And every other day, groups of Fixers were trained in the use of the high-tech battle gear. The guns and armor were easy. The fighting machine took practice. Only for Top, though. Bunny was far too big to be a candidate for a K-110 driver. But Top found he actually liked being inside the shell of that machine. The servos were so responsive that it wasn’t like lifting weights, which was how it looked. The level of resistance was less than walking chest deep in a pool, which was why all the drivers spent two hours a day practicing in the water. Top hated the first ten days of that, and then his body seemed to shuck the years. His muscle tone was as fine as when he’d been a spry twentysomething running with the 101st Airborne.

He gave his machine a nickname—Hot Mama—and painted that on the cowling.

Over the last few weeks, the camp had begun to empty out. Truckloads of Fixers had rolled out already, and there was only a skeleton crew left behind—thirty Fixers, five scientists, six techs, and a dozen support staff that included the mess cook and room maids.

On the same day Joe Ledger was racing through the streets of Fort Lauderdale with a bleeding Ghost, Top saw HK pulling a suitcase toward a big Lincoln Navigator. He’d been out jogging and was both surprised and alarmed that HK seemed to be moving out as well.

“Hey, boss lady,” called Top, slowing to a walk and falling in beside her, “don’t tell me you’re leaving, too.”

“It’s that time,” she said, giving him one of her brilliant smiles.

“Well … damn,” he said, smiling back. “Won’t be nothing left here but ugly-ass Fixers to look at. You’re taking all the pretty with you.”

HK’s eyes flickered a bit at that, as if deciding whether his comment was charming or a step too far, but she kept her sunny disposition.

“I’m sure you’ll find something to keep you occupied, Mr. Guidry.”

He offered to stow her suitcase in the back of the car, and she shrugged and allowed it.

“In all seriousness, HK,” said Top, “Buck and I really appreciate you taking us on here. We feel like we found a home with y’all. A family.”

Now the smile changed, mingled tones of surprise and warmth. “That’s sweet of you to say. We try our best.”

“That’s obvious, ma’am, but hey … we’d like to earn our keep. Everyone else has rolled out, and it’s obvious there’s something big about to happen. You can feel the excitement. You can taste it, though I don’t know what it is. It’s all hush-hush. When do Buck and I get a chance to join in the fun, maybe kick a few asses and take some names?”