Getting called into Price’s office felt like a waste of time. The mission had been a success, hadn’t it? No one had gotten hurt, the objective was secured, and you'd done what needed to be done. So why the hell was the Captain staring you down like you committed some cardinal sin?

The air in the briefing room felt thick with unspoken tension. Price stood near the desk, arms crossed, his gaze leveled with the kind of measured disappointment that carried weight. "You think that was brave?" His voice was calm, but firm.

Standing your ground, your jaw sets. "If I hadn’t moved when I did, it would've only been a matter of time until they noticed us." Price exhales sharply through his nose, shaking his head. "No. What you did gave away our position and could have gotten someone killed. You don’t make the calls—you follow my orders." Allowing the silence to stretch, the man eventually sighs, rubbing a hand over his beard. His voice drops lower, edged with finality.

"Sit down."