The New Boys Get a Clue
Month 1
SA RangeMen Recruits—Military Vet’s POV
RangeMan is no joke.
Every man hired so far has been intimidated by his new colleagues. Even the vets hitting the gym are astonished by the veteran RangeMen. They are, without a doubt, some of the most intimidating men we’ve ever seen.
They don’t play. They don’t joke. They have cliques, location based, but they’re quick to remind everyone that they’re brothers. You might be from Miami or Trenton or Atlanta but at the end of the day, you’re a RangeMan and that’s all that matters.
Most of us who were recruited applied because we knew Captain Carlos Mañoso was the CEO of the company. The application itself is a cross between a trip down memory lane and a college application. Military honors, best and worst moments, why you applied, what you hoped to gain. What could you bring to RangeMan that they can’t get from another soldier. What you know about the company (it’s a black ops company. Not a goddamn thing!). Why you left the military and when.
We reminded ourselves that Capt. Mañoso was in charge of this outfit, so if he required you to fill out a ten-page application, fine. Besides, we’ve heard that the salary and perks are amazing. His name drove us there and we’d do damn near anything to meet his requirements.
Getting there, and realizing that Lester Santos was in the top leadership, made most of us shit our pants.
1st Lt. Lester Santos is a fucking legend all on his own. Capt. Mañoso is renowned for being brilliant in the field but Lester Santos is known for being the brains behind the brains. The ‘Rommel’ of the Army Rangers, to be succinct. The word spread quickly and more vets applied in droves. The applications were 200 deep.
Lt. Santos didn’t look impressed by most of us. He looked bored half the time but about 15% of us made the initial cut. Those who didn’t were told they would be reviewed for the second round. The men who made the first round were smug. Yeah, we were the best of the best.
Lt. Santos looked at each of us and snorted. “And now to be stripped to your essential elements in 10 seconds flat.” He strode out of the door and made a motion with his hands. “When you have a moment, sir.”
We all stared wide-eyed. Were . . . were we about to meet Captain Mañoso? Holy shit! Every man wished he’d spent extra time shining his shoes that morning.
Nope. Not Capt. Mañoso.
Staff Sergeant Tank LaPierre. Capt. Mañoso’s partner. His back. His six. The details man and no stupid fuck. Every man immediately knew that if his shoes weren’t shiny, Sgt. LaPierre would not miss that.
He went down the line, reviewing our applications and staring at us. He said nothing the entire time. After ten minutes he passed a clipboard over to Lt. Santos and left.
Five men were cut in five minutes. Twenty-five men left.
The stories we heard were true. The man could examine your soul. The men cut? All were great soldiers on paper but assholes in person.
Those of us who made the cut were introduced to Chester Deuce and Marcos Ramirez the next day. Ches Deuce is a Trenton man and Marcos is Atlanta. They would be in charge of intake. They went through our paperwork with fine tooth combs and directed us to the gym. We would be assessed for health and weight. We donned our PT gear and hit the gym.
1st Lt. Robert Brown was standing in the gym, staring coldly. The last of the ‘Four Shades of Death’. Fuck. This was unexpected and deeply thrilling. These men are legends in their own time. Serving under them, even outside the military, is a deeply humbling thought. We were desperate to make the cut.
That’s when we all realized that we had joined a company that was serious about health and weight and standards. It was like joining the military all over again. Lt. Brown is ripped and every muscle and sinew was on display as he stood there in his PT shorts. There were five more men in the gym and the moment we were in five five-man deep lines (we just knew), he got started with a full PT workout. The men with him began assessing us just as our drill sergeants had in basic. After we warmed up, we did Army Basic PT.
No one failed. Lt. Brown directed us to a conference room where we began the HR review with Sgt. LaPierre.
We were in, on probation for 90 days. We are RangeMan recruits.
The next week we’re introduced to the other group that will comprise the initial San Antonio RangeMan class.
Gangbangers and ex-cons.
We’re mortified. This is supposed to be a black ops company! We’re headed by the military’s best! We’re headed by some of the best who ever served, so why in the hell are we sharing the honor of the title ‘RangeMan’ with these assholes? It’s an insult and we don’t get it.
We’re not hostile to them but we’re definitely going to make them prove that they’re worthy of the title ‘RangeMan’.
The ex-cons and the gangbangers are, for the most part, pretty quiet. Watchful. Patient. We’ve already lost a couple of hand-to-hand fights with them because they’re slick. They don’t fight fair. They do some underhanded shit that makes it even harder to respect them.
The veteran RangeMen are neutral to all of us but they’re a little more encouraging to the bangers and cons. They’re quick to encourage them when they don’t quite make standards. They hold open-door sessions for anyone who needs more help getting ready to be a true RangeMan.
We’re a bit pissed. They didn’t show us this kinda love our first week. They look amused by us and remind us that we’ve already been through this. We’re military vets. We don’t require this kind of assistance. If we did, we would’ve been cut the first day.
That thought mollifies most of us. That’s true. We’re already physically superior to these assholes. We’re ahead of them and they have to catch up to us.
They’re getting extra help because they’re the ‘short bus’ applicants.
Ches Deuce’s POV
I kick back and smile. This was a great move. I asked Bobby if I could come along.
“I’m a Texan, sir. I’d like to be close to home.”
I wasn’t certain my request would be granted at first. Bobby and Les had been clear that they had men in mind, but Bobby stared at me for a moment before smiling and saying, “Fine. Pack up.” Bobby switched me and Rafael, which was a good move because Rafe hates Texas. He’s a Cali boy and thinks Texas is the armpit of hell.
We have not so friendly ‘discussions’ about that and occasionally I’m tempted to ask Bobby to transfer Rafe out here. Might as well make Rafe’s life hell for a few months. The only thing holding me back is the fact that Rafe is keeping me up to date on Trenton news.
Steph’s elevation as CO was surprising. I like Steph but CO?
Clearly the LC has been smoking the good shit. Or maybe Les has. It’s known that Les isn’t a smoker (liquor yes, smokes, not really), so we’re wondering if Bobby perhaps slipped him something.
Those two play practical jokes on each other all the time. Rafe and I joke about Bobby and Les being in a deep bromance. They’ll never marry. What woman could handle both of them?
Well, it might be a brilliant idea. Steph’s just as crafty and smart as Ranger or Les. She’s just not as focused. It might be a good idea. Plus, if the entire LC is leaving Trenton, it would be good to ensure she stays under RangeMan protection. Actually, the more I think about the idea, the more brilliant it is.
Even more surprising is her partner. Hector.
I’m stunned at that news. It’s known across the company that Hector is fanatical about staying alive. Steph has a death wish. How in the hell is that partnership going to work out?
I stared at the text from Rafe in confusion.
Clearly Trenton is going to be the place to be for the next few months. Damn.
This is why it’s always best to allow the LC to run their plans as they please. If I were home, I would be able to watch this play out in person and Rafe would be miserable in Texas.
SA RangeMen Recruits—Military Vet’s POV
During week two we learn about the company leadership. The Leadership Core is comprised of the men whose reputations drove us to the company. They’re the heads, and we learn that Capt. Mañoso is on assignment for the government. That’s why he’s not here. We’re the first branch being established that he was not here in person to review.
We’re bummed about that but we’ve been told that we will meet him before our first year is over. His first stop will probably be this office, to review us. We won’t be told before he arrives. We should remain battle ready at all times.
More surprising is the next level under the Leadership Core. Or, more correctly, the person directly under the Leadership Core. A woman. Stephanie Plum.
The military men immediately start reaching out to learn more about her. We quickly learn that she’s not military. She’s a bounty hunter from Trenton, NJ. She’s beloved by the Leadership.
She’s Captain Mañoso’s woman.
This is said quietly and it’s unofficial but every veteran RangeMan knows it. The RangeMen from Trenton are the ones who provide the scoop on her.
5’7″, curly brown hair, amazing blue eyes, smart and funny. She’s their little sister and they adore her. They assure us that this is a good move because she’s creative and smart. The company will probably grow under her leadership.
This is the first sign of disharmony we see among the veteran RangeMen. It’s subtle and they’re careful to ensure we don’t really see it, but the RangeMen from Miami and Boston are not buying it. They think that’s bullshit and that, for some unknown reason, Capt. Mañoso’s ‘piece of ass’ is in charge because she’s a fucking disaster and she needs babysitters.
We Google her and we have to agree. The woman is known as the ‘Bombshell Bounty Hunter’. The stories we find online about her are not flattering. The stories make her sound like a loose cannon.
The Trenton men ask us to consider the following:
- Ranger (Capt. Mañoso) is not known for making mistakes, especially where the company is concerned.
- Lester (Lt. Santos) is known as a brilliant fucker and is known for making creative, if questionable, moves.
- Tank (Sgt. LaPierre) and Bobby (Lt. Brown) are brilliant men and they believe in her. It was their decision, along with Ranger (Capt. Mañoso) and Lester (Lt. Santos), to elevate her.
- The rest of these fuckers don’t know her. They do. They believe it’s a good move and she’ll prove it to everyone. Until then, shut the fuck up.
Everyone shuts the fuck up.
Month Two
SA RangeMen Recruits—Military Vet’s POV
We’re all quiet.
Capt. Mañoso is a former juvenile delinquent. Sgt. LaPierre is both an ex-juvi and an ex-banger.
A quarter of the men we’ve been training with for six weeks are ex-bangers and cons too.
We’re not quite sure what to think. We all look at each other in confusion.
More intriguing is Lt. Santos’s comment that Capt. Mañoso ‘has some other things in his past I cannot and will not discuss’. We wonder: is he a former banger too? Something worse?
Ross, who made the idiotic comment about the CO being the ‘hot chick’, is pale. He knows his ass is grass and he’s about to be a ‘former’ RangeMan recruit, the first. Lt. Santos looked at him as if he were determining which arm to break.
Sam is thoughtful. He stands and looks at us. “Trenton and Atlanta warned us. They told us to ignore background and focus on the fact that we’re ‘RangeMen’. Now we know why. Even Lt. Santos just said it. We’re partnered with men who want to move on from their backgrounds and be RangeMen.” We look at him in silence. “Every man in here knows what the application process was like. Consider what it must be like for the men without a military background. There’s no organized group for them to check with. No discharge papers, no medals. So they’re really looking at the souls of men to pick good RangeMen.”
He sits down, eyes wide and staring at the walls. We’re considering his words. Lew stands. “I agree. I mean, until this moment, none of us knew that the men who have been training us were bangers and cons. They were RangeMen. We strived to be like them. We wanted their skills, their knowledge. Now we know that we were aiming to emulate bangers.” He swallows. “I admire Jim from Trenton. Silent, deadly, focused and he’s a con. I never knew and, honestly, knowing now, I don’t give a damn.”
He walks out of the room, Sam close behind. Those two have been partnered up quite a few times and they’re good partners. The rest of us look at each other and quietly file out of the room.
Ross is released later that night and from that moment on, we stop putting the bangers and cons through our version of ‘hazing’. We start treating them as equals.
They’re RangeMan recruits too.
Marcos’s POV
I’m ready to go out drinking and dancing tonight.
Atlanta passed the new CO’s review! I pull all the Atlanta guys and tell them but they’ve already heard. We’re all thrilled and proud.
We were the first office and we set the standard. Even more, we’ve been given permission to establish an office in Charlotte. The CO believes our office is so well run we’re getting to establish a new branch. We’re fucking thrilled!
Danny got us all on a call and asked us to keep our mouths shut about the review. Our brilliant performance has set the standard and he doesn’t want the other branches to find out how and what Ms. Plum does in her reviews. They should all get the experience and besides, if they know what she does, they’ll address those problems before their review and try to outdo us.
No problem. We all agree to keep our mouths shut about what she does but we’re going to crow about passing.
I walk into the break room grinning.
“Atlanta reigns supreme, gentlemen,” I announce. Everyone, newbies and vets, turn around to look at me. “Atlanta passed review!” I shoot two birds and Trenton laughs and congratulates us.
Boston, Miami, and NYC are quiet.
“Really?” Chris asks. He’s from Boston and he’s been the most dismissive of the new CO. I nod, smiling.
“I’m not telling you what’s in the review, but Danny said it’s comprehensive. It’s not some song and dance. She’s sharp. She tore our building and reports apart. She interviewed the men and reviewed our submissions. The report is not lightweight but we passed with flying colors.”
Ches laughs. “I just got an email from Rafe. He said that Ram said you guys really worked hard to pass and Trenton’s stepping their game up to ensure we pass.”
I laugh. “Unfair that you fuckers get an inside view to what it takes to pass.”
Ches grins. “Yeah, except that the CO is in house in Trenton. She already knows everything going on there. We’re under constant review.”
I nod. That’s true. Bobby and Les enter the break room, smiling.
“The party will be live for Atlanta,” Bobby says, and I throw a fist in the air, thrilled. He laughs. “I’m thrilled my home branch passed. I’ve been nervous.”
“Did the CO say anything extra?” Malik asks, smiling.
Bobby smiles. “I have the full report, with extra notes. There are a few things but Danny has everything well in hand. When Danny decides on the party to celebrate your performance, we’ll fly back for it.”
Malik and I look at each other and grin. We know what Bobby’s idea of partying is. Every Atlanta man starts singing the Atlanta branch’s ‘unofficial’ party anthem.
“Now you might come for vacation, leave on probation
Home of the strip club, known for the thick girls
Where the chicks put tips in the tip cup
Of thick chick in a thong with a big butt
When it’s on, won’t be cheap when it on like Peachtree
Make a chick take it off like Freaknik, down here in, Georgia!”
We croon ‘Georgia’ and Bobby and Les are rolling. Tank’s just shaking his head, smiling.
Best song Ludacris and Field Mob ever made.
SA RangeMen Recruits—Military Vet’s POV
The bangers provide new intelligence about Ms. Plum.
She’s the partner of the Asesino.
This means nothing to us until the former Reyes in the group show us the newspaper articles. We check the lines of authority and swallow hard.
The CIO of the company is a former banger and it’s ‘alleged’ he’s responsible for 26 murders. The veteran RangeMen smirk. It’s not an allegation. It’s a fact but the police and the feds will never prove it. He was trained by the LC. They don’t make mistakes.
Again, the Trenton men appear to be correct. Ignore background and focus on skills and ability. Our CIO is deadly and not to be fucked with but he’s also a brilliant computer geek. Our networks and systems are what they are because he’s serious about ensuring we can operate as a true black-ops company.
Miami and Boston are completely stunned by the revelation. We see Chris swallow hard.
It’s the last time he says anything less than complimentary about the CO.
Month Three
SA RangeMen Recruits POV
The bangers are silent.
The Asesino was shot during a trip to Miami! They can’t believe it. He’s as legendary at the LC! He’s not known for getting shot. What the hell happened?
They’re working their own contacts to learn more.
Bobby, Tank and Les (we’re finally allowed to refer to them by their nicknames) are quiet and worried. They are constantly on the phone getting the update on him. Bobby’s made plans to leave because he needs to conduct an “exit interview” in NYC, but he extends his trip so he can check on Hector.
The Trenton men have become our official news source. They always know more than anyone else. They report he lived and he was only shot in the shoulder. Well, he was bruised. He had on a vest. He anticipated being shot and he was prepared. The Miami RangeMen also covered him.
The Reyes bangers are relieved and proud. Thought so. This is the Asesino. Apparently, the entire town was (quietly) scared shitless and wondering who he was there to eliminate. Reyes in Miami that they know report that he was making lots of moves in Miami and he met with Piman.
Ranger was with him.
That was astonishing. What? We thought he was on assignment.
The Reyes RangeMan recruits in the group look at their military brothers in amusement and the military vets finally get an answer to the question they had last month.
Captain Carlos Mañoso is a Reyes. He’s inactive but he never bled out. His old handle was El Tigre, the Tiger.
The Crips among us tell us that Sgt. LaPierre is a former Crip. Again, never bled out but he’s definitely inactive and he’s not too interested in talking about it.
The CEO of RangeMan, LLC is a gangbanger. The COO of RangeMan, LLC is a gangbanger. We’re fucking stunned. Now the harassment of the ex-banger and ex-con brothers really seems stupid and pointless. Now we understand why Lester told us that your background didn’t matter here. Two of the men in the top leadership are ex-cons, ex-bangers, and military. They are every single man among us. They’ve done all our shit and come out on top. We immediately wonder about Lester and Bobby, but the Trenton and Atlanta men tell us they’re clean.
The veteran RangeMen know more than we do and they aren’t sharing. They clam up whenever we’re around. As a matter of fact, the Miami men know something and they clam up around everyone, including the other RangeMen.
Lester meets with them and leaves quietly furious, but the Miami men don’t get mat time because they keep their mouths shut. Ranger ordered every Miami man to keep his mouth shut, so they do. Lester meets with the bangers who are Reyes and learns that Ranger’s visit with Piman is known if you’re in the right circles but no one is saying much. The other bangers, from other gangs, know nothing. Piman ordered everyone to shut the fuck up about Ranger.
He’s in Pakistan, if you enjoy living. Lester smirks and makes a call.
We don’t know why but we decide that we haven’t heard anything. We have thirty days to go. The end is in sight. We don’t want to fuck up with success so close.
Teddy’s POV
I get a call from Jozen.
Ranger’s running a domestic. That fact is classified but I’m a Miami RangeMan so he tells me. I’m not to tell Boston or anyone else. Hector was shot and Mario was grazed but both are fine. The CO was scared shitless for her partner and, for the first time, they saw Hector act less than absolutely terrifying. He hugged and comforted his partner, who looked like she was about to lose her shit. Ranger was also trying to comfort her, but if he had not pulled her off Mando she might’ve taken Mando’s ass down trying to get to Hector.
I snort. Women.
Jeez, the man didn’t die and he doesn’t want to dwell on the fact that he was shot. That’s the difference between men and women. Women cry over some shit that can’t be changed. He was shot, he lived, let’s talk about recovery.
I got $20 on the fact that the CO is probably badgering him for details.
That makes me a smile. If it were any other man she might try to rip him a new one, but this is Hector. The Asesino. He won’t stand for that shit. He’ll make her pull herself together quickly.
I look around and I see every Miami man is on the phone with someone.
We meet quickly to ensure we all have the same info: Ranger is running a domestic op and Hector was targeted because (a) it would make someone’s name to be known as the man who took him down, and (b) he was making his own moves in Miami. He must be helping on the op.
Lester finds out what Miami told us in minutes and calls us all together. This news will go no further unless you are interested in being left for dead in the middle of the desert. They need to know who has the loose lips in Miami.
We keep our mouths closed and earn the shittiest assignments for the next month, but we aren’t fired because the order came from Ranger: Keep your fucking mouth closed.
Besides, the RangeMan recruits who were Reyes got the same info through their channels. Les is irritated but resigned. The Miami RangeMen simply got the news four hours faster than the recruits did.
We were going to find out but for the first time we, recruits and vets, are all RangeMen. We know but we keep our fucking mouths shut.
SA RangeMen Recruits POV
We’re watching the monitors in shock.
Liam Hannigan of RangeMan NYC is being broken down in the most brutal fashion possible.
The veteran RangeMen are cool watching this.
Well, all except the NYC men.
They’re furious and they’re muttering that Bobby needs to break bones.
Apparently, Liam was attempting to sink the NYC branch. He was damn near successful but the CO sent in a strike team to investigate. They caught his ass red-handed and informed her. She informed the LC.
We’ve wondered for months why Bobby didn’t give mat time. The LC, as a whole, doesn’t give a lot of mat time. That’s handled by Ches Deuce and Teddy G and we’ve learned that mat time = pain. Bobby is the man who examines us after and gives pain relief.
He’s also the man who lets us know he’s disappointed. For some reason, hearing that Bobby is disappointed hurts. He’s the most supportive of RangeMen recruits. He’s the man who quietly pulls us to the side if we’re struggling to meet standards and offers extra help. He’s quick to give you a new workout plan or tell you what you need to eat in order to drop weight or bulk up. He arranges to match us with the veteran RangeMan who can help us learn the SOPs faster or improve in the range quicker.
We don’t like to call Bobby the RangeMan ‘mommy’ but in a lot of ways he is. Lester is ‘daddy’. He pushes us to succeed and gives us the standards. Tank watches quietly, assessing each man and ensuring that he meets standards. He’s the man we’re normally tested against so he has to stay neutral.
Bobby helps. When we need something, we go to Bobby.
So we’re stunned to see the way he completely breaks down this man in NYC. It’s complete and brutal. We’re swallowing hard and looking at each other.
Treason. Punishable by death. Bobby is creative with his definition of ‘death’.
For the military vets, a bullet to the brain is preferred to what we’re watching right now.
For the bangers, a bullet to the brain is preferred to what we’re watching right now.
For the ex-cons, well, you get the idea.
This is so riveting that we almost miss the sight of the slight woman on the side of the mats until she yells.
Small. Curly brown hair. Pissed off expression.
Our first glimpse of the CO and the Trenton men are smirking.
“Hey, Bombshell,” they murmur. We look at her.
Bombshell is right. She’s hot. This is Ranger’s woman? Nice choice, sir.
When she gives Liam the knee to the groin, the veteran RangeMen squirm. We shrug mentally. We’re still in shock over Bobby. That’s nothing compared to what he did. You can recover from a knee to the groin. Bobby put that man in traction.
We’ve learned a few valuable lessons:
- Treason = death.
- Bobby has a unique definition of ‘death’.
- We will never be so stupid as to commit treason.
Lester turns around. “Anyone else need a demonstration of why Bobby does not give mat time?”
Heads shake.
No sir. ‘Mommy’ is dangerous. We almost forgot, sir. We’ll never forget again.
Lula Jackson has come to visit Tank.
The only men who know her are the Trenton men (we want transfers to Trenton. They know every fucking thing!). Lula Jackson is Tank’s girlfriend and the CO’s best friend. They’re sincerely hoping she left her gun at home.
That’s the first thing we learn. She’s left her gun at home. The Trenton men are relieved.
“She’s a fucking menace with a gun,” Ches Deuce growls. “That shit will get her arrested here. I hope Tank sets her straight about that shit fast.”
This woman? We look at each other and shrug. We’ve learned to assess everyone on their own merits. The Trenton men say she’s a menace with a gun but she doesn’t have the gun here. We point that out and they stare at us before sighing. They talk among themselves and decide to give her a chance.
The Atlanta men advise us to ignore Trenton on this one. They tell us to get to know her and make sure she likes us. If she’s going to be moving here and living here with Tank, she’ll be around us all the time. We need to get along.
Meanwhile, the Miami men are in shock over the stupidity of their brothers back home. Apparently, they’ve pissed off the head housekeeper for RangeMan. We check the lines of authority. Ella Guzman. The Trenton men are pissed. Ella is their housekeeper and they don’t tolerate disrespect of her. They’re pissed that Miami isn’t respecting her, but the Miami men remind them that, at the moment, they’re all SA men. Don’t kick their asses for something going on in Miami. The Trenton men calm down and relax.
We’re learning that the Trenton Men have hair-trigger tempers when it comes to disrespect of authority. No one slides on that. We know. We earn mat time around here for insubordination most of the time. We’re learning to keep our mouths shut.
They produce the video of their XO, Hal Linden, completely beating the stuffing out of one of their men, Roger King. We’re stunned. This was over doughnuts? Damn! The Trenton men correct us. It was over insubordination but it was triggered because he was late, he was disrespectful and he had contraband, i.e., the doughnuts. We nod. That’s appropriate then but Hal looks dangerous on the mats.
The rest of the RangeMen take us to the side and tell us stories about Hal Linden that leave us ready to piss our pants. He was stunned by the CO with his own stun gun! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Everyone laughs, even the Trenton men, but the veteran RangeMen report that’s standard around the company.
Don’t disrespect authority. The Core Team in charge of each branch will damn near kill you on the mats for insubordination.
Atlanta, Boston, Miami, they’re all crucial about that. Only NYC reports that their XO has no mat skills, but they’re hearing that the strike team, Diego Garcia of Miami and Manny Sanchez of Trenton, have him in training. He’s getting there. In the meantime, they’re handling mat time and they’re serious about it.
A kickboxer and a boxer. We shudder.
Anyway, the thing with Mrs. Guzman pisses Les off so much he disappears from the branch for a few hours. Again, Trenton has the scoop. Mrs. Guzman is related in some weird way to Ranger and Les. They’re not quite sure, but they know she’s their aunt.
The Miami men are idiots. Who insults the leadership’s family?
Month Four
SA RangeMen POV
We made it! We’re no longer recruits. We’re RangeMen!
Passing standards was the hardest thing we’ve ever done. Joining the military or ‘jumping in’? That was hard but this is a whole new level. The live fire? Holy hell but we see why the LC picks a variety of men. The military men know each other’s tactics but the bangers are slick. They’re a combination of gangs, Reyes, Mexican Mafia, Bloods, and Crips, and their tactics are all slightly different. These guys are accustomed to urban combat and the LC assessed us in an area that allows for both urban and open combat. We kill in the open combat but the bangers have the edge in urban combat. When the groups are combined and combine their tactics, we’re nearly unbeatable.
It reminds us that Rangers, like the LC, are the Army’s ‘shock and awe’ troops. They’re trained in both urban and open warfare. They know and recognize how important it is and, considering how much work we’ve been doing learning how to do bonds enforcement, we see how important it is for us to understand how to fight in close quarters.
The ex-cons are the best with the driving assessment and they’re smug about it. Planning getaways means that they have experience evading the cops and they prove it. They also blow away the knife skills. ‘Ain’t gon’ be nobody’s bitch!’ is their motto. These fuckers always have a shiv or a shank on them somewhere and they’re prepared to use it.
Those of us who are military vets realize how stupid we were to discount these men at the beginning. They have brilliant skills and they’re proving it now. The bangers and the cons realize that they were smug and holding back on their brothers, a ‘Kiss my ass. You’ll see.’ mentality at work.
Honestly, we’re all steady performers but the bangers and cons have true ‘specialized’ skills and they show off. The military men are patient and they’re great leaders and they show off.
We’re proud of our brothers. Yeah, they’re truly our brothers.
The veteran RangeMen throw us a small ‘Congratulations’ party and tell us that, now that we’re RangeMen, we’re ready to be inducted into their secret society. We can be told the secrets that hold RangeMan together.
We’re excited. We knew there was more to learn.
We wake up thirsty, tired, and slightly hung over. We look around and realize what’s happened. We’re in the middle of some forest or park. All of us.
We were drugged.
Fuckers! We vow revenge. They left us in our cargoes with three knives, no cash, and ten gallons of water between us. Everyone has a hat to protect him from the sun. There’s a note.
Welcome to RangeMan.
Rule one: We’re some sadistic fuckers. You should always wonder if we’re up to some shit.
Rule two: If you paid attention to the lessons, you’ll be back before noon. Otherwise, ‘Mommy’ and Tank will wonder where you are and they won’t be pleased.
Rule three: We can survive anything. You should be back within five hours. Want to impress us? Make it back in four.
😀
They literally put a smiley face on the bottom of the fucking note.
We vow revenge. It will be slow and sweet.
Ches Deuce’s POV
We’re watching the trackers and cameras on our new brothers and laughing our asses off. They’re awake. That much we know. The hats contain cameras. They’re awake and pissed.
Hector sent those to the LC to review, along with Bluetooths, car remotes, and a few more ‘hidden camera’ items. Bobby asked us to put them through field assessments. Marcos and I grinned and decided this was the perfect use.
We watch as they finally get their shit together and start figuring out what to do. They send out scouts to verify their location and quickly determine they’re in Government Canyon State Natural Area in the northwest of the city. They’re about 30 miles from RangeMan, which is in the south-south central area of the city. They bitch and moan and plot revenge (we laugh our asses off at that!) and finally start moving.
It’s a military style run. RangeMan standards call for an 11-minute mile, which is why they should be back in five hours. We watch as they move, slowly but steadily, toward the branch.
Tank and Bobby walk in and look at the monitors. They smirk.
“Where did you drop them?”
“Government Canyon.”
They chuckle and walk out.
The real party is tonight at a local strip club. If they make it back.
Every new RangeMan class is tortured like this. I remember the way Mike, from Boston, dropped our asses in the Pine Barrens. We’d never really heard of the Pine Barrens before that but I jogged for thirty fucking miles to prove I was a RangeMan.
Right before noon, our new brothers walk in. It took them five hours. They’re exhausted, hot, thirsty and glaring at us. We grin and point their sweaty smelly asses to the showers and remind them they still have a full shift to live through.
Welcome to RangeMan. We can survive anything.
Tank LaPierre will be the first of the ‘Four Shades of Death’ to succumb to the parson’s noose.
Now honestly, I’m happy for him, but Lula?
The Trenton men decided, when she arrived, to keep her background to ourselves. First, no one needed to know. Second, if she moves here with Tank, it’s not like she’s gonna be a ‘ho here. She’ll do something new and she’ll want a new start. A fresh start. No need to drag her identity as a ‘ho here with her.
We survey the other vets and discover they know her background too. Open secret. Everyone makes a pact: No one tells the newbies her background. We know. They don’t need to.
I’m cool with the choice of Lula, but she can’t have a gun. I have no idea how to broach that but I finally decide to say something. Bobby is the most approachable. He’ll hear me out and he does. He leans back in his chair and sighs deeply.
“I know, Ches. I know.” He looks at me and smiles, but his smile is tired.
“Sir, I know you’re well aware, but Texas gun laws are strict. I’m afraid for Tank, sir. If she doesn’t get a handle on that gun, she’ll be arrested and I doubt the RangeMan lawyer could pull her out of that.” I’m silent for a moment, wondering how to press my concern. Bobby is leaning forward looking at me. “Sir, I respect the Chief XO deeply. I’m thrilled he’s happy and he’s chosen to marry but, sir, Ms. Jackson’s history with guns is not positive. I’m afraid for the Chief XO, sir. His fiancée has to learn to put the gun down.” I swallow hard. “I don’t want to see the Chief XO regret anything. I don’t—”
I shut up. I’m overstepping. This isn’t my place.
Bobby laughs and I look up. “Your thoughts are clear on your face, Ches.” He sobers. “How’s your brother?” he asks quietly.
I should’ve known he’d know.
“Breaking under the weight of the judgment, sir,” I reply.
My brother was involved in a shooting here in Texas. It was accidental and he was cleared in the criminal case but the civil case?
I think it’s unfair that you can be tried in two different courts for the same damn offense (double jeopardy?), but that’s neither here nor there. My brother was found liable and had a six-figure judgment levied against him. He’s essentially fucked for the rest of his life, or at least the next twenty years of it.
The judgment is ruining his life. He’s contemplated suicide. The other party was quick to put in a claim to garnish his wages. He has a quarter of his wages taken to pay the judgment every month. Between taxes and the judgment, my brother has nothing left over each month. Thankfully, my sister-in-law is some kind of tech genius programmer and they can’t garnish her wages so she’s carrying the majority of the bills. My brother feels emasculated but he has a good woman by his side. She reminds him constantly that it was an accident and she still loves him. She doesn’t consider him a man based on his paycheck.
He got lucky with his wife, but still. That judgment is a bitch.
Bobby sits back in his chair and sighs. Finally he looks over at me. “Les and I are planning ‘discussions’ with Lula, mostly in the correct care and feeding of our brother,”—we both smirk—”but we had planned on a discussion of her gun. You know she’ll need to go through RangeMan wives training.” I nod. “I’d like you to introduce her to your brother. Make it real for her. She doesn’t get it right now because there’s never been a real consequence. Tank and Steph have protected her but it’s gonna get real now.”
I nod. Not a problem. Jason preaches gun safety to everyone now. His gun stays locked up in the house. He’s never fired it since.
Lula Jackson slowly starts hanging out around us. At first she seemed to avoid the Trenton men. The SA men are the first to really talk to her and they really like her. Everyone else is quiet, watching.
The vets mostly know about her rep as a ‘ho and her rep with that damn gun. They’re not sure about her. We tell the other veteran RangeMen to keep their fucking mouths shut about that. Let the new boys get to know her on their own.
The SA men don’t know any of that so they don’t care. What they care about is the fact that she’s funny as hell and Tank apparently bends to her will. Not openly and not easily, but he does.
We’re amused. It’s like watching Ranger and Steph. Ranger doesn’t openly bend to Steph’s will, but Tank has the same look of bemusement on his face that we’re accustomed to seeing on Ranger’s face. We’re amused.
RangeMan SA is a classy place and Lula’s impressed by that, but the lack of color is bugging her.
“It’s boring as hell in here. What was this place? A bank?” she asks, looking around.
“Yes,” Tank replies, amused. She looks at him.
“Shit. Can’t we paint the walls?”
“No.” Tank reconsiders. “Yes.” Lula looks thrilled. “Silver or black?”
We bite our lips to prevent laughs. Lula is pissed. “Fuck you.” Tank raises an eyebrow and Lula sighs. “Sorry, but you know that wasn’t funny.”
“The men are trying their damndest not to laugh.”
“They have your shitty sense of humor,” she replies, annoyed. We laugh openly at that.
Month Five
SA RangeMen POV
The first half of the month is spent rotating through our assignments. Les and Tank have been winning bids for service all over San Antonio, so we offer bonds enforcement, armed guards, bodyguards, ‘recovery’ services, ‘redecorating’, and a few more services at this location.
Anyone with a record met with the RangeMan lawyers right after we became RangeMen and they started the process to start clawing back our legal rights. We’re starting to receive notices that our civil rights are being restored.
We’re stunned. We never even knew this stuff existed but the RangeMan lawyers are working the legal channels. They’re good.
Another untold benefit to working here. Capt. Mañoso’s reputation is so good that the fact that we work for RangeMan allows us to have some benefit of the doubt. For some of us it’s easier than others, but the mere fact that we’ll be allowed to vote, serve on juries, and own firearms (legally) again is thrilling.
Before this, most of us didn’t give a damn about voting or jury duty. Now? We’ll vote in every fucking election. We’ll do our jury duty proudly.
And we’ll buy as many guns as the law allows.
We’re paired with a veteran RangeMan as a partner. The veteran will assess us and determine who they think we should be matched up with. We ask why we can’t choose our partners.
“Because you’ll choose your friends instead of choosing the man whose skills truly complement yours,” Ches Deuce replies. It’s known that Bobby has him in training to be the branch liaison and we’re happy. We like Ches. He’s a lot like Bobby: quick to answer our questions, quick to provide support or point us in the right direction. “By allowing us to assess you in a neutral manner, we’ll find you the right partner.”
We sigh and agree. They know us. We trust them.
Mostly.
We haven’t forgotten that Government Canyon shit.
Lester returns from his week at the beach with a new man.
Shane Wilder of RangeMan NYC.
We don’t know what to make of him but the vets do.
He’s a pariah. Immediately. The NYC RangeMen act as if he doesn’t exist. The Miami men are the same. No one wants to partner with him, no one wants to speak to him, no one has anything to say about him.
Tank can barely look at him.
He’s the most miserable man at RMSA. Lester is really the only person speaking to him, because that’s his former subordinate, but no one else speaks to him unless they must.
We elect Sam, nicknamed Slick, to find someone to ask why he’s being treated as a pariah. He decides on Ches Deuce. Ches sighs and calls a quick meeting of all the new men. We assemble in conference one, he calls and asks for monitoring to be suspended, and he waits for the beep.
He motions for us to sit and we wait. Ches looks at all of us for a long moment before speaking.
“At the heart of RangeMan is the idea of brotherhood,” he says quietly, looking at each of us. “Brotherhood means something totally different in this company compared to the military or gangs or prison. In this company, brotherhood means I treat my brother better than I treat myself because I don’t know his struggles. I don’t know his background. I don’t know what he’s been through or where he’s been, but what I know is this: when he needs me, I’ll be there.
When my brother needs bread, he has mine. When he needs water, I’ll pass him my last drop. I’ll fight for his rights, for his life, for his needs as I would my own because he will do the same for me. That’s what the Leadership Core practices daily among themselves and that’s what every man in this company strives to emulate.”
We feel something stirring in our souls and most of us feel tears, although we’ll never admit it.
“That’s why this company is structured the way it is. That’s why Tank immediately called in the lawyers to fight for your rights the moment you men passed. That’s why we have housekeepers and maintenance men. That’s why you have excellent salary, full medical and dental, 401(k)s, and all the perks of this job. Because it’s dangerous and difficult but you’re my brothers. I don’t give a damn what you did before you applied to be a RangeMan, but when you need me I’ll be there.”
He smiles. “I’ll also be there when you want to party because you just got your college degree. I’ll be there when you get married, have kids, have something you want to celebrate. The men in this company are loyal to RangeMan because the company is loyal to them. You’ll see it more and more as time passes, but nothing is taken for granted. We believe in the men we hire and we’ll do anything to help you achieve.
That’s why Shane is being treated as a pariah. No, he was not actively involved in taking down RM-NYC like Liam was but he betrayed his brothers. He betrayed his XO because he didn’t support Javier as he should have. In not supporting his XO, he betrayed the men who followed his lead. He betrayed NYC because he wouldn’t listen to advice or reason. He betrayed his Miami brothers because they tried to help him, to save him, and he shrugged off their attempts to help, trying to prove he knew more and was smarter than they were. Two branches of men trying to help and save him and he betrayed them.
It’s hard for us to look at him and not see a Benedict Arnold. And, like that famous traitor, he’s not wanted by either side right now.” He sighs. “Our beef with him is our own. He may end up in this branch so treat him as a brother. Show him brotherhood. Let’s see if he can get his shit straight and fly right again.”
He dismisses us but no one moves. We all look at each other.
He’s asking us to trust a Judas. Nah. No dice. We saw the “exit interview”.
He might not have actively brought his branch down, but he didn’t support his brothers. We might not have been in this company long, but each of us went through the same hell together. We support each other.
Shane Wilder is not welcome at RMSA either.
The second half of the month, we get a two new visitors.
“Maria!” Teddy G yells. The Miami men immediately look up and run to the pretty woman who has arrived. We watch as the Miami men hug this woman. We look at each other. Who is she?
“Gentlemen, attention please,” Teddy announces. The woman is pink-cheeked and smiling. Hispanic, 5’8″, nice figure, black hair streaked with a few strands of gray, soft brown eyes, looks about 40 years old. She’s really pretty (hot in a cougar way) and she’s looking stunned at the obvious happiness of the Miami men. There’s a man with her too, 5’10”, graying black hair, gray eyes, amused smile on his face.
“Men, this is Maria Salgado of RangeMan Miami. She is our housekeeper. This is Rafael Martinez and he’s our maintenance man. They will be here for the next month. I know we haven’t mentioned this much, but each branch has an in-house housekeeper and maintenance man. They are to be treated with the utmost respect. Anything, anything, that Maria and Rafe request should be fulfilled immediately. Got it?”
We nod. Housekeeper? Maintenance man? What does that mean?
Days later we learn.
The building is spotless. Rafe is fanatical about fingerprints and mud and we quickly learn to keep the branch clean. We were cleaning it but we’re nothing compared to him. He installs new air filters and we notice the branch smells fresh. It didn’t smell bad before but the air just smells cleaner. He scrubs and polishes each floor and we learn to keep everything clean to make his life easier.
We like Rafe. We’re tired of cleaning urinals and showers. That’s truly hated here! We’ll do whatever he asks of us. He plants flowers and reviews every nook and cranny, patching things, caulking, washing windows, polishing and wiping all day long.
We consider buying gloves. The fingerprints are driving him insane. Each man starts carrying a microfiber cloth with him. If we see fingerprints, we wipe. Rafe starts smiling again and we sigh in relief. Rafe’s a cleaning god and we bow to his brilliance.
Maria? We fall in love with Maria.
She cooks. Oh my god, the woman is a spectacular cook! The veteran RangeMen tell us that three squares and snacks are provided and we’re shocked. Most of us immediately realize that grocery budgets and cooking are a thing of the past. Plus, she knows the RangeMan standard diet.
She’s willing to cook for us?
We fight to join the housekeeping committee. What does this magical woman require to stay? We’ll make it happen! Fuck Miami! If they lost her, we’ll keep her. When Teddy G tells us that, for the Miami men here, it’s like watching Maria being courted by a new man, we smirk. We decide to really make that analogy come true.
We get on the phone and call people we know to help Maria get contracts for beef, pork, chicken, whatever she requires to feed us. We get in little groups and discuss favorite meals and dishes so she has an idea of what we like. We study the RangeMan standard diet and smile over the meals on it. We’ve been cooking them on our own (that’s been hit or miss) but she’s mastered them.
We love her.
We watch as an industrial stove is installed. The refrigerators are installed and she and Lula shop for dishes, glasses and appliances. We’re desperate to help. What do you need, Maria? We’ll help! We want to help!
The Miami men flip us off and we give it right back. Fuck you guys! You had a good thing and you lost it. We’ll keep her!
Maria and Lula team up and before we know it, RangeMan SA feels like home. The ‘crash’ dorm is painted silver and blue and they install soft carpet, big TVs, and put soft sheets and pillows on the beds. Maria puts together a rotating assignment list for kitchen duty and we show up, ready to do whatever she needs. She’s smiling and happy that we’re happy to help her. One hour in the kitchen really isn’t enough time for most of us because we fly through her assignments. We do it just as she asks but she doesn’t have enough work for us.
She presents her meals and we nearly cry from happiness. She tells us that our assistance means she can crank the meals out faster. Really?
Kitchen duty is loved at RangeMan SA.
Shane finally resigns. Lester takes possession of all his RangeMan paraphernalia and walks him through the separation paperwork. They shake hands, Shane exits Lester’s office, and Tank nods him out of the door.
We watch him walk to his car and leave.
About time. Another week and we were gonna find some way to ‘convince’ him to find the closest exit.
Our brotherhood, in this office, is new and deep. There was no room for a traitor hated by two branches.
RangeMan brotherhood did not apply to Shane Wilder because he did not apply it in NYC or Miami.
Month Six
Ches Deuce’s POV
I read Steph’s email and start partying!
Trenton took the crown! I stand up, looking around for Jim, Gene, and the rest of the guys and they’re doing the same thing I am. We start partying out our stations.
“Trenton! Trenton! Trenton!” OK, so we don’t have a party anthem like Atlanta. Fuck ’em. We have the crown!
Atlanta and NYC are also partying. We’re talking shit at each other but we’re really thrilled. The news from home has kept us up to date. Atlanta is our ‘sister’ branch and Ram reports that the ‘bromance’ between Hal and Danny is like Bobby and Les. I laughed my ass off at that.
That’s scary. Is Hal Bobby or Les? I’m thinking . . . I don’t even know.
They brought Javi in and it’s really starting to be a triad. Because that’s the relationship between our home branches, I’ve gotten close to the Atlanta and NYC guys here and we’re a tight group against Miami and Boston, but we’ve started letting that go. Being here with the Boston and Miami guys for the past five months has brought home the fact that we might have location-based cliques but at the end of the day, we’re all RangeMen. Here at RMSA, it’s really been about the vets vs. the newbies. We mostly forgot about our home branches and acted as a unit.
It was really important for me. I intend to stay at RMSA. The newbies are my men.
We halt the party when we see the looks on the Boston guys’ faces. They look shell shocked. They’re swallowing hard and looking at each other in confusion. Miami is similarly stunned. This is the first time in a long time that we’re being reminded that we have ‘home’ branches.
For the vets, it’s a quiet morning. Some of us are thrilled. Others are stunned.
For the newbies, it’s an exciting day. Tank stands at the dais at 1000 and makes a general announcement.
“Men, today, we join the fight. You’ve seen the email.” They nod. “OK, so you know who we’re racing against.” Tank displays a picture of Hal with a target on it and I chuckle quietly. “This is Hal Linden, XO of RangeMan Trenton. Men, I trained this man. I expect brilliance from him. Now, I need your help in reminding him why he’s my protégé.” Tank smirks. “He’s my protégé because he cannot surpass the master! I’m not ready to roll over and concede to him yet.”
“HUA!”
Bobby and Les collapse in laughter. “Fuck you!” Les yells. “You have to beat our home branches down first!” He and Bobby pump their fists and Trenton, Atlanta and NYC grin and start partying again. Les looks at Boston. “Boston, that includes you. You’re under my review. Get your asses in gear and knock Hal’s ass back down!” Boston smiles for the first time the entire morning. They start making calls back to Boston.
Les looks at Miami and shakes his head. “Miami, my cousin would not be pleased with this defeatist attitude. I thought you were home branch, home of the ‘manliest’ men.” He finger quotes and we all laugh. Miami grins. “Well prove it! Find your balls. You see the target. What would Ranger do?”
“Eliminate!” they yell. They hit their phones calling home.
Bobby looks at me, smiling. “Ches Deuce! What branch do you pledge allegiance to?”
I look at the newbies. I look at the Trenton men. I grin and turn to Tank. “Game on, sir! Hal’s a dead man.” Jim, Gene, and Chet cheer with me.
RMSA cheers. We’re joining their fight. We’re ready.
SA RangeMen POV
Maria and Rafe are gone. We want to cry but we’re men. We’ll accept this stoically.
Bullshit. No way. We begin plotting to get them home.
We send Maria notes in email. We send flowers weekly. We ask her about her family, if she’s going dancing without us, is she still interested in white-water rafting. Maria laughs and says we’re so dear to her.
Good. Come home. This is home. Come back to us.
We ask Rafe about his daughter. We want to know if he’s asked Maria out yet. He emails back and tells us to mind our own business but he puts a smiley face at the end so we know he’s not mad. We tell him we’re still walking around with microfiber cloths to wipe our fingerprints. We get an LOL for that.
Miami is also attempting to court her. We’re in competition but we’re determined to win.
The Silvas are a nice couple. Lourdes is a gem in the kitchen. She’s new to these standards and these meals but she produces them very well. Eduardo is a neat freak just like Rafe was, but still.
We accept no substitutes. We want Maria and Rafe back!
The CO, Ms. Plum, is being cleared in Trenton.
We’re interested because we’ve learned that this woman is very important. Trenton, Atlanta, and NYC love her. Truly adore her. She’s from Trenton and those guys know and love her so they really want to know how’s she’s doing. They’re attached to their phones for every update. So is Les. Apparently he gets video but he won’t let us watch. We know he’s watching when he sits in his office grinning at his computer.
We don’t know what her scores are but the Trenton men say she’s blowing it out of the water.
The Atlanta and NYC men are assessing her. Atlanta loves her. Ever since she cleared their office they’ve followed her avidly. Everything the CO does or says is gold to them and they respect her opinion. At first, Boston and Miami looked amused by their willingness to listen to her opinion.
Then RangeWorld rolled out.
Actually seeing that whatever she did or said in Atlanta made a difference forced everyone to shut up. Atlanta is second in the company and Boston and Miami were stunned. Atlanta is leading in quite a few assessments. Even more shocking, one result of their review is finally made public.
Their review was so good they were authorized to set up a branch in Charlotte! The Miami XO has been transferred there to oversee it.
That was stunning. That forced the Boston men to STFU, truly STFU, for the first time. The ATL guys are crowing because they’ve known for months.
This woman’s assessments must be no joke.
NYC has a new strategist and a new liaison and they’re pulling back massive contracts because the new strategist is a former Wall Street man. Like many of us, he had no clue about standards and had never done a push up in his life, but he can develop business.
The NYC men smirk. Again, they already knew. They point out that ability is what makes a RangeMan. We can teach him to fire a gun. He’s been able to sniff out over $100 million in work for RangeMan NYC. Who in this office can do that?
We tip our hats in respect. Nice job, Jorge.
For the first time, the Boston and Miami men here truly showed the CO some respect. Good. That’s been bothering us. Leadership is to be obeyed and trusted. The Leadership Core put her in charge and they’re not stupid. There had to be a good reason and now we know why. The company is growing. There’s a new branch, well besides us. The branches are getting closer.
We want to know more about this woman. Ches Deuce tells us that she will assess us. We need to prepare.
The email from the head of HR (we have HR? Wow. When do we meet them? What do they do?) is stunning.
The CO passed Army Basic PT at 80%. She flunked swimming but since that’s not Army PT it can be ignored to some extent. We ask and we learn that swimming is reviewed to ensure you have some competency. It was added to the assessment because it’s optional for the Navy and required for the Coast Guard. If they fail the running they need to blow the swimming out of the water.
She blew Army PT out of the water.
We’re proud of her and we haven’t even met her.
Ranger chose the right woman. She represents him well. We’re told that she’s smart, funny, loyal, and has great instincts. Well, we’ve seen she’s smart. RangeWorld is our first stop every day. We’re watching the numbers. We’re aiming for NYC first.
Ches Deuce is running through the branch calling all Trenton RangeMen. Something happened to the CO in Trenton. We run to the conference room and crowd in, concerned.
Bobby’s about to piss himself in laughter.
The CO is piped in and we listen as she explains that she blew up a BMW. Lester’s BMW. A 750Li. Well, she didn’t blow it up, but it blew up. It’s having mechanical problems. A few of us check the base price on that car and wince. Lester just got a great tax break.
Lester looks ready to cry.
This is the most convoluted explanation we’ve ever heard but the longer it goes on, the funnier it is. By the end, we’ve learned two things.
One, the nickname ‘Bombshell’ also refers to the unfortunate fact that things just seem to blow up around her. We’re truly amused and we’re gonna ask Ches Deuce about that later.
Two, the Trenton XO reads Penthouse. We’re mentally laughing our asses off at that. We don’t know if he just said that because it was the CO or because it’s true, but that was honestly the funniest fucking moment of that call. Everyone was ready to burst into laughter.
Everyone knows Penthouse doesn’t have articles.
The CO and the Trenton XO are a hilarious combination. Ches Deuce tells us not to underestimate the Trenton XO. He’s truly a sneaky devil but the CO is his weak spot. He adores her like she’s his little sister and she always manages to one-up him.
Laugh all we want but remember: Hal Linden is Tank’s protégé. Tank’s no idiot. Neither is Hal.
Ches Deuce’s POV
I call Ram. I didn’t miss the bit about “I hit the ground, Lula fires at Thomas, the car goes BOOM!, the cops show up, Lula disappears, RangeMan shows up to see if I’m still in one piece.”
Ram tells me it’s true. Lula fired the fucking gun and her aim is shit. Lots of damage and Steph’s pissed.
I’m pissed and proud. Steph’s finally planning to have it out over Lula’s gun. Fuck passing standards, I’m proud of this.
Stephanie Plum finally takes her life seriously. I’m thrilled. I like Steph but that was always my beef with her. I got stunned twice in the field acting as her backup and it took me a long time to find anything good to say about her. I honestly thought she was a fucking menace for a long time.
She ran a distraction when a skip apprehension went wrong, buying me time to set up an alternate plan to capture my skip. I was thankful and started giving her a chance after that. Yeah, she was a disaster on her own but when you needed her, she was quick to put herself in danger to give you time to come up with an alternate plan. I gave her a chance and started to like her. She’s funny and warm and, hell, partnering her in the field would get you some action as long as you were prepared.
I’m also disappointed in Lula. During the two months she was here, I really worked to put my irritation at her to the side and get to know her. I like her. She’s funny and warm and she’s great with the men here. She’s a force. Away from New Jersey and Steph, I can see her for who she is. Take charge, take no shit, accept no substitutes, but she cares about every man here. She learned everyone’s name. She knows wives, girlfriends, and kids’ names. She worked with Maria to make this place home for us and I saw what Tank sees.
She’s a genuinely good person.
But she cannot have a fucking gun. Point blank. End of story.
Bobby walks over to my cubicle an hour after the call ends and motions for me to follow him. We go to his office and shut the door.
For a few moments neither of us says a word. Finally, Bobby looks at me.
“Tank’s confiscating her gun the moment he arrives to move her. She will not be allowed a gun until she completes RangeMan wives training. Even after she completes it she won’t be allowed a gun. She has no need for it in Texas and, quite frankly, most of the places she goes everyday won’t allow her to carry it with her. It’s a habit, a bad habit, and we will break it.”
I let out a breath I didn’t even realize I was holding.
“Make arrangements with your brother. Lula needs a reality check. She doesn’t get it.”
I nod. Jason will make sure she gets it before she walks away from him.
Bobby updates me six hours later. The CO has confiscated Lula’s gun. I breathe a sigh of relief.
For the first time in a long time, I like both ladies equally. Steph finally cares about her life and Lula no longer has a gun.
SA RangeMen POV
Apparently, there’s a candidate to be the San Antonio XO. Diego Garcia, part of the NYC strike team. We learn he’s considered the front runner in a one man race so we start paying attention.
Former Marine. Served under the Miami XO in the military and served as the strategist in Miami. Currently the Interim XO in Miami. NYC loves him because he busted his ass to stabilize their branch. While Manny was investigating what happened, Diego repaired the rep, chased the contracts, and corrected the men.
He’s considered no joke. Tough, fair, and honest. Bluntly honest, the Miami men mutter. Diego can say something nonchalantly and you end up feeling like you just got your asshole ripped out, they grouse. Les overhears that and smiles. The Miami men look at us and smirk.
“If he’s transferring here, better you than us,” Teddy says.
We watch as Diego starts firing in Miami. What!? What happened to RangeMan brotherhood?
Russ snorts. “The men he’s firing aren’t brothers and haven’t been for a while. They’re assholes.” He looks at us. “Do you respect the CO?” We nod. “Do you respect the Leadership Core?” We nod. “Do you respect and accept the authority of those in positions of power and trust over you?” We nod. Russ smiles. “Good. Those assholes don’t, which is why they’re being fired.”
“Why didn’t the Miami XO fire them?” we ask.
Russ sighs. “Because his cousin is part of the group of assholes. He has a conflict of interest. That’s why Diego’s doing it. He doesn’t have the conflict.” Russ looks at us and smiles. “What you need to understand about Diego is this: He’s about business. As long as you keep your head down, do your work, and respect authority, you’ll get along with him just fine. I worked under him and he’s a great boss. Fair, honest, good man to work for and with.”
We continue to pay attention but we wonder about the Miami/Charlotte XO. In any case, Miami’s numbers are surging in RangeWorld. We like this XO candidate. He knows how to build and rebuild a branch.
We’re finally forced to start saying goodbye to the men who have trained and developed us over the past six months.
We won’t cry but we will admit this hurts.
The NYC men leave first. NYC is in the middle of a rebuild and their men are needed at home. We throw a small goodbye party for them and help them pack. They grin and invite us all to visit them in NYC soon. If we need them, just call. RangeMan brotherhood will always apply to us.
Trenton only has three men returning to their branch so they leave with the NYC men. We’ll miss them too but the Trenton men keep talking shit right up until the moment they’re standing in front of the door. Then each man hugs his former branch mates tight, throws deuces, and walks out.
We look around and realize, for the first time, that at some point these men are really going to leave us. Some will stay, but by and large, this branch will be ours to run.
For the first time since we became RangeMen, we are truly afraid. Are we really ready to fly without them? Are we really ready to run this branch as the San Antonio RangeMen?
We’ll find out soon. Atlanta will go home in a month. Miami and Boston will leave shortly after them.
We hear that Tank is contemplating another class of RangeMen. We might have capacity for them.
We grin. That’s a welcome thought.
We’ll be the veterans this time. We’ll show the newbies what RangeMan brotherhood is.
Month Seven
SA RangeMen POV
The CO was kidnapped her first night in Miami.
We’re not quite sure how we want to respond to this but we know this: The LC is very unhappy.
Tank is in Boston, reviewing the branch. Bobby and Lester had to work to convince him not to make a detour to Miami. Bobby was packing to go to Miami when Lester called him to his office. They were holed up in there for an hour. They walked out, tight-lipped, but they’re staying put.
The former Reyes among us start getting news. Hector, our CIO, apparently pulled off a flawless assassination in Atlanta. Sixteen bodies to his name this time and, like last time, no one can prove shit.
We’re impressed and wondering if he’ll teach us how he does it.
Manny Sanchez, in Trenton, moved to protect his former girlfriend from some asshole that’s apparently after her. They’re in hiding in Charlotte.
Diego Garcia’s future as our XO might be in question.
He didn’t make any obvious mistakes. The CO was abducted from a bathroom and he didn’t know. The Trenton men here are still furious that he didn’t know the SOPs for the CO.
We look at them. The CO has SOPs? They look at us, horrified. We don’t know them either. Each man is immediately given a copy of the Trenton SOPs for the CO. Ches Deuce informs Bobby that we didn’t know either and the order goes out: every man in every branch needs to read and memorize the Trenton ‘Bombshell’ SOPs. They will be added to the standards SOPs for RangeMan.
We immediately begin reading and we’re disturbed. The SOPs almost make it seem as if the CO is a frequent target for loonies.
Ches Deuce tells us she is. She’s a magnet for kidnappers, stalkers, loonies, and crazies. Her enemies list is second only to the Leadership Core and Hector’s. Add in the fact that Ranger’s enemies would love to get their hands on her, as evidenced by what happened, and the CO is officially the most vulnerable person in the entire company. She inherits Ranger’s enemies in addition to Hector’s enemies, since she’s his partner.
She’s a high-value target. She has to be protected.
Everyone is watching Miami, especially the Miami RangeMen. They’re nervous.
The CO has bounced back from her kidnapping and is investigating with a vengeance. She’s also pissed and has called in a secret weapon.
Edna Mazur. Her grandmother.
The Leadership laughs their asses off. Apparently, Edna Mazur is the last test of fortitude in Trenton.
What the hell does that mean?
The Atlanta men laugh their asses off and tell us a fantastical story about the Trenton XO. Apparently, at the end of Atlanta’s review, they presented the CO with swag. She loved it and really appreciated it but the Trenton men weren’t so happy.
When the Atlanta XO and one of his men went to New Jersey to assist the CO in a strike against a childhood enemy, the Trenton XO took them over to dinner at the CO’s mother’s house. Mrs. Mazur felt them up. That was Trenton’s payback for the swag and Atlanta had to endure an hour of groping by an elderly lady.
We’re confused and a bit sick. The LC is still laughing. Lester wipes his eyes and looks at us.
“You don’t get it, do you?” We shake our heads. “Come here.” We look at each other then Gonzo volunteers to walk forward. Lester pinches his butt and Gonzo leaps a foot in the air and lands, tears in his eyes, rubbing his ass.
“Now imagine. You just got pinched that hard by an 80-year-old woman. She spends an hour pinching and fondling your ass, your dick, your balls, anything she can reach. She’s a randy old devil and if you offer to give her a ride, she might take you up on it. Meanwhile, you can’t scream at her, you can’t grab her because you might grab her so hard you break a bone, and you can’t move. What do you do?”
We swallow hard and look at each other. We nod.
The Trenton XO is a sneaky bastard. That’s a harsh punishment.
The Miami men get an update over the weekend. Mrs. Mazur isn’t really fondling them this time. She’s enjoying herself at the nude beach. Every Miami man who accompanies her is forced to strip down too. Otherwise they’ll be booted from the beach.
Now we’re sick. We’re not crazy about looking at a naked 80-year-old but the thought that there might be other naked men there, dicks swinging in the breeze, is truly barf worthy. Naked women? OK! Naked men. Barf bag please.
The CO is cruel. What’s worse? She delivers her punishments via intermediaries. What might she do if she had to deliver the punishment herself?
The Miami men are in shock.
One third of their branch is being transferred out, but five of the most irritating men there were fired. Diego had already fired seven before the ‘afternoon of the sharp shanks’ but they added 24 more to the list.
Thirty-one men total over six weeks. Miami’s men here in SA will go home immediately. No one here is being fired, thank god, but they’re needed at home. The six men here will bring the branch total up to 55 strong. The Miami XO is now building a branch and rebuilding a branch before the CO orders him back to Charlotte. She needs him to concentrate there. She’s working with Diego to rebuild Miami.
We’re happy and watching carefully. He’s still in the running to be our XO and he’s done this before. We’re sure he’ll prove his mettle again.
It’s a quiet day the afternoon Tank meets with us to discuss the results of the sexism survey the CO asked us to take.
For many of us, it’s surprising. We score highly in benevolent sexism and we need to understand what that means. We talk about what that is and how it affects us. Tank is determined to find ways to combat this. Our scores, as a whole, must come down.
“We have women in leadership positions in this company,” he says, looking at each man in turn. “Every housekeeper is a member of management. The CO is management. The head of HR is in management. We expect you to respect them and show them the brotherhood you want shown to you.”
We nod. Sir, yes, sir.
“The CO will visit us in November. I am looking forward to her review and I want to see how she assesses you men. You will prepare to impress her. You will prepare to blow this review out of the water.”
“Sir, yes, sir!”
The review carries serious bragging rights. Atlanta passed. Boston failed. Miami failed.
We’re next.
We may be the new boys but we’re ready. We finally get to meet Ms. Plum and impress her. We’re thrilled. We’re going to blow her away.
Interesting viewpoint of what’s happening a over in the story from someone so new. Keep the chapters coming!