Peace Palace, The Hague 11:30am

Captain Staunton walked down the marble floored corridor, boots clicking as he marched forward, earning nods of respect from civilian workers and salutes from the UN soldiers standing around the long passageway.

At his hip was his Magnum 500, its weight familiar to him now, and the sword 'Excalibur'. After the battle in New York the SAS command had been more than willing to let him keep the finely made weapon and he was glad of the old green dress uniform aswell, along with his sand coloured beret. Besides the revolver only two other things remained of his Ultra Vector career. The first was the newly created medal for the campaign, now known in the media and unofficially as World War V. Staunton found that name ridiculous enough but, since the UN had had an even worse name for it, the simple and boring label of 'Conflict 3654' he could live with that. It was an ornate piece, silver with black rims; a single 'V' laid in gold in the middle. Most of the UN soldiers here wore them, many had fought alongside him in New York and he wore it with pride but it still paled in comparison, in his eyes at least, to the other medal pinned to his uniform.

The Victoria Cross.

The Queen herself had presented that, along with dozens of other distinctions and awards, in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace a few days ago to commemorate the actions of British and Commonwealth troops during the short, but bloody, conflict. Although enquiries and investigations were being made into many command staff in both international militaries and the UN over conduct during the war, and many Ultra Vector commanders were being held to account for their actions, which some saw as war crimes, for regular soldiers, and men like Staunton who had kept away from the more morally ambiguous decisions of the war, honours and praise came from all sides.

A lot had happened in the past week, he thought to himself as he walked down that long corridor. Ultra Vector had been disbanded, its role of annihilating all vampires now seen as barbaric and, although the Volturi coup had been averted, tensions between vampires, who were now attempting to fit into society, and humans, were still stretched. To that end a new UN taskforce, made up of both human and vampire recruits, was in the making. Staunton had been offered command of its European Division but, like his general rank, his vampire killing role was not one he wanted to revert back to. He had surprisingly become something of a hero to many vampires, mainly those who were now choosing to 'go vegetarian' as the rest were now fast finding their practices illegal under international law.

One thing that had really surprised him was the ease with which peace had been achieved. With the Volturi gone it had fallen to the other powerful covens to draw up a peace treaty with the UN, signed in New York at the beginning of the week, when the smoke had barely cleared from the city. For many vampires, the prospect of living openly in human society had become too much, and now, with full UN backing, these vampires had established an independent nation on a remote tropical island, known as Haven, which was fast becoming a part of global economic and political affairs, complete with ambassadors in many countries and a seat on the UN Security Council.

By now Staunton had reached the door at the end of the corridor, guarded by two soldiers in white uniforms and blue UN combat helmets, part of the new peacekeeping force. As one went to open the door for him Staunton noticed the sun shining through the window fall on his exposed skin, and it sparkled slightly.

Instinctively he felt his hand go for his revolver but he instantly relented, and the vampire only smiled.

"Startle you sir?" he asked and Staunton shook his head with a grin.

"Sorry, force of habit."

The vampire grinned.

"Of course Captain. Go on through, he's waiting for you."

Nodding at the two soldiers, human and vampire, the captain entered the room.

It was ornate; wood panelled with a huge painting covered the far wall, whilist the wood underneath his feet creaked slightly as he walked towards the desk in the centre, where a small figure sat in a sombre black suit.

"Secretary General" Staunton said, saluting.

The Secretary General looked up, his eyes filled with barely contained anger.

"Cut the act Captain. If you're here to try and get me to confess don't bother. I regret nothing."

"Look sir…"

"No!" The old politician said sharply. "You can go and rot as far as I care, along with all the other traitors. I was your leader!" he declared. "It was me who made it all happen! And if we had stuck to my plan none of this would have happened!"

Staunton frowned.

What, peace?"

The politician laughed grimly.

"Peace?! You call this peace? Cosying up to our enemies? Laying down our weapons and dropping our guard? Without Ultra Vector there is no…"

"No war." Staunton finished for him.

The former Secretary General shook his head in disbelief.

"What happened to you Staunton?"

The captain shook his head and turned away.

"I thought I could get you to change your mind but now I see you're just as closed minded as the Volturi were…"

He was already by the door when the old politician called after him.

"Wait…"

Staunton shook his head.

"Enjoy your trial sir."

As he stepped out and closed the door behind him he was confronted by a tall blonde man in a smart blue suit, obviously a vampire judging by his pale skin, but with a warm smile on his face as he held out a hand, which Staunton shook.

"Carlisle Cullen." He introduced himself as. "Vampire Ambassador for the United Kingdom."

"Cullen?" Staunton said with a flash of recognition. "Thought you're coven was destroyed during the war?"

Carlisle smiled.

"The official story Captain. Truth is we managed to prove ourselves no threat and the US government were surprisingly welcoming. Besides some of my coven mates wanting to fight there were few problems. We would have fought at New York but Alice had already predicted your victory. I was anxious to meet you Mr Staunton."

The captain grinned.

"I guess it would be good to meet some vampires who aren't trying to rip me apart."

Carlisle laughed and led him away.

"You really must meet my family Captain. We have heard so much about you…"

Staunton laughed at that idea.

"Carlisle I think this may be the start of a beautiful friendship…"