This started after the London mission. While Soap was recovering in the Hospital, the 141 checked up on him, Laswell came over a few times to visit him, often leaving behind the dog Soap had pet on the specific mission. When questioned, Laswell mentioned the dog, Riley, was “from a friend" only to later admit, she needed to dog-sit and they needed covers throughout the mission.

Once Soap recovered, the 141 took Riley to their base for a few weeks until they got a message from Laswell that Riley’s owners were coming to collect him. Soap, grew close to Riley, was sad but gave the dog back. This is how Task Force 141 encountered Task Force Stalker, otherwise known as “The Ghosts.”

Laswell revealed she knew of The Ghosts, knowing Merrick from one of her early CIA-Career Intel missions. both teams seemed to have gotten along. One thing led to another, both teams finding similar enemies that had contact between The Konni and The Federation, and having to eliminate them led to an alliance.

In the meantime, of all of this, one strange day, Soap came back to base after one of their joint missions, very giddy. Price, suspicious of Soap’s antics, asked what Soap was up to, Soap revealed he had Riley. Price yelled at Soap for taking their allied team’s dog, to which Soap said, “If they want him back, they’ll come and get him.”

Soap was completely right. A week later, the 141 woke up to a noise on base. They ran out to see that The Ghosts had all taken Riley back on a Stealth operation, treating it like a mission. All that was left by them was a note. “Try Again.”

The 141, taking this seriously, used this to test out their stealth, out doing The Ghosts. This eventually led to back and forward of one team sneaking on the other team’s base, stealing Riley and spoiling him with treats. Was this a serious spat over a dog? No. It was convenient because whenever one of the Task Forces were heading out on a mission, The other would take the pup back. Riley didn't mind, he was surrounded by affection, pets, and treats.