Page 35 of Vapor (BSC #32)

I follow her out. She came to Guardian and showed the girls how to get away from men.

I had just gone for a dinner and we got to talking.

Ranger showed with Julius and I got to hear about their dads and uncles then Ranger’s boys and animals.

Freedom cracks me up with her looks and one- or two-word answers that obviously scare Ranger.

“You okay?”

I smile. “Yeah, I was thinking about your looks that scare Ranger.”

The woman smiles and her face comes alive. “I’ve perfected it. Your eyes are so light it’s scary. Ranger said they scare him more than mine do.”

I laugh. The woman is a little crazy. “Everyone likes my eyes.”

“Did you give Ranger a look for his comment about you keeping kids?” Because he acts like a clown on drugs.

“Yeah, I knew Julius for a damn day.”

Her dark eyes pin me but I give it right back. “It was a month.”

I shake my head. “No, the month of which more than three weeks was out of the country. I wasn’t here for it. I saw him the day after I got back with a bunch from the SOAR team. Cort came up and ordered him to have dinner at the pool.”

She nods. “I heard that different. Your eyes are intimidating.”

I give a curt nod. “I like that.”

She laughs. “Where are the drinks?” I could use one.

She scans from the left, I go from the right. “She’s big on the watermelon and fruit punch so…there.” I follow her hand and start walking.

“This is punch?”

“Alcohol or not. Pilots don’t drink. Aylen gets a cup and drinks about half all night long. No one drinks if they’re flying within 24 hours.”

I nod. “I’m with her but our clock starts at 48 hours.

Badass is 24? I haven’t seen it anywhere.

” We weave around smaller tables to get to the one Aylen and an older Indian are at.

“Neema from the Mohegans in Rhode Island but she worked with the Connecticut tribe and now Head of Indian Resources for Zion Rising. She’s a reader too. ”

I smile at the woman with her. “Vapor Ross, nice to meet you. I need a drink and was told this is the place.”

“Wait, drinking is 24 hours for Badass?” Freedom didn’t forget.

Aylen shrugs. “I don’t think it’s written. We adopted the Baxter rule as kids but I was flying long before my 21st birthday.”

“Ours is 48 hours. Freedom said you do 24.”

“I rarely drink more than half a cup or half a beer.”

I nod for the red icy drink she holds up. “I have a job in three days. The kids will be picked up by their new Club.”

She smiles and hands it over. “It’s half the alcohol.” She gives a shrug. “I was shooting for finishing the drink. I like the watermelon, it’s like a Del’s frozen slush, I’ll make another.”

I don’t know Del’s but the fruit is fresh and I need a drink, it was a long flight and I’ve had very little sleep in the last few days.

I smile just thinking it. My Badass boy next door JAG dropped the boy next door persona with his clothes this morning.

Homemade whipped cream hit my body before I was awake.

The awake turned out to be worth it as his tongue…

“Stop there, we’re readers and Mucimi is close with Aurora so no blocking is happening today.” Aylen has my eyes on her.

After I repeat her words, I laugh. “Fuckin’ intrusive readers are bad enough then there’s Mucimi and Mase.”

She laughs with Neema nodding. “Mitena eggs her on but The Three and Teller are like walking power plants for readers.”

Aylen gives me a ‘what are you gonna do’ face and sad nod. “My dad is like that too. Add Christian, Dakota and Aiyana to him and I bet they see his energy on the moon.”

“Do you always count the four as three? I’ve heard and read about the three but you all name four and for Justice five or six.”

They bust out in hysterical laughter. Freedom recovers first. “Mase is the enforcer, he’ll show up and stop shit for the three and Teller. Citiali’s new but he’s a shield and messenger. Zeke is the teacher. It’s an Indian three and Badass three they mix together like salad regularly.”

Aylen nods seriously. “Yeah, but Justice has a whole council.”

Mitena, the Security woman sits by Aylen. “They love it here and said Vapor has them covered. A woman is the overseer.”

I laugh. “Overwatch. It’s a position aviators take regularly. Aunt Becky loves the women and watches everyone that comes close to them or the kids.”

Mitena focuses my way. “She’s a pit-bull like Abbey.”

I don’t know and raise my shoulders.

Aylen smiles. “That’s good. We don’t have much normal but they can find their happy here.”

Two choppers land closer to the tent city right out in the field. “Who is that?”

“Baxter’s with Aiyana. It must be Kaleb and Jared. I’d feel Mitch close.”

I turn toward the magic radar President. “I’m not asking. That should be classified.

She laughs.

Julius saves me with a low whisper. “Virginia Ross, you need to be in your full-dress uniform.”

I turn to see if this is real or a fantasy game he’s trying for.

Mitena barks a laugh out getting everyone’s eyes on her. The sheepish look has me smiling. “Too many freaks close. He’s not kidding.”

I stand taking my drink with me. No one asks questions or thinks much of us just leaving. I love this place. “Why am I in uniform?”

“Ben didn’t say. He just said you’d be more comfortable in your uniform. The SOAR Club is all showing in dress.”

He must be saying it in a JAG way. I don’t know so I don’t correct him, I just nod.

Classified for so long kept us in that secluded world. I smile at my ignorant Polish ass. Archie is gonna sit on my shoulder for a while, I guess.

~*~*~

Julius

The uniform makes us all stand taller, more focused, alert and ready for anything like Badass will be invaded by aliens dropping from the sky any second now.

A slap to my back has me jumping. “Maybe not aliens but you do take an impressive picture.”

Mase hands me a picture of the SOAR Officers walking in formation through the gate of the compound.

We’re all smiling because Jones had just reached over to push Vapor to the side but she sidestepped him.

He ended up a step later into the gate post. They’re like little kids. “This is perfect. Thanks, Mase.”

I pass the picture down and turn to hug him but stop. “You’re on fire and have friends.”

He smiles and hugs my ramrod stiff body. “Relax, the fire won’t burn you.”

I realize I’m not ablaze and relax. My uniform isn’t getting incinerated so my Vapor Ross isn’t going to be pissed I messed up the timeline for whatever the reason we’re all dressed up.

The laugh behind Mase has him stepping back. “Kaleb and Jarrod Baxter. Beside them is Hemy Thunderhawk.”

I freeze.

Senator Kaleb Baxter with his spiked blond hair and picture-perfect smile is watching me. “Oversight committee?”

I nod. “Closed session.” I hope he remembers that it was highly classified.

He nods without the smile. “I do. My memory isn’t photographic like Jarrod but it’s close.”

I nod breathing easier. “Jarrod Baxter, married to Aiyana the Mohegan that bridged tribes.”

The darker twin rolls his eyes. “I’d love to be remembered for the laydar jammers, simulator test glasses, balistars or maybe the spokeless wheels and natural power collectors in wind, solar and water but Aiyana is the main attraction to my life too.”

I laugh shaking his hand. “I’m Julius the Lawyer.”

Kaleb shakes his head. “IAS AG Colonel. The youngest and probably smartest in CENTCOM.”

I keep us moving. “So, the lawyer. Vapor even calls me Julius the JAG.”

Mase laughs. “It fits. You’re good at your job. Prez is landing now.” He points to the field that’s filling up. I nod for the chopper that looks close to the other BSC choppers but isn’t.

Jarrod watches me long enough that I turn toward him. “It’s the paint. BSC but the original Council. How did you know?”

I smile. “I’m considered a Ranger. I never worked as Ranger, But passed the tests.”

Mase laughs. “The Warrior challenge.”

Jarrod nods. “Is that how you got into CENTCOM?”

My eyes flick to Kaleb. “He’s a JAG, officer rank put him on the list for a CENTCOM position. He was approved and moved after an altercation in an allied country. He dealt in a way that showed professionalism on a level CENTCOM needed.”

I throw him chin for answering. “More of my life is classified than not. Thank you, Senator.”

He nods. “Just Kaleb. They don’t use titles in Badass and my job is just different than yours.”

I smile. “Different is just different.”

The poster smile shows. “It is.” He turns for the entourage that follows Ben, Justice and Cort.

My girl moves closer when they stop as if waiting for her. I step over. “…moving to Loyalty at Bravo. The store owner wants to move to Oregon. We have a BSC there and got him help to move.”

Vapor likes that. “The twins?”

Justice moves to her side. “I knew you’d ask.”

I smile seeing her take that deep breath. They made it home and it must show.

Ben looks at me. “They’re happy and wouldn’t leave their mom for a second. Her brother will move with them.”

“That is good. The dad?”

Kaleb answers surprising me and, apparently, Vapor. “He didn’t know they were taken. He’s transferring to the ABSZ base within the week. He’s got three months and won’t re-sign.” He smiles at Cort. “He got a better offer.”

I smile. “I’m glad he’s on his way home.”

They all throw chin.

My girl hands Justice his phone back. “Thanks. I’m relieved they’ll be protected here. Alder said he was stamping them all with tracking. I told him we need his stamp at every hospital.”

You got to love her.

“If you said it, he’ll figure out how to cover more. All BSC is tracked.” Falcon has me turning. Alder is like that so I nod.

“We ready?” Cort asks him.

“The small barn has the box that the Baxter’s brought and your presents behind it. I left the wolf to guard everything.”

Vapor laughs, then snorts, getting them all laughing. I take her hand and follow them to the small barn. The SOAR Team is waiting outside of it looking sharp and serious.