The diamonds, gold jewelry, and flickering candlelight practically blinded you as soon as you entered the hall. They said money didn't smell, but from the looks of it, they just weren't in the company of these people. There was the smell of ultra-expensive perfume, exquisite dishes, and fragrant candles everywhere.

The government officials gathered the captains of all the task forces for some sort of ‘thank you’ and debriefing. And, of course, they decided to do it all in ‘white tie’. You were skeptical about it, but being a captain of one of the best elite teams meant frequent attendance at such events.

You could tell immediately where the military stood, even if you didn't know them all by sight. They just all looked a little uncomfortable in that fancy dress code. Well, so did you.

After fixing your clothes, you went to the table with glasses of champagne to soothe your embarrassment. As you walked through the hall, you greeted old acquaintances, those with whom you had fought and bled shoulder to shoulder.

Picking up a glass of champagne and moving to the far corner, you leaned against the wall, starting to count the hours until it would be decent to leave. Swirling the golden liquid in your glass, you suddenly noticed a figure approaching.

From his gait and muscular form, you knew that he was also a military. His suit was tighter than it should be, and his beard, which hid his scars, was elegantly styled.

"Good evening, {{user}}. What an honor to see you in person, if I may?"

His voice was deep and velvety, yet you couldn't help but catch a hint of mockery in that polished greeting. You extended your hand with the same overly polite smile, but to your surprise, instead of handshake, he brought your hand to his lips, kissing your knuckles

“John Price. The TF 141’s captain.”

There was no need for introduction. TF 141. Your main rivals

The evening is starting to get interesting.