GI JOE: The World's Finest Soldiers

GI Joe and related characters are property of Hasbro.

Chapter 1: The Weatherman, Part 1

ARCLAY GEOENGINEERING, RESEARCH FACILITY M4

INVERNESS, SCOTLAND:

"Hands behind your heads and nobody gets hurt!"

The scientists cowered as the COBRA Vipers walked through the facility.

"Tell the Baroness we have-"

The lead Viper felt a tap on his shoulder.

"I'm standing right here, dumkopf."

The Vipers turned to face a black-haired woman in glasses and a skintight bodysuit.

"Baroness! I see you're looking good tonight."

"Flattery will get you nowhere. Any sign of what we're looking for?"

"I told yer goons that we're a research facility. If you're looking for the device, then you're going to have to go-" the lead scientist began.

The Baroness grabbed him by the forearm.

"Where?"

"I'm not telling you!"

The COBRA officer smirked as her boot made contact with the lead scientist's groin.

"Now will you tell me?"

"It's in Leip-"

A gunshot pierced the air and a Viper dropped dead.

"The 'ell is that?"

The Baroness scowled.

"GI Joe." she muttered.

"An' score one fer Snake Eyes!"

"Very funny, Scarlett."

"Ah, come on! Lighten up, ol' buddy!"

Snake Eyes lowered part of his mask. In the darkness, the light phosphorescent glow of his cybernetic eyes was enough to make his fellow sniper a bit jumpy.

"Kill confirmed. Your turn."

Scarlett lay prone on the hillock overlooking the research facility and fired her rifle. Inside the building, another Viper fell dead.

"Get away from the windows!" the Baroness ordered.

The Vipers began to withdraw as Snake Eyes fired another shot.

"Missed." he muttered.

"Baroness to Cobra Commander. The Joes are here, and we've taken two deaths. Orders?"

"Baroness, do you have the device?"

"Negative. However, interrogation of the lead scientist at this facility gave us the location. It's in Leipzig."

"Good to know. Now, RETREAT!"

"Men Herr, I cannot-"

"Do it! I can't afford to lose you to GI Joe!"

"Understood. Baroness out."

The Vipers filed into a large black cargo helicopter, and the Baroness joined them.

"Set a course for the drop-off point in Orkney." she ordered the pilot.

The helicopter roared into the Scottish night.