The Ghost and the Phoenix

Part Thirteen

Simon, Soap and Gaz were waiting in Price's office. They had been summoned from their respective duties to attend an urgent meeting. However, Price had yet to show.

'Any idea what this is about?' Gaz asked.

'You tell me.' Soap answered. He looked at Simon, who remained silent, leaning against the wall with his hands in his pockets.

Simon had been worried about the Captain and was hoping they were about to find out what was bothering him. Several more minutes passed before the door opened and Price walked in. He wasn't alone.

Following him into the room were two men dressed in black. Their polo shirts had the words KorTac embroidered on the chest and they each had a sidearm strapped to their leg. Behind them entered an absolute giant of a man.

If his height wasn't intimidating enough, he wore a cloth that covered his face. It had two eye holes crudely cut out with what looked like bleach stains below the openings. He glanced around the room, taking in Soap and Gaz before settling his eyes on Simon.

'Colonel König, I would like to introduce you to the core team of Task Force 141.' Price said as he sat down in his chair. 'Sergeant Garrick, Sergeant MacTavish and Lieutenant Ghost.'

'Hello gentlemen.' König nodded towards them before facing Price. 'I've heard many good things about your men Captain.' He spoke in a rich, deep Austrian accent.

'What's this about Sir?' Simon asked, standing up straight and crossing his arms in front of his chest. While his question was aimed at Price, his eyes never left König.

KorTac was a private military contractor who the 141 had crossed paths with in the past. While they did seem to be more allies then enemy, they had a reputation for not playing by the rules if it meant completing a contract.

Knowing how Price felt about these types of organisations, Simon was still confused he'd allowed their involvement in the last mission. Now here they were on the base.

'The Colonel and his men are here at my request.' Price leaned back in his chair. 'It looks as though someone within the 141 has been leaking details about our missions.'

'We have a mole?' Soap looked at Simon confused. 'Who?'

'That's what KorTac's here to find out.' Price answered.

'Why them?' Simon asked.

'We came across some information during a recent interrogation.' König crossed his arms in front of his chest, mirroring Simon's stance. 'Two days before your last mission, the Raptor that ambushed your pilot was diverted from its intended destination to your location.'

'By who?' Soap questioned.

'We were unable to extract that information.'

'Then bring them here. Let us interrogate them.' Gaz demanded.

'Unfortunately, they're no longer in a position to assist.'

'In other words, their dead.' Simon stated. He turned to Price. 'The Raptor being diverted is weird, I'll admit that, but it doesn't mean we have a mole.'

'I agree Ghost, but the Raptor is not all KorTac's uncovered.' His expression was grim.

'The ammunition cache you were sent to blow up was moved the day before, and the men pulled back to allow you into the location.' König continued. 'It was a trap you weren't meant to survive.'

'KorTac have offered their assistance to flush out the mole, and hopefully whoever is pulling the strings.' Price explained.

'That's generous of them.' Soap doing little to mask the sarcasm in his voice. 'I'm guessin' there's a rather hefty fee attached to this favour.'

'A fee I'll happily pay if it ensures the safety of the 141.' Price told them. 'König and his men will be here under the pretense of skill sharing as part of the deal for the Eurofighter.' He stood up. 'No body outside this room is to know about this.' He looked directly at Simon. 'No one.'

Simon nodded his head slightly to show Price he understood. Mel would be kept in the dark about KorTac's real intentions along with everyone else.

'Now if you don't mind Captain, I would like to get my men settled. We've traveled a long way.' König addressed Price. 'We can begin tomorrow.'

'Of course.' Price agreed. 'Gaz, please take them to the guest quarters. I'll drop by a bit later once you're settled.'

When Gaz and the KorTac men had left, Simon turned his attention to Price.

'So, you believe the intel is solid.'

'Unfortunately, it is.' Price answered. 'They knew about locations, dates, targets. Specific details that could only come from inside the 141.' The worried look returned.

'Are you certain we can trust them?' Soap asked.

'Ultimately, yes.' Price told him after a pause. 'They came to us with the information when they could've profited from it.'

'Why do you think that is?'

'Because we have something they want.' He looked at Simon. 'Or I should say somebody they want.'

'Who? Ghost?' Soap looked at Simon. 'They're barking up the wrong tree if they think...'

'He means Captain Carter Johnny.' Simon's body had stiffened in anger when he realised who Price was referring to. 'What the hell did you agree to Captain.'

'Nothing Ghost' Price promised. 'KorTac head hunting Carter is old news. Jackson told us weeks ago.

'You can't use her as a bargaining chip.' Simon growled, taking a step towards Price.

'I don't have to.' Price said. 'She's the reason they came to us in the first place.' he explained. 'König is smart. He's trying to safeguard KorTac's future interests by protecting the 141. Carter would never contract to them if they sold out her unit.' Price walked over to Simon and placed a hand on his shoulder. 'Besides.' Price's tone softened. 'I wouldn't do that to her, she's one of us....and I know what she means to you.'

Soap's eyes widened at Price's words. He had been watching the exchange between them, confused by Simon's reaction. Now it all made sense.

'You and the Captain?' Soap asked Simon.

'We're keeping it quiet.' he replied, his anger withdrawing, lowering the tension in the room.

'I didn't make this decision lightly. It could be the only chance we have at finding the mole.' Price told them. 'I need you on board.'

'Aye Sir.' Soap answered.

Simon just nodded his head before walking out of Price's office.

.......

Stretched out in her bed, Simon watched Mel as she brushed her teeth. She wore one of his shirts which came halfway down her thighs. He liked the way it looked on her.

Flicking the light off she got into bed, giving him a quick kiss before snuggling against him as he wrapped his arms around her. He began running his fingers through her long hair, her presence calming him.

'Are you okay?' Mel asked softly. 'You've been quieter than normal tonight.'

He let out a sigh before answering, working out what to say.

'I'm good. Johnny found out about us today.' he continued to stroke her hair. 'Hope that's okay with you.'

'Of course. I think Jackson knows, so it's only fair your best friend does too.' She gave him a squeeze. He pulled her a little tighter, and listened to her breathing as she drifted off to sleep while he lay there in the darkness trying to process the day's events.

In the end, he trusted Price and had to agree that KorTac's involvement was credible.

He would do his part.