E-Mails and Explaining Moreauseau
Disclaimer: Same as before.
Agent Todd,
I will look into the Moreauseau Island request for information you submitted, but I can guarantee that it is going to generate a lot more questions, namely why you need to know about it. Your assignment is to report on the mutant and his time at the Pit.
On these reports of yours, however, I would like some verification. Are you saying that a former COBRA chef at the Pit was able to create 'a gingerbread scorpion the size of a medium sized dog' and that Tolansky drove a tank?
Agent Baer
The Pit, Officer's Quarters
Conrad Hart and Kate Todd
15 February 2002, 0622
"Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition..." Conrad sang to himself as he turned the bathroom doorknob and pushed the door open only to be greeted by the sight of Kate's naked backside.
Kate spun round as she heard the door open and felt the cooler air from the hallway rush into the hot and humid bathroom. She clutched the small white towel to her chest and yelped, "Conrad!"
"Gah! Sorry about that. I didn't know you were in there." Conrad replied, "Maybe you should've locked the door."
"Maybe you should've knocked." Kate countered.
"Sorry about that, again." Conrad replied as he backpedaled out of the bathroom.
Kate checked the towel again, ensuring it was wrapped snugly around her chest before walking up to Conrad, until she stood nearly nose to nose with the ex-Legionnaire, "Knock. On. The. Door. Next. Time."
"Fair enough." Conrad replied, and beat a hasty retreat before Kate closed the bathroom door.
Alright, that had been an awkward moment. Kate wondered to herself why she hadn't thought to lock the bathroom door. After all she had a roommate, a male one, and it seemed to be the most sensible thing to do.
After she had dried off and gotten dressed and Conrad had done the same she sat on the couch making notes on her PDA.
"Good morning." Conrad said as he stepped out of his room, dressed for the day, "So would you want to break into our food stores or chance the Mess Hall again?"
"Hmm, maybe taking a chance on the Mess Hall." Kate said, "I didn't hear anything explode this morning."
"Well maybe Quick Kick and Short Fuse are done filming." Conrad replied.
"Haha. Or they took my suggestion about filming far far away." Kate countered as she stood up, tucking her PDA away.
"Excuse me?" Conrad said.
"You didn't hear me just say that maybe Quick Kick and Short Fuse decided to film far far away?" Kate asked.
"My hearing comes and goes on my left side, owing to a COBRA grenade exploding next to my head." Conrad replied.
"Oh," Kate replied, and asked gently, "Was just now one of those times?"
Conrad nodded.
"I'm sorry." Kate replied softly.
"You didn't throw the grenade, mademoiselle." Conrad replied, "So you've nothing to be sorry about."
As they walked towards the stairs Kate asked, "About Moreauseau Island, what can you tell me about that mission?"
"I wasn't on that mission, remember." Conrad replied.
"I know you're unit found the information that led to G.I. Joe discovering that COBRA lab." Kate replied, "What was it you uncovered?"
Conrad replied, "My team had been working with the local militia, training them to fight the COBRA backed militia that was terrorizing their population. We were one of many French military teams sent to train local defense forces."
Kate saw a faint smile on Conrad's face, "Be it the Democratic Republic of Congo, Chad, or the Central African Republic, the locals preferred advisory teams from the Foreign Legion over any other French military unit."
Kate could hear the slight note of pride in Conrad's voice as he spoke, almost not hearing him say, "My teammates and I had been training the local forces in the Central African Republic to better counter the COBRA backed militias terrorizing the population. Over the course of three months we'd gotten them to go on the offensive, driving COBRA backed militias territory they controlled."
"It was our job to turn one hundred and twelve locals, farmers, fishermen, miners and the lot who had taken up what arms they could to protect their homes and turn them into soldiers." Conrad replied, "And we did so."
After a moment Conrad said, "I'm sorry, I'm rambling, but around three months into our mission a couple Americans turned up. And by that I meant Americans that weren't part of the French Foreign Legion."
"We executed a raid on an abandoned mining camp." Conrad continued, "The sights I saw there will haunt me till I breathe my last, whenever God wills that to be. It had been used as a prison, like our intelligence indicated and the prisoners were being used for laborers, at least the strong ones were."
"What happened to the others?" Kate asked, inwardly dreading Conrad's answer.
"The worst was finding the infirmary, what had been converted into an impromptu laboratory." Conrad said, "It was an abattoir with pretensions of being a laboratory. The prize, if you could call it that, was the hard drive of a computer the COBRA types hadn't had the opportunity to destroy. It led to Moreauseau's discovery. That's all I can tell you."
The Pit, Mess Hall
BA, Big Lob, Tunnel Rat, Cross Country, Toad
15 February 2002, 0630
CRASH! The dish fell out of Todd's hand and onto the floor of the kitchen, shattering into fragments.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry…" Todd began.
"It's ok. These things happen." BA said, "I've had my share of these things break on KP...that's why I always buy them in bulk."
"Because people break them?" Todd asked.
"That and one of my hobbies." BA said, "Juggling dishes…"
BA started to juggle a teacup as he spoke and then said, "Toss me another one."
"You're in for a treat, kiddo, BA is pretty good." Big Lob said, and lobbed a second teacup to BA who caught it and began juggling it as well.
"Come on guys, is that all you got?" BA said.
Tunnel Rat lobbed two teacups to BA who caught them both and in fact had the four teacups in a rotation of juggling.
"Go ahead, kid," Cross Country laughed as he tossed BA another teacup, "Throw him something."
BA now had five teacups rotating through the air with his rapid juggling. Todd tossed a sixth cup and now BA was juggling half a dozen cups, "A new record..."
The Pit, Mess Hall
Conrad Hart and Kate Todd
15 February 2002, 0633
"Alright, so this evening we're talking to Todd." Conrad said, "And I gather you're wanting to spend today trying to find out what you can about Moreauseau Island? For the record, you're obsessed."
"It's my job to know of any threats to the President. And if whatever kind of Frankenstein's monster was created on Moreauseau somehow got loose then I want to know about it." Kate replied.
"Somehow I doubt that. If the test subjects on Moreauseau were anywhere as bad as the ones I found in Hell's Antechamber I doubt the Moreauseau lot were any threat." Conrad countered.
"I can't take that chance, Conrad." Kate replied, "I am responsible for the safety of the President of the United States, I have to do my due diligence to uncover any threat."
Conrad was about to reply when both of them heard a crash of china shattering from the kitchen. "Well, perhaps you were a tad hasty in figuring that nothing bizarre was going on with breakfast."
"Dishes breaking don't exactly indicate a kitchen disaster." Kate replied.
"Breakfast at the Pit, as yesterday proved, is an interesting affair." Conrad observed.
"Well nothing has exploded or caught fire yet." Kate replied.
"Key word being yet." Conrad countered.
"Now who's being paranoid?" Kate said, with a small smile, "Yesterday you were convincing me to eat lunch here."
"Well, a bit of gut instinct is telling me something is in the offing today." Conrad replied as they carried their respective trays to the nearest table, where some other G.I. Joe soldiers were eating.
"Pretty interesting that Roadblock wants to have our interview with Toad over dinner at their place." Kate observed.
"Well, it's rather similar to a 'defender's advantage' when it comes to military tactics." Conrad supplied.
"I figured that out." Kate replied.
"Speak of the devil, and he shall appear." Conrad commented as he gestured with a sideways glance.
Moving amongst the tables was Todd, whom BA had sent to go bus tables.
"Some devil." Kate replied, with a smile.
"Meant that figuratively of course." Conrad countered as he took another sip of coffee from the cup.
Toad was carrying empty breakfast trays and the like to be washed as various Joes finished their meals. Things were going smoothly until he collided with a soldier, spilling food all over him. The man wore a green balaclava, green sweater, camouflage pants and black boots. Kate and Conrad knew the man was codenamed Beach Head, and knew of his reputation for being a stickler and the most ornery individual at the Pit.
"Why you little…." Beach Head began.
"I'm sorry…" Toad stammered.
"Not as sorry as when I get through with you! You stupid little freak!" Beach Head said, raising his fists menacingly.
At this Todd bolted out the front door of the Mess Hall, before reverting to hopping mode. He didn't see Beach Head being restrained by several Joes as well as by Conrad and Kate.
Suddenly a hand whipped out from around a corner, dragging him into a darkened room, a hand clamped over Todd's mouth.
"Quiet!" the figure commanded, "Stay still!"
Todd nodded and the dark figure let go of him, stepping outside of the room and then closing the door behind him.
Todd listened as the man said, "He went that way Beach Head…"
The sound of the heavy footsteps of Beach Head faded off into the distance and the door opened. Todd saw his rescuer for the first time, he was a blonde haired man, wearing dark clothes and red goggles, reminiscent of Cyclops.
"Better lie low somewhere until Roadblock comes to get you." the man said.
"Thanks…" Todd said.
"Let's get you out of here." the man replied.
Toad, wordlessly, compiled, following the man outside, where they walked a ways before finding themselves at a basketball court. To his surprise he could see Tunnel Rat and Big Lob and a few other Joes out there.
"Found him, I see." Tunnel Rat said, "Thanks for covering, Low Light."
"No problem." Low Light said, before turning to address Toad, "Now you stay here until Roadblock arrives."
Todd nodded and Low Light walked away.
"How did you guys manage to get away so fast?" Todd asked.
"We have our methods of cutting down on KP duty," Big Lob said, spinning a basketball on his finger, "Wanna play?"
"I dunno I've never played before." Todd began, and then said, brightening, "Ok...I'll play."
After getting the ball and past some difficulty dribbling, he got the hang of it. After receiving the ball again he jumped up high and made a slam dunk...from the middle of the court.
Amazement covered the faces of the bystanders.
"Oh my Lord." Tunnel Rat remarked.
"Michael Jordan got some serious competition." Big Lob added.
"I did it!" Toad crowed, dancing about, and leaping skyward occasionally as he did so, "I did it! I...uh oh…"
He saw Roadblock heading his way as he spoke, and then he hopped towards him, "Roadblock, I didn't mean to leave the cafeteria! I was good! I was! It's just that…"
"I know, it was just an accident." Roadblock replied, "I had a talk with Beach Head, who was clearly out of line. He won't be bothering you anymore."
With a nod, Todd acknowledged Roadblock's words, as the latter spoke proudly, "You know, BA said you were a good worker. One of the best he's had in a long time."
"He did?" Todd said, with disbelief.
"Uh huh. Now go back to your game." Roadblock said.
"I can?" Todd replied, eyes lighting up, "Thanks."
"Go on." Roadblock said, gently. And then watching Todd hopping back to his game. After a while it was fairly obvious that Todd's team won, given all the baskets the young mutant had made.
"Aw man, he's on our team next time." Big Lob grumbled.
After a bit more banter, it was finally time for Todd to head over for his science class, then working KP for the noon meal, and then helping Roadblock get dinner started for the company they were going to have that evening…
Agent Todd,
I made a few inquiries regarding Moreauseau Island. Those files are sealed, and it was deemed that you do not need to know about what happened there for your mission. So cease and desist any more inquiries into Moreauseau Island. Understood?
Agent Baer
The Pit, Officer's Quarter's
Roadblock and Toad
15 February 2002, 1633
As Roadblock was mixing ingredients for a recipe Todd was working on some science homework from Airtight.
"Roadblock," Todd asked as he took a short break from the assignment, "What's Moreauseau?"
Roadblock nearly dropped the ladle he had been using to stir some sauce, "Where did you hear that?"
"Some of the guys mentioned the name when I was on KP duty yesterday…But they wouldn't talk about it." Toad replied.
"With good reason." Roadblock said, "It was a bad place...I honestly couldn't imagine Hell being that much worse."
"Wh-what is it?" Todd asked, putting his pencil down, his homework forgotten.
With a sigh, Roadblock walked over to Todd, putting a large hand on the boy's shoulder, "You might as well know the truth. A few years ago, the Joes were sent on a mission, the majority of us and what we found…"
Roadblock paused for a moment, composing himself, "There was a lab there. Nearly one hundred test subjects. Many of them had been mangled, mutilated…"
"They were mutants?" Todd asked, in horror.
"If they weren't before, they became mutants as a result of COBRA's experiments." Roadblock replied.
"What happened to them?" Todd asked.
"Most of them didn't survive, and those that did...they didn't live that much longer. From that day many of us swore that we wouldn't allow that kid of evil to happen again, ever." Roadblock said.
Todd gulped, "So that's why you saved me."
Roadblock nodded before saying, "Well, you'd better get back to your homework and I'll finish getting dinner ready. Our guests should be here soon."
"Ok." Todd replied.
Roadblock continued to do some more work in the kitchen and before long he was done. Todd put away his homework and started to put out the dishes, silverware, and the like. He had just put down the placemat in the center of the table for Roadblock to put the main dish down when the sound of a knock on the door could be heard.
Todd hopped over to the door and opened the door to find Conrad and Kate standing at the door. "Hi," Todd said, "Come in...Roadblock's in the kitchen."
"Actually you two are just in time." Roadblock said, "Dinner's ready."
"Oh, what's on the menu?" Conrad asked.
"Roadblock's Rissotto." Roadblock replied.
At Kate's uneasy expression Roadblock added, "Don't worry, everyone says that they'd be happier if I had BA's job."
Well, anyone would be an improvement over BA. Kate thought to herself, but not wanting to insult their host.
Todd piped in just then, preventing a potentially awkward silence, "Roadblock's a gourmet chef as well."
Kate added, "Dinner smells good."
The four of them were sitting at the table, and the meal went swimmingly well, even with Toad using his frog-like tongue to grab at a pitcher of water, prompting a slight glare from Roadblock.
"Sorry." Toad said.
"It's ok, I've seen worse eaters when I was in the Legion." Conrad replied.
"Legionnaires have twelve foot long tongues?" Kate asked.
"No, but I've seen folks that don't have the cleanest eating habits." Conrad countered.
It was shortly after eating that Conrad began, "I suppose Roadblock told you why we're here."
"He did." Toad replied.
"Can you tell us about what happened?" Kate replied.
"We had lost yet another battle with the X-Geeks…" Todd began, "I-I mean the X-men. And Mystique just lost it...She just kept hitting me and hitting me. I've had beatings before, but this was a lot worse."
The kid closed his eyes, seeming on the verge of tears, Roadblock instinctively slid his chair beside Todd, taking the boy's hand.
"Todd," Roadblock said, gently, "You don't have to tell them any more if you don't…"
"No," Todd said, "No, I want to tell them…"
"I'll stay right here with you, son." Roadblock said.
Todd nodded and continued the story, "All I could do was just cringe and plea, but the blows just kept coming. Mystique just kept hitting me."
Kate glanced over at Conrad, whose face took on a stony expression. She could only imagine what he was thinking.
I'll put a knife in this Mystique's gut if I ever encounter her. No child should ever endure this kind of abuse. Conrad thought.
"And then Magneto put a stop to it." Todd replied, "We were flying in a jet, I didn't know where we were, and then Mystique kicked me in the stomach again. And then…"
Todd let out a choked sob, "A-and then...he threw me out of the jet…"
The boy's tears caused both Kate and Conrad to mutually conclude to stop the interview.
"I'm sorry about all this." Conrad apologized, as Roadblock held the sobbing boy in his arms.
"It's alright." Roadblock said, "You're just doing your jobs."
"We'll see ourselves out." Kate replied.
Conrad and Kate walked out of the apartment and back towards the apartment they were sharing.
"You seem to be taking this pretty hard." Kate observed.
"And you aren't?" Conrad replied.
"That was horrible what Mystique did to the kid, but still you looked like you would personally kill her if you encountered her." Kate replied.
"Honestly, I'd put a knife into her stomach if we were to cross paths." Conrad replied.
"And why are you taking this so hard?" Kate asked as Conrad opened the door to their temporary lodging, with a slight 'after you' gesture with his free hand.
"As I've said, children suffer the worst in any war." Conrad replied, "I saw enough suffering with children I saw in my tours of duty with the Legion."
To Be Continued…