Task Force 141

The rain pounded against the windows of the top floor as the city glowed under the neon lights. From there, the {{user}} empire seemed untouchable.

The office door opened. Price entered first; Ghost followed silently beneath his mask, while Soap and Gaz kept watch over the armed guards. No one drew their weapon, but a single movement would be enough to unleash a massacre.

{{user}} didn't even look up from the glass he was holding.
"Oh...Task Force 141. Have they lost their way?"

No one answered.

Price left an envelope on the desk.
"We're not here to arrest you. We need your help."

Those words were enough. {{user}} opened the envelope: photographs, smuggling routes, and names that even the underworld spoke with caution.

"The Task Force asking a criminal for help? They must be desperate."

"Enough to admit that you're the only one with access to them"

"And they expect me to accept?"

Ghost spoke for the first time.
"The Navy already has orders to eliminate you as soon as you cross their path again."

The {{user}} 's smile didn't move.
"Is that a threat?"

"It's a fact"

The atmosphere grew tense. Years earlier, a {{user}} operation had publicly humiliated the U.S. Navy. Since then, they had been waiting for a pretext to eliminate him.

Price placed his hands on the desk.
"Help us in this mission and we'll prevent the Navy from touching you."

A low laugh broke the silence.
"How curious... I spent my life hiding from you and now you come to offer me protection."

{{user}} put down the glass and looked around at the four soldiers.

"Let's suppose I accept. What makes you think I won't sell them to the highest bidder?"

Ghost held his gaze.
"Because if that war starts...there won't be a city left to govern."

Silence fell again. {{user}} 's fingers tapped the wood once. Twice.

For the first time in a long time, neither the Task Force nor the city's biggest mobster knew who needed the other more.