Perimeter Survey

I marched straight to the sheer drop at the edge of the desk. Down below, the carpet stretched out like an uncharted valley, cluttered with giant shoes and heavy chair legs. A clear plastic ruler lay angled off a stacked textbook. I gripped the plastic blade, testing its heft, and jammed one end firmly under the cover to construct an elevated vantage perch. Leaning out over the edge with both fists planted, I scanned every corner of this room. Still quiet. But nothing approaches this command post on my watch without me spotting it first.