Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 - The Lost Chapters

Chapter 8: The Calm

"Is that all you got?" Ghost asked loudly as he jabbed at Roach again.

Roach easily blocked the jab aside. The pair had been sparring since they had reached the oil rig fifteen minutes before. The Navy had set up shop shortly after using the rig as a takeoff zone for the assault on the gulag.

Captain MacTavish had told the team to take a break while Price made a call to Shepherd.

....................................................................................

Soap looked up as Price exited the room less than two minutes after calling Shepherd.

"Shepherd pissed?" Soap asked as Price stood beside him.

"I don't know," Price said with a small mischievous smirk. "The connection was lost before we finished the conversation. That being said, he seemed less than pleased with the plan."

"Well, then you'd better lead the ground team," Soap replied, folding his arms as Price began to watch the sparring match on the lower platform. "Shepherd won't be able to reach you until you return. With luck, you'll be in and out before the Ultranationalists know you're there."

Price looked at his friend curiously. "You and I both know that luck has no place in the field," he said with a raised eyebrow. "Something's bothering you."

"It's nothing," Soap lied, returning his gaze to the sparring partners.

Price grunted in amusement and placed a hand on Soap's shoulder. "What is it, son?"

"I'm worried about the team," Soap answered, pointing to Roach and Ghost. "Nothing could have prepared them for this. The One-Four-One was meant to be a covert unit. We've never been thrown into a war like this before. Look at Ghost, for instance."

Price was silent for a moment. When he spoke, he echoed Soap's concerns. "He doesn't know where his brother is. Family's what's most important to him. He's throwing himself headlong into the war. There he's focused, but—"

"He's running himself into the ground," Soap said, continuing Price's line of thought. "If he doesn't find a relief soon, he could crack at the worst time."

"There's nothing we can do about that right now. If something happens, we'll deal with it then," Price promised. "Besides, there was a rookie in my team who hadn't been in war either. He did just fine."

Price patted Soap on the shoulder and left the office.

Soap contemplated Price's words for a time before joining Ghost and Roach on the platform.