Love Struck Delusion

Chapter 2 – Testimony That Follows Me Through Light.

Raptor's POV.

Letting my car door shut to the silent winds of my own currently placed thoughts of anger, I made my way up the driveway and to my front door.

Letting my hands take hold upon my keys, I put them in the lock and waited to turn out of the feeling of my own misunderstanding towards life.

Ever since the war ended I haven't been the same person. I've been lost and looking for an answer for my own need for further existence. Yet even though I haven't found the answer I'm looking for yet, I still somehow force myself to keep going. It's beyond me as of late as to how I can keep up the effort. Maybe it has something to do with him, but as of right now, I don't know the answer and I plan to remain in the dark until I feel I'm ready to push further into the dark matter.

Gently opening the door, I looked to the living room to find Alicia doing some paperwork. She looked back to me with a smile as I made my way towards the kitchen for a drink.

As my hands came in contact with the fridge she asked from behind me.

"How did it go?"

Letting go of a water bottle I had taken out and placed on the counter next to me, I replied.

"I don't know."

Alicia looked lost as I glanced back feeling useless to her in any way.

Slowly making her way to me, Alicia replied.

"You just have to keep going. When is your next appointment?"

Glancing back up into her eyes, I replied.

"Sunday."

Alicia quickly replied.

"Two days. Did he give you any homework to think about?"

Shaking my head as I made my way forward into the living room, I replied.

"He said we are still in the phase of getting to know one another on a deeper level. He said maybe next time he'll try something with me, but as of now no. No homework." I stated as I sat down on the couch next to all her paperwork.

Taking a seat next to me, Alicia replied.

"At least you two are talking."

"Yeah." I replied sadly as I looked through what she was doing.

"What's all this?" I asked as she took the one piece of paper I was looking out out of my sight to reply.

"Just some work I forgot to do last week for the kid's school."

Nodding, I quickly asked.

"We're they okay when they saw I wasn't here in the morning?"

Alicia slowly nodded.

"They asked where you were, but they seemed fine when I told them you were at the doctors."

With a gentle rub of my nose, I then asked.

"Ghost didn't say anything did he?"

Alicia lost her calm attitude to reply.

"He was quiet."

I fell silent as she took my hand.

"He doesn't hate you."

"Yes he does." I said in quick reinsurance as she shook her head.

"He just wants to spend more time with his father."

Well I don't know what to do. He won't come near me as it is, how can I expect to get him to spend time with me?" I wondered as she quickly replied.

"Just show him something he might like. How about you go to the movies or something?"

I went silent in thought as she awaited the answer.

"Is there anything even out?"

Nodding, she replied.

"Take him to see the new Ninja Turtles. I'm sure he would want to see that." She stated with a smile as I nodded.

As our conversation went silent, my phone went off.

Alicia tried to see who was calling so early, but I was too fast to answer.

"Raptor." I stated as I got back a friendly voice.

"Hey Rap, it's Archer."

I fell back in my seat as I replied.

"Hey, what are you calling for this early?"

Archer still sounded the same as he did twelve years ago, and my ears went up as he replied.

"I wanted to see if you could come up to the base later today."

"For?" I wondered as he quickly replied.

"Just wanted to see you. It's been a few months since we last talked."

Nodding my head as Alicia went back to work, I replied.

"Yeah, it has."

"Are you able to make it?" He wondered next as I nodded again to myself.

"Probably. When should I swing by?"

Giving me a silent second, Archer came back to reply.

"Anytime you can. If you prefer now; so you can be sure your kids come home from school okay, I'll free up a slot and we can hang for an hour." He stated as I gently replied.

"That sounds good. I gotta take Ghost to the movies later, so we have time now to talk."

As Alicia prepared to kiss me goodbye, Archer replied.

"I'll wait for you outside."

"Alright, see you soon." I stated as I hung up.

Letting my phone rest back in my pocket, Alicia kissed my cheek to say.

"I'll be here."

Letting a smile pass my looks of depression, I replied.

"I'll only be an hour."

Nodding as I got up, Alicia watched as I retook my keys and made my way to the door.

"Love you." She stated from the couch, as I looked back to reply.

"Love you too."

Gently opening the door back out into the heat, Alicia waved me off as made my exit to the car.

Letting my body slip back inside the door, I started the engine and made my way back out into the street; to proceed to the one place that I knew would bring back memories.

A half hour later, Iraq headquarters.

This was new.

As I got out to see Archer making his way over, I glanced around to see a new group of cadets making their paces off to the training grounds.

My mind blanked out, and I flinched back as Archer took hold of my shoulder.

Archer was a built soldier boy since the first time I met him twelve years back. A solid gray coat of quills and light blue eyes. He also was still serving. I think the last time we talked he was working on training new cadets and managing sniper teams. Of course there hasn't been a war since Shadow died with G.U.N, but we like to be sure I guess. No one ever said you can't prepare for the unexpected.

"You okay?" He asked in concern as I nodded and recovered myself.

"Yeah. You just startled me is all." I stated as he slowly nodded and replied.

"You wana come in?"

I didn't respond, and Archer caught my eyes as I stared on at the trainees.

Ignoring the past question, Archer said.

"We've been getting troops from Pakistan and Afghanistan."

"They look fresh." I stated as he nodded.

"They are. By troops, I mean kids. You'd be surprised how many young people are joining these days. Afghanistan is practically flooded, being the birthplace of the rebellion."

"They're that overwhelmed?" I questioned as he nodded with a smile.

"Ever since the commander passed away. People heard of his death and just an uproar of new blood came in to try and fill his shoes I suppose."

"No one can replace Shadow." I stated as Archer stared on.

"That's something no one can fill Rap. Everyone knows that."

"Who's in charged now?" I asked in concern, as Archer calmly took my shoulder to turn me for the door.

"How about we head inside and we can discuss that?"

Gently keeping with his combat boots, I replied.

"Okay."

As we made entrance into the base, I looked around to see all the soldiers, and that regulations haven't changed.

Some vets, some kids, some with patches, others without. No one carried weapons besides officers, and vests were off while inside. Shadow made sure to keep that going even in death.

As we made way to Archer's office, I asked.

"Have you seen any action since the war ended?"

Giving me a slight glance as we went up a flight of stairs, Archer calmly replied.

"Not a peep. Unless you count the occasional patrols checking in on us."

"G.U.N comes out of their way for up-keep checks?" I questioned as he nodded.

"You would be amazed what they come down here for. I'm nearly convinced the president of G.U.N wants to go against the treaty they signed with the commander."

"You think they'll make a move to take back control of the east?" I asked as we now stood in front of Archer's office.

"I don't think they have the balls. Our numbers easily triple theirs. They wouldn't even have the muscles to force us out of here."

As we got through the office door, Archer urged me to take a seat, and as I took my place in front of his desk he asked.

"So how have you been since leaving Pakistan to come here? Alicia and the kids okay?" He wondered as I got my bearings to the new situation.

Gently rubbing my nose, I replied.

"Alicia is still the same as you can remember. Still the girl I fell in love with twelve years ago. She will never change." I stated as Archer nodded slowly.

"As for the kids. Midnight is getting her mom's attitude and Ghost...I don't know how to see him."

"What's wrong? You two not getting along?" Wondered Archer in concern as I nodded.

Ever since I started working again.

"What have you been up to?" Wondered Archer next as I quickly replied.

"I've been doing some construction. Nothing bad." I assured him as he gave me a confused look.

"Then why do you and Ghost not get along?" He questioned, as I took a moment to look around the room.

Archer had been promoted when the war ended to a second lieutenant. He still goes out in the field, but he's been more of a desk jockey since Shadow's death. I haven't heard anything from the others since we all separated.

"I think it may be because of the lack of attention I give him. I haven't been able to spend as nearly enough time as a father should with his son. I think he hates me for it." I stated as Archer sat up to lean in.

"He doesn't hate you Raptor. I think you just need to do what you just said. Spend some time with him. I'm sure work can understand that a father needs to spend time with his family at times."

Nodding in understanding, I replied.

"How about you?"

Archer fell silent at the question.

"Ahhhhh...you know me Rap. I couldn't keep a girl before, I'm not about to start looking again. Plus I have people relaying on me here. A girlfriend would take that away."

"So you just gave up?" I questioned as he smiled.

"In a way. Hehe. Nah, I'll be fine alone. But hey! You should give Hannon a visit when you have the chance."

Immediately I replied.

"Last time I saw Hannon was the last time I held a gun Archer. And he's in Pakistan still from what I heard."

Nodding, Archer replied.

"He is. Still in command as well. He's doing all he can since Shadow died."

"How about Afghanistan?" I asked in a calm tone, as he reclaimed his position among his desk.

"I haven't been that informed, but I think Mason is still in control over there."

"And here?" I asked next as he got comfortable.

Archer hesitated.

"Is he bad?" I questioned as he shook his head.

"Not in the way you would think."

"Then what?" I asked as he looked at his door.

Looking back with him, I stared at a small group of men making way, with guns at the ready.

"That's one of the issues." Stated Archer as I looked back in confusion.

"The general has everyone scared. Those guys you just saw, their his protection from the public." Stated Archer as I questioned.

"They didn't look military."

Getting up from his seat to approach me, Archer replied.

"That's because they aren't."

"Mercs?" I asked in confusion as he nodded.

"They're a splinter group based out around here somewhere. From what I know, their all G.U.N vets and each have extensive military training. They go by the name Gen Sec."

"Hannon allows this?" I questioned in a hint of anger as Archer shook his head.

"Hannon has no choice. The treaty assured that G.U.N can have a handle on our military operations."

"So the mercs are...?" Archer cut me off with a nod.

"That's their power hold over us. The general has to abide by it no matter what. We have no option in means of negotiating."

"That wouldn't be a problem if the commander was here." I stated, as Archer calmly replied.

"I know. We all know. But that's not the worse part."

Widening my eyes as he took a seat on top of his desk, I listened close, as he whispered.

"From what I've been hearing, G.U.N plans to start shipping troops here as soon as the treaty has voided."

Immediately I shouted.

"They can't do that! The commander died for our rights for free reign over our military! They can't just come back into our homes and take over what little we have! It's mutiny!"

Archer widened his eyes as I heard a deep voice over my shoulder ask.

"What's mutiny?"

Upon looking back to see a small group of men in front of the door, I remained strong in stance as Archer stepped forward.

"General Monroe! This is former Major of the rebellion, Raptor Volz. He was just leaving." Stated Archer as I looked back at him in confusion.

"Well before you go Major, why don't you share with the rest of us your opinion on G.U.N regulation?" Urged the general as I shook Archer off my shoulder to approach the old man who dares to call himself in charge.

As I got within distance, I was forced back by his mercs, who roughly sent me away a few feet with their rifles.

Archer knew I was never one to take that, but he also knew I was the one to cause fights. He quickly retook me by the shoulder as I shouted.

"Where do you get off!? Coming here and calling yourself a leader of the rebellion!? Commander Robotnik made it clear years ago, that G.U.N was no longer allowed to interfere with our homelands?!"

The general himself, who continued to hide behind his muscle, smiled through his thick pair of glasses and drenched black suit, as I remained held by Archer who continued to urge me to leave now while things were at a normal level of arguing.

This old man looked to be in his sixties and he wasn't even native by the looks of it. I could smell G.U.N dignitary all over him as he replied with a point of his watch.

"That treaty was twelve years ago Major. Commander Robotnik made peace for the east for a time, but things need to change. They need to advance, and over the course of time, G.U.N feels it is best to...help."

"By shipping troops into our territory and forcing native leadership away, with some suit fancy prick!?" I questioned as the general lost his smile to reply.

"G.U.N is within its power limits I assure you Major. Now you may find it best to leave before I'm forced to kick you out."

Anger was my only intention now of showing towards this asshole.

Taking a step closer, his mercs huddled close, as I pointed by them all to say directly to the coward.

"No G.U.N, suit wearing, paper pushing bitch, is going to come into my home and take away what so many good men and women died for!"

"And you plan to do something about it Major?" Asked the general as his guards prepared for anything to come.

Archer pulled me back as I went silent.

Giving me a wide smile of hate, the general replied.

"That's what I thought. Why don't you just go home to your poor wife and kids? I'm sure they miss their washed up rebellion father."

My anger snapped at that, and Archer lost control of my shoulder, as I immediately leaped forward through the guards and directly into the general who panicked at my assault.

Everything kicked off from calm to fury, as I managed to take hold of the man's suit with my right hand.

As I went to throw a punch, I felt one of the mercs take hold of my neck and tare me back from the defenseless man, and I began to panic as he choked me to the floor.

The general stood his ground as Archer attempted to push the mercs off me.

"Let him go!" He ordered as I felt a boot lean into my face.

Archer saw the blood that now left my mouth, and immediately he screamed to the general who watched in pleasure.

"Call them off!"

The general didn't listen to him one bit, and as Archer continued to try and help me from the hold and the beating, I shut my eyes to another boot hitting my ribcage.

There was no denying it. One of my ribs broke from the force at which the boot hit me, and as I could only grunt in pain, Archer took his own strength out and took hold of the merc who nearly had me out-cold from the lack of oxygen. And powered him off me and onto the floor.

That merc took it as his point to stop, but as Archer got back to getting on his toes, I was still being beaten to death by the other three.

In speed, Archer got between them to order.

"Stand down!"

The mercs all stopped to look at their commander who began to laugh above my broken body.

Archer got between him and me, and as the general saw no point in hurting me further, he remained a foot away and said.

"This is no longer a rebellion Major. G.U.N owns it. We own it and we own you. Learn to respect your betters and stay out from where the world doesn't need you. Or next time, I'll be sure you get sent home in a casket." He stated as I held my chest in severe agony and pain.

"Lieutenant? Get him off my property." He ordered as Archer continued to protect me from further assault.

With just a silent stare of eyes, the general left with his mercs and left me with Archer who immediately got down to say.

"I'm taking you to the hospital."

With his hand on my arm, I shouted in response.

"No! Ughhhh...I'm fine! Just...get me to my car." I begged in pain as he quickly nodded and began to help me up from off the floor.

I'll have another chapter on tomorrow. Stay tuned for it and please review.

mT Shadow