Love Struck Delusion
Chapter 237 - A bird and his fox.
Cody's POV, about an hour later.
I haven't left Peek's side since I got done with talking to Raptor about what all happened in Afghanistan. A nurse was checking on Peek's blood pressure as I had my gameboy out and was focused on ignoring the pain in my chest. After some time, she left us and I was left to think about our next move. Peek was good at reminding me of things so I wasn't surprised when he said.
"We need to call Jessup Cody."
I nodded and saved my game before taking out my phone. Peek was thankfully recovered from the venom doses he took and he sat on top of the bed just staring at me as I slowly called Jessup who I knew was not expecting this.
"Hey Cody. I just got the funds transferred to you and Peek. Check your accounts. It should all be there." Jessup informed me as I figured he was expecting me to call about that.
"Thanks boss, but I got some bad news. Or good. I guess that depends on how you take it."
Jessup quickly questioned in concern.
"What's wrong? Have you decided to not go after Archer?"
"No man listen. Peek and I were escorting Ying to his extraction which was at the airport here. We got ambushed just after he left the truck and got done paying us."
"Is Hai dead Cody?" He asked me next as I simply replied.
"Yeah he's dead. Peek got shot too but he's okay."
"He did too." Peek made sure to inform me as Jessup must have overheard him and decided to ask.
"You're both okay though right?"
I nodded and replied.
"Yes sir."
"Shit!" Jessup went on to shout as I waited to see what was to come. In time Jessup stated.
"That's massive. Ying was in charge of the world's biggest PMC. There is no telling what will happen now that he's dead. Do you know who did it?"
I shook my head.
"No clue. The shooter was at least a mile or two out in the desert. I couldn't see a thing before getting shot. All I know for sure boss, is that whoever the sniper was could aim. All of Ying's men got slammed, including the pilot he had waiting on him."
"You sure you're okay though right Cody? How did the armor react?"
"It did it's job and that's what matters. The bullets that the sniper was flinging were either some baseballs or just high tech in nature. Those fucking things went clean through a rebellion humvee and a plane turbine like it was nothing."
Jessup took a moment to thin,k but came back with some answers.
"Rounds that can do that are illegal. I have access to them but they are to only be used on fucking tanks. Not meant for people Cody."
"Who else has access to that kind of thing Jessup?" Peek asked as he stood up to come to my end of the phone. I put it on speaker so he could hear what he was saying.
"G.U.N first and foremost, but they don't care about Ying enough to assassinate him like that. That's overkill and if you ask me it was meant to be a message. The kind that says outright that they wanted him in the ground. I knew this could happen."
"What do you mean?" Peek asked as Jessup quickly replied.
"Ying was in trouble with China well before things got bad with Archer. His contract was at risk."
"Are you saying it was opened?" I then asked as he quickly assured us both.
"I'll find out. Give me a minute to look. No one would dare kill Ying before that could happen. If it was before, then whoever did it is in serious trouble."
Peek and I went silent and waited as our boss got to work looking. During that time Peek slowly wrapped his arm back around me. I gave him a small chuckle and a push to his side as he held onto me to mutter.
"I love you little guy."
"Shut up asshole. I love you too, but you owe Raptor more than anything." I urged him back as he laughed.
"True. I'll get to that as soon as we figure out what's going on."
I nodded and with a few minutes passing Jessup came back on the line to state.
"It opened about an hour ago. The kill was clean. Cashed in and already closed."
"Who?" Peek asked in confusion as Jessup let out a sigh to reply.
"Fort Drake."
Peek and I looked to one another for a few seconds. At which point I said.
"Guess that explains a lot."
Peek then added.
"They never play the legal game. Doubt they cared, we were even there. Even though killing one of us would have been trouble for them."
"Drake doesn't care about anyone. That fucker had to be watching Ying's every move somehow. How he managed to get a guy in place to take the shot is unreal of it's own. Have you talked to Voltz?"
Both Peek and I looked up and went silent as the man himself was somehow in our room. Peek was just dumbfounded on how he got in at all. The door was shut and never opened, but I knew better and remained calm as Raptor himself replied to the question.
"Not yet."
"Voltz?" Jessup responded in confusion as I handed him the phone. Raptor took it and replied.
"The one and only. You're going to have to explain this to me. What the hell is going on? Why do I have your men getting shot and Ying dead on my airfield?"
Jessup was now on the spot, but he was always good at keeping a cool head. With Raptor calm and just ready to listen, Jessup replied.
"I'm sorry this is the first time we get to speak to one another. I was hoping for better circumstances. Ying was a friend of mine, but it was no secret his relationship with China was on the verge of breaking. Helping Archer rule over a city is more than enough to have his company disowned by the country. Now I'm not completely sure yet, but I assume his contract opened finally because of it. He was so focused on his personal goals he was blind to it. He had no clue just how close he was and his enemies were watching. Fort Drake claimed the kill over him."
"Now I had believed that you needed permission to cross into another land's borders before going after someone. Am I wrong?"
"No your right, but Fort Drake acts on its own. They aren't the same kind of company Ying's was. They don't care about who owns what. They go after anyone for any price and it doesn't matter who gets in the way. They are human by day and hunters by night and based off of this it's safe to assume they were already in your land to begin with. They were staking this chance out and they took it the second the contract opened up."
"Won't the network do something? Drake didn't come to me for permission." Raptor stated as I knew very well what Jessup was going to ask next after hearing that.
"Ask yourself this Commander. Do you really care?"
Raptor went silent as my boss took his chance to say.
"Ying was a big issue over where you are. They did you a service. I'd let go of that rule they ignored. Chances are they already knew damn well if they asked you'd say yes."
"Hmmm." Raptor groaned as he handed me back the phone to ask.
"Any advice on how to proceed?"
"Just keep your nose clean. My best are sitting right in front of you. Fort Drake has no reason to come after you next and even if they do Cody and Peek have your back. The goons themselves working for Drake aren't the best soldiers. They just have the best gear money can buy. Or in their case steal."
"Well according to Cody whoever pulled the trigger was a little bit more than a basic grunt."
"I'm not saying they all are Commander, but it's just meant as a general statement. Cody and Peek are more than capable of fighting them if matters get worse. I suggest you do what I said and just keep a clean nose. With Ying out of the picture that must be good for your war effort. Use it."
Raptor was aware of this well before being told by my boss. Giving me a soft look, Raptor then wondered.
"When are you going to make an appearance? I doubt you're this involved without some kind of motive behind it. What do you want?"
"I want nothing Commander. I'm in this business for the money and making sure my borders stay safe. Working with you is profitable and that's putting it lightly. However I'm aware of your situation and I won't ask of anything just yet. One day we'll have the pleasure of being face to face, but till then keep my boys in check and stay safe. You hear me guys?" He asked as I smiled with Peek to reply.
"Yes sir."
"Good. Check your accounts still. Make sure you got paid. Ying was good for one thing before he died."
Peek went right to work at checking as I asked.
"Anything else you need from us boss?"
With Raptor looking to my eyes Jessup replied before hanging up.
"Stick to your orders and make sure everything else stays in check. No more chances from here on out Cody."
"Yes sir." I replied again as the line went dead. Raptor was more than ready to keep talking. You could tell by his face as he watched me put my phone away. At which point he asked Peek who was on his phone looking for the money.
"How do you feel? I'm surprised you're even sitting up after going through all that. Sorry that's how we get to meet one another."
For a moment Peek didn't know that he was being talked to. It only kicked in after I didn't answer for him. Looking up to Raptor in confusion he replied.
"I feel good. A little lightheaded from having half my stomach blown through, but besides that I'm good. Sorry I didn't know you were talking to me. Money is there Cody. We're good."
I nodded and looked to Raptor still as it became clear to my buddy the subject matter we were on. Standing up to face him, Peek offered a hand and I watched as Raptor took it to begin shaking. Peek kept his smile on and wondered.
"Mind me asking some questions"
"By all means. You're in the middle of this shit show so you must be curious about some things going on. Fire away."
They let go of each other and immediately Peek asked.
"What kind of shit did you pull when you met up with us earlier? I've heard of a lot of weird things people can do, but most of those people are genetically enhanced monsters. Like the Irish snowcone and I. We're users, but that doesn't explain what you are sir."
Peek you don't even fucking make sense calling me that. I'm gray! And Gold! Where do you see a snowcone? I asked out of confusion as he began to laugh.
A snowcone doesn't have to be white Cody. Hahaha!
Yeah it doesn't if your picking up snow from the side of a nasty urban intersection!
Raptor started to chuckle and leaned back agonist the other bed as Peek got his focus back on Raptor's face. Peek could read people. Tell if he was being bullshitted by anyone. Raptor however isn't a lair. At least not to this subject. Looking back at the bird Raptor questioned.
"Snowcone there didn't tell you?"
I started to blush out of embrassment to being called that now by him.
"He said you were a god, but that shit can't be….?" Peek cut his sentence short as Raptor gave him this look. I knew what he was thinking and as it came to my mind Peek questioned for himself.
"Were you serious when you said that Cody?"
I nodded and replied.
"I wouldn't lie to you. It's a hard pill to swallow. I know, trust me."
With the bird unsure of what to say next, Raptor told him directly.
"It's a long story. Long and crazy sounding. So I'll spare you the time. Cody knows it if you really want to hear it all, but listen to what I'm about to tell you. What I am and what I do is not public information to be given out. Asking if I'm a god in front of my men will only net me trouble. Trouble I can't afford right now and there are already too many people who know. So do me a favor and shut your mouth about it. I trust you because Cody does. Don't have me question that. We clear kid?"
Peek nodded and replied.
"We're all good sir. I just…..well you know."
Raptor nodded and quickly switched subjects. I knew I'd be explaining this all to him shortly.
"Cody says you plan on staying around for a bit to help out. If that's the case I need you on the same page he is on. That means you strictly work to keep my ass safe. That also means you obey my orders and do what I say. However I'm not an asshole to the people closest to me. So that means if you have any concerns I want you to feel free to voice them. But if there are no concerns and Cody here can get you updated, I'd like it if you could just rest off that extra dose you took of Viper Venom. I don't care how good you are. I know what that shit can do and I already had a word with my head doctor Marx. He worries for the same reason I do. Too much can kill a person or make you go feral. I would prefer none of that happened. So take your time and rest. Both of you." He ordered as I nodded and looked to Peek who quickly asked.
"Are you a user too?"
Raptor nodded.
"I've taken it before but only to save my own skin. I don't use it to combat anyone like you do. In fact I try my best to avoid it. I'm confident in my own ability and that's where it stands. Any other questions before I go? I have to make a house call soon."
Peek was of course filled with a hundred thousand questions. However none could come out as Raptor's focus shifted to me to order.
"Rest. I'll be heading out for a little bit, but Pepper will be with me. When you've had time to rest up and recover I'd like to introduce you to the problems we face. In fact Cody, why don't you just get him up to speed on the whole thing. If he plans to hang around he needs to know the basics."
"Yes sir." I replied as Raptor finished.
"Okay then. I'm off for a few hours. Call me if something turns up or if there is a problem."
As Raptor turned to head for the door, Peek opened his mouth. Words however wouldn't leave it as Raptor walked right through the door and left. At that moment I saw his face go white as he questioned while looking at me.
"Did he….? What the fuck? Are you serious with that shit? He's a god?"
"Demi." I corrected as the bird let out this huff to reply.
"Oh my bad. Should have guessed. What the fuck kind of world is this? Jessup wouldn't believe it even if he was here now to see it. How the hell can we protect a god? Does he even need it?"
I knew the conversation to come was going to be a long one. Thank god that Raptor's orders meant having all the time in the world to explain it all.
Raptor's POV.
"Knock! Knock!"
Tapping the door with my knuckles as I entered the room to find Pepper alongside her sleeping sister. I got her attention and asked as I knew my next move for the day.
"I need to go out for a little. You want to tag along?"
Pepper was happy knowing Zeta was at least bound to wake up soon. I was to but that didn't excuse the fact that I wanted to go see Clamer. Sitting up from a chair she was sitting in alongside the bed, Pepper replied.
"Sure. I'll catch a ride. Where are we going?"
With her grabbing onto her rifle I replied.
"My doctor's house. I have an appointment."
I saw her face change looks as I quickly informed her.
"You don't have to say anything. I'll be doing all the taking. You just need to stand there and look pretty. What do you say?"
The wolf had her mask up and with her eyes unsure of how to look at me she slowly replied.
"You sure you want me in there? I understand why you had her go, but I'm not really comfortable."
"Then stay here. I'm not forcing you but I told Cody and his new friend you were coming. So either join me or go find something to do other than sit here. What's it gonna be?"
Our eyes were locked onto one another and after a minute or so she replied.
"Okay. I'll come with you. I could use a break I guess."
With a smile on my face, I watched as she got back down her mask and proceeded to walk on by me and out into the hallway. As I exited back into it as well, Marx was coming from down the hall where his office was. For a moment he looked at me and it wasn't my place to say anything but I knew what he was thinking. For now I'd keep my cool and just let him bathe in it.
mT Shadow.