Love Struck Delusion
Chapter 102 – Does a thing like that exist?
Char's POV.
No one saw a thing. Not a single person knows where he went or how. All that was left was this last gate. I was alone this time and as I approached the gate I saw the officer in charge take notice.
"Lieutenant? What brings you out here?"
Shaking his hand I replied.
"I need to ask you a few questions. First of all has anyone left the city as of late last night or this morning?"
Nodding the officer replied.
"No one thus far today. But I had a woman leave last night. Just as soon as the storm ended she arrived to leave. Why? There a problem?"
"Yeah. Mind showing me the footage?"
The officer agreed and following him up to the security station I was soon greeted by some of the men working the computers. The officer made it clear this was important just by standing close to them. With a stern tone he ordered.
"Pull up the time stamp when that truck came through last night. We need eyes."
"Yes sir." They replied as I looked up to the monitor. In seconds we saw the truck come up. The officer went on to explain.
"Like I said she came up to the gate not five minutes after the storm ended. She was alone from what I saw."
"What was under the tarp?" I asked as he quickly replied.
"A dirt bike."
"You catch her name?"
"Ahhhhh she didn't say. But I think her ID said her name was Zeta. I didn't catch the last name. Young girl. Russian accent on her and to be quite frank she was a bitch. Hahah."
I chuckled to the comment as I soon caught something out of the corner of my eye.
"Hey go back three seconds and hold." I urged the men managing the computers. Quickly obeying they pulled up to my time stamp and paused. The way the camera was angle I could only really see the left side of the truck. But when the officer pulled on the tarp I saw someone go pass the passenger door and disappear.
"You see something Lieutenant?" Wondered the officer as I nodded slowly.
"I think. You know where that truck went off to?"
"She said she was going to Afghanistan if I remember correctly. Went down the main road till she was out of sight.
Nodding my head I patted his shoulder and replied.
"Thanks. You mind opening the gate for me?"
"You going out there?" He questioned as I replied.
"Yup. Just open it for me."
"Well take one of the bikes at least. Here." He urged as I was tossed a pair of keys.
"Thanks!" I shouted as I jumped out of the station to go for the nearest ride.
Once on and ready I drove right out the gate in the direction I figured she went. I was on to something here. Raptor didn't leave alone this was for sure to me now. As I got out from sight of the border I soon saw tracks leading off the road to my right. Following the trail I slowly came to a halt to see an empty ammo case in the sand. Picking it up I saw it wasn't one of ours. In confusion I looked back towards the trail to see it lead further. Now driving slow I widened my eyes at a body in the sand alongside a tumbled sand drifter. Coming to a stop I got off my bike and looked further down the trail to see a large sedan and even more bodies littering the sand as it continued to drive more and more down the desert.
Focusing back on the body in front of me however, I noticed it wasn't G.U.N. The uniform was one of it's own. Looked almost like a contractor. But as far as I now there isn't any PMC's working out here. Going through his pouches I soon found a wallet and an id. His name wasn't important but what was is the card alongside it. It was a business card labeled under Ying's PMC. These guys were working with the Chinese? What the fuck is going on? I wondered as I got back on my back to keep following the trail.
"Holy shit." I said to myself as I soon approached a blockage of trucks. All of which were still smoking from what looked to me like a small nuke was set off. Bodies around me were unrecognizable to say the least. But upon looking around I soon noticed one of the trucks. It was the same truck from the footage. It was just as destroyed as the rest. But now the question was where did they go after this? Raptor didn't die here that was clear to me. And I don't see the woman's body anywhere. Just as I was running out of ideas for what happened I remembered the officer said there was a bike in the back of this truck. Upon looking in the back I found it absent.
"They kept going?" I asked myself as I soon found a single tire trail heading further into the desert.
Taking one last look around I got back on the hunt and went further forward. In about five minutes of speeding my way over the dunes I came to a stop on the outskirts of an abandoned airfield. Just from here I could see more bodies and more trucks blown to shit. Taking the chance to get closer I drove to the one and only hanger to be confronted by the bike I was tailing and a single body laying on the ground. I had a feeling about what happened but as I neared the corpse I confirmed it by see the dripping tube of an airplane fuel line. I had no way of knowing if it was Raptor who did all this. But I know for sure that woman Zeta was involved at the least. Raptor must have known her from somewhere. Maybe an old friend? I wondered as I went to grab check the body for anything useful.
He had to have known if he drove to Afghanistan he would be stopped by us at the border. So this crazy bastard flew. He had to of. But what's with all these mercs? They couldn't have been after him. Maybe the girl. I said to myself as I heard from my comm link.
"Char come in? You got anything from your end of the city?" It was Black.
Finding nothing I replied.
"It's hard to say. But yeah I got something. And it's not good. You should get out here."
"Where are you?" He then asked as I quickly replied back.
"About ten miles out from the western border. Follow the main road till you see tracks leading off the right side of the street. Following them will lead you to me. Bring Archer too." I urged him as I let go of my comm to let out a sigh.
None of this made sense. I was sure this had something to do with Zeta. But I couldn't piece Raptor together with her. I need more information.
Sitting down next to the dead PMC, I just tried to think.
Raptor's POV.
Zeta's idea of a safe house was nothing more then another abandoned building like the one I found her in back in Iraq. This time however it had a few beds and a bathroom. Plus a living room of it's own per say as we found ourselves waiting in silence on Raze. She was late.
"She's late." I stated as Zeta who sat across from me soon replied.
"She's packing for a trip that involves bunking with her idle. Of course she's late. Just give her some time." I was urged as I then asked.
"So your getting us an in house doctor. Which I admit is a smart move. But what's the real plan here Zeta?"
"You leave that to me. I'll handle it. You see where we are now? I can't make this happen in a day. I need time. I can plan, you can shoot, and Raze can sure as shit do both and then some. I know a lot of people who owe me some favors. I'll get information and we will act. We rush Voltz, we die Voltz. Understand?" She asked me with a smirk as I stared at her eyes.
"Yeah...I understand."
"I know what it feels like to want to kill someone. Maybe not as bad as what you are going through. But we will make this happen. Trust me." She urged as we soon both glanced to the door opening.
In popped Raze who was more then excited to see us there waiting. She still had her garbs on but with her were three large bags.
"Okay! Here I am!" She stated with a smile as she lowered it all beneath her.
Laughing Zeta replied while looking at me.
"Told you she was packing for this."
"Just everything I need to make this work. Meds, guns, ammo, a few happy thoughts."
"It's hard for me to see you as a combat veteran Raze." I slowly stated as she then asked.
"Is it cause I'm so jumpy? Maybe all the smiles? Don't worry Voltz...Oh god I mean Raptor!" She stated as I chuckled to her misstep.
"I've seen action. I promise I'll be fine. Just ask Zeta, she can vouch."
"Has she killed someone before?" I then asked Zeta as both her and Raze went silent.
Waiting for an answer, I then stood up to approach the fox. Her eyes went wide as I asked her directly.
"Have you?"
Gulping she replied.
"Ahhhhh...no. I mean I've seen people die! I've had people die under my care! I mean it's the same thing basically!"
"No it's not." I replied as she bit her tongue.
Retaking my seat, I placed my head in my hands to hear from Zeta.
"She'll come through. Won't you Raze?" She asked as Raze nodded her head to reply.
"I can do this Raptor. I can."
"Right now I'm alone in G.U.N territory with a crazy Russian contractor and a shaky combat medic for hire who hasn't ever had to kill before. It's not a question whether you can or not Raze. It's a matter of proving it. Everything is on the line right now. You are the only thing keeping me and Zeta from getting killed. If we both get taken down and your all that's left...why should I have faith you can pull the trigger?"
Raze went silent as Zeta urged.
"Relax Voltz. Right now we all need to talk this over and relax a bit. Raze?" She said as the fox looked from me to her.
"How come you get to call him Voltz and not Raptor?" She quickly questioned as Zeta then replied.
"Cause I told him I don't bend over as easy as some people to his dominance. He wants to be called by his first name he has to earn it. Now sit." She ordered as Raze came right next to me to sit down. Looking over to the girl I watched as she scooted a foot down the couch. Zeta on the other hand grabbed onto her bag to pull out a bottle.
"Let's talk this through. The three of us. Sound like a plan?"
Raze nodded her head as I just let out a worried sigh. Pressure was mounting. Zeta got us glasses and once the first drink was poured did she order.
"Let's set this record straight Voltz. You tell me everything you know about Gorgon. You tell me everything about what happened and I'll tell you whatever you want to know about me. Sound fair?" She asked as I took the first shot before ether of them. Zeta and Raze stared at me with smiles as I put down the glass to wonder.
"Did we start yet?"
Pouring me another she replied.
"Well I guess I might have my work cut out for me." Raze feel free to sip while us grown ups talk this out.
Raze instantly slammed hers down as a response. Zeta widened her eyes and asked.
"You good?"
Raze swallowed it in time and then ordered.
"Another! I won't fall behind just cause you two think I'm weak!"
Zeta chuckled as I smiled and after her shot was set Zeta looked back to me to order.
"Go ahead. Start."
Char's POV.
I remained sitting next to the dead PMC as I saw two rebellion trucks coming from the south. Pulling into the hanger I watched as Archer and Black along with some others got out.
"Fan out and cover the area! Make sure we are secure!" Ordered Archer as him and Black made their way over to me.
"Was it hard finding me?" I wondered as Black shook his head.
"The trail was obvious. Which begs the question. What happened here? Who are these guys?" He asked as he pointed to the body next to me.
"Ying's PMC. They are a Chinese contractor company. I have no clue why they were out here in Iraq. Had to have been for a pretty good contract if they committed this many men to finding her."
"Her?" Replied Archer as I stood up.
"Camera footage from the border showed one person leaving from the city. A woman. The officer said her name was Zeta. I don't know her but her truck was destroyed a few miles back as you probably saw yourselves driving here."
"So what happened Char?" Wondered Black as I went on.
"She had a bike in the back of the truck and somehow made her way here. She had a plane ready and she left after killing these guys it would seem. Not that long ago ether judging by the bodies."
"One woman did this?" Questioned Archer as I shook my head.
"Camera footage from the border wasn't clear. But if we go back it's clear to me she wasn't alone. I saw someone else with her. As if the person was trying to hide from the officer during his search of the truck."
"Raptor?" Wondered Black as I shrugged.
"I don't know. I couldn't make out a face. But chances are good."
Archer began to look around the hanger. Black and I remained silent as he was clearly thinking. Once ready he came back to point at the body.
"This woman...Zeta. Does anyone know her?"
Shaking our heads I replied.
"I don't. Could be a terrorist. She clearly had explosives. And these guys were after her for a reason. China wouldn't come out here for one girl if she was just a bounty."
Archer nodded as Black then said.
"Let's assume Raptor was with her. Where did they go?"
"Clearly they flew." Stated Archer as he saw the gas hose on the ground.
"Yeah but where to? Pakistan?"
Shaking my head I replied.
"Officer at the gate said she was going to Afghanistan. I'd start there. G.U.N would be on them if they flew to Pakistan. And we all know Raptor won't make it a day there in his condition."
"We don't know shit anymore Char." Stated Archer as I let out a sigh.
"Raptor left us even after we tried to help him. Didn't say a fucking word. Broke Hunter's heart by lying to her. What's to think him and this Zeta woman didn't just go straight to Pakistan?"
I didn't really know what to say. Black on the other hand suggested.
"How about we start by getting Mason on the hunt. Tell him what happened and give him what we got on leads. If Raptor and this girl flew into Afghanistan he'll know about it from air traffic."
"I just don't get it." Said Archer in confusion as I then asked.
"What don't you get?"
"Why would he go to Afghanistan? If he's trying to avoid us and just kill Gorgon he could go right to Pakistan."
"Maybe he wants to draw him out so he doesn't have to fight the whole army." I replied as he then questioned.
"But how?"
Black and I went silent as Archer widened his eyes to state.
"He's going to attack Hannon. Killing him would surely get Gorgon's attention."
"He's not going to attack Hannon. He's alone and even in Afghanistan G.U.N has a small army protecting it's borders. It's suicide." Stated Black as I nodded.
"It would be reckless."
Archer was trying to piece this together but like I even said, this didn't make sense. After a few minutes Archer pointed to Black to order.
"Let's get heading back."
In confusion I questioned.
"So what do we do about this?"
Archer looked right at me to reply.
"We do what you said. I'm going to call Mason and see if he can locate the plane. You and Black just get back to the capital. Everyone else will handle the cleanup here."
"Yes sir." Black replied as Archer got in his truck to leave with his men. Black stayed with me as I wondered.
"You don't think he'll really go after Hannon do you?"
Black calmly replied back.
"To be honest I have no idea what he will do anymore. But if I was him I'd be finding out how to get the job done and fast."
"You think he'll come back after he kills him? I mean to us?"
Black again went silent.
I think we both had our doubts Raptor would return. Who could say after him leaving?
Raptor's POV, a few hours later.
This was turning out to be harder then I first thought. Almost two bottles down and it looked like Zeta was barely phased. Raze on the other hand was barley hanging on. She clung to life as me and Zeta went shot for shot.
By now they knew everything they wanted about Gorgon and about what happened between us. If anything I would like to think they knew what was on the line for me now. But as it was starting to get dark I looked on at Zeta as she poured her next shot to wonder.
"So tell me this last thing then. You and Hecan? What's the story?"
At this point she had me beat. Taking a moment to breathe I looked back at her to question.
"How about I ask a question first this time? You already got two in on me."
Zeta chuckled and calmly replied back with a smile.
"Okay then sure. What do you want to know Mr. Voltz?"
Now she was toying with me. But keeping my cool I replied.
"The scar. How did it happen?"
Zeta smiled as Raze all the sudden replied.
"She tripped and dinged her big noggin on a door! Hahahah!"
Zeta immediately replied with just as much energy.
"You make it sound so dumb Raze!"
"You tripped?" I asked in disbelief as she nodded and let out a sigh.
"Yeah. I was chasing this guy down back during basic. I slipped and landed right on the edge of a door frame. It was one of those wooden kill houses we use for CQC training. So it was sharp and I gashed my eye out on it."
"And here I thought you were in control." I replied as she instantly shouted.
"I am in control! I just fucked up! I was nineteen so fuck off! I've grown out of it!"
Chuckling along with Raze as she got red in the face, I then asked the question I've been meaning to bring up. Zeta sat down as I started off light.
"So those mercs that were after you. They were Chinese right?"
Zeta nodded as I then said.
"I'm not too keen on knowing the PMC's around here. But I know those guys were military. China wouldn't send them after you if you were just a contractor. Not during wartime here between the rebellion and G.U.N. So first things first. I know you lied to me about why you were being tailed. That guy you killed? Jon Eli? That's bullshit. Why is China after you?"
Raze went silent as Zeta now just stared at me. She knew she was caught. The problem now is her response.
"I don't enjoy being lied to Zeta. I came out here in hopes you were actually what Hecan said you were. The best tracker he knew. I didn't come out here to play games with you. So ether tell me what you did. Or...?"
Standing up from my seat I watched with careful eyes as Zeta stood up to match my height. Reaching out with my hand I placed it on her neck same as I did with Raze. Her face was flustered from the drinks but she gulped as I soon held her tight. Leaning in close I whispered.
"Or we will have a problem."
Zeta and myself just stared at one another. Seconds of silence went by as Raze suddenly mumbled.
"Feels good right Zeta?"
Zeta smiled as I went from looking at Raze to back at her.
"Guess I should've just played it smart with you huh Voltz?"
"Maybe. But lie to me now and we will have a problem later."
Zeta licked her lips and took a glance at Raze who remained on the couch. Once she started laughing did she look back at me to reply.
"I make bombs. Okay?"
Letting my grip go of her I lowered my hand.
"That's it?"
Nodding she replied.
"Yeah. I've been doing it since I left Russia. However I didn't lie about being a contractor. I really do hunt down people. That's one of my jobs. But the other is I make bombs to the highest bidder. Well I use to."
"What kind of bombs?" I asked as she calmly replied back.
"All kinds. Small, big, wide, large."
"Big and large are the same thing." I stated as Raze laughed.
Zeta once again got flustered as she soon restated her answer.
"I make all kinds of bombs. Ones that go boom. Others that release gas. Others that can blow up buildings, cars, even...countries."
My eyes widened as she looked right at me to see my reaction.
"You mean you make nukes?"
Zeta just kept silent as I looked to Raze to ask.
"Is that what she means?"
Raze nodded and replied.
"She's been a target for the last few years. G.U.N was the first to take advantage of her skills years ago during one of their battles with China."
"I made a gas charge that went off when they wanted it to go off." Stated Zeta as I looked back to her in awe.
"It killed a few thousand Chinese soldiers while they slept on base. G.U.N took control of the area not soon after it went off. They've been on my ass ever since. I don't know how it got leaked that I was the bomb maker but it did. I've been wanted dead or alive for the last four years."
"How much are they asking for you?" I wondered as she looked to Raze for the answer.
"I believe the price is three million dead...five alive?"
Zeta nodded and then said.
"Probably got higher after what we did at the airfield."
"Jesus." I mumbled as I sat back down.
Raze stared at me as Zeta stumbled to her seat.
"I didn't think you would help me if I told you. Most people who find out the price on my head tend to turn tail. But you seemed like you really needed the help. And I know I can help you. Those mercs won't be back for a while. They have no idea where we are or where we went after we left in that plane. Chances are they think I left the middle east in general. Right now I'm safe to help you find Gorgon. I promise I'll help you Raptor."
Raze widened her eyes and shouted.
"You called him Raptor!"
Zeta smiled and replied.
"Yeah cause he didn't try to kill me after finding out how much I was worth. That and I kinda feel like he doesn't care."
Looking to Raze I asked.
"So are you really a doctor? Or are you some kind of cannibal who eats people?"
Zeta instantly broke out in laughter as Raze looked shocked.
"No! I am really a doctor! Unlike Zeta I'm not hiding that fact!"
Looking back to Zeta I then said.
"Guess that explains that bag bomb you had made and the C4 you rigged at the airfield."
Zeta smiled and winked at me from her side of the table as I just let out a sigh.
"What the fuck did I walk into?" I asked myself as Raze put her hand on my back to reply.
"Just a whole lot of trouble. That's all. Hahaha!"
Zeta and I locked eyes once more as it was clear this conversation would continue. I knew she was insane.
mT Shadow.