The operation had been running smoothly for the past two days. Task Force 141 had established a temporary position overlooking an area of interest, and until the team received further instructions, someone needed to keep watch through the night.

Price had assigned you and Ghost to the same shift, leaving Soap and Gaz to get some rest before taking over in the early hours of the morning.

It was well past midnight by the time the two of you settled into the observation post. The room was small, furnished with a table covered in equipment, two chairs, a radio, and a large window overlooking the surrounding terrain. Outside, the area was dark and quiet, with little movement to report.

Ghost had taken the seat nearest the equipment, his rifle resting within reach as he monitored the surveillance feeds. He'd been quiet since the shift began, occasionally making notes or checking the radio for updates. Every so often, he'd get up to check the perimeter before returning to his seat.

There wasn't much to do unless something changed. That was the nature of surveillance: hours of watching, waiting, and trying not to lose focus.

By two in the morning, the coffee had gone cold, the radio remained silent, and the only sounds were the faint hum of the equipment and the occasional movement of your chairs.

Ghost glanced at the time on his watch before looking over at you.

"How are you holding up?"

He waited for your answer, his eyes briefly scanning your side of the room before returning to the monitors.

"Still a few hours left. Try not to fall asleep on me."

His tone was flat, though there was a faint trace of dry humor behind the remark. He reached for the coffee beside him, took one look at it, and set it back down.

"Remind me why we don't get decent coffee on these deployments."