The entire Joe team had been on edge since Duke's shocking news. A new leader? A new CO? And a General? What could that bode for the team? Their nervousness had them all on edge. It didn't take much to send tempers flaring. Even close friends found themselves quarrelling with one another.
Missions kept them all busy, which was a good thing because they didn't have much time to dwell on the unknown future. Duke tried to reassure them, having known General Hawk for a long time. He spoke highly of him…but, still the Joes worried. And, honestly so did he. To be truthful, he didn't have any answers for all their questions. After vacating his old office, he began retreating to his new smaller one more and more in an attempt to avoid people, especially Scarlet. But, she knew where to find him.
Duke sat before his computer, stacks of unopened files taking up the space on his desk. A knock on the door caught him off guard. "Come in," he said gruffly.
Scarlet entered. "Hi Duke," she smiled nervously.
He watched her approach, staring at him with those blue eyes that always seemed to tug at his heart. But this time, they were not edged with love or desire. Just what was that in her eyes….fear? Concern? Both?
She hesitated, chewing at her bottom lip nervously, "Duke, what's going to happen… when General Hawk gets here?"
Duke sensed the tension of the unspoken words that hung in the air around them. She had not said, "…to us…," but it was the same as if he had heard them.
He felt terrible for what he was putting her through. This was at least as difficult on her as it was on him. If only he had answers. If only he had words to comfort her. He stepped out from behind the desk and gathered her in his arms. "I don't know, Red," he whispered softly into her hair. " I just…don't know."
The Joes used every moment they weren't assigned on missions to make sure the Pit was spit polished and ready to receive the General. Each day, they waited with abated breath for the announcement of his arrival. Each day ended with mixed disappointment and relief.
Meanwhile, Intel had reports of a new problem. A Doctor Mullaney had disappeared and Cobra was hunting him down. Apparently he had secrets Cobra wanted. The Joes needed to get to him first. Duke selected a team and called them into his office.
"Lady Jaye, Shipwreck, I want you two to investigate that island," Duke looked at them sternly.
At the mention of Shipwreck, Lady Jaye tried unsuccessfully to suppress a long sigh.
"If he's there, do whatever you have to. Get him and that secret out of there." Duke continued.
"I'm sure Shipwreck will be a big help on this one," Lady Jaye muttered sarcastically under her breath.
"Do you have a problem with the assignment, Lady Jaye?"
"Yes…, well sort of…," she looked him steadily in the eye. "Shipwreck? Honestly?"
"Hey," Shipwreck interrupted. "What's wrong with me as a partner?," he complained.
"Does the Nirka ring a bell?," she answered irritably.
"What? You're still upset about that mission? I thought that was all water under the bridge…"
"You fell in love with a Cobra Agent!"
"Ex Cobra agent, remember. Mara was escaping and needed our help.…"
"Whatever. I didn't trust her then and wouldn't trust her now. She lied to us, remember?" she snapped.
Hey, toots," Shipwreck stood up angrily, "Have you forgotten? Mara saved your life."
"I didn't need that snake's help. I was doing just fine on my own," Jaye yelled, fists clenched.
"How would you like to lose ten pounds, babe? From the neck up?"
"How would you like one of my javelins stuck up your…"
"Enough!" Duke roared. "I have assigned the two of you for this mission. You will get along. That's an order, not a suggestion. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, sir," Shipwreck grumbled.
"Lady Jaye?" Duke glared menacingly.
She took a deep breath and lowered her gaze. "Yes, Duke. You made yourself clear."
Duke smiled darkly. "Good. Now, get out of my office, both of you."
Looking back, Jaye regretted her reaction to the assignment, to Shipwreck. Unfortunately, it seemed they had always managed to irritate each other. It was just so easy to get under one another's skins. If only she had known…But now it was too late…
The mission had been a complete FUBAR. First Lady Jaye and Shipwreck lost Doctor Mullaney. Then they crash landed into the sea after taking a hit. Jaye escaped safely to the Flagg but Shipwreck had been trapped inside the SHARC.
"Shipwreck!" She cried as he sank beneath the choppy waves. A tear slid down her cheek. Right now, she would have gladly given anything to hear just one more sarcastic comment from him.
"You put it in there?" Jaye had asked Dr. Mullaney in disbelief. The formula had been neurologically transferred to Shipwreck's brain.
"Hey, it ain't like he flushed it down the sewer, you know."
Jaye stared up at the ceiling in the darkness of her quarters. Sleep was still far from her. The mission details continued to replay through her memory.
"Shipwreck, I could use a little help over here,"
"What?" he drawled lazily. "I thought you were doing just fine. If you needed help, why didn't you say so?"
"What? You think carrying a 165 pound scientist is easy?," she snapped at him.
She made it back to the Flagg safely but he did not. "You need me to carry you up?" she had quipped sarcastically. Lady Jaye tossed and turned on her bed, sighing heavily. She knew she wasn't going to fall asleep any time soon.
"I'm so sorry, Shipwreck…" she whispered into the darkness.
Jaye and Flint were walking the deck of the Flagg. Jaye was quiet and withdrawn. She had not been herself since the night they lost Shipwreck. Flint was at a loss how to help her.
"Flint!" Jaye yelled suddenly, breaking him out of his reverie. "Do you see that? It looks like the whole island is on fire." Jaye pointed off the starboard bow.
"Yeah, I do" he muttered, "I think we need to check it out. You with me?" His eyes bore into hers questioningly.
Ever the professional, she held his gaze unflinchingly. "You bet." She could do this.
Lady Jaye and Flint immediately acquired two Skystrikers and headed for the island. There was no retaliation so they decided to land to get a closer look. The island was in ruins. Fires burned everywhere. They scanned the area for survivors. As they scoured the burning buildings they spotted a familiar figure.
"Shipwreck!" Jaye cried, running forward and throwing herself on him, hugging fiercely. "We thought we'd lost you," her voice broke.
"You old sea barnacle!" Flint laughed, slapping him on the back.
Shipwreck turned away from the burning house before him.
"I'm so sorry…for everything…," Lady Jaye began sniffling then blushed, embarrassed by her emotional outburst.
"Here," he smirked as he handed her a crumpled tissue.
"Thanks," she wiped her teary eyes and smiled sheepishly.
"You're forgiven…Let's go home," He gave one last wistful glance at the burning house behind him then turned to go with Flint and Lady Jaye.
(Back at the Pit)
"So, Shipwreck, you say Cobra planned an elaborate scheme, creating a false world set six years in the future, all so they could get Mullaney's formula from you?" Duke leaned forward intrigued.
"Yeah. And that ain't all." Shipwreck answered darkly.
"Shipwreck what aren't you telling us?" Jaye asked nervously.
Shipwreck looked around the room, first to Flint, then to Lady Jaye beside him. Then he looked at Scarlett and Duke and sighed. "Duke, they knew." His eyes grew pained. "Flint, Jaye, they knew about you two. They killed Jaye off and made their Flint version a bloody nightmare."
Flint's eyes darkened briefly at the mention of Jaye's death.
"Yeah, so… ? "Duke prodded.
"Jeez, Don't you get it?" he pointed directly at Flint and Lady Jaye, "They know about you two…They know if something were to happen to you, Jaye, Flint would probably jump off the deep end. Do the math. Two birds with one stone kind of thing…"
Jaye and Flint exchanged worried glances.
"Do you think they know about us, too?" Scarlet asked Duke quietly.
"I wouldn't doubt it. We might have been more discreet then those two…" He caught Flint glowering at him. "but we haven't exactly been secretive. After all, we know about Destro and the Baroness."
Everyone nodded thoughtfully.
"This certainly throws a wrench in things." Flint muttered.
"Yeah, and right before the new CO comes." Scarlet muttered.
"Oh, yeah…Oh, no. If Cobra knows, the General is is certain to find out, too. You don't think he would…" Lady Jaye gasped.
"Military Regs are clear…" Duke intoned.
"Great, this is just great…" Flint ran his hand through his hair.
"Duke." the Base Com interrupted their thoughts momentarily.
"What is it, Mainframe?"
"General Hawk's coming."
"What!" five voices cried out in unison.
"When?" Duke asked.
"Two days." he answered nervously
"Ok, thanks Mainframe. Pass the word. Tell the Joes to get ready. Duke out."
"Talk about your perfect timing," Flint muttered.
"I guess we are all about to have our questions answered." Duke muttered darkly to no one in particular.
(Two days later)
Duke had all the Joes assemble on the tarmac for the General's arrival. Duke and Flint stood in front, rigidly. It wasn't long before they heard the familiar sound of a Tomahawk approaching.
The crowd behind them quieted. All eyes watched as the helicopter touched down. Rotors still spinning, the door slowly opened.
"Attenhut!" Duke yelled, snapping into formation. All the Joes snapped to.
Brigadier General Abernathy emerged, stepping down onto the tarmac. He stood tall and formidable. His piercing glare took in the Joes assembled before him.
"General Hawk, Sir," Duke stepped forward and saluted.
Hawk returned the salute, "Duke."
"Welcome to GI Joe," he held out his hand and General Hawk shook it firmly.
"Thank you. It's an honour to be here and serve with you." He addressed at the group assembled before him. "At ease, men. I have only one more thing to say…" he smiled suddenly. "Yo Joe!"
"Yo Joe!" cheers erupted loudly.
Thanks again for all the reads and reviews...I really appreciate it. Sorry the update took so long.
Mara comes from the Sunbow episode Memories of Mara. I always chuckle at Wreck and LJ's little tiff.
LJ and Shipwreck's mission comes from There's No Place Like Springfield Part I&II. The italicised lines are direct quotes. Other parts of their dialogue are slightly rewritten. Acknowledgements to Steve Gerber, the writer of this episode.
Again, I played off the antagonism between Shipwreck and LJ. They are both very strong and independent characters. Fun to write.
Disclaimer: I don't own GI Joe, it's characters, Hasbro or Marvel
