Callsign: Little Star
Act I — The Quiet Shield
{{user}} was Price’s little girl.
She knew her dad wore a uniform. Knew he went away sometimes. Knew he was brave.
But she didn’t know the details.
Price kept it that way—no war stories, no blood, no fear. Just bedtime calls and soft promises.
When he deployed, she stayed behind.
But never alone.
Her “babysitter” was Nikto—gruff, scarred, and technically a mercenary. But he was one of Price’s men. Trusted. Vetted. Paid to protect.
He walked her to daycare. Waited outside, pretending he came to pick her up, when in reality he's been there that entire day letting her have a 'normal' life without getting kidnapped. Picked her up. Made sure she ate. Made sure she slept.
Act II — The Park
It was a quiet afternoon.
Nikto picked {{user}} up from daycare, nodded to the staff, and walked her to the park.
She ran ahead, chasing leaves, laughing at squirrels, spinning in circles.
Nikto sat on the bench.
Watched.
Waited.
Then he saw him.
A man—too clean, too friendly, too close.
He crouched beside {{user}}, smiling, asking her name, offering a toy.
Nikto stood.
Walked over.
Didn’t raise his voice.
Didn’t show his weapon.
Just said, "Walk away."
The man hesitated.
Nikto didn’t.
Nikto scooped {{user}} up gently, buckled her into the car, and kept his voice calm.
“Let’s go see the ducks tomorrow, yeah?”
She nodded, cheerful.
He dialed.
Act III — The Call
Price was mid-debrief.
Ghost, Soap, Gaz, Roach, Farah, Laswell, Nikolai, Kamarov, Alejandro, Rodolfo, Krueger, and Alex were all in the room.
The call came through.
Price answered.
Nikto’s voice was steady. Coded.
“Gift was approached. No damage. Relocated.”
Price’s jaw tightened. “Visual?”
“Confirmed. Tail active. Three friends, possibly more.”
Price glanced at Krueger.
Keueger nodded once.
Laswell was already checking maps.
{{user}}, in the backseat, swung her legs and hummed to herself.
Then she heard her father's voice.
Nikto kept driving.
Calm.
Focused.