A Different Las Almas
Las Almas was going as well as any other op Soap and Ghost were a part of. Rudolfo and Alejandro were as polite as anyone would have expected to their guests, but everything felt off. More like there was something off with Graves. The feeling drove Alejandro to tell Ghost the location of his safe house in the event shit hit the fan. The look that he got from the Monster of 141 spoke of a wound from long ago.
“Understood. I’ll keep Soap’s head on a swivel as well.”
Vargas nodded to the other. A shiver ran down his spine. The eyes that he thought were so cold were now glacier. He now understood why this man was called a Monster. Better to be on his side when all of this shook out he later thought to himself. “I’ll do the same with Rudy and the boys.”
Ghost nodded then seemingly disappeared into thin air.
Their caution paid off when, after capturing Valeria, Graves had turned on them. They were all about to head into base when the caravan was stopped. Soap was out of the vans when Alejandro was getting into Graves’s face, with Ghost not far behind, when a familiar voice rang out.
“Poor 141. You were always too good at your jobs.” Shepherd’s voice said full of mirthful laughter. “Get rid of them.”
“Of course.” Graves nodded to one of his Shadow Company and then both Soap and Alejandro were on the ground.
Ghost tried to surge forward or away, he couldn’t tell in the moment, when a number of Shadows had dragged him out of frame and behind one of the cars. A third gun shot rang out.
“Stop struggling. This act has to be believable.” The Shadow hissed to Ghost.
When he stopped struggling, they let him go and went back into frame, only occasionally glancing back to make sure he wasn’t running away. Shepherd and Graves ended their call soon after.
“Secure all comms, ensure there aren’t any bugs.” Graves ordered. “And, someone get Laswell and Price on the phone.”
“The hell is the meaning of this.” Ghost snarled, stalking out from behind the car against his better judgment. He should be running. He should be getting the fuck out of there, or grabbing Johnny.
Graves looked startled. “Goddammit! I thought one of you was going to sedate him like the others!”
All the Shadows that dragged him behind the car just shuffled their feet. “Didn’t think it’d be the best idea… MacTavish and Vargas should’ve been enough to convince Shepherd, and they would need someone they trusted to not go for our throats immediately. Lt. Riley especially…”
Graves just sighed. “Fucking hell… so, as you have probably gathered, Lieutenant, General Shepherd is a piece of shit, and I’m working with Laswell and Cpt. Price in order to stop him from carrying out his plans for world domination.”
“And you expect me to believe that?” Ghost growled.
“Rodolfo can explain it, or you can wait 10 minutes and your friends will be back on their feet.” Graves reasoned. “Price will also be on the phone soon.”
Ghost acquiesced and settled in to wait outside of the base while standing over Johnny and Vargas protectively. It took about another 5 minutes for Vargas to wake up and another 2 after that for Johnny. Seeing Johnny waking up was more of a relief than Ghost was willing to admit, but the helping hand up and check in spoke volumes of his concerns.
“It’s a dreich day in ‘ell ta see ya show this much ‘motion, Lt.” Soap grins at Ghost.
“Aye.” Ghost nodded back.
Graves and Alejandro just looked at each other in confusion. “How in the hell did Ghost understand that?” Graves asked.
“Rudy and I’s theory is love.”
“Oi Graves!” Rudy called out. “Price and Laswell are on the lines in the conference room!”
“Rudy?!” Alejandro called out as he sprinted toward the gate.
Rudy opened it just in time to be enveloped in Alejandro’s arms. “Ale!”
“ Mi Estrella you’re okay!”
“Of course, Mi Sol!”
“That’s a lot of affection.” Ghost muttered.
“Haud yer wheesht, Ghost.” The Scottsman chuckled while leaning into his Lt. He got a snort in response which made him grin. "Glad ya agree."
Graves looked miserable in the corner watching as these scary ass men were being cute. "Whatever... Alright, let's head to the conference room, so we can deal with Shepherd."
They all sobered up quickly and proceeded to the conference room with Graves in the lead. All of the Shadows had been dispersed in a show of trust to keep Ghost from outright killing Graves. It helped that there were Shadows and Los Vaqueros working and training together. Making their way into the conference room, they were greeted by Price and Laswell's warm greetings.
"Glad to see you boys in one piece." Price grinned.
Ghost nodded, moving his hand from his gun holster to his pocket, and Soap greeted the captain enthusiatically.
"As lovely as it is to see you all again, we have an traitor to catch." Laswell said after everyone exchanged pleasantries.
With that they went about planning the fall of the General.