Love Struck Eternal
Chapter 33 - Another goodbye.
Sam's POV, A few days later.
Today was the day. I had to go back to the army and to be honest I was excited. Jari and his family treated me so well these last few days I couldn't help but miss them once I was gone.
Jari and I exchanged a few words before Minky picked me up and to be honest it went well. I gave him a goodbye kiss and a long hug and I promised I'd see him again as soon as I got the chance, but we both knew it would be awhile before that happened. Hopefully he'd be done with school by then, but I'm sure he would be busy doing something else that was worth his time. Much like myself.
Minky drove me to the airport and once we reached the parking lot, the cat shut off the engine and watched as I collected my bags. Once I was ready to depart, he said to me nicely.
"I wish you the best of luck. Remember…..if you ever need something while you're out in the field, just give me a call or shoot me a message. I'll get back to you ASAP."
"I will. Thank you again Minky. For now just keep a low profile and let me focus on work. I'll bring us both in some more contracts before long."
Giving me a laugh he replied.
"After that business with the mob? Don't push yourself. We're both sitting pretty after that. I just want to make sure you're kept well informed. G.U.N isn't known to have the best intel, but when it comes to shit that matters, I'll have your back. Network connections make everything easier. And I want you to know I'll keep a strong eye over your profile. If and when you get posted as a bounty, I'll let you know who and for what. I'll even do my best to play around with the intel the network hands out to anyone who's interested. I can't promise anything since something like that isn't technically in my jurisdiction, but I'll do what I can."
"Okay." I replied calmly back as he nodded and proceeded to ask me.
"You ready to get out there?"
Nodding, I replied.
"Yeah. Should be fun." I gave the cat a smile and as I started to open my door I urged him one final time.
"Keep your head down while I'm gone."
Laughing back he replied.
"Will do. Take care. I hope to see you stateside again real soon."
"Same." I muttered as I finally left the truck and shut the door behind me. I gave Minky one last wave goodbye and then proceeded into the airport. I'd be back to my station hopefully before noon. Part of me was hoping Royce was still gonna be waiting. I missed him.
Three hours later, Fort Sorrow, Mississippi.
"How was the time off?" Royce asked as I arrived on base to meet him at the entrance to the main building. Shaking his hand happily, I replied with a small smile.
"It was good, but I can't lie to you. I was looking forward to coming back. How was your time away from me? Hehe." I laughed back at him as we walked side by side into the base. With the jackal just as cheery as when we departed, he replied to me.
"Busy. We have a lot to go over."
"Do I have an assignment yet sir?" I asked him back as he led the way. Nodding his head he replied.
"It's classified as you'd come to expect. We can't discuss it here in the open so just follow me down to your room."
"We're talking there?" I questioned in confusion as he quickly chuckled and replied.
"Of course not, but you just got back. Benington wants you to settle in first. Plus we're still waiting on a few guests who will be joining the conference we're attending later tonight."
"Guests?" I then proceeded to wonder out loud as we began to make our way down a small flight of steps.
"President Marano is on his way down here from the head office. Word on the base is he wants to meet the woman who smashed her way through perfect user's training. That and his presence is required for this meeting."
"Oh shit, really?" I sounded nervous because I was. I knew people wanted me working for them, but I never would have guessed the president would be one of them. I'm still new? So why me? I asked myself as Royce kept on my shoulder to reply.
"Like I said, I can't discuss the details, but I can promise you this assignment may become a matter of world security. The president wants the best working on it and when it comes to who's the best, that clearly is you on paper. But I have no doubts you can handle it in person. Your training proves you can handle anything and Ajex wants to see that for himself by meeting you in the flesh. It's a high honor Sam. Not many people get to see him on such short notice. Especially since all that shit went down in Iran between him and the M.E.A.F. You hear about that?" He asked me as I nodded and replied.
"President Char of the M.E.A.F was killed right?"
Nodding Royce and I reached my room where I would be staying. Once we walked inside the said room, he sighed and replied.
"Yeah and the people who did it tried to take out the only living witness a few days later. Attacked the hospital he was staying at using a sniper. Commander Voltz got shot saving his life."
Instantly I widened my eyes. Royce thankfully wasn't looking at me as he went on to state.
"The only person who died was a poor nurse who found herself between the intended target. It was a miracle Commander Voltz even noticed the shooter in time to react. Another miracle that he made it out alright; alongside Ajex who amazingly wasn't shot at as well by the assassin. You ask me, we all got lucky this time."
"But…...Commander Voltz is okay though?"
Nodding as we looked back at one another, Royce replied.
"Perfectly dandy from what I know. I don't know how, but hey I don't question things at this point. Like I said….we all got lucky."
I took a second to collect myself, but soon put my bags down and took a seat on the small bed. Royce walked back to the door to then order me.
"Ajex shouldn't be here for a few hours. Take the time to rest if you want. I'll come collect you once he arrives. We can discuss everything else in more detail then. Okay?"
"Yes sir." I replied as I laid back and was left to think for myself as he shut the door behind him a moment later.
So the people who killed my uncle also tried to kill Yoga once they found out he survived the first attack? That must mean they have a lot of intel to work with. Be that a mole or two or just some very good recon guys. They were organized. Yet what made me curious was the simple fact that Royce just said they're target was Yoga of all people. Why not kill my father or Ajex if they were both in the same room with him? It didn't make a whole lot of sense if the plan was to drive the world into chaos. It couldn't be that simple then. They cared more about they're identity. Staying hidden must be priority one for now and that made sense since Minky told me that they weren't on anyone's radar yet. Not even the network's."
Taking a moment to shut my eyes, I heard from inside my own head; Roslin's voice.
"I don't know who did it either, Sam, but if you catch a lead I can help you figure it out."
"How?" I asked back inside my own mind. A moment later he replied.
"By doing what I'm doing to you now. I can dig deep when I want too and if you manage to locate a member of this group I can get you answers. You won't even need to lift a finger. Trust me."
It felt strange having this man in my head, but at this point I was not going to question anything anymore. What mattered was the fact that I now knew he had my back in this. Having a god as my master comes with it's benefits.
"Are you ready for more power Sam?"
Reopening my eyes and sitting back up on the bed, I replied internally.
"Yes."
A moment later the man himself appeared before me. I looked up at him and very gently he knelt down in front of me and reached out to grab my neck. I just stared back into his eyes as he urged me quietly.
"Take a breath. This will hurt."
Obeying his command, I took a breath and prepared myself. He waited till I was ready and once I was I nodded my head. A second later I felt something in my head hit me hard. Enough so that the breath that I previously took felt like it had been snatched out of me without my knowledge. I gagged for a second to acquire another one and the whole time Roslin held my neck and watched my eyes closely. They felt like they were burning for some reason. I knew my venom wasn't on; so it made me again wonder what was happening.
"Breathe." He continued to urge me as the sensation turned into pain in a matter of seconds.
I couldn't help but expose my teeth as I used all my strength to keep my voice down. If not I would be screaming right now. Soon however that pain began to win me over and I began to growl. Roslin on the other hand wasn't fairing well either though. Despite him holding me in place; I could see he was in agony as well. Even a small line of blood began to leave his mouth as I couldn't maintain my struggle for much longer.
"What the hell was he doing?" I asked myself as my vision began to fade.
I wasn't about to pass out just yet, but the burning sensation behind my eyes began to render my vision useless. I lost all sight a few seconds later and instantly I questioned Roslin as I could clearly still feel his hand on my neck and my eyelids being both still open.
"What's…..what's happening to me?"
"I'm giving you the sight. Hold on a little longer. You're doing great."
"I can't see Roslin." I informed him as I began to panic slightly internally.
"You're okay. I got you. Just calm down."
I had no other choice but to trust him. I did everything I could within my power to try and relax. Yet the longer this went on the more my body began to ache from the sensation. I couldn't see anything. The world was black and the feeling in my legs began to go numb. I heard Roslin cough roughly a moment later and with it his hand slipped off my neck for a mere moment, but when it did I got hit with an immediate spike of blistering pain from within my own head. It felt like someone hit me in the back of my skull with the back end of a hammer. It was so much pain that I couldn't help but scream and once I did Roslin recovered and grabbed me again; this time however he used his other hand to cover my mouth and beg me as quietly as he could.
"Forgive me! I wasn't expecting this much pain either! I got you! I got you! Breathe!"
Now I felt like I was about to pass out. I could even begin to taste my own blood since some had forced its way up my throat. Yet despite that fact; the pain I just felt began to quickly quill itself once he had put his hand back on me like he just did, but I couldn't keep my posture now. I began to fall over to my right side. What was going on? What was this power? I wondered as I felt his hand leave my mouth and mount itself on my chest.
Roslin's POV.
Just like before when I gave her more of my strength, I wasn't ready to experience this suffering. Back when I was the ruler of this realm, giving my power to my demi was an easy feat. But now that my time had passed, forcing my body to give it to a second demi was equivalent to being stabbed four hundred times in the heart with a burning cattle prod. It just goes to show that this was designed to only happen once. Any other attempts would be met with this much resistance. Yet it wasn't impossible. Samantha's body was accepting it regardless since she bore my mark. It was mainly myself who had to suffer. Her pain right now was nothing compared to my own. Marcus and I got off so fucking easy, it was a joke.
Sam however was all but done at this point. She reached her breaking point and just like before; she passed out. In a way I was grateful she did. It made this a little bit easier for me to finish and once I had I refocused my efforts on making sure her heart hadn't stopped. Thankfully it hadn't, but I believe we were very close just then. I believe her father died when Marcus gave him this gift. That makes me laugh a little to be honest. It shows that his daughter of all people had a higher pain tolerance. Out of everyone, she was stronger. I knew it. I said to myself as I took a moment to apply the finishing touches to her gift.
Once that happened, I released my grip over her neck and began to cough into my sleeve. I could again taste my own blood and as I did I noticed some of hers coming up from her lips. I then took the time to wipe that off and clean her up.
"God damn it." I mumbled as I could feel my heart beating. Putting my hand on my own chest, I felt each beat till it came to a stop.
I was shocked it was still capable of doing such things after all these centuries. It made me laugh inside. Another thing I barely did any of before meeting this woman. Feeling alive really could make a guy question his reality. I was praying I'd go back to being dead sooner rather than later and thankfully that was the case within minutes of being done with the transfer. All I had to do now was wait for her to wake up.
Sam's POV, Four hours later.
I woke up for the first time in my life not feeling groggy or slow. My energy was at a peak and it felt weird. I've grown used to waking up feeling like shit for the first hour. Now all of a sudden I wanted to run a marathon from the first light my eyes saw and that was the other thing. I could see.
"Sam?" I never moved my head so fast. Roslin was sitting a few inches down from me on the end of the bed. He looked normal once again. No blood from before. He seemed naturally calm. With our eyes locked I replied in a sense of confusion.
"Yeah?"
Not moving a muscle the echidna asked me while looking over my face.
"How do you feel?"
I took a few moments to examine myself before answering that. I could see just fine. Maybe even better than before. Yet what made matters more confusing to me was the fact that I could feel something within my own mind. It soon took my attention completely away from the question at hand.
For some reason I could feel energy. It's hard to explain, but if my mind is processing this right; then I believe I could feel other living beings. Just outside the door I knew there were people walking by my room. One of which I could tell was a hedgehog. He was zooming by the door. I think he was jogging for some reason, but that reason did not matter. What mattered was understanding now what I was capable of doing and thankfully Roslin sat there just waiting. Once I had refocused on him, I replied to his previous concerns.
"I feel great. What did you do?"
Offering me his hand, he replied.
"Come see for yourself."
I stared at him for a moment before accepting his offer. Soon he guided me to the small bathroom I had in the room and put me in front of the sink where a mirror sat. He just peacefully watched my reaction to what I saw waiting for me.
My eye color was changed. Not as drastically as my father's, but the gold I once had turned orange now. I dare say it resembled fire. Yet around the black pupil was a thin white film. It could be described as cloudy. It was faint but it was there. I couldn't help but reach up with my right hand to touch just under my right eye's lid. I leaned in to examine the changes and with the echidna standing a few inches above my shoulder; he said to me calmly.
"It took a lot to reach this point, but you now have the sight us gods do."
Putting my hand down in awe as I couldn't take my eyes off myself, Roslin went on to say.
It'll take some getting used to. Your mind is probably racing as we speak. You can sense the living, yes?
Slowly looking around the area in front of me which was nothing more than a wall, I took his gift and began to do what he just claimed I could. Like before I could mentally see other people. There were a few at first just outside the room, but in mere seconds I could sense everyone. It hit me so hard I lost my legs a second after. Roslin panicked and thankfully managed to catch me from behind.
"Stop! Relax!" He urged me as quietly as he could as he pulled me back into his chest. I struggled to collect myself this time though. I did however try to get my feet back under me and once I began to; Roslin helped me back out and onto the small bed. I was then put down and brought back into his sight. With a hand on my shoulder to steady me and another resting under my face, Roslin said to me slowly so I could understand.
"It's gonna take getting used to. You need to focus."
"How?" I asked him with uncertainty as I tried to balance myself again.
Roslin still kept his hand around my own in case I was going to collapse again.
"By focusing on just one person or a small group for the next few minutes. Let your mind get used to feeling it, then try to add another person, then another, then another. If you lose control and jump to the surrounding area; your gonna lose yourself again like you just did. Relax for a minute Samantha. Sit."
He tugged me gently by my hand and I had little left to use to question him, so I sat back down and looked back at his own set of eyes. Then very carefully I took a breath and did as he instructed. At first it felt okay, but once I began to add on more people I started to feel lightheaded again. It was amazing how fast all that energy I once had left me. Roslin saw that change in my face and once he did he ordered me.
"Slow down. Look at me. Focus on me."
I did and with it he asked me.
"Focus on one person. I don't care who it is, but don't look away from me. This will help you keep focus. Please take your time. Just because one person feels okay; that doesn't mean you're ready to add more. It'll come shortly, but don't try to rush it. Okay?"
"Okay." I mumbled back as I took a second to prepare myself. Once I was ready I began again.
Roslin's POV.
She was doing good. I kept my hands on her arms to keep her balanced in case she pushed it again. Yet it seemed I was too concerned. She obeyed my commands to the tee and I could monitor her progress using my own powers. She was taking her time and that time seemed to drift on as we progressed. Five minutes later she added a second person's energy, then after ten minutes she felt comfortable enough to add another. After an hour or so she had control over the sight and I didn't need to worry about her collapsing again.
"Are you in control?" I asked her to be certain. She responded by getting up onto her own two legs. She then started to look around the room and it didn't take me long to see what she was doing. Her focus was going from one person to another. This base was full of them. I knew just from experience that there were about five hundred people within the first building we were in. Outside it? Well it was enough to push her mind to its limits and thankfully she had enough sense in her to control it.
"Amazing." I whispered to myself as she turned to look back at me with a wide smile and a chuckle.
"I can't believe this is real."
"Your reflexes were fast before, but wait till next time when you need them. You're untouchable now. The only thing that could hope to hit you are bullets. Mortals don't stand a chance. You'll see them coming a mile away."
She began to laugh. This time however I sensed she wasn't laughing from disbelief of the power she now had. She was laughing because she knew just as well as I did how powerful she had become with just one upgrade to her body. She wasn't on her dad's level, but right now? Well right now she was proof to me that I had chosen right. She was proof that she would surpass her father. Maybe even surpass Marcus when he was given the gifts. Yet that would have to wait. She still had more to learn.
Phasewalking? Convalescence? Mind reading? Physical manipulation? All of this would come, but in time. Her body was amazing in more ways than one. Convalescence would come next I believe. That or teaching her how to read others. I'm not sure yet, but I was more than convinced she could handle it. She already proved more than enough to give me confidence in the matter.
Her laugh was starting to seem maniacal though. She was smart, powerful, and inside….very evil. She had no emotions towards her own condition and that was simply because she accepted it and…...and well she loved it. Giving her this gift just makes the matter all the more apparent and I loved it.
With her laughter soon coming to a halt, she looked back at me to wonder.
"Are you okay? You said you were in pain before."
Nodding my head I replied calmly.
"Yes, indeed. I wasn't as ready as I should have been. Again I'm sorry I lost control and caused you more pain than was necessary, but I'd go out on a limb and say that I believe we succeeded in your next step."
Sam was most certainly happy with herself and more so with me. I was, however, covering up a little. My body was in agony from the experience. I needed time to rest. But I didn't want her to worry. So using what strength I had left, I stood up from the bed to urge her.
"Take the next few days to adjust. If you plan to go hard that's fine, but promise me you'll do it within the safety of your own confines. You might still be able to lose control and I don't want you passing out on your own in some shithole."
"Where are you going?" She then proceeded to ask me as I took a moment to fix my cloak. Once I was done I replied.
"I need to rest. So I'll be absent for a few days. But I'll be back. I promise."
She seemed disappointed yet I knew she would be okay without me for the time being.
"Before you go, can I ask you a question?"
Now it was my turn to laugh a little. The wolf shot me a funny look as I informed her back bluntly.
"It's only fair seeing as I haven't been urging you to ask any since the last time we discussed your personal concerns. So go ahead. What's on your mind?"
With her new eyes leaving me for a moment, I watched in silence as she walked a few feet around in circles. She was preparing herself to ask me something it seemed, but what? I wondered as she soon stopped to ask.
"How was it for you?"
Here I was expecting her to ask me more questions about her dad or even Marcus. I got all serious for no reason and that question honestly made me start chuckling as she clearly enjoyed my reaction. After a few more moments I said back to her.
"Well considering by the time we were done you had fallen asleep, I would say our…..interaction….was good."
Taking a step towards me the wolf laughed back.
"That doesn't answer my question."
With a firm smile on my face, I gave her what she seeked by stating.
"It was good. Very good."
She nodded in satisfaction now as I went on to inform her.
"I haven't done anything like that for…..hmmm…...about two hundred years or so I believe."
"And you handled it that well? Impressive." Sam now chuckled as I quickly urged her as my instant natural response.
"Don't play girl. I handled it the way I did simply because of the situation we were in when it happened. I could have done more if we weren't inches away from a family of hyper vigilant rabbits."
"Really?" She asked me playfully back as I decided to put her in her place for a moment. The wolf couldn't see this one coming. Without even moving my body; I pushed her back onto the bed. The event caught her so off guard that she tumbled a tad before locking her eyes back on me to question.
"What the fuck?"
Now I moved and did so by beginning to walk my way to the door. She simply stared at me as I found amusement in her confusion for the few moments I had her down. Once I had reached the exit, I looked back at her pretty face to chuckle out.
"Really. Don't test me. I'm already exhausted and I'd prefer to make my exit now before I force myself to exert any more power on you then I have to."
Sam quickly managed to get herself back together and with her feet planting themselves back onto the ground; she said to me with a smirk.
"Full of surprises still, huh?"
Nodding my head, I replied while channeling my powers to leave.
"Always. Take care of yourself now. I'll see you once I'm ready."
"Ready for what?" She questioned as I again caught on to her playfulness. So I just gave her the finger and left. A demon of my own creation. I shouldn't be shocked she's the way she is. After all, she is still just a girl.
Ajex's POV, An hour later.
"Pleasure to have you here sir." General Benington said to me as I finally arrived at Fort Sorrow after a day full of political jumping jacks. Taking the man by the hand, I shook and said back to him with a smile on my face.
"Pleasure to be here, General. I've heard great things since the last influx of troops came through regulations. You're pushing out some of the very best our country has to offer."
"That's why you're here now sir, correct?"
Nodding my head as we walked into the main building, I replied to his concerns.
"Correct. I've heard rumors from quite a few sources that very recently you've had the opportunity to train a perfect user. A perfect user who somehow flew under the radar."
Laughing a little, Benington went on to say.
"We can say that yes. Somehow the blood work slipped up before training. The only reason we found out was because the individual came forward with the information to her trainer in private."
Nodding my head as we proceeded to his office, I went on to wonder.
"And since that happened it appears this recruit has set multiple records, yes?"
"Her scores are unlike anything I've ever seen in over my twenty years of training at this facility. You'll see for yourself here in a moment. I have all the paperwork waiting for us to discuss."
"When will I meet her?" I proceeded to ask as we neared the office.
Getting the door, Bennington replied.
"In a few minutes. I sent Captain Royce, her trainer, to fetch her from her room. She just came back from her two week leave."
"Fantastic." I went on to say as I walked inside the room to go right for the desk which I could tell had the paperwork waiting for me. Multiple vanilla folders all stamped as classified documents. I took the first one that was on top and opened it to rest my eyes on her picture.
An all around looker. Six foot one, female wolf with quite the distinct fur pattern to her. I can say with confidence I have rarely seen a coat much like hers. All a mix of white and black short fur. Two very gold eyes and two surprisingly nasty scars going along her face. Made me wonder how she got them at such a young age. I thought to myself as General Benington observed me as I looked away from the picture to read the name.
"Second Lieutenant Samantha Diskov?" The last name sounded familiar for some reason, but I couldn't recall knowing anyone personally with that name. Sounded Russian, yet the girl's place of birth was here in the United States. Had me curious to say the least; so I looked over at Benington to ask out of curiosity.
"Where is she from?"
"Pennsylvania sir." He replied as I nodded and looked through her file to see her test scores and some of the reviews her instructors had given her during basic.
During that time I sat down with my fellow officer and waited for Diskov to show up. I couldn't help but be kinda taken by her reviews. Her instructors were some of the best and toughest bastards in this army. Stern and very picky. To get such high remarks from each of them impressed me thoroughly to say the least. How was a kid like her this good? I asked myself as we suddenly looked up to the sound of a knock at the door.
"Come in!" Benington urged our guests. I readied myself as in walked two more people. Captain Royce, the jackal and the one who I had been reading up on, Lieutenant Diskov. The girl herself showed me instant respect as she wore her officer's attire alongside her handler. I smiled when we crossed eyes and stood up to approach the two. I offered Royce my hand first and said to him as I soon crossed on over to the wolf who came to my attention.
"Pleasure to meet you Captain."
"Likewise sir." He replied as I steadied myself and looked up the few inches it took to meet Diskov's eyes. She was indeed quite the specimen. Even in that uniform she was very built for her age and size. God it's no wonder some of her physical scores were this good. Her eyes however looked different. Not really gold. They looked more orange then anything.
Offering her my hand now, I said with an open and happy voice.
"I take it your Lieutenant Diskov. It's quite the honor to have someone as talented as yourself join my military. Your scores are no laughing matter. There isn't a single negative review from any of your instructors and you're clearly deserving of such high remarks seeing as you made it through training while setting so many records that haven't been touched in years. How are you feeling Lieutenant?"
"I'm good sir. Just a little nervous to meet you is all. Pardon me please."
Shaking my head with some understanding, I urged her.
"Don't be nervous. It's unbecoming of a woman with your background. Much less deserving of myself. I'm merely a twig in a suit when I compare us. So please lighten up and smile some. This meeting is important, yes, but at the same time it's also my way of honoring your service."
"Are we discussing her service here sir?" Captain Royce proceeded to ask me as I shook my head to reply a moment after.
"Unfortunately not Captain. Due to the nature of our conversation and the mere lack of intel, I've decided not to take any chances. I hope it's not going to interfere with anything you may have going on, but I wish to take our business directly to the white house as soon as possible."
Captain Royce seemed surprised and so did the young Lieutenant, but after an exchange of looks, Royce said to me happily.
"Again it would be an honor. I have nothing more important than this to look forward to and I'm confident the Lieutenant is the prime subject of the conversation; so it looks like we only have one option."
"General?" I went on to direct the conversation to him and just as fast as I expected Benington replied while collecting Diskov's files.
"I'm not at liberty to delay or neglect your wishes sir. If that is what you want then by all means take these two with you. I'm sure Captain Royce is on the money when it comes to the matter at hand being about the Lieutenant and I know all about security; so I understand why you feel like you shouldn't discuss such a classified matter here on base. Diskov?"
Eyes went to her as she looked at her commanding officer who went forward to order her calmly.
"Listen to the Captain and may your travels be safe from here to the capital. You've made me proud Diskov. It's been an honor and a pleasure to have you train here. I wish you the best of luck with your future outside of this cramped base."
"Thank you sir. It was my honor to have yourself and such great instructors at my side. I couldn't have done it alone. Thank you."
"Of course." Benington replied as he looked back at me. Nodding my head, I collected the files from his hands and urged the two soldiers in front of me with another warm smile.
"Well let us see our way outside. We'll go right to the airport and be in the air in a matter of minutes. Captain? Stick with the Lieutenant and make sure to follow me and my men."
"Yes sir." He replied as he then urged Diskov to get the door, which she did as I began to walk my way out of the office. Hopefully if god would see to it; I'd be back home proper by the end of this day. Any more flights and I'd start to get jet lag.
Sam's POV.
I did my part to keep my composure in front of G.U.N's president and I think I'm holding a pretty straight face. I wasn't at all expecting to leave the state though for this meeting. Were things that bad right now where he couldn't feel comfortable inside a military base of all places to discuss a classified matter?
As we walked our way outside, I took notice of his security. All in standard G.U.N uniforms but the uniform itself was partly red. Mainly in the beret they all wore. Yet they were all armed to the teeth and looked much older than me. I assume only trusted veterans are allowed this honor.
However one thing still was getting me off balance and that was still my new found power. Roslin has opened my eyes to something I could call fairy tale. I was getting the hang of it, but he wasn't lying when he claimed I'd never be caught off guard again. I could sense everyone. Every single guard, every single person between us on our path to the airport, every living thing. I could sense it all and I knew exactly where they were at any given time and I could easily begin to estimate my own distance. The ability reached out differently depending on what my focus was on. If I wanted to look beyond my position; I think I could go at least a hundred meters out. Maybe it would get larger with practice, but right now that was more than enough to help me in any situation.
During our drive I sat alongside Royce. The man held nothing but a smile the whole time we drove. He just always seemed happy. I wish I had his outlook on life. I wish I could make everything that simple.
With Ajex sitting across from us between two of his men, I shut my eyes and attempted to focus more on my abilities. I wanted to practice even if it made me look different. So I held myself up straight and shut my eyes. Taking a calm and steady breath, I focused on the white fox in front of me. Instantly I could see his face. He was giving me a curious look probably because he was wondering about why I had my eyes closed all the sudden. Yet he didn't interrupt me as I focused on his body and tried to pick out all his features and in a matter of seconds it was as if I knew everything there was to know about him. Even the suit he wore. That was the moment though when he decided enough was enough and he came out with his voice asking me in a nice tone.
"What's wrong Lieutenant? Car sick?"
Reopening my eyes, I smiled back at him and replied.
"No sir. Just trying to keep a clear head. I like to mentally level myself out from time to time. It's nothing personal against your driver. Hehe."
The fox and Royce enjoyed my quick wit and humor and in between Ajex's laughs I informed him of something to demonstrate my understanding of this gift.
"If you don't mind me saying this sir, you have a break in your suit. Just under your pocket. The right side."
Ajex widened his eyes in confusion and quickly went to check his pocket. He seemed absolutely taken when reached inside to feel a hole on the inside of his jacket. Lost for words even, the fox looked back up at me as one of his men questioned with a faint chuckle of amazement.
"How the hell did you know that?"
Reaching up to take off my beret, I ran my right hand through my hair to begin chuckling back at the men. Ajex was still lost for what to say, but Royce took his chance to claim with his own unique voice to his boss.
"See that? She's amazing isn't she? Her observational skills are on a completely different level from anyone I've had to train before. I don't even know how you picked up on something so little as that Lieutenant."
Giving him a small smile back, I went on to state.
"It's nothing, Captain. Just stating the obvious."
"The obvious?" Ajex finally questioned as we both looked back at him to listen as he stated in confidence.
"The fact that you could see that is indeed what the Captain said. Amazing. Your how old Lieutenant? Eighteen? Nineteen?" He asked me as he went into one of my few files to look up the answer. As his search began, I replied to his question calmly.
"I'm eighteen, sir."
"Just eighteen and you have such promise. I'll be honest with you. The record you have is spotless. Your scores alone could net you a spot on any of the user teams we have currently deployed and the only other user I recall in G.U.N history that had anything close to your scores was none other than Gorgon Zetes."
"Who is that?" I wondered as I looked at Royce who replied a moment after hearing my question.
"He was the head of G.U.N's top user team we had deployed to counter the M.E.A.F. Well if I'm trying to be accurate they were still the rebellion back then. Raptor Voltz, who you know is currently the active leader for the M.E.A.F, was the commander as well at the time during that war. Gorgon and his team were tasked with taking him in."
"Wait...let me get this straight." I said back to Royce as I put my words together quickly enough to ask him properly.
"This was before I was even born; so I don't know all the details, but we had a whole team of perfect users assigned to bring him in?"
Nodding, Royce replied.
"Hecan Moore was the president back when this all went down and Ajex can correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe it wasn't up to him how it happened. All he wanted was for the fighting to stop one way or the other before a war could happen. So he gave the reins of the operation to the man in charge of G.U.N's fighting force at the time, which was Commander Drake Linnen."
I listened as Royce went on stating in confidence.
"Now Linnen and Voltz had a lot of beef leading up to the end. Linnen was assigned Gorgon and his team and he used them to bring Voltz down no matter the cost and that cost was taken too far."
"Linnen had Gorgon take Raptor in by using the man's own family against him. Linnen had it set up in advance and had a few of his men placed within Raptor's own ranks. When the time was right they abducted his wife and two kids and used them to bring him in." Ajex went on to say as I quickly spoke my mind.
"Isn't that illegal?" My question came with a nod from Royce and Ajex himself went on to state.
"The operation itself isn't public knowledge and even if it got out at this point; it wouldn't affect anything. Hecan is no longer in office and Gorgon, his men, and Drake Linnen are all dead."
I was learning some things. I knew my father lost his last family during the war, but I didn't think it happened this way. My dad only told me some things when we brought up the conversation and that was that he lost Alica, Midnight and Ghost, but he never told me the details.
And when it came to me knowing about him shooting Midnight or even Abbey? Well I learned that when I caught him and my mother arguing a few years back in private. I'm sure they had no idea I knew and that's probably why they both lost their shit when I used the information to take a stab at him during our fight.
Things were getting revealed to me slowly but surely. So after a few seconds of silence I mumbled in awe.
"I suppose times were a lot different back then. So what became of the situation? Can I ask?"
Nodding, Ajex replied truthfully.
"You can. You're in a position that allows it, Lieutenant, but this should go without saying. The information we discuss is classified and stays that way. Understand?"
"Yes sir." I replied back as he nodded and gave me the answer I seeked a moment after.
"Gorgon and Voltz clashed in the events leading up to the end of the war. Both of these men had a lot to lose and after a few bad skirmishes; it got personal between them. Raptor killed two of his men and in return Gorgon disobeyed direct orders from Linnen and killed Raptor and his family. His wife, his son, and his daughter. Now obviously Raptor is alive today so clearly Gorgon didn't do a good enough job at killing the man back then. Regardless, everything worked out in the end. Drake Linnen was also a user at one time before he became a commander. During that time he was actually part of Gorgon's team and one day they went out of their way to kill their commanding officer at the time. His name was Ash Lore."
"Why?" I asked the fox as he took a moment to put down my files onto his lap. Once they were down he replied.
"I don't know the full story. No one really does. Hecan Moore handled it at the time and he believes it was because Lore wanted them to do some pretty dirty things. Things they didn't agree with and because of that Gorgon decided to kill him because of it."
"Jesus." I mumbled as he quickly added.
"It doesn't matter much at this point. What's done is done. What matters is that Raptor lived and he went on to lead his people after a breakdown the rebellion went through. Raptor wanted to take a leave from the war and took a chance giving control to one of his best men. A scumbag called Archer."
"I read about that. So it's true that Archer turned his back on his own people?"
"He was overwhelmed by the drawback that came with Raptor's absence. He couldn't take the power and decided to abuse it by kicking and killing every person who challenged him. Raptor had to come back after a while and fight his own men who had sided with his best friend and his dictator ways." Ajex informed me as Royce jumped back in to say.
"Raptor made the right call. Some people claim he came to his senses even."
"What do you mean?" I asked the jackal as he looked at Ajex to state.
"G.U.N has never wanted to go to war with the rebellion. The rebellion has just always never given us the chance to try for peace diplomatically. Leader after leader they had, they all just saw us as monsters who wanted to control the world. Looked at us like we were forcing them to hate their lives. Raptor's father was a good example of that. The man hated everything G.U.N touched and he never would have talked it out. War became a reality when he started killing our men senselessly."
Nodding Ajex added.
"Raptor was dense for a long time, but once he lost everything over and over again, he stopped and gave the war some actual thought. He realized we never wanted to fight. So he took a huge chance and worked with Hecan Moore to reach peace with the least amount of killing possible and that meant taking his home back from the rebellion. By the time Archer was dead and dealt with, Raptor had won over his land and his people. He worked with Hecan and G.U.N to show the rest of the world what could happen if we all worked together. He exposed G.U.N's true goal."
"Which is what exactly?" I asked as the fox looked me right in my eyes to reply.
"We don't want to rule the world. We do so because up till then; no other country could control themselves. Everyone had to be chained and monitored to prevent bloodshed. The middle east proved themselves after the first war. Shit got out of control during the second, but in the end Raptor proved to the world that he could control the situation and build a proper government out of the ashes of old and deluded ways of thinking. Now G.U.N and the M.E.A.F are the same thing and that's what we want for all other places all over the globe. And we would be off to a great start if someone hadn't hit the peace treaty signing. With Char dead, along with countless others; we're back to square one till we can control the situation."
"Before you go on sir, can I finish what we were just talking about?" Royce wondered. Ajex gave him the floor and in a moment Royce said to me.
"I know we're hitting you with a lot of information, but I want to just finish with Gorgon and Linnen. Gorgon died when Raptor got the chance. Same thing happened with Linnen. Hecan knew by the end of the war that he had to give Raptor some form of closure to prevent any infighting later and thanks to what Gorgon and Linnen did to the man, it was very easy to make it happen. The information isn't public of course, but in the end Hecan turned a blind eye and handed them over once the war was done and dusted. Raptor got everything he wanted in the end and so did G.U.N. No regrets I say."
Nodding Ajex jumped in to claim.
"No regrets at all. Drake and Gorgon got what they deserved and thanks to the actions Hecan took; we now have peace with the middle east and all the support we needed to take our show on the road further thanks to a cleaned slate and a very open and vocal Raptor Voltz at the helm. That hedgehog got a lot done during his first term as president."
I was absorbing as much of this as I could, but it was a lot. I was getting my dad's backstory without even meaning to get it. I never knew the extent he went to for this all to happen.
"Everything is just screwed up now thanks to the assassination." Ajex grumbled as I quickly wondered.
"Do we have any leads?"
"We have enough information thanks to Char's bodyguard surviving the attack. Thanks to his intel we at least have our foot through the door, but we can talk all about that when we reach the capital Lieutenant. For now I want to talk a little about you. If that's okay?" Ajex responded with as I quickly nodded my head and urged him.
"Of course sir. Go on."
Reopening my file, he proceeded to ask me.
"It says here you grew up in Pennsylvania? You were an only child and you lived with your mother, Arina Diskov and your father, Matthew Diskov. Correct?"
"Yes sir." I replied as he then asked me.
"I understand your mother came to the states as an immigrant after her first term of deployment with the Russian army had ended. She was…...twenty two years old and when she came over she started working as a receptionist for Maxwell accounting which is located close to New York city I believe."
"Yes sir. Right on the border. My mother met my father who was an American citizen by blood on a business trip she had to go on to Pennsylvania." I informed him back confidently as he kept reading my profile off to me.
Now I already knew everything he was reading by heart. Minky went above and beyond getting me a legit background to work with while I was posing as an American citizen. I memorized everything about it. A life that was never mine to begin with. I'm pretty sure every person who was part of that story was made up. Minky just had enough information to go along with it that it made sense. It was believable and G.U.N apparently didn't have a good reputation for investigating thoroughly so no one would know any better so long as I stuck to the story. The only truth to it was the names he used for my mom and dad.
"Yes, so your mother and him kept in touch for a few months and by the end of the year she moved to PA to stay with him. You were then born not shortly after. Pays to have two same species parents. They didn't waste any time to start a family. Good on them both." Ajex smiled as he turned a page to go silent.
I saw the look in his eyes change. He clearly didn't read up on me until this point. If he knew the rest of the story in advance then he wouldn't be looking at me next with such sad eyes. It even took him a minute to find the words, but once he did he said to me as nicely as he could.
"I'm sorry. I don't know what else to say."
Playing the game I replied.
"Don't worry about it sir. It happened when I was only a kid. I've had my time to grieve."
Ajex nodded, but he still asked me out of curiosity for the answer.
"How can a kid grieve when both of their parents pass one after the other?"
Lowering my gaze to act depressed, I mumbled as Royce took a moment to pat my back softly to show some comfort.
"I don't really know. I thought I lost everything when my father died in that car crash, but I barely scratched the surface when I found out she died the following weekend thanks to an overdose of her medication."
"The doctor screwed up, it says." Ajex said back to me sadly as I nodded my head and stated.
"He gave her the next dose up by accident. She took double of a drug that her heart could barely handle to begin with. Even to this day I don't really know what to blame her death on. It could have been the doctor, but at the same time she was hurting so much inside, she could have just done it on purpose."
"Don't think like that Samantha." Royce begged me as Ajex agreed by adding on to the response.
"Any good parent would never do that to their kid. It had to be a doctor error."
"Yeah…..I don't know." I mumbled as I looked back up at Ajex to ask him calmly in hopes to change the subject.
"How long till we get in the air do you think?"
Giving me a somewhat surprised look, Ajex replied.
"Probably in a few minutes. We thankfully don't have to worry about getting stuck in a crowd. The flight should be only a few hours as well."
"Okay." I mumbled back as Royce gave me another gentle pat to my side before refocusing back on his window.
Raptor's POV, Iraq.
"Hey Raptor." Marx greeted me as I came into Yoga's room to find him looking over the ferret from the side of his bed.
"How are you Marx?" I asked the cat as he looked exhausted at his current age. Coming over to his side of the bed, I got back from the man as Yoga was just listening quietly from where he laid.
"How am I? Ahh you know how I am. I'm tired."
"You should stop." I urged him as I went on to add.
"You've done more than enough with your career. There isn't a single doctor with your resume. You should be proud of that and retire like I know you want to."
"I should, but if I did then who would be here looking after all you? Nah, I'm okay. I still have a few months left in me before I consider that seriously."
Nodding my head, I put my focus back on Yoga who I proceeded to ask.
"How are you holding up?"
"I'm okay. A little pain here and there, but Marx thinks I'll be back up and running in a few weeks."
"About that." I mumbled as I mentally prepared myself for this. Marx was here for a reason and once he heard that he turned and walked over to the door to lock it. Yoga was slightly confused and asked us both out of curiosity.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing bad." Marx replied as I nodded my head.
Marx was on top of his game. When he came back he did so with a chair for me to sit on. When I got down, Marx happily said to the ferret who was still lost.
"I'm sorry Yoga, I lied to you with that assessment."
"What do you mean you lied?" He wondered back as I took over the attention of the men by saying to the ferret in front of me.
"He means you're gonna be back up a lot sooner than you expected."
Yoga was looking at us with a glare of utter confusion now. So I took my chance to put a hand on his nearby arm. Once I felt his fur I said to him.
"What happened to Char wasn't on you. You know that. I can tell you do. I know it's hard right now for you, but I can't let what happened keep you from doing what you're blessed at doing."
"Which is what?" He asked me back as I looked softly back at Marx who said it for me.
"Being that person we all need at our side."
Now Yoga looked back at me as I bluntly said to him a moment later.
"I need you back at your duties. I need you by my side. Just like how you were for my brother. I don't trust anyone else to handle the task, Yoga."
Giving me a look of complete awe, the ferret questioned.
"Are you serious?"
With a wide smile on my face I replied.
"A hundred percent serious."
"But….but Raptor…...I...I can't get up from this fucking bed even if I wanted to." He informed me as I nodded and quickly urged him.
"I know and I'm gonna change that for you right now. I just need you to trust me and relax a little. Okay?"
Looking back at Marx, the cat said to him rightly so.
"What you're about to witness Yoga is highly classified. It's probably the most classified thing the M.E.A.F has to it's name and Raptor is entrusting you with the information. He is serious however. Relax to the best of your abilities and let the man work his magic."
Yoga wasn't able to bring himself to speak now. I think mainly because he had no formal or even informal responses planned for it. So I took that knowledge and asked Marx calmly back.
"What am I working with exactly?"
"Here. I prepared a list." He replied as he handed me a nearby clipboard that contained all of Yoga's current injuries. I read them over carefully to get them memorized and during the process Yoga asked us.
"What are you going to do?"
"Relax." Marx again urged him as I nodded and finished up my reading. Once I was ready, I refocused back on the ferret to state to him as calmly as I could.
"I'm gonna help you, but I really do need to focus. I haven't done this for a long time and I'm still getting used to it again. So please Yoga, trust me and keep quiet. Let me help you and I promise it won't hurt. Okay?"
Yoga was always a good guy. He never really questioned Char when he wanted to do something a little different, but I supposed there is a huge gap in what was different between him and I. Yet after some time, Yoga took a small breath in and nodded back at me. Gently patting his leg, I put both my hands onto his body and proceeded to shut my eyes to concentrate. Marx put a hand on my back in support as Yoga just laid there in confusion of what was about to go down.
Marx's POV.
Raptor had started and I knew what to expect. I knew what he was capable of doing in this field and it always made me amazed to see it in action. I wish he could do this without any drawbacks. I have so many people who he could help save. The amount of good he could do with his gifts had no bounds, but I also knew it wasn't easy to perform one way or the other. However he did begin moments after and I saw the look on Yoga change once he realized something was actually happening to his own body. It was quite funny to witness.
Not many got this treatment and that was for the obvious reasons. The look of utter shock Yoga slowly got was well worth the secrecy. Raptor however looked like he was straining. He let out a short breath that sounded troubled, so I put a hand on his shoulder as he kept his head down and asked him calmly; so as not to seem too worried about his health.
"Are you okay?"
He nodded back so I just took my hand off him and refocused on Yoga who watched the hedgehog with concern. I picked up on why when I noticed a small bit of blood leaving Raptor's nose.
"Here. Keep going. Just ignore me." I urged him as I came around his other side to put a small white rag under his nose. I had to hold the pressure for him as he finished up, but that was okay. I just wanted this to be over sooner rather than later. I can't stand watching him in pain. Even if I just got done wishing he could help everyone with these gifts he had.
It took us probably another minute or so. When he was done it was obvious. Raptor let out a huge breath of air and dropped his hands onto Yoga's chest and lap in a clear display of exhaustion. I leaned in to keep the rag under his nose and a moment later I decided to ask him.
"Are you okay Raptor?"
He took a moment to recover, but in time he did just nod again at me. He managed to take the hold over the rag itself a second later and I put a hand on his back as he slowly sat back up to look at Yoga. Once they locked eyes, Raptor asked him.
"How do you feel now? Can you move?"
Yoga was so lost by what he just had done to him that he was incapable of really answering back. Very slowly the ferret decided to try and move his legs. I smiled when it appeared easy and even Raptor smiled alongside me when he threw himself out of bed to question in complete shock.
"What the fuck?"
Yoga began to laugh to himself as it was clear he was beyond happy to be out of bed. Raptor and I just watched him as he took a lap around the room while laughing all at the same time. After a few moments of jumping in place to make sure he was really okay, Yoga looked back at us to state.
"I have questions!"
I was just thrilled he had his energy back. It was a lot better than seeing him in a slump. With a smile on his face and mine, I looked down at Raptor who replied with a small chuckle.
"I have answers."
mT Shadow.