Love Struck Delusion
Chapter 239 - We have a problem.
Zeta's POV, A few hours later.
Upon opening my eyes I instantly felt sore just about everywhere. It didn't take long to find out I was alone in a room in the medical bay of the capital. I could hear people outside my door and for a second I tried to remember what happened. Then it hit me.
Reaching up to feel my head, I could feel the spot where I was shot. I barely recall the fighting that got it to happen. With my concern rising for all that I had missed, I questioned where everyone was. I had no idea what to do, but to get up from this bed.
"Ughh." I groaned as my head felt like the aftermath of getting hammered for a week straight.
With my legs sliding over to the edge of the bed, I noticed I was still in all my gear. Apart from my cloak and the mask. As I began to look around, I found both missing items just next to my bed resting on a small table that also had a lamp. I got my cloak first but remained on the bed as I struggled to get my body functions together. I wanted to curse out in my native tongue at this point, but I knew I didn't have the energy to do that.
Once I had my mask back, I held it up just above my face and began to search through my vest pockets. In seconds I had some of my venom tablets and proceeded to chew them up. Then I waited as it took over.
"Mmmm." I moaned as I slowly stood up. My legs would feel like jelly otherwise, but with those tablets I felt like I had a chance to get moving again. I soon asked myself however if I should do that venom shot that I mixed with coke. I knew it was just sitting upstairs in my bag, but I had a feeling Raze would kill me for real if she saw me twitching out on that again.
As I stood up, I threw back down my mask to cover up my face and I went to leave. Raptor had to be around somewhere. I just needed to get up to date on what was going on. I was worried he was already doing something stuipd without me there to help.
As I walked out of the room, I was immediately flagged down by Marx. He stopped me right where I was to question.
"Your awake? How do you feel? Can you remember anything?"
Nodding once I replied.
"Just up till I got shot. What happened?"
"Raptor…..he saved your life."
I picked up on the notion that he found out the hard way about what he was. I wasn't going to push it so I just asked next.
"Is everyone okay? What happened with the attack?"
Checking me over Marx replied.
"Almost everyone is fine. We lost a lot of people. Your sister and the Irish fox cleaned up what was left after you went down."
"And Raptor?"
"He's in his office last time I checked. He's been on the phone for most of the day. I assume he's talking to G.U.N, but again I'm not sure. Can you walk? I'm sure he will be relieved to see you up and running again."
He couldn't see me smiling to that thought, so I just replied.
"I'm fine. Just a little shaken. I can walk on my own. I'm going to go see him. Is that okay?"
The cat was concerned at first, but resorted to saying yes. As I began to leave I felt as if he was wanting to ask something else, but it was too late for that as I was already by the exit at that point.
As I walked around, I noticed the looks I was still getting. It felt weird however. Weirder than usual. As I made my way to the stare and began to climb, I widened my eyes when I saw the office at the top was open and just in front of the door stood Cody who had his back towards me. As I crept up and got behind him, I watched as he turned to almost jump out of his skin in shock. His voice rattled off in excitement as he shouted.
"Well shit! I was not expecting to see you for another day or two! How are you Zeta!?"
By that point Raptor broke his train of thought behind his desk to look right up at me. My sister was standing behind him and the second she saw me there with Cody; she came flying around the desk to greet me with a big hug stating.
"Thank the lord you're okay. I thought I lost you."
"I'm a little worse for wear, but it's good to see you too. Did you miss me?"
"Shut up." She begged me as we still hugged. By this point Raptor said to whoever was on the phone with him.
"I gotta let you go. Talk later."
I had my sister begin to let me go and when he got up to stand did I ask.
"Looks like things went well. Did I miss much? What happened?"
Raptor approached and once just behind Pepper did he reply.
"A lot, but I should start with the most important."
Pepper looked back at him at that moment to urge him.
"Don't Raptor. Let me say it."
I was confused. Raptor let out a sigh and took a step back as Pepper took his space. My eyes went from them and back to Cody. I was confused on what was going on. The fox lost his smile and nudged me to look back at Pepper. In concern I questioned.
"What's this about? Raptor?"
The hedgehog was silent as finally Pepper decided enough was enough. Taking my hand she mumbled.
"Raze is dead Zeta."
Raptor's POV.
You could see the moment she broke. The hand Pepper held went limp and it required no intelligence to see the tears begin forming in her eyes. Pepper was indeed just as upset as I glanced over to Cody who was just being silent like I was this whole time. He took his hat off and held it in his hands as Zeta was barely able to question in a choked up tone of voice.
"What?"
I let out a sigh as her eyes went to me to ask.
"Raptor? What happened? What the fuck happened?!"
Pepper quickly got involved as Zeta was so close to breaking down it was unreal at first. I kept quiet as her sister answered.
"You got shot before we even knew. It was only after the fighting that we found out."
"I found her Zeta." Cody admitted as the attention shifted to him. Zeta turned her whole body to face him as he explained the little he knew.
"The guys we were fighting we're clearing rooms as they went. Well before anyone knew we were even being attacked. She was supposed to stay with Tusk and Blitz but they said she tried to get to medical. They must have intercepted her on the way. I'm…..I'm sorry. There wasn't anything we could do. Raptor wasn't even there at the time and you know that. We were all too late."
I felt everything. Zeta was ten times more hurt then her sister was when I had to tell her what had happened. Our eyes matched once more and looking to me she questioned.
"You couldn't do anything?"
I felt a tad bit attacked now and replied.
"I didn't know. I was barely able to stand when Cody got to me and Linnen."
"You couldn't do anything for her!?" The wolf began to growl and her body moved itself forward and like clockwork Pepper got a hold of her to yell.
"He didn't know Zeta! Don't blame him!"
"I didn't." I said again as she barked.
"You could have done…...you could have done something!"
"I couldn't." I replied back as she began to growl in tears.
"Zeta….?" Cody tried to say something, but at that point she had enough and turned back around to run. Pepper stood there with wide eyes as I shouted.
"Zeta!"
The wolf went right to her room and unable to move I urged her sister.
"Go deal with that please. I have too much right now to worry about."
"I got you." Pepper replied as she picked up her feet and began to chase after.
Now I was left with Cody who asked.
"How do you want to do this?"
"Quietly. Is Peek ready to move?"
Cody nodded and got back on his hat. At which point I ordered him.
"Go get him and let's get this done."
"Yes sir." He replied as I walked out of the office to go find Black.
I knew things were getting ugly and I just wanted today to be over with after what just happened to Zeta. I knew my time to play nice ended a few weeks back and now I had to be more focused on my image more than friendships. It was worth it for the future and I was already a man full of imperfections. Today would just cement that.
As I walked to where I sensed them being, I looked to my side when all the sudden Marcus appeared out from one of the neighboring hallways I was passing. He was dressed just like he was before in Afghanistan. At first I wanted to question why he was here but I quickly figured out why and kept walking as he soon matched my pace and got up to my side to ask.
"You ready for this?"
"No. But not like I have much of a choice."
"Hmm. Well I'm gonna tag along for this. It's been a good bit of time since we last had the chance to do something together and this should be worth watching. Do you mind?"
As we neared I replied while seeing Black just up ahead tending to some lunch.
"No. But again…..it's not like I have much of a choice. Just play nice."
Giving me a chuckle, Marcus went silent and as I approached Black did he turn to ask.
"What happened? Did you call someone?"
"I did." I replied as we stopped just feet in front of him.
Tap and Leo were both sitting down eating and had stopped to listen as I stated next.
"I had to talk with G.U.N clearly about the matter of your friend Gabe. That means I had to talk to Linnen Black."
The group was now hyper focused as Marcus began to walk around my side. Black's eyes watched him for a moment, but refocused on me as I said.
"He's agreed to take over the matter. So long as you three also agree to hand yourselves over." At first Black was silent, but in time replied.
"Fuck."
Tap and Leo were now scared and without question Leo asked.
"Turn ourselves in? Raptor if we do that we'll be going to some military prison for god knows how long."
Nodding I replied.
"It's that Linnen said, or you can forget about the burial and just never return home again. The question you guys need to ask is what's more worth it? Honoring Gabe and repenting? Or letting him go? If you choose to let go, Linnen wants you to understand that you can not return to the states again. You won't ever see your families and you'll be released from service and deemed terrorists. Traitors and you'll be hunted down in time unless you leave the middle east after the war is over. I won't be able to harbor you and I'm sorry but that's the options I'm given. You'll have to make a choice soon, because the time slot is closing in. We got an hour. So make the choice. You agree to do what Linnen asks and I promise you I'll do everything I can to put in a good word and explain that it was my fault you even got involved to begin with. I can't promise it'll help, but I can try and ease the sentence. Hopefully after everything your government will see reason and just let it go and decide to discharge you from active duty."
"That won't fucking happen. We traded sides halfway through the war and we fought and killed some of our own men in the process. You can say whatever you want to Raptor, but G.U.N won't just forgive us." Tap explained as Black asked.
"We can't stay here?"
Shaking my head I replied.
"Sadly no. The rebellion is going to be abolished once Archer has been dealt with. We'll be starting over and I can't afford to have you around after. I need to keep a clean nose."
"Fuck you!" Leo shouted out of the blue as Black widened his eyes and turned to intercept his small friend who charged up from his seat to shout.
"Do you have any idea what we've done to help you!"
I did my best to keep calm as Leo got up to get in my face.
"You promised to have our backs! You said you'd secure our freedom if we helped you with this shit!"
"I promised I'd help, but this shit you got involved in son has royally fucked you. You made the mistake of letting Black talk you into this. This is all on him. I did my best and I'm still doing that. Linnen made this offer and I have no say in it. You're not my people. You want to see your family again? This is the only way to do that. You have one hour. You choose to stay and like I just said; you have until the war is up to figure out what you're going to do. I can't have this stain what I'm trying to accomplish. Black?"
The hedgehog locked eyes with me as I told him again.
"One hour. You stay and I'll expect you to keep your men in line until the war is over. Figure out what your choice is, but this is all I can offer you. You guys knew the risk."
Leo was fuming as I turned to look back at Marcus who was idly standing by with a smile on his face. Pulling him by his arm and starting to walk away, I listened close as Black asked.
"Would Alicia let you do this?"
My legs stopped moving and Marcus widened his eyes as I was very focused on the idea that he even had the balls to ask me that.
Now note that we were in the middle of the mess hall. I had other people around just watching as they ate their dinners and with that question out in the open, I began to feel the need to exert some discipline. Marcus sensed my anger coming and asked me.
"You sure you want to give a guy like that an option?"
"Would she or your kids love the man you are now?" Black proceeded to ask on top of his last question. Right then and there I felt something in my head snap. Marcus got involved and turned around to reply.
"I don't think that's a question you have any right to ask."
My eyes were staring off in the distance and even though I wasn't focused on it, I saw Cody and Peek both walking into the situation. They were instantly aware of the tension going on as they saw me there in my current state. Cody came right on over as his friend asked.
"What's going on?"
I kept my mouth shut as Black ignored everything to state.
"I think you know that you're a piece of shit now. I think you know the answers and I think you're well aware of the fact that they wouldn't be around if they were still alive to see you like this."
Cody immediately understood what was being said and approached the man to order.
"Shut your mouth about the man's family. You have zero idea what you're saying and it's not your business to get involved. You're G.U.N and the problems you have are your own. You made this happen, so don't push it."
"Who the fuck are you?" Now Tap was up and just as mad. Peek came to my side to urge me.
"Just breathe man. It's not worth it."
HIs hand was on my shoulder and without a doubt he was doing his best to make sure I stayed calm. Marcus and Cody were at the front of the fight and with Black still focused on me he shouted.
"You made yourself the man you are now! Just like me and how I'm responsible for my men; you were responsible for what happened to them! You got them killed and now you paid the price for it! And guess what Raptor?! If they were still alive today they wouldn't want anything to do with a man like you! Hero or not, you turned your back! Not us!"
"What did I just say!?" Cody asked as he took a step into Leo who immediately pushed him back.
"Fuck you!" Tap added as Peek ordered with an angry tone while leaving my side to get in Leo's path.
"Hey! Don't lay a fucking finger on him!"
This was getting to be all too much. My hand was slowly going to my Glock and with every fiber of my being; I wanted to turn around and shoot them. Marcus however came back to my side to stop me and looking right into my eyes he urged me.
"Not here."
I was shaking and I was so angry, but he was right. However Cody and Peek were now about to start swinging and with my orders a mute point, I listened as the fighting ensued. Then just as things were about to get bad; others from around the mess hall started to get involved. In seconds it started to feel like a riot was about to break out. However all the people were focused on Black and his two friends. Marcus kept his eyes lasered on mine and slowly I heard the first punch get thrown. Tap connected to Cody and with his hat flying off; the mess hall imploded. Marcus widened his eyes as shit just got out of control and groaned into my side.
"Ohhhh no."
Slowly I turned to see the action and with the noise drawing more attention; people from outside the mess came running in to join and for no reason at all it wasn't just Black and his buddies getting beaten on. Everyone began to fight. Cody was head first with Leo and Peek was slamming Tap onto the top of one of the nearby tables. Black was beating up just about anyone who came after him and that had to be at least half of my men.
As the room was soon flooded with people and violence, I sensed Zeta and Pepper. Looking back just in time, I saw them enter to widen their eyes at what was going on. Zeta connected eyes with me and then without warning I felt someone tackle me from behind. It took less than a second to figure out it was Leo.
Marcus got a hold over the kid and using my right fist I drilled him right in the nose. From there Marcus dragged him down and by then Pepper was at my aid with Zeta who asked.
"What the fuck is going on!?"
I went to say something back but then panicked as I caught a boot to my head from Leo who was struggling to get up. Almost instantly after I was clocked Pepper jumped down to start wailing on the guy. Marcus had to let go as Black came charging through the crowd to get me.
There were so many people now that were getting involved, my bodyguards had no chance at helping. Black was on top of me in a matter of seconds and I couldn't tell you just how many people started to smack him in the back. The fighting was now all about keeping me safe and I had more than a few people to back me up as I was on my back. Black however was taking all the damage and still managing to choke me.
I had my hands wrapped around his neck at the same time he had mine and with things just a big mess; I managed to switch positions thanks to someone kicking out his legs forcing him to roll on top of me. From there I got on top and began to choke him out. Halfway through it, I widened my eyes when I heard a gun go off. Then everything went dark.
mT Shadow.