Another's Notes: I would like to thank everyone who has been reading. I know the 1st chapter wasn't that much, but it was needed to build the foundation of this story. This chapter is longer and I hope you all enjoy it!

Also, thank you to Slytherin Studios for reviewing the last chapter! So this chapter is for you, I hope you like it!

Actions Speak Louder

Chapter 2

General Joe Colton's House – Washington D.C.

Pulling open the refrigerator, General Joe Colton pulled out a cold beer and twisted off the top. He had only just arrived home with the other Joes and changed out of his dress blues. Now in his favorite worn jeans and a plain blue cotton t-shirt, he tried to take what little time alone he had to gather his thoughts. He had allowed the others to crash at his place, and use it as an impromptu command center, or base, until they figured out their next step.

Taking a long drag of the bitter drink, he allowed it to slide down his throat and calm him. Cool air drifted out of the refrigerator as he let his mind wonder. There was much to be done, and not nearly enough time to do it in. He had been able to hold off on telling the team what their orders where and about what the President and he discussed. He had assured them once they got back to his house and changed that he would fill them in. He knew he didn't have much time, once they put their blues and awards away they would come looking for answers. Answers he knew they were waiting for.

Nudging the door of the refrigerator closed with his hip, he wasn't surprised to see Snake-Eyes standing behind it. "You haven't changed one bit," he said, not at all surprised at the appearance of the darkly clad ninja. Unlike the others, Snake never wore anything different than his armored suit. Always at the ready with his swords at his back and sidearm's strapped to his hips and thighs. Colton knew he had throwing starts and other small knifes tucked away within the many pockets, and he wouldn't be surprised if the ninja carried around different assortments of small explosives with him. Snake Eyes was always well prepared and Colton knew having him on the team gave them a large advantage.

Walking around the island counter in his kitchen, Colton looked the silent man over with a critical eye. Other than filling out and standing a bit taller, Snake Eyes hasn't changed that much from the first time they had met. He still stood with confidence and moved with the wind. He was lethal with his bare hands alone, and downright devastating when he utilized the many weapons at his disposal.

Taking another long pull of the dark brew in his hand as he leaned against the counter top, Colton couldn't help but be thankful Snake hadn't been among those lost. He was easily the most valuable Joe, able to accomplish any task given to him even if it didn't fall under his line of specialty.

While Colton surveyed him, Snake Eyes just stood tall and unmoving. Never swaying from his spot where he had appeared behind the open refrigerator door. The only movement he made was to turn his head as he followed Colton walking around the kitchen. Colton knew he had the ninja's full attention, and could feel the unasked question the silent man was wanting answered.

What do we do now?

Colton wasn't intimidated by the man behind the mask. He highly respected Snake, but wasn't afraid of him. He was content to simply stand in the kitchen with the other man, knowing the others would join them soon. Any other human, would feel uneasy with the silent ninja, Colton found it reassuring. If you could see Snake Eyes in this seemingly calm state, it meant there was nothing to fear. It's when he pulled out one of his many weapons and couldn't be seen; you had the right to worry.

It wasn't much longer when Roadblock made his way into the kitchen, nodding to the General and his former mentor while he helped himself to what was in the refrigerator, in search for something refreshing. Colton only nodded his consent when Roadblock looked back with a silent request if it was all right he had a beer. Lady Jaye and Flint joined them together, and it didn't go unnoticed the way Flint stood behind the only remaining female Joe. Jinx, the female student of Snake walked in from the living room and took her place besides her teacher.

"So what's our next move?" Flint asked. Roadblock had told Colton that Flint was new to the Joes, and Colton could see how green he was. Colton could also see that Flint had the heart he wished all Joes possessed.

"We go after Cobra Commander," Colton answered calmly as he took the last swig of his beer.

"What, and place him in max security again?" Lady Jaye asked, her hands on her hips.

"Yeah because that worked so well last time," Flint said snarky.

"No, this time we have been ordered to exterminate the snake," Colton replied then looked over to Snake Eyes. "No offense," he added. Snake Eyes only nodded his head silently to convey he didn't take it personally.

"Us and what army?" Flint asked as he mimicked Lady Jaye in posture, looking around the large kitchen and the few people standing in it.

"The President gave us orders to rebuild the Joes," Colton informed them, placing his empty bottle in the trash.

"It took over ten years to build up the Joes to what they were, and only a night to destroy them." Roadblock said in a soft tone. "Back when we didn't have to worry about Cobra, and we weren't outmatched," he added.

Colton looked over to the large man. He knew Roadblock wasn't giving up, but was playing devil's advocate. "I'm not saying it's going to be easy," he stated as he looked around the room, making eye contact with everyone. "We are going to start off by bringing in those who we need the most. Tech support, transportation, medical support and more ground support. We will recruit those who are already in the military and seasoned in the art of war, or have advance experience in their filed." Colton explained his plan. "We don't have the numbers or time to train new recruits."

"I'm not sure your house will hold many more," Lady Jaye pointed out.

"Let me worry about that," Colton said with a knowing smile.

"We can use the rec-center for the time being. It has the space and equipment." Roadblock offered.

Colton nodded, agreeing to the idea.

"I can speak with the Blind Master; perhaps he would be willing to allow a few of our clansmen to assist." Jinx spoke up while looking to her teacher. Snake Eyes nodded his consent. Having more of the Arashikage Clan in their ranks would give them more of an advantage.

"Great, more ninja's," Flint mumbled as Lady Jaye elbowed him in the ribs.

"I have an idea of who else we could talk to; I'll get a list together." Colton said as he walked out of the kitchen and into his office. "I don't want us to use any computers, or phones while we are bring in new blood. We can't risk Cobra getting wind of what we are doing, and who we are talking to."

"So, word of mouth?" Roadblock asked. The others followed the General into his home office and watched as he pulled out a pad of paper and plucked a pen from a hollowed out grenade that sat on top of his desk.

Colton nodded in response to Road's question as he wrote down a list of names and known address from memory. "Jaye and Flint, take these two." Colton said tearing off a piece of yellow legal paper from the spine of the pad, handing it to them. "Their brothers, a bit much, but I'm sure you can handle them," he said with a knowing smile. "Stick together and cover your six. We have to assume Cobra is already targeting us, waiting for us to let our guard down. I'll be damned if he takes out any more Joes."

"I will return to Japan and speak with the Blind Master personally." Jinx added, than looked over to Snake. "Will you be joining me?" Admiration shone brightly in Jinx's eyes as she asked her teacher. It was clear to all those in the room she held attraction for the masked man. Colton had a feeling it was a strong case of hero worship.

Snake nodded once in response to Jinx's question.

"I would rather Roadblock went with you, Jinx," Colton interrupted. "I am going to need Snake Eyes to join me while we collect a very special asset and future team member." Colton explained.

"Special how?" Lady Jaye asked with curiosity.

"Very," Colton replied with a tone of secrecy. "Someone I wanted to join the Joes a few years ago," he added softly.

"Why didn't they? Who wouldn't want to be a part of the Joes?" Flint asked as he crossed his arms over his chest. Clearly proud he was a member of the team.

"There were some complications," was all Colton said. "That's all you need to know for now."

"Right," Flint said with a tone of uncertainty. "These 'complications' aren't going to get in the way are they?" He didn't flinch when Roadblock stood taller and sent him a heated stare. He could also feel the irritation of Lady Jaye as she turned around to look at him over her shoulder.

Colton stood straighter crossing his own arms, never losing eye contact with the young Joe. "Just because I've been in retirement for a few years, doesn't mean I'm senile." Colton responded. "I wouldn't bring anyone onboard at this point if I thought they would be a liability." Uncrossing his arms Colton leaned forward on his dark wooded desk. "However we are also fucked up beyond all recognition, so some complications will have to be overlooked."

"If the General says they are important to the rebuilding of the Joes, then that is all that matters." Roadblock said. He highly respected the General and would never question his decisions. There had been a reason he had sought him out in their time of need.

"We should leave as soon as possible." Colton said as he stood up and turned around from his desk to pull aside a frame on the wall behind him. No one was surprised to see a wall safe hidden away. They were caught off guard however, by the type of safe. It was high tech, one that couldn't easily be broken into. Resting his hand over the scanner, Colton didn't bother trying to hide what was inside once it opened. Pulling out a few files, and tucking them under his arm, he also pulled out four large stacks of clean cash. "Here," he said handing one to Jaye, Flint, Road and Jinx. "Cash only, no personal cards of any kind. You can repay me later," he said with a light smile. He then looked over to Jinx and Road. "I'm trusting that you both can get back to the clan without using passports," he asked making sure.

"The clan has many contacts." Jinx reassured the General without giving too much away.

"Good," Colton said as he pulled a few more items out of the safe before closing it. Turning back around to face everyone, he couldn't help but fell a sense of pride. "We will meet back at the rec-center within seventy two hours. Cover your sixes, stay together and don't make me have to come get you."

"Yes sir," Roadblock said with a grin. He couldn't deny that it felt good to have a strong leader again. He could do the job if he had to, but he knew he was a better soldier at the moment. Right now the Joes needed him on the front line, the time for leadership would come later.

Watching Flint follow Lady Jaye, and Jinx walk with Roadblock out of his home office, Colton turned to where Snake was standing by the door. "I have a reason for not allowing you to go back to Japan," Colton started as he pulled a file from the rest he had taken out of the safe. "Read that over, we can talk about it on the way." He handed the file over to the other man.

Taking the proffered thin red file with 'Restricted' and 'Level 5' stamped on the cover in dark thick ink; Snake Eyes opened it and looked at its contents. Inside rested a profile for a young female child no older than thirteen years old. There was a blurry black and white photo clipped to the top left corner, but it was hard to make out clear details. The picture was small and old.

"That file was put together ten years ago," Colton said without looking at Snake Eyes. He was busy pulling things from around his office and placing them in a small duffel bag. Leaving Snake to look over the limited information in the file, Colton moved around the ninja to make his way into the living room. Flint and Jaye were making their way down the stairs, their bags in hand.

"We're ready to head out," Lady Jaye said as they stopped by the door.

Colton dug in his pockets and pulled out the keys to his car. "Here, I trust you will take care of it," he said with a smile.

"Of course I will," Jaye smiled back. "Not like we're going to be shooting in it or anything," she added with a knowing smirk.

Flint looked between them, and then down to the keys in Jaye's hands. "Why do you get to drive?" he asked as they made their way out the door and down the drive way. Their bickering could be heard all the way to the house.

Roadblock and Jinx found their way to the door next. Snake took a moment, closing the file, and rested a hand on Jinx's shoulder. He trusted her to follow her training and gut, but she was still under his watch. Lightly applying pressure, he told her in the only way he knew how, to be careful.

Turning from his new student, Snake held his hand out to Roadblock, gripping his large hand firmly. Snake Eyes was making it a point to let Roadblock know he better watch over Jinx, and to also take care of himself. Snake knew Road wouldn't ever allow anything to happen to any of his friends and other Joes if it was in his power, and Snake was proud of the man Road was. Snake knew it was because of him that Lady Jaye and Flint survived the attack.

Snake knew he was leaving his current student in the safe keeping of a former student. He knew Roadblock wouldn't let him down. After all, Snake had taught the large man himself, and knew what he was capable of.

Both Snake and Colton watched as Roadblock and Jinx loaded their bags into the borrowed SUV that Road's friend had let him use. Snake knew he didn't have to worry about them, they were highly skilled and even though Jinx was still his student, she was more capable then most. She was a fast learner and Snake knew she would listen to Roadblock and follow orders. She was also able to convey to the Blind Master what was needed, and Road was there to answer any questions they may have.

Losing sight of the light colored SUV down the road, Snake looked over to see that Colton finished gathering all his items needed for the trip. One large standard issued duffel bag, and a much smaller one rested next to the door. Remembering the file in his hands, Snake slipped it back open and continued to read it.

File Number: 176554 – 77N9

Rank and Name of Reporting Officer: (GEN/OF-9) Joseph Colton

Full Name: Classified

Code Name Issued: Gizmo

Social Security Number: Classified

Date of Birth: 1990

Any Distinguishing Features: Classified

Issue/Offense Committed: Responsible for bypassing tech security and gaining illegal access to classified personal files, weapon blueprints, locations and codes. Subject did not tamper with any known documents, and instead left behind a 'Doctor-Program' to repairer any future fractures in the many firewall programs to prevent leaks/hacks from occurring.

Statement by Offender: Classified

Disciplinary Actions Taken: Classified

Having read all there was in the file, Snake offered it back to General Colton. The older man took it, than dug in his pocket. Pulling out a silver lighter with the G.I. Joes insignia engraved on it, Colton clicked the lighter open and lit it. Holding the flame to the lower corner of the file, he waited for the thick paper to catch alight. Watching the fire climb and distort the file, the red darkening to brown than black as it burned, Snake couldn't help but wonder who this person really was for the General to burn an important government file.

From what he gathered, Snake understood the person to be a computer technician and programmer. However, they hadn't done anything to cause damage to the programs or technical system used by the government. In fact, if his guess was right, whoever this 'Gizmo' was repaired any holes within the firewall, patching things up and fixing problems the military wasn't able to spot or wasn't aware of. If Colton was telling the truth, and the file was put together ten years ago, then the person in the photo really had been no older than thirteen at the time. Not even Breaker had been able to accomplish that level of hack at that age.

"You're among only a handful to have ever read this file or know about its existence." Colton said as he tossed the burning file into a metal trash bin. It curled around its self as it turned to ash. The remains no longer red, but darkly burnt and brittle. There would be no recovering the contents of the file.

Snake tilted his head to his left ever so slightly in question.

"I'm only going to tell you what I know for two reasons. One, I am trusting you to make sure nothing happens to her." Colton said, giving up that the subject was indeed female. "I know in order for you to be able to do your job fully, you are going to need all the information you can get, and I will fill you in more while we drive." Colton said picking up the duffel bags. Snake also picked up his own bag, sliding it over his shoulders so the strap rested across his chest.

"The other reason is because I know you won't say anything to anyone else." Colton said with a grin. Snake Eyes made the best keeper of secrets, and he was planning on using the ninja's vow of silence to his advantage. "When the time is right, I'll let the rest of the team know. But for right now, the less who know the better."

Snake nodded, understanding that whoever this girl was, she was going to play a large role in hunting down Cobra. He also couldn't help but notice the way Colton talked about the woman. There was a protective edge in his tone, meaning she was someone important to the General.

Recalling General Colton had been the one to write the report all those years ago could signify they had build a bond over time. Snake knew the man didn't have any family, and he understood the bonds formed between two people who didn't share blood could sometimes be more powerful and last longer than those by family. He himself thought of both the Hard Master, and Blind Master, as father figures. There was no shared blood, but a bond forged much stronger.

Following Colton out of the house, they made their way over to the large two car garage on the side of the two story house. Colton punched in a code on the key pad and they waited for the door to rise. In the darkness of the covered parking space, Snake could see a black older model Secrete Service SUV. It was only a few years old, complete with darkly tinted bulletproof windows, armored paneling, and pierce resistant tires. "Wouldn't be wise making passengers of other vehicles panic when they see a masked ninja in the front seat." Colton said with dry humor. "Don't need Cobra finding us because people started to call emergency services," he added with a smile.

Snake Eyes only turned his head to look at the General. Colton could almost picture the man behind the mask to have an eyebrow raised.

Without wasting any more time, they placed their bags in the back of the large SUV. Snake noticed the false bottom in the back where he knew a small arsenal to be. Choosing to sit in the back, Snake watched Colton take the driver's seat. Being in the back gave him more room to move should someone try and attack. He would be able to cover the right and left sides as well as the rear without hindering Colton while he drove.

Starting the vehicle and pulling out of the driveway, Colton only stopped to close the garage door with a remote clicker. Flipping his left blinker on, he pulled onto the street and headed for the main road. It was going to be at least a ten hour drive, plenty of time to fill Snake in on who they were going to pick up.

…End of Chapter 2…

Author's End Note: I hope you all enjoyed the new chapter, and know the next one will be out in a few days. I also wanted to point out something if you haven't picked up on it. Snake will not be using ASL (American Sign Language) in this story. I know a lot of other authors and writers have him sign to help him communicate, however he never uses ASL in the movie. This story is called 'Actions Speak Louder' for a reason. Everything he is going to communicate to others will be with actions. As you can tell from this chapter, I do show the story from his point of view so you have an understanding of what is going on.

Once again, I hope you all enjoyed the chapter and would love to hear what you think about it. Please take the time to review and let me know your thoughts. It also helps me to know if I am doing the best I can as a writer to bring you all something you'll enjoy reading.

Thank you again!