Ford's Rise - L. Ann Marie Page 0,71

Officers are here and all the Protectors showed. The As are sticking close to the new Alpha-Bits. Every one of them has met with Alexia and some have given her little things they made or thought she’d like. Juan and Maddox surprise me. They made her a book about Brothers. It’s cute. When the Alpha-Bits start running everywhere, Cort gets everyone to the chopper pads. He has a platform up. I follow to the platform with my girl’s hand. I’m so fucking proud of her. Brantley, Jason and Billy all commented on how smart and talented she is. Jason wants to work with her when everything settles. He said he’s on the first circuit here. She’s incredible.

“Alpha-Bit Brothers, take out your tablets.”

The As are on the platform in front of Cort and demonstrate what he said for those that don’t speak English. “A chat opened showing my words in your language. I’m Cort Masters, President of Phoenix Rising and BSC West. You have pictures of my Officers. We are the Brothers that help keep you safe. I say help because IT is who really keeps you safe and more Alpha-Bits run IT than Brothers. You had over a hundred Brothers and Web, Alder and Alexia just found more. Here, you’re safe, you’re free and you’re learning how to be happy. I know work is important. Alder needs help in medical if that’s what interests you. See your Alpha-Bit Lead for the job you want. They will make sure you’re trained and move to the Club that needs your job choice filled. Every service position is open to you just like us. You can cook, deliver, walk dogs if that’s what makes you happy. Most Alpha-Bits choose IT. You do not have to work IT. You pick a job that you want to do. The As have their training up for you to see. You can train in everything right here safely. See Akai at Phoenix or the IT building, Asa at Bravo, Aaron at Champion, Brann at Elan. You have Alder, Web and Alexia if you can’t reach your Club Alpha-Bit Lead. The Club high Officers are pictured on your tablet. Every Club has a Brother that helps Alpha-Bits. This is a lot of information when you don’t know us. Take that we understand and will keep you safe as the biggest point I make. Web.”

I step up. “You all know I’m Web. I’m on every tablet so you can chat. If you don’t talk, type. We all get typing. Our biggest obstacle right now is language with the new Alpha-Bits. Garren will be at the virtual school.” I point him out and smile when he waves to the Bits. “He’ll help teach English to you and can teach any other language you want to learn. Get with your Club Lead or Asa here and Akai at our compound. The school is right on the compounds for you. New isn’t easy. We’ve tried to make it easy for you to learn about being safe and free to move around. If you have questions or problems, see one of the As.” I point to them in front of me. “See me, Alexia, another Alpha-Bit. Chat or text us. We won’t know you need help if you don’t ask. You don’t have to talk to ask, you can type. We’re pretty good at the typing thing.”

They laugh. “Alder.” I wave my hand for him to say his piece.

He stands in front of me and lifts his arms to the sides. I lift him up so everyone can see him. “Here you safe. You work job you choose. Alpha-Bits take care Alpha-Bits with Brothers help. We make job to them easy, help where, how we can. Different not less. You important to me, Web, Preses, Officers, Brothers, everyone equal here. Everyone help to Alpha-Bits, Clubs, communities. Equal feels good.”

I laugh with Alpha-Bits and Brothers. “Equal mean different no matter. Brothers big, different. No different to Alpha-Bit small, women, freaky...”

Everyone laughs as he points from Alexia to Justice and Mucimi. Alder shrugs. “Different not hurt you. You small not hurt to Pres Cort. He love equal, VP Raid, Web, me. Read direction Asa send, chat you question, ask you need help. Now you value, you Badass, you Alpha-Bit cool.” He smiles as the As start the cool chant.

Cort laughs shaking his head. Ben and Brantley are laughing. I hug my little Brother and kiss his head before I set him down. “I’m so fucking