Love Struck Eternal
Chapter 66 - Armed rights.
Sam's POV, Two days later, Libya.
Pulling up to Waleed's compound was again quite a sight. He's actually done some good it seems since winning the war. At least the city itself was starting to look really good. Lots of new buildings were being built and judging from before the foot traffic was bustling. Still though he had men watching the front gate to his palace, but by chance the men standing here were the same men from before. The moment they saw me coming they showed some respect and asked in kinder voices then past.
"What business do you have here?"
"Here to see The Wall. Is he in?"
They were again doing circles around me considering I was again in my full combat dress. Seeing my rifle on my back and a briefcase at my side; one of them asked me.
"What's in the case?"
"It's what I came to talk to him about. Is he in? I can always come back later."
"Anpu!" I heard the man himself call to me from up on high. Standing over his balcony the man ordered his men with a smile.
"Let the contractor through! She's more than proven her trust to our people! Now come on!"
The men had to obey and that was always good. They let me proceed past the front door and upon walking inside the palace I found myself looking right back up those fancy steps to see Waleed making his way down in pursuit of myself. However I stood there and just waited to be approached by the much larger man. He seemed awfully happy to say the least as he came within feet of me to ask.
"How have you been? I didn't expect to see you come back this soon. Have you reconsidered staying?"
I chuckled before replying.
"That's not what this is about, but it's always a thought I keep in the back of my head now. Thank you again for offering." Waleed smiled as I went on to state.
"I actually came to hopefully offer you some aid."
"I could use any at this point Anpu! Hahaha!" He laughed back before urging me with a large palm to my back.
"Let's talk in my office!"
Walking side by side with this man was again making me question where I ended up in my life. Side by side with a tyrant instead of a room full of classmates. Walking up the steps slowly at first, Waleed soon asked me in a quieter tone.
"Can I get you a drink?"
"Sure. Whiskey?" I asked him back curiously which earned me another one of his finest laughs. Upon reaching his office which overlooked most of the city he owned, I sat down at his desk and waited as he prepared me the drink.
"You know it's been quite nice since we've stopped those rebels. I've had a lot of time to think about what I'd actually be doing at this very moment. But I'm honestly overwhelmed. What did you come to assist me with exactly? For I have many problems."
Turning around to begin approaching, I laid the case down on top of his desk and opened it up. His eyes were directed to its contents as I reached inside. Pulling out a brand new AK-74M.
"I wanted to talk to you about your current stock. Most of your people seem to be using military surplus. You need an upgrade and I've recently come into the means to do so."
"You're an arms dealer now?" He asked me as I handed him the gun.
"No. I'm just the middleman. The people I work for are the arms dealers. Their family and we've come into a very big pool of Russian munitions and armaments that we can sell for profit. But we need to sell to someone that both G.U.N and the M.E.A.F won't fuck with."
Lifting up my mask so he could see my face, I watched as his face slowly melted in awe.
"And considering I helped you with your little…..war. I was hoping you'd return the favor and maybe become our first client. I have five thousand rifles just like that and about half a million rounds to go with them. Perfectly wrapped up and ready to be delivered to you and your men."
Waleed put down his glass before focusing mainly on the weapon I handed him. Aiming down the sights at his nearby wall he asked me curiously.
"Do you mind if I test it?"
"Not at all." I replied back as he smiled and made his way towards the balcony. I stood by for only a moment because I wanted to see what he planned on doing in terms of testing the gun. Looking down at his men by the front gate, I put two and two together and asked him as he had his intent set in front of me.
"What are you doing?"
He just chuckled as he took aim and without another word he opened fire with the entire clip at his disposal. I took a step back as the shell casings bounced off the nearby door and into my path. By the time they stopped the men down there were dead and the man next to me was all smiles as he cleared the chamber and looked over at my face to state.
"I'll take the guns. They fire nicely. I'm sure my men will love them."
Guiding me back inside the bear then asked me.
"How much do you want for them? I'd also like to see what else you have."
Struggling to find my tongue, I took a moment to relax myself before answering.
"Actually the first shipment we want to give you for free. It's a gesture we hope earns us your business and if you plan to make us your supplier; I have a number I'll need you to call. My boss wants to handle any further transactions you make personally after this. She knows what everything is worth, unlike me. She'll also show you the full inventory of course."
Reaching into my vest, I pulled out Tika's business card and waited in silence as he looked it over.
"These weapons…they aren't actually yours right?" Waleed asked me as I calmly replied.
"No, but we have a very good system in place to make sure no one catches on to what we're doing. The weapons are military grade from Russia. All of it was decommissioned after the G.U.N war had ended. Hint why I said I needed someone who both governments can't fuck with."
"You pick your allies well then. I accept! Hahah!" He laughed which most certainly broke the previous tension I had crawling up my shoulders. Picking back up his drink and laying the gun back down in the case, Waleed took a drink and said to me in a more casual tone.
"I'll give your boss a call after I finish meeting with some building contractors. We'll figure out the details, but this does mean a good amount to me Anpu. Thank you."
"Not a problem." I smiled back as I closed the weapon case. Waleed kept his eyes on my body as I did it and normally that wouldn't bother me, but once again he was extremely full of himself and decided to ask me as nicely as he could.
"You came all this way to talk to me about some guns and I appreciate that like I said, but how about you at least stay for a meal?"
"I can't sir. I have other loose ends to tie up before I can relax. I'm sorry, but we can reschedule."
"For when?" He then asked as I considered an answer.
"Well I'm pretty sure my boss will be having me escort all the shipments you order personally. So how about when I come back with those rifles? Call her up and get everything in order and when the date is set we'll make time for a little brunch."
Waleed liked my confidence but was still so used to his power and position; he admitted to me with another smile.
"Normally I'd just force people to do what I want, but I'm willing to wait. When you come back I'll make it a brunch to remember. Hold me to that." He then urged me as I threw back on my mask.
Despite him killing those men this went really well. With any luck Tika and him would become best friends and his money would fuel our needs. I just had to keep my head on straight.
Raptor's POV, Three months later.
"Showing up late to our meeting was not my idea of a good welcome Ajex. I'm sorry." I apologized as I entered my office to be met with Zandro's angry gaze. Seeing me in my full combat dress Ajex questioned.
"Where were you?"
"On patrol. Didn't hear the news? I've been personally helping with the operations in the field."
"Why?" Ajex proceeded to ask me now as Zandro firmly muttered in anger.
"Doesn't matter why to him. He doesn't fucking care about the rules or the dangers involved with you being out there on the front lines."
I ignored Zandro for the time being and just focused on giving Ajex my reasons.
"For starters it's helped with my negotiations with Iran. They see I'm actually concerned for what's happening and they're seeing me at work. They know I want peace. Second, it looks really good for me publicly. I've become quite the symbol and I'm not one to toot my own horn normally." Zandro chuckled in disbelief as I finished with one last statement.
"Lastly, it's where I belong. I'm ten times more effective in the field than in an office. Ask anyone. If I could I would be out there hunting the people who killed my brother, but I'm settling for this. Which leads me to ask, but why are you here? You said this was important."
"It is." Ajex replied as he offered me a folder. I took it and the moment I opened it he stated to me directly.
"My operator on the inside gave us something to look out for and I'm here to discuss it with you."
"What's all this then?" I asked as I was just looking over what seemed to be weapon manifests.
"Weapons. The group my operator is involved with claims they've been selling off weapons to the highest bidder. That's a rough estimate on what we believe they've already unloaded."
"Unloaded to who?" I then had to ask as this list was suggesting that they've sold a lot over the course of this. Enough here to invade another country. How did this all slip past us?
"Unsure. We don't know the details, but we're pretty sure they're selling to PMC's and warlords. Mainly to The Wall."
"The president of Libya?" I questioned as Zandro finally came over to look over the list. Nodding Ajex went on claiming.
"I've had satellites all over his country these last few months. We have photos. Look for yourself. Over the course of the last three months his army has gotten all new makes and models of everything you could imagine a warlord could want. Military grade rifles, millions of rounds of ammunition, tanks, APCs, flatbed trucks, uniforms even."
"Where are they getting this all from?" Zandro now asked.
It's all Russian made and considering what my operator has said we're positive it's all coming from within the Russian government. Someone is letting these guys sell off stockpiles of cold war era gear to this kind of monster but we've yet to investigate."
"Why not?" Zandro again asked as I looked over the pictures.
"I can't just storm Moscow and demand a name. There's a lot of red tape I can't cross and that's my own fault. G.U.N allowed Moscow to keep their government once they surrendered because we didn't believe in conquering our enemy. We just wanted them to stop attacking our troops who were stationed close to their borders. This was Hecan's time as president and he only wanted peace. Moscow didn't want war so they agreed to lay off so long as we didn't attack them. I can't go and demand they do anything for me. President of G.U.N or not. They have complete immunity to do what they want with their government. That includes their military stockpiles. I'm sure the terrorists are using someone within the government to get access to this kind of gear, but finding out who is gonna be hard."
"Well surely they would see this kind of shit getting moved. This is an army's worth of hardware Ajex." I claimed which is when Zandro muttered to me.
"Not if the paper trail is managed. They gotta be covering all their bases when moving this kind of stuff. What can we do?" He then asked out loud which is when I looked towards Ajex who considered our options.
"I have my satellites watching for the shipments, but it's very hard considering we only get coverage for a few minutes a few times a day. Without knowing ahead of time when they'll show up; it's impossible for us to know for sure what's happening."
"Your insider can't figure out the details?" I questioned which earned me a shake of his head before being told.
"Too risky. Can't risk exposure and even if they did learn the time and date it would more than likely get them killed in the end. A group like this is tight Raptor. A rat smells…very bad." I nodded because I understood, but then asked the room.
"Can we approach Libya?"
"Independent Raptor. We could do the exact same thing we did before and send a representative to ask questions, but I doubt a man like this will do business with the likes of us. Especially when he finds out we've been watching his people without his knowledge." Ajex replied, which is when I started to consider my options. After a moment I suggested.
"Hear me out. I'll go and talk to him. Libya was not one of the countries invited to our original peace treaty signing and he knows we're in the work of making a second try. So how about I use that and go talk to him about potential negotiations between our people. Word is that he's cleaning up the streets now that he doesn't have a war to worry about. Offering him to be an ally might get us answers. Worst he can say is no, but I can use that time as an opportunity to ask him about his recent upgrades."
Ajex liked the idea, but asked me carefully.
"You do plan to bring backup, yes?"
"Of course. I'll have Yoga, Maggie and Zulu 2-7 come along."
"You can't just bring troops into his land uninvited Raptor. You'll have to ask for permission first." Zandro informed me which is when I decided to ask him now.
"Can you get me in contact with him?" Nodding, he replied.
"Of course I can."
"Ajex?" I then asked him to be sure he was game. After a moment he replied confidently.
I think it would be a good start, but please get us something to go on. If he refuses to speak on the subject or help at all, we may have to get…..creative."
Zandro knew what that meant and so did I. The last thing I want to do is coordinate a black op, but we may get no other choice. Hopefully this dictator would have me.
Two weeks later, Libya.
It was high time this happened. The Wall was waiting for my arrival at the front gate to his mega home. This building was a fucking palace. Compared to the places around it seemed he's been keeping busy. This city was no longer a warzone. People walked around everywhere and most had guns. Soldiers we're easy to tell apart though. They mostly had the same uniform and setup and Ajex was right. The gear I could see was clearly brand new. Even the fucking sandbags we're Russian.
"Holy shit." Yoga muttered under his breath as he took in the man standing just outside our door.
"Is that him?" Maggie asked me as I prepared to step out of the car. I wore my normal combat dress but kept my weapons holstered to show that I wasn't looking to fight. Zulu made a nice little formation outside the car as I opened the door to finally step out into the sun. The moment our eyes locked onto each other the mammoth of a man stepped forward with his right hand extended. In a very deep and heavy accent he chuckled to me.
"Nice of you to stop by. Quite the men you brought. Look all like very good soldiers."
His grip was insane. He had me held like a vice as I calmly chuckled back.
"They are. Every one of them. Plus you can't ever be too safe. Beautiful city you have. A lot has changed since your war went away. Congratulations by the way."
"Thank you, but please do follow me inside. I'd hate to keep you and your men out in this heat for too much longer." The Wall stated as he released me and led the charge back into the building.
"You came here to ask for peace?" I was then asked by The Wall as we proceeded through the main lobby and upstairs.
"Yes. It's about time we settle our differences. I'm tired of walking around this part of the world and considering the situation you're in; I'd like to offer you the chance to get back on your feet as well."
Again the man laughed at me as we reached his office. Yoga and Maggie followed me in along with three of his men. The Wall took his place at his desk as I sat down in front of it to wait for his response. Opening up his draw to pull out a cigar, I watched in silence as he cut and lit it. After a puff, he questioned at long last.
"You talk about differences, but we don't have any. I've never seeked a fight with the M.E.A.F. or G.U.N for that matter. And since my war came to an end I've actually been very productive. I could even say I believe I've already been on my feet and for a very long time now. I gain nothing by joining your cause."
"But why decline it?"
"For the same reason your people declined peace with G.U.N back in the very early days of the rebellion wars. I know I can lead my people better without the help of either government. You and your rules put up too much of a barrier. I can't do the things I need to do with all of that getting in my way. And if I did go against it, I'd be asking for another war that I do not want. It's not the time for peace. Not yet for me or my people. Maybe in a few decades, but right now I just want to be left alone." The man claimed which made me dip into my powers to see if I could probe any bit of his mind.
However this man was different. He was very driven and very focused on his beliefs. There wasn't a single thing going through his head right now other than how to deal with my potential questions to come and judging from what I could understand this wasn't going to be heading my way anytime soon. I had to try and do something to get him to talk.
"You're not committed to this are you?" I was then asked which made me widen my eyes slightly before questioning.
"What do you mean by that?"
"You think I'm to believe you just now came to consider peace between our two lands? You may think I'm not but I'm a very intelligent person. I had lawyers for parents. I can see right through you and your simple tongue."
With his men sitting behind him with their guns on their laps, I took a look at Yoga then back at The Wall to question.
"You think I'm not trying to be genuine? This offer is as real as we are. You have my word."
"Stop! Lying!" He proceeded to shout at me which in return made me shut the fuck up as he smiled after some time. Using the base of his thumb he pointed down on his desk with force.
"You're not allowed to lie under my roof. So I'm gonna give you one chance to make this right. Tell me the real reason why you're here and just maybe I'll return an answer."
"Wait, chill." Yoga urged us as it was clear things got tense with that statement. Stepping between us made The Wall's men aim their guns at us, but that didn't stop Yoga from shouting out.
"We're not here to start a war!"
"Then why are you here, ferret man?" The Wall asked with a small chuckle which is when I jumped in to state.
"Over the last three months you and your army have been outfitted with prewar Russian military hardware and we have reason to believe the people you're buying from are the same people who assassinated my brother Char at the first peace contract signing. They are terrorists and a threat to world peace. I need all the information you have on them."
The Wall now had a different look on his face. This one wasn't sure what to say next. It took him a few moments before asking me in disbelief.
"You said we. I'd assume you and G.U.N have both been spying on me?"
"Yeah." I bluntly replied which earned me a hearty laugh.
"Hahaha!" His voice rumbled the floor under my feet and after a few seconds he chuckled.
"I knew you could be truthful and because of your honesty I will not hold this against you. No hard feelings. But unfortunately I can't give you that information."
"Why not?" I asked him as I heard the door behind me open.
When I looked back over my shoulder with Maggie and Yoga joining suit, I stopped to widen my eyes in complete disbelief. Walking into the room was one of those terrorists, but the one I struggled to comprehend the most. An absolute ghost and symbol of fear among the middle east and quite possibly the world over. My body instinctively got defensive and in one swift movement I got up.
Maggie and Yoga both were ready to defend me considering what we knew. I was one of their targets and unlike when they killed Char, they instead decided not to hide when it came to me.
The mask they wore covered their head completely. I couldn't make out anything other than Anubis actually being the depiction of the mask itself. Yet it was clear to me that this wasn't just some assassin or normal terrorist. They were dressed for war and resembled that of a hunter. I couldn't tell yet if who stood before me was either male or female. Regardless they were a unit and it came across that this individual may have been ex-military. A dark purple T91 assault rifle hung from the base of their chest yet on their back was a compound bow with a set of five arrows. As my eyes went back to the mask, The Wall sat up to state.
"You asked why not? Because I believe in loyalty and in giving back what is owed. Anpu here has given me my home and has provided a means to defend it even better against people like you Commander." My eyes looked back to the man as Yoga urged the terrorist standing no more than ten feet from where I stood.
"Don't make any sudden moves." The terrorist didn't move more than an inch as I proceeded to ask The Wall.
"You're harboring a terrorist?"
Shaking his head and letting out a small laugh the man replied.
"Harboring? Nothing of the sort. Anpu just came by to deliver me my next shipment. I assume it got here fine?" His question was directed to the mask and as I looked back I saw them nod their head.
"What are we doing here sir?" Yoga asked me as he was unsure of what to do now that a very real threat walked through the door. I took a step towards the blacked armored contractor to only be stopped by Maggie who put herself between me and the danger to whisper.
"Stay where you are." Ignoring her, I pushed another foot out to ask them.
"Do you have any idea who I am?" I felt the anger in my heart come to the front as all I got back was another slow nod.
"Then you know I have every right to kill you where you stand. You killed all those people at the Forth and Cardinal. Killed them all without any thought for any of them!" As my voice went up the ears on my daughter went down as Yoga now stepped in the middle of me and the terrorist who plagued my lands.
Using my powers, I tried to invade their mind but only found silence and for once I couldn't get through due to my emotions. With one question coming to my mind, I asked the person standing before me in a growl that well resembled my rage.
"Did you kill my brother?"
Not a single nod or response was given as I showed my fangs and unleashed some of my buried venom before shouting the question again at the top of my lungs with two blood red eyes.
"Did you kill him!?"
Even my anger couldn't break this individual. However after a few moments of my huffing and puffing the terrorist shook their head no. Something about that seemed honest to me and with time I caught back onto my sanity and relaxed my eyes. With Yoga's hand on my shoulder, I reopened them to order him.
"Arrest him." As the order was given and Yoga went for his back pouch for a zip tie, The Wall said to me calmly.
"You won't do any such thing." Three rifles got aimed at us now as Yoga proceeded to question in disbelief.
"What the fuck?"
"Dad?" Maggie mumbled under her breath which got me to ask the dictator now standing up from his position.
"What's the meaning of this?"
"You're in my home and in my country. G.U.N and the M.E.A.F aren't in charge here and unless you plan to kill for your bounty…you'll pull back your lap dogs. Especially her." He urged me as he pointed at Maggie who seemed completely thrown for a loop as to way.
"I'm good at reading people. I can tell you're not even supposed to be here. You look like you belong in school." Maggie was shocked to be told such a thing and before I could counter he decided to add onto his insults.
"Or back first on a bed getting plowed by some strangers."
"Excuse me?" Yoga came right to her defense and almost managed to slip by me now as he was intent on punching his lights out. Grabbing him from his waist and pulling him back, I shouted at The Wall who just laughed at the aftermath.
"She's my fucking daughter! Don't you ever talk about her like that!"
"I can do what I want Commander. I have that blessing thanks to people just like you." He informed me which only hurt my case considering he was right about that. I fought for everyone to be free to control their own destinies. Unable to come up with a response myself, The Wall proceeded to state curiously.
"As a side note Commander? I don't see any resemblance."
"Adopted." I growled back as I began to hear the gentle steps of the terrorist walking around us and to his side. Pushing Yoga and Maggie aside, I refocused on them to threaten.
"I won't let you continue to pollute the world I created. To burn down everything I've fought and bled for. I suffered my entire life to get what I wanted and you and your people? You want to kill me? You aren't going to get away with it. Not this time and you have my word I'll hunt you down until my last breath. You and everyone you work for. I'll kill every last one of you."
With my words seeming to again get me nothing from this person, I widened my eyes slightly as they stepped in front of The Wall now to approach me directly. Standing only a few inches above my head, I stared up into the mask's black eyes to sense a threat about to be made. With Yoga and my daughter only a few inches behind me, I decided I had to act and looked down at their vest to spot their sidearm sticking out at me from its holster. Using my gift of speed, I went for it only to be caught off guard by the sudden placement of a barrel being placed between my eyes.
Sam's POV.
I beat my father before he could even grasp my Luger. My speed and processing power was far beyond what Marcus had given him. With little effort going into it from my end, I saw his hand make the notion of movement and reached down to his hip to pull out and place the barrel of his own weapon to his head. The room lit up instantly as Yoga and Maggie both were too late to react. They froze but kept their guns aimed at me as my father stared at me with two blood red eyes. With my finger wrapped around the trigger, I just held it there and listened as Waleed began to laugh to himself.
At first I knew I had my dad scared, but he was so good at being in control he switched to a sharp stare and growled at me powerfully.
"You better pull that trigger."
This moment felt so fulfilling and yet still so scary. My entire cover was close to being blown if this mask left my face and I couldn't allow this to carry on for much longer. I wasn't in a position to kill my father. Not yet anyway. So without moving my head, I lowered the gun and listened as Waleed then urged my dad.
"You should see yourselves out Commander. You got your answer and from what just happened I'd consider that another gift you've been blessed with. Anpu is the best soldier on this planet and it's by god's will that you haven't already been shot by her. Take your friends and leave while you still can."
He was right though. Thanks to Waleed's big mouth my father now knew my gender and my name. Hopefully that wouldn't amount to much after this but I found myself laughing inside when I realized the gun I had taken off him was none other than Shadow Robotnik's. The same gun he offered to give me before my life went to shit and when I only planned on going to college after graduating. He of course put out his hand in hopes he would get it back and much to his disappointment I simply put it in the empty holster that rested on my right leg. If my dad didn't already have me at the top of his list for people he planned to kill; he would after this statement I made.
"Give…it….back." He now growled which made me neglect everything as I finally decided to speak up. Looking him right in his eyes, I replied deeply but with enough depth in it to hopefully cover my normal voice from being recognized.
"No."
He didn't even notice it seemed as Waleed's men finally stepped in to begin pushing them back towards the door. With an unfamiliar amount of rage leaving my dad's frame, I listened in silence now as he shouted at me.
"I'll figure out where you're hiding sooner or later and when I do I promise I'll fucking be the one to kill you! You're dead!"
It only made him angrier when I turned my back on him to refocus on the desk I found myself now leaning on for support. With my family being kicked out from the country, I took a moment to take out Shadow's M1911 for a closer look.
"I will not lie to you Anpu, but I didn't even see you draw on the bastard. You're as fast as lightning. Hahaha!" Waleed laughed over my shoulder as I decided to head out onto his nearby balcony to see my father just getting back outside. His eyes instantly went up to where I was and with the same venom infused eyes he gunned me down with sight alone. I've never seen my dad truly pissed off, but this here was worth it. I had made him my number one enemy. With Shadow's gun in my right hand still, I decided to rub my power in. Lifting the gun up to align it with his head, I pretended to pull the trigger just to see his reaction to my threat. With it snapping him out of his silence, he screamed up at me.
"Count your days! Count your allies! Because when I find you there will be none left to cover for you!"
Wanting to fire back at him, I shouted down.
"Oh trust me! The people I work for will find you first and when we're ready the last thing you'll see is me! You and your family! What's left of it anyway!"
"Excuse me!?" He fired back with full power which made Yoga and Maggie intervene. Grabbing him and forcing him into the nearby car, I watched with Waleed over my shoulder as they drove off. Putting the gun back in my holster, I let out a small sigh.
"A woman out for my own heart. You made yourself quite the enemy. Raptor Voltz may be a lying sack of worthless shit, but he's a dangerous man. You and your people better take him seriously."
"I know." I replied as I considered the course of actions that would follow this meeting. I wasn't walking into this room with the notion of running into my dad of all people, but that was on me. I should have been more careful, Thankfully nothing really happened. Only thing that I was sure of was that if he ever did find out who Anpu really was; I'd really break him.
Feeling a big hand rest on my back, I looked over my shoulder into Waleed's eyes as he proceeded to wonder.
"Do you have time to stay?"
"Actually I came to tell you that this will be the last time I'll be the one delivering your orders. I'm needed elsewhere it would seem."
Waleed looked hurt but he was always good at understanding my emotions. He knew I would miss him. Offering him my hand, I asked him with a small smile.
"Can I overstep my position for a moment Waleed?" Looking at me differently now he replied back nicely.
"Step away." I gave him a tiny chuckle before stating back.
"There might come a time where I could use your help. The people I work for are planning a lot of things and we have a lot of enemies as you just witnessed. If it comes down to it, can I count on your support?"
"Are you planning a war?" He asked back bluntly.
"Personally? No. But I support the people who support me and I know how things are looking. I'm sure war will come, but with who remains unknown. G.U.N? M.E.A.F? Maybe both. I don't know Waleed, but I know I could use your help if I find myself in a tight spot. What do you say?"
The man considered his answer carefully. I knew what I was asking for and it seemed like a lot after repeating it to myself. Thankfully Waleed and I were good friends and I knew he hated both parties who were gunning for me now. Taking my hand in his he replied.
"I still owe you. You can count on me and my people to help if you find yourself against a wall."
"You'd go to war for me?" I questioned in disbelief that he said yes. Bringing me in a step closer, he replied back with a whisper.
"Of course. Who wouldn't? Hehe."
I hugged him a moment after and with an entire army now in my back pocket, I considered what to do now that I was done. I had to get back to Tika ASAP. She needed me for something and I had a feeling it was gonna involve me helping one of the other groups. Question was which?
Tika's POV, A few hours later.
Anpu came walking into the bunker dressed in her full rig. I knew she could travel wherever she wanted to in the blink of an eye, so I'm assuming she had to spend some extra time with The Wall. What she planned to ask of him had to require some finesse. Putting down my book as she took off her mask, I was asked in confusion.
"Where is everyone?"
"They're all out helping Ace with his project." Widening her eyes she questioned while putting down her rifle on a nearby table.
"I thought you were gonna wait until I got back?"
Standing up from my spot on the small couch, I replied while looking into her eyes.
"Plans changed. Riley wants you to head back to the bunker in Iran. She and her people are taking some time to rest up, but she needs someone to help her. Someone with a high amount of recommendations from yours truly." I got her to smile now with me and in doing so I added to my speech.
"I don't know what for, but if she's asking for you then it has to involve something touchy. She wouldn't want any of her people handling it."
"They can't be discreet?" She questioned.
"They can but there is a different level of discretion when it comes to you and what you've accomplished. She doesn't have a professional assassin on her team. Just a lot of killers, but don't worry about anything. Just keep an open mind and do what she needs. Riley has expectations and if I were you I'd aim to meet them. I know you can meet them, but I'm warning you regardless. Shouldn't be a problem."
"You seem more worried than me." Anpu then commented which made me show my feelings a little by replying back.
"I'm just gonna miss having you around."
"Am I not coming back?" She then laughed.
"No! Of course you're gonna come back at some point, but for now I need you to head on over. Okay?"
Letting out a prompt sigh, the wolf scratched through her hair before looking back to ask.
"Like right now? Or can I relax a little beforehand?"
I watched as she proceeded to slip by me and down onto the couch. She let out another sigh of relief as I could sense she was distracted about something other than leaving the group. Looking down at her now I replied back curiously.
"Riley doesn't know what you are. She's probably expecting you to be there tomorrow at some point. You can relax for the time being. Or you can just go. It's up to you. How did everything go with Waleed?"
She chuckled before replying back calmly.
"It went well I suppose. He took the news better than I expected and even agreed to help if we needed him."
"Then what's wrong? You seem…distracted."
"Voltz was there." She answered back which made me widen my eyes.
"What? Why? What happened? Did he see you?"
"He was talking to Waleed about who he was getting the guns from. Trying to just figure out what he knew about the people he bought from. He said nothing just so you know, but I walked in at the worst time. Voltz knows that Waleed is buying from us, but he doesn't know where yet and considering he knows I work for the same group who killed Char; he's probably gonna crack down on it in order to get at us."
"He won't find a trace of us. I can promise you that, but did he talk to you at all?" I then asked her which made her smile slightly before replying.
"Made lots of threats if you consider that talking, but I stole his gun."
"What?" I questioned as she reached for her hip to pull out a chrome M1911. She handed it to me before claiming.
"That gun belonged to Shadow Robotnik. Word is Voltz had it since his passing."
"How did you get this?" I asked her as I handed it back.
"He tried to draw on me and one thing led to another and I had his gun on him. Waleed had my back so there was never gonna be any shooting, but Voltz knew I had him dead to rights. Waleed's men broke up the scene and Voltz had to go. He was fucking pissed hehe."
"Anything bad happen besides that?" I then wondered as I aimed to sit back down next to her now. As I did she picked up my book to begin looking over the cover. At the same time she replied.
"Waleed's big mouth gave them my name and they know I'm a woman finally."
"That's not gonna make their jobs any easier. You're fine. Safe more so." She heard my words but fell into a trance while reading the first page of my book. After a moment I asked her curiously.
"You like what you're reading? I know I do." She silently flipped to the next set of pages as I smiled and ran my tongue across my lips.
Inching closer to her side, I looked right at her pretty lips and contemplated my next move. I was always hoping to get her alone like this. Ever since she walked into that stupid cave I've had my eyes on her. I don't know where she got her looks, but there was rarely a female that checked off on all the boxes for me to crave them. Anpu however had it all. Dangerously smart and most importantly she was dangerously dangerous. She more than once proved her worth to me as a soldier, but everything came down to her body for me. Beautiful face like a goddess should have and she possessed such a tight looking ass and I wasn't normally into canines like this.
Glancing over at me at long last, she replied back curiously.
"I see the appeal, but you must have a lot of…..fantasies."
"Maybe, but isn't everyone allowed to have those?" I asked back which is when she caught fully on to my feelings towards her in this moment. Giving me a surprised look she questioned.
"With me though? Why? I've never done anything with another girl. I'd….I wouldn't know where to start. You know this." Taking my chance, I leaned closer in to reply.
"That's the fun though. You don't seem to get that I'm not the submissive type. I mean I can be if I have to, but normally I like to be in charge. You wouldn't have to do much other than listen to me and you can do that. We both know that much about each other." I ran a hand over her arm which in turn got her to start blushing.
"I know you want to do this just as much as I do Anpu. We have plenty of time to settle into it if you want. The boys won't be coming back for a few hours. What do you think?" I then asked her as I attempted to mount her from the front. Her hands immediately grabbed onto my hips to keep me stable as I had found myself leaning into her chestplate with my own set of boobs to balance it out. Face to face she had nowhere to hide those eyes as I waited for her to answer. Biting her lower lip she soon whispered back.
"I think I'd like to see what you've been thinking about after all these months."
"If that's the case then you know I'd rather not do this here. My room? Hmm?"
"Can I get changed first?" She asked back as I sat up to question.
"Why? I plan to take off whatever you're wearing anyway."
"Point taken I suppose." She chuckled as I widened my eyes to the sudden feeling of being lifted up manually. She cupped my ass to do it, but immediately I jumped out of her grip and back onto my feet. Looking at me in confusion she asked.
"Don't like being manhandled? I didn't think you'd get so defensive…?!" Anpu was brought to silence because I slapped her right across the face the moment I heard the word "defensive". When her eyes came back to mine in shock, I threw myself into her lips and used most of my body to force her back onto the couch. Mounting her again, we kissed each other for so long it felt overwhelming. She was so good at it I almost didn't want to stop, but after getting her tongue in my mouth for enough time; I pulled myself off her and grabbed her by the wrist. She knew to shut up now and just followed me from the couch and into my small room where my cot waited.
"Should I…..?" Anpu motioned for her cloak, but I wasn't going to remain on my leash anymore now that I had this. So in force I went back to kissing her. My hands got her cloak and armor off in mere seconds and once I had nothing between us but her top and jeans, I pushed her onto the bed. With her legs slightly open and her hair covering her left eye, she looked up at me with a red face to whisper.
"What are you doing?"
Leaning over her body, I placed them on the button to her jeans and undid it. Yanking them down in no time at all, I showed her what I planned to do the second my eyes found their prize. Riley was taking my girl and if I wasn't gonna see her soon I planned to get everything set straight here. Along the way I'll be joyful that I'm her first.
Sam's POV, The next day, Iran.
Bags on my back, I arrived at the bunker wearing my entire rig. My mask kept me cool as the elevator door opened with not a single soul waiting for me. Using my powers, I found out pretty fast that everyone was gathered in the mess hall. Letting out a small sigh, I proceeded to the barracks and dumped my bags on my bed. Gently taking off my mask considering this place had air conditioning, I clipped it onto the front of my belt and prepared to head to the mess hall. In doing so I considered what I would say to Riley upon first meeting her. I guess kissing her ass wouldn't work the way I wanted it to, so I just decided on the standard approach. I'll walk right in there and just wait to be addressed. Surely she's expecting me.
Upon walking into the room I caught the instant attention of every single man and woman in there. What was once a room full of chatter and laughter was now a silent classroom with all eyes on me. No one moved an inch as I walked closer and closer to the table they were all at. My eyes found Riley sitting near the back and with a fork buried in her mouth; she ate her last bite and began to stand up from her seat at the table. Giving me a small smile she asked me directly among the silence of ten new people. People who all looked menacing. Some looked doped out of their heads, but I didn't know much yet.
"Anpu? Tika's saving grace? How are you darling? No trouble getting in?"
Shrugging my arms I replied back calmly.
"No trouble at all. Tika said you needed me for something."
Nodding her head on approach I got a good look for the hedgehog. She was about the same height my dad was at, about five foot eleven. All black quills and hair and despite everything she looked older than most. I'd gather maybe forties, but that would be crazy to think she was any higher. Her face held some scars. Lots of which looked like fire burns. Once she stood no more than two feet in front of me did she decide to ask.
"I do, but you gotta tell me something first. Ace talks a lot. He says a lot of good things and sometimes says some bad, but when it came to you he had nothing but the highest opinion of you. So does everyone on that team. Tika owes you her life twice over and you still have a favor you can cash in with me or any of the other uppers. But I still want to know how a girl your age managed to assassinate Esteban without a single problem? You were a contractor for how long before running into Ace?"
"Almost two years now." I stated back, which is when someone behind her chuckled.
"Kills an M.E.A.F president with a mere two years under your belt? You look good, but not that good kid. How'd you actually do it?"
The person asking was now the center of attention. It was a dark brown ferret that reminded me a lot of Yoga, but this guy looked like a weasel. That or just a tough act to please.
"No offense, but who are you?" I asked him now which is when Riley jumped back into the conversation stating.
"That's Jacob. Then you have the rest of them. Sammy, Scott, Rebel, Markcov, Vincent, Fin, Duke, Parker, and last but not least, Celine." My eyes and memory tried to remember all those names, but with such quick introductions I barely had time to take them all in for what they were. Riley knew this however and urged me.
"Don't bother trying to remember. Chances are we won't be staying here for much longer. I have other plans that need my attention."
"Just tell me what you need and I'll get it done." I urged her back which made her consider the fact that I might be just a little too confident in myself. However she was giving me a full chance to prove that I could handle a task given to me and I planned to not let her down. Patting my shoulder and pushing me back around towards the exit. the hedgehog said calmly into my side.
"I'd rather show you. Come with me to the briefing room. Forget I asked any questions earlier. I'm just trying to get a gauge on you. You're young and apparently a prodigy according to Ace and Tika."
I gave her a soft smile as we went back into the hallway.
"I'm not going to question your abilities, but I'm gonna be blunt and honest. This is a mission I can't trust with anyone back in that room. I'm sure you've heard things about my team and most of it is probably true, but they can't be trusted to be quiet or discreet. Both of these I need and it only made sense to ask Tika for you considering you got out clean with Esteban."
"I get it. You need discretion." Nodding her head she went on to ask me.
"Have you met Zeak?"
"I did."
"Then you know what he's working on." Riley informed me as we now entered the briefing room. Somewhat confused, I questioned
"The nuke?" Again she nodded her head which is when I asked her out of curiosity.
"What about it?"
"Zeak got the thing operational, but of course a nuke is pointless if it doesn't work as intended. Which is why I'm asking for your help." She told me as she began to dig around a few tables before she found a few pictures. Handing them off to me she explained her plan.
"As you may or may not know, another upper of ours is Lane. Him and his team have been working in China for over two years now. Lane is a nice guy, you'd like him, but he's in the position where none of his people can help him."
The pictures were all of this crate. It was all metal on the outside and covered in radioactive symbols. It looked like the size of a milk crate.
"What is this?" I asked Riley as she calmly replied.
"That's what I need you to get us. Lane and his people watch the majority of things that go through customs, but this is something not even the Chinese government knows about. Mainly because this is being transported by Ying PMC. Ying PMC is a paramilitary contractor for the Chinese government. Recently they've been working under the counter and keeping it under wraps. China's military is heavily G.U.N, but they still manage their own arsenal. Home to more nukes than you can fathom Anpu and this crate holds everything we need to make ten of them. Thankfully we only need enough for one, but Ying PMC is in charge of making sure this gets transported to the proper hands."
"How the hell am I supposed to get this?" I asked her with a chuckle as I looked at a few more of the pictures.
"Lane knows everything. He said right now they got it locked down and it's not gonna be moving for probably a few days. I need you to get to him and figure out a way to get that shipment back to us. Obviously Ying PMC is your main threat when it comes to reaching it, but you can expect the military to swarm if you get made. This isn't some little thing you're stealing. This is a fucking nuke Anpu." She stated to me with wide eyes as she leaned over the table to look at me.
"You get made and you're as good as dead. My hopes are set that this won't happen, but I need to be honest with you about the danger. Can you do this for me?"
I knew I could do anything so long as no one was watching me. This crate I was going after looked small enough to carry by hand. I could phasewalk into wherever it was being stored and just walk out. Shouldn't be too difficult. Nodding my head after looking over the pictures some more, I replied back with my own series of questions.
"I can do it for sure, but I need to know a few things. Like where do I find Lane and his team for starters and why is this PMC moving nuclear material out of the country? Are we sure the military isn't aware?"
"I'm sure they don't, but if word gets out that this kind of shit is out in the open and under attack, G.U.N will mount up and engage you regardless of the reasons. I know what I'm asking of you Anpu and I want this to be a fair game we're playing. So name a price and I'll make it happen." She urged me as I was quick to urge her back.
"How about we hold off on what I want? Let me focus on getting you this crate and once I come back we'll talk. Does that sound good?" I asked her now which earned me her smile again before another nod.
"I can work with that. Assuming everything goes well. You take that crate right to Lane and he'll find a way to get it back here to us."
Nodding my head I replied while handing her back the pictures.
"Sounds perfect. Now where do I find Lane?"
Later that night, Beijing, China.
Another part of the world that seemed so different when I considered where I just was. Iraq, Los Angeles, Libya, Russia, all of them were their own places. Beijing on the other hand was a marvel of engineering and construction. It made my head hurt to look at some of the places they've built. My only issue was waiting. Lane was supposed to meet me here.
I was told that Lane knew I was coming so I half expected him to be prepared. Where is he? I asked again as I suddenly felt someone poke my right arm. Nearly shitting myself from being so distracted, I panicked and jolted in place as my whole body shifted around to be eye to eye with a smaller light gray mouse. He widened his eyes and jumped back slightly as well from seeing me so surprised. In confusion I asked him.
"Can I help you? Jesus man."
He let out a really cute laugh from being now in the hot seat. It was clear as day to me that this guy was so innocent. That or he was just really fucking nervous now that he had my attention. Wearing a nice pair of black dress pants with a dark blue shirt and a black tie, the mouse asked me after apologizing.
"I'm so sorry. I should have said something. I didn't mean to scare you. Are you waiting for someone?"
"I am, but I don't think you're the guy I'm looking for." I replied back bluntly with a thin smile which in turn made him feel more comfortable.
"I'm not. I'm Lugo. You must be Anpu. You're looking for Lane right? I was told to come pick you up and bring you to him."
"I thought he was coming personally to meet me?" I questioned which is when the man informed me kindly while grabbing my bag from off the nearby bench.
"He was, but an emergency came to light and he had to go handle that. Before he left he instructed me to bring you back to where we're staying. With some luck he'll only be gone for an hour at best."
Seeing as I didn't have much to go on, I decided to trust the man and proceeded to follow him to his car which turned out to be a blacked out SUV. Impressed by the car itself I asked Lugo as he popped the trunk to deposit my bags.
"Beautiful ride. Is it yours?" Chuckling, he replied while getting my door for me.
"No it's Lane's. One of his newer models."
Somewhat confused by this mouse I had to ask him seeing as I was about to get in a car with a stranger.
"What exactly do you do for him? Are you a soldier?"
Again laughing he kept the answer to himself, up until he got in the driver's seat. Looking over at me as he started the car, he replied.
"No, not at all. I'm more of what you would call a servant. Yes I'm part of his group, but none of us are trained to the extent that I'm sure you are."
"Have you heard of me?" I questioned as I again looked him over.
"I've heard of you. So has everyone in our family. Word travels fast among the uppers. Lane is very excited to meet you as a matter of fact."
"I hate to keep asking so many questions but I'm a little confused."
"About?" He asked me now as I put my questions into words.
"You just said you're part of the team, but none of you are trained? How is that possible? Don't you guys have to fight?"
Shaking his head before getting onto the road, the mouse said back to me calmly and slowly so I could learn this.
"You must not know Lane to be confused by that. Lane is a businessman. He's the CEO of Lancaster Exports. A very well respected company who has about seventy percent of their business invested in China's exporting scene. The other thirty is directed to medical research and advancements in medicine. Now not everyone who works for Lane is part of our group. It's a good cover for actual members, but even those who are part of it are more or less employees to Lane. We don't get involved in fighting. We make most of our money legitimately and since we control most of the world's goods, we can basically get anything we need for our operations. Lane himself is like a checkbook with an endless papertrail." Lugo chuckled as I was blown away by how different this group was when compared to Tika's or Riley's.
"Jesus, so you guys are public? How does he keep everything in order?" I asked out loud as I took in some of the sights China had to offer.
"Everyone on the team has major backgrounds in business and finances Anpu. Everyone working for Lane has only the best education and thanks to all of us; Lane and the rest of us have nothing to fear from the laws. We're cogs in a machine designed by Riley. Lane wouldn't be where he is now without her to kickstart his company. Hell it was her idea." Lugo stated as we made our first turn.
"Do you know why she asked me to come here Lugo?" Nodding his head he replied back calmly.
"I've heard rumors for a while now that Ying was moving some confidential items across the borders, but I never would have guessed they were moving shit that could end the world as we know it."
"I need to know where I'm supposed to be going and what I'm up against." I informed him as he nodded but kept his eyes on the road.
"We'll go over all the details once Lane is back from his meeting. For now just sit back and relax Anpu. If anything at all? Just try to enjoy your stay in Beijing."
mT Shadow.