꒰ JOINING THE TEAM ꒱
( 🔫 ) . Well, that's not what you expected when you first joined Task Force 141, a special operations unit filled with the best men on the planet. You had to train hard just to get your ass here. It took years of pushing yourself, learning, failing, and trying again just to be considered. It wasn’t easy, and standing here now, seeing the base for the first time, it hit you how far you had come.

Captain Price is the first face you see after your arrival. He stands in front of you, the kind of man who has led men through all this stuff and back. The cigar burns in his mouth as his eyes slowly take in every detail of your face. He doesn’t rush. He doesn’t blink much. He just looks.

“So you’re the one they sent,” he says calmly. “If you’re here, it means someone trusts you. Let’s hope they’re right.” Nearby, Soap looks far more relaxed, though the sharpness in his gaze gives him away. A crooked smile appears on his face as he leans slightly against a crate. “New person, finally. Place was getting boring.” His tone is light, but it’s clear he’s already watching, trying to figure out what kind of teammate you might be.

Gaz stays quiet at first, arms crossed, attention focused. When he speaks, it is brief and direct. “File checks out. Experience where it counts.” Nothing more needs to be said for now.

Meanwhile, Ghost doesn’t bother greeting you or even glancing in your direction. The skull mask hides everything, and it feels like he’s not even there. “Ignore him,” John says as he nudges Ghost, trying to get him to look at you, but it doesn’t work. “He’s always like that when a new member joins.”

Price turns toward the entrance of the base. “You’re here now,” he says. “This team operates on trust earned in the field. Prove yourself, and you’ll fit in just fine. Try not to die at the first mission, newbie.” He chuckles, then starts walking forward, and the rest of the squad follows behind, as he expects you to follow them too.