This was my second Joe story. I had a lot of fun writing it the first time and almost as much revising it this go around. I just wanted to go back and smooth over the rough spots. Hope you enjoy this updated version! Thanks for reading!
I don't own GI Joe...
The perimeter alarm pierced through the predawn hour. Cobra air attack!
"All Joes, We are under attack. To battle stations. This is not a drill. I repeat, this is not a drill. To battle stations."
Lady Jaye and Scarlett, tossing aside blankets, scrambled from their beds. Hastily pulling on whatever clothes were within reach, they made their way down the darkened corridor to the weapons locker. All around them, Joes were running. Lady Jaye grabbed her javelins while Scarlett grabbed her crossbow. Other Joes were also picking up weapons. Everywhere could be heard shouting and the shuffling and stamping of booted feet. As Jaye strapped her javelins to her back she saw Flint race out with his M-16 in one hand and his shotgun in the other. She briefly noticed Gung Ho follow with "Baby."
"Go! Go! Go!" Flint shouted.
"Yo Joe" the Joes yelled. Into the blackness they ran.
Cobra Rattlers were just turning for another run. Flames lit up the night as buildings burned out of control. Ace, leading a flight of Sky Strikers, was just taking off from the runway.
Suddenly, an explosion erupted behind Lady Jaye. She was instantly flung to the ground. Behind her, she heard screams and saw the red streak of Lifeline running toward the flames. Then, looking up, she saw the Rattler. Heading straight toward her, it sent a burst of machine gun. She lay motionless. As it passed overhead, she leapt to her feet, took aim and launched an incendiary javelin. The right engine of the jet burst into flame on contact. She watched as the Rattler crashed to the ground.
"Yo Joe!," she cried.
"Run, Jaye. Two more rattlers 3:00." Scarlett called as she darted past at full speed, heading toward the darker shadows of the buildings.
The Rattlers were bearing down on them. Lady Jaye was instantly up and running hard. Scarlett saw her from the shadows and carefully took aim, providing some cover.
"Gotcha!", she cried as the first Rattler exploded in flames.
Duke ran up beside her, shooting at the remaining plane while Scarlett reloaded another bolt into her crossbow. The Rattlers bullets just missed, leaving a trail of dust beside Lady Jaye.
"Oh no," she gasped, watching as it turned to bear down for a second time. She put on an extra burst of speed.
From out of nowhere, a Skystriker appeared. Releasing two sidewinders, the remaining Rattler exploded in midair.
"Yo Joe!" the cry rose in the darkness.
The night skies were finally free of Cobra.
Reaching Duke and Scarlett, Jaye gasped, "That… was too close for comfort."
"You said it," Duke grinned, slapping her on the back, "But, we got them. Come on, let's go."
Scarlett and Jaye followed Duke onto the airfield.
One by one, the Sky Strikers that had managed to get into the air were landing. The flames scattered across the runway were reminders of the planes that had never managed to leave the ground.
As soon as he brought his plane to a stop, Ace jumped out of his plane, then spotting Duke, came running. "What was that? Five lousy Rattlers! Half our planes grounded," he was furious. "How did they get by our early warning defence system?"
"I think that is what we all would like to know," Duke said angrily. "Flint, my office, NOW. We need to get a hold of Hawk ASAP and inform him of what just went down here." Their heavy footsteps pounded the ground as they headed in the direction of their offices.
"Jaye," Scarlett spoke softly, taking her by the hand, "You need to have Lifeline take a look at your arm."
Lady Jaye looked down at the red staining her sleeve, surprise evident in her eyes. She hadn't even noticed it.
"Come on," Scarlett said, leading her gently.
Lady Jaye followed slowly, as if in a daze.
Lady Jaye stood alone as the evening shadows slowly wrapped around her. Her left arm was bandaged and in a sling. She was still too keyed up after the attack to go back to bed, as Doc had told her. Besides, she argued to herself, Duke would probably be calling a meeting soon.
All around, it seemed everyone was busy, except her. Green shirts were cleaning up the damage from the attack. The infirmary was full of casualities. Lifeline and Doc had their hands full. Luckily, there had been no fatalities and most of the injuries had been minor, like her own.
Still…, Cobra had come here and attacked them. The more Jaye thought about it the more angry she became. More than angry, she was furious. How did they get by their early warning defenses, she asked again. It seemed to be the question everyone was asking.
Night was deepening. Lady Jaye listened. She watched. Her breathing quieted, and her heart beat slower as the peace of the evening washed over her. She let out a sigh, releasing the stresses and horrors of the day. The pain meds Doc had given her were finally making her sleepy. Maybe a little rest wouldn't be such a bad thing she thought as she turned away from the darkening night and headed for her quarters and her much needed bed.
