After Effect: Haunting

After Effect: Haunting is a short story in the After Effect series by EternalBlaze.

Shepherd's Story
"Five years ago, I lost 30,000 men in the blink of an eye. And the world just fuckin' watched. Tomorrow there will be no shortage of volunteers, no shortage of patriots. I know you understand."

- General Shepherd

I ran my left hand through my hair, sighing as I did so. I sat at a small table, with chairs on both sides. The other chair on the opposite part of the table was still empty. I was here for a meeting organized by Captain John MacTavish, who served with the SAS during the Second Russian Civil War and shot Imran Zakhaev.

The door behind me opened and MacTavish walked around the table, to where I was facing him and vice versa.

"It was very kind of you to join me today, General Shepherd." MacTavish said as they shook hands.

"The pleasure is all mine," I said with a slight smile. "Now tell me why you brought me here today."

"I'm going to tell you that I created a new multinational special forces group, known as the Task Force 141. I want you to be the head of it." MacTavish said briefly.

I still managed to keep the same expression on my face after MacTavish stopped speaking. It was as if I didn't move at all. I was contemplating whether I'd agree.

"I'll do it," I said. "But, under one condition. We go after Makarov."

"Yes, sir. That was out main objective from the start."

"Excellent." I said.

"However, we will need to do some recruiting. We're looking for the best of the best from the U.S. Army Rangers, SAS, and the Canadian Special Ops Regiment." MacTavish said.

I thought hard in my head if I personally knew any soldiers fit for the Task Force and an idea.

"I do know someone, he's a former SAS soldier. He's still in shape and ready for combat. If I can convince him, he can serve under your wing." I mentioned.

"Sure, just tell me who he is and we'll find him." MacTavish said.

"Simon Riley." I said.