Love Struck Eternal
Chapter 68 - A cruel world.
Yoga's POV, Iraq capital.
The last week had everyone in the Voltz family pretty much on the edge of snapping. It was clear to everyone now that she had gone missing and Zeta and Raptor both couldn't see as to how this came to be. Nothing was making any sense and with zero leads to go on we went public with this yesterday. Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan and even Iran were aware that the president's daughter was missing and between an army we were keeping our eyes open for any sign of her. What made matters worse was that Raptor was unable to locate her himself. He was a demigod, but his powers had limits and he couldn't go to his master for help considering they're relationship. Everything was just going to shit and I felt terrible.
Raptor and I were alone in his office and it was clear he was thinking about everything we knew about the situation. I could also feel his fear and worry. I had no defense if he snapped again and to be honest I was scared of him in this condition. However since then we talked and I had some faith and thankfully after a few minutes of silence he asked me calmly.
"Has anyone called in any information?" I shook my head and that made him growl in anger.
"She couldn't have just disappeared! She wouldn't just leave without saying something! She's not fucking Sam!" I widened my eyes to the fact that he even took a shot at Sam to begin with. I had to say something so I did.
"She's not Sam. She's not like Sam at all. Don't take this out on her."
"I know." He mumbled under his breath as the door opened behind me. Looking back I was greeted by Zeta. She smiled somewhat at me and asked.
"Anything?" I shook my head and listened as Raptor questioned out loud.
"What the fuck happened? What did I do wrong this time?"
Zeta knew where this was heading and before I could say something; she jumped in sternly.
"This isn't your fault. You had nothing to do with this Raptor. Our baby is missing and that's all. We're gonna find her. Just go ask Marcus for his help. We need him."
"Fuck you!" Raptor shouted as he jumped out of his seat and slammed both fists onto the top of his desk. Zeta jumped in place as I got in between this as fast as I could.
"Calm down!"
Truth is I'm scared he'd kill me now that I said that, but he just stared into my eyes and took in my face. He calmed himself down a moment later and informed us both of his reasons for not going to Marcus.
"That motherfucker made me kill my child. He drove me down this path and I will not forgive him."
"Maggie could be hurt Raptor! Okay!?" Zeta now shouted.
"She could be hurt and you're wasting time by not swallowing your pride and asking for help! Stop being selfish and just act like you actually care about her for once!" Zeta was asking for a fight by saying this and I kept my eyes on Raptor as he just stared at both us in silence. After some more silence Zeta had enough.
"Fine. Do whatever the hell you want."
She stormed back out of the room in record time and now left alone together again I asked him out of respect.
"Should I go talk to her?" Shaking his head he replied while retaking his seat.
"No. You should just go. Take the day off. I'm not going anywhere."
"Are you sure?" I now asked him in confusion. Nodding his head again he replied.
"I'm sure. Go on. Get out of here."
"Okay." I sighed as I turned my back to leave.
"I'll call you if I need you Yoga." Raptor added as I reached the exit.
"Vice versa." I chuckled as I soon had the door between us shut. Letting out a small sigh I had to wonder what I was going to do now. I didn't plan on having the day off to begin with.
I couldn't come up with a plan here however, so I just made my way out to my car. Once I was sitting down in the driverseat, I contemplated Maggie again. Zeta had me more worried than ever for her now, but she had such a good point to make. Marcus could find her in an instant, but he was more concerned about pride than doing what was right. I didn't know what to do either though so it evens itself out.
Yet for some reason I started to recall when I was last talking to that Drake guy. I had a weird feeling about him and couldn't pin a reason to it. He was just weird. Then I thought about his neighbors and that old crow. She seemed sure of herself despite her kids and I didn't have the time to question any of them. Didn't she say she saw something? I had to try and remember her exact words and soon it became a matter of what I felt was more important. To go ask some questions or to just go home and relax. Looking at myself in the mirror, I went with my gut for once and started the car. I remembered Drake's address and it wasn't more than twenty minutes away. I could figure out where those crows lived surely; so maybe this would be worth the effort.
During the car ride I got out of my rig during a stoplight and threw my rifle in the backseat. Left in my brown tank top, I turned up the AC and just tried to enjoy some music until I got there. Once I did arrive it was easy for me to remember everything and soon I had a house picked out to visit. I could see one of her sons just sitting in the living room watching tv.
I pulled into the driveway as carefully as I could and slowly got out of the car to approach their front door.
Ringing the doorbell, I took a breath and waited. Soon enough the door opened and behind it was Ben. Looking somewhat surprised to see me he questioned.
"Oh it's you again. What seems to be the problem?"
"No problems hopefully. I just came by to see if your mom was home." He put two and two together before replying.
"Oh no, you really are gonna waste your time. I told you it wasn't anything serious. She's eighty five sir. Most of what she says is poppycock."
"Maybe, but for some reason I still want to ask her about what she saw. We're trying to find the president's daughter and regardless of what could be bullshit or not I'd prefer to at least hear her out. It could be nothing, but I wanna be sure I covered all my bases."
Ben looked at me curiously for a moment before swinging the rest of the door open.
"Come inside. I'm afraid she's in bed at this hour so you'll have to follow me upstairs."
"Thank you." I replied as I walked into their home to follow the young man upstairs.
Upon entering her room, I heard the TV and followed him inside to find the old woman laying down in bed watching a game show of sorts. She looked at me with an open mouth as her son said to her gently.
"Mom? This man wanted to ask you a few questions."
She sat up very carefully while questioning.
"Oh is this about the young woman I saw?"
Nodding my head as I approached, I sat down alongside her bed and replied.
"I'm hoping so. If I showed you a picture of her could you tell me with certainty that she was the girl you saw?"
"Oh I should be able to. I got good eyes. Let me see her." She then urged me as I went into my phone to search for a good picture of Maggie. Thankfully I had a few from the wedding and once I was certain of the position, I zoomed in on her and handed off my phone to the woman. She took it gingerly and the moment her eyes saw her she began to nod her head.
"Oh yes….that's her. Beautiful girl."
Widening my eyes I asked her curiously.
"Do you know who that is ma'am?"
"No?" She replied back as she handed me my phone.
"That's the president's adopted daughter. Her name is Maggie Voltz. She's been missing for over a week now." Now she was the one looking shocked and concerned. Putting on some pressure I asked.
"Please tell me what you saw. Where were you when you saw her?"
"Oh from the living room downstairs. I was watching tv one night with Ben and I don't know why but sometimes I just like to look out at the stars. They're beautiful around this time of year. But anyhow, I was looking outside and our neighbor was pulling into his driveway. He got out real fast and went around to the other side of the car to pull out that young lady. She looked asleep and had to have been considering he had to carry her inside his house. Oh my god I thought that was his girlfriend or I don't know. Oh my god."
"What neighbor are we talking about ma'am?" I now asked as she pointed at her window to reply.
"Mr. Celvonton. He's a veterinarian. Works locally and has been living next door to us for years. Never had an issue. Sometimes he'd even help out around the house when my boys were busy with work. This doesn't make any sense."
"No it doesn't. Doesn't he have a wife?" I now slowly asked as I now had to question my own experiences with him. I knew something was off about that guy.
"He's never been married." The woman informed me as her son soon chimed in.
"You can't be serious mom." Ben sighed as I asked his mother another quick question.
"Have you seen the girl since?"
"No, I haven't seen anyone other than him leave, but I'm not always looking out that window."
"I understand." I informed her as I stood up to approach the window. My eyes redirected to Drake's home and for a moment I just stared at it, but soon I started to consider breaking into it. I know her sons think she's talking crazy, but my gut again was telling me to investigate. She id'd Maggie so fast it had to be her she saw and if she was in there since she's been missing then god knows what's going on. I had to make a choice. If this was bullshit and I was wrong, I'd be getting into some serious fucking trouble.
There wasn't a car in the driveway at this moment so he had to not be home. Looking back at Ben and his mother I asked them both.
"Do you know where he is now?"
Looking at his watch, Ben replied.
"He works during the weekdays from about ten in the morning until I believe five." Now looking at my phone to see the time was only three, I took a breath and turned away from the window. Looking right at Ben, I urged him.
"I'm sorry but I have to check this out. If your mother is right then that means Voltz's daughter is in trouble or worse. Don't call anyone just yet. I need to see if she's really inside. If she is, I want you guys to be ready though. Okay?"
"Yes sir." He replied back nervously as his mother shouted at me from the bed.
"Please go help her son! Oh my god!"
I rushed back down the steps and made my way outside as fast as I could. Going to my car, I reached in the backseat for my rig. On it I had a set of lockpicks I could use to breach the front door. Fuck I hope this guy doesn't have an alarm. I now thought to myself as I ran up to the house to begin my work.
"Come on baby. Work with me." I begged the lock as I got on my knees to start picking. Thankfully I was good with my hands and in about thirty seconds I heard the lock open.
"Yes!" I whispered to myself as I stood back up to begin testing the knob.
Very slowly I opened the door and my eyes began to dart around the immediate area for any sign of the alarm panel. Thankfully there didn't appear to be one so I let out a small sigh of relief and walked inside.
Shutting the door behind me, I began to search around the first floor. All the lights were out for the most part and everything in here was dead quiet. Only the sound of a clock he had mounted on the wall made noise.
"Maggie? Are you in here?" I asked among the silence. I couldn't hear anything so I began to search the second floor. I got a weird feeling last time I was here so it only made sense to go check now.
Again I couldn't find signs of anyone. Everything seemed okay up until I entered his laundry room. On the dryer was a familiar jacket. I was in shock at first, but it only became an issue once I knew for a fact that this jacket was hers. Zeta got this for her not long after the wedding. She wears it once a week now. Under the jacket was her wallet and now I had to start yelling.
"Maggie! Where are you!?"
Again I heard nothing so I began to run back downstairs.
"Maggie!" I shouted as I searched the entire floor again to no avail.
Running from room to room, I soon noticed a door tucked behind the stairs and upon opening it I saw it went down into the basement.
"Oh fuck…..Maggie?" I asked into the void as I felt around for a lightswitch.
Finding the lights upon taking my first step downstairs, I stopped in my tracks at what I found waiting for me at the bottom. A limp and fully naked white wolf was hanging from the wall by a large steel collar and a chain that went maybe three inches out. Her white coat was tainted red almost fully from head to toe. She had what to me looked like a million small cuts all along her arms and both legs. Yet she was completely limp and fully crumbled into a small ball. Her knees looked like jelly and in complete disarray for how to react, I felt my heart leave my chest and rushed down towards her.
I nearly fell, but upon reaching her side, I got the full picture of her condition. She was shriveling up from starvation and no doubt dehydration. Under her was a dried up puddle of piss and even more blood. I was shaking from head to toe because I wasn't even sure if she was alive. I put my hands around her neck to feel just how cold her body was. I could however feel her breathing onto my hands and with tears emerging from my eyes I whispered to her.
"I'm here. Maggie? Can you hear me?" She didn't answer. Both her eyes were closed. Looking up at the chain she was in, I questioned if I would even be able to get her out of this. I was gonna need bolt cutters or the key and I doubt the key was here. That fucking sick bastard had to have it on him.
Going into my back pocket, I pulled out my radio and called it in.
"Command this is condor one one, come in."
As I tried to support the dying wolf, I whispered to her.
"I'm gonna get you out of here. Okay? Just hold on for me."
"Go ahead Yoga." Command replied a second after. Going back to my radio I said to them bluntly.
"Command, I got the president's daughter, but I'm in need of backup. I need paramedics and fire rescue asap. She's critical. Over." I stuttered as I was fearful she would leave me any second.
"Roger that. What's your location?"
"I'm on thirty third and kensdale. I'm inside a light blue two story. I'm activating my transponder."
Turning the setting on in my radio, I now broadcasted the location to anyone in the M.E.A.F. Everyone would be here in a matter of minutes.
Looking back at Maggie, I looked past her arms to find more cuts all along her chest and down to her stomach. She was completely naked and judging from what I could see I had a very strong feeling that she had been raped senseless. Her hair had been cut down dramatically and she had so much swelling in her face. He had to have been beating her for days for this to happen.
"Helps on the way Maggie. Just hang on a little longer." I begged her as I went to work at trying to unlock the collar she was in.
"Talk to me." I further pleaded as I struggled to get this done.
"Fuck!" I growled in anger as I couldn't pick it.
Doing my best to comfort her, I soon had to get up to go back topside. I could hear military sirens coming and as I went to make the move; I looked back at her eyes to whisper.
"I'm gonna be right back with help. Okay? I promise."
Running upstairs I was greeted by an overwhelming amount of backup. Firetruck and ambulance like I ordered, but three humvees of troopers followed. My eyes widened immediately when inside one of the trucks was Raptor and Zeta. No fucking wonder the army came with them. They were the first two to reach me at the front door and immediately I begged them both with all my heart.
"For the love of god, please do not go in there! Stay out here! Both of you!"
"Yoga?" Zeta questioned my emotions and realized from them that I wasn't fucking around at all when I said that. Raptor on the other hand asked me as the paramedics began to rush the door where we were.
"Where is she?"
"In the basement. Don't go down there. Please fucking listen to me for once and don't go. Please." I begged him in tears which only made them both more concerned for what the fuck was happening to their kid.
Raptor was stuck for a moment on what to do and despite my efforts he and the medics rushed into the home. Zeta followed behind as I had to be the one to show them where the steps were and I'll never forgive myself for it either. Because the moment I opened that door I saw the raw reactions from both the parents and the rest of the medics who were just as shocked as I was when I first found her.
The medics ran for her as Zeta began to scream.
"Maggie!"
Raptor on the other hand slowly took his time to get down the steps because he was visibly about to burst with pure and unbridled rage. He began to shake and shiver from head to toe and I watched his mouth distort when he went to try to speak. The collar around her neck made everything even worse as Zeta began to ball out in agony from the scene.
"Maggie? Can you hear us?" One of the medics asked her as I jumped in to state.
"She hasn't said a word since I found her. She hasn't even opened her eyes."
"Somethings wrong though. Her body isn't responding." Another medic claimed as Raptor just stood there behind them in disbelief. Zeta managed to calm herself down enough to head down there to see her, but she was still a fucking mess as she asked the medics.
"Is she breathing?"
"Yes ma'am." They replied as a couple firefighters came in to see the scene.
"Holy shit!" One of them shouted in shock as I quickly yelled back.
"We need bolt cutters! Someone get a pair of bolt cutters and get her down from that fucking wall!"
They rushed back out of the house to fetch them and upon coming back inside, they made their way down the rest of the steps to begin cutting her free. The medics made sure she wouldn't fall when they did finally cut the chain and as fast as they could they got Maggie onto a stretcher and back up the stairs to the ambulance. Raptor stood where he was for a long time and so did Zeta and I as we all had to fight our feelings. After a few seconds more troopers came up behind me to ask.
"What should we do sir? Lay security?"
I was gonna answer, but Raptor broke out of his trance to growl back.
"No. Your gonna go find the fucking bastard who did this to my daughter and your gonna bring him to me! Right now!" The men looked at me since I was the one to call this in and as calmly as I could I urged them all.
"Go next door and talk to the neighbors. Ben is one of the younger guys who can help. Ask him where this guy works and go get him. Go. Go!" I urged them as they ran off.
"I can't stay here. I have to go follow her Raptor." Zeta cried. Raptor nodded and turned with her to order me.
"Drive us to the hospital Yoga. Please."
"Yes sir." I replied as I led the trip back to my car. Before getting in I spotted the family of crows standing at their front door talking with the troopers. I'd get that fucking mom of theirs a medal if it killed me.
A half hour later.
Zeta was nonstop with her crying and Raptor was on his fucking edge. I've seen him mad a lot, but this time it was completely different. I'm not even sure if it was the same man at this point. We waited outside the ER for any news of what was happening with Maggie and after thirty minutes or so we were approached by the head doctor who started out with the good news but ended with the worst.
"She's alive and she's breathing, but her body is completely shut down. The man who did this to her was using a drug called Suxamethonium to numb her. It's something we only administer for surgery. It numbs all the muscles in the body. Yet he was administering what appears to be a really high dose. Normal doses, the effects last for maybe an hour, but he was keeping her under for probably the entire time she's been missing. I counted over twenty needle marks alone on her right arm. She won't be getting back up from this anytime soon. She's gonna need a lot of help to get through this and once the drugs start to fade and as she regains feeling, she's gonna also be in a lot of pain. We counted around seventy two cuts across her body. She also has a broken jaw and six bruised ribs and two broken. The swelling along her face is most likely from blunt force trauma and a lot of it."
"Jesus." I exhaled as the doctor went on further by slightly lowering his tone. Raptor leaned an inch in as he said to us sadly.
"She's in too critical of a state to investigate with certainty, but I do believe she was…..raped." Raptor's anger grew more and more as the doctor finished his sentence by saying.
"There were traces of PG 600 in her blood."
"What the hell is that?" Raptor asked him as Zeta widened her eyes. Clearly she knew what it was and before the doctor could answer she bursted out into an uncontrollable mess. I had to take her in my arms as Raptor looked back and forth while waiting for an answer. The doctor kept his voice down, but gave us what we wanted.
"PG 600 is a drug given to canines to help induce their natural heat cycle. It helps promote…..pregnancies."
Despite having Zeta in my arms I stood there in complete disbelief of what I was hearing. Raptor on the other hand now broke out into tears of his own as he questioned.
"Is she…..is she pregnant? You're lying, right doc? Is this a joke?"
The doctor shook his head and without another word Raptor unleashed his anger on the nearby chairs in the center of the room. Zeta kept crying into my chest as the doctor knew what he just had to do was probably the hardest news he's ever had to have given someone. With Raptor running out of chairs to kick and toss, he soon recovered some of his ability to reason and asked the man.
"What can we do?"
"She needs to stay here. We need to be able to monitor her and we're already working on flushing her body of the toxins. It's gonna take a few hours just for that and probably a few days until we can get her body some food. We're using an IV to give her fluids, but it's a slow process. Not to mention all the damage to her body physically. The ribs are gonna take some time to recover and her jaw. She can't really even talk as is. I recommend you stay by her side through this sir. She's gonna need everyone and we're willing to accommodate whatever you need."
"I don't want anyone near her that isn't a trained professional. She gets only the best. Do you understand?" Raptor then asked the doctor who nodded his head once.
"Yes sir. Absolutely."
Raptor then looked right at me and his face showed all the anger in the world. I didn't know what to say or do, but before I even had the chance he hugged me. I was wide eyed and in shock as he began to shake and cry a little. After I put my arms around him my head was grabbed from behind. Pulling me down he whispered to me.
"Thank you….thank you."
"It's okay." I whispered back as he embraced me with all he had. After a few seconds he let me go and this time I was grabbed by Zeta who proceeded to do the same.
"We owe you everything, Yoga. Thank you so much for finding her."
"It's what I do." I chuckled back which actually managed to make the pair of them smile. However I was quick to think about how dumb I was.
"I'm just fucking pissed I didn't find her sooner. I talked to this fucking guy a week ago and he fucking tricked me! She was in that house the whole time getting beat and raped and I could have stopped this if I would have just noticed."
"It's not your fault Yoga." Zeta and Raptor both told me as I shook my head.
"I could have saved her sooner." I now whispered to myself as I had to now live with that fact. The only upside to this whole thing was that I now had a lot of faith in trusting my gut. I know people say that shit as a joke, but in this case it really was the saving grace.
Taking a second to collect myself, I was soon told by Raptor.
"I'm gonna make sure you get what you're owed. Starting with a promotion, but let's talk about that later. I'm gonna stay here for a few days with Zeta and I'd like it if you stayed with us for the time being. Is that okay? I know I gave you the day off earlier, but….?" Shaking my head I replied back with sincerity.
"Of course I'm gonna stay. Don't worry about me right now. Worry about her." Raptor nodded and that's when we were suddenly approached by one of the many troopers who now guarded the hospital.
"Can I update the media sir? We got channels five, nine, and twelve out there."
"Tell them she has been found and she's safe. Work with the others and release the name and any pictures of the guy who did this. I got people looking for him now, but I'll pay anyone for any information that leads to his arrest. By no means is anyone allowed to discuss her condition. I want this kept under wraps. Am I clear?"
"Yes sir." He replied.
"Dismissed then." Raptor soon exhaled as he now refocused on the doctor to ask.
"Can I see her? Is she awake at all?"
"Actually she woke up a few minutes ago with a request. At least I'd like to believe it was one. She could only say one word before falling back asleep."
"What was it?" Zeta proceeded to ask now as the man looked right back at me to say.
"Yoga. She said Yoga. I think she wants to see you."
Both of her parents looked at me now as I questioned.
"What? Really?"
"Go see her Yoga. That's an order." Raptor informed me as he patted my back and pushed me towards the operating room door. I obeyed and with the doctor now at my side we walked into the room to find her laying down on the operating table. She was covered with tubes and monitors. It made me feel like she was on her deathbed. Slowly approaching her right hand side, I saw she had her hand opened up. Very carefully I put mine in hers and felt a burst of warmth enter my heart when she gently began to squeeze me. The doctor smiled as I asked her.
"Can you hear me?"
Despite her critical state, she managed to move her head to the side. Her eyes soon followed and once she was looking right at me she gave me a very small single nod of her head. I smiled widely and before I could say anything else I lost my sad smile and whispered to her.
"I'm so sorry this happened to you. I should have known. If I did, I would have done something to help." Tears came to me as she squeezed my hand harder now. I took that as a sign to calm down and I'm sure if she could she would be telling me the same thing Raptor and Zeta did. That this wasn't my fault. After a few more moments she eased up and let me go. With her eyes glued to me I asked her.
"Do you want me to stay?" She nodded once more and with that as my answer I looked back at her doctor who urged me with a smile.
"She's not gonna be moved for at least an hour. I'll fetch you a chair."
With the chair soon being brought in from outside, I sat down and kept her hand held the entire time. She stared at me with those two eyes and for now I had to believe everything was okay.
Sam's POV, Iran.
"Careful." Zeak urged me as I made a few minor adjustments to the discharge system. Once I was confident in my placement, both him and I exhaled and began to laugh. Zeak was honestly a pretty good guy. We had the pleasure of getting to know one another over the last few days and with the nuke about as ready as it ever will be; we were finally done.
"I think we did it." I stated happily as Terrell and Cairo were both watching us finish up. Once I said that, Terrell asked me with some laughter.
"Is she all good to blow us up now?"
"I think so." Zeak answered as he offered me his hand.
"Thank you Anpu. Your help was invaluable. You have nothing but natural talent for this field." He then told me which made me blush and reply.
"Wow, thank you. That means a lot coming from you."
"Think nothing of it. I'll let Riley know that everything is complete. I'll run some system checks throughout the week just to see how she operates."
"Do you mind if I use your lab for some of my own experiments now doctor?" My question intrigued him and in return I was asked.
"You have something you're working on?" Nodding my head I replied.
"I'd rather show you, but I have to go get my things from my cot. You're more than welcome to join me if it's something that strikes your interest."
"We'll have to see. I'm interested in learning what makes you tick. I'll join you back here once I'm off the phone with your majesty."
"Sounds good. I'll see you soon. Thank you again for this." I replied as he shook his hand at me.
"Like I said. Think nothing of it."
Zeak then made his way out of the lab and so did I. Terrell and Cairo stayed to continue their work and I now had to focus on mine. This was the first time I was actually allowed to be on my own. Not unless Riley decides she needs me for something else, but I was crossing my fingers against that possibility.
Collecting my things from the barracks, I was soon back to the lab and beginning my work. Zeak had everything I wished I had back when I first put myself through testing phases, but even though that happened I at least had memorized the correct pattern the formula needed to be effective. I'd start out with making a few of my custom doses and then I'd work on improving it.
I already had a formula that could fix imperfect users and make them into perfect ones, but now I had to think about making a dose that could just outright make anyone a perfect user. Once I had that I'd say I did what I set out to do and maybe I'd start to consider selling my knowledge to the highest bidder. Of course I'd have to run this by Zeak for his professional opinion and if I wanted to sell it I'd have to talk to the uppers. This drug could make us millions of dollars, but it could also make someone unstoppable.
I spent the next twenty minutes just recalling the steps and as soon as I started to cook I heard from the other side of the room from Cairo.
"What in god's green earth are you doing over there?" Looking back at the mechanic I replied.
"I'm sorry. I should have warned you guys."
Zero clue why she had these on her, but Cairo proceeded to use two ear plugs to clog her nose. She then went back to work on doing whatever it was that she was doing. Halfway through brewing the first series of doses, I was finally approached by Zeak who came into the lab unaware of the odor. The second he smelt that he asked me curiously.
"What are you making Anpu? Meth? That smell is awful." In the zone, I nearly whispered back the response because I was completely focused on getting the measurements right.
"Close enough. Viper venom."
"You know how to make your own? Are you a user as well?" I was then asked by the man who watched as I transferred my first dose into a needle for injection.
"I am actually. But at first I was imperfect. If I got mad or upset my venom would spike and go out of control. Nearly killed myself in an accident because of it. So before everything I am now; I worked as a scientist to develop my own formula that can fix any imperfect user. Cures them from their illness and allows them to ascend to perfect users."
"Impossible. G.U.N has been countlessly focusing a lot of their efforts on a cure for imperfect users and not a single person has figured it out." Zeak claimed as I looked back at him with red eyes to reply.
"Not until I came along." Zeak stared at my eyes with intent and before he could even focus on helping he had to ask me.
"How do you know it works? Have you tested it on more people than just yourself?"
"I have doctor. I tested it on someone who was very close to me at the time. They didn't believe the results either." I stated as I looked back at my work to continue making more doses. Zeak stepped up to watch me and at the same time asked curiously enough.
"I've seen your work here for myself. I have faith in you if you have faith in your results. But you do understand the significance of it, yes? This is a cure worthy of a nobel prize Anpu. I'm sorry to have to ask, but what is the end goal for someone like you to invent something like this? You're a terrorist known almost all across the globe. You can't go public."
"It's completely selfish, I'm afraid. The only reason I'm doing this is just to prove to myself that I'm the best in my field. I want to silence any doubters who look and judge me solely based off my age. I'm not some stupid kid like they all think when they see me outside the uniform." Zeak took in all my words and in all honesty he admired that wholeheartedly. Continuing to watch me work he went on to say.
"I understand completely. But what is the end goal for what you're doing right now?"
Looking over into his eyes, I replied back with some fire behind my voice.
"To make a formula that can turn anyone into a perfect user. To eliminate the odds. To invent the next superweapon."
"What you're trying to do can't be done. Millions of people work on this and I know the government. They've been working to achieve that for decades. The odds are not in our favor. G.U.N needs another superweapon to stay in control. If this became reality you could produce an army of near unstoppable soldiers. Everyone would crumble under that kind of weight."
"It can be done and I'm gonna do it right here in this lab. You can sit back and watch if you want, but I plan to prove everyone wrong." Taking one of my custom doses in his hands he then asked me curiously.
"If you're confident in your current formula I do believe Tika could benefit greatly from its use. Have you considered bringing this up to her if she already isn't aware?"
"She's not, but I wanted to share this with her ever since I learned she suffered like I did. But up until now I haven't had the workspace or the supplies. Now that I have both, I'm committing. Or at least until I'm pulled away again. Speaking of which, but what did Riley say?"
"She was happy for a change. It's not everyday she hears good news. But I'm sure you're asking after yourself and from what I've been told she just wants you to stay here until your group comes back. Tika said it could be a few days until she's ready to leave Russia. She wants to be sure the arms business can run itself." Zeak said contently now as he continued to watch me work.
"Can I help at all?"
"Do we have any more sterile injectors?" I asked him as he was quick to retrieve a box.
"We have plenty for now. How many doses are you planning to make?"
"Five for now. I'm gonna tweak each dose differently and feel out the results for myself." I stated which now made him look at me like I was crazy.
"You're not serious are you?"
"I am. How else did I do it the first time? I can handle the overdose. Just trust me. I'll let you know if I'm ever having a problem."
Now starting to laugh to himself, I looked over at the man to get his reaction. All he did was turn into my father.
"I have trust in you after seeing your talent for myself and I'll agree to help you in your endeavor, but you're just a wolf. You're one woman and you're one that follows biology. Thousands die everyday from overdosing on drugs smaller than this. You may be a big girl Anpu and you may have a hundred pounds on me, but that does not take biology out of the equation. You can and will die by doing this. Do not do something that stupid. We're in Iran for god's sake."
"What does being in Iran have to do about this?" I then asked him.
"There are eighty seven million people living here for a start."
Finishing up my second dose, I stopped to focus on him completely. Giving me a nod of his head he stated his response in more detail.
"The country is massive and neither one of us can be called….humane. I've done a lot of terrible things to people in my life in the name of science and you've killed dozens in cold blood. Consider this Anpu. You and I are not scared to do what is necessary. The family isn't scared to do what's necessary. Bring this to Riley's attention and ask for permission."
"Permission to do what? To work on it?" I questioned which made him shake his hands at me.
"No of course not, but you can't be testing this all on yourself. It could take a million tries. You'll be dead in three, if you're lucky. I'm thinking instead of doing that we consider more…..inhumane alternatives. Eighty seven million….I think no one will notice a few missing if we're coordinated about it." Zeak looked at me with a smirky grin because I realized exactly what he was getting at. Nothing in my head said no. In fact this was a pretty great idea. I didn't want to honestly take all this shit up my veins. I could handle a lot being a god, but I had limits still. Nodding my head back at the man I replied.
"That's a good idea. I think you're onto something. Next time I see Riley I'll run it by her. But until then I'm still gonna finish brewing my formula and I still want to fiddle around with a few of the details. I'll refrain from testing until we can get an answer from Riley. Okay?"
"Thank you Anpu. Trust me though….Riley will want to invest in this idea. She won't say no. She's been wanting to become a user herself for a long time, but the risks are just too high. If we figure out the secrets I'm sure she'll even be the first in line." Zeak said with confidence as I was going over all of this in my head.
Nearly done with my third dose, I also contemplated what would happen if I came clean about my identity. The more I stayed and lived with all these people the more I wanted not to hide the truth from them. I had to consider the risks and even though they were low I still had to be sure on how I would plan to do it. I would want to do it in front of all the uppers though. I'm on the best side I could be on in terms of having their trust, so maybe this would work out. The fact that I'm also only here because of G.U.N will continue to stay buried though. I'll take that to my grave.
Yoga's POV, Iraq, Two hours later.
Since moving Maggie into her own room I've been surrounded by her mother and father. I remained at her side the entire time and regardless of what was going on the wolf still wanted to hold my hand. I had a feeling it was because she wanted to feel safe and I wasn't about to let her go.
Raptor on the other hand was given some good news though. His men managed to track down and arrest the kidnapper and currently he was being held back at the capital's prison. Apparently he's requested a lawyer which made me laugh. He's done all of this damage and thinks he can get off? Besides the fact that we have his DNA I had to think he was indeed crazy. Yet that was how things were now. The middle east has justice now and despite everything; Raptor was allowing it. I fully expected him to want to kill this man right away, but he was showing restraint because this was his daughter. That and I'm sure Zeta reminded him that he can't just be executing people whenever he wants. It would kill his position right now as president, but I had a strong feeling if he went fully public about Maggie's situation; the people of this country will back him for doing such a terrible thing.
On the other side of the fence you did have Zeta though who was mentally trying to figure this out. Maggie's condition was terrible and what happened to her was no doubt the worst thing any woman could go through. Drugged, kidnapped, beaten, cut and raped covered only half the damage dealt. What made Zeta even more upset was the fact that she told us that Maggie was a virgin. She lost her virginity to a rapist and he had the mindset that shooting her up with fertility drugs was a perfectly normal idea? Doing what he did to her goes beyond evil. It's evil I didn't even see when Raptor was choking me to death. And now on top of everything, she was pregnant with that bastard's kid. Raptor and her haven't even discussed that yet and I was afraid to be around when it did come up. I'd like to assume they're gonna wait though. The choice isn't ours to make and in her current state we don't want to cause anymore problems.
"What are you going to do?" Zeta asked him darkly as neither parent dared to look away from their child who slept soundly.
In an even deeper whisper the hedgehog sitting to my right replied.
"What would you like me to do? Even people like this get a chance at freedom thanks to my sacrifices."
"You can't just kill him. Even though I wish we could." I added which earned me a stern grunt back from the man.
"I don't care if this ruins us." Zeta's voice was completely different and upon looking over at her eyes she ordered him.
"You do what you have to. Play along with the rules, but as soon as the dust falls I want him dead. I'll tell Zandro the same thing. Work together on this and make sure he fucking suffers. Do I make myself clear?"
It was extremely rare to hear this woman say that with such conviction. She was emotionally charged and completely done with being the counterbalance in this relationship. For once Raptor and her agreed on something. Raptor understood what was being said but I knew he didn't have to be told. He's been plotting this entire time. Whatever the outcome of the trail; we will have the last laugh.
Sam's POV, Three days later, Iran.
The last three days I spent working on the formula and to be honest I think I was gonna figure this out soon. Minor adjustments are all that is needed to make this into a real thing. I just had to test them out sooner or later though, yet I knew for a fact one subject was nearly here now.
I could hear the entrance from my team finally getting back home. You could hear Gwent screaming in joy and Dusk telling him to shut up. From the energy I could tell most of them were exhausted, Tika included, who went right to the war room to check on things.
"Looks like they're back." Zeak whispered to me as I scratched at my legs.
With my work done for today most of my thoughts were on my body. Despite being a god it seems I wasn't above biology. Just like Zeak once said. In simpler terms, I was going through my phase of heat. The main issue with that was even simpler; Byron and Dusk were both canines themselves and that meant they could tell what time of the month it was for me just from pheromones. Not that I was against either of them, I just considered them family. Byron more so since he was treating me more as his sister. I just had a feeling Dusk had a thing for me ever since I beat his ass and he would try to take me before Byron could, if given the chance.
"When should we talk to Tika?" Zeak then asked me curiously as I refocused on her dose which I had laying out on the table in its case with the other four.
"She's bound to come to us any minute now. When she does, just let me do what I gotta do."
"Okay. Do what you think is best." He nodded back as I promptly went into the case to prep the needle. After what she did to me I wasn't gonna give her the option or benefit of knowing what was about to be given to her.
I knew she'd be coming and thanks to my powers I could time this perfectly. Mentally getting myself ready to act preppy and positive, I approached the entrance to the lab at the same time she came walking in. Getting right in her face and stabbing her in the right arm, I shouted with a joyful grin.
"Oh I'm so glad you're back! How was your trip?!"
"Oww! What the fuck Anpu!?" She shouted back as I took the needle away and tossed it across the room. The bird looked at her arm the second I turned back around to smile at her toothly.
"What did you just give me, you psycho!?"
"A cure. You're welcome." I replied back sweetly as she questioned with the same amount of anger.
"A cure for what?! Was that venom you just shot me up with?!"
I knew she could feel that it was venom regardless of knowing what it was gonna be ahead of time. She was clearly mad, but I was about to change that. With Zeak alongside me in shock that I would just do that to an upper, I urged Tika as calmly and with the same fake pep to my voice.
"Try to use your venom." Tika was at first conflicted by the request because she knew she was feral when under the influence, but our eyes locked and I think she considered what I had just done for herself. She saw I wasn't scared or concerned. I was confident and just waiting to prove her wrong. So after a few seconds she gave in and dipped into her genetics. Her eyes went red and the moment they did she could feel the difference in her control. It was massive and extremely overwhelming. I know because I went through the same feeling when I cured myself. Before she could even get out a word, I stepped towards her to say happily.
"A cure for imperfect users. Now one more time I'll say this, but you're welcome. I'm gonna go see the others now."
With her venom fully present, the alpha woman intercepted me and at the same time grabbed me by my arms.
"Oh no you fucking don't!" She shouted as she pinned me into the nearby wall. I stared into her eyes with the same stupid smile as she looked overtaken by the reality that she was now no longer a feral. Before anything else could happen she shocked the entire room by pressing her face into mine. She kissed me with so much force I let my arms go limp. In the background I heard Terrell and Cairo scream.
"Oh my god! Holy shit!"
Tika embraced this moment for a few seconds more before pulling away from me. She was breathing deeply into my soul and upon realizing what she had done she released my arms and proceeded to blush while still fully under her venom's influence.
"I'll take that as a thank you?" I chuckled as she proceeded to then slap me across my face.
"You can't just fucking stab people with needles you fucking….beautiful psycho. Holy shit is this real?" She questioned as she could feel the power. With my face stinging a tad, I replied back softly.
"It's real."
"How?" She now questioned in shock as I looked over at Zeak to reply.
"That's a long story, but I made it. I was imperfect back when I discovered my venom. I hated the feeling of being on a leash, so I got my hands on enough venom that I could work around with the formula. After enough attempts, I made a cure that affects ferals like we were. Imagine your venom being flawed. Being full of holes you can't fix. Your emotions leak through and it's over until you run out of energy or die. It's not a life to live, so my formula needed to be invented. It's like plaster. It fills the holes. It gives us back our lives and gives us what we deserve. Our power." With Tika speechless, I asked her curiously.
"Is there anyone else in the family that suffers?" She still couldn't believe what just happened to her in a matter of seconds. Unsure of even how to answer me, she replied back with uncertainty.
"I…I don't know. I'd have to ask around. But wait Anpu…..you made this?" I nodded my head.
"Is this for real? Are there no side effects?" She then asked which is when Zeak chimed in.
"It hasn't been tested enough to know for sure ma'am, but it's worked before according to Anpu here and I trust she knows what she's doing. I would assume it works as intended."
Tika was at a loss as I calmly made sure I was able to move without her stopping me again. After a few seconds, I asked her.
"What's the plan now that you're all back here? Gonna go to sleep?"
"You expect me to sleep after this? You just cured me from a disease that's been affecting me my whole life. I can't rest now. I gotta…..I gotta….I gotta do something!" Tika was beyond excited now that she was in control. I could only enjoy her reaction and inform her.
"You know you took that dose better than I did? Are you having any issues?"
"None. I feel…..I don't even know how I feel Anpu. Whole? I feel whole again, if that makes any sense." She replied back as I nodded my head.
"It does. I know exactly how you feel right now. I was there by myself for a long time. I'm happy it worked for you too."
"The others aren't gonna believe this Anpu. You made this?" She questioned again so I nodded back. Before I could say another word, Gwent came walking into the lab. His eyes looked at TIka and I as he approached the nuke.
"I didn't know you'd be here, Anpu. I thought Riley had ya." He said to me as he put his hands up to the nuke's shell.
"I was helping her, but that's all been handled. I've been here the last few days just working on some personal things. How was the trip back for you?" I asked him as Zeak made his way over to the hedgehog who began to knock on the shell like it was a fucking door.
"Don't do that Gwent!" Zeak shouted at him which made both Gwent and Tika question why. Zeak never raised his voice.
"Why? What did I do?" Gwent soon wondered as I proceeded to tell them the truth.
"Nothing bad Gwent, but that nuke is fucking live. Please just don't screw around with it." Instantly both Tika and him widened their eyes.
"This thing actually works now!?" Gwent questioned as he backed up from the bomb slowly.
"Riley figured out how we could get our hands on the things that were necessary for its completion. Zeak did most of the heavy lifting, but not before I stole what we needed. Now that it's complete I don't know what we plan to do with it. Guess it's not my place to assume anything." I sighed as I now refocused on Tika to ask her.
"Can I see the guys now? Or would you like to hit me again?" The smile that came to her face was priceless to see as she urged me.
"Get away from me fast then because my hand is itching."
"What does that make me, Anpu? Am I not to be loved and missed?" The hedgehog asked me curiously with a hurt expression on his face. I gave him a playful frown before deciding to make his day. Calmly collecting myself, I approached the man and took him into a small hug while replying to his question.
"Of course you were missed. What? Dusk not keep you enough company?"
Hugging back he replied.
"Dusk doesn't know the first thing about showing emotion. I could be lost for a decade in the wilds and I could come back and he wouldn't have even noticed that I was gone. And don't get me started about who he loves and who he doesn't, because one list is very short while the other is very long."
"I'll keep any questions to myself. Are the rest of the guys wandering around like you are?" I then asked him as we separated from our hug.
"Ahhh I think most of them are calling it a day. Including myself because I'm actually pretty fucking tired. Dusk I think went to get a shower and Byron went to go see Dexter for a checkup."
"I'll go check on Byron first. Is he sick or something?" I had to wonder.
"Nah he's just getting his junk fondled for fun. I don't think he's sick though, for real."
"Alright well I'll go for now. I'll see you later." Gwent offered to bump my fist so I did that and gave him a slight chuckle before crossing paths with Tika one more time. She had this look on her face that screamed at me. She wanted to expel all that new energy on me, but unlike last time there wasn't gonna be much privacy. Not unless her quarters are soundproof, but either way I had plans of my own.
Calmly making my way through the hallway and down towards Dexter's lab, I popped my head in to hear the owl talking down to the great dane.
"Stop drinking all those damn energy drinks and lay off the speed Tika gives you Byron. You'll find out that you live a lot longer and with only half the migraines."
"I know doc, but you know me. I can't stop moving. Everyone contributes and I have to as well." Byron stated as I stood now in the open door. Dexter saw me but didn't say anything as he responded right back to the dog with full intent to educate him.
"Contributing is perfectly fine Byron, but you're running off three hours naps twice a day. That's not healthy for a man your size and your body will thank you if you just get some actual sleep in an actual bed now that you're home. Take these and go lay down."
"What is this?" Byron asked as he was handed two tablets.
"Melatonin. Sorry to disappoint. Chew those up and drink something other than monster for once. You'll fall asleep before you know it and I'll be sure to tell Tika not to bother you. Just focus on resting Byron and nothing else." Dexter instructed as Byron finally turned around to notice me. With a big smile he waved and laughed.
"Oh shit. How long were you there for Anpu?"
"Long enough. I was gonna ask for a favor, but after hearing that I would suggest listening to the man and get some sleep. You've earned it." I informed him back as he shook his head and began to approach.
"Nah, of course I'm gonna listen to Dexter here. He's not just saying all that for nothing."
"Thanks for the faith." Dexter chuckled as he went back to focusing on some paperwork towards the other end of the room where he had his desk. Byron was soon a foot out from me and before I could say anything else he asked me curiously.
"So what's up? You needed a favor?"
I glanced at Dexter to notice he wasn't really paying attention, so without any restraint I reached out to grab Byron by the hand. He widened his eyes but allowed me to lead him out of the room and back into the hallway. With my face feeling slightly warm, I asked him curiously and nervously all at once.
"Are you currently…seeing anyone?" It took him a second to take me seriously but soon enough he questioned and replied.
"Oh like you mean….like if I'm dating? Nah no…not at all. Why would you ask?" It was clear he was now on his guard and I was getting to the point where I didn't know if I wanted to ask this anymore. He noticed my nervousness after a few seconds and in Byron fashion; he leaned slightly over me to whisper in confusion.
"Anpu? What's…?" I took a small step closer to him and with my face practically in his he had no choice but to smell my scent. I saw the exact moment everything clicked in that head of his and almost instantly did he take a step back to stumble over his response.
"You're in…..oh man I'm….Anpu? I'm not sure what you are asking of me?"
"You know damn well what I'm asking of you." I now whispered back as he was blushing beyond measure. Unsure of how to play this, he chuckled back nervously.
"Anpu I….oh man I never thought this would happen. I didn't think you'd even look at me in that way. It's a shock actually."
"Shut up. You know what you look like and it's not even just about that. It's your personality and how you treat me outside of moments like this. You're the one person I can come to about anything and I know you could hold a secret if it was needed. A secret like this." I went to feel his chest and without even batting an eye he replied.
"Listen Anpu I don't want this to come off the wrong way, but you're like a sister to me. And no matter how much my dick wants to, I can't bring myself to do that. You mean too much to me and I don't want this to come between us. Just understand that I just can't."
I was disappointed and kinda shocked he wouldn't help me out. I wanted to battle him back, but deep down I knew he was only saying this because he truly did love me like family. I can't blame him when I consider his point of view. So with a nod of my head I replied back.
"No, I get it. It was a stupid thing to ask."
"Nah it wasn't. It's just nature." He smiled back as he gave me a gentle boop to the nose. I smiled back at him now as he urged me.
"I know how the heat gets. I wish I could help in some other way, but….?" Shaking my head so I could cut him off from speaking. I said back to him with another smile.
"Don't worry about it. I can figure something out in the meantime. I'm sure Dusk….?" Now I was the one to be interrupted.
"Don't go near Dusk in this state. Unlike me he doesn't really have any morals and he doesn't deserve you in that way. Not to mention, but rumor has it, Dusk is a no pull out type of guy and the last thing we need is for you to get pregnant with his pups."
Byron was serious about that advice and despite the urges I was having I could make out the sense in not doing this with Dusk. Thankfully I had a backup plan. Looking at Byron softly I nodded and replied.
"You're probably right." He gave me another smile and with a very soft touch he put one hand on my shoulder and whispered.
"Let's just forget this ever happened. I won't say nothing if you don't. Deal?"
"Deal."
mT Shadow.