As his eyes blinked awake the cold from the cement floor shot through his clothes. His hands were hand cuffed to some pipes. The chill from their metal hit him in the bones as well. One Eight Eight's head throbbed, that ninja could deliver a devastating punch for being so light. The more he wakes up the more the pain comes into play. His ankle where the dog got him was sore and wrapped. Then he shoots up stretching his wrists in the cuffs, "Where is One Four Six? Where is he?!" The Joe in front of him startled for a minute and nearly fell off his chair, "Calm down. Damn snake, I spilled my coffee." One Eight Eight looked at his prison guard it was the ex-viper gone Joe Mercer.

They weren't screwing around with having the Cobra prisoners, an ex-snake to watch a snake. Mercer wiped the coffee off his vest, "Your fellow Viper is alive. We transferred him to an Army hospital with G.I. Joe guards."

One Eight Eight nodded, "What about Zarana? Where is she?"

The ex-Viper looked skeptical, "What the hell kinda Alley Viper are you?"

One Eight Eight heard one of his new favorite sounds. A familiar Aussie accent sounded off, "I'm here DeCainne. Helleava bloody mess we stepped in this time." One Eight Eight finally took in his full surroundings. He saw the pipes into the ground and the door locations to the room. There was a fire extinguisher near the door way. It was the FBI safe house, ground level he believed. He saw a couple green shirts.

"Some one had to tip off Firefly. He reacted too quickly to our plan. How banged up are you?" He looked over at her. She wore the same blue pants and blue shirt they had him in. They both had big white letters saying FBI across the chest.

She gave a half grin, "You should see her, left her a solid reminder." One Eight Eight grinned back, felt calmer with his teams sit rep now known. He takes a rough look at Mercer, "Take the cuffs off I'll show you the kind of alley viper I am."

Mercer takes a step, "Bout damn time some action." But before he could get close he gets yelled at by Lady Jaye, "Mercer don't you dare! He's goading you." Her face was bruised up worse the Zarana's. Next to her were snake eyes and the yellow suited Joe from the hotel. The sniper was missing. Jaye relieved Mercer of guard duty he took the green shirts with him. Jaye looked over at her two prisoners, gives Zarana a triumphant look. She settles in the chair leans in and says softly "Our demolitions man says it was Firefly that bombed you guys. And our communication guy says you guys knew the line was tapped when you reported Firefly as reinforcements. Sounds like some friction in the snake pit?"

She stood up and paced, "So we have that. Also we have the fact that there is nothing to identify what's in that cylinder. That tells me that it's really bad or really expensive, possibly both. We are testing it now; you have to know we'll figure it out. Knowing is half the battle and we always do. Snake Eyes thinks we should make a deal with you. Personally I'd rather have you sent to trial and given death penalty." One Eight Eight looked at snake eyes as snake eyes pointed at One Eight Eight's ranger tattoo, then pointed to his own arm. The yellow suit Joe growls, "The FBI wants your head for their undercover agent. Jaye was inclined to say yes, and I agree with her. Guess what, she's in command now since you put Flint in the hospital. Don't even get me started on law and order. So play game or she'll feed you to the wolves." One Eight Eight laughed, "I didn't know you pansies bruised so easy. It's a wonder you Joe's haven't gotten more people killed." Air tight slugged the Alley Viper busting his lip. It caused One Eight Eight to laugh harder, "That's it? Thank you sir can I have another" in a bad English accent. Airtight lunged and Jaye caught him. Jaye raised her hand, "Calm down Airtight. Now, when I saw your DNA come back I couldn't believe it. Sgt Noah DeCainne, record reads you're dead. Did you know your ranger trainer recommended you for G.I. Joe before you 'died' in Leavenworth? Well, before you faked your death and joined Cobra. But at least it explains why you're abnormally loyal to your squad mates for an Alley Viper. Your Sergeant in the Rangers would never believe what you are now. He vouched for your character at your court marshal." She shakes her head. The stoic look in his face hasn't changed still emotionless.

Frustrated Lady Jaye stands up and yells, "To hell with this. Lock him up. Throw away the key." She stormed off and Zarana began to laugh, "That was the worst good cop/bad cop ever." Airtight moved forward as snake eyes held him back with one hand. He signed to Airtight, and Airtight looked at the Alley Viper, "He wants to know how Firefly is getting in. He offers good care for your comrade." One Eight Eight grinned, "I'd have slipped in when it was dark and you captured three Cobra agents. With the commotion he could easily slipped in as a soldier or agent." Airtight's face had a distressed look thinking that Firefly had snuck in already. He turns back to One Eight Eight and Zarana, "Okay that was easy, any chance you'll tell me what kind of bio weapon we are dealing with? And whose DNA it's matched to?" One Eight Eight licked the blood from his lip and just shrugged, "I owe Firefly a knife in the back, that doesn't include betraying my mission. I don't need that over priced saboteur." One Eight Eight wasn't going to show his concern that the canister has DNA base. He was told it was a weapon, seems Knox is up to her tricks again. Snake eyes motioned to Airtight and they both left running with Airtight yelling over the radio, "We have a possible breach! Firefly may already be inside..." His voice trailed off as he ran off down one hall with the ninja.

Zarana eyes got big as the pieces clicked so she leaned over to whisper, "That bloody canister was taken from a US government where house where they store what the looted from the Terrordome during the civil war attack. There was only one DNA project Dr. Baldy was working on." One Eight Eight began to fight his chains, "Well I guess they don't know everything, no communication between government agencies. The American tax dollars at work, damn it! Can't trust the Joe's to destroy it. I gotta destroy it." Zarana nodded, "I hoped you say that, I couldn't stand that bastard the first time he was alive." She dropped her cuffs and began to work on his, "They really should bloody clean up in here, nails just perfect for lock picking every where." She got his cuffs off and One Eight Eight rubbed his wrists. He winked in thanks then armed himself with a fire extinguisher. They heard some voices talking down the hall getting closer. As the voiced reached the door way, One Eight Eight swung the fire extinguisher catching the guy solid in the head knocking him out. The other reached for a gun but Zarana's kick landed right and knocked him out. Both the men were FBI. They relieved them of their weapons and continued down the halls quietly. It wasn't long and a tap on Zarana's shoulder made her spin around on a green shirt. Her pistol came up and was immediately move down by a force of hands. The other hand moved the helmet up on the green shirt and Zarana looked shocked and hugged her twin. "Zandar where are the others?" he shook his head, "Just me. Zartan sent me to pull you out. Forget the job, we delivered it. Job's over, its Cobra's problem now." She looked at One Eight Eight, "This may be our one and only way out. I hate to leave that bugger in one piece but I hate being a prisoner more." Zandar shook his head, "Not here for him just you, Dreadnok's take care of their own." He gave a glare at the Alley Viper. Zarana slugged her brother, "He's pulled my butt outa the fire a few times. I bloody owe em. He's coming." Before Zandar could protest One Eight Eight shook his head, "No I have to destroy it. Just make sure you get a message to the Commander about the change in mission. Zartan must have a way to reach him." One Eight Eight began to move up the hallway as the sounds of rockets hit the building. Zarana gave a last look then ran with her brother. Zandar just stayed quiet about his sister's resistance in leaving the Alley Viper.

.

The Rockets must be the start of a Cobra attack on the outside One Eight Eight thought. Then over the speaker system he could hear, "COBRA ROBOTS OUTSIDE ATTACKING. ALL AGENTS REPORT" He began to run down the hall to the stairs to the upper levels, he had no time to waste now. As he passed a room labeled security he saw a guard watching monitors. He came up behind with a quick choke hold lowered the man near the floor before snapping the neck and dropping a lifeless body. First thing he checked the man's shoe size. He sighed when they were too small. He'd stay barefoot for now. As he watched the cameras he saw Firefly engaging Snake Eyes up stairs near the make shift lab. He looked at the outside feed, "That bastard brought BATs. Why is it always BATs with him." Then he saw in the lab an Alley Viper and two Vipers backing Firefly. He saw the Alley Viper limp and under his breath in a growl, "One One Five" barefoot he takes off for the stairs. He starts up as two Green Shirts are coming down. He fires off his hand gun before they have a chance. As he moves past the bodies hunched over he could hear them moaning. He was short on time, couldn't waste on the injured Joes. As he rounds the first stairwell a barrage of bullets fills the stairwell. He jumps over the railing landing hard on metal stairs dodging the hot lead. "Here I am snake. You ready to show me what kind of Alley Viper you are?" Mercer taunted him as he tactically came down the stairs making sure the Alley Viper couldn't get the drop on him. He knew all well that Cobra Vipers play dirty. One Eight Eight moved down another level faster knowing damn well Mercer had the advantage.

As he reached the two Green Shirts on the stairs he punches one out cold and sees 3 flash grenades on their belts. He pulls the pin on one and sets the body holding the clip with the neck. He turns and moves out the door waiting for the show. Mercer continues to taunt till he see's the injured Joe's. He leans down keeping rifle and eyes up in the door as he to check vitals. He moves the body to see how bad the bullet wound is and he hears the click but too late. Mercer is immediately blinded by the flash bang at close proximity. One Eight Eight kicks the door to enter. He easily dodges Mercer's blind aim. The flash bang completely threw Mercer's senses out the window. One Eight Eight quickly disarms him and slams Mercer's on his back against the metal stairs. He gets on top of his downed opponent and began to exchange punches back and forth. Mercer eventually got a solid punch in knocking back One Eight Eight. He could feel the blood trickle from his eye brow. Reaching fast with his hands he grabs Mercer's head and with a slight jump he brings his knee up fast smashing the ex Viper's nose, blood splattered every where. Disoriented mercer tried to throw a punch but One Eight Eight grabbed it and flipped the Joe to his belly and began to smash his face into the stairs. Eventually Mercer's arms fell limp and One Eight Eight knew he had beaten the Joe out cold. Then he put a gun to his head and pulled the trigger splattering the stairs. One Eight Eight looked at mercer's gear. He was wearing a vest similar to a Viper's as well as the rifle. He looked at the boots the right size; he was excited as he took the dead man's boots and vest. Then loaded a fresh magazine into the rifle and found another spare magazine and took off up the stairs. Wearing a G.I. Joe version of a Viper's vest and rifle just made him feel used. He missed his Alley Viper gear.

A FBI agent takes the stairs blindly only to catch the butt of the rifle to his face. One Eight Eight kept moving striking the man and keeping stride. The sounds of the battle raging outside kept his running on metal stairs hidden. He finally reached the floor with the make shift lab and found the Cobra forces in a deadlock with G.I. Joe and FBI. He raises Mercer's rifle and takes sight of One One Five, his old squad leader now leading the vipers. Then quickly turns his aim and hammers the fuse box with bullets killing the lights. He pulls out one flash bang as he sees the Alley Viper squad leader instinctively activate his night vision. One Eight Eight just waiting long enough for the squad leader to fully switch to night vision, and then he lobs the flash grenade. Screams echo as the flash bang goes off destroying the squad leader's senses. One Eight Eight counted on the amplified damage from the night vision. He rushes in firing off at the Joe's blindly. He slides like a base runner across the tile floor into the squad leader's legs purposely aiming for the knee cap. The cracking sound was loud and definite. So was the roar of pain that erupted from the man's lips. One Eight Eight pulls the squad leaders boot knife and before he can recover he slips it in the man's throat under the chin strap. The other two Vipers unsure what's happening they keep to their cover. One Eight Eight shook his head as his squad leader bleeds out, "Benny, only way Firefly got to us that quickly was if you called him. He stays off Viper comm. Lines. And now I find you here, finishing the mission you gave up on. Congrats you killed echo squad not me." He let the squad leader bleed out and die choking on it. He looked at the two Vipers, "I'm Alley Viper One Eight Eight. I am assuming mission control. Keep the Joe's off me while I call cobra command." They both looked at each other and nodded. They began to shoot at the Joe's again as the Joes returned fire defending the lab. One Eight Eight took Benny's helmet off the corpse and put it on then activated the comm. channel.

"I need a priority channel, delta nine zulu delta seven echo charlie charlie." There was static till the Tele-Viper answered, "Encrypting and transferring to Cobra command." The gun fire resumed between the Vipers and Joes. It seemed Firefly and Snake Eyes were keeping each other occupied. He could tell it was personal, and Firefly was a much better fighter then he originally thought. One Eight Eight dropped Mercer's rifle for a familiar sub machine gun and shield. He could see Lady Jaye and Air Tight exchanging fire with the Vipers. They also were standing between them and the container. He knew BATs were outside, which worried him more then not. BATs never did a good job at distinguishing friend from foe. Finally a voice slipped through the comm, "One One Five how did you get this channel?" One Eight Eight fired off a few more rounds, "This is One Eight Eight, One One Five is dead. They lied to you Commander, this isn't a bio weapon. I repeat this isn't a bio weapon. Mission is a ruse." There was silence again as bullets rained on One Eight Eight he was thankful for the shield. He returned fire as the two Vipers now with confused looked at him puzzled. A strong familiar voice came over the radio comm. "Operative DeCainne explain yourself." One Eight Eight sighed relief as he heard Cobra Commander's voice he responded, "Knox had them snag a canister of Serpentor's cloning DNA material Mindbender was keeping. Permission to change mission from recovery to destroy?" The answer was immediate this time, "DeCainne, I have already received word from Zarana that confirms your words. You have always been loyal to Cobra, loyal to me. Destroy it! I will not forget you. I will handle the traitors here personally." The comm went dead.
One Eight Eight looked at the Vipers and saw one had a grenade launcher on his weapon. "Shoot that canister and earn your commander's favor!" The viper shook his head, "Hell no, that could give us Serpentor back, the true-..." BAM! One Eight Eight put a bullet through the Viper's head, and then he turned and looked at the other viper. The other viper nodded, "Hail cobra! Hail Cobra commander!" He took the fallen Viper's grenade launcher and began to launch rounds into the lab. One Eight Eight smirked and took aim switching his SMG to single shot from full auto. As the Joes scrambled to dodge the grenades he began dropping green shirts. He scanned the field with his scope, the Joe Airtight was using cover but his leg was exposed. One Eight Eight put a round through the calf hearing the man yelp over the battle. Another explosion shook the back as one of the grenade rounds hit the container and blew it up.

A round from Lady Jaye rifle hit the Viper in the chest; he was still breathing but was down for sure. One Eight Eight checked the Viper's number Six Five Five. One Eight Eight also knew he wasn't going to escape this. He was good, but not good enough to take on G.I. Joe and the FBI single handily and escape. Scanning the room he saw the combat between Firefly and Snake Eyes broke enough for the two to join gun fight. Firefly was cursing him in multiple languages; it brought a small grin to his face. Snake eyes was blocking firefly's exit at every turn. The saboteur was getting past annoyed. The Alley Viper looked over and saw Airtight still in the fight, but now he kept his leg in cover. He also realized through the gun fire that the heavy weapons outside had died down. It seemed Firefly realized too from the look in his eyes that he knew BAT support was gone. Over the Joe radio a loud, "Yeeee Haaaawww! Those robots snakes are toast. Rock n Roll, Low Light and Beach Head are moving inside to back yall up. I'll keep circling in the DRAGONFLY for support." Lady Jaye answered, "Good job Wild Bill, I hope they hurry. We got a bad snake issue between an escaped Alley Viper and Firefly. Any one see Mercer? Also keep eyes peeled for Zarana. If the Alley Viper is loose then so is she."
One Eight Eight put a round through Jaye's hand and the radio. He saw the elevator open with the other Joes and he lobbed the last flash bang at them. They took cover fast. By the time they were ready to move again One Eight Eight had rushed Lady Jaye and she had gotten a right hook at his helmet. She put a kick to his knee then he returned with a punched to her gut, followed with shield to her face. A knife flew his way he moved to block with a shield. His eyes zeroed on Snake Eyes moving till he threw his shield and wrapped up Lady Jaye in a hold with a gun to her head.

As rock n roll and his team recovered from the flash they heard, "Any one move and she dies." Jaye shook her head, blood flowing down her face from her nose, "They won't let you go. Joe's don't negotiate with terrorists." One Eight Eight grinned in her ear, "Well I know they won't let you die. And knowing is half the battle right. You're a lot tougher girl then Flint." Jaye struggled but just felt the warm steel of the recent fired hand gun in her neck. One Eight Eight calls out, "Firefly time for our exit." Firefly with his guns up at the Joes, "About time you came to senses, what's the plan?"
Beach head got a side look down his rifle, "Damn it. It is you DeCainne. I'd recognize that voice any where. I didn't believe Jaye when she told me." One Eight Eight nearly lost his grip, "Sgt Major Sneedan? Awe hell." He saw Beach head moving slowly to counter an exit strategy. Too bad for Beach head and Firefly, One Eight Eight wasn't planning on escape. A ding from the computer announced it was done decrypting the canister. How the computer survived this long One Eight Eight didn't know or care. But the mission wasn't over. He sighed, and the Joe's took it as a sign of giving up. But he moved his pistol and turned it on Firefly unloading three rounds into his lower back. As the gun moved Snake Eyes lunged and all One Eight Eight could do was throw Lady Jaye at him. He moved to catch her and One Eight Eight unloaded the rest of the hand gun into the computer.

The next shot was Lowlight putting a bullet through his hand with the gun. He felt a tackle from Beach Head and Rock n Roll. They slam him to the ground hard, he looks over and see's Firefly's eyes boil in anger and pain as Snake Eyes moves from Lady Jaye to easily captured the injured saboteur. Air tight limped over to the computer, "Why the hell would he destroy it all. His team lost everything to get it and now he destroys it." As Airtight looked at the computer and shook his head. "Damn Alley Viper!" Disarmed and now cuffed One Eight Eight gets up and FBI agents begin to walk him out as Low Light stops them, "That's Mercer's vest. Where is he punk?" One Eight Eight straight face answer, "Check the stairs, I heard some one slip." Beach Head got in One Eight Eight's face, "I'll see you fry snake, I swear it. Noah DeCainne died in Leavenworth. All I see here is some bottom dwellin' snake." FBI hauled him to the elevator, Beach head and Low Light tagged along. As they reached street level, they were met by NSA. They gave papers to Beach Head which caused the Sgt Major to begin to curse. The agent in charge shrugged, "It came from the pentagon, long before your prisoner escaped your charge. But not my call Sgt Major." The FBI reluctantly transferred ownership of the prison to the NSA. One turned to Beach head, "I don't like this." Beach head yelled as the agents pushed One Eight Eight into the truck, "I swear you'll fry" he stormed back with Low Light mumbling something about Jugglers.

For One Eight Eight the next two weeks were a blur. He was in a prison cell when not being interrogated. The group that was holding him even tried food deprivation, when that didn't work they tried to keep him up for multiple days with lights and sounds. He knew he wasn't in the prison in Cuba, had to be some underground military prison. They finally moved to torture and that failed. That's when they blindfolded and drugged him. Some one had put the connection with the canister and the Terrordome. They wanted to know what was so important to give up his life to protect. He kept remembering something his Ranger trainer said, "When you are being interrogated. Focus on what you want to say. Don't focus on what you don't want to say. He had a busted forehead from the butt of an M-16. He decided to tell the guard about how hot the guard's mother was, most of the time his answer didn't change, "Alley Viper One Eight Eight echo squad. Hail cobra!" He shouted the last part till his voice was gone. He thought it had been two weeks when the door opened and there were four men. One wore a red and white suit. He recognized a medical cross on the patch, he spoke with an attitude. "What have you done to him? He's human!" Every where the medic touched it hurt, One Eight Eight hadn't known how bad of shape he was in. The other one spoke with command in his voice, "I don't care LT. This man is coming with us now. Here is the proper paperwork with all the Juggler's signatures." The LT jumped to salute, "Yes General Abernathy sir." The two guys in the back came in and carried him out to a wheel chair, then cuffed him to it. He didn't recognize any of the Joes, the name Abernathy he knew. General Hawk has come for him. He was loaded into a Tomahawk helicopter. After they flew a bit, all One Eight Eight could see was green. The General turned to him, "I want to send you to prison for life, no trial. There is a mix decision on how to handle you. I'm General Hawk of the G.I. Joe team. You killed a number of my guys. You get one chance here, life at the Coffin in solitary protected or maximum security with the public."

One Eight Eight just shrugged, "You should be thanking me. It wasn't a weapon in the way you think of them." Hawk leaned back trying to read his prisoner. Finally one of the Joes that carried him spoke up, "I say we kick his snake butt off here, at this height. I'll sign a form saying he jumped." One Eight Eight looked out of his good eye, other still swollen shut. He saw they were pretty high. He leaned back as Hawk scolded, "Tunnel rat keep it shut." The shorter guy kept his mouth shut after that. Hawk looked back at the Alley Viper, "So Noah what's your choice?" One Eight Eight knew he couldn't do any damage to the Commander now. He finally spoke, "I assumed it was a weapon too at first. But then location of theft left me wondering. The fact your man saying it was DNA based told me what it was and why it wasn't marked. It was raw material for a back up Serpentor's clone" Hawk's mouth fell open for a moment, "You destroyed it?" One Eight Eight spoke stoic, "You wouldn't understand my loyalty to Cobra." Hawk nods, "No not yours. Your mom remarries when you're in high school. Your new step dad influences you to join the army like he did. You quickly advance and go to Ranger School. Then one bad turn and you fake your death in prison and join Cobra. Our Intel places you in the Cobra civil war. You sided with Cobra Commander in the war, which means you stood against Serpentor." All One Eight Eight did was nod. It was a quiet ride after that. Hawk sounded surprised, "Now you're done talking?" One Eight Eight looked at the sunset, "I will not betray the Commander." Hawk shook his head, "Wild Bill to the prison. He won't deal." When they reached the prison there were ten guards waiting for him fully armed. He was pushed off the helicopter by Tunnel Rat. The guards grabbed him by his cuffs and kept guns on him as they accepted the prisoner transfer. The Warden met him at the door, "Ah miho, you will learn to love it here." One Eight Eight kept his stoic face; he went peacefully as the Warden assured Hawk that the prisoner would be safe and not escape. He was escorted to the medical ward. He spent two weeks there healing from his previous prison experience. Before he was transferred to the maximum security he was brought to a room and told his lawyers where there.

One Eight Eight went along with it. He was half expecting an assassin, but he found Tomax and Xamot. He sighed relief as he took his seat. The twins waited for the guards to leave. Once the door closed Tomax started first, "The Commander sends his gratitude"

Then Xamot, "But the scene is too hot to break you out of prison." One Eight Eight nodded quietly.

Tomax continued, "Rest of sure, our leader has not abandoned you."
Xamot tried to reassure the Alley Viper, "He did send my brother and me to check on you." One Eight Eight was being annoyed by the twin talking the two do but he kept it to himself. He's dealt with them before, it was an acquired skill. He kept nodding at their words as they continued.
Tomax got more serious, "Though a warning we bring."
Xamot followed his brother's tone, "An enemy has been made."
Both in sync, "Firefly"
One Eight Eight smirked, "He had it coming."

The twins laughed and Tomax started again, "We shall do what we can from the outside."
Xamot began to stand, "You will not be forgotten." They both left with the same positive attitudes they came in with.

As he is walked back to his cell he notices a news paper from the day in the trash, "Am I allowed a bit of reading material?" He motioned to it in the trash. The guards look and shrug and retrieved it for him. They handed it to him and move him to his maximum security cell. The news paper still has articles covering his incident, including the obituary of the Joes and FBI that died. The Joe's code names were given keeping their identities safe. They even tried to interview his dad once his identity was given to the press. His father claimed his son died a disgrace in Leavenworth. All One Eight Eight could do was laugh at his step father's words. He gave up on his family a long time ago, after his mother's death. His step father so easily believed it when his CO set him up. His step father who was a ranger before him so easily cast him aside. Two months passed and he was day dreaming looking at the ceiling in his cell. The door rattled him back to reality. It was his yard time, his limited daily hour outside. He got up followed what became his daily procedure till his guards motioned him another route. He looked at his hand cuffs and cursed. One Eight Eight knew Firefly would come eventually or some one would collect. The bounty must have grown a good deal by now. He was brought to the front of the facility he could hear a lot of cursing. He hung his head when he saw Lady Jaye and three green shirts arguing with FBI. He'd rather face Firefly handcuffed. Lady Jaye stopped yelling when she saw him and smiled, "Don't look so down DeCainne, we are moving you to the Coffin. You were never officially discharged, which means your traitorous butt is still owned by Uncle Sam."

One Eight Eight scoffed, he had heard of the Coffin. The secret prison operated by G.I. Joe. They walked him to the armored truck. It was plated thicker then normal, seemed they expected an attack. The green shirts opened the back doors and forced him in. Lady Jaye leaned down chained his cuffs to the floor. "I'm going to enjoy you watching you squirm like the snake you are." He looked in her eyes close, wanted to see them before he rushed. Then stopped he saw a color contact slide. He stopped and smirked, "Like you when you squirmed in my arms? You know you liked-"

"Bastard!" Jaye announced as she slugged him then finished chaining him down. The fist connected hard and busted his lip. But he heard Aussie accent come through for a moment and just laughed as he hit the floor. Jaye sat across from him in the back as the door closed and truck began to move.
She looked at him in a mix of anger and confusion, "What's so damn funny?"

One Eight Eight finally stopped, "He he, you contacts moved saw your real eye, plus you slipped the accent."

She shakes her head and pulls her wig and dropped it and peels the mask, "Well I'll be damned" she runs a hand through her pink hair and gives him a wink with a half smile before she kicks him, "that's for being a jerk."

Then kicks him again, "That's for the Jaye comment." One Eight Eight laughed them both off and made his way to sit up. Zarana made no attempt to undo his chains. With her still mad he decided not to ask.

They sat in silence for a bit, One Eight Eight didn't mind. He was busy enjoying the thoughts of freedom. Finally looked up at Zarana, "I was told my release couldn't come this soon, that it was too dangerous to spring me."

Zarana leaned over and smiled, "Destro arranged this, not the Commander. Ole chrome dome has a big hush hush mission and I got recruited. I convinced him you be perfect for the mission. You have one selling point the other operatives don't have, unwavering loyalty to Cobra."

He nods, "I appreciate the break out. I'm also glad it was you. How'd you get the idea the play the military card?"

She shook her head as her smile faded, "It was the Baroness's idea." One Eight Eight saw that jealous look and gave him a flash back to his ex wife when he talked bout girls in the unit. He knew better then to push. He shook the chains, "Any chance?" He figured it was safer now.

Zarana sighed and undid the chains, "I got a lot of crap about your bloody butt from Zartan. But you saved me and Zayna so you have his favor for now." One Eight Eight rubbed his wrists and ankles as the chains slid off. He smiled bigger then he had in a while. He ignored everything else for the moment, just soaking in the freedom. The truck came to a stop and a gun shot went off. One Eight Eight looked at Zarana and she motioned to wait. A minute later the doors to the back open. The surviving Green shirt begins to strip his Joe uniform as One Eight Eight sees a black H2 hummer behind them. It was armored with bullet proof glass. The tires were equipped with run flats. A man gets out of the driver side dressed in black casual suit with two bags. He hands one to the green shirt that's changing. The other bag he hands to One Eight Eight. As one Eight Eight gets out of the truck he see's desert all around surrounding the freeway. They stopped at a rest stop. He opens the bag and see's clothes. It was blue jeans and a t shirt, he kept digging and found a pink top and cut off shorts. He threw those at Zarana and she changed in the truck. He changed in the street and kept looking up. "The Joes will track us by satellite. Isn't that going to be an issue? They can see us in the open."

The man from the H2 said with straight face, "Lord Destro has secured us some satellite free time." One Eight Eight gave him a weary look as he changed. They were Iron Grenadiers, Destro's core troopers. They were as loyal to the Scotsmen as he was to Commander. Once he finished changing he threw the prison jumpsuit into the truck. Zarana jumped down, "Well let's go luvs we got miles to burn." The driver smirked "Speaking of burning." He lobs a small glass vial into the truck. As the glass breaks the oxygen hits the chemicals and flames ignite. In seconds the back lights up in flame so bright they have to look away. The smoke climbed to touch the blue of the sky as the four climbed into the H2 and drove off. One Eight Eight had plenty of time to wonder what this hush hush mission was all about.