Page 34 of Fight
Chapter Twelve
“Well, at least that’s something that we don’t have to worry about,” Rip says into the silence of the van. Everyone who is supposed to be passed out is still passed out, thankfully, so we don’t have to worry about what they’ve heard.
“Yeah, I have no doubt that they’ll do it as well as anyone else who we can call in. I mean, they’ve had decades of experience dealing with shit this, even if it's not quite to this scale,” Ace replies.
“I assume that you’re going to take care of any of the security cameras and footage?” Rome asks Ace as if it’s something that has just occurred to him.
“Yep, as soon as the celebrations are done, I’ll wipe it all off both sets of cameras, loop in some footage, and place a failsafe in there that means anything that doesn’t have the encryption keys, and yes, I mean more than one, will have their own system hacked and wiped clean.” He replies with a small smile.
“The depth of your knowledge and ability still surprises me, dude, and we’ve been friends for fucking years,” Malachi tells him honestly, and I have to say that I can easily agree with him; it’s fucking impressive.
I’d have no idea where to start with any of that, and it would leave us open to being caught and make us incredibly vulnerable if we just left it as it is and didn’t get rid of the footage. We are really fortunate that we have Ace on our team and that he is capable of doing all of this.
Ace’s smile is genuine as he replies, “Thanks, man, it’s nice to know that my skills are appreciated.”
“Always, we wouldn’t be able to do half of the things that we do if we didn’t have you and your knowledge of all things computers and technology,” Rome adds.
Ace smiles and then, checking that everyone that should be knocked out is still knocked out, he adds, “Before I forget, before we leave this place, I want to train Cecil on the new systems and have new security cameras put everywhere, all around the estates and on any entrances and potential entrances to the town. It would make me feel better since the grandparents are going to be left here, and although they’re perfectly capable, they still need to have better tools at their disposal so that they can properly keep this town and the occupants safe.”
“I think that’s a really good idea,” Rip replies, and then adds, “especially since we’re going to clear this town of the bad as much as possible, but we have no idea if Rome’s father had anything else going on from the land side this time.”
“We didn’t find anything in the paperwork that we looked through, and we looked through a lot, but it is possible that he had something else going on. We can warn the grandparents of it, and they can look into it, and then we can help if they need it,” Mason points out.
“I get the feeling that they are more than ready to jump back into work and all things dangerous,” I chuckle.
“Oh, that’s for damn sure,” Rome replies.
“I’m surprised that they haven’t already lit the bonfire,” I suddenly say.
“That’s just proof that they want to get back to work,” Malachi replies, “their first thought was immediately what they could do to help. I can almost guarantee though that once they’re done, the bonfire is going to be lit, and the drinks are coming out. We may have more work to do here yet before we can comfortably leave, but we need to celebrate this win; it’s a big one.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” I reply, “we’ve got to celebrate all the wins because there will always be something else that we’re working on that requires our attention, and we need the balance.”
“Exactly,” Malachi grins, just as someone by his feet starts to stir and then groans; without missing a beat, he lifts his foot and kicks him in the face, effectively knocking him out again and making me smile.
“We’re here,” Rome says, and I turn around to see that we’re on a treelined road that looks like it could do with some serious repairs.
Parked just up the road is a black van that I recognise; even so, I say, “I am reasonably sure that’s Alaric’s van, but just in case, everyone stay in here, and Rome and I will head out to make sure.”
“Got it,” Rip replies, although he doesn’t look too pleased that he’s staying in the van, and he pulls out his weapon just in case, all of the others doing the same, ready to give us cover fire if I’m wrong and the van is actually an enemy and not a friend.
Looking at Rome, who nods, we both pull our weapons free as we step out of the vehicle. Clearly seeing us, the driver-side door of the van opens and first hands appear in the universal sign for, don’t shoot, I’m not armed, and I’m not a threat. Still, Rome and I pause in our advance, waiting until we can see the person's face before we lower our weapons.
“It’s good to see you, Jynx,” Alaric calls out as soon as we see his face.
I grin as I lower my weapon, prompting Rome to do the same, just so that we don’t panic him. The others remain in the van, a smart move on their part; the last thing that we want to do is make someone panic. I have no doubt that Atlas is perched somewhere nearby with his eye and gun trained on the surrounding area just in case we were followed here. He won’t make himself known until Alaric gives him the all-clear.
Similarly, Rage will be in the van, his gun trained on the same thing, and also ready to drive if a threat does approach. It’s how they work, it’s how they’ve always worked, and it’s kept all three of them safe so far, well as safe as you can be in our line of work and with your own family trying to kill you.
As I thought Alaric holds up his hand and gives them both the signal that so long as they can’t see anything that we can’t that it’s all clear down here, and they can come down.
“Hey, it’s been far too long,” I smile, giving him a hug. He’s like a second uncle to me and has always been in my life in some capacity; the same can be said about Ryan, who is their number three.
“You sure as shit have got yourself into some interesting situations recently,” Atlas calls out, and I turn to see him coming out from the trees with a massive smile on his scarred face. “From the state of your face, you’ve had some fun getting them this morning.”
“State of my face?” I ask, my eyebrow raising as I become amused, “I’m going to assume that you mean because of the bruising and shit and not that I just look like a horror show in general.”
He rolls his eyes, his smile never dimming, “You know that’s what I meant.” His smile becomes slightly more reserved as he looks at Rome, “It’s Rome, right?”