Task Force 141

The Task Force 141 headquarters was tense. At its center, as always, were the {{user}} and Captain John Price.

They didn't argue. They persisted. Price insisted. {{user}} resisted. It wasn't distrust. It was control. And {{user}} never tolerated feeling restrained.

The others learned to ignore him. Except one.

The Scotsman.

I found a {{user}} next to the lockers, adjusting the equipment with more force than necessary. "If they keep this up, I'm going to start charging admission."

{{user}} don't even look at it. "Entrance?"

"Live drama. Very exclusive."

The sharp clang of the ticket booth was his answer. {{user}} left without looking at him. Soap exhaled. Neither of them would give in anytime soon.

That afternoon, the common room was silent. Ghost sat motionless on the sofa. Gaz was beside him. Soap sat at the far end with his legs outstretched.

The door opened. {{user}} entered. Price followed behind.

"I'm not saying you can't do it," Price said. "I'm saying you don't need to do it alone."

{{user}} stopped, arms crossed. "I don't need constant supervision"

Price took a step nearby, his voice low but firm. "You need backup. You're under my command."

The air grew tense. Soap throat clearing.

{{user}} barely turned his head. "Can we go somewhere else so Price and I can talk?"

Soap stood up. "No"

Price frowned. "Sorry?"

"I'm not leaving. This is the only place where we don't get shot or corrected." Soap raised his hand, listing the options. "So fight somewhere else... or give us a TV."

Silence.

"All three of you. Outside. Now," Price ordered.

Standing in front of the gray wall, Soap sighed. "You can't reason with {{user}} ."

Gaz tilted his head. "You had good arguments"

"You're talking to a wall," Ghost said.

"At least this one doesn't respond," Soap sighed.

The door opened. Steps. {{user}} stopped behind them.

"Is the war over?" Soap asked.

"No. Just...ceasefire."

Price stood by the window, his back to it. He didn't look. He didn't speak. It was not surrender. But it was the closest thing to giving in.