Page 23 of Vapor
Being the commander of this new club, I roll my hand showing the patience of a ten-year-old. “Does Alder have flight gear?”
He nods. “He’s a pilot and they built a chopper he flies from Club to Club around Phoenix. He doesn’t fly it more than a hundred or so miles and has to stay low because of the wind in the high desert.”
I shake my head. “He does everything.”
“If you need a fix for something, ask him on the trip. He’s a doctor, architect, lawyer for everything by now, surgeon, scientist, knows water, solar, all kinds of energy and DNA something. He doesn’t understand social… no, it’s sociology. They lived in the lab and didn’t interact with each other so he has trouble with social situations that he hasn’t studied to learn appropriate reactions.”
I don’t know if I should cry for what they went through or be relieved I might know something the boy doesn’t. He’s not even a boy. I shake my head and focus. “He has flight gear, he’s a ninja and can shoot, so he doesn’t need Security.” I really don’t want someone chattering the entire way. Alder seems more like me than Sarah with her excited chatter over a word or phrase that sparks her mood or causes it.
I turn for the new jet.
“Wait. The Alpha-Bits always have Security. If he’s not with you, he’ll have a Protector with him. It would be planned. It’s just the way it is. You’ll have Security too, it may be on your crew or Badass sent, but you don’t go anywhere alone.”
What the hell? “When did that get decided?”
“When you took the Club. All Presidents are covered.”
Shit. “I did read that. I’m just a commander.”
He laughs at me and turns around walking away. “Keep saying that, Boss. The delivery needs work because evenyoudon’t believe it. Safe trip. I’ll be in Ops. Chat me questions.”
The bastard.
Chapter Three
Three days
SOAR
Julius
The new team is not like the Law Club because they don’t know anyone but me. The Law Club had Badass brought up Brothers and military that were in the Clubs for a while. I was the new guy that was clueless…some even called me clueless. They asked questions when I sat in Ops. I just wanted to hear Vapor, but she doesn’t talk much. Alder asked her questions here and there about what she can fly, the training she took, the people she knows. Then he told her about Adroit Force
Marli and Bishop came to visit while delivering Badass duffle bags and stuffed animals for kids to pack with new clothes they’ll get before moving on to a Club.
Andy and Cyrus brought racks and bins for the new Lego-like building that went up in a day. It’s got electric, air and heat, but no water. The storage area is huge and Asa showed with a truck that filled almost a quarter of it with kid stuff the Alpha-Bits sell through Badass Innovations. The glow rocks and wind collectors caused a stir with the SOAR members and kids moving today. They have the whole compound and every bunkhouse walkway marked in different glowing colors. The bigger light up walkways have nothing marking them. The kids like it as a surprise for new kids taking steps on them to see it litup. They said it would be their first smile on the Badass journey.
Wind collectors range in every pinwheel-like shape that’s either colorful or fantastical metal illusions that keeps you watching.
“Julius!”
I turn with a smile in place. “Hey, Mase. You’re early.”
He nods. “The truck is right behind me. I’m on the list to help set up for unload. If Mucimi shows, we can have it done in minutes.”
I nod not asking. “I think I have enough time to get the shelves in place. The team got them together earlier.”
He walks with me to the big storage building. “It looks good. I like the blue and white. The farmhouse is white and barn red and white.”
I like it too. “Yeah, the compounds for support staff, trainees and kids are the same theme.”
“Kids separate?” It doesn’t sound like a question.
“Yeah. They have the big dorm-like building with kitchen and living room on one side like the training Clubs.”
“Club in a Club are all like that. I should have known. Honor is the only one that’s different. We have two Clubs in two states and the air base with Ops right off our runway.”
Whoa, two Clubs under one name, I heard of the two states. “You’re right near a forest too, right?” I’ve seen so many Clubs I can’t keep them straight.
