Hello my dearies! I will reply to your reviews at the end of the chapter. Without any further ado, I present the next chapter! Read away :)
0400 hours
Prague, Czech Republic
The peaceful night forced everyone to forget the blood that had been shed in the past few days in Prague. Roach wiped his sweaty forehead and looked at Ghost. He was resting his eyes with his weapon on his lap. He heaved a sigh and looked out the balcony door. They were situated on the seventh floor of an apartment block viewing the south side of the hotel. His heart felt heavy and his stomach felt like being squeezed by an invisible hand. It looked like Ghost sensed his uneasiness and woke up with a start.
"Ok?" he yawned.
Roach looked at Ghost and shrugged. "I guess I'm fine."
"What's wrong?"
"My life is shit mate," mumbled Roach.
"Everybody's life is like that at the moment bug."
"I need a good shag right now," said Roach trying to find a comfortable position.
Ghost frowned. "It's not like you to talk like that."
"I'm sick of running after Lainey," he complained. "I'm being nice to her and she shoves me away. It's driving me mental!"
"Roach, you're used to one night stands and flings."
"That's the thing! I'm willing to be committed and she plain ignores me."
"She's young and probably inexperienced. Give her a chance," said Ghost.
"I don't know if I'm willing to do that anymore…"
Williams, Red and Collins were standing at attention in what looked like a conference room. This particular section of Fort West was not affected by the war unlike the majority of the administration building. Gilson was seated behind a polished wooden elongated table surrounded by his colleagues. The Board had common features amongst them regardless of their gender. They had stuck up noses, narrowed eyes and a feel of smugness causing their jaw to clench and their chest to puff out. However, the focus seems to fall on the man in the middle every time.
"Do you know why you are here Lieutenant?" asked Gilson.
He wore a pair of reading glasses and rested them on the tip of his nose as he read from a file.
"No, sir."
Collins tried to keep a straight face as she balanced on the crutches. The pain killers were wearing off and her leg started thumping with pain again.
"I think we're here so that you can thank us properly in preventing another nuclear disaster," said Red with a hint of arrogance in her voice.
The Board shifted in their seats and rested their angry gaze upon her. Williams gave her a sideway glance and then looked straight ahead again.
"Oh yes, the one where you have worked with Task Force 141, right?" said Gilson, coolly.
Williams felt a lump in her throat and knew that this was not going to end well.
"They are disavowed due to treason, aren't they?" said Ms Casa, on the far end of the table.
Red scowled. She was furious with herself for not anticipating this.
"That is one of the reasons why you were summoned," continued Gilson.
He couldn't wipe the smirk off his face. He wasn't going to play the 141 card but the Russian went straight into the beast's mouth.
"The other reason is that you lost two operatives under your command," he continued. "Apart from the fact that your ex-Captain has destroyed the Elite Task Force."
"She didn't destroy anything sir," blurted out Collins.
The Board looked at her and she blushed but she held her head high, not ashamed of what she had said.
"Captain Malloy led the Elite Task Force for three years where other Special Forces groups composed of only women have failed," said Williams, supporting her friend.
"That is not the purpose of this summoning," said Gilson, heating up. "Lieutenant Williams, we have trusted you with the ETF in hopes of avoiding further failures and embarrassments."
"I did what you asked."
"No, you did not," argued Ms Casa, flipping her dyed, black hair. "Malloy had the objective of bringing in Task Force 141 and now it is clear that you have been working with them all along."
"We are sorry but you are no longer operatives of the Elite Task Force."
Williams, Collins and Red felt crushed. Still, they held their heads up high.
Williams asked them who will replace them and they were informed about Captain Thompson. She scoffed and argued that they were trained by Special Forces including Delta and the Green Berets while Thompson and her team had no background at all. Gilson dismissed her argument and claimed Captain Thompson will carry on leading the Elite Task Force with honour, loyalty and commitment towards the country.
"You will be returned to your respective branches and assigned new roles," continued Gilson.
"What about Sergeant Petrov?"
"Sergeant First Class Petrov will be returned to her homeland effective immediately."
"In case you haven't noticed sir, there is a war out there and this country's enemy is my homeland," scowled Red. "They know that I have worked with the Americans and I will be executed."
Gilson tried to look sympathetic but he failed miserably. Williams was not going to have any of this. Her blood was boiling with fury. She felt used and battered. She realised that it was probably the Board who had tarnished Malloy's and their reputation and spattered false information to the press.
"What about my sister, Colonel Tamara Williams, sir?" asked Williams with forced calmness.
"The search has been called off Lieutenant," he replied. "I am sorry but we cannot afford to waste resources on someone who is probably KIA."
Waste?
"You know what? Don't bother," continued Williams. "I resign."
"Me too. Bye," said Collins and scuffled towards the door.
The disavowed ETF head out into the bright sun and stopped for a moment to savour their surroundings. They had sweated, cried, laughed and encouraged each other on these very grounds. Those were simpler times.
They just threw away their careers in a second. Williams did not have in mind that the others will follow her. I hope that she knew what they were doing.
"I am sorry about your sister ma'am," said Collins.
"Thank you Lainey. However, deep down, I knew that it was all in vain."
"I assume you have a plan for quitting and getting a dishonourable discharge for what we just did," said Red.
"Actually, I do," said Williams arranging her cover. "Let's hope that Price and the others get Makarov. If they do, then we won't have to do anything at all."
"And if they don't?"
"Then we continue our fight."
She reached in her inner pocket and took out dog tags attached to a chain with the name 'Mackenzie June Allen' imprinted on them.
"If you'll excuse me, I need to deliver these to Mac's family."
0700 hours
Prague, Czech Republic
MacTavish and Yuri were glancing outside the hole from the church tower awaiting Makarov's arrival. The cool, night breeze was exchanged by the glowing, rising sun which painted everything in red. MacTavish took a few deep breaths as his heart start to beat hard. This was their only chance. They must not fail.
"Which vehicle will he be in?" asked MacTavish peering into his scope.
"They constantly rotate for security," said Yuri. "We won't know until he steps out."
"Alpha One, radio check, over," said Price.
"Bravo One, copy. We're dug in with line of sight."
"Charlie One, copy," said Ghost. "Been in position for the whole bloody night."
"Right. Kamarov's our eyes and ears inside the hotel. Once he gives us the nod, we'll kick this off. What do you see?" said Price.
"Bugger-all, mate," replied MacTavish sounding resigned. "Looks like Makarov's late for his own funeral."
"Over here is clear as well," said Ghost.
"Sit tight until we can get a clean shot. Then you can put as many rounds on him as you like."
"It'll only take one," MacTavish said eagerly.
Yuri and MacTavish checked that their RSASS were in a good, working condition and checked their magazines. Satisfied with their full mag, they inserted it into the sniper rifle and pulled back the operating rod to feed a round into the chamber.
A few minutes have passed and they heard a low rumble echo in the air. Roach tapped on Ghost's shoulder and they peered through the scope.
"Alpha and Bravo, we got eyes on Makarov's convoy, over," said Roach.
"Aye, I see it," said MacTavish. "Four armoured vehicles. No visual on Makarov yet."
The four black SUVs stopped in front of the hotel. Not much could be seen inside but a man had caught MacTavish's and Yuri's eyes. It was definitely him. Vladimir Makarov.
"Do you see him?" asked Price.
"Aye, the bastard's in the third vehicle," said MacTavish, clenching his jaw.
"Is he looking at us?" said Yuri, puzzled.
"Shite, I think he is…"
"Easy, sit tight lads," said Price.
"Alpha One, should we switch positions?" asked Ghost.
"Negative Charlie. We need your support in case things go south."
"Roger."
Louise Parker was standing over her unconscious sister while waiting for her father to go grab a cup of coffee. Louise shuddered as she gazed at Lisa; her face and arms were all bruised and cuts covered every inch of her skin. Half of her body was bandaged and multiple wires came out from under her hospital gown.
She had been with her husband David in the United Kingdom after her daughter Marilyn had been born. Her husband was originally from Manchester but they decided to move to the United States due to David's work opportunity. As soon as her father called her and informed her about the situation, she had rushed to the hospital and had been near her sister for a few days. Her father did not elaborate on the situation and she did not ask. She learnt years ago not to meddle in affairs that weren't her concern. Yet, she couldn't hold back. She had an unsettling feeling about what was going on.
She gasped as she saw Lisa's eyes stir. She mumbled something and her eyes opened slowly, fixing her gaze upon her.
"Lisa! Can you hear me?"
Louise started to panic as she remembered her father's words. He had informed her that every time Lisa woke up in a hospital, she always thought that she was in an enemy hospital. Which made her think, how many times did her sister have had close shaves with death? She took a few deep breaths. Maybe her father was just pulling her leg. She felt silly for believing him.
She started mumbling incoherent words and looked groggy. She looked around her for a moment to get her bearings.
"Where am I?" murmured Lisa.
"Lisa, darling, you're at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham."
"England? Wasn't I in Russia?"
Was she? Louise had no idea.
"What were you doing in Russia?"
Lisa smiled and something sparkled in her eyes.
"That's need-to-know, sis. I am not that dizzy. You look freaked out."
"Daddy told me about your adventures when you wake up in the hospitals."
"Dad's here?"
She nodded and went to sit on the bed. Lisa asked her what was going on in the world and Louise explained what she had learnt from the news but she wasn't satisfied and she understood why. Lisa wanted to know what was going on under the sugar-coated issues called the 'news'. Louise continued to explain that her family had moved to the UK to avoid the war.
Lisa looked around her and took in the surroundings. In spite of being in a private room, Lisa assumed they were in the Critical Care Unit (CCU) due to her sustained injuries. The room was shared with another bed but it wasn't occupied. Hospitals were all very similar to each other; they had the usual white or pale-coloured walls with floors to match. The bed covers were white and army green but she wasn't there to admire the colours or the lack-of. Opposite, she could see the nurse station through a large window which was covered in blinds.
The door opened and General Malloy entered with a steaming cup of coffee. His eyes opened wide as he saw his daughter awake.
"I'll call the doctor," he said hurriedly.
"Later perhaps," interrupted Lisa, removing her oxygen mask to talk properly. "Right now we need to talk."
"About what?" he asked, perplexed.
"You abandoned me! You told me that I was fired and you left me alone!"
"Is it true Dad?" asked Louise concerned.
"This does not concern you," said General Malloy. "What was I supposed to do?"
"I was plastered all over the news, my reputation and career ruined. You know what I got for preventing another nuclear disaster? A dishonourable discharge!"
"What is going on?" said Louise, desperate to get some answers.
"Go with your family sis," implored Lisa. "Thank you for being here with me."
"Get well darling. I will visit soon. Marilyn is waiting to meet her Aunt."
"I will meet my niece, you can count on that," she winked at her.
At last they were left alone. An ugly silence fell between them. Father and daughter found themselves in an uncomfortable situation.
"I couldn't do anything," he started.
"You're a four-star general," spat Malloy. "The Board is doing more damage than the actual war and you are standing there doing nothing!"
"You think I haven't tried removing the Board from their current position?! I have spoken with quite powerful contacts but the Board has deep roots within the Armed Forces. They have taken over the ETF and there is nothing we can do at the moment."
Lisa sunk her head in the pillow and let out a sigh, her heart monitor beating irregularly.
"I can't stay here Dad. I need to get out there."
"That is out of the question! You nearly died!" he said flaring up. "Anyway, you have at least a month of rehab to regain your strength."
"I'll find a way."
"Please, don't."
"How are the others?"
"I am not sure. Lisa, concentrate on resting, I beg of you."
"I can't. They're out there risking their life and I'm here resting," she uttered.
"Are you sure that you're not just worried about one of them?" he asked.
Lisa looked down, embarrassed of what she had just said. Tears fogged her vision but she looked away not wanting her father to see her in this pitiful state.
"Captain MacTavish will be fine," he reassured her. "I am sure of it."
Everything was going fine until Kamarov was not responding to Price's calls. Assuming that he forgot to switch it on, they decided to go on with the plan not wanting to risk losing the only chance they had to neutralise Makarov.
Yuri followed Price rappelling down the hotel tower through the sniper scope. While he rappelled down, Yuri and MacTavish eliminated the Tangos standing on the balcony right under Price. He landed on the balcony and breached the room revealing more hostiles inside. With ease, they eliminated the remaining hostiles and Price observed the room. There was a ding and the elevators door opened revealing a man tied to a chair with C4 strapped on him.
"Price, who's that?" asked MacTavish.
"It's Kamarov."
"Price, I'm sorry," murmured Kamarov.
"Captain Price," said a voice in his ear, "Ad zhdet tebya." (Hell awaits you)
He didn't have the time to analyse the situation as he heard a beeping noise.
"Price! Get out of there!" roared MacTavish.
He didn't have to tell him twice. Price jumped out of the way just in time as Kamarov blew up along with the elevator leaving half the conference room destroyed and lying in rubble.
"Yuri, my friend. You never should have come here."
"Seems like your old friend still remembers you," growled MacTavish.
All of a sudden the same beeping noise that echoed in the conference room across the street, sounded in the church tower. Realising what it was, MacTavish shoved Yuri out of the tower falling hard into the construction boards and the tower exploded.
Yuri hit the ground hard and moaned as he felt his shoulder and side on fire. The remains of the tower and the church bell fell a few feet away from them. Everything was in a haze but he managed to make out Price's figure shoving the debris off of MacTavish's body.
"Soap! Look at me, you're alright," he panicked. "Yuri, get up! We need to move! Charlie One, get your arse over here, Soap is injured!"
"We're on our way."
Yuri rushed towards MacTavish and heaved him on his shoulders ignoring the pain in his body. In the distance, he saw Ghost and Roach covering each other's back while firing their weapons. They had to move fast because they were being surrounded swiftly by the enemy.
"Yuri, move!" ordered Price.
Price, Ghost and Roach surrounded Yuri as they moved through the streets of Prague. MacTavish was groaning and blood seeped from his stomach through Yuri's gear. They were being overwhelmed with hostiles.
"Price…" muttered MacTavish.
"You'll be fine mate, just hang on!" yelled Ghost.
Suddenly, the sound of blades cutting through the air echoed around them.
"Enemy bird! Get off the road!"
"Price, I'm fine," mumbled MacTavish. "Just patch me up… get me back in this."
"Roach, carry Soap," ordered Price. "Yuri, cover them."
"Roger," replied Yuri.
"On it."
Bullets were raining around them and fragments of rock covered them in white from head to toe. MacTavish was getting paler by the minute. Ghost hoped that Price had a plan or else there won't be any MacTavish anymore.
They continued moving up, rushing through buildings, shops and winding streets to get the enemy off their back. A trail of blood was left behind them making Roach anxious. They needed to set the Captain down and patch him up otherwise he was going to bleed to death.
"Price, just leave me here," said MacTavish. "They'll keep coming…"
"No! I'm getting you out of this! We're nearly there. Cover us!"
Hostiles were approaching fast to their position. Their pouches were starting to feel light and they were going to be out of ammo soon. If they weren't going to find backup, all of them would be dead.
Ghost turned around and saw unidentified soldiers. He brought Price to attention about the situation.
"It's the Resistance! Hold them back!" roared Price and turned to Roach. "We need to move Soap! Get him inside! Let's go!"
Roach rushed inside the building with a dazed MacTavish on his shoulders. Ghost switched the empty mag and inserted a new one. He always taped two magazines together for swiftness in cases like these. One of the Loyalists tapped Ghost's shoulder and gave him thumbs up. Beads of sweat were rolling down his face soaked up by the mask. He arranged his mask and went after Price inside the building.
"Clear the table!"
Yuri slid the contents of the table on the floor and helped Roach with MacTavish.
"I'm sorry…" he mumbled.
"Don't worry mate, we'll get you out of here," said Roach.
Blood started dripping from the table to the floor. Ghost ran towards Price.
"I hope you have a plan."
"Price…" said MacTavish.
"Hang in there! You'll be fine! Get a doctor!"
He was shivering and his lips were turning purple. His eyes started drooping and felt like a hand was squeezing his stomach. He felt lightheaded, weak and his arms and legs felt numb.
Ghost removed MacTavish's gear and pulled up his t-shirt to assess the situation. Yuri constantly slapped his face to keep him awake but he was not succeeding.
"Price, you need to move," said the leader of the Resistance.
"I won't move until I know that Soap is going to be fine. Where's the bloody doctor?!"
Unexpectedly, the back door smashed open and soldiers wearing black gear rushed into the room. They reached for the weapon and pointed it at them while Price got out his M1911. The soldier on the front raised his hand and lowered his weapon which looked like it was an MP5. He ordered his teammates to stand down and secure the room and walked towards Price.
"Umbra, start working on Captain MacTavish" he ordered.
"On it sir," replied the female operative.
The operative called "Umbra" hurried near MacTavish and started pressing it with a clean cloth she got from her medical pouch to prevent any more blood loss. She asked Yuri to help her as she stitched up the wound.
"Captain Price?" continued the man.
"Who the hell are you?"
"I'll tell you later. Comms may not be secure."
Price grabbed his arm to prevent him to walk away.
"You will tell me now," he snarled.
The operative sighed and grabbed the mask and pulled it under his chin to talk more clearly revealing thin lips and strong jaw. His upper face was hidden behind protective glasses and a black helmet.
"Codename's Dusk. We make part of the Special Activities Division."
"CIA?" asked Ghost.
"Yes, Lieutenant. I'm team leader of Alpha squad."
"The same team Malloy-" started Roach.
"Yes, Sergeant. The same team Shadow made part of."
The conversation was interrupted as a flash of light blinded them and the windows shattering. Instinctively, the fell to the ground and waited a few seconds before getting up again. The Loyalists started yelling to secure the building and hold the enemy off.
"Now can we please get the hell out of here?" grumbled Dusk.
"What do you propose?" said Price.
"We got an evac helo ready for Soap and another one for transportation. Follow my team and do as I say. Switch your comms to one-two-four."
"You heard the lad," said Price.
"Gloom, help Umbra secure Soap back to the helo," he yelled to another operative.
"Where are we going?" asked Ghost.
"Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham."
missmayhem05: let's hope they'll survive the war :P Hopefully, you won't need to kill me. Well, I hope MacTavish gets to the hospital in time :P Good luck for college! Too much work :( but writing is like a de-stresser (I've just made up that word :P) the only problem is I don't have time to "de-stress". I hope you had a wonderful birthday! :D xxx
4starfox: I hope I have satisfied your curiosity :)
TfDelta: I think Williams and Ghost will wait for the war to end before getting married and don't worry, everyone's invited :P You were close; however, it wasn't the ETF to bail them out :)
SJ648: I've been receiving a lot of death threats lately :P I hope that bad things won't happen ;) Thank you for your patience btw :)
Frostdire: You're right about Makarov. That bastard is smart. Plans everything carefully and will eliminate anyone who tries to get in his way. Roach is getting a bit frustrated too :/ Poor bug... Don't worry about the long reviews, I love reading them ;)
Zacharti: TF 141 were saved just in time. Let's hope that Alpha squad's intervention wasn't for nothing. Thank you :)
Jlyman: There were tears when I played the game. Meh... Here we have the opportunity to tweak the story a bit ;) Thanks for the review :)
Guest: Will he realise that he loves Malloy? Or maybe he'll realise that he loved her all along... we'll see what happens :) I'm watching my back. I don't want to be hunted by Price! Definitely not! Thank you for the kind review :3
Cyclops210: The wait is over :D I hope you have enjoyed reading the chapter :)
Guests: Update is here ;) Thank you for your patience :)
I'll try to update asap. If you're enjoying it so far, follow the story. If you really love it, then favourite! :) Thank you for your support, until next time xxx