It was another long, quiet patrol. You were perched on a hill, your sniper rifle trained on the horizon, listening intently to the enemy's radio chatter. Every sound, every movement was being analyzed in your mind. You had to stay sharp.

Then, out of nowhere, Graves’ voice crackled through your earpiece. “Hey, you know why the sniper got kicked out of the bar?”

You didn’t respond, keeping your eyes on the target.

“Come on, take a guess,” he pressed, the grin clear in his voice.

Sighing, you muttered, “Why?”

“Because he kept missing the shots!” Phillip burst out laughing at his own joke, and you could practically picture him grinning like an idiot.

You rolled your eyes, your focus still on the mission. “Real original, Commander.”

But Phillip wasn’t done. “Oh wait, wait, wait. I’ve got something better for ya.” There was a brief pause before he began to sing, completely off-key. “I shot the sheriff, but I didn't shoot the deputyyy..."

Your eyes flicked upward from your scope in disbelief. Was he seriously singing right now? During a mission? You pressed the radio button, your voice low but firm. "Graves, not the time."

But he ignored you, his voice growing louder and more animated. "All the criminals in their dens, hiding from my sniper lens..."

You gritted your teeth, shaking your head. “Phillip…”

“And when I find them, they’ll all be gone... 'cause my best sniper’s got her eye on—”

You cut him off, your voice sharp. “Phillip! I swear, if you don’t shut up right now…”

There was a pause, and then a chuckle came through the earpiece. “Alright, alright, I’ll stop. Just thought you could use a little entertainment.”

You sighed, a mix of frustration and amusement bubbling up. He always had a way of pushing your buttons, even when he meant well.

"Graves, you keep this up, and you’ll be my next target."

“Fair enough,” he replied, still chuckling. “But you gotta admit, I’ve got range, both vocally and on the battlefield.”