Breach of Security

Coworkers

I have never had a pet before. My parents never let me have one, and I decided I didn’t want one as an adult because it would be too much of a chore to take care of another living being. This felt like I was being pushed into it. The thing about this job was, and continues to be, that it fascinated me. Maybe I was naive, but the thought of doing something so secretive and so dangerous excited me. I enjoyed the thought of this place being some kind of wild west; as if it was some kind of cowboy/apocalypse/soldier thing I got to take part in.

Though, it was truly none of that.

It was a long road in the middle of the woods on top of a mountain. This was actually dirt lots full of shipping containers with different plaques that labeled them as dangerous, toxic, deadly, or whatever. This was actually just a security job protecting sensitive cargo.

With a dog I didn’t want.

Some people I didn’t know worked here.

The schedule was strange and exciting.

The pay was mouth watering, and Mr. Burns even explained that the company paid for an apartment unit we could live in- on site.

Again, it seemed too good to be true.

Their reasoning was providing space and enrichment for our dogs. Apparently, many houses around the area weren’t pet friendly, so this company built a pet friendly apartment unit for K-9’s and their handlers.

Jonathan began talking about this, and I was all ears as my current landlord was a pain, and rent was getting to an ungodly high rate.

The apartments had a beautiful full kitchen, one bedroom, one full-sized bathroom, and a sturdy crate for the dogs. Mr. Burns held a master key card to get into any room in case of emergencies or if you had to go away so someone could care for your partner. He occasionally let maintenance in if he had to as well. Parking for our trucks and a full yard to go outside with your dog; it sounded almost like a dream come true, if you were a dog lover.

Jonathan seemed like a dog lover.

The dust of the gravel and dirt road kicked up behind the truck. The suns warmth receding as autumn set in. Leaves scattered in the dust trail behind us.

Jonathan stopped at the first gravel lot. Rows of shipping containers lined the lot; like kind you’d see on cargo ships. Jonathan grabbed his rifle and hopped out. I followed suit, catching him lower the tailgate and release Hannah. She heeled to his side immediately.

We walked between containers, checking locks and talking along the way. It was peaceful in a way.

Hannah was hard at work. Her tail wagged as he nose hit each container, straying slightly out of arms length as she inspected the gravel around us as well.

“What’s in these, anyway?” I finally asked.

“Depends on the lot, depends on the container-“ Jonathan seemed not to want to answer the question.

I rolled my eyes. “Is that what the keys are for?”

“Depending on the type of container, it’ll have a different key. Toxic containers and containers with, say lumber, for example, would have different keys.” Jonathan explained.

“That makes sense.” I confirmed with a nod. “When will I have my truck?”

“You’ll get your rifle tomorrow, probably. You and I will do some target practice. By the end of the week, you’ll have your truck and keys. I’ll train you on those too. By next week you’ll have your k-9. Then, we might do one more shift together before you’re on your own.” Jonathan explained as we emerged from one row and entered another.

“Have you always had Hannah?” Curiosity got the best of me.

“No. I had a partner before her.” Jonathan’s voice got colder, and it seemed like a sensitive topic.

A breeze ruffled Jonathan’s rather short Mohawk, and Hannah moved a tad further in front of us. He didn’t recall her.

“How far will she go? Away from you, I mean.” I decided to change the subject.

“Never too far to hear me.” Jonathan said with a smile as we ended our patrol down the last row of containers. “Just start walking back, she’ll follow.”

We changed directions, and Hannah eventually turned to make wide sweeping half circles as she trotted behind us.

“Do they tell you who your partner is before you get them or-“ I started to ask.

“Not usually.” Jonathan interrupted with a laugh. “One will be chosen for you, and you’ll meet them the day you start training with them.”

We spent the rest of the day patrolling and doing security. I kept asking questions, trying to learn as much as I possibly could. Jonathan was happy to oblige. At this point, I wouldn’t say I was excited to meet my partner- but I wasn’t dreading it. The opportunity for change pressed on the sweetest spots of my brain. Anticipation was my favorite feeling.

The changing of the leaves had already begun, paint the walls of a gravel lot with beautiful shades from red to yellow. I could only hope my truck had heated seats. The more I thought about my truck and partner, I almost felt bad that they’d be locked in a cold crate in the back. Jonathan reassured me that their thick coats kept them warmer, and said that during the coldest times there were vests and boots offered for the k-9’s. No matter what, I swore to myself whoever my partner was, I would take care of them. Even if I wasn’t quite sure how.

We ended our shift without any problems. We returned to the office, and there were two more trucks there. Jonathan got out, grumbling under his breath as he went to the back of the truck and released Hannah by hand.

I made my way straight inside. I had decided I was going to stay, and I wanted to tell Mr. Burns immediately. I opened the door and was face to chest with a taller man than Jonathan. The taller man’s scowl made me step back, bumping into Jonathan.

“Night shift, Jack?” Jonathan asked with a smirk.

“Best shift.” The man replied. “Come on, Cowboy.” Jack mumbled.

A very large brown dog followed Jack as he shouldered past Jonathan and I. The dog was at least twice Hannah’s size. Hannah bared her teeth as Cowboy passed her, but Cowboy seemed unphased.

Jonathan’s hand touched my back, causing me to nearly jump into the office. Hannah followed me in as Jonathan let the metal door close behind him.

At the table in the center of the office sat a slimmer built brunette woman. At her feet slept a large black Shepard with a grey muzzle. A smaller black and tan Shepard circled from behind her chair, stopping to stare at us with large ears.

“You on night shift too?” Jonathan asked, bending down with his hands out.

The dopey-looking black and tan shepard's ears fell, its tail wagging as it scampered towards him.

“Why, are you trying to take my shift with Jack-Ass?” The woman scoffed before looking up. “Oh my god, I’m so sorry.” She stood, outstretching her hand to shake mine. “I’m Heather! This is Cobra.” She introduced herself and her partner while shaking my hand. “Johnny! You didn’t tell me you were training!” She hissed at Jonathan through gritted teeth.