Love Struck Delusion
Chapter 13 – I Shall Prevail.
Raptor's POV, Outside Iraq border.
Sitting inside my car with my rifle resting next to me in the passenger seat, I had my phone out and Archer coming on the line. I hope Hannon didn't get to him first. Archer is a major part to this suicide mission and without him could mean the difference between victory and death.
As I waited, I looked at the time. I missed my appointment with Dr. Clamer. I hope he doesn't mind. What could missing one talk cause? I can afford it for this.
Looking to my right out the window, I glanced to a G.U.N humvee that was stopped in the sand no more then a good fifty meters away. Letting out a sigh at the sight I got an answer at last.
"Archer here." He answered thinking this was a business call.
"Archer, it's me."
Changing tones, Archer asked.
"What's going on Raptor? You need something?"
"I need you. Meet me outside the border as soon as you can. We need to talk."
"Hold on Raptor, I can't just up and leave. The issues with the dignitary getting killed and G.U.N investigating leave me...?" Cutting him off I ordered.
"Make something happen! This is important. I need you."
Archer went silent for a few seconds then calmly replied.
"Alright. Give me an hour."
Hanging up my cell, I tossed it to the passenger seat and refocused on the sun above me.
It was hot. I remember back when it used to get on my nerves. But for some reason I feel nothing anymore to it's touch. It's as if I don't care. What has happened to me? I asked myself as I heard from my lap.
"Gate, this is command. What's your status?"
Picking up the walkie-talkie I replied.
"Everything is silent command. No signs of trouble."
Gently putting down the talkie, I got back.
"Just checking in. You boys need anything?" Wondered G.U.N command as I calmly replied.
"Negative command."
Keeping it up just in cause of another answer, they replied.
"Well second patrol will be taking over your position come five, so if you need something before then just call in. I'll send someone to ya. Command out."
"Roger that." I replied as I tossed the walkie-talkie on my dashboard.
Shutting my eyes to the silence I was now given, I tried to relax.
Flashback, Pakistan, 12 years ago.
"You gave me a run for my money, you know that man?" Looking to Shadow who sat beside me in the medical room, he replied.
"You didn't do too bad yourself. Listen Raptor, I'm sorry."
"Forget about it. We both went crazy. We shouldn't have even fought like that. It never should be that bad between allies. You know?"
Shadow had his head lowered as I wasn't given an answer back.
Taking his shoulder I asked.
"Hey are you okay?"
Looking over to me Shadow replied.
"It's just what happened with Ghost and my brother."
Taking an interest, I replied.
"Well you never really explained what happened."
Nodding Shadow then stated.
"That's because I think only I was meant to hear it. What was said and done was my own fault. Not theirs."
"But you seemed different when you got back here at first. Something good had to come out of it right?" I questioned as he looked into my eyes.
"They forgave me." He stated as I stared at him in awe.
Looking up to the ceiling, Shadow said.
"They set me free from my sins. The two people I murdered forgave me. It was the greatest feeling in the world knowing they understood. But I think I know why now."
"Why?" I asked in confusion as he slowly replied in a solid sentence.
"They know I'm going to suffer."
End of flashback.
Opening my eyes to look at my watch, I saw it had been nearly over an hour. Checking my flanks I saw nothing had changed. It was as quiet and as hot as ever. But as I wiped my eyes, I took notice to a brown car coming from the city limits. Inside was Archer.
Opening up my car door, I stood outside and watched in utter lack for care in the world as he pulled alongside me to get out.
Quickly making his way to my side of the car, he brought me in for a quick hug to ask.
"What's so important that you had to drag me out here for?"
Reaching behind my back, I pulled out Shadow's gun and placed it on the hood to my car. Archer stared at it in utter disbelief as I said calmly.
"That's why this is important."
Reaching for the gun, Archer replied.
"I thought this was long gone with the commander. I guess I understand now why I'm here."
Shaking my head and taking back the gun; I corrected him with force in my voice.
"You're here because I need you to be here. I'm not asking for anything. I just need you to listen to what I have to say. And if you are really the same man I knew you to be you'll make the right call."
Looking deeply into my eyes, Archer replied.
"Alright Raptor."
Nodding, I let out a breath then said to him.
"When the commander died I thought my life was over. I lost everything being the one to witness it up close and not only as a spectator but as his friend. As his brother Archer."
Archer nodded slowly as I continued.
"With each passing moment after his passing I slowly degraded into darkness. I was leaving who I once was and not even my wife and kids could help me. I truly believed in the way of life we find ourselves in. I took it for it's full impact and I was prepared to let go. To let go of everything."
"What stopped you?" Wondered Archer as I looked to my wallet for the answer inside.
Pulling out a group photo I replied.
"Him." I pointed to Shadow as Archer took it in his hands.
"I came to terms one day. Deep in my depression. I came to realize what he truly did as a leader. He fucking saved us Archer. He changed our world and gave us hope. Hope I was forgetting we had won by beating G.U.N out of our country."
Refocusing back on me, I looked to Archer's chest and pointed to his heart.
"Inside you. Inside me. We have a chance to finally live our lives. Shadow gave that to us through his final actions. When he signed the freedom contract he set us free from all rules and made us our own people. Only when I realized this did I go home to Alicia and my kids and truly become a father. I understood the power he gave me in death and I decided for once to use it to raise a family of my own."
Archer was entranced by the conversation as I got to my point.
"He died giving us our freedom to do as we please in this land that belongs to us as people. But I look around now Archer and all that means nothing now that G.U.N is back. They spit on him and all he accomplished and now they are coming back to take what is ours. They are taking away what we fought and what so many died for. And I can't be the one to just let that happen."
Archer began to understand the point as I finished.
"I went through hell to get here. I did more then any man should have too, to say he has made it here alive and in one piece, more or less. I can't let G.U.N take everything I fought and bled for away. And I don't care if it's an army against me, I will die knowing I still believed we deserved better. Shadow proved they could be beaten and proved to the world we deserve a chance. I won't let that be forgotten by a fucking pen stroke Archer. I killed the dignitary. I killed the G.U.N soldiers. I started a personal war against them."
Archer's eyes looked deeply into mine as I then said.
"But I know a personal war won't cut it. I need people. People I can trust. I need you Archer. More then ever. And I know you feel the same way. Look beyond what's in front of you now and into the future and tell me you want them back here controlling us like before. Tell me you want that."
"I don't." Replied Archer as I then urged.
"Then fight with me. Help me stop G.U.N. If not for me, freedom, or country...do it for the commander."
Archer stood there in silence as he looked back at the group photo of all of us and Shadow. Seeing his face and his finger run across him; I knew what the next words were to come.
"I'm in."
Giving him a crooked smile, I opened up my door and got back in my seat. Archer kept his stance next to my car as I then ordered.
"Then grab your gear. We meet up in an hour."
"Where?" He wondered as I started the engine.
"I'll text you the address. Just be sure you have everything you need. And you may want to get going now."
"Why?" He asked in confusion as I took up the walkie-talkie to look him in the eyes.
"Because G.U.N is coming."
Looking to the humvee that was still sitting in the dirt a distance away, Archer widened his eyes as I said into the comm.
'Your men are dead command."
Going to his car, Archer got his engine started as I said.
"And they won't be the last. We're coming for you. Just wait. The rebellion isn't dead."
Dropping the walkie-talkie out of my window and into the sand, I pulled back onto the road with Archer at my six.
This was the beginning. G.U.N is in for a war. A long, bloody fucking war. And I won't stop till we're free again.
Remember the story is driven by you guys and gals reading. Each choice I come across leads to a different impact. Now even though it was just a simple choice of who he should have seen you must think about the outcomes before voting. What could happen now that Raptor has missed a session with Dr. Clamer, the one person trying to keep his mental state together? You may not like the outcome. But on the other hand Hannon could have gotten to Archer first and Archer is a big help in the war effort. Each choice has an impact. Good and bad. The next choice is coming up. Keeping reading and be sure to vote via review. That is what makes this fun to do.
mT Shadow.