“He say to you?” Asa asks.
Seth nods. “He jumped in my head; he must need something.”
Asa nods and starts walking so I follow. “Boss Mucimi work to hide kitchen help. Pres Alder say find mask.”
Seth looks back at me. It’s a whole robot-human interaction thing that will take longer than we have to explain,but he doesn’t ask, he nods, so he must have read it.
I follow the silent pair back to the lot thinking I should stay in Bravo tonight. Mucimi is a healer Protector and Seth did all that in a weird way that left me a flag. Asa must need that.
A little powwow goes on before everyone is settled. I stand back and let them do their update, or replay or whatever they’re doing in their little circle. While they’re busy, I send a chat to Donna about tonight and give her a heads-up on the gunner.
We finally get on the bikes and fly up the hill and through the Honor gate like we’re being chased. Asa learned to ride from Falcon and I can attest that he’s a nut on a bike. I just have to keep up with the little VP that learned more than my simulator, ride and shoot lessons here and defensive at Phoenix from Freedom. It was a good hike and climb but the dipshit gunner has us running behind.
Seth follows us to the air base side and checks his phone before he looks at me. “Can you stay with Asa tonight, they need coverage, a six to ten shift?”
I nod. “I made plans to stay at Bravo. I’m on Asa tomorrow.”
“Thanks, Alder has a new Lead coming on. They’re putting teams together for a big meet coming up.”
“Boss Sophie good Lead. I tell Pres Alder.” The little VP walks away.
I lift my shoulders at Seth’s look. “I guess that’s it.”
He heads to the building and I follow Asa to the pad on the side.
§*§*§
Alpha Rising
Sophia
He doesn’t talk much so it’s a silent walk at Rescue then flight where he’s typing in the air.
Alpha is a quick chopper ride and the time crunch has us jogging to the second floor where a huge dog with a robot leg is waiting.
“Pres Alder here.” Asa isn’t asking for an answer but the dog makes a noise as he runs by. Leaning over him, I open the door so Asa doesn’t have to stop and stand aside letting my little package log in. I saw Alder and another Bit at the table so I relax against the wall.
My jump bag is on the chopper but I don’t know if I’ll have time to wash and change, so I leave it for later. While Asa is in the meeting room, I stand with the K9 but remember the clothes. “Keep watch while I send a chat for clothes at Bravo.” This is one of the Protector K9s. I’ve seen them shoot a laser on Ops. They’re better than some of the military I worked with so I’m comfortable splitting my focus.
He makes the dog noise for ‘yeah’ so I pull up the Prospect app for Bravo. I order a room, a female night basket and laundry service to get my gear cleaned overnight. It’s confirmed and I stand at attention. “Thanks.”
The dog moves his prosthetic and a board pops up. He looks down the hall then moves his prosthetic so a schedule shows with my ID, then his.
“Honored, Brother. Yeah, I’m Sophia Michadeau. Everyone calls me Sophie. Nice to meet you, Zeus. I heard about you in the sandbox. Harky is the name that was linked to you. Glad he made you family” He’s a Marine Commander or theyare. I didn’t have a dog in. I was an operator that worked alone or small team with specialized missions.
He makes his ‘yeah’ noise again and drops his board when another big K9 and Brother come our way. “Brothers, Keylan Stone and Nike, VP for Rescue. Alder in this one?”
Zeus answers and steps over so the VP can open the door. The second K9 stays with us. I watch him pull up a board and pick words. Since they’re not for me, I watch the hall at attention, repaying the favor I asked of Zeus.
§*§*§
Bravo Rising
Sophie
The kids here make this Club one of my favorites. There is no way I’m having them, but I love kids. The innocence, joy, open curiosity and wonder they show is bittersweet, because I don’t remember the feelings from my own childhood. While I think it, I realize I’m finding ways to give them more of that joy and wonder.
Leya sits by me reaching for my harmonica. “You are what I call an inciter.”
