G.I. Joe: Origins #2

Detailed summary

At a run-down motel north of Las Vegas, Scarlett is observing a doctor treating the bandaged Snake Eyes, who is laying on a bed and attached to a suspended IV bag. The doctor shows an interest in the red tattoo on his patient's arm, correctly identifying it as from the Book of Changes [from the Chinese I Ching]. The doctor presses his concern that Snake Eyes should be in an intensive care unit, as he is recovering from a gunshot wound and two burning events, saying that he needs deriding and topical antibiotics. He also identifies the third-degree burns caused by a chemical agent. Snake Eyes remembers his prior experience with the bandaged Chimera remarking as to how everyone who has seen his new post-operative face happens to be in the clinic at that moment. As Snake Eyes reaches for the bedside phone, an explosion rips through the clinic and expels him through the window; two firefighters discover his supine form outside the burning building. Back in the present, the doctor tells Scarlett that Snake Eyes needs to be derided and then kept immobile, so that he might recover from his injuries; if not, he warns, reconstructive surgery may be futile. Scarlett realizes that the doctor is somewhat aware of his present location, having mentioned Nellis Air Force Base and how he deduced it based upon the length of his C-130 flight from Walter Reed and other environmental clues. Scarlett advises he "deny everything [he] can't forget" as she blindfolds him.

Elsewhere, a seated Hawk briefs Duke on an FBI theory regarding Chimera's hacking of the service's database, receiving intelligence on hundreds of "home-grown anti-government groups, anarchists, tax-resistors, [and] survivalists". Hawk excuses himself from Duke's presence in a shipping container inside a C-130 on a dusty tarmac, informing him that he is about to test another Joe candidate. After Scarlett hands the doctor over to a servicemember, she gets in an unadorned white van, with Duke driving. Hawk directs the airman to inform the flight crew that he will be deplaning prior to the return to Andrews Air Force Base.

At Arlington National Cemetery, an honors detail performs their duties beside an open grave, with Stalker and an unidentified (and injured) soldier as witnesses. As Stalker attempts to engage the soldier in conversation regarding the (apparent) burial of Snake Eyes, he is rebuffed as not having a need to know about the Snake Eyes' past, including his family. The soldier indicates his high esteem for Snake Eyes' skill with a combat knife, whom he knew as "Snake-Man". The soldier tosses a covered combat knife into the grave, where it rests upon the brown coffin.

In a diner in Montana, a bearded and capped man by the name of Wilson arrives to pick up his order from the waitress. He looks over to see Chimera looking at his picture, part of an FBI file, on his laptop; when he challenges the man, a gun is pulled on him, pointed discretely at his midriff, and he is informed that the two of them will be delivering the ordered lunch.

Back at the motel, Duke and Scarlett talk over Snake Eyes, relating how Stalker had met Snake Eye's "old boss" at the funeral and suggesting that someday a tombstone with Connie's name on it will replace the present one [indicating Connie has been secretly buried in place of Snake Eyes]. Duke presents Snake Eye's approved Silver Star medal in a case, which he puts on the bedside table and informs him that Scarlett and he will be back later with dinner. The two drive off in the van, intending to put in at least ten miles distance from the motel before establishing a satellite link-up. Scarlett inquires about informing Connie's family of her sacrifice, remarking that she had not "signed up" for the risks; Duke disagrees, saying such risk acceptance is a expected attribute of servicemembers. He then reinforces that view by reminding Scarlett of her own combat dedication on a pre-Joe mission to Bosnia. After she recalls being accosted by three gunmen and fighting for her life, she relates her determination came from the consideration as to her fate if she had been captured.

On a town on the border of Nevada and Utah, Hawk and Heavy Duty observe a bank entrance from a small sedan parked across the street. Hawk relates how four "tax resistors" entered the bank just prior to the end of business hours and remarks as to how no one has exited yet. Hawk informs his candidate that previous heists resulted in the purchase of military consumables in large amounts, based on recovered marked bills. He directs Heavy Duty to do some "discreet recon" while he meets with Duke over the satellite link. Heavy Duty retrieves his crew-served machine gun from the back seat and knocks on the bank's shuttered door. When a gunman makes his presence known at the door, Heavy Duty punches him through the glass, sending him flying. Meanwhile, Hawk establishes a good link with Duke and Scarlett, who are parked on a roadside north of Las Vegas; he informs them he cannot meet at the moment, as events at his location are ramping up. Inside the bank, Heavy Duty subdues two more gunman, to see the fourth running through the front door. Jumping back into the car with Hawk, he's adamant that they must follow the escaping gunman's car, as it heads into Nevada's desert. Hawk tells Duke to stay online, to provide technical support.

Back at the motel, two burglars enter the room. The smaller one, Luke, sees the bandaged Snake Eyes—appearing helpless—and then starts eyeing the room's contents. Spotting the Silver Star, he asks the second crook, John, to identify the value of the medal, since Luke had been in the Army. John, sporting a Ranger tab tattoo, demands that Luke return the medal and that they won't be stealing from this room. Luke wants to shoot the man in the bed for having seen their faces, but John refuses to allow that either; they depart, without seeing the combat knife Snake Eyes had at the ready in his left hand.

At a small wood cabin [presumably in Nevada], Wilson presents Chimera to his seated leader and five armed gunmen. The diminutive leader is not impressed with Chimera, who must show them the belt of plastic explosives he has under his coat. He accuses them of having done nothing of substance for years; he also informs them he has far more C-4 and plenty of gold bars and krugerrands to finance "real" operations. The leader stands and objects, to take a single bullet to his forehead from Chimera. Chimera indicates to the remaining men that they are under his authority and asks them if they "really want to stick it to Uncle Sam".

Duke and Scarlett return to the motel, quickly realizing there has been a forced entry. Assaulting the room, they find it empty except for Snake Eyes; noting no signs of violence and nothing missing, they ponder what occurred.

Appearances

Featured Characters

(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)

Memorable quotes

Other Notes

Errors

• No errors known.

Items of note

• The "B" covers on the first five issues of this series feature single characters standing in front of a stylized letter, spelling out "G-I-J-O-E." This issue features Scarlett and the letter "I".

• Heavy Duty's .50 caliber machine gun is named "Emma".

Real-world references

• No references.

Footnotes and References