Langley, Tuesday

[l1ttle_billy]

There was something nagging at Billy's mind as he waited to be called into Duke's office. The meeting he'd arranged between the current field leader of G.I. Joe and John Connor was about to take place.

There was just something...bothering him and he couldn't put his finger on what it was.

Finally the door opened and they were called in. And Billy remembered. Hadn't John met Duke once before? And John had reacted...interestingly. Mun just remembered that he cast Robert Patrick as Duke.

"Billy, come on in. And you must be John."

[For John Connor.]

Comments

[apocalypsesoon.livejournal.com]

"John Connor, sir," he said, a bit coldly, eying Duke. Spitting image.


[MUNFLAIL]

[l1ttle-billy.livejournal.com]

Billy mentally facepalmed, but Duke didn't seem to notice any averse reaction to him.

"Good to meet you John." Duke said, offering his hand to shake. "Billy tells me you're interested in joining G.I. Joe."

[apocalypsesoon.livejournal.com]

"Always interested in protecting my country," he said, shaking hands after a moment's hesitation. He was sure it wasn't the Terminator. Still, if his handshake was a bit on the firm side...

[l1ttle-billy.livejournal.com]

It was no more firm than one would expect from a military man. Plus the flesh was warm and not at all metallic.

"Why don't you tell me a little about yourself? Why do you think you'd be an asset?"

[apocalypsesoon.livejournal.com]

John noticed that.

"Well, on paper, I'm a programmer specializing in weaponized delivery systems and making them foolproof. I've had training in most modern warfare, including tactics, armaments, and equipment. Off paper....well, how much has Billy told you about high school?"

He wanted to be sure, first.

[l1ttle-billy.livejournal.com]

"Nothing personal." Duke said. "But he told me about some of the more unusual aspects. I actually had to talk him into staying his first year there."

"Yeah well, I wasn't quite as well adjusted as I am now."

[apocalypsesoon.livejournal.com]

John gave Duke a hard look. "From my universe, there are cybernetic organisms that are machines covered in human skin that are sent back in time by a sentient computer system to cause Grandfather Paradoxes and eliminate threats to its existence before they become a threat," he said. "I want to further my training for the next time they come for me. I want to help you people deal with threats that are non-human in origin. Viruses, fighting platforms, whatever."

Let's see if Duke could swallow that pill. If not? John would walk. Sorry, Billy.

[l1ttle-billy.livejournal.com]

Time travel was a new one for Duke. But after what Billy had told him, he could let that go. Cyborgs were not something he had any trouble accepting.

"John I think we can help each other out. G.I. Joe is currently mostly on reserve status right now, due to the alleged death of Cobra Commander. But I'm still in contact with people who can help you train. As for your current expertise I'd like you to work with our NSA branch. Help them identify possible threats of a technological nature before they get out of hand."

This way John could actually get involved in some canon events.

[apocalypsesoon.livejournal.com]

John grinned, somewhere between happy and a grimace. "I welcome training. Might be able to show 'em a thing or three while I'm at it," he said.

"I've already a list," he said, tapping his temple. "You'd be amazed what someone can do with a video game console and a bit of time on their hands. So is there a boot camp? Secret handshake? Don't answer the phone unless someone asks if the dog barks at midnight?" Okay, so the last one was a bit of a joke...

Canon events are good. Events with actual cannons are better.

[l1ttle-billy.livejournal.com]

Duke somewhat doubted there was much John could "show" Sgt. Slaughter or Beach Head, but he didn't say that. He also didn't mention the background check that soon would be going on. As useless as that might be given that John was likely from another dimension.

"There's no phrases or secret handshakes, but you will need a code name."

code names typically have something to do with the character's role, expertise, or personality.

[apocalypsesoon.livejournal.com]

Ah, the background check. Good thing John's from another dimensions or else it'd show up enough red flags to look like he was from the Chinese Embassy.

"Right. Code names. Billy had mentioned that before," he said, wondering if 'dungeon master' was really appropriate. Other choices shot through his head: 'Tin Man', 'John Henry', 'DDoS', 'White Hat', 'Wardial'.

[l1ttle-billy.livejournal.com]

"Give it some thought. And leave your contact information. Beach Head is the man who'll want to see how good you are. And your contacts at the NSA will be Mainframe, and Firewall."

[apocalypsesoon.livejournal.com]

"Dang," he said, "those are cool code names. Why didn't I think of those?" He shook his head. "Okay. I'll make sure I meet up with Beach Head, Mainframe, and Firewall. And... how do I get in contact with you? Or you with me? Is there a special phone, secret code? Is there a fireman pole to slide down?"

Okay, that last one, he couldn't keep the smirk off his face, but the contact was important.

John Connor, government agent.

[l1ttle-billy.livejournal.com]

Duke smirked too. He had dealt with many Joes with quirky senses of humor. Shipwreck for instance. And he took it for enthusiasm.

"No firepole, but I do have an unlisted number for emergencies. And not many Joes get to choose their own code names. Most of the time they're assigned."

There needs to be a G.I. Joe codename generator. Like the online sorting hat or finding out what your Daemon (Golden Compass) animal would be.

[apocalypsesoon.livejournal.com]

"Just as long as I don't miss the signal if something happens." He almost volunteered the Virginia safehouse...but wasn't sure how to explain the dingbots.

I looked, there's not one that's usable. It kept saying that John's GIJoe name was Joseph Stalin and his Cobra name was Major Bludd.

And I'm still stuck on the codename. Dangit.