Chapter Six #2
She laughs. “I did. He was great with drones and the kite. They both learned how to hold the kite then buzz the drone around it while the other held the opposite. I didn’t expect it. He hardly talked and they actually learned quite a bit.”
Really? I look back at him. Stella says he’s Aiden Quinn from Practical Magic. I never saw the movie but Peggy, Firefly and Natalia agreed at an ol’ lady meet. His hair is longer than military and his eyes are more light brown than the gray Stella says they are.
“I wouldn’t think he’d be good with kids.”
Peggy nods and leans closer. “He thinks the Bits are more adult than kid. I didn’t point out that Alpha D-S twins aren’t Alpha-Bits.”
I laugh getting everyone’s eyes on me. To diffuse that, I ask, “How’d you end up here instead of with the other teams going home?”
She makes a face knowing I already know. “To work Stella’s Lead shifts originally.”
I nod like I forgot. Hud being so close means I’m not asking her anything about him.
“Boss Sophie, you stay you Bravo house tonight? I have Phoenix meet, then shift to Honor.” Asa asks.
I love him. “Yeah, Boss. I have clothes at Bravo and Alta helped me get the music lessons on virtual. We got, ‘You Are My Sunshine,’ ‘Amazing Grace’ and ‘Life is a Highway,’ He even got them the tabs in PDF for me. The next in-person lesson is them bringing me their favorite song with Alta starting it off. After that, they each take a lesson to teach their song to the others.”
He smiles looking proud. I really do love the little VP. “Smart. Boss Garren say you teach Bravo Canada French.”
I hold my laugh and explain that for him. “There’s a distinct difference between metropolitan French to Canadian and Creole pronunciations with a whole lot of slang to wade through. I did virtual for him too, three Louisiana, two Canadian. They already know mainland.”
He nods. “We learn France to Jacques, Jose and Juan. All As learn different. Pres Alder mostly Greek, mandarin, French before Badass.”
I do not ask a single question but half listen to Jordan explain languages while thinking of the grown kids.
I watched the feeds Stella gave me access to for Alder’s Ops so I’d be prepared.
I’m glad it was in my house at Honor. I bawled for three nights straight watching every mission he went on.
The kids, some ghastly thin or viciously drugged, some beaten, others had no idea what was happening but followed like zombies.
I needed no more than seeing that to understand Alder’s need to perfect the best life for his Ford Alpha-Bit Brothers.
They have real names, passports, a purpose of their choosing in Badass that guarantees their Security.
Clubs around the world that revere them for the amazing technology and products they share to make all lives better.
Stella told me of the government meet where the FBI lawyer gave them guarantees that are better than what the reservations got and Badass is holding them to it.
I turn as if I’m following all they’re talking about and watch Hud answer that he learned French young but his parents lived in a predominantly English-speaking province that he only visited.
Asa and Alder both look at me. I smile as if I followed every word.
“Most everyone speaks both but in Quebec, French is the language by law. I think it’s the only territory like that but I could be wrong.
We learned Spanish, basics of mandarin and Cantonese.
It’s how I met Garren Ford. Korean and Iranian Persian are also widely spoken.
I mean by more than 30% like Korean and Cantonese.
Group homes often learn because the kids come from everywhere and we learn to include them.
I was in a lot of homes so I learned at least the basics of those and some Hebrew but I never spoke it.
That was for a job I was only expected to write directives. ”
They’re all just looking at me. I look at Stella for help. “I was adopted young. The Club kids learned all kinds of languages in the crew houses. I was IT and Prez would take my laptop so I’d jump to anything to keep my brain running.”
That’s weirder than me. I smile at her but feel bad now that they’re all looking at her.
Jordan fixes it. “No wonder she asked about you for Alpha. She doesn’t need another helper to keep her brain running.”
Asa nods like this is a valid point. “Egghead, Boss Faith say.” Last time he said it, he said names I never heard, then a whole explanation for the people he mentioned.
I laugh. “I heard that one but I don’t know Mitch. I know everyone has something they’re known for, something they do that others can’t. Military, education, IT, everyone is an egghead for some reason or another. Best Lego builder is a thing, so is cup stacker…”
“Everyone have purpose. Badass show us how to use it,” Alder says.
I watch him thinking back to where I heard that, then smile. “Your avatar says so at the Vision.”
He nods once. The rest of the flight is quiet and I for one am glad it is. I could use a good stiff drink. Not waking up on a boat deserves a celebration.
§*§*§
Landing at SOAR Rising
Hud
Chopper hop to a plane ride made this a good wind down from the job. It’s my first full week as Alder’s Lead without a shadow and it went well.
The threat at the island was avoided or changed because everyone went instead of just my team and the little President.
The vision said we’d be shot and Alder taken for some bounty flyer by the ass who thinks the waitress is carrying his kid.
His laptop worked when a ship passed by three weeks ago.
He could have gotten help for his boy but didn’t.
I wish Citiali would have told me while we were on the island but he waited until we were on the plane.
He said Jordan or Stella would have killed the lousy excuse of a man.
I’d have let them or shot him myself. I’d have aimed for pain but I’d have shot him.
Nash smiles at me. “I would have too.” He lets out a short laugh. “Or maybe I’d have let you shoot for pain. Uncle Danny says the feet are the way to go.”
I shake my head. “Gut shot, intestine works for me.”
He makes a face as if it’s plausible.
It worked for me while I was in. “Why aren’t you flying?” I ask to change the subject.
“I started on an Op this morning, then had transport for Asa to the ship. I still had work for the Club to finish so Justice got a pilot from SOAR to fly with me so I could get it done.” The kid never stops.
“That makes this a long day, if you make it to the club, I’ll buy you a beer.”
His head turns fast then back to me with a big smile.
“I’ll be there. Ops went well; it was tied to the Alder threat.
” He doesn’t give details so I don’t ask.
Classified is classified. He shakes his head.
“You’re one of his Leads so you’ll get it but another Op is going on and we’ll get it at the Club at nine. SOAR will have Mase back by then.”
I nod but have to ask.” “SOAR does a lot of missions here?” They transported Mario but he said they’re a Club.
“It’s a play on the letters. Stalker Ops Aerial Rescue is the newest Club north of Veritable in Nebraska. The whole Club is retired Night Stalker, the one-sixtieth, or eighty-second. Their VP is a Ranger JAG that did international shit.”
Ranger IAS JAG. “Colonel Ross?” He signed off on quite a few of my missions in two different theaters.
His smile shows again. “You know Julius. He’s a good Brother, always up for anything.”
I shake my head. “He signed off on my jobs. He didn’t get who it’s for, just the job objective and possible obstacle or pertinent details.” Classified isn’t coming out of me.
He watches me then nods. “Mario gets his arm tomorrow since Stella will be home.”
This is good. “We have a meet tomorrow night. LP is scheduled at ABSZ. I can get him here.”
This surprises him. “You fly. Bravo didn’t have pilot on you.”
I nod. “Classified scout but it wasn’t my job for long. Captain Bailey signed off on me.”
“You were young when you joined the Club.”
I just nod. My parents died, I tried to drink the pain away and got picked out of a ditch.
The cop gave me a choice of the tank or military to straighten my ass out.
I took the military because I was still drunk and he wrote it up, had me sign shit, then he drove me to the Elgin Base.
He wasn’t a cop; he was a recruiter from Badass that held my hand all the way through training.
Once I made Ranger, I didn’t see him again.
Shaking my head straight, I answer him. “I wasn’t in the Club long and joined as an Associate.
My plan to work for the Club when I finished UCF got changed.
I fucked up and ended up military. I learned more about the Club while in Ranger training than when I joined.
When I got out or had time off, I went to Virginia and stayed with a buddy who was Badass.
“Kane? You know Kane?”
Whoa. “Kane signed me up and drove me to the base. He gave me the Bible and stories that helped with the lessons. I never saw him once I made Ranger. He’s way older than me, Brother.
I stayed with a buddy that was finishing medical school.
” I smile. “His name is Sawbones. He’s here now.
He told me to come west and he’d sponsor me. ”
He laughs. “Glad you listened. Kane is still at Aaron’s Club in Virginia. They moved but Hemy brought them closer once he took back the reservation land.”
I shake my head. “Hemy was President. I wasn’t in the Club but went to Church and the Club when I was stateside.
He told me they’d have room when I got out.
I stayed at the Club when I was discharged but only a week.
I needed time, therapy and a buddy needed help.
” He wasn’t a constant reminder of Florida and lived close to the air base at Arlington until I moved him to the house I rented so we could be closer to Hemy’s Club.