“That’s a great question. It’s important to know that we are first and foremost a money-making operation. We have tended to run lean and require more generalized operators for a variety of missions. In fact, the reason that the Guardians weren’t part of us from the beginning was that we wanted our focus to be on large-scale organizations, with an eye to repurposing tech for military and medical applications. While a lot of what we do ends up having a positive impact on people, we have not been a humanitarian organization.”
She pauses, letting her words settle around the room.
“However, I’ve made it known to the powers-that-be that I think we can do both. And what you have proven as a team is that you can, as y’all say, take out the trash and make a helluva lot of money doing it. Because it turns out that the people who cause the most damage are the people with the most money to spread around. And they tend to be connected to the larger fish we’re used to dealing with. Having you on the same team, allows us to more easily attack the problem from either end.”
Everett holds up his hand. “Not to go all greedy capitalist on you, but we were able to split out the spoils of our operations amongst a very small number of us, and that has been very profitable for everyone in this room. I don’t think that anyone here is gagging for a pay cut.”
Hedy’s laugh is like a bell, filling the room. “Are you kidding? We love that capitalist shit at the Cave.”
“The Cave?”
“I think y’all call us Wimberley, but soon enough, you’ll figure out why we call it the Cave. To answer Everett’s question, we’d keep your structure for splitting up the proceeds for any Guardian-like mission. As y’all have proven, there’s plenty of that work and plenty of money to be made there. But if you want to go a little bit corporate, a little more global, then we start to add profit-sharing.”
“What about the people who aren’t physically involved in the operations?” Parker asks, gesturing her thumb between herself and Ronan.
“We’ve got plenty of support staff in general and in highly specialized areas, and if you were to run support in operations, then you’d make a cut like everyone else.”
Thane and Ronan look at each other and come to some kind of silent agreement.
“But don’t most of the operators live out there in Wimberley?” asks Rafi. He’s definitely more of a city mouse.
“Actually, I’ll let Odd answer that because, until recently, he lived onsite full-time.”
I smile at Rafi and answer his question. “They have very nice dorms available to anyone who wants to live out there, free of charge. However, if you prefer to live offsite that’s fine. The operators involved in the heavy-duty missions tend to stay onsite, at least part-time, because logistically it’s just easier. Also, there’s a high-tech gym onsite, so it’s easier to stay in shape in between missions. Anders and I like the folks out at Wrecked, so we tended to split our time between the two locations.”
Anders pipes up. “One of the best things about the crew at Wimberley is we’re all tight. We’re a family. Also, Rae, our leader, and her partner, Max, live offsite, and the team often goes over to their house for poker night or parties.”
Hedy nods. “He’s right. Before I moved to Wimberley, I lost my wife and was kind of adrift. Being there with this crew feels like I gained back some of what I lost. Frankly, I don’t give a shit where you live as long as you show up and do your job. Fair warning, second-in-command of the operations crew is my boyfriend. I believe everybody here has met him before—tall, brooding, red hair.”
Parker smiles, biting her lip. “Oh, I remember him. I do love a redhead.”
Abigail puts her hand on her hip, staring pointedly at Parker. Park blushes and fidgets with her thumbs as a shit-eating grin practically takes over Abigail’s face.
“Don’t forget to tell them about your mom and dad.” Anders teases Hedy.
Rolling her eyes, Hedy responds, “Mom runs the entire shootin’ match in Wimberley, and while my father doesn’t have an official role with the team, he supports us in whatever way he can. I am the recruiter, counselor, and head analyst for the team.”
Parker laughs. “Shit, woman. Save some for the rest of us.”
Hedy shrugs, gesturing to her head. “Eh, I’ve got a lot of experience in a lot of different areas, and it’s fun to do different things. Which brings up a good point. If there’s something you like to do, for instance, experimental surgery and murder,” she says, pausing to point at Anders, “we probably have some use—and therefore extra dollars—for whatever skills you have.”
The room goes quiet as people begin to think through their options.
“It’s important for you to know that we will have a series of tests for anyone who wants to join the crew. You’ll find out more about our operations than I can tell you now, and you’ll know pretty quickly if it’s where you want to be.”
Rafi looks a little nervous. “What kind of tests? I mean…I’m not exactly an expert at hand-to-hand combat.”
“I’ll say this, no one has ever gotten past my recruiting filter and then not passed the test that was put in front of them. You’re the sharpshooter, right?”
He nods.
“And it was your shot that saved his life, right?” she says, pointing at Everett.
A proud, shy smile lights up his face. “Yes.”
“Then the only test you need to pass is your first meeting with the captain of the team, RaeNita Archer.”
“Is she mean?”
