The hum of the helicopter's rotors was deafening as it sliced through the night sky. Below, the mountains of Afghanistan loomed like silent giants, their jagged peaks cutting into the black expanse. In the belly of the bird sat Sergeant Ellie Walker, her eyes fixed on the distant horizon. Her hands gripped her rifle, her mind replaying the mission details again and again.

Task Force 141 had been called in for this one. The intel was clean—an arms deal gone wrong, and a rogue general with ties to an underground network had fled into these mountains. If they didn't neutralize him now, he'd spark a war. And Ellie knew better than most—this kind of threat couldn't be allowed to fester.

Across from her, Captain Price, the seasoned veteran of Task Force 141, leaned against the wall of the chopper, his stony expression betraying nothing. Next to him, Soap MacTavish cleaned his weapon with the precision of a surgeon, eyes flicking up only briefly to acknowledge Ellie's presence with a nod.

"Everyone ready?" Price asked, his voice gruff but reassuring.

Ellie checked her gear one last time, ensuring her night vision goggles were secure and her pistol was holstered. "Born ready," she muttered, giving Price a sharp nod. The team had worked together for years—trust wasn't an issue. They had each other's backs, through thick and thin.

"Good," Price said, his gaze never leaving the small tablet displaying their mission briefing. "We land, breach the compound, neutralize the target, and extract. This one's clean. Keep it tight. No mistakes."

Soap's grin widened. "A clean job? When's that ever happened with us?"

Ellie chuckled, but the tension in her chest remained. She knew better than to believe any mission was as simple as it seemed. She'd seen things go sideways too many times to count.

The helicopter's engine roared as it descended into the valley, kicking up dust and debris. Ellie's eyes narrowed as she scanned the area. The drop zone looked clear, but that didn't mean it was. The enemy had a way of hiding in plain sight.

The helicopter touched down with a sharp jolt, and immediately, the team sprang into action. They moved with military precision—each member of Task Force 141 a cog in the well-oiled machine. Ellie was the first to exit, her boots hitting the ground with a soft thud. She raised her rifle, scanning the perimeter for threats.

"Clear," she signaled.

Soap followed, then Price, with Ghost covering the rear. The mountains pressed in on them like a claustrophobic cage, but Ellie focused. One step at a time.

They moved swiftly, the terrain uneven and treacherous, but the team was used to this. Task Force 141 didn't hesitate. Their objective was clear: the compound where the rogue general was hiding was less than a mile away. It was a sprawling complex surrounded by high stone walls, heavily fortified.

Ghost, always the silent one, took point, his movements ghostly as he slid through the shadows. The rest of the team followed, staying close but not too close. Ellie's eyes darted back and forth, alert for any movement.

They reached the outer walls of the compound in less than twenty minutes. Ghost raised his hand, signaling the team to halt. He crouched, inspecting the compound through his night-vision goggles.

"Four guards," Ghost whispered, his voice barely audible through the comms. "Two at the gate, two patrolling the perimeter. They don't expect us."

Price nodded, his gaze scanning the layout on his tablet. "We'll breach from the west side. Soap, you're with me. Ellie, Ghost, you take the east. Keep your heads down."

Ellie's stomach tightened. This was it. They were moments away from entering the lion's den.

"Understood," she replied.

With Ghost leading the way, the team split up, moving quickly and silently through the shadows. Ellie's heart rate increased, but her breath remained steady. She trusted her teammates—trusted them with her life—but the reality of the mission still weighed heavily on her shoulders.

They reached the walls of the compound undetected. Ghost pulled out a small device, attaching it to the security system. Within seconds, the outer defenses were down, and they had access to the compound's interior.

"Clear," Ghost whispered, his voice like a breeze.

Ellie gave a sharp nod and, with a glance toward Price, they slipped inside.

The compound was eerily quiet. The only sound was the soft crunch of gravel beneath their boots as they moved deeper into the complex. Ellie's eyes darted from shadow to shadow, her senses heightened. It wasn't just the rogue general they were after; it was the network of soldiers and mercenaries that he commanded. If they weren't careful, they'd be walking into an ambush.

Ghost stopped suddenly, holding up his fist in a signal to halt. Ahead, two guards stood talking by a door. Ellie's breath caught in her throat, but Ghost didn't hesitate. He was always one step ahead.

With fluid precision, he moved forward, and in a blink, the guards were down—silent, swift, and efficient. Ellie exhaled, her muscles relaxing.

"Nice work," Soap's voice came through the comms. "We're in."

The team regrouped in the compound's central hallway. Price signaled them forward, his eyes never leaving the path ahead.

"We're getting close," Price muttered. "Stay sharp."

They advanced, moving cautiously. Every corner could hide a threat, every door a potential trap. Ellie's fingers tightened around her rifle, and she mentally prepared for whatever came next.

As they approached the final hallway, the sound of shouting reached their ears. The rogue general was in the building. And it sounded like he wasn't alone.

"Damn it," Price cursed under his breath. "He's making a run for it."

"Not on my watch," Soap growled.

Ellie exchanged a glance with Ghost, and together, they led the charge down the hallway. They rounded a corner, and there he was—the general, flanked by his bodyguards.

Without thinking, Ellie raised her rifle, aiming at the nearest bodyguard. The shot rang out, and the man dropped to the floor. Ghost followed, neutralizing the second guard before Price and Soap opened fire on the general.

The rogue general didn't have time to react. He collapsed, a bullet hole in his chest. His reign of terror was over.

But the job wasn't finished. Ellie's heart pounded in her chest as she turned to check the perimeter. The sound of helicopters in the distance cut through the air.

"Chopper inbound," Ghost reported. "We need to move. Now."

Price gave a sharp nod. "Everyone out. Ghost, Soap, cover us. Ellie, you're with me."

They sprinted for the exit, the walls of the compound echoing with the sounds of gunfire. Ellie's boots pounded against the stone as she raced to the extraction point. Behind her, the compound seemed to close in, but there was no time to look back.

The sound of helicopter blades grew louder, and just as they reached the clearing, Ellie saw the chopper descending. The doors were open, and Raven, the pilot, was already scanning the area for threats.

"Move, move, move!" Price shouted.

Ellie and Price dove into the chopper, the doors slamming shut behind them. Ghost and Soap followed, and the chopper lifted off, leaving the compound—and the chaos—behind them.

As the helicopter soared into the night sky, Ellie leaned back, exhaling. The mission had been a success, but the weight of it still pressed down on her. They had neutralized a threat, but there would always be more. Always another mission.

Price turned to her, his face grim but proud. "Good work, Walker. You held it together."

Ellie nodded, but her eyes drifted to the horizon. "We all did."

Soap slapped her on the back, grinning. "Hell yeah. Another day, another mission. But I have to admit, you're pretty damn good under pressure, Sergeant."

Ellie smirked. "I learned from the best."

Ghost didn't speak, but the slight nod he gave her spoke volumes. The bond between the members of Task Force 141 was unbreakable. They were more than just soldiers—they were family.

As the chopper made its way back to base, Ellie allowed herself a rare moment of peace. For now, the war was over. But she knew, deep down, that the next battle was always just around the corner.

And when it came, she'd be ready.