Chapter 4

Finally got the last chapter of this one up. Sorry it took so long; had to get new computer and it was a pain to get used to and moving was a hassle, too. I don't own any thing of GI Joe and its affiliation and I don't make money on my writing.

Snake Eyes studied the scene in front of him. He had followed Timber's signal to this place far back into a stand of trees a few miles away from the main road. The clearing was at least two acres wide and two across, with a large barnlike building to one side and surrounded with at least sixty; seventy vehicles. He looked over the many cars that were in the clearing; wondering what kind of business it was that they would want a large animal like the lobo? They even had men that were armed with semiautomatics patrolling the lot. Even from 50 yards away he could hear the screaming and cheering that was going on inside the building.

He had already contacted the team and told them that he had reached the place. They had delayed their return to the Pit; much to his annoyance; and said they would wait for him. He tried to tell them to head to the base, but it wasn't until he heard Scarlett's voice telling him that she would wait for his return, that he complied but not before he sent back a few choice words to her.

It wasn't long before he noticed two men carrying a bundle out of a back door and dropping it near the trees and returned to the building. Circling the parking lot, he went to where they had dropped the bundle. When he reached the spot, his jaw tightened as he spied the bloodied bodies of several large dogs. They had taken Timber to a dog fighting ring! He hesitated only long enough to let the team know what was happening before he crept his way through the cars, past the guards, and found another side door to quickly slip inside. The din inside was deafening but it was not enough to deter him as he quickly; carefully; made his way up and down the aisles. He stopped when he saw two guards standing near a doorway that led where all the cheering was coming from; but they seemed more interested in what was going on the other side of the door than behind them.

Snake Eyes finally came to the cage he wanted. Timber threw himself at the barrier that was between them. Giving him a signal to sit, Snake Eyes reached for the collar that hung on a nail, opened the door, and then motioned for Timber to come along.

Timber launched himself at his master, even though the ruckus of the animals nearby drowned out the whining that came from his throat. He saw Snake Eyes make a sign and followed his master closely as the ninja ran for the entrance he had come in.

Snake Eyes reached for the door handle just as bullets hit the frame. So much for getting away unnoticed; now the guards outside would be on the alert.

Snake Eyes and Timber weaved in and out of the parked cars, trying to dodge the hail of bullets that hit around them. He hesitated only to give Timber a signal and headed for some of the guards in the parking lot.

Low to the ground, Timber tackled one guard and broke his arm; turned and knocked one guard flat before heading back to his master who had reached the motorcycle. He snorted a little as the ninja started the cycle and took off. Snake Eyes knew that the lobo would keep up with the bike as he headed down the road.

Snake Eyes slowed a little as Heavy Duty's voice came over his headset.

"Snake, we got your signal and we are about four clicks away to the East. We've called the local law and told them about the ring. You better high tail it out of there…now!"

Snake Eyes acknowledged the order and headed for the rendezvous that been sent to him. After about a mile, he abandoned the cycle and ran the rest of the way to the ship. As soon as he entered, Timber left his side and ran into Cat's arms. He watched with a bit of satisfaction as Cat hugged and roughhoused with the lobo. He went over to sit on the other side of Scarlett, who sat near Ripcord.

"Ooh, I missed you, you big crazy thing." Cat cooed as she gave Timber another hug. She then sat down on one of the seats and watched as Timber went over to Scarlett and gently put his head on her knee. Ears back, Timber looked up at the woman's eyes and whined a little.

"What's wrong, boy?" Scarlett said as she slowly reached out and scratched behind his ears.

"He knows you're hurt." Cat said as the lobo whined again.

"Lie down and rest, Scarlett." Piped up Ripcord. "We'll be at the Pit in no time and Doc will evaluate whatever else needs to be done."

"We still need to find out what happened to those people that were at the ranch when we were taken." Scarlett said as she leaned back. "What did Duke and Heavy come up with?" She saw a small gesture come from Snake Eyes. "We were discussing what Storm Shadow said to you and I got to thinking…I noticed that there were some women staying at the ranch when we arrived, but I didn't see them after we had been there a few days."

Cat spoke up as she sat on his other side. "I didn't think of anything at the time, but Scarlett did ask one time if they were on the trails."

"I was told they had left the day after we got there." Scarlett's eyes closed a little as she spoke. "'Should have realized something from the start when I saw the cars on the day I asked." Her voice faded as she leaned her head back. "The cars were gone later." She whispered before starting to doze, much to Ripcord's annoyance, leaning on Snake Eyes' shoulder.

Heavy Duty and Duke soon joined them. Heavy glanced over at the sleeping Scarlett before speaking.

"Breaker has found a few reports of a few vacationers disappearing from other vacation spots. Hawk is sending teams over to there to check them out." He motioned to Scarlett and Cat. "He wants them to both to get checked out at the Pit."

Snake Eyes saw Cat tense a bit and he gave her a sign to wait as Heavy continued to speak.

"When we get back, we're to report and debrief for the next mission."

All nodded.

Snake Eyes turned to Cat.

"I don't need to see the Doc. I'm fine."

*How bad is your headache?*

Cat started then turned away before answering. "It's not that bad." She could feel the glare from behind the visor. Before she turned back to face him, she looked at Timber, who had curled up at their feet.

*Order.*

She nodded *Yes, sir.*

Snake Eyes barely nodded in return. He had noticed that both Scarlett and Cat had the look of pain on their faces, even though Scarlett had been the only one shot. Timber seemed the only one not affected by whatever had gassed them. In fact, the lobo seemed to be in better shape that the women. He moved his foot a little and Timber shifted toward it. Snake Eyes accommodated the animal by rubbing Timber's neck with his foot for the rest of the way back to the Pit.

Again, I am sorry for the lateness in finishing this story. There will be a continuation on the one called "Friends Chapter 2".