Endue: Women, Twins, Cyborgs - L. Ann Marie Page 0,112

both more settled than they were last night.

Web sits next to Alder with Ford on the other side. “Aiyana found line. Rs unidentified is growth. I miss.” His hands wave around his head. “No time to work DNA. I send you Aiyana work.”

Web nods. “I’ll try to get in more this week.”

Alder shakes his head closing the book. “Michael need you. Not Brothers, you. I work, Pres Cort give Brothers for help to me.”

Web hugs him. “Thank you. I’ll make it up, Brother.”

Alder smiles. “I here. You teach Brotherhood no string. I learn with honor all Web lessons. You stay to Michael. Brothers have your back. No string.”

Ford laughs shaking his head. I think about no strings. Alder pushes the book back. I shake my head no. “I think you’re supposed to look at it and add.”

He smiles pulling one out of his backpack. “I add with honor, VP Jinx. Mucimi say give to you.”

I laugh shaking my head. Fucking Brothers.

~*~*~

Brekan walks with me to Ford, Web and some military guy. “Commander Wheeler. We call him Wheeler. He’s worried about Ford and Garren.” He answers my thoughts.

“I’m glad they have Brothers around them. Justice told us about Ford and Garren growing up.”

He smiles as we get closer. “He’s got the unit and the community Garren and Alex made. Wheeler, I’m glad you came down. Is Vargas with you?”

“Daniel had a ball game and Gary a birthday party. I’m just here for the day.”

“This is Jinx. He’s one of the twins from the other reservation I told you about.”

Putting my hand out he takes it in a Brothers’ hold. He knows the Brothers. “I’m honored, Commander.”

“I like your eye.”

I smile. “Thanks, it’s about a month old.”

He nods looking at my arm. “I saw some kids running around with sunglasses, I see where they got the idea from, Garren is getting some for our kids. My new cool stats will go up because I met you.”

I laugh shaking my head. I never thought I’d raise the cool status. “Hamp! Wheeler!”

We all turn. I fucking laugh. Garren and a bunch of Alpha-Bits come running with hologram shades with one zooming eye on them. When they get in front of us Amal and Brody jump. I catch them putting Amal on my back and hold Brody on my arm.

Garren pulls small shades from his pocket. His colors match mine. “I got for all the nieces and nephews and Alex.”

Ford hands some to Wheeler. “Did you get me a set? Yours has the real colors.”

I shake my head catching Web coming up on the side of us. “They’re printing more.”

“Where’s Michael?”

“Alder has him. Juan and Maddox have the brace done. Lars and José are making him glasses to match. Brinks stayed with them.” He looks so much better.

I hug him. “I’m happy you found him, Brother. He’s going to love it here with all his new Alpha-Bits and Brothers.”

Brekan leans in. “Should they be out here like this?”

I point. “Perimeter is Enforcers with Phoenix trainees hiding in the woods. They’re on the compound with two Security points to get through. No Nomads or away trainees here, only BSC, Phoenix or FBI.”

He nods looking around. “I’m not used to seeing so many cuts. Is this normal Security for parties?”

“Normally Alpha-Bits do their own party and tell us at the bonfire. Their threat lowered, they can be seen here on the compound with Security.”

Cort comes up from the right behind us. I turn. “Brekan asked about Security for the Alpha-Bits.”

Cort nods. “Enforcers. Our trainees are at the tree-line. Their job today is Alpha-Bits. Protectors are on the As, Web and Michael. They’re mixed in with the Brothers.” He points out Bishop.

Wheeler smiles. “That’s a lot of Security on a secure compound.”

Cort nods. “They’re worth it. The As want to do the games today with their Brothers.”

Brekan throws Cort chin. “Sorry, Boss, this is Commander Wheeler. Wheeler, this is Cort Masters, President of BSC West and Phoenix Rising.”

“I’ve heard a lot about you. What you’ve done here is impressive. I saw the Training Center. I’m not taking the job, but I looked.”

Ford turns him by the arm. “You’re not taking it?”

Wheeler shrugs. “Baxters Security offered me a job when I retire. It keeps me home. Kimberly likes Rhode Island.”

I look at Cort and smile. We’re just bystanders. Brekan said he retired by not re-signing. I guess it’s like the military. The Alpha-Bits scatter and Garren walks away with Web. They don’t care. Brekan moves closer. “Is Miguel taking