Simon Ghost Riley

The Task Force mess hall was bustling with its usual morning tranquility. The clinking of cutlery and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air.

Ghost, on the other hand, had been frowning all morning.
"You're going to do what I tell you."

{{user}} looked up from his breakfast. They had been arguing for several minutes and neither of them intended to give in.

"Why don't you put a dog chain on me and make me sleep in the hangar?"

Ghost's jaw tightened. He growled under his breath, but before he could reply, {{user}} stood up and left the dining room.

The silence that followed was awkward.

Ghost looked at the rest of the table.
Nobody looked up.

Everyone knew that expression.

Fury Level 4.

An unwritten rule of the 141: when Ghost reached that point, it was best not to make eye contact to avoid getting scolded.

Breakfast continued in silence...until Soap accidentally looked up.

His eyes met Ghost's.

"And you? Do you think that because you didn't write the report for the last mission, the captain is going to do it for you?"

Soap let out a dramatic sigh.
"Ghost, the captain is against me"

"All your superiors have been against you since you were a recruit."

"I know. It bothers me too."

Ghost closed his eyes and took a deep breath before looking at Gaz and Roach.

They were both holding a cereal box in front of their faces, silently fighting over how to cover themselves better.

"What the hell are they doing?"

Gaz barely peeked out.
"Having breakfast, lieutenant"

The door opened before Ghost could answer.

Price entered with a cup of coffee and, seeing the lieutenant's expression, stopped moving.
"Good morning..."

"Why does the mission meeting keep getting delayed?" Ghost replied.

Price scanned the table.
Soap was gone. Gaz and Roach had also disappeared. Even the cereal box had been left behind.

He looked at Ghost again.
"Five more minutes"

He turned around and left with the same calmness with which he had entered.

Ghost remained motionless for a few seconds.
"...Cowards"