Chapter Eight #3
I nod and watch him walk to two kids that don’t look six yet. The kids are amazing here. I don’t know marketing.
Half an hour goes by quick with kids being cute and Garren’s questions. I pull my crystal blue eyed girl out with her big smile on. “Food and the ride back. I’m meeting the chopper at the Vision.”
She surprises me. “I’ll come with you and stay until I need to get back. I’ll ride a Club bike over.” She’s happy about a shift?
“You know the kids?” She hasn’t been here that long so I’d be surprised.
“Yeah, Asa has them on his schedule every other month. It hit on my first week.”
I nod and put a hand out for her. She doesn’t want kids but loves them.
§*§*§
Alpha-Bit Vision
Sophie
Tats, Alder, Asa and Falcon ride in front of us. Solei drives Falcon’s truck and makes me laugh with her boys blowing on the harmonicas. They’re too small to do anything else.
“So, you and Hud?”
I smile. “You heard right. He’s claiming me at the Club tonight.”
“That’s what I heard.”
“We didn’t tell anyone but you so far.” I’ve been with him the whole time except for the two hours I’ve been in Bravo with their kids and traveling back and forth from the Vision.
She laughs and it feels like that’s at me. “We have readers everywhere. Teller, Mucimi and Justice have offices in the same building as Falcon, Mag, Pepsi and Jack.”
I smile. “There is that. I bet the Bits even know.”
She nods. “I heard it at work from Adeline. I didn’t ask her who she got it from. The Bits and Brothers show there every day.”
This is a tight knit Club. I don’t know how they do it with three towns, the elders and all they do on the ABSZ. “He took the shift for Beacon. They just needed the vision coverage for four hours.”
“You staying for a while?”
I shake my head but she’s driving. “No. Headed back to Honor tomorrow. I’m scheduled on Asa for four days. Hud will fly us over. He’s got Rescue shifts while Alder is building something at ABSZ.”
“Alder is always building something. I wish he’d relax.”
I smile. “He does. On the ship he learned to surf so he’ll be building a wave pool soon.
He set the ship up with drones. They don’t need as many security Officers to do the walk throughs.
That ship is massive. He relaxed at the pool watching drone feeds on his tablet.
He talks to his K9 Security Brother like he’s a human Brother. ”
She laughs sounding young. “He’s adorable. Did he get the dog trunks to match his?” She pulls in to the lot and parks in the next row behind the bikes at the fence.
“Yep. Luckily, I didn’t have to wear Dr. Seuss drawers.” This time I’m laughing with her. “I got a picture of Alder and Havoc with their UV shades and matching suits. The passengers loved them.” I scroll and show her once the truck is off.
She takes my phone and shows Falcon when he opens the door. He doesn’t say a word about the dog in swim trunks, telling me it’s normal. “I got the boys.”
I move to the Bits with Tats. Falcon is busy so I got Asa while they’re outside the park.
“Thanks. Something feels off today.” Tats throws flags out there.
I scan. Tats doesn’t exaggerate. I look at Asa and Alder. They’re watching Falcon and Solei but Asa is scanning around. When Solei makes it beside us, Alder is scanning. Something feels off in a way that touches every one of us.
§*§*§
Alpha-Bit Vision
Sophie
Tats yells, “Bits, get covered!”
I move to grab Asa but Hud lifts him and turns quick, dropping him on my back.
I take a boy from Falcon and corral Solei and the boy she’s got toward the big cement cone.
“Cone for cover!” The kids running shift to move through the cone door.
I bend for my inherited package, “Asa, watch the door, stay readied, keep the kids inside. I’m right outside. ”
He slides down my back, reaching for his little gun, he runs through the door without looking back. “Roger, Boss Sophie.” I hand Solei her other boy and she runs in, never looking back.
Tats gets Alder in and turns. “I’m out the delivery door. Solei is armed. As are armed.” He waits for my nod then closes the door with him inside.
I guess I’m at this door. The only window is for orders and it’s got something blocking it from inside.
It looks like concrete that fits the window but there is no way the kids can move concrete.
I move with my scan seeing Alpha-Bits in the carousel building before the last section of rolling wooden doors is pulled over, they look calm.
The D’Ability chopper just left; I’m glad they aren’t in this mix. I see light flashing to the side of the rounded wooden doors but can’t see who is shooting or what they hit. There is no way I’m leaving my post but I’m dying to see.
Two shots are fired my way from the right and my arm swings that way as I bend in an automatic response.
Not seeing a threat, I step out and see blue laser hit the little store building two doors up from me.
I move right back and see a body drop, then he shoots again.
I click but don’t speak as my finger engages.
OPs: “Go, Michadeau.”
I think that’s Falcon and fire twice seeing the first go down then the second weaving over.
Falcon: “Good job, Sophie. Jack?”
While VP talks, I get the two cuffed and pick up the guns.
Ops control: “You’re clear, Pres. Trask and Hannah have the two just north of you.”
Falcon: “The fire pit?”
Ops: “Security has him, he’s a talker. They came for Alder but they’ll take any Alpha-Bit. Security has the Pit, the pussy you shot and the second team is three away from picking up with Trask.”
Falcon: “Roger. Get this to Cort so he can send it to all Clubs. Three bodies between the lot and the fountain. Add it to Girard. I left one in Opie’s Med hut.”
I stand and look around for Hud. Since the Ops in my ear stopped, I ask, “Pres. Tats got Alder at the cone with Asa, a bunch of kids, Bits and your boys.” He puts a hand on my shoulder going right by me.
“Smart move. I saw you wrangle the kids and Solei in. Thanks. Jack, get Security to pick up Michadeau and Girard’s pussies.”
Ops: “Girard is headed toward you. Where…got it. Jesus on a stick, he’s just like you. He never pulled his gun.”
I see Falcon shaking his head as he opens the cone door.
Falcon: “Rein that in, Jack, and get this cleaned up.”
Ops: “Roger, Pres.”
Standing by the door, I check on my package seeing him talk to Falcon and Solei.
I scan the park seeing Security pick up my two perps on a long-bed gator but I don’t see Hud.
A Champion Security Team opens the carousel wooden doors.
The kids stay put sitting on the carousel horses, floor and just in front of it on the cement floor. Hud isn’t in there.
A Security Brother walks my way. “They’re looking for Alder and Asa. We have Faber and Eli keeping them in the carousel area.”
I nod and look in the cone. “Alder, Asa, you have some Brothers looking to see you’re safe and healthy.”
The kids inside make a path. I smile seeing the two little Officers walk through that path bumping fists and Alder stopping to hug two smaller Bits. “The kids are waiting in the carousel for you. Faber and Eli are holding them in.”
“Thanks, Boss Sophie. Boss Tats?”
“I’ll get him here. When he’s clear.” I follow Asa. “Tats?”
Ops: “He’s coming around the cone, Michadeau.” I don’t think this is VP.
Me: “Thanks, Ops. Tats, Alder will be at the carousel with me and Asa. I got two Champion Security with me.”
Tats: “Roger, Michadeau.”
I shepherd the kids and Bits over to the carousel keeping Asa and Alder in front of me. They don’t run so I’m able to keep in high alert distance with no barriers between them and me. The Security Brother walks with me although I’m not worried. The little Officers both can take care of themselves.
“Behind you Sophie.” That’s a relief.
I turn back seeing Tats and throw him chin. “Alder’s Lead is here.” I tell the Security Brother.
He backs up and stands with his partner scanning the carousel kids.
I see Hud walk through the building toward me and the little Officers.
His presence settles me. I think I love the man without the guarantee, extra dates, food or rides.
As he gets closer, I smile at his sexy look, piercing gray eyes, dark hair a tad too long and body that knows how to set mine off.
“I’m in,” I say as soon as he’s close enough to kiss.
He smiles, probably matching mine. “I know. That’s why I’m claiming you tonight.” He knows.
I really like his cocky confidence. “Who is on Asa?”
I shrug and keep my scan going so I don’t get fired. “I don’t mind being replaced with another Lead but I’m not leaving Asa with no Protector coverage.”
“I have the new Protectors from the cruise. Moss and Edwards are on him until he’s on the ABSZ. They’re with Tats and his team.” Falcon has me turning.
“They’re not here.” I point out.
He smiles. “They’re helping load for cleanup.”
I nod. “I’m here until they show, Pres.” I give respect with my sass.
Falcon gives me a look. “I’m here.”
I nod. “With a baby in your arms and an ol’ lady with her hands full. If nothing else, I can take the kid while you pull your gun for the next try on Alder or any Bit they can grab.” I don’t say this loud enough for more than Hud and Solei to hear.
The Champion Security Brother tries to hide his laugh…badly. We all turn toward him and he pivots a nice about face. I bet Falcon gave him one of his dirty looks.