Hey people,

        Once again, procrastination has urged me on to bring you this
prime product of fiction. In addition to stealing Hasbro's characters, I'm
gonna steal some of the characters that have been bandied about by all of
you guys, starting with the next part. (Trust me, it sure beats using Big
Lob or Captain Grid-Iron.) Wait a second... Big Lob's in this story!
Dammit! I'm sorry, I think I've exponentially decreased the enjoyability
of this story...

                Garrett
                  -wallowing in a sea of despair because he included Big
Lob in this story(but not this part)-

P.S.-Just remember, this takes place in early 1988, OK?
 
                        A Tale of Two Traitors

Scarlett's Room-Joe HQ

        Despite being given a vacation by Duke, Scarlett was in a very
sour mood. When Lady Jaye, her roommate and best friend on the team, asked
her how she was doing, Scarlett didn't even acknowledge her. Flint and
Lady Jaye were starting to get very worried. While both were secretly
(from Scarlett, at any rate) very happy that she was spending so much time
with Duke, they both knew that Scarlett would easily burn herself out if
she kept doing both Duke's and her jobs. As a result, Flint told LJ, "I
think you should talk to her. She almost lost it during that meeting we
had today. Maybe she'll listen to you."
        "OK. I think that this is something Scarlett needs to work out
with herself, though, preferably in the presence of Duke." Lady Jaye gave
her boyfriend a look that indicated what she had believed since meeting
Flint-Duke and Scarlett are meant to be together, and BOTH of us should be
trying to make sure that it happens as soon as possible.
        When she saw Scarlett, Lady Jaye noticed that she was packing
clothes and other things in a very solemn manner, indicating that the
packer was not entirely pleased to be leaving.
        "Where are you going?"
        "Home," a visibly tired Scarlett muttered. "Duke told me to take a
vacation."
        "You don't seem so happy to be going, that's for sure." It didn't
take long for Lady Jaye to notice that she had chosen a rather poor choice
of words.
        "And what is that supposed to mean?! What, are you trying to help
Cover Girl, or something? Why don't you just go out there with your
boyfriend. At least you've got someone with whom you can spend some time."
        And with that, Lady Jaye left, shutting the door to Scarlett's
room behind her. "Whoa. I think someone's a little jealous."
        "Jealous, of who?" Flint asked, curious to know what was going on.
        "First of all it's 'jealous, of WHOM,'" Lady Jaye always seemed to
be correcting Flint's grammar. Former speech majors tend to do that. "And
secondly, it's Cover Girl. I guess Scarlett saw those roses she gave 
Duke."
        "Oh boy, not again. There are still rumors going around from when
Cover Girl kissed Duke during that whole mess with the 'Toys for Tots'
shipment," grumbled Flint, remembering one of Cobra's more memorable
attempts to take over the world. "Let's just hope this one dies off a
little quicker."
        Lady Jaye emphatically agreed. "It probably will. Duke sent her on
vacation," referring to Scarlett, of course.
        "Good. She definitely needs it. It was starting to look like the
Broncos would win a Super Bowl before she took another vacation." Flint's
remark, referring to the fact that he had lost a lot of money to Ace less
than a month ago over Super Bowl XXII, was enough to make both laugh. 
After that, they each sat quietly on the couch, embracing one another and
thanking themselves for having each other.
        Scarlett, on the other hand, was not doing as good. She had
continued to pack for a little longer, feeling sorry for herself as she
did it. Now all she was doing was sitting on her bed, weeping. She
continued to do this until the door opened. "I thought I told you to leave
me alone. Get out!!"
        "Is that how you talk to your Commanding Officer?"
        "Duke-?! But you're supposed to be resting..."
        "I snuck out. I figured I could at least see you off, before Doc
started to hunt me down."
        Scarlett immediately beamed. She leapt over to Duke, happy to see
that he cared enough to risk being severely lashed by Doc for leaving his
hospital bed. They immediately embraced.
        "Oh, if you only knew how long I've waited for this to happen,"
whispered Scarlett, who was getting very excited.
        "Don't worry. Once you get back, we'll be together for a long,
long time." As Duke said this, he was leaning over to kiss her. Scarlett
was getting so giddy, she could barely contain herself-

        "Miss? Miss!! You need to wake up. The plane is about to land."
Suddenly, Scarlett jumped out of her dream and landed right smack in the
hands of reality. It was so startling, she almost hit her head on the
little light that was above her.
        "Huh? Oh, I'm sorry. I guess I was more tired than I thought." Not
knowing if she should believe Scarlett, the stewardess just rolled her
eyes as she walked away. The girl should learn to rest before such a short
flight, the stewardess thought skeptically.
        As she became more alert, Scarlett remembered what had gone on
earlier that day. Duke had given her a "mandatory" vacation, and she had
stormed off base, with just enough time to pack some clothes and
toiletries. The part about Duke had been some really weird sort of dream.
        While walking towards the luggage return, Scarlett considered her
recents daydreams and fantasies. What was going on with her? In addition
to being a professional soldier, she was a grown woman. If she got home
and started acting like a little school girl, which Scarlett definitely
equated her actions of late as being, she would never hear the end of it.
What is with me!!?! Scarlett thought to herself. Duke's just my friend,
nothing more! Ever since Serpentor stabbed Duke, I've been fawning over
him like a teenage groupie at an Aerosmith concert! You'd think I was in
love... with... him? Scarlett stopped dead in the middle of the airport.
At least 3 people ran right into her. Could it be? Picking herself up (and
paying no mind to the insults from the disgruntled Atlanta natives she had
delayed), Scarlett headed to a rental counter. If anything, Duke was
right. She needed some serious rest.

Apartment Building-Central Park, New York

        Oddly enough, Scarlett was not the only person wrestling with
matters of the heart. Ever since the deaths of her brother Zandar, Ripper,
and the newest Dreadnok (Zanzibar! What a silly name!), Zarana had begun
to seriously question her envolvement with Cobra. Why should I risk myself
for these people? Her doubts were coupled with the fact that Torch was the
only Dreadnok other than herself who was still alive and out of jail. And
on top of this, Torch was becoming far more interested in drinking and
meeting bimbos than committing the types of crimes the Dreadnoks had
become famous for. 
        Considering this, Zarana pulled out a piece of paper from her
pocket. Looking at it, she noted the Virginia area code and smiled. He'd
be so happy to hear from me, she thought. Zarana had changed her
appearance greatly. While her hair was still dyed a bright red, it had
been allowed to grow far longer than it had been in quite some time. Her
attire had changed, too. Gone were the pink cut-offs and torn jeans,
replaced with blouses and untorn jeans (Zarana despised dresses and could
barely stand skirts). Her diction had even improved. Zarana had almost
entirely transformed herself.
        As she picked up the phone, Zarana promised herself that she
wouldn't hang up. Now was not the time to be a chicken. As she dialed she
said, "1, 7-0-3, 5-5-5,...  OK, here goes..."
        "Hello?"
        "Is Blaine there?"
        "Who?"
        "Mainframe. I need to talk to Mainframe."
        "OK, just a second..."

        "Oh, Mainframe! Or, should I say, Blaine? You've got a call." Wet
Suit's grating voice immediately filled the room. Mainframe still wondered
what kind of sick world he was in where he'd share barracks with Wet Suit.
At the time, Mainframe was checking a program for bugs, a testament to his
dedication to his job. Wet Suit was playing Baseball on the Nintendo with
Leatherneck. It always struck him as odd that those two, despite claiming
to hate each other, spent so much time together.
        "Who is it?"
        "I don't know, but it sounds like somebody has a date tonight."
        "I don't know who you're kidding, you tuna-brained idiot.
Mainframe hasn't had a date since he was in kindergarten." Leatherneck's
retort was, as always, laced with some insult to Wet Suit's (somewhat
questionable) intelligence. Maybe Mainframe could actually talk to whoever
it was if those two would shut up.
        "Hello, this Mainframe-"
        "CLICK!"
        "What the hell-?! This is the third time this week!"
        "See, I told you, Wet Suit. Mainframe's 'mystery woman' is too
afraid to talk to him. He might actually say the right thing."
        "Yeah, you're right. It seems he only likes snakes." Wet Suit was
referring to Zarana, who had fallen hard for him when she posed as a
computer specialist. Suffice to say, both still had secret feelings for
each other.
        "I do not!" Also, Wet Suit made sure to remind him of this fact
every day.
        "Suure-hey! That was a ball!" Leatherneck had caught Wet Suit off
guard.
        "No it wasn't, it was a strike!"
        "It was a ball and you know it, you land-loving sissy!"
        Mainframe sighed as the two continued on with an argument that
would probably end with both of swearing to never play the other again,
even though they would, and would eventually purchase one of those new
baseball games (which were slated to come out during the spring) Mainframe
had informed them of. He could only pray that a decent football game never
came out. They'd probably kill each other over a silly pass interference
call or something. It was probably best that the person had hung up
anyway. Mainframe told himself that he had to really get done with that
debugging procedure, or Beachhead would have him for lunch.

Zarana's Apartment

        As Mainframe was witnessing the latest in Leatherneck and Wet
Suit's sparring matches, Zarana was losing ahold of her increasingly
fragile emotions. She couldn't understand why it was so hard for her to
call this man who she desperately wanted to meet up with. While Zarana was
beginning to weep, she received a knock on her door. It was Torch.
        "Serpentor wants ta see ya." Torch didn't even realize that Zarana
was crying. He thought that her recent change in attire was some crazy
sort of "chick thing". "What's your problem? Whatever it is, you'd better
hurry up. Serpentor wants you NOW." There was no way Torch was going to
get chewed because this little brat couldn't keep ahold of herself.
        "I heard you the first time!! Now get out of here, or I'll give
you a scar to match the other one." Torch almost instinctively reached for
the newly-healed mark on his cheek. He'd gotten it while rushing out of
Cobra's fortress, thanks to the ambush that the Rawhides had given them. 
        As Torch did this, Zarana rushed out of her apartment, wiping the
tears from her eyes. She did not want anybody else to notice her in her
obvious moment of weakness.

Extensive Enterprises Building-20 minutes later

        Getting to where Serpentor's location was not as easy as Zarana
had hoped. At least three different men accosted her during the short
walk to Extensive Enterprises' headquarters, and it proved quite difficult
in ridding herself of them. Normally, Zarana could probably take them all
at once, but her personal failure with Mainframe had taken its toll. The
wait for and ride up the elevator proved to be almost unbearable.
        "Where have you been!? I called for you almost an hour ago!"
Serpentor was so livid, he failed to realize that it had been only 35
minutes. "No matter, then. There is enough time for today to make up for
your dilly-dallying." Zarana couldn't help but smile at that last comment.
She had never heard the "Cobra emporer" use such an odd term before.
        "Do you find something funny, Zarana? If so, then maybe I shall
call someone else to deal with this assignment."
        "No, I didn't. It was just that-"
        "Silence!" shouted the tempermental tyrant. "You are to fly to
Atlanta immediately. When you get there, you will go to the O'Hara
residence and assume the identity of the G.I. Joe named Scarlett. One of
our Crimson Guardsmen saw her there earlier today. While you are doing
that, Storm Shadow," Serpentor nodded oer to the Ninja, who was standing
quietly in the corner behind Zarana. Noticing his presence, she jumped up,
startled to see her brother's enemy. "...will go to the prison where your
brother is being held and free him. This, I command!"
        Both Zarana and Storm Shadow were incensed. It was common
knowledge that Storm Shadow and Zartan disliked each other, so much so
that the two would often refuse to carry out a mission if the other was
going to be present. Serpentor's logic in this matter failed to make any
sense whatsoever.
        "But he's my brother! Why shouldn't I go after him?" Storm Shadow,
despite his initial shock, had another point of view altogether:
        "Your highness, it is my honor to rescue Zartan, the Dreadnoks,
and the Baroness from capture. Furthermore, I agree with your decision to
send me. It is well known that this young woman is known for bouts of
extreme irresponsibility."
        "I what-!? You had better be prepared to-" before Zarana could
finish her threat, Storm Shadow was gone. This infuriated her even
further. "How could you give the job of rescuing my brother to HIM!?
Zartan doesn't even like that clown!"
        "You will do as I say. Now go!" With that, Serpentor turned
around, looking out at the New York skyline and contemplating some
insiduous plot.
        "Men!" Zarana's shout was followed by a loud slam of the door.
Serpentor could only help but smile.

O'Hara Residence-Atlanta, GA

        "I don't see why you couldn't have at least called, Shana. We at
least should have been there at the gate to greet you." Patrick O'Hara's
concern for his daughter was evident. He didn't like the idea that her
daughter would just barge in, without even letting her family know. While
it was very nice to see his daughter, he did not enjoy the thought of her
failing to inform him. 
        "Dad, I would have, but it all happened so fast. And besides, this
wasn't my idea. My CO ordered me to take this vacation." Scarlett made a
point to avoid using any terms that would identify Duke. She was still
very upset when it came to her feelings about him. I'm sorry I've made you
worry, but it's just that..." Her sentence was left unfinished, as
Scarlett just leaned down and rubbed her head, once again showing that she
was a very tired individual.
        "Shana, get some rest. Your boss was right. I won't argue with you
any longer." As always, the eldest member of the O'Hara clan did not show
any distinct emotion, but it was apparent that he was concerned. Usually,
his daughter could handle the stress of her job. Noting this, Patrick
asked his daughter if there was anything else. Scarlett said no, and then
headed towards her room quietly.
        Scarlett was tired, and very lonely. She was becoming unglued, and
didn't understand why. While she agreed with what her father said,
Scarlett couldn't grasp why she had blatantly failed to call her family.
They'd understand if she came home suddenly, tired and beat. Her father
and brothers, while not entirely sure what Scarlett did, knew that
fighting Cobra was hard work. They never questioned what Scarlett did,
because they knew she was smart enough to take care of herself. 
        "But why did I do that?" Scarlett asked herself silently. The only
answer she received was the blank stares of some of the stuffed animals
that were the lone remnants of her childhood. Picking one up, she cradled
it, weeping herself to sleep.

        Watching her was none other than Zarana. In no sense of
expenditures (much to the chagrin of Tomax and Xamot), Serpentor had
ordered a Concorde jet chartered for Zarana, so she could get there
immediately. The problem for Serpentor, though, is that Zarana knows too
much: only a women currently in despair can feel and understand what
Scarlett is going through. Zarana is that woman.

Alcatraz Prison Facility-San Francisco, CA

        Thanks to the fallout from Cobra's attempt to turn the human
population into snakes, the federal government had a lot of prisoners who
knew waay too much. As a result, Alcatraz was hastily refurbished (in
fact, they were still doing the job), and reopened because of it. Even
worse, there was a whole mess due to the fact that none of the prisoners
had been convicted. Thankfully, the lawyers had decided that formally
charging them was enough. Two secret, and highly debated trials were
scheduled: the first one, slated to begin in a week, charged Zartan, his
Dreadnoks, Major Bludd, the Baroness, Firefly (who actually got caught for
once), and Cobra Commander (a fact which made all involved laugh as CC was
nowhere to be found). The second trial indicted all of the Vipers, Cobra
Soldiers, Cobra Officers, and Crimson Guardsmen who were caught in the
recent action.
        While Storm Shadow was not privy to all of this information, he
could have easily guessed most of it. His mission was to free Zartan,
Major Bludd, and the others. This was the perfect oppurtunity...
        Not letting himself drift off, Storm Shadow snuck expertly into
the wing that housed these most esteemed "guests". Freeing the Baroness,
Major Bludd, and Firefly was almost routine. Each thanked their savior in
kind.
        Zartan and his Dreadnoks, however, were not as gracious.
Monkeywrench, Buzzer, and Thrasher greeted the ninja with a rash of
insults. Zartan just stood there and laughed.
        "So the big, bad ninja has come all this way to rescue ME? I'm so
honored!"
        Storm Shadow was not pleased. "Your brutish taunts will not anger
me, Dreadnok. Your lackeys may go, but your stay on this earth is quite
limited." With this, Storm Shadow released the Dreadnoks from their cells.
        "You think you can kill me? Hah! You didn't even realize it was I
who had killed the Hard Master until it was too late! And the best part
was, the poor fool thought it was you! 'Oh, Nephew, what are you doing?
Don't Hurt me, Nephew!'" 
        Storm Shadow was PIIISSED. Without warning, he whipped out his
bow, pointing it straight at Zartan's heart. The others just stood there
and watched, amazed at what they were witnessing. 
        "Come on, do it! Strike me down! HA HA HA!" Storm Shadow stood
still for a long moment, considering what he should do. After what seemed
like an eternity, Storm Shadow released his grip on the bow, placed it on
his back, and left. With the exception of Zartan, everyone was dead
silent. 
        "That's right, Storm Shadow! Walk away! You'll never defeat me!
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha..."

O'Hara Residence-9:00 AM, next morning

        "Shana? There's someone to see you."
        Scarlett lept up from her bed, almost at full attention. She had
been asleep for 13 hours. The residue from her tears was still evident.
"Did they say who it was?"
        "No, Shana. Just that it was very important." Scarlett ran
downstairs, only to find an extremely big surprise.
        "YOU!?! What are you doing here! This is my home!"
        "Scarlett, I need to talk to you, Serpentor is planning..." Zarana
was very afraid. Although she wanted nothing more to do with Cobra, she
knew that Scarlett would be loath to accept her.
        "Daddy, can you leave us for a moment?" Scarlett looked at her
father, and immediately he knew this was serious. He nodded and silently
left the house, knowing full and well that he needed not hear this. What
do you want? Are you trying to capture me? If so, this is a very poor way
of doing it." Scarlett spoke with great knowledge. As a
counterintelligence agent, she knew that there were better ways than
others to proceed when trying to infiltrate a military agency.
        "Serpentor is planning to strike. He wanted me to take your place,
so he could know what the Joes were doing. I thought that we could turn
the tables on him." Zarana's demeanor was most earnest. Scarlett had never
seen her like this. What was with her?
        "Why? I don't get it. Your brother has had a long and profitable
relationship with Cobra. Why betray both for nothing?" Scarlett was right.
Extensive Enterprises had wired millions to an account the Joes had found
out to be Zartan's over the last 4 and-a-half years.
        "It's not about money. It's about...love." Scarlett immediately
understood. Even though it had become a joke on base, Zarana's fling with
Mainframe was quite serious. "And when I saw you last night, I just
couldn't do this to you. I don't know who you're in love with, but it must
be as important to you as Mainframe is to me."
        Once again, Scarlett was on the verge of tears. She had found, if
for only a fleeting moment, a comrade-in-arms. "Sit down. In a moment I'll
fix you breakfast if you'd like. I need to call Gen. Hawk immediately, so
we can set you up with immunity and such."