EPISODE VI: FINAL CONFRONTATIONS
All five GI Joe team members were all clad in their wetsuits, silently kicking in the ocean water. It was nearing nightfall in the Pacific, and Cobra�s presumed island was nearing. They had been dropped only ten minutes beforehand, just out of radar range of the island.
After another 20 minutes, they finally reached the shore. They removed their wetsuits and were suited up in jungle camouflage. Duke motioned for them to place their gear nearby in some bushes, and conceal it to the best of their ability. They did so, and soon saw a nearby makeshift shelter. It was unoccupied from where they could see.
Duke motioned for Snake-Eyes to check it out. The ninja stealthily made his way to the shelter, and found two bodies inside: the agents in charge of reporting on the status of the island. He went back and reported on what he saw.
The Joe team then covertly made their way through the dense jungle. They made it a point to keep as much cover on them as possible, and soon found a large complex. It resembled a village: shacks made from wood and leaves. They spread out and searched each shack.
As Flint was searching through one, he found an unusual area in the flooring. Most of the huts had dirt floors, but an area of this one had a wooden square. He knocked on it, and there was a hollow sound. Flint then made a bird call to the other members to gain their attention. They came quickly. Snake-Eyes produced his sword, and easily cut through the wood, revealing a ladder leading downward. Each member climbed down into the darkness.
Ultra Magnus was becoming a little antsy as he approached Charr with the Autobot army. It had been five years since his last major battle where he was in command: he had failed to overthrow Galvatron on that day. Still, he knew that Rodimus would get Optimus Prime and Elita-1 to the battle as quickly as possible to aid them. Perhaps this was to be the final clash between the Transformer factions: maybe true peace would finally come to the Autobots.
That all ended quickly. Ultra Magnus felt it as the ship suddenly rocked from a massive explosion to the right. He looked out the window, and the other shuttle had a large hole in it, with Autobots bailing.
�Hold steady!� he commanded. �We�re under attack!�
�But how did they know we were coming, I mean they couldn�t have known because they were the ones planning, we were the surprise attack, what�s going on?� Blurr said hurriedly as he piloted the ship. He was trying to dodge the fire from the ground as best he could.
Ultra Magnus was too battle-worn not to know what was going on. �We�ve been set up, Blurr. The transmission we �overheard;� we were supposed to know about it. The damn Decepticons set us up.�
Another explosion was heard: this time the ship to the right was gone from the sky.
Hurry up, Rodimus, Ultra Magnus thought. I hope you�re in better shape than us.
It felt like an eternity as Rodimus Prime watched each of his adversaries� movements. He had been training for an insane moment like this; one that would put all his abilities to the test. Megatron and Galvatron were two of the most powerful opponents that an Autobot would have to face; together it would be almost an impossibility to defeat them. Still, he knew he had to do something or his friends and allies would all perish.
�So,� he said, �are you two going to fight? You�re only facing one Prime�it can�t be that difficult!�
�You Autobots,� Galvatron said. �Always so sure of yourselves. I�m finally happy to turn you into scrap!�
He fired his laser cannon at Rodimus. The Autobot leapt out of the way, brandishing his photon rifle. He aimed at Megatron and fired.
Megatron was struck in the shoulder and fell on his back. Rodimus then turned to fire at Galvatron, but the Decepticon had already rushed Prime and nailed him with a kick to the face. Rodimus flew back, but managed a mid-air flip and landed on his feet. He was a bit disoriented from the kick, but standing. Rodimus then flew forward, spearing Galvatron. The two of them fell to the ground, locked in a struggle.
EDC troops were stationed in all the major cities of the world, prepared for an onslaught. Without the Autobots� help, they would be on their own against an army of millions. Although every country in the world was willing to do their part, it was hardly enough against an unseen enemy.
No unit was as nervous as the one in Washington, DC. Cobra�s hatred of the United States was as deep as a black hole. Even though they were anxious, though, they had a leader there with them: General Hawk himself had arrived and was commanding the troops. With such a legendary hero as Hawk, the EDC was ready for anything.
The attack came out of nowhere. If there had been any World War II veterans, they would have commented on the use of blitzkrieg, Germany�s offensive strategy of fast war. Cobra soldiers suddenly swarmed over the Potomac, and were armed with tanks and aircraft. The laser fire rivaled that of the bombs bursting in air described by Francis Scott Key.
Each EDC platoon began firing while the pilots attempted to take out the aircraft. Explosions rocked the nation�s capital; men and women died defending their country, their planet. General Hawk did not like the odds.
�At this rate, these soldiers will overrun us soon,� he said to the older EDC officers behind the lines. �If it goes on too long, we may need to pick up a rifle and help. I don�t know about you, but it�s been a while since I�ve seen combat. The Joes need to do this, and soon.�
The Cobra base underneath the ground was immaculate. It greatly resembled a European castle: stone walls, tapestries, rugs, and even knight armor. The Joe team was amazed at the hole that the Cobra Commander had built for himself over the years.
They grouped up. �Okay,� Duke said, �Flint, you take Lady Jaye and Snake-Eyes and locate your daughter. I�m sure that this place can�t be too big. Scarlett and I are going to locate the computer, so Flint you need to give us the explosives.�
�Got it,� Flint replied, and gave Scarlett the C4 and timer. �Set it for a half hour, that�ll give us enough time to get the hell out of here.�
Scarlett nodded, and put it in her sack. �You three be careful. God knows that not all the Cobra soldiers are out there.�
They split up, and began their searches.
�Well, I�ve finished unloading most of the energon off the shuttle,� Optimus Prime said. �We should have enough to sustain us for a very long time.�
�I didn�t have much of a problem,� Elita-1 replied. �And I was here for what seemed like forever.�
Optimus felt wrenched. �You don�t have to worry about being alone anymore, Elita. We�re together at last.�
�Yes we are,� Elita-1 said. �Forever.�
As Optimus turned to head back to the shuttle, he felt a metallic object hit the back of his head. He suddenly realized it was a gun. Her gun.
�What�s going on?� Optimus asked. �Elita? What are you doing?�
He heard a laugh very unlike Elita-1. �You lovesick fool. Do you think I would really want to spend my eternity on this barren wasteland with YOU? How dull do you think I am?�
Optimus�s mind was swimming. He could not figure out what had happened. Then, an understanding came over him.
�What did they do to you?� he asked coldly.
�You really are an idealist!� Elita-1 said, laughing wickedly again. �The Decepticons have shown me the light! I was an idiot for thinking that I could live peacefully on Cybertron. Cobra Commander was able to rework my mind and show me the truth about this war.�
�You fired on Rodimus, didn�t you?� Optimus said, realizing what was going on. �He thought you were a hostile, so he shot back. You wanted him to fire at you so you could lure me away!� He was beginning to anger.
�It was all Megatron�s idea,� she said, gloating now. �He wanted to see you break from the Autobots. He�s not dead! He�s now in the process of killing your prot�g�.�
�And now you�re supposed to kill me,� Optimus said, cooling down. �I have to say, this was ingenious. One question though: why haven�t you fired yet?�
A sense of nervousness was in Elita-1�s voice. �I will! I will, all in good time! I just want for all of this to sink in first! Yes, that�s right!�
Optimus was sure that his instinct was right. �No, it�s not,� he said knowingly. �You aren�t shooting because you can�t. Cobra couldn�t have completely destroyed the real you. There�s still a little bit left, isn�t there?�
�NO!� Elita-1 screamed. �No there isn�t!! I am in complete�control! I will destroy�.you��
He heard the gun drop to the ground. �Run,� came a meek voice, one he knew.
Optimus turned. �Run, dammit,� Elita-1 was able to force out. �Go�save Rodimus, the Autobots. They�re all going into a trap.�
�Where?�
�Rodimus is on J�Asik: Megatron and Galvatron are going to kill him. The others are awaiting destruction on Charr. You need to help them, go!�
�Come with me,� Optimus said.
�N..no�I can�t,� Elita-1 was able to say, her voice quivering more now. �This is only temporary, I will only endanger you. Just�.just go!�
She pushed him away. Optimus backed away, but then ran to Elita-1 and embraced her. �I will come back for you.�
Prime let go and ran to the shuttle. He got in and started the launch sequence. As he flew away, he caught a glimpse of his love, still maintaining her hold over the evil presence.
�NO!!!� Elita-1 screamed, returning to her evil persona. �Die, you defective creature! Die!� She fired at the ship, but it was already well beyond her range. Optimus Prime was heading for J�Asik: the tide of the war was about to turn.
Flint, Lady Jaye and Snake-Eyes made their way through the long corridors of Cobra�s underground palace. They had a general idea of where the dungeon was, but it was still taking a while to locate it.
Suddenly, Flint put up his hand to signal the other two to stop. He heard footsteps nearby, but not coming toward them. As Jaye and Snake-Eyes waited, he walked up and peeked around the corner.
He was able to see down the hall as two guards were standing in front of a cell. Two more were patrolling the patrolling the area; all were armed with laser rifles. They were all definitely robots.
Flint motioned for the other two to come to where he was crouched. The robots probably saw in infrared, so a flashbang would probably not work. They decided to do it the old fashioned way. Snake-Eyes ran from their cover and leaped in the air. He grabbed on to the pipes overhead. One of the guards turned, hearing something. It moved toward Flint and Lady Jaye, but was soon decapitated by Snake-Eyes� blade.
The other guards came running as they saw what happened.
�Yo Joe!� Flint and Lady Jaye cried as they turned the corner. Lady Jaye threw a spear and impaled one of the guards; Flint shot the other two. After they were all destroyed the Joes heard a voice.
�Hello? Mom? Dad?� It was Marissa. The three ran to her cell.
�Marissa!� Lady Jaye sighed in relief. �Thank God you�re okay!�
�I knew you�d get here!� Marissa exclaimed. She looked disheveled, but was otherwise fine. �Something told me that GI Joe would know how to rescue me.�
�Well, you can thank General Hawk for that,� Flint said. �We need to get you out of here.� He examined the cell. �These bars are electrified, aren�t they?�
Marissa nodded. �Unfortunately. I don�t know where the current is coming from�� She was cut off as the humming from the bars suddenly stopped. It was then that they all realized that Snake-Eyes had been missing: he had just emerged from the shadows.
�Did you cut the wiring already?� Flint asked, surprised.
Snake-Eyes nodded. The other three smiled at how efficient the ninja could be. Lady Jaye took out a small torch and melted the cell�s lock, and opened the door. Marissa was free.
They made their way back to the entrance where they would wait for Scarlett and Duke. Suddenly, Snake-Eyes halted and motioned for the others to stop. Flint was about to ask what was wrong, but paused when he heard soft footsteps approaching. A figure appeared.
�Oh God,� Lady Jaye said. �Storm Shadow!�
�No, mom,� Marissa answered. �It�s another robot, Cobra Commander created it. He�s completely autonomous from the computer controlling the rest.�
�Go.�
Flint, Lady Jaye and Marissa were startled to hear the voice of Snake-Eyes. There were only a limited number of individuals who had ever heard him speak, and they were not among them.
�I said go,� Snake-Eyes stated again. �Get off the island.�
He dropped his equipment bag to the ground and brandished his sword. The others knew that he wouldn�t have it any other way. They ran, searching for an exit in the opposite direction.
The Storm Shadow robot walked forward and pulled a sword from its sheath. Snake-Eyes kept still, watching its every move. Suddenly, the robot leapt in the air with its sword raised. Snake-Eyes jumped, and their swords clashed.
Rodimus Prime hit the ground hard. He rolled instantly, nearly avoiding a fusion cannon blast. Jumping to his feet, Rodimus transformed and drove as fast as he could.
�Stand still!� Megatron screamed as he and Galvatron fired off their cannons at the Autobot.
Rodimus drove so fast he was able to get the drop on them. He transformed and launched himself high into the air, and landed a dropkick on Galvatron. As he stood there, Megatron came up behind him to grab Rodimus, but the Autobot commander connected the back of his fist with Megatron�s face. This punch sent Megatron to the ground as well.
�You two had enough yet?� Rodimus asked, clearly pleased with himself. He was exhausted, but was definitely not ready to give up.
Galvatron slowly rose to his feet. �You insolent Autobot!� He speared Rodimus, but was kicked off.
�Wrong move, Galvatron,� Rodimus said, jumping to his feet. He was soon tackled by Megatron.
�I�ve had enough of your cocky attitude,� he said as he pounded Rodimus Prime�s head into the ground. �How does this feel?�
�Not�.good!� Rodimus reached behind him to grab Megatron�s head, and sent him flying. He slowly got up. Megatron had clearly weakened him, and he knew that it wouldn�t be long until he would lose.
Rodimus Prime closed his eyes and sighed. Opening his eyes, he saw that both his adversaries had gotten up. He looked down, and found that his photon rifle was at his feet. He smiled and kicked it up into his hands.
�It ain�t over yet!� Rodimus said, firing.
Duke and Scarlett were searching in vain for the room that might hold the supercomputer. They already had destroyed several guards, and it seemed like they were now in the very bowels of the underground base.
�Do you suppose Hawk may have been wrong?� Scarlett asked. �Could there not be a computer controlling these robot soldiers?�
�I doubt that,� Duke said. �When was the last time Hawk was wrong about something?"
Scarlett had a forced laugh. �Good point.�
�Hold on a sec,� Duke said. They both stopped running.
�What is�� Scarlett asked, but cut herself off.
There was a loud humming coming from down a hall. Curious, they moved down and found a door with five guards. The two stayed in the shadows.
�You suppose Cobra Commander would have that many guards in one place for no reason?� Duke asked quietly.
One walked right by where they were standing and Duke fired his rifle. The head exploded, and the other guards turned to see what had happened.
�Yo Joe!� Duke and Scarlett came running from their hiding place and fired off their weapons. In a matter of minutes, the skirmish was over: the robot guards were destroyed.
The two opened the door and walked inside. Sure enough, there was a massive supercomputer humming loudly.
�That�s it!� Duke said. He and Scarlett walked up and placed the C4 and detonators behind the large computer. They decided to set the timers for an hour, giving them enough time to escape.
As Scarlett was getting ready to start the timer, Duke heard something. Someone or something was approaching. It was odd: the footsteps sounded more relaxed than a robot. Duke knew who it was.
He turned to Scarlett. �Everything set?�
�You bet!� she replied cheerfully. �Now let�s get out of here!� She started the timer.
Scarlett walked out the door before Duke did, and the door closed. She turned, looked through the window and saw Duke in the process of locking it shut.
�What are you doing?� she asked, completely bewildered.
�He�s coming,� Duke replied. �Cobra Commander: I heard him walking toward the computer as we were leaving. He�s almost here, and he could jeopardize the mission by stopping the timer.�
�So?� Scarlett was getting frantic. �Let me in! I can help!�
Duke looked down. �No, you get out. Find the others, I know I said you wouldn�t lose me, but I didn�t count on this.�
The battle-worn soldier then did the most heartbreaking thing in his life. Duke turned his back on his wife, and knew very well that it was likely that he wouldn�t see her again. Scarlett knew that she wasn�t getting back in, and it wouldn�t do anyone any good to stand there.
�I love you!� she said, tears already beginning to swell. She ran.
�I love you too,� Duke said under his breath. Somehow, he knew she could hear him.
At that moment, Cobra Commander did walk around the corner. �Well, well, well,� he said. �Duke. It really has been a long time.�
�Too long,� was the simple reply.
�I suppose that is C4 around my computer, the one controlling the soldiers?� the Commander asked.
Duke looked at the explosives. �It is.�
�And I suppose you know that I could disarm those explosives in a matter of minutes?�
�That�s why I stayed,� Duke said, half smiling.
�Oh, so it wasn�t for my company? Too bad, I was looking forward to catching up.� Cobra Commander laughed. �How is Falcon? Still rotting in his Arlington grave?�
Duke didn�t let the comment get to him. �You�re not fit enough to cut the grass around his tombstone, Cobra Commander.�
�Well, enough with this. I suppose you�re just going to shoot me?�
�No,� Duke said as he let his rifle drop to the ground. He reached in to his bag and pulled out the large Bowie knife. �This is Falcon�s, I think he would�ve wanted it this way.�
�Very well,� the Commander said as he pulled out a large knife with a snake-shaped hilt. �Let�s see who dies.�
Duke approached his longtime enemy and smiled. �Let�s.�
TO BE CONTINUED