Right, as of yet, no one has identified the watcher. This is the last
chapter for him. Second order of business, I would like to thank all of
you wonderful people for reviewing me. Finally, next chapter I will have
a new reviewer challenge, however, I am changing the prize to something
that's actually appealing, an Evo pic! Now that that's all out of the way,
let's get on with the bloody story. In this chapter we see just what's
going on in the resistance and Cobra.
Chains of Command
In a darkened room in a private residence in what was once New York City before Cobra took over, the leaders of the Resistance met.
Gathered around a table strewn with various maps and charts were Hawk, Xavier, Fury, and Spyke.
Xavier spoke up, "General Hawk, I find this entirely unacceptable. We have had no radio contact with the infiltration team. Further more, they did not arrive at the rendezvous point. Now you're telling me to just sit back and do nothing?"
"What I am telling you Professor is that I have already dispatched a squad to deal with it."
"One squad?!" Yelled Xavier. "The fate of some of the best fighters in the Resistance rests on the shoulders of a single squad? I'd come to expect better judgment from you than that."
"Much as I trust in your experience Hawk," said Fury, "I have to agree with Xavier. How many men in this squad?"
"Only four, but I have confidence in their ability,"
Xavier cut him off, "I have no confidence in the ability of a four man squad attacking one of Cobra's most heavily fortified bases to do anything besides get themselves, and the men they're supposed to be rescuing killed!"
Spyke joined in the conversation. "As the representative of the Morlocks, I would like to point out that it's not the number of a team that matters, but their skill," he turned to Hawk, "General, if you wouldn't mind sharing with the rest of us, what squad exactly did you send?"
A slow smile crept across Hawks features. "I sent the squad I thought best equipped to handle anything that might come up." He paused, and then went on, "Sgt. Slaughter and his boys."
Xavier nodded thoughtfully, "I would like to withdraw my earlier statement, if anyone can do this it's them."
"I wouldn't like to be the Cobra's on guard at that base right about now." Said Fury. Spyke nodded his agreement. ***********************************************************************
Jean and Althea were handing out weapons to a group of hardened resistance fighters.
"Alright." Said Althea, "Your job is simple. We're going to Death Valley. Cobra has set up a mutant research facility there. Team Alpha will concentrate on trashing the labs and equipment. That takes up the majority of the compound. Jean will be the leader of that team. Team Beta will strike the containment facilities, here." She pointed to a map. "I'll head this team. Team Omega will attempt to rob the arsenal, here. " She pointed to another spot on the map
"These last two parts of the mission in particular are crucial," said Jean, "In addition to preventing Cobra from starting a mutant army, we'll be boosting our own firepower. Not to mention the possibility that some of the mutants might join the resistance."
"Who will be heading Team Omega?" asked somebody in the group.
"I will." Said Cyclops from the back of the room. "The mission was designed to be headed by Toad, but he is currently on another assignment. I'll do the best I can to fill in for him." ***********************************************************************
Before they left, Jean put her hand on Althea's shoulder. "You okay?"
"Yeah," sighed Althea, "I'm just worried about Toad."
"I can understand that. I get really nervous whenever Scott's away for longer than he needs to be." She shook her head, "And to think that just six months ago, my biggest worry was passing my GED."
"Yeah, well, life's crazy sometimes. And having the whole world turned upside down doesn't exactly help. Keep your eyes open out there. Rumor is Cobra's making a lot more progress than our intelligence anticipated."
"I'll keep that in mind. Let's go, the troops are waiting for us," ***********************************************************************
Cobra Commander paced his office. "Mindbender," he said, with unusual calm.
"Yes sir?" asked Mindbender with apprehension, Cobra Commander was never this calm, unless he was setting somebody up with a false set of security.
"What is the status of the experiments you are currently conducting in Death Valley?"
"I have made considerable progress in the subliminal messages we're using on the captured mutants, in fact in no less than a month they should be completely under our control. Then we can use them to lash out and destroy London, Moscow, Paris, Madrid, and the capitals of any others who oppose us."
"As fascinating as that is." Said Cobra Commander dryly, "You know very well that that wasn't what I meant. As long as we are using subliminal messages to control our captives, we're limited to the continually decreasing amount of mutants we can capture. Not to mention that, if Dark Beasts latest reports are true, the subliminal messages are killing a significant percentage of them." He looked at Mindbender, "Speaking of which, I note that you neglected to inform me of that interesting side effect."
"Um, I'm only a few days away from fixing that. I didn't see any reason that you needed to know about that temporary set back."
"I require you to inform me of any set back, no matter how temporary. Be sure that you remember that in the future. But that's not why I summoned you here. I want to know how you're doing with mutating already loyal Cobra soldiers. We certainly have enough of them."
"Well, we're running into some problems with the genetic splicing."
"Mindbender, I don't want excuses. Give me your best estimate as to when you can do it."
"I would say, at the very least, I will need another six months. That is, if no further problems develop."
"That is completely unacceptable. I need them in three months at the very least."
"Cobra Commander, the resources you have given me will not allow me to completely mutate the soldiers within your deadline."
"Well, in that case, I'll have to put someone on the job who can. Dark Beast will be replacing you."
"Sir, you can't mean that."
"I most certainly can. You forget who's the ruler of half the world. I am, you are not. Dark Beast shall be replacing you. That is my final word on the matter. You will be conducting less vital experiments. In Antarctica."
"But sir!"
"No buts Mindbender. You have failed me, and this is your punishment. That is all; you are dismissed. Your transport is waiting."
"Yes sir." ***********************************************************************
Destro and Dark Beast met in a darkened room of an old abandoned fort. Destro said, "Alpha Omega Theta."
"Beta Delta." Answered Dark Beast. "Good to know it's you."
"Likewise. How is the plan coming?"
"Well, I have reason to believe that Cobra Commander plans to transport me to Death Valley."
"Excellent. You should be able to make good use of the subliminal programming equipment."
"Yes, but I need to make the final adjustment to the shapeshifters'* programming before I leave."
"Understood, see that you do."
"I will, and then, when the time is right, we shall dispose of that dolt Cobra Commander and replace him with one of the shapeshifters."
"And then we shall rule Cobra."
"That is the plan." Replied Beast, but he was thinking 'Actually my dear Destro, then I shall rule Cobra alone.'
"Very good." Answered Destro, all the while thinking, 'And after you complete the adjustments, I shall dispose of you.' ***********************************************************************
When Mindbender left, he didn't go to the waiting transport. He went down into his quarters, pulled out a vial of clear liquid, and some sort of spraying apparatus, and put them carefully in a bag. Then he pulled out a small device that looked like a detonator, and a walkie-talkie. Only then did he go to the waiting transport.
As he walked out of the room he was muttering to himself, "Damn Cobra Commander. Thinks he knows everything that goes in Death Valley. Thinks I don't have a brain in my head. Well, after my plan unwinds he'll realize that I do." ***********************************************************************
The Baroness turned to the group of six women assembled in front of her. They were her personal guard, and loyal to her above all others. "Women, our days of bowing to that over pompous snake Cobra Commander and his second in command Destro, are over. In exactly three hours we shall act, and kill them both. Then I shall assume my rightful place at the head of Cobra."
Cheers went up from the group. "Down with Cobra Commander! Down with Destro! Up with the Baroness!"
"Now, go, and prepare yourselves for the time we act!"
***********************************************************************
Zanya sat back in her chair, and watched all of these events transpire, through a network of spy bugs. Her aunt, Zarana, stood behind her.
"All this is quite interesting, but whom shall we sell our services to?" Zarana asked.
"Who ever pays us the highest amount of money, as always." Answered Zanya automatically.
The Dreadknocks, who were also in the room snickered. "Yeah Zarana, isn't that what we normally do?" Asked Torch.
"It is a rather redundant question considering we are a group of mercenaries." Said Road Pig. "Yeah, It's obvious!"
Well, double dealing and backstabbing. What's Mindbender up to now? What's going on in Death Valley? And where does the Brotherhood fit into all of this? Find out next chapter, just as soon as you review that is.
Chains of Command
In a darkened room in a private residence in what was once New York City before Cobra took over, the leaders of the Resistance met.
Gathered around a table strewn with various maps and charts were Hawk, Xavier, Fury, and Spyke.
Xavier spoke up, "General Hawk, I find this entirely unacceptable. We have had no radio contact with the infiltration team. Further more, they did not arrive at the rendezvous point. Now you're telling me to just sit back and do nothing?"
"What I am telling you Professor is that I have already dispatched a squad to deal with it."
"One squad?!" Yelled Xavier. "The fate of some of the best fighters in the Resistance rests on the shoulders of a single squad? I'd come to expect better judgment from you than that."
"Much as I trust in your experience Hawk," said Fury, "I have to agree with Xavier. How many men in this squad?"
"Only four, but I have confidence in their ability,"
Xavier cut him off, "I have no confidence in the ability of a four man squad attacking one of Cobra's most heavily fortified bases to do anything besides get themselves, and the men they're supposed to be rescuing killed!"
Spyke joined in the conversation. "As the representative of the Morlocks, I would like to point out that it's not the number of a team that matters, but their skill," he turned to Hawk, "General, if you wouldn't mind sharing with the rest of us, what squad exactly did you send?"
A slow smile crept across Hawks features. "I sent the squad I thought best equipped to handle anything that might come up." He paused, and then went on, "Sgt. Slaughter and his boys."
Xavier nodded thoughtfully, "I would like to withdraw my earlier statement, if anyone can do this it's them."
"I wouldn't like to be the Cobra's on guard at that base right about now." Said Fury. Spyke nodded his agreement. ***********************************************************************
Jean and Althea were handing out weapons to a group of hardened resistance fighters.
"Alright." Said Althea, "Your job is simple. We're going to Death Valley. Cobra has set up a mutant research facility there. Team Alpha will concentrate on trashing the labs and equipment. That takes up the majority of the compound. Jean will be the leader of that team. Team Beta will strike the containment facilities, here." She pointed to a map. "I'll head this team. Team Omega will attempt to rob the arsenal, here. " She pointed to another spot on the map
"These last two parts of the mission in particular are crucial," said Jean, "In addition to preventing Cobra from starting a mutant army, we'll be boosting our own firepower. Not to mention the possibility that some of the mutants might join the resistance."
"Who will be heading Team Omega?" asked somebody in the group.
"I will." Said Cyclops from the back of the room. "The mission was designed to be headed by Toad, but he is currently on another assignment. I'll do the best I can to fill in for him." ***********************************************************************
Before they left, Jean put her hand on Althea's shoulder. "You okay?"
"Yeah," sighed Althea, "I'm just worried about Toad."
"I can understand that. I get really nervous whenever Scott's away for longer than he needs to be." She shook her head, "And to think that just six months ago, my biggest worry was passing my GED."
"Yeah, well, life's crazy sometimes. And having the whole world turned upside down doesn't exactly help. Keep your eyes open out there. Rumor is Cobra's making a lot more progress than our intelligence anticipated."
"I'll keep that in mind. Let's go, the troops are waiting for us," ***********************************************************************
Cobra Commander paced his office. "Mindbender," he said, with unusual calm.
"Yes sir?" asked Mindbender with apprehension, Cobra Commander was never this calm, unless he was setting somebody up with a false set of security.
"What is the status of the experiments you are currently conducting in Death Valley?"
"I have made considerable progress in the subliminal messages we're using on the captured mutants, in fact in no less than a month they should be completely under our control. Then we can use them to lash out and destroy London, Moscow, Paris, Madrid, and the capitals of any others who oppose us."
"As fascinating as that is." Said Cobra Commander dryly, "You know very well that that wasn't what I meant. As long as we are using subliminal messages to control our captives, we're limited to the continually decreasing amount of mutants we can capture. Not to mention that, if Dark Beasts latest reports are true, the subliminal messages are killing a significant percentage of them." He looked at Mindbender, "Speaking of which, I note that you neglected to inform me of that interesting side effect."
"Um, I'm only a few days away from fixing that. I didn't see any reason that you needed to know about that temporary set back."
"I require you to inform me of any set back, no matter how temporary. Be sure that you remember that in the future. But that's not why I summoned you here. I want to know how you're doing with mutating already loyal Cobra soldiers. We certainly have enough of them."
"Well, we're running into some problems with the genetic splicing."
"Mindbender, I don't want excuses. Give me your best estimate as to when you can do it."
"I would say, at the very least, I will need another six months. That is, if no further problems develop."
"That is completely unacceptable. I need them in three months at the very least."
"Cobra Commander, the resources you have given me will not allow me to completely mutate the soldiers within your deadline."
"Well, in that case, I'll have to put someone on the job who can. Dark Beast will be replacing you."
"Sir, you can't mean that."
"I most certainly can. You forget who's the ruler of half the world. I am, you are not. Dark Beast shall be replacing you. That is my final word on the matter. You will be conducting less vital experiments. In Antarctica."
"But sir!"
"No buts Mindbender. You have failed me, and this is your punishment. That is all; you are dismissed. Your transport is waiting."
"Yes sir." ***********************************************************************
Destro and Dark Beast met in a darkened room of an old abandoned fort. Destro said, "Alpha Omega Theta."
"Beta Delta." Answered Dark Beast. "Good to know it's you."
"Likewise. How is the plan coming?"
"Well, I have reason to believe that Cobra Commander plans to transport me to Death Valley."
"Excellent. You should be able to make good use of the subliminal programming equipment."
"Yes, but I need to make the final adjustment to the shapeshifters'* programming before I leave."
"Understood, see that you do."
"I will, and then, when the time is right, we shall dispose of that dolt Cobra Commander and replace him with one of the shapeshifters."
"And then we shall rule Cobra."
"That is the plan." Replied Beast, but he was thinking 'Actually my dear Destro, then I shall rule Cobra alone.'
"Very good." Answered Destro, all the while thinking, 'And after you complete the adjustments, I shall dispose of you.' ***********************************************************************
When Mindbender left, he didn't go to the waiting transport. He went down into his quarters, pulled out a vial of clear liquid, and some sort of spraying apparatus, and put them carefully in a bag. Then he pulled out a small device that looked like a detonator, and a walkie-talkie. Only then did he go to the waiting transport.
As he walked out of the room he was muttering to himself, "Damn Cobra Commander. Thinks he knows everything that goes in Death Valley. Thinks I don't have a brain in my head. Well, after my plan unwinds he'll realize that I do." ***********************************************************************
The Baroness turned to the group of six women assembled in front of her. They were her personal guard, and loyal to her above all others. "Women, our days of bowing to that over pompous snake Cobra Commander and his second in command Destro, are over. In exactly three hours we shall act, and kill them both. Then I shall assume my rightful place at the head of Cobra."
Cheers went up from the group. "Down with Cobra Commander! Down with Destro! Up with the Baroness!"
"Now, go, and prepare yourselves for the time we act!"
***********************************************************************
Zanya sat back in her chair, and watched all of these events transpire, through a network of spy bugs. Her aunt, Zarana, stood behind her.
"All this is quite interesting, but whom shall we sell our services to?" Zarana asked.
"Who ever pays us the highest amount of money, as always." Answered Zanya automatically.
The Dreadknocks, who were also in the room snickered. "Yeah Zarana, isn't that what we normally do?" Asked Torch.
"It is a rather redundant question considering we are a group of mercenaries." Said Road Pig. "Yeah, It's obvious!"
Well, double dealing and backstabbing. What's Mindbender up to now? What's going on in Death Valley? And where does the Brotherhood fit into all of this? Find out next chapter, just as soon as you review that is.