Recoiled

Part 3

A Traitor Among Us!

By Nick Maro

For nearly three weeks Synergy kept the secret that the other holomachine held. But now she felt it was time to show Jerrica this machine's true face. Synergy waited until the Starlight Girls were at school and Mrs. Bailey was out shopping before she appeared to Jerrica in the hallway. The solid light holoform stabilized and Synergy walked in the kitchen. Jerrica was eating a late breakfast while reading the paper. Synergy couldn't help smiling as she watched her. "Jerrica," she said softly.

Jerrica jumped in her seat and tried not to choke on her coffee. She wiped her chin with a napkin and looked in Synergy's direction. "Synergy! You startled me! I'm not used to you just appearing like that. What's wrong?"

"I'm sorry, Jerrica. I didn't mean to scare you like that. But I do have something, rather should, I say someone to show you." Synergy started walking to the hallway. Jerrica gave her a small frown of confusion and slowly got up. "Come up to my room and I'll explain it all." She dissipated her holographic field in a flash of purple and pink light.

"That was just weird." Jerrica walked down the hall and up the stairs to the second floor. She entered the room that held the mainframe for Synergy's computer. She moved around the hologram computer that David had given her. "Okay what did you have to tell me, Synergy?"

Synergy reformed her solid hologram image before Jerrica and smiled a little sadly. "I've been keeping a secret from you for a short while now, Jerrica. It's not a terrible secret but a good one. I was just trying to decide how to tell you but the best way is to just show you." Synergy put her hand on Jerrica's shoulder and turned her around to face the other machine. "Jerrica Benton meet my new friend."

On cue the machine booted up and the face of a sophisticated Egyptian man appeared. "I bid you greetings, Ms. Benton, I am called Cerebrix. It is a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance. Synergy is wonderful company and tells the most delightful stories of you and your friends."

Jerrica closed her mouth after she realized that it was hanging open. "Well, I sure wasn't expecting this. Hello, Cerebrix. It's a pleasure to meet you as well. Forgive me I'm just in awe that we didn't discover this side of you sooner."

Cerebrix gave an electronic chuckle. "I never expected you to have discovered this side of myself. I'm quite good at hiding."

"What do we do with you now, Cerebrix? It feels strange keeping you but we can't just give you away. I can't risk letting my father's technology fall into the wrong hands." Jerrica paced in the small room and looked at Synergy for an answer.

"I've taken the liberty of doing something about this situation," Cerebrix said getting both Jerrica and Synergy's attention. "I've been in contact with another computer in the northwest Oregon region. There is a group of individuals who wish to remain secret from the world. With your permission Jerrica they will send representatives out to claim me. I swear they will never discover your secret. I will erase any knowledge I have of Jem and Jerrica being the same woman."

Jerrica smiled and ran her hand across Cerebrix's monitor. "No need to erase anything. I trust you. From what I can tell you're a sentient being. It goes against my beliefs to tell any sentient being that they can't leave. If you feel you can help these individuals, then we'll miss getting to know you. But I hope you'll keep in touch somehow. You're a very charming machine."

Cerebrix's face on the monitor smiled and gave a slight nod. "Thank you, Jerrica. You are everything Synergy and my files have said you were."

The snow was falling in thick sheets and the temperature was below zero. It was an average Chicago winter in late January. The two tour buses pulled up to the hotel, with a hiss the doors opened and the passengers slowly disembarked. David and Kimber hurried inside the hotel to check in. Stormer leaned closer to Pizzazz. "Remember when I said I was starting to hate snow in Japan? Well it's official. I hate this white crap. I'm just glad the arena is indoors."

Pizzazz laughed and headed back onto the bus to get her bag. She noticed out of the bus window Roxy making a snowball and getting ready to throw it. "Hey Stormer!" Roxy yelled. Stormer turned to face Roxy who threw the snowball hitting the other woman in the face.

Stormer wiped the snow from her face and glared at Roxy. "You have just signed your death warrant, Roxanne. I just hope Sheila knows where your will is." She made her own snowball and threw it at Roxy. The snowball went wide, clearly missing Roxy and hit Jetta instead. "Oh damn." Stormer ran inside the hotel before Jetta could counter attack.

Roxy and Jetta ran after Stormer while Pizzazz hopped off the bus with her bag and followed her bandmates inside. Kyoko got off the second bus with the members of Suzaku, Techrat and Clash close behind her. Kyoko talked to David inside about room arrangements. They were given four rooms to divide up. Evelyn Gabor also gave them a near unlimited expense account for this tour. Two of the rooms were connecting rooms, the other two were non-connecting. David and Kimber took the single bed non-connecting room. Techrat, Eiji and Ken took the double bed non-connecting room. The women took the connecting rooms.

"Finally, a real bed," Kimber said as she lay out on the mattress and sighed. "Think the rest will notice if we don't come out for a few hours?" She held back a sneeze and shook her head. "Room must be dusty."

"Yes, I think they would start wonder about us. Roxy wants us to come to their room for dinner. It's just room service but her treat. She's using the money she got from the government." David changed his shirt and sat on the bed next to her. "But I guess we do have a few minutes to kill." He flashed a little smirk that made Kimber giggle lightly.

It was quiet in the communications room of G.I. Joe headquarters known as the Pit. Dial-Tone and Mainframe were playing a game of cards to pass the time. "This is annoying, Mainframe. Cobra hasn't done a thing since the whole Los Angeles confrontation. We still have no idea what Cobra gained or lost from that base. I hate being in the dark."

Mainframe put his cards on the table and stood up. "Well, I'm done. It's time for my lunch. Want anything?"

"Nah, I'm fine. See ya later, Mainframe." Dial-Tone waved to his friend, then sat at his station. He did a routine check on all the Cobra broadcasts that they were hacked into. Nothing new was being received. Dial-Tone yawned and picked up a magazine. He put his feet on the console and started flipping pages.

The klaxon went off startling Dial-Tone causing him to fall back in the chair. "OMEGA BLACK PRIORITY! OMEGA BLACK PRIORITY!" the speakers announced. The words appeared on the monitor and began blinking.

Dial-Tone picked up his beret and put it back on his head slowly. He couldn't believe his eyes or ears. Omega Black Priority was set up for General Hawk's eyes only. No other Joes were allowed in the room when he read the message. At least that's what it said in writing. Omega Black Priority had never been used. "Something tells me this isn't going to be an invite to the winter social." Dial-Tone ran out of the room in a frantic search for the General.

Beach Head was coming down the hall when he saw Dial-Tone come running out of the comm room. "Hey Dial-Tone, what was all that commotion just a minute ago?" Dial-Tone ran past Beach Head without noticing he was there. Beach Head turned and yelled at Dial-Tone's back. "Hey! You answer a superior officer's question, soldier. No running down the halls! I'll have you doing KP for a month!" He shook his fist after the frantic Joe.

"Sorry, Beach. It's urgent that I find General Hawk right away. Omega Black Priority has been initiated," Dial-Tone yelled looking over his shoulder as he ran down the hall at his top speed.

"Sweet Jesus!" Beach Head said running to catch up to Dial-Tone. "Hawk is in his office. Omega Black has never been used. Whatever this is it's important."

The two Joes ran all the way to General Hawk's office. Beach Head began to knock on the door while Dial-Tone just opened it and ran in. He stopped short of the desk and looked at him that said it was important. General Hawk was sitting at his desk and talking on the phone. He looked at the two officers, frowned and held up a finger. "Yes sir, General Flagg. I have the report right here."

Beach Head waited a few paces back from the desk. Dial-Tone ran up to the desk and put his palms down on it. "General Hawk, this is important we just recei—"

Hawk covered up the phone and glared at Dial-Tone. "In a minute, son. If you interrupt me again, I'll have you on KP duty for a year and doing Beach Head's laundry until you're court-martialed and thrown out of G.I. Joe. Do I make myself clear?"

"Omega Black Priority has been issued, sir. I'm willing to risk everything to bring you this message." Dial-Tone glanced back at Beach Head with a smirk. "Even his laundry detail."

"Hey!"

"Sweet mother of God," Hawk said quietly while nearly dropping the phone receiver. "General Flagg, I'm sure you heard. Yes sir, the report can wait. Thank you, sir. Good day to you, sir." He hung up the phone and motioned for Dial-Tone and Beach Head to follow him. "Good work back there you two. I don't want anyone knowing about this until I'm ready to make a statement." Beach Head and Dial-Tone both nodded in agreement. Hawk entered the communications room while the two officers stood guard. About fifteen minutes later Hawk came out of the room showing no emotion. "Cobra has declared war."

The sun shined on the wet snow lined streets of downtown Chicago. The night before was the first of two shows in Chicago for The Misfits and Suzaku. Kimber had come down with a cold and wasn't able to sing. Hitomi volunteered to take over for Kimber while Jetta played drums for both Suzaku and The Misfits. Both bands had the night off before the second show.

Kimber and David walked down the wet sidewalk hand in hand. Roxy and Jetta followed closely behind. The four friends had agreed to go sightseeing together. They were seeing the Sears Tower next. Standing next to the glass and steel giant, Roxy looked up in awe. Jetta looked up at the tower, then at her friend. "Close your mouth, luv. A pigeon is bound to shit in there." Roxy closed her mouth then glanced at Jetta and followed David and Kimber inside laughing to herself.

Inside the lobby, Jetta caught up to Roxy, David and Kimber waiting in line for the elevator. "Are you going to be well enough to sing tomorrow, Kimber?" David asked quietly as the elevator doors opened and the four friends entered the car.

"Yeah, I'm feeling a hundred times better. Those herbs you got me really helped, David. Thank you." She leaned against him and the doors opened. They waited in line for about a half hour and finally made it to the front of the line. David paid the admission for his friends. They got on a second elevator and were quickly taken to the hundred and third floor of the building.

Roxy stepped onto the sky deck and looked at the city's skyline. She was amazed by the view. Her cell phone rang as she approached the railing. "Dammit," she swore under her breath. "I'll be back." She found a somewhat quiet corner and answered the phone.

Kimber found a spot with a decent view next to another young couple. They turned and smiled as David joined Kimber then went back to their previous conversation. The young woman had red hair, but lighter than Kimber's. She pointed to something in the distance. "Rick, what the hell is that thing?"

The young man just shrugged and shook his head. "Not sure Jill. A flying car? Maybe this will make Avery Brooks happy. He was promised flying cars and I'll be damned if that isn't a flying car."

"Looks more like a flying bubble than a car," Roxy said finally rejoining her friends.

Rick looked back at Roxy and pushed his glasses up on his nose. "Car, bubble, either way it's flying. Good enough for me."

Jill looked at her watch and grabbed Rick by the elbow. "Better hurry. We'll miss the train back. And why does Chicago get all the cool stuff? We don't have flying cars or flying bubbles in Rochester, New York."

"I dunno because we're civilized here?" Rick said following his friend. She backhanded him in the stomach as they boarded the elevator.

"What was the call about, Roxy?"

"Not sure. I know that it was Phyllis but I couldn't make out what she was trying to say, too much static. Anyway David, I'm going to see the city from up here then call her back when I get outside." She took her time going to each side then took the elevator down to the ground floor.

Once the elevator reached the bottom Roxy left the building and called Pizzazz outside. Roxy hung up the phone as the three others came out. Each saw the look of concern on Roxy's face. "What did Phyllis say?"

Roxy looked at Kimber as if just noticing her. "Oh just some bad news as always, Kim. Phyllis got a call from Evelyn who said the bank called her saying that check I got was a fake and it bounced. It was a perfect forgery but it still got caught. But that isn't the worse news." Her eyes went to David. "It's Mary, David. She was complaining of a headache and passed out shortly afterwards. She's not in the hospital, but Phyllis wants us to get back to the hotel." The four friends hailed a taxi and left to go back to the hotel.

Cobra Commander walked triumphantly to the laboratory where the machine was kept. The second phase of his plan was underway. There was a total media blackout around the state of Louisiana. No one was allowed in and most importantly no one was allowed out. But this state was just the beginning. The downfall of G.I. Joe was close at hand.

The guards walking beside him opened the doors for Cobra Commander. He walked through the doors to discover Dr. Mindbender at the control panel of the machine. Cobra Commander stopped in his tracks and stared at the back of his bald rival. "Just what do you think you're doing, Doctor?"

Dr. Mindbender spun around to face the Commander and his two Crimson Guards. "Commander! I-I was just checking the…the…"

"The pH balance? I don't want to hear your excuses. I know perfectly well what you were attempting here and I warned you about it. Guards! Take the good Doctor into custody. He will be made an example of at a later date." Cobra Commander watched as the Crimson Guards subdued Dr. Mindbender. "Oh and guards, make sure he's very uncomfortable in his new home." Dr. Mindbender shrank back terror when the Commander began laughing.

The Extensive Enterprises building was the third tallest building in Chicago. David stayed to the shadows of the wall as he climbed the building. Roxy had told him it was Extensive Enterprises who had delivered the check to her. After making sure Stormer was feeling better, he decided to investigate the company more closely. He ran into dead end after dead end when he tried to reach them on the phone. David was left with the only possible recourse to break in and get out that night.

Upon reaching the roof, David found a nearby air vent quickly. He loosened the grating and crawled inside. Thanks to Techrat, he now had the blueprints and how the security system was set up. He finally reached the floor and room he wanted. David quickly but carefully removed the vent panel and fell silently to the floor. He looked around taking in the layout of the room. In the far corner he spotted what he was looking for.

Carefully, David picked the lock of the file cabinet and searched through the files. He found the information he needed and some that surprised him. He found a copy of the report concerning Roxy. But in the upper left hand corner was the stylized cobra that was all over the base they were in. It then dawned on him that Cobra was after The Misfits.

Stuffing the paper in his pocket, David shut the cabinet door and turned around when a shadowed figure appeared behind him. "[Say good night, Ikari.]" The figure moved quicker than he expected. It performed a round house kick connecting with his head knocking him out. The assailant spoke into a microphone. "[I have the target. I will be on the roof for extraction.]"

"If you hear from him give us a call, Jerrica. Thanks." Kimber hung up the phone and sat on the bed next to Pizzazz. "David hasn't been in contact with Jerrica or any of The Holograms either. I don't get it. Where the hell is he? He said he'd come right back."

Pizzazz put her hand on Kimber's shoulder. "I know my brother. He's probably on his way back now or he's digging for more information. You know how he is." She smiled when Kimber nodded her head and relaxed. Pizzazz was worried sick, but did her best to hide her worry. It was just past dawn and no one had heard from David since the night before. Stormer was awake, but bed ridden due to the pain of her headaches. There was no doubt they'd have to cancel tonight's concert. "Besides it's not like answers are going to come to us right away. We have to be patient."

A knock came from the door, Pizzazz rose to get it, but Kyoko motioned for her to sit. "I'll get it, Phyllis. Just take it easy for now." She unlocked the door and opened it a crack. A tall man with short blonde hair in a military uniform stood before the door. Next to him were two others that she recognized instantly. She opened the door to greet the unknown man first. "May I help you, sir?"

"Good morning, Miss. I'm Sergeant Hauser here to see Phyllis Gabor. It concerns her brother. May we come in?"

Kyoko moved out of the way and opened the door all the way. "Please come in, Sergeant Hauser."

"Duke will do, Ma'am." He spotted Pizzazz and Kimber on the bed and walked over to them. "Ms. Gabor, Ms. Benton, I'm not going to beat around the bush. David has been captured by Cobra. We received the communication earlier this morning. We got here as soon as we could. General Hawk wants the both of you and the other Misfits to come to Joe headquarters for safe keeping. Scarlett and Snake Eyes will escort and protect Suzaku back to California. Will you come with us?"

Pizzazz looked at each Misfit in turn and then at Kimber, she nodded her head slowly and stood up. "I can speak for us all when I say yes we will. I trust you're coming up with something to get my brother back, right?"

Duke straightened up. "We're doing the best we can."

Eiji and Ken came running through the open door, pushing their way past the three Joes. Eiji turned on the television. "There's a broadcast from Louisiana you have to see! The Governor is speaking about what's happening."

Everyone in the room found a spot to sit or stand so they could see and hear the broadcast. "…and so, in closing, the state of Louisiana reluctantly secedes from the United States of America to join to the sovereign nation of Cobra. I now ask my fellow Governors to listen to Cobra and join us under the glory of Cobra. Hail Cobra!" Roxy threw a shoe at the TV in disgust, turning it off.

Pizzazz looked at the shocked G.I. Joe soldiers. "Give us five minutes to pack and we'll be ready. I want to get my brother back so you can put all your efforts into stopping these madmen."

"Take your time, Ms. Gabor." Duke ushered Scarlett and Snake Eyes into the hallway. Ten minutes later The Misfits and Suzaku were ready to leave. Pizzazz called Evelyn on the way to the plane to put the rest of their tour on hold. Within a half hour The Misfits were on their way to G.I. Joe headquarters.

The transport plane landed on the airstrip and taxied to the tarmac. It came to a complete stop and the door swung open. Duke stepped down the stairs followed by The Misfits and Kimber. Techrat and Clash went back to California with Kyoko and Suzaku. Duke stopped before General Hawk and saluted. "General, this is Kimber Benton and The Misfits." He made quick individual introductions.

"Ladies, if you'll follow Duke and me we'll show you to your temporary quarters. I'll have someone bring your luggage along shortly. I apologize if I seem a bit blunt, but with the whole Louisiana crisis I know you'll understand." Hawk led them through the recreation room as a short cut.

Shipwreck glanced up from lining up his shot in the game of pool he was in with his fellow soldiers. He nudged Falcon who was talking to Jinx. "Hey Falcon, look at the white haired babe." Shipwreck whispered and pointed at Roxy. "Doesn't she look familiar to you?"

Falcon looked at her for a moment then snapped his fingers. "I know who she is! She's that hot babe who did that brunette. Oh man, I wonder what she's doing on base."

Before Shipwreck could respond Roxy had grabbed a pool cue that was lying on a table. Simultaneously, she pushed Falcon against the wall with the end of the pool cue and jumped kicked Shipwreck in the chest. Roxy hit Falcon in the head with the pool cue, dazing him then put it across Shipwreck's throat. She spoke in a low, threatening growl. "If you ever mention that movie or watch it again, I'll come back and do much worse to you both. I'll make both of your lives living hells. I have very good hearing as you can tell. Do you understand?" Both men nodded as the best they could. "Good. Remember my warning."

"That's enough, young lady." Beach Head pulled Roxy away from Shipwreck and Falcon. She yanked her shoulder out of his grip, held the pool cue in a defensive stance and glared at him. "You've just bought yourself a one way ticket to the stockade."

Hawk stopped him from taking Roxy away. "Let her be, Beach Head, she's a civilian. For whatever reason she attacked those two men, it must have been for good reason. She's had a rough day so far and she doesn't need trouble from anyone here. She and her friends are our guests, understand?" The room knew Hawk wasn't just speaking to Shipwreck or Falcon, he was speaking to everyone.

"But Hawk, she assaulted my men! She should be punished." Beach Head protested. Hawk turned away to escort Roxy back to her friends. "Dammit, Hawk! We have civilians on the base! Civilians! Now they're running roughshod all over us!"

"Now listen here, soldier!" Hawk spun around and pointed a finger at him. "I've just about had enough out of you today! I'm tired, I'm stressed out and I haven't slept in thirty-six hours! Now I want you and Falcon and Shipwreck to get the young ladies luggage and be quick about it. These ladies are under our protection. They have a special clearance granted by me. If you have a problem with how I'm handling things, take it up with General Flagg. I'm sure he's in the mood for your complaints. You're dismissed." Hawk turned back to The Misfits and Kimber. "I apologize that you had to be witness to that display. Your quarters are this way."

Stormer sat in the infirmary waiting for Doc to return with some medication. Her headache sent blinding pain to the front of her head. Doc finally returned with the pills and a glass of water. She took the tablets and washed them down with the water. "Thanks."

"You're welcome. Just come back if the pain continues." Doc helped her off the table. "Can you make it back to your quarters by yourself?"

"I think so. Thanks again, Doc." Stormer started to walk away when he knees buckled under her. She sat on the floor for a moment holding her head before trying to stand again.

"Airborne! Help Ms. Phillips here to a bed. I want to keep an eye on her overnight. Those headaches are really concerning me." Doc went to his office to consult his medical books to check on what other symptoms to watch for.

Airborne helped Stormer to the closest bed to her. He knelt before her and saw the pain on her face. "I'm curious about your headaches. When you get them is there a reason? Does something usually happen to cause them?"

Stormer looked at the man in confusion. "I don't understand. I thought they were j-just headaches I-I've had all my life."

"It might be a sign of something else. I reviewed your statement of what you told Doc and Lifeline. It sounds like it's more than just headaches you're having. It might be something trying to tell you something. Each time you had a headache some event followed, correct?" Airborne spoke in a soft and soothing tone.

Stormer thought about the past headaches she'd gotten for a moment. Each time she did get a headache, some kind of new danger happened or appeared to herself or The Misfits. "Yes, I guess so. What does this mean, Airborne?"

"It means that you have a gift. I'm not sure, but you may possess some kind of psychic ability to sense when something isn't right. It may be an advanced instinct for trouble. The headaches you get are a sense trying to warn you about something. My brother and I both have a limited psychic ability but it took training to control it. If you want, I can show you a few exercises now to help reduce the pain. I can't train you but I can recommend you to a group who can help you out." He smiled warmly at her and took her hands in his.

"I-I'd like that. Thank you." Stormer smiled back with a sense of relief flooding over her. Deep down she knew this was the answer she was seeking out. Airborne showed her a few exercises that helped relieve the pain noticeably.

Kimber knocked on Roxy's door lightly. After a few moments Roxy opened the door. Kimber put on her best smile. "Hi Roxy, I was wondering if you wanted to talk about what happened."

"Oh I guess so," Roxy said rolling her eyes. "Come on in." She moved to the side and let Kimber into the small room. "Have a seat. I was just sitting her feeling foolish and wondering where I can get a drink around here."

"I heard what those two guys said, Rox. What were they talking about?"

Roxy stared at her feet and bounced her knee up and down. "There are some things you do when you're younger that you know are stupid at the time. This was one of them. It was shortly after I arrived in L.A. and I was desperate for money. It's amazing how quickly one can spend five thousand dollars. I was broke and needed money quickly so I could pay my rent. There was an ad in the paper for a movie role. So I figured what the hell. As soon as I got there I knew it wasn't for a Hollywood film." Roxy took a deep breath and sighed. "It was for an adult film. It was a girl on girl scene. I had never done anything like it before, but I was paid for my time.

"The director asked me to do another movie and I agreed to it. I told him I would only do another girl on girl scene which he agreed to. However when the time came he wanted me to do a scene with one of the male leads. I refused and we argued about it. I walked off the stage ending my one picture adult film career." Roxy took a long drink from a glass of water. "I always figured that was buried in my past, until today that is. Kevin Ross made a veiled attempt at telling The Misfits." She looked at the door then at Kimber. "Let's go get a drink together."

"Thank you for confiding in me. You're right that we've all done things in our past that we're ashamed of. Hell, I dated Sean Harrison!" Kimber hugged Roxy tightly. "Now let's go get a drink."

Roxy got up and opened the door to find the Joe known as Lady Jaye was standing there looking out of breath. She had her fist up, ready to knock on the door and a look of mild surprise as the door opened. "General Hawk has requested that I escort the both of you to the debriefing room. It concerns your friend David." Roxy and Kimber followed Lady Jaye down the corridor. "Scarlett says that you're a natural archer, Kimber. I'd love to see you demonstrate sometime."

"I'd love to, Lady Jaye."

They entered the small room. Stormer, Pizzazz and Jetta were already there. Flint waited off to the side from Duke and Hawk. Kimber and Roxy sat next to their friends as Hawk addressed the room. "Thank you for responding so quickly. Our communications officer Dial-Tone just got this message from Cobra on one of our frequencies." Hawk stepped aside from the large monitor.

The monitor flickered to life to reveal Cobra Commander standing in front of two men, Dr. Mindbender and David. Destro, the Baroness and Zartan stood just off camera. An unknown woman dressed as a ninja held David captive. A Crimson Guardsman held Dr. Mindbender. The Commander spoke to the camera. "Misfits, G.I. Joe, I send you greetings from the new Cobra state of Louisiana. As you can clearly see I hold young David Gabor captive. It is because of him and The Misfits that Cobra was blamed for the murder of…of…" He looked to Destro for help.

"Eric Raymond, Commander," Destro said in his deep voice.

"Yes, Eric Raymond. I also accuse these Misfits and David Gabor of trespassing on our private property. Now I demand The Misfits be handed over to Cobra or we will execute both men. I am willing to sacrifice one of my top men for justice. The Misfits are to be brought to the top of Devil's Tower in Wyoming within twenty-four hours time or we will execute both men on live television. I await your decision. Cobra!" The video ended with Cobra Commander thrusting both arms in the air with his fists outward.

Pizzazz stood before anyone could say anything. "General Hawk, The Misfits will hand ourselves over to Cobra to save the life of my brother. Kimber, you stay here where it's safe. No arguments."

"Ms. Gabor, you do know what you're getting your friends into, right?"

"General, David is my brother and he'd do the same for any of us. We must save him, even if it means our safety. If you can work out a plan to save us please do so. But we'll find a way out of this. It's become a habit of ours lately." Nervously, Pizzazz and The Misfits chuckled a little.

Hawk felt his shoulders slump a little. "Okay, we'll have a back up team to rescue you on your way back. You're all brave women." The Misfits and Kimber left with a few G.I. Joe soldiers to prepare.

Wind whipped atop the flat peak the Devil's Tower summit. Right away Pizzazz saw David bound and held by the ninja. Dr. Mindbender was also bound by a Crimson Guardsmen. Cobra Commander waited in front of the two restrained men. He held a gun in one hand pointed at David. Destro and the Baroness waited by the door to the Cobra helicopter. Zartan sat just inside the helicopter out of the sun's light.

The G.I. Joe helicopter landed softly and Flint opened the door for The Misfits. "You sure you're up to this?" He yelled over the sound of the spinning blades.

Each Misfit nodded and jumped out. Pizzazz led the group and stopped ten feet in front of Cobra Commander. "We're here just as you asked. Now we ask for one request before we turn ourselves over. Release David and let us speak to him in private. I want to make sure he's been unharmed."

"Your request is reasonable." The Commander turned and yelled at the ninja. "Yukio! Release David. Don't worry he'll be our captive again." He turned back to Pizzazz. "As you can see I am a reasonable man. You have five minutes to talk to your brother."

David was still in the black jumpsuit he wore when he broke into the Extensive Enterprises building in Chicago. Yukio cut the ropes that bound his hands behind his back. He ran to The Misfits and quickly hugged each of his friends then took a step back to look at them. "It's great to see you guys, but it pains me to have to do this." David reached behind his back, pulled a small gun and pointed it his friends. "Congratulations. You've been captured by Cobra."

The Misfit stood in shock at the betrayal as Cobra soldiers ran up and handcuffed each of the women. David pulled off his suit top to reveal a blue top with a red Cobra insignia on it. Cobra Commander walked up behind David and put his hand proudly David's shoulder. "Good work, David. That's step one of proving your loyalty to Cobra. Now execute Dr. Mindbender in front of your friends."

David smiled wickedly at the Commander and at The Misfits. "Anything for the glory of Cobra." He walked up to the Doctor stopping five feet in front of him. Dr. Mindbender looked up to plead for mercy. David shot him twice in the chest and once in the head. "Cobra!" David boarded a second helicopter with the ninja Yukio. Destro and the Baroness followed him closely.

Hawk stared in silence at what he had just witnessed. Cobra left Dr. Mindbender's body behind. Flint tapped Hawk on the shoulder. "It gets worse, General. Texas, Arkansas and Mississippi have just sworn allegiance with Cobra."

TO BE CONTINUED IN "WHO AM I?"

PART 4 OF RECOILED