Love Struck Delusion
Chapter 141 – Feel no pain.
Zeta's POV.
I left Molly with Raze. For the life of me I was concerned with Raptor. I've been in bad spots before but putting myself out in the open like this wasn't something I was use too. Pissing off the one guy that can actually do something for me is not how I want to continue this day. I need to talk to him. Even if he doesn't want me to.
Stepping out onto the training fields, I found him almost instantly. He stood center field just waiting there. I broke into a fast walk to soon realize what was going on. In moments it became clear. So many men and women were standing in front of him. My eyes were wide open in confusion to what was going on. This looked like some kind of meeting. But with Raptor out front wearing nothing but full combat armor; I wondered for what. Keeping my distance, I began to head around the back of the very large group. I wanted to wait and see what was happening first before just stepping in, and knowing where I stand right now this might not even be the chance.
As I stopped towards the very back, I kept my eyes right on him. Raptor however was focused on his men. Going off my time in the army I was soon entranced by his position. It was clear to me he was going to do something. Or say something that would change the lives in these troops. Maybe mine if he aimed to do that.
With the sun up above, I wiped my forehead and waited. Raptor however began to pace.
Raptor's POV.
The same thing was happening. I could sense everyone here. All their feelings. All their thoughts. And somehow it wasn't overwhelming me as I began a very slow pace around the front of the first row of troops who stood before me.
The men and women broke themselves in half. Women on the left. Men on the right. Cut right down the middle was the sex line. All eyes on me as I gave each person a slow stare. Out in the front with me however was the officers. Again women towards my left and men on my right. Dom being the closest and Captain Freemen on the other side. Just like their troops however they were nervous. I made all of these leaders feel like shit. Which was the point. After this my words will stick. They will be more careful. They will take this seriously and take all their lives as if they were truly family. To them it's a saying. To me it is real. It's always been. That's why as I came to a stop near the dead center I ordered with a loud and commanding voice.
"All field medics report to the front! Now!"
In an instant, a shuffle was seen among the lines and in time they came forward. I counted twenty three of them in total. Each wearing a cross on their arms to show they were trained. With silence the only thing around us, I then ordered with a much calmer tone.
"Take a seat! All of you! Officers remain standing!"
It took ten seconds for everyone to rest on the dirt. Looking to my left, Lieutenants' Incus and Vacus had their eyes dead on me. Freemen towards the men. Looking left Dom and Cortz did the same as Marhick and Gardner watched over their lot. With tension in the air, I brought my eyes up to see Zeta standing near the very back. Her eyes resting on me as I gave her a strong glare. I watched her gulp in place as I refocused on my small army. With my position asserting itself I said to them all.
"I want to make this clear. This meeting is in no way meant to make any of you feel you are not fit for this army. This is not a way to single out any of you here. It is simply a way for me to relay life saving skills I've learned during my life to each and every one of you. Cause let's be honest. I'm not getting any younger. Bullets still fly by my head and even now I have people hunting for my head. I'm a target. A person of power which the world fights tooth and nail to see brought down. Not just G.U.N. This goes for just about anyone that views my ideals as so called terrorism. Ideals each and everyone of you must believe in, in some shape or form if your sitting here now. Which is why I need to make this clear. One day...I will not be here. I will die. I will be forgotten. And someone else will take my place. I have no control over what happens after that happens. All I can do as your commander is give you each some kind of understanding. Some kind of reason to want to lead. Some reason, even if small...a reason to want to lead the next generation. You see these men and women who stand beside me?" I asked as I let both my left and right arm span out to direct attention towards the officers. With eyes remaining on me I went on to say.
"I can not always have moments like this where I can guide and where I can pass on knowledge to others. I can't always be the man you all want me to be. That is why these men and women here are leaders. They are meant to guide you all. For you are our future as a nation. Not me. You." I stated as I lowered my arms.
"But regardless of what I say or do I can't always assume they know best. I can't assume they can pass on knowledge even they don't yet know. So right now I need to pass it on to not only you, but to them. For just because their ranks are high does not mean they are by any means smarter, more loyal, or even just simply put...better then any of you. They are simply taking the first steps in becoming what I hope each of them will soon be. A true leader and a true teacher to you all."
I went silent. Most of these soldiers were young. All with wide eyes and open mouths to my words. I had them entranced as I glanced to Dom who just nodded his head. He understood now among the others why I had to do this. Looking back to the troops I went on to say.
"I've been watching and as you can imagine I've been around the block. I know a thing or two about what a real soldier is. What each of you should know if you are to survive this trip into a place where as a species we should not be. War."
Zeta was even mouth agape as I said.
"The women here our honest. I asked them all the same questions I asked you men. None of you have been trained in defensive combat and basic first aid. Which means you will be making the medics who sit here work a whole lot harder. Which also means you have an even greater chance at getting killed!"
My voice raised with the word. Everyone was focused as I shouted out.
"I will not stand by and watch the people who fight alongside me suffer! I will not accept it! I'm alive like you all! I have emotions! I have needs and I have wants! And I want each of you to make it through this fucking war I started!" Everyone was staring at me. Dom hasn't heard this before from me. Probably only got it from Shadow years ago. The other officers were clearly shaken by my words. The two sister cats couldn't take their eyes off me as it was obvious they were feeling sorry for me.
"I want all of you to go and have a family! To have a future! To lead this country and it's people to a better place! To a better future even I could picture bright! If I have to be the guy to step in and tell you each what your doing wrong then god damn it I will! For that is my duty! These officers feel the same way! They want you each to live and to prosper! Not to die! Not to die for country! Not to die for your pent up mixed emotions on what is right! But to live and not die! Especially not for me!"
Taking a moment to calm down, I shut my eyes and let out a long breath. No one dared to say anything as I soon looked back at the group to say.
"My biggest worry in this world is I won't live long enough to see what I started through till the end. Ether because I got killed or I killed myself because I was driven mad by the thought that each and every one of you were out there in that desert dying because I couldn't sit back and just let the past die! The hardest thing about being a leader is knowing I'm getting the future generations killed."
My words cut deep. Even the officers had lowered gazes as I just nodded to myself.
"I don't plan on dying anytime soon. But sometimes shit happens. And if by some chance of rotten luck my number is called early, I want to be sure you are all prepared to take the torch I lit and drive it into the future. In your own words. For what you believe. All I want is for this country to be one day a place where everyone can live happy lives without threats of death. I want peace. A future for the next generation and generations to come. Have I made myself clear?" I asked as I was soon granted a heavy response.
"Yes sir!"
I just nodded. No smiles. No other emotions given. Starting my pace, I looked to the men to say.
"The passing of my knowledge starts now. I want all of you to watch. I want all of you to listen. But one last thing must be said." Pointing over to Captain Freemen and her Lieutenants I said with a strong tone.
"If there is one thing in life I hate it is that there are people out there that think just cause they are women that means they are weaker, slower, less fit to be soldiers. Less fit to follow men into battle. Less worthy of being heroes. I shouldn't have to say this, but if I catch any of you men looking down or making any comments on these women sitting alongside you. If I see any of you show anything less then your utmost respect, I will personally kill you center field for all of these people to see. You will be made an example of. I don't want a response. Cause I trust that you men understand now just how serious this matter is."
Slowly I walked my way over to the Captain and the two cats. Each with eyes on me as I talked still to the group.
"I will bet my life that all three of these women can kick any of your asses. Just cause they are women does not make them weak. It does not give you men any moral right or any sort of power over them just cause you got dicks swinging between your legs. Now am I clear!?" I asked now heavy as the women remained silent. Immediately every single man replied.
"Yes sir!"
"Good. Now on to business." I stated as I went back front and center to reach for my right arm. Grabbing onto the armor straps, I said keeping my powerful tone among them.
"I will now go over some simple combat moves each of you needs to know. You will all watch. You will all listen. That includes the officers who after this will begin enforcing this daily in normal training. Right?"
"Yes sir!" Replied Dom and his men as I looked back to Freemen and Vacus and Incus.
"Yes sir commander!" They replied as I ripped off the strap to then say.
"First things first. I need a volunteer. Someone who is confident they can stand and fight me. Right here. Right now."
The whole field went silent as I got nothing but looks being tossed around the men and women. It was clear they were looking for a champion, but to no avail. Taking off my left arm plate, I soon heard to my right from Dom.
"I'll do it commander!"
All eyes went to him as I shook my head to reply.
"I'm not fighting you Sergeant. Not with that bum leg your walking on. Someone else. Preferably someone who isn't still healing from their battle scars." Again everyone was silent and looking around. Sensing concern among them, I stated with a calmer voice.
"Show me a leader is among you. Step up now."
"I will."
Looking up almost instantly from my gaze towards the front row, I rested my eyes on Zeta. Everyone who was sitting down turned to look at her. No one knew her up till now. The most that was clear to everyone was that she wasn't rebellion. Dressed in her brown and off white combat cargos and wearing a black sleeveless tank top; she kept her position as I was silent.
"Who are you?!" Looking to my left, Captain Freemen popped the question everyone was wondering. Zeta just kept her eyes on me as I answered for her.
"She's a friend of the rebellion. A soldier herself. Her name is Zeta."
Zeta nodded and began to look around at the huge group she was now being watched by. Keeping my spot in the center I questioned to her.
"Are you sure? This is not your army. This is not your fight. These are not your comrades."
Looking right back to me Zeta replied.
"I don't care. I want to do this."
I knew she was serious. Breathing to myself carefully for a second, I then broke from my train of thought to then urge.
"Then step forward. Come on now. Don't be shy. I don't bite."
Zeta instantly chuckled which got everyone to widen their eyes at her. I'm one hundred percent convinced they thought I was going to say something back to her outburst, but I knew why she laughed. Seems she liked that I still had a sense of humor even after her punching me in the mouth a bit ago. With her pace tame, Zeta soon reached the front. She passed by Dom and the other male officers who admittedly looked her over head to toe. Most of the men were eying her down. Zeta despite being in the spot she was now still had the body of an angel. All the men knew it as she soon stopped in front of me a few feet away. Dropping my arm plates to the dirt below my feet, I said to the wolf.
"This fight is going to be controlled and simple. Just so the people here can all understand just who you are, I will let you all know right now Zeta here is an ex-spetsnaz operative from Russia. She's a friend of mine and again, I expect all of you to treat correctly."
Letting my bare arms fall to my sides, I stared right at the girl. She stood there facing me like she's been planning this. Like she was itching for a fight. To be honest I was hoping she'd give me one. Up till now I've only seen her skill with a gun. Not her hands. I'm excited deep down to test myself against her. But cracking my neck, I went on to say.
"Let us start by showing everyone a few quick counters. If your ready...then by all means. Throw the first punch."
Getting into my normal fighting stance, I saw Zeta lose her smile. Her face turned expressionless as she readied herself. Placing her right leg out in front of her left, I just kept myself staring into her eyes. Everyone who watched was silent as Zeta took a breath. After exhaling she came forward. Sending a hook right towards me. Her speed was quick, but before she went to even throw it I sensed it to come. With almost no effort of my own, I ducked under the swing and came back up to directly grab her by the top of her shirt. Her body froze as I held her there, staring right into my eyes. After maybe a second of looking at one another, I pushed her back a few feet to say out loud.
"The first step to learning defense is learning how to react to the type of swings your opponent may throw. Hers being a hook." All eyes were on me as Zeta took her time to recollect herself after being clearly outmatched in nothing more then her first swing.
"Hooks like that are easily translated in combat. Your best options are to duck and counter with ether a direct jab or a heavy push in attempt to force your attacker off balance. There are many other ways to counter a hook, but taking the time to understand how you can counter is more important since ducking is the easy part. Now Zeta?"
The wolf still held her serious look as she looked right at me. Giving her my stance again I ordered.
"Now throw a jab."
Zeta didn't waste time and as she came at me I already could see her attacks before they were being made. Sending her left fist forward, I stepped back and watched as she quickly followed up with another jab using her right. Still walking backwards, I waited till she threw her third to remain standing where I was. Only sending my body away this time; I let her fist sail passed me and with a controlled use of my right palm I caved it right into her chest. Zeta instantly was struck by the power I had behind it. I knew instantly even that part of me was scary. Cause when it made contact she stumbled back nearly falling over. Catching herself before she could however, I kept my palm extended to say to the troops who watched with wide eyes.
"Jabs are quick. Which means you have two ways of countering. By ether stepping back as they come or by holding your ground and letting your head shift depending on the hand that is used to send it. In this case it was her left. Which gave me enough information to pull back just enough to let her arm pass. While passing, your attacker can't attack. The motion of their swing needs to come back before they can send another. Talented fighters can jab fast, so even then your best option may be to avoid them and just retreat a few steps at a time. Wait for an opening. As for what happened here, she couldn't strike again mid swing. So using my forward strength and position; I used my offhand to force her off balance. Now in combat I would have just punched her right in the face. But seeing as this is a training exercise; this allowed me to demonstrate just how important it is to watch your opponent's movement. Trust your own. The second you worry is the second you'll trip up." I stated as Zeta was now back to a full stance. I could see it in her eyes. She was getting angry. No surprise. As expected from someone like her. Keeping my eyes on her I then asked.
"Now that they saw how to properly react to some easily timed strikes Zeta, how about you and me actually cut the crap and have ourselves a little match? First to fall three times is the loser. Sound fair?"
Zeta showed no reaction. I could see her anger building as she quickly got herself back into shape to reply.
"Sounds like fun. I was getting tired of going easy on you old man."
"Ohhhhhhh!" The reviews to her response were mostly all laughs and steady sounds of eager anticipation. My officers remained quiet as I just smiled and reached for the straps to this large armored vest I was in. Zeta watched without a change in her posture as I undid the straps.
Vacus's POV.
All eyes were on the commander as he undid the straps to his heavy vest. Incus and I watched with open mouths as he pulled the vest over his head. Tossing it to the side, everyone widened their eyes at the sound it made as it hit the dirt. Raptor on the other hand remained stationary as he fixed his normal vest that was underneath. The combat rig he wore was war torn. It showed his age and his experience. Everyone saw the old patches to the Robotnik wars and his old rank as a Major. Once confident he was ready, Raptor looked back to the black wolf to urge.
"Then by all means I guess I shouldn't underestimate you. Now enough talk. Show me what you got."
Everyone was silent. That girl Zeta was just staring him down. I didn't know how she managed to look so confident. She just got countered twice and it was clear she tried to actually hit him. If I was her I would be boiling. I hate being treated like I'm light work. But look who she is about to fight. The one guy everyone was scared of. The guy everyone looked up to and respected. And to no one's surprise he just stood there waiting. After another five or six seconds it happened. The wolf charged right at him. Sending swings that nearly doubled her last attack speed. Raptor on the other hand gracefully just backed up as each strike came one after another. Dodging everything as it came his way. Sensing she was getting no where, Zeta tossed a huge right hook. My whole body jolted in place as Raptor stopped it with nothing but his left hand. Her fist resting in his palm as he just stared at her directly.
"Aghh!" Letting out a loud scream of anger, Zeta used all she had to swing her body in the opposite direction as Raptor still held her fist in place. In one smooth and fast motion, she pivoted using her right heel and sent her left leg around and right at the commander's head. In nearly a blink of an eye Raptor released her hand and ducked the kick. The second the wolf spun back around he pinned both his hands to her neck. I saw her face churn in pain as he lifted her up and down like she was nothing but a pile of cloths. Slamming her back first into the dirt, Raptor released her neck and took a step back to shout.
"One!"
"Holy shit." Whispered Incus as Freemen added.
"That was so fast. Both of them are crazy quick."
"What the hell?" I questioned as the wolf reached up to grab herself by the neck.
"Aghhk! Aghkkk!" Coughing as she sat up, Raptor shouted with a stern yet commanding voice.
"Come on! Get back up! That can't be it!"
The wolf was losing her shit. It was clear to everyone she was passed her point of maintaining control. Cause just as fast as Raptor shouted at her, she ran up to her feet to go right back at him.
Raze's POV.
"God damn it!" I shouted as I ran outside to see the commotion everyone was talking about. Raptor and Zeta were going at it. As I ran onto the field, I stopped in my tracks as Zeta ran up to her feet to run right at him.
"Zeta stop!" I begged her as I knew her better then anyone. Even Raptor wasn't ready if he pushed her. This girl wasn't normal. Like him she was special and I could see it already happening as her attacks started to become more feral and even faster then before. Raptor actually had to start moving as it was clear she was giving him more then he expected.
As I got close to Raptor's friend Dom and the other male officers who watched. I knew it was too late for me to stop this. Zeta wasn't in any condition to control herself. I told her to stay with me and relax. With all that is going on right now and her taking those drugs; I knew it was going to break her. Inside she was a fighter. She loved hurting others and she loved getting hurt. Both of those things were happening right now as Raptor somehow found an opening in one of her swings. Sending his whole body into her head elbow first, Zeta and her whole body went standstill. I could see blood dripping out from her mouth as Raptor took the chance to follow up. Sending two heavy and fast jabs into her chest, my heart began to panic as Zeta just shut her eyes to the pain. With no hesitation, Raptor then kicked her right under her right knee. Forcing her to instantly bend forward into his incoming right palm; which he had already sent forward with so much force, the moment it hit her in the forehead she was sent five feet back and onto her ass in the dirt.
"Zeta!" I screamed as Raptor shouted.
"Two!"
"Stop Raptor!" I begged him as he glanced over to see me standing next to his men. Just giving me a quick glare, Raptor refocused as Zeta coughed up blood onto her chin. I wanted to move but I couldn't as I saw her eyes close. In seconds her hands which were opened flat on her sides turned back into fists. Her body began to shake and with that I shouted to Raptor who readied himself.
"Don't hurt her Raptor!"
Raptor's POV.
My whole mind shifted gears when all the sudden I felt something strange coming from Zeta who laid on the dirt. This feeling instantly got me concerned when all I felt was a feral and primal rage coming from the wolf. Something was different. Before this her attacks had gotten faster and more unorthodox but now I sensed she was something else. The feeling however was one I felt before. But this was still different. With blood dripping out from the side of her mouth, Zeta sat back up. Crawling onto her hands and knees she coughed up one more time. Her blood splashing the dirt under her as her eyes could be seen opening. Getting myself back in position as her body was shaking in place, I listened close as she muttered through a voice that reminded me of a crazed dog.
"Oh your dead now. Hehe."
Her laugh was sinister as Raze screamed.
"Raptor run! Now!"
My officers all widened their eyes as Zeta looked up at me. It was at that moment I understood. Her eyes were pure red. Those under the control of venom. She wasn't a user. She was what Black claimed Gorgon to be. A perfect user.
With no one to get in our way, Zeta kicked her legs into gear and I widened my eyes at the speed she came at me with. I could still see the attacks coming but the windows were much closer together as her first attack landed right between my two forearms which I brought up to cover my face from a hook she sent. The sound of the impact was heard among the crowd as she had so much power. Our eyes were caught on one another. Her grin was nothing more then a wide open mouth smile. Her teeth fully exposed and covered in blood as time seemed to slow down for that moment. Knowing the trouble I was in, I widened my eyes back up as reality came back in moments and her attacks opened up. Thanks to Marcus I was fast enough to maintain my blocking. But fuck was it harder then ever to get an opening.
"Run!" Begged Raze as I knew that wasn't an option. Zeta was intent on killing me. I must have pushed her. She was a combat addict and I guess taking her down so easily two times in a row must have gotten her to snap. Inside she knew she was better. She knew she was talented. A perfect user was accustomed to being the best. Being toyed with and taken down so fast like she was nothing but a novice was the breaking point. Mixed with her already feral personality just made it even worse. Stopping this fight was going to have to happen one way. I had no other choice. Raze would have to understand.
"Come! Smack!" Her voice was indeed lost as she connected another hook into my forearm.
"On! Smack!"
The power was too much. My guard broke and instantly she sent an uppercut right down under my chin. But my eyes caught her true intentions coming when I quickly realized she hadn't balled her fist. Her claws were pointed right up at me and using everything I had I bent backwards and watched as her whole right arm rose above my head.
"What!?" She questioned as she was caught midair.
Taking my chance, I went right down on the ground to place both my hands on the dirt. Using all my power and speed, I spun my whole body around and connected my right leg right into her head the second she landed back down from her failed attempt on my life. The whole field went silent as the sound of my boot went right into the side of her skull. Her body instantly snapped back and slammed into the ground as I turned my body back towards her to widen my eyes.
"Zeta!" Raze immediately ran to us as I let out a heavy breath and watched as she felt for a pulse. Looking back to me she begged.
"Someone help me!"
Looking to the long line of medics to my left who were absolutely stunned by the performance, I ordered through the silence.
"You heard the doctor! Get your asses over here!"
The whole line broke formation as I backed up to continue breathing. This was the first time I actually felt strained with this new power. It wasn't bad but I needed a moment to regain some composure. Zeta's attacks were so strong I could feel my forearms straining to recover from the blows.
With a minute passing in silence among the troops and myself, we all watched on as Raze tried her best to get any sort of reaction from Zeta who was in my mind out cold. The force I hit her with was nothing to be shrugged off. My boot could have fractured her skull, but with Raze about to start tending to the open gash on the left side of her head; we all widened our eyes in shock as Zeta reopened her eyes.
"Zeta!" Shouted Raze as the wolf looked up at her. Her eyes had lost their red and had reverted back to their normal gold. My heart was at rest now knowing she wasn't dead. And with medics and Raze at her aid, they panicked as she forced herself to stand. Very slowly she looked my way. My body straightened out as she smiled and somehow managed to say with blood on her tongue.
"Guess I misjudged you old man."
It was at that moment I knew she was back. But everyone widened their eyes as she snapped her teeth at me to state with a happy tone.
"You don't bite? Fuck you. Smart ass."
Turning around to starting walking off, Raze was broke as to what to do. One second Zeta was this feral dog who tried to kill me, then the next she was hit so hard I'm amazed I didn't take off her head. Now she's walking away on her own two feet. Looking to the fox, I ordered as Zeta was stumbling despite her ability to remain standing while moving.
"Go with her. Make sure she gets treated. That's an order."
"Yes sir." She replied as I then looked to the medics to order.
"Everyone back in formation! Shows over!"
The men all went back as I glanced around. Dom and the others were trying their best to act like that just didn't happen. The women were all stun locked. Even Freemen and the two sister Lieutenants had mouths open agape and eyes still on me as I took a moment to walk around my general area. Once ready to continue, I stopped in place to say.
"Now I don't expect anyone here to give me as much as a fight as she just did, but god damn it I hope you all picked up a thing or two. Cause starting tomorrow defense training is in affect. Am I clear?" I asked as the officers and the troops replied.
"Yes sir!"
"Good. Now first aid." I stated as I looked back to see Zeta and Raze going into the main building. Behind me more importantly however was Mason. The old man stood there by the entrance as I knew something would have to be said. No one but me and Raze knew what Zeta was just there. Users aren't a thing in this part of the world. Perfect ones are even rarer.
mT Shadow.