Page 16 of Gentle Warrior

As the second door swung open, Moose stepped into the basement. The warm, cozy farmhouse atmosphere gave way to a more utilitarian environment. Steel-reinforced walls met cool, slightly sterile air. Shelves lined the room, stocked with everything from tactical gear to high-tech surveillance systems.

In one corner stood a secure armory, firearms and ammunition meticulously organized and locked away. Moose felt a mix of pride and unease stirring within him. His team was no stranger to danger; they had faced hostile missions overseas, where every moment demanded vigilance and precision. But this was different. Now, their mission was protecting their home, their families—the people they loved most—from threats that lurked too close to heart. The security measures were vital, a necessary shield, yet they also served as a stark reminder that the battles they fought had shifted from distant battlefields to the very doorstep of their lives.

This basement was more than a workspace; it was the operations hub for the Blue Ridge Protectors. Monitors displayed live feeds from cameras scattered around the property, while a large table was cluttered with maps and case files. It was clear Bear and Link had been hard at work, preparing for whatever challenges lay ahead.

Moose whistled low, grinning as he took it all in. “Well, would you look at this—Mission Control Central. Link, you built your own personal playground!”

Bear cracked a small smile but kept his steady tone. “We’re doing what needs to be done. Hank and Swede helped outfit the armory and electronics. Their support makes this possible.”

Link flicked a few switches and pulled up some feeds, eyes bright behind his glasses. “If only I could automate my coffee, this place would be perfect.”

Moose laughed. “You’d rig the coffee maker to a drone or something, huh?”

“Already coded the prototype,” Link said without missing a beat.

Moose’s grin faded a little as he looked at Link. “Well, since you’re the resident brainiac; think you could dig up some info on someone for me?”

Link’s face lit up. “You know I’m all about the data dive. Hit me.”

Bear’s eyes narrowed slightly, “Is this about your mom? What’s going on?”

Moose rubbed the back of his neck. “Uncle Jim went and hired this young woman off the street to help with Mom. Like, she was literally homeless before that. I don’t know. I’m just nervous about the whole thing.”

Link softened his tone, nodding thoughtfully. “Totally get it. You want to vet her, make sure she’s not a psycho.”

“Bingo,” Moose said, half-joking. “No offense to homeless folks, but it’s sketchy, yanno?”

Moose rattled off what Jim had told him. “Her name is Elena Robertson. She’s in her early twenties—I think he mentioned she’s from Detroit.”

Bear gave a firm nod, his voice steady and reassuring. “Smart move. Link will run her.”

“Thanks, guys,” Moose said, feeling a weight lift off his chest. “All I want is to know my mom’s safe and that Elena’s really there to help, not cause trouble.”

“Consider it done,” Link replied, already swiveling to his multi-screen setup. Moose appreciated the support. The Brotherhood, whether in or out of the Navy, even when things got messy, he wasn’t in it alone.

The rapid clatter of Link’s fingers hitting keys and mouse clicks filled the room as he dug through databases with laser focus. Bear leaned in, pulling three thick file folders from his stack and dropping them on the table in front of Moose.

“Here,” Bear said, nodding toward the folders. “Hank sent over a batch of recently separated operators looking for gigs. I picked out three candidates I want you to check out.”

Moose flipped open the first file. “Who we looking at?”

“First one’s Sergeant First Class Maya ‘Viper’ Reynolds, an Army Ranger with a solid combat record in multiple deployments. Second and third are SEALs—Lieutenant Jason ‘Jax’ Monroe and Chief Petty Officer Eli ‘Shadow’ Torres. You and I actually crossed paths with Jax and Shadow during service,” Bear added, watching Moose’s expression closely.

Moose scanned the details, tabs marked with medal citations and mission briefs. “Reynolds has grit—solid Ranger pedigree. Jax… I remember him from that joint operation in the Med. Good guy to have at your back. And Shadow—his rep precedes him; a ghost in the field.”

Bear nodded. “Thought you’d recognize them. Wanted your take before we reach out.”

Moose nodded as he flipped through the files, a slow grin spreading across his face. “Any gal who makes it through Ranger school is damn solid. Viper, she’s a no-nonsense operator.” He looked up at Bear, giving a firm thumbs-up. “Jax and Shadow, we know their reputations. Sharp, reliable, and battle-tested. They’re the real deal.”

He tapped the folders lightly. “I’m good with these three. Let’s do it.”

Moose glanced at Bear, a flicker of doubt crossing his face. “But why are you asking me? I’m not even sure when I’ll be able to link up with you all—Navy’s still dragging me through the wringer, trying to sort out my orders.”

Bear laughed, a low, easy sound. “Well, you know Hank’s connections. He’s given me his word that you won’t have to report back to Norfolk. And you’ll retire with a solid fifteen years under your belt.”

Moose shook his head in disbelief, eyes wide. “Damn, that man is good.”

Before he could say more, Link’s fingers paused briefly, then resumed their rapid tapping. Suddenly, he grinned and exclaimed, “Ding ding ding—we have a winner!” His eyes flicked between monitors as data streamed in. “Okay, pulling up Elena’s files… Got her records loaded. Let’s parse this out.”