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While the other Joes are divided over the discovery, Doc is doing the autopsy of McCabe. He notes that there are no defensive wounds, which was backed up by the scene of her being held down. He also notes that Breaker's not the best at hand to hand, but he assumed the extra strength required was from an adrenaline rush; still, he is troubled by the fact that anyone, let alone a Joe, could have been capable of this.

Which is also being discussed everywhere else in the base.

Out on the rifle range, Blowtorch is with Zap, Mutt, and Ripcord. As he fires away at the plywood H.I.S.S.s, they talk about the scene earlier. "I still don't get it... Breaker just isn't the kind of man who would snap like that." Zap says while reloading.

Mutt takes two shots into the tracks before speaking. "Aw, anyone can go rabid. It just takes the... right flea to show up and bite you."

"But without any of us noticing? He's like Deep Six's opposite, never been alone in a room since this outfit started." Zap tells him, but pauses to say bathrooms don't count.

"Speakeng av which, who else agrees dat Deep was out av line back dere? I can't blame de lass fhr wanteng to flatten him." Blowtorch says next as he reloads.

"I agree, it was kinda harsh... but he was probably just lying to himself." Ripcord added while shooting the turret. The other three all glanced at each other before nodding and they resumed practicing.

In Col. Sharp's office, Duke walks in and is asked how the call to Bennet went. "He was as mortified as we were but he offered to inform McCabe's family for us." He answers before sitting down. "Seems it still hasn't sank in yet because i asked Breaker to call him even though it was Lewinski." He adds while running a hand down his face.

"...We have been overly reliant on him over the years, haven't we?" Flint asks, looking down to the floor.

"I've informed Washington of the situation, but Gen. Abernathy kept refusing to send Mainframe to replace him." Col. Sharp tells them, mumbling and cursing about plots and conspiracies under his breath. "Perhaps our tendency to ignore the man; and all the double duty after Sparks resigned must have gotten to be too much for him."

"Maybe; but there is another potential reason, Colonel." Duke says, after considering all of the other opportunities Breaker would have had to double cross them.

The possibility that he deliberately made the anti-Relay Star satellite he and Mainframe* built move slowly enough so Cobra could destroy it.

When he had temporary control of the M.A.S.S. device, and the Weather Dominator.

He could have also given a false trajectory for the spy satellite that landed in Africa.

The time just before the Solar Farm ordeal.

And worst of all, atleast to Duke, when he was alone with Scarlett in the Pit Viper.

"Such as?" The Col. asks, bringing him back to reality.

"It... it may have been related to the hypnosis he, Shipwreck, and Footloose were affected by earlier."

"You mean they and the four M.P.s could still be under Cobra control? I'm not sure about that. Flint was in the same situation; why not have him do it?"

"They must have added a new layer to it afterwards." Duke replies while shrugging.

"Back to the topic; the rest of the audience members might also be potential sleeper agents." Flint adds, and starts counting mentally. "Sir, we need to call the stadium and find out how many were there."

"I'll get right on it; Bre..." The Colonel started before cursing. "Lewinski, i need you to make a call to the Keystone stadium."

In Deep Six's unofficial spot, he's listening through a connection to the intercom built into his dive suit with a smug look on his face.

He knew that this would mean the patsy would eventually be released, but also that he could continue his duty to Cobra uninterrupted.


Chapter eighteen.

*Made up.