Chapter 7:
"Roach, I've got a special request for you." Soap handed him a piece of paper and sat down across from him at the cafeteria table.
"C'mon Captain, it's too early for this." Roach yawned. He had woken up about fifteen minutes previously and his brain wasn't functioning yet. Looking at the paper, it took a few minutes for him to understand the words. "A requisition form?"
"Yeah, the Rangers Delta Force have requested additional support for an upcoming mission. I want to put your name forward if you're up for it. I know you worked under Sandman before joining us. You also did basic training with Derek Westbrook, or Frost as you probably know him, one of their squad members." Soap raised an eyebrow. "I also have complete faith in your abilities to help them. So what do you say?"
"Sure." Roach was a little surprised but pleased.
"Alright, I'll let them know. Pack a bag Roach, you're going on holiday." Soap smiled, took the paper back and left.
Within moments his spot was taken by Royce. "So what did the Captain want?"
"I'm out on loan to the Rangers for a while. They requested special support."
"Aww man, Soap didn't put me or Meat forward? We got Ranger blood in our veins!" Royce shook his head in disappointment. "Why'd he choose you, British boy?"
"Because I've already worked with Sandman, their squad leader. I also did basic training with the Rangers, one of whom is in their squad too." Roach went back to his food which was starting to get cold. "But you could always ask Soap to transfer you back to the Rangers if you want."
"Ah on second thought..." Royce laughed. "I prefer the Task Force. Not that there's anything wrong with being a Ranger, I just find this place more homely, y'know?"
Roach nodded since his mouth was full. He did know. The Task Force was like a family to him too, he couldn't imagine going back to the SAS after all this time.
"Better start packing then."
"Let me finish my food then."
Royce left him to it and Roach was quick to finish. He would be leaving the base by the end of the day so he knew he didn't have long to get ready. Soap would want to brief him as well before he left. Just as he'd predicted, the briefing lasted well over two hours. Price and Ghost were there too so the entire command was present.
Delta Force had been tasked with finding and capturing a man named Viktor Khristenko, also known by the alias Volk. The explosives they had acquired in Norway had been tracked back to his business, Fregata Industries. He was Makarov's bomb-maker so taking him out of the picture would be a huge blow to the Russian. Any information the man had on Makarov was also valuable intel that would greatly aid their efforts.
"Sandman will give you more details on the assault, this is just an overview so you know what you're getting into." Soap explained. "Volk's hiding out in Paris so this mission has to be quiet. The last thing we want is a shootout in the middle of the streets, civilian deaths will cause all-out warfare and we are not in a position to contain that."
"Keep it quiet, got it," Roach responded.
"Alright, let's get you on the Helo and once you've landed in America, Sandman will give you the full rundown of what to expect."
It was outside on his way to the Helo that Ghost caught up with him. "Be careful yeah?"
"When am I not?"
"I know, but seriously, come back in one piece." Roach could hear the strain in Ghost's voice and stopped, turning to look at him. "You're not allowed to die, Lieutenant's orders."
"Yes sir." He mock saluted. Getting no laugh in response told him Ghost wasn't amused.
An idea came to him and crouching down, Roach rummaged through his bag for a moment before pulling out a charm. It was a small, cartoon roach. His mother had made it for him shortly after he'd gotten the callsign as a good luck charm. It was battered and starting to fade now after years of use, but it still worked as far as he was concerned.
"Here." He held it out to Ghost who took it, staring down at the charm in his hand. "It's a good luck charm. As long as you have this, you'll know I'm fine."
"Roach..." He closed his hand around it and he sighed. "I won't let it out of my sight."
"Good."
"Roach, it's time to go!" Price was calling.
Ghost sighed and nodded towards the Helo. "See you in a few weeks."
"Count on it."
...
Three weeks later and Delta Force was ready to go. They entered Paris via the airport and as civillians to arouse the least suspicion possible. A French GIGN was meeting up with them the next day as part of the join operation to take down Volk. Only a small task force had been deployed, Sandman, Frost and a man named Grinch, along with Roach himself.
Roach had never been to Paris before and the motel they were staying in had an amazing view of the city with the Eiffel tower in the distance. He couldn't help but think of Ghost, how different this would have been if it was him here with him, instead of Delta Force.
"Get some sleep Roach, tomorrow's going to be a long day." Sandman called.
With a sigh, he went inside.
It was an early start the next morning, dawn was only just appearing on the horizon. The streets were empty as they made their way to the rendevouz where Sabre, the GIGN squad leader, was waiting for them. There was a man waiting in the designated courtyard who appraoched them as they entered.
"Sandman?" He asked in a thick, french accent.
"That's me." Sandman stepped forward and shook the man's hand.
"This way." He lead them down an alleyway towards a plaza. "This is the enterence to the catacombs. We've receieved good intel that Volk is heading his operation down here."
"Out of view from the public. Nice spot." Sandman commented as Sabre opens a manhole in the ground. "Alright team, let's get down there."
It was unsurprisingly dark in the tunnels. Although they were yet to get weapons, they were all carrying flashlights and Roach turned his on. several rats scurried away from the light.
Grinch landed next to him and made a noise of disgust. "I hate rats."
"Don't look down then." Roach joked.
Sandman and Frost joined them, with Sabre at the rear. "We need to minimise our signature. One light source only."
Roach handed his flashlight to Sabre as he took the lead. "Follow me, stay close." They proceeded deeper into the sewers. At a water way, they pasued as Sabre checked left and right before proceeding. "All clear, move up."
Roach jumped as a loud splash echoed down the tunnel, breaking the sielnce. "Fuck!" Frost whispered angrily and he realised the man had stepped in the water.
"Nice." Roach chuckled.
"Keep it quiet back there." Sandman warned them and they fell silent.
Evetually they reached a door marked with Danger in peeling letters. Grinch took out a crowbar and forced it open.
"Bienvenue." Sabre muttered. They enetered the cavern and Sabre flicked a switch.
The flickering lights were blinding after the almost total darkness and it took Roach's eyes a few moments to adjust. When they did he could see Sabre opening crates to reveal weapons, mainly guns.
"Take your pick." He said.
Walking forward, Roach picked up an MP5 and a P99 along with ammo for both, uncluding a couple of grenades and flashabngs. He didnt like the idea of using grenades in such close quarters, especially because the tunnels could cave in but he'd rather have them then not. He also picked up a new flashlight since he'd given his to Sabre.
"Stay sharp." Sandman said after everyone geared up and was ready to move.
Through the next door the tunnels started to narrow significantly and they had to move single file to progress. "We're approaching the suspected location of the HVI. 100 meters."
They had moved away form the sewers now and the walls had becomed lined with the skulls and skeletons of hundreds of people. Roach shuddered as one was thrown into sharp relief with the flashlight. He wasn't easily scared, but this place was giving him the creeps and he couldn't wait to get above ground again.
"How many bodies do you think are buried down here?" Grinch asked quietly.
"Don't know." Sandman responded. "But let's make sure we don't join them."
Out of nowhere, a man appeared and slammed a gate down on Sabre, the sound deafening them in the enclosed space. The flashlight spun away into the water and everything went dark.
"Lights on!" Sandman yelled. Several lights blazed into life just as Sabre pushed the gate away and more Russians flooded into the other end of the hallway and a firefight ensued. "Let's go!"
"Flashbang!" Grinch yelled and Roach ducked down as it went off. The Russian's weren't so lucky and easy pickings for it.
As they ran into the next room, Volk could be seen running away.
"Overlord! We have a positive ID on the HVI. In hot pursuit."
"Roger Sandman. Remember we need Volk captured alive. He holds actionable intel on Makarov."
Once the room was clear Roach saw it lead to a ladder up some metal stairs. Volk was making for the surface. They chased after him but weren't fast enough. The man was already diving into a grey car which sped away.
"Volk's getting in the grey sedan!" Grinch yelled.
"Get in the blue van, move!" Sandman yelled back, breaking the glass of the drivers window and yanking the door open.
"I'll cover you!" Sabre took up position above them and started suppressing the enemies now covering the sadan's escape.
The van roared into life and Frost pulled open the side door, allowing Roach and Grinch to dive in. Sandman took off and they tore after Volk, cutting through the Russian ranks with ease.
"So much for quiet!" Roach yelled and Frost grinned.
"No civillian causalties so far!"
"Let's keep it that way." Grinch pulled the door shut and the three of them held on as Sandman turned a corner sharply.
"Roach, get up here and take out the Sedan's tires!"
Roach climbed into the front to find the windshield was already cracked and splintering. With a sharp kick, it shattered and he had a clear view of the grey car ahead. He started firing at the vehicles tires and finally he hit one, causing it to spin around and crash into an empty shop.
"Secure the area!" Sandman ordered.
Jumping out the passenger door, Roach heard the van's back doors open as Frost and Grinch joined him. They had travelled away from the Russian reinforcements so Volk had no backup currently but that wouldn't last so they had to move fast.
Sandman yanked open the car door and dragged the man out through the shattered windshield. "C'mere asshole. This is Delta, Volk secure. Arent you?"
"Bring him in for interrogation. We'll extract any intel he has on Makarov." Overlord responded.
"Sandman we've gotta move before those reinforcements arrive!" Grinch warned.
"Roger that. Let's move out back to headquarters. The GIGN will be happy to see their new friend here."
"We'll even be back in time for a beer." Frost said happily, clapping Roach's shoulder.
He grinned back. "Let's get out of here."
