Lights adorned the floor of the room, one every three feet on both sides of the path, which led to a large seat. This seat was in fact a throne. A throne for one of the most evil men in history. A man made evil because of the DNA that ran through his blood. For it was in his blood that thousands of years of military genius ran freely in one man. He walked stiffly down the lighted pathway. The intricate pattern of scales of his attire, casted off a gold shimmer. As he strode his way to his throne, he locked gaze with the guards beside him. Their crimson clad uniforms clashed against the gray off the floor and walls. They stood out like two rather odd-shaped strawberries. But it wasn’t their ability to be camouflaged that made them elite enough to guard their emperor, rather their skills. These men were of the highest quality among their ranks; they were of the Crimson Guard. To protect their leader meant to give their lives for the cause, for their leader’s life was more important than a thousand of their lives.
Immediately, the guards raised their bayoneted rifles in alarm to the large door before them hissing open. However, the emperor quickly informed them to stand down. This person was friendly, not an enemy to the empire. The Crimson Guard to the right of his all-powerful leader stared through his thin silver slit visor at the oncoming person. He wore a violent mismatch of gray hues and a mask over hid his face. What appeared to be a forty-caliber pistol was fastened to his right thigh, two grenades attached to his chest, and deep black combat boots completed his attire. He was mercenary, a rogue, and one who the majority of the empire distrusted. Then he spoke.
“You wished to speak with me? You called me away from my objectives in Paraguay, a job that was paying me highly. This better be worth my time,” he said.
This was an insult, borderline treason amongst the ranks, but the emperor was amused at the remarks of the headstrong man before him.
“Trust me, dear Firefly. You will not miss having your job in Paraguay, and the finances that Cobra will give you will make sure of that,” the gold-helmed king Cobra said from his throne.
“What do you need done, Serpentor?” Firefly replied, most impatiently.
“I need the employment of someone of your standards. I already have one, and I need another,” Serpentor informed.
“Who? There is no one who is of my abilities, and I promise you that,” the saboteur boasted.
“A freelancer from the States. An ex-G.I. Joe member as well. He comes highly recommended. Perhaps you’ve heard of him before in your line of work? He goes by the name of Sykes,” Serpentor stated, staring into Firefly’s eyes.
“Michael Sykes? Yes, I have heard of him. He’s a rookie, pure and simple. He’s not a tenth of my talents. I don’t know why you would waste your time on him,” he shot back.
“Perhaps he isn’t as experienced as yourself, but as I said, he comes highly recommended. And furthermore, you could show him your trade. Take him in as an apprentice. If he’s as much of a novice as you claim him to be, then I request for you to train him. Make him a ‘tenth of your talents,’” Serpentor replied.
“Never. I refuse to work with such a un-skilled man.”
“Then possibly this could persuade you,” he said holding up a small bag about the three times the size of a man’s fist.
“Now you found my one and only weakness. Fine, bring me this pathetic rookie, and I will see what I can do,” Firefly agreed and exited the throne room.
After his exit, came someone’s entrance. Again, the Crimson Guards raised their rifles in anticipation of the one entering, but immediately lowered them at the sight of three figures they recognized. Every Crimson Guard was familiar with two of them, for it was these two men who singed their paychecks; these were their commanders. On the left was Tomax, and to his right was Xamot. Identical mirrors of one another, and everyone had problems telling the two apart. The quickest way to differentiate the two brothers was by looking at their right cheeks, for Xamot had a three-inch scar that ran on his right cheek and Tomax did not. Aside from them, stood a person that very few Cobra people had ever seen.
It was a common ‘ghost story’ among the ranks to believe in a woman in Cobra who was alleged to be the daughter of their great emperor. Most didn’t believe it, but there always were people wanting to buy into anything. This woman looked barely twenty years of age as she walked her way to her emperor’s throne, just behind the owners of Extensive Enterprises. Her long brown tresses were bound tightly behind her head and her brown eyes narrowed on the two Crimson Guards, protecting her ‘father.’ Her clothes at the moment were simplistic, an undemanding and loose-fitting black and silver training suit. Her father had her on the highest demands of training; she just returned from kitana practice with the always-venerable Storm Shadow.
“Hail Serpentor!” the twins shouted in sync. “We have returned from our mission, fearless leader, and we have not failed you!”
“Excellent work, Crimson Twins. As always, you completed your task flawlessly,” Serpentor congratulated.
“We have,” Tomax began.
“Taken,” they said together
“The signature codes, as you requested,” Xamot finished their sentence.
“How do the new Battle Android Troopers operate in combat?” Serpentor asked.
“Flawlessly,” the twins stated together.
“You have done well. Now please, remove yourselves. I must be alone with my daughter,” the Cobra Emperor decreed and the two vacated the room upon his request. “Dear, sweet Serpentara. How was your training with Strom Shadow? Learn anything?” He added.
“Why father, it went perfect. Storm Shadow is an excellent teacher, and yes, I have learned much from the training you set for me. Soon, I’ll be the best Cobra in your army,” she replied with a smile on her face.
“I’m sure you will be. I foresee you being the greatest of all, young daughter. And soon, we will launch our plan on G.I. Joe and this world will be ours!” Serpentor said, as he stood out of his throne and began to walk down the pathway, Serpentara trailing a step behind him.
