GI JOE Porn Story: Diamond in the Rough – Chapter 9

Disclaimer:
Characters in this work (GI Joe/ Cobra) are the property of Marvel
Comics, Hasbro
and Devil’s Due Publishing, Inc., and are being
used without permission. No profit is gained from the use of these
characters.

Rowan Michaels (a.k.a. Trigger), Mirrored Reflections, and the
Diamondback are of my own creation

Thanks
to: JohnF, my muse, again.

Diamond
in the Rough

By
Nickelina

The
Flop

It
had only been a half hour since Jaye had been back in her room. She
had changed back into her normal uniform. She ruffled her wet hair
and sat down on the bed. The rest of the team was on radio silence.
The only word she had was a message on her wrist comm from Mainframe
telling her to stay put until further notice. She could not stay
still for long. COBRA knew where she was and they more than likely
were going to come after her.

Jaye
flipped on the television for noise and went about packing the things
she needed to take with her. She had put a few things in her small
bag when a breaking news story caught her attention.

A
botched robbery attempt at the Bellagio ends in gunfire… She
promptly turned off the television and hastily finished packing her
things. She strapped on her side arm and went to the window to look
for anything suspicious. There was a rapid knock at the door. She
drew her side arm and stepped quietly to the door. She responded to
the knock with two of her own and it was answered back with two from
the other side. Jaye knew it was someone from her team and she opened
the door. She waited until Duke and Dusty entered before putting her
sidearm away. Neither one of them said anything to her as they did a
once over of the room.

Duke
walked to the bed and picked up her bag. Get your stuff, he
said as he handed the bag to her.

Im
ready. She replied, taking the bag from Duke. Whats going
on?

Duke
did not respond to her. He looked at his watch then to Dusty. Duke!
Answer me.

You
are needed elsewhere. Please refrain from talking to anyone until
further notice.

Jaye
looked over at Dusty who shrugged his shoulders at her. He tried to
break the ice with Duke. When did they say they would be here?

Half
hour.

Who?
Jaye threw her bag on the bed. What the hell is going on?

Duke
stood in front of Jaye and put his hands on his hips. This
missions been scrubbed.

No
shit, Sherlock. Whats going on? What happened that you cant
tell me?

Duke
repeated himself. This missions been scrubbed. Were cleaning
up.

The
fact that Duke would not tell her anymore information was a big clue
that something had gone seriously wrong. He simply turned his back to
her and began to pace the room. Jaye turned to Dusty for any
information he could give her.

Dusty?

He
looked away from her, avoiding eye contact.

Goddamn
it! Jaye stomped her foot. What the hell is going on? If you
tell me this missions been scrubbed again I swear Ill put
my foot right up someones ass.

Duke
straightened and turned to face her again. First of all, lower
your voice. Secondly, watch your tone. This is not your boyfriend
youre talking to. He stopped and put his hand to his forehead.
Im sorry. Duke paused before continuing. You know
procedure. I cant tell you anymore.

Duke,
I was there remember?

I
know. He stepped closer to her and put a hand on her shoulder. We
had a casualty, and bigger problems.

Oh
God. Jaye sat on the bed.

There
is a car waiting for you on the corner of Sahara and Paradise. We
will meet up later at the command center and debrief there. Id
suggest you hurry.

Jaye
looked over at Dusty and back to Duke. Thats it? I just get in
a car and drive away?

Yes.

Dusty
picked up her bag and handed it to her. Stay strong Jaye.

Jaye
walked down the hall to the elevator. The doors shut and she leaned
up against the mirrored back wall. Dustys words kept echoing in
her head. Stay strong. The feeling that she was about to lose
someone close to her was overwhelming. She just didnt know who.

Jaye
met her car at the corner as Duke had instructed. She was driven to
the airport and directly to a waiting military transport. She walked
aboard the plane and sat away from the others, but still close enough
to see where everyone was. She did a head count and noticed three
were missing; Duke, Dusty, and Flint. Everything fell into place. She
felt as if a dark cloud fell over her. Flint was the casualty that
Duke mentioned. Her heart sank and she put her head down. The hatch
of the plane closed and the engines roared to life.

The
mood in aboard the transport was sullen to say the least. There was
no need to tell what had happened. Everyone had pretty much figured
it out once they noticed who was not among them. The small team tried
to occupy their time by sorting through their things or talking
quietly between themselves. Just before take off, Ripcord sat next to
Lady Jaye. He knew by the distant look in her eyes that she didnt
want his company. He stayed by her side anyway.

He
placed his hand on her knee. Jaye looked down at it and waited for
him to move it. He cleared his throat and placed his hands in his
lap. I just wanted to see how you were doing, He said.

Lady
Jaye shrugged her shoulders but did not reply.

This
is difficult on all of us, Ripcord continued. I can just
imagine whats going through your head.

Jayes
expression had not changed. She stared straight ahead. She did not
want to look at Ripcord for fear she might break down if she saw the
concern in his face.

I
have to go check on Trigger. He seems to be in the same place you
are. Ill be back in a few minutes. Are you going to be okay?
Ripcord asked her.

Jaye
closed her eyes. Ripcord couldnt possibly know what was going
through her mind right now. As much as she wanted to think about
Flint she couldnt get over how this whole mission had gone so
badly so fast. Everything this team did had one glitch after another.
If the first meeting with the twins had gone different, if she would
have just done as she as told and not taken the mission further would
this have happened? She just hoped Flint did not blame her for this.
If she had the chance to talk to him again, how would she explain?

We
have to fix this. She told Ripcord.

I
know we do. Ripcord replied. He patted her shoulder before walking
over to check on Trigger.

The
plane made its way down the runway and took off. As it circled over
Las Vegas Jaye looked out the small window that was next to her. The
bright lights had lost their sparkle. The city began it fade into the
distance. She felt tears come to her eyes. She quickly closed them
before anyone saw. Without Duke or Flint with them, she was in
charge. She was going to have to be strong for everyone else until
they got back to the Command Center. She knew everyone was pretty
settled so she tried to nap until they got home. Jaye only had one
thought in her mind as she drifted to sleep; Ill wait for you
Dash, I love you.

Across
the aisle and near the back of the plane, Trigger was also trying to
nap. But it didnt come easy for him. He was convinced he was bad
luck. When he drifted off he found himself in the living room of his
parents house.

It
was late, and five year old Rowan should have been in bed but instead
he was sitting on the floor of his bedroom playing with his small
plastic army men. He was left in the care of a neighbor while his
parents had gone to run errands. They had been gone for hours now.
The house was now quiet. His neighbor had come up to his room to
check on him a few times. Her face was full of concern. She asked him
if he needed anything. He told her no, but asked her when his parents
were going to be home. His neighbor told him she was not sure, but
she knew it would be soon. A short time later he heard a car pull
into the drive way and young Rowan jumped up off the floor and ran to
the staircase to greet his parents. When the door opened he expected
to see his mothers smiling face, instead in the doorway stood two
police officers.

Rowan,
come down here please. His neighbor said. Rowan?

Rowan?

Trigger
shook himself awake. It wasnt his neighbors voice he heard it
was Ripcord. What?

Are
you ok? Ripcord looked at him with concern. You were doing that
sleep thing again.

Trigger
sat up straight. How long was I out?

Only
for a few minutes.

Trigger
looked around the plane. It was obvious that no one was looking at
him. He ran his fingers through his hair. He looked at Ripcord and
tried to think of something to say. Ripcord understood even though
nothing had been said.

Its
okay. Ripcord smiled at him. We are all thinking the same
thing. I know you probably dont want to hear it, but maybe when we
get back to base you should talk to someone.

I
already did all that. Trigger cut him off. He was starting to get
angry, even though he knew there was no reason to be. Ripcord was his
only friend, and he was concerned.

I
mean about what happened today. What happened between you and Flint.

There
is nothing to talk about. Trigger reached down to dig through his
pack to distract himself. Shit happens, Ripcord. Missions go badly
all the time. No amount of talking is going to change that. We both
know it.

Ripcord
shook his head. No. That is not how it is. I just want to help
you. You have some nasty demons chasing you. I just thought if you
talked about it

Talk
about this, talk about that. Im ready to stop talking to you all
together if you dont stop bothering me!

All
right Trigger. Ill stop. But let me suggest one thing. When we get
off this plane were going to have to de-brief. Not everyone is
going to get the whole story. Ripcord discreetly pointed towards
Lady Jaye. She deserves to know everything. Please tell her.

Trigger
simply looked at Lady Jaye and said nothing. He turned back to
Ripcord. Ill think about it. He crossed his arms and closed
his eyes. He wasnt going back to sleep, but he wasnt going to
listen to Ripcord anymore tonight.

Jaye
sat very still. Her eyes were only half-open. She looked at Ripcord
and Trigger. She just couldnt figure out why Trigger acted the way
he did. Why was he always on the defensive. She had to find out what
really happened in that room and why this mission ended so badly. If
she was going to find out, going right to the source was her plan.

Destro
turned off his television and laughed aloud. He knew it was only a
matter of time before Cobra Commander messed things up with the
Diamondback. Destro knew he should have never left it in the control
of the Commander. He leaned back in this chair and lit a cigar. He
knew the commander would be calling soon. The light on his intercom
lit up and Destro picked up.

I
see you have run into trouble again, Commander. He said.

This
is just a minor inconvenience, Destro. Cobra Commander replied. He
made Destro laugh.

Inconvenience
you say? One of your own Crimson guard commanders was shot. You have
the Las Vegas police department investigating the incident, the
government cant be far behind. Im sure they would like to know
why COBRA had an operation in the city. But if that is a minor

Shut
up, Destro. The Commander snapped. Everything is taken care
of.

I
dont see it that way. I need to ask you, Commander. Destro
paused. Do you have the diamonds in your possession?

The
Commander hesitated before answering. Yes, I have the stone. The
Joes were unable to retrieve the proper case.

A
fluke. Bring it to Amsterdam immediately. I want it cut.

I
want to wait. Joe knows we still have it and they will be expecting
us to move it.

Destro
set his cigar down in the antique ash tray on his desk. He leaned
forward and placed his elbows on the desk. I can not finish your
weapon without the diamond. The sooner you have it here, the sooner
you can use it against the Joes. It would be wise, Commander, to
finish it before they get back on their feet.

The
team had been dismissed from their debriefing with the exception of
Lady Jaye and Trigger. Hawk was less than pleased with their reports
of the mission in Las Vegas. He was aware of the circumstances and
what had happened; he needed to get as much information out of them
as he could. They were both close to breaking so he took a break from
the questions. Trigger sat at one end of the table, his arms were
crossed over his chest, and he leaned back in his chair. Lady Jaye
was leaning on the table with her head in her hands. She pulled her
fingers through her hair as she sat up. She sighed and looked at
Trigger.

I
dont get it. She said.

Oh,
here we go again. Trigger said.

How
did you walk away with out a scratch?

Stop
it, Lady Jaye. Weve already been through this. Hawk
interrupted.

What
really happened in that room?

Trigger
got up out of his chair and walked over to her. How many times do
I have to tell you?

Until
I believe you. You should know, you are the one who blew our cover.
She told him.

Wait one minute.
Trigger said.

No.
This is your entire fault. I knew something like this was going to
happen. I even told Flint, watch out for Trigger.

Burnett!
Hawk scolded her but she didnt stop.

I
was doing my job, Jaye!

Jaye
stood up and put her hands on her hips. You dont even know what
your job is.

Both
of you stop it! Hawk stood between the two. Trigger, you are
dismissed.

Trigger
saluted Hawk and walked out of the room. Hawk waited until the door
was shut before he turned to Jaye.

Do
you have any idea how close you are to being on report? He said as
he pulled a chair out for her to sit on. Did you ever think that
maybe, just maybe, its your attitude towards Trigger that has
added fuel to this fire?

Yes,
Sir. Jaye sat down, but she was not defeated.

Im
becoming increasingly disappointed in you. This is not the Lady Jaye
that I know. I want you to take a few days to get things in order.
Ground yourself, meditate, what ever it takes to get you back on the
top of your game. Youre not to leave this base. I dont even
want to hear about you sneaking off to Las Vegas. Is that understood,
Corporal?

Yes,
Sir.

Lady
Jaye, this mission is not over yet, not by a long shot. Well get
them this time.

Jaye
simply nodded her head.

Dismissed.

She
got up to leave, and before she got to the door, Hawk called her
name.

Jaye,
Ill call you if I hear any news about Flint. Try to get some
rest.

She
did not turn around; she didnt want Hawk to see the tears that
came to her eyes. She walked out the door and ran into Trigger.

She
quickly wiped the tears from her eyes. Is there something you
need?

I
have something for you.

She
sighed. Trigger, not now. She started to walk away, but he
grabbed her arm.

He
reached into his side pocket and took out Flints beret. He held
it out for her. I didnt want to leave it there. Im sure its
in safe hands with you.

She
took it from him and felt her eyes burn. She desperately tried to
hold back tears. Thank you.

See,
Im not such a bad guy. He reached up and wiped a tear off her
cheek. Its been one hell of a day. I know the feeling. Do you
want me to walk you to your quarters?

Jaye
shook her head no.

Ill
see you later. Trigger told her. He turned the other way and
walked down the hall.