Page 107 of Ranger's Rise

Anton: “Roger, Boss.”

Cort: “Web, get with Falcon. He’s got six extra. I’m glad we made the house bigger, Brother. You fucking need it. Diablo, ready for flight to home base. Anton put the flight plan on your board.”

I smile at him. He’s crazy and will have the Crews laughing, but he’s got this shit down.

~*~*~

I watch the choppers land and the Brothers stand under the portico. Everyone is excited. Shultz comes in and gets status from Kroger then steps back to me.

“You have Brutus on IT. Akai is on Lead IT, he’ll move in a few. Call if you need me. Surveillance is running high.”

“Roger, Boss. Go. I got this.”

“Thanks, Brother. I missed the fuck out of Falcon.” I bend and Anton climbs on. “Brinks, Shultz has it. Come on, Falcon will be pissed if you don’t show.”

He runs out in front of me. Anton laughs. “The Alpha-Bits trained him in messenger mode, didn’t they?”

We get to the front and Falcon is mobbed. I don’t see Juanita. A bunch of Alpha-Bits are surrounding Web and the new kids. I bend so Anton can go with his Brothers. He stops me from standing with a hand on my arm. “Thanks, Boss.”

I smile and hug him. “Thanks to you it went right. Badass is never alone, Brother. We have each other’s back.”

He smiles and nods his head so fast I pull him in and hug him again. When I stand, I see mylo’u alofa’s eyes shining. She moves me to the side of Falcon.

“Brother, I missed the fuck out of you.”

He turns smiling. Then he’s surprised and turns my head lifting the hat a little. “I’m so fucking glad you’re here. They told me the healers fixed you up. I’m glad to see it. Thanks for keeping us safe today, Brother. The President was pissed about the choppers they missed.” He hugs me and doesn’t let go for a few seconds.

“I’m glad you’re back, Brother.”

He nods stepping back. “I am too. It was bad, but I’ll tell you at the meet.”

I nod. “Where’s Juanita?”

“Staying for a while with some kids in Sweden.” He’s not happy about that, so I drop it.

“Brother, we missed you.” Brinks spins Falcon around and hugs him.Jinx steps over so I step back.

Freedom's arms go around me and I think it’s not perfect, but it’s close. Everyone made it home. I guess that’s a perfect all in itself.

Her head turns as she takes it all in. “I love the new hat. This is so good to see.” I’m glad she likes the hat. Doc gave it to me, but I don’t tell her. I know nothing about hats, but what a sombrero is and I’m not wearing the rainbow-colored one VP got me.

I look down. “Yeah. It was an adventure, but it worked and they all made it here safely.”

“You’re all amazing, getting and keeping them safe.”

I swing my head. “It’s the As and now Ms on surveillance. Without them, we wouldn’t have been able to do it. Cort, with his crazy expansion plans and Web with a capacity to love scores of people. None of it can happen without all of us. Including you. Teaching the Brothers and training the trainees is making sure Badass is upheld in other places.”

Seren surprises me laughing. “Badass is never alone. We have a class. Lecture her later but, Ranger, she knows. That’s why she’s here.”

I kiss her cheek then kiss mylo’u alofa. “Love you.”

She laughs walking away. “I know. Love you too, Ranger. Good job today.”

I’m turned and hugged by Cort. “Thank you. You could have sidelined me and I’d have stepped back, but you stood your ground and believed in me, then told them why. It felt fucking good, Brother. Oh, good job on Ops too.”

I laugh stepping back. “Thanks, Pres. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t believe in you.”

“Told you he fits. Nice hat, Brother.” Falcon starts walking.