Page 25 of Vapor (BSC #32)

I nod. “We’ll take them. We need physical presence right away. One will be good.”

“You want to ask?”

I smile. “No. I want the team.”

He laughs. “I’ll let him know.”

He steps back looking past me. I turn before I’m pounded on the back again or grabbed in a bear hug. Cort smiles. “Falcon...”

I nod. “We need the team.”

That stops him. “Did you tell Falcon?”

I shake my head. “Bishop will.”

“Do you want another from Beacon?”

“No, Boss. They have top notch surveillance, crazy amounts and types of drones that we don’t have and a small army of Night Stalker support. The classified team was built on a Delta base and every member has a specialty. Vapor’s is aerial. Moss is IT. They all are Delta Force level tactical.”

Bishop whistles and moves to the side. I see Ben Knight step up with the blond Brother and another that looks like Justice.

Ben smiles at me. “Jessie is one of Justice’s dads. Christian is a Blackhawk.”

I smile at them both. “I’m Julius Ross. I’ve heard a lot about you both. I read about you too.”

They smile, Bishop laughs, I shrug.

“You’re Tito’s son?” Jessie asks.

I nod. “Yeah, but I never met him. Alder is making me an app from his old Church videos.”

Ben likes that. “That’s good. We have Axe, Wall and Nunánuk.

I never met Wall and Axe but find their advice so spot on it’s like talking to old Pres and Uncle Danny.

The input came from old timers, Brothers stories, old film, books and letters they wrote but Pres and Uncle Danny’s feedback hadn’t been uploaded yet. ”

Jessie nods. “Mitch said it wouldn’t make much of a difference.

I tested it out and they answered with the same words and lessons as before the new was added.

I had to show the lab feed to Uncle Danny.

He was pissed he wrote so much. He’s Axe’s son and wanted the app for his great grands.

” He smiles and points. “Justice, Teller, Phoenix’s kids and Aylen’s when he’s born. ”

Danny has a bunch of kids, that list is long. “I can’t wait to meet Tito. I’ve seen pictures but that’s it. Alder said the tapes will give more than firsthand accounts because they have years of them with Club parties and special occasions.”

Ben agrees. “He’s right. Cloud had so much for Nunánuk her lesson app is like talking to her.

They’re amazing with technology but these apps are more than technology.

It’s keeping the lessons of our fathers with us and the ability to ask advice feels personal.

I talk to Wall and feel his words. It’s odd, comforting and completely off the charts in freaky.

He answers questions only I would have for him. ”

Whoa. “I’m not any part freaky but I want that.

When I met VP he said the words, I was born a Prince.

Having met quite a few Princes, the words always depict dignified and honorable to me.

My mom was great with the lessons but I never had a connection.

Her letter telling me about Tito Ross came from a lawyer when she died.

I’d like to know the man that inspired so many who tell me how great he was, but I really want to ask his favorite color, his opinion of the military and why he didn’t go after my mom. ”

Ben hugs me. “You’ll get your chance, Brother. He was a great man and Aiyana is telling me you follow in his footsteps.” He’s got a heat like Justice and Mucimi, when they touch you, or sometimes just stand close, you feel it.

I laugh and he steps back. “That one isn’t in the cards, Prez. Vapor is the President in our family. I have no problem playing second fiddle.”

Cort laughs. “It’s Tito and Vince from what Ranger tells me. Vapor is the serious one and Julius is tough as nails but the funny one.”

I give him a look. “Have you heard the woman snort?”

They all laugh.

~*~*~

Vapor

“Ben Knight.” The President puts his hand out.

I take it in the hold Julius showed me. “Previously Virginia Kwolek, now Vapor Ross.” This guy looks like a model. They all do but he’s different. Like Cort, I guess.

His head tilts. “Kevlar.” The model of a man is a reader.

“My mom, but, yeah. Your kids and Copper perfected it. My mom had notes but never got around to finding the solution to the lighter question.”

He smiles and I see Aylen in there. He nods. “She’s my daughter. Lily is my old lady.” A very good reader, indeed.

That small world shrinks a little more. “I met Lily earlier. That explains Aylen's hair with your smile on her. I haven’t seen Aylen tonight.” The family picture they must make has got to be phenomenal.

He throws chin then answers. “She’s healing on the ABSZ. One of her members needed surgery.”

I just nod not wanting to ask but not really understanding.

Cort steps closer to the table. “Sit, Vapor. Ben wanted to tell you about the job he has and help from the Senator and FBI.”

I sit, then Ben and his Brothers do. “Before you start, what do you call the President of Territories?”

He smiles easily. “Prez is what my Brothers call me, behind my back they use POT, Boss is the most common standby.”

I like that he finds it funny. “I’m just Vapor. Too many virgin jokes with my name in the military made my call name stick.”

He nods. “You have an impressive record. I’m told you’re known for stealth, quick assessment and the ability to think outside the box.”

“Same to VP’s Brinks, MB, Pres Seamus.” Alder pipes up. I wouldn’t have seen him if he didn’t say anything.

“I’ve heard of them and have met Brinks but don’t know their military records.” I give honestly so I’m not asked for details I can’t give.

“Delta Force training, every one of them have the same traits.” Cort interjects.

I nod. “Every member here is Delta Force trained but have a specialty that is from another branch.”

Ben looks surprised. “Your whole Club is Delta Force?”

I nod. “Basically. We have some strays and new from Badass but the strays have been with us for five years and the new will train with us. We don’t give in, up or quit. The mission is our objective until it’s complete.”

Prez cocks his head. “You said this today?”

I smile for the reader that picks up on what I’m not thinking as well as my thoughts.

“Sort of. My words to the kids were, ‘Your most important weapon is your will. You never surrender. You can be small, you can be scared but you can never be done. You stand and fight when fighting is the only option. To avoid that fight alone, you take the hand held out to you and stand with pride and honor in your Brothers .’” I shrug, “I want them to remember when they leave that we’re still here for them. ”

He laughs and Cort shakes his head. “Never alone. I like that. You fell perfect here. I like Julius as your second. Aylen and Walker are like you two.”

Holy shit. “I’m honored. I’ve heard about the aerial here and Aylen comes up a lot.”

“They’re all ridiculously talented pilots or whatever they decide they want to do.” Cort loves his Protectors and shows it. The sign of a good leader.

I nod. “It’s what I’ve heard. The job?” The women have a bonfire with the kids and I promised I’d show.

Ben leans forward and outlines the job. It’s pretty straight forward, we have a carrier to land on, FBI intel and a Protector to get the two out of the prison. My job is getting them safely away because they’re deep into the country and drop them on a base without aircraft being tagged.

I smile. I got the drop off tactic.

The Blackhawk Indian that does not look like Mase laughs. “She’s got this, Prez. It works.”

I roll my eyes at intrusive seers thinking CJ is right. He laughs then I do. I’m pretty sure Cort thinks I’m as crazy as the rest.

“CJ is my mom,” the Indian Christian says.

I shake my head. “Of course she is.”

He laughs more, then he’s gone.

I stand. “When?”

“The kids will be in India in less than a week. Two days? I’ll get the choppers and planes in place before you fly out. Send a list of what you need in the gearboxes.” Ben is like Badass Santa.

I nod. “We can send the gearboxes locked and loaded. We do a lot of adjustments to our gear.”

His hand goes up. “However it works for you. I can take them back with me or you can fly them to the carrier.”

I nod. “We have the military cargo plane or airlifter.”

He looks interested. “Is it full?”

I almost laugh. “Never. It’s too heavy for a rescue here and there so it’s used to bring in our supplies and armor from manufacturing.

That will be shorter flights that won’t be as heavy now so it won’t be used as much.

Alder said he can manufacture our drones so we would just add the technology we use. ”

Cort looks from me to Alder. “Who is on this? They had different size drones.”

“Boss Stella and Copper, Pres Cort. Pres Vapor talk chat. Boss Moss IT Head build drone technology. Boss Copper work to him virtual SOAR Ops free.”

I shake my head. “No, we have the money and technology to build him the virtual for his office. He can build it himself but…”

“Why are you paying for this?”

I look at Cort. “Habit. You just decided that we’re a Badass Club. I forgot.”

The whole table bursts out laughing. Julius comes in from the kid compound smiling. “You’re up.”

I nod. “We don’t have to pay for Moss to have the virtual room. Deal with that so I can drink fruit and listen to stories. Oh, and Lerch wants more of the bigger drones.” I kiss him quick and talk while walking to the gate.

He nods.

“I’ll be ready. We’ll pick up wherever and drop on the carrier. Alder, yes for the mission but it’s longer now. I have to go.” I wave and hear them laughing as I jog out.