Harry returned to the SAS base with his mind focused and his body prepared for the next challenge. After months of working in MI6's covert operations, he felt like a new version of himself, shaped by his experiences with British intelligence agents and Delta Force operators. His squad, Sabre A, was a well-oiled machine of elite warriors, but even his veteran comrades had noticed something different about Harry since his return. Time in the shadows had honed his skills and made him even stronger.
As soon as Harry entered the base's hangar, he was greeted with curious looks from his colleagues. Sergeant Evans, his direct commander, approached first, smiling with satisfaction at seeing him back.
"It's good to have you back, Ghost," Evans said, using the nickname Harry had earned among the insurgents and the intelligence community.
"Good to be back, Sergeant," Harry replied with a slight nod.
The SAS were about to deploy again to Jalalabad, Afghanistan, one of the most volatile areas in the country. This time, the mission involved joint operations with local Afghan forces and direct coordination with DEVGRU, something Harry was already familiar with from his last deployment to Kandahar.
As soon as they arrived on the ground, things were already underway. Insurgents had taken up positions in the nearby mountains, coordinating attacks against coalition forces. The situation was volatile, and the SAS's work was vital to destabilizing the insurgent network that was growing in Taliban-controlled areas.
Harry and his team were assigned a series of deep infiltration missions, dealing with ambushes, capturing key targets and, most critically, maintaining strategic communications with local allies and American special forces.
From the start, it was clear that the knowledge Harry had gained from his previous missions would be an asset. In a tactical meeting before a major raid, he had excelled at bringing forward insights that had been honed by both his experience with MI6 and his time with Delta Force.
"Listen, these guys don't operate randomly," Harry began, looking at the map in front of the team. "They're using old routes in the mountains that we already know, but they're changing their communication frequencies faster than ever before. What we need to do is attack their footholds before they can advance any further."
The room fell silent as everyone absorbed what he was saying. Captain Harris, the leader of the operation, looked at Harry approvingly.
"You've learned a lot during your time away, Ghost," Harris said, crossing his arms. "Let's stick with your strategy."
On the first mission in Jalalabad, Harry had the chance to demonstrate his honed CQB (Close Quarters Combat) skills. They were assigned to a raid on a cave complex where a high-ranking insurgent commander was holed up. As the team entered, they faced heavy resistance and booby traps strewn on all sides.
Harry led the charge, using the precision and movement he had learned in the SAS, now combined with the brutal efficiency he had gained from training with American operators. Within minutes, he and his team had neutralized the threats inside, clearing the space with impressive speed and lethality.
"Clear the second floor," Harry ordered as he climbed the narrow stairs of the cave. His keen instincts had detected an ambush before it occurred, allowing him to counterattack before the insurgents could react.
The other SAS operators were amazed at the way Harry anticipated enemy movements, almost as if he could predict what was coming. It was the result of years of operations, intelligence, and a keen ability to read behavior.
In addition to his tactical skills, Harry brought a new level of interrogation expertise to the squad. When they captured an insurgent who refused to cooperate, it was Harry who approached him and, using psychological techniques he had learned during his time in MI6, broke the prisoner's resistance without resorting to violence.
"He'll talk," Harry said calmly as he left the cell after a brief conversation with the prisoner. Within minutes, the insurgent began providing information about supply routes and attack positions, something that hastened the neutralization of several insurgent cells in the nearby mountains.
As the year progressed, Harry continued to impress not only his comrades, but also the American and Afghan forces with whom they collaborated. His knowledge of Pashto and Urdu facilitated direct communication with local forces, something that not only improved mutual trust but also allowed the SAS to gain valuable information about the movements of the insurgents.
During a joint operation with DEVGRU, Harry served as a liaison between the British and American teams, acting as a translator and strategist. His ability to quickly adapt to any situation and his sharp intelligence made him a crucial asset on every mission.
Despite the weight of responsibility and the dangers he faced on a daily basis, Harry remained calm and collected. He had transformed over the years into a truly elite operator, both physically and mentally, and everyone around him could see it.
When the six-month deployment came to an end, Harry and his team returned to England with a sense of accomplishment. They had neutralized numerous threats, dismantled insurgent cells, and protected countless lives around the world.
Back at base, as Harry cleaned his gear, Sergeant Evans approached him.
"You know, Ghost, you've become something more than just a regular soldier. They'll be talking about what you did here for a long time," Evans said, patting Harry on the shoulder.
Harry, now a man completely changed by his experiences, simply nodded. He knew there was still much more to do. The war never truly ended for people like him. But for the first time in a long time, he was at peace with who he had become.