scars do heal

1. the rookie and the cowboys

Your file was passed between the boys before they discussed whether to make you a part of their team. They all agreed you would be a valuable asset.

Hard-working. Top of your class. A perfect shot in training. Hand to hand combat wasn't too shabby either. The boys joked about how you would end up being competition for who was the most skilled in the team. The only person who had slight reservations about your recruit was the captain. Price was very particular with whom he let into his carefully hand-picked team. He'd worked with these boys for years, learned them inside and out; their strengths and weaknesses, their limits and tempers. They were a family to him. You, on the other hand. You were new. Someone who he would have to study, learn to see if you were the right fit for Task Force 141.

-

The helicopter landed outside the base at first light. The sun hit your skin harshly, burning underneath your black shirt. Probably not a good idea to wear the darkest shade in this sort of heat. Stepping off the chopper, you were greeted with two men, both of whom you didn't recognise. You hadn't exactly studied the men you would be working with, but looking back on that, you realised it wasn't your smartest move.

"Sir," you greeted the taller gentleman who gave you the tiniest of smiles as you approached. He nodded in your direction and the shorter man extended his hand as you reached the two of them. Graciously, you shook his hand curtly, mirroring the same motion with the other soldier.

"This is Rodolfo," the taller man gestured to the other. "I'm Vargas. Colonel Alejandro Vargas of the .Los Vaqueros" He spoke with a native tone to Las Almas, indicating to you that he was raised in these streets. The feeling that knowing if he lived here, he would protect here, brought you some peace of mind.

"The cowboys?" You inquired, cocking your head.

Vargas smiled then, a small one, but a smile nonetheless. "I read in your file you spoke Spanish, I'm glad to see that's true. One less person we have to teach, huh, Rudy?"

Rodolfo chuckled. "Thank god for that, Colonel."

"So you're Price's new recruit, eh?" Vargas asked, looking you up and down. "I'm glad to see you finally arrived. The boys have been waiting on you all morning." Vargas nodded his head towards the compound. "Let's get inside, rookie. Got a lot of work to do before you're out in the field."

You followed the two men inside, taking note of everything around you. The soldiers training, the vast array of military machinery and weapons out for you to ogle at, it was a lot to take in. Your previous residence, the training camp, was not nearly as advanced as this. You were going to have a lot of catching up to do.

Having the conversation with your superior about joining Task Force 141, knowing you were being recruited for a team you'd worked for your entire career, was a blessing to your ears. You felt ready. You'd worked hard enough. Hopefully, they thought the same.

-

There was a large table at the end of the room, where a group of men were standing around, talking with one another. You recognised some of them from what you had been told about them by your previous superiors. Sergeant McTavish, who everyone called Soap for some reason you really didn't understand. Lieutenant Riley, known as Ghost, of course for his signature mask. It was a bit daunting, walking into a room full of professionally trained war soldiers. But you held your head high as you followed Vargas and Rodolfo.

"Hey, Price. Got your rookie here for you, hermano," Vargas called out, drawing all the attention to himself, and of course, you.

You hadn't seen any of their faces before. Their photos weren't available to you in the files, just their written notes. But you saw who you assumed was Captain Price look up from the table. He stood the furthest away from you on the other side of the table, lifting his head slightly while his hands remained pressed down on the table. He watched you intently, following you with his eyes as you approached the table.