Epilogue
Quietly in her room, Scarlett sits down with pencil and paper. She draws a faceless body and begins working on a new uniform. After returning to the Pit, she met with Doc. While he cleared her medically, Doc was worried about what the ordeal would do to her mentally. He encouraged her to make a change, to take control of something. Liking the idea, she decided to focus on her uniform. Since her old one had been destroyed, now was a great time to create a new one. Mentioning the idea to Doc, he agreed and she left the Medical Unit and went to her room.
But, even though she wants change, she decides that she still likes the gray unitard that she is known for. But she decides it's time to stop wearing the yellow body suit. Lightly, she shades in the body, from wrists, to ankles, to neck, in gray. Off to the side, she makes a note of using the color gray. She stares at the form. Taking another pencil, she traces new boots to go with the new uniform. Using the same pencil, she adds gloves to the form. Putting her hand down, Scarlett stares at the body on the paper. For a moment, she exams the drawing before picking up the pencil and covering the upper torso in a vest. Off to the side of the paper, she notes that the vest, gloves, and boots should be a light tan.
Quietly, she exams the drawing. Liking the new uniform, she puts the paper and pencil down and leaves her room.
…...
At Cobra Headquarters, Zartan strides down the long aisle leading to the throne. On the throne, Cobra Commander sits. Stopping at the bottom of the steps, Zartan slips his hand inside his pants pocket and figures a piece of clothing.
"You look good for a dead man," says Cobra Commander.
"The fucking GI Joes ruined my mission," says Zartan. "They discovered my base before I was done."
"It doesn't matter," replies the other man. "The distraction worked."
Nodding his head, Zartan continues to play with the cloth, rubbing it between his thumb and forefinger.
"Cobra has now secured a decommissioned missile base in Siberia," says Cobra Commander, staring down at the red haired mercenary. Noting a flash of white in Zartan's pocket, Cobra's leader decides to ignore it. "We have also stolen new technology which will assist Cobra is our next mission."
"You need me for it?" demands Zartan.
"Think carefully before you answer this next question," says Cobra Commander, leaning forward. "You have been a hired hit man for Cobra for many years. Why?"
"I get to do what I enjoy," replies the mercenary.
"If you decide to stay with Cobra, no longer a hired thug, but part of Cobra, think of how many lives you can end," says Cobra Commander. "Think of how many more...projects you can enjoy."
Smiling, Zartan thinks about the white cotton underwear in his pocket and the woman who had been wearing it.
"I like where this is going," replies Zartan.
Nodding his head, Cobra Commander smiles behind his mask. "I want you to go to Siberia and oversee the reconstruction of the site. I have great plans for that place."
Nodding his head, Zartan turns and walks back down the aisle.
"Zartan," calls Cobra Commander.
Stopping, he turns and looks at the leader of Cobra.
"Before you leave, let Major Bludd know I want to see him," says Cobra Commander.
Nodding his head, Zartan turns and leaves the throne room.
THE END
AUTHOR'S NOTE: It took me over a year to write this story and it's finally done. I hope I didn't disappoint readers with this story or the ending. I kind of thought this story as the connecter between "A Real American Hero" and "Resolute", which is why I left the story the way I did in the Epilogue. I hope GI Joe fans enjoyed my first story! :)