Page 66 of Ranger's Rise
Chapter Six
One week six days
Ranger
Alder and Amal wanted to ride with Daniel today, so we are. The new compound roads are not much to look at when you’ve been on them for an hour. We make another round of the neighborhood and I have them turn onto the Club grounds just so I can see something different. Amal tells Daniel his house is here making me smile. He talks more than the rest and it’s not as slow now. He likes talking, I guess.
They stop in the driveway so I do. I haven’t seen it since the wall went up. They’re almost done. Alder gets us all hard hats and tells the contractor, “As are here.”
I laugh and follow him inside. Holy hell. There’s a hot air balloon in the middle of a huge skylight. The balloon has to be six foot high. Smaller balloons are hanging randomly around the room. Couches are set in a big square with chairs turned toward each one. It’s like a homey hotel lobby. “This is fucking huge.”
“Watch, Boss.” Amal hits a switch and the balloons light up. They’re lights for the seating areas.
“Very cool, Brother.”
“Yeah, cool.”
I’ve never heard that before and laugh. “It is, Alder.”
We follow into a room that puts the Ops Center to shame. Amal hits the boards on and I see every Club, the Flight Ops station and the town’s here. They even have the new Club up, but it’s only outside feeds right now.
“Impressive, Brothers.”
Amal nods. “Ms and Js here, Boss.”
“Yes. There will be more, but for now, Ms and Js.”
“More?” Daniel looks ready to cry.
“Is good, Daniel. More here is safe for them and us. Brothers help, you help. As and Web help more now.”
“That’s right, Amal. The Brothers couldn’t do this if the As and Web weren’t here. With their help, we can help more kids and keep them safe. Here they can be happy and have everything they need because Web and the As will make sure of it.”
“Were you sick when Web brought you here?”
Shit. “Yeah. Web helped. Then Crow and Cort. Brothers help. Now we help. Web’s boys know how.” Alder says in his stilted way.
Daniel nods. “So the Rs will get better too and Jacques?”
Amal is smiling with his head nodding fast. “Yeah, Daniel. Like us. Rs are small boys, but seven.”He looks at me. “Jacques chair, Boss.”
“Jacques will need the chair for a while, but he’s getting better and talking. He’s happy working and even helping with the Rs.”
Alder laughs. “Diapers, pew.” He waves his hand under his nose making us laugh.“Time, Boss.”
I check the time. “We need to get you back, Daniel. Your mom will be worried if she doesn’t hear the bikes and we’re late.”
He moves fast to the door making Amal laugh. Daniel looks back. “I told her I’d go to the market. I can’t break a promise and shewillworry if I’m late. It’s not nice to make her worry. I can see the rest of your house another day, Amal and Alder.”
“Good, Brother.” Alder means Daniel, but I think he is too. The As are good with kids.
We get back and Lorelei offers to take the As shopping with them. I call Web, then a Security Team for As.
Strickland rides up. I’m glad he’s here. The As like him and he’s good. “Get them back to the office after shopping, they rode here. This is their first time out with Security.”
He nods. “Roger, Boss. Beacon did a class for the As. We’re ready.”
I smile. They would be. I do a time check. Shit. Texting Freedom I ask,where are you?
