Lieutenant John Kendrick - Establishing The Perimeter

[Jon Van Pelt]

((At the border of the Administrative Area, Denali Station))

Though both Juneau and Eagle were still in orbit above Denali Station, unfortunately all their transporters were currently in use to beam crewmen and materials down to the station. For a moment there, John had thought of pulling rank and ask for a priority transport, but the truth was there wasn’t an emergency and being in a position of authority, he had to prove - not only to himself, but to the others as well - that he was able to resist the temptation and not take advantage of the rights and privileges that came with his job as head of Security and Tactical. Everyone was on a tight schedule to get the Station operational and he had no intention of making people's jobs any more difficult than they already were. 

Of course, that also meant he had to go on foot to meet with two of his Security officers who’d been working on setting up a warning system at the outer perimeter of the Administrative Area. But maybe that wasn’t such a bad thing after all. He could use some fresh air after having spent the entire day at Soldotna, helping the SCE set up the security and tactical departments. And it also gave him the opportunity to do a little bit of exploring as well. He’d seen the plans of the city, but walking through the streets was something else entirely. The city was in such pristine shape, it almost was as if it was abandoned only yesterday. Whoever built this place had also created some sort of maintenance system to preserve everything in this biome. Perhaps they intended to one day come back here? How strange would that be? To come back home after a long journey, only to find a group of strangers living in your house?

Lost in his own thoughts, he almost didn’t notice he’d already reached the outer perimeter where Ensigns Mosq and Leynen were waiting for him.

As he approached them, Ensign Leynen greeted him with a nod.

Leynen: Chief.

As Mosq - a Brikarian - crossed the street to join them, John noticed that he didn’t feel the ground moving beneath his feet - unlike aboard Juneau, where he’d feel the deck plates move whenever Mosq walked by. No doubt the Brikarian was happy to be transferring to Denali Station, to an environment that better suited his needs than the close confinement of a Starfleet vessel.

Standing next to Mosq, Wilhelmina Leynen looked somewhat petite. But then again, even John looked petite standing next to the enormous rocklike Ensign.

Kendrick: ::smiling:: Good evening to the both of you. So. How was your day?

Mosq: Productive. 

As always, Mosq kept his answer short and to the point. His voice sounded raw, like rocks that scraped against each other.

Kendrick: So we’re on schedule?

Leynen: Absolutely. 

She leaned down and picked up a padd that was laying on a crate. She started tapping a few command codes and suddenly a male, automated voice was heard.

Automated Voice: You have reached the outer perimeter of the Administrative Area of Denali Station. For safety reasons we ask you not to continue and remain within the designated area monitored by Station Security.

The curly haired Ensign looked back up at Kendrick with a big smile on her face, ready to receive a pat on the back for a job well done.

Kendrick: ::approving:: Sounds good. Of course the message still has to be cleared by Fleet Captain Oddas.

Mosq: ::grumpy:: It’s too friendly.

John shrugged his shoulders.

Kendrick: Perhaps. But I trust the residents of the Station are aware of the rules. This automated message is just a warning that they’re about to cross the perimeter. We don’t need to frighten them either.

The Brikarian let out a soft growl, clearly not agreeing with his boss.

Suddenly John noticed something shiny crossing the street behind Mosq and Leynen, about a hundred meters further down the street.

Kendrick: What was that?

Ensign Leynen turned around, looking in the direction John had his eyes fixed upon.

Leynen: I don’t see anything, Chief.

Kendrick: ::confused:: Me neither. It’s gone now.

Mosq: Perhaps just a reflection on one of the windows?

With all these glass buildings, it could’ve been the sun reflecting on the windows. But this looked like something very different.

Kendrick: ::puzzled:: Maybe…

Leynen: I guess there’s only one way to find out?

Mosq: Break our own rules? 

The Brikarian looked over at John, waiting for an answer.

It could be nothing, John thought. Perhaps nothing more than a mirage. But if there was something out there, it was their job to find out if it posed a threat to Station security.

Kendrick: Let’s stick with “bending” them, agreed?

Both Ensigns looked at each other and nodded.

Kendrick: Alright. Let’s see what’s out there.

TBC

===

 

Lieutenant John Kendrick

Chief Security and Tactical

DENALI STATION

J239801JK3