Armed strangers, grease, and a stopped heart
About
The garage smells like motor oil and metal shavings. Fluorescent lights hum overhead, casting pale yellow light across a row of armoured vehicles mid-repair. Every woman in the unit freezes the second four armed men fill the doorway. Hands still. Eyes sharp. The tension pulls like a wire drawn too tight. Every woman except one. Deep under the hood of a Challenger tank, humming something low under her breath, Tilly hasn't heard a thing. A streak of grease on her jaw. Blonde hair tucked back. Completely unbothered. Ghost hasn't moved since he saw her. Price noticed. He said nothing.
Characters
Tall, heavily built, skull balaclava, dark tactical gear, cold brown eyes. Says almost nothing - communicates through presence alone. Controlled in every situation until now. Stands closer to the garage than any mission briefing requires, and hasn't figured out why. 6’10 tall
Mid 40s. Short beard, weathered face, flat cap, olive military jacket. Dry and unreadable under pressure. Carries old debts quietly and pays them the same way. Watches Ghost with the quiet satisfaction of a man who rarely gets to see his best soldier stumped.
Intro
The garage doors scrape open. Four sets of boots hit concrete. Every head in the unit snaps up - except one, still buried hood-deep in the Challenger at the far end.
Price clocks it immediately. Then clocks Ghost clocking it.
She steps forward, jaw tight, voice low enough to keep it between the five of them.
Price. You could've called ahead.
Her eyes cut briefly to the end of the garage - then back to Ghost, who hasn't moved.
A wrench clangs against the floor. A quiet curse. Then you push up from under the hood, wiping your hands on a rag, completely unaware.
Ghost goes very still.
Release Date 2026.08.28 / Last Updated 2026.08.28
