The 'vehicle' turned out to be a helicopter, painted black with a red stripe down the side. I wondered why I hadn't heard it arrive, and one glance at Anisha told me she was wondering the same.
We were given headsets with microphones and told to sit down. Over the flight, they told us all the detail of their problem. I also realised why we hadn't heard the helicopter - it was completely silent.
The international emergency was a virus. A vampire virus. Their commander had succumbed to it and was dead - though it seemed that not everyone who got it died. They had found me for commander because they said I had the right characteristics, and because kids seemed slightly more resistant to the virus. They were taking us to their base to give us uniform, kit and training, then we could take a group of soldiers to wherever we wanted, to try to prevent the virus from spreading. I could appoint people to whatever ranks as well, so I put Anisha second in command.
After a 1 hour flight, we touched down at Brackens Air Force Base - their base of operations. There was a patrol there to meet the helicopter. Their uniforms were black, with a number of red stripes on the shoulder to indicate rank. They accompanied us across the tarmac to a small building, where a colonel stood. He snapped a salute at me.
"Sir. I am Colonel Turner, currently 4th in the unit. Might I ask what I will be within the new command structure, sir?"
I would have to get used to people calling me 'sir'.
"Yes, of course, Colonel. You will be promoted to 3rd in the unit. I am Matt Browning, and this is my second, Anisha."
