UNKNOWN
Part 1: Her
Chapter 1: Meeting
Carrying his bag over his shoulder, Storm Shadow took a good look around the pit and then back to the direction his sword brother Snake Eyes drew that was on a piece of paper he was currently holding.
After the "complete" wipeout of G.I. Joes the last time, he didn't expect the rebuild to be like this…
Looking around, he estimated that the G.I. Joes have about three hundred new recruits.
Given his history, they were probably told about him.
And there it is… As he walked by, they all looked at him as though they expect him to let Cobra Commander in any minute.
Except… The young woman at the corner, busying herself with inventory of the crate that was in front of her. He may be able to approach her and ask for her help in navigating the Joe base.
When he was near her, he cleared his throat. As she looked up, he was struck by how her dark brown eyes looked, beautiful but sharp. Then she smiled, which made her gorgeous in his eyes and yet… He didn't know… Something felt wrong about the whole thing.
"If I may ask for your aid?"
"Sure. What do you need?"
He handed her the crumpled paper in his hand while she tucked a strand of chestnut brown hair that strayed from her ponytail, behind her ear.
"Oh… Command center. That's easy enough." He was only half listening to her directions but he was able to discern where he needed to go.
"Thank you." That feeling of wrongness persisted. Storm Shadow just ignored it.
"You're welcome." She stretched her back. "You're Storm Shadow right?"
"That is correct."
Her smile widened. "I've heard so much about you. Honestly, I'm a fan."
The last time he heard those words, the sadistic prison warden who spoke them escaped him. That feeling of wrongness heightened.
"Thank you again for your help." He turned to walk towards the Command Center.
"No problem." The girl called out to him.
When he turned back to the girl, she was gone. It was only the crates that were behind him.
A hand clamped on his shoulder. It was Snake Eyes.
"I'm fine." He answered Snake Eye's silent question.
- o -
She couldn't believe it!
Why? Well because she just met one of the two legendary ninjas of the Arashikage Clan.
He's a handsome one at that.
Thinking about her meeting with Storm Shadow and the mission they needed to do, she concluded that she and her team might have a difficult time with it.
Floating on her hoverboard, she smiled to herself… Oh well…
"Bring the diversion." Her commanding officer ordered on their communications network.
"Will do."
She then activated the charges she planted on the crates minutes ago.
BOOM!
Just as expected, that drew out most of the high ranking Joes including the one she has been briefed that she will see.
"Lock it down!" General Colton shouted as the newly recruited Joes hurried about trying to contain the fire.
"What the hell happened?" Roadblock asked to no one in particular while the fire raged.
As the red-headed Joe, call signed "Lady Jaye", jogged towards the two behemoths of men to find out what happened, she decided it was time.
She swooped down and grabbed the woman by the arm.
"What the…"
The Joe fought back as she anticipated. Still, her skills are non-existent compared to her own and she easily subdued the woman and knocked her unconscious.
She dropped the woman close enough to the ground.
"Jaye!"
"Shoot! Shoot!" She could hear Roadblock order.
Useless… But somehow, something embedded itself to her arm and she fell from her board because of the impact. It didn't matter that she fell at a distance that equaled three-stories.
Still hurts though… Damn…
They gathered around her but they didn't approach. They knew she was dangerous.
"Identify yourself!" The Joe named Flint ordered as he pointed his weapon towards her.
She righted herself, pulled the kunai knife that was in her arm, and cocked her head. Really? That's what bought her down? Snake Eyes is certainly expanding his arsenal.
Instantly, her wound started to heal.
Looking around, she could see that they didn't know what to make of her accelerated healing… Or her outfit for that matter.
Suddenly, a sword suddenly swung its way towards her. Who else would it be?
She dodged, she punched, she kicked Snake Eyes but he was relentless. Good thing with her skills, she could defend herself against highly-skilled ninjas such as Snake and Storm Shadow.
Finally none of it, she drew her swords and matched Snake Eyes strike after strike. It wasn't enough, though, since Snake was able to back her against a wall and capture her… Crap!
Okay… So sometimes, she throws the word "careful" out the window.
Just when he was just about to strike her down: "Snake Eyes enough!" General Colton ordered.
The man held her at sword-point.
"What do you want?! Who do you work for?! Where in hell did you get that ugly ass costume?" Joe Colton's third question was heavily laced with sarcasm.
So her Harlequin costume with matching mask wasn't particularly likable with those who saw but she loved every inch of it. Not just because it made her look hot but because of the nanites that were in it, made her feel protected as well.
"Who I work for?" She started in the mask's altered voice. "You will never know. What I want? The sword that was left in your care."
"You'll never get it."
Despite Snake Eyes holding her with her back to him, she kicked him in the face and was able to free herself. Thank you stretching exercises…
"Give up. You'll never get out of here. Who are you anyway? What do they call you? Joker?" The General was just being insulting.
"They call me 'Harlequin' and you, of all people, should know who I am…"
She could see Joe Colton grind his teeth. "Why is that?" he asked.
"Because I am of your blood…" She willed the nanites to remove her mask.
Her hair, a golden hue of corn, spilled forth. When she opened her eyes, she could see that the Joes were awed by their golden coffee color.
The spark of recognition registered on the General's face. "Rosalie?"
"Hi dad…" A shuriken missed her nose by a mere centimeter.
When she looked to where it came from, she wasn't surprised to see Storm Shadow.
"I knew there was something off about you when I met you a moment ago…"