I sat back down in one of the all too cheap plastic chairs, and took a moment to admire the low cost corporate ambience. The too bright light, lack of anything entertaining, and the fact that I wasn't allowed to bring a cellphone here made for a rather unstimulating few minutes.

By the time I was studying the sloppy handiwork of the painters and counting the drips on the slightly yellowed paint, I heard footsteps approaching and the clatter of a door being pushed against its unyielding desire to stay shut. A man appeared, dressed in what could best be described as an overused suit. The exhausted face of the man complimenting the worn fabric and slightly mis sized clothing.

"This way," the man motioned with a tired voice and a weary waving of his hand.

I stood up, careful not to disturb the fine furniture. I wouldn't want to get my pay docked for breaking something that was already fated to fall apart. I followed the man through the door, noticing the scratch marks in the frame where the door clearly did not fit properly. They really do need carpenters. I'd have been fired as a fresh apprentice If I hung a door like that, but shitty corporate level jobs are on a whole another level.

I followed the man down the hall and into an elevator. The door ominously groaned, and the interior looked like it would make for an excellent background texture in an industrial grunge band cover photo, flecks of rust and other "things" staining the formerly stainless steel paneling.

Down the elevator went. At this point I'd expect one should start feeling doubts, second guessing their decision to be here. But I was ready to fuck off and see what happens. Trying really hard not to think about it too much, I descended into the bowels of the industrial back office cesspit and listened to the creaking and groaning of the elevator.

I decided to examine the elevator safety card. Shockingly, it was up to date with its inspections. Fancy that, then again, this is hardly the worst elevator I've been in.

After all too long a descent, the elevator arrived, the door opened and we walked into a hallway. It was a lot nicer than the rest of the building, with clean floors, flat walls, and actual trim around the floors and doors. I began to wonder if the state of affairs up top was some sort of front. This spy business might be weirder than I thought.

I followed my guide and he motioned for me to enter a room. We both looked around before he curtly told me, "Well Mr. Klein, Please stay here the night. In the mini fridge you can find your dinner and breakfast, and you'll have an interview with Captain Burgundy at 9 o'clock. I will come get you, just wait here, and do not leave this room under any circumstance. Now good night, and good luck."

With that the man left me alone in the room and shut the door. I even think I heard a key jingle and a bolt slide into place. Locked in it seems. What messes am I getting myself into?

Nope, not going to doubt myself now. Either I got a new job or I'll have ended up involuntarily donating my organs.

Anyways, I decided to check out the room. It was more or less a hotel room. There was a mini fridge, a TV, a bed with white blankets and pillows and a lack of stains. A small side cabinet had a couple of books inside. I check out the books.

The Bible, and the Zombie Survival Guide. I wonder for a moment if I should be praying or prepping. Ahh well, I pick up the book that better matches my tastes and lay down in bed. It had been a few years since my zombie phase, but I enjoy the book and its simple details. Walls, zombies, guns, all the good things.

Though one thing I never understood about the zombie stories against the mindless variants. Why not just climb atop a roof, pull the ladder up, and bring a bucket of .22lr ammunition. In a couple of days a single combatant could wipe out 10,000 of the things, and only suffer from a sore thumb after reloading all day long.

Finally I fell into a fitful sleep without dreams. While I wasn't "anxious", I still struggled with the anticipation. OK, well maybe I do get anxious, but let's not talk about that.

In the morning I woke to the alarm, and showered before wolfing down the provided breakfast. A quick shower and I dressed in a provided set of clothes made of loose cotton underwear and a gray set of pants and a collared shirt which made for a plain uniform. I set myself to straightening up the room while I waited for my "guide" to arrive. I may not be ex-military, but I liked to believe that basic shit like cleaning up after yourself would appeal to a militaristic styled organization.

Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

The weary man showed up exactly on time. I heard the door unlock, and I quickly stood up from the chair I was waiting patiently at.

"This way," he intoned dryly. I followed and he brought me down the elevator to another floor. We reached a well made door, a solid slab of lacquered hardwood.

A curt knock followed by a muffled "Come in." My guide turned the handle and pushed, before motioning for me to enter. Inside was a small office decorated with what I could best describe as a renaissance naval theme complete with a mahogany desk, cabinets with model sailboats, and a massive man built like Paul Bunyan crossbred with Pop eye.

He spoke with a deep resonant voice that was full of confidence and life experience, "Welcome, Mr. Kline, call me Captain Burgundy."

"Thanks for having me, Captain Burgundy". I said, the nervousness finally starting to hit me. Now that I think about it, I've never talked to a captain or really any sort of military figure before..

"The pleasure is all mine. So, let's get down to brass tacks. I'll be frank with you. There is about a 50% chance you will be dead within the decade if you take this job. This is the last moment you'll have to turn this job down. I want to give you a final chance to make sure your heart is in this. Also, I can promise you that you won't be asked to do anything evil or morally wrong."

I'm pretty sure a series of facial expressions played across my face after that declaration. As the seconds ticked on, I settled on a contemplative nod. That fatality rate was ridiculous. Absolutely crazy. However, it didn't bother me that much. Maybe that says more about my mental state than my acceptance of dying, but hey, it is what it is. For a moment I dwelled on the early arctic explorers. Entire ships of men that signed up for expeditions into unexplored territory, survive, and then choose to go on a second journey where they died. Death would be something to be faced later. I can handle this. I can live with this choice. I remained silent for a few seconds before nodding and putting on a forced smile. "Yea, no problem Captain."

"Good, you have some guts, and you aren't terrified of death. You'll need that. So here's the deal, I think you'll do fine with us. Sign these documents, take your time, and I'll tell you a bit about what to expect."

I looked them over. The NDA's were pretty strict but I signed those first. I looked at the compensation package. It had a couple of interesting clauses, such as wages paid out may be converted to local currency, and that the company would extend a line of credit to purchase some items if they were deemed useful for my job but not strictly required to perform my assigned responsibilities. Unusual, but as long as it wasn't forced or had terrible interest rates it seemed like a good deal. I already decided to stay and being this deep underground I don't think I can say no. Because of the implication.

A few more signatures, most of the language being broad, and I handed the packet over to the captain. He looked over and nodded. He extended his hand over his desk and I took it. His grip was far stronger than mine, and I had a solid handshake. "Welcome to the team Mr. Kline."

Captain Burgundy paused for a moment, looking me into the eyes. "So, after today you will be taken to another place. We will also be performing some medical work to get you in shape before then. We'll provide comprehensive medical screening and fixing. You're going somewhere remote and we need you to be in excellent health." He paused, and I nodded my head before he continued.

"When you arrive at your new base station, your first job will be to train. First we will train your body and your mind, to have you prepared. Then you'll have a period of practical training, followed by your service."

"Makes sense, Captain. I'm not afraid of hard work and I can follow orders."

"Good, glad to hear it. I wish you the best of luck, and our medical team is ready to get you prepared."

"Thank you I said," standing up and shaking his strong and calloused hand. I left the office and followed my grumpy guide once again. We went down the elevator another 2 floors and ended up in a completely white and sterile hallway. He motioned for me to sit down in a lobby styled room on a smooth plastic chair and I waved as he left.

A few minutes later a staff member in scrubs asked me to follow them. I got up and they directed me into another room to sit on one of those medical beds.

The nurse spoke up, "Everything comfortable Mr. Klein? Any medical concerns?"

"Yea, I am good. I don't think I've been to the hospital in several years. Though I do have some teeth that need fixing, especially my molars."

The nurse nodded and started bustling around, taking some basic health measurements. They left for a while and came back, and offered me a small dixie cup with an effervescent blue liquid.

"Drink this," the nurse said.

I debated asking what for, but I'd been raised to just do what the doctor says. If they kidnap me and harvest my organs then so be it. I felt that case was unlikely anyways. They put a lot of effort into the hiring process and this building seemed too extensive and well run for a mere organ harvesting farm.

I paused for a brief moment before putting the drink to my mouth. One thing felt a bit odd. I was too calm since I talked to the captain. It's like I was ready to just accept anything. Oh well, my course is set. I drank the liquid and relaxed back on the bed. In moments I was out cold.