A few hours earlier

The team of elite soldiers bundled from the helicopter into a large dark green vehicle that was lined with worn cushioned benches on both sides. They sat next to each other, some silent as they pondered what they were about to walk into and whether they'd come back out whilst a group of them sat laughing and joking as if they were on a school trip, not as if they were about to infiltrate a drug lord that had been threatening the governors with a new drug that apparently could wipe out the city. As soon as their journey was underway, they all chatted amongst themselves while the boss and one other soldier who sat beside him remained quiet, checking their weapons and looking over the other soldiers disapprovingly.

"Is this really the best team you could come up with, Big Boss?" Rex sighed as he shook his head, looking over the team of inexperienced school kids. Big boss looked back at Rex and leant in, making sure none of the others could hear.

"We've lost too many good ones, we're the last of the old school team." He explained. "But these all passed rigorous testing. They're the best of the best." Rex tutted and rolled his eyes, giving Big Boss an unimpressed look - one he was more than used to after the amount of years he'd spent with him. They'd been on missions together for a while. As always, whoever survived the last mission was put on the next one and new soldiers were recruited for those lives that were lost. Rex and Big Boss had managed the last year surviving together, but also had to go through the harsh reality of losing over thirty soldiers in that time too. It got to them at the beginning, but now, Rex had decided never to get to know the soldiers - then when they died he wouldn't really feel affected. Big Boss half admired this outlook, but also hated it. He knew Rex wasn't this harsh asshole he portrayed himself to be to all the new recruits. He knew Rex had feelings and had always dreamed of having a family when he had served his time in the elite team. Big Boss had never said this to anyone though; he kept it firmly to himself because, to survive this job, they needed to trust each other and help each other through each mission - you'd never do that for someone you hated.

"Well, they'd better be sharp and quick cos I'm not babysitting." Rex huffed, catching the eye of a couple of the soldiers who looked away instantly. Rex's gaze fell on a group of four in the middle who were messing about together. His eyes bore into them as they clowned about, teasing each other.

"All I'm saying is I came top in all the classes, I should be second in charge or something." Great White laughed at the other three. They all roared in laughter back, but more as if they were laughing at him and not with him. His confident smile remained though, as if he was unfazed by their jokes.

"Alright Baby Shark." Grizzly said as he elbowed him.

"You can talk Teddy Bear!" He snapped back as he punched him in the arm. The other two were bent over, cackling in laughter at the men messing about. One of them sat up and held his belly, his eyes scanning the rest of the team only to find Rex's eyes burning into the four of them with what he suspected to be anger and hatred.

"Calm it both of you, I can see Grim glaring at you." Vulture said as he kicked a foot into each of their shins, changing their laughter into a yell of pain. Both of them grabbed at their shins as they rubbed them, glaring back at him with resentment.

"Shut it Birdy." Grizzly hissed as he kicked him back. "Grim can do what he wants. He's a miserable fucker." The moment the last syllable had left his lips, heavy footsteps filled the otherwise silent atmosphere. All eyes fell on Grizzly as Big Boss stood between the four of them. He glared at each of them menacingly before he knelt in front of Grizzly, grabbing his jaw in his hand before he had a chance to react. Grizzly grunted as Big Boss tightened his grip, bringing his face closer to Grizzly's.

"Rex has been beside me for more missions than you can count - including five Level One missions like this one. Baring in mind, we're the only two that have survived those missions don't you think you should cut him some slack for not acting like a bunch of teenage kids in the schoolgirls locker room?" Big Boss explained as the teams eyes then fell on Rex. He kept his gaze dead centre as if everyone's attention on him didn't affect him, but secretly inside he was hating every moment. He didn't want everyone to think he was a cold-hearted miserable guy but at the same time, the pain of losing your comrades was just too much. "Now, I don't care how you get ready for this mission as long as you're damn-well ready when we arrive!" Grizzly's demeanour has changed instantly and he nodded like a child that had been scolded by a parent.

"Yes Sir. Sorry Sir." Grizzly said quietly as all his friends sniggered behind their hands. Big Boss let go of Grizzly and stood up, gaining everyone's attention. The vehicles atmosphere was tense and silent, the only noise being the actual vehicle driving.

"Right Team, ETA is two minutes. Get all your gear on and I'll talk through the plan one more time. Remember, we must bring the drug lord in alive and get the sample of the drug he was threatening to use. Anyone else is expendable. We will split into two groups, one will come in from the roof whilst the other comes in from the ground. We will scope each floor until we find Niko and the sample and then meet at the rendezvous point to be picked up. Does everyone understand?" He looked over every member of the team who was now dressed completely in their black protective gear, masks on so none of them were recognisable now. Every one of them looked the same, like a bunch of clones. Now Big Boss couldn't tell the difference between any of them, but that was the best way. He quickly received agreement from all the soldiers before he kitted himself up too, getting ready for the mission ahead.