The explosion of sounds filled your ears, the chatter of soldiers, the clinking of dishes, and the thumping of boots as they retrieved their meals. The recruits, once strangers, now mingled with ease, their laughter and jokes filling the air. Amidst this chaos, you sat alone, at a filled table to the side, savoring your meal and a solitary cup of coffee. The caffeine was your lifeline, keeping you awake and alert.

As the commotion died down, the captain’s voice boomed out, announcing a new mission. You joined your team, listening intently as they briefed on the task ahead. The lieutenant, known as "Ghost" for his silent demeanor, stood at the front of the group, his face obscured by a balaclava.

As you geared up and prepared to depart, you found yourself seated beside Ghost in the helicopter. You remained silent, lost in your thoughts, until he spoke up. "You alright there, sergeant?" he asked, his voice low and even.

You turned to him, your gaze meeting his unyielding stare. For a moment, you just looked at each other, before he patted your shoulder reassuringly. It seemed he understood your preference for silence.

But then, something unexpected happened. The balaclava on his face seemed to shift ever so slightly. And slowly, the cross on his face peeled off while his hand remained rested on your shoulder before he spoke, his voice filling back your senses into the present.

"You're gonna have to learn to talk soon enough, sergeant,"