A piercing scream flooded the rooms' atmosphere followed by a large thud on the ground. Scarlett turned towards a butter covered oozing Duke. She swallowed a giggle. "Sorry about that Duke, Lady Jaye's scream caught me by surprise." Scarlett said as she dusted off a few popcorn kernels from his shirt.
"Unlikely story.." responded Duke taking a napkin from the coffee table and began to wipe off the yellow mess that inhabited his face. Turning to Lady Jaye he asked, "I thought these kinds of movies did not have an affect on you, judging from your background and all."
"Usually they don't." said a Lady Jaye turning bright pink. "But my last date with a ghost still has me frazzled I guess."
Flint put a reassuring arm around her shoulders. "Does the Manor still have an affect on you? That counterfeit ghost was only a hologram." They all nodded as Lady Jaye's and Flint's adventures in Destro's castle were still new in their minds.
"I know that wasn't a real specter, but it still chills me." Lady Jaye said.
Flint gave her a wink, "Besides, Duke and Scarlett should be the ones shivering in their boots. They tackled on three phantoms, not to mention a walking skeleton."
"Thanks for that little reminder!" said Scarlett throwing at him several popcorn kernels. "Now I am not going to sleep for a week!"
Duke turned towards her, "I thought you were not frightened with the Phantom Brigade. They became allies in the end, remember?"
"No, that is not it. I remember. The scene of Cobra Commander dancing with a possessed skeleton will haunt my dreams tonight."
The unpleasant moment was broken by laughter.
"Ok, let's finish watching this horror flick." said Lady Jaye.
Flint looked in her face. "Are you sure?"
"Positive." she said with a smile "And besides, I can always use you as a pillow if needed."
Flint turned to Duke. "Can I borrow some of that buttery mess, so I can lather it in Lady Jaye's hair?"
"You wouldn't dare!" said Lady Jaye in horror. "Duke, you aren't going to let him. Are you?"
Duke grinned. "No way! and waste my new conditioner?" he slowly stood up from the couch as more yellow liquid dripped from his hair. "Going to get this gunk off. Be right back." as he departed the room and walked down the darkened hallway.
Scarlett watching him leave, couldn't hold it any longer, burst into a giggling fit. "I heard that!" came his voice from down the hallway. Making Flint and Lady Jaye join in the comical moment.
Turning to Flint, she asked. "Any idea what the theme will be this year?"
"Not a clue. Both Hawk and Duke have it under wraps. Hawk sent Duke a large parcel earlier this week." he answered her. "I just hope it is nothing like last year's event. I for one do not want to wear a hula skirt again."
"I second that." agreed Lady Jaye.
"Third it." added Scarlett.
Flint turned towards Lady Jaye and asked. "Is that why you are on edge tonight? Because of tomorrow?"
"Maybe.. Maybe not.. I am not sure." Lady Jaye answered in a low tone. "I am not sure why I'm worried. Tomorrow is only a day, even if it is Halloween."
"All Hallow's Eve, the day of the dead." said Scarlett in a whisper.
"You are not helping, you know!" Lady Jaye replied as she threw several popcorn kernels at her teasing friend.
Picking up the remote control from the table, Flint asked. "Shall we continue watching The Amityville Horror movie or wait for Duke?"
"I think he will be back momentarily." answered Scarlett, "Let's just give him a few more minutes."
"Alight, but…." Flint's sentence was cut short.
Suddenly a low moaning sound came from the darkened hallway. The three Joes turned towards the sound as it neared the room.
"Duke? Is that you?" called out Scarlett. "You alright?"
Their eyes gradually became larger as a massive white figure glided across the hall. The ghostly appearance stopped for a few seconds, turning towards them uttering another low moan sending shivers down their spines and then it continued down the hallway.
Wasting no time, Flint bolted towards the doorway. He glanced down the path where the specter had traveled, but found nothing. Turning to the others he softly spoke, "Please tell me you just saw that?"
In seconds both Lady Jaye and Scarlett were beside him.
"Is this some kind of prank?" asked Lady Jaye.
Stepping further into the unlit hallway Scarlett called out. "Duke? If this is your idea of a joke, it is not funny!"
"Come on out, Duke!" called out Flint but dead silence was his only answer.
The three of them stood silent for a mere moment.
"What are you all doing out here?" came a voice from behind them.
Scarlett, Flint and Lady Jaye pivoted instantly with a gasp. "Duke!" they said simultaneously.
Duke looked at their confused features. "What?"
"That was not funny!" answered Scarlett, crossing her arms.
"Why did you do something like that?" added Lady Jaye with hands on her hips.
"Was that your idea of a joke?" asked Flint, pointing to the First Sergeant.
Duke studied Scarlett, then Lady Jaye and lastly Flint. "What joke? Can someone please tell me what the blue blazes is going on?"
"Please tell us you just ran down the hall wearing a white sheet over your head." said Lady Jaye.
Duke gave her a serious look. "I am not twelve anymore. If you all saw something, it was not me. But whoever it was is going to have KP duty for a month!" finishing his words, he darted down the hallway with Flint at his heels.
Scarlett and Lady Jaye returned to the room.
"Think they will find the culprit?" asked Lady Jaye.
"I hope so, if not…" Scarlett answered. "Well.."
After a few minutes, Duke and Flint returned to the room empty handed. "Well, whoever it was is long gone now." said Flint.
"He better be!" said Lady Jaye.
Duke picked up the remote and switch the television off. "I think it is time to hit the sack. We all got an early day tomorrow." His answers were silent nods.
-----------------------------
Scarlett darted down a stone hallway as a vision of Cobra Commander transforming into a skeleton pursued her. The Skeleton kept following her as it chased her down the dark hallways of a castle. Running down a stone staircase, she tried to elude him. Finding herself cornered without her crossbow, she turned to face the evil creature. Glancing for an escape, she found none. Breathing heavily against the cold stone wall, she closed her eyes waiting for her demise. A scream echoed throughout the castle's aura. Scarlett opened her eyes and glanced at the ceiling, the sound had come within the walls. The skeleton moved forward inching closer to the red head. Another sudden shriek shot through the air, this time with a much more profound sound.
Scarlett woke with a start. Not that the dream had jolted her awake, it was the scream itself that had awaken her. Jumping out of her bed, she dashed towards Lady Jaye's room. She halted as she found Lady Jaye sitting on her bed as another loud scream escaped from her throat.
"What's the matter?" Scarlett asked concerned.
Lady Jaye raised her hand pointing towards the window. With a shaky voice she spoke. " I..I..just saw Cobra Commander looking from outside my window!"
It took seconds for Scarlett to react. "WHAT!" running towards Lady Jaye's window. Peaking outside, she glanced around but saw no moving shadows. She turned back towards a shaken Lady Jaye.
"Come on!" Scarlett said as she ran back into her bedroom.
Lady Jaye needed no more further commands, getting up from her bed, she slid in her slippers and ran out of the door. Scarlett emerged from her room with a crossbow.
"Don't tell me you sleep with that thing?" asked a raised eyebrow Lady Jaye.
Scarlett opened their quarter's door giving her answer. "No, this is my old one. I have it in the bedroom for emergencies just like this one."
A still amazed Lady Jaye followed the counterintelligence agent. "Are we going to raise the alarm?"
"Not yet." came the answer. "We want to be positive first it was him."
"Trust me! I am positive!" replied Lady Jaye. "I saw him at the window with his shiny mask on! Now, how many people you know wear that helmet?"
Both women ran outside in the cold autumn air. They stopped in front of the building. "Okay, which way?" asked Lady Jaye.
"Well, the main building is to the left, so knowing our friend..that is where he will be likely be heading." answered Scarlett. Both of them began to run at top speed towards the main building. As they reached around a corner they both collided with a solid object. "Ommphhh." came from three voices.
Glancing up, Scarlett found a frown faced Beach Head. "What on EARTH! Why are you two out here at this time of night? And with your nightgowns on?"
Scarlett and Lady Jaye looked at each other before saying the words that made Beach Head frozen solid. "We just spotted Cobra Commander!"
"WHAT? Where?" asked a loudly Beach Head.
"Outside my room." answered Lady Jaye. "We thought he is heading towards the main building."
"Why would the Commander come here? Usually he sends his goons, or flying monkeys. Never mind. Both of you go to the main building.
I'll wake up a few others. We do not want a full-scale alarm unless it is necessary. Got that? Now MOVE it!" as he ran towards men's quarters.
"Come on.. Let's move." Scarlett said running towards the Pit.
For several hours, Scarlett and Lady Jaye along with Beach Head, Mutt and Junkyard, Ace, Roadblock and Gung Ho searched the entire base, but came up empty-handed. No Cobra Commander, no mask, not a clue left that he was even on the base. After Beach Head's "I cannot believe this. You are both insane" look, they all headed back to their quarters.
---------------------
"Ok, this is sooooo gross!" said a green faced Cover Girl as she glanced down at her pancakes.
"Hmm.. What is gross?" asked a still sleepy-eyed Scarlett.
"You must be exhausted, if you have not even noticed!" replied a surprised Cover Girl.
"Noticed what?" yawned Scarlett.
Lady Jaye's warning came quietly, "Don't look down but there are eight legged crawlers on your pancakes."
Scarlett's eyes shot open. "There are WHAT?" glancing down at her breakfast she discovered the small black widow spiders that had invaded the flat brown pancakes. Relief swept over her as she noticed that these spiders were not the "alive" kind.
"You think Roadblock is over doing it this year?" Scarlett asked. "Where in the world did he find chocolate chip spiders?"
A voice came from behind them. "Halloween Town store." they turned to see Flint as he took a seat next to Lady Jaye.
"Figures!" said Cover Girl.
Flint looked from Lady Jaye to Scarlett. "Beach filled me on last night's chase. Both of you look like you did not get enough rest last night."
"What chase?" asked Cover Girl as Shipwreck took the seat next to hers.
Glancing at the sleepy eyed Lady Jaye, Flint said, "They thought they saw Cobra Commander outside their quarter's window." causing Shipwreck to spit out his coffee.
"What!" both Cover Girl and Shipwreck said at the same instant.
"We searched the whole base, and found nothing." said Scarlett.
Shipwreck winked at Lady Jaye. "What was he doing under your window? May he wassssss sssssssserenading?" as he finished his Cobra Commander's impression.
"Put a lid on it Sailor!" said Cover Girl, glancing at the clock, she realized what time it was. "We better hurry. Duke is about to start his meeting."
Pushing their chairs back and throwing out their garbage, the entire team went to report for the meeting.
-------------------------
Duke stood in front of his team. He looked around to see various expressions from thrilled, excitements, nervousness, confusions, Beach Head's I really hate this day, and sleepy eyed Joes. A gradual grin slowly developed in his features.
"Alright Joes." He said initiating the start of the meeting. "As you are all aware of COBRA has been sleeping in the grass for a few months now. Both Hawk and I agree to let sleeping snakes lie. After discussing the matter with Hawk, we both have come to the conclusion that you all need some fun. So for tonight, everyone will take part of the annual Masquerade ball." he heard cheers coming from most of the team, along with some groans and a yawn?
Duke cleared his throat before continuing. "Now you all know every year we have a theme for this annual Halloween bash. This year we decided to have suggestions. I do recall some of you had "issues" with last year's 'Joes in Hawaii' theme. This year I am pleased to say both Hawk and I agree on one Joe's idea." turning towards Shipwreck's hopeful face, he said. "Sorry Ship. But we are not going to do the Toga party." then he announced. "This year's theme is thanks to Lady Jaye, with her idea of "Favorite Hollywood Character!"
A burst of applause echoed through the room as a few Joes patted Lady Jaye on the back.
"Hey that is a neat idea!" said Roadblock. "I already know what to wear!"
"Yeeehaa!" called out Wild Bill. "I cannot wait to wear my Lone Ranger outfit!"
"I am going to be Darth Vader!" said Sci-Fi.
"Hey, Duke!" called out Shipwreck. "You, should go as Fred Jones, Flint should be Shaggy Rogers, Scarlett is the perfect Daphne Blake and L.J. can play the part of Velma Dinkley! Just borrow Snakes' Timber as Scooby Doo and you all be one Hollywood set!"
Laughter surrounded the sailor as he ducked a punch from Flint.
Duke raised an arm to hush the team down. "Ok ok.. Joes. Even though we have festivities tonight. Do not forget that COBRA is out there. So be on alert, and report back to your duties until 1800 hrs. There is one more thing for tonight's rules. No weapons allowed near the party. Dismissed!"
-------------------------
Beach Head paced in the rainy field that housed his famous obstacle course. A light drizzle had started only a few minutes ago. Looking towards his right he spotted several members of the team running the ten-mile punishment. A gradual grin spread from under his balaclava, he loved challenging them to their limits. He stared at the oddball group as they jogged steadily on the track, who appeared a little green from about to loose their morning meal.
"Let's pace it faster people!" he bellowed, as a few moans escaped in the air.
Beach Head stiffed an incoming yawn. "Blast." he thought recalling last night's search of the elusive Commander while shaking his head. "Lady Jaye and Scarlett were probably dreaming!" Glancing again at his peculiar group, a short laugh escaped from within his throat. Looking directly at the four exhausted Joes, he wondered how did they get themselves into this. It was easily to figure out Bazooka and Alpine, probably another of their disagreements, but the real reason was the fact that they had dubbed the Pit as an excellent place to bungee jump. Would have worked nicely, if not for the fact that Bazooka twisted in a wrong angle while in midair crashing through a window and right into Duke's office. It was even easier to analyze Shipwreck, probably another joke gone wrong. Beach Head had heard on the Scruffy incident, and another chuckle escaped from his mouth. But the fourth puzzled him. Why was Cover Girl getting punishment? He glanced back to the runners, but failed to see them. A light fog had surrounded the area creating a dismal atmosphere. "Might as well find out." he thought as he began to run onto the track.
Nearing the runners, he barked another order. "Move it! You are all pacing too slow. I swear I just saw five slugs pass you!"
"Give us a break Beach Head!" said Cover Girl as began to increase her pace. "This is our second PT today." She was running behind the other three.
Keeping his running pace next to her, he gave her an enraged glare. "Well.. In that case, you should think before you react. I am not the one who gave you the punishment."
"Yeah.. Well do not remind me." she replied a little winded.
Beach Head gave her another intriguing look, "Okay, those three I know why they are here. But what did you do to get into this mess?" pacing closer to her.
Cover Girl glanced back at him. "I did not know you cared?" in a sweet child like voice.
"I don't."
She slowed down her pace a little as to escape from the other ears in front of them. Beach Head took the message and slowed his own pace. The drizzle continued to cover them, as their clothes had a damper appearance.
"Ok, I might as well tell you before you hear it from someone else." Cover Girl stated.
Beach Head remained silent. "Oh, this is going to be a good one." he thought.
Cover Girl looked ahead to make sure the others were out of earshot then turned her head towards Beach Head. "Nothing much to tell, Clutch and I had another disagreement in the Garage. Okay, fine...another fight. Happy?" she could almost see the amusement from under his mask. "Well, things got a little out of hand."
"How little?" he asked.
"Little enough to make me really angry. He said something on pinning an old model poster of me in his room. Next thing I know, I threw the wrench at him that was in my hands." Cover Girl sighed.
"That's all?" Beach Head asked again.
"Not all.." she continued. "Clutch dodged the wrench as it flew passed him and hit someone else on the forehead."
"Oh oh.. Who got hit?"
Cover Girl closed her eyes before she announced. "Duke. He was passing by at that exact moment."
Beach Head let out a loud guffaw.
"Oh hush!" replied an agitated Cover Girl. "So I got PT for this morning and tomorrow. While Clutch got away with a simple lecture."
Beach Head tried to say something else to her but suddenly he and Cover Girl smashed into two other objects. He grunted as he found himself in a tangled mess on the tracks' pavement with Cover Girl, Alpine and Bazooka.
"What the.." he barked. "Why did you two stop? Did I give you permission to stop?" he voice thundered.
Alpine stared at him in silence. "Ask knuckle head over here!" he said as he found his voice. "I think the fog is getting to him."
Bazooka kept staring at the brush that covered most of the back area of the track. "But Alpine! I saw him!"
Alpine snickered, "Yeah, and I just saw Vanna White!"
Cover Girl turned towards Bazooka. "Whom did you see?" she asked.
"Probably his imagination, you know how he is after eating ten Mars Bars." said Alpine.
Bazooka's face went pale, "But I saw him! And for your information I had twelve!"
Beach Head snarled, "Fine, you had twelve! But who did you see?"
"Cobra Commander!" stated Bazooka.
"WHAT!" came the reply from both Beach Head and Cover Girl.
"Oh, not again!" Beach Head slapped his forehead. "Where?"
Bazooka pointed towards the brush. "Over there! He waved at me!"
The three others turned towards where Bazooka's finger was directing, but no one was in sight.
Beach Head stood up. "Ok, you three start searching the area. Tell Shipwreck too! I'm going to get Duke." He started to run towards the main building mumbling, "This better not be another false sighting."
He heard Alpine ask. "But Beach Head, we have no weapons! What do we use?"
"Anything!" he called back over his shoulder.
Alpine grabbed a small tree branch. "Ok, I'll swat him with this! That will really maybe knock him out before he will kill us all first." As he and the others began their search.
The drizzle had stopped as Beach Head headed towards Dukes' office. He did not bother knocking on the closed door as he opened it and entered the room. "Duke. Another Cobra Comm…" his voice trailed off. "Blast! Where is he?" he stared at an empty chair. He turned and darted out of the room, but collided with someone else.
"Ummphh.." came a voice from below him. "Beach Head, we should stop meeting like this."
Beach Head looked down at an annoyed looking Scarlett. "Agreed. Seen Duke?"
Scarlett shook her head. "No, but I was on my way to his office to give him these.." as she looked down towards the scattered paperwork. Looking at Beach Head again, she asked. "Why? What wrong?"
"Bazooka thought he just saw Cobra Commander." There! The words came out.
"WHAT!" Scarlett said with an opened mouth.
"Find Duke, but do not send out a red alert. I do not want pandemonium on this base. This can be another false lead." he commanded.
"But Lady Jaye insists she saw him by her window and with Bazooka's sighting…" her comment was never finished as Beach Head had about turned and exited the building. Scarlett gave a slow sigh as she stood up, leaving the reports on the floor, she began her own search.
--------------------------
Scarlett retreated back to her office, walked towards her desk and took out her small revolver from the 2nd drawer. She then turned towards the window watching Beach Head run into the brush and getting bumped on the head with a tree branch. A smile spread on her face at the Instructors' angry posture with wild arm waving towards a now petrified Alpine.
Leaving her office, she knocked on Lady Jayes'. Not bothering for a reply, she entered the room to find an embracing couple. Good, Flint was with her. "Sorry to intrude but we got another Commander sighting." she said at the embarrassed couple.
"I knew it! It was not my imagination!" proclaimed Lady Jaye.
Flint started towards the door, "Ok, lets search. First one spotting anything, let it go on red alert."
"Beach, wants me to look for Duke." Scarlett replied.
"No time, Red." said Flint. "He may escape by the time we find Duke."
Nodding, Scarlett followed the couple out of the room.
---------------------------
Beach Head thrashed at another bush but came again empty handed. "This is getting ridiculous!" he stated with a snarl. They had been all searching for the Commander for a whole hour and came up with nothing, not even footprints!
"Are you sure you saw him?" asked Flint who had come around from another bush. "He maybe out of state by now."
"I did not see the sniveling snake, Bazooka did." barked back Beach Head.
Bazooka turned at the mention of his name to the high-ranking officers. "Uh huh! I saw him right here and he was waving at me."
Several of bushes began to shiver as someone came closer towards them. Flint raised his weapon ready to shoot, while Alpine, Cover Girl and Bazooka raised their sticks.
"What are you going to do? Splinter him to death?" asked Beach Head.
"Quiet!" commanded Flint in a whisper. "He's getting close. Blast this fog, can barely make out the figure"
The brush swayed as a darkened silhouette emerged.
"Hold it right there!" he commanded seriously. "Give yourself up Commander." He raised his weapon and shot a warning, the bullet hit the tree next to the silhouette.
The silhouette crouched next to the tree. "For Heaven's sakes Flint! It's me!"
Flint slowly lowered his weapon. Blast, he had almost shot Scarlett. He called out an apology watching her timidly come out from behind the bush and walk towards them.
"Sorry, could not see you in all this fog." he apologized once more to the red head. "What's that you are holding?" as he noticed her hands cradled something.
"Trick or Treat." Scarlett answered.
"Huh?"
"Look what I found hiding in the back, under a bush." she announced. "Seem familiar?"
Looking towards the bundle that Scarlett was holding, it took him a mere moment to unravel the object. It was Lady Jaye's voice that answered the same conclusion he had.
"It's our Ghost!"
"Bingo." said Scarlett with a grin.
Beach Head looked perplexed. "Ghost? What ghost?" He glanced from Flint to Lady Jaye, and finally at Scarlett who was now holding up a white robe of some sort.
"There is a Ghost too?" asked Cover Girl.
Beach Head snarled, "Ok, first we got Lady Jaye and Bazooka stating that the Commander is waltzing around the base playing peeping tom and peek-a-boo and now you all tell me there is a Ghost here too?" After receiving several nods, his face turned bright red. "That's it! This is all a trick or something!"
"It is no trick…" Lady Jaye tried to inform him.
"I don't care!" He bellowed loud enough causing several birds to fly away from the trees. "You are not tricking me! I want all of you in exactly 1400hrs at the obstacle course for one intense trick or treat!"
"But Beach, we just had extra PT today" Alpine pleaded. But he said no more as Beach Head gave him one of his darkest unpleasant frowns.
"1400 hrs!" he replied as he trampled over the bushes and went directly towards the gym. Beach Head thought, "They are not going to make me the laughing stock on the base. Cobra Commander my ass!"
------------------------
"Anyone seen Shipwreck?" asked Cover Girl as she joined Scarlett and Lady Jaye at the table. "Alpine, Bazooka and I searched for him like Beach Head instructed and we could not find him. I bet you he escaped PT early."
"I thought I saw him in the rec. room when I returned back to clean the paper mess on the floor. It took me ten minutes to file all the reports back into their right envelopes." said Scarlett glancing down at her Ghost shaped white bread. "You think Roadblock is over doing it?"
Lady Jaye giggled, "Maybe." as she took a bite of her Bat shaped hamburger.
"Well, the cookies look cute!" added Cover Girl. "He made, Mummies, Frankensteins and I love the headless Cobra Commander ones."
"Ughh.. Do not remind me." Lady Jaye mumbled leaning her head on her hand.
Scarlett looked up from her food as she spotted Duke and Flint entering the mess hall. Waving them over, she watched them both grab their Bat hamburgers and come towards the table.
"Where were you?" she asked Duke as he sat next to her.
Flint was the one to reply. "I found him in the closet."
"What!" they all said.
Duke glanced around the table. "Someone here thinks they are funny, they locked me in the supply closet."
"How?" asked Lady Jaye. "I mean how did they manage to get you in there?"
Duke stared down at his bat shaped burger. "Well.. I heard this moan coming from the hallway. I thought it was our friendly ghost coming back for scene two. I opened the door and peeked outside in the hallway, seeing nothing I thought it was my imagination running. Then I noticed this shadow on a wall gliding away. I began to follow it, seeing no other Joes around I had no choice. The shadow rounded the corner towards the supply closets. Creeping slowly I tip toed towards the end of the hallway. When suddenly something jumped from behind me, it was a big looking bat. I must had been surprised as I took one step backwards, then the next thing I know is that an elastic material went over my head and I was thrusted into the closet. I pulled off the fake elastic mask that covered my head, but it was too late as I heard the lock turn. So I waited there until someone came passing by. Good thing Flint came to get more paper."
"Talk about your mean trick!" stared Cover Girl.
"Speaking of Tricks, we might as well get ready for ours." said Scarlett in a negative tone.
"Trick? What trick?" asked Duke. "Must have missed something."
Flint turned towards Duke, "Scarlett, Lady Jaye, Cover Girl, Bazooka and Alpine got some extra PT practice with Beach Head this afternoon."
"Hey! You do too!" said Lady Jaye
Flint grinned at her, "High rank always has some advantages." adding a wink as he escaped the flying headless Commander cookie that Lady Jaye had thrown.
"Well, we will see you at the ball gentlemen." said Scarlett.
Pushing back their chairs the Joe women left the Mess hall followed by a slumpy looking Alpine and Bazooka while Rock N Roll hummed the death march.
"I feel sorry for them. Beach Head is on a rampage." stated Flint.
Duke looked from the Mess's door then turned towards Flint. "Oh?"
Flint leaned forward as he updated Duke on the events.
--------------------
"Oww.. I think my back is going to break." stated Alpine. He was running alongside Bazooka while Scarlett, Lady Jaye and Cover Girl paced in front of them. All of them wore heavy duty backpacks on their shoulders.
Scarlett's face was full of perspiration as she glanced over towards a similar looking Lady Jaye. But was more concerned on Cover Girl who appeared to about keel over at any second. Scarlett trotted steadily as she lugged the heavy sack on her back.
"Move it, tots!" Beach Head hollered at them.
"What is in these things Beach Head?" asked a gasping Lady Jaye.
"Bricks?" asked Scarlett.
"Keep moving, Red." was her answer.
"Yes, it feels like you put everything in here but the kitchen sink!" stated Cover Girl.
"Nope, the bathroom's." said Beach Head with a smirk.
"WHAT!" they all exasperated at the same instant.
"Oh.. Alpine.. I am not going to make it." cried out Bazooka.
"Keep moving Bazooka and I will give you twenty Mars Bars." replied Alpine.
"Okay.." came the weak answer.
"You mean you have five bathroom sinks in these backpacks?" asked Scarlett.
Beach Head gave them all a evil looking triumphant glare.
"Hope this is a lesson to all of you! This is my trick." as he let out a slow sounding cackle that sent shivers down everyone's spine. "Happy Halloween!"
--------------------------
Scarlett pinned the rest of her hair up as she studied at herself in the mirror for one last time. Twirling around in her long white green flowered skirt, she made sure everything looked right. "Perfect." she said out loud. Picking up the long white gloves, she put them slowly on. Glancing down at her dress in her mirror, she said in a southern accent, "Well, Scarlett O' Hara, you are all set for the ball." With a grin, she put on the straw hat and tied the emerald green ribbon under her chin.
Scarlett walked out of her room and into the living room of the apartment. She heard the running water coming from the bathroom and the sound of various objects from Lady Jaye's last minute preparations.
"All set, Dorothy?" she called out towards the bathroom.
"In a minute Miss O'Hara." came the reply. "I am trying to fix these long braids. I do not know how you can handle long hair! It is a miracle, you haven't cut it all by now."
"Well, you better hurry or Scarecrow will get ripped to shreds by those black birds." she replied with a giggle. Scarlett then turned towards the window. She glanced at the glowing jack-o-lanterns that covered the base. Each one more gruesome or humorous than the next. Her quick eye then caught on something disturbing, a shadowy figure just passed through as it walked towards the main building. It was not the shadow that caused her alarm, it was the tin face that made her shiver. Cobra Commanders'!
She darted towards her room and came back out with her crossbow. She ran passed the bathroom door. "Jaye!" she called out. "Cobra Commander is heading towards the main building! Call Flint. NOW!" She did not bother to stop. If she lost any precious time, he may successfully finished his mission, whatever his evil scheme may be. She only hoped that Lady Jaye heard her over the running water.
Scarlett ran after the evil villain, "He must be inside by now." she thought. Walking slowly into the main building, emptiness greeted her. She heard a rattling sound coming from her left, turning towards the sound, she indicated a dark silhouette on the wall. Steadily she walked towards the shadow. Her heart pounded as she came closer towards a corner. What would she find around it? She prayed that Lady Jaye had raised the alarm. Another noise almost made her jump. "Steady girl." she muttered under her teeth. A small thump became apparent as something neared her hidden space, gripping her crossbow tightly she set it ready to fire. The sound became more profound as it reached closer. Getting ready for the strike, her heart palpitated in a faster capacity. The sound echoed at her heels, looking downwards and uttered a sign of relief. A pumpkin lay on its side as it had stopped rolling. Suddenly a hand touched her shoulder, making her gasp. Scarlett instantly twisted around as her hands gripped tightly at her weapon as it pointed at a chest.
"Whoa! Easy, Red!" came a familiar voice.
It took her only a second to recognize the voice. "Duke?"
"Yes." Duke said in a concern voice, "Are you trying to tell me something?" looking at her crossbow which had not left it's' target, his heart.
Realizing she still gripped her crossbow, Scarlett lowered it down. "Sorry." as she tried to laugh at his joke. "I think I just spotted the Commander entering this building!"
"Not another sighting!" replied Duke. "I just returned from the Motor Pool, Clutch was positive he just witnessed the Commander driving Cover Girl's Wolverine, as he threw several pies towards him."
"This has to be some sort of prank, Duke." Scarlett said. "What else could it be? He would had been captured by now." She then noticed the black cape that covered Duke's body. "Hmm.. Let me guess. Zorro?" she said with a twinkle in her eye.
"Maybe.." said Duke. "I think I forgot my hat in my office. Let me take this to yours." as he took her crossbow. "I will be right back, Miss O'Hara." and with that he gave a bow and walked towards his office.
Scarlett waited for Duke to return, glancing at the darkened hall she was getting concerned. Maybe it was her imagination again. A thumping sound echoed from behind her.
"Duke?" she whispered, as her eyes trailed to the back towards the hallway. But it was too late to react as a black-gloved hand covered her rose lips, smothering the scream that burned in her lungs.
--------------------------
The music blared loudly in the room as several members of the team danced to the beat. The "Monster Mash" echoed throughout the Pit. The room was decorated in orange and black colors, as a sign hung on the wall, "DEAD HOLLYWOOD LIVES" Jack-o-lanterns flickered with a orange glow at each table. A table stood in the back of the room filled with delicious delicacies that Roadblock had prepared. The "Eyeball" punch was everyone's favorite, but the R.I.P. COBRA tombstone cookies surpassed it.
"Anyone seen Scarlett?" asked Lady Jaye. "I thought she came here half an hour ago."
Flint tugged at her braid. "Sorry, have not seen her Dorothy. Come to OZ often?"
Lady Jaye smiled, "Only when I am searching for Scarecrows."
"Well, you have come to right place. I know exactly one Scarecrow here." As he tipped his straw hat letting some of the straw fluttered to the ground.
A breathing sound came from behind them, as a deep voice said, "Flint, the dark side is upon you!"
"Hey! That is some Darth Vader costume Sci-Fi!" said Flint.
"Thanks," the science fiction fanatic answered, "but nothing compares to that outfit right there!"
They all turned to see a headless figure with a flowing cape approach them as it carried a glowing eyed pumpkin.
"Well, if it isn't the Headless Horseman!" said Lady Jaye.
"Snake Eyes? Is that you?" asked Flint.
The Headless Horseman's reply was a nod from its' pumpkin.
From the other side they heard Cover Girl shriek. "Shipwreck! Stay away from me!"
A chuckle followed that remark as Shipwreck dressed in a Robin Hood outfit chased the Maid Marian.
"Hey, nice tights there sailor!" called out Gung Ho.
Shipwrecked winked, "Same to you, your majesty!" referring to G.H.'s King and I attire.
From behind Lady Jaye a white figure appeared causing her to gasp.
"Ha. got you!" said the Mummy.
Flint and Lady Jaye dropped their jaws, "Beach?"
"The one and only!" came the reply from under the wrapping. "Excuse me, I need to find my partners, Abbot and Costello." as he made it through the crowd towards Alpine and Bazooka.
Lady Jaye then spotted Cover Girl heading towards her. "Pheww." the Medieval maiden said, "I finally got rid of him!"
"And how did you manage that?" Lady Jaye asked.
"Easy, the Lone Ranger tied him to a chair." as she pointed to a sad looking Robin Hood as Wild Bill tied the last knot and let out a "Yeeeehhaa!"
Both let out a surprise gasp as Ace passed them.
"Hey Tarzan!" called out Cover Girl, "Your loincloth is about to fall off!" as Ace turned and gave her a sly smile.
Flint on the other hand covered Lady Jaye's eyes. "Sorry Dorothy, you are too young and innocent for that little show." as they all burst into laughter.
"Excuse me, ladies. But have you any chance seen the southern belle Miss Scarlett O' Hara?" came the voice of Recondo dressed as Rhett Butler. "I cannot wait to say that famous, 'Frankly my dear, I do not give a damn.' line to her!"
"I thought she was here already, she left our quarters before I did." said a concerned Lady Jaye.
"Maybe she is with Duke?" suggested Cover Girl. "Where is he by the way?"
Flint answered, "Duke's coming later, there was another Commander sighting."
"What!"
"He went to check it out, probably another false alarm." answered the Scarecrow with a shrug.
"LASSIE! LASSIE!" came a shout to their left as a mop passed them. Lady Jaye did a double take as she spotted Junk Yard with several brown dyed mops on him.
"Now I seen everything!" said Flint with amusement in his voice.
With no warning, the lights flickered and the entire room swept into pitch blackness.
"HEY!" someone called out. "Who turned the lights off?"
A low sounding maniacal laugh embraced the room, sending shivers down several spines.
The lights flickered back on as stone cold silence followed. All eyes traveled to the center of the room. There, a haunting scene had unfolded as they watched in horror their enemy holding in his arms their teammate. Scarlett cringed as the arrow from her own crossbow pointed to her throat. Her eyes darted to the black gloved hand as they traveled up towards the blue uniform and finally landing on the shiny metal mask of Cobra Commander.
"Let her go! You swine!" Gung Ho commanded. "Or I'll personally make you into my new boxing bag!"
A hissing sound was his only reply.
Flint stepped forward, "You are surrounded Commander! Do you really think you will escape with all the Joes surrounding you?" as his eyes narrowed. He looked around to see if anyone had a gun on them. "Blast!" he thought, "Duke and his no weapons."
Cobra Commander tilted his head towards Flint as he pushed the arrow closer to Scarlett's throat.
Several of the Joes moved towards the Commander.
"No!" cried out Flint, "Stay back!"
They had no choice but to obey.
Scarlett closed her eyes for a moment, thinking. Something was not right, she could feel it. She slowly moved her head towards Cobra Commanders' chest "Good." she thought, he did not notice. Glancing at the famous symbol on his left side, she immediately understood what was going on. She only prayed that she was right.
"Flint!" Scarlett warned, "Do not let anyone near him!"
"What? Why?" asked a confused Flint.
Lady Jaye realized what her friend was planning, covering her mouth she only whispered, "Scarlett."
The room stood in a dead silence.
The Commander moved the arrow an inch lower, which was all Scarlett needed. Lifting her right leg, she kicked back on the Commander's knee causing him to grunt. Then twisting her body, she rolled out of his embrace. Her right hand hit his arm with a Karate strike releasing the weapon from his hold. The crossbow landed to the ground with a thud.
Flint stepped forward along with several Joes to capture the Cobra Commander. But was stopped by Scarlett's hand in the air.
"Stop! I repeat, do not come near him!" Scarlett said in a serious tone.
Flint stood mystified, "Why?" he asked once again.
"Because…" Scarlett continued. "He is not the Commander."
Silence followed that announcement.
"WHAT!" cried out Beach Head as he moved next to Flint.
Scarlett turned around as she faced the shiny masked man. "Well, you want to show them? Or me?"
The Commander slowly shook his head and pointed to her.
Everyone in the room stared wide-eyed and speechless as Scarlett stepped forward and slowly took off the Cobra Commander's helmet and the features of the man under the mask became unveiled.
As silence surrounded her, Scarlett only said, "Nice Trick.. Duke."