the joint, too," J.L. said, his gaze scanning the room. "I've been thinking about this ever since Mexico. I'm sure I can figure out a way to supercharge the perimeter from a bounce off tactical energy so Carlos doesn't have to take the energy drains all the time. Silver stakes deep in the ground around the perimeter, and me, Bobby, Dan, and Shabazz can square off that - each linked to a cardinal direction - to put a firstalert energy band around the property that will go off like a tripwire and hit all four brothers like an internal security alarm."
"You's a bad, boy," Mike said, impressed.
"Then I'ma link that to your audio, dude, going through the vibrations our earth energy folks on the team have," J.L. said, "and you'll be able to hear a fly catch in that net, Mike. I can hook up our noses like that, too."
"Damn ... you go, boy!" Jose said, nodding and pounding Rider's fist.
"We use a combo of state-of-the-art technology rigged with our standards from the old compound days, like holy water sprinkler systems, UV floodlights and all of that, plus we rig this new joint with every gift we own. Mar's strong prayer lines, Damali's, the stones on the property, down to the bricks, supercharged by our ladies, the Covenant standing at the four corners consecrating the ground after they bless the interior like that, so we're on hallowed ground and can't nothing come up from subbasements. Paint the floors with colloidal silver for insurance. Fabrics ready to rip off furni ture upholstery and go to work, if necessary, by Jasmine's hand-painted designs. Berkfield's blood in the paint mix over all doors, windows, anyplace anything foul could get in. Alarm plants by - "
"Alarm plants?" Inez interrupted in awe.
"Marjorie has that earth energy, white-lighter Wicca thing going with Kris, and with Bobby's wizard topspin," J.L. said with confidence, "plants, which are living organ isms, should scream bloody murder if anything makes it into the yard, same with houseplants. Give them a voice."
"Now you done went deep, Zen master," Mike said with a wide grin. "What happened last night that took you all the way to the ultimate creative plane, man?" J.L. laughed with the other brothers and simply shrugged. "I was inspired."
"Yeah," Jose said laughing. "Me, too ... like ... I think we should go on tour after we get this joint built."
The entire team looked at him hang-jawed.
"Our music is dying, yo," Jose said, not the least bit fazed by the group's reaction. "We need to be able to move around after we get situated to get our message out and let the dark-side know we ain't scared of them, ain't hiding."
"The youngblood's got a point," Rider said. "Our primary mission is to go root this bullshit out. I'm with Jose. I say we get a good base camp established, one where there's an iron
clad haven for us to return to at all times, or if we need to bring somebody in for safety reasons." He glanced at Heather and then back at the group. "Whoever has to stay home, can man the communications gear and keep us in touch with the Covenant, or coordinate logistics. Then we hit the road and do our thing."
"Keep moving and keep the pressure on while they're weak," Jose said, lifting his chin toward Rider.
"The music gives us energy, keeps us in touch with the Divine," Shabazz agreed, his gaze roving the group. "It also energizes populations who've lost hope, and we can drop some protection anointment on folks in the audiences like Mar used to do in the old days when she poured liba tions."
"I can definitely do that," Marlene offered. "And with all the juice on this team, now ... puhlease, we could blanket stadiums of people."
"Good," Dan said quickly. "I'll see what I can start to arrange - a World Peace Tour, guys? Tell me the promo and PR angle, and I'm on it."
"Sounds good to me," Shabazz said, standing and stretch ing. "We are gonna have to start earning some cold cash to refill the deficit spending going on." He looked at the group. "We've been gone, what, two years - and have been lucky. So, I don't give a shit if it's the last days and the Armaged don, that bull ain't gonna go down in one day. It won't be one battle, but a series of battles in a long, protracted war. That's why we hunker down, get ready