Redemption

CHAPTER XIII: The Opportunity To Be Back

The two had just finished talking it out inside Graves' room as Soap bid farewell towards him and closes the door gently this time. Soap never expected somebody to be that fragile and vulnerable – to the point that they finally shattered. Especially Graves.

He expected so little, yet got more in return.

As he went out of the room, Soap immediately thought that it was time to talk to Price about Graves. It's not about his status or anything... he wanted Graves to be part of the operation to stop Shepherd. More so than ever because of the fact that he's not their "Shadow Commander" anymore, and it would be more dramatic as it is to Shepherd's end since it would be a pawn fighting back against his own king.

The only difference is that he wasn't his king anymore. He was but a mere tyrant who sought evil.

Soap traversed the base's grounds, finding his way through Price's office where he eventually meets the door to enter the captain's expansion. He informally introduces himself as he opens the door, meeting with Price himself reading the documents and reports coming from Laswell's side.

He noticed Soap as he finished arranging the files, and knew that he wanted to talk about something.

"Soap?" Price asked in a questioning matter. There wasn't no time for greetings or anything, because whatever it is – he knew it was important.

"Captain... I have a proposal."

"And that is?"

Soap took off his glance at Price and took a deep breath.

"...I want Graves back on the team."

Price wasn't that shocked or anything. He was just bluntly neutral about that statement. Though, it left him with many riddles on why.

"Graves... Why do you want him to be associated with us?"

"He changed."

"For the better or the worse?"

"Better. He's not that hostile towards me."

He didn't want to reveal that Graves broke down, because it was a fresh start between them. Soap knew that he was a bit harsh to Graves before when he found out that he was alive, though he knows what he's after. And no amount of tarnation can ever stain the ambition that Graves held within him.

"If you had a suggestion, what would his job be during the operation?"

"A Watcher or a Support. He's just there for standby and if we're ever in a tight spot, we can always count on him.",

"He was a commander before. I know he would do either part well."

"Well then..."

Soap stood still in anticipation, waiting for an answer coming from the captain. He hoped that would accept Graves to be part of the upcoming counterattack on Shepherd. They needed more people because they wanted to have more support, and they weren't going to full on attack using some recruits either. They wanted to counter as a team.