Jaye closed her eyes, gathering strength again. "There's more," she said, opening her eyes and looking at her teammates. She could tell by their startled expressions that the news already had laid heavy on them and what more could she say?
"My long time partner with MI-6 also defected to Cobra. They had tried to recruit me as well, through him and my uncle, but I refused. I had already been asked, by that time to join GI Joe, and it just cemented my decision." She looked at Duke. "My partner was also asked to join, but had made his decision already. He was a good man who unfortunately was attracted by the promise of more money and less restrictions in the field. He was probably the best covert ops agent I worked with," she said sadly.
"So, now you have full disclosure. I asked that you three be made aware of the new threat Cobra has brought on us by my being here, being that Duke and Flint are my commanding officers and Scarlett, being our intell specialist…" She wasn't sure what to say next and let her words trail off.
Scarlett was the first to react. She got up and gave Lady Jaye a hug. "I believe in you, Ali, always have. It must have been hard to come in here and let us know all this. Harder still to keep it inside for so long!"
Duke nodded his agreement, but Flint looked thoughtful. Jaye was sure that whatever growing friendship they had formed the previous night was now lost. He didn't tolerate any "gray" area, and she seemed to be one big blob of it, she thought wryly.
The General looked at the group assembled. "Thank you Scarlett. Did anyone else have anything to add?" he asked, looking pointedly at Duke and Flint.
Duke looked at Flint, nodded, and stood up. "I think I speak for both of us when I say that this news in no way questions the loyalty that Lady Jaye possesses for GI Joe and our mission. While we know it was tough for her to come to us with this information, we are glad she did. It hopefully will give us a better understanding of our enemy." He turned towards Lady Jaye. "I would like you to work closely with Scarlett and let her know of anything she can use against MARS and Cobra." He walked over to her and gave her a pat on the back. "I realize it's been hard, but know that I have faith in you."
The General cleared his throat. "As I said before, what is said in this room stays here. If there is need to let the rest of the Joes know about Lady Jaye's past, then I will make the decision, is that understood?"
"Yes, sir!" they all agreed.
"In that case, we have work to do. Ali," he said, turning to Lady Jaye, "I think Duke has the right idea. I think you need to let Scarlett know everything that might help us against Cobra." He gave her a hug and whispered in her ear, "I'm proud of you. You did great."
She smiled at the General as he released her. "Thanks," she said softly, embarrassed.
"Well, let's get to work then, shall we?" gruffed the General, looking at those assembled. "Dismissed."
Scarlett grabbed Jaye's arm and led her from the room. "Come on, let's go get some coffee and get to work." Leaning over, she whispered in Jaye's ear, "Let's get the good kind and head back to the apartment. Duke didn't say where we had to talk!"
Jaye glanced back at Flint and saw him talking to Duke, a serious expression on his face. He caught her glance and frowned. She looked away, disappointed. Apparently, they were back to where they were, except now he was more suspicious than ever about her. She sighed.