War of Hearts

Chapter Thirty-Nine - Homecoming

The next morning

Gaz and Price had finished their mission, and returned to ULF base for the final time. All of the 141, Alex, and Farah stood intently watching the small laptop screen propped open inside Nikolai's helicopter. Crickets chirped and the breeze whistled; the only sounds that broke up the audio as the livestream played.

Shocking revelations in the ever-developing story of the Urzikstan Liberation Force's involvement with the United States. We now go live to the Congressional Subcommittee Meeting where General Hershal Shepherd is releasing previously redacted details on unsanctioned weapons shipments from the US to Urzikstan.

"...We owe a debt of gratitude to our Task Force and the ULF for our success against Vladimir Makarov and his private army."

"Much has been said about the ULF. Are Farah Karim and her soldiers a terrorist organization?"

"No. Farah Karim is and always has been an ally to the United States and our Western partners in the region."

"How did Commander Karim obtain American armaments?"

"For nearly a decade, I sent weapons to commander Karim to support her missions against Al-Qatala and Russian incursions into Urzikstan."

"Were those shipments legal?"

"No... In order to save lives, I commissioned illegal shipments with funds I approved myself."

"...General Shepherd, did you authorize Shadow Company to fire on a task force under your command in Las Almas, Mexico?"

"No, I did not." 

"Mr. Graves, were you given orders to use lethal force against TF-141?"

"Yes, I was."

"And who gave you those orders?"

"General Hershal Shepherd."

"Did you act on those orders?"

"No... Absolutely not, sir."

Shocked gasps and mutters erupted throughout the crowd as congress tried to get the courtroom to settle down. Hex shook her head in disbelief as she watched.

"Jesus. They fucking stabbed each other in the back... figures."

Soap crossed his arms. "Still savin' their own skins."

Ghost placed a hand on Hex's shoulder. "Every man for himself..."

Price was silent as he gripped the straps of his vest and stared at the laptop. Farah walked up beside him and threw three photos down where it rested. "That's the difference between us... and them." Makarov, Shepherd, and Graves's faces were scattered across the surface.

Price turned around and finally spoke. "We're not gonna let this stand. Best way to end a war..." he turned to his team, "is to win it."

They all looked to him and nodded. Farah smirked. "No prisoners."

Price reached out to shake her hand. "Good hunting, commander."

"You too, Captain," she said with a wry smile, and took Graves's photo with her.

"Alright- let's prep for exfil," Price said as he closed the laptop and banged on the side of the helicopter. It began booting up and whirring as he continued, "Laswell picked up chatter that Konni is in London." He looked at Gaz and Ghost with a smirk, "We're going home..."

Hex rushed into a firm embrace with Alex, then Farah, and watched Alex and Ghost shake hands out of the corner of her eye before she climbed in behind the rest of their team. She kept her eyes locked on them with a smile, and waved as they set off. Farah and Alex waved back through the dust that kicked up all around them, and locked their hands as they watched helicopter lift off and out of view.