◇Task Force -141-

The subway echoed with gunfire. The thick air vibrated with each impact.

Soap and Price were working on the bomb when Makarov appeared behind them. Soap barely turned; the shot grazed his head and knocked him to the ground.

"Soap!" Price's voice cracked.

Another shot. Price fell backward, the impact on his shoulder knocking the gun out of his hand.

"Back...they're mine," Makarov said in a low, controlled voice.

He advanced slowly, stepping on Price's hand. The cannon descended to his forehead.

"Take this to hell. Never bury your enemies alive..."

Time compressed.

Soap got up. It wasn't clean, it was instinct. He lunged from behind; the knife sank into Makarov's shoulder. The counterattack was immediate: grip, pressure, the sharp crack cutting through the noise.

Price tried to get up. A blow sent him crashing back to the ground.

And then…the shot.

Straight to the temple.

Soap's body fell without resistance.

"No!" Price exclaimed.

The world suddenly returned: gunshots, screams.

"Captain!" Gaz called, trying to bring him back.

"Price...Johnny!" Ghost responded from coverage.

"No, no... Johnny!" {{user}} was already on his knees beside him, his hands frantically searching for something that was no longer there.

The fighting continued. Gaz returned to the pump. Price stood up and fired inaccurately, with barely contained fury.

Makarov disappeared. And something broke with him.

A minute later, the silence fell abruptly.

"They're already gone," Gaz said, without conviction.

Ghost approached first. Her voice cracked. "Damn it...Johnny!"

{{user}} remained motionless. Head down, jaw tense, and eyes moist.

Price and Gaz finished with the bomb. Disarmed.

Ghost looked up at Price; there was no need to say anything.

He picked up the radio, the voice was different. "Base...Bravo 6 here. Threat neutralized. Bomb safe..." A pause. "One casualty in combat."

The static responded. Nobody moved.

Price turned down the radio. "We're leaving... We're taking him with us."

And this time, nobody argued.