Lowlight, Beach Head, and Shipwreck descended Fang Peak as quickly as they could, occasionally diving into the bush for fear of ambush, and then leaving just as quickly. They didn't encounter any snakes during their hasty descent, but did see some tracks from time to time and knew that COBRA was now searching for them. Eventually the ground began to level off , and Lowlight could see the end of the trail. Nearby, a group of Vipers were waiting in a machine gun nest, and the team took cover behind a group of trees. As splinters flew, and Beach Head fired a few shots of suppressive fire, Lowlight began to make a plan of attack.

"Beach Head, I want you to suppress that machine gunner with your M-16, as Shipwreck throws a grenade in the nest. When the smoke clears, I'll take out any survivors with my rifle,"

"Understood," the pair said simultaneously.

Beach Head rolled onto the skinny, jungle path and began firing his M-16. The machine gunner took cover beneath his sand bags, as did his two fellow Vipers. Shipwreck then threw one of his grenades into the nest as Beach Head rolled to the other side of the path and found himself next to Lowlight. Two of the Vipers were able to avoid the explosion, the third being heaved into the air and landing with a sickening thud. Just as the pair were about to dive into the nest once again, Lowlight was able to shoot one fatally and wound the other.

Lowlight cursed under his breath. A wounded soldier became scared, and nothing was more dangerous than a desperate soldier. Still, he knew he and his team had given away their position, and made the only decision that he could.

"Rush him," he said, and took out his pistol and began firing.

The Viper began firing, and both Beach Head and Lowlight rolled out of the way. Shipwreck, however, put his blade between his teeth, jumped headfirst over the sandbags, and struggled with the wounded man. Beach Head tried not to wince as he heard the sounds of death coming from the Viper, but Lowlight was not phased at all.

The team then entered the nest themselves, prepared to take on any other COBRAs in the area.

"What next, Lowlight?," Shipwreck asked, out of breath, as he wiped the blood from his knife onto his pants leg.

Lowlight thought for a couple of moments and then spoke, "COBRA's probably discovered our raft, which means we need another means of escape. The airfield is too heavily guarded, so we'll have to head towards the harbor."

"This way," Beach Head told his team mates. "Not much has changed on this island since I fought here during the COBRA civil war. You two, however, just keep getting uglier and uglier."

* * * * *

The trio walked towards the center of the island and began entering an area which was usually heavily guarded. They were near the COBRA temple, a few bunkers, a munitions shed, and a HISS depot. Beach Head was glad he wore his urban camouflage, as he blended in with the nearby buildings. His partners followed him the entire way, and so far they had met no more COBRA resistance. Lowlight, the most intuitive of the bunch, began to feel uneasy. He couldn't reason why, and told himself that it was just because he was anxious.

In truth, it was because he was being followed. Zartan was nearby, following his quarry with a bow, his arrows, and a high caliber pistol in a holster on his waist. He blended in perfectly with his surroundings, just like a true chameleon. He was waiting for a perfect opportunity. He was deep in thought, when a tiny radio in his ear broadcasted Cobra Commander's irritating voice.

"Zartan! One of my Viper squadrons has been attacked. Firefly and Major Bludd have found nothing. Wild Weasel is circling above in a Rattler, looking for any incoming rescue craft, but has not been able to visualize any activity on the ground. Are you having better luck?"

"Yes, Cobra Commander. They are near the temple. Do not allow any of the others to interfere. I will prevent them from leaving."

"You had better, Zartan, because otherwise I'll keep your bounty for myself."

Cobra Commander ended the transmission, as Zartan took an arrow from his quiver. He found a King Cobra nearby, and then stabbed it with his arrow right through the section that contained the gland that produced the snake's poison. He then placed the arrow in his quiver, in a special section marked "kills."