"Thank you for coming on such short notice," Reyaan said, extending his hand forward. The wind from the helicopter blades whipped at his greying hair. "We are genuinely pleased to have you on Operation Last Stand."
"There is no need for such formalities, Uncle Reyaan," I said, shaking his hand with a firm grip, my palm meeting his. "It is only natural that I answer when the nation calls."
We were standing on the helipad on the roof of a wide building, its surface marked with landing guides. Behind me was the helicopter from which I had just walked out, its rotors still spinning. I met Reyaan there, our hair and clothes snapping violently from the wind of the blades as the helicopter took off again, ascending into the grey sky as soon as Nymeria and Ume stepped out from behind me.
