No one, not even Cobra Commander himself, could detect Zartan when he was in the state he was in now. The best hologram, stealth, and genetic technology available was being used by Zartan to remain totally undetectable. He loved being part of the shadows.

The wait was agonizing. Zartan did not want any COBRAs around as he trapped his quarry, so he waited to strike until he knew no one could interfere.

Beach Head, Lowlight, and Shipwreck continued their march until they finally reached the perimeter of the jungle and found themselves near a body of water known to the COBRAs as "Dead Man's Gulf." It was named after a damaged W.H.A.L.E with a number of wounded troopers finally sank near the dock and the COBRAs on board slipped a few links down the food chain past the hammer heads who inhabited the waters below.

"The dock is just ahead," Beach Head told his team mates, "It's just guarded by a lone Viper sentry. Every one else must still be involved in the search."

"I'll handle this," Lowlight told his team mates. He lay flat on the ground, his elbow resting on the soft earth below, his hands gripping his weapon, and his senses tuned to everything nearby. Lowlight's heart rate slowed, as did his breathing. He counted between breaths, as the Viper raised and lowered in his sights. Lowlight then heard a loud snap just as an arrow pierced the long, narrow barrel of his rifle.

"What the--," Lowlight uttered in surprise. Before he could finish his exclamation, Zartan began to speak.

"That was your single warning shot, Joes. I suggest you surrender, lest I add three more trophies to my collection."

"Zartan!" the three uttered in surprise.

"How could anyone consider us good hosts if we allowed our guests to leave so soon?" Zartan asked. "Now, drop your weapons," Zartan ordered.

"Do it," Lowlight told his team mates. They slowly placed their weapons on the ground.

Zartan began to walk towards them, still camouflaged.

"Lowlight, I thought I recognized your handiwork," Zartan said, as Lowlight noticed a few footprints approaching a muddy puddle nearby. "Who invited the green Power Ranger?" Zartan said as he looked at Beach Head. "And you must be Captain Nemo," he said as he noticed Shipwreck seething in anger.

Before Shipwreck could retort, Lowlight kicked a huge wave of mud towards the sound of Zartan's voice. A muddy silhouette then emerged, and all three sprang towards him. After a brief struggle, Zartan was eventually wrestled to the ground. Beach Head sat on his chest, with his knees on Zartan's elbows, as Lowlight and Beach Head took his took his guns and explosives.

After they finally felt the threat was over, they decided to turn him over. However, Zartan took an arrow that was resting in the quiver that was hidden beneath him and plunged it into Beach Head's neck.

"Fools!" he screamed. "Never let your guard down, especially not when the most dangerous mercenary in the world is around. You're companion has just been injected with about 5 milligrams of King Cobra venom, and has about ten minutes to live. I do hope you do take advantage of your time!" he said as he began to run away.

The trio began their final trek towards the harbor after recovering their weapons. Even without his rifle, Lowlight was still deadly. He brought out his pistol as he was running, took out a small scope on his belt, attached it, and was able to shoot the lone Viper 60 meters away.

"Quick into the Hydrofoil," Lowlight told his friends. "It won't offer us much camouflage, but it'll give us some speed, and that's what's most important."

Just as they loaded up the boat and Shipwreck took the helm, Beach Head collapsed in his seat. Lowlight saw that he was unconscious. "Shipwreck, the radio!" he ordered.

"Joe command, this is Shipwreck," he said as he used the boats extensive comm equipment. "We need a medivac at 16 degrees north, 46 degrees west. We are in a commandeered COBRA vessel, heading away from COBRA island. Shipwreck out."

Shipwreck put the boat to full throttle as Lowlight began looking for weapons he hoped he wouldn't have to use. In one of the storage compartments, he found what he was looking for, an enormous rocket launcher marked with COBRA sigils. Just then, he caught a glimpse of the reason he didn't want to use it.

A F.A.N.G. helicopter was in hot pursuit, and gaining quickly. It's machine gun began chewing up the water behind them, and Lowlight shouldered the weapon. It was clear that the COBRA pilot was taking no prisoners, so Lowlight decided not to either.

The roar was deafening, and so was the explosion. Bits of steel and weaponry peppered the sea. Lowlight then put the weapon down, and checked on Beach Head. He rolled Beach Head's sleeve up to his elbow and felt for a pulse. It was weak and becoming weaker.

"Does it go any faster, Shipwreck?" Lowlight called out.

"I only wish, Lowlight. Just hold on."

For a few more agonizing moments Lowlight did just that. Then in the distance he could see a GI Joe Tomahawk hovering above the water. "We're almost there, Beach Head. Hang on."

* * * * *

Lifeline walked into the PIT's infirmary waiting room, exhausted. He tore off his two surgical gloves, and threw them into a bio-medical waste basket, as his white boots echoed down the hallway. He opened up two double doors and saw the rest of the reinstated team in anticipation.

They all looked up at once.

"Zartan's venom damaged Beach Head's circulatory and respiratory system extensively. It's a good thing his team mates chose to extract him as soon as they did and were brave enough to break radio silence. With some transplanted tissue, and a few pints of blood from some of his generous team mates, we were able to stabilize his condition. Right now, we need to give him plenty of rest and good wishes. I doubt anybody, except for Leatherneck and Wet Suit really now what he's going through right now. I hope you give him all of your support."

Lowlight approached Lifeline, as most of the other Joes smiled, beaming in relief.

"Lowlight, he can't have visitors right now. He's still in post-op."

"I know, Lifeline. Just give him this."

Lowlight handed Lifeline a spiked trench knife with a few words engraved into the blade. Looking closer, Lifeline could read "For Beach Head, a true warrior. We'll have to do something about those snakes."