GI JOE: The Old Guard
GI Joe, M.A.S.K, and related characters are property of Hasbro. X-Men and related characters are property of Marvel. This is part of the Earth-H continuity.
Chapter 1: Once More Into The Breach
BOSTON, MASSACHUSSETTS- 1974:
"Sergeant Colton-"
"It's Lieutenant Colton now, Carl."
Carl Greer glared at his prior NCO.
"What do you want from me, Joe? I though we parted ways after what happened in Vie-"
"This hasn't a thing to do with 'Nam, Doc. Give me a chair and I'll explain."
Greer nodded as he pulled out a kitchen chair for his fellow soldier.
"Ever hear of HYDRA?" Colton began.
"Only on those old Captain America radio shows and comics. Why do you ask?"
"They're still around. They've been lurking in the shadows for just over thirty years now, and they're likely to strike very soon."
"What've I got to do with this?"
"The powers that be need someone to deal with them. They chose me to assemble a team-"
Greer broke out laughing.
"What's so funny, Doc?"
"You in command of an elite fighting force?! Sergeant-"
"Lieutenant."
"Lieutenant Joe "Screams Like A Little Girl" Colton in command of a top-tier combat unit?! That's a rich one!"
A full minute passed before Greer stopped laughing.
"Why come to me?" he asked.
"You saved my life back in '71, and I need someone I can fully trust on my team."
Greer thought about it for a moment.
"Sign me up."
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
I've been working on this idea for a while now, and in that time, I discovered the "Adventure Team" incarnation of the franchise. In case you're wondering, the "Adventure Team" was active in Earth-H and led by the original Joe Colton around World War II and the Korean War. The one who's appeared in The World's Finest Soldiers and in this fic is actually Joe Colton, Junior. Also, this is going to lead into a MASK fanfic at some point. And in case you're wondering, we won't be seeing younger versions of Cobra Commander or most of his lieutenants, since they won't be born until the early-to-mid 1980s, with the main exception being Zartan.