Love Struck Eternal

by mT Shadow

Change is not always for the better. Eighteen years have passed since the events of the second most major war for the middle east had come to a close. Leaders have come and gone, society itself has changed, and those who seek a different outcome have gone dark. The focus is now on one person. Yet her story will change the world forever. Following down her father's dark past.

22. Chapter 22

Love Struck Eternal

Chapter 22 - Take what's yours.

Sam's POV, Two weeks later.

"Go! Go! Go!" Royce shouted over the sound of a gunshot to the sky.

Powering forward, I came in strong to grab my opponent by the waist. Said opponent was another member of my training class. A heavy bodied black echidna girl. She had at least fifty pounds on me, but I proved time and time again to everyone here that my strength would overpower even the sturdiest of frames. That and I was so confident in my fighting that I knew how to take someone down the instant I latched on.

"Don't let her take your legs!" Royce urged the woman who decided to instead try and elbow her way out by hitting me constantly in the back of my spine.

Taking a deep breath throughout the hits, I lifted her up a foot and swung us to the left slamming her right down and onto the grass.

Using my arms, I locked up her hands and went to rotate my body towards the very front of her head where I then put her into a rear naked choke. The echidna began to panic as I continued to squeeze.

"Use your weight Kim! You need to use your legs to change the position!" Royce shouted as the echidna again struggled to listen. Had to be because I was nearly choking her life away.

After a few more seconds I felt a tap on my side signaling that she was giving up. Royce quickly broke us apart.

"Good job Diskov! You to Kim!" Royce went on to say as I slowly got back on my feet. Once there I offered Kim a hand and asked.

"Are you okay?"

Taking my hand, she replied.

"I'm good, but holy shit you're so good at this!"

Giving her a smile, I decided to just look back at the Captain for our next order. Making sure she was really okay, Royce soon announced.

"That's all the time we have for sparring today. Collect your gear and head back to your quarters for the night. We'll pick this up in the morning after weightlifting."

"Yes sir." We replied as we each began to get ready to head in. Once I had collected my backpack and rifle, Royce escorted us back to the barracks. Steph went in first as Royce tapped me on my arm to order.

"Hold up a second. I want to talk to you."

"Okay?" I replied curiously as he went on to start looking around for anyone else that might have been nearby. After a few seconds he came within three feet of me to ask.

"Your training is going very well. Do you have any questions or concerns?"

"Nothing major sir." I replied as he then insisted.

"Lay it on me then. I'm not here to misguide you. If there is something I can do differently that can help, I wanna know."

"It's nothing like that sir. Training has been good to me. My only concern is my bunk mate Uno."

"Miss her?" He wondered as I simply nodded and asked.

"It's safe to assume she and I are in two different categories. Will I ever have the chance to see her again?"

Nodding the jackal replied.

"Without a doubt. There is nothing restricting you two from staying friends outside of this camp. You're free to have your friends Diskov. We're all comrades here in G.U.N. We aim to make everyone a part of the same team. We all may have different titles and jobs, but we're all the same. And if it makes you feel more secure, everyone in your unit has the opportunity to exchange phone numbers at the end of training. It's part of the paperwork after bootcamp and I'm sure Uno wouldn't decline having you as part of her life after this experience. You've been a pillar for her to cling to."

He's right. It did make me feel better. I had my focus of course on completing this training and excelling at more, but I still wanted someone I could trust if I ever needed it. Uno was sweet and I bet once this was all said and done and we got some free time; we could be friends. So with my concerns rendered obsolete, I smiled and said to my commanding officer.

"Thank you sir. It does help knowing that."

Giving me a big smile Royce shouted.

"Good! Now is there anything else on your mind?"

Nodding my head, I took a moment to assemble the question. Royce seemed more curious when he noticed it was taking me time to respond, but his ears had opened up wide when I asked.

"I'm curious if there are classes, or courses, or even other camps I can enroll with to excel my training process? I don't want to waste my time being cannon fodder after boot. My father made it very clear to me growing up that the military tends to consider the basic trooper expendable and I don't wanna be considered expendable to anyone. I want to aim to be more."

"Special forces then." Royce said bluntly back as I simply nodded.

Adjusting his voice, Royce kept himself as serious as he could. With a relaxed tone he said to me.

"S.T.T. is the first step to becoming something more in the army. It's designed to test people. People instructors consider special. Candidates are required to be in tip top shape and are expected to pass some pretty high standards set by the men upstairs who ultimately decide who defends our people and our country. I consider you special and the proof is showing as we speak Sam. You see that don't you?"

Putting his arm gently onto my shoulder, Royce went on to say.

"Just your attitude alone shows me that you want to be the very best soldier you can be. Your scores thus far have exceeded everyone in your old unit and even those in the S.T.T. program. Your CQC, marksmanship, and physical training scores have marked you for the fast track Sam. We have two more months of this together. Two months of gruesome tests and courses. Not to mention the final exam where we put everything to the test."

"What's the final exam?" I asked curiously as he calmly replied.

"It's a three day event where we will insert you into the local wilderness where you will have to survive off the land, evade traps we've set to stop you, and evade patrols of trained instructors who are tasked with hunting you. After three days and nights you'll hear a very loud bell. It makes a warthog sound like a crying child, but once you hear it you'll have passed."

"How many people pass this?" I had to wonder as he simply replied.

"There are ten others in your class right now training for this. Out of the ten of you we typically expect only two or three passing, but I have faith you'll be one of them."

I couldn't lie I was a little intimidated, but thanks to Roslin I wasn't nearly as overwhelmed as I normally would have been. Royce saw my reaction and urged me.

"Don't worry about that till the time comes. Focus on training. Put in all your effort and you'll easily overcome any challenge."

"And once I pass?" I asked him back with a confident smile.

Royce smiled with me. He loved my energy since day one and once he saw it he replied with equal confidence.

"You'll have a choice to make. What comes with passing S.T.T is the option to either move into an existing special tasks group, or you can take your training a step further by applying for basically any special training you want. Be that sniper spotter training, parachuting, or even force recon."

Seeing this as my chance to ask a burning question that has been sitting in the back of my head since joining the camp, I looked right into his eyes to ask.

"What about user's training?"

Now the jackal widened his eyes. He seemed stunned I even knew it existed. After a good look at me he replied with a question of his own.

"How do you know about that?"

Taking this seriously, I replied.

"My father. He was heavily invested in anything related to the military. He taught me everything I needed to know to join the army at a young age. That was one of the things he mentioned G.U.N offered."

"Your father seems like a very smart and well informed man. Did he serve?" Royce wondered as I shook my head.

"No sir. He was just well educated before his passing."

Giving me a sad look, Royce replied.

"Jesus. I'm so sorry for your loss Sam."

"It's okay. I'm doing this for him." I informed him as I wiped my forehead.

I used this as my reason for joining G.U.N. I hated that it still involved my dad, but it made the most sense when compared to other stories I had thought up. After a few moments Royce changed the subject by going back to what I asked.

"G.U.N does have such a program, but it isn't usually offered. It's a program where you can very easily die and even with that being the case, G.U.N wants only the very best to take such a risk. For if you survive you will be considered one of the best without question. It takes superior genes and an even more able body to adapt to the course."

"It's because of the drug you have to be given right? You need to see if it works and adapts to the host?" I asked as he nodded and replied.

"Exactly."

Making sure no one else was around, I drew the Captain's attention once more. Once I was sure no one was around I asked.

"What if the trainee already has the mutation?"

Royce widened his eyes out of confusion. For a moment he stumbled over his own words. Soon enough he questioned.

"What do you mean?"

Gently reaching deep for my own venom, I soon felt the heat rush over me. Captain Royce simply could not believe his eyes as I informed him with red eyes staring right into his.

"My mother served some time with the Russian military back when she was my age. She went through the training program they had for users and I would like to think when she had me it may have been passed down. It's the only thing I can think of since I never had access to such a combat enhancer. Is it common for such a mutation to be inherited?"

Taking a step back to look at me with such an impressed face, Royce soon replied in disbelief.

"It's not unheard of. But…...but it's….it's also not common. The chances of it happening are slim and not only that, but you're clearly not dosed right now. Which in any case makes you a perfect user and that right there is a goddamn miracle if I've ever seen one. How long have you known?"

"Only a few months. After my dad died I think it came out naturally for the first time. I was broken when I found out he was dead."

"Emotional trauma can bring about the effects of a perfect user. That's been proven time and time again. But I need to ask since I had no idea you had such a gift. Have you been using it since coming to bootcamp?"

"No sir. I was scared and I didn't want to use it to cheat. I knew I could be strong without it so I'm trying my very best to hold back."

Royce seemed convinced but went on to wonder.

"How did your blood work not show you had this within you? If your recruiter knew you were a perfect user before shipping you here, I'm certain the situation would have been completely different. In fact I might not have ever met you."

"But what happens now? Am I going to be discharged?"

Shaking his head rapidly, he replied.

"There isn't a single person in G.U.N that would dream of doing that to you. The chances and the benefits of being perfect outweigh any selfish act. If I was to report this now I can promise you the requirements for your training would triple easily. You'd be marked for the training camp and most certainly would be put to the test."

"But I can still do this right? S.T.T. I mean." I asked him with concern as he slowly nodded and replied.

"You most certainly can. Regardless of your ability at being a user you still have a lot to learn and that includes everything in the program S.T.T. teaches. We're still doing this Sam, but please understand that I do have to report this to my superior who just happens to be the training director for this camp and once that happens you're gonna be approached by a whole bunch of new people."

"What?" I questioned in confusion as he calmly explained.

"Let me run a reality check for you Sam. Do you know off hand how many perfect users G.U.N has in its active service around the world?"

"No." I replied as he went on to state bluntly.

"Last time I checked the number was around six."

"What?" I asked in disbelief. The jackal could only remain serious as he informed me.

"A perfect user Sam is so rare to the world that it's like I said, a miracle. G.U.N has around two hundred active users, all of which require the combat drug to function. These people are all part of G.U.N's special forces. Others with high marks and proven backgrounds are typically placed with the very few perfect users we have. Those squads are by far the most deadly, most advanced, and are nearly unbeatable when compared to normal troops. G.U.N uses them as a last resort and for black ops. These teams are referred to as echelons. That's the callsign for one of those units. You following me?"

"Yes sir." I replied as he went on.

"Perfect users are put through the very best training programs a military can offer. They are taught everything they could ever hope to need to complete their mission. Such things are basic in nature that everyone goes through in bootcamp. Marksmanship, close combat, survival training as a few examples. Mind you that even those are pushed to their very limits. We fly in the very best teachers to train you and if you accomplish any of those tasks, it's safe to assume you're one of the best out there for it."

Royce saw my interest in this and began to notice some more people coming towards the barracks. Gently urging me to move by tugging my arm to the side, Royce whispered.

"Let's talk about this elsewhere. Follow me."

I stayed alongside him as we began to walk towards the main building. As recruits we were never meant to go in there. It was more so for logistics and when new transfers arrived at the camp. On approach Royce continued our conversation.

"Some of the more advanced things you learn in training will be how to operate any and all G.U.N equipment and vehicles. That includes tanks and even attack choppers if you can believe it. Other examples I know of are things like computer hacking, medic training, and lock picking. G.U.N wants you to know how to do everything. It's a lot. It's described by those who have taken the course as nearly impossible to complete, but it's designed that way."

"It sounds like you're trying to produce super soldiers." I said back with a small stroke of fear taking over. Royce nodded as we neared the entrance and replied.

"That's exactly what they want. A super soldier. The last line and only hope when it comes to global matters of peace. They are the very best. No doubt about it."

"Why are we here?" I then wondered as he opened the door with his ID to reply.

"To make sure we don't waste any more of your time. You want to be the best? Well now that I know what you are; I want you to be just that and that starts with telling the big man upstairs what you are yourself. And I know it may seem rushed, but it'll be worth it for you. I also don't expect the man to believe me. Hint why you're coming with me. To prove it."

Seeing the look on my face and displayed around my body movement, Royce stopped once we were inside the main lobby to ask.

"If you want to stay where you are Sam and complete basic training, then by all means I won't do this now. But you'd just be wasting time. They will find out one way or the other and when they do you'll just be repeating a lot of the same stuff. So how about we just avoid that and move forward? It's your call."

I had no idea what exposing myself would provide and it made me question myself once he had explained it all to me. However I knew what I needed and I planned to get every advantage before dealing with Cora. If the outcome of the training is how he describes, then I have a strong feeling that I could pull this off. Looking back at the jackal I soon replied confidently.

"I understand. I want this."

Giving me a heavy smile, Royce stated back.

"Good. Let's go do this before it gets any later. And don't worry, you won't be chewed out. It's your recruiter who will be under fire. Either that or the medical staff who slipped up on the blood work."

"Okay." I mumbled as I felt hot. This time it wasn't from my venom, but from my own emotion. Regardless of my confidence I was still scared.

Once we had made it upstairs, Royce positioned us just outside a big office. It had windows all around and inside I saw a very well dressed and an even more intimidating black bear. He was fully covered in metals and busy looking over some paperwork on his desk. Royce gently tapped on one of the windows to get his attention and once he looked up he nodded and urged us with his hand to come in. Once we entered however he asked Royce who stood a foot in front of me.

"Is there a problem Captain? Who's the recruit?"

"Samantha Diskov sir. She's one of my students in the S.T.T program."

Getting up to greet me, the bear came right on over to offer me his hand. Once I had taken it he had replied deeply.

"Nice to meet you. My name is General Aiden Okav. I'm the commanding officer in charge of this training station."

"It's an honor General." I replied as we released one another.

Putting his focus back on Royce, he asked again.

"Pleasure is all mine. Now what seems to be the problem?"

"Nothing bad sir. Sam and I just got done discussing her training and I was informed by her personally that she considers herself a perfect user."

Widening his eyes the bear questioned.

"Excuse me?"

"I'm telling you the truth sir."

With his eyes landing back on me, the General ordered me.

"Then by all means I want proof. Private Diskov? Surely you can display yourself out in the open for me, yes? If you are what you claim to be, then show me your eyes."

"Yes sir." I replied as I turned it back on for him to witness.

Almost instantly the bear went from not believing; to uttermost shock. I dared to speak first to try and defend myself in case of backlash.

"I've never taken the drug. My mother was with the Russian army back when she used to live there and she took part in the user program they had. I was never told about my condition mainly because I believe neither of my parents knew. I only found out after my father's passing and…..and when my emotions took over."

"It's rare that something like this is passed down to a child though." Okav stated as I nodded and waited for what he planned to say next. Looking at Captain Royce he asked.

"It didn't come through with her blood work, Captain?"

Shaking his head Royce replied.

"I have no clue sir. It's a safe guess. Her recruiter would have reported this if he or she knew."

"Most definitely." Okav muttered as he then looked back at me to state.

"Well your condition is rather…..impressive Diskov. So much so that I think we will need to reconsider your training as of right now. What did you enlist for?"

"Infantry sir." I replied as he nodded and went on to question.

"For your own reasons I am sure, but seeing this with my own eyes I need to ask where you stand?"

"Captain Royce went over the basics with me sir. I want to pursue the training that is offered."

The bear was easily a foot taller than me. Looking me down with his own form of respect, Okav questioned yet again.

"Are you absolutely sure about that? If Captain Royce was honest with you, then it is safe to assume he warned you about how hard the training is and will be for a perfect user. I'm not trying to scare you off Diskov, I'm just being honest. There are very few other perfect users active in the world and even far less in G.U.N as a whole. The training is massive and it will hit you hard and fast. You'll be pushing your very limits to pass and at times it will seem impossible. Very few people actually go through with it, but…..?"

Stopping himself there, General Okav got a position on his desk where he could be eye level with me. Once we stared right at one another he said with confidence.

"If you see the training through till the very end you'll find yourself in a very good position. That I can guarantee you."

"How so?" I wondered as he looked at Captain Royce for the answer.

Approaching my side the jackal informed me with honesty.

"You won't be just some grunt for starters. Our leaders will refuse to throw you away. You will be called upon for some of the most daring missions that only people with your skills can hope to complete. Most if not all missions are classified and deniable in nature, but taking this responsibility will provide you with the full support of the government and G.U.N as a whole. You'll see your rank instantly raised to an officer, most likely a Lieutenant or even a Captain like myself. The pay raise to boot and plenty of extra that comes with your commitment and risk. Not to mention access to the very best equipment we have readily available. It's a dream for anyone who wants to defend what they love and believe in."

"It's a position men like myself consider necessary and disregarding code and my rank, I consider your sacrifice extremely noble and honorable. Those at the top of the food chain show respect; Generals and even the president are among a few."

"How long is the training?" I then asked as Royce replied.

"I'm not qualified to give you an exact number, but it can take up to six months roughly and it's nonstop. You will become a completely different person by the time it's all said and done. That I can say with certainty."

I calmly gave this one more chance to sit before committing to an answer. The two men stared at me and just as I made up my mind General Okav asked.

"What's it gonna be Diskov?"

"I'll do it."

"Are you sure?" He questioned as I quickly nodded and replied.

"Yes sir. One hundred percent."

Giving me a smile the General then looked back at Royce to order.

"See that the process is started Captain. Diskov? It'll take some time to get everything going, so for now I want you to settle in till Royce has more information. You're free to keep training till the time comes for your transfer. I'll make sure none of the other officers question why you're alone all the sudden without a unit. Understood?"

"Yes sir." I replied as Royce urged me to begin my trip back out of the office. Once we were back out into the hallway the jackal said to me happily.

"You're making the right choice. I know you can do it. I know that you know that you can do it. So for now just get back to your barracks and hunker down for the night. I'll come find you tomorrow when I have more information."

"Yes sir." I replied again as we parted ways. Once I was back at the barracks I thought to myself.

This is gonna eat away at me. I was giving Cora a lot of time to get comfortable again. However, the idea of making my name mean something made me excited. It was weird. So many thoughts and my brain could only see the potential ahead. I wonder what my parents would think if they knew what I was up to.

Raptor's POV, Iraq.

Stepping out of my car in the capital's parking lot, I went over to my passenger seat to grab onto a gym bag I had and a sling to one of my custom rifles I brought from home.

It was a custom M416 assault rifle. Tailored towards my preferences, it was equipped with a standard red dot sight, a set of quick access canted iron sights, a compensator, and a custom shoulder rail. The magazines I used were handcrafted for a quicker release and a faster reload and the plating being used was fully painted using a very deep dark green color. It even had my last name engraved on the stock and alongside the rail. Zeta did great work.

Letting my rifle lay across my chest once I had on the sling, I carried my gym bag and it towards the training yard that was fully stocked with troopers. Most were recruits but I could see plenty of older soldiers as well.

Upon inspection I decided to head on over to the shooting range where you could hear nothing but rifle fire being sent downrange by twelve other shooters. A spot was open near the center so I took it and put down my bag. The officer in charge of the lineup saw my presence and decided to order out loud.

"Hold your fire!"

The line came to a halt as I looked to him for an answer as to why he stopped it. It became obvious once he pointed me out by shouting to the rest of the line.

"Show some respect to the middle east's first president, Raptor Voltz! Attention!"

Every person on the range saluted me. I was again caught off guard by this. I wasn't really a part of the M.E.A.F anymore. I retired plenty of years ago. Waving to each of the soldiers, I took my care to order.

"Go back to your lines!"

Everyone obeyed which got me to relax once more. I just wanted to shoot something.

"Raptor!"

Shaking my head as I heard a voice call out to me from afar, I slowly turned back around to find Zandro making his way over to my line. During which I loaded my gun and informed him.

"I'm not here on business, Zandro. I'm just trying to get in some target practice.

That's perfectly fine, I just wanted you to know that my men finally got those prosthetics for Dom completed."

"No shit? That's great news. Have you told him yet?"

"He has no clue. I figured I'd let you break it to him. I want to see the face he makes when he hears it."

Nodding my head, I then asked him as he inspected my weapon which was still hanging down my chest.

"Is he on site?"

"No. I called him though. He should be on his way soon." Zandro replied as he then asked me shortly after.

"Zeta put that together for you?"

Nodding my head and deciding now was my time to refocus, I turned back towards the line and replied while checking my safety.

"You know how she is. Always doing something when I'm not around. Plus I like this weapon a lot. I always wanted this baby treated right and thanks to her the gun has a few more years in it now."

Waiting till I was aimed in on my first target, Zandro went to say something else. I heard his voice start just when I began to squeeze the trigger.

"So how are….?"

"Raptor!" Another voice called out to me and almost instantly I slammed down my rifle and laughed menacingly because I found this irritating now.

Zandro chuckled as I turned back around now to find Marx on the approach. Doing my best to relax, I replied towards the cat.

"Yes?"

Giving my response a small chuckle of his own, Marx replied.

"I was about to call you before I noticed your car pull up. How are you?"

"I'm trying to distract myself here Marx by not thinking about it."

"Military training still does that for you?" Zandro questioned as I nodded and replied.

"It does, yes. Now can I please start?"

Before I could get an answer from ether of them, I widened my eyes when I heard for the third fucking time.

"Raptor!"

"Jesus Christ! What is it now?" I asked myself as I looked around to see who it was this time.

For the life of me if it was anyone else I might have ignored them, but with Char and Yoga walking a direct path towards us, I let out a long groan and waited with a held chuckle and a wide smile as they soon stood before me. The rest of the firing line was now struggling to focus as well with so many important people around.

First president, current president, head of medical and the head of the M.E.A.F's science division. I asked for none of this. I just wanted to be left alone. Why is it that I choose the day to come down here that everyone has an itch to talk to me? I wondered to myself as Char saw my current state of mind to laugh.

"I'm sorry to bother you, but I just wanted to let you know about that thing we talked about last week? I might have figured something out that could work."

So much was going on in the span of ten minutes, I wanted to blow my head off. Each of which was important to its own degree, but I just wanted to spend my day relaxing. Trying my best to seem okay, I looked towards the younger wolf to reply.

"That's awesome Char. I mean it. Believe me I do, but right now I'm not here to discuss any business. Zandro? We'll both go see Dom after my session here on the range. Give me ten minutes. Marx? I'm okay and I'm grateful for all the concern, but with so much on my mind I'm just trying to exert my negative energy in a positive way; just like Clamer instructed me to do. And again Char, I love you man, but let's talk about it another time when I'm not so worked up. Okay?" I asked around my friend group as I turned to pick up my gun once more from off my chest.

Aiming my sights downrange again, I lined up the first target and prepared myself to pull the trigger.

"Ahhh Commander Voltz?"

I legitimately began to laugh as I heard Yoga's voice dare call me. Giving me a harmless chuckle back, he informed me with a point towards the far end of the range.

"The lane is changing shooters out. I'd hold your fire till everyone is in place."

Losing my mind, I looked over to see he was right. Every single one of them began to laugh at me as I leaned down to rest my elbows on my line's table. Cupping my mouth and nose with my hands, I groaned.

"I'm gonna lose it."

With the lane nearly done it's changes, I waited till it looked good to go before sitting back up straight. Before I could even touch my gun again I felt someone tap me on the shoulder from behind. Looking back madly to see Char giving me another laugh, I listened as he asked me jokingly.

"I think you're good to start there bud."

"Oh!?" I shouted out which got everyone to look at us more. Char and the others began to laugh even harder as I spun around with everything I had to get shooting at the targets.

I went as fast as I could and with my blood pumping and my anger at an all time high; my shots were so perfect and so quick I made every single one of them shut the fuck up in disbelief. I emptied thirty one rounds with over half of them hitting headshots and the rest hitting mid mass. I did it so fast I thought I blacked out, because by the time my senses came back I realized my gun was dry and I was still clicking the trigger. However I was still so worked up; that once I had hit the last shot, I spun back around to ask Char as loud as I could.

"Am I really good to go there buddy!? Am I!? Fuck you! Fuck all of you!"

I didn't even have to look to know I just broke the range's record for fastest and most accurate discharge of a full magazine. The amazement I got from all the other shooters was enough proof and even then the range officer let out a wail of excitement and pure glee to the display.

"Fuck yeah! That's what I like to see!"

That got everyone else going as my friends knew I was seriously losing it. However they were still just as impressed. Even Zandro stated out loud a moment after.

"I don't even have an operator that could do that reliably and you're about to be in your sixties."

"Don't remind me." I ordered him as I took a second to cool off afterwards. During which my friends began to break away. I was soon left with Char and Yoga and Char himself asked Yoga?

"You want to try and beat that?"

Yoga instantly put his hands up to shout.

"Oh hell no! Let someone else go first and get humiliated."

I gave Yoga an honest smile before saying back to him.

"Thank you. Now do you guys mind?"

"Not at all Raptor." Char replied as he tapped Yoga on his arm to order.

"Let's get back. Raptor? Just call me when you want to talk. Kay?"

Nodding and letting out a small sigh, I did my best to refocus and get back to my training. Now I proved my point to everyone here so I just decided to calmly take my time from here on out. I had to calm down and the last thing I needed right now was more distractions.

Sam's POV, the following night.

Walking around the base at night felt a little weird. No one was bothering me thanks to General Okav's orders so I had some time to myself before Royce would figure out where and when I was going. Every other thought I had was about the months to come. Was I ready for this? I wondered as I walked around the outside of the barracks by myself.

Royce and Okav made this out to be so hard. I was worried about underestimating their opinions. That and the fact that I'm considered one of the most special fighters G.U.N could hope to enlist. Assuming I pass everything to come.

With my pace kinda slow, I panicked when all the sudden I heard from my direct right side.

"Sam?"

I jumped so fast because the voice was right next to me and I knew I hadn't heard anyone creep up. It only made sense once I registered that it was Roslin. Giving him a shook look, I noticed he wasn't trying to hide himself from anyone nearby. In confusion I questioned.

"What the hell are you doing here? Don't you have to stay hidden?"

Shaking his head he replied.

"I do, but trust your eyes and what I say. No one can see me right now. No one could hope to see me even if they wanted to. I'm a god Samantha. I choose who can see me and right now that person is you. So do yourself a favor and keep walking. It would look pretty weird if someone passed by to see you talking to yourself, right?"

Recovering my figure, I obeyed and began to walk like he instructed. The echidna stayed at my side the whole time. After about ten seconds or so he said to me happily.

"You're doing a good job. Only here for a few weeks and now you're gonna be transferred."

"I'm worried."

"About your ability?" He asked back as I nodded and continued my lap around the barracks.

"You've barely embraced yourself. The little boost I gave you has clearly proven helpful, but it's about time you stop holding back. Your training is supposed to be the toughest to come, yeah?"

"Mhm." I mumbled as he then encouraged me.

"Then do not hold back. Go all out. You have the power to beat whatever they expect of you and you have the intelligence and the wit to deal with the rest. You're a genius Sam. Holding that back will only hinder your potential."

"I have my concerns that they would suspect something if I did though." I informed him as he quickly questioned.

"Why? They expect you to be the best. Prove you are. Trust me Sam no one will question your abilities. At least not yet."

"What do you mean?" I asked him back as he reached out to grab onto my right arm, which in turn brought me to a stop. Looking into his eyes, I listened as he ordered me.

"Stand still. Pretend you're looking at the moon. Don't move."

"Okay?" I replied in concern as he came in close to whisper.

"Breathe in."

I took a breath and held still with my eyes facing the moonlight. Reaching in to feel my neck, Roslin's hand went warm. His other hand held my arm steady as I began to feel strangely calm again. Whatever he was doing was working and sensing that he whispered to me.

"Your feelings are slowly dragging you down again. I get it. The bonds you're developing and the lessons you're learning from G.U.N are starting to pile up inside your head. You came here with determination, and I want you to keep moving forward that way; so I'm gonna help you again. But listen to me Sam…..don't get attached to anyone here. Save all that for after Cora's death. He took Mocha from you right? So focus on making sure he pays the price. Do you hear me?"

"Yes sir." I replied obediently as he kept my chin held.

"Good girl."

"Mmmmm." I moaned as he smiled.

"You can do this. If you couldn't, I'd have already taken action."

"Thank you." I replied as he questioned slowly after releasing my chin.

"For what?"

"For believing in me."

Roslin seemed kinda surprised I thanked him for something like that. In fact it made him question.

"Why is that so important to you?"

Taking my time to put the words together, I soon replied to his question.

"I just need someone to keep me together. If you weren't here I don't think I could handle this."

"You could. You're strong like your parents." He stated back as I shook my head to question.

"How so? My dad is a fucking war hero. If he melted down all his medals he could make a statue of himself. And my mom? My mom is the real genius. Even if she lacked the strength; she could always figure out another way to make it happen. Me? I don't see myself being better than them. "

Letting my arm go, Roslin gently grabbed my chin and lifted it up so I would stare into his eyes. Once I was locked on to him he begged me.

"Don't think like that. You're not aiming to be like them or better than them. You're aiming to be different. To not make the same mistakes they did. Your story is unique. The only thing you have in common with both of them, is that by the time your story ends, you'll have changed the world for the better. Believe in what you can be Sam. Not what you think the world wants you to be."

He was right. He was always right. Giving my cheek a gentle pat, Roslin calmly backed an inch up to ask me.

"Now it's time. What's your one question?"

Without looking away from his eyes, I replied curiously.

"Who watches over my father? It can't be you right? You hate him."

A very soft chuckle escaped his lips.

"You're right. I have nothing to do with him."

Gently pushing my arm in front of my body; we began to walk again. A few steps later he said to me.

"The man responsible for your father is the current god who observes this realm. My old demi, Marcus. A very young looking fellow like yourself. Black fox. Ring any bells?"

"No." I replied as he nodded and went on to state.

"Marcus had been keeping tabs on your dad well before anything major went down in the middle east. And once he saw the potential he had, Marcus gave him some power. Marked him with his creed and aided your dad in the destruction of G.U.N's war effort and the revenge he seeked for his family getting killed. Marcus made the right choice. Picking your dad I mean. Raptor was full of potential and originally meant to take Marcus's place. That didn't happen once you were expected to come."

"Really?" I wondered as he gently took my wrist with his left hand as we moved.

"Yes. I won't get into all the details, simply because I don't know the whole story. I don't want to confuse you. Or get something wrong."

I felt the warmth in his hand as he continued to hold me together.

"However I must remember that those kinds of things are saved for another day when we get this opportunity. You just wanted to know who it was backing him and now you do. So how about we stop this conversation for now? How do you feel?"

"Better." I replied as he then urged me.

"I'm always watching. I can hear your voice from wherever you are. If you ever need this type of help again Sam….call to me and I'll come. Losing yourself among your feelings is a quick way to lose yourself all together."

"Do my parents know?" The question shot out of my mouth so fast I barely registered I had even said it. Roslin on the other hand released my hand to question.

"Do you remember what I said to you? One question."

"Please." I begged him with two wide eyes.

"I just need to know."

My words must have meant something to him. I saw that he understood just by how he reacted after hearing my plea. The echidna took a few moments to stare back at me and after that he replied.

"No."

I felt a weight leave my shoulders. Roslin on the other hand took this chance to say to me.

"But now that you broke our deal; I'm gonna ask you a question."

"Okay." I replied as I prepared myself for it. With a smile on his face he wondered.

"Are you gonna be more than just a tool?"

His question confused me. At first I had to ask myself what he meant. Was he talking about G.U.N? Or was he talking about my intentions? The only thing I knew for sure was this and I decided to inform him of it.

"I'm not anyone's tool. G.U.N may be training me and I might need their help, but that does not mean I'm their tool. Nor will I be after this. I'm my own person and that's how I want it to stay."

The echidna seemed happy to hear it, but again I had to speak the truth and this part of it I had already accepted.

"But if there is a place for it; then it's with you. I'm not denying it. You saved my life. You're giving me this chance to make things right and you're helping me mentally. That's more than I could ever hope for and that's why I'll do whatever you need me to do. I'm not gonna take this power for granted. I promise."

"Well said." He replied as I nodded and saw some people coming from the south. Roslin took one look at the group and afterwards urged me with a smile.

"Remember what I said. You need me and I'll come. Just mind your head and who you trust. Goodnight Samantha."

"Goodnight." I replied as he disappeared before my very eyes.

Reaching up for my neck, I felt the spot he had touched. It was still warm but what he did worked. My mind was no longer racing. Taking one more look at the people coming towards me, I decided now was my time to move forward. I had a lot coming up and I wanted to be ready for it.

mT Shadow.