Prologue #3
Asa’s eyes go big then settle. “More question?”
I lose the smile and feign innocence. “Nope. Thanks for testing me. I have no more questions.” I don’t add the ‘for you’ in there. I always have questions.
“You ride to ABSZ Alder compound to me. I stay night there send flight time to chat.”
“Whenever you’re ready. I’ll ride back here for the night.”
He nods. “Pres Alder show at compound, I get Security to Bravo. Fuckin’ Brothers see he home they show, stay all night. I not good to that. Anton work ABSZ tomorrow.”
I follow him out of the simulator. “I wouldn’t be either. Anton is a handful.”
He nods. “Babies, most same to Budgie, Brex. Denz, Etan same to Anton. Pres Graywolf laugh to them. Kids.” His mohawk is working that disgust for all its worth.
I nod but don’t comment. I’m his Lead, not a Badass gossip, so Harper being amazed when the kids take apart the conveyor belt in the lab does not get passed.
I thought all officers were a little delusional when I met them but they take everything that happens in stride. In this world, I guess it’s how you need to be, otherwise, how the hell would you keep up?
The ride on real roads is quiet. Asa isn’t a talker.
I go back to the CJIRU. We were a lot like Badass thinking that nuclear, chemical, biological, extractions or cleansing anything was a normal part of the day.
I liked all parts of my job but looking back, it was as nutty as appearing people, readers and dogs that are trained better than me.
They’re shocked at my training and Copper said I’ll never deal with it here.
I may be called for consult but it is what we fight here, not what we plant.
I love Copper and her insight because it comes from the other side.
When you know the damage whatever you’re after can cause, you fight harder and she’s fighting with everything she’s learned from the bad side – for the good guys.
§*§*§
Sophia
Alta and Juan tell me about the robotic foot they’re making on the way to their lab.
The lab looks like a miniature version of a Cracker Barrel.
They even have four rockers out front. It’s inside the Officer road gate so I see why they just needed me to walk them over.
The guard throws chin as we pass. Juan is still listing the different things they’re going to make.
I didn’t get all of it but ask, “You’re making a robotic swim fin? Is he an athlete?”
“Was military Ranger,” Alta tells me.
I smile bending for them. “I’d think a SEAL.”
Juan giggles.
Alta swats him but doesn’t connect. “He swim to therapy, balance, he like swim.”
I nod. “It was a joke, you’re too serious, Alta.”
Juan nods and gets another air swat.
“I’m going to teach the boys the ant song.” I stand upright and smile at the look of horror crossing Alta’s face.
Juan is giggling again.
“Pres Alder be mad to you.”
I smile, backing away. “Alder is a softy.”
Juan finds me to be quite comical tonight.
I turn and hear Alta trying to shush him.
The ant song on the harmonica is one the little ones can master easily.
They love learning like the older Bits. Crossing the road, I go to the gate behind Mag and Leya’s.
Keying in, I can already hear the whistles, squeals and screeches of the harmonicas’ poor seal and the adult groans that accompany the dying cow sounds.
Tyson must have gotten the little box out of my bag.
The walk from the school to lab was maybe ten minutes, of course, Prospects delivered in that time.
I am just glad to have clothes for tomorrow.
The kids are sitting around the table peppered with adults who do not look happy with the impromptu concert or whatever you call this racket.
“Boss Sophie. Your basket and bag just got here.” Tyson looks a little embarrassed.
“It’s a standard basket and my clothes from the Phoenix Club. The app showed they sent the harmonicas,” I say to put him at ease. This kid’s age has to be in dog years but tonight he’s just a boy.
He nods with his Tyson smile. “They were in the basket. Not to rush you, but we obviously need lessons before we get orphaned. They learned notes like you said but we thought it was to sing.”
I love the babies who aren’t babies, Bits who are so much more than Bits and this kid who sees everything in the long term. No adult has said a word to me but Leya is downright frowning with her eyes and he noticed.
My hand goes up, “Freeze.” They do. I point to Maddox.
“Can you open your hologram board and follow along for a quick lesson?” He does it without an answer but his smile is enough.
With a quick lesson ending with a demonstration of the full scale, I get them on the marching ants quick enough that adults are smiling and even offered some light applause before I leave with my basket and bag.
At the gate, I hear a clear, in-sync tune accompanying Tyson’s vocals, “Hoorah, Hoorah,” making me smile. He’ll have them practicing that one for a week so they’ll have learned to seal each note and explore the rest. Life is good.