scars do heal

2. eyes in the sky

Standing at the briefing table, you looked down at the maps laid out before you. the lines drawn over indicated where you would be flying overhead with Commander Graves of the Shadow Company. You were a little deflated that you wouldn't be on the ground with the rest of the team, but at least you weren't stuck at the compound again.

"So," Graves said, standing at the head of the table besides Price. "We'll come in from the east over your heads, keep it quiet so nobody suspects us. Rookie, you'll be on missiles, just in case they need the support." You nodded in response, finally happy to be in on the action. "You are weapons trained in helo's, right?" Graves asked, looked up at you expectantly.

"Yes, sir," you answered, confidently. You were ready. You had to be. The whole team would be counting on it, and Price needed to be sure he could depend on you.

The briefing concluded quite quickly, and you were dismissed to get ready for the mission. Price wanted to be wheels up as soon as possible, so you moved quickly. changing into your combats, you grabbed your gear and headed out, running into Ghost on the way. "Oh, hey Ghost."

"Rookie," he mumbled beneath the mask. If his voice was any deeper, nobody would be able to understand him. "Ready for your first real mission?" He asked as the two of you walked to the loading bay to meet up with the rest of the team. He readjusted his weapon in his hands and looked to you briefly.

"Yeah, more than ready," you nodded, keeping up with his long strides.

"I know you are, I just wanted to make sure you knew. You'll be fine, rookie. Just keep your head up and stay focused, we'll be in and out no problem," his voice was genuine, he knew you could do this. He'd seen you in training and realised your file was no joke. It was a small comfort to you that your team believed in you.

-

With the task force on the ground, you felt more nervous not knowing if they were okay. You were thousands of feet in the sky, with only radio as contact. God knows how they were doing down there.

Graves had you in control of helo weapons, bringing heavy fire if and when the team needed it. And from the looks of the enemy mass on the monitor, they would more than likely need your help. You could hear Price faintly in your ear talking to the boys on the ground. His voice helped you know they were okay, you could sense it through the tone. Linked up to their radios, you let them know ahead of time what they would be coming up to very soon.

"Soap, you got three non-friendlies coming up, approach with caution, they look heavily armed."

"Thanks, rook. Got eyes on them over this ridge, gonna go around and avoid any confrontation."

"10-4."

You breathed deeply, leaning back in the chair. You'd been cooped up here for over an hour, on the edge of your seat. You'd always prepared for the worst situation, so the feeling that shots were going to start firing from both sides was at the forefront of your mind right now. But it was quiet. For now.

"Price," you heard Ghost's low tones coming through your earpiece. You followed his movements on the monitor. "Approaching the main camp. Hearing voices from inside, making my way to the south side of the building." Ghost's nametag on the monitor drifted to the building before entering through the south door. You heard no shots fired, only a few thumps and some grunting before three distinct thuds made its way into your ear.

"Ghost, how copy? Still alive down there" You asked apprehensively.

A little shuffling around could be heard before you got a response. "Still alive, rook. Pushing forward." He turned his attention to talking to Price. "Captain, we better find Hassan down here. Or all these mosquito bites I got for nothing."