The Hunters

Chapter Forty-Five

I joined Price and Soap as we ate in the same office, sharing more personal stories until it was time to leave. Returning my mask to my face, I led them out of the building, where an armored vehicle was waiting for us. After the driver saluted me, I ducked within the passenger seat, while the two Captains climbed into the back.

"Where's Russ?" Soap muttered curiously after we'd already waited over twenty minutes for him, before spotting the man leaving the double-doors. He glared forward and stormed into the vehicle, slamming his door shut behind him.

"You're late, Russ," I stated with a frown. "I expect punctuality in the future."

He ignored me, glaring out the window while the truck pulled forward. I stared at the road ahead, relaxing in my seat after popping my neck. "Storm," Price addressed me, and I looked at him in the rearview mirror. "What's the plan tomorrow, when we start training?"

"Storm?" Russ repeated in shock, his gaze meeting mine in the mirror.

Ignoring him, I answered, "0400, we're starting with a round of physical endurance testing. Then, environmental training. The others have already gotten to experience that challenge, so you three will be at a disadvantage."

"0400? That's awfully early."

"Enemies don't tend to sleep in, Captain. We need to be prepared and alter at all hours."

"Understood, Command Sergeant Major."

I shook my head, informing him, "Stick with Kalberg or Storm. Soap, are you excited to see Haugen again?"

Soap grinned cheekily with a wild nod of his head. "Sure am. The tiny thing's so precious it hurts."

I giggled, reminding him, "She is until you upset her. Then you better be good at avoiding the scope. Russ," his eyes flickered to mine in the mirror, the blue conflicted, "I want you to get with Ghost and Haugen tomorrow. Haugen's weak on her right side; you're weak on your left. I want you two to help each other."

"And Ghost?" he grumbled.

"His judgement could be improved; he'll fire shots in less ideal situations," I informed him. "While he's good overall, I'd appreciate you passing on some good judgement to him."

"You're awfully proud of my judgement given that I'm judging you harshly," he muttered, and I nodded.

"Yup. Regardless of your opinions, we've got a job to do," I stated firmly. "You're good at judging situations involving the environment. People? Not so much. We'll be particularly working on your people skills."

Russ didn't responded even though I could see the retorts in his eyes. The blue was an open book, and he was pissed off at my description of him. While the two Captains conversed with the driver, I worked in my notebook, listening additional ideas for training.

Russ and I were silent on the plane ride, with him leaning his elbows on his knees as he glared forward. I worked on my notebook, amused at the differences between him and Ghost. While their masks weren't all that different and they were both typically silent and angry, Ghost's eyes were always observing his surroundings, including people. He was always on alert, and in my presence, always staring at me.

König tended to stare at me too, but flushed and dropped his gaze when our eyes met. Ghost was never ashamed or embarrassed; his strong stare could steal my breath instantly. Meanwhile, Russ seemed to prefer sulking or huffing, with his gaze diverted from the crowd. Based on how he sat away from us, he was independent, and preferred it that way.

I'd been given an office back on base, where the profiles of each of the Hunters was waiting for me. I was curious what Russ's would include. With his attitude, he didn't play well with others. How has he gotten this far without some form of teamwork?