Chapter 17:
"We got him." Ghost sighed as Soap dropped a large folder in front of him. He carefully pushed it away to pick up his coffee. "Chekhov. He's hiding out along the Georgian-Russian Border up in the Caucasus mountains."
"Are you sure? I mean, we've been chasing this guy for six months now. Every lead has been a dead end. How can you be certain?" Ghost was tired of running around the world chasing this man. "Soap, morale's low enough without another ghost chase. Pun not intended."
"Nikolai is certain. One of his informant's got word a banker was at this safe house, it has to be Chekhov."
"Last time we acted on Nikolai's information, Rook was killed and Roach injured." Ghost wasn't about to forget that. It could have been Roach lying dead on that street too. "We can't risk another trip."
"He's sure. I trust Nikolai and I think it's worth checking out." Soap opened the folder to show him satellite footage of a house in the mountains. "There's a lot of traffic in and out of this place. SAM's on-site too. Even if Chekhov's not there I'm willing to bet something important is."
"So when do we leave?"
"Next week."
...
The cold air was invigorating and helped clear Ghost's mind as they landed a few miles West of the safehouse. His team was approaching from the West whilst Soap came from the East. Archer and Toad were providing sniper cover higher up as the teams made their advance.
"Strike team go. Engage Chekhov on sight."
"Roger that."
"Solid copy."
As they moved into the woods, Ghost glanced at Roach who was to his left about a hundred yards away. The man was frowning in concentration but looked up at him and smiled. Ghost was rewarded for his momentary distraction by stepping on something that clicked loudly.
Mines.
"Ambush!" Ghost yelled as the bouncing betty's spun into life around them. The world was consumed by explosions and dust and he dove to the ground. Then more explosions started, too powerful to be mines. Smoke popped in the tree line and he could see Ghillied soldiers in the woods. "They've got this are presighted for mortar fire! Counterattack into the smoke!"
Someone ran past him but there was no telling who. For a moment he was consumed with fear for Roach. No, he couldnt get distracted. Roach was fine, they had to move closer to the house to avoid the mortar fire. Getting to his feet, Ghost ran into the smoke screen. He couldn't tell friend from enemy and could only hope the people he shot weren't his teammates. It was choas, he was still deaf from the explosions and it took all his focus to keep pushing forward.
Finally Ghost crested the hill to see the house in front of him.
"We've got two trucks leaving the target buillding." Archer informed him over the comms.
"Dont let those trucks get away!"
"Roger, firing Javelin. Danger close!" The trucks exploded on impact. "Moving vehicles have been neutralised. Be advised, we have not spooted Chekhov and no one else has left the house. The trucks may have been decoys, over."
"Move up and secure the house!" Scarecrow appeared at his side, dirt stained and panting. Ghost pulled him up and pointed at the building. "We're advancing on the house now, clear the perimeter! Breach and clear the safe house!"
More vehicles pulled up outside the house and infantry began running out of the house. Once they were dealt with Ghost stood against one side of the door and to his relief, Roach ran over to place a breaching charge on it.
"All good?"
"Been better not going to lie. Ready?" Roach held up the detanator. Ghost nodded and braced himself as the door exploded inwards and they cleared the room. "Office clear. Ozone, make sure no one leaves through the kitchen."
"Roger that."
"Scarecrow, give me a sitrep."
"No one's leaving though the front of the basement."
"Roach, go upstairs and check any locked rooms on the top floor. Once that's done, check the basement."
"Roger."
Roach ran upstairs and Ghost looked around at the desktop crammed with computers and what looked like a small server farm. It only took a few moments to discover that the place was a gold mine of information. Soap was right, even if Chekhov wasn't here it had been worth the trip.
"Soap, come in. This place is a gold mine of information. We've got enough intel to make an operations playbook. Names, contacts, places, everything. Makarov will have nowhere to run."
"Copy that, collect everything you can and get out. We're locking down the extraction now to the South. Any sign of Chekhov?"
"Not yet, we're still checking bodies over here."
"Let me know."
"Will do."
Roach reappeared, slinging his rifle onto his back. "The house is clear, no sign of Chekhov."
"Alright, Scarecrow start taking pictures. Roach, get on this computer and start the transfer. I'll cover the front." Ghost set up to cover Roach as he started the download. "Ozone, you're on rear security. We keep them out until the transfer's complete then head for extraction in the South."
Explosions started up again in the distance.
Toad come on the comms. "Be advised, you have a large concentration of hostiles moving in from the Southeast, they've just breached the perimeter. We'll try to thin them out before they get too close."
"Roger that, everyone cover the field to the Southeast. Roach, how's that download?"
"Seventy-eight percent."
"I have eyes on additional hostile forces moving in on your postion. They're approaching from the solar panels east of the house." Archer informed them.
"Roger, I'll try to cut them off as they come through the trees." Scarecrow said as he moved to cover their flank.
"Now owuld be a good time to get the hell out of here Roach!"
"It needs another minute!" A bullet hit the wall between them. Ghost turned around and began firing at the incoming forces at the front door. "It's done!" Roach grabbed his arm and pulled him towards the kitchen. "Let's go!"
"Fall back to the extration zone! Scarecrow, Ozone let's move!" The two men regrouped on them and headed for the extraction. Archer and Toad joined them halfway down the valley. "Soap, we're incoming and taking heavy fire!"
"We've got you covered. ETA's in five minutes, get here fast."
Seeing Soap and the others was a relief. He waved them through and they returned fire at the hostile forces. Ghost crouched down next to Soap, glancing over his shoulder to see Roach taking cover. "How long?"
"Two minutes."
"It better be or we'll all dead." Ghost ducked as bullets flew over their heads. "Chekhov wasn't there but I'll be damned if there isn't something in this intel."
"Let's live long enough to look at it then."
When their carrier arrived everyone was quick to board. Takeoff was rough but they managed to escape. In the silence that followed, Roach sat down next to Ghost and handed him the DSM. Ghost frowned at the blood on his cheek and reached out to touch it.
"It isn't mine." Roach said reassuringly. "One of them got too close, the blood spray hit me."
"Good. Well maybe not the blood but I'm glad you're in one piece."
"Me too." Roach's smile softened slightly but he said nothing more. "So what now?"
"We find Chekhov."
"And then Makarov?"
"Exactly."
