Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 - The Lost Chapters

Chapter 10: Answers

Following the events of "Contingency":

"Soap," Price said as he reactivated his coms. "What's the team's status?"

"Price," Soap warned as the older soldier returned to the docks. "You better have some answers when Ghost gets to you."

Price stopped walking. "I wil—"

"Bastard!"

Price saw a fist coming out of his peripheral vision. Price managed to bring his arm up and push the hand forward. He still took a hit to the cheek and tumbled to the ground.

Ghost threw aside his rifle and stomped forward. He aimed a kick at Price's stomach. Price caught the leg and yanked it forward. Ghost lost his balance and fell on his back.

Both men rose quickly.

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Roach moved to intervene but stopped when he heard Captain MacTavish's voice through his own com. "Roach, let 'em go."

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Price and Ghost stood a few feet apart.

"You detonated a nuclear bomb in the United States!" Ghost shouted, taking a step forward.

"It was necessary," Price said calmly.

"It was cold and ruthless!" Ghost snarled. "It was genocide!"

Ghost charged Price, throwing a right cross. Price sidestepped the punch, grabbed Ghost's arm, and threw the soldier backward to the ground.

Ghost rose again. "How can you sleep at night?"

"The same way your brother did," Price replied, taking a step forward. "Knowing that the work he did was for the greater good."

Ghost leapt forward again, punching at Price with his right fist, then his left, and finishing with a kick aimed at Price's head. Price batted both fists aside and caught Ghost's kick. He released the leg a half second later.

"My brother would never condone nuking an allied country!" Ghost said as he clenched his fists.

"The nuke was already headed for Washington," Price announced, making eye contact with every man present. "I changed the coordinates so it would detonate in the upper atmosphere. The electromagnetic pulse generated from the blast will take down the power for most of the United States' east coast."

Ghost didn't move. His fists remained clenched.

"Yes," Price admitted, turning back to Ghost. "I probably caused the death of allied soldiers. But I've given the United States a chance to man a counterattack."

There was a moment of silence.

Ghost shook his head and walked away.

Price looked at Roach.

After a few seconds Roach nodded in understanding and went after Ghost.

Price watched as Roach caught up to his friend put his hand on Ghost's shoulder.

Ghost slapped the hand away. After a few seconds, he calmed down and put his own hand on Roach's shoulder.

Price nodded to himself, knowing he'd made his point.

Soap stood on the landing platform of the oil rig as the team arrived a few hours later.

As they dismounted the evac chopper, Ghost glared at Price before walking to the makeshift barracks with Roach.

"Are you two going to be a problem?" Soap asked, approaching Price.

"He'll understand eventually," Price said with certainty. "Besides, I admire his dedication. If he can keep the anger in check, he'll be a team leader soon enough."

They walked into an empty office and Soap closed the door. Price sat down on a chair. Soap sat across from him.

"What do you think?" Price asked. "Did I do the right thing?"

"I think it was cold, calculated, and risky," Soap replied without hesitation.

Price shook his head. "I didn't expect anyone else to understand—"

"I wasn't finished," Soap interrupted. He leaned forward. "I also think that it was the right thing to do. The United States is preparing a counterattack as we speak. But you and I both know what the real threat is now."

"Makarov," Price confirmed. "During our assault on the sub, I made it abundantly clear that we're after him. We find him and we can end this war for good."

"The good news is that we have an informant," Soap said, leaning back in his seat. "We don't know who it is, but they've given us quality intel the last few months."

"Anything we can use to find Makarov?" Price asked.

"Our techs just finished decrypting the data," Soap answered. "The warning about Zakhaev International came in too late, but Shepherd got a couple leads on Makarov's location from this last transmission."

"Anything else?" Price asked.

"We have the full support of Shepherd's Shadow Company," Soap informed him. "The briefing is tomorrow at 1200 hours."

The door opened and Ghost walked into the room. "Sorry," he said, stopping short. "Am I interrupting?"

Soap shook his head and rose to his feet. He looked at Price. "I'll see you at the briefing."

Soap closed the door behind him as Price took out a cigar.

"My brother is alive," Ghost said after a moment of silence. "He just called from a chopper en route to London."

"I'm glad to hear it," Price said, lighting his cigar.

"The EMP created by your nuke allowed the United States to retake the White House," Ghost continued. "And... my brother told me he'd be dead if you hadn't..."

"The EMP achieved its purpose," Price said calmly.

Ghost took a step forward and bowed his head. "I'll accept the consequences of my insubordination as you see fit, Captain."

"What's done is done," Price said, blowing smoke out of his mouth. "If it makes you feel any better, Gaz and I weren't the best of friends at first either."

Ghost took a respectful step back.

Price rose from the chair and moved to exit the room before stopping beside Ghost. He lowered his voice. "It seems that good soldiers run in your family. I'm honored to have worked with your brother. And you. I think you can expect a command of your own soon."

Price walked out without another word.