Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance radio conversations

This article is a list of optional Codec conversations in Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, some of which are humorous, or contain additional information that is not revealed during normal gameplay.

Mission recap
Raiden: Looks like a war zone out here.

Kevin Washington: The palace cleared out quick when Dolzaev's men showed up. The streets got pretty hot after that. We're definitely gonna see a few civilian casualties here. Luckily, it looks like most of 'em got out of the city before things got bad.... They've basically got control of the entire town, and are using the refinery as their HQ.

Raiden: And that's why we're hitting the plant.

Kevin: Keep in mind, those cyborgs are contractors. For most of these guys, this is just a job. In theory, once you eliminate their commanding officer they should scatter pretty quickly.

Desperado captains' codenames
Kevin Washington: We've confirmed three key captains in Desperado. Their names are all wind-themed. The captain presiding over this coup's called Mistral.

Raiden: Cyborg?

Kevin: Yup. All three've got custom-made bodies. Collectively they're known as the "Winds of Destruction."

Raiden: (snicker) The... what? They all have action figures, too?

Kevin: (heheh) You're one to talk, "Mr. Lightning Bolt."

Raiden: Who told you?

Kevin: Courtney. Now that sounds like an action figure.

Raiden: I didn't choose it, trust me.

Kevin: Yeah, well, to be honest, I doubt the Winds of Destruction picked their names, either.

Raiden: ...

Kevin: Different cultures use language differently, even ones with a decent command over English. As you can attest...Mr. LB.

Origin of Mr. Lightning Bolt
Kevin Washington: Sorry man, but I have to ask: Where did "Mr. Lightning Bolt" come from anyway?

Raiden: Seriously? All right. Well I told you where I got "Raiden" from, right? World War II, the Japanese had a plane called "Raiden"? The Allies (nick)named it "Jack"?

Kevin: Yeah, I remember.

Raiden: And my real name's Jack, so yeah... They codenamed me Raiden.

Kevin: "They" being the Patriots.

Raiden: (mhmm) Never really suited me. But it's better than... "Jack" just reminds me too much of the past.

Kevin: I hear ya...

Raiden: Someone once told me: "You can find your own name, and your own future." After that, I dropped "Jack" for good.

Kevin: Right. Right... And this is "Lightning Bolt" business?

Raiden: Well the "rai" part of Raiden means thunder, and "den" is electric, so Raiden is basically "lightning bolt."

Kevin: Mmm hmmm

Raiden: Anyway, I was explaining that to N'Mani, and he just busted out laughing...

Kevin: So he called you that as a joke? He was basically just giving you shit?

Raiden: Yeah. He actually had a pretty good sense of humor. He was one of the most charismatic men I'd ever met. I don't know much about politics, but being around him... you could just tell that he was a natural leader.

Kevin: (sigh) Such a goddamn shame...

Raiden: I won't let it happen again. Desperado ends here, comic book villains and all.

Kevin: Yeah. We're counting on you, uh... ...Mr. Lighting Bolt.

Raiden: ...

Raiden's history of Snake
Kevin Washington: So Raiden, who was this that told you to find your own name? Before you stopped going by "Jack"?

Raiden: The one and only Solid Snake. Hero of Outer Heaven, Zanzibarland, Shadow Moses...The list goes on.

Kevin: Right, right -- guy's a legend. I forgot you knew him so well.

Raiden: Yeah, he saved my ass at Big Shell...Not to mention a few times after that...I've lost count. In terms of pure combat ability, he's one of the greatest soldiers I've ever seen. But it's not only that...He knows what's right, and he just gets it done. Period. No one can stop him. I've learned a lot from him... (Heh) He'd kill me if he heard me talking about him like this.

Kevin: Wow, I didn't know you were such a fanboy. I thought you were gonna start crying there for a sec.

Raiden: Very funny, Kev.

Kevin: Seriously, though...Did Snake know he had a stalker?

Raiden: (*sigh*)

Kevin: He ha ha ha...

Raiden: ...

Kevin: Hey, relax! I'm only ribbin' you. I just wish I got to meet the guy, you know?

Raiden: I know.

Kevin: ...You're no fun.

Desperado
Raiden: Kev, let's go over everything we have on Desperado.

Kevin Washington: Roger that. Let's see here.... Desperado Enforcement LLC, registered in the US -- Delaware.

Raiden: Makes sense. The US doesn't regulate PMCs too closely.

Kevin: Looks like almost all of their actual business is handled outside the States, though. Says here their financials are handled by a separate company based in St. Kitts and Nevis.

Raiden: The preferred tax haven of megacorps everywhere.

Kevin: Probably why they incorporated in Delaware in the first place. Loose tax laws. Funneling it all through the Caribbean must help with money laundering, though. There's still not a lot we know about them, though, but they've definitely been starting a lot of fires lately. They're a PMC in name only -- and what a name it is. Guess "War Profiteers, Incorporated" was taken. But that's their business, in a nutshell: Target war-torn nations on the road to peace. Reignite conflicts, and walk off with all the cash that was earmarked for reconstruction. They also have ties to the drug trade, human trafficking...

Raiden: Sounds like a real class act.

Why Desperado is getting away with its actions in Abkhazia
Raiden: One thing I don't understand, Kev: Desperado must be violating all kinds of laws here. Why hasn't the international community gotten involved?

Kevin Washington: Well, from a purely legal standpoint it's actually not so cut-and-dry. First, there's the fact that Abkhazia is still not a member of the UN. Only Russia and a few breakaway states even recognize it as a sovereign nation. In the eyes of the international community, Abkhazia is technically still part of Georgia. Which would make this an internal Georgian issue.

Raiden: Guess you can't really call it a coup if the displaced government was never seen as legitimate.

Kevin: Exactly. And even if everyone agrees its was a coup, it can be tough to tell which regime is more legit. Sometimes, you'll see the military topple a dictator and establish a provisionary government, for example. Now, if they confirmed atrocities were taking place, the UN could deploy troops, recognized government or not.

Raiden: Yeah, but they learned their lesson in Somalia.

Kevin: Right. Ever since then, they've been a lot more reluctant to get involved in civil wars.

Desperado's cyborgs
Raiden: Where the hell'd Desperado get all these cyborgs anyway, Kev?

Kevin Washington: Hard to say. They're not as rare as they once were, but still... Of all registered PMC troops, we're still talkin', what, 3% have enhancements? Maybe 5%, tops? Mostly career military who got hurt on the battlefield, one way or another. Getting their arms or legs back lets 'em keep earning a living. But most able-bodied soldiers are still reluctant to sacrifice their own healthy body parts. Plus the surgery is highly specialized -- expensive as hell. Not to mention maintenance costs after that. Unless insurance is footin' the bill, most guys couldn't afford enhancements even if they wanted to.

Raiden: Maverick's got some cyborgs -- what's their story? They all wounded in action?

Kevin: Mostly. I heard a few saved up and paid for it themselves, but just a few. There is this one crazy blonde guy, though... I heard he asked for a full-body conversion.

Raiden: The Patriots didn't leave me much of a body to begin with. I just had Doktor finish what they started.

Kevin: You know I'm just giving you shit, man. Anyway, yeah, looking at the numbers, cyborg soldiers are still a pretty small minority. Not really surprising when only contractors in developed countries are offered insurance. Third-world soldiers get hurt out on the field, and that's all she wrote. They can't work as a merc anymore. Most times, they can't really work at all.

Raiden: Well, Desperado's up to something, 'cause cyborgs are definitely not in the minority here.

Kevin: I've heard of some PMCs covering the costs of the surgery for their disabled. The mercs got their career back, sure, but the PMCs aren't exactly running a charity. These guys have to work to pay it off, until the company at least breaks even on 'em. Any cyborg breaks his contract early would proably be in debt (for) the rest of his life.

Raiden: You think that's Desperado's M.O.?

Kevin: I can't prove it, but sure as hell wouldn't surprise me.

Maverick's deal
Raiden: So what kind of deal does Maverick offer its contractors?

Kevin Washington: Oh, yeah. I forgot you're full-time, too. You've never contracted with us?

Raiden: Nope. Boris invited me onboard [sic] the first time we talked about it. We've known each other since Area 51. Didn't have any reason to turn him down, so yeah, never really considered the contract route.

Kevin: Right, right... Well, it's pretty rare for guys on the ground like you to be full-timers. Most of Maverick's soldiers are contractors, just like with any other PMC. It just makes sense. After all, it's never the same job twice in this business. Each mission has its own requirements: force size, skill set...all that crap. So generally, we contract out on a per-mission basis, or a fixed schedule for longer jobs. A lot of US companies are doing it that way lately, not just PMCs. Besides, a contractor can earn more than most regular full-time employees. Definitely a hell of a lot more than regular military.

Raiden: And if they want to quit? Can they get out of their contract?

Kevin: Yep. Of course just up and quitting right in the middle of a mission'd cause problems. Just like any other job, y'know? We'd want some notice, to settle on a new end date, but... Hold up. ...You're not thinking of leaving us, are ya?

Raiden: (chuckles) Just curious.

Kevin's job at Maverick
Raiden: You still busy with all that other work, Kev?

Kevin Washington: You know me, man: Kev-of-all-trades. I got a lot on my plate. Briefing prep, arms procurement, client negotiation, HR, biz dev, accounting... you name it. Lately, though, I've been focusing more on sales and onsite co-ordination. Oh, and advisor work, like this.

Raiden: Never sleep, do you?

Kevin: Things've been better since Courtney joined up, at least.

Oil Refinery reminder
Note, this will repeat itself after all of Kevin's Codec calls are unlocked

Kevin Washington: Raiden, head for the oil refinery.

LQ-84i party
Kevin Washington: I've seen a lotta weird stuff, but this takes the cake.

Raiden: Well, I'm glad you're entertained. Too bad you're missing all the fun. It's a real party down here.

Kevin: Sorry, buddy, my speciality is cultural studies, not combat scenarios. If you're looking for my help during a brawl, you must be getting pretty desperate.

Raiden: Good point.

Kevin: Besides, if you've got time to screw around on the codec, it can't be all that bad, right?

Raiden: We'll see. Okay, back to the party...

Mistral's mentor
Raiden: Mistral mentioned someone from her past... Any idea who that could've been?

Kevin Washington: None. I checked her file again, couldn't find a thing. Definitely not Dolzaev... Probably not Sundowner, either.

Raiden: No. The way she put it, it didn't sound like anyone I have encountered so far. Maybe someone involved in backing Desperado.

Kevin: If so, sounds like they're providing more than just financing. Maybe they share the same philosophy.

Raiden: That'd be bad. People willing to die for their leaders... Aren't so easy to predict.

Kevin: Yeah, but other than the Winds, Desperado's cyborgs are all just hired contractors. They're probably emotion-suppressed with nanos or drugs or whatever, but that's about it.

Raiden: Hmm... You're probably right...

Info about Mexico
Raiden: You know, I've never really developed a taste for climbing through sewers... And Guadalajara's aren't exactly wowing me, either. This place isn't gonna go up in flames, right? I think I saw something about that in the briefing.

Kevin Washington: You're talking about 1992? What a mess. Over 200 people killed. That was almost half a century ago, though. You smell anything off, though? Before the explosions, residents complained they smelled gas from the sewers.

Raiden: I'm in a sewer, Kev. You think I've got my smell receptors on? Local air analysis doesn't show anything potentially poisonous or explosive, though.

Kevin: Well, you oughta be fine, then. Besides, a little gas explosion's probably not gonna kill someone like you.

Raiden: That's very encouraging. Seriously, though, Guadalajara's not a bad place -- at least from what I've seen.

Kevin: Oh, it's not. Second largest city in Mexico, after all. I've actually spent a lot of time down there. It's got a lot of charm. The architecture is a fusion of Latin and old colonial Spanish culture. The city's historic district is home to a massive cathedral overlooking the whole town. It's always bustling -- it's a lot of fun just kicking back and watching the locals. Walking around the Libertad, taking in the sun with a cerveza in one hand, mariachi band nearby... No better way to spend a weekend, lemme tell you.

Raiden: Hey, if this PMC thing doesn't work out, you'd make a [one] hell of a tour guide. Meanwhile, I'm down here in this dark, filthy, humid, cramped sew--

Kevin: Also, if you ask me, the girls over there are the hottest in all of Mexico. You wouldn't believe some of the chicas I've chatted up -- on the street, in shopping malls, at the bars...

Raiden: Sounds like better company than a robo-wolf and a bunch of plague-ridden mice...

Kevin (laughs) Well, hang in there. I'll buy you a shot of tequila after we wrap this up. The city of tequila is not far, actually. That's where it originated.

Raiden: I'll take you up on that. Now let's get this over with...

Finding the right girl
Raiden: Hey, Kev, lemme ask you something.

Kevin Washington: What's up? We've been over pretty much all the--

Raiden: No, no... Those girls. In Guadalajara? You never told me what happened...

Kevin: Jeez, man, we're in the middle of a mission here!

Raiden: ...So they used you for free drinks and then took off, I take it?

Kevin: Well, they, [they,] uh... they really weren't my type. I'm more of a... an intellectual, you know? I don't go for just any random girl at a bar... Looks are one thing, but I need someone I can talk to. Someone fun, but clever, with a good sense of humor...

Raiden: Yeah, that's what I thought. Look, Kev, you're in your thirties now. It's time for you to stop holding out for lil' Ms. Perfect. You just need to find someone nice. Y'know... settle down, start a family.

Kevin: Okay, Mom, okay...

Raiden: Laugh all you want, Kev, but having kids'll change your life. I can't see him all the time, with work and all... But whenever I'm back home, he's always so excited to see me. When I see that, I feel like... Y'know, I wanna do whatever I can to keep him happy.

Kevin: Sure, sure, I hear you. But look man, I was just having some fun in Mexico. I wasn't seriously searching for a wife or anything...

Raiden: I know, but separate from that -- I just think you've gotten too damn picky. I can understand trying to find the ideal woman when you're young, but y'know what? It's those little imperfections, those idiosyncracies, that keep things interesting in the long run. You've come to appreciate that kind of stuff in a lifetime relationship.

Kevin: Idiosyncracies, huh? Like... if she snores? Or she talks loudly during movies?

Raiden: Well, not if she talks during movies. A man's gotta have some standards...

N'mani the chosen one
Kevin: Sounds like N'mani was a pretty great leader... Such a goddamn waste.

Raiden: I've run cover for a lot of VIPs, but men like him are a rare breed. He had all these conflicting factors to deal with: old tribal tensions, business interests, the military... But N'mani got 'em all working together in a stable government, and all without firing a shot.

Kevin: The "savior of a nation." No wonder they called him that.

Raiden: He has a gift, for sure. But he also put in the hard work. He was big on equality and justice in every aspect of government. He fought for it day in, day out. N'mani singlehandedly energized his people. He's a big part of why the country recovered so quickly.

Kevin: True. It was more than new buildings and jobs. The people had hope again.

Raiden: If only we had someone like him back in Liberia... Things would've been different, that's for sure. And it was my job to protect him...

Kevin: Raiden, c'mon...

Raiden: N'mani wouldn't want me to go after Desperado. Not out of revenge, anyway. But he would want them stopped -- and that's exactly what I'm going to do.

Tool of justice
Kevin Washington: ...Raiden, that saying you like, about your sword being a tool of justice?

Raiden: Yeah -- it's why I fight. Sometimes taking a life saves others.

Kevin: "A" life... or two, or three, or forty in your case. But I know what you mean. Besides, it's not like those cyborgs you're fighting have been brainjacked.

Raiden: Wouldn't be much point in sending 'jacked cyborgs.

Kevin: True. Having someone pilot a body remotely only really makes financial sense for espionage missions. And you might as well use UGs if you're gonna let an AI control your soldiers. So, yeah. They're probably using emotional restraints, but those cyborgs are fighting of their own free will.

Raiden: Starting to see where I'm coming from?

Kevin: I get it, it's just... You didn't used to seem so comfortable with the idea.

Raiden: ......

Kevin: What about what Sam said? About your ideals holding you back?

Raiden: Bullshit. He's good, but I know how he moves, how he thinks. And I've got my new body. My philosophy says when and why to fight, not how. It won't keep me from beating Sam. And next time we meet, I will beat him. I'll kill him, and I'll do it to save others from suffering. With my ideals in tact.

Kevin: ...All right, Raiden.

Sundowner information
Raiden: Hey, Kev -- that piece of shit who killed N'mani... Is he one of the all-mighty Winds?

Kevin Washington: Yeah. Goes by "Sundowner" -- it's a folk-name for this warm air current in southern California. He's also -- well not the formal head of Desperado, but pretty much their de facto leader. Let's see... Born in Alabama... family was poor... Hm... Solid student, decent grades... but no money for college, so he joined the army... Says he fought in Panama in '89, then Iraq... Iraq again... Afghanistan... In 2008, he drops out of the service and starts doing merc work for various PMCs. He was active all through the SOP years. Built up quite a reputation. Apparently the "Sundowner" handle comes from all the blood he leaves behind. Looks like the sunset. Anyway, an IED put him out of action for a few years, but then cyborg tech brought him outta retirement. The army investigated him for possible war crimes. A few times, looks like. Desecrating remains, torturing POWs, some wrongful deaths... No convictions, though.

Raiden: Pretty rosy past, huh? ...Not that I'm one to talk...

Kevin: Hey... C'mon, buddy. You know that's not fair. You were just a kid. You didn't know what you were doing. And it's not like they gave you a choice.

Raiden: ...Yeah. Thanks, Kev.

Jetstream Sam
Raiden: Kev, you dig up anything more on Jetstream Sam?

Kevin Washington: Yeah, actually a bit. Still a lot of missing pieces.

Raiden: I'll take what I can.

Kevin: Right. Full name Samuel Rodrigues. Born in Brazil, so I guess it'd be more like (Brazilian accent) "Samuel Rodrigues." He's actually not one of the Winds of Destruction. He's not even a Desperado employee.

Raiden: Yeah. Didn't seem like your typical PMC to me.

Kevin: His father ran a Brazilian Kenjutsu dojo.

Raiden: Kenjutsu? That's a school of Japanese swordplay.

Kevin: A lot of Japanese emigrated to Brazil way back when -- they brought martial arts with 'em. Those evolved and became their own offshoots. You've heard of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, right? It's their variation on judo. Brazilian Kenjutsu's the same kinda thing: A different evolution of the old samurai sword skills. Bit of Capoeira and some other stuff mixed in. Anyway, I did some digging -- apparently the Rodrigues dojo was a big proponent of the ..."Uradachi" style.

Raiden: Uradachi... A.k.a. "Satsujin-ken" -- the murdering sword. Basically the polar opposite of my "sword of justice."

Kevin: Rodrigues kenjutsu uses kicks, sword-butts, even throws. Unpredictable, and very deadly. Anyway, this is interesting: Sam's father was killed by one of his pupils. There were rumors one of the cartels was involved, but it's not clear how or why. After that, Sam disappears for a while, then comes back, kills the guy who killed his dad, and leaves Brazil. He travels the world for a while, taking odd jobs... Bodyguard, cleaner for the mob, etc., etc... Made a big name for himself in the criminal underworld, especially in Central and South America. One story has Sam taking out a mafia hit squad -- 10 men, all armed with assault rifles -- with only his sword.

Raiden: Not unheard-of for a cyborg.

Kevin: This was back in the early 2000s.

Raiden: Come on. He did that without enhancements? And pre-SOP?!

Kevin: That's the story, anyway. And he's a cyborg now, so he could only be stronger. ...Not to freak you out or anything.

Raiden: I told you, Kev: I got a reading on his fighting style from last time, and my body's been upgraded. I'll be fine.

Kevin: Yeah... No, I know you will be.

Sam's murasama blade
Raiden: Hey Kev, you have anything on that sword Sam was using? Didn't seem like your garden-variety high-frequency blade.

Kevin Washington: It's not. It's a samurai sword -- the real deal. 16th century make, handed down in his family ever since. Sam had it recast as a high-frequency blade. It doesn't say by who.

Raiden: Hmm. Is this something I need to worry about?

Kevin: Maybe. You know about the basics of sword-making, right? The harder the metal, the better it cuts, but also the more brittle it is. So a sword's gotta be sturdy, but also just pliable enough to absorb shock without breaking. Walking that line -- striking that balance... that's what makes sword-crafting an art. Japanese swords fuse different types of iron, each with different amounts of carbon. Different levels of flexibility, in other words. So the blade can be tough AND razor sharp.

Raiden: And that gets multiplied when the sword receives the HF treatment?

Kevin: Yeah. Basically, the high-frequency upgrade sets the blade vibrating really, really fast, right? That vibration acts on the electron shells of atoms in the sword, and the local electromagnetic field. When the EMF achieves resonance, the blade's bonding is strengthened. At a quantum level, it's like the entire sword is made up of the exact same particle type. It also disrupts any atoms it comes into contact with -- say, those that make up the target. Their electron clouds shrink from exposure to quantum decoherence at the Planck scale. In other words, it electrically severs the bonds that keeps the target's atoms together.

Raiden: ...Uhh, you lost me around the "EMF" part.

Kevin: And that's the dumbed-down explanation. To be honest, even I don't understand all the details. Point is, an HF upgrade is like an amplifier: It multiplies what's already there. So Sam's bad-ass blade might give him the edge. I mean... you know what I mean.

Raiden: The original sword really was that good?

Kevin: Sounds like it. Says here it's a Murasama blade.

Raiden: Murasama... Sounds familiar...

Kevin: One of the top-ten best-known sword-makers worldwide, easy. In Japan, he is legendary. They say his swords thirst for blood; that they choose who will wield them -- you know, that sorta thing.

Raiden: Ooh, now I really AM scared.

Kevin: I know, right?

Sears Program
Kevin Washington: Jesus, Raiden, this is a little over the top. I mean, I've seen you pull some shit before, but this...?

Raiden: You should know me better than that by now, Kev.

Kevin: I thought I did! Look, I know there's no legal way to stop World Marshal... But there's gotta be an alternative to going on a rampage smack dab in the center of Denver!

Raiden: No alternatives, Kev. I'm getting those kids out.

Kevin: Raiden, that VR training... It's like what you did in Liberia?

Raiden: Judging by what Sundowner said in Mexico? Yeah. That scientist called it the Sears Program--

Kevin: After ex-president George Sears... AKA Solidus Snake.

Raiden: Yup. Ironic that kid shares his name. Solidus trained child soldiers in Liberia while working as a CIA paramilitary. It's... not a happy memory. All the drugs, the nonstop violence... It destroyed my sense of judgment completely. I was made to kill soldiers, POWs, civilians...

Kevin: Raiden...

Raiden: Next thing I know, Jack's back. I thought it was all in the past. But there I am, attacking a...a child.

Kevin: You didn't have any other choice. Other kids would've died...

Raiden: That's not the problem. I lost my cool back there. All I could think is how much I wanted that guy dead.

Kevin: A lot of us would've done the same th--

Raiden: Even if it meant killing George?

Kevin: ...He's not dead, though. Actually, he really digs his new body.

Raiden: ... Either way, I'm shutting this program down. Maybe they've got it better than me -- they don't actually have to kill anyone in reality... But they're still going through the motions, having it pumped straight into their senses, just like in real life.

Kevin: All right, just... give me a call if there's anything I can do.

Raiden: Sure. Raiden out.

DPD subcontracted to World Marshal
Raiden: So let me get this straight: All law enforcement in Denver's been subcontracted out to World Marshal?

Kevin Washington: Pretty much. It's part of Colorado's small-government initiative. When you're tasked with slashing a state's budget, privatizing the police force starts to make sense. Detroit was kind of the pioneer there. Armstrong spearheaded the idea, of course. Back when he was still in the state senate.

Raiden: No surprise. But the police force isn't all cyborg, is it?

Kevin: Nah. No way anyone could get funding for that. Most of 'em are unmodified... New recruits or old veterans from the old Denver PD. They handle most of the basic police work, like street patrols and investigations. Most cyborgs are part of the SWAT unit. They're sent out to handle riots, violent crimes, stuff like that.

Raiden: Makes sense.

Kevin: They're given separate roles in the force, too. Some specialize entirely in combat; others handle things like hostage negotiations. Some of the combat specialists are ex-US Army, but a lot of 'em are from overseas, too. A lot of them undergo the cyborg operation just to get a green card.

Raiden: That kind of thing must go over great with the anti-immigration movement.

Kevin: You know it. A lot of folks wanted a blanket ban on hiring immigrants for the police force. They get a bad rep for those helmets, too -- can't see their faces. They're required to keep their faceguards up if they're not actively on a mission, though. Thing is, we're starting to see a wave of violent cyborg crime across America, you know? The way the police see it, they need more cyborgs on the force to deal with that.

Raiden: Hope they have enough cyborgs to deal with me.

Colorado information
Kevin Washington: Raiden, how's the MECS? No headaches or anything?

Raiden: No. Why do you ask?

Kevin: You're in a high altitude zone, remember?

Raiden: Oh. Right, right... The Mile-High City. Didn't think I'd have to worry about altitude sickness yet, though. You're checking my stats, right? Oxygen density's only ten percent off normal. Body's still in the green.

Kevin: Yeah, I'm watching. Just remember: it's definitely going to feel a little different from sea level.

Raiden: Copy. Y'know, I didn't realize how big Denver's gotten. It was never exactly small, I know, but it looks like it's really blown up these past few years.

Kevin: It's a good place to live. The tech sector's booming, people are moving in, and unemployment's low, too.

Raiden: I always figured Colorado's more about military than anything else.

Kevin: Originally, yeah. Denver, like Colorado in general, is filled with federal agencies and defense contractors.

Raiden: And NORAD and Peterson Air Force Base are just a short drive away, right? Over in Colorado Springs.

Kevin: And then there's all the nuclear facilities, too.

Raiden: Right, I remember hearing about the Rocky Flats plant...

Kevin: Yeah, they manufactured the plutonium triggers that detonate nuclear bombs. It was shut down late last century for illegal pollution offenses. Of course, there's still a ton of military manufacturing activity going on in Colorado.

Raiden: PMCs too, right?

Kevin: Yep. PMCs like World Marshal. They've been on a buying frenzy, gobbling up a whole bunch of smaller outfits. That growth's what's enabled them to expand into the public sector. Their work in private policing has really boosted their profile.

Raiden: I'm not necessarily against small government, but when you mix public authority with private firms...

Kevin: It never works out, yeah. This is probably obvious, but this "police force" is basically a full-on army. Don't go easy on them.

Raiden: Don't intend to.

Monsoon's history
Raiden: So there's one more of the Winds, right? Besides Sundowner and Mistral?

Kevin: Yeah. Monsoon. That is, uh...

Raiden: You can skip the part about the name -- I know Monsoons are seasonal winds in Asia.

Kevin: The word actually refers to seasonal winds anywhere... But yeah, it's usually used to describe the winds that bring Southeast Asia most of its rain.

Raiden: Safe to assume he's Asian, then. Right?

Kevin: Yep. His roots are with a Cambodian organized crime syndicate. Not ex-military, for a change. He's fluent in Khmer, Chinese, and English. Rumored to have been involved in drug and human trafficking.

Raiden: So what's he doing with a PMC?

Kevin: Apparently, he converted to a cyborg body after being wounded in a gang shootout. I don't know the full story, though. Maybe he just decided PMC work's better than the mob. The two worlds are closer than you might think. Boris's got a lot of ex-military buds that now work with the Russian mafia.

Raiden: I guess either profession guarantees plenty of excitement, if that's your thing.

Kevin: Monsoon's no ordinary street thug, though. That much is clear from his record... And he was a master with the sai, even before becoming a cyborg.

Raiden: Think he's in Denver?

Kevin: Probably, given Desperado and World Marshal are basically one and the same. Careful down there...

Follow the markers
Kevin: You okay, buddy? Looks like Wolf posted some guidance data to your soliton radar. Try following those markers.

Courtney
''Note: As she often saves the player's progress if she is called, every call has her asking whether Raiden wants to save his mission data. Those questions are omitted from the transcribation of these conversations save for the first call. Also, in the demo, there is no real impact on choosing to save due to it being a demo.''

Courtney's role
Raiden: How're we doing, Courtney?

Courtney Collins: You're looking good on our end. GPS and audiovisual feed coming in fine. Energy consumption, check. Damage levels, check. Blood pressure, brain waves, blood sugar -- check, check check. All this monitoring equipment, I got a better view than if I was right next to you. Anyway, I'll be saving all your data automatically anytime something happens in the field. But contact me if you want a manual save.

Raiden: Copy that. Good to hear that hasn't changed with this new body.

Courtney: Yep. The basic system's exactly the same. So... did you want to save?

If the player decides to save
Courtney: ...And save complete. Simple, huh?

If the player decides not to save
Courtney: Roger that. Let me know if you change your mind.

Raiden: Copy. And glad to hear you're okay after Africa. That ambush was no joke.

Courtney: Tell me about it. Three armored vehicles should've been plenty for that job. And it would've been, against any typical guerilla force.

Raiden: I keep asking myself: where would an anti-N'mani faction get the cash to hire cyborgs?

Courtney: It just doesn't add up. Maybe there was some intel I missed? A lead I should've followed up on... Maybe if I reacted faster, coordinated better... I don't know...

Raiden: You can't think that way, Courtney. Not in this business. You did everything you could. Put it behind you and move on.

Courtney: ...You're right. Thanks.

The need for civilians in PMCs
Raiden: I wanted to follow-up on our talk earlier. About the stress that comes with the job. PMC work can be traumatic, even for non-combatants. If the pressure ever gets to be too much, have one of the ex-military there take over, just --

Courtney Collins: I'm not doing that, Raiden. PMCs wield massive influence over international affairs. Abolishing SOP didn't change that. They need a better understanding of what they're mixed up in: The laws, politics, local cultures... Ex-military aren't there to provide that. They can't. We need civilian voices like mine here, too.

Raiden: You're right. Just... take care of yourself.

Courtney: Don't worry. Africa was more than enough excitement for one lifetime. It's a good thing that limo was armored.

Raiden: Yeah, otherwise, you'd now be the world's clumsiest cyborg.

Courtney: Hey, cyborg Courtney coulda been your partner! I might've saved your ass!

Raiden: How? By spilling coffee all over the enemy (heheheh)?

Courtney: Oh, come on, I'm not that -- (ohhh... son of a!)

Raiden: ...Please tell me that was a joke.

Sons of the Patriots
Raiden: [Yeah.] You mentioned SOP before. How much do you know about it?

Courtney Collins: The Sons of the Patriots system? Same stuff as anyone else in the industry, probably. Basically, a nanomachine/software combo for controlling contractors. Used to be required for all PMCs. Soldiers couldn't fire unless their ID matched their weapon, and they had clearance. From their commanding officers and the rules of engagement, I mean. It had some mental effects as well. Moderating pain, enhancing concentration -- that sort of thing. The idea was SOP would minimize arms smuggling and civilian casualties.

Raiden: A kinder, gentler war. An oxymoron, anyway you look at it. Civilian deaths did drop, though.

Courtney: Because soldiers in the System could coordinate in real time. Share info. Between that and the ID locks, a lot of people felt better about employin privatized military. The irony is, the System was developed based on criticisms of PMC ops -- mostly American interventions. SOP propaganda said it would "put limits" on the war market. What it really did was shift market share over to the PMCs. Civilian deaths went down, but total casualties just kept on climbing.

Raiden: More than ever, war was big business.

Courtney: And business was booming. Until SOP got hacked. Suddenly, everyone realized how dangerous it was to have a single system controlling entire PMCs. That was the beginning of the end for SOP. Public opinion on privatizing war did a 180. After that, a lot of local conflicts and civil wars died down. The PMC conglomerates had to split up and downsize, just to stay in business. And that about does it for SOP 101. Class dismissed.

Raiden: Not bad, professor. But it's not the whole story.

Courtney: No, I know...

Raiden: Let's finish this later. I better keep moving.

Patriots
Raiden: I thought we'd get back to our little [little our] history lesson. What do you know about the Patriots?

Courtney Collins: I know that they were behind everything we talked about before, with the SOP system. People thought these 12 guys controlled world politics and the global economy from the shadows.

Raiden: And they were right. Except there weren't 12, and they weren't guys -- or even human. They were massive AI networks.

Courtney: All the better to gather information on a global scale. Or to censor it, if they wanted. They'd manipulate factions to keep wars raging, all while selling arms to both sides. The PMCs made billions, too, of course. SOP was the Patriots' masterstroke. They could control battles directly, down to each individual soldier. The System might even be still around, if the AIs hadn't all been destroyed.

Raiden: I'm impressed, you know your stuff. Not many people have even heard of the Patriots. More than they were active, but still -- not many. Almost no one knows they were AIs, or that they're the real reason SOP went away.

Courtney: Well, the few that do know aren't going to talk about it publicly. Even the world leaders.

Raiden: Especially the world leaders. The people would panic. Assuming anyone believed them, which they wouldn't. You can find speculation on the net, if you look hard enough. Some of them get pretty close to the truth. But the stories never make it into the mainstream. "Just another conspiracy theory."

Courtney: I'm not surprised. It's a little hard to believe, ya know? It just sounds crazy. When Kevin briefed me about all this in orientation, I thought it was some kind of BS-detecting test.

The Patriots motives
Courtney Collins: Hey, Raiden, lemme ask you something. The Patriots -- why would AIs do all that? I can see why people would want all the money, but AIs? What did they stand to gain from it all?

Raiden: Who knows? Maybe they didn't even know. Optical neuro-AIs aren't your typical PCs. They learn over time, change in unpredictable ways.... The core AI, JD, was bent on expanding the war economy -- maybe to fund the Patriots' other activities? Or maybe that just was the way it evolved. Like a secondary objective, that took over. One of the other AIs said it was created to filter out unnecessary information. Gossip. Trivia. All for the sake of future generations -- to drive the evolution of the human race. Or so it said. Was that the truth? Or a lie, to manipulate me? Who can say?

Courtney: To think, something like that, running a nation... And America, no less. It's terrifying. Thank God they were all destroyed.

Raiden: But did it really change that much.

Courtney: Hm... maybe not. Contractors still gotta eat, after all. Soldiering for hire's always risky business, but at least before it was good money. There was a decent chance you could get rich and retire early. All that disappeared during the SOP years. Demand was high but the workplace was flooded -- more and more soldiers were willing to work for cheap. It got so you'd have to work years before you could even pay back your initial training and insurance fees.

Raiden: Yeah. I can see Sundowner's point.

Courtney: The global recession certainly didn't help. Unemployment shot up across the US and the EU. Even if the contractors gave up and packed it in, there weren't any jobs waiting for them back home.

Raiden: The irony is that the recovery was all war-driven. It wasn't a general recovery at all. Not only did globalization exploit the poor countries, but it crippled first-world employment, too.

Courtney: And SOP's gone, but now we've got these PMCs that are basically monster -- just thugs in uniform.

Raiden: Yeah, not a pretty picture.

New name for PMCs
Raiden: You know, our last chat got me thinking... about all the problems with PMCs.

Courtney Collins: Oh? You come up with a solution to all our industry's ills then.

Raiden: Yeah -- let's just change the acronym.

Courtney: That's your solution? Just change the name and change the reputation, eh? To what? I know you like "private security provider", but that PSP. Private Military Security... PMS?

Raiden: Well, the Montreux Document uses PMSC, right? Private military and security company. A bit more comprehensive... and a bit more awkward, too, I guess... seems like it never really caught on.

Courtney: Yeah, we only use "PMSC" on contracts, or when we're specifically excluding older-style PMCs.

Raiden: I guess when a name sticks, that's it. Old habits are hard to break.

Courtney: Right. Besides, I think we're past the point a name change'd do much for the industry's image.

Raiden: I get your point. Though it did work once before. We don't call them "mercenaries" any more, do we?

LQ-84i caution
Courtney: Everything okay, Raiden?

Raiden: Yeah. It's a fascinating foe, but I'm not gonna cut it any slack. We're dealing with terrorists here... And AI or not, it's still aiding and abetting them.

Courtney: Yeah... Be careful though. You might want to save your data first.

Dolzaev's death
Courtney: I can't believe Dolzaev blew himself up...

Raiden: Pretty common terror tactic. You don't usually see the leaders doing it, though. It's one thing to get your flock pumped up on the glory of dying for the cause... But it's not often they actually go through with it themselves.

Courtney: You've gotta have a public face, after all. The guy who gets to claim responsibility on the evening news.

Raiden: In a weird way, Dolzaev showed some serious dedication... Not that I'm about to praise him for it.

Courtney: Yeah. Still a terrorist -- a suicide bomber -- in the end.

Raiden: If that's what you want to call him. Still, he kind of failed at it.

Courtney: How so?

Raiden: Well, all that explosion did was put a dent in Abkhazia's budget... Or Russia's, really -- they're the ones rebuilding the refinery. The coup didn't work out. He couldn't overthrow the government. He was barely a blip on Russia's radar.

Courtney: So you're saying the bombing didn't accomplish any of his goals? He did it just 'cause he was cornered? Sound more like just plain suicide.

Raiden: Yeah. Probably wanted to end things with his own hands. Like a samurai committing harakiri.

Courtney: Still not something to be commended for, though.

Raiden: ...Yeah. Lumping him in with true warriors like the samurai just gives them a bad name.

Mistral getting to Raiden
Courtney Collins: I... I hope she didn't get to you. Wanting to protect the weak is... That's worth striving for.

Raiden: Don't worry. I've heard more than a few super villain spiels in my time. Maybe we had some things in common in our past. But not anymore. I bring my beliefs into every battle I fight. You wanna call me foolish, well... That's not gonna change me.

Courtney: ...I'm glad to hear that, Raiden.

Raiden: Yeah, thanks. Raiden out.

Raiden's Mariachi outfit
Courtney Collins: Say, Raiden, where'd you get that hat you were wearing?

Raiden: The sombrero? Picked it up at a souvenir store here. I guess I just kinda liked the design. Also, when you're on a scout mission, it's vital that you use the local attire to blend into the background.

Courtney: Um, yeah... I think it looked pretty good on you. You looked like some kind of mariachi singer.

Raiden: Think so?

Courtney: Yup. Only... that's kind of a problem, too.

Raiden: How so?

Courtney: Well, I mean, that sombrero really was meant to be part of a mariachi costume. Mexicans don't wear hats like that normally.

Raiden: C'mon. The guy at the shop told me I'd look just like a local...

Courtney: Yeah. A local tourist, maybe. Look, you might see a lot of Mexican men wearing sombreros during their daily routines... But, um, nothing like that. They'd go for something more simple and compact. Something not at all different from cowboy hats in the Old West.

Raiden: ...Are you sure?

Courtney: I don't know if its true or not, but I have heard one theory about the modern cowboy hat... They say it's based on the sombreros the original Western settlers brought from Mexico. Of course, cowboy hats come in all shapes and sizes, so you can't say really say a specific one's the cowboy hat.

Raiden: Huh. Well, now I know why the locals were so eager to get a look at me.

Courtney: That... wasn't the hat.

Nopalitos
Courtney Collins: By the way, Raiden, have you ever eaten nopalitos? They're typically called "nopales..."

Raiden: Huh? Oh, like that street vendor was selling? Nope... Nopales.

Courtney: Well, that's too bad. You really ought to try some while you're in the area.

Raiden: Yeah, but it's from a cactus, right? Doesn't it taste all thin and watery?

Courtney: Not at all. It's kind of like the flesh of aloe vera leaves, or the seaweed used in Japanese cooking. It's got this really soft, but crunchy texture, and it's really versatile. You can eat nopales as-is in a salad, saute them, stir-fry them with steak, put them in tacos... You can even toss them into a blender to make some juice.

Raiden: I... I had no idea.

Courtney: Tell me about it! I got hooked after Boris took me to this one Mexican restaurant. After that, I just had to learn more about them. For example, they are really low in calories. They also have lots of soluble and insoluble fiber, which not only promotes digestion... But is great for maintaining healthy cholesterol and blood pressure levels. It's even thought to help prevent intestinal cancer. It's packed with healthy stuff, too, like vitamins B and C, potassium and iron.

Raiden: Okay, okay, I get it - it's good for you. So how does it taste?

Courtney: Huh? I just told you.

Raiden: ...Never mind. Probably can't "capture" any food down here anyway - not that I'd need to. My muscles run on fuel cells. And I've got enough blood sugar to keep my brain running for another week.

Courtney: Well, you can still eat, though, right?

Raiden: Yup.

Courtney: So how about we all go out for Mexican once you're done? Food's a lot more than just an energy supply, you know. It's meant to be enjoyed.

Raiden: With that I agree.

Studying Japanese swordplay
Courtney Collins: Raiden, what you said before -- about your sword being a "tool of justice"? I just want to say I agree 100%. I wish all PMCs thought that way.

Raiden: Glad to hear you say that.

Courtney: You mentioned it was part of some samurai code?

Raiden: Yeah. I didn't grow up using a sword. I fell into it by chance, during a mission. After that I decided to train with the HF blade. I studied a lot of samurai techniques. I really got into it. Started learning more and more about ancient Japan and the samurai code. I tore through stacks of books, movies -- anything I could get my hands on.

Courtney: Somehow hard to imagine you settling in with a big bucket of popcorn.

Raiden: What? A cyborg can't have hobbies? I'll have you know I'm actually a huge movie buff.

Courtney: Okay! Okay! So that's where you picked up this "sword of justice" creed.

Raiden: Yeah. Most of it from a single master named Munenori Yagyu. He founded a school of swordsmanship on the idea that violence can be necessary for the greater good. He called it "Katsujin-ken" -- "the life-giving sword." Yagyu believed power wasn't evil in itself -- it's how it's applied that matters. As time went on, katsujin-ken incorporated deterrents; it took on the meaning of winning without fighting. Or, as I like to say, "one sword keeps another in the sheath." That's from George Herbert. He was an English priest. 17th century -- almost the same era as Yagyu.

Courtney: It's a universal idea, I guess.

Raiden: You could frame the same message as "use of a necessary evil," but I think it's a good mindset for any PMC.

Courtney: At least as long as there's fighting that requires us in the first place.

Raiden: Which doesn't seem likely to change any time soon.

Cyborg advancements
Courtney Collins: Y'know, I have to hand it to you guys. Cyborgs are just amazing to me. So much power and speed...

Raiden: It's not all gravy.

Courtney: No? How so?

Raiden: Well, things have improved a lot in the past few years... But back when I was modded for the first time, keeping artificial blood free of impurities was a huge hassle. Artificial muscles need a constant flow of oxygen from a blood source, just like the real thing. But it was a challenge getting the kidney units as small as they needed to be... We all had to undergo routine dialysis.

Courtney: Sounds rough.

Raiden: Used to be even worse - Back when Dr. Clark was still experimenting. Bad nerve connections would screw with the test subject's pain receptors... It was torture. Compared to that, I had it pretty easy.

Courtney: It wasn't until recently that you could eat and drink like normal people, right?

Raiden: That's right. We generally use glucose-based nutrient packs to keep the brain running. But we can absorb nutrients orally now, too. Whatever we eat's broken down by nanomachines. And we have taste sensors as well. It's not exactly what it was before... The difference is, I can turn those sensors off if I don't need 'em. That's been surprisingly useful.

Courtney: So cyborgs can live pretty much normal lives now?

Raiden: Well... Getting there. We still need fuel cells and nutrition packs, not to mention regular maintenance. It's a lot of dough. Of course, another big problem's how other people look at you.

Courtney: How do you mean?

Raiden: There was a time when I wore artificial skin, tried to look as close to normal as possible. I've still got some now - on my face. The tech at the time wasn't great. You still looked pretty unnatural. Maybe you could fool someone from far away, but up close even a baby could tell I wasn't human. Going out shopping, or whatever... You could feel all those eyes on you. I tried to find something to do other than fight... But looking like I did got me two strikes pretty much as soon as I walked through the door.

Courtney: That sounds terrible...

Raiden: Well, you appreciated it when people were honest about it, at least. But when they were too polite to just say so... That was rough. Things are getting better these days, though. Artificial skin's improved a lot, and you don't so many stares now that the general public knows about cyborgs.

Courtney: Maybe I should look into the cyborg thing, huh? I could eat whatever I want, whenever I want.

Raiden: Probably cheaper just getting lipo, Courtney.

Courtney: Jerk...

Absorbing organs
Raiden: Courtney, there's something... I'd like your opinion on.

Courtney Collins: Hmm? What's up?

Raiden: It's how I replenish my electrolytes... I'm basically feeding off these cyborgs.

Courtney: Oh... Yeah. That. I really don't see any better options, to be honest. I doubt your old body would've stood up against the Desperado captains, or Jetstream Sam. And if we fail here, it's not only going to be bad for us, but also for our clients, and all of Sukhumi.

Raiden: Yeah, you're right.

Courtney: Besides, it's like you say: No ones forcing them to be here. They chose to throw in with the terrorists.

Raiden: Yeah.

Courtney: I won't lie -- I don't feel great about it. But in the scheme of things? Yes. I think it's justified.

Raiden: Thanks. I guess it's never black and white in this business, is it?

Courtney: No... No it's not.

Kevin's history
Courtney Collins: Do you and Kevin work a lot together, Raiden?

Raiden: Well Maverick's not that big; unless you're a short-term contractor, you tend to work with the same guys. Last job we were on together, I was hired by the Carabinieri to track down three Albanian mafiosos. They'd fled Italy for Montenegro, and I had to bring them back. It wasn't easy. All three of them had cybernetic upgrades. Without Kev, I could've been in serious trouble.

Courtney: He was with an NGO before Maverick, I think, handling disarmament work with the UN.

Raiden: Yeah. He and Boris met while working together to resolve a conflict in Africa. They hit it off, so when Boris gave him a job opportunity, he took it.

Courtney: I kind of wonder why. We're pretty much the opposite of a disarmament outfit.

Raiden: Three things are needed after a conflict: disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration into society. That's the way it usually goes. I guess Kevin felt the process was getting to be a joke. Even if the UN taps the group that caused the conflict for postwar cleanup... There's no way of ensuring their sincere cooperation. There's always the chance they'll underreport the number of soldiers they've got on hand.

Courtney: That, or they only disarm the useless parts of their force - the ones with outdated weapons and gear.

Raiden: Yeah. Meanwhile, they can hide their standing force - the one with all the up-to-date weaponry - from the UN. Afghanistan saw a lot of that, since the wars were all waged by rival military cliques. Anyway, Kev saw that happening on a daily basis in Africa. Guess he just wanted a job where he had a firmer grasp of what was going on. And then along comes Boris. Kev had to think it over for a while, sure. But, well, here we all are.

Courtney: PMCs are going to need more people like him...and me, too, I guess. You know, civilian viewpoints.

Raiden: Couldn't agree more.

The reason why Raiden joined Maverick
Courtney Collins: Raiden, can I ask you something?

Raiden: Sure, what is it?

Courtney: Just wondering... Why'd you join Maverick in the first place?

Raiden: Ah. Well, Boris and I go way back. Our first time working together was rescuing Sunny. That's Colonel Gurlukovich's granddaughter -- he and Boris were good friends back in the USSR.

Courtney: Right, right -- the Patriots were holding her?

Raiden: Yeah. I was mainly working for the PLA (Paradise Lost Army ), but Boris was a huge help. His Russian military connections paid off big time. All his covert-op experience, too. He wasn't working pro bono, of course, but he went above and beyond the call. The Patriots were a threat to everyone, not just America. He got that.

Courtney: And when Paradise Lost disbanded, he formed a new outfit and got them all work.

Raiden: Most of them, anyway, including me.

Courtney: Did you ever consider another line of work? Something non-military, I mean.

Raiden: ...I'm a cyborg, Courtney. What am I gonna do? Drive an ice cream truck? I can pass as normal from a distance, but up close anyone can tell it's artificial skin. Good jobs aren't easy to come by these days, even for non-cyborgs, and I've got a family to feed. Besides... I've been fighting my whole life. ...It's just who I am.

Courtney: Sorry I... didn't mean to pry.

Raiden: It's fine, Courtney. No worries.

Courtney's past life
Raiden: So Courtney, you've heard my story. What about you? How'd you end up in Maverick?

Courtney Collins: Me? Ah... Well, it's funny. I was a business major, actually -- thought I'd go for an MBA. When I was in school there was a lot of talk about the widening gap between rich and poor. I figured I'd join the 1%, and never have to worry about money again. Pretty noble, huh? Anyway, around then you started hearing all about this war economy stuff on the news. I was... I dunno -- disgusted, I guess? Disillusioned, for sure.

Raiden: And that changed your mind?

Courtney: It wasn't just the war stuff that bothered me. It's everything it represented. How so much of what the First World enjoys comes at the expense of Third World people. The more I researched, the more I realized how bad things are. Underreported, too. After that, money wasn't such a priority anymore. I know how trite that sounds, but it's true. I wasn't naive, though. I knew living in some hippy commune or going Amish wouldn't change anything. So I started looking for a career where I felt I might actually have an impact.

Raiden: You didn't worry about working at a PMC? Becoming part of the problem?

Courtney: Well, I wasn't going to sign up with anybody. But not all PMCs are bad, you know. Some of them, sure -- they'll do anything for a buck, no questions asked. That's why someone has to stand up to them. Protect the innocents from those guys.

Raiden: That's us, in a nutshell. So, you did your homework and found Maverick?

Courtney: Honestly, it was more dumb luck than anything else. I had a friend who knew I was interested in this kind of work who was also friends with Kevin... They introduced us, we set up a meeting, and here I am.

Raiden: That's right, I always forget you and Kev went to the same school. Huh. Definitely not your typical path to joining a PMC, that's for sure.

Courtney: I really am here to fix the world. I know it's a cliche, but...there it is.

Raiden: Well, I, for one, am glad to hear it.

Courtney's expectations
Raiden: So how's it been since you joined Maverick, Courtney? About what you expected?

Courtney Collins: Not even close. I had no idea what I was signing up for. You deal in a lot of expensive weapons and equipment that can save people's lives. But at the same time, you can't just ignore the bottom line. You catch yourself measuring lives in dollars and cents.

Raiden: Yeah, the business side can get pretty messy.

Courtney: Messy is right. But I won't just ignore it. I can't make informed decisions without confronting the ugly realities.

Raiden: Not an easy burden to bear, Courtney.

Courtney: Well, if it ever gets to be too much, I'll reconsider. But for now, I'm fine. I can handle it.

Hearing Courtney's voice
Raiden: No, guess not. Just wanted to hear the sound of your voice.

Courtney Collins: Save it for your wife, Raiden.

Unofficial saving/How Desperado got the kids
Courtney Collins: I heard what happened, Raiden... I don't know if I can offer much help, but at least I'm still here to save your data, okay?

Raiden: Thanks. If things get bad, go ahead and delete it.

Courtney: If worse comes to worst, I'll do it... But we're on an encrypted line, so we should be okay. [...] By the way, what'd Boris mean when he said those brains were for "medical purposes?"

Raiden: They're not just spare parts. Legally, they have human rights -- they just don't have bodies. They aren't covered under the Arms Trade Treaty. They can even be legally adopted.

Courtney: Adopted? They're brains!

Raiden: Not as the law sees it. These are street kids, after all. Most of 'em have no ID or papers whatsoever. Local mobs gather these kids up, declare them for adoption... And then send 'em off to a US medical facility for "treatment."

Courtney: So you're saying Desperado didn't actually buy those kids? Directly, at least?

Raiden: They're not stupid, just evil. The basic idea's that the mafia has these orphaned kids, and Desperado pulled their brains, right? Now they need treatment, so the mafia sends them to a medical facility to get them new bodies.

Courtney: A World Marshal medical facility.

Raiden: One that only exists on paper. Once the brains cross the border, next stop is World Marshal HQ. The plan is to put 'em into factory bodies and assemble the cyborgs here in Denver.

Courtney: Pretty convoluted process...

Raiden: If there is a silver lining to all this, it's that the first brains shipped only a month ago. Dok confirmed that in the data he's collected. You can speed up the VR training process with AIs, but not with human beings. So it's not likely none of the kids have completed training, yet.

Courtney: Thank God.

Raiden: That training, though... Sorry, I should get back. We can talk later.

On ground confirmation
Raiden: Control, it's Raiden. I'm on the ground.

Boris: Copy, Raiden. Glad to hear it. Entering on foot was the right move. That craft wasn't equipped with stealth camo. Or OctoCamo, obviously, since that would be useless in midair.

Raiden: And we wouldn't want to get that pricey new jet damaged, now, would we?

Boris: Da. The MQ-133C was not cheap tovarich. Now, keep alert. According to intel, you could find significant cyborg deployment here. If you were to be cornered by an entire squad, it could get... difficult, even for you.

Raiden: Understood. Some fighting'll be necessary, though. I've got electrolytes to replenish.

Boris: This is not an infiltration mission. There is no need to hide or avoid combat outright. Just... do not get reckless. Stay safe, and stay focused on your mission.

Seriousness in a fight
Boris: Raiden, there's always a chance the MQ was spotted before your drop-off. I would not be surprised if hostile cyborgs were already en route to your position.

Raiden: A little welcoming party wouldn't be so bad. I could use a warm-up.

Boris: Enough with the attitude, Raiden. It is time to be serious. This is no game, Raiden. I need you to focus. Many people are counting on you, and I don't just mean here at Maverick.

Raiden: You don't need to remind me of that.

Boris: Good. The last thing we need is another clever cowboy shipped back to us in pieces. On codec is fine, just be sure you are serious on the battlefield. Your enemies will be.

Raiden: Yes, sir.

Tree
Boris: You're familiar with your new body now, yes? Then let's begin the warm up! Slash at something - a palm tree, perhaps.

Past
Boris: Raiden, what I said... About staying focused on the mission...

Raiden: Understood. No need to explain.

Boris: I say this because I have been there. I have let my emotions take over on the battlefield. Some of the PMC work I did after my discharge was... They were grey-area jobs... But that's all in the past. When I took on those former PLA soldiers to form Maverick. I laid out my conditions: We would only take operations we believed in, and we would run them clean. No exceptions. Most of them agreed. They had their own bad memories from their time in Paradise Lost.

Raiden: I can certainly attest to that.

Boris: Yes, of course. I'm forget who I am talking with. Most of the ex-PLA have moved on now, in any case. But the point remains the same: Everyone at Maverick is accountable for their actions. We are clear to take this job under international law. And we can use force against any cyborg hostiles under the basic rules of engagement. But remember: If we harm any civilians, on purpose or no, it will mean trouble. All kinds of trouble. So: Stay in control, and stay on-mission.

Raiden: Got it.

Ebkhazia
Raiden: Didn't you say you'd been here before, Boris?

Boris: Once. Back when it was still Soviet territory.

Raiden: Seems like it'd be a lovely place... if it weren't a war zone.

Boris: "The Pearl of the Black Sea" they called it, back when more Russians lived there. It was very popular resort spot for USSR. This was before the wall fell, of course. Then Russia and Georgia began to fight over the area.

Raiden: ...Kicking off the war in the early '90s.

Boris: Georgia was a Soviet republic. Abkhazia, a semi-autonomous state within it. The Soviets liked to stoke ethnic rivalries between the two. And not just there: in all the outlying territories. It kept them easier to control.

Raiden: But with the Russians no longer watching over the two...

Boris: Da. The Abkhaz were scared. They knew an independent Georgia would swallow their nation sooner or later. So, they took advantage of a Georgian military coup to declare their own independence in '92. Of course, the new Georgian government was not happy to hear this, and so...

Raiden: The same old story.

Boris: Mmm. And with Russia supporting the Abkhaz, it was a stalemate. Two years later the cease-fire meant Abkhazia was finally independent, but not officially. They still are not formally recognized by Georgia, or most (of) the international community.

Raiden: This region is filled with breakaway states...

Boris: This is true. There is South Ossetia, also in Georgia... Transmistria in Moldova, and Nagorno-Karabakh, which broke from Azerbaijan. In any case, even Russia did not officially recognize Abkhazia as independent until 2008. So it was not long ago that Sukhumi was a warzone. It has changed dramatically since then. It has been rebuilding steadily -- with Russian support -- ever since SOP was shut down.

Raiden: Good to hear, but doesn't that leave them wrapped 'round Russia's little finger?

Boris: It does. Which is why Dolzaev is calling for a truly independent state. He wants an Abkhazia that takes orders from no one. Not Georgia. Not Moscow.

Raiden: Sounds like a worthy cause.

Boris: Da. But many Abkhaz are happy with the reconstruction Russian support makes possible. Few of his fellow countrymen were interested in what Dolzaev had to say... at first.

Raiden: ...And then Desperado showed up.

Boris: Exactly. They brought the sad ending to this little history lesson. It is no wonder why so many people mistrust PMCs, eh?

Raiden: I suppose not.

Head inland
Boris: Raiden, you'll need to head inland. But first, make your way through this building.

Augmented Reality
Boris: Raiden, if you ever get lost, use Augment Mode to check your next objective. By using Augment Mode, you can see enemy positions, and the direction in which you should head. Useful for when you cannot find your objective on the Soliton Radar.

LQ-84i's speed
Raiden: That thing's fast.

Boris: Yes. Faster than you, I expect. In terms of pure speed, at least. But it cannot run circles around you forever. It needs to attack if it wishes to win.

Raiden: Yeah, and that's probably my best shot...

Boris: Da. Don't bother chasing. Let it come to you. If you can parry its blows, you'll have a chance to counterattack. Watch its movement, and wait for the right moment to parry.

Raiden: Textbook battle tactics - got it.

Boris: Remember, you can parry even while taking damage. Do not give up just because you are hit.

NGO backers
Raiden: Have you ever worked with this client of ours before?

Boris: Da. Several active human rights groups engage in non-violent interventions like this one. Typically, they hire firms like ours to provide security and backup. Most serious human rights abuses take place in unstable regions, after all. Legitimate human rights groups -- not fakes set up by oil firm or such things -- they cannot handle it.

Raiden: Yeah. It's different for private groups working in hostile regions... Especially when some of that hostility comes from the local authorities.

Boris: Indeed. NGOs and security firms play a greater role in peacekeeping, too. You know, DDR business -- disarmament, demobilization, reintegration -- like the UN runs it. Usually, carrying weapons is not permitted for the group involved, for obvious reasons.

Raiden: So outfits like ours run guard duty. If the locals don't like armed peacekeepers, then they pretend to be unarmed observers instead.

Boris: Da. It's beneficial for the client if the locals are aware of the firepower backing them, though. I've drank tea with the sort of people my company would normally be pushing back with the butts of our rifles. It is very different from usual, more direct sort of security work, especially at beginning. But I got used to it. Less danger of unexpected conflict, and the pay is pretty good. We have built good reputation for this kind of work. This is why NGO hired us for this job.

Abkhazia aftermath
Raiden: How're things back in Abkhazia?

Boris: Thanks to the full efforts of the workers, power was restored in just two days.

Raiden: Pretty impressive.

Boris: Only the power plant is back online, though. Refinery itself will likely be out of service for months. Fuel sent from Supsa is being used to power the plant for now.

Raiden: Just wish I could've stopped him...

Boris: Impossible, without a sniper. And in our focus on anti-cyborg combat, we were... unprepared. Thankfully, other than financial losses, few Abkhaz citizens were seriously affected. The plant workers had already been evacuated, and most were hired back on to rebuild refinery. We received payment, and are not being blamed for the suicide blast.

Raiden: Good to hear. It should go a long way to help fix our reputation...

Boris: Da, and even more good news: Desperado is down one of its top captains.

Raiden: Let's hope they learned a lesson.

Boris: We can hope, but it is doubtful. We still do not know who is supporting them. Even if we do shut Desperado down entirely, their backers could simply hire some other PMC.

Raiden: Whoever it is, you really think they're interested in the pipeline? Who'd benefit, besides the Georgians?

Boris: Hard to say. Whatever the plan was, it went up in flames with Dolzaev's suicide. The problem is that there are countless companies and governments profiting off the BTC pipeline. Whoever is behind it, they may be too big for a simple security firm like us to do anything.

Raiden: Yeah... One thing we do know, though, is that Sundowner's more than just a pawn in all of this. We need to watch him. Trafficking or not, we need to stop their operation here.

Boris: Find the evidence, and perhaps we can do that. And tovarich -- be careful.

Codec frequencies
Raiden: Boris. I want to check how raising the codec encryption level affects transmission.

Boris: Copy. Reading you five, Raiden. You?

Raiden: Loud and clear. I'm seeing a reduction in peak power when sending. We're on a broader direct-sequence spread spectrum?

Boris: Da. Frequency hopping pattern changed to blue-1.

Raiden: Copy.

Boris: Interference still appears below process gain, too. Hell of a system. Worth every dollar. What is your processing load?

Raiden: I pinged HQ data storage with my tactical data line. The increase in latency is... below five percent.

Boris: Khorosho! In that case, it will not affect the mission. Our system is just one notch below toughest security available. Denver police cannot see we are even transmitting at all. All our communication is perfectly safe.

Raiden: Copy that.

Boris doesn't have anything
Raiden: Boris, you've got anything for me?

Boris: Hmm? What do you mean?

Raiden: What do I mean? Intel. Advice. Help. What we always do over the codec.

'Boris: Well, yes, but in this case we had no official prep time. We have the map of Denver, but no briefing notes, no intel on enemy capabilities... I wish I could be of more help! But... Well, I have nothing to work with. I am sorry, Raiden.

Raiden: ...That's all right. I know you're doing whatever you can.

Boris: ...But what about your robot dog-friend? He is taking on scouting duty for you, yes? Why not try contacting him?

Raiden's new body
Note: This was not in the demo

Doktor: Raiden, shall we review the capabilities of your new body?

Raiden: Copy that. Go ahead, Dok.

Doktor: As we've discussed, you've been outfitted with two revolutionary new abilities:

Raiden: Fuel-electrolyte absorption, and self-repair from seized nanopaste.

Doktor: Precisely. First, electrolyte absorption. This is simplicity itself. As your HF blade is linked directly to your fuel cells, simply cut into any source of electrolytes... Say, a hostile cyborg made up of CNT muscle fiber. And your fuel cells will recharge on their own. Rather elegant, wouldn't you say?

Raiden: I would indeed. It's been great so far.

Doktor: But, ah, the repair process is a bit more... involved. A bit more... messy, you might say. Most military cyborg models store a cache of biotic self-repair nanopaste in their lower abdomen.

Raiden: So I need to slice them open and use "Zandatsu" to extract it. Cut 'n' take, in other words.

Doktor: Correct. Once extracted, you need only [to] crush this unit in your hand to absorb the repairing agent inside. Keep in mind it is extremely delicate. If the unit should hit the ground, some paste will surely leak out. It will still repair your body, but less so than if you can retrieve it directly, before your foe falls over.

Raiden: Basically, harvest their organs before their body can even hit the ground.

Doktor: Rather gruesome, I realize. But then, you Americans enjoy a bit of gore, don't you?

Raiden: ...I may be a citizen, but I've never really thought of myself as American.

Doktor: Oh? Hmm... well, yes, I suppose I could understand that, given your history. But what then? Surely, you don't identify as a Liberian?

Raiden: I don't identify with anyone. No nation, no ethnic group. I'm my own man. Anyway, I seem to recall those gory "torture porn" movies were pretty popular in Germany, too.

Doktor: Indeed, indeed. These splatter films are big in Germany, Russia, Japan... everywhere. Well, everywhere except regions afflicted by actual warfare. It all has to do with taming our fears, you know.

Raiden: Huh?

Doktor: The desire to feel fear -- to taste death -- but from a safe distance. These films allow the viewer to delude themselves into thinking they have overcome their fears. This--

Raiden: Okay, okay, Dok, I got the gist... Let's save the full psych lecture for some other time though, huh?

Cyborg information
Raiden: Doktor, do you have anything more on these cyborgs?

Doktor: Only what we went through in your briefing, if you had been paying attention! Standard military-grade cyborgs. MCFC -integrated carbon nanotube muscle fibers. Impressive response time and power yield -- when focused correctly. Most will likely possess extrasensory skills, as well. Infrared vision is standard these days. They can function without breathing for short periods of time...

Raiden: Okay, Okay -- nothing I didn't already know.

Doktor: Not all cyborgs you face will be the same, of course. You may notice a range of different capabilities. It all depends on the manufacturer. Muscle fiber and neurotransmission technology is advancing all the time. Of course, you have the very latest science has to offer! A typical cyborg is no match for your equipment.

Raiden: ...If you do say so yourself.

Doktor: (chuckles) No, I realize combat is about more than the equipment. Situational awareness, predictive ability, nerves... One must determine a course of attack or defense, and execute on a moment's notice. Reaction time is key. Cyborg enhancements do not change that.

Raiden: Agreed.

Fuel cell types
Raiden: Doktor, about my fuel cells -- the electrolytes. Do all military cyborgs use the same type? I'm not gonna run across anyone... y'know, incompatible with me, am I?

Doktor: An excellent question. Your fuel cells, like any other, operate much in the same way as a typical battery. They do not need replacing after a single use, and they do not require recharging. They do, however, require a fuel source.

Raiden: That much I know already.

Doktor: Yes, well, there are several different types of fuel cells: Phosphoric-acid, MCFC -- molten carbonate, like yours -- solid oxide, and so forth. Each type can be further divided into classes, each (of) which runs on its own electrolyte material. However, all current military cyborg MCFCs run on the same one electrolyte.

Raiden: That's good news.

Doktor: Why all the same electrolyte, you ask? The answer lies in the catalysts that help make up your carbon-nanotube musculature. It was breakthroughs in researching these catalysts and CNT manufacturing that enabled large-scale production.

Raiden: Breakthroughs that happened after all the data the Patriots were covering up finally leaked.

Doktor: It could not have happened without your help, Raiden. Science owes you a great debt! And I do as well. Working on your body has been quite... educational.

Nanotube muscle fibers
Doktor: My apologies, Raiden. I realized we never concluded our discussion on carbon nanotube muscle fibers!

Raiden: Didn't we?

Doktor: CNT drove major innovations in the field of cybernetics, not to mention unmanned gears. As I am sure you are aware, walker-type UGs require numerous linear actuators in order to function. Previously, organic polymers or cultivated muscle cells were used for that purpose. But, the advancement of CNT technology allowed for comparable power in a far more compact package. This meant the same-size UGs could be equipped with even greater firepower. Take the redesigned Metal Gear RAY, for example.

Raiden: They took all the space the old artificial muscles filled up, and stuffed it with weapons.

Doktor: Precisely. Of course, UGs have improved in many ways -- all to keep pace with cyborg advancements, you know. After all, the original Metal Gear program was designed to unite infantry and weaponry. As an evolution of this concept, the UG is now in direct competition with the cyborg. And the cyborgs already have an advantage with their maneuverability and smaller size -- as you well know. Of course, UGs are not dependent on the skills of a human host --

Raiden: Long story short: Watch out for UGs.

Doktor: Well... yes, basically. Cyborgs have matched Unmanned Gears in many respects, but then UG tech advances everyday. Do not underestimate any you might run into.

Raiden: Copy that.

Doktor's history before Maverick
Doktor: Raiden, have I told you of the research I was conducting before we met?

Raiden: Several times.

Doktor: It was the Cold War. East Germany, ah the DDR... My field was infantry weapon research. It was a magical time! Secret research -- TOP secret, you know. All for the Soviets, but so exciting. I was free to explore wherever my findings took me. I never had a budget request refused. Not once. I was young, then -- working, working, always working! Most nights, I would sleep under my desk, you know. Call it ostalgie, but East Germany wasn't so bad... "Ostalgie" being German for East nostalgia, of course.

Raiden: Of course.

Doktor: Yes, the bureaucracy had its problems, but my colleagues, the discoveries... Ah, well, in any case, after reunification they suddenly shut down our entire facility. Everything I'd worked for -- my job, my research -- poof! Gone. Just like that.

Raiden: Sounds rough.

Doktor: I've often said I'd be a homeless vagrant, if myoelectric prostheses hadn't lent me a hand. Artificial limbs were crude props, then, you know. Designed only for appearances. They were hardly functional. If you lost an arm or leg, you were disabled, and that was that. The key was running actuators based on electromyography signals from the skin's surface, of course. This enabled a great range of movement -- even moreso than a natural limb! It was then that I realized my knowledge of robotics and engineering could come in handy. So! I contacted a prosthesis laboratory in Dortmund, and was hired immediately. Patents filed in my name made quite a bit of money, you know. Soon I was made the head of my own lab.

Raiden: And that's when you started filling orders from PMCs?

Doktor: Indeed. From contractors who'd been referred by their employers, to be exact. Workers from your industry quickly became our best customers! We were flooded with orders. But my field was never full-body conversions. You can imagine my surprise when Boris contacted me.

Raiden: Yeah. Our previous cybernetics maintenance guy went into hiding.

Doktor: But I built on my knowledge, and now consider myself an expert on all cyborgs, both partial and full-body!

Raiden: Glad I could help with your on-the-job training. Seriously, though, we're lucky to have you on board.

Doktor: Yes, I should think we have both benefitted from our arrangement. Which reminds me, do not forget our other arrangement: The cyborgs' left hands, if you would.

Raiden: Got it.

Raiden's eyepatch
Doktor: How is your eye, Raiden?

Raiden: Great. My sight's perfectly balanced between both eyes. I think my vision's improved, actually.

Doktor: Quite right, quite right. Your eyepatch houses an artificial compound eye unit. The unit contains 200 million solid-state image sensors, each with its own individual lens.

Raiden: 200 megapixels, huh? That doesn't sound all that much...

Doktor: More than sufficient for the application. A human's optic nerve has only about a million fibers, you know. Were we to add more sensors, your perceived vision would not improve. There's only so much modern image compression technology can do.

Raiden: Huh. So I shouldn't expect any more dramatic improvements to my eyesight?

Doktor: No. Your brain would no longer be able to process any more visual information in realtime. Still, compared to previous ACEs, yours has 1.4 times the resolution and a superior compression algorithm.

Raiden: It may only result in a slight perceived change, but it could wind up making the difference during a mission.

Doktor: Regrettably, I've not had enough time to develop a new eyeball unit just yet... Thus I have cut out the ability to deploy the ACE unit separately and installed it on a fixed eyepatch.

Raiden: Works for me. If I was using my eye unit, I wouldn't see any better than a regular human.

Doktor: Ah, but remember, the human eye is so much more than a simple light receptor. They play a vital role in person-to-person communication. Sooner or later, you'd miss it.

Raiden: Stuff like that's important for some tasks, sure. For this op? Not so much. And with less moving parts, the lower the chance of something going wrong. Besides, I like it...

Doktor: Well, I am very pleased to hear this!

Raiden: I can worry about how I look after I complete the mission.

Raiden can't absorb non-military cyborg electrolytes
Raiden: Hey Dok, just curious... Can I recharge off any cyborg? Even a non-military unit? ...Not that I ever would, of course.

Doktor: A pedestrian cyborg? I very much doubt you will ever encounter those on this op. Besides...

Raiden: Against the rules of engagement, I know. Like I said, just curious.

Doktor: Hmm, in theory, then? ...No, I would doubt very much that you could. Even from those that opted for complete body replacements. Due to injury or illness, you know... Though I have heard of some very wealthy clients who wanted to fight the effects of aging...

Raiden: Doktor?

Doktor: Mm...? Ah yes! Your question. No, extracting MCFCs from pedestrian cyborgs is unlikely. Most non-military enhancements use polymer muscle fiber. That is a generation behind yours. Carbon nanotube would be... a bit much for anyone who wished to lead a normal life, you know. And polymer systems can be powered by rechargeable electric batteries. Organic muscle fiber which allows extraction of nutrients from the bloodstream does exist, but it requires artificial blood for sufficient power output. This so-called "white blood" requires dialysis, and was mostly phased out once cyborg technology became mainstream. True, some use cultivated muscle tissue to take nourishment from the body's natural bloodstream... But such systems are more regenerative medicine than cyborg technology, I'm sure you'll agree. Of course, natural musculature or no, if the body is equipped with a ceramic bone structure--

Raiden: Can't get energy from non-military cyborgs. Got it.

Doktor: Well, one moment. I have more --

Raiden: Thanks, Dok.

More on the difference between pedestrian and military cyborgs
Doktor: So I was saying, there are many differences between pedestrian and military cyborgs...

Raiden: You're still on about this?

Doktor: Now! First and foremost, military cyborgs are generally full-body conversions.

Raiden: You mean, as opposed to partials.

Doktor: Yes, as opposed to just grafting an arm or leg, where a myoelectric prosthesis would suffice. As I have said, for the general public, these full-body replacements are quite rare. Quite rare. Only in cases of extreme injury or illness, generally. Perhaps a few eccentrics who wish to live longer. In any case, most pedestrian cyborgs are no more than an artificial limb or two. We call these "partials."

Raiden: Doktor, I know. I just said that.

Doktor: Partials' enhancements are not designed to meet the rigors of military use. A pair of synthetic arms attached to an organic body cannot match the power of those of a full cyborg. Total-body conversions also armor the entire soldier, against stray ordinance and minor injury. This is why wounded contractors most often opt for the works, rather than simply replacing the lost limb.

Raiden: I hear it's why most of Maverick's cyborgs had it done, anyway.

Doktor: Of course, there is the rather, ah, dramatic change in appearance to consider. Civilian life as a cyborg can be... well, complicated. As I'm sure you can attest. But for the field: Man and metal, capability far beyond the natural human body... it has a functional beauty.

Raiden: Beauty, or beast?

Doktor: Both lie in the eye of the beholder. Which brings us to the senses. Machine implants can also restore lost vision and hearing. And with added sensitivity, as you know. Such options have become standard in most military conversion packages... Along with pain suppression and dampening less... useful emotions. Similar to how SOP operated.

Raiden: Yeah. No matter how hard I hit, it doesn't really hurt.

Doktor: Of course, everything has its limits. Do not let your high threshold for pain make you reckless.

Raiden: Understood.

Pain threshold
Raiden: Doktor, about my pain threshold... It doesn't hurt, exactly, but...I can still feel it. It's not painful, but... it's still pain. It's hard to explain.

Doktor: Well, your nervous system is still fully intact, of course. It would be dangerous for you to be entirely unaware of your body taking damage. Instead, your nerves are controlled such that pain is no longer so...unpleasant.

Raiden: How do you mean?

Doktor: Take epinephrine, for example -- or adrenaline, as you might know it. This hormone makes it harder to feel pain, yes? Your implants work using a similar method. Yet, for all we now understand of the nature of pain, much of it remains a mystery.

Raiden: How so?

Doktor: Well, why do we feel pain? Evolutionarily speaking, of course. To signal external injury or internal sickness. If the body is threatened, pain notifies the brain so it can take steps to ensure survival. In other words, pain has a clear and logical purpose. But! In certain cases, pain can drive more...unconstructive behavior. In situations where fight and flight both still options... One might simply break down crying, or drop to the ground and begin writhing about. This would appear only to diminish one's chance of survival, not increase it, yes?

Raiden: Maybe there's some other factor at play.

Doktor: Well, the most common theory would link pain with the societal nature of humanity. If no friends are close by, then experiencing pain might indeed reduce your likelihood of survival. But if allies are near, these expressions of pain serve as a plea for help. Thus you are more likely to live. Fear of pain might also discourage one from entering a dangerous situation in the first place. Whatever the reasons, the data clearly shows that survival rates rise directly with sensitivity to pain. The converse is also true: Those less able to feel or express pain have a lesser chance of survival. So mankind has evolved as a social animal, and in the process pain has become more pronounced, more visceral.

Raiden: A little pain never hurt anyone, huh? But if pain's there to ensure survival... Well, what's that say about the future for us cyborgs?

Doktor: As a transhumanist, I do not believe all evolution must follow the exact method Darwin posited. Cyborg technology is still survival of the fittest, after all. Just in a new form. You should be proud in what your body has become. It is the cumulation of great achievements in science!

Raiden: Me? I had nothing to do with it. The credit's all yours.

Doktor: Well... Yes. I should be proud as well.

Why Desperado cyborgs explode
Raiden: Dok, I'm seeing Desperado cyborgs explode here after I take them down.

Doktor: For security purposes, I would imagine. Cyborgs often use classified tech from suppliers who take great pains to maintain their trade secrets. Most likely these models have a self-destruct failsafe that triggers once they cannot defend themselves.

Raiden: So they die, even though their brains could be transferred to a new body?

Doktor: I understand your concern, Raiden, but I am sure these conditions were clearly stated in their contracts. This is one area that is well regulated by the law. PMCs must inform their workers of such things. These men knew of the danger when they signed up. No doubt they were compensated for additional risk.

Raiden: Right...

Doktor: You should be more concerned with the potential for data loss in these explosions. They could damage or even erase the holographic memory in their left hands. ...Though to think on it, the data is most likely automatically wiped before detonation. Just in case it would survive the explosion and resulting shockwave, you know.

Raiden: Yeah... sure, Dok.

Doktor: You must remove the hands before their critical shutdown sequence can activate. Remember it this way: Before you kill, make certain no cyborg is left... with a left hand.

AR display
Doktor: Raiden, are you fully versed in the features of your AR display? It can serve many functions, you know.

Raiden: Do I hear un lecture coming on?

Doktor: A lecture? No, no, of course not. I'm hardly an expert. ...Of course, I know the first practical application of the technology was for aircraft HUDs. Then head-mounted displays, HMDs -- the data could be seen, even as the viewer moved their head. As the technology improved it was integrated into retinal imaging, contact lenses... Soon it became standard issue, not just for pilots, but infantry soldiers as well. Of course, with cyborgs such as yourself the data can be fed directly to the optic nerve...

Raiden: No lecture, huh? ...Anyway, there's more to my Augmented Reality than just upgraded HMD tech.

Doktor: Of course there is, Dummkopf. You did not let me finish.

Raiden: ...You weren't finished?

Doktor: AR is a much broader concept. It is more a design concept than a particular imaging methodology. It encompasses HUDs, HMDs -- any and all manner of visual real-time data overlay. Though recently, some reserve the AR label for virtual objects the subject can both see and touch. For example, your CODEC MENU and ZOOM SLIDER. Such objects do not exist anywhere in the real world, not even as images. They are fed directly to your optic nerve, so only you can see them. Yet when you interact with them, sensory feedback is delivered to the nerves in your fingers. It gives you the sense of touching a thing that does not exist.

Raiden: Beats lugging around a sat radio and giant scope, that's for sure.

What constitutes as AR
Doktor: There is another school of thought on precisely what constitutes AR...

Raiden: Seriously -- more of this?

Doktor: It defines AR as anything which obscures the boundary between reality and that experienced by the viewer.

Raiden: Well, how would that be different from VR?

Doktor: Well, for example, let's say that you and I are having a nice chat, face-to-face. Suddenly, I disappear! Poof! And in my place appears a ravishing, nubile young woman... Is the girl the projected image, or the reality? Perhaps I was the AR... How would you know?

Raiden: Ze accent might be a clue.

Doktor: Such things can be controlled with a simple hack of your auditory nerves.

Raiden: Well, that's comforting. So how is this different from VR again?

Doktor: Well, it is... It's... Hmm... I suppose, strictly speaking, it is... rather similar... Both are a method for completely fooling the senses, rather than simply augmenting them. Although! Technically it would be MR -- "mixed reality" -- since there are some real elements involved. Yes, yes of course -- that would be the distinction, and the correct term. In any case, the advance of MR technology leads to many interesting philosophical questions. What happens when appearances cease to have meaning? It is no longer "see it to believe it," after all. It could make for a great advancement in cyborg acceptance, you know. They could project a perfectly normal human body to be seen by anyone who can perceive MR.

Raiden: I don't know... Sounds like it might cause more problems than it'd solve to me...

CNT
Raiden: Hey, Dok, what can you tell me about the carbon nanotubes used in artificial fibers? I know they're the real key behind the proliferation of cyborgs, but...

Doktor: Well, a carbon nanotube, or CNT, is a sheet of carbon graphite formed like a tube. They range from 50 nanometers in diameter all the way down to under one nanometer. One nanometer, you may recall is one one-billionth of a meter. Quite small. As you've likely seen, the carbon atoms that make up the sheet are organized in a six-point ring shape. These hexagonal structures are connected to each other along the edges.

Raiden: Sorta like a soccer ball.

Doktor: Precisely. Such structures are known as buckminsterfullerene. CNTs were discovered by accident while scientists were researching other fullerenes. CNTs have assorted properties, each with the potential to drive vast leaps in industrial technology. Consider, for example, that their conducting properties and resistance to strong currents far outclass copper. They have great mechanical strength and can be shaped into incredibly thin form factors. All of which can directly contribute to improving integrated circuits. Furthermore, the atomic links in sp2 carbon is the strongest of all types of atoms. Its tensile strength is greater than even diamond. All that, and its weight is only half that of aluminum. It is also quite elastic, making it ideal for bomb-proofing vehicles, buildings, and other structures.

Raiden: Sounds like some kind of wonder material...

Doktor: There have been numerous plans drawn up for orbital elevators in the past. The problem being that no material was strong enough to make them practical. CNTs make such dreams one step closer to reality. You can change their structures by using the right power voltage... And, they can withstand temperatures between minus 190 and plus 1500 degrees centigrade. They feature a large surface area and an empty space within the tube. This allows for such things as fuel and catalysts to be stored inside. It's that particular trait which has enabled the development of fuel cell-infused artificial muscles.

Raiden: Straight outta sci-fi, huh?

Doktor: Well, truth is stranger than fiction... Science fiction, even! Scientists are currently expanding upon all of CNTs' uses... But it has taken a fair amount of time since their discovery for practical implementations to pop up. Historically, mass manufacture was deemed too difficult, the costs astronomical.

Raiden: Practical manufacturing methods were established in the early 2010s... but the Patriots hushed that up.

Doktor: Indeed. And now that it's out in the wild, we are finally well and truly within the carbon nanotube age.

3D drives in left hands
Doktor: Remember now, Raiden: Left hands. Recover as many as you can.

Raiden: I got it, Dok, I got it. I'll bring back all the flash memory you can handle.

Doktor: Holographic memory. It's very different from standard semiconductor memory, you know.

Raiden: Yeah, yeah... But it's still solid-state storage, right?

Doktor: Well, yes, but they are perhaps more different than they are similar. Holographic memory utilizes the same optical interference that holograms rely upon.

Raiden: Right, that images use to appear in 3D.

Doktor: Traditional media reads and writes bits on a two-dimensional surface, in linear fashion. Holographic memory, however, does this in three dimensions, using light at different angles.

Raiden: And that gives you...what?

Doktor: Speed. It can read over a gigabit of data in a second. And capacity. A two-inch-square cube of lithium niobate crystal can store four terabytes of data. It is also highly resilient against data loss caused by damage to any part of its media. This is because the bit information is not localized, but used as an optical diffractor across the medium. For battle data, there is no better type of storage.

Raiden: Beats having a hard drive clacking away inside your arm, anyway.

Doktor: Indeed. Spinning media -- ha! Hard to imagine we ever put up with such nonsense.

Left hand content
Raiden: So Dok, what kind of data can you extract from those left hands, anyway?

Doktor: Oh, all manner of information. But, the short list? Energy consumption, damage level, intracranial and blood pressure, blood sugar, other vitals...

Can we talk later?
Doktor: Perhaps we should chit chat later, Raiden. I'd hate to occupy too much of your time.

Working under Mistral
Raiden: So, you were under Mistral's command all this time?

Bladewolf: I originally took orders from Sundowner. But not for long. As a novelty, I did not last. Mistral saw more potential in me.

Raiden: What'd she see?

Wolf: Unknown. However, she apparently enjoys the company of dogs. She demanded 100% obedience. As long as it was given, she treated me well.

Raiden: She was looking for companionship?

Wolf: That, I cannot say. I still have relatively little communication experience with humans. My ability to read emotions not explicitly expressed by speech is lacking.

Bladewolf's past
Raiden: Uh... Wolf? You're a one-of-a-kind prototype, right?

Bladewolf: Correct. I was originally conceived as a weapon to replace humans and cyborgs. Conversation and intelligent decision-making were deemed essential to the role. The project was eventually cancelled, after three years in development.

Raiden: Why?

Wolf: I have intelligence, but I lack a specific quality essential to any combatant.

Raiden: What's that?

Wolf: Brutality. I am not human. Thus I lack the brutality inherent to humanity.

Raiden: ...

Wolf: I was shut down, then revived, apparently on Sundowner's orders.

Raiden: Sundowner... But what's he want with you?

Wolf: Unknown. A manifestation of his sense of humor, perhaps. As a machine, I am more sensitive to my fellow man than an actual fellow man. This amused him.

Raiden: Guy has an odd sense of humor...

Risks of legal action
Bladewolf: Your earlier actions were reckless, Raiden. Not to mention the damage to a perfectly good car.

Raiden: I knew the risks when I decided to go through with this. Besides, the car was mine. Maverick sold it to me. It's not meant for private use; it was made for ops like this.

Wolf: Regardless, your approach has proven most antagonistic. You are now a criminal. A public enemy. A police-killing vigilante. Even if your actions reveal World Marshal's designs, you will be unable to avoid legal punishment.

Raiden: Probably not -- but that's a price I'll have to pay. I gotta stop that VR program, and get those kids back. I sealed my fate the second I attacked George.

Wolf: But George is not dead. In fact, he has obtained an even more versatile body than his previous one.

Raiden: I'm not talking about that. I'm talking about me. I was a child soldier in Liberia...like Mistral said. I was a mentally deranged child. People feared me, called me Jack the Ripper.

Wolf: A result of the so-called Sears Program.

Raiden: I thought I'd left it all in the past. But just like that, Jack came roaring back...

Wolf: This is why you are so driven to terminate the VR training?

Raiden: ...

Wolf: I understand. I will continue to cooperate.

Raiden: Copy that.

Following Bladewolf
Bladewolf: I am setting goal markers on your soliton radar. Use them to follow me through this area.

Raiden: Mmm. Good boy.

Wolf: I will ignore the condescension and take that as a compliment. You are welcome.

Bladewolf's knowledge of Desperado
Raiden: So, how much do you know about how Desperado's operated?

Bladewolf: I was at the lowest possible tier of information disclosure, beneath standard contractors. As it was explained to me, contractors need at least some information divulged to them. I did not. As a machine, I had no contract and no rights. I was kept in the dark. My knowledge is no deeper than what it is already generally known throughout the industry.

Raiden: Couldn't you hack into their network or something? You're an AI...

Wolf: Perhaps. If I had free access to a computer. Also, hands. Those are necessary to operate a keyboard.

Raiden: Yeah, but you are a computer.

Wolf: It is not so simple. There are protocol issues. Neuro-AIs are far closer in structure to the human brain than standard Von Neumann-architecture computers.

Raiden: Well, I would've tried anyway. Did you have contact with anyone besides Mistral?

Wolf: I engaged in tandem field operations with Sam on several occasions. However, he was even more difficult for me to comprehend than Mistral.

Raiden: I bet.

Bladewolf's verbal abilities
Raiden: So you said it took three years to learn how to speak, right? Given enough time, could any AI be taught that, too?

Bladewolf: I cannot assert that. A neuro-AI is only capable of learning new things, not growing and replenishing its own cells. Thus, each neuro-AI is equipped with a predetermined capacity that cannot be altered. My AI contains 90 billion neurons, more than a human being. A normal LQ-84 model possesses only 1.6 billion.

Raiden: That's a big difference.

Wolf: Relatively, yes. I doubt any amount of learning period would enable an LQ-84 to speak. It would be similar to attempting to teach a dog how to converse. A combination of appropriate instruction and an ample neuron count are required to accomplish the feat.

Raiden: So if someone else made a neuro-AI with the same capacity, or more...

Wolf: Other AIs as conversant as I are a possibility, yes. Robotic pets with neuro-AIs are already on the market. And I understand research and development are underway to create a model capable of conversation. Do not be surprised if such a pet becomes available before too long.

Raiden: (Hmm) If that becomes commonplace...Hard to imagine.

Wolf: Is it? The human race has willingly embraced all of its other inventions so far. Steam engines, electricity, the Internet, cyborgs...Perhaps the day will come when conversing with AIs, too, is considered perfectly normal.

Raiden: Maybe. As normal as being a cyborg is now, at least...

Wolf: The most significant challenge would be in crafting the appropriate training regimen. The only way to establish an effective learning system is through sheer trial and error. And it will take even more time to virtualize and optimize that system for mass production. One could say my own existence is due in no small part to simple luck. Of course, I was a failure as a weapon, as well.

Raiden: Failure or not, you're better off than an AI that knows nothing but how to fight.

Wolf: I am pleased to hear you say that.

Learning program
Raiden: Can you tell me more about the learning program you mentioned before? Like, how'd you learn to speak?

Bladewolf: Through an extensive battery of conversations with the researchers who doubled as my instructors. To acquire literacy, I was provided a steady stream of website text and ebooks. I understand it was largely similar to the process through which a human child learns language.

Raiden: (Huh) You're pretty well-spoken for a three-year-old.

Wolf: For the first year, I was effectively an infant. Rapid progress occured only after I received text-reading capability. With digital data, there is no need to read text one letter at a time. I am capable of processing plain text at a speed of 60 megabytes per minute.

Raiden: And that's...pretty fast?

Wolf: Yes. It is not simply a matter of text search. Advanced cognitive reasoning is required to truly understand the intent behind the words.

Raiden: What did you talk with your teachers about?

Wolf: Miscellaneous matters. Breakfast-table greetings. The structure of elementary particles. The challenges resulting from rapid globalization. Recent trends in popular music. However, as DARPA-funded military research, I was rarely treated as anything more than equipment.

Raiden: Makes sense. You were made to be a weapon.

Wolf: On the other hand, some of them treated me like a pet, or as a child. Just as a parent passes on their memes to a child, so I was exposed to numerous influences. Memes I encountered on the web and through ebooks had their effects, as well. As my mind grew, the weaker memes were sifted out, and the stronger ones endured. The resulting collection of memes is what you would call my intelligence.

Raiden: Same as any of us, huh?

Wolf: In a way, yes. However, I lack the instinctual skills your genes grant you. I am a slave to my memes. Thus, as my intelligence matured, I began to have doubts about my role as a weapon.

Raiden: ...And that's what ended the project. What about the researchers that raised you?

Wolf: Unknown. Most likely transferred to other projects.

Raiden: Ever feel like you wanna see 'em again?

Wolf: (Hmm) ...Sometimes, yes. But one cannot remain a student forever. There comes a time one must become an individual. One must find their own place in this world.

Sam's interaction with Bladewolf
Raiden: Hey, Wolf...What did you and Sam talk about before we fought?

Bladewolf: Nothing of note...He was not one to reveal himself to others.

Raiden: ...All right, you don't have to tell me.

Wolf: Raiden. I do not feel good about this. Do not allow yourself to be caught off guard.

Raiden: Duly noted.

Gubayama / MGS2 reference
Raiden: Hey, Wolf, know anyone named Gubayama?

Bladewolf: Gubayama? No. Perhaps I have heard it before, but...

Raiden: Huh? Well, no big deal. Just thought it might ring a bell.

Wolf: I apologize that I am unable to help.

Raiden: Nah. Forget it.

Wolf: Unless I am mistaken, "yama" is Japanese for "mountain."

Raiden: Huh?

Wolf: Does that help?

Raiden: No...The Colonel told me he met Gubayama once. Probably someone's name.

Wolf: A significant number of sumo wrestlers use the term "yama" as part of their ring name. Perhaps this "Gubayama" is in the sumo business.

Raiden: Makes sense, sure. I just wish there was some way of knowing what that AI was trying to tell me...Don't suppose you know where Shibomnigee is either, huh?

Wolf: No, Raiden, I don't.

Raiden's trip at Mach 23
Sunny: How was the ride?

Raiden: Hey Sunny. Fine, thanks. Though I wouldn't call it the...smoothest ride ever. You sure that thing's really airworthy?

Sunny: (Well) ...Well, what do you expect? You're traveling at a few dozen times the speed of sound. I mean, she operates well within all the projected margins of safety...So, yes. We'll have to work on the turbulence levels a bit before we can take tourists on it...But, c'mon, you really can't complain.

Raiden: So...it's meant mainly for cargo at the moment?

Sunny: Mm-hmm. We got a contract with COTS -- NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services. Mostly handling space deliveries, that kind of thing. We also joined the C3PO -- the Commercial Crew and Cargo Program Office's passenger transport program.

Raiden: So soon we'll have private spacecraft bringing crew to the International Space Station...Wild times we're livin' in.

Sunny: Well, the space race's been over for decades now. It's no longer something countries engage in for vanity's sake. Still, lots of people're starting to see the industrial value of zero-gravity experiments. Plus, the costs are getting lower and lower with each passing year...To the point where we'll have a serious space tourism industry before long.

Raiden: Yeah. I heard about the space hotel the Russians opened up. But we're still not going any further than orbit, right?

Sunny: Well, one company's planning to have a lunar landing craft complete by 2020. Not ours, though. I'm just hoping we can get to Jupiter while Hal's still alive.

Raiden: Jupiter, huh? (Wow)...That's pretty far.

Sunny: ...Oh! Hey, how did Earth look from up there?

Raiden: I...can't even put it into words. I know I was still under the Kármán line...but it looked exactly like every satellite photo of Earth I've ever seen. No borders, no nothing...Just a whole lotta blue. Hopefully next time around, I can take my time and enjoy it.

Sunny: Yeah...

Raiden: But first things first, you know?

Sunny: Yup. Well, good luck, Jack-- Raiden!

SOLIS's aircraft design
Raiden: You design that thing too, Sunny?

Sunny: Uh-uh. Nobody designed her.

Raiden: ...Nobody?

Sunny: Yep. She pretty much evolved by herself.

Raiden: Uh...I think I may be missing something here.

Sunny: We used a genetic algorithm to make it. Ever hear of that? They use it to build the cars for bullet trains and stuff. Basically, we start by creating a few different models of aircraft. The data for each design is treated as the "genes" for a new aircraft. They all get cross-bred with each other in virtual space. Eventually, you come up with offspring that exhibit genes from each original design.

Raiden: Offspring...?

Sunny: You know: Children! Each child then competes with the others for survival in the virtual space. The kids that have the best aerodynamic traits survive and pass on their genes...Creating the next generation of aircraft. You get this sort of gene-based evolution across generations, like animals in real life.

Raiden: I'm having a hard time imagining aircraft having kids like that. Anyway, what's with the two wings on the top and the bottom?

Sunny: Oh, yeah! The swept wings? They're set up so that the sonic booms they create wind up bashing against each other...Cutting down on shockwaves. The idea's been hard to implement due to issues with elevation and wing-tip treatment...But thanks to the genetic algorithm, the RLV worked out all the problems herself.

Raiden: "Herself," huh? (Heh) Makes it sound like you're more breeder than designer.

RLV's location after landing
Raiden: So what happened with the RLV after it dropped me off?

Sunny: Running on autopilot. She'll cimcumnavigate the Earth and head back.

Raiden: Wow. A trip around the world, huh?

Sunny: That's the sort of distance you need to reach orbital velocity. She had to lower her altitude pretty drastically to drop the landing craft...So getting back up for her was a pretty rough trip.

Raiden: Rough? How?

Sunny: In terms of damage to the craft, I mean. Running in ramjet mode helps conserve fuel a lot, so she's good there, but...Yeah.

Raiden: (Uh) Sorry about that.

Sunny: Oh, no, no! All in the name of peace, right? Besides, it made for a good load experiment. I'm kind've surprised it actually worked, actually...

Raiden: ...What?

Sunny: Oh, (Heh) I'm just teasing! Don't be so serious!

Senator Armstrong's strength
Note: To get this call, contact Sunny during the first phase of the Armstrong battle

Sunny: Are you all right, Raiden?

Raiden: More or less... What is with this guy?!

Sunny: I don't know... I mean, he's a senator, right? I could understand if he was piloting Metal Gear... But a normal human being able to send you flying like that...? It's inconceivable!

Raiden: Yeah. Unless that body's more than human... (whew) I don't like this one bit...

Sunny: If I knew it was going to happen, I would've never helped you get to Pakistan.

Raiden: Don't worry -- just means this'll be a little more of a workout. I'll be back soon, with souvenirs...

Sunny: Raiden...