“Sophie good with the move to Alder’s second team?”
What? I look at the giant. “She’s on my team?” I’m not okay with crystal blue eyed Charlie's Angel Sophia on my team.
“No, the second team Lead for the cruise. She’s a Lead and fuckin’ good. Second would be wasting her training. She’s like Basinger from Recon.”
What the hell? Basinger was talked about but I didn’t work with her unit. I ask the easy. “We’re going on a cruise?”
They all laugh. Shit, this isn’t good.
§*§*§
Alpha Rising
Sophia
Dammit. Seeing Hud come in, I duck and turn fast, so I’m not obligated to acknowledge or talk for him. One of Stella’s Protectors stands in front of me. “I thought you went back to Honor?”
“Nah, Brother. I’m moved to Alder for the meets at the coast.”
He nods. “I heard the Club booked a cruise now, according to their Security that was in the hall with me last night. They want to see how the robots work and interact in real time. Who’s on Asa?”
I smile. “He’s in the meeting room. Clay has the four Bits until swim time.” I don’t say more but they’ve got the ship schematics and are programming the bots for the jobs they’ll be doing. They need that and the drone plan for extra security to be monitored by ABSZ IT for the Club VIP on the ship.
Stella’s other Protector squeezes in. “Hey, Brothers. Glad you’re still here, Sophie.” Peggy is comfortable here and with all the Brothers of her Club. Everyone acknowledges her or stops to talk to her about outreach or Stella’s schedule.
I throw her chin as Barber steps back. “Since you’re not alone, I’m out.”
I smile up at Barber. “Thanks, I was avoiding Hud and his creepy dead eyes.”
He nods seriously. “Silva said he looks through you but says you’re good. He called Tats about it and got a call from Teller. You’re safe and he’s weird with pretty women was the verdict from the magic readers. Mucimi loves him.”
I hadn't heard that, am surprised I’m being gossipedabout and oh, my fuckin’ God, that’s sad. The man is weird with pretty women? So average women get looked at as if they’re people? “What a hoser.” I don’t give my full opinion but let that fly.
They laugh as Stella pushes her way through. “What’s with the new guy?”
I smile while Peggy and Barber laugh but answer, “You’re pretty, therefore, don’t get normal eye contact.”
Her eyebrow goes up. “He’s a fuckin’ nut.”
“Hoser, Sophie says. I’m out.” Barber corrects her and turns on his heel walking to his partner and their girls.
His girl smiles at me, so I throw her chin for being cool with him saving me. The big brother and sister protection is why I love Badass.
Stella hits my arm. “What’s that all about?” The woman misses nothing.
“He was keeping me company until Peggy got off shift. There are a lot of nomads here tonight.” I don’t know if they’re nomads but they all have different rockers on their cuts.
She nods. “They’re not all BSC. The California Club is, but I don’t know the others either.”
Peggy points. “He was in my unit. Acted like women were a personal affront to him. He went through the same training we did. I took no concessions and out shot him getting a rash of shit from him and his buddies. He wouldn’t make BSC.” She points out a ragged looking Brother in a cut.
“He’s Marine?”
She nods. “Not a good one but, yeah, infantry, I think. I got pulled into special flight with the 160 so I wasn’t on base with him for long.”
She was on a gunship if I remember correctly. I don’t ask since she isn’t offering. Stella turns fast pulling my arm. “What did you do?”
“I was Canadian Army JTF2.” My vague acronym doesn’t work.
