1995, 220 km North of Galzburg, Republic of South Africa.
David Pliskin, code name Solid Snake, had a natural immunity to Ketamine, something his father John had unknowingly taken advantage of for years, which meant that he came too much faster than anyone would expect, giving him a chance to listen in.
"Madnar, how much explosive did you tell him to use? He not only blew the mock-up to bits but he damaged the hanger." That sounded like Big Boss, but how...
"I said two blocks per foot, he probably doubled that just to be sure. You should address that in training and not blame people WHO HAVE HAD TO PLAY ALONG WITH THIS MADNESS." And that was definitely Dr. Madnar.
"The point is, the operation was a success, and we can give the kid information on everything. And we have to, SANR just started a mercenary takeover of Mozambique and they are two days away from capturing the capital. If we want to stop Cipher or XOF from whatever they are doing we need to move fast and we need our best." That voice, that was, Master Miller? He had only seen Kaz once or twice during training so he could not be sure.
A hand suddenly clapped down on his shoulder making him jump up in his seat. "If anybody here cares, the kid is awake, I told you he would recover fast Boss." Snake tried to take in his surroundings, ready to fight his way out, but what he saw gave him pause.
On the left was Dr. Madnar, looking tired, but not like he was being held against his will. Next to him was a man in cowboy boots, ammo belts, pistols, and a snow white mustache. Something seemed off about the cowboy, like he was putting on an act. On his right was, Kaz Miller, it had to be. The shades, the missing arm, the blond hair, now that he could see him Snake was sure who it was. His scan of the room jerked to a halt on the person to Kaz's right, a woman, in a gray jumpsuit, that was unzipped from top to bottom, revealing a world of skin. His eyes shot up to her face and he realized, it was Stefanie Joosten, the Dutch model. He recognized her from the posters in the barracks back home.
His eyes moved right one last time and he froze in shock, staring at him, was two Big Bosses, neither of them dead. As he looked he noticed the differences, one had the hint of shrapnel embedded in his forehead, and a red prosthetic hand emerging from his right sleeve. The other was dressed differently, Olive Green army fatigues, and his face looked more natural. "Congratulations kid, you passed your final test, you are now a full member of FOXHOUND." Said the one without a horn.
"What the hell is going on here, what test, how are you alive, how are there two Big Bosses, WHERE THE HELL AM I!"
"At ease soldier, you are in the Outer Heaven command center, and the reason Venom Snake here is not dead, is that you have been shooting rubber bullets since the exercise began. You have just completed a simulated mission as a final test to be inducted into FOXHOUND. Oh, and this is my body double, Venom Snake, you two have never been formally introduced."
Snake's mind was reeling, Venom Snake, the international terrorist, the most wanted man in America, was a body double for Big Boss, the most decorated special forces officer in America. And this had all been a test... "What about Metal Gear, and the nuclear weapons?"
"Metal Gear is not a threat, nobody cares about The Republic of South Africa developing a new transport for their nukes, and nobody cares when those nukes can't reach 'civilized' countries, only African nations. Besides, the proliferation of Nuclear weapons happened here a decade ago, as long as the weapons can't strike America the CIA doesn't step in."
Kaz stepped forward, "Ocelot, take Snake to medical, get him checked out and answer his questions. I will take Boss and Venom to meet with Kojima and work out a plan to this mess. Lets move people, the enemy has a head start and we need to work fast to catch up."
Big Boss turned to Snake, "Go to medical, once you are checked out you can join us son." He smiled at the stunned look on David's face as he was led out by Ocelot.