Cobra Island
"Tight squeeze," Beach Head grumbled through gritted teeth.
"Whaddya mean?" Tunnel Rat asked. "We got at least 3 inches clearance all around."
"Yeah, you might, but we're not all the same size. I should have just stayed back at the village and acted as a lookout."
Falcon spoke up, interrupting the conversation, "If you'd keep crawling instead of talking, Beach Head, we'd be out of here sooner."
"Can you all just shut up and move," Jinx said, frustration creeping into her voice.
Tunnel Rat picked up his pace and called back just above a whisper. "I hear some water up ahead. Stay silent just in case there are any Cobras at the entrance."
As the passage widened, the team shifted to a staggered line so they weren't in constant danger of crawling into the heel of the boot in front of them. The sound of flowing water was now obvious and the mood seemed to lighten with the sense of freedom getting closer.
A dim light began to illuminate an opening ahead. "Wait here," Tunnel Rat said to the rest of the team.
When he reached the end of the tunnel, he was greeted with the sight of stacked crates exactly where Anton said they would be.
Examining the closest crate, he saw that one of the boards was loose. Sliding the board aside, he found their ticket to getting inside.
"You expect us to dress up as Vipers?!" Beach Head said.
"You're more than welcome to wander around in what you have on now and see how far you get," Falcon quipped back.
"Did you see any that would fit me or Jinx?" Scarlett asked, continuing to dig through the pile.
"Yeah, are women Vipers even a thing?" Jinx asked.
Beach Head looked over. "I know I've seen one or two on the battlefield before. Cobra isn't picky about who they'll give a rifle as long as they buy the garbage they're selling."
"So, what's the actual plan? Walking around in Cobra gear is only going to get us so far." Barrel Roll asked.
"You and Scarlett will track down a secure computer location and get as many files as you can. While that's going on, the rest of us will mix and mingle with the snakes and try to figure out morale and anything that's not in the files." Falcon looked around at the small group. "Any questions?"
"Did the Night Raven reach its target?" Serpentor addressed the pilot standing before him.
"Yes, my emperor," the Strato-Viper replied.
"Do we have any indications that they noticed the escort?"
"Negative, sir. As far as we know, the jamming was successful. We will know more when the pilot makes contact, but the range of the recon jet is limited."
"Excellent. If all goes according to plan, this will be a massive blow to the forces of Cobra Commander."
"Never realized these Terror Dromes went so far below ground," Tunnel Rat said, looking at the multiple elevator shafts.
"Neither did I when we set the bomb last time I was here," Falcon commented. "If I did, we wouldn't be here right now."
"We need to keep our chatter to a minimum. No telling where microphones are," Scarlett whispered. "For that matter, helmets stay on since cameras also could be anywhere."
"I think I've found our stop." Barrel Roll pressed a button labeled 'Communications' and Scarlett nodded
"The rest of us will split up. Beach Head and Tunnel Rat, go for the upper levels. Jinx and I will hit the lower ones. Meet back at the dock in 3 hours whether you have information or not," Falcon said as he selected the lowest level available.
Barrel Roll and Scarlett entered a long hall with multiple doors, many appeared ajar and unable to be secured.
"Looks like repairs are still needed on this level," Scarlett said, taking in her surroundings.
A Tele-Viper exited a room to their left. "Yeah, you would think they would move us up on the priority list, but the external damage was the first concern once stability was verified."
"Damn GI Joes," Barrel Roll said with disgust.
"Yep, crazy American overreach," the Tele-Viper added.
"Your shift done?" Scarlett asked
"No, but I've just been summoned to Dr. Mindbender's lab to run diagnostics." The Tele-Viper shrugged, "Just because we can keep information flowing doesn't mean we can always sort out errors in experimental tech."
Both disguised Joes nodded in agreement.
The Tele-Viper looked closer at their uniforms. "Vipers 318 and 360 - maybe we'll hit the cafeteria sometime. Maybe tell me what it's like in the field? I need a change of scenery."
Barrel Roll chuckled. "We can do that. Something exciting about firing off a few rounds at those who just don't understand what we're fighting for."
The two continued down the hall until they heard the elevator close. Turning back, they headed to the room the Tele-Viper left and slowly eased the door open to find it empty; a pair of cameras sat on a table, waiting to be installed.
The computer was left on and the cursor was actively blinking, waiting for its next command.
Scarlett reached into her pocket and pulled out a small, folded note. "Now let's see if these codes that Mercer gave us are still in use."
Falcon and Jinx exited the elevator and found themselves before a large set of metal doors.
"Do they store HISS tanks down here or something?" Jinx asked, stunned by the scale of the doors.
"Only one way to find out," Falcon replied.
The pair moved confidently down the hall. Upon reaching the doors, Falcon pressed his shoulder against one and shoved. Jinx could hear a stifled gasp from beneath his stolen helmet.
"Is this," Falcon paused. "It's got to be. The Arena of Sport! Duke's told me all about it. He was forced to fight some giant. I used to tell him he was full of it, but with what we saw in Cobra La-" His voice trailed off.
Jinx nodded. "Hey, look over there." She pointed at two off-set entrances.
As they got closer, they saw the entrances were stairwells leading further down.
"Which side do you want?" Falcon asked.
"Splitting up, are you crazy?" Jinx almost shouted.
Falcon raised a hand. "Listen for a minute."
Silence filled the space between them. The only sounds that interrupted were their breaths and the rattling of the ventilation above.
"You hear that? Nothing - no one is down here but us. We each pick a side, see where it goes and meet back here in five minutes," Falcon insisted.
Jinx stared at him through the large visor and hoped he could feel her irritation. "Fine," she relented. "Five minutes. If you're late, I'm going to find the others."
Falcon simply nodded.
"And for the record," Jinx added, "this IS crazy."
"Another empty room," Tunnel Rat said as he pulled the door closed and looked over to Beach Head.
"Yeah, same here. We knew Cobra had split into two factions. I guess we're lucky that it doesn't look like Serpentor's crew is at full strength. The same can probably be said for Cobra Commander as well."
Two Vipers rounded the corner and one of them stopped mid-stride. "Why aren't you two headed down to the Arena?"
"Yeah," the other one said. "The message came through a few minutes ago."
Tunnel Rat shook his head. "Sorry, didn't hear any message."
The first Viper moved in and was inches away from Tunnel Rat - close enough to reach out and remove his helmet and end this mission quicker than anticipated. He nodded, "There's the problem. You two are still in the older gear. You guys new recruits or something?"
Beach Head spoke up. "I wouldn't say new, but we came in with the last batch of re-enforcements."
"Follow us down to the gathering and then after that we'll go to the armory and get you two updated gear." He leaned in and in a hushed tone said, "Don't tell anyone I said this, but I think it's all about to hit the fan. My buddy in the Stratos said we just made a strike at the Commander. We're about to have a fight on our doorstep."
Tunnel Rat laughed. "Sounds like we picked the right side."
The second Viper clapped Tunnel Rat on the shoulder and started heading to the elevator. "You sure did. Serpentor's going to show our old boss why he's the one who should be runnin' the whole show."
Beach Head and Tunnel Rat exchanged glances and followed the two Vipers onto the elevator.
"Whoa - check this out!" Barrel Roll said as he motioned Scarlett over.
The screen displayed a selection of folders
Cobra La
Holdings
Outposts
Personnel - Mercenaries
Personnel - Embedded
"Get those documents transferred. Fast," Scarlett said as she read the list. "I'm surprised our friend hasn't been back yet."
Barrel Roll typed away and established a remote connection to the computers in the SHARCs. "Not gonna look a gift horse in the mouth. Looks like the connections are up and stable. Mainframe's got a good mind for this kind of stuff."
"He's one of the best," Scarlett said. "That's why he's one of us."
"Well, we're lucky that we have this option. Not sure if we'd be able to get this info back to base via satellites before it would be picked up. This is much more secure. Without them, we'd likely have to piggyback off-"
Scarlett interrupted him. "Don't take this the wrong way, Barrel Roll. I'm glad your impressed, but we can gush over all this when we're far away from the insides of a Terror Drome."
He nodded in agreement. "Very good point." With that, he began typing faster.
Jinx rounded the corner and saw a pair of Cobra Vipers standing guard over a row of prison cells.
"Hey, check it out! There's our relief," one of the Vipers commented. "Only a few minutes past the start of your shift."
Jinx shrugged. "Yeah, sorry I'm late."
"As long as we get up those stairs before Serpentor starts his speech, we're fine. Overlord probably sent you right from the barracks from the age of your uniform," the second Viper said with a laugh.
"Soon enough we'll be able to update everyone's gear," the first said. "Keep an eye on the prisoner. He's been quiet, but if he makes a ruckus during Serpentor's speech, heads will roll." He handed Jinx a long cattle prod. "One jab with this and he'll nap for a good 30 to 45 minutes."
The two Vipers jogged down the corridor and headed up the stairs.
As Jinx got closer, she paused and gasped when she saw a familiar figure in a torn black commando outfit.
Falcon descended the stairs and saw a massive sign that immediately got his attention.
Armory.
"Jackpot," he whispered.
He followed a hallway that seemed to get larger the further he went. Falcon was doing his best to keep track of time as he noticed dim lighting in the distance. He kept his stride measured and did his best to act like he belonged here.
"We've got a couple of minutes," a voice in the distance said.
"It's so frustrating," another voice replied. "We're making a real difference here and then 'All personnel report to the Arena.' How do they expect us to get these STUNs and ASPs ready if we have to keep attending pep rallies?"
"Better watch how loud you say that," the other voice said with a cackle. "You'll end up down in a cell for who knows how long."
Falcon heard a few loud thuds that sounded like tools being dropped and then he saw two Motor-Vipers walking down the hallway at him.
"Hey," the first one said, "What are you doing down here?"
"Uh, just making sure you guys were heading up. Sounds like it's about to start soon," Falcon said, trying to build on what he had just overheard.
"Yeah, we're goin'!"
"Good," Falcon said with more confidence in his voice. "I'm just gonna head in and make sure no one else is lagging behind, sleeping in a corner somewhere."
He walked between the two Motor-Vipers, ready to get a closer look at what Cobra was working on, but he felt himself being pushed into the wall. As his head smacked against the wall, he heard the cracking of the helmet's visor before blacking out.
Serpentor stood on the dais again looking down at his gathered troops. All appeared loyal to a fault, but when they were out of his view, he did wonder where their allegiances truly were.
He knew this paranoia was just a symptom of the warring splinters of personalities in his mind, but that was just a reality of his existence. Another piece of that reality was that he was created to do this.
"Our mission was a success!"
All gathered below cheered.
"The word has arrived from our newest Strato-Viper that the package was delivered with the forces of Cobra Commander being none the wiser," Serpentor paused for a moment and let his followers enjoy a momentary victory. He knew that good morale was one of the keys to repeated success. He lifted his hands to quiet them. "However, this was only the opening gambit. We must be vigilant now - Cobra Commander is no doubt preparing his retaliation as we speak. We must be ready to bring the attack to them as soon as they set foot on our soil. Cobra Island belongs to us and it will stay that way - forever!"
"Serpentor!" A voice shouted from the stairwell from one of the lower entrances. A pair of Motor-Vipers dragged a Viper between them. "We beg your forgiveness for the interruption, but we think we've found an intruder."
The Cobra Emperor tilted his head. "Intruder, you say? Bring them forward. I wish to look into their eyes." Serpentor began stalking down the stairs and he struggled to control his anger. Could Cobra Commander already be striking at us?
The crowd separated and then formed a circle around the three men that emerged from the stairwell.
Serpentor entered the crowd and worked his way to the men. "Perhaps there are still other followers of Cobra Commander among us! I can understand that you may be wary, but know that you can be welcomed back to our side."
The crowd was muttering as Serpentor grabbed the helmet and removed it in a swift motion.
As the helmet was pulled away, Falcon spit directly into Serpentor's face. "I don't belong to you or Fang Face, Serpentor," Falcon shouted. "I'm a member of GI Joe, always."
Serpentor's face filled with disgust, "Insolence!" Serpentor backhanded Falcon, but the member of the Joe team was kept on his feet by the Motor-Vipers holding him in place. Serpentor stared closely at Falcon, recognition coming to him. "So, it appears as if destiny has brought you back to me instead of forcing me to seek you out. Just how did you wind up on our shores this time?"
Falcon stared defiantly into the Emperor's eyes.
Serpentor grabbed the man by his jaw and began to squeeze. "Who else is with you?" Each word was punctuated by the tightening of his grip.
Still, Falcon remained silent.
"Are there any signs of other intruders?" Serpentor asked, his voice raised.
A Tele-Viper placed a hand to his helmet. "No, Lord Serpentor! All entrances are sealed, no interruptions of guard stations."
"Still, I have a feeling that this one did not come alone." Serpentor pulled Falcon from the grasps of his captors and shoved him to the ground. "Whatever you had planned, you have failed. When your team realizes you're missing, you will serve as an example of what happens when you test our sovereignty. Lock him in the cells!"
Falcon had a confused look on his face as the two Motor-Vipers pulled him to the opposite stairwell.
Serpentor continued, "It seems as though the forces of GI Joe are making their moves as well. We shall make ready for them also."
The crowd parted as Serpentor ascended the stairs and turned to face is followers again. "Prepare yourselves. An attack is imminent and possibly from two foes. We will crush them both beneath our heels. None shall stand against us - this I command!"
Pythona watched from the alcove where she stood during Serpentor's last speech. She was beginning to feel more like herself, but the changes were still unsettling.
Her interest was piqued as she watched two drivers drag a Viper into the middle of the Arena. As Serpentor pulled the helmet from the man, she saw a face that caused her mind to flash back to the battle of the B.E.T.
He was the one who Serpentor had been fighting before the one in red had caused her to -
Pythona clutched at her head as she stumbled for the exit to head back to the lab to ask for another round of tests, but decided against that. She sat and tried to gather her thoughts before moving again.
Barrel Roll and Scarlett waited behind the crates as the elevator doors chimed. The heard footsteps crunching closer to them, and two Vipers rounded the corner.
Scarlett raised her rifle, "Stop right there."
"Easy, Scarlett," Tunnel Rat quickly replied. "It's me and Beach Head - we just upgraded our gear. Glad to see you made it out ok."
That comment took Scarlett by surprise. "Where are Falcon and Jinx?" she asked.
"Were you two not in the crowd?" Beach Head replied.
"What crowd? We were busy getting what we came for," Barrel Roll said, patting his satchel.
"Things got interesting," Beach Head said, frustration in his voice. "Tunnel Rat, you fill them in, I'll keep an eye out."
Serpentor looked over those gathered before him. The ones standing here were more than just numbers in his armies - they were the ones he trusted to make the correct decisions when he wasn't around.
"The GI Joe infiltrator - could your brother be behind this?" Serpentor asked, looking at the Dreadnok twins.
"I would put nothing past him, but I doubt the US government would hire him and he certainly wouldn't do a job for free." Zandar said.
Zarana nodded. "If ya wish, we can put some feelers out to the Dreadnoks and find out where Zartan was last seen. They may have gone to Cobra with Zartan, but there are a few who have drifted away to keep themselves off the radar until a bigger payday pops up."
Serpentor nodded. "Do so - you two leave immediately and contact Overlord as soon as you have any information." Serpentor looked to the man in red and gold. "Are the ground troops prepared for an invasion?"
"Yes, Serpentor," Overlord replied in a thick accent. "The Vipers are as ready as ever and the specialist squads are eager to get their hands dirty. The Frag and H.E.A.T Vipers are anxious to enter into an actual battle."
The Cobra Emperor's mouth twisted into a grin. "And they shall have it soon! Go, prepare them!"
Overlord nodded, spun on his heel, and exited the room.
"Mindbender," Serpentor said, addressing the final person in the room, "What of Destro and Baroness?"
"In Scotland, at Castle Destro," the scientist answered.
"I know their location; I mean their loyalties."
"I don't know wha-"
Serpentor rose from this throne. "You helped create me. You know the intelligence of the minds that are a part of me." He stalked down the stairs. "Also, I am not blind. Baroness does not hide her frustration well and when Destro has reached his limit, he storms off back to his castle to pout like a petulant child."
Dr. Mindbender sighed. "You are not incorrect, my leader."
"What I need to know is will he betray us? Will he side with Cobra Commander?"
"I cannot see that as a possibility," the man answered. "At worst, Destro may sit the battle out entirely - or wait for an opportune time to offer his services to the highest bidder. When it comes to allying himself with the Commander, however, I believe Destro feels he has been deceived too many times."
"Very well. You may return to your work. I'm sure you have some tests to run of some sort. Pythona has not been quite herself and you will do what you can to fix that."
Dr. Mindbender gave no answer but left the room in silence.
Pythona sat on the concrete floor of the alcove. She knew she was not yet healed enough to wander through the grounds beyond the walls of the Terror Drome, but the upper levels were too distracting.
Metal.
Man-made.
She had grown tired of being poked and prodded. Serpentor trusted his scientists to do their best, but she knew it was all guesswork.
She longed to feel the outside air again. To feel the earth beneath her feet. She hoped one day she could return to her homeland and see what still stood, if anything. So far, Serpentor had no answers for her. All his focus for now was on preparing his forces for the coming storm.
She looked down at the Arena which had recently been filled with Serpentor's followers. Her eyes drifted to the dirt floor and she studied all the various tracks left behind.
She stood and pulled her cloak tight around her and descended the carved stairs.
It may not be much but feeling even dirt beneath my feet will be a welcome change.
Jinx stood silent, too nervous to utter a word.
After the two Motor-Vipers had tossed Falcon in a cell next to Snake Eyes, they turned to her.
"This Joe was trying to get into the armory. There're probably others out there so we'll send down someone else to help you stand guard."
One of the Motor-Vipers grabbed the cattle prod from her and jabbed it into Falcon's side. He grunted and collapsed. She held her tongue and nodded, knowing that anything out of the ordinary would get her tossed in the cell next to them and ruin any chance of escape.
He handed the cattle prod back. "We'll have you someone here shortly."
Jinx paced back and forth, tossing glances at her two teammates unconscious before her. Anticipation was eating at her.
Within ten minutes, a new Viper appeared, dressed in a uniform unlike anything she'd ever seen. The uniform looked like it was made of snakeskin and the visor was blood red.
"You," the new Viper said to her, "how long you been down here?"
She heard Falcon grunt and shift himself into a seated position.
"I've only been here half an hour," she answered.
Falcon's head shot up when he heard Jinx's voice.
The Viper's head jerked at the sudden movement. "What? Surprised Cobra let's women fight? We're not as backwards as your government would have you think." He pointed at Jinx still clad in her disguise. "The two of us are more than enough to handle you, soldier boy. I'd suggest you get some rest so you can be ready for a little chat. Trust me, look at your buddy there. That's what happens when you don't answer our questions - you'll want to talk."
Pythona stepped onto the dirt and felt something faint awaken with herself. She had been away from the natural world for too long. She pressed her back against the wall and eased herself into a sitting position.
After she pulled her feet beneath her, she placed her palms on the ground and started to trace spirals at both of her sides.
It was nowhere near the hallowed ground of Cobra La, but it was magnitudes more comforting than cold steel.
She watched as a pair of Motor-Vipers emerged from the armory and another Viper entered to take their place. She appreciated the efficiency of Cobra – it was a far cry from the efficiency of her homeland, but they were only human after all. One day she would tell Serpentor more of the secrets of her civilization, but she needed to know what was left of her people first.
Another pair of Vipers walked to the opposite stairwell and entered the prison area; a smirk eased itself onto her face. They're taking this intrusion seriously.
Perhaps the routine Serpentor had brought to these humans wasn't such a bad thing. Certainty can be a calming force she thought as she let the dirt filter through her fingers.
Jinx continued to bide her time, but the Viper wasn't giving her any sort of opening. She wanted to strike, but the last thing she needed was to find out the new uniforms had some type of added protection.
She turned her head as she heard heavy boots on the stairs.
Great, even more snakes!
The Viper turned his attention to the entrance and spoke up when he saw two Vipers enter. "Our shift's not over yet. I know everyone wants a turn at the fresh meat here, but you need to wait your turn."
The malice in his voice was matched with a level of eagerness that worried Jinx about what this guy would do to Falcon if he got close.
"Hey, I know how wild those GI Joes can be. They all think they're the best of the best and then they stroll into Cobra Island and get caught," the first Viper down the stairs said. "They said they wanted more guards on this guy in case someone tries to bust him out."
Jinx recognized the voice immediately - Beach Head!
"Did they give you a written copy of the orders?" she asked, hoping Beach Head would recognize her voice.
The Viper walked up to Beach Head and held his gloved hand out. "Yeah, if you've got them, I'd love to see 'em."
Jinx noticed a gap in between the back of the helmet and the Viper's fatigues. She took her shot and aimed the cattle prod at the exposed flesh.
He made a sound like a wounded animal, but it was cut short as the Viper behind Beach Head stepped forward at the same time and smashed the butt of his rifle into the Viper's helmet. He collapsed in a quivering heap. "Nighty night," Tunnel Rat said.
The three GI Joe members pulled their helmets off and turned to look at the cell.
"Well, looks like we've got a little more than we bargained for," Beach Head said as he walked over to the cell. "Snake Eyes - is that you?"
The man in black kept his face hidden but nodded.
"Can you move?" Jinx asked.
"If he can't, he can lean on me," Falcon said weakly.
Snake Eyes shook his head and pointed to the downed Viper and motioned to his own bowed head.
Jinx moved closer to the cell. "Do you want a cover?"
Snake Eyes nodded.
Tunnel Rat was next to Jinx working on the rudimentary lock when it released. "There we go," he said.
Jinx hurried in next to her former master, reached into her Viper gear, and pulled out her red hood. She grabbed Snake Eye's hand and placed the mask in it. "I'm gonna need that back when you get your gear settled," she said with a smile.
Snake Eyes held her hand and gave it a light squeeze.
Falcon tried to get to his feet. He was unsteady as he stood. "Ugh, guess I might be the one who needs a hand."
"What about this guy?" Beach Head asked about the unconscious Viper.
"Well, it would be a shame to leave his fancy new gear here when we trade places with him. Maybe I'll try it on for size," Falcon said as they pulled the Viper into the cell.
Pythona took several deep breaths and tried to calm herself.
Even though she was doing what she could, flashes of memory kept returning and the anger threatened to overtake her.
She lifted her head and look around at the broken room. Then something out of the corner of her eye caught her attention.
Two Vipers exited the prison area - followed by two more Vipers that were almost carrying an individual clad in tattered black clothing and a red hood.
How odd.
She stood and waited for them to enter the elevator to see which way they were going. Interrogations usually happened much later in the day.
She watched as the elevator began to descend to the lower levels.
Pythona pulled her cloak tight and narrowed her eyes.
Interrogations also only took place in the upper levels.
Falcon and the rest of the team exited the elevator, removed their helmets, and stood in the tunnel. Falcon looked at Snake Eyes, who was still having difficulty moving, and then back at Beach Head. "We need a plan. I know he's elite, but Snake Eyes is in no shape to make the climb back up to the tunnel we came in through."
"While you were busy napping, we were busy figuring out a way to bust you out," Beach Head said. "In case you haven't noticed, there are two members of the team that aren't here."
"Where are Scarlett and Barrel Roll?" Falcon asked, his voice tinged with anxiety.
"Hopefully sitting in an idling Cobra Moray if our luck holds out," Tunnel Rat said.
Jinx sighed and took off her helmet. "Finally. A mission where no one said anything about my luck."
Behind the team, the elevator chimed and out of the doors stepped a cloaked figure.
Throwing her hood back, Pythona locked eyes with Jinx. "You!"
"Oh crap," Jinx said and lowered herself into a defensive stance. "You guys get Snake Eyes out of here; I'll be right behind you."
Beach Head and Tunnel Rat hurried their teammate down to the docks, but Falcon stayed. "I almost got left behind before and I'm not gonna let that happen to you," he told Jinx.
"Mushy, but appreciated," Jinx said. "Just stay back. There's not a lot of room and this witch is fast."
Pythona stalked down the rough tunnel, her hands dragging along the dirt walls. "You. You are the reason I am here. You are why my people are no more!" Pythona broke into a full run, leaped over Jinx, and struck Falcon in the chest with a solid kick. He rolled backwards and gasped for air.
Falcon clutched at his side. "She hits like a truck! You sure you want me to stay back?"
"Shut up!' Jinx shouted. "I need to concentrate!"
Pythona took several rapid steps toward Jinx, swinging open palm strikes at the ninja. She grunted with each one, putting more force behind each consecutive blow.
Jinx found it challenging, but possible to roll with the strikes as long as she kept enough distance between the two of them. She just had to wait for Pythona to make a mistake. Jinx could see the anger in her opponent. Anger usually led to sloppiness, at least that's what she had noted in many of her early sparring battles.
Pythona dragged a foot along the ground, loosened some dirt, and kicked in in the direction of Jinx's face. The ninja threw both of her arms up to shield her face and that is when Pythona advanced. Jumping through the air, Pythona angled herself at the wall, and dove over her prey.
As she landed behind Jinx, Pythona felt a sensation she had not felt since she had awakened. Her claws emerged and slashed into the stolen uniform Jinx was wearing.
A gut-wrenching scream escaped from Jinx as she dropped to one knee.
Pythona also let out a horrific howl and gripped her hands close to her stomach. She dropped into a fetal position and began shaking. She placed one hand out to try steady herself, but she stopped when she saw blood seeping from her nail beds. "What did you do to me?!"
Falcon struggled to his feet and ran to Jinx's side, picked her up, and moved toward the docks. "Can you hear me?"
"I guess I'm lucky I had on all these layers," Jinx replied in a weak voice. Her legs were heavy and she could tell that Falcon was bearing most of her weight.
As the two of them reached the docks, they saw Beach Head and Tunnel Rat boosting Snake Eyes into a waiting Cobra Moray. Barrel Roll was in the pilot's seat and Scarlett manned the turret.
Beach Head lifted Jinx into the Moray and she stumbled to the co-pilot's seat. "What happened to her," he asked Falcon.
"Later. We've gotta go because I imagine we're gonna have company."
As they pulled away, Scarlett angled the turret at the two other docked Morays and fired until the two ships exploded, scattering debris at the opening of the tunnel from the elevator. "That ought to buy us a little time! Get us out of here and somewhere away from the village."
Barrel Roll nodded and guided them out of the cavern.
As Serpentor exited the elevator at the dock level, he saw Pythona on the ground. Anger burned within him as he ran to her.
"Pythona!' he screamed as he dropped to her side and gently rolled her over.
She looked up at him and held her right hand in front of her face, showing him the damage her nails had done to herself.
"Did they do this to you? I shall have their heads!"
Pythona shook her head and smiled weakly. "No. Not yet." She pushed herself up into a sitting position. "I want to thank them. They have given me hope. I am one step closer to my old self." She held up her hand and looked at the blood dried around her nails. "This shows me that Cobra La will always find a way. My people may still exist."
Serpentor helped her to her feet. "Let me take you to Mindbender. He will know what is happening."
She sighed. "He is a fool, but let him run his tests. Maybe he can understand more and be able to work closely with the scientists of Cobra La?"
"I will send a strike team after the intruders at once."
Pythona grabbed Serpentor's arm violently.
He looked at her, knowing that if anyone else dared such an action he would strike them without a second thought.
"No, as I said, not yet. I want to hunt them personally. I will take everything from them, just as they tried to take everything from me."
Serpentor looked at his queen and simply nodded. "As you command."
Falcon glanced over at Jinx. She was staring into the distance of the underwater scene before her as the SHARC cut through the water. Falcon refocused on the course ahead of them; he knew there would be very little risk of running into anything, but a school of fish or floating debris could still do a number on the expensive piece of equipment.
"Falcon to HQ, come in. Falcon to HQ!" Falcon said into his headset. He had been on edge ever since Pythona had stepped from the elevator.
"GI Joe HQ here. We read you loud and clear Falcon, no need to shout," Breaker replied. "Was the mission a success?"
Falcon was silent for a moment. He thought about the potential secrets they had retrieved from Cobra's computers and the unexpected rescue of Snake Eyes. He looked over at Jinx and worried about getting her medical attention as soon as possible.
"A success, but we might have some new problems. We're going to need medical attention as soon as we hit shore."
Breaker's voice become more somber. "We'll send that order now. Stay focused and get there in one piece."