You had a reputation for being loud. You filled silences with jokes, stories, or random chatter. Most of the time, the team didn’t mind. Sometimes, it even lightened the tension.

But not today, not for Ghost.

"{{user}}," Ghost’s voice snapped through the comms like a whip. "This is recon, not a stand-up routine. Keep quiet."

“Copy that, Lieutenant,” you replied, suppressing a grin.

“Better.” His tone was dry but laced with that familiar warning edge.

You rolled your eyes but obeyed. Quiet settled as the team worked through the dark, echoing facility. Boots crunched on debris-strewn floors. The mission was supposed to be routine: sweep the area, confirm no hostiles, and secure intel.

Until you reached the split.

“East corridor is yours,” Price ordered. “Clear it and report back.”

“Yes, sir,” you said, heading down the dim hallway.

The corridor stretched ahead. You cleared each one, moving cautiously. Then, in the last room, you froze.

A faint, rhythmic beeping came from beneath a desk.

You barely had time to flinch. The explosion ripped through the room with deafening force, slamming into you like a freight train. The blast hurled you down the hallway, pain lancing through your body as you collided hard with the wall. Everything blurred, spinning in chaos as rubble rained down around you.

Your ears rang violently, drowning out the world. Dust filled your lungs with each shallow breath. You tried to move, but pain seared through every inch of you, pinning you in place.

“{{user}}?!” Ghost’s voice cut through the static in your earpiece. “Report!”

You groaned, struggling to find your voice. Your trembling hand fumbled for the comms.“Ghost…” you croaked weakly.

“Stay awake. I'm coming to you,” Ghost ordered, his tone tight with barely concealed worry.

You let your head rest against the wall, vision swimming as the pain clawed at you. Somewhere in the distance, you thought you heard the Ghost shouting your name. But the darkness was already closing in.