THE TIES THAT BIND
BY: THE BARD

Chapter Three
Rule Britiana

  "Hey, have any of you guys seen Flint? He was supposed to meet me at the mess an hour ago."

  Shipwreck peered into the rec room. Ace, Gung-Ho, Alpine and Wild Bill were playing cards, and Bazooka was busy with the PlayStation. Looked like he was at 'Resident Evil' again. Still hadn't completed it.

  "I haven't seen him today," Alpine said, not bothering to look up from his cards. "Have you checked his office?"

  "Yeah...I just came from there." Man, where was he? They have a meeting with Duke and Hawk in 20 minutes, and he hadn't eaten.

  "You might want to check the heliport," Roadblock added as he emerged from the gym, "He was complaining about Chopper Three not running smoothly."

  "What?" Wild Bill nearly dropped his cards, "I told him I would fix that myself. He didn't need to bother..."

  Ace laughed "Yeah, right...'Third-in-Command' or not, you never stop being a pilot! And anyways, you know he likes to keep himself busy lately. Keeps his mind occupied, ever since..."

  He trailed off and an uncomfortable silence ensued.

  "Oy", Shipwreck thought as he turned to leave.

  As he made his way towards the helipad, he began thinking about what Ace had brought up. It had been a year since the 'incident', as he liked to call it. He had thought his friend would have been over it by now. Sure, he acted as if nothing happened. Worked just as hard, if not harder...immersing himself in his work. The casual observer would think that it was all behind him. They would be wrong.

  He couldn't stand to hear her name mentioned in his vicinity, hasn't gone out with any new people (that one date that Dusty set up was a disaster), and pretty much kept to himself. He was still hurting. To tell you the truth, they all were...she was a well-liked and respected member of the team. She was 'family'. Flint, for obvious reasons, just took it harder than most.

  As he approached the chopper, sure enough he saw a familiar figure crouched in the cockpit fiddling with the controls.

  "Flint! Hey!" He called, "Wasn't there something you were supposed to do at lunch?"

  He looked up from his work and waved "Sorry, Buddy...I guess I got caught up here. Had to get away from all that damn paperwork on my desk."

  "Did you at least remember the meeting?"

  "15 minutes from now...yes."

  He watched Flint working for a bit and his mind drifted back to the last time they had a meeting with Hawk, at the time of Lady Jaye's disappearance. Flint most likely was thinking the same thing, which would explain why he was out here doing some menial task to keep himself from brooding.

  It had been 48 hours since Lady Jaye made her flashy exit from the base. Snake Eyes had lost her when she had entered the British Consulate in town, and although he could have easily snuck in and grabbed her, Duke ordered him to break pursuit and return to base. Flint was delirious from worry and lack of sleep, and the rest of the base was buzzing with the news.

  They met in Duke's office...Snake Eyes, Beachhead, Scarlet, Flint and himself...waiting for the news. All were hoping that Jaye would be there as well...all hoping to hear that it was all a misunderstanding and everything was going to be fine. Well, all except Beachhead, who was practically foaming at the mouth at the prospect of catching this traitor and implicating Flint. He still resented loosing out on the CO position, and the tension between him and Flint was so thick you could see it. Shipwreck and Snake Eyes had discreetly positioned themselves between them in order to prevent any 'incidents'. Beachhead's jaw was still swollen from the last time.

  They all stood impatiently, waiting for Hawk to begin. He had just returned from the British Embassy in Washington, and was still in dress uniform. An imposing figure out of uniform, he looked positively intimidating in the crisp suit, numerous metals hanging off his chest.

  "Joes," he began, "by now all of you know what happened two days ago concerning the security breach. Needless to say I am disappointed that suspicions were not raised earlier..." at this he glanced at Flint. Beachhead barely suppressed a smirk.

  "...and that the perpetrator was allowed to escape in broad daylight from our own base", he turned to Beachhead, who paled visibly under the scrutiny.

  "That said there is no use rehashing things we cannot change. The damage has been done. We are now on clean up."

  "As you know, I have just come from a meeting with Britain's ambassador about this matter. My orders were clear. This case is closed. Lady Jaye is no longer with this organization."

  "That's it ?!" Flint strode forward and put his hands on his desk, "Where's Jaye? Is she alright?"

  "Flint," Duke put a hand on his shoulder to calm him "I know this has been tough on you...but show a little respect to our commander." Flint's military training, forgotten for a split second, came flooding back and he returned to attention.

  "I'm sorry Flint. All I can tell you is that she is fine. I am not at liberty to say anymore. She will not be coming back."

  "Where is she?" Scarlet asked calmly.

  "We don't know," Duke answered for the general, "We have been told to break of our investigation and pursuit of the suspect. That is all." Well, all Hawk chose to share with me, he thought...there are holes in this that are big enough for a small tank could roll through.

  "So we just let her go?" This from Beachhead, who wisely kept his distance from Flint "She betrayed us to the enemy and she gets away without so much as a slap on the hand?"

  "Unfortunately, yes. There are people higher up than I pulling rank here. My hands are tied."

  The General walked around to the front of the desk and leaned on it, sighing. "I will be sending out a memo with the gist of this meeting to the Joe team tonight. I thought it would be wise to inform you soldiers first, as you were closest to her." At this he stared at Flint.

  "Flint, as of now you are officially on leave for the week. Go. Take a break. Absorb what has happened. I need you back here in top form in 7 days."

  "Sir, I would rather..."

  "This wasn't a suggestion, soldier."

  "Yes, Sir"

  And that was it. Lady Jaye had betrayed them and disappeared without a trace. Shipwreck would be lying if he said that Flint hadn't looked for her. He had started the minute he left for his 'vacation'.

  "Flint, the General said we were not to pursue this," Scarlet told him as he packed his bags "I don't think it is wise to ignore that order."

  "He never said I couldn't do it in my free time." He answered as he packed his sidearm into his overnight bag.

  "Did you ever think to yourself she might not want to be found?"

  He didn't answer, just swung his bag over his shoulder and headed for his car, with Scarlet close behind.

  "Did you ever think to yourself that she might very well be guilty as charged?"

  He stopped and turned. "I know her, Scarlet. She would not have done what she did on her own. Something is very wrong here, and I will not stop until I discover the truth."

  "And if the truth is not what you want to hear."

  He frowned, "I will deal with that when it comes."

  Scarlet looked at him then...WHEN it comes. Not IF it comes. He has his doubts about her too. We all do.

  He never did find her. He went to Martha's Vineyard first, her 'home state', but no one had ever heard of her there. There was a Burnett that had a lovely old manor house on the water, but that had been sold some twenty years ago to an up and coming politician.

  He checked school records from Bryn Maur, visited the British Consulate (where, he might add, he was given the royal brush off), and with Mainframe's help he was even able to access US military records, all with no luck. It was as if she had never existed.

  As the months past, Flint slowly gave up hope of ever finding her again. His anger toward her grew. She had left him high and dry, looking like a fool. She had betrayed his trust. However much these emotions took over, deep down he still missed her...still had feelings for her.

  "Well, we had better get going," Shipwreck looked over to find his CO standing next to him wiping the grease off his hands, "sounds like this mission might be interesting. Duke is certainly being secretive about it."

  "Hopefully some good ol' fashioned COBRA stomping action. I've been sitting on my behind too long. I'm going to get rusty." Shipwreck rubbed his hands together in anticipation.

  Flint smiled, and his eyes narrowed in that wicked way they always did when he was about to go into battle.

*********************************************************************************

  "Hello passengers. This is your captain speaking. We are coming in to Heathrow Airport and should be cleared for landing soon. It's a crisp fall day in London, the temperature is..."

  Flint sat back and stretched out his legs. This was the first time a mission had required first class air travel, and you didn't see him complaining. He looked over at Scarlet, Shipwreck, and Snakes, all of whom seemed to be enjoying themselves, although Shipwreck was still sour that he wasn't allowed to partake of the open bar. Undercover or not, they were still on duty.

  "I say Chap...it looks like we you are going to have some nice weather for your stay here. Always a plus. You know what the weather can be like this time of year, being a Cambridge boy and all..."

  He looked over at the man sitting next to him and nodded. His name was Major Calum MacKenzie, a member of RAF and the Joe teams military contact while in the British Isles. They had met at the base two days ago when Hawk told them of their new assignment.

  Flint frowned as he went over the details in his mind, an exercise he always went through when he received his orders. He wasn't happy about his new task, and was less than thrilled at the paltry amount of information he had been given to work with. His thoughts drifted back to the meeting.

  "You are probably all curious as to why I called you all here on such short notice", General Hawk looked around the room a the Joes he had handpicked for the mission. "Unfortunately, things are going down in the British Isles as we speak, and we have been called in to assist."

  He gestured and a gentleman in an RAF uniform moved forward.

  "This is Major Mackenzie, on loan to us from the Brits. He will be setting you up with agents in the field. Once you hit the ground there, you are not to contact him unless it is an absolute emergency. Major?"

  "Thank you General. This past year, we have been monitoring COBRA activity in the United Kingdom. Usually, the presence of the terrorist organization on our shores is minimal. A couple of enemy agents snooping around, maybe a glimpse of the Commander and the Baroness. We have engaged a couple of times, but mostly we are content to monitor the situation...gather what information we can..."

  "COBRA activity in Scotland should be expected, shouldn't it?". This from Scarlet, "It is, of course, Destro's home base."

  "Correct. However, for the past couple of months, our agents have noticed increased activity in the area. It is highly unusual for Destro to allow that much COBRA activity near his castle. Now we find enemy troops are crawling all over the place."

  "Destro is COBRA." Shipwreck added, "Nothing unusual about that. So you want us to go and blow up a few snakes?"

  The Major smiled. "Ah...yes...you must be Shipwreck. Well, no, not exactly. If such was the case the British forces could certainly handle it themselves. This mission will be subtler. More covert. It is our belief that something big is about to go down, we want you to find out what. We have..."

  At this, Hawk interrupted. "Sorry Major, let me continue for you. You four will be accompanying the Major back to Britain under cover. You will be flying first class to Heathrow in civilian clothes with absolutely no military equipment or insignia. No uniforms, no weapons, no gadgets, no dog tags...nothing. As far as anyone will be concerned, you are just tourists visiting family in the area. Once there, Major Mackenzie will hook you up with two agents hand picked for this task. You will be briefed on the details once you meet up."

  "No weapons?"

  "You will be provided what you need once you settle in to your 'quarters'", this from the Brit "Everything is arranged, all you need do is show up."

  Hawk turned to Flint. "Flint, you are to lead this mission. You are to listen to the agents there and follow their lead. They are trained for this type of operation and know the country better. However, if there is any danger to the team, I expect you to pull rank. Understand?"

  "Yes sir" Flint replied.

  "Scarlet, Snake Eyes, Shipwreck. You are to accompany him and help him gather whatever information we need. Work as a team, and please include the agents in the decision-making. They are there to help."

  "Yes sir", they replied in unison.

  "Well then, don't just stand there. Get yourself packed! And Good Luck!"

  "YO JOE!"

  On his way out Flint overheard Duke and Hawk whispering.

  "Hawk, I think you should have told him who he will be working with there. I don't think it is a good idea to send them in cold..."

  He didn't catch the rest.

  "Hey, Flint...er, I mean Dash...wake up, We're here."

  He turned to see Scarlet standing over him. Sure enough, they had landed. As they made their way off the plane and through the airport, Flint kept going through Duke's last remark. What could it possibly mean?

  "Ah there he is," The Major said as he walked through the door to the passenger pick up area. Scarlet stopped so suddenly that Shipwreck nearly ploughed into her.

  "Hey...what's the deal?"

  Flint had stopped as well, fighting down a very strong urge to rush forward and pummel the well-dressed figure standing in front of a Range Rover. "Well, I guess that explains it..." he thought to himself.

  "Gentlemen, and Lady...I would like you to meet one of your 'hosts' during your stay here in Merry ol' England. May I introduce you to Sir William Harcourt..."

  Lady Jaye's friend Will stepped forward, smiling. "No introductions necessary old boy, I believe we've already met."

*********************************************************************************

  Scarlet sat back and enjoyed the scenery while she listened to Will explain a bit more about why they were here. They had left the city limits and were heading north at a good clip, the rolling countryside of rural England awash in fall colors.

  Flint sat on the passenger side, listening intently, interrupting with a question every now and then. She was surprised at his self-control. She had fully expected him to loose it at the airport, and admired his reaction in this awkward situation. Flint's ability to focus on the mission despite his personal feelings about the job or the people he was working with was one of the reasons he rose in the Joe ranks so quickly. One of the reasons he was considered to be one of the best officers they had.

  He hadn't mentioned Jaye at all. Scarlet herself was curious about what he might have to say about the events of last year, but didn't feel it was the right time to ask. Surely he knew where she was...where she had been hiding all this time.

  She was also wondering how he ended up being a member of this team. They had all assumed that he had been part of that whole LJ fiasco to begin with. Why would Hawk choose him to help us with this mission? From the look on the others faces, they were all thinking the same thing.

  "Stop looking for conspiracies where none exist, " she chided herself, thinking she had better stop watching so many X-Files reruns, "of course Hawk would choose him. He is head of Mi-6 operations in the US after all."

  Scarlet focused in on the conversation taking place...

  "Two years ago, 'His Majesty's Secret Service' became aware of a deepening power struggle between Cobra Commander and Destro. The arms dealer, it seems, had not been happy with the leadership of the organization for some time, but we suspect that it was the Baroness who drove him to finally put his thoughts into actions and move against the head snake."

  "Of course, this was done gradually and with great secrecy. It was a dangerous game Destro was playing...even our agents on the inside had trouble following his moves. In fact, it wasn't until last year that we had a breakthrough and discovered what was going on."

  "What was this 'breakthrough'?", Flint asked calmly. He caught it too...last year would be about the time LJ met with Destro and then disappeared.

  Will looked over and considered the Warrant Officer for a few seconds before replying "That is classified. Suffice it to say it opened us up to a whole bevy of information about the goings on between the two leaders."

  He continued..."As you have probably already been told, we have noticed of late an increased amount of COBRA activity on the countryside, all centered around Destro's castle. They have been quiet, but it is very unusual for Destro to allow so many COBRA operatives in his territory. Especially given the situation with the Commander. What's even more disturbing is that he has been seen cooperating with them..."

  "What are they up to here...are they planning some sort of attack? Is it a show of force to keep Destro in line?" She asked, her interest peaked.

  "We are not sure...they seem to be looking for something...searching...for what we are not sure. That is what we need you for. We need you to indiscreetly find out what the heck is going on and help us nip it in the bud before its too late."

  "So we are going to be playing James Bond after all." This from Shipwreck. Will laughed. "No, that would be me...."

  "Seriously, though...you are the best men...and woman...for the job. You are the COBRA experts. You have dealt with all of these figures before...you know them. Ah, here we are..."

  Will turned the truck through a set of elaborate rod-iron gates and onto a long cobblestone tree lined drive. It was stunning. To either side the most beautiful horses ran in lovely landscaped wood fenced fields, here and there she caught sight of a foal and his mother lying in the sun. Then they came to the end of the path and Scarlet couldn't hold back a gasp.

  "Holy..."

  They had come to a circular drive in front of a huge manor house that looked like it was ripped from the pages of a Jane Austin classic.

  "Welcome to your home away from home." Will smiled as he pulled up in front of the house, where what looked like a maid and butler where making their way down the fronts steps towards the car.

  "You live here?" Shipwreck asked, incredulous. Even silent Snake Eye's was staring wide eyed at the property.

  "Huh?...what was that?...no no", he smiled, " I have a townhouse in London. This is the home of the other agent assigned to you."

  "Hello William, we weren't expecting you and your friends until later tonight. Brian, please take their bags to their rooms."

  "That won't be necessary..." Flint began...

  "Oh, tut-tut, don't be silly...Brian?"

  "Of course. Would you be having tea at 4 pm, Sir?"

  "Yes...in the greenhouse please." William answered "Where is she?"

  "In the stables, sir...as Margaret said, we weren't expecting you so soon."

  "Come then, I'll take you." Scarlet and the other Joes turned to follow Will down a path to the right of the home. In the distance, hidden behind a small wooded area, lay a good-sized stable and arena. A couple of people were in the outside rings riding and there were two or three horses in the parking area being walked on lead. It was quite picturesque.

  "Some time ago the family decided that the stables were too big for just their own personal riding horse, and opened it up to the public." William explained as they drew nearer, "some of the nations top riders have trained here, boarded their animals here. It has become one of the most exclusive and sought after riding clubs in the country."

  "The horses are lovely."

  "Yes...they are. The family has established quite a strong bloodline of Hanoverian and Trakhener sport horses..." They entered the stable and Scarlet stopped to admire the lovely black horse standing patiently on cross ties just inside.

  "He is magnificent", she went to pet his soft nose and grinned in pleasure as he whickered softly and nuzzled her hand.

  "That's Othello, which means..."

  A voice came to them from around the corner.

  "Liz, have you seen my lead. I am sure I left it on my tack box before I went out and...oh wait, here it is."

  That voice...Scarlet stopped. There was an accent to it, but it sounded familiar. She looked back to see Flint standing rigid at the entrance.

  "Ok, 'thello, time to go out and..."

  Around the corner came a familiar figure. She froze at the sight of them...her hair was longer, but there was no mistaking who it was. Flint looked ready to collapse.

  "Ahem..." William broke the silence, "May I introduce your host and Mi-6 liason, Lady Sarah Alison Burnett..."

  "You, of course, knew her as Lady Jaye."

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Continued in Chapter Four!
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