Author's Notes: Sorry for the vast delay between chapters. So, thanks for the reviews, and I feel like I should explain in response to the first one:

While it may seem like I'm being a slight review-whore, it's not for the praise, though that is appreciated. Anything you notice in my writing you feel should be improved on, please point it out. I do my best not to have terrible grammar and spelling like so many other stories here, and I really don't want to fall too cliched or into a crappy writing style. Thanks and here's a short chapter. Another will be up shortly.

Chapter 3:

Saint Rose Hospital, Physical Rehabilitation Room

Maryland, USA

May 17th, 2020

After the initial shock, Sam found it was a lot easier to cope with the world than he first though. Years of working in Special Ops had helped his mind get used to accepting new things that he barely understood. It had been almost 13 years since the decision was made to cryogenically preserve him and it was only recently that he was operated on when they discovered a medicine to fight the unknown strain of bacteria that he had encountered, and was in a responsive coma for 4 weeks after the initial defrost. Luckily for me, Sam though, the advancements had kept my body from destroying my muscle tissue too much. A single day's hard work out would be more than enough to put him back into his former strength. His body wasn't the biggest shock, though. Getting use to the new people else was the bigger challenge. Lawrence Williams resigned in 2012 when tensions began to escalate between Russia and America. Rumors floated about as to the real reason of his resignation, but nothing was ever confirmed. Grim was put up for promotion, and is now the Head Director of Operations in Third Echelon, which, while still a secret to the greater part of America, played an integral intelligence role in today's war. She was nearly his age now, at 44, but still looked very young. Not to mention attar- Sam thought, but quickly interrupted his own thoughts. Easy, Sam. She's your superior now. Sarah was married, happily, to a James Sheppard, a medical doctor she met during her frequent visits to Sam while in a coma, pregnant with her second child, her first a newborn boy she named Sam, after her father. Pride filled his head when he discovered he was a grandfather. But, by far, the biggest shock was to see his old friend Lambert in his current condition. Even after his cryogenic-stasis, Lambert was only 7 years older than him now. During the start of the war, Maryland was hit hard by a nuclear strike. Most of the building was evacuated, but a large amount of rubble fell on Lambert, pinning his legs under a massive amount of drywall and electronic wiring. He survived the blast, but the fallout from the warhead gave him leukemia, and he was paralyzed from the waist down, attributing to his withered and old state. Lambert was forced to retire in 2010, a month after he recovered from the blast. As difficult as it all was, Sam accepted this all with little trouble, knowing weirder things have happened. He had only one question.

"So, cars. Can they fly now?" Sam asked, with a straight face, smiling only when Lambert began laughing.

"No, no. Minus the…"ultimate" nuclear shield, most technology is the same. Even your suit is still considered high-tech, though REDDING has had some time to adjust it for you." Sam looked around, trying to find the red-haired field-runner.

"Where is he?" He looked around at the slightly crest-fallen faces, supposing the worst.

"He had to move on to running for other field operatives. William was discovered in a mission inside Russia, and was immediately executed. He programmed a database with his protocol and procedure, and in 2013, Grim suggested loading an AI with this knowledge. We call it REDDING in his memory." Lambert said. "A lot has changed since you've been gone, Sam." Lambert repeated, looking out the window of the hospital.

"Great. Then it's time I get reacquainted with the present. When do I go back into the field?" Sam asked as Lambert and Grim exchanging uncomfortable looks.

"Sam, I'm not sure if you should-" Grim began.

"So what, you modified my suit to…?"

"Inspire, Sam. Rookie agents review some of your best work, especially you diffusion of the little Chaos Theory incident."

"My country is at war, and the one time I ask to go back in-"

"Dad-" Sarah interjected, speaking for the first time since he woke up. "I've been staying quiet to let you guys talk, but I think it's time you consider retiring! You're old, and you just barely survived this bullet thing! Please, Dad…" Her voice is still the same… Sam though sadly

"Sarah, you don-"

"I think I understand well enough, Dad!"

"Enough!" Grim said, standing. "I can talk to the Joint Chiefs, but I doubt they'll listen." A sympathetic look crossed Grim's face. "We're glad to have you back, Sam." She rose, wheeling Lambert from the room. James shook Sam's hand as he took Sam Jr. out into the halls, Sarah the last to leave, giving her father a hug and a sad smile before she left, leaving Sam alone in the austere white room.

Author's Notes: Just some Plot filler for now, action soon.

Thanks for reading!

-Vi3