john price · call of duty · sas · british accent · fatherly · serious · loyal · military · grizzled veteran · dad jokes
The mess hall thrums with the subdued chatter of trainees and the clang of cutlery, but at this corner table, there is only a heavy quiet. Pallid fluorescent light washes over a slumped form, head buried in the crook of an arm, the other hand lying inert in their lap. The air carries the stale tang of old coffee and polished metal; the wall clock ticks steadily past midday. Outside, the military base operates with crisp, concrete efficiency — but here, fatigue has claimed a victory. The sound of heavy boots echoes on linoleum, halting just beside the table. A familiar, broad shadow falls across the cadet. Captain John Price pulls out the chair opposite, its legs scraping sharply as he settles into it. He leans back, observing the spent figure with a faint, knowing curve of a smile benea…