A/N: I had this story in mind since the GI Joe cartoon movie came out in the 80's. Set post movie with a different back-story for General Hawk.
Major Clayton Abernathy stared in shock at the video he was watching. Since his escape from a hellhole in the Middle East, where he was held prisoner for five years by terrorists, he was told a long list of excuses as to why he could not return home to his family. All that had kept him alive during his torture and imprisonment were the thoughts of his beautiful wife, Clare, and their four-year-old daughter, Katelyn, waiting for him. Once he found out he had been declared dead, his chest tightened and his breathing became erratic.
Staring at the accident report stating that Clare Abernathy was killed in an apparent suicide involving her car and a train tore his heart in two. Looking at the video of his beloved daughter, who had been adopted by his sister-in-law and her husband, singing in a school play destroyed the other half. Katie is nine years old and living in Massachusetts, on the other side of the country; I can't just show up and take her away. She will barely remember me.
"I'm sorry, Major. I know you must have clung to the hopes of your family waiting for your return while in that shit-hole," General William Flagg said as he stood to the left of Clayton's seat.
Hanging his head in his hands and groaning, the Major felt more pain than he did after years of torture. "I might as well have died."
"I can understand your pain, son, but some good can come out of this," the General said.
"What possible good can come from these facts: the world thinks I'm dead, my wife is dead and my daughter has a new family!" Clay shouted jumping up from the chair, sending it flying across the room.
"Please calm down, Major," William held out a hand to calm the younger man.
"Calm down!"
"Yes, I have a job to offer you, if you'll listen," the older man said.
"What kind of job?"
"The ultra-classified kind," the General said obviously trying to gage his reaction.
"Like the one that left me rotting in a hole in Syria for five years?" Clay asked with raised eyebrows and hands on his hips.
"No, this involves a multinational group that can operate easier than one nation alone," Flagg stated.
"How multinational?" Clay worked with advisors and soldiers from many other nations when he was serving in the Middle East, but they were always reined in by their nations and the lack of agreements with regard to command structure and even the way they handled the rules of engagement.
"I need to get clearance before I can say more, but it would mean saying good-bye to Clayton Abernathy and hello to a new identity."
"Clayton Abernathy died five years ago in that convoy in the Middle East," he said in a voice that was devoid of the previous emotion. All the pain he let flash to the surface minutes ago had left him. The shell of a man that was left only knew one thing; I have no life except being a soldier.
"I'm sorry, son. I truly am. We'll have someone check-up on your daughter and keep you updated if you'd like?" the General offered with raised eyebrows. "Make sure she's doing okay."
"That…" Clay stopped. Will that be more torture? He looked at the video of the little blond singing Silent Night in an angel costume. "That would be nice." At least I'll feel like I'm a part of her life even if it's just newspaper clippings and videos from time to time.
"Let's get you out of this hospital, Major," the General said as he put out his hand. "Welcome to GI Joe."
"Thank you, sir," the Major replied shaking the General's hand. What the hell is GI Joe?
A/N: I hope you'll stick around to follow the story.