Hotel Six: A Call of Duty Fanfiction

Chapter 21: Cold

"Gent'lmen!" Everyone snapped to attention as the new Captain paced before them. "As I'm sure ya know, we have no time to waste after our last mission. Promotions have been made, and things will continue as they did before. As your new Captain, it is my duty to announce that Simon Riley will be your new lieutenant," Soap turned a scarred face to the group, his icy blue eyes settling on each soldier as his gaze glided over them. "I expect that all of you will treat him with his due respect."

Ghost beamed silently, his chest puffing out when he heard his name. "Thank you, sir." he said quietly, saluting MacTavish when he stopped in front of him to attach new pins on his lapels. 

Captain MacTavish's mouth twitched at the corners, almost like he wanted to grin, but it soon faded. "Task Force 141 has exclusively taken on the mission of findin' Code Name 'Kingfish,' the new Ultranationalist leader," he said. "It's no easy task, but then again, when have we ever faced the easy stuff?" A ripple of laughter answered him. "We can't spare a moment; if you're not trainin' or preparin' for an op, you'd better be eatin', sleepin', or takin' a shet. We have another op in three days in Russia at an outpost that we think has some valuable intel; we have no time to be doin' anythin' but findin' Kingfish and killin' bad guys."

Private Buck, a blonde man with brown eyes and a stocky frame, briefly glanced at Jessica when she sniffed from beside him. MacTavish would have let it slide had Russ not swiveled his head for a moment and taken notice. He wasn't about to be challenged in front of his peers. The Captain walked over and stood directly in front of her. "Do you have somethin' you'd rather spend your time on, Gal?"

"On which I would rather spend my time?" she corrected quietly. "No, sir." 

His eyes narrowed at her and leveled his gaze with hers, but she kept her blank stare straight ahead. "Then I suggest you keep your attitude on the low, eh?"

She briefly looked at the scar over his left eye left by the impact from their previous mission, but returned to looking through him. "Of course, Soap... MacTavish."

MacTavish was stock still, but the hair on the back of his neck bristled aggressively at the mention of his old name. He walked on without a word. "... Need I say more to ya bloody dogs?" When no one responded, he dipped his head sharply. "Let's go! Those who are trainin' today will start with PT; Walcroft, you're leadin' 'em. Anyone else, start gettin' your gear checked and put together." 

Walcroft blinked a few times, caught off guard that he was picked to lead something. He grinned and nodded, and then guided some men to train. Russ followed Walcroft, tail between his legs, looking once more at Jessica when he heard MacTavish murmur for her and Ghost to stay. 

When the others were gone, the Captain passed a tongue over his lips stiffly. "... Soap?" he growled before Jess could walk past him.

Jessica stood at ease, her eyes focused past him. "It was a slip, sir, nothing more."

"I'm your Captain and you should know better than to use that name, especially in this settin'," he said leaning closer to her face. "You will address me as 'Captain MacTavish,' or 'sir' from now on. You told me you'd never call me Soap, and I'm damn well holdin' ya to it."

Her eyes flicked back and forth a few times and cautiously met his. "I would expect no less from you. But, all the same, it was an accident; I'm still getting used to calling you 'Captain.'" 

"Well get used to it faster," he rumbled. And with that, he walked away.

Normally she would have bared her teeth at him for his hostility, but he was a Captain now and she knew better than to do that, and for some reason, the aggression wasn't there.

Ghost folded his arms across his chest when they were alone. "Funny," he said. "I was half expecting you to go for his face."

She turned a blank, yet cold stare to him. "Besides the fact an IED beat me to it, I would never hurt MacTavish, but don't think that you're safe."

He chuckled. "Oooh, watch out, Gal still hates me."

"Hate is a strong word, however fitting."

"Aww, I'm hurt. I thought we were friends," he teased.

She was silent. "... I've got gear to check; let me know if MacTavish needs me for something else." Jess turned and walked away, heading for the armoury.

Ghost's eyes gave away that he made a face under his mask. "That supposed to mean something?" he called after her.

Jessica stood in the armoury, her eyes staring distantly at the weapons on the rack. For some reason, it felt like she didn't recognize any of the various rifles and pistols, nor even where she was. This was strange, it felt like even her head was numb, and she couldn't recall anything if she tried.

She started when she heard footsteps approaching. Her shoulders relaxed at the sight of Roach.

"What brings you here?" she asked.

"I'm done with PT; thought I should start looking over my weapons now," he said. His grey eyes scanned her face. "Everything okay?"

Silently, she looked back at the gun rack. "... Yeah. I'm just figuring out which one I'm gonna bring with me." she said. 

Roach looked over the wall. "You could always take your go-to?" he suggested. She shot a confused expression to him and he pointed. "The MP-5 is right there."

Jess chuckled. "Oh, yeah... Silly me. How did I even forget?"

"Are you sure you're alright?"

She shrugged. "Of course, I'm just being blind; it's fine."

He stood in front of her. "You haven't been acting normal for the last week, but you're acting even more unusual today."

"I just had a run-in with Captain MacTavish and Ghost, and I'm just a little sore about it. That's all." 

Roach sighed but then offered a grin. "Come on, now. You look so down about it. It's just a little hiccup, right? You can come back from this."

"I'm not really sure how," she said.

He shrugged. "I dunno, either... Maybe you could talk to him and clear the air?"

Her hazel eyes rounded with a little expression. "What could I possibly say?"

"Just, bring over a pint of ale, talk with him for a bit. Maybe you'll both get things off your chest and it'll be smooth sailing from there?"

Jessica thought for a moment and then nodded. "Seems fair. I can do that."

Roach smiled. "Good. Now let's get our gear together."