Love Struck Delusion
Chapter 199 - Welcome home.
Char's POV, About an hour later.
We were all set and waiting. Raptor was here on schedule and the plane he came in on was a smaller one at that. Private jet and for the most part looked about ready to open up. Roz had gathered the others and we were parked just outside where the ramp would be dropping from. With us all waiting for the disembark Roz asked me.
"Did he say if he was alone?"
Shaking my head I replied.
"He shouldn't be. Told me to bring a second ride for this. Here look now. The ramp is dropping."
Roz nodded as the ramp began to drop. The whole time I had my eyes scoping around the area. No telling if we were tailed out here, but I doubt it. Just had to be aware of anything. Raptor being here is a gold mine for the rebellion right now and not in the good way in the slightest. Going to my comm I asked.
"How are we looking Diz?"
With the ramp in place he replied.
"Nothing for miles around Lieutenant. Not from what I can see."
"Okay. Keep an eye out just in case. I'll radio you in when we're ready to go."
"Roger that." He replied back as Saff and Cooper were waiting at the other truck maybe ten feet to my left. We all had our eyes on the plane now as we could see someone coming through the small windows on the sides. I readied myself as Roz asked.
"Who we got?"
I kept silent as the moment neared and just when I thought things could remain simple, I widened my eyes along with the rest of my team as what came out from the plane first was enough to have me question what was going on. What looked to be five eleven in height; was this wolf stepping out from the plane and onto the ramp. My mind was in a blank place seeing this wolf was dressed to scare even the toughest of us. Fully armored from what appeared to be the chest down and convenitaly covered up by the darker brown cloak. Had to be wearing cargo pants that hat some form of protection strapped around them and a set of combat boots. The hood to the cloak was up over their head and wearing this mask that actually brought more fear to my mind than anything else. Roz who had his rifle down quietly asked over my shoulder.
"What the fuck?"
I remained staring at what looked like serious business coming our way. Maybe three feet down the stairs, I noticed just under the cloak he was carrying an M4. One of the likes I've never seen more kitted out and customized. All red and black plating and a thin suppressor on the end. Taking a look around before reaching us at the bottom, I readied myself for anything as the figure soon faced me face to face. The mask matched their species and without a doubt it was pure steel and painted black with a blue hue around the facial details. Roz and the others began to stand up straight as the figure soon looked back up the ramp. Our eyes followed as who came out next was the reason we were here. He may be a different man all together but you can pick Raptor apart from any goon. He took no time in descending the ramp and maybe a second after he began that trek; came out what appeared an exact replica of the first wolf who had our furs on ends. Only difference was the weapon they were holding and the color of the mask. This one was orange and just like the first; he began to look around. I gulped as Raptor was soon here. Standing right in front of me with a smile on his face and saying as he came in for a hug.
"Nice to know you're still alive."
I chuckled and accepted the hug with grace. Raptor, who to me was the same as before in personality, looked nothing like he did before when I saw him. He looked massively more intimidating and his eyes had me at a loss. I've never seen someone develop a purple iris. Nor have I seen someone his age packing this much in the form of muscle. Once we released one another, I took my care to ask him as the wolf who was heading down the ramp reached our position.
"Who are these guys Commander?"
Keeping his eyes on me he replied.
"Protection. Don't worry, they are nicer than they look."
"You could have fooled me." I muttered back as his eyes looked over to Roz who instantly stated.
"It's good to see you again."
Raptor offered his hand and once they began to shake he replied.
"It's always a pleasure Roz. How are things here?"
"Fucked." Saff replied as Raptor glanced back over to say.
"Long time no see boys. How are you doing?"
Cooper who was just staring at the blue wolf replied.
"Could be better. But now that you're here I feel pretty good about this."
Raptor took that as his queue to smile and without even trying he looked over me and towards the hanger maybe a hundred meters out. I followed his eyes as he urged.
"Call Diz in Char. We're going to get out of here."
I was caught off guard. Roz and the others even were stumped by how he saw Diz. The dude was laying on the top of the hanger. I couldn't even see him that well and I knew he was there to begin with. But regardless I replied.
"Yes sir. Come down Diz. We're gonna get moving."
"Yes sir." He replied back as my focus shifted back to the ramp to see a younger fox and another wolf heading down. I knew neither of them as Raptor said to me.
"More protection Char. They are with me."
"Yes sir." I replied again as these two looked much less mean then the first pair to appear before his side. In fact, the fox looked about my age and the wolf behind him looked more like a tag along. He was big though. Really fucking big. Once down with us on the ground the fox asked Raptor.
"Are we good to get moving Commander?"
His accent was Irish and that alone threw me off. Raptor nodded his head at the question and replied.
"Yeah we're good. You two tag along with Cooper, Saff, and Diz; when he decides to get over here. Roz and Char, you two are coming with me."
"Yes sir." Roz replied as I looked back to see Diz jogging his way through the open. His rifle was on his back and once within hearing distance he shouted.
"Long time no see Commander! You look good!"
"Fall in DIz! You're with Saff and the others!"
"Yes sir!" He replied as he passed me now. With focus back on me, Raptor ordered calmly.
"Get us moving Lieutenant."
"Where are we heading?" I then asked as the blue wolf kept staring at me. I couldn't even see his eyes through that mask. I just knew they were locked on me. With Raptor heading for the humvee; he replied while opening the door.
"My place. I'll direct you once we get inside the border."
"Okay." I mumbled carefully feeling somewhat under pressure now from his two bodyguards. The two of them had me at a loss for words. Just who the fuck were they and what the hell were they doing staring at me so much? Fixing my vest, I carefully walked over to the driver's side and got in to start the engine. Roz hopped in the back between the two wolves and once we were all together I went to comm and said.
"Saff you keep close and follow us through. Whatever you do don't stop the truck."
"Yes sir." He replied as I hit the gas. The first part of the ride was nothing but silence between Raptor and I. My eyes couldn't help but look back at Roz as he had to feel a little out of place between these two soldiers and I had to ask again.
"Where did you find these two Commander? They looked like desert rangers."
Raptor looked back at me as I kept calm. With a much more vague tone he replied.
"I'll explain all that later Char. For now I need you to focus and get me inside the city."
"You know what the city has become, right Commander?" Roz asked as I glanced over to Raptor to see his reaction.
"Yeah….and I'm going to fix that. But I need your help."
"You have it." I replied as he looked back to me to smile slightly. Smiling back I refocused on the road which we soon reached. From there came the border and the checkpoint just beyond the gates. I knew ahead of time what would happen if anyone stopped us here. So going to the border's radio channel I ordered through the walkie-talkie on my chest.
"We're back. Open up."
Raptor had his eyes out the lead window to watch as we approached the massive gate in damn near seconds. Slowly it began to open and without warning I picked up the pace. Raptor saw our speed change and quickly ordered me.
"Slow down. You want them to suspect something?"
Holding my foot back, I slowed down and probably going twenty we drove right on through the checkpoint. Thankfully no one was close enough to flag us down. Raptor took notice to many of the Ying PMC guards we had on the perimeter. After we hit the man street he asked.
"How many men did they get here?"
"A few hundred. More in Afghanistan." I stated as he then asked.
"Where is everyone?"
Keeping on the main road Roz replied.
"Civilians are being forced indoors after eight. No one leaves their homes without rebellion or Ying permission. Almost all our resources are being committed to keeping the city secured with Archer leading the war effort in Afghanistan."
"What about Hoffer?" Raptor then wondered as Roz kept up with the answers.
"He's leading the forces here Commander but Hoffer is one of the good guys. He's done more good since this bullshit then he's ever done before. He's not the problem. Problem is Ying. Him and Archer are driving us into the fucking ground."
"Hoffer is just following orders. Of course he bends those orders so he doesn't kill anyone, but Ying and some of our people have lost control. Even if Hoffer orders someone to live there is no guarantee someone might not just shoot them for sport."
"What about the people? Are they doing anything to rebel?"
Roz began to chuckle. Raptor's eyes looked back to him as he replied.
"No one is doing shit Commander. Everyone is scared shitless and without you everyone who had a pair of balls has been killed. Everyone but those few left in Afghanistan giving it all to Archer."
"So no one?" He questioned once more as Roz just stared at him. Slowly Raptor looked back to me. I just nodded my head as he took a moment to think. After a few seconds he restarted the conversation by urging me.
"Head down eighty five and get on Roset."
Looking back to the road, I obeyed and began to follow his directions. It was a long drive. Thirty minutes give or take till we were further outside the main city. More residential at this point and homes worth being in. Less rebellion and Ying around being this far out and as we went down one of the main roads Raptor ordered me with a calm voice.
"Make a left and go all the way down. There is a white house third down from the next turn. Pull us over there Char."
"I gotcha." I replied as I kept my eyes out for any trouble. No doubt two trucks would look off at this hour. But that didn't stop me from pulling over right where he told me. The house was beautiful to say the least. Raptor immediately stepped out from the truck. His men followed with him leaving me and Roz to wonder what we were doing here. It didn't take long to realize what this place was. Raptor walked right up to the front door to reach down and under a small mat left at the doorstep. What came next was a key and him opening the door. By then the others had pulled up and were heading our way. Raptor took a second to just stand there and look into the house. After a second more he went in and we all followed. With Raptor looking around as we started to crowd the main hall, he ordered while looking at Fox and that big wolf.
"You two stay here and watch for any trouble coming down the roads. If someone comes and decides to stop; you handle it. No shooting though so keep quiet."
"Yes sir." The wolf replied as he then looked to me.
"Char, have your men gather in the living room. Bout time we talked."
"Okay." I said back as I didn't even have to say anything. Roz and the others moved in without needing to hear anything more. As I passed by Raptor he ordered the two wolves in the masks one at a time.
"Check upstairs. You get the basement. It's that door by the kitchen."
I glanced back to see the two of them obey without needing to respond. They kept perfectly quiet this whole time and I was still very concerned with just what kind of protection Raptor managed to get. They looked more advanced than any soldier I've ever seen and that includes G.U.N. They were still wearing cloaks with the hoods up and everything. Like two walking genocides waiting to happen. I'm scared to think just what they could do in combat. Cause sure as shit they weren't normal.
With the wolves parting their ways, Raptor came into the living room to ask.
"How is everyone?"
"Better now that you're here sir." Diz stated as Cooper asked not a moment after.
"You take care of those fucks who killed Alicia?"
Raptor nodded and sat down in a recliner a foot across from me to reply.
"Yeah that business is handled."
"Good." Cooper added as Roz then questioned.
"What are we doing here sir?"
Looking at him, Raptor replied.
"We're here cause this is my house Roz. That and it's far enough away from the city to draw a lot of heat. So now I at least have time to talk about what I've been up to these last few weeks."
"Where did you go Commander?" I asked next getting his full attention.
With the tension high, I looked back as the wolf in the blue came down the stairs. Everyone but Raptor looked at him as he entered the living room with that custom M4 still up in his hands. Diz gave off this low whistle to ask.
"Where the hell did you get that weapon from ghost boy? Aren't you hot in all that?"
The wolf was clearly staring at him now. Diz began to cough and look away sensing he made a mistake by asking any questions. But with Saff and the others still looking him over I listened as Roz asked.
"Are the two of them some sort of contractors Commander?"
Raptor kept himself calm and never gave a direct answer to that question. The only thing he said was.
"They're my right and left Roz. You don't talk to them. You don't try to engage with them. All you need to understand is they're on our side. My side. They work to keep me protected through this mess and that's final. They aren't with anyone. Only me. Are we clear?"
"Yes sir." He replied as I waited for the answer to my last question still. As focused still was on the one wolf, we panicked slightly and looked back as the orange one came back up from downstairs. Once in the room with us did Diz say in a sense of joking around.
"Protection they are. You two look like you could actually manage to take me."
Now Diz had both of them watching him closely. He also began to laugh as it was clear this was serious. Sensing that I ordered him.
"Shut your mouth Diz. This isn't the time for that bullshit."
Catching his tongue he replied.
"Yes sir. Sorry Commander."
Raptor was still in the same state of mind. Just looked mad and super focused as he waited for Diz to quiet up. Once clearly put in place did he say to us.
"Now where to begin? I guess you deserve the whole story so I'll start from the beginning."
I sat up to hear this. The whole group was now listening in absolute silence. Raptor took a moment to crack his neck. After that he started talking.
mT Shadow.