Disclaimer – You recognise it, I don't own it.
1234567890
When Jane Doe awoke the light from the sun was just starting to peak over the horizon. Not dawn. Just pre-dawn light.
"Hey, easy." John put a gentle hand on her chest as she moved to sit up, "Easy."
"Who are you?" She demanded, a scowl crossing her features.
"John… And meet your fellow escapees… That's Sarah by the water. Alan propped up against that rock. Steve's over there. The others are all asleep."
In the same moment John handed over a canteen of water. One of the few they had among them.
"Escapees?" She frowned, "Who'd you escape from?"
"Cobra." John replied bluntly, "What's your name?"
"Covergirl… Cobra? Where?"
"Hopefully back at their base."
"How did they catch me?"
"What do you remember?"
"We attacked a convoy. Transporting diamonds. Cobra's. They used BATs."
"Bats?"
"Battle Android Troopers."
"That would explain why I didn't have many people reporting injured."
"I got separated. Then… Just fire."
"Fire and blood." John muttered, "From what I was told your… Tank? Got hit."
"My tank? My tank? My Mauler? My machine? How?"
"I don't know. I only know what I managed to get out of one of the Cobras. He said your tank got hit. They got you out. Then your tank exploded."
"My unit will be looking for me."
"I was given the impression that they don't know you're alive."
"Beach-Head wouldn't stop. Nor would Snake-Eyes. They're Rangers. Leave no man behind."
"You were in pretty bad shape." John stopped that line of attack. She was quite defensive about her team.
"How bad?" Covergirl looked down at her clothes.
"I'm no trauma specialist. And I'm sure a real one would have done a better and quicker job. But given that I was working with Cobra lackeys forced into scrubs I think I did a good job. Though it took me thirteen hours. And I nearly lost you twice on the table."
"You?" Covergirl frowned, "You're Cobra?"
"No. They were missing a medic. Don't know what happened to him. I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. You could say I was pressed into service."
"Oh." Covergirl stared, "And the others?"
"The miners." John replied, "For those diamonds. There were more of them, but we went separate ways."
"So what's your prognosis Doctor?"
"Call me John. And you should be fine. I'll need you to take antibiotics three times a day. And rest."
"Why so defensive?" Covergirl hadn't missed the wince.
"That's all they called me. They asked my name when I was impressed. But after that… It was either Doc or Doctor. I don't think they knew my name at the end."
"Hey," Covergirl smiled at him, "It's okay. They won't be bothering us again. Just as soon as my unit finds us."
"I'm not sure they're looking." John confessed.
"Of course they will… How long have I been out for?"
"Today is the eighth day."
"Eighth? I shouldn't have been out for that long."
"I sedated you. Not a lot, but enough to keep you out of it. The Lieutenant of the base was going to send you to someone called the Commander. I managed to buy you a week. If you'd been sitting up and talking coherently he'd have cancelled the deal."
"I understand. And thanks… A lot. What I don't get is what is taking my unit so long."
"Maybe they don't realize yet." John shrugged, "You're getting tired."
"I have to be able to walk. I can't hold you back."
"You aren't walking anywhere. Even if I have to strap you down to that stretcher myself. I triple tied your stitches, but I'd still rather someone look at them."
"And if I refuse?"
"I'll tie you to that stretcher."
"You're as tough as Doc and Lifeline."
"Your unit has strange names for each other. Drink some more. I'm afraid we don't have any food."
"You came out in the desert without food?" Covergirl stared, "Dusty would be appalled."
"Dusty?"
"Desert trooper."
"I didn't have a choice." John sighed, "The food rations and extra water containers were due to arrive over the next two weeks."
"Then you should have waited."
"You were due to be shipped to the Commander yesterday." John argued, "While a patient is in my care, I will not allow harm to come to them. You were my patient. Shipping you to the Commander I deemed would bring you harm. I moved up my timetable."
"To protect one you risked all!"
"And if I sacrificed one, I would be sacrificing my principles."
"You are a fool."
"So you may think. But we should be okay. We just need to stick to the Rule of Three."
"Rule of Three?" Covergirl frowned.
"Three seconds without hope. Three minutes without air. Three hours without shelter. Three days without water. Three weeks without food. Three months without companionship. The first two and last one do not apply to us. There is a city not too far from here. So we shouldn't run out of food. We can gather water at night. And the shelter only applies to extreme conditions."
"You're as crazy as my unit."
"And you're recovering amazingly well from the sedation."
"You should see some of the guys I know. Doc keeps threatening to buy a tranq gun."
"I can guess why." John grinned, "Look, just rest. We'll get to safety."
"You're nuts, John. But I'll trust you. If you get me killed though… I'll haunt you."
"It's a deal." John replied.
123456789
John didn't wait until the sun had fully risen before starting the group on their trek. He didn't want them to be walking during the hottest part of the day.
Surprisingly Covergirl conceded the fight about walking. Though honestly Alan thought that rather had something to do with the fact that when she tried to get up she could barely take three steps.
John led the group. Though the rest of them doubted that he knew where he was going any better than the rest of them. However it was better than doing nothing. And he was following the compass as best as possible given the terrain.
At nearing noon they built a bit of shade to rest in. And drink from their limited supply of water.
Later they carried on walking, until it started to get dark. Then they set up a basic camp, forgoing fire due to lack of fuel… And a disinclination to burn their clothes or equipment.
They did, however, set up a couple of solar stills. So that they would have water for the next day.
The next day, they didn't set out, until the sun had been up for a few hours. In order to maximise the water from their stills. It was worth the compromise.
123456789
On the fourth day of their trek from the oasis, John had to shield his eyes as he saw something that looked like it might be a mirage.
There was a dust cloud being kicked up. And it was moving towards them.
Fast.
John flicked his hand up, demanding a halt, which he immediately got.
"What have you got?" Alan broke the silence which had lasted since their trek had started that day.
"Something's coming." John replied.
"What is it?" Jack pressed.
"Don't know. But its fast." John shrugged.
The group basically stood in silence. Most of them pressing closer around the sleeping Covergirl's stretcher, to hide her should the incoming be unfriendly.
A black motorbike pulled to a stop in front of them. A man dressed in black from head to toe got off. The only colour on him, apart from black, was the silver and grey of his weapons. Which were enough to arm the entire group of men he was facing.
He didn't speak, just merely cocked his head to one side.
"Captain John Watson, Commander of the Three Continents Division." John declared, snapping off a salute.
"John!" Mac hissed.
"He's American." John countered.
"How can you tell?" Louis asked.
"White star and blue, red, white stripes on the bike." John pointed.
John hadn't turned his head away from the man, though he had dropped the salute and fallen into a parade stance.
The black-clad man was tapping a radio quickly and quietly. It was likely to be morse-code, but John's exhaustion was making it difficult to make out the individual letters.
After a while, the man stopped and just stood there, leaning slightly back on his bike.
For ten minutes neither the man nor John moved. The other soldiers shifted slightly, moving a little in discomfort due to the heat. However John was perfect in his stance, as if he were on a parade ground, under the scrutiny of his drill sergeant.
Though part of his mind marvelled at how the black-clad man was staying so still. Though the position he was in was probably more comfortable than the parade stance, it wasn't easier to hold.
1234567890
Please Review.
For those of you who don't know GI Joe that well…
GI Joe is the code name for America's daring, highly trained Special Mission Force; its purpose to defend human freedom from Cobra. A ruthless terrorist organisation determined to rule the world.
And Covergirl… Well, her real name is Courtney Krieger. Former highly successful fashion model turned Army Tank Jockey, because she wanted to do something meaningful in her life.
I would like to thank my followers and reviewers. Thank you.
hjohn302 – Glad you think so. Enjoy.
IzzyDelta – Sorry, please translate the latin… It's been a long time. But glad you like.
Johnsarmylady – Thank you!
Guest – Well, I've given you the answer now.
Msmhtp – Thanks… (And it's "gets better". Sorry, I know English isn't your first, but I have this thing about grammar. I'm not meaning to be rude.)
Kat-lady04 – You were reading this during training? Go you!
photo100 – Thanks for the vote of approval.
GabrielsDoubt – If you want entertainment about Colditz, get hold of Pat Reid's books: "The Colditz Story" and "The Latter Days of Colditz". Both are very good. Also fun to read is: "Colditz, The German Story". Which surprisingly corroborates much of Pat Reid's books… Yes, I have read all three.
Once again thank you.