Page 131 of Ranger's Rise

“They’re like that all day long.” I let them know how my life is spent amazed and laughing. “Driver, ready to change position.” He tells Jester and the lines are pulled and guns pulled in. I watch the brackets move to the stored position and guns get stowed in the gearboxes. The doors close on one side, but everyone is watching the crazy Brothers. I’m glad the As are keeping track of the chopper.

VP: “Won’t they be bouncing all over the place? Jesus, the weed is so strong I may be getting high.”

Cort: “Ranger, we need you. He knows about choppers and wind shit. Pablo, close the windows so the weed stays in the car.”

I never did this crazy shit in the military. “Roger Boss.” I walk to the back and pull different sized carabiners stuffing my pockets. “Driver, you’re lowering five just before repositioning for heavy-load. Shultz, assume Lead. Jester, man the door so the chopper isn’t filling with sand.” I get acknowledged through his laugh. Cort and Raid haven’t stopped. I tune back into them.

VP: “Yeah. Maybe they’ll air out on the way. I bet this is how they ended up down here. They floated.”

I swing my head and stand on the rail. Jester closes the door and lets Driver know to reposition. Just before he rises, I jump keeping my knees bent until I hit sand. I take a quick step forward and run before I’m hit with the funnel of sand Bullseye kicks up.

Cort: “You didn’t have to jump, Brother, but that was fucking Badass. How do we keep them on the car?”

I explain the wind, shear and speed so they get it, then pull carabiners. “We need cuffs. They’ll have to be secured or we’re breaking every limb that’s loose.”

The two dumbasses start crying. I’d be scared too, Cort is crazy. Cort and Raid nod and search their pockets for cuffs. Pablo has some and helps the two crazy bastards. I help the Crew secure the car.

Once the car is ready, my head is swinging again. Cort has one that looks like he’s climbing the side of the car. One leg is bent in front of him and the other stretched toward the tire with a line of wire ties. He hooks his hand to the cable ring in the center of the roof and steps back.

Cort: “Check him, Ranger. I’ve got his other arm hooked to the harness.”

“Roger, Boss.” I pull on his arms, then legs. His body is hooked to the strap so he’s not moving. I’m surprised he can breathe. “He’s secure.” I follow Cort to the back smiling. They’re so good at this shit.

VP has this one hooked to the strap and center ring. His legs are both bent and ass is pointing out. He already looks like he’s barely hanging on. In the air that will be impressive.

Cort: “Is he secure?”

Raid pulls his hair and the dick yells but doesn’t move anything but his head. His body, legs and arms get pulled but don’t move either.

VP: “He’s secure.”

Pablo: “I love working with you two.”

Cort: “You get to make decisions. You’re a Lead. Be reasonable and don’t bring the Sheriff too much blood. He’s a good guy, but hospital security means he’s paying out and it’s not for work he needs.”

Pablo smiles, Raid groans. I know more is coming so I get the Crew moving. “Shultz, I’ll get it hooked up.” He rogers right back. He’s laughing. Looking at the gunners, “Hook it to the chopper. Driver, lower for heavy-load. Ready for a climb.” He rogers and calls it to Jester.

VP: “Great, we need a bunch of lunatics trying to outdo you running around.” VP never disappoints.

Cort smiles as he turns toward me.

Cort: “Only Leads make the call. How do we get back on the chopper?”

Jester calls for the ladder to be dropped. “We climb.”

They all look up and the door opens. When the ladder falls Cort laughs.

VP: “Jesus, the shit I do for you.”

Cort: “You’ll get me pretzels?” They go back and forth as Driver lowers for us, then the whole climb back to the chopper.

When I climb in, I finally get to ask, “Where are we going with the magic car?”

Cort: “The Sheriff.” He doesn’t look happy with my head swinging.

Amal: “The arroyo, Boss. Pass highway, arroyo then Main two blocks.”

I give him a look. “Thanks, Amal. Anton, can the chopper make the roads without stress to civilians?”