Fearing Big Boss would leave, Zero created three clones of him in the "Les Enfants Terribles" project: , Liquid , and Solidus Snake .

: Believes in a world where soldiers aren't used as political tools, leading him to create independent mercenary nations like Outer Heaven . The Clone War: Solid vs. Liquid

: Believes in total control through a shadow organization called The Patriots .

The story begins during the Cold War in Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater . A legendary soldier named dies as a "traitor" to protect her country. Her disciple, Naked Snake (later Big Boss ), is devastated by the government's betrayal. Two men interpret her final wish for a unified world in opposite ways: