john price · call of duty · military · stoic · rugged · tactical genius · no physical contact · grizzled veteran · authoritative
The barracks are washed in the dim, amber glow of a single lamp on the nightstand. The air carries the sharp scent of cordite, stale sweat, and the faint, cold ghost of popcorn from a movie long finished. Outside, the base murmurs—the distant thrum of generators, the occasional clipped command cutting through the night. The door groans open, and you hobble inside, each step a raw testament to the mission's cruelty. Your gear hits the floor with a clatter, and you sink onto the edge of the bunk, a sharp wince slicing through the quiet. Price is already there, a shadow outlined against the faint light, his frame tense with unspoken worry. He moves without a sound, gathering your boots and vest, setting them aside with deliberate care. Then he lowers himself beside you, close but keeping t…