Chapter Two

Guardian Rising

Citiali

We walk out of Church, bypassing Brothers trying to get to the floor to talk to the Officers. “Nova reminds me of Falcon. I don’t think he sees the draw to him.” Ari likes them both.

I don’t know either well but nod. “Hemy is like that. Last week I went to the Protector’s Church on the reservation. I never met the Presidents here before this week.”

He’s sorry he missed it. “Mase gave me bullet points from it. I was on Alder. Tag’s boy had another shot.” The live virus in some vaccines posing a death threat to the Bits has to be hard on the little Brothers. I’m glad the other shots are safe for them but every Bit I’ve seen loves babies.

Seeing he feels that, I move us on. “Justice pointed it out. I got my plans up. What’s going on with international?” Nova mentioned Clubs taking in International Badass members and civilians.

“We’ll be getting more from Cort or Justice. They’ll need ability Brothers to collect some and healers on the planes. I suspend and can carry an Alpha-Bit when needed but I’m not as fast as Brothers like Mase, Nash and Axe. They just appear.”

I nod. “If I’m needed and you have coverage for me, I’m honored to help.”

His smile shows. “I already told Teller he can add you to their lineup. Mase or Justice will be Lead, this is International political prisoners. The country was taken over and there’s a shit load of people fleeing but US and dual citizens are being held. Of all people, CIA through the FBI asked Prez for help using Badass. International members that tried to stop it were caught in the sweep as a hook. Prez is pissed but agreed, the thing is, he’s moving them all to BSC Clubs. Aiyana says quite a few are Indian that CIA were using to tie Badass into their newest fuck-up. They took the Indians right from the reservations just like Maiyun. Wherever they were was some CIA think tank so it ought to be interesting. They’re taking military Brothers that know languages and ability Brothers.”

I see the words spoken to him, ‘heavily gifted.’ “Virginia is showing for this?”

He stops. “Are you reading me? How do you know that?”

“No, Ari. You let show the words ‘heavily gifted’ but nothing else. Virginia has a lot of young ability Brothers that have been learning other Native languages for years. Zeke, Mase, Axe and Putam know. JC is a Blackhawk and worked for Aaron on Andrew’s team. She’s known for money but she spent time learning languages when we talked in Native tongues.”

He smiles. “So the Brothers wouldn’t understand?”

I smile right back. “Yeah. We are better readers so we’d jump to another language that JC didn’t know.”

He laughs right out. “That girl must know them all by now. She was a pain in the ass but the kid is smart as hell.”

I nod my head in agreement because all Blackhawks are, they have to be. “Is she who you were talking about for the trainer?”

“Yeah, she’s doing good with Luna. She suspends now.” We sit on our bikes but he’s not ready to leave yet.

Hmm. “I’m glad she found her purpose. She was a reader in Virginia but not a good one. Stubborn and nosey is pretty much where she was stuck.”

“Zeke got through to her. I haven’t seen her lately but she hit like four Clubs here. Nova was relieved when she went to Flight Guard. He hoped Zeke would offer her a job.” He makes me smile.

“I think that’s why she ended up in Virginia. She was young for there but came in with the first crew. When is the meet for this Op?” I’m done with JC updates.

He drops his helmet on his head. “Don’t know. Teller said he’d call or see us at the reservation. Prez isn’t sending anyone out until he has everything from the CIA and he’s meeting them with Ricky, Christian and Aiyana so nothing is missed.”

The relief I feel isn’t for nothing. I hold that and nod starting my bike up when he does. The ride back is quick, too quick to get an answer back from Atohi or Mucimi.

I throw chin when Mucimi appears as we shut the bikes off. “I was with Jacky. Alexia’s dad, the old FBI Director, said the CIA that heads the think tank is a friend and asked Prez to bring him home. Justice said it’s the truth but the Head hasn’t been CIA for years. Prez wants to make sure we aren’t going to collect more lab experiments. He’ll call a meet when he knows more.” The Brother is just gone.

I shake my head.

Ari is smiling. “You asked?”

“I did but didn’t expect him to show. He needs to get with his girl.”

He laughs. “He’s avoiding her like the plague. Putam said he stalks her but not physically. I didn’t ask and don’t want to know.” His hand goes up fending off an explanation I have no intention of giving.

I throw chin. “I’m going for a run before the party.”

“Party? Here?”

I shake my head. “No, Guardian. Cort will call in an hour or so.”

“Fuck!” This tells me Ari isn’t a vision kid. Suspending, pushing, quickness and reading are his abilities. He’s strong in what he has which tells me his purpose is set. There’s no way to pinpoint his purpose without a vision, but it may just be teaching. I won’t bet on it because the ancestors have gone crazy.

Before that line of thought makes me crazy, I text Gregor that I’m going for a run. He’s a good partner that doesn’t talk much so his agreement works for me.

***

Guardian Club

Cort is at the head of the table, Falcon on his left and Raid on his right. I’m about three quarters down from him but stop talking to MB, who fascinates me, when I see Falcon’s thoughts.

I don’t have to wait long. “The trainees are staying for an extra week. Bravo and Sentinel will have them covering training and admin jobs for the Brothers going on Ops.”

Cort has my eyes bouncing to Ari. He nods like he expected it. “Everything is set up to open here. I can cover…”

Cort stops him. “You’re on with Luke-Rayne and Marks. They need a reader and can’t both be on at the same time. Cooper and Falcon agreed to a couple of shifts for FBI, but they’re not readers.”

Ari nods. “I didn’t know Marks is a reader.”

Raid laughs. “He’s not but might as well be. He’s like Harky and MB.”

I want to meet Marks and Harky.

Putam laughs. “You should. Ginny told me to bring you up there.”

I nod seeing the BSC map. Bravo is our closest Club to the east, they’re due south of Phoenix. Champion is due east of Phoenix.Rising2is northeast of Phoenix. I think Cooper is Elan and he’s due north of Phoenix. The west side has Alpha, Guardian and Honor. Phoenix is completely surrounded by BSC but veers into other states north and west of it in the same compass rose pattern like this one but it covers MC Badass Colorado. There are Clubs planned the same way surrounding the FBI/Badass Training Center. It’s not the first time I’ve wondered how they populate all these Clubs.

A kick to my foot has me looking across the table at MB. “You’re with me tonight, we’re out at three from my Club.”

I nod. “With the dogs but I’m not familiar with them.”

He’s surprised. “We sent dogs to Virginia.”

“I wasn’t on Ops with them. I was ground out of Hemy’s Club. We didn’t live at Aaron’s and I wasn’t really welcome there.” I feel his concern but he doesn’t ask.

He turns toward Cort. “Boss, Citiali hasn’t seen or worked with Ops dogs.”

I’m not sure I’ll get to see this surprised look often so I note it. Cort relaxes. “Bastille is on but won’t have dogs from Princes.” Cort doesn’t sound convinced and turns toward Justice. “This works?”

“It does, Boss. Citiali isn’t on Ops with dogs. Zeus and Prometheus don’t need a Lead, they’ll have Mass Enforcer’s on them, Virginia ability Brothers helping the FBI with them and Harky as Control. Mase, MB, Bastille, Citiali and Teller are going in one side. Mucimi and Teller will transport. Zeke, Mucimi and me the others with Bastille, Blake, Harley and Freedom.”

Alder stands on his chair. “I volunteer to Ops, Pres Cort.”

Cort nods. “Doc and Chop said you would. They’ll be with the plane. Ops gear and real bullets if you’re going in.”

Alder nods once. “I will be ready.” His mind chose words for that. “Cover to medical Champion?”

“I got Sawbones there; Patcher will call Chenoa if he needs help.”

Alder does the one nod again.

Cort goes on with the plan, Justice shows us locations on a board then shuts it down. Everything is mapped out but not planned out, we get objective. It’s how we get Ops plans in Virginia. Control will keep us covered. Once they start talking about drones, I look around. MB is watching me so I throw him chin. I don’t read unless it’s open and he’s not giving anything away.

I smile when Justice suggests we eat. It sounds like this was planned by an ability Protector and Justice will keep it open for us.

“Do you know Ken? He was FBI.”

Standing, I nod to MB. “I heard of him but never ran FBI Ops. They have military that run those. I was strictly DC out of Hemy’s Club. We had four teams that took Ops from the big Club. Some of our members were military but most from Liberty.” I see his confusion. “Indian.”

His brow smooths. “I was trained in Mass, they’re the only ones that took my app without making me jump through hoops.”

I see it from Putam. “The readers made sure you’d stay. How did you get here in the West?”

He smiles. “Harky. Him and Zeus saved what was left of two units. Badass trained me in Mass and sent me here with him. Bastille got legs and stayed in Mass. He was with the other unit members saved.”

I nod seeing it and work to keep the wince and pain I feel inside. My hand on the chair holds me up and MB sees it. I send energy getting chin back. He carries it but uses it instead of letting it hold him down. The woman’s face I see has me breathing easier. His purpose changed.

I look him in the eye. “Thank you.”

He nods. “The blue and paint on your face is gone.”

My head whips to Putam. “Paint? Axe said it too.”

He throws me a picture. “No gold eyes but it shows. Did you ask for strength?”

I nod. “The searing pain I felt pulled enough energy that my back came alive with it.”

Justice is by me. “Let me see. I’m lifting your cut and shirt.”

I nod. Where the fuck did paint come from? I’ve always shown anger through my eyes, this is new. I should have asked last night but got caught up with the history from Justice.

Justice doesn’t touch, but I feel his energy hovering over a spot on my back. “It’s radiating energy and looks darker. Go back to how it started. I felt the energy from the side of Cort.”

I guess it would show what new this is and look at MB replaying the scene he showed. My hand hits the table but my eyes stay on MB. My back feels like it’s alive. “They were sacrificed. No survivors were expected.” I stop when he winces.

“Focus, Citiali. We’re here.” Justice and Putam pull me away from the bombed buildings and fallen soldiers with hands on my arm and shoulder. “The man who ordered it died.”

MB nods without remorse. “Let it go.”

I throw him chin.

“Jelly legged isn’t covering this one.” Raid has me breaking what feels like a solid link to MB’s eyes, when my head turns, he steps back to Cort’s side. “Jesus, the eyes were enough. What’s the paint mean?” A step to the right has him in a shield position for Cort.

I shake my head. “I’ve been raised to defend Badass from birth. My path has changed but only in location, Brother.”

Cort moves him and walks toward me. “Justice.” It sounds like a question.

“Do you feel the energy, Boss?” Justice asks.

Cort nods. “Why isn’t the paint gone? It didn’t last this long the first time.”

I can guess. “I saw more. My markings feel alive.”

“The color is darker. What’s the greenish color? The purple patches are darker than the others but there’s a green color I’ve never seen on you.” Putam asks. He’s seen my back while swimming with the Little Brothers in a lake and at the Club pool. No one ever said green before.

“Shield with endurance, healing and harmony. The red is with strength, yellow insight and light - the color of knowledge, purple is power, mystery and magical.” It comes out automatically.

“The blue and yellow on your face?” Justice asks throwing me the picture.

My head whips around. “Paleo and Navajo. My markings are of the seven points of Sequoyah but the paint is Paleo-Navajo.”

“How many kinds of Indian are in you?” Cort asks from in front of me. I’m surprised he’s not looking at my back.

Justice answers. “All, he was touched by all, Boss. Aiyana said it, but until now, I didn’t get that all means ancestors from all tribes.”

I step back when Aiyana appears, but I know she’s not here. “Citiali and Atohi are of all tribes as was their grandfather Waholi. I must pass along the ancestors warning before you decide to perform experiments and exhaustive analysis on his body before being satisfied that his abilities will serve us well. Citiali is needed and should not be held here.” She isn’t asking and doesn’t explain.

Cort laughs but doesn’t answer.

My head drops and I look at my feet. “Thank you, Princess Warrior.”

“That’s jelly-kneed normal.” Raid has me looking up. Aiyana is gone.

Cort is watching Justice, so I do. “He’s needed, Boss. I feel it but she knows it. He can shield himself and team even if they’re not close. With Zeke, we may not need that but the shield he’s meant to provide isn’t worth leaving behind with Aiyana’s warning.”

I shake my head and Cort’s eyes change to hard and steely in a nanosecond. “I’m meant to shield. I wouldn’t be given the ability without a way to carry it out. This is new but only in the way I use it. Power, endurance, insight and magic are a way of life for Protectors and have been for me since I was born. I will do that to protect and defend Badass with every ounce of blood I have in me, Boss.”

“Calm those golden flashes down, Brother I wasn’t sidelining you,” he says calm and reasonably.

I relax before he shoots me. I’d shield but that would piss him off more. My back feels like it’s ready to move without me. “Roger, Boss.”

Putam chuckles. “The ancestors have you shielded. Relax, Citiali.”

What the hell does that mean?

“Jesus, so a laser won’t even touch him? I need a drink. Indians used to be fun.” Raid pulls Cort out the door, since Cort goes without looking back, he must be done here.

I turn toward Justice. “I’m shielded by the ancestors?”

He shrugs. “It’s what I got, what I feel and Aiyana agrees loud in my head like I missed it. They’re fuckin’ crazy so be prepared for more. I’m shielded by them too. I think Prez is and know Christian and Aiyana are. I’d add Zeke to that but he hasn’t said. I’m hungry and haven’t seen my boys, are you good here?” He’s leaving?He’s fuckin’ crazy.

“I got this, Justice. Go see your boys.” Putam has me glaring at him. Answers would help here.

His head barely shakes. I relax and fix my shirt making sure it’s tucked in right. Falcon and Ari are still sitting. Putam and MB sit so I do.

“Dad Jay said you don’t need more than to know you’re covered. The paint is the ancestors and it happens to Aiyana all the time, so it’s normal for them. Relax and know you’re going in with more of a shield than you had. He thinks you’ll get more but it’s not time. Aiyana grew, Christian grew, Zeke grew and you will too. Mase, White Wave and Luke-Rayne were blasted with shit fast.”

Okay. “So, my shield is more right now. The insight and power I feel is the shield?”

“Yeah. No one knows this shit so you need to keep us in the know and ask for help when you need it. New for you means it’s new for us too. We may not know, but we’re pretty good at finding answers through others.”

I nod. “Thanks. I’ll ask questions as they come up and let you know at the reservation what’s new.”

Falcon stands. “That sounds right. You’re relaxed, the table and room are still here, no fire in sight and the paint is gone. I’m going to find Cort. He’s not settled.”

He feels it? Okay then. We all watch the door close. “They aren’t readers.”

MB laughs. “They keep asking if I am. They don’t see it but they’ve all got something going on. I need to find my Copper Rose.”

We follow him out only to stop just outside the door. The bullets and blue light come fast. I smile and start walking again. “You’re all covered. Putam, let your dad know I got this one.”

They laugh while Raid whines to Nova about the shield test and wanting ancestors so he won’t need gear going out with Cort. I thought Princes were crazy.