“Today, I will go over the common rules with all of you. Tonight, you will meet with your team and one of our senior staff to discuss particulars. I will start with the number one rule. This is a secure facility. That means you must have your identification on your person at all times. At the end of this meeting, as per your contract, you will turn in your personal cell phone, tablet, computer and any other smart device. We will issue you new encrypted electronics.”
Wes smiled. The group had moved in the day before, and all transmissions were monitored. No transmission was out of line. Replacing the electronics was good business. People enjoyed new things.
“If you own a personal weapon, we ask you register it after this meeting. After your work hours and on your days off, you have access to our stables, field house and shooting ranges. I know yesterday, you received the keys to your apartment. Decorate as you see fit. I’ve been advised we have discount coupons for some of Leesburg’s finest home furnishing stores. See Mr. Paulsen at the lunch break. A reminder, you can relocate off-premises anytime at your cost.
“Since the facility runs around the clock, you have continuous access to food and snacks in our kitchen at the main building. If you want takeout, notify the main gate, also known as the North Gate, that you ordered. You must pick up your delivery there.
“We don’t expect you to live a solitary or alcohol-free lifestyle. What happens behind closed doors is your business. All guests must be signed in at the gate and stay with you the entire time they are here. That means if a guest uses a bathroom not in your apartment, you babysit the stall as if your guest is three years old.
“Working in close quarters, in all likelihood, many of you will find companionship here. If a relationship interferes with your work performance, supervisory staff will intervene. Otherwise, to each your own.
“Also, in all likelihood, you will encounter people you do not like. We expect complete professionalism. If someone is affecting your work performance, and you have first tried to work things out, we expect someone on the senior staff to hear about the issue. Failure to follow the rules will result in punitive action as outlined in your handbook. We expect you to read it and understand it. We will know if you did not read it. Any questions?”
Troy continued when no one raised a hand. “We consider all of you part of our family. We also have zero tolerance for liars and thieves. We have zero tolerance for bullying. Every Tuesday from 1400 hours to 1600 hours, myself or one of the executive staff will have an open door to discuss any issues. If it’s urgent, pick up a phone.
“You all have, as part of your orientation packet, a booklet of phone numbers. Every hard-lined phone holds a sticker with pertinent numbers. If you are experiencing a personal emergency, pick up the phone, and time will be made for you immediately.
“If you are part of our security provider team, you are expected to maintain physical conditioning. Your squad supervisor will outline your fitness schedule. You are also expected to meet a swimming and timed run qualification. As a level two or three, you are expected to meet a firearms qualification too.
“Am I clear?” The first response was tepid. “Am I CLEAR?”
This time was a resounding “YES SIR!”
“Folks, you are lucky today to meet the Center’s executive staff. Gentlemen, if you could make your way up front?
“Executive Officer Christian Paulsen and First Deputy Executive Directors, TJ Poole and Ken Clarke. I’ll give them a chance to speak in a few moments. I’d like to formally introduce the Executive Director of this facility, Wes Crockett.” Troy crutched away from the podium.
“Thank you, Troy. Hello, everyone. I hope you take Mr. Bremen’s words to heart. He joins us today because of his dedication and teamwork. He will be annoyed I’m saying this, but we are lucky to have his expertise. Troy is the Assistant Executive Director of the flagship branch in San Diego.
“We are a large organization, but it doesn’t mean we are not aware of what you do. We didn’t get this way because we tolerated mediocrity. We got this way because we demand excellence. If one of us fails, we all fail. When one falls down, I expect someone else to pick you up. Teamwork, respect and honor. Honor for yourself and others.
“I hope this meeting has made things clearer. Thank you for your hard work in advance. Troy and I will see you here tomorrow at 0700. Christian, TJ and Ken will continue with your day.”
Wes and Troy cleared the room. “You are a rock star,” Wes said. “Just tell me how we’ll know if they read the manual?”
Troy laughed. “I set up a phone dump. Every three pages, there is a clue to one number. After they find the last clue, if they fail to keep reading, they will miss the prompt to reverse the numbers and dial that number, leaving their name. If they leave their name at the other number, we know they did not finish the reading.”
“Bremen, when did you get that diabolical?” Wes laughed.
“You lie in a bed for days on end, it’s either boring television or think of things. I’ve plotted Kieran’s murder in over one hundred ways.” Troy smirked. Kieran was the harder-edged Chase brother. “Tell me about the cabin.”
“Door was unlocked. Inside was a grouping of freshly burned pillar candles, empty cans of food with new labels, not weathered, and a camp stove and cookware. There were also two rolled sleeping bags. What bothered me is this…” Wes opened his phone and showed Troy a photo of a map drawn in the dirt.
Both Naval Academy graduates, they recognized the diagram of a battle plan called the indirect approach. This plan entailed having a small portion of your force out front of the opponent, while the majority of your force advanced from a hidden area and attacked in the rear. It was famously used in the Battle of Chancellorsville.
“Someone planning a war? I don’t like the idea of unauthorized people on the grounds. I’m going to design a loose perimeter plan, and with the camera you had installed, we should be able to catch whoever this is. What do you know about your neighbors?” Troy asked.
“The Knolls—Resa and Dixon. Other than that, not much.”
“I’ll put in for a background check on them and the land,” Troy said.
“Acquisitions in legal should have an idea about the land. We had competition to make the purchase.”
