"So is he going to be alright?" Otacon asked.
"Yes, he'll be just fine, the---" The conversation cut in and out as Snake continued in his state of near sleep.
"---Yeah he got some good intel---"
"I'm sure he did. Do you think we---"
The men talked outside of the room Snake was stationed in. They stood at the large window, observing Snake as they spoke to one another.
"He doesn't know about---"
"---no, no. Not yet atleast." The conversation ended abruptly and the men parted ways. Otacon entered into Snake's room with a concerned look on his face.
"Hey. Hey are you awake Snake?" Otacon asked as he walked closer toward the bed.
"I'm here..."
"You did good, you did real good Snake." Otacon assured him.
"Hmm... Yeah." Snake said as he awoke further. He lifted himself slightly off the bed, rubbed his eyes, then stretched his arms out wide with a loud yawn.
"Right now, we're good. You've done a good enough job so far. You can take yourself a much needed break." Otacon said as he pulled out a chair, and sat down next to Snake.
"So what are you going to do?"
"Well we're trying to place the pieces together. What we have right now is this: 12 bases, each base operated by one of the 12 Revolution members, each base contains one cybernetic suit, each suit serves some sort of purpose. Then Ocelot, and the death of the Patriots fit in somewhere."
"Oh boy..." Snake said as the answer to all of this seemed to be just beyond their reach.
"Yeah, I hear ya."
Snake thought back.
---"The Philosopher's Legacy."---
Snake remembered Director X's words clearly.
"Otacon."
"Yeah?"
"I need you to do something for me. I just never had the chance to ask until now."
"What's that Snake?"
"Whenever you get the chance, do some research and find out exactly what "The Philosopher's Legacy" is."
"The Philosopher's Legacy? I've never even heard of it."
"Neither had I until Director X mentioned it."
"Well I can try Snake, but I can't promise anything."
Snake nodded his head before he dropped it back onto the pillows below. He closed his eyes, and quickly drifted off back into his much needed slumber...
3 Weeks Pass...
December 29, 2011 Alaskan Snow Fields
Snake, who was fitted accordingly to combat the harsh climates of the Alaskan Winters, stood outside his small wooden cabin where he was stationed at during the last several weeks of his "break." He stood alone, taking hard drags from his cigarette. The smoke blew out from his nose and into the freezing air.
"Ahh..." Snake was relaxed, he had never felt this good before in all of his years. He continued to enjoy his smoke as he watched the sun set in the far distance. For those few short seconds, Snake was fulfilled. He could live out the rest of his life here without a care in the world. Though he knew he could not do that, that reality set in too quick as his phone rang from inside the Cabin.
"Maybe I shouldn't have opted for a phone line." Snake said as he walked into cabin and picked up the phone. " Hello."
"Hey Snake, it's me Otacon."
"What's the news?" Snake said, not interested in small talk.
"Well Snake I got some good news."
"Go ahead."
"Well for one I have some new leads for us."
"... And second?"
"Secondly, I have found out some information on what the Philosopher's Legacy is. Which I can tell you right now over the phone."
"I'm listening..."
"Well Snake, this definitely was not easy to find but... The Philosopher's Legacy was a large sum of money that was gathered during the two World Wars by the three power houses of the world at the time: The US, USSR, and China. They apparently gathered up about $100 billion to help stop the war. That's really all I can get so far."
Snake nodded his head and accepted the information that Otacon recieved. "Thanks. That's doesnt explain why Director X would mention it but it's still useful information."
"But that's that. Snake I have a pretty good lead that we can follow on now."
"And what exactly might that be?"
"Well what I found out was that at this moment, the cybernetic suits are all completed."
"Yeah ok, so what does that mean?"
"That whatever purpose they hold, it's going to be revealed at some point soon."
"And do we know when exactly this point will be?"
"Yes, luckily I was able to set a tracker on Ray before Ocelot took off. According to the computer, Ocelot made his way toward the States. He was around the New York harbor when I lost the connection."
"So where does this leave us?" Snake asked, not knowing where Otacon was going.
"Well the tracker I placed on him held a strong electronic communications device. It picked up a very important conversation on it. It's not the greatest quality but it definitely is good enough."
"Well I can barely make you out as it is, once I get out of here you can play me that conversation. And then we can find out what we can do from there."
"Where exactly are you right now?" Otacon asked.
"Back home in Alaska. I decided I was getting soft so I spent a few weeks of winter up here. It helped to get my strength back, and gather my endurance."
"Sounds good Snake, see you soon."
Snake hung up the phone without saying anymore. He finish off the end of his cigarette and placed it into the ash tray by the phone. Snake was exhausted at this point, he couldn't resist the warm bed in front of him. He dove into the covers and rested his eyes. Snake would wake up tomorrow, and begin packing for the long trip back to the problem at hand...
That morning hit quickly, the sun rose gently over the Alaskan hill tops and peeked into the cabin windows slowly. The beams of orange light hit Snake's eyes; waking him from his relaxing slumber.
"Hmmm... Haven't had that good of a sleep in a long time." Snake said as he gathered himself and rose from the bed. He had only a few things to pack before he left. Most of the things in the cabin were already there. Snake just brought his necessities: smokes, ash tray, clothing, food, just the things Snake considered he couldn't do without. So luckily packing wasn't a problem. He was able to fit them all into one small suitcase. He was ready to go in only a few minutes.
"I'll be back around some other time." Snake said to the Cabin itself, and the Alaskan life, as he walked out the door.
Snake caught the next flight out to New York that day. He was going to meet up with Otacon later that night. But not before he reluctantly endured a long 10 hour flight...
That night...
8:03 P.M. December 30, 2011, New York City
The night came quickly as the moon peeked above the skyscrapers and shined its glorious light onto the streets below. The water and the buildings all had a luminous glow as they reflected the bright blue lights. Snake and Otacon occupied a tiny room in one of the hundreds of buildings scattered across the city.
"Snake, do you really have to smoke now? I don't want that in my lungs." Otacon said, breaking the silence in the poorly lit room.
"Hmm.." Snake grunted as he placed the cigarette in the ash tray.
"Thank you."
"Alright, alright. So let's get to the point."
"Right. Ok Snake." Otacon said he pulled out the small tape holding the "important conversation"
He flipped it around and placed it into the tape recorder already placed on the table.
"Let's hear it."
"Alright." Otacon pressed the playback button. The conversation began.
"Hello." Said the voice of Ocelot.
"Hello to you too." Responded the mysterious voice.
"I've got the last one."
"Commander Zero's?"
"Yeah, the big guy went down real easy." Ocelot said with a chuckle.
"Good, we can finally begin the last preparations for the project."
"How much longer? "
"Not too long, it's near completion. But still needs some bugs worked out."
"Ah well I'm sure these suits will do great when it's completed. I'm wearing one right now."
"And..."
"Well let's just say I feel like I could rip this Metal Gear in half if I wanted to." Both of the men laughed.
"Well I'm on my way as we speak, are we still meeting were we discussed?"
"Yes, of course. What better place than Federal Hall?" The man reassured him
"You're right."
"Meet me tomorrow night when the moon rises, we'll meet under the dark night." The man said almost poetically.
"Yes sir."
The tape ended. Otacon fixed his glasses accordingly and glanced at Snake.
"So what do you think?"
"Not much to think about. I'll just have to pay a little visit to our nation's birth place."
"That's what I was thinking. We can set you up there tomorrow night. You can stake out the place and see what their meeting is about. We still don't have enough to take action yet Snake, so be careful when you get there. If this meeting goes off without trouble, we might have everything we need. We could be able to strike before they do."
"That's if we can figure out what they are going to do."
"Well that's what you are here for." Otacon said with a grin on his face. He reached over, grabbed the tape, and placed it back into his front pocket. "I'll see you again tomorrow to further brief you on hopefully your last mission."
"I hear ya. Good to know I wont have to be leaving home for this one."
"Yep." Otacon said as he opened the door and walked out of the room.
Snake rested his head back. "I'm getting too old."
Later that night...
1:23 AM December 30, 2011 Federal Hall
---"I'm getting too old"--- The thought continued to cross his mind as he was stationed outside Federal Hall with nothing but his poncho as the rain came pouring down. Snake was hidden quite well, he was only on the building next to Federal Hall. But he blending in well with the dark night, his dark gray poncho was to thank.
"Arghhh..." Snake was becoming miserable, he was soaking wet, cold, and it was in the middle of the night. No signs of any life around him, everyone was at home resting in their cozy households. Snake was beginning to regret every leaving Alaska. But he had no time to think, his codec was ringing.
"What is it?" Snake said angered.
"Sorry, sorry. They should be there soon. Just hang in there."
"Damn miserable out here."
"Yeah I know, it must be absolutely freezing out there..."
"...I know."
"Snake let's just put it this way, all we need is this: What is the true purpose for the 12 cybernetic suits? And what exactly was the thing Ocelot was talking about in the conversation. This "project" they kept mentioning."
"I'll do what I can."
"Alright Snake, you'll stay out there for about another hour in a half. If they don't come by then, we can try another time."
"...I can manage." Snake said, knowing he had no choice but to tough it out...
A grueling 35 minutes pass before something caught Snake's eye through the swirling smoke from his cigarette. A dark figure walked the sidewalks in front of Federal Hall. With the same distinctive twirling of his revolver, he was no other than Ocelot. He slowly walked up the stairway toward the entrance. But he was alone at the moment, no one else was around. Snake rose slightly from his sit to further inspect Ocelot as he entered into the building alone. He quickly called Otacon.
"What's going on Snake?"
"I just saw Ocelot enter the building alone."
"Good. Now follow him."
"What about the other guy?"
"That doesn't matter right this second. For all we know he could already be in there."
"Alright I'm going, anything to get out of this rain." Snake said as he stood from his sit and began walking down the sidewalk with his head down. As he made his way down he flicked his cigarette to the side of the road and walked up the stairway. Before he entered, he quickly relieved himself of the heavy soaked poncho and dropped it to his feet. Snake quietly opened the door and walked in.
The place was as elegant as expected. There were detailed texture designs on top of each door way, long thick pillars stood all around the perimeter that held the historical building together. It was a magnificent view. Though something else caught Snake's attention when he entered: there was no security in sight, no custodians, no one. No one but Snake, Ocelot, and this mysterious man. Whom Snake was coming closer and closer to realizing his identity.
"Getting a little lazy?" Snake mumbled to himself as he continued following Ocelot's trail through the dozens of opened doors. Apparently he was not too concerned with masking his trail. Which may become a mistake on his part. As Snake continued following, he came up on the designated room "Meeting Area." As he slowly walked closer, he began to hear the words of the men.
"Glad to see you again Ocelot. It's been quite some time."
"Yes, it most definitely has."
"I see you have him under control?" The man said looking at Ocelot's arm.
"Yeah, after Big Shell I was able to forcefully regain control." Ocelot lifted his sleeve coat to reveal a disfigured arm. Burns, scars, gashes. "I did this to keep him away." Ocelot said covering his arm once again.
The two men paused for a brief second.
"So let's get right down to business." The man said breaking the tension. Snake at this point did not want to risk blowing his cover by trying to identify the man. So he just sat back and listened.
"Right." Ocelot said as he pulled up a chair.
"The suits are all set up accordingly at the moment." The man began.
"The bodies?"
"Yes, they are all in."
"So what else?"
"Besides the cybernetics suits, which we will now designate "The Anarchists."--"
"The Anarchists?" Ocelot interrupted.
"Yes. From the Revolution's death, the Anarchists are born from the ashes. The more violent, aggressive Revolutionaries."
"Hmmm..."
"Lets move on. With the Anarchists completed and ready. The final preparations on the project will be completed very shortly."
"The unveiling?"
"That'll be in the upcoming weeks if possible."
"Really, the sound of that gives me goose bumps."
"Yes I know, I can't believe after over 200 years it's finally going to be ready."
"The destruction of America as we know it..."
"Yes, of "America."
The two men laughed.
"So when will I able to see... this project?"
"Don't worry, it'll be soon, I'll give your the tour when it's ready."
"How's the facility running?"
"Oh the structure of it is--."
The men started to ramble on about useless information. Snake took this opportunity to try and find this mysterious man out. He thought to himself.
"If I get caught now, it wont matter. I've gotten enough intel, I'm sure Otacon has recorded." Snake said as he pulled out his small digital camera from his back pocket.
"I've just got to get one pic." He said as he edged closer to the door.
In the room, the men had the projector going as they inspected the images as they flashed on the wall. They discussed about the facility housing this "project" itself. No important information was leaked. Just talk about the structure and the architecture. This was Snake's one and only opportunity. And he took it. Snake flew around the corner and took a quick pic pointed at the general direction of the men. He was clueless if the pic was good enough or not. But he knew he didn't have the chance to get a better pic, and plus he had to get out of there as quickly as he could. Snake slid the camera back into his pocket and thought he had successfully completed this mission. Though that feeling quickly sunk deep into his stomach.
"Did you see that?" Ocelot asked the man.
"See what?"
Ocelot said no more as he began to walk cautiously toward the door. Snake began to tense up, he didn't want to screw this up now. Snake readied into a combat position waiting for him incase he walked through the door. He was positive he could take Ocelot if need be.
"Ocelot, where are you going?"
"I think, we might have a problem." Ocelot said, inches away from the door.
Suddenly a deathly silence came over. No one moved, no one talked. Pure silence.
"Ocel--" The man was cut off as Ocelot, now armed with his deadly combat knife, jabbed his arm out the doorway. He curved the blade to the left and planted it swiftly into the outside wall. Digging the blade in front of Snake's face.
"Damn, I missed!" Ocelot said in anger.
Snake quickly grabbed Ocelot's arm with his left hand, and swung around with his right hand as he planted it on Ocelot's elbow. Snake forced Ocelot out the door way with his powerful forearms and dropped him violently to the ground.
"Argghh!" Ocelot said in pain.
"What the hell is going on?" The man yelled from inside the room.
Snake left no response as he quickly jumped over Ocelot's body, and began his escape out the front door.
"SNAKE!" Ocelot yelled back as he forcefully lifted himself up from of the ground and began chase.
"Persistent." Snake said to himself as he glanced back to see Ocelot running behind him.
"You're not getting away from me!" Ocelot pulled out his double revolvers and began taking inaccurate shots at Snake.
Though running was not of Snake's nature he had to. He had too important info to just give up because he had to fight back. Snake had to swallow his pride and continue to push his legs to find the exit.
"Snake! Turn around and face me!" Ocelot said as he continued to taunt Snake.
He ignored his comments and continued his run, the exit was only a few feet away. His willful thinking was quickly interrupted as he felt a piercing burn in his right shoulder.
"Argghhh!" Snake had been hit.
And again, his left arm suddenly was filled with excruciating pain. Snake had been pierced twice by Ocelot's bullets. The exit seemed so far away at this point. To Snake's disbelief, he had failed. Snake had no longer any time to think, he was slowly fading away as he blacked out from the sheer pain.
"Snake! Snake! SNAKE!" Otacon screamed through the codec in shock.
There was no response.
Snake, had failed his mission...He had failed Otacon, and most importantly he had failed himself...