Page 16 of Vapor (BSC #32)

My scan takes in the room. Techs I don’t really know are in here. “I have that SAP approval and a list of code words that follows my name for cases I’ve been involved in. I was IAS JAG with CENTCOM for AOR area.”

He sucks in a quick breath. “You’re the colonel?”

I nod.

“Sorry, Sir. We don’t give classified levels out. You sent reports for missions we were on. They listed you as the JAG colonel. There wasn’t another colonel in CENTCOM at the time.” He’s quick to fix this.

I’m surprised but keep it off my face. “I didn’t know who was requesting advice.

CENTCOM notoriously redacted all but the objectives, location and assets for their requests.

VP Logan is right under Pres Vapor. Badass takes some adjustment but it’s logical.

He’s cleared to know classified levels. We don’t give details or missions.

He’s a reader so he probably already knows the jobs you’ve done.

It won’t ever be repeated because he’s Badass and a high Officer.

Donovan looks nervous now. Logan throws chin to him.

“I’m not military but was taught classified is a stop for us, meaning we stop reading when we see it.

If it is needed, or a problem that I witness, I’d let Teller, Justice or Mucimi know because they’re higher on the freaky chain than me.

It’s not, so I stopped and blocked your thoughts.

Nothing you bring up shows to me right now.

When more powerful readers or vision kids show, it is hard for me to block your thoughts.

We have virtual classes on how to do that and I can get them for you. ”

Donovan puts his hand out. “The Commander said Badass is like us. I’m glad to see it for myself and appreciate it. I’m taking the classes but haven’t seen the block one. We had a seer for some of our missions. They called it a sixth sense.”

VP shows him how to do the Brothers hold. “Michael Brolin? He’s the closest thing to a military reader that I’ve seen but he thinks in French.” That’s interesting he talks with an accent but he speaks English well.

“No, but we know of him. Brolin was commander of a team. Our seer was added to the missions on and off. He wasn't ranked or we never heard a rank, but he had high clearance. He did other missions with other teams that were never brought up.” Sounds classified to me so I’m glad he stopped and looked around the room at the techs in here.

I smile and ask again. “So do we go out there?”

“You can, Colonel. I’m scheduled on.” Donovan smiles probably guessing why I changed the subject, but calling me colonel is going to be made normal if I don’t stop that.

It’s not normal. “Badass doesn’t have ranks. I’m Julius, VP and Pres are VP, Pres, or Boss.”

He nods. “I’m doing the virtual classes with Sarah and Moss. I thought I was career military but got 3 days in with Badass so far.”

VP laughs. “I helped with the FBI integrating into Badass. They were all military from Ops offices. Once I have a chance to meet with the Officers, I can set up training with the glasses for the Club.”

I look up at the choppers and wonder about the glasses.

I did them in Bravo but I’m not Ops or aerial.

Falcon sent me to Bishop before I finished that training.

VP Jack said I didn’t need it. I turn to my board to shut it off but freeze.

“What’s that?” A swarm of red dots are on the long road that leads here, then to the Champion town and Law Club.

“Where is that?” Donovan asks.

My eyes snap to VP Logan. “Coming down our western fence line. “Do we have Security?” I swipe Veritable Ops on watching Donovan’s head shake.

“Angel, this is Julius at SOAR. Tracking shows a swarm of red dots headed our way. Is this Badass visiting?” I watch VP typing so we see the road but it’s too high. I look back at my board.

Angel talks fast. “Debra, pull surveillance and tracking close to SOAR. Fuck. Cort has Preses on that chopper. I need Phoenix or Honor.”

“Angel, I have VP Logan from Princes here. He’s a Protector and does Ops in a room.

I am no help to you, so here he is.” I hand him the phone and watch the virtual room change to the road just before the gate and a different chopper.

Angel comes from Sentinel, Nash said they do Ops for the Clubs. Not BSC stuff.

Donovan turns and scans my body.

I shake my head at him. “Just the M9 but my old Pres, Bishop, got the laser on it for me.”

He nods. “You’re trained.”

“I’m not a sniper but I can hit a target.”

He laughs. “We may need it, Boss.”

Mase shows by Donovan. “Brothers, I’m your control. Angel has PD flight and PD on the way.”

My smile is for Donovan’s surprise at seeing Mase but it’s short lived as he just goes on with his commentary to whoever is listening to him.

The click gets everyone’s attention as if it demanded silence. “Command, I’m two away from the bikers. Alder said they’re not Badass. I’m loaded and can stop them before they make the bend for the farmhouse.” Vapor is crazy.

“She’s in a jet.” I point out softly.

VP Logan smiles at Mase and I realize they’re both Princes, therefore, both crazy.

Mase nods. “Roger, Commander Vapor. We haven’t seen what the jet can do in a skirmish. That thing is brand new.” He’s crazy too, Alder is in that jet.

VP turns and slaps my shoulder. “Let’s go see the jet.”

“You fuck…” Mase yells but we’re no longer in Ops.

Wind is blowing and my eyes feel broke so I close them.

VP laughs and the wind stops. “You can open them. Tell me one is yours.”

I point a shaky finger at my bike. “That’s a Club bike.” I point to the next sounding normal but I don’t feel normal. We ride to the first bend and stop.

“Be readied.” He stands in the middle of the narrow driveway road so I do.

“Don’t magic me places. That was not pleasant.”

He laughs as bikes sound louder coming up the road. “Magic you is new. I won’t magic you. I should have told you to close your eyes. I figured with all the Protectors here, you’d have been suspended by now.”

“No. I have a flight suit but didn’t wear it today. When I fly, I want to be in the suit and in control.”

He turns looking interested. “Zeke is teaching that one. I saw Luna’s Club with the suits. It’s a good security layer.”

I point him toward the road. “That sounds like a lot of bikes.”

He smiles. “You ranked in Bravo. We don’t need more than us.”

The noise behind me has me looking for Security. I smile seeing Steel drop down with three. “Steel, this is VP of SOAR, Logan Done. He’s a Prince Protector.”

Steel throws chin. “Lead for team one PD Flight from Veritable. I was told to show for support but the new President and Alder are both Leads.”

A boom has them looking up. I’m the only one who jumped and my eyes stay on the road. Bikes are just showing around the first bend and slow to an almost stop. “They definitely aren’t Badass.”

The sudden shade draws my eyes up. The jet should sound louder but looks smaller and should not be so close to me or earth. It stops fast and I imagine what that felt like in it. Poor Alder.

“I’ve never seen that one.”

I don’t know who said that but I answer, “I’ve never seen one do that.”

“Badass Club Soar at Veritable Rising give you no permission to enter Club Grounds. Leave now, I no detain you.” Alder makes me laugh talking over a speaker. I think that’s coming from the drones.

The bikers ahead notice us so my gun shows with the other Brothers. Those bikers ahead react a little too slowly. Blue light flashes from the sky like a movie of laser beams raining down to earth.

“Is that the jet or drones?” VP asks.

It’s possible for both. Alder said a whole bunch of shit when he was telling Vapor what’s on the jet. “Could be, or the satellite is over us. Alder helped build the new jet, who knows what he’s added to it.”

Steel smiles touching his ear. “Roger, Boss.” He looks at me. “There’s a steel prepper building?”

“Prepper?” VP asks.

I nod. “A bunker, preppers are big here, it’s past the brook toward the western tree line.” I point but they’re watching the jet lower in the little section of grass to our right, then we all are because it doesn’t look like it will fit and how is it lowering like a chopper?

“You think she’ll let me fly it?”

We turn as one toward Nash then back to the jet that set down in the little grassy area.

“Probably. Hey, Brother.” VP moves with flight Security.

I turn toward Nash but he’s gone too. I go to the jet.

~*~*~

SOAR Rising

Vapor

“Are you sure, Alder?” I ask because I don’t want to assume it’s okay for anyone to fly the brand-new jet.

It’s Alder’s baby so he should make the call.

The Night Rangers stepped aside for Badass Control on this invasion but it’s not Mase’s jet.

I don’t get a chance to ask how Nash got here so quick, but he is one of the freaky people that show up and disappear.

“VP Mase say VP Nash fly. He fly all test flight prototype to me. Maybe freaky reason, maybe VP Nash just help, both good to me.” So, Nash is the test pilot too.

I climb out of the seat. “Okay. I like the seats side by side.”

He smiles at me. “Behind pilot no work to me. Badass say all equal.”

I was sold on them from the first but I’ve seen that equal playing out so I’m a believer. “It wouldn’t work for me either. I love the jet and all the options you added.”

He nods and I bend. “Climb on so I can get us on solid ground.”

He grabs his bag and gets on my back. “Two-minute, Boss Angel, order shoot to they move to bunker disarm, Brothers stay safe.” Com–Ops rogers LP. Mase always calls him LP with an air of respect.

I laugh. “I’m good with the plan so whatever floats your boat. They’re going into the bunker until they learn some manners.”

“You no kill dickass?” My copilot has used the word a couple of times now, but it still causes me a smile. He looks like a seven-year-old glowing cherub with bright white skin and hair.