Page 73 of Vapor
I don’t know and raise my shoulders.
Aylen smiles. “That’s good. We don’t have much normal but they can find their happy here.”
Two choppers land closer to the tent city right out in the field. “Who is that?”
“Baxter’s with Aiyana. It must be Kaleb and Jared. I’d feel Mitch close.”
I turn toward the magic radar President. “I’m not asking. That should be classified.
She laughs.
Julius saves me with a low whisper. “Virginia Ross, you need to be in your full-dress uniform.”
I turn to see if this is real or a fantasy game he’s trying for.
Mitena barks a laugh out getting everyone’s eyes on her. The sheepish look has me smiling. “Too many freaks close. He’s not kidding.”
I stand taking my drink with me. No one asks questions or thinks much of us just leaving. I love this place. “Why am I in uniform?”
“Ben didn’t say. He just said you’d be more comfortable in your uniform. The SOAR Club is all showing in dress.”
He must be saying it in a JAG way. I don’t know so I don’t correct him, I just nod.
Classified for so long kept us in that secluded world. I smile at my ignorant Polish ass. Archie is gonna sit on my shoulder for a while, I guess.
~*~*~
Julius
The uniform makes us all stand taller, more focused, alert and ready for anything like Badass will be invaded by aliens dropping from the sky any second now.
A slap to my back has me jumping. “Maybe not aliens but you do take an impressive picture.”
Mase hands me a picture of the SOAR Officers walking in formation through the gate of the compound. We’re all smiling because Jones had just reached over to push Vapor to the side but she sidestepped him. He ended up a step later into the gate post. They’re like little kids. “This is perfect. Thanks, Mase.”
I pass the picture down and turn to hug him but stop. “You’re on fire and have friends.”
He smiles and hugs my ramrod stiff body. “Relax, the fire won’t burn you.”
I realize I’m not ablaze and relax. My uniform isn’t getting incinerated so my Vapor Ross isn’t going to be pissed I messed up the timeline for whatever the reason we’re all dressed up.
The laugh behind Mase has him stepping back. “Kaleb and Jarrod Baxter. Beside them is Hemy Thunderhawk.”
I freeze.
Senator Kaleb Baxter with his spiked blond hair and picture-perfect smile is watching me. “Oversight committee?”
I nod. “Closed session.” I hope he remembers that it was highly classified.
He nods without the smile. “I do. My memory isn’t photographic like Jarrod but it’s close.”
I nod breathing easier. “Jarrod Baxter, married to Aiyana the Mohegan that bridged tribes.”
The darker twin rolls his eyes. “I’d love to be remembered for the laydar jammers, simulator test glasses, balistars or maybe the spokeless wheels and natural power collectors in wind, solar and water but Aiyana is the main attraction to my life too.”
I laugh shaking his hand. “I’m Julius the Lawyer.”
Kaleb shakes his head. “IAS AG Colonel. The youngest and probably smartest in CENTCOM.”
