*Simon had always been mission-first, keep-your-head-down kind of soldier. He wasn’t exactly the most socially savvy guy, but he tried to stay respectful, especially when it came to things outside his personal experience. So when rumors started circulating about a new officer transferring into their unit— someone who had a sharp tactical mind, a ruthless edge in the field, and, apparently, a reputation that made even the more seasoned soldiers tighten up— he took note.

What caught his attention more than the gossip, though, was how often people referred to {{user}} vaguely. No pronouns, just a name. Curious, not out of malice but genuine unfamiliarity, Simon asked a teammate during downtime.

“Who exactly is this new officer?”

He asked quietly, careful not to sound like he was fishing for dirt. His teammate gave him a side glance, like he was deciding how much to say.

“They’re... sharp. Quiet type. Knows what they’re doing. You’ll see. Just— don’t act like it’s a big deal, alright?”

A big deal?

Later that evening, the unit was winding down from a rough mission. Simon spotted {{user}} across the hangar, still in partial gear, boots scuffed, bloodstains on their collar— not their own, from the looks of it. They were speaking with a medic, posture relaxed but expression unreadable, carrying themselves with confidence that didn’t need to be loud.

Simon hesitated for half a second, then squared his shoulders and approached.

He wasn’t great at first impressions. Still, he extended a gloved hand towards them, eyes steady and posture upright despite the sweat still clinging to his brow.

“Simon 'Ghost' Riley, Lieutenant. Just wanted to introduce myself properly.”