#im ace and im not good at relationships so it gunna take a second yall

[the-pan-ace-writings]

Kill or Capture

Mind Over Badger

First Next Last Masterlist AO3

Sergeant Badger sat cramped in the back of the truck, pressing against his current Bravo team and the newly met Sergeant Mactavish. The night was surprisingly pleasant all considering, the weather wasn't horrid, the sweltering of the day subsided into cool night, and the mission was clear. Kill or Capture. It was hard to mess that up. Hopefully,

   The truck rumbled to a stop a few yards from where the transport Razor was. It was open in the rear awaiting for bravo team to load up, alpha team was already strapped in and going over weapons. Badger looked over to the end of the truck bed as it dropped open to let them out, Sergeant Mactavish or Soap as he overheard from his incessant talking jumped down out of the truck and strutted over to an imposing figure.

    He was big, taller than Badger and certainly taller than Soap, he looked disinterested in what was going on around him, and if you were watching closely you could see him speaking under his mask to an unseen figure from the coms. The bone color of a skull hard shell mask was mildly unsettling, especially when those deadpan eyes landed first on Badger and then settled on Soap.

   “Let's get ourselves a win, yeah, Lt” Soap sounded enthusiastic, clearly not put off by the Lieutenant. To Badger's surprise he reached forwards and lightly punched his shoulder before smirking “save ya a seat, sir” and sauntered off, gesturing to Badger to Follow. 

   Badger trailed him up to the Razor, he looked over his shoulder to see the skull clad Lieutenant shaking his head lightly and just barely caught the exasperated whisper of “Fucking hell” that esacped him.

   Fucking hell was right, all cramped together in the Razor, the Lieutenant now introduced as Ghost went over the mission parameters with both teams of marines. As he spoke Badger went over his weapons and counted munitions. He repeatedly redid the lashings of a longer handed sledgehammer on his kit, he had tuned out the briefing having heard it several times from when he was called upon for this mission,

   Bravo team is sweeping and clearing while alpha clears and secures building three. 

   He was still messing with the lashing on his kit when the Sergeant next to him that had previously been paying dutiful attention to the briefing kicked at his boot. Badger looked up from what he was doing, Soap was looking back at Ghost but had leaned over to speak quietly to him.

   “Quit messing with that, you look nervous.” he then lifted his chin to point out one of the marines looking at him warily. He grunted and frowned, He wasn't nervous. Hell he was rather excited to get back on the field, it was his first mission back after an unexpected medical leave. He schooled his face and re-did the lashings one more time, and settled with the kit between his feet and back pressed into the cold metal wall behind them leveling his head to once over the marines on their team. 

   “Roger” it was quiet, a whisper meant only for Soap to hear but he could have sworn he saw Ghost's head turn just slightly towards him. 

   It wasn't the first impression he had wanted for either his commanding officer and fellow Sergeant. 

   Pulling his kit back on he readied his rifle as the Razor landed the ramp opening into darkness of the field. They quickly exited and Badger adjusted his comms. 

   “Razor 1 all bravo deployed, moving to secondary HLZ” the Razor Pilots voice crackled though the comm link as he adjusted it to the right channel. 

   It was upon Ghosts orders that they started moving towards the first building, it was quiet besides the soft sound of boots on dry grass. So far it seems that they are undetected. They kept making their way forwards. 

   Badger saw light streaking in the sky just before the almost frantic call through the comms came through. 

   “All stations- Razor-1 is bracketed, we’re getting lit” He paused for a moment looking towards the sky, the lights had doubled and a stone settled in his stomach.  “Incoming- Flares! Flares!”

   The lights of the Razor were seen dancing in the air as it tried its best to maneuver around enemy fire, to try to get Alpha team to safety. A larger streak of light nearly smashed into the Razor, and the breathless whisper of a marine to his right caught his attention.

   “Shit that was close”

   Badger saw the missile streak up from the ground, it was clear it was going to hit.

   “Second missile” he called out as more of the group paused, they all started to turn towards Ghost who watched the Razor bloom into a fireball. 

   “Razor-1 going down! We’re going down!” The pilot cried over the comms just before impact was seen. Soap and Badger moved up to Ghost's position. Ghost brought a hand up to his com link, and Soap raised his hand to halt the team. 

   “Alpha what's your status?!” Ghost’s voice was urgent as it rumbled through the comms. No response.

   “Alpha, how Copy?”  Another long pause, Soap took another step and opened his mouth to speak right as the crackling of a clearly damaged comms unit started. 

   “Bravo-” he sounded out of breath, rattled deeply “Alpha is immobile, multiple critical” 

   Soap let out a sigh of relief, while Alpha team had taken losses they were still there. Panic crept into the Alpha leader’s voice and it nearly broke “oh shit-! We’re taking Effective fire!” 

   Ghost gestured for the team to start moving again, moving closer together as they started moving forwards at a sprint.

   “Alpha, were moving to building 1. Hold tight” Ghost ordered over the comms voice surprisingly steady for the full sprint it was in. Badger followed fast gesturing to the group of marines with him. 

   “Ghost, we need to secure that crash site now” Soap’s voice was also steady for the sprint, but was laced with concern wanting to help the stranded alpha team. 

   “First, we clear for Hassan, that takes the heat off alpha. Then we secure the crash site. Clear” he was stern and looked back coldly at Soap, who looked at little crestfallen before nodding.

   “Roger that” his voice didn't give away the emotion that flashed on his face, Badger nodded in affirmative with him. They were almost to the house, stone fencing and a small strip of land that passed over a swampy stretch of water was the only thing in their way. 

   “Force up to the house” Ghost led them with ease, taking point as he slowed the pace down for them to approach the house silently, they could hear the clamor of the soldiers inside as they approached the door silently. Ghost gesture to Badger, and steps back from his spot closest to the door. “Breacher up” 

   Badger pulled the hammer down from his kit, and readied to break the door in. He looked to Ghost for the confirmation. And with a simple nod from Ghost Badger broke into a crooked smile pulling the hammer back and slammed the top of it right next to the lock, it shattered sending splinters of wood into the air and surprising the soldiers inside. 

   Ghost and Soap pushed in at the same time as a smaller group of marines burst into the upper floor from the outside stairs. Badger stepped into the house as the last soldier dropped to the ground a pool of red leaking from him.

   “Let's crack on, yeah” Badger settled the hammer back where it was easy to reach and pushed forwards past the collection of dead from the house, Soap joined him in pace as Ghost took the lead again as they pressed towards the second house.

   “All stations, crash site is taking rocket fire from building two, second deck” The alpha leader’s voice broke over the comms again. Badger cursed quietly. 

   “Alpha, taking building two now. Hold Fast'' Ghost called back to them and brought them back to a run towards the second house. They could hear the soldiers readying for them, probably having seen the lights from a gun fire in the house. 

   “7-1 moving interior” Soap pushed into the building clearing the bottom as Badger followed closely. 

   Badger took the lead going up the stairs, rifle level and ready to clear any more enemy combatants. 

   “Pushing up to the second deck” Badger called out before pushing up the stairs. He heard the enemy soldiers moving about in the room closest to them as they entered the top level

   “Fire the Rockets! I will cover the door!” Badger took a step back and motioned for Soap to pass him.

   “They’re up here Soap.”  Soap had a flashbang in his grasp ready to be tossed in to the room. He nodded to Badger before the same smirk that he had when speaking to Ghost Appeared again as he tossed the flash in. 

   They pushed into the room, Soap finishing the soldier as Badger checked to ensure the room was actually clear. It was. Except they could hear the dragging of something heavy and metal just through thin walls. They hadn't found the rocketeer yet.

   Soap took lead pushing through to the open roof at the end of the hall, Badger watched him take a sharp turn and fire off into an unforeseen enemy. 

   “Ghost, enemy rocket down”  

   The room they entered was empty, poorly lit and extremely cramped, it barely had enough space for the desk and the two men. On the desk was an old laptop and it played a recording of Hassan spouting off about the death of their General, Soap let out a small sigh,

   “Of course this shit wouldn't be easy. Always too much to ask for huh?” he chuckled at the end of it and bumped into Badger with his shoulder. Badger just grunted in acknowledgment. He was right. Of course this shit wouldn't be easy, that's why they were sent for this mission. 

   “Ghost, we’re secure. Negative on Hassan.” Soap spoke into his comm link looking up at Badger, he looked back down at him shook his head and leaned over to close the rambling laptop silenting the room. 

   “Roger. Time to hit the crash site”  they both nodded out of habit at the order, Soap had started to leave the room. 

   “Got a video of Hassan here. Old laptop” Badger relayed back to ghost, it felt important that the video was playing as they died here. 

   “Hassan's their hero '' was short but almost with a slight bit of humor, Badger wasn't sure. It was hard to get a read on Ghost and he was positive that was by design. Soap though was much easier to read, to figure out what he was thinking. 

   “They’re going to need a new Hero” Soap barked a short laugh into the comms.

   “All Bravo, circle up outside”  Ghost cut him off, he let out another laugh

   He bumped into Badger again jokingly. 

   “Guff bastard might blow a gasket if we don't hurry” 

   “Dosser” Badger mumbled and pushed out the room down to the rv point with the rest of bravo. Once all collected they moved out towards the crash site, taking a brief pass at some of the only remaining decent cover left. Ghost halted the team and turned around. 

   “Soap, Badger- we’re moving to the crash site to help the wounded, Rest of you hold here and cover us” 

   “Ghost AQ’s working with some good gear”  soap warned. Ghost pointedly seemed to ignore the comment and instead called to Alpha team on the comms.

   “Alpha 0-2, bravo 0-7 building two is secure. We’re coming to you.”

   “Alpha copies all” the man sounded relieved, Badger didn't want to imagine the torment of crashing and being quite literally tossed into a firefight with help far away.

   Ghost gestures for them to follow, they formed up behind with Ghost at point, rifles ready they took off. 

   “Expect contact, AQ’s waiting for us” 

   They announced themselves as they rushed into the hull of the helicopter joining Alpha team. It wasn't the best sight, it was obvious that some died on impact, strapped into helmet askew, or partially dashed across the hull on the inside. The team leader was couched down next to a marine who looked quite battered, he had a gash on the outside of his arm, it was weeping into the makeshift bandaging the team leader had managed. The team leader looked absolutely dreadful. He too was battered and honestly looked a little dazed but nevertheless he had a weapon in hand defending through the window as he continued to render aid to his soldier. 

   “Damn good to see you guys” 

   “Bad dose of it huh sir?” Badger moved to help cover the window that the team leader kept popping up to, trying to help give him a break.

   “You're the one tellin’ me Badge”  he huffed and looked over to Ghost. “We got five KIA, one wounded, it's just my gun and I'm low on ammo” It was a tough go of things for sure. Badger looked away from the team leader reporting to Ghost and back out to look at the tree line. Something was off. Soap had taken to the window next to him asn was also looking out to the tree line. The team leader hadn't noticed anything outside or the sergeants searching out the windows and was instead starting to move the marine, he looked up to Ghost. “Help me move him” 

   “Lt, hate to break it to ya but we got movement out here” Soap tossed over his shoulder, he gestured for Badger to move out from where he had taken to watching the treeline. “Help him move em’”

   “No time. They’re here. Get your gun on that tree line.” it was clearly an order. And Badger snapped his head up to catch the Lieutenants eyes and watch them slide off of him to the tree line. Badger's lips pressed in a thin line, and shook his head clenching his jaw. He looked down to the team leader who was slightly struggling with the marine, and quickly grabbed the straps on his tac vest and dragged him closer to the ramp before settling him against the wall. He nodded his head back to the team leader, a wordless request for him to continue rendering medical attention. 

   “Got movement” Soap called again as he started firing out the window, he felt rather than saw the glare coming from Ghost. 

   “Serge-”

   “Roger sir.” Badger cut him off and pointedly avoided looking back at him instead taking station at the ramp. 

   All hell seemed to break out the second that Badger started firing, it was like men were just materializing out of the fire, quickly it seemed like they would be overrun. The team leader had started firing down the ramp with Badger as AQ soldiers kept getting closer and closer to the ramp. 

   “Fucking hell” Ghost cussed as he readied a grandade tossing it out the window out, “Cover!” Badger watched soap and Ghost backup from their windows turning to put their backs to the explosion, Badger just tensed and continued to fire out down the ramp. It wasn't helping, instead of clearing enemies it just shuffled them further down the hull and towards the ramp.

   “Watch the ramp Badger!” Ghost shouted over the clamor of the fight. “they're  pushing up!” 

   He was right they weren't just close to the ramp, they were on the ramp, he was going to be overrun, and the team leader was finally out of ammo and his own rifle was concerningly light. Badger wasn't necessarily thinking when he stepped forward towards the ramp, the first AQ soldier he could reach balked at him, it was insane. Badger grabbed him by the vest and threw him into another soldier stepping up behind him. Knocking them both over, he stepped forwards again stepping onto them as a third just turned the corner towards him. He snarled as he reared the butt of his rifle up and through the face of the soldier a warm splash reached Badger, there was only one more that was approaching up from the otherside of the ramp.

   “Badge!” soap called out the warning.

   He whirled, righting his rifle and the moment he was in sight he dropped heavy, a satisfying thump on the metal. There was squirming under his boot. He dropped his eyes down to the soldier that was trapped under the one that was thrown. A quick shot and another spattering across his face. He grimaced and looked back up at the treeline.  

   “Are we clear?” Soap sounded like the breath was knocked out of him, but he seemed to drop the watch on the window in favor of looking out to the mess that was the ramp.

   Badger was breathing heavily, and he wiped the gore from the butt of his rifle before returning to the cover of the hull of the helicopter. “For now” 

   Ghost tossed him another magazine for his rifle “Get in here, Soap cover the ramp, keep sharp on the tree line” he gestured for Badger to return further into the hull. Ghost seemed to have a dark aura around him, deadly stern with him, deadpan gaze turned murderous. Soap moved past him to take up his previous watch from the ramp, Badger faintly heard him speaking to the team leader and the marine. “Call for fire, I want close air on that treeline.”

   “rog , calling it in.” Badger nodded back to him trying not to incur the wrath of Ghost, he called for the fire, taking the moment to recheck the working of his rifle as both the Lieutenant and the other sergeant watched the treeline. Everything was in working order and he finished on the comms.

   “Lieutenant, CAS is three minutes out” 

   “Ghost we’ve got incoming!” Soap hollered again and pointed out to the treeline. Ghost made and affirmative sound and turned back to the window, he reached over to where Badger was starting to take sentry at and roughly pushed up on the barrel of his rifle before Badger had it set to start firing. 

  “Use this side this time damnit” and he started firing out the window again, Badger watched as each shot went home with precision, men dropping like wet paper. 

   “Rog, sir” Badger was brief and started his own barrage. 

   “Air support inbound” the team leader called out fiddling with his own coms. He heard Ghost curse under his breath again and he turned to see what had caused it. A genadire was too close and already launched. “Incoming!’ “Take cover!”

   Badger dropped against the hull of the helicopter clasping his hands behind his head tucking his face into his knees, he watched as Ghost did the same. The hull rocked severely and nearly knocked Soap down from where he was crouched on one knee. 

   “Holy show!” Badger popped back up. He could only see two more combatants. They were quickly taken care of. Soap called a clear on his side now at the ramp again.

   “Badger, patch us through to air support” Badger made the affirmative and started working with his command control, Soap had walked back further into the hull and they all stood together. 

   “Ghost we should fall back to the house” Soap looked towards the team leader as he spoke, Badger could see Ghost shake his head.

   “Negative- we golf or we push forward. Hassan’s still out there” Badger made a small whoop of success, everyone's coms sparked to life as the voice of airsupport broke in.

   “7 actual, kilo 0-1. Fire is one mike out” 

   “Kilo 0-1, you’re cleared hot on anything forward of our position. Danger Close approved.” Ghost confirmed. He motioned for them to clear out back towards the rest of Bravo team. 

   The team leader stood up from worrying over the marine, and seemed to be hesitating, Badger stepped up next to the leader and hummed in question.

   “I don't think i can carry him.” The marine was very much out of it but it seems like his bleeding had become minimal. Badger motioned for him to step a side and leaned down, collecting the marine over his shoulders. He looped his arm behind the marines knee and grabbed his loose arm in one hand, his remaining free hand grasping his rifle as he stepped out of the helicopter to start on his way to the rest of Bravo team.

   When they made it back to the RV point he handed off the injured marine to another asking the team leader to keep with the other injured. Ghost had them set off towards the third house as soon as Badger was unburdened.

   The third building was a cake walk compared to the hellscape firefight of the helicopter crash, and it was fast too badger could’ve sworn it was cleared faster than it took for them to reach the building, trying to navigate the ruins of the road from the airstrike they had called in. 

   The warehouse was big and full of crates and shipping containers, they cracked open a few of the crates to reveal weapons, it was one of the largest weapon caches that Badger had seen in his life, they could supply a small army with this warehouse.

   He was wandering around the warehouse till he heard Soap call out for him. Soap was standing in front of a large shipping container that the lock was undone on, he motioned for Badger to ready his rifle so that he could clear it as Soap opened the door further.

   He rushed in and froze in shock, there was nothing to clear but there was a whole lot of tech that looked suspiciously like missile controls. Soap opened the container further and stepped up next to Badger, the rest of the team filtering behind them, 

   “What the fuck is this?” Badger whispered, Ghost had stepped up to join them again looking around the container,

   “It's all in english”

   They all stepped back from the controls 

   “Steaming Jesus.”    “Ballistic missiles.”

   “Its a mobile launcher '' Soap sounded in awe almost as if he was simply just impressed with the fact that he was in front of one of the largest ballistic missiles Badger had seen. What did Hassan need a ballistic missile for?

   “These’ll go 1,000 miles”  Badger whispered, that's alot of possible targets, this just got a lot bigger than he thought. 

   “At least” Ghost agreed with him. Soap took another step back and started walking around the shipping container,

   “How the hell did Iran get their hands on this?”

   “Badger, get us through to Laswell”

   “Rodger, stand by” he clicked his com to the right channel “Badger to watcher-1, How copy” 

   “This is watcher-1, send traffic”

   Ghost picked up from the comms, badger went to follow soap trying to to figure out what he's was looking for,

   “Laswell this is Ghost, we got something”

   “Tell me you found Hassan '' She sounded almost relieved, hoping desperately for a mission success. Badger helped Soap on to a stack of crates and watched as he started to pull on tarps, he was like a hound on a trail, zero into something. He pulled the tarp all the way down and it pooled at Badger's feet, he looked up to see what Soap just uncovered.

   An American flag painted on the side of a ballistic missile.

   “By the light, fucking hell” Badger looked to Soap who looked just as surprised, 

   “Ghost, take a look at this” Ghost rounded the corner and looked a little miffed that soap had climbed so far up before soap took a slight step back letting ghost see the flag, he paused. 

   “Ghost, do you have Hassan?” Laswell questioned over the comms again. 

   “Negative, we found a weapons cache. Hassan's got missiles… they’re American.” There was a small gasp of surprise before the comms cut out completely. It was a few moments of silence all three of them looking at each other trying to take in the meaning of Hassan having access to American missiles. 

   “0-7 this is golden eagle actual, repeat your last” It was Shepherd, and he sounded right pissed.

   “I say again- Hassan has American missiles”

   More silence, Badger jerked his head at soap requesting for him to get down, he had a sinking suspicion that they'd be on the move quiet soon. Ghost took a step back assuming soap was to jump down again like he did the truck earlier in the evening but instead he sat down and surprisingly pushed on Badger's shoulder to steady himself to get down. Badger opened his mouth to protest but the crackling of the comms interrupted him,

   “Golden Eagle actual to Ghost- move your tram and call for fire, I want those weapons destroyed” 

   “Roger that, Actual”

   They all stared for another moment before Ghost turned away to order the rest of Bravo out to the new exfil point. Soap swaggered behind him looking like he couldn't be bothered by the fact that they had just been ordered to destroy american missiles instead of taking them and the control center into custody, it feels like they're letting a lot of important information go to fire. 

   “Badger, are you coming or you wanna join the missile?” Soap hollered back to him. He shook his head, he was thinking too much for someone that was just supposed to follow orders, his stomach turned as he jogged to catch up. 

   They didn't have to wait long for another Razor to come collect them, and when it landed they piled in the injured first, strapping them securely and letting the medic that came with the razor to do their work. Ghost Soap and Badger stood outside the Razor, the blades whipping up the dirt around them as they waited for the airstrike to land just over the ridge so they could report confirmation of destruction.

   As the ridge lit up Soap leaned over into Badger's space, he took a half step away and looked down at Soap who was holding out a cleanish rag. Badger looked back stupidly at him confused. 

   Soap smirked again and with a chuckle pushed it towards him again, “Badge you've got-” He waved his in front of his face “all over you, you look frightening” Badger stared for a moment longer before taking it from him and cleaning himself up, offering a thanks back. Soap had turned back to watch the ridge again and Badger caught Ghost eyes wandering while he finished wiping his face, he hopped it cleaned up a bit the rag looked absolutely horrid when he was finished, 

  “Good enough?” he looked down at Soap for an answer but Ghost responded

   “Like a right Bloke, now let's load up and get the hell outta here” 

First Next Last Masterlist AO3

alrighty guys I wanna give yall some more background on Badger. He is the definition of big boy, thick im tell yall, hes a solid dude and not to be messed with. he stern but a low key kinda nervous or antsy. Im trying to write him as irish in the most not shoved in your face kind of way, and very much a pagan dude (i dont really plan on this coming up, but if he says some weird things it’s probably that, most of it is stuff I say or do with) but hes hair is important to him and he braid it back to keep in regulations and keeps a manageable beard thats well trimmed as well. He has a sister named otter that I dont think will come up much, but she is a signalman (Radio) and Badger used to be apart of her attachment mostly with the intention of keep the guy with the radio alive. This is why he becomes a brawler. please ask me more questions i would love to answer them for you!