Chapter 3
Briefing…
It was decided right away that there would be three separate teams assigned to find three mutants the intelligence briefings listed. There was no real deciding factors as to who went were so they broke up into teams as follows.
Flint and Dial Tone were to go after a mutant named "Forge" real name unknown. A Native American, from the Cheyenne nation, Forge's special abilities listed him as having an unsurpassed brilliance in technology, super human invention skills, allowing for intuitive knowledge of how to construct and understand anything of a mechanical nature. He had served as a Sergeant in the First Gulf war and during his tour of duty had lost his right leg and right hand. It was also rumored that he had worked for a top secret pentagon funded program in the past. Using his special skills he was able to forge cybernetic replacements for his lost limbs. His last known residence was listed as Dallas, TX. So, Flint and Dialtone would be following up that lead.
Leatherneck and Beachhead where going to be tracking down an, Alexander Summers, AKA, Havok. Born in Honolulu, Hawaii to the father of a U.S. Air force Major killed in action he had grown up in an orphanage. Havok possesses the power to absorb ambient cosmic energy, process, and emanate it from his body and channel plasma blasts in a certain location through his arms. A highly destructive highly volatile form of power. He is immune to all forms of adverse radiation and heat. He earned a degree in geophysics in college, and his last known whereabouts was upstate NY.
That left Tunnel Rat and Wild Bill going after the third mutant on their list known as Logan or "The Wolverine." His listed special abilities include animal keen senses, an absolutely superhuman healing factor allowing him to recover from virtually any wound, disease or toxin at an accelerated rate. The healing factor also slows down his aging process and his true age is listed as unknown. It is believed that as far back as World War Two Logan was a Solider of Fortune and served with the 1st Parachute Battalion during D-Day. He has had extensive military training and was thought to had once participated in a program dubbed "Super Solider" which enhanced his indestructibility. Wolverine's mutation also consists of animal like adaptations to his body including three retractable claws housed within each forearm. He is said to be a master of nearly every Martial Arts style known to man. He was last known to be working at a lumber mill in Anchorage, Alaska.
The meeting only lasted forty five minutes and the team was anxious to get a good nights sleep and be ready to deploy in the morning. Dialtone made the necessary personnel transports for 0600. While the rest of the team dispersed for the evening. On there way back to there bunks the men spoke to one another concerning all the news of the day.
"This is so amazing" Tunnel Rat stated. " I still can't believe all those things are true. I mean this Logan guy he'd have to be in his nineties at least, if he was, in World War Two.
"Yea this is sure going to be something!" Wild Bill announced. " I just wonder what those crazy snakes are up to? With fellows like these they could take over entire nations very easily I'm glad we got the Intel when we did otherwise we'd be in a real jam."
"I'm not sure we aren't in a real "jam" here Wild Bill." Shipwreck spoke up. " I'm just trying to think how these mutants who have lived in relative secrecy and even, may have worked with us before are going to respond to our requests for assistance now."
"I guess we will know pretty soon Shipwreck" Flint responded. " looks like we will all be getting up close and personal with these mutants in the very near future. Ship, Doc informed me that Gambit is out of surgery and in stable condition. Tomorrow you need to check in on him and see if we can garnish our first recruit."
"Will do Flint" Shipwreck answered as the men reached there temporary housing building.
"Well let's call it a night men." leatherneck interjected. "I need to start reading the back of my eyes see you all at first light!"
The next morning Shipwreck said goodbye to the other members of the team as they all packed into three separate Humvees which would take them to the airport. He watched as the vehicles pulled out of the small base and headed towards there destination. He couldn't help feeling somewhat left out as he made his way to the Medical Housing Unit to find Gambit. Upon arrival he was greeted by a very pretty brunette, nurse at the front desk.
"Hey there bright eyes." Shipwreck flirted. " I didn't know this based housed such beautiful woman."
The nurse barely looked up from her charts and simply asked. "Is there something I can do for you sailor?"
"I'm sure there is" Shipwreck went on." But what I have in mind would have to start over dinner. Say I pick you up at eight o'clock?"
"I don't think so." The nurse returned. " I never date Navy men, to many bad experiences."
Well, that's a shame, truly a missed opportunity." Shipwreck replied. " In that case could you point me in the direction of a patient by the name of Gambit."
"Down the hall room number 112 on the left oh and, sailor I think he just became conscious in the last hour or so, so please go easy on him." The nurse warned as Shipwreck meandered down the hall towards his room.
Before reaching room 112 Shipwreck happened upon Dr. Carl Greer the physician from the night before heading from another patients room.
"Hey Doc." Shipwreck called. " How's our boy this morning? I hear he made it through surgery and is conscious? Has he spoken yet?"
"Nice to see you Shipwreck, He hasn't said a word as far as we know to anyone yet I must admit, I sent that young brunette nurse in there awhile ago hoping she might get a reaction out of him but she said he wasn't the slightest bit interested." Doc stated.
"Wow he must have been really wounded and maybe still out of it if she didn't illicit a reaction." Shipwreck responded." I need to have a little conversation with him do you think he's up for it?"
" We had to remove both bullets and the surgery went well. His vitals are all stable for the time being Ship, so he should be able to talk to you, just don't push it." Doc warned." He lost a lot of blood and he may still be very weak."
"Sure thing Doc" Shipwreck called as he reached room 112. " I'll tell you how it goes."
Shipwreck turned the handle and stepped into the room. Gambit lay in the bed a number of different machines attached to him monitoring his heart rate and other vitals. He was attached to an IV and appeared to be sleeping. Shipwreck sat down on a chair beside him.
"Er umm... heya Gambit are you awake?" Shipwreck asked.
Gambit opened his eyes and looked at Shipwreck." I'm not sleeping mon ami I'm just resting my eyes." He stated. " I woke up feeling like I wrestled a bear last night. I wasn't sure were I was so I figured I better keep quiet until I could decide my next course of action. It is good to see a familiar face. Thanks for saving me back there. I'm not sure how that thug got the drop on me but if you hadn't been around I'm sure, well I wouldn't be lying in this bed talking to you this morning."
"Don't mention it Gambit" Shipwreck responded. "We have a sordid history with "The Dreadnoks" I'm just glad I was able to do it."
"So" Gambit continued. " When you say "We" for whom are you referring to? I realize I'm in some sort of a military hospital but no offense here, you don't seem to be the norm. for active duty military, even in the Navy."
Shipwreck chuckled and began. "Well man, to be honest I'm not exactly in any "normal" military outfit, but I am active. I am part of a special missions group code-name G.I. Joe. Are primary function is combating a ruthless terrorist organization known as Cobra, who are hell bent on taking over the world. We are basically a secret, kind of like you in that respect, huh?"
There was silence for a few seconds before Gambit answered. "Well I guess you liked my little card trick back at the bar then? No reason pulling any punches with you, I owe you my life. What exactly can I do for you Mister Shipwreck?"
Shipwreck then began to recount the briefing from the night before making sure to include the details of Cobra and Magneto's newly developed relationship and the ramifications if they where left to go about there business. When he was done he sat back and allowed the information to seep in. He then asked Gambit if he had any knowledge of who Magneto was.
"Well I have heard rumors, and may have had actually had a run in with him not two weeks ago as a matter of fact" Gambit admitted." A mutant fitting that description wondered into a poker room along with a couple of his friends and propositioned me. I told him I wasn't interested in much more than taking him and his friends money. He started talking all kinds of nonsense about mutants rising up and claiming there rightful place at the top of the food chain or some sort. Well I told him right then and there that whatever he thought he knew about me, surely he must have been mistaken, because I wasn't about to get involved in some crazy scheme to hunt down humans. I'm satisfied just fine taking there money's in a card game. If this guy is as powerful as you say he is though, I'm not sure I wanna swat the hornets nest my friend.
"I understand Gambit." Shipwreck replied. " But the fact is these mutants are picking sides and sooner or later you're gonna have to choose who you will stand with. In my experience Cobra is not about to give up, we will have to take them down and we're gonna need your help I'm afraid, so what do say man will you fight with us against these terrorists?"
Gambit laid back on the bed and collected his thoughts, most of his life he had been a relative loner, he had spent the better part of the last ten or fifteen years playing cards in hole in the wall bars. Bilking foolish, wanna-be hustlers out of there cash. He loved poker and you could say it really was the only life he knew. However he now felt an obligation to this man for saving him, and for the first time he suddenly felt needed like maybe there was a purpose for him after all. He knew what he had to do. He turned to Shipwreck and simply said. " Count me in! I will help you and your team with whatever is needed of me!"
Shipwrecked breathed a sigh of relief cleared his throat and responded "Sounds great man, now rest awhile it will be at least a couple days before we here back from the rest of the team. I'm glad your're on board I'll stop back in this afternoon after I get in touch with my superior's. take it easy."
And with that Shipwreck rose from his chair and headed out the door just as an explosion ripped threw the building. Throwing Shipwreck back into the room landing him on the floor between gambits bed and the door.