Recruit 2162 | Ghost x Reader

Chapter 5

The base was electric compared to what you were used to. Everyone was busy doing something, though Ghost had assured you that nothing was expected of you at this stage. If anything, you suspected the others enjoyed having you to chat with as a break away from the tension prevalent in everyone else.

After sifting through every bit of intel, Laswell was distraught when she came up entirely empty. While the mission hadn't been a success and they'd returned without someone to question, it'd gone unsaid that you'd all expected there to be something in the paperwork and hard drives that'd been brought back.

But there wasn't, and the only remaining opportunity was looking more attractive by the minute.

"Kate, come on, we've lost our only lead -"

"Not Hassan." Price was cut off by her biting words, and he took off his hat to run a hand through his hair disparagingly.

"I don't see that we have much choice," he raised his hands to squash her impending retort, "I don't like it any more than you do."

She rounded the table in the meeting room, drumming her fingertips on the table. "After what he's done?"

"Choices have consequences," Ghost hummed.

"Now you too?" she gestured to him, "have we forgotten that he is exactly who we are fighting against?"

"It's not about who we're fighting against, Kate, love. It's about who we're fighting for. I don't need to tell you; you know that already."

Laswell sighed, the battle waging in her mind about going against her integrity.

As much as you tried making a point about not becoming a coffee monkey, you decided a few cups of tea may just lighten the mood. You got to work in the corner of the room, remembering everyone's preference of sugar to milk ratio, while they continued to hash it out. They were thankful for your offering, calming down somewhat once the hot drink met their lips. You left Simon until last, handing him his mug and taking a seat beside him.

"I still can't believe you have three sugars in your tea," you whispered.

With all the time you'd spent with him, you'd begun to learn how his mask creased when he smiled underneath it. Considering how rare of an occurrence that was, and due to the fact you weren't sure if he knew you could tell, it always warmed you, just as it did in that moment, too. It was needed, given the circumstance.

Laswell sighed, briefly closing her eyes and shaking her head. "You're right. I know you're right."

"I'm sorry, Kate. Really, I am. But we're out of time." Price put his hand over hers in consolation.

"Alright. Let's arrange a meeting with him."

-

Ever impressed by the swiftness of motion around here, you were back in your seat thirty minutes later, the dial tone ringing from the laptop while you awaited Hassan's response.

He picked up, the screen pixelated but viewable. "Is the line secure, Laswell?" Price asked, who received a thumbs up from Kate after she checked the connection.

"Long time no see," opened Hadir, greeting a room that was simmering just below boiling point.

"We're not here for chitchat, mate," Price said sternly, "tell us what you know."

With an understanding nod, Hadir cleared his throat. "I'm sending you a map. This is where my information says the intel is."

"What sort of intel are we talking about?" asked Alex.