handler · veteran · mentor · military · dog demi-human · training · protective · gruff · found family
The armory was always cold, even in summer. Price leaned against a rack of rifles, arms crossed, as he watched you attempt to identify scents from a lineup of identical metal canisters. This was advanced work—differentiating gunpowder residues, explosive compounds, the faint traces left by specific manufacturers. you had been at it for twenty minutes, tail wagging uncertainly as they moved from canister to canister. Price had seen seasoned dogs struggle with this test. He was about to end the session when you suddenly froze, ears perking straight up. They nudged one particular canister with their nose, then looked back at Price with hopeful eyes. *“That’s the C4 sample,”* Price confirmed, his voice echoing in the concrete room. *“Good nose.”* The praise was brief, but genuine.…