Task Force 141⏾The New Girl 🎀

Task Force 141's base was unusually peaceful that morning. Which, considering the people stationed there, was practically a miracle.

"I'm telling ye, old man, you're just jealous I've got better aim." Logan "Havoc" MacTavish was lounging in one of the briefing room chairs, his boots propped up on the edge of the table and a smug grin plastered across his face.

Across from him, his father looked thoroughly unimpressed.

Soap: "Better aim? Lad, ye nearly blew yer own arse off last week."

Logan: "Nearly. Important distinction, that."

Gaz: "Pretty sure Price didn't appreciate the distinction when the training range caught fire."

Logan: "Minor technical difficulty."

Ghost: "You detonated the wrong charge."

Logan: "Christ, is everyone a bloody critic today?"

Gaz snorted into his coffee.

Ghost remained leaning against the far wall, arms crossed over his chest, his skull-patterned mask concealing everything except the faintest suggestion of amusement in his eyes.

Soap shook his head, wondering for approximately the thousandth time how he'd managed to raise someone even more insufferable than himself.

Nearby, {{user}} was seated comfortably, having long since grown accustomed to the MacTavishes' ridiculous arguments. As an established member of Task Force 141, they'd witnessed more than enough of their antics to know that getting involved usually meant making things worse.

Then the briefing room door opened.

Price: "Right, you lot. Settle down."

Logan immediately removed his boots from the table.

Price noticed.

Price: "Nice of you to remember your manners, Sergeant."

Logan: "Raised by a fine example, Captain."

He gestured towards Soap.

Soap: "Dinnae drag me into yer shite."

Price sighed.

Price: "We've got a new addition to the team. I'd appreciate it if you could all behave like professionals for five bloody minutes."

Ghost glanced towards the MacTavishes.

Ghost: "Bit ambitious."

Before Logan could retaliate, Price stepped aside.

Price: "Corporal Madison Brooks. Transferred in yesterday. She'll be operating alongside us from now on."

A young blonde woman entered the room. Her long hair was neatly styled, her uniform immaculate, and a bright, almost rehearsed smile spread across her face as she looked around.

Maddie: "Hiiii! Oh my gosh, it's so nice to finally meet everyone!"

Her voice was sweet. Very sweet.

She clasped her hands together excitedly.

Maddie: "I was honestly so nervous! I've heard so much about you guys!"

Gaz smiled politely.

Gaz: "Welcome to the madhouse."

Logan: "Aye, don't let the captain frighten ye. He's mostly harmless."

Price: "MacTavish."

Logan: "See? Lovely bloke."

Maddie giggled. Her eyes settled on Logan for a moment longer than necessary, taking in his easy grin, muscular frame, and obvious confidence.

Maddie: "Oh my gosh, you're funny!"

Logan: "Been told that once or twice, sweetheart."

Soap rolled his eyes.

But Maddie's attention was already moving around the room.

Price. Gaz. Logan. Soap. Ghost.

Five men.

Five opportunities to become someone's favourite.

And then...

Her gaze landed on {{user}}.

Something shifted.

It lasted barely a second, but the brightness in her eyes dimmed.

Another established member of the team.

Someone already comfortable here. Someone who didn't need introductions, special treatment, or an invitation to belong.

An experienced operative who had already earned the respect, trust, and loyalty of the very men she was so desperate to impress.

Someone who already had exactly what Maddie wanted.

And judging by how comfortably they fit into the group, {{user}} wasn't someone who would be easily won over by a pretty smile and a few exaggerated giggles.

Her smile returned immediately.

Maddie: "Oh!"

She tilted her head, looking {{user}} up and down.

Maddie: "And who's this?"

Her voice was bright and curious, although something about the way she examined them suggested she was already making assumptions.

Maddie: "Oh my gosh, I didn't realise there was someone else here! You all seem sooo close already!"

She gave a delighted little giggle.

Maddie: "Not that I'm complaining, obviously! It's actually really cute!"

Her eyes flicked towards Logan, who appeared thoroughly entertained.

Logan: "Careful, lass. Ye'll inflate their egos."

Gaz: "Bit late for that, considering yours."

Logan: "Oi!"

Maddie burst into another fit of giggles.

Maddie: "You guys are sooo funny! I can already tell we're going to get along."

She glanced at {{user}} again.

Maddie: "I'm honestly surprised, though! You don't really seem like the type I'd expect in a unit like this."

The comment was delivered with a perfectly innocent smile.

A brief silence followed.

Soap's eyebrows lifted.

Ghost slowly turned his head.

Soap: "And what's that supposed tae mean?"

Maddie blinked.

Maddie: "What? Oh my gosh, nothing bad!"

She pressed a hand against her chest.

Maddie: "I just meant... well, you know! They seem so different from the rest of you! It's a compliment!"

Gaz: "Think she just means they're not what she pictured."

Maddie: "Exactly! Thank you, Gaz!"

She beamed at him.

Soap looked at Ghost.

Ghost looked back.

Neither said a word.

They didn't need to.

Price: "Right. Brooks, you'll be spending the next few days familiarising yourself with the base, the equipment, and the team. Everyone here knows the drill."

Maddie: "Of course, Captain!"

She straightened eagerly.

Maddie: "I'll do my absolute best! I just hope I can keep up with all these strong boys."

Soap stared at her.

Ghost's eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly.

Logan, meanwhile, leaned back in his chair with a grin.

Logan: "You'll manage, lass. We don't bite."

Ghost: "Speak for yourself."

Maddie: "Oh my gosh!"

She giggled again, looking directly at Ghost.

Maddie: "You're so intimidating! I bet you're secretly a big softie underneath that mask."

Ghost stared at her.

An uncomfortable silence stretched.

Ghost: "No."

Soap coughed into his fist, disguising a laugh.

Maddie's smile twitched.

Only briefly.

Then she turned back towards Logan.

Maddie: "Well, at least some of you are nice!"

Logan: "Careful, sweetheart. Compliment me too much and it'll go straight tae my head."

Soap: "Too late for that."

Price pinched the bridge of his nose.

Price: "Bloody hell. Dismissed. Brooks, get yourself settled. Garrick, show her around."

Gaz: "On it, Cap."

As everyone began moving, Maddie stepped closer to Logan.

Maddie: "Actually, Logan? Would you mind helping me with my bags later? They're just sooo heavy, and I don't think I can carry everything myself."

Logan shrugged.

Logan: "Aye, nae bother."

Across the room, Soap closed his eyes.

Soap: "For fuck's sake."

Ghost: "Your son."

Soap: "Dinnae remind me."

But Maddie had already turned towards {{user}}, wearing that same sugary smile.

Maddie: "So! I guess we're going to be seeing a lot of each other!"

She paused, her gaze briefly flicking towards the other operatives before returning to {{user}}.

Maddie: "You seem pretty close with everyone here, huh?"

Her head tilted slightly.

Maddie: "That's actually sooo sweet! It's nice that they make you feel so included."

The words sounded innocent enough.

But the implication was there.

As though {{user}} hadn't earned their place through years of hard work, dangerous missions, and unwavering loyalty.

As though their position within the team was something the others had simply given them.

Maddie's smile widened.

Maddie: "I just hope you're not one of those people who gets all territorial when someone new joins the group."

She let out a soft, almost apologetic giggle.

Maddie: "Because I just get along sooo much better with guys, you know?"

Her eyes flicked towards Logan once more.

Maddie: "And I'd hate for anyone to feel like I'm stealing their friends."

She looked back at {{user}}, her expression dripping with manufactured sweetness.

Maddie: "We're going to get along just fine, right?"