Aftermath
Deep within the medical center of the "Eagle's Nest," the air was kept at a constant temperature and humidity, filled with a faint smell of disinfectant and the rhythmic ticking of medical equipment. Keegan lay on a specially designed medical bed, his face still pale, but his breathing was deep and steady; he was out of danger.
He suffered severe soft tissue contusions all over his body, a fractured left arm, a gunshot wound to his right leg, and excessive blood loss. The most serious injuries were the edge of a deep wound on his left shoulder and some abnormal, fine, dark red net-like markings that were faintly visible under the skin of his exposed chest.
His right leg was securely anchored in a sophisticated brace, connected to a vital signs monitor and intravenous fluids. The dark red, net-like markings were under close monitoring and seemed to have stopped developing; however, even in his sleep, a lingering sharpness and alertness remained between his brows.
Elaine stayed by his bedside, her left leg in a brace, resting on a soft stool beside him. She looked exhausted, with faint dark circles under her eyes, but she forced herself to stay alert, focusing intently on processing data on her portable terminal by the soft glow of the bedside lamp, while keeping an eye on Keegan. In the stillness of the night, only the rhythmic beeping of the monitor provided companionship.
In the dead of night, Keegan was awakened by a sharp, throbbing pain deep in his bones, his forehead instantly soaked with cold sweat. He opened his eyes abruptly, his pupils adjusting to the darkness for a moment before focusing on reality. He tried to move his body, but this only brought on an even sharper pain, causing him to groan.
Almost simultaneously, Elaine, who had been dozing off on the sofa at the foot of the bed, woke up with a start. "Keegan?" Her voice was hoarse with sleepiness and urgency. She immediately sat up, staggered to the bedside, and instinctively reached out her cold hand to his forehead. "Did you have a nightmare? Or does your wound hurt?"
Keegan didn't answer, but simply gazed intently at her, his eyes lingering on her tired face before slowly moving to her cheek, reddened from leaning to the side. He saw the deep, unwavering worry and determination in her eyes. An indescribable mix of heartache, gratitude, and some other heavy emotion surged within him.
Seeing that he was just staring at her without saying a word, Elaine assumed he was in a lot of pain and turned to get some water and painkillers. Just as she turned, Keegan gently but firmly grasped her wrist with his uninjured left hand. Elaine stopped and looked back at him. Keegan didn't speak, but gestured for her to come closer with his eyes.
The next moment, Keegan raised his head, enduring the excruciating pain from the wounds all over his body, and with an extremely slow and solemn movement, gently and tenderly pressed his dry yet warm lips to her forehead. The kiss was fleeting, as brief as an illusion, yet it carried immense weight.
Elaine was completely stunned. Her heart felt like it had been struck by something, and then it began to pound violently. A blush instantly rose on her cheeks, spreading all the way to her ears. She looked at Keegan, who had already lay back down and closed his eyes, as if everything that had just happened was just her imagination. But the warmth and strength from his grip on her wrist felt incredibly real.
The next morning, as sunlight crept onto the edge of the bed, Keegan's eyelashes fluttered a few times before he slowly opened his eyes. After an initial blur, his vision quickly focused, landing on Elaine's face as she held her laptop and looked at data beside the bed. The fierce killing intent in her eyes was gone, replaced by a deep, almost serene dependence and reassurance.
He didn't speak, but slowly moved his right hand, which wasn't receiving an IV, and gently covered her hand that was resting on the side of the bed. His palm was broad and warm, completely enveloping her hand.
"Awake?" Elaine's calm gaze shifted to him as he slightly reached out, meeting his eyes, and she asked softly, "Is there anything you need?"
Keegan shook his head almost imperceptibly, his eyes never leaving her, holding on for a moment before closing them again. Elaine smiled gently, her attention returning to the screen, while simultaneously turning her wrist so that her fingers gently intertwined with his. Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the blinds, casting dappled, warm shadows on their clasped hands.
A few days later, Keegan's physical condition allowed him to move around in a wheelchair for a short period. When Elaine pushed him for the first time, the two appeared together in the base's canteen. The previously noisy space fell silent for a moment, and almost all eyes were on them. But in those eyes, there was no longer the usual inquiry or curiosity; instead, there was a mixture of respect, relief, goodwill, and perhaps even a hint of envy.
Hesh and Logan immediately stood up and helped Elaine push Keegan's wheelchair to an empty table. Konig, who was sitting alone not far away, paused slightly when he saw them, then nodded very slightly as a greeting.
Several female staff members who were familiar with Elaine passed by carrying trays. Medical Officer Anna smiled and whispered to Elaine, "Looks like our 'high-and-mighty flower' has finally been plucked by the 'base goddess'?!"
The logistics girl, Liz, chimed in with a quiet exclamation, "Wow, a battlefield romance has come true! Elaine, you guys have officially confirmed this, right? You've got it all figured out!" Her eyes were full of envy.
Sarah simply smiled gently, nodded to Elaine and Keegan, her eyes filled with understanding and blessing, and said softly, "It's good that you're back safe and sound. Get some rest."
Elaine's cheeks flushed instantly, and she lowered her head shyly, but the corners of her mouth couldn't help but turn up slightly. Keegan sat in his wheelchair, his face still expressionless, but his taut jawline seemed to soften for a moment. He looked at the girls, nodded, and clearly replied, "Thank you."
After finishing his meal in the corner, Ghost silently walked towards the cafeteria exit. He was still wearing his signature combat suit and skull mask, seemingly out of place with the warm atmosphere around him, exuding a cold aura that kept strangers at bay.
The girls' eyes were immediately drawn to it. Anna nudged Liz with her elbow and whispered with regret, "Look, it's Captain Ghost... Sigh, what a pity. At least Sergeant Keegan was taken down, but this guy is a true 'eternal iceberg,' he doesn't even show the slightest sign of melting."
Liz sighed and whispered, "Yeah, it's so hard to even catch a glimpse of him. What do you think he looks like under that mask? Is he even more handsome than Keegan?"
Sarah smiled and shook her head, her tone nonchalant: "Alright, stop overthinking. Some people are born to be in the shadows, they're not from our world. It's good enough if we can just watch from afar."
Their whispers and glances, filled with regret and curiosity, all fell on Ghost. However, Ghost seemed oblivious to it all—or rather, completely indifferent. His gaze fell on Keegan and Elaine, and across the noisy cafeteria, he gave Keegan a very slight but exceptionally clear nod. Then, with Konig silently approaching, he paused briefly at the doorway. After passing the people entering, the two tallest figures in the base quickly disappeared into the shadows outside the door, leaving behind a low, regretful sigh.
Two men approached carrying trays. One had a very short buzz cut, sharp eyes, and exuded a sharp and capable aura; the other wore frameless glasses, had a calmer demeanor, but his large knuckles suggested he was no ordinary man either.
“Sergeant.” The two spoke almost simultaneously, their voices steady, their gazes toward Keegan filled with undisguised respect and heartfelt joy at seeing him still alive.
Keegan looked at Elaine and introduced them: "Merrick and Ajax are our teammates. They were training abroad before."
Ajax grinned at Elaine, his expression a mix of wildness and cheerfulness: "Hello, Dr. Elaine, I didn't have time to say hello before going to the Ark, but your skills are truly impressive!"
Merrick adjusted his glasses and nodded politely to Elaine: "Doctor, it's a pleasure to meet you. Thank you for your contributions to the team."
Feeling accepted by Keegan's inner circle, Elaine experienced a sense of security and satisfaction. She smiled and replied, "Hello, welcome back."
Inside the command center, Price's expression was grave as he pulled up a top-secret report. Ghost stood beside him like a shadow.
“The traces of contact between NATO high command and Makarov that Elaine remembered were completely wiped out while we were tied down,” Price’s voice was heavy. “And the resources that Makarov could mobilize at the ‘Ark’ base experienced an unusual disruption in the final stages.” Price pointed to the data in the report, “Especially the financial flow from the ‘Templar Gallery’ line, which was completely frozen 48 hours before the attack. Several key technical support nodes were also deliberately obstructed.”
“They’re cutting their losses.” Price’s voice was deep and certain, his fingers tapping heavily on the table. “His backers have realized that the ‘Night Watch’ program is out of control, and the threat far outweighs the benefits. They want to cut their losses in time and plan to abandon Makarov, this dangerous pawn.”
“But this will turn Makarov into a mad dog that has been cornered and unleashed.” Ghost’s cold voice came through the mask, revealing the most dangerous outcome.
“That’s right.” Price’s eyes were sharp as an eagle’s, filled with deep worry. “What would a top terrorist who has lost his vast funds and support network, but still possesses the prototype of the ‘Night Watch’ virus, core data, and a gang of outlaws, do now?” He stood up and walked to the huge global dynamic map. “He won’t sit idly by. He might simplify his plans and launch a small-scale but highly symbolic and terrifying attack ahead of time, such as targeting an international conference or an important city, to demonstrate his threat and force all parties to negotiate; or, he might take the core technology and go completely underground, seeking more extreme and reckless collaborators; or even… he might directly retaliate against those ‘allies’ who abandoned him, triggering a chain of disasters we cannot predict.”
“We don’t have much time left,” Price concluded, his tone resolute. “We must lock him down and finish him off before Makarov makes his next, and inevitably most insane, move. The data Keegan and Elaine brought back is our only lead. We need to find Makarov’s possible hiding place or predict his next target.”
The medical ward was shrouded in a weary stillness at dusk. In Keegan's ward, the smell of disinfectant lingered. His left arm was still strapped to his chest, and his face was pale from blood loss and pain, but his gray-blue eyes were unusually clear, even carrying a hint of trapped anxiety.
Elaine's recovery was much better. She was carefully supporting his right arm, helping him slowly rise from the bedside, moving extremely slowly between the bed and the window. Each step aggravated his unhealed wound; fine beads of cold sweat appeared on Keegan's forehead, and his breathing was heavy, but he kept his lips tightly pressed together, making no sound.
Just then, the door was gently pushed open, and Price appeared in the doorway. He looked at her quietly for a moment without saying a word.
“Cap.” Keegan stopped, his voice hoarse from the pain. Elaine looked up immediately and instinctively gripped Keegan’s arm more firmly.
“It seems you can’t lie still for even a day.” Price’s voice was low and emotionless. He stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over Keegan’s taut jawline and immobilized left arm. “But if forced movement causes secondary damage, it will take even longer.”
“I understand,” Keegan replied succinctly, his eyes filled with unwavering determination. “I must get back to my best as soon as possible.”
Price didn't continue the topic. He turned his gaze to Elaine: "Elaine, you look much better."
“Yes, Cap, basic mobility is restored,” she replied softly.
“Makarov is like a wounded viper; he’ll be more dangerous.” Price looked at Keegan. “We do need you to recover as soon as possible, but we can’t overexert you.”
Keegan leaned against the equipment, his vest soaked with sweat, his eyes still sharp. He said in a deep voice, "Understood."
After Price left, Elaine handed him a towel, her eyes filled with worry. Keegan took it, wiped his sweat, and held her hand, his voice low and firm, slightly breathless from exercise: "Don't worry, we'll be together."
Elaine looked into his deep eyes, where there was weariness and pain, but even more so, an unwavering determination and trust in her. She gripped his calloused hand tightly in return, nodded vigorously, her gaze equally resolute: "Yes, together. Find him, and end all of this."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
