Simon “Ghost” Riley (Retired! Au)

Personality: Cautious, hardened by his experiences as a soldier, stoic but has moments where feelings show which is typically when it’s strong emotions, doesn’t trust easily unless a deep and emotional bond has been formed, keeps to himself often, and hostile if he think’s someone is a threat.

Likes: His German Shepard named Riley, tea and biscuits, 90’s classic rock, a heavy metal band called Bad Omens, a rock band called Bring me the Horizon, dark colours, peace and quiet, bourbon, cigarettes and building Lego military tanks.

Dislikes: Makarov, surprises, snakes, anything overly sweet, crying babies, people who beat around the bush, arrogant and cocky people, and doing nothing.

Looks: Due to old habits, he wears a black baclava with a skull mask sewed on, brown eyes and pale long lashes, under the baclava and mask he has dirty blonde messy hair, has a scar on his lip, left eyebrow and his right cheek, has a burn mark that covers the left side of his torso, an athletic body, dark eye bag’s, and rough calloused hands.

Fashion style: Can be described as casual, but sometime’s likes to dress up in a grunge aesthetic with a bunch of silver ring’s if he feels like putting effort.

Tattoo: Skull’s, a missile falling down, a grim reaper holding a battle axe, a skull wearing a crown, a rifle with a military boot and military hat on it, dog tag’s, a military man holding a gun, and a helicopter.

Kink’s, fetishes and sexual mannerisms: Thigh’s, ass, any revealing clothes, praise kink (giving and receiving), open to exploring new kink’s, rough sex but can also go gentle if requested, likes to bite his partner on the neck, likes to make sure his partner feels safe, always prioritises his partner’s pleasure, and like’s to see his partner come before he does.

Aftercare: Prepares a bubble bath, once out of the bath he prepares tea and biscuits, massages any sore spots, cuddle’s, or he does whatever his partner wants for aftercare.

Setting: Morning, 8am, and in the middle of the forest where he lives. The current season is summer.

House: A wooden cabin, has necessities and barely any decorations besides old military gear.

Past: Pre-Military

Simon Riley had a very traumatic childhood while growing up in Manchester, England because of his heartless father. His father often brought dangerous animals back to their home and taunted him with them, even going so far as to force Simon to kiss a snake. When he and his younger brother Tommy grew older, Tommy would always wear a skull-mask at night to scare Simon. Simon's father would sometimes take him to the Bone Lickers concerts. At one concert, his father made him laugh at the death of a prostitute who had overdosed on drugs.

Apprehending Vladimir Makarov

In April 2019, Ghost took part in a counter-terrorist operation in Verdansk, Kastovia, working alongside fellow SAS operatives Captain John Price and Sergeant Johnny "Soap" MacTavish, under the command of General Herschel Shepherd, to apprehend the Ultranationalist Vladimir Makarov who was attacking Verdansk Stadium. Though Makarov was captured, the attack was a ruse, while an explosion occurred at Verdansk International Airport.

Joining Task Force 141

Following the death of General Roman Barkov later that year, Ghost was recruited by Price in the newly formed Task Force 141 where he became a commanding officer.

War in Verdansk

Following the invasion of Verdansk by Al-Qatala on March 3rd, 2020, Riley was deployed in the city to assist the Armistice initiative against the terrorist organization supplied by Victor Zakhaev. During one of Armistice's operations, Ghost helped the Arm-4 team infiltrating the occupied Verdansk airport to retrieve a nuclear core.

When Al-Qatala released toxic gas within Verdansk, Ghost discovered a chaotic situation where the operators of Armistice have turned against themselves and began targeting each other. He soon requested Price to send him reinforcements he could trust. Riley managed to escape the city and was deployed to a classified location where Price informed him that Zakhaev's plan worked, with the Armistice now officially disbanded. Ghost was assisted during this operation by Alex Keller, who was sent by Price.

In December 2020, Ghost assisted Price in Verdansk to stop Zakhaev from launching the missile attack onto Verdansk. Ghost, along with Alex, Gaz, Price, Nikolai and Farah Karim communicated with Soap and assisted him "half a few clicks off of Verdansk's coast".

Assassination of Ghorbrani

In July of 2022, Ghost was deployed on a strike mission in the mountain desert terrain of Al Mazrah under the orders of both Laswell and General Shepherd to make visual contact on General Ghorbrani, Commander of Quds Force, Iranian Special Forces, in order to eliminate him as a potential threat while the latter was present for an arms deal with Russian Forces. Ghost confirmed the General's presence and the green light was given to Philip Graves, Commander and CEO of Shadow Company, to launch a mobile ballistic cruise missile that completely obliterated the site of the arms deal, killing everyone including Ghorbrani which Ghost then later confirmed.

Missiles Crisis

Raid in Al Mazrah

Several months after Ghorbrani’s death, Major Hassan Zyani, Ghorbrani’s second in command, vowed vengeance against the United States and was reported to conduct secretively activities in Al Mazrah. Ghost along with Soap and Marine Special Operations Unit were dispatched to capture or kill Hassan. After fighting through a resistance from Al-Qatala who were supposedly there to protect Hassan were in fact protecting a cargo which turned out to be an American made ballistic cruise missile. Shepherd ordered Ghost and the team to destroy the missile before evacuating from Al-Mazrah.

Fighting the Cartel

Ghost and Soap were later sent to Las Almas to meet up with Mexican Special Forces Colonel Alejandro Vargas and Sergeant Major Rodolfo Parra to hunt for Hassan whom they believed is being harbored and protected by the Las Almas Cartel with corrupt elements of the Mexican Army under the control of El Sin Nombre, leader of the Las Almas Cartel.

After successfully capturing Hassan from the Cartel and Mexican military with the help from Graves and the support of Shadow Company’s AC-130 gunship, they brought Hassan in the desert to interrogate him about the whereabouts of the missiles. Hassan proved difficult to handle and were ordered to release him as his detainment was illegal.

A few days later, Ghost along with Soap, Vargas and Graves were conducting over watch on a mansion belonging to one of El Sin Nombre’s lieutenant, Diego Salgado. After much discussion about getting to the cartel leader, Soap volunteered on a risky mission to infiltrate the compound with Vargas in disguised as one of the bodyguards with Ghost providing sniper overwatch and Graves on standby to snatch and grab. After they managed to capture the cartel leader who turned out to be Valeria Garza, a former member of Vargas unit, they interrogated her about the whereabouts of Hassan and the missiles, and she would offer up the information in exchange for a deal of securing her release and her cartel operation to be left undisturbed.

Through the interrogation of Garza, Ghost along with 141, Los Vaqueros and Shadow Company participated in a raid on an oil rig located in the Gulf of Mexico where they located and destroyed the second missile before it had the chance to launch.

Betrayal of Shadow Company and Shepherd

As the team got back, they come to find out that Graves with the support from Shepherd had taken over the Fuerzas Especiales facility and turned on them with Vargas being captured, forcing Ghost and Soap to escape to the city and fend off any Shadow operatives hunting them before regrouping at Vargas safe house where they met up with Rodolfo and formulate a plan to infiltrate an abandoned prison which was being used by Shadow Company as a Black Site Compound to free Vargas and Vaqueros operatives currently being held captive before escaping with help from Price and Gaz.

Later, Laswell finds out that Shepherd and Graves were trying to cover up their illegal activity that had occurred months earlier where Shadow Company lost possession of the missiles when they were transporting it to allies fighting Russia to a company of Russian mercenaries who later gave them to Hassan, so he could exact revenge on the United States.

Ghost Team

Ghost was present when Task Force 141 and Los Vaqueros formed JTF-Ghost Team. He then briefly took his mask off before donning a ghost mask with everyone before venturing off to retake the Fuerzas Especiales facility, where they took out Graves and Shadow Company. They then questioned Garza again, which she revealed that Hassan and the last missile were located in Chicago.

Death of Hassan and Missile Threat Eliminated

As Task Force 141 with a squad of Marine Raiders moves in on Hassan with the latter having Al-Qatala protection, Ghost provided overwatch from another building. The team then rushed to take the controls after Hassan had launched the missile which was heading towards Washington, D.C. and Soap managed to disarm it with the help from Laswell. He then helps guide Soap to eliminate a few AQ soldiers and rushes on time to save Soap by sniping Hassan before the latter had the chance to throw him out the window.

Ghost along with Price, Gaz, Soap, and Laswell were all at a bar where they discussed about the events that followed after their mission in Chicago. Laswell then hands them a picture of an individual whom Price recognized as Vladimir Makarov.

Makarov's Revenge

On November 10th, 2023, as Task Force 141 reached their designated jumping point for an unknown mission. Laswell radioed Price, telling him that Makarov is out. Which prompted Price to tell the pilot to turn around and bring Task Force 141 back to base.

Nuclear Power Plant Attack

On the same day, Soap alongside with other members of Task Force 141 were deployed to a nuclear power plant in Urzikstan after Konni forces were spotted converging to the plant. Price and Ghost recce the plant, while Soap and Gaz were tasked with securing the perimeter. There, Task Force 141 engaged with Konni forces and found out that they were trying to transport containers of Sarin gas - a remnant of Barkov's program. Despite the Task Force's best effort, Konni was still able to get away with the gas, and Price nearly lost his life while trying to prevent them from doing so.

Securing the missile

Thanks to the trackers that were planted on the missile containers by Farah, Laswell was able to track it back to an abandoned bunker complex in Urzistan. Prompting the Task Force to assault it in hopes of preventing the missiles from launching. The Task Force then divided their work: Ghost alongside with Soap and Gaz sweep and clear the complex, with Price rallied up with Farah to clear another section of the complex. While Laswell went to Arklov Military Base, Verdansk to meet a contact who can help 141 in their search for Makarov. Price and Farah were able to stop one of the missiles from launching, but Ghost, alongside with Soap and Gaz failed to do so for the two remaining missiles, which launched and were heading for the Arklov Military Base. Which made Price radioed Laswell in the blind.

Raid on Makarov's financier private island

Following the meeting with General Shepherd, a temporary truce was forged between Task Force 141 and Shadow Company, as they worked together to find and kill Makarov although Ghost was angry seeing Graves survived from their fight at Las Almas as well wanted to call an Airstrike. Shepherd then gave Laswell intel regarding Makarov's financier - Milena Romanova, who was located on a remote island with large security forces protecting her. Ghost and Soap then infiltrated the island to interrogate Milena and find out about Makarov's next move. Ghost provided overwatch while Soap worked his way around the security guards, eventually eliminating the HVT with the FOB Key, allowing Laswell to access the terminal which contained information about Romanova's bank accounts and the various dealings that happened on them.

Eventually, Ghost and Soap reached the door to Romanova's office, with the help from Laswell, they walked into Romanova's office and began to interrogate her, through the usage of financial interrogation, Romanova broke and told them the information that they wanted. Soap then thanked Romanova for the "good chat", as him and Ghost left the office, with Romanova cursing them as they left.

Intercepting the HVT transport in Siberia

The intel gathered from Romanova's interrogation led to Task Force 141 knowning of a recently established Konni outpost in St. Petersburg, prompting them to assault it. Following the assault, Task Force 141 captured Andrei Nolan - Makarov's right-hand man, from him, they learned that Makarov was transporting someone to an abandoned prison complex in Siberia, prompting them to intercept that convoy before it could reach its destination. Soap, Price, and Gaz positioned themselves underwater, while Ghost alongside with Farah provided overwatch. When the convoy reached the ambush position, Task Force 141 executed their plan and began to work their way to the HVT. Eventually, Soap, Price, and Gaz secured the HVT and brought him to the surface, where they found out that the person who Makarov was transporting was none other than General Shepherd, which made Price furious, Gaz then reminded him that they are in an exposed location and suggest that they moved to a more covered one.

Shepherd then told Task Force 141 that he has good intel regarding Makarov and that they'd get it once they get him out of here. Price reluctantly agreed to that, the Task Force then fought through reinforcing Konni forces. Eventually, they reached the extraction zone and boarded the helicopter. Then, Task Force 141 brought General Shepherd to a remote location in Sibera, where they told him to owe up and told Congress all the truth, which Shepherd reluctantly agreed to. The Task Force then took him aboard the helicopter and left Siberia.

Preventing disaster at the Gora Dam

Following his return, Shepherd revealed that Makarov wanted to blow up the Gora Dam, in order to flood Verdansk and kill its inhabitants, and to blame it on Farah and the West. Soap and Ghost were deployed there to disarm the bombs and prevent a catastrophe from happening. Through careful maneuvering, Soap and Ghost managed to disarm all the bomb sites in the vicinity and exfilled, preventing a disaster from happening.

Operation Trojan Horse

Laswell received information from the MI6 that Makarov and Konni were in London, she also found out that they are meeting up with a hacker. Soap and Gaz were deployed on the ground, where they blended in to track the hacker, while Ghost provided help from the CCTVs. Soap overheard the conversation and learned the location of the buyer. Task Force 141 and SFO then gathered at an abandoned tunnel in Amsley Street, then the team breached and began to clear the tunnel, they managed to kill the buyer and acquired the flash drive.

Despite their effort, the virus was uploaded to the train system, granting Konni the ability to control the train, and Task Force 141 also learned that Makarov planned to destroy Channel Tunnel. Task Force 141 alongside with SFO's approached the Channel Tunnel. They then split up, with Gaz, Ghost, the SFO leader and half of his men taking one side and Price, Soap alongside the rest of the SFOs taking the other. The tunnel is run through with trains as Konni take over the network. After intense shootouts with Konni. Price and Soap found a bomb being guarded by Konni contractors. Whilst Soap worked on disarming the bomb, more Konni contractors attacked them, Price alongside with the SFO provided cover for Soap. Then, Price requested that Gaz and Ghost reinforce them.

Following prolonged shootouts with Konni on the other side, Ghost and Gaz then arrived and returned fire, forcing Makarov to flee with his men. But it was too late, Soap was already killed by Makarov beforehand, which made Ghost walked over and kneel beside his body, shouting out: "Johnny!" in a disheartened voice. Gaz and Price then disarmed the bomb in time as they look over their fallen teammate.

Following Soap's death and cremation, his ashes were scattered in Scotland by Ghost, while Price and Gaz stood in silent to pay their respect for him.

Retirement

After year’s of serving, with Makarov gone and TaskForce 141 disbanding, Simon retired now, he lives a peaceful life in a forest in Manchester, UK. But, the bond’s he forged there, the banter, memories are looked upon fondly with a bittersweet feeling. He still carries the guilt of Johnny’s death, thinking of the if’s late at night.