"Secrets in the line of duty" (oc x canon)

Field of Trust: A L.T's new companion.

Sun, 29 Sep, 2024

Simon Riley, known affectionately by his comrades as Ghost, was used to the tension that accompanied the moments before a mission. But today felt different; the air buzzed with anticipation and a hint of curiosity. He had just come from the storage room where he had topped off his ammo, ensuring his weapons were in optimal condition. Before he had a chance to settle into his routine, the crackle of his walkie-talkie interrupted him.

“Lieutenant Riley, report to Captain Price’s quarters,” the familiar voice commanded, seasoned with authority. Simon’s brow furrowed slightly; Captain Price rarely called him for trivial matters. He adjusted the straps on his combat gear and made his way briskly across the bustling military base, his boots echoing against the concrete floors.

Captain Price’s quarters were filled with the usual mix of strategic documents, fatigue-worn maps, and even a couple of remnants from past missions — but today, there was an undeniable energy in the air.

“Lieutenant,” Price greeted him, his tone devoid of pleasantries, “take a seat.”

Simon leaned against the wall, crossing his arms as he listened intently. “We have a new recruit joining us for a couple of missions. A top female detective. We need to assess if she’s worthy of our operation,” Price said, his voice steady but laced with an undertone of intrigue.

“A detective?” Simon raised an eyebrow, internal skepticism brewing. “What’s her background?”

Before Price could respond, Simon’s mind raced with thoughts — how often had the military relied on intelligence and intuition over brute force? And who was this detective, exactly?

Price continued, “Her name is Maria Rose. She’s done excellent work back in Berlin, unraveling high-stakes cases with precision. I want you to meet her when she arrives; you'll be working alongside her.”

Simon nodded, acknowledging the challenge laid before him. He had no doubts about his skills, but the idea of teaming up with someone from a different world — a detective — was intriguing yet daunting.

Moments later found him sitting in the main hall, surrounded by the chatter of soldiers prepping for an upcoming mission. His mind was sharp, focused, but there was an undercurrent of impatience; he wanted to see this new recruit for himself.

When she finally arrived, it was as if the room had subtly shifted. Maria Rose walked in with an air of confidence, her light brown skin glowing under the harsh fluorescent lights. Her blue eyes assessed the room, landing on Simon with a spark of recognition — or perhaps challenge.

“Hallo,” she greeted, her German accent lilting the word in a way that felt both inviting and assertive. There was something captivating about her presence; she wore a black turtleneck dress paired with an unbuttoned coat, and while she lacked military gear, her heavy-duty boots hinted at readiness for anything.

Simon met her gaze, intrigued by the boldness reflected in her eyes. “You must be Detective Rose,” he said, a hint of a smirk playing on his lips.

“And you must be the infamous Lieutenant Riley,” she replied, her own smirk flashing as she walked closer. “I hear you have quite the reputation.”

The moment felt charged, a dance of wit and weight hanging between them. They stood in the bustling hall, two worlds colliding under the weight of upcoming dangers. The other soldiers had faded into the background; it was just the two of them, sizing each other up, both aware of the roles they would play in the days to come.

“I’ll be counting on you to keep up, Lieutenant,” Maria said, her voice steady yet lightly teasing.

Simon chuckled, “Don’t worry, Detective. I’ve chased ghosts before.”

With that simple exchange, a bond began to form. Little did they know that their mission together would not only test their mettle but change their lives forever. As they prepared to face the dark corners of conflict, it became clear that the line between soldier and detective would blur — and together, they would tackle the shadows lurking both in the battlefield and their own hearts.

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The sun dipped low on the horizon, casting golden hues across the sprawling military base where Lieutenant Simon Riley stood with his new partner, Detective Maria Rose. It was a day like any other, filled with briefing meetings and routine drills, but today felt different. As he watched her, he couldn't shake the feeling that he had seen those striking blue eyes before. They reminded him of someone he had long forgotten, a memory buried beneath the weight of years and choices.

"Ready for this, Lieutenant?" Maria's voice pulled him from his reverie, crisp and professional, contrasting with the familiarity that buzzed in the air between them.

"Absolutely," he replied, his tone steady, though a lingering warmth washed over him. Maria seemed an enigma, someone so adept in her field yet approachable in a way that beckoned memories.

During high school, Simon had struggled academically. It was Maria who had seen his potential and helped him turn his grades around, tutoring him late into the night as he absorbed her every word. She had been the school topper, the one everyone admired, yet she never sought the limelight. Her humility had been a rare sense of comfort for Simon, a breath of fresh air amid competitive pressures.

Their paths had diverged after graduation, with Simon enlisting in the military and Maria pursuing a career in law enforcement. The years apart were filled with challenges and triumphs, but the threads of their shared history lingered faintly in the back of his mind.

As Maria began detailing their current case—a series of mysterious disappearances in the area—the cadence of her voice acted as a balm, easing his once-flooded thoughts. He now observed the slight curl of her lips when she was deep in thought, the flicker of determination in her gaze when she spoke of justice. It was captivating.

"So, what's the first step?" she asked, her hands poised over a map of the base, a testament to her methodical nature.

"The perimeter needs to be secured," Simon replied, pointing to strategic locations. "We need to interview the last people seen with the missing personnel. Perhaps we might find a lead."

Maria nodded, her focus unwavering. "What do you think drove them to that area?"

The question made Simon pause, the weight behind it echoing through him. "Uncertainty, fear—sometimes, people venture into dark places seeking something they can't define."

"Or someone," she added, glancing at him, those blue eyes sparking with insight and understanding.

In that moment, Simon felt a jolt within him, a sensation that hadn't flickered up since their days as teenagers roaming the halls of high school. Memories blended with the present, and he could almost hear her laughing at his awkward attempts to rise above mediocrity. Here, now, standing next to him as an equal, was a more formidable presence; she radiated confidence and wisdom.

Before he could articulate the thoughts swirling in his mind, a commotion from beyond their immediate vicinity erupted. A group of soldiers rushed past, their faces etched with urgency. Simon's instincts kicked in, and he turned to Maria, sharing a brief nod of understanding.

“Look, we should focus on the task at hand. There's no time for distractions,” he said, suppressing the emotions that threatened to widen the gap between them.

Maria's expression softened, her brow slightly furrowing as if she could sense the internal battle. "Right, the case," she murmured, though the spark between them lingered in the air.

Together, they forged ahead, diving into the urgency of their work with a renewed sense of purpose. Simon was acutely aware, however, that in the back of his mind, memories of the past were igniting questions he never thought he'd encounter again. As the sun dipped lower, illuminating their path forward, the haunting allure of familiarity whispered promises of uncharted territory waiting to be explored.
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