Page 72 of Ranger's Rise
Chapter Seven
Two days
Ranger
The Ops alert has me running. When I get in, Cort is talking to Jordan in the city. He stops and turns to me. “Get the chopper up and I’ll give you the plan while it’s in flight.”
“Roger, Boss.”Turning I smile, Anton is watching. “Ready the Flight Crew for Phoenix One, Anton. Alert the tower that we’re lifting off, destination is the city. Who is my tech for the chopper?”
Anton: “Roger, Boss. Kroger tech.” His hands fly over the keyboard. I see the men run from Training. “Flight plan, go.”
I smile at that. Itis a go,but I leave it alone and type it out for the other Aerial Lead Controls in case he’s on with them. “Kroger, watch the chopper’s control panel and let me know if there’s an alert thrown.”
Kroger: “Roger, Boss.” Kroger handles all chopper maintenance crews under Shultz so he’s well versed in control. He’s an engineer, but they do a little bit of everything.
It takes four minutes for gear to be loaded and they’re ready.
Driver: “Driver in Phoenix One. Flight Crew readied, Aerial.”
“This is Ross at Aerial Control. You're cleared for lift-off and boards are loaded with the flight plan. This is a flight to the city, you’re eighteen minutes out. I’ll have the Ops plan for Jester before you reach destination.”
Driver: “Roger, Aerial. Glad to hear you guiding our way, Lieutenant Colonel. Phoenix One lifting off.”
I smile. “Just Ross or Ranger, Driver. We hold no rank here, Brother.”
Driver: “Roger, Ranger. I’ll fix that, it came out of habit.”
“Roger, Driver.”
I look back and Cort is watching the city screens but turns toward me.
Cort: “We have what looks like a convoy headed toward the city. I have Enforcers and Security standing readied. They’re about thirty-five minutes out of the city limits. Highway Patrol, HPD, requested assistance, they shot one of theirs. They don’t have enough officers to deal with what they’re seeing and reserves are still at the border. City PD told HPD to stop them before they hit the city.”
“Fuck, that’s not encouraging or helpful. Okay, so we’re stopping a convoy before it hits the city. Anyone talk to them to find out intention?”
Cort: “No, but they sent a message to Badass. ‘Kiss em goodbye and don’t fuck with Bastards.’”
Okay, that’s pretty obvious intentions. “You want the other chopper in Colorado?”
Cort: “We’ve got every PD looking and no reports of bikes on the roads. Nothing is showing from surveillance.”
I nod. “Who’s running the Enforcers?”
Cort: “Me. Raid has Security. One Team is already behind them waiting to close the highway down. Brinks is on his way up.”
I nod. “He’s military. Can he take the Teams I’m working with?” I’m relieved when Brinks walks in because I get an odd look from Cort.
Cort: “You’re working with the Teams on the ground?”
“Yeah, Boss. We need to work together or someone isn’t coming home.”
Brinks: “I got it, Boss. How many Teams do I have?” Brinks steps up.
Cort: He looks from Brinks to me. “I’m going to step back and let you tell me, Brinks. I’ll tell you where I am and the Teams readied at the city limit.”
I turn to Anton. “ETA?”
Anton: “Twenty-two. Bikers, Boss.”
