Promotion

It had been seven years since Arianna's death.

David strode through the compound beside his commander. It was one of many bases that he had become intimately acquainted with since the night that he had gone seeking revenge. Seven years of training and missions.

"What is the job Sir?" David directed the question to the man beside him.

"No job son, this time it's different." Commander Hayes mouth twitched in a brief smile.

"Then what Sir?"

"You will see."

Hayes lead David down a side passage towards the barracks, stopping beside a door.

"Captain, you have acquitted yourself remarkably well these last seven years. It is my pleasure to introduce you to your men as their commander."

David's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "My men?"

"Yes." Hayes opened the door to the barracks and barked, "Attention!"

Four young men scrambled out of their bunks and snapped to attention, saluting smartly.

David looked them over. They all looked very young. David briefly wondered if he had ever looked that young to his Commander. "At ease men."

The men fell into perfect parade rest, their eyes trained on the man before them.

Hayes pointed them each out in turn, "First Lieutenant Steven Blackwood, Second Lieutenants Brian and Mark Allard, and Second Lieutenant Joseph Kendrick." Each of the men saluted again as they were named off.

"Men," Hayes continued, "This is your new Commander Major David Cole."

David's head whipped around to look at his commander. Hayes threw him a wink and then faced the men again. "Major Cole will see to your specialized training."

Hayes turned to David, "Carry on Major."

David snapped off a sharp salute and watched his commander walk out the door. He turned to look at his men. "Lets get to know each other. Let's start with you." He nodded to Steven.