Annoyed, you took a deep breath and adjusted the straps of your gear for the tenth time. Usually you had a special type of gear that matched your body shape and weight for max efficiency.

But for some reason the French had insisted on their gear, which meant it wasn't fitting the way it was supposed to.

On top of that it made you feel uncomfortable as hell.

At least it was good enough to not get shot.

A pilot was already getting the helicopter ready.

But the team hadn't arrived yet.

You hated when people were unpunctual. It was a waste of time and rude to the person waiting to add to that. But at the same time you weren't punctual either. Most of the time it was a waste to show up early. All that you missed was someone talking big words with no real weight behind them.

You pulled out your phone.

"Laswell.", Laswell's voice sounded.

You rolled your eyes.

"Katie.", you said in such a way that she knew exactly what was going on. "My team is missing."

"They are on their way."

"They were supposed to be here thirty minutes ago."

"They had orders to wait for the captain."

You frowned.

"I am the captain."

"Not quite.", a deep voice suddenly said.

With your eyebrows knitted together you turned to the side, just far enough to look into the directing the voice was coming from.

A bearded face came into sight.

"Price.", you said with a hint of surprise in your voice.

He nodded his head as a greeting.

His huge body was dressed in tactical gear, a bulletproof vest covering his broad chest. His feet were stuck in some beige combat boots. He was wearing a beanie that covered his hair and ears.

All that helped you to identify his face was the well groomed beard.

Behind him appeared two guys, sergeant Garrick and Alex alias Echo 3-1.

Both were smart enough to keep their mouths shut at first. It was easy fir them to tell that things were about to get a little heated.

"Captain.", Price said soberly and grabbed the edge of his bulletproof vest to give himself some air to relax. "Didn't know you were the second in command. Pleased to see it."

His hands were covered with fingerless gloves.

Confused, you frowned.

"Second in command? I'm the captain.", you replied.

His lips moved and his passive aggressive, polite smile appeared.

"Like I said, not quite. They put me in as captain in command. Far range combat."

Your eyes narrowed.

"Laswell.", you growled into the phone. "Explain yourself. Now."

At the other end of the line, she sighed.

"You both aren't wrong.", she said. "We decided to go with two head operators. Since your diplomatic skills are lacking Price will join in. He has good connections to many forces."

"What the fuck is that supposed to mean, my diplomatic skills are lacking?"

"You're not good with talking. Peoples patience tends to get tested by you."

You bared your teeth.

"Are you questioning my abilities?"

"No. That's why you are captain in command. We trust in your success rate. But so do we with Price. You both have the same authority. Work together."

"Well fuck me if I don't."

"You will."

You huffed.

"Or what?", you asked, annoyed.

"Or we will put you on the list.", she said drily.

Price eyebrows rose. An amassed yet dry expression appeared on his face.

"Would be a shame to be up there with people like Al-Qatala.", he hummed. "Let's just accept the orders and move on, eh? I'm sure we can work things out."

You met his eyes.

"You like to receive orders, beanie?", you asked, attacking him out of a habit.

You didn't put thousands of hours of your life into this job and sacrificed everything you got just to be robbed off your position by a Brit looking like a trimmed grizzly.

His face darkened.

"I give them.", he said.

"Not as second in command."

"You're second in command."

"I'm the captain."

"So am I."

Laswell sighed.

"Both of you, keep it together!", she ordered, audibly at the end of her patience. "Your first mission is to get to camp. Pilots know where to drop you off. Don't waste time. The units stationed there need support immediately."

With those words she hung up.

An uncomfortable silence spread among the group.

Wordlessly you lowered the hand in which you held the phone clutched while staring Price down.

But he wasn't impressed at all. Shrugging, he crunched his nose and rocked back and forth on his heels.

All of a sudden, Garrick cleared his throat.

"Nice to meet you.", he said and reached out to offer you a handshake. "I'm sergeant Garrick."

He had an audibly posh accent, like someone who came from a big city. London was most likely his place of origin.

You took the hand.

"I'll call you Gaz, if you don't mind.", you said, eyes still locked on Price.

Gaz was surprised.

"You know my nickname?"

"Sure. Little beanie told me."

"Birdie, you mean."

You shook your head.

"You heard me.", you moved on to greet Alex as well. "Call me captain."

Alex raised en eyebrow.

"Captain what?", he asked.

"Just captain will do."

Price huffed.

"Then we have a problem. I won't be called by anything but my title.", he demanded. "Price won't do."

"Bravo it is then.", you replied with yours arms crossed in front of your chest. "Or do you want to fight me already?"

A grim look appeared on Price's face.

It was obvious that he wasn't used to receiving commands or arguing about authority.

But neither were you.

Now that you two were working as equals this could bring enough potential to smash each other's heads in. Because the devil knew you would rather die on a hill than back down once you've made your mind up about something.

Unluckily, he didn't seem to be any different.

Only difference between the two of you was that he didn't run his mouth about it like you did.

"How about captain Price?", Gaz asked to calm the nerves.

Price hummed.

"Yeah, well, we will have enough time to argue about that.", he hummed.

You gifted him a broad grin.

"Just let me warn you...", you walked past him to jump into the helicopter. "Nobody ever won against my mouth."

"We will see about that."