Love Struck Delusion
Chapter 264 - A merge for years to come.
Raptor's POV.
The badger was looking about the same as the last time I saw him in my presence. Calm and collected. Zandro on the other hand was putting down a briefcase. For a moment I looked at it and then right back at the badger to ask.
"Where's your friend? Kib I think his name was?"
The badger himself gave me a small smile, nothing more as he got himself seated across from me to reply.
"Good memory you got there Voltz. Kib is actually outside waiting. Along with Hecan's men, your men, and surprisingly none of Zandro's. What's that about?"
Zandro was quick to respond.
"I'm not worried about security unlike some people. But that doesn't really answer your question. Do you really think I need to call in someone for this meeting? It's a waste and right now all of my people are out either on leave or company business. Which leads me to ask Raptor, but how is Vetra? Have you heard from here yet?"
Nodding I replied.
"She's busy handling that problem I told you about last night. I'm sure she doesn't need hand holding if she's as capable as everyone else you have working under you. She'll contact me if she needs help. Or when she confirms it has been carried out. Either way Zandro, I trust she's fine."
Zandro was keeping his eyes on me as I got done saying all that. For a few moments things went quiet, then Hecan was the one to restart.
"So now that introductions are aside Raptor, we need to discuss the reason these two men are here. Have you made your choice yet?"
Keeping myself readied for anything, I replied while looking back to Hecan.
"I have, but before I say it I'd like to know exactly what you're after Zandro. As for you sir…..?" The badger widened his eyes as I asked.
"What more business does the network need to discuss with me? I'll wait. Decide who answers first amongst yourselves."
Zandro and the badger both looked to one another for a moment. Yet before things got awkward Zandro replied.
"I want government immunity. I want it for myself and all my men. I'm willing to work for it if I must, but in return I'm offering you my entire PMC. We can handle the dirty work. We can perform any operation. But my main focus would be this if you said yes. I want the soul ability to handle any contract that enters the middle east. That includes all three main cities. Afghanistan, Iraq, and Pakistan. I would also ask for Iran too, but we will just have to wait and see how things pan out after the war is over."
"And the network is only here to see what you decide for Voltz. You agree to Zandro's deal and I will get to work on immediately cementing the deal on our end. That means all of Fort Drake would get immunity and you would be considered their homeland. Responsible for anything that may or may not happen involving their actions. Yet that cuts both ways. If you decide at any point Zandro to throw Raptor under the bus, or overextend your reach without proper consent, you will be liable." Stated the badger as Zandro looked back at me to add on.
"I'm not asking for much. I just seek safety for the things my employees have done. They are not all bad people."
"Yet there are a handful of troublemakers on your end Zandro." I told him as he quickly chuckled and replied.
"Yeah there are a few. But this deal is not about their actions. It's about their future and many of these people still have families they wish to see someday again."
For a few moments I began to tap my fingers on the desk. Hecan was watching them as Zandro also decided to state.
"Taking ownership of my company Raptor also means you will get access to all my materials. From weapons, to vehicles, personal, outside assets, and all the training and all the most advanced tech I currently have to offer. It would be a benefit."
This all sounded nice but I had a question to ask. Looking at Hecan I asked it.
"I have my concerns however Zandro. I understand having you and your resources available could make a huge difference in my current military standing, but one thing I need to ask is something only Hecan can answer. Hecan? Why isn't G.U.N interested in this kind of an offer? Surely Zandro must have brought it across your table once or twice. What's kept you away from taking ownership yourself?"
All focused turned to the fox as he calmly took a breath and exhaled it shortly after. With his eyes looking at me he replied.
"Three times he's asked me Raptor. I've given him the same answer each time and it's not a matter of disrespect. It's simply a matter of my personal image across the board. At the end of the day…..or at least until my term is up in the next two years, I'm the face of G.U.N. The world's most powerful leader hands down. I need to keep my operations under lock and key. I trust Fort Drake and Zandro to take care of things I can't be seen doing. But I can not ever go public with their name on my shoulder. Their terrorists to most degrees, and our world and the people who live in it today, can not be allowed to look at me and compare me with them. I'm not a terrorist. I do everything for my country. I do business with them, yes. But only on matters of utmost importance and where my name can't be connected."
Things went silent. I was left to think for myself. Zandro was trying to think about what else he could say to me or how to even respond about what Hecan said just now. My eyes went from Hecan and then to the table. I wanted this kind of deal to be in my favor. Regardless of saying yes or no, I had to own Zandro. Not just his men. I only knew one way to do that and that wouldn't be possible without taking a chance and seeing just how deep Zandro is willing to go for this deal.
"Tap! Tap!"
All attention went behind me as Pepper tapped her finger on the desk. My eyes shot back to her as she urged me to lean back so she could say something. When I did she said to me.
"Call just came in over comms. Reports of gunfire on the west side of the city. Shots went dark, but it could be Hunter. What you want to do?"
My focus was on this meeting, but I knew this was important nonetheless. Pulling her shoulder in I replied.
"You have permission to respond if you want. But remember…..this isn't your contract. You make the call."
Pepper slowly backed up and left me to refocus on the meeting. Looking back to Zandro after that short talk, I asked him directly.
"I'm willing to take ownership over Fort Drake, but…...if you want this to happen we both need insurance. Not just you. I take into account what Hecan is saying and I'm convinced my name could be soiled if we get caught doing business like we are currently. So my question is this…...are you willing to consider more than just a merge? How would you feel about me asking you to instead abolish your current PMC? And in return you merge with my soon to be military fighting force? Of course I wouldn't want any of your men fighting within my ranks. It would simply be transferred into let's call it…..a different branch. You'd be part of the middle eastern military, but your own group of fighters. I'd want you and your men to be focused on bringing in the money connected to the contracts currently on bid in my lands. Any resources you have would come to me, but I'm sure Fort Drake has its own group of engineers and scientists that are hard at work developing your fabled tech. You could bring them all overseas and in return we can set up your own facility where you can continue said research and development. I'm not asking for you to cut anyone off. I just can't see a deal between us working out right for me if, like Hecan said; the Fort Drake name is attached publicly. That's my offer to you. If you need time to think, then please take it now. I have a matter to take care of that shouldn't take more than five minutes to handle. Is everyone okay with taking a break?" I asked as I looked around the room.
Everyone agreed. Even Zandro who was more or less focused on what I just said. Nodding my head I then stood up and stated.
"I'll be back in five minutes."
Hecan went for another drink and the badger began to look over what alcohol I had out on the table. My shift of focus went over to Zeta and Pepper who were by the door waiting for me. We slowly stepped outside the room and right there waiting for us was Drake. He was looking through a pack of cigarettes and looked over to us and asked.
"How are things going in there?"
Looking at the wolf I replied.
"So far so good. I just needed a minute to talk to these two, then I'm heading back inside to finish up."
Drake put his eyes on my girls as I gathered them around to ask.
"So what's the call? Worth the time?"
Without moving a muscle Pepper replied.
"She's dangerous. We need to either finish her off or cut her off. Either way she's out to hurt you. If not dealt with soon she could potentially become a problem in the future. I'm willing to head out, but I won't go without her."
Our eyes shifted to Zeta who responded with.
"I agree she's a problem, but what's going on here is more important. She's given up her safety by doing what she's already done to both us and Char. She's wanted and the word is out to the rebellion that she's to be captured or killed on sight. She can either choose to hide, fight, or run. Hiding won't work forever and fighting will get her killed. Knowing her background she's probably going to get out of dodge as soon as she can. It's not worth risking our lives again. Let Vetra handle the situation. Hunter is one girl and nothing special; if not just slimy to get your hands on. One way or the other, I doubt she'll see us again anytime soon. That's what I think."
Pepper nodded and taking that in I replied back.
"Then it's settled. For now I need one of you to go make sure the convoys are ready to escort everyone to the airport after the meeting. Make sure it's all set and radio in when it is. Just cover our basics."
"I'll go." Zeta stated as Pepper nodded and replied.
"Then I'm staying put with you."
My eyes went back to Drake who at this point got a cigarette out and was just debating if he was going to spark it up. Reaching my voice out, I said to him calmly.
"We should be done here soon. You can light that up if you want. I'm not concerned about the air here."
Drake laughed and watched as Pepper and I got the door to the conference room back open. In we walked, leaving Zeta to her orders. By the time I sat back down the badger had poured himself a drink and Hecan was getting one for the road to come. Zandro on the other hand was still thinking to himself. He was very calm and collected as I gave him some more time. Once a few minutes had passed he asked me curiously.
"What you're asking for Voltz is for me to basically turn my company into a legitimate PMC under the soon to be brand new middle eastern military. Correct?"
Nodding I replied.
"That's correct. The Fort Drake name would need to be forgotten. Or at the very least, kept out of the history books when I begin to form a new government. I can easily set you up with anything you would need to make this a reality, but if you want government immunity then I need to consider the risks. Like I explained to you once already, I need my name to remain a sign of trust with the people who support me. You'll still be Fort Drake. Unofficially."
"Officially?" Zandro wondered as I shot him a straight look to reply.
"You'd be considered part of M.E.A.F. The middle eastern armed forces."
Zandro nodded and went back to thinking as I added.
"The name would be the only change in where you stand currently. You'd still be in charge of your men, but I'd expect you to keep them under control as you do. I'd also expect you to run your operations with me. I want to know what you have in mind for our future, and hopefully together we can be partners in this task. I've gone my whole life making enemies. It's about time I started making allies as well."
Hecan was just busy enjoying this. I'm sure he understood what I was asking of Zandro and the reasons why. It was still going to be a risk on my end, but I had confidence I could manage this. I had little to no one keeping tabs on me anymore thanks to what Pierce did for me before he left. With Julie's brother out of the picture, I knew I had the room to play around till another person got involved. Hopefully by then I'd be set for life. No longer needing to kill my way to the top. Yet only time would tell as Zandro looked to the badger to ask him.
"What of my company if I agree to this?"
Taking a sip of my whiskey, the badger gulped it down to reply with a small jump in excitement after tasting my personal bottle.
"Now that is some good whiskey. Nice burn and wonderful flavor to follow it up. As for you Zandro; all this would do for Fort Drake is put you in a place where you would have to consider cutting in Raptor a bit more. The network has already determined a set rate which he'll be paid for every contract you bring in, but that doesn't cut you out of this. He's giving you freedom and protection. Protection money can't buy. Work out a percentage now. Otherwise I'd consider you a fool to pass this up."
Zandro's eyes then went to Hecan to ask.
"How much do I cut you in for?"
The fox replied.
"Five percent. Keep in mind Zandro that the five percent I take basically pays for what protection you have now and that goes by monthly. Raptor's offer is for the long haul."
Zandro took another moment to look around the room. His eyes went to Pepper for some reason, then back to me as he reached down for that suitcase he came in with. I kept silent as he put it up on the table. It took him some effort it seemed. He had to use both hands to get it up and as he undid the locks on it he said to me.
"I came here already knowing I'd have to offer you something. So I'll agree to your terms Raptor, but here's what I'm suggesting before I hand over my….gratitude. My operators currently get twenty percent of any contract's payout. Fort Drake would get the other eighty and five of that would go to Hecan in order for him to keep paying our protections fees. I still want my operators to get paid that twenty percent. So when I take in account what other things I need money for, I think I can make due with sixty percent. So twenty percent. How does that sound to you?"
"So I'd be making twenty three percent of whatever cash you bring in then. Would this include outside contracts?"
Nodding Zandro replied.
"We could make it work, yes."
I was hesitant. I was going to ask for twenty two just to make it an even twenty five, but before I could say anything Zandro gently slid the briefcase and asked again after seeing my reaction.
"So how does that sound to you?"
My hands took control of the case and as I lifted it up I rested my eyes on nothing but stacks of hundred dollar bills. Now allow me to put this in a better preceptive. This briefcase was not just some business type case. It was thick and wide. Looked like it could hold easily two bowling balls, but instead was filled with nothing but money. Or so I thought till my hand started to dig through the first or second bundle. Zandro smiled as I felt the smooth silky touch that only gold bars could provide. I counted three of them sitting side by side and my hand quickly shifted the money back over the bars as I shot my attention back up at the echidna who patiently waited for my answer.
Closing the case I replied.
"I think we can make that work."
We both smiled and shortly after shook hands. The badger nodded seeing the results and said to us both as he got up from his seat.
"Then we have a deal. I'm going to get to work on making things official on my end. Zandro, I will be in contact once I'm finished. Raptor? You should consider talking more about this with Zandro. I'm sure there are going to be a lot of things to consider. Things both of you will have to consider and find solutions for. It's a long and extremely important task to perform. Play it smart and play it safe. When the war is over you can go through with the changes in full."
"Leaving so soon?" Hecan questioned as the badger nodded and replied.
"I just needed to be present for an answer Hecan. This is good news for you surely. No longer will you have to pay up for them. It's still a small loss. Zandro brings in a healthy amount of money. Yet I will not stand in the way of this. The middle east will need that money more than myself. Congratulations are in order, but enjoy them among yourselves. I must get going. Next time I see you Raptor I'll be sure Kib says hi. I'll tell him you missed him. Hahaha."
I laughed along with the man as he left the office. From there Zandro got a hold over my bottle and asked me.
"Shall we have a drink to cement this deal Voltz?"
Nodding I replied.
"Why not? Pour it."
Once our drinks were through, Hecan collected himself and said to me.
"Well it's about time I leave you to it. I have quite the trip back ahead of me. When I get back home I'm going to get to work on finishing the things that need to get done before the end graces us. Till then Raptor…...good luck. I wish you the best of it, but I'm sure I don't need to worry. You're you after all…...right? Hehehe."
Hecan turned and left the office shortly after that. I was left with Zandro and Pepper. Zandro was remaining where he was as I took my seat back down. Once there he asked me.
"So how long till you guys attack?"
Taking a grasp back over my bottle I replied.
"Two days. I need to go over the plan with the very few officers I have. Things need to go smooth that day and I'm not even sure I want to get anyone here involved. G.U.N is going to be mounting the main attack and I doubt they'll need my army to help take what little Archer has left in Afghanistan."
"Since we're partners now, am I allowed to ask what the plan is? Maybe I can help. I'm still not sure I've done enough to buy your trust. If you'd like me to, I can be at the very least a person to bounce ideas off of."
Keeping my matters close I replied.
"I'd like to focus on the details of our current deal Zandro. Leave the war to me. I promise I have it under control thanks to Hecan now. The matter of utmost importance now is to understand just what it is your company has and what your ideas for the future would hold now that you're here. Future facilities, operations, management, and every detail in between needs to be discussed here. It's critical we build now. Starting by having you tell me everything there is to know about Fort Drake and its current operations. We have all day now…..so please start talking so I can sooner understand."
Zandro went silent and watched as I poured him another drink. With two full glasses between us, I took mine and sat back. Zandro took his and together we started our very long and very detailed merge to come.
mT Shadow.