Gotta (Re)start Somewhere

Posted on Thu Aug 24th, 2023 @ 10:53am by Kyle Schaffer
Edited on on Fri Sep 8th, 2023 @ 1:52am

736 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Rescue
Location: Brookhaven
Timeline: MD 5 0700

Turning in his bed for what felt like the hundredth time, the alarm finally went off, signaling the start of the day. Without thinking, Kyle spoke, “Computer, stop alarm.” When the familiar voice of a starship computer didn’t come, he let out a small laugh and shook his head. This was going to take some getting used to. After getting out of bed and cleaned up, Kyle put on nondescript civilian clothing and again took a moment to absorb his situation.

It had been two days, at least Kyle thought it had been that long, since he was relocated to this village, known as Brookhaven. He didn’t exactly come willingly, however, and needed some coaxing by a persuasive Starfleet officer that this was his best course of action, at least in the short term. She didn’t expand on what “short term” meant, but Kyle got the impression it wouldn’t be as short as he would like.

Despite her selling the village as a thriving community, Kyle still found it to hard to accept the sudden relocation and “resignation” from Starfleet as a chief petty officer. The fact that she suggested he take up the role of Chief of Police didn’t help either. His background was in engineering, but he suspected she suggested the role due to his experience with being in a command structure and his problem solving skills. He was hoping the police part would be minimal in a village like this and his problem solving would be put to use in a more familiar manner instead of settling disputes.

As he pondered his new position and surroundings, he exited the front door of his new “home”. Admittedly, it was a perfect spot in the center of the village with a beautiful view of the planet’s landscape. He was told the name but had forgotten among the whirlwind of events that brought him here. If it weren’t for those events, he may even have suggested a family vacation here with his brother and sister. They would both love a small community like this and appreciate taking the time to explore the surroundings.

Assessing the terrain, which was mostly flat in the village center, Kyle noticed a few places in the distance with some elevation change. He was hoping there would be some trails leading there for running or hiking. He also kept in mind the mention of a vineyard within the village limits. If nothing else, he would have a story to tell to his family about acquiring a taste for wine.

Thinking back to his family, he wondered if the message he prepared before being dropped off ever made it back to Earth. He was told it would, but it couldn’t come from him. Kyle made another mental note to ask about any consistent correspondence with the outside world if/when the Starfleet officer returned to the village. For now however, he needed to make he best of his situation and at least attempt to assimilate into the community in front of him. Based on what he had seen, it was an isolated but close-knit community that seemed to have plenty of resources available. He wondered just how a community like this, off the grid, managed to sustain itself, and even thrive, but decided to keep thoughts like those buried for the time being.

There appeared to be people from almost every walk of life here, willing to fill in where needed to operate the community. Where he fit in as Chief of Police was still uncertain, and Kyle didn’t even know who he should be reporting to, much less if he had a staff. He appreciated a good problem to solve but usually balked at ones that required social skills to get the job done. This situation, however, might force him into a few of those uncomfortable scenarios, he imagined.

Lost in thought, his mind kept coming back to the interaction he had with the Starfleet officer. In their brief but memorable interaction, she mentioned that Antony Lockwood and Harina True were two of the first residents here and suggested seeking them out to help get acquainted. Taking one last glance of the view, Kyle sighed, saying to nobody in particular as he took the first few steps away from his place, “Well. I guess I should see what this village is all about.”

 

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