The MASS Device

G. I. JOE: A REAL AMERICAN HERO

EXT. G. I. JOE HEADQUARTERS - AIRFIELD
Shadows on the sandy ground reveal four SkyStrikers in formation. They land on a runway as Stalker, Snake Eyes, and Duke look on.
STALKER
The new SkyStrikers are real beauties.
DUKE
Now with Cobra slithering around on the loose, we need all the help we can get.
Snake Eyes senses danger and falls to the ground, hands on his head. Just in time, Duke and Stalker follow suit as a low-flying SkyStriker misses them by mere feet.
STALKER
Get down!
DUKE
I'm gonna kick the mustard outta that crazy hot dog! He could've smeared us all over the runway.
The three Joes run to meet the jet as it lands.
DUKE
Hey! Bacteria brain! Come down here and let's discuss your future as a mental patient!
As the canopy opens, the pilot removes her helmet and stands. It is Scarlett.
SCARLETT
Oh come on, Duke. Where's your spirit of adventure? Give a teammate a hand.
Duke helps Scarlett down from the SkyStriker.
SCARLETT
I missed you, Duke.
DUKE
Sure you did. By that much.
Suddenly, the alarm sounds.
DUKE
Something's coming in below our radar level!
Ten grey Cobra fixed-wing jets approach, led by Major Bludd.
MAJ. BLUDD
Attack!
The jets use their missiles to rain fire down on the runway. As Stalker and the others hurry out of the way, other Joes scramble to their defenses. Tripwire, Wild Bill, and Steeler run past as Rock 'n Roll mans a FLAK cannon. Pan right to show Short-Fuze, Clutch, and Airborne trying to defend the remaining SkyStrikers. Gung-Ho and Flash barely avoid an exploding plane. Duke and Scarlett run for cover; as an enemy plane comes in for a strafing run, Duke tackles Scarlett and rolls her to safety.
SCARLETT
Hey, why didn't you just yell, "Look out"?
DUKE
Didn't you read my green sheet? "Man of action."
Duke looks over the battlefield and discovers the enemy's strategy.
DUKE
It's the SkyStrikers they're after! We've got to get them airborne!
Short-Fuze runs for a SkyStriker while Duke and Scarlett don helmets and board a second.
MAJ. BLUDD
Keep them pinned down! Now, now!
As four Joe SkyStrikers prepare to take off, two of the Cobra planes try to cut them off.
SCARLETT
Here they come!
DUKE
Hold tight!
Duke banks his jet, forcing the two Cobras to crash and burn on the runway. Now in the air, the SkyStrikers quickly overtake the other Cobra craft and damage two.
MAJ. BLUDD
Return to base! Cobra!
The eight remaining Cobra jets fly off over rocky terrain, two of them trailing smoke. Duke brings his jet in for a landing. The rest of the Joe team stands ready for orders, Breaker, Steeler, and Gung-Ho among them.
DUKE
I want the Joes on full alert. Cobra's up to something big!
EXT. COBRA TEMPLE - NIGHT
Lightning indicates a storm brewing outside a huge, grotesque temple with serpentine architecture. A winding path leads through the desolate mountains to the temple entrance, where Cobra Commander is silhouetted.
COBRA COMMANDER
He comes.
A robed figure leads a convoy of Middle Eastern servants to the door. Six wriggling serpents react to the man's presence.
ROBED FIGURE
O great Cobra, we await thy bidding. Give us a sign!
The servants drop their burdens and flee in terror. The mysterious man laughs.
ROBED FIGURE
The superstitious fools didn't even wait for their pay! Now, open the gates!
The serpents straighten. One opens its mouth, and its eyes light up.
SNAKE
Identification please.
He places his hand inside the mechanical snake's mouth, and the doors open. The man walks directly to Cobra Commander's throne room.
INT. COBRA TEMPLE - THRONE ROOM
COBRA COMMANDER
We are disappointed. You were expected days ago, Destro.
The robes drop to reveal Cobra's weapons supplier, Destro.
DESTRO
The shipment was difficult to assemble, and I lost more time climbing to this ridiculously melodramatic location.
Cobra Officers begin opening the boxes Destro has brought in.
COBRA COMMANDER
I designed the Cobra Temple to guarantee us secrecy and security. Now, what have you brought me?
Pan across three glass cases. One is full of red crystals, another contains water, and the other has a golden metallic substance.
COBRA COMMANDER
Yes, truly exotic substances, Destro. But will they work? Raise the MASS Device!
A large cannon-like machine rises from the floor.
DESTRO
These three elements will fuel the device, and with it I shall bring the world to its knees.
COBRA COMMANDER
But will it reach its target? If it goes astray, we'll look like fools.
Destro, laughing, holds up a small grey disk with a red Cobra emblem. The eyes of the cobra resonate with energy.
DESTRO
This will guide us: the perfect homing device. One just like it is now being placed in the target zone.
COBRA COMMANDER
Then we shall not fail. Load the MASS pods quickly! It is the first step towards Cobra domination of the universe!
The Commander laughs as Cobras load the elements into the machine. Pan up to a giant Cobra embem on the wall.
EXT. SATELLITE FACILITY - NIGHT
Establishing shot of the military installation.
INT. SATELLITE FACILITY - HALLWAY
A soldier stands guard by the door to the classified section of the building. A sign on the door reads, "NO ADMITTANCE."
INT. SATELLITE FACILITY - CLASSIFIED SECTION
General Flagg and a female officer are briefing Duke.
GEN. FLAGG [John Stephenson]
Sorry to send for you without explanation, Duke--especially in the aftermath of Cobra's sneak attack. But I've got a real challenge for the G. I. Joe team.
MAJ. JUANITA HOOPER [Morgan Lofting]
I assume your request for G. I. Joe was filed correctly, Gen. Flagg. Form BX-257, Requisition Order MZ19, in triplicate?
GEN. FLAGG
Duke, this is Major Juanita Hooper from the Office of Budget and Accounting...at the Pentagon.
Duke salutes the Major; she fails to return the salute. Flagg and Duke continue down the hallway as Maj. Hooper harumphs and tugs on her earring.
GEN. FLAGG (whispering)
I'm supposed to keep her "happy."
DUKE
Fat chance.
EXT. SATELLITE TOWER
The trio crosses the bridge to a large, sealed silo.
GEN. FLAGG
This is as far as we go. Locked behind those silo doors is a new space satellite of incredible capabilities. My mission is to ensure its safety until launch time tomorrow, so...
DUKE
So, you want the G. I. Joe team to try a break-in to test your defenses. Am I right, General?
GEN. FLAGG
Affirmative, Duke. You're way ahead of me, as usual.
JUANITA HOOPER (adjusting her earring)
Not a very wise procedure, dollar-wise.
GEN. FLAGG
But necessary nonetheless, Major. When can your team take a crack at this installation?
DUKE
Right...now!
EXT. INSTALLATION - NIGHT
Snake Eyes jumps aboard a cargo truck headed for the installation. Once through the gates, he rolls out of it and stealthily avoids the MPs and their guard dogs by climbing a water tower. He uses a skyhook to ride an electrical wire to the roof. Snake Eyes then uses his wristwatch to signal Scarlett.
Scarlett jumps out of a passing airplane and ignites her jetpack. She is on the roof within seconds, and sends the go-ahead signal to Stalker.
Outside the facility, Stalker guns the engine of his RAM and uses its cannon to blast through the gates. As the alarm sounds, he buzzes past confused guards, only to find that his path is blocked by a cargo truck unloading. He jumps the loading ramp, flying over the truck and a tank. One soldier rushes to a FLAK-like cannon, but Stalker abandons his cycle in midair. The RAM crashes into stacks of fuel barrels as Stalker somersaults onto the roof.
SCARLETT
Thanks for, uh, dropping in, Stalker. Shall we do our thing?
STALKER (in French)
After you, Miss Scarlett.
SCARLETT (in a Southern accent)
Why thank you, sir.
EXT. SATELLITE TOWER
On a monitor, Gen. Flagg, Duke, and Maj. Hooper watch as soldiers surround the flames from the RAM's crash.
GEN. FLAGG
It looks like your team blew it on the first try.
JUANITA HOOPER
The notion that the G. I. Joe team could breach these defenses was totally ludicrous.
Just then, a metal ceiling panel drops to the floor, and Snake Eyes, Scarlett, and Stalker jump down with their weapons ready.
STALKER
You were sayin'?
The infiltration team lowers its weapons, and everyone exchanges salutes.
GEN. FLAGG
Well done. But your success only proves security here is adequate.
DUKE
You just lost me, sir.
GEN. FLAGG
Brilliant commando work got three of you inside. But it'd take dozens of men with heavy equipment to steal the satellite. A force your size just couldn't do it.
JUANITA HOOPER
Why not show them the satellite, General? They look like they could use an education.
GEN. FLAGG
Uh, well...okay. Let me show it to you.
INT. SATELLITE TOWER
The huge satellite fills the tower. A few scientists in labcoats stand around its base. The Joe team stands at the door.
JUANITA HOOPER
Magnificent contraption, isn't it? Too expensive for what it does, however.
SCARLETT
And just what does it do?
JUANITA HOOPER
This is the ultimate Relay Star. It can receive and send the most powerful energy to anywhere at any time.
STALKER
Once it's in orbit, there'll be no safe hidin' place.
JUANITA HOOPER
Precisely. Now let's tour the silo. And leave your weapons outside, for pity's sake. This isn't a combat mission.
Maj. Hooper removes the earring that's been bothering her and places it on the wall. A closeup reveals it is one of Cobra's homing devices.
INT. COBRA TEMPLE - MASS DEVICE
Cobra Commander, Destro, and several Cobras look at the homing device on a monitor above the MASS Device's control panel.
COBRA COMMANDER
Exquisite. Well, Destro?
DESTRO
Any moment now, Cobra Commander, my invention will seize the molecules of the Relay Star satellite, assemble them for transportation, scramble them into a coherent beam of pure energy, and send them here to us. Now, MASS is ready!
As Destro activates the device, smoke pours from the base, and the panels on the cannon blink out of sequence.
COBRA COMMANDER
MASS Device my foot! You've wasted millions of hard-stolen dollars, you titanium-faced turkey!
DESTRO
It's the operating temperature. Instead of beaming the satellite back here, I'll send an assault team in to bring it out. Troopers, to the sending grid!
Cobra troops and two HISS tanks assemble on a circular grid near the MASS Device.
COBRA COMMANDER
What makes you think it'll work this time? I could lose men, materiel, a fortune!
DESTRO
Now!
With Destro's adjustments, the assault team is transformed into a beam of blue energy, which collects on the MASS Device's crystal and projects outward.
EXT. COBRA TEMPLE - DUSK
The temple's cobra-shaped antenna glows with the energy and sends it into the sky.
INT. SATELLITE TOWER
The Joe team watches in shock as dozens of Cobra troops materialize out of nowhere.
DUKE
No, it's not possible!
Major Bludd and his troops begin firing. The others flee as an escape ladder drops open. Duke prepares to defend Maj. Hooper and Gen. Flagg.
DUKE
Run, Major Hooper! I'll cover for you!
JUANITA HOOPER
Thanks, but I have other plans.
The woman removes her thick glasses and mask to reveal her identity as the Baroness. She quickly dons her own green-tinted glasses and runs to join Major Bludd.
DUKE
The Baroness!
MAJ. BLUDD
Now, finish them off!
EXT. SATELLITE TOWER
The Joes and Gen. Flagg are driven back onto the walkway, and the metal doors begin to seal.
GEN. FLAGG
Quick, the emergency doors are closing!
DUKE
We need another way in!
SCARLETT
The satellite had to be raised into launch position by gantry elevators.
DUKE
On target, Scarlett. If we can position those elevators properly, we can lift the silo walls right off their foundation. Go for it!
EXT. SATELLITE TOWER
A short time later, giant elevator towers are moved into place next to the walls. The powerful elevators press into the walls at their seams and begin to rise.
GEN. FLAGG
Stand by for assault, men!
DUKE
It's working, General! Let's take 'em!
INT. SATELLITE TOWER
Major Bludd is shocked as an entrance forms between the walls and the floor. The Joes, now backed up by regular military, rush in.
MAJ. BLUDD
What? Take defensive positions!
Laser fire quickly destroys most of the large equipment in the tower, including the two HISS tanks. The Cobra troops use the satellite as cover.
INT. COBRA TEMPLE - MASS DEVICE
COBRA COMMANDER
You incompetent steel head, your bungling has cost me dearly!
DESTRO
Premature panic is the sign of an immature mind. I have mastered the device. Coordinates locked, temperature perfect. There!
Destro once again activates the device.
INT. SATELLITE TOWER
The battle has ended.
DUKE
It's over, Baroness! You and Major Bludd, step out and lay down your weapons!
The Cobra agents stand before Duke, defeated. Suddenly, the satellite and the troops around it begin to glow.
BARONESS
I'm afraid our surrender has been canceled.
The Baroness and Major Bludd rejoin their forces. Duke is not eager to let them go.
DUKE
Not so fast, Baroness!
Duke runs inside the glowing blue cloud just as it disappears, taking Duke, the Cobras, and the Relay Star with it.
SCARLETT
Duke!
GEN. FLAGG
Good grief! He's vanished, and the satellite's gone with him!
INT. COBRA TEMPLE - MASS DEVICE
Moments after the assault team materializes on the sending grid, Duke rushes the Cobra troops and runs for freedom. Major Bludd and the Cobras fire, but Cobra Commander protests.
COBRA COMMANDER
I want him alive, you fool!
Duke kicks and punches his way through several troops, but is taken when half a dozen officers surround him.
COBRA COMMANDER
Take him to the slave pens and prepare him for sport. Right now we have more pressing matters.
DESTRO
Fire! As long as we have the three precious elements, we are invincible!
The Relay Star launches into space.
EXT. SPACE - EARTH ORBIT
DESTRO (V.O.)
Orbit has been achieved! Nothing can stop Cobra now.
INT. COBRA TEMPLE - MASS DEVICE
Cobra Commander and Destro laugh in victory.
EXT. PARIS - EIFFEL TOWER
A female Cobra agent plants a homing device on the base of the Eiffel Tower.
INT. JOE HEADQUARTERS - COMMAND CENTER
STALKER
Any luck yet, Breaker?
BREAKER
Nothin'.
STEELER
What about Cobra's weird fade-in, fade-out technique?
BREAKER
Computer says it might be a form of molecular transference. If so, a Nobel prize-winning scientist, Dr. Laslow Vandermeer, is the world's leading expert. Last place he was seen was his farm in New England.
The viewscreen switches from a picture of Vandermeer's farm to Cobra Commander and Destro.
BREAKER
Monumental microchips! Looks like Cobra took over every television and radio terminal in the world!
Pan across several viewscreens to show the shocked reactions of Short-Fuze, Steeler, Breaker, Stalker, Zap, Snake Eyes, Tripwire, Rock 'n Roll, Scarlett, Wild Bill, and Gung-Ho.
COBRA COMMANDER
Citizens of the world: we have a power greater than any in the history of mankind. Look and tremble!
On the viewscreen, the MASS Device fires, bounces its beam off the Relay Star, and vaporizes the Eiffel Tower.
COBRA COMMANDER (CONT.)
This is but the first in a series of demonstrations of the awesome power of Cobra. Beg your leaders to surrender to Cobra at once. You have twenty-four hours. Cobra!
INT. COBRA TEMPLE - SLAVE PENS
Duke wakes up in chains and surveys his suroundings. Dozens of shabbily-dressed slaves wander like zombies in a barren, open area. Each is wearing an electronic metal headband.
DUKE
What...what is this place? Where am I? Can you understand me?
The slaves continue wandering by aimlessly, completely ignoring the new captive.
DUKE
They seem normal, except for those strange headbands. Those pulsing lights look like the readout on some sort of brain scanner. Water, please! Do you have water?
A female slave pauses at Duke's request. At that moment, the door to the pens opens and the Baroness steps in. This is the first time we see her in her blue Cobra uniform.
BARONESS
It's useless to speak with the slaves, Duke. They are mindless creatures of the Cobra organization. You will soon be one of them, after you have appeared in the Arena of Sport.
Two burly male slaves reach for Duke as the screen fades to black.
EXT. NEW ENGLAND - DAY
G. I. Joe Dragonfly helicopters descend from the clouds and fly over a fertile stretch of farmland.
BREAKER (O.C.)
Let's take 'er down. We should be right over Vandermeer's farm.
EXT. VANDERMEER'S FARM
The scientist waves to the approaching helicopters. Pan right to reveal Cobra soldiers hiding behind the trees, weapons at the ready. The real Dr. Vandermeer is gagged and tied to a tree. The helicopters land, and Zap. Stalker, Snake Eyes, Scarlett, and Flash come to greet the doctor.
"DR. VANDERMEER" [Michael Bell]
Welcome to New England...and to your fate!
The impostor removes his mask and we recognize him as Major Bludd. The Cobras rush out, and their HISSes drive the Joes back. Scarlett and Snake Eyes take cover behind a pile of logs as the enemy advances.
SCARLETT
Tricky little serpents, aren't they!
On Snake Eyes' mark, Scarlett opens her wrist communicator.
SCARLETT
Now!
On cue, three Dragonflies strafe the ground near Major Bludd. The Major looks up to see Flash, Clutch, Breaker, and Zap charging. Scarlett comes out from behind cover and causes the mercenary to nearly blast a windmill down on himself. Gung-Ho takes out two Cobras at once, and Snake Eyes knocks Major Bludd into the pigpen. Bludd runs off, followed by his troops and the HISSes as Dragonflies continue their pursuit.
SCARLETT
Cease fire! They've had it!
Breaker and Steeler bring the real scientist out of the woods
SCARLETT
Doctor Vandermeer, what happened?
VANDERMEER
Cobra...they picked my brain. They stole the secrets of MASS.
BREAKER
You were working on the MASS Device?
VANDERMEER
Yes. And the only force powerful enough to counter it is another MASS Device.
SCARLETT
Then we've got to make one. Back to Headquarters!
EXT. NEW ENGLAND - DAY
The Dragonflies fly westward over a stretch of farmland. The doctor rides in Wild Bill's chopper.
VANDERMEER (mostly O.C.)
I can begin construction of the MASS Device at once, but the three substances that power it are extremely rare. We must get them before Cobra does, or all is lost.
INT. COBRA TEMPLE - SLAVE PENS
Duke is fitted with a headband and led away. The slave girl he stopped earlier looks on from behind bars.
SLAVE GIRL
I must find a way to help him.
INT. COBRA TEMPLE - ARENA OF SPORT
Cobras place Duke in the middle of a round arena, where Cobra Commander and Destro watch from a raised booth.
COBRA COMMANDER
Welcome to the Cobra Arena of Sport, Duke. We are pleased you have agreed to participate in our games.
Duke takes initiative and runs for the Cobra banner on the wall below the laughing Commander's booth. He begins climbing it.
DUKE
I've agreed to nothing, reptile breath. And the only game that interests me is kicking in your fangs!
DESTRO
Come now, Duke. Where's your spirit of competition?
Destro activates a joystick, and Duke's headband glows. The sergeant reacts with pain and eventually falls to the ground.
DESTRO
It is useless to resist! Your motor reflexes are entirely in my control. Now bow, so the sport may begin! Bow!
Despite his resistance, Duke's body kneels and bows to the ground before the Cobra leaders, who laugh evilly.
COBRA COMMANDER
Now, it's time to bring in my champion.
Destro laughs once more as the Commander uses his joystick to summon a giant slave who bears a resemblance to traditional pictures of Samson. The giant roars as he demolishes two pillars and begins closing in on Duke.
DESTRO
You are my slave, Duke, and soon the whole world will bow to Destro and Cobra!
The giant slave reaches toward Duke to crush him.
EXT. COBRA TEMPLE - NIGHT
We view the Cobra temple from above and focus on a high tower topped by a snake's head. Inside that tower is the Arena of Sport.
INT. COBRA TEMPLE - ARENA OF SPORT
As Cobra Commander and Destro control their captives with joysticks, a punch from the giant slave sends Duke flying.
COBRA COMMANDER
You're not very good at this.
DESTRO
Oh, really?
Duke's fighting skills improve as Destro concentrates on controlling his movements. This time it is the giant who ends up on the ground. Destro laughs.
COBRA COMMANDER
I'm going to end it all just for that.
DESTRO
A hundred thousand pieces of gold says you can't.
COBRA COMMANDER
How do you plan to stop me?
DESTRO
By letting my unwilling gladiator fight his own battle.
Destro sets down his joystick and sits back to observe the fight. Duke immediately regains control.
DUKE
It...it's turned off!
Duke evades a kick from the giant, grabs the leg, and throws the slave to the ground. Cobra Commander works his joystick furiously as Destro laughs.
JOE HEADQUARTERS - LABORATORY
Dr. Vandermeer looks through a magnifier as he operates a crane to separate delicate crystals. Stalker, Scarlett, Snake Eyes, and Breaker watch on a viewscreen, surrounded by other scientists.
DR. VANDERMEER
To fight Cobra, we must build another MASS Device. But as you know, MASS is fueled by three very rare catalytic elements. To defeat Cobra, we must get our own supply of this fuel.
STALKER
Cobra's gonna be on the horn with demands in less than twenty-four hours, Doctor Vandermeer. Now how long before you can have a MASS Device ready for us to use against them?
DR. VANDERMEER
A few days, perhaps a week. But without the three elements, it will be valueless.
BREAKER
Well then, tell us where to find 'em, doc, and we'll bring 'em in, pronto.
Dr. Vandermeer activates a ten-foot hologram of the globe, which rotates to show the location of the first element.
DR. VANDERMEER
Very well, but it will not be easy. The first element we need is a radioactive crystal which can be found buried near the Arctic Circle, not far from a glacial expanse known as the Sea of Ice.
EXT. COBRA TEMPLE - ENTRANCE
A Cobra soldier approaches the temple. The mechanical snakes lining the walkway to the door begin wriggling, and he stills them by activating a remote control.
INT. COBRA TEMPLE - ARENA OF SPORT
Duke finally defeats the giant and again runs toward the Cobra banner beneath the spectator booth.
DESTRO
That's enough!
Destro stops Duke with his joystick.
As the giant comes from behind to resume the fight, the Cobra interrupts the Commander.
COBRA
Commander, a message!
The Commander reads the message. The slave rises up to crush Duke, but halts in mid-blow as Cobra Commander's attenton is turned from the game.
COBRA COMMANDER
What? This cannot be permitted! Oh, the world has refused to surrender to Cobra! People are volunteering to stand and fight against us to the bitter end!
DESTRO
Worse. Our spies report G. I. Joe has learned about the three catalytic elements and is going after them. The sport can wait. We must have a strategy meeting.
Duke, once again in control and now ignored, steps away from the frozen giant and is met by the slave girl he saw earlier. She carries water, but instead she hands him a gold strip.
SLAVE GIRL
I am Selena. Slip this between your headband and your forehead, and you will be able to interrupt the control waves. It will cause you agonizing pain, but you will be free to run.
DUKE
Why are you doing this?
A Cobra Officer and a hooded, shirtless slavemaster run into the arena.
SELENA
The guards approach. When you're free, make for the great cobra's mouth. I shall meet you there.
COBRA OFFICER [Buster Jones?]
What are you holding? I saw her pass you something! Search him!
The brutish slavemaster manhandles Duke but does not discover the strip.
SLAVEMASTER [Rob Paulsen?]
Ah, nothing!
When the slavemaster pushes Duke to the ground, Selena reaches down to give him water.
COBRA OFFICER
Save the water, slave. He won't be thirsty soon...or anything else but pulverized.
The Cobras laugh as they lead Selena back to the slave pens.
DUKE
Keep laughing, jerk. This is my ticket outta here.
EXT. SEA OF ICE - DAY
Pan across the white expanses of the Arctic. The Joes vocally enjoy their ride as Polar Battle Bears leap over glacial cliffs. The skimobiles stop, and Scarlett and Snow Job step out in heavy coats. Their detection equipment crackles.
SNOW JOB
We've got the coordinates cold, pretty lady, and I'm talkin' cold. How do you read it?
SCARLETT
Dr. Vandermeer was right, Snow Job. The crystal mine is ahead of us, on the edge of the forest.
Trees are barely discernible around the entrance to the mine some distance away.
SNOW JOB
There's no tracks in the snow. I'd say we got here before Cobra.
SCARLETT
Then let's get those crystals and get out. I'm starting to identify with frozen food.
From a high mountain, Major Bludd watches the Battle Bears proceed through the scope on his missile launcher.
COBRA [Frank Welker]
They're over an hour ahead of us, Major Bludd. By the time we reach the mine, our enemies will have the crystals and be long gone.
MAJ. BLUDD
I wouldn't bet on it, Lieutenant.
After a short ride, Scarlett and the others reach the mine. Scarlett, Tripwire, and Flash remove their coats and head to the mine entrance, followed by Snow Job and Snake Eyes.
INT. CRYSTAL MINE - ENTRANCE
Segments of the rock face spin away to reveal Cobra SNAKE androids. As the Joes approach, the robots move back out of sight. Snake Eyes puts out a hand to stop the team from entering.
SCARLETT
Something in there bothers Snake Eyes, Tripwire.
TRIPWIRE
And I know better than to doubt Snake Eyes' sixth sense, Scarlett. A little sweep-and-scan couldn't hurt. Stay back.
As Tripwire steps into the mine with his mine detector, laser cannons protrude from the roof of the cave.
EXT. COBRA TEMPLE
The Cobra Temple sits in darkness under the perpetually black clouds.
INT. COBRA TEMPLE - THRONE ROOM
Cobra Commander sits high on his elevated throne, with Destro at his side. A television camera is moved into position.
DESTRO
All is in readiness, Cobra Commander. Only a show of force will convince the world we mean business. Begin!
COBRA COMMANDER
Citizens of the planet...
INT. MOVIE THEATER
A crowd receives Cobra's broadcast on their digital screen.
COBRA COMMANDER (CONT.)
Evidently our first demonstration of Cobra power wasn't sufficient to convince you of my purpose.
INT. HOME
A family watches Cobra Commander's message on a flat-screen TV.
COBRA COMMANDER (CONT.)
This time there will be no room for doubt.
INT. COBRA TEMPLE - THRONE ROOM
A viewscreen shows troops of the Soviet military.
COBRA COMMANDER (CONT.)
Premier Ivan Balankov of the Soviet Union, I have you and your Red Square battalions in my view, comrade. I hereby call upon you to order your entire military command to lay down its arms. You have ten seconds to comply.
EXT. MOSCOW - RED SQUARE
The Baroness, disguised as a Russian woman, places a Cobra homing device on the wall of the Kremlin.
INT. COBRA TEMPLE - THRONE ROOM
COBRA COMMANDER
Your time is up! Now, you and your nation will pay for your arrogant refusal to obey me.
The MASS Device activates, sending its beam to dematerialize the Soviet army. Its troops and equipment re-appear in the Arena of Sport. Cobra troops begin leading the soldiers away at gunpoint.
COBRA COMMANDER
The next demonstration of my power will not be so gentle. Therefore, hear this and obey!
INT. MOVIE THEATER
COBRA COMMANDER (CONT.)
Leaders of all nations, meet at noon tomorrow on Tanu Island. That is all!
The Commander hisses and fades out.
INT. COBRA TEMPLE - THRONE ROOM
COBRA COMMANDER
I was rather good, wasn't I?
DESTRO
The MASS Device is not a toy for your amusement! These repeated demonstrations of its power have almost exhausted our supply of catalytic elements.
COBRA COMMANDER
The world doesn't know that. Come, it's time to return to our sport.
DESTRO
I must replenish the pods.
COBRA COMMANDER
That can wait. First, I'll dispose of Duke. Then we can get on with our conquest of the world.
The Commander leaves Destro to worry about his weapon.
DESTRO
Reptilian popinjay.INT. CRYSTAL MINE - ENTRANCE
Tripwire brushes the ground with his detection equipment.
TRIPWIRE
I don't pick up any life form readings. There's some funny blips on my scope, but they could be from radioactivity.
SCARLETT
Then let's dig some crystals.
Scarlett, Flash, Snake Eyes, and Snow Job enter the mineshaft. Just then, ceiling-mounted lasers fire at the entrance. The Joes scatter, and a metal door blocks the way out. The SNAKE robots reveal themselves.
SNOW JOB
Robot defenders! I knew this wasn't one of my better days.
Snow Job destroys the first SNAKE with one shot. A second android melts Snake Eyes' rifle. As Flash uses his flamethrower to melt one, another SNAKE uses a huge weight attachment to nearly crush Snake Eyes. The Joes are driven farther back into the mine.
SCARLETT
The robots are programmed to push us into the crystal bay! The radioactivity will fry us!
As the SNAKEs continue firing, Snake Eyes waves the team into niches in the walls of the mine. The androids hesitate.
SNOW JOB
The robots have to reprogram to deal with our new position.
After a few seconds, two SNAKEs begin closing in on the Joes.
SCARLETT
Uh-oh. That didn't take long.
As one of the robots prepares to crush Flash and Tripwire with its weight, Snake Eyes runs out and distracts both SNAKEs. They approach him from opposite directions, but he ducks out of the way. The SNAKEs begin fighting each other.
SCARLETT
Great work, Snake! They don't know who their friends are!
As the two robots fight, a third one is being spun around by Flash and Tripwire.
FLASH [Rob Paulsen]
We got this one shakin' in its transistors!
SCARLETT
We'll mop up while you go get the crystals.
With the robots disabled, Snake Eyes climbs into an enclosed monorail minecar and flies down the shaft.
SCARLETT (O.C.)
And hurry, we're running low on time.
INT. COBRA TEMPLE - ARENA OF SPORT
Once again, Duke is fighting the giant slave, being controlled by the Cobra leaders.
DESTRO
Let us end this fast. There's work to do.
COBRA COMMANDER
I'm enjoying the sport. Besides, I don't feel there's anything that can't wait.
DESTRO
That shows what you know. It was I who developed the MASS Device, I who made you aware of its potential.
COBRA COMMANDER
You? Without my money and organization, you'd be out in the rain watching your face rust!
With the Cobra leaders ignoring the game, Duke is free to move on his own. He places the gold strip under his headband.
DUKE
Gold strip...Selena said it would interrupt control. I must concentrate...concentrate.
DESTRO
This bickering is senseless, Cobra Commander. We are allies. Now, may we?
COBRA COMMANDER
Of course.
Cobra Commander and Destro return to their game. As Destro activates his joystick, Duke screams and the short circuit causes a beam of energy shoots out from the headband to electrify both leaders' controls. Duke runs for a side wall.
DESTRO
Stop the prisoner!
INT. COBRA TEMPLE
Duke leaps over the wall and continues running, pursued by Cobra troops.
EXT. COBRA TEMPLE - ENTRANCE
As Duke removes his headband, he finds himself near one of the automated serpents, with the enemy approaching.
SNAKE
Identification please.
Duke jumps behind the walkway and evades the enemy troops. He then begins climbing the temple.
DESTRO
He must not leave alive!
INT. COBRA TEMPLE - SUPPLY ROOM
As Destro and his troops fire, Duke drops down into the mouth of the giant serpent sculpted onto the front of the temple. He finds himself in a supply room.
COBRA OFFICER
Hold it right there, hero.
Duke looks cornered by the waiting soldier, but Selena sneaks up from behind and knocks him out.
SELENA
You are hurt.
DUKE
I'll be fine. But I've got to get out of here.
SELENA
The Viper Glider. It is the only way. Hurry.
Duke and Selena run for the gliders.
INT. COBRA TEMPLE - STAIRCASE
Cobra Commander runs for the great snake, along with two of his troops. They begin blasting at the door to the supply room.
COBRA COMMANDER
I'll have you all punished if Duke escapes! Strike, Cobra, strike!
The Cobras begin melting the door with their lasers.
INT. COBRA TEMPLE - SUPPLY ROOM
Duke prepares to take off on one of the Viper Gliders, Selena says farewell.
DUKE
I don't know how to thank you, Selena.
SELENA
There is no need.
DUKE
What'll happen to you?
SELENA
I know secret ways back to the slave pens. No one will know I've been involved in your escape. Now go!
Duke removes his ring and places it on Selena's hand.
DUKE
Something to remember me by, until I come back to free you and your people.
Just then, the door melts open.
COBRA COMMANDER
Any second now...there!
DUKE
Until we meet again!
Duke takes off in the glider and soars into the sky.
COBRA COMMANDER
After him, you dolts! Hurry, hurry!
EXT. COBRA TEMPLE - OVERCAST
Three Cobras launch their gliders in pursuit. As Duke tries to maneuver, we see the sun behind the dark clouds.
INT. CRYSTAL MINE - CRYSTAL BAY
Snake Eyes operates a crane that places red crystals into a cylindrical container. He operates his communicator.
SCARLETT (COMM.)
Ready when you are, Snake Eyes.
INT. CRYSTAL MINE - ENTRANCE
TRIPWIRE
Take cover!
Tripwire sets an explosive by the metal door and steps back. The explosion opens a way out, and Flash, Scarlett, and Snow Job celebrate.
EXT. CRYSTAL MINE - ENTRANCE
SNOW JOB
Fresh, snowy air! I never thought I'd smell it again. I... We got company!
An explosion rocks the mine, and we see Cobra HISS tanks firing.
MAJ. BLUDD
Cobra! Cobra!
The Joes take cover at the entrance and blast one of the HISSes.
SCARLETT
They can't get in, we can't get out.
As Major Bludd surveys the battle, one of his troops walks up with a remote.
COBRA
The failsafe activator, Major.
MAJ. BLUDD
An explosive charge was placed in the mine for an occasion just like this.
INT. CRYSTAL MINE - MINESHAFT
Far down the shaft, an explosion causes red gas to begin billowing out of the crystal bay.
SCARLETT
A failsafe device! It's unleashed a radioactive cloud!
SNOW JOB
We can stay here and learn to glow in the dark, or we could go out there and maybe get cut to pieces!
Scarlett activates her communicator.
SCARLETT
Snake Eyes! We'll try a break-out when he joins us. Come in, Snake Eyes.
Farther down the shaft, Snake Eyes runs to avoid the advancing cloud.
SCARLETT (COMM.)
Acknowledge, Snake Eyes! Acknowledge!
Snake Eyes locates a control panel on the roof and fires at it. A transparent shield drops down in front of him, just before the other Joes reach him.
TRIPWIRE
He's lowering a radioactive shield! Get outta there, Snake!
SCARLETT
There was no time for him to get out. He knew that when he brought it down to save us.
SNOW JOB
There's nothing we can do for him. And we can't get at the crystals, either. Hey!
The Joes notice that Snake Eyes has been pointing behind them.
SNOW JOB
Lookit there!
Behind them, an opening has formed in the roof, and a ladder projects down into the mine.
SCARLETT
A way out! It must've opened automatically when Snake Eyes lowered the shield!
Distant laser fire indicates the Joes had better leave.
SNOW JOB
Come on!
SCARLETT
We'll never forget you, or what you've done, Snake Eyes. We owe you our lives.
Scarlett and Snake Eyes exchange gestures of friendship, and the commando disappears in the radioactive cloud.
SCARLETT
For now, we've got to get out of this trap.
SNOW JOB
Let's move out before Cobra comes in here after us.
Scarlett, Tripwire, Snow Job, and Flash jump onto the ladder and climb out as Snake Eyes waves farewell.
EXT. MOUNTAINS - DAY
Now flying under a blue sky, Duke continues his flight from his Cobra pursuers. One glides into an outcropping, but an entire squadron of Viper Gliders remains in the air.
EXT. JUNGLE - DAY
Duke's glider finally collides into a tree. Duke uses branches to slow his fall, but none can support his weight. He eventually drops into a HISS on guard duty. The Cobras leaning against it fail to notice until Duke starts the engine.
COBRA
Look out!
Duke tears off in the HISS, and the lead Cobra sends other tanks to give chase.
COBRA
After him!
Duke drives into a river. He is pursued by HISS tanks as well as a white and grey Water Moccasin prototype and a skimobile similar to the Chameleon. Wild animals leap out of the way as Cobra blasts down trees to stop Duke. Eventually Duke finds himself on a direct course for a large tree trunk. The collision throws him into the water. When he surfaces, he finds two Cobras looking down at him.
COBRA
Hahaha! He's had it!
Duke loses consciousness and sinks beneath the muddy water.
COBRA
There'll be a bonus for all of us!
As soon as the Cobra troops leave, Duke reaches out of the mud to a vine and climbs out. He staggers away.
EXT. JOE HEADQUARTERS - NIGHT
A medical helicopter descends from the night sky. As soon as it lands, Doc pulls out a stretcher. Duke is on it.
INT. JOE HEADQUARTERS - HALLWAY
Doc, Steeler, and Cover Girl escort Duke's stretcher.
COVER GIRL
He doesn't look good Doc. Is he going to make it?
DOC
His vital signs are weak, Cover Girl. But Duke's no ordinary man.(COMM.): Full emergency team ready!
JOE HEADQUARTERS - COMMAND CENTER
The viewscreens are filled with images of world leaders gathered to hear Cobra's demands. Several Joes are watching the broadcast: Scarlett, Zap, Breaker, Flash, Gung-Ho, Stalker, and Rock 'n Roll.
REPORTER
As world leaders rendezvous to await the orders of the Cobra Commander, this is the scene at Tanu Island in the Pacific. The American delegate to this reluctant conference is presidential appointee General Flagg. General, what is the government's position on this situation?
GEN. FLAGG [John Stephenson]
Simply this: we will never surrender to Cobra, no matter what their threats may be.
PREMIER BALANKOV
The position of my country is...
The Soviet leader's statement is cut off as the entire group of delegates glows blue and vanishes.
ROCK 'N ROLL
Hey, what happened?
STALKER
They're gone, man.
BREAKER
Just like the Red army!
The viewscreens change to show Cobra Commander on his throne.
COBRA COMMANDER
Boastful fools! Your rash statements of bravery are pointless!
Cobra troops fit the delegates with slave headbands.
COBRA COMMANDER (CONT.)
This is the fate of all who reject my supremacy!
DESTRO
The fate of your leaders will be yours if you continue to defy us. Surrender to the new Cobra order or become our mindless slaves. The choice is yours.
Scarlett notices that Duke is being wheeled into the comm. room by Cover Girl and Doc. She, Stalker, Zap, and Breaker run to check on their leader.
SCARLETT
There's Duke! He's been hurt!
DUKE
What? Uh...Stalker...h-how did I get here?
STALKER
We were hoping you could tell us. You were with Cobra, and if you know how to get to Cobra headquarters, we can put an end to this nightmare fast.
DUKE
It's no use. I can't remember anything. Nothing except...a face. A beautiful face.
STALKER
You gotta remember, man. Somehow, some way you must! If you can't, Cobra's won it all.
INT. COBRA TEMPLE
Fade to black as Destro laughs triumphantly.
EXT. COBRA TEMPLE
Establishing shot of Cobra's headquarters at local sunrise.
INT. COBRA TEMPLE - THRONE ROOM
Cobra broadcasts its demands to the world.
COBRA COMMANDER
Surrender to the new order of Cobra starting at noon tomorrow, or suffer my wrath.
INT. ASSEMBLY HALL
The Commander's threats play on a large viewscreen.
COBRA COMMANDER
Devastation! Ruin! Chaos!
INT. COBRA TEMPLE - THRONE ROOM
As the Cobra leader laughs maniacally, Destro and the Baroness look on with disdain.
DESTRO
Egotistical peacock. Doesn't he realize our supply of catalytic elements is too low to activate his wild threats? And an empty threat destroys our credibility.
BARONESS
But we retain the upper hand, Destro. G. I. Joe failed to get the red crystals.
DESTRO
We have failed as well, my dear Baroness.
BARONESS
Your concern is unfounded. Major Bludd may yet succeed in bringing back the crystals.
DESTRO
He must succeed. He must!
Destro slams his armored fist into a concrete wall in anger.
EXT. CRYSTAL MINE
Major Bludd supervises Cobras working on a large, spider-like device.
MAJ. BLUDD
Haven't you programmed the repair module yet? If we're not out of here before nightfall we could freeze to death!
COBRA
Ready now, sir.
The robotic repair module rises up on its four spidery legs.
MAJ. BLUDD
Then send it in to do its work! This robot will bring out the crystals and deal with any G. I. Joe survivors. Prepare the search androids!
The repair module goes inside the cave to work on a number of spiny, spherical devices.
MAJ. BLUDD
It'll flush them out or finish them off.
INT. CRYSTAL MINE - MINESHAFT
The repair module and a floating search android make their way down the tunnel.
INT. CRYSTAL MINE - CRYSTAL BAY
An irradiated Snake Eyes observes the robots fire into the crystals. Once they pass, he grabs the canister of crystals and heads toward the entrance.
EXT. CRYSTAL MINE - ENTRANCE
Snake Eyes glows a bright red as he stumbles out of the mine.
COBRA
Look! There was someone alive in there!
MAJ. BLUDD
Hold your fire! Poor devil, he's a walking time bomb.
Snake Eyes passes through a crowd of Cobra troops as they look on with pity and horror.
MAJ. BLUDD
Let him go! He'll die soon enough.
EXT. PACIFIC OCEAN - NAVY SHIP
Establishing shot of a large Navy vessel on the choppy waters near the Mariana Islands.
INT. NAVY SHIP
In a small, bare room, Breaker and Doc have Duke hooked up to a hypnosis-inducing device. Tripwire, Scarlett, and Stalker look on as Doc speaks to Duke through a comm unit.
DOC
Think back, Duke. There is a picture there, Duke. Look at it. Describe it. You are in the Cobra hideout. Focus. Concentrate.
DUKE
Yes. I can see something. I do see something. Someone, really. She's coming in clear...
We see a series of flashback images, all of Selena. She is crying in close-up, then pushing a huge turnstile while Cobra guards have their guns trained on her and the other slaves. We then see a whip cross her back.
DUKE (V.O.)
She's in danger, and...and that's all I remember.
As Duke's memory fades, we see a glimpse of her looking at Duke's ring on her finger. Back on the ship, Steeler runs into the room.
STEELER
Hey, we're here!
DUKE
All right, let's get topside!
EXT. NAVY SHIP - DECK
Breaker points to a topographical map of the area as he briefs the team. Duke, Clutch, Scarlett, Tripwire, and Stalker are in attendance.
BREAKER
We are right over the deepest trench in the ocean floor. At the bottom lies a pool of heavy water, the second of the three catalytic elements we've got to get before Cobra beats us to 'em.
DUKE
You know your team assignments. Buddy up and get into your diving gear. We're going over the side.
As Duke walks over to Scarlett, the Joes psyche themselves up for the mission. Stalker and Tripwire raise their fists together.
JOES
Yo Joe!
Hydraulic lifts raise several small submersible craft into position. They look somewhat like the not-yet-released SHARC.
EXT. NAVY SHIP - DECK
The six Joes are donning their yellow-and-black frogman outfits near the subs.
STALKER
I believe none of us knows doodley-squat about deep sea diving, so who do we have to ramrod this operation?
DUKE
Good question, Stalker. And here comes a good answer.
Duke points as a large shadow forms in the water, speeding toward them. The Joes react; this obviously wasn't in the briefing.
BREAKER
If that's Moby Dick, I'm checkin' out!
The shadow surfaces alongside the ship. It is a large submarine. The hatch opens to reveal a Joe in black diving gear.
TORPEDO
Hey, what's happening, landlubbers!
JOES
Torpedo!
TORPEDO
What are you all waiting for? Come on in, the water's fine!
The Joes dive into the water, creating a huge splash that washes over Torpedo. He coughs and spits out water as the Joes laugh.
EXT. SEA OF ICE - EVENING
Glowing red from radiation and clutching the container of crystals, Snake Eyes trudges through a snowstorm. As he shields his face with a gloveless hand, the ground gives way underneath him. He stumbles down a sheer embankment. At the bottom, he is greeted by a wolf who barks and growls. The wolf's paw is caught in a bear trap. The commando begins to walk away but decides to free the wolf. The dog licks its paw and Snake Eyes leaves. After some hesitation, the wolf follows.
EXT. PACIFIC OCEAN - NAVY SHIP
A hatch opens on the side of the ship, and a ramp lowers, ready to release the subs into the water.
DUKE
There are only two things to remember. Take your lead from Torpedo. This is his turf. And don't get out of your depth suit, or the pressure down there will crush you like a grape.
Inside one of the subs, Clutch is eating grapes and squeezes his cluster too hard, squirting grape juice all over Breaker.
DUKE
Good luck, and happy hunting.
The subs are released and navigate to Torpedo's submarine.
TORPEDO
All right, straighten up your formation! Synchronize depth gauges! Ready? Goin' down!
Torpedo closes the hatch on his vessel, and the Joe team goes below the surface.
EXT. PACIFIC OCEAN - MARIANA TRENCH
Torpedo's sub leads the way downward.
TORPEDO (O.C.)
Hang onto your headgear, guys. We're going where few have gone, and fewer still have ever returned. Yahoo!
EXT. SEA OF ICE
Snake Eyes continues through the snow, with the wolf following at a distance. Snake Eyes senses danger but trudges ahead. He is soon met by a gigantic polar bear. The Joe blocks a probing paw with the crystals and draws a gun. But before he can fire a warning shot, the bear sweeps Snake Eyes off his feet. The container goes flying and rolls into the snow. Snake Eyes crawls toward his pistol as the bear closes in. Just then, the wolf leaps onto the bear, which easily throws the canine to the ground. Suddenly an old man appears and uses a homemade electrified prod to stun the bear. It is enough to drive the bear away. The man with the shadowy eyes and long, white beard puts his hands on the fallen Snake Eyes and the wolf.
OLD MAN [John Stephenson?]
Even though I cannot see, I can tell a young, strong man ya are, 'tis sure. But what ye are doing in these bleak hills I do not know, but ye will surely freeze to death if you're not given shelter.
The blind man whistles, and a team of sled dogs arrive with his sled. He places the man and the animal on the sled, but the dogs are nervous.
OLD MAN
Easy now boys, steady. Whatever's disturbin' ya will have to wait! We're off. Mush! On, ya huskies!
As the man drives off, a small avalanche covers the path behind him. On the surface is the glowing container of crystals.
INT. COBRA TEMPLE - THRONE ROOM
Major Bludd reports to Destro and Cobra Commander, carrying his container of crystals.
MAJ. BLUDD
Your crystals, Destro. Mission accomplished!
DESTRO
Excellent, Major Bludd. I salute you. Now we lack but two of the precious elements which will make us invincible. Only the G. I. Joe team stands against us. But if we can get the remaining elements before they get them, there'll be no stopping us. The planet will be ours!
EXT. OCEAN FLOOR - MARIANA TRENCH
The light beams from Torpedo's submarine light up the rocky surface of the ocean. Trails of green rise from a fissure, and near it are tall thin cylinders with holes in the top.
TORPEDO
There's the bottom, comin' up. We'll touch down on that plateau over there. And watch out for that fissure. The stuff floating out of there is molten sulfur. The water around it is hot enough to hard-boil an elephant. So keep away!
DUKE (O.C.)
Those odd columns--I've seen them before.
SCARLETT (O.C.)
So have I, in a nightmare.
DUKE
I've got it! They look like giant tubeworms!
SCARLETT (O.C.)
Giant tubeworms?
CLUTCH
Yeccch!
TORPEDO
Hey, do your worm worryin' later! Right now, activate your pressure suits. Let's find the heavy water and get outta here.
DUKE (O.C.)
This could be a hairy detail, so maintain radio contact at all times.
The subs set down on the plateau, and the Joes swim out toward a pool in the center of the columns.
DUKE
The heavy water pool should be somewhere down there. Check your coordinates and move in.
Tripwire and Stalker notice the columns as they swim past.
TRIPWIRE
Looks like a pretty bad neighborhood.
STALKER
Oh, I wouldn't say that. See? No graffiti.
As Stalker taps the column, pan up to reveal a giant tubeworm that comes out screeching. Half a dozen others join him, but they go unnoticed by the Joes. As the team of seven reaches the pool, Cobra also arrives, in six small dartlike sleds and one spherical command sub.
BARONESS
Now men, attack! Cobra!
The Joes fight off the Cobra ambush, quickly taking out some of the sea sleds. The Cobras, in red diving suits, take cover behind the columns. The firefight stirs the remaining tubeworms, which prepare to attack.
DUKE
Torpedo, you carry on with the mission. We'll try to cover you.
TORPEDO
Roger, Duke. Heavy water, here I come!
One of Cobra's sea sleds knocks Torpedo into the heavy water. As the fight continues, the Baroness' craft gets knocked by an out-of-control sled.
BARONESS
Watch out, you imbecile.
Torpedo recovers and tries again to collect the water, not noticing that the tubeworms are snatching up the other divers.
TORPEDO
Come to 'Pedo, baby.
Torpedo is taken, as the tubeworms wrap themselves around the humans and pound the sea sleds and Baroness' sub to pieces.
DUKE
Torpedo, what's your situation? Over.
TORPEDO
Lousy. Request permission to wheel and deal.
DUKE
Affirmative!
TORPEDO
Commander of Cobra forces! You, Baroness! We've got to work together if any of us are gonna get out of this! Otherwise we'll wind up worm food!
BARONESS
Preposterous! Cooperation with the enemy is out of the question! I...
The Baroness shrieks as a tubeworm grabs her craft, covering the window with its body.
BARONESS
On second thought, your idea has merit. We will help you, with the understanding that once we are free, we will split the pool of heavy water equally.
DUKE
All right, Baroness. You've got a deal.
The Baroness' pod begins springing leaks under the pressure of the worm.
BARONESS
Excellent. Cobra forces, attention. Join with the G. I. Joe team and destroy our common enemy, the tubeworms! Cobra!
The Joes and Cobras combine their power, training fire on the tubeworms. It has little effect, as divers are freed only to be taken up again. The Baroness' sub is now half full of water.
BARONESS
They are indestructible. We have succeeded only in making them more angry!
DUKE
They must have a weakness! But if we don't find it fast, we're finished.
At this point, everyone is in the grip of a tubeworm.
DUKE
There's one chance! The worms have fastened themselves to rocks at their base. Blast away their anchorage to the sea floor! If they float up far enough, the pressure will decrease and they'll explode!
Duke demonstrates by shooting at the base of his worm's column. The column floats upward with the tubeworm inside. Its "foot" reachs down to grab the base, but another blast forces it away. Stalker tries the strategy on his own creature.
STALKER
Yeah! Yeah man, it's working!
EXT. OCEAN FLOOR - MARIANA TRENCH
Duke and the Baroness (now in a red diving suit) fill their containers with heavy water. The Baroness picks up her pistol and trains it on the Joes.
BARONESS
Thank you for a successful but extremely temporary partnership, Duke. Now give us your heavy water as well.
DUKE
We had a deal, Baroness.
BARONESS
A deal? With Cobra? Hahahaha. Surely you can't be serious.
More Cobra sea sleds pull up above the heavy water pool.
DUKE
I'm serious. Yo Joe!
Torpedo's sub and the three other Joe craft move into position opposite the Cobras.
DUKE
Now, let's everybody back off!
BARONESS
It cannot end this way!
The Baroness fires at Duke, and both sides begin shooting.
TORPEDO
We got what we came for! Let's not hang around!
SCARLETT
I'm with you!
BARONESS
We have no time to pursue the fools. We have both the crystals and heavy water. One more element to go, and then we are victorious!
EXT. NAVY SHIP - DECK
As the Joes shed their diving suits, Duke reports in via cordless phone.
DUKE
Doctor Vandermeer, we got the heavy water, but we're still two elements short for your MASS Device.
INT. JOE HEADQUARTERS - COMMAND CENTER
Cover Girl and Dr. Vandermeer have Duke and Scarlett on the viewscreen. A newly built MASS Device is visible in the back of the room.
DR. VANDERMEER
If you don't get them soon, Duke, it may not matter.
COVER GIRL
The Cobra Commander demands G. I. Joe surrender at once, or he'll disintegrate New York City.
EXT. SEA OF ICE - CABIN
As snow and wind blow across the night sky, smoke rises from the chimney of a small cabin.
INT. CABIN
Snake Eyes' uniform and mask hang on the wall. As the wolf lies on the floor, the blind man tosses a glowing mound of material in the fire.
OLD MAN
Your radiation sickness is gone, me bucko. A simple dressing of leaves and herbs draws out the contamination. And you're none the worse for it. Your uniform and mask are on the wall behind ye.
The man pets the wolf as Snake Eyes (seen partially, from the back) takes his uniform from its place. The Joe, now dressed, shakes the man's hand.
OLD MAN
I cannot see, so I don't know why you cover your face, lad. But whatever terrible disfigurement is there, I can see into your heart, and that is sound and true. Ya can't deny it, lad. Your loyal wolf friend here, he needs a name. How about Timber? Yes, 'tis a perfect moniker.
Snake Eyes and Timber head for the door, but the man approaches with the container of crystals. It is no longer glowing.
OLD MAN
You'll not be going without this, I think. I went back for it. 'Twas easy to find, it hummin' and warm like it is. Now, one thing more before ya go traipsin' off into the snow. There's an old iceboat moored at the eastern end of the Sea of Ice, just over the rise. Cross over in that, and you'll soon reach civilization.
EXT. SEA OF ICE - CABIN
OLD MAN
Saints protect ya. Both of ya!
INT. JOE HEADQUARTERS - COMMAND CENTER
Cover Girl and Dr. Vandermeer carefully pour the heavy water into its container on the MASS Device. Other Joes are gathered nearby.
DR. VANDERMEER
This is a step in the right direction. But New York has had it if G. I. Joe doesn't surrender. I wish I could see some other alternative.
DUKE
If we give up, Cobra will have a stranglehold on the world! We've got to keep fighting somehow!
SHORT-FUZE
Uh, me and Steeler maybe got somethin'. You know how Cobra needs the Relay Star satellite to send the MASS energy beam down on New York?
DUKE
Yeah, Short-Fuze. Go on.
SHORT-FUZE
Well you see, Steeler and me was talkin'. And I said to him, "Steeler, buddy," I said...
STEELER
Will you tell him already?
SHORT-FUZE
I'm tellin' him! I gotta tell him my way, though. So anyway, I said to Steeler...
STEELER
There's no time to tell it your way. What me and Short-Fuze figured was, if we could knock out that satellite, Cobra couldn't do nothin' to the Big Apple.
SHORT-FUZE
So, we built this here doohickey with Clutch's help.
Pan right, to an eight-foot rocket on a large dolly.
CLUTCH
It's a killer satellite. It's all mounted in a portable launch gantry and everything. Well, what do you think?
DR. VANDERMEER
Crude, roughly constructed, but magnificent. It just might do the trick.
An iris in the ceiling opens, and the Joes move the killer satellite into position. The scientist sends it off into orbit.
EXT. SPACE - EARTH ORBIT
The killer satellite makes its way toward the Relay Star. Its front end pulses with energy.
DR. VANDERMEER (O.C.)
A little closer, a little closer to the Relay Star and we can blow it to bits!
COBRA TEMPLE - MASS DEVICE
A warning light flashes on Destro's console, but has anticipated this move.
DESTRO
Shock troops to the grid at once!
Cobras in light grey spacesuits step onto the energy grid.
COBRA COMMANDER
Hurry!
DESTRO
This will use up our last remaining bit of the third, metallic element. But we have no choice.
Destro activates the device, sending the shock troops to the Relay Star.
EXT. SPACE - EARTH ORBIT
The shock troops materialize and defend their satellite.
SHOCKTROOPER
Fire!
INT. JOE HEADQUARTERS - COMMAND CENTER
The Joes watch the events unfold on the viewscreen.
DUKE
They've beamed Cobra troops up to the Relay Star!
The killer satellite is destroyed, and the Joes react.
COBRA TEMPLE - MASS DEVICE
DESTRO
We have just sealed the fate of G. I. Joe and ensured our future greatness.
COBRA COMMANDER
Cobra rules!
INT. JOE HEADQUARTERS - COMMAND CENTER
DR. VANDERMEER
We have failed to pull Cobra's fangs. You will have to surrender now, unless you can summon up a miracle.
A large bay door opens, and Cover Girl drives up in her Wolverine and parks it alongside the VAMP on the energy grid.
COVER GIRL
Guess who I just picked up at the outer perimeter? I heard a relay alarm kick in, and you were all busy, so I went for a looksee. And, here's Snake Eyes!
Snake Eyes and Timber step out with the crystals, and the Joes celebrate.
DUKE
I don't know how you made it back, Snake Eyes.
SCARLETT
Snake, you're alive! I knew you were too tough to be finished off by some dumb old crystals! Hey, who's your friend?
Dr. Vandermeer uses a long grasping device to feed the crystals into the MASS Device.
DUKE
These crystals give us a chance to meet Cobra head-on, MASS to MASS, and a chance is all we need.
JOES
Yo Joe!
As the Joes continue to celebrate, Timber investigates the empty crystal container, which begins glowing red again. Pink gas rises from it, and the wolf barks.
DUKE
Somethin's bugging your big bad wolf, Snake Eyes. Maybe.... That smoke!
SCARLETT
The canister! It's a booby trap!
DUKE
If it explodes, we're all cosmic dust! The fumes! They have paralyzing properties! Must get rid of bomb before...it's too late!
The Joes begin collapsing as the gas takes effect. The bomb is now glowing blue. Duke is the last to fall.
INT. JOE HEADQUARTERS - COMMAND CENTER
As Duke, Scarlett, and Dr. Vandermeer lie unconscious near the canister-bomb, Timber runs to Cover Girl, who is struggling to reach a container of water. The wolf grabs the cloth underneath the water and pulls it off the table. Cover Girl takes the now-wet cloth and holds it to her mouth.
COVER GIRL
Good boy. Liquid can filter fumes. There may be enough time to get fusion bomb out of here.
Cover Girl places the canister on the rear cannon of the VAMP and gets in.
COVER GIRL
We don't have time to spare, boy, so keep your paws crossed. Here we go!
EXT. JOE HEADQUARTERS
With Timber in the passenger seat, Cover Girl drives the VAMP wildly, to the consternation of the M.P.'s, and swerves, sending the container high into the air where it explodes.
COVER GIRL
Timber, you're my kind of wolf.
INT. JOE HEADQUARTERS - COMMAND CENTER
DR. VANDERMEER
Thanks to Timber and Cover Girl, we still have a chance. There's a remote possibility we can activate our MASS Device with only two of the required elements, if and only if the synthetic meteorite flakes I have devised complete the equation. I shall need an object for the test. Gung-Ho.
Gung-Ho places his rifle on the energy grid.
GUNG-HO
Bye, Baby. Take good care of 'er, Doctor Vandermeer. We've been through lots together.
DR. VANDERMEER
I shall do my best. Snake Eyes, the homing device. Prepare to receive transmission. The electromotor force field seems to be adequate. Now!
Snake Eyes holds the homing device as Vandermeer activates the controls. The rifle disappears and then materializes in Snake Eyes' hands, mangled almost beyond recognition.
GUNG-HO
Baby, what'd they do to ya?
DUKE
I wouldn't use that weapon unless your insurance is paid up.
DR. VANDERMEER
Without the third element, we are no match for Cobra.
The scientist uses a pointer to indicate a spot on the holographic globe, in northwest Brazil near the Amazon River.
DR. VANDERMEER (CONT.)
The catalytic element we need is to be found where the so-called Ring of Fire emerges from a garden in South America.
EXT. RING OF FIRE
Smoke rises from a small volcano surrounded by forest. As the doctor speaks, a meteorite descends into the volcano, where it then sits surrounded by molten lava.
DR. VANDERMEER (V.O.)
It is a center of extremely volcanic activity. More than one hundred thousand years ago, a gigantic meteorite survived entry into the Earth's atmosphere, and that meteorite is the last source of the pure metallic compound which is our third missing element. It remains there still, in a deadly sea of red-hot lava.
INT. JOE HEADQUARTERS - COMMAND CENTER
A beep draws the Joes' attention to a secondary viewscreen.
JOES
What's that? Look at that screen. Unreal!, What's that pattern? etc.
An image scrambled into sixteen squares comes into view.
DUKE
An ultra-secret message on the video scrambler! It's only used for terminal condition white!
CLUTCH
Condition white? Like in white flag? No way!
The image resolves itself into Stalker, who is wearing a jet pack. Watching the message are Breaker, Snake Eyes, Scarlett, Clutch, Duke, Gung-Ho, Zap, and Dr. Vandermeer.
STALKER
I'd do anything if I didn't have to be the one to deliver this message. But the President and the Joint Chiefs have just ordered me to assemble the entire G. I. Joe force and surrender, as directed by Cobra.
AIRBORNE (O.C.)
No way!
[Note: This is clearly Peter Cullen's voice, but Airborne is nowhere in the scene.]
BREAKER
You're putting us on, right, Stalk?
SHORT-FUZE
You're outta your gourd!
[Note: This is clearly Frank Welker's Short-Fuze voice, but Clutch's mouth moves.]
SCARLETT
Yeah, come off it, Stalker!
DUKE
We're reading this wrong. There must be a foul-up in transmission.
INT. COBRA TEMPLE - BANQUET ROOM
Four Cobra Officers stand guard. Cobra Commander holds a chicken drumstick as he and Destro watch the monitor. Sky Strikers and Dragonflies are shown, followed by Wolverines, MOBATs, VAMPs, and ground troops.
STALKER (V.O.)
It's no mistake. As soon as our entire outfit and support and supply networks have been repositioned as demanded, I will formally turn it all over to the Cobra Commander.
COBRA COMMANDER
We've won, don't you see? Won!
STALKER (V.O.)
Don't try to talk me out of it. It's not my decision....
COBRA COMMANDER
They don't know we're eavesdropping on their super-secret transmission, so it must be the truth! Victory, Destro! I said, VICTORY, DESTRO! Is it not sweet?
Destro remains impassive. Selena and the giant Duke fought earlier refill the food and drink the Commander has spilled, and Destro rises to leave.
DESTRO
I see the forces of our enemy marching to the designated staging area. But until the moment of surrender, I shall not count G. I. Joe out.
COBRA COMMANDER
Where are you going? I've arranged a banquet!
DESTRO
We still lack the third element to power our MASS Device. At this delicate juncture, I shall take no chance of anything going wrong. I shall lead the search for that final ingredient myself.
COBRA COMMANDER
Paranoid fool! We've won, I tell you.
STALKER
...It will take several hours to complete the surrender operation. Then I will....
The Commander cuts off the signal.
COBRA COMMANDER
I crushed them! They're finished!
As the Commander laughs and returns to his meal, Selena and the giant prepare food at the other end of the large room.
SELENA
We must stop these evil men, Ramar. If not, they will enslave others as they have our people.
RAMAR [Arthur Burghardt]
Give me but one opportunity, one unguarded moment, and I will repay the swine.
COBRA COMMANDER
My moment of triumph, and I'm not having any fun! You, slave, come here and amuse me.
Ramar grabs a pole from the wall, preparing to hurl it like a javelin at the Commander. The Cobra uses his joystick to take control of the giant slave.
COBRA COMMANDER
There's nothing like a show of spirit to add spice to the contest. Now let's see...who or what shall I have you fight? I've got it!
Fully drunk on power (and/or wine), the Commander takes out another joystick and brings out a robotic gladiator robot, fully fifteen feet in height. It uses a mace and axe against the giant. Selena looks at her ring.
COBRA COMMANDER
Wonderful! Delightful!
SELENA
Wherever you are, Duke, you must not let the evil one vanquish you. You must fight on! I pray that you will!
INT. JOE HEADQUARTERS - COMMAND CENTER
As Stalker continues his message on the viewscreen, Gung-Ho somehow appears beyond the horizon behind him and picks up a Wolverine.
STALKER
It's now my duty to ask all the G. I. Joe team members to report to the... Will you get outta the picture, Gung-Ho?
INT. JOE HEADQUARTERS - FILM ROOM
Stalker is standing in front of a raised platform covered with toy soldiers and tanks, arranged in formation. The aircraft are suspended from a crane, and Flash is manning (womanning?) the camera.
GUNG-HO
Uh, sorry, Stalk. They're kinda cute, you know? Better than an electric train set. Vroom, vroom!
DUKE
Relax, Stalker. You weren't transmitting when G. H. took a playbreak. As far as Cobra knows, we're taking the surrender ultimatum seriously.
STALKER
I hope I was as convincing as these models. My only previous acting experience was playing a pumpkin in the school Thanksgiving show.
SCARLETT
You were great. Breaker discovered Cobra was intercepting our coded transmission. And you gave them the show we wanted them to see.
DUKE
Well, let's hope that buys us enough time to get that third element.
EXT. RING OF FIRE
Dragonflies fly over the volcano. The meteorite can be seen floating in the center. Gung-Ho is seen in a Dragonfly with Scarlett and Wild Bill.
GUNG-HO
Okay, listen up! Operation Big Lift is about to get underway! Yo Joe! Get down too close to that lava and it's barbecue city.
Tripwire pilots another of the helicopters with Short-Fuze and Steeler.
SHORT-FUZE
Hey! Wow! Far out!
STEELER
What do you see?
SHORT-FUZE
What do you think I see, for Pete's sake? What are we lookin' for? If I say, "Hey! Wow! Far out!" I musta found it, right? Right.
STEELER
It's the meteorite!
[Note: In an animation error, Tripwire's back is briefly colored like Zap's.] The Dragonflies circle the meteorite.
JOES
We're there! This is it! Man, look at that baby! That's the payoff!, Fantastic! etc.
GUNG-HO
Okay, by the numbers, move! We're gonna lift that sucker. Check your cables and electromagnets, and fasten your seatbelts.
Wild Bill and other Joes begin lowering magnets and attaching them to the meteorite.
WILD BILL
Yeehaw! This is wilder than a bronco with a cactus saddle! My ol' dad taught me how to dip a net to catch a mess o' blue crab. This is about the same, except this ol' crab weighs about ten tons! Hoohaw!
GUNG-HO (O.C.)
We've gotta lift it quick, or the magnets will melt.
The Dragonflies slowly raise the meteorite out of the lava.
JOES
Reel it in! Yo Joe! Yeah! Lift that sucker! Go, man, go! Outta sight!, etc.
Gung-Ho exchanges high-fives with his team members.
GUNG-HO
Way to go, Scarlett!
Suddenly, one of the cables snaps, throwing Snake Eyes' Dragonfly to the side.
BREAKER
Quick! Lower more cables, on the double!
CLUTCH
This is all we got, man! If it don't work, we're cooked, I'm talkin' cooked!
Each Dragonfly tosses its secondary magnet onto the meteorite. But six grey Cobra Rattlers fly into view and begin firing.
DESTRO
Cut the cables! Cobra!
SCARLETT (COMM.)
They've cut the meteorite loose!
GUNG-HO
Look out, it's gonna hit!
[Note: This is clearly Chris Latta's Gung-Ho voice, but Clutch's mouth moves. At least this time it's the same actor.]
The meteorite lands in the pool of lava, sending a column of the deadly substance upward. The force rocks the Dragonflies, throwing Clutch out the side, but he grabs one of Breaker's boots and hangs on.
CLUTCH
Let's hear it for big feet!
The Rattlers use their VTOL jets to hover near the volcano. Their cannons trace a line across the side.
DESTRO (COMM.)
We have but one target, and that is the volcano itself. Concentrate your fire at this level, just below the surface of the lava in the crater. When we break through, the lava spill will trigger an eruption—an eruption which will pop the meteorite into the sky like a champagne cork. Then we'll net it before G. I. Joe realizes they've lost.
INT. COBRA TEMPLE - THRONE ROOM
Cobra Officers carry the exhausted Ramar back to his cell, followed by two female slaves. The gladiator droid lies in pieces on the floor. Selena hides behind a column forgotten, holding her pitcher of water. Cobra Commander stands at the control console.
SELENA
What can I do?
COBRA COMMANDER
Come in, Destro! I demand you acknowledge you Commander-in-Chief! Destro, the G. I. Joe force has not surrendered yet! Repeat, not surrendered!
Receiving no response, the Commander breaks into Stalker's signal. He still has the models moving along behind him.
COBRA COMMANDER
Yahhh! I will wait no longer! My patience has ended! I demand your surrender at once, or I shall destroy New York!
STALKER
Our entire force hasn't assembled yet. You surely don't want a partial surrender.
COBRA COMMANDER
Silence! How long to complete the process?
STALKER
An hour, two hours at the most if we're lucky.
COBRA COMMANDER
You will not be lucky, fool! You will be vanquished! That is all!
Cobra Commander breaks off communication and turns around to see the Baroness standing nearby. She leads him over to the MASS Device.
BARONESS
They have taken far too much time already. Frankly, Commander, I suspect some sort of trick!
COBRA COMMANDER
So do I. Tell me, do we have actually enough catalytic elements to disintegrate New York as I threatened?
BARONESS
I do not know. We have scavenged Destro's original shipment containers and found only a handful of the meteorite metal.
COBRA COMMANDER
It will have to suffice. I'm through waiting for G. I. Joe's surrender. Destroy New York! The homing devices are in place! Destroy it now!
BARONESS
I hear and obey!
EXT. NEW YORK CITY - EMPIRE STATE BUILDING
A Cobra homing beacon sits unnoticed at the base of the Empire State Building. A beam shoots out from the MASS Device, bounces off the Relay Star in orbit, and makes its way toward New York.
INT. COBRA TEMPLE - MASS DEVICE
Cobra Commander watches as the last of the meteorite metal is consumed.
COBRA COMMANDER
It cost us our third element, but it works!
As the Commander laughs, Selena hides behind the MASS Device.
EXT. NEW YORK CITY - EMPIRE STATE BUILDING
A crowd of citizens on the street notices a strange beam shooting through the sky.
NEW YORKERS
It's heading right for us! This is the end! It's curtains! Oh, no! The end of the world!, etc.
INT. COBRA TEMPLE - MASS DEVICE
COBRA COMMANDER
Any second now.
In desperation, Selena throws her pitcher of water onto the machine. Sparks and smoke disrupt the device's operation.
EXT. NEW YORK CITY - EMPIRE STATE BUILDING
The beam disappears just short of the Empire State Building, and the crowd cheers in relief.
INT. COBRA TEMPLE - MASS DEVICE
The Baroness and the Commander grab Selena and toss her to the guards. Cobras come into to smother the flames and repair the MASS Device.
COBRA COMMANDER
You'll pay for this, slave! You'll pay dearly! New York still stands! My threat has been proven empty! Our future rests with Destro now. Unless he brings back the meteorite, our MASS Device will be useless!
EXT. RING OF FIRE
The Rattlers have nearly completed their mission.
DESTRO
Maintain your fire! We're almost through to the lava lake.
More Dragonflies and some SkyStrikers arrive at the scene.
ACE
Uh-oh. What we got here is a game of dirty pool, with a capital D for Destro! He's undercutting the lava in the crater!
AIRBORNE
When that crater wall breaks, we could have us one humungous blow-up.
ACE
It'll send that meteorite pushin' out faster than a field mouse at a tomcat picnic.
GUNG-HO
If that meteorite gets in freefall, we're in big trouble. Pie in the sky, goin' high! Gung-Ho Joe is goin' low. Yo Joe!
Gung-Ho's Dragonfly sweeps down to attack the Rattlers from below. The other craft attack from above.
DESTRO
Bogeys at six o'clock! Bogeys at twelve o'clock high! Cobra! Don't let them interfere with our mission!
In the ensuing fight, each side loses one aircraft.
DESTRO (COMM.)
Maintain laser fire on your targets.
ACE
Way to go, Joe!
A huge propellor craft (helicarrier) appears overhead. From the front comes a retractable net.
ACE
Duke! Gung-Ho! Cobra's got a catcher's mitt comin' in at 15,000 feet!
The volcano begins erupting as lava spills from the sides.
DESTRO
We've done it! Fall back and prepare the retrieval net.
GUNG-HO (O.C.)
It's mayday for the mountain! Look out!
An eruption sends the meteorite into the air. Destro laughs.
DESTRO
Perfect!
DUKE
It's a high fly ball to deep center field! Let's try a shoestring catch!
As the helicarrier moves to intercept the flying rock, Duke and Ace blast forward in their SkyStrikers.
DESTRO
Now we have it. Steady...steady...
As the meteorite descends toward the helicarrier, the two SkyStrikers fly between them, each holding one end of a net. They catch the meteorite....
DUKE
Yo Joe!
...But the net easily breaks, and the rock lands in the sturdier net of the helicarrier.
DESTRO
Bravo, Cobra! Well caught!
Destro flies into a hangar in the larger craft's belly. The net retracts into the craft.
BREAKER (COMM.)
They hauled it in! Shoot!
DUKE (COMM.)
It's your party now, G. H.
GUNG-HO
The joint is jumpin', babe!
Gung-Ho sets his Dragonfly on auto-pilot, and he, Scarlett, and Wild Bill leap out wearing JUMPs on their backs. The jet packs ignite and carry the Joes toward the carrier.
INT. HELICARRIER - FORWARD HANGAR
A forklift moves to carry the meteorite into the heavily guarded bay. Inside are a HISS and a Rattler. Destro enters.
DESTRO
Prepare to repel boarding party!
Cobras run toward three lift shafts leading to the upper deck.
EXT. HELICARRIER - DECK
Nine Cobras emerge from the lifts to fight the Joes. As Scarlett, Gung-Ho, and Wild Bill fight, two of the Cobras fire from FLAKs cannons but are forced to flee. The heroes have little trouble disposing of the enemy.
GUNG-HO
Yo Joe! Go!
The Joes rush forward as the second wave arrives--Tripwire, Short-Fuze, and Steeler. From the remaining Dragonflies, more Joes launch in JUMPs: Breaker, Airborne, Clutch, and Flash.
JOES
Yo Joe! Geronimo!, etc.
When Snake Eyes jumps, Timber leaps after him. The wolf lands in Snake Eyes' arms, and they blast off to the carrier. On the deck, a fierce firefight is raging, and Cobra is launching smaller aircraft which are easily susceptible to laser fire. As the battle appears lost, the enemy troops begin using the ships to escape rather than to fight.
CLUTCH
Don't let 'em get away! Yo Joe!
Scarlett, Rock 'n Roll, Stalker, Duke, Clutch, and Gung-Ho shoot their way into the interior of the carrier. [Note: Stalker is mistakenly given white skin in this shot.] The remaining Cobra troops are forced to fall back. Scarlett catches Destro slipping out the door.
SCARLETT
Destro!
Scarlett sends an arrow to the doorway, just missing the Cobra strategist.
SCARLETT
I'll bring him in!
Scarlett runs down the adjoining hallway.
INT. HELICARRIER - STORAGE ROOM
Destro strikes the meteorite with a mallet and collects the resulting rubble in a canister.
INT. HELICARRIER
Rock 'n Roll, Clutch, Gung-Ho, and Duke hold the captured Cobras in an electrified cage. Snake Eyes, Steeler, and Stalker cover the doorway.
DUKE
The mopping up's complete, except for Destro.
ROCK 'N ROLL
Scarlett was on his tail!
Duke, Rock 'n Roll, and Gung-Ho take off down the hallway.
INT. HELICARRIER - LAUNCH BAY
Destro prepares to board a jetcraft slightly larger than the ones launched earlier. An alarm behind him begins sounding.
DESTRO
They've found me!
Destro hides as Scarlett enters the room. He jumps her from behind, but she sends the heel of her boot directly between his toes and bashes him with her crossbow. He tackles her and grabs the bow, sending a heat arrow down the hallway. Duke's team sees the impact.
DUKE
That was Scarlett's thermal arrow!
Duke arrives in the room to find Destro using Scarlett as a shield.
DESTRO
Come no further. If you shoot, you'll hit your friend.
ROCK 'N ROLL
Step into the clear, Destro, if you've got the guts!
DESTRO
I have no time for childish games. I intend to deliver a healthy supply of the meteorite to Cobra. And Scarlett will accompany me. I believe the expression is, "'Til we meet again."
Destro takes off in the escape craft.
GUNG-HO
That steel-skulled bum's got the meteorite and Scarlett, and there's not a thing we can do about it!
DUKE
For the moment, no, there isn't. But we now hold the last remaining portion of the final catalytic element we need to make our MASS Device work. We can only hope, for Scarlett and all our sakes, we're not too late.
INT. ESCAPE CRAFT
Scarlett is chained to the wall of the craft as Destro pilots it toward the Cobra temple.
DESTRO
We'll break your spirit soon enough, my dear Scarlett. Seeing you a groveling slave will provide me with great pleasure.
SCARLETT
Groveling before a meatball like you isn't my style, Destro.
DESTRO
You are a paradox, Scarlett...
Scarlett uses her foot to activate her crossbow.
DESTRO
You are a fool!
Destro dodges the arrow, and it destroys the craft's flight control system.
DESTRO
You've fused the controls! We're both finished!
The ship careens out of control toward the jungle floor.
EXT. ESCAPE CRAFT
Destro's escape craft hurtles toward the treetops.
DESTRO (O.C.)
You fool! You've cost us both our lives!
INT. ESCAPE CRAFT
Scarlett and Destro are against the walls as the ship continues to spin out of control.
SCARLETT
The stabilizer controls still work!
DESTRO
Impossible! Centrifugal force has me pinned!
SCARLETT
My bow! Third arrow! It's a tractor rig! Hurry!
Scarlett kicks her bow and quiver over to Destro. He fumbles for the right arrow.
SCARLETT
Not that one, you jerk! The third one! That's it. Now, set it on short range, or you'll blow it through the instrument panel! Gently, hammer hands! Steady.
Destro fires the arrow, and it hits the surface of the control panel.
DESTRO
Nothing's happening!
SCARLETT
It will!
The string connecting the arrow to the bow suddenly retracts, pulling Destro hard against the panel. The ground looms large in the canopy.
SCARLETT
Do something fast!
DESTRO
It's frozen! It's no...
At the last second, the craft pulls up and returns to the sky.
SCARLETT
Congratulations.
EXT. COBRA TEMPLE - NIGHT
Destro's jet craft flies over the mountains and heads for one of the temple's pillars, where an iris opens.
DESTRO
Home port. I never believed this grotesque hideaway would look so welcome.
INT. COBRA TEMPLE - HANGAR
As Destro exits his craft with Scarlett as his prisoner,the Baroness and several Cobra Officers are ready to meet him.
DESTRO
Take her away!
Scarlett immediately breaks free and begins punching out Cobras. But they have her in seconds.
SCARLETT
Don't open any champaigne yet, scrap-iron breath! You took a round, not the fight.
Scarlett is led away as Cobras unload Destro's escape craft.
DESTRO
What a tiresome tigress. She was my ticket out with the third element.
BARONESS
I knew you would not fail. However, all has not been going well since your departure. There was the ill-advised attempt to destroy New York City.
DESTRO
What?!
The Baroness whispers the news to Destro as Cobra Commander enters, wearing an extravagant cape and carrying a snake-headed scepter.
COBRA COMMANDER
Ah, Destro. Noble Destro, my old friend, we congratulate you on the success of your mission.
DESTRO
Success? You dare speak to me of success? You psychotic, sibilant serpent of a dolt!
COBRA COMMANDER
Really, Destro, is that any way to talk to your leader?
Destro lifts the Commander off the ground with one hand.
DESTRO
Your stupid, bungled attempt to disintegrate New York has given our enemies the two commodities they must not be allowed: time and hope!
Destro tosses the Commander away and steps toward him threateningly.
DESTRO
Nothing undermines our cause more greatly than failure to execute our threats!
COBRA COMMANDER
Destro, even you must see that with the meteorite particles in our possession, we are invincible!
As Destro walks away, the Commander throws his scepter at him, knocking him down. Destro gets up, takes the scepter, and returns to the Commander.
COBRA COMMANDER
Even you must see that!
DESTRO
Yes, Commander, yes. And I shall assure us our victory by taking full authority over all operations myself.
Destro crushes the scepter's snake head, hands it back to the Commander, and walks off with the Baroness, leaving the deposed leader hissing by himself.
COBRA COMMANDER
You can't do this to me, Destro! Stop! I'm speaking to you! Destro!
INT. COBRA TEMPLE - DUNGEON
Two Cobra Officers open a barred metal door and throw the struggling Scarlett down a steep flight of steps.
COBRA OFFICER
This'll take the fight out of you! G. I. Joe witch!
They close the door and leave. Scarlett hears movement in the shadows and stands in preparation. She goes into a fighting stance just as another feminine shadow leaps at her. The two wrestle for a bit.
SELENA
You haven't deceived me! You're a Cobra spy! Tell your masters that I'll tell them nothing, and I will tell you even less!
As Selena prepares for another run at Scarlett, the Joe notices the ring on the slave girl's finger.
SCARLETT
Relax, sister, we have the same friend.
SELENA
I do not understand.
SCARLETT
The ring. Duke's ring.
SELENA
Duke?
SCARLETT
Six-foot-two, eyes of blue? Look, I'll tell you straight off, Duke wouldn't want us to sit this one out. Understand?
SELENA
Yes, now I understand perfectly.
The women exchange violent gestures of defiance against the dungeon furniture.
EXT. JOE HEADQUARTERS - AIRFIELD
A crane lowers the meteorite into place, with soldiers standing guard or extracting the mineral. Dr. Vandermeer is nearby with Stalker, Tripwire, Rock 'n Roll, Wild Bill, Snake Eyes, Duke, Cover Girl, and Timber. Gung-Ho directs a line of captured Cobras to their destination.
GUNG-HO
All right, you creeps! Keep movin'!
DR. VANDERMEER
Now gentlemen, G. I. Joe has its own MASS Device, and it is ready for action.
JOES
Yo Joe!
COBRA TEMPLE - SMALL ARENA
General Flagg, his headband glowing, is marching in circles, holding an empty rifle. Two Cobras enter the room.
COBRA
Halt, slave! We have special greetings for you from Destro!
COBRA TEMPLE - CONFERENCE ROOM
The Cobras seat Flagg in a chair and remove his headband. He looks around to see Balankov and four other world leaders around the table. The men are given microphones and viewscreens tuned into their capital cities.
GEN. FLAGG [John Stephenson]
Balankov, where have we been? It's all hazy.
BALANKOV
I do not know, Flagg. But that one, he makes me afraid.
The Soviet Premier points to Destro, who rises from a Cobra throne. Cobra Commander stands off to the side, watching skeptically.
DESTRO
Silence! I Destro order you now to speak to the people of your nations! The time has come to surrender at once or perish!
The leaders begin speaking into their microphones.
GEN. FLAGG
I can't be sure where I've been or what has been happening to me, but Destro is the new Cobra leader!
BALANKOV
Our severest test is yet to come. The monstrous imperialist Destro is the...
DESTRO
It is simple to command respect when one has the power to back up one's speechmaking.
COBRA COMMANDER
That is true, Destro.
INT. COBRA TEMPLE - SLAVE LEVEL
A Cobra Officer and a hooded, shirtless slavemaster lead Scarlett and Selena down the hallway. The prisoners wear headbands but are in full control of their movements.
SCARLETT
That strip of metal you gave me worked, Selena. If I concentrate, I can override the control of the Cobra soldiers.
SELENA
It works best when the level of energy supplied to the headband is low.
COBRA OFFICER
Stop, slaves!
As they approach the slave pens, a Cobra guard opens the doors.
SELENA
The cages of the male slaves. We are expected to serve them food.
SCARLETT
Can we count on them?
COBRA OFFICER
Get to work!
Scarlett and Selena gather food and drink, and approach the male slaves. The giant looks up at his meal.
SELENA
They await only the proper moment. This is Ramar. When the time comes, he will lead the male slaves into battle against our hated Cobra masters.
RAMAR [Arthur Burghardt]
The time must come soon. Our patience is wearing thin.
SCARLETT
Oh, soon, I promise you. Very soon. Pass it on.
Ramar looks at a guard whose back is turned, and crushes his cup demonstratively.
RAMAR
We will be ready!
COBRA TEMPLE - CONFERENCE ROOM
As the world leaders sit at the table, Destro pounds his fists in frustration and paces around the room.
DESTRO
Such bottomless stupidity! The fools!
COBRA COMMANDER
Something troubles you, Destro? The world is not yet at your feet?
DESTRO
Not one nation has surrendered! This one must take a vote! That one wants to take it under consideration! Don't they realize they're dealing with Destro?
COBRA COMMANDER
Oh, I'd say they all know that, and it doesn't frighten them in the least!
COBRA TEMPLE - MASS DEVICE
Destro runs over to the machine and prepares to activate it.
DESTRO
They shall learn the price of their arrogance! Baroness, is the device at operating temperature?
BARONESS
Yes, Destro.
DESTRO
Then lock on homing devices and eradicate New York! Now! At once, do you hear? The world has denied my commands! Let them learn the consequence of insolence!
The MASS Device glows and shoots a blue beam into the sky.
INT. JOE HEADQUARTERS - COMMAND CENTER
Duke and Dr. Vandermeer watch on the viewcreen as the beam approaches the Relay Star satellite. Behind Duke are Snake Eyes, Steeler, Breaker, Rock 'n Roll, and Gung-Ho.
DUKE
Cobra's fired off another mass destruction ray! We've got to do something.
GUNG-HO
Maybe we can knock Destro's beam off course with a zap from our baby!
DR. VANDERMEER
It's worth a try.
EXT. SPACE - EARTH ORBIT
The scientist fires the Joes' red beam and it makes its way into the sky. Cobra's beam bounces off the satellite and begins descending toward New York.
GUNG-HO (V.O.)
Come on, beam baby!
EXT. NEW YORK CITY - EMPIRE STATE BUILDING
The beams meet at the top of the Empire State Building simultaneously, creating a blue-red ripple effect across the sky. The beams cancel each other out.
INT. COBRA TEMPLE - MASS DEVICE
COBRA COMMANDER
They stopped us! They must have a MASS Device!
DESTRO
Brilliant deduction!
INT. JOE HEADQUARTERS - MASS DEVICE
The Joes gathered around the machine celebrate their victory. [Note: Scarlett is erroneously pictured in the establishing shot. In the next shot, she is appropriately redrawn as Cover Girl. There are also two Tripwires.]
DUKE
Hold the festivities. Scarlett is still a prisoner, and we can't do anything about it...until I remember where Cobra headquarters is.
INT. COBRA TEMPLE - THRONE ROOM
Destro is making a global broadcast. the viewscreen behind him shows five of the world leaders under guard and in chains.
DESTRO
You, the people of the world, mistake my determination to conquer! I am not soft and merciful. Until your nations surrender to me, I shall execute your leaders one at a time, every half hour, on the hour...starting with General Flagg. Bring him to me, and I shall personally carry out his sentence!
INT. COBRA TEMPLE - HALLWAY
Two Cobra Officer guards doze within sight of the MASS Device. Scarlett and Selena approach stealthily from a side hallway.
SELENA
Is now not a suitable time?
SCARLETT
I don't see why not.
The women knock out the guards. Selena grabs weapons and keys.
SELENA
Duke would be proud of me for this, Scarlett!
INT. COBRA TEMPLE - SLAVE PENS
The guards are no match for Scarlett and Selena. Within moments, the gates are open, and the slaves are free.
INT. COBRA TEMPLE - THRONE ROOM
Dozens of slaves burst into the room, taking Cobra Commander and Destro off guard.
DESTRO
Take them away!
COBRA COMMANDER
You are a fool, Destro!
As Cobra troops try to corral the slaves, Scarlett commandeers a bazooka and aims it at the MASS Device. Destro stops her just in time.
DESTRO
That's all, ladies. Be glad you survived with your beautiful skins intact. Remove them from my sight!
The slaves are now at gunpoint, and are led back to their pens.
INT. COBRA TEMPLE - HALLWAY
SCARLETT
Well, it was fun while it lasted.
INT. COBRA TEMPLE - DUNGEON
This time, the women are chained to the wall.
SELENA
Yes, you are very brave.
SCARLETT
But Duke's our only hope now.
INT. JOE HEADQUARTERS - MEDICAL LAB
Stalker, Wild Bill, Breaker, Flash, Tripwire, Cover Girl, Clutch, Snake Eyes, and Gung-Ho watch as Doc operates a computer panel. Clutch is chomping on an apple.
DOC
Relax. Breathe deeply. Let your thoughts flow freely.
BREAKER
It looks so weird.
We see that Duke is floating upright in a transparent cylinder. Green liquid bubbles around him.
DOC
He's in no danger, Breaker. In this special sensory deprivation tank, he may be able to get at the memory of his Cobra captivity, which has somehow been erased. Let's start at the beginning, Duke, with your childhood in Iowa.
On the screen above Duke, memories of his childhood play out: he rescues a kid by fighting off a group of bullies.
DOC (mostly O.C.)
Early on, your sense of honor and justice was tested, and you responded. It has never deserted you. It is at the heart of your idea of America, an idea despised by Cobra.
Duke walks onto a college campus and is shown playing football and studying.
DOC (CONT.)
That's it Duke.
On the screen, Duke is doing gymnastics and walking at night with a blond girlfriend.
DOC (CONT.)
It's coming into focus! Now concentrate on a Cobra-headed fortress on top of a bleak mountain.
The Cobra temple appears on the screen.
CLUTCH
It looks like the Hotel Dracula.
We see Duke fighting Ramar in the Arena of Sport, and preparing his Viper Glider for escape with Selena nearby.
DOC
Play it back slowly. You can do it. There. Start there, and move forward about half speed.
We see a close-up of Selena, and the men of the Joe team react. Duke places his ring on Selena's finger.
JOES (O.C.)
Hey, look at her! Wow! Geez!, etc.
ZAP (O.C.)
Hey man, how could you forget a face like that?
DOC
We've got it! The slave girl has Duke's ring! It's got special electronic characteristics!
BREAKER
Which can serve as our homing device right into the heart of Cobra's hideout!
INT. JOE HEADQUARTERS - MASS DEVICE
Some time later, an image of Duke's ring is enlarged on a nearby viewscreen.
DR. VANDERMEER
Perfect, Duke. The microchip components on your ring give us an excellent homing fix on the Cobra hideout.
As they speak, Steeler, Flash, and other Joes race onto the energy grid.
DUKE
Then start MASSing us out, Doctor Vandermeer. Cobra's had things their way long enough. Yo Joe!
Duke joins the Joes on the pad as they are beamed across the globe.
EXT. COBRA TEMPLE
The Joes materialize with JUMPs and vehicles equipped with mountain-climbing platforms. With Stalker and Steeler in the lead, they begin making their way up the mountain as Cobras fire from the temple. Zap and Gung-Ho barely dodge boiling oil that is poured down the side of the cliff. More Cobras arrive in a hovering weapons platform, but Duke knocks out one of its engines with his rifle. Stalker likewise drops a flight of Viper Gliders out of the sky, to land in the trees below. Finally, the Joes reach the base of the temple
DUKE
Ground units forming up. Bring on the air cover!
Three SkyStrikers arrive to bomb the remaining defense forces. Wild Bill pilots one of the jets.
WILD BILL
Yeehaw! Your turn, Snake Eyes!
Snake Eyes leads the Falcon Gliders on their assault as the SkyStrikers blast away a bridge, cutting off HISS tanks from the temple. The Joes cheer. Cobra Commander and the Baroness watch from a high balcony.
COBRA COMMANDER
This is all Destro's fault! His madness has brought this upon us, but my genius shall save us.
Cobra Commander operates a joystick to send four white snake robots into battle.
COBRA COMMANDER
My robot Cobras will annihilate the G. I. Joe forces!
The robots quickly dispose of a VAMP and a FLAK with little difficulty. Lasers have no effect. Duke and Snake Eyes take cover behind a mound of rock.
DUKE
We're in a pinch, Snake! What do you have?
Snake Eyes opens a satchel and pulls out a rocket-shaped explosive.
DUKE
Magnet grenades, huh? Good thinking.
Duke places the object at the end of his rifle and fires it into the air. It explodes, showering the robots with magnetic grenades. They explode on contact with the metal.
COBRA COMMANDER
We must flee, Baroness! Me first!
INT. COBRA TEMPLE - SLAVE LEVEL
Destro leads Gen. Flagg by a chain.
DESTRO
You shall be executed, General, whether or not the battle goes against me!
Just then, the wall gives way and Gung-Ho, Snow Job, and Torpedo (in jeans and t-shirt) begin shooting up the place. Destro runs off as Flash and Airborne join the battle.
GUNG-HO
Yo Joe! After him!
INT. COBRA TEMPLE - DUNGEON
Scarlett and Selena are still chained to the wall as Duke blasts his way in.
DUKE
Scarlett! Are you all right?
SCARLETT
Duke, it's about time you guys showed up. A girl gets tired hanging around the house.
Stalker frees the ladies, and Selena immediately plants a kiss on Duke.
SCARLETT
Later, sister. We've got a war to win.
DUKE
I was gonna bring flowers, but I thought you'd like these better.
Duke hands Scarlett her crossbow. She uses it to destroy a nearby HISS tank.
SCARLETT
Yo Joe!
INT. COBRA TEMPLE
Elsewhere, Ramar tosses a Cobra three-wheeler out a window and into the moat. Scarlett distracts another Cobra just for fun.
SCARLETT
Look, it's Destro!
The guard stupidly looks upward, and Scarlett plants a fist in his stomach. Duke, Wild Bill, Stalker, and Snake Eyes find the closed blast doors leading to the throne room and the MASS Device. They combine their lasers to melt the doors.
INT. COBRA TEMPLE - THRONE ROOM
Cobra Commander and Destro flee as Joes race in: Duke, Wild Bill, Snake Eyes, Scarlett, Breaker, Steeler, Flash, Rock 'n Roll, and Zap.
JOES
Yo Joe! Yo Joe!
The Cobra leaders slam down another blast door just behind them as Stalker and the others begin to catch up.
COBRA COMMANDER
The barricade won't hold them long! We've lost, Destro! Lost! And it's all your doing!
Destro aims the MASS Device at the floor and begins to activate it.
DESTRO
There will be time for recriminations later! For now, MASS will take my revenge.
COBRA COMMANDER
You've aimed at the Earth's core! If that disintegrates, the planet will explode!
DESTRO
That's the general idea! Good-bye, Commander, or as you might say, Sssssso long!
COBRA COMMANDER
No!
Destro boards an elevator and the Commander hides behind the MASS Device, just as the doors melt and the Joes step inside.
SCARLETT
That's the MASS Device
BREAKER
It's pointed at the center of the Earth!
Gung-Ho blasts the machine to pieces, stopping the beam.
EXT. COBRA TEMPLE - DAY
Duke oversees the cleanup operation, flanked by Scarlett and Selena. Clutch and Breaker lead the Baroness and Major Bludd in chains.
DUKE
Where's Cobra Commander? He's got to be here somewhere!
Cobra Commander tries using a sheet and lampshade to slip past Snake Eyes, but Timber pulls off the disguise. Gung-Ho is ready to take him away.
COBRA COMMANDER
You have won this time, but Cobra will survive to defeat you! Remember my words!
DUKE
Well, so much for the Cobra Commander and his cronies. But it looks like Destro slipped away.
A FANG flies off unnoticed from the roof of the temple. It is Destro.
DESTRO
I shall be back for vengeance, I swear it. I shall be back!
INT. JOE HEADQUARTERS - MASS DEVICE
The Joes and Selena are gathered around Breaker.
BREAKER
Using part of our MASS machine with what's left of theirs, and the little bit of elements remaining, I think there's just enough juice to send the Eiffel Tower back where it belongs. Here it goes.
EXT. LONDON, ENGLAND
The Eiffel Tower materializes in the center of town.
INT. JOE HEADQUARTERS - MASS DEVICE
DUKE
London? You put the Eiffel Tower back in London?
BREAKER
I guess I goofed. But there's nothin' I can do. All the elements are used up.
SCARLETT
Well, we can't leave things like this.
DUKE
There may be a way.
INT. JOE HEADQUARTERS - COMMAND CENTER
On the viewscreen, Dragonflies fly escort as the Eiffel Tower sits on a giant barge being towed down the Thames River toward the English Channel.
DUKE
It should reach Paris in a few days.
BREAKER
Well, nobody's perfect.
DUKE
No, but we do okay.
Pan right to Gung-Ho, Breaker, Rock 'n Roll, Cover Girl, Wild Bill, Stalker, Scarlett, Timber, and Snake Eyes.
JOES
Yo Joe!