Unseen | Ghost x Soap

Chapter 2: The Infiltration

The world seemed to slow as we moved deeper into the compound. Every step felt deliberate, each breath measured. The initial breach had been successful, but the real challenge was still ahead of us. The compound was a labyrinth of corridors and rooms, each one potentially harboring armed guards or traps.

The first guard we encountered didn't stand a chance. Ghost moved like a shadow, silent and lethal, taking him out with a swift, practiced motion. The guard crumpled to the ground, unconscious before he even knew what hit him. We dragged the body into a nearby alcove, out of sight.

"Nice and clean," Ghost whispered, his voice barely audible through the earpiece.

We continued forward, the rest of the team close behind. Farah and Alex covered our rear, while Gaz moved parallel to us, keeping an eye on the upper levels. The compound's design was a mix of modern architecture and hastily constructed fortifications, making it difficult to predict the layout.

Price's voice crackled in our ears. "Remember, we're looking for any intel on Al-Rahman's operations. Keep your eyes open for documents, computers, anything that might give us an edge."

We split into smaller groups to cover more ground, maintaining radio silence to avoid detection. Ghost and I took the left wing of the compound, a series of dimly lit hallways that twisted and turned like a maze. The air was thick with tension, every creak and distant sound magnified by the silence.

We approached a corner, and I signaled Ghost to stop. Peeking around the edge, I saw two guards chatting near a doorway, their rifles slung casually over their shoulders. They were relaxed, unaware of the danger lurking just a few feet away.

I motioned to Ghost, and we synchronized our movements. On my count, we rounded the corner, silenced weapons at the ready. The guards didn't have time to react; two shots, two bodies hitting the floor. We moved quickly to the door they were guarding.

Inside, we found a small office, cluttered with papers and a single laptop on a desk. Ghost began rifling through the documents while I powered up the laptop. The screen flickered to life, and I plugged in a USB drive to download any files that might be useful.

As the progress bar inched forward, I glanced around the room. Maps, charts, and photographs covered the walls, each one detailing different aspects of Al-Rahman's operations. This was a goldmine of information.

"We've hit the jackpot," I murmured to Ghost. "This place is full of intel."

He nodded, his eyes scanning a particularly detailed map. "Let's grab what we can and move. We're on borrowed time."

The laptop finished downloading, and I pulled the drive, tucking it safely into a pocket. We gathered a few of the most critical-looking documents and headed back into the corridor. Our movements were swift and silent, every sense on high alert.

We regrouped with the rest of the team at the central atrium, a large open space that seemed to serve as the heart of the compound. Farah and Alex had found similar caches of intel, and Gaz reported that he'd taken out another patrol.

Price's voice came through again. "Good work, everyone. Now, we move to Phase Two. Al-Rahman's quarters are on the top floor, heavily guarded. We'll need to split into two teams – one to create a diversion, the other to infiltrate and capture the target."

Ghost and I, along with Farah, were assigned to the infiltration team. Price, Gaz, and Alex would handle the diversion. The plan was simple but risky – draw the guards away from Al-Rahman's quarters, then strike fast and hard.

We moved to the stairwell, the concrete steps cold under our boots. Each step brought us closer to our target, the weight of the mission pressing down on us. As we reached the top floor, we could hear the sounds of the diversion starting – explosions, gunfire, shouts. The guards were being pulled away, just as planned.

We slipped through the now lightly guarded hallway, reaching a large, ornate door. This was it – Al-Rahman's quarters. Farah took position by the door, her rifle at the ready, while Ghost planted a small charge.

"Ready?" Ghost asked, his voice steady.

"Do it," I replied, my grip tightening on my weapon.

The charge exploded with a muted thump, and we burst into the room. But instead of finding Al-Rahman, we were met with an empty office. Desks overturned, papers scattered everywhere, but no sign of our target. I scanned the room, my heart sinking.

"Damn it," I muttered. "He's not here."

Ghost's eyes narrowed behind his mask. "This doesn't make sense. Intel was solid."

Farah checked a nearby computer, shaking her head. "He must have been tipped off. We're too late."

Price's voice cut through the tension. "Soap, report."

"No sign of Al-Rahman. Room's empty," I replied, frustration evident in my voice.

There was a brief silence before Price responded. "Copy that. We've stirred up the hornet's nest here. Exfil and regroup. We'll figure out our next move back at base."

We left the room, our movements now more urgent. The compound was coming alive with activity, guards rushing towards the source of the diversion. We moved swiftly, avoiding patrols and sticking to the shadows. The mission had gone sideways, but we still had the intel, and that was something.

We reached the extraction point, where the chopper was waiting. Climbing aboard, I couldn't shake the feeling of disappointment. We had been so close, yet Al-Rahman had slipped through our fingers.

As the chopper lifted off, I looked back at the compound, now a blur beneath us. This wasn't over – not by a long shot. We had the information, and we'd use it to track him down. One way or another, we'd find Al-Rahman and bring him to justice.

"Next time," Ghost said quietly, as if reading my thoughts.

"Yeah," I replied, disappointment hardening my voice. "Next time."