Page 29 of Citiali: Teach
He throws chin. “Yeah. Zeke, Christian and Aiyana all say he’s on the up and up. Justice hasn’t said anything about him.” This is a problem for him.
“Ask, Brother.” We roll out the gate toward the ABSZ. “Where are we going?”
“Phoenix. After lunch, Freedom has assessments with Dyani. Aylen, Hannah, Ginny and Kateri are helping.” All Protector with ability Brothers. Why?
“Assessments for?”
“Protector. The Guardian kids may be coming to watch. They have a class to finish but think they can make it. Arndt is babysitting for Freedom tonight. I got Tyson and Alta for us.”
“Asgina. You’re a dick. You got me here for a fuckin’ party. Every damn night I’m at a party.”
“Did you talk to Dyani about claiming?”
“Yeah, but she said she’s not ready. I thought the list would show her I’m serious, but she answered as if it was a test she knew she’d ace. Women are fuckin’ nuts. I’m training back-to-back classes to get these maintenance test Protectors out then jet setting across BSC West to eat and spend time with her every night. Ari is picking up the slack with the Alpha-Bits but Dyani drops in for the Indian meets then she’s gone to whatever Club she needs to wake up in. This isn’t how it worked with the Liberty Brothers.”
He laughs at me. “It’s been two weeks. Brothers make themselves crazy when it comes to claiming. Mucimi is still haunting his girl.”
I shake my head. “He’s got reason. I don’t feel what he does but we all know it. We’ve seen it. Bringing that into a life that doesn’t feel it doesn’t mean she won’t. I’m not sure I’d rush into possibly fuckin’ her life up. Zeke and Christian aren’t pushing him. What does Aylen say?”
Little cars up ahead have us slowing. “It will happen and it’s not ours. Justice isn’t pushing him. Putam is teasing him but it’s for fun.” He sounds disgusted.
“Claiming is makingyoucrazy. It’s gotta be that Prince in you. Mucimi will jump when he’s ready. Dyani will tell me when she is and you need to jump out of the match making shit. That guy in Alpha took the job.”
He laughs. “Troy is cool. I see the Brothers and know what that wait is like.”
I laugh and slow for the cars to turn at IT. “Indians had it easier before Badass. It’s the attitude that makes us crazy. I’ve got no problem waiting for Dyani but wish she’d make that wait at the Club instead of all over Badass West. Cai and Gregor are making bread for the next Indian meet and I’m not there for them.” I can’t believe the sheer number of planes and choppers lined up as if it’s an airport car lot. I don’t think I’ve ever seen somany. I’ve run ground Ops forever. “Is this normal?”I point over to lines of aircraft.
His head turns as if he missed the rows we’ve been riding alongside of. “Yeah. He expanded a couple of years ago. With the new runway up by Veritable, he’ll add more to fill in here. Honor needs more planes so he orders them with the new choppers.”
Asgina. “I’m surprised he’s not building them.” I watch his wobble and smile.
He’s been riding since he was out of diapers so that wobble is surprise. “We build the lasers and a bunch of parts we use to make the PAVE systems better. The jammers are in PAVE now.” He pauses as if thinking. “I’ll ask Alder. We’d need a factory, robotics, experienced workers. This can’t be on ABSZ. I bet Dakota would know. He’s got parts running now.”
I don’t know PAVE other than I’ve never used it on transport flights and I only ran transport for about six months once I was legal. I’m not drawn to the seat but I’m glad I learned.
“Justice said Boeing is laying off. He’s going to ask Alder.”
I don’t ask. While I’m reminiscing, he’s talking to people about business plans to carry crazy to more. We’re just coming to the end of the jet rows. Every row has a hangar at the end on the Security Zone side. Riding fast, that row of hangars looks like one long building. It’s like a huge looming wall. The amount of tools and supplies crosses my brain and I push it out.
Cort isn’t a minimalist when it comes to his fleets. Raid told me all about it last week when I showed appreciation for the Officers compound at Phoenix. I got a full tour that didn’t look much different than the Protectors compound. It’s not bubbles but the inside is basically the same. Raid said the fleet of bikes doesn’t make sense when they live simple.
I didn’t mention it but nothing about Badass is simple.
I’m glad when we get to the warehouses and know we’re close to the Phoenix gate. This is another wall of buildingsagainst the Security Zone, a good five minutes from the last town. What Alder did here is impressive and a little shocking. They’re completely self-sufficient and armed to the teeth while living inside a force field bubble that ensures they’ll stay safe. The Little President learned his lessons well. I bet Wall never imagined this when he threw in with bikers then took it over. I know Hemy is happy but he never talks about his dad.
“Alder is talking to Banks.” Teller is still on his aero business plans.
Of course he is. I ride through the gate throwing respect to the Marines manning it. “The military here help now?”
“Not really. They have bases but work mostly their own jobs. Alder built them a plant for hybrid Jeeps. It keeps people working and sticking around after they leave. He’s been looking for something else for when they get bored with Jeeps. They added the line of Gators we use but haven’t come up with shit on their own.” He’s not impressed.
“Don’t most of them come into Badass?”
“About a quarter. We’ve only been taking apps for Ops or service to Ops. Marines have good IT techs.”
Okay then. I’d think most would apply. I’m all out of small talk and ride paying attention to the trees and little businesses along the road. Teller points out a diner he likes. It reminds me of our diner in Virginia so I make a note to stop in some time. Riding into Phoenix is like riding into DC but way cleaner and newer. The buildings are impressive but the architecture all kind of matches. The bridge is over what looks like a river but isn’t. It peters out into a small lake to the side of the Club.
“The bridge is new, it scans us as we ride over. Trucks and cars get scanned for bombs and shit.”
