Roach was feeling some tenseness from Ghost. The Lieutenant hadn't said a word the entire way back, instead he had toyed idly with his ACR or simply just stared at the floor. Normally Roach would try to speak to his friend in an effort to cheer him up, but everyone in the chopper was deathly quiet. Probably still in shock of Price unexpectedly launching a nuclear missile and not yet explaining why he did it. Roach knew the old Captain had a reason for doing it, the man wasn't stupid, but it was just so…unexpected.
When the chopper finally landed, Ghost was the first one out. As soon as he stepped out of the bird he came face to face with Soap.
"Where's Price?" Soap asked, gazing over his Lieutenant's shoulder.
"Right here Soap." Price responded as he stepped off the chopper and stood beside Ghost.
Soap gazed at Ghost for a moment. Even though he wore the mask and sunglasses, Soap could tell Ghost was pissed to the core.
"I just spoke with Shepherd. He's far from happy with what you did. The nuke destroyed the International Space Station but did provide an EMP that was crucial in keeping Washington DC in American control. I'm assuming that's what you were expecting." Soap said.
"Call it bittersweet, but it got the job done." Price answered.
"It got your job done. We weren't even supposed to be at the sub base were we?" Ghost said angrily.
Both Captains turned their attention to him.
"Ghost…" Soap said softly, it was a cross of a warning and a plea.
"Let him talk Soap," Price said before turning his attention back to Ghost, "the war needed to end, and I did what was necessary."
"It's not about that," Ghost said, "It's the fact that you lied to us. You lied to Soap, to me, to the entire 141. How can you expect us to trust a leader who doesn't trust us enough to inform us of our mission? It would be nice to know exactly why we're risking our lives."
Price seemed to study Ghost for a moment.
"It's hard doing this line of work after being betrayed isn't it?" He asked suddenly.
Ghost was silent for a moment, caught off guard by the words. He wasn't sure how to respond. Ghost glanced at Soap, who seemed just as surprised.
"I don't know what you're talking about…" Ghost said as he looked back at Price.
"I may be getting old, but I'm not dense mate," Price said, "You're still young, too young to have experienced the things you have experienced. I've noticed the scar on your face, that was no accident. Someone put that there."
Ghost gazed down at the ground.
"And you don't look like the type that would allow your arse to be kicked. No, you were tortured weren't you? And you got in that position by putting your trust in the wrong person," Price continued, "I know what happened with your family. A lot of people do, it was a popular story when it happened, especially when you set fire to the apartment and faked your own death Riley."
"Riley's dead," Ghost said suddenly as he raised his head, "And I'm not talking about this with you."
Price paused at the anger in the Lieutenant's voice.
"My point is, I don't be blame you for being angry. I probably would be to if I was in your position. And I truly wouldn't expect you to trust me, cause you've obviously been through a lot and I'm not going to say I won't do something like this again."
"Even if you did it wouldn't change anything." Ghost said.
"Ghost, that's enough." Soap said softly, stepping between them.
Ghost was Soap's best friend, but he couldn't allow his Lieutenant to disrespect the old Captain. Soap agreed with Ghost, Price could have gone about everything a different way, but for now, the angry Lieutenant needed to calm himself. Soap grasped Ghost's shoulder and pulled him away from Price.
"Listen mate," Soap said as they walked, "why don't you grab a bite to eat and rest up. I understand you're angry, but Price was my Captain once and I know him well enough to not question his motives."
"I hope you don't expect me to do the same." Ghost said.
Soap shook his head.
"No. But I can't have you challenging him like that."
Ghost sighed.
"I'm sorry Soap. It's just…" Ghost said trailing off.
"It's hard, I know," Soap finished, "I understand that. But tomorrow we take out Makarov and finish this once and for all, so I want you focused. We're almost done."
Ghost didn't reply as he felt the familiar feeling of anxiety eat at his insides.
"Had anymore nightmares?" Soap asked as they came to a halt.
Ghost shrugged his shoulders.
"Not really, they've slowly been fading. Haven't had anything big happen since we questioned Rojas."
"Good." Soap said relieved.
Ghost smiled.
"I told you I'd be fine. It's all in my head, there's only been one that's…bothered me a bit."
"What happened?" Soap asked.
Ghost was about to tell Soap about the dream with Vernon when he paused. Vernon had warned Ghost of a traitor, and because of the recent argument about trust with Price, Ghost felt that telling his Captain about this may not be the best thing to do. Soap would probably get angry, thinking that Ghost would be intending that Price is the traitor.
"I dreamed about someone I used to know warning me that something bad was going to happen. And it's been eating at me since."
"It was just a dream." Soap said.
"I know, it was just…I don't know, strange."
"I wouldn't think anything of it, you don't need added stress. Go get rested and I'll see you at dinner."
Ghost nodded in response and watched as Soap headed back to Price who was chatting with a couple of 141 members. Ghost sighed and turned away when he spotted Chemo walking Archer to the medical tent.
Archer winced as the bandages were removed from his arm to reveal the deep bloody bite marks.
"Has he had a rabies vaccine yet?" The doctor asked as he injected something to kill the pain.
"Yea." Chemo answered.
Archer gritted his teeth as Doc poured warm water over the wound to wash the blood away, then dabbed it dry with a towel. His arm finally went numb as Doc started stitching the grisly wound shut.
"Think you could have a picked a fight with a bigger bloody dog?"
Archer looked up to see Ghost stepping inside and smiled at the Lieutenant.
"I needed a challenge." He replied.
Ghost chuckled and seated himself next Archer, watching as the doctor skillfully ran the needle in and out of his friend's flesh.
"Once I'm done with this I need to check your side if you don't mind." Doc said without looking at Ghost.
"No I don't mind," Ghost said as he removed his mask, "I'm ready for these stitches to come out anyway."
"Ever figure out why Price shot off that nuclear missile?" Archer asked.
Ghost turned his blue eyes to Archer and sighed.
"He timed it to detonate in the upper atmosphere as an EMP. Because of it, Washington is safe."
"Well that's nice and everything but weren't we sent to destroy it?"
"We weren't sent there at all," Ghost said, "Price lied to us."
Archer's eyes widened.
"Why would he do that?" he asked softly.
Ghost shook his head.
"I don't know. I'll just be glad when all of this is over. We go after Makarov tomorrow." He answered.
"Finally," Archer sighed as he turned and watched the doctor continue to stitch him up.
"Terrified of dogs aren't you?" Ghost asked.
Archer nodded.
"I was chased and nearly attacked by a rabid one when I was little. Most horrific experience of my life and I'll never forget it."
Ghost simply nodded in response.
"Any fears of your own?" Archer asked.
"Spiders. I hate those bloody things. Don't tell any of the others though, I'd never hear the end of it." Ghost smirked.
"Alright, you're done." Doc said suddenly, "I'm putting you antibiotics to prevent infection, and you need to clean it regularly."
"Sure thing Doc." Archer answered.
"Your turn Lieutenant."
Ghost slipped off his gear, jacket, and shirt. The second degree burns on his side had healed quickly but had left nasty burn scars in their place. The skin around the stitches had returned to its natural color.
"Oh yea, these are ready to come out." The doctor said as he slowly began cutting the stitches.
Archer had noticed another large scar on Ghost's left side and identical one on the left side of Ghost's back, as if something large had pierced his body straight through. There was another scar on Ghost's right side as well, and Archer recognized it as a bullet wound. He wanted to know the stories behind these battle wounds but most of all, he wanted to know the story behind the long scar down the side of Ghost's face and neck. It didn't take long for the stitches to come out. After redressing himself, Ghost and Archer thanked the doctor and left.
"I'm gonna hit the showers up and grab some food," Ghost said, "I suggest you do the same. Get some rest, and take care of that arm."
Archer smiled.
"Yes sir." He said.
Ghost returned the smile and gave his friend's back a pat before walking off. As Ghost walked he imagined the shower he was about to take. It was going to be the longest hottest shower he had ever had in his life and he couldn't wait.
"Ghost!"
Ghost turned to see Roach coming towards him. He greeted his friend with a small smile as he walked up.
"Shepherd is on the line for the briefing." Roach said.
Ghost rolled his eyes.
"Alright," he sighed, "let's go."
Soap and Price turned when Ghost and Roach entered.
"This won't take but a minute and then I'll let you two get some rest." Soap said before pressing a button on his laptop, "General Shepherd, we're all present."
"It's been a tough week, gentlemen," Shepherd's voice said from the speakers, "We've lost more than we ever dreamed. But we will recover. I've got a blank check. And we're gonna use every cent of it killin' Makarov. Despite what the world may say, we are not savages, we don't kill civilians. We use precision. There's an evil man hiding in these shadows and we're gonna bring him into the light. Once his face is revealed, we will write history, gentlemen."
Two locations appeared on the screen. One in the Caucasus Mountains, the other in Afghanastan.
"These are the last safe havens left on Earth for Makarov and his men." Soap said.
"Sounds like we gotta be in two places at once." Price observed.
"Impossible?" Shepherd asked.
"Not for the 141." Soap replied.
"Fifty-fifty chance to take out Makarov, eh?" Ghost said as he crossed his arms and observed the two locations, "Tavish, request permission to take the safehouse with Roach."
Soap nodded.
"Soap and I will take the boneyard in Afghanistan." Price said.
"Very well. We will cut off all avenues of escape. This ends tomorrow."
With that, the feed was cut and Soap turned to Roach and Ghost.
"Alright, the two of you are free to go. I'll see you both at dinner. And Ghost, DO NOT flick food in my eye this time." Soap said.
Ghost smiled.
"Don't start anything and I won't."Ghost replied before stepping outside.
"I'm gonna take such a long shower," Roach said as he and Ghost made their way towards the barracks.
"I hear ya mate. Then I'm gonna stuff my face full of food." Ghost said.
Roach smiled, then sighed as he gazed out across the camp.
"What's wrong?" Ghost asked as he noticed Roach's expression change.
"I don't know. I'm just…worried about tomorrow I guess."
"What are you worried about?"
"Just the fact that this is it, you know? Murphy's Law is eating at my head."
Ghost smirked.
"I feel the same way mate. But there's nothing we can do other than have each other's back and hope for the best."
"I'm glad I'm going with you and not Captain Price," Roach said, "I mean he's an alright guy, he just…I don't know, kind of creeps me out."
Ghost laughed.
"And the one that wears the skull mask all the time and hallucinates doesn't creep you out?"
Roach rolled his eyes.
"You know what I mean. I know you…and not him, he's just…I don't know, shut up."
Ghost smiled and shook his head.
Once he had showered and shared a meal with his comrades, Ghost curled up into his blankets and sighed as he slowly shut his eyes. He was exhausted, and the lack of sleep had finally caught up with him. What pissed him off was that he had to be up pretty early. Why couldn't he just sleep in one day? Once Makarov was dead, and all of this warefare was over, Ghost wasn't going to leave his bed for a week. But soon, Ghost's thoughts became nothing as he slipped into a much needed sleep.