Part IV: Enter Cobra Commander
In a manufacturing center on Cobra Island, Cobra Commander watched from an observation bay above the factory floor, from his vantage point he could oversee Techno Vipers working on the main floor putting together humanoid shaped robots. "Sir, Commander Sahalin is here to see you, he's waiting in the factory office."
Wordlessly, the Commander walked out of the observation bay, and headed down the hall to the factory office. Commander Ginias Sahalin was a tall, thin man, with blond hair. He was one of Cobra's best weapons developers, a bit eccentric that some would say borders on insanity, but he was smart as hell. Maybe too smart for his own good.
"Cobra Commander, I'm pleased that you were able to see me," Ginias said as he stood to attention.
"Yes, Dr. Mindbender had informed me of your interesting proposal," Cobra Commander started off, "but I'm hesitate to provide funding unless the technology is feasible. I'm not going to throw good money away on a dead end project."
"Commander, I can assure you the project could work with currently existing technology."
"The optimum word is 'could,' Sahalin. I'll grant you funding for your project and send you to our Southeast Asia base to work. But remember I expect results or I'll yank the plug on this venture," hissed the Commander.
"Thank you Cobra Commander," Ginias bowed his head slightly. Walking down the hall, Ginias' face took a darker expression. You want results, Commander? You will see first hand the end results of this project too bad you won't live long enough to benefit from it.
Passing the weapons scientist in the hall, Scrap Iron caught a glimpse of the dark expression on his face before entering the office. "Commander, I don't trust Ginias. From what I've heard about him, he seems to have his own agenda. I just passed him the hall, and I felt uneasy." Scrap Iron explained to the Commander in usual raspy voice.
"Hmm. I just granted him to commence with his project seems pretty important to him," The Commander replied placing his hand under want passed for his chin on his faceplate. "If what you're saying is true then I'll appoint an overseer to keep an eye on Sahalin and report directly to me about the status of the project." Cobra Commander can be very cautious about threats to him especially within Cobra, but he does not want to tip his hand. With Sahalin, the Commander will have to keep things very quiet.
Returning to the Terrordrome, the Commander adjourned to his private dining room. Before he called for his dinner, a female Crimson Guard entered. "Ah! Cynthia!" The Commander greeted.
Cynthia was a tall, slim figured woman who wore the standard Crimson Guardsman uniform minus the helmet. Her blond hair was wrapped into a conservative bun. "You wished to see me, sir?" Her tone was very business like.
"Yes, my dear. I'm sending you to our Southeast Asia base next week. You're going to act as an overseer on a project there and you're to report directly to me but you'll have to observe Commander Sahalin's authority as a professional curiosity."
"I understand Commander."
"Excellent," The Commander hissed
After Cynthia left a soft buzzing came from a panel embedded into the table. "Yes?" The Commander spoke into the comlink.
"Commander, your dinner is ready."
"Very well, send it up."
Within minutes, a servant brought in the Commander's dinner, Beef Stroganoff with a burgundy wine and mushroom sauce, his favorite, along with a very fine white wine. Dismissing his server, Cobra Commander removed his helmet and faceplate, and then placed them aside for easy reach. No one has ever seen his face; which had people wondering how badly deformed was his face. But that didn't concern him what his troops thought, he just wanted them to fight for him. Picking a remote control that resembles a PADD from Star Trek, the Commander turned a wall TV to watch MSNBC and Fox News. Cobra Commander preferred to be well informed on the events happening around the world, since ignorance could have dire consequences. Also he got a laugh out of those liberal nut jobs and their ideals on welfare, education, justice and the environment just to name a few.
One thing he had to disagree with Middle East terrorist is the use of suicide bombers, which was a waste of good explosives, and a man who could have been trained to do more. It's sad that people would throw their lives away in the name of religion. Another buzzing came from the panel on the table just as he started to dine. "Whatever is, it better be important?"
"Sorry to disturb you, sir, but we have the latest intelligence reports."
"Very well, send it down" The Cobra Commander placed his fork on the plate, then placed his helmet and face plate back on; waiting for a Tele Viper to deliver the intell reports.