Price and Alex had arrived at the barn, where Ghost, Soap, YN, and Rudolfo were engaged in a serious discussion about their plan. As Price and Alex entered, all eyes turned towards them.

Alex nodded and introduced himself, "Alex Keller, pleased to meet you all."

The team acknowledged his greeting with nods and brief words of welcome.

Price explained, "Alex is a trusted friend of mine and Farah's. He will be joining us for support, and Farah will provide additional soldiers to aid us."

Soap nodded in approval, "Good."

Alex continued, "During the car ride with Price, I learned how we can prove your innocence to the American government."

Ghost leaned forward with curiosity, "How?"

Alex revealed, "Shepherd left behind traces, some rather foolish ones. There are records of his contact with Makarov and even a conversation between the two discussing the matter."

Soap's jaw dropped in astonishment at the revelation.

Ghost inquired, "How do we access this evidence?"

Alex responded, "We need to go to the location where Shepherd was last known to have been. I'll need to check the map to determine that."

Ghost resolutely stated, "I'm in."

Me, feeling concerned about Ghost's safety, stood up and headed outside for a smoke.

Ghost followed her, noticing her nervous habit of playing with her lighter.

He observed, "Whenever you're stressed, you play with your lighter."

I confessed, "I don't want you to go."

Ghost assured her, "I'm the most agile and, aside from Price, the most experienced. I can handle this with Alex."

I persisted, "I don't care."

Ghost sat down beside her, and they both gazed up at the sky. He attempted to reassure her, "Nothing will happen to me, I promise. Afterward, I'll stay by your side forever."

I took out the necklace Ghost had given me and spoke with determination, "Promise."

Ghost smiled and vowed, "Promise."

He kissed her and rested his forehead against hers. When the others came out of the barn, they stood up together.

Alex informed the group, "I'm ready whenever you are. The sooner we do this, the better."

Ghost confirmed his readiness, and Price handed him an assault rifle.

Before leaving, Ghost whispered something to Soap, evoking a reaction of concern. Ghost comforted him with the words, "My friend..."

I approached Ghost and embraced him, "Take care of yourself, okay?"

Ghost ran his hand through her hair affectionately, "Of course."

And so, he got into the car with Alex.

Meanwhile, at Shepherd's location:

Shepherd inquired, "Has the trap been set?"

Soldier 1 responded, "Yes, sir!"

Shepherd asked further, "Has the USB stick been located?"

Soldier 2 at the computer confirmed, "Yes, 20 minutes ago."

Shepherd nodded approvingly, "Good. Let's prepare ourselves and hope that the entire team takes the bait."

The soldiers got ready.

Brief explanation: Shepherd accidentally had a conversation with Makarov, but without a secure line. The voices are always recorded, and USB sticks are created as a security measure. When Shepherd found out about this, he had the idea to set up a trap. He commanded his soldiers to place the stick at an abandoned base and stationed a group there. He also decided to go there himself to witness Price's death, unaware that only Ghost and Alex would be coming.

Back to Ghost and Alex:

The journey was silent. It was a two-hour drive through the forest.

When they arrived, they slowly got out of the car, weapons at the ready.
In the distance, Shepherd's team had their weapons aimed at them. Alex and Ghost took slow steps, scanning the area.

Ghost whispered to Alex, "Quite remote around here."

Alex replied, "Yeah, and there's no radio signal. Damn!"

Ghost focused on their surroundings and said to Alex, "We should split up."

Alex nodded and went in the opposite direction. Ghost also went in another direction.

Shepherd's group, consisting of six men, divided as well, with three assigned to Ghost and three to Alex.

As they moved further apart, Ghost heard Alex scream, "Damn it, I've been hit! There are enemies here, Ghost!"

Just at that moment, the three men closed in on Ghost. He shot one of them in the head, leaving only two remaining. One of them was muscular and seemed tough to bring down.

Soldier 1 taunted, "Come on, let's fight like men!"

Ghost, with a smile, slung his weapon over his shoulder and said, "With pleasure."
 

      ( Start here the music or later )

The soldier approached Ghost. He seemed to have a background in boxing. He unleashed a combination of punches on Ghost, landing a few hits. Ghost felt his lip split open, blood dripping from it. However, Ghost was also an experienced fighter. He blocked one of the soldier's hands with his right hand and delivered a punch to the soldier's chin. The soldier staggered back in pain, and Ghost struck him hard in the chest, causing him to collapse to the ground, gasping for air. Ghost spat blood on him, saying, "Asshole."

The other soldier took the opportunity and shot Ghost in the leg. Ghost winced in pain before rolling behind a tree and returning fire, hitting the soldier in the chest. Ghost quickly bandaged his leg and approached the soldier who was lying on the ground.

The soldier pleaded from the ground, "Please, don't!"

Ghost, however, still shot him in the head and hobbled slowly towards Alex. When he reached him, Alex called out in pain, "It's clear, you can come."

Ghost sighed, "Damn, we've been badly hit." Alex had been shot once in the arm and once in the leg. Ghost helped him up, and Alex leaned on him for support. They made their way to the abandoned base and found the USB stick.

Ghost said to Alex, "Mission finished."

Alex nodded.

As they both emerged from the base, the radio interference had cleared. Ghost heard a helicopter approaching closer and closer.

Before he could react, the soldier shot Ghost in the hand, disabling him from using his weapon. Alex was unarmed. The helicopter landed, and Shepherd stepped out.

Ghost, in pain, exclaimed, "Damn it, Shepherd!"

Shepherd ordered the soldier, "Film this!"

Shepherd then shot Alex in the head, and his lifeless body fell to the grass.

Ghost screamed, "NO!"

And in that moment, Shepherd aimed at Ghost's chest and fired. He fell to the ground, blood slowly filling his lungs as he coughed up blood. Shepherd briefly turned to the soldier and spoke to him.

During that time, Ghost buried the USB stick and radioed YN.

At YN's location:

Ghost, in a pained voice and coughing up more blood, said, "YN, I'm sorry..."

I immediately jumped up, "Ghost, damn it, what's happening with you?"

Ghost's voice weakened, "I never got to tell you how much I love you, did I? And please forgive me; I couldn't keep my promise."Ghost carried a heavy burden of guilt, realizing that he hadn't told her "I love you" enough times.

I screamed over the radio, her voice filled with tears, "GHOST, NO, STAY WITH ME, GHOST, NOOO!"

Ghost smiled " I am so sorry",
and just then Shepherd returned to him, speaking in a cold tone, "You understand me, Ghost, don't you? Unfortunately, it's necessary to go this far."

And with that, Shepherd shot him in the head. Ghost's head turned to the side, his lifeless body on the ground.

I, over the radio, heard the gunshot and fell to the ground, crying, "No, Ghost. No, please not. Please, no."

Shepherd commanded two soldiers to throw Ghost and Alex further away and continue filming. They carried their bodies to another location and poured gasoline over them. Shepherd smoked a cigarette and dropped it onto their bodies. They began to burn.

Back at the barn, I screamed for the others. The others came running, shocked by YN's appearance.

Price exclaimed, "What the hell is going on?"

I cried out, "Shepherd killed Ghost and Alex!"

Soap covered his mouth and sat down, tears streaming down his face. He couldn't bear the news of losing one of his best friends.

I collapsed to the ground, weeping as I had never done before.

Price " This can't be true!"

I screamed, sobbing "BUT I HEARD THEIR CONVERSATION OVER THE RADIO AND THE GUNSHOT TOO!"

I stood up, my legs trembling from the weight of the news. I felt so weak that I feared I might collapse at any moment. It was as if there was a deep hole in my heart, as if a part of me had been taken away. I had never felt such grief before.

In a weak voice, I said, "We have to go to him... immediately."

Soap, with an even weaker voice, replied, "Wait, I'm coming with you..."