by L. Ann Marie
“I will see you tomorrow Brothers,” Dakota says following Taylor.
Prez is watching me. “This is moving faster than I thought. I need you to point out what I’ve missed.” He’s wondering if I’m getting that it’s too important to leave anything in question. He also has a question of whether this is going to work.
I nod. “I didn’t realize having a reader on Ops here was an issue. With me and HS backup I thought it was your intention for me to be in that position. I arranged with Hyde for Security tonight. I know that will be with HS support.”
He nods. “With me and Dakota here, I never thought about HS. Is there someone we can pull from Mass?”
I think about the ability HS from there. “Mase, Blake and Colt are too young. I don’t think the ‘rents will let that fly and I need Devan running Ops up there.”
He’s surprised. “You didn’t put Jeremy in there.”
I think about how to answer that before I open my mouth. “I know in an actual Op he’d focus to get the job done. I’ve seen it, but right now isn’t the time. He’s got shit hitting him that needs his focus. Aubrey is an issue that needs his protection more than anything else right now. We’ve seen what they do to her.” I throw the vision that Aiyana didn’t get.
His hands hit the table. “Jesus. Who is the most ready out of the kids?”
“Mase, but he’s needed on HS. Jeremy has been working with him on his abilities as he sees them growing, but he’s not a good reader. Colt is right behind him in ability, but a better reader. He hits right below Mase on the leaderboard and runs HS, but he’s fifteen and not a regular for them.”
He waves that away and looks up at me. The vision hit him hard. “I’ll talk to Bob while I’m at the MC.” He’s talking to Uncle Danny and Pres about this department.
I want to ask about Uncle Danny, but hold it for now. “I am able to run HS if Jacob is a lead here.”
“I have no doubts where you’re concerned. You’ve done more than I expected right from the beginning. My concern is you getting burned out and not having another reader here that can lighten your load.”
I see his concerns clearly, but don’t comment on them. I think about the rest he said. “Jacob can handle HS Ops too. If you can put Taylor with me, I have that common bond and an ability to let shit go with him. Taking someone so young from the MC concerns me. We have more Blackhawks here than they do in Mass. Colt would be alone here. That will be a problem for a twin that’s his age. Freaky shit aside, he’s still a teenage boy that needs his parents comfort and guidance.”
His hands are in his hair again. “Fuck. I need some time. I’ll work a way to get Taylor on with you or maybe a team of Taylor, Sheila and Aaron? If you have the support of your family will that work for you?”
I nod. “It will Prez. I’ve been comfortable with the ancestors and my family since I got back here. I just didn’t know how to get rid of all the shit before. Now I have that outlet and my Brothers and family supporting me. I’m okay with how it’s set up here and would rather the readers be together at the MC. They will need that family support and guidance while they’re learning.”
He gets it. “I’m going to relax now.” He smiles. “This is a new position for me. I was nervous throwing you into it so fast, but you’re more than ready and I need to remind myself to trust your counsel and abilities. I had similar issues when Dakota came on board. I will apply what I learned from that and get you where you belong in my circle. We’ll start that tomorrow. Do I need anything else tonight?”
“Devan and Colt are on an Op pulling weapons and supplies from our threat that was due to hit in two days. I’m taking the kids to Security tomorrow to show them our world, but also to get them familiar with the tunnels. They will need that and it will keep Justice safe.”
He’s relieved. “Thanks Brother. I need to see our new Little Brother. I think Holly renamed him.”
I laugh and follow him in. Brantley is talking to Nick while Holly has the boy and Mucimi on her lap. I sit watching them. Prez talks to Nick getting all that’s wrong with the boy and I look in on Mucimi seeing he’s in healing mode. The boy is happy to just be held.
“He likes that you’re holding him Holly. I think it’s new for him.”
She nods with tears in her eyes. “I got that too. He’s a very easy boy. I gave him oatmeal; does he need more tonight? He stopped before the bowl was empty.”
“You may want to try some applesauce later. It’s a picture I got earlier. Keeping him in cloth diapers is good too. He may have an allergy to the plastic.”
She nods. “I cut up a t-shirt to make one for now. A Prospect went for some and some clothes for a couple of days.”
“I’m taking the kids for the next two days. You’re clear to get what you need for him, but he has to stay on the Compound. I’d take him with me, but we’re traveling through the tunnels and I’m not sure that’s the best place for him to be. It hurts him to breathe and the damp air could make him sick.”
She waves it away. “I don’t want to leave him and risk him being hurt by someone that forgets about his rib. The poor thing doesn’t need any more pain right now and I can get what he needs without leaving the Compound.”
“What’s his name?”
She laughs. “Chance, because this is his second chance to get a good family that loves him and Mucimi likes it.”
I smile. “Perfect.”
Chapter Four
I meet Taylor at his safe in the garage. I had to move the time to one because HS was busy somewhere else. Taylor doesn’t seem phased by it. “You ready?”
“Yeah. We’re just getting close so I can pick up this Dean’s thoughts. Since Dakota thinks you need to be here there’s something else happening that I don’t have right now. I have an HS and regular Security waiting for us at the gate.”
“Roger.”
We ride out of the gate and a couple of blocks south then east. I feel anger and pull over.
“Aaron, take your second around two blocks and come up to,” I’m searching for the house in my head, “Green house in the middle of the block, it’s a tenement, 432, a single family on one side of it. Someone’s watching it from a van. Dark, at the corner, but they have audio from inside the apartment. Two in the van.”
“Roger Guardian.” He rides away.
I sit and think. “Jacob, are you on with me?”
“Roger Guardian. I didn’t know this was a regular Op.”
“It started out just a fact finding, but we hit a problem. If we take the men from the van can we pull their audio?” Now I wish I had worked the KC and knew more about Surveillance.
“Roger Guardian. I’ll have it for you by the time you’re in. The van is tagged on your board Sniper.”
“I’ve seen Ops, but you’ll have to guide me in protocol here. I’m on foot moving closer to the house.” I get a roger. “Taylor, cover me, but not too close. Someone else is out here. Aaron, take the van. You’re bringing the pussies to holding.” I start walking toward the house, but I feel someone watching.
“Roger Guardian,” Aaron then Taylor reply.
“Taylor, I’m being watched, but you’re not seen.” I get a click. I guess that means roger.
“Guardian, Shooter is being pulled to regular Ops for the take down.”
I feel my watcher close and click instead of answering. At the start of the block I shut the street lights down and move along the fence line.
“Lights are down Guardian,” Jacob says sounding frustrated. I click twice and move faster. “I’m taking that as you did it Guardian.” I click again wishing he’d stop talking. I throw to Taylor and jump as a shot is fired.
“Jesus Guardian.” I see him closing in on a small man and drop behind a fence moving toward a house for cover. When I see Taylor’s gun at his head I move closer to the road.
“I need a pickup.”
“Roger Sniper. C14 is on his way.”
Dean is aware of something going on and I see the li
ght on the first floor go on. Sitting against the house where it’s darkest, I pull everything I can from her. She’s afraid for her and her sister. They’ve moved twice trying to get away from the pussies in the van. She knows who they are and I run through her memories trying for everything on these fuckin’ lunatics. They blew up a house trying to get her, but pain stops me from following that memory. I need more time, but she’s picking up from Aaron.
“Aaron, block,” I say softly.
“I’ll tell him Guardian. Do you want him back on with you?” Jacob asks.
“No, get him to shield and move two blocks down. Someone’s coming for the van.” I get up and start moving away. I need more fuckin’ time, but it isn’t happening tonight. Now I see why two readers are important.
“Roger Guardian.”
I start running and throw to Taylor to move closer to the van. He’s at the bikes and pulls away as soon as my leg is over.
“Ops move Shooter one block east. A loaded pickup will be coming up from behind him. Get Clean-up ready and stay alert,” Taylor says and I throw him the dead driver.
“Roger Sniper, he’s moving now.”
“Get him back on with us.” Taylor doesn’t seem to like the way this is running.
I hear a series of clicks, but I’m watching the vision of the truck. “Hit him Aaron!” I yell seeing the pussy raise his gun.
We clear the block and turn in time to see Aaron shoot. Shots are fired behind us. I throw the shooter to Taylor and he spins his bike around going right toward him. Fuck. I follow seeing the pussy look to the right. “On the right!” I shoot at the same time Taylor does and their hate just stops. “Wow, that’s a fuckin’ weird feeling.” Taylor looks at me. “The hate just stopped.”
Aaron is talking to Jacob as we slow and stop by the pussies. Taylor goes to the pussy on the right. “Thanks, Christian.”
I nod to him, he has no clue how close that was. “Jacob find out how that truck wasn’t tagged.”
“Terry’s got it Guardian. You’re clear to come in to Security. Do you want anyone at holding?”
I find the pussies and see they aren’t readers and they’re scared shit. “No Jacob. Leave them until morning. They aren’t tracked and they’re scared. Can you record from holding?”
“I’ll have voice to text printed for you when you get in,” he says like it’s funny. They must do it a lot.
“Roger Jacob. I’m headed close to holding then home. I’ll be in with the kids around nine.” I look at Taylor. “I’m just going to get some information then I’m out. I’ll have Aaron. We’re done for tonight with Ops.”
He looks at me. “Ops, is tracking clear?”
“Yeah Sniper. We have away vehicles, but they’re not moving or anywhere close to holding.”
“Roger.” He pauses for a few seconds. “Jacob’s on with you until you’re home. If you see anything, throw it to Aaron and he’ll talk to Jacob about what you need.”
“Got it. Thanks Taylor.” He hits my fist and starts his bike. When Aaron and Security ride up he turns toward the Compound throwing chin.
“Jacob, we need Security on this Dean. That’s the green house first floor. She’s small, dark hair, cut shoulder length, maybe nineteen or twenty. She doesn’t drive and I don’t have a clear last name.”
“Roger Guardian. I’ll get someone on her and look for a name.”
We go to holding and I sit outside the building pulling what they have. They think of themselves as soldiers, but never expected to get caught. I’m amazed at the righteous indignation they feel. How do you think killing innocent people is justified in any religion? They honestly believe they’re carrying out God’s will by ridding the world of evil. I wonder if this is how the Nazis and KKK feel. I’ve never met anyone so sure in their hate. I need to get away from here. As we’re riding back to the Compound I think about their hate. Do we justify killing with a warped sense of righteousness? At the gate, I throw Aaron chin. He’s on tonight so I guess he goes back to Security. I need to learn how all this works from the Ops lead side. With this first time down, I have some questions to ask. Hawk is waiting with Dakota on the porch.
“You did a good job Brother. There are ways that the Ops run so it is consistent from one shift to the next. Since you will be working with different team leads it will benefit you to learn their procedures. They in turn will learn your way of throwing pictures instead of commands. It will work for everyone.”
I’m glad he’s here. That was one of my questions. I can’t see me in visions, but I can take them from other people. That’s how I saw me die in Jeremy’s visions. It just hits me. “I read Jeremy now more than ever before because that’s stronger for me?”
“Yes, my wise Protector. There are other changes in your abilities that you will notice, but the Brothers will notice more. Keep in mind that all you can do is new and a surprise to them.”
He’s not saying something, but I know he won’t go there so I nod. “Two things that happened tonight struck me. One was the hate that the pussies carried just stopped when they died.” He nods, but doesn’t say anything. “The other is that they feel justified in killing. Do we hate like that Dakota? Are we just like them in a blind ignorance to true right and wrong?”
He motions for me to sit and pulls a beer from behind him handing it to me with a smile. “No Christian, we are a peaceful, loving people.” I think about some of the wars and smile. That’s not so peaceful. “You are right, but let me ask you, have we ever brought our beliefs to anyone and forced them to live our way?”
I look at him like he’s crazy. “We moved into a town and killed drug dealers, Outlaws and anyone that put up a fight. Then moved to more towns doing the same thing. We completely control this corner of our world.”
He smiles like I’m a kid and he’s the teacher. I relax realizing that is exactly the way it is. I’m still learning. “That is so and as a Protector you will grow and continue to learn every day. We have never taken over a town without being asked. We remove corruption from hurting the people of the towns and take the drugs and death out of communities replacing it with good to help all. People are happy to live in drug-free zones because it touched them even if they did not use. It is not just the users and dealers that were removed. It was a daily worry for parents, kids and the PD. Our towns live in peace— happy and with a drive to spread that good to more people in the community. What we do is defend our communities and family. We do not look for people to have a problem with, they come here. The woman, Dean, did nothing to warrant grown men planning her murder. She is a known reader and helped the police with an investigation. She did not look for people to bring harm to. She stopped innocents from dying. What we do is justified, but for actual good. She came here for that reason.”
I think about that and drink my beer. We stop kids from being sold. Stop the senseless killing that the drugs bring with them, stop families from being devastated by the drugs and corruption like he said. Greed is not what motivates us. Keeping people safe and happy is all I see in Prez’s head. He’s always looking for ways to keep ahead of threats and promote good in the community. That looks a hell of a lot better than the complete hate I felt from the pussies. I nod having settled it in my head. “If we worked through hate like they do I guess that’s all we’d feel too.”
He slaps my back and stands. “It is Brother. We cannot allow hate to motivate us. We always work from the light.” He laughs. “The ancestors would not allow us to use our abilities with hate in our hearts.”
“Thanks Dakota.” Using the ancestors is fairly new to me, but I think he’s right. He’s made comments about the wrath of the ancestors and I can only imagine what that would look like. It’s not a pretty picture. They’re based in light and push for happiness and peace within the tribe. That can’t be bad.
* * *
“Thanks for showing Brother, but I’ve got them.”
He nods. “I need to get to Security anyway. I’ll run back later with Delta
.” He lifts Mucimi up and carries him through the kitchen.
I look at Done. “We’re going to Security through the tunnels. I need you to see how to disable the sensors. You may need to use them at some point.”
He nods. “Brandon, come with me Little Brother. We need to follow Uncle Taylor.” He’s thinking Brandon should see this in case they need the tunnels without an adult present. It’s a smart idea so I let it go.
Brandon follows Done and the rest of the kids stand in a line waiting for me. Alpha, Omega, Dexter and Hawk are standing ready. I tell them to follow and lead the kids to the basement door carrying Nash. It’s slow going down the stairs, but we get there and make it to the tunnels with no problem. Taylor is talking to Ops and I’m reminded that I need to get an ear piece today. The kids get a kick out of the lights turning on as we walk. Taylor sends Delta ahead on a straight run so they can see how they work. Aquyà and Teller notice the cameras. Taylor explains how they run, then why they were put in.
The kids look at me wondering if it’s true. It’s the first time they realize the threats we’re constantly under. This sparks a conversation about the closed-up doorways and the guns trained on them. While it’s scary, I don’t think it’s a bad thing for them to know. I let them ask all the questions they have and answer everything or ask Taylor to explain what I don’t know.
Mucimi is throwing pictures at him and the kids stop talking. He must be throwing so everyone sees.
I need to ask Dakota if they’re strong enough to pick up what each one is thinking. Justice and Phoenix stop and look back at me. “Yes,” Justice says. Okay then, maybe I’ll ask how I can block them more effectively. Phoenix rolls his eyes and they start walking again. I laugh.
In Ops, Done, Cade and Darren help us get the kids up the stairs. They all watch as Cade turns the sensors back on. Honor wants to know why we keep the sensors on and doors locked if the doors in the tunnels are blocked. Darren answers and they all watch him, but don’t ask any more questions. I see he’s got a memory of people using the tunnels to hurt the Club and figure they see it too. We take them right up to the meeting room and I put the Ops boards up so they can see what Ops does.