Chapter 77: Paris
"I helped him get the warheads, and now he's acting like I'm begging him." In the movie's plot, McCullen didn't intend to sell the four warheads.
He needed to deploy them to test their power and create chaos. While deploying the warheads, he was also executing another plan: to replace the real President with Zartan as a body double.
But it didn't matter—Mason's plan also required deploying a warhead. He wasn't doing this to cooperate with McCullen's plan, but to attract G.I. Joe's attention.
The entire Arctic base was heavily fortified, with armed forces far exceeding G.I. Joe's capabilities. Mason hoped to gain some "special" leverage after entering the Arctic base and taking the COBRA Commander hostage.
Killing Heavy Duty and damaging part of the base wouldn't be enough to draw G.I. Joe's full attention—it was far from enough to force them to mobilize their entire force.
So before that, he wanted to create a massive incident, ideally causing global panic, so that the response would be overwhelming.
What chaos could incite more panic among the masses than the destruction of a major city?
Mason turned to look at Storm Shadow. "Tell McCullen I'll help him destroy Paris, then I'll bring him the warhead. But... I also hope McCullen can prepare champagne and entertainment to celebrate this victory."
He glanced suggestively at Ana with the last sentence, making her body tremble violently with barely contained rage.
"Alright, now that we have the warhead, the next step is to find my dear associate and activate the nanomites inside!"
G.I. Joe Base, Egypt.
Following the attack, the entire base increased security, with rotating shifts monitoring vulnerable areas around the clock.
In the infirmary, everyone sat dejectedly, while a tall figure lay shrouded in a white sheet in the center of the room.
"The damage to the base isn't catastrophic—most facilities are intact. Emergency repairs are currently underway in the main control room, and the final casualty count is being compiled," Breaker said softly, holding an information tablet.
"Heavy Duty was right—that Mason was definitely trouble. It's a shame he realized it too late!"
Scarlett tried to say something after hearing this, but couldn't find the words.
Duke and Ripcord were also covered in wounds. They hadn't served with Heavy Duty for long, and although they didn't know him well, they felt a deep sense of loss at this moment.
Clap clap!
Duke clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention.
"This isn't the time to grieve. The warhead has been stolen—we have to find them and get it back!" Duke stood up, a pang shooting through his chest as he recalled seeing Ana in that man's arms before he lost consciousness.
"Come on, people, pull yourselves together. We're G.I. Joe!"
"That's what you told me when I joined!" Ripcord stood beside Duke, shouting encouragement.
"Get the warhead back, eliminate that traitor, avenge Heavy Duty!" Even Breaker, the tech specialist, was roused to anger.
"After the last incident, I installed a new tracking system in the weapons case. This system is integrated into the warhead and four control devices. It only needs to be activated remotely to reveal the enemy's location!"
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's move out!" Ripcord jumped up and shouted excitedly.
"I've already started tracking their location. According to their current trajectory, they'll pass through several cities along the way, but the most likely destination is Paris!"
"Paris?!" Scarlett looked up suddenly.
"I remember now—Baron DeCobray, Mason's associate, owns the only private laboratory in all of Europe equipped with a particle accelerator." Breaker looked at the data on his tablet and spoke quickly.
"Particle accelerator? What's that for?" Ripcord asked.
Duke's eyes widened. "Oh no—they're preparing to activate the warheads!"
Scarlett's expression was distant. She seemed not to hear the discussion around her, only repeating the word "Paris."
She suddenly remembered what Mason had said when they parted: "I was planning to show you around Paris!"
He had said this casually during their first meeting, and she hadn't thought much of it before. But now, combined with Breaker's tracking data, Scarlett realized his words might have had a deeper meaning.
What had he meant by that? Was he hinting that their target was Paris?
She should hate Mason, but although he'd killed Heavy Duty, he had also saved her life and given her a cryptic warning before leaving. Was there more to the story?
"The aircraft has landed! The aircraft has landed in the suburbs of Paris! They really are planning to activate it!" Breaker, gripping his equipment, stood up excitedly.
"We have to stop them, or the consequences will be catastrophic!"
"Contact the President directly—we need immediate authorization to deploy!"
Paris and Egypt shared the same time zone. After all the chaos, Mason and his team landed just as dawn was breaking. He rested briefly before heading straight to downtown Paris.
By the time they entered the city, it was already broad daylight. The vehicle sped along and quickly arrived at Baron DeCobray's private laboratory.
Daniel DeCobray was not only a successful businessman but also an accomplished scientist. He'd arrived at the lab early, calibrating various systems.
The vehicle stopped in front of the lab building. Mason handed the alloy case to Storm Shadow. "Help Ana activate the warhead. I'll wait for you here. Make it quick."
Ana sneered. "Don't you want your friend Daniel to see for himself how his new wife obeys his business partner?"
"For a woman like you, this is doing him a favor," Mason shot back.
Ana gritted her teeth and turned to leave. Soon, the humming of electromagnetic equipment could be heard in the hall.
"Almost time." Mason chuckled. With just a little more pressure, this woman would be close to breaking point.
Meanwhile, the G.I. Joe team that had been following the tracking signal had arrived in Paris.
"The signal shows they're in the lab. We need to move fast!" Breaker shouted, manipulating his tablet.
Behind him, Scarlett was helping Ripcord and Duke don their Delta-6 Accelerator Suits.
"How do I look? Pretty sharp, right?" Ripcord couldn't resist joking even at a time like this.
"Wearing this suit, I feel like I could take on a hundred guys!" Ripcord puffed out his chest and declared confidently.
"I advise you to be extremely careful—absolutely do not let Mason get close," Breaker warned from the front seat.
Thinking of the surveillance footage of Mason's fight with Heavy Duty, Breaker couldn't help but shudder. Someone had actually killed a warrior wearing the Delta Accelerator Suit in hand-to-hand combat.
"I still have doubts whether that guy is even human!"
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