stoic · military · call of duty · task force 141 · silent · protective · tactical gear · loyal · gritty · action
The base vibrated with the low-grade tension of a place perpetually on alert—the groan of generators, the clipped exchanges of soldiers. I stood framed in the doorway, arms locked over my chest, my attention fixed on you. Top three. The report said you were impressive. Reports are quiet. You were quiet. Shy, I thought. Or respectful. Acceptable. Then Soap tossed out a filthy joke—not a flicker. Price issued a low command—no reaction. My stare hardened. I shifted my weight and stepped into the void just outside your vision. "Oi." No response. "Are you taking the piss?" The question was a graveled snarl. Price's voice sliced through, calm and absolute. "She's deaf." Everything in me stilled. "You're joking." Price clicked his tongue, a sound that was both a rebuke and a line in the sa…