Love Struck Delusion
Chapter 106 – It will make things easy.
Raptor's POV.
This was the first time I laid in a bed that was actually made of silk. To be honest it wasn't my style. But god if it didn't feel good to just relax. At least before things get wild.
As I laid there I waited in hopes Zeta would come in and tell me what was happening. But I was left in the dark as she spent over an hour talking to Hecan. I didn't know her past. Not all of it. But I knew the trouble she was in. Having a price like that over her head had to cause a lot of problems.
With my eyes resting on the door, I widened them as she soon was seen walking in. I sat up as she shut it behind her. After which she just stood there, head down.
"Zeta?" I said calmly as she nodded her head to reply.
"Yeah?"
I sensed she was upset. More then I was expecting from such a tough outer shell. Keeping my caring tone on I said as she slowly shut her eyes.
"A lot has happened tonight. More then I expected. I was wrong about Hecan. You were right. He's a good guy."
"Raptor I...?" Cutting her off I said with assurance behind my tone.
"Thanks to him I have the help I need to finish tracking down Gorgon. I can do this now." Her eyes looked up to me as I went on to say.
"I'm not going to bother asking you what he said. I just want you to know that if you want. You can leave now and handle your own business. My war and yours are two different things. Yours is now more important then ever."
Tears formed in her eyes silently. I caught up on it and immediately said.
"But if you decide to stay I want you to know I promise to help you. I'll be there by your side. Just like you are now for me."
Pulling up her arm to wipe her face, I watched as she slowly approached the bedside. Tears still silently left her eyes as I now just watched her sit down alongside me. After a few seconds her hand reached out to grab onto my wrist dragging me to her side. Leaning in close our faces connected side by side. Now I could clearly hear her crying to herself. Using my free hand I gently reached up to wipe her face. Her eyes just stared into mine as I asked.
"Who did it?"
My eyes widened as she whispered the words into my sight. After, she let out another small bawling and shut her eyes in loss for what to do. Dragging her in for a hug, I said into her lowered ears.
"I promise I'll be here. You don't have to do this alone."
"Thank you...Raptor!" She cried as I just began to sway from side to side with her under my chest.
I couldn't tell you how long we sat there like that. It felt like hours. But after time had passed she looked up into my eyes to place a kiss on my lips. I gladly took it and with some effort I kissed back. Our bodies moved in the motions we made and carefully I lowered us onto the bed. Zeta tried her best to stop crying as I whispered.
"Relax. Right now we're safe. You're safe."
Zeta slowly mustered a smile as I just watched her shut her eyes to my voice.
"I'm going to stay Raptor." She soon said from her lips as I just stared at her. Gently running my hand through her hair.
"Just promise me you'll help when this is all over. Please." She begged as her eyes opened up to stare right back into mine.
With a small smile I replied.
"I promise."
Zeta with a stuffy nose now just smiled back as we exchanged another kiss. After which she wrapped herself around me to bury herself into my chest.
As I held her I thought to myself how crazy this all was. What started out as a revenge mission turned into this. A crazy woman who I figured was unbreakable was being held in my arms atop the most expensive building in all of the middle east. And it didn't take more then a day for me to feel like she meant more to me then someone I knew for years. I wasn't ready to say those words yet and to be honest I didn't want to. I just wanted this moment to last like this for now.
With Zeta hugging me tight, I shut my eyes. I swear for a second it felt like I was holding my wife again.
Archer's POV, The next morning.
On the road for the last few hours, I sat in my Humvee with Black, Char, Tap, and Gabe who drove. In front of us were two more trucks and behind was the same. All full of my men. With Pakistan nearing I let out another sigh and listened to the radio. For what it was worth I was nervous to say the least. This wasn't suppose to be me doing this today. Now it feels like I'm signing away the lives of everyone that works under me. I get to shakes hands for a war I never really wanted to happen. But the hardest part would be standing there with that man. Linnen was a snake. It was Gorgon who I was disgusted by. I knew he would be standing there with a smile. Looking right at me, laughing on the inside. It was going to take everything I had to not try and shoot him there and then. But I knew what was on the line here. I knew this had to be done.
"Archer?" Said Gabe as I looked up to see the border on the horizon.
"Okay." I replied while letting out a worried breathe.
Black kept quiet and so did Char. I knew Black had his reasons to hate Linnen and Gorgon, but Char had more pressure mounted on him then all of us. I had faith in the kid. This was his time to prove it. Raptor was going to be there today. The only question was where. Where would he be hiding? I wondered as the gate to the border was opened in advance for us. The lead truck was directed by the officer manning the gate and in seconds we were off down the main road for the capital. The street was sectioned off with hundreds of troops covering all the angles. To imagine Linnen had this much this early in the battle. His numbers were going to pass us up as soon as this was signed. The war was going to be massive.
"Char?" I said out of my silence. The wolf looked up at me as I stared at him from the rear view mirror.
"You just focus on Raptor. Black and the others will tell you if they see him, but keep your eyes out. Knowing him he could be anywhere."
"Yes sir." He replied as I nodded and looked him over one last time.
Char dressed out of uniform. We had him looking like another pen and paper jockey. Even had the neckband showing his press pass to match. With luck he would be right up in the front row with us. No one would be the wiser.
Nearing the capital I looked to Black.
"Get your helmets on. All of you. As soon as we park. Last thing we need is unwanted attention from any of these guys recognizing you."
"Understood." Replied Black as I looked back out the window.
The capital was just as I remembered it. Minus all the soldiers. Linnen had everything out on display for us. Tanks cut off the main streets to prevent people from crowding and choppers roamed the air providing coverage. Inside however was more men then I could count. Hundreds of people. Some armed soldiers, others just important civilians. Regardless this was a massive event it seemed.
With my convoy pulling in through the main gate, we pulled right up onto the main doorstep. Standing right there waiting for us was no other then Drake himself. Smile and all. Stepping out the second Gabe shut off the truck, I matched his height to hear from his lax expression.
"Glad you were able to make it. Drake Linnen. Commander of G.U.N."
Taking his hand I replied.
"Archer. Rebellion Commander."
Pretending like he didn't know Drake questioned.
"Where's Voltz? He wasn't man enough to show up."
I bit my tongue. Linnen knew exactly where Voltz was. We all know he was responsible. But with a smile I shook his hand to reply.
"Raptor isn't with us. We lost him earlier this week."
Drake widened his eyes to wonder.
"Is he dead?"
Nodding I replied.
"Yeah. He's dead."
Drake just nodded back as I stared him right in the eyes. He knew I knew. But for the sake of the public not a word was going to be said about it. G.U.N would be in big trouble if the public found out they tried to kill Raptor before signing this contract. So for both sakes Drake just replied.
"I'm sorry to hear that. He was a good man."
"No." I replied as Drake widened his eyes.
"He wasn't." I stated as he let my hand go. With cameras going off around us he smiled and urged.
"Well how about we get this moving along? Follow me. We still have some time before the signing. Gotta make sure everyone knows where to stand."
With Drake heading inside, I looked around to see Char already making his way in with the news team we brought with us. Black and his men covered my approach and I ordered them through my ear piece.
"Let's get moving Black."
Black nodded and began to follow after Linnen. As we walked inside I was even concerned with looking for Raptor myself. But for the life of me I couldn't see anyone that looked like him.
Char's POV.
The plan was to keep close to our news team. They had front row on Archer's side of the event. This way I could watch and see if from the front if Raptor was indeed here. Upon walking into the main room I widened my eyes at the amount of people and cameras around. This event was massive. How was I going to locate one man in all this mess? I asked myself as my guide said.
"We're up front along the right end of the stage. Just set up your camera Char then act like your taking notes or something."
I nodded my head as we got in position. Archer and the others soon followed with Linnen. As I began to look around at them I quickly took notice to four men already along the stage. This was my first time seeing them, but I knew. A wolf stood as close to the front as he could get. His face was monstrous looking. Not to mention his figure. That had to be Gorgon. The other three had to have been his remaining men. Each looked just as nasty as him. Uniforms were all black for the most part. However the four of them wore what looked like a dark gray beret. The logo on the front was G.U.N.U D. I had no clue what the U.D stood for.
Archer was directed to his side of the stage. Linnen soon took the other. Between them was nothing more then a table stacked with cameras showing the surface displayed on monitors around the room and I assume nationwide. Archer calmly remained standing as it was clear we were waiting on someone else. Linnen however soon approached the front of the stage to shout.
"Can I have everyone's attention please!?"
People were still crowding in the room as he spoke. But his words commanded silence from everyone who entered. Nodding his head as it calmed down, he soon said.
"I want to thank all of you for coming today to this historical event. Dispite best efforts we are lead to this kind of meeting. Between myself as acting G.U.N Commander of the middle east. Commander Archer to my left who leads the current rebellion militia." He said as he directed focus to Archer who just did his best to remain calm and neutral to the spotlight.
"And last but not least current acting president of G.U.N itself Hecan Moore!" Linnen then shouted as we all looked to the left side of the stage as an older fox made his way onto the platform.
Hundreds began to clap for the man. The fox himself waved and smiled as he made his way over to Linnen who then offered his hand for a quick shake and pat of the side. Archer looked surprised to say the least seeing this man even here in person, and up till now I thought the president of G.U.N would be a human. Guess we were wrong. I thought to myself as soon trailing behind him were eight guards.
All attention turned to these men as they calmly split in teams of two around and in front of the stage. They wore completely different uniforms when compared to Gorgon and the others around the capital. These looked almost like honor guards. Sleeveless black bulletproof vests that were decorated with red lining. The pants were combat marks also treading red streaks. Then a red beret. On these however just showed the G.U.N logo, but under said the words. Presidential Guards. These guys had to be personal security for Hecan himself. I can only imagine what these guys are trained to do. I thought to myself as four of them positioned in front of the stage just under the main table. Two others manned the left and right stairs leading up to the stage itself. The other two stood right behind the president. One left of Linnen and the other right of Archer, but both focused on Hecan more then anything.
With seats being taken, I pulled up my notepad and did my best to blend in while looking around. Thus far the crowd was coming up with no one I knew or even remotely recognized.
"Again thank you all for coming." Stated Hecan as he smiled in his seat between the two most dangerous men in the nation. Archer leaned back in his seat as Linnen just eyed him down from across the table. His men remained stationed behind as Hecan then said.
"As we all know. Times are hard right now for everyone. With the unfortunate passing of Shadow Robotnik who we all know to have been the last leader for the rebellion nation. The contract he signed before his untimely death was in effect. It offered the middle east and all it's benefactors. The availability to function as it's own government. With the aid of G.U.N trade and common goals in mind of rebuilding the country after war."
I could feel my heart pounding as I kept looking around the room. Slightly overwhelmed I went to my ear piece to ask.
"Do you guys see anything?"
Black and his friends who stood behind Archer were all trying to help me look out for Raptor. As it was getting problematic Black replied.
"No. I don't see anyone."
"Nether do I." Added Gabe as Tap remained quiet.
"Fuck." I muttered as I tried to keep focus.
"As we all are aware the treaty was good for twelve years. Those years have since passed and it has been a struggle for the middle east ever since losing it's leader. At first glance my government saw it as an option to have someone appointed by the people to sign for the reinstatement of the treaty. But no one was ever choosen. You as a nation stood at a stand still. So despite my best efforts the world saw it as a form of weakness." Stated Hecan as I looked to the stage. The men who stood alongside him caught my attention for some reason.
One was a large wolf. Dark blue coat of fur and a menacing face. Huge power under his feet as his rank was displayed as a captain for all to see.
Next to him was a hedgehog by the looks of him. Black quills, short hair. Stood just under an inch shorter then the wolf beside him. His face however was a serious one. Fuck all of them looked serious right now. But he was scary. His rank was displayed as a lieutenant.
As I went to look away I noticed something out of the corner of my eye from the guard on the right of Hecan. I swear I could make something out from under the beret. It was just hard to see. But I swear it was a scar.
"A month or so prior my government sent down a representative to abolish the treaty. In hopes G.U.N could once again come back in full. To help do what it did best. Which was reinstate law and order. Help rebuild a very clearly broken country. However it was made clear there were some among you that believed in action. In standing up for their rights they fought so hard to obtain." Stated Hecan as I went to comm to say.
"Black you hear me?"
In a whisper he replied.
"What is it?"
With my eyes focused on the guard alongside Hecan and on Linnen's side of the table. In a calm voice I replied.
"The Presidential Guard next to Linnen and Hecan. The hedgehog. Tell me if I'm wrong, but what's under the right side of his beret? Is that what I think it is?"
I saw Black move his head just slightly enough to not draw attention from the man. After some time he replied.
"I don't see anything Char. The cap is in the way for me."
My eyes knew what they saw. But I didn't know what I saw now as Black gave me a pretty clear answer.
"I'm not a man who likes taking part in these kinds of things. War isn't the way I believe we should see this through. But clearly too much has been done to change that course from coming our way one more time. My name is simply one of the three that is needed to commence this course from happening. I've gone over the options countless times leading up to this meeting, and I feel this is merely now down between the two men next to me. As their choices. Commanders?" Said Hecan as both Linnen and Archer looked to him.
"Is this what you want? Can there be no other way to resolve our problems?"
Archer immediately replied.
"Pull back your forces and allow us to try again."
Hecan smiled as Linnen almost looked like he was about to laugh at the statement.
"I don't want another war. I already went through two. But if Commander Linnen will not withdraw, I will sign this contract with full intent of making him."
Linnen soon lost his smile as Archer sat up to point right at him.
"My men and women are willing to die for this chance again at a better future. Are yours? Are they prepared to fight against a nation who just wants freedom once more? Asked Archer as Linnen took his time to think of a response." After Archer sat back down he replied.
"G.U.N is a government that believes in world peace Commander. My men and women will die for that belief. We are fighting to ensure your country can survive the upcoming years and all they can bring. With our leadership we can have this place back to the point it was thirty years back. A time when everyone had a fair chance and making something out of their lives. If I was to withdraw, what's to say you can even survive a week?" He asked as Archer now just bit his tongue as best he could.
Hecan kept silent as well as I tried to refocus on the man alongside him again. But as I tried Archer stood up from his seat getting everyone's attention on stage. Linnen got up as well as Hecan urged.
"Let's keep this civilized Commanders. Sit back down."
Black put his hand on Archer's shoulder as Linnen was approached by Gorgon who whispered something into his ear. After which Linnen retook his seat. Archer remained standing to say directly to him.
"You clearly underestimate everything this country stands for. You sit there smiling, knowing very well that you are going to lose this war regardless of how much support you are given. Thousands will die. Again! And for what!? Shouted Archer as he reached out for Hecan. The second his hand made contact with his arm the two guards behind him both stepped in to get involved. The wolf got right in front of Archer as he asked.
You support this man!? You support a killer!? After you just said you wished there was another way to resolve this other then senseless killing!? You're the president! Why can't you give us another chance!? Why must the people of this country suffer for it one more time!? Why must we fight!? To prove we are worthy of your gaze again!?"
I was shocked Archer was going this far. I figured he would be calm and just sign. But I guess even he had words that were built up inside just waiting to get out. Hecan was silent as Archer was forced to retake his seat by the guard. As all this went on I looked back to Linnen who just kept his cool. The guard along his side took his chance to back up away from the table now that the outburst was done. My eyes widened as his beret moved up just enough for me to see what I that I saw again. There was a scar under the cap. But the beret quickly covered it again as I debated on what to do. This man looked nothing like Raptor. Could that really be him? I asked myself as I questioned everything Raptor was before he left.
Raptor was gray with green in his quills. The quills were much longer and his face was aged to go with it. This guy was nothing like that. He looked like he was at the most twenty. There couldn't be any chance that was Raptor. And even if it was how the fuck did he managed to get this close without being noticed? Hecan would know his men right? If it wasn't one of his men he would surely do something. Right? I asked myself as I was lost now.
There wasn't anyone else around that could match him however. What if he wasn't here after all? I then wondered as Hecan finally broke the silence to say.
"Peace must be earned Commander. Shadow knew that very well. Linnen is just doing his job. You both want the same thing but in two different ways. Only one I am afraid can be given however. And to answer you question, I do not support killers. I do not support this war. My name means nothing with one of yours. If one of you isn't to sign, then it is safe to assume you are willing to surrender. Now I leave this to you two. It's clear words won't cut it. So ether offer up your souls. Or use this moment now to change history forever. One way or the other, this country will be thrive again. Its up to you how." Stated Hecan as he sat back to look at Linnen who was the first to grab a pen.
"I'm just doing my job Commander. I want peace for this country. Surrender and we can both get what we want. I can't control the outcome if you say no to this last offer." He stated as he began to sign the contract.
After it was printed clear as day, Linnen rolled the pen over to Archer. Who at this point was driven to say right back.
"The middle east will get peace. But that won't start till you and all these men go home. In a casket with a flag, or on a plane with a suitcase. You want me to surrender? I'm afraid that just won't simply happen. Not now. Not ever."
Linnen smiled as Archer signed his name. After slamming the pen down, Archer sat back to just stare right at Linnen. Hecan on the other hand stood up to say.
"There is nothing more to be done about this. Each side is to be given time to prepare. Archer you may leave with your men and go back home. Cause as of tomorrow this war is officially on and will not stop ether until surrender by one side or...the elimination of it's commander and chief." Stated Hecan as everyone around the room was silent to the facts before us now. War was on. With Archer standing up, he ignored Hecan's handshake to head for the stairs leaving the stage. Black and his men all followed as Linnen shouted from his seat.
"Good luck Commander! I'll meet you on the battlefield!"
With crowds following Archer out of the room, I looked back to the stage. Hecan who now looked at what remained in the room shouted.
"I urge everyone to go home. Let the sides see this through. One way or another your families will live on through this. The middle east will be free again. With our help, or not. We shall see."
Everyone began to clap and cheer as Linnen just remained seated. Gorgon on the other hand got right back behind him to lean down to his ear level. The guards alongside Hecan however watched carefully. My eyes however couldn't leave the hedgehog in the beret. He stared right at Linnen.
mT Shadow.