Page 99 of Benga's Rise
I smile. Cort agrees with him.
Dakota laughs. “He is right. You know what to do. I will let Prez know about the numbers so we can send what we have. He has informed the Commander and Director with the information about immunization so they will make sure the Little Brothers do not get injected with anything else until tests are run. Thank you for letting us know it is a fatal issue.”
“If we can help with the others, ask, tell us what we can do.” Cort stops and I see his throat working.
Dakota smiles but his eyes don’t. “We may, Cort. There are many, some never left the Lab. Some are being held in different locations. We have a place for the boys moved yesterday. I believe some mutual friends are housing them in a monastery for now. There are many tribes willing to help and house them when they are more verbal and animated. Right now, they are in shock and scared. Splitting them up will be necessary, but I am not sure if it is optimal.”
Web stands with a boy’s hand in his. “No, they need to be together. They don’t know anything but each other.”
“They were all separated in lettered rooms, Brother,” the Indian tells him.
Web nods. “They were, but they have Brothers that died. Seeing others like them is important. Not having the other half of you isn’t easy and they already have it too fucking hard for kids. They need each other like we need our Brothers.”
When Web looks at Cort, I’m shocked at the tears on his face. “Don’t let them split them up, Pres. They can’t have kids, will never know a spouse, live in limited areas. Don’t let them take familiar away too, it’s all they have, Cort.”
Cort nods looking at the Indian. “We’ll take the rest. Whoever you can locate, bring them here. I don’t know about helping them, but we got Web and the As for that and the Brothers got giving them happy down. We’ll take them.”
Dakota laughs. “Christian says this works well. Prez has agreed and said you make his life fuckin’ easy, Cort Masters, fuckin’ easy. Those are his exact words.” He smiles like he’s proud about that.He has a piece in his ear?
Web laughs and Cort smiles then lets a sigh of relief out. “Thank you and the Brothers that will make it happen. I can tell you I’m honored again, but I think you see it. We’re proud to wear Badass on our back. It’s always meant something, but today, today it just means more.”
Dakota takes Cort’s arm looking up at his eyes. “We have many that agree and see your thoughts and feelings clearly. It is an honor for us to share that same Brotherhood with you, Cort Masters of Phoenix Rising. Your Officers are well-chosen and mirror your pure heart toward that Brotherhood. Rare and exciting to see, Brother.” See our thoughts and feelings clearly. Okay.
He bends to the Ms. “Perhaps we will cross paths again, my Little Brothers. I will be sure to have your names then. Kuwômôyush, Little Brothers.” He kisses their heads and walks up the stairs. Jessie is watching from the door.
Web gets the Ms and As walking. “Thanks, Cort. I’m not real sure what I just agreed to, but they can’t be separated when they don’t understand. It will hurt them for life.”
I smile shaking my head. “What was your brother’s name,Web?”
He looks surprised then smiles. “Michael. He died when I was seven. They took him to the nurse and I never saw him again. I found out later that it was his appendix.”Jesus-fuck-Sonofabitch.
Cort stops and pulls him into a hug. “You’ll never be alone again, Web.”
Anton hits Web’s leg. “Never.”
I smile. “We need to rethink the house.”
They laugh. I push them forward so we can get out of here. Fuck, he lost his twin. No wonder he took the As.
~*~
I smile sitting at my desk. Web and the As are in his rooms fawning all over the Ms. Web and Alta started making cookies right away and let the kids talk to the kids. He’s a smart Brother. While we were there, the Ms never said a word. They’re smaller than Daniel and he’s small for his age. I’d say the little ones look about six, the older maybe eight. They have the same small frame as the As and, of course, the pinkish eyes and white hair. I email to Doc about getting them on a better menu.
I want to do more, but that’s all I can think of right now.
“There are seventeen more. They sent a list. Bs are sixteen and eighteen, Fs are fifteen and sixteen. Gs sixteen and seventeen, Js twelve and thirteen, Rs seven.”
I look up as he walks in the door. “Fuck, seven?” They must look like three-year-olds.
“This is good. I can get a building before they get here.” Seventeen more albinos doesn’t faze him a bit.
“Use the side where the building is. We can surround it keeping their building inside their walls.”
“Yeah. I’ll tell Paul to build it without all the hassle. The fucking inspector gave a hard time about the condos. Paul had to get permission from zoning. We’re not doing that again. Hey, that LaPonte-James Brother is the son of the President Crow knew, the one that sent the Badass trainers.”
I nod and he walks out with his list. The Badass trainers that told us about the stooges and duct tape. They were so fucking funny but smart Brothers. I hear him walking down the hall issuing orders to Paul to get here now. I shake my head smiling. He’s got a new mission.
I look at my laptop. Maybe I’ll have time to finish the chopper research before he starts a new business.
