Phantom ~ [Simon Ghost Riley]

XXVII. A not-so-innocent smile

My feet drag through the tall grass as fast as I can in an attempt to keep up with Ghost and König. The two of them are practically miles ahead as their legs are twice the size of mine.

"Keep up, Ace," Ghost's low voice sounds through my earpiece.

We're on our way to a new location where Kahdemi and his crew are supposedly hiding most of their weapons. It was said that they changed their location after the last time we were there.

I can feel my heart pounding in my chest as I prepare for the mission ahead. I inhale slowly and deliberately, trying to focus my thoughts. I've been in the army for years, but this one feels different.

It's personal.

As I cling to my gun, hoping the heavy material of it gives me a sense of stability, my mind drifts to my previous mission. I'm hesitant, unsure if I'm ready to face the same people who caused me pain. I've been through a lot in my life, but this experience was different. It was like they had taken a piece of me and I wasn't sure if I'd ever get it back.

The memory of their cruelty and brutality flashes in my mind, and I feel a sense of rage and indignation. I can't let them get away with it. I'm more than ready to do whatever it takes to put an end to this once and for all. I'm not going to let them win. I'm not going to let them take anything else from me.

The only thing offering me some sense of comfort is that I'm not alone.

Ghost and König are right beside me, and I know the whole team is near. Ghost hasn't left me out of his sight once since the incident, even though we weren't speaking for about two months.

Price had deliberately chosen to bring me on this mission. His trust in me also gives me a sense of confidence. He thinks I'm more than capable enough of this.

As we make our way through the grass, I can feel my determination growing. The sun beats down on us, but I don't even notice. I'm too focused on the mission at hand. I'm ready to fight whoever comes across my path. I know what I need to do, and I'm not going to let anything stop me.

We move quickly, silently getting closer and closer to the enemy base. I can hear the sound of my own breath as we get closer to our target. I'm tense, ready for anything. I can hear the sound of my heart pounding in my ears.

When we finally reach one of the scrappy-looking security towers, König reaches for his bag. The rope flies over the railing in a swift movement, the hook of it effortlessly catching itself at the top of the steel bars.

Ghost is the first to step forward.

"On me."

His ascender attaches itself onto the rope with a soft click before he gets pulled up, a grunt escaping him from the sudden force.

"Up," he says as he reaches the top.

I look at König, who holds out an arm that tells me I'm next.

"Copy, behind," I say before following Ghost up the rope.

As I pull myself over the railing, his hand reaches to my back, offering me an extra form of support. The gesture once again has something sweet about it, but now is not the time to gush about it.

"Up," I say so that König knows he's free to go.

He's up in a second too, climbing over the railing with no effort because of his large frame. "Move," he says, and so we do.

The three of us push through the tower, Ghost in front of me and König behind me. It's the trusted formation we've found ourselves in time and time before. Something about it gives me an extra boost of confidence.