G.I. Joe: Annihilation

ONE

AT THE DAWN OF THE 21ST CENTURY, TERRORISM IS ON THE RISE. ALL ACROSS THE GLOBE, CRIMINAL FACTIONS CHALLENGE THE FREE WORLD ON ALL FRONTS. THESE VICIOUS GROUPS THREATEN THE VERY SPIRIT OF FREEDOM, AND KILL THOUSANDS IN THEIR WAKE.

ONE SUCH ORGANIZATION IS KNOWN AS COBRA. A RUTHLESS TERRORIST ORGANIZATION DETERMINED TO RULE THE WORLD, THIS EXTREMIST COBRA MOVEMENT IS THE LEADING THREAT GRIPPING THE PLANET WITH ITS DECLARATION TO ENSLAVE ALL MANKIND BENEATH ITS RULE. BUT THERE ARE THOSE WHO STAND IN THEIR WAY OF DOMINATION.

G.I. JOE IS THE CODENAME OF AMERICA'S DARING, HIGHLY TRAINED, SPECIAL MISSION FORCE. ITS PURPOSE: TO DEFEND HUMAN FREEDOM AGAINST ALL WHO DARE ENDANGER ITS PRECIOUS CALL.

WHETHER ON LAND, SEA OR AIR...

G.I. JOE IS THERE.

* * *

NANOP TECH

NEW YORK, NEW YORK

The lobby was packed with people on this particular Tuesday morning. A small huddle of elementary students were on a field trip, and the usual employees made their way to their offices. In the center of the lobby stood a large holographic projection of a metal clamp squeezing the planet Earth. The motto for the company's driving force could be found etched into the solid steel block beneath its display:

'I am the one born to rule, and destined to conquer!'.

It was a sure declaration of Nanop Tech LCC's legacy of being the world's leading expert in nano-technology, and they had no qualms in stating such. Suddenly, a cherry blonde gracefully sauntered through the lobby with her hazel colored eyes focused on the elevator at the end of the hall.

She could tell that a few of the men walking past her were mesmerized by her beauty, but she could care less for such trivial things. She had a more important agenda on her mind, and didn't give a second thought to her expected admirers. Instead, she walked past the series of digital screens stationed all along the nearest wall, and swiped a small metal card through the panel next to the private elevator waiting on her.

The news being reported from one of the screens caught her attention for a split second, right before she entered the elevator and began heading up to the building's science and research level.

"And that marks the fifth military soldier that's been infected and murdered with the Venom virus right before our very eyes, Steve...On television!" informed the female host. "I mean, what's it gonna take for this administration to stand up for once, and put an end to these COBRA extremists?"

"Come on, Patsy. It's obvious the President's incapable of doing anything. Much less, taking on COBRA," replied Steve. "I'm just afraid it's gonna take something here at home to finally wake him up."

"Let's hope not."

* * *

A group of scientists were hustling all throughout the upper levels of the building. A few engineers joined them in working on the dozen or so digital switch boards, computer consoles and mainframes stationed throughout the level. Blaine Parker was amongst them, and by the way he was hustling through the main level and shouting at everyone, he was definitely nervous.

"I want those coils reenforced! Make sure the Iridium stone keeps its stability," he barked, looking over the lab's main frequency observation station. "I want the Ununpentium element pulsating at maximum! Keep a close eye on all Doppler shifts!"

Parker finally came to rest at the upper most platform within the level, and stared down at all in attendance.

"Today's a very special day," he calmed himself. "Today we make history."