Page 56 of Ranger's Rise

He looks out and laughs. “Roger, Ranger. What the hell is he doing here?”

Cort is watching, so I explain. “He ran Lead from our base before he was tapped to run east coast out of Virginia.”

“He’s Badass?”

I shrug. “I don’t know. We met up after Ops, but we’re different branches so it wasn’t often. Classified Ops ran from one base, but we ran separately.”

He nods. I can’t say more, but he doesn’t ask. There’s an Indian pacing beside Ford. “Dakota doesn’t look happy, Cort,” VP says and I’m guessing the Indian is Dakota.

“No. He doesn’t. Doc, bring your bag. Shultz and Crew wait here.”

“Roger, Boss,” Shultz answers.

I follow Cort out. Ford has his smile on. “Ross, good to see you, I wish it were under better circumstances.”He hugs me slapping my back. Dakota will explain.”

Dakota moves us away from the As. “We had four Rs. Sadly, one did not make it out of the Lab. Pres had me fly here directly. They were given something just before we went in. We were instructed to administer an IV and pump their stomachs. A medic has done both. They are weak and lethargic. I would have liked our healers to see them, but there is an issue with their safety and our location.”

Cort nods. “Doc.”

“On my way, Pres.” He runs up the stairs.

Cort looks at me. “Ranger, go with him. Do you have the medical paperwork?”

“Yes, Brother, the medic has the files,” Dakota says but I’m moving.

I climb the stairs fast and stop at the door shocked. Jessie James is holding a small boy. “Jessie, who do you have there?” He’s a Badass trainer that showed for us in Michigan with Josiah, a Lead IT Control for Aerial. I can’t believe he’s here.

“I’m not sure, Brother. He has an identical twin that we lost. Roman or Rolan. Taylor has Radimir and Mondo has Rostya.” Doc is checking out one of the boys that an FBI guy is holding.

“They’re Russian.”

“No, but they’re named that way.”

I move closer and he gives me the little guy. “They cry when you put them down.” He’s upset over that.

I nod to him and take the toddler-sized seven-year-old. “We’ll take care of them. Did you see the Js?”

He nods. “Yeah. I was on transport for them too. How is Jacques?”

I tell him about the pool and Jacques talking in French, then about his new chair. He’s smiling when Doc makes it to us. “The others will be fine. Heart, breathing and blood pressure is close to normal range. Whatever they were given was purged. We need some blood tests and the genetic doctor to look over the paperwork. It looks the same as the Ms, since they’re so young, it’s a concern.”

“Dakota said the same thing. They pumped shit in them before their bodies could handle it or something.”

Doc stops talking and listens to Roman or Rolan’s heart then lungs. When he pulls his stethoscope out of his ears he nods at Jessie. “I’ll ask Cort to get the genetic doctor in right away. He’s good about seeing the boys and said anytime we need him he’ll show.”

That relieves Jessie. “Thank fuck for that.”

Doc goes to the door. “Cort, Raid.”

They come in and he tells them what’s happening. Cort calls for the doctor while Doc is still talking. VP takes Radimir. “We need to keep the IVs in,” Doc says taking the phone from Cort.

Cort looks at Jessie. “Can you help us get them in the chopper?”

“Anything you need, Cort.” Jessie turns. “Take the poles and follow, Brothers.”

“Thanks, Brother. We have two As that will want to help but will be unsettled seeing them. Keep the fourth away from Web and the boys.”

“We got it, Cort,” Jessie says.