Callsign: Cat (Ghost X READER/OC)

Ch 8: Come hell or high water

Cat couldn't sleep, whether it be from the pit of anxiety in her stomach or anger bubbling under her skin, sleep evaded her. Cat couldn't relax, because who did Graves grab? Birdie? Hound? Did they grab their family members? What about Julia?

"Cat. Shut your eyes. Before LT here gives you a lecture."
"Can't sleep. Too many... feelings, I guess."
Cat didn't have to look at Soap to know he perked up at that comment.
"What kind of feelings?"
"Whichever one best fits beating the ever-loving hell out of Graves."
"Anger. Got it." Soap audibly gulped.
Cat was tired, but between the nerves and anger, sleep was impossible. Cat hasn't slept in days, and that was going to be a problem. Sure, Cat can go over a week without sleep, but add on not eating since she left the states, Cat was going to have regrets when this is all over.
"Do you wan-"
"No."
"Cat, it may do you some good-"
"Soap," Cat sighed, moving to look at the man, "I don't talk about feelings. I get it, you wear your heart on your sleeve. I don't. So drop it."
Cat turned back around in her seat, pointedly ignoring Ghost, well, more so avoiding the look he was giving her.
"Cat..." Ghost started slowly, "How did you find out about you know..."
Cat looked at him, "Are you sure you want that answer? Sometimes it's good to not know everything. Especially if it could be considered a crime... of sorts."
Soap pulled himself to be between the two, "Yeah, you just kind of told us, but how did..."
Cat leaned her head back, she knew they would keep pressing until she told and it's not like she did anything too morally apprehensive... right?
"I found two stray Shadows and one was a loudmouth. He said more than he probably should have, I killed him. Then I shot his partner in his knees. His partner said even more before..." Cat trailed off. She could feel the tension in the vehicle shift. Without looking at either man, she knew the general expression they wore, everyone reacts the same when they find out that Cat will do anything to protect her family.
"Before what, Cat? What" Soap took a breath, "What did you do?"
"I killed him. I don't really feel bad about it, I would do it again. I think."
"You think?"
Cat could hear the discomfort in Soap's voice, "Why do you think I asked if you really wanted to know? People don't react well to things like... that."
"Cat, they were-"
"They were what, Soap?" Cat turned to look a the man, "They were just doing their job, right? Well, I've been at the hands of too many people just doing their job. It is not an excuse to kidnap civilians and to become mercenaries because your boss said so. Get over it."
Cat turned away from both men, again. Taking a few breaths, it felt as though as Cat was about to burst with anger. Logically, Cat was aware that both Ghost and Soap just want to do good, be nice, or whatever. But, the anger was in her throat, threatening to erupt and it was all that she could to keep from lashing out. They didn't deserve it.
"Cat..." Ghost's voice sounded far away, Cat was spiraling.
Cat jerked when she felt a hand on her shoulder, hitting her head against the car window and practically slamming herself against the door away from the offending hand.
"Cat! What the fuck?"
It was the same tone of voice Ghost used when Graves shot at Soap, shot Soap?
Cat just rubbed the spot on her head she slammed against the window, not trusting herself to not be like her father in this situation, which alone quells the anger in her throat, making it no more than a simmer under her skin. The anger was still there, just out of reach, and that was when she felt her bottom lip wobble. All her time spent not wanting to be like her father, just for her to turn down that path? Made Cat feel ill.
"Cat? Are you even listening to us?"
"Cat?"
Cat wrapped her arms around herself, digging her fingers into her ribs, even if the pain was temporary, it was the only way she could ground herself, not caring if her stitches tore open.
Cat noticed the car was stopped first, then the concerned voices of both Soap and Ghost. God, was it weird for Cat to have two people who she hasn't treated very well care for her so much. It gave her a sense of deja vu.
"Don't we have somewhere we need to get to?" Cat's voice was quiet but unwavering, any trace of her being distressed not showing in her voice.
"Cat, what, I- we..." Soap trailed, fumbling for words for someone he hasn't seen or even thought was capable of this kind of emotion.
"I'm fine. I'm just... angry." Cat stopped, "I'm sorry for lashing out at you, Soap. I know you both are just trying to show that you care, but I really don't do well with, as Birdie would say, big emotions."
Cat heard Soap let out a slight hum, she wasn't sure if it was in agreement to her not dealing with emotions well or an acceptance of her apology.
"Cat, we just want to help you. I don't care how you obtained that information regarding your family, I- we are going to help you get them back after we get Alejandro. Right, Soap?"
"Right!"
Cat felt weird, the air in the vehicle was thick and it was uncomfortable.
"Cat, we're a team. A team needs to communicate to function well." Ghost started, his voice sounded hesitant to Cat.
"Whatever you did isn't important, okay? But, you can't shut down like that. Not if you want your family to come out of this alive. Alright?"
Cat just nodded, her mouth dry and her throat was tight.
Ghost sighed before putting the vehicle back into drive, Cat knew both men were concerned, it's not like she has acted like this before. Cat was doubtful Birdie and Hound could even really deal with her like this. Cat just shoves down whatever feelings of distress she might have normally, but not this time. It's as if years of feelings were fighting to be the most promient one at the moment, anxiety, grief, pain, rage. There was so much rage but there was almost an equal amount of pain. Pain of the years, pain of the abuse, betrayals, pain of losing the people who depended on her to keep the alive, safe.
The rest of the ride was silent, with Cat just stewing in her own little pity party, desperately trying to keep a calm facade despite her wanting to hurt anything around her and wanting to just crawl into herself and cry. Cat really felt like she didn't deserve to sit here and be a mess, not when Graves has the people who she cares about. Not when the two men with her were willing to help her. So Cat took a couple of slow and deep breaths, she has to reign in her emotions otherwise she'll be a liability and her family will die, her friends too. A part of Cat selfishly let her consider Soap and Ghost her friends, but they were just coworkers. Or so Cat tried to convince herself, it was human to want a connection with others, but being this human is what got Cat here in the first place, upset over who the Shadows might have. Upset at the mere idea that her family can be taken away from her at any moment and she's powerless to stop it.
Cat must have dozed off sometime during the drive as she could feel the warmth of the sun on her face, they were still driving but Ghost was taking them off the main road.
"Where are you even going?" Cat looked over at Ghost, who looked slightly startled at her comment.
"We're almost to the safe house. We'll have to wake Johnny soon. Figured you'd stay asleep longer." Ghost whispered.
"How long was I even out for?"
"Maybe an hour? Maybe longer."
"Cool..." Cat swallowed hard, "I am sorry, you know. I didn't mean to lash out at you or Soap. I didn't even want to, I just got overwhelmed. I'm sorry." Cat's voice was barely a whisper, the shame of her earlier actions still lingering.
"We did push, not quite sure what reaction we were expecting. We were warned that you did have some slight anger issues."
There was a slight lightheartedness that was in Ghost's voice, not one Cat has heard him use. Even if he was poking slight fun at Cat's anger problem, it helped the tightness that was in her throat and quelled what anger was in her chest, for now.
"You're a strange man, y'know, Lieutenant Simon Riley?"
Cat watched as Ghost tried to keep his laughter quiet, to keep from waking the sleeping beauty in the back, but he was failing.
"You still haven't settled on a nickname yet? You're a strange woman." Ghost choked out between his laughter.
For those couple of moments, Cat didn't feel angry or upset. She felt happy, despite everything that has happened within the past week. Hearing Ghost laugh, no matter how hard he was trying to stifle it made her chest feel... warm. Not even the previous afflictions could wipe the small smile Cat had off her face. Watching this man, who has tried so hard to be a tough guy laugh and make jokes with, even before this moment, felt nice. Cat really didn't want this moment to end.
Ghost eventually quelled his laughter, and when he looked at Cat, she could see the emotion in his eyes. His gaze felt soft, almost comforting. Despite his gaze only lasting for what realistically was a few seconds, to Cat it felt as though he was looking at her for an eternity.
"You know you talk in your sleep?"
Cat felt a slight sense of horror, the cute moment she was enjoying was ruined, "No I don't."
"You do. It sounded mostly like gibberish. But you said names."
"Like who?"
"I think you said something about a Gary and Keegan. Who are they?"
Cat sighed, "Gary and Keegan are two guys I served with in Afghanistan. They were two of the many who died because of what happened."
"By why would you-"
"Both of them were not too pleased with having a 'child' be their doc, so they made it a mission to not let me get killed. They wanted to have words with the commanders and they needed me alive for it." Cat shrugged.
"So what did they do to try to keep you alive?"
"Both of them were in my Humvee when it was attacked. Gary lost both legs and the majority of his right arm-"
"Jesus."
"Well, Keegan had it worse, a direct RPG hit made for a quick death. I hope. But it was shocking that Gary survived it, I thought shock would've killed him. But he was- is- a fighter. When we were both in the makeshift hospital before he got taken back stateside, he said he'd kill me if I died before him. They sent me stateside after him."
"Why after?"
"I was one of the few surviving medics there, broken bones be damned, they needed help getting whoever survived the attack stable."
"That seems rough."
"It was, but whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger, right?"
Ghost sighed, pulling the car to a stop, "Well, we're walking from here."
Cat glanced over her shoulder, "Who's waking him?"
"I guess I can."
"Thanks, Ghost."
Cat went to get out of the vehicle and a sharp pain went through her entire leg. Cat swore under her breath, not trying to draw attention to the fact that she was now, in fact, in pain from her hip. Maybe at the safe house, she'll have time to dig the bullet out and properly clean and stitch the wound. Now that she wasn't being tracked by shadows.
"Cat? Are you alright?"
Fucking mind-reader, "I'm fine, Ghost. Hurry up and wake Johnny boy."
Peeking around the car Cat could see Ghost shaking his head, she could also hear him telling Soap to wake the hell up.
Maybe Ghost tried to hit Soap or something, Cat couldn't quite see, but Soap let out a yelp and Ghost let out a grunt. But judging by the groans from both men, they must have both hit each other.
"The hell?"
Cat walked over to see Ghost with his head against the car and Soap was stretched across the backseat, both men clutching their abdomens.
"You two alright?" Cat asked cautiously.
"I'm good." Soap groaned Ghost let out a grunt.
"Okay... um, let's get you two out of here."
Cat grabbed Soap by his legs and halfway pulled him out of the backseat, prompting him to groan more.
"Fucking christ, Soap. You're heavier than you look."
"Callin' me fat?"
"Absolutely. Jesus. Lay off the potatoes."
"I'm not Irish."
"Whatever, get your ass up. At least the big boy is standing, so you're the only one left, so come on."
"Big boy?" Soap asked with a laugh.
"I hate you."
"Sure you do, Cat." Soap shot her a toothy grin, finally pulling himself out of the car.
Cat patted Ghost on the back, "Come on, lead the way. You're the only one who knows where we're going. So after you."
Ghost muttered something Cat couldn't hear, but he finally moved away from the car with a huff.
Ghost led the way to the safe house, with Soap next to him and Cat trailing behind them both. Her hip hurting with each step, not that she'll tell either man in front of her.
"Come on slowpoke. If you hurry up, we may be there before noon."
Cat rolled her eyes at Soap, "I don't want to hear it from the one who didn't even want to leave the car."
Soap scoffed, not paying attention that Ghost had stopped to look at Cat, he stepped in front of her to keep her from walking.
"What, Ghost? Am I not walking fast enough for you?"
Ghost shook his head, "It's your hip, isn't it?"
"No."
"You're a bad liar."
"So am not."
Soap must have finally realized Ghost wasn't next to him, because he let out an offended hey when he turned to look at Cat and Ghost.
Even though Soap was a ways ahead of the two of them, Cat could see the pout he had.
"Let's go before he cries that we're avoiding him."
"Cat, if-"
"Let's go." Cat grabbed Ghost's wrist to pull him along with her back to Soap.
The moment both Cat and Ghost were close to Soap, he wiggled his eyebrows at them.
"So..." he started with a large grin.
"Soap are you twelve?"
"Did I touch a nerve?"
"No, but as you said, we need to go if we want to get to the safehouse today." Cat dropped Ghost's wrist.
Cat missed the look Ghost gave her and the way he started to hold her hand. Soap didn't.
"So, Cat. After this mission, what'll you do?"
"Don't know. It's not like the Navy would tell me everything I'll do in a year."
"Outside of you know, Birdie and Hound, do you have anyone else waiting for you?"
"No? Soap, what the hell prompted that?"
Soap shrugged with a grin, "Nothing."
"You're fucking weird."
"Hey, that's not weird to ask."
"Fine, it's creepy to ask."
Ghost snorted at Cat's comment, causing Soap to groan.
"Don't you laugh at that."
"Why shouldn't Ghost laugh at you, Soap? It'll hurt your feelings?"
"Yeah, I'm also hurt so-"
Cat choked on her laughter.
"Hey-" Soap sounded offended.
"You two, stop. Look ahead."
Cat rolled her eyes, taking deep breaths to smother the laughter, but when she did look ahead, there it was. The safe house.
"Who's safehouse is this?"
"Technically Alejandro's."
"You didn't think to tell me-us." Soap feigned hurt.
"It was need to know. You didn't need to know at the time."
"So you couldn't tell me? Jerk."
"You never asked."
"Would you have even told me if I asked?"
"You? Yes. Soap? Never."
"What? Why?"
"You're loud."
"I take great offense to that-"
"Ghost, apologize to him. If I have to listen to him cry about not being told I might hurt him... and you."
"And I thought we were having fun." Ghost complained.
"Yeah, what he said, Cat. Besides, at least-"
"Watch it. I might not be as nice as I've let on."
"You threatening me?"
"Nope. A threat doesn't mean shit, to me at least. That was the one and only warning you're getting."
"We-" Ghost stopped to shoot a pointed look towards Cat and Soap, "should be quiet going forward. We don't know who might be inside."
Cat shrugged and followed Ghost, but Soap let out a scoff before continuing.
The three walked in silence towards the safe house, the front door appearing rigged when they stopped. There was an open window that didn't appear to be rigged so Soap opted to go first and Ghost provide watch. Ghost somewhat shoved Cat behind him, and he was rewarded with a slap. Who could've guessed that Cat would have reacted that way? Cat muttered that she was more than capable to fend for herself and that she didn't need him to protect her.
Without being able to peer inside, Cat couldn't see what Ghost threw his knife at, but she could hear both Soap and someone else be startled by it.
"What the hell?" Cat was quiet in her response, but if Cat had to judge by the lack of noise coming from the building, whoever was inside was friendly.
Cat could hear Soap and the other person speaking, but they sounded familiar. So, Cat started pushing Ghost to go in the window since he was blocking the entire thing.
"Quit it. I'm going." Ghost grunted.
Cat watched as Ghost dropped to the ground with a grunt, he turned to her with his arms outreached.
"Come on. You really shouldn't jump down with that hip."
Cat pulled a face, "The fuck?"
Cat looked up to see who was laughing at her, but it was Soap and Rudy.
"I think I'll be fine, Ghost."
"Just-" Ghost got cut off by Soap.
"Come on, Cat. It's just Ghost. Let him play the hero."
"You boys are going to be the death of me. Fucking hell."
Soap and Rudy were doubled over laughing and Ghost was still standing at the bottom of the window.
"Fuckin' hell, what do I've got to lose."
"Come on, Cat."
Cat let out a slid inside. Letting Ghost somewhat catch her, and somewhat pull her in.
"Thanks," Cat muttered once Ghost let go of her.
"So, Rudy, do you have any first aid things or alcohol?"
"Alcohol, maybe? I'm not sure about first aid... why?"
"I need to dig a bullet out of my hip, wasn't a clean shot and I didn't have the time to deal with it then, but I do now."
Rudy looked concerned, he was such a mother hen, whatever he was feeling before was replaced by concern.
"I-ok. Um... here you go." Rudy had walked over to the small cabinet behind him and pulled out a bottle of clear liquid.
Cat took the bottle and walked closer to the window to try to use the light from outside the best she could. Cat had some leftover supplies for stitching herself back up from earlier, such as the actual thread for the stitches, a clean needle, and a small pair of tweezers meant to thread the needle.. She opened the bottle and it stunk of tequila. Cat just sighed and pulled her knife out to drench it in the liquid. It wasn't the most sterile of fields or equipment, but it does help lower the chances of extreme infection. Cat just sat on the floor, that way if she were to hit a nerve, literally, she wouldn't just collapse.
"Wait are you gonna just-"
"Yep. If you get squirmish about blood I suggest you look away."
"Do you want help?" Ghost's voice was a mix of alarm and concern.
"Nope." Cat removed the makeshift bandage covering the wound, the burn did the job of keeping blood in, now it's time to undo all of that.
Cat ignored the stares as she dug the tip of the knife into her hip, a small hiss left her lips as she pushed the knife further. She stuck probably just a shy of an inch or two when she felt the bullet, she removed the knife as the wound was now large enough for her to use the small tweezers from her pack to dig the bullet out.
Cat could hear someone gag, her guess it was Soap. But she pulled the bullet out in one piece, finally letting her stitch the wound close. Before she did that she rinsed the area with the alcohol before quickly threading and stitching the wound shut. She didn't have much to bandage it but it was stitched shut so she left the stitches uncovered.
"Bloody hell, Cat." Ghost sounded queasy.
Cat looked at the three men, and despite them all being in the military and having shot people, this is where they draw the line.
"It's not as bad as it looks."
"You did that without painkillers, or drinking that." Rudy gestured towards the bottle.
"It's better than leaving it in and letting it fester for however long until I can get in a sterile field..."
Soap looked green and wouldn't even look at her.
"Besides, at least it didn't hit bone and shatter. I would be having a really fun time right now."
"Oh god, please stop."
"Soap, how have you survived this long in the military but this is a problem?" Cat crossed her arms.
Cat sat on the floor, arms crossed waiting for a response. Soap just groaned, breaking whatever trance the other two men were in, well Ghost mostly, Rudy still looked bothered.
"Cat, you didn't say they shot you with an M4?"
"I didn't know what they shot me with, Ghost. I just knew they shot me. It was dark and it's not like I had much to do anything about it."
"How are you so nonchalant about this?" Rudy spoke up.
Cat shrugged, "Not the first time, doubt it'll be the last. So, I just don't let it bother me."
"That must be nice to not be bothered by removing bullets from your own body." Soap groaned.
"Would you have preferred it if I had asked one of you three to do it?"
"No. I don't think I could've handled that."
Cat rolled her eyes, pushing herself off the ground, "Well now that's done, and you three just stood and watched, what's the plan to get Alejandro back?"
Rude seemed stunned and Ghost just stared at her.
"Great talk guys" Cat clapped her hands together, "I'll just go fuck myself."
Ghost and Rudy were a mix of laughs and stammers, Soap stopped looking green and was finally looking at her, shock written all over his face.
"What the fuck, Cat?"
"And I'll take that as you boys don't hear that often."
It was minutes of uncomfortable waiting for both Ghost and Rudy to calm down, and Cat debated just going off on her own. No one may have given or let her touch a map, but she knows where Alejandro's base is, even if she doesn't know if he's there.
"Jesus, okay. Rudy, do you know where Alejandro might be?" Soap asked, looking as uncomfortable as Cat felt.
Rudy stopped laughing and had a somber look, "Do you all know why Graves turned?"
"We don't know." Soap admitted.
"Because he's getting paid. It's what it always comes down to. Someone is paying Shepard and Graves for clean-up or damage control."
"Shepard too?"
"Who do you think signs their checks?"
"She has a point," Soap answered.
"I would have just thought that Las Almas could corrupt anyone."
"Graves has always been corrupt."
"That's reassuring."
"For now, General Shepard, Laswell, and anyone else outside of this room is considered a hostile." Ghost stated, "With one exception."
"Alejandro...?"
"We need him back."
"Come..." Rudy gestured, taking them to a map, "Graves is holding him here."
Soap scoffed, "His own personal black site prison."
"My team is trapped in there too."
"How do we get them back?" Soap wondered aloud.
"By breaking in." Ghost spoke up.
"And that's why I love the Ghost." Soap joked.
"It'll take more than this to get in. Graves doesn't have bodies so he'll know we're coming."
Rudy walked over to a barn door to his right, opening it was a well-stocked armory, "It's well stocked."
"Alright."
"We'll need new wheels..." Soap started, "Preferably up-armored."
Rudy tossed Ghost some keys and flipped the lever next to him. The three turned and saw a well-armored vehicle behind them.
"Alejandro thought of everything."
"Yeah, he did." Cat could hear the smugness in Soap's voice.
"Let's go get him."
"So the old prison is in a remote area outside Las Almas. It was maximum security until the narcos took over, and it was permanently closed. There is no airstrip but expect helios for security and resupply."
"Good thing helios have massive blindspots then." Cat chuckled quietly.'
"We'll drive to an offset and ruck up to our infill- here." Ghost pointed to the bottom of the base of the prison, Ghost continued, "If the security towers are manned, we'll need to take them out first and rope up the wall for entry."
"What about cameras?" Soap asked.
"There's CCTV's in the security room."
Ghost nodded, "We'll use them to locate Alejandro and the rest of your men..." Ghost trailed off but Cat didn't miss the glance he shot her.
"Let's divide and conquer." Soap started, "While Rudy finds Al, I'll use the cams to help Ghost plant charges in key areas."
Soap sighed, "And Cat, you'll be sidelined."
"Like I am."
"You're hurt-"
"And so are you, Soap. We need everyone for this, as I said earlier. Graves has no bodies, so he's going to assume we're coming. He vaguely knows how I fight. But I know he'll fight. Better than any of you."
"What'll he do?"
"Anything. From rigging any not necessary buildings to blow, to snipers in hidden points. Assume everything, including the cells, is armed to detonate at any moment. Graves is going to overplay his hand here. Should we not kill him here, he'll run. He'll go to where he has the most informants or supplies so he can regroup. He loves his Shadows but he won't hesitate to sacrifice their lives for his. High chance he won't be there anyways."
"Why not?" Rudy asked.
"Because he's a coward." Cat sighed, "Besides, Ghost and Soap have kill on-sight orders from Graves, I don't. Worst-case scenario, I can buy time."
Ghost cleared his throat, "So Cat will come with me."
"Uh, right." Soap started, "Once we pinpoint Alejandro and Los Vaqueros, we regroup and pry 'em loose."
"We'll carry extra guns in to arm my men and fight our way out the way we came in."
"Any questions?"
"What are we waiting for? Let's go."
Rudy didn't let Ghost drive, much to Soap's relief, something about Ghost not driving well. Cat didn't know what he was referring to just that had Ghost not been the one to know where anything was at, Cat would have driven.
"Ghost, what was Soap talkin' about?"
"It's..." Ghost stopped, "It's a need to know."
"Did you crash something?"
Ghost looked at her alarmed, "How did you know?"
"I've been a pilot for years. I've seen all kinds of stupid. I highly doubt there is anything you can say about driving I haven't been in or had to watch."
"The helio I was piloting got hit with an anti-aircraft missile and in my defense it was a controlled crash."
Soap scoffed, "As if, you nearly flung me and Price out of the helio."
Cat let out a chuckle, "Not the worse I've heard of. Nothing will beat the time a new pilot who thought they could bring back a dead engine, lost the other engine, then had a 'controlled' crash into a mountainside."
"What?!" Soap turned to look at her.
"They survived but after that, the pilots did listen when I told them to bail. The idiot had a broken wrist and several lacerations."
"You taught new pilots?"
Cat rubbed her face, "Who teaches new recruits how to do specializations? Some random off the street?"
"No- I just. You don't seem friendly enough for that."
"Thanks. Unfortunately, there are things the Navy won't let me out of. The better of a pilot you are, the more classes you get forced to teach."
"Is that a pilot thing or just overall...?"
"Mostly a pilot thing. Pilots in the Navy are a sub-specialty so there aren't many. That class where I first met you two," Cat gestured to Soap and Ghost, "Was something I was supposed to teach. But when I denied it, so it was offered to Birdie, who wanted me there to show off skills to inspire pilots to be the best."
"You seem confident as a pilot?"
"Well, technically, I am an ace. So do with that information as you will, Rudy."
"An ace?"
"Yeah, never been shot down and have a decent aim."
"How many you'd shoot down?"
Cat smirked, "That's a dangerous game you're playing there Johnny-boy."
"So you're not going to tell us?"
"Classified. Besides, it's not as impressive as it sounds."
"Oh come on." Soap groaned.
"Guess and I might tell you."
Rudy hummed, "How about 8?"
"Not even close."
"16?"
"Higher. Also why 16?"
Soap just looked at Cat to shrug, "I don't know. Felt like you'd have a weird number. It can't be that high, right?"
"There is an ace pilot with over 300 takedowns."
"What?"
"It's obvious you all aren't pilots..."
"Ghost, you haven't guessed yet, if you take one, I'll tell you."
"25?"
"You were close, but no dice, Ghostface. But..." Cat sighed, "None of you were close so no one gets to know."
"Fuckin' hell."
"Shocking, Cat didn't tell us. Maybe she was so bad they made her go to the armory."
Cat shrugged, "Maybe. Or maybe it's need to know."
"Really, you didn't ask about where we were going."
Cat just shrugged, "And you sound like you're pouting. Doesn't change anything."
"So, Cat, how many planes did you take down?" Soap tried.
"I said I might tell you. But, none of you got close." Cat smirked.
"Jerk..."
Cat rolled her eyes, the response feeling more like something she'd with Birdie or Hound. The thought of them made her blood run cold, guilt from sitting here joking with Ghost, Soap, and Rudy was eating at her. Even if the Shadows were bluffing, she can't treat it as if they were bluffing.
Cat must have had a noticeable change in expression because Ghost had placed his hand on her shoulder.
Ghost was quiet, "You'll get them back. Alive. I doubt the Shadows would be that stupid to have taken them anyways."
Cat clenched her jaw, heart heavy, and nodded. Her thoughts were racing and she could feel the anxiety from earlier come back.
Cat could practically feel Ghost watching her, and she desperately wishes she could have something to keep her hands preoccupied. Cat could see Ghost offering his hand, and she was almost tempted to take it.
Rudy cleared his throat, "Why don't you three sleep, it'll be a while before we even get to the prison. Besides you all look like hell."
"I don't look like hell, Cat sure, maybe Ghost. But I think I look fine."
Cat couldn't reach Soap but she could kick the shit out of his chair, so, Cat attempted to kick his chair, unfortunately, Cat was seated behind Rudy and not Soap. Meaning she had to kick him while Ghost was in the way.
Cat tried to kick Soap anyways. Ghost blocked her, grabbing her leg, somewhat shoving her back. She shot him a hurt look, but he just shook his head.
"Y'all suck."
Soap scoffed, "Yeah, well if we suck what does that say about you? Huh?"
"That I got conned to work with you. I think everyone forgot I didn't join this boy band just because I wanted to."
"You hurt me." Soap pouted.
"Whatever you say, Johnny. Just keep your tears to yourself."
"Why are you so mean?"
"Because I want to. Why, is it a problem, Johnny?"
Soap huffed, "No. I just- you're just mean."
"Then be glad Ghostface is back here then. I would've been a lot meaner."
"Stop callin' me Ghostface." Ghost muttered.
Cat shrugged, "What do you want to be called then, big boy?"
Ghost looked away from Cat, refusing to look at her.
"You'd rather be called big boy?" Cat felt a small smile creep on her face.
"No, I'd..."
Soap laughed, "Give the guy some slack, Cat. Ghost is... a softy."
Ghost groaned, "You're the worst."
"Who? Soap or me?"
"Both of you. Maybe I don't want a nickname, Buttercup."
Cat's retort died on the tip of her tongue, she was a little stunned,
"What, don't like it?"
"Why a literal name you'd give a cat?"
"You're not opposed to it-"
"Oh no, I am. I ain't a literal cat."
"Okay you two, stop flirting or whatever the hell you two are doing. It's weird." Soap interrupted.
Cat froze, she wasn't flirting. Was she? She wasn't intending to flirt, she was just doing what her friends did. Do they flirt? Hound must have, he has a wife and kid. Birdie, maybe? All of Cat's social skills came from those two people.
"I'm not flirting, John," Cat said coolly.
Soap threw his hands up, "Hey! If you don't want to admit it fine! The only one you're hurting is Lt."
Cat felt her face and ears flush, "He's a big boy, he would tell me off if he wanted me to stop."
"Right..."
Cat let out a small humph and turned to face the window, curling into herself.
"Did we upset-"
"No. There's almost nothing you can say that can upset me."
"Y'know, Lt., when we first met Cat I thought she was mean, well meaner. But she seems so soft!"
"Soap, I'm not stopping Cat this time from doing anything."
"Lt!"
Cat debated for a moment, she could put the fear of God into Soap or she could let it slide.
Cat doesn't let things slide she decided.
Cat waited until Soap stopped talking and for him to start to doze before she did anything. She wanted him to not expect her retaliation.
"Cat the-"
Cat quickly and quietly shushed Ghost, just shaking her head at him.
Cat was almost in Ghost's lap and directly behind Soap, just so she could grab a handle full of Soap's hair and yank. Cat, with a handle full of Soap's hair, threw herself to her side of the car, dragging Soap with her.
"Bloody fuckin' hell!"
Cat let go the moment Soap woke up from her shenanigans.
"Why? Cat?" Soap sounded like he was about to cry.
Cat shrugged, "Oops."
"Unbelievable. Lt, why didn't you stop her?"
"I said I wouldn't stop her, Johnny. Actions have consequences."
"Actions have consequences, my ass. How come she-"
"Johnny, I think I'd be careful with what you say, she might not be as nice."
"Cat" Soap started, dragging out her nickname, "Why? I'm sorry. I didn't mean it."
"Sounds like a whole lot of not my problem."
"Cat!" Rudy spoke up, he had been quiet during this whole ordeal.
"What? He started it, I just finished it. Now we're even."
"You call that even?!"
"Yeah? I've done worse, for less."
"Cat!"
"God, Rudy, you act so much like one of my friends it's weird."
"You have friends? With behavior like that?"
"Believe or not, yes. I am also the godmother of their child so they actually like me."
"You're a godmother?"
"Yeah, Ghostface, I am. It's not like I'm their guardian, only if all of their surviving relatives die then I would be."
"That's morbid. I find it hard to believe someone trusts you enough to be someone's godmother."
"How the hell is that morbid? Both parents and both sets of grandparents aren't going to die, soon anyways."
"Just picking out a person to take care of a child in case that child becomes an orphan is... morbid."
Cat hesitated, "Well, maybe. But, shit happens and the state's foster system is an actual garbage fire."
"Right, I forgot you were in that system, makes more sense I guess."
An awkward silence filled the car, making Cat antsy.
"So, how long until we get to the prison?"
"A while. It'll be dark when we get there."
Cat let out a huff.
"It'd go faster if you sleep?" Rudy tried again.
"Yeah, Cat, go to sleep."
"Oh, whatever." Cat rolled her eyes, curling back into herself against the door again, hitting her head against the door with a thud.
Cat could see, well somewhat see from her peripheral, Ghost turn to look at her.
"What?" Cat shut her eyes.
Ghost was silent for a moment, "Nothing."
The car was silent for several moments, maybe minutes, maybe hours, Cat couldn't tell, she didn't want to open her eyes to check anyways.
Cat heard a shuffle of fabric then she felt someone next to her, which admittedly did startle her.
"Why the hell are you so close?"
Cat could feel Ghost shrug, "Just want to."
Ghost was whispering, so to Cat, that means Soap might be asleep, and judging by the lack of laughter or general noise, he was.
"Come here."
Cat opened her eyes when she felt Ghost grab her, giving him slight resistance.
"I'm not-" he stopped with a sigh, "you look uncomfortable."
Cat just blinked owlishly at him. All of her protests died on her tongue. He wasn't trying to be malicious, he was being... nice.
Cat shrugged and let him pull her against him. Cat awkwardly laid her head on his shoulder, well more so his arm. Some part of her was yelling at her to push off him and to slink against the door but... Cat didn't really want to do that. She was comfortable and he was really warm.
"You're a human fuckin' furnace."
Cat felt the chuckle on Ghost's chest, it was a quiet sound.
"You're like an ice cube. You're freezing."
Cat glanced at the rear view mirror, Rudy wasn't looking at then yet but surely he knows what's going on.
"Relax. When was the last time you slept more than an hour? Two? Three nights ago?"
Cat debated answering, if she did tell him when she last slept he would definitely try to sideline her. If she stayed quiet he would or could assume he was right. So Cat stayed silent.
Ghost patted Cat's head, "You can rest now, you're safe. I- we won't do anything. You've got my word."
Cat just nodded, fatigue having settled in, sinking its claws in her bones, making her feel heavy. Whatever energy Cat had moments ago, was gone. Whatever feelings of guilt and worry quieted. Cat was too tired and whenever they get to the prison, she would need whatever energy she had to function.
Ghost watched Cat, he felt a little bad that because she was the smallest of them she got put in the spot with the least amount of space. Yet, she was making it work, despite it looking like it was the most uncomfortable position a person could try to sleep in. He's not quite sure what came over him but he tried to pull her against him, which shockingly enough to him, she let him after a minute of looking at him as if he was crazy. He then went back to watching Cat. Maybe at first, he was watching to see if she would eventually pull away, then it was just to watch her sleep. He could see the toll of the previous day finally hitting her. Cat looked less angry and more... peaceful. Ghost would never tell her that during that one hour, she slept earlier, that she cried. Or that she begged for help. It felt too intimate to tell her that he heard what she said in her sleep. Even if he didn't mean to hear it, he did. Had Ghost had to guess, Cat likely had rough nightmares, he would guess that she'd have them occasionally given that she still slept an hour around him and is willing to sleep now. Ghost made eye contact with Rudy and just shook his head. He didn't know if Cat was a light sleeper or not, but, this has been the absolute longest he has seen her sleep. Soon enough, Ghost could feel himself grow tired, his eyes feeling as heavy as lead. All he remembered before falling asleep was Cat peacefully next to him.
Cat woke up around dusk, Ghost was leaning heavily against her. Soap was lightly snoring and Rudy was humming a familiar tune. Cat didn't want to move, Rudy kept the car freezing and she was warm, despite feeling slightly cramped and squished. Ghost had at some point, crossed his arms and was starting to lean forwards, looking at herself, she had somehow ended up almost, almost, in his lap. Cat had, also, ended up wrapping her arms around Ghost, which would explain why she was so warm.
Cat felt her face flush, trying to quickly and gently remove herself from the sleeping man next to her. It's not like her to sleep next to someone, the last time she did she had fallen asleep next to Birdie after the two of them spent days looking after a baby Julia because both Hound and his wife had gotten sick. It was the first time Cat figured out she would cuddle, which she never told anyone about. Now, there's one person who definitely knows, which is embarrassing. She made eye contact with Rudy, who Cat could tell was smiling at her. He raised his brows and Cat shook her head, her face getting even hotter.
Cat stayed leaning against Ghost, too nervous that moving too much would wake him. But she did watch out the window to the best of her ability. She watched as the empty plains turned to a dark and heavily wooded area. Cat watched as the sun set and the start of the rising moon. Soon the woods opened up, and there it was. The prison.
Cat felt the anxiety and anger from the earlier bubble under her skin again, replacing whatever she was just feeling. The peace she was feeling was gone, now it was time for them to get Alejandro. Then her family. Some part of her is hoping that they would be here. But, some part of her knows they aren't here, they're wherever Graves is. Cat knows he isn't stupid enough to leave them here and she knows he isn't stupid enough to be here too.
Rudy had put the car in park, breaking Cat from her thoughts. Rudy turned to Cat and gestured between Ghost and Soap. Cat didn't really know how to wake the sleeping men, both Ghost and Soap with minimal injury to her and Rudy. So Cat shrugged. All she could do was hope Ghost didn't shoot her so she decided to repeatedly tap his face.
"Come on, big boy, we gotta do a jailbreak."
Ghost grunted and swatted at her hands in a feeble attempt to get Cat to stop.
"Knock it off."
"Have it your way then, big boy." Cat shoved the heavy man off of her.
Being forcibly moved must have done the trick because Ghost started aggressively cursing,
"What in the hell, Cat? Why-"
"You weren't getting up when I was being nice, so now, you got that. Besides, you're waking up Soap." Cat pointed at the still-sleeping man.
"I'm not waking him up, he'll punch me again." Ghost complained,
"Since when do you care about getting hit?"
"Besides the point, why don't you wake him up?"
"Because he's not my friend. Besides, I'm not making Rudy do that."
"Hey, don't bring me into this!"
"Sorry, Rudy." Cat put her hands up.
Rudy shook his head, leaving the car.
"Now come on, get Soap, and let's break into a prison."
"Don't sound too excited, Cat. Might think you like committing crimes."
Cat shot Ghost a toothy grin, "I just like pissing Graves off. Committing crimes is just another benefit."
"Crazy woman." Ghost sighed.
"Hurry up big guy, waiting on you and Soap now." Cat patted his shoulder and hurriedly left the car.
Cat chose to stand next to Rudy, who kept giving her weird looks.
"We will not talk about."
"Why not? You both clearly-"
"Rudy. No. Not now." Cat felt her face flush.
"Anyone with eyes can see it, besides, once we deal with Graves, and you all deal with Hasan, what's stopping you?"
"Everything. There's a little more than that we, no I, have to deal with. I don't want Graves to think there's more he can use against me."
"Against you?"
"That's a discussion for later after we get Alejandro back."
"I'll hold that to you." Rudy smiled at her.
Cat doesn't like to ever acknowledge her feelings, it's how she survived until this point. The less she admitted to liking someone the less it would hurt when they left or worse. Cat also just never had time to deal with the feeling like she has for Ghost. It was always just a pipe dream, something she thought was impossible. Sure, Birdie and Hound taught her that she is worthy to be loved and cared for, and that is was Julia who showed her that she wasn't some monster the adults in her past treated her as. Julia, Birdie, and Hound taught her that it was okay to love, to feel. And yet here she was, more than willing to set her life on the line for a team that barely knows her, barely knows just how much of a monstrous life Cat has lived, and they were willing to help her. They were willing to help her get her family back, regardless of who she was and what she's done.
"Come on, Cat. Looks like Ghost finally got Soap up." Rudy lightly hit her arm, breaking Cat out of her trance,
"Looks like it's game time." Cat let out a sigh, following Rudy.
"Everyone remembers the plan, right?" Rudy asked once everyone was close.
"Yeah," Soap said with a yawn, both Cat and Ghost nodded.
"Let's go." Rudy gestured for them to all follow him.
Cat noticed they were parked right on the outskirt of a small wooded area, next to an abandoned village, it covered the car from being spotted by the helios, maybe not so much from ground patrol. Cat was doubtful the Shadows would come out this far.
"We'll have to be quick about this. If Cat's right about them knowing we're coming, they'll be alert and watching for us. Hopefully, we can get out of here without a fight."
Rudy seemed so confident in the plan, in getting Alejandro out with minimal loss of life. But something felt off. Cat could still smell the scent of rain, some part of her hoped it would as it would hide them better, but it would also hide the Shadows.
The group walked in silence until the wall of the prison was in view. Unshockingly, there were Shadows out, patrolling.
"Damn, Cat, you might be right about the Shadows."
"No shit, Soap. It's not like I haven't worked with Graves before."
Soap put his hands up in mock surrender, "Just sayin'."
Cat rolled her eyes, there were only a handful of Shadows, and the tower closest to them looks as if there was no one there.
"I think they're doing a shift change. Now would be best."
"How'd you-"
Ghost cut Soap off, "The tower there is empty." He pointed at the same tower Cat was looking at.
"Then let's do this!"
Cat and Rudy stayed back as Ghost went around the rocks around them to come behind the Shadows, Soap took point to snipe the Shadows from the shadows of the rocks.
"On my mark... 3... 2... now Soap!" Ghost's voice crackled through the comms.
Cat stayed poised, with bated breath, ready to attack if Shadows were to come from behind them, Rudy watched the towers to ensure no one noticed the dropping Shadows.
"All clear here. Let's move forward."
"On it, Ghost!" Soap was the only one to respond to Ghost.
The three crept towards Ghost, trying to be wary of helios and any Shadows that might be watching from the towers. Once the three were with Ghost, they quickly went to the wall, with Rudy unclipping the plummet gun.
"Everyone got their ascenders, right?"
Rudy was met with nodding heads, all of them wanting to be as quiet as possible.
Rudy shot the plummet gun towards the railing, getting a solid hit.
"Soap, cover Ghost. Cat follow Ghost up."
Cat waited for Ghost to connect so she could follow, Cat felt a little jealous, how come other militaries get cool ascenders and Americans get stuck climbing ropes the old way? But, the ascenders were rough, if Cat didn't hold it just at the right angle, it would almost dislocate her shoulder, which would be not ideal at this moment.
"Cat, go now. Anyone Soap?"
Cat didn't stay to hear Soap's response, all she focused on was not letting this ascender hurt the hell out of her.
When Cat got to the top, Ghost helped pull her up.
"Jesus, Ghost. Trying to rip my arm off? I don't weigh as much as you and Soap so you don't need to throw me like a rag doll."
"Just trying to help, kind of forgot you weigh nothing."
"I know. Hopefully, they'll hurry up and get up here. I've got a bad feeling about this."
Ghost shot her a quizzical look, or what Cat assumed was one, "Why?"
"It just... it's too quiet. Like there's a trap somewhere and we're walking right into it."
"Well, don't tell Rudy that. He wants his partner to come out of this alive. He might have a nervous breakdown."
"Don't plan on telling them. The sooner we're out the better. Less room for error and injury."
The conversation was cut short as they heard the sound of an ascender approaching. Ghost grabbed the arm and pulled them over, it was Soap. The man landed ungracefully at Ghost's feet with a laugh.
"Dude, not so loud. Don't need everyone to know we're here yet..."
"Yet?"
"Ghost, do you truly believe that at any point of this lil' adventure, we won't get noticed?"
"Yes."
"You have some high hopes there."
"You don't?"
"Nope."
"Okay, you two. Quit ya' flirtin'. It's go time."
Cat rolled her eyes, "It ain't flirting. If you think that's flirting, I feel for every person who you tried to flirt with."
Soap sputtered, "Why are you so mean to me? I'm just calling it how it is!"
"Whatever." Cat pushed by Soap to the tower, going up to Rudy who has apparently been waiting on them.
"After you, Cat." Rudy gestured.
"How sweet," Cat grumbled, stepping into the empty watch tower.
"Come on boys. We've got a couple of damsels in distress to rescue."
"I'm telling Al you called him a damsel in distress."
"Do it. It's not like I'm going to stop you."
"Come on, Cat. Play along. Be offended!"
Cat shook her head, finding the hatch down to ground level.
"I'm good. You get offended enough to cover for me, Soap."
Cat pretty much jumped down to the bottom, ignoring the latter and Soap's sputtering, something about Ghost should do something about his girl. Cat hoped Soap wasn't referring to her, but a part of her didn't mind. If Soap was referring to her, she could feel warmth spread through her, if not, this was just embarrassing. Having feelings for someone she doesn't know, this is behavior Birdie would have.
"Cat how the hell did you get down so fast?" Rudy shouted down at her, he was on level above her.
"I jumped."
"What?" Ghost spoke up, leaning down from the level above her.
"It's not that far. You just gotta know how to fall, I guess."
"Fuckin' hell, Cat." Ghost complained, quickly climbing down the ladder.
"You hurt?" Ghost walked up to Cat, very visibly giving her a once over.
"No. I'm fine. So knock it off." Cat swatted at his hands when he went to grab her hand.
Cat could hear Soap and Rudy laughing, making her flush harder.
"Let's go, I will leave you all at this rate."
"Cat." Soap complained, starting to climb down the ladder.
"Yeah, what Soap said," Rudy said still laughing.
Soon enough everyone was at the door, Ghost peeking to see if there were any Shadows in front of them.
"Clear. Where do we need to go, Rudy?"
"We need to head directly across, right where that brick wall is." Rudy pointed across the way to a small brick building.
"Well, let's go. We don't have all day!" Soap started, leading the way across.
"There is the cameras... and two Shadows. Soap, want to take care of business?"
"Absolutely, Rudy." Soap shot Rudy a wicked grin.
Cat stood behind Rudy, providing point guard while Ghost guarded the area ahead. Cat heard two shots and two thuds. Soap made quick work of the two inside.
"All clear. Come on!"
"Alright, Soap, you are going to look for Alejandro, I'll look for my men, then we'll lead Cat and Ghost to them. Hopefully, everyone is alive."
Cat and Ghost stood outside the door in silence as Soap and Rudy searched for their men and Alejandro. Soap shot them a look after he flipped through all the cameras and shook his head.
"I found Alejandro and your men. He looks to be in a secure block."
Cat didn't need Soap to say it, the shake of his head and confirmation on Alejandro was enough. If they have Birdie and Hound, they aren't here. Meaning, where Graves is, is where they would be. Cat felt her stomach sink, worry taking hold, Cat's grip tightened on her gun.
Ghost gave her a gentle nudge, "We should head out. Got a lot of ground between us and Alejandro."
Cat just nodded and gestured for him to lead the way. Cat took out her comms, not really wanting to listen to everyone talk, Soap was loud enough for her to hear him without the earpiece needing to be directly in her ear anyways.
Cat followed Ghost, only halfway catching what Soap was saying, if Cat were to guess, Soap probably figured out she wasn't wearing her earpiece anymore.
"Cat... maybe they don't have them." Ghost tried to reassure her.
"I'll believe it when I am able to see them."
Ghost just let out a sigh. All Cat could really do was provide cover for him, especially since everyone thought she was too injured for close combat but was too useful to just... watch cameras.
Cat saw the blinking before Ghost, or maybe he hadn't even noticed it, it didn't take much to figure out what it was.
"Ghost! Stop!" Cat whisper shouted at him, almost startling him to step on the mine.
"Cat, keep it down. What?"
"You're about to step on a mine. Watch it."
Ghost looked down, he was no more than maybe steps away from the mine.
"Thanks."
"No problem. I wonder what else Graves trapped. Just pay attention to where you step. I might not see it before you go boom."
"Ha ha."
Cat could hear Soap asking what was wrong, but she wasn't going to answer him.
Cat and Ghost went carefully forward, soon enough Ghost ran out of bombs and there was a clear path to the prison, hopefully.
"RV on the cellblock, we'll pry him loose."
Ghost gestured for Cat to follow him, they were close enough to the cellblock that duck and cover wouldn't prove well for them.
"We'll cut through here, cell block is on the other side. Once there we'll cross and we'll be with Soap and Rudy. As long as they're quick."
"Just be careful, don't step on a mine. That would suck."
"Care about me, huh?"
"I-" Cat sighed, "Can't patch you together if you go in different directions, so just pay attention."
Cat followed Ghost through the dilapidated building, it was dark and all of the furniture was covered in dust, well almost all of the furniture.
"Ghost. I think we've fucked up."
"Wha-" Ghost got cut off by the wall behind them going off.
Ghost had managed to grab Cat and had used his body to shield her from the majority of the blast.
Everything spun and Cat's hearing was mostly shot. But she was alive and in one piece. Ghost, was in one piece, but he wasn't conscious. Cat couldn't tell if he was even breathing.
"Ghost?" Cat crawled towards the man.
Cat tried to find a pulse, but all of the fabric on him made it hard, she couldn't even tell if he was bleeding or not.
Soap was yelling in the comms, Cat could barely hear it, but she could hear the Shadows that were coming. They were yelling, something Cat couldn't make out.
"Come on, Ghost. Get up. Can't carry you out. Come on."
Cat's heart was in her throat, she wanted to cry. Maybe out of irritation, annoyance, or even from just all of the emotions from the day coming up. But she didn't have time. Neither did Ghost, Aleandro, Soap, Rudy, or Bridie and Hound. They were all on borrowed time and limited manpower, hell, Cat didn't even know what shape the last two were in.
"Come on, Cat, think. What do I need to do?" Cat was whispering to herself.
Cat knew she was mostly fine, her hearing was a loss she'd deal with later, maybe it'd come back as her ears weren't bleeding, she was most likely concussed but nothing she could do about that. But what can she even do for Ghost?
Cat tugged the mask lose from his neck, trying to find a pulse. Cat waited with bated breath, the noise of the Shadows growing nearer, maybe they were already there, but Cat found a pulse. Cat released the breath she was holding and tried to feel for any wet spots on his mask, but she found none. Meaning, whenever he'd wake up, he'd be concussed or extremely disoriented. No telling what state he'd wake up in, or when. Cat swallowed hard. She couldn't tell how close Soap or Rudy were to them, but she could tell how close the Shadows were. With the no-kill orders on her, she could buy them time. All she had to do was hide Ghost and distract the Shadows.
Cat took a deep breath, having decided that dragging Ghost out of the light and into the shadows, behind the couch against the wall was best. Cat struggled to grab the large man, and she struggled, even more, to drag him behind the couch. The Shadows would probably assume Ghost would be dead if Cat left, but she had to go now.
Cat set Ghost down as gently as she could, and with some irrational part of her brain, gave him a kiss on his cheek. Maybe it was part of her that would want closure, maybe it was her taking advantage of the situation. Cat could hear the Shadows at the door of the building.
Cat shot Ghost one last look and ran out of the side of the building, completely neglecting the fact her gun was not with her but was on the floor in front of her. Cat slammed into the door, then into the trash right outside of the door. If the Shadows weren't sure someone was still alive, they did now. Cat ran into the next building through the side and out of the front, directly beside the Shadows. Cat swallowed hard, her mouth dry. Cat froze.
"Look!" One of the Shadows pointed at Cat.
That one word kicked her brain into overdrive, forcing her body to move. Cat ran. Away from the cellblock, away from Ghost. In the opposite direction of her help. Cat didn't have her gun, in her disoriented state she must have left it, but she was doubtful she could be any good with it. Cat saw doubles of almost everything, she ran into a side of a car, and a wall, too disoriented to not run into the things in the street.
Somewhere along Cat's disoriented run, she must have lost some of the Shadows, but some still trailed her, but she had a bigger problem than the few Shadows trying to catch up to her. One of the helios spotted her, the bright light disorienting Cat even more. But Cat could somewhat tell that the main wall of the prison was close, and so was the main gate. Cat ran towards it. It was all she could do.
Cat slid to a stop when Shadows stepped out of the watch tower and onto the ledge, turning around, the Shadows behind her caught up. The Shadows were surrounding Cat from every direction and she had no weapon to defend herself, outside of a knife. But a knife won't do much from far, especially with the helio circling her.
"Stand down, Cat. You can't run. You can't win. We might even let those traitor friends of yours live if you cooperate." A Shadow to her right shouted.
Cat swallowed, hopefully, Rudy and Soap got to Ghost. Maybe Ghost even woke up. Hell, they could have gotten to Alejandro at this point.
"Can't do that. You know I can't."
"Then what are you going to do, Cat? You aren't armed. You're outnumbered and outgunned. Make it easy, let us arrest you and take you to Graves. That way no one needs to get hurt."
Cat turned, she was outmanned and outgunned. But she does want to give them as much hell as she can. One of the Shadows must have assumed Cat's silence meant she gave up because the lone Shadow did try to cuff her.
Their mistake.
Cat grabbed the knife, quickly stabbing the Shadow in the neck, grabbing his weapon. She turned to use his body as a shield, not knowing if the Shadows would follow the no-kill orders or not.
Cat shot almost blindly at several Shadows around her. Wherever she turned she shot, she could see some of them drop, or drop their weapons at least. Cat created an opening and ran for it, pushing the body away from her and going into a dead sprint, not caring if any surviving Shadows had a clear shot at her. Cat slid, grabbing a dropped gun and continuing her sprint forwards. She could hear scrambling behind her, but she couldn't turn to look. Cat ran towards the outskirt of the buildings, hoping they would provide cover.
Cat was mistaken. She couldn't hide. Not from an army who knew where she was. Cat ran, ignoring the yelling behind her and the yelling in the comms, even running past an area that was too dark, but she didn't think about it. She didn't even through it a second glance. Not until it was too late. Cat tripped, a sharp pain blooming in her leg, forcing her to stop, and a bullet tore right below her knee. Cat looked around, then behind her. All she last saw was the butt of a gun. Then there was nothing.