Chapter 4:
They landed in the early morning a few miles south of the village. The forest was an ideal cover for their landing so no one would see them arriving. Meldal was a small, isolated village up in the mountains of Norway. It was so far removed from the rest of the country it made a perfect hiding place. The sun was just rising over the top of the mountains, spilling into the valley below and it cast their surroundings in a golden hue.
Before long the village lay below them.
Roach could see several farmers moving in the fields, already hard at work. He adjusted the scope of his sniper rifle to get a clearer view of the village itself. Barely any movement in and around the buildings.
"How's it looking?" Soap asked, crouching down next to him.
"Looks clear," Roach responded. "No movement in the village, just farmers in the fields. They probably won't notice us anyway." He was still surveying the village when he noticed a large stack of wooden crates outside a dilapidated church. Focusing his scope further he could see a logo on them. "Russian cargo by the church." He handed Soap the rifle so he could take a look.
"Can't be anything good. Better get down there and see what they're hiding."
Roach took back his rifle as Soap stood to order everyone into positions. Price has already moved ahead with a few men and we're waiting at the village border for instructions. "Price, we've got Russian cargo at the old church." Soap said down the radio and after a moment, Price's voice responded.
"Copy that. How do you want to handle this?"
"Quietly. We don't want to go waking up the whole village. Who knows how many men are here to guard this stuff."
"Right you are."
Roach watched as Price started moving up towards the church. Meat and Royce went around to his left whilst Ghost and Worm headed right. Although Roach was competent on the battlefield, he was also an accomplished marksman. That was why he and Soap were hunkered down on an overlooking ridge. Archer and Toad were across from them also providing sniper cover. If things went south, they had more than enough firepower to cover their team's retreat.
Soap had now set up next to him, looking through his scope at the village below. "How's it looking, Price?"
"All clear, not a guard in sight."
"Sounds like a trap."
"Definitely. You got eyes on?"
"Go for it." Soap nodded to Roach and he too followed Price's progress towards the church.
Price opened up one of the crates and looked inside. "Bloody hell, explosives."
"What do they need all this firepower for?" Soap murmured before cursing. "On your left!" Price dove for cover as the bullets started flying. "Roach, to the right!"
He turned to see several men running into the courtyard. They had Price surrounded. It didn't last long. With sniper coverage around the village and the rest of the team converging in on the square and killing the insurgents.
Roach shot one man straight dead in the head, the bullet barely missing Meat as it flew by him. "You're welcome!" Meat turned and gave him the finger before diving around the corner as more shots were fired.
"They're coming from the south! Soap, Roach have you got a clear shot?" Ghost was running across the square towards Price and ducked down next to him. "We can't let them get near these explosives. The whole village will go down!"
"We're on it. Archer, Toad, change positions to cover the south side. Roach, me and you are moving up." Soap was already on his feet and running downhill.
Roach was hot on his heels as he switched to his assault rifle, swinging the sniper onto his back. The group of insurgents were waiting a couple of streets away from the church but distracted as they were they never saw Soap and Roach coming. They were easy pickings.
By the time they reached the church, control was being reestablished. Several of the villagers were lying on the ground with their hands above their heads as Royce and Ozone watched over them. Price was checking the remaining crates and Ghost started walking towards them as they entered the square.
"Anything to report overwatch?" Soap asked the two remaining snipers still sat high above.
"Nothing."
"All clear."
"Good, keep an eye out." Soap looked up at Ghost. "Well, that couldn't have gone any worse. So much for a quick recon."
"Sunshine and rainbows, mate."
Roach hung back, starting towards Scarecrow who was watching the entrance to the square alone. "Need a hand?" He called and the man grinned, waving him over.
Within seconds, all hell broke loose. "Get down!" Ghost yelled and Roach was knocked to the ground as the sound of a calibre rifle echoed around the previously silent village. Dazed and confused, Roach tried to get up but found he was pinned down by Ghost.
"What..." Then he saw blood. "Ghost?!"
"I'm going to kill you!" Ghost yelled, struggling to sit up.
Soap suddenly appeared and grabbed Ghost's vest. "Help me get him to cover." Roach nodded and they both pulled him into the shadows of two converging streets. Finally getting a good look at Ghost, he could see the bullet had hit him in the shoulder.
"How stupid can you be?!" Ghost was still yelling and he grabbed Roach with his good arm. It surprised him how strong the other man was. "Walking around in the open like that!"
Soap broke them apart and shoved Ghost down. "Don't mind him," he told Roach with a grin. "He gets antsy when he's worried."
"Shut the fuck up, Soap!"
Soap ignored him. "Got any meds?" He asked Roach who shakily handed over his medkit.
Ghost had taken a bullet for him. Roach couldn't understand why or how he'd known. he couldn't exactly ask either because Ghost was still spitting insults, to no one in particular now.
"Press on the wound for a second."
Roach did and his eyes met Ghost's through his shades. "I'm sorry." He said quietly and he felt the other man relax under his hands.
"Are you hurt?" Ghost spoke even quieter than he had. It didn't look like Soap had noticed. Roach shook his head and Ghost sighed. "Well, I guess it was worth it then."
"Alright, I'm going to bind the wound now. It going to hurt like a mother fucker. Sorry Ghost, no pain meds." Roach moved aside to allow Soap to fix him up. Once he was done he sat back and addressed the rest of the team. "What happened?"
"We got him. A sniper set up in one of the barn's lofts. The team are checking the rest as we speak." Price replied. "The cargo is also being secured and Nikolai is en route to pick it up. How's everything on your end?"
"Ghost was hit, clean shot through the shoulder. Doc'll have to take a look when we get back but it doesn't look serious." Soap sighed and stood up. "I better go see about securing this cargo. Can I trust you not to murder Roach?"
"For now."
"Alright, stay here and I'll come back for you when it's time to go." Soap left and an awkward silence fell.
"Thank you." Roach finally said.
"You've already said that."
"I know, but I mean it. You probably saved my life."
"Don't go throwing it away then." Ghost sat up and hissed, hand moving to his injured shoulder. "Shame you didn't pack any meds."
"I'm sure someone's got some, want me to go find out?"
"No. Stay here with me." Ghost patted the empty spot next to him so Roach sat. "You know... I'm starting to lose count of how many scars I've got now. What about you?"
Roach smiled and pulled up his sleeve to show a scar where he'd been sliced with a knife during close quarter combat a few years ago. "Only the one."
"Lucky."
"What about you?"
"Like I said, too many to count." Ghost too pulled up his sleeve and Roach saw dozens of marks upon his skin.
"Maybe you should consider not taking bullets for everyone then."
"Don't put yourself in danger then."
"Touche." They sat in silence for a long time until finally, Roach built up the nerve to ask, "Why did you take the bullet for me?"
Ghost didn't answer at first, then finally he responded in a quiet voice. "Better me than you. If one of us has to die, I'd rather it be me."
The sound of two carriers coming in for landing saved Roach from responding. Which was a good thing because his throat had tightened with a sudden rush of affection for Ghost and his willingness to sacrifice himself to keep him safe. If he was honest, it scared him slightly, but not as much as it comforted him to know Ghost had his back.
"Come on." He said as the noise died down. Standing up he helped Ghost to his feet. "Let's get you back to the base and looked at properly."
"Lead the way."
