Page 36 of Vapor (BSC #32)

Cort and Ben go in as Jessie motions to follow so we do.

Officers are here from other Clubs. Logan moves to us from the Mass elders and stands at Vapor’s other side.

The SOAR Club slides into a tight formation.

I take a half step to the side when a hand taps me from behind.

Vapor looks from side to side and nods. Her team knows how to keep her happy.

Ben, Cort, Hemy, Kaleb and Brekan Graywolf walk up the ramp to the middle of the transport trailer.

Ben talks about the Badass protecting Americans and the Op that the new SOAR Club will be taking on.

Cort tells of the Op we just did and the twins making it home to their mom and uncle.

Kaleb talks about the dad that will be guarding the ABSZ until he’s discharged in three months when he’ll move to Loyalty at Bravo for his new job there.

Graywolf talks about the Clubs and new that’s coming in.

I’m struck that so many are looking for protection, connection.

I look toward Vapor but she’s standing at attention. Raven walks up the ramp and her body freezes. He talks about his boy, his members and giving up until he saw Greg and the woman who taught him surrender isn’t an option. I smile, proud of my girl and her team.

Drones are flying so I assume it’s a podcast thing Ben does until Cort says to shut the feed down.

We’re all still standing in formation surrounded by Officers and the highest Officers in front of us. Raven stands at the bottom of the ramp by Bishop and Marli, her dog and Honos.

Kaleb pulls ribbon from his pocket. “The SOAR Club, former Night Stalkers and that other thing.” Chuckles are heard but my eyes stay forward.

This feels different, formal. “This is a Club that does not surrender. They live in secret and honor that oath right into death. Some are from the classified team after Night Stalker and some survivors of the highest ranked Night Stalker team. I have been tasked with presenting all current SOAR Club members the Soldiers medal. The forty-seven former Night Stalkers an array of awards ranging from the Distinguished Flying Cross with combat devices, Bronze Stars with combat devices, special Operations Air medals with valor devices, sixteen Commendation Medals and five Medals of Honor and two Joint Meritorious Unit Awards.”

I turn toward Vapor. “President, Vapor Ross, you deserve every bit of it,” I say low.

“Colonel Virginia Ross.” Kaleb jumps off the trailer. “It is my honor to present every medal I told of to you. Would you allow me?”

“Yes, Sir, thank you, Sir.”

I smile. Cort stands in front of Jones and Ben in front of Logan.

The voice reading names and medals is Aylen but I don’t see her.

I freeze when Kaleb presents me with medals.

One for non-combat and the other for Special Operations with valor.

I’m stunned and don’t even try to speak.

I throw him chin. He moves on while the names are read.

I have two new medals but the one for the kids needs to be displayed so we never forget.

Mase hugs me. “Stop, Brother. We’re at attention.”

He laughs at me.

“Hurry the fuck up, I’m on presents.”

~*~*~

The SOAR members are still riding high. I sit at the pool that showed up and watch the proud smiles, nods and slaps on the backs.

They deserve this. Vapor said they didn’t get much more than patches for the last five years.

Their Major General told her it would be when their missions are old news that they’d receive the recognition they deserve.

Kaleb told Cort that the awards we got were from classified Ops so bringing attention can’t happen openly.

Giving the non-combat awards to the Club gave a way to present the classified with the recognition they deserve.

Everyone else gets theirs before they are discharged or right after.

I got mine before I was discharged and never expected more. The kid Op here at home, that means more than the rest. It feels good to be working for the people.

“Why are you over here?” The deep voice has me turning.

“Bishop. I was thinking the kid Op is my most valued award.”

He nods. “Your Club accepts you?” He worries too much for such a big guy.

“Yeah. They’re riding high. I’m happy for them, I was recognized at discharge but they never were.

This is their moment and I love watching them take it.

They all took the ride testing out their new bikes.

Cort is crazy, the bikes, gear, cards were a bit much.

Raid sent coffee makers, starter house supply kits with little hot plates to everyone in a house. Bunkhouses are now for the trainees.”

He nods once. “They deserve it and so do you. You’re a good Brother, Julius.” His eyes shift. “That wolf is like the other K9s.”

I nod and smile seeing the ground team Brothers dump water over Jones. The Brother just laughs.

“Bet he’s happy he changed.”

I laugh. “Yeah. They wouldn’t have dumped it if they were still in uniform. Where’s Marli?”

“With the women. Vapor okay with this?”

I look at his eyes. “We still didn’t know what this is. I was claiming her this weekend. They planned a wedding but no one asked us anything.”

He shakes his head. “Just go with it. She’s okay with the paper?”

I nod. “She didn’t care either way.”

He laughs. “She’s like you with less questions I bet.”

“She is.”

He points. “This is new.”

I stand fast. “That’s the Vice Admiral.”

“Cort calls him Vadm. What’s he in charge of?”

I turn to see if he’s fucking with me. “CENTCOM.”

He looks to see if I’m kidding. “That explains why he sends dogs to Zeus.”

I laugh. I’m sure the dogs go to Harky or Piper.

He hits my shoulder with his. “Your girl knows him?”

I look and see her standing by the Vice Admiral wearing a pretty navy dress with gray edges. I stand with a hand on my chest. She’s beautiful. Her honey locks are down and styled with those gray eyes made up so my eyes are drawn right to them. “How do they do that?”

“I’d say magic but it might be right so I’m saying who gives a fuck. Ranger is calling for you.” Bishop lets me go so the patch guy can pull me to the new gazebo by the chairs set up on the side of the pool.

“Danny LaPonte wedding planner?” Knight is the Indian that’s Ben’s father and the other planner.

“Yeah. Stand there, have fun then do whatever the fuck you want.”

“Roger, Boss. I like the gazebo.”

Knight laughs, I shrug and Ranger yanks me forward. It’s a normal day in the chaotic world of Badass.

Mucimi appears beside me and laughs. “The general is walking her down the aisle.”

I don’t correct him. I just nod.

He kisses my head and disappears.

“They really need to work on that,” I tell anyone who will listen.

My girl’s eyes are like diamond beacons. She snorts making me laugh. Aunt Becky cracks up. Honos barks once. The SOAR team stands amused. Bishop shakes his head at me.

I love the Brotherhood with all the chaos.

Ben, Cort, Hemy, Justice and the Mass elders laugh at me.

Thanks for reading Vapor, our resident stickler Julius’ story.

I came across a statement, ‘Playing soldier rather than being soldier’, those words painted Julius and Vapor.

They aren’t playing at anything, they just are.

Different jobs, different worlds but the same fortitude, determination and never quit mind frame.

Again, I hope it gets easier and life moves forward in that way for us.

Until then, I wish you all safe and well while we wonder who is next.

Until that next one, faithful readers…

Please leave a review or hit the stars on your way out,

Thanks,

L.