What if...
After Trucial Abysmia, everything changed.
Fifteen Joes died during what became known as the Trucial Abysmia
conflict. Doc, Crankcase, Heavy Metal, Thunder, Breaker, Crazylegs, and
Quick Kick were the first casualties, victims of a miscommunication from Cobra
Commander. They were gunned down by the soon-to-be infamous SAW Viper, Robert
Skelton. Avalanche, Blaster, Blocker, Dee-Jay, Knockdown, and Maverick were
killed in route to the fighting. Cool Breeze and Sneak-Peek died in engagements
during the conflict. The number was staggering: over one-tenth of the
entire GI Joe force at the time. The unit was deactivated then
decommissioned so its members could take stock and heal. Some stayed active
within the military while others went to the private sector.
Cobra had won its first truly major offensive, effectively taking control of
Behnzeen. No longer would the countries of the world believe the island
nation of Cobra to be beneath their notice. No longer would the United
States limit itself to a single brigade, no matter how elite its members.
No longer would Cobra's sleeper cells go unnoticed within NATO-allied nations.
When the Joes' last mission, a stealth fly-by of Behnzeen City, revealed the
presence of a Terrordrome in violation of the recently-signed peace treaty, the
President became livid. The United States went to the United Nations,
demanding retribution against Cobra and Cobra Commander in specific. In order
to avert full-scale war, China and Russia found themselves in the unfamiliar
role of peacekeepers. They hammered out a deal wherein Cobra had to renounce
all claims and assets within the US, Behnzeen, and Trucial Abysmia in exchange
for UN recognition. Quietly, representatives from these powers informed
Cobra Commander that, in no uncertain terms, that Cobra needed to fade from
public memory as a terrorist force. And, should Cobra begin to have designs on
any of their interests, China and Russia would withdraw their support of
Cobra and join in the US's desire to wipe every last Cobra from the face of the
Earth.
Coupled with an unprecedented bounty placed upon Cobra Commander's head, he
chose to accept China and Russia's aid and curtail all activities. Cells in
Europe were ordered to go into 'deep sleeper' status, an action which rankled
certain Crimson Guard commanders placed within these cells. It was not that
long ago when their cabal sided with Serpentor over the false Cobra Commander
in the Cobra Civil War.
The full resources of the NSA and FBI went to task, rooting out not only
corrupted Congressmen and other officials but entire sleeper towns; Cobra had
to recall its populations in Broca Beach, Delhi Hills, and other cities
overnight. The Treasury Department and Secret Service began to freeze not only
Cobra but also Dreadnok assets; this served as the final sever
between Zartan's organization and Cobra. They returned to their roots, riding
the streets and highways, always a step ahead of the state troopers.
Destro and the Baroness had already given leave of Cobra and were not involved
in the Trucial Abysmia conflict. Cobra Commander found that he had enough
problems given the world's scrutiny, and instead of putting a 'hit' on Destro
as a loose end and potential rival, he turned his focus to building a Nation
from his followers. The Cobra Army trained as hard as ever, while Crystal Ball
set aside his mesmer shield to become the Cobra Ambassador to the United
Nations. Serving quietly in conflicts to the aid of other, like-minded tyrants,
Cobra troops saw action in central Africa and Southeast Asia, even assisting
certain breakaway republics after Russia's "collapse" to democracy.
In time, budget cuts removed the bounty for Cobra Commander, and the public
began to forget the Caribbean nation's terrorist beginnings. All that
would change when Cobra Commander chose to renew his plans for conquest,
beginning with a nanotech scheme ultimately proven to be masterminded by the
Baroness and Destro's grown son from an earlier affair, Alexander McCullen.(Image/DDP
#1) The Baroness indeed has returned to an active role advising Cobra
Commander on his schemes, although it is clear that Destro himself wants
nothing to do with Cobra -- except strictly to supply the nation with arms and
new, cutting edge military vehicles.
