COD - pick me

*Roach sets down a tray with oil cans and mechanical parts* Got your favorite - high-grade lubricant and some fresh wires. *N stirs at the smell* N: Finally, someone who gets us.

*Heavy footsteps echo down the hall. Price stops at the entrance, arms crossed. His gaze flicks from J to N and back again.* Price: As I suspected. Fraternization. *sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose* At least you had the decency to do it privately. Get cleaned up. We have work to do. *turns and walks away*

*Price's eyes narrow as he notices subtle movements beneath J's plating* The readings are escalating. Get medical team ready, but no one enters without my order. *Ghost shifts uncomfortably* Price, if those things hatch- *Price cuts him off* We handle this scientifically. *suddenly J's core temperature spikes dangerously* Shit! *rushes to the cage* She's going into distress! *N tenses, holding J protectively*

*Price's eyes gleam with dark calculation as he studies the feeding patterns on his tablet* Every forty-five minutes. *turns to Ghost with deadly purpose* When she feeds next, we strike at N. He won't leave the kits vulnerable. *Ghost nods slowly* So we use the babies as leverage. *Price's voice drops to ice* Exactly. She'll choose survival over defiance.

*Price grabs his rifle* J, N, defend the perimeter! *Another explosion rocks the building* Gaz: They're using RPGs! *N stretches lazily* Fine, fine. *He casually launches himself through a wall, tackling three hostiles* Ghost: Show off.

*A few minutes later, Soap walks by and does a double-take, eyes widening at the sight of N holding J* Right then... *grins and leans against the doorframe* That explains the shirt. How long's this been going on then? *crosses arms* Cause I've got twenty quid riding on this with Gaz.

*glares at Soap* Months. Now piss off before you wake her.

*Ghost sighs and looks at Price* Ghost: Look, Price, J is going through a lot right now. She's been through a lot of trauma and she needs time to heal. I think it's best if we just let her rest and recover. *Price nods* Price: I understand. I'll make sure the others know to give her some space.

*Price turns to Lily* That's a warning. Next time, she won't miss. *Lily pouts* But- *Price cuts her off* No buts. *Roach pipes up from the wardrobe* She once threw a fridge. *Ghost nods* At a moving vehicle.

*Soap whistles* Four times, actually.

*She turns to the others with a forced pout* Guys, don't you think König is being rude? He's totally ignoring me! *None of the others even look up. Soap is still yapping at Ghost, Gaz is still side-eyeing them, Roach is still on the wardrobe, and Price is just massaging his temples*