Two weeks later, most of the team was ready to scream and jump off the cannon. Why? Because of one very pregnant eight month old Lady Jaye. Flint was feeling the pressure more than everyone else. Between the missions, the Cobra attacks around the United States, the paperwork, the food duty, and restraining one wife in the suite, quite a toll had been taken on the young man. After Jaye tried to escape the suite numerous times, Flint almost lost it. So it came to the wise General Hawk to enroll— more like force against their wills, several Joes to guard the covert operative agent. He had come to conclusion that the babysitting must be done in pairs. Why again? Because after finding Cover Girl locked in the closet, tied in a chair and with a apple in her mouth, the reason was clear.
Both Duke and Scarlett had guard duty that afternoon, for at least several hours, and both were under tremendous amounts of stress, from both the relationship and from the continuous demands of the pregnant woman. Also, none of the Joes dared enough to ask why the couple had not gotten fully back together. They did talk, the first sergeant stayed near the counterintelligence agent, then why the blue blazes was the ring not on her finger? Duke wanted more than anything to have the ring back on that fourth finger, which led to her heart, but he was petrified—not because the redhead did not want it, no, that was not the reason. The reason was because he was afraid that the nightmares would become worse. He feared for her own sanity. He knew that even though the ring was not on the hand, it was still in her heart. Scarlett's own torment showed from the lack of sleep, from the countless training sessions, including the ones that one first sergeant did not know about, and from the endless paperwork.
So the couple sat on the couch, in the Faireborn suite, watching television, while Jaye slept in the other room, for which they both said a prayer of thanks.
"Didn't we watch this movie a few hours ago?" Scarlett pointed out to the first sergeant. Her eyes on the screen, watching the movie's title, Police Academy.
"Well, do you want to be the one to go into the bedroom and get another movie?" Duke asked pointing at the room where Mrs. Faireborn was in bed.
Scarlett turned her head over towards the closed bedroom door, then back at the first sergeant. "Hmm, well you could, but then again she may wake up thinking she's me and throw herself at you."
Duke groaned. "Please, don't remind me of that."
"Sorry, I just did." Scarlett smirked.
He reached over and poked her side.
"Hey!" Scarlett rubbed her right side, then counterattacked, poking him on his side.
Duke started tickling her sides.
"That's not my tickle spot." Scarlett shook her head. "But this is yours." She reached over and tickled him on his right side, just below the ribs.
"HEY!!!" He laughed and started to tickle the inside of her thighs.
"Your Achilles heel, Conrad." Scarlett tickled him harder on the spot, making him almost fall off the couch.
He pulled her over on top of him as he fell back on the couch, laughing.
Scarlett giggled, continuing to tickle, him watching his face turn red from the laughter. "Take that, First Sergeant Hauser."
He was laughing so hard that his sides were starting to hurt. He managed to get his left hand up and tickle her behind her right ear.
Her head titled towards his touch, her laughter sounding in the air, then lost her balance, sliding off him.
Duke was laughing as he looked over to where she slid on the floor. "You...okay?"
Scarlett sent him a fake scowling look and stuck out her tongue.
"That's it!!!" Duke teased. "You are in for it now!!!" He stood up off the couch.
Scarlett touched both her hands on her face. "Oh no! The big bad CO is going to come after me!" she said in a damsel in distress voice. "Whatever shall I do?" Then her features turned serious. "This!" She maneuvered her leg around the back of his knees, causing him to fall on the floor, right next to her.
He landed with a thud and had a look of shock on his face.
"You... okay?" she asked, mocking him, while standing up and staring down at his surprised features.
He rapidly reached up, grabbed her behind the knee and pulled forward knocking her down.
A thump sounded next to him, and he could only see the back of her red locks. He pulled the ponytail, teasing her, knowing she didn't like it, and there was no response.
He immediately became worried. He got up on his knees, then leaned over her to check her and felt his heart drop when he noticed that her eyes were closed. "Oh God! Shana!"
Her eyes shot opened, grabbing both his arms, and with a swift move, rolled him on his back, pinning him down. "I knew that hurt girlfriend was going to work." She looked down at him, her eyes full with victory.
"I can't believe you did that to me," he said, sounding really hurt.
The smile vanished from her face. "Conrad, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to." Scarlett let go of his arms.
This time he flipped her over and pinned her. "I knew the hurt boyfriend bit would work."
Her eyes widened, then changed into a mischievous sparkle. "Allie? Why are you out of bed?" Scarlett asked, leaning her head towards the side. Duke turned his head, to yell towards the other women, when he felt his entire body flip over and landed on his stomach, with one martial arts expert on his back. "I knew the pregnant woman bit would work."
"Alright, alright, you win," Duke said, laughing, trying to wiggle himself out of her grasp.
Scarlett laughed, getting off from his back. "Well, at least I didn't make you say 'uncle,'" she teased, patting his back, and letting her hand stay where it was.
He turned over onto his side and looked deeply into her eyes.
Her hand never left his body, it had trailed around his muscular arm, and now lay on his chest, slowly moving up and down from his breathing. She moved it ever so slowly side to side, feeling the beat of his heart. Without knowing it, her fingers trailed upwards, past his neck, trailing up his cheek, and to his forehead, stopping for a split second, before touching his thick blond hair, brushing it with her fingers, softly, steady.
He slowly reached out and pulled her towards him, his eyes never leaving hers. He lost himself in those eyes.
Her fingers froze, her eyes gazed down upon his, looking deeply in those crystal blue eyes, remembering the first moment she had seen those eyes, that face, and him. Her eyes closed, inches from his face, lowering herself to him, her lips parted, and melting into his, touching, teasing, filled with desire.
He pulled her on top of him and his hands began to roam her back.
A moan escaped and their lips pressed harder, deepening the kiss. Her hands stroked his hair, and with a one move, they rolled, changing positions. Her fingers traveled down his hair, stopping at the base of his neck, teasing his skin, softly, gently, then traveling downwards, stopping just above where underneath the mustard colored uniform, lay the small scar of the bullet, which he had taken to protect her during the Cobra attack at Jaye's wedding in Scotland.
His hands caressed her torso and he moaned softly feeling her hands roaming lower.
Suddenly, a loud voice filled the air behind them, interrupting the magical moment.
"What are you two doing on my floor?!" Jaye asked from her bedroom door. She looked tired, very pale and from her features, it looked that she wasn't feeling very well.
Their lips parted, and they both turned their heads towards Jaye at the same moment. "GET BACK IN BED!" they yelled simultaneously.
"I'm going to the bathroom!" Jaye yelled back at them, while rubbing her back. "Can't very well go on my bed, now can I?"
They watched Jaye waddling her way towards the bathroom, then before she closed the door on their faces, stuck her tongue out.
Scarlett glanced up towards Duke's face. "Well, we got caught pulling a Vincent." She giggled, her cheeks with a deep blush.
"Well, some what of a Vincent. We weren't in a more compromising position," Duke said chuckling then kissed her again softly on the lips. "Maybe we should get up."
"I would get up, but there is a heavy whale resting on me," Scarlett teased, raising her head closer to his face. "But how about dinner tonight and some dessert in my suite, after our babysitting duties?" she whispered in his ear.
A bright grin spread across Duke's face. "Sounds lovely."
Scarlett's blush deepened. "Would you be kind and help me up, sir. So I may help the lady, who is probably both hungry and grumpy," she said in a southern accent.
Duke reluctantly got up off her and held out his hand to help her up. "Do you require some Kevlar?"
"Don't think so, but if worse comes to worse. I'll just throw you at her," Scarlett teased.
"Oh, gee thanks," Duke said sarcastically. "You better go check on her, she's been in there a while."
Scarlett nodded, taking his hand and standing back up. She headed for the bathroom, and gently knocked on the door. "Knock knock. Allie, everything all right in there?" She put her head closer towards the door, listening to the Gaelic curses.
Jaye pulled open the door and looked at her. "Do I look all right?"
Scarlett gulped and took a step back. "You look marvelous," she lied, taking her friend's hand. "Come on, back to bed. And its Con's turn to massage your feet." She sent Duke a cunning smile, watching his face turn green. "Hungry?"
"No. I just want to lay down," Jaye said softly.
"Alright." Scarlett helped her back to the bedroom, and fluffed the ten pillows on the mattress, before helping Jaye back on the bed. She covered her with the blanket. "Dash will be back soon."
Duke walked in behind Scarlett. "I'm going to go get Doc," he whispered to the red head.
"Alright." Scarlett nodded. "Hurry." Watching him head towards the door, reaching for the knob and slowly opening it, just as Cover Girl and Jinx waltzed into the room.
"Duke, Scarlett. Hawk wants you both in his office, now," Jinx explained. "We're here to take over the babysitting."
Cover Girl walked into the bedroom and glanced at Jaye. "You looking good, Shamu," she teased with a smile on her face.
Jaye didn't even reply to the nickname.
"Tell Hawk I'll be there in a few. I'm going to stop by and tell Doc to come check on her," Duke whispered to Scarlett.
"Agreed. But hurry, if this is what I think it is. Hawk is going to need you there," Scarlett said seriously. She glanced at Jaye's pale face, getting worried. Then walked over and whispered to Cover Girl. "Watch her, if she looks worse, call Dash immediately."
Cover Girl nodded. "Don't worry, Red. Got it covered, made sure no apples nearby either."
Duke ran out the door heading towards the Infirmary.
Jaye rolled over onto her side and just lay there.
Scarlett looked at her friend again. "I'm calling Dash." Now getting more concerned, she walked over towards the phone and dialed Hawks' number. After several rings, the general answered. "Sir, this is Scarlett. Can you send Flint at his suite immediately. Lady Jaye is not feeling well. Duke already went to get Doc," she said in one breath and then nodded. "Thanks, Hawk."
Hanging up, she went back to the bedroom and sat on the side of the bed, placing her hand on Jaye's back. "Dash is on his way," she said to her friend, then exchanged similar looks with Cover Girl and Jinx.
All Jaye did was nod.
The women exchanged worried looks and waited for the men to arrive. Minutes later, Duke rushed in with Doc and at the same moment, Flint rushed in with Hawk close behind.
"Seems my favorite patient is not feeling well," Doc said, sitting next to Jaye and started taking her pulse.
Flint sat on the other side, placing his hand on his wife's hair, soothing her. "It's alright, Allie. I'm here."
Hawk signaled the rest of the worried soldiers out of the bedroom. "Let's give them some room." He closed the door behind them, then walked over to the couch and took a seat.
"When did she start not feeling well?" asked Jinx, glancing at the closed door.
"She was fine earlier, then when she woke up from her nap, she looked a little off," Scarlett explained solemnly, sitting slowly down on the chair.
"I hope she's all right," Duke said softly, then looked at Hawk. "Did you still want to talk to us?"
Hawk nodded. "Let's wait for Flint. I need all of you to hear this." He turned towards Cover Girl and Jinx. "Why don't you two head for the Mess, grab a bite to eat, and call Beach Head in here."
"Yes, Hawk." Cover Girl saluted, heading out the door, Jinx right behind.
Then the general turned towards the counterintelligence agent. His face grim. "Breaker confirmed it this morning."
Scarlett frowned and nodded. "I was worried about that. I hoped deep down I was wrong."
"What?" Duke asked worriedly.
Both Hawk and Scarlett turned towards the first sergeant, forgetting that he was in earshot. They glanced at each other, before Hawk spoke, "I'll tell you— or Scarlett will, when Beach and Flint come."
The door barged opened and the drill instructor walked in. "Okay, who's the loudmouth who is saying that I buy gay porno?" he growled.
Everyone's eyebrows came raised.
"Come again?" Hawk asked, not wanting an answer. "Beach Head take a seat, this is not eh... about that..." He shook his head, mumbling on giving the two women some serious KP Duty.
The bedroom door slowly opened and Flint walked out. "Doc's taking her blood pressure right now. She looks very pale and tired," he said concerned.
"Okay, we're all here," Duke said. "So what's going on?"
Flint looked confused. "Is something wrong?"
Beach Head shook his head, aggravated. "Beats me. I'm just confused as you two."
Hawk stood up, walked over and shut the door to the suite closed, then turned around. "This does not leave this room. Is that understood?"
They all nodded.
"Scarlett, care to tell them?" Hawk addressed the counterintelligence agent.
"Might as well," Scarlett responded seriously.
"Tell us what?" Duke asked in confusion.
Scarlett stood up from the chair, glancing at all of them. "I became suspicious during the last Cobra attack, wondering how Cobra breached our defenses without getting noticed. But I didn't have hard evidence, until now."
"Does this have anything to do with that letter you received a few weeks ago?" Flint asked serious.
She nodded. "The document confirmed my suspicion. But I needed more proof. That's when I began my own investigation and only handing the information to Hawk," she sent an apologetic look towards Duke.
"What the hell is going on?" Duke asked, sitting on the edge of the couch and looking at her.
"Yeah, I agree with Blondie here. What the hell is going on?" Beach Head snarled.
"This can't be good." Flint shook his head.
Scarlett glanced at Hawk, awaiting his approval, which instantly came, and nodded. She then turned towards the others. "There's a Cobra spy on the team. Worse— a traitor," she announced.
"No way!" Duke said adamantly.
Beach Head growled. "Don't tell me it's that desert man, again. I'll rip him apart!"
"No, its not Dusty," Hawk stated. "Actually our little snake friend has been "friendly' to a few female officers, under the women's command."
Flint dropped his jaw and looked at Duke, who had the same reaction.
"Sir—" Scarlett warned Hawk.
"Sergeant, you know quite clear! This should have gotten to my attention sooner," Hawk growled.
"I handled the situation! And both of us have been keeping a close eye on him," Scarlett barked back.
"You're right. Until we get the full evidence, we couldn't charge him with anything," Hawk admitted.
Flint leaned over and whispered to Duke. "Is it me, or did we just enter the Twilight Zone?"
"Will you quit with the guessing games and tell me who it is, so I can go throttle him!" Duke growled.
"Duke, step down," Hawk commanded. "Scarlett, tell them."
"Yes, sir." Scarlett turned once again to face the high commanders. "Our little Cobra spy is—" but her words were never finished as a explosion rocked the building, sending them to the floor.
"Cobra attack!" Hawk shouted, "Get to your battle positions." He ordered just as the siren went on full alert.
Duke got to his feet and took off running out the door.
"Flint, get the planes off the ground. Duke has the ground troops. Beach Head, go to the training room and get the Greenshirt named Grady, take him to the brig. Move!" Hawk ordered.
Both Flint and Beach Head jumped and ran out of the door, following the first sergeant into battle.
Hawk then turned to Scarlett. "Get Jaye to safety. Then help with the ground troops," he ordered while another explosion came closer to the building, rocking it.
"Yes, sir." Scarlett saluted and headed towards the bedroom.
Hawk raced out of the suite heading towards his Sky Striker. "Alright Joes! Let's win this battle. Yo Joe!" he commanded, starting the airplane and headed out into battle. The Sky Strikers headed towards an army of B.A.T.s.
"Duke, I see B.A.T.s coming from twelve o'clock." Ace's voice came from the radio.
"Take them out!" Duke ordered the ground troops. Watching the Greenshirts and Joes charge towards the robotic soldiers, who had red glowing eyes, blinking non stop, ready to destroy.
The B.A.T.s suddenly stopped, making every Joe ground troop halt in their tracks.
"Battle Android Troopers. Line up," one of the BATS commanded.
Gung Ho's mouth fell open and he yelled into the radio. "Hawk! Cobra did something to these mechanic eggshells! They can talk!"
"What!" came from most of the team in shock.
"Put me down you tin can from Oz!" shouted Alpineas one of the B.A,T.s lifted him off the ground.
"I'm not from Oz. I was assembled by the Cobra Corporation, in Sector 4-G," the B.A.T. robot replied back.
"Umm, add smart too!" Gung Ho added.
"Yeah, that can be Gung Ho, but not indestructible!" Flint said over the radio. "Boys, take them out of the ball park!"
Sky Strikers filled the air, surrounding the B.A.T.s, launching dozens of missiles, sending the mechanical robots back to the junkyard where they belonged.
From nowhere, the Joe aircrafts were surrounded by Rattlers and Night Ravens.
"Hawk!" Flint's voice came heard on the radio once again while shooting one of the Ravens out from the sky. "The Cobra aircraft have no pilots!"
"What!" Hawk replied. "How is that possible?"
"Maybe their planes are smart too?" Bazooka asked from his Striker.
"What kind of statement is that?" Ace replied, shooting down two more Rattlers.
"Hawk, we have Cobra Hiss tanks driving with no man power," Duke stated over the radio. "Whatever new technology Cobra has added to their vehicles, it's costing us!"
Explosions came from all ends, both on the ground and in the air.
Suddenly, Falcon's voice came on the radio. "Hawk, Chuckles and Tunnel Rat just spotted an army of troopers coming this way."
"Everyone get ready," Hawk ordered in the comm. link.
"There is one more thing, sir," Falcon said, his voice grim. "Destro, and Serpentor are leading them."
Silence surrounded the team. If two of Cobra's high command had come to battle, then something big was up their sleeves, and General Abernathy knew only one thing. It was either surrender or win the battle, and he wasn't going to do the first. "Yo Joe!" he shouted into the radio, signaling to the G.I. Joe team to attack, flying his squadrons into battle.
Down on the ground, Duke's ground troops, raced back and forth fighting off driverless Hiss Tanks and more of the new and improved B.A.T.s.
"No, thanks. I don't care to dance," Duke said to one of the B.A.T.s, when the robot picked him up with a tight deadly grip. He gripped his weapon and with a swift move, knocked off the robot's head, sending it rolling to the ground.
"You don't know how to da-aa-ance," the B.A.T. head said, its eyes shutting off.
"Duke! Look!" Ripcord shouted close to where the first sergeant stood over the remains of his dancing partner.
The first sergeant looked up and a feeling of dread came over him, watching swarms of Cobra Trubble Bubbles in the air, coming straight at the ground troops.
"Shoot them down!" he commanded, grabbing his fallen weapon, and starting to fire at the Cobra Trubble Bubbles. His eyes widened, watching the driverless flying machines fire back at the team. "Take cover!" he barked, watching his whole unit shoot at the Bubbles, trying to knock all of them out of the sky.
Suddenly, a Cobra Trubble Bubble with a familiar looking red ponytailed driver passed him, and his face turned into a mask of anger. He watched the Cobra soldier talk into a link, and then watched in amazement as the Bubbles reacted to the command.
Without wasting another minute, he aimed for the Cobra Bubble and fired, sending it falling to the ground, with a thunderous fireball aftermath and seeing the Cobra soldier head towards a Cobra Hiss Tank.
He turned, watching all of the Cobra Trubble Bubbles lose altitude, sending them crashing to the ground in piles. "Hawk. This is Duke. Cobra is controlling their weapons with a electronic device, and three guesses who has the controller," he said into his comm. link.
"Let me guess, someone who is wearing yellow and still thinks he lives in ancient Rome," Hawk's voice came on.
"Right on the money, sir," Duke replied.
"Everyone, head for Destro and Serpentor!" Hawk's voice ordered through the radio.
"Yo Joe!" came the shouts.
Duke turned, watching several Joes battle the remaining Cobra troopers.
Mutt had been lifted by one of the B.A.T.s. The dog handler tried to wiggle himself out of the robot's grasp. He growled at the machine. "Knock knock."
"Who's there?" The BAT asked.
"Iam."
"Iam who?"
"I am going to bash that tin head of yours!" Mutt stated, taking his weapon and smashed the B.A.T. with one move, sending the head over towards Duke's feet.
"Bad jo-ooo-ke," the B.A.T. head stated, switching off.
Suddenly, an explosion surrounded the first sergeant, sending him to the floor.
On the other side of the Pit, Doc and Scarlett were trying to manage to head for the shelter with Jaye, who could barely walk. The battle continued around them, and Scarlett used her crossbow to send several B.A.T.s and Cobra Hiss tanks to dust bunny city.
"Doc. We'll never make it," Scarlett said, shooting another arrow towards another B.A.T., while gripping Jaye with her other arm.
"Let's get her into the old file room," Doc said, holding Jaye by the other arm.
"Have...to help..." Jaye said softly.
"You're not helping Lady Jaye. That's an order," Scarlett commanded, slowly heading towards the main building. "Doc, we can take her in from— Hit the dirt!" She pushed Jaye down on the ground, making sure she was safe, when a Rattler flew over their heads, firing at them.
The Rattler swung around in the air, heading back towards the three Joe members when a missile shot through the air, hitting the Cobra aircraft and crashing it into one of the bunkers.
"You three all right down there?" Flint's voice came through Scarlett's link.
"Yeah... fine," Scarlett replied in between breaths, helping Jaye from the ground. Then looked at Doc, exhaling a sigh of relief, seeing him unharmed.
"Good. Red, take her the shelters," Flint commanded, flying his striker towards more incoming driverless Rattlers.
"Won't make it," Jaye said.
"Yes, we will," Scarlett replied confidently, holding on to her friend. "Flint, we're heading to the old file room."
"Roger. Be careful," Flint replied, flying over their heads one more time.
"Come on, we almost there. We are going to make it," Doc stated, helping Jaye.
Suddenly, a voice behind them made them all freeze in their tracks.
"Well...well... look what we have here. My big fat Scottish cousin!" Victoria Hart's icy voice filled the air, making all three of them turn around. Their eyes wide with horror, seeing several B.A.T.s next to the Cobra agent.
"Well lookie what we have here. If it isn't my second best cousin," Jaye growled.
Scarlett's eyes narrowed, aiming her crossbow towards the Cobra agent. "I suggest, you turn and leave, Vickie. Unless you want an arrow through your pretty little empty head."
"Shut up, O'Hara. Unless you want another crystal vase on your own head," Victoria replied, evenly.
The redhead's eyes now widened, realizing that Jaye's cousin was the one who knocked her unconscious during her fight with her sister Siobhan.
Victoria crossed her arms, and an evil smile spread on her features. "I only came to say one thing to you, dear cousin."
"Then say it and get the hell out!" Jaye growled standing on her own but just barely.
"Very well, dear cousin," Victoria replied in a cold voice. "Goodbye." She turned and headed away from the three Joes, just as a large explosion rocked the ground, sending mountains of dirt flying everywhere, and the heat of the flames burning the vehicles near by.
Scarlett felt her entire body fly backwards, hitting something solid, and landing with a thud on the ground. Her head slowly rose, finding herself on the ground next to Cross Country's Havoc, and her best friend slumped next to her. "Jaye!"
Doc crawled from the other side, towards the two women. "Scarlett, you all right?" he asked her, watching her face pale from worry. He then leaned over Jaye, who barely was moving. "Jaye, can you hear me?"
"She must have landed on the side of the Havoc," Scarlett stated, hoping her best friend and the child she carried inside would be all right.
Jaye moaned slightly.
Another explosion rocked underneath them, sending more dust flying in the air.
"We got to get her to the Infirmary, STAT," Doc said, his voice filled with professionalism.
"Is she all right?" Scarlett asked concerned, glancing down at her unconscious teammate.
"No, her water just broke. She's having the baby early," Doc stared at the shocked expression of the redhead. "Allie, can you hear me?" He asked once more, hoping for a response.
Jaye's eyes began to flutter open.
"Scarlett, help me get her to the Infirmary," Doc said, hoisting Jaye off the floor.
The redhead nodded, holding on to her friend arms, trying to lift her.
"Allow me, Miss Scarlett," Recondo's voice came from behind them. He gathered Jaye into his arms, and headed towards the infirmary, Doc close behind.
Another loud explosion came from the left, making her lose her balance and hold onto the Havoc for support. She looked around for her weapon and found it missing. A sound from her right caused her to snap towards it, finding a Jeep heading her way.
"Get in," Beach Head ordered. "Grady got away."
"What! How?" Scarlett asked, in full alert.
"B.A.T.s," he answered.
"I have to radio Flint, Jaye went in labor, Scarlett grabbed hold of the radio. "Flint, this is Red. Land. Jaye needs you right away."
Flint's voice came from the radio. "Flint here, landing immediately." There was fear in his voice.
Scarlett put down the radio and exhaled a relief.
Up in the air, Hawk and the two squadrons continued to battle the remaining Rattlers and Night Ravens.
"Push them back!" Hawk commanded. "We're going after the big snakes!"
"Roger, Hawk!" Ace said, shifting his plane towards the big snake himself. He fired several missiles, missing his target, but from the explosions, caused the device to fall out of the hands of the evil villain, which resulted the driverless vehicles and aircraft lose altitude, sending them down to the ground.
Hawk glanced down, watching the remaining Cobra troops, retreating. "Joes, looks like we—" but he stopped talking, his face becoming white, watching Serpentor, near one of his men, edging closer, towards his second in command.
"Serpentor is going after Duke," he called into the radio.
"Beach Head here Hawk, Scarlett and I see him, we're on the way," Beach Head's voice sounded on the radio.
Down on the ground, the first sergeant breathed heavily, watching Serpentor, walk towards him. "This is all your fault, you earthly worm." He snarled.
Duke stood his ground, waiting for an attack. It came. Serpentor lunged at him, and the soldier counterattacked.
"My lord!" Destro called out, towards the Cobra Emperor.
"Shut up, Destro, this is my fight." Serpentor hissed, staring right into the first sergeant's eyes.
"Leave him, Dessssstro," Cobra Commander replied, jumping out of a Hiss Tank. He laughed at the battle only a few feet from them.
Suddenly, missiles flew above their heads, landing close to their vehicle. "Cobra! Retreat!" Cobra Commander ordered, jumping back in the Tank, Destro close behind.
"Lord!"
"SILENCE!" Serpentor snarled, then turning to Duke. "You survived the first time insolent worm, but you will not survive this time."
Wheels suddenly screeched to a halt, and the G.I. Joe jeep came to a complete stop.
Duke turned to see Scarlett jumped out of the jeep. "No! Scarlett, stay back! That's a direct order!"
Scarlett halted for a second, watching in horror, the same scene from years ago, playing back, Duke inches from death. "No." Her soft voice filled the air. She had to help him. He wouldn't survive another attack. Her heart pounded, realizing it was the same field, just like that dreadful night, that turned all her dreams into nightmares.
Like slow motion, her eyes watched Serpentor take one of his throwing snakes, aiming it for the first sergeant's heart. Adrenaline pumped in her veins, her feet flew, her heart pounded wildly, her face filled with fear, and her voice saying only one thing. "Duke!"
Her eyes watched the Cobra Emperor, ready to strike. Her hands pushed the first sergeant away to safety, and at the same instant felt a sharp pain against her left shoulder, shooting down her entire body, and a scream filled the air, her scream. She saw a blurry image of an arrow flying towards Serpentor, before her body hit the ground, and the darkness triumphed.