by L. Ann Marie
A Brother hits the door open. “VP had the Garage working all night to get them done. Baxter boys were up there adding shit for you. They got dual boards or something and special lighting.”
I nod. It’s like the Princes HS bikes. If Jared worked on them they work by thumb print. I try it out and love the purr. The panel is digital and I already love it. I check the lights and see we have an outline of blue low lights and the regular head and tail. I run the outline and get off to see it. Jared is a genius. They’re understated, and will be visible at night—but not blaring. Hitting the board, I see the full Ops board. There’s no glass on these, just a cutout for the hologram board. I hit the ‘P’ and it flips me to Princes. Fuckin’ nice.
I try it out and know right away he did something to the engine. I fly out to the back field and test it with my gun in each hand then turning and stopping. Mase hits a hill in front of me and we play hide and seek moving the bikes by suspending. I’m happy to see him keep it low to the ground.
I’m listening in at Ops, but see a plane coming toward us from the south. “VP, a plane, I tagged it yellow, coming our way.” I turn heading back to Security. Mase follows talking to Jacob. Rolling under the building I tell the Brother to top me off.
“Devan, a plane tagged yellow on the MC board.”
‘Roger Guardian, I picked you up. Your new bike has a mic. VP said you’re talking out loud more and he didn’t want anything missed.’
I laugh. “Roger.”
Elizabeth and Harley roll in and check out their bikes. I see Pres didn’t have a problem getting here today. They ran shuttle earlier, but Devan gave them some down time because they ran so hard yesterday. I’m glad to see them both smiling. “Go change, we got company coming.”
Harley smiles, but Elizabeth isn’t happy. “We need a locker room.”
What? “You don’t have lockers?” I’m looking for Uncle Danny.
Elizabeth’s hand goes on her hip. “No. We have plastic drawers in a fuckin’ closet.”
“I’ll fix it.”
She nods and follows Harley. Jesus.
I pull my phone. “Uncle Danny, the girls are changing in a closet and have plastic drawers as lockers. Can you get them a locker room?”
“What the fuck are you talking about?”
I see him coming down the stairs. “I’m at my bike. I’ll see you in a couple.” He’s pissed and I’m glad.
He doesn’t show and I look for him. I don’t really have time to wait around. Blake shows and runs up to change. I connect with everyone and see no problems. I hear the chopper go up and know I have to go.
“Protector Ops. I’m rolling out. Everyone will be ready on schedule. I need to talk to LP1 about lockers. Can you remind me after Ops?”
‘Roger Guardian.’
Aaron comes running down the stairs. “Sorry Brother, my dad’s going off about crazy shit that he thought I needed.”
“Girls don’t have a locker room here. They change in a closet.”
He stops. “That is fuckin’ off.” He throws his leg and I’m rolling. “Nice skins.”
I smile and speed up. I love the black on black. We run through town until we hit the backyard. All old ladies are supposed to be on the Compound already, but Amanda and Penny are still in the backyard. “Green truck moving through the backyard.” I see it playing out before we turn and move me to in front of Amanda’s shop.
“Fuck Brother,” Aaron says and I tune him out pointing my gun at the driver. His hands go up and the truck stops. “Pickup Lightfoot.”
I don’t move knowing he’s going for a gun in a couple of seconds. Aaron gets closer and the pussy’s hand goes down. I shoot.
“Clean-up Lightfoot.” He changes the order. VP is giving him shit about keeping up with me and I laugh. “He just went from my side to the other side of the fuckin’ street! No one can keep up with that shit!” Aaron’s looking at me as if I did something wrong.
“Do you see where he’s stopped?” I holster my gun and ride. “Old ladies were supposed to be on the Compound a half an hour ago, MC Ops. There was a reason for that. Show B3 the feed. I had ten seconds to spare there.” No one is answering me.
“Princes Ops. Check MC tracking and call them on the fuckin’ phone if you have to, but move people where they belong. There’s a know playing out here.” I can’t tell them how it will play out, but maybe they’ll look for the way someone knew Amanda was at the shop.
‘Roger Guardian. Coder is on it.’
Thank fuck. We ride up Main to Power Plant Road and I stop. “Stay alert Mase.” I watch them running and see Aaron is antsy. “I’m watching them. Here.” I hit the board on and flip it from Princes to MC.
“Why don’t I have that?”
I roll my eyes. “I’ll ask VP to get you one.”
Security is picking up Amanda and a very scared Penny. “Throw HS to Digs.”
Devan is right with me. ‘Roger Guardian. Eagle Eye says connect.’
“Roger.” Reaching Dakota, I see he’s already airborne. ‘Pull your shields Brother. I believe that perch you are on is not a good stopping point.’
Fuck. I throw to Aaron and get the fuck away from the coast. Jesus. As soon as we’re down the hill all hell breaks loose.
Jacob has Blaze working to get Mase and Blake clear. I run toward Elizabeth and get slammed with a second plane coming from the water. I throw it to Devan and we keep moving. MC Ops is scrambling. Prez is watching and throwing orders to Dakota and Brantley.
Jacob and Devan are sticking with the plan and running as if they’re alone in Ops. I see Jeremy on the move and throw to Aaron, ‘Bikes coming from the south.’ “Be ready Elizabeth.”
‘Roger Guardian. I see it.’
I stop the cars and switch the lights to red—blowing through the intersection. “Shield now Elizabeth!” We come from behind the bikes and take the two in back. Elizabeth and Harley are coming at them shooting.
‘Christian!’ Jeremy yells.
“You got this Jeremy. Aubrey, you throw just like you did with Colt. You keep Jeremy clear, Little Bit. Colt, shield and throw everything you have. I’m two out.”
‘Roger Guardian,’ Colt says sounding calm.
I push a car back and fly around the corner heading to the reservation. ‘Jeremy turn at the next crossroad. We’ll come from behind them.’
‘Yeah.’ He’s calmer than a few seconds ago. That’s something.
There’s something up with the feeds. Rolling blackout pops in my head. “VP, rolling blackout?”
‘Yeah. HS is rollin’ slow.’
“Get my helmet on. Elizabeth help where you can.” They’re the only team clear right now. I see it and yell, “Jeremy don’t stop! Go over! Colt shield and spin around heading the other way. I got them.” Aubrey screams and I push them up. “Aaron get to Colt!”
He’s shooting as I hit the woods. The bike is light making the trail easy. “Slow down Brother and we’ll clear them from this side.”
‘Aubrey.’ Jeremy is pissed.
“Kept you clear and helped lift you. She’s clear Je. Let’s make sure they aren’t back tomorrow.” I see Dakota shoot the plane over the water. One down.
‘Yeah.’
Jeremy spins right in front of me and hauls ass going back. I could sit here and just watch him throw his anger out there, but he’s a healer. This isn’t his fight. “Mase move toward me Brother. We have two that will try to run.”
“Roger.”
I see the fire rolling and have to blink. It’s not a vision. “Not in the woods! Wait until you’re clear!”
“Sorry,” Aubrey says and I hold my laugh in. Holy shit, she’s pissed.
Aaron is hitting the pussies from the side and I see a pickup explode. “Now Aubrey!” She rolls her fire and I push it. Pussies are under the fuckin’ truck and I send it right to them. Colt is waiting and rides on the side of Jeremy shooting in a straight line as they ride. “Good job Colt. Get them wherever they were going.”
“Roger Guardian. We’re at Security in four,” he tells me. I’m surprised. Jeremy has been avoiding Security. Mase and Blake have the two that were running. Aaron rides up to me and stops. I look back. Fuck. This is a lot of money being thrown our way. I hope to fuck the MC gets it soon.
When I turn back Aaron asks, “Aubrey clear now?”
I nod. “For now.”
“Fuck.”
“We’re clear. Get the Protectors with HS to help clear this.” I see PD rolling out to help so they shouldn’t be out for too long.
“Roger Guardian. Prez said that was an impressive hour and good fuckin’ job.” I can hear his smile. He’s not used to getting that and I’m glad he’s down in Prince Ops.
“Thanks for keeping us running Devan. VP says it’s all about the control.”
He laughs then starts talking to the other teams. I turn and ride to Security at a nice sixty. The reservation roads aren’t the best in places, but it’s a good ride. I’m starting to think that any ride where I’m not being shot at is a good ride.
Walking into Ops everyone cheers. I look around and Ricky laughs. “For you shit head.” I smile. This is nice. Nekanis stays by me. I’m surprised. He usually waits by the door.
Jeremy is at Air control and I see why. “Dakota.”
‘We are moving over barren land Brother.’
I watch the boards behind him and see the plane explode. It’s like a movie seeing it up there like that. I just shake my head.
Jeremy spins around. “Thanks.” He stands and I give him a quick hug.
“Nekanis Kuwômôyush.”
He says it back smiling. Aubrey moves over to us. “Mitch and Jeremy worked on a cuff for Dean. It’s to help with energy. Something with ions and neutralizing. Look in his head for all that. Anyway. It won’t help for long, but Mitch said it will help for initial contact.”
My throat closes. He was working on this for Dean when all this shit was going on?
‘Yeah.’ He throws me directions and how it works and I’m lost.
I put my hand up. “I don’t need to know all that. It’s a few seconds?”
“A minute, two tops.” I hug him again and he laughs. Aubrey pulls him toward the door giving me a finger wave. I watch her pull Jacob down and kiss his cheek then walk out with Jeremy.
I look at the cuff and laugh. He found a way around it. Fuckin’ Brothers.
The meeting room is empty so I sit and jump. Nekanis is running with Hawk and I’m happy to relax and watch them. It was a good day all around.
“You are at peace my grandson.” She sits beside me.
I smile. “I am Nunánuk. It was another good day. I’m learning to enjoy all the little victories.”
She laughs. “It was difficult to walk with you through such hard times, but you have learned your lessons well, grandson. Today was a big victory Christian, for our family and our tribe. It is okay for you to feel pride in a job well done.”
I look across the lake feeling everything run through me. When I turn back she’s gone. I smile calling Nekanis.
When I open my eyes Aaron and Dakota are here. “Nunánuk and the ancestors are very proud today,” Dakota says smiling.
I nod. “Yeah.”
Aaron is watching us wanting to know what we’re talking about, but I’m leaving it alone. “How long are they going to be?” he asks.
“Twenty minutes,” I tell him then smile seeing he’s going for food. “Bring something for your dad.” He throws me chin and Dakota laughs.
While no one is here I throw to him. ‘They have a good two weeks before this shit starts up again.’
‘It would be wise to keep that close.’
Fuck. ‘I see them working, but they’re not taking the warnings. How do I make them understand?’
He gives me a sad smile and I see they still have some work ahead of them to mend the Club. “Sometimes it is enough to lead the horse to the water. Sometimes it is better to drop it in the middle of the lake and hope it swims out. Today you dropped them in a lake. Bob and Digs are not happy Brantley had to call from Princes to keep their women safe. Bob ran Clean-up. Your father is not happy no one is running Air Ops and Jeremy stepped into control. VP and Ricky can only run so many stations and so many teams. This is a very big organization without the benefit of Security stepping into HS Ops.”
“Why didn’t they pull Geek and Victor back?”
“Jake and Jerry would have worked, but they were pulled by Baxters to the PD.” That’s not an answer, but I know he won’t say more.
“Where was Pres? He’s here.” I see him in his office.
He looks out the window. “Making amends.”
Shit. He’s not mending the Club. “I didn’t know. I was hit with so many visions at once I couldn’t follow Ops.”
He nods. “You kept people alive Christian. That is what you are meant to do. The MC will get through this and you will be a big part of that. For now, we must let it happen as it will.”
As far as plans go this one sucks, but with Dakota saying it, I guess it’s our plan. Brothers show in a steady stream and they’re not very happy. They’re wondering what happened today.
Bob comes in pissed and leans against the wall. “Thanks, Christian.”
I throw him chin.
Ricky, Uncle Steve, Uncle Danny and my dad come in and none of them are happy. Uncle Steve stands at the head of the table. “Lead and control was pulled to PD right before Ops. Left us no Air and no Clean-up. Princes ran two HS teams. Christian cleared biggest threats and sent Protectors to clear with us. MC dropped it and we’ll fix it. No casualties, two injuries. Brothers with Doc. One fell off his bike other took a hit to his foot.” Everyone looks at Uncle Danny. I clench my jaw.
He moves back and Ricky moves forward. “Again, the Protectors, Princes and Dakota helped clear the biggest threats. Cloud ran Air from the air. HS had its problems with lost feeds and dropped orders, but we had no casualties. Not an easy day, but two hours of hard shows us where Baxters will be missed. I’m glad our lesson was today and we made it through. That wouldn’t have happened without the dedication and skill you showed us here today. Thanks for having our backs. Ops will run better for the next one. That isn’t a hope or dream, it’s a guarantee. There will be changes made and we will have the people and support you need to do your jobs starting tomorrow. Together we made it through today and together we came out stronger because of it. Thank you Brothers for another job well done.”
I smile. Nunánuk just said that to me, not in so many words, but she doesn’t talk much. Dakota laughs while the Brothers are thanking Ricky.
“Protectors stay with the Officers.” Ricky stops Harley and Elizabeth from leaving. Everyone sits, but Bob, Digs and my dad. “Today would have been as bad as losing the Officers. Thank you for your part in keeping Jeremy, Aubrey, Mase and Amanda with us.” He looks around the table. “We need help. Losing Jake and a control so close to Ops with Rich on HS hurt. It can’t be repeated. Who is ready for HS now?”
Everyone is surprised. Elizabeth is ready to float away she’s so happy. “Brenna, Carla and that kid Mendez.”
Uncle Danny looks down. Pres will fuckin’ flip. “Get with Rich and bring them in to run training for assessment.” She nods and he dismisses them telling them they did a good job today.
I’m still watching Uncle Danny waiting for him to say what’s going through his mind.
My dad steps forward. “If there’s no Air control, I’ll do it. We have pilots that can’t run without a lead. Today we were fuckin’ lucky Dakota isn’t one of those pilots.”
Ricky nods. “The job is yours. We can’t assume Jamie will be here when we need Air Control. You’re right, we were fuckin’ lucky it was you and Dakota up there.”
My dad is relieved.
“I’ll run lead too,” Uncle Danny says and I look at a smiling Dakota.
“I’ll take it. The Brothers may be safer.” Ricky has us all laughing. “Bob and Digs, I
know you’re both pissed. We lost Jake and Jerry literally ten minutes before Ops was set. If I had known the old ladies weren’t covered, I would have moved them. It won’t happen again.” He looks right at them and I’m proud of him.
They both throw him chin. “Pull me to control next time Ricky. We have HS and Security that could have covered today. Pull me when you need me,” Digs tells him.
“I will Brother. I’m not going to lie to you. I was just trying to keep ahead of the teams. LB ran lead for us and Brantley was running Ops control from Princes. I knew we’d be short, but not that short. VP gave me direction, but it was so fuckin’ fast and you don’t get all the words. I’m in Ops until I get what the fuck he says without having to stop and translate. I won’t let you down again.”
Digs is happy with that.
“Are there any questions?”
“Where’s Pres?” Tiny asks.
Ricky steps back and VP moves to his side. “His office. Didn’t answer then Bob showed, then Jeremy.” Everyone has questions, but no one asks. “That’s it? We’re done.” He walks out followed by Bob, Tiny, my dad and Digs.
Ricky plops down in the chair. “Holy fuck that was so bad.”
“The Brothers left happy. The Officers are stepping up instead of bitching. It wasn’t a perfect day, but it changed how the Brothers see you and threw relief where it was needed.” He looks at me as if I’m nuts and I smile. “It did.”
“When the fuck did you become Dr. Phil? You better watch it or they’ll be dragging your ass to more meetings where you get to explain all that shit.”
Dakota cracks up and I’m out of the room so fast I yell, “Later,” as the door is closing.
Uncle Danny, Tiny and my dad are in the hall and I slow down shooting for a normal pace.
“Mitch will have a new brace for you tomorrow and she’s making a wider leg on the pants so it will fit under.”
“Thanks Dad. I’ll see you at the party.” I throw them chin and tell Nekanis we’ll wait in the chopper.
I start connecting with the team. ‘You did it Blaze. I’m so fuckin’ proud of you.’