| Summary (by Jeff Riley): The issue begins as a pair of Russia Hind D helicopters strafe a band of Afghan freedom fighters in the “foothills of the Hindu Kushi in Afghanistan". It appears the fighters are outmatched, when a pair of U. S. shoulder-fired Stinger missiles bring the gun ships down. As the rebels celebrate the victory the, a C.I.A. agent appears to sing the praises of the missiles to confirm a trade. Three Russia P.O.W.s for a dozen cases of the Stingers. The agent is “a real- jerk but we think better not to shoot him. C.I.A. might send someone worse,” a rebel explains to Lt. Falcon. It seems the Russians are members of a Soviet Special Forces Unit called the Spetsnaz. Disguised as members of the signal corp. the C.I.A. agent plays dumb to the fact that they are Spetsnaz and the rebel leader lets him know that the bargain is still in effect even thought they know the true identity of the prisoners. The Joe members present now let themselves be known as they change into Russian military uniforms. Lt. Falcon as a K.G.B. Major, Psyche-Out a G.R.U. Captain (Military Intelligence, the Spetsnaz are a part of the G.R.U.) and Slipstream posing as a Flight Officer. The Joes find the location of the P.O.W.s in a nearby town and act as if they have rescued them from the Afghans. On the walk to the storage room where the Russians are held Psyche-Out questions Falcon’s relationship with his mother, when the Lt. expresses his dislike for this type of underhanded missions. The Russians are freed and seem to be buying the uniforms yet they say “We’ve been rescued by the K.G.B.?” They seem surprised. The prisoners introduce themselves as Lt. Gomorov, Orlov a scruffy sergeant, and private Pritkin. Lt. Falcon now explains to the men that they have been rescued to perform a very important mission. This mission was handed to them because they have been written off, prisoners of the Afghan’s do not return. The then depart the town to a hidden Russian Troop transport and drive to a hidden fixed wing aircraft. In route Lt. Falcon explains the mission. They are to capture a C.I.A. section chief that has been previously captured by an Iranian terrorist organization. Chip Toler is the agent’s name, and the location of the terrorist compound is revealed. The Joes and Russians board a JU52 German World War II transport for the trip to Iran. The Russians object to flying the old plane but it is explained that there is no current record of the aircraft and it is “corrugated metal skin is confusing to modern radar.” The Russians are then given American Uniforms and ask to use U.S. weapons to perform the extraction. They are told to impersonate the Joes, Lt. Falcon, Psyche-Out and Slip Stream. During the flight the Russians are given the remaining details of the mission. Lt. Gomorov gives a hint that he may know that the Joes are not Russians by telling Lt. Falcon that American brass shells are more likely to jam a weapon then the Russian steel ones. Falcon dodges the conversation and continues to brief the Russians. The plane then confuses an Iranian radar station as it passes directly over head. The briefing finishes just as the plane reaches the drop zone. The Russians jump and when they reach the ground they revel that the disguises did not fool them saying “Do you really suppose they thought that we believed them? Americans are so bad at impersonating Russians?” Lt. Gomorov explains they never had any choice but to go along with the mission, they could not fly the plane. The three Russians then hitch a ride with Gabar Zoroastrians, a persecuted religious band of native Iranians. The band seems to be happy to see the Americans and the cunning Russians are scheming to turn the tide to benefit all parties. Meanwhile, the Joes are landing the plane and hiding it in order to gain fuel for the plane ride home. Psyche-Out tells Falcon that he figures the Russians are on to them and that going through with the mission is their only choice. He is anticipating the Russians making a move to keep Toler. Falcon says he doesn’t like leaving them to take the blame and Psyche-Out reminds him that an Iranian fate is much better than an Afghan fate. The Russians roll up to the building where Toler is held with the cheers from the bus load of Gabar Zoroastrians. The Joes are buying fuel with gold. The next few scenes the Russians in their American uniforms raise havoc in the building. Going from room to room in search of the American. The Russians demonstrate great skill in extracting a less then greatfull Toler. They then jump from a balcony onto the bus to head back to the plane. The Joes have prepared the plane for takeoff and spot the band of Gabar Zoroastrians with Toler on their way, followed by the local Iranian Militia in pursuit. When the bus arrives Toler explains that all the tribes people are coming with them, because the Russian promised them political asylum in the United States for their help. The Joes are forced to bring the locals along because the militia is closing too fast to debate the issue. The plane leaves the ground under the fire of the militia, yet once it is in the air the Iranians stop firing. As the plane pulls away the Russians watch from a near-by hill as all the attention goes to the South and the plan to head North. The Joes finish the issue by discussing their situation and Psyche-Out explains the Russian’s plans. Slip Stream lets the other know that the Iranians cannot shoot down a plane full of Gabar Zoroastrians and risk and international incident. Toler taunts the Joes telling them at least they got him out in one piece and Psyche-Out lets him know that the objective is to place blame first save him second. As the plane crosses over the sea and the issue ends Falcon informs Psyche-Out that he got along fine with his mother.
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G.I. JOE: Special Missions #9
Comic Series & Reviews