Snake Tales

This article is about a non-canonical topic in the Metal Gear series.

Solid Snake infiltrates the Big Shell facility during a Snake Tales mission.

Snake Tales are a set of missions written and directed by Tomokazu Fukushima for Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance video game, where the player controls Solid Snake through a variety of themes and environments.

History

Because of the negative reception Raiden received as the main character of Metal Gear Solid 2, a series of stories were created involving Snake. Due to the low production value of these missions, there is no voiceover work. Instead, the plot is described in pages of dialog and text interspersed between gameplay, and several soundbites from the game are also reused for some of the characters (e.g., Meryl Silverburgh's "voice" being reused sound clips from Olga Gurlukovich and one of the Harrier pilots' "voice" being reused sound clips from Solidus Snake). The maps and backgrounds for the various levels likewise are also reused from Metal Gear Solid 2 for the same reasons as for why there isn't voice work in the game. The missions are all fairly challenging; the player's Soliton Radar is disabled and guards are extremely tenacious, deadly, and abundant. All of the Snake Tales are non-canon. Beating a Snake Tale will allow the player to replay it with the M9 in their starting inventory, which can be used to defeat the bosses non-lethally; this reveals the best ending.

Story

A Wrongdoing

The Big Shell, an offshore environmental cleanup facility, has been taken over by heavily armed extremists who have kidnapped the President who was visiting Big Shell on an inspection tour. The extremists have taken him hostage with other employees of the facility. Their demands were a list of "20-odd trivialities" and $30 billion in cash. Snake's mission is to infiltrate Big Shell to rescue the President and the hostages, while his second priority is to neutralize the terrorists. First, Snake must find his contact in the Shell, one of the Presidents Secret Service agents, a man named Richard Ames. Colonel Campbell tells Snake that Ames requested Snake's help in rescuing the President.

After a successful underwater infiltration into the Big Shell, Snake proceeds from Strut A and eventually finds Ames hiding in a room in Strut F. Unfortunately Ames does not know where the President or where the other hostages are but reveals that the terrorists are being led by Fatman: A former disgraced Navy SEAL who turned into a mad bomber and professional criminal for hire. Ames reveals in disgust how Fatman caused a church bombing three years ago and killed over thirty people in the blast. However, Fatman was found not guilty by the jury thanks to his influential attorneys and powerful connections.

Ames reveals that Fatman is on top of the heliport issuing orders; he hands Snake a USP handgun and asks Snake to promise to kill Fatman. As Snake leaves he receives a codec call from Campbell who explains that a hostage, a Secret Services Agent named Jennifer, used their cell phone to send an email explaining that the hostages are being held in the Shell 1 core. Snake is given two courses of action: Attack Fatman or rescue the hostages.

Attack Option: Snake, heads to Strut E to neutralize Fatman. Upon reaching the heliport, Snake is confronted by Fatman who immediately demands to know the location of the President, much to Snake's surprise. Fatman, however, retaliates by revealing a remote switch for a bomb and cruelly executes the hostages by detonating the Shell 1 Core. Snake proceeds to battle Fatman.

• Lethal Kill Ending: With Fatman dead, Snake receives a call from Campbell informing him that the President managed to escape and was rescued by the Coast Guard, furthermore a team of Navy SEALs managed to infiltrate the Big Shell and were in the process of neutralizing the terrorists. However, all of this is of little consolation to Snake as he remains shocked and devastated by the loss of the innocent hostages.
• Non Lethal Kill Ending: With Fatman knocked out and unconscious, Snake is confronted by Ames who asks why he did not kill Fatman. As Fatman wakes up, Ames shoots him dead in cold blood. Snake suddenly realizes that Ames must have had a revenge motive in all of this. Snake receives a call from Campbell informing him that the President managed to escape and was rescued by the Coast Guard, furthermore a team of Navy SEALs managed to infiltrate the Big Shell and were in the process of neutralizing the terrorists. Snake turns around, however, Ames inexplicably disappears.

Rescue Option: Snake infiltrates the Shell 1 Core, upon finding the hostages on level B1, Snake is able to find and get into contact with Jennifer. Jennifer reveals that before she was captured, she and a fellow agent were able to get the President safely away from the Big Shell by sending him off on a speedboat back to Manhattan. She also reveals that the terrorists placed a bomb in the Shell 1 Core to prevent the hostages from escaping. Snake leaves and successfully defuses the bomb using a coolant spray and decides to now neutralize the terrorists to secure a safe rescue for the hostages. Upon reaching the heliport, Snake is confronted by Fatman who immediately demands to know the location of the President, otherwise, he threatens to kill the hostages. Snake refuses to tell, prompting Fatman to trigger a remote switch for the bomb which fails. Fatman curses Ames for failing to guard the President, surprising Snake as Fatman's words suggest that Ames was working with the terrorists. Snakes proceed to battle Fatman.

• Lethal Kill Ending: With Fatman dead, Snake receives a call from Campbell informing him that the President managed to escape and was rescued by the Coast Guard, furthermore a team of Navy SEALs managed to infiltrate the Big Shell and were in the process of neutralizing the terrorists. However, Snake is confused by Fatman's words and begins to wonder how Ames could have been in league with the terrorists but also asked for Snake's help to take down Fatman. Jennifer arrives and Snake expresses his concerns to her about Ames, however, Jennifer reveals that Ames was the one who helped the President escape. Jennifer also explains that Ames would never work for terrorists since his sister died in a terrorist bombing of a church three years ago. With this knowledge, Snake realizes and deduces that this terrorist incident was orchestrated by Ames so that Snake would kill Fatman, an elaborate revenge plot for his sister who died at the hands of Fatman. Snake and others proceed to search the Big Shell and the entire country, however, Ames has completely disappeared.
• Non Lethal Kill Ending: With Fatman knocked out unconscious, Snake receives a call from Campbell informing him that the President managed to escape and was rescued by the Coast Guard, furthermore a team of Navy SEALs managed to infiltrate the Big Shell and were in the process of neutralizing the terrorists. Ames suddenly confronts Snake asking why he didn't kill Fatman. Jennifer appears and Snake reveals that Ames was in league with the terrorists, however, Jennifer tries to disprove this, saying Ames was the one who helped the President escape. Jennifer also explains that Ames would never work for terrorists since his sister died in a terrorist bombing of a church three years ago. Snake is visibly shocked by this knowledge and caught off guard, Ames pulls out a pistol and aims for Fatman, however, Jennifer stops Ames by knocking the gun from his hand. Snake takes the gun from Ames before he can reach it, forcing Ames to give up and admit the truth. Ames' sister died because of Fatman, who got off scot-free. Ames vowed revenge. He approached Fatman and the terrorists, proposing a plan to kidnap the President. Ames cooperated with the terrorists, then helped the President escape and finally contacted and requested Snake to kill Fatman. Jennifer is shocked and devastated, Ames expresses some regret, and he accepts he will have to go to prison for his crimes. Ames asks for one last chance to kill Fatman, a request which Jennifer tearfully refuses. Ames, however, says that he will have time to find another way to exact his revenge.

Big Shell Evil

Otacon asks Snake for a favor: to rescue his estranged step-sister, Emma Emmerich. Otacon explains that he discovered that Emma was working as a systems programmer for the offshore cleanup facility, Big Shell. However there have been a series of accidental deaths and circulating rumors of the Big Shell being haunted or that a serial killer is loose, hence Otacon is suspicious of the facility and concerned for Emma's safety. After some coercing, Snake reluctantly agrees to Otacon's favor and infiltrates Big Shell. Reaching the heliport, Snake observes a group of armed men, possibly terrorists, take over the facility. Snake also sees a Harrier jet parked on the heliport, though Otacon states that it belongs to the Marines and landed there due to an emergency during a training exercise. Snake proceeds to find and rescue Emma.

Snake finds Emma hiding in the Strut C pantry.

While making his way to the DE connecting bridge, Snake spies on two enemy guards and overhears them saying that they lost the "girl" somewhere in Strut C. They also mention that the "Ghost of the Big Shell" killed two of their comrades. Snake enters Strut C and finds Emma hiding in a food pantry, at first Emma acts very childish and is suspicious of Snake, however after protecting Emma from a wave of enemy soldiers, she begins to trust Snake and his intent to rescue her. Emma explains that the terrorists need her to unlock control of the Big Shell's computer system. Emma reveals that the terrorists have also taken the facility's employees hostage and are being held in Shell 2 Core. She gives Snake a password to use on Strut B node in order to access Shell 2.

Snake, heads to Strut B while leaving Emma behind to remain hidden in the pantry. After inputting the password into the Strut B node, a station-wide announcement is made via room speakers. The message is from the terrorists, addressing the "Ghost of the Big Shell" to release the lock on the computer system otherwise they threaten to kill the "girl." Otacon and Snake realize the terrorists must have captured Emma. With Otacon's assistance, Snake uses the node and Emma's security card ID signal to triangulate Emma's position and proceeds to rescue her.

Snake finds Emma in Strut F, both relieved to see each other safe. Emma reveals that the terrorists have taken over the Big Shell for a massive drugs operation. She explains that a Russian crime syndicate was using the Big Shell to hide drugs and then smuggle them into the country through small cargo boats in order to evade security checks. In the last month, the number of drugs accumulated up to 600 kg, worth $7 million. However the two collaborating employees of Big Shell died in what appeared to be accidents, hence the syndicate sent a third man to investigate, but he died as well shortly thereafter. Emma, therefore, deduces that the "Ghost of the Big Shell" is merely a hitman sent from a rival crime syndicate to sabotage the Russians and steal the drugs.

Snake decides to head for Shell 2 to rescue the hostages but escorts Emma with him as well. Upon reaching Strut E, Emma realizes something and hacks into the node. The conveyor belt then suddenly reveals several crates containing the drugs. Emma deduces that the Russians could not use a single hiding spot, no matter how good, hence they used the conveyor belt to constantly shift the drugs around the Big Shell so no one would ever discover them. Emma then uses her PDA on the node upon seeing suspicious files. Snake, however, realizes that the enemy has discovered them and must now battle reinforcements (at this point, depending on whether or not Emma is shot will affect the ending).

Snake defeats the enemy soldiers and takes Emma with him onto the DE connecting bridge. Emma reveals that she rigged the computer to seal off all exits from Strut E once Snake and Emma had left. With all the enemy soldiers now trapped in Strut E, Snake and Emma proceed to the Shell 2 connecting bridge to rescue the hostages. Emma reveals the file she downloaded onto her PDA, which contains a letter from one of the employees who was collaborating with the Russians. In the letter, he explains that he worked for the Russians reluctantly because his wife and son were being held, hostage. However, a year ago he learned that they were already killed during an escape attempt. The employee vowed revenge. First, he faked his disappearance, then killed the other collaborator using a crane. Once the syndicate sent a third man to investigate, the employee threw him into the sea, tricking the Russians into thinking that it was all the work of a rival crime syndicate, which ignited a war between them that would destroy them both. Finally, the employee left this file and committed suicide, having avenged his family and being ready to reunite with them.

Suddenly the Harrier from the heliport flies by, piloted by the Russians, attacks the connecting bridge. Snake takes Emma back into Strut D for her safety. Returning to the connecting bridge, Snake sees Otacon piloting a Kasatka helicopter and who then throws a stinger missile launcher to Snake. With stinger missiles to even the odds, Snake battles the Harrier.

• Alternate Ending: The critically damaged Harrier loses control and crashes into the ocean. Snake and Emma rescue the hostages in Shell 2 and contact the police. Luckily, all the terrorists are still trapped in Strut E. Snake and Emma stand on the heliport Strut I, waiting for their ride home. Emma reveals that she also downloaded another file from the node. However, Emma cannot access it due to damage to her PDA, which was shot during their escape from Strut E. The Kasatka then arrives and lands on the heliport. Emma recognizes the pilot and heads for the chopper, reuniting with her long-lost brother.
• Ending: The critically damaged Harrier loses control and crashes into the ocean. Snake and Emma rescue the hostages in Shell 2 and contact the police, luckily all the terrorists are still trapped in Strut E. Snake and Emma stand on the heliport on Strut I, waiting for their ride home. Emma reveals that she also downloaded another file from the node. The file reveals a draft report from one of the men working for the syndicate, detailing important dates, amounts and key details of their narcotics operation. The report also explained the man's suspicions of Emma possessing knowledge about the drug operations and her intent to expose them. Hence, he intended to kill her. Emma is shocked by this since she didn't actually know of the drug operation until now. Furthermore, she and Snake wonder who killed this man and why he left the file around to find. Emma remembers the rumors about the "Ghost of the Big Shell," an employee whose son died from a drug overdose. and has since then haunted the Big Shell after a failed suicide attempt harboring a deep hatred for drugs and seeking revenge against those who deal them. One day, he discovered the Big Shell was being used to smuggle drugs. Before they could ponder the mystery further, the Kasatka then arrives and lands on the heliport. Emma recognizes the pilot and heads for the chopper, reuniting with her long-lost brother.

Confidential Legacy

After the events of the Shadow Moses Incident, Snake retires from FOXHOUND, while Colonel Campbell acquires a position at the Defense Intelligence Agency. Campbell visits Snake at his home and tells Snake that Sergei Gurlukovich, the head of the Gurlukovich Mercenaries, has attacked a group of Marines, seizing their tanker. The Marines were on a secret mission in the South American republic of Eldera. Furthermore, Campbell reveals that there is a possibility that a Metal Gear weapon is involved. Eldera was in constant civil war since the 1980s, and both Campbell and Snake remarked that it would not be at all surprising that if one side or the other had their own version of Metal Gear. The plans for Metal Gear REX were leaked onto the black market after Shadow Moses. Apparently, the Marines were sent in by the government to seize the Metal Gear, and now the Gurlukovich Mercenaries were their in-turn trying to steal it. Snake refuses the Colonel's mission, knowing that Campbell is only interested in the situation due to his vendetta against Gurlukovich, a grudge which stems back to the Cold War. Campbell does not deny this but also reluctantly tells Snake another reason for his involvement: Meryl was involved in the mission. Snake obliges out of concern for Meryl, who mysteriously disappeared from his home over six months ago, only remarking, "I have something to take care of."

Snake infiltrates the tanker and realizes that the tanker is under the complete control of the Gurlukovich's mercenaries. Upon reaching the Navigational Deck, he encounters Meryl, who is less than pleased to see her former lover. She tells him that her father, Matt Campbell, Roy Campbell's younger brother, had died in Eldera, which is why she joined the mission covertly. After they split up, Snake makes his way below deck and into the cargo holds. Snake finds a large looming object within the holds and hidden under a giant tarp: Metal Gear. However it appears old, covered in dust, rust, cracks and appears to not have been used for decades. He breathes a sigh of relief before Sergei appears from the shadows holding Meryl hostage, gun pointed at her throat. Snake tells Gurlukovich to let her free, which he does and proceeds to leer at Meryl. Snake then realizes that Meryl is in line with Gurlukovich, which Meryl sadly cannot deny, saying it was part of her "father's dying wish". She pleads with Snake to leave. Sergei then tries to shoot Snake. However, Meryl intervenes, protesting that he had promised not to kill Snake. Snake makes his getaway and fights through corridors of Gurlukovich soldiers, eventually reaching safety.

Snake contacts Campbell, explaining the situation and asks what Meryl meant by "her father's dying wish", and Campbell explains. During the Cold War, while the country was under the control of a pro-American dictator, the American military took the opportunity to conduct a top-secret project in Eldera to develop a Metal Gear weapon. Matt Campbell had been a member of that project. When the Cold War ended, the project was terminated as well, and the Americans had prepared to withdraw from the country. Matt, however, inexplicably went AWOL. Shortly afterward, the pro-American regime, having lost its support from the U.S, was faced with armed uprisings among the country's minority groups. Eldera was plunged into civil war. Matt's corpse was discovered later. Spetsnaz had been behind the uprising, under Sergei Gurlukovich's command. Campbell expresses his belief that Gurlukovich personally killed Matt, which has been Campbell's catalyst for his ongoing hatred for Gurlukovich. Campbell tells Snake that the Metal Gear may still be armed with live nuclear warheads and will be a threat if the launch system becomes operational. Snake, heads to the bridge to stop the tanker and the Russians.

Snake reaches the bridge. Upon seeing Meryl standing outside, Snake goes to confront her, asking her why she is allying herself with the man that killed her father. She tells Snake that Campbell was lying about Sergei killing Matt. Meryl explains that Matt Campbell's part in the top-secret Metal Gear development project in Eldera was to ensure the country's stability. Matt researched and blackmailed a member of the separatists into becoming a willing accomplice. This spy would feed falsified information to the other separatist guerrillas to prevent an uprising while providing the Americans with useful information and selling out his comrades in the process. However, in his dealings with the separatists, Matt came to sympathize with their cause. He grew to resent the U.S. for the way it exploited smaller, weaker nations for its own gain. In the end, Matt decided to help the guerrillas create their own nation and to secure their independence by giving them Metal Gear. Sergei Gurlukovich, who was also supporting the guerrillas, agreed to cooperate. Matt's plan was executed and the guerrillas succeeded in stealing the Metal Gear from the American base. However, their plan was discovered, and Matt was executed by the Americans for treason. Due to the American withdrawal from Eldera and the ensuing chaos of the civil war, Metal Gear was lost.

However, six months ago, the Marines discovered that the long-lost Metal Gear still existed and were sent to retrieve the long-forgotten secret. Meryl was contacted by Gurlukovich and learned all of this from him. Gurlukovich asked her to join him in helping the Elderan rebels by retrieving Metal Gear; that way she could honor the memory of her father and the ideals that he died for. Snake tries to reason with Meryl, asking her to consider the possibility that Gurlukovich has been lying and using her. Meryl doesn't change her mind. She raises her gun and fights Snake.

• Lethal Kill Ending: Snake cradles Meryl in his arms, trying to cover her wounds. Gurlukovich congratulates Snake and confirms Snake's suspicions that he lied to Meryl and was using her for revenge against Campbell. Through battles during the Cold War against Campbell, Gurlukovich lost many men under his command, leaving widows and orphans with each death. Gurlukovich learned from Matt that Meryl is the most important person to Campbell, and even admits to Snake that he also killed Matt, sadly remarking that he was "waiting for someone to kill him." However, Gurlukovich reveals that he never intended to give Metal Gear to the rebels. As he then prepares to execute Snake, a shot is suddenly fired from Meryl's gun and kills Gurlukovich. Meryl whispers Snake's name and finally dies in his arms.
• Non-lethal Kill Ending: Snake cradles Meryl in his arms, who had only been knocked unconscious. Gurlukovich congratulates Snake and confirms Snake's suspicions that he lied to Meryl and was using her for revenge against Campbell. Through battles during the Cold War against Campbell, Gurlukovich lost many men under his command, leaving widows and orphans with each death. Gurlukovich learned from Matt that Meryl is the most important person to Campbell and even admits to Snake that he also killed Matt, sadly remarking that he was "waiting for someone to kill him." However, Gurlukovich reveals that he never intended to give Metal Gear to the rebels. As he then prepares to execute Snake, a shot is suddenly fired from Meryl's gun and kills Gurlukovich. Meryl staggers on her knees and away from Snake, hiding her sorrow and regret. The tanker is later recovered by U.S. forces. Meanwhile, Meryl is held incarcerated as part of a military inquiry. Several days later, Snake goes to the facility to visit Meryl and meets with Campbell. According to Campbell, after a thorough investigation, the Metal Gear recovered was obsolete, a failure worth little more than scrap metal, and the nuclear warheads were nothing but cheap imitations. Furthermore, Campbell revealed that Meryl is, in fact, his own daughter. Snake realizes that Matt must have gone to Eldera to get away from them and was exploited by Gurlukovich. As Campbell walks off to tell Meryl the truth, Snake reflects that perhaps Meryl and Snake may at least one day reconcile.

Dead Man Whispers

In this scenario, Dead Cell is a specialized naval combat unit known and feared for their effectiveness and ruthlessness. Their main purpose was to launch unannounced assaults against U.S. government and military complexes and facilities as part of anti-terrorist training to determine their level of security preparedness. However, it was rumored that an ulterior purpose of Dead Cell's activities was as cover for their attack against threats to American national interests. Many explainable incidents of deaths and destruction of anti-American interests were rumored to have been perpetrated by Dead Cell, though these suspicions were never confirmed. As a result, Dead Cell became feared and infamously associated with death and destruction. Furthermore, Dead Cell received a devastating blow when Dead Cell's commander Colonel Jackson was arrested and charged with corruption. Dead Cell became desperate and extreme, and their actions from that point received heavy criticism and their reputation became synonymous with corruption and dishonor.

One year later, a training exercise is held at the environmental cleanup facility, Big Shell. The facility is selected as ideal training grounds due to its complex structure and isolated environment. The exercise is headed by Navy Captain O'Brien, who invited Vamp to participate, marking Dead Cell's first official assignment since Jackson's arrest. Vamp and a team under his command portray terrorists while a group of Navy Seals acts to suppress them. Marine Commander Scott Dolph also participates in the exercise at O'Brien's request. However, O'Brien warns Dolph that he might be Vamp's "next target." As a result, Dolph contacts Snake and requests his help in the exercise in case something would go wrong. Dolph forges a fake identity for Snake, Lieutenant Junior Grade Iroquois Pliskin and Snake accepts.

The exercise proceeds as normal, with Snake guarding Strut F until he receives a distress call from the SEALs informing Snake that the team is being killed by Vamp and that his team has revolted. Snake contacts and informs Dolph of the situation. However, Dolph is trapped in the Shell 2 Core by debris and flooding. Snake proceeds to Strut B to rescue the SEALs, only to find they have all been massacred, but is able to find a lone dying survivor. The survivor says that Vamp is "lynching" them as revenge and tells Snake of Vamp's intent to kill Captain O'Brien. With his last ounce of strength, the soldier pleads with Snake to rescue O'Brien. Snake informs Dolph of these developments. Dolph then explains that there have been rumors that Vamp is linked to the murders of important government and military officials. Dolph speculates that Vamp is possibly linked to the murders and wants to kill O'Brien out revenge for Colonel Jackson's imprisonment, and is out for revenge against those who betrayed Jackson. Dolph explains that Jackson hoped Vamp's actions would absolve Dead Cell of the infamous rumors and help prove their innocence, but now they must stop Vamp from killing O'Brien.

While heading to Shell 2 Core to rescue O'Brien, Snake arrives in Strut D and learns from Dolph that the surviving SEALs have sealed the Shell 1 and 2 connecting bridge to stop Vamp. Snake is forced to use the oil fence connecting Struts E and L to reach Shell 2. Snake, however, catches sight of Vamp killing the SEALs before heading to the Shell 2 Core. Snake reaches the Shell 2 Core, but the floor guarding O'Brien's room is electrified, forcing Snake to destroy the circuit panel with a remote-controlled missile launcher and the air vents (at this point, there are four possible endings, depending on whether or not Snake rescues O'Brien quickly or too late and depending on if Vamp is defeated lethally or non-lethally).

Captain O'Brien, after being located by Snake.

If Snake takes too long to rescue O'Brien: Snake finds the captain inside, barely alive and severely cut up, indicating that Vamp had tortured O'Brien instead of instantly killing him. As Snake treats his wounds, O'Brien warns Snake not to fight Vamp and should escape calling for back up. Snake says he must stop Vamp's lynching. However, O'Brien explains that Vamp isn't trying to prove Jackson's innocence because the corruption case is airtight. O'Brien then draws his last breath before he can finish telling Snake what he knows. When Snake cannot get any answer from Dolph, he heads down to the basement of the core. It is indeed flooded, but he swims through and makes it to the Air Purification Chamber where Dolph is supposedly hiding. Instead, however, he finds Vamp, who proceeds to do battle with him.

• If Vamp is defeated lethally: After Snake defeats him, Vamp explains to Snake Dead Cell's tragic history after Jackson was arrested, that they were exploited by the government and military figures to do dirty work. Their missions involved killing civilians, unfairly tarnishing both Jackson's and Dead Cell's honor and reputation. Vamp reveals that he did not want revenge nor did he want to prove Jackson's innocence. Instead, he wanted to kill seemingly out of revenge to make the public wrongfully believe that Jackson had been framed. Although he originally did not want the Dead Cell name tarnished any further than it already was, it has become clear that Vamp's motive grew out of his control and he had now become a pathetic terrorist. Despite his seemingly pointless sacrifice for revenge, Vamp says at least he is protecting Helena, Jackson, their unborn child, and Dolph. Dolph shows up at the last minute devastated and saddened that Vamp has thrown his life away. Vamp relieved to see Dolph then dies but with a smile on his face. Big Shell is secured by a backup team and Dead Cell is officially dissolved sometime later with Dolph retiring. Jackson dies in prison due to "mental exhaustion." Later, rumors escalate about Dead Cell saying that Jackson had been falsely accused and Dead Cell had been framed.
• If Vamp is defeated non-lethally: After Snake defeats him, Vamp explains to Snake Dead Cell's tragic history after Jackson was arrested, that they were exploited by the government and military figures to do dirty work. Their missions involved killing civilians, unfairly tarnishing both Jackson's and Dead Cell's honor and reputation. Vamp reveals that he did not want revenge nor did he want to prove Jackson's innocence. Instead, he wanted to kill seemingly out of revenge to make the public wrongfully believe that Jackson had been framed. Although he originally did not want the Dead Cell name tarnished any further than it already was, it has become clear that Vamp's motive grew out of his control and now he had become a pathetic terrorist. Despite his seemingly pointless sacrifice for revenge, Vamp says at least he is protecting Helena, Jackson, their unborn child, and Scott. Dolph shows up and chastises Vamp for his actions, but soon realizes that he is hiding something. Vamp, however, coldly tells Dolph to leave him alone and never wants to see him again. Big Shell is secured by a backup team, Vamp is taken into custody, and Dead Cell is officially dissolved sometime later with Dolph retiring. Jackson dies in prison due to "mental exhaustion." Not long after being incarcerated, Vamp escapes, with several murders of important government and military later occurring and Vamp is assumed to have been responsible. Later, rumors escalate about Dead Cell saying that Jackson had been falsely accused and Dead Cell had been framed.

If Snake rescues O'Brien in time: Snake finds the captain inside, barely alive and severely cut up, indicating that Vamp had tortured O'Brien instead of instantly killing him. As Snake treats his wounds, O'Brien warns Snake not to fight Vamp and should escape calling for back up. Snake says he must stop Vamp's lynching. However, O'Brien explains that Vamp isn't trying to prove Jackson's innocence because the corruption case is airtight. O'Brien further explains to a shocked Snake that Vamp has been deceived. With this revelation, Snake recalls how Vamp's past victims have all been important government and military personnel. Snake beings to speculate that Vamp must have been manipulated by someone to murder these people who must have been political enemies. O'Brien succumbs and dies from his wounds. When Snake cannot get any answer from Dolph, he heads down to the basement of the core. It is indeed flooded, but he swims through and makes it to the Air Purification Chamber where Dolph is supposedly hiding. Instead, however, he finds Vamp, who proceeds to do battle with him.

Snake encounters Vamp in the air purification chamber.

• If Vamp is defeated lethally: After Snake defeats him, Vamp explains to Snake Dead Cell's tragic history after Jackson was arrested, that they were exploited by the government and military figures to do dirty work. Their missions involved the killing of civilians, unfairly tarnishing both Jackson's and Dead Cell's honor and reputation. Vamp reveals that he did not want revenge nor did he want to prove Jackson's innocence. Instead, he wanted to kill seemingly out of revenge to make the public wrongfully believe that Jackson had been framed. Snake, however, knows that he is lying about his motives, Snake then realizes that Vamp wasn't manipulated at all, he intentionally did the murders and took part in the exercise. Dolph arrives on time and after having overheard everything is in shock. Vamp, however, dies from his wounds taking the truth of the conspiracy with him. Big Shell is secured by a backup team and Dead Cell is officially dissolved sometime later with Dolph retiring. Jackson dies in prison due to "mental exhaustion." Later, rumors escalate about Dead Cell saying that Jackson had been falsely accused and Dead Cell had been framed.

• If Vamp is defeated non-lethally: After Snake defeats him, Vamp explains to Snake Dead Cell's tragic history after Jackson was arrested, they were exploited by the government and military figures to do dirty work. Their missions involved the killing of civilians, unfairly tarnishing both Jackson's and Dead Cell's honor and reputation. Vamp reveals that he did not want revenge nor did he want to prove Jackson's innocence. Instead, he wanted to kill seemingly out of revenge to make the public wrongfully believe that Jackson had been framed. Snake, however, knows that he is lying about his motive, Snake then realizes that Vamp wasn't manipulated at all, he intentionally did the murders and took part in the exercise. Snake tells this to Vamp who in turn refuses to tell the truth. Dolph arrives in time, after overhearing everything realizes that Vamp could only be protecting one person hence repeatedly asks, "Was it, Jackson?." Vamp finally admits and confesses: when Jackson was sent to prison, he went insane and told Vamp to commit the murders to restore Dead Cell. Vamp knew there was no sense to Jackson's plan and realized he was clearly insane but had no choice but to obey. Unfortunately, O'Brien found out and took advantage of the situation for his own political advancement. He ordered Vamp to place himself and Dead Cell under his command or he would expose the truth of Jackson's conspiracy. Vamp served O'Brien but was forced to perform one task as proof of loyalty: kill Scott Dolph, O'Brien's political enemy, during the exercise. Vamp instead chose to feign loyalty and planned to kill O'Brien in order to protect Dolph even if the cost was a great as Vamp's life as well as Dead Cell's reputation and honor. Dolph is shocked beyond belief and Vamp pleads to Snake to kill him, but Snake refuses to avoid further unnecessary bloodshed and sorrow. Big Shell is secured by a backup team, Vamp is taken into custody and incarcerated in a military prison, and Dead Cell is officially dissolved sometime later with Dolph retiring. With the truth of Jackson's conspiracy exposed, he is later court-martialed and receives a life sentence to prison. Later, rumors escalate about Dead Cell saying that Jackson had been falsely accused and Dead Cell had been framed.

External Gazer

While testing Otacon's new advanced and realistic virtual reality training simulator at the Philanthropy hideout, Mei Ling arrives with a newspaper with the main headline reading "A Monster at Big Shell!?" Snake dismisses the story as tabloid nonsense. However, both Otacon and Mei Ling develop a bizarre fixation and believe that this monster is real. Reluctantly, Snake infiltrates the Big Shell at Otacon and Mei Ling's coercing. Snake's mission is to obtain photographic evidence of the monster, dubbed "Gurlugon" by Otacon. Snake, however, discovers that the Big Shell is being occupied by armed forces, possibly terrorists.

The newspaper story, featuring the Big Shell monster.

Snake, heads for the Big Shell's most southwestern point, the AB connecting bridge and with luck, catch sight of Gurlugon swimming below. The monster bizarrely appears as a humanoid with aquatic features such as fins, yet strangely enough also resembles a Gurlukovich mercenary. After taking a picture of Gurlugon, Snake is confronted by Olga Gurlukovich however she tells Snake that she is "not the Olga he knows." Olga warns Snake that she and the Gurlugon "do not belong in this universe." After telling Snake to check the VR system, Olga proceeds to jump into the ocean with her men after Gurlugon. Snake is dumbfounded by these increasingly strange events.

At the Philanthropy hideout, Otacon, Mei Ling, and Snake ponder Olga's words about not being from this universe. Otacon then explains the "parallel universes" theory, stating that there is an infinite number of possibilities that can happen and do happen but throughout an infinite number of alternate separate realities, known as parallel universes. Since the Olga Snake encountered was different, and that it was not possible for a creature like Gurlugon to exist in their reality, Otacon deduces that they both originate from a parallel universe. Beings from these parallel universe were crossing over into each other and Olga claims that the VR system is the cause.

Otacon later analyzes the VR system and the strange yet advanced piece of technology known as the "Koppelthorn Engine." It was invented by Doctor Koppelthorn to be an advanced quantum super-computational device. Unfortunately, no one knows how the device works or have even met Doctor Koppelthorn. Mei Ling theorizes that the VR system and Koppelthorn Engine don't actually create virtual constructs but instead searches the space-time continuum to find parallel universes that satisfy the conditions programmed into the VR system, hence allows the user to observe and interfere with other realities. Mei Ling also theorizes that Gurlugon is acting as a distortion across the space time continuum and affecting the boundaries that separate parallel universes. Mei Ling suggests killing Gurlugon inside the VR system in order to stop the distortions.

After battling and killing Gurlugon in VR, Mei Ling reveals that she is, in fact, a Mei Ling from another universe and is married to Solidus Snake. She explains that she tricked Snake and Otacon into destroying the singularity, hence the universes will now be remained converged and will continue to intersect. Solidus then bursts in, demolishing the hideout and taking Mei Ling, his wife, with him and escapes.

Otacon and Snake later get in contact with Olga who may be able to help find an alternative means of restoring the barriers between parallel universes. Olga explains that while Gurlugon was the original singularity that caused the crossover of alternate realities. However, there are alternative singularities in different forms across the universes that can mimic Gurlugon's. If they can find one, then they can use it and the Koppelthorn Engine to counter the convergence effect caused by Gurlugon and restore the states of the realities. Otacon sends Snake into the VR system in order to help search the universes for a singularity. However, Solidus is monitoring and attempting to stop their efforts.

After completing a series of VR missions, Snake finds himself in an empty space, alone and is greeted by Solidus' voice who reveals that Snake is in the gap between parallel universes. Solidus explains that the VR system combined with the Koppelthorn Engine is essentially a device that can control universes and possibility. He proceeds to explain that the VR system acquires parallel universes to fit the requirements programmed into the VR system. However, the user's actions interfere and have permanent consequences on the universes that are selected by the VR system. This also means that if certain actions are performed in the VR system, the actions are made definite, hence the selected universes where the possibilities contradict the actions are erased from existence. Snake is further shocked by learning of Solidus' plan to exploit the VR system and the multi-universal paradox effect to rescue his alternative reality selves from being killed in other universes. Solidus doesn't care how many universes he destroys through his actions, he simply selfishly cares for his own survival and the survival of his alternative counterparts. Solidus is ultimately forced to release "Rose and Jack," who are an infamous unit in countless universes where their misdeeds earned them the combined hatred of the entire universe, and whose mere presence is enough to destroy an entire world, to ensure Solid Snake stays in a universe and can interfere no longer.

Alternate Solidus dialogue: Depending on if you failed or retried any of the VR missions, Solidus will call you on your hypocrisy.

Solid Snake battles with Solidus Snake atop Federal Hall.

Solidus traps Snake in VR system, forcing him into the body of a young, blond man and to experience surreal scenarios. After successfully navigating through several VR stages, Snake escapes the VR system but is confronted by a battalion of Metal Gear RAYs. After destroying and fending off the RAYs, Snake is transported to the roof of Federal Hall and receives a call from Otacon explaining that they succeeded in finding the singularity and are now in the process of restoring the universes. However, Snake is confronted by Solidus, angered by Snake's actions and is determined to kill him. Snake defeats Solidus in combat causing Solidus to fall from the roof to his death.

Snake returns to the Philanthropy hideout, meeting with Otacon and Olga. Olga disappears, returning to her own universe. Otacon and Snake are relieved, believing they have corrected the distortion and restored the universes to their original states. Sometime later, Mei Ling enters Snake and Otacon's office with another newspaper cutting. It seems there have been Genola sightings.

Behind the scenes

• David Hayter recorded new voice samples for Snake Tales A & D: using the directional microphone to talk to hostages and screams if Snake steps on the electrified floor or falls to his death in the Big Shell.
• If "External Gazer" is completed once, the player starts with many extra items, including a Shaver, a Cellphone, a Mine Detector, a Wet Box and Cold Medicine. Despite this, none of these serve any purpose.
• In "Big Shell Evil," Emma Emmerich is erroneously referred to as Otacon's sister-in-law, rather than stepsister.