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.

51. Chapter 51

Love Struck Eternal

Chapter 51 - Save me.

Sam's POV.

I've had time to rest and time to get cleaned up after that mess at the resort. Tika was okay, but stuck with a small limp where I thought I had healed her back at the cabin. The rest of her injuries were superstical, but she looked like hell nonetheless. I was just grateful that she lived. But now I had other things to concern myself with. My armor was put through its first major test and I learned a few things and had made plans to upgrade accordingly.

I wanted my armor to regenerate the barriers at a much faster pace and I wanted to see if I could somehow make them stay up longer. The gunfire I took was a lot, but for a few million dollars I expected a little bit more time with the added protection. So right now I've been spending my time in the science bay with some of Terrell's tools and a lot of my own patience. This armor was complex. Very complex and I didn't want to fuck it up. So every second mattered and everything I touched felt like it could be the thing that breaks it.

Terrell himself had been going over my gear as well with me to help improve his own design. It was okay with me that he was doing that. He was also just some good company as Zeak was outside the facility for once getting some food and rest. Still haven't been able to talk to Cairo though. She's busy working in the sewage lines. Seems like everyone had something to do around here.

Very carefully I was looking over my mask's systems. Terrell was taking notes on the main suits systems. He sat maybe five feet away from me as I asked him while extending out my left hand.

"Can you pass me the torch?"

The bear gently passed it over and I got back to work. This whole thing passed a lot of time and as I continued with my wielding I was asked by the man sitting next to me.

"How are you feeling by the way? I heard your head was killing you."

Keeping my focus on the mask, I replied back calmly.

"I get some pretty bad migraines from time to time. In that case I was running on empty. When I'm weak mentally I just get that way. I'm perfectly okay now though. I had enough time to rest."

Now of course I was lying to him. I don't get migraines. My head was going to burst because of the stress I put on myself to keep Tika alive. It always feels like my head could pop if I use too much of my energy in such a short span. But Terrell believed me regardless and replied after a few seconds.

"That's good. Had a couple of the guys worried around here. I won't say any names. I'm sure you can guess."

"Gwent?" I asked him back with a small smirk which got him to start laughing.

"The kid has a little crush. He's always been a sucker for it. He's not really good at much else. Hahah!"

"I don't know if it's a crush, Terrell. I think it's his dick talking."

"Could honestly be that too." The bear chuckled back which made me as well. After a moment I asked him now in a curious tone.

"Speaking of dicks, you got anyone special in your life that you're giving it to?"

Nodding he quickly replied.

"A small relationship actually for the past few years. Met her at a concert."

"Really?" I questioned.

"All truth. I don't lie. Just two big headbangers, we were in a crowd of kids barely matching the height of my stomach. It was like destiny kinda. We got pushed together during a mosh pit and the rest was just silly from there."

"I'm still trying to imagine someone like you at a concert. What band did you go see?"

Putting down his tools the bear now had to think about that. After a few seconds though he replied back with some certainty.

"The Weeknd."

I had to hold myself back from telling any jokes, but I just couldn't help but ask him.

"Are you serious? The Weeknd? You were both headbanging to his songs?"

"Oh absolutely. Blinding Lights goes hard."

"Haha!" I actually couldn't stop laughing now which also made him break out. Halfway through my laugh he tried to ask me a question back.

"What do you listen to then? Bieber?"

"Oh fuck you. I'm never stooping that low." I quickly told him back as I fixed my hair from all the head movement I just went through laughing.

A few moments after I went silent I heard the door across the room open and both the bear and I turned to see Tika coming in with a crutch under her left arm. She looked fucking awful I thought to myself as she was clearly tired from just making it here. With an instant jolt of concern, Terrell stood up to urge the bird.

"Take it easy. What are you doing out of bed?" Using the doorway for support, Tika pointed her crutch at me to reply to the bear who was now at her side for assistance.

"To talk to her, Terrell. You gonna report me to Dexter for it?" Clearly joking with the man, Terrell smiled and replied.

"No, of course not. But you shouldn't be using that leg of yours. You'll only be off your feet longer if you push it."

"I haven't let this foot touch the ground once Terrell. I'm fine. Now I'd hate to do this to you, but can I steal Anpu for a few minutes?"

"No, be my guest. Do you want to take your gear back Anpu?" He then asked me as I was concerned as to why she needed to speak to me. However I felt generous towards the bear so I replied to his question.

"You hold onto it for now. I know you want to keep taking notes. Just do me a favor as well and make sure you don't lose any of it. I still need to repair the weave on the backplates."

"It's not leaving my sight. You have my word." He replied as I now stood up to begin approaching them. Once at Tika's side, I made eye contact to hear her ask me as kindly as she could.

"Do you mind helping me back to my room? You don't know how much it took to get here. With the painkillers Dex has me on; it's kinda hard to have any energy to spare."

I offered my hand and she responded by taking my whole arm. Getting under my arm and wrapping herself around my neck, I began the walk back to her quarters. Once there I sat her on her bed and asked if I should close the door. She nodded and once it had shut I just stood by the exit in silence and waited. Surely she had something to say so I didn't want to interrupt her thought processes.

With the crutch resting next to her, I listened close as she said to me in a tone that resembled what to me was weakness.

"I don't know where to start with this."

"You don't have to start anywhere. I can guess what this is about and you don't have to say anything about it. What matters is that we managed to get out of that engagement alive. You took me along for a few reasons, I'm sure, but you had my back and I had yours."

She began to laugh and quickly corrected to me what she thought I got wrong.

"I didn't have your fucking back out there Anpu. I froze in multiple places."

"You went feral early on. You can't expect to be yourself after coming back to your senses that fast. Especially not when we had gunships flying overhead. I'm sure if that didn't happen you would have been fine." I told her which earned me a small sigh and a shake of her head now.

"I was fine. I've gone feral a lot in my lifetime. I just wasn't ready to do what we did. I'm sure of it, but my emotions got the better of me and instead of listening to Ace; I just threw myself face first into death. Even worse, I almost got you killed too because of it."

"We weren't going to die. If anything, all of that was a good test for my armor. I've been meaning to get it field tested for a while and all of that has really helped. And I wasn't going to let you get hurt unnecessarily. As my upper it's part of my duty to make sure you survive above all else. My only regret was not being able to do more."

Giving me a funny look, Tika questioned.

"You're such a weird girl. Hahaha….all of that was considered field testing in your mind? Ace doesn't think you're crazy, but you sure as shit come off as it."

"No, I'm crazy for sure. Ace is wrong about that not being the case."

Losing her funny look, Tika just began to smile back warmly. After a few seconds she wondered.

"I need to ask Anpu…..you handled yourself like a professional and your ability to endure pain is beyond what I would expect. You took a lot of damage, same as me. I know you're a perfect user and I'm jealous every day I think about it. But it doesn't explain everything about you to me. You're not who you say you are. I'm sure of it."

Losing my smile, I now just stared at her blankly. Giving me the same response back, Tika proceeded to ask.

"I don't need a doctor to tell me when I break something. Especially not when it's in my chest. That fall we took; broke my ribs. I know it did. The pain isn't something that you can mistake for anything else. But when you carried me to the cabin and put your hands on me, I questioned if I was still awake and alive. I haven't said anything about it to Dexter, but you did something. Something unnatural. My ribs are fine now. Apart from some bad swelling of course. Hehehe…..but Anpu? You need to come clean with me. What did you do?"

I knew this question would be asked sooner or later. I just had hoped that she would have brushed it off. The bird was looking me over closely as I decided to approach. This time I did my best to ease her into the topic.

"I don't really know how to answer that with a simple sentence or two. It's not something to concern yourself with though. Nothing will come of it."

"I shouldn't be concerned?" She questioned as I nodded my head once and decided to go on.

"Not at all. We have more pressing matters I'm sure."

Now the bird began to laugh again to herself. I sensed what she was thinking so I wasn't caught off guard when she said back to me seriously enough.

"Actually we don't. Not until I recover and I'm able to move freely again. So we actually have nothing more important than this to discuss. Don't dance around this sort of thing with me, Anpu. I need to know everything about you. Same as anyone else who lives in my home; as part of my family. I will not punish or scold you for your answer. In fact you've earned my trust completely at this point. You did everything I've requested of you and you've more than proved yourself in my eyes. You also displayed…well you willingly took bullets for me back on that mountain. That's not something a lot of people would do, but you're clearly different and because of that I want you to come clean with me. I won't air out your dirty laundry. Not even to the other uppers. We have trust here and faith in all. So be straight with me Anpu. Help me understand you."

She was being truthful. I could feel it in her voice and see it in her body language as she now looked into my eyes with calm bliss. Not wanting to throw her trust away, I instead tried to warn her before doing or saying anything that sounded too crazy.

"Helping you understand me isn't going to make you feel any better. In fact I think you'll just end up being more confused than you are now. Because what I am isn't normal, like you said. I pride myself on keeping a straight face and only doing what I do, when I absolutely need to do it."

"So what I'm hearing; is that I'm a special case. If that's true, of course." Tika smirked back which got me to reply.

"You're my upper and you put your life in my hands back on the mountain. I have a duty to respect that kind of trust and if you're willing to stand up for me so I can have the chance at having a new family, then I'm going to show my gratitude back by doing everything I can to keep you from getting yourself killed. I won't ever question your orders, but I will tell you that doing what we did was stupid."

"I know that much. Ace has already said I told you so." She chuckled back as I then asked her out of curiosity.

"Can I sit down with you?"

Her eyes slightly widened, but she quickly replied while trying to scoot over on the edge of the bed.

"Yeah sure. Take a seat."

I did just that and once I sat down about a foot from her, I asked her back bluntly.

"Now can I touch you again? Like before?"

I had her slightly red in the face, but after a few jumbled seconds she replied in confusion.

"Ahhh….okay? Just be gentle."

"I will." I now whispered as I put one hand on her back and my other on her ribs to keep her supported. I was being very gentle. I didn't want to hurt her like before and thankfully this time it was going a lot better simply because I had my full potential back and the rough idea of how to really perform this action. Ready to go, I urged her.

"Do me a favor and take a deep breath and just relax. I'm going to finish showing you what I started."

Now she seemed all ears and ready to obey. Doing as I asked I proceeded to heal the rest of the swelling she was talking about. The instant my energy flowed into her she let out this almost whorish moan. She was so distracted by the event that she even shut her eyes completely to the sensation.

Once I was done, I decided to double up on the few other spots where she took some hits. I healed them once before, but my goal was to make all her pain go away now that I could. Once she was putty in my arms, I sat a foot out in front of her to grab her injured leg.

Her eyes reopened to stare at me. She almost looked detached from reality as I focused the rest of my power into fixing the final problem. Once I was done I coughed on what tasted like blood coming up from my throat. It was a small cough though so Tika didn't think anything of it. Yet I was in some pain internally. It came mainly from my chest, but I could handle it. Looking back up into her eyes, I asked her with a soft voice.

"Can you stand now?"

She was in disbelief once my energy had exited her form. I knew exactly how she felt right now and that just drove her mad as she stood up on her own two feet to question out in almost mute shock.

"What….what did you do? No….impossible."

"I'm not entirely mortal." I started out by stating which earned me her instant attention as I sat back on the bed to continue.

"More like a demon. I can do a lot of unnatural things. Enough that you'd begin to question what is real and what isn't. If there is meaning beyond existence or if it's all simply simple. What I can do cost me my soul and I'm never going to want that back now that I've seen my own potential. I dealt in death and it earned me its praises. You could really consider me to be the actual Anubis. We both deal in the afterlife and in death. Only difference between us is our species and how we perform our tasks. Does any of this make sense to you? I'm trying to help you understand the answers to your own questions."

"Your…?" I cut the bird off because I knew what she was about to ask. So I simply answered the question before she could even finish.

"A god."

The look on her face had gone somewhat pale as I couldn't help but enjoy her reaction. Not wanting to worry her again, I begged.

"Now that's not something we need to announce to the world. Nor should you worry. I'm on your side and I think we could turn out to really be friends. But I require trust that you'll keep your word. I don't want you to look at me any different from how I was just a minute ago before this all got said. And I'd want your silence. I'm sure if everyone knew what I was they'd all look at me differently and act differently. I want to be sure I can trust whoever knows. But sometimes, like in your case, I didn't have much of a choice but to expose myself to you. If that ever happens with anyone else, I'll have the conversation with them. But for now let's avoid that having to happen again so soon. What do you say?"

Unable to process her reality, Tika soon questioned.

"You're a god? Like really? That can't be true. Gods aren't real."

Roslin's POV.

I stood in the corner of the room just listening as Sam guided this on her own. She knew I was here, but that didn't break her focus one bit. However this person she was telling this to didn't believe. So it was very entertaining to watch when Sam decided to immediately phase shift behind her to question.

"Are you sure about that?"

The bird was completely frozen now as Sam chuckled into her ear from behind.

"How do you think I pulled off the bank job with Byron? How about Esteban? I do the impossible. It's what makes me happy and seeing your face right now? Well that makes me smile."

Wrapping both her arms around Tika's shoulders, Sam leaned her head onto her to ask in a whisper.

"Can I show you something? I promise…you won't regret it."

Tika still couldn't really move as Sam had me curious for what she planned to do next. However I wasn't expecting this. She pulled the bird mentally out of her body. It's a form of manipulation we gods can share with mortals. We basically take that person's soul and we bring them into our mind so they can experience a level of tranquility and understanding that they could never hope to discover. Or you can fuck with them beyond repair. Everytime someone comes out from one of these moments; they never return a nonbeliever. But that's what caught me off guard. She shouldn't be able to do this. Raptor can't even do this and he's been a god since before she was born. Marcus couldn't even do this up until I trained him well after his installation as active ruler of the realm.

Sam knew exactly what she was doing and I took a quick exit from the corner to approach her as she laid Tika on the bed.

"Sam?" I said to her in complete shock as she had me completely lost and impressed at the same time. She didn't register me though. She was in there with her. Her ability to control my gifts was extraordinary. I was scared now to think about what she could do if I taught her more. But at this rate, I had to really appreciate my situation.

Such a smart, beautiful, and talented woman. The first demi I think who has ever had this much control over their abilities was my own and she wasn't just mine as in my servant. She was my companion and I'd be damned if this went to waste now.

I wonder what she was doing inside her own mind. How was she breaking this bird down to believe? Hopefully whatever she does doesn't completely destroy this mortal's mind. I can't imagine what would happen if her so-called "superior" came back stupid.

With both of them adrift, I began to get lost looking at Sam's body. The things I was going to do to her the next time the mood struck me will be a night to remember. She won't come back the same. I own her. I could probably, in all honesty, knock her up and she'd love it. Not that doing that is good for anyone right now. Her whole life would have to shift and that doesn't go for the implications involving the attrition. I'm barred from reproducing. All gods are. If I had a spawn? Who knows what would happen? And if it was with this wolf? Worlds could end.

Sam's POV.

"Hey?" I whispered to my friend who was lost in everything she was experiencing. I had to physically walk in front of her now to get her attention, and once I saw her eyes lock onto mine I whispered to her.

"I told you that you wouldn't regret it. Hehe."

Tika's hands came right up to touch my chest and for a moment I was surprised, but a second after she asked me.

"Is this real?"

"Of course it is." I replied as I gently put my hands between us to separate her touch. When I did I said to her happily.

"I'm happy you're not mad. I was worried about how you would react when I told you. How do you feel?"

"Amazing…..?" She exhaled as she physically couldn't stand after another ten seconds. I helped her sit down and once she was planted she again asked me.

"Is this really happening? How did you do this? This…this is crazy."

Sitting down in the darkness with her, I replied as respectfully as I could.

"I can't really explain it to you in words. But have faith; that this is hard for me to perform in my current state. We probably have a few more minutes before I have to return us to reality."

"Why?" She then asked as she seemed like a small child to me. She was so interested and enamored that her voice resembled it. I understood that this was just genuine curiosity though and that she was going through a life changing experience at the moment, so I didn't hold it against her. I just replied to her truthfully.

"I'm still very much in the process of learning and developing my abilities. Everything I can do is draining because I'm still technically a mortal. A demigod best describes what I am to you. I can clearly still get killed if I try hard enough, but to answer your question, I have limited energy available to me. It's grown a lot over time, but I practice regularly to keep increasing the pool I have. That's why I'm always meditating. I don't have any urge to sleep. My body doesn't need it to function. Same goes with food and water. I'm a god in those terms, but I'm sure if you chopped off my head I'd be in trouble."

"But how did you become this way?" She asked me back breathlessly as she reached out to grab my left hand for comfort. Looking right into her eyes I replied back.

"A story for another time. For now I just want you to enjoy this. Close your eyes and just breathe. In a few minutes we will be back in your room and when that happens I want this conversation to be over. Okay?" I now brushed her face with my other hand and with her head leaning into my palm she whispered.

"Okay."

"And hey, don't think about what happened at the resort. It's over. We got the bitch that killed your brother and we got out alive thanks to our teamwork. You had my back despite what you believe and I really do appreciate it. So there isn't anything to be upset about once we're home. Now…close your eyes."

Just like Sikes, Tika was another pawn to me now. I hope it didn't carry over into reality as hard as it did with Sikes, but it was nice to have her in my pocket and I trusted her words. She wasn't going to say anything to anyone about what I was. She was crazy and stupid at times, but she was at the least a woman of her word.

If I wasn't holding her head up, Tika would have fallen over. She was almost lifeless in this state. Yet a few minutes passed in silence between us and soon came the que for me to end this. So with a simple transition I rediscovered reality and found myself looking down between my own legs from atop of her bed. Tika however was laying right where I left her and once she came back she opened her eyes and began to take slow and steady breaths. Looking over at her, I whispered.

"Tika?"

Her head turned and almost instantly she asked.

"Are you okay Anpu?"

I couldn't help but laugh. She smiled at the sound of it and a moment later said to me in awe of her mental state.

"I feel amazing. Everything just seems so calm and relaxing. I can't move though. Is that normal?"

Nodding my head, I said back to her concern.

"I think? I only did that once before and that was with Sikes. He doesn't truly know what I am though. He wasn't able to ask any questions once it began. In fact he passed out the second I brought him back to reality."

"Sikes went through this? Jesus Christ Anpu. He's already so spiritual. To experience what I just did? God I can only imagine what he thought of it. He hasn't asked you anything?" Tika wondered back from her downed state as I stretched my back out.

"Not yet. Hehe….I think he truly believes that was the pinnacle of mediation and not the work of a demigod. He's been doing it on his own, but with no luck."

The bird was just basking in it and seeing her happy gave me enough of a reason to stand up from the bed. As I did I urged her.

"I'm gonna head back to the science lab. If I were you I would just rest. Oh and about your injuries?"

"I'll play a limp, Anpu. Don't worry. This….moment? Yeah. This moment stays between us."

"Good. Enjoy." I whispered as I collected myself and left the bedroom.

Fixing my hair and making my way slowly back to the science labs, I smelled a familiar presence enter from my right side. Looking over I stared right at Roslin who said to me calmly.

"You grow to amaze me more everyday. When did you learn that?" I assumed he was referring to what I did with Tika just then, so I said back to him a moment later.

"Not that long ago. I've been putting in a lot of practice with all the free time I've had. Tried it once already with another guy on the team. Don't worry though, Tika is the only one who knows what I am."

"I told you before that I'm not concerned with people knowing. Just keep it within the group." Roslin urged me as I nodded and decided to ask him.

"Any chance you can give me back the burner I gave you? I'll need to make a call as soon as I'm out of here."

"You'll get it back as soon as you're safely away from this nest." Roslin informed me as I smiled and replied.

"Thanks." I wasn't really looking at him this whole time, but my eyes darted to my side when I felt his left arm wrap around my hips. Giving my backside a gentle grab and smack, I growled playfully before he suddenly disappeared. Again I had to fix my hair, but by then I was back in the science lab being greeted by Terrell once more who was still working on my armor.

"Everything okay?" He asked as I nodded and retook my seat before replying.

"Yeah. Everything's good. She just wanted to thank me."

"That's good. I didn't mess around too much while you were out." Terrell chuckled as I picked back up the blowtorch.

Raptor's POV, Iraq capital, research divison.

I found myself in Zandro's lab walking into a room full of his operators. Had to be thirty of them. Maggie and Yoga kept up as security for me as Zandro stood at the front of the room with a remote in his hand. When I walked in everyone saluted, but that was quickly shut down by Zandro who shouted out.

"Attention! All of you!" Looking back at me as I came up to his side, I was guided to look at the nearby flatscreen tv. Pointing the remote at the tv, Zandro turned on security footage from the Forth and Cardinal. Before hitting play, Zandro announced to the room.

"This is security footage from the terrorist attack on the Forth and Cardinal! We now know how the attack started and we've come to the conclusion that this was nothing more than a blatant assault! No planning went into this attack other than how to get through the front door of the resort! Watch close!" He then ordered as he hit play and the tape began to roll. I watched along with the troopers when the first thing we saw was a rig drive right through the gate. Pausing the video once the truck stopped, Zandro continued his speech.

"Now the resort itself only had one exit and that was that entrance! So everyone at this point was locked off from leaving! What makes me concerned is that the truck was only manned by two people! You heard me right! Two! Two fucking terrorists killed forty seven innocent people! Including twenty five of our brothers! Twenty five!" He shouted out in disgust as I was unaware of the numbers and also unaware that this was only a two person job.

"Now I'm going to let it play the rest!"

He hit play and immediately my eyes locked on to a bird of some type jumping out of the driver's seat of the rig in a combat vest with an M4. However the person with her was a lot different in appearance. I watched in utter silence the whole time along with Yoga and my Maggie. I couldn't take my eyes off of the second gunmen.

This person was massive in scale when compared to the bird who was cutting down my security. Had to be over six feet tall and easily two hundred pounds or more. What made him stand out however was the armor and the mask they were wearing. That and they wore a cloak. Almost reminded me of mine, but the color was a tad different. It was darker than mine. Zandro stopped the video once we had a good shot of both the terrorists. Yoga however was the first to speak by asking a simple yet important question.

"What the fuck is that mask?"

Everyone was trying to get a good guess, but I had a guess.

"It looks inspired. Or at the very least it's a recreation of someone. A symbol, maybe."

"Looks like a dog if you ask me." Yoga stated as Zandro went on to say to the room.

"Now thanks to our intelligence team we've pinned down who the bird is! Her name is Tika Macnoore. She's originally from France. Had a brother named Teddy Macnoore. Teddy died during an ambush the M.E.A.F conducted on a suspected drug trafficking operation over in Turkey. Now we have reason to believe this was an act of vengeance for that operation because it just so happens the operation wouldn't have happened if not for the help of one of the resort's local guests; who just so happened to provide the information on these terrorists at the time. What group? We have yet to identify them, but this could very well be the same people who killed Char back at the peace signing."

"Can't be. Those people don't act like this. They aren't stupid enough for this. So far every attack made by them has been planned and coordinated without anyone's knowledge. It has to be another group." I said as Zandro was staring at me.

"Regardless of what we want to believe sir, this is the second major attack to occur in Iran while under our security. Iran's president is close to breaking off from us and if we can't control this and keep even the most basic of people safe, then we're going to lose our most valuable resource and the biggest trade junction our people have ever had. And if we lose Iran, then more are to follow." Zandro stated as I knew that reality very well right now. Refocusing on the screen, Zandro switched the camera towards the man in the mask to then state.

"Now as for her partner, we don't have any information on this one. Not even the network is aware of who this is and that's saying a lot. This terrorist alone proceeded to go door to door killing everyone who crawled under their beds for shelter from an attack that shouldn't have involved them! A person like this is a major threat to our safety and as a threat that enormous; we are going to handle it as such. All of you are tasked with locating this individual and Tika Macnoore. We have full authorization to conduct the operation, but another attack of this magnitude can not happen. We only get one more chance!" Zandro explained as I listened close to his orders as well.

"Locate them and once you're certain you call it directly to me! No one acts alone! Contact me and I'll send in everyone to make sure we get these guys! No civilian casualties! No collateral damage! We do this right and we ensure we keep the peace for generations to come! Am I clear!?"

"Yes sir!" Everyone shouted back as he then announced.

"All of you are going to Iran! Get whatever you need to conduct the operation and work as a team! Do what you all do best and find me these fucking terrorists!"

"Sir yes sir!" The room shouted as Zandro then ordered.

"Dismissed!"

I took a good look again at the tv to examine the one in the cloak and mask. Something wasn't right and that mask resembled nothing but evil as I tried to figure out anything useful to help identify them. With all the gear I couldn't even make out the breed or even the sex. The cloak covered a lot and the mask kept whatever hair they might have had hidden. Couldn't even see the fucking tail if it has one. Zandro kept watching as his men cleared out, so I decided to keep watching the tape. My full attention was on the mystery man and I couldn't help but notice how good they were at their movements. Cleanly swept every room and not missing any shots. Compared to the bird; this was a different kind of killer. Looking back at Zandro I asked him.

"Chances they are even still in Iran?"

Approaching me he replied.

"Not high if I had to guess. Cameras lost them once reinforcements arrived on scene. They ran down the mountain when the attack helicopter opened fire."

"What happened then? How did the two of them manage to take it down? I have to ask."

"First bird lost its pilot when he was shot dead. The second we believe was disabled by small arms fire."

"Small arms?" Yoga questioned as I nodded my head and added to the interjection.

"Those birds are fitted for heavy combat. Small arms shouldn't bring them down that easily. If the pilot wasn't killed like the first, then the only way they could have gone down was from direct shots to the rotors. I don't know a single soldier that is that accurate Zandro. Let alone two terrorists."

"Maybe not from Tika, but her partner? We don't know anything Raptor and judging from the video evidence and the gear that "terrorist" is wearing, I'd be willing to bet that's a form of contractor and if it is I already paid the network to look into it. We'll figure out who this guy is in due time, but we need to look at the bigger picture. We can't lose Iran. You can't afford to lose them right now. It'll fuck up everything. We need to stop stepping around our shadows and actually put forth the effort. That's why I have all my people committing to this operation. We need to put an end to this kind of behavior before it finds us in another war. And if these two motherfuckers are from the same group who killed your brother and nearly killed Yoga; then we're doing everyone a fucking justice here by wiping them off the map."

"But Ajex….?" I tried to say something to defend myself, but Zandro was immediate with his next set of words.

"Fuck Ajex! His orders were for us to focus on keeping the peace in the middle east and up till now we've done a shit job at it! If we sit back and wait for him to do something we'll be losing our biggest ally. For us to maintain the peace we have to get results and this is how we do it. My operators are all users and all of them are top tier in what they do. We'll get these guys thanks to them and when we do we'll be back to making things better."

Zandro was completely right and that left me speechless as he handed me the remote now. Grasping hands, Zandro said right into my face with a dead stare.

"We can't get what we want through means of peace. Not anymore. Not with what's on the line. Find your balls. You'll know I'm right when you do."

I lowered my arm when he proceeded to walk past me. Yoga was in disbelief as Maggie looked at me with concern in her eyes as I didn't say anything back to Zandro who now left the room.

"He can't talk to you like that. Can he?"

With my eyes slowly going back to the tv, I stared again at the two of those terrorists. My focus was mainly on the masked man. Whoever that was has a special place in hell waiting for them. Getting him there though? I could feel it in my gut that the task wouldn't be easy. Something wasn't making sense about their presence and I couldn't figure out what it was.

Ace's POV, Iran bunker, the next day.

Tika was getting chewed out the last hour from the other uppers for her actions involving the resort. Thankfully it was over a video call, because I'm sure if Riley was here she'd be getting physical and I understood why perfectly. Tika messed up. Attacking the M.E.A.F directly like this was a clear and blatant act of terrorism that now had the entire country looking for us. More specifically our intel showed that the M.E.A.F had only identified Tika. Anpu was unknown to the world and even the network. Whatever kind of money she was paying to have her presence shadowed was well worth it. But that wasn't the problem. I was forced to listen in as Riley said to the bird sitting next to me.

"Voltz has his entire black ops division looking for you now thanks to this shit. Do you have any idea how badly you fucked yourself? You can't be seen now. The entire military is out for your blood. You can't fucking leave that bunker now Tika!" She shouted as Tika just remained silent. Her eyes were staring right into the camera as Riley then said to her in confidence.

"You have two choices. Option one is that you spend the next few months contained in that bunker. While your team can continue their work with Ace as the active upper leading the operation for the time being. Option two is you get your ass out of the country ASAP and begin working from the ground up in a new location where the M.E.A.F won't be present. Russia, China, Italy, I don't fucking care Tika. You know the fucking rules and you acted out agonist them with this kind of shitstorm you rolled through. You're lucky I'm not there right now because I want to fucking kill you."

"We'll move within the hour, Riley. I'll keep my head down till things cool off." Tika stated back calmly as Riley proceeded to order.

"You better because you put the whole family at risk with this. So make damn sure when you get to where you're going you get to work at making this right. Don't ever do this again. It's your only warning."

"What about Anpu?" Tika wondered which got Riley to reply.

"That's the other thing we need to discuss when we have more time, but for now you stick to what you offered her. Get her out of Iran and put her to work. She doesn't pull her weight from here on out and I'll make your arrangements with her a temporary one."

"She saved my life Riley." Tika stated back as I added for good measure.

"She did Riley. Tika wouldn't be sitting here if it wasn't for her. Cut her some slack."

"I'm angry right now Ace. So forgive my hostilities, but I don't know Anpu. None of us do. Only you and your people. She saved Tika's life? Then she earned herself our trust and a favor from the upper she saved, but until she's done more, I'm not going to hand out hugs and kisses to someone who just joined the family. She works out for everyone and I'll gladly change my tune, but until then we're dropping this conversation. I've said all I needed to say. We'll meet again in a week. Same time. Goodbye now everyone."

Everyone said bye to Riley as she left the call. Soon we were down to just Tika and another upper who went by the name Lancaster. Or just Lane for short. Before logging off he said to us with a chuckle.

"Don't fuck this up Tika. You know she isn't bluffing."

"Yeah." Tika mumbled back as Lane also decided to shout.

"Oh and I'd like to meet this contractor you discovered next time I'm in town!"

"Don't get your hopes up Lane. She won't even be with us after this. She wants to continue her normal line of work and that's what we agreed would happen after she proved her skills." I said back to him as he then grew curious and replied.

"You're not telling us everything there is to know about this chick Ace. Let me guess….not a good thing to bring up during all that?" The question was directed to Tika who just shrugged her shoulders in uncertainty for the answer.

"Well we'll hear all about her soon enough I'm sure. Till then good luck out there guys. Me and mine will see you around."

Tika ended her side of the call about as fast as Lane left. Once we were safe from any more bashing, I asked Tika carefully.

"So where are we going? Moscow?"

Nodding, she started to get up. Once she was standing over me she replied.

"We'll get lost for a few months. Let the heat go down and slowly let this blow over with Riley. Go let everyone know. We'll head out around eight."

"I got it. Count on me. How's your leg? You look to be standing on it pretty good."

The second I asked that her eyes widened and she took a glance down at her leg to reply.

"Damn it! I keep forgetting to use the fucking crutch! But no it's not always like this. I was barely able to put weight on it this morning."

""Well it's good to see you alive regardless of the leg. I'd say you made out lucky thanks to Anpu. You two talk since getting back? Nodding again she replied while getting a firm grip over her crutch.

"We talked yesterday about the whole thing and I made sure to thank her. She knows I owe her and when she comes knocking I'll gladly do what I can to help her back. But till then she's prepped to head out soon. I'm gonna go see her off."

"You ask her where she's going?" I then wondered as I jumped out of my seat.

"Not yet, but she knows to make sure it's somewhere the M.E.A.F aren't. So I'm not worried."

Following Tika to the barracks, we found Anpu waving some of the guys off. Gwent, Byron and Sikes she hugged before making her way to us. With all of her gear packed into two bags, I asked her with a smile.

"So when can we expect you to rejoin us?"

Chuckling, she looked up at Tika to reply.

"Depends on how things play out over the next few weeks. I'm heading to Libya for now. There should be plenty of work down there that I can get into and it's mainly governed by dictators these days. Both the M.E.A.F and G.U.N shouldn't be around either. Should be easy money."

Not wanting to have her uninformed, I said to her confidently.

"Not necessarily. The country is in a bad spot like you just said. There isn't a president or any government controlling the area. It's all run by a militia. I don't know much about who it is at the top now, but don't let your guard down. Not even for a second. People over there are animals and I don't want to see you get killed."

"I'll be okay." She smiled back as Tika then decided to add on.

"He's right, Anpu. Don't get yourself killed out there. If anything I'd like you to reconsider staying with the team. After what you did for me at the resort, the least I can do is offer you an alternative to being freelance. Stay with us and all you'll be expected to do is to carry out my orders and keep me and your family safe."

"I'll think about it, but for now I plan to go make some money. For myself and for you guys. If anything changes I'll let you know. I promise. Just promise me you won't do anything like that again." Anpu begged Tika, but the bird chuckled and replied.

"I won't. At least not yet. And the next time I do decide to act a little more aggressive; I'll be giving you a call. I'd want you for it."

"I'll be available. Just don't push your luck. Stay safe. All of you."

"We will." I stated as she leaned down slightly to hug me goodbye. After she did she offered Tika her hand and I watched with a smile as Tika took it willingly. However I noticed Tika's face change when it happened. It was slight, but she seemed more relaxed. I could visibly see her body, which was tense, die down after a few shakes. Once Anpu let her go, she said to her calmly.

"Safe travels. You ever need anything, you just give me a call."

With the wolf walking towards the exit, we all watched as she left us for god knows how long. One member less now, Tika ordered everyone else promptly.

"We're moving out next. We'll be heading to Moscow, so pack heavy and bring warm clothes. We'll be out there for a few months till the heat in the middle east dies down. Ace? Go tell Dexter the same thing. He's coming with us this time."

"Yes ma'am." I replied as I listened to the end of her orders before moving on.

"You guys got an hour. Do whatever you gotta do, but be ready to move. It's a long trip."

After it was said, Tika took herself and her calm demeanor and made her way back to her room in the officer's barracks. She handled the crutch very well now on her own. If she was anything, she was a tough bitch. Glad to have her.

Yoga's POV, Iraq Capital.

Raptor was secure so Maggie and I had the time to finally go grab some lunch from the mess. As we walked, we talked and the more I got to know her the more impressed I became. For such a young girl she's smart as fuck and she's picked up on all the duties we have as Raptor's two bodyguards. What's even better was that she had a strange interest in always practicing and keeping herself in shape now. Not that she wasn't ever slacking in that department, but now she had a real reason to excel herself and promote her health at the same time. And being a part of the family now earned her a few luxuries.

She had her own room in the capital and Raptor had her promoted to corporal. She made more money and thanks to her job she was never in any real danger. Most of her days were now spent just keeping the boss company. Only difference I made out was that her boss was now technically her father and Raptor needed a daughter in his life more than anything right now so it was wholesome to see them together. Yet I'm sure she was no replacement for Sam. Man, I hope that kid is doing well. Can't wait to see her when she comes for the wedding and if that holds then that means we'll see her in about two months.

On our way to a table, I widened my eyes when an incoming soldier rammed shoulder first into Maggie's chest, knocking her nearly off her feet and her entire food tray into her face.

"Hey! What the fuck is your problem?!" I asked the man as he turned to look at me with a smile on his face.

Putting down my food, I got in between the two of them now to listen as I was ordered by the grunt.

"Tell your bitch to watch where she's walking. She ain't welcome here otherwise."

"You ran into me! And who the fuck are you calling a bitch!?" Maggie growled back as she was now drenched in gravy from her turkey dinner.

"Calm down! Let me handle this!" I urged her as I refocused on the idiot to inform him of what he just did.

"You know who she is? Do you know what the fuck will happen to you?"

"Don't care rat. It was worth it. Walk by me and I'll gladly do it again."

"What the fuck did I do to you?!" Maggie proceeded to ask him as I watched his hands to make sure he didn't try anything else to the president's daughter.

"You don't belong here. You haven't fought one fucking day in your life. Not one day on the frontlines and now you're suddenly in charge of keeping Commander Voltz safe? I wouldn't trust you to hold the door, let alone keep me alive during an actual fight."

"Commander Voltz asked her himself to do this posting. If he felt otherwise then he wouldn't have." I told the asshole as he proceeded to ask Maggie a question.

"You only got asked because he feels sorry for you. You lost everyone right? Your mother and now your weak father? Must suck being…?!"

I widened my eyes when Maggie swung, hitting the prick right in his mouth as hard as she could with her right fist. Immediately I got in her way to try and stop her, but she was determined to hurt this guy after what he just said about her dad. When I tried to grab her by the arm I was met with a heavy elbow to my jaw which sent me out of the way.

"You motherfucker!" Maggie growled as she had him on his back in a matter of seconds.

I watched along with a few dozen others as Maggie hit this guy four times as hard as she could before continuing to growl at him from above.

"You don't ever talk about him! You didn't know him! You fucking…!?"

It took a handful of nearby fellow wolves to get her off him, but once she was it was clear the dude hadn't learned his lesson and sat up to chuckle at the rage induced woman.

"I know that your pops was nothing but a deadbeat; living off of borrowed time!"

Maggie broke free of her restraints and in nothing more than a blink of an eye we had a pile of bodies merging in the middle of the mess hall. Maggie beat this dude into the concrete and it came as no shock when the armed guards came rushing onto the scene from outside the room.

I couldn't hope to do anything. So I just started to eat my food. The situation was blown out of proportion and as everyone began to just fight each other I was startled when I heard from my side.

"What's going on here!?" Raptor came rushing into the fray and once he saw me staring on in awe he asked with a growl of his own.

"Where is she?!"

"Somewhere in the middle of that." I replied with mashed potatoes in my mouth which got him to immediately move in. It was like a magic trick. Out of all the bodies there were between them, Raptor somehow managed to reach in and grab her by the arm. Using all of his strength he pulled Maggie out of the pile up and threw her to the sidelines where I was. She was still covered in gravy, but with her breathing heavy, Raptor approached to ask.

"What the fuck are you doing?!"

She tried to lunge her way past him, but Raptor became the brick wall she needed. Otherwise she was most certainly going to kill that guy. Holding her down he ordered right into her face.

"Stand down! Hey! Listen to me! Maggie! Listen!"

The wolf slowly began to calm down and that's when Raptor realized this fighting wouldn't stop. Looking at me as I put down my fork, he ordered without a second thought.

"Fire a warning shot!"

Going down for my sidearm, I fired one round into the ceiling and that got the whole room to stop this madness in record time. With everyone looking at us, Raptor ordered in a voice that closely resembled what he was rumored to have sounded like back when he was leading troops in the field as a Major.

"Attention! Right fucking now!"

Every soul did as they were told. Apart from the guy Maggie beat into unconsciousness. Once the room was silent, Raptor ordered the rest of the guards.

"Secure this bullshit and get him to medical! You're coming with me." Raptor stated to Maggie as he marched off to the exit. I guided Maggie from behind to make sure she moved after her pops. Once into the hallway where Raptor waited, I managed to steal a rag out from my back pocket to offer it to Maggie who proceeded to wipe her face. It was then that Raptor asked us.

"Mind explaining what happened there?"

"That fucking guy instagated it! I was just trying to eat with Yoga when he suddenly decided to knock into me! Then he...then he talked shit about my dad and about how I don't belong here and and…?" Tears came to her and that's when Raptor looked at me.

"The dude came out of nowhere, Rap. He one hundred percent deserved that beating."

"He talked about my dad….called him a deadbeat. Said he was weak."

"Don't cry." I begged the wolf as I offered her a second rag from my pocket. She took it, but decided to walk off in the process.

"Don't walk away! Maggie!" Raptor shouted as she left our sight. Looking back at me he ordered.

"Tell me what exactly happened. I'll talk to her later."

I was prepared to answer his questions, but that didn't mean I felt good about it. Maggie may not be combat experienced like that guy said, but that doesn't mean she isn't fit for her job. She's worth twice as any man in the military, but to talk about her dad was something else. She's never hurt anyone like that before. Not willingly anyway. That guy's face won't be the same.

mT Shadow.