Metal Gear Series/Zanzibar Land Disturbance

The following events take place in Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake. This transcript is taken from the "Previous Story" section of Metal Gear Solid.

1999, the world was facing an energy crisis. It was obvious that the petroleum would run out faster than what was expected. However, the development of an alternative energy resource was far from completion. The price of petroleum has skyrocketed and the world economy in confusion. The 21st century was expected to be one of chaos. One man's invention changed the entire situation. A Czech genius and biologist, Dr. Kio Marv, invented OILIX, a microorganism that refines petroleum to product a highly purified form of petroleum. The world was filled with hope upon the discovery of this messiah to solve the energy crisis, but at the same time the world entered a time of tension regarding this new algae.

Just when the whole world's attention was drawn to OILIX and Dr. Marv, he was abducted by someone and disappeared. Nations immediately began to investigate and a name soon appeared...'Zanzibar Land'...

Zanzibar Land was a democratic, military regime that suddenly appeared in central Asia in 1997. When their uprising took place, the CIS Army, formed around Russia, sent in a suppressive unit immediately. Zanzibar Land resisted by gathering a band of mercenaries from nations around the world and fortifying most of its land. As a result, the CIS Army was repeatedly defeated, and Zanzibar Land declared its independence. Due to the active role mercenaries played, this war was called the 'Mercenaries War' and Zanzibar Land was referred to as an armed fortress nation. A military nation with a group of strong mercenaries, surrounded by a tough fortress.

According to the latest information, Zanzibar supposedly was armed with Nuclear Weapons. The whole scenario was crystal clear. By obtaining OILIX in addition to nuclear weapons, Zanzibar Land was trying to establish its economic and military superiority over the entire world. Concerned about the situation, the United States of America ordered Roy Campbell, Commander-in-Chief of high tech special forces unit FOX-HOUND, to rescue Dr. Marv. Campbell was a former member of FOX-HOUND. He brought back Solid Snake, the man who single-handedly brought down the armed fortress nation of Outer Heaven four years ago, and asked Snake to bring back Dr. Marv and OILIX.

Successfully infiltrating Zanzibar Land and with help from CIA agent Horry and others, Snake was able to go deep into the fortress and meet again with Dr. Pettrovich, the chief engineer of Metal Gear from Outer Heaven. He too was abducted to Zanzibar Land and forced to develop another Metal Gear. He told to surprised Snake an even more shocking fact. Big Boss, the man Snake had defeated at Outer Heaven, turned out to be the General Commander of Zanzibar Land.

Snake rescued Dr. Pettrovich in co-operation with Natasha, Dr. Marv's guard and former Czech International Secret Police agent, and then headed for the confinement facility deep in the fortress to save Dr. Marv. When Pettrovich and Natasha crossed the narrow suspension bridge over the deep valley, a missile blew the bridge away. Natasha flew into the air because of the explosion. While unable to do anything to save Natasha, Snake started hearing a well-known voice "Hey Snake, we're good buddies. I can let you go. Just leave this place at once!" Gray Fox. Snake saw Gray Fox controlling Metal Gear. The best soldier in FOX-HOUND who, after the fall of Outer Heaven, disappeared as if he followed BigBoss. Losing Natasha in front of his eyes and letting Pettrovich get taken away, Snake screamed "Fox! I will not give up!"

After a series of deadly battles with mercenaries, Snake finally made it to Dr. Marv's confinement facility. However, he arrived to late. He saw Dr. Marv's corpse and Pettrovich, who could do nothing but just stand there. Pettrovich told Snake that Dr. Marv could not withstand the repeated tortures because of heart problems. Snake then received an emergency call from Horry. The information she supplied was very shocking. Pettrovich had been voluntarily visiting Zanzibar Land to develop Metal Gear. The abduction of Dr. Marv was conducted under the directions of Pettrovich himself. After the truth came out, Pettrovich attacked Snake, but Snake easily put an end to him and obtained the structural plan of OILIX.

While trying to escape, Snake was confronted by Metal Gear again, controlled by Gray Fox. The tremendous battle took place in the underground base. Snake finally succeeded in destroying Metal Gear. However, Gray Fox did not submit and challenged Snake to the final battle. In the midst of a minefield, Snake and Fox fought without any weapons. A fist-to-fist duel involving no hatred or murderous intent. During that moment of purity the two were bound by forces transcending words and emotions. Snake won the tough but pure battle against Gray Fox. However, there was still someone else. Snake had to fight Big Boss. Just like four years ago at Outer Heaven Big Boss was waiting for Snake. "One who has experienced the tension of battle can never leave the battlefield. I'm the one giving you something to live for, and that is war" Snake was infuriated at the arrogant Big Boss "There is only one battle I have to fight. To free myself from you, to shatter the nightmare...Big Boss, I will kill you!"

With the structural plan of Oilix, Snake and Horry escaped from Zanzibar Land on a rescue helicopter. Snake once again saved the world. However, there was no smile on his face. Big Boss's last words kept ringing in his head "Whoever wins, our battle does not end. The loser is free from the battlefield, but the winner must remain there and the survivor must live his life as the warrior until he dies" Snake then disappeared into the whitelands of Alaska... alone...