If you recognise it… I don't own it.

1234567890

GI Joe & ? – Start

1234567890

Breaker was watching every channel he could get his hands on, desperately looking for any sign of their lost medic.

Even if Cobra had captured him, eventually the Commander would crow and show some footage. If Breaker was ready he could trace the signal and locate Lifeline.

Then it was simply a matter of sending a rescue team, consisting of Snake-Eyes, Scarlett, and whoever else could keep pace with them.

The problem was the longer that Lifeline was missing the worse the possible outcomes for him. Torture wasn't off the cards. Nor was death. And the worst possible idea was that Lifeline was out there somewhere alone and injured and unable to get help.

Lifeline had been missing for nearly twenty four hours. The planes were out searching, and Dusty, Outback, Snake-Eyes and Stalker were out looking on foot. But there was a whole desert to search. Breaker wasn't sure if they would find him in time. The medic had to be dehydrated and nearly delirious by now if he wasn't a prisoner.

"Dusty to base." A radio crackled, "I found him."

"What's his status?" Breaker demanded.

"Dehydrated. And suffering from heat stroke. Badly. But should perk right up. I'll bring him back. Dusty out."

Breaker sighed in relief, before keying his mike again.

"Breaker to all units, Dusty has Lifeline. I repeat, Lifeline is safe. And soon to be secure."

#I'll meet up with him.# Snake-Eyes clicked quickly.

Breaker checked his maps. Snake-Eyes was the closest Joe to Dusty's quadrant. So it did make sense. And he knew that Snake-Eyes was probably kicking himself for allowing Storm Shadow to distract him. It had been that distraction which had probably created the opening for Cobra to grab Lifeline.

The former Joe had actually attacked Lifeline. An unforgivable sin in the eyes of the Joes. As far as they were concerned Lifeline was off limits to everyone. It wasn't the heat of the battle thing. It wasn't guns pointed at a random soldier. It had been a deliberate, thought-out attack.

Hell, it wasn't common knowledge outside of the Joes, but any new Greenshirt who ever attacked Lifeline got the boot.

Lifeline was their medic. Their Pacifist.

No-one harmed him without paying for it.

Not that they told Lifeline that. Breaker didn't think that the pacifist even knew about his unofficial protection detail. He seemed to think that it was simply coincidence the number of times the ninja had turned up to get him out of a fire-fight. Simply that he was usually in the worst hot zone and that was where any one of the ninja would go to help.

And Storm Shadow had gone out of his way to attack Lifeline. Of course, Snake-Eyes had intercepted, but his focus on Storm Shadow had allowed someone to get at Lifeline.

By the time Storm Shadow had disengaged and run, Lifeline was gone.

123456789

It didn't take much over an hour for Dusty to arrive back with Lifeline. Snake-Eyes was driving his bike next to Dusty's jeep.

Flint smothered a laugh as he saw Lifeline. Dusty had clearly taken some precautions on the way back. Lifeline's customary uniform was nowhere to be seen. However Dusty's hooded desert headgear was perched on Lifeline's head , while Dusty had used his scarf to form a sort of turban. Lifeline was also wearing a white t-shirt and probably answering the "boxers Vs briefs" question for everyone.

However as the jeep got closer, Flint's started to worry. Lifeline was also hooked up to an IV drip, and seemed to be unconscious.

"Status!" Flint demanded, even before Dusty had gotten down.

"Not good." Dusty replied, "Could be worse. He was conscious when I found him. But only just. He was certainly delirious. Kept talking about cubs."

"What are his chances?"

"Pretty good. I got to him in time. Much longer and we'd… We'd be looking for a new medic."

"Any Cobra?"

"None. That's the strange thing. I found him next to a Cobra ATV. No weapons on it. Two empty canteens. It's like he escaped."

"How?" Breaker frowned, "No way he got a chance to just run for it."

"We can ask him later." Flint snapped, "Load him up. Let's take him back to Doc. Any other injuries?"

"None that I could see." Dusty shrugged, "He'd lost his kit and his helmet. But that's about it."

"Breaker." Flint called out, "Scan him for trackers. This seems too easy."

"And break out any spare water." Dusty called out, "He needs to cool down. He'd already taken off his jumpsuit when I found him."

"Taken off, or had it taken off?" Flint frowned.

"He took it off." Dusty countered, "I've got it in the back. He was trying his best to survive out there."

Snake-Eyes moved to the side of the jeep and gently lifted Lifeline out. Answering the question of "boxers Vs briefs" as he did so… Somehow Flint wasn't surprised that it was boxers.

Stalker came dashing up with a large container of water and literally poured it over Lifeline's still body. Lifeline didn't even shiver.

Snake-Eyes also ignored the water, simply continuing to carry Lifeline to the copper.

Wild Bill had barely waited for Flint, Dusty and Stalker to climb aboard before he took off. The other Joes and the Greenshirts would come back by other pilots. Beachhead would enjoy the temporary command. But Wild Bill was the fastest way for Lifeline to get specialist treatment.

As it was all the Joes could really do was strap Lifeline down on a backboard and wipe damp cloths over his skin to try and help him recover.

"Anything else you noticed?" Flint asked Dusty.

"ATV had no fuel left." Dusty shrugged, "If he'd been out there since he went missing with the equipment I found him with, he'd be dead. So he had to be somewhere. But wherever it was… He wasn't there much after dawn."

123456789

About half an hour out from the Pit Lifeline tried to struggle into a seated position.

"Easy." Flint laid a hand on Lifeline's chest, "You're with friends. Calm it."

Lifeline relaxed.

"Dehydration?" He managed to whisper.

"Yeah," Dusty nodded, "And Heat-Stroke. You cut it pretty fine."

"How'd you escape from Cobra?" Stalker put in.

"I didn't." Lifeline managed, after sipping some water, "It was more like… I was let go."

"Cobra wouldn't do that." Flint frowned.

"It wasn't Cobra." Lifeline sighed.

"What happened?" Flint pressed.

123456789

Lifeline was sitting at the back of the cell. He knew that Cobra didn't exactly have a good track record for treating prisoners humanely. He'd rather he was out of the way of most thrown items. It would also give him time to adjust when they came to get him. Though he expected to hear the guards before he saw them, seeing as how they usually moved in packs for prisoner movements, and seemed to enjoy stamping around in their heavy boots.

"Hey," Lifeline looked up at hearing the voice, "Is it true? You're really a pacifist?"

A single Cobra soldier stood outside the cell. He'd arrived virtually silently, to the level of a ninja. What little Lifeline could see of his eyes showed curiosity. By the sound of his voice the soldier was young.

"Yes," Lifeline nodded, "I'm a pacifist."

"And they let you?"

"Yes. They respect me."

"Now I've seen it all. Get up."

"Only one guard to take me to interrogation?"

"Would I really need more?" The soldier asked, "But no. You're not for interrogation."

"Experimentation?"

"Freedom. If you do as I say."

"What's the price?" Lifeline frowned.

"No price."

"Cobra wouldn't just let me go." Lifeline was confused. The soldier was so sure, but it wasn't Cobra's style.

"It's not Cobra letting you go. It's me."

"You don't count yourself as part of Cobra?"

"Never have. Never will."

"What are you then?"

"Me. Move it. We don't have much time."

"Why are you helping me?" Lifeline asked, moving to the front of the cell.

"I know what they plan for you. And I can't let that happen."

"What do they have planned?"

"Brainwashing… You wouldn't even know you'd been compromised."

"That's just a myth… It doesn't work."

"Tell that to Tommy." The boy laughed bitterly, "It's not permanent, but Mindbender renews it, before it falls."

"Why you are with Cobra? You obviously disagree with their ideals."

"I don't have a choice."

"Whatever they hold over you, we can help." Lifeline laid a gentle hand on the boy.

"It's not Cobra who keep me here."

"Then what? Who?"

"I can't say… Just… You Joes aren't the only ones trying to stop Cobra."

"You're a child."

"It hasn't stopped them yet… Look, sir, my success rate is 100%. I've gone up against some of the worst criminals and terrorists around… And I'm still here… They're not."

"The US doesn't stand for the idea of using children as soldiers."

"Then you'd better tell the CIA. They borrowed me once… Mister, there's a whole lot of dirty goings-on that no one wants to admit to. I'm just part of that."

"What can I call you?

"…Cub. It's a good a name as any."

"Don't your parents object of this?"

"They're dead. I'm an orphan… There's no one to speak up for me."

"There has to be someone!"

"No one who will be listened to. Mister, this is your escape… Don't expect a rescue again. I don't think my cover will survive a second one."

The door opened. The guard threw something at Lifeline, who quickly caught it. It was a pair of handcuffs.

"Pop them on in front. I rigged them. They won't lock. But they look like they lock."

"Why?"

"Easier to get you out of here."

"How do I know I can trust you?"

"You don't."

"Why should I trust you?"

"You probably shouldn't. But I'm your best chance at getting out of here right now."

"Cub… Is there anything I can do to help you?"

"Don't fight me. Don't try to make me leave… Don't make this any harder than it already is."

"Is there anyone I can contact for you?"

"Don't bother. Anyone who could do anything for me already knows. And they don't care."

"There has to be someone." Lifeline pressed as he left the cell.

"No. There isn't. Just be glad I'm the only one of my kind."

"Which is?"

"The new breed of child soldier. Only they never taught me how to fire a gun."

"I'm not sure if that makes me happier or not." Lifeline sighed as they walked down the corridors.

Their conversation stilled a little. Only being risked when where was no-one else around.

"Are you sure you won't get in trouble for this?"

"I've got an alibi. Don't worry. I can handle myself."

"It's my job to worry."

"Pretty nice job. I might have gone for that… A long time ago."

"You still can. You're just a kid. Come back with me."

"I can't." Cub sounded regretful, "Just let it go."

"You don't want to be here. I don't think you even want to kill anyone. I can help you."

"No, you can't. And I don't kill."

"How'd you get away with that? Someone would get suspicious."

"I'm too young to be on the front lines."

"That wouldn't stop the Commander."

"Yes, well… I have a protector of sorts."

"Who?"

"You don't want to know." Cub's voice was firm, "Trust me on that one."

Lifeline could sense a line that he was not allowed to cross.

"Are you like Billy?" Lifeline pushed a little.

"Billy?"

"The Commander's son."

"I didn't know he had one."

"It's not well known. Billy… He disagrees with all of this. Lost an eye and a leg. Used to be apprenticed to Storm Shadow."

"Hadn't heard of him. I hope he got away."

"No one knows… But thank you for caring."

"No one should be a prisoner for things that are their parents' fault."

"Is that what happened to you?"

"Don't go there."

They had managed to reach the edge of the internal complex. Cub turned and removed the cuffs.

"Follow me, and keep quiet." Cub instructed, before slipping out a doorway.

Lifeline followed.

They made their way through the shadows until they reached a small all-terrain vehicle.

Cub knelt next to the steering column and fiddled for less than five seconds. However the engine started to hum quietly.

"Get in." Cub ordered, as he stood up, "Drive east. Don't look back. You should get out of sensor range in about two hours. Less if you push it. If the engine cuts out, you'll have to fiddle with the wiring."

"No keys?"

"I don't have access. Never needed them. Go. They'll notice you're missing in an hour."

Lifeline didn't stop to argue. He started to drive off.

However just as he entered the desert he risked a glance backwards, to see the child soldier-come-spy walk back into the Cobra Base.

123456789

"You did good, son." Hawk nodded as he sat next to Lifeline's bed in the Infirmary, "What else can you tell us about Cub?"

"Not much. Caucasian. Dark brown eyes. Haunted. He's seen stuff. Apart from that… He was wearing the standard Cobra uniform. I couldn't see much. His accent… Not strong. It didn't stand out. Though I'd say he was mid to late teens. No more."

"Any ideas about who sent him in there?"

"None. Only he doesn't see a way out… He's just a kid. A lost, confused, little kid… But with old eyes. He's seen things. Things no kid should see."

"What about his 'Protector'?"

"I don't know. He didn't mention any names."

"But it would have to be someone high up the Command structure." Lady Jaye put in, "It wouldn't be the Commander, Destro, the Baroness or Major Bludd. I doubt that Zartan would do such a thing. And the Twins don't seem the type."

"Agreed." Scarlett nodded, "And He wouldn't either."

Hawk nodded in agreement. It had become something of a habit from Scarlett ever since Storm Shadow had re-joined Cobra, she had never said his name. In all fairness to Snake-Eyes, she had never insulted the man either. But her feelings were made clear by her tone of voice.

"So it has to be a high ranked member, but not one of the top Lieutenants." Jaye declared, "Probably a Crimson Guard."

"Doubtful." Jinx shook her head, "The Crimson Guard are proud members of Cobra. They'd be more likely to push a son towards the front lines than protect them."

"Then who?" Scarlett countered, "No one else has the power to do that."

"That's assuming he was telling the truth." Jaye pointed out, "We know Lifeline isn't bugged or being tracked. He's acting normal, so he's probably not compromised."

"A long term plan?" Jinx suggested, "To slip a spy into our camp?"

"Risky." Scarlett reminded, "Plus is it really worth losing a source of intel so early?"

"Lifeline doesn't know weapon specs or weaknesses." Jinx stated, "They might deem it worthwhile."

"Doubtful," Lifeline interrupted, "I'm probably the most valuable intel source they could get. If they thought about it."

"What?" All the intelligence officers stared at him.

"I know your medical files." Lifeline pointed out, "All of them. That includes real names, dates of birth, home address, family members and any allergies. Imagine what Cobra could do with that."

"You know all that?" Hawk breathed in shock and horror at the idea.

"I have to." Lifeline retorted, "Otherwise I could kill someone in the field by giving them the wrong drug. The names and families, is just something that stuck from reading the files a lot… I remember who will need to be contacted if I make a mistake, or I'm not good enough. I can do that for every Joe and every Greenshirt."

"Who else can?" Scarlett demanded, realizing the possible security implications.

"Only Doc and I have full access to files. The other medics only see redacted files. The names, addresses and parts of medical history are missing. Beachhead, Flint, Duke and Hawk also have access. But they don't remember the medical part. No need."

"Cobra may not have realized." Lady Jaye suggested.

"They should know." Lifeline shrugged, "I told Storm Shadow once. He was questioning my decisions in the field. I think rattling off his file scared him. Good thing the Greenshirt I was working on was unconscious. I then also listed all his inoculations he was due. And I took great delight in telling him that as soon as we got back to the Pit I would be organising their delivery. I wasn't gentle either."

"So that's why he never argued with you after a while." Lady Jaye frowned, "Well, apart from staying in the Infirmary. No matter what, he would let you treat him as soon as the fighting was over… Just he'd run away once you had your back turned."

"He learned quickly." Lifeline replied softly, "Only needed to do it once. Some of the others around here still haven't gotten it."

"So Cobra shouldn't risk freeing you." Lady Jaye muttered, "Unless Storm Shadow never told them."

"But why wouldn't He?" Scarlett frowned, "It would be valuable intel."

"It would seem that things aren't as clear cut as we believe." Hawk sighed, "Though whether this is a long term deception or not will have to be determined and verified. Son, you did a good job out there. Rest. Get well. Take care of yourself."

"What about Cub?" Lifeline pressed, "I mean even the name is wrong."

"True." Lady Jaye agreed, "I would expect something more like Snakelet or Barbados or Threadsnake. It would fit with the theme. Cub implies lions or tigers…"

"Or bears, oh my." Jinx laughed slightly.

"We'll look into Cub." Hawk promised, "But at this moment we can't do anything. We can't even identify him. I just hope he's not paying any price for his actions."

"I hope he's not getting rewarded either." Scarlett muttered.

1234567890

Here's the next plot bunny that bit me. It is a cross-over, but I'm seeing if anyone can spot what I've crossed it with.

Hint – The character Cub is the main character in the fandom it's crossed with.

Also this is a bit of a venture into a fandom I've recently been reading. Though if anyone knows where I can get GI Joe Classic Volume 7 for a decent price, I'd appreciate a heads up… Cheapest one I've found so far was over sixty pounds!

Please Review.