Solid Snake leaned against the wall of the underground bunker, his cigarette glowing faintly in the dim light. A bank of monitors hummed behind him, replaying footage of the congressional UFO hearing.
“Never thought I’d say this…” Snake muttered, exhaling a slow plume of smoke. He turned his eye toward the man in the dark suit, orange-tinted under the fluorescent lights. “But thanks, Mr. President. The disclosure hearings—someone had to open that box. You did it.”
Trump smiled with that signature half-smirk. “Snake, a lot of people are saying it was the greatest disclosure in history. Nobody’s ever disclosed better than me. The aliens… they love me. They do.”
Snake shook his head, a ghost of a grin flickering across his scarred face. “Whatever the style, the fact is, you pulled the trigger. You put UFOs into the open. That’s step one of the XCOM playbook.”
Trump leaned in, lowering his voice like he was confiding a state secret. “They told me about the game, Snake. XCOM. War of the Worlds, but with me? I was the best commander. I built the biggest, strongest walls against the aliens. Tremendous walls. The invaders never stood a chance.”
Snake chuckled, rare and gravelly. “Guess we’re living in that simulation now. The War of the Worlds… and you’re on the front screen. Let’s just hope you don’t push the wrong button when the real invasion comes.”
Trump straightened his tie. “Don’t worry, Snake. If there’s one thing I know, it’s how to win. And with you on my squad… we’re unbeatable.”
Snake dropped the cigarette, grinding it out under his boot. His voice was calm but edged with steel. “Then let’s pray this isn’t just another simulation.”