What Happens In The Dark

CHAPTER 1

"OK 19! Line up." Calls Battalion Chief Alexander Garrett from the barn. Within 60 seconds the whole of the station was in position lined up.

Chief Garrett and another man are stood in front of the firefighters. "Thank you 19, I have some exciting news for you all... Firstly as you know we have been on the hunt for a new Captain for your station since Sullivan's promotion. I am very pleased to introduce you all to Captain Felix Bardot."

"19. It's a pleasure to be here. I have heard excellent things about this firehouse, I am looking forward to working with you all." He says in introduction.

Chief Garrett speaks again next "now I have already informed Captain Bardot that he has two Lieutenants here at 19 - Lt. Bishop" he points to Maya who raises her hand "pleasure to meet you Captain." She says Felix nods in response "you too."

"And Lt. Herrera..." The Chief points out Andy who as Maya did raises her hand and says hello.

"Ok, now the formal introductions are out of the way. On to the second thing..." Chief Garrett says looking up and down the line of firefighters. "Head Quarters has been in discussion with the district school board over the last few months, at their request to introduce semesterly fire safety modules for the students and parents." He informs them.

"We have agreed to run a trial with 4 middle schools in the district, and we have chosen Stations 19 and 23 to roll these out, each station will do two each." He says, before looking between Maya and Andy.

"For the trial period the plan is that these talks will be led by the station's Lieutenants... Bishop, Herrera, can I count on your support with this?" He asks, seeing both women look at each other before nodding in agreement.

"Great, thank you Lieutenants... Should the program be successful and it be decided that it will be rolled out across the city, more schools will be arranged and you will be taking other firefighters with you on these talks to help train them on content and delivery..." He says.

Chief Garrett looks at Captain Bardot before continuing "You're Captain has already been given the assignment details and the schools allocated to 19, so I will let him fill you in further Lieutenants... See you soon 19." He says as he departs leaving the team stood in formation in front of their new Captain.

"At ease team..." He says "Ok, so as the Chief mentioned I have the details for the program so Bishop, Herrera if you would like to come with me to my office we can go through those... The rest of you - that will be all for now, dismissed 19." He says leaving them all to go back to whatever they were doing before they arrived.

As the Captain makes his way to his office Maya and Andy hang back slightly, "So fire safety talks huh... like something straight out of the Maya Bishop night time reading pile" Herrera jokes.

Maya rolls her eyes at the teasing but knowing her friend and fellow Lieutenant is right "hey, fire safety is no joke. You might even learn something Herrera." She jibes back with a wink.

Herrera just scoffs and says "as you are so keen you can take the first one Bishop." Maya just shrugs and laughs saying "fine by me - you need some time to brush up on your knowledge anyway!" She says laughing as Andy just sticks her tongue out in response, as they follow the Captain to his office.

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3 weeks later and Maya finds herself arriving at Westport Middle School on Tuesday afternoon where she will be coming back to over the next 4 days to rotate through classes each day and an evening session for the parents which is currently oversubscribed. Whilst Maya takes fire safety very seriously she finds herself pleasantly surprised that so many others do too.