Page 14 of Vapor
His seriousness stops me cold. “You left Jones to make sure I wasn’t another angry at the world dipshit?”
His head turns toward the window. “The next kids you get are sold. They aren’t just deported.”
I nod having thought it from the intel we got. Some of the adults were paid for so the kids wouldn’t have parents or a home to go to, making them a commodity. It’s the reason I want them safe to live.
He turns his head to see me. “You knew.”
“Yeah. I’ve done more black op missions than I can remember.” I pause looking at my hands on the wheel. “No, that’s a lie, I remember them all, I don't want to. The thing is, if Idon’t remember, I won’t care that kids are out there. I won’t care that servicemen died or left pieces in other countries.” I swallow feeling my eyes burn. “I won’t care if my team or yours needs help that I can offer. I have to remember because our world is changing and too many are forgetting to care. We need those kids growing up learning how to take care of each other, then us, because we’re going to be too old to do it anymore.” I try for levity as a tear drips out of my eye. The reason we enlist hits me all over again.
He moves so fast, I yelp. I never yelp. With a hard kiss to my head and a low, “Thanks,” he’s gone.
The noise I make isn’t a laugh but it could have been. I breathe deep, wipe my face and slide out of the truck. The freakiest of freaks, according to Nash, really is freaky.
The Prospect holds an ID card out to me with a smile. “I saw you’re on the meet today, Commander. I have the Crew Lead, I mean Chief’s here too.” He looks toward the door.
“He got hung up at the barn. He should make it.” I turn in time to see the laughter coming from Cort’s second, Justice and an obvious Indian I haven’t met. Justice is a reader so I give him a look for reading me. He ignores it with a smile.
“Putam Blackhawk. I’m from Rescue and have the plans for the kid bunkhouses at your place outside of Champion.”
I nod and follow the stairs up to the meeting room with them. I wonder if they realize or can read that I’m a marshmallow inside. “I’m Vapor from Night Stalkers.”
They both laugh again. “Every Brother here is a marshmallow inside. We’re like you and show it by fixing shit,” Putam explains.
More freaky. “Stop that. Military has me trained to keep the mush hidden.”
Justice shakes his head. “They’re idiots. We learned compassion from young. Caring isn’t a weakness and bullying isn’t strength. I heard of a sniper on a base in a Carolina that was held back because she cared too much. Why would you want bullets flying from people that don’t care?”
Putam makes an equally valid point. “Whowould want bullets flying from people that don’t care? I hope every shot a Brother takes is considered, warranted and deserved.”
I smile at that. “Julius said more shots are laser than bullets now.” I liked that it mattered to him.
Justice nods. “He’s right. The Alpha-Bits followed Ops for the last year and made an app so they’d have up to the minute numbers. Phoenix has the counter up in their Ops room and it shows on a board at every Club for Church.”
“Aaron showed me on his phone but I didn’t understand. He said bullets and laser.” I need to pay better attention to the information he shows me.
They smile my way and Putam leans to open the door for me. “Unless you’re late, we walk in.”
“Thanks. I’m on the Badass crash course but don’t think I’m anywhere close to the end of it.”
Justice laughs. “You’re never going to finish. We’re all still learning, otherwise we’d have moved on by now, or the Clubs would stagnate and render themselves obsolete”
A tall man and gruff guy laugh and agree throwing chin.
Justice points, “Presidents Spano, Nova, and VP Keylan. That’s Chenoa and Mase is the one on fire over there,” he helps me out by pointing with names.
“He’s always on fire.”
I turn knowing that voice. “Captain Decker, it’s been a while.” He still looks too young.
“I heard your team went down. I was shocked when Pres said Anton ran you down up here.”
“He did.”
He waits then finally asks. “You went black?”
I nod, not wanting to elaborate. “The four that survived.” I give him enough to know I can’t give details.
He winces. “Glad you made it. Sarah?” He had a thing with her buddy.
