TARGET OF OPPORTUNITY
BY: KIM FITZSIMMONS

Part Three
Come Into My Parlor 

    Stalker questioned some of the guests with Snake Eyes and finally found someone who had seen Scarlett on the balcony just before she disappeared. It was a British dignitary and his wife, both in their early 60's.

    The gentleman spoke to Stalker, "We were on the balcony shortly after 10. You see, my Lillian started feeling a bit faint, so we came out for some fresh air."

    His wife then added, "We took notice of the young lady when she came outside, lovely girl. Anyway, she looked rather flustered, like she needed to think about something. I whispered to Joseph that we should leave her alone with her thoughts. The poor dear, we would never have left her alone had we known there was a kidnapper about. I do hope she isn't hurt!" The gray haired lady was very genuinely concerned about the 'helpless' young lady's welfare.

    Stalker patted her hand reassuringly, "We hope so too ma'am. Thank you both very much for your help." After the couple left Stalker was thinking aloud, "What could have left Scarlett that flustered?"

    Then he half jumped as behind him Snake Eyes angrily punched the wall with his fist. Snake Eyes signed to Stalker, still very agitated. Stalker was confused, "What do you mean , it's your fault?"

    Snake Eyes signed his thoughts, "I danced with her right before she went out there. I...wanted to let her know how I felt. When we stopped dancing I could tell it had an affect on her. Because of me she was distracted and wasn't able to defend herself." Snake Eyes was still obviously very angry with himself, and Stalker didn't know what to say to mollify him.

    Just then the gentleman they had been talking to came back and said, "I just remembered one more thing. As Lillian and I came back inside, we passed a man who was standing near the balcony doors. He was talking quietly to himself and something about him bothered me. Maybe it was because he looked a bit like a pirate with that eye patch." As he mentioned the eye patch Stalker and Snake Eyes looked at each other knowingly, the man went on, "I know it's probably nothing, but I thought I should mention it anyway."

    Stalker shook his hand, "You don't know how helpful you've been. Thanks again."
    
    As the older man left Stalker turned to Snake Eyes, "Eye patch, huh. How much you wanna bet that's Major Bludd. He was the mole, talking into a hidden microphone, relaying the info on hostages he'd chosen to the outside guy. Now we know who. We just have to figure out where."

    Cover Girl and Hawk joined them and Stalker filled them in. Cover Girl digested the information and then asked in a worried tone, "What do you think they'll do to her?"

    Stalker looked over to Snake Eyes, who was gripping the marble balcony railing so hard it looked as if he might crush it. Then Stalker answered, "Well if they hurt her, I sure wouldn't want to be in their shoes when Snake Eyes gets a hold of them." As Stalker said this he felt kind of sorry for the Cobras. Kind of.

* * * * * * * *

    Cobra Commander sat in a chair, feeling extraordinarily pleased with himself. He'd sent his ransom demands to the appropriate people, now all he had to do was sit back and wait for them to agree to his price. Well, he did have one more thing to do, and it involved his beautiful red-headed prisoner.

    Major Bludd sat across from him and Storm Shadow stood in a protective position behind him. Major Bludd spoke up, "What are your plans for our Joe prisoner, Commander?"

    Cobra Commander answered, "Well, first of all she is a valuable source of information on the Joe's defense systems as well as other military info. Once I glean that from her she can provide our troops with some entertainment."

    Major Bludd's cold eyes gleamed in anticipation, but he had to add, "To get the information from her we will probably have to use torture. She is exceptionally strong willed."

    Cobra Commander smiled unpleasantly underneath his mask, "Are you familiar with Dr.Venom's methods?"
    
    Major Bludd answered, "You mean the brainwave scanner? Has it ever been used on a woman? I mean, I've heard it is excruciatingly painful, will she be able to tolerate it physically?"

    Cobra Commander chuckled, "Worried she might die before you get a chance at her, Major? Don't underestimate that woman's strength. Many of my troops have died at her hands because they made that mistake."

    Storm Shadow covered the mild surprise on his face as Cobra Commander spoke to him, "Storm Shadow, Major Bludd and I will be in the interrogation area if you would be so good as to escort our lovely guest to join us."

    Storm Shadow bowed slightly, "Of course, Commander." He then headed for Scarlett's cell.

* * * * * * * *

    Scarlett was pacing in her cell like a caged tigress, trying to think a way out of the mess she was in. She jumped as a voice spoke, "Cobra Commander wishes to see you."

    It was Storm Shadow. Scarlett just looked at him before she replied, "And if I don't want to see him?"

    He didn't blink or show a bit of reaction, just responded simply, "One way or another, you WILL go." As he said this he opened the cell door and stood there quietly, waiting for her to defy him again.

    Instead she stood tall and proud, said, "I'll walk." and walked out the door past him with all the dignity of a queen.

    He walked behind her, where he could keep an eye on her and direct her to where cobra Commander was waiting. Storm Shadow's admiration for this was growing by the minute. She had to know she was walking towards the place where she would be tortured and eventually killed. But there were no tears, no pleas for mercy, no attempts to use feminine wiles to sway him. Truly, her inner strength was incredible. She certainly didn't deserve the fate that awaited her.

* * * * * * * *

    As Scarlett entered the room Cobra Commander bowed mockingly to her, "So good of you to grace us with your presence my lady!"

    She stood ramrod straight, her eyes full of disdain and replied, "Did I have a choice?"

    Cobra Commander answered, "Sadly no. You see my dear, I require information from you and since I know you will never give it willingly, I'm afraid we must resort to other means." He then pointed out the brainwave scanner and started to explain what it was.

    But Snake Eyes had been victim to the insidious device and had told her about it, so she cut Cobra Commander off, "I know what it is." Ice dripped from her voice.

    "Ah yes, I should have known you've been told of it. Your mute paramour has been introduced to the scanner before. Well, I'd say you can compare notes later, but...I won't insult your intelligence. "

    Scarlett calmly finished the statement he left hanging, "You have no intention of letting me leave here alive." Her tone said she didn't like being patronized.

    Cobra Commander laughed, "My you are a clever kitten! Beauty and brains. What an asset you are to your team. Pity..."

    Scarlett betrayed no fear as she was strapped into the brainwave scanner. Even as it began its torturous invasion of her mind she remained stoic. The pain began to wrack her body, sweat began to bead on her forehead. Spasms began in her spine, shaking her body as shards of glass seemed to stab into her mind. But she did not cry out and stubbornly kept thoughts of G.I.Joe far from her mind.

    Cobra Commander watched impatiently as the view screen showed images of Scarlett's childhood, her teen years, her early military training, anything but G.I.Joe. He mused to Major Bludd, "Hmmm, her mind is much stronger than I thought, turn up the power level."

    Major Bludd turned up the power level of the scanner and the resulting jolt sent a shock wave of agony through Scarlett's body and a soft gasp escaped between her lips. Cobra Commander crossed his arms and smirked, "Now we'll get somewhere."

______________________________________________________

Concluded in Part Four!
Back to Kim's Fics!
Back to Authors Page!