A New Team

Following General Hawk's return to G.I. Joe, he brings a few surprises that brings back memories from the Past.

## Plot

### Baby Bird's Pit

On January 30, 2023, Sgt. Duke informs all G.I. Joe that General Hawk has been cleared for duty and has returned. He then allows General Hawk to speak up. Hawk informs everyone that he has made negotiations for Agent Bennet to return to G.I. Joe, and will take back his place as Second-in-Command of the team, and is making a new cell of Joes to be stationed in The Nest. He then calls for Marissa Faireborn to lead the new cell, and Marissa thanks Hawk for the offer. Some Joes begin to clap, and Hector asks about Marissa's Pregnancy, and Hawk mentions that's why he's assigning Sgt. Duke to be with them in case she has to step out. Sgt. Duke is left surprised and thanks Hawk for the position. General Hawk tells the Joes that he, Duke, and Slaughter will be tallying who will be reassigned to be stationed in Belarus, and who will remain in New York.

The Joes break and return to their quarters, and Hector tells Marissa that if they are both separated, that he wishes that she remains safe, and Marissa ignores him. Marissa mentions that she's going to get a pickle-and-garlic sandwich, which leaves Law disgusted. Back in Hawk's Office, Slaughter, Duke, and Hawk begin going through files and talking on who should go to The Nest. General Hawk mentions that he's never done this much paper work since the 1995 Raid, which causes himself and Slaughter to chuckle. Sgt. Duke begins to think, and mentions that he doesn't remember much from the Raid. Hawk mentions that it's because he sent him, Banzai, Ace, Cutter, Bazooka, Ripcord, Mutt, Sgt. Stone, Tunnel Rat, and Scarlett into finding and killing Dr. Venom in Baloria. Duke mentions that that was a complete slaughter.

### Operation: Chile Storm Part 1

On June 19, 1995, Sgt. Duke informs his allies that Dr. Venom is within a secret compound guarded by the McCullen's Cobra. Sgt. Stone tells Duke that they'll be in and out of there in no time. Tunnel Rat agrees, as he would've preferred to raid the Kazakhstan Cobra Base. Sgt. Duke mentions that General Hawk and G.I. Willy are leading that mission. Ripcord orders everyone to get ready, as they are approaching Dr. Venom's Compound in 5 minutes. Slaughter wakes up Duke and asks what he was thinking of, and Duke mentions that it was nothing. Hawk chuckles and asks if they should put Steeler and Spirit on Marissa's team, and Slaughter agrees. Hawk mentions that he'll place both of them on her team. Slaughter then realizes that Duke left and asks where he went.

On the roof of The Pit, Sgt. Duke breathes as he continues to think. Back in 1995, Scarlett orders the Joes to attack, and Sgt. Stone and Ace begin attacking. A Cobra Striker informs Dr. Venom that G.I. Joe is attacking. Dr. Venom orders his men to release the gas on them. Above the Joes, several gas cannisters fly over them, and Duke orders everyone to cover their mouths. As the gas begins to surround the Joes, Sgt. Stone asks Ripcord to use the copter to remove the gas from their position. Ripcord flies over their position and uses the chopper to remove the gas. Duke then orders everyone to advance, and Tunnel Rat yells out "Yo, Joe". Scarlett tells Duke that was close, and Duke mentions that they are going up against the master of toxic gas of Cobra.

Scarlett mentions that Dr. Venom will pay for the death of Airtight. Sgt. Duke mentions that he still remembers seeing Airtight's death in Ethiopia. Cobra Strikers begin to attack, and Mutt begins to gun down some of them with Banzai. Sgt. Stone tells Sgt. Duke that they need to find an alternate rout inside, and Sgt. Duke finds a sewer tunnel. Tunnel Rat begins to crawl through the tunnel and mentions that he hates his codename. Tunnel Rat eventually enters and informs both Sergeants that he's in. Sgt. Duke then orders him to destroy the Cobra Strikers. Sgt. Duke is then asked by General Hawk why he left, and Sgt. Duke asks if he could take some time off to think. Hawk asks if it was about the Baloria Mission, and Duke mentions that a lot of Joes died that day, and all because of him.

Hawk tells Duke that he shouldn't be so hard on himself, that they wouldn't have been able to change a thing. Duke mentions that nearly the entire unit went down, and Hawk mentions that dying is a part of the job, but they were successful in taking down the mad scientist. General Hawk tells Duke to take a drive and think for a bit, but tells him to remember that they died so that everyone else on Earth can live. Duke mentions that it brought less defenders to the Earth, and more people need protecting. Duke thanks Hawk and leaves. Duke boards a truck and heads out. Marissa asks where Duke is going, and Slaughter mentions that Hawk granted him time off to think over the past.

### Operation: Chile Storm Part 2

Marissa asks Hawk and Slaughter if they need help, and Hawk mentions that he and Slaughter have got this. Duke drives out of New York and heads down the Long Island. As he drives down the Highway, he begins to think some more. Back in 1995, Tunnel Rat tosses some grenades, killing several Cobra Strikers. The Joes begin to invade the compound, and Duke orders Sgt. Stone to find Dr. Venom. Sgt. Stone orders Tunnel Rat, Ace, and Mutt to follow him. As they enter, Sgt. Stone spots some spider drones and orders the Joes to take them out. Tunnel Rat tosses a grenade, destroying one. Some shrapnel goes flying, and one strikes Tunnel Rat. Tunnel Rat falls and mentions that he doesn't want to die.

Sgt. Stone orders for a medic to get Tunnel Rat and pull the shrapnel out. As Tunnel Rat is dragged out, Cutter checks him and mentions that he's dead. Sgt. Duke tells Cutter to take him back to the Ripcord and they'll take him to a morgue when they're done. Sgt. Duke orders Bazooka to accompany Cutter, as the rest head in to aide Sgt. Stone. Sgt. Stone, Ace, and Mutt walk down the dark halls, and Sgt. Stone orders everyone to watch out. Dr. Venom is informed that Joes are entering the compound, and Dr. Venom mentions that he will deal with them himself. Dr. Venom leaves his lab and goes on to put some gear on. Sgt. Duke is contacted by Sgt. Stone and told that they made their way to the lower levels.

Sgt. Duke tells them to be careful, until Sgt. Stone, Mutt, and Ace are attacked. Meanwhile, Sgt. Duke loses concentration and is hit off the road. He falls off of a cliff and crashes. Constantin continues to drive down the road and laughs. He contacts Serpentor and tells him that Sgt. Duke has been taken care of. Sgt. Duke crawls out of the wreckage and lies down. He attempts to contact The Pit and calls for help. In The Pit, Marissa informs General Hawk that Sgt. Duke just fall off a cliff, and Hawk orders Marissa to send someone to go help him. Marissa then tells Lifeline and Cover Girl to go retrieve Sgt. Duke. Back in 1995, Sgt. Duke & Scarlett walk down a path, and Scarlett hopes that Stone and the others are well.

Both enter a small pit and find puddles. Scarlett stares at the acid puddles, and Duke realizes that it's Stone, Ace, and Mutt. Duke is left horrified, before Dr. Venom shines a light on them and tells them to meet their doom. Back in 2023 as night falls, a Helicopter flies over the injured Sgt. Duke and a light shines on him. Back in 1995, Duke and Scarlett are stripped of their uniforms and slammed in a cell. Dr. Venom mentions that he can't wait to experiment on them soon. Scarlett tells Duke that they have to find a way to get out. Duke mentions that only Tunnel Rat could've found a way out, and Scarlett mentions that they shouldn't depend on others, that they have to adapt. Sgt. Duke mentions that each Joe agent specializes in specific functions, and Scarlett mentions that not all.

### ESCAPE! from Baloria

Duke asks how, and Scarlett mentions that she had been taking notes on each Joes' functions and learned them herself. Scarlett then grabs a small rock and begins to pound on the lock. She breaks it open and tells Duke to follow her. Both begin to flee down the halls and Duke mentions that this is their only chance at taking down Dr. Venom. Duke runs back and Scarlett follows him. Scarlett finds a weapons' cache and finds an experimental crossbow. Duke finds the Dieselkraftwerk and asks how Cobra got their hands on it, before deciding to take it. Scarlett tells Duke to hunt some Venom. Duke chuckles as both run down the halls. Both run into Dr. Venom, who tells them to lower their weapons.

Scarlett asks why they should, and Dr. Venom mentions that their allies within the forest are in execution position, and they want them alive, surrender. Scarlett uses her crossbow to send a blast towards the radio room and destroy the communications device. Scarlett then shoots some of the Cobra Strikers and Duke shoots Dr. Venom. Dr. Venom laughs as he activates a countdown clock. He tells the Joes that they are doomed, before Scarlett shoots him dead. The remaining Cobra Strikers begin to flee as the Joes do the same. As the pair flees, Scarlett's foot is shot and falls. Duke picks her up and begins to flee the Cobra Compound. As they enter the forest, Duke places Scarlett down and shoots the Cobra Strikers holding Ripcord, Bazooka, and Cutter.

All 5 Joes board the Helicopter and fly away from the jungle. As they fly away, Scarlett realizes that a small portion of Dr. Venom's acid had gotten on her, and she falls ill. Duke orders Cutter to find a way to save Scarlett and Cutter mentions that they'll have to cut off her arm. Cutter applies anesthesia on Scarlett, who begins to lose consciousness. Duke wakes up on a helicopter, and Lifeline tells Cover Girl that Sgt. Duke is waking. Lifeline tells Duke to rest, as everything will be fine. Duke begins to lose consciousness again. Back in 1995, Scarlett awakens and asks what happened. General Hawk tells her that they're in The Pit, and that thanks to them, Dr. Venom is no more.

### Life Persists

Scarlett finds her arm gone, and Duke enters and hugs her. Scarlett mentions that it was her favorite arm, and General Hawk tells her that if they didn't cut it off, the Acid Sludge would've expanded and consumed her like they did Sgt. Stone. Scarlett asks if that means she will have to resign, and G.I. Willy enters and mentions that Sgt. Jackhammer is developing a mechanical arm for her. Scarlett asks if it will punch her in her sleep, and G.I. Willy mentions that it will depend on how much she can trust it. Scarlett then asks how long she's been out, and Duke mentions that she had been out for a week. Scarlett then grabs Duke's hand and mentions that he's glad that they managed to escape. Duke smiles, as both reach in for a kiss.

General Hawk tells them that they could've waited till they left the room. Lady Jaye and Flint walk in, and Lady Jaye goes to hug Scarlett. Scarlett asks how their mission in Kazakhstan was, and Lady Jaye mentions that she and Flint were pinned down by Cobra Commander, but were saved when General Colton got the drop on him. Scarlett asks if they really got Cobra Commander, and General Hawk mentions that he is currently in The Bastille being interrogated by Nick Fury. Scarlett mentions that now that Cobra has been neutralized, their jobs are a little easier. Duke wishes that he would like to think so. 5 Years Later, Shana and Conrad arrive at Allison's Baby Shower, and Shana congratulates Allison, who congratulates Shana on the Wedding.

A year later on September 11th, General Hawk mentions that a plane is about to hit the Twin Towers. Duke tells Hawk that they won't be able to do anything. A plane, with an Autobot on it, begins to fly towards the World Trade Center. In 2003, President George W. Bush announces that they are going to war with Iraq. In Iraq in 2006, Duke wakes up from a coma, and Scarlett hugs him. Lt. Falcon apologizes to Duke for nearly getting him killed in Kuwait. Duke tells Falcon that he is going to kick his ass back to Kuwait if he tries that again, and Lt. Falcon flees the room. Scarlett then gives her husband a kiss, before being told to rest as he had been in a coma for nearly 2 years.

Duke tells Scarlett that he's definitely kicking his younger brother's ass, and Scarlett chuckles. A year later, Scarlett gives birth to a son, and Duke mentions that he's so happy. Back in 2023, General Hawk tells Duke to wake up, and Duke does so. Duke asks what happened, and Hawk mentions that he was ran off the road by Firefly. Duke chuckles and mentions that Firefly's methods are getting sloppy these days. Hawk mentions that Firefly had hitched a ride into the Atlantic Ocean, where he was picked up by The Iron Hammer. Duke mentions that they should go after them, and Hawk mentions that he sent Snake Eyes to do so. Hawk mentions that he's being put on leave for a month.

Sgt. Duke asks how severe his injuries are, and Lifeline mentions that it's just a mere broken leg and bruised stomach. Cover Girl gives Duke luck on eating with a hurting stomach. Duke then asks if they finished the sorting, and Hawk mentions that Slaughter is finishing them as they speak. In Hawk's Office, Sgt. Slaughter finishes the pile, only to accidentally drop one, then the other. Slaughter mentions that it's a good thing that he put the lists down on a different piece of paper. Slaughter then grabs the paper, and decides to clean the mess. Hawk mentions that once Slaughter gets to him, they'll announce who will be moving to Belarus, and who will remain in The Pit.

### The Announcement

Slaughter enters the Office, and tells Hawk him that they'll announce it right away, and asks Lifeline to place Duke in a wheelchair and bring him out. Lifeline then slowly picks up Duke and places him in a wheelchair, before wheeling him out. General Hawk orders all Joes to hear the announcements for reassignment. General Hawk mentions that the Joes to be reassigned to The Nest include: Lady Kaye, Sgt. Duke, Shipwreck, Lifeline, Dusty, Cross Country, Spirit, Roadblock, Law & Order, Jinx, Steeler, & Lifeline. While himself, Sgt. Slaughter, Big Ben, Lady Jaye, Flint, Breaker, Heavy Duty, Clutch, Blowtorch, Beach Head, and Snake Eyes will remain within The Pit.

General Hawk congratulates the Joes and orders Marissa's team to start packing and inform their families, before saluting. Sgt. Duke mentions that he'll be out of commission for a month, and Hawk mentions that's why he's sending Lifeline, to watch over him and Faireborn in Belarus. Duke then asks Hawk a favor, and Hawk asks what it is. Duke asks if he could visit Arlington, and Hawk mentions that the wish is granted. He then asks Duke to say Hello to Scarlett for him. Duke then begins to roll away with Lifeline Supporting him in doing so. Lifeline asks if he could make a quick phone call, and Duke grants it. Lifeline then contacts his girlfriend and informs her that he is being reassigned to Belarus, and will miss her.

He informs his girlfriend that it's right between Poland and Russia, and tells her that he loves her, before hanging up. Lifeline mentions that he was just informing his girlfriend that he was going to Belarus, and Duke tells Lifeline that if he believes that she's the one, that they can talk a little longer. Lifeline mentions that he'll call her back when they get to Belarus. Duke mentions that it will be a hell of a telephone bill, and Lifeline reminds him that when it's the one, it's worth it. Meanwhile, Marissa hugs her parents goodbye; Dusty contacts his Mother and informs her, before calling his wife and informs her that he is being assigned to Belarus; Roadblock calls his wife and tells her to watch the kids while he's in Belarus;

Marissa then boards a plane with her new team, which begins to take off. Upon the flight, Dusty asks where Lifeline and Sgt. Duke are. Marissa informs him that they are heading to Arlington to pay Scarlett a visit. Dusty mentions that he's heard that Scarlett was a complete hotty, and Marissa mentions that she also admired Scarlett's beauty. Meanwhile, in Arlington National Cemetery, Lifeline helps Duke up a hill and both approach Scarlett's grave. Duke sheds a tear, before he begins to think again. In 2012, Conrad cuddles with Shana on their couch and tells him no matter what happens with her cancer, she will always love him. Back in 2023, Duke takes out a picture and looks at it, before kissing it.

TO BE CONTINUED...

## Featured Characters

* G.I. Joe
	+ Conrad Hauser/ Sgt. Duke
	+ Clayton Abernathy/ General Hawk
	+ Marissa Faireborn/ Lady Kaye
	+ Hector Delgado/ Shipwreck
	+ Robert Remus/ Sgt. Slaughter
	+ Christopher Lavigne/ Law
	+ Edwin Steen/ Lifeline
	+ Courtney Krieger/ Cover Girl
	+ Ronald Tadur/ Dusty
	+ Marvin Hinton/ Roadblock
* G.I. Joe (1995)
	+ Conrad Hauser/ Sgt. Duke
	+ Shana O'Hara/ Scarlett
	+ David Katzenbogen/ Bazooka
	+ Nicholas Lee/ Tunnel Rat
	+ Wallace A. Weem/ Ripcord
	+ Brad Armbruster/ Ace
	+ Danny Stone/ Sgt. Stone
	+ Stanley Perlmutter/ Mutt
	+ Jace Travalino/ Banzai
	+ Skip Stone/ Cutter
	+ William Colton/ G.I. Willy
	+ Allison Hart-Burnett/ Lady Jaye
	+ Dashiell Faireborn/ Flint
	+ Vincent Hauser/ Lt. Falcon
* Cobra (Destro's 1995 Faction)
	+ Dr. Joaquin Soto/ Dr. Venom
* Cobra
	+ Constantin von Djangovich/ Firefly
* Autobots
	+ Scattershot

## Episode Casualties

* Several Cobra Strikers
* Tunnel Rat
* Sgt. Stone
* Ace
* Banzai
* Dr. Venom
* Scarlett

## Notes

* Marissa is still pissed at Shipwreck from the previous episode.
* "Operation: Chile Storm" was meant to be titled "Operation: Jungle Fire", but I decided to save that one for a future occasion.
* In his original incarnation, Dr. Venom's real name was Archibald Monev.
* Airtight, G.I. Joe's gas trooper, was ironically killed by gas at some point during a mission in Ethiopia.
* The Dieselkraftwerk was a weapon from *Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus.*
* Joes to be mentioned in this episode: Beach Head, Spirit, Jinx, Cross Country, Steeler, Big Ben, Breaker, Heavy Duty, Clutch, Blowtorch, Beach Head, & Snake Eyes are mentioned, but do not appear.