Love Struck Delusion

Chapter 218 - A people's army.

Raptor's POV.

Looking Hoffer right in the eyes I replied.

"You give the order to Ying's men to leave Iraq. If you're not comfortable General; then I'll do it gladly. I need to start making things right with not only myself but for the thousands of people out there. You make the call."

Hoffer was looking me over as Cody came to my rear to whisper into my ear.

"You should be careful of what you do out there. Cameras are running. No need to be what Archer is and cause more trouble."

I nodded and Cody backed up as Hoffer soon replied to me.

"Fuck it. Come on then. Never liked Archer anyway."

All the officers widened their eyes as Hoffer ordered.

"Gather your men and make sure the word gets around that we're stepping down. Voltz is reinstated and they are to obey his commands. If any of the boys from Ying give you trouble then feel free to handle it as deemed fit. But for now give the commander here the floor and follow his orders. Raptor?"

We locked eyes as he stood up and said with a defeated tone of voice.

"It's all you then. Show me how you plan to fix this mess."

I smiled and replied.

"Can do. You do me another big favor and make sure any calls from Archer get ignored. Up till I'm ready to speak to him."

"Yes sir." He replied as I turned around to look at Zeta and her sister who were still the center of attention from the other soldiers.

"Come with me. Cody, you stay here and secure the office."

"Yes sir." He replied as I walked back to the door. Upon opening it I was greeted with more than a few dozen faces watching from the halls and the main lobby. All rebellion troops thankfully and starting my walk down the stairs I listened as Hoffer announced.

"All rebellion troops are ordered to stand down and regroup with your lead officers! Maintain the main yard and follow the orders of Voltz! Get a move on!"

Everyone began to move and or make way as I found myself back at the main door. Upon heading back outside to the madness, I looked to the officer manning the gate to shout.

"I need everyone's attention!"

The troops looked back but the riot was still going on as I raised my rifle and pulled the trigger on the sky.

"BANG! BANG! BANG!"

The rounds echoed and that got more than a few people to shut up and listen as Zeta and Pepper got a good look at the few Ying soldiers that remained lost and utterly confused for what was going on and what was going to happen.

With the crowd still making plenty of noise as I made my way up the wall. Hoffer followed close and climbed up with me to look down at the crowd. Cody was right though there were plenty of cameras. With Hoffer coming to my side I ordered him.

"Go on and say it."

With the old man still unsure of how this was going to play out, I took off my sling and held my M4 at the base of my right hip. I focused my eyes on the cameras as Hoffer shouted.

"As of this moment going forward, I'm stepping down as acting commander of the Iraq rebellion forces and handing it over to the newly reinstated commander Raptor Voltz! As of this moment going forward all rebellion troops are ordered to obey his command and as my last order are requested to disband from their positions and are ordered to come back to the capital at once for revaluation! This is a choice I made on my own! I'm not cut from the same cloth as Archer in Afghanistan! I can't stand by any longer with all that has been going on!"

The crowd went silent as I just stood there waiting for him to finish.

"Commander Voltz has convinced myself along with the other rebellion officers that we need to fix some of the problems we face as a military force put in place by commander Archer! Going forward commander Voltz will be in charge of making those changes happen and first being the issue of contracting outside forces to aid in the shutdown and abuse of the middle eastern people!"

Sticking my hand out to get him to stop I raised my voice to say out loud.

"When I left the rebellion I didn't picture this to happen! Archer has deemed himself an enemy of the rebellion! The real rebellion! Shadow Robotnik's rebellion! Anyone following his command is a traitor to this country and it's freedom! Contracting a PMC to aid in a dictatorship is an outright disgusting action to take! It shows he's scared and knows he doesn't have the power to uphold the threats he makes daily to each and every one of you! I wanted to keep this country running! I wanted to free everyone! But I also wanted my sanity to remain intact! Appears as though that is something I'm just going to have to let go of if I wanted this country to be fixed! So starting right now I'm ordering each and every one of you Ying PMC mercenaries to get your shit and get the fuck out of Iraq! My men will not stop you from leaving this country! They will not stop you from leaving these gates! But! You're on your own the second you do! Open fire on anyone outside of these gates and you will be gunned down and deemed a threat to my country and the people living in it! So take this advice cause I'm only going to say it once! Bite your tongues! Tuck your tails! Get the fuck out of my country! Get out of my home!"

The crowd began to cheer as almost everyone was looking to the few remaining Ying troops who were manning the gates. They stood there dumbfounded as I shouted.

"Get out! Last chance before I decide to just deal with you here and now! Anyone of you who decides to fight back or decides to try and hide away in the city!? I will find you and I will not tolerate it! So take the only chance I'm giving you and go! Now!"

The men slowly began to move and I counted at last forty or so here within the gates. I knew there were plenty of them outside spread among the many streets and roads throughout Iraq, but the word would be spread in a matter of an hour. They would all leave or die. It was their choice and I made myself clear. They are enemies of our world and have no right here. Go home and leave it at that. Or go to Archer. Either way I'll deal with them all in the future if Ying himself didn't get the point after this. Archer was another story but I'm sure he would be at wits end soon enough thanks to this.

Looking down at the Lieutenant who I once dealt with at the gate I ordered him.

"Let them out son!"

"Yes sir!" He replied in concern as he opened the gate. Hoffer and myself watched as the men were soon pelted with rocks and more trash as they walked out. As fast as they could Ying's men could be seen running for the hills. Some even went as far as to begin chasing them as they shattered off in many different directions. But the majority of the people remained in front of the gates as news teams began to swarm as close they could to get a good look at me. Once Ying's men had all but left our sights I refocused on the crowd to state.

"This city has my deepest apologies for the events that transpired since I left last! I know I can not bring back what has been lost and I know some of you might resent or even hate me for it! I promise you now I plan to stay! Even if I can't get forgiveness from each and every one of you here now, I want you to know I'm going to fix this! Starting with getting rid of all these stupid patrols and city checkpoints Archer had ordered to be put in place! They will be gone by the end of the day because everyone who is in this army will do their part and make sure it happens! After that we'll need all your help to rebuild! I don't know the extent of the damages you have all suffered because of this! So the gates here will be opened starting tomorrow morning! I want everyone who is in this city to come here in an orderly fashion and report any damages and or losses you may have suffered because of either rebellion or Ying cause! I will reimburse you to the fullest extent I can and please! If there are any injuries I would like to know of that as well! I want to rebuild trust with each and every one of you! So please gather your things and be here first thing in the morning! Till then I ask that everyone please return to your homes! Businesses may resume normal hours and news networks may report whatever they want to report! It's your legal rights and marshal law is not how we do business here in Iraq! My home country is meant to be free and that's what we're going to aim to do once again!"

Again the crowd cheered and Hoffer began to smile once more. Upon patting my back I finished my speech.

"There are going to be major changes in the rebellion these next few days so bare with me! We're going to make this right and that starts with working together and fixing what we broke! But my words from the past remain! G.U.N is not our enemy and I need you all to see and understand that! We are our own enemy and we need to work together to figure this out! I will be open to the aid of G.U.N and hopefully together we can formulate a plan to take back Afghanistan! I will keep everyone updated as to what may or may not happen within rebellion high command and from this point going forward we will operate for the people! Not against them! Now if you all don't mind I have a lot of work to do! So please…...go home and back to business!"

I got more cheers as I stepped off leaving Hoffer where he was. As I came down from the wall I looked to the men who were gathering around to order them.

"I want everyone back at the capital within the hour! Form your teams in the courtyard here and be ready! Till then make sure the boys at the border know what went on and make sure Ying is seen leaving! Now get a move on!"

Everyone was hoping to get a move on as Hoffer came down from the wall to state.

"You make it sound so simple Raptor. You understand there are a ton of issues now in the way? Between you and I, we have to worry about Archer and his men, Ying, the parade you'll have here in the morning and the financial issues that arise from the promises you just made. Where the fuck are you going to get that kind of money?"

Nodding I replied while heading back to the capital itself.

"We need to make this work somehow Hoffer. I'll figure out a plan for it, but put forth the same amount of effort I will. Now I know shit is fresh here Hoffer with me being back in charge all the sudden, but do me another favor and make sure all the officers meet back together in the office. I need to make an announcement."

Hoffer was clearly thinking about all the things that were going on now. To my surprise it seemed I could just walk back and take control of things. Guess that shows me how much weight my name and face carries among the men and women of this army. It also shows me how far Hoffer is willing to trust me. Which means a lot during this kind of thing. However he smiled regardless of the weight and replied.

"Yeah no problem."

"I got to go check on some things. You make sure you're there too."

Hoffer nodded and waved me off as I gave Pepper and Zeta the silent order to follow. They obeyed and came with me back inside where Marx was waiting by the front door with open arms. He embraced the hug as I asked the cat.

"How are you?"

"How am I? You've seen how things have been ever since you fucking left me. How do you think I am you stupid…..?" He said all this as he pulled off the hug and his sentence came to a pause as he looked to my sides at the two wolves keeping me safe. In concern he changed his response into a question.

"Who are they Raptor?"

Looking to Zeta I replied.

"Protection. I had to get some after I left the first time. These two are in charge of my safety. Along with the fox you saw me walk in with. His name is Cody."

"And you two?" Marx asked them as I calmly replied.

"They don't talk much."

Marx gave them both worried looks as I assured him.

"It's fine Marx. Ignore them for now and talk to me. What's been going on?"

Refocusing the cat replied.

"Besides you coming back and changing the city in under an hour? Well let's see. I got a million injured troops to look after ever since last night's riot started. I have a few dead bodies I need to clean up and I have a million other questions I want to ask you now that you're here. Like first of all what happened with Gorgon?"

We stopped halfway up the stairs towards the office when I replied.

"He's dead. That's all over with now Marx. Now leave that subject be. What else do you want to know?"

Keeping to my side as we entered the office he replied.

"Have you had any contact with Archer ever since you left? And I don't know the whole story but what happened with Ying? Char said you might have gotten into a fight with a few of their men a few weeks ago just after the first sandstorm hit. Where did you go?"

Heading behind the counter and sitting back in my seat I replied to the cat as Cody came around to look him over.

"I went to Pakistan and tracked down Gorgon and his men. Along with some help we managed to get in the city and handle business before things could get much worse with the power plant going up in smoke."

Marx nodded and looked to Cody to ask.

"Cody?"

Smiling he replied.

"Hey he knows my name! Nice to meet you doc, but hey can I ask what's the deal with that arm of yours there?"

Marx chuckled and replied.

"Long story, but the short version is it got blown off when I was younger."

"Damn." Cody moaned as I waited for Marx to ask his next question. Once he was done with Cody he looked back at me to ask.

"Who'd you get to help you?" My finger pointed to Zeta as Marx quickly replied.

"Oh okay. Makes sense. So are they with another PMC or…...what?"

Marx was really into asking about this so I replied.

"Freelance Marx. They work solely for me and are under my care. Who they are shouldn't matter to you. They are friendly despite the looks and I promise you they are good people. Including Cody there behind you."

Cody smiled as Marx then stated.

"Well I'm a doctor, Raptor. I just wanted to get to know them if for whatever reason they need my help in the future. Can I at least get their names?"

Looking to Zeta I replied.

"That's up to them, but Marx? Not a word of this leaves this room. I don't give two fucks if Archer himself calls you to ask. You don't open you fucking mouth and by no means are you to say their names in public if they tell you them. Am I clear?"

Marx nodded and replied.

"Crystal Raptor."

Nodding back I looked back to Zeta and Pepper who calmly undid their masks to expose their faces. Marx lost the color in his cheeks as he realized they were both girls standing before him. Before he could even react Zeta stated her name.

"Zeta."

"Pepper." Pepper followed up with next as Marx questioned.

"Are you two related?"

They both smiled and nodded as Marx smiled wide to reply.

"Well holy crap if you don't know how to pick'em Raptor."

I chuckled as the girls got down their masks once more. As they did Marx stated.

"I can't believe you two are even girls under all that gear. Had me at a loss. I figured you were more his size." He directed at me with still some laughter to him as I then asked.

"Anything else you need to know about Marx? I got a lot to do."

Nodding he replied.

"How are you doing? You've gone through a lot of change since I last saw you. How's your body? Is your head okay with the scar? And when did your eyes change color? I got a lot of calls from Gord down in Afghanistan a few weeks ago before you resigned and he told me a lot about what had happened to you. Some of it I was a bit concerned with. Like your heart for instance Raptor."

Now Marx and I just stared at one another and after some time I took a long sigh to stand up and urge him.

"You wouldn't believe me even if I wrote it out for you Marx. All I will say is it's nothing you need to worry about. I'm perfectly okay and in no pain."

"Raptor? Gordon was very concerned with your condition. He claimed you're a medical breakthrough and I don't know entirely how much of that is true but if your heart is stopped and you're still up and running then something has to be going on internally with you. I just want to see if you'll trust me enough to take a look. I'm not going to cut you open or anything so crude. I know how you are with those types of procedures. So I just want to maybe listen to it, take an x-ray if you'll allow it. I'm not forcing you."

I took a second to look him over. I trusted Marx enough so I calmly replied.

"Once I get things under control here Marx and we have the time I'll let you do what you want, but for right now trust me. I'm okay. If there was an issue I'd let you know."

"Okay Raptor. I'm just so happy you're okay and here now. I thought Archer was going to run you into the ground. You know how much he wants you?"

Smiling, I replied.

"I can guess, but today we're going to make some changes. Big ones Marx. Starting with a phone call I need to make. Can you give me the room?"

Marx smiled back and replied while backing almost into Cody who still stood behind him.

"No problem. I want to talk more later if that's a thing we can arrange."

Nodding I replied while getting out my phone from my vest.

"I'll see how things play out Marx. But for now please go."

The cat left the office and once the door was shut I let out a sigh and began to chuckle. The girls kept their masks on as Cody got himself sat right on the top of my desk. With them all looking at me I admitted while still chuckling.

"Not going to lie. I didn't think this would have worked."

Now the girls lifted back up their masks and as they did Zeta stated.

"I was expecting a lot more trouble judging by the crowd out there."

"I just think it's fucking madness you just told the dude in charge that you were taking back control and he was like…..well okay!" Pepper added.

Laughing Cody went on to tell them.

"Well okay is right. He's fucking right. Anyone with a brain cell in them knows he's right and they know he's not the fucking enemy Pepper. Hell did you pay any attention to who those officers were? Did you look at that General? Raptor has probably known them for fucking years and he knows damn well that they know what the rebellion is really about. No one who truly loves their country would ever go along with hurting the people they stand next to. What the fuck were they going to do? Shoot him? It's a fucking joke and I'm not surprised it played out this way. If anything Raptor you should promote that fucking General of yours. He's a real deal pal for just siding off like that for ya."

The girls knew Cody was right. Hell I knew he was right to so I replied while guiding my way to Hecan's number on my phone.

"Hoffer has always been a straight shooter Cody. I knew I could trust him to make the right choice and the hard calls. But he knows everything you do. The troops trust me. The good ones anyway. I need to focus on cutting off any connections Archer may still have here. Which I have a plan to do. I just need to ask for help. Now shut up and let me get this over with."

Cody slapped my arm as the girls got back on their masks and took a moment to relax around the room. Zeta waited by the door as Hecan soon answered.

mT Shadow.