Althea sighed. "Well, I guess we're not going out for drinks tonight."
Soap grinned at Althea, a mischievous twinkle in her eye. "We could always snag a drink on the boat if you want." Althea grimaced at this, making Ghost remember the way she had clung onto the railing in their last boat ride.
Their bickering, while friendly, stoked the fires of jealousy that had been smoldering within Ghost. He clenched his jaw and tried to focus on the mission, but it was becoming increasingly difficult.
When he thought he couldn't take anymore, Price's stern voice cut through the room. "Ghost, with me for a moment."
Somewhat relieved (and at the same time irritated) to have a reason to step away from the situation, Ghost cast one more glance at Althea and Soap before following Price out of the room and into an adjacent one. He took a seat as Price closed the door behind them.
Price's expression was serious as he began, "Ghost, I wanted to speak to you about something important."
Ghost nodded, his curiosity piqued. "What is it, Price?"
Price leaned forward, his voice lowered. "Laswell's been doing some research on Althea, her background, and her history."
About Althea again? He really couldn't escape her. Ghost raised an eyebrow, not expecting this turn in the conversation. "And? What did she find?"
Price hesitated for a moment before continuing. "It seems that the story Althea knows about her background, may not be entirely true."
Ghost frowned, his thoughts racing. "What do you mean, not true? Why would the general lie to her about something like that?"
Price leaned back in his chair, a heavy sigh escaping his lips. "That's what we're trying to figure out. The truth is, there are inconsistencies in the information we've gathered."
Ghost's mind raced as he tried to make sense of the revelation. "So, what's the real story then?"
Price shook his head. "I don't have all the answers yet, but it's clear that there's more to Althea's past than she's been told. I can see you are... interested in her."
Ghost gave him a blank stare. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Simon. I know you well enough by now." He clapped a hand on Ghost's shoulder. "Just don't let it get in the way of this mission."
Ghost nodded, his thoughts a whirlwind of questions and concerns. He wanted to object, but he knew better. And he also knew he would be lying.
Price continued, "For now, focus on the mission. Our priority is to stop Hassan and secure those missiles." His kind blue eyes met Ghost's. "Do you understand, lieutenant?"
Ghost nodded once more. "Affirmative."
With that, Price rose from his seat, and Ghost followed suit. His mind tried to analyze her story, highlighting the inconsistencies. It was true that some things didn't make sense. Why did the general send her all this way, right into the heart of a dangerous battle field if he truly cared for her so much? He remembered the documents he had looked through with Alejandro when they had first captured her. What wasn't he seeing?
He glanced in her direction again, watching her closely. She turned to look his way, catching him staring, and immediately looked away. He took a seat, spreading his legs out slightly to try and fit in the chair, all the while studying her.
He closed his eyes, trying to recall the files he had read.
—-----------------------------------------------
He brought his mind back to a few weeks ago.
"Let's see, both parents were killed by terrorists on December 11th, found by the General of Belgian Special forces and he found adoptive parents for her in the UK, away from the terrorists. He often took a fake name to come and meet Althea," Ghost summarized.
"Her parents are one of the better-off families. Althea was trained in gymnastics and self-defense from childhood and grew up with the General taking her to the military occasionally. Her biological parents are unknown, but a DNA test shows that she is half Chinese, half Belgian."
It seems like the General was like a second father figure to her, Ghost thought.
—-----------------------------------------------
He pulled out his phone and clicked on Price's name.
Simon: Can you send me the documents that Laswell was looking at?
Price: Sure.
A few minutes later, his phone buzzed again, and a few images popped up on his screen.
Ghost's mind was a swirling vortex of questions and doubts as he delved deeper into the documents provided by Price. The inconsistencies in Althea's story gnawed at him, demanding answers that remained frustratingly elusive.
There were a few photos of the General in the collection of information. As he studied the photographs of the highly decorated General Pierre Dupont, a man of significant importance within the Belgian military, Ghost couldn't help but wonder about the nature of his relationship with Althea. Why would such a prominent figure go to such lengths to provide a better life for an orphaned girl? It was a puzzle that didn't fit neatly into place.
He found another document, one that documented Althea's joining the military, almost exactly 2 months ago- wait, 2 months? He furrowed his brows. Two months. And she was being sent on this dangerous mission? It just didn't add up. He remembered her expression when he had tried to make small talk.
—-----------------------------------------------
He cleared his throat. "So, how long have you been in the military?"
Althea choked on her water, sputtering and coughing. Beads of sweat appeared on the back of her neck. She quickly changed the subject. "What, trying to guess my age? How rude."
—-----------------------------------------------
Ah. So that was why she had reacted so defensively. She likely didn't want word getting out that she was inexperienced. She was a rookie. But she was already a trained killer.
He continued swiping through the images, his eyes scanning over the translated radio log from that fateful day, December 11th, 19 years ago. The date had been etched into his memory, a date that had forever altered the course of Althea's life.
Général Pierre Dupont, 11 Décembre.
OFFICIER: Indiquez votre nom et votre emplacement.
(State your name and location)
DUPONT, P.: Salutations. Pierre Dupont. Je dois partir en France pour une réunion aujourd'hui. Je serai indisponible pour la journée.
(Greetings. Pierre Dupont. I am to be departing for France for a meeting today. I will be unavailable for the day.)
OFFICIER: Affirmative. Bon voyage, monsieur.
(Affirmative. Have a safe trip, sir.)
A realization struck him like a bolt of lightning. Why would General Dupont, a high-ranking military official, lie about his whereabouts on that particular day? There was no apparent reason for him to leave his office unless...
Ghost's mind raced, connecting the dots that had eluded him until now. What if the general's trip to France had been a carefully crafted alibi? What if there was a hidden agenda behind his actions, one that involved Althea but had been kept hidden from her all these years?
A/N: Thank you all so much for reading!! I'm sure that school and work have been busy for everyone lately, and I'm so glad that you're reading my story! Thank you all for being patient and waiting for this chapter, I know I'm not posting as often as I did before. I just wanted to say I am so thankful to all of you, and I love reading your comments, they all make me laugh! Have a wonderful day everybody, and I will see you next update!!
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How to Love the Stars | Ghost (Simon Riley)
FanfictionAlthea was dangerous. She wasn't particularly large or imposing, but once you heard the Whisper of her breath, it was too late. Her ability to sneak around without alerting others, as if melting into the shadows, it scared people. She was a cold, h...
