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Around 1427 hours, Deep Six is headed for the commissary when he overhears Duke speaking with Flash. "-ng until the counter signal device can be made ready for testing?"/"I would say anywhere from 8 to 16 hours, sir."/"16... Oh, you mean without an all-nighter; never mind."/"That's alright."
He's alarmed at this, and heads to the barracks to make an emergency report. "Rockmover to Tango Delta, come in. Over."
"Tango Delta here, go ahead. Over."
"The Fisherman is getting New Headphones. Over."
"Acknowledged; transferring you to Conger Conger now."
While speaking with Major Bludd to convince him to quit his new job at a parking garage, Cobra Commander notices a blinking light on the console. "One moment, Major, i have another caller. Yess, what isss it?"
"This is Rockmover, I've just found out that G.I. Joe is working on a way to negate subliminal messaging; orders?"
Cobra Commander sat up. "Find out what you can and make ssure they do not sssucceed!"
"Yes, Commander. Over and out."
On his way to the lab however, he sees Green-shirt McCabe in the hall, and curses under his breath as she notices him. "Anaether fine day, isn't it, sair?" She asks after passing by Spirit and Tollbooth.
"Yeah sure, great, bye." He replied, and starts to go around her when she steps in his way again.
"Hold it, ye've been avoidin' me faer months now, I'd laek tae knoow why ye've been so distant."
Deep Six starts to roll his eyes until he gets an idea. "Ok, you win; i have to get something for my suit in the tech lab, so wait outside when we get there."
"...Sure, see ye thaer, sair." She says, and walks away. A few minutes later, she is waiting outside when she sees the door open. But, when she leans in to look, Breaker backs up and falls along with a machine he's holding.
"Ah dammit, look what you did, lady; you have any idea how many hours of work you just made me waste?!" Breaker shouted.
"I'm sorry, sair, laet me 'elp wit' thaat." She replies, only for him to grab her wrist.
Some time later, Steeler is entering the lab to ask for assistance with an H.A.L.'s targeting system while grumbling about the Col.'s decision to retire the M.O.B.A.T.s and Wolverines. Seeing no one, he checks a side room, only to run out as fast as can and collide with Tripwire. "Ow; so this is what it feels like." The latter tells himself before helping the tank driver up, and tilts his head when the other Joe starts pointing frantically.
"Th-th-th-the flo-floor... floor... body, Doc!"
"Steeler, Steeler! Slow down; what do you mean "body"? Whose?" He asks, and is lead into the supply room where they find McCabe's body.
She'd been strangled.
While Simmons and Hudson enter the lab with a gurney, the other Joes comment on the scene. "How am i suppose to say this to Rakel?"
"Who wo-who would do such a..."/"Shh, shh; she's in a better place now, Lady-Jaye."
"Ah don't know 'bout yew; but when ah find whichever l'il shit's r'sponsible, I'll grind 'em inta algae."
"Just let me have half so i can make shark bait outta him."/"Awk, hangin's too good for 'em."
While Duke tries to break that up, Col. Sharp talks to Flash, who is looking over what is left of the device. "Is there any chance you can repair it?"
"I doubt it sir, who ever did it knew what he was doing; we'll have to start all over."
While Flash leaves to do that, The Colonel turns to Tripwire while Steeler speaks with Dr. Rich. "You're certain there was no murder weapon, Tripwire?"
"No sir, just the marks around her neck." He replies, glancing at the other Joes as they watch the body get taken away in a mix of grief and anger.
"Breaker, i want the footage from that camera checked from when Steeler first entered all the way back to this morning." The Col. orders after patting Tripwire on the shoulder.
"Yes sir, right away." Breaker replies and gets to work on the keyboard.
Once he's gone, Scarlett wipes her eyes and nose before looking over to Deep Six. "How're you taking it?" She asks.
"Hmm; fine, i guess, why?" He asks back.
"Why?, Deep', she-Mallory was always going on about how she felt sorry for you." She replies, causing him to get another idea.
"Scarlett's right, she kept going out of her way so you would know we don't want you to be so alone all the time." Green-shirt Singh adds while the other Joes agree.
Deep Six however only taps his fingers against his arm. "So what; it was her decision, and putting up with her was mine." He says, inwardly grinning at their shocked faces.
Singh steps forward and pulls an arm back when she notices Quick-Kick's and Airborne's eyes widening. She turns to see a paused image of the murderer dragging Mallory into the side room. "You miserable bastard!" She yells as she's being restrained by Green-shirt Perry.
Col. Sharp and Duke walked towards him while Flint waved the M.P.s. over.
"No, sir wait, this has t-"/"Save the explanations for the J.A.G., Breaker. You are hereby under arrest for the murder of Mallory McCabe."
Chapter seventeen.
