The Cast (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
random_xtras) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
randomplaces2011-02-23 12:51 am
random_xtras) wrote in randomplaces2011-02-23 12:51 am
Entry tags:
Breaker 'verse 9
Alvin sighed and rolled his shoulders, then glanced at Dove where she lay on the porch floor in front of him with her face a few inches from the scribbler that she was writing away in.
Quirking a grin, he checked on Star, then turned his attention back to the computer on his lap, which was uploading the latest episode of 'Nightwind'.
"Phone," said Dove without looking up.
"I feel it." He flinched and took the buzzing monster out of his hip pocket, then frowned at the screen and put it to his ear. "Yeah, Wayne?"
"You don't return your calls anymore?" griped his former drill sergeant.
"Ben a little busy lately." Alvin noticed that an IM box had popped up on the computer screen and read it absently, blinking at SE's terse comment that he might have found something important, then scowling as he typed an inquiry and the silent man refused to elucidate.
"Breaker, are you still there?" asked Wayne.
"Eh?" Alvin blinked. "Sorry, somebody else was talkin' ta me too."
"You boneheads okay? The kid sounded like ya'll were in dire straights." A growl covered the concern.
"Well, Ettiene cracked his head a few days ago, but things're okay other 'n that," said Alvin cautiously.
"Vader is hurt," grumbled Dove without looking up.
"What're you not tellin' me, Breaker?" The DI's tone became suspicious.
"Nothin'..." Alvin prayed that Dove wouldn't add her two cents worth.
Mumbled cursing came across the line. "If I find out..." The thought trailed off. "We don't leave people behind, Alvin. Remember that, okay?"
The dark haired man swallowed and opened his mouth to say something, but then yelped as something poked him in a sore spot on one foot.
"Vader is not telling that," muttered Dove.
"Dove! You..." Alvin broke off as Wayne let out a roar.
"Hell's bells, you are actin' like some @#$%&* rookie! I can have Bill there in two hours cuz he's home in Brady, so you better @#$%&* well start talking or I'll be all over your..."
"I've got a few burns on my feet 'n one hand," growled Alvin, giving Dove a stern look that he knew she couldn't see. "They're nothin' real bad, 'n Ettiene's sister 'n her friend're here."
There was a pause as Wayne processed this. "Do you need me to send anything or anyone?"
"I think we're good." Alvin moved his feet under the bench as Dove reached toward them. "We got all the first aid stuff we need, 'n Vangie's friend's got some medical trainin'." He switched the phone to the other hand and rocked the baby seat as Star woke up full steam ahead and let the world know what he thought of wet diapers.
"Yeah." The Ranger's voice suddenly sounded fainter, as though he were holding the phone away from his ear. "I'll let ya go for now. What with the busy and all. But you'd better @#$%&* well call if something comes up." With a click, he was gone.
Alvin turned the phone off and stuck it absently back in his pocket, then gathered Star into his arms and rubbed the little boy's back soothingly as he got to his feet. "Dove, you wanna come help me change Buddy?"
"Okay." She hopped to her feet and followed him inside.
He walked around Vangie as she came to meet him and lay Star down on the couch, then got a diaper and hunkered next to him. "Sweetheart, we gotta talk."
"Gotta talk?" She turned to look at him questioningly, then suddenly looked concerned. "I goober?"
"You're not a goober." He controlled his mouth's urge to twitch up at the corner. "But it's wrong to interrupt when somebody's talkin'. Everything's alright here. Uncle Wayne didn't need to know I was hurt."
"But he uncle. He family, and helps?" She put her ears back in confusion.
Alvin frowned as he wiped Star's bottom with a baby wipe, wondering how to explain to Dove in a way that she could understand. "We've got enough help. And Uncle Wayne's got other stuff he needs to do."
"Uncle Wayne?" Vangie stopped on her way over with a fresh onesie. "Tell me he not comin'."
"Interrupt." Dove put her ears back again.
"Oops. Sorry, sha." The auburn-haired woman set the onesie down and tiptoed over to sit by her brother.
A brown brow raised in question but he turned his attention to the baby. Sliding the tyke into his fresh clothes, he cuddled the boy close and breathed in the baby scent, then pulled Dove to him and whispered towards her ear. "You and Star, ya'll are a gift to me. I need time to get to know ya without the whole clan here right now..."
She leaned back slightly to look at his face, her long ears twitching thoughtfully, then snuggled close with a sigh. "Okay, I understand. I think."
Alvin grinned and closed his eyes, then winced and chuckled as Star started licking his shirt. "Cut that out, you. Where's your soother?"
Dove offered it to him with an ear twitch, and he took it and popped it back into the tiny boy's mouth, then stood carefully and headed for the kitchen.
He took down the things for a meal for Star and put them together without mishap, then handed the bottle to Dove and reached for the blue silicone hot mitt that hung over the window, only to pause as something outside caught his eye. What?
Jubilee stood in the shade of a gnarly old peach tree, her body flowing through the intricate moves of a kata with a grace that told of long familiarity with the exercises. As he watched spellbound, she sped up slightly, never losing the perfect control.
"Vader? Bottle's ready. No, no, hot mitt!" Dove's voice broke into his reverie.
He started and picked up the mitt. "Thanks, Sweetheart."
She gave him the bottle and quirked one snowy brow. "Vhat Vader's looking at?"
"Somethin' pretty just caught my eye," he said absently, taking bottle and baby to the couch and sinking onto it with a sigh as he wondered where Jubilee had learned those moves.
Dove perked her ears toward the window, but then turned away with a shrug of her wings. "I'm do more printing. Or math."
"Sure, Sweetheart, go ahead." Alvin settled himself back and closed his eyes, resting his elbow on the arm of the couch and smiling as he heard her return and felt her snuggle next to him.
"I bring Vader you computer," she said.
"I brought you your computer," he corrected lazily.
"Oui. I brought you your computer." She wriggled around a bit, then leaned against him again and settled down to study.
Alvin was back out on the porch bench a couple hours later, engrossed in watching Nightwind kick butt and sipping a cold Dr. Pepper as Dove chattered away inside the cabin, giving Vangie a running commentary on the progress of a line of ants that she'd discovered marching across the kitchen floor. Star slept contentedly in the baby seat beside him, one tiny hand curled against a rounded reddish-black cheek as the little boy twitched one ear and chuckled.
"Ugh." Jubilee flopped down on the other bench and stared languidly out across the bayou. "I still don't see what Vange sees in this place. I'd rather have hills 'n trees."
"Yeah," said Alvin, wincing as Nightwind kicked a ganger in the chest and knocked him back into a wall.
Jubilee cocked an eye at him and suddenly dimpled mischievously. "You know, you're pretty cute for a military jerk."
"Uh huh." He nodded as Nightwind executed a perfect sweepkick and then popped a guy in the nose.
"You've got the dreamiest brown eyes, and that scruffy beard is just to, like, die for." She sighed and bit back a smirk.
"Sure it is." Alvin reached out absently to pat Star as the baby squeaked, his eyes never leaving the computer screen.
Jubilee clenched her fists and hugged herself gleefully, her grin threatening to split her face. Then she sobered. "And the way you take care of your kids is a total chick magnet."
"Okay." Nightwind kicked down a door and then grumbled and limped a few steps before resuming her stealthy prowl.
"Wanna take me out sometime soon?" Jubilee lay down to see what he was watching.
"Of course I do," said Alvin, then blinked and looked at her. "I'm sorry, what?"
"Ooo, Nightwind. She totally kicks butt! Can I watch too?"
He frowned at the pretty Asian girl. "No, really. What did you say?"
She dimpled at him and glued her eyes to the computer screen, her whole being fairly shivering with unexpressed laughter.
Years of handling radio communications served him in good stead. "Did you ask me if I was going to ask you out?" He set his gaze on her, waiting for an answer.
"Yup."
"Oh. And I said yes. Of course, I said yes. There's no reason why I wouldn't." He started mumbling to himself. "Alvin, you goober..."
"Not such a goober," she said softly without looking away from the controlled mayhem on the screen. "You're a really nice guy, Al. I've seen that even in the little time since I met you."
Blinking at her, he started a slow grin that was interrupted by a loud explosion. They both rolled to their feet, video forgotten as Star screamed with terror. "What the?"
A second explosion sounded closer, the water surface rippling with the concussion. "E! Sounds like we have incoming!"
"Vader?" called Dove, appearing in the door behind them.
"Get in the house!" barked Jubilee, grabbing Star and shoving him chair and all into the little girl's arms. "Take him and get under the bed! Vange! Get the door!"
It slammed with a resounding bang that was followed by the sound of a heavy bar dropping across it. From inside came Ettiene's confused voice and Vangie's snarled replies.
Grabbing his laptop, Alvin logged into his pass site and uplinked to satellite. With deft fingers he called up an overhead picture of the situation, then groaned. "We got three perps coming in hot. This one here is two kliks out. This guy is the one we won't see coming. He's behind the bogey. And this one is tossing the charges." Shoving the computer at Jubilee, he whirled toward the door. "Open up! I need my piece!!"
It was shoved through the nearest window, then followed by a sword in an ornate scabbard and a reddish cat with narrowed eyes. Alvin caught a glimpse of Ettiene giving him a thumbs up before a shutter covered the glass.
"Okay, how're we gonna work this?" Jubilee stuck the laptop under the bench and took the sword from him.
"Well, I think Vangie might best work on the yahoo behind us," he said, giving the feral cat an admiring glance. "She knows the turf and he won't see her coming."
The cat was gone in a streak of red-brown.
"Call her Redd," advised Jubilee absently, dropping the empty scabbard on the floor.
"That leaves Mr. 'Splody and his backup. I'll take him. Can't have him getting in close with whatever he's using. You..." He looked hard at her, taking note of the bare sword and the grim expression on her face. "You watch my back and take out his second man. E's in a bad way but he'll make a last stand if he has to. I've seen him do a lot of damage while in worse shape." Chambering a round in the nine mil, he whispered, "Be careful, okay?" before leaping over the railing. His feet reminded him forcibly of the burns as he landed, but he quashed down the pain and took off, bounding over clumps of swampgrass and praying that the 'gators had submerged for the time being.
Gotta pick a place to catch him off guard. He'd expect someone at the dock. Heck, I'd go there if it weren't so obvious. Alvin took stock of the oak tree with the punching bag and a tall, grapevine festooned cypress knee that was well within reach of its wide looping branches. If he makes it to the dock, then we are as good as dead if he blows... Tucking the weapon into his waistband, he leapt up, grabbing a low-hanging branch and shinning to a higher vantage point. Please, God, no snakes today...
The buzz of a personal craft drew his attention. It looks like... Dreadnoks? That can't be... Why? He was nearly dislodged from his perch when the boater tossed off another bundle of what appeared to be TNT.
The quick flash of a hand from under the corner of the porch caught his attention, and he saw Jubilee spell, B-U-Z-Z-R.
Well, crap. He O-K'd her back and secured his purchase. Taking aim, he fired a round far to the left of the loser. The ensuing echo made the blond man look around wildly while battling the motion of the waving bayou. A second round fired in the same direction nearly caused the little craft to overturn. Alvin took careful sight and fired once more, hitting the engine.
He grinned as the craft sputtered to a stop and started to list to one side. Gotcha... and here's hopin' the natives are watchin'.
"They're shootin'!" yelled the blond Dreadnok, making himself as small as possible as he reached for something on the floor of the boat.
Something rustled in the swamp scrub between the oak and the cypress knee, a flash of bright yellow telling Alvin where his backup had gone as he watched Buzzer lift a machine gun.
Not wasting any time, the brown headed man sighted and pulled off a shot before the automatic cleared the craft. The bullet ricocheted, causing the idiot to fumble the weapon. A splash was heard along with colorful words to which Alvin yelled, "Stop cussing!"
A zing caused him to rethink talking. He'd taken out the blond for now but the secondary had him pinned and he had to sit tight.
There was a sudden scream from somewhere behind the cabin, the anguished, pain-filled sound echoed by an unearthly screech.
Two down, thought Alvin, his eyes searching for the backup man.
"Burnout, take him... take him out before I get eaten!" Buzzer yelled from his spot on the water. The panic in his voice caused a smile on more than one face.
"I'll take him in due time, you idiot. Hold still and don't attract unwanted attention," a deep voice rumbled in reply.
Alvin edged up to see if he could spot the voice and got a bullet near his head for his effort. Then he gritted his teeth as the sound of at least two outboard engines came from different quarters of the swamp.
Buzzer splashed around, trying to stay afloat in his slowly sinking craft. "Burnout, mate, hurry up! I hear motors."
"Shut the..." The words ended in a splash.
Alvin risked a peek. He saw the blond Dreadnok pull a second gun and aim in the direction of the noise. "Oh no, you don't." He emptied his clip, using his ammo wisely. Buzzer ducked and fell overboard.
There was a flash of colour high in a clump of young bald cypress and water tupelo several yards behind the frantic splashing, then a pair of hands signed the 'all clear'. More engines joined the angry chorus and the first boat rounded the gigantic old cypress, a flame-haired young giant in a white wifebeater at the rudder and a slender brown woman with a shotgun in the bow.
Alvin jumped down from the oak, running back to the house and pounding on the door. There was the sound of the bar being removed and he tore open the door to find Ettiene standing just inside with Dove crouched watchfully next to him and Star protectively held in his arms. "You okay?"
The big man's eyes were glazed but solid. "We be fine. Dem? I hear de cav'ry comin'."
"Sweetheart, stay with Uncle Ettiene till I get back. I gotta make sure these bozos are secured and outta here before you can come out, okay?" Turning to go back out, he slammed into Jubilee coming full steam into the cabin. Soaking wet met solid motion, and cajun and Desert Fairy cringed as the pair crashed to the floor.
"Um..." Jubilee lifted her head and grinned, face flaming. "Darn! Crappy timing!" She cleared her throat. "Henri 'n Collette've got Burnout and Buzzer. I dunno what Vangie did to Road Pig, but it didn't sound pretty."
"You okay, then?" Alvin brought his hands up to help push her off of him but then paused, a telltale blush creeping under his beard. "I mean... you okay?"
"Fine." She leaned down and gave him a quick peck on the mouth before standing in a swift motion and darting away.
"Hey, Jubes, watch where you goin'!" growled a deep male voice from the doorway.
"Move, Jean-Pierre. I gotta talk to that one dude. I know him." In a flash of black hair she was gone, leaving the big cajun staring at Alvin while another man snickered behind him. "You gon' stay down dere or I help y' up?" He held out a meaty paw.
"No, this is good." The dark haired man let his head rest on the floor and closed his eyes. "Okay, Sweetheart."
Her ears flicked forward. "Vader? I come now?"
"Yeah, you come now," he said, feeling a need to assure himself that she was alright.
The two newcomers stared in wonder as the little girl crept forward and put a warm hand on his shoulder.
"Are y' hurt?" She peered at him, ears flicking worriedly, then pulled her hand away as he hissed softly through his teeth. "You're hurt!"
"Ettiene, ya sit down afore y' fall 'n hurt dat 'tite," said the man in the door sharply.
"Jean-Pierre, y' lift yer voice 'round dese enfants 'gain 'n I'll bash ya," growled Ettiene.
Alvin pulled Dove's hand to his face, holding it to his cheek. "I'm just ti... OWWWW!!!" He couldn't hold back the bellow as Jean-Pierre accidentally kicked his foot.
Strong hands grabbed him under the arms and lifted him, then plunked him in the easy chair. "Alright, den. I see dere be lots 'o cleanin' up t' do 'roun' here. I be Jean-Pierre LaFitte, dat fat one b'hind me be Jacques LaRue."
"Alvin Kibbey," he said wearily, grunting as Dove climbed over the arm of the chair and wedged herself next to him, her wings going around him as she lay her head against his shoulder. "This is my daughter Dove, 'n the little guy in E's arms is Star."
"Heard 'bout ya," said Jean-Pierre, his dark eyes turning toward Alvin's feet as he hunkered in front of the chair. "Sorry 'bout dat, was too busy worryin' 'bout de chil' t' watch where I goin'."
"Get out!" hissed Vangie, striding inside dressed in an oversized ripped T-shirt that said 'Megadeth'. "Both y' get out! Dove don' need y' crowdin' 'roun'."
"Dis man need help, 'tite soeur," rumbled Jean-Pierre, standing.
"Out!" she insisted in a low voice.
"Woah, dere!" said Jacques. "Ettiene? Ettiene, homme, réveillez-vous."
Alvin looked toward the table, his eyes widening in concern as he saw his friend slumped with his head on the wood while Jacques held Star.
"Gimme dat!" Vangie scooped the baby from the greying man's grasp. "Now get out."
"Girl, what you bein' so unsociable for?" wondered her brother as she set her hand against his back and pushed.
"Get out so I kin take care dese people," she growled.
"Don't y' go funny on me, Evangeline Marie," he warned, bracing his feet.
She snarled, teeth bared menacingly.
"I be gone." He sighed and dragged Jacques out after him.
Vangie walked over and closed the door, then turned toward the couch and slumped onto it with shaking shoulders.
"Hey." Alvin blinked through a haze of adrenalin letdown. "Vangie, what's wrong?"
She made a small choked sound and shook her head, rubbing Star's back, then curled into a ball around the baby and closed her eyes.
Father, what should I do? What's wrong? What did Jean-Pierre mean 'go funny'? He tried to get up, only to hiss with pain as his feet touched the floor.
"Crap, Vange, where are you?" Jubilee came in with a rush, causing him to bolt upright reflexively, one hand flashing down to his waistband and the gun.
"Whoops." She froze, then took a deep breath and held up her hands. "Easy, soldier boy. The threat's all nullified. Just take it easy, okay?"
Alvin felt his face heat up as his weary mind flashed back to the kiss she'd given him. "Sorry."
"It's okay," she said softly. "Just, like, sit down 'n get your weight off those feet. I'll fix the bandages in a few minutes, I just gotta talk to Vange and get Ettiene to bed first, alright?"
He nodded and lowered himself and Dove back into the chair, then leaned back and closed his eyes. The steady soft cadence of Jubilee's voice as she soothed her friend lured him gently toward sleep and he succumbed nearly without realizing it, dreams taking him away from memories of battle.
next
Quirking a grin, he checked on Star, then turned his attention back to the computer on his lap, which was uploading the latest episode of 'Nightwind'.
"Phone," said Dove without looking up.
"I feel it." He flinched and took the buzzing monster out of his hip pocket, then frowned at the screen and put it to his ear. "Yeah, Wayne?"
"You don't return your calls anymore?" griped his former drill sergeant.
"Ben a little busy lately." Alvin noticed that an IM box had popped up on the computer screen and read it absently, blinking at SE's terse comment that he might have found something important, then scowling as he typed an inquiry and the silent man refused to elucidate.
"Breaker, are you still there?" asked Wayne.
"Eh?" Alvin blinked. "Sorry, somebody else was talkin' ta me too."
"You boneheads okay? The kid sounded like ya'll were in dire straights." A growl covered the concern.
"Well, Ettiene cracked his head a few days ago, but things're okay other 'n that," said Alvin cautiously.
"Vader is hurt," grumbled Dove without looking up.
"What're you not tellin' me, Breaker?" The DI's tone became suspicious.
"Nothin'..." Alvin prayed that Dove wouldn't add her two cents worth.
Mumbled cursing came across the line. "If I find out..." The thought trailed off. "We don't leave people behind, Alvin. Remember that, okay?"
The dark haired man swallowed and opened his mouth to say something, but then yelped as something poked him in a sore spot on one foot.
"Vader is not telling that," muttered Dove.
"Dove! You..." Alvin broke off as Wayne let out a roar.
"Hell's bells, you are actin' like some @#$%&* rookie! I can have Bill there in two hours cuz he's home in Brady, so you better @#$%&* well start talking or I'll be all over your..."
"I've got a few burns on my feet 'n one hand," growled Alvin, giving Dove a stern look that he knew she couldn't see. "They're nothin' real bad, 'n Ettiene's sister 'n her friend're here."
There was a pause as Wayne processed this. "Do you need me to send anything or anyone?"
"I think we're good." Alvin moved his feet under the bench as Dove reached toward them. "We got all the first aid stuff we need, 'n Vangie's friend's got some medical trainin'." He switched the phone to the other hand and rocked the baby seat as Star woke up full steam ahead and let the world know what he thought of wet diapers.
"Yeah." The Ranger's voice suddenly sounded fainter, as though he were holding the phone away from his ear. "I'll let ya go for now. What with the busy and all. But you'd better @#$%&* well call if something comes up." With a click, he was gone.
Alvin turned the phone off and stuck it absently back in his pocket, then gathered Star into his arms and rubbed the little boy's back soothingly as he got to his feet. "Dove, you wanna come help me change Buddy?"
"Okay." She hopped to her feet and followed him inside.
He walked around Vangie as she came to meet him and lay Star down on the couch, then got a diaper and hunkered next to him. "Sweetheart, we gotta talk."
"Gotta talk?" She turned to look at him questioningly, then suddenly looked concerned. "I goober?"
"You're not a goober." He controlled his mouth's urge to twitch up at the corner. "But it's wrong to interrupt when somebody's talkin'. Everything's alright here. Uncle Wayne didn't need to know I was hurt."
"But he uncle. He family, and helps?" She put her ears back in confusion.
Alvin frowned as he wiped Star's bottom with a baby wipe, wondering how to explain to Dove in a way that she could understand. "We've got enough help. And Uncle Wayne's got other stuff he needs to do."
"Uncle Wayne?" Vangie stopped on her way over with a fresh onesie. "Tell me he not comin'."
"Interrupt." Dove put her ears back again.
"Oops. Sorry, sha." The auburn-haired woman set the onesie down and tiptoed over to sit by her brother.
A brown brow raised in question but he turned his attention to the baby. Sliding the tyke into his fresh clothes, he cuddled the boy close and breathed in the baby scent, then pulled Dove to him and whispered towards her ear. "You and Star, ya'll are a gift to me. I need time to get to know ya without the whole clan here right now..."
She leaned back slightly to look at his face, her long ears twitching thoughtfully, then snuggled close with a sigh. "Okay, I understand. I think."
Alvin grinned and closed his eyes, then winced and chuckled as Star started licking his shirt. "Cut that out, you. Where's your soother?"
Dove offered it to him with an ear twitch, and he took it and popped it back into the tiny boy's mouth, then stood carefully and headed for the kitchen.
He took down the things for a meal for Star and put them together without mishap, then handed the bottle to Dove and reached for the blue silicone hot mitt that hung over the window, only to pause as something outside caught his eye. What?
Jubilee stood in the shade of a gnarly old peach tree, her body flowing through the intricate moves of a kata with a grace that told of long familiarity with the exercises. As he watched spellbound, she sped up slightly, never losing the perfect control.
"Vader? Bottle's ready. No, no, hot mitt!" Dove's voice broke into his reverie.
He started and picked up the mitt. "Thanks, Sweetheart."
She gave him the bottle and quirked one snowy brow. "Vhat Vader's looking at?"
"Somethin' pretty just caught my eye," he said absently, taking bottle and baby to the couch and sinking onto it with a sigh as he wondered where Jubilee had learned those moves.
Dove perked her ears toward the window, but then turned away with a shrug of her wings. "I'm do more printing. Or math."
"Sure, Sweetheart, go ahead." Alvin settled himself back and closed his eyes, resting his elbow on the arm of the couch and smiling as he heard her return and felt her snuggle next to him.
"I bring Vader you computer," she said.
"I brought you your computer," he corrected lazily.
"Oui. I brought you your computer." She wriggled around a bit, then leaned against him again and settled down to study.
Alvin was back out on the porch bench a couple hours later, engrossed in watching Nightwind kick butt and sipping a cold Dr. Pepper as Dove chattered away inside the cabin, giving Vangie a running commentary on the progress of a line of ants that she'd discovered marching across the kitchen floor. Star slept contentedly in the baby seat beside him, one tiny hand curled against a rounded reddish-black cheek as the little boy twitched one ear and chuckled.
"Ugh." Jubilee flopped down on the other bench and stared languidly out across the bayou. "I still don't see what Vange sees in this place. I'd rather have hills 'n trees."
"Yeah," said Alvin, wincing as Nightwind kicked a ganger in the chest and knocked him back into a wall.
Jubilee cocked an eye at him and suddenly dimpled mischievously. "You know, you're pretty cute for a military jerk."
"Uh huh." He nodded as Nightwind executed a perfect sweepkick and then popped a guy in the nose.
"You've got the dreamiest brown eyes, and that scruffy beard is just to, like, die for." She sighed and bit back a smirk.
"Sure it is." Alvin reached out absently to pat Star as the baby squeaked, his eyes never leaving the computer screen.
Jubilee clenched her fists and hugged herself gleefully, her grin threatening to split her face. Then she sobered. "And the way you take care of your kids is a total chick magnet."
"Okay." Nightwind kicked down a door and then grumbled and limped a few steps before resuming her stealthy prowl.
"Wanna take me out sometime soon?" Jubilee lay down to see what he was watching.
"Of course I do," said Alvin, then blinked and looked at her. "I'm sorry, what?"
"Ooo, Nightwind. She totally kicks butt! Can I watch too?"
He frowned at the pretty Asian girl. "No, really. What did you say?"
She dimpled at him and glued her eyes to the computer screen, her whole being fairly shivering with unexpressed laughter.
Years of handling radio communications served him in good stead. "Did you ask me if I was going to ask you out?" He set his gaze on her, waiting for an answer.
"Yup."
"Oh. And I said yes. Of course, I said yes. There's no reason why I wouldn't." He started mumbling to himself. "Alvin, you goober..."
"Not such a goober," she said softly without looking away from the controlled mayhem on the screen. "You're a really nice guy, Al. I've seen that even in the little time since I met you."
Blinking at her, he started a slow grin that was interrupted by a loud explosion. They both rolled to their feet, video forgotten as Star screamed with terror. "What the?"
A second explosion sounded closer, the water surface rippling with the concussion. "E! Sounds like we have incoming!"
"Vader?" called Dove, appearing in the door behind them.
"Get in the house!" barked Jubilee, grabbing Star and shoving him chair and all into the little girl's arms. "Take him and get under the bed! Vange! Get the door!"
It slammed with a resounding bang that was followed by the sound of a heavy bar dropping across it. From inside came Ettiene's confused voice and Vangie's snarled replies.
Grabbing his laptop, Alvin logged into his pass site and uplinked to satellite. With deft fingers he called up an overhead picture of the situation, then groaned. "We got three perps coming in hot. This one here is two kliks out. This guy is the one we won't see coming. He's behind the bogey. And this one is tossing the charges." Shoving the computer at Jubilee, he whirled toward the door. "Open up! I need my piece!!"
It was shoved through the nearest window, then followed by a sword in an ornate scabbard and a reddish cat with narrowed eyes. Alvin caught a glimpse of Ettiene giving him a thumbs up before a shutter covered the glass.
"Okay, how're we gonna work this?" Jubilee stuck the laptop under the bench and took the sword from him.
"Well, I think Vangie might best work on the yahoo behind us," he said, giving the feral cat an admiring glance. "She knows the turf and he won't see her coming."
The cat was gone in a streak of red-brown.
"Call her Redd," advised Jubilee absently, dropping the empty scabbard on the floor.
"That leaves Mr. 'Splody and his backup. I'll take him. Can't have him getting in close with whatever he's using. You..." He looked hard at her, taking note of the bare sword and the grim expression on her face. "You watch my back and take out his second man. E's in a bad way but he'll make a last stand if he has to. I've seen him do a lot of damage while in worse shape." Chambering a round in the nine mil, he whispered, "Be careful, okay?" before leaping over the railing. His feet reminded him forcibly of the burns as he landed, but he quashed down the pain and took off, bounding over clumps of swampgrass and praying that the 'gators had submerged for the time being.
Gotta pick a place to catch him off guard. He'd expect someone at the dock. Heck, I'd go there if it weren't so obvious. Alvin took stock of the oak tree with the punching bag and a tall, grapevine festooned cypress knee that was well within reach of its wide looping branches. If he makes it to the dock, then we are as good as dead if he blows... Tucking the weapon into his waistband, he leapt up, grabbing a low-hanging branch and shinning to a higher vantage point. Please, God, no snakes today...
The buzz of a personal craft drew his attention. It looks like... Dreadnoks? That can't be... Why? He was nearly dislodged from his perch when the boater tossed off another bundle of what appeared to be TNT.
The quick flash of a hand from under the corner of the porch caught his attention, and he saw Jubilee spell, B-U-Z-Z-R.
Well, crap. He O-K'd her back and secured his purchase. Taking aim, he fired a round far to the left of the loser. The ensuing echo made the blond man look around wildly while battling the motion of the waving bayou. A second round fired in the same direction nearly caused the little craft to overturn. Alvin took careful sight and fired once more, hitting the engine.
He grinned as the craft sputtered to a stop and started to list to one side. Gotcha... and here's hopin' the natives are watchin'.
"They're shootin'!" yelled the blond Dreadnok, making himself as small as possible as he reached for something on the floor of the boat.
Something rustled in the swamp scrub between the oak and the cypress knee, a flash of bright yellow telling Alvin where his backup had gone as he watched Buzzer lift a machine gun.
Not wasting any time, the brown headed man sighted and pulled off a shot before the automatic cleared the craft. The bullet ricocheted, causing the idiot to fumble the weapon. A splash was heard along with colorful words to which Alvin yelled, "Stop cussing!"
A zing caused him to rethink talking. He'd taken out the blond for now but the secondary had him pinned and he had to sit tight.
There was a sudden scream from somewhere behind the cabin, the anguished, pain-filled sound echoed by an unearthly screech.
Two down, thought Alvin, his eyes searching for the backup man.
"Burnout, take him... take him out before I get eaten!" Buzzer yelled from his spot on the water. The panic in his voice caused a smile on more than one face.
"I'll take him in due time, you idiot. Hold still and don't attract unwanted attention," a deep voice rumbled in reply.
Alvin edged up to see if he could spot the voice and got a bullet near his head for his effort. Then he gritted his teeth as the sound of at least two outboard engines came from different quarters of the swamp.
Buzzer splashed around, trying to stay afloat in his slowly sinking craft. "Burnout, mate, hurry up! I hear motors."
"Shut the..." The words ended in a splash.
Alvin risked a peek. He saw the blond Dreadnok pull a second gun and aim in the direction of the noise. "Oh no, you don't." He emptied his clip, using his ammo wisely. Buzzer ducked and fell overboard.
There was a flash of colour high in a clump of young bald cypress and water tupelo several yards behind the frantic splashing, then a pair of hands signed the 'all clear'. More engines joined the angry chorus and the first boat rounded the gigantic old cypress, a flame-haired young giant in a white wifebeater at the rudder and a slender brown woman with a shotgun in the bow.
Alvin jumped down from the oak, running back to the house and pounding on the door. There was the sound of the bar being removed and he tore open the door to find Ettiene standing just inside with Dove crouched watchfully next to him and Star protectively held in his arms. "You okay?"
The big man's eyes were glazed but solid. "We be fine. Dem? I hear de cav'ry comin'."
"Sweetheart, stay with Uncle Ettiene till I get back. I gotta make sure these bozos are secured and outta here before you can come out, okay?" Turning to go back out, he slammed into Jubilee coming full steam into the cabin. Soaking wet met solid motion, and cajun and Desert Fairy cringed as the pair crashed to the floor.
"Um..." Jubilee lifted her head and grinned, face flaming. "Darn! Crappy timing!" She cleared her throat. "Henri 'n Collette've got Burnout and Buzzer. I dunno what Vangie did to Road Pig, but it didn't sound pretty."
"You okay, then?" Alvin brought his hands up to help push her off of him but then paused, a telltale blush creeping under his beard. "I mean... you okay?"
"Fine." She leaned down and gave him a quick peck on the mouth before standing in a swift motion and darting away.
"Hey, Jubes, watch where you goin'!" growled a deep male voice from the doorway.
"Move, Jean-Pierre. I gotta talk to that one dude. I know him." In a flash of black hair she was gone, leaving the big cajun staring at Alvin while another man snickered behind him. "You gon' stay down dere or I help y' up?" He held out a meaty paw.
"No, this is good." The dark haired man let his head rest on the floor and closed his eyes. "Okay, Sweetheart."
Her ears flicked forward. "Vader? I come now?"
"Yeah, you come now," he said, feeling a need to assure himself that she was alright.
The two newcomers stared in wonder as the little girl crept forward and put a warm hand on his shoulder.
"Are y' hurt?" She peered at him, ears flicking worriedly, then pulled her hand away as he hissed softly through his teeth. "You're hurt!"
"Ettiene, ya sit down afore y' fall 'n hurt dat 'tite," said the man in the door sharply.
"Jean-Pierre, y' lift yer voice 'round dese enfants 'gain 'n I'll bash ya," growled Ettiene.
Alvin pulled Dove's hand to his face, holding it to his cheek. "I'm just ti... OWWWW!!!" He couldn't hold back the bellow as Jean-Pierre accidentally kicked his foot.
Strong hands grabbed him under the arms and lifted him, then plunked him in the easy chair. "Alright, den. I see dere be lots 'o cleanin' up t' do 'roun' here. I be Jean-Pierre LaFitte, dat fat one b'hind me be Jacques LaRue."
"Alvin Kibbey," he said wearily, grunting as Dove climbed over the arm of the chair and wedged herself next to him, her wings going around him as she lay her head against his shoulder. "This is my daughter Dove, 'n the little guy in E's arms is Star."
"Heard 'bout ya," said Jean-Pierre, his dark eyes turning toward Alvin's feet as he hunkered in front of the chair. "Sorry 'bout dat, was too busy worryin' 'bout de chil' t' watch where I goin'."
"Get out!" hissed Vangie, striding inside dressed in an oversized ripped T-shirt that said 'Megadeth'. "Both y' get out! Dove don' need y' crowdin' 'roun'."
"Dis man need help, 'tite soeur," rumbled Jean-Pierre, standing.
"Out!" she insisted in a low voice.
"Woah, dere!" said Jacques. "Ettiene? Ettiene, homme, réveillez-vous."
Alvin looked toward the table, his eyes widening in concern as he saw his friend slumped with his head on the wood while Jacques held Star.
"Gimme dat!" Vangie scooped the baby from the greying man's grasp. "Now get out."
"Girl, what you bein' so unsociable for?" wondered her brother as she set her hand against his back and pushed.
"Get out so I kin take care dese people," she growled.
"Don't y' go funny on me, Evangeline Marie," he warned, bracing his feet.
She snarled, teeth bared menacingly.
"I be gone." He sighed and dragged Jacques out after him.
Vangie walked over and closed the door, then turned toward the couch and slumped onto it with shaking shoulders.
"Hey." Alvin blinked through a haze of adrenalin letdown. "Vangie, what's wrong?"
She made a small choked sound and shook her head, rubbing Star's back, then curled into a ball around the baby and closed her eyes.
Father, what should I do? What's wrong? What did Jean-Pierre mean 'go funny'? He tried to get up, only to hiss with pain as his feet touched the floor.
"Crap, Vange, where are you?" Jubilee came in with a rush, causing him to bolt upright reflexively, one hand flashing down to his waistband and the gun.
"Whoops." She froze, then took a deep breath and held up her hands. "Easy, soldier boy. The threat's all nullified. Just take it easy, okay?"
Alvin felt his face heat up as his weary mind flashed back to the kiss she'd given him. "Sorry."
"It's okay," she said softly. "Just, like, sit down 'n get your weight off those feet. I'll fix the bandages in a few minutes, I just gotta talk to Vange and get Ettiene to bed first, alright?"
He nodded and lowered himself and Dove back into the chair, then leaned back and closed his eyes. The steady soft cadence of Jubilee's voice as she soothed her friend lured him gently toward sleep and he succumbed nearly without realizing it, dreams taking him away from memories of battle.
next