Chalice of Revenge (Ghost X Ruby Laswell)

4.

We soon arrive to the docks, the sky cloudy and glooming over the ocean. It was dark, and the waves looked vicious.

We all jump out of the truck, seeing what awaits us in the distance. You could see from afar the oil rig that was containing the missiles.

"Alright, ready to hop on board?" Alejandro asks as we walk towards the dock.

Soap and Rudolfo slip off a black tarp, revealing a motor boat.

"Hell yeah," Soap says. All of us look at him, and he hangs his head. "Yeah, let's get going."

We all hop into the boat, Alejandro steering while the rest of us sat in the back. The motor boat roars alive, and within seconds we are speeding off. The boat begins to rock over the choppy waves, causing me to hit Ghost and Soap on occasion. I hold the bench below me as I try to organize my guns and ear piece.

I look up as water splashes my face harshly, the rig getting closer and closer.

"Alright, we need to take caution. This rig is filled with Hassan's men." Ghost says as he leans over grabbing his gun. I look at his baklava, seeing that his face was dripping with the black paint from the water splashing it. He catches my gaze, causing me to immediately look away.

"Here," the boat comes to a halt, and all of us file out and crouch down as we take stance.

"Remember, time is on our side." Rodolfo says.

"Aye aye," Soap responds with a salute.

We all start to make our way up, and immediately stop behind a cargo container.

"Shit, they're everywhere!" I whisper to everyone.

"I have an idea," Ghost says. "Alejandro, take the west. Soap and Rodolfo, take east. Red and I will push north since she needs in that control room."

Everyone nods, immediately breaking off into their groups. I look to Ghost, who's aiming directly ahead. I follow suit, seeing two men perched on a container.

"I get left," I say as I pull the trigger. The silent bullet hits the guy, his body falling limp. A second later, his buddy follows.

I nod to Ghost as we move up the rig. I begin to scope around trying to find any guard blockages, but instead my body slides to the side.

"Holy shit!" I grasp at the wet ground, my gloves failing to provide any grip. The cargo containers begin to slide as we hit choppy waves. Ghost slides with me, trying to maintain our cover.

We eventually hit the side of the ship, my back hitting something hard. I look behind me, seeing not the side of the ship, but Ghost himself. My hands were on his chest, and we were now face to face, contact to contact, suit to suit. I feel my face flush with heat as I swallow hard.

"I-" I try to speak, but Ghost quickly moves, putting me against the side of the container. His arm was against my chest, and his hand had now covered my mouth. My eyes widen, but I look to the side and see two guards walking. How could he hear them that well over the commotion?

My body feels on fire, and this positioning was one of the most awkward I've been in. I found myself staring at Ghost as he releases me, throwing two knives into the guard's backs. Without looking at me, he speaks.

"We need to get going, they're going to find the bodies soon." I follow his trail, trying to stay in balance with the rocking ship.

We eventually make our way up to the front deck, going up the right side of the stairs.

"Bottom is cleared, top has two posted." Soap says over the ear piece.

Ghost and I walk up the stairs, breaching the door and shooting the guards stationed at the computer panel.

"Graves, talk to me." I open the computer, staring at the blinking buttons in front of me.

"Alright, Laswell. You're going to cut the wires connecting the launch and detonate. You have one minute, hurry." I roll my eyes at his authority.

I tear the front, pulling out three different wires. I look to see where they connect, and smirk to myself. "Bingo," I say as I pull out my knife. I grab the red and black wire, interlacing them and then cutting them with one cut.

"Disarmed." Ghost says.

"Good job, ladies and gentlemen!" Graves says.

"One lady. And gentlemen," Soap corrects.

"I'd rephrase that," Ghost jokes.

I step back, wiping my forehead with the back of my hand. The U.S. was no longer under attack, but- shit.

"Graves, intel on Kate?" I ask worried.

"Price and Gaz have secured her. She's safe, unharmed." Graves responds.

I feel a weight lift up off of my chest, turning to Ghost, Alejandro, Rodolfo, and Soap. I can't help but go up to hug them all.

"I don't care if you bastards hug me back or not, but this is a fucking victory."

"Alright, report back to Alejandro's base. We will discuss the next move there to capture Hassan."

I release, looking up at everyone. I especially find myself looking to Ghost; I've never seen him be so.. protective? I didn't know how to put it, but it made me feel.. weird. And I'm sure it made him feel weird too.