Love Struck Delusion
Chapter 143 – Pepper.
Pepper's POV. Syria, location unknown.
"Ahhh! Ahhh! Ahhh! Ahhh!" Full sprint I ran as fast as I could. Looking behind me all I could see were flashlights slowly getting closer and closer as I reached a turn in the sewers at last. Breaking right I kept my pace and looked down at my left leg. Blood ran down it as I suddenly was blasted by a flashlight around one of the smaller gaps in the tunnel I was approaching.
"I got her!" Widening my eyes a large wolf about twice my own size panicked at the sight of me nearly bumping chests with him. Going to raise his G36C, I quickly grabbed onto his firing wrist and pulled the gun out of his grip. Instantly the wolf swung his elbow at me and I ducked to then grab a hold of his waist.
"You little bitch!" He shouted as his elbows came down on my back like a hammer.
"Aghh!" I shouted as I ran him back first into the wall.
As we collided the wolf reached over to grab me from under my stomach. With more power then I expected he lifted me up off my feet and over his head. Using all his power he slammed me right back into the floor. I felt some of my ribs crack and my hat left my head as he went for his handgun. But reaching for my right leg; I pulled onto one of my few remaining knives. As the wolf took aim I managed to throw it forward and into his stomach.
"AGHHHH! You fucking...?!" Reaching to my waist I pulled up on my compact crossguard and took two shots.
"BANG! BANG!"
Hitting the wolf dead center in the chest, I watched as he slumped back into the wall and onto his ass. With his hands releasing his gun, I looked back the way I came to see the lights getting close.
"Ahhhhh shit!" I grunted through my teeth as I rolled over to reach for my hat. Running up to my feet as I got it back on, I continued to run down the main lines.
"Come on! Come on!" I shouted as I heard from behind me.
"She's getting away!"
Looking back, I widened my eyes as three men opened fire. Bullets quickly swamped the hall as I nearly tripped over my shot leg trying to dodge them all. Panicking, I made another left and found a ladder going up. I had no choice at this point. Climbing up I soon reached a hatch and pushed it open with all I had. Upon getting through I found myself back up on the surface. But still near the same place I just fucking ran from. Knowing I didn't get far I shouted to myself.
"Fuck! Just my luck!"
Getting all the way out of the sewers, I quickly turned around and shut the hatch. As I did I heard from my earpiece.
"She's back up top! Echo and Zulu team you have eyes on?!"
Looking around as the banter went on, I found a tight alley and began to run for it. My best chance at getting out now was getting somewhere closer to the main population. These guys can't press me if there are people between me and them.
As I ran, I entered back out onto an open road leading uphill and out of the district. Knowing I had to run this on foot I said to myself while starting the trip.
"Fucking piece of shit! Sold me out! I should know better by now!"
Halfway up the road I widened my eyes at an incoming truck packed with hostiles. Immediately as I ran to the nearest building I heard from my earpiece.
"Target is on our location! All teams converge! We're on the turnpike! Target is entering a three story warehouse! Zulu team you got eyes!?"
As I neared the entrance to the building I heard.
"Opening fire!"
"BANG!"
As I pushed open the door I widened my eyes as I felt a bullet rip into my left shoulder. The blast was so hard I fell into the door as it hit.
"AGHHHH!" I screamed as I rolled in on my back to kick the door shut from the ground. Looking to my shoulder, I saw the round went through. Crawling away from the door I struggled to get up and as I did I panicked as a shower of lead began to come in through the walls. Taking cover by a set of tables, I got all the way down to the ground and reached back to my belt to grab onto my crossguard. Slowly as the bullets kept coming, I inched my way over to the next room I could find open. Once inside it; I tried to stand again.
"Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!" I shouted as I now found myself in a wide open room. This fucking place had to have been a clothing warehouse or some shit. All I could see were crates of sealed clothes from head to toe. Had to be a hundred of them and no clear way through. All I saw was a set of stairs near the back as I heard someone kick down the door behind me. Looking back to see three men running in with night vision goggles and M4's; I pulled my arm up to take a shot as I backed up into the maze behind me.
"BANG!"
Hitting one of them in the leg as I left sight, I turned my attention back to running. It was the only chance I had left. Stumbling over nearly every crate as I did, I soon heard from behind me.
"After her!"
It wasn't long before more bullets came my way and as I finally reached the stairs I felt one snag the bottom of my vest.
"Shit!" I shouted as I tumbled into the first set of stairs. Aiming my gun back at the nearest shooter, I opened up what I had left as I tried to stand again.
"BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! Click!"
My rounds managed to take one of them out and force the other two to duck for cover as I turned to run. As soon as I reached the top I heard them start moving again.
"Ahhh! Ahhh! Ahhh! Shit! Shit! Shit! Fuck!" I mumbled as I knew my gun was out of rounds.
Reaching the top of the stairs, I panicked as I instantly saw a laser sight coming from one of the main windows. Resting on my chest when I noticed, I did my best and jumped left to dodge what I could only figure to be another sniper.
"BANG!"
The round was huge. I could feel the wind splitting as I looked back to see it cave in a hole in the wall behind me. Keeping to cover, I kept moving and soon found another set of stairs going up. About halfway up I used my left arm to take a hold of my gun; as I used my good arm to unload the clip. The second it left my weapon I saw someone turn the corner from up the very top of the stairs in front of me.
"Got ya!" He stated as I immediately threw the empty clip at him with all I had left in my right arm. Clocking him right in the mouth, the soldier stumbled back and began to fire off his rifle into the ceiling. Reaching the top not soon after, I sent my elbow across the side of his head.
The guy grunted like I just caved in his brain as he fell over. As fast as I could I got on top of him to start beating him over the head with my empty pistol. After maybe the fifth swing the guy was officially dead and placing my gun back in my offhand I reached into my vest to pull out my last mag. Sliding in the clip, I cocked it back and looked down the stairs to see those two guys turning the corner at the very bottom. Taking aim I sent half the clip at them. Missing most of my shots; the men took aim back and opened fire forcing me to duck back and start running again. Soon however I found myself with no where to go. Just a big office and a large window. Running up to the window, I looked down to see the river below. And as I did I widened my eyes as a helicopter came out from my right. They aimed a floodlight at me as I looked back to see that laser sight coming in again.
"BANG!"
Ducking the round, I covered my head as the window shattered into pieces just leaving me with the chopper.
"Surrender!" Ordered a man from inside the chopper as those two soldiers from behind me finally reached the top of the stairs. Aiming my gun I fired off the last few rounds I had.
"BANG! BANG! BANG! Click!"
Sending only one of them to hell, I lowered my gun and just said to myself as he took aim to pull the trigger.
"God damn it."
"BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!"
The force of the rounds hitting my chest sent me backwards and out the window. With my eyes instantly refocusing from the pain, I looked down to see I was heading straight into the river.
"Aghhhhhhh...!" I hit the water chest first and in an instant I felt my body go numb as I quickly began to sink. My chest soon came back to me as I realized this was my chance. This was it. My only way out of this. As I swam with my one arm, I looked up through the top of the water to see the chopper circling above. Doing all I could to hold myself down under the water, I carefully slipped my crossguard back into my holster and put all effort into swimming. My left arm was barely able to move but I had enough traction to get distance and keep moving at a steady rate. This river was nothing but garbage and old boats. I was running out of breath however. With the chopper still above, I swam myself over to the nearest piece of cover I could see. An old tug boat. It had an old wood dock just next to it and as I swam under I came up for air.
"Ahhh! Ahhh! Сукин сын!" My accent was coming out in full as I cursed to the skies above. Lifting my arm out just enough to reach for my head, I dragged my hat down to make sure it was still hanging on my head and watched through the few open boards above to see the chopper slowly making it's way back to where I first fell in. I had to get out of this river. They'll have patrols searching around for me soon.
Looking out towards the other end of the dock I saw the path lead up a small staircase and towards a street above. I wasn't going to have much longer to think about this. I could keep swimming and hopefully go down river or just run now. Ether way I was in trouble. These wounds were serious and to be honest I wasn't confident I could even stay afloat much longer in this condition.
"Shit." I whispered as I saw the chopper coming back. Reaching under the water I felt around my vest to grab onto a detonator I had. I didn't want to waste this but I had no choice. Keeping it under water I squeezed and watched. Back the way I came was the building I was once hiding in before the sewers. I had it rigged thankfully just in case I got trapped. Didn't think I would have to pull it this early. But fuck it. In seconds after squeezing, I could see a huge flame shoot out over the building I fell out of. The chopper turned around immediately and began to fly over. Instantly I swam to the nearest thing I could climb up on. Once up on solid ground I started to run for the street. Hopefully I bought myself enough time to run. Where the fuck was the police or the military in this fucking city? I wondered as I soon found a small alley. Ducking in I found some cover behind a nearby dumpster and sat down to catch my breath. Looking to my leg; then to my chest I just smiled and began to giggle.
"Fuck me. Heheh! Just my god damn luck."
I was out of ammo. Out of time. Out of places to hide. I was running on empty and I knew I only had a little time to make a move. Focusing my energy, I looked back to my leg to watch as my wound sealed. Then shut my eyes as I felt my chest and shoulder burning.
"Ohhhh fuuuuuuuuck." I moaned as I felt lightheaded.
Reaching behind my back, I grabbed onto one of my last few injections and shoved it on my neck. Pushing in I soon felt the venom go in and do it's thing. Putting the injector back in my bag, I reopened my eyes and began to stand back up. With my wounds good to go I started to run again. Looking for anything that I could potentially hide in for the night. I knew I had to figure out a plan. This city was already a lost cause for me. Fucking guys found me cause again I was sold out. I was hoping to spend a month or two here before this happened. But fuck it if I really figured someone wouldn't try to cash me in. Can't trust anyone.
As I was nearing the main stretch of the city now I knew I was going to start feeling paranoid. Everyone was looking at me. I just had no clue who was going to make a move at this point.
Just doing my best to keep moving I knew I would have to leave at some point. But I knew where I had my ride waiting would be hot. That fuck sold me out so I bet my ass those mercs are already waiting for me to try and drive off. But what was I to do? I had to do something and soon. Crossing into another alley to try and minimize my exposure to the crowds, I soon stopped as I heard from my ear piece.
"We got reports she's moved into the city! All teams on patrol be alert! She's out of ammo and she's hurt! Bravo team stay in position just in case she tries to run!"
That told me everything I needed to know now. I wasn't getting out of this city without more of a fight. I wasn't hurt anymore, but they were right about me being out of ammo. Looking to my vest I only had my one throwing knife left and my eight inch combat dagger. What the fuck was I going to do if I got caught at range? I asked myself as I stopped in place to look around. To my left I saw a fire escape going up one of the buildings. I knew staying down here would be bad. I'd have to risk it. I told myself as I began to climb. Once on the roof, I widened my eyes to spot a bird perch near the center. All four sides covered by a light red cloth to keep out the sun above. Looking around the way I came; I spotted the chopper still hoovering over by the riverside. But I knew I needed time to think of something. That chopper wouldn't be able to spot me if I was in here. Hell no one would. So jumping in and making sure the covers stayed in place as I did, I soon found out I wasn't alone inside. There had to be eight birds just chilling in a small nest. They all broke out in an instant chirping spree as it was clear I was crashing their home.
"Get out!" I shouted as they all panicked and began to fly. In time each bird left leaving me with just empty nests and bird shit all around. But fuck it. It was already better then the last two places I tried to keep low in. So taking a seat against the nearest wall; I took off my hat and placed it down on my lap. Reaching up with both my hands I pulled my black fur back and then tried to make sure it would stay by using my hat to pin it in place on my head. It didn't really help cause some of the fur came back in front of my eyes almost immediately after I let go. So just letting out another sigh; I just tried to think now. My only real option was to try and wait now. Going to my car isn't out of the question, but I have no ammo and heavily armed contractors are waiting for me. What the fuck do I do? I asked myself as I sat up to take off my backpack.
"Please don't be broken." I begged as I opened it up to pull out my laptop. I felt a gust of relief hit me as I opened it to see it wasn't cracked. God knows how it survived with that guy in the sewers batista bombing me. Turning on the screen, I quickly entered my password and pulled up the browser. I had a hunch up till this point but I had to look.
Pulling up my contract, I looked over the normal details. In seconds I saw my location was updated not more then a few hours ago.
"Son of a bitch." I whispered as that confirmed I was sold out.
Looking through it a bit more I checked on bids. Maxwell contractors were the fucks on my ass right now. They were bidding to take me in alive. Guess all the guys didn't get the memo. Considering how much they shot me. Alongside them however was Ying PMC. They were the contract holders if I had to guess. Would make sense. But I have yet to run into them. I wonder why?
Quickly shoving the thought aside, I refocused and widened my eyes as two more groups had just recently placed bets.
"Who the fuck are these guys?" I asked myself quietly as I read their names.
Fort Drake contractors and Shader Industries. I had to find out more. Immediately I did a web search on Fort Drake contractors. No surprise I wasn't finding anything. Must be an underground company working below the belt. But under who? I asked as I switched to Shader Industries. This time around I found immediate information. A tech company operating in South America. What the fuck did they want me for? I asked as I pulled up their site.
As the site loaded I looked up. The chopper circling above was flying by. Probably figured out the blast I rigged was a distraction. Had to be starting their search of the river side. No doubt they will be near me really soon. But with the bird overhead I doubt they would have ground forces searching the roofs. Calming down, I looked back to my laptop. Instantly presented with the normal company motto and firm statements of their promises to good will and earth saving efforts, I soon found their tab for their security firm. Inside I found out they contracted from across the globe. But only hired professionals with military backgrounds and high standards of physical ability. Still didn't answer my question. Why me? Judging from the site this company looked well set. Did they need the money that bad? I wondered as I shut the tab and went back to my contract. Instantly I saw the price on my head just got raised. Before I was two million dead and three alive. Now I was six dead and seven alive.
"What the fuck?" I questioned.
"My price got tripled? What the fuck happened?" I kept asking questions. Who the hell would triple my price all the sudden? No wonder they didn't care if I was dead back there. I'm worth three times more now ether way. Corpse or not.
Shutting my laptop I now just stared at my feet. I had lots of questions and answers were not in my future. No wonder two new teams are playing ball. I'm nearing some of the most wanted people in the world in price points. Seeing as my contract stated that I'm clearly alone it was no wonder everyone was coming full force. Easy money I bet they think. As long as I'm still standing I won't let anyone catch me, and after today you can bet your ass I'm not putting faith in another fucker offering me help.
"I need to get out of this city." I told myself as I looked back into my bag. I didn't have anything left to defend myself with. Just my knives and this laptop. I had a feeling I would be here for a while. Reaching to the bottom of my bag, I pulled out a small disk. It was the size of my hand but this baby would keep me safe for a few hours while I wait this out. Hitting the button, I watched as a blue light came on and placed it next to my side. Using a USB I linked up my earpiece and rested my head back against the wood frame I had as support. In my ear I could hear the soft steady tone the motion sensor gave off. I'll give it two hours. Then I need to move.
Raptor's POV, Two hours later.
"Smack! Smack! Smack! Aghh!" Sending a roundhouse kick at the training dummy I watched as I dented it's wood arm. For two hours I was beating the shit out of these things. Mason was lucky he didn't push me further. He was already testing his luck with how he talked to me back there. I would have actually killed him. If he kept it up. Hopefully now we were on the same page. Even though I still refused to give him any answers. Fucker actually thinks I'm on drugs. That I'm shooting venom in my veins. It's a good reason to think I'm like this now but how wrong he was. If I had a choice I would have stabbed that old man right there and shown him just what I could do. Maybe then he would be scared.
Taking a minute to relax, I looked around to feel everyone still watching me. Ever since the meeting no one has said a word to me. No one has even walked close to me. Looking towards the rifle range I looked to she Freemen and her team firing off rounds downrange. Behind them waited those two Lieutenants of hers. Incus was chatting with her friends but Vacus from time to time I caught looking at me. Her eyes would dart back to something else the second I caught her. She was curious. Had the same thing going on that Zeta had. Both of those girls were trying to figure me out. Only difference is Zeta is crazy. Just by looking at the girl I could feel she was more like Julie. Tame and controlled. But I wonder about that. Her sister was easily the more energetic of the two. Also seemed more open about everything. She wasn't afraid to show off. I bet the two of them together is a thing of beauty.
Even though I was fine physically I was still sweating my paces. The only weird thing though; besides everything else wrong with me. Was that I was sweating but I was cold. Inside I could feel it. The same chill Marcus had around him I had in me. Like my blood was ice. Taking my time I sat down on a nearby bench and took off my vest and rested it along my legs. Shirtless, I raised my arm and wiped my head. Looking to the sweat, I let out a sigh and widened my eyes as I felt my phone going off in my pocket. Slowly I reached in and pulled it out to see it as Watts. Calmly I answered.
"Yeah?"
Equally as calm Watts replied.
"I got something for you. I sent it via text message."
"What is it?" I asked as he replied with a sigh.
"The number to Ying's PMC operating here in country. It's not a company line so don't be surprised if you get some douchebag on the other end asking who the fuck you are. The number is private. So the second you tell them who it is calling they will know some shit is up. Hope you have a good story."
"The other?" I wondered as I saw the text pop through in the background showing two numbers.
"You're girl Pepper doesn't have a phone on her. Probably to keep off the grid as much as possible. But she's smart. Only operates with a single device and that device is encrypted. Top notch stuff. Wasn't easy to get into. She's must have some serious hardware or she's just a fucking tech genius and knows how to code her own gear. Regardless that number I gave you is a direct link to the device she's using. Chances are she's using blue tooth to keep it all linked up on her private VPN network. Again she'll probably lose her shit when you call. That network she's on is military grade stuff. Only reason I got in was because she just recently connected to the internet wherever she's holding up in over there. Using the network got me directly in her computer. Pretty easy to be honest, but she's probably not expecting a hacker like myself to be kitted enough to trace it. The second you contact her though you better make it fast. I doubt she'll hang on the line long."
"Why's that?" I asked as he calmly replied.
"Her price just tripled. Ying PMC knows she's the easier target to get too right now so they have her labeled six dead and seven alive. Two other contracting companies just bid on her over the last hour. Everyone and their mother will be gunning for her now since she's pinned in that city."
"Who else is involved?" I then wondered as Watts coughed and replied after a few seconds.
Shader Industries and Fort Drake. Shader being the more public company. They are tech heavy and are heavily involved in advanced technology being produced over in South America. The soldiers they employ are closer to being robots then people. As for Fort Drake, these guys are right under Ying for having the most money in the market. Only difference between Ying and Drake; is the men from Drake are serious motherfuckers. Those G.U.N user teams I'm sure you know about are nothing compared to these guys. The company is blacklisted, and in short are wanted themselves. But their so dangerous nobody fucks with them. Even Ying. It'll take some time for both of these companies to get troops on the ground. Shader is flying in from South America and as far as I know Fort Drake is somewhere closer to the States. But knowing both companies they are on the way. Your girl doesn't have long. Nor will she have a chance if they find her."
"Okay." I said as I looked up to see Raze coming from the main building. Her approach was slow cause I'm sure she was still a little worried about how I will react after our last meet and greet. But refocusing I asked Watts.
"Can you do me a favor?"
"What did I just do for you? You know my price is still the same though right? You somehow get ether of these chicks I'm still expecting my cut."
"You'll get your cut." I replied as Raze was now close. Pointing my hand at her to get her to hold on from getting any closer, I said to Watts who continued to listen.
"I'm gonna call you after I handle some things. Make sure you're phone is on."
"Always." He replied as I hung up to shut my eyes and think. Raze just waited very carefully as I soon reopened them to ask.
"What?"
"Zeta is okay. She's just recovering from what happened."
Not looking to the fox I asked.
"Did you know?"
Raze's body tensed up at the question. With fear behind her voice now she replied.
"I mean...Raptor I knew she was a user yes but...?"
"Did you know?!" I asked louder as she gulped. With my stance clear on the subject she replied.
"Yes. But I didn't think she would ever do that again. It only happened a few times before. But she managed to control it. I swear."
Now I looked over to her eyes. Raze froze in place as I questioned.
"So what changed that?"
Her hands began to shake as I waited for a response. After a few seconds the fox replied.
"She's never been a good girl Raptor. Zeta has...well Zeta does. She snorts coke from time to time. It's been a way for her to relax for the last year or so. After what happened with you last night, she went out and she had a little. But she's been known to mix it with viper venom and when that happens she reverts back to her old self. Just a fighter and a killer. So when you got her worked up and mad like that during your fighting; she just snapped and wanted to prove something. Probably to herself more then anyone else. But when that happens Raptor she loses control. Like you saw. But you stopped her before it could get worse. She's okay now, but that's what happened."
I had mixed emotions about what I was just told. My eyes slowly turned away from the fox as I thought to myself for a minute. Sensing something was wrong Raze asked.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. Do me a favor and watch her for today. Just keep her in check and away from Mason. He's pissed. So do us both a favor and keep her restrained till I come over."
"What about Tusk?" She then wondered as I stood up to grab my vest and face her.
"I'll talk to him soon. Now go Raze. I need to think."
"Okay." She replied softly as she turned to start walking away. Letting out a sigh I shouted as she was maybe twenty feet away.
"Raze!"
The fox turned back around to look at me as I kept my eyes towards the sun.
"Yeah?"
"I'm just going through a lot. Don't take it personally."
Raze now just stared at me as I walked away and towards the prison.
Leaving her sight I wondered just what I needed to do now. Everything was a fucking mess.
mT Shadow.