For over a century I have been methodically killing vile enemies to keep other people like you safe. I think I have succeeded in defending and occasionally amusing some of those people.

That's about the extent of my qualifications to be writing this; great zeal and efficiency in
ass kicking. I just wanted to say that early on, lest anyone think I am anything grander than a man who has done adequately as a brawler.

It was a warm New York day in 1864. I was quaffing scotch with a friend and colleague, Richard Reinfeld, who was then commander of the New York Volunteer Infantry. We were discussing the declining numbers of humans in America, England, and Eastern Europe, (and, I suppose, everywhere else).

To my concern, Richard became austere. He told me these disturbances were not the result of some ordinary catalyst. He said that we were all caught in underground machinations that have dominated Earth since prehistoric times.

So during several minutes of softly spoken dialogue and earnest whispers, Richard revealed himself as a spy for a hidden fraternity. This came as no surprise to me; he received suspicious letters with an unfamiliar seal almost weekly.

He asked me if I would join him in saving humanity as an operative for his guild. I thought about this for a few days, and later told him that I admired the idea but did not feel qualified to affiliate myself. I suggested his purpose would be better served by someone in a greater military position. He said he would prefer someone who simply enjoyed killing shit.

By the end of the month, I boarded Richard's ship and sailed out of America to a secret location.