"CRIMSON CRISES"
Part 1:
"Snake Eyes In Chains"
The blond-haired prisoner pulled at his chains with iron clasps shackled around his wrists. He was fit and strong, but not even his strength could rip them from the steel wall.
He was in a ten by ten cell with a barred door with only the corridor illumination providing a light source and access to the outside world. He had underestimated his enemy and it had cost him.
He had to reside to the fact that he wouldn't be able free himself from the clutches of the sadistic individuals that kept him here, two individuals who were closely associated with Cobra.
Within Enterprise City, stood two tall towers standing side-by-side, known as Extensive Enterprises, which held within their portfolio a conglomerate of corporate businesses that funnelled wealth to Cobra under the guise of legitimate holdings owned and operated by a pair of twin identical brothers named Tomax and Xamot.
He had infiltrated Extensive Enterprises as an employee. His mission was to get in and out without being noticed while wearing a disguise. A governmental agent within the CIA who was undercover had gone missing. Two days ago they lost contact. No questions were asked of the infiltrator and he had no problems conducting the mission.
Besides, if he got into trouble, he had certain skills that would aid him.
His face was scarred, but the disguise hid these facial imperfections. His voice was another matter. But his mission wasn't to talk to anyone and if someone attempted to, he would fake he had a sore throat and would pretend to save his voice.
He had managed to snoop around for clues to the whereabouts of the missing CIA agent and even caught a glimpse of the Crimson Twins as they were better known as to GIJOE.
But the plan was short-lived when Cobra Commander made an unscheduled visit to Extensive Enterprises through secret means and one of the Cobra leader's entourage decided to cause a little bit of trouble. It was Scrap-Iron, a man known loyal only to money. And a scuffle ensued which resulted in the man's moulded mask to come off.
Cobra Commander recognized "Snake Eyes" immediately with both men having a history. Snake Eyes family was killed in a car crash that also killed Cobra Commander's brother. Cobra Commander blamed Snake Eyes for the tragedy since he was the lone survivor of the family.
The result, Snake Eyes was taken prisoner, and put in a secret jail cell deep within EE. Within the cell was the missing CIA agent also chained to the wall.
Snake Eyes chest burned from a beating he received just before he was put into the cell.
With weapons pointed at him, the Crimson Twins had their way with him using Snake Eyes as a punching bag in retaliation for the humiliation that was caused with the infiltration into their sacred domain. Snake Eyes got in a few good hits as well. What one brother felt, the other did too, but they soon got the upper hand with strength in numbers.
"I'm sorry you have to go through this buddy," the CIA agent said to Snake Eyes, chained next to him, the interior of the cell dimly lit. "These people are crooks!" Snake Eyes nodded. "Can't you speak? Say something." He shook his head. "Oh, you can't? You're—one of those? Mute?" Snake Eyes nodded. "Tough brake, man."
Snake Eyes shrugged his shoulders, it had happened when he was in the military. He rarely tortured himself to think about with what took place back then and quickly locked those memories away. Thanks to his training with some very special people.
"Hey! Shut-up in there!" A guard on the other side of a metal door shouted at them through the bars. Snake Eyes immediately identified him as a Crimson Guard from his red and black helmet.
The CIA agent was immediately quiet.
Snake Eyes cocked his head up and heard a collection of voices beyond the door. Due to his inability to speak, his other senses were enhanced. And he had learned to adapt those acute senses and use them for his trade. He could hear three voices, two of them sounded the same, one was different. Almost slithery like a snake. Followed by a hiss.
"This plan better work, twins, or I'll be very displeased," Cobra Commander expressed harshly. "The Joe's will make an attempt to rescue him, but I'm not ready to give him up without a fight. Are your troops ready to repel for such an assault?"
"But of course, Cobra Commander," said one of the identical voices.
"We are ready for anything the Joe's can unleash upon us," finished the other.
"Good," Cobra Commander said pointedly, seemingly pleased. "But the Brain Wave Scanner has never worked on Snake Eyes in the past. How do you intend to rectify this problem so you can condition him to work for us? I'd prefer to just kill him and get it over with!"
"A ninja's mind is the most disciplined of any mindset," Tomax began.
"But with enough conditioning, every person reaches a breaking point," Xamot finished.
"I have a number of 'ninjas' under my thumb, why would I possibly need another one in my organization?" said Cobra Commander.
"One can never have too much of a good thing, Commander," Tomax said.
"True genius takes time to cultivate, sir," Xamot added.
Cobra Commander looked through the bars. Snake Eyes looked back at him, his mortal enemy's eyes piercing through the darkness through the eye holes of his cloth mask. No one knew who Cobra Commander was, except a small few. But even the man's own ex-wife would not rat him out despite hating his guts after what happened to Billy, his own son, and the accident that costed the young boy a leg and an eye, an assassination attempt that went fowl.
From within the darkness, Snake Eyes face remained basically hidden but Cobra Commander knew what he looked like. Snake Eyes didn't care. If he could get his hands on the man, Snake Eyes would rip that cloth mask off his enemy's face and reveal it to the whole world.
Cobra Commander's eyes focused on Snake Eyes, a moment of silent evil penetrated through the cell like a dagger. And Snakes Eyes could literally feel the hatred from the man. It was said the eyes are the window to soul. And Cobra Commander was evil personified!
"You've outwitted me before, but no longer, Snake Eyes," Cobra Commander stated.
Snake Eyes actually felt his lip curl with disdain at the man. But he kept his cool.
"Snake Eyes is to become my newest obedient super soldier," Cobra Commander said, after he turned around to talk with the Crimson Twins again. "Made it a top priority and spare nothing!"
"We have the best minds and the technology to proceed," Tomax stated.
"Go on," Cobra Commander insisted. "You have my attention."
"By utilizing memory engrams and altering brain chemistry…we have the technology, via research done by Dr. Venom and Dr. Mindbender…"
"To bend a person's will and to make them become our willing, obedient servant," Xamot said.
"In short, Commander," the twins said in unison, "not even a ninja such as Snake Eyes…"
"Will be able to overpower…"
"This brand new control."
"So, you're saying it's foolproof?" said Cobra Commander.
"Yes, Commander," the twins said in unison.
Cobra Commander growled. "I'll believe it when I see it, but I want him dead if you fail! Make sure it happens, or else!"
"Understood, Commander," the twins said in unison.
Cobra Commander left. Snake Eyes listened to his boot steps echoing down the corridor to an awaiting elevator that dinged. Both Crimson Twins looked through the bars into the cell. There was a slight difference between them with Xamot processing a scar on the right cheek. Snake Eyes didn't know how Xamot got it, but it didn't deter the brothers identical natures. Rumour had it, either the brothers ticked someone off with their under-handled dealings or some other alteration, militaristically, happened, and Xamot felt the brunt of it.
"Well, Tomax, how should we proceed?" asked Xamot.
"I believe we should soften him up a little more," Tomax replied.
"I concur," Xamot agreed. "He made us look like fools in front of the Commander." The twin sneered and his scar seemed to moved about his right cheek like a snake. The door was unlocked and Xamot stood front, a fist at his side.
Tomax touched his left cheek as if sensing his brother's thoughts. They were the mirror image of the other. They felt what the other did and both were just as psychotic as the other, prone to bouts of rage, lunacy, and even murderous intention. They wore their personalized uniforms of purple, silver and red, with a red sash dropped over the shoulder, coveted by a steel half-neck plate, and of course, a Cobra emblem. Unique, to say the least.
Entering the cell, a Crimson Guard followed carrying a rifle, and an overhead light was switched on, temporarily blinding Snake Eyes.
The insidious Crimson Twins stood before him, they both had a quick laugh. They believed they had Snake Eyes right where they wanted him, so they could openly mock and ridicule him. He would let the twins have their fun for now. But he wanted to know something from them.
Tomax said, "You're probably wondering…"
"Where your sweetheart is, dear fellow," Xamot said.
Snake Eyes gave them a hard stare. He had not come alone.
Tomax said, "She's safe…"
The twins looked at each other.
"For now," they said in unison, and laughed.
"And she'll continue to be safe," Xamot continued, "if you are cooperative."
And the twins chuckled to themselves.
Snake Eyes wanted to ring the twins throats and he hoped he would have the opportunity.
To be continued...