Love Struck Delusion
Chapter 219 - MEAF.
Raptor's POV.
"I wasn't expecting a call from you this soon after we last spoke. What's going on?"
Sitting back in my chair I replied.
"So I made some progress with handling the Iraq rebellion forces."
"Oh?" He was interested clearly by what I meant so I went on and just said it. I did my best not to laugh as I did.
"I took my chances and went to the capital and had a word with General Hoffer about the issues we clearly had between one another and where the rebellion itself stands. Turns out it couldn't have ended up any better for us. I've convinced him to step down and turn over what fighting force he had left back over to me. Currently I'm sitting back in office as the acting commander."
"You're lying." He replied as I now laughed to hear him question.
"It was that simple?"
Nodding I replied.
"Shocker to me as well. I've already ordered the rebellion to shut down the marshal law set in place and to get to work on putting out any fires. I've also ordered Ying's men to leave the country. Now I don't know if that means they will leave for real or just head back to Afghanistan with Archer, but it's a start and it's what I need to start making things right. But I have another issue that I need to go over with you now that I'm here. I need your opinion."
"I need a moment to process this Raptor. I thought you were going to have to kill your way back into office and make my life much harder. But clearly I was wrong and well…...I don't really know what to say. I'm stumped you just walked back and had the power to just take over by asking nicely."
I kept chuckling to myself as Hecan soon urged me.
"I guess I should be happy. Really god damn happy. Now onto the issue you have. Which must now be in the millions. What is it?"
Sitting back up but at the same time losing my happy face I replied.
"I want to abolish the rebellion."
Cody who sat on my desk whispered in shock.
"Oh fuck me that's a big issue."
Zeta moved closer as Pepper sat down in one of the chairs in front of me to listen as Hecan questioned.
"Abolish? The rebellion?"
"Yes sir." I replied seriously as he then asked.
"What do you mean by that?"
"I mean I want to take this chance to make a real military fighting force. A real government with a real chain of command and a real presence. But at the same time I want to make this happen with your help. I've already made it clear to the people that G.U.N isn't the enemy and we need to work together to make things better. The people in Iraq want to see progress and they want to see it as soon as possible. So I know the issue is going to come up on how we reach out to one another publicly. I suggest I use this as the means to do it. As a way to make our dealings legit and open. No need to worry about anyone knowing we held hands before this. We play our roles and we walk away fine and at the same time we get my country back on its feet and prove to everyone you can be trusted. I know however as well that this is a huge task and it will take a lot of time. I'm going to start that today and I'll play my role to make everything look clean, but I know when it comes to implementing legal things such as this, you are the best person to come to and ask. I want to know what you think."
Hecan gave me this sigh which told me he was thinking about what to say. After some time however he came back to state.
"Your right this could be the way to do it. I just need to think about how. Starting a government isn't easy and it will require a lot of effort on your end. Then the question is how do you see this working? What's your ideals?"
"I want everyone to have a voice. I want this to be a group effort and at the same time I want there to be someone who leads. Much like G.U.N and your ideals. I want a democracy. Not a dictatorship. I never stopped believing in the freedom of speech the states are known for."
"But you want a president much like myself?" He then asked as I calmly replied.
"I want someone I can trust to lead this country and its people. But I want that person to be someone the people can relate to and trust as well."
"Then why not put yourself in office? You're already in the position."
Looking to Zeta I replied.
"I don't think I would be the best person for that after I get done with Archer and Afghanistan sir. I'll be honest, I don't know what I want for myself after this business is handled. I was never one to lead. Especially in the political world. There are many others who are suited for that role. If anything I could see myself as an adviser. Not a president."
After a second Hecan then said.
Well you'd have to make it a vote then. But this isn't something we need to think about just yet. Things like this are for after the war. It's part of the aftermath for your people. However this idea you want to implement with the current rebellion? It can be done but it's going to have to be something you strictly enforce. On the other hand Raptor you need to look at it like this. Going legit and making yourself into a real military force is going to require a lot. Between uniforms, weapons, installations of actual military bases and not using your country's capital as your home base? These are just some of things you need to think about. Supplies and helping you make it a reality is something I can certainly help with. In fact you'll need my help. So this is a good way to get myself in better relations with your people. However it's a lot of legal work I'd need to consider. I'd need the time to come up with a way to make it happen, but if all goes well and you bring your people back around and start shedding some light and hope around the globe, I'm sure it can be done without much trouble. But I need to ask. What are you going to do now about it?"
Looking to Pepper's eyes I replied.
"I'm going to discuss it with the current officers I have and get their concerns together with it. If it all goes well I'll be announcing the change to the current army I now have left. We'll start with basic implementation, but the rebellion name will be going away for good. I wanted something official and I think I know what."
"Which is what?" Hecan wondered as I replied while sitting back in my seat again.
"I was thinking about something like being called the middle eastern armed forces. MEAF if you want to shorten it."
Giving me a happy chuckle Hecan then stated.
"That sounds about as official as it could get at the moment. We still have time so make sure it's what you want before going public. However, keep me informed and one last thing Raptor. Drake is trying to figure out a way to make contact with you. I don't know how but I made it an order for him to get done. So keep an ear out for the man and I know how you feel, but since you're thinking about the future try to remember we need good relationships for now. So please bite your tongue and try to get on some neutral ground at most. Okay?"
Just thinking about it made me a little angry, but I knew he was right. So keeping it in mind I replied.
"I understand. Thank you."
Before hanging up however Hecan also urged me.
"Play your cards right and I'll get to work on figuring out how to get this ball rolling. If you can please take my last piece of advice and once you're able to; get over to Pakistan and make it official. It'll look better if you are the one to push the envelope."
I nodded but kept silent as he then finished by saying.
"I'll call you later this week and tell you where I'm at. By then I should have a plan together to get ourselves working one on one. Stay safe now commander."
"Yes sir." I replied as I let out a sigh and put my phone back in my vest. With my friends all looking to me Pepper had to ask.
"So what the fuck do we do now?"
Looking to my desk I replied.
"You two are staying here. I want you two to appear as nothing more than my bodyguards to the troops. No matter what happens you stay with me at all times unless I say otherwise. Cody?"
The Irishman jumped off the top of the desk to listen with a smile as I ordered him.
"Go back to the house and inform the others that we're back in business then bring them back here. They're gonna move in."
"What about the house?" He then asked as I gave it some thought and soon replied.
"Just lock it up and when you get back give me back my keys. I'm not going to sleep here. Not with things still tense. I'll have a plan together by the time you get back, but for now just go get them."
"Gotcha." He replied as he picked back up his MP7 and made off for the door. The girls watched him leave and once he was gone Zeta asked me.
"Do you want to look around and see what else is going on? Or just chill till your men get here?"
Again I began to think and while they waited Pepper muttered.
"This is fucking crazy. I still can't believe you just walked back in and took control like this so fast. It's also crazy to think I went from being hunted in Jordon to being the bodyguard to basically the president of the middle east in a matter of weeks."
Zeta chuckled as I ignored the comment honestly and replied to the previous question Zeta offered up.
"I need a minute to get some things under control here. I'm sure there is a lot I have left to do. Biggest concern is to make sure I get my boot back in the dirt before anyone has time to question my motives. This meeting will help me see who I have left working within this army that I can trust."
"I'm just curious so let me ask you something." Pepper then said with some concern to her voice as I urged her.
"Go on then. What is it?"
Looking at her sister she asked.
"What are you going to do about the other soldiers you have in Afghanistan? Surely not everyone is comfortable with Archer. You think you can sweep the rug out from under him and just take his army away by asking nicely?"
Giving her my full attention I replied.
"Your right. Not everyone will want to follow Archer, but I know that man. He's always been good at controlling people. A master of intimidation. Even when the word gets around that I'm back over here, I'm sure he'll get to work trying to scare the shit out of anyone that shows weakness or falter. Some will run and others will hide, but he'll still maintain a foothold over the city."
"So what are you going to do then?" She then wondered as I took a moment to glance down at my rifle which was still hung over my neck with the sling. The girls looked at me with confused glances as I began to tap my feet under the wooden desk. After a few moments I replied while looking back up to them both.
"Kill him? He's not going to give up. No matter how many people decide to stay by his side."
"You're going to do what then exactly? Raid the city with G.U.N at your back?" Pepper clearly was more concerned with my plan then her sister was who just listened. I respected that so I went on to tell her.
"I'm not too sure yet how it will play out. If everything works out with Hecan and his followers, then I'm sure that can and will happen. Archer can't defend from two armies hitting at his walls. It'll be a slaughter and it will be over in a matter of hours. But I don't know if that's how I want this to end between us. He's earned my respect in the past so I think he's earned a more fair way of going out."
"Fair? Your a fucking demi Raptor. That's not fair." Pepper explained as I nodded and replied.
"The point is he doesn't know that. Regardless of how fair it is Pep, I might decide to want to do this first hand. At least doing it myself I can live with the aftermath. I want to see him die. Not get lost among an airstrike."
Pepper let out this sigh and quickly urged me.
"Don't go doing anything stupid without us to back you up this time. I didn't come all this way to see you get killed somehow."
Nodding I replied to the wolf as I stood back up to walk around to her side of the desk.
"I'm not going to do anything without at least telling one of you. But like I said….?" Reaching for the girl's face, Pepper just kept still as I got a grasp over her chin. My hand wrapped around the metal mask she stared at me from behind; and once I held her still could I see her eyes behind the very thin metal slits it had.
"This is personal."
Slowly Pepper reached up to gently swat my hand away. I chuckled as I then was asked by her sister who watched only feet away.
"We just want you to be safe Raptor."
"I know." I replied as I took a moment to look around the room. Once comfortable I asked between them.
"Onto another concern of mine. One I've been meaning to ask you about Zeta."
The wolf refocused onto me as I asked the question burning in the back of my mind.
"How much money do you have stored away?" Pepper quickly turned her head to look at her and add on to the question.
"I've been a bit curious about that too."
We watched as she didn't respond right away, but instead reached under her black cloak to pull out her phone. For a few moments she began to do something on it. After maybe a minute or so she read off the screen.
"At the moment I have about…..hmmmmm….thirty five million and….seven hundred thousand or so dollars put away. Why?"
I widened my eyes as Pepper questioned in shock.
"You have how much?"
Zeta let out a quick burst of laughter to reply to her struck counterpart.
"Enough."
Trying to keep this tame I asked the wolf next.
"Is it going anywhere?"
Now the girls looked back to me and by then Zeta replied in confusion.
"Not at the moment. I haven't decided yet on what kind of yacht I wanted. Why are you asking?"
I knew that was a joke she was making, but now I had to really tell her the reason why I was asking. I knew this was going to be bad so I took a moment to gulp and walk back a little behind Pepper; so at least I had her between us as the question left my lips with an almost scared voice breaking through my normal serious tone.
"I was hoping you'd be willing to…...to donate that to rebuilding some of the city."
I couldn't see her face but I knew instantly what her reaction was when her voice shot up and her hand moved faster than ever to pull up her mask.
"What!?"
I quickly grabbed a hold of Pepper's shoulders and moved her directly in front of me as she instantly screamed at me in fear of the now red wolf.
"Oh don't you fucking get me in the middle of this shit!"
I kept myself hiding behind her and put my head just over her right shoulder. I peered right back to Zeta who had this nasty snarl rolling through her whole face and body. Doing my best to smile in all honesty, I begged her.
"I don't have the money just sitting around in a government savings account and I told everyone out there to come first thing in the morning to collect. I need to keep to my word Zeta."
Her snarl was now a growl as Pepper tried to shake me off her. Thankfully I was more than strong enough to keep her still when I was this scared. Zeta however questioned.
"Do you have any fucking idea what I went through to get that money!?"
"Kinda?" I replied now hiding as she growled and growled and growled. After a moment or so more I begged her.
"Please?"
If I was going to die it would be by asking such a stupid thing in the first place. Whatever soul I had left was going to get torn out from me by her sharp teeth, but not before I sacrificed Pepper. The fucked up part about this all was that I was hoping for once in my life Marcus would come popping in to help, but I knew that wasn't going to happen as we just stood at this moment in time exchanging faces. Lord help me.
mT Shadow.