Love Struck Delusion

Chapter 158 – Step one.

Archer's POV.

"What the fuck did you do!?" I asked Mason as I managed to get him alone during this fucking mess we had going on. With his arm covered in bandage he replied in a defensive tone.

"What did I do?! I did nothing!"

"You sure as fuck did something without talking to me!"

"I only said what had to be said Archer!"

"Which was what!?" I then asked as he found himself backed against the wall to reply.

"That he isn't in any position to lead troops! He's in no position to guide, teach, or lend any sort of hand to anyone in the country ever! That he is nothing but a drug shoving disgrace of an officer and that he should be lucky we didn't throw him out sooner!"

Widening my eyes at the old man I questioned.

"What the fuck are you talking about Mason! Raptor isn't a druggy! The guy hasn't touched a fucking thing in years! Apart from pain medicine and the occasional bottle of whiskey!"

Shaking his head Mason replied.

"He's a user Archer! He's been doping up on that viper venom shit for god knows how long!"

Instantly I said with a stern voice.

"Not a fucking chance Mason! Raptor hasn't taken venom since the day we saved his ass back when Linnen had him captured! Even the vials we recovered from G.U.N was put away behind lock and key! That shit is wrong and Raptor knows that better then anyone! He's only a user because he lived through it! That doesn't mean he's been poisoning himself ever since with it! I can call Marx right now and he'll confirm the numbers! Not a vial has been moved!"

Mason went silent for a second but then asked in equal force.

"Then how do you explain what he looks like now then!? How's that possible Archer!?"

In confusion I replied.

"I don't know a fucking thing about any of that! Last time I saw him he was gray and green and he had hazel eyes! I figured when he went to Pakistan he switched his look up! Raptor is a soldier and one of the best so he wouldn't take no chances! You trying to tell me he didn't!?"

Getting close to me Mason replied.

"He did! I asked when he first got in! But he cut his hair not even a day after and it remained that color Archer! Not a strand of his old self left behind!"

"And the eyes!?" I asked in disbelief as he replied while trying his best to lower his tone with me.

"A few nights back Raptor went out with this bitch he came here with. This built Russian dog who looks like something from a Rambo movie. They went out and came back later in the night and Raptor was barely on his feet. Blood leaving his eyes and that bitch running him to his room. She locked the door and refused to open up. I was about to kick the fucking thing down when another girl Raptor came in with named Raze begged for entry. It worked but when she opened it Raptor was dead. I'm sure of it and I was pissed Archer. I wanted that chick's head and when things got heated up she punched me in the face! Twice! Knocked me out cold and the next thing I knew Raptor was wide awake and showing my troops how to butcher themselves."

"What?" I questioned as he replied with a nod.

"This is why I'm convinced he's been doing venom Archer. He gathered every man and woman that was out on the training grounds and showed them how to treat wounds like stab wounds and gunshots."

"How?" I asked in confusion as he calmly replied.

"By doing them to himself."

Everything went silent as Mason began to see the change in my stance.

"He stabbed himself. He cut himself. He shot himself. But the fucked up part about it was his body was healing itself. Almost instantly after the wound was inflicted. At the end of it all Archer you could see the faces. Fear. All of them and for good reason too. Raptor is a monster and venom is killing him."

"I don't understand Mason." I told him as he pressed on to say.

"You believe all your venom is locked away and it might be. But I have a theory. So listen." He ordered me as I went silent.

"The girl he's been protecting? Zeta? I know by just looking at her Archer that she isn't normal. I got reports later that day that he also demonstrated close combat with that same girl. She went off when Raptor started beating her ass in front of the army and she went feral."

"Feral?" I questioned as he nodded.

"She's a user too. Wounds healed, her fur was black already but you could see it go darker somehow. Eyes were red. The whole fucking deal Archer. So my theory is this. Raptor lost more that night then just his family. He found comfort in that same drug you gave him that night and pressed out for more to hide it. Marx would know instantly if he lost some venom right?" He asked me as I was starting to see the picture he was painting.

"He needed a source and found her. Which means she's a high roller from some sort of faction we don't know about and she's being hunted by mercs. The same mercs you guys had in Iraq not that long back after you followed his trail leaving the capital. Which means this chick is wanted for something. Venom is a government drug and for her to have enough to support a junky like Raptor means she's a serious player somewhere and wanted for something and by that same someone. Have you called them?" He then asked as I quickly replied.

"No. Never crossed my mind to call them. Up till now the only mercs who were in country before the war were Gensec and those guys all got pulled days before the signing."

"Which means Archer that these guys found her important enough to chance being caught in a war zone. That has to tell you something." He stated as I nodded.

"It tells me that even if you are right Mason we have no proof. And I can't just call in and ask to speak with human resources about their missing men. And chances if I do call; there will be people listening in and the last thing we need as an army is for someone to leak out that a rouge contracting company was in the middle east and fighting rebellion troops. We don't need another enemy and right now after losing that many men those mercs are sure to have pulled back to cut the losses."

Mason quickly replied.

"They lost her when she left Iraq. Chances are they are still looking. They just don't know where she went to in that plane of hers with Raptor. And remember who you are for a second and call that fucking company and shove some muscle their way. They are a contracting business. We are an army. We are the big guys in this talk and they are crossing boundaries by not informing us of their operations in our soil. Am I right or wrong?" He then asked as I went silent.

"I'm right and we both know we won't get answers sitting here. Give them a call and see what the fuck is going on. Prove I am right and lets figure out something."

"Okay but lets say I do call and they tell us everything. What the fuck do we care? Raptor is gone according to you and right now this fucking city is losing its shit. We got riots and people dead. Not only rebellion soldiers but people too. Your wanted dead more then any person in the middle east besides Linnen and I have reports that Iraq is going off the handle since I left. Fuck the bullshit Mason and help me figure out what to do now that he's gone. We can't continue this infighting."

Nodding his head Mason replied.

"That's why I'm ordering marshal law. The people need to be put in their place and words won't do a thing at this point. Curfew after ten and anyone caught outside their homes will be punished. Zero access to this building unless you have papers and anyone caught near it will be harmed."

"You serious?" I questioned as he nodded and replied.

"Yeah. Dead serious. We are trying to save the people. Not fight them. Instead they decided to fight me and I will not stand for it. Not after Raptor leaving and not after he decided to make me look like the reason he did leave."

Unsure of this plan I had to ask.

"Where did he go? Do you know?"

Shaking his head Mason replied.

"All I know is Dom couldn't find him after the meeting and that him and that girl are gone."

"But the others? Those soldiers he came in with and that girl Raze? And what about Gorgon and his men?" I asked as he calmly replied while looking to the door.

"They are all still here from what I know. Raze is with one of Gorgon's men right now and the others are watching over Gorgon himself."

"Why?"

"Probably because at some point Raptor is planning to come back here." He stated as I just gave him a look that said it all as to how I was feeling about that idea right now. Just nodding Mason replied.

"He knows a lot more then we do Archer. Raptor is hiding things and one of them being why he's gone now. But I won't lie to you, he's done a lot more then that since he's left Iraq."

"What are you talking about?" I then asked as he let out a sigh to reply.

"Raptor is working for G.U.N. Told me himself the night he came in."

With my eyes open in complete shock I blurted out.

"What? He's...? He's working for G.U.N? Mason are you fucking mad?"

The man gave me a solid glare to reply.

"He told me himself."

"What did he tell then exactly?" I then wondered as he replied.

"He came back one night with this dog he found in the desert. Sat right there and told me some of what exactly happened the night he left the capital in Iraq. Took it upon himself to contact Hecan Moore and beg for help in finding the men who murdered his family. Trusted Hecan just cause he was buddies with Shadow before he died. Decided since him and Hecan got along so well in the last war that he could do the same and forge some kind of deal on the removal of Linnen. Who he claims is a wanted man himself. So before he left he got in contact and Hecan lead him to that girl Zeta. Again Raptor never told me who she was or what she was doing or how she knew Hecan himself. He just told me that after they hooked up they moved to Pakistan. Along the way Hecan was supporting his efforts to get Gorgon captured. In return Hecan got Raptor to meet him the night before you went to the signing. They got together and from what Raptor told me they talked. Also the men he came in with are G.U.N themselves. Guards who protect Hecan. All I know is they tagged along after they talked in Pakistan."

"Talked?" I questioned in a loss for words. Mason calmly went on to say.

"About a peace treaty Hecan has in mind for us. Raptor was there and he claimed it gave the middle east everything it's ever wanted and more. And unlike Shadow's contract this has no expiration. Its permanent and it gets worse."

"Worse?" I asked in disbelief as he nodded.

"The contract only needs his name. Doesn't matter if he's the commander or not. Cause Hecan knows the people will back him if they find out he was the one to agree to it first. He knows the middle east bleeds for Raptor and because of that; no matter what happens with him the treaty will go through after the war. Win or lose."

"What about Linnen?" I then had to ask as he went on to say.

"Doesn't matter. Raptor said Linnen is a man on borrowed time. Claims Linnen killed a commander above him before he took over in this area. Kept it off the books and doesn't know Hecan knows. In short, even if he kills us tonight or tomorrow or next week. It won't fucking matter. Cause Hecan can't touch him till we're dead and the rebellion is finished. And the other option still favors Hecan. Linnen gets killed and it'll just be less work to enacting the treaty."

"Did he tell you what the contract even stated?"

"Same exact shit Shadow's did and believe it or not it's improved upon according to him. But like I said no expiration. It's good for good."

I was at an utter loss still. Nothing made sense and even if Mason was telling me the truth it's hard to comprehend that we're getting people killed for no reason. Why hasn't Hecan come public with something like this?

Looking to Mason I asked.

"So what else happened?"

"Nothing much after the signing he said. He was able to bring Gorgon in alive. Apart from both his men that are still recovering on base. As for after that? You know the rest. I said the whole story to the fucking world and made Raptor into a god damn hero! Then he goes and tells the world about his family getting executed and his personal fucking feelings and says that I'm the reason he was convinced to hang up his coat! Made me the fucking bad guy and took off with that bitch!"

I watched as Mason sent his fist into the nearby lamp. The bulb shattered and I listened as he went on to scream.

"I took his family in when he needed it! I had his back for the past twelve years and followed him till this fucking day! I go off on him for once and what does he do!? He tells the world I'm the problem! I made him out into a hero and because of that he knows damn well what people that look up to him are capable of! He knows he put me on the board as a target and I've done nothing but helped this country my whole life! I don't deserve this! I trusted him god damn it!"

With that Mason slammed himself down into his seat. Head first on his desk and I was left to just watch as he began to cry.

"I don't deserve this! I've done nothing wrong Archer! Now I got the people I vowed to protect trying to kill me if I step outside! People I've bled for! They want me dead like I'm just another Drake Linnen!"

The man was broken and with that I replied.

"Raptor caused this mess. I'm fully aware of that Mason. But right now we need to focus on getting this city under control. Order your teams to start now and we'll have this under control by tonight."

"What about Raptor?" He then asked me as I had so much to say. But keeping it direct I replied.

"Fuck him! He ran! We're here and right now we need to get this under fucking control Mason! Without more bloodshed!"

His eyes just focused on me as I shouted.

"Like it or not this is our fucking jobs right now! We can talk about Raptor more later! I've heard enough and honestly I don't know what to fucking say or do! Cause if it's true then all we need to focus on is winning this war and getting through it alive! I want more information yes, but now is not the time! We can fan out later and go figure out where he went when this shit is under control! But one thing I know for sure Mason, is that Raptor wouldn't do something like that with a guy like Hecan if he didn't one hundred percent believe in whatever plan he told him! Not when it involves this country! He's no traitor and he's no idiot! Whatever is going on is important to him and if he's not getting us involved its because he's protecting us! Whatever the reason is shouldn't be a problem! So long as he has it under control!"

"Control!? He just...?!"

"I know what he did!" I screamed back at the man as he went silent after.

"He resigned and he left. He turned his back. He broke his promise. Not only to people like us, but to people out there. Soldiers and civilians alike. For what reason? We don't know. But I know Raptor isn't one to question his own leadership. He's always been a stubborn asshole and that's why I know he's lied to everyone by claiming he's not fit for duty. He's a crazy man, but he's smarter then everyone. I agree this Zeta girl he's with is causing a lot of fucking trouble. But Raptor probably made her a promise and he doesn't go back on that kind of thing. And to break a promise to keep another must mean he's doing this for a whole different reason entirely. And whatever that is you can believe it means a whole lot to a man like him."

Things were calming down now. Keeping my eyes on Mason I ordered.

"Step one is to control the city. Step two is to figure out where Raptor went and why and I'm sure we can do it. Step three is to then figure out who Zeta is. I'll call Ying as soon as we get the chance and figure out that part to his secret life. Figure out why he's risking everything for a girl he just met. After that step four is yet to be decided. It all depends on where we're at by then. So right now get your ass in gear and control this city! I already have Black and the others out there helping; so get a move on Mason!" My words came out and Mason got his ass moving to say the least. After a few seconds he got up and I urged him while heading for the door.

"Give the order and lets get this shit cleaned up."

Following me back out into the hallway, I was greeted by two officers. A big wolf and this black and white hedgehog. Looking to me as I stopped between them the female of the two stated.

"I'm Captain Freemen sir. This is Captain Marhick. We are in charge here of the troops." Nodding my head I replied.

"No offense but I don't care who the fuck you are. Right now the question is why aren't you two doing something?"

The pair of them instantly changed stance. I could tell they got defensive as Mason came out behind me to order.

"Freemen and Marhick I need you two to get your men together. We're placing down our foot tonight. Marshal law will be in effect till further notice. If anyone gives you trouble you are free to use force. If anyone has a weapon of any kind and is a threat; you have permission to handle that threat as deemed necessary. Secure the people. Secure the city block by block. Once things are under control you report in with any and all loses we suffered and a full report of just what the fuck is going on out there. Am I clear?"

Marhick quickly questioned.

"Marshal law? That's a little extreme sir."

"Mason got shot!" I shouted back at him as he went silent.

"People want him dead! Rebellion soldiers have had to gun down several civilians already because of it! Marshal law is in effect and you and your men are ordered to obey Captain! So go obey and do my fucking orders!"

The wolf grew a really angry face. I was ready for him to say something back, but before he could Freemen reached out to start guiding him back. While doing this she said to me directly.

"We understand commander. The Captain and myself will handle the rest. Just be safe."

Mason was watching me and when they were gone he asked.

"A little harsh don't you think?"

"Fuck him. His orders are to serve and do what we tell him. I don't want people leading my men if they question my orders. Besides right now I need to be harsh. There is a war on the streets and it has to stop. I'm going out to help. You stay here and just don't do anything stupid till this is under control."

"Okay." He replied as I let out a grunt and made haste for the exit.

Once outside I made eye contact with Marhick one last time. He just glared right at me. Nasty look that said it all really. But like I said once already. Fuck him.

mT Shadow.