Peace Walker Incident

The Peace Walker Incident was a series of military skirmishes fought between the CIA Peace Sentinels and the Militaires Sans Frontieres mercenary group in November 1974, mainly taking place within Central America. The incident concerned the development of the Peace Sentinels' Peace Walker Project and the MSF's efforts to prevent its completion.

November 4th, 1974
Having left his military career in the U.S. behind him, Snake, a.k.a. Big Boss, founded the Militaires Sans Frontieres, and stationed his troops on the Barranquilla Coast of Colombia. During a combat training session on November 4th, 15:42, MSF subcommander Kazuhira Miller returned to their base camp with two visitors, reassuring Snake that they were not CIA and had not been followed.

Snake and Miller then met with the two guests in their office. Ramón Gálvez Mena, a distinguished scholar for the Costa Rican government, and his student, Paz Ortega Andrade, were seeking the MSF's help in repelling an unknown armed force that had entered their country. The local authorities had claimed that they were a multinational security firm hired by the Developmental Corporation of Costa Rica, though Gálvez believed this to be false due their advanced weapons and equipment, hinting that &quot;la cia&quot; may be involved. Since Costa Rica itself was unable to bear arms due to its peace constitution, Gálvez wished to hire the MSF as a deterrent, offering them a forward operating base off the coast of the Caribbean, and a chopper for transport, as payment. The government would also provide aid to them, unofficially.

Believing that military force was unlikely to solve the issue, and that the MSF were not simply "dogs of war," Snake was reluctant to accept Gálvez's offer. Entering the discussion, Paz proclaimed her overwhelming desire for peace in her country, revealing a passionate hatred for war, though Snake simply apologized to the young girl. A few days prior, Paz had been captured by the mysterious security company near a supply port north of Puerto Limon, while searching for a lost friend. She was subsequently imprisoned and tortured, though she was later able to escape. After describing these events to Snake, Gálvez then stated that they were aware of his identity as Big Boss, which was why they had come to him.

At 20:31, after some further discussion away from the two visitors, Miller expressed the view that Gálvez's offer was an opportunity to expand the Militaires Sans Frontieres and put down some roots, though Snake was not entirely convinced. The two also began to suspect that Gálvez was actually working for the KGB, and that by allying themselves with him, they'd be making an enemy of America. Confronted with this knowledge, Gálvez dropped his facade and explained of his mission: since the Soviets wished to establish a socialist stronghold in Central America, he had been ordered to hire the MSF to investigate the CIA's suspicious activities and force them out of Costa Rica. Having concealed any KGB affiliation from Paz, Gálvez played back a tape cassette that her friend had recorded prior to their capture. Snake was shocked to hear the voice of his supposedly deceased mentor, The Boss, to which Gálvez confirmed from voiceprint analysis. With Gálvez threatening to burn the tape, using the cigarette lighter from his prosthetic right hand, Snake finally relented, though he claimed he would be doing it for Paz.



November 10th, 1974
Six days later, Snake arrived on the coast of Costa Rica at Playa del Alba, after the MSF settle aboard the offshore plant provided by Galvez, dubbed Mother Base. With radio support from Miller, Snake infiltrated the jungle where he evaded the patrolling CIA mercenaries. At the supply depot, he interrogated a radioman who had been directing cargo to Mt. Irazu, before knocking him unconscious with his stun rod. Snake then witnessed a strange VTOL aircraft passing overhead, before finding a map concerning the security company's bases in the region. Noticing the unusual amount of radiation film badges at the depot, and recalling the radioman's earlier conversation regarding "spears," Snake and Miller become alarmed that nuclear weapons were apparently being shipped into the country. This act would constitute a violation of the Tlateloco Treaty, ratified by Costa Rica in 1969, which forbid it from the use, storage, or transport of nuclear weapons.

Infiltration
Requiring more intel on the lay of the land, and to verify the presence of nukes in the region, Miller suggested that Snake ally himself with the local Sandinista guerillas, who had fled the Somoza regime in neighboring Nicaragua. Meanwhile, Miller assured Snake of the ongoing repairs to the previously abandoned Mother Base, and Paz offered to provide additional radio support from her school at Ciudad Colón. Miller then informed Snake that the Sadinistas' hideout in El Cenegal was under attack and that he should hurry.

Snake traversed the El Cenagal jungle to the northwest, bypassing a ravine and passing through the swamp near the Rio del Jade. He arrived at the FSLN's boathouse hideout and neutralized the occupying security detail, before making contact with the hidden Sandinistas and their comandante, Amanda Valenciano Libre. Confirming that the security firm were indeed CIA, and suspected that they were going to stage a coup similar to the one in Chile. Amanda claimed that their advanced hardware and multiple bases could not simply be to eradicate their group (the amount was comparable to Da Nang), and that something of more importance must be occurring. She told Snake of a mercenary base to the north, located in an abandoned factory, which had once served as a front for a drug production plant, provided by the KGB to help finance their revolution. A transport boat with mercenaries on board had also been heading upstream towards Irazu.

Amanda's Sandinistas were suddenly attacked by the aircraft Snake had witnessed earlier, revealed to be an unmanned weapon, accompanied by several "kidnapper" drones. Though a few drones were destroyed by Snake's LAW, one was able to capture Amanda's younger brother, Chico, with its grappling hook and escape. The Sandinistas then gave chase as the unmanned aircraft and drones departed, with Snake choosing to follow after enemy reinforcements were deployed to the area. Proceeding to the banana factory that Amanda had mentioned earlier, Snake was forced to neutralize an enemy LAV-Type G and the heavily armored soldiers accompanying it. After departing the banana plantation, Snake found Amanda in the jungle, where a kidnapper attempted to abduct her. Snake helped her to get free, though she was injured from the fall, breaking one of her legs in the process of landing.

Afterwards, Amanda told Snake of a prison in the mountains, which was where Chico was most likely to be located. Snake then requested that she join the MSF aboard Mother Base until she could heal up. Realizing that they need a guide to help track down the nuclear weapon shipment, Snake infiltrated the prison facility in Camino de Lava in order to rescue Chico, who was intimately familiar with the route into the mountains. Successfully locating Chico, the twelve year old boy informed Snake of the shipping route used by the CIA mercenaries: cargo from the harbor was first transported by barge though the marshes; it was then taken by train though a coffee plantation; then finally loaded onto trucks to ship to the other side of Mt. Irazu, via an underground tunnel. Chico had never ventured any further, since the area was supposedly guarded by a spirit, which he referred to as "el basilisco." Upset that he had betrayed his compas while being interrogated, Chico asked Snake to kill him. Snake refused, demanding instead that Chico prove his strength by fighting with him and becoming a new man. Chico then joined his sister aboard Mother Base to support the MSF in their mission.

Snake then headed to to the jungle train depot, east of the coffee plantation, to stop the delivery of nukes. Rescuing several FSLN prisoners along the way, Snake reached the depot, though he was too late to prevent the nukes being transported via truck through the underground tunnel. He was then forced to neutralize an enemy T-72 Ural tank that had spotted him, along with its escort unit, after the tank demolished the tunnel entrance.

Forced to proceed via an alternate route via Los Cantos, Snake eventually arrived at Fuerte la Ladera. Evading the enemy soldiers stationed at the old fortress, Snake reached the entrance to their base, hidden within a crater. Infiltrating a garage, Snake identified the truck he had seen earlier from its license plate, though the nukes had already been offloaded.

Attempting to locate the nukes within the facility, Snake overheard an argument between wheelchar-bound engineer Huey Emmerich and the CIA Station Chief of Central America, Hot Coldman. Coldman intended to purposefully launch a nuclear warhead using Huey's creation, in order to prove its effectiveness in regards to nuclear deterrence, and return to his former position as CIA Director. Huey, however, was unconvinced and refused to cooperate with his employer any further. The argument then turned violent, with Coldman shoving Emmerich down a stairway before departing.

Helped back into his wheelchair by Snake, Huey frantically told him of the impending nulear launch. Rushing to the large open-top hangar, Snake witnesseed the removal of a tarp-covered device by the unmanned VTOL aircraft, accompanied by a Hind D gunship. A tank, similar in appearance to the Soviet Shagohod, suddenly entered the area, and attacked Snake. Equipped with an AI pod on its frame, Huey warned Snake that the vehicle was also an unmanned weapon, codenamed Pupa. With Huey's advice, Snake was able to defeat the Pupa and put it out of commission.

Huey later informed Snake that the Pupa was a prototype AI weapon, similar to the VTOL aircraft Chrysalis, and a treaded type known as Cocoon. Led by disgraced former DCI Hot Coldman, the security company operating within Costa Rica, known as the Peace Sentinels, had used the Irazu facility to develop the AI weapons' frames. The nukes that Snake had been pursuing were now loaded onto the machine that was airlifted from the facility. Codenamed Peace Walker, the bipedal machine was a mobile unmanned nuclear platform, and the end result of the Peace Sentinels' AI research.

The aim of the Peace Walker project was to develop an automated, fail-deadly, nuclear launch system, stealth-shielded from radar and satellites to evade any pre-emptive strike. Its purpose was to launch a retaliatory strike at an appropriate target, without human input, in the event of a nuclear attack, overcoming the inherent uncertainty in human decision making. Huey had proposed that the weapon have a bipedal design in order to traverse the difficult terrain of Central America, where several units were to be deployed. Snake then realized that Peace Walker was the "el basilisco" that Chico had witnessed.

Though initially believing in the maintence of peace through nuclear deterrence, Huey had been unwilling to allow Coldman to demonstrate the weapon's power by carrying out an actual nuclear attack. Demanding to know where the nukes were headed, Snake is told they had been taken to the border, and that the final test would take place in five days. Huey suggested that Snake locate another of Peace Walker's AI researchers, Dr. Strangelove, who had created the weapon's high-level decision-making AI, the Mammal Pod. Huey then considered abandoning his research, though Snake convinced him to join "Outer Heaven" instead, as part of the MSF's R&D team aboard Mother Base. Agreeing to this, Huey speculated that with enough resources, the MSF could build their own bipedal mech, to help thwart the Peace Walker project.

November 19, 1974
Snake set out for the AI facility, avoiding the heightened security in Selva de la Leche, before arriving at Catarata de la Muerte. A Hind A, accompanied by several troops were waiting for Snake in the area, forcing him to neutralize them all. Emerging victorious, Snake continued on to Selva de la Muerte, bypassing more security, until he eventually reached the Ruinas de Xochiquetzal.

While travelling through the ruins, Snake found a distressed woman resting by a tree, who became startled by his sudden appearance. Snake reassured the Frenchwoman, an ornithologist named Cécile Cosima Caminades, that he would not harm her, and offered her a mate. Having visited Costa Rica a week earlier to observe the native Quetzal, Cécile had accidentally recorded the voices of two women conducting a test exercise, with her portable cassette tape. She had subsequently been captured by armed soldiers, then blindfolded and imprisoned, though she was well cared for by one of the women she had previously overheard. Stealing an ID card, she had recently escaped into the jungle, before succumbing to exhaustion, barefoot and with no supplies.

She then apologizes to Snake for drinking all of the Mate. She then asked if she saw anybody else in the facility. Cecile says that there was another woman, but she couldn't actually see her due to the blindfold, but she did often sing a very strange song. Snake then asks Cecile if she knew what kind of person this other woman was. She doesn't know, and she doesn't even know why she was held prisoner. They also confiscated everything, including her money, equipment, supplies, and even her passport. The only thing she was even allowed to keep was her undergarments, which even that was to ensure she didn't escape. She also can't return to Paris like this, never mind could, as she cannot prove who she is.

Snake then offers her to stay at Outer Heaven, as she doesn't need a passport or even a name. If she wants to return to Paris, she can return any time. She mentions that what she need is a shower, a change of clothes, and a cigarette. He offers her a Cuban cigar. She prefers unfiltered french cigarettes, but she has to make due due to the fact that Snake is fresh out, although he does mention that she can have all the french cigarettes she wants at Outer Heaven. She remarks that it's like heaven. Snake mentions it's not quite heaven, but its close. Snake then asks if she saw anything when she escaped the facility, as she had to see something due to removing the blindfold. She mentions that she did see a room with a lot of machinery and computers like in a university. He also asked about the room where she heard the voice if there was anyone in there. Cecile denies actually seeing anyone, but there was a large tube in the back, and when she approached it, she heard a voice. She mentioned that the voice was saying "Jack" over and over. Snake then recoils in shock, as he realizes what this means. Snake then tells her that he has some business to take care of. She complains about his apparently leaving her, and he mentions that friends are going to pick her up. He then calls Kaz for a recovery: A civilian. Kaz then explains that the Mother Base no longer has any room for any civilians. Snake asks if there isn't any room for a blonde parisienne. Kaz is surprised and asks if shes "pretty foxy?" Snake tells him to see for himself, and that if what she is saying is true, she might also be Paz's missing friend, the one who made the tape. Snake also advises that she listen to the tape, just to make certain that she is. Kaz remarks that Paz might be happy to know that. Snake then departs for the facility upon Kaz's request, although not before placing a fulton balloon on her and asking if she "ever felt like a bird before."

He then arrives at the facility, although Huey's ID card does not bypass the security device. Snake then contacts Huey and tells him that his ID card isn't working. Huey then asks aloud in shock if Strangelove hates him this much, and explains that Strangelove is in charge of authorizing IDs, which means that she has the authority to cancel an ID's privelages, with one reason being if Strangelove simply doesn't like someone too much. Snake asks if that was the reason, and Huey states that he was never exactly her favorite. Huey also explains that the soldiers outside of the lab aren't allowed to use their ID cards to access the lab, either, so Snake can't use their cards either. Snake then contacts Miller and asks where Cecile is. Miller puts her on the line as she's just arrived. Snake asks Cecile how it felt to fly. Cecile then mentions it was wonderful, and that she now feels like what a bird feels, and considers giving up Ornithology and wanting to become a pilot. Snake then asks if she did get an ID card. Cecile mentions that she did, but one of the guards confiscated it when they caught her. Snake then asks who he was or at least what he looked like. She couldn't remember anything about him other than the fact that he wore an orange jacket. Snake forgives her, as the guards look mostly the same anyways, then asks where it happened. Cecile ponders it, and recalls that she did hear the song of a nearby quetzal, with Snake remarking that that's exactly what he would expect from a birder. She then has a bird cry sound, and Snake asks what it was, and Cecile mentioned she got a Quetzal when she was rescued and that it was the source of the sound. Snake reminds her that she said that the birds were covered under the Washington Convention. Cecile then explains that she was kidding and that she was actually imitating the quetzal's song, as it is an essential skill for an Ornithologist. Snake remarks that it was a "damn good" imitation. Cecile then states that if Snake wants to hear the Quetzal's song again, or even just learn more about birds in Costa Rica, he contact her. Snake thanks her, to which Cecile explains that she's actually the one who should thank Snake, and remarks that she'll talk to him soon. Snake then asks Miller if he had played the tape for Cecile, to which Miller confirms, and that it was definitely her tape. Snake then guesses that she must be Paz's friend until Kaz cuts in and states that that actually isn't the case. In fact, Miller tells Snake that Cecile stated that she never even met Paz. Snake is surprised at this, and Miller states that she's at least ten years too old anyways. Miller then theorizes that Paz must have convinced herself that it belonged to her friend. Miller then decides to put off any more thought on the subject and review what they know so far: Cecile's stolen ID card is currently in the hands of an orange-jacketed soldier in an area where Quetzals sing, and that Snake needs to locate that soldier, do a body check, and then get the card, as well as use it. Snake then is forced to return to Catarata De la Muerte to track down and knock out the orange-jacketed guard who has the proper identification. He then returns to the AI facility and scans it in. This time, it is a success. Snake travels through the grounds of the lab, and is surprised to see The Boss's horse at the area. He hears The Boss's voice claiming that it "looked like death wasn't ready for Snake yet." He turns around and sees a woman wearing a red coat. He then guesses this must be Dr. Strangelove. She mentioned that she was waiting for Snake, without joy or pleasure, for the one she despises. Snake then pulls up his gun, telling her not to move. Strangelove doesn't flinch, and just remarks that men and their guns are all say the same thing. She then asks if Snake is here to destroy her research. She then confirms that she knows that he plans to destroy her research, just as she knows what he did ten years prior. She goads him into killing her like he killed The Boss. Snake asks her what she means.

Strangelove then asks if he still wears the title "Big Boss," a reward for what she calls filthy murder, with pride. She told Snake that he chose a shadowy country over the mentor that made him who he was, and brought despair to good soldiers all over the world. She then questions how he could call that "loyalty" if he used the pretext of a mission to kill a true hero. Snake explains that The Boss stole a nuclear warhead and used it on the Soviet Union, and killing her was the only way to stop a nuclear war, which is the truth as it was given to him, and was his mission. Strangelove explains that she is the one The Boss abandoned when she left this world, and that she won't rest until she gets the answers from the woman she loved. She mentions that they both are the same as they are the "walking dead." She also reveals that she brought The Boss back, albeit as an AI. She then had Snake use snuff to enter the facility, as it is a non-smoking environment. She tells Snake that the AI is her baby, her morphos, and that it is an Imago, the most complete sense of the word. She then tells Snake that he shouldn't try anything foolish, since as long as they are in there, Strangelove will reduce Snake to carbon at the press of a button.

The Boss then mentions wonders who Snake is, saying that he looks like a man, a war fighter. Strangelove explains that she called it the Mammal Pod. She also explained that in order to participate in the project, she demanded access to all information regarding The Boss. Everything the CIA had: The Boss's personal history, military records, physiological data, correspondence, the files for every single operation she participated in, every decision she made at every possible turn, what she took, what was taken from her, her pain, her pleasure, her joy, her sorrow, her life, her death, and even Snake. She explained that Coldman needed a mad-based AI that can deliver an effective retalitory strike against the most appropriate target in response to a Nuclear attack from a hypothetical adversary. An unmanned device to act as a deterrent capable of making decisions and taking the actions that Humans could not do. She then guessed that he wanted a cool, calculating machine programmed to inflict sure and utter annihilation upon the enemy no retaliation. Coldman told her that he actually needed the thought patterns of the very finest rational mind: One that thought on a global scale and took past and future into consideration, reaching the best decision no matter how painful. She deduced that The Boss was logically the one who best fit the description. However, her true goal was to clear the Boss's name. She wants the truth, not fabrications, as to why she, a legendary hero, was forced to betray her country, and killed by her most beloved desciple. Snake denies wanting to know the boss's last will, and apparently accepted that she died a traitor. Snake then asks if Strangelove wants to recreate the Boss's last wish. Strangelove then tells him to ask her herself. The AI pod then opens, as Snake nervously enters. Strangelove then tells him that if he can, he extinguish that noble soul once again. Snake then passes out while in the AI's interior. Snake then has a flashback to when he encountered her at Dremuchij North. Snake then wakes up at the AI facility's grounds, and sees a Hind carting off the AI. Suddenly, Chrysalis emerges from behind the temple. Snake then battles and destroys it. Snake then remarks that Strangelove played her like a Piano. Miller tells Snake to forget about it as he'll get them back as long as he's got the will to do it. Snake mentions that he's not giving up. Miller then reveals that he has confirmed the location of the final testing area with Huey: An underground base disguised as a rock quarry 15 miles north of the Lab, and all Snake needs to do is get in the Mammal Pod and decomission it for good this time. Snake agrees. Miller, however, isn't convinced, and asks if he can destroy it. Snake states that he will. Miller explains that everyone has their limits, actions beyond everyones abilities. Snake tells Miller not to worry, as he won't screw it up this time around. Miller reminds Snake that he killed The Boss, and that destroying the AI would mean reliving the memory. Snake states that its just a machine. Miller explains that he's worried for the same reason the CIA entrusted the nuclear launch to an AI, and that while a man can condemn a handful of criminals to the death penalty if he is prepared to assume such a responsibility. However, he cannot help but wonder just who among humanity could even do the same to hundreds of innocent civilians, and who could reduce thousands of years of human history to ash in an instant, if humanity could even make such a decision. Miller states that no one man could burden the thought of total genocide, and as such it is their cowardly nature that ensured their survival in the first place. However, a machine is different, as willpower never was an issue in the first place. When Snake asks Kaz what he is saying, Kaz explains that while Snake may be a hero, he is ultimately not a machine. Snake asks if he means he can't destroy that thing. Miller explains that he wasn't referring to the machine at all, it's more the fact that The Boss still lives on inside Snake. Snake angrily denies it. Miller then reminds Snake that The Boss is dead, and that he has to come to terms with it. Miller then decides to put it another way: Snake left his country, identity, past, ideals, everything behind. However, he still hasn't let go of one thing: The Boss's death. He then theorizes that that is the reason why Snake is so afraid to find out the truth about her, and what's ultimately holding him back from his future. Miller then reminds Snake that The Boss died a decade ago, and that he can't keep living with a ghost for any longer. He then explains that he thought he knew everything about The Boss, but he still doesn't understand what happened to her at the end. Miller then points out that at least in that respect, he's the same as Dr. Strangelove. Snake then explains that when she didn't believe the story he stated, he realized that it is possible that the debriefing he heard may have been part of the cover story the CIA made up. He also remarks that because of this, he's not even sure of what The Boss's real intentions were, why she took the mission, and how she felt about dying, and why he was chosen. Miller then asks if Snake wants to know the truth. Snake gets frustrated. Miller explains that the truth still won't change the past, and asks if Snake still wants to know regardless. Snake decides against it, as he took on the mission for a kid who believes in peace. Miller accepts Snake's decision, and decides there won't be a point in arguing even if he disagreed anyways, as Peace Walker is still on the verge of completion anyways. He then tells Snake to get to that base.

November 21st, 1974
Snake travels over on The Boss's horse, Miller then asks Snake how the horse is doing. Snake remarks that the horse isn't doing too bad, and his current pace made it surprising that the horse is even over 20 years old. Miller then reminds Snake that the horse used to belong to The Boss. Snake then speculates that a part of The Boss became a part of the horse. He then arrives at what is apparently a mining facility. Huey then explains that the platform and the AI are supposed to be assembled at an underground base that is disguised as a mining facility, and is most likely the place they will use to do final testing. He also explains that destroying the platform itself will be difficult, so he heavily suggests he demolish the AI instead, and begs him that, no matter what he does, he doesn't let Peace Walker launch a nuke. The horse then departs from the cliff after Snake scaled down it.

Snake then sneaks through the mining facility until he reaches the Mining Pit. He spots the Peace Walker platform. Unfortunately, the Cargo Elevator began its descent. Snake attempts to rush to the elevator, but a Kidnapper drone spots him and sounds an alarm, causing a unit of 24 snipers to come out and battle him. After neutralizing the unit, Cocoon then arrives at the scene, sliding down the slope of the pit, forcing Snake to dodge the behemoth of an AI weapon. Snake then fights the AI weapon and decommissions it. Its destruction also unlocks the door to the underground base. Snake then sneaks through the AI weapons hangar, evading the cautionary alert security detail (Blue Team directly searching for him, and Gold team guarding the Elevator) that was enacted due to being caught earlier by the Kidnapper. He then took an elevator to the first part of the Underground passage. After successfully sneaking through both parts of the underground passage (when some of the soldiers were leaving for the elevator due to needing reinforcements), Snake made his way into the second AI weapons hangar. Strangelove tells Coldman that she needs more time to activate the AI pod as the Reptile Pod and the Mammal Pod needed to act with unison to work. Coldman warns her not to take all night. Strangelove then requests that she perform a final systems check due to having concerns with the dummy data for the mammal pod, and suggests that everyone take a break.

Snake then seizes this opportunity to sneak onto the platform and into the Mammal Pod. The Boss then asks Snake what is wrong, as his body temperature dropped. He tells her its nothing. The Boss then asks if he's here to kill her, as his pulse quickened slightly. Snake merely states that its because the place is chilly. Snake then asks her if she has any regrets about her final mission in Groznyj Grad. She remarks that she doesn't recall such a mission. Snake then explains that she betrayed the United States, and then he killed her. She still doesn't remember the mission, having never received a debriefing. Snake then asks her if she defected on her own free will. The Boss still doesn't remember the mission. Snake then points a gun at her AI core, telling her that she's not The Boss and that The Boss is dead. As The Boss's AI warns him to not do it, the AI Pod's casing opens up and several soldiers tell Snake to drop the gun. Strangelove then explained that she deduced that Snake entered the AI due to giving the same response as it did back at the AI lab. Coldman then tells Snake that it is an honor to meet him again. Snake then remarks that he saw that Coyote before. Coldman then tells him to call it "Lobo." Snake then tells Coldman that "Lobo" smells more like a rotting corpse to him.

Coldman then punches Snake in the face. Coldman then tells Snake that he knows all about Snake, rhetorically asking "Tselinoyarsk, 10 years ago?" Snake reacts with surprise that Coldman was involved in the misson. Coldman then reveals that he was more than just "involved" in the "mission to eliminate the traitor," as he was the one who planned the whole thing while smiling sadistically. Snake then asks why a suit like Coldman, who is supposed to be at Langley, would be at Costa Rica. Coldman then explains that it was because of what the CIA does best: either have people in the know keep their mouths shut, or send them off somewhere so they can talk all they want and no-one can ever listen, revealing that his becoming Station Chief in Central America was nothing more than an excuse to exile him from the United States. Snake then asks if his involvement in the Peace Walker project was so he could get back on the CIA's good side. Coldman explains that that's not even his full plan, as what he really wants is a new world order. He explains that ever since the Cuban Missile Crisis, the structure of the Cold War was coming apart at the seems, citing detente, NPT, SALT, and TTBT as examples of this. He then declares that a new age will dawn, and that age will be Peace Walker, an infallable nuclear deterrent system that the patience and the cold logic of a machine will come to play a vital role. Snake then realizes that his plan is to place Humanity's sins on machines. Coldman then references the time during the Cuban Missile Crisis when the commander of a Russian sub refused to launch a nuclear-loaded torpedo at an American destroyer, and that the man was remarked as a hero because he didn't have the nerve to kill fellow human beings and as a result prevented a nuclear war. Snake then deduces that a machine would still push the button without hesitating. Coldman confirms this, stating that it would make a real deterrent in that case. Snake then tells Coldman that people hesitating and losing their nerve is the very reason why deterrence works in the first place. Coldman states that this doesn't work, as humans make mistakes. Machines, on the other hand, don't, which is why a fully automated, mechanized deterrent system as Peace Walker is needed.

He also explains that once the system is embraced, Langley will turn to Latin America as the new Cold War. The Peace Walker unit will be mass produced and spread throughout Central America's Carribbean coast, including Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama. He also will have Peace Walker target all of the Americas: North America, South America, and the West Indies, thus bringing law and order back to America. Snake then guesses that Coldman will still be calling the shots. Coldman explains that the age of heroes is over, buried alongside The Boss and her bankrupt beliefs, and that the only true heroes will be machines. Coldman then mentions that no one knows that better than Snake, except perhaps his partner. He also reveals that he knows about the Militaires Sans Frontieres and that Snake invented it as a new system, even admitting that it is an admirable one. Snake asks if that is meant to be an offer. Coldman states that it isn't, and reveals that he plans to kill off both Snake and the Militaires Sans Frontieres in order for his new system to be sold. Strangelove then mentions that he give Snake to her, as they still have some data needed for Peace Walker. Coldman agrees, although he advises that she not waste too much time, as he already received word that the SALT-II talks are on schedule, so he needs to complete Peace Walker on time. Strangelove then tells Snake that he will give her the answers about The Boss that she needs. Snake then yells at her to shut up as The Boss is dead.

Snake then CQCs a few guards, as well as killing some from friendly fire getting in the way, and then rips off Strangelove's ID film badge to her shock. Snake then gives up when four guards point guns at his back. Snake then has a flashback to The Boss's speech during their encounter at Dremuchj North. Snake then wakes up being hung by his arms and water splashed onto him with Strangelove waking him. She admits that she doesn't care for Coldman's greed, and she is only interested in the truth about what happened in regards to The Boss. She may be a scientist, an AI developer, but she is not an AI. She also remarks that she finds what she is able to do distasteful as she is a scientist, but she is going to get the answers that make sense to her. Strangelove then demands that Snake tell her whether she truly died for her country or if she was truly a traitor. She calls him a liar and demands the truth and tortures him the first time. He also tells her that she can do whatever she wants to him, knowing that she hates him, but it won't change the fact that he killed The Boss. Strangelove explains that she knows that it won't, and that's not the reason she's doing this. She said she only wants what she doesn't know, which is his motive. Snake then tries to mention that she not only betrayed her country, but also him as well. Strangelove then points out some fallacies to his claim. Namely, if he felt betrayed by her, why does he still wear the bandana that originally belonged to her, and why did he apparently inflict a "s"-shaped scar across his abdomen (Snake then shouts at her not to touch it).

She demands once again that Snake admit that The Boss sacrificed her life for her country, a place she didn't care a soul for, as well as for him. She also mentions that her primary motivation was not about hatred for Snake, although she does still hate Snake, but in actuality just so she'll know what The Boss fought for. She also asks why he must continue hiding it, as he's no longer one of the CIA's lapdogs. Snake tells her he won't let her revive The Boss as an AI, as she may also be torturing him to do that as well. Strangelove then decides to increase the voltage, knocking him out with Strangelove angrily asking Snake why he won't give up, and then that he passed out. Snake then awakens in his cell in the torture chamber, and discovered that he still possesses her ID card, and after pulling out a jigsaw from his scar, he sneaks out of the cell and out of the torture chamber. Snake then contacts Kaz, who remarks that its good to hear his voice. Snake then suggests to Kaz to provide something a little sharper the next time he ends up captured. Kaz agrees to this request, asking if a diamond-bladed jigsaw will suffice, and jokingly asking when the "next time" will be. Snake then starts coughing violently, due to the electrocution torture scorching his lungs. Kaz then mentions that he probably won't be smoking for quite a while. Snake then explains that he'll be fine, and that the pain in his chest is gone, anyways. Miller then asks if that scar was a copy of The Boss's wound. Snake then confirms it and that the scar's gone, as well. Kaz then congratulates Snake on escaping. Snake then asks how things are doing on Kaz's end, and if everyone's OK. Kaz mentions that they are ok, but there is a slight problem as they can't get a hold of Paz. Snake then asks Kaz if she was being looked after by the "professor." Kaz stated that he thought so as well, and then explains what he did: He started thinking that something may have been wrong, so he sent one of the MSF personnel to the "school" that Galvez mentioned that he hid Paz at. Snake guesses that the school doesn't even exist. Kaz states that it does exist, but Paz has been a no-show, and the person at the school also stated that neither the professor nor Paz have been seen there in quite some time. Snake then explains that Coldman knew about them, and that they've been marked by the CIA. He also suspects that Coldman knows about Paz and the KGB's involvement in their arrival into Costa Rica. Kaz then wonders if Coldman had gotten to them. Snake then reminds Kaz that Galvez is not a pencil pusher. Kaz agrees that it's unlikely that Coldman would have gotten Galvez, as the KGB also has their eyes on him 24/7 as well. Kaz then speculates that the KGB knew what the CIA would try to do and are staying out of sight. Snake hopes that's merely the case, and asks Kaz to get information out of the KGB. Kaz agrees, and mentions that it's back to work. Snake then mentions that he'd better get moving. Kaz then tells Snake that they haven't detected any signs that Peace Walker's been activated from above ground at least, so it's still in the hangar he was in earlier. He then tells Snake to destroy the AI, as this time it is really their last chance. Snake then tells Kaz that he's on his way. Snake then retraces his steps back to the Peace Walker Hangar where he was initially captured. He discovers that Coldman had somehow kidnapped Paz, remarking that he should have taken care of her at the Supply Facility, as she was responsible for getting Snake out there in the first place. He also brags to Snake that Peace Walker and the Mammal Pod is complete. Snake is surprised that the Mammal Pod was finished. Strangelove explains that while he was like The Boss in that he was loyal to the end, he should have broken from the torture as his silence was exactly what she needed to complete the AI. She explains that ten years prior, her mission was to be killed by Snake, and Snake's mission was to kill her. Because of this, The Boss's life is restored as the Mammal Pod, and personally thanks Snake. Snake remarks Strangelove as being crazy.

Coldman then decides to let Snake in on a little secret: he has already decided on Peace Walker's first target. He decided to use it in an offshore area of the Carribbean. After it is tested there, the trade winds will then scatter the fallout all throughout the region, causing Fish and Crops to die off and thus leaving many free hands to contribute to Peace Walker's mass production. He then "realizes" with glee that "coincidentally" someone built a fortress there, asking rhetorically who would do that, and it is right in the middle of the target zone, deciding all the better to test out the CEP. Snake then furiously calls Coldman a bastard. Coldman then wonders who will miss a bunch of ragtag pirates in the Carribbean. He states that before he starts to test Peace Walker, he will show the White House that Peace Walker is versatile by having it travel the Carribean Coast on its own, traversing both communist and guerilla territory, any terrain, and capable of launching wherever it goes, thus making the unstoppable untouchable perfect deterrent. Snake then reminds him that America and Russia aren't the only ones with nukes, so the Cold War's days are numbered. Coldman then sees what Big Boss is referring to and says he is right, as while America and Russia were wringing their hands on nuclear deterrence, China, France, and even India surpassed them in nuclear development, and it will be a free-for-all arms race below the surface, making the threat of nuclear war even more serious, thus deciding to put an end to it right then and there with Peace Walker. He explains that they need nukes, controlled nukes, not to mention, to have peace. Paz declares it a lie. Coldman then mentions that this will restore order, and create a new cold war, but in order for the world to see the genius of his plot, he must launch Peace Walker.

Paz, Coldman, and Strangelove then depart through a door as the cargo elevator carries the newly activated Peace Walker up to the mining pit. Miller then tells Snake to stop it. Peace Walker then emerges from the cargo elevator shortly before Big Boss climbed out of an emergency escape hatch. Peace Walker then departs, but Snake tries to stop Peace Walker by firing at it. Huey then reacts in a worried manner. Snake then asks what did he do that worried Huey. Peace Walker stops and the Mammal Pod then announces that it's self defense system is online. Huey then explains to Snake that the Mammal Pod was outfitted with a self defense module, meaning that upon being attacked, it aborts its command and goes into small target suppression mode. In other words, Snake has just made himself Peace Walker's highest priority target at that moment as a result of his attempt at stopping it. Peace Walker then opens up its smaller weapons launcher and sprays its flamethrower. Snake then has to fight Peace Walker as a result. After a grueling fight with Peace Walker, Peace Walker then collapses from the damage it sustained. After a brief moment, it reactivates, although the damage it sustained resulted in it glitching, behaving erratically. A Hind D appears, and fires a few rounds at the Mammal Pod, fixing its glitch. Peace Walker then transforms into a quadrupedic machine and walks over the mountain with the Hind D leading it. Snake then attemps to give chase when he hears a horse neighing in the distance. The Boss's horse then returns to Snake and helps him give chase to Peace Walker and Coldman's Hind D. Huey then explains as they saw it is still in range that Peace Walker's top speed is 25 kilometers per hour. Snake then remarks that Huey can at least do 30, and Miller reminds him that Paz is onboard the Hind, and they must protect the client. Coldman then mentions that the day is dawning, and tells the Hind D to depart from Peace Walker. Snake then gives chase to Peace Walker, evading its attacks as well as trees collapsing around them when they enter a forest. The Boss's AI then tells them to "go home." Causing it to release more weapons for Snake to dodge. The Hind D pilot then says that Peace Walker is approaching the border, with Coldman gleefully telling Snake that he'll see him later. Miller tells Snake with shock that its approaching the border. Snake and the horse then try to scale the border, with Snake stating that they just need a little bit more. But the horse slips and it along with Big Boss fall down. Snake tumbles away, and gets up unscathed, although the horse is a different matter entirely. Snake then tries to scale it himself, cursing himself. Snake then sees that Peace Walker is already going across the river, with Snake disappointed that he failed to stop it. Snake then contacts Kaz telling him that Peace Walker escaped, and they've got Paz, as well. Kaz notes this. Snake then asks Kaz what Coldman would want with Paz, and why. Kaz explains that Paz was with the "professor", i.e., the KGB. He guessed that Coldman might have figured out what was really going on between Paz and Galvez once he discovered she was with him. Snake then deduces that, most likely, Coldman's is going to try to figure out how the KGB plans to stop Peace Walker, so he's thinks he can get the info from Paz. Snake suspects that Coldman most likely wouldn't buy that excuse. Kaz then wonders if Galvez has already been killed. Kaz then mentions that Coldman, by grabbing Paz, was trying to communicate that, to which Snake finishes, the MSF has to stay out of this, or else they'll lose their client. Kaz then curses himself for not realizing what was happening before they lost contact with her. Snake then reminds Kaz that there's no time for blaming himself, as Paz needs their help. Miller then agrees, as this issue isn't about money anymore. He then tells Snake that they know where they are headed to, thanks to Amanda. Amanda then explains that the river Snake chased the basilisco across is the Rio San Juan, to which the other side is Nicaragua. Amanda also explains that she had some Nicaraguan compas stationed in Nicaragua track it down. She explains that they are focos from the GPP (Guerra Popular Prolongada) faction, and they don't work together so much. Snake asks where it went. Amanda then explains that it went west along the border towards Lago Cocibolca. Kaz then elaborates by stating that there is a U.S. military supply base on the southeastern shore of the lake that was established since America had gained the region to itself due to the earthquake two years prior. Amanda states that she's sure that that's where basilisco is. Snake then asks how he can get across the border. Amanda then explains that there is a route that they use to cross. She explains that it's just a little boat, but she can introduce him to the captain. Snake then expresses appreciation to Amanda. Amanda then explains that she and the other Nicaraguans will never leave Nicaragua at the mercy of someone like William Walker again. Kaz then mentions to Snake that Coldman's going to launch Peace Walker's nuke from the U.S. Missile/Supply Base, and reminds him that he's targeting MSF. Kaz also tells Snake that, based on what Huey told them, it will take two more days to prep for launch. Kaz also explains that there is another reason they picked that date for the launch: Tomorrow is day one of a U.S.-Soviet summit in Vladivostok, so the launch is somehow connected to that date. Snake then remembers that they are holding the SALT-II(Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty) talks. Miller then wonders if Coldman's planning to disrupt the negotiations. Snake then guesses that it's also just as likely that he's going to use it as a bargaining chip. Miller also mentions that Coldman's still got Paz as well, and at any rate, they are running out of time. Snake then mentions that he'll figure something out.

November 23rd, 1974
Amanda then contacts Snake through the radio and tells him that in order to get to Nicaragua, Snake needs to take the gondola west of the river until he hits the northern bank, and that she arranged a guide to help him get close enough. Chico then offers his condolences towards The Boss's horse, remarking that it was pretty. Snake then has flashbacks to when The Boss was defeated and he executed her, while he was poised to euthanize The Boss's horse. After he euthanized him, Snake then has flashbacks to when EVA told him on the recording The Boss's true mission 10 years ago. Snake, having crossed the river, spies on the base, and mentions that the gate doesn't look too bad, meaning that something else is going on. Snake then tells Miller he might need some help getting in. Snake then disguises himself as a crate and manages to hitch a ride on the back of a cargo truck into the back gate.

Snake then calls Miller telling him he managed to sneak in without a hitch. Miller then tells him that there is an airfield on the other end of the base, at the northwestern shore of the lake, which is where Peace Walker will launch. Miller also tells Snake that the Communication Tower in front of him is most likely where Peace Walker is going to be controlled from. Snake asks Miller if he should evacuate, given the fact that Mother Base is being targeted by Peace Walker. Miller then tells Snake that they won't, as they believe in Snake anyways. Snake agrees, as he kinda got attatched to the Mother Base, anyways. Upon inquiring to Miller about Amanda and her unit, Miller explains that they've been evacuated, as the MSF cannot risk them being involved any longer. Snake agrees, as they have their own fight to fight. Miller also reminds him that the Peace Sentinels have Paz. Snake tells him he hasn't forgotten. Miller then tells Snake that they are prepping a backup unit to aid Snake, just in case, and that in the meantime, Snake has to prevent the launch.

Snake then sneaks the base, and Miller is then shocked that a Kidnapper Drone is near their starting position. Snake then travels left and discovers a man wearing a similar suit to Strangelove as well as wearing Balaclavas: Soviet Soldiers! Miller also realizes this and realizes that he has a bad feeling about what is going on, as Soviet Soldiers shouldn't be on an American Base. Snake then manages to evade the soldiers as well as get to the first elevator from the back gate down to the small maintenance dock. Snake sneaks through several more Soviet soldiers, and Snake then sneaks onto the rooftops, where after crossing to the other building, he managed to enter the security recording room. He manages to locate Paz via one of the panels. Snake then asks Paz if she iscan hear him. Paz confirms that she can. Snake asks her where she is, and she remarks that she doesn't recognize the place. She also told him that Coldman left for the Comm tower in order to input the final data.

Unfortunately, sirens managed to sound that made Snake realize that they located him. Miller then contacts Snake from a squadron of UH-1 "Huey" Iroquois telling him that all of MSF is coming to him. Snake is surprised at this, and Miller mentions that there is a skeleton crew, mainly Huey, running the base, and that the rest of MSF is coming to Nicaragua to aid Snake in his mission with several tanks, vehicles, and ships. Snake mentions that the base is crawling with Russians, so he may have to force his way through. Miller then asks what is going on there, and Snake remarks that he's "damned if he knows." Miller then tells Snake to get there as quickly as he can, as he's nearby. Paz then mentions that as an angel of peace, she'll give aid to Snake spiritually, and gives him the peace sign. Snake then rushes through the rooftops back down to the small maintenance dock, and then heads north to the main maitenance dock. He fights off any Russian Soldiers as well as Kidnapper drones, as well as getting through to the underpass. He then has to hurry as the gate at the other end is closing. After managing to make it through, Snake then managed to get onto an elevator to the heliport. Unfortunately, a Hind D arrived as well as a backup unit, so Snake was forced to take them out.

After defeating the Hind D as well as the unit attacking him, he then entered the garage door to the Comm tower, and encountered Paz and Coldman, as well as dozens of Russian soldiers in the main area. Coldman tells Snake he's already too late as he already inputted the false data. Snake wonders what Coldman meant by "false data." Coldman explains that since Peace Walker is nothing more than a deterrent, a weapon built for peace, it is completely incapable of commencing a pre-emptive nuclear strike, and can only awaken to retaliate. As such, they need to trick it into believing that an attack would be inevitable and then launch a nuke, thus technically doing a pre-emptive strike without knowing it. They first input imaginary data of a possible Soviet nuclear attack on the United States mainland through Strangelove on the main computer. After assessing the data as a threat, Peace Walker will immediately enter retaliation mode and select the optimal target from a pre-defined list.

He also mentions they reverse-engineered the data to have Peace Walker inevitably choose Mother Base as the target. Snake realizes that Coldman is really going to do it. Coldman then states that Peace Walker will be the first and last nuclear retaliation of the Cold War, and that it will be the only way to ever come close to true peace, and all he has left is to input the confirmation code. He then reveals that he has a briefcase handcuffed to his arm as well as a red diskette that he is about to insert into the briefcase. Snake points his rifle at Coldman in an attempt to stop him, ignoring that the Soviet soldiers are currently pointing their weapons at him. A voice then tells him to stand down. A man then walks to Coldman telling him that he's late.

Snake and Paz are both shocked to realize that the man is actually Professor Galvez, which means he was actually working for Coldman all along. Galvez then tells Coldman that taking over the U.S. Missile Base took longer than expected. To Coldman's surprise, every single Soviet soldier in the room then points their rifles at Coldman. Galvez then tells Coldman that they supplied the technology to him, and in exchange he supplied the Soviet with their land and soldiers, and that Tsentr could not have accomplished so much in so little time. Coldman then briefly refers to Galvez as Zadornov while cursing him as a backstabber. Galvez then reminds Coldman that Russia and America were already enemies, so it shouldn't be a surprise that they didn't actually have loyalty to his company or to the capitalists.

Galvez then explains what he wants: He is going to have Peace Walker launch a nuclear weapon, only this time, the target will be Cuba. Coldman, shocked, tells Galvez that he wouldn't have anything to gain by launching at Cuba. Galvez corrects him as it will actually be Coldman, and America, who will launch at Cuba. Galvez explains that, as Peace Walker launched a nuclear weapon from a United States owned missile base located at Nicaragua, a country with a pro-American regime, towards Cuba, which is one of the Soviet Union's biggest allies, the international committee will think America had launched it at Cuba, and as a result anti-american semitism will spread throughout Central America, splitting North and South America apart, and after that win the Cold War, just as the Kremlin intended. Coldman angrily calls Galvez a backstabbing son of a bitch.

Galvez then brings Paz over to him and places her a gun into her arm, telling her to shoot Coldman. He then reveals that his real name is actually Vladimir Zadornov, which his first name is russian for "Ruler of Peace" and then tells her to do as she was told by him. Coldman fearfully tells her not to do it. Vladimir then reminds her what Coldman did to Paz in the Supply Facility. Coldman remembers the scars that were inflicted on her, and apologizes to her. Paz, despite harboring hatred to Coldman for what he did, simply could not go through with it. Vladimir then remarks that she truly is a child of peace. He then suddenly raises the gun arm up and shoots a pleading Coldman twice in the chest. Vladimir then jokingly states that retribution could only be delt with a "dead hand." Coldman then angrily tells Vladimir that he missed on purpose. Vladimir then reminds Coldman that his part isn't done yet and forces him to place the red diskette into the briefcase. Vladimir then tells Strangelove that she has to change the target to Cuba, as well as threatening that if she tries anything to resist, he'll crush her after he crushes her "beloved." Vladimir then turns to Snake, telling him he's been watching him and he surpassed even his own expectations of Snake, remarking he is a true commandante.

Snake is confused and shocked as to what he is talking about. Vladimir then ask him why does he think he summoned him to Costa Rica and make contact with the FSLN group in the first place. He explains that a true intelligence officer never gets his hands dirty so he had used Snake to get a revolution done. Snake then realizes he's talking about Amanda and the Sandinistas. Vladimir then congratulates Snake on taking a ragtag group of rebels and children and turning them into a formidable army, and that Snake will now truly become the world's most complete human being. Coldman then realizes that Vladimir is referring to Che Guevara. He explains because of Che's death at the hands of the CIA, the Sandinistas will rebel and try to wrestle Nicaragua from America, and then the launch at Cuba will be the last straw. After an announcement that the Mammal Pod's data entry has been completed, Vladimir tells Snake that, just like Che, he'll die at 39. He then mentioned that legends are merely fiction, and Snake will die just like The Boss died: An eternal fraud.

However, before he could execute Snake, both the MSF and the FSLN storm into the room and take out the Russian Soldiers. Amanda then forces Vladimir on his knees and holds him up. Vladimir questions why Amanda would point a gun at her own comrade. Amanda then tells Vladimir that the FSLN will no longer be a puppet for the KGB, and they will win their own victory. Chico then shouts "!Hasta la victoria siempre!" Another member of the FSLN unit then tells Amanda that they made it back into Nicaragua, accomplishing what they planned to do, before correcting himself and calling her Commandante. Another Sandinista soldier asks if Snake is hurt, to which Snake tells him he isn't. Amanda then calls him "Vic Boss!" causing all the soldiers, FSLN and MSF, in the room to chant Vic Boss and Big Boss in celebration. Snake calls Amanda a regular Joan of Arc, Amanda denies it telling Snake that he's the hero. Snake then reminds her that she and her unit saved him, so they are the true heroes. Amanda then tells Snake she didn't think he was a softie. Snake then thanks her and remarks it's good to see her, intending to shake her hand. However, Amanda decides to hug him instead, with Huey back at Mother Base watching through the monitors.

Shortly afterwards, everyone in the MSF left to return to the Mother Base to celebrate. Miller tells Snake that Paz will be staying at Mother Base until she is back on her feet. Snake also asks about "the Professor." Vladimir is currently being held at gunpoint by a MSF soldier as Miller tells Snake that they are going to find him a nice comfy cell. Miller also explains to Snake that Coldman is in critical condition as he lost a lot of blood, and Coldman may not make it to Mother Base. Snake then asks about Amanda's whereabouts. Miller tells her that she's with her Compas, and that she'll regroup with MSF later to celebrate the temporary peace. Snake then tells him he'll catch up later, as he has some unfinished business to take care of. Miller asks if it has anything to do with the AI. Snake tells him that The Boss's AI is a fake, so he's going to bury it. Miller then mentions that he'll save the champaigne until he gets back, and departs.

Just as Miller leaves, Strangelove then arrives at a truck, telling Snake she was never forced to bring back The Boss as an AI, as she truly did want to see how things turned out, how it really ended. Snake then reminds her that The Boss is dead, which Strangelove disagrees with. Snake mentions that some truths are better left buried. Strangelove then encourages him to admit that he also wants to see the truth as well. She also tells him that The Boss's AI will tell him the truth. She also thanks Snake for stopping the Peace Sentinels, as well as apologizes for what she did earlier, and that she didn't realize how much the torture hurt him. Snake tells her that he'll live through it, as he's &quot;used to Shock Therapy." Strangelove is shocked to learn that he is, and remarks that was a kind thing for Snake to say, and encourages him to get in the van. Meanwhile, Paz is crying on the MSF chopper, with Miller lecturing Paz that she shouldn't pick up a gun unless she knows how to use it, as aiming a weapon alone doesn't make it a deterrent. He also reminds Paz of her part of the agreement as an angel of Peace that she leave the guns to the MSF. Miller tells her that their mission is complete as the army is leaving Costa Rica. Paz then thanks him and gives him the peace sign.

Unfortunately, Coldman starts using the football, inputting 1, 9, 7, 6, and a butterfly key on the keypad as Paz and Vladimir watches on in shock. After inputting the code in, he chuckles dementedly to himself, with Miller wondering what the noise was. Peace Walker then starts to activate. Miller then holds up the briefcase that Coldman used and angrily asks what Coldman did. Vladimir then remarks angrily that he should have killed Coldman when he had the chance. Coldman then states that "NORAD's nightmare is about to begin." Miller reacts in shock. Coldman then explains in labored breaths that not only can Peace Walker determine retaliation data based on enemy nuclear strike data, but it can also transmit said data to third parties as well. Miller then realizes what is going to happen and calls Snake. While on the way to the Peace Walker unit, Snake and Strangelove pick up Miller on the line, who tells them they have a big problem, as Peace Walker's nuclear launch has been activated by Coldman.

Snake guesses that the target is still Cuba. Miller confirms this, but he also reveals that that's not even the worst part: Coldman had screwed them all over when activating it. Coldman, over the radio, explains that when Peace Walker was activated, the False Data programmed into Peace Walker's AI was then transmitted to NORAD. He also explains that it transmits the data using a MLF signal, meaning not even an EMP can block out the transmission. Miller explains that there will be no way to tell the difference between the real thing and the fake data from the radar. NORAD doesn't have any idea that it is all a ruse generated by Peace Walker, and that they'll think it's a real Soviet attack. Miller then tells Snake that NORAD, upon receiving the data, will pass it to the National Military Chaim of Command, with Snake realizing before Miller could state it that this will also mean that Washington will be forced to decide whether to retaliate or not. Miller also mentions that this is going to get ugly, and if they don't stop it, they might have a retalitory chain-reaction to look at. Coldman then assures them that the nightmare will end soon. Miller then asks what he means by this. Vladimir then realizes and explains that Coldman's aims are to have the American Government see the importance of Peace Walker, as humans don't have the will to launch nukes. Coldman then continues to assure them that everything will be ok, as they'll never retaliate due to only being human.

Snake then asks Miller where the President is, to which Miller responds that the last he's heard, he's attending the SALT-II talks at Vladivostok, Russia. Snake then realizes that with Ford gone, the next person in the chain of succession of the Executive Branch is given the Nuclear Launch Authority. Miller states that the Vice President is gone, as well, which leaves the Speaker. Coldman then tells everyone that neither the President, nor the Vice President, nor anyone has the courage to push the button, as they aren't willing to enter history as the Great Destroyer. He also goes so far as to claim that they care far more about their reputations than for their lives. Strangelove then mentions that the US Government may not have the willpower to launch a Nuclear Strike, but Peace Walker is loyal to the mission above all else, and that she knows that retaliation is guaranteed if deterrence is to work. Coldman then declares Peace Walker to be the perfect deterrent. Coldman also admits that Cuba would not have been his first choice of targets, but he cannot make peace without breaking a few eggs. He also declares that Peace Walker's retaliation is inevitable, thanks to its false data. Miller declares Coldman to be insane as his actions won't end there, and in fact is making an all-out Nuclear War possible, if not inevitable.

Snake then demands that they find out whats going on at NORAD. Strangelove explains that Peace Walker is currently patched into NORAD, so with the right equipment they could listen in. Huey then remarks that he's on it, hacking into Peace Walker's transmission and broadcasting it. At Cheyenne Mountain air base, NORAD finds the data. The NORAD Operator tells the NORAD Officer that he has picked up unidentified targets, with the current apogee being 20 degrees and the estimated time of retry is 2250 Zulu. The NORAD Officer then asks if the operator made contact with the President with the information. Another NORAD Operator then mentions that the Coverall is not responding, the Warning System checks out, there are no natural occuring signatures detected, and that the data is treated as reliable. Snake then demands Coldman to cut the data transmission, as they can't say for certain that Washington will retaliate. Coldman, while drawing his last breaths, tells them that the only one who knows the Abort Code is himself, and that no one can turn it off if he dies. Even if they do strike back, he's going to be dead long before then, and he can only pray that his theory, his peace, is proven right. He then struggles to make the V-for-Victory sign as he says "Peace." He then dies with the briefcase collapsing to the floor. NORAD then states that they are going into DEFCON 3, and demands that they get SAC on the phone. They then contact them and state that this is Crystal Palace, and they should prepare for an emergency meeting. Huey then tells everyone that NORAD has just reached DEFCON 3.

Miller then tells Snake that they have to stop Peace Walker, as the nukes and the fake data transmission is coming from it. Strangelove tells them that the only way to do so is to destroy it. She then notices that Peace Walker has just entered launch mode, meaning Peace Walker has made her judgement and the target is Cuba. Miller then tells Snake to don't let Peace Walker launch the Nuke. Snake then fights Peace Walker and after a grueling battle, Peace Walker stops functioning. Miller then notes that the Nuclear Launch has been stopped, and thanks Snake. Snake then asks how NORADs doing. Huey then tells them it's not going so well: a transmission from NORAD HQs states that BMEWS are continuing to track the targets on radar. The DSP satellite status is green. They are also still assessing the data as reliable. Lastly, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, a representative of the Secretary of Defense, and various members of Congress have arrived at the NMCC. Huey then explains that Snake only damaged the drive system, and the data uplinks are still intact. A NORAD Operator confirms from the data that there are 1,500 ICBMs crossing the North Pole and are targeting the West Coast. The NORAD Officer then commands that they go to DEFCON 2 and prepare launching the ICBMs towards the Soviets.

Snake asks how to stop it. Huey then tells Snake that Peace Walker is a fully autonomous system, and that unlike the other AI weapons Snake fought, Peace Walker's command authorities are inside the Mammal Pod. Strangelove then concludes that they have to stop the Mammal Pod, and the only other manner to stop it aside from destroying it cannot be done as she doesn't know the Abort Code due to Coldman being the only one who did. Miller then tells Snake to destroy the AI inside the Mammal Pod. Snake then tries to shoot the lock of Mammal Pod off, but it doesn't do anything. Huey then tells Snake that the Mammal Pod's barrier was designed to be as strong as a bomb shelter. Snake then asks what can get through it. Huey then states that an Atomic Bomb might penetrate it. Snake, extremely frustrated, asks if Huey's trying to joke with him. Huey states he's serious, as the Mammal Pod was designed to withstand a Nuclear War. Meanwhile, at the ECR HQ, the members state that they can't get through to the President, so it's up to them to decide whether to retaliate. One of the ECR Officers state that they can't be serious, as there is no way he is going to wipe out the human race. Another ECR Officer states that this is the President's call, to which another tells them that there's no time, and they need a decision now. Snake then tells Huey to get the Pentagon on the line as they need to tell them the nukes aren't real. Huey tries to do so. An ECR Officer mentions that he can forget the whole Chain of Command, as if they are all going to hell, they may as well take the Soviets with them as well. the ECR Announcer then tells them that they have 12 minutes to impact. Another ECR Officer hopes that God has mercy on their souls.

Miller then realizes that Coldman guessed wrong: They ARE going to go through with it. Huey points out that the Peace Walker platform did sustain some damage, so they could use some pressure. When Miller asks what Huey meant by that, Huey explains that they could dump it into the lake, as with the huge amount of water pressure and depth of the lake, even the tiniest crack can cause water to gush inside. As the AI is made up of sensitive electronics, sinking it will be a surefire way to stop it. Miller concludes that is a great idea, and asks how much Peace Walker weighs. Huey answers that it weighs 500 tons. Miller then decides they can't do that, as they can't lift up Peace Walker. Snake then demands to get the Pentagon on the phone. The ECR Announcer then mentions that the incoming MIRV warheads have separated and they have 11 minutes to impact. He then mentions that they have a call coming in. The Chairman then asks if it is the President. The ECR Announcer then tells him it's not. The Chairman then asks who it is. The ECR Announcer hesitates, and the Chairman shouts at him to spit it out, causing the ECR Announcer to tell him its someone claiming to be Big Boss. The Chairman then tells him to patch the call through. Snake then tells the Chairman that he'll get straight to the point: He has to cancel the retalitory strike immediately. The Chairman reacts in surprise. Snake tells him the radar blips he was seeing were all fakes, and no one has launched any nukes. The Chairman asks how he knows this. Snake tells him the launch data was all faked, and part of an experiment that leaked out, that NORAD was not supposed to receive it, and the radar is showing missiles that don't exist. The Chairman then tells Snake that if he's lying, then they have 10 minutes before until they die, so they have to retaliate before more Americans die. Snake then explains that the experiment was planned and executed by the Station Chief of Central America. The Chairman then tells him to put him on the line. Snake tells him he can't because he's dead, but he offers to give him his name. The Chairman then tells Snake that he needs more than the authentication code he provided to the switchboard, which is proof of his identity. Snake then explains that if he knows the name Big Boss, that would mean that he was at the ceremony where he was given the title by President Lyndon B. Johnson. The Chairman confirms this.

An ECR Officer then tells the Chairman that they don't have enough time for "bullshit." The Chairman shouts at the ECR Officer to hold it, and hear him out. He then tells Snake to continue. Snake tells him that during the ceremony, the late DCI tried to shake Snake's hand, but Snake refused. He also reminds him that what happened in that room was top secret so only a handful of people would know. The ECR Officer tells the Chairman that he's making it up. The Chairman tells him to wait, and he asks Snake why he didn't shake his hand. Snake then tells him that he didn't shake his hand because he already knew where his loyalty belonged. The Chairman then tells everyone that the Soviet Missiles are fakes. The ECR Officer then shouts in anger and surprise that the Chairman actually believes him, with the others telling him it's most likely some sort of Commie trick. The Chairman tells them that the caller was definitely Big Boss. The ECR Officers ask him how he is so sure. The Chairman explains that this was because he was there as the Army Chief of Staff back then and standing right next to the DCI that day when Snake refused to shake his hand. He then thanks Snake for saving them all and he will stand down the alert. Snake then thanks him.

Unfortunately, the ECR Officer points a gun at the Chairman, telling him that they will NOT stand down. Snake curses and Miller was about to call them something when Snake notices something: The Boss's AI is opening up to Snake releasing butterflies. Snake then rushes to the Mammal Pod. He then, under a four minute time limit, rips out all of the data uplinks. Unfortunately, even after ripping out the AI uplinks, they still are bypassing the Mammal Pod. Meanwhile, the Chairman tells the ECR Officers to come to their senses and that the entire world is at stake. Snake angrily asks why The Boss is still transmitting the data. The ECR Announcer then tells them that they have 6 minutes to impact. One of the ECR Officers declares that he has authority to call the Nuclear Strike, and he decides to say yes to it. The Chairman tells him that it will be the end of them all if he does. Another ECR Officer tells him that he doesn't care, as he won't just sit like a dog and die. Another ECR Officer tells him that he might as well take the Russians with him if they destroy his family and country. The first ECR Officer then tells the Chairman that deterrence is nothing more than a fools dream.

Strangelove then explains to Snake that sometimes when a part of the brain dies, another part takes over that brain's functions. The Peace Walker Unit then states that the Reptile Pod has taken over Mammal Pod's dying wish. He then shoots at the Peace Walker's head. It seems to malfunction, and then it stands upright. Snake then recognizes The Boss, and it recognizes that voice. It's trim turns yellow and The Boss seems to react with surprise. The ECR Officer then asks what's going on, and the Chairman recognizes the song ("Sing", by the Carpenters, which, as Zadornov had mentioned, was a hit in 1973). Snake then asks if that really is The Boss. Huey is wondering what's going on. Strangelove wonders if it is a ghost in the machine. Peace Walker then starts to enter the lake, causing Strangelove to guess that she is trying to drown herself to stop the transmission. NORAD HQ's radar then has all of the missiles disappearing, and being replaced by Peace Signs. Huey then deduces that, in a similar function to the human brain, Peace Walker must have used functional compensation to take over its tasks, as a result of the Mammal and Reptile Pods essentially acting as one. Strangelove wonders if her memories remained in her through the song. Huey then mentions that it's not thinking clearly, and instead using its heart. Miller then states that The Boss's Innocence has been proven, and inquires for Snake to listen to her song. Strangelove then realizes and understands why The Boss did what she did ten years ago: When she went into space for the mercury project, she saw a beauty other than war. She chose to put down her gun and instead sing. They would all hear her singing, and she sacrificed everything to have her will live on. She couldn't achieve it, but she still sang, hoping for the illusion called peace that could not be found. Snake, after mirroring his salute ten years ago, then removes his bandana into the wind.

Later, Snake has a brief conversation with Kaz. He declares that he's again found himself and wishes to live his life differently from that of the Boss, feeling that she betrayed him and everything she did as a soldier by lowering her gun and surrendering her life merely for her country. He finally asks to be called "Big Boss" from now on.

Metal Gear ZEKE
Afterwards, the MSF decided to build a Metal Gear named ZEKE out of parts from the various AI weapons. Zadornov escaped six times, with Snake having to track him down at the FSLN Boathouse, the Mining Facility, the AI Facility, and Mt. Irazu, among others. After escaping for the seventh time, Snake proceeds into the firing range and hears Zadornov upstairs on the second floor. He then encounters Zadornov. Zadornov then tries to gun down Snake on the spot. The first shot missed, so Snake shot Zadornov out of self defense. Zadornov then mentions that his job here is done. Snake then asks what Zadornov meant by that. Zadornov then fires his Red hand, poised as a V-for-Victory sign, at Snake in a similar fashion to a rocket, but Snake ducked behind a corner causing it to bounce off harmlessly off the railing. Zadornov then succumbs to his gunshot wound. Snake then tells Miller that he found Zadornov and he was forced to kill him. Miller then mentioned their fugitive is dead.

Snake then tells Miller that he apparently had an accomplice alongside him. Miller then wonders if someone in MSF is behind it, and then notices something. Snake asks Miller what is going on, and Miller then tells Snake that Metal Gear ZEKE's moving by itself, and he can see someone inside. He tells Snake to get to the ZEKE deck of the Mother Base immediately. Snake arrives at the ZEKE Deck and demands to know who is using the ZEKE unit without authorization. A voice tells him from inside that he's too late. Snake is shocked to hear that Paz is inside the machine. Snake then tells her to get out of ZEKE as she might get hurt. Paz then wonders who might get hurt. Miller notes that something's wrong with Paz as she's acting strangely. Paz then says that she's perfectly fine, and that they shall see the real her. Snake tells Miller to stop ZEKE, but Miller just couldn't do it, as ZEKE is out of his control. Snake wonders how it is moving. Paz then mentions that she made modifications to ZEKE, as it was meant to be piloted. Snake is shocked to learn that Paz is apparently a mechanical enthusiast. Miller then realizes that Zadornov's escape was a diversion. Snake then asks her what she plans on doing with ZEKE. She then reveals she is taking it back to their leaders: Cipher, as they were the ones who created ZEKE in the first place. Snake then tells Paz to get out of there. "Paz" then admits that her real name was Pacifica Ocean, and that everything about her was faked by Cipher, and that her plan is her one and only purpose, and she's done pretending to be the transparent ambassador of peace and the silly teenager with a dream, and in fact she hates the name Paz. She then tells Snake that it all went as predicted and the true Peace Walker project will be fulfilled. Snake then wonders what she meant by the "real" Peace Walker project.

Pacifica then explains how two young men, Snake and Zero, who idolized a hero known as The Boss. They lost the point of origin, the cipher, and grieved. They were unable to come to terms with their sorrow, so they each decided to carry on the will of their hero. However, they couldn't agree what the will was, so they split up and became bitter enemies, and Snake was on the wrong path ever since. She tells Snake that there is no happy ending unless he follows the will of Cipher. She questions him as to what an army without borders call home, to which she then calls a country without borders: A world without borders. Pacifica then states that the Cold War is nearing an end, and that the age of electronic intelligence is about to begin. The NSA, OSS, NRO, DIA, among other agencies within the Intelligence community that bickered with itself will be united within a single world governed by electrons.

She also mentions that Cipher will gather information and guide the world and it's peoples minds while the populace remain blissfully unaware. As there is no one to oppose them, it will be the first time the world was ruled by a single will. She also says that until the new world order is in place, the only ones who protects this developing new world order will be Snake and his army. They will act as Cipher's deterrent, and that they will pull the wool over the old order's eyes with Snake's charisma and military prowess. Pacifica then beckons Snake to accept their offer if he is to keep the MSF. Snake then wonders if that's an offer. Pacifica then tells Snake that The Boss threw down her gun and with it her life's calling. Snake, on the other hand, was too afraid to let go. Snake mentioned he was made a weapon. Pacifica then tells him he's a lousy liar, as she thinks ZEKE is a monstrosity based on his own fear. She also tells Snake that Cipher's aims are to control guns, not deter, control. Pacifica states that this is the ultimate approach to the allusion of Peace. Snake then tells her that she'll be disappointed.

Pacifica then declares that they are done, and that the offer is recinded, so she is going to make the ultimatum. ZEKE is already set for nuclear launch mode, and its target is going to be the East Coast of the United States. Snake then shouts what that would accomplish. Pacifica then tells Snake his consolation prize: Cipher's going to show the world just how dangerous a gang of outlaws, an army without borders, can be. The Militaires Sans Frontieres will be seen as pariahs as well as wiped off the face of the Earth. Also, instead of heroes, they will be seen as an extremist cult prone to indiscriminate outbursts of Nuclear aggression. In essence Cipher will give rise to a new world order: a deterrence based world where people will be fearful of extremist cult influence. Pacifica then asks if Snake likes the picture she's painting, and that in the end peace is nothing more than a fantasy, a games a game, people can either win or lose, a fight is a fight, and tells Snake to stop her if he can, as the peace symbol is the same as the V-for-Victory. She then says say peace before putting an oxygen tube up for the rising water in the control room.

Snake then fights ZEKE, and after damaging it enough, Pacifica tells Snake that ZEKE is beyond her control now, resigned to her fate, and tells Snake that as long as the world is in need of the Militaires Sans Frontieres, it can never learn true peace, as the only peace he will find is fleeting- illusionary, where people will use him, disgrace him, and eventually throw him out like a cancer to society, and this is his path. ZEKE then explodes and Pacifica is thrown by the force of the explosion into the ocean. Snake and Miller then look down remorsefully about what happened. Meanwhile, Strangelove is working on the AI from ZEKE, and Huey asks how it is doing. Strangelove then tells Huey that the Altitude control AI had a backup, so ZEKE should be able to walk, at least. Huey thinks that's good. Strangelove then mentions that beyond that, it is up to the creator. She then notices Huey coming over to her and tells him not to come any closer. Huey then asks her something he had been meaning to ask her before: Does she despise him? Strangelove then takes off her sunglasses and asks bewilderedly if he's asking her out. Huey then mentions he isn't. Strangelove then remarks that it's a shame as she "had her heart broken before". Huey then reacts in surprise. Strangelove then releases a bit of his restraints in the wheelchair and tells him that she only likes those who stand on their own. She then mentions while getting a bit physical with him that if he likes her, he should try to walk with her, as who knows what miracles will happen. She then places her sunglasses over his eyes while replacing his old glasses remarking that love is blind, after all. She then encourages him to take his time, and she'll be waiting while walking away. Huey then motions his fingers in a manner similar to walking towards the switch just stopping at it.

Meanwhile Snake and Miller discuss the aftermath of the situation. Kaz first apologizes to Snake, saying that he knew of Cipher and that it was a code named for "Zero", and that 'he' was the one who brought both Paz and the Professor to Columbia. He even admits that he knew that Paz was a 'triple' agent for them, the KGB, 'and' for Cipher. He justifies his reasoning by saying that this approach caused MSF to greatly expand far beyond what they would have been otherwise. Kaz then explains to Snake that the MSF will soon be an asset to the economy, telling him that the Cold War won't last much longer and that terrorism will emerge, and State Armies won't be necessary anymore, soldiers will be a commodity, and that the MSF was a revolution in itself. Snake explains that it's not going to be easy, as they have already interfered too much with the military balance of power, and they were never supposed to get involved in foreign affairs due to being an army without a flag. Miller realizes that Snake has a point, so he wonders what will happen. Snake explains they'll be hunted down, and Miller realizes that people weren't too happy with their actions. Snake confirms this, as they have upset the global military balance, and some people would rather that their Army without Borders never existed. Snake then mentions they can't turn back now, and will have to fight a lonely battle with neither good nor evil, neither winners nor losers. Miller mentions that he is with him all the way. Snake then tells Miller to assemble the men, as they are going to be hunted and the world's on their tail.

Some time later, Big Boss stands before his soldiers and gives a motivational speech over a loudspeaker in which he discusses the MSF's future. He reminds them that they have no ideology, no nation, and that they only fight for themselves and because they're needed. If needed they'll even become terrorists. He suggests that they may even be sent to hell for this, but reminds them that their perfect place exists outside of both Heaven and Hell. There, he officially gives them the title "Outer Heaven".