Epilogue

Duke looked at the documents Falcon slid across the table. "First things first - how are you doing?"

Falcon sat down, concern etched on his face. "Me, I'm fine. I'm more worried about Jinx and Snake Eyes. Do we even know how Cobra got their hands on him yet?"

"As far as I know, he was on personal leave. My gut tells me there's more to it than that. Snake Eyes isn't one to wander into a trap, let alone get himself captured by Cobra. What about Jinx?"

"That witch got her good. She seems to be healing, but she's been fatigued - Doc thinks she's fighting off some kind of infection but seeing as how it came from that Cobra La reject, he's not sure exactly how to treat it. Says all he can do is just 'treat her symptoms' - what a load of bull," Falcon said as he slammed his fist on the table.

"Easy there, soldier," Duke said calmly. "I understand how upset you are, but you know Doc is going to do everything he can."

Falcon narrowed his eyes but relented. "Yeah, I know - and I know someone would have to talk you down if it was Scarlett in Jinx's place."

A soft smile appeared on Duke's face. "Thank you for getting her back in one piece. She's been working with Flint and Lady Jaye on how to best prepare a strike team for what your team saw in the Terror Drome and on the island - when that time comes."

"Don't thank me, big brother." Falcon said. "Scarlett had the plan to get on the island and then she and Barrel Roll got the information for us."

"Speaking of that, Breaker's filled me in on what he's been able to decrypt so far. You've already verified that Pythona is alive, but the good news is that Cobra has been unable to find any other remnants of Cobra La."

Falcon nodded. "If she's the last, I'll take that good news."

"Also, good job bringing in that new Viper uniform. Barrel Roll is seeing if he can pick up anything, but he says he's more of a machine guy. We've been in contact with a couple of potential contractors - if they're reliable, maybe we'll have a full-time home for them."

"So, when do we head back to Cobra Island," Falcon asked.

"That's above my pay grade. I know you're eager to get back down there, but General Hawk is going to be the one to make that call - after he gets all the information."

Falcon nodded.

"For now, go check on Jinx and be proud of a job well done - you most likely saved the life of one of our original members."

"Thanks Duke," Falcon said as he rose from his chair. "I'm still shocked that we found Snake Eyes there. Let me know when you find out how Cobra captured him."

"That's next up on my to-do list," Duke said as he placed the paperwork in his desk before heading to the infirmary.

"Stalker, what happened," General Hawk asked. The image showed he was in his private office; this was a one on one debrief.

"It was definitely Cobra. I made it to the surface just in time to see a Mamba fly away."

"And they didn't fire? Could they possibly have thought the base was already a total loss?"

Stalker shook his head. "I don't see how they could have missed us. Everyone was trying to contain the damage for at least ten minutes when the Mamba banked above us and was last seen heading northwest."

"What else? It's been almost 72 hours."

"Feels like longer than that," Stalker replied. "The surface is pretty much rubble and we're seeing if we can salvage any of the vehicles. Lots of dings and scrapes - a few major dings, but luckily, the armored stuff was stronger than the garage. Looks like no explosives were actually placed on the vehicles and if they were, they were duds."

"So, it was a targeted strike - but how could Cobra have tracked you down?"

"My only guess is when the team left Washington they had to have been tracked somehow. Could have been easily overlooked by how hectic everything was - crashing Night Ravens, roads being shut down - bullet-riddled vehicles pulling up to a military base."

Hawk shook his head, but no anger was present in his voice. "I'm sure the mission went as smooth as possible until a major wrench got thrown in the works."

"That's true," Stalker said. "The good news is that we were able to find out who placed the explosives."

"Cobra and explosives - let me guess, Firefly?"

Stalker nodded. "But that's not all. Alpine headed back up the path to retrieve the cameras they sabotaged, but the snakes missed a trail cam that he had set up." He held up two black and white photos - one showed Firefly walking by, the next showed a man and a woman both in black gear, but their faces uncovered. "These two photographs were snapped moments apart. That tells me that Firefly wasn't working alone this time."

"Excellent work! Send copies of those back here and we'll start searching immediately. In the meantime, make sure the base is operational - I'll be sending another dozen or so Joes your way," General Hawk said. "We can't have Cobra hitting you again. I'm glad no one was injured, but I put your team at more risk than they should have been exposed to - for that, I'm sorry."

"No need to apologize General," Stalker said as he shook his head. "It'll take more than a few charges to put a dent in the Joe team."

"That's for sure - I'll contact you with your new roster within the next 48 hours - and you should also be getting deliveries of repair supplies about the same time."

"Thank you, Hawk - keep us posted on the Cobra Island situation when you know more."

"Oh, you can be sure of that - I think we've stepped right into the middle of a snake fight."

Serpentor watched as Pythona entered the throne room, her stride was becoming more confident with each passing day. "Any news from Mindbender?"

"Not yet - he still seems to be drawing blood and just watching my progress," the pale woman said. The color of her facial markings had started to return after the infiltration attempt. She massaged her hands and remembered the pain she felt from her claws.

"Do they still burn?"

She shook her head. "No, that has passed - now it is just a mild ache. But it gets better each time I leave the confines of these walls. I think," she paused momentarily, seeming uncertain of her words, "I want to search for Cobra La."

"What of the Joes who invaded our shores? What of the coming battle with Cobra Commander?" Serpentor asked.

Pythona looked at him. "I understand those are important - but knowing that being among the natural world has allowed me to heal… I can't help but think that maybe time has done the same for my people."

Serpentor took a deep breath. "None of the forces I have sent have found any signs of life - just empty husks and battered armor."

"I know what you have said - and I do not doubt you, my Serpentor - but I need to see it for myself."

Serpentor stood and walked over to her. He placed a hand on her shoulder and pulled her close. "I understand, but I need you at my side for the upcoming battles. As soon as we have finished those, we will continue the search - together."

Pythona placed her head on Serpentor's shoulder. "Then we need to ensure that the battles are swift. I cannot make my people wait forever."

Zartan eased his Swamp Skier alongside the dock and stepped onto the rotting wooden boards. Upkeep here was far from a priority - the nicer something looked, the more likely it became a target of wandering hunters or curious law enforcement. He entered the cabin, headed to the far wall, and pulled an out-of-date calendar aside to reveal a hidden panel. The Dreadnok leader punched in the code and walked down the concealed stairs.

He thought back over the last few days. It had been a long journey from Washington back to Florida and safe spots were few and far between. He was thankful that some of the gas station hideouts scattered across the country were still standing. The only ones that were hit seemed to be the ones where he had stashes of money from his various solo work.

That told him that only two people could have been behind the destruction, and he wanted to know which one was responsible and why.

The motion sensitive lights triggered as he entered the storeroom and seated at the table was one of his two suspects. "Hello, sister," Zartan said, keeping his voice level.

Zarana pulled her rifle up and sat it on the surface before her. "An' hello to you too. Why don't we have a lil' chat about what you're doing here?"

Zartan slowly raised his hands to show they were empty. "I imagine you know why I'm here. Just as I have a good idea about why you've come here."

She shook her head. "This isn't about me. I want to know why you've abandoned the Dreadnoks - abandoned your family."

"Family?" Zartan laughed. "The Dreadnoks are my employees-"

He was interrupted by disassembled weapons being tossed at his feet. Zartan instinctively reached for his pistol, but a hand shot out of the shadows and slapped the weapon away.

Zandar stepped out of hiding and smiled. "I was disappointed you didn't come to check on any of the calling cards I left for you."

Zartan's chest flared with anger.

"Temper, temper," Zarana chided. "Why don'tcha take a seat and let's have a talk about how things are gonna be run from here on out."

"I take it you approve of the new suit, Cobra Commander?" Destro asked as he watched the leader pace around the room.

"You have outdone yourself this time, noble Destro!" Cobra Commander said with a gleeful voice. "With this, I can finally get back to the battlefield and show everyone that I am not the coward they believe I am."

"I do not believe there are many who would think that way - and if there were, I doubt they would be willing to say it to your face."

"That may be, Destro," Cobra Commander said as he removed the armored helmet, "but there are few who would be willing to look me in my face in the best of circumstances."

Destro fought the reflex to pull back in disgust. "You keep your face hidden, so there is that."

"You are one to talk. I keep mine hidden out of self-preservation - you keep yours hidden for some ridiculous tradition."

"I did not come here to have my honor insulted," Destro said. "If you have nothing of substance to say to me, my time can be better spent elsewhere."

"Calm down," Cobra Commander said as he pulled a cloth hood from a pouch and slipped it over his face. "I have missed sparring with you," the Commander paused. "There are not many I would consider an equal, but you are one of the few - but don't expect me to repeat that outside of these walls."

Destro chuckled. "I would never expect that and, quite frankly, I am a little surprised to hear you admit that."

"Perhaps I'm feeling elated over the possibilities this new suit gives me - or that I'm feeling nostalgic for having an ally I can count on even if we do not always see eye to eye."

"Get to the point - what is it you want?"

"I want to take back Cobra Island - and I want you and your forces to fight beside me in the battle."

Destro tilted his head slightly. "I do not believe that is something I can help you with."

"And just why not? Are you scared of what you and Mindbender created? Are you terrified of the creature that now stands at Serpentor's side? She lives, you know - that was the final message that was delivered to me before everything went silent… and a Night Raven crashed into my fortress!" The rage in the man's voice was unmistakable.

"None of that matters," Destro said calmly. "I will not join you in that battle because it would cost me a valuable customer."

"So, profit over everything? Et tu, Destro?" Cobra Commander pulled a laser pistol from his holster and leveled it at his guest. "It pains me to do this, but you're leaving me with little choice."

"By all means, Commander, fire away - if you can."

Cobra Commander squeezed his hand around the grip but could not physically pull the trigger - no matter how hard he tried. "What madness is this?!"

"A new MARS Industry failsafe, Cobra Commander. As long as you wish to wear my armor, you will never make a move against me," Destro spoke as he headed toward the door. "I would suggest that you will forget your inane attempt on my life - I will chalk the momentary lapse in judgment up to your ongoing recovery. If this occurs again, I may be persuaded to enter the upcoming battle, but not in the manner you had wished. Farewell, Commander."

Cobra Commander now found himself frozen in place; the lack of movement now spread throughout his entire body.

"Destro! Get back here!" he screamed at the closing door.

"Are you certain this is a secure channel?"

"I am contacting you from outside of the walls of the Terror Drome as indicated in the message you sent to me and I'm using the device you sent just for this," Dr. Mindbender said. "You tell me just how secure it is."

Dr. Venom's image flickered on the tiny screen. "It is secure enough here because I do not wish for Cobra Commander to know of this information - at least not yet."

"If Serpentor knew I was consulting with an associate of Cobra Commander, he would have me killed - if I were lucky!"

Dr. Venom simply smiled, "Yes, I have heard his temper is something to behold."

"Indeed, it is. Now, tell me quickly why I should even continue to put myself at risk by having this conversation?" Mindbender asked curtly.

"Because, as a fellow scientist, I think you may find the data I have very interesting - data on the Commander and the lingering effects of the so-called mutation spores."

Dr. Mindbender shook his head slightly. "The spores were all destroyed - why would I want data on something that I can never use?"

"Because, Dr. Mindbender, I believe I have found a way to replicate the spores' effects based on what I've noted in the Commander's blood work."

"You have my undivided attention," Dr. Mindbender said with widening eyes.

If you made it this far, thank you for giving my story a chance. I would love to hear your thoughts on it! Obviously, the epilogue sets up for plenty of potential stories/'episodes' if there is interest.