Page 105 of Ranger's Rise

I get rogers and watch. Driver is keeping them from joining the plane. He’s so fucking good with the guns.

Falcon: “Phoenix Ops, you have an offer for Control support.”

I smile. “Thanks, Brothers, but Pres knows battles. He’s been trained in everything and would make a great Ranger. I’d want him covering me, he doesn’t know how to be anything but Badass.”

Cort throws me chin.Falcon laughs saying it’s true.

Dakota: “Christian tells me you are correct, Ranger. I would like to thank him in advance, the jets are fuckin’ expensive, Brothers. We are making our descent and will be within reach of the plane tagged on your boards.” He’s got everyone smiling, but they’re focused

“Fuel, Dakota?”

Dakota: “I do not believe it matters, Brother, as Christian says we are home tonight.”

I swing my head. “Good to know and I hope that’s a safe journey as well.”

He laughs. “Brinks.”

Brinks: “Got it, Boss. Sentinel, earn that name. Missile is my preference. Permission to engage. Make it quick, Brothers.”

“Bullseye, get with Atlas and drive that plane over.”

Driver: “Roger, Phoenix.”

Anton: “Boss!”

I look at the screen. Amal calls for Cort. “Cort, I’ll have Atlas there in four. Anton, get Atlas the new coordinates. Bullseye drive the plane to the Sentinel and Storm.”

Anton: “Roger, Boss.” He’s looking nervous. Cort has two loaded choppers and trained Flight Crews. He’s got the two threat choppers that show no missiles on board. Diablo and Admiral move. I hear Cort tell them to hit them on the other side of the mountain when they’re in range. Good. He’s not fucking playing today.

“Atlas, take the new cover position on your board. Permission to engage. Keep that jet covered.”

Stoker: “Roger, Phoenix.” He calls the order to Canton.

Bullseye hits the plane’s wing and gets him turning. Thank fuck. When he’s in the triangle marked, I’m waiting on Brinks.

“Brinks?”He gives me a confused look. “I need the choppers covering the fucking jet. Shoot it down or Bullseye will.”

Brinks: “Roger, Boss. He’s hit, I was waiting for him to fall. Lightfoot says they make it home.”

“Give the fucking order so they have coverage to make ithere,” I growl at him. He tells Storm to fire.

“Bullseye, move to cover. Anton, get him coordinates.” They roger. “Bullseye, Atlas is standing alone while Diablo and Admiral are engaged elsewhere. Cover your Brothers while they cover the jet. Anton, get Akai the coordinates. Brinks, you’re on out and possible transport.”

Cort: “There is no fucking way they’re transport. Our new Club President is on that jet. I got it. Diablo, stop fucking around, run at him and fire.”

I smile, swinging my head. “Brinks, you’re on out. Atlas and Bullseye, move out of turbulence. Atlas, north, Bullseye, south.”

I get rogers and watch. I love my job. There’s something about coordinating the battle thatIwouldn’t mind being engaged in that works for me.

“Brinks, back it up. He’s got two choppers there now.”

Brinks: “Roger, Boss.”

He moves his choppers back a half-mile. I roll my eyes.

Cort tells his choppers to hold back a mile then leans over smiling at Brinks.

I slap his shoulder and pull him back. Dakota talks to the tower, but now that we’re not engaged, we listen. I bend to Anton. “Keep surveillance focused so they’re not surprised when they take off. Can you follow out of our airspace?”