Old Snake

Years after their collapse, the old leader of COBRA has returned, and he's not the only thing that will return.

## Plot

### G.I. Joe, 1974

In the Christowitz Base in Southern Vietnam, Cadet Colton jumps onto his commander as a grenade goes off. He tells his Commander that the Vietnamese aren't holding anything back. Commander Wyatt tells Colton that they are expecting some payloads in the base. Colton asks why, and Wyatt mentions that they are evacuating Vietnam, but there are several soldiers still stuck deep within Vietnamese land. Colton mentions that those men won't be able to make it back alive, and Wyatt tells Colton that they have to try. Colton mentions that the Vietnamese Military and General Hammerhead stand between them and the missing soldiers. Colton then spots a mounted Gatling gun and runs to it. He begins to fire upon the Vietnamese and drives them away.

Colton mentions that they will have to go in to get the soldiers themselves if the cavalry doesn't arrive. Meanwhile, in a hidden compound in Northern Vietnam, Cobra Commander approaches General Hammerhead and mentions that they've captured the last known American soldiers in the area. General Hammerhead mentions that they should be executed, and Cobra Commander mentions that he could put them to some better use. In 1976, Cobra Commander tells his legions of soldiers that they will not stop till the world is theirs. In 1995 in Kazakhstan, Wild Bill tells Flint and Lady Jaye that they are coming up on Cobra Commander's Compound. Lady Jaye tells Wild Bill to stay close, as things will get messy.

Lady Jaye and Flint jump into the compound and Lady Jaye mentions that this might be the day that they finally take down Cobra. Flint and Lady Jaye find some Cobra Strikers and begin to shoot them. Cobra Commander turns around and loads his guns. After Flint and Lady Jaye break in, they begin a firefight with Cobra Commander. General Hawk tells Flint that he and Sgt. Jackhammer are on their way. Flint tells Hawk that they have Cobra Commander cornered. Cobra Commander tells the Joes that they won't be taking him in, before G.I. Willy gangs up on Cobra Commander and knocks him out. Lady Jaye contacts General Hawk and mentions that Agent Colton got the drop on Cobra Commander.

Cobra Commander's mask is taken off, and G.I. Willy is left surprise that it was an old enemy of his from Vietnam. Alexei de Cobrai wakes up in a prison cell and asks where he's at. Nick Fury tells Alexei that he is in The Bastille, in the middle of Paris, France. Alexei tells Nick that the prison will not last as long as his imprisonment, and Nick mentions that he'll have to have a hell of a crew to break him out. Within The Pit in 2023, Lady Kaye does some push ups, when General Hawk approaches her. General Hawk tells her that she's being assigned to train a couple of new agents. Lady Kaye asks him to lay them on her, and General Hawk introduces her to Fan Gan Zhou and Darren Muldoon.

### Slithering Out of Prison

In Paris, Cobra Strikers break into The Bastille, and Alexei is freed from his cell. Alexei is approached by Victor Drath, and Alexei asks what took him so long, and Victor mentions that they were making preparations. Victor gives Alexei a mask and Alexei puts it on. Victor and the Strikers bow down to Cobra Commander, before Cobra Commander orders everyone to flee Paris. Victor and Cobra Commander are led to a Limosuine, before driving away. Cobra Commander asks Victor what they have for him, and Victor mentions that Dr. Mindbender has created a new way to command human flesh. Cobra Commander asks Victor to show him. Victor mentions that they have to go to the McCullen facility in Callander, Scotland.

Cobra Commander mentions that he hasn't spoken to McCullen since 1994, and wonders what the traitor wants. Victor mentions that he wants the same thing as him, total domination of the globe. Cobra Commander mentions that the world has changed, and they need to take a different approach in taking over the Earth, and Victor asks what he's suggesting. Cobra Commander mentions that his plan will need him to be away from Cobra for a while, so Cobra will need a de facto leader other than McCullen. Victor asks why he doesn't trust McCullen, and Cobra Commander mentions that he took most of Cobra's forces under his leadership and was responsible for his downfall in 1995.

Victor mentions that he's sorry to here that, and Cobra Commander asks about his daughter. Victor mentions that Alexei's daughter is currently in training to lead Cobra Strikers into a mission to kidnap the Danish Prime Minister. in a facility near Belarus, Anastasia begins shooting at simulated targets. Major Bludd tells Anastasia that she's coming along well in her training. Anastasia thanks Major Bludd, before shooting another simulation. Major Bludd tells her that they have calculated what the run will be like, and Anastasia asks him to play it, and place it on worst scenario. Major Bludd then looks to McCullen and signals him to program the training simulation. McCullen then begins to program the training simulation, and Major Bludd leaves the room.

### The New Joes

Lady Kaye runs around a running course with Fan and Darren. Lady Kaye mentions that they need to be in top condition if they are to defeat their enemies, and Darren mentions that they have to be like that anyway for the military. Lady Kaye stops and smacks Darren, before moving on with the course. Darren warns Lady Kaye of a misplaced stone, before Lady Kaye trips on one, and Darren mentions that he did warn her. Fan helps Lady Kaye up and asks how she became a member of G.I. Joe. Marissa mentions that both of her parents were members of G.I. Joe, before they decided to take a leave of absence to raise her. Fan asks who her parents were, and Marissa mentions Lady Jaye and Flint. Darren mentions that he heard that Flint and Lady Jaye were the ones to arrest Cobra Commander.

Marissa mentions that her parents never shutted the hell up about that day, as it made their jobs as agents easier, since no one was as terrifying as Cobra. Darren mentions that he had a cousin that joined Cobra before he was killed during the 1995 raid. Breaker approaches Lady Kaye and tells her that he's received news that Cobra Commander was freed from The Bastille. Marissa mentions that it's bad, before mentioning that he's suppose to inform General Hawk. Breaker mentions that General Hawk told him to inform her, as she's the new Second-in-Command. Marissa asks what happened to Agent Bennet, and Breaker mentions that he's been stationed back in London, in MI6.

Marissa asks who would watch her trainees, and Breaker mentions that they are being handed off to Shipwreck. Marissa mentions that Shipwreck isn't qualified to train others, and Breaker mentions that most Agents are out on missions throughout the globe, and Shipwreck is one of the only agents left within The Pit. Breaker also mentions that she can switch off at the end of her shift. Marissa then orders her trainees to follow her into The Pit. In The Pit, Marissa and her trainees enter the training room, where they meet Beach Head. Beach Head orders the Mousers to continue running through the course, before Marissa asks if he could watch her recruits, to which Beach Head refuses. Darren spots a set of bows and arrows and goes to grab one.

Beach Head commands Darren to put them back, and Darren sets up and launches some arrows, nearly hitting Lady Jaye. Beach Head smacks Darren and asks him to follow. Fan tells Darren that he should have listened, and Darren tells Fan to piss off. Marissa wonders what to do with Fan, before Fan asks her to train her in hand-to-hand combat. Marissa mentions that she would be glad to. Meanwhile, Beach Head takes Darren to General Hawk and mentions that he almost killed Lady Jaye. General Hawk asks what he was thinking, and Darren mentions that he enlisted in G.I. Joe as a sniper, including the use of bows and arrows. General Hawk tells Darren that he will be on probation for a while, before dismissing him and Beach Head.

General Hawk is approached by Cover Girl, who mentions that Dusty and Cross-Country are en route to Paris to investigate Cobra Commander's escape. General Hawk thanks Cover Girl, before ordering her to assemble a team to find Cobra Commander and the rest of his cronies. In Belarus, Cobra Commander and Victor Drath arrive, and McCullen bows down to Cobra Commander, who smacks him for leaving him to be captured by G.I. Joe. McCullen mentions that it was a necessary loss to allow Cobra to grow. Cobra Commander asks McCullen to show how. McCullen leads Cobra Commander and Victor Drath to Dr. Mindbender. Dr. Mindbender mentions that he is nearly done finishing the Synthoid Matter, but needs one more ingredient.

Cobra Commander asks what he needs, and Dr. Mindbender mentions that he needs a Brain Sample. McCullen asks why he needs a brain sample, and Dr. Mindbender mentions that its for an theory on the Synthoid technology. Cobra Commander asks McCullen if he is willing to make the ultimate sacrifice, and McCullen suggests finding someone worth the Project. Cobra Commander mentions that it has to be someone with qualifications to lead. McCullen suggests Captain Legion, and both Cobra Commander and Dr. Mindbender believe that it's a terrible idea. McCullen mentions that he qualifies, and Cobra Commander mentions that the Oxton is protected by the British Government, and by HYDRA.

McCullen asks who else could carry the qualifications, and Cobra Commander mentions that there is one person he has in mind. McCullen asks who, and Cobra Commander suggests Steven Castler. Dr. Mindbender mentions that Castler is also protected by the British Government, and Cobra Commander mentions that he doesn't have much power as Captain Legion does. McCullen mentions that he will have some agents go and persuade Castler to join there cause. Cobra Commander tells McCullen to get to it, before leaving. Cobra Commander tells McCullen that he's going to look up an old ally for other plans. McCullen orders Major Bludd to have The Baroness rendezvous with Storm Shadow in Liverpool to retrieve Steven Castler.

Major Bludd approaches Anastasia and informs her that she is being sent out for her first mission. Major Bludd tells her that she is to retrieve Steven Castler and bring him back alive. Anastasia tells Major Bludd that she will complete her mission. Meanwhile in Rotterdam, Thomas Arishikage continues to train some members of the Arishikage family. A member of the Arishikage Family informs Thomas that he's needed in Liverpool. Thomas tells his family that training is done for the day. Thomas then approaches a closet and opens it. He stares at his uniform, before putting it on. His cousin approaches him and Thomas tells her that he's only doing this to keep the Family alive.

### The Abduction of Steven Castler

While travelling to Liverpool, Baroness recalls McCullen's words to her, mentioning how she is to assume a disguise made by Dr. MIndbender, travel to the University of Liverpool, and try to get as close to Castler as possible, and cause him to disappear. Baroness arrives in Liverpool, and is met with Storm Shadow. Storm Shadow shows his disbelief in sending a child to abduct a Professor. Baroness mentions that she had trained in seduction classes for over a year. Storm Shadow tells Baroness that seductions won't be useful for the mission. Baroness tells Storm Shadow to get into position. Storm Shadow disappears as the Baroness puts on a hat, a dress, and lipstick, before walking into the University.

Steven teaches a class, before Baroness walks in and mentions that he has a phone call coming from the main office. Steven asks his class to excuse him, before leaving the classroom. Baroness follows him to the office, as Storm Shadow watches. As both Baroness and Steven enter the Office, Steven asks her how long she's been a spy. Baroness asks how he knew, and Steven mentions that he was a spy for the Crimson Bulldog, before retiring to become a College Professor. Steven tries to leave the room to call for security, only to be rendered unconscious by Storm Shadow. Storm Shadow tells Baroness that she needs more spy training, before she could even be considered to kidnap the Danish Prime Minister.

The Baroness tells Storm Shadow to shut up, before asking how they're going to transport the body. Storm Shadow mentions that as a member of a terrorist organization, it is always wise to call for backup. Storm Shadow whistles, and both Ghost Bear and Erkens approach the pair and help them pick up the body. As they near a truck a security guard asks them what they're doing, and Storm Shadow kills him. The Cobra Agents dump Steven in the truck, before climbing in and driving off. Erkens asks how the mission was, and Storm Shadow mentions that Steven had grew wise to Baroness's deception, and had to knock him out. Erkens stares at Baroness and mentions that she is still a child and still has a lot to learn. Baroness tells Erkens that she needs experience, not knowledge.

Erkens tells Baroness that they learn from experience. Back in The Pit, Marissa enters a room, where Breaker informs her that a Professor from the University of Liverpool had been abducted, and Marissa asks who they kidnapped. Breaker mentions that it's Steven Castler, a former agent of the Crimson Bulldog. Marissa asks who would kidnap him, and Flint enters the room with Lady Jaye and mentions that only one person would want not Steven Castler the man, but Steven Castler the mind. Marissa hugs her parents and asks them how Canada was. Flint mentions that he's going to tell General Hawk off for misinforming them of how many enemies they had in Canada.

Marissa asks who would want the Mind of Steven Castler, and Lady Jaye mentions that during the 1995 raid on Cobra's base, they found plans for "Operation: Serpentor". Marissa asks what it is, and Flint begins to tell her. Meanwhile in Belarus, Steven wakes up to see Cobra Commander before him. Steven asks what he wants, and Cobra Commander mentions that he was told that Steven is one of the smartest men worthy to be a leader. Steven mentions that he left that opportunity behind to teach others. Cobra Commander tells Steven that he had wasted potential, and that he is going to bring back that potential. Steven asks how, and Cobra Commander asks how he would like to be the new leader of Cobra.

Steven mentions that Cobra went down years ago, and Cobra Commander begins to laugh. Cobra Commander mentions that Cobra will never die. Steven tells Cobra Commander that as long as their are defenders, someone will stop Cobra. Cobra Commander tells Steven that with the plans that Cobra has, no one shall stand against them. Cobra Commander then orders Dr. Mindbender to lobotomize Steven. As Cobra Commander walks out of the room, Dr. Mindbender approaches Steven, who screams in horror.

TO BE CONTINUED...

## Featured Characters

* G.I. Joe (1995)
	+ Joseph William Colton Jr./ G.I. Willy
	+ William Hardy/ Wild Bill
	+ Dashiell Faireborn/ Flint
	+ Allison Hart-Barnett/ Lady Jaye
	+ General Clayton Abernathy/ General Hawk
	+ Rodney Quill/ Sgt. Jackhammer
* Commander Probst Wyatt III
* COBRA
	+ Alexei de Cobrai/ Cobra Commander
	+ Victor Drath
	+ Anastasia de Cobrai/ The Baroness
	+ Major Sebastian Bludd
	+ Laird James McCullen/ Destro
	+ Dr. Brian Binder/ Dr. Mindbender
	+ Thomas Arishikage/ Storm Shadow
	+ Jesse Kwinn Jr./ Ghost Bear
	+ Agent Erkens
* Vietnamese Military
	+ General Hao Cho-Soi/ General Hammerhead
* Nick Fury
* G.I. Joe
	+ Marrisa Faireborn/ Lady Kaye
	+ Fan Gan Zhou/ Zanshi
	+ Darren Muldoon/ Aerobolt
	+ Abel Kibbey/ Breaker
	+ Wayne R. Sneeden/ Beach Head
	+ Courtney Krieger/ Cover Girl
* Steven Castler

## Episode Casualties

* Darren's Cousin (Mentioned)
* Liverpool University Security Guard

## Notes

* Wyatt from Wolfenstein appears in this episode.
* Cobra's plan to kidnap the Danish Prime Minister is a reference to a scene in the TASKFORCE: The Union Wars episode *In Search of Elizabeth.* Meaning that Cobra was responsible for the Prime Minister's disappearance and the terrorist planted in his place.
* This series also portrays The Baroness as Cobra Commander's daughter. In the film series, Cobra Commander was The Baroness' brother. This series also portrays Cobra Commander as being Ukranian.
* In the GI Joe cartoon, Breaker's real name was Alvin Kibbey, while in the film series his name was Abel Shaz. In this series, he was his first name from the movie, while the last name originated from the cartoon.
* David Bennet/ Big Ben is mentioned.
* G.I. Joe was meant to appear here, but is replaced by his son, "G.I. Willy". The reason behind the change is that there was a concept I wanted to write for G.I. Joe, but had made a little oopsy here. Don't worry, G.I. Joe will appear in the series.
* Dusty and Cross-Country are mentioned.
* Captain Legion of the TASKFORCE series is mentioned here.
* The Crimson Bulldog is mentioned here. The Crimson Bulldog was a secret organization from *Wolfenstein Ii: The New Colossus*, this continuity portrays it as being the rival spy organization of Kingsman; Both whom are based in the United Kingdom.
* You know what, just to put out there, some of my favorite characters from G.I. Joe include:
	+ Snake Eyes, Flint, Lady Jaye, Shipwreck, Cobra Commander, Storm Shadow, Zartan, Zarana, & Sgt. Slaughter. (Fight Me).