Page 103 of Ranger's Rise

Chapter Eleven

Two weeks

Ranger

I run to Ops and almost trip over Anton running the hall. “Boss! Little Dude here.”

I laugh slowing down, then take him from under his arm and swing him on my back. “You’ve been hanging with Phoenix Two’s Flight Crew, Brother. Phoenix One is going to get jealous.”

He laughs holding on as I run up the steps. I thumb us in and tell Web to log Anton. He smiles as we go by. “Roger, Boss.”

I bend and Anton jumps off. “Thanks, Boss.”

He sits and types while I turn to Cort. He swings his head and I shrug. “I almost ran him down. He was safer on my back.”

“Badass is making a distress call. Dakota is the pilot. He says they have some time, but will need our air support.”

“Fuck. Anton, get me on with Dakota in the Badass jet.”

Anton: “Roger, Boss.”

I scroll and call Kroger up for Ops. “I want Flight Crews standing readied for One through Four, Anton.” The look back is new.

Anton: “Roger, Boss. Flight Crews, Bullseye, Atlas, Diablo and Admiral called to ready.”

His slow words have me smiling. “All right. I’ll use the names. Get me on with Dakota.

Anton: “On, Boss. Phoenix Aerial, Ranger on with Badass, Dakota.”

I hear a laugh.

Dakota: “Dakota Lightfoot on with Phoenix, Ranger. It is good to hear Little Brothers, Phoenix. I have a need of help in less than one hour. My flight plan has been sent. Cover and assault will be necessary before I can land.”

I read the boards, he’s got a plane and chopper following. “Roger, Lightfoot. I’ll have you covered.”

Dakota: “Christian said you would and he would know, but hearing it from you has me greatly relieved, Brother.” I look at the Flight Crews. They’re by the choppers.

“Anton, get Sentinel and Storm up and readied.”

Anton: “Roger, Boss.”

“Boss, I need Brinks.”

Cort: “For ground?”

I look to see if he’s kidding. “No, this is in the air. A plane and chopper are following the jet’s flight plan. For them to lower and land, we need to clear airspace. He says they’ll need cover too, so we’ll do that from the air. I need you on two choppers. We’ll have two for cover, two assault and two coming from behind pushing them where we can carry out an assault.”

Cort: “Roger, Boss,” he says with a smile. “Web, get Brinks up. We need Akai and Amal.”

Web: “Roger, Pres.”

“Anton, get me on with all Crew Leads and Pilots.”

Anton: “Roger, Boss. On.”

“Aerial Ops, Ranger on. All BADASS choppers will lift-off, final destination the Airfield to our north.” I look at the screen. “Flight plans are on your boards. These are based on the current flight plan for the jet we’re assisting. Lift-off in four minutes. Bullseye, Atlas, your Control is Ranger. Diablo, Admiral, your Control is Pres. Sentinel and Storm, your Control is Brinks. Two cover, two assault and two drivers. We have a jet coming with precious cargo. Air threats are tracking their flight plan. We will fix that, Brothers, man your choppers.”

A Hooyah comes back making Anton laugh.Kroger sits. “All BADASS will be up.”