Love Struck Delusion
Chapter 140 – Asserting Dominance.
Vacus's POV. An hour later.
Things were heating up. The men were about to start their close combat practice. Which meant they would be too busy fighting each other to bother us on the range. Of course we were next to fight, but up till now I was pretty confident in my ability to take down someone.
I had everyone taking practice shoots. Including myself. Incus had her team as well on the line as Freeman and the others waited their turns. Taking my time to load up my rifle, I tried to locate the commander. For a while he was teaching some of the kids around here how to load a gun properly. Then one second he disappeared. I wonder what he's doing? I thought to myself as I heard someone shout from further down the range.
"We cleared hot Lieutenant?!"
Looking down to see Jess asking. Everyone looked to me as I finished loading my clip to reply.
"You're all clear! Take clean shots and watch the crossfire!"
With that everyone opened up downrange. Thank god I had earplugs in.
Raptor's POV.
I spent the last ten minutes getting together some heavier gear. Thankfully we had some decent things laying around the armory. Still wearing my normal vest, I managed to get some heavy grade knee and arm pads. I'm pretty sure half of this stuff was for our heavy troopers but I didn't care. Not like we need to use them right now anyway. Along with them, I managed to fit some heavier plates of kevlar to my vest. It required me to wear an EOD vest but it thankfully was designed to fit right over my normal battledress. The arms master watched from his corner as I finished strapping some boot guards to my feet. As I got them tied down he asked.
"What you planning on doing in all that gear commander? You going to go fit a bull? Hah!"
Smiling slightly, I looked back to the bear to reply.
"Just going to workout in it. Adds on some extra pressure and mainly weight. I'm getting old but I still want to be able to carry my weight. You feel me?"
Approaching me the bear asked.
"I saw you out on the field. You look like you can carry more then just your weight sir. Got to say I'm shocked your even moving like this at all after the shape you came back in. You feeling alright?"
Nodding as I stood up I replied.
"Like a hundred bucks. Don't you worry about me. You mind?" I asked him as he stood next to the last part of my vest.
Smiling; the bear grabbed it and leveled it around my chest piece. Strapping it on he stated.
"That's at least a good hundred and fifty pounds you got on now. You sure you can move? No offense commander."
"None taken." I replied as he got it tight.
Pulling away once he was done, I got a good feel for the armor. Gently jumping in place a few times, I asked as the bear stared at me with wide eyes.
"You got a helmet for this thing?"
The guy was stunned I was actually leaving the ground at all in the first place. Taking his time to readjust he soon nodded and replied.
"Yes sir. One sec."
Stretching my arms and legs as he approached the large crate, he soon pulled out what looked like no more then a ballistic mask. The front looked like a hockey mask almost, but the whole back and sides were nothing but padding and metal. Handing me the helmet, the bear said as he watched me put it on.
"That thing can protect you from a few rifle rounds. But I don't recommend trying."
Putting my head in, I soon understood why most of these heavy troops were so slow to react. It had to cut my vision off by at least half of what it use to be. Looking to the bear I replied.
"I'll bring it back in an hour or so."
"I'll be here. Just don't go falling over. Haha!"
Turning to leave the armory, I was soon noticed by everyone outside who was just standing by inspecting our main weapon supply. Everyone who saw me stopped to stare as I made my way back to the training fields. As I walked I quickly had to take off the helmet. Fucking thing was hot as hell. Plus I wanted to see up till I get back to the bars.
To be honest I was moving at my normal pace. Maybe it was my body working overtime, or maybe it was just this easy now that I had gone through this change with Marcus. I still wanted to have some words with him if he ever decided to show his face again at some point. Kinda missed him actually now that I think about it. Missing death. I must be crazy. I thought to myself as I soon found myself back on the field.
Dom's POV.
"Block damn it!" I ordered one of my men as they were getting handed down a beating by one of the men from Cortz's unit.
Soon came the take down I was expecting and once my man was on his back Cortz ordered.
"Hold! Get him up!"
Offering him a hand, the winner got his fellow friend up off the ground and I ordered.
"Next! Come on! One of you needs to impress me!"
Cortz just chuckled as I was invested in these fights. I hate losing.
"What the fuck?" I heard from behind as I turned to see Gardner and Marhick looking over towards the bars. I had to take a second to look, but soon I saw the commander walking over to one of the bars dressed in full combat heavy armor. He held the helmet at his side as he stopped under one of the tallest bars to look up. Soon everyone noticed what we were watching and we all watched as he put on the helmet, and began to stretch his legs.
"He ain't jumping that." Stated Marhick as Cortz shouted from his spot behind me.
"It's got to be a hundred degrees in all that!"
Soon finishing his stretch, we all now waited as he looked back up at the bar.
This bar was a good ten feet up. It was a bar we used during training with some of the stronger recruits. No padding underneath so if you gave up or fell during a pull you would just fall on your ass. But getting up there normally took one of us to help lift them up. You could jump it, but you had to have height and the power. Cause using that kind of power would at least kill your energy in the long run. Still though Marhick was right. Raptor ain't jumping that. Especially not in combat dress.
The second the thought left my head was the exact second Raptor left the ground to grab onto the bar. My body actually tumbled over itself as almost half of the men shouted out.
"What the fuck!?"
Marhick nearly fainted as Raptor was taking his time to do his first pull. Nearly laughing in the middle of my amazement I shouted.
"He needs to pull! He's wasting too much energy!"
Despite that Raptor quickly pulled himself up and we were all left stunned as he broke out into a flurry of reps.
"What the fuck is he Dom?!" Asked Gardner as I was silent now. Just a smile on my face as I watched this beast go at it like it was nothing. With all focus on the commander I soon replied.
"He's the best. That's all."
No one argued as we had completely started to ignore our training. Marhick lost his shit and began to walk his way over to watch up close. Looking to Cortz who had his mouth open from just being stunned, I shouted.
"That's why he's the best Lieutenant! You see what I'm talking about!?"
Cortz was speechless as we all looked to see Marhick now basically under Raptor's bar watching. His face said it all. Looking back to my men, I decided to keep the fights going. Even though Raptor was making everyone look like shit.
Raptor's POV.
The armor added just what I was looking for. Weight and some challenge. But my energy levels were still above and beyond. Doing this was indeed harder, but I couldn't physically feel the difference. As I kept myself in rhythm I took notice to someone under my bar. Pulling myself up to the top to hold myself in place, I looked down to see this big wolf looking straight up at me. The only thing on his face was a wide smile as I let out a small grunt and let go of the bar. Landing right on my feet in front of him I asked as I reached for my helmet.
"Commander Raptor Voltz. Doubt we had time to meet."
The wolf was twice my size, but with a chuckle as I exposed my face he replied.
"No shit I know you sir. Captain Marhick."
Taking his hand I then asked.
"What's up Captain? You need something?"
Utterly lost in his reaction he questioned.
"Are you fucking serious? You're what? How old? Doing this kind of shit. What kind of shit are you made of commander? Cause holy shit I haven't seen anyone your size work a bar like that in my whole life!"
I had to start laughing as he instantly shouted back.
"I'm fucking serious! I got guys out on that field who can barely do twenty reps on that bar! Your out here in full fucking combat armor, jumping at least eight feet up, and still rocking out reps like it's nothing but a walk in the park! I even saw that shit you were doing when I first got out onto the field sir! You're a beast!"
"Thank you Captain." I replied as he just laughed and asked again.
"I'm serious! What are you made of!?"
"Nothing you ain't. We're soldiers. It's our jobs to be ready. No matter the age. No matter the place. No matter the reason. Just cause I'm older now doesn't give me an excuse to slow down. Can't have the younger guys thinking I'm some pushover like Mason in my old age."
This guy was immediately lost in my response. Speechless even as I then urged with a pat to his arm.
"Get back to your men Captain. I'm sure you got training of your own to do."
Taking my chance, I walked back to the bar. The Captain watched as I jumped right back up. His whole body almost turned into jelly as he saw it up close. But with nothing but a heavy laugh he replied as I began to do more reps.
"Nothing I ain't made of? That's some shit. Hah!"
Smiling to his words, the Captain soon left. As I pulled myself to the top, I stopped to look over his way. Dom and all the men were starting their rounds. As I watched for a few seconds, I took notice to some things I was seeing. Letting go of the bar I landed back on my feet and stood there to think. I've never been one to train. Never been one to guide others. It's just something I do. Something I did to prove a point. Not just to others but to myself. This war was going to get more people killed and the reason those people would die is because they were not prepared. Not taught the important things. Simple things that can save their lives in the field. As the fights ran on and on I nodded to myself. Everyone of those men out on that field were heavy in offense. I barely noticed any of them block or counter. They just took the hits and hoped for the best. That can't happen.
Taking a moment to sit down, I thought it over some more. If I wasn't going to step in then no one would. It was just surprising to me that Dom and the other officers weren't enforcing this. Giving me more of a reason to step in soon. But regardless I needed to do more then just show defense to these people. I need to show them basics in first aid. Everyone I saw today was treated by a medic. Or a doctor. What good is that when we only have a handful of medics in the field and only three or four doctors on base? These soldiers need to be shown how to save their own lives if injured in the field. Or at least buy them some time. But I only knew one way to get the message across to such a large group, and that way was sure to break the line I was walking up till now. And the question I had to ask myself was did I even care? I wasn't going to hide this much longer. If working out like this wasn't already drawing attention. Then what I planned next would shatter it all. Regardless I had to come clean sooner or later. The biggest issue was how would people react? How would I react?
Looking to my watch I saw it was early still. I had time before I needed to speak with Tusk or Blitz and I doubt Watts will call within the hour. So this was a better time then any.
Standing up; I let out a deep breath and just said fuck it. If I was going to be a demon then I might as well stop hiding. If these people trust me with their lives as their leader then by all accounts that won't change. I just need to control them. Keep them in line. Go back to my roots. Be a leader. Be that guy again.
Looking away from the men, I looked to the range. All the women were together doing their weapons training. I also knew just from being alive that as a woman they were easy targets for any grown man in the field. I see no point in keeping them out of this. Everyone needs to learn a few things. Cause once I die there may not be another chance to change their lives for the better.
With all the armor on still and the helmet resting in my right hand, I began to walk my way over to the shooting range. Some of the women who stood by waiting for their turns began to notice my approach. Each with wide eyes and instant respect being shown as I looked for the officer. Stopping behind the group I asked with a commanding voice.
"Who's in charge here?"
Turning almost instantly was a fairly built female hedgehog. The first thing I noticed was her bright red eyes and her coat of quills. Largely white, but she had very thin lines of black going right down her face. Almost looked like a zebra in ways. As she quickly figured out I was the one behind her asking, she instantly raised her hand to her head to reply.
"Commander Voltz."
Taking my chance to step in front of her, I stared right into her eyes to listen as she said with a strong voice.
"I'm Captain Corina Freemen. I'm in charge."
This chick was tough but she was clearly intimidated by me. She was probably losing her shit why all the sudden I was in her face. But keeping my eyes on hers, I asked as she kept her hand up.
"How many women we got here Captain?"
Her face showed no signs of changing expression. She was serious in keeping her act up. Guess it only mattered to her underlings at this point. Only I could see through it with all this new found power in these eyes. But she replied with a powerful voice regardless.
"One hundred and eighty six sir. Split among three platoons. Sixty two on each."
"Where are the other two officers then?" I asked as she finally lowered her arm to look out onto the range.
"Both Lieutenant Incus and Lieutenant Vacus are on the line sir."
Nodding my head as she looked back to me, I ordered.
"Call them in. I need to talk to everyone."
"Now sir?" She questioned as I replied.
"Yes now. Hurry up Captain. I don't have all day."
"Yes sir!" She replied as her and her team looked out onto the field. With her voice growing in strength she shouted.
"Lieutenant Vacus! Lieutenant Incus!"
The sounds of guns going off came to a halt as I watched almost half the line itself turn it's gaze back here to us.
"Fall in! I want all of you front and center over here in ten!"
It was clear Freemen was the one in charge. The other one hundred and twenty four women came running. Two slim but tall cats taking the front closest to Freeman as they came up to ask.
"What the hell is going on Freemen!?" One asked as it was clear they had no idea I was standing right behind her. Before Freemen could respond however, I replied with a large and powerful tone.
"I need to speak with all of you! Right now!"
The second my voice left my mouth, I saw almost everyone who had no clue I was present tense up in immediate panic. All eyes widened as the two Lieutenants quickly showed their composure. Standing right alongside their Captain; I waited till they were all still and silent to ask.
"Are you two in charge alongside the Captain here?"
The two cats were engrossed. Both of them just stared at me. Not breaking my stone stance above them I soon understood why. They were scared. More so then their Captain who was beginning to panic for their long response time. The first one to open their mouth was the cat to my right. A well trimmed and slim blue cat. The color reminded me of the sky. Bright and easily noticeable. Staring at me with brown eyes she replied.
"Yes sir! Lieutenant Vacus and Lieutenant Incus!"
Looking to her left was almost an exact copy of herself. Same height, same weight, same look in her eyes. But she was a gray haired cat. Still just a sharp looking as the other. But with a much more controlled tone she replied.
"I'm Incus sir."
"Sisters?" I wondered as they both smiled slightly to reply.
"Twins. Yes sir."
Nodding my head to their answer, I then stated.
"I'm Commander Raptor Voltz. Don't think we met before this. Nice to meet you two. Now on to business." Flexing my chest in this armor, I went on to say as they just stared along with their whole battalion at their sides.
"As you know thanks to everyone here Afghanistan and it's future is in our hands. That includes however the battle to come in both Iraq and Pakistan. My reason for getting you all together is important to both me and to the future of this country. It plays a large part in all your lives, and just from watching the men over there I know for a fact they lack some simple skills. Skills we should be instilling in our troops. Our family here. The question I need to ask you three as officers is this. Are the lives of these women important to you?"
The three officers before me instantly began to look at one another. But taking the lead, Captain Freemen replied.
"Yes sir. All of them."
Using my commanding voice I then asked.
"Have you gone through any close combat training or medical training? Besides the medics that might be here among you?"
"I'm sorry sir. But what exactly do you mean?" Questioned Incus as I went more in depth.
"Hand to hand combat training that focuses on defensive techniques and counters? Also basic first aid? Simply put, have any of you taught these women how to handle wounds they might receive during battle? Be honest."
The three of them went silent. Looking among the others I asked again.
"Show of hands? How many of you are confident in your defense in hand to hand combat? Among not just women. But men who might have physical advantages over you in combat? In short, how many of you feel you can defend yourselves when attacked and how many of you know the basics in first aid? Can you treat yourselves when injured by bullets and or any other wounds you may see among your time in this war? Show of hands now." I urged as no one raised their hands. All three of the officers began to look worried as this happened. Wiping my forehead, I went on to order.
"I want you three to have your whole battalion center field in ten minutes. Understood?"
"Yes sir." Freemen replied as the cats kept silent.
Nodding my head, I turned and started my walk off to the men. There were plenty of fights going on. Even more so everyone was focused on other things. Marhick and another officer however noticed I was coming and quickly jogged over to me to ask.
"What's up commander?"
"Give me your gun Captain." I ordered him as he slowly pulled his pistol out of its holster to hand it to me.
Getting right behind Dom, I aimed the gun up towards the sky to pull the trigger.
"BANG!"
Dom and nearly everyone jumped out of their skin to turn and look at me.
"BANG! BANG!"
Lowering the gun as I had everyone's attention now. I looked back to Captain Marhick to offer him his weapon back. Running over to me, he took it out of my hand as I said calmly.
"Thank you."
"Yes sir." He replied as I looked back to everyone else to order.
"Stop what you're doing. All of you. We need to have a talk."
Dom was absolutely concerned with what I was doing and immediately asked.
"What's wrong sir?"
Looking to him I replied.
"I've been watching. All of you I've been watching. I can't pretend you men don't have problems in your training. All officers step forward right now."
Quickly I had four men step before me. Captain Marhick and Dom for starters and two others. A built brown echidna and another fairly large tan hedgehog. Each of which looked like they have been in this since the beginning. Looking to them, I asked with a firm voice.
"I want no bullshit from any of you. As officers and as soldiers who have served their time in this army and in these wars, I want you to each look at me right now and answer honestly. Have any of you gone over basic defensive combat techniques and basic first aid with any of these men?"
The four of them looked among each other same as the girls did. Quickly adding on I said.
"When I'm watching you men monitor these fights not a single one of you are showing any effort in correcting the mistakes of your men. I see no defense among any of them. Just a rush of attacks. Which begs me to ask, but how can you men lead these troops when you know damn well if they have to fight alone they will be killed by someone who just knows how to block properly? Are any of you concerned with that?"
I was putting all of them on the spot as it was clear even their men were showing signs of discomfort.
"As leaders we are meant to train others for the future. For them to one day be leaders themselves. That starts when you show some kind of care towards them. When you are willing to be the guy who calls them out on how they were being trained up till now. That's why in ten minutes I want all of you to form up center field. The women are joining us too because they are also filled with the same faults you men are. We will go over basic first aid and combat defense. You four will be helping me too with this. Am I understood?"
"Yes sir!" They replied as I nodded and then shouted.
"Then get yourselves together! Dismissed!"
Everyone remained together even after I gave the order. Even the officers like Dom remained in silence as I made my way center field.
Stepping directly out into the open, I stood there and waited. Things had to change and as much as I hated to admit it. Hannon was right. This isn't Shadow's rebellion. It's mine and even though it was, I needed to be the one to make change happen. After this no one would say they weren't trained right.
mT Shadow.