DISCLAIMER: I don't know GI Joe, since that's the works of Hasbros. I only own Codex/Chloe,. My first Joe fic, so let me know when you're finished reading this chapter. Also, signing will be in Bold and writing will be in italics. ENJOY!

(Ten years later… Daytime)

"For nearly four centuries, my ancestors have been the greatest creators of weaponry in the world. But perhaps in this century, I'll outdo them all," James McCullen said in front of his audience.

Off to the side sat General Clay "Hawk" Abernathy and "Cover Girl", two of the higher operatives in the GI Joe program. Also with them was another woman, donning all black military attire and a medium short hairdo somewhat tied back from her face. Her once sparkling brown eyes were now adorned with a green hazel coloring and a glint of somberness now appeared in her eyes. She had her eyes narrowed in order to read McCullen's lips, but for a seasoned lip reader, it was hard for the woman to catch what he was saying in a world where the deaf wasn't as equal as a hearing person. Cover Girl saw this and she wrote down what was being said.

Thank you, CG…I never would have known what he was saying… the woman signed to her superior officer.

Nothing to worry about, Nixx. We'll try and make it easier for you to detect anything out of the norm with this guy, Cover Girl wrote on the electronic pad she had in her hands.

Oh, I sense something from McCullen, all right…and it isn't looking too good for him either…

Cover Girl nodded her head as the three listened onto the presentation. Nixx focused on reading McCullen throughout the rest of the presentation, her mind on hoe the general was doing with all of this. Eight hours later saw the trio back at the Pit. General Hawk pulled Nixx to the side once the three got near to Hawk's office.

"Has Breaker given you something to help with your lip reading?" Hawk asked in a way Nixx was able to read his lips.

Pulling out a small PDA, Nixx typed out her response.

He's been working on it as of late, but it's still in need of tweaking before it's really ready for testing…I could ask him about it now and see if it's ready.

"Please do…I understand that it's getting harder for you to pick it up with some of the newer recruits. You're one of the best we have here, Nixx…" Hawk said as he placed a hand on her shoulder. "I'd hate to see you get left behind on your work because of this."

Nixx nodded her head before she went in search of Breaker. Once she found him, the top technician handed her the device Hawk was talking about.

"It should be no problems with it now, Nixx…try it out," Breaker said as Nixx fitted the device onto her ears.

The device, to the untrained eye, looked like a pair of wireless headphones that wrapped behind Nixx's head. Once it was set into place, Nixx pushed on a little button and the device was turned on, allowing Nixx's contacts to rotate a little…kind of like Geordi La Forge from Star Trek: Next Generation, which was kinda cool in Breaker's opinion.

"Well…does it work?" Breaker asked after letting Nixx play around with it.

Nixx nodded her head, telling Breaker that it was working just fine.

"Can you understand what I'm saying?"

Another nod from Nixx.

"Wonderful! It's working great then…"

Nixx just smiled briefly at the success of the device. She knew that this would help her greatlywhen she was asked to discover anything a person would be hiding from this point forward.

Later that night, Nixx was in the middle of meditating in the rec room when the rest of Alpha team walked in. Heavy Duty, Scarlet, Breaker, and Snake Eyes all were glad to have time off in between missions. Heavy Duty and Breaker went to the video games while Scarlett went on the treadmill. Snake Eyes, however, sat across from Nixx and went into a similar position as the young woman. Nixx's eyes were closed and her breathing stable, but she had the corner of her mouth in a slight smirk.

I felt you guys coming before you set foot in here, Nixx signed without opening her eyes.

Snake Eyes signed back on Nixx's knee, Yeah…so Breaker said that the device works now so that you can read lips better.

With that comment did Nixx's eyes open. Her contacts were out, so her natural brown eye color was staring back at Snake Eyes' visor. Nixx nodded her head in response.

I would prefer that you kept signing with me…I don't want to lose practice because I can read lips better now.

And you'll never be out of practice with me, Nixx. I know better than to leave you struggling to keep up with both signing AND reading lips, Snake Eyes signed back.

Nixx smiled at the comment. Ever since she entered GI Joe, Snake Eyes was the only one that ever signed with her. When Nixx first was introduced to the team, they thought that they would hve to rely on Snake Eyes, but learned that she was able to read lips; just not as fluent as the silent ninja. Then, Hawk walked into the Rec Room, causing all in the room to stand at attention.

"At ease…we got Intel of the nanomite warheads about to be taken en route to its buyer. Need you guys out there and make sure it doesn't get into the wrong hands…" Hawk said before the team deployed for its mission.

A/N: And now, we're introduced to the team. Next chapter is when Duke and Ripcord will be introduced. Don't forget to R+R. -JO-