thousands of minds he read they all had
one thing in common- they were filled with the selfish desire to pass on their
seed. The thought and concept of contraception totally disgusted Mantis. When he
controlled Meryl he wanted to put, what he believed to be, the worst thought
possible into her mind.
Q. (From Snesman64) Liquid said that when he moved the bookcase for Snake it was
the first time he had used his powers to help someone- how could that be when he
worked for both the KGB and FBI?
A. Well he could have, for all we know, just been working there to get insights
into the criminals and make it look like he was PRETENDING to help the agencies.
And, failing that, he did say it was the first times he used his POWERS to help
someone. Its possible that he didn't use them when in the FBI/CIA (Yeah- thats
pushing it I know)
Q. Who's 'Johnny'?
A. The guard who got his ass kicked by Meryl and caught the cold off. He got his
name from having to go the the john (READ: Dunny) every time Snake was taken back
to his cell during the torture.
Q. "Dunny"?
A. You American's know anything? Its the toilet.
Q. Who were the 'Kurds' Sniper Wolf referred to?
A. The Kurds are a band of tribal nomads, numbering about 26 million, that reside
in parts of Iran, Turkey & Iraq. The area's they inhabit all connect into a
mountanous region known as Kurdistan. Sniper Wolf is probably refering to the
repression of the Kurds during the Gulf War. The Kurd's had always fought for
independence and the fighting reached its height at that point in time.
Q. Why didn't Snake get tired running up the stairs?
A. Because if he stopped running the world would end! DDDUUUHHHHH!!!
Q. There was no way Mr. Kojima was going to let Liquid die there...but how in the
hell did Liquid survive the Hind crash?
A. Its good that the characters atleast DISCUSS Liquids survival. There are heaps
of possibilities. If the chopper had an ejection seat he would be cut to
ribbons...and if not that its possible the wreckage would crush him. So there are
other possibilities...
*.In some Twilight Zone crossover event (slightly
unlikely) Liquid turned intangible for a moment so that if he
made himself into a spread-eagle position to promote wind
resistance and thus slow his descent the hind would be able to
pass through him (or he passed through the Hind- if you prefer).
However, with his newfound intangibility, Liquid would not likely still
be susceptible to wind resistance and that would mean that...NAH!
*. Liquid, with his oh-so-perfect (we assume) sense of timing
waited for the hind to twist when falling to the ground so that
bottom of the hind was facing up. He then ejected, shooting
straight towards the ground, inverted again so the wreckage was
falling above him, shook off the dizziness resulting from being
inside the spiralling, fiery ball of death, pulled the ripcord,
managed to land the parachute clear of the wreckage in the tree
where he used his combat knife (or teeth) to cut/gnaw through the straps
of the parachute and fall to the ground, avoiding a broken neck, arm, leg,
big toe, right index finger, etc.
Making his way over the fence, ahead of Snake, in a trenchcoat
which was either un-damaged during the crash, or simply a spare
one he had lying around, and warning Wolf and Raven about Snakes soon-to-
be-appearance (and giving Raven some more rehersal time for climbing on
top of the crates and jumping down) he managed to disclose his plans with
Revolver Ocelot when Snake just happened to be near in typical arch-
nemesis fashion while avoiding any rabid wolves, polar bears, wolverines
and the rarely seen Alaskan pigeon of Death on the way...
Please allow me to catch my breath...
Q. Why was there a blast furnace?
A. Alot of the FAQ's I have gotten can easily be answered IN THE GAME. All it
involves is calling up Campbell or something around the time the
event/place/whatever you are wondering about occurs. In any case, if you call
Campbell when you enter the blast furnace he will explain that due to Shadow
Moses Island's location, and the lack of an airport to fly in goods, a blast
furnace was built to form the materials required to construct the base.
Q. If Vulcan Raven could see into the future wouldn't he have seen that Snake
would defeat him? Why did he bother fighting then?
A. Raven is established very early as an honorable fighter. He is simular to
Ninja in a way- he doesn't care about the outcome, he just wants to fight. He
enjoys the battle ("violence isn't a sport!")
Q. (From Snesman64) If Liquid Snake needed Snake to activate Metal
Gear...why did he and everyone else from FOX-HOUND try to kill him?
A. Yeah this is a good one. I noted that, before you fight Metal Gear itself, in
most of the circumstances where you fight a boss (except for when you fight
Liquid in the Hind & Rex and Sniper Wolf the 2nd time) they never actually state
their intent to kill you. We'd just have to assume that they are trying to
convince you, when they battle you, that they are trying to stop you (when they
really aren't) I derived this from Liquid's line "You didn't think you made it
this far by YOURSELF did you?"
If, when you as the player control Solid Snake, you die, you'd
just have to assume that its because the boss made a mistake (IE. Psyco Mantis
with the original DARPA Chief) I mean...the ending of Metal Gear Solid Snake
LIVES. So, canon wise, that means any other events that may happen as you play
the game (like Snake, say, DYING) mean nothing. Snake never is defeated when he
battles a boss- maybe thats because they LET him win...
Q. How does 'The Best is Yet to Come' Go?
A. The song was originally sung in Gaelic in an Irish studio (by Aoife Ni
Fhearraigh) The original lyrics I posted were apparently mis-translated (if there
is such a word) even though they were the OFFICIAL translation. This was probably
due to the fact that the original lyrics got mixed up with the Japanese language
(or something like that) Its a fairly appropriate song when you consider its
about returning to nature and simplicity. The stuff that is said in the song is
very simular to Solid Snake actually. Following is the Irish lyrics and the
english translation:
---------------------------------------------------------------------
IRISH/GAELIC ENGLISH
---------------------------------------------------------------------
||
An cuimhin leat an gra || Do you remember the love
Cra croi an ghra || Tormented love from the heart
Nil anois ach ceol na h-oiche || It wasn't but music at night
Taim siorai i ngra || It is an eternal love
Leannain le smal || It is a misfortune
Leannain le smal || It is a misfortune
||
Lig leis agus beidh leat || Go now and be
Lig leis agus beidh gra || Go now and be in love
||
Cuimhne leat an t-am || Remember the time
Nuair a bhi tu sasta || When you were satisified
||
An cuimhne leat an t-am || Do you remember the time
Nuair a bhi tu ag gaire || When you were happy
Ta an saol iontach || Life is wonderful
ma chreideann tu ann || Can you believe it
||
Tug aghaidh ar an saoi || Your face says that your
is sonas siorai inar measc || happiness
Ceard a tharla do na || Will go on forever
laethanta sin || What happened during those
Ceard a tharla do na || days?
h-oicheanta sin || What happened during those
|| nights?
||
An cuimhin leat an t-am || Do you remember the time
Nuair a bhi tu faoi bhron || When you were sad
An cuimhin leat an t-am || Do you remember the time
Go siorai sileadh na ndeaor || When you were weeping dear
||
An ormsa na orainne a bhi || Myself and others were at
an locht || fault
Ag mothu cailite s'ar fan || Our feelings were lost on
Cen fath an t-achrann is || waiting
sileadh na ndeor || Why were we fighting for
Ta ailleacht sa saol || so long?
Ma chuardaionn tu e || There is beauty in life
Ta gliondar sa saol || Do you believe
Cuardaimis e || there is beauty in life?
|| Believe me
---------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks to Aurora02 from the MGS Gamefaqs forum for the original
lyrics. And then I extend another thank you to Damian Dennehy in his
expertise of the Irish language for informing me of the gross mistakes made in
the translation of the OFFICIAL song lyrics (Such as the fact that Irish & Gaelic
language is the same thing and, specifically, pointing out heaps of confusions
between the lines "t-am", meaning "time", and "gra", meaning "love")
---------------------------------------------------------------------
XVI THEMES
---------------------------------------------------------------------
The plot of Metal Gear Solid is one that is filled with
intricate plot twist's and side-stories. Although some of these themes may be un-
intentional on Kojima's behalf, the ones that were plainly obvious will be
included here. In that joyful spirit I'am dedicating this section to elaborating
on some of the most obvious & apparent themes in the game.
-----------------------------------
THE PERILS OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS
-----------------------------------
One's encounter with Donald Anderson really opens their eyes to
the state of nuclear weapons. Although MGS is set in 2010 it uses a
context that seems to convey that the problem is just as strong NOW as it is
THEN. Mr. Kojima really wanted to enlighten us, through a successful and well
established entertainment medium, what the current state of nuclear armament
across the world is.
Metal Gear Solid put forward the "What if?" question. It showed us the
danger nuclear weapons represent to the world. This is probably the most
important theme in the game as the Legend (yes- thats what its called) at the end
provided us with an insight into the current state of them. There are also
several CODEC conversations (Particually with Nastasha) about the dangers nuclear
waste and radiation pose to the world.
-----------------------------------
TAMPERING WITH THE NATURAL ORDER
-----------------------------------
The history of Solid & Liquid Snake enlightened us to the perils and
moral non-enchantment of messing with nature. This theme is made very prominent
towards the end of the game (with Liquid & Solid Snake) but also in the start at
the briefing (where we first hear about the Genome soldiers)
The negative consequences of tampering with the natural order are
symbolised through the revolt of the soldiers and Liquid's not-so-good intentions
for the world. ("This is what will happen if we continue to play god! The world
will be held at ransom!")
-----------------------------------
INDEPENDENCE
-----------------------------------
It might not be so obvious- but independence was central to alot of
characters in this game. Meryl wanted to become a soldier to understand her
father better...but its only when she was shot by Wolf that she realised the
error of her ways. Her lack of independence ultimatly cost's her her life.
However, at the end of the game we're seeing both Solid Snake &
Otacon develop a new independent attitude to life. They want to be their own
selves now and cast-off the previous label they had of themselves. The
terrorists, also, want independence. Thats what caused Liquid & the rest of FOX-
HOUND to take over the island.
-----------------------------------
CONFINEMENT
-----------------------------------
This theme is mainly associated with Solid Snake. He is trapped on the
island and forced to do what he does best- kill. There is no way around it. He
can't escape. He is forced from one place to another by Liquid's careful scheming
disguised as Master Miller. The whole game see's Snake confined physically.
However, he is also psycologically confined to a state of mind that prevents him
expressing the emotions that we take for granted (like happiness, sadness etc)
The only he CAN express it is through the only way he knows- aggression. Its only
at the end of the game, when he has achieved independence, that he learns more
about expressing emotion (like him laughing with Otacon and reflecting upon how
he will change his life)
-----------------------------------
LOVE
-----------------------------------
Both Otacon and Solid Snake go through stages of this in the game. The
big question to do with this theme is "Can love bloom on the battlefield?" This
pretty much meant- can love bloom where Snake & Otacon are trapped? It seemed to-
for both Otacon and Snake. That is what made Meryl's death even more tragic.
For Otacon love bloomed as well. Its unfortunate that it wasn't
elaborated on why Otacon loved Wolf (Watch the 'demo theatre' again
people- maybe I missed something!) I also wonder whether his love for
Wolf was mutual.
----======== 5 ========----
***METAL GEAR SOLID 2: SONS OF LIBERTY***
--------------------------------------------------------------------
(I) WHAT EVERYONE KNEW...OR THOUGHT THEY KNEW...
--------------------------------------------------------------------
"In the Darkness of Shadow Moses: The Unofficial Truth"
Author: Nastasha Romanenko || Reviewed by George Franklin
Some topics in the recent American past have the immediacy and power that still
engage our collective imagination. Names like, "The Grassy Knoll," or "Roswell,"
roll off our tongue with deliberates reserved by most other nations for holy
lands. With this new non-fiction account from Nastasha Romanenko, Shadow Moses -
the scene of a nuclear siege two years ago - is set to join their ranks.
Official history states that the takeover of a nuclear weapons disposal facility
on a lonely outpost in the Fox Islands, Alaska was the work of a radical right-
wing group. Their demands for the release of group members incarcerated in
federal penitentiaries were never met, and the incident was speedily resolved by
the successful deployment of a commando unit. B.S., the author asserts.
Romanenko says that she served as an advisor to the Nuclear Emergency Search
Team, and deconstructs what she claims to be a cover-up story by the government
with precision.
According to the author, Shadow Moses Island was nothing less than the U.S.
Army's testing grounds for a top-secret weapon known as Metal Gear Rex, an all-
terrain bipedal tank with advanced nuclear capabilities. As for the facilities
takeover, Romanenko alleges that it was the U.S. military's own shadowy
"wet-works" force, known as "FOXHOUND", that staged an armed insurrection in a bid
for REX's possession.
The government responds to this crisis by sending in a lone operative, a former
FOX-HOUND member known only by the code name "Solid Snake," into Shadow Moses.
His infiltration is aided by a remote mission control team consisting of an
unidentified "Colonel Campbell." a FOXHOUND medical chief "Naomi," a radar and
electronics expert "Mei Ling" (supposedly a teenager), and the author
herself. Once on the island, "Snake" joins forces with Metal Gear's developer-
turned-prisoner "Otacon" to eradicate the weapon of mass destruction.
Among the other remarkable characters that make an appearance in Romanenko's
expose another FOXHOUND commando, a revolver-virtuoso called "Shalashaska"
a.k.a. "Revolver Ocelot." One of the most controversial allegations in the book
deals with this figures connection to a disavowed Russian militia led by
a "Colonel Gurlukovich", Romanenko paints a bleak picture of a thousand-strong,
highly disciplined army with nuclear weaponry operating covertly within the
American border. Even more irresistible to conspiracy scholars and students of
recent history is her thinly veiled suggestion that the whole affair was planned
from the beginning by certain forces inside the U.S. government.
The U.S. Army and the usual suspect of federal agencies have issued a statement
denouncing the book as a complete fabrication. However, with a number of detailed
eyewitness accounts that back up the author's assertions cropping up daily on the
Web, the denials serve more to enhance the book's growing reputation. "Shadow
Moses" is an engrossing read for casual and serious readers alike, and promises
to involve readers in a meaty debate over the truth of the matter for many years
to come.
Excerpted from the literary review column "All Booked Up"
The New York Mirror
--------------------------------------------------------------------
(II) 'DISCOVERY'
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Miserable and wet weather envelop's New York city. On the George Washington
Bridge a lone figure stalk's the sidewalk; enveloped in a trenchcoat, smoking a
cigarette. As the car's race past him, in a un-focusable blur, the figure
instantly breaks out into a sprint. Within second's the coat has been discarded
and the figure is almost invisible- the light bending off him. He then, without
hesitation, leaps off the bridge and is jerked as a bungee cord breaks his fall.
Almost as soon as it began, the figure has been violently jerked around and lands
in a crouch on the deck of the tanker 'Discovery' in a flurry of explosive
lightning. From a helicopter, a safe distance away, the face of a familiar and
dangerous adversary observes his seemingly imminent arrival...
Taking cover behind an anchor motor, the weathered and veteran infiltration
specialist Solid Snake contact's his support, Hal Emmerich (Otacon) Snake
explains the un-subtle approach to landing on the tanker- his camoflage unit
broke upon landing. The 2 quickly discuss their new employment in the private
sector- no unwanted "presents" (Snake hasn't forgotten Naomi Hunter & FOX-DIE)
Snake is also concerned about Mei Ling- the equipment she readily takes from the
S.S.C.E.N (U.S. Army Soldier System's center) will get her caught one day. Otacon
and Snake then focus- after the incident on Shadow Moses island Revolver Ocelot
sold the Metal Gear test data on the open market. Because of that, anyone with
enough money (including both private enterprises and government's) has their own
Metal Gear program. A new Metal Gear prototype had been constructed to blow all
the other one's out of the water (literally). This new prototype was amphibious
and, because of that, is in the juristiction of the United State's Marine Corps.
Otacon tell's Snake what they are here and what they are doing- their goal is to
collect evidence of the new Metal Gear development and expose it to the world.
Although they are part of a United Nation's sanctified group
(named "Philanthropy") they are still fringe- so Snake and Otacon have to be
careful with what they do. Otacon help's Snake investigate his equipment. As
Snake is testing out his binoculas he see's the marines on patrol- wearing no
visible weapons or uniforms. Otacon reminds Snake of the secret-nature of the
transportation and the easy visibility of the ship (even from the shoreline)
These marines can't arouse suspicion. Snake then ask's Otacon about his source of
the information regarding the transportation of the Metal Gear and Otacon
explains that he hacked it out of the Pentagon's top-secret files. The
infiltration specialist is worried it is a trap, but Otacon is confident that
they are safe. As Snake views the water line higher than it should be (the cargo
should have been removed by this point) Otacon reminds Snake that the new Metal
Gear would be quite heavy and weight down the ship. This prompt's Otacon to
explain to Snake how the best way is to get into the cargo hold.
Snake then observes the security on the boat. Special Operation's Counter-
Terrorist force's are trained to watch for threat's from the stern- security
should be much tighter. As if someone heard his words, Snake hear's low flying
helicopters and starts looking around. Using his binoculas again and viewing the
marines he spies them quickly and cold-bloodedly murdered by soldier's dressed in
navy-overall's. Snake dryly comments "...looks like we're not the only ones after
Metal Gear tonight" Wondering if they are hijacking the boat or not, Snake ask's
Otacon how many people it would require to take over the ship. The specialist
informs Snake that, since the ship is computer controled, only about 18 people
could do it. Spying the invader's further, Snake view's a man who seem's to be
giving out orders, and judges from his appearance that he is Russian. Both Snake
& Otacon are left guessing as he disconnect's CODEC communication and begins to
make his way to the bridge...
Making his way through the tough & experienced soldier's who have taken over the
ship, Snake quickly find's himself at the bridge. Cautiously entering, he see's
bodie's strewn across the consoles. He spots outside the "Kasatka" - Russian
choppers. Quickly checking the navigation console Snake confirms the tankers
destination to be 35 degree's longtitude and 58 degree's latitude. When he tell's
Otacon this, it is found this is 500 miles off the coast of Bermudas - in the
middle of the Atlantic. Otacon is quick to conjecture that this means the project
must be ready for solo testing. Because the test's will be conducted outside the
range of the Naval fleet this means that no assistance will be required and the
project must be solely a marine corp one. As the 2 discuss that position,
however, Snake is interrupted from a noise outside...
Leaving the bridge Snake hide's behind some crates and spies a female figure
communicating with someone on a radio. She makes it clear, to the person, that
the control room, communications and engineering have all been secured as well as
all the entry point's to the ship. But she is worried about the vehicles pilot.
He is the only one who underwent V.R. training, she is assured. He is the only
one who can do it. The person on the radio changes the subject- ordering the
female to leave the ship. The person she is communicating with has a bad feeling
about the mission and he remembers that she promised she would leave. She beg's
the man- telling him that she has nowhere to go. But he reminds her that she is
carrying his grandson...and abruptly disconnects. She disapointingly gestures a
helicopter with a large arm wave and it signal's back, she begins to wait for it
to pick her up.
Snake pounces. From the crate Snake jump's out and point's his weapon at the
girl. Cooly & professionally Snake order's her to drop her gun- she does so. He
want's to know who she is- she says she is a Nomad & a wanderer. She toy's with
Snake- would he shoot an unarmed woman? Snake retorts he is a Nomad to. She is
obviously surprised by his response and he order's her to drop her knife. As she
slowly moves to get rid of the weapon the rain stops and the girl, Olga, makes a
note of this. The ship rock's and she take's this opportunity to throw the knife.
Snake instinctively dodges the blade, moving faster than what his vision can see,
but loses sight of her. Pulling a spare gun from her holster, she begins firing
at Snake and the 2 battle for their lives. Snake has to dodge both her gunshot's
and explosives from the professional but he defeats Olga by hiding behind large
crate's and blasting away at her with all of his skill.
Carefully approaching her body Snake crouches beside her and take's her gun. But
he is startled and looks up...to see a Cypher drone spying on him...what is a
tool of the United State's Marine Corp's doing up there? It flies off...
To many questions...no answer's at all.
TO BE CONTINUED...
----======== 6 ========----
***CHARACTERS***
As I've mentioned, MGS went out of its way to supply background
information on most of the main characters and make them more than just one-
dimensional heroes and villains. Considering that, I felt it would be appropriate
to summarise the characters and their stories, as well as comment on what we can
tell about them based on what they have said.
There are several websites I have visited that have information on the
characters that the games or any kind of official reading material do not
mention. Apprehensively I'm including that here as well even though it is
questionable whether it is "official" or not. I believe it is as all the websites
will tell the same consistent story (and its possible that this info does appear
in the official guides- something I will soon be investigating)
-----------------------------------
Solid Snake
-----------------------------------
True name and family are concealed through "Classified National
Security Codes" A former FOXHOUND squad member, he is Japanese-British, with an
IQ rating of 160. He is conversant in 6 languages, well trained in high-altitude
skydiving, scuba-diving and free climbing. Able to sneak anywhere, and under any
circumstances; he is "a man who can make the impossible possible". The very man
who famed the name FOXHOUND worldwide through Operation Intrude N313. He retired,
but was later scouted by the CIA. He served as a deep cover agent in the
organisation but however, opposed to the bureaucracy of the system, left after 6
months. Snake worked for a number of years as a mercenary selling his skills to
the highest bidder. Earning enough money to semi-retire and needing a break due
to a large amount of political assasinations over the world, Snake retired in
deep seclusion in the central Canadian wilderness. Only Campbell knew his
location and scouted him out, quickly, to re-instate him back into active service
due to a volitile situation developing in the middle east (later known as "The
Uprising in Zanzibar")
However, even though he was successful in the infiltration of
Zanzibar land and retrieving OILIX, the traumatic events of the end of the
mission once again overwhelmed Snake and compelled him to retire once again to
Twin Lakes, Alaska. Living a cabin in an environment of abundant Flaura and
Fauna, Snake suffered severe Post-traumatic stress as a result from his previous
2 missions. This led to him suffering intense confusion and hallucinations- which
he attempted to banish by racing Huskie Sleighs.
-----------------------------------
Roy Campbell
-----------------------------------
Ex-Commander of FOX-HOUND. Though already retired from the armed forces,
he has been called out because there was no other commander who could get in
touch with Solid Snake. He accepted the mission on Shadow Moses islandin order to
save his niece Meryl. Though a civilian now, he showed up in a military uniform
wearing a beret.
Before entering the "former" FOX-HOUND, he served in the US Marine Corps,
Green Beret and Delta Force. In FOX-HOUND, he was assigned to X.O. of the unit
for his strategic planning capabilities and his battle experience. After the
death of Big Boss, he discarded the code name system in the unit, and built up
the "new" FOX-HOUND making full use of various hi-tech equipment including
reconnaissance satellites. After being discharged, he served as a special
instructor of the Marines Boots Camp. Friends with Master Miller. Called to
persuade Solid Snake, Campbell was originally against FOX-HOUND's introduction of
genetic treatment and that caused him to step down from Commander post. After
Campbell left, the commander-less FOX-HOUND returned to the code name system.
-----------------------------------
McDonald Miller
-----------------------------------
Hired by Campbell as survival consultant for FOXHOUND during the Outer
eaven revolt. Born in the United States 60 years after his grandparents
immigrated there, he has served as a survival master in SAS, The Green Beret
Squad, US Marine boot camp, and most recently FOXHOUND. He also volunteers as a
coach in MERC SCHOOL (Mercenary School) twice a year. When he served as a drill
sergeant in FOX HOUND, he was referred to as a 'Hell Master' and draftees called
him "Master Miller" with respect. He divorced his first wife (Nadine), and is
currently residing in Los Angeles with his daughter (Catherine). Miller is full
of ideas and is quite knowledgeable in the area of science.
-----------------------------------
Liquid Snake
-----------------------------------
Mastermind of the attack with a IQ of 180. Born through the 20th century
analogue cloning technology. Shares same mother as Solid Snake. While Solid
inherited the genes (traits) of "light", Liquid did the genes (traits) of "dark".
At birth, Liquid was given from the US government to the British government. This
was to measure effects of acquired surroundings and not only inherited traits.
Under the tutelage of MI5 he was educated and received battle training. He is
fluent in 7 languages such as English, Spanish, French, Malay, etc and speaks
Arabic like a native. Unlike Solid, he does not serve in an official military but
instead in the dark world as a mercenary and assassin. Due to his appearance,
which cannot be with any nationality, as well as his superb fighting skills, he
was recruited by the British information agency (SIS) to act as a sleeper in the
Middle East for espionage and destruction activities. To further vitalize his
skills, he was put in real combat in his teens. In his high teens he worked for
the British special force (SAS) to destroy the mobile launchers of SCUD missiles
in the Gulf War. During the mission he became a POW of Iraq and disappeared. Due
to his outstanding battle skills he was brainwashed and used for terrorist
activities in the Middle East.
He can withstand the cold and heat due to his experience in the Arab
nations and deserts. Fox hunting in the Middle East is actually jackal hunting.
After the UPRISING OF ZANZIBAR (and after Solid Snake left the unit) he joined
FOX HOUND, an official unit for the first time. There he became the battle leader
of FOX HOUND.
-----------------------------------
REVOLVER OCELOT
-----------------------------------
Ex-Spetsnaz (Russian SAS- specialising in reconnaissance, sabotage and
assassination) After the fall of the Soviet Union, he joined the Russian police.
Then he joined the special tactics division of the SVR, which was formally the
KGB Administration Headquarters No.1. However, he did not adapt well to the old
KGB system, and he was scouted by the US and joined FOX-HOUND.
A gun nut who loves cowboy movies and spaghetti Westerns. He uses a
revolver (single action army) and shoots with one hand (western style). He is an
amazing gunfighter and has the ability to recochet bullets with surprising
accuracy (he hates wasting bullets) He fought mainly in Afghanistan, Eritrea,
Mozambique, and other local dispute areas in Central Asia. This is when he met
and was scouted by Big Boss who was running his mercenary business in Africa.
During his Afghan days, his helicopter was shot down by an Afghan guerilla with a
stinger missile, and to this day he suffers from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
-----------------------------------
PSYCO MANTIS
-----------------------------------
Has powerful psycho-kinesis powers and the ability to read people's
minds. In his childhood, for the first time he dove into the mind of his father
and found out that his father hated him. This was because his mother died when
giving birth to him. He then finds out about the different facets
(the "parasite") in one's conscience. This shock changed his personality & the
feeling of despair within himself woke up his subconscious and made him kill his
father. The power that
was released from him during that episode wiped out a whole town of 1000 people.
The KGB was impressed by his ESP abilities so they took him in and trained him.
He is from the "dormitory school" known for training former Soviet agents. The
KGB was the organisation he first used his powers for. Losing his position in the
Soviet Union after its crumble, he moved to the US and served in the FBI for a
short period of time. There he was in charge of several cases in the agency. He
dove into the minds of serial murders and ended up uniting with such minds (after
going beyond the threshold of the element of crime), becoming a serial killer
himself. He then became a freelance espionage agent and was scouted to join FOX-
HOUND.
In order to prevent his own destruction with his ESP powers, he keeps
another personality (the parasite) within himself. He is called Mantis because of
this mental parasite in him. By mentally living together with this single-celled
mental parasite, he can somehow manage to keep his original self. He wears a gas
mask to hide his facial burns he suffered when wiping out the town. The mask is
also necessary to protect his self from spiritual powers and thought powers in
the air. In his youth he was a muscular athlete, but since the awakening of his
ESP powers he had no reason to act physically, making him lose his muscles and
leaving him with just skin and bones. Due to his childhood trauma, he has no
happy memories. When he assassinates he dives into the target's mind
and "deprives" the target of his likes. He is also known as the dream robber.
-----------------------------------
SNIPER WOLF
-----------------------------------
Sniper Wolf comes from an Iraqi tribe called the Kurds (Kurd in Turkish
means "wolf"), a rather poorly treated people. Towards the end of the Iran-Iraq
War in 1988 a five-year-old Sniper Wolf watched a gas attack on her village by
Saddam Hussein's troops, who killed her parents and siblings. More than 3,700
people died in this attack. As an orphan, she was taken in by the Iraqi Ministry
of Internal Affairs, and was trained rigorously. In 1991, during the internal
fighting in Iraq after the Gulf War, she fled to a Kurdish refugee camp. It was
here that Big Boss witnessed her skill on a visit with the U.S. Secretary of
State, and hired her as an operative. In the U.S., she received counselling and
deprogramming (ridding the Iraqi brainwash she was given), leaving her with only
fighting abilities. She was extremely grateful for this gesture, comparing Big
Boss to Saladin (who defeated the Crusaders in the 12th century).
On September 3, 1996, the U.S. sanctioned missile attacks on the Iraqi
military due to its intervention in Kurdish residential areas (known as the
August 31 Intervention). After this, the southern flight prohibition area was
expanded to 33 degrees north. This was not done to protect the kurds in the
north, but for strategic benefit of the Pentagon. This caused a major refugee
problem, similar to the one experienced at the Iraqi borders in the spring after
the Gulf War. Wolf was disgusted by this incident and moved to join Big Boss with
whatever plans he decided to hatch. Finally, she was scouted by Liquid Snake, and
joined FOX-HOUND as a sniper.
With exceptional sniping capabilities, Sniper Wolf strikes a
stunning pose. Her care for her appearance extends to the time she takes when
executing her target. She has such incredible patience that she can keep aiming
at her target over a week without eating or drinking. This dedication stemmed
from her formative years, when she learned sniping techniques from a Gurkha in
Nepal, the world's most accurate sniper. Employing the PSG-1 Sniper Rifle, she
also uses special mercury ordinance (bullets packed with mercury) to not only
wound her victims but poison them as well. However, her malicious tendencies are
tempered by her love for animals, as she cares for wolf dogs. This is possibly
because she sees something of herself in the rossbred wolf dogs - a strong,
almost nomadic personality. As she firmly states, "Wolves only howl when
necessary." She also sees freedom in Solid Snake's indulgence in dog sled racing.
-----------------------------------
DECOY OCTOPUS
-----------------------------------
Decoy Octopus was born in Mexico and grew up worshipping Hollywood make-
up, animatronics and special effects. When he became an adult he moved to
California and became an actor. His mimicry and special effects skills were so
accurate that the CIA approached him and he took up their job offer. It was
through his work with them that he began to work with FOX-HOUND. Octopus can
speak over 10 languages including German, French, Spanish, Polynesian and even
Ebonics (The "jibe" language the old lady speaks in Mel Brooks' "Flying High!")
When Octopus is assigned someone to impersonate his background check of the
individual will include that of the persons habits and their home country's
culture & history. In order to maintain the most realistic physical identity he
has shaved his cheek, jaw and nose bones, as well as cut off his ears.
Octopus can walk in any manner he chooses by dislocating his
joints. This means he can also slip through narrow spaces. His sense of touch can
be controlled enabling him to grip very hot or cold items. His metabolism must
also be changed when impersonating someone, which means he must constantly use
steroids. When on a long term mission Octopus will even use the persons blood as
well as recieve a bone-marrow transplant. However, the consequences of these
missions are severe as Octopus almost completely forgets who he really is (as he
has almost completely became the person he imitates) He always ask's the military
for thorough mental de-programming after a mission is completed.
-----------------------------------
VULCAN RAVEN
-----------------------------------
Handles a gatling gun (normally equipped on jet fighters) as easily as a
small rifle. Can withstand extreme cold because of his amazing physical prowess.
Has a birthmark of an raven on the forehead and a tattoo of circuit wiring
(actually PETROGLYPHS) all over the body. Eskimos and Indians worship the raven
as the creator. An elite soldier who graduated from the University of Alaska.
When frozen, he walked across the Bering Strait and visited Russia, making his
connections with Russia strong. He knew Ocelot well in his GRU days. Took part in
a special missions in the former Soviet Union. He was demoted upon the coup in
Moscow in 1993. Like fellow members of this secret unit, he leaves Russia. He
then joins the mercenary dispatching company "OUTER HEAVEN" and is introduced to
FOX-HOUND by Revolver Ocelot.
-----------------------------------
BIG BOSS
-----------------------------------
Former general troop commander of FOX-HOUND. An American who participated
in LRRP (Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol) in Vietnam, and afterwards, exploited
his superior skills in SOG (Special Operations Group), the Green Berets and the
Wild Geese. He has completed more than 70 missions. In the late 80's, he
participated in several regional conflicts and race liberation wars. He was
heralded as a true hero and made the front covers of popular magazines in many
countries. Following being diagnosed sterile due to war injuries the US goverment
highly valued his warfare ability and coverly agreed with Big Boss on a external
fertilization program (a project code-named the Son's of Big Boss: Les enfant
terrible, and also known as the Eve project) using external DNA procedures.
Despite its inhuman nature, the US military deemed this necessary during the Cold
War period.
The loss of an eye prompted him to retire from the front line to
concentrate on military education and training. The 1990's arrived and he was
nominated as general planning commander of the international special forces squad
FOX-HOUND. Then, "BIG BOSS", transformed by greed and dreams of absolute power,
managed to take control of Outer Heaven (A military fortress nation in Salzburg)
and tried to establish world domination. He was stopped by Solid Snake in
operation N313. He was defeated by Snake, once again, after fleeing to the middle
east and developing the armed fortress nation Zanzibar Land. His remains were
taken into possesstion by the U.S. Government for gene-therapy experiments.
----======== 6 ========----
CONCLUSION, KUDOS AND CONTACT DETAILS
I have no doubt, this being my first FAQ, that I have made somekind of of
error regaring Metal Gear Solid. All I can do is just pray for your forgiveness
and hope you'll drop me a line and POLITELY explain to me if I went wrong
anywhere. I'm prepared for ALOT of flaming about how I forgot to mention what
color that little dot on Sniper Wolf's hankerchief is.
This plot summary is the consequence of alot of work by me...but I also
can't deny the sources and inspiration I have gotten from people. Heres some
people I just HAVE to thank...
*. Thomas Wilde / Dan Birlew
Any of you with an elementary gaming knowledge would no-
doubt be holding this in comparison with Thomas Wilde/Dan
Birlew's EXCELLENT Resident Evil Plot Thesis. One day I hope this
thing will be a quarter-way as good as theirs but that's
unlikely. A big thanks go out to Thomas for letting me
essentially "rip off" the plot thesis idea from him.
*. Aurora02 (Gamefaqs MGS Forums) and Damian Denehy
For giving me information on 'The Best is Yet to Come'
*. Maarten ter Huurne & Takamichi
For their amazing translation of the manual of Metal Gear
2: Solid Snake, which provided invaluable information on the characters
as well as FOX-HOUND itself. If you want to play the original 2 Metal
Gear games through an emulator, or read the original manuals for the games
(and listen to some chart topping MIDI tracks) visit their site at:
http://www.msxnet.org/gtinter/mgear2us.htm
I've spent several months working on this and I'm not planning on
letting this document die down. Allow me to repeat myself- THIS DOCUMENT IS NOT
GOING ANYWHERE!!! I know whats it like to see something you really like but
knowing it will never be updated- I'm not going to let it happen to this thing.
The online version this document is dead now as I gave up on using HTML. If your
computer, for some stupid reason, hates TXT and loves HTML the site is still up
(just not going to be updated) and is available at:
Http://www.geocities.com/zoobra101/Metal_Gear_Solid.htm
Of course, this document is availble in .txt format (in order of sites you should
check for updates) at:
www.gamefaqs.com
www.neoseeker.com
www.psxcodez.com
www.gamesages.com (AKA http://codes.ign.com- when they eventually update my
document from %$#*ing May!)
I'm happy for anyone with a MGS website to host this as well because it'd
obviously be a win-win situation for both of us. However, please contact me
before doing so.
Schools finished- I'm gonna have alot of free time on my hands. MGS2 is
going to be here in a matter of weeks (hopefully) And you can expect immediate
coverage as soon as the game is out. My PS2 is on lay-by now (OH YEAH! I KNEW you
all were anxious to know whether I got it or not) as well so expect extended plot
coverage- in only one place!
Anyway- best be to you all. At the moment I can be reached through
[email protected] with any questions about the game, this project or myself.
Please write e-mails with half-way decent grammar and without excessive
abbreviations that will cause me to have to decrypt what is said. I simply won't
respond to e-mails I can't understand (Excepting people who write badly because
english is their second language) Please don't send me e-mail's asking questions
about 'Metal Gear Solid 2' either as I would not be able to answer them and
you'll probably end up spoiling the game for me! We wouldn't want that now would
we?
Grant 'Dispicable Moose' Morrissey
[email protected]
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COPYRIGHT 2001. Grant Morrissey.
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