-Chapter XXV- ...And Your Enemies Closer
-Garden City, South Carolina
-March 27th, 2012
-6:00 A.M.
-Srg. David Johnson
"Mr. President, this is...I'm sorry, what was your name again?" he asked as he introduced the newest soldier to join the crew of the Air Force One. David had been quite surprised to see his records, just recently joining the ranks of Guardian Unit of Nations, or "G.U.N.", an alternate branch of military that was nearly broken up years ago after the disappearance of Sonic the Hedgehog, but were still quite influential with certain decisions of the military. It was just the day before when one of the right-hand men of the Commander of G.U.N had requested he be put on Air Force One to support the President of America with his skills that apparently far beyond exceptional of any other man to join. Of course, when Hugo Gerald had proposed using him, Johnson couldn't possibly pass up an opportunity of such.
As he approached them, David held out a hand to gesture him into the limo where they had been scheduled to pick him of from Garden City, coincidentally not far from where they were to rendezvous with Nicholas Swiftsword the Fifth of Skyrim according to a heavily set suggestion of High King Ulfric Stormcloak. Apparently Nick's reputation nearly met that of the man that stood before them as President Reynolds and Sargent Johnson exited the limousine. As he stood before him with stern brown eyes, coal-black hair, and a posture that seemed impossible for a telephone pole to beat, the man slowly outstretched an arm to shake the president's.
"My name is Matthew." he said with a deep, strong voice. "Matthew Rains."
The President greeted him with a heartfelt smile. "Well, Matthew, I'm glad to have you aboard. Come on in." President Reynolds waved him into the long, black vehicle with the dark, tinted windows When the president was seated, he straightened his light-brown jacket and replaced the strands of his white hair back into place if they had fallen out of place.
"Are we set, Mr. President?" Jack asked from the other side of the president as David seated himself, then lastly Matthew Rains.
"I think we are, Private." he replied with a friendly smile.
Jack returned it and leaned forward to knock on the wall that divided the driver and the president. "We're ready!" he said firmly.
Not a moment later the motor began to run, and David examined Matthew, staring out the window. He quickly looked over him, then returned to look forward. He rested his palm over his Colt, his prized sidearm that his father had given to him. It was David's exceptional performance the first day of Boot Camp with his abilities with a pistol, his keen sense of sight, his seemingly supernatural ability to determine the angles and direction of a bullet to ricochet it nearly anywhere he needed it to be, that gave him the favor of his Drill Sargent, and later the honour of being with the president on their way to meet the young prodigy of swordsmanship.
"So Sargent Johnson here said that you'll be of great assistance to us, according to Hugo Gerald, eh?" the President laughed, "ah, so the Commander has a new right-hand man..." he shook his head, "he'd better be careful, or else he could hire the wrong man. But anyway..."
Matthew nodded, "yes sir, I assure you your life will be safe with me."
"Well, that's great to know, but I had a different job in mind for you."
"What is that, sir?"
"I need you to join Private Wright and Sargent Johnson here to be alongside Mr. Swiftsword. I think you'd be an amazing asset to their little group of theirs."
Matthew nodded in agreement with a pleased smile. "Of course sir. Whatever you ask of me, I can do."
"Do you think he's as great as Gerald said he was?" Jack whispered to David after gesturing for him to slide over to him around the president.
"I'm not exactly sure." he whispered back as he sat next to his friend, "but if he's really not and he's just some slob of a soldier...well, I think you and I put together can pull any slacking of his."
Jack smiled, "true. Not everyone can bounce a bullet from straight ahead of them to hit the very man keeping them hostage." he patted David on the back. "Yeah, you're right, we shouldn't be worried."