Fangs in the Dark Part 3

Attack of the Meta-Soldiers

The Season Finale for G.I. JOE: RETURN OF THE SNAKE is here, as G.I. Joe makes a daring rescue on Cobra Island!

## Plot

### Project: Meta

On June 24, 2023, Dr. Mindbender continues to experiment on a pair of soldiers, who continue to scream in Pain, as Dr. Chaos continues to run tests on President William Fowler, who also screams in pain. Dr. Chaos tells Dr. Mindbender that she's placing the President on ice for a week so he may rest from all of the stress tests. Dr. Mindbender grants it, before telling Dr. Chaos that Serpentor expects big successes in the first batch of Meta-Soldiers. Dr. Chaos mentions that Serpentor is relying too much on a pair of scientists to finish both Project: Meta and Project: Olympus. Dr. Mindbender agrees, but tells her that if they're able to finish both Projects by themselves, they will make great breakthroughs on what humanity can accomplish.

Dr. Mindbender continues to shock MHS-001 & MHS-002. Victor Drath then walks into the room and tells both Doctors that they are being summoned by a Holo-Call from Serpentor. As both Cobra Doctors leave the room, Victor walks in and looks into MHS-002's tube and tells her that she shouldn't have done what she did. A month later on July 24 in Washington, Flint interrogates Zanzibar and demands to know what Cobra is up to. Zanzibar tells Flint that he won't reply to G.I. Joe scum, before Flint smashes his hand with a baton. Lady Jaye advises Zanzibar to comply, as Flint is only going soft for the time-being. Zanzibar stares at Flint, and Flint demands to know where Cobra is hiding. Zanzibar mentions that they could be hiding on Cobra Island.

### The First Countdown

Lady Jaye asks where Cobra Island is and before Zanzibar could answer, he immediately freezes up and falls on the floor. Lady Jaye checks Zanzibar's pulse, and mentions that Zanzibar is dead. Flint mentions that Cobra must've been listening in. On Cobra Island, Blipwire looks on the monitors, before informing Serpentor that Zanzibar has been terminated. Back in Washington, Flint leaves the interrogation room and informs General Hawk that Zanzibar was killed by a remote device implanted in his head. General Hawk tells Flint that he'll have Lifeline take care of the body, before ordering Flint to interrogate another Cobra Prisoner, only to be informed by Shipwreck that the remaining Prisoners were killed by some kind of remote device.

General Hawk is left frustrated, before ordering the Joes to due other things. Shipwreck tells Flint that General Hawk is really annoyed, and Flint tells Shipwreck that hunting for Cobra is like hunting Osama Bin Laden, but Cobra has done slightly worse stuff. Shipwreck mentions that he's going to the Infirmary to check on Cover Girl's status, and Flint mentions that he's going to check on his daughter. In the control room, Lady Kaye helps Breaker in searching for signals created by Cobra. Breaker asks her if she's found anything, and Kaye mentions that she hasn't. Breaker mentions that they've been searching for 2 Days already, and Kaye tells Breaker to take a break. Flint walks into the room and tells her that she should take a break as well, as she is pregnant.

Kaye tells her father that she won't rest until they've found Cobra. Flint urges her, but Kaye refuses. Flint asks her if she wants anything to eat, and Kaye mentions that she'll have a small cup of Chicken Soup, with a side of Crackers. Flint tells her that it's the most normal meal she's asked for since her pregnancy began, and Kaye smiles. On Cobra Island, Serpentor approaches President Fowler and tells him that they were driven out of the U.S. by G.I. Joe's "Operation: Fire Age", and President Fowler chuckles. Serpentor tells William Fowler that G.I. Joe will pay for not bowing down to Cobra, before ordering Ghost Bear to take Fowler to the Prisoner Hold. Serpentor then tells Destro and Baroness to start taking all of Cobra's supplies to Cobra Base 1. Both salute, before they leave.

Dr. Mindbender continues to run tests on MHS-001, as MHS-002 is placed in a small pool. MHS-001 meditates, as a wire shocks the water and him in it. Back in Washington, Lady Kaye receives an encoded message from MHS-001, who gives Cobra Island's coordinates. As Flint arrives, Kaye tells her father that she's received a set of coordinates, followed by a message. Flint asks what it says, and Kaye mentions that it reads that the American President is on Amsterdam Island. Flint begins to think, and tells her that someone in Cobra is giving them help, and Kaye asks who it is. Flint mentions that he doesn't know, as it could be a trap. Flint then leaves and informs Sgt. Duke. Sgt. Duke mentions that he'll send a squad to intercept the signal.

Flint mentions that he'll lead the mission, only to be informed by General Steven Colton that he is needed back in The Nest in Belarus. Flint mentions that someone is sending a distress message from Amsterdam Island, and General Colton mentions that he'll take care of it. Sgt. Duke mentions that most Joes are out hunting for Cobra, and Colton asks who's left. Duke mentions Lady Kaye, Lady Jaye, Shipwreck, Dusty, Beach Head, Cross Country, and Snake Eyes. Colton mentions that he'll lead them to Amsterdam Island, and that Sgt. Duke is in charge till he gets back. G.I. Steve then assembles the present Joes and informs them that they received a distress from Amsterdam Island, and they're going to investigate it. G.I. Steve mentions that it may be a trap, but the American President is aboard that Island, and they have to save him if America is to be truly free from Cobra.

### Operation: God Save the King

G.I. Steve orders Cross Country to warm up the Great White SHARC, and Cross Country complies. G.I. Steve tells them that today, they truly earn their victory over Cobra. The Joes then head to the Great White SHARC, and take off. Sgt. Duke salutes the Joes and wishes them God Speed. A Day Later on July 25, MHS-002 manages to break out of her containment pool, which frustrates Victor Drath and Michelle. G.I. Steve mentions that they're arriving to Amsterdam Island now. Lady Jaye sees a missile incoming, and the SHARC is shot down. The Joes crash land in the water, and water begins to fill the SHARC. Dusty spots a lifeboat and opens it. The Joes get on the lifeboat, and float to Amsterdam Island.

Upon arrival to Amsterdam Island, the Joes get off of the Lifeboat, and G.I. Steve orders Beach Head to try and contact G.I. Joe. Beach Head mentions that it might alert Cobra, and Steve mentions that they should try and find a Cobra Escape Vehicle. Moments later, they're attacked by MHS-002. Shipwreck is tackled by her, and the Joes stand back. Shipwreck kicks the MHS off of him, and the Mutant demands to know who they are. Steve mentions that they're agents of G.I. Joe, and the MHS begins to calm down. Lady Kaye asks who she is, and the MHS mentions that she's a failed experiment of Cobra, and her real name is Mara Dearing. Shipwreck recognizes her, and asks if it's really her. Mara asks if she's met him before, and Shipwreck mentions that they met in Batumi, Georgia.

Mara asks if it's really him, and Shipwreck hugs her. Mara begins to lose breath, and Shipwreck asks what they do. Snake Eyes spots the gills on her, and demands to toss her into the Ocean. Snake Eyes, Shipwreck, Dusty, & Beach Head carry Mara to the water, and she begins to breathe again. Shipwreck asks what they did to her, and Mara mentions that she was turned into a Meta-Soldier by Dr. Mindbender and Dr. Chaos. Steve asks if Cobra is on the island, and Mara confirms so. Steve orders the Joes to try and find a way in, and Mara mentions that they should hardly run into anyone, as Cobra is abandoning the Island. Steve wonders why, and asks Mara is she knows where the President is. Mara mentions that he is being held in Serpentor's quarters. Steve mentions that they're in for deep shit, before ordering the Joes to move out.

As the Joes begin to move deeper into the Island, Lady Kaye begins to cough, and is asked by Dusty if she'll be fine. Lady Kaye mentions that she will, before she is helped by Dusty move. Major Bludd informs Serpentor that the G.I. Joe forces have crash landed in the Indian Ocean, and Serpentor asks how G.I. Joe knows of their location. Major Bludd suggests that there is a traitor amongst their ranks, and suggests MHS-002. Serpentor orders for MHS-002 to be hunted down. Steve knocks down a pipe-cover and lands inside a tunnel. Steve signals his fellow Joes to follow, and Lady Jaye, Dusty, and Snake Eyes land in the tunnel. Steve tells the Joes to split up, and he'll go left, as some go right. Steve, Snake Eyes, Beach Head, and Dusty go left, as Lady Jaye, Lady Kaye, Shipwreck, and Cross Country go right.

As Lady Jaye's team searches the tunnel, they hide and watch as Dr. Mindbender leaves his lab. Lady Jaye signals for the Joes to enter the lab, before Lady Kaye's water breaks, and mentions that she's going into labor. Lady Kaye begins to freak out, and Jaye tells her to remain calm. Jaye tells her daughter to try and hold in her children till they try to escape. Lady Kaye mentions that she doesn't if she's going to hold it, and Lady Jaye tells Shipwreck and Cross Country to help her into the lab. The Joes enter the lab and Shipwreck locks the lab shut. Lady Kaye begins to breathe heavily, as Lady Jaye takes a towel out of her javelin pack. She pulls down her daughter's pants and tells her to breathe. Kaye mentions that she wished that the father was there, and Jaye asks who the father is.

Cross Country looks around and finds MHS-001, as Kaye mentions Dirk Manus. Cross Country mentions that he found him, before the Joes look up to see the tube. MHS-001 opens his eyes, freaking Cross Country out. Shipwreck then begins to free Dirk Manus, who attacks the Joes. Shipwreck and Cross Country try to calm down Dirk, who manages to do so. Shipwreck demands to know who if they could trust him, and Dirk mentions that he's the one who informed G.I. Joe of Cobra's location. Shipwreck calms down, and tells Dirk to get to his baby-mamma. Kaye begins to feel pain, and Dirk kneels down and hold Kaye's hand. Kaye pushes, and Lady Jaye tells her that she can see the first baby. The First baby comes out, a girl, and Lady Jaye hands it to Cross Country, who takes off his jacket and covers the baby with it.

Kaye screams some more, before she delivers the second child, a son, and is handed it by Jaye. Kaye decided to name her daughter Susan, and her son, Desmond. Dr. Mindbender returns to the lab, only to be shot and injured by Shipwreck, which causes the babies to start crying, leaving Lady Jaye annoyed. Lady Jaye mentions that they should get out of there, before the Joes leave the lab, with Dirk carrying Kaye, and Kaye carrying Desmond. Meanwhile, Steve, Snake Eyes, Beach Head, and Dusty find a Chamber and walk in, only to be met by Major Bludd, Zartan, and Firefly. Steve begins to fight all three individuals, and Zartan is stabbed and injured by Snake Eyes, Firefly is shot and injured by Dusty, before Steve knocks out Major Bludd.

### Escape from Cobra Island

In the Throne Room, Serpentor is informed by a Cobra Stryker that G.I. Joe forces have taken down Dr. Mindbender, Zartan, Firefly, and Major Bludd. Serpentor begins to think, before ordering the Stryker to have the rest of Cobra evacuated from Amsterdam Island. The Stryker salutes Serpentor, before leaving. Serpentor begins to think some more, before ordering Dr. Chaos to release the Meta-Soldiers. Dr. Chaos mentions that the Meta Soldiers aren't finished testing, and Serpentor tells her that the Meta Soldiers are the only things that will allow Cobra to escape. Dr. Chaos then complies and presses a button, unleashing the Meta Soldiers. Serpentor then orders all Cobra Personnel to flee the Island.

Serpentor then leaves his throne room, mentioning that it was such a waste of a Beautiful Base. Serpentor then climbs aboard his Aircraft and flees. Victor Drath and Michelle board a Cobra Ship, and Michelle asks about Mara. Victor tells her that Mara is lost, probably to the Sea or G.I. Joe. Michelle, worried, accept the loss of her sister and flees aboard the Ship. Steve manages to find President Fowler, and begins to free him. Steve informs Fowler that they're bringing him home, and Fowler thanks General Colton. Steve tells G.I. Joe that it's time to find a way off of the Island. As Steve carries the President, he and his team are approached by Meta Soldiers, and Steve tells them that they're in trouble. Meanwhile, Mara watches as Cobra flees Cobra Island, and begins to think, before swimming back to the Experimenting Pool.

Mara reaches the Pool, and takes a deep breath, before climbing out. She then begins to run down the hall, looking for G.I. Joe. Lady Jaye's team reunites with Steve's team. Steve mentions that they found the President, and Lady Jaye mentions that they have 3 extra lives with them, before revealing Dirk and Kaye's Grandkids. Steve mentions that they should find a way out, as they're being chased by some sort of mutants. Mara finds them and tells them that it's Mindbender's Meta Soldiers, and tells the Joes that she found a way out. Steve asks her to show them, and Mara leads them, only to collapse. Shipwreck picks up Mara and tells her to stay strong. Mara continues to lead them to a hangar, which reveals a B.A.T. Airship, with Cobra B.A.T.s loading it.

The B.A.T.s spot them, and Dirk mentions that he'll take care of them. Dirk then unleashes his powers, and causes all of the B.A.T.s to shut down. Steve is left impressed, and Dirk mentions that he was "Advanced" by Dr. Mindbender to control Machines, and was given the nickname "Sentinel". Steve thanks Sentinel, before ordering the Joes to get aboard the Airship. The Meta Soldiers arrive and begin attacking. Sentinel tells the Joes that he'll hold them off as they escape. Sentinel then begins to morph his arms into a sword and a cannon, before engaging the Meta Soldiers. Cross Country activates the Airship, and tells his fellow Joes that he's going to head to Australia. As the Airship flies away, Mara continues to die, and tells his fellow Joes that Mara is dying.

Lady Jaye tells Shipwreck that they can't save her, and Mara regains a little bit of consciousness, before telling Shipwreck that she would've liked to start a new life with him. Shipwreck kisses Mara, before telling her to meet him in Dunsborough, Australia. Shipwreck then tosses Mara off of the Airship, and she lands in the Ocean, shocking everyone aboard. Back on Amsterdam Island, Sentinel continues to kill his fellow Meta Soldiers, only to be shot and killed by Firefly. Firefly then activates Prohibitor chips, and all Meta Soldiers bow down to the Cobra Agents. Firefly tells Major Bludd, Dr. Mindbender, and Zartan that they should leave immediately, as he has no doubt that the rest of G.I. Joe knows where they are. Dr. Mindbender agrees, before contacting Serpentor for pick up.

### The End of the Beginning

In Bunbury, Australia, Steve contacts G.I. Joe and mentions that they have successfully rescued the President. Sgt. Duke tells Steve that he's sending an evacuation team to Australia now. Steve mentions that they'll be waiting. Steve then looks around and asks where Shipwreck went, and is told by Dusty that he left to Dunsborough. Steve tells Dusty that Shipwreck is gonna be court-marshalled for going AWOL, and Dusty tells Steve to let Shipwreck go, as he's gonna rendezvous with Mara. In Dunsborough, Shipwreck walks the Beaches of the City, and looks out to the Sea. He eventually spots Mara and runs to her, calling out her name. He then embraces in a hug with Mara, and he tells her that they'll find a way to reverse Dr. Mindbender's experimentation on her, no matter what.

Mara tells Shipwreck that she is willing to go through it, if it means being with him. Mara and Shipwreck then share a kiss. A Couple of Days later on July 27 in Washington, President William Fowler thanks G.I. Joe for rescuing him and liberating the United States from Cobra. He then salutes G.I. Joe, before gifting the entire team with a Medal of Honor. He then tells General Hawk that he will personally see to it that The Pit is rebuilt. General Hawk thanks the President, before saluting him. In her home, Marissa continues to nurse her children, before being visited by James Hailmark, Conrad Hauser, and their kids. Marissa welcomes them to her home, and Conrad tells Marissa that she'll make a great mother, and Marissa thanks him.

Conrad then asks his son, Jacob, to play with James's daughter, Nari. Jacob invites Nari to play, and Marissa tells them that they can play, as long as they don't break anything and pick up after themselves. As Jacob and Nari leave, Conrad informs Marissa and James that the President has begun reconstruction on The Pit, and Marissa is cleared for Duty after she finds a suitable babysitter for her children. Marissa mentions that they will see, before shedding a tear. Conrad asks what's wrong, and Marissa mentions that she wishes that Dirk was here to watch his kids grow up. Conrad puts his hand on Marissa's shoulder and tells her that despite being a Criminal, he proved himself to be a true Joe, sacrificing himself to ensure that his legacy could live. Marissa then hugs Conrad, thanking him.

Back on Amsterdam Island, Serpentor and Dr. Mindbender approaches the body if Dirk. Dr. Mindbender mentions that it was a waste of Scientific Discoveries, and Serpentor mentions that they should filter who they put through the tests, before they mutate them. Dr. Mindbender agrees, before Serpentor contacts Old Snake and informs him that while they lost against G.I. Joe, Cobra shall rise again. Old Snake tells Serpentor to have all of Cobra meet him in the isolate regions of Russia. Serpentor asks why, and Old Snake mentions that he has assembled an Army, which is hiding in Russia. A month later on August 29, 2023, Serpentor approaches a snowy mountain, and stops in the middle of the snow. He is then approached by Pythona, who welcomes Serpentor to the New Cobra-La Civilization.

TO BE CONTINUED... THE AGENTS OF G.I. JOE WILL RETURN, IN *G.I. JOE: HAMMER & SICKLE...*

## Featured Characters

* Cobra
	+ Brian Binder/ Dr. Mindbender
		- MHS-001/ Dirk Manus/ Sentinel
		- MHS-002/ Mara Dearing/ Aquarius
	+ Bente Johansson/ Dr. Chaos
	+ Victor Drath
	+ Dreadnoks
		- Morgan Teach/ Zanzibar
		- Zartan Bentley-Xylander
	+ Hung Van/ Blipwire
	+ Serpentor
	+ Jesse Kwinn Jr./ Ghost Bear
	+ James McCullen/ Destro
	+ Anastasia de Cobrai/ The Baroness
	+ Michelle Dearing
	+ Sebastian Bludd/ Major Bludd
	+ Constantin von Djangovich/ Firefly
	+ Garrison Reever
	+ Alexei de Cobrai/ Old Snake
* President Fowler
* G.I. Joe
	+ Dashiell Faireborn/ Flint
	+ Allison Faireborn/ Lady Jaye
	+ Clayton Abernathy/ General Hawk
	+ Hector Delgado/ Shipwreck
	+ Marissa Faireborn/ Lady Kaye
		- Susan Faireborn
		- Desmond Faireborn
	+ Abel Kibbey/ Breaker
	+ Conrad Hauser/ Sgt. Duke
		- Jacob Hauser
	+ Steven Colton/ G.I. Steve
	+ Robert Blais III/ Cross Country
	+ Ronald Tadur/ Dusty
	+ Wayne Sneeden/ Beach Head
	+ James Hailmark/ Snake Eyes
		- Nari Hailmark
* Cobra-La
	+ Pythona

## Episode Casualties

* Morgan Teach/ Zanzibar
* Meta Soldiers
* Dirk Manus

## Notes

* The Stryker that talked to Serpentor is Garrison Reever, who will appear more in Season 2.