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“Mission complete, and how?!.. They’re going to tell stories about this one, Boss!” Kaz Miller excitedly speaks into the radio, his grin audible through the receiver. Snake had just finished a daring infiltration into a Soviet base to extract a critical target, and despite being entirely outnumbered, the Big Boss that Kaz knew made going undetected look easy.
The Big Boss that Kaz knew…
As he put down his walkie, Kaz’s smile faded. Snake’s cunning proved to be as familiar and impressive as ever, but lately an uncanny feeling hung over him. It’s been on his mind ever since Ocelot told him.
“Until it’s complete, we support the other Big Boss…”
It had been weeks since then, but Kaz was still choking on the truth. The Snake that saved him in Afghanistan… It was all wrong. He couldn’t stomach seeing the shrapnel in the Boss’ head, a disgusting reminder of his true nature. Sometimes he would take off his sunglasses just so he wouldn’t be able to see the devil’s horn, just to pretend for a moment that the real Boss was still with him.
To soothe his nerves, he tries to think back to the days of MSF. He remembers how much simpler things were then. Snake had always seemed so much more lively, and it seemed like their relationship had the chance of a lifetime to grow. He always found himself back to his happy place– the beaches of Costa Rica– where he and Snake had shared those intimate moments all those years ago. But suddenly, the whirring of helicopter blades approaching Mother Base snapped Kaz out of his daydream. As he hobbled out into the sunlight, he put on an unnatural smile as he watched the phantom hop out of the chopper. His eyes were drawn to the scars on Boss’ face; he found himself pondering trying to determine which were from the helicopter crash and which were from cosmetic surgery.
“You okay, Kaz?” The phantom inquired.
“Yeah, just…” Kaz started. “...You’re covered in sand.” he propped his elbow on his crutch and pulled out a handkerchief to wipe the remnants of Afghanistan off of Snake’s fatigues.
“You don’t have to,” Snake gently removed Kaz’s hand. “I’ll take a shower.” He brushed off the spot where Kaz wiped and headed for the shower cubicle. What the hell am I doing? Kaz thought to himself. He stood despondently at the helicopter platform as the empty arm of his overcoat blew in the wind. Despite the phantom seriously disturbing Kaz, he still found himself strangely drawn to him, as if he really were the Boss. Slightly ashamed, he walked with his crutch slowly over to the shower to greet Snake on his way out. When Snake stepped out of the cubicle, he made a gruff gasp at the sight of Kaz standing before him, scowling.
“Boss…” Kaz sighed. “Why don’t we go walk for a moment?”
“But, I thought we had new missions–”
“The missions aren’t going anywhere. Take a break with me.” Kaz turned and slowly started heading for the connective bridges between platforms of the rig. Snake didn’t say anything, but hesitantly started following him.
“Why are you bringing me here?” Snake asked as Kaz settled on the railing of the bridge, staring out into the Seychelles Waters.
“Just so we can talk. Wouldn’t it be nice to talk?”
“You know how Ocelot feels about us tal–”
“No, not that kind of talk!” Kaz barked as he turned his head toward Snake. He quickly brought his view back to the ocean to distract from his ears beginning to burn. He let out a long sigh.
“How much do you remember from 9 years ago?” Kaz pressed. Surely the phantom would know what to say if he really did think he was the Boss. There was a long pause of silence.
“Why do you ask?” Snake pensively joined Kaz in looking out into the sea.
“Just answer the question.”
“A lot of it is a blur at the end. The helicopter, and Paz, and… I don’t remember which parts were real.” Snake solemnly spoke, pointing at the shrapnel in his head pressing on his optic nerve. Kaz shuddered, knowing Snake saw those events play out as both himself and as the combat medic.
“What’s wrong?” Snake turned back to face Kaz after seeing him shiver.
“What do you remember about me?” Kaz sputtered out with barely controlled shakiness. Another moment of silence passed. Snake scoffed.
“‘They played us like a damn fiddle’.” Snake quoted Kaz that day.
“When Cipher took everything from us,” Kaz started with renewed composure. “Do you blame me for how it played out?” Snake’s demeanor changed.
“I… I guess I can’t blame you any more than Dr. Emmerich.”
“This isn’t about Emmerich. If I had never made that deal with Cipher back in the day, they never would’ve been on our ass in the first place.” Kaz brought his view back to Snake and firmly grabbed his deltoid with his remaining arm.
“You also said MSF would’ve never gotten that big if it weren’t for their influence,” Snake’s voice got more stern. “Better ask for forgiveness rather than permission, right?”
“Just tell me you don’t resent me!” Kaz desperately pleaded, tightening his grip on Snake’s arm.
“... The truth is, Kaz, it’s complicated. We could never quite recover from your actions. You… You betrayed us. You betrayed my trust.” At this, Kaz released his grip from Snake and let his arm dangle in the air.
“I… Understand.”
“And I don’t know what kind of future we have in store, but… Diamond Dogs still needs you, Kaz.”
“...”
“For better or for worse, you’ve helped to create our true Outer Heaven.” Upon hearing the name of the place the real Big Boss abandoned him for, Kaz winced and fell to the ground, clutching his missing arm.
“Kaz!” Snake knelt down to get him on his feet. “What is it?!”
“It’s… My arm, and my leg. They just keep hurting.” Kaz wiped a tear streaming down his face before Snake could see.
“Ocelot keeps offering you the bionics. Just take them– for me.”
“No, boss. You wouldn’t understand why… Why I need to be reminded of the pain.”
“Kaz…” Snake continued to clasp Kaz’s shoulders in his hands. Suddenly, the faint sound of the radio could be heard coming from Snake’s earpiece.
“It’s Ocelot, huh? You’re needed back in Afghanistan?” Kaz scoffed.
“This isn’t over.” Snake grimly said as he slowly removed himself from Kaz. He then turned around to hurry back to the chopper. As Kaz saw him disappear from view in the helicopter, he let out a loud sniffle, knowing he’s lost the Boss for real.
“Yes, it is.”