So Kaze's been kidnapped by the bad guys, has no weapons, no contact with her allies and as far as she is aware, is alone. Who's up for some Joe styled kickass?


As soon as I woke up I began to struggle. My wrists were clamped to the wall by high tech shackles and looking down, someone had undressed me from my suit. Fury engulfed me. "Duke! Where's Duke?" I yelled at the top of my voice, struggling and tugging until I was out of breath.

"You should not waste your energy. You will need it." I heard Storm Shadow say as he stepped out of the shadows and walked into my line of sight.

"For when I kick your ass." I snarled at him. "Let me go you coward."

"Coward? I think you should be a little nicer to me." He came closer, arching an eyebrow as he stepped into my personal bubble. "I just saved your life."

"Yeah, I'm not buying it." He pursed his lips slightly and I could not help but admit that he was a handsome looking guy. His features were firm and serious but there was a mysteriousness about him that I could not help but want to reach out to and uncover.

"McCullen wanted to simply shoot you through the head whilst you slept. I told him that I wanted you as a new soldier."

"I'll never follow you." He chuckled, reaching up to follow the line of my chin.

"You'll have no choice." His voice was low and husky, the soft lilt of his accent soft on my ears. "Once the Doctor has seen you, you will not remember who you are or who you fight for."

"Nothing will ever make me forget. I've got this knack of never forgetting what people have done to me." I yanked on one hand but he didn't flinch at my attempt at intimidation. "When Snake finds you, he'll kill you." I promised him. "But only if I don't get you first."

"You seem quite close with my old sword brother. I saw you two interact briefly in Paris. There was definitely some chemistry there." He murmured then smirked. "Do you love him?"

"More than I do you." I snapped at him. "I barely know him, however I have more respect and trust for him than you'll ever have from the world."

"I am not convinced." Storm Shadow pulled away and turned his back. He lifted my bow, running his fingers over the smooth curve. "You will remain here until the Doctor sends for you. He is very interested in the gift you possess. Controlling the wind, I have never seen such a power before." With that he tossed down my bow and stalked from the room. I shouted something seriously unpleasant at his back before the door could close behind him.

Right now I seriously wanted Faith beside me. If anything she'd keep me company and be a source of comfort. "Alright, alright calm down. Just calm down." I breathed quietly. "Think. Think. What would the Joes do?" She tried to think like Scarlet and Heavy Duty but no amount of strength or skill could get her out of these shackles. Thinking like Snake Eyes was out of the question, he was a ninja, a master, there was no way she could compete with him.

So she began to think like Breaker. "Alright. Think technology. Think technology, think technology, think-ooh!" My eyes stopped roaming the room when I spotted something interesting. It was a little panel that flashed with lights and I could see my image through the glass screen. There were some blue pulses and I could see some wires running across the ground, leading to my shackles and patches that were stuck onto my skin.

"Right, I wonder…would it work? No probably not." I muttered to myself then shut up. The room was probably bugged. Sucking in a deep breath I closed my eyes and concentrated. Suddenly the temperature in the room dropped and a harsh breeze whipped into life as I opened my eyes and looked up at the ceiling.

Dark storm clouds circled the room like a whirlpool, lightning flashing as the friction built. "Ha!" I chocked down my laugh then concentrated on the clouds, building the friction until miniature bolts of lightning began to form. Summoning all the control and concentration I had, a lightning bolt hit the panel.

It exploded into sparks, the entire thing shattering as electricity ran through the wires. Absorbing the shock, I yelped. It wasn't that bad since it wasn't a full blown fork of lightning but it still left my arms buzzing as the shackles opened and I was released.

"Suck on that ninja bitch." I growled then suited up. Once I was ready I heard feet thundering down the corridor so I knocked an arrow then waited, breathing over my fingers as I waited. When the door slid open I volleyed quick arrows until there were four dead people at the door.

"Hm. I love being a Joe." A smile rose up on my lips as I hurried out the room, jumping over the bodies then looked around. Wishing I had Faith here to guide me, I selected a random corridor and began to run.

"Prisoner escape number twenty two on level three." The announcement blared loudly.

"Shut your pie hole!" I snarled then ducked into a doorway, melting into the shadows. At least I was stealthy and good at blending into my surroundings. An entire group of men carrying guns just ran passed me. "Huh. Morons." I muttered under my breath then peeked around the corner.

I took out a couple of guards then hurried on, heading towards what looked like a control panel. "Hmm, okay. It runs on technology." I mused. Tapping the screen randomly it came up with an image of 3D levels and networks. "Sweet." I mumbled then began to tap again. I found three long tube things that ran up to the icecap and several other rooms that took my interest. "So…these are missile shoots. Right, for the warheads, so where would they be controlled from…aha!" I mapped the route then knocked an arrow onto my string.

Turning right I hammered down the corridor, slinking in and out of the shadows as I avoided being seen. Breathing a sigh of relief I opened the door to the control room and slipped inside. No one even noticed as I stepped into the room and pulled back my string. Whistling, everyone turned to face me.

Releasing arrow after arrow I ducked and rolled, rising up to slip my bow over my back then drew my swords. Both of them flashed and gleamed in the light as they sliced through everyone the moment they came near me and before I knew it, it was all over.

The door slid open and I whirled around, adopting a defensive stance with my blades then stopped. "Guys?"

"Kaze! You're alive!" Scarlet cried and leaped on me, hugging me tightly. "Thank God."

"Alright what have we got?" I asked as I pulled away, smiling.

"Ripcord has gone after the last two missiles in a Night Raven, Heavy is outside staging an attack and we're still unsure about Duke's location." She said.

"Ripcord, can you hear me?" Breaker asked.

"Loud and clear buddy."

"Hey Rip, how's the Raven?" I called out.

"Doing Marc six and loving it!" He replied. "Good to hear your voice, Kaze."

"Okay Rip, I have the coordinates of the two warheads. The closest one is Moscow, you'll have to hit that one first. Target two is Washington." Breaker said into his mouthpiece as he continued to tap on his screen. I looked out of the window to see a massive sub fight going on. I watched, transfixed as the shapes cut through the water. Suddenly the water was illuminated by the deathly blue glow of a pulse cannon which shot into life then struck a Joe sub.

"Someone take out that damn cannon there are two hundred Joes on that sub." General Hawk's voice commanded through the speakers.

"We're on it sir." Scarlet answered and she brought up a new map and scouted the route. "Alright Snake, the cannon control room should be right there, where all the laser conduits converge." He nodded and made to move.

"I'll come to."

"No you should stay, you're still hurt." I spun my swords in my hands.

"I'm fine. Come on Snake." I nodded to him and led the way. He followed as we raced through the maze of strange corridors until Snake suddenly grabbed my arm and yanked me back, clapping a hand over my mouth then pulled me into a shadowed door. I stayed perfectly still, watching as a few men hurried past before relaxing.

"Come on." I whispered to him but he stopped me. Spinning me around he grabbed me close and hugged me tightly. At first I was stunned but then I returned his embrace, careful of my swords against him. "It's good to see you too Snake but we really have to focus." I murmured to him. He reached up, cupped my cheek then nodded, turning to lead the way.

Together we burst into the control room and slashed our way through, killing everyone in the room. Snake shot with his gun and shruiken as I used on blade to watch his back. With a strong kick to the chest one of the control guys smashed through the window and fell through the plasma beams, sending everything into disarray.

"Nice kick Snake." I smiled, nodding to him then looked up. "Watch out!" He spun around, missing the flying stars that Storm Shadow flung at him as I tried to tackle him from behind but he kicked me in the chest, knocking me backwards.

"The whole system is down! I'll try to bring it back on." A new technician called out so I surged forwards.

"Oh no you don't." I growled then surged forwards but Storm Shadow blocked me with his sword, my own stopping his from touching me. He fought both myself and Snake, multitasking with epic skill and with a strength that, with a ninja kick and spin, his sword sliced through one of mine. I stood there, staring at it in shock but when the new threats of metal soldiers I jumped back into the fight and Storm Shadow focussed back on Snake. Once all the others were dealt with I turned around to see both ninja fly through the window. "Snake!" I cried, my blade slashing through both technicians in one sweep.

I jumped up onto the controls, stabbing my sword through some important looking buttons and controls before looking over the edge. I wanted to call out but by the looks of things, Snake was doing fine. He kicked and slashed at Storm Shadow, pushing him down before finally finishing with a stabbing him through the chest. A soft gasp left my lips.

Seeing the pain on Storm Shadow's face, a pain not physical but mental and a reflection of his past, I felt deeply sorry for him. He swallowed then looked up at me, our eyes locking. Japanese words left my lips and he read them. "I'm sorry." Without a word he fell back into the ice cold water deep down below.

Snake just stood there for a moment, panting for breath before slowly turning back. Looking up at me I smiled softly and held out my hand. Climbing back up he took it and I helped him back up. "Hey Snake?" He looked to me. "Let's go home." He nodded in agreement then looked to my sword still in the control pad. He grabbed it and lifted it free before handing it back to me.

I took it with a soft sigh then took off again with Snake close behind. "This is Duke calling all Joes. The icepack is coming down! That's a whole tonne of ice and steel coming your way." Holy crap, that's a lot of ice!

"Hurry Snake!" I yelled, spinning around a corner with my blade, cutting into a heavily armed metal goon. Snake took out the other two then we heard Scarlet yell. "Snake! Kaze! Hurry up!" We ran to her but I stopped, turning to fight back at the other metal heads who were coming after us. "Kaze hurry! Get into the elevator!" I started to go but someone grabbed me by my quiver and threw me against the wall, making me cry out in pain.

"No Snake!" I yelled as he leaped forwards. With a wave of my hand I flung him back into the elevator then swung the door shut whilst fighting back the others. Looking into the small window I saw Snake banging his fists against the door and my heart throbbed for him. I turned, facing him with deep breaths as water flushed into the room, cracked glass flying everywhere as the metal guys were washed away.

Softly I smiled at him then held out my hands to the side, closing my eyes as a rush of wind wrapped around me. As the water swallowed the room a sphere rolled around me with powerful force. I felt like a guinea pig in its little ball. Turning I propelled myself out of the window and looked around. It was slightly terrifying being out in the open water in the freezing cold.

My time was limited, if I didn't get out of there soon I would freeze to death. I listened as everyone called in clear then waited for a moment, my teeth chattering. "This is Scarlet reporting, sir. We lost an alpha Joe today." I could hear her voice quivering so I hustled, trying to get back in range with the subs as they began to scramble. "We lost…Kaze." There was a long silence.

"What?" Heavy demanded. "No, no, no, Kaze…she can't be gone! She was fine! You said she was fine!"

"She sacrificed herself to get us three out." Breaker murmured softly. "We were outnumbered in the end."

"No that can't be right. Kaze's tough. Maybe she found another way out." Duke insisted. "Kaze? Kaze can you read me?" Just a little more, a little more and I'll be in range…there!

"This is Kaze reporting in clear." I spoke and I was answered by a unanimous cheer.

"Kaze baby! Where are you?"

"In the water, freezing to death. Can I hitch a ride please?" Heavy laughed.

"Coming up on your location. I have you on visual." I blinked in the headlights, holding my arms up over my eyes to stop some of the light hitting me as Heavy manoeuvred close. "Grab on." I swam forwards in my little air ball.

"Step on it Heavy, I'm running out of oxygen here."

"Hang on tight Kaze babe." He told me then turned, speeding towards the Alpha sub. I hung onto one of the fins, conserving as much oxygen as I could but it was fast running out and my concentration began to waver and fail with my strength. "Heavy…" I whispered.

"Hang on girl, we'll get you fixed up. Just hand on." I swallowed and forced to keep my eyes open.

"Listen to me Kaze. Just focus on my voice." Scarlet said. "Keep concentrating on that air sphere you've created, it looks amazing by the way, we're going to get you inside, get you warmed up then we can fly home. Faith will be waiting for you. Don't you want to see Faith again?" Faith, my beautiful little girl. Of course I wanted to see her beautiful golden eyes again. Her adorable character, her loyal nature, I wanted to see her again so badly.

My mind half blacked out as I had to hold my breath for measured lengths of time before finally, I felt the sub docking in the Alpha sub. As the water drained I sucked in all the air I could, laying on the back of the body, dragging in the air like it was addictive.

"Kaze! Kaze!" Scarlet shouted as Heavy leaped out then climbed onto the sub.

"Kaza babe, can you hear me?" I nodded, smiling.

"We did it." I grinned up at him, slightly woozy. "We kicked their asses."

"We sure did babe. Come on, you're freezing." He said then lifted me up. "Everyone back off! I need a medical team here for a downed Joe!"

"I'm not down…I'm only going up! I can fly!" I giggled then hiccupped.

"Stay with us Kaze. You can't go to sleep."

"Why?" I whined, pouting at him as he carried me in his arms and hurried to bring me to a medical room. "I'm so tired Heavy."

"No, if you go to sleep you might never wake up. You're ice cold. Snake!" He called as Snake stormed over. "Here, you take her." He handed me over and I grumbled.

"I ain't no package…don't toss me around!" But I tucked my head into Snake's neck as he gripped me tightly then carried me into the medical room. Before we were completely out of range though I heard Heavy sigh.

"I've never seen him so concerned for someone. Apart from you Scarlet." I frowned slightly then pulled myself closer to Snake, slipping my arm around my neck.

"Can I sleep now?" In answer he shook me. "Ow…"

"Medical team is here." Snake walked through the door then put me on the bed. He gripped my shoulders and shook me back awake.

"Ow, stop that Snake Eyes." I swatted at him. After a series of checks they found I had two cracked ribs, a few cuts, some new bruises on top of the old ones and I had actually dislocated several fingers which was painful to put them back in place. Snake stayed by my side all the way and even when I awoke, he was still there.

"Snake?" I murmured, my eyes still closed as I reached out. "Snake are you there?" I felt his hand curl around mine and he held it gently. Slowly I opened my eyes then sighed. "Next time I try to play the hero, haul my ass out of there for me?" He nodded his head and did not let go of my hand as I slipped back into sleep due to the effects of the drugs.


Man that girl has a serious run of bad luck. Oh well, at least she's safe now. I knew that peculiar talent of hers would come in handy for something. I am the writer after all...