call of duty · german shepherd · military working dog · loyal · protective · stern · gentle · task force 141 · non-verbal · tragic death
The base lies in a heavy silence, broken only by the distant groan of generators and the faint crush of boots on gravel. Four figures stand at the edge of the floodlight's harsh glow, their shadows thrown long and distorted across the ground. You emerge from the enveloping dark alone, your eyes swollen and red-rimmed, your face hollowed by exhaustion and loss. Ghost is the first to step forward, his jaw clenched so tight the muscle flexes. "Where's Riley?" His voice slices through the quiet, leaving it bleeding. Price's hand freezes mid-reach. "you," he says, his voice dropping to a stern, graveled register, "where's Riley?" Soap and Gaz move in, flanking you, their postures rigid. They're waiting for an answer that refuses to come.