Love Struck Delusion
Chapter 45 – You Want To Know What I See?
Raptor's POV, Rebellion HQ.
With nightfall coming in fast, I approached the entrance to my hidden HQ to knock on the door.
As my knocks came through slowly, a makeshift latch for a viewpoint opened up. Behind it was one of the recruits we picked up who was managing the night watch. He widened his eyes and unlocked the door to let me in.
"Commander." He stated as I nodded and urged.
"You can rest son. I'll take over for now."
"Yes sir." He replied as he made his way out to his barracks with the other soldiers who rested soundly.
With my bulletproof vest still on, I sat down to take it off. Resting it down beside me, I let out a sigh as all I felt was relief as my back got some time to rest. It's amazing how the small things mean so much to me now days; compared to back when I was fighting with Shadow. I was rash and very stubborn. Still am, now that I think about it. But at least I'm alive.
Looking to my watch, I saw I was closing in on it being around ten. With most of everyone around still resting, I took my care to think about my next course of actions. The ball was rolling, but how to continue.
I sat there thinking. Thinking like usual. Seems like I do that more then breath around here. So much pressure. So much riding on my choices. The future in my hands to mold. People who trust me, care about me, fight and die for me. It's so much pressure. Sometimes I remember why Shadow did what he did. And now that I remember, I can understand why he felt it was right. Hell I can picture myself making that choice. That path with my life. If I pull this war off and make the middle east free from G.U.N. I might continue the history of it's leaders. They could take care of themselves by then.
This country is no place for a ruler. It's a place for the free. For the ones with opinions. For the freedom to choose their paths. I would just be a symbol. But I'm fine with that. It would feel...right.
"Raptor?"
Looking up through my thoughts, I saw Hunter looking at me from across the room.
"You sleep well?" I asked as she approached to wonder.
"Where did you go? I was worried."
"Don't be." I ordered her as she sensed my serious tone to the statement.
Going silent towards me, I replied to her question.
"Pakistan."
With her eyes widening she questioned.
"What? Why? G.U.N is all over there Raptor. If they caught you...?"
Cutting her off I replied.
"They didn't know I was there, I assure you."
"Well why take the risk?" She wondered as I took a second to think of a proper answer.
Watching my eyes as I remained silent, I soon looked to her eyes to reply.
"I had to take care of some friends."
"Who?" She asked in confusion as I replied slowly.
"Someone close to me and his family. You wouldn't know them and probably wouldn't trust them or me if I told you the truth Hunter. For now do me a favor and leave it at that. I promise you'll meet them soon. For now just follow my lead and do what I tell you. Understood?"
Nodding she replied.
"Okay Raptor. I'm sorry I was just...?"
"I know you're concerned about me. You're not the only one. Marx, Archer, Wreak, they all see me as a close friend who is ready to die soon. I know it's a scary truth Hunter but it's just that. The truth. I know I'm a leader. I know the middle east depends on me. I know if I die, it all ends forever. I know the Rebellion needs me. But don't tell me how to feel about all this and all I've been through. If I want to die I damn well will die. If I want to live I damn well will live. That is not yours or anyone elses choice to make." I stated as she lowered her eyes to me.
"I'm sorry." I said calmly as she looked back up.
"We both know you shouldn't get close."
"But that night we...?" Cutting her off I replied.
"That night I was confused. I regret it now. I don't know how to feel and the guilt is deep in me now. I'm sorry Hunter but do me a favor and stay away. I know you care. But it will hurt less if you let me go now."
"I don't want to let you go now...?"
Standing up directly into her eyes I ordered.
"Stop now. Let go."
She gulped as I made my way for the hallway.
Looking on the wood below my feet as I walked, I found a small trail of blood leading to one of the locked side rooms where Marx now worked out of. Looks like Archer and Wreak gave that guy quite a number.
Making my way passed it, I opened the door to Wreak's room to find him half awake.
"You ready?" I asked as he immediately woke from his trance to see me standing there.
"Commander?! Oh yeah I'm good to go. Let's do this. My bad, just thinking a little. I'll go grab everyone we need. Wait for me in the main room."
Nodding as he rushed by me, I watched as he hit Archer's door to wake him up. Soon coming out to the hall himself, he looked around to find me there waiting.
"We moving?" He wondered as I nodded.
"I'll grab my gear."
"Main room when your ready."
"Roger that Raptor."
Heading back into his room, I proceeded back out into the main room to see Hunter was now leaning on the command table waiting. She looked conflicted as Wreak soon came back with Char and his men along with a few others.
"Where's the men you recruited Char?" I asked as he quickly replied.
"Waiting for orders. I have them stationed around the border in wait in case anything goes wrong."
"Good." I replied as I looked to Wreak next.
"So what did you get out of that guy?"
"A lot. Archer came through and we got a fully detailed walk through of how to take the place. On paper this doesn't seem that bad to be honest. G.U.N relies heavily on a strong ground response team and air support. In ways of troops there should only be a squad or two moving in to clear the area in case of a false alarm." He stated as I asked next.
"What's already there that we have to worry about? I don't plan on tripping any alarms."
Flipping through his notes Wreak replied.
"Around fifteen men stationed on the main ground, two snipers manning the two main towers overlooking the main road, and a spotlight team manned on a nearby building watching the border itself. All in all, it's not a cake walk, but should be manageable with the right plan."
"What's our options then?" I asked him as he pointed to Char.
"Option 1 is stealth. Option two is an assault." Stated Wreak as Hunter questioned.
"I thought we weren't going to raise the alarm?"
Nodding Wreak replied.
"Well thinking it over I think I know the Commander pretty well. He's going to go after Monroe as soon as the border is taken. Am I right Commander?"
Everyone looked to me as I slowly nodded.
"With the border under siege I could move in and end him."
"Exactly." Stated Wreak as he showed us plan B on a large paper he had drawn up.
"If we go with an assault, this will provide us with the best opportunity to kill General Monroe. But some goes for him. It will be the best chance for him to kill us. We have around thirty now. This plan will attract maybe a hundred G.U.N. Everyone will be called in the second Monroe knows about the border being under attack. Chances are he'll send the last of his air and ground support too. Leaving us with an overwhelming attack to fend against. But it will give Raptor and a small team the chance to get inside the Capital and kill Monroe. When word gets out Monroe as fallen, the remaining G.U.N will scatter. We'll suffer loses of our own for sure. Some may die. Even me. But we would engrave history with this kind of attack. Monroe would be dead and Iraq would be ours."
"How would you do it?" I asked Wreak as he looked back to Char.
"Char would rally everyone we have. Then they would take out the spotlight and sniper team. Once down, they can reach the border from where the spotlight is place. But by the time that happens those other fifteen men I mentioned would be onto you. They would have to take the first responders out then dig in at the border itself. As this is all going down, I'll move in with a truck packed with all our anti-air and anti-armor weapons. We would have a few minutes to set up, but after that it's going to get messy."
"Do we have enough to take them all out?" Wondered one of Char's men as Wreak nodded.
"Just enough actually. It would be tight. Any air support would have to go first. After that we would focus on the ground teams."
"Sounds rough." Stated Archer as I nodded.
"But it would work. While we take the heat off you guys, you and the Commander can move in on the Capital and take down Monroe. You two are the best at stealth. I know you could do it easily." Stated Wreak with confidence as Hunter wondered.
"What about me? I can help."
"I want you with the border team along with me. I will need the help."
"Raptor? I can...?" Cutting her off I said in force.
"You will go with Wreak Hunter. That's final."
Hunter went silent as I looked back to Wreak.
"Stealth?" I wondered as he pulled out paper sheet number two, to reply.
"Vice versa. The border would be a hell of a lot easier, but taking Monroe would be near impossible for a team. Someone would have to go in alone and do it. A team would be caught almost instantly."
"So that leaves ether me or you." Stated Archer as he looked to me.
"Monroe is mine. I already made that clear Archer. You'll be in charge of the border takeover."
"If that's how it is going to be Commander then I'll have Archer help me and Char." Stated Wreak as I ordered.
"Tell them the plan."
Nodding Wreak replied.
"Char and his men will take out the spotlight same as in the assault plan. Only difference is; they will use it to blind the snipers, giving me the chance to take them out from a distance. Close to the border will be you Archer and you'll move in with Hunter to handle the ground forces silently. Once everyone is dead, you will pose as G.U.N along with Char, his men, and the other recruits on standby. This will ensure G.U.N will see no problem with the security teams."
"So we would just hold there while he fights the rest of the army?" Questioned Hunter as she referred to me who looked annoyed.
"Raptor knows what he is doing Hunter. Getting into the capital won't be the issue." Stated Wreak as I added.
"It's getting out."
"Mhm. Cause once your done with Monroe, chances are someone will see something amiss. And the second that alarm is raised you'll be in trouble."
"I'll find a way out." I stated as everyone looked scared for me.
"You'll be in the most danger Raptor. I have no idea what will happen to you if things go wrong. And we won't be able to help. You'll be alone." Stated Wreak as I nodded slowly.
"I'm aware of the danger." I stated as Wreak then asked.
"So what will it be Commander?"
Looking to my hands I replied.
You guys make the call.
Assault the border?
Or
Stealth the border?
mT Shadow.