EPISODE IV: THE FIRST STRIKE
�Optimus Prime is gone?� Marissa Faireborne exclaimed. �What in the hell happened?�
Rodimus Prime went on to explain the events of that day. He and Marissa were speaking on Cybertron, comparing data. A day had passed since Optimus and Elita-1 had departed from Earth and had left no message of where they were going. The Decepticons had been soundly defeated, though, and for all they knew Optimus Prime was still with the Autobots.
�I just don�t know,� Rodimus said, after he finished his story. �I get this aching feeling that something is terribly wrong. Elita-1 seemed rather�strange to me.�
�Well, that could be because you never knew her all that well in the first place,� Marissa said. �I sure as hell didn�t. Maybe she has been warped by that experience on J�Asik. Near death experiences can really shellshock people, and I�m sure Transformers would react the same way. Optimus may just be doing the right thing to take care of her.�
�You�re probably right,� Rodimus said. �Anyway, what is happening with Cobra? Do you need our help?�
�That�s the funny thing, Rodimus,� she replied. �I don�t know what is going on. I already told you that I enlisted the aid of the old GI Joe members, but the evidence we have is so sketchy that they can�t even decipher it.�
�Well, let us know if anything else comes up,� Rodimus said. �Usually the longer the wait, the more devastating the attack will be.�
�I suppose you�ve had the most experience with that,� Marissa said with a grim smile on her face. �In that case, I think I�m going to head back now. We need to continue our investigation as soon as possible. I�ll be in touch if anything goes wrong.�
She got up and walked out of the room. Rodimus accompanied her as they went back to her ship and said goodbye.
�Don�t hesitate to call us if we�re needed,� he said as she was getting on.
�Will do,� she said, and stepped inside. The door shut behind her and the pilots initiated take off.
�So, what�d you guys think of Cybertron?� she asked the two pilots as they were in flight. Both had stated that they had never been to the Transformers� home planet.
�Pretty nice,� one stated. �The descriptions were accurate: metal everywhere.�
�I thought it was great,� the other said. �The Autobots were very friendly. I had no idea that they were that hospitable.�
�Well, that�s what happens when the wrong people give you information,� Marissa said, alluding back to the days of William Connelly. She eased back in her chair.
Suddenly, the ship felt like it had run into a giant object. Marissa jumped out of her chair and went to the cockpit.
�What in the hell was that?� she yelled.
�I�m not sure Commander,� the lead pilot said. �Something has just hit us. All of our instruments are dead.�
�It looks like we got hit with some kind of electromagnetic pulse,� the copilot said. �We�re completely out of power. Only the auxiliary is running, and that�s for the life support system.�
Then the ship began moving. Yet it was not moving forward, but backward. Marissa ran to a window and gasped. It was Scorponok. She ran back to the cockpit.
�Are the radios working?� she asked hurriedly.
�No, ma�am, nothing is. What�s going on?�
�Well, right now we�re being taken captive by Decepticons, and something tells me that Cobra is involved in this too. All right then, do we have any weapons aboard?�
The two rookie pilots were panicking. �Are you nuts? Are we really going to try to fight them?�
�Don�t call me nuts damn it!� Marissa was angry. �I am your superior officer, and I say we don�t get captured without a fight!�
She ran from the two scared pilots and searched for an armory on the small ship. Within a minute, she located a small locker with a few laser rifles. Marissa went to grab them when she heard a peculiar sound right above her. She looked up to see a small drill come through the roof of the ship and disappear.
�That can�t be good,� she muttered to herself. She took one of the rifles and aimed it upward. A small cylinder came through the hole, and she heard a noise that sounded like air releasing.
�Gas!� She ran out of the room and shut the door, but noticed that there were holes in all areas of the shuttle. Coughing, Marissa tried to locate a gas mask, but it was too late. She fell to the ground and blacked out.
�What do you mean you don�t know?� Lady Jaye asked.
�Just that, ma�am,� the corporal said. �We don�t know Commander Faireborne�s location. Her ship has not reported in, and there has been no radio contact since she left Cybertron. The Autobots have no idea where she is.�
�Well you keep looking,� Lady Jaye said angrily. �That�s my daughter!�
She walked away. It wasn�t right to yell at the young corporal, and she knew it. Still, it was frustrating to find out that Marissa was just �missing.� Cobra was dangerous and capable of anything. It was so stupid, there should have been a better escort with her. Lady Jaye knew she would never forgive herself for not being there.
Flint came up to her in the hallway. �Do they know anything yet?�
�No. There has been no radio contact, and it�s like the ship has just disappeared.�
He sighed. �Well, I bet we�ll hear some ransom demands. At least I hope we will.�
Marissa awoke in a dark and damp cell. She was still groggy from the gas, and felt nauseous. Even so, it only took her a second to remember what had happened, and where she probably was.
�Crap,� she muttered to herself. She knew it was unsafe to travel without armed escort fighters, why in the hell did she do that now? It was so stupid!
Marissa examined the interior of her cell. It was hard to see anything, due to the darkness and the after effects of the gas, but her eyes were adjusting. The cell was old fashioned, almost like she was in a dungeon 50 years ago. Mold was growing on the ceiling and rats scurried around once in a while. No windows, but there were only bars with a regular lock at the entrance. It was definitely not the ideal place to be. There was a slight humming that was from one part of the room.
She stood up and stretched. It was still a little woozy, but it felt better to be on her feet. Walking over to the bars, Marissa suddenly realized where the humming was coming from. The bars were electrified�no chance of picking the lock without several hundred volts coursing through her body.
There were footsteps approaching. Marissa strained her eyes to see who it was. She didn�t bother moving, it meant nothing that her captors would see her looking for means of escape. There were two figures, and as they drew near she recognized one. It was hard to forget the mask of Cobra Commander.
�Good to see you�re awake, Commander Faireborne,� he said. �I was hoping our trump card wouldn�t have been harmed.�
�Trump card?� Marissa asked. �Where are the two pilots I came with?�
�Don�t worry about them,� the Commander replied. �They died quickly, and painlessly too I might add. You are the only one we wanted; our means of victory. My friends, the Decepticons, have helped me construct a massive army of powerful robot soldiers to help me take on the world. Each soldier is powered with a power core, which I have been able to acquire.�
�The nuclear plant,� Marissa said, half to herself.
�Precisely. The cores are so small they are not harmful, even if destroyed. This has of course helped me build millions of soldiers. One hundred million to be exact, more than any other army on the planet, even the EDC.�
�You know what, Commander?� Marissa said. �This one�s been tried, many times. Didn�t you hear what happened recently? William Connelly trusted a Decepticon, and he�s dead.�
�This is true, but Connelly was a fool. Starscream wanted the Earth, the Decepticons simply want Cybertron. They do not have the manpower to run both planets at this stage; they barely have the troops to battle the Autobots. But now that the Autobots are without a key element, thanks to my intervention, their days are numbered.�
�Key element?�
Cobra Commander sighed. �Optimus Prime is gone, gone off with Elita-1. Her mind has been poisoned, treacherous and brainwashed into helping our cause. Without Optimus, Rodimus Prime will step into a trap. With him gone, Cybertron will be an easy coup.�
�You bastard,� Marissa said. �They will still stop you. Any Autobot force can take on your pathetic robots, even the small force on Earth.�
�Bah, you don�t understand. Remember how I said you were my trump card? Flint and Lady Jaye would never let any harm come to you, nor would anyone else. And that is why I plan on using you as a hostage: if the Autobots become involved in any way in our conflict, you die.�
Marissa laughed. �That�s your plan? It doesn�t matter. If you kill me, the Joes, the EDC, and the Autobots are coming after your ass with everything they�ve got. You won�t live to see tomorrow.�
�True,� Cobra Commander said. �But I�ll lose if the Autobots become involved anyway. This at least gives me a chance, I�ll take what I can get.�
Marissa suddenly realized how dangerous Cobra Commander was. He was willing to risk his own life, not caring either way. He was willing to do whatever it took to attain his goal, and nothing would stand in his way. Killing her would be nothing, even if it meant certain doom for him. This was going to be an awful war.
�Well, now that you know what I am up to, I thought I would show you one of my new soldiers,� Cobra Commander said after a long silence.
Marissa suddenly realized that the figure who was with the Commander had been standing in the darkness the whole time. It stepped forward to reveal who it was.
�Storm Shadow,� she said.
�Not really,� Cobra Commander replied. �A perfect replica of my former bodyguard. He is the finest soldier I�ve made, quicker and smarter than the rest. As you may know, I needed a massive supercomputer to run the soldiers. Storm Shadow here runs autonomous from the computer: he is completely sentient�well as sentient as a machine can be. Just thought I would give you a hint of what is to come.
�Well, anyway, I must be going. I�ll be back shortly with a video crew to let the world know that you are still alive. Don�t worry, I plan to leave you that way. For the first time, I have to make sure I will keep my word: for both our necks.�
He walked away, leaving Marissa with nothing but the dark and a few rats as company.
Lady Jaye was watching the news in the cafeteria. Hardly touching her food, she was wondering where her little girl was right now. It was obvious Marissa knew how to handle herself, but Cobra was more dangerous than any other force the world had seen. She could only hope there would be some kind of message, and shortly.
Just then, the news fizzled out, almost as if the television was turned off.
�What in the�� Lady Jaye said, but soon realized what was happening.
The screen flashed to an image of one of the most despised figures in Earth�s history: Cobra Commander. He looked the same, the cloaked mask still covering his face with the blue outfit. It was almost like no time had passed since he had last appeared.
�Citizens of Earth, as you may or may not know, Cobra has returned with a vengeance,� he began. �This message is being televised across the planet, and is translated accordingly to each language. I wanted you all to understand the seriousness of the situation. In approximately 24 hours, I will begin my conquest of Earth. I expect this to be challenged by the EDC and several other defense departments�that is acceptable. I would expect nothing less.
�My concern is with your friends, the Autobots. They will help, no doubt, and for this I make you an offer. I have in my custody Captain/Commander Marissa Faireborne of the Earth Defense Command.�
The screen flashed to an image of Marissa sitting in her cell, scowling at the camera. It almost built pride in Lady Jaye, her daughter was obviously angry at her use as a bargaining chip.
Cobra Commander continued. �If the Autobots become involved in this conflict, I will torture and execute Commander Faireborne. This is not a joke. If I even suspect the Autobots of becoming involved, she dies; and quite horrendously I might add. I have nothing to lose, and you know that, GI Joe.� His voice became especially menacing at the mention of them. �Come after me with or without the Autobots, if I am destined to lose, so be it. It�s just a decision of whether you want your little girl back when it�s all over.�
The screen went blank. Lady Jaye knew that last part was meant especially for her and Flint. That prick, he knew just how to get under her skin. She picked up her tray and hurled it at the television, which promptly broke the glass and sent sparks everywhere.
Flint came in running at that moment. He paused when he saw the shards of glass on the ground and the busted television set.
�So I take it you saw the broadcast,� he said.
Lady Jaye looked at him. �How�d you tell?� she said, forcing a smile.
�Look, honey, we�re gonna get her back,� Flint said, sitting down next to his wife. �Hawk said he�ll make sure of that. The Autobots have already been contacted, and they stated that they will stay out of the conflict.�
�Do you think we can beat Cobra without them?� Lady Jaye asked, fighting off a few tears.
�I know we can.�
Meanwhile, on an island in the Pacific, Cobra Commander, Galvatron and Megatron were convening for the last time. Megatron was fine: the blast from Elita-1�s weapon was on stun. The farce had worked.
�This plan certainly has been working perfectly,� the Commander said. �I can�t thank you two enough for all you�ve done.�
Galvatron smiled. �And we can�t thank you enough, either. I have never wanted to take on a fleshling partner in my life, but I think this has been the most successful relationship the Decepticons have ever had.�
�That is true,� Megatron added. �I finally understand how Optimus Prime and the Autobots were able to defeat us all those years. We just needed to trust in humanity�well at least the darker elements of it.�
The two walked toward Scorponok, leaving Cobra Commander with his soldiers. It was time to separate: they all had their wars to win.
TO BE CONTINUED