"….. I think everyone stood silent for a long time after that unmasking, except for Shipwreck, who passed out with his chair on the floor." as Scarlett ended the story.
"You mean Duke was Cobra Commander?" asked a stunned Falcon. "But how did you figure it all out?"
Scarlett leaned towards Falcon as she crossed her arms on her legs, "Look at the picture."
Falcon took one more look at the picture.
Scarlett then pointed towards the Commander's chest. "See anything peculiar?" she asked him.
Squinting he barely noticed anything out of the ordinary. Then he took a sharp intake. "The symbol!" he announced.
Scarlett nodded, "The outfit that Duke wore had a white Cobra snake symbol, not the red authentic one. But also what really gave it away was the little copywrite symbol of 'Made in China'."
Duke chuckled, "Now you know why she is Counterintelligence. Hawk sent me the extra prototype outfit from the G.I. Joe movie with a small message saying 'Have fun with this.' "
"So who was the Ghost then?" asked Falcon.
Scarlett shrugged, "The specter still has yet to be unmasked. And probably will not be as Duke's threat is still open."
"oh."
Falcon glanced downwards at the tattered book, he flipped the next page to see more animated pictures staring at him. The picture to the upper right showed Duke, Scarlett, Roadblock, Gung Ho, and the Russian October Guard with some over fashionably late Russians. Next to that a nice picture of Lady Jaye and Flint in front of some old looking creepy manor. "Must be where Lady Jaye met that hologram ghost." he thought. The bottom right picture illustrated several Joes on the USS Flagg, all had smiles on them, except the sadness in Shipwrecks' eyes. Falcon stared for a moment at the sad sailor, he noticed that Shipwreck carried a small burned sign. The only words on it, Welcome to Springfield. But the picture directly next to that one caught his attention immediately. He saw one leg at the corner of the picture as it resembled someone running, behind that unknown owner's leg were several Joes, including Cover Girl, Scarlett, Flint, Duke, Snake-Eyes, Beach Head and Lady Jaye. All of their features had one description that came to his mind, murder!
"Ok, who is going to explain this one?" asked Falcon.
Cover Girl gave a small hiccup to cover her giggle, "Ok, my turn to play storyteller."
A loud clash of lighting echoed in the room, making them all jump.
"Are you adding special effects to your story too?" asked Duke.
Cover Girl gave him a look, "Maybe…" She then turned towards Falcon, "It all began like any other typical day…a typical Beach Head training session, a COBRA attack on the west coast..and a few Joes trying to relax from the aftermath….
------------ ---------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------- --------------------
Cover Girl barged through the Mess Hall doors as her eyes indicated that she was extremely angry. No angry was not quite the word, more like a volcano bursting with hot lava. Several Joes stopped eating their morning meal, as several forks and spoons fell back on the plates. A few stared at her with open mouths while others tried to swallow the snicker that wanted to escape from their throats.
"WHERE IS HE?" she asked in a distinctive anger sound. "I am going to kill him! Then ship his caucus to Cobra Commander as a gift!" Her eyes traveled through the mostly full mess hall, noticing that he was absent.
No one dared to answer her, they quite knew who she was referring about.
"Anyone going to tell me where he is hiding?" she asked in a lower tone. A few cringed at her voice, they had never witnessed Cover Girl this upset before, even when someone mistakenly mentioned her ex-career. "Even if I have to cover the entire base, I am going to find him. He is not going to get way with this!"
Someone near her gulped, with a brave voice he asked, "Umm.. Cover Girl.. Who.. Whom are you talking about?" She turned to him with a glare that made him sink lower in his chair and for once wishing he were Snake Eyes for the muted ability.
"You know quite who !" she snapped with clutched teeth. She leaned forward and grabbed his shirt as his forehead began to profoundly dampen with sweat. "Clutch! If you had anything to do with this with him, I guarantee that I will run you over with the Wolverine and send you both packing to Destro's Castle for that squids' dinner!"
Clutch once more gulped, "I swear, I did not have anything to do with it!"
But before Cover Girl can retaliate to his answer, a voice came from behind her.
"What is going on here?" asked a narrowed eyed Duke.
Cover Girl turned towards her C.O.s' I am not pleased sound, she saw both Flint and Scarlett gasp as at the same instant Clutch heaved a sigh of relief. Cover Girl immediately let go of Clutch's shirt. He coward lower in his chair, afraid to what may happen to him next.
Scarlett took a few steps closer to her, she was the first to ask what the other two high ranked officers were too scared to do. "What happened?" looking closer at the female tank jockey.
"Just say it Scarlett.. It's pink! PINK!" Cover Girl cried.
Flint cleared his throat, "Umm… trying for the new Zarana look?" He took a side step behind Duke from receiving two icy stares from the Joe women.
"Funny. Flint!" came the not amused answer. "Someone.. And I know exactly who..put pink dye in my shampoo bottle!"
"Who do you think is the culprit?" asked Scarlett.
"Who else! That low down sailor! Shipwreck!" Cover Girl exposed.
"Shipwreck? Are you sure?" asked Flint.
"Know anyone else who loves a good practical joke?" she asked back.
"Well..I can think of several Joes that…" Flint tried to answer but was cut off by Duke.
"It can't be Shipwreck." he protested. "I have evidence on that."
Cover Girl and Scarlett turned to him with an "oh?"
Duke nodded, "It cannot be the sailor as he is still on leave."
"L..Leave!" coughed out Cover Girl.
"Then who did it?" asked Flint. Nobody replied.
Duke just shrugged. "But whoever is responsible better not pull another stunt like that! Am I clear?" as his face roamed the room. All of the Joes nodded.
Scarlett took Cover Girl's hand, "Do not worry, it will probably wash off in a few days. Come on, you will feel better after breakfast, I hear Roadblock made French toast and bacon this morning."
Cover Girl nodded as she followed the others towards the counter and grabbed a tray. After filling it with the scrumptious delicacies of Roadblock's cooking, they walked towards the back table near the windows. As they passed by Ace, Wild Bill, Snake Eyes and Ripcord, she heard Ace call out to Duke. "Thanks for the nice new chairs, Top! These cushions are nice and comfy!" Cover Girl grinned, about time the chairs had gotten replaced, the old ones were falling apart. At the table, she took a seat next to Scarlett as she watched both Duke and Flint walk on the other side of the table to sit down.
Scarlett sipped her warm coffee, while Duke went to sit across from her. But as he sat on the brand new chair, they all heard a "ppppfffffffffttttttttttt" noise coming from Duke's chair causing Scarlett to choke on her coffee. She glanced at Flint who stood in silence holding his tray as he was about to sit down himself. Cover Girl choked down a giggle, as Scarlett turned to see Duke's face the same color of the Wolverine driver's hair. "Trying to match Cover Girl?" she asked innocently.
Duke stared silent for a split moment before he uttered a small, "Exuse me."
"That's ok, Duke." said Flint "We all get embarrassed at one point or another." Giving a hard glare on the two women at the table before he sat down next to the first seargent. Flint's eyes shot open as another "ppppfffffffffttttttttt" escaped in the air from his own sitting spot.
That was all both Scarlett and Cover Girl needed, as they burst out laughing. Making several Joes in the room turn towards the foursome.
"What the…" Flint could not finish his sentence.
"Oh, Do not worry Flint, we all get embarrassed at one point or another." Duke repeated the W.O.'s exact words.
"But.. But that was not me!" Flint protested.
Cover Girl swallowed another hiccup, "It is understandable, no worries."
"But it wasn't us!" Duke stated.
Scarlett pushed her tray back and stood up.
"Oh great, now we made Red loose her appetite." grumbled Flint.
Paying no attention to Flint's comment, Scarlett walked around the table and behind them. "Can you please get up?" she asked politely.
Duke and Flint exchanged confused looks, but acknowledged what the redhead requested. Scarlett then bend down at the two chairs, flipping up the brand new cushions, a cry of victory escaped from her vocal chords. Standing back up she threw on the table two brown flat rubbery objects. "Here are your noise makers, gentlemen." as she went back to her seat.
Duke and Flint stared at the objects on the table. "Whoopie cushions!" they both exasperated.
"First my hair, now these?" asked Cover Girl, "This is getting weird. If I known Shipwreck were around we would have had our man, but this..this does not make any sence!"
Duke's next comment made Cover Girl drop her jaw, "Did you know about these cushions, Red?" as he asked Scarlett who had turned white.
"And what does that mean?" she asked back with narrowed eyes.
Duke leaned closer, "I mean, how did you know that the whoopee cushions were on this side of the table?"
"Are you trying to pin this on me?" Scarlett replied with a hint of anger in her voice.
Flint covered his eyes, "Oh boy.." shaking his head.
"No, I only want to know is how you determined that these prankish objects were here in the first place!" as Duke's voice raised a bit.
"Do you really think I had anything to do with this low childish prank!" as her own voice became more accelerated.
Cover Girl's eyes glanced to her right as she noticed several Joes staring towards their table at the scene.
"Well, I would not put it past you to get back at me for that Commader incident!" Duke growled.
"WHAT!" Scarlett's eyes shot open. "Are you suggesting that I would stoop so low because of that silly situation! I could had sent you for Court Martial for that!"
"COURT MARTIAL!" Duke's voice boomed over the room. Now everyone's attention was turned towards the table near the windows. "Don't you dare threaten me with Court Martial!"
"And don't you dare insinuate that I placed those whoopee cushions from under your high ranked thrones!" as Scarlett's voice accelerated an octive higher.
"Are you attacking my field command?" Duke growled, "Exuse me, I forgot who I was talking to, Miss smarter than the average Joe!"
Scarlett's eyes blazed back at him, "Smarter than the… why you!" her features turned bright red, "If you have not noticed by now, it was I who have destroyed several of Destro's inventions on the missions! You only the other hand keep getting captured with damsels in distress and not to mention letting Cobra Commader slip through your fingers numerous times!"
"Excuse me! So now you are telling me that it is my fault the Commander is still at large? That I am not capable of commanding this outfit?" Duke growled even louder.
"That is not what I meant and you know it! Typical, twisting the words again!" Scarlett yelled.
Flint looked over towards Cover Girl, they both looked at each other with worry. He glanced around the room, every Joe had stopped what they were doing were listening to the battle within the room.
"Don't you raise your voice at me soldeir!" snarled Duke.
"Oh? And it is fine to raise your voice towards me, Joe Commander!" Scarlett barked back.
Flint started hitting his head on the table. He had to stop this before it escalated any further. Glancing at the two arguing members, he softly said, "Can you two put it at ease, the whole room is listening. You both are under a lot of stress lately from the multiple Cobra attacks and the paperwork, not to mention.."
Duke and Scarlett turned yelling at him, "You keep out of this!" then at each other yelled, "Don't talk to him like that!"
"OK! ENOUGH!" cried out Flint. "You both need some time out or something."
Duke's eyes narrowed, "Excellent idea!" turning to Scarlett he said, "I'll give you plenty of time out writing all of the reports for three weeks and until we need your counterintelligence to save the day again." he added sarcastically.
"They probably call me in again to save you from Cobra's clutches, not to mention one of your damsels!" Scarlett hissed, as her face had turned the same identical color as her hair.
"Scarlett, that is hitting below the belt? Don't you think?" asked Flint.
Scarlett did not reply immediately, her eyes gave an intellectual look until they narrowed, "No, this is!" as Duke eyes shot open from her under the table attack. She pushed her chair back, ignoring the moan coming from the other side of the table and the openmouthed shocked faces, "Knowing your tactics, you will court martial that! And for the record, I had nothing to do with your special sound effects!" With a twist of her long ponytail, she turned and walked out of the room in a dramatic flare.
Cover Girl stared towards Scarlett's dramatic exit. She heard several of the Joes give a small low whistles, followed by Aces' comment, "Did we just enter the Twilight Zone? Usually it is Flint and Jaye who argue like that! "
Duke gave a small growl, as he pushed his own chair backwards knocking it down from the force and limped out of the room.
Flint turned towards a quiet Cover Girl, "Well, guess now I know the other side of the fence. Remind me not to argue with Lady Jaye again."
"Can I have that in writing?" said Cover Girl with a wink, then continued, "I never seen them like this, Flint. They never had argued."
Flint stood up as he gave a heavy sigh, "I know and their timing is perfect, as we got a three hour meeting in ten minutes. Being in the room with those two for that amount of time will feel like the Sahara desert! Hot and silent."
"Good luck with that. Wish Lady Jaye was here, she is good at patching things up. She is coming back this afternoon right?" asked Cover Girl
"Yes, she and the small unit of Joes are schedule to return from the West Coast mission later today." answered Flint. "Well, I will see you later at lunch. Hopefully those two will be on better terms."
Cover Girl gave a supportive smile, "I hope so too. Well, I am off to try to wash out this pink mess."
Flint gave her a crooked grin, "Why? We can use you as Zarana's decoy for the next mission."
"Funny!" Cover Girl glared at him. "Don't make me think it was you who did this to me!"
Flint took two steps back, "I think one argument per meal is all I can handle, I am retreating." and with that he left for the meeting.
Cover Girl looked down at her breakfast, she too had lost her appetite. Retreating both Scarlett's and Duke's trays, she dumped the food in the trashcan next to one of the windows, unnoticing the shadow that traveled by from the outside.
-----------------------------
Hawk entered the meeting room whistling, it was moments like these that he enjoyed being a G.I. Joe member. Most of the time, he could rarely escape from Washington's busy military environment. But spending a few days at the Pit always allowed him to be more relaxed. This is all he needed, a few meetings on COBRA and not the usual budget committee, a few Cobra battles and the satisfaction that the team's winning streak, and a few hours with his favorite people. Looking around the room, he noticed a few of the Joes already there. Hawk smiled to himself as he went to the coffee table on the side of the room and grabbed his mug, poured himself the decaf coffee and mixed two large spoonfuls of sugar. Turning towards the large boardroom table, he took his usual seat in the front. Setting the mug in front of him, he scanned around the room. Something felt uneasy, there something unnerving in the room. He instantly realized that the room was silent, too silent! Looking to his left, he noticed Flint had on a frown upon look in his features, "oh oh," he thought, "Another disagreement with Lady Jaye." He hoped that the argument would not affect the two soldiers. Next to Flint sat Scarlett who had an open file in front of her, but looked tired and pale. She held a untouched coffee mug while she read. Beach Head's chair stood empty, probably giving some of the PT soldiers one of his 'survive my training' specials. Sometimes Beach Head forgot the world around him when he trained and occasionally skipped simple things like meals, entertainment and meetings, such as this one. Across from Scarlett, he noticed Stalker looking a little fidgety, like he was ready to bolt out of the room. Duke's chair next to his remained unoccupied. Hawk gave a questionable look to the others, he thought to himself "Duke is rarely late at meetings. Wonder what is keeping him? Maybe another Shipwreck episode or something."
Flint rose from his chair as he went to get himself some coffee, after the morning scene in the Mess, he needed something with sugar to survive the rest of the day. He also wanted to avoid Hawk's silent question on the whereabouts of the First Sergeant.
Scarlett flipped through the pages of the file, studying the new Cobra weapon that threatened the world. Cobra had developed a new type of virus that threatened all of the world's computer systems. Even though most of Washington's computer systems had several high protective firewalls and other secret protections, Cobra had made an example of their powerful virus by succeeding on destroying the President's private computer.
Hawk watched Flint sit back at his own chair, with another of the frowns in his face. "Definitely a fight with Lady Jaye." he concluded. Checking the clock, he noticed that the meeting should had began a short time ago. Wasting no time on Beach Head's lateness or lack of attendance, he diverted his question towards Duke's absence.
"Anyone know why Duke is delayed?" he boldly asked. The others glanced towards him without answering his question. Hawks' eyebrows raised towards the silent Joes, "Now I am sure something is underfoot." he thought.
Flint cleared his throat as his mouth opened to answer his question. "Duke is…" but his words were never finished as a voice sounded from the doorway.
"Right here." Duke entered the meeting room with a slight limp walking towards his chair. He sat on Hawks' right. "My apologies. I am behind schedule this morning." glancing towards Scarlett, who did not even acknowledge his entrance.
Hawk nodded, "Yes, something was not right in this room." he thought. But out loud he asked, "What happened? An injury from the last Cobra strike?"
Duke narrowed his eyes, "You can say something like that. Sir."
Not wanting to push it further, Hawk began the meeting. There was a chill in the air, and it was not yet winter. That and the fact that Flint cleared his throat.
"Ok, lets get this over with, we cannot waste any more time on the Cobra Computer Virus problem. Intelligence claims that this particular virus attaches at any given email, the virus can inhabit a personal email from a friend, or a professional email from a business or even the government. The virus attaches to the central system of the computer, there has not been a clear period on how long the virus can subdue the system until it destroys it. The CCV creates a slowdown on the computer. The virus can bypass a typical system, it can obliterate it in mere minutes. While on the government computer system it can disassemble the system in a matter of a few hours. The virus also is concealed in the hard drive unknowing to the computers. But this is how Cobra has taken the virus one step ahead. It is timed controlled. The virus is a time bomb. Cobra has given an ultimatum, if the US does not handle over One hundred million dollars in the next forty-eight hours, every government computer on this continent will detonate."
"So in other words Cobra will probably receive the ransom and still set off the Virus." Duke stated.
Hawk nodded, "Exactly."
"Any leads on how to terminate the CCV?" asked Flint.
Hawk turned to the Warrant Officer, "We already have both Breaker and Mainframe working on the problem with some of the highest leading computer technicians intelligence has." turning to Scarlett he asked, "Any leads from your end?"
Scarlett flipped to the third paper of her file, "Nothing yet, but it seems to me that Cobra has injected the Virus into an unknown government computer, from activating the CCV from that particular machine, it will set off a domino affect to the other computers. Locating that infective computer and deciphering the virus before activation, we may have a chance on destroying it."
"Well, there is another Cobra machine for you to destroy." Duke mumbled under his breath as he received an bitter stare from Scarlett.
Hawk glanced from his second in command to the counterintelligence agent. "Yes, it must be one of those days." he thought. "I think I am going to need about seven mugs of coffee today." Hawk picked up the slightly colder coffee mug as he took one long sip. Suddenly his face turned into a ghastly purplish appearance as he started to uncontrollably choke. He grabbed his neck gasping for breath as his throat tasted something vile.
"Hawk!" all of the others shouted.
"Co..oo..fee" Hawk could only spit out.
Scarlett ran towards the coffee table grabbing a water bottle and handed it to Hawk.
"Thank you." he said in a hoarse voice, drinking the water.
Flint picked up his own mug as he sniffed the black liquid inside. "It smells alright." as he tried to take a sip.
"Stop!" cried out Stalker, "It could be full of poison!"
Flint's mouth stood wide open, his cup fell to the ground as the liquid spilled everywhere.
Scarlett returned to the coffee table glancing at the coffee machine, cream and sugar containers. Taking a new mug from the table, she poured a small amount into it. She then bravely took a tiny sip, ignoring the shocked looks from the other men. "hmmm" she said out loud. Then putting down the mug, she took another and poured some cream, again she took another tiny sip. "Okay.." she said again to herself. Lastly, she took a plastic spoon and scooped a small amount of sugar. Scarlett tasted the sugar as she confirmed, "Aha!" while giving off a short hack.
"Scarlett, can you please quit playing Nancy Drew before I take you along with Hawk to the emergency room!" Flint said nervously.
Scarlett headed towards Flint with the sugar container. "Here, taste this." she requested.
Flint stared at her mystified, "Are you insane?"
Scarlett shook her head, "Just give this a little taste."
"Are you trying to poison all of us?" Duke growled.
Scarlett turned and gave him a hard stare. Hawk cringed from her look. Then turning back towards Flint, she asked with a more defiant voice, "Take one taste, trust me."
Flint gulped as he took the spoon and bravely swallowed the content. His features created a sour look as he gave his own hacking sound.
Scarlett scolded to the sour faced Flint, "I said a taste, not a mouthful!"
"Oh great!" said Duke throwing his arms up in the air. "First she gasses us and now she tries to contaminate the entire base!"
Hawk stared opened mouthed, "Gas? Contaminations?" he thought, what the devil was going on here!
Flint made another hacking noise. He tried to speak once more but only a cough escaped from his throat.
Scarlett's features turned to a near explosion point, "Are you trying to pin this on me too!"
"Well, see anyone else in this room that had the opportunity to poison the sugar?" Duke glared back at her.
"Fine!" Scarlett said her tone sharper, "Why don't you then take a taste?" as she pushed the sugar container across the table towards the field commander.
Duke pushed the container back towards her. "I rather eat Cobra Commander's lunch than have a taste of this poisonous substance!"
"It is not poison!" Scarlett shouted back at him. "Taste it and you will find out what this substance really is!"
Duke crossed his arms in front of his chest as he growled back, he would not taste that sugar. He remained silent.
"Duke, stop acting childish and taste the sugar!" came Flint's voice.
Duke gave him a hard look, "Oh? So now you are taking her side?"
Flint winced, he hated being in the middle of this situation. Now he completely understood how the other Joes felt when he and Lady Jaye acted out their own battle wars. "I am not taking either side. Just taste it!"
Hawk kept looking back and forth on the small battle in front of him. Now he fully understood, it wasn't a Flint and Lady Jaye argument, it was these two! Turning to Duke, he commanded, "As your C.O., I command you to taste it. If it is indeed poison, then at least we can all die together!"
Duke's face was unreadable, but everyone in the room knew that he was his own time bomb set to explode. He had no choice but to follow a given command.
Hawk pushed the container in front of the blond man. "Go ahead, taste it."
Duke gave a short growl under his breath while grabbing his own spoon and scooped only a smidge of the white substance. Shakily, he took a taste. His eyes shot open as the flavor spread around the inside of his mouth and down his throat.
Scarlett's foot tapped the floor as she folded her arms across in the front. "Well? Care to share with the class what type of poison you analyzed?"
Duke grunted with a light quiet voice, "Salt."
"Excuse me?" Scarlett said as she gestured an 'I did not quite catch that.'
"Fine! Salt!" Duke yelled.
Hawk had an amused look, "Score point to the redhead." he thought.
Clearing his throat he said, "Alright, I do not know what is going on and I think I do not want to know. But right now we got a virus to locate and destroy. Dismissed for now until further notice. And if anyone sees Beach Head, can you please update him on this meeting, minus the poison part."
Duke looked sheepishly as he gathered his papers and limped out of the room. But Stalker beat him out of the door like dynamite would explode at any moment. Scarlett gave an aggravated sigh as she took her own paperwork and headed towards her office. Leaving Hawk and Flint alone.
Hawk turned to Flint, "Those two fighting? Oh, this is going to be interesting!"
Flint groaned, "Can I take a nice long vacation after this?"
Hawk gave him a crooked smile, "After your public arguments, I think I need several long vacations."
Flint shook his head as they both left the meeting room.
----------------------------
"Hey, JEM!" Clutch yelled from the other side of the garage. He stood there perplexed with an empty toolbox in his hand. "Seen my tools?"
Cover Girl groaned, all day the other members kept calling her nicknames, from PINK, to Zarana and now JEM. She turned towards Clutch with an icy stare. "Why are you asking me? I have not seen your tools anywhere!"
Clutch walked towards her, his face full of annoyance, "Well, you were the one who borrowed them last, so I thought I would ask you first."
Cover Girl shook her head, "Sorry Clutch, but I put them back in your storage cabinet. I have not touched nor used them for a week."
Clutch grunted. "You know this is low."
Cover Girl gave him a puzzled expression, "What is?"
Clutch walked over and leaned against the tank Cover Girl was working on. "You took them, easy as that." he accused.
"WHAT!" Cover Girl stood shocked. "Clutch, I did not take your dumb tools! I have my own if you can remember."
"Come on, pinkie pie! Admit it!" Clutch said with anger in his voice. "Just give them back."
Cover Girl stared at the other mechanic, "Have you lost it? Why on earth would I take your tools?"
Clutch thought for a second, "True, but I looked everywhere and still cannot find them. Permission to look in the Wolverine?"
Sighing, she silently nodded. Cover Girl knew that none of Clutch's tools were in the Wolverine, "Go ahead, and knock yourself out."
Clutch glanced in the Wolverine, he searched almost every corner, finding no visible evidence.
"Happy now?" asked Cover Girl.
"I guess I owe you a apology, Cover Girl. I am just upset that my brand new…" his voice trailed off as he noticed a red clothe in the side of the Wolverine driver's area. He reached in and picked up the red blanket. "I knew it!" Clutch said victorious as his hands held his wrench.
Cover Girl stood flabbergasted, "How on earth did those get in there!"
"See! I was right!" he stated with a grin.
"Clutch, you must believe me, I had no idea they were in there!" Cover Girl said watching Clutch retrieve all of his tools. "This has to be a set up! Just like my hair and Duke's…" she held her tongue on the last part. If the others found out on Dukes' and Flints' musical chairs, it would be all over the base in a matter of minutes.
Before Clutch could retort to her statement, a new voice echoed in the garage.
"WHERE ARE THEY!"
Both Cover Girl and Clutch turned to see one very furious Cross Country.
Clutch turned towards him. "Where are what?" he asked.
"My Country music tapes!" yelled out Cross Country. "They are all gone! GONE! How can I fight in battle without my Dolly!" giving a punch on the side of the Wolverine. "Blasted!"
"Hey! Easy on the Wolverine." said a defensive Cover Girl.
Clutch turned towards her. "Ask Jem over here, she probably knows!"
Cross Country opened his mouth to speak but was cut off from Cover Girl's interception.
"Don't you dare think I had anything to do with your lost tools or his country music tapes!" as her face was full of furry.
Cross Country looked puzzled. "Why would Cover Girl have my tapes?"
"Cause she had my missing tools!" came the answer.
"WHAT!" said Cross Country. "You serious?"
Cover Girl could not handle all this nonsense any longer. "That's it! I need to get out of this crazy loony bin." And with that she stormed out of the garage. Anger consumed her, "Why would they think I had anything to do with their missing items?" she thought. Walking with a brisk step, Cover Girl knew she needed to release the steam. "I think a good run may take care of that." she said to herself. Quickly she went back to her quarters and changed into a PT uniform. Glancing at her self in the mirror, she laughed. "Volunteer PT, Beach Head will go into shock."
Several minutes later she jogged towards Beach Head's PT section of the base. Seeing several groups of Joes running, and going over the obstacle course, she could not glimpse any sign the famous crazy PT Instructor. Shrugging, she decided to run on the trails. Anything to get rid of the heat that burned inside her. Cover Girl took one of the running trails that began from behind the obstacle course area. When she came to the fork in the trail she glanced towards her right.
She noticed several Joes, Wetsuit and Leatherneck jogging in that trail. Not wanting to hear any more arguments for the day, she took the trail to the left. Suddenly she spotted something gray and red in the front. "Hey, Scarlett!" she called out, "Wait up!"
Scarlett turned around as she noticed Cover Girl approach while she stopped jogging. She gave the jockey a questionable look, "What brings you here? Usually you try to get away from PT, instead of adding to it. Punishment?"
Cover Girl shook her head, "No, just need to loose some steam."
Scarlett understood completely, "Same here. I tried to focus on some paperwork, but after an hour I knew I needed an escape." She then told Cover Girl about the meeting, leaving the CCV out of the conversation. "It took great skill to remain calm, then jumping over the board table to strangle him."
Cover Girl burst out laughing.
Scarlett turned towards her, "What is so funny?"
Cover Girl gave one more giggle before she said, "I just pictured you jumping over the table and choking Duke in front of Hawk." this caused both of the women to express amusement from that illusion.
Cover Girl then vented on her own garage occurrence.
"What is this? Argue with a Joe woman day?" asked Scarlett with an annoyed voice.
"Yes, all we need now is Lady Jaye and Flint arguing and we can all be one big happy family!" replied Cover Girl.
Scarlett shook her head, "Jaye's unit is not arriving until later tonight. Seems they located a Cobra Safe house in the West Coast. It can be a possible link towards the mission. So, Duke ordered the unit to seek it out."
"At least they are missing all this fun." said Cover Girl as she tried to uplift the situation. "If I known Shipwreck was on base, we would had our man. But all this does not make any sense, my pink hair, the rigged chairs, the salt, and the missing items. But who is responsible for these pranks?"
They both became startled as a new voice called from above their heads.
"Someone good." a growl like voice stated.
Both of the women glanced up on the trees and gasped.
"Beach Head!" cried out a stunned Cover Girl.
There, swinging in midair and upside down was the very unhappy PT Instructor. Beach Head snarled as he dangled from a rope that tied both of his feet in a tight embrace. Cover Girl hid a snicker as she noticed that the instructor's pants were MIA.
Scarlett looked perplexed, "How did this happen?"
Beach Head gave another snarl before he answered, "Was running my usual routine this morning, when someone jumped behind me from the bushes on the path, covered my face with a paper bag, threw me to the ground, pulled my pants off, I must had blacked out as next thing I know, I was swinging like an circus acrobat in the air!"
"Oh, this is a hoot!" thought Cover Girl as she glanced at Beach Head's dangling upside-down frame. "Didn't know you like smiley faces Beach." she teased making Scarlett burst out a giggle.
"Funny!" barked Beach Head, "Can you two get me down from here?"
"What is the magic word?" asked Cover Girl jokily.
"NOW!" yelled out Beach Head.
"My.. My.. We do have a temper don't we?" she continued to torment him. Turning to Scarlett with a wink, she said. "So, shall we get this poor defenseless creature down? Or continue on our nicely long run?"
Beach Head swung in an angrier movement, "Get me down this instant! Or both of you will have extra PT for life!"
Scarlett grinned, "Well. If you put it that way, how could we not refuse. I'll be right back." as she turned and headed back from the way they had come.
Waiting for Scarlett to return with something in order to rescue Beach Head, Cover Girl looked up at him and smiled, "You know, it is impolite to eavesdrop on other peoples conversations."
"Stuff it!" came the reply. "So, why the pink hair?"
"Stuff it yourself." answered Cover Girl
"Heh!"
It took several minutes for Scarlett to return. Beach Head kept swinging impatiently. Fortunate for him the counterintelligence agent returned holding something. Beach Head's eyes became huge when he identified the object in her hand.
"Are you nuts! Is that how you are going to get me down?" Beach Head snarled with a hint of panic in his brown eyes.
Scarlett looked at the instructor, "Know a better way? I can go back and get some of the men to come and.."
"NO!" cried a more panic Beach Head holding his hands wide. That is all he needed, to be a laughing stock on the base.
Scarlett flung the object in the air swiftly as it missed Beach Heads' body by one tenth of an inch and snapped the rope in half. "I do believe that the men here need to have more etiquette, don't you agree Cover Girl?" as Beach Head's body smashed to the ground.
"Couldn't agree more, Scarlett." answered Cover Girl with whimsical expression as both of them went over to the fallen man and helped him on his feet.
Beach Head's legs trembled from the long hours of dangling in the air. Scarlett and Cover Girl rested his arms over their shoulders to steady the shaky instructor. Beach Head gave a low growl. "I can't believe you threw a throwing star at me! A throwing star! You could had missed and killed me!"
"But, I did not miss." said Scarlett proudly. "And you are welcome."
"But he didn't say thank you, Scarlett." said Cover Girl.
Scarlett grinned, "Oh, he did. Beach Head's way anyway." as all three of them started to walk back towards the base.
"Ummm Beach?" asked Cover Girl. "Any idea where your pants are?"
A snicker came from the other side of the instructor. "I did not see them in the brush either."
Beach Head flared, "I am going to kill him! Just wait til I get my hands on him! That low down sea serpent!"
Cover Girl and Scarlett exchanged puzzled looks. "Who, Beach Head?"
Beach Head growled, "Who, why our own Popeye, that sailor from Hades! Shipwreck!"
"It's not Shipwreck." stated Scarlett. "He is on leave. Duke confirmed it."
Beach Head halted, "So who is responsible for this low down prank? Heads are going to roll!"
Moving slowly towards the Pit, the three steadily walked on the trail. A whistle came from their left as they watched Leatherneck and Wetsuit jog towards them.
"Well lookie here Leatherneck! Wonder what those three were up to?" said a smart-alecky Wetsuit.
"Gee.. Beach, I did not know you had purty knees!" replied Leatherneck.
Beach Head growled while both Scarlett and Cover Girl held him back from going after the two other men. Swinging his fist angrily in the air he bellowed, "Heads will roll! Heads will roll!" as the women dragged him towards the infirmary. They did not notice the shadowy figure which hid behind one of the bushes.
---------------------
By lunchtime most of the base had heard the rumors of the trail sighting. The Mess hall was mostly silent as many of the members were not on speaking terms. Somehow many of them had missing items or had a prank pulled on them. But nobody could unmask the clever prankster. Even Hawk decided to evacuate the premises until the jokes discontinued. Somehow he walked into his office discovering an invasion of frogs. Deciding Duke could handle the situation, he left for Washington.
Duke, Scarlett and Flint worked endless hours in their own offices on the CCV mission. Time was fading fast and the government-infected computer had still not been identified. Beach Head eluded most of the team for the rest of the day, either for the fact he wanted to unmask his culprit or for the fact that the spreading false rumor on the trail. Cover Girl spent most of her hours repairing and tuning most of the tanks. She needed something to escape the teasing and taunting. By lights out, most of them just wanted a simple night of sleep.
-------------------------
The ringing sound echoed in Dukes' earlobes. He tossed over on the bed, pulling the blanket over his head. "Not again!" he grunted as another ring echoed next to him. Lifting his hand he slowly he picked up the receiver.
"Duke here." he answered.
Nothing. Duke slammed the phone receiver creating a clanging noise. He sat up on the bed, "That's it! Whoever is making these prank phone calls, I am going to bust him or her down to Private!" as he emphasized the 'her'. The phone next to him gave another ring. Grunting, Duke tossed a pillow at it making it fall to the carpet with a thump. Pulling off the blanket, he got up. "I'll never get any sleep tonight." he said to himself. Checking the clock next to his bed, he noticed it was only 0300hrs. He shook his head, "Thirty calls tonight!" he growled. Most of the night after he retrieved to his quarters, the phone had not stopped ringing, and when he answered it, there was no one on the other line.
Duke picked up the fallen telephone from the ground, holding the receiver he punched in several numbers, the other side answered almost instantly, "Breaker, this is Duke. Trace all the calls that I received tonight STAT!" and with that he hung up before even receiving a reply.
"No use on going back to bed." he said to himself. Getting up from the warm bed, he changed into something more comfortable. Duke then left his quarters and headed for the gym. He needed a date with his punching bag.
Duke arrived at the gym with no interferences. "Good." he said to himself. Finding himself alone in the quiet room, he walked towards one of the punching bags and started to release his anger. As the bag vibrated with each blow, his mind turned towards the argument with Scarlett. He still felt horrible from the words that had escaped his tongue, but also shocked at the words that had come out from hers.
"Guess I am not the only one who cannot sleep." came a voice from behind him.
Duke turned to find a sluggish looking Flint.
"What's your reason?" Flint asked him.
"Blasted phone calls! Yours?" Duke asked back.
"Door knocks." answered Flint.
"Huh?"
"Some idiot kept knocking on my door most of the night. Could not sleep a wink. I am going to bust him to private when I discover who this prankster prince is!" said an annoyed Flint.
"Or Princess.." stated Duke.
Flint stared at him, "You know, you need to apologize to her." There he played the good friend card, just like Duke had done for him so many times in the past.
Duke silently nodded.
Flint smiled. "Besides, this little argument is making both of you miserable, admit it."
"Little argument?" Duke said as he cleared his throat.
"Hey, compared to my famous ones, this one is a baby." Flint said with a wider grin. "Now move over, I want a piece of that bag."
Duke chuckled, "Okay, you win. Let me guess, Lady Jaye put you upto this. Admit it."
Flint raised his hands in a surrender gesture, "Uncle!"
Duke turned serious, "Any new development?"
Flint shook his head, "She was too exhausted to say much and you will have the report by the morning. But as far as I could understand, no new developments or leads."
Duke gave one more thunderous punch as the bag shook from its strength. "All yours. I am heading to my office where I can sleep in peace." Duke took several steps towards the other side of the gym, but Flint's voice caught his attention.
"Duke, I wouldn't go that way if I were you."
"Oh? And why is so?" Duke asked about the incoming warning.
Flint cleared his throat before an answer came from him, "Snake Eyes is a little irritated at the moment. It seems that someone took all of his ninja throwing stars and glued colored beads on them. He is pretty much targeting anything that moves in that room."
Duke glanced at the door leading to the martial arts room, "Thanks for the warning. Beads you say?"
Flint nodded, "Yes, and some had cute designs on them too. Saw several, a happy face, a star, and several others. But there is one star that made him go in the deep end, the one with a red heart with the words, I love Red. That particular one indeed has Snake Eyes seeing red everywhere. So, unless you want a free hair cut or capitation.. I suggest you head towards the other way."
"Point taken." said Duke. Glancing once more towards the martial arts training room, he bided goodnight to Flint and left for the lumpy couch in his office.
-------------------------
Cover Girl stiffed a yawn as she sat down at the table in the mess hall. She barely had any sleep last night, the prankster had struck again. If she ever found out who kept calling her room all night, that person would be run over with the Wolverine twice, no make it three times! The Jem song rolled through her head from the previous night. Every time she answered her phone, the tune sang in the receiver. Finally, she pulled the phone off the hook for some sleep. If there was any emergency, she knew that the noise would probably wake her up. Or a Sky Striker crashing through her room. She glanced around her while she sipped her coffee.
"Morning." a voice next to her spoke.
Sleepy eyed, she turned towards it. "hmm.."
"Boy, you are worse than I am." said Flint.
"Couldn't sleep too?" she asked.
"Nope, had too many visitors. All invisible I am afraid." he answered.
"Come again?" Cover Girl asked with a puzzled look.
Flint gave an annoyed sigh, "Somebody kept knocking on my door all through the night, when I went to answer it, all I meet was thin air."
"Maybe it was our ghost?" she said trying to break the sourness in Flint's voice.
"Funny." he smiled. "You don't look like you had much sleep last night either."
Cover Girl yawned, "How you guess? My yawning or that my eyes match my hair?"
Flint laughed, "Both."
"Our funny man entertained me all evening with the theme music of Jem and the Holograms. I think the song is permanently engraved in my memory bank now.""
Flint padded her shoulder, "Feel sorry about that." then he asked,
"Seen Scarlett or Duke around?"
Cover Girl nodded, "Scarlett, she walked in a few minutes ago, grabbed a cup of coffee and darted out like the place was on fire. Think she went to her office. Have not seen Duke around"
Flint grinned, "Maybe he is still sleeping on his lumpy couch. Duke had phone calls last night too."
Cover Girl nodded understanding, then she gestured while pointing to the corner of the room, "And Snake Eyes?"
"Trust me, you do not want to know. A small warning, if you want all your body parts intact, I suggest you stay away from the martial arts room for awhile."
"All I needed to know." Cover Girl said, "Well off to PT with our favorite instructor who is on a death warrant rampage. He called the entire team for one of his specials."
"May the Joe force be with you my child." Flint joked. "Hope we find this prankster king before Beach Head eliminates most of the team." He watched as Cover Girl stood up and left for Beach Head's training session.
----------------------------
A knock disturbed Duke's sleep by disorienting him. He fell off the couch with a large thud. Recalling last night's events, he gave a small growl while standing up. He rubbed the back of his neck from the awkward sleeping position. A more profound knock tapped on his door with a small faint. "Duke?"
"Come in." He replied.
The door swung slowly open as a tired looking Lady Jaye walked into his office. "Morning, you look worse than Flint does!" she said.
Duke grumbled. "Don't ask." then spotting the manila folder in her hand, he asked. "The report?"
Lady Jaye nodded as she handed the report to Field Commander. "No new leads on the CCV, we captured a few little snakes, but none are talking. No sign of Cobra Commander or Destro I'm afraid. Passed by Scarlett's office, no new leads from her end either."
Duke glanced at the report then looked up at Lady Jaye. "What happened to you?" he asked her. He had at that moment realized she looked like a disaster.
"Don't get me started!" she growled. "I woke up not only to find that my shampoo was missing, but also my hairdryer, and most of my make up! Whoever took them is getting KP duty til next August!"
Duke nodded in sympathy. "Yeah, we been having some trouble on the base with missing articles, and other practical jokes."
"Scarlett and Flint filled me in about the whole thing last night." Lady Jaye said as she gave him an amused look. "So, did you talk to her yet?"
"Great, she knows about the concert in the mess." Duke thought. He cleared his throat. "Umm.. Was ab.." his sentence was disrupted by Gung Ho and Roadblock charging into his office.
Both Duke and Lady Jaye stood with shocked faces at the two soldiers.
"Duke!" Gung Ho yelled angrily. "Look at us! Just look at us!"
Lady Jaye stared gapping. "What happened?"
Roadblock gave a deep growl before responding, "I do not have a clue, but both of us are blue!" Both of their skins had a deep blue color tint to them.
"Wait til I get my hands on that prank maniac! I will give him something blue, not to mention a lot of black too!" growled Gung Ho.
"How in the blazes did the both of you turn blue?" asked Duke.
Gung Ho grunted as he replied, "Well, we both went for a shower after a session in the gym, and next thing we know, our entire skin had turned this deep shade of blue!"
"Someone put blue dye in the shower caps!" added Roadblock.
Lady Jaye gave a small giggle, all the men turned towards her.
"What so funny?" Gung Ho asked.
"Sorry, but I just cannot help it. All you need is a red snake symbol and you can be both pose as Cobra soldiers." she said.
"Funny!" snarled Gung Ho as both he and Roadblock departed from the office. "Let's see if this blue dye can wash off."
Duke shook his head. "This prankster is getting on my nerves, we got a Cobra computer virus on the loose and the entire base is topsy turvy!"
Lady Jaye nodded, "Well whoever it is, that person is going to have one long punishment. I recommend sending the culprit at the Slaughter house for a month."
"No, Sergeant Slaughter would probably kill me for that." Duke stated.
Lady Jaye grinned, "Well, I am off to see Flint to tell him about the two Smurfs. You on the other hand have to talk to a redhead." as she shoved him out of the door.
------------------------------
Scarlett sat behind her desk as she flipped open another manila file. Her chin tensed while reading the documents that overflowed on the desk. Nothing, she could find nothing from the new information that intelligence sent. Most of the governments' computers had been scanned, and none possessed the CCV activation file. Something triggered in her mind, she must had overlooked some type of clue. Picking up the phone she dialed Breaker's line.
"Breaker," Scarlett said when the computer specialist answered. "Can you possibly run a virus scan on the main computer?"
"Sure, but it can take hours." answered Breaker. "What for?"
"Just one of my hunches." said Scarlett.
"Got it. Will call you if we locate anything, Red."
"Thanks." she said hanging up the phone.
Scarlett heaved a tired sigh as she looked towards the corner of her desk. There stood a light blue vase with a dozen yellow roses. A smile spread across her face, she had discovered the flowers early this morning. "Probably from Duke." she thought. Her thoughts were interrupted by the knock on her door.
"Come in." she called out.
The office door opened slightly as a tired looking Duke walked inside.
"Hi." he said in a soft tone.
"Hi, yourself." Scarlett smiled, "Was about to come and thank you."
"Thank me?" he replied confused, as the last time he had seen Scarlett, she was ready to strangle him.
"For the flowers." Scarlett said pointing to the bouquet.
Duke's features turned to a frown, "Sorry, but I did not send any flowers." He walked over towards the vase and picked it up. Studying it, he found no trace of a card.
"Then who could had sent them?" asked a puzzled Scarlett standing up from her chair and walking around her desk. "Not many people know that my favorite color of rose is yellow." She stood now next to Duke.
"Well, not from me obviously, maybe they were sent by your new friend." said Duke in a more stale tone.
"New friend?" Scarlett asked narrowing her eyes, "And what does that mean?"
"Beach Head of course." he stated.
Scarlett stared at him with an open mouth. "Don't tell me you actually believe those rumors!"
"Then care to explain what you and Cover Girl were doing in the trails with a Drill Instructor in his underwear!" growled Duke.
"He's jealous." Scarlett thought as she swallowed a giggle.
"Look! His flowers are even dusty!" Duke remarked while his hand brushed against the roses causing yellow dust to float around them.
"Duke! No!" Scarlett warned, but it was too late as her next sound was one loud, "ACHOO!"
"Bless…ah…ah.. ACHOO!" Duke replied.
Both of them started to sneeze uncontrollably.
"That… achoo..is not… achoo… dust." Scarlett tried to explain between the sneezing.
"Achoo.. Yes..I fii..ii..achoo out." Duke replied as his eyes became teary.
Sneezing once more, Scarlett looked more closely at the yellow roses. She noticed the yellow powder had been sprinkled on them.
"Well, you..achoo…better..not..ah..ah..blaim achoo this on me achoo!" Scarlett defended herself.
"Doc.. ACHOO.. now!" sneezed Duke. "Achoo" as another sneeze escaped.
Both of them left Scarlett's office with non-stop sneezing.
-----------------------------
"One Hundred more to go!" bellowed Beach Head as he stared at most of the team doing push ups. "Move it! Or I'll add another fifty!"
"Ugh.. Beach Head.. think you are over doing this?" asked Cover Girl while doing her push-ups. "Remember, I was one of the Joes who helped you."
"Keep going, Jem!" Beach Head snarled. "I am not stopping til one of you confesses!" Groans surrounded his ears. Everyone knew by now about the Beach Head underwear story, not to mention the running rumor of him and the two women Joes.
"But none of us did the prank, Beach!" pleaded Alpine.
"My back is aching." complained Bazooka.
"Cramp!" cried out Footloose as his body fell to the ground, rubbing his thigh.
"100 cranky Beach Heads on the course, 100 cranky Beach heads.. Battle one down, bash him around, 99 cranky Beach Heads on the course." sang Rock n Roll.
"QUIET!" yelled Beach Head. "Just for that, fifty more!" More groans escaped from the tired G.I. Joes. Beach Head smiled devilishly. "This will teach them not to prank on a certain Drill Instructor."
Suddenly Beach Head heard someone sneeze towards his left, turning his head he spotted Duke followed by Scarlett heading towards the infirmary. Both he noticed were sneezing uncontrollably. Shaking his head, he mumbled, "The Prince has struck again."
"Umm.. What you say, Beach?" asked Cover Girl while doing her push-ups.
"Noth.." his answer was never finished as popping sounds surrounded them all. "AMBUSH!" He bellowed at the top of his lungs, more of the popping sounds became apparent. "Take Cover!" He dived and shielded Cover Girl, making sure both their heads were firmly on the ground.
"What is going on?" asked a shaky Cover Girl as more popping noises surrounded them.
"Cobra Attack!" He screamed, waiting for more of the gunshots.
"Beach!" cried out Ace, "Those are not gun shots! They are firecrackers!"
"WHAT!" Beach Head bellowed as he raised his head. His face fumed when he noticed the burned firecrackers that rested only a few feet away from them.
"Beach.. Can you get off me, please?" asked a muffled Cover Girl. "I need to breathe."
Beach Head turned towards the tank jockey, realizing he was still shielding her. "Sorry." letting her roll out from his grasp.
"Gee.. Beach, didn't know you cared." said Cover Girl with a dash of humor in her voice.
"Call it even." he said standing up. "Well, thanks to your Prankster Prince, you all are getting 50 more push ups! Let's get a move on people!"
More groans followed as the team once again continued the punishment.
-------------------------
"45.67.8993.…clean." said Mainframe while reading the computer scans. "45.67.8994.. clean..45.67.8995.. clean. 45.67.8996..clean." He stopped from a mere moment to rub his eyes. Turning towards Breaker he asked, "How long we have to do this?"
Breaker put down his chart. "We got to check all the files."
"Ughh.." came the reply. "That is going to take forever." yawning he continued, "45.67.8997... clean, 45.67.8998...clean… 45.67.8999..clean..45.67.9000..infected.. 45.67.9001..clean.."
"What did you just say!" asked a bewildered Breaker.
Mainframe glanced at him, "45.67.9001... Clean."
"No! the one before that." Breaker glanced at the computer screen pointing to the red alert of the infected file.
"Holy cow!" cried out Mainframe. "Cobra infected the computer!"
Breaker nodded, "Get Scarlett in here! Her hunch was right."
Mainframe nodded as he picked up the phone and called Scarlett's office.
--------------------------------
Released from Doc's immediate care, both Duke and Scarlett walked out from the infirmary. Duke turned towards the redhead. "These pranks are getting ridiculous!"
"Agreed." Scarlett said.
"I just.." Duke tried to continue but was cut off from someone calling his name.
"DUKE!" they both heard Airtight bellow as he ran towards them. "Been looking all over the base for you. The Chemical bunker got raided last night. Two small containers are missing, the N20 and the CDU-19."
"What!" Duke voice raged.
"Could it be the Prankster? Or Cobra?" asked Airtight.
Duke shook his head, "Well one of them I'm sure. Let's go." But before any of them could move another voice called out Duke's name. Turning, they saw a Greenshirt running towards them
"Sir, Hawk called and he wants you, Scarlett, Beach Head, Flint and Lady Jaye in the board room immediately."
Duke nodded then he turned towards the counterintelligence agent. "Scarlett, find Beach Head, Flint and Lady Jaye and wait for me in the boardroom."
While Duke and Airtight headed towards the chemical bunkers, Scarlett passed Beach Head's PT area watching her teammates doing push ups. Seeing the Instructor she called out. "Beach Head! Meeting. NOW!" She did not bother to stop to listen to the curse that Beach Head uttered. But the sound of cheering from the others echoed in the background. Scarlett dashed into the main building, she found both Flint and Lady Jaye in Flint's office. She then darted towards her own to pick up the reports.
Walking into her office, Scarlett heard the phone ringing. Picking up the files, she glanced at the phone thinking if to answer it or not. Giving a sigh, she picked up the receiver. "Scarlett here."
"Where have you been!" came the voice of Mainframe from the other end. "We called you three time already. Never mind, can you get down here. Breaker and I just found a infected file in the computer."
Scarlett almost dropped the receiver from her hand. "I'm on my way." Her hunch had been right. She dashed out of her office and ran straight downstairs to the computer room. Entering the room, she found both Breaker and Mainframe with a disk on their dashboard. Not knowing that a shadow emerged from the next room, and was glancing in the computer room.
"We got it!" said a triumphant Breaker.
"Any idea on how to dismember it?" Scarlett asked. Time was running out. They only had a few hours left before Cobra set off the virus.
Breaker nodded, "Yes, I think so." He clicking on his keyboard, Breaker studied the computer screen without blinking. After a few minutes, he said, "Done!" He had successfully deactivated the CCV.
"Phew, that was a close one." said Mainframe.
Scarlett nodded, "Very close. Somehow Cobra infected the Joe's main computer. Only way to do that, is if a Cobra Agent came on the base and uploaded the virus."
"But when was the last time we had an intruder?" asked Breaker. "It could had been months."
Scarlett nodded, "If I am correct it was…" But Scarletts' sentence was never finished, as a small round object rolled pass her feet. "What the.." the small object extracted greenish smoke spreading around the three Joes. The smoke caused them to cough. She saw both Mainframe and Breaker collapse on the floor.
"Gas.." choked out Scarlett as darkness swept over her. The last thing that rang through her ears was a male voice, "Blast! I threw the wrong one!"
---------------------------
Duke paced in the boardroom, he was not thrilled at the moment. Most of the Joes that Hawk called were seated at the board table, only one seat stood vacant. "Where the bloody blue blazes is she?"
"Relax, Duke," came the gentle voice of Lady Jaye. "Both Flint and I spotted her heading for her office. Scarlett must have gone to retrieve the CCV documents. She is probably on the way right now."
Duke nodded, "I hope so. Hawk is going to call any second."
"Well, as we are waiting here, any idea who this Prankster maniac is?" asked Beach Head.
"I do not know, but whoever it is, that person going to have one long punishment, several years I think." said Flint.
Suddenly, a still blue skinned Gung Ho burst into the boardroom. "Duke! We have a situation."
"What is it Gung Ho?" asked Duke.
"I do not know how to tell you this, Duke." Gung Ho said as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Someone chemically attacked the computer room, Airtight is on it. But there were three Joes in there during the gas attack."
The Joes in the room held their breaths.
"Who?" Duke asked seriously.
Gung Ho slowly answered, "Mainframe, Breaker and Scarlett."
Duke stood deathly still, feeling his legs turn numb. But he quickly recovered, he knew that this needed his immediate attention. Wasting not even a second longer, he commanded, "Let's go." as he darted out of the room, followed by the rest.
-----------------------
Cover Girl held her breath as she watched Airtight leaned over her friends. She stood outside of the computer room, a clear tight plastic curtain covered the doorway prohibiting anyone to enter. She saw Airtight then bend over picking up a clipboard. He noticed a small round object on the floor, he picked it up and examined it. He nodded his head and put it in his pocket. Cover Girl glanced at her left, several Joes and Greenshirts stood a few feet away, their expressions identical to hers, concern.
"Let us through." came Flint's voice. In seconds, he, Lady Jaye, Duke and Beach Head walked through the crowd.
"Any word?" Duke asked Cover Girl. His voice was full of worry.
"Airtight is in with them." was her shaky reply. She felt someone's arm around her shoulder, glancing she saw it was Beach Heads'.
Duke and the others watched Airtight examine their friends, from Mainframe then Breaker and lastly Scarlett. His face turned to a frown as he stood up and headed towards the hallway. Airtight nodded to Doc and Lifeline to enter the computer room. He then walked towards Duke, handing him the fallen clipboard.
"Now I know where my stolen gas went." said Airtight. "Someone released the CDU-19 in there."
"The Prankster." growled Duke. "How are they?"
"Oh, they will be fine. The CDU-19 is a non-lethal sleeping gas. Judging by the amount released, they will become conscious very soon." Airtight explained. He saw relief flood over the Joes faces.
Doc poked out his head from the doorway, "Duke, you can come in. They are starting to wake."
Duke nodded, as he glanced down at the clipboard. His face turned into a frown. "Flint, take a gander at this." handing over the clipboard to his second in command. "The 45.67.9000 file was infected."
"Well, I'll be damned!" retorted Flint reading the clipboard. "They deactivated the CCV." He turned to face Duke only to find that he was no longer standing next to him.
Duke walked into the computer room. He watched both Breaker and Mainframe stir and wake up with moans.
"Ughh.. Anyone get the license of that pick up truck?" asked a groggy Mainframe.
"Anyone got a bottle of aspirin?" asked a yawning Breaker. He glanced up and saw Duke approaching, "Hey, Duke! We destroyed your killer virus. Scarlett's hunch was on target"
Duke nodded, "Great job, all of you. How you feel?"
Mainframe rubbed his head, "Like we need a small vacation."
"You got it." Duke replied with a grin. Duke turned towards were Doc stood over Scarlett. She had begun to awaken. Relief swept over his mind. He owed her an apology, that and also a dozen roses, but he made a mental note not to get yellow colored ones. Duke kneeled next to her just as her eyes fluttered open.
"What..happened?" she asked him a soft tone.
"Oh.. You got bored on the job and feel asleep." he said with a smile.
"Funny." Scarlett said while she sat up.
"Looks like our Prankster is behind this." Duke explained, and then added, "I'm glad you are ok. I also owe you an apology." There he said it!
"You also owe me breakfast." Scarlett said smiling, "And I can only accept your apology if you accept mine." handing her hand to him.
Duke chuckled as he helped Scarlett up. "Your wish is my command."
Following the others, they exited the computer room.
------------------------------------
"I'm glad you are alight!" said Cover Girl giving a hug to Scarlett. "I swear, if we knew Shipwreck was on base, we would had our Joker!"
Scarlett nodded, "Agreed. But Shipwreck is not supposed to arrive until.." Her sentence was interrupted by a Greenshirts' voice.
"Excuse me Ma'am," he said, "But if you are looking for Shipwreck, he is in the Greenshirts mess hall."
"WHAT!" came the reply from most of the group.
"Can you explain?" asked Duke to the Greenshirt.
"Certainly sir, Shipwreck has been hanging out with us for several days now."
Cover Girl snarled, "That low down son of a …"
"I'm going to KILL HIM!" spoke an angry Flint starting to walk down the hall.
"Not if I get there first." said Gung Ho. "I owe him a good tan, blue and black!" as he began to follow the mob.
They all rushed towards the Greenshirts mess hall. There in the middle of the crowded mess hall, sat a disguised Shipwreck in a Greenshirts' uniform holding a bucket of worms.
"SHIPWRECK!" Duke's voice boomed over the room. He had just spotted the practical joker.
"Get him!" called out Gung Ho.
Shipwreck's features read one thing, "BUSTED!" as he quickly bolted up. Shipwreck jumped over the table and jumped out an open window. "Run Ship!" he heard a Greenshirt holler. He glanced back seeing the other Joes at his heels. Their faces stated one thing, murder! As a few flying beaded throwing stars flew over his head.