Following the events of "Enemy of My Enemy":

"The One-Four-One is decimated," Soap whispered, his head bowed.

After a moment, Soap reached forward and closed Rook's eyes.

It was the first time that anyone had spoken since their narrow escape on the cargo plane. The plane momentarily shook from a sudden burst of wind.

Soap shook his head. "Shepherd murdered them all. Ghost. Roach. Archer. Rook. Toad. Scarecrow. And now, because of Shepherd, they will be remembered as traitors."

In the cockpit, Nikolai turned on the autopilot and joined them in the cargo bay.

"Those who died in the line of duty will be honored and remembered," Price said, placing a hand on Soap's shoulder. "I promise."

"Why?" Nikolai asked. "Why would Shepherd betray you now?"

"Shepherd lost a lot of good men to the nuke five years ago," Soap said, gazing at Rook's body. "He's always wanted another war. And now with the United States being invaded by the Russians, anything Shepherd wants to do will be authorized. No questions asked. A blank check."

Priced nodded gravely. "We have no power and no credibility. Officially, as a member of Task Force 141, I detonated a nuclear missile over allied territory. Shepherd will drive this war to its bloodiest end if it means that the United States will come out on top."

"And he will kill anyone who gets in his way," Nikolai added.

"Price," Soap said, standing up. "We have to stop Shepherd."

"The One-Four-One isn't dead yet," Price said, glancing at Nikolai. "We're still alive. Shepherd won't win. If we die, he's coming with us."

"Any help coming from old friends?" Nikolai asked.

"I can vouch for Mac and Foley being on our side," Price promised.

"But their communications are most likely being monitored," Soap argued. "We can't risk contacting them."

"How will you get into Hotel Bravo, then?" Nikolai asked. "You'd be going in blind. Shepherd would have changed decryption codes by now."

"There's no way we can listen in on their communications," Price agreed, throwing a Shadow Company headset to the ground.

"There's only one move we can make," Soap said quietly.

Price turned to him. "No," he said firmly.

"You've done it once today," Soap said. "The enemy of my enemy."

"Makarov won't help us twice," Price argued.

"Of course he will," Nikolai spat, standing beside Soap. "Shepherd is a threat to Makarov. If Makarov knows the codes, he will give us what we need."

"It's our only option," Soap insisted.

There was a moment of silence.

Something in the cockpit chimed.

Nikolai moved to investigate and emerged a few seconds later. "You'll want to hear this."

Nikolai hit a switch in the wall and the overhead speaker turned on.

"Captain Price," Makarov said. "Captain MacTavish is correct."

Soap clenched his fists.

Price remained still.

Makarov spoke again. "Did you think that I wouldn't bug my own plane?"

"I wouldn't put anything past you," Price answered.

"You know what we want," Soap said, looking at the speaker on the wall. "Give it to us."

There was a moment of silence before Makarov answered. "I see no disadvantage in helping you one last time. Your General Shepherd has been invaluable. He has added fire to the fuel that keeps the world in flames. However, he is no longer needed."

"You mean he's a threat," Price spat.

Makarov chuckled. "No more than you, Captain Price. Know that your time will also come."

Nikolai watched in silence as Price and Soap locked eyes.

Eventually, the older soldier nodded and looked away.

Soap looked at the speaker again. "Give us the decryption code."

"As you wish," Makarov said. He audibly sighed. "Tango-Zulu-Whiskey-One-One-Three-Nine-Four-Two-Seven-Six."

Nikolai wrote down the code and handed it to Price.

Price placed the note in his pocket and knelt over Rook's body. He placed a gentle hand on the dead man's brow and removed a small rectangular decryption device from Rook's vest.

Price examined the device for damage and found none. He flipped it over and traced his fingers over a small number pad that he would type the decryption code into, allowing them to listen in on Shadow Company's communications.

"Remember," Makarov continued. "Shepherd is going to die because he is in my way. Your death will come much sooner if you continue to walk the same path."

"You should remember that," Soap replied. He walked over the wall and turned off the speaker before looking at Price and Nikolai. "We're on our own, now."