Page 5 of Ranger's Rise
He hesitates. “Web has been encouraging the As when they talk to Brothers in Ops and Security, but he guards them until he sees the kids are comfortable. Vick, Jinx and Cort have them smiling and responsive more than other Brothers. Even VP has Anton running to help where he’s a Lead. Take your cues from them and ask Web if you see they’re comfortable with you. Just don’t ask in front of the As or Ms if you see them in the cafeteria.” They go to the cafeteria.
I’ve never seen them there, but I don’t work full time.“Roger. That’s a lot of information that you’ve seen.”
He nods. “I don’t need the details to piece it together. I see enough in Ops. You will too. You’re on my shifts this week. You’ll see the As in action. Akai has been working Web’s IT Lead shifts. Anton and Amal are regulars when he’s on. Anton runs Enforcer and Amal Security or cleanup. Those three can fill all positions, but that’s where I’ve seen them lately. Anton doesn’t talk much, but he’ll hit your leg or arm to get his point across. He’s a cute kid. Amal is the talker for the group. Akai is the oldest. It shows in his ability to run the other kids. He does that through the computer, he doesn’t talk much either. You get a roger from them and you know whatever you said is done. Those three will have what you’re looking for next ready before you ask. They’re who I see the most. In Security, the others run surveillance or IT and I don’t ask anyone for anything. We use a chat named As and they have whatever you ask for on your desktop or desk.”
I want to do something to help. Even bring them ice cream or something. I could help doing laundry or cooking. No, he said cafeteria. Shit. “I’ll talk to Web once I work with them. I could help in a support role.”
He smiles looking relieved. “We all feel the same, but not asking questions has us limited with what we do. We all thank everyone after Ops, but always leave a good word with the boys. I think it’s all we think we can do.”
“I have no outreach yet. I’ll ask Web and see if he needs help with shit like laundry or something.”
His face shows he likes that. “I should have asked about that. Prospects don’t go into his wing, now that I think about it. Trash has a chute for each floor, but Web takes food from them at the wing doors. He has a kitchen.” He stands up. “We’re on Ops after your classes. You need to go to HR and fill out the paperwork for Officer. This will put you on eight a day for five days.”
“Nice. Thanks. I’ll go now.”
He hits my back. “SAA pay is more, but I need to let Cort know I’m going for a month.”
That would be good. The pay here is more than I made in Michigan and the benefits are fucking awesome. Working full time is good, I have too much downtime. “Let him know so I’m not being pulled around in a dish, Brother.”
He laughs walking out. “I’ll tell him.”
He has no problem talking to Cort. It’s another good sign. I still don’t see him taking me as SAA while Falcon is gone, but I’m not worried. Michigan was a rough Club compared to this one. Everything runs like clockwork here and our President is the reason. He doesn’t put up with shit and his Officers know they have his backing. It shows in the interaction I’ve seen. Tito comes to mind again, my uncle was a good President, I wish he was still alive to see this Club. Him and my dad would be proud.
HR can only be accessed by the elevator or stairs close to the front door. My card gets me in the elevator right behind VP’s old lady. I’m not sure if I should wait, then just follow her.
“I have some paperwork for you, Ranger. Raid sent me an okay on it, but Amos had to walk me through the docs. You are my first full Officer. Before you get nervous, Amos will check them before I send it back to Raid.” She makes me smile, she’s a guard dog on time and paperwork.
I’m not worried and I’m glad she’s not weird or nervous going up. “Sounds okay to me.”
I wait for her to walk out and notice she’s still in the brace. I don’t ask but follow her to her office. I like that it’s the same as the rest of the building. I need to stop thinking that I like everything. This is my new home, my new Club. I wouldn’t have pledged if I didn’t like what I saw.
“Freedom said you are the strong, silent type, but I hope you talk more than some of the Brothers. They freak me out with the silent shit.”
I bet they do. “I don't have a problem asking questions or talking. I was in the military for a long time, I just don't have a lot to say.”
She nods. “Got it, chit chat is overrated anyway. So, everything is on the computer. I have a tablet and a laptop we can use. I’ll use what you don’t pick and walk you through or answer your questions. I had to ask about the Officer’s take and automatic deduction for community or Brothers in need. It’s a straight two percent, but you can split it up and add more if you want. My first question would be, how much is everyone else giving? So, I asked. Five percent is the norm except for Cort and Raid, Cort is ten percent and it goes directly to Brothers in need because he gives in other ways to the community. I mean the Sheriff gets gear, vets get help with their house, the Boys Club got a donation and he buys everything - offering jobs to the townspeople. Raid is ten and he splits it even. He doesn’t name a specific charity. The other Officers don't either. They do five to community or the Brothers but don’t limit it to one thing or another. The Club holds the funds and Banks invests some of it so when someone needs it, they can just disburse. They’ve never turned anyone down.”
“That’s a lot of information and I’m glad you asked. Laptop is comfortable for me to fill forms out.” I haven’t used a tablet to know what to do.
She’s happy with that and sits, so I do. She explains and lets me fill shit out so it goes by quick. When I get to the auto-debit, I tell her my choice, but keep moving through the form. They connected them, so when you finish one it brings up the next page making this fucking easy. I’m done in twenty minutes feeling good and wondering how the hell they pay Officers so much. Lorelei has been easy with everything, so I ask. “How does the Club afford the Officer take?”
She rolls her eyes making me smile. “Cort doesn’t touch the Security Company profits and it pretty much covers everyone working for the Club. Banks got them startup for the building and Club here, he also covered the first condos built. Those are where Falcon and Hade live. Training paid for everything in training and keeps the Club in supplies. The software company is straight profit to the Club. Since Cort owns the dealership and gun stores, he makes money off them and doesn’t need profits from Security and Training, so it goes back to the Club and Banks invests to buy the liquor and print chain. Cort doesn’t want any part of managing them, so the Club will when they’re all bought out. It’s a job creator for whatever community they're in. The software company is the Clubs and is a straight profit split with the city Club. Web makes apps during working hours. The market covers the food Ant Irma gives out and anything the kids need. Hardware, the Credit Union and whatever else Cort buys all cover themselves and Banks will buy them as funds build from however he invests. The choppers will be bought the same way, Cort buys shit and the Club will eventually own it. I’m just getting to where I thought I had it all down and he decided to add choppers and the new flight training. I need another week to get through where everything goes and how it all works. Those are the basics, but everything makes a profit and the Officers get some. They all make profits because everyone here went to school for something different, but making money was in there. Cort has Raid, Banks, Amos and Jinx to make sure they do. I swear they could run Wall Street.”
I laugh. “The basics. Roger. So, all the businesses give a cut to Officers?”
Her head swings back and forth. “Just the ones that the Club owns right now. At some point, that will be all of them. When the next print and liquor stores are bought, you’ll see it. The Club buys a couple at a time and they get renovated out of some other fund, so you’ll see the profit right away. I don’t have all that yet, but I will.”
Holy fuck. “It’s more than I thought it would be now.”
She nods. “Tell me about it. I have a meeting with Web for a new app just for the Officer take. This is already a huge company, with chopper training and whatever idea Cort thinks up next, I need a way to keep it all flowing smoothly. Luckily, I’m not alone. Amos and Banks are a huge help.” That’s good.
“It’s good to have Brothers at your back.”
She smiles making her pretty face striking. “It is. I’ve learned that too. Badass beliefs have been a Godsend to Daniel and me.”
“I bet VP helped with that.”
She laughs. “Of course, I meant my biker-married Badass husband too.”
