Page 129 of Ranger's Rise

Cort: “What do we have, Vick?” He listens, but not for long. “Amal told me all that, what the fuck is going on that I don’t have?”Amal points to his feed. “Anton, get me this on my tablet. I can’t see when it’s so small.”

Anton: “Roger, Boss. New flight plan and coordinates on the board. Tablet boards up.”

I’m waiting for Controls order. “Why isn’t Aerial giving the new coordinates?”

Shultz: “Sorry, Boss, I’m watching the board, but it’s not coming from here and it’s rolling fast. This is us covering?”

Fuck. “Jester, assume Lead for trainees. Shultz, I’m taking Bullseye’s Control, do not leave your position.”I get rogers and watch over Anton’s shoulder. “Driver, follow flight plan to new coordinates on your board.”

Driver: “Roger, Boss. Control switched to Ranger on board and new flight plan and coordinates logged. We’re two out.” He tells Jester the order.

Amal: “In C, Boss.”

VP: “Fuck. I didn’t even get lunch.” He has Anton laughing.

Cort: “Vick, get the Enforcers to follow along on the road. These dickasses will have them all jumping the fucking arroyos. Ranger, get us lower and guns pointed at them. Amal, let the Sheriff know we have this and will bring them in.”

VP: “Oh fuck. This always happens. I should know better.”

“Roger, Boss. Driver, lower and follow fifty from the side of the car. Gunners in position, trainees advised by Flight Crew. Permission to engage with a threat.” He gives Jester what I just said and warns of the draw and sand.

I put the engineer trainee’s hand on the laptop. “You hold the computer, so his fingers are always touching it. Do that without stopping or moving him. If you don’t keep it under his fingers, we may not make it home tonight. Helmets, Amal, Anton.” Everyone rogers. The trainee looks nervous when Anton stops typing to take his helmet.VP laughs, the kid looks scared.

VP: “He’s not kidding. They’re like little satellites and see everything.”

My head is swinging as Jester gets the gunners readied and brackets swung to go out as soon as the doors open. Once the gunners are clipped on, the doors open and we all feel it. Jester’s got them moving fast.

Driver: “Jester, cover our ride.”

Jester: “Roger, Driver. Gunners, if you see a gun pointed this way, you better take that shot. Flight Crew, keep us covered.” He gets his rogers and watches the car.

VP: “Windburninthe fucking chopper. Fucking great. I’ll need to explain this one now.”

I ignore him and watch the gunners mount, then point guns at the little souped-up Focus. It’s got a weird paint job. The age of Aquarius meets blue and purple fire or something. The passenger has both hands out throwing the bird.

Cort: “Stop that fucking car, Ranger. Vick, get two Enforcers to the car when it stops to hold the dicktwats and break every one of their middle fingers.”

The Crew is laughing, but trying to hide it. “Roger, Boss. Driver, follow Jester’s Lead when the car slows to cover ground. Jester, shoot the tires and hold cover until ground takes possession.”

Driver repeats everything I said and turns, smiling at me.

Driver: “Roger, Boss. Thought you wanted orders acknowledged for the log.”

Jester: “Roger, Driver.” He’s fucking smiling at me.

The bastard. “Thanks, Driver. Logging acknowledgments is important.”

Cort: “Can this chopper lift heavy shit?”

Anton: “Yeah, Boss. Heavy-load, altitude and wind speed limits.”

I bend to Anton. “Do not help this.” VP laughs.

Amal: “Three hundred for old Focus hatchback. Winch on this chopper, Boss.” I give Amal a look that he smiles at me for. They’re liking this too much.

Cort: “Ranger, get the shit to lift the car ready.”

Fucking crazy bastard. “Roger, Boss. Driver, ready for heavy-load.”