Page 32 of Vapor (BSC #32)

He shrugs and pulls me through the funny mirrored little hallway. It’s four steps of my ridiculous misshapen body into a kitchen setup for different aged seating.

“I didn’t ask. It’s the isolation you talked about.

If you keep people in the dark, they have no idea what’s really going on.

They don’t believe the bad medical reports, environmental findings, or the number of sick.

Entertainment news is all they hear. Some may not even know the highest rated news station is an entertainment company, not news.

” His arm goes out indicating the kitchen.

“You’re collecting American kids that were sold because their parents were arrested, jailed or deported.

Neighbors won’t step in, teachers don’t know, politicians don’t care.

Everyone talks about living in the good old days but they don’t know when that was.

Being present, being connected is what everyone wants.

We all just want to matter but the majority stay closed up in their lives with their connection coming from a recharging cord. ”

I think about that while getting a quick look at the boat beds and island theme on the walls of the three bedrooms that are sized by age.

When he opens the back door, I pull him for a kiss before I walk through.

“You’re right, I lived on base and in the Team quarters wherever we landed.

I had no idea I wasn’t fighting for anything until I got home and saw it.

Americans don’t know what they should be fighting for.

I honestly didn’t know, but kids are a good start.

Badass understood that a challenge to equal is a challenge to all of us. ”

He nods with a smile and sits me at a picnic table. “They did and do. I hate to think about it but they’ve been fighting forever as Indians, colors, genders, ability and D’Ability. They still fight for everyone and grow as they’re doing it. That growth is by being present.”

I look out at the wading pool and Snoopy fountain. “The Indians - Natives, everyone else that’s here are immigrants.” I crack up.

He nods with a big smile that I pull over to kiss. “Don’t say that too loud. For some reason, Natives are at the bottom of the totem pole.”

I laugh again with a snort and all. “Wait, wait.” I catch my breath. “They have a lot to hold up.” Strength of wisdom was a phrase I heard years ago. The Natives are like that, they play the long game and have survived because of it.

He chuckles not understanding the absolute absurdity of the anger and hate that greeted my clueless self just a short time ago. I keep laughing and snort on and off. “My mother’s parents were from Poland. I should stay on alert, Archie Bunker may show up here.” That show played after Happy Days.

Now he laughs like he gets it. I’m done and go to connect with my home team that keeps my Polish ass running right.

~*~*~

Nash finally makes it with the kids. The doors open and I see Angel who worked here a couple of days for Kyler. He salutes me with a big smile that doesn’t really work with a salute but I snap it back.

“I love your K9, Commander.” He walks closer. “You have a boy that needs to be watched or separated. He was cornering a smaller girl. VP said to let you know and he’s got Citiali coming after dinner.”

Cornering a smaller girl. This is the older kids but I had hoped we’d get them before they learned the bad shit. I nod. “Thanks. I’ll keep Honos close to him. Can you point him out to me?”

He smiles big again. “He’s with the kid. I asked him to stay and he showed Security on his board.”

I smile. I love my new partner. “Good. How do we keep the others safe? All the kids coming through here, we need a way to make sure it’s safe for them, the security in their room isn’t helping a girl on a chopper or how about at school.”

He loses his smile and gets serious. “Readers are a big deterrent. I’ll get with Logan and Michaels to get you a list of how they do it.

Princes are known for fanatically guarding their kids and Michaels has new kids that were hidden or slaves.

Pres from Sentinel is good at Security for the kids, I’ll ask him too.

His girl has Down syndrome and is just getting over a bad cold or he’d have come. I’ll have him send a chat.”

I shake my head quick. “Don’t bother him. That’s Spano?”

He nods. “It’s a chat, he gets bored when his girl sleeps. Addison is on a story at BSC South.”

“Okay. Any help I can get would be more than I have. I’ve lived on bases my whole adult life.” Michaels is here with his own kids so that advice will come quick.

He nods. “I’ll get this started for you. Aylen has therapists here, they’ll be a help too.” He's right.

I relax realizing they already have protocols in place for the kids and Security is definitely covered in there.

He turns and helps Julius lift the kids down.

I laugh when Honos jumps causing Julius to step back so fast the kid he’s holding yells. The look Honos gives him has him taking another step back.

“Put her down. Honos, Julius is VP, my second like you, but human.”

Honos sits and puts his paw up. Julius bumps it. You’re as big as Prometheus. It’s good to meet you, Honos. Bishop said I need to tell you that Pres Vapor is always covered.”

Honos makes his chuff noise.

I lift the boy at the edge of the deck down and it sparks Julius to move again. “In person he doesn’t look so hard.”

I nod. “He’s guarding a boy until Citiali gets here after dinner. Don’t stop him from that.”

Jones steps closer and starts lifting kids down. “Greg is waiting for a boy. Tyson called over and has Greg with the boy while Suzie talks with a girl. I didn’t get names but they have pictures.”

I nod, that’s another good way to keep an eye on the kids. “Thanks for bringing them over. I’m with the kids for the next hour. Go try your hand at baking.” I smile at the brother that feels more like blood than not.

“I’ll see you at dinner.”

I find his new sort of kids and let them know I’m watching out for them and appreciate any feedback they have on their job.

I remind them I know nothing about kids and need all that help desperately.

I think they laugh at me but don’t turn to look.

My partner is walking by a boy that has a look to him that strikes me as too confident, too old for his age.

Greg moves right for the kid. My eyes find Julius. He nods to a woman and points out a skinny little waif of a girl. Suzie takes the girl’s hand. The youngest in this group is nine but this girl doesn’t look nine.

Julius takes my hand and walks behind the kids and Honos. “An hour with the kids then dinner?”

“Yeah, I’m hiding after dinner until tomorrow morning.”

He laughs. “No sleeping on lounge chairs tonight. Our house is a lonely place when you’re not in it. I was considering sleeping on the lounge last night.”

I lean my shoulder into him. “You’re so cheesy but I do love you, Julius the JAG. You could have spent it with me on the carrier. I liked you being there night before last.”

He smiles. “Show me how to virtual me to you from the couch or bed. The table was rough.”

I laugh at the Badass JAG who ranks with my Night Stalkers on the Badass Leaderboard. “You’ve done the leadership tactical decision-making with the full 62-day phases. Crying over sleeping on a table just doesn’t fit the Ranger Creed of displaying the intestinal fortitude I heard all about.”

He stops and turns with his eyes searching mine. “Night Stalkers have their own creed. You know Ranger?”

I keep the smile off my face. “You told me all your Creeds.”

“You remember.” He shakes his head and walks.

I smile and figure telling him I know all the Creeds because I researched to write one for the Specter Team doesn’t need to happen now.

It’s more like the Night Stalker Creed because of the pledge to embrace secrecy and never surrender but I’m not telling him about my relentless quest into Creeds because he’ll want to know my Creeds and I have other plans.

We take the tour with Enola, Catori and Kimimela. They’re in their element and have all the adults smiling when they take turns speaking one right after the other like they practiced it. They're not shy or shying away from so many Brothers and new adults here with the kids.

When they go through the common areas I hold Julius back. “Were they warned about the extra adults?”

“Yeah. They asked for you, me or Logan. Logan promised he isn’t leaving them with everyone here.”

“He’s a good Brother. Do we know what Club he’s going to?”

He walks me into the kitchen. “No. Everyone laughs about the Clubs but I think Cort opens them to keep the Brothers working, the military in jobs they’re trained for and the community growing. The communities are supplying everything we need. We don’t have a greenhouse or crops growing.”

I nod seeing what he means. “Solar, wind and water energy, the cement carpet stuff, Lego block buildings.”

He laughs. “Yeah, everything we need. We’re not a Club that needs to grow for towns. They’ll provide what the other Clubs don’t.”

I read about that in the Officer Lead, Teach and Enforce Lessons. “I’m reading about businesses for sustainability. I think it’s a VP lesson but it gives a whole list.”

“Jack at Bravo sent me his notes. He grew up in the Club so his lists are detailed.” We stop when we reach the kids in the living room section. They’re amazed with the game wall. I smile seeing the relief on the kids' faces. They were expecting another jail I bet.

A boy explains Badass to them while walking out the door to the playground.

“That’s Tyson, he does Little Brothers and Sisters.” Julius points. “Mag is his dad, the SAA at Bravo.”

Those eyes. I nod to the man but he doesn’t look away. “I think I know him.”

He smiles and walks our way. “The wonder girl from Pennsylvania?”

I laugh. “Yeah. I met you at the recruiting week the Air Force put on. Captain Bailey, right?”