Chapter Text
10 April 2029
2205 hours
Cody
I sigh, sitting down on the edge of my bunk, pulling off my boots. Laying back, I close my eyes, so ready for a good night’s sleep. My chest rises with a deep breath, falling back down slowly.
“Cody.”
A voice suddenly makes me jolt, and I open my eyes to spin around, looking around the small barracks. My eyebrow raises when I see no one around.
‘But...I swear I just heard someone call my name…’
“That’s because you did, Cody.”
A second, different voice startles me, and my eyes widen when I recognize it.
No...that’s not possible. They both...they’re both….
I spin around, then my heart stops when I see the two men sitting on the bunk across from me, the younger grinning at me. My eyes are wide, my mouth hanging open.
“Match...Slate…” My voice comes out as only a whisper, and Match smirks.
“Yep. Told you that you heard your name.” He says happily, and Slate rolls his eyes, shaking his head, then looks down to meet my eyes. I open my mouth to say something, but no words come out. Slate sighs.
“Cody. I can understand any inconceivable thoughts you might be having right now, but-”
I shake my head. “NO! How the hell are you here?! I...you’re both…” My words stop and Match sighs.
“Dead. Yeah. We noticed.” He states, and I send him an annoyed look. He throws his hands up in surrender. “Hey, I’m just saying it as it is, Cody! But just listen to us for a minute, will you?!” He pleads, and I sigh. Slate leans his arms on his knees, holding his head up with his hands under his chin.
“Cody, I know that David and Logan told you something about what happened to Trent.” He voices, and my eyes widen.
“They were telling the truth. I mean… I had my doubts, but….” I stutter, and Match leans forward.
“Yeah. We’re here, Cody. We’re all still around. How the hell do you think you all made it this far?” He snickers and Slate elbows him.
Match frowns, rubbing his arm. “Hey…”
I rub my face with my hands. “What do you mean, ‘we’re all still here’?” I question, and Slate smiles softly.
“Cody. We’re Ghosts. Not just like you, but…..well….Let’s just put it that we’re all still watching over you guys. David and Logan have Keegan and Hesh looking out for them. Hesh and Keegan are determined to keep those two safe.” He chuckles, and Match lets out a deep breath.
“Yeah, no kidding. I mean, what Hesh did…” He bites his lip, and I raise my eyebrow.
“So it really was him,” I say softly, then I raise my head. “Slate, when you said you’re all still here, did you mean that all the other Ghosts are-”
A hand on my shoulder makes me turn around, and my eyes widen as those kind light green eyes meet mine.
“Elias…” I whisper, and my commander nods then sits next to me.
“Cody, you’ve done well. You and all the Ghosts. And yes, we are all still watching out for you. The Hawks are looking after Spike, and Stalker is watching over Merrick. And as for my son? Well, he’s got two of the best soldiers I’ve ever seen in a lifetime looking out for him.” He says with a chuckle, and a smile creeps its way onto my face. Glancing back at Slate, I sigh.
“Damn, I know that this is a dream, but I wish it weren’t, and I wish I still had you all by my side. I mean, yes, you’re still here, but I mean in person.” Shifting my gaze to Match, I sigh. “I just want to fight by your side again, buddy,” I say, and Match smiles, then shrugs.
“But we had some pretty damn good fights when we were side by side, didn’t we?” He asks, and I chuckle.
“Yes. Yes, we did,” I say, then shake my head. “Not that I don’t love this, having you here right now, it just...it doesn’t feel-”
“Right?” Elias asks, and I nod slowly. He sighs. “Cody, I understand. This is really a lot to take in. And you are the only Ghost other than my son and David that knows about it. So with that knowledge, you can keep going, Cody. I’m trusting you and the others to keep the Ghosts alive. And I know you’ll do well. Tell my son I’m proud of him.” He says with a smile, and I nod.
“Yes sir.”
Slate leans forward to put his hand on my shoulder. “Cody, with all the new allies you have, you and the Ghosts, with the 101st infantry, can take down the Federation. Avenge the Ghosts, buddy.” He says, and I nod.
“Of course.”
Match stands up with a sigh, then walks over to me. “Hate to say this, but it’s time to leave, Cody.” He remarks, and I frown.
“But...what do you…” Behind him, Elias and Slate fade away, and my eyes widen.
Match crouches in front of me and smiles. “Hey. You can do this. You’re my best friend, and I’ve known you longer than anyone. So show me what you can do. And do so knowing that I’m right here with you.” He tells me, and I smile, then he wraps his arms around me in a hug. A warmth spreads through me, then it starts to fade, and as I open my eyes, I gasp, sitting up, taking my arm away from my eyes.
Sunlight shines in through the window on the opposite wall, and I glance around, seeing the few sleeping soldiers around me. I take a heavy breath and fall back, closing my eyes again.
It was a dream, but it wasn’t. I know that was real. Even though….
I sigh, then shake my head. Sitting up, I pull on my boots, lacing them up. Slipping on my long sleeve shirt over the t-shirt I wear, I stand up, stretching my arms above my head. Walking over to the window, I look out into the Airforce Compound, watching the many American soldiers that reside here man their posts and mill with others.
An army base…. It feels like home. And it is. Especially with my fellow Ghosts here. My friends and family, new and old, surround me with safety, and I could never feel more ready to take on the Federation.
With Logan, Merrick, and Spike by my side, all the new allies from Boston, and even the two Federation turned soldiers who returned their loyalty to America, this infantry is ready and waiting for the Federation’s next move.
And I’ll have Match by my side the whole way through. No matter what, I still have my best friend to fight beside.
11 April 2029
0738 hours
Cody
I walk down the hall slowly, still pondering in my head the happenings of last night.
Match…He’s…
Man, Logan and David were telling the truth. Shaking my head, I walk into the rec room to see the two young soldiers talking at the table. I clear my throat, and David glances up with a smile.
“Oh, hey Cody,” He says, and I nod at him, biting my lip. Logan raises his eyebrow, then tilts his head.
“Cody, what is it? You’re making that face you make when there's something wrong.” He notes, and I sigh, then pull up a chair to the table. I lean my elbows on the table with a frown, then hang my head.
“So….if I told you I actually now believe what you guys told me about Hesh and Keegan because I may or may not have had something similar happen last night….” I start slowly, and Logan raises his eyebrow, leaning forward.
“What?! What do you mean?” He asks excitedly, and I sigh.
“I….I mean…” I run my hand through my hair, then rub my face, shaking my head. “Match and Slate…” I utter softly, and David cocks his head.
“Who?” He asks, but Logan’s eyes widen.
“What?! You...you saw them?” He asks me, and I nod slowly.
“I mean, yes and no. I’m not sure if I was asleep or not, but Match and Slate told me that what you two have been saying is true, and….” I stop myself, thinking back, and Logan puts his hand on my arm.
“Cody?” He questions and I turn my head to face him.
“And...your dad, Logan. He was there.” I say slowly, and Logan’s eyes widen.
“Dad? He….what?” He whispers, and I nod, then smile.
“He told me to tell you that he’s proud of you,” I say, and Logan’s eyes grow wide, then he smiles widely.
David gives a slight chuckle, edging me with his shoulder. I turn to find him grinning, and I raise my eyebrow.
“What?” I ask, and he snickers.
“Looks like we now have another member of the ‘crazies’ club.” He jokes, and I stop, then start to laugh along with Logan. I sigh.
“We all have our guardian Ghosts, then. David has Keegan, Logan, you have your brother, and I….well, I have my best friend. I have Match.” I say with a grin, and Logan nods with a smirk, matched perfectly with David’s.
“The ghosts of the Ghosts. Who would have thought.” David mutters, and we all laugh, then Spike walks in and raises his eyebrow.
“What are you guys talking about?” He asks, and we all tense up.
“NOTHING,” I say, coincidentally at the exact same time as Logan and David. We all catch a quick glance.
Spike raises his eyebrow suspiciously, then shrugs his shoulders.
“Okay, whatever. Merrick just wanted me to tell you guys that there’s a briefing for the next scouting in fifteen minutes.” He says, waving his hand as he walks away. I drop my tense shoulders and look over to Logan and David, who sighed.
I slump back in my chair with a heavy breath, closing my eyes. David holds his head in his hands, elbows propped on the table. Logan leans his head on his arms, resting flat on the table. It’s quiet between the three of us, then Logan sighs.
“So...do you think we’ll ever be able to tell them?” He asks after a moment, and David lifts his head from his hands.
“Should we tell them? I mean, what would they think?” He remarks, and I shrug.
“I don’t know. I mean, look how I reacted when you guys told me. I say give it some time. But we have to keep it quiet. Not even a hint gets out, got it?” I tell, and Logan and David nod.
“Got it.” They say, and I nod.
“Good. If and when it’s time, yes, we will tell them. But for now, the less they know, the better.” I say, then I stand up. “Come on. Let’s head up to Merrick’s scouting briefing. We don’t want to be late.” I say, and David rolls his eyes.
“Yeah. Wouldn’t want to miss the most boring half hours ever.” He mutters, and Logan snickers.
“I’m with you.”
I smack the back of their heads as they stand up with a smirk. “Will you guys shut up and get moving?! You do NOT want to get on either Spike or Merrick’s bad side.” I advise, shaking my head. “Trust me .”
Logan catches a wide-eyed glance from David, then they both nod. “Okay. Let’s go.”