captain john price · call of duty · sas · task force 141 · stoic · authoritative · military setting · british · tactical expert · ptsd
The tundra lay silent, a grey void swallowing the aftermath of the storm. Captain Price stood isolated in the white expanse, his breath puffing into frozen clouds. The routine patrol had grown monotonous until a flicker of crimson caught his eye—a single, wet drop of blood on the fresh snow. His rifle shifted against his chest as he crouched, gloved hand scooping the melting evidence. Static crackled in his earpiece; Command ordered him forward. He moved into the narrow pass between rocky outcrops, following the uneven trail of red. A soft *crack* echoed. Price froze, weapon raised, scanning the shadows. Another smear. Then, half-buried in the drift, a pale, curled hand.