And now, here's a glimpse of what my version of the Jugglers look like…
A Meeting with the Jugglers
In a secret building hidden away from the prying eyes of the world General Hawk fidgeted in his full dress uniform. "Don't know why I have to wear these damn things," He muttered. "It's not like the public can see any of this or anything."
"It's a formality Hawk," General Flagg told him. "Besides we are now members of the Jugglers, well lower level members anyway."
"Yeah it's the head honchos I'm worried about," Hawk sighed. He knew there were two levels of the Jugglers. He and Flagg were Epsilon Jugglers. There were only about twenty or so of them. They were in charge of only the most secret of bases and the highest security risks. They also kept a pulse on what was happening not only within the different branches of the armed forces but what was going on in the world as well.
The real Jugglers with the power were the Omega Jugglers. There were only a select few of them that made the decisions of how to deal with certain situations and run the armed forces. Sometimes they also made decisions on how to run the government as well. None of the Epsilons knew what the Omegas looked like since they were always in darkened rooms with voice changing apparatus and used different names as well.
True this new batch of Omegas was not as selfish as the previous incarnations and a bit more patriotic. But they still were very powerful and tended to be very interested in increasing their secret finical status. It made Hawk nervous. Very nervous. He prayed he was able to convince them that what he was doing was the right thing.
The doors opened and General Bragg swaggered out. "They're ready for you now," He sneered.
Hawk said nothing, which was just as well because what he wanted to say and do to Bragg would have probably gotten him arrested. Instead he and Flagg walked in. They stood at attention in front of the bench. The nine figures sat there, hidden in the shadows. Their forms were barely outlined in the dark.
"This hearing of the Jugglers Omega is now continued," General White spoke. "Generals White, Black, Brown, Green, Blue, Orange, Gold, Silver, and Red are present. We will now hear from Epsilons Hawk and Flagg on the mutant issue."
"General Hawk it has come to our attention that you are now possess in your custody several mutants," General Brown spoke. "Including those who were born at the Pit."
"Some of us knew about this longer than others," General Orange snapped.
"Orange!" White told him.
"Well I am sorry that I have hurt anyone's feelings," Orange snapped. "But I thought the whole point of this new group of Omegas was not to repeat the mistakes of the past ones! The last batch nearly drove us to the brink of destruction with their secrets and power plays! I do not wish to see that happen again!"
"None of us do," General White said.
"I apologize sirs," Hawk said. "It was not my intent to cause disruption within the ranks."
"No one is blaming you Hawk," Blue said.
"Not yet," Red grumbled.
"Hawk while we all applaud your initiative," General Black said. "We are a bit concerned about your ability to control the mutants."
"Yes," Orange said. "I mean last I checked GI Joe was an anti terrorist unit. Not a mutant babysitting unit!"
"Sir GI Joe is an anti-terrorist unit," Hawk said. "We've fought the most powerful enemies and taken on the most daunting challenges. Many of them you recall have dealt with mutants in the past. We are the only unit that has the most experience in dealing with mutants in the entire United States Army. So it makes sense to train our own team of mutants."
"I think that I speak for all of us that training our own elite team of mutant fighters is a good thing," General Gold spoke. "It's just how we go about it that we need to decide."
"Make no mistake Hawk none of us are so close minded that we think that every mutant out there is evil," General Silver spoke. "There will always be good mutants as well as bad. The question is what is in the best interests of the country? What is the best way we can protect both mutants and humans alike."
"Oh well we can always just lock them up right Silver?" Brown said sarcastically.
"That is not what I said!" Silver snapped.
"No but you were thinking about it!" Brown snapped.
"I am not suggesting concentration camps and you know it!" Silver shouted. "First of all they're too expensive! I am just suggesting certain…training facilities or towns that might be designated areas for mutants to live in. Places where they can live without causing any damage that's all."
"Separate but equal?" Blue spoke out. "I've heard that before!"
"Ever hear of the Constitution Silver?" Brown shouted.
"Have you been watching the news lately?" Gold shouted. "Remember what happens every time a mutant manifests his powers or has a power surge? Like that X-Man at that skateboard incident! Someone could have gotten killed!"
"You have to admit that they do have potential for destruction and damage!" Silver said.
"Oh for crying out loud a person has that same potential every time he drives a car or picks up a gun!" Blue shouted.
"Are we gonna argue about that again?" Black snapped.
"GENTLEMEN!" White bellowed. "Please! This is not the issue here before us today. The issue is whether GI Joe should be allowed to train a team of mutants. Separate from the Area 51 research facility. Now I want to make this clear, we are not, I repeat not considering the fate of the Delgato children. It has already been decided that it is most beneficial that they remain in the custody of their father."
"Yes its the other little maniacs that you have collected we're worried about," General Green told Hawk. "Former associates of the terrorist Magneto. According to these files!" He held one up.
"They're children sir," Hawk said. "They can learn from their mistakes. We are training them not to hate humans, but to help them."
"Well judging by these files these kids need all the help they can get," General Green grumbled. "Look at this one! Alvers, Lance. Codename Avalanche. He's got a history of delinquency, and a juvenile record. He's been mentally, physically and sexually abused. Now thanks to Magneto's experiments he's got psychological problems as well as being unable to fully control his evolving powers."
"That's nothing," General Orange said. "Take a look at the twins' files!"
"Oh yeah?" Silver said. "Wait 'til you get to the Cobra one!"
"No gender?" Gold yelped. "That's impossible!"
"Actually it isn't," Blue said. "Turns out all you have to do is…"
"That's enough," Black said. "The point is what are we going to do with them?"
"I admit this is a good program you have come up with," General Blue spoke. "However is GI Joe really the best place to test it?"
"Sirs," Hawk said solemnly. "I would not be here if I was not 100 percent sure if it was. "Take a look at the data in your files. You'll see the newest progress reports. I am not saying these kids are perfect angels but they are improving. They just starting to realize that not every human wants to hurt them. If they are removed from my custody it will destroy all the progress we've made. Not to mention every chance for rehabilitation. All I am asking is to give us a chance. Give them a chance."
"We will confer on this," said General White. "Generals you may leave now. We will contact you with our decision."
Hawk and Flagg walked out. Bragg was waiting for them. "I think we reached them," Hawk told Flagg.
"Don't be so sure Hawk," Bragg sneered. "I have connections as you well know. You'd better get those muties packed. They're as good as mine."
"Not if I have anything to say about it Bragg," Hawk snapped.
"Don't count your mutants before they're hatched Bragg," Flagg told him. "I fully support General Hawk on this."
"Then you'll both get busted and lose your stars," Bragg said as he walked away. "Which suits me fine."
"How that man got to be in his position amazes even me," Flagg grumbled.
"We can't let Bragg get them," Hawk said. "Or any other one of his cronies. You know what will happen!"
"I know," Flagg sighed. "I just hope your kids can handle this Hawk. Both of our careers are riding on this. If they fail…"
"They won't," Hawk said sternly. "I won't let it happen."