Chapter Four

Anchor

"Anchor, we're set, Brother." He's still cutting out but I heard him.

Finally! After sitting around with not much to do all night, I'm glad to be moving. "Roger, Commander. Jet, Larry, let's get them out. Wolf, are you on the anchor line?" Larry stands behind me and Jet runs over to the winch we anchored.

"Yeah. KC, once they crest, get the pulley hooked."

KC looks up at me, so I throw him a salute letting him know I'm ready. "Roger, Wolf," he says, then he rappels down into the cave opening.

We start pulling and Larry throws line toward Jet. It feels like we're pulling forever before KC gets a visual. "Medics, get ready. Anchor, two more and I'm hooking to the Commander."

I pull with everything in me. "We've been ready for hours, KC. Just tell me when."

"Roger, Anchor. Hooked. I'm coming up, Wolf." KC's head shows before I look back.

Larry nods. He's got the line held tight between me and Jet. "Let it go." He does and Jet runs the winch. I let the rope slide through my glove and breathe. "You're on the winch, Commander."

"Keep it slow. KC is just climbing out." He's calm and it sounds like he's smiling.

"Roger." I take a quick look over at the winch. It's running steady and slow but it's not moving dirt anywhere around it. "Keep your eyes on the winch, Jet." Nothing on this hill is stable so I made sure we have someone watching that.

"I'm not moving, Boss." Jet doesn't turn to answer.

Larry nods at me. "After waiting all night, it feels good to be moving on."

I just thought that. We finally have a job to work.

"Hold, Anchor!" KC yells and my hand moves in a hold gesture. "Get the board hooked, Bret."

The line stops and I look back. Larry is watching me and Jet the winch. Even stopped, his eyes are on it. I really like these two on the team.

"We need a good ten feet, Anchor." KC gives the go.

I sign and say, "Up, Larry. Keep it slow. Say when, KC," I answer while the line moves slowly.

"Hold." KC doesn't take long with it's enough.

Isign it and the line stops.

"Perfect, Anchor." KC sounds happy.

I turn and throw chin to Larry. I didn't do anything but sign it. He gives Jet a good job.

"Wolf, you hooked to the medic anchor?" I ask knowing it's next. It feels good to have a purpose after waiting helplessly for hours.

"Doing it now." He's not ready?

"She's ready when you are, Wolf." The Commander's voice sounds clearer.

I turn seeing the Commander towering over Bret at the opening. Bret is by a board and one construction worker is up and on it. Progress. It feels good. They all have broken bones, some stitches, and a respiratory scare that had oxygen and another medic lowered in, but they're alive and going to make it.

"Give me three," Wolf answers.

"Miller, get to the other winch. Make sure it's not moving while they're on the line." He jogs around the huge hole we made to get to Wolf.

"Thanks, everyone else is down there," Wolf says breathing heavy.

I shake my head. "I'm sending another over." They're finally close to out of the hole they've been in, I'm not waiting longer to get them all the way out.

Larry gets Bobby following Miller. I throw him chin. We could have had Wolf set up over there. Wolf's focus is always on the Commander. It's not bad but we've been here all night while they were working down there. I should have asked or sent help. Working separate teams keeps me focused on my job and team. I won't forget this one.

"Ready, Commander," Wolf says and I smile because it hasn't been three minutes.

"Go slow like the other line. Medics, get the next board hooked." The Commander is all business now. We get the three moving up and the team in the hole starts making a barrier so no other construction workers are falling into the cave.

"Bret, get them settled on the chopper. I'll get the gear up," I tell her so she's not scrambling back to us just to repack. She's been on the Commander's team all night.

"Roger, Boss."

They're singing an old Chain Gang song as we pull up the gear boxes. Larry laughs while singing. I just keep pulling until I see the teams start climbing.

"Gear is up. Get the winches pulling the lines up, Larry, Bobby," I order, glad again for something to do.

They both roger and lines are moving faster with Brothers reaching the top. I unhook and bundle the lines from this side and notice Wolf doing the same. He must have felt just as useless as I did.

"If you're up, get the crates repacked." That gets them moving instead of milling around. Everyone is tired, but the longer they're standing around, the worse it's going to feel when they have to move again.

The Commander hits the top filthy, covered in sweat and smiling. "Good job, Brothers. The injured?" His eyes find me.

I nod. "The three you pulled are on their way. The two that were hanging at the entrance had minor injuries and were released early this morning. The hole is an old mine shaft that was boarded up at one time. Miller thinks the vibration from the machines caused it to open. The planner agreed and gave it as the official story."

He shakes his head. "They should have had it on a plan somewhere before they started widening the road. It's a fuckin' mined mountain."

I agree with a nod and hand him water. "That's to drink. I have another and a towel for you to wash."

"Thanks. My nose feels like it's been packed with dirt."

I don't say, but it looks it too. I hand him the towel and second water. "I'll get another towel and more water." It keeps me moving and gives him time to do the cleaning bit.

KC is repacking, almost as caked in shit as the Commander. I get him water and towels too. "Here, KC. Clean up so you feel close to human before the choppers get here."

"Thanks. I just want to be done. Five and they all made it." He looks relieved. It was tense at times, but waiting on the outside always is.

I smile turning back toward him. "Yeah, we all did, but you'll feel better clean and we can repack the last box without waiting on towels and shit."

He laughs pouring water over his head.

I hand the Commander more towels, a shirt and water. "They're almost done. Wolf and Miller have the first crate netted."

"Where did the shirt come from?"

"Your bag."

He shakes his head wiping his chest. "I left it so long ago, I don't even remember where."

"I have all the Officers and Bret's with mine." I point a few feet up where the winch was anchored.

"Thanks. Status, Wolf?"

"First is ready. They got two boxes and the winches closing now." Wolf has me smiling. He's waiting on me.

I run the towels up and get the box closed. "Everyone, scan for trash. The last box is done. Construction left a barrel staked at the road."

"Choppers are one out, Commander, Anchor."

We roger Level together.

"Good job, Brothers. Our list is finally clear with no casualties. We can celebrate and thank the Brothers that kept us moving with some well-earned coffee. Choppers are one out." The Commander gets drowned out by a cheer. When they finish, he tries again. "Choppers are one out, let's get home, Brothers."

They cheer again. Coffee is a good motivator, I think, as we walk toward the stacked bags.

"I couldn't hear at the beginning. How did the flood job go?" The second medic brought the booster down so we could hear him. It wasn't good but better than no contact while they were more than three hundred feet into the mine shaft. KC was relaying information from inside the shaft above them.

"Pres got in around three. They were called because of casualties in an abandoned building. It was homeless trying to get out of the path, but they landed in the middle of it. They saved two families in the same neighborhood that didn't have a way to the shelters. The town got hit hard but the governor has National Guard and FEMA there."

"No flooding?" He stops for his bag and waits for Wolf and KC to make it over.

"No, the tornado dumped what it picked up from the lake just outside of the town. Level said the town has a line of kindling running right through it but not much water. It dumped on the low-lying area."

He nods but doesn't ask more from me. KC and Wolf are grabbing their bags. "Glad you hung with me, Brother."

I laugh with Wolf while the Commander hugs KC. KC was hanging in the shaft almost all night. "No pieces sucked, Brother. Glad you got the booster." The Commander steps back.

KC points at Wolf and me. "They started building it when you were cutting in and out going down with the first medic."

The Commander throws chin. "Good thinking. He's not good for small spaces. He's never had a problem, but today he was shaking until the second medic belayed in. I don't know if it was the cave, or no coms." He's looking at Wolf so it's not on me to note and test out.

KC smiles at me. "You're off the hook. Come on, I'll buy you a coffee for not dropping my ass down the never-ending mine shaft."

I laugh. "I was just thinking that it will be fun to test but it's not one I have to do." He knows I wasn't on him once the injured were stable. He switched to Wolf's line so I was the anchor for the Commander and injured directly above the opening.

"Have you heard from Racks?" The Commander asks.

"Yeah, he hung with Level when they got in but he didn't stay so we'd have someone working today."

"We're looking at putting trainers in there. The virtual classes you did will help. You'll have more jobs and I don't want dickasses as Leads."

I swear every one of us freeze in the middle of our next step. "Cort?" The Commander asks.

"Yeah. I need a team to get trees untangled from lines. It's a lot of trees or some shit. I'm not dealing with the fuck. They paid but the dickass contact whines. You need someone that isn't listening to the dickass and gets the job done quick. They'll haul and I'm not giving a discount. Get the trees clear and get the fuck out. Level is dead on his feet. Stan is sleeping. All you got is Racks."

"I'll go. My team did power naps all night long. I'll take Racks and leave Bret. She was at the cave all night," I say before I even see them.

"Don't take shit but get the job done quick, Brother. I'm sending an Ops control and trainer your way, Keylan. Sleep before the next job comes in." Cort isn't asking.

"Roger, Boss." The Commander signals mics off. "You sure your team is up for this?"

"All but Bret, she was on medic for your team once your second medic went in." He nods and hits his coms on. "Level, you still on?"

"Angel on, VP."

His eyes scan us all. We're screwed for controls too, Cort is right. "When we're twenty out, get an Ops call to Racks. Get Nike on Security training for Anchor, he'll need a trainee with him, I suggest Stevens or Hall. I need Firefly on the boxes for Anchor. Cort said trees out of power lines. The K-9 Team with Bowser for Security."

"Roger, VP. I'll make the call for the trainees, K-9s and Firefly right away. They're all at breakfast."

"Have her get breakfast for the team. Extra coffee would be appreciated. Include Racks in there and make sure the K-9s and Bowser ate. Anchor has been up all night and he'll shoot Bowser if he whines."

I can hear Angel's laugh before he covers his mic. A few seconds go by before we hear a strained, "Roger, Boss."

We all laugh.

"Does he know Bowser is human and not a dog?" KC asks.

I smile at that as I'm texting Larry about the job we're going out on.

The Commander doesn't care and starts walking to the choppers. "Don't care. He's going to bitch about the Security Ops gear. He'll want a fuckin' flight suit."

I'm not up for that. "Ops, I need the Ops gear box crated."

Angel is laughing again. "Roger, Boss. Anton and Asa just ran in. Asa is an Ops control, Anton IT. They're telling me they have you covered. Asa is stocking MP ammo."

"I love the Brothers. I appreciate it." I climb in the chopper and right off, I know Bret isn't happy. I shake my head at her. "You were covering for Team One all night. The rest of the team rotated on hour sleep times. This is trees in power lines or something. I don't need you exhausted, I need you ready to take the afternoon training so the rest of us can sleep."

Those angry eyes look surprised, then I get a nod. "Roger, Boss. You didn't sleep."

I smile at her saying it because it proves my point. "Sitting was rest for me."

The Commander shakes his head. "He can go days without sleep. We all can and shouldn't have to explain, Bret. It shows your need for that sleep."

She perks up and nods, not looking pissed in the least."I'm exhausted and know better than to ask, so you're right, Commander." Her eyes bounce to me. "I'm surprised you answered now that I'm thinking again. It won't happen again, Boss."

I throw chin not knowing what to say.

"Do I need to let the team know they're going back out?" She asks.

I shake my head. "They know. You're on Racks' training this afternoon after mine. He's on-call and I took it for him."

She rogers then smiles. "He's on building with the new trainees. Larry is going to be pissed."

I smile right back because he will.

***

"We eat on the chopper. Grab a box and move, Brothers." Ten minutes to gear up is all we have. I grab a hose and wash on the side of the building, then dress the top of me in Ops gear. The cargos are the same and I don't care if they're dirty.

Racks runs up smiling. "Anchor, I didn't have time to eat."

I point at the boxed food. "The Commander covered you. I'm glad you're in gear. Bowser has K-9s on Security."

He grabs a box and walks to the chopper with me. "If he whines about a suit I'm shooting him."

I laugh. "That's why we're in Ops gear. This is trees in power lines or something. I'll get it on the chopper."

"What? We're cutting trees?"

It's not new but definitely never a job we did a lot of. Trees down as a part of a job, yeah, but not the whole job."I'll get it in a minute." I shrug and climb in.

Half the team is in this chopper and already wolfing down breakfast. I drop my box in front of me and pull my laptop.

Racks leans over. "That's definitely trees."

I watch the wobbly video and wince. A mangled tractor trailer is at the end of a long line of downed power lines. I scroll down and read the objective. The driver died, power is live, rain has the highway closed down with cars stopped or crashed between the lines. "The job is cut the power, trees that got damaged and blocking the road or on cars, then move the traffic jam and do it all quick."

"Seems simple enough."

I look at him. "It's like a mile of trees."

He nods with a big smile. "I got the power."

"You're a bastard. Alright. Fuck. Wait, we don't need medics so it's really just the trees. Ops, is Asa on?" I don't know Asa but all the other Bits are IT and know weird shit.

"Here, Boss."

I smile. I say that all the time. "Asa, can we use laser to cut trees?"

"Boss Danny use laser to ABSZ Security Zone. Pres Justice say he crazy. Smaller tree, Boss. It work. I check to bigger tree. MP have long range laser, more power."

"Thanks, Asa." I bend getting my breakfast.

Racks hits my arm hard, almost knocking the box out of my hand. "You fuck. You're going to cut trees down with the laser."

I shrug. "It beats hoofing it hunting for a transformer box that's probably sitting in a pool of water."

Jet laughs. "I love my job. We need electric and power music."

I nod. taking a drink of coffee. Miller has it. " I've got the Power, TNT, Thunderstruck, Lightning Strike, Shock Me, Live Wire, Battery, High Voltage . All but the first are classic rock."

" Electric Avenue !" Larry adds. "I'll get the words out."

I shake my head at the nut but keep eating. We missed dinner last night, or I did. I was working on a plan for the construction workers. My team opened up a good fifty feet from around the hole they fell into. The Commander was on shoring the road, then getting a cam down the shaft to see where they landed and if they survived.

"Boss Anchor, one beam cut up to five inch. Line together you cut more. Angle to cut have tree fall away, no hit car, road."

I take a quick drink swallowing my bite down. "I got the angles, Brother. That's going to help, thanks, Asa."

"Pres Alder say you smart to science, engineer. He say no tell Brothers."

Racks starts choking. I hit across his stomach and he takes a breath. Larry laughs and I shake my head at him. He doesn't hear Ops so I don't know why he's laughing.

"I'm not telling the Brothers but they'll get it, Asa. These aren't military Brothers, they don't get classified."

"Fuckin' Brothers talk, have dumbass cut trees everywhere." He's pissed.

Racks bends over breathing heavy. I shake my head. "I feel ya, Brother. I'll try to get classified into them but I'm not making promises."

"Thanks you try. VP Keylan scare to them?" He asks.

I laugh. "He still scares me sometimes, Brother. I'll have him tell them in training."

"I send Zeus, Boss Harky?" He isn't giving up on this.

I close my eyes tight for a second. Letting my breath out, I nod. "Whatever works for you, Asa."

"Pres Falcon, Zeus, VP Mase. Brothers no talk Op." he's determined to teach the meaning of classified.

I can picture Mase doing the fireball thing at the Team's feet. "Works for me, Brother."

I hit Racks and cover my mic. "Shut the fuck up. He'll keep them from spreading it."

He hits his mic off. "Mase will bean them with fire. Falcon scares me."

I look around. "This job is classified. Make sure everyone knows they aren't talking about it to anyone. Asa has a line of Brothers coming to make the point."

Larry has a serious look on his face. "Cort?"

I shake my head. "He's the one Brother Asa didn't mention. Zeus, Harky, Falcon and Mase."

"Oh shit. Falcon is scarier than Mase," Miller says and I stuff food in my mouth so I'm not laughing.

"I'd be afraid of Zeus. The fuckin' dog has stealth down better than Falcon."

I give Racks a look. He doesn't need to encourage that one. Of course, everyone talks about Zeus snapping off body parts. I pack my box in my bag and stand by the door.

The Flight engineer calls me over. "Boss?"

I take a step and stop. "Asa, is that you showing a feed?"

"Roger, Boss Anchor. Pres Harky, Zeus be here tomorrow. I show feed."

Racks has his hand covering his mouth. I hit his shoulder. "Send it to my phone. I'll open it up so they all can see."

"I send to you team." He'll make it easy for me.

"Thanks, Brother."

Everyone is pulling phones. I don't even look, Asa is into classified today, I got classified down.

***

"What's the plan, Boss?" Larry asks still with the serious look on. Asa had them all quiet for a good ten minutes. The second chopper came out quiet too, so he made sure they all got whatever he sent.

"Engineers are shooting laser in tandem. We got four or five that I'd trust." I give him names to collect the Brothers.

"Boss, I can cut the power. I've never cut a tree down." Miller has me nodding.

"Racks, you're with me. Miller, get the power off. We'll start at the beginning. The rest of the team is getting trees cleared, then cars and trees off the highway. They have crews to haul. Gear has chainsaws and whatever else you'll need. Watch the power lines."

Everyone rogers and half run to the crates, which got here before us, while we weave through the cars to get across the highway. It was a good place to drop us so more trees aren't falling, but the PD are yelling at people to stay in their cars and glaring at us.

" Boy! Boy!

Now in the streets there is violence

And a lot of work to be done… "

The Brothers pick it up with Racks right in there. I have never heard this song. I don't know how he knows it.

I start laughing. Larry isn't serious looking anymore, I think he loves the singing more than the jobs now.

I talk to the guy walking my way never stopping. "We'll cut the power. The team will cut the trees up so they're manageable. We'll clear the cars, cut what's broken as we move down in a line. Keep doing what you're doing and get a way for the haulers to move across the highway so we can get this done quickly."

"It took you long enough to get here. My guys were standing in a torrential downpour forty-five minutes ago," he growls out.

That stops me. "We were called here from another job an hour ago. The power is still on, people are still trapped and no one is working to clean this up. If you wanted it quicker, you would have started already. We don't get paid by the hour to stand around and watch nothing happen while people are trapped in their cars. We're paid by the job and your bitching is preventing me from doing it. Are we done?"

Racks stops singing and laughs. "He's been up all night to rescue workers in a mine shaft. Don't push his buttons and he'll get your highway moving again."

"Snowball head here is saving…"

I punch him right in the face and look at the men behind him without looking at where the shithead fell. "Who am I talking to?" I say in almost a yell.

Racks points at a cop running our way. My eyes stay on the cop, not seeing aggression or anger.

"I'm Randor. What do you need?" He doesn't look at the other cop either. I already like him.

"Nothing but to get the job done. Keep anyone calling me snowball head away from me. Shoot if you need to." I say that clear enough so I'm not taking shit from anyone else.

Bowser comes running behind the K-9s that make a line between me and the cop on the ground. I hit him once and he's still on the ground.

Bowser moves between the K-9s so he's between me and Randor. "Boss, I got this. Go do the job. We'll keep them back and I can talk to…" he looks at the cop. "Sergeant Randor for you."

"Tell him what I told the asshole, Racks." I walk away. Snowball head. That's a new one. I must need a haircut. Looking back, I see part of the team following me. It's the Brothers with engineering skills.

The first tree is leaning so I pull my MP and shoot it to see if the rain is going to make this harder. Asa was right. It's like cutting butter. I try for a bigger branch then decide I can cut them to manageable sizes quick enough, so I do until Racks comes up beside me.

"That's sweet. The other two cutting teams are watching to see how we do this one."

I got the tree resembling a log right now so it's time for double beams. "Perfect timing. Let's try for the trunk." I shoot a quick line. "Right there."

We shoot together and he laughs when the tree slides straight down. "We don't have to be close."

I turn. "No, Jet, cut that smaller. We'll keep an assembly line going. Bobby, you're on the branches, get in front of us. Watch the power lines."

"Good, I don't think I can drop it straight down like that, Boss. I'm good with the smaller." It's good he knows his limitations.

Racks looks at me and smiles. " We're gonna rock down to electric avenue …"

Whatever, I walk to the next in our line. "Larry, keep the haulers moving. Let me know if you have problems."

"Roger, Boss." Comes out quick and he jumps back to the song.

I hit a line for Racks and he aims it perfect again. I thought it was a fluke but I guess we got this. The Brothers in our assembly line move right in and laser branches before we're at the next tree.

Miller shows as we're getting to the worst section with a power line snaking to the first fender bender under and around branches. "Power is off, Boss. The rain is slowing too." He smiles.

"No problems?" I ask because he took forever.

"Just getting there, they got the truck moving now. The ME couldn't get through. The only ones allowed on the other side are Cops and highway patrol."

I look down the road. "Part of our objective is getting the highway moving. Get with Bowser, he's PD liaison. We need one lane for the haulers and service vehicles so we can get the damaged cars towed out of here. The lane closest to us shut down so we're not hit by gawkers. That leaves one on this side for traffic that can be used right away. Get PD to keep it moving and steady."

"Good plan, Boss. I'll get it moving and the tow trucks called in. They're in a line down there." He jogs away.

I turn back and shoot a line.

"You're a good Lead. You're listening to everything on your piece, aren't you?"

"Yeah. I have to." In between the songs, I get progress and status. I can head off problems if I know them, like the haulers have a truck loaded and another moving to Bobby. If the haulers don't start moving, the built-up traffic jam won't.

"I talked to Drew."

That has me interested, too interested. I don't stop or look at him, but ask, "And?"

"She's the same as when we were kids. She thinks dad is mental and she gave him a fake deed to the land."

I laugh. "He's going to be pissed." He doesn't say more but I can't ask for more right now.

The tree falls and we move on. I take in the activity on the road and note the team starting to get trees, power lines and limbs off the cars. Miller is drenched but directing the hauler workers with their little loaders around the road. Stevens is belting out AC/DC like it's a favorite while pulling power line over on the side. I smile and answer Bowser then Racks. It's definitely not a strenuous or a challenging job. I wonder how much Cort charged for this one. He was pissed so it wouldn't have been cheap.

***

Drew

Lunch has Alpha-Bits that I haven't met yet sitting at the Officer table. The elders and Aurora are here at the next table. I'm not sure where to sit, no Officers from here are here, so I ask Angel and or Ari. "They're on jobs again?"

"Pres is in Ops with Firefly, VP and Level just left. I think the country is imploding. There are fires, floods, mudslides and tornadoes everywhere. I hope the hurricane in the gulf veers off."

"Holy mackerel. I haven't seen or heard from Racks or Anchor since before I exploded the kitchen."

The new Alpha-Bit with a colorful mohawk and tattoos looks up at me. "Drew?"

I nod at the little guy. He's adorable with his eyes getting bigger knowing my name. "Amal fix Chef Gourmet. He say emergency help, flag go to Prospect, SAA, here Ops."

I nod. "He has keywords flagged. Thanks. I only had three people to call then Cort and Alder. No one answered until Cort."

Those expressive eyes get bigger somehow. "You call Pres Alder before Pres Cort."

"Any Brother before Pres Cort." The tiny Alpha-Bit adds in.

I put my hands up. "The chef was yelling at me. He said call Cort."

"You phone." Mohawk boy puts his hand out.

I give him my phone quick, the men are watching but not talking so he must be another Officer. "What's your name?"

"Sorry, Drew, this is Asa and Anton. All As, Brody and Braan are Alpha-Bit Officers. Asa is VP." Ari knows way more than me.

All the As. "There are nine As?" I tried to count when Flame was saying names.

"Yeah. They're the biggest group from any alphabet." He adds then turns when Aurora stands. I don't understand but don't have time to ask.

"Drew, sit or come sit and we can tell you about the messages, fruit and food." She's smiling but her eyes shift to the table then back to me.

"You freak?" Asa has her eyes shifting to him.

"Aurora. I'm a reader, seer or psychic. The label depends on where you come from."

"I from here. Freak or freaky." Asa holds my phone out to me.

I'm smiling right out. "It's better than weird. I'll sit with them. They may have a message from Racks or Anchor and news about the kitchen."

Asa nods. "No old appliance. Pres Alder put small fry station, safe to no fire. No pressure cook, crock cook, no old. New crock cook Boss Flame order. Only pan, plate okay to old."

"Okay, but I don't know what all that is and don't own appliances. Everything I had was burnt with the house."

"You burn you house?" The little guy asks with shock on his face that looks adorable.

I shake my head. "No, my dad did. It was firebombed with us in it."

Now he shakes his head.

I don't know what more to say here. Angel and Ari aren't talking. "I'm going to sit and eat."

They all nod. The two little ones look at each other with big eyes again.

I sit."Oh boy. No old appliances."

"It's good but we know and everyone agrees. They're going to make more elder compounds and will use us as the test." Malcom is happy again today. Maybe he's not so crotchety.

Badass, or probably Cort, is fast with the decisions on everything. "That's a good thing to do. The Bravo elders were able to move around. Why do they live in a home?" The studies I read said the rehab homes are for medical care around the clock.

"Kids put them in it to be with other old folk or they don't have anyone to help them when they need it. We had the center. If I didn't show, or needed help, I had people." Mabel smiles looking around at her people.

"Some just give up. They got no one close." Dorothy doesn't like the give up option.

"The people I met yesterday didn't give up. They're excited and will work to get out of that home. It will be like here and you all. They'll come together for the common purpose and be happier because they're part of a solution. All they need is a manager like Aurora to get the food in and do the check in thing. She knows everyone and everything going on."

They all look at me. "That's your job talking? This will work for the others?" Aurora asks.

I smile at her surprise. "For everyone. It's not just elders. Each Club has a common purpose, well two; one is Badass belief, the other is whatever the Club does. One Club makes satellites so we get phone service and internet cheap. One is an air base so they keep the Clubs safe. Here is Rescue and soon will add more for Fire Rescue. It will keep the Clubs free of wildfire, but also help people outside the Club, which is part of that Badass belief. All you need is people with a common purpose and you have happy people willing to do the work to be part of that solution."

"Well said."

I jump, then stand fast. "Boss, I didn't see you come in."

Cort's smile should be on their letterhead. "I'm on Ops control here then meeting with you, Justice and Mikey. Alder said he'll show but he's got a day planned. He took your ride time at four."

Alder is riding with me? I just nod. "What time is the meeting?"

"Later, Justice is on Ops. He'll bring Mikey when he gets in. I came in to see that you aren't wearing burns or dyed red." His smile makes me smile.

"Nope. I'm fine and no old appliances may get me learning to cook. Well, that and the new ones that replace the others that I blew up."

They all laugh at that, even the Officers table are laughing.

I shrug. I did it and it's over.

He shakes his head but he's still smiling. "Seren offered to help the cooking lessons but Aurora didn't have a time that works with her schedule. She said it's covered."

The old people all yell times out.

I giggle because they're funny. "It's covered. I can't even boil an egg without supervision."

His eyes bore into me or feel like it. "Good. Glad you're not holding onto that. I need to get to Ops. I'll send a chat when Justice is on his way. Mag may be done by then." He walks out and I sit blowing a breath out, relieved he's not mad that I called him.

I bet he smiles like that because he's part of the solution. No old appliances and we're the test subjects. It's a good thing to know before someone like Mabel explodes a pressure steamer thing from 1940. I don't think she can duck fast enough.

Aurora laughs and I hit her arm. "Stop it and tell me about messages, fruit and whatever else you said."

"Messages, fruit and food. Everyone sent emojis in the group chat. Most were holding hearts or encouragement. Firefly sent a funny one dragging a befuddled guy around, she said she's glad you're okay and will learn with you and the moms because she hasn't blown the kitchen up, but it's bound to happen to her next."

I laugh taking her new phone. The red catches my eye. Scrolling up, I have tears blurring the view. There are a lot of them with red. I blink and see a little sign that says better luck next time. Two up is a big hand that has ‘call me' under it. "This is so nice." I smile at Firefly's. "Who are all these people?"

"A worker said they're from the other Clubs. They do that when someone needs encouragement. He got them when he moved up and the time his boy was sick. They sent a doctor that took his tonsils out and he hasn't been sick again."

"This is awesome. How do I thank them?"

"Give me your phone. I'll add you in and you just accept."

"Add me. I could have used this yesterday. I don't have anyone to call if I need help. Your phone rang under the microwave." I click the chat, accept and look up. "What?"

"Put me on her phone, Aurora." Dorothy digs for her phone then everyone is sending phones our way. I cry. Jeesh.

Aurora hits my arm. "People sent fruit baskets, bakery boxes and have dinner planned for tonight."

I wipe my eyes and hiccup. She smiles, putting her arm around me. "I'm still your BFF, but think I have competition."

I laugh, then hiccup again. "Thanks. No message from Racks but Alder took his ride time."

She nods. "The Club Teams are busy. They have people from everywhere coming to help so all the teams can run at once."

"Wow, they must be doing good for them all to be running. How do you know that?" I ask.

She smiles. "A Prospect that just patched in told me. I think it means he's not a Prospect anymore. He was working on the kitchen and yelled at me to get a hard hat on. I just went in for the medications so it wouldn't be late."

Holy mackerel. "He isn't a Prospect if he yelled at you."

She nods. "I asked Alder. He said, ‘just patched in,' but didn't explain. I got the new rule about no old appliances and saw the kitchen is almost done. He's putting a safe for the meds in the pantry and has an Alpha-Bit keeping track of them for refills." She's smiling so the guy didn't bother her.

"That's a good idea. Tonight, I have the meeting with women at eight, then Anchor for Badass Bible at nine-thirty if he's in. If not, I'll read the next section."

She nods. "I'll be at the pool if you get bored. I'm reading the Bible too. Alder sent it to me and Oliver will answer my questions in chat."

My smile must be huge because she laughs. I elbow her making her food fall off the fork. "You'll be ready when you meet your Badass dreamboat."

She shakes her head scooping more food. "I'm not looking or planning that one. I'm joining the Club. Flame says women can join so I am. They gave me a house and job without knowing the first thing about me. Everyone here is good people and I'm going to be one of them."

"I feel like that too. Are you going to the woman meeting?"

She shakes her head. "It's bingo night that gets over about the time the meeting does. You can give me the highlights at breakfast if I don't see you at the pool."

"Deal."

***

Anchor

Lunch has come and gone. Asa tells me the choppers are one out and the crate is being dropped at the airfield by a local Club.

"Roger, Boss. Brothers, choppers are one out. What looked like hours of exhaustive manual labor turned into a long but easy job for us. I couldn't have planned a better job after the night we had. Great job, Brothers. Remember the classified order. Let's get home and find some dry clothes."

The cheer is loud drawing PD and Highway Patrol over. As we go by, they hit backs and shake hands with the Brothers. That feels good.

Racks walks with me avoiding the cops. "Better than the first asshole."

I smile. "Yeah, maybe I need a haircut."

He shakes his head. "You don't but your hair is lighter and you didn't have your hat on until it started raining harder."

We watch the choppers lower. "I'd say I'll remember to put the hat on but I won't. I'm young and look different. They'll have to get used to it."

He laughs. "Electric Avenue was an easy job, they should have at least had the power cut. Don't they do that from an office?"

I nod. "They didn't have power and the generator didn't kick on. It took them a while to figure out they needed gas. Because of the storm, they couldn't get gas. Highway patrol said they transported gas to them but we were here by then. They didn't even know this was going on."

"Why the hell aren't they using solar? Battery backup would have been seamless."

"Don't know. Maybe they're a small company. All I got was the objective and video." I turn. "Brothers!" When I turn back, I tell him. "I heard the highway patrolman helping Miller tell him about the power company. I haven't talked to anyone to get details."

He nods. "I wondered, we've been together the whole time. I didn't hear Miller." He was singing at the time.

The Team comes jogging over and board the choppers behind the K-9s. Scanning around, I don't see any stragglers, the crates are being loaded on a BSC truck and traffic is moving. It seemed like a long job but three hours has traffic flowing smoothly on two lanes now. The haulers have piles waiting for trucks and power is down the road doing whatever they're doing. Progress.

I board behind Racks and drop in a seat. "Everyone accounted for?" I ask our Flight Lead.

"Both choppers, Boss."

I throw him chin. "We're clear, Ops."

"Good job, Brother. They estimated six to eight hours, you're done in three and had the highway moving in one. Disaster Management sent compliments and offered a job." Cort sounds like he's smiling.

"Not a chance, Boss. The first guy we met called me snowball head. I'm good working where I am. You don't care what I look like."

"What the fuck? Amal, get me that. Who was that, Anchor?" Shit, that smile went to anger I hear in his voice.

"I don't know who it was and never asked." I wait but no answer comes right back.

After a good minute, he's back. "Jesus, you hit him quick. Good job. That's exactly why I want the teams running good Leads. The dicktwat was asking to be hit and got it. We're Badass, not some government office that has to worry about bad press. If they don't like it, they don't have to call again. Amal is getting Dreng on the news. This will show good for us and Disaster Management sent payment, the complement and job offer before the news picked it up."

I look at Racks. What is he talking about? "The news picked what up?" We just boarded the chopper.

Cort laughs. "You clocking the dicktwat is already playing, Brother. They have another cop saying the chief was in the car the whole time, then was slinging racial slurs. You walked in, did the job in no time, boarded without lodging a complaint, milking the job or talking to anyone after. Raid said it's going to be great advertisement for us. Good fuckin' job, Brother."

Oh shit. "Did they get us cutting the trees?" Asa is going to be pissed.

"Yeah, that was out before the cop but it was raining and the guy was stuck in his car. All it showed was blue light through water spots."

I breathe. Racks shakes his head as he's trying to hold in a laugh. I sign for him to keep quiet getting a nod and his hand over his mouth.

"That's good, Boss. Asa has Brothers showing to explain classified so that didn't get out."

Cort laughs. "It's out and playing all over social media. TV news just had the guy stuck in his car under a tree."

"Fuck. Does everyone in Badass have laser?" If it's just teams, he could send an order of no tree cutting out.

"Pretty much, Brother. What made you use laser? You have enough equipment to cut a national forest down."

I smile. "It was like a mile of trees, Boss. You were pissed, wanting it done quick. Laser got us in and out. I did everything on the objective you sent, plus got a compliment, job offer, free advertisement and I didn't take shit."

Everyone on the chopper and in my ear is laughing. I shrug and wait for them to stop.

"Africa White, you are my hero. Above and beyond, Brother. You made my year with that one." He sounds proud and is laughing, but I'm not.

My smile fell when he said my name. Racks watches me closely knowing how much I hate that name.

"He goes by A or Anchor, Boss," Level corrects Cort.

I close my eyes. Shit.

"Anchor it is. He made my year. I'm out, Brothers." Cort doesn't sound pissed at all.

"Roger, Boss," comes out automatically.

Racks hits his piece. "Only Leads hear Ops."

I nod but have nothing to say.

The Brothers are talking around me but I have nothing to add. It's normal for me so it's normal to them. Racks keeps looking my way but he's not adding to their chatter. Electric Avenue is the name of the job. I don't point out it's a job they aren't talking about so it doesn't need a name.

Like me. My parents must have been high when I was born, their last name is Brown. When I was old enough to understand names, I thought it was a good name because I was light skinned. In middle school, I stopped using my given name and started using A. I've used it ever since and never looked back. Military used White until I became Anchor.

I shake my head. It doesn't matter.

We set down and I know everyone is out again. "Level, can we still get lunch?"

"They're waiting for you, Brother. Cort ordered it." He doesn't explain.

"Thanks, Brother." I turn. "Lunch is waiting, Brothers. Eat and sleep before we're called out again."

I get a cheer and follow the team to the kitchen. We're all soaked but hungry. I packed my breakfast up without finishing because I couldn't escape pictures of Zeus dismembering body parts. I shake like a dog pushing that away so lunch will be better.

"You okay?" Racks sounds concerned.

I smile. "I didn't finish breakfast because they were talking about Zeus. I need lunch so I was getting rid of that."

He laughs. "That was gross. I'm starving. We got a box for dinner last night."

"I hope we can get better boxes. Breakfast didn't look bad." Walking in, I stop talking because a whole group of Alpha-Bits are here.

"Boss, here! We get you lunch fast. You answer response." A tiny Alpha-Bit holds a tablet up.

I look at Racks. "Answer if I want lunch?"

I see another Alpha-Bit give a tablet to Steven's then run. "I get it." I walk to the table and take the tablet.

"No, you order, I get lunch, you type response, Boss." The little Brother makes that clearer.

"Roger, Brother. The Commander's number three." I smile when he runs. He didn't ask a single question.

Racks watches then smiles. "The same." The other Alpha-Bit runs.

I laugh and sit. "We fill their form out while they get our lunch." I smile at the others running to the kitchen. They brought in a whole group to get our answers. Alder is a funny Brother but knows how to get shit done fast.

The forms are easy and have every option you can think of on it. I opt for fresh vegetables over steamed and add why on the line provided. We ate mostly local food and disasters didn't have power, water or cooking facilities. We cooked what we could and ate what was brought to us or supplied. I don't write it but anything is better than mushy MRE veggies. The next question is the half or full sandwich. I smile putting half and salad instead of full and fries.

"This is for the healthier meals Alder is making." Racks is smarter than me most days. Today he must be tired.

"Yeah, Brother. The lower lines have Italian with portion options. There's no way I'm eating a full plate of pasta so I'll be glad when they start this menu." I scroll to the next. "Steak too. I love LP. We'll be able to order everything they serve." I finish my sheet and hit submit.

My little Brother is back. "Pres Alder say test yogurt, fruit to Brother eat Alpha-Bit menu." He puts a small bowl of berries and yogurt in front of me.

Shit. "I'm not big on the yogurt, Brother."

"No chemical, color. Yogurt plain, fruit only flavor to yogurt, Boss Anchor."

"It's not vanilla?" I never saw plain yogurt. As a kid, every color and flavor was out, but I tried it at school and it was disgusting. Military had vanilla and some with fruit on the bottom but the strawberry was so sweet it turned my stomach.

His head shakes fast.

I try it tentatively. The yogurt isn't sweet. Adding a blueberry to the next bits, I smile. "I like this. What's your name?"

"Maddox. I printer to Bravo Alpha-Bits. You Boss Anchor. Marine, second to VP Keylan. VP Keylan build house to me. I help to his family eat healthy same to me." He points to Racks. "Boss Racks, eat healthy, be family to VP Keylan, Alpha- Bit Brothers to life. We keep you same to you keep us." His smile reminds me of Alder.

I laugh and mess his hair up. "I'm honored to be there, Brother. Alpha-Bit Brothers are amazing and we're all honored to be claimed by you for the long haul. Are Asa and Anton still here?"

"Ops shift, visit Pres Alder. We see Pres Alder to chopper."

I nod. I guess I'll see Asa another day.

"Did you get the plan for the motor, pipe connectors and basic motherboards for us to wire?"

"Juan have motor, motherboard. I get pipe connector. Same ABSZ part, different way. I make to new compounds, job supply to here Rescue job."

"Thanks, Maddox and thank Juan for me. Some places we work are low income or so devastated they don't have much."

He nods, looking sad. "I help Mario make cooler part to south. Dehumid cool to house."

Dehumid cool to house. I replay it and smile. "Swamp cooler, yes, taking the moisture out. That's definitely something needed in the south."

"Alpha-Bit manufacture to help. Badass Innovation sell ABSZ product." He types and scrolls on the tablet the response form was on, then he turns it for me.

I look then take the tablet and scroll. They're making everything. I laugh and show Racks. "They have shit we made."

He takes the tablet. "You're fuckin' kidding me. This is real?" He looks at Maddox.

I laugh. "It's real, Brother. That's Badass Innovations, the same company that makes the kids games, programs and all the virtual shit. How did you get this?"

"VP Keylan give book to Pres Alder. He send to me make last long, recycle, low price to civilian. Boss Stella help to me send to manufacture."

"Is that in Arizona or the ABSZ?" It's a question I've been holding.

"Some to ABSZ, most small part to Arizona. ABSZ do motor, fountain, printer, special to test one at time."

I nod understanding. Anything that's tested to work. "That's a good practice. So your work goes to Arizona and Juan to the ABSZ?"

"No, Boss. Pipe connector to new manufacture Princes. Building, worker need work. Motherboard to Arizona easy to them. Dehumid, motor, printers to ABSZ."

"Thanks. I didn't know there were more manufacturers you used."

"Boss Dakota have new building, worker. He make part to us."

Racks is done looking at the website. "Dakota the Prophet from the Bible?"

Maddox looks proud. "Yeah, Pres Justice dad."

I smile when Racks shakes his head."Badass is huge in our fuckin' small world."

I laugh and move for the Prospect. "Do you need anything with this, Boss?"

"No, thanks, Prospect. I'm not much for condiments."

Racks looks his plate over and smiles. "Looks perfect. We missed a meal and the box has more shit we don't eat than do. Thanks, Prospect."

Maddox takes the tablets and runs back to the kitchen.

"I think they're fixing the boxes too. They've got a cook here from the ABSZ showing ours how to make their plates for our size."

Racks throws chin and the Prospect heads back to the kitchen. Racks laughs. "We'll have better choices by dinner."

He's probably right. Badass is nothing if not quick. Just as I think it, a loud bark has me jumping. I start to stand but stop when Racks leans over his plate to laugh with his chest almost touching the little tomato on top of the salad.

Zeus is standing at the door scanning the Team slowly. I swallow hoping to keep a smile from my face. "Are you logging faces, Brother?"

He chuffs without stopping his scan. His robotic paw raises and a hologram board shows, ‘Classified levels. 1. Confidential, 2. Secret, 3. Top Secret.' Next shows, ‘Codeword classification designation.' The chopper feeds show the Team talking about "Electric Avenue."

The Brothers are shocked and some fear shows with, ‘oh fuck,' and ‘he has the video,' ‘God help us,' has Racks turning fast. His cheeks are blown out like he's trying to hold a blast of air in.

Zeus isn't finished. His board shows, ‘Electric Avenue: Secret'. Next says, ‘Order!'

You could hear a pin drop if a pin dropped until he barks once.

"Yes, Sir!" Comes out quick.

Bobby stands. "Electri…" he's flopping on his side, half on his chair.

My eyes swing to Zeus. His board says, ‘Classified.'

Racks finally burst and laughs. I stand. "Don't say the words. Classified means it's classified. You were warned, he explained the meaning and just showed he will find you and deal if you speak about classified jobs."

"Yes, Sir!" Comes back loud.

"Someone help Bobby into his chair before he hurts himself. Thanks, Zeus."

He chuffs once and walks out hitting the keypad with his robotic.

"That has got to be the most Badass thing I've ever seen." Racks is red faced and breathing heavy. I guess holding his laugh was hard work.

I sit and eat before anyone else shows. The team is not saying a word but they're sending looks our way.

I roll my eyes at Racks response to the Brothers. "We didn't invite him. Asa has Falcon, Harky and Mase showing too. Be prepared and don't talk about the fuckin' job so you have nothing to worry about."

They murmur and start leaving.

The group of Alpha-Bits come out at a run and stop at the Officers table. "Bosses, new menu to dinner, I send to Officer chat. Brother change to banquet today. You expand to more, food easy to you cook handle banquet." Maddox is the spokesperson, apparently.

"Thanks, Maddox. I'm glad we met. I have other parts we use regularly here, can I send them to you?"

"Always. We go to new kitchen meet Aurora. New plan to elders, new kitchen done tonight."

"Whoa, Brother, hold up. New kitchen?" Racks stops Maddox from running out and asks what I was going to. Why do they need a new kitchen for a meal plan? It has tons of counters and a huge island for banquet style.

A Bit moves forward typing on his tablet. "I have room feed."

***

Jogging to the compound, I'm torn here. "I think she's mine, Racks." Maybe not so torn.

He shakes his head. "When you're sure, you can talk to me, until then, I don't want to hear it."

I smile. "Okay. She did good with the fire extinguisher."

He bends, almost falling over. I grab his coat. He's laughing with his hands on his knees. "She trashed the entire kitchen in a matter of minutes."

I nod. "She did. They have new rules so no mobile fryer, no pressure cooker and no old appliances means it will never happen again." I smile not mentioning boiled eggs or jello.

He stands up laughing and pulls me to a jog with him. I like the trail back here, it leads everywhere and we make it to the new construction in like three minutes.

"I like this one better. The blue tin roof looks nice." He's a nut.

I laugh and pull him through the door only to stop short like the Bits. "Holy shit, it's all new."

The wide-open room has a bank of cabinets along the back wall, the island is moved and has an extension on it making it huge. Glass cabinets hold small appliances that all look state of the art. I point up and Racks laughs. Wooden beams are the only color on what looks like a completely tiled, cone shaped ceiling over the kitchen area.

"I like the fan up there." It looks like a vent fan to me but it's pretty high so I'm not sure.

He hits my arm and points to glass fronted panels with a fire extinguisher, folded silver blanket and an aerosol spray can with a picture of fire on it.

I laugh. "Three panels with three choices. I like it."

"Good. It will be open for breakfast. Dinner at the pool here tonight. You're soggy. Go fix that and sleep before I get another call. Everyone else is still out." Cort has us both turning toward the new table where the living room was.

Alder, a mohawked Bit, three Brothers and a red-faced Drew are at the table. "Roger, Boss." We turn and run, hearing them laugh.

***

Drew

Laughing takes away embarrassment. It's a good thing to note right about now. The two men I've been dying to hear from and tell my newest catastrophe to had to walk into a meeting with both of my bosses witnessing their shock, amazement and general cuteness. They're good friends and it showed but oh my gosh, someone had to have told them about fire and the ceiling. Making comments about the ‘fire stations' almost made me laugh. Mikey too, she covered her mouth.

We watch them take in, then zero in on things before they realized we were here. It was good to see their reaction and interaction but they noticed the same things I did. First thing was the fire prevention boxes, then the ceiling with tile. Alder says it's hybrid plastic but it looks like tiles and, more importantly, it's washable. Without the pressure steamer thing, I don't think anything can make it all the way up there, but Alder said I still have eggs.

Justice laughs.

I shake my head at him and he looks down making me laugh. Alder stops that with a look. I shrug. "I was thinking I don't know what could make it to the ceiling without the pressure steamer thing but you said I still have eggs." They all laugh.

"He thought it was funny, too."

"Back to the meet." This is why Cort gets so much done.

Alder nods. "We have 4 trainer, thirty bed bunkhouse to fire. Dining banquet, expand to side. Security add Brother, house, to women, kid, Alpha-Bit. Prospect, from Sentinel. Five K-9, one trainer. Sentinel town build three sub division to 150 new. Add Nash list to business need, want. School ready to kids here, Sentinel, 3 sub division one school link to Phoenix. What we miss, Boss?"

"Will it work and what Brothers are Admin and Ops here for Stan?" Cort asks and looks impatient.

I haven't added much but this I know. "Yes, it will work. You're adding everything the new firemen were asking from the government. You'll get Fire trainers because they have experienced officers that may not make your Team cut, but are seasoned, knowledgeable and will definitely join to keep working for the family that stood by them for years in squalor. The jobs Rescue are doing are already generating money you said, it will cover what's being added and the Fire part of that will only add more to the pot."

I look at Justice. He nods to me, then turns to Cort. "She's right. In a month, this Club jumped to Banks' number two. Badass Innovations will always be his one spot. They're going to pay for the expansion and it will be with Brothers wanting the better life with a connection to their Teams and new Brothers."

Cort nods. "So, who is admin and Ops?"

Mikey jumps right in. "We have two FBI/Badass, Clay who is Security training andanOfficer but helped in Ops when he was needed. It was a rotation he did that surprised Mag and Falcon. The next is the hurt Airman that works Airbase Flight Control at Honor. Mase said he's wasted because he's good on Ops but basically running a desk. Last is Putam, he's begging me for work here. He's IT, Admin, can fly, is a freak and can run every position. He was on ground in Virginia but wants out of there. He's been asking for Ops Control for a year."

Cort's eyes get weirdly intense and they turn from Mikey to Justice. "What's happening in Virginia?"

"Some issues that aren't getting us Ops Controls, Boss. Putam works on the LS board for here sending Stan, and Level higher. He's at Bravo VIP right now taking any training Mag will put him in. Clay raises Keylan, Firefly and Anchor up. The Airman, Jock, and FBI keep them all in place when we added them." Justice doesn't answer the question but does in a way that says it's just not now.

Cort nods. "So, we're short one?"

Mag and Alder look at each other so I answer. "You have the team members that all like to train. They aren't going to like only jobs. One training day a week will satisfy the need to train and keep them working the Rescue jobs."

Cort looks right to Justice getting a nod. "Putam is coming because he was only ground. Day in and day out wears Brothers down. He was willing to work a day in Ops, now it's all he wants."

Cort stands. "Do that, get everyone here and thanks, Brothers. Drew, walk with me back to the Club. Angel took an hour for me."

I put the tablet I didn't turn on back in my backpack and move fast. He's a giant that takes one step to my two. Outside, he shortens his stride. His wife must have trained him. She's a martial arts instructor, trains men, with someone named Freedom who I'm going to meet, in Krav maga and runs a bunch of pizza shops and food trucks. She doesn't sound like a woman that nags a man or maybe Cort is just considerate to everyone. He certainly was to me. I called him acting like a lunatic.

"How do you know the Marines will want to train? You haven't talked to Racks."

It's a good question. "He wrote to me every week for years. I know all the men through those letters. They're all brothers, best friends and Marine to the core. I say it because that's how he described them. The Commander is the Leader, KC works every job like it's a cake walk, Hank is the player but he sees everything and can plan with what's around him like the Commander and Anchor, then Anchor the youngest but smart in everything but people, Wolf the doctor for everything but knows how to keep them all safe and Racks, he's a whiz on the computer, learned military strategy and could handle a gun at eight. In his letters, I learned they're all different but basically the same."

"Huh, I thought Racks was the player."

I laugh. "He was young in college, base is where he met a woman who didn't think he was too young and he was hooked. He wrote poetry about women and they named him Racks. He must have waxed on about women's chests but he didn't send the poems so I don't know."

He laughs. "Ranger said he was a kid at Stanford."

"Yes. He started online but went to classes at sixteen when he ran away."

"So, they'll need at least one training a week." He's saying it but it's a question.

One class won't work so I clarify it. "I'd give a day a week. Shorten their Rescue job days to four and give a day for training. The teams will need it too. Adding Fire takes Pres out of the Rescue lineup but adds more teams. The Commander's teams train for Rescue, they could easily build another team for here."

He stops, looking out over the little lake. "I didn't know what you'd add here but see where I jump to handing the Brothers more work. I'll make sure they have four days on and one off of jobs. They may get two days of training on the slow weeks or they can use the downtime as interaction with the trainees. They're tough on the trainees but everyone that's been through here has gotten good comments on the report we just got back."

That's so good to hear. "You want these teams interacting with the trainees then."

He nods. "I need to get to Ops. I'll send questions to the board or chat."

"Thanks, Boss."

I turn but he stops me. "Drew, did Racks tell you why Anchor doesn't use his name?"

I nod. "Africa white is a drug otherwise known as Mandrax. His dad was albino, mom black. Their last name was Brown. They're addicts and lost him before he was a year old. For some reason, probably drugs, they thought naming him Africa White was a tribute. He didn't learn that it wasn't good until he was in middle school. I know about his mom and dad from him. I know his name hurts him from Racks. I think you should ask him if you need more but it's a subject that causes him pain so I hope you won't."

He winces like it's already happened. "I'll lose the name. He did a great job today, I hope it's where his focus stays."

"The old team will see and fix it. They're good about pushing positive and burying negative," I smile. "It's in the Marine code or something."

He laughs walking up the stairs. "You're all right, Drew. It's a Badass trait too. Seren is going to love you." Since he's not looking my way, he's not waiting for an answer.

I run out the door and sit on the steps to scroll through my phone. Between the ride time and meeting I wrote to Racks about what happened and copied it for Anchor. I smile seeing the emoticon rolling around on the floor laughing. My brother would definitely laugh at that. I giggle and check Anchor's chat, he answers my questions but I figured some of it out so I scroll fast and laugh. He's got a little guy with a TNT box that blows up a clip art building. Under it says the new kitchen looks better and no old-fashioned shit from more than ten years ago should be allowed or the elders will have bed warmers burning up their new bedrooms.

He's got a point I didn't catch. I send a big thumbs up with a laughing Alpha-Bit guy. I love the moving pictures.

Seeing his little picture on the top, I click on it. Anchor White is twenty-five in a few days. He was an Officer with MEU and now an Officer for BSC Badass Rescue. Anchor White. He took the Anchor name dropping Africa. I send Aurora my new questions and hop up to get to work. I've got an hour until I need to be at the pool.

***

The pool is loud at the party I'm proud to say is mine. The cake with sparklers was funny. Aurora lit it as soon as I walked through the gate. We're still working on dinner that KC vouches the ribs perfect and Wolf argues that the burgers and salad are where it's at. The women sit together and I love every one of them. Bret tells us about the mine shaft and I can't believe they worked so hard not knowing if anyone made it until they were six hours in. That's a long time to be stuck in a mine shaft hurt without knowing if anyone is looking for you. The camera and Badass hat they sent down didn't work well but worked to let them know they had three waiting for a rescue. The hat had a light and camera that worked with a booster someone sent down with a medic. I'm never asking about the jobs they do. That one will give me nightmares as it is. A tiny cave is not anywhere I want to be stuck. I get the willies just thinking about it.

Seren, Addison, Freedom, Jeti and Marli are unbelievably cool like Firefly and Flame but I'd never say it out loud. That would make me the epitome of uncool.

Aurora laughs. I elbow her then Jeti laughs so I roll my eyes at her. Racks comes in and right over to me. He rags on me for a couple of minutes about telling them next time I want to redecorate, then pulls me into a hug. It feels so good I laugh with tears burning my eyes and hold on tight because he is.

"You did great with the extinguisher. I'm so glad you're okay," he says softly before letting me loose.

"I've missed you. Thanks. Where's Anchor? He sent me a funny chat too."

His head tilts. "You like him too?" He pulls me to the walkway and we walk.

"He's great. He answers all my questions and is always encouraging."

"He likes you."

My feet stop. "He doesn't know me or how I believed everything dad said."

He pulls my hand. "He likes the you he knows, Drew. If you still believed, you wouldn't have a best friend and elders you love who are black here."

"Since Aunt Jen showed me the police report for harassment when mom died, I haven't believed him, but I did, I believed everything."

"I did too but left it back at the Homestead. It doesn't matter. Badass is forward." He puts his arm around me and walks.

I smile but it's not a real smile. Anchor is a black man. He's been bullied and treated badly by his parents and carers that didn't want him. He spent so much time alone because he didn't have anyone that cared and that is still with him. He worries over people showing up again for work even. No one who believes that deeply is going to want someone like me. I'm white trash. The elders were so mad at me. The police said it in court and everyone was nodding. They walked out having real work to do and left me standing there like I wasn't worth a minute more of their time. Racks just doesn't understand. I try to explain. "When people are damaged so deeply, they can't forget, Racks. It's always there for them. Like his name. It still hurts him. I asked Cort not to use it today."

He stops and turns me. I see his anger and step back. "You told him?"

"No, he asked and I told him what you wrote and what I knew but he said he'd lose the name. Why didn't he change his name?"

"He was too young. A judge told him to wait until he was older before changing it out of anger. By the time he was old enough, he was in boot camp." He shrugs and moves me along.

"I bet Alder or Cort could do it for him." My bosses are amazing Brothers to everyone.

He turns smiling at me. "I'll ask the Commander. He knows Anchor better than I do. Everything I know about Anchor came from the Commander. Anchor doesn't talk about it. Let's get back. Anchor will be up soon. The Brother is like a robot sometimes. I got a nap this morning but he was running from one job to the next."

"He said he doesn't sleep much. They have help for admin, trainers and Ops coming before the firemen start showing up."

He laughs. "Badass forward, once it's decided, it rolls on by like a freight train." He's got that right and has me giggling.

***

Anchor

Laughter has me smiling before I'm at the pool gate. When I walk in everyone is quiet so I'm on alert. No women are here but the elders and moms. I correct that to, no younger women are here.

"Ladies, Cort, Pres, Brothers." I acknowledge before sitting in the open seat beside Racks."

Racks stands fast. "Brother, I saved you food and a piece of cake. You missed the sparklers on it, but I did too."

I laugh. "How is Drew taking the ribbing?"

Mom Stone bends to hug me. "She's fine and had us all laughing earlier. Aurora has bingo set up for us tonight so I'm glad you showed before we left."

The elders look excited for bingo and leave quickly. I look at the Commander. "Were they waiting for me?"

"Who knows. Aurora left a few minutes ago." It was planned. "We have some help coming for Ops and training."

I watch him but Cort gives me the rundown quickly. I nod. "Thanks. I love the jobs but I'm glad I still get training in there. Do we know the new Lead?"

Racks puts three plates down. "Me. I agreed just before you got here."

I look at the Commander. "He's a good Lead."

I nod but he's losing another from his team. I hate that.

Pres notices. "He's not leaving, Brother. He's just changing to a Team Lead."

"Yeah, Pres. Why do I have three plates?"

They laugh. "My mom and her need to feed. Racks made one she didn't think was enough."

"She mentioned growing boys but you'll be growing the wrong way like that." Cort has me nodding but I'm hungry so I eat.

"Alder said you sent plans to Maddox." The Commander stops my second bite.

"Yeah, it's small parts we can use to adjust water flow when we need it and a few other fixes we made in Louisiana and on the mountain."

Racks nods. "I told them about the power company losing power. Cort is going to get our new admin guy on offering a quick fix for the build team."

"That's good. No gas in a generator just cost them a fortune."I eat while they talk.

Level tells Pres about Asa and the laser.

I laugh. "It was all I could do not to laugh when he asked if the Brothers are scared of you, Commander. He came up with Zeus, Harky, Falcon and Mase." They all laugh.

"Alder has Juan and Stella working on laser trimmers for landscaping." Cort has us all looking at him. He smiles. "It's out now. Alder said he'll use the profits to replant trees on BSC compounds." Even he laughs at that.

"I guess scaring the Brothers is off the table," KC says.

Racks shakes his head. "Zeus already showed. The Team knows what classified is and won't ever say electric avenue."

They all laugh while I finish my plate.

Cort adds. "I already sent a message about using their gun laser on trees. The new will be out soon and they can use that."

Looking around, I can't help but feel connected to these Brothers. Even Spano, Bishop and Cort are like part of the family. There are two I don't know, but I'm sure I will before they leave.

Racks leans in. "You okay?"

I smile. "Yeah, we're like a family. The other Brothers aren't saying much but they're happy to hear the new, laugh and just be here."

"Ol' lady meets give them Brother time. Some show at different Clubs on meet days."

I shake my head. "I didn't know. They did that for the last meeting but no one explained why they were here."

"Today's new is Brother time."

I push him back and laugh. "I thought it was cutting trees with MPs."

He pushes me.

"Classic Anchor," Wolf says.

I shrug. It was quick and got us out of there.

Cort pulls his phone. "Ol' ladies are done." The Brothers with ol' ladies move out quickly and two Prospects come in to clean up.

I'm up and check my phone. Drew will meet me at the circle so I'm not in a hurry.

"You're on Bible training?" Level asks.

"Yeah, we walk the compound or sit at the lake. She's meeting me at the road."

"The new kitchen is nice. The living room is at the back but I didn't see it until I walked up to the island." KC has me looking at Racks.

He's smiling. "We were a step in and didn't see it at all. We didn't see the dining room either. Cort was meeting with Brothers at the table."

I laugh. "They didn't say a word at first, then Cort told us to go sleep before he called us for the next job."

Wolf laughs with KC and Level and I realize he didn't leave with the rest. "Why are you here?" I ask Wolf.

"Bret said three hours wasn't enough and she's going back to bed. I took it as an order."

I nod. "I watched the training feeds. She did a great job and learned build fast."

"She got up an hour early to prep for that one. I wasn't here or I'd have told her the plan is written out."

"I'll tell her tomorrow. We had minutes to change gear for the next job. I'll show her the class plans and answer her questions so she's not stressing over it."

"Relax, Anchor. She has trained with you since she got here. She wasn't blindsided but she's like you and wants a plan." Wolf has me relieved.

"Yeah. We're all like that." I see Drew walking our way. "I need to go. Are you at the pit?"

"It's too early, I'm riding." KC points and I see Joe.

"I'm with them," Wolf says.

"Me too," Racks says.

"I'm in," Level says.

I smile. It's always the same. "I'll see you at the pit."

Drew gets to me with a smile on. "Good meeting?"

She giggles and I want to kiss that again, so I step back and turn, guiding her to the walking path. "The women here are crazy but they're fun and helpful in an off the wall kind of way."

I smile at that. "I've seen it. The Brothers are the same. I'd be the example for that today."

I hold my breath through her next little giggle.

"You're like an anchor, Bret said. What did you do that was crazy today?"

It's out and Alder is making a landscape laser. The news showed me punching a cop. She's going to hear and see it anyway. "It's on the news so you'll see it. I punched a cop that called me snowball head and did the biggest part of the job using the laser from our MP rifles to cut trees down. It was a lot of trees and not one chainsaw pulled from the gear boxes."

She stops and puts her hand on my arm to stop me. That hand moves away fast but I feel the heat of her hand even after it's gone. "A cop called you snowball head? Seriously?"

I see the anger in her eyes. "Yeah. I don't make shit up for conversation, Drew."

Her head goes back quick like a tic hit her. "I don't think you did, but someone actually saying snowball head is worse than the mental I just got away from."

I smile. "It was different than what I usually hear. I told Racks I must need a haircut."

"I'm glad you punched the guy. Are you going to get in trouble because he's a cop?"

"Nah, another cop told the news he was spouting racial slurs so that will play more than me hitting the ass. So, the new kitchen looks better than the old." I change the subject.

"Yes, it's way better. Everyone got to see it today and they all love it. Scott is making chicken tenders for lunch in the fry station tomorrow. I'll miss it but they're all excited."

"That's good. I didn't eat my cake but Racks told me about the sparklers."

The giggle is killing me. It's short and always soft, like she isn't laughing right out, but it's pretty like her eyes, unusual.

"I didn't run for the extinguisher when I saw it. Probably because Aurora was holding it up, but the pool is safe from me."

I laugh. She's cute. "What did you read last night?" I ask before I turn her around to kiss those cute lips. Before tonight is over, we need to talk.

"Quite a bit. Alder rode with me today and answered some of my questions, but I don't always understand him."

I point at a bench coming up. "Pull your questions up and we'll get you answers."

***

Almost an hour later her phone is in her cargo pocket. I don't stand but listen to the explanation of the elders and Brothers or people collectively. She is so like Racks with the connections needed to be happy.

"Racks once told me we're orphans and need to be part of something. I never saw it before, but here, I feel it. I'm happier than I've ever been. The Marines gave me some of that but here is different. The Commander claimed us as family and, I guess, here I can finally see it, feel it."

She nods with glassy eyes. "I feel like that too. I was so screwed up before. Here I have friends. I don't think I even knew what that word meant on the Homestead. These people are real and I want to be part of their solution. It fits my need to help fix the world." I like the smile that comes with better than the tears I thought she'd shed.

"It fits with my plan too. Do I fit in your plan?"

That tic returns with her head rearing back. "You're a black man and I'm albino."

I nod. "I am and you are. I'm also Albino, aren't you Irish?"

Her eyes close and a tear rolls down from one. "I believed my dad, Anchor. I believed everything he said."

"Until your aunt showed you the truth. You've spent years in that truth, Drew. Is equal not part of that truth?"

"Not for me. I'm…"

I'm up and walking. Fuck that.

"Anchor! I'm white trash. Nothing more than poor white trash."

My feet stop. She thinks she's worthless?

I turn back and see those tears, red rimming her pretty blue-pink eyes. "You are Drew McClane, Badass and working for a better future for more. How the fuck can you think you're not worth the same as me, as anybody on the fuckin' planet?"

"I believed him."

"So did Racks, so do a million other people I bet. Do you believe him now?"

She's shocked. "No! I didn't know what he was doing. I fixed what I could."

Three steps has her against my chest. "You got their money back and adopted them all. That's a long fuckin' way from believing your crazy father. Racks told us some of the shit he believes. You aren't him and haven't believed in his agenda for a while. Let it go and move on. You're the only one that thinks you're worthless. You're working for Cort and Alder." I shake my head figuring the point is made.

"They won't talk to me once they know the truth."

Tipping her chin up, I kiss her. Everything I've been holding back comes up and she doesn't step back but holds my arms. It's enough for me to wrap her in my arms.

"No!"

Surprised, I put her down and step back still holding her hand but waiting for what that no means.

She looks down and squeezes my hand quick, then drops it. "I'm a racist, Anchor." The tone is as if she's disgusted. A hiccup comes out loud and she runs.

I have no idea what to do. I'm the wrong Brother to point out that she's obviously not.

I sit on the bench with elbows on my knees and head in my hands. Parents really know how to fuck their kids heads up. She left and it feels like that's for good but my head is saying she's just fucked up. Like me, I guess.

I look up at a drone that's lowering. They're usually up high enough that we don't hear them. Blue lights flash around the edges. I've never seen that before.

"Boss Anchor, you hurt?"

I laugh at the Alpha-Bit voice that comes from the drone.

"Not physically, Brother. Thanks for checking but I'm fine." I'm not fine.

The drone's lights go off and it moves away. I jog home. Everyone that can help is on a ride. I wish I were with them. Wolf would know what to do.

I clear everything that needs to be done to start tomorrow before heading to the pit.

Racks, Wolf and Level are here with the Commander. They watch me come in and Racks hands me a beer. "You look like shit. You should know Drew does too."

My eyes close. "She's fucked up worse than me."

My eyes open to the Commander moving his chair so he's in front of me. "She is but it's not her, Brother. It's what she lived with."

Wolf moves his chair so we're in more of a circle. "You know she's not racist."

Is everything broadcast over the BSC chat or something? "How do you all know what she said?"

"Aurora called me. Drew sent her a chat thanking her, she went to find her and found Drew packing." Fuck, she was leaving.

"Aylen and some other woman showed and sent me out. When I say showed, I mean they appeared. I went out before they made me disappear."

I smile at Racks. "I would have gone too. I know she isn't racist but she believes she is. She was pissed at snowball head then five minutes later she was trying to convince me. You were riding, so I went home."

"Surveillance called and told me you were not hurt physically. I came here and saw Racks." He wants information.

"I was on a bench on the trail. A drone lowered and asked if I was hurt. I said not physically."

He looks impressed. "That's scary and oddly comforting."

I shake my head. "I didn't know they'd call. I think I'm the last person that she should be talking to but don't know what the fuck I'm supposed to do."

"Let the women handle it." Wolf has me nodding.

"Okay."

They laugh but I don't care.

Talking to my Brothers, my family that came here for me tonight, I'm relieved. They aren't letting her leave. Even Racks, who isn't pushing her toward me, but he isn't denying she belongs to me isn't letting her leave. The Commander said she's mine and no one disputed it.

I think so too. She's another fucked up albino. What are the chances of us ever meeting?

Racks walks home with me. "Aren't you going home?"

He smiles. "Yep. I was riding because the Prospects were moving me to my new house." He points at the house before mine.

"Oh fuck."

He laughs then gets serious. "Drew is scared. Give her time to make this decision on her own. I see it and both love and hate it but you're my brother by choice and she's my sister by blood. Don't fuck her up more than she is. Her best friend is black." He shakes his head. "She's really fucked up."

My hands go up. "I'm not pressuring her into anything. I didn't chase after her knowing I'd never get through. I'd never hurt you or her, Racks. I stepped back."

He nods, watching me. "That's why I love it. You'd never hurt her. I hate what comes next."

I smile. "Cort and the ol' lady mission?"

"One day hookup, Raid said."

I shake my head. "Unless that's her idea, it's not happening." It will but probably not in a day.

He nods. "Go home. I'm not talking about that shit."

"Love ya, Brother."

"Fuck off."

I laugh and go home.