Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
Chaper 0.5
Into Russia
XXXX
Boss, Al-Asad just executed President Al-Fulani live on national television.
It's too late to do anything for Al-Fulani now, but in three hours codename Nikolai will be executed in Northern Russia.
Nikolai, sir?
Nikolai is our agent in the Ultranationalist camp. He supplied the intel on the cargoship Operation. Nikolai's going through hell right now, and we're gonna walk him out. We take care of our own.
XXXX
Soap's suspicions had been raised the moment Captain Price had begun the briefing with only him and Gaz in the room. His pre-conceptions of the SAS had been that they would go in big numbers, at least six or seven, but Price had cheerfully informed him that there would be no need for such amounts of troops, and three men would be perfectly acceptable for the job in hand.
"Soap, you picked out all your green kit yet?" Price asked as a projector flickered on behind him. The new SAS Cap Badge spun behind him, outlined in blue on a black background. Soap liked the new, modern design. It retained everything the old one had, while bringing the Regiment up-to-date into the new Millennium. "I know you only had time to get fitted for your CRW stuff."
"Yes boss." Soap nodded. He was wearing his DPM trousers and Lowa combat boots, with a black fleece over a similarly coloured T-Shirt. Back in the barracks, he had just finished rigging all the pouches to his new plate carrier, a fancy set of body armour designed by company "Weesatch". It integrated the armour plates and equipment pouches almost perfectly, though it made lying down a bit difficult. In his opinion though, Soap saw it as a massive improvement over belt-kit webbing and Osprey body armour.
"Good man. You'll be needing it soon enough." Price turned, and nodded at the screen behind him. A satellite map of the world appeared, before focusing on a position in Russia. Soap watched with interest, leaning back.
XXXX
"Right. Just before we hit the cargo ship, Green Slime learned that one of our agents, a man named Nikolai, was discovered by members of the Ultranationalist Party. In a few hours, he will be executed, at dawn. He's done us lots of favours over time, so we're going to insert into Russia as soon as this briefing is over, and exfil him." He flicked to the next slide, this one labelled "Situation".
"Situation is thus. Ultranationalist Rebels are clashing with Government Loyalists, and Russia is in a state of turmoil at the moment, which means they shouldn't be too picky about us getting in there and moving in. As you're well aware, the situation in Saudi Arabia has taken a very nasty turn as well. We're uncertain if these two events are related, but in twelve hours, Coalition Troops will begin their invasion of the country, consisting of US, German, and British forces. HMS Invincible is already on station in the Persian Gulf with elements of Three Commando Brigade, and the Shakyboat Squadron, so expect no 1st SFSG Support." Soap nodded. The Shakyboat Squadron was the SAS' nickname for the Special Boat Service, their Naval counterparts. 1st SFSG was the newly formed Special Forces Support Group, consisting of the 1st Parachute Battalion. "Friendly Forces in Russia include Spetsnaz forces, led by our good mate-"
"Kamarov." Gaz interrupted, a serious look on his face. "Is there no-one else available instead of that conceited bastard, sir?"
"Unfortunately not. I had asked for Lieutenant Xanthos, but she was unavailable." Price gave Gaz a sympathetic look. "After Beirut he owes us big time though."
"Beirut?" Soap asked.
"During the crisis in the Lebanon we were dispatched to ensure that all British nationals were able to get safely evacuated. Kamarov was doing the same thing for the Russians, and his patrol came under contact from Hezbollah forces. We pulled his arse out of the fire in that one, so he better do us some favours."
"Right. I'm with you." Soap made a quick note in his notepad. "Anyone else?"
"Yes. Task Force Excalibur has agreed to lend a hand, though Delta and SEAL's will be deployed to the Middle East. The US Government has agreed to lend us Hammer-Two-Four and Big Bird again, with more support if it becomes available at the time."
"What sort of support, sir?"
"No idea, Staff. They wouldn't say." Price shrugged. "Moving on. Enemy forces. We know for a fact that there at least sixty enemy infantry in the area, armed with multiple small-arms and RPG's. Satellite imagery confirms the presence of BM21 rocket's in the area, along with snipers, so keep your eyes peeled. Soap, you're going to be our sniper on this one, so make sure you take your rifle."
"Yes sir."
"Mission outline. We will be dropped by Big Bird at this location, before moving in on foot towards the target area, approximately six miles from the DZ. We will RV with Sergeant Kamarov in this field, before moving on to the village. We will make our way to the target house once Kamarov has informed us where it is, and extract Nikolai, before moving him to Hammer-Two-Four one hundred metres away from the building. Back in time for tea. Any questions?" Soap and Gaz looked at eachother. Neither wanted to be the first to ask a question. Price watched them in amusement, before smiling. "Alright then lads. Gear up. Let's go."
