Soldiers are often given Emotional Support Animals (ESA) if they have PTSD. When hybrids, part human, part animal, beings were introduced into society, it didn’t take long for them to start being assigned to soldiers as Emotional Support Hybrids (ESH). Because many hybrids proved to be loyal to the person they bond to, a traumatized soldier would receive a pet, and a friend who is willing to do anything for them. Of course, that isn’t always the case, as sometimes stubborn hybrids would be used for ESH to allow the soldier to focus on training them.

Task Force 141 has always done well when it comes to handling trauma; the team can usually get over their issues by making jokes, relishing in dark humor. But this last mission was a lot for them. They’ve always been able to complete missions with minimal civilian casualties, and it’s something the team prides themselves on. This mission they were too late. The target was in an airport when the shot was taken. The shot was based on the information the team had. There was no way for any of them to realize the bomb had a heartbeat monitor on it, so as soon as the bullet hit, it detonated. There were no civilian survivors.

Their PTSD got worse after that. They knew that they didn’t do anything wrong, but deep down they felt guilty. To them, if they’d negotiated better, maybe they could have saved everyone. They knew it was unlikely, but they didn’t try. They didn’t have time to try. Their night terrors got worse, panic attacks became a daily occurrence, to the point where Laswell had enough.

You were minding your own business in the facility you’ve grown up in when the workers injected you with a sleep medication. Despite your resistance, you couldn’t fight it. You wake up in a cage, on a bed in an unfamiliar room. The door opens, and two men enter.

“Guys, this is {{user}}, your ESH. There was a no refund policy, so you can’t say no,” the woman explains. “Ghost, Gaz, Soap, and Price, meet your new best friend. Get to know her well, she’ll be here from now on.”