01st November 2022, Las Almas, Mexico
"What you've got?" The Lieutenants voice abruptly rumbled through my ears like a shot wheezing through the air. Crossing my arms defensively, I rubbed the shiver off my arms.
"The nameless is on the third floor…" I whispered into my mask, yet before I could elaborate what our plan was, Alejandro chimed in.
"Elevator is a straight shot. We just need Diego's Keycard."
"Where's Diego?" Ghost inquired.
"Presumably second floor. On the ride back up from the basement, floors one through three were selected." I disclosed while I shifted my weight from one leg to the other. Catching sight of a masked individual rounding the corner, I proceeded to hold one hand into the air, feinting tremendous interest in my fingers and the state my nails were in.
Peeking past my digits, I watched the man step up to a nearby pillar and pull a small rectangular box out of his pocket. A moment later, the faint glow of a lighter illuminated his covered face as he popped a cigarette between his lips. Tearing my gaze from him, I pushed myself off the wall and casually strolled towards one of the many sun loungers.
Sinking into the soft cushions, I lifted my gaze to freely roam the building to my right, when I spotted a small balcony protruding out of the wall. Examining it thoroughly, I noted the unmistakable closeness between the chiselled railing and the concrete fence surrounding the whole premise.
A fatal flaw.
A clear opening for me, I smiled wickedly under my mask.
"Lt., you see anything I don't?" I proceeded to ask, after I had made sure I was alone again.
"Lt.? Stop steal'n my words!" Soap unexpectedly chirped in.
"I ain't stealin', just borrowing! There's a difference!" I shot back.
There was no feedback, only a chuckle that left a warm sensation spreading over my clothed cheeks.
"Ascii, if you can scout a way to the roof, there's access to the penthouse." Ghosts voice silenced whatever it was that transmitted between the Sergeant and me.
Direct access? That's gotta be heavily guarded…
"How many on the roof?" I asked.
"Three."
Thought so.
"Cuidado, hermana. (Careful, sister.) Guards find you up there- or anywhere outside the designated area- they will shoot on sight." Alejandro warned me.
"I know."
"Find El Sin Nombre and let's get this done. Out here." The Lieutenant ordered into the comms, distinctly letting us know that we were free to choose what type of approach we would pick and execute.
My objective was to find the easiest one, without much unnecessary noise and attention.
Gracefully getting up from the chair, I turned towards the flower bed stationed at the foot of the imposing barricade. Pretending to be interested in the diverse plants littering the planters, I checked out every corner of the patio I found myself in after I had left the main building. With my heartbeat accelerating, I sensed my breathing picking up on speed as well.
Seconds passed prior to me even moving one minor muscle. I had to practically force myself to act. There wouldn't come a better opportunity to climb that wall than now, in this exact moment.
But what if someone rounded the corner just as I was climbing?
What if someone spotted me?
Would I get shot instantaneously?
Get a grip on yourself!
Stepping onto the flowerpot, I pushed myself against the wall and peeked over the edge. With my heart thrashing the insides of my ribcage, I was relieved to see the area I oversaw was devoid of any patrolling soldiers. Pulling myself onto the ledge, I carefully walked closer to the balcony and climbed swiftly over the smooth railing, landing softly on my feet on the other side. Straightaway, I lowered to a crouching position, effectively minimizing the possibility of being seen.
Carefully peeking through the wide-open door, I found myself in a spacious stairwell, quickly determining the connection it enabled between the ground and first floor. Speechless at the luxuriously styled interior, I urgently pressed my back against the wall, as I took note of a guard pacing through the lower section. Not allowing myself to dwell for too long, I slithered up the stairs, making sure I was making as little noise as possible.
At the top, to my utter displeasure, I found myself in a chicken-and-egg situation. There were numerous doors littering the hallways, small rooms connecting to even bigger ones, corridors leading onto balconies and on top of that, cartel members roaming the whole territory in an intricate and everchanging pattern.
Pressing my lips into a thin line, a wave of annoyance hit me. Cursing out everyone in this building, I slowly but surely managed to conquer the cat and mouse game, although the several cats almost managed to come too close for comfort.
Sneaking up, to what I was predicting to be the last door on this blasted floor, I propped my ear against it.
Holding my breath, I restlessly counted to ten. Hearing nothing that would indicate the rooms occupational status, I pushed the doorknob downward and nudged the door open. Squeezing myself through the small slit, I closed it behind me with a quiet click. With a quick visual swipe, I promptly rose to my feet and swept the room clean, Alejandros knife held firmly in my hands.
I was unaccompanied.
Lowering my arms slightly, I stretched my severely aching legs. Skulking was a pain in the knees, literally. In addition to a minor pause, I also took a much-needed breather, soothing my tense form and overburdened mind. Taking pleasure in the wind caressing my arms, I unhurriedly stepped onto the connecting balcony to glance at the world bellow and plan my next steps.
"Got a visual on you, Ascii." Ghost announced out of the blue, causing me to jump out of my skin. Eyes darting to the nearby hills, I frantically searched for him, hoping he hadn't noticed my embarrassing response. "There's a trellis outside. You can take it to get to the roof."
Bloody Casper-
Pulling myself back on my weary feet, I pushed the shame to the back of my mind and leaped over the railing, landing gently on the reddish roof tiles bellow my booted feet. Spotting the lattice barely two meters from me, I made my way towards it.
Contemplating putting the knife back into the loop on my belt, I ultimately decided against it. In a crucial moment, every second counted. Instead, as a substitute, I put the thin, metallic handle between my teeth and began climbing. If shit should hit the fan, one of my hands would always be closer to it, allowing me to grab and attack instantaneously.
Although, with Ghost having my back, I was certain my input wasn't necessarily needed. Yet I was rather safe than sorry.
Climbing onto the roof, I barely managed to put myself out of sight behind a chimney, when a figure stepped into view. Holding my breath, I was frozen in place, watching with wide eyes as the man strolled past me. Drowning in my own heartbeat hammering loudly in my ears, I didn't dare move.
"Two to the east, one to the north." The Lieutenants voice resonated through my head, echoing off the bony walls.
Taking a sharp breath as the man I had been observing walked out of my immediate line of sight, I figured now was the best time to sneak a peak of the other two individuals Ghost had mentioned. Spotting the first of the two obstructing the direct route to the ladder, the second was heeling over the rooftops edge, examining the area bellow.
Retreating to my initial stance, before I decided to look around the corner, I eyed the first thug that disturbed my sightline. His back was turned towards me.
Metaphorically taking my legs into my hands, I bolted forward, yet not a second later, my mind screamed at me to stop, to hide as quickly as I could- a grim feeling twisting my insides. Crashing shoulder first into another planter, all my movements halted at once. Eyes flying directly to the first soldier, my mind was soothed as I took in his form, still where I had left him not even a second ago. Furrowing my brows in confusion, I pushed forward, disregarding the fears that tried to cling onto me.
As I ran through the chilly night air, I scarcely evaded the gaze of the second man. Passing the corner, I threw myself against the low wall. Clasping my hands over my mouth, I leaned against the little wall, fearing for the worst.
The bastard was closer than I had anticipated.
A mistake on my part, a terrible oversight that could ruin the only advantage we had, the benefit of surprise.
My heart beat loudly in my ears, drowning out everything else. I did not hear the wind blow past my face, the third soldier turning on his heels, nor the birds flying over my head. I was preoccupied. Feverishly trying to come up with a plan to distract them, a way out of this predicament, a strategy to keep the bloodshed at its minimum. And then I spotted it. A conception of a thought. A solution. Frankly, a stupid and rather idiotic one, but one, nonetheless.
Picking up the small pebble I had seen beside my foot, I inspected it between my fingers. A tiny glimmer of hope. Discreetly turning around, I carefully peeped over the wall. Everyone was where I left them, although their line of sight had changed. Biting down on my tongue, I aimed towards the furthest corner from me and chucked the puny rock as hard as I could.
"¿Qué fue eso?" ("What was that?")
"¿Escuchaste eso?" ("Did you hear that?")
Questions filled the air, at the same time as steps were being taken towards the origin of the distracting sound.
Stunned into complete disbelief, I watched them gradually close in on the area where the little rock supposedly hit the roof tiles. Pinching myself out of the trance, I bolted for the ladder I had spotted ahead of time. Hauling myself onto the topmost roof, I threw a quick peek at the men bellow…
They were still searching for the source. Unbelievable.
"Tell me you saw that, Ghost." I whispered, out of breath.
"Aye."
"What a bunch of fucking idiots." I was floored. I couldn't wait till El Capitano and Gasoline heard this ridiculous story…
Shaking my head while a bemused chuckle left my lips, I checked the surrounding area. Spotting the elevator shaft not too far from me, I made my way towards it and slipped through the maintenance gate, dropping onto the elevator bellow.
"Ale, you on standby?" I asked while I checked out the display at hand.
"Sí, found the lift?" He responded.
"Positive."
"Can you operate it?"
"We shall see. Wait on the second floor?"
"Comprenda." ("Understand.")
The sign was straight forward. The red button was marked as a 'stop' button, the yellow as 'down' and the green as 'up'. Can't get any easier than that.
"Second floor clear?" I inquired.
"Ready when you are, hermana."
Sweat sticking irritatingly to my skin and consequently my gear, I placed a finger on the yellow button and pushed firmly. The elevator began to descend.
Driving past the first door quicker than I had foreseen, I took note of the 'three' that was conveniently lettered above the exit.
Just a wee bit more… Wee bit? I scrunched my face in irritation. Since when did I use this term?
Having reached the second door, I punched the red button, halting the lift with a slight latency. Searching for a way to force the gates open, without having to jam my fingers between the door blades, I spotted a leaver. Pulling it, the door opened agonizingly slow, revealing a tense Alejandro.
"Hop on." I called out, just loud enough for him to hear.
Not having to tell him twice, he squeezed through the half-open door and took position beside me, while I forcefully closed it behind him.
"That was quick." He commented.
I chuckled dryly. "A complete moron could control this elevator."
"Los estándares han cambiado enormemente. Para peor." ("The standards have changed immensely. For the worse.")
"What?"
He clicked his tongue. "You have to learn Spanish, amiga (friend). Would be an advantage in these parts."
"Fuck I know. Can't seem to grasp it as quick as Soap is doing it though." I grumbled.
"I could teach you some phrases." He generously offered.
"You could? I'd love that! What's one you could teach me now? Preferably one Soap doesn't know of." I snorted.
Furrowing his brows, he thought for a moment. "Guapo. Eres guapo. An easy one, for beginners."
"Oh? What does it mean?"
"Go fuck yourself." He smiled knowingly.
"Teaching me mean words, are ya?" I teased him.
"They are the jewels in every language." He chuckled while I shot an amused snort his way.
Halting on the third floor, I pulled the emergency lock for the second time today.
"Open sesame!" I whispered.
"All teams, we're moving on the penthouse. Stand by." Alejandro announced through the comms.
I was first to slide off the elevator, my booted feet hitting the marble floor with a quiet thud. Quickly clearing the small hallway, the Cowboy followed suit.
"Security checkpoint's ahead." He commented.
"Shit. How do ya want to bypass that? I've got no weapons on me!" I pointed out.
"Trust me." He disclosed assuredly.
Slightly hesitant, yet curious at the same time, I took a stand a couple of steps behind him. With a raised eyebrow, I watched in complete silence as he knocked on the door.
"¿Identificación?" ("Identification?") A voice called out from behind the door.
"C-cuatro. Tengo otra visitante." ("C-four. I have another visitor.") Alejandro answered.
A solid second passed, before I heard a key being inserted and turned. Grasping the knife in my hands with a force that turned my knuckles white, I stood stunned in the hallway. As soon as the stranger opened the door, Alejandro grabbed his arm, pulled him towards himself and punched him straight in the face. Disoriented and out of balance, the Colonel pushed him against the door and unloaded several more blows to his jaw. Gritting my teeth at the sound the butt of the pistol made as it slammed into the man's jaw, I watched him fall to the ground lifelessly.
He was out cold.
Stepping over his body and into the room, Alejandro signalled for me to join him. Impressed at the display I had just witnessed, I lowered to one knee when I had reached the fallen man. Inspecting the gun that was strapped to his chest, I took it into my hands. Checking the charging handle and ammunition left in the magazine, I deducted the submachine gun would be good enough. Certainly, better than using a knife in a likely gunfight.
Detangling the strap from his body, my eyes involuntarily fell to the man's face. I had seen that visage before. Those tattoos littering his forehead and cheek, adorning his biceps and triceps down to his hands and fingers. It was the guy that had been beaten up by Diego.
"You poor bastard. Today really ain't your day, is it…" I mumbled.
"Ascii, over here. Snake Cam is set. Time to get PID on El Sin Nombre." Alejandro called out to me.
Stepping away from the knocked-out cartel member, I crouched down beside Alejandro, who had been fiddling with the double doors up until now. Taking the small device out of his open palm, I plucked the small earpiece into my left ear, while I lowered my face to look through the lens, peeking into the room that was located behind said doors.
As my eyes got used to the grainy picture, I recognized Valeria sitting comfortably in a chair, phone pressed tightly to her ear.
"The Shipment from Spain arrived on schedule." There was a small pause. A defeated sigh. "I- I can assure you my men will conclude the arrangement, and the packages will be in place." Valeria called out. She sounded unsure, crushed. A stark contrast. What kind of man was El Sin Nombre, that a woman like her, was trembling in her boots?
Furrowing my brows, I watched Diego stroll into the picture, past the two guards who were present in the room and right into the sicarias personal space.
"Sin Nombre ¿Estás listo para otro visitante?" ("Nameless. Are you ready for another visitor?")
Sin Nombre? He called her Sin Nombre? And visitante? Doesn't that mean visitor or visiting? Were they talking about a new visitor? Mayhap even me. They did mention I would have a one on one with Sin Nombre… Yet why did Diego call her the nameless?
My breath hitched and all the colour drained from my face.
"It makes so much sense. How could I have been so blind?!" I declared angrily, gritting my teeth in the process.
"What is it?" Alejandro asked concerned.
"The Sicaria that interrogated me- Valeria- she is El Sin Nombre!" I clarified as I pulled away from the small screen and pressed the gadget along with the headphones back into his hands.
His eyes snapped to mine; analysing, vigorously studying every word I had just uttered. I observed his brows lower for a moment, then furrow, causing his gaze to harden.
"Valeria? Are you sure, hermana?" He questioned me.
"Absolutely. Without a sliver of a doubt." I replied.
"We have to move." He suddenly announced, pulling himself back on his feet, fingers already on the trigger. "Graves, Sin Nombre is posing as a female sicaria. We're moving in. You set?"
"Check."
"Ghost?"
"Ready."
"Take her alive." Alejandro instructed, seconds before he kicked the French styled doors down.
Splinters flying into the room, the inhabitants were taken aback and before any of them could properly react, two of them were out of commission, a pool of their own blood engulfing them. Pushing further into the room, Diego had managed to take hold of his own gun, though the case be such, it was too late for him. I had already shot him in his thigh, forcing him to his knees as I steadily moved closer, gun trained directly at his head. I observed his pain overrun face warp into resentment and fury.
His eyes locked onto mine. Chocolate brown meeting steel grey.
I could count the seconds it took him, to realize this was the end of the line, on one hand. The first second still harboured hatred, the second slowly forced the gears in his head to shift, the third hung in the air, pulling him along before the fourth crashed into him and by the fifth, he had grasped it.
This was it. This was the end of his terror, the end of his intimidations and threats.
The last thing he saw, were the eyes of the 'dog' that chose to bite back.
Stomping past his collapsed body, I was just about to turn around the corner and into the hallway leading onto the terrace, when a fourth hooligan caught me by surprise. Catching sight of the thicker, padded pieces of equipment shielding his most vulnerable organs right away, I knew even a well-placed bullet wouldn't be enough.
Acting on pure instincts and adrenalin filled pulses, I swiped my gun against his, causing him to lose momentum, before retracting my own movements and unloading a hellish number of bullets into him. Aiming for the same spot repeatedly, the bullets penetrated the stubborn material, till I drew blood, coating myself and the walls surrounding me in it.
Leaving him to drop to the ground like a fly, I stormed past him, nearly throwing the door out of its hinges as I flew through it and onto the roof. With the wind crashing into me, I wondered in passing if she had managed to slip through our fingers-
She hadn't. Instead, I spotted her at the edge of the deck. She was frozen into place, a bright set of spotlights belonging to the chopper hovering above our heads, illuminated her from head to toe.
"Down! Get down, now!" Graves voice echoed through the noisy air, the grainy and coarse sound scratching the insides of my ears unpleasantly.
"No me arrodillo ante nadie, cabron!" ("I kneel for no one, mother fucker!") She yelled back angrily, while the artificial wind tousled through her dark hair.
"Una bala te hará arrodillarte." ("A bullet will make you kneel.") Graves continued his charade through the speakers of the aircraft and to my bewilderment, I observed Valeria suddenly get down on both her knees.
"Atta girl." I heard him compliment and I clicked my tongue in irritation.
Bloody Graves and his wretched compliments!
"Ground team, you're clear to move in." He announced proudly over our shared intercoms.
Flexing my jaw, I draped the gun around my shoulders, leaving it to hang beside my hips. Walking up to her, our eyes met, her ferocious glare clashing with my hardened gaze. Checkmate, I thought as I stepped around her, grabbing her wrists and pulling her off the ground.
"Cheeky. No one would suspect a sicaria, let alone a woman, ruling over all of this-" I stated with a puny head turn.
She chuckled sinfully, provoking the hairs on the back of my neck to stand at attention. "Rubiecita, that's a mistake on your part." I could hear the smirk in her voice. "Besides, I answer to no one, and everyone answers to me. What more do you want?" She expressed arrogantly, with a hint of self-righteousness.
What more do I want?
The question rebound in my head. I wasn't sure what I wanted. But what I knew for certain, is what I didn't want. I wasn't built to command a flock, wasn't willed enough to overpower those who wanted to oppose me, nor morally hardened to decide over someone's life and use them like chess pieces in a play.
"Is commanding a bunch of nitwits while hiding in plain sight really the piece of heaven you built for yourself?" I shot back.
The irony of my own judgment punched me straight in the face. While I did not order around anyone, I did hide in plain sight, just like her.
"Hiding…? I am everywhere." She snickered.
So am I.
"That's good. So are we." Graves replied, having heard her last comment, while he jumped out of the helo with a shadow hot on his heels. Within a few steps, the soldier was beside me, taking Valeria out of my grasp while Graves beamed widely at her, his posture and body language undoubtedly conveying cocky superiority. I wanted to punch that shit-eating grin off his face. I didn't like it one bit. Although I had to admit that capturing El Sin Nombre was a feast on its own, I had the feeling it would stuff our bellies in all haste.
She was a dangerous woman, a woman we best not underestimate. She hadn't built her empire in mere weeks after all. It took her time and effort, both of which no price was too much for. She will have back up plans, that I was convinced of.
"Let's go." The American commanded and Valeria was swiftly pulled towards the chopper, evermore glancing over her shoulder and directly at Alejandro.
Alejandro.
Following her gaze, I too looked at him. He had taken off his mask, his black hair messily flicking over his forehead. His stare was unwavering, his mouth slightly ajar as he followed her hesitant steps. In the stark light of the helicopter, his face seemed paler.
There had to have been a connection between them. The question was, what was she to him and what was he to her?
"You know her, don't you." I called out to him, softly. This was unknown territory after all. Anything could set him off.
"Sí." ("Yes.") He replied, pushing past me and climbing into the bird, leaving me behind.
The rhythmical sound of the rotor blades keeping the aircraft in the sky, filled the soldiers' ears with intense noise. Sitting quietly beside the Corporal, the Scotsman couldn't help but let his eyes flick over to her repeatedly. She was looking out of the window, her expression unreadable while she twirled her small rectangular communication device between her fingers.
Still, as time went on, Soap noted her face gradually converted into one filled with animosity. Abruptly he caught her clasping the little gadget harsher, leading him to suck in a small breath. He foresaw her chucking it straight out of the open door, yet she never did.
"What happened in there?" He was quick to try and deter her attention from whatever was causing her trouble, involuntarily catching the heed of the Lieutenant, who straightened his back in mild interest.
A heartbeat passed before they saw her head turn abruptly. Concerned, Soap searched for her eyes. The light blue eyes he grew to adore, now stared withdrawn at him. Was it the light of the aircraft that caused the significant difference, or was the spark that usually clung to them, really buried beneath a layer of detachment?
The two men shared an uptight look.
"Nothing much and yet everything simultaneously. A display of power, exploitation of the lesser educated and thus weaker folk, more meaningless violence… You know the drill. It seems cartels, cults and similar clans build their empires upon these things." She explained in frustration, wiping her hand over her clothed face.
"Fucking assholes." She cursed out of the blue, catching them both by surprise. "I wish I understood Spanish or that this little wanker was small enough to have taken it with me." She went on, staring angrily at the small tool in her hands.
"Dinnae tell me it can record…" Soap thought aloud, watching her intently. And there it was, the light he had been searching for, the glimmer that seemed absent before. Yet rather than her usual elated shimmer, it was a mischievous twinkle that gathered in her gorgeous eyes.
"Yeah. It can. Not much, but enough if needed." She explained, the mask faintly shifting up her face.
Both men could tell she was smiling proudly under her disguise. As she should.
"You said you can only send messages and ping people." The Lieutenant disclosed. He was suddenly distrustful, a strange emotion engulfing him.
"Oh, it could, till… around three pm. Today, three pm." She grinned, yet her eyes conveyed innocence.
Ghosts' eyebrows rose far onto his forehead. His prior suspicion disintegrated until there was only astonishment left behind. A feeling he didn't encounter all too often, but for some reason, it happened more frequent since Sergeant MacTavish and Corporal Morrison joined the team.
He cracked a smile under his mask. "Impressive." He had voiced before he could catch himself.
"Would have been impressive if I could remember what they were saying…" She sighed while both noted how terrible she was at taking compliments. "Instead, I keep repeating the execution of one of 'em in my head. I can still hear the bloody shot-" Her voice cut out, prompting Soap to push his knee against hers in slight comfort.
"That's part of an interrogation." The moment the words left Ghost's mouth, he recoiled inwardly.
Her eyes instantly bore into his soul. Gone was the carefree, tranquil atmosphere, replaced by repulsion and hurt.
She was holding back, he could sense it in the way her fingers twitched, the way her eyes glazed over. It was plain as day he had hit a nerve.
"¿Eres guapo." She expressed quietly and with such softness, such tenderness, he wasn't sure he had heard her right. Nonetheless, her barb stung more than if she had simply yelled at him. Even then, he couldn't dwell on the emotions for too long. Something bothered him, puzzled him. He furrowed his brows, tearing his eyes from her to steal a peek at Johnny, wondering if he had heard the same thing he just did. His mirrored expression confirmed his suspicions. The Scotsman had heard it too.
"Eres guapo?" The Sergeant audibly repeated, causing Ascii to turn her head towards him. Her eyes were widening, as if she couldn't believe it herself. "He's handsome?" Soap inquired, not understanding how and why she would say such a thing at a time like this.
"What?" She asked, breathlessly.
"Ye just said the Lieutenant was a fine-lookin' lad..." He explained.
Silence stretched between all three of them.
"I did not say that." She calmly explained.
"But ya did." Soap pushed further.
"I told him to go fuck hims-" She stopped mid-sentence. "That. Prick." She voiced without warning. "He lied to me! Told me 'Eres Guapo' is used to dismiss someone's opinion or generally a person!" She spoke hurriedly as if her breath was running out while slumping back into her seat, banging the back of her head against the metal wall. Another fuming grumble escaped her before she stared Ghost down with a mixture of dread, embarrassment and discomfort.
Ghost noticed the skin around her eyes, left untouched by her black face paint, slowly turning a deep shade of red. The word charming quickly filtered through his head.
"You do not get to tell me executions are part of interrogations so nonchalantly." She stated, crossing her arms over her chest. "I know that. Doesn't make it any less distressing." She whispered and his heart clenched.
The Englishman distinctly recalled the terror he felt as he witnessed the first killing. The emotions swirling through him, as he heard the shot slice the air, saw the once lively body lay lifelessly on the ground, blood seeping through the clothes and coating the dirty floor beneath his feet. Then the seventh time. He had to choose between one evil and another. Sacrifice one life or several. The ninth time, he saw it coming from a mile away. After the thirteenth loss of life, he stopped counting. Stopped putting too much of himself into them. The numbers rose, his empathy fell. He got used to it, doesn't mean it left him cold, despite the heart of ice he carried in his chest.
Soap was in a similar predicament. He had put a healthy amount of distance between himself and the people that died in his hands or by his hands, yet some days faired harder than others. Sometimes, the faces get burned into the back of his mind. The screams ring loudly in his head hours, days or even weeks later. Every now and then, the terror of it all would keep him awake in the dead of the night. When the world keeps spinning quietly, moving on to another day, while he was stuck in the past. Observing an execution was hell on earth... A man willing to kill for sport, was no man in his books. Those were the real monsters plaguing the soil they all walked on.
"I apologize. I shouldn't have said that." Ghost expressed firmly, holding eye contact while he did so. He observed her eyebrows furrow slightly, her eyes gazing intently at him; regarding him, studying him. She was as suspicious of him as he was towards her mere minutes ago. He didn't blame her though. He himself was the sole cause of her unease.
"Apology accepted." She answered gently, a heavy burden rolling off his tense shoulders.
In the dim light, he swore he saw her eyes soften.
Our steps echoed through the sizeable volume of the warehouse, as we made our way to the container sitting among the abundant shelves. Getting the heavy door opened by Rodolfo, I walked through it, making sure to keep my hands firmly wrapped around Valeria's wrists, as I dragged her with me. Shoving her firmly onto the chair that sat amidst the otherwise empty room, I walked away, stepping into the shadow beside the Lieutenant who had chosen to idle in the darkest corner.
"Alright. How do you two know each other?" Graves demanded to know, pointing between a seemingly heated Alejandro and a laid-back Valeria.
"Know is a strong word." The cowboy answered. He was trying to keep his cool, but it was painfully obvious he was very displeased by the turn of events.
"Las palabras fuertes son importantes. Nuestra palabra es nuestro valor, ¿no?" ("Strong words are important. Our word is our worth, right?") She commented, her tone mocking and teasing the agitated Commander.
Alejandro suddenly stomped towards her, heavy boots hitting the floors. The steps echoed loudly through the small metal chamber, quickly being overpowered by the noise of his rage infused yelling. "Vete al infierno, hijo de puta- ¡Te voy a matar!" ("Go to hell you sonofabitch- i'm going to kill you!")
Rodolfo and Soap were quick to act, both latching onto the cowboys' arms and holding him back with strength and words of comfort. "Alejandro-" "Calmado, comandante." ("Calm down, commander.")
The man got a hold of himself within seconds, bitterly shaking both men off himself. Pulling away sharply, he turned on his heels, as if to mask whatever was bubbling up within him and distorting his expressions, before turning back and placing his hands under the straps of his chest piece, feigning composure.
"Vamos. Tell them." ("Go on. Tell them.") He commanded, sardonically.
"I don't take orders anymore… Even the dogs in Las Almas know not to bark at me." She said looking straight at me. I noticed Soap subtly turn his head and look my way, before focusing back on her.
I suppressed a snort. Her jab was a failed attempt at getting a reaction out of me, yet as I thought further, I realized I might have ruffled up her feathers instead. A self-satisfied smirk stretched over my face.
"Mira esta-" ("Look at this-") Alejandro exhaled in disbelief, looking around himself. "She's ex-military. We served together."
Ahh, so that's their relation…
"Different squads, same unit. You were the wild ones, huh… Los Vaqueros!" Valeria responded while she made herself comfortable on the crappy chair.
"My squad was clean cut, señoras y señores (ladies and gentlemen)..." She continued.
Clean cut? Does that mean 'by the books' in simple English? Religiously following rules and never falling out?
"Until the raid on the son of La Araña. Do you remember?" The Colonel went on.
La Araña? Where had I heard that name before?
"Me acuerdo perfecto." ("I remember perfectly.") She answered.
"Her team was told to cordon off the city, to keep out La Araña's enforcers and prevent the bloodshed." He explained in a few words.
"That's exactly what we did." She expressed innocently.
"Well, you kept out his enforcers, because you were his enforcers, huh?" He shot back with the same amount of irony she was using.
"He was escorted to the mountains without incident. Also to prevent bloodshed." She taunted.
I abruptly remembered. La Araña was head of the cartel that had been ruling over these parts at some point prior Valeria's succession. The Mexican Fuerzas Especiales had conducted a raid on the cartel, by targeting the son of La Araña. Alejandro, including Los Vaqueros and a team named RED were part of the incursion. Their plan was to catch the son, and lock him behind bars, but that never happened.
In my research, I kept bumping into dead ends. There was no information on what exactly happened in any of the databases my fingers so willingly provided access to- until now. RED team were secretly enforcers of La Araña up until they shot his own son. A team filled with double agents.
"He was supposed to go to prison." Rodolfo remarked.
"So you killed him and you took over." Graves grabbed her shoulder and pushed her firmly against the backrest while circling around her.
She turned her head, following his movements the moment she laid eyes on him. "I created a power vacuum… And I filled it." Facing Alejandro after the Commander had pulled away and settled against the wall, she continued. "Las Almas needs me."
"Las Almas needs soldiers, not sicarios… Usted-" ("You-") He leaned forward, the light creating eerie shadows on his face, "-You disgrace the army." He clicked his tongue, momentarily looking back at his second in command. "Y a tus hermanos, ¿no?" ("And your brothers, no?")
"Why you doing this?" Graves asked, prompting her to turn towards him.
"You tell me… You're the contractor, no? What you don't do your competitors will." She clarified.
"You're a narco, harboring a terrorist." Ghost stated.
"Terrorism is good for business. It's insurance." She justified.
"What the fuck does that mean?" Alejandro voiced the question that plagued me.
"¿Te puedes sacar la puta cabeza del culo, por un Segundo? Puta madre, Alejandro." ("Can you get your fucking head out of your ass for a second? Holy crap, Alejandro.") She yelled, vigorously getting rid of Graves hand that was trying to push her back into the chair. She instantaneously calmed down, opting for the low and threatening approach. "As long as there is war on terror, there will be no real war on drugs." The floors creaked. "To find your so-called terrorist, and your missiles, you need me." Staring at Alejandro, she softened her features, putting on her best doe eyes, dazzling the man with purity. "To prevent bloodshed."
I had to give it to her, her charade was spot on.
Alejandro walked forcibly to the side, picking up his previously discarded weapon, before turning back towards Graves and her. "No. I am not doing this…" He commented, clearly wind up from everything.
"Doesn't change anything." Soap elaborated.
"It changes everything! Fuck!" Alejandro shouted in pure frustration. Furiously making his way to the door, I contemplated stepping in. Struggling to determine what I would do once I stopped him, I instead watched him pause on his own, quickly glancing back at all of us. I discerned the blank look he was sporting, with his lips pressed into a thin line, in the eerie light of the room.
The anger that had been rolling off him in waves not even a moment ago was gone, replaced by scrutiny. "Don't make a deal with her… It won't end well." With a last hard look, he slipped through the door, the sound of the heavy door closing behind him, echoing through the dim room.
Balancing my weight from one leg to another, I absentmindedly looked up at the man beside me. His eyes were closed, as if deep in thought, prompting me to also mull over the last bits of information.
We had exploited every drop of resource offered to us. There was no different path we could take, no divergent approach in any way. We were dependent on her… This reality gave me collywobbles.
"Looks like it's your turn to tell the truth." The Sergeant declared loudly as he stepped closer to Valeria, while Graves walked up behind her, leaned over her shoulder and lowered his face to her eye level. Lifting one hand, he began speaking, "I want the missiles, I want the target, and I want Hassan." He recited, elongating one finger for every objective he called out. "You've got ten seconds or I'm gonna show you the difference between the military and me." He threatened calmly.
Stunned, I lifted my eyebrows.
"I don't know the targets. I'm a courier- I move things." The sicaria revealed. "I can tell you where to find the missiles. When you return, I'll tell you where Hassan is. In exchange, you will let me go." She commanded sternly. "And get the fuck out of Las Almas. Se me largan ya." ("Leave me alone already.") She added roughly, her smooth demeanour turning into a venomous demand.
For a moment, all our eyes met. We were all reluctant in our own ways, but ultimately knew there were no other options.
"Deal. Until then… you're staying right here." Graves remarked. Rising to his full height, he stepped around her, walking towards the exit. The Lieutenant and Sergeant quickly followed, leaving me to my own devices. Reluctantly pushing myself off the wall, I turned towards the gate, when I saw, in the corner of my eye, a grin spread over her face.
Halting in my tracks, I threw my head over my shoulder, observing her.
"Ascii." Ghosts voice called out for me. Turning my head, I spotted him standing in the doorway, a non-readable expression in his eyes. Furrowing my brows for a split second, I looked at the woman behind me with determination.
In this moment, I promised myself that I will wipe that smirk off her face with my own two hands.
Slipping past the Lieutenant with newfound determination I abruptly spotted the cowboy standing to the side. Changing the course of my initial path, I hastily made my way towards him. I still had a bone to pick with him.
"Alejandro!" I called out, swiftly stepping up to him. "Say, what was that phrase again you taught me? In the elevator?" I asked, waving my hand through the air.
Catching him off guard, he needed a moment to comprehend what I had asked of him. When he did, his mouth converted into a broad, smug smile. "¿Eres guapo." He spoke.
Rodolfo, who had been an unwilling participant in this ordeal, alternated between surveying his brother in arms and me. He seemed rather unsure of this whole situation.
"Ah right. Eres guapo!" For a second, I forged an elated snort. When I made sure Alejandro fell for my lie, I dropped the deception instantaneously. "Por favor, vete a la mierda, eh?" ("Kindly. Go fuck yourself, eh?")
He froze temporarily. "Who taught you that?"
"Mister Google did, after I had already humiliated myself!" I exclaimed heatedly, placing a hand on my hip.
"Try to teach you something, and you turn on me…" He simulated being insulted while Rudy barely managed to hold himself together, the corners of his mouth twisting upwards.
"Oh, you taught me something valuable. Taught me not to trust ya with bloody Spanish!" I said loudly.
"¿Qué hiciste, Ascii? ¿Llamaste guapo a uno de tus compañeros de equipo? Habría pagado por ver eso. Tendré que preguntarle a Soap qué pasó. No puedo creer que me lo haya perdido. Rudy, escuchaste eso-" ("What did you do, Ascii? Did you call one of your teammates handsome? I would have paid to see that. I will have to ask Soap what happened. I can't believe I missed it. Rudy, you heard that-")
"Oh this is just mockery at this point. I will get my payback!" I called out, turning on my heels and storming past a confused Scotsman and a clueless Englishman, a snort threatening to escape my throat.
I seem to not know how to write short chapters... On another note, I have decided I will throw in different perspectives whenever I feel it is needed or would add to the story. At the end of the day, I really wanna know what the men are thinking ;)