Price clapped his hands twice to get our attention. We all looked at him. Price was the kind of guy who would always help you through any shit, and we needed him now as our leader. He continued in a sad but commanding tone, "The loss of Alejandro is tragic, but we can't hang our heads now. We need to keep going and seek revenge."

My grip tightened around my weapon at the mention of "revenge." They all nodded in agreement, except for me.

Price continued, "The first thing we need is patience. Patience is the key to victory. We need the crucial information to strike where they least expect it."

I felt Ghost squeeze my hand, a silent reassurance that everything would turn out fine. I smiled at him, but deep down, I knew that reality and fate had something different in store. Perhaps Ghost even knew it better than I did, but he would never admit it.
After a few hectic minutes and issuing commands, Price brought out various large maps. One was of Las Almas, another of the headquarters, and others depicting the surrounding areas.

Price said, "We need current photos, and we have to install surveillance devices inside the building."

Rudolfo raised his hand, saying, "I can take the photos."

Gaz also volunteered, "I can get the surveillance devices into the building."

Price nodded and added, "We're now classified as traitors in America, but we know who we truly are. It will be difficult to cross the border to reach Shepherd."

I suggested, "Perhaps we could initially leave Shepherd aside and eliminate his allies, weakening him in the process."

Price agreed, saying, "That could be a good idea."

Price said, "Gaz and Rudolfo, get ready and head out."

Both of them nodded and prepared themselves.

Before leaving, Rudolfo turned back and said, "I'm glad you're helping us. By the way, this isn't just an ordinary barn. Alejandro and I had weapons and vehicles installed here, just in case."

We were shocked as the wall of the barn turned like in movies, revealing a wide array of weapons. The selection ranged from assault rifles to SMGs, shotguns and  sniper rifles

Soap laughed at the sight, as if the weapons alone were not enough. Rodolfo cleared a pile of hay, revealing three cars equipped with weapons.

Ghost added, "¡Lindo regalo!" (Nice gift!)

Rudolfo smiled and replied, "¡Por supuesto!" (Of course!)

I watched as Gaz and Rudolfo went outside and got into the other cars they arrived in, along with Price.

Ghost said, "While they're gone, we can start planning a strategy to take out Graves."

Price nodded.

The four of us looked at the outline of the building that used to be Alejandro's base. How quickly everything can change.
Soap said, "There's no back entrance, only a front entrance, but we can't go in through there."

I asked, "Is there perhaps a sewer system that leads directly into the base?"

Ghost nodded and pointed to a corner of the grounds, adding, "Once the photos are taken, we can also see if that area is well guarded or not."

Price said, "Now we need to decide how to take him out."

I asked, "What do you mean?"

Ghost and Soap grinned, and Soap replied, "A decision where we all agree on how to kill the traitor and by whose hand."

I said, "Nice ritual you have there."
Price chuckled and said, "Who's in favor of Rudolfo being the one to kill him?"

The three of us raised our hands.

Price added, "He can decide the methodology himself."

After what felt like 6 hours, the two of them returned. I saw Gaz getting out of the car with an injured arm, followed by Rudolfo.

I immediately went to Gaz and exclaimed, "Gaz!"

He simply replied, "I'm fine, just a scratch."

One of the biggest lies in the military is when someone claims it's just a scratch.

I waited until he entered the barn and then examined his wound. I forced him to sit down and rolled up his sleeves. The wound looked deep, as if someone had stabbed him. I asked, "What the hell happened?!"

He proudly pulled something out of his backpack—it was a set of black clothing, the uniform of one of the Shadow Soldiers.
Soap joined us and asked, "How did you manage that?"

Gaz said, "One of them noticed me, so I had to take care of him. But before he went down, he left me with a little surprise. As a thank you, I took his dead body off the premises and stole his clothes."

I laughed and noticed Ghost approaching us. He glanced between me and Gaz, observing me as I tended to Gaz's wound. I sensed his gaze and wondered, "Is he jealous or something?"

Ghost asked Gaz, "What did you do with the body?"

Gaz replied with a smile, "You're better off not knowing."

Meanwhile, Rudolfo was busy attaching the photos to the wall.
Price approached Gaz, placing his hands on his shoulders and said, "Well done."

Gaz smiled in response. The two of them had somehow developed a father-son relationship, despite not being blood-related.

Once I finished tending to Gaz's wound, I stood up and stepped outside the barn. There was only water available outside, and I needed to wash my hands. I noticed Ghost coming out as well and closing the barn door. He leaned against the wall and spoke in a cold tone, "I don't want you touching another man. Soap could have done the same."

I looked at him with annoyance and responded in an irritated tone, "He was injured."
Ghost retorted, "He wouldn't have died if he had waited a few more minutes for Soap to arrive."

I crossed my arms in front of my chest, clearly displaying my frustration. "Ghost, he was fucking injured. Do you think it matters in that moment who treats him?!" With that, I walked past him, intending to reach for the door handle.

However, Ghost grabbed my arm and forcefully turned me to look into his eyes. He let out a sigh before continuing, "Hey... It wasn't my intention to sound like an obsessed asshole... I'm sorry." He said the apology in a very soft tone.

I deliberately replied, "I didn't understand the last part, repeat it again," raising an eyebrow.
He paused for a moment, chuckled briefly, and looked down at the ground. "I'm sorry," he repeated.

With a devilish smile, I said, "Good."

That was the moment he pinned me against the barn wall and whispered in my ear, "Shall I demonstrate what's good?" Goosebumps ran down my spine. However, just as the tension was about to get romanticaly, Soap came out and stared at us with wide eyes, saying, "Without me?"

Ghost shot him a glance, and Soap obediently returned to the barn.

Ghost turned back to me and said, "We'll continue this later."

I replied, taking hold of his protective vest and pulling him closer, "You have to earn it," before returning to the barn with a smile. I could still hear him laughing behind me.