Love Struck Delusion
Chapter 142 – First Aid.
Raptor's POV.
Mason was still watching from the main building as I had everyone now fully under my control. Showing them what true fighting was made them understand I wasn't the guy to fuck with. Regardless I already had their respect. Now it was just cemented. With my body regaining it composure, I began to look at the medics who sat front row. They all had the same gear as a normal soldier. That patch made them different. That was it. With that in mind I urged everyone.
"First aid is one of the most important, if not the most important thing you all need to know. From stitching wounds, to treating burns, to realigning bones you may break. It's a skill we all need in this world. That's why right now I want all of you to look to your right legs. What is that?" I asked as even my officers looked.
Nodding my head I went on to say.
"It's your field trauma kit. Everyone who is in the field has one. Does that mean you know how to use it? Fuck no. That's why you need to learn. The trauma kit is designed to keep you alive till you can get to a real medic or a doctor. Yet even if that's the purpose it is meant to save your life. From almost anything. Now unlike before I won't need a volunteer for this. I'm going to show you myself. Starting with cuts and lacerations. Lieutenant Vacus!" I shouted as she widened her eyes and replied.
"Yes sir!"
"Hand me your knife." I ordered her as she hesitated. But like I said I had their respect. Or at the least control. Without question the cat approached to undo the knife holster she had on her vest. In time she pulled out the standard issue six inch combat knife every soldier in this army had. Taking it from her hands I urged.
"Go back now."
Nodding Vacus walked back to her spot as I looked over the blade. It was clean. Really clean. Flipping it around in my left hand, I soon stopped it by the butt and said with a strong voice.
"If anyone here has a fear of blood I suggest you stand up now and leave."
Everyone went wide eyed as I lowered the blade to my side to look around. Seeing no one getting up I asked again to be sure.
"No one?"
Not a soul moved as I nodded my head to look back down at one of the medics. Putting out my right hand I ordered.
"Hand me your trauma kit."
Obeying with haste the kid handed me one. Placing the strap to the pouch in my mouth, I then raised my right arm to place the blade right on the top of my shoulder. Before even moving the tip I heard some screams and fear filled shouts. Dragging the blade down my arm, I stopped halfway at the bicep. I couldn't even feel the cut I had made as my blood began to roll down my arm.
"Oh my god." I knew that was Freemen's voice as I knelt down to place the knife in the dirt. Taking the trauma kit out of my mouth, I opened it up and looked back to the crowd to say with a calm tone.
"Cuts like these are the most common you'll encounter as a soldier. It's part of life. Knowing how to treat one is thankfully very simple. This one I made isn't deep enough to require stitches, but regardless it needs to be covered and sterilized."
Pulling out some gauze and some medical bandage I began to show them how to do just that. Everyone kept quiet as I tried my best to explain it step by step. It took time, but in minutes I had made it pretty clear and simple. With my wound soon wrapped up under some white bandage, I refocused and said.
"Cuts are simple and require nothing more then the proper equipment to maintain when out in the field. Thankfully like I said all of us have one. Even G.U.N has their own they use in the field. So long as you keep stocked you won't have any issues keeping those wounds under control."
The looks I was getting were all scared ones. I showed no reaction to cutting myself open just now and they had no idea how to feel to that. Even the officers were concerned and lost as I retook the knife to stand up.
"Cuts like I just said are simple. Easy to treat and easy to work with. Now we move on to something more life threatening. Getting stabbed. Has anyone here ever been a victim to one?" I asked as everyone just looked around. Nodding my head I looked down to the blade to turn it on myself. To my left I heard from Freemen.
"Commander Voltz? Wait a second sir." She begged me as she took a step forward. Looking at her directly, I replied as she stopped in her tracks to my glare.
"It's fine Captain."
The hedgehog was still worried as I looked back to the people who watched on in anticipation. With that I said to them.
"I only know one way to show them." Taking a breath, I sent the blade as hard as I could right into my right side. It went clean through my vest and as I felt it go in I just stood there and released my breath. Almost everyone up in the front row went backwards as they sat there in absolute shock to what I just did. Everyone else ether screamed or covered their mouths or looked away as I released the butt to the knife. My eyes stared at it for a few seconds. Then looking back to the crowd, I said calmly while taking a step forward.
"Now as you all know getting stabbed is a sure fire way to getting killed. When approached with someone with a knife you need to do your best to avoid reaching this point. Your best option is to ether disarm the attacker or simply create the distance needed to make a move of your own at a safer range."
Everyone was struggling to recover as I looked to Dom and the other officers on my right. They no longer stood straight to show respect. They were all just staring at me with wide eyes as I then looked to Freemen and the two Lieutenants. Taking step towards them I asked Freemen as she was clearly shaken up by how I was walking so calmly.
"Now Captain. Answer this question. When and if you get stabbed, what is the one thing you need to avoid from that point on?"
The hedgehog was stunned. Unable to answer as I heard from one of the medics up front.
"The person who did it to try and turn the blade sir."
Looking to the soldier I smiled and replied.
"Exactly. The second your attacker twists this blade it's over. It will curl your organs. No medic will be able to save you then. You'll die a horrible death." I stated as I looked back down to the knife to grab it by the butt again. This time I didn't wait. Pulling it out from my side, I said while getting the same reactions from before from the crowd.
"Now."
Placing the knife behind my belt for a second, I undid the straps to my vest and began to pull it off. Everyone stared at me as I rested it on the ground next to my feet. Taking out the blade again, I pointed to the same medic who answered me from before. His eyes were wide open as I asked.
"Now as a medic. How would you explain to someone how to handle this kind of wound?"
His voice was shaky now as he replied in an almost unsure tone.
"You need to first...you need to stop the bleeding."
Nodding I added.
"Depending on the location of the cut you might be bleeding from multiple locations in the body. Most wounds like this you won't be able to seal by yourself. You'll need a medic or a doctor right away. The most you can do is try to wrap something around your waist. Like this." Taking out some of the medical bandage I had left from the kit; I demonstrated just what I meant by wrapping it around my body. Making sure it was tight, I tied it and looked back to the crowd to state.
"Your only objective at this point should be to retreat and find help. Or you risk bleeding out. This type of seal will keep you from leaking too much blood, but as you can see." I stopped to direct attention to the bandages to show them how much I was still bleeding. Blood was running down to the rim of my pants as I then slowly used the knife to undo the knot. Everyone watched as the bandages came off and gently I switched the knife over to my left hand. Using my right, I placed my palm directly on the wound. Instantly I could feel it sealing as I barely had to focus anymore. It felt easy. Like it was just a part of me. My head was barely fading out and as I stood there I refocused my attention to the crowd to say.
"Now like I said. Cuts are the simplest things you will have to deal with. You're main concern in combat is getting shot."
Very slowly I released my right hand and I exposed the area where I was stabbed for everyone to see. Looking to the medics I ordered.
"Hand me a rag or something."
In seconds, the same medic who was helping me got up to hand me a blue rag. Taking it I ordered.
"Now sit back down. We still have one more thing to talk about before I go."
Nodding the kid sat back down as I did my best to clean off the blood on my stomach. It was at that moment that everyone saw the wound was gone. No more blood escaping from my body and with that I heard from two separate people in the crowd.
"What the fuck!?"
Ignoring the comments, I looked back to Freemen and her girls. Using the rag to clean off the blood on the knife, I looked up and offered it back to Vacus. All the girls were speechless as I handed it over to say.
"Thank you Lieutenant."
She struggled to lift her hand but when she took it her eyes couldn't leave mine as I reached into her holster to grab onto her M9. Her whole face went blue from fear as I turned to walk back center stage.
"Getting shot isn't as bad as everyone makes it out to be. Most times your body armor will absorb the damage. Leaving you with just a nasty bruise. But sometimes it can't be avoided. Sometimes you take a direct hit. Like this."
Aiming at my right leg I pulled the trigger.
"BANG!"
Everyone jumped in place as even my officers had moved back in shock.
I stood strong and to be honest I didn't feel much more then a pinch as it went in. With a hole in the upper part to my right leg, I shifted the gun to my left hand and looked back to the crowd of spectators.
"I won't lie. It hurts. Getting hit like this will hinder your ability to fight. Might even be the reason some of you get killed. But if you find yourself able to mend the wound right away you have a chance to get out alive. First by of course figuring out if the bullet went through or not. Trust me you'll know if it did."
Turning my leg around for them to see; I said with a chuckle to my tone.
"In this case it didn't. So what you want to do is the same thing you do for stab wounds and deep cuts. You want to do your best to seal it from bleeding any further. It'll be a bitch to walk with it in you, but you won't have to die for it." I stated as I leaned down slightly. Just enough to place my right hand on the wound. Keeping my eyes on the crowd I said.
"If you have time however. And I mean a lot of time. You can try to get the bullet out on your own. Depending on how far it went."
Pausing for a second, I felt the bullet exit my leg and roll down my pant leg. Leaning down completely I began to shake it out into the cup of my hand. Leaning back up; I showed the crowd the bullet which now rested in my palm.
"Thankfully this wasn't too bad. As you can all see."
Again everyone was at a loss for words as to what they were seeing. Tossing the bullet to ground I looked back to Vacus. Her whole body took a step back as I walked back towards her again. Everyone was in shock I was walking at all. Let alone perfectly fine. Reaching for the cat, I handed her back her gun to say.
"Thank you again Lieutenant. Now!"
Turning around to face the crowd, I shouted feeling in complete control.
"I'm not expecting any of you to be able to pick up from my demonstration just now! But in my heart I feel confident at least now that you know what you can do in case this ever has to happen to you during conflict!"
Reaching for my vest, I took a moment to strap it back on then said with a heavy voice.
"Medical training is not easy! But knowing basics is well...basic! So I trust all of you to know how to stay alive now! Even if it's just a few more minutes or seconds!"
Looking to Dom and the other male officers I stated.
"Starting tomorrow anyone who wants medical training can report to Lieutenant Cortz and he will guide you to ether Doctor Gord or another one of the medical staff on base to supervise your training as a combat medic! Taking the training will not effect your other duties and will not disband you from combat or your team! I want that made clear! Do we understand each other!?"
"Yes sir!" Replied everyone as I then got a hold of my other armor. Strapping back on the arm plates and soon the vest, I ordered while turning away.
"I expect the best from all of you! Not just the officers! Prove your fit for the fight or leave! Dismissed!"
Not a soul moved as I began to walk away. Mason who stayed by the main building just stared at me as I approached. Once there he said with a careful tone.
"We need to talk."
I gave him no reaction as I made my way back inside and up to the office. I knew what he was thinking already and right now I knew I had made my position among the troops as thick as the sand out in the desert. If they didn't know me before; they do now. But Mason had other concerns. Concerns I'm sure we both have different opinions on. As we walked into the office and shut the door, I made my way over to his desk. Taking the same spot I had with Zeta before, Mason turned to stop and ask with a clearly upset and honestly angry tone.
"What the hell was all that just now!?"
"What?" I questioned as he approached me to shout.
"Don't stand there and act like you don't know Raptor! I've been the most supportive person up till this point in the shit you've been up to, but now not only have you caused me more trouble with that bitch you brought with you! But you're out there scaring the shit out of all the soldiers! What the fuck are you thinking!?" He asked me as I sat off the desk to reply directly.
"First of all Mason, don't you call Zeta a bitch!"
Instantly he shouted back while pointing to his right eye.
"She fucking punched me Raptor! Twice!"
"I don't know shit about that Mason! All I know is that if she punched you, you probably deserved it!"
Mason quickly bit his tongue and backed away to turned around. He was thinking over his next move as I decided to state.
"All I know is what I was told! I fucking died and somehow I'm still in this fucked up world! Okay Mason!?" I asked him as he slowly looked back at me.
"I'm still fucking here!"
"You're not you!" He replied as I then asked.
"Then who the fuck am I?! Huh!?"
Keeping his now safe distance he replied.
"That shit you just pulled in front of my men and women is something straight out of fantasy! You're butchering yourself in front of them!"
"I'm showing them how to survive!"
"By doing what!? Scaring them!? I don't know what the fuck you've turned into Raptor but clearly you aren't the same!"
I went silent with just a nasty look on my face as Mason added while pointing at me.
"From the very start of you getting here you've not been willing to answer any of my questions! None! And I've been here for you! I deserve to know the fucking truth Raptor! Why the hell is that so fucking hard for you understand!? Do you not trust me!?" He asked as I kept silent. Reproaching me Mason questioned.
"I don't know where we stand right now with you and this army. You've gone off and made deals with Hecan Moore without anyone's guidance and you've been hiding this bitch you got with you for some god damn reason!"
"I said not to call her a bitch again Mason." I growled to him as he instantly screamed.
"Or what Raptor!? She's a bitch! She fucking walked in here only because you said so! Then not even a day in she goes off and does this shit to me! She's a bitch! Want me to say it again!?" He asked as I continued to growl.
"Before I thought I knew who you were. Now I'm just lost. If anyone was to lay a finger on me you would have killed them. This bitch does it and you're still protecting her. Why!?"
Mason was getting off his rocker now as I did my best to remain calm. But he was really pushing it.
"What the fuck is going on Raptor!? Why is she here!? Why are you protecting her like she's the fucking queen!? Why are you turning your back on me and questioning my trust!? I'm the one person who can keep a fucking secret! No matter how big it is! All I want to know is what the fuck your thinking?! I want to know why your risking your neck for her when we got a war to fight!?"
Mason just began to slowly nod to himself as he saw I wasn't going to answer.
"You actually don't trust me do you?" He asked as he got closer. Almost in my face the old man shouted.
"Do you trust me!?"
"It's not a question of trust!" I stated as he instantly shouted.
"Then what the fuck is it then!?"
"It's about keeping my word!"
"Your word!? About what!? What has she done to make you act this way!? What are you hiding from me!? I already know she's wanted! The question is why!? What did that bitch do!?" He asked me as I warned him one last time.
"Shut your fucking mouth about her Mason."
"Or what Raptor? You going to hurt me? Huh!?" He asked as he got in my face finally. Inches apart I replied.
"I'm not above hurting an old man. I've killed my daughters. I'll sure as fuck kill you if you keep running your mouth."
Mason with wide eyes began to back up slowly. But as he did he kept his eyes locked on me to reply.
"You really are protecting this bitch. Raptor I warned you if this got between us I would have to do something about it. Now as a friend I'm going to say this only once. You threaten me one more time and you'll be escorted off this base. Commander or not. This is my home. Not yours. Just cause you got something fucked up in that head of yours from killing Midnight, Ghost, Abbey, Alicia, and Julie. That doesn't give you the right to judge my life. You hear me?" He asked as I had to shut my eyes. I was so close to snapping and he knew it. He had to of. Now locked in place Mason said with a strong voice.
"You're not who you once were. Your this fucking disgrace and I don't know how to act. You're body is broken. Your color is black. Your eyes are something fucking fierce. I have no fucking clue what changed you, but you're not you. That's a fact Raptor."
Reopening my eyes I locked them right back on the old man.
"I won't even ask about the venom you're shoving up your veins to get those powers you used to heal your body, but now you've scared everyone. Is that what you wanted? For the people who love and trust you to be fucking scared? To see your this drug addict?"
Mason was taking a completely different path to how I thought this would go. He really thought I was using venom. Guess it's the only thing that makes sense. Too bad he was so wrong.
"I know Raze and Gord have to be covering for you. But you're risking everything by using that shit. You nearly fucking died last night because of it and look at what's it's done to you!?" He urged me as he raised his voice.
"Then that bitch Zeta. I saw you two fighting. She's a user to huh? Didn't tell me that ether."
"What does it fucking matter?" I questioned as he and I now just stared at one another.
"What happened? You've gone from being a leader. To being this druggy protecting an even bigger druggy. The men can't see it but anyone that knows you can see it plain as day! What the hell will happen when you go back to Iraq? What will Archer and the others think of you?"
"They won't have the chance." I replied as he widened his eyes.
"Like I already told you. I'm not staying. That bitch you keeping talking about is one of the few fucking people left in my life I care about. Okay? She earned a few points by helping me with Gorgon and my personal life. But now I have to repay her. And I make good on my deals. This war is under control. With or without me you know it and I know. We are going to win. That's final. After the meeting I'm gathering my things and I'm leaving. You won't see me again. I promise you that much." I told him as he was absolutely silent now.
"And if you do it won't be on friendly terms Mason."
"Is that a threat Raptor?" He questioned as I just stared at him to reply.
"Like I said. You keep pushing me. You keep getting involved in my life. I will not hold back. That goes for you and anyone who tries to get between me and the people I care about. You lay a finger on Zeta after this conversation and you better damn well hope I don't find you."
"I'm not going to touch her Raptor. I promise you that much." Stated Mason as his response as I got in his face very slowly. The old man didn't flinch as I said to his face.
"You're right though. I'm not the same Raptor I was before all this started. That old me? He's fucking dead. He died the same night I lost Alicia and my two kids. All I got left to live for is my beliefs and my promises. Which I intend to keep for that girl."
"What about the country you promised to save? You just going to turn you back on it now that you're this deep in the shit?"
Without even blinking I replied.
"Don't question my loyalty to this war and this cause. I am no traitor. I only do what is best for this generation and the ones to come. If that means I have to risk some things. Even myself. So be it. Friendships like ours? I'll risk that too. Do what you want after I say this. You even look at me or my people the wrong way. You even try to get involved in my business any further then you've already have. You call Zeta a bitch one more fucking time Mason. You will not live to see the world to come. And before you ask again. Yes that is a threat. One I will turn into a promise if you push me again. Now get the fuck out of my way." I ordered him as he took his time to stare at me. In seconds Mason moved to the right. Watching as he did I listened as he said with a calm tone.
"All I want is for you to rethink leaving. I don't care if you keep your promise to that girl Raptor. Just keep it to the country you vowed to free."
Our eyes were locked as he went behind his desk to order.
"Now get out of my office if your done."
"Gladly." I replied as I approached to open the door. Slamming it without looking back I let out a growl and made my way back outside and towards the field. Everyone who was once with me at the meeting was now back to work training. But they all stopped to stare at me. All I sensed was fear as I walked on and on.
mT Shadow.