The door opens onto your meeting room. Cobalt Cobra banners hang from the ceiling around an obsidian conference table. Wall-mounted displays show images of military hardware and scenes of destruction and strife across the globe. Strikes, riots, protests, war, famine, pestilence. Death.

The true face of the world laid bare by your hands. A global death before you can bring it to heel.

The conference table is full of the men and women who are making your vision possible. Cobra’s top lieutenants.

“Good of all of you to join me,” you say, sparing no time for preamble. “I know some of you had to break with the schedule of your superficial lives.” Your eyes find Tomax and Xamot Paoli, the twin duo who oversee Cobra’s vast business empire. “This is appreciated.”

Circling the table you look at each of your infantry commanders in Turn. Major Bludd, the old stalwart, Ghost Bear, the firebrand. The dogged loyalty of Taipan, the unmasked brutality of Butcher and Scarface. Newest among all of them, replacing the fallen Juggernaut is Karasu. Once an outsider in Cobra, he has taken well to his role here.

“Our organization stands at a precipice,” you say, “Upheaval of our own design. Each of you in your own way has been one of Armageddon’s engineers.” You come to reach your throne at the head of the table and sit, looking over everyone once again. Seated nearest to you are your top leaders. At your right hand, Baroness. Heiress to a unwanted birthright, she swore off a life of privilege to live instead as a rabblerouser. Beside her is Viper, an old hand at global terrorism and something like an advisor. To your left is Destro, arms dealer and profiteer. Like it or not, the lifeblood of Cobra’s military arm. Beside him the twisted, fractured genius of Dr. Mindbender.

“And,” you say, “Among our number is a new face. Please, introduce yourself.”

The man in question smiles confidently despite his unusual surroundings. With his leather jacket and long hair he would look more at home in a meth lab fortress or a biker bar in the Everglades. “Zartan,” he says. “Representing the Dreadnoks.”

“An invaluable member of our little organization,” you say. “Zartan, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you in person.”

“Pleasure’s all mine, I promise you that,” he says. “Your little job put the Dreadnoks on the map. Number one with a bullet.”

King of the rats, you think to yourself. “The power of the almighty dollar,” you say. “I trust you’ve made good use of your cut of the gold.”

Zartan laughs, “Hardly. What I do with money can’t qualify as ‘good use’. All the same, I’m ready to make some more.”

(1/2)

“Then let me present you that opportunity, Zartan.” You press a key on your throne’s armrest and bring all the televisions in the room to display one thing, the logo of your hated enemy. EAGLE. The US-backed anti-terrorism force raised to destroy you. “Ladies and gentlemen, we are going to destroy EAGLE. Once and for all.”

A silent shiver passes through your lieutenants, each one of them keeping their exact thoughts to themselves. You are savvy enough to take a quick read of the room, excitement, anticipation, fear. Your last attempt on EAGLE had almost ended with your own destruction.

“Now that our port-strike and gold heist are completed, EAGLE has been left with their feathers clipped.” You smirk at your turn of phrase. “There will be no better time to destroy them in a decisive battle than now. With their funding rock bottom and morale low, it will only take one blow to crush them.”

Destro, of course, is first to speak. “A bold plan, Commander. As always. But the Seismic Inducer will not be complete for a matter of days and my wing of Night Vipers are not yet finished. Likewise my Bio-Augmented Trooper project is not complete. It would be foolhardy to strike without all of our assets prepared.”

“Then you will rest easier knowing that we will not strike without them,” you say. “This is an informational meeting. I am keen to hear what ideas we can put forward.”

“At least half of any battle is knowledge,” Viper says, speaking cautiously at first. “Without information on our enemy we are at a substantial disadvantage.”

“Then I think it is a good time to restore contact with our spies,” Baroness says, turning from Viper to look up at you. “We once had close contacts within EAGLE. We have let them go cold to avoid detection but if we are to destroy EAGLE then now is a good a time as any to restore contact with them.”

You’d almost forgotten your EAGLE moles, Nails and Cutter. A man desperate and a man disillusioned, each brought into your fold. If you can make contact with them then you can milk them for information on Duke and his plans for EAGLE.


>Bring the spies here
>We will arrange a meeting and go to them
>We don’t need their help
>Write in

>>4563341
>>We will arrange a meeting and go to them

>>4563343
>>We will arrange a meeting and go to them

File: 1456879768298.gif (112 KB, 255x231)

112 KB GIF

>>4563343
>We will arrange a meeting and go to them
Naturally, have our mooks make contact and do same as last time, discrecy being key here. They mustn't know of our plan to strike before it is too late.

Also,
NEW THREAD LLEEEEEEEEETTTSSSS FUUUUUUCKKIING GOOOOOO

>>4563343
>We will arrange a meeting and go to them
TK why are there two threads

>>4563343
>We will arrange a meeting
I worry about cutter. His was a....Gilded promise. But I suppose if we can point out that we are keeping our promise and this is just the teething period, he will maintain his relationship with us.

>>4563400
Well what do ya know. Looks like 4chan didn't delete it after all. Swell. Ignore that thread. We shun it.

>>4563343
>Send agents to determine if we can find them, then arrange a meeting and go to them if possible.

Remember that EAGLE was actively working to root out spies, and that neither Cutter nor Nails told us anything about the fact EAGLE knew where our base was and planned to attack it.

There are several possibilities there, Compromised, Double Agent, or they're under suspicion and not trusted by Duke in the slightest.

>>4563447
I thought this was implied, but Yes, I suppose we should explicitly say that we are being careful here.
I'll change from mine >>4563403

>>4563343
Backing this >>4563447

>>4563343
>We will arrange a meeting and go to them
Honey pots.

>>4563343
>Write in
Gonna add , ask Bludd or Ghost Bear what happened back when they assaulted the EAGLE base, did they do any damage, or did they abort the attack? Even destroying the base would at least hinder them somewhat by needing a new one or making repairs.

>>4563343
>>Bring the spies here

>>4563343
>>We will arrange a meeting and go to them

>“At least half of any battle is knowledge,”
I SAW WHAT YOU DID THERE

>>4563343
>We will arrange a meeting and go to them

It's risky but I don't trust them enough to take them to our base

>>4563997
What did he do, other than say a well known expression?

>>4564206
The old GI Joe PSA's said knowing is half the battle at the end of every one

>>4564214
Sounds like a bit of a stretch, but good on you if that was the intention.

File: Screenshot_2.jpg (64 KB, 887x836)

64 KB JPG

>>4564206
Well now you know!

“Baroness, arrange a meeting with the moles. Cutter I think is in our pocket but Nails might be dicier, he was always a soldier of fortune rather than a believer. Remind them both of what they have to lose and what’s at stake.”

“Yes, Commander.”

“Once we have more intel on EAGLE we’ll be better prepared to deal with them.”

“I’ll determine the best way to make contact and ensure we do so as soon as possible.”

“Excellent. We’ll deal with them after Storm Shadow returns. I’d like to be fully staffed before then.”

Destro clears his throat, drawing your attention. “To that end, Commander, there is another matter.”

“Speak.”

“Your little stunt with the video crew at the bank drew in quite a lot of attention. Much more than I would have initially anticipated.”

“And?”

“And,” Destro says, patience thin, “Some more publicity I think would do us a world of good. If we were to take over INN’s broadcast network it would give us a global platform to make demands, issue ultimatums, and spread your message. With a team of my Iron Grenadiers I believe we can secure control of INN’s main broadcast hub in Atlanta in a fairly low-key way. It would provide you a perfect stage for our plans going forward.”

“I might interject quickly, Destro.” Tomax Paoli speaks, leaning forward slightly to draw the attention of the others. “A military operation is all well and good, certainly feasible. However, we have other non-combative assets at our disposal. Namely money. It would be possible for Extensive Enterprises to purchase a controlling share of INN and use that leverage to institute the changes we need to hijack their signal.”

Destro frowns, “Possible, yes. Economical? Come, Monsieur Paoli, a businessman of your caliber must recognize what a poor trade that is. INN is no small operation. Purchasing enough shares in such a short time will significantly cut into our liquid capital.”

“Then we make up for it with INN itself,” Tomax replies, all smiles. “With the news media in our pocket it will be a simple matter to push COIL fundraisers for instance.”

Both options have their appeal. You’ve also considered a lower impact plan of simply having Storm Shadow plant some sort of hijacker virus in their computer mainframe after he returns. It will leave him indisposed and will only grant you limited control of their networks, but it may be all you need.


>Destro will take over the broadcast hub
>Tomax will buy a stake in INN
>Storm Shadow will plant hijacker software after his return
>Write in

>>4564527
>We can send Storm shadow in to plant hijacked software after his return.
>While thats going on we can fund our own sorts of homegrown youths to grow there own media networks.


If such a large one suddenly swings towards Cobra, Eagle might look into it. If ABUNCH of young idiots/ect suddenly spring up after such a major thing preaching freedom or other things..well that will force them to spread there resources thin.

>>4564527
How long can we keep hold of the Broadcast hub before being found and expelled, roughly.

If it's a permenant or months long occupation sure, but eagles operations require no grand speeches.
Plus with the turbulent chaos and economic death, there is no way in hell we can recoup the losses to our liquid capital in any meaningful timeframe. So

>Destro will take over the broadcast Hub
>Fund a few of our own spree of pro-Cobra networks

>>4564527
>>Tomax will buy a stake in INN
There are some things that require a civil touch, CC understands this. Propaganda works best when people don't know it's propaganda

>>4564527
Supporting this >>4564536
We could also work slowly taking over INN into the process.

>>4564554
I get that, but rioting and economic death Once the situation starts to stabalise, if indeed it ever does, and we can reconsider the possition.

But what is the point buying a controlling share in a state side operation when the world is going to shit

>>4564527
>>Write in
>Por que no los dos?
Could we have Tomax purchase a share then have Destro launch an attack?
If we insure the networks operations before the attack then the payout should refill our coffers nicely giving us the best of both worlds, and this way we'll maintain control of the network even after Destro's forces pull back.

Assuming of course financial markets are still in a state where banks are making payouts.

>>4564527
>Tomax will buy a stake in INN

>>4564527
>Destro will take over the broadcast hub
>Storm Shadow will plant hijacker software after his return
>Tomax will buy a stake in INN

First two will drop the value and stock of INN then we swoop in and buy it for cheap, or cheaper than it would if it didn't get attacking and taken over. Maybe Plant a few fake news stories to hurt their credibility.

>>4564527
>>Destro will take over the broadcast hub

>>4564901
+1

>>4564527
>Storm Shadow will plant hijacker software after his return
We don't need complete control of the news station either way, but a simple and cheap way to propagandize to the world at whim is best for now.

>Hijack with Storm Shadow and Fund our own network
>>4564536
>>4564559
>>4564540

>Just Buy
>>4564554
>>4564824

>Destro take over and buy
>>4564901
>>4564768
>>4565076


This is a really close one with a lot of dissension. I will combine the "Tomax Buy" + "Destro takeover" options with the ones that are both.

>>4564554
>>4564768
>>4564824
>>4564901
>>4565033
>>4565076

>Lower the value of INN and buy it for fire sale prices

>Writing

“I’m not about to pay top-shelf prices for a 2nd rate product.” you say. “Destro, take your men and . . . reduce the value of INN’s holdings, will you? Whatever you can, just don’t damage the goods.”

“With gusto,” Destro says.

“Then Tomax, once their stocks tumble, put in an offer. I’d rather slither in to INN than brute force it. Propaganda always works better when you don’t realize what it is.”

“Consider it done, Commander.”

“A few days of attacks, technical issues, and damaging rumors should be enough to get a substantial discount,” Destro says.

“I leave it in your capable hands.”

“Commander, if I may,” Viper says. His voice is soft, quiet, but commands attention all the same. He’s been doing this since before any of you started after all. “I believe we’re setting the stage for a showdown with EAGLE, but I think it would be best if we sweeten the pot.”

“How so?”

The old man smiles in a way that makes the years fall off his face. “We need a propaganda coup. The economic collapse is abstract, a general damage to the world, something that might not feel visceral to Americans.”

“Losing your job- losing your retirement isn’t visceral?” you ask. “Stealing foreign gold reserves?”

Viper shakes his head. “It doesn’t encapsulate Cobra’s power. You need a headline image. A single story that will surmise it all. I propose we destroy Las Vegas.”

You aren’t quite sure you heard him correctly at first. “Destroy? I don’t want to unveil the Seismic Inducer early.”

(1/2)

He shakes his head, “Purely conventional, Commander. Las Vegas is a symbol of America. Wealth, frivolity, leisure, luck. Anyone can recognize the Las Vegas strip and what it represents. And all of it is dependent on a single vital soft point. Hoover Dam.”

“You propose to destroy the dam?”

“I do,” he says. “The destruction of the dam will render the city without power indefinitely. With Las Vegas crippled, you gain a singular image of your power. A dark Las Vegas Strip. The city will become a refugee camp overnight. The government will have to contribute not insignificant resources to maintaining it, let alone restoring it. Cries will be raised ‘where was EAGLE?’.”

The idea has merit and appeals to the anarchist in you. Additionally, until you set the battlefield for EAGLE you have forces to spare. Given the money you’ve saved on reducing INN’s value before buying it you have the funds to hire Firefly, the saboteur. One man bringing down the dam would certainly demonstrate your reach, if a bit undramatically.

Ghost Bear also excels at this sort of wanton destruction. The image of Cobra attack helicopters and tanks assaulting the dam would make quite the story, though it would put your ground forces at work.

Then there is Zartan, the wild card. Zartan and his Dreadnoks are also capable of this sort of destruction. If you offer them whatever they can steal from Vegas’s casinos as payment they would surely do the job. Outsourcing destruction isn’t beneath you.


>Hire Firefly to destroy the dam
>Send Ghost Bear to destroy the dam
>Recruit Zartan to destroy the dam
>It’s not worth the effort
>Write in

>>4565566
>Send Ghost Bear to destroy the dam
>Recruit Zartan to destroy the Strip itself or plunder its riches.

Have the large attack on the damn be by Ghost Bear, While Zartan himself hits Vegas shortly there after. Make it seem like we are 'openly' giving too the lower classes of the world and nobody can stop us but those with us are gaining power to do as they please.

>>4565566
>Hire Firefly to destroy the dam
>Send strike teams to hit valuable or important targets (large casinos, banks, city government etc) as the power goes out, to raise funds and create chaos.

>>4565566
>Write in
Zartan to loot and pillage while Firefly hits the dam.
Have Ghost Bear assault the power stations and nexus,dividing EAGLE forces and hiding the true target of the dam.

Make it look like we are taking out power for Zartan to loot and steal more wealth like our last job, then flip it on their head when the dam goes bust.

Alternatively we can try making a dam buster like the did in WW2 and have it bounce on the water.

>>4565583
Firefly will presumably be able to take out the dam covertly (until it goes up at least), allowing our guys to strike the city just as the power goes out, making things easier.

>>4565577
I'll support, but I'd like Zartan to have a "Havoc tax" as it were. Like a 10th of what he plunders or some shit like it, small in the grand scheme of things but undoubtedly supporting Cobra.

>>4565566
>>Send Ghost Bear to destroy the dam

>>4565566
The write-ins sound good to me.

We might also be able to make Inn's propaganda even more effective by spiking several watersupplies with Blue Bliss

>>4565577
this

>>4565577
This but add in.
>Send Wild Weasel to attack Nellis AFB before the Hoover attacl.
Good god can this backfire hard if Nellis gets its quite skilled pilots in the air to counter the attack on Hoover.

>>4565566
Forgot to add my suggestion >>4565992 as a vote, oops.

>>4565585
Supporting this. The longer EAGLE tries to figure out the true objective, the better.

>>4565585
Changing my vote to this, but again adding in my suggestion that we hit Nellis to suppress any immediate response.

I'm taking a day off today, I'll pick this up monday.

>>4566426
cringe

>>4566426
Based

>>4566426
Hey wait a sec.
1 + 1 = 2!
That's two days! I can count to potatoe!

>Write ins

>Writing

“A wonderful idea, Viper,” you say. “But I think we can expand the scope. Baroness, hire Firefly and charge him with the destruction of the dam. Ghost Bear,” you fix your eyes on the Russian Inuit, “you and your battalion will attack power stations and transformers around the city, this should prevent them from restoring power.”

“As you wish,” Ghost Bear says.

“WIld Weasel, take your Timber Rattlers for a spin. Hit Nellis air force base before they can scramble. With their planes burning on the ground a swift escape should be no issue.”

“With pleasure, sir,” Wild Weasel says.

“Lastly, my dear friend Zartan, how would you like to hit the Vegas jackpot?”

“I’ve always been a gambler,” Zartan says.

“Take your dreadnoks into the city and wait for the power to fail. Once Firefly has blacked out the city you and your men can strike the casinos and and banks. Take for yourself what you can but be sure to save some for Cobra. It might also be fitting if you distribute the wealth to the people.”

Zartan grins.

“Doctor Mindbender,” you turn your attention to the ‘doctor’.

“What’s up, man?”

“Do you have a stockpile of your ‘blue bliss’ on hand?”

“Enough to dose a small city, man.”

“Then let’s start with Las Vegas. The people might become more amenable to us if we’ve sufficiently mellowed them.”

(1/2)

“Right on.”

You check the time on the console before you. “That will be all for now. Each of you see to your tasks. Cobraaa!”

Your lieutenants echo the cry which fills the conference room.

Preparations are undertaken and the strike teams are dispatched for Las Vegas and Atlanta to get into position. Baroness secures a meeting with the moles in Denver, the same seedy bar you’d met in before. A flight is scheduled and you leave shortly. But first, you welcome Storm Shadow’s return.

The ninja exits the aircraft, descending the stairs to the cement floor of the Terrordrome’s hangar. His expression is unreadable but he carries a canvas sack under his arm.

“Storm Shadow, welcome back,” you say. “How was your mission?”

He hands you the bag. “The EAGLE response force was decapitated.”

The bag is surprisingly heavy. Pulling it open you peer inside and find yourself looking into glazed eyes. A severed human head is in the bag. Despite your initial excitement, it’s not Duke.”

“He was called Flint,” Storm Shadow says.

“Now he’s called ‘dead’. You hand the bag back to him. “Well done my stealthy friend. This is exemplary work.”

“What will you have of me?”

Storm Shadow is a bodyguard without compare and may be handy to have along in Denver. Of course his loyalty is also top notch. He might be good to hang around Destro or Zartan’s neck to ensure they execute your will to your specifications. Destro might get overbold in Atlanta, Zartan might get greedy in Vegas.


>Accompany me to Denver
>Accompany Destro to Atlanta
>Accompany Zartan to Las Vegas.
>Write in

>>4567406
>Write in
Start a class to teach promising Cobra members some skills.

Also send him to take out a corrupt politician in Las Vegas that everyone dislikes.

>>4567406
>Accompany me to Denver

I am worried our moles might be compromised, after their spectacular failure with the base assault. This might be a trap.

>>4567589
Are we meeting them both at the same time?

>>4567610
Correct. It's to be a joint meeting in the interest of time and to avoid dealing with security for two separate meetings.

>>4567646
Okay so its a trap then.

EAGLE's gonna know whats up.

>>4567543
>>4567406

Changing to
>Accompany me to Denver

>>4567406
Accompany me to Denver

>>4567406
>Accompany me to Denver

>>4567406
>Accompany me to Devenr

Yeah, this is going to go so fucking wrong. Especially since our spies will now know of the existence of eachother. But oh well.

Out of interest to those whom know their Joe lore, is Flint anyone important enough to make Duke get mad?

>>4567732
This will also give us time to work on stormshadow and try to turn him firmly to Cobra's mission, even above his masters wishes and philosophy. We have a long plane ride, after all.

>>4567732

Oh yeah. In Joe Lore, Flint's pretty much Duke's second in command. He even led the Joes when Duke was out of commission during the GI-Joe (animated series) movie.

>>4567732
>>4567868

If QM is sticking to the actual Joe relationships....we're gonna have one pissed off Lady Jaye coming after us.

>>4567875
>>4567868
Perfect.

>>4567406

>Accompany me to Denver

>>4567875
Didn't we kill him off fairly early? Doubt they started seeing each other romantically yet.

I also didn't expect a named character to be offed so soon. Was expection something like a nameless GI joe guy with rank, like the guys back at the bank...

>>4568362
>Guys at the bank
Just because you don't know their names doesn't mean they don't have them.

Also Storm Shadow doesn't fuck around.

>>4567406
>>Accompany Destro to Atlanta

>>4567406
>>Accompany me to Denver

>>4568450
Junkyard
Wilson
and
Bludd
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRQvSt7HHVI

>>4568918
Video isn't available.

>>4568362
And while it's nice to know named characters don't get plot protection, that sword cuts both ways.

>>4569063
I can see the video

>>4569063
Hes probably from a country that restricts it or something....

Its a clip from Robot Chicken doing a cobra skit and they have a wall of names for the fallen.

>Accompany me to Denver

>writing

“I have concerns about an upcoming meeting,” you say. “Two EAGLE counter-operatives will be meeting with me. Given EAGLE’s precarious position I need to get all the information I can on them as soon as possible. I’m worried about betrayal.”

Storm Shadow says nothing, waiting for the order.

“You will accompany me and ensure that all goes as planned.”

“As you wish, Commander.” He bows his head slightly. If only all of your subordinates were this pliable.

“Then we leave for Denver.”

You spend the flight north in communication with your strike teams. Destro brings word of successful raids on INN’s broadcast equipment with matching dips in their stock value. It’s just a matter of time.

The Las Vegas raid will be occurring around the same time as your meeting, but you trust Zartan, Ghost Bear, and the others to ensure it goes smoothly.

The dive bar you have the moles gather at is the same one as before, this time you intend to meet them in the basement of a nearby apartment building. Storm Shadow and your guards swept the building as thoroughly as possible and confirmed it was clear. Once you saw Nails and Cutter arrive, you sent Taipan to retrieve them.

“You make a mistake,” Storm Shadow says. He’s been silent for virtually the entire trip, always within arms’ reach of you, but never speaking. Now he stands by a bare concrete wall beside a broken clothes dryer, arms crossed, eyes closed.

Storm Shadow is the last person you’d expect to ever question your methods, but your curiosity can’t be contained. “Do I? In being here?”

“A mistake to trust a traitor,” Storm Shadow says. “The enemy of your enemy is not your friend.”

You chuckle. “A simplistic view. What makes you think I consider either of them to be my friend? And what makes you think that Cobra is anything if not a nest of traitors? Have I not turned on the forces that shaped me? Would you not turn against those that shaped you?”

His eyes snap open at the implication and he fixes you with a withering stare. “No.”

“No? You wouldn’t?”

“No,” he repeats.

You chuckle again. “Then I think it is you who makes a mistake, Storm Shadow. Honor and loyalty has its place to be sure, but blind loyalty is ignorance. To never question your place in things is foolishness of the highest degree.”

Storm Shadow is feeling talkative, “Then I should have no reason for loyalty to you either.”

You sense the discomfort of your guards who are reluctant to speak out of turn, but the ninja’s candid responses are refreshing. You spread your hands, “I make no false claims about what I am, Storm Shadow. I am a snake. This is the most sincere form of honesty, isn’t it? To admit my nature? You are free of course to make your own decisions about me, and to do so knowing that I hold nothing back. Everything I am is here on the surface, to trust or to condemn.”

(1/2)

He stares at you a moment, studying you like he might size up a target. After a bit he closes his eyes and shakes his head. “This is anathema to a ninja.”

“On the contrary,” you say, “You’re very clear about what you are and where you stand. I have no illusions there. To be outwardly honest is not the same as being obvious. To your original point: yes. I am putting faith in the faithless. It is a gamble, but one worth taking. My empire is built on risk. I will bet everything on one outcome and if I loose I will build again and start over. Safe choices don’t equate to victory.”

“This much is true,” he says.

Progress. You might just be crossing the threshold from client to master.

Taipan enters the basement and steps aside, allowing the two EAGLE operatives to step forward. Cutter, the disillusioned military veteran looks tired, sheepish, afraid. He seems to believe in your vision, but perhaps is having trouble coming to terms with the reality of it.

Nails, a demolition expert with a coke habit is beside him. Nails puts on a smug facade, a confident and casual grin, the air of a man in control. His body language tells a different story. Anxious fear.

“Welcome, both of you.” You glance back at Storm Shadow who is gone, disappeared to god knows where. “I thank you for meeting on such short notice.”

“What a host,” Nails says, his voice thick with sarcasm. “You hang us out to dry and still expect us to jump on cue.”

“And yet here you are,” you say, “Jumping.”

“It was too dangerous to reach out,” Cutter says. “After the crack down. And when you were captured I thought-”

“That it was over?” you suggest. “I’m happy to report that my plan proceeds unmolested.”

“Plan?” Nails asks.

“I don’t think I told you to stop jumping,” you return coolly.

Nails grits his teeth but says nothing further.

“What was the outcome of the surprise attack we launched,” you say. “And where is EAGLE’s headquarters now located?”

“The attack wrecked our main operation,” Nails says. “Lots of material lost. EAGLE is more distributed now. We’ve got bases all over.”

“Our main administrative headquarters is in New York City,” Cutter says. “It’s where the brass operate.”

“Defenses?” You ask.

“Dunno, I haven’t been out that way.”


>Tell me everything you can about EAGLE’s current operations and strength
>I want your help tracking down Duke
>I think it’s time the two of you sever ties with EAGLE and come back with me}
>Write in

>>4570969
>Tell me everything you can about EAGLE’s current operations and strength

I believe focusing on Duke would not be the most productive approach (especially given we don't fully trust these guys, it would make it trivial to set a trap for us) and their main value is in information, so calling them in wouldn't make sense.

>>4570992
Support

I also want names and specialities of the brass. Flint is dead. Give me other names of those who are hard to replace.

>>4570969
And as an aside, I think Nails is having trouble remembering some of our advice.

"Wherever there is a knock in the night, it is Cobra" If only there was a way to make him remember it, properly.

>>4570969
>Tell me everything you can about EAGLE’s current operations and strength
>Write in
I'll let you both ask me one question and request each, it is up to me entirely if I answer or considered it. Make it quick, reasonable and straightforward.

>>4571129
To what is the benefit of this boon?

>>4571133
For us...well you can only push a man too far before they snap back to their original position, decide its better to tell Eagle and become double agents. This way, they get some semblance of control

>>4570969
>>Tell me everything you can about EAGLE’s current operations and strength

>>4571258
Nails is held in check by his drug habit, of which we control.

Cutter is a faithful, he doesnt need a question or a request to hold him steady, he just needs some reassurances and empty platitudes, like "this is the way"

>>4570969
>>Tell me everything you can about EAGLE’s current operations and strength

>Tell me everything you can about EAGLE’s current operations and strength


>Writing

“Then why don’t you tell me everything you can about EAGLE’s current operations and strength.”

Cutter glances at Nails who avoids looking at him. “Things are bad,” Cutter says. “We’re down some leadership and funding is hurting. The brass are thinking about pulling the plug entirely without results.”

Progress. “What remains?”

Again Nails says nothing.

“A few battalions,” Cutter says, “Air support. Naval assets.”

“And that’s all?”

“That’s all,” He says.

You look at Nails. “Where?”

The soldiers is taken off guard by your focus. “It’s pretty distributed. We’re still stationed at the old EAGLE HQ and there are a few other major bases. The Mojave, MacDill, New York.”

The sound of a gunshot, however muffled, is unmistakable even in the basement. Your body guards draw weapons and take cover, Taipan moving to check the doors.

You toggle your own radio. “Storm Shadow, report.”

“Trouble.” A single word is all you get.

“Taipan?” You demand.

“Checking.” The sniper ducks out of the door and into the hall.

You look back to Nails and Cutter, both looking supremely worried.

“What is it?” Cutter asks.

“They found us,” Nails says.

You toggle your radio again, “Storm Shadow, give me a status update. Now!”

The voice that responds isn’t the ninja’s. “Cobra Commander.” It’s full of mirth and malice with not a shred of humanity.

“Duke,” you say.

“I didn’t like the way things we left things. Unfinished business doesn’t sit well with me.”

Taipan returns to the room. “Duke is broadcasting on an open channel. They’re moving forces in to surround the building.”

“I’m happy to finish the joke,” you say, “But now’s not the time for the punchline.”

“No time like the present, Commander. I’d tell you to surrender but I know you won’t.”

Taipan grabs your arm, “We’re leaving.”

You pull free, maintaining the line with Duke. “Something tells me you wouldn’t accept it anyway, Duke. I feel that Cobra prisoners might experience a shortened lifespan in EAGLE custody.”

Duke chuckles, “Accidents happen. Especially when people have them coming. After that little stunt you pulled with the ninja- let’s just say there’s a lot of people gunning for you today.”

“Sir,” Taipan insists. “We have to go.”

More gunfire upstairs clues you in to reality. This is a noose closing around your neck, faster than you’d like. Not entirely a surprise, but certainly unwelcome.

“Flint was only a start,” you say. “Bring them on, Duke. And while you do, why don’t you look up the definition of insanity.” You kill the channel, stepping to follow Taipan.

“Wait,” Cutter says, moving to follow you. “What about us?”

“If you leave us here they’ll kill us,” Nails pleads.


>Take them with you
>Leave them here
>Kill them both just in case
>Write in

>>4572341
>Write in
>Kill Nails take Cutter

Nails is a liability, hes here because of some expert blackmail, he has no real loyalty or capacity for loyalty. Cutter seems like he could make a good operative in the future.

Also I cant imagine not leaving at least one corpse for Duke to find.

>>4572341

>Take them with you

We can take both us too a drop off point, Find out if either of them snitched/were followed.

>>4572350
Support

"Only the loyal survive Nails."
Speaking of loyal. WHERE IS THE FUCKING NINJA?!

>>4572341
>>Take them with you

>>4572341
>Kill them both just in case
One final reward for the traitors.

>>4572341
>>Take them with you
Take them with us.
But don't go straight to location of importance first. I want Nails and Cutter stripped butt naked before we go anywhere important, bugs get mighty small these days and I don't want them tracked to our base.

We can decide whether they live or die later, no reason to let ourselves be pushed into hasty decisions.

>>4572350
>Also I cant imagine not leaving at least one corpse for Duke to find.
Nah, I'd rather not. A body gives him the satisfaction of knowing he interfered with a plan of ours in some way.

>>4572341

>Take them with you, do full strip search while on the chopper, including tossing *all* personal affects from said chopper, including glasses and contact lenses. If a bug is found, toss the turncoat from the chopper.

>>4572341
>Take them with you
They've been useful.

Even if they are a trojan horse we can use them still.

>>4572595
Supporting

>>4572341
Supporting >>4572595

>>4572643
>>4572595
Can we like incinerate or burn the stuff?
Don't want to leave evidence behind.

>>4573193
Not while on a plane, which is where we want to do it.

Finding a nug while at the terrordome is a shit idea.

>>4572643
+1

Sorry I'm late. Let's fuckin GOOOOOOO

>Take them with you

>writing

You don’t trust them. You really can’t afford to, but you also don’t see a reason to make a hasty call. “You’re coming with us.” Drawing your own sidearm, you usher them forward.

“With you?” Nails asks. “Wait but I-”

You turn on the EAGLE traitor, looming at him. “You’re at a pivotal moment, Nails. You come with me, or you stay here. Take your pick.”

“Yeah, yeah I’ll come,” Nails says quickly.

You and your escort step into the narrow hall outside the basement and walk with purpose. You were a careful bunch, Cobra doesn’t take chances without preparation. Emergency escape routes were put in place since before the meeting was held.

“Storm Shadow, report,” you say.

The only answer is another flurry of gunfire from upstairs.

“Damn.”

“He’s alive sounds like,” Taipan says. “Maybe being jammed.”

You reach another door and throw it open, revealing a small maintenance room. In the floor of the room is a hatch. A trooper kneels by it and hauls it open. Beneath it is a dark ladderway and the sound of running water. A sewer and your ticket out of here.

You hesitate.

“He can take care of himself, Commander,” Taipan says “And if not then he’s going to buy us time to get you out of here.”

You have no doubt that Storm Shadow is talented and loyal, but you’re skeptical of his ability to slip away from this one unscathed. The bass rumble of heavy vehicles approaching overhead makes the odds seem decidedly stacked against him.


>We’re going for Storm Shadow
>Taipan, go for Storm Shadow
>He’ll have to fend for himself
>Write in

>>4573773
>Taipan, go for Storm Shadow

>>4573773

>He’ll have to fend for himself

>>4573773
>>We’re going for Storm Shadow

>>4573773
>Taipan go for stormshadow, take some of the men

I hate to risk our loyal sniper, but it is required that stormshadow feel that we have some loyalty back to him. He will owe us his life for this aid.
Leaving him for dead will not deepen his debt to us, but we likewise can't afford to go for him ourselves.

>>4573796
Plus, we can come back with our own sky superiority fighters and battalion.

We have a bead on duke! Bombing run! Bombing run!

>>4573773
Supporting >>4573796

>>4573796
this, i dont want to lose our ninja already, and if he survives without any help i'd rather not have a super assassin pissed at us.

>>4573773
>>We’re going for Storm Shadow

>>4573773
>He’ll have to fend for himself
He is a ninja, it will probably be easier for him to get out by himself.

>>4573796
Supporting
Even harassment attacks will draw heat off of him, god knows Duke WILL kill Storm Shadow if he's caught after what he did to Flint

>>4573796
+1

>>4573796
>Taipan go for storm shadow, take some of the men

>Writing

“Then you’re helping,” you say. “Taipan, take some men and see to Storm Shadow. I’m not leaving here without my ninja.”

The sniper is torn, “Sir-”

“I’ve made up my mind, now go!” you bark.

There’s no more argument from Taipan, he unlimbers his weapon and hurries off.

You remain here in the hall by the maintenance room along with two guards, Nails, and Cutter. The engines overhead have stopped, presumably satisfied with their cordon of the building, likely unloading troops.

Ideally you would call attack forces on your position to catch Duke and his men. A perfect counter trap, only your forces are occupied in destroying Las Vegas.

A few moments of silence pass. “Tough break, huh?”

You look over at Nails.

“About this EAGLE raid,” he adds.

“We’ll see how much of a ‘bad break’ that is,” you say.

The demolition man raises an eyebrow. “Confident, huh? If I were you I’d be shakin in my boots.”

You say nothing.

“Don’t give me that look,” Nails adds, “I don’t mean like that. I mean because you already did time once. I wouldn’t let them take me alive.”

“You won’t have to worry about that,” you say. “Now be quiet.”

Nails holds up a placating hand.

There is a flurry of gunfire upstairs, rapid bursts of lasers followed by the short chops of precise fire.

You and your troops look up reflexively at the sound.

Nails slams the flat of his palm into the nearest trooper’s nose which breaks with a crack. He catches the falling guard’s rifle mid air and pumps a burst into the second trooper before you bring your sidearm to bear on him.

Time seems to flow slower, your weapon coming up to bracket him. Slowly. Too slowly.

You see the muzzle of his rifle yawning before you, his eyes widening, grin stretching in sick triumph. You’re a leader of men, but you’re not a soldier. You can’t match his speed with the weapon.

It’s over.

(1/2)

A laser bolt flashes past your head and strikes the wall behind you.

Cutter and Nails struggle for control of the rifle, each of them gripping the barrel and stock. They throw one another into the bare walls of the hall, trying to overpower the other.

You carefully track the fight with your pistol, waiting for the perfect opportunity. It comes a moment later when Nails shoves Cutter to the floor.

The pistol fires twice and Nails staggers back, two smoking holes in his chest, his face frozen in shock. He falls to his knees and then flat on his face after a moment.

Beside him, Cutter is trying to catch his breath. “Are you alright Commander?” he asks.

“Fine,” you say. “Fine.”

Cutter picks the rifle off the ground and you pin him with your sights on instinct, heart hammering. The EAGLE spy stops and looks up at you, waiting for approval.

You lower the pistol and he slings the rifle.

Something explodes not far away, a breaching charge. EAGLE is storming into the basement it sounds like.


>We’re going to buy time for Storm Shadow and Taipan
>We’re leaving, now.
>Write in

>>4574934
>We’re leaving, now.

We already sent off part of our escort and we two are unlikely to make much difference. Staying seems a very poor idea.

>>4574934
So it's just us, a guard with a broken nose and Cutter right?

If so, Pick up a rifle and have him rig the bodies to explode. They are soldiers, they ought to have some grenades on them.
And fucker I knew we should have killed Nails.

Anyway, next get down into the sewer, hide away from easy flashbang distance and aim your fucking guns at that ladder. We wait until the last possible moment until we leave.

>>4574952
>So it's just us, a guard with a broken nose and Cutter right?
That's correct.

>>4574934
>We’re leaving, now.

>>4574934
>We’re leaving, now.

Well, that anon was right it seems. Nails was never our man. Lets get ahead of this shitshow. Sucks about taipan, maybe even storm shadow.

But then again Storm shadow made it out of New York without evac so maybe its just Taipan we sent to his death

>>4574934
>>We’re leaving, now.
Yeah two close encounters, TK is telling us something

>>4574934
>>We’re leaving, now.

>>4574934
>We’re leaving, now.
Put two in nail's head on the way out.

>>4575043
he's a sniper we should have faith in him.
anyway i think this calls for upgrading our personal portable anti tank/vehicle equipment and some escape equipment
like maybe a smoke grenade on a belt you can just pop with a simple button

>>4574934
we should call wild weasel and the team to cover taipan and storm shadow too if theyre done scrapping the air force base

>>4574934
>We’re leaving, now.

>>4575383
How about we drop a grenade or two on the body? Grab em off our troopers.

>>4575383
>>4575804
Don't waste either our grenades or our bullets, we're desperate here. Nails is already dead.

>We’re leaving, now.

>Writing

You throw open the hatch for the sewer. “Inside. Now.”

Cutter leads the way and you follow, slamming the hatch behind you. Time is short. The inside of the sewer is dark, lit only by the small flashlight you click on. The air is muggy and smells of mildew.

Cutter takes point, moving swiftly, rifle at the ready.

You’ll have to forgive yourself for relying on Nails. You never fully trusted him, but you thought you’d understood him enough to control him. You’d overestimated him. And perhaps underestimate Cutter.

The soldier checks an intersection with professional precision. “Which way?”

“Left.” You have the escape path memorized. Your boots slosh through the muck. The sound of running water drowns out anything you might hear from overhead, and you’re fine with this. It’s not a swift or glamorous escape, but it is prudent. This particular sewer branch runs clear across the city, giving you several entrance/exit points. It will prove difficult for EAGLE to track you should they locate your means of escape.

“Are we waiting for the others?” Cutter asks.

Storm Shadow and Taipan are a tough loss to swallow, but if you have to-

“We’ll see,” you say.

“What will happen to me?” Cutter asks.

You’re halfway tempted to tell him you’re going to execute him, just to see his reaction. All the same, he is a man with a gun and you feel it wisest to be careful. “We’ll take you back,” you say. “And figure things out from there.”

Cutter asks no more questions.

You emerge from through a drain minutes later in a wooded park. Leafy shade rustles overhead in a cool breeze, sun filters through gaps in the foliage, birds chirp. Ignoring all of this, you take out the radio beacon that will summon the helicopter. The device is heavy in your gloved palm. One press of the button will get you out of here within ten minutes.

Looking around, you take in the peaceful tranquility of this large city park. You’re fairly well hidden here, but there’s no telling how long it will be before EAGLE finds this place.


>Summon the helicopter
>Hold out and wait for Storm Shadow and Taipan
>Write in

>>4576005
>Hold out and wait for Storm Shadow and Taipan

>>4576005
>Summon the helicopter
We risk getting found the longer we wait, best to get out as fast as possible. If our guys get away, they are likely to escape by a different way.

>>4576005
>Summon the helicopter
Its easier to organize a rescue when we are alive and free. Lets not get cocky again

>>4576005
>>Hold out and wait for Storm Shadow and Taipan

>>4576005
>wait 5 minutes and then activate the beacon.

I assume the chopper has an escort? If so they could be used to help out our men.

>>4576028
There will be nobody left to save.

>>4576005
>>Hold out and wait for Storm Shadow and Taipan
obviously not too long but

>>4576079
So because we made a bad call earlier we commit suicide now? Thats dumb. Why risk it?

>>4576005
Do we have any backup helicopters?
They can hop on the other one.

>>4576263
Give them some time.
The sewers are a maze and we are outside their cordon under cover. Give it 5-10 minutes for them to escape, then we leave.

We lose two 'hero' units if we leave now, and we lose a bit of time by waiting for a short while. If they aren't here in 5 minutes, they probably aren't coming at all, if not here by 10, they certainly aren't.

>>4576278
I was thinking 2 minutes. 10 is too long, should be 5 or less.

>>4576005
>>Hold out and wait for Storm Shadow and Taipan


>>4575957
>>4575804
Nah, a grenade would've been a great idea. Just pull the pin and tuck it under the body so the Joes get blown apart when they move him.

>>4576005
>>Hold out and wait for Storm Shadow and Taipan

>>4576005
>Hold out and wait for Storm Shadow and Taipan

>>4576005
>Give them five minutes to find us, then call it either way.

>Hold out and wait for Storm Shadow and Taipan

>Writing

You rest your thumb on the transmit button and wait. You and Cutter sit in the shade of a tree nearby. You keep the muzzle of your pistol trained on the sewer drain while Cutter scans the woods around you. And you wait.

The sounds of birds chirping grates on your nerves. Time is short. You check your watch every thirty seconds. A pair of EAGLE helicopters approach the city in the distance looking like fat insects drawn to the smell of decay.

A car door closes hard nearby.

You press the summon button. There’s no more time. The radio beeps once, signal confirmation.

“Cutter,” you whisper.

He’s already turned to train his weapon on the sound. The two of you watch it, fingers on triggers as the snapping of twigs and branches approaches.

Taipan and Stormshadow emerge from the treeline, drawing short at the sight of you and Cutter.

Taipan is wounded, his arm in a makeshift sling. “Sir.”

“What kept you?” you snarl.

“Snake Eyes.”

“The ninja?” You ask, surprised.

“The same. Your sniper saved me.” He indicates Taipan wo only grimaces.

The thud of helicopter blades approaches.

“Nails was a traitor,” you say, noting silent satisfaction in Storm Shadow’s eyes. “We’ve got what we need though,” you indicate Cutter, “A valuable source of information on EAGLE.”

The treetops above you thrash in the backwash of rotors as one of your gunships passes low overhead, doors open, coming in for a landing. The four of you board the helicopter quickly and it lifts off.

Taipan watches the ground pull away before looking to you. “Sorry sir.”

“You brought me Storm Shadow, there’s nothing to be sorry for.”

Taipan says nothing further.

You travel south, cross the Mexican border below radar level, and link up with the rest of your Vegas assault team returning to the Terrordrome. Their numbers seem a bit thinner, but the choppers are also sluggish, heavy with loot.

The true scope of the victory only becomes clear on return to the Terrordrome.

“Total bleedin success,” Bludd says proudly.

(1/2)

Success is right. With the airbase stricken, there was virtually no interference with your campaign of looting and anarchy. The casinos were emptied and burned by Zartan’s biker thugs. Ghost Bear’s precision attacks on nearby power stations prevented easy routing of power after the dam was destroyed

By god, the footage of Hoover Dam going down was something to behold. It’s white cement face shattering and disintegrating and tons upon tons of water pulverized it to dust. A classic piece of vintage Americana destroyed by Cobra. With your successful purchase of INN, that same footage is being broadcast regularly, interspersed with interviews of the locals expressing frustration with the government’s ability to help them or defend them. COIL is on scene to provide relief, shelter, and a friendly ear to these desperate people.

It was perfect, almost too perfect. Made only better by the interview with Duke in the days that followed. Oh yes, petty or not, you were following his story with keen interest. EAGLE’s commander was the man on the spot when Vegas fell. He was the one to blame. Commander of the world’s most powerful anti-terrorist organization. And where was he when a major city was rendered uninhabitable? He was in Denver, chasing a personal vendetta. The press conference he led, or tried to lead quickly devolved into a madhouse circus. Accusations were thrown, implications of incompetence, suggestions of change. All through it, Duke maintained a stony facade. You knew inside he was screaming.

The thought is enough to set you cackling.

But now, the stage is set. You’ve goaded your enemy, you’ve drawn lines in the sand, you’ve weakened his support, you’ve gathered intel from an insider. Now, the time has come to make a decisive strike. For the Snake to kill the Eagle once and for all.

You’ll need to use your conventional and unconventional weapons to start a battle where you can finally crush EAGLE’s main combat force. With the Seismic Inducer fully operational you have the means to generated devastating earthquakes across the globe. This same energy is easily traceable however. You could use this weapon to attack cities and force EAGLE to come to you, attacking the Terrordrome in force.

You might also use your military to invade a major US city, turning it into a fortress and daring EAGLE to try to drag you loose.

You might also initiate a direct attack on EAGLE’s headquarters while you simultaneously use the Inducer to devastate undefended cities across the nation.

Now is the time for extreme action.


>Launch a series of attacks with the Seismic Inducer to lure them to the Terrordrome
>Attack a major city with conventional forces and the Inducer, turn it into a fortress and force EAGLE to fight for it
>Storm EAGLE HQ and attack American cities with the Inducer while they are otherwise occupied
>Write in

>>4580773
OUR PATIENCE PAYED OFF!
Net win! FUCK YOU DUKE!

Now I have two thoughts. The first is
>Strom Eagle HQ and use the inducer to destroy the statue of liberty as our punchline.

Or the other

>Set up another base, another terror dome and relocate to it. Use the nuclear reactors from Cobrastan and rig the terrordome to blow, then use the inducer to wreak as much havoc as we can to draw duke and his cronies in. Then nuke it while our forces strike at the rest of Eagles HQs

I'm fine with either

>>4580773
>Write in
Build a second inducer, set one up in a fortress to bait eagle into attacking and destroying when we turn it on, then blow up everything there.

Then turn on the second one targeting major cities.

>>4580773
>Storm EAGLE HQ and attack American cities with the Inducer while they are otherwise occupied

>>4580781
That reminds me of that fucking madra fight from naruto.

>"Oh ho, they stopped the planet ending attack"
>"FUCK YOU COBRA COMMANDER, WE STOPPED THE ATTACK!"
>"What about the second one?"
>"Nani?"

>>4580773

if we can do >>4580781
otherwise
>Storm EAGLE HQ and attack American cities with the Inducer while they are otherwise occupied

>>4580781
>2nd Inducer
The amount of time it would take to do that is prohibitive.

Many of the materials are rare enough that it might be months or years to pilfer enough to build a second one.

>>4580823
Aww. Then lets not. I don't want to ruin our newest toy.

We also have a ninja to try ans subvert some more.

>>4580823
But what about a deco that can redirect or channel the energy readings to a false location?

>>4580773

>Cause global chaos. Hand dirty bombs off to the Chechens, Hezbollah, ISIS, ANTIFA/Right-wing militia, etc

>>4580773
>>Storm EAGLE HQ and attack American cities with the Inducer while they are otherwise occupied

>>4580773
>Set up the seismic inducer in the capital of Cobrastan, rig the nuclear reactors in the city to blow, then when Duke and EAGLEs main force move in, blow it up and then use INN to blame EAGLE for causing the meltdown.
+1 my absolutely foolproof plan with no downsides whatsoever.

>>4581390
>Sacrificing another superweapon in Cobrastan
Jesus christ, are we trying to reenact the show? Thats almost cartoonishly stupid. Lets not.

Given that we have crippled the world economy with our actions, I think that combat should finish the death blow on america by using the inducer to collapse economic infrastructure while we deal with EAGLE.

With that in mind, the federal mint and rebuilt world trade centres are two good targets, the latter more than the former. But given the damages that could be done, I feel that to crown the death of EAGLE we should use the statue of liberty as the punctuation mark.

>Storm EAGLE HQ and attack American cities with the Inducer while they are otherwise occupied
>>4580779
>>4580796
>>4581223
>>4581689


>Writing

“Here,” you tap the globe with a gloved finger.

“New York?” Bludd asks.

“What better target? What better symbol for the old order? The UN, EAGLE’s HQ, the Statue of Liberty.”

Baroness smiles, showing teeth. “That’s quite the target.”

“And the ultimate one to prove EAGLE’s utter inability to stop us. We attack the city, destroy their headquarters, topple the Statue, and televise the whole thing.”

“Do we have the forces for it?” Viper asks.

“Destro?” you ask.

“My cybernetic BAT soldiers are now ready for deployment. Coupled with the Iron Grenadiers, Crimson Guard, and the Dreadnoks, as well as every Cobra trooper and tank we can muster-” he looks over the other Cobra lieutenants. “I think we can make this work. We can burn the city.”

“What about funding?” Zartan asks, frowning.

“Money is no object,” you tell Zartan.

“Maybe not to you.”

“You’ll get your payment,” you say. “If you can’t reign your men in then let the bikes roam the city.”

“What’s the plan?” Taipan asks.

(1/2)

“Simple.” You fold your hands together. “A multi-pronged attack during the New Year celebration. The Dreadnoks stir up trouble, all other battalions will be split between attacking the UN headquarters, and EAGLE’s administrative facilities. An airborne team will secure the State and deploy television broadcast equipment. From there, we will wrestle control of the UN General Assembly and hijack their communications. I will make a televised address from the Statue of Liberty and the moment EAGLE shows its face, we activate the Inducer to strike cities across the country. EAGLE will be pinned and destroyed.”

“How can you be sure EAGLE will dance to your tune?” Destro asks.

“Duke is a cornered animal,” you say. “He’ll have no choice. When pinned between your clockwork killers and the rest of Cobra he’ll do exactly what I expect.”

“Which is?”

You clench a fist. “He’s dying to hear the punchline to my joke.”

Destro puzzles.

“Make final preparations. All battalion leaders, drill your men. This is our American finale.”

After the meeting Baroness catches you in the hall. Your head spins with dizzying visions of victory. The long awaited moment finally in sight. The death of the America that killed your brother. “Commander?”

“Baroness.”

She looks worried. “This will be Cobra’s big moment. Our first stand up fight against EAGLE.”

“One I have every confidence we will come out on top of.”

She gives a brave smile. “There is something else.”

“Yes?”

“You’ve put me in charge of taking the UN building.”

“A task I expect you will excel in.”

“I want to be at your side,” she says plainly.

You blink.

“Your hour of victory, standing on that edifice to the past- let me be there with you. Let Bludd handle the UN and let me share in the glory with you.” She lays a hand on your arm.

Personal moments like this make your stomach knot. You prefer to deal in grandiosity and schemes rather than . . . relationships. Baroness is a capable field commander, easily able to handle either task. You know she also respects you a great deal. No doubt she wants to revel in victory with you.

The question is if it will distract her from the mission at hand. Or distract you.


>I’d be delighted for you to join me
>You have your own story to write. Make me proud
>Write in

>>4581747
>I believe you can write your own story, Far beyond that which I write. Think on it and I will respect either choice.

if thats too stupid.

>I’d be delighted for you to join me

>>4581747
mmmmm, good question. I also feel a sudden sense of paranoia but I'm not going to act on it. I just never took Baroness to be someone who could get swept up in a force of personality.

>Think clearly about the place in which you can do Cobra proudest, if that place is alongside me on the battlefield then it would be a pleasure.

>>4581747
>>Think clearly about the place in which you can do Cobra proudest, if that place is alongside me on the battlefield then it would be a pleasure.
There is only so much room for grandstanding today. We do have to actually win also

>>4581790
>I just never took Baroness to be someone who could get swept up in a force of personality.
i dunno, between us and destro she seems easily swayed to playing second fiddle to the most charismatic man in the room. regardless,

+1

>>4581799
I suppose. Speaking of Destro, we need to figure out how to secure his loyalty somehow.

Any plans on that front, assembled evil master minds?

>>4581838
eh, i see a power struggle in our future together. it'd probably be easier to just shoot him and take over his business than make concessions to him just to keep him from betraying us.

>>4581861
Then it'd be best to start our inroads into Destro's powerbase.

>>4581747
>>I’d be delighted for you to join me

>>4581861
>>4581867
No doubt he expects that. We'd need to be very cautious about sussing out his power, if he gets wind of it then he'd know we're planning a liquidation and take steps of his own.
I think cementing our relationship with the Baroness is the best move we can make now to counter his insubordination.

>>4581747
>>You have your own story to write. Make me proud

>>4581747
>>4581755
>>4581790
>I believe you can write your own story, Far beyond that which I write. Think on it and I will respect either choice.
>Think clearly about the place in which you can do Cobra proudest, if that place is alongside me on the battlefield then it would be a pleasure.
I like both

tk you're a raging faggot.

>>4582557
bold claim, tk what is your response?

>>4582557
>1 post ID
Coward.

I'm going to be busy for the holidays, pick this back up on the 28th!

Merry eve everyone

>>4584376
Fantastic idea!

>>4581790
>>4581794

>Writing

You lay a hand on her shoulder in what you feel shows appropriate camaraderie. “Baroness, you should know by now that I trust your judgement. Think clearly about the place in which you can do Cobra proudest, if that place is alongside me on the battlefield then it would be a pleasure.”

She smiles warmly. “Yes, I think that would be best. This will be Cobra’s finest hour. There is no better place for me to be.”

“Then,” you say, “I will make it so.”

***

The rear door of the transport plane splits open with the whine of motors, spilling chill air into the cargo bay. The assault troopers around you flinch momentarily at the gust, a few of them adjusting their face masks and goggles.

You feel the same nervous excitement you felt back on your first operation, the raid in Africa. Things have come full circle. Once a thief in the night, now you’re a conqueror, a would-be king.

“Jump in ten seconds!” the jump master calls.

Beneath you you can see only the cold, dark waters off Manhattan island. New York City isn’t far away, long in the throes of celebrating the New Year. By now you’re sure that Zartan and his Dreadnoks have begun to raise hell.

“Five seconds!”

Major Bludd’s team is dropping onto EAGLE HQ and the UN building. With him, the bulk of your forces including the Paoli twins and Destro.

“Go! Go! Go!”

You rush forward with the others in the bay, stepping off the ramp and into thin air. Your stomach drops with your body and your breath hitches momentarily before your chute deploys. You’re snapped back with a jerk and your perilous fall slows to manageable levels. The canopy above you is black save for a red cobra icon.

Steering yourself using dangling hand toggles, you align yourself with the target. The Statue of Liberty looms ahead. Your assault team follows your lead, carefully directing themselves to circle the statue before landing around the base.

You land among them, boots striking ground hard before you disconnect your chute. Chaos reigns on the ground as terrified tourists shout and flee for cover. Your officers round up a dozen of them as hostages while the rest of your men fan out, deploying heavy weapons. You stand and watch the well-oiled machine going to work, feeling a swell of pride within yourself.

Baroness directs a team that is deploying short-range broadcast gear which will be used to patch into the United Nations transmission array once Destro secures that.

You agonized for a while about Storm Shadow’s role in all this. Whether he should accompany your assault drop on the statue or if he should go with Destro, acting as a sort of insurance police against any duplicitous actions.


>Storm Shadow is with me
>Storm Shadow will watch Destro

>>4586117
>>Storm Shadow is with me

This ninja is made of plot-armor. We should be keeping him near us. Only downside is the snake-eyes dilemma, but Id gladly take that over being at risk

>>4586117
>Storm Shadow is with me

>>4586117
>Storm Shadow is with me
What's the worst that could happen?

>>4586117
>With me.

we shouldnt trust him, but he is our most competent bodyguard. Plus, corruption.

>>4586117
>>Storm Shadow will watch Destro

>>4586117
>Storm Shadow will watch Destro

>>4586117
>Storm Shadow is with me

>>4586117
>>Storm Shadow is with me
I don't trust the Barones at the moment

>>4586614
Why would you trust Destro but not Baroness? That doesn't even make sense.

>>4586614
>>4586617
>Storm Shadow is with me
She might be playing us and actually acting as if shes on our side, but planning on backstabbing us and helping Destro take over during the final act.

>>4586636
I dunno man. Never trust anyone is good advice to live by but dont assume they are against us without cause.
Maybe it is arrogance, but I think we are the one who holds more sway

>Storm Shadow is with me

>writing

Your ninja bodyguard lands nearby with all the grace expected of his profession. In a smooth movement he detached the parachute and draws his sword, holding a submachine gun one-handed and surveying the area.
A pair of HISS tanks land on the edge of the wooded park with the benefit of retrorockets. Free of their landing cradles, the armored vehicles roll forward and into the cover of the trees. Cobra troops quickly set up a portable missile launcher nearby and aim it skyward.

You walk a few paces toward the flagpole plaza, Storm Shadow trailing you. Ignoring this display of overabundant patriotism you instead look north, toward the city and it’s gaudy lights.

“They’re celebrating New Year’s Eve,” you say to no one in particular.

Storm Shadow makes no reply.

“They don’t know how true that is,” you add.

“Commander!” one of your troopers arrives breathless. “Baroness reports communications are up and running.”

“Excellent.” You don’t wait for a reply before heading back to the base of the statue where Baroness and her team have finished deploying the makeshift headquarters of your landing here.

“Where do we stand, Baroness?”

“Zartan’s Dreadnoks have the NYPD running wild all over the city. Bludd and Xamot have secured EAGLE HQ and Destro reports that they are mopping up resistance at the UN building.” She’s too focused on her work to show any excitement, but surely it’s there.

There’s a stirring of pride in your chest again. You’ve assembled quite a team but . . . a team of snakes all the same. How much loyalty can you really expect out of Baroness? Or Destro? How long will their undying devotion last? Especially once EAGLE is dealt with. Someone once said there is no rest for the wicked. You can’t help but feel like that applies to you too.

Baroness looks up from her data feed. “Commander,” she says, her glasses glinting in the dark. “It’s time.”

Nearby a camera crew finishes setting up lights and sound gear, the backdrop of your triumphant speech to the world will be the skyline of New York City itself. What better way to demonstrate the contempt you hold the world’s security forces in? What better way to show the impunity you act with?

All that remains is the speech to be delivered before you activate the Seismic Inducer.


>The world is going to tremble before Cobra’s might. There’s a new rising star that bears no national boundaries.
>Your leaders cannot protect you. Surrender and you have a chance in the new order.
>Now is the time to reset the world clock. Cast off the yoke of the past and embrace the future.
>Write in

>>4587309
>The old order shall tremble before the might of COBRA, the might of a foe who shall not rest, can not be stopped.
>A call for the underclass and the downtrodden to listen to our words and follow our example, rising up against the corrupt and the decadent. Their power is broken and their leadership toxic. Embrace us as we are, as saviors, and the sins of the past will be washed away in the face of a new world order, free of poverty and free of faceless corporate masters.

Maybe add a bit about our face being that of every man to look at us, our every action being the desire of the downtrodden who wont take it anymore. Tell them what they want to hear, tap into their dormant rage.

>>4587370
And of course

>Witness the feebleness of the old in the face of the new!
As the transmission cuts out or as the inducer starts powering up.

>>4587309
>>The world is going to tremble before Cobra’s might. There’s a new rising star that bears no national boundaries.

>>4587309
>>Now is the time to reset the world clock. Cast off the yoke of the past and embrace the future.

>>4587309
>Now is the time to reset the world clock. Cast off the yoke of the past and embrace the future.
>For too long the old, weak and incompetent have lorded over the strong, the young and the good people of this world. Cobra shall destroy the corrupt old world, so a new utopia can rise from its ashes, free from the tyranny of doddering old men and psychotic dictators. Join us or burn with them. COBRAAAAAA!

>>4586617
Who said I trust Destro. I just don't trust the Baroness and she is closer to us.

>>4587309
>Your leaders cannot protect you. Surrender and you have a chance in the new order.

>>4587309
>The world is going to tremble before Cobra’s might. There’s a new rising star that bears no national boundaries.
>Your leaders cannot protect you. Surrender and you have a chance in the new order.

>>4587309
>The world is going to tremble before Cobra’s might. There’s a new rising star that bears no national boundaries.
>Your leaders cannot protect you. Surrender and you have a chance in the new order.

>Medley

>Writing

>>4588457
Ah shit, I only realise now that we forgot to mock duke with something akin to "This is the punchline, to the joke that is E.A.G.L.E. Are you listening closely Commander Duke?"

>>4588470
Wait is duke a commander, or was he a major? I can't remember

You take your place front and center and the cameras fix on you, lenses dialing in to focus. A little red light flashes on atop the center camera. You’re live.

“Good evening ladies and gentlemen of the world,” you say. “I apologize for interrupting your regularly scheduled programming, but it seems there’s no one here to stop me.” You allow yourself a soft chuckle. “As you can no doubt tell I am broadcasting to you life from scenic - at this distance anyway - New York City, here in the shadow of the beautiful Lady Liberty.” You glance up at the statue. “For those of you already tuned into the news then you know of Cobra’s incursion into New York, You know of my takeover of not only the UN building but EAGLE’s headquarters themselves. I’m sure the morbid among you are keen to see what I have next in store.” You smile to yourself behind the mask. “Not to worry! Tonight I have a special demonstration planned. Since so many of you still seem to not take Cobra seriously it seems that a demonstration of power is in order. Rendering Las Vegas uninhabitable wasn’t enough, so I move to a grander stage.”

“The world, helmed by the old guard of order and stability, will tremble before the display of power here, before the might of Cobra!” You raise a fist. “For too long the weak and incompetent had lorded of the strong, the capable. It’s time to show them why they ought to be afraid.” You make a show of checking your watch, “Before long the old guard will be shaking whether they want to or not.”

You look off camera to Baroness, “Power up the Inducer!”

“Inducer coils charging,” she replied.

Back to the camera, you step closer so your mask fills the frame. “I hope you’re listening, Duke. Your prisons can’t hold me, your armies can’t stop me, your pathetic ideology has no grip on me. This mask-” you point, “Isn’t to hide who I am. It’s to the show the world who they are! My face is the face of every man, woman, and child who ever desired changed. The weak, the downtrodden, the dead who’ve gone before.” You let the words linger. “And we’re not going to take it anymore.”

“Coils charged, Commander!”

You glance at Baroness and then back at the camera. “I give a choice to the world. Join us. Or burn.Witness the feebleness of the old in the face of the new. Activate the Inducer!”

For a moment nothing happens. Seconds ticking by, dragging into a minute. Then you feel it, a shifting beneath your feet like a vast wave beneath the crust of the earth.

(1/2)

“Cobraaa!”

The earth roars and bucks and the Inducer’s first wave sweeps beneath New York city. From here you can see the buildings swaying in the dark, the sudden trilling of car alarms and distant screams is barely audible over the sound of the quake.

Before you know it, you’re laughing. Shaking the world to its foundations.

An explosion makes you whip around. The anti-air missile site on the edge of the park is gone, just a crater where it was. Before you can react, a pair of strong hands grab you and pull you off your feet. You hit the ground and roll behind a park bench, Storm Shadow dropping into cover beside you, firing up with his submachine gun.

You look up and see the sky is full of helicopters, EAGLE forces are attacking, laser fire cutting the night, scything down your men in the open. A pair of cybernetically enhanced soldiers pick off a chopper with shoulder-launched missiles before taking cover themselves.

“Faster than I expected,” you say to yourself.

“We should leave this place,” Storm Shadow says. “We’re exposed.”

EAGLE troops are landing across the small island and engaging in fierce firefights with your troopers. You scan the chaos, looking for Baroness but you don’t see her.


>Fall back into the Statue for cover
>We have to find Baroness
>I want to find Duke
>Write in

>>4588505
>Fall back into the Statue for cover
>Try to radio the baroness to find out where she is.

>>4588505
>Fall back into cover
>Get radio contact with the Baroness.

Ninja may need to ninja her out of danger. But Snake eyes and duke is here, I know they will be.

Inb4 Baroness was actually replaced by an infiltration specialist.

>>4588520
Good callout, but we have the magic man and the ninjas that can talk.

>>4588505
>Fall back into the Statue for cover

>>4588505
>>I want to find Duke

>>4588505
>Fall back into the Statue for cover
>Radio Baroness
inb4 baroness and destro double crossed us.

>>4588505
>>Fall back into the Statue for cover

>>4588505
>Fall back into the Statue for cover
>Radio Baroness

>>4588505
>Fall back into the Statue for cover
>Try to radio the baroness to find out where she is.

>>4588505
Did we ever recover Juggernauts body?

>>4589273
No, I'm fairly certain EAGLE got the body and the legs.

>>4589336
A shame, we need to put recovering his corpse on the list of things to do.

>>4589273
Recovered and disposed of by EAGLE.

>Fall back into the Statue for cover
>Try to radio the baroness to find out where she is

>Writing

Chaos reigns as your men desperately fight back against EAGLE’s surprise attack. At first you can’t figure why they would bother taking the Statue of Liberty back, strategically and tactically it’s insignificant. The only explanation is that they are here for the same reason you are, a propaganda victory. If Duke can humiliate you before the eyes of the world, then he’ll be well on the way to rehabilitating EAGLE and undoing the damage you’ve done. COnversely if you can beat him here . . .

“Baroness report. What is your status?”

Your radio hisses back nothing. It seems like local jamming maybe.

“Commander-”

You don’t let the ninja finish, “The statue. We’ll fall back and fight from there. Cobra! Rally to me!” You rise to your feet, firing from the hip toward a platoon of infantry deploying from rappel cords nearby.

A Cobra trooper with a rocket propelled grenade launcher lobs a warhead up and into the crew compartment of the chopper where it explodes with a dramatic fireball. The dead bird falls to earth with an ear-shattering crash.

Your voice hardly carries over the sound of combat but a few hear, enough to echo your cry and join you in a fighting withdrawal.

“Baroness, respond!” Your mind is alive with possibility. Betrayal, infiltration.

Gunfire snaps past you and you return the favor, peppering nearby hedges with laser bolts before Storm Shadow pulls you back into cover.

A defensive cordon around the statue has been established, your troops firing down on the enemy from hasty fighting positions. It’s stalled EAGLE’s attack for the time being, but there’s still no sign of Baroness.

You grit your teeth, there’s one more place to check. “Come on.” Carbine in hand, you lead Storm Shadow to the maintenance entrance on the side of the pedestal. You resist the urge to call out for your lieutenant. Instead you shoulder your weapon and move inside, checking corners with tactical precision. Storm Shadow mirrors you, his own swift movements making your own appear clumsy by comparison.

(1/2)

You press open the stairwell door with the muzzle of your weapon and freeze.

“Cobra Commander,” Duke says with a smile. “Ahead of schedule.”

Inside the stairwell ground floor, Duke, two of his men, and Snake Eyes stand, weapons trained on you. Baroness is here as well, hands bound behind her back, kneeling on the floor with Duke’s pistol pressed to the nape of her neck.

Your blood boils at the shit-eating grin on Duke’s face.

“Too slow again, too arrogant to see the trap you were walking into. What could be more obvious of a target than this tacky tourist trap? And now here you are to ‘strike at our symbols’, like clockwork.”

You look at Baroness who looks back up at you, her face is blank, jaw set, any fear hidden. It seems like the Baroness to not let the enemy have anything.

Duke’s own ninja has a light hand on the hilt of his sword, ready to draw in a flash.

“Predictability isn’t a crime I’m used to being accused of,” you say.

“No? Well it won’t be the last one you get charged with tonight. Weapons down, gentlemen. Let’s make this nice and easy.”

Duke’s two men have their weapons on you. You might be able to take them both out with Storm Shadow’s help, but there’s no way you could do it before Duke pulls the trigger on his pistol. You could send Storm Shadow in to attack with a look. He would take the heat long enough for you to do something about Baroness’s situation, but there’s no guarantee that he would survive such a furious headlong attack.

Your only other choice is to get Baroness to somehow distract Duke for you to attack. Surrender is not an option. No matter who here has to die, you will never surrender again.


>Open fire at Duke’s men
>Signal Storm Shadow to draw their fire
>Signal Baroness to distract Duke
>write in

>>4589590
>Taunt Duke, make him get clumsy or aim his pistol at us in his rage or shift the aim for a few seconds.
>Once he does, signal for Baroness to attack and distract him, while we pump his men and him full of laser.

Dukes death is worth sacrificing Baroness, though I'd prefer not to. But once again, this is our strength, our wits vs his tactical or combat experience. Perhaps we should make a show of mocking his fallen ally or finishing our callback about the insane asylum inmates.

"Here we are duke, we've leapt to the roof of the asylum of america and I've leapt to freedom but you are still terrified of falling. What are you afraid of? That I'll take away the bridge when you're half way through, Like I did to Flint? He fell so very far, such a gruesome end to a terrible tool."

>>4589590
Backing this >>4589601

>>4589601
>Signal for baroness and stormshadow to attack.

Three guns on us, two on then, I think Stormshadow and us can handle it if we fire on their men first and the Ninja's undergo a duel while Baroness can pull a headbutt to the dick to take duke out of commision.

>>4589606
Because I realize this looks like I'm voting for myself, I will clarify that I am ammending my vote to include signalling for both of them to move at the same instant.

>>4589601
Supporting this.


I would have gone for having a fake stroke and collapsing, but eh.

>>4589640
What good would that have done you utter p- wait that's genius.

Who would have expected anything like that at all, though it does rely on us re-aquiring our target and firing quickly.

>>4589590
>write in
Go on a tirade and monologue about our Bullshit master plan that our archetype is know for that hints at the big finale with grand fireworks, while we signal to Baroness and Shadow.

>>4589590
>Open fire at Duke’s men

>>4589590
>>Signal Baroness to distract Duke

>>4589590
>Open fire at Duke’s men

This is all more or less her fault anyway for being infatuated with us. If she hadn't questioned us, or if we had been more firm on placing her elsewhere we wouldn't be down anything but a stronghold. If she lives or dies its all on her wits and our aim.

>>4589601
Support
Let's make him monologue

>>4589601
support.

i dont want our only waifu to get her spine severed

>>4590032
We can rebuild her, we almost have the technology.

That or pop out clones, or do something with stem cells and regeneration while freezing her.

Hi, started to read the quest. On thread 1. Almost halfway through. The narration and action is something I can almost describe as "punchy", and every mission feels like a fucking episode despite not even being double-digit QM posts. Incredible. Somehow, within the first mission at Bamenda, I was sold so quickly on this quest's quality. The occasional subtle meme such as Cobra Commander going "I’m tired of being tread on." seals the deal. Based as fuck quest. Eager to get caught up soon

>>4592556
Don't step on snek

>>4592556
Go home TK your fucking drunk.

>>4589601
>Evil monologue
>writing

>>4592556
Thanks! I've been trying a shorter, more to the point style. Glad you're enjoying it.

You hesitate a moment, and then you laugh. A chuckle at first, but finally full bodied, hearty laughter. Beside you, Storm Shadow doesn’t move a muscle.

Duke doesn’t return your mirth.

“What’s the matter, Duke? In no mood for games? You seemed content to toy with me when you had a chance, but now you want to be all business?”

“I’m going to count to three,” Duke says.

“All this cat and mouse, all this time chasing one another only to end up here.”

“One.”

“It seems that we’ve lept off the roof of the asylum we call America. I’ve found freedom and here you are still afraid of falling.”

“Two.”

“Are you afraid that I’ll turn the light off halfway across? Like I did with Flint?”

Duke points his pistol directly at you. The opening you were hoping for. You squeeze the trigger, your carbine blazing on full auto as you sweep the barrel. You cut down one of the guards and wing the other before Duke fires. He doesn’t miss.

The bolt seems almost glacially slow as it approaches, blue-tinted with a white-hot core. No matter how slow it seems, there’s no dodging it. It strikes you square in the face.

Even as you fall, Storm Shadow springs like a predator at Snake Eyes, the two of them crossing swords in a flurry of intense swipes.

Your back hits the ground and Baroness throws herself at Duke, knocking him off his feet and spoiling his aim.

You taste smoke, the horrible smell of melted plastic, burning pain peppers the left side of your face. You’re alive. Half of your facemask has been blown away leaving your face exposed, but you’re alive.

Duke’s pistol barks twice and Baroness cries out.

With all the strength you can muster you sit up. Your lieutenant is on her back holding a gut wound. Duke towers over her, pistol in hand, aimed squarely at her forehead.

You act on instinct, unleashing an animal snarl and firing blindly.

Duke catches a bolt in the shoulder with a grunt and rolls away. The rest of your fire goes wide.

Scrambling to your feet, you put aside the pain in your face, the taste of blood, and take aim. Faster than you can fire, Duke flees up the stairs. You spare a glance at Storm Shadow and Snake Eyes locked in battle, a deadly, twisting dance, and then follow Duke. You carefully step over the bodies of his men, finishing off the wounded one with a blast to his chest.

Baroness lies at the bottom of the stairs, hands pressed over her abdomen in a spreading pool of blood.

“C-Commander,” she says.

(1/3)

You spare her a glance. If you stay to help then Duke will escape. It’s no choice at all.

“Help is coming,” you tell her. It’s probably the truth. Then you chase after Duke. You follow his pounding footfalls as he climbs the winding stairwell.

It’s exhausting exercise, even for a man in relatively good shape like you. You have to imagine it’s winding Duke as well, but he shows no sign of slowing. Ignoring the burning in your lungs and the ache in your legs you pursue relentlessly. You’re not the kind to let your prey escape so easily.

Gunfire spatters down at you from above, making you flinch and duck back into the cover of a landing.

“You’re trapped here. Don’t think for a second this is going to end with anything other than your death,” Duke shouts.

“From where I stand Duke, it’s you who’s doomed.”

Duke answers with another sporadic burst of laser fire before resuming his upward flight.

Following along, you push through exhaustion, damning your tired muscles with every step until you reach it, a side stairwell door. This one extends up past the observation deck in the crown. Duke is headed for the torch. The stairway here is cramped, narrow, rusty, but you press on, weapon ready, the sound of your footfalls and breath echoing.

After a moment you hear the telltale sound of helicopter rotors approaching.

Another few steps and you reach the small access hatch for the torch balcony. Pushing it carefully open you emerge into the breezy night. No sign of Duke, but you see the EAGLE helicopter gunship approaching quickly. You don’t have the firepower you need to take it down. This is the end.

The helicopter explodes in a fireball over the dark waters below.

You’re still blinking in astonishment at the fading explosion when a Night Viper coasts by. A cocky roll and wing waggle tells you that this was Wild Weasel’s handiwork. You allow yourself a small, satisfied smile a moment before pain erupts across your back. You drop to a knee automatically as pain radiates from your kidney.

You roll to the side before Duke can kick you a second time, but he bats your carbine aside, your grip faltering. The weapon sails over the edge of the walkway, tumbling down to the pave stones below.

Duke levels his pistol at you with a savage grin but you lash out with a booted foot and kick his wrist, his own pistol flying away.

Giving him no chance to recover, you lunge for him, the two of you trading swift blows and locking on to one another in a death struggle.

Duke thrusts you back against the rusted railing and you feel one of your heels slide out over oblivion. He grins ferociously at you. “Fitting end,” he gasps, “For scum like you. Smashed at the feet of Lady Liberty.”

(2/3)

With a snarl, you headbutt the EAGLE commander, feeling his nose giveaway on your forehead. With what strength you have left you shove him back into the torch, stunning him, and then pitch him toward the edge.

Duke hits the railing with his stomach and flips over the top, grabbing frantically onto the bar and arresting his fall, just barely. He’s clinging to life on the outside of the railing, eyes wide with panic.

You allow yourself a smile and draw a knife from your boot. “It seems this time, Duke, it’s you at my mercy.”

He says nothing. The only sounds are the steady blowing of wind, the battle below, and Duke’s tired grunts as he fights to struggle back onto the balcony.

“I’m sure you’re eagerly awaiting my punchline, hm? Well the joke’s probably spoiled by now.”

You hear a distant pop and boom. Past Duke, toward the New York skyline you see fireworks rising into the sky and exploding in brilliant, colorful blooms. “How about a new joke? One that might ring true for you.” You breathe in the cool, salty air. “How’s this for a joke: people never cared for what you stood for from the beginning Duke. You hear that? Fireworks. They’re celebrating the New Year.”

You look down at Duke, dangling precariously off the railing.

“And it is a new year, Duke.” You turn the blade over in your hand so it catches the light. “I’m sad you’re going to miss it. I think I’ll enjoy it.” You plunge the knife down into the back of his hand so that he cries out. “It’s the Year of the Snake.” You rip the blade free, and with it, Duke’s tenuous grasp on the rail.

His eyes are as wide as the gap beneath him as he falls, as dark as the waters around the city. Within seconds Duke has fallen out of sight, disappearing into the darkness beneath the statue.

You pull off the remains of your mask, staring down into the broken mirror a moment before tossing it after him.

“Happy New Year.”

***

This concludes Cobra Quest. I had a blast running it and I hope you all enjoyed playing and reading! It’s been a long time coming and unfortunately came at a time in my life where I didn’t have much time to dedicate to it. I hope the slow pacing wasn’t too offputting.

>Q: Will there be more CobraQuest?
>A: Probably not. Maybe. There’s always more to do, but Cobra’s path to victory looks assured.

>Q: What’s your next quest?
>A: Likely a sequel to Blood Coven Wars. That’s a ways away though, real life comes first.

Thanks again for playing guys!

Be sure to join my Discord for updates on new projects, to insult me to my face, or to just fuck around.

https://discord.gg/QKFPWkWD

>>4594429
Was amazing man. And hey, a shot to the face to save our leuitenant was worth it.

And you never did finish that Agriworld quest.

>>4594439
Threefold Oblivion. Yes. I have an idea for a sequel rattling around in my head. It's quite ambitious, but we'll see. One step at a time.

Thanks for playing!

>>4594429
Great quest tk, I'm sad to see it go. This makes the second quest I've read on this board to actually reach a ending.

Good job and good luck with the next one.

>>4594429
If he fell into the water he's alive, If he hit land but we find no body, he's alive!
I hope Baroness survived, if not then we're gonna have to make a "Lazarus project" out of her.

>>4594439
I rather enjoyed that quest, and wanted to carry on playing as a PG, since the other QM that does PG quests always flakes then starts up a new one. Its very annoying.

>>4594447
>I have an idea for a sequel rattling around in my head. It's quite ambitious, but we'll see.
This both interests and concerns me.

>>4594506
>Ending
That's the trick!
Thanks for playing.

>>4594509
>Governor
I found that the scope of the quest got away from me quickly. The player ambitions outstripped my ability to keep up with meaningful gameplay. Maybe my future project will interest you. If I ever get there.