Unseen | Ghost x Soap

Chapter 21: Arrival

Soap's POV:

The cold hit us like a sledgehammer the moment we stepped off the helicopter. The icy wind bit into my skin, cutting through my layers of gear and chilling me to the bone. Siberia was every bit as harsh as we had been warned, a frozen wasteland that seemed to stretch on forever.

"Welcome to paradise," Ghost muttered, his breath visible in the frigid air.

I chuckled, the sound muffled by the layers of my scarf. "Yeah, just what I always dreamed of."

We moved quickly, following Captain Price's lead as he guided us to our temporary base. The outpost was a small, abandoned building, barely more than a few walls and a roof, but it would serve as our operations center for the week. As we trudged through the snow, Ghost and I kept up a steady stream of banter, a way to keep our spirits up in the freezing cold.

"Think they've got room service?" I asked, nudging Ghost with my elbow.

He smirked, his eyes crinkling behind his mask. "If by room service you mean a bucket of ice and a cold draft, then yeah, sure."

I laughed, the sound feeling strange in the desolate silence of the landscape. "Perfect. Just what I wanted."

We reached the outpost and quickly set up our equipment, securing the perimeter and making sure everything was in working order. The cold made everything more difficult, our fingers stiff and clumsy even with gloves. But we managed, falling into the familiar rhythm of preparation and teamwork.

Inside the outpost, the temperature was only marginally better. We huddled together, the small space crowded with gear and bodies. Ghost and I ended up side by side, our shoulders touching as we worked. The proximity was a welcome warmth, a small comfort against the relentless cold.

"Bet you're regretting those extra donuts now," I teased, nudging him again. "Could've used some extra insulation."

He rolled his eyes, but there was a playful glint in them. "Speak for yourself, Soap. I'm just fine. You, on the other hand, look like you're about to freeze solid."

I shivered theatrically, rubbing my hands together for emphasis. "Just trying to keep up with your icy personality."

He snorted, a puff of mist forming in the cold air. "Keep trying, mate. You'll never be as cool as me."

Our banter was light, but it helped distract from the harshness of our surroundings. The mission ahead was serious, and we both knew the stakes were high, but this moment of levity was a small reprieve, a way to keep our minds sharp and our spirits high.

Price called us together for a briefing, his voice steady and authoritative. "Alright, listen up. We've got intel that our target is holed up in a nearby facility. It's heavily guarded, and the weather's going to make things even tougher. We'll move out at first light. Until then, get some rest and stay warm."

We nodded, dispersing to our assigned spots. Ghost and I ended up in the same corner, our sleeping bags laid out close together. The outpost offered little in the way of comfort, but it was better than being outside in the freezing wind.

"Guess we're bunkmates," I said, settling into my sleeping bag.

Ghost shrugged, a small smile playing on his lips. "Could be worse. At least you don't snore. Much."

I threw a mock glare at him. "Careful, or I might just 'accidentally' roll over and steal your blanket."

He chuckled, the sound warm in the cold air. "Try it, and you'll find yourself out in the snow."

We settled in, the cold a constant presence but slightly less biting inside the outpost. As I lay there, the closeness of Ghost a comforting warmth, I found myself drifting off despite the discomfort. The teasing and banter had been a welcome distraction, but the reality of our situation was never far from my mind.