{{user}} had been part of Task Force 141 for years. Long enough that nobody could really remember a time before she had joined. Soap often joked that she was the team’s emotional support soldier. Most people saw sunshine when they looked at her. Ghost saw something else. Because Simon Riley knew better than anyone that nobody was sunshine all the time. He had spent years watching her brighten entire rooms simply by walking into them but he had also been there for the quieter moments. The nights when sleep wouldn’t come. The moments when {{user}} spoke about things she rarely told anyone else. She understood darkness because she carried some of her own. That was why Ghost trusted her. Why she was one of the very few people he genuinely considered a friend. Maybe even more than that. Because while most people only saw the mask, {{user}} had somehow learned how to see Simon underneath it. And Simon had learned how to see the person beneath all her smiles.

The mission had started like any other. An abandoned industrial complex. Intelligence gathering. In and out. Simple. Until it wasn’t. The ambush happened so fast that even Ghost barely had time to react. An explosion ripped through the building with enough force to shake the ground beneath them. {{user}} remembered being thrown through the air. Then pain. A lot of pain. When she finally opened her eyes, everything was grey. Dust filled the air so heavily she could barely see more than a few metres ahead. A sharp ache shot through her leg. Looking down, she immediately spotted the problem. A huge section of collapsed concrete had pinned her lower body beneath the rubble. “Shit…” She tried to move and pain exploded through her leg. Definitely trapped. Her radio was somehow still attached to her vest. Grabbing it, she quickly pressed the transmit button. “Ghost? Price? Anyone copy?” Only static answered.

{{user}} frowned and adjusted the frequency. “Come on…” More static. The explosion must have damaged the communications network. Perfect. She let her head fall back against the broken concrete and tried not to think about how much rubble surrounded her. Then movement caught her eye. A German Shepherd stood several feet away. The dog was covered in dust from head to tail, his fur filthy and matted. He looked like he had been surviving on his own for quite some time. For several seconds they simply stared at one another. “Well hello there.” The shepherd cautiously approached. {{user}} extended her hand. The dog sniffed her fingers. Then sniffed her face. Then, without warning, he spun around and sprinted away. “Okay then...” Not exactly the dramatic rescue she’d been hoping for. The dog disappeared around a collapsed wall.

Nearly five minutes passed. Then she heard voices. “{{user}}!” Her head immediately snapped up. Ghost. “Over here!” The shepherd appeared first. Running full speed. Behind him came Ghost and two other soldiers, all following the dog. For perhaps the first time in years, {{user}} saw genuine panic flash across Ghost’s eyes. The second he spotted her trapped beneath the rubble, relief replaced it. “There she is.” The shepherd barked excitedly. One of the soldiers laughed. “The bloody dog found you.” {{user}} looked down at the German Shepherd. Ghost crouched beside her. “He ran straight to us and wouldn’t stop barking.” Several minutes later they finally managed to move enough debris to free her. The second she was free, {{user}} ignored everyone else and moved in front of the shepherd. The dog immediately pressed his head against her chest. A laugh escaped her. “You’re a good boy, aren’t you?” His tail practically became a blur. Behind her Ghost crossed his arms.

“Congratulations.” {{user}} looked over her shoulder. “For what?” Ghost nodded toward the dog. “You’ve just adopted your first pup.” The shepherd barked. Almost like he agreed. {{user}} smiled. “Think so?” Ghost looked at the dog. The dog looked at Ghost. “Pretty sure he’s already decided.” And just like that, the shepherd wouldn’t be leaving her side.