Ford's Rise - L. Ann Marie Page 0,87
keep you ahead of it. This time didn’t work so well. We’ll do better now we know they can carry jammers and get by the zones we were using. They had bugs right on the fucking doors so they could track us through sound. The force field will fix that shit.
He shakes his head. “I am so fucking honored to have you by my side, Web. Eighteen in and one Brother died. That’s a tough one. I know every Brother was here to keep the Alpha-Bits safe. We’ll make sure he’s not a lesson forgotten. You and Alder made a house that’s as safe as it can be. I saw all the security and thought it was overkill. It wasn’t enough. Whatever you two come up with, I'm in. Guns on the sensors at the tunnels is a suggestion. Find a better way if you don’t like that one.”
Alder sits. “We find better way, Pres Cort. Too high to Alpha-Bits.”
Cort nods knowing, like I do, Alder isn’t finished. “I think Security presence too much.” He shakes his head and I see the tears fill his eyes. He holds it. “I wrong. Web add Prospect, Garren, Michael. Cage, Web adds, keep new Alpha-Bit calm. I no see scare issue to Alpha-Bit. Time to get in safe room too long. Too many need Brother to help. I not schedule to my Alpha-Bits need. I do better. We make Security better. Force field to house, no jammer, no bug, no loss to zone feed. I sorry we lose Brother, I not see it. Lesson to me hard. Never forget, Pres Cort. I never...”
Cort picks him up and hugs him. “None of us will forget, Alder. We’re one. We all knew the risk and took it. We’ll all do better and learn the lesson. This is not your loss, this is our loss. We learn together and make it right so it doesn’t happen again. You have fifty something Alpha-Bits that stayed safe. That was the plan. You did that. It was incredible to see all you had set up working right. We’ll fix what didn’t work.”
Alder wipes his face. “We will. A7 work to find, fix mistakes. Security rooms done before next getaway.”
I smile watching Cort smile. “Sounds like a plan. I’m glad you’re not walking away.”
Alder shakes his head no. “Remember fallen Brothers, serve purpose only you keep going forward. Boss Danny, Pres Ben James say Badass keep forward remember sacrifice to me, to Alpha-Bits. Honor is in remember.” He’s so fucking smart.
Pride is lacing my words, “They’re right. You’re making progress with communities accepting the Brothers and Alpha-Bits. We need to keep living and bring that further. I’m so fucking proud of all you do and the honor you show to our Brothers for helping us get there. Because of all you and the Alpha-Bits add, our Brothers risks are a lot lower than they were in the city. It isn’t bringing a Brother back, it is showing that we lost one instead of fifty. I’m here and willing to keep working to make that none, Brother. We are making a difference. You’re a big part of that. I’m honored you’re mine and took my name too.”
Cort laughs. “You’re a Ford now?”
Alder shrugs and Cort puts him back in his chair. “I Web’s. Web Ford, As Ford. You two name, Pres Cort Masters. I two name, Alder Ford. One day it matter. Alpha-Bits will matter to more than Brothers.”
Justice sits scaring the shit out of me. “You matter now. The Navy and Marine Defense intelligence whatever the fuck they call themselves sent Prez a message. They have two troops that will provide security to the Alpha-Bits ready to be deployed as soon as you agree. I’m getting too old to play messenger games. I got the number so you can talk to the Marine yourself, Brother. This is one that gave Badass his word for your protection and fought for the whole CIA to get investigated, not just the Director. He took it seriously, Brother.”
Alder looks down. I know his face is frozen and he’s going through scenarios. “Prez Little Ben?”
Justice shakes his head. “He isn’t offering advice. His thoughts were it’s good.”
Alder looks at Cort. “I say yes, government work safe zone, more come to Badass. We have no say to military. Badass get blowback to more?”
Cort smiles. “We have options, Brother. You tell them you have approval of who is on your land. Falcon will handle the Security just