Love Struck Delusion
Chapter 73 – Talk About Me As You Please.
Wreak's POV, Iraq Capital, Two Hours Later.
The flight back was mainly silent. Raptor was breathing well and Black had cooled off from the Viper Venom. Archer still was my main concern. He seemed a little off. I don't know what it was nor did I care at the moment. What I did care about was three simple things.
Number one was Raptor. I had to make sure he was safe from this point on and that he was going to be able to keep going after this. He was extremely injured thanks to Linnen. But thanks to Black and Vector most of those wounds are gone now. It might get him back into the fight sooner and that could mean a lot. What the Venom did to him could be completely another thing to worry about though. I'll have Marx keep an eye on him once he's awake.
Second thing on my list was the troops. Word would be out when we land that the Commander was hurt bad. I would have to take charge if Archer wouldn't and get everyone up to date on the same page of our current situation. Which would lead to my third concern.
Linnen will be pissed we got away. Maybe mad enough to send a counter offensive to Iraq. I have a feeling he won't assault us full on. But I'm positive he will use all he has to get close. I'm still convinced someone is giving away information. I'm sure Raptor has a better idea as to who, but I need Hunter on close watch. I'm sure along with that will be those men we met. I don't know the details but I could see they were all trouble. The way that guy took Black down scared me. It wasn't natural. If those guys were sent after us we would be in trouble. And more then likely I'm willing to bet they will come after us soon enough. I need to talk to Black at some point and get some things straight.
With the chopper coming in for a landing, I looked out the window to see Mason already waiting at the pad for us. Black got himself ready as we came in for our touch down.
Black's POV.
I wasn't ready for this. But I had no choice but to face it. Opening the back of the chopper, I got out to face Commander Mason. His eyes stared into mine as Wreak and Misty got out Raptor. Instantly he asked.
"How is he!?"
"Alive. Thanks to Black." Stated Misty as Mason looked to me in silence.
"I would get him looked at right away. Linnen did a number on him."
Nodding as I walked by, Mason replied.
"I will. Thank you."
Many of the soldiers here were still training. But as I walked by the grounds I saw one staring at me. He looked familiar but I didn't have time to care for past welcomes. I needed to find my team.
Shadow's POV.
"How?" I asked myself as I saw Black was here.
Lost in utter confusion I refocused on the helipad. My eyes instantly widened as I saw Raptor in the arms of Wreak and a young medic. Commander Mason helped them down the stairs and behind them was Archer.
"How did they get him?" I asked myself as I was almost forgetting where I was.
With too many things going on I had to refocus on training with my squad. I can't lose my position now just because things are fucked up.
Wreak's POV.
As expected eyes were on us. I would have to address the troops soon. Mason kept us moving and as we got inside it was getting clearer and clearer we would have to make the speech happen today. I already could see the panic on some faces setting in. Thankfully everyone around kept silent for the most part as we soon reached the med bay. Mason got the door as we neared.
"Marx!" He shouted as we entered.
Looking back from a nearby bed, Marx widened his eyes completely to state in disbelief.
"You guys really did it! Get him over here!"
Obeying, Misty and I got Raptor down in the nearest bed. Marx immediately went to his side to ask.
"What happened?!"
"We'll explain later. Just do what you can for him now Marx." Ordered Mason as he then looked to me.
"Come with me Wreak. You too Archer."
"And me sir?" Wondered Misty as Mason smiled slightly to reply.
"Help Marx out. Get him up to speed."
"Yes sir." She replied as she looked back to Marx who was looking over Raptor's ear.
"Jesus." He muttered as I reached to my pocket to pull out what Black had given me earlier.
"I don't know if it matters by now Marx, but here."
Marx widened his eyes as I handed him the missing piece to Raptor's ear. Taking it he replied.
"I'll see what I can do. Thank you Wreak."
Smiling; I backed away to follow Archer and Mason outside the room.
"Take care of him Marx!" Ordered Mason as he shut the door behind us.
With Raptor now in good hands, Mason refocused on Archer and I.
"Let's go to the office. We can talk there."
"What about Black?" Wondered Archer as Mason urged.
"The office. Not here."
Nodding we began to follow him to the second floor and into Raptor's office. Once inside and locked did he ask.
"What about Black? What happened?"
Stepping up I replied.
"During the escape we lost Vector. He's dead."
Mason slowly nodded as Archer added.
"I feel for him Mason, but bottom line is he's still G.U.N to me. You can dress him up anyway you want but Black is trouble. And without Vector to hold him back I can't see him staying loyal to us."
Shaking my head, I ordered Archer.
"Shut up. How can you say that after he just helped us get Raptor back? I know during the trip you two were at each others throats, but it's clear to me if he wanted Raptor dead he would have done it sooner. Plus he killed his own back there. He's not G.U.N anymore. Get over yourself Archer. Now is the time you should be using to get along with the guy. He's important to us. And after all he's done these past few hours I consider him an ally."
Nodding Mason replied.
"Wreak is right Archer. Not everyone is an enemy these days. Men can change. You should understand that more then anyone. Shadow himself was G.U.N at a point and look what happened."
Archer went silent as I looked to Mason to ask.
"I would like permission to approach Black on becoming one of my field Captains. I need someone with his skills on the front lines."
Nodding Mason replied.
"As of right now you have my permission Wreak. But with Raptor out of the fight we need to talk about leadership. Archer is next in rank to assume the position of Commander of the Rebellion."
Looking to Archer, Mason went on to say.
"You're smart. Your experienced. Your capable Major. So what do you say? Will you lead the Rebellion till Raptor is able to resume his duties?"
Archer glared at both of us to reply.
"You want me to lead the Rebellion?"
Shaking his head he shouted.
"Everything I've tried to say to anyone at this point has been shot down without consideration!"
"Archer?" I tried to question as he pointed at me to shout on.
"No! Before all this every choice I've offered up has been ignored by all of you! From the treaty! To the fucking Venom you feed him! I'm not even considered in the chain of command! Now you expect me to take charge and what?! Hope you all follow my orders!? No! Fuck you Mason! And fuck you Wreak! Shove that shit up your ass cause I don't want a fucking part in it!"
Mason and myself didn't expect this as Archer finished his rant to state.
"Give it to someone else! I don't care anymore! I'm going to do what I do best and train the men who actually want to know what it means to be a part of the Rebellion!"
Turning in rage, Archer left the office with a stiff slam of the door. Mason looked to me as I was in utter shock for words. I had no idea Archer was feeling that way.
Letting out a sigh, Mason ordered sadly.
"Keep an eye on him after that."
"Why?" I questioned as he looked to me directly to reply.
"Only a handful of people knew Raptor was leaving for me in Afghanistan. Someone here sold that information out to G.U.N. I'm not pointing fingers, but after that it's clear Archer could be a contender."
"He's not a spy Mason. Archer has always been loyal to us." I stated as he nodded and urged.
"Now is not the time to take chances. Do what I say Wreak and watch him. Just in case. Please."
I didn't want to believe Archer could be a traitor. But I agreed with Mason on this. Now was not the time to put back down our guards. Even if it meant watching a friend.
"Okay." I replied as Mason let out a sigh to wonder.
"So?"
In confusion I replied.
"So what?"
Taking a seat on Raptor's desk he asked.
"Your next in line. Your just as experienced as Archer. I'm willing to bet you can manage the Rebellion till Raptor is okay."
Nodding I thought to myself.
Me the Commander of the Rebellion? I never dreamed of it.
"Your a die hard Wreak. You can fill this gap we need right now. And if not you, then who? There is no one else."
Continuing to nod I replied.
"I'll do it. You can count on me."
"Are you sure?" Questioned Mason as I continued to nod on.
"Yeah. I can watch over the Rebellion till Raptor is back on his feet."
"It's a large responsibility Wreak." Stated Mason as he looked me over.
"I know. I can handle it. Trust me."
Giving me a smile Mason then said.
"Then it's decided. You're the new Commander. If you ever need anything you call me. I'll do anything I can."
"Thank you Mason." I replied as he stood up to shake my hand.
"Thank you. Remember what I said about Archer."
"I will." I replied back as he then asked.
"We have more to talk about. Go get cleaned up and meet me back here."
"Yes sir." I replied as I made haste for the door.
Leaving the office I felt this weird feeling in my chest. Like butterflies almost, but a little more happy like. I couldn't believe Archer didn't take this chance. But Mason was right, someone has to do it. I know I can. And I will do it right.
Hunter's POV.
Walking through the main door in haste of the news I just heard, I ran straight into Archer who was blasting his way by.
"Oh! Archer!" I shouted as he stopped to shout back in anger.
"He's in the med bay!"
In confusion of his attitude I watched as Archer made his way out of the Capital and onto the training grounds. Lucky for him I lost interest quick and ran my way to the med bay. I had to see Raptor.
Seeing as we had no injuries as of yet, it was easy to find out where he was. Marx and Misty were the only two working in here so I found the room quite fast. Running in to a stop, I ask.
"How is he?!"
Both of them turned to look at me as I approached in speed.
"Hunter don't!" Ordered Marx as I got close enough to see his face.
Instantly I widened my eyes as Marx already knew it was too late.
Raptor was...?
Marx's POV.
She asked for it. With her already staring at the mess I stated.
"Linnen didn't waste any time. Raptor suffered a lot from what I can tell. A broken nose, two broken ribs, a snapped jaw, two punctured hands, two shot feet, and of course...?" I muttered as I placed my hand behind his half ear.
Hunter stared on in loss for words as I looked back to her to state.
"It doesn't look too bad. Linnen's medics really did a good job patching him up. He needs a lot of rest none the less though. It will take time for his broken body to heal. But he should be okay. Hunter?"
Hunter looked to me as I urged her.
"Leave. There is nothing you can do."
Nodding Hunter slowly began to head for the exit. It was clear she was shocked by the damage that was dealt to Raptor. But she's getting too attached. She needs to let him go.
As soon as she was gone, I looked to Misty to ask.
"How much medical care did you provide on the way back? What was the biggest issue?"
With her eyes looking down she replied.
"I didn't do much. Black did most of the work you see."
In confusion I questioned.
"That G.U.N soldier? What are you talking about?"
Looking into my eyes she replied.
"He gave Raptor this drug. Something he called Viper Venom?"
Instantly I began to panic.
"He gave him what?!"
"Viper Venom?" She replied in confusion to my new found tone.
Grabbing my nearby laptop, I turned it on to look back at Raptor himself.
"Did anything happen when he gave it to him?!" I asked her as she nodded and replied.
"The holes in his feet and wrists closed up and most of the minor wounds healed themselves. It was like magic almost. Whatever that stuff is we should get Black to help us make it. I'm sure it can save lives." Stated Misty as I shook my head.
"Absolutely not!"
Misty fell silent as I opened up a very old program. I knew it was old when I saw tabs named after Shadow and Frost. Both their tabs were blacked out, but I looked further down to see Raptor's still active.
"I can't believe it." I said to myself as Misty asked.
"What is that?"
"Years ago. Before you even knew what was right in the world, I had chips installed in the Special Forces division of the Rebellion. The chip gave me control over their medical condition whenever I saw fit. It gives me a full run down on everything going on in his body."
"Raptor has one?" She questioned as I nodded and got his tab up and opened.
"What's it say?" She wondered as I looked it over to widen my eyes.
Sorry for the super late chapter. With work and me being sick I hadn't found time to get it done. I will get another up soon as always though. Thanks guys and gals.
mT Shadow.