FRIENDLY ADVICE
BY: DINO MONZON

Prologue

G.I. Joe Command Center-The Pit- Staten Island, New York. 0745 Hours Zulu

    "Well, good morning, Solitaire!" greeted Roadblock from behind the food counter in the Pit's 4th level Mess Hall. The G.I. Joe Team's massively built, imposing Heavy Machine Gunner was attired in a spotless white apron over his usual dark green flak vest, white shirt & 'dirty grey' workpants. A tall chef's toque hat completed his image as a cook, his role today as he drew Mess duty. Which was fine by him. While an expert in the use of the M-2 .50 cal. Heavy Machine Gun, and an excellent machine gunner, Roadblock's first passion had always been in the culinary arts.

    "So, what's your pleasure this bright and fine morning?"

    Solitaire smiled at Roadblock's cheerful greeting. "Hiya, Roadblock. Just though I'd get some breakfast to start the day." The tall, willowy Security Courier for the G.I. Joe Team was a strikingly pretty young woman outfitted in a light grey fatigue shirt with a white collar & grey pants tucked into sleekly polished black boots. A small American flag patch was set over the G.I. Joe Team red-white & blue unit crest that was emblazoned on her right shoulder. Despite wearing a pair of glasses, Solitaire remained a very attractive young woman, graced with shoulder- length wavy brown hair & hazel eyes that added to her charm. A recent addition to the G.I. Joe team following her involvement during a scheme of The Baroness of Cobra, Solitaire had quickly established herself as one of the G.I. Joe Team's sharpest members.

    Roadblock nodded. Gesturing to the array of dishes -all freshly cooked and still piping hot, set in deep cafeteria style bins-he said, "I'm sure you'll find something to your liking in today's menu."

    "Oh, I'm sure I will, Roadblock." Solitaire said lightly.

    Five minutes later, the pretty young woman seated herself at an unoccupied table for two with a small tray holding a pair of sunnyside eggs, six rashers of hickory- smoked bacon, hash browns, buttered toast, chilled pineapple juice & coffee. As she ate her meal, Solitaire gazed around the spacious canteen area. It was a quiet, routine day at The Pit-The G.I. Joe Team's top-secret, armored underground command center located 200 meters beneath the Motor Pool Building of the Chaplain's Assistant's School at Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island, New York. Apart from herself, roughly seven or eight other Joes were likewise enjoying their meals. She easily spotted Col. Blackjack -the team's Executive Officer- seated at a table for four with Flint, the G.I. Joe Warrant Officer, and engaged in a discreet discussion. At a second table, Ambush the unit's Concealment Specialist was having a meal in the company of Mutt, the Joe Dog Handler.

    Solitaire sighed. She was still relatively new to the G.I. Joe Team to readily feel at ease & associate with her colleagues. Absently, she wished RipCord was present to join her for breakfast. She got along very well with the handsome H.A.L.O. Jumper, and the quickly became fast friends. Too bad he took a furlough to attend his sister's college graduation. Oh, well, she hoped he enjoyed his visiting his family.

    She focused on finishing her meal & was just taking a last sip of coffee when the small black gunmetal pager clipped to her slim waist quietly chimed. Reaching for it, she examined the short message it flashed:

    "Solitaire, Please Report To Briefing Room ASAP. Duke."

    Solitaire was thoughtful. 'Now what would Duke want to see me for?' she wondered. Still, as she left her table, she can't help but note she felt excited. When Duke, the G.I. Joe Team's acting First Sergeant called you, you can bet it had to do with something exciting. Which was just fine by her. With a spring in her step, she left the canteen.

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Continued in Part One!
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