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02-14-2020, 10:20 AM | #1 |
Cobra Viper
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: florida
Posts: 339
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Laughter is the Best Venom
Preface: Two Gi Joe teams led by Stalker chased a contingent of Cobras carrying a deadly weaponized virus into Gotham City. The Joes battled the Cobras at a chemical plant and munitions factory, and were victorious with the assistance of a mysterious combatant, who turned out to be The Batman. (See Cobras in the Dark City 1 and 2) As Batman and the assembled Joes; Stalker, Snake eyes, Tripwire and Rumbler, looked down on the dead Toxoviper with the rictus grin, the team from the chemical plant battle arrived. In unison Beachhead, Clutch, Shockwave, and Airtight exited their Vamp and walked towards the other Joes, and then all of them stopped, in unison. All of their eyes were on the large, muscular man wearing a cowl and cape. “That’s …” Airtight started to say. “It’s Batman. He’s real, not a myth, and he’s on our side. Now you’re all caught up,” Stalker stated matter of factly. “Not entirely,” Beachhead said while pointing down at the deceased Cobra trooper. “What’s with the pale complexion, creepy smile, and that mini “Bang” flag impaled in his chest?” “Was he exposed to the Panbola virus in the canister?” queried Airtight. “No,” Batman stated emphatically. “This is Joker venom. I know it well.” “The Joker?” Shockwave intoned. “That lunatic is well known in law enforcement circles.” “If he can do this, what does he want with the virus the Toxoviper had?” Clutch asked. Batman replied, “Somehow he knows that Cobra has created a deadly new threat. Most likely he wants to add it to his catalogue and probably combine it with some of his own toxins. He may be a lunatic, but he is a Mozart when it comes to creating deadly concoctions.” “Then we need to put a round in this Joker’s head and get the canister with the virus back.” Beachhead said without a hint of remorse. “This is my city, and no one conducts targeted assassinations in it,” Batman stated with finality. “We’re a military unit,” Beachhead retorted. “Operating in a US city filled with US citizens,” Batman responded. “You may have special dispensation to work on American soil, but a few calls through Justice League channels could get that rescinded. I am sure that your superiors are already scrambling to deal with the carnage at the chemical plant and the munitions factory.” “Ok. We don’t need to go down that route,” Stalker said, “but if you had ended the Joker’s threat years ago, we wouldn’t be in this predicament now.” “I’ve come close a few times and it’s a good thing I didn’t, because I’ve seen what happens when a Batman does just that, and it leads to far worse things.” Batman countered. “What are you talking about?” Clutch asked in a perplexed manner. Batman answered, “I don’t have time to explain the Multiverse and Dark Multiverse, but it’s like…” “Worlds without end,” Tripwire excitedly finished for him. “Alternate universes. There might even be one where Cobra wins and the Joes die.” “Well, that isn’t this universe,” Stalker emphatically stated. “Cobra is not winning, the Joes aren’t dying, and we are getting that canister back.” “Damn right,” Beachhead agreed. “I assume you have some idea how to find this Joker,” Rumbler asked while wincing from the pain in his shoulder where he took an arrow from a cobra ninja earlier. “Yes, I do, but you need more medical attention than the first aid your teammates gave you. I know a physician in Gotham who runs a clinic that can help.” Batman advised. “Thanks, but we are going to get him to a nearby reserve unit air base for some immediate treatment, and from there fly him back to our headquarters for follow up.” Stalker replied. “Clutch, take one of the Vamps and drive him to the base. You and Tripwire are going on the plane to accompany him back to HQ.” “Why does Airtight get to stay?” Tripwire asked. “They need me to deal with the virus in that canister.” Airtight retorted. “I have the equipment necessary to handle it,” Batman answered. “That’s how I knew the canister at the chemical plant was empty. Still it’s useful to have other experienced personnel on hand.” “Does that mean that I don’t get a ride in the Batmobile?” Tripwire asked dejectedly. “No you don’t, but you do get to help Gotham’s Finest handle the booby-trapped body that Cobra left in front of the munitions factory.” Stalker answered. “Ok. I can do that,” Tripwire responded, knowing that he still had a job to accomplish. He then headed back to the field in front of the munitions factory. “Man, I would love to get behind the wheel of that car,” Clutch said while looking longingly at the Batmobile. “Thanks for ruining that for me Rumbler,” Clutch joked. “I’m sorry,” Rumbler replied in mock contrition. “I should have realized that my getting wounded would put a damper on your day.“ Stalker turned to his other teammates, “Beachhead, Shockwave, Airtight, and Snake Eyes. You guys are with me in the other Vamp. We’re going to take care of our Cobra problem.” “What leads do you have to get us where we need to go?” Shockwave asked Batman. “The Joker likes to think that he is unpredictable, but he plays to type. Right now he is undoubtedly heading someplace where he can test the virus, make it even deadlier, and then decide who to use it on. He works quickly.” “How is he going to find lab animals at this time of night to test them on?” Airtight asked. “He doesn’t use animals. He’ll kidnap someone or just use a henchman if the mood fits him.” Batman replied. “Sounds worse than working for Cobra.” Clutch snorted. At that moment several police cars arrived with lights and sirens. One unmarked car came up to where Batman and the Joes were standing. Stepping out of the car was a gray haired man wearing a long trench coat. The man’s face was haggard but purposeful. “Commissioner” Batman said, acknowledging Jim Gordon, Gotham’s Police Commissioner, and one of the few people Batman considered a friend. “Batman,” Gordon responded. “This place and the chemical plant are crime scene nightmares. But when isn’t a Gotham crime scene a nightmare? I received a call from a General Clayton Abernathy about this whole thing. I can’t say I’m happy about having a terrorist group and a secret military unit fighting it out on Gotham soil without so much as a heads up.” “I understand Jim, but as you can see,” Batman said while pointing at the body of the dead Toxoviper, “We have bigger problems than a messy crime scene.” “Oh dear God. Not him again.” Gordon said while closing his eyes and pinching his nose as if to ward off a headache. At that moment Gordon’s phone rang. He looked at it and reluctantly answered it with an air of resignation. “Uh huh. O.k. That’s strange. You’re sure about that? You haven’t touched the body have you? Good. Just stay there and wait for the crime scene unit.” Gordon hung up and shook his head mumbling, “And the night keeps getting better.” “Another murder?” Batman asked keenly interested. “Yes, a man was found in the basement of a nearby building. Someone repeatedly smashed his head into the wall. The odd thing is that there are no signs of a struggle, as if this guy just let it happen.” “The Joker was involved,” Batman stated with certainty. “How do you know?” Gordon asked with a puzzled look. “The Joker can tweak his poisons to drive a man to such a degree of insanity that he willing injures himself and/ or others. Call your officer and tell him to get out of that room and to not let anyone else enter.” As they were talking Tripwire came up to report to Stalker. “Sergeant, the Gotham bomb squad and I were able to render safe the booby trap set by the night creepers. We can start back with Rumbler now.” “Good. Now you guys get moving to the airbase. We’ll follow Batman to the factory. Batman turned to Stalker, “Sergeant Wilkinson, your vehicle won’t be able to keep up. I think I should take Corporal Schnurr with me to examine that body, and he can keep in radio contact with your team to guide them to our location.” Hearing Batman’s offer, Tripwire stopped in his tracks and his face fell in disappointment. Clutch grabbed his shoulder and pushed Tripwire to keep walking. “Come on Trip, we can be miserable together.” Stalker accepted Batman’s invitation on one condition, “In the field it’s Stalker and code names for the rest of my team, unless you want to share your secret identity with me.” Stalker didn’t bother to ask how Batman knew his or Airtight’s names, which were supposed to be classified. The Batmobile roared through the dark streets of Gotham. As the speeding behemoth passed by those denizens of the city intent on committing criminal acts, they invariably felt a chill run down their spine and more than one felt a warm trickle run down their legs. All of them immediately stopped what they were doing and returned to whatever den served as their residence for the night. Airtight for his part was wondering if Batman would let him take a selfie in the vehicle, but thought better than to ask the taciturn individual in the driver seat. Batman brought the powerful vehicle to a stop in front of the factory. He went to the trunk and retrieved a high-tech face mask, a self-breathing apparatus, and a pair of additional gloves. Airtight looked at Batman’s gear and stated, “I am guessing your equipment wasn’t built by the lowest bidder.” Batman and Airtight entered the building and went down to the basement. They passed the officer in front of the closed door where the body was located, and went into the room. Airtight went straight to the body to test it for the Cobra enhanced virus, while Batman examined the wall where the subject’s head impacted. “No sign of the virus,” Airtight said with a sigh of relief. “That responding officer is safe.” Batman looked at the body. He ignored the bloody head and took a look at the man’s eyes and throat. “This is definitely the Joker’s work. The man was injected with Joker venom which in addition to making him repeatedly bash his own head into the wall, caused him to laugh so uncontrollably that he burst blood vessels in his eyes and damaged his larynx.” “To what purpose?” Airtight queried. “I think Joker wants to infect a large number of people with a combination of the Cobra virus and Joker venom. When those people come down with symptoms of the virus, they will be taken in for treatment. Subsequently, the Joker venom will activate causing the afflicted to attack other patients and medical personnel and in turn infecting them. In addition, their hysterical laughter will help spread the airborne virus to those that they don’t physically touch.” “To get maximum exposure the virus would have to be dispersed in the air at such an elevation that the winds could carry it across the city,” Airtight advised, “And the weather for tonight is calling for just such winds.” Batman looked at the body one more time and removed an ID card from the man’s wallet. “I know where the Joker plans to release the virus; at the newly constructed Aparo Hotel. This man is a construction supervisor with the union that has the contract for the hotel’s construction. That hotel is also located adjacent to the Gotham Airport.” “That would not only allow for the virus to spread across the city, but to also infect airline passengers traveling across the country and the rest of the globe,” Airtight stated. “Absolute maximum dispersal.” As Batman and Airtight exited the hotel, Stalker’s team arrived. Batman quickly brought them up to speed and Stalker exchanged places with Airtight in the Batmobile so that Stalker could conduct recon of the hotel before his team arrived. The Batmobile arrived in the vicinity of the hotel and went into whisper mode allowing it to silently glide to a stop near the building. The two men exited the vehicle and crouched near some ornamental trees that provided them with concealment. They raised their respective binoculars and examined the entire façade. Batman turned to Stalker. “We are most likely going to be outmanned and outgunned. Can your team take the south entrance?” “Yes, but I am going to send Snake Eyes in on the west. He operates well on his own, like you.” “Ok. I’m going in now. Joker’s expecting me. Hopefully, he thinks your team never made it out of the firefights.” Batman started towards the building but before he began his ascent up the side of the building he saw a shimmer in his peripheral vision. He paused for a second, narrowed his eyes, and then started his climb. The Vamp rolled up and Stalker met with his team. “Snake, you are going in on the west side. Get in position and give us a sit rep on your digital communicator. Batman already went in so if things go south before we make entry take your best shot.” Stalker, Shockwave, Beachhead, and Airtight set up at a rear door and prepared to breach it. Before they could do so they heard gunfire and an explosion. “Stealth is out the window now. Blow the door Shockwave.” Shockwave detonated the charges and the quartet stormed into the building. Batman had scaled the building and come through an upper level window and moved quietly through the building. Once he gained access to the large ballroom on the top floor, he could see his eternal adversary, Joker sitting on a throne adorned with the familiar theatre masks representing sorrow and laughter. The canister with the Panbola virus stood in what looked a mortar launching tube next to him. Several men in clown masks and automatic weapons surrounded the dais that led up to Joker’s exalted position. Batman could hear the Joker musing out loud. “It didn’t take long to figure out how to add to this sweet little gift from Trucial Abysmia. Now when someone is exposed to it, they ultimately die violently, painfully, and with the same happy grin that my Joker venom delivers. I should definitely be able to take credit for this improvement, and maybe even sell batches of it to some of those rebels in places like Sierra Gordo and Sierra Muerte. All I know is that they better not try and cheat me out of my royalties like they did with my Joker fish. That one still frosts me.” A voice then shouted out from the darkness, “While my employer gladly appreciates your refinement of the virus, he is quite possessive of items that he covets. Turn over the canister and I might not take your head off. After all, my contract only demands that I obtain the virus.” Batman knew who that voice belonged to, and he also knew that this situation had become even deadlier than he had anticipated. Snake Eyes had made his way to the main area opposite from where Batman was located. He too had observed the Joker and his henchman. He relayed this information to Stalker via his electronic device attached to one forearm. Snake Eyes was weighing his options when he saw a heavily armed man enter and address Joker. Though he was unfamiliar with this man, he could tell by his movements that he was a skilled fighter. Joker observed the speaker with amusement. “Oh my, who could be so interested in my work that they would send the world’s preeminent assassin and mercenary to my door? Not Bane. He would want to be here himself. Riddler would have to have some inane clues strewn about first. A deadly virus is not Penguin’s style. How about my frenemy, Lex Luthor? No, he would have required that you say his name right off the bat. He’s very vain.“ Joker thought for a second more, snapped his fingers and joyfully exulted, “I know. It’s that globe traveling, fashion daring man from the Far East, or is it the Middle East? Anyway, it’s the man who won’t stay dead. My favorite immortal, Ras Al Ghul!” Joker said the last bit while jumping off his chair and spreading his arms in a wide gesture as if introducing a carnival act. “Maybe you’re not as crazy as they say Joker, unless of course you don’t give me what I want. Then you would be crazy and suicidal,” the visitor threatened. Standing behind the speaker were several members of Al Ghul’s League of Assassins. They were attired in uniforms that appeared to be a cross between a ninja outfit, ancient Middle Eastern assassin garb, and modern body armor. Behind these men were two hulking shapes obscured in darkness. Smiling broadly Joker replied, “While it would be interesting to see what the old Demon’s Head would do with this little treasure, I just have such exciting plans that I can’t spare any deadly toxins today. In fact I plan to use this Cobra launcher that I borrowed from a dead trooper to fire this canister high into the air so the Joker-Cobra virus (I get top billing) can spread far and wide and everyone can partake in the fun. Boys, please kindly escort these fine gentlemen off the premises. They are woefully underdressed for such a momentous occasion.” With the Joker’s command, gunfire and explosions commenced between the opposing groups and Batman and Snake Eyes leapt into the fray. At the same time Stalker and the rest of the Joes blew open the locked doors preventing their access to the main event. They were immediately met by members of the League of Assassins and the two hulking forms that unexpectedly rose up into the air. (continued in the next post) |
02-14-2020, 10:38 AM | #2 |
Cobra Viper
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: florida
Posts: 339
|
Snake Eyes and Batman both made for the canister by Joker’s side, but had to first battle through henchmen and assassins. Despite Batman’s admonition against killing, Snake Eyes did not have a choice in the matter as he was attacked by assailants armed with firearms, and or edged weapons, and he did not have the same high tech armor that Batman wore.
Observing the deadly efficiency with which Snake Eyes dispatched his opponents, the man who had challenged Joker now moved to intercept the commando ninja. Snake Eyes saw that the man wore lightweight armor and carried expensive firearms, and an exquisite sword of his own. The man’s face was covered by a mask split down the center, and with only one eye hole visible. The man addressed Snake Eyes, “You fight well stranger. You’ve had some serious military and martial arts training, to include ninjutsu if I am not mistaken. Nevertheless, all of that together won’t save you, because you’re facing Deathstroke the Terminator now, and I’m better than you in every way.” The two men initially started out with their firearms, Snake Eyes firing his Uzi, while Deathstroke relying on twin Beretta 92FS pistols. Despite both being deadly shots they faced adversaries who were well practiced in the art of not getting shot. Deathstroke was enhanced through a military experiment, and his brain could actually process information faster than a normal human being. He could almost tell where his opponent’s rounds would impact. Snake Eyes did not have such enhancements, however, he was the most adept member of the deadliest ninja clan the world has ever known. He had had more bullets and other projectiles fired at him than entire military divisions. The two men closed to within sword fighting range and their blades clashed sending sparks into the air. They thrust and parried with the skill of European fencing masters combined with Japanese kenjutsu masters, mixing the variant styles into seamless attacks and defenses. When their blades locked together they incorporated unarmed strikes and grappling techniques into their battle. Neither gave or asked any quarter and the outcome of the battle could not be predicted. Despite wanting to assist Snake Eyes in his fight with the world’s deadliest assassin, Batman knew that he had to reach the Joker and gain possession of the canister that posed a threat to untold number of people. Batman had almost reached the dais where the Joker sat when he caught a glimpse of that shimmer again, this time off to his left. Batman dove behind a concrete column as bullets tore into it, sending bits of concrete flying through the air. He could see muzzle flashes but there was nothing behind them. No visible gun. Batman did not let the perplexing situation paralyze him, and he immediately threw a batarang at the unseen source of the flashes. When the batarang hit something solid an explosion occurred and the assailant behind the attack became visible. This individual wore a high-tech armored suit that covered his entire body. The bullet firing mechanism attached to the armored forearm was now sparking with wires sticking out of it. It had been rendered useless by Batman’s throw. The assailant spoke through the modulated amplifier in his mask. “The name is Wraith. I have been hired by Cobra Commander to ensure that Cobra’s plans for the toxin were not hampered by any unexpected complications. The Joker is one such complication, and you are another. I’ll end that cackling clown’s existence right after I deal with you. It’s not personal. It’s just business. With that, a long blade emerged from Wraith’s other forearm’s armor. Wraith pressed another button, and he vanished from sight. Batman crouched down and tried to listen for his opponent’s approach among the deafening roar of the battle raging around him. While Snake Eyes and Batman dealt with their individual opponents, the other Joes; Stalker, Beachhead, Shockwave and Airtight were left to deal with the League of Assassins, who were skilled combatants in their own right. What made matters worse, was that the two large creatures that took to the air turned out to be giant human bats with weapons. Unbeknownst to the Joes, these were manbats created using a version of Dr. Kirk Langstrom’s formula that made him the first Manbat. These creatures began firing at the Joes from on high while other members of the League fired at the Joes from a ground angle. In addition, those members not shooting at the Joes, were trying to flank the Joes’ position with long bladed weapons. Though they took cover, the Joes did not have an enviable position from which to defend themselves. Despite this, Stalker continued to give commands to his men. “Shockwave, you and Airtight are gonna bring down those flying rejects from a Steven King novel. Beachhead, those on the ground firing at us are yours. I’ll handle the knife fighters. And here they all come.” At that moment the three lines of attack pressed forward to overrun the outmanned Joes. As Batman awaited Wraith’s attack, he pulled his cape in front of his body almost like a matador awaiting a raging bull’s charge. As the unseen blade thrust towards Batman it first impaled the cape. Batman quickly ensnared the blade in the folds of the cape and pulled it forward while simultaneously thrusting an elbow out where he anticipated Wraith’s face would be. The elbow impacted with a solid object and Wraith gave out a painful grunt. Batman then pulled out a vial from his belt and smashed it on the ground. Gas rose up and appeared to stick to Wraith making him visible. Batman took the opportunity to snap the blade off of Wraith’s armor then drive a palm heel strike into his face sending him stumbling backwards. “How,” Wraith incredulously asked. “It’s a lead based primer and it sticks to objects rendering the invisible visible. I’ve fought beings with cloaking devices before, including an alien Predator. In that company you just don’t stack up. Batman then surged forward and proceeded to dismantle Wraith with a barrage of hand and leg strikes until Wraith was laid out on the floor motionless. Batman then turned his attention to where the Joker was located only to find that both he and the canister were gone. At that same moment a loud explosion blew open a gaping hole in the floor near where the Joker had been. Snake Eyes and Deathstroke had fought furiously and exchanged several disabling blows, leaving both men unsteady on their feet. Both men also bled from several slashes, but none of the cuts were lethal. Deathstroke recommenced his attack by hurling a throwing dagger at Snake Eyes face, which was intended to prevent him from seeing Deathstroke’s follow up sword thrust. However, Snake Eyes snatched the dagger from the air and continued with the momentum spinning around and then releasing the blade back at Deathstroke. Deathstroke had to raise his arm to deflect the blade causing his sword thrust to go off target. Snake Eyes used this opportunity to move past Deathstroke’s outstretched sword arm, hook the arm at the shoulder joint and reap backwards with his leg causing Deathstroke’s legs to leave the ground and his back to hit the ground with a heavy thud. This gave Snake Eyes the opening he needed to drive his own knife between a seam in Deathstroke’s armor. However, before he could perform his finishing move, a loud explosion occurred and the gaping hole appeared. As the Joes came under attack by the members of the League of Assassins and their pet manbats, they automatically fell back into teamwork mode. While the Joes were each masters of their particular disciplines and overall exceptional special ops personnel, it was together as a military unit that they were unsurpassed. Several assassins lay at Stalker’s feet where they had fallen after being taken down by his kukri blade. Shockwave proved to be a far more proficient combat shooter than those assassins who had chosen firearms over the traditional edged weapons. Beachhead and Airtight had managed to keep the attacking manbats from overrunning the Joes by putting down a withering fire that forced them to land back amongst the assassins. The manbats had taken numerous wounds but they seemed to be more resistant to injury than normal humans. The assassins regrouped and appeared ready to make another attack. “I’m out,” Airtight informed the other Joes. “Me too,” Shockwave stated. “I’ve got a few rounds but not enough,” Beachhead added. Stalker immediately assessed the situation and came up with a plan. “I’m going to split my ammo amongst the four of us, and we are going to concentrate our fire at their flanks driving them altogether. Beachhead, you are going to lob your remaining grenade in the middle of them and take out as many as we can.” As the Assassins renewed their attack, the Joes put Stalker’s plan into action taking out those assailants on the edges. When the horde came within throwing range, Beachhead flung his grenade into the center of the group. The attendant explosion sent assassins flying everywhere and one of the manbats screeched out a deafening death wail. When the smoke cleared, the majority of the attackers were on the ground dead or wounded. The Joes’ relief proved momentary as the other manbat screeched out a defiant challenge. This creature had taken an M60 machine gun and ammo belt from one of the Joker’s remaining henchman. The henchman was not in a position to complain as his severed head was some distance away from his body. The Joes had expended their ammo and could not prevent the manbat from attacking. The creature raised his weapon to fire when an explosion occurred sending the creature hurtling through the air to come to rest in an unmoving heap. In the place where the manbat stood was the same gaping hole that had grabbed the attention of all the combatants. Out of the hole bounced the Joker manning the bizarre contraption known as the Cobra Pogo Ballistic Battle Ball. Seated in the glass canopy was the Joker, his grinning countenance reflecting the absolute hilarity of his situation. Next to him was the mortar containing the canister which housed the deadly virus. “This thing is the greatest,” the Joker guffawed. “If I had known that Cobra had such fun toys, I would have stolen from them long ago.” He then broke into loud, piercing, hysterical laughter evidencing a disturbing combination of madness and jocularity. Joker had previously taken the Pogo from the Cobras killed at the munitions factory battle and subsequently transported it, and then landed it on a lower roof of the hotel. After his henchmen appeared to be getting the worst of the violent altercation, Joker bolted from the ballroom, jumped into the Pogo and then bounced it through a glass wall and into the floor beneath where the battle was being waged. He then fired one of the vehicle’s missiles into the ceiling above him, blowing a hole through the floor of the ballroom, and then bouncing through it. The next part of Joker’s plan was to use the vehicle’s remaining missile to blow a hole in the hotel roof and then fire the mortar with the virus filled canister up into the sky where it would explode sending the virus raining down upon Gotham, including the airport with all its domestic and international travelers. Before he did that, however, he wanted to kill all the remaining fighters in the ballroom, and he unleashed the twin machine guns affixed to the underside of the Pogo strafing both the dead and living. As soon as Joker began his fusillade, Batman grabbed the still unconscious Wraith and dragged him to safety. Joker then swiveled the guns and a straight line of bullets tore its way towards Snake Eyes and Deathstroke. The pair, who had been locked in a deadly embrace, disengaged and rolled in opposite directions as the bullets impacted between them. Stalker and the other Joes did not let the exploding ballroom floor shock them into inaction, and they immediately separated into two groups in order to try and outflank Joker and his new favorite toy. Joker bounced around the ballroom smashing into columns and walls and even the ceiling, laughing uproariously like a child experiencing a theme park ride for the first time. Deathstroke had taken the opportunity to escape the carnage knowing he would forfeit his payday, but also knowing that the Joker was mere seconds from launching the canister and anyone caught in the fallout was guaranteed a painful demise. He would not let that grinning gargoyle have the satisfaction of taking him out. He would not forget Snake Eyes, however, as the silent man had now risen to the level of Batman as a thorn in his side. Deathstroke would charge an exorbitant amount of money to terminate either of those two individuals, but he had the feeling that someone would be willing to pay that price. While avoiding the Joker’s rain of death, Batman looked over at Snake Eyes and communicated in sign language with him. Snake Eyes nodded his head in response. Batman then rose up and hurled a batarang at the Pogo. It embedded itself into the reinforced canopy of the vehicle, and a second later it exploded. Part of the canopy shattered and broke off, but it did not disable the vehicle. Still, the batarang did its job by causing Joker to turn his attention back to Batman, who of course was always his first priority. As the machine guns swiveled towards Batman, Snake Eyes took the opportunity to hurl his armor piercing sword at the Pogo. The blade cut through the mechanics leading from the Pogo to the machine gun causing the gun to cease firing and droop down. Joker’s smile faded and he complained in a petulant voice, “Why are people in masks always trying to cut my fun short. It’s just not fair. Well just for that I am going to go right to the final big bang.” With that, the Joker fired the remaining pogo missile which blew a hole in the high ballroom ceiling. Debris fell down from the ceiling with some of it hitting the canopy of the pogo and breaking more of it off. It also dislodged the mortar and the canister containing the virus, which began rolling around the cockpit. When Stalker observed the debris hit the ground, he immediately knew what to do, for lying on the floor were large chunks of concrete some of which had long rebar poles sticking out of them. “Beachhead, Shockwave, grab that rebar and whip the concrete into one of the Pogo legs. Airtight help me do the same.” The heaviness of the concrete chunks required that the Joes act in pairs and even then it was a Herculean effort to get them moving with enough momentum to lift off the ground and fly through the air. The Joes’ effort was rewarded with success as one concrete missile and then the other slammed into the legs of the Pogo severely bending them and causing the hydraulic fluid to spew out. The damaged Pogo began careening around ballroom uncontrollably smashing into everything in its path. Batman withdrew a grappling gun from his belt, timed the erratic movements of the Pogo, and then fired the gun at the open section of the canopy. The grappling claw flew out and snagged the mortar tube, and with a quick flick of the wrist the grappling line retracted bringing the tube with it. Batman caught the tube in mid-air then handed it off to Airtight, who separated the canister from the mortar and its explosive round. Beachhead grabbed the mortar and aimed it at the Pogo ball that was now hopping in the direction of the Joes. He fired the weapon and the mortar round impacted the body of the Pogo with a deafening explosion, turning the vehicle into a ball of flame. The Pogo teetered then fell backwards into the hole in the floor that it had come up through previously. The whole time, the Joker’s chilling laugh echoed through the ballroom. A second explosion occurred when the Pogo landed on the floor below and metal and glass flew up through the hole that the Pogo had fallen into. “I know you said no assassinations,” Beachhead stated while looking at Batman, “But this was combat and it was him or us, and now that lunatic is gone forever.” “He has survived worse,” Batman replied. “I will check for a body, but some evil cannot be extinguished so easily, only held at bay so that the rest of the world has a chance to live with some measure of peace and safety.” “Sounds like fighting Cobra,” Shockwave stated. “We haven’t been able to stomp those snakes out, but we’ve kept them from becoming more of a world menace than they already are.” Batman turned to Airtight and pointed at the canister. “I know someone who can get rid of that so it never represents a threat anywhere on earth again.” “What? Are they going to fly it out of earth’s orbit and toss it into the sun?” Airtight said jokingly. “Something like that,” Batman countered in a serious tone. “We have people who can safely examine the virus and find ways to counteract it, even with its Joker venom additive. That way if Cobra tries this again we will be ready.” Stalker advised. Batman acquiesced, “Fine. I trust you and your men. But, if the Jugglers get involved, I want it given over to the Justice League. Just call Commissioner Gordon and he will get in contact with me. Have a safe trip back to Fort Wadsworth.” Stalker threw his hands up if exasperation, “Why do we even bother having secrets if you know them all?” Batman actually showed a faint smile at Stalker’s words. Before they could exchange any more banter, Snake Eyes stepped in front of Batman. He then put his hands together and bowed his head in a martial artist’s gesture of respect. Batman returned the gesture in kind and said, “It might be beneficial for us to meet again sometime in the future and continue our bout in a more controlled arena. We could learn from each other.” Snake Eyes gave Batman a thumbs up for he knew that this invitation was probably the highest praise this man ever gave out. A plethora of sirens could be heard approaching and all knew that the Gotham Police, and possibly the National Guard, were on their way to deal with the fallout from the Joe’s battle. Stalker felt that unfortunately this city has probably dealt with this type of carnage before. He turned to say something to Batman, but Batman had vanished into the shadows. Beachhead grudgingly admitted, “He would make a hell of a Joe.” “Not on the salary we make,” Shockwave retorted. “The budget for all his gear is probably higher than that of most police departments.” “Enough mouth flapping,” Stalker cut in. “We’ll help the authorities get a grasp on what happened here, get Wraith into custody, and then we need to get that canister to the bio hazard containment lab in the Pit. Let’s make it happen.” A day or two later, in the hidden region of Nanda Parbat, a caped man carrying a large scimitar sat on an ancient throne stroking his mustache with a pensive look. A large, muscular, bald man cautiously approached him. “What bothers you Great One? Is it Deathstroke’s failure to obtain that virus?” “No Ubu,” the man replied. “I know that when the Detective gets involved, things rarely proceed smoothly. Not to mention that grinning buffoon, Joker. If he were truly gone, this endeavor would be considered a success. No, it is because it is obvious that we can no longer afford to ignore the actions of the Cobra organization or the Special Operations Gi Joe team. I must decide whether to have the League of Assassins infiltrate their organizations, or take direct action against them. Either way, they cannot be allowed to impede the plans of Ras Al Ghul.” On the complete opposite side of the world another man sat on a throne. This throne sported a large Cobra motif, and the masked man sitting in it was also deep in thought. A Cobra officer had provided him with a printout of what transpired in Gotham. The ill-fated adventure into that God forsaken city had lost Cobra the virus it had painstakingly weaponized. The loss of Cobra equipment also was to be regretted. The loss of manpower was a minor annoyance, as there were many more recruits to take their place. The greatest concern was all the new participants in the contest between Cobra and Gi Joe. This League of Assassins, for example, had been able to mutate adherents into manbat creatures. Cobra must not fall behind in these types of advancements. Then there was The Batman. For years, he was believed to be a myth. Would his involvement into Cobra matters reoccur, and would that bring Cobra to the attention of the Justice League? Finally, the Joker. Was he in fact dead? And if he is alive, should Cobra end him for the damage he did to Cobra? He is an agent of chaos, however, and the report states that he made the Cobra virus even deadlier. He could be useful, and of course, killed later. All of these factors had to be considered, for at the end of this grand game there could only be one winner, and the man on Cobra throne knew that he, Cobra Commander, must be that winner. The End. |
04-02-2020, 05:36 PM | #3 |
Cobra Viper
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 427
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I looked this story up, because you mentioned it out of curiosity and thinks it's pretty good.
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