Love Struck Delusion
Chapter 204 - A call to action
Raptor's POV.
"Wow where to start? Can I be forward and apologize if I seem a bit shaky? This isn't what I was expecting right about now and I'll be honest you're…...wow. Sorry sir!"
I was already sitting up as she said that. I couldn't help but laugh as she instantly went red in the cheeks. She was more embarrassed then anything right now and I was supposed to be the one getting asked the questions. Her energy dipped down after hearing me laugh and to be sure not to give her the wrong idea I urged her.
"It's okay really. I didn't mean to shake you up by coming here out of the blue. I was hoping to get the chance to talk with someone who knows their way around an interview. I've lived in Iraq for the last few years and I've heard your name on the radio and TV more than a few times. You do good work, but you're a bit young aren't you? When did you start doing this?"
Her whole being was into listening to me. She was so focused and her ears were pointed so far up I thought she could pick up alien transmissions if she tried long enough. But being so focused lead me to get an even more focused answer. Thankfully her voice was calming down as she replied.
"I'm only twenty eight. I've been working with this company since I left school. I'm going on ten years now and I like to think I know my way around any interview. But right now? You sir are the one person everyone is looking for right now. Archer and the rebellion, those PMC mercenaries Ying, and just about every poor soul who lives in the middle east. Up till now I thought you were gone. You left so fast that day during the speech you gave that no one was really able to figure out where you went. God even I have been searching. Now you're right here, sitting right there!" She shouted in excitement as she pointed right at me. Her voice came back down as she then hit me with an arsenal of questions.
"Where did you go that day? What happened? Why did you really leave the rebellion with that devil bastard Archer? What happened to your quills and your eyes? Did you really lose your family to G.U.N Commander Drake Linnen? What are your plans now? Are you going to try and fix this and how the hell did you get into this building without anyone seeing you?!" My mind was boggled as she must have knew she just hit me with everything. Again I couldn't help but laugh which turned her red again as well. After I was done I replied.
"Okay hey, let me ask you something first. Is that camera even on?"
Her eyes widened as she forgot to even do that before asking me anything. I watched and waited as she tried to scramble for the power button. As she went for it, I reached over to place my hand in the way. Instantly she looked up to wonder.
"What's wrong?! Did I screw something up!?"
Shaking my head I replied while scooting my chair closer. Our knees could touch as she just was now frozen to the idea of making physical contact. Taking a calm breath I replied.
"No but I'd like to set some ground rules before we record this. Is that okay?"
"Yes sir!" She replied as I quickly begged her as a starter.
"Don't call me sir first of all. I'm not that old and I'm not that deserving. Just call me by my name. Raptor, Voltz, whatever. Okay?"
I kept my hand on the camera which was now on her lap. Jenny with wide eyes was silenced as I gave her that kind of forward ground. She was shocked I was even still touching the camera. But regardless of how silent and shocked she was, I continued laying out my ground rules.
"Okay. Now here is the hard part. I want this interview to go smoothly. So just start by asking me one question. Make it basic so as not to overwhelm the listeners."
Her head nodded so fast to the request that her ears came flopping back down over her eyes. She was caught off guard by it as I waited for her to regain some composure by getting them back to where they belonged. Once that was out of the way I went on further to suggest.
"Not a word outside those questions. Don't mention the whole sneaking into the building thing and make sure you don't overreact to anything I may say. We keep everything simple and straightforward. You want to freak out after? Then do it after. But for right now I need you to keep calm and work with me. Okay Jenny?"
Her face was nothing but red now as I said her name. With her hands shaking, I released my grip over the camera. She fumbled for a minute but once ready she replied.
"I can do all of that sir. Oh! I mean Raptor! Fuck I'm so sorry!"
"You're okay." I told her back as she laughed and did her best to get the camera set up. Using a nearby tripod to level it out so she was seen shaking the whole time. Once that was all done, she sat back down to ask.
"Are you ready?"
I nodded as she then smiled and hit the button.
Thirty minutes later.
When this was all said and done I had the rabbit on the edge of her seat. The camera was finished recording and fixing my quills so they could lay back down, I slowly stood up to say.
"Thank you. I think that went well."
"Well? Do you have any idea what just left your mouth? You're going to have everyone on their feet with that and…..?"
"And that's the point. I can't just walk back to the rebellion and tell Archer to stop being Archer. I need everyone to help. To fight. That 's the point Jenny. Now I need to ask you, do you have any idea when you can get that on the air?"
Hopping up and out of her seat, she replied while taking the camera over to her desk.
"I can get this aired whenever. The rebellion monitors what we post but I can sneak something like this through."
I nodded my head in relief as she then came hopping back to me. Maybe two feet out she mumbled.
"But there is a problem."
"What's that?" I questioned as I knelt down to level with her. Her eyes widened as we matched heights now and her response came late as I clearly was staring into her eyes and waiting.
"Ahhhhh well…..?" She was having trouble looking right at me now. She was embarrassed yet again. But after a quick hiccup she went on to explain.
"The rebellion has made it clear to other reporters of mine that they get really mad if something airs without their permission. They've even killed one of them to make that point clear. The poor guy just started too. But what I'm trying to say is if I report on this they for sure are going to shoot me too. I can't stay here. If I help you can you help me?"
This was going to be easy enough to answer. I already considered the plan beforehand. Figured she wouldn't live long if she showed this footage to the world. Smiling I replied.
"Yeah I can. You got a car?"
Nodding she replied back.
"I do."
"You got anyone who lives outside Iraq that would be willing to help you till things cool off?"
Nodding she replied.
"My brother. He has a place in Afghanistan. I'm sure he could let me hang out there with him."
Standing back up, I then urged her while walking over to her desk to grab a pen and a slip of paper.
"Can you get here by eight tonight? I have a friend who I can send to help you leave the city. He's a good guy. Trust me."
Running right on over to me I again was forced to look down on her as she took the piece of paper from my hand. She read it to herself and right after she looked back up to reply.
"I can be there. Thank you….Commander."
"Oh and here." Handing her over the USB as she widened her eyes to take it from me. I told her.
"This USB contains video footage of the executions Archer performed when the riots first happened. Has plenty of more footage on all the bad things the rebellion and these Ying PMC pricks have done since they took over. Play everything. The world needs to see this if we are to get help. You understand? This is very important. I need you to do this."
Her ears flopped back down over her head as she took a second to stare at the USB. Once she understood just how important it was she looked back up at me in silence. I kept quiet myself and gently reached down to move her ears. Her face lit up like a cherry that second and unable to form full sentences she muttered.
"I…..I…...ahhhhh...yeah I can…..I can do that for you. No problem there."
"Thank you." I whispered back as she then asked.
"Will I see you again?"
Nodding my head I replied while kneeling back down.
"Tell you what. You do this for me and when I get done here in Iraq I'll give you a call and have you come down. You can get all the juicy stories and the facts from me. I'll even help you get set back up in your old office if you want. How's that sound? You do me a favor and I'll repay it in full and some more."
"Really!?" She asked in disbelief as I nodded and replied.
"Really. But you gotta do this for me. Okay?"
Rapidly she nodded her head back and with that I stood back up. But without our eyes leaving one another I told her before I made the trip to her door.
"Thank you again for all this. I won't forget it. Remember though. Be there by eight. My man will find you."
"No thank you! I hope everything goes well! Stay safe Commander!"
I stepped back into the hall to use what energy I had left. I had enough time to make the trip back downstairs and to the car. I just hope Cody hasn't caused any trouble. We need to be out of here soon if things are to keep on going forward. Starting by of course now handling my wife's old friend Jen. Hopefully she still remembered me.
By the time I got back outside, I looked to the car to find Cody gone. Unsure of what happened I began to look around. I couldn't see the fox anywhere so I was left to try and sense him out. The second I did that however I found out he was back by the entrance to the building I just left and when I looked over I found him sitting at the rebellion checkpoint with maybe a handful, if not a full team of rebellion soldiers crowding around him. Each one of them was looking down at Cody and when I neared I found out why. He was playing that game of his again and everyone was amazed by what was happening in said game. I was mind blown to be honest. Just what the fuck is he doing? Wasn't the plan to stay low? I wondered as I knew my time to remain invisible was nearing its end. I had to do something quick.
Soon I had an idea. One of the soldiers had their walkie talkie just laying down by the entrance. Walking over, I picked it up and used all my speed to send it right through the main window. The noise was enough to get their attention. Even Cody panicked and nearly lost control over his gameboy as the soldiers asked while running over.
"What the fuck was that!?"
Some passed right through me and with that now a big deal; I walked right back over to Cody and grabbed him by the wrist. The second I did his brain turned back on and he saw me right there holding him like a lost child. With our faces both showing different expressions I urged him.
"Get the fuck up and to the car. Right now."
In a panic of his own, Cody stood right up to begin running to the car. Thankfully no one seemed to notice us as we soon found ourselves back on the road. Once away from the scene I asked him.
"What the hell are you doing back there?"
Looking back over with a cheeky smile he replied.
"I was killing time! The second you left I got into a confrontation with one of those lads. Nice guy once I got him talking. Showed him my….ahhh my game…...and yeah he was so into it. Before I knew it he had his friends join the party and we were just chilling! Oh man I was nearly beginning to forget why I was even there! Hahah!"
"Your a fucking moron." I told him with a smile coming to my face hearing this bullshit.
"But a good moron right? I like to think I did pretty good buying you time. How'd it go anyway?"
Fixing my vest I replied.
"It went well. The interview should be going up soon for everyone to hear. I'd like to be back home before then so I can make a few calls. But first I'm gonna talk to my neighbor."
"Ahhh right. So…?"
"Not killing them." I told him again as he instantly let out a laugh and replied.
"Well okay then. Just wanted to be clear."
Cody was going to make me strangle him soon at this rate. Thankfully the rest of the drive back was just chill and no Rebellion got in our way. Once back on my street I readied myself for this conversation to come. I had an idea why Jen was even that curious the first time around. She wasn't looking at me. She was looking around me. But I'm sure I'd hear that soon from her. Cody pulled us back in the driveway and from there I urged him before getting out.
"Just head inside. I got this."
"You sure?" He asked as I nodded and put my hand on his shoulder. Giving him a gentle shake I replied.
"I'm sure. I'll be a few minutes but that's all."
"Okay." He replied back as we got out of the car. From there I started the walk across my yard and towards her's. Once stepping the small foot up to the doorstep, did I stop and knock.
"Knock! Knock! Knock!"
In seconds I heard feet pattering from the other side. Then the door unlocking and the knob turning. Soon I was face to face with the woman. A very thin but very well built human female. Long black hair and green eyes. Maybe two inches under my height and without need for words she looked to my eyes to question.
"Raptor? Is that really you?"
Giving her a big smile I replied.
"Yeah the same dick. How are you Jen?"
To my surprise she bolted into my arms and began to give me a tight hug. I really was caught off guard. She was never this way with me back when I knew her. But regardless I hugged back and listened as she whispered.
"Thank god! It's so good to see you!"
"Yeah you too Jen. What's wrong?" I asked her somewhat concerned now. Pulling away from me she replied.
"Is it true what you said on TV? Did Alicia…..the kids?"
She couldn't bring herself to really say it, but I got the idea of what she was asking to know. Losing my smile, I began to dip my head to the side. Instantly she began to tear up and I replied with a sad voice.
"Yeah."
Jen began to cry as I looked back up to see both her kids standing there looking; both with big green eyes. They had to be around the same age as Ghost was. Jen picked up on the situation as I smiled and asked them.
"Hey. How are you guys?"
Two brothers and without a doubt just as stunned as Jen was when they last saw me. In seconds, they both came over to hug me. I was now in a weird spot as I had to kneel down to get enough space for all this action. Jen did her best to calm down as the one kid asked.
"Mr. Voltz! What happened to your quills!? You look so much cooler!"
I let out a laugh to question.
"I was cool to begin with!? Wow that means a lot buddy!" I was starting to recall their names, but before I could say anything else; Jen urged them with gentle grabs of their arms.
"Go back inside. Gavin? Take your little brother in the kitchen and check on dinner. We need to talk, Raptor and I. Go on now."
"Awww! Bye Mr. Voltz!" They both shouted as they started to run off to the kitchen. Getting back on my feet, I told Jen who focused now on cleaning up her face.
"You got two handsome dudes Jen. You're doing good."
"Thank you Raptor but….how are you? You can't be okay."
I bit my lip to that question. Jen sensed my feelings had gone downhill and without asking for it she came back in to hug me.
"It has to be hard."
"Really hard." I replied as she began to tear up again.
"Don't cry Jen." I begged her as she shook her head.
"I just can't believe someone would do that! That's not right! I'm so sorry Raptor! You know she was my only real friend! Her and the kids! They were so good and they deserved to do great things with their lives! I'm so sorry! I don't know what to say to you! I was just praying to god you were safe!"
"Thank you." I was gonna tear up at this point. Jen was putting so much emotion in this right now. My heart can't handle watching others cry like this. Especially when it's about something like this. I could feel the tears coming up slowly and without much left to hold them back, some began to come down my face. Jen continued to hug me tight as she whispered.
"I'm here for you if you need anything. It's the least I can do and the kids love you. They look up to you. Like a dad. Which they never really had, so you know they'll be here for you too."
"Thank you." I managed to mutter through a breaking voice again.
Jen pulled away just enough to see my eyes all wet. Then she came back in to hug me. Over my shoulder I could sense someone watching this unfold.
mT Shadow.