Paz Ortega Andrade

A captive with knowledge of Cipher's location, whose rescue triggers the destruction of Mother Base.

Paz Ortega Andrade is a character in Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes. She is a Cipher agent who was missing and presumed dead after the Peace Walker incident. Snake is sent to infiltrate Camp Omega to extract her, as she has information regarding the whereabouts of the person or persons known as Cipher.

Quick Facts

First appearance: Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes

Lore & Background

Paz Ortega Andrade was missing and presumed dead after the Peace Walker incident. Militaires Sans Frontières (MSF) agents in Cuba investigated reports that she survived and had been detained at Camp Omega, an American black site on Cuban soil. Ricardo "Chico" Valenciano Libre's attempt to rescue her resulted in his capture. Snake was sent to infiltrate Camp Omega to extract them if they were alive and confirm what they revealed to their captors. Snake believed rescuing Paz would convince Cipher to stand down, and that she would be willing to discuss Cipher's activities with MSF. Snake located and rescued Paz near the Admin Building of Camp Omega. On the way to Mother Base via the MSF helicopter Morpho-1, Chico discovered that Paz was surgically implanted with a bomb. Snake and an MSF medic removed it by hand without anesthetics, causing Paz to regain consciousness. Upon arriving at Mother Base, they found it in flames as XOF forces assaulted the base. As they attempted to escape, Paz warned them there was a second bomb inside her. Knowing she was about to die, she jumped out of the helicopter to throw herself clear. The resulting explosion caused Morpho-1 to spiral out of control and collide with a pursuing XOF helicopter. In a post-credits scene set prior to Snake's arrival at Camp Omega, Paz was interrogated by XOF commander Skull Face, who demanded the whereabouts of Cipher / Zero, as Paz had met Zero in person. Paz eventually gave in and agreed to tell him Zero's location. Collectible audio logs reveal that at Camp Omega, Paz and Chico were tortured, physically and psychologically, for information about the MSF base. Paz berated Chico for giving up the information, but later recorded herself saying she forgave him and would not have survived the torture without him.

Reader's Guide

Paz Ortega Andrade is a key figure in the main mission of Ground Zeroes. The player's objective is to infiltrate Camp Omega and extract her. She is located near the Admin Building of the camp. After rescuing her, the player must escape via the helicopter. A critical story event occurs on the helicopter when Chico discovers Paz has a bomb implanted in her. The player witnesses Snake and a medic remove it. Upon arriving at Mother Base, Paz reveals a second bomb and sacrifices herself by jumping from the helicopter. The player should be aware that this sequence is a linear story event and not a gameplay challenge. The mission can be completed in a very short time frame, as the game is introductory in nature, being a prologue.