“The point is speed getting the job done and saving civilians that don’t know they’re under threat. Havoc was on the other ladder so I made it up higher than he can bite but wasn’t worried since he wasn’t climbing today.”
I smile. Havoc had the order to stay on one ladder. “Did the clock start right away for you?”
He rolls his eyes. “It’s set for when you step on the floor up there.”
I nod. “You have a location preference?”
“BSC Club, I have a wife and two girls. I don’t care where as long as my girls are educated on equal ground and wife is safe. She’s pregnant with my boy.”
“I need trainers that can run small job Ops. Their reasons were bullshit but two are good for…”
I let it hang and he smiles. “One is a sniper with impressive shots and back story. The other two are adaptable everywhere but they don’t or I haven’t seen them shine. They’re all good.”
I nod. “I see the same. We’ll have another week to find what that is. You want training here?”
“I’d love it, Boss. We lost the housing allotment. I need a home for my family.”
Shit. I ask, “Where are they now?”
“My wife’s parents in Idaho.”
“See me at the end of your day. I’ll be in my office.”
He nods and heads to the wall simulator.
The office is quiet. I send a chat to Pres with all the things he’ll ask me. I know he’s read all bios but I send it anyway. Within an hour he’s telling me to hire him and get him in a house. He did range and physical training yesterday and he was impressed. He’s a reader so he’d know. I like his honest and bigger picture view while focusing on the point being keeping people safe.
Gunnar Anderson, the new Badass trainer knocks on the open door. “VP.”
I stand and start for the door. “The job is yours. Pres said to get you in a house.”
“So, your family, I’ll have SOAR pick them up but we’d need a place to set down.”
“Sir!” He stops in the hall.
I smile shaking my head. “Just Hud, Boss or VP.”
“S—Boss, this is for real?”
I nod. “Walk with me. It’s for real. I’ll find out about the doc for here. Alder was finding one but that will be right here. There are women and kids everywhere so I know there’s a baby doc close or a chopper ride away. School is already running butit’s virtual out of the activity center right now. Only Surveillance is up and running full speed. Get me the address and day your girl is ready to move. We’ll pick them up.” We’re at the Officer housing. “This is Officer and trainers are there.” I point over a little walking park.” Taking the park, I veer to the first house because it’s three bedrooms. “This is you. If you need bigger, let me know, we can add on.”
“They’re in one bedroom now. It’s been almost five months. My wife won’t spend the money on an apartment because she’s going to need a bigger car.”
I almost laugh. “Got an SUV I’ll bring over tonight.” Ben Knight got me and Sophia one for the canyon Op. He got them for everyone but we definitely don’t need two.
He looks away and I open the door. “This is three bedrooms, two bath, basement is finished. You can move your gear here and get me that date for the move. Pres will get you details I miss. He does the move shit.”
His hand comes out and I hold his forearm.
“Thank you, Colonel. Getting my family straight was the reason I retired. You don’t…”
I shake my head and point to my foot. “No ranks here. I get living hard, Brother. It doesn’t matter what it is, hard is fuckin’ hard. I need good trainers and you need a stable home for the family. We can do that right here.” I point out the window. “The navy house on the Officer road is me. I’ll bring that SUV over later. I need to get to Honor for my ol’ lady.”
He steps back shaking his head. “I’ll get the day for you but she’s going to say now.”
I laugh. “If she does, we’ll try to make that happen.”
He shakes his head again. “Thank you, VP.”
