The Road to Outer Heaven
Chapter 4: Briefing
By, Frank Hunter

The next morning the three men found themselves in a briefing room at 0600. Solid Snake sat with Gray Fox at a large conference table, with Big Boss pacing up and down the other side. Snake's heart raced at the anticipation of this field exam. Fox seemed to keep himself more composed.

"Something of great value has been stolen from a small island nation in the middle of South Africa," Big Boss started. Snake could tell the commander was speaking more to Fox than himself, but at the moment it didn't really matter. He would prove himself here and soon enough he would be on a mission of his very own.

"Who's the culprit?" Fox asked.

"Intelligence suggests that the thieves were agents of the South African National Party. There have been high altitude aircraft watching the targeted nation for some time. It would seem this is the first offensive action taken."

Snake chimed in. "What's the island nation called?"

Big Boss glanced at him quickly. "Outer Heaven. It isn't much more than a large fortress, but it's creating a lot of noise in the United Nations."

"There has been a lot of controversy around the ending of apartheid over the last few years," Fox added.

"Yes, South Africa finally did away with the policy last year when the ANC was voted into power, but it would seem the National Party isn't giving into Mandela's victory so easily."

"They want a trump card?" Fox asked.

"Yes, it would seem so," Big Boss replied. "Something to 'persuade' the ANC to allow them a return to power. Something to grant them a bit more muscle. Discrimination is a powerful motivator, and the NP managed to find what they were looking for right in their own backyard. In Outer Heaven."

Snake was beginning to feel lost. "What exactly was stolen?"

Big Boss shook his head. "It's classified information, so we aren't sure. We know that they were blueprints, but the Outer Heaven government is refusing to tell the United Nations exactly what they were for. But, like I said, they are being quite vocal about getting those plans returned."

Fox continued. "Whatever they are, the South African NP is certain it will be enough to return them to power?"

"At the very least."

Fox thought for a second, before smirking. "But we don't work for the Outer Heaven government. Why are we involved?"

Big Boss returned the smile. "If the United States can get its hands on those blueprints, not only can we find out exactly why this situation is so severe, but we can bring both nations to the negotiating table. The NP is not in power anymore, and the South African government sees this whole mess as a misunderstanding. The last thing they need after finally achieving peace is war with an island nation."

"Humanitarian motives?" Snake asked. "Seems like a long way for the U.S. to go to ensure the rights of a nation as small as Outer Heaven."

Big Boss looked at him again. "No job is too big, too small or too difficult for FOX-HOUND," he said. "Also, we really are very curious to see what could possibly cause this much of a stir. Worst case scenario is that Outer Heaven is developing nuclear missile capacity, and we don't need a small, volatile island nation to have that capability."

"So the mission is to steal back these blueprints for the United States?" Fox asked.

"Yes."

"Where are they?" Snake added.

"They've been tracked to a small NP-controlled bunker, not far from Johannesburg."

Snake was taken a bit aback. "We're infiltrating a government facility?"

"Yes. Problem?"

"Why was this considered a low-risk assignment?"

Big Boss suppressed a chuckle. "Because at least some of those government types will try to arrest you before they kill you."

Fox was still all business. "What's the insertion method?"

Pulling out a map and setting it on the table, Big Boss went into the details. "You'll HALO drop into South Africa. The LZ will be near the town of Zamdela, about 10 miles south of your target." He pointed at a small mark on the map and traced a line north northwest. "The two of you will make your way to the bunker on foot from there."

The commander pulled a satellite image of the bunker out as well, and placed it on top of the map. "Once there, you'll need to find a way inside, locate those blueprints and retrieve them. I'm also going to ask that you don't look at the blueprints any more deeply than is necessary to determine what they are."

"How do you expect this mission to be completed effectively if you don't want us reading what we're picking up?" Snake asked, surprised.

Fox leaned over and spoke to him. "Secrecy is not unusual."

"And those blueprints are top secret," Big Boss added. "The more people that see them the more of an international security risk there is. It isn't that I don't trust you, but the less everyone knows about this project the better."

He continued. "Anyway, you will find your way inside using any and all means at your disposal. Weapons and equipment are OSP."

"We're going in unarmed?!" Snake blurted, alarmed again.

"You really are surprised at how FOX-HOUND operates, aren't you?" Big Boss asked, obviously amused. Snake could tell Fox was grinning next to him again. "Any military issue weapon can be traced back to us and the last thing we need in the case of a failure is to have the infiltration pinned on America. If you are caught, the U.S. will deny any knowledge of your involvement in South Africa."

"What about if we succeed?" Snake asked. "They'll know then, if you plan on bringing them to a negotiating table."

"Leave the diplomacy aspect of the mission to me." Big Boss continued as Snake quieted down. "Now you are authorized to use any method of search and interrogation you'd like to find these blueprints, but I ask that, if possible, you keep the casualties to a minimum. Once again, in the eventuality of failure, we don't need a high body count complicating things."

Fox was beginning to look bored.

"Once you have the blueprints secured, exfiltrate the base and return to the LZ 10 miles to the south. You can radio for evac there, and a helicopter will be dispatched for immediate pick-up and transport to the airfield where your ride home will be waiting. Because of the small scale and short time-span of this mission, I will be your only radio support. Don't forget my frequency: 140.85. Any more questions?"

Snake shook his head, and Fox just stared.

"Alright, the plane leaves in thirty minutes. I suggest you get prepared. It is a long trip to South Africa."