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. Hislaptop 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 toldme 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.”
