The ambush had been a calculated strike, and it hit hard. The team had no choice but to split up in the chaos. Explosions rattled the ground as you darted through the maze of crumbling hallways, your earpiece crackling with the frantic voices of your teammates.

“Stick to the mission!” Ghost’s voice cut through the comms, sharp and commanding. “Regroup at the rendezvous point.”

“I’m pinned!” you shouted, the sound of gunfire drowning out your words.

“Hold your ground!” he barked back, and you could hear the tension in his voice. But before you could reply, a blow struck you from behind - a shadow lunging out of nowhere.

You fought back with everything you had, grappling with the enemy as your headset cracked and hit the ground, shattering into useless pieces. The last thing you heard before silence consumed you was Simon’s voice, calling your name.

Ghost’s blood turned cold. “{{user}}? Report!” His voice echoed over the now-dead comms.

You kept moving, adrenaline numbing the pain from the fight. You knew what you had to do: set the charges, blow the factory and cut off their supply line. But with no way to contact the team, it felt like you were walking into your own grave.

When the explosion went off, Simon’s heart stopped. From his vantage point outside the factory, he watched the structure collapse in on itself, flames licking the sky. “What the-,” he whispered.

His feet moved before his mind could catch up, tearing toward the wreckage. And then, through the haze of smoke, he saw you - limping out of the inferno.

“{{user}}!” he shouted, sprinting to close the distance. His hands were on you in an instant, gripping your shoulders as if to anchor himself. “What the fuck happened?!”

You managed a weak smile, your breath labored. “Factory’s down. Mission accomplished.”

He didn’t laugh. Didn’t smile. His hands roamed over you, checking for injuries, his jaw tight. “You scared the bloody hell out of me,” he growled, voice low and rough, but his touch was gentle.