Page 23 of Vapor (BSC #32)

Two days

SOAR

Julius

Riding back from Veritable, I pass tent city where it doesn't look like they’ll be taken down today. I pull into Law and hand the eight names to Endo.

They’ve got some good cops ready to move.

I pulled two for Marli in the Deputy slot but one looks good for Sheriff.

They’re both better than the derelict sitting in the seat now.

Law doesn’t apply to him or his police force.

The retired army major keeps the old Sheriff in place so he can staff his growing town with shady military.

Vapor was right about the corruption leaking into our communities.

Kyler said they’re bypassing the state and trying for federal money to equip them.

Bowing down is going to get them turning on the very hand that helped equip them and they’ll eventually die, Putam said.

Mucimi popped in to say we can fix it before civilians get hurt.

Waiting isn’t an answer. Mucimi’s voice is weird when he gives orders like, ‘ waiting isn’t an answer ,’ so I did my part and got them a list of who has the legal knowledge, grasp of the app along with the training scores and personality to run the bad out and good incoming staff in position.

“What’s the two highlighted for Marli?”

“Marli asked for a replacement Sheriff. The first was MP at 0-6.”

He whistles. “Colonel, how old is he?”

I smile at him. “I retired 0-6.”

His shock shows. “Why didn’t you say?”

I smile. “To who and why would I? Rank doesn’t matter here.”

“No, but it explains confusion and questions of here and now. A lawyer from Air Force based in Virginia is what I got. Bishop told me you were in a special unit of IAS JAG. Yesterday, the Blackhawk kid from Rescue said you were deployed. Now I hear that you were a colonel. All that came before today would explain you not understanding the changes here at home. You questioned everything.”

I smile. “I still do, Endo. I’m a lawyer.”

He laughs and leans in to give me a Brother’s hug. “You are. How is your girl handling the Badass invasion?”

I shrug. “They’re off to see something today. The Club was quiet when I left. The tent city looks peaceful. Vapor goes on with her day and just adds the Brothers in as they show or send for her.”

He laughs. “That’s how Marli is. The women are smarter than the Brothers.”

I shake my head at him. “The women are Brothers, Brother. I need to get back. The link I put is for the workbook I used. It has all their stats, feedback from members, their references and military or job performance reports and records.”

“He said your opinion, Julius.”

I nod. “I gave the eight based on all that so I’d have a valid opinion to offer.”

He laughs. I get back on my bike and ride home. The farm Club. I laugh. It’s a full Club now but looks like a really big old farm.

Pulling in, I smile at the cameras visible above the sensored gate with the new cowboy themed SOAR Club gateway sign.

The huge tree-like poles holding it up are branded with Badass on one side and Rising on the other.

The brands look like they’re still burning but it’s the color changing paint that the Alpha-Bits have glowing at night.

I didn’t ask how that works. I put it on my list. Aaron finally showed here and got two questions off that list. Adding one still keeps me under twenty.

“Boss, VP asked if you’re headed to Ops?” Donovan asks. He must have opened the gate for me.

“I am. Do you open the gate?” It’s a question on my list.

“No, Boss the bikes and your tracking does if you’re scanned alone.

If you're in a group the group gets scanned. The gate won’t open unless you all have tracking or a Badass ID.

BSC won't open with drug, drug paraphernalia or suspicious electronics or chemical shows.” It sounds like he’s reading that.

“Is this new?”

He laughs. “You ask for everything so I hit up Moss for the new protocols on the gate. Now everyone in Ops has everything too.”

I laugh, liking that. “Thanks, Ops.” I shut the bike down and swing my leg over but freeze at his next words.

“It’s Donovan, Boss.” I’m glad he didn’t use my name. It’s in the Op SOP.

“Roger.” My monotone is noted and I hear Sarah tell him to use call signs before my piece is muted from Ops.

“Hey, Boss! The little barn is a hangar and vehicle maintenance.”

The Prospect sounds excited and explains his name all at once. I hit his shoulder before he runs by. “That’s fast, Autosync.” The little barn isn’t as big as the Club barn but it’s not small by any means.

The laugh and snort behind me stops my feet. “I’d know that snort anywhere.”

She does it again, closer this time, so I put my arm up.

She ducks and stops, then takes a step while my arm goes on her shoulder.

“Sarah said he’s not good on the computer.

I get the name now.” The fluid move she just made explains hers.

She just stopped and started moving in a fluid motion matching my movements as if we’ve done it for years.

I walk to Ops with her while explaining about Prospects. “I was going to ask if Donovan has been to the Badass class.”

She hands me her tablet and walks in. I follow without looking it up. The Brother is right here, I can just ask. While she talks to Sarah I go to Donovan. He’s watching the Club virtually as if it’s a drone feed. I think about that and ask. “Is it a drone?” My voice surprises him.

“Yeah, Boss. VP said Mucimi is letting the bikers out. They’ve learned. He went looking for Security to keep the kids inside. He looked nervous, Boss, and said to tell you. I’m trying to find Greg. Jones is out there but I haven’t seen the boy.”

Shit! I turn and follow a running Vapor out.

The tents here are down so we have a full view of the side and barn.

The kids' compound is closer to the new officers. It looks busy out there but not urgent. Yelling has us moving again. I’m struck by her taking the same steps at the same time I am but see the bikers in a group as if stopping the six in the middle from leaving. They look to be challenging Jones.

Vapor doesn’t stop and goes to the biggest guy hanging back. VP is moving kids and adults away.

My eyes go right back to her. She stays low, compact, then kicks with force to the wrist on his waist. The bone breaking kick has him yelling and drawing attention to my girl.

The five in the middle spread out while the bikers behind make noise if they even look like their making a move to leave.

I don’t get it but the growling and teeth gnashing makes it easy to keep track of them.

The big guy’s bent body has her knee rising, sending internal organs jumping and balls unnaturally flattened.

The high-pitched scream has one closest to the crying big guy moving, so I do.

Elbow like a sledgehammer to the solar plexis had the feel of cracked ribs.

He falls and I stomp his throat once. Looking around, I see my girl and Jones fighting with disadvantaged bikers.

The sideline is still held by the rival President and his crew like spectators.

I jump and kick the biker watching my girl like he’s waiting for his chance at a takedown.

The mule shot to his hip has him flying, then yelling for help.

I put the toe of my boot under his leg just low enough to make this matter, then stomp on his knee.

He yells for help. I walk away watching my Virginia Ross. The woman is amazing.

The Second biker watches my girl without moving.

This is the biker Greg was yelling at. Vapor moves like liquid, fast and smooth.

His eyes get bigger just when he must realize she isn’t stopping.

He begs while looking around for a weapon.

A small flag on a spindle catches his eye and he grabs it wielding it like a sword.

She hits it up with her forearm so fast he has no time to react.

Her other hand drives a jackhammer punch straight into his windpipe collapsing him to his knees in less than two seconds.

Her hands are in his hair and knee connects with his face.

I wince. That’s gotta hurt when you're fighting for air.

She yanks his head back so he sees her. “Complicit while those boys begged you, the adult they trusted, for help. You watched. You smiled. Now you beg. His brother is dead. Complicit makes you worthless, to the boy, to us and to society.”

“No!” The yell and shot don’t make her jump, her head swings, then she runs.

Greg collapses. “Liam died?” He looks up, face etched with horror, and pain I swear I can feel.

She bends and explains while taking the gun from him. “Julius was going to tell you. They were trying to stop him.”

Logan steps over and nods for me. My knees buckle, that’s what Sarah was telling her. He gives my brain the story he got from Web without talking. Fuck.

Vapor lifts this poor kid up and Greg spins around, then runs toward me.

My arms feel like weights are holding them down, but I raise them to hold his sob-wracked body.

He lost everything. I just tell him what I know.

“The Indians found where he was taken in India. Badass will bring him home. We do this together, Greg.”

The boy exhausts himself crying. Vapor helps me up and we get him back to his room.

Suzie waits until I lay him down, then lies beside him wrapping him in her arms. “I won’t leave him alone.”

I nod and back up. I don’t want to leave but the girl is like a sister to him. He needs a connection.

Coming out of the room I’m surprised to see the other bikers talking to kids. I don’t think, I react and my gun is in my hand pointed at the President, Raven.

I shake my head to stop his step closer but Vapor jumps in. “I don’t need a gun to kill you.”