Chapter 20: Night Shift

"I'm getting real fucking tired of this rain…." Price's hat was soaked, the rain still pouring on him and the others as they were crouched in an alley. They were waiting for another convoy of trucks to pass.

"The way these guys are moving, they've either got word that our boys are coming, or they've found Scarecrow and Ghost's dirty work." Jester quietly commented, keeping aim on his rifle. When the Last jeep drove past into the night, a 141 soldier quietly stood to his feet and ran out to the road. He looked around, then turned back to the group, motioning for them to come out.

"Right, he says it's clear, lets move." Price ordered. Everyone stood to their feet and began moving to the soldier, who was coming back to regroup with them. After they had done so, they continued down the street as quiet but as fast as they could. Most of them had put their goggles on to shelter their eyes from the ice cold rain, but they had to constantly wipe their goggles.

"This city has never gotten this much rain before." Specter commented.

"Makes me wish I could fly back up and clear the clouds like I used to do." Rainbow Dash chuckled.

"I'd join you in a heartbeat mate." Soap replied.

"We're getting close, keep it tight." Price ordered. He knew this wasn't the time for cracking jokes. they came to a corner, the only way to go was back or around.

"Damn… Trench, take point, scout it out." Price said. A 141 man came up to Price at the sound of his call sign, and nodded. After wiping his goggles with his left sleeve, checked the ammo for his SWAT-556, which was taken form fallen LAPD and given to the soldiers.

Trench quickly turned the corner, keeping low. He peeked just above the car he was using for cover. The rain made it hard to see, but he could see well enough to tell that there were no other beings on the street. He stood up, turned around, and gave a thumbs up to Price. This was his fatal mistake, as a bullet went straight through his helmet and into his skull, the now lifeless body falling to the ground. The group had just started to walk out, but immediately jumped back behind the corner.

"Fuck, sniper." Jester quietly exclaimed. Soap pressed the button on his communicator, hoping he would get the answer he wanted.

"Ghost, Scarecrow, this is Soap, tell me you heard that shot, he just took out one of our guys." Soap asked.

"I wish I hadn't." Ghost replied. "I'm at the third sight, and I heard it over the thunder. I hope those Muppets down on the ground didn't."

"Sounded like a M98B, but where did the Russians get that firepower?" Scarecrow broke in.

"They must have found it in a local gun shop, one of those small black markets, or off a dead sniper." Specter answered him. "Either way, we need him taken out. Can either one of you double back to a spot near our location?" he then asked.

"Ghost is at the third site, but I had to double back due to the surge in activity. I'm still on the rooftops, I may have a shot. This ain't like Islamabad though, Russians actually know how to shoot." Scarecrow said. It was then silent for a while, but Scarecrow radioed back in soon.

"Alright, I have a view of the street, but I need to know what building he's set up in. If he just set up recently, he's probably got a nigh vision scope, so he could spot me before I do him." he explained. Soap groaned inwardly.

"Blast, we'll do what we can." Soap said. He took his hand off the communicator. "Scarecrow is set up, but he needs to see where the sniper is set up. We need someone to get the blokes attention and hopefully Scarecrow can do the rest." he said, looking at the men. After a moment of silence, Jester piped up.

"I'll do it sir." he stated.

"Right, we've got your six. Good luck mate." Soap told him. Jester moved to the front of the pack, having to wipe his goggles clean like everyone else had to. He made a dash for the car where Trench's body lay. He slumped down behind the car door, just peeking over the hole where the window would be. The sniper must have not seen him because no shots were fired.

"I'm going to regret this…" Jester quietly scowled, undoing the latch that had his chin strap holding the helmet on his head in place. He took it off, then put it on the barrel of his MK 48, then raised the gun where the helmet was peeking up over the roof of the car. It wasn't but a couple of seconds later that a bullet struck straight through it, knocking it to the ground.

"SHIT!" Jester exclaimed, ducking back down. "You see him?! Please tell me you saw the fucker!" Jester exclaimed into his radio.

"Don't get your women's underwear in a wad, I saw him." Scarecrow replied.

He looked through the scope of his M39 EMR, the sweat rolling down his face camouflaging itself in the rain that poured. As he made the adjustments he needed to his scope, he prayed for guidance.

"It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure." he quietly quoted as he made his adjustments.

"He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he causes me to stand on the heights."

after making the adjustments, he took aim, doing his best to compensate for the wind and rain.

"He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze." He aimed to the top right of the window where he saw the enemy sniper, moving up about 2 inches. "That'll do it." he silently thought.

"You make your saving help my shield, and your right hand sustains me; your help has made me great." He flipped the safety off, keeping his finger steady on the trigger.

"You provide a broad path for my feet, so that my ankles do not give way." He put the stock of the gun tight against his shoulder.

"I pursued my enemies and overtook them; I did not turn back till they were destroyed."

Another shot rang out, jester flinching as so. He looked around, and was re-assured when he heard Scarecrow over the radio.

"He's down." Scarecrow reported.

"Good, let's move out." Price said. "Jester, you good?"

"Yeah, I'm good." Jester replied, putting his helmet back on. He saw the hole that was put clean through it by the bullet, thankful he wasn't wearing it at that moment, but also pissed because now the rain would drip inside it.

"Alright, you're clear to- wait, we've got a problem! There must have been a second guy with him, he's making a run back to the target building!" Scarecrow exclaimed. Everyone picked up their pace, chasing the man Scarecrow had called out.

"Do you have a shot on him?!" Specter asked.

"Negative sir, he just ran into an alley, I can't get a clean shot!" Scarecrow exclaimed. "I'll follow your path, let you know his movements!"

"That's good enough, lets go!" Price exclaimed, running into the alley the man ran into.

"We can't let him get back and alert his buddies!" Dash exclaimed, going into a full sprint.

"You don't say now?!" Twilight sarcastically exclaimed, doing her best to keep up with Dash. They could see the man ahead of them, but just as Twilight had taken aim with her pistol, he cut a corner. Dash was quick to turn also, but the slick concrete caused her to slip, and she went sliding past the turn. Rarity helped her up.

"Are you alright darling!?" Rarity asked.

"I've had worse, come on!" Dash grunted. The group kept going, chasing the man down multiple alleys. They tried to shot at him, but they kept missing. The whole group was slipping and sliding on the wet pavement, the man they were chasing falling some as well. It would almost be a comedy act if they weren't trying to kill each other. They kept going until they came to another alley which was a near straight shot to the target building.

"He's gonna get away!" Jester exclaimed.

"Not on my watch." Scarecrow said. All of a sudden, he jumped out of a two story window, the glass breaking, and landed on the Russian soldier. He quickly got up, slamming the soldier into a brick wall, then flipping him over his shoulder, putting a knife into his chest after he hit the ground. He held the man's head up, eventually laying it down softly after he had died.

Scarecrow closed the man's eyes, the others making sure no one heard them. Scarecrow stood back up to his full height, checking his M39 EMR.

"Nice one mate." Soap commented.

"Had to be done." was all that Scarecrow said.

"Let's keep moving, we're almost done." Specter said. The group kept moving until they came in view of the building that the mobile AA's were stationed on.

"Ghost, give us a sit rep." Specter ordered.

"Right, you've got a squad on the ground keeping guard, but most of the blokes are on the roof guarding the AAs. Those Muppets on the roof can't hear what's going on below, so you can take out that squad. Then continue with the mission. I'll provide Sniper support." Ghost replied.

"I'm heading back to Ghost's location, I'll rendezvous with you guys after we get this done." Scarecrow said. He hurried back into one of the buildings, heading for the rooftops.

"Right, let's make this fast. Specter, you and Jester take the Shadow Company men to the west end over there. The 141 and the girls will move to the north, and we'll open fire on these guys when I give the word." Price instructed.

"Copy that. Shadow Company, move out." Specter quietly ordered. The men in black used the shadows to their advantage, moving undetected to their location. When they signaled that they were ready, the girls and 141 began to move.

"Stay close." Price quietly told the mane 6. As the slowly moved along, Rarity came up beside Price.

"If I may ask, how are you able to deal with all this? It seems like any person seeing this would go mad." She quietly asked. Price looked back at her.

"It's simply because I have to. I don't want to, but I have my reasons." he replied.

"And one reason is because I don't want those I love having to do this." Price said, suddenly grabbing Rarity's hand. She was taken aback for a second, her eyes going wide. But she looked into Price's, and she felt a sense of calmness. She gripped his hand, and they continued on until they got to where they would set up. Price activated his communicator.

"Alright, Let's see how good you Yanks aim. Fire in 3.…2.….1."

They all popped up from their hiding spots, opening fire on the Russians. They had definitely taken them by surprise, and made quick work of them. Everyone regrouped and entered the building. The rooms they walked up were nearly all clear, only meeting some resistance here and there.

"Most of these guys must've rolled out to where the KSK and Marines set up their diversions." Jester commented.

"Thank the bloody lord for it to, makes our job easier." Soap commented. Ghost came on over the radio right after.

"You need to get your bloody arses moving, those guys upstairs have gotten word somehow, they're trying to send some squads down to take you out. Me and Scarecrow's doing what we can, no sense in staying quiet." he said. The rain had started to lighten up, and Rainbow Dash could hear the shots being fired from Scarecrow and Ghost. They continued moving, fighting their way through small resistance to the top.

Soap kicked down the door that led to the roof, and they all piled out quickly, returning fire as the did so. Some men were hit as they ran out, not being able to get to cover. Luna took cover behind an air conditioning unit with two SC men, and Dash had jumped over one to duck behind a crate. They kept the fire up, picking off as many Russians as they could.

"Grenade out!" Price exclaimed, pulling the pin on one of his frag grenades and tossing it over his piece of cover. It hit a spetsnaz in the face, the grenade exploding on contact, it taking out two other men as well. Price was trying to find another clip for his M4A1, keeping low behind the crate he was leaned against.

"Come on, there has to be another clip!" he cursed, fumbling through his vest. He immediately looked up and saw a spetsnaz had turned towards Price, and was starting to aim his SPAS-12 at him. Price closed his eyes, preparing for the worst, and slightly flinched at the sound of a gunshot. After a couple of seconds, he opened his eyes, and saw that the soldier that was aiming at him was now on the floor, bleeding from a headshot.

Price looked up, and what he saw surprised him. He saw Rarity, some blood on her face, aiming a M9 where the body once was. She then ran quickly to Price, taking cover beside him.

"Are you alright?" She asked, wiping some sweat off her forehead.

"Yeah, just a little surprised. I didn't take you to be the kind to fire a weapon, especially consider the whole dirt and mess stuff." he replied.

"All that's happening, and you really expect Dirt to be what I'm most worried about?" Rarity scoffed.

"Well, you said so yourself." Price chuckled. Rarity gave him a look, and all of a sudden they kissed, Price feeling the tenderness of Rarity's lips. They pulled away, knowing that they would have to save the romance for later. They felt the sparks sure enough though.

Ghost and Scarecrow were picking off spetsnaz soldiers, when Ghost had stopped.

"Mate, did you just see what I saw?" Ghost asked.

"Yeah, guess the old "chap" still has some in him." Scarecrow joked. Ghost looked back at the two through his scope.

"it's definitely the beard," Ghost thought.

They continued fighting until the last Russian fell, and Specter radioed the report it.

"Command, this is Echo 3-1, target building is secure and the mobile AA guns are down, I repeat, the mobile AA guns are down!" Specter exclaimed.

"Solid copy Echo 3-1, our fighters are moving back into the city limits. We're taking America back." Command echoed over everyone's radio. A group of F16's could be seen in the distance coming into formation, flying over the city, raining fire down on the unlucky spetsnaz soldiers in the streets. Everyone went different directions, some checking on wounded, others gathering those that couldn't make it. Price sat down by Rarity, who was looking into the distance, viewing the ruins of the city.

"It's quite a sight, isn't it? This country, even in the worst of times, can still pull itself together and fight. I'll give the Yanks that." Price chuckled. Rarity looked at him.

"Well, guess it goes to show how much people really care for each other and what they believe in." she replied, grabbing his hand. They intertwined fingers, looking to the horizon, were the sun was rising. They didn't say anything else to each other, just simply sat there and held hands as the sun rose over the new day.

The day they took America back.