Love Struck Delusion
Chapter 126 – A Sign of Respect.
Raptor's POV, The next day.
Opening my eyes, I found myself in bed.
"Ughhh...?" Groaning as I turned over to my nightstand, I reached for my watch. With my body still trying to turn on, I realized it was a different day. Did I sleep through yesterday after Zeta and Raze left? I wondered as I sat up to place my head in the cups of my hands. Not soon after a yawn followed. Then a stretch of my back.
"Ahhhh!" I grunted as I could feel the stitches on my chest moving with the adjustment. Looking down to see them, I let out another yawn to think about what I was going to do. As far as I knew right now I wasn't busy. But god only knows what I missed. Standing up, I looked towards my nightstand again to find all my gear gone. Even my weapons.
"Fucking wolf." I mumbled as I went to my bag. Picking out some of my older combat pants, and a fresh brown tee shirt, I got them on and grabbed my phone. After which I looked back in my bag to see my old vest. Picking it up by the straps, I looked it over. This thing has been with me for years. Only thing that's changed over the years was the plating inside. Had to change it out plenty of times. But the vest itself was still my own. Everything I've been through is still displayed by it's wear and tear. Looking to the front patch, I rested my eyes on my old rank being there. The Major bars still stationed for everyone to see. Letting the memories come back, I soon tossed it on and made my way for the door. Opening it up, I soon found myself back in the main hallway. Looking towards Mason's room I could still see the blood on the carpets and walls. I wondered how long they would stay there. Looking back left, I proceeded towards the main office. Walking by I looked in to see Mason at his desk. Our eyes locked as he looked up from his pile of paperwork and with a smile I waved and continued on.
As I walked down the main stairs, I instantly noticed the attention gathering. Plenty of men and women from this army all looked to see me. I couldn't help but feel powerful. I knew I was now some sort of hero to them all. Maybe to others, I was scary or even intimidating. But a hero none the less. Sad to say I never wanted this kind of attention. But like Molly, I was now stuck with it.
As I reached the bottom of the stairs, I looked around to see a lot of people carting wounds. All patched up but still wounds none the less. I could see the extent these people went through to win this battle, and I was proud.
Walking my way through the crowds, I reached the main door to be greeted by some of the guards. As I passed they raised their arms up and said.
"Commander."
Nodding my head, I walked out of the building to widen my eyes. The courtyard was swarming with troops and news teams alike. Every one of them trying to squeeze by to get a word with Mason I would assume. As I walked my way around, I heard one of them ask.
"Has word reached the rebellion about the tragic explosion in Pakistan!? The city is in a state of chaos! Is the rebellion going to act!?"
Continuing the walk, I took a moment to shut my eyes and contemplate the outcome for my actions. I was guilty for what happened in Pakistan. Just another burden my soul now carried. One I hope to soon forget.
Again almost anyone who was paying attention stared at me as I walked around. Some even tried to get closer as I was focused on just looking around. I wanted to see for myself just what was going on. What I had missed. And thus far it's nothing I haven't expected to come with Hannon's death.
Nearing the other side of the capital in time, I spotted Dom and some men training on the grounds near the barracks. In fact there were at least a hundred of them going at it. All doing pushups as the squad leaders like Dom monitored and led the charge. It was nice to know not everyone was sitting down. I even spotted the fact that most that were training were men who had also been injured. Stopping feet behind the team leaders, I remained silent and just watched. Dom was to my far right as I crossed my arms and took it all in. This really was an army. An army with talent.
Looking from left to right, I listened as one of the officers shouted.
"Up!"
In a split second everyone jumped up and starting doing jumping jacks. Slowly decided to walk to my left I watched on as some of the men looked passed their leaders to see me. Some broke their rhythm as they noticed. Getting the officer to shout.
"Back on formation!"
I walked right very slowly as they got back into the rhythm. But the men all soon noticed as it was clear to them who was watching. In seconds one of the men in front completely lost focus and tripped himself over. Dom instantly shouted.
"Get up!"
"Sorry sir!" He replied as Dom smiled and noticed that his men were shifting their eyes from him to me. In a second of understanding what was happening between them, Dom looked back to widened his eyes at me.
"Commander?" He said in confusion as the other officers turned to look at me. Each more caught off guard then the last as I just remained calm and replied.
"I'm just looking around. Continue. Don't let me distract you."
"Yes sir." He soon replied as he looked back to his men to shout.
"You heard the man! Back to it!"
With that the men went back to training. Walking off the officers still watched as I moved on. Making my way around to the back of the capital, I looked around the walls. All strong and still holding.
Soon approaching our depot, I entered to look around. Engineers were busy repairing our armor but it didn't stop them from raising arms to me as I passed. Once satisfied, I moved on and back around to the main building. Everyone was looking good and busy. Now I just had to figure out something to do. First thing on my mind was Gorgon who I knew was resting in his cell just near the other side of the capital that I didn't walk too. Our on base center was there. Housing anyone deemed a threat to ether the city or to the war. More of a jail, but it was still doing it's intended purpose. I knew soon I'd go there to greet my killer. But first I had to find Zeta. I wanted to be sure everything was okay before I shifted my focus back to something like that.
Going back inside, I was again greeted by the men at the door. Walking on, I went to the medical bay to see if she was there. Chances are she was with Raze. So this would be easy hopefully.
Again I was being watched. From soldiers to nurses and doctors. It was almost bothering me as I knocked on the room Tusk was in. In seconds the door opened with Juper behind it.
"Oh shit your awake. How you feeling?"
Smiling I replied.
"Much better. How are things here?" I asked as I entered to see nobody else around.
"Raze is on a break and Pierce and the others are out helping with the cleanup. The city is still a wreak after that storm. Can't see the place getting back together for at least a few days. Even with everyone helping."
Nodding my head, I approached Tusk.
"Still out of it." Stated Juper as I then asked.
"What about Blitz?"
"Pierce had him moved to a cell like Gorgon's. Just in case. Doctor said he would be fine so we just did it."
"Good." I replied as I looked back to him to wonder.
"Have you seen Zeta?"
"She went out for a bit with that dog of yours. Said she was gonna go pick some stuff up. No idea what that means."
Now worried for what she might get, I nodded and replied.
"Okay. Just keep watch on him for me. When he wakes up I want to be there."
"Yes sir." He replied as I left the room. Shutting the door behind me, I let out a sigh and made my way back upstairs into Mason's office. This time as he saw me he got up from behind his desk to ask.
"How you feeling? You sleep at all?"
Shutting the door I replied.
"The whole damn day went by. Can't believe I slept through it. Did I miss anything important?"
Giving me a chuckle, Mason replied while taking a seat on top of his desk.
"Just what you would expect after taking the city from G.U.N. The courtyard is swarming with reporters begging to get screen time with me on how it all went down, and even more people asking what will happen next."
"You say anything?" I then asked as he shook his head.
"I was going to wait to run it by you first."
"I'm all ears." I then replied as he went on to say.
"The way I see it you did this yourself. You went out and led the men into battle. You went out and took down Hannon on his own turf. By yourself mind you. All I can say is that I played a support role through the night. The rest was all you."
"Doesn't the public think I'm dead?"
"They think your alive and well in Iraq right now. The only person who thinks that is Linnen. And at this point Raptor it doesn't matter what happens next. You made your move and got Gorgon before it was too late. The fun part about showing you off is knowing Linnen will probably shit a brick seeing your alive and leading the troops."
I nodded my head as I gave this some thought.
"There is no harm in laying out your cards Raptor. But if you want me to keep your name out of it I'll be more then glad to." Stated Mason as I shook my head.
"No it's fine. Go ahead then."
"You sure?" He asked to be positive as I nodded.
"Like you said. No point in hiding."
With a smile Mason then asked.
"You want to do this today then?"
Shaking my head I replied.
"No. For now just give the public what they want and tell them you will have a panel set up in a few days for questions. I need time to finish some things. For starters I would like to get rid of this coat. Plus I need time to think some things over before we go public with any details."
"The color is nice though." He stated as I chuckled and replied.
"Still prefer my natural color thank you very much. But seriously, I would like some time to get this done. Plus our focus for the next few days should be getting the city cleaned up."
"I agree to that." Replied Mason as I nodded and added
"Still though, cutting this all will bring back the memories of when I first joined up all those years ago."
"It'll grow back fast." Stated Mason as I made my way to the door.
"I'm sure. I have faith in that at least."
"Raptor wait." Urged Mason as I looked back to see him taking a breath.
"I need to ask you something."
Turning back I wondered.
"Something wrong?"
Shaking his head he then said.
"Not that I know of. But I need to ask. This woman. Zeta." My eyes now looked at him with interest as he asked the question.
"Why were there mercs after her? More so Chinese? Archer called back when you first left. They found the bodies. Those men were dispatched from Ying's PMC over in China. I just need to know Raptor if I have to be worried now that she is here. Whatever her business is that's fine and I'll keep it between us, but we both know they wouldn't come out to a place like the Middle East during wartime if it was for some small time criminal." He stated as I now stood here in silence. Sensing the concern, Mason then asked.
"What did she do?"
"Mason I can't talk about it. It's for her safety over anything else. I promised I'd keep my mouth shut to avoid any more problems with those kinds of mercs. The more people who know the truth; the more likely they will come back. Right now I'm determined to keep my promise."
"Which was?" Questioned Mason as I then stated.
"To keep quiet and help her when this is all over. Please Mason for both our sakes I need you to trust me on this. If it was a big deal that I thought would affect us as an army I would gladly say something to you or Archer. But I know it's not cause it's under control. Just trust me." I urged him as he went on to say.
"Raptor I know she's not native to this land. She's Russian. Has to be with the accent. So she's on the run that much is clear. So what's the plan then? Wait till the war is over and try and clear her name?"
I nodded as he let out a deep sigh to reply.
"Okay. Listen I do trust you. I just don't want this biting us in the ass. If you really believe this will work out then I'll leave it be. Okay?"
"Thank you." I replied as I left the room.
Heading back to my room, I sat back down on my bed to think.
To be honest I had no idea whether or not everything was under control. When she gets back I'll have to talk with her. I need to set this record straight. Cause Mason was right. I didn't want this to bite us in our asses if things went south.
Two hours later.
Everything on the news was ether about the explosion in Pakistan or the victory here. I kept myself calm and relaxed in bed as I heard a knock on the door.
"Come in!" I shouted as Zeta came walking in with Molly at her feet panting.
Running over to jump on the bed, Molly came right up to jump on my chest.
"Ohhh god!" I chuckled as she licked my face. Zeta just smiled and shut the door as I tried to keep the girl under control.
"Where did you guys go?"
Without missing a beat she replied.
"I needed to pick up some new clothes. Figured I should since I plan on staying longer then I originally intended." Nodding my head I then asked.
"Was she good?"
Sitting down next to me, Zeta replied.
"She was more then good. She was all over the place. Had me chasing after her more then anything. But people loved her. We even got some food while we were out."
"Is that so?" I asked while focusing fully on Molly who just kept jumping on me.
"God your just a little fireball. Nice to know she wasn't too hurt after that shit we went through the night before."
Zeta agreed and reached over to pet Molly.
"Raze had a good look at her when you were asleep. Turns out she's perfectly healthy apart from the malnourished part. But we got that under control right?" She asked as Molly replied.
"Braf!"
The two of us then looked back to the tv.
"Anything new?" She wondered as I shook my head.
"Not a damn thing. Just what you would expect."
Looking back to me, Zeta then asked.
"How are things here? You okay being back?"
Smiling I replied.
"I'm fine yeah. Most I have to worry about is everyone looking at me now."
"You went out while injured to fight on the lines with your men. You went by yourself and pushed G.U.N head on and managed to kill Hannon. The commander Raptor. You did something that most kids grow up dreaming about. Becoming a hero is what you did. Now everyone respects the shit out of you, or they are outright intimidated."
"Or both." I replied as Zeta then sent her left fist into my side.
"By the way. Next time you decide to do something so stupid at least try to think about yourself. Getting killed won't help anyone"
Grabbing onto her hand as she kept it on my side, I replied.
"Regardless of what I decide to do during this war Zeta I need you to know it's not about me. I could care less if I die. The point is I want this country and it's people to be safe. That's all."
"So what about us then? Just gonna pretend like you don't like me? Or Raze?"
Rolling my eyes I questioned.
"Who ever said I was pretending?"
Giving me a straight stare down, Zeta then asked.
"So who's better?"
Widening my eyes I replied.
"That's not a fair question."
Laying back, she said with a playful tone to her voice.
"I know. That's why I want an answer."
"You know what I said before right?"
Looking over into my eyes I said.
"Relationships don't end well with me."
Placing her hand on my face she replied.
"Nor with me. So stop avoiding the question. Who is it?"
Keeping my eyes locked, I replied.
"I think the choice is obvious."
Reaching out to grab her by the arm, I pulled her over on top of my body. Molly quickly jumped off the bed as Zeta rolled on top of me with an instant growl. Her eyes were glued to mine as her hands now got placed on my chest. I could feel her claws coming through my shirt as she asked.
"Who do you think you are just tossing me around like this?"
"Awww is wolfy not use to being toyed with? So use to being the big tough guy?"
In an instant her claws came directly through my shirt and she growled.
"Stop...calling...me...wolfy!"
I could only smile as she showed some teeth.
"Keep playing around and I'll kill you."
"Ohhh I am so scared." I replied as she then grabbed me by the neck.
Her grip was iron. I almost couldn't breathe as she choked me. Leaning in closer to my face Zeta, growled and asked.
"What did I just say to you?"
With my air passages closed, I gagged.
"Nothing...I haven't...heard before!"
Slowly a smile came from her twisted grin and she gently undid her grip. Gently running her hand back to my chest, Zeta sat back up to state.
"You really do act before thinking don't you?"
"Makes things interesting." I replied with a chuckle as she then wondered.
"I really don't scare you?"
Staring right into her eyes, I replied.
"Not a single bit."
Leaning back down, she came inches away from my lips to urge.
"Then prove it."
This girl was something else. A mix of savage and a bit of tease. Connecting my lips to hers, I ran my hands around her back. Zeta on the other just kept mounted on top as I roughly flipped us over. Now with me on top I replied.
"Maybe another time."
Standing up off the bed, I got another growl from her to hear.
"You really do want me to kill you don't you?"
"I'd want you to try to be honest."
Zeta just continued to growl from her downed state, as I went on to say.
"Plus...?" Her eyes widened as I walked towards the bathroom to add.
"I would enjoy hearing you beg at some point."
"I don't beg for anyone." She replied as I smiled.
"Guess we will find out."
"You still didn't answer me!" She shouted as I went to shut the door.
Before letting it shut however, I replied.
"Rather keep you guessing."
The wolf just widened her eyes again as I shut the door. I swear to god she was going to be the death of me. But I knew how to handle her now. Drunk she's nothing but a playful puppy like Molly. Sober? Seems she likes being an enemy.
Reaching into one of the draws to get a trimmer out. I started the long journey to being back to my old self. Or at this rate...something new.
mT Shadow.