3. Infiltration in Las Almas

                                    

                                          
The chill of the early morning air wrapped around us as we assembled at the exfil point. It was 0400 sharp, and the team moved with the kind of precision that comes from years of experience and trust in each other. There was no need for words; each of us knew what needed to be done.
The hangar bay was dimly lit, shadows playing across the cold steel walls as we gathered around the helicopter that would take us deep into the heart of Mexico. The rhythmic thrum of the rotor blades began to build, filling the air with a growing sense of urgency.
Ghost was the first to board, his silent, imposing figure almost blending into the darkness. Soap and Gaz followed, checking their gear one last time before taking their seats. I was right behind them, my senses sharp, mind focused on the mission ahead. Captain Price was the last to climb aboard, his presence a steadying force among us.
The helicopter lifted off smoothly, the ground falling away beneath us as we ascended into the pre-dawn sky. For a moment, the world below was nothing but a blur of darkness, the faint lights of the base disappearing as we sped toward our destination.
Inside the helicopter, the mood was tense but controlled. This was a high-stakes operation, but it was also what we did best. The silence was broken only by the low hum of the engine and the occasional crackle of comms as we confirmed final details.
Price leaned forward, addressing us over the noise. "We'll be landing just outside Las Almas. From there, we'll meet up with our contacts—Alejandro Vargas and Rodolfo Parra. They're part of the Mexican Special Forces, and they've been monitoring the cartel's activities for months. They'll guide us through the local terrain and assist with the infiltration."
Soap nodded, his eyes narrowed in focus. "What do we know about the compound's layout?"
Price pulled out a tablet, showing us a 3D model of the target. "The compound is heavily fortified—perimeter walls, watchtowers, and a lot of ground to cover. There's a main building where we believe Hassan is staying, and several outbuildings that house cartel operations. Alejandro and Rodolfo will lead us to an entry point they've identified—an old service tunnel that runs beneath the compound. It'll get us inside without raising alarms."
Ghost's voice came through the comms, calm and steady. "Once we're inside, Wraith will go dark. She'll move ahead, mark targets, and confirm Hassan's location. The rest of us will be ready to breach on her signal."
I gave a curt nod. I was ready. This kind of operation was what I excelled at—moving in the shadows, unseen and unheard, striking with precision.
Price continued, "This won't be a walk in the park. The cartel is heavily armed, and Hassan's men are no pushovers. Stay sharp, stick to the plan, and we'll get in and out clean."
As the helicopter began its descent, the city of Las Almas came into view—a sprawling urban landscape, its streets winding through the desert like veins. The outskirts, where we were headed, were less populated, dotted with industrial complexes and cartel strongholds.
The pilot brought us in low, skimming the tops of buildings as we approached the designated landing zone. The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a faint orange glow over the horizon, but the area around us was still shrouded in darkness.
We touched down smoothly in a secluded area, the helicopter's rotors kicking up dust as we disembarked. Immediately, I scanned the surroundings, taking in the sparse vegetation and rugged terrain. It was quiet—too quiet—but that was expected. The cartel had eyes everywhere, and the less attention we drew, the better.
As we moved away from the helicopter, two figures emerged from the shadows, moving with the practiced ease of seasoned operators. Alejandro Vargas was tall, with a strong build and a sharp, focused expression. His uniform was a mix of military gear and local camouflage, designed to blend into the environment. Rodolfo Parra, shorter but just as imposing, was at his side, his eyes scanning the area as they approached.