Roach

Chapter 12

Shepherd walks back to us before I can give the captain an answer. He walks past the three of us, making a small motion to follow him. MacTavish follows behind him first, Ghost and I follow behind. The three of us take a seat on one of the helios that the men were hawking over earlier. Shepherd waits until we take off before he looks over to us.

"We'll be heading to a base in the states. It's in Pennsylvania, base is relatively away from civilians. Don't expect to get too comfortable and don't talk with the other soldiers that are there."

"Might I ask why, sir?" MacTavish asks before Ghost or I have a chance to question it ourselves.

"They don't know what's going on. They assume SAS would be coming over for a mission when that's not the case. I'd like to try and keep the 141 under wraps as much as possible, Captain."

"Understood, sir, we won't talk to the locals."

Shepherd continues, "As I was saying. Don't get comfortable. We'll be moving further inland as I finish gathering soldiers. I think we'll stay close to the American-Canadian boarder for a small time before establishing a more permanent location."

The three of us nod.

"Where would you have in mind, sir?" Ghost questions.

"That's classified information, as of now, Lieutenant."

Ghost crosses his arms, clearly dissatisfied with the answer. I put a hand on his shoulder getting him to loosen up a little. Shepherd runs us though some other, in my opinion, unimportant details.

The rest of the, seemingly endless, flight to the states in a chopper felt unbearable. No one talked after Shepherd was done giving us information. Captain started writing something or other in a journal of his. I assume Ghost fell asleep at one point after Shepherd was done because he was laying back in his seat. Well he was laying back as much as he could. I watched MacTavish for a little bit, trying to figure out if he's writing something or drawing something. It felt wrong, in the moment, to ask. Shepherd made the air around us awkward, leading it to be difficult to see what kind of guy MacTavish is.

"Wake up, Roach," Ghost says as he pats my shoulder. I look up to him, not even remembering falling asleep. He offers a hand and pulls me to my feet.

We walk off the chopper, seeing other soldiers running around. Shepherd seems to of melted in and disappeared amongst other soldiers and officers at the base. MacTavish, on the other hand, seems to of started talking with some other soldiers but they look like they're busy or trying to get off to do other things.

"Leave the Americans alone MacTavish, I think you're scaring them!" Ghost calls out to him. I shake my head, though follow as Ghost walks up to him.

"I am not scaring the Americans," MacTavish replies.

"Well it sure as hell looks like it."

MacTavish rolls his eyes, "Right, sure." He pauses for a second then seems to get an idea. "Why don't the three of us change into something less formal and get something to eat?"

"Dinner with the captain?" I ask, starting to smile. "As long as you're paying, sir."

"Ghost, you in?"

Ghost sighs, "Sure why not. Maybe it won't be completely horrible."

"Awe come on Ghost, it won't be that bad. It could even be fun!" I push him a bit.

"Aye, we'll have a great time and buy the both of ye drinks. I'll drive."

"Free dinner and drinks, where have you been all my life, sir?"

MacTavish and I laugh, making Ghost shake his head. We go into the base and walk through a seemingly empty bunk room. Ghost throws his stuff on the top of one of the bunks. I put my things on the bottom, then open my bag.

"Feels almost like basics." I say as I pull a plain shirt out of my bag.

"Almost. Yet it feels off."

"Maybe because it's an American base? Instead of one back home?"

"No, I think it's because we're not stuck in Hereford anymore."

"So because we're not back home?" A chuckle escaped me. "I think the change of scenery will be nice."

"Well needed, I felt like we weren't doing much of anything with Kempson. Let's hope MacTavish provides some excitement to our lives."

I hear Ghost starting to get into his bag as well. He drops another pair of boots to the ground, then another.

"Did you just bring your boots?"

"No, got a few pairs of trousers as well."

"Ah and shirts?"

"One or two."

"Really? You leave your pants there with the rest of your wardrobe?"

Ghost and I share a laugh. "No, Roach. I brought what I needed. Just wanted to make sure I had the boots I like. I'm trying to break my current ones in."

I lean over the bed, pushing down on my own bag a little. "Ah, brought the black ones too. Very fine assortment ya've got there."

"Oh I do try."

We both unpack a few other things before I let out a groan.

"What?" Ghost questions as he moves to sit on my bed. He's already changed though he still has his mask on.

"Forgot my toothbrush," I say as I hold up my tube of toothpaste. "Course it's the one thing I forget."

"How? Shouldn't it of been right next to the toothpaste?"

"I have no idea. Maybe we should run to the shop before we go for drinks."

"Maybe, but that's up to MacTavish." He glances to the door of the room then looks back to me. "You want me to ask--"

"No, I'll do it. I'm the daft idiot that forgot."

"Forgot what?" MacTavish asks, walking towards us. Ghost must of been looking at him when he glanced at the door.

"My toothbrush."

"Shouldn't it of been right next to the paste?"

"That's what I said!" Ghost seems to smile. He gets up from the bed. "He is a bit daft when it comes to simple things."

"Better not get me killed."

"It won't, sir, I'm not usually that forgetful." I say, putting the toothpaste up. "Guess I needed a new one anyway."

"We'll grab one before we head to the pub. Though Roach, do try to remember your toothbrush when we leave this base."

MacTavish starts to walk back towards the door. Ghost chuckles a little then pats my shoulder. I follow behind him, soon matching his step. MacTavish leads us from the room, still laughing about how I forgot my damn toothbrush.