Chapter Text
Equipping Big Boss with the Fulton recovery system had been Miller’s idea. After all, it had served MSF well before and they needed to get their recruits to Mother Base somehow, right? Right.
He didn’t think long about accepting the NGO’s request for Diamond Dogs’ help; Snake was good at spotting and trapping animals, they all knew that – if they had the possibility to save some of the endangered species during missions, who was he to say no? Besides, the pay covered the expenses well enough and then some.
There was only one flaw in this, and that’s Venom Snake himself. Whatever the reason, the man had become awfully soft-hearted towards animals considering he used to hunt down and kill anything that proved to be even slightly edible to survive in the past. Well, you might think, that’s not so bad, right? He’s saving the animals now, so that should help with the objective of the mission!
Wrong. You see, what happened was that Snake went hopelessly overboard, right from the start. It didn’t take a full month for the NGO to regret their decision of hiring someone so… animal friendly because they were downright flooded with sheep and wolves and birds of all kinds, sent directly from Afghanistan with kind regards from the Boss.
When the plans for an Animal Conservation Platform landed on Miller’s desk, he first thought it was a joke – then, he saw the massive payment the NGO had attached to it and he shrugged. A zoo on Mother Base? Why not?
It was built in record time and the animals kept coming: Exotics like okapis and zebras from Central Africa or the legendary white bear Snake pumped twenty tranq rounds into before it went down. The zoo became quite popular amongst the soldiers, even if they were only allowed to go there for their officially scheduled shore leave.
But then again, the pens filled up faster than the NGO could empty them. Miller kept telling Snake time and time again to reduce the amount of animals he fultons but to no avail. It takes the arrival of one very ordinary, dull brown goat to snap his thread of patience completely.
“Boss? A word”, he grits out when said man jumps out of the chopper, looking eager to finish up whatever business is left so he can visit the new arrivals – not the people, mind you, but the animals.
Big Boss blinks in surprise at his annoyed tone but nods, indicating he’s listening.
“What did I tell you about the animals?” Miller snaps, narrowing his eye at the way Snake’s expression blanks. “There’s no use in playing dumb, Snake, you know exactly what I mean. The dog is alright, he’ll at least be useful eventually, but the goat needs to go.”
“Kaz, listen. I know Betsy looks like nothing special, but it was a really tight call to get her out of there. I can’t just send her back…” It’s ridiculous how close the expression on that scarred face comes to a puppy-eyed look.
Miller tightens his lips. “Betsy… You named it?! Tell me one good reason why we should keep it. One. Go.”
“Ocelot said goats are good at guarding things. The zoo has no security, right? There you go. Saving the species and providing security - killing two birds with one stone.” Snake nods to himself, approving of his own reasoning.
“That’s the kind of security you want–?!” Miller takes a calming breath. “You know what. No. What else?”
The Boss huffs. “Fine. Goats are calm and upbeat. That could be useful to help treat PTSD, don’t you think? Betsy is perfectly good company, I can attest to that myself. The soldiers will love her.” He sounds almost petulant by the end of his small speech, a light frown marring his brow.
“The soldiers will laugh in our faces if we suggest they spend time with a goat. Good try, but nope. Got another one?” He feels a satisfied smile creep on his lips as Snake thinks for a long while, scouring his brain for the fact that will save his new pet.
The smile disappears as the Boss’s face lights up with a sudden idea. He starts searching his pockets for something… Miller has to suppress a groan. What now?
“Here. Try to deny this”, Snake says as he holds out a creased photo in front of Miller’s eyes. He takes it and tilts it to be able to see it better.
It’s a picture of the goat in all its glory. Black, beady eyes look hopefully into the camera from an admittedly cute face; its – her – brown coat shines in the Afghan sun, suspiciously clean for a wild animal. Despite all his objections, a warm feeling blooms in Miller’s chest. Betsy fits her well, he thinks and can’t help but smile the slightest bit at the photo.
“Ha!” The photo is snatched out of his hand. Miller blinks sheepishly at Snake’s smug grin. “You like her, I saw the smile. Game over, Kaz.”
Miller opens his mouth to protest, but then just deflates. It’s apparent the goat –Betsy, a small voice in his mind says – makes the Boss happy… Shouldn’t that be enough?
“Hmpf! Keep her, then!” he says, turning on his heels. He ignores Snake’s good natured chuckle behind him.