Love Struck Delusion

Chapter 111 – What's a truce?

Raptor's POV.

Pierce followed me outside. He calmly got himself a cigarette and as I made sure we were alone I said.

"Was that smart telling him all that just now?"

Taking a puff, he nodded his head and replied.

"This op is classified Commander. Scrotus doesn't leave that room alive, we both know that. This way now that he knows what is what he'll be more inclined to help."

"Or not." I said with a straight face as he then urged.

"Just put some faith in it Commander. That wolf is broken now. He'll talk. And if not you'll convince him. Right?"

Nodding I replied.

"I'll make him talk. That's not the issue. The issue is Gorgon and the others."

After taking another puff Pierce asked.

"Want to know what I'm thinking about that?"

Pierce took another hit and without even thinking he offered me a cigarette. I wasn't the smoking type but I still took one. Offering me a light Pierce said.

"Hecan has no proof about what happened to Lore. I just said what I said to see if he would accidentally confirm it."

Taking a puff of my own, I looked to the man to reply.

"Smart."

"I have my moments. Regardless it's true now that he said what he said. Meaning I bet Gorgon won't come after you with help. So long as we use this as a way to get him alone. Scare him. He won't rat himself out if he knows that we know. He'll try to get rid of us on his own. To cover any chance we might say something. You get me?"

Nodding I then replied.

"I get it. But Gorgon knows my voice. So when he calls you need to do it. To be safe."

Pierce agreed as I then asked.

"Don't take this the wrong way, but when you asked if I trusted you I truly don't know yet. I don't even know why you agreed to help me. What's your game?"

Finishing his cigarette Pierce replied.

"It's not a game. I truly want to help. Trust is earned so I'll earn it. All my men will. But if you want honesty I'll just say this. This is more then just about you in the end. It's about the world as a whole. Losing you will be a huge loss for both our sakes. Which leads me to the main point here Commander. Whether you like it or not I'm going to risk everything to keep you alive. I know you want to fight but putting you on the sidelines will ensure that. It's for world peace we are fighting for. Not just a revenge mission."

Putting out my cigarette I then said.

"I'll survive being put on the back burner here. But when Gorgon is within reach I won't be hiding. I need you to understand that captain."

"Of course. I understand, and like I said I'll earn the trust you seek. Just give me time. That's all I ask."

Nodding I replied.

"We get through this and you'll earn that. By the way I got a favor to ask you."

Looking a little confused, Pierce then asked.

"What is it?"

Pulling out my phone I showed him the text from Char. Pierce read it to himself and then said.

"I'll get Juper to go check it out for ya when we get back inside."

"Thank you." I then said as he nodded.

"No problem. Come on now. Let's take a few minutes to relax before we head back in with Scrotus."

Gorgon's POV, an hour later.

Scrotus was late. By now we had everyone ready to go and even had most of the men already set out to get in position and still he was no where to be found. I was getting concerned.

Waiting was proving to be useless. Blitz and Tusk already went back to bunk in for the night leaving me alone for this. Scrotus was suppose to come right back to tell me the mission Drake gave him. At this rate we would be late. Something had to happen. Going to my phone I decided to call.

Raptor's POV.

Scrotus decided not to talk. Figured as much. As I sat here trying to figure out what to do, I looked back to Pierce as he had Scrotus's phone. The second it went off was when Scortus looked up to us. Letting out a sigh, I covered his mouth with a piece of duct tape and waited as Pierce put the phone on speaker.

Everyone else kept silent as the voice on the other end came through clear as day.

"Scrotus where are you at? It's been over two hours. I already sent Blitz and Tusk back to bunk in for the night. Scrotus? You hear me?" Gorgon asked as I just listened as Pierce replied.

"Yeah I hear ya Gorgon."

It took a second but Gorgon asked.

"Who the hell is this? Where's Scrotus?"

"He's okay. Well not for much longer anyway. Turns out he's in a pretty bad spot actually. All thanks to you."

"What is this about?" He then asked as Pierce went on to say.

"This is about Ash Lore. You remember right? Seeing that you and Drake decided to kill him."

"How do you...?" Cutting Gorgon off Pierce said.

"Don't bother asking. Scrotus here was quite talkative after we got to know one another."

"You son of a bitch! What do you want!?"

"I want you. You and your remaining men. After tonight Scrotus won't be a problem so make this easy for me."

"You just want to kill me then?" Asked Gorgon as Pierce went silent.

"You lay another hand on him and I'll personally come find you right now."

"That's what I'm hoping for. Which brings me to this."

Pulling out his glock Pierce approached Scrotus to point it at his head. Scrotus tried to scream but it was muffled. Gorgon on the other hand yelled.

"Stop!"

Letting a few seconds pass Pierce fired off a round.

"BANG!"

Scrotus was silent as the round was fired to the side of his head. But unknown to Gorgon we listened as he shouted.

"You fucking asshole! Do you have any idea who you are fucking with!?"

"Yeah I do. Which makes this easy. Do your best to find me. It won't matter cause I'll find you first. You even think about getting anyone else involved in this matter and you'll find the information I know leaked to the press and to Hecan Moore. You understand me Gorgon?" He asked as Scrotus just stared at him shaking in fear.

Gorgon went silent as Pierce just chuckled and replied for him.

"See ya soon."

Hanging up the phone, Pierce looked to me to say.

"Think I was pretty convincing. Thoughts?"

Nodding I replied.

"You did it right. I'm also going to assume you have a plan to find him right?"

Smiling Pierce said.

"Yeah I got a plan. Leave it to me and my men. I'll call you when I got something or someone."

Looking back to Scrotus he urged.

"Have fun with him. Vice versa though. If he says anything good you call me. Oh and one last thing...?" Locking eyes with the wolf I listened as he said.

"When you kill him make sure you talk to Juper. He'll take care of the body." Scrotus started to shake as Pierce just smiled.

"Got it." I replied as he turned to leave. Waiting till he left, I undid the tape on Scrotus's mouth.

"Please Raptor. Don't do this. Gorgon thinks I'm dead now. Just let me go, I'll vanish."

Letting out a sigh I then replied.

"You'll just go back to him. I can't. And you already know too much. Just do me a favor and answer my questions. I promise if you do I'll end this peacefully."

"Killing me is peaceful to you?" He then asked as I just stared at him.

"I told you everything I knew about the attacks. I told you how to get to Gorogn. What else is there?"

Raze just watched as I calmly replied.

"I need to know what kind of security Linnen has around him at all times. I also would like it if you pointed out the exact locations where those men are coming from in both Iraq and Afghanistan. You do that and I'll just shoot you in the head after. No need for a mess."

Scrotus was clearly showing me some anger now as I waited for his answer. And to no surprise he took it upon himself to spit at me.

"Fuck you." He replied after as I looked to Raze who was clearly showing me a face of disconcert.

Nodding my head I reached back into my pocket for that vial. Scrotus's eyes widened immediately as I undid the top again.

"Last chance. She won't stop it from hurting if you refuse me again."

"I already said everything I could want to you. So again. Fuck you."

Letting out a deep breathe I then replied.

"So be it."

As soon as the sentence was over I tossed everything I had left in the vial right in his face. Scrotus instantly broke out into a loud screech as Raze shut her eyes. I just watched as he started to jump up and down in the chair he was in.

"AGHHHHHH!"

The acid was burning through his skin very slowly. Soon blood began to pool down his face but his screams never ended. I now just sat back as he soon begged.

"Make it stop!"

"I warned you." I told him through his screams as he just kept going.

"AGHHHHHHHH!"

This was going to go on for a while. I told myself as I just watched skin fall off his face.

Zeta's POV.

Everyone heard the screaming as Pierce gathered up his men to leave.

"Come back after your done Lieutenant. I told the commander to talk to you about the body. Judging by the sounds that won't be too long." Stated Pierce as Juper nodded and replied.

"I'll make it quick. You guys just go on ahead for now. I'll call in when he's done in there."

Pierce nodded and with a wave of his hand he ordered.

"Let's get moving then."

All of them left. Leaving me to listen to the screams. God what was he doing in there? I wondered as I kept myself together.

"Ugh." Letting out a groan, I reached for my side. God damn did those bullets still hurt. The venom I took did all it could but it still left me with some internal burning.

Going to the case Scrotus had on him when I stripped him down, I opened it to find his venom shots. There were five in total in his case, but each one was a full dose. These were only meant to be used if he was about to die. Taking one for my pain would be overkill. Closing the case back up I let out a sigh and decided to take off my kevlar vest. My shirt underneath hadn't been changed in the last few days due to running half the time, so even I could smell the filth.

Placing my vest down on the main table, I took a trip to the barracks to find my backpack. This was all I had on me when I came into the country. Just a few essentials and spare cloths. Thankfully I had a plain black tank top. Swapping out the two, I soon looked to my arms. I stared at the old scars and without a word I just reached into my bag to pull out the old med kit I had. Taking out some medical tape I began to wrap them both up. I didn't want to see them. I wasn't ready.

With both arms soon taped halfway up my arms, I returned to the main room to find Raptor going through the gear Scrotus had. Slowly turning to look at me, his eyes widened. I just smiled and said.

"Don't judge me."

Looking to the tape he replied.

"I'm not. You just look odd out of armor. I'm not use to it."

Getting close to him I then said.

"You saw me out of everything just a few nights ago."

Bringing a smile to his face he then replied.

"Not use to that ether."

Smiling with him I then wondered.

"What you doing?"

"He passed out. Raze is in the process of waking him up. If he doesn't talk I'll need another way of getting to him. Thinking about it I have one idea."

Grabbing onto the silver case I was once looking at he asked.

"What do you think two of these would do to him if I went that way?"

Widening my eyes slightly I replied.

"It'll kill him probably. Each one is a full dose Raptor. One alone is meant to be taken if he's near death. It's a last resort and taking another to soon could destroy his cellular reproduction. Taking two at once...I can't imagine the outcome." I told him as he nodded and placed the case in his pocket.

Looking to me he then said.

"I'm going to get back to it then. Shouldn't be too much longer." Turning to leave, I reached out for his arm.

"Hey?" I said with a slight whisper as he stopped to look back at me.

"What are we doing after this?"

"We're going home." He replied with a straight face as I let him go.

Giving me a small smile Raptor went back into the kitchen. I was left with a strange feeling as he left me.

"Home?" I asked myself as the door shut.

Raptor's POV.

Raze had Scrotus just barely conscious. His eyes looked up to me as I sat back down. This time with that case coming out from my pocket and resting on my lap for him to see. Taking out a syringe I asked.

"This will save you right?"

Scrotus's face was like a rotted pumpkin. Just pure raw flesh and dried blood stared through to me.

I could see it pained him to speak as he managed to muffle.

"Please."

Looking to shot I then replied.

"Then answer my questions."

"I can't." He replied as I then pulled out a second syringe.

"One will save you. Two will...?!"

Immediately he jumped up to shout.

"Don't! For the love of god don't do that to me!"

I could see the fear in his eyes as we stared at each other. Raze even sensed it as I said again.

"I'm not giving you another chance to say no."

Pulling off the tops to both the syringes I placed them back on my lap. Scrotus stared at them deeply as I leaned forward.

"Do you really want this to happen?"

His eyes shut as I sat back to wait. Raze held onto the maps I had at the ready. After a few moments of silence Scrotus looked back up. His mouth just barely opened.

"Bring them over here."

Looking to Raze, she came over to hand me the maps. Showing them to him with a marker being placed in my right hand, I asked.

"Where?"

Looking to them he replied.

"South eighty seven. East forty two. They'll be coming from there in maybe six hours. Plan was to be in place by nightfall."

"Now Afghanistan." I told him as he looked to the other map. After a few seconds he said.

"East fifty nine. North twenty. It's the only place there. It'll be easy to find."

Marking it down on the map I gave Raze back the papers to look back at the wolf.

"Last is Linnen. What do you know?"

"Please Raptor. Just one." He begged as I looked down to the shot to reply.

"Linnen. Now."

His eyes kept locked on me but without a fight he replied.

"Linnen doesn't have any other teams like ours. He's planning to stay in the capital for most of the war from what I know. Everyone inside is just basic grunts. Nothing too heavy. But he has plans in place if someone was to get in the perimeter."

"What's that?" I then wondered as he replied.

"The building goes into lock down. Linnen had the main doors and windows rigged to lower shutters. They are blast proof. You'd need a tank to bust through. Besides all that the men inside are issued combat heavy uniforms and weapons. Armor thick enough to absorb enough bullets to stop a bull. The bulk of the men will be in place to protect him. But the second the alarm is raised a special forces team that is on site will be in charge if escorting him down to an escape tunnel that he built a few years back. It's an escape room more or less. The tunnel goes maybe a few hundred feet at best till they get to an entrance."

"What kind of entrance?" I then asked as he replied in speed.

"It's a two inch steel door. Only opens with Linnen's biometrics. Impossible to get through if he gets inside."

Nodding my head I continued to listen as he added.

"The tunnel is rigged with gas charges that are set to kill anyone that enters after he gets secured inside. Same goes for the building. The whole place is rigged. All he has to do is hit a button down there and it goes off."

"There isn't a way to disable it?" I questioned as he shook his head.

"Not unless you have a world class explosives expert. And I mean a world class one Voltz. The whole thing was made and developed using some of top tier scientist from back home. That and Tusk helped."

Nodding my head I thought of Zeta. But Tusk was also an option.

"Guess I'll have to talk to your friend then."

Looking to me Scrotus replied.

"Tusk won't say a thing Raptor. He's a diehard. He'd kill himself before getting captured. He knows so much it would spin your head in circles. He's a fucking genius and he knows it. You won't break him."

With Scrotus lowering his gaze after saying that I then asked.

"How good is Linnen?"

"He may be an asshole but he's a great soldier deep down." Stated Scrotus as I asked again.

"How good?"

Slowly he replied.

"He's a user like Gorgon. The two were on the same level before he took the spot he's at now. He's a tough son of a bitch. I heard he manhandled Black when he turned on him. If that gives you any idea."

Scrotus now had his eyes on the shot I had still on my lap as I took in account for what he had told me.

"Is Hannon's security as tight?"

Shaking his head he replied.

"Not at all. Linnen has the same base Lehigh used in effect over there. It's all the same from what I know. He's expendable."

Looking to Raze I ordered.

"Come here."

The fox quickly came to my side as I placed my hand around the back of her head. Dragging her in close I whispered.

"Leave. You don't want to see this."

"Raptor?" She said in confusion as I urged.

"Go. Please."

Pulling her an inch back to stare into her eyes, I watched as she smiled and got up to leave. Scrotus watched in loss as she left the room. Looking back to me he asked.

"What's going on?"

Grabbing onto one of the shots I replied.

"There is something people say when they want to try something they might not know the outcome of."

Standing up I placed the syringe at his neck. Scrotus kept his eyes on me as I pushed it through his skin to inject the venom.

Instantly his eyes went red as his skin began to slowly form up from the dead cells of the acid burns.

"What are you doing?" He asked in confusion as I tossed the empty vial on the ground.

It's a phrase I really like. Actually my son use to say it a lot when he was growing up. Any time he tried something new. He would say it even if he knew the outcome. I stated as Scrotus was now silent.

Grabbing onto the second shot I smiled and said.

"For science."

Scrotus immediately knew what I was going to do and doing his best to try to break free of his chair, I slammed it down on his neck to hear him scream into my face.

"You fucking son of a bitch! I did what you asked!"

Giving him the second dose I replied with a growl.

"I did what Gorgon asked and instead of letting my family live he killed them!"

Scrotus's face went from healing to all the sudden boiling. His skin quite literally looked like it was bubbling up and my eyes watched closely as blood began to drip out from his nose.

"What you seem to not understand Scrotus is that this isn't for me! This is for them!" I screamed at him as blood began to leave his eyes.

"You watched idly by as he murdered my family! Now I'll watch as you melt! You fuck!"

Scrotus started to scream as the bubbles on his face began to burst. Blood shot out from each one like an overdue pot of water. Taking a step back I now just indulged as his face slowly morphed. First his nose slid down in a pile of blood and ruptured skin, then his eyes. You could see the eyes melting in the sockets. The smell was putrid but I still watched from a foot away as his screams slowly stopped. His skin by the time it was done was all but gone. The whole right side of his face was burnt to the bone. Parts of his skull could be seen as I breathed to myself heavily.

Slowly I sat back down to just stare at him. Stare at what I did. I could have shot him. Was this evil? I asked myself as I sensed someone standing next to me.

Looking to my left I rested my eyes on Marcus who just stared at what remained of Scrotus. Without a word from the demon himself I asked.

"Was it?"

Looking down to me slowly he asked back.

"What do you think?"

Looking back to the dead wolf I said to myself out loud.

"I think so. But I liked it."

Marcus just continued to listen as I asked in a lost tone.

"How much of my soul have I already lost?"

Without ether of us looking away from the corpse he replied.

"Enough. Your not the same man you were when this started. You were bound to change. My powers do that to men."

"Do what? Make me enjoy becoming a demon?"

Looking to me he replied.

"The more I help you, the more I take. The more I take, the more distant you'll grow from who you once were. This path was one you chose. You can't change what will become of your soul. So learn to ether be one with it, or go insane. I can't decide that. But judging from this...what's the answer you think?"

I think I knew the answer. I really think I was becoming cold. I was becoming a monster. I could feel it under my skin. The only question I had left to think about now was.

How far will I go to get what I want? To see Gorgon and Linnen dead? And why do I think I'll love every second of it?

mT Shadow.