A/N: Well, here's the second chapter. If you couldn't figure out her future assignment before, then I guess I'll give you the answer…but maybe a little later…
Disclaimer: All the Dark Angel characters belong to James Cameron and Fox.
Chapter 2: Exploring
On the first day, I spent it on settling in and unpacking. My headquarters really weren't that bad: Master bedroom, living room, and kitchen (not like anyone used it: they provided an acceptable meal to all staff members…if you wanted to cook, you would need to go through the trouble of filling out a ton of order forms just for a shipment of your supplies. For this reason, many just eat the cafeteria food.) Once I moved in, it took me the rest of the day to unpack. I didn't have much, but as I said earlier, I did have a way of delaying my first assignment. I finished around 1700. Yes, military time. It took a long time to get used to, but I finally accepted it. Not only that…all clocks were set like that. While I was unpacking, I received a phone call. I picked up the phone.
"Yes, (sir, I didn't learn that; however, till he told me so near the end of the phone call) just finished…really? Thank you, sir."
Sandeman decided to give me my assignment tomorrow since it was already so late. He didn't seem like the other commanding officers around. He was nicer…Anyway, things were looking good so far, but being in a military environment took a lot of getting used to. First rule I learned concerned respect and authority: Anyone with a high position or authority should be addressed with respect (sir or ma'am) at all times. Mr. or Ms. with their last name sounded much better in my opinion, but it was their call…
When I finished unpacking, I decided to take a walk before the cafeteria would serve dinner. I stepped out of my room. To my surprise, there were guards (with the ratio of one guard per four rooms) standing by. I double checked for my ID; it was the only way to access my room. I barely knew the facility so I didn't know where to start first. Luckily another scientist was exiting the building at the same time I came out.
"Hi, you must be new here…"
"Yes, my name's Kathleen, Kat, for short," I heard myself reply.
"My name's Kimberly, but I prefer Kim. I work in the psy-ops division…how about you?"
"Umm," I searched my mind for an answer. None came. "I don't exactly know which division I work in. I just know the room and building I'm suppose to report to tomorrow. I'm supposed to start a new project tomorrow."
"Wow, you really did just get here."
"Yeah, pretty much. How long have you worked here?"
"I've worked here a little over two years, about the time it started. I'll show you around."
"Thanks. I really appreciate it."
"Are the officers here nice?"
"Some of them. Most of them are idiots though."
"Thanks for the heads up, I guess."
"Just be respectful and you'll get through."
"Got it. So, who's in charge of this operation?"
"Colonel Lydecker and Sandeman. Both are real tough guys…not nice, not mean."
"I see."
We continued to walk. Kim showed me the cafeteria and other facilities we had access to. It was then did I realize what I had gotten myself into. As we passed, I saw a group of six soldiers ranging from what appeared to be two to four years. I asked Kim about it…