Love Struck Delusion
Chapter 117 – We meet again.
Raptor's POV.
Middle of the fucking desert. That's where we were. Pierce and Juper stood outside the truck as I contemplated our next move. The others waited as it was clear this was going to be a quick swap. I was in disbelief of Linnen handing Gorgon over. But I guess we didn't give him much of a choice. The city or his friend. A choice I might have to make soon.
As I sat in the truck alone. I looked out the window to see headlights coming our way. This is it.
Linnen's POV.
I wasn't expecting a convey. But it wasn't a surprise. Gorgon was still out cold in the backseat as we pulled up to see two men standing near the lead truck with rifles at their sides. Looking to the men I brought with me I ordered.
"Keep your guns down. Let me talk this out. We'll be done in a minute."
"Yes sir." They replied as I got the door to get out of the truck.
Showing them my hands, I got a nod from the men by the opposing truck. Nodding back, I opened the back door to my truck and reached in to grab Gorgon. Gorgon was limp but not like he had much of a choice. Dragging him out I tossed him forward and in a thump he slid along the sand. The men by the truck came forward to ask.
"He dead?"
Shaking my head I replied.
"Just out cold. You understand I'm sure. You can check."
Approaching us, the two men looked me over. They were clearly mercs. Bandanas covered their faces as the one who appeared to be in command got down to look at Gorgon. After a second he nodded and ordered.
"Take him."
The guy behind him nodded and began to drag Gorgon away. I kept my eyes on the leader as he stood back up to face me directly.
"Appreciate you coming out yourself to do this."
"I expect you to leave." I replied as he nodded.
"You kept your word, so I'll keep mine. But I warn you. One wrong move beforehand will leave your city in pieces. But I can guarantee you if all goes well you won't ever be seeing or hearing from us again. You can just resume your war."
Gorgon was tossed in the back of the truck behind this man as I refocused and replied.
"Just get out of here. Now."
The man kept a straight body as he then said.
"Of course. Nice doing business with you Drake. Good luck from here on out."
I nodded as he turned to head for the truck. Watching as he got inside, I ordered my men.
"Get back to the car. We're leaving too."
"Yes sir." They replied as I backed up to get back to the truck. Once I was inside I let out a deep breath and ordered.
"Let's get back."
My driver nodded and in seconds we pulled away. I could still see the convey behind us as we left sight.
Raptor's POV.
Juper came up to the truck with him. My eyes stared right at him as he opened the back door to place him inside with me. Pierce on the other hand exchanged a few more words with Linnen then came back to us. Gorgon sat right next to me now as Pierce took control of the driver's seat. Soon we pulled off and back towards the main road. With silence in the truck, Pierce said.
"Commander you should take over driving. You know the roads a hell of a lot better then me."
Looking back at me to make sure I was listening, Pierce then added.
"Plus you can make the choice of where we go next. I'll watch him."
Soon we came to a stop and Pierce got out to open my door. My eyes were glued on Gorgon as he placed his hand on my shoulder to urge.
"Come on."
Fighting the urges, I got out to take the helm. Pierce sat where I once was as I took a moment to look out the window to see Zeta at the head of her truck. Urging her to come over, she did just that and asked.
"What's the plan?"
"Afghanistan." I replied as I got out my phone.
"Keep everyone together while I make a call. I got to make sure we can get into the city first."
"Got it Raptor." She replied as she then ran back to her truck. Dialing Mason's number, I now waited as he soon answered.
"Mason here."
"Mason it's Raptor." I replied as he then asked.
"What's going on Raptor?"
"You busy?" I then wondered as he chuckled to reply.
"You serious? Yeah just a little. I got Hannon knocking on my door and all my men out there doing their best to keep him out of the city."
"It going well?" I asked as he then said.
"So far we managed to push him back. Haven't had an attack for at least an hour. But he should be regrouping soon and coming back. By the way Raptor that info you gave me was right. One of my teams managed to locate the squad and take them out before the attack. I owe you that one."
"Good. Cause I need to ask you a favor."
"Shoot." He urged me as I then said.
"In probably three hours or so I'll be coming to the city with a three car convey. I need to get in the city and to the capital. Think you can manage to get us through?"
Mason went silent. He had to be thinking. Adding on I said.
"We just got out of Pakistan not more then twenty minutes ago. I won't be able to get through to Iraq with everything going on. At the least it's more tame in Afghanistan. If I go south I bet I can get in, right?" I asked as he soon replied.
"Right now the south border is on standby in case of a flank. I can't guarantee it will be safe. But if it is I'll have the men stationed their waiting on standby for you. What are you driving up in?" He then asked as I calmly replied.
"A pickup truck truck, one unmarked humvee, and a van."
"Okay. I'll let them know. But Raptor it's a war now. Be careful. You hear me?" He asked as I calmly replied.
"I hear you Mason. See you soon."
Hanging up the phone, I looked back to Pierce to say.
"We're going to wrap around south of the city. It'll be a few hours. Make sure you keep your eyes on him. No telling when he'll wake up."
"I got it." Replied Pierce as Juper then asked.
"Is it safe?"
Shrugging I replied.
"Right now it is. We're going to try to get there as fast as possible. So buckle up."
Juper nodded as I hit the gas. Soon our other two cars followed up to match pace. I was planning to get there no matter the cost. Mason was the one person I had left I could count on through all this. He doesn't know who or what I'm bringing to his doorstep, but I knew he wouldn't care nor argue with me about it. He would just let me do me. Which is all I wanted now that I had him. My eyes looked into the mirror to see Gorgon still out cold. I hope he enjoys his sleep right now. It'll be the last thing he does before I meet eye to eye with him for one last time.
Two hours later, Afghanistan border.
Everything was quiet. The south side of the side wasn't touched. But as we came from the north it was clear Hannon suffered losses. What wasn't clear was how long he was going to wait for another push. Gorgon on the other hand remained asleep as we neared the border. Everyone else was quiet as we soon saw the gate. But without having to stop; the gate opened and we were cleared through. Mason must have radioed ahead like he said he was going too. Slowing down the pace of the convey, I focused now on getting us to the capital.
"It's really quiet." Stated Juper as Pierce soon replied.
"A battle just broke out a few hours ago Juper. Everyone is scared and hiding in their homes where it is safe. No one but soldiers will be out at this hour. Or people who just want to take advantage of the situation."
I kept quiet now as we drove. In a matter of minutes we got to the main gate of the capital. Men lined the walls in force as I got us to a stop. Soon an officer came out to approach the truck and order.
"Bring it through the gates and head to the depot left of the entrance."
"Got it." I replied as he signaled us through.
Pierce and Juper kept a sharp eye out as I did just what I was told. Heading around for the depot caught the attention of the men throughout the perimeter. But as I got the truck to a stop within, I ordered Pierce.
"Stay with me. Juper you handle him. I'll handle the rest."
"Yes sir." Replied Juper as Pierce got out on his side of the truck.
As I stepped out I was greeted by Mason who was making his way into the depot from outside. His eyes widened as he rested them right on me.
"Wow. Look at you. Nice color. Look ten years younger."
Nodding I replied.
"We can talk about this later Mason. Right now I have something I need to do."
Mason watched carefully as Juper got out with Gorgon who was still asleep. The second he saw him he said.
"I understand. I'll have some of my guys take him to lockup."
Shaking my head I replied.
"I want him in solitary. Nobody lays a hand on him. Not even a word gets said. Just put him in the box and lock him down."
Mason knew I was serious about this and replied.
"Understood Raptor. You guys heard him. Get going." Ordered Mason as a small team took control of Gorgon. With them soon leaving the depot Mason refocused on me to ask.
"Who are these men?"
"The one you took was Gorgon. I got his other two remaining men in the other trucks. Blitz who is the wolf. He's out cold. Probably has a concussion. The other is Tusk. My doctor is in charge of handling him Mason. I need him alive."
"That an issue?" He wondered as I guided him to the van where Raze was. His eyes widened as he saw the condition Tusk was in. Looking up at me Raze stated.
"He's stable, but I need to get him somewhere where I can do some actual good Raptor."
Nodding Mason replied.
"My men will guide you inside the building. We have a medical facility inside and my own doctor is present. He can help."
Nodding Raze refocused and I ordered the men who stood behind me.
"Help her."
The soldiers moved fast as Zeta then came to me from her truck.
"What's the plan?" She asked as Mason looked her over. Just hearing the voice told him something was amiss.
"Go with Raze and the others. I need to talk with the commander here. Pierce you get your men together and head inside. I'll come find you when I'm done."
"Yes sir." He replied as he left my side with Zeta who stared at Mason.
"Go with her. I'll find you too."
Zeta nodded and slowly walked off leaving me with my human counterpart. After which he urged.
"Let's head to my office. My men will take care of your vehicles."
Pointing to the van I replied.
"The van has a stockpile of explosives we managed to lift off Linnen. Feel free to use them."
Mason nodded and as we turned to leave he asked.
"Mind telling me what I got myself into here? And mind telling me who all these people are."
Nodding I replied.
"Your office. Not here."
Mason went silent as we made our way inside. As we walked almost everyone was watching me. Mason saw this as well as we finally got to the office to shut the door. Mason went for a seat as I made sure it was locked.
"We're safe Raptor. Just talk with me now." He urged as I turned to go for the seat across from him.
Once seated I said.
"Those people out there are my people. No one we need to worry about."
Smiling Mason replied.
"I'm not worried. I just want to know who they are. How you know them."
"The girl's name is Zeta. She's with me. The doctor is Raze. She's a friend of Zeta's who we picked up when we first got into Pakistan. She trusts her and to be honest she's too nice to cause any trouble."
"And the armed men? They rebellion?" Wondered Mason as I now went silent and just stared at him. Mason soon knew something was up as I began to scratch my neck.
"No." I soon said bluntly.
"Then who are they?" He asked as I leaned up in my seat to say.
"This remains in this room Mason. I'm not going to want these next few things spread across the rebellion. Nobody, not even Archer is allowed to hear this."
Mason went wide eyed as I added on.
"If someone finds out without my approval, I will personally kill you and that person. Are we clear?" I asked him as he questioned.
"Did you come here to talk? Or to question my loyalty Raptor?"
Rolling my eyes I replied.
"I came here because I think I can trust you above everyone else. I'm not questioning you. I'm just making sure you understand the severity of this conversation we are having."
Mason nodded then said.
"I understand the severity. I just want to know what's going on with you. What happened in Pakistan? I know you left to get Gorgon and the men who murdered you're family. Which clearly you succeeded in. But why are they still alive? Why are they here?"
"Their here cause I need them alive for right now. Tusk is the important one. Which is why he needs to live. Gorgon I want alive so I can have the pleasure in killing him myself. Blitz is cannon fodder. He's just here cause I want him to be."
"Why is Tusk important?" Asked Mason as I then said.
"Before we picked him up, I interrogated another one of Gorgon's men by the name of Scrotus. He gave me a lot of information. Most of it I passed on to you and General Hoffer in Iraq. But he also told me a lot about Linnen's defenses in Pakistan. More importantly the capital there which he made his personal base. Tusk is a bomb expert and a tactical planner. He knows a lot about those defenses and in the end he will help us get past them with a little convincing."
Mason seemed to understand as I then said.
"Gorgon is another subject. All you need to know is I plan on hurting him. I plan on killing him. But not fast. I want that son of a bitch to know how bad he hurt me."
"Raptor I will not get in the way of you and Gorgon. You have my word. I just want honesty. Who are those men now?" He asked as I leaned back in my seat to reply.
"Pierce and his men are G.U.N. More importantly they work directly for Hecan Moore as personal security. They are users as well. They were assigned to protect me and help me get Gorgon."
Mason went silent and leaned forward to place his hands on his face. After a small passage of time he questioned.
"G.U.N?"
I nodded as Mason let out a breath. Leaning back in his chair he asked.
"How and why?"
"I contacted Hecan myself before I left Iraq to go to Pakistan. He helped Shadow back in the day. I wanted him to help me. Not win the war. Just to help me avenge Alicia and my kids. Which he was glad to do. You need to understand I was desperate Mason. No one was going to help go after them."
"So he just told you how and where to find them?" Asked Mason as I shook my head.
"He guided me to Zeta. Zeta took me to Pakistan after I earned her trust helping her fend off some mercs who were after her. She's been in country long enough to know how to hide from G.U.N."
"You said mercs were after her? Why? She wanted?"
"Zeta is bomb expert like Tusk. That's all I can say Mason. It's not my place to say any more. All you need to know is that she's safe now. No more trouble is coming for her. You have my word."
Mason nodded then asked.
"Back to Hecan. Why would he want to help you? He's having a war with us. It doesn't make sense Raptor."
Shaking my head I replied.
"It makes more sense then you think Mason. Let me explain. Just listen for a minute, okay?" I urged him as he calmly replied.
"Okay Raptor. Okay."
Zeta's POV.
This place was crazy. So many armed men around. Guess the war really was going on. I can't say I felt safe or even secured. I didn't know any of these guys. Just Raptor and Raze. Raptor was busy talking to Mason, but Raze was with me in the medical wing of the capital. Tusk was still in a dangerous condition as she tried to look around the room for anything that could help. As I watched calmly from the other side of the room, a man soon walked in. A taller hedgehog, dark blue in color and dressed in a white lab coat. His eyes went to me as he entered to say.
"Guess you guys are the guests we just got in. My name is Gord. I'm the head doctor here for the rebellion."
"Zeta." I replied as I offered him my hand to shake.
Raze remained at work as Gord soon let me go to head towards Tusk who was laying on the nearby bed. He looked him over for no more then a few seconds to state.
"Fractures along the skull. Broken legs by the looks of things. Probably some ribs too. This guy get hit by a truck?" He asked with a chuckle as Raze soon came over to reply.
"An explosion. He's lost a lot of blood, but I managed to keep him stable since we left Pakistan. He needs a transfusion. But I don't know the blood type."
Nodding Gord then said.
"We can figure that out now that he's here. You a doctor then I presume?"
Nodding back Raze replied.
"I've trained under G.U.N. I'm fully capable. Got my license five years ago."
Gord seemed impressed and urged.
"Well take a break for now doctor. I can handle him from here. If you want you can take a seat here with your friend and I'll let you know when I got the blood type. I'm sure we can keep him stable for now."
Raze quickly went on to say.
"I'm in charge of him. I'll take a break when he's safe. If you don't mind."
Gord seemed surprised by the motivation coming from Raze as I just remained quiet. Soon he replied.
"Understood doc. Then help me please."
Raze smiled and together they got to work.
My mind went to Raptor now. I can only imagine what he's trying to explain to Mason. I just hope it'll work out.
mT Shadow.