Chapter Text
–¿Cuánto piensan que tardaran estos ingleses? (Why are these English taking so long?) Didn't they say that they would arrive before eight? –The woman's head was resting on her crossed arms on the window frame of the black truck, watching Alejandro's broad back.
–They will arrive at any moment, ten paciencia por un momento Belén. (Have patient for a moment Belén) – The colonel had his back turned and she was wearing a mask, but he knew well that she made a face at him before going back inside the truck and rolling up the glass.
–Boludo (Dumbass) –She cursed the man outside the truck before leaning forward, placing her hand, gloved and the knuckles and back rimmed with metal, on Parra's shoulder. –. Rudy, when we go for Hassan, don't try too hard, at the first inconvenience or shortness of breath, tell Vargas or me and we'll cover you ¿Si? – It was more of a request than an order.
–Copiado comandante. (Roger that Commander)
He nodded with a small smile, the woman settled into her seat better, taking off her helmet, putting it on her lap, letting her hair breathe a little while she began to talk about things with Rodolfo, what they were going to do when they got their vacation, their predictions for the World Cup, until the sound of a military plane landing interrupted them. Both Latinos looked towards where Alejandro was and looked at the newcomers for a bit. The woman settled to go to the back of the truck, she would be more comfortable there. At that moment the Mexican and the two new men got to the car, she saw them get in, she knew them from the photos that her brother showed her.
–My second in comand: Sargeant Mayor Rodolfo Parra and she is the Lieutenant Colonel of the Argentine army, people call her Sulpay, She and her team are with us on a drug cartel issue, but she said they were going to help with Hassan. –The woman moved so they could see her, and Soap had a good view of the Santos Vega special forces shield that was embroidered on the woman's left arm, they were the same forces as Pompero, he wondered if they knew each other.
–Le tengo miedo a los fantasmas. – Rodolfo spoke, in a scared tone, looking at the man next to him, he had said it jokingly, both commanders knew that, Alejandro smiled and turned around to look at Soap.
–You know Spanish?
–No. –Belén wanted to laugh for the way he said that, as if he was scared, but she didn’t make them have a bad impression of her, but Ghost already noted her reaction.
–You will.
Rodolfo started the truck's engine and started the trip, the Argentine wanted to turn on the radio, she had made a maneuver to get between them, one hand on the floor of the car and the other with a USB, Soap had been good at grabbing her, from the vest, so she wouldn't fall, but the Mexican stopped her by grabbing her hand, looked at him, trying to understand how he did it.
–Iba a poner tu canción favorita. (I was going to put your favorite song)
–Mentirosa, puedo ver en tu cara que ibas a poner La Mano de Dios1. (Liar, I can see in your face that you were going to put La Mano de Dios) – He turned in the seat, looking into her eyes starting a little staring match, until she released her hold and settled back, thanking the Scots for the help, kneeling while leaning against the rear seats, Alejandro was very stupid if he thought she was going to put La Mano de Dios, she was really going to put Lo Mejor del Amor2.
–Withe truck, four armed in the back. – MacTavish announced, reaching for his rifle, but was quickly stopped by the lieutenant colonel's hand on his shoulder.
–uesah, Calm. – calmed him down as he let go of his shoulder, Alejandro and Rodolfo were surprised that she was being genuinely good, not having good manners simply for being polite.
–Easy, That’s normal here – explains Alejandro, calming him down and turning his gaze to the front–. Guns in the streets is jurisdiction of the police.
–Where are the police? – asked the masked man, curious, he wanted to know more about the situation in Las Almas, to know what he was getting into, this wasn’t in the records
–Bought. – The Argentine answered seriously, one or two months was the time she was in this town, don't take her the wrong way, she appreciated the place, but she preferred to be in her own fields, with her people.
–Las Almas has a very serious problem – He began to explain what the woman said –. There are few here to uphold the law, and many of those who resist corruption.... desappear
–What about the military? – the Scot asked, looking at the colonel and the woman to his side, out of the corner of his eye.
–Well, because we are well trained, soldiers are recruited by the narcos, happens in Argentina and the rest of the continent too
–Why not you? –That question was addressed to the three Latinos, the older British man was curious to know about them, he had not been able to investigate them as much as he would have liked, especially because he didn’t have the presence of the Argentines.
–We grew up here –He and Rodolfo looked at each other for a second, and then they look at the streets again–. They call us “Los Vaqueros” ... Cowboys –He looked towards the sidewalk, they were passing by the church, in the back seats, the Argentine had to fight with all her might not to roll her eyes, she had never liked how Alejandro dragged things out –. We love this place. – He turned his body to look at the Europeans –. And we will die fighting for it.
The Scot and the Brit looked at the woman between them, waiting for her answer.
–El que no quiere a su patria, no quiere a su madre (The one who does not love their homeland, does not love their mother)– The black-haired woman began to respond, sincere and quoting a part of a song from Calle 13, receiving the looks of both foreigners, Ghost noticed that under the Argentine flag was another, as far as he knew, that was the flag of a province of the country –. You can't ask someone who loves their country to betray it.
–Ye’re form Santos Vega? –se animó a hacer la pregunta que le estaba comiendo el cerebro, quería sacarse la duda, la mayor le miro.
–Sip, after the president and the general, I’m in charge. Why the question?
– Because we work with a commander form there, right Ghost? – The older of the two nodded, also listening to what the woman was saying. He knew a little Spanish, but he always got confused by all the dialects of the countries.
–Ah sí, that must be my little brother – She could no longer pretend that she didn't know them because her brother had told her a thousand and one stories about the 141, since before they were formed –. Pompero is my second in command, he and Price know each other since 2010, good guy, my kids, niece and nephew loves him. –Maybe all the explosions the Scotsman was in made him mishear, had she said children? If he was sincere he would never expect someone who hid their face like his lieutenant would have them, though that would be one reason why she does.
–¿Kids?
–¡Lo sé! I look súper young.
They couldn't tell it was true, they couldn't see her face, but they decided to believe her, Pompero didn't look his age, so if she was older than him, it must be true. Soon they passed a balloon stand, where there was a child with his mother and next to a young man with a weapon, the scot looked amused at the scene
– Kids, guns and balloons... that's a new one. – he turns to see his lieutenant, Riley wasn’t so shocked as MacTavish, but still, he had an odd feeling towards the situation, he never liked when children were involving in a dangerous situation.
– Narcos use generosity to win over people.
–Even the children?
–Especially the children… – At that moment they stopped in front of a cartel scene, Alejandro lowered the glass halfway and the Europeans looked there, the police tapes prevented passersby from stepping on something and compromising the evidence, not that they were worried, but it was protocol.
– What's on those sheets?
–Narco mantas. – replied the woman, looking side eyeing at the scene.
– Cartel cloths. – Rudy translated, looking at them from the rearview mirror, but without really looking at them, more than anything he was looking at Belén.
– Messages from El Sin Nombre. Warmins, making territory –He rolled up the window, signaling to his friend to keep driving –. Our streets are laced with death.
–Who's Sin Nombre?
– El Sin Nombre, The Nameless. The Leader of the Las Almas Cartel.
– Where can we find him?
– You can't. No one knows who he is –A small smile appeared on the covered face of the Argentine, she wanted to contradict the man and rename their bet they had since Sin Nombre had appeared in the scene but she didn't, they passed a mural dedicated to the cartel and El Sin Nombre, she was not surprised that civilians could be bought easily –. But he is everywhere, and this is a challenge –Se miraron por un segundo con Rodolfo y sonrieron –. But Los Vaqueros likes challenges –exclamó lo último con una sonrisa divertida.
– With your mask, you will fit in well here, Ghost. – The black-haired woman could feel how the Scot moved his hand over her neck, announcing that he shouldn't fuck with that and how the brit tensed at her side.
–Rudy, e’toy al lado del grandote, tené piedad de mi (Rudy, I'm next to the big guy, have mercy on me)
–Oye, calmala – He warned his best friend, looking at him, to look ahead, he threw his head back, annoyed, and the woman clicked her tongue –. Checkpoint, it's the army, turn right, we'll go around. – Rodolfo did as order, being followed by the two vehicles that were followed them, in these were some Vaqueros and some of the woman’s unit.
–Why?
–Like we told you, some troops are under the command of Sin Nombre. – answered the woman, tucking her braid under the jacket and closing it, it would avoid an accident or a more broken crotch than she should break.
–Like I told you, he is everywhere – the Mexican ended, upset –. Cartel is hiding Hassan in the village across the river. Let's hope he's still there.
Part of the way that followed them was in silence, the woman felt that her right breast was vibrating, it was her phone, she had forgotten to leave it at the barracks, she was going to turn it off, but she just got a new message from the group she had with her five siblings, yes five, she opened it, finding that there were two photos sent by the youngest of them, in one she saw her twin brother and her older sister being chased by some chickens and in the other one was of her children and her nephew and nieces being chased by a cow, her posture became relaxed by seeing it, knowing that they were safe was everything for her. Before turning off her cell phone, she showed the Scottish a photo of his two little angels, whenever she had the opportunity she showed her children, they were her greatest pride. With the Scot also talked about her nephew and nieces, he also talks about his and Scotland, she turned off her cell phone, keeping it in her vest and continue talking with Soap, the both of them had a lot in common.