Page 20 of Citiali: Teach
Justice laughs. “You got the Babbel?”
“Yeah, I didn’t have much to do when Putam left. IT work stopped when Hemy closed the reservation.”
His hand takes my forearm. “That is changing, Liberty will get the same as everyone else does. Training ability without the ability Brothers from Liberty stopped them from seeing the gifts you all have. Aaron already fixed that. I’ll get Enoli on the IT.”
“Atohi told me about the training and he asked Aaron about IT. A tech from Princes is going to send work.” I don’t know Josiah but Atohi was excited about aerial work because of the force-fields.
He smiles. “Atohi is comfortable in his place beside Andrew.”
I smile right back. “He is. Christian brought Andrew the ability chart and showed him Liberty Brothers. The reservation closed and we all got more but Andrew didn't work with us so he never saw it. Atohi said he ran FBI for a while until they had new Controls. His mind was set by the time he got back to running ability Protectors.” I give him so he calms.
“He’s right but Andrew should have asked. He needs an ability Brother beside him that can tell him to slow down. With Liberty working, they won’t be losing the Brothers we saw. They’re back to a clear path.” Mucimi has all eyes on him.
“Hemy isn’t losing his trainers, is he?” I ask while he’s giving what he sees.
“No. Aaron has maintenance training with Hemy now. They’re working together again.”
Atohi didn’t tell me that. I throw him chin.
“So, the paint shows when ancestors are close and your eyes show when you’re pissed?” Mase has me shaking my head.
“I’m not sure about the paint, it’s new for me, but when I push the ancestors’ energy it shows. My back felt like it was in perpetual motion the whole time but when I push, it feels like more, or faster. It’s always been for my eyes to show anger.”
“Are you drained?” Harley asks.
“He’s tired but not drained. It was more energy than White Wave pushed and he was working while doing it. I’d ask Zeke but he’s working at the reservation with Aiyana to heal. She said they have them all together so she doesn’t have to travel around the country.”
We all smile or laugh at that. Aiyana is smart and everyone thinks she’s a handful but I haven’t seen that. For Brothers, if we decide what we want and do it, we’re seen as determined and focused. Women get eye rolls and seen as stubborn or a handful. Ginny was a good teacher for us at Liberty. We all saw her focus and determination get her the position she wanted.
‘It will be said and written that you, Citiali, are now among one of my favorites.’ I laugh with Justice and Mucimi. Mase shakes his head. I shrug.
“I am honored to hold that position and will work to keep it, our Warrior Princess.”
Mase tells everyone what she said, getting a laugh.
I don’t ask why the other readers didn’t hear it.
The boards light up with Prez, Cort and Hemy on one and the other plane’s Ops room on the second. We all throw chin.
Prez smiles with a shake of his head. “Brothers, you’ll be stopping in Virginia to separate and board planes for home. The rescued that opted for your areas will be on that flight. Choppers are arranged for your Clubs when you set down so you’re not delayed. This Op ran faster and smoother than I expected. You were right, Justice, the collective power didn’t need the teams both Cort and I suggested. Less dogs, when it was Zeus and Prometheus, ran as if they were double the number. All in all, Great fuckin’ job, Brothers.”
MB makes me smile with his ‘hooyah’ amidst the Indian war cry and barks from the other plane.
Cort shakes his head. “I don’t know how you did it, but I’m proud you did, Brothers. What you can do, how you know just when to use your abilities, is impressive to watch. We don’t say much because we’re always amazed. I’m honored and proud, Brothers.” His eyes shift to the side then come right back to us. “Mase, you won the bet. Because it was all Clubs, it’s close to a hundred grand. The Brothers betting didn’t even know what the Op was but put money into the pool.”
Mase laughs. “Give it to the people we just rescued. Pocket money will help get them started.”
Hemy shakes his head. “I got clothes, LB has cars and Cort took IT to help them find family, papers or whatever they need. Citiali, the Liberty Brothers watched the Op, they’re proud the ancestors showed on you. We knew it for years but showing it had them all feeling good about the new training with the maintenance classes. You all did good but they felt that one, Brothers. Proud you’re ours.”
Justice pats my arm. “We all are, Hemy. We’re honored to be appreciated and recognized but it was one of the easier Ops. We needed every Brother we had and used our abilities seamlessly from the pilots to the Enforcers. Mucimi and Zeke with the IT had me worried but they did it without being seen…”
Prez cuts in. “Zeke suspended time with Mucimi on this Op. Dakota says there are no stories about any abilities he saw today.”
Justice makes us all smile. “We’re fuckin’ Badass, Prez. We learned it from you and started writing our own stories.”
Prez, Cort and Hemy laugh, then the board goes black. The other board is still up.
“Good job, Brothers. Are there any questions?” Justice is a good President.
