as missions pop up. As a Guardian, life’s not much different from what it was during my team days. The only real difference between what I do now, and what I did in the military, is that we’re well funded now.
Instead of going into battle wearing gear cobbled together with what was offered, from my helmet with its integrated electronics, to the titanium lining the tips of my boots, I’m not only a ferocious warrior, but a technological marvel. We all are.
Thanks to Forest, who created the Guardians, and his top-notch technical team, we have the best gear and the latest technological advances to ensure success.
Everyone at Guardian HRS has their role. The Guardians are the pointy tip of the spear. We’re the muscle that gets hard shit done, while Mitzy and her cadre of computer whiz kids form the complex innards of the machine which launches us into action.
I drop from the chin-up bar and wince when I inadvertently land on my bad leg. Nothing tears, but I understand Doc Summers’ caution. It won’t take much to shred her handiwork.
“There’s only one way to tell.” Axel grabs his towel and wipes off the sheen of perspiration covering his face and torso. I do the same. I’m dripping with sweat.
“Let’s go.” I’m eager to find out if Moira’s been found. Going in as support doesn’t sit well with me, but I’ll take that over sitting here on my ass while my team goes without me.
Axel lopes into a jog, takes a few steps, then pulls up short. He spins around and waits for me to follow. A crease furrows his brow.
“Just following doctor’s orders.” I understand his confusion, but I need to be on this mission. Especially if Mitzy pulled a goddamn rabbit out of her ass and found Moira.
I grab my duffel and sling it over my shoulder. We join Max, Knox, Liam, and Wolfe at the door. They all wait on me to cross the distance. I focus on each step, remembering what Doc Summers said about a limp. Not happy with being the weak link in the chain, I brace against the pain.
A team is only as strong as the weakest link, and right now, that’s me. The expressions on their faces are not those of pity or concern, but rather stalwart support. All of us have been doing this for years, first in the military special ops community and now as Guardians.
I’m not the first man to have been sidelined by an injury.
“You know what this is about?” I ask our team leader, Max, as Axel and I draw near. Max always knows shit before the rest of us.
“No.” He answers with an economy of words, as his astute gaze takes me in. His attention settles on my leg. “What did the doc say?”
“Not mission-ready, but I’m clear for support.”
“If it’s Moira…” Max doesn’t need to finish his sentence.
Everybody on this team knows what Moira means to me. They’ll take care of her in my place, and if there’s a way to bend the rules, they’ll do what they can to bring me along.
It’s a concession.
Max won’t jeopardize the integrity of the team, but he knows what it’s like to sit on the sidelines. That lack of control can drive a Guardian batty.
“Let’s do this.” As for my part, I don’t push.
It’s not my place to ask him to take a teammate on a mission when I’m not one hundred percent functional. As team leader, if the opportunity presents itself, Max will make the final call.
My team parts, letting me lead the way. It’s another silent display of support. I love these guys, and would do anything for them, just as they’ll do anything for me.
We march as a group toward the command center and file into the strategy room. A large conference table dominates the space. The high polish of the wood reflects the glow of over a score of video screens which mount to the wall and surround the room. One screen dominates the far wall, spanning the breadth of the room.
CJ’s already there. He and Sam speak in subdued tones. The two of them bend their heads close to keep their conversation private.
The first thing I notice is that Alpha team is the only Guardian team present. That means this will be a targeted operation.
Mitzy flits into the room with a huge smile on her heart-shaped face. Her psychedelic hair shimmers in the overhead lights, and I swear she added glitter to her