Chapter 18

"Golpéalo y te golpearé peor," Nicolette said as she held a firm grip on Alejandro's forearm. She squeezed on it for good measure as she gave a firm look at the man that was her brother.

Soap was surprised at the strength Nicolette had. He had seen her get tossed like nothing when Ghost sparred with her. Here, she stopped Alejandro's punch from connecting and it was coming full throttle at him. While he couldn't fully see her face because she had her hoodie on, he could tell that she meant business.

Alejandro realized what he was doing even when Rodolfo told him that they were friendlies, but the voice he heard was Nicolette's. He looked at them, "Soap? Rudy, Ghost!" When his gaze hit Nicolette, he pulled her into a one-armed hug, "Angelita!"

"Didn't think we'd leave you?" Soap gave a grin, relieved that Alejandro realized it was them.

"What the fuck took you so long, pendejos?"

"Long story, hermano," Nicolette replied as she handed a pistol to Alejandro in addition to the rifle Rodolfo gave him.

"Place is crawling with Shadows. There'll be hell ahead," Ghost warned as he covered the door.

Alejandro locked and loaded. "Then let's fight fire with fire." He looked at Nicolette and grinned when she gave a knowing smile. He hadn't failed to notice she was wearing a hoodie very similar to the one she wore a long time ago.

"There's more Vaqueros in the cells upstairs," Rodolfo confirmed.

"Time to get 'em out," Soap said.

"Órale. On you Rodolfo."

They moved out to head to the upper cells. Nicolette had walked out like when she would go in, lay sabotage and then walk out like nothing happened. She checked the rifle she was carrying, making sure it was locked and loaded. She would hand the sniper rifle to a Vaquero.

"You seen Graves?"

"No, but I plan to pay that cabrón a special visit."

Nicolette was listening to Soap and Alejandro talk and couldn't help but mutter, "And I have something that I need to give back to him."

When they got to the next floor, Nicolette dropped her bag on the ground. It was a good thing she did since Alejandro called out that there were riot shields. Ghost was screaming about grenades. She rolled her eyes and removed her rifle and left it on the ground. She grabbed two grenades. Pulling the pins, she slipped past Alejandro and Soap who were returning fire and rolled them underneath the advancing Shadows.

The explosion disoriented them, and they didn't see what was coming. Nicolette followed the grenades after giving them a head start and went for the closest Shadow still standing. She went up and behind and stabbed him in the throat. It was followed by her using her hands and fists to take down the Shadows. Occasionally, she pulled out her pistol and shot in the vulnerable places since they were wearing armor. One Shadow grabbed her arm, and she countered by twisting her body and with momentum kicked another Shadow and wrapped her legs around her captive one's neck and brought him down, breaking his neck in the process. She finished the remaining one off with a pistol shot.

"You've been holding out on us?"

Nicolette looked at Ghost and shrugged, "You're too slow." She looked around and said, "We're clear."

Ghost could have said more, but he didn't have anything beyond venting his spleen at her. Now was not the time nor the place for it. Truth was, he wasn't upset except for the part that they could have hit her, but rather wondering why she never exhibited this level of skill in previous missions. It was like there was something about this one that was different from all the rest.

"Los Vaqueros are locked in these cells," Alejandro said as they came to the cell block.

Rodolfo and Alejandro shouted to let the Vaqueros know they were there to get them out while Nicolette grabbed her gear bag and the rifle she left behind. She grabbed them and brought them over as Soap released them from their cells, telling the Vaqueros in Spanish, "Arm yourselves brothers." She passed off her rifle to Mendoza as Alejandro gave his orders.

Soap happened to notice that she gave her rifle away and walked up to her and asked, "Why aren't ya carrying, love?"

Nicolette looked at him and pointed at her pistol. "I am carrying." It was meant to be lighthearted, but she could tell that he wasn't going to be in the mood for it. She explained, "I need to be able to move." She chewed her lip as she tried to explain, "This is different from before. I know what I'm doing, and I have done this before. Please, trust me?"

"Kind of hard to since you've never done anything like what I just saw," Soap replied. He shifted on his feet and a thought came to him and he asked, "Is this related to what you told me?"

Nicolette swallowed and replied, "Let me show you what we did that had me leave. Please… John."

It was the first time ever she used his name proper, and Soap was struck with the seriousness of her request. She was essentially showing him what was difficult for her to put into words about her time in Las Almas. It was his chance to get to know that part of her. He was worried since they would be in a firefight, but the past few days had shown him that she had good instincts about her, and she would never leave him, Ghost, or the Vaqueros in a lurch. He nodded and said, "Alright, but I hope you realize Ghost will have something to say."

"He's been trying to ask me the same questions you have. I am answering them." She gave him a serious looked and a nod as she adjusted her hoodie.

Soap had little choice. Bullying her would do no good and it would end in a huge fight later. If Ghost took to yelling at her like he did when they had their falling out… He sighed and nodded. He stepped closer and said, "Be careful. I do want to see you again."

"Same to you. I kind of like you." Nicolette smiled at him.

It was time to move. Some of the men were saying that nothing could stop the Vaqueros. One even said, "El unico que puede matar a Alejandro es Alejandro y la Muerte es su aliada."

Alejandro heard it and knew that the men realized what his Angelita was doing by wearing her hoodie like she did. It weighed a bit heavy on his heart, but he had seen that she was not going the same route as before. Rodolfo had mentioned it when they had a moment to talk and did it in low voices. Leading the way, Alejandro pointed out, "This was the mess hall."

"Let's make a mess then," Soap said as they jumped down.

"Órale."

Nicolette landed quietly and moved through the shadows to take cover. She only had a pistol, but she could get up close and personal as needed. She had to move quick to be in position. She was lucky when the lights came on and Rodolfo said the Shadows knew they were there. It was confirmed when they started firing, some with heavy armor.

Leaving the ones front and center for the men to deal with, she flanked the Shadows and used what she had packed from Alejandro's safehouse. She rolled grenades out, so they didn't hear them clank and they were taken out. She spotted two and radioed Soap, "Could use a cocktail. Your eleven."

Serving a hot one for ya.

It worked and the two Shadows were forced out of their cover from the burning flames of the hot liquid on them. Nicolette took the opportunity to finish them off with a shot to the head. "I do love en flambe."

Thought you'd like that.

Nicolette chuckled and focused on making her sweep. She looked above and said, "Ghost, catwalk. Twelve o'clock high."

The thump confirmed that the target was down followed by Ghost gruffly thanking her. Nicolette knew she was on his better side with that. She looked towards the kitchen and saw a few Shadows there taking cover. She asked Alejandro in Spanish, "Hermano, is the gas still flowing in the pipes in the kitchen?"

Sí, why?

"I'm thinking of cooking tonight," she replied as she made her move to inch closer. Ghost said her deadliest talent was making people forget her. Part of that was because she learned how to creep through and not make sudden movements, but also give the impression that she was not worth bothering about. She wasn't firing a gun, and you couldn't see anything on her or her.

Don't do anything stupid, Ryan.

"Don't worry, Ghost. You'll have plenty of targets once I get through."

Making her way to the kitchen, she looked for the gas line to the stove. She had managed to flank the Shadows and was right behind the ones hiding, waiting for her team to advance. She saw the shut off value and the line and gave a twisted grin as she fished out a lighter. She wasn't a smoker, but a friend said she should have a means of setting a fire. She turned the gas off and then pulled the line free. When she was ready, she gave a shrill whistle.

The reaction was as expected and the Shadows in hiding turned. Nicolette looked at them as she turned the valve to let the gas flow. At the same time, she lit the lighter and closed her eyes as she held the flame to the gas flow. It was risky, but it worked as the flames shot out towards the Shadows, coating them, and forcing them from their hiding spot and into the line of fire. Nicolette shut off the gas and moved so the team could take them out.

Fucking hell, Angelita. How did you know?

"Just doing what Ghost likes best about me. Making myself invisible," Nicolette replied as she waited until she didn't hear gunfire before coming out from where she had hidden. She moved to regroup with the others by the door.

Risky. But effective.

The door was padlocked. Ghost used his bolt cutters to cut it, gaining the approval of Alejandro. Alejandro took the lead and led them down the stairwell out of the cell block to link up with the Vaqueros. Rodolfo filled Alejandro in about Ghost rigging vehicles to explode. They came across some supplies to restock. Nicolette took the opportunity to hand Soap and Ghost the extra mags she had been carrying for their guns and stocked up for her Sig Sauer.

"Well stocked pantry, right, Ryan?" Soap grinned at her.

"Bet your ass, Soap," she replied as she locked and loaded. "There will be serious resistance getting out."

"Right," Ghost said. He didn't like saying but he had to, "If you see an opportunity, do what you do best Ryan. It's your deadliest talent."

"Copy that, Ghost," Nicolette replied. She failed to notice that soot from the gas blow she caused had settled on her face, giving her an almost ghostly look. She grinned at the man and seemed pleased that he was taken aback by it. She checked her pistol and made sure it was locked and loaded.

"Vamos," Rodolfo said, "We'll have to cross the yard to get everyone out."

Nicolette followed behind Soap and took her chance to hit the wall opposite of him and behind cover. She took the chance and pulled out her tablet. Alejandro was calling out positions while she tapped into what she needed. She grinned and muttered, "Let's make it a little harder to find us." As soon as she tapped what she needed, the lights went out.

Nice work, Ryan.

Nicolette said nothing and moved forward. She got in front of a Shadow that had placed a heavy weapon ready to fire. She pulled out her knife and popped up and gave a quick slice across the throat before popping back down. She shifted to peer out the side, "Sniper on the roof."

Soap took out the sniper and moved up. A Shadow pulled up in one of the trucks Ghost had planted the charge in. He detonated it, "Ka-freakin-boom, baby."

Good effect. Let's move up.

Nicolette removed the clip from her gun to check how much she had. She had other mags in her pack, but she wanted to be sure of how many she had before reloading. Satisfied, she was ready to move up with the others.

"Got any more tricks up your sleeve, hermana?"

Nicolette glanced at Alejandro and gave a slight grin. "Plenty. Just some you might not like," she replied. "Es la hora," she added softly.

Alejandro nodded as they pressed forward. There was heavy technical set up near another truck rigged for explosion. Nicolette pulled Alejandro to cover while Soap detonated the explosive. She couldn't resist and teased the man, "English, MacTavish."

Soap groused at that but focused on the fire coming from the building. The Shadows were determined to stop them from leaving. They managed to clear the area and Alejandro asked, "Rodolfo, where to?"

Cut through the building. Left side.

Nicolette stuck behind Soap as they moved towards the building. She broke for cover when the heavily armored Shadow appeared. She pulled out her pistol and fired along with Soap. She took careful aim with her shots. Eventually, the Shadow went down.

"These Shadows are crazy."

Mercenaries, Johnny. Bloody wannabes.

"Not completely true, Ghost," Nicolette said as she ejected the empty mag and slipped another in. "I have at least three mercenaries on retainer. Former military. Like I said, few I am a fan of."

And I have a bloody fucking spy. Appears quiet. Take anything we can use to stay in the fight, Johnny.

"Always leaving me out," Nicolette said with a sigh as she found a few useful grenades and another knife.

Only because I know you'll find something.

Nicolette chuckled as she found wire and tucked it in. "So, you do like me."

I like you when you're not a pain in my ass.

"I'll get an OP up top and cover by fire," Alejandro said as she stocked up. "Rest of you, wait for my signal." He looked at Nicolette as she pulled something out that he wasn't sure what she was going to find use for. He wasn't sure if he wanted to find out.

Everyone moved to the courtyard. Nicolette moved out behind the cinder bricks in front of Ghost and Soap to get a lay of the field. She grinned since the Shadows still hadn't figured out how to turn on the lights, so that was an added advantage. She heard the first shots ring out and frowned and looked around.

They're in cover. Draw them out.

Nicolette nodded and then pulled out the grenades she had stored. Knew these would come in handy. "Alejandro, anyone, call out where they are." She shifted to be ready to throw.

Your one o'clock. Three degrees up.

Nicolette waited and threw. The explosion was followed by a few screams. "Good call, Lt."

I'm surprised you know degrees.

Nicolette chuckled. She shifted ready to throw the next one. She followed directions from whoever called it. Sometimes she was off, but the explosion forced the Shadows to be exposed for the others to take them out. They managed to clear out the courtyard with a couple of close calls. Soap was particularly grateful when Nicolette knifed a Shadow that was almost upon him and thanked her, "Thanks, love."

"Always," she replied, reminding him of their earlier conversation.

"More will be posted near the cell block entry. Stay alert," Alejandro warned as they pushed forward once more.

"Here," Nicolette handed Soap some extra grenades. "Never know."

"You have me there," Soap replied as he accepted them. He had no idea how much she was able to pack on her tiny frame. She had proven time and again she could do it. It was a mystery as to the how.

The sound of the helicopter had them pause. It was searching for them. Nicolete cussed under her breath, "Fuck."

"Please tell me you have something tucked away in your pack, Ryan," Soap said as he took cover. He reloaded his gun. He looked at her. "Anything, even your hacking skills."

"I've got nothing," Nicolette said, "And I'm not familiar with hacking a heli." She changed out her mag for a new one.

We'll need more than this to take it out.

All stations, this is Bravo 6. Get down.

Nicolette blinked for a moment before taking cover. She heard the explosion and checked. She grinned and muttered to herself, "I knew it fucking went through."

It's Price!

"Hell, fucking yeah!"

All Bravo and Vaqueros. Top o' the wall. Gt here and I'll get you out. How copy?

Loud and clear Prive. Coming to ya.

Nicolette nodded and took a breath. She checked her corners and made to move with the men. She knew Alejandro wanted to know who it was and said, "He's a friend."

"Like him already, Angelita. Vaqueros, get to the wall. Between the towers now!"

It was a sprint to the wall. Nicolette made it and made to cover fire. She turned when she heard Ghost say loud enough for only her to hear, "Looks like you did have one last trick up your sleeve, Ryan."

Nicolette opened her mouth slightly and thought about what she was going to say. She then said, "I did what I had to do."

Be advised. Ropes deployed. Find 'em and climb.

"We're clear for now but Shadows are on the way. Count on it," Ghost said. He gestured for Nicolette to hang on. "I know you handed off almost everything except your knives, pistol, and that piece of shit hardware. Come on."

Nicolette gave Ghost a dirty look for calling her tablet a piece of shit and wrapped her arms around his neck and hooked her legs around his. She took the chance to tell him, "Don't get full of yourself, asshole. I could climb without an ascender."

"And that's time wasted."

"Liar," she said and pinched his shoulder for good measure. She hopped ff the moment Gaz gave Ghost a hand. She looked at Gaz and said, "Don't say the fuck anything Rook."

Gaz held his hands up in surrender, "No worries, Ryan. Glad to see you're good."

Nicolette relented and gave a smile and patted Gaz' shoulder. "Glad you kept yourself out of trouble. You'll have to tell me what it was like hanging upside down from a heli." She grinned at the look he gave her and explained, "David can't resist telling a story that sounds so outrageous that it must be true."

Gaz shook his head and sighed. He gave a slight smile, "He did save my life. He's a good friend." He gave a fist bump to Nicolette.

"How'd you know?"

Gaz turned towards Soap and answered, "Laswell."

"Wasn't all Laswell." Price gestured at Nicolette, "Ryan here managed to send intel around the same time Shepherd went dark. Sent us in." He looked at her and said, "Nice job, Moppet."

"I know software," she replied with a shrug, feeling a little embarrassed that Price called her by his nickname for her. She cleared her throat. "Always plan for contingency."

"Laswell, still solid as a rock," Ghost nodded.

At that moment Alejandro roped up. Soap made the introductions, "Colonel Vargas, meet Captain Price and Sergeant Garrick."

Alejandro nodded, "Thanks for the assist. My men need cover fire."

"Gaz, Soap, Ghost… overwatch, now. Ryan, be ready if they breach." Price glanced at Nicolette. "Do what you need to do."

"Copy that," Nicolette said and checked her pistol before holstering it. She walked towards the tower Soap was taking overwatch next to and made ready. She pulled out a scout scope just in case to surveil.

The Shadows weren't long in coming and another firefight was on. Nicolette scoured and called out targets when she spotted them. "Soap, vehicle on the right. It's one of ours. Do it."

Vehicle destroyed. Rudy, send your men up the rope!

Nicolette heard the clang and lowered the scope. She was ready for the first Shadow by pulling out her kukri blade. Using it she pushed away the gun and gave an elbow to the man's face. She followed through with a killing swipe of the blade. It put her in position to throw it at the second Shadow. At the same time, she ran forward making an eerie wail that was bone chilling. The second Shadow was down from the blade in his shoulder, and she finished him off with her pistol. She spotted grenade launcher and grabbed it. She tossed it to Soap, "Soap, use this."

"Steamin' Jesus," Soap commented as he took the weapon.

Soap used the launcher to provide support and took out snipers on the roof. Nicolette kept his back covered from the tower. He provided cover until the last of the Vaqueros were over. Price shouted, "Down the wall. WE ARE LEAVING!"

Nicolette and Soap sprinted towards the rope just as Ghost told Soap to get on the rope. Nicolette went first and slide down quickly and cleared to let Soap down. Once Price was down, he told everyone where to go. Alejandro got into one vehicle and told Price to follow. Gaz got in the driver's seat as everyone else jumped in.

Once inside, Ghost said, "Shepherd burned us."

"He sent Graves and his Shadows to take Ryan and kill us and round up Los Vaqueros," Soap added.

Price looked at Nicolette who was sitting next to Soap. She had her head lowered and a hand to her temple like she was in serious thought. He heard the implication in Soap's voice about what might have happened to her and no doubt the reality was hitting hard. He said, "We know why."

"Laswell did a bit of digging with help from Ryan's intel," Gaz added.

"What did she find?"

"The truth."