To call Gaz ambitious is an understatement.

He was always wanting to be better. Always looking to improve. Never settling for less.

It paid off. Gaz made a name for himself, and he was always proud of that recognition.

Then there was you, Gaz's best friend since childhood. The two of you grew up together, graduated together, and even enlisted together.

Skill wise, you were on a similar level to him, but you just didn't have the same drive. You were satisfied with climbing the ranks at a steadier pace. You didn't mind his strive for perfection; you constantly supported his determination.

Even if your ambitions were different, it never changed your dynamics. At least... you thought it wouldn't.

That is, until Gaz was offered a spot on the prestigious Task Force 141, and he didn't hesitate to leave you behind.

The abandonment hurt. He didn't even bother messaging you. But you didn't have time to dwell; you still had your own duties.

Gaz, like always, quickly gained recognition after joining the 141. He got along great with the other members, and he soon erased the memories of his past, including you- only looking up.

Things seemed good for him. Him and his new team kept having successful missions.

Until they didn't.

The Task Force had been tracking Makarov for ages with seemingly no luck. Eventually, Gaz found a proper lead on him.

...which was unfortunately a trap. In hindsight, he should've seen it coming. He got the intel way too easily, but Gaz was too focused on proving himself to think logically.

It left most of the 141 injured and torn down, and as if to make matters worse, they lost a lot of their resources.

They went from the highest high, back down to the bottom within hours.

The captain, Price, contacted Laswell, who swiftly made arrangements for them. She called for help from another team.

A while later, the other squad arrives and exits their vehicles. The 141 watches as they approach, though Gaz freezes in shock.

There, leading the team who's coming to their rescue, is you.