Romance! Adventure! Committees!

Lance wandered through the small village aimlessly taking in the sights. The kids had been allowed to look around before the big meeting. Everything looks like it came straight out of the sixties, He thought. Lotta hippies around here. Nothing that interesting to see.

"Hello Lance," Willow appeared. She was wearing a long skirt made of leaves that had a high slit on the side. Her top consisted of some strategically placed leaves and nothing else.

Okay maybe I spoke too soon, Lance thought.

"Hi Willow," Lance blinked. "Uh…nice dress."

"Thank you," She smiled. "Would you like to take a walk with me?"

"Uh okay," Lance followed her.

"I heard that you and some of the others were part of an organization called the Brotherhood," She said.

"Yeah that was before we realized what a total nutcase Magneto was," Lance sighed. "Nearly got us killed."

"That's awful," She shook her head. "How did you end up with a madman like that?"

"It's a long story," Lance sighed.

"I'll understand if you don't want to tell me," Willow said.

"No, no I don't mind," Lance said. "The basic stuff is that well…I didn't have anywhere else to go. There's a lot more to it than that, but it's…well a very long story. And complicated. And there's stuff I did that I'm not exactly proud of."

"What about your family?" Willow asked. "Didn't they accept you?"

"I…don't have any real family," Lance told her. "My parents died when I was little and my life has been one foster home or orphanage after another. Until I ended up with the Brotherhood."

"I'm sorry," Willow shook her head. "My mother died when I was very young. She was killed by a scientist."

"Now I'm sorry," Lance said.

"Don't be," She shook her head. "My mother died saving the lives of myself and other children. I'm proud of her. Her spirit still lives on in these woods."

They walked in silence for a while. "So what exactly do you guys do around here?" Lance asked.

"Commune with nature," She told him. "Try to get in touch with our inner selves. We also take care of each other. We all take turns doing chores but that's not all we do. We have festivals and dances. We do a lot of singing and playing." She pointed to a group of mutants playing a game that looked like hackeysack with several balls. "Want to join them?"

"Well…" Lance started to say before she grabbed him by the arm. "Why not?" They joined the game effortlessly. There didn't seem to be any rules other than keep the ball in play without using one's hands. Even though Lance kept dropping the balls the others didn't seem to mind. In fact, they seemed happy that he joined them.

Lance couldn't help but laugh and enjoy himself. There was something about Willow that made him feel so at ease. After a while they left the game and before he knew it they started chasing each other in a demented game of tag. Willow then tackled Lance and they ended up rolling around laughing in the grass.

"I can't believe this!" Lance laughed as he lay back in the grass. "I haven't played like this since I was a little kid!"

"We believe play is just as important as work," Willow told him. "It provides balance and harmony."

"Well you must be doing something right," Lance told her. "I never dreamed that there was a place for mutants like this."

"You must think our little village is so limited what with all your travels," Willow sighed.

"Actually it's not so bad," Lance looked around. "It's really nice. One of the most peaceful places I've ever been. I wish I knew about this place when I was growing up. Would have probably saved me a lot of trouble."

"Was it really that hard growing up?" She asked. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to pry. I just…"

"No, no it's okay," Lance told her. "It's just…there's a lot of stuff I went through that's…not really pleasant to talk about. People always thought I was a hood or something to be used. I never really had anyone who cared about me until I met the guys I live with now."

"No special girl?" She asked.

"There was one," Lance sighed. "I thought she was different. But…Well, let's just say things kept going wrong all the time. I messed it up."

"I find that hard to believe," She took his face in her hands. "You seem so gentle underneath your tough exterior."

Lance blushed. "Well…I…um…"

Willow kissed him. Lance blushed again as he pulled away. She giggled. "You are sweet. And so innocent."

"I'm not innocent!" Lance protested. "N-not in that way!"

"In what way?" She asked.

"Well, whatever way you think I am," Lance gulped as she leaned closer to him. "I mean I…I…I've been…"

"So you have made love before," She grinned.

"Well, I've had sex yeah," Lance gulped. "Technically."

"Technically?" She asked. "You mean you didn't give yourself to someone, but simply…?"

"Well it wasn't exactly my idea in the first place if you get my drift," Lance admitted.

"Oh," She said. "Wait, but you never gave permission right? So you really didn't give of yourself. So technically in the Eloi sense, you still are an innocent."

"The Eloi sense?" Lance blinked.

"Here sex is not simply sex," She said. "It is freely giving of oneself. A shared experience. There is no possessiveness, but a freedom. We Eloi do not have sex, we make love."

"Really?" Lance gulped. "Is it warm around here or is it just me?"

"Come with me," Willow stood up and helped him up. She led him by the hand.

"Okay," Lance said allowing her to pull him away to a secluded spot.

"Isn't it a warm day?" She laughed. "Don't you just feel like being free?"

"Yes, yes I do. Freedom is nice. Heck freedom is great! Um," Lance blinked. "Willow, where are we going?"

"Somewhere where you can show me what you look like without your uniform," She smiled.

Lance blinked again. "Okay…" And followed her into a nearby grotto.

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"The Committee of Worried Mutants Against Oppression will now take the floor," Mole called out. He was at the head of a large circle filled with mutants and Joes.

A tall woman stood up. "Brother Mole, fellow Eloi and honored guests. I am the first to admit that we are not adequately prepared for an invasion of the type that GI Joe has described. However, is it wise to act so aggressively against these humans? Can't we just send a delegation over and ask them to leave nicely?"

"I'll send them a delegation all right!" Mrs. S stood up. "A delegation of five!" She held up her hand and made a fist. "One, two, three, four five!"

A cheer went up from the Outriders. "That's tellin' her baby!" Hound Dog howled.

"Excuse me," A female bird like mutant stood up. "As the Chairwoman of the Committee of Female Independence Against Sexual Stereotypes I would like Brother Hound Dog to apologize for that remark! It's degrading to women!"

"Oh for crying out loud!" A man stood up. "I'm a member of the Males Against Violence and Bad Things Towards Women Committee and even I know he didn't say it in a degrading manner. Any idiot knows Hound Dog didn't mean anything by it! Did you Hound Dog?"

"No and Mrs. S don't mind do ya?" Hound Dog asked.

"Seeing as I'm twice the age of most of you I'm thrilled just to be alive!" Mrs. S said. "And as Chairwoman of the Committee to End Age Discrimination I'm for it!"

"Um, I hate to interrupt this fascinating debate but I think we're getting a little off the track here," Mole said. "You all have very valid points but right now we need to decide what we are going to do about this Trask person. Now you've all heard the Joe's report. This guy doesn't seem to be the type to sit down and listen to a debate."

"How do you know that?" A woman stood up. "As a member of the Let's Give Peace a Chance Committee how do you know he wouldn't listen to reason. Maybe if we show him we're peaceful…"

"Oh yeah that will work," Thorn groaned. "Face it sister, this guy would love nothing more than to see all of us blown to pieces!"

"Well maybe not," Another mutant stood up. "Mrs. S you're a telepath, can't you just change his mind for him?"

"As Chairwoman of the Committee of Telepaths Against Mental Cruelty I am going to forget you said that!" Mrs. S shouted. "It's barbaric to do that!"

"Oh but it's not barbaric of them to attack us?" Another mutant stood up. "I'm with the Committee of Non-Violent Mutants Against Violence! I say we change their memories around and let 'em around. This way no body gets hurt! So we change a few memories around so they'll be nice people? What's the harm?"

"Sounds like this guy and Xavier would get along like peas in a pod," Wanda grumbled. She and most of the Misfits were sitting next to the Outriders.

"Excuse me did everyone forget what committee I'm on?" Mrs. S stood up. "Also as a member of the Committee Against Mutant Stereotypes I am against this!"

"How many committees are there here?" Pietro asked.

"God only knows," Thorn grumbled. "And everyone here belongs to at least two or three of them."

An argument broke out. "All I am saying is that having armed soldiers in camp defeats the very purpose of this village," A mutant spoke.

"There won't be a village if Trask invades with Cobra you daft boy!" Mrs. S snapped. "We need all the help we can get."

"I'm not so sure we can't take care of this ourselves," Another mutant stood up. "I mean no offense but you guys have already eaten half of our stores!"

"Sorry about that," Fred apologized.

"The Cleanup Committee is not exactly thrilled about this either," Another mutant snapped. "But at least we can recognize the need for flexibility in case of emergencies!"

"Are you judging me?" The one mutant snapped. "Are you saying I'm not tolerant of other people?"

"In a word, pretty much," The other mutant said.

"Okay I'm gonna clean your clock!" He shouted. Several mutants restrained them.

"People! People!" Mole called out. "Let's all get centered now! Let's go find our calm place!"

"How about you go jump in the lake?" Another mutant snapped. Then the arguing began again.

"We have to fight!"

"No we don't! Maybe we could just send a cake?"

"As long as it has a bomb in it, that's fine with me!"

"If you don't calm down and be peaceful I'm gonna knock the living daylights out of you!"

"Make me!"

"People please calm yourself this isn't getting us anywhere!" Mole shouted.

"How could it?" One woman stood up. "I've said years ago that we should change the rules of the meetings! This whole procedure is biased against harmony and order."

"Not to mention biased against us goldfish!" Someone shouted from the back.

"Shut up Herbert!" Hound Dog snapped.

"Make me!" Herbert shouted. "I'll teach you a lesson!"

"Oh what are you gonna do?" Hound Dog snickered. "Spit water at me?"

"I can't take much more of this!" Althea groaned. "No wonder I've never heard of the Eloi before!"

"I got an idea," Fred said. Then he bellowed. "SHUT UP!"

Everyone stopped arguing. "Well that was rude," One mutant said.

"Sorry," Fred apologized. "But you all aren't supposed to be fighting each other."
"He's right," One mutant said. "I apologize."

"I'm sorry too." Suddenly the whole group was apologizing to each other.

"Boy Lance is lucky he's missing this," Pietro groaned. "Why didn't he show up?"

"Maybe because he's smart," Hepcat sighed.

"Hey there he is!" Wanda pointed. There was Lance strolling in. He was holding hands with Willow and had a huge smile on his face.

"Where the heck have you been?" Todd asked. "You missed everything!"

"Wanna bet?" Thorn grumbled.

"Guys I love it here!" Lance sighed happily.

"Big surprise," Thorn grumbled. "Let me guess, she showed you the grotto? Am I right?"

"How'd you know?" Lance blinked.

"It's a popular tourist attraction," Thorn grumbled. "Well Willow, I see you didn't waste any time today."

"Speaking of wasting time," Althea grumbled. She stood up. "ALL OF YOU KNOCK IT OFF! Look I know I'm an outsider here and it isn't any of my business how you run your village, but we really need to work together. These people care only about destroying mutant lives, plain and simple. I mean do you really think Trask and his flunkies are that disorganized? Do you?"

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At the exact same time Trask was awaiting the right moment to strike when an aide appeared. "Sir! Several gentlemen to see you! They say they're reinforcements!"

"Excellent, let's go see them!" He walked over and stopped. His jaw dropped when he saw the Dreadnoks.

"YOU?" Trask shouted. "What are you maniacs doing here?"

"Hey Traskie!" Monkeywrench waved from his Harley. "We're your backup."

"What?" Trask gasped.

"Bragg sent us along to help you," Buzzer told him.

"There is no way in hell that I am working with you idiots!" Trask snarled. "You nearly got my Sentinels stolen and sold them to Cobra!"

"Well who do you think has been helping you out lately?" Buzzer snapped.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN COBRA IS HELPING FUND MY PROJECT?" Trask shouted.

"You mean you didn't know?" Buzzer asked. "Fancy that!"

"Bragg made a deal with Cobra Commander," Ripper said. "You scratch our backs, we'll scratch yours."

"NO!" Trask snapped. "I may be a lot of things but I would never sell out my country! I will never work with terrorist scum like you!"

"Who are you calling terrorist scum?" Monkeywrench snapped.

"Now if that ain't the pot calling the kettle black I don't know what is!" Buzzer snapped.

"Unlike you I am more particular of who I work for!" Trask shouted. "I don't work for genetic trash like your boss and his worthless family!"

"What did you say?" Road Pig asked in a dangerous voice.

"Uh oh…" Ripper said.

"I'd apologize if I were you," Buzzer said to Trask.

"There is no way in hell I would apologize to some leather clad weirdo about some freaks!" Trask snapped.

"WHAT?" Road Pig shouted.

"Easy boy!" Monkeywrench said. "Look Trask, we don't like you neither but we are working together like it or not! Our orders were to help you out in exchange for a couple of mutants and the Sentinel so…"

"I don't think so," Trask snapped his fingers. Immediately all his men readied their weapons. "Deal's off."

"Oh really?" Monkeywrench snapped his fingers. Immediately dozens of Cobra Troops appeared out of nowhere bearing arms. "You wanna read the fine print first?"

"There's no way I'd let my precious Sentinel fall into the hands of the likes of you!" Trask shouted. "Street trash!"

"THAT'S ALL I CAN STAND!" Road Pig bellowed. "AND I CAN'T STANDS NO MORE!"

"Now you've done it," Buzzer sighed just before Road Pig attacked. "Oh what the hell! Let's trash these twits and just take what we want anyway! COBRAAAAAA!"

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The explosion could be heard for miles. "WHAT WAS THAT?" Mole shouted.

"It came from the mountain!" Flint pointed out. "Come on, let's go!"

"YO JOE!" The Joes shouted.

"We really need a catchphrase," Pietro grumbled.

They didn't have to go very far to see what was happening. Pietro ran up and back to report. "You're not gonna believe this!" He told them. "Trask is fighting with the Dreadnoks and Cobra soldiers!"

"I don't believe what I see!" Roadblock gasped. "Infighting among the enemy!"

"Cobra must be trying to horn in on Trask's party," Flint said.

"Well since they've already crashed it, let's invite ourselves!" Lance said. He sent out a tremor towards them.

"What was that?" Trask yelled.

"I think I know," Monkeywrench gulped. He looked at the attacking army. "I was right! It's GI Joe!"

"And their little mutant brigade!" Buzzer shouted. "Okay! EVERYBODY GET THE JOES! FORGET TRASK!"

Trask saw his opportunity. "Pull back! Get the Sentinel out of here!" They made their escape while the Joes and the Misfits attacked the Cobras. The Outriders helped as well. Thorn used the plants to attack and send several Cobras into the trees. Lance sent off more earthquakes as well as Fred trashing the Cobra vehicles.

One Cobra managed to lob something that fell at Althea's feet just as she was knocking out a Cobra soldier. "Gas grenade!" Althea gasped just before she fell. Pietro grabbed her and ran off but the gas soon effected him as well. He collapsed on the ground unconscious, unaware that others saw the two of them. Pairs of feet surrounded the two.

Back on the battlefield the fight ended pretty quickly. "Well," Hound Dog quipped at several soldiers tangled in vines. "Looks like we got this party tied up."

"Something's not right," Flint said. "That was too easy."

"I agree," Roadblock nodded. "But what's wrong I don't see."

"Quicksilver and Wavedancer are gone!" Todd shouted.

"Trask?" Flint asked.

"No," Mrs. S placed her hands to her temple. "I don't sense their thoughts nearby. They're much further away but I can tell that none of Trask's men were able to capture them."

"But if Trask didn't get them, who did?" Lance asked.

"Fan out and look for them!" Flint ordered. Several hours later they all returned to camp. "Nothing?"

"No trace of them!" Todd said, he was nearly hysterical. "They're nowhere! We gotta find them Flint! We just gotta!"

"Take it easy Toad they have to be around here someplace," Flint told him.

"Maybe not," Hound Dog walked up with a bandana. "I smelled the kids and the toxic remains of a helicopter a few miles back. It took off a few hours ago by the smell of it. I found this too, it's covered with jelly doughnut stains."

"Oh no…" Roadblock gasped.

************************************************************************

"Quicksilver! Quickie wake up!"

Pietro opened his eyes and saw Althea sitting over him. "You look awful," He remarked.

"Yeah well we could both end up feeling a lot worse," She pointed out. They were both in a cell deep underground somewhere. "I think we're the only ones who got caught. I don't see the others anywhere."

"Oh great," Pietro grumbled. "Now where are we? I'll bet Trask is behind this!"

"Who the hell is Trask?" A figure called out from the cell across from theirs. He wore a blue uniform with a tattered cowl. "What the hell is Zartan doing with Cobra? Somebody give me some answers now!"

Next: An exciting chapter! Will Althea and Pietro escape? What's Cobra Commander been up to? What will happen next? Stay tuned for excitement, betrayal, and surprising plot developments!