Soap was waiting at the landing pad when Ghost touched down back at base. He smiled, taking Ghost's bag as he disembarked. "How are you?"

"Tired. Tell me about this lead."

"It's more of a... diversion. The Mexican Cartel has a new boss, El Sin Nombre. We've got intel they're helping Makarov smuggle weapons across Europe and America."

"Might as well relocate to Mexico at this point, two drug lords in five years?"

"The world's a shitty place."

"So what do we know about them?"

"Very little, not even a name. Whoever this person is, they're good at keeping their identity a secret." Soap clapped his back and handed over his bag as they entered the base. "Go settle in, meeting's in an hour. Dust off straight after so don't get too comfortable."

"Right."

"Oh, and tell Roach I said hi!" He called over his shoulder.

Ghost sighed and headed for his room. The place felt far too quiet after spending so much time around a large family. Normally, he liked the silence but it felt rather oppressive now.

It only took a few minutes for him to give in and call Gary. "Hey!" He answered brightly and Ghost relaxed at the sound of his voice. "I take it you're back at base?"

"Yeah, landed about ten minutes ago."

"How was the flight?"

"Boring. You know what carriers are like."

Gary hummed and his voice softened. "It's a shame you had to go so quickly. Soap couldn't have waited a few extra hours?"

"No. We're doing a briefing and then we're leaving."

"How bad is it?"

"Not sure yet I've not got much information."

"Dangerous?"

"When isn't it?"

"You'll be careful, right?"

Ghost had to laugh because the alternative was to worry both of them sick. "It's me, remember. I'll be just fine."

"I'll believe that when I see you again."

"As soon as the mission's done."

Someone was yelling over the line and Gary called back, "In a minute! Hey, I gotta go, Amber needs some help. Sorry I can't talk longer."

"It's fine. I'll send you a message later."

"Seriously Simon, don't do anything stupid. I know what you're like." Gary warned him lightly. "If I get a call from Soap instead of you I'll come find you just to kill you again."

"Noted." More yelling in the background and Gary sighed. "Better get going, love."

"Talk soon."

Ghost put his phone down as the call ended and sighed. He didn't realise it was possible to miss Gary more now than he did before joining him. But that was the price to pay to keep his job. As much as he loved Gary, he also knew how important their job was. If he had to take down another Mexican cartel before he could have sex with his boyfriend, so be it.

Price and Soap were already set up when Ghost joined them half an hour later, freshly showered and head back in the game. The desks had been pushed aside to accommodate the large table dominating the floor space, covered in papers and plans.

"Who's our contact?"

Soap handed him the portfolio of a Mexican. "Alejandro Vargas, a Colonel of the Mexican Special Forces. He'll meet us when we land."

"So we find El Sin Nombre, get the intel on the missiles and capture them?"

"Mission is seek and destroy." Price turned over a photo so Ghost could see it the right way up. "They're hidden in containers, could be anywhere. Working with the Mexican special forces, we should find El Sin Nombre quickly."

"Think they'll give up the missiles?"

Price shrugged. "Depends on whether or not they want to live."

"We might need your special talents." Soap said quietly. "We need to get these missiles back. If Makarov gets his hands on them it's bad news."

"Thanks for the heads up." Ghost threw down the papers with a sigh. "When do we leave?"

"Nikolai's already prepping the carrier." Price handed him a thick folder. "Read that on the way, should get you caught up to speed. You and Soap will be our boots on the ground. Have you packed?"

"Essentials are ready to go, just say the word."

Ghost had time to send Gary a quick message before they left.

Heading to Mexico. I'll try to stay out of trouble.

He hesitated before sending a second message, turning off his phone and hopping on the carrier.

Miss you already.

When they landed the following morning two men were waiting for them. Soap was first off and greeted him. "Alejandro!"

"Captain MacTavish."

"Call me Soap." They shook hands and he jerked a thumb at Ghost over his shoulder. "This is Ghost, our Lieutenant."

"Welcome to the city of souls." Alejandro lead them to a vehicle and patted the man next to him. "This is Rodolfo, my second in command. We're on our way to my base now."

As they got in, Price came on the comms. "We're going ahead to the base. Enjoy the sightseeing lads."

"Welcome to Los Almas." Rodolfo turned to grin at them before starting the SUV.

The city was crowded and colourful, a far cry from the English countryside Ghost had become accustomed to. Soap was looking too and shook his head in amazement. "Never been so glad to be out of the desert. Been a long time since I've been to Mexico."

"You speak Spanish?" Alejandro asked, glancing back at them through the rearview mirror.

"A little, Ghost here is fluent." Soap sat up straighter, hand going to his gun. "White truck, four armed in the back."

"Hey - Tranquilo, easy. That's normal here." Alejandro turned to lower the weapon and indicated the city. "Guns on the street is jurisdiction of the police."

"And where are the police?" Ghost asked.

"Well, Los Almas has a very serious problem. There are few here to uphold the law. And many of those who resist corruption... disappear."

Soap shared a look with Ghost. "What about the military?"

"Well, because we are well trained, soldiers are recruited by the narcos."

"Why not you?"

Alejandro shrugged, smiling at Rodolfo. "We grew up here. They call us Los Vaqueros." Alejandro looked at Ghost with a wry smile when he snorted. "You understand, si?"

"Sure do, cowboy."

"We love this place. And we will die fighting for it."

Ghost nodded and let the conversation drop off. Outside they could see more armed men interspersed amongst the citizens who carried on as if this was normal. Maybe it was here. Rodolfo came to a stop as the traffic slowed and outside they could see two bodies covered by white sheets, writing scribbled across the surface.

"What's on those sheets?" At that distance, Ghost couldn't make out the writing.

"Narcomantas..." Alejandro rolled down his window to get a better look.

"Cartel clothes," Rodolfo translated and Soap nodded.

"Messages from El Sin Nombre. Warnings, marking territory. Our streets are laced with death." He shook his head as they pulled away.

Seemed like a good enough way to talk about their mission. "Who's El Sin Nombre?"

"The nameless. The leader of the Las Almas cartel."

"And where can we find him?" Soap asked.

"You can't. No one knows who he is. But he is everywhere..." Outside they saw a mural dedicated to the man. "And this is a challenge. But Los Vaqueros likes challenges. With your mask, you will fit in well here, Ghost."

He snorted, rubbing his chin through the fabric. After months without it, he now felt uncomfortable. The feeling would soon pass. "I'm all about blending into my surroundings."

"Checkpoint." Rodolfo slowed down as Alejandro leaned forward. "It's the army."

"Turn right, we'll go around."

"Why?" Soap watched the checkpoint until it was out of sight. "Aren't they the good guys?"

"Some troops are in the pocket of El Sin Nombre. Like I told you, he is everywhere." Alejandro pointed across the city and they came to the top of a hill. "His Lieutenant has a villa across the river. Lucky for us, there's a party in a week and El Sin Nombre is rumoured to be present."

"Have you got invites?"

"No. We'll make our own." At the base, they were shown to their rooms where Price was already waiting. "I'll be back in a few hours to take you to the command room and go over the plan. Get some recon out there. Feel free to walk about, the men know who you are."

"VIP treatment, huh?" Soap asked Price when they were left alone. "What did you learn?"

"There's a party coming up. It's our best chance of identifying and capturing El Sin Nombre. They have a plan but getting you two into the villa is our best shot. They're well trained but not a scratch on us." Price nodded at Ghost. "You up for this? Straight off a long break without any warm-up."

"That's why we're the best of the best."

Price hummed, offering him a small smile. "You've got a week. Use it wisely."

Ghost spent most of that week training with the Los Vaqueros. It didn't take long for everything to fall back in place and he felt like Ghost again.

At night when the base was quiet, he would go up on the rooftop to get privacy and call Gary. He couldn't go into details about what was happening and spent most of the call listening to Gary describe his day. Ghost didn't mind though, he liked listening to him talk.

When the day finally came to head out, he sent Gary a quick message. He didn't know when they'd next talk or how long it would take to find El Sin Nombre. Hopefully not long.

Heading out now, can't talk for a while. I haven't forgotten my promise.

Speak soon, love.

The team assembled outside the villa which was lit up and filled with people, all associated with the cartel. "My sources tell me all the VIPs in Las Almas will be there tonight," Alejandro confirmed. "Some are invited, others are um..."

"Volun-told?" Price supplied.

"Yes."

"What's the meet about?"

"Us. Las Almas is burning because of the Los Vaqueros and they wanna know why."

"So El Sin Nombre will be there?" Ghost asked.

"No guarantees but this will be our best shot."

"Then we take it." Prince nodded at the helicopter waiting hidden in the valley. "We got enough manpower to take over this place. Shouldn't be a problem."

"Except we don't know who El Sin Nombre is." Ghost pointed out. "We can't go in guns blazing and risk killing him. Without him, we lose our only chance of finding the missiles."

"Then we need to meet him. Give them what they want... information."

Soap groaned as Price turned to look at him. "Why me, old man?"

"Unfamiliar face. Can't risk one of Alejandro's men being recognised. We'll provide overwatch whilst you get a positive ID on El Sin Nombre. Once we know who he is, get him outta there and to Nikolai. We'll cover you."

"I'll go too," Alejandro offered.

"They're going to want proof." Soap was already shrugging off his equipment and vest. He ripped off the 141 patch to shove it in his pocket. "Let's give them something to talk about."

"Good luck down there."

Soap grinned at him. "What, with you covering my back? I ain't worried."

Ghost shrugged and grabbed his rifle. "See you on the other side."

"Count on it."

He set up on a ridge overlooking the villa. From there he could practically see the entire building. "How's it looking Ghost?" Price asked over the comms.

"All set here."

"Seeing room for Nikolai to set down on the roof if needed."

"Copy. Two armed at the front door."

"Alejandro, how you doing?"

"Un Vaquero, inside."

"That was fast."

"Sometimes, violence is the answer."

"Visual on Soap." Ghost cut through them as Soap approached the doors, hands up in surrender. The guards shot at his feet in warning to make him stop. He was put on his knees and Ghost was ready in case things went south but after a moment one of the guards put a bag over his head, leading him inside. "They're taking him in."

"I'll find him," Alejandro said.

"Now we wait."

"Plenty to watch, Price. I see some private dancing on the second floor if that's your thing."

"Careful," He chuckled. "I'll tell Roach."

"You do that." Ghost smiled absently and readjusted his scope. "A lot of armed guards. You ready if Soap is compromised?"

"I got the south side on lockdown. How are you looking?"

"Just perfect." After what felt like forever but was only seventeen minutes, Ghost spotted Soap exiting an elevator. "Price, I got eyes on Soap. He doesn't look injured."

"That's a good start."

A guard frisked Soap, handing him a mask and knife. Presumably Alejandro. A moment later he was on the comms. "We're in."

"What've you got?"

"El Sin Nombre's in the penthouse," Soap told them. "Third floor."

"Elevator is a straight shot. We just need Diego's key card."

"Where's Diego?"

"The ofrenda. Second floor."

Ghost began searching, locating him a moment later. "Got him."

"You seeing anything, Ghost?" Soap asked.

"If you can scout a way to the roof, there's access to the penthouse."

"I'm heading upstairs either way." Soap split off from Alejandro.

"Soap, Diego is well protected. You won't be able to take that keycard without raising the alarm. We can go loud or do this quietly and take the rooftops. Your call."

"Roger." Soap made his way to the rooftops, careful not to alert the guards or trigger the alarms. Alejandro joined him and they both climbed down the elevator to the third floor. "Looking good so far. We're outside the meeting room. Let's put a face to the name."

"We don't have long," Ghost warned them. "Guards are moving fast, they know something's wrong."

Alejandro cursed. "They must've found the body."

"No fucking way." Soap chuckled darkly. "The Sicaria I met downstairs. Valeria- She's El Sin Nombre."

"Valeria? Are you sure, Hermano?"

"Yes."

"We have to move."

"Price, Ghost, did you get all that?"

"Copy," Price responded. "Grab her and let's get out of here. Nikolai is already prepped and will meet you on the roof. Ghost, you ready?"

"Ready."

"Let's take her alive."

Shots followed, the room lighting up but only the woman escaped onto the rooftops. Ghost and Price took down the guards moving up to help and Nikolai landed. Soap and Alejandro were quick to grab her and were on board in less than five minutes.

"Nikolai, we'll meet you back in the valley. Ghost, let's go!" He rejoined Price as they made their way down to the chopper. Soap grinned as he opened the door and helped them in. Alejandro had his gun trained on the woman, Valeria who was bound and gagged. "Good work lads. Let's get back to base and have a chat with our lovely friend here"

In the end, Ghost didn't need to persuade her to talk. She gave up the missiles willingly. "Terrorism is good for business. It's insurance. As long as there's a war on terror, there will be no real war on drugs. I don't know the targets, I'm just the courier. But I can tell you where the missiles are and then I want you to get the fuck out of Mexico."

Alejandro shrugged, looking at Price. "I'd take the deal. Now we know who she is, El Sin Sombre will fall just like the rest."

"Oh, just like Roba?" She asked him sarcastically. "You weren't the one to kill him, no?"

"I was," Ghost told her. "And if you're not careful, I'll do the same to you. All Alejandro had to do is say the word. You can't hide forever."

"Big words." She sat back but kept an eye on him. "You want the coordinates or not? I have a business to run."

Alejandro sighed as she was escorted off the base. "The justice system is corrupt. She'll walk free in a few days, guaranteed."

"We have the missiles." Price pointed on the map. "Let's destroy them."

Somehow Ghost ended up in the sewers with Soap, infiltrating the compound from below to cut off their escape. Soap laughed quietly when he gagged. "Oh come on, thought you'd be used to this after living on a farm for a few months."

"Give me a pigsty over this any day."

"You've gone soft."

Before Ghost could respond a door swung open and a man slammed into him. They fell to the floor and despite the searing pain across his stomach, Ghost managed to grab the knife and drive it into his neck. Soap dragged his body off and they checked the room to find it was clear.

"Well, you've still got good reflexes." Soap grinned and Ghost cursed, kicking a chair. "Did he get you?"

"Yeah," Ghost spat, lifting his shirt to find he was bleeding. "Wake him up so I can kill him again."

"Now, now. Plenty of bad guys to shoot when we get top side." Soap helped patch him up and they continued. "Keep an eye out for more doors."

Ghost cringed as he got back in the water, hoping the coverings would keep the wound dry. The last thing he wanted was to get an infection. Gary would kill him. So much for staying safe but at least he was still alive.

They got to the base without further incident and by the time they were topside, the Mexican Special Forces were already on site. It wasn't long until the resistance was cleaned up and the missiles found. With the hangar in flames, their job was done and it was time to head home.

Alejandro followed them out to Nikolai's carrier. "Thanks, amigos. Los Almas is a safer place for now and we don't forget our friends."

"Good hunting, Alejandro." Soap bumped fists with him and grinned. "Give us a call if Valeria gives you any trouble. I'm sure she'll be glad to see us again. Ghost likes to make good on his promises."

"No doubt. And if your task force is ever in the area don't forget to call." He waved farewell and stepped back as Nikolai took flight.

"How's that cut?" Soap asked as he sat down.

Ghost pulled up his shirt and in the daylight, the bloody and dirty bandage looked worse. "Needs a change. I'll get it fixed up properly back at base."

"Doc's still off."

"Wouldn't be the first time I've patched myself up."

Price shook his head, momentarily distracted from his paperwork. "Honestly, it amazes me you're still alive sometimes. I swear you're trying to get yourself killed."

"Not anymore." He shared a sly look with Soap and Ghost groaned. "Don't-"

"Got something worth living for now?" Soap asked innocently. "A certain... Sergeant perhaps?"

"Sounds like it," Price said gruffly, looking down again but he was smiling. "Our Lieutenant has gone soft, Soap. I hope Roach likes scars because that's gonna be a pretty one."

"Fuck off, the both of you." Ghost settled back as they laughed. As much as he hated their teasing, he was still glad they weren't going to reprimand him.

Once he was sure they were distracted, Ghost turned on his phone. There was one message waiting for him from Gary.

Be safe, Simon.

He was about to respond but hesitated. It would be better to call. Besides, he really wanted to hear Gary's voice. It was only a few hours until they touched down, he could wait until then. Getting comfortable, he leaned back and closed his eyes, falling asleep quickly.