Love Struck Delusion
Chapter 21 – A Man With A Singular Goal.
Raptor's POV, Rebellion ops center.
Sitting there among the ruble only made her seem more like an angel before me. As I sat there like a fool with his tongue out, her hazel eyes connected to mine and asked.
"How you feeling? You gave all your friends quite a scare."
Regaining my composure, I replied with a slight shudder.
"I'm...I'm sore. What happened? Is Wreak okay?"
Nodding with a small smile she replied.
"He's good. He's out in the other room with that other guy."
"Other guy?" I asked in confusion as she did her best to describe.
"Ahhh hedgehog, tall, gray quills, blue eyes, bit of an asshole?"
"Archer." I muttered as she quickly stated.
"That's the guy. Doesn't really trust me."
Attempting to get to a stiffer stance, I replied.
"Well I can't really say I do ether. This is the first time I've seen you. Raptor." I said as I offered her my hand.
Taking it with a decent grip, she replied.
"Hunter. Nice to meet you."
"Like wise. How did you get mixed up in all this?"
Awaiting her answer, I attempted to stand. Little to my knowledge I had no energy until my body tried to balance. Almost losing it to the floor, Hunter quickly and calmly caught my side and kept me up. Giving me a frown she asked.
"Didn't I say to relax? You can't be moving around like this. Your lucky you're even awake now."
Forcing myself into the nearby wall behind me to balance myself out, I replied.
"I have to see my friends. Let them know I'm okay."
Hunter gently shook her head as she soon came to understand I was the determined type.
Keeping her body close in case I was going to fall again, she slowly stated.
"To answer your question though, Wreak came to Ron's bar with you on his shoulder asking for a ride. I offered and he drove you back here where some cat with a metal arm fixed you up. Guy looked smart."
"That's Marx. He's the best damn doctor around."
"And Archer?" She wondered as I looked to her.
"My right hand. One of the few I have left. He's a great soldier. And friend." I stated as she replied.
"Doesn't seem like the friendly type."
Nodding I replied back.
"Just give him some time. He's always been one to question new faces. But hey? I owe you one for saving my life."
"You sound like Wreak. I'm just glad your alive. Now we can continue to hit G.U.N."
Her words brought confusion as I soon questioned.
"We?"
Nodding with a smile, she replied.
"Yeah. That's what this is all about right? Kicking G.U.N back across our borders?"
Keeping my eyes locked on hers, I replied.
"It is yea...but...?" Cutting me off she asked.
"Think I'm not capable?"
"I never said that. I'm just...enthusiasm is hard to come by these days for a war like this."
"It's not a war." Stated Hunter as I nodded and replied.
"No, not yet. But it will be'.
"And you need people. I want to be the first. This is my country too and I won't let it go back to what it was before. I want to keep my freedom."
This girl was driven. I had no other words for it but close near to ordering me to let her stay and help. And I won't lie, it surprised me. It's not that I don't like it but I'm not used to it. I'm not used to people wanting to help me. This was just something unexpected. But good.
Nodding very slowly I asked.
"Do you have any training?"
Nodding back she replied.
"Self taught."
"What does that mean?"
Giving me a grin she replied.
"It means I can handle myself."
Her voice held stronger then mine. She was almost intimidating me.
Slowly nodding my head I urged.
"Help me out there. We'll have a talk about how you can prove yourself. Maybe after Archer will trust you and maybe I'll be less scared of you."
With a smile on that statement, I got her to laugh slightly then reply.
"Alright. Your on."
Taking my hand and going back under my arm, she urged.
"Slowly now."
Laughing back I stated.
"You wish."
Making our way out the door and into the main room, Archer who was standing alongside Marx at the main table both immediately looked our way the second I came into view with her under my arm. Wreak was sitting on the couch and his immediate concern was on the TV.
"Raptor." Said Archer with such relief as he came in to hug me.
"Hey...oww...miss me?"
Being gentle with his touch he replied.
"Like no other. How you feeling?"
"Sore. Like I told our new friend here."
Shifting the attention back to Hunter Archer asked me.
"What do you think?"
"I think she can be of use. But I wana see for myself first before I commit her to this."
"I think that's my choice." She stated as Archer shook his head to reply.
"You choose to help us. The rebellion. And we appreciate it don't get us wrong. But with the way things are in this country its hard for us to trust anyone. And I agree with the Major here. You just gave us a ride. That doesn't make me feel any better if I have to rely on you to cover my back in combat."
"So what do you want me to do?" She asked as her eyes rolled to me.
"We're going to run you through your paces."
"Your not Major. Go with Archer. He'll take you and watch your back." Stated Marx as I looked back to him.
"You can't be moving too much right now. Hell you shouldn't even be up. Your going to stay here and relax so I can treat you and your wounds. Let Archer do this Major."
Calmly looking to my best friend I asked.
"You up for it?"
Nodding with confidence he replied.
"Yeah."
Looking back to Hunter I stated.
"Do whatever he says. Gain his trust and consider it mine and everyone else here. If all goes well we can talk about what's next for you and the rebellion. Okay?"
Giving me a nod she replied.
"Yes sir."
That response was abnormal to me. But with a sudden feeling of happiness I replied.
"Good. Now go you two. I'll just...stay here I guess."
"You will." Stated Marx as I shook my head with a small grin.
Taking his lead, Archer looked to Hunter to order.
"Let's get going then. After you."
"No problem." Replied Hunter with sarcasm as they made their way for the exit.
"Be careful." I ordered as Archer got the door for her.
"No promises."
Letting out a small breath, I looked to Marx who ordered.
"Go sit down."
In pain I replied.
"Fine. Whatever you say doc."
Heading over to Wreak who continued to watch the TV, I took my seat to ask.
"What's going on?"
Looking over into my eyes he replied.
"Waiting for G.U.N to make their statement concerning the attack last night. Word is General Monroe was injured in the blast from the fuel depot."
"Nice." I stated as he smiled and replied.
"Hopefully it will be enough to declare war."
"You got a plan if it's not?" I wondered as he shook his head.
"Honestly? Not a fucking clue."
Bringing myself to lean back fully on the couch, I thought about Hannon. I wonder what he's going to do about all this. Hell the asshole could rat us all out to G.U.N if he wanted to. I just can't believe he didn't want to do this. Not even for me is my concern, but for the country as a whole. I thought he had more guts then that. But I guess I was wrong.
As I continued to sit there with Wreak I asked.
"Are you okay from earlier? You weren't hurt right?"
Gently giving me a smile, he replied with a happy and energetic tone.
"I'm good Rap. Not a scratch. How you hanging on? It hurt?"
"Like a bitch." I admitted as he then stated.
"Hey, only a guy like you could take a round mid flight and still manage to take down an enemy bird. That takes some balls man. Can't lie when I say I'm impressed."
"Your impressed that I got shot?" I questioned with a chuckle as he quickly laughed back to restate.
"Haha no. I'm impressed you were still able to hang on and do what you did. You still got it boss."
"Who ever said I lost it?" I asked as he still smiled.
"I could have." Stated Marx as he came over to me with a needle.
"You're old. You all are. Raptor your body can't be taking this kind of damage anymore. You can't recover like you use to."
Even though the statement was true and I knew it, I replied to the cat.
"As long as there is a chance for us Marx I won't quit recovering. Even if it hurts me more I need and I will keep fighting. Till ether G.U.N retreats, or I die."
"That's what I'm worried about Major. You can't die. We all need you. More then ever. But you need to listen to what I'm saying. You can't be taking this kind of punishment all the time. And I'm not saying you have to stop fighting, I'm just asking that you take a mission or two. Wreak and Archer are more then capable."
Wreak was also concerned for my answer as Marx got down in front of me with the needle.
Keeping my eyes on Marx, I replied in a deeper tone.
"Shadow was the commander of the rebellion and he did almost every mission he could to prove to everyone he wasn't go to stand by and let others die on his orders alone. And I'm going to do the same thing."
I could see in Marx's eyes the disappointment, but he knew how I was going to respond. Maybe inside he just wanted to hear it for himself.
Taking the time to breath, Marx slowly began to nod.
"Take a breath." He urged me as I took one in.
Taking the needle to my chest, Marx quickly injected me and pulled out. Calmly releasing my breath I said.
"Let me tell you something Marx."
Both Marx and Wreak looked to me as I said.
"If tomorrow I go outside and get gunned down by G.U.N, I will have died happy."
Letting myself fall back into the couch next to my stonewalled friends, I refocused on the TV awaiting the call to war.
mT Shadow.