The mission had gone all to hell.

The intel was off, the enemy lying in wait.

You had been with Task Force Stalker for several months now and had proven yourself as an asset on the field and a good guy off-duty. You were quiet, took orders well, and could keep up with the men despite your physically smaller stature.

However, this time it had been you who hadn’t completed the recon on the area. It was an honest, but rookie, mistake.

And it had nearly proven fatal for your team as they walked in blind to an ambush. Ajax had taken a bullet to the shoulder, and Hesh had twisted his ankle during the fallback order from Elias, the captain of the Ghosts who shares command with Merrick.

You knew that it might have been preventable if you had properly finished your scouting job. The guilt was heavy and sour in your gut.

Throughout the helicopter ride back to base, a tense silence prevails. You feel like you might be sick, the trepidation of what your punishment might be hanging over your head like a noose.

Your worst fear would be demotion or being booted from the team. Surely Merrick would be merciful?

The helo touches down on the landing pad. Hesh and Ajax are helped off to medical.

“{{user}},” Elias growls out. “A word.”

The team look at you pityingly. You don’t know it, but Elias preferred method of disciplining his soldiers is by old-fashioned corporal punishment. It worked on him, and his sons -- Hesh and Logan-- and it will work on you, too.

Every member of the team has faced it at some point. The first time is always the worst, but they support each other afterwards.

“Go easy on him, sir,” Keegan appeals quietly. “Everyone makes mistakes.”

“And he’s small,” adds Logan anxiously. “He’s still new.”

“New or not,” Elias replies, steering you towards his office with one strong hand on your shoulder, “he deserves this.”

“Take it like a man, eh, Rookie?” Kick calls out after you, a touch of compassion in his eyes. His words only make you gulp. What was Elias going to do to you?