Page 102 of Ranger's Rise

I look at Doc. “I can go out without the cover?”

“You can. We’ll get what you need at the office. It’s only a few feet.”

“Boss!” Asa gives me sunglasses. I smile.

“They’re a little small, Asa.”

He gives an embarrassed look.VP hands him glasses and he looks up smiling. “These.”

Everyone is laughing as we walk out. “Thanks, Asa and VP.”

The boys are carried to the chopper and Cort tells me about them. He has Pace. He can’t walk yet. Pax, Peyton and I have Percy, are doing well, but will get tired easily. They were given shit like the Rs, right before they were rescued. They smiled at Asa and Allen and took their hands on the plane. This is good.

I have no problem lifting or carrying the little guy I’m holding. Fucking crazy is right. Jester is waiting outside the chopper. He takes everyone’s arm while they climb in. I hook the sunglasses to my shirt so I’m not tripping with the light changing. When he turns back for me, he smiles. “Whatever they did, it looks good, Ranger. I’m happy to see both eyes.”

I laugh getting in. “Thanks, Brother, it feels good.”

The Flight Crew is staring at me. Cort laughs. “They had healers on the plane. This is Pace, Peyton, Pax and Percy. They’re eight and nine and our new Little Brothers.”

Allen smiles. “Alpha-Bits. More Web boys for us.”

We all laugh and the Crew welcomes them to Phoenix One.

Doc gives Pax to Allen and takes Percy from me, transferring him to Asa. “I’m pulling the covers off. I imagine you must feel pretty itchy. That girl is amazing. Dakota said she didn’t need anyone to heal, but she was tired when we got back there. The younger Brother helped her. I’m glad you said you were honored. They gave you a piece of them today.”

I smile. “I am and she knew.” I look at Cort. “They’ve been with Falcon.” I stop there. He looks interested but doesn’t ask. “I thanked them for all they do.”

“Thanks, Brother. Just seeing what they’ve done for you has me honored and wanting to show appreciation, but I don’t know how.”

I smile. “I was thinking about the boys in the pool yesterday and she said,‘I amencouraged that they may all live the lives they deserve. Thank you for making that so for them. I will give progress when I return.’I think she gets something from us too. We help in the vision Jessie told me about. It’s enough for them.”

He smiles. “You have a good memory.”

What? “Yeah.” I’m tentative in the answer because I don’t follow.

“So, the vision is important. It’s like the Masons. The Indians have the vision they follow. I got it from Crow. It’s Badass all the way.” The smile he puts on makes me laugh. “I got Badass down, Brother, we got some work to do.”

“Oh fuck, not again. I am not training with Mounty. I’m not changing procedures a-fucking-gain when I don’t have this new change down yet and I’m not ever in the fucking dish!”

Doc hits my leg. I look down at it and smile. The new skin is pure white but looks perfect. Fucking crazy. I pull off my shirt. “Can you get it off my neck?”

Cort is laughing. VP leans over to see my leg. “Fuck! What’s our new fucking plan, Boss?”

Cort and the Crew laugh.