Three months after the team's mission to Somalia, Price announced that they were on the move, this time to Prague, Czech Republic, on the account of a hunch of his. It sounded crazy to the entire team but no one dared to question the Captain. This man knew a whole lot.
Not wanting to draw much attention to them, he wanted this move to be as quick as possible.
Thanks to Nikolai they were staying in an actual house this time. A nice location, half mile away from the metro area.
The entire camp was a flutter with activity as they all prepared for the big move. Duffel bags filled with food and supplies were stacked, one on top the other, ready to be loaded onto the helicopter.
Soap, Yuri, Ranger and Quantum formed a line and began packing their stuff unto the chopper.
Price and Nikolai went around, checking guns and ammo while the others picked up the loose ends.
Kamarov came through with a round of beers for the team when they were finished. After everyone was fed, they all boarded the choppers and embarked on their two day journey.
Saying goodbye to Africa was like having a small moment of redemption, especially for Soap, from the heat, mosquitoes and …his fear of the piss butt.
It was about time they got back into the fight. They all had a unified objective in mind and that was to get Makarov.
One Week Later…
The safe house was like a small paradise compared to the camp in Africa.
Laying in wait had them all on edge but they held it together to the best of their ability.
The New Year was fast approaching; Soap mentioned something about them taking a trip off camp before things got crazy.
"It'll be good for the lads" he said to Price.
Trying to reason with the stubborn older man was a task that he had mastered over the years. It took a whole lot of patience, whiskey and practice but he did it.
"Alright, alright. Just stay low for all our sakes, okay." Price said, still sounding somewhat reluctant.
"You are coming with us, you know" Soap said, playfully nudging his friend with his shoulder before leaving him to go tell the others. Vodka, good music and food would make their night.
Kamarov would finally get rid of some of his excess energy, 45years too long.
"Don't push you luck mate" Price mumbled. Not like he minded hanging out with his comrades but social gatherings weren't exactly up his alley.
A day at the race tracks would have done him just fine. But during this time of war, a simple night at a dimly lit club would have to do until this was over. As long as he had his Villa Claras by his side…
Yuri left his room in search of Quantum after Soap told him about their plans for that night. He knocked on the door before entering. He was greeted by her huge, warm smile.
Quantum was sitting on her bed, sorting a bag of clothing Nikolai left for her that morning. Cargo pants and t-shirts was their attire for the entire African experience, now they had…well…more cargo pants and t-shirts. That surely beat running around in tighty whities.
"Did you get the memo?" he asked, smiling back at her before taking a seat on the edge of the bed.
"Yeah…." She sighed. "But I don't think I want to go… I just….I don't know if I should."
Yuri took her hand in his and stared at her. "Then don't. Just be you… Bree Collins" he said, smiling after saying he real name.
She loved it when he called her Bree, the time they spent together over the past few months consisted of long walks, 'counseling sessions' and plain old goofiness. Surprisingly it only brought them closer together.
What exactly were they? Best friends? Something more? Who knew..
Meanwhile, Soap was passing by the room, gnawing on a toothpick, possibly minding his own business when out of the corner of his eye, through the open door he could have sworn he saw Yuri holding Quantum's hands.
But..but it…It's not, dignified he thought in horror, fighting off the chills.
The prospect of those two being an item was indescribable.
"Um… no I can't" she said nervously, "I don't even have anything to wear, khakis and t-shirts don't exactly scream 'Bree'….Besides, Soap might recog-"
"Then do it for me." He said softly as he poked her in the side, "Or else I would stay here just to get on your nerves."
She flipped him the bird and rolled her eyes. Yuri could be a pest at times. Nikolai could definitely testify to that.
"Come on…" he pleaded. "It won't be as fun without you. Nikolai might sneak off with a lady friend, Kamarov might pass out cold at the sight of his second drink, Price would be too caught up with smoking cigars and petting his whiskers and Soap'll be busy running a drinking contest with Ranger. Remember the night of the bar-b-que?"
Quantum laughed and shook her head then looked at their black socked feet. Hers were pretty large for a female's. Yuri's were surprisingly neat for a man's.
He nudged her and gave her his best puppy dog eyes.
"Yuri…no.." she sighed, trying to not look at his pleading eyes.
"Okay, fine…" she gave in. Yuri stood up and left before she changed her mind. Any protests she had would roll off his back like water on a duck.
Quantum sucked in her breath as she stared at the door. Sure she could sneak out of the house without getting caught to go do some shopping and be back in time to give her reason for not going to the club that night.
This was the person with whom she shared her darkest secret ever. He was her friend, he helped her through her darkest hour and she at least owed him her company.
She stood up and got to work, Nikolai always left each of them a detailed map of the area in which they were staying at the time.
With only four hours till sundown, she set out. Determined to make great use of this time.
Price sat in the back yard in a lounge chair, cigar in hand. The sky was a bit bleak that day but the temperature was just right. Anything but the blazing African sun again.
He loved the fact that the house was in a semi secluded area. That way there were no prying eyes or nosy neighbors.
A houseful of just men is already highly suspicious.
In an effort to relax, he decided to try out this device Nikolai had given him. Something called a Blackberry?
In his time blackberries were meant to be eaten not to do…whatever this thing does.
Ranger, Nikolai, Kamarov, Yuri and Soap trumped out into the yard and started an extremely rowdy rugby match, completely shattering Price's orb of peace and solitude.
He looked on, his expression incredulous as the five men practically brutalized each other in an effort to get the ball.
Seemed like they had five teams and not two like normal folk. Then again, nothing about this group of soldiers was normal.
Friendly fire is not tolerated but apparently it is in this match.
Then he looked around. Where's Saunders?
Meanwhile, Quantum made her way into the city on foot. She was sure that no one had seen her leaving. At least she hoped so.
In the back of her mind, she knew that this night would be one to remember.
