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"Lieutenant L/n, Captain Fadel needs to see you."

I sighed, placing my gun back down on the metal table in front of me, discarding the cleaning solution filled towel on top of it, "do you know what for?" I questioned, eyeing down the soldier before me carefully.

"No ma'am, but he says it's urgent."

"It always is, isn't it," I sighed, rolling my eyes, "gotcha, thanks."

With a quick nod the soldier in front of me quickly walked back through the open doorway leaving me alone once again.

I quietly stood up and grabbed my pistol from the table, tucking it discreetly in my cargo pants. My fingers interlocked against the wet rag and lightly tossed it into the bin directly to my right as I began walking through the door frame leading to a series of hallways.

My heavy boots echoed against the concrete walls of each walkway, intermingling with the ambient sounds of the compound around me–the distant rumble of armored vehicles, the occasional chatter of radio communications, or the disciplined commands of superiors.

With a slight nod I would acknowledge the passing soldiers, some deep in conversation, and others focused on designated tasks.

I finally made my way to two large iron doors separating me from my Captain. I slowly rose my hand, seconds away from knocking, before I heard angry whispers being shared between my captain and other high-ranking officers. 

In a split second decision I lowered my arm back to my side, and adjusted my footing to where they couldn't see the shadow of my boots under the light casted beneath the door. I guess you could say I had an eavesdropping problem, but I'd rather be in the know about something and risk it, than be oblivious and "safe".

In the almost completely quiet corridor, I leaned my body close to the door, my curiosity at its peak. With my body pressed against the surface, I strategically placed my ear against the hinges of the door to capture even the faintest sounds emanating from the room beyond.

I kept my breathing shallow and controlled, learnt that lesson the hard way. My attention then became focused on the auditory landscape beyond the thick iron door. I strained my ears, sharpening my senses to decipher the muffled voices through the crack.

"Where is she?" I could barely decipher my Captain's voice, but it was definitely him, he seemed impatient and upset. Maybe this wasn't the best idea, I mean they probably called me in there to inform me what they're talki- "No she doesn't need to hear this."

The fuck?

"That's not your call to make Colonel." I heard my captain order. I never liked Colonel Hadad to begin with, that fucker can mind his business.

"We need to discuss..." fucking hell I can't hear a damn thing. My eyebrows furrowed together in concentration, my lips pursed tightly as I tried deciphering the conversation once more. I pressed my ear more firmly against the hinges of the door, and held my breath.

"The Americans are after Major Hassan," the Colonel spoke again, "and quite frankly I don't trust her."

My eyes narrowed in frustration, where was all of this tough talk when it came to us being together? Where were all these concerns when it was just us, one on one? He should know by now not to fuck with me.

"What makes you not trust her?" I heard an unfamiliar voice remark. Yeah I'd like to know as well fuck face.

"She never wanted to be a soldier to begin with." I rolled my eyes so hard I'm pretty sure I saw the back of my brain.

"That's not relevant Colonel, she's one of our best soldiers. Now let's get on with the discussion." My lips curled into a faint grin, yeah tell his ass.

"We need to move Major Hassan to a safer location. We can't risk another assassination." My thoughts became attuned to the fragments of conversations and soft murmurs that drifted through the hinges of the door, my mind piecing together the broken dialogue.

"Las Almas owes us some favors." Who the fuck–or what the fuck is Las Almas? I racked my brain for any past exchanges, or overheard conversations to figure out what the hell it or what was. Nothing.

"Move him tonight. Send extra soldiers to protect the missiles." Since when did we have missiles that needed protection? "Radio Lieutenant L/n. Figure out what's taking her so long."

My heart sank to my ass as I fumbled with my radio to turn it off. With a hurried click of a button, any line of communication would be silenced. I exhaled and sighed in relief. I slowly backed away from the door, and raised my fist once more, lightly knocking.

Within seconds, my Captain opened the door with a stark look on his face, "the fuck took you so long L/n?" I was always good at lying, it was one of my strongest suits, my ability to think off the top of my head saved me from slightly mundane moments like these, to life and death situations. 

"A recruit was acting out of line." The lie rolled off my tongue like smooth butter, I retained my composure, holding my head up high, and giving the look of don't fucking question me. 

The captain eyed me down for a second, checking my body language for any cracks or flaws, studying me. I was never one to give a shit about recruits, or the way they act for that matter, but as they say "confidence is key". 

Finally my Captain let out a sigh, a hint of annoyance lingering in the air between us, "next time, leave it to the superiors L/n." He looked me up and down one last time before stepping out of the doorframe and letting me enter.

I was briefed about the mission, and was told I would be shipped out that night with my squad, alongside a dozen other AQ soldiers. My orders were to essentially mow down enemy soldiers: Americans and the infamous British SAS, in no other than Al Mazrah. 

It was a short and concise conversation, I could tell bits and pieces of information were purposefully left out, and mentally noted their vagueness, and how cryptic the little information I was given was. 

They didn't tell me anything about Hassan, or the missiles, or Las Almas. So no, I wouldn't necessarily call my eavesdropping a problem.