The Cobra Airship Blewed Up!

“Wow, that was a close one,” Agent Hanson sighed as we moved away from the exploding remains of the Cobra Airship.

“Yeah, too close,” I agreed. “I don’t ever want to be on some giant terrorist airship when it’s blowing up and crashing into the desert ever again. Gotta admit, it was pretty exciting while it lasted, though.”

“You know Jon, I said a few things back there that maybe I shouldn’t have,” the FBI agent admitted.

“Aw don’t worry about it,” I dismissed it with a wave. “It was pretty intense up there. I didn’t think we were going to make it myself.”

“I’m serious. It’s hard to find someone who doesn’t crack under pressure like that,” she jammed her thumb back towards the giant fireball. “It’s especially hard to find someone who seems dedicated to doing the right thing like you are.”

“Aw go on,” I answered sheepishly.

“No really,” she insisted. “You’re not an incompetent idiot who’s going to get us killed. That stunt you pulled off up there was… I don’t know, I’ve never seen anything like it before.”

“Don’t worry about it,” I said. “I’m glad we’re OK. Hey look who’s decided to join the party.”

Fighter planes raced past overhead as a helicopter with twin rotors came in for a landing near us. After it hit the dirt, half a dozen soldiers hopped out, one of whom strode right over towards us.

“I’m General Hawk, leader of the G.I.Joe team,” he said. “You want to tell me who’s responsible for this mess?”

“Agent Audrey Hanson, FBI, Sir!” Hanson stood at attention in front of the officer. “Jon the Intergalactic Gladiator and I are responsible for bringing down the Cobra Airship, sir.”

“Jon the Intergalactic Gladiator?” Hawk reached his hand towards mine. “I thought I recognized you. Good job you two, by taking down that thing; you stopped Cobra Commander’s plans and crippled a major portion of his forces.”

“Yeah about that,” I said. “I’m glad to help and all, but Cobra Commander did say that he was going to hunt me down for it.”

“I wouldn’t worry about Cobra Commander,” Hawk replied. “Joe satellites have tracked him down. He’s in a giant castle with snakes all over it in the Andes Mountains. We’ll catch that snake this time.”

“Good luck with that,” I replied just as my Wristcomm started pinging. “Excuse me. This is Jon.”

“Jon this is Professor Xavier,” the voice on the other end said. “I’ve captured Mystique and uncovered who hired her to impersonate Emma Frost. It was the Henchman.”

“Henchman of Local 432? You’ve got to be kidding,” I replied. “How’s he mixed up in this?”

“Well when evil’s afoot, the Henchman is usually underfoot,” the Professor replied.

“Hah, I know what you’re saying,” I replied.

“On another note, and this pains me to say this,” he paused for a moment. “It appears that you are going to have to make that announcement after all.”

“I was afraid that was going to happen,” I answered.

“Will you be able to make it if I call a press conference tomorrow?” he asked.

“Yeah, I guess I don’t have a choice.”

“Very well, the conference will be in New York on Liberty Island,” the Professor replied. “I find that will be a good, patriotic place for it.”

“Alright,” I replied unenthusiastically. “I’ll be there.”