The LADY With One Red Shoe
"Well, this is it."
Decked out in her customary Joe outfit, she took another glimpse at her satchel. She looked up at the plane where the two stood just a few feet from a Gulfstream jet. "Last chance, Flint. Sure you don't want to tag along?"
"I can't,"the low, masculine voice spoke. "Besides, this is my week for base duty."
She laughed at the evasive answer. "What, and miss out on the palm trees, ocean, cruise ship?"
She paused to watch his reaction.
"Far from it, Lady Jaye," Duke smiled as he approached her and Flint. "I'd hardly call this trip a vacation." The first sergeant had a manila envelope in his hand. "You get your detail papers?"
"Tucked away safely"? Lady Jaye motioned with a raise of her bag. Duke opened the files as Flint watched on with hidden interest.
"You'll be working with Dan Blattner, C.I.A. He'll fill you in on all the finer points." Duke fidgeted with his watch as if the agent were running late.
"Right," Lady Jaye confirmed as the plane attendant reached down and pulled her luggage on board. She listened in as Duke read aloud from the report. Flint huddled next to the sergeant's right side.
"Let's see," Duke began. "Alexander Henrik. Espionage, drug trafficking, global security threat, terrorism, trying to form a totalitarian government, etc."
"Sounds like a real fun guy," Flint said with a hint of personal experience.
Lady Jaye smiled. "I told you you'd missing out."
The warrant officer wasn't impressed. "Babysitting exiles isn't my cup of tea."
Duke flipped the page. "Jirina Maska. Daughter of a former high profile communist leader ousted a few decades ago. Links to government coups, genocide.."
Duke stopped and glanced up. A C.I.A. agent moved toward them. Two men in suits were leading a woman and a man in cuffs.
"Dan Blattner." The balding man in his late forties extended a hand to Duke. As the men exchanged pleasantries, Duke made introductions. "Heard a lot about you, Dan," the Joe sergeant said presenting him to his partner for the trip.
"Hope it's all been good," he laughed as he shook hands with Lady Jaye. A little too long for Flint's taste.
"How inconsiderate," an accented voice mocked. "You haven't even introduced me to the lovely lady."
Flint took a step forward. "Scum like you needs no introduction."
The blond man pressed his fingers together and laughed. "All that information you just heard was greatly exaggerated. "I'm really quite a sincere, caring..."
"Stifle it, Henrik. No one cares," Agent Blattner cut in. He then motioned to Duke. "Let's go finish the paperwork." The two headed toward the Joe base. As Flint and Lady Jaye began their goodbyes, the wanted criminal used this time to intervene.
"Really, Flint, you should come along," Henrik voiced with a mixture of sarcasm and provocation. "I must say it would be most quaint to spend my last free minutes with members of a team that has thwarted my every chance to make an honest living."
The blond man smiled. "Honest?" Flint growled. "Listen Henrik, I'd rather take..."
Lady Jaye put her hand on his chest. "Calm down, Flint. Remember, I get to fly with them.
"Yeah, yeah," he reluctantly agreed. Flint noticed that Maska, the other prisoner, just continued to stare at the two Joes, not saying a word.
Agent Blattner returned. He thumped an envelope on his thigh. "Got the goods. Let's get this going. Got my kids baseball game to attend tonight." He smiled and motioned for the other two agents to take the prisoners aboard the jet plane. As the female prisoner was motioned in, Henrik stopped. He turned to Flint waving, and shouted over the starting engines. "Tootles!" The beefy agent, which apparently was staying behind, shoved Henrik in the chest to get aboard. Henrik glared at the man then cockily adjusted his top and fixed his hair within handcuff's reach.
As Duke stood a distance away, Flint and Lady Jaye once again began to say goodbye.
"Hope these clowns don't spoil all the sight seeing," Flint grinned.
Lady Jaye replied, "A couple hour's flight time, the drop off, and paperwork ought to give me time to hit the sites. I mean, how often do I get a weekend in California?"
A quizzical expression came over the Joe. "You telling me you got that dress in the bag?"
She smiled sheepishly. "And the red shoes. Hey, a lady's got to have a night out." She added wistfully, "Since you backed out on the date "Twice!"
Flint blushed. Agent Blattner peeked out. "Ready when you are."
"Gotta go! I'll call in when I get there." Lady Jaye hurriedly spoke.Flint walked a few feet back towards the base entrance and met with the two Joes.
"A night out on the town wouldn't hurt, you know," the first sergeant said.
"Yeah," Flint mumbled as the plane began its takeoff. Lady Jaye waved at Duke, Flint and Snake Eyes.
Edited by: VampII at: 4/8/08 8:14 pm
Lady Jaye placed her personal belongings and gear bags above, moving back and forth between the seats. She casually glanced at the layout. The jet was a fourteen seater. Near the back sat one of Blattner's men. A few seats up sat Alexander Henrik in cuffs and shackles. He looked as if he were amusing himself. Agent Blattner had taken residence two seats ahead of the Scandinavian. On the left side, where she was, Jirina Maska was watching every move she made.
"You care for him, don't you?" the European accent spoke. "I can see that. You want to say more than you do. Am I right?"
Lady Jaye stopped. She smiled awkwardly at the woman. "Excuse me?"
"Lady Jaye." She saw Blattner coming from the cockpit. He motioned for her. She took one last look at the woman prisoner then went and sat down beside the agent. "Here's a blueprint layout and guide," he said.
She looked at the printout in his hands. Stoecklein Security Prison. Maximum-security prison. They weren't playing around.
"Don't listen to her." His words caught her off guard. Agent Blattner motioned towards the female prisoner with his head. "She was engaged once and then lost the guy she was supposed to marry. After that she got into all that fortune telling romance stuff. Thinks she's an expert on love now." The C.I.A. agent slightly laughed and shook his head.
"Ahh," Lady Jaye said, "I see."
The shaded man in the back motioned for Blattner.
"You know," a voice began out of nowhere, "ravens tend to be more independent than most other species."
She turned back. See," the blond man pointed out the window. "They tend to use each other more for navigational uses than for companionship."
Lady Jaye tried not to show a response to the strange man. "I'm a bird fancier," he laughed.
She turned back. He continued. "I?d be very honored if you would sit with me, Miss Jaye. I would ask Jirina to but she's not my type. You see, I dohave respect for my parents and country..."
"Shut up, Henrik!" Maska erupted from the back left. "This trip is long enough without having to listen to you!"
Henrik grinned and pointed with his cuffed hands toward Maska. "When she's angry she calls me by my surname. She usually calls me little Alex..."
Henrik looked up as Blattner, returning, clasped his hand on his shoulder. "That's enough."
As he sat back down he spoke, "Just was informed that Henrik's lawyers are beating down the door for a new location. Quicker we deliver, the harder for the re-transport."
Lady Jaye frowned. "Well, Stoecklein Prison is usually a last stop."
A commotion was suddenly heard from the cockpit. The two looked forward. The voices grew louder.
"I'll go have a look," the Joe covert operations specialist shrugged.
As the two criminals watched with interest, Lady Jaye headed to the cockpit.
SCREEECHHH!
A force similar to turbulence rocked the jet. Lady Jaye was thrown of balance, sprawled across the walkway. She pulled up herself up with her gloves. Her first thoughts were of the convicts. They too, were jostled but still positioned into their seatbelts. TWACK!
All passengers were tossed about again. In a push up stance, she tried to apprehend the words between pilot and co-pilot. A frantic exchange was on display.
"I demand to know what's going here!" Henrik yelled out. Lady Jaye looked at Blattner who was trying to regain his seating. "Sounds like we hit something!"
Agent Blattner, clutching the seats, went to Henrik and squeezed next to him by the window. "Just in case you get any ideas."
Jirina Maska screamed. Air pressure shattered the window by her head. Debris from inside the jet was flung about. The agent with sunglasses moved forward and then was slammed against the back of the jet. Fear rang out amongst the passengers as they realized the plane was beginning to dive. Massive creaks and groans emitted from the jet's plunge, mixed with panicked cries. The last thing Lady Jaye saw was the ocean coming at her.
CRASH!!!!!!!
Lady Jaye lay prone. Seawater filled between her fingers. Regaining her equilibrium, she scurried up the aisle and ripped at the jagged cockpit doors. Water rushed out at ankle level. What she feared was true. Both pilots were dead. One man had been crushed by ruptured metal. The other suffered from the effects of the blown glass shards from the window. She reached between the lifeless men for radio contact. Nothing. She stood transfixed as the scene unfolded before her. A yell brought her back.
She raced between the seats not even aware of the shift of the plane. "Get me loose! Unstrap me!"
She yanked at Henrik's seat belts but left him shackled at hands and feet. "What happened? Why are we in the water?" Normally she would have laughed at the man's ragged and wet look.
Agent Blattner was sagged in his seat. As Henrik continued to rant and rave, she felt for a pulse.
"This is the worst service I've ever had!" Henrik shouted. "We must get...?
He stopped as she turned back to face him. From her expression he knew. Blattner was dead.
The plane shifted violently tossing the Scandinavian man. Lady Jaye cautiously edged her way quickly to the back. They only had minutes before the plane would pull them under the ocean. Water was up to her knees now.
She could tell by the unnatural ways that Blattner's aid's arm and leg were turned that he died on contact.
Maska! Lady Jaye ran to the young woman. Unconscious, but still breathing, the lady's waist and legs were covered and caught under twisted metal. Water was covering her head. She had to lift her up and try prying her out at the same time. It wasn't working.
"We're sinking! We got to get out of here. Save ourselves!" Alexander Henrik cried out. Blood matted his hair and cheek.
Lady Jaye shot a furious look at the man and kept working. The water level was almost up to her chin as she pulled with every muscle she had. It wouldn't budge.
"We must go NOW!" Henrik screamed.
"If you're not going to help, stay put!" Lady Jaye fired back.
He lifted up his hands, showed his cuffs and cockily announced, "I can't help."
Water burst from the back of the fuselage where the rudder was now crunched inside. Lady Jaye cried with every strain. She would either have to save herself and the other prisoner or let this one drown or??
"Take these off, and I'll help," Henrik spoke.
Lady Jaye had Maska's head in her arms lifting it above water. She looked at the criminal with a shade of hopelessness. She dropped the girl below water for another try. Nothing.
"If you don't let me help you - she dies," Henrik said matter-of-factly. "I know what you're thinking."
Lady Jaye knew he did too. Four were already dead. The only way to save the girl was to have his free help. If she released him???
She looked pleadingly as she cradled the girl's head in her right arm. Not much time was left.
"Well?" Henrik tested. He realized that within minutes they would all die.
He lifted up his hands. Then as true to his character, he gave a sly grin.
"I guess you'll just have to trust me...."
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Posts: 166
(6/27/05 9:47 am) Reply
Re: The LADY With One Red ShoeMEANWHILE????
In Joe HQ a few of the team were relaxing around the television and others were playing cards and pool after the last mission. The baseball game was on.
"You know they could at least try to play ball," Lifeline shook his head and placed his face in his hands as the Angels lost yet another game it was looking like. The Joe medic had recovered from his injuries from the last mission. He was enjoying a relaxing day off from the infirmary for once.
"Don't feel so bad Lifeline," Shipwreck quipped, "I bet Ace twenty clams and looks like I am going to owe him. I thought you said your team was going to do better this year. I should never have listened to you, but then we were out at sea the season prior to this years and in the forest running from ?its? this spring during spring training." the sailor reminded the crew of the other missions recently.
At the recalling of the missions there were several groans in the large room and a few items thrown at the sailor," Hey ! Watch it!" he cried as objects struck him.
"Shipwreck I hate to break it to you but you did just remind me," the medic moaned as the opposing team hit yet another home run. The medic tossed his hands up in despair.
"That's correct Shipwreck!" Ace called out from the poker game, "Twenty dollars, lucky you did not go double." A few at the table consisted of Mutt , Tripwire and Dusty laughed , as a few chips were thrown on the table in the background from the clinking of the table.
"Can I pay you next payday? I mean I may need it for the ladies," the said begged.
"No, you cannot, " Ace chimed, "I like my cash like I like my cars, fast."
"You better just keep your mind on the game here Shipwreck," Beach Head snapped as he got another pool ball in the pocket.
"I can't win today," Shipwreck whined. Taking his hand and pushing his sailor hat back a bit looking with disbelieving eyes to the Ranger, as another shot was made.
Lifeline continued to watch the game, Scarlett was reading a book and Duke was in his office.
Hearing someone walk in the recreation room, the eyes looked up.
Flint walked in, "Hey Flint," someone called out. The warrant officer's mood was quiet and more solemn in nature then earlier. The good-looking officer in the beret had other things on his mind besides what was going on in the room then, walking over to the Yo Joe cola machine and plunking his change in and getting a soda out.
The team knew Lady Jaye had left that morning for a prisoner transfer. It was to be a piece of cake and she would return soon, the higher ups assured the team of that. But all knew he cared for her weither he outwardly said anything and Ace had a betting pool going on the side about the couple. But when she was gone Flint was not the same.
Meanwhile??.
Mainframe was manning the computer dispatch room and communications lines. In the background a radio was hosting the ballgame. "Oh man they are getting tromped," he remarked reaching for another handful of popcorn watching the computers. Turning around he went and adjusted the radio a bit to get better reception, "May need new batteries," he muttered as he started to dig through the drawers looking for what he needed, "I know they are in here someplace."
As the computer guru looked through the drawers a light started to flash red indicating a distress call was going out."Where did all those batteries go ," he wondered, digging a bit further, as his head came up over the desk with a sigh of defeat about finding the batteries his eyes widened nothing the distress signal, clicking the button he stated, "mainframe here what is the problem?" as he asked the question the other hand was reaching the button to notify Hawk and Duke of the situation and they needed to get down here. "This is not good," he spoke to himself, "Flint is not going to like this..."
Meanwhile back in the rec room?..
Flint opened the can of cola, and took a seat off to the side. Shipwreck lost the game of pool but was trying again with the ranger, "Shipwreck your shot."
As the sailor lined up his shot he called out, "Hey Lifeline!"
Lifeline looked up as a homerun was hit by his team, "Aw, can you believe that?" he said , "Great I missed the homerun, what is it Shipwreck?" The now annoyed medic asked taking a drink of water.
"You ever hear anymore from that crazy chick?" Shipwreck questioned as he took a shot and missed The guys stopped playing cards to look over at the new interesting conversation.
"Which one, there have been so many," Lifeline answered watching the screen again.
"That is true pal." he snickered thinking of Bree and the sister duo, "You know the crazy sister duo, Sea whatever and her sister," Shipwreck asked leaning on the table watching Beach Head make his shot, and placing chalk on his pool cue.
"No".. thank heavens, "I hope to not ever either,""What about you? That one sure had a fancy for you," he jabbed back, as the Angels hit another run, "Alright!" he loudly cried, "Finally the bats warm up about time."
"Uh...no," Shipwreck stammered suddenly hoping he wished he never brought up the subject,"Nada." Lifeline nodded his head in quiet understanding. Both men had been chased by the two sisters and Shipwreck ending up in quite a bit of trouble only to find the other sister lifeline had been assigned with had been a double agent too late. Both men almost never lived it down for months after it.
Shipwreck took another shot and the mumblings of the others in the room went back to normal once the conversation was over, noticing Flint was unusually quiet Shipwreck asked, "What is eating at you Flint" You been quiet this afternoon. I know Jaye is gone but.."
"I'm thinking of a few things Shipwreck and that is my business," Flint quickly replied, he did miss Jaye. He was thinking of their conversation earlier this morning. She looked outstanding in the red dress and shoes he had to admit.
"Lay off him," Mutt yelled across the room to Shipwreck," at least she is a female unlike some of your latest encounters."
"Hey what can I say? I am just loved," Shipwreck smartly answered as more items were then tossed his direction with several moans. None of the Joes had any idea what was to come next, to make a relaxing day at the PITT go from going great to fear for their fellow teammate in less then a few minutes.
Re: The LADY With One Red Shoe
Lady Jaye forced the words out with water at mouth level. "Now! Pull!"
Having freed the Scandinavian, the two with newfound strength, exerted all their power into lifting the twisted metal off the victim. Henrik grasped the unconscious woman under her arms while teaming with his other arm to hold up the metal.
"Got her! Let's go!" His water and blood streaked hair covered his face. Lady Jaye held unto the woman's other side. Can you swim?" the Joe asked.
"Fair." Alexander sputtered at the water trying to enter his mouth. Staring at the choices, he pulled his body out upside down, grasping at the broken window rim. Lady Jaye fed Maska out through the opening where the male prisoner began to maneuver her out. Lady Jaye then took one last long breath and dove through the open window just as the plane shifted grotesquely.
G.I.Joe Headquarters
"Right. I understand." The door opened to Duke's quarters. The Joe first sergeant motioned for the warrant officer to come in. Flint waited while his superior conversed on the phone. An expression of worry streaked his face.
"We're on our way," Duke said. The warrant officer adjusted his beret. "What's going on?"
Duke held up his finger at the interruption, listened a few more seconds, then slowly set the phone on its receiver only to rise up quickly.
"Lady Jaye's plane went down a few hours ago," Duke said, rounding the desk. "We don't know much more than that." Flint didn't need anymore coaxing to follow Duke out the door.
.......... .......... ..........
"Is she going to make it?" The mangled looking Henrik, on his knees glanced at the Joe then at the motionless woman. Maska lay on her back a yard away. Lady Jaye was hovered over, attending to her.
Without turning back, she answered, "I think the worst is over for her." She moved the auburn color hair from the prone girl's face. She turned her head slightly to the right, showcasing several wicked bruises.
"That's good, right?" Alexander Henrik spoke between heavy breathing.
Lady Jaye slid over to the wearied man. He jilted back his head when she brought forth her hand. "Just checking your injuries," she smiled at the man's mistrust. "Looks like you could use some stitches." She pulled out a small, yet damp, emergency pack and prepped his wounds.
"You're pretty good at this," Henrik tried to smile but cringed at the cuts.
"I'm no Lifeline, but you'll live," she joked.
He looked perplexed. "One of my teammates." She knew her comrades must have been wondering what had become of her. Especially Flint.
She looked around at her surroundings:not a clue to where they were. Just that they were drenched, cold and probably not a very foreseeable target on the rocky shoreline. Henrik watched her gaze up at the rough terrain above. Some small cliffs and bluffs were reachable.
"Okay, we need to get to some higher ground if we want to be seen," Lady Jaye said as she rose up. She clasped Henrik's cuffs back on him. Startled out of his daze, he unleashed a tirade.
"What's this, I helped you rescue her," the razzled man yelled out. "Didn?t I earn your trust?"
She turned to face him. "Relax. I'm just going to see what's ahead. We may not be able to carry her."
"Oh, so you're just going to leave us here to die?" Henrik cried out. "So that's what a real American hero does!"
She grabbed at her soaked pack. "No, what I do is help people, but you're a wanted felon - who happens to still be under my watch. Stay here."
He watched her move forward. "Sure, I got nothing else to do," he replied sarcastically.
Wreckage salvage of Gulfstream N376P
A horde of onlookers and workers surrounded the charted area. As divers descended below to attach a line to the tail-hook of the aircraft, three safety boats patrolled the waters near by. By the mass of high racking officials, a salvage procedure that could take days was apparently top priority. Two men walked the barge deck as sonar equipment was being readied.
"I appreciate the double effort, Keegs," Duke replied, "and for letting the Joe team be involved in the search."
The tall Federal Bureau of Investigation's headman took of his sunglasses. "You may have lost one of yours too, Sergeant."
A different aura encompassed his team from the hours previous to the recreational room. Just like in baseball, in a flash you can be on the loosing end. The Joe leader moved his thoughts forward.
Duke looked up ahead at Flint who was steadfastly going over data. "You got a stake in this too," Keegs reminded. Duke motioned the FBI man in a different direction. The duo passed by workers from many outfits. They walked passed a bay crane that had rendered one piece of the plane. Flint joined up at the lifting up of the wreckage piece. Gung-Ho, and Roadblock helped draw it near while Spirit and Shipwreck checked the model.
"Don't see how anybody could have made it lookin' at this," the sailor commented as Flint approached. Shipwreck caught Duke's menacing stare. "Uh, but hey, umm, what do I know, heh, heh, someone coulda..."
The sailor shamefully stopped in mid-sentence.
Lifeline startled the warrant officer. "The divers found a few items they think could have been from the plane." Flint saw the medic carrying a translucent bag. He patted Flint's left shoulder as he headed up deck.
Somewhere off the Pacific coastline
"You're going to hurt yourself, Lady Jane."
The Joe pulled herself up on the small bluff over looking the sea. Crouching, she then extended her legs.
"Jaye. Lady Jaye," she smiled. "Nice try, though."
She watched the man struggling with his cuffs, looking more at them than the unconscious woman. "The sooner we're found, the sooner you can get those off. Some dry clothes would be nice, too." She jumped to an adjoining rock formation. "It?ll be dark in a few hours," Lady Jaye continued. "If you're good, I'll let you help with the firewood."
Lifting up her eyes she caught a quick glimpse of something not right. Maska lay alone on the sand. Henrik was nowhere to be found.
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Posts: 167
(7/18/05 6:52 pm) Reply
Re: The LADY With One Red ShoeThe gang continued to sit in the rec room, no clue as to what had happened to Lady Jaye or the plane she had been on.
Lifeline sat watching the final inning of the baseball game that suddenly turned around.
Noise came from the poker table, and Shipwreck was off in a chair snoring, as Polly sat on a lone bookshelf.
"Sailor is a freight train, sailor is a freight train," the parrot sidekick chimed.
There were a few laughs and Ace loudly stated," Don't you mean Dusty?'
"Hey I resent that," Dusty called back from his chair, flipping through his magazine, "You are all just light sleepers."
"Yeah right dude, Dusty. I had to spend the night with you when our plane got struck by lightning and we had to bail," Footloose answered back," I didn't get a wink of sleep, totally messed up my karma with Dr Winters."
"Yeah well, I did to lead us out of there," Dusty smartly answered. Thinking of the beautiful doctor that once worked for Cobra and now with the united Nations to help cure disease.
Suddenly......
Over the loudspeaker came the call," Attention all Joes, Attention all Joes, be in the briefing room in five minutes , Be in the briefing room in five minutes.
"Well I hope the team wins," Lifeline said getting up.
Dusty tossed his magazine down on the chair and the guys playing poker stood up, tossing cards down.
"I was winning also," Ace grumbled.
"Shipwreck come on, we have a briefing,? Lifeline told him as the others walked out.
"Sleeping sailor, sleeping sailor," Polly chimed.
"Shud' up bird," as he stretched, "Man and I was having a nice dream about Lady Jaye too."
"If you wish to live, you better not let Flint hear you say that.? Lifeline said.
"Whatever,what he don't know can't hurt him," Shipwreck noted adjusting his hat as Polly landed on his shoulder.
"No but it may hurt you?" Lifeline nodded, "and I mean physically if he sees you even thinking wrong about her." Lifeline walked toward the door.
Shipwreck followed in tow.
.Edited by: VampII at: 4/10/08 7:54 pm
Re: The LADY With One Red Shoe
The Joes' covert operations specialist hastened down the incline in pursuit of the felon. She feverishly, but cautiously searched the area. She stopped long enough to monitor the female prisoner's status. Kneeling down on one knee, she felt her forehead. She then heard a cry.
Balancing herself against the rocky terrain she saw a figure a few feet away.
"What are you doing?" she demanded.
Startled, he turned to her. Perspiration drenched his hair.
"I thought I told you to stay with Jirina?" Lady Jaye questioned.
He tried to catch his breath, his hand on his knees. "I..I thought I saw a boat. That way." The man pointed out to sea.
"Let's go," the Joe ordered. "We're not going to be seen where we're at." She guided him with a gesture of her hand.
Joe Headquarters: waiting room
The dark haired man leaned over. With his elbows at his knees, he glumly stared at the floor. The door to Duke's quarters opened. Flint stood up.
"I alerted the rest of the Joes," the blond leader spoke. "We can take our first detachment squad out in an hour." The sergeant got a sideways glance. "They may overlook something," Flint grumbled.
Duke responded cautiously. "We let the FBI have first take in the search. This mission falls in to their jurisdiction first. We just lent a hand."
"Yeah, at their request," Flint's anger rose to the surface. "And we didn't let them, we were told to. The only interest they have is the recovery of their 'prize possessions'." Duke caught the play of words relating to the prisoners.
Flint sighed. "Sorry, Duke. I'm letting the situation get to me." The first sergeant put his arm around the warrant officer leading him out the waiting room door. "No apologies necessary. We all want to find Lady Jaye, and if anyone can, it's our guys."
......... ......... .........
"Any idea where we are?"
The two-silhouetted figures set across from each other. A small fire burned, more for an ensign than for heat.
"Why is there no one around? What is this place?" Alexander insisted.
Lady Jaye rolled a stick between her thumb and forefinger. "Well, California it's not."
"I can see that," Henrik replied. She stretched forth to grab her bag. "We can hope someone will see the fire. In the morning though, we need to scout out for a more visible area."
He just stared at her. "Tomorrow? Why can't we move now?"
She sensed his agitated state and knew he couldn't understand her calm demeanor. "We don't know our location. Traveling in the dark could be dangerous. We could tumble off a cliff for all we know. Snakes, animal life...?
"Animals?" Henrik doubted. Lady Jaye gestured to her left. "I think carrying her in the dark wouldn't be a smart move either."
Alexander looked quizzically at the unconscious lady. "Her? She's not going anywhere! We can't take her along."
"Then what do you suggest?" Lady Jaye asked knowing where this villain's heart lay.
"We..we...well we just leave her!" Henrik stumbled on his words. "I mean, we leave her here until we find help. Then they can come get her."
"Why is a con man like yourself,who is about to go to a maximum prison for the rest his life, so eager to find help?" Lady Jaye poised her question.
"It's better than staying here to die! You do realize we have no food or much else?"
She rose up, used another set of cuffs and connected the male prisoner to her own hand. "You might try to get some sleep. We'll need our energy in the morning." Surprised again, he sat with his mouth wide open.
Aboard the Galveston:deep sea convoy
He wasn't sure about the weather-beaten man. Gruff overalls and a beard that hadn't been tended to in a decade forced opinions otherwise.
"Flint, this is Captain Wurtherbee. His men have been contracted out by the FBI to head the search team on that end." The two men shook hands as the captain went straight to work.
"The plane must have begun to have its initial trouble here." The seaman pointed to the map on the table. "Figuring the pilot must have tried to bring the plane to a field to land must have caused the discrepancy in where we believed the crashed plane should be. That cost valuable time."
Duke was resting his chin in his upturned palm. "Which would account for the lack of the radio tower's ability to pinpoint the area."
Wurtherbee turned to agree with the sergeant. "We'll be sending a second unit in to find the bodies, which according to the finer pieces of the plane that surfaced, should tell us that they remain trapped inside."
Flint was only half listening when he interrupted. "Why would the Gulfstream be this far out?"
The tandem in conversation turned to look. "The destination was Stocklein Maximum Prison. This is miles out of the way."
The captain cleared his throat. "Well, as I said, the pilot must have tried to steer the plane hoping to ground on land or water."
Duke was watching Flint. He seemed to grasp the vibe. "He's got a point, Captain. The damage from the sonar pictures was too devastating for any pilot to hold her up that many miles. Not enough time for a current to flush it out, either."
"Which ever way, pilot or engine malfunction, chances for survival aren't good," the old man said.
The two Joes thanked the man as they left. "Does this mean anything?" Flint asked.
Duke looked straight ahead. "I'm not sure, but I think it's time the Joe team had a look." Flint smiled at the new course of action.
........ ......... .........
Sunshine tried to creep into her squinted eyes. Lady Jaye quickly realized she wasn't dreaming. She took a peek at Henrik, who crumpled in his suit, was still asleep. The slight snoring from the man converged into a heavier buzzing. Soon Lady Jaye realized the sound was coming from elsewhere. Above her, to her left an airplane broke through the clouds.
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Posts: 168
(8/11/05 9:50 pm) Reply
Re: The LADY With One Red Shoe
EzCode Parsing Error: size=2]The Galveston slid across the water as if alive on its own. Behind a set of binoculars Flint looked out onto the water, looking for any sign of survivors. Lady Jaye in particular.
The crew stood at the side rail.
"Lifeline , what do you think?" Shipwreck asked in a hushed tone.
"I do not know Shipwreck but as of right now it does not look good, believe me." Lifeline sighed, rubbing the back of his neck, watching the Warrant officer pace the deck.
"Well , you know what about the sharks ,Lifeline, I mean they do smell." Shipwreck quickly replied.
"Yes I know they smell the blood of the injured, Shipwreck," as the medic rolled his eyes behind his glasses,"Can we think a few happy thoughts here Hector? Is that too much to ask?"
Lifelines eyes rested again on Flint. The man seemed a bit more edgy as the hours clicked by, knowing each hour they were out was another they may not survive. Between water temperature, exposure and elements. A person could live without food thirty days but without fresh water only fourteen at the most and that is in impeccable shape. If there were injuries to them or other things.
"Geez, Ed do not think that yet. Think positive," he scolded himself.
"From what the satellite shown Lifeline, there was not much left of the plane and it sank," the sailor continued. Polly flew overhead and landed on his shou;lder.
"It sank , it sank," Polly repeated.
"Shut up bird brain," Shipwreck hissed, closing the bird beak as Flint looked their way. Anger and worry in his eyes and on his face.
Lifeline watched as he walked to the other side as Duke walked over to him. The medic was too far off to hear what they were saying at this moment. Flint shook his head and Duke crossed his arms and Flint pointed out to sea about something. But he could not make it out over the crash of the waves or the wind that blew.
"Hey Lifeline, this is like last year," Shipwreck commented.
The medic groaned, "You have to bring that up again? Please, have a heart Shipwreck,"
Lifeline almost begged.
The whole team by time the cruise was over knew and then some after they got back, Lifeline and Shipwreck almost did not live the insanity down for months.
"Well yeah Lifeline, but we are just in a different area of the world on the water this time, and hope to be back before the holidays," the sailor stressed
"I hope we are,I have leave scheduled this year, since it is my year to have off," Lifeline answered leaning on the rail looking out. The team rotated Christmas and New years each year so there would be others at the base at all time. The year they were gone for the holiday was his year to be on duty, Lifeline hoped and prayed he would be home this year.
Suddenly out of the corner of his eye the medic spotted something, "There!" he yelled.
Shipwreck looked over and grabbed a net as others motioned
Out on the sea something floated, a seat of a airplane cushion. The next thing they saw was a show floating, a red shoe?..
"That is Lady Jaye's," Flint said somberly as Shipwreck went to fish i
Edited by: VampII at: 4/21/08 8:03 pm
Re: The LADY With One Red Shoe
...in other news, the bodies of seven people aboard a Gulfstream jet that crashed near the Pacific Ocean have yet to be found. A FBI spokesperson stated that an exhaustive search is still going underway and that there may still be a chance, however slim, they might find survivors. Still no answers as to what caused the crash of the plane that was deporting two felons, Alexander Henrik of Scan...
Click!
Flint turned off the television and laid the remote next to him as he sat on his cot. He fiddled with his hands,looking at a blank screen. He reached down and picked up the red item off the floor. How many times he had done this, he wasn't aware: each time hoping an answer would materialize. He maneuvered the shoe at every angle. A wry smile crossed his face as he thought of Lady Jaye wanting to dance the night away in her new shoes. He checked his sidearm, placed the red shoe under his cot and left his quarters.
.......... .......... ..........
The ragged man kicked at the dirt, one hand in his pocket as his shirt hung half out. He nonchalantly passed the Joe sitting on a rock. Collecting his thoughts he backtracked.
"What are you doing?"
Lady Jaye was momentarily collecting her own thoughts. "Nothing."
"It looks as if you're playing with a shoe," Henrik laughed. "Did you consider that a necessity as our plane was sinking?"
She looked up at him as she placed the red shoe into her pack. "My bag survived, along with the rations we had all of yesterday," she explained a little annoyed. "I didn't plan on the stop over at Gilligans Island." She dusted off her pants and stood up.
"Look, we're both a little frustrated the plane didn't spot us," Lady Jaye argued. "No need to get tacky. They have plenty of people looking for us."
He came on the defense. "And how do you know that? You think your holier than thou government gives two sticks about us?" The blond man was gesturing with his cuffs showcasing himself and the girl.
"If we got ate by Jaws that would suit their fancy," Henrik continued. "Think of all the monetary tangibles they could relish in...
She cut him off. "Okay, I get the picture." The Joe checked her compass. "We're still in the same direction as we began. We'll give it another twenty-four then we're moving to higher ground."
She turned and watched as the prisoner sauntered a short distance, grumbling.
"I suppose you are thinking 'ole Flint is worried sick about your whereabouts?" The man returned his gait back towards her. "The cavalry is on its way as we speak, ta-da-da-dunt-ta-da!"
The exile cackled mischievously, hamming it up. "How much do you really know the man?"
He had gotten her full attention, though not particularly in a good way.
"I mean, he's quick to jump to decisions," Henrik egged on. "Why would he necessarily go against the grain to find you" It didn't take him long to forget the small people to catch the big fish."
"You can toss out the mind tricks, Henrik. Psychology. First year. Bryn Mawr."
The man put up his shackled hands in mock defense.
"As for Flint heading rescue missions in hostile territories manipulated by the likes of yourself and other cowardly men, was pre-Joe. Don"t fault others for your delusions."
Henrik paused, then laughed. "You are right, Miss Jaye, that was a long time ago. My apologies."
He turned back to face her. "I was just trying to point out something.That you can't always trust those closest to you."
He moved away then abruptly stopped. A robotic smile covered his face. "Yes. Be careful of who you trust."
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Posts: 169
(8/27/05 7:54 pm) Reply
Re: The LADY With One Red ShoeLifeline sat at his desk in the infirmary. Many thoughts clouded his mind , as he tried to scribble away at some paperwork. Where were they? Surely they were not dead as some whispered. For they did not know the Joe intel officer as he did. Were there any survivors? If so,were they injured, if so how many survived and how bad were the injuries. Had any of them escaped with no injuries? Was it like him and Shipwreck spoke of with sharks? Did they go down into the depths with the plane? So many questions and so few answers.
Lifeline recalled the Top sergeant and Flint having words. For once wondering what was said and what set both men off, epically Flint. The medic had caught the look on the warrant officer's face when the wreckage was spotted floating in the water, and his eyes when the red shoe was brought in. He thought he heard the man's heart break. There had been rumors to Flint and Jaye's relationship but nothing solid. The medic preferred not to listen to rumors and go with facts and to this point there were none. For either of them being a couple.
All he did know was he had four members of society missing and one of them one of their own. If they had survived, he knew unless they found shelter, they would be in trouble. Plus they needed fresh water. Were they on one of many of the islands in the area or would the submarine that went down to look for the wreckage find them in the plane?
The small unmanned sub had been dispatched to the area, and was waiting for coordinates. The crash debris cover many miles in all directions by now. Just from a fly over, they heard from the radio parts were scattered and floating in the 10 foot seas they were having with a storm moving in.
If the storm hit, no telling if they were floating it would capsize the raft or sink it. There was no way to swim through it either. The warning had gone out shortly after the plane left the ground.
So many things went through his mind and so few answers were in the "in" basket at this moment. Lifeline stood up and looked out the window, hoping against hope.Edited by: VampII at: 4/21/08 8:24 pm
Re: The LADY With One Red Shoe
"Sir?"
Lifeline was shaken out of his thoughts at the sound of the greenshirt at his door. He turned from the window to the sound. "You're needed with the other Joes."
He thanked the soldier and hoped this excursion would begin to chip away at all the questions.
His legs crossed once, then back to the original position.
"Also, a few big corporations took substantial losses in the Dow Jones this week. HHBN, Dynacore and Inkel fell..."
He shuffled uncomfortably as a picture embossed with the words Extensive Enterprises glazed the screen.
"Many have been forced to sell shares. Though just a minor dip, those with stock are told it will be a month to two months before they can break even."
The diminutive man's display of disgust was cut short.
"What, no Young and the Restless?" the accented voice said sarcastically.
The masked man returned his attention to the news program on the television screen. "This is a serious matter here, Baroness. Especially if you want to continue getting the over paid salary you receive."
Hands on hips, she replied, "I don't get paid salary, Commander. I get paid by the job I do."
He swiveled away to point at the screen. "Don't you see, until Extensive Enterprises regains their losses we lose our cash supply. That means weapons, equipment, vehicles will have to be put on hold. Maybe for months. That can't be."
"Yes, keeping up with the Jones' can be difficult." The Baroness chided. "You could do the unthinkable.........?"
His look demanded an answer. The Cobra leader had been expecting her. He had hoped her yet unheard idea would be prosperous.
"........work," she smiled with glee.
The Commander swung back around to watch the rest of the report. "Come back when you have some useful information." A trace of anger came from the voice.
"Really, Commander, you shouldn't be so tense," she lectured. "This isn't the first time this has occurred."
"With the debauchery of our last five attempts to gain some victories, we can't afford another setback. Especially one in the pocketbook!" Cobra Commander fumed.
She walked over to him and placed a magazine article on his console. "I'm sure you've heard of the jetliner that crashed carrying the two exiles?"
"So, what about it?" Cobra Commander said with little interest.
She placed a gloved finger on a photo. "And that one of the prisoners was none other than Alexander Henrik."
"Yes, so what? Even I, the great Cobra Commander keeps up on current events." He gloated the 'great' part. "Though I don't like to watch the news that often. You know, what with all the violence, murder, terrorists..."
She ignored his parody. "Alexander Henrik," the Baroness emphasized, "whose father owns a third of the export business in Scandinavia. Someone with financial connections like that would be very beneficial for our problem."
He looked up at her with renewed interest. His fingers crossed with his head resting on his index fingers. "Yes, I do seem to remember now," he smiled, "but he's no good to me dead, is he?"
She answered, "No bodies have been found. As far as we know, he may still be alive."
He leaned forward. "Outside of a little 'forced persuasion', why would he want to help Cobra?"
She slyly smiled. "What is the other alternative? A life in prison?"
The Commander was halfway buying it. "The Joes have been in on the search," he reminded. "Wouldn't they be in the way?"
She grinned an evil grin. "Leave that to me."
Edited by: VampII at: 4/29/08 8:24 pm
Re: The LADY With One Red Shoe2 miles east of the Gulfstream salvage
The Hovercraft sped across the open waters. The FBI had buoyed off the area for the Joe search team. If weather had any inclination, luck may be on their side. The Hovercraft driver steered the vehicle onward as the Joe leader stood up with binoculars in hand.
"The eye in the sky says all is clear." Duke handed the binoculars to Flint. "We'll go over the area - hopefully with better luck."
The warrant officer took a quick look than placed the binoculars at his side. "According to Captain Wurtherbee the shifting from the rig might have jarred things loose. Guess will have to see."
Some of the Joes aboard were moving equipment around while others were waiting for the cue to change into diving gear if needed.
As they got closer, Flint conversed with Duke while watching through the binoculars. "That's why I'm glad we have some of our gear. I can't believe their sonar didn't pick up a single....what's that?"
Duke looked at Flint than followed his gesture out to sea. Through the lens a few specks of movement could be detected.
"Hey, I thought the FBI cleared this area out?" Flint said as he watched small boats approaching. "We can't have civilians traipsing through."
Just ask Duke was about to take a peek a sound rang out behind him.
"Trouble! Dead ahead!" Cutter yelled.
Shipwreck and Roadblock, carrying equipment stopped at Duke's cry. "Dreadnoks!"
"Get 'em!" Torch hollered.
Three Chameleon's charted the ocean at top speed. A Cobra Water Moccasin was encompassed via swamp skiers in triangle formation. Suddenly, the four vehicles begin firing on the Hovercraft. The head Joes armed themselves with weapons and anchored their positions, bracing for the fight. Shipwreck hurdled the Command Post next to Cutter. He took control of the portside 'pounder cannon'.
RAT-A-TAT-TAT! The Dreadnoks inched closer firing their guns. Swinging in too close for comfort, Torch barely missed Flint. That's all the warrant officer needed to bear down his rifle like an oar into the hooligan's side. "Oof!"
As Duke traded fire with the other two Dreadnoks, Shipwreck exchanged fire with the Zartan led boat.
SWISH!
A near hit rocked the Cobra Moccasin.
"Hah! Take that you dirty bilge rats!" the sailor hollered.
Hot lead diced the side of the Hovercraft. "Whoa!" Shipwreck grabbed his cap and ducked.
The Joes were relentless causing the Cobras to stumble.
"Take them out, you fools!" Zartan ordered.
The Hovercraft cut sharply to the right brushing by another Dreadnoks' bike.
CRUNCH! Ripper lost control only to be kicked in the chest by Roadblock off into the water. "Aah!"
The third Dreadnok came to the rescue. Buzzer shot out the Command Post glass and cried out, "Alright mates, it's wreckin' time!"
Flint came from behind, landing on the man's back. "Hey!" Buzzer yelled as his ponytail was grabbed. With a punch to the face Buzzer went reeling. Flint took control and circled the Chameleon with the Dreadnok's limp figure around to the front of the Joe vehicle.
"Need help taking out the trash?" Duke called from the deck.
Flint answered, "Be my guest." Duke grabbed the blond thug from his shoulders and tossed him off the ship. Duke brushed off his hands. "I guess we better round these clowns up. Get the net."
A vibration came from underneath the Hovercraft. Duke and Flint, who were on opposite sides, stopped and watched. Cobra deep-sea divers broke the waters. They quickly began to cut the edges of the net that held the Dreadnoks. The Hovercraft cut sharply to the left as a small submarine surfaced.
"What the...?" Shipwreck called out almost losing his balance. The Baroness briefly appeared giving commands to rescue Zartan's cronies.
"How'd we miss those Eels on the radar?" the sergeant wondered aloud.
"Hightail it back!" Duke threw out the order. The mini sub launched a surface-to-water missile causing the Joes to back step. Zartan's boat cruised up alongside the Dreadnoks. Zartan stood with his hands on his hips. Ripper slipped below trying to keep afloat. Rising up he spit water out accidentally on Torch's face.
"Who's gonna get us out?" Torch pleaded.
"You fools! I should leave you here!" Zartan seethed in anger.
A Cobra officer attached two hooks to the uncut corners of the net. The Moccasin sped away, dragging the three men bundled up in the net behind. "He's got us like a couple a squids, he does!" Ripper cried out.
The Baroness and her accomplices scurried to another Moccasin, leaving the mini-sub unattended.
She gave them a smirk as they escaped.
"Hey Baroness!" Flint yelled out. "Never send boys to do a man's job!"
Duke smiled. "Forget them, let's find out what they were doing here." As Shipwreck and Roadblock began to descend onto the sub, Duke worriedly voiced an opinion. "And I don't think it was a coincidence."
Edited by: VampII at: 5/7/08 9:08 pm
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Posts: 178
(11/13/05 8:06 pm) Reply
Re: The LADY With One Red Shoe
Back at the sub, Shipwreck and Roadblock started to climb below.
"All aboard who is coming aboard!" Shipwreck yelled as he followed the big man down in the sub.
Road Block looked up at the sailor, "Shut it man , before I knock you on your can. There still might be snakes near, and if they hear us, they'll put it in gear."
Shipwreck, shrugged as he was lectured by the machine gunner- gorumet cook, "What did I do?", as he descended down the ladder.
Duke and Flint watched as they went below and Flint shook his head.
"You could have sent me Duke," Flint reprimanded.
Duke coldly looked at the Warrant Officer, his blue eyes trying to contain the anger behind them at being told what to do. Duke tried to keep patience with the soldier and friend beside him. Knowing there was a lot more stress on him then he wanted others to know. The longer they were on this mission the more the first sergeant thought about the rumors and truth behind the two of them being involved, and not just mere friends as both Lady Jaye and Flint proclaim.
Duke waited a few more seconds before answering, "Yes, Flint, I could very well have sent you but I sent them. Understand?"
Flint slowly nodded, his face a mask from the emotions brewing inside him. Whatever was there it was important enough the Commander sent the sub and of course the Knoks.
But the Knok's were half whited, and they were more a distraction the Joe's had learned over the years then any real threat. But what worried Flint was that Cobra wanted what they wanted, the survivors and of course the plane. The radar showed it went down around there.
Duke watched as Shipwreck went out of sight into the sub," Keep your eye's open I doubt they will come back , but you never know," he warned the crew as a few scanned the horizon for any sign of trouble.
Back In the Sub..
Shipwreck followed behind Road Block, the power was on reserve. Steam hissed from a pipe as they walked past it. Both were sweating from anxiety and the warmth of the interior of the sub. Shipwreck took his finger and loosened his collar, a bit. Sweat trickled down his back. They walked further ahead of them, not a sign of a COBRA trooper yet.
Suddenly Road Block stopped, "Look!"
Shipwreck followed Road Block's finger, "No way?".Duke and Flint ain't gonna believe this..."Edited by: VampII at: 5/4/08 2:19 pm
Re: The LADY With One Red Shoe
He pressed with all he could and it wouldn't budge. Looking over his right shoulder he continued to try and maneuver the damaged firearm.
That's when he saw the boots: to the left of him. His eyes climbed the figure's body.
"It doesn't work," Lady Jaye stared questioningly.
He stammered his words. "I...I uh...I found it over there." He pointed toward the shoreline.
"Well it still doesn't work," she corrected. "Ammo didn't survive either." Lady Jaye knelt down on her knees and stretched out her hand through his to grab the broken revolver. She rose up, gazed at him one last time and proceeded down the grassy slope. He ran after her.
"I only was going to use it for self-defense," he called out. "You even said there might be wildlife. I didn't want to wake up with a wolf eating my face."
She turned back, obviously showing signs of distrust. "Save it," she snapped. "We got a long hike ahead of us."
He continued to follow, ranting and raving. "We needn't rush of without much food. I say we should..."
She turned around so suddenly she almost hit him with her hand.
"Look. Let's get this straight," she began in a strict manner. "I only have one objective and that's to make sure both of you prisoners get to your destination. Got it?"
"Well.."
"We've already been deterred and I don't need you making this more difficult," she continued. "We'll get back on track as soon as help arrives."
He stood motionless. "Guess that depends on who finds us first." Henrik's eyes danced as he spoke.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Lady Jaye questioned.
The male prisoner hesitated before replying. "Well if your people get here first their primary concern is you. If the real authorities arrive first, off to Sea World I go!" Henrik laughed at his own predicament.
She thought with someone a step away from imprisonment he seemed so out of place with the common criminal. The Joe smiled. "Sometimes I wonder how someone so off kilter as you could be behind a multimillion dollar scam."
"You just have to learn to laugh at life sometimes, Miss Jaye," Alexander Henrik answered philosophically.
"I'm innocent you know," he claimed.
"Your kind always is," she answered back. "Let's go."
back inside the submarine
Black gloves ruffled through papers aligned on the counter. A whistle went out from the navy man.
"Looks like we were swimming in the same pool," Shipwreck stated.
The Joe First sergeant, along with Flint, came up from behind. Stacks of articles and photos of the downed Gulfstream littered the area. Duke casually flipped through.
"What's this all mean?" the heavy machine gunner looked on in question.
Duke pressed his hand down on the top sheet as closure.
"Why would Cobra be interested in the wrecked plane?" Flint asked.
The find meant something but no one had a clue at the present. "I'm not sure. Will just have to ask Cobra the next time they slither around," Duke said.
Duke then ordered the Joes to confiscate the material. "All I do know," Duke said, "is that this means will have to move even quicker to find Lady Jaye."
The binoculars scanned the low mountainous area.
"What exactly are we looking for?"
She spoke as she continued scoping. "The lowest risk trail to carry Jarina."
She dropped the binoculars at his sigh.
"Must we take her again? It's not like she's going to drift off or anything. She's still out," Henrik whined.
The look she gave him changed his mind. "Right, right, you're in charge."
"What's the deal between you two anyway?" Lady Jaye confronted him. "Were you two like..."
"Certainly not!" Henrik blurted out. "I barely know her. More like know of her. Besides, the real issue here is if she's even going to make it." He was nonchalantly playing with the Joe's binoculars.
"Watch what you're doing," Lady Jaye corrected the prisoner. "I need those."
He turned serious and began to look out the lens. "What exactly are we looking for?"
"The safest trail to cover," she started, "and, of course, any sign of help."
You need to look southwest if your going to be our watchman," she playfully reprimanded him. "You're looking at where we just came from."
She got a grunt of dissatisfaction from being constantly corrected.
"I think I see something, or someone," Alexander said.
Lady Jaye got closer. "What?"
"A heavy set man, yes, he's wearing white pants. Maybe a dark shirt with a black captain's hat."
She strained in the direction she told him to look but couldn't see anything out of the ordinary. "Are you sure? Anyone with him?"
"Yes, yes, I'm sure of it now," Henrik said. "Yep, right over there, the Professor and Mary Ann!"
She yanked the binoculars out of his hand.
"It's obvious this island is not inhabited," Henrik's stare danced over the rough terrain. "Guess we better get out the coconuts."
Lady Jaye wasn't listening at the sly humor brought on by Henrik. He caught her signal as she strapped on the binoculars and reached for one end of the makeshift stretcher.
.......... .......... ..........
The pages silently flipped in anticipation. He never was the type that liked to procrastinate. Not in his field. Procrastination meant seconds and seconds could mean lives. Being given secondhand information wasn?t his forte either. Second opinions were common in the business but secondary information could be fatal.
He looked up anxiously at the doorway in the FBI waiting area. Pages again turned.
"Mr. Steen?"
The Medic turned to the voice. A dark-haired man with standard bureau shades stood in the doorway.
"Uh, Lifeline, correct?" The man in the suit sounded unfamiliar with codenames as he called out again.
"Yes," the medic responded.
"You're here to monitor the situation?" the man spoke without enthusiasm.
The rescue trooper had a good hearty inner-laugh at the cloak and dagger conversation.
"Right, I'm here to see the survivors of the plane crash that I was told were here," Lifeline answered.
The man's expression didn't change but his involuntary movement at Lifeline's words did. The Joe team got word that some had finally been found from the crash and the medic was being hopeful.
"The victims," the FBI man corrected. Lifeline swallowed hard as the tall man lead him to the autopsy room.
Re: The LADY With One Red Shoe
Lifeline maneuvered the head of the late agent to the left and to the right as he listened to the Army’s pathologist. The Joe wasn’t aware of how long he had presided over the bodies. His concentration level was fluctuating between thoughts of his missing team member and the task at hand. “He succumbed to immersion hypothermia” the graying man spoke.
“He drowned”. The pathologist uttered the words more for the sake of dislodging the Joes 1000-yard stare. Lifeline turned to focus on the man. “Yes, I know what it is.”
The prosector was examining his pre-printed form. “His fellow agent received most of his external injures after the head trauma and broken bones in his lower extremities.”
Lifeline looked over the chart. The two men conversed over the events as the morgue assistant began to clean up. “The pilot and co-pilot suffered from exploding glass and metal”.
The medic motioned with his head at Agent Blattner. “I noticed the notation of a small puncture would to the neck.”
The pathologist slightly nodded. “Possibly a needle mark. Won’t know for sure until all the tests are finished.”
The Joe fidgeted with his glasses. If he hadn’t been wallowing in anxiety he wouldn’t have probably picked up on the slight irritation the mark had made on the skin. Feeling a bit of faith like his father would at this time, Lifeline was feeling a bit blessed finding out Lady Jaye was not among the deceased. That also left two criminals possibly at large as well.
The set of Dragonfly had ironically formed the perfect diamond. The blonde-haired, chiseled man pressed the head mic to his lips. He knew the search was like finding a diamond in the rough. “Span out and cover all the charted area then we’ll rendezvous at checkpoint D”.
The pilot nudged the sergeant at the incoming call. “Duke, whatever resources you need, they’re at your discretion. We’re pulling whatever man power available.”
The Joe leader smiled. “Thanks Admiral Ledger, we can use all the assistance we can get”. The green copters divided with the hope of finding the missing Joe.
Unbeknownst to the squadron was a cloaked Rattler waiting for their departure. The black-gloved hand reached for the switch lever. As the tense eyes gleamed through the heavy-goggled, red helmet, he spoke, “Wild-Weasel to Cobra Commander. Four more sectors are cleared”.
The high-pitched voice responded with a hearty laugh. “They’re not even on the payroll and the Joes are doing our job for us!”
The Cobra pilot gazed at his mic as the Commander continued. “That only leaves an eighth of terrain to cover the area where the plane went down. Henrik must be somewhere in the vicinity!” The pilot and plane circled back as the designated units began to deploy.
The teeth jarring headbut and the slap dropped the victim on the ground. The fallen ruffian launched out both feet into the stomach of the attacker. As the husky bearded man raised to his feet an arm wrapped around his throat. The bearded man slammed his elbow into the midriff of the black bearded thug only to get a fist in his jaw from the man with the blonde ponytail. The blonde man’s momentum took him forward as the husky man fell to the ground. The blonde man grabbed the big man’s black vest to lift him back up for another pummel shot when he got a handful of dirt to the face. Before he could adjust he was tackled waist high by the black bearded thug. The two rolled aimlessly in the dust and gravel and came to a halt as large black boot was placed menacingly on the back of the man’s yellow and green shredded shirt.
“When recess is over gentleman, we have an assignment,” the patronizing, echoed-voice spoke. The maroon cowl and masked features gave off an ominous presence.
“Zartan!” Ripper and Buzzer whined together, pointing at each other. “It was his fault”!
Torch slapped both big hands, brushing dirt off them as Zartan began to turn away. “We reconnoiter with the Cobra Guard as soon as we’re notified”, Zartan informed.
“What’s in it for us?” Torch questioned.
“A chance to regain your dignity,” Zartan shot back, refreshing their memories’ encounter with the Joes.
Ripper and Buzzer exchanged puzzled looks. “Hope ‘dignity’ pays good,” Ripper spoke. His clueless statement fell flat in the hearing of the master of disguise.
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