Frontline News.


That afternoon, everyone has just arrived at The Joes Place for Col. Sharp's farewell dinner. "Here we are Lamont, 7PM on the dot." Roadblock tells him as he, Ace, Steeler, and Breaker walk in first.

"Haha; it's been a while, cous'!" The manager says, and whistles to himself when he notices how many customers he is about to have. "I'm in for some Heavy Duty, ain't i?" He says next when something gets his attention. "And is it just me, or are there some new faces 'round here?"

"So you noticed; a while ago Cobra had us in a big jam, so the gentleman in the big brown jacket over there brought some new friends and some toys to show the snakes a whole new meaning of wham!" Roadblock explained.

They are about to enter the kitchen when Lamont notices something else and sneers. "Aw hell no, what is he doing wearing that shit in my diner?!" He asks while pointing at one Joe's belt.

"If'n yew mean me, Ah ain't here tuh cause no hard feelings." Cross-Country tells him as everyone turns to see what is happening. "Ah kin do me a reverse if'n that's whutcha want." Lamont raises a brow at the suggestion and watches as the Joe heads into the restroom. After half a minute, Cross-Country comes back out with his gray shirt, hat, and boot wraps now dark blue and with a US flag on his belt buckle. "I've been told this here outfit wuz only aroun' tuh confuse 'em snakes; Ah'm real sorry fer inny offense."

"...Fine." Lamont says, and the two shake hands.

With that over, the Joes go around choosing seats. Leatherneck looks over to Heavy Metal while taking a box of Camels* out. "Want one?"

"Not me, buddy. No one in my family smoked since great-uncle Erhard." The tank driver tells him as an order of meatloaf is given.

"What happened to him?" Leatherneck asks while getting a lighter out.

"He was sitting on a barrel of his tri-plane's gas." Heavy Metal replies, causing the new guy to glance at his lighter and the dish before gulping.

While Breaker, Quick-Kick, Slip-Stream, and Grunt are snickering at that, Col. Sharp looks around to see Wet-Suit being ganged up on by Gung-Ho and Mainframe after a snide remark... Scarlett, Cover-Girl, and Lady-Jaye at the juke box... and Ace grimacing as Slip-Stream puts mayo on his fries before deciding to make his last speech.

"May i have your attention please. Throughout my career, it has been a privilege to serve with, and be in charge of, some of the bravest people that this country has had to offer; and while i haven't known the hardships faced on the field for some time, it was never easy to send you or any other fighting man or woman into harm's way. You may not have been ideal subordinates; no, you proved downright aggravating at times, but i was and will always be proud of having commanded such outstanding soldiers, marines, pilots, and sailors. Before i hand over the reigns, i bid you G.I. Joes a... a fond farewell."

As everyone wipes their eyes, he then turns to Hawk. "General Hawk, i hereby transfer command of the Government Issue Juryrigged Ordinance/vehicular Experimentation division to you, sir." He says, using the team's cover-acronym, and salutes.

"Transfer accepted, Colonel Sharp." General Hawk replies, but blinks when he is given a note. "An address?"

"For the bar at Keystone. You'll thank me whenever you have to beat yourself over the head with it and forget they exist when they get too rowdy." He explains before turning to the door. "Give those poison ropes one for me when they show up again; Yo, Joe." He says while waving without looking back.

"Sir, yes sir. Yo, Joe!" They told him. "Enjoy yourself, sir!"/"We'll never forget you, Colonel!"


Chapter thirty-eight.

*No actual smoking aloud.