Page 75 of Vapor
Drones are flying so I assume it’s a podcast thing Ben does until Cort says to shut the feed down.
We’re all still standing in formation surrounded by Officers and the highest Officers in front of us. Raven stands at the bottom of the ramp by Bishop and Marli, her dog and Honos.
Kaleb pulls ribbon from his pocket. “The SOAR Club, former Night Stalkers and that other thing.” Chuckles are heard but my eyes stay forward. This feels different, formal. “This is a Club that does not surrender. They live in secret and honor that oath right into death. Some are from the classified teamafter Night Stalker and some survivors of the highest ranked Night Stalker team. I have been tasked with presenting all current SOAR Club members the Soldiers medal. The forty-seven former Night Stalkers an array of awards ranging from the Distinguished Flying Cross with combat devices, Bronze Stars with combat devices, special Operations Air medals with valor devices, sixteen Commendation Medals and five Medals of Honor and two Joint Meritorious Unit Awards.”
I turn toward Vapor. “President, Vapor Ross, you deserve every bit of it,” I say low.
“Colonel Virginia Ross.” Kaleb jumps off the trailer. “It is my honor to present every medal I told of to you. Would you allow me?”
“Yes, Sir, thank you, Sir.”
I smile. Cort stands in front of Jones and Ben in front of Logan. The voice reading names and medals is Aylen but I don’t see her. I freeze when Kaleb presents me with medals. One for non-combat and the other for Special Operations with valor. I’m stunned and don’t even try to speak. I throw him chin. He moves on while the names are read. I have two new medals but the one for the kids needs to be displayed so we never forget.
Mase hugs me. “Stop, Brother. We’re at attention.”
He laughs at me.
“Hurry the fuck up, I’m on presents.”
~*~*~
The SOAR members are still riding high. I sit at the poolthat showed up and watch the proud smiles, nods and slaps on the backs. They deserve this. Vapor said they didn’t get much more than patches for the last five years. Their Major General told her it would be when their missions are old news that they’d receive the recognition they deserve. Kaleb told Cort that the awards we got were from classified Ops so bringing attention can’t happen openly. Giving the non-combat awards to the Club gave a way to present the classified with the recognition they deserve. Everyone else gets theirs before they are discharged or right after.
I got mine before I was discharged and never expected more. The kid Op here at home, that means more than the rest. It feels good to be working for the people.
“Why are you over here?” The deep voice has me turning.
“Bishop. I was thinking the kid Op is my most valued award.”
He nods. “Your Club accepts you?” He worries too much for such a big guy.
“Yeah. They’re riding high. I’m happy for them, I was recognized at discharge but they never were. This is their moment and I love watching them take it. They all took the ride testing out their new bikes. Cort is crazy, the bikes, gear, cards were a bit much. Raid sent coffee makers, starter house supply kits with little hot plates to everyone in a house. Bunkhouses are now for the trainees.”
He nods once. “They deserve it and so do you. You’re a good Brother, Julius.” His eyes shift. “That wolf is like the other K9s.”
I nod and smile seeing the ground team Brothers dump water over Jones. The Brother just laughs.
“Bet he’s happy he changed.”
I laugh. “Yeah. They wouldn’t have dumped it if they were still in uniform. Where’s Marli?”
“With the women. Vapor okay with this?”
I look at his eyes. “We still didn’t know what this is. I was claiming her this weekend. They planned a wedding but no one asked us anything.”
He shakes his head. “Just go with it. She’s okay with the paper?”
I nod. “She didn’t care either way.”
He laughs. “She’s like you with less questions I bet.”
“She is.”
He points. “This is new.”
I stand fast. “That’s the Vice Admiral.”
“Cort calls him Vadm. What’s he in charge of?”
