Page 73 of Ranger's Rise

“Twenty-twotothe bikers?”

He nods looking nervous. “You’re okay, Anton. I need to make sure I understand what you’re saying. Brothers expect us to get this right so they make it home. You can put answers on the board or I’ll ask if I’m not sure. He’s looking at me, but still typing.

Anton: “Roger, Boss. On the board too.”

I look then laugh. “Good job, I won’t miss anything like that.” He has a chat box for us on the side of my screen.I get a smile and turn back hoping they’re done so I can get a plan to my Flight Crew. Cort is pointing out trucks mixed in with the bikes.

Brinks: Turning, he smiles. “Piece of cake. One box truck, the size of an ambulance. Two pickups loaded and forty-one bikes. Cort will take the threat that’s closer to the city. I’m guessing they are recon. Once they’re down, those Enforcers can join our three Teams. Six to each Team that we have. Security is set at the city limits to pick off anyone we miss.”

Three teams, eighteen Enforcers. Forty-one bikes. “On visual we need the highway closed. Keep the teams moving and use one watching for anyone aiming at the chopper. We’ll take out the trucks first. Do you want Driver or the gunners on the bikes?”

Brinks: “With you taking out trucks, anything behind will be getting readied. Mow them from the last truck back and I’ll have you covered from the front.”

I nod. “This is minutes, Brother. Eighteen Enforcers, gunners and the pilot isn’t going to last long.”

Brinks: He nods. “It’s the first Op with a chopper. They need to see how it works. Right now, they’re set for a ground fight. The extra won’t be on for the next.”

“Roger, Brinks. Anton, I need Jester and Driver on. They stay on until the flight plan to home base is approved.”

Anton: “Roger, Boss. Jester, Driver, on with Aerial Control.” He’s slow, but he got it.

“Ranger, on Aerial.”

Driver: “Roger, Ranger. Driver reading you clear.”

Jester: “Jester reading you clear, Boss.”

“The objective is to remove the threat before it gets to the city limits. Enforcer Teams will take the lead bikes after the first truck is disabled. We have forty-one bike’s, a small box truck and two pickups. Flight Crew will take the three trucks in succession starting from the front. Pilot and gunners will remove any bikes after the last truck. Enforcers will cover the chopper.”

Jester: “Roger, Boss. Jester readying Flight Crew.”

Driver: “Roger, Boss. Pilot is readied. Boss, I’m not questioning orders, but we can clear the threat with just a cover Team.”

I take a breath and let it out slowly. “Roger, Driver. I’ll let this one go. First Aerial Op means this is new and ground Teams were readied before planning Leads were in position. Today they’ll see what Aerial Ops is capable of and plan accordingly for the next one.”

Driver: “Roger, Boss. Driver showing ETA in eleven.” He knows that was wrong and throws out shit I have on my screen.

“Roger, Driver.” I look back and Brinks is smiling. “I’ll let him have it.”

Brinks: “Your whole body froze. I hope he knows not to do it again.” He laughs.

“He knows. He was my Team’s pilot.”

Cort: “How come they use different names?”

“Call names. You’ll hear some on the ground. Mine was Alpha One Ross, but everyone used Alpha One.”

Cort: “You were a Lieutenant Colonel?”

I watch the board from the city feed. “Yeah. I was too young for Colonel, but ran a Classified Ops Team. They bumped the pay so I got the same as the other Commanders, but they couldn’t raise my rank.” I hold a finger up.

“Jester, ready the guns.”

Jester: “Roger, Boss. Driver, mounts being readied.”

Driver: “Roger, Jester. Brace for the draw.”

“Sorry. They need time to get the brackets set and gunner lines clipped. The draw on the chopper with the doors open means Driver has an adjustment to account for before he sees any action.”