A few days have passed and it's officially time to return to our base.
Farah is doing much better, practically wholly healed.
She and Price have been spending the last few days together, which makes me happy.
Yesterday, Farah took her leave and went back home.
I could tell it was hard for Price to say goodbye, but he does a hell of a job of concealing the emotional side of him.
Out of everyone in the Task Force, Price seems the most reserved. He's quiet, calm, and collected.
Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever seen Price get too worked up or yell about anything.
Quite the opposite of a couple of people I know...
Ghost has healed up nicely, too. His bullet wound to the shoulder didn't do much damage. It was more of a scare than a serious threat.
Task Force 141 meets up at the location where we first arrived in Iran: the landing strip at an Iranian military base that has been working closely with 141.
Despite our victories of rescuing the hostages, obtaining two out of the three missiles, and taking out Hassan and Graves, everyone still seems pretty on edge.
It appears our biggest challenge is yet to come: Shepherd.
We all board the jet and with that take our leave from Iran, the place I'd never like to revisit for obvious reasons.
The flight back was quiet and there was a lot of tension in the air.
Again, Shepherd was someone the Task Force admired, someone they thought they could trust.
I did some research on the man himself. General Shepherd, also referred to as "Golden Eagle" has served in many wars, doing great work for the American people. Before now, he was seen as a loyal, honest, and a dedicated soldier.
Shepherd especially did a lot of work against our Russian enemies. He served as the supreme commander of the U.S. military forces during the Second Russian Civil War.
A few years after the inception of Task Force 141, Shepherd created Shadow Company.
I could go on and on about the achievements of the General, but all this to say, he was highly revered and the Task Force is taking his betrayal very hard.
Especially Ghost.
Whenever I try to discuss the topic with him he shuts down, even getting agitated at times. Ghost only wants to talk about Shepherd in the context of the mission and with the rest of the Task Force members.
I want to talk with him about it but I'm afraid I'll push him too hard, and in turn, he'll distance himself from me.
- TIME SKIP -
After a grueling almost 16-hour flight, we make it back home to the Task Force 141 base.
The base seems...different. Since being away and immersed in the mission, it feels weird to be in a space of calm; and of normality.
Heading toward the residential/living area of the base, I stop at my door which is directly across from Ghost's.
"Headed to bed?" I ask him.
"Not quite," he hums.
"Can I invade your space, then?" I raise my brows playfully, trying to lighten his mood.
He lets out a deep sigh, rejecting my attempt. "Not if it's to talk about Shepherd."
Damn.
"Fine. Fine." I throw my hands up, conceding, and enter his private quarters.
It's interesting to see Ghost operate in a "typical" way. He enters his quarters and the first thing he does is start putting dishes away. Not something you'd expect to see from a renowned war criminal.
"Well?" he asks me without turning to face me, continuing to put the dishes away.
"What?" I chuckle. "I can't just want to spend time with you?"
"You can, but we both know that's not why you're here," Ghost deadpans.
I let out a deep sigh.
I thought he didn't want to talk about Shepherd...
"Price says we leave for Chicago in two days," I say cautiously.
"Mhm." Ghost continues his work in the kitchen.
"You're sure you want to go?" I ask him.
"I'm a Task Force member. That's my duty," he deadpans.
"Price said we can skip out on this one."
"No," he says firmly, coldly. He stops putting the dishes away, resting his hands on either side of the sink.
"Why?" I ask, sounding frustrated.
"Because I said so," he barks.
"Seriously?" I scoff, annoyed. "You don't need to be the one to stop Shepherd."
"You don't understand," Ghost hisses, still not facing me.
"Then enlighten me," I say tightly.
"I don't take betrayal lightly and Shepherd's betrayal threatens the well-being of my team." He finally turns to face me.
"Of the people you care about..." I confront him.
"Of my team." He raises his voice, enunciating his words.
"Yeah, your team, also known as the people you care about." I stand my ground.
"You done?" He snaps at me.
"I get it, Ghost. You don't want to lose any more people..."
He stays silent, his eyes burning into my flesh.
"...But don't let your fear and hatred push you into taking unnecessary risks that jeopardize your well-being. You're still somewhat recovering from your wounds in Iran," I say with genuine concern, hoping he catches on to that.
"I'm the Lieutenant. You're the Sergeant. You follow my orders, not the other way around," he says sternly, and angrily, leaving no room for argument.
Asshole.
So much for being partners, friends, lovers...
"Yes, sir." I change my tone accordingly to fit the role he so desperately wants me to take.
"Breanna..." he sighs. "I'm not-"
I cut him off.
"It's fine, Lieutenant," I deadpan, trying not to show my upsetness as it'll only make him feel worse. But I still end up saying curtly, "Rest up."
And with this, I take my leave from his quarters and enter mine.
For all the pain he's bestowed upon the Task Force, upon Simon, I'll make Shepherd pay.