Disclaimer: I do not own G.I Joe. We've established this, yes?
"Well, what do you suggest for research, Breaker? I assume you've already done some of it online," Duke asked as the helicopter took off.
"Yup. I bet Lady Jaye and Scarlett end up with a bunch of copies of myth related stuff. I think we should look at all the names in time theory and science. If we can connect their work to scientists or theorists that are alive today, maybe it will give us a list of potential targets. I've already started a partial list," he said, unwrapping a piece of gum and popping it in his mouth.
"I bet he's the Doctor," Clutch interjected.
Breaker snorted, almost choking on his gum. Duke looked confused. "Who?" he asked.
This time Breaker did choke on his gum. He started coughing and Clutch looked at him, concerned. "You need help there, buddy?"
He waved Clutch off and ended up swallowing it. "Damn it, that was my last piece. Don't you ever watch TV, Duke?"
"I watch the news occasionally, when I get time."
"That's it? I mean, 'Doctor Who' is one of the biggest things from British television right now. How can you not have heard of it?"
"I'd rather do other things in my spare time. It's not like I get a whole lot of it, not with all the chaos that goes on," Duke paused. "So, who is the Doctor?"
Clutch and Breaker started laughing. Airborne spoke up, "That's the point, Top. No one knows his name, so it's just the Doctor. It's a running joke that everyone asks 'who' after he is introduced."
"Didn't they reveal it recently? I don't know if I actually like it or not. I kind of preferred him not having a name," pointed out Breaker.
Clutch shook his head. "No, no, that was the actor's name, not the Doctor's."
"Really? I haven't had much time to really look into it, just watched the episode a few days ago, actually."
"Cobra cutting into your 'Doctor Who' time, Breaker?" asked Airborne.
Breaker snorted. "Not just 'Doctor Who'. Cobra cuts into everything."
"Who knew I was surrounded by geeks?" Duke groaned.
"The proper term is Whovians, Top," Airborne corrected him.
Duke shook his head and planted his palm on his face, letting it slide down. "Whatever," he muttered. He half listened to the three of them as they continued discussing this Doctor Who thing for the rest of the flight. At least they had something in common outside of fighting Cobra or getting into trouble, he supposed.
They arrived at the Library of Congress. The main building was concrete gray, and it even had a miniature dome top like the White House, albeit in the same gray instead of white. "Did you know this is actually only one building? There is another one across the street over there," Airborne said, pointing.
"The first thing that should be on the agenda is to take a look at the Rotunda Clock. It has an image of Father Time on it. After that, I have a list of things for each of us to look up and have noted in what sections of the library to find the information," Breaker said, holding up several sheets of paper.
"I'm glad you have a plan of attack ready, Breaker. Let's see them," Duke said.
Breaker passed them out. "I hoped you wouldn't mind, Duke. I tried to make it easy, but let's be honest, it's going to be boring and dry as hell and even professional ass-sitters are going to be sore. I have yet to run into a library with comfortable chairs."
"No, this is fine. I'll defer to the literary expert in this case."
"I don't know about that. I tried to give us equal amounts, but without actually doing the research myself, there isn't a way to tell how far each rabbit hole goes. I hope you don't mind that I included you, Airborne."
"Not like I have anything better to do except wait. Might as well make myself useful."
"Well, let's go take a look at that clock. After that, if you finish early, Find someone else to help out, that way we can get done with this ASAP," ordered Duke.
"You know, after doing all that reading and sitting around, I don't even want to get back in the 'copter," complained Clutch.
Breaker popped a bubble. "Cry me a river, there's a drought somewhere."
"Fuck you, I'm not used to sitting on my ass all day. I thought you swallowed your last piece of gum?"
"I gave you fair warning. Bought another pack at the café."
"I know, but still. And I didn't know there was a café. Ah man, I missed lunch!"
Duke snorted, looking up from the list they had compiled. "That's your own fault. Breaker had everything all scheduled and mapped out."
"What can I say? I was really into the research."
Airborne snorted. "You mean you were really into the chick that was reading at the same table as you."
"Having someone to compare notes with made it less boring."
"Alrighty then," commented Breaker. Duke rolled his eyes.
"You know what? Even after all that researching, I still say he's the Doctor," Clutch grinned.
"So, just put him on the list," interrupted Airborne.
"Yeaaah, already tried that and nearly got brained by Scarlett. Surprising that I didn't have to explain it to her, 'cause you know she has better things to do," said Breaker.
Clutch snorted.
"Just don't go there," Duke sighed.
"No, of course not, Duke. Unlike Clutch, some of us would much prefer if Scarlett never kicked us in the family jewels," said Airborne.
"Come on, she totally digs me. That's just her way of being friendly."
"I really don't think certain ninja masters get kicked like you do," commented Breaker.
"Guys," Duke warned.
"That just goes to show you she does like me. She reserves that special kick just for me."
"Uh huh, as well as Shipwreck, nine-tenths of the male greenshirts, and whoever else manages to piss her off and has a Y chromosome," Breaker said before blowing another bubble.
"Oh looky, we're back at the bird. It's time to go back to the Pit. You think Scarlett will be back yet?" asked Clutch.
Duke got into the helicopter, shaking his head. Sometimes, they really just didn't know when to shut up. He knew, someday, there was going to be a report on his desk about either Snake Eyes snapping and doing some impossible-to-describe ninja-thing-that-is-painful to Clutch, or Scarlett snapping and doing some permanent damage. His bet was on Scarlett snapping first.
"You know, I think the only reason Snakes doesn't actually kick your ass for hitting on Scarlett is because he enjoys watching her do it instead, Clutch," whispered Airborne while Breaker nodded.
Author's Note: The whole Doctor Who conversation was inspired by Greentigerr. I mean, honestly, how can you talk about the subject of time and not bring him up (apparently I can, silly me). Edit* I recently found out that I need to pay more attention to the real world. I ended up changing a few lines because the Doctor's name has not been revealed, like I thought. It was the just actor's name. *facepalm*