Former Air Force Major turned CIA Specialist Drummer was true to his word. Left in their plane had been a large package of maps and communiques that clarified the location of the missing scientist, Briana Fuller. As the team boarded, Barney gave additional orders, "Doc?"

The original Expendables member answered, "Yep?"

"Take the intel and you and Hale figure out our plan of attack," Ross ordered. He took his seat in the pilot's chair. Lee, following behind, slid into his customary copilot's seat to start preflight.

Shady dropped down into one of the jump seats, slightly irritated that the Boss had not asked her to help. Normally, she would have been involved in attack and escape planning but, for whatever reason, this time she was overlooked.

Christmas leaned back from his seat, made eye contact with the former NCIS agent, giving her a grin and a wink, then prepared the plane for takeoff. In less than ten minutes, they were in the air.

About half way through their thirteen hour flight, Doc called the team together, standing in the doorway between the cockpit and cabin, "Alright, here's what we've got so far." Making sure Barney and Lee could hear, too, he continued, "Drummer has arranged for landing at a private air strip on Green Island. From there, we'll take two small launches across to Lanyu where Fuller is being held."

Hale picked up the explanation from there, "They have a small contingent guarding her so they're not anticipating any kind of retrieval this soon. The force drops to around ten or fifteen after dark. That's when we'll attack."

"We'll go in four groups of two – one to defend, one to carry our package if she's unable to walk," Doc continued, "So, Toll with Hale, Gunnar and me, Barney with Galgo and Christmas, you with Shady."

Lee looked over his shoulder, "If you want skilled defensive attack, then you need to split up me and Boots. There's only one person on this plane better with a knife than her." The Brit smiled as he finished, "And it's not you."

Shady sat quietly waiting to see where she would eventually wind up. Doc looked over at the woman who challenged him back with a silent stare. A crooked smile split the man's face as he conceded, "Alright, Shady with Gunnar. I'll take Galgo and that leaves you with Ross." He leaned in closer to the other knife expert, "Don't say I didn't offer."

Barney spoke for the first time, "Alright. Gear up. We'll be landing in another few hours so be ready as soon as we touch down."

The plane once again fell silent as the team went into battle mode.

They were on Lanyu, taking one more defensive look at the building they were about to siege. Shady stood in the middle between Doc and Lee. Before their boat ride, Lee had pulled his partner aside. "You're alright with being split up?" He questioned.

Shady shrugged, "It's what's best, right?"

He grabbed the front of her vest, pulling her close against him, "That's not what I asked."

"It's fine," she answered, futilely brushing at his grip.

Lee refused to release her and, if possible, pulled her even closer as he said, "You watch your back." He kissed her hard and let her go. Shady stumbled slightly as he finally turned her loose. With a small grin, she shook her head then went to join her team in the johnboat.

Now, overlooking the area they would attack, Barney asked quietly, "You in range?"

"Why not let me take them out?" Galgo, their sharpshooter, questioned.

Ross shook his head, "We don't need everyone to know we're coming. If the three of them can do it," he nodded towards Lee, Boots and Doc, "then that's our best bet."

Doc leaned over, "Lee and I will get two each, you just worry about your one."

Shady looked up with a cocked brow, "Why don't you worry about your one and we'll see who gets the second?"

Before Doc could respond, however, Barney put his hands on Shady's shoulders, "Leave no witnesses, Snow. Can't take the risk of being followed. Understood?"

She gave a quick nod, "Yes, sir."

He gave her a reassuring squeeze, then added, "Alright, on my signal." Ross counted down and the three marksmen released their blades. Then, in simultaneous motion, Shady and Lee pulled a second blade and each took out an additional guard. Doc barely cleared his sheath. Powell never broke a smile as she said, "He told you I was second only to him. And, occasionally, I beat him."

"Like hell you do," Christmas teased.

Gunnar patted her head before responding, "Fight later. C'mon, partner. You're just starting." Shady chuckled and then chased after the gentle giant. The others partnered up and made their way into the building.

Jensen and Powell cleared their sector of the building quickly, dispatching three more of the guards but found no hostage. Toll and Hale worked their area almost as fast as Shady and Gunnar but also came up short as far as their target was concerned. Ross gave the order, bringing the foursome back to the front of the building, allowing the other two teams to make their way in and search for the scientist.

Shady took a look around once they reached their rendezvous point. On the boat ride to Green Island, it had started to sprinkle. The team hadn't considered it a problem as it would help cover their approach. Now, the skies started to drip with the promise of even heavier storms. This didn't bode well for their exit strategy.

The guard was more prominent here leading both teams to believe their target was close by. Doc and Galgo opened the door to one of the four cells in their wing and were immediately set upon by their enemies. Knives and fists flew, with the two Expendables dispatching the number as quickly as possible.

Ross and Christmas also had a large number of sentries in their path. Like the other team, Barney and Lee also made fast work of the men, getting into the cell. There, secured to the wall was their scientist, Briana Fuller. However, when Lee and Barney tried to get her down, she became combative. Christmas' calming voice broke through the woman's fear. His soothing words convinced her to trust. Once released, she wrapped around Lee and refused to let him go. He had to carry their assignment through the building, into the rain and secure her in the boat.

The first phase of the job was complete.

The team made their way back to Green Island and their waiting plane. As they boarded, Shady heard Barney's gravelly voice call her name. At her questioning look, he added, "Take the copilot's seat."

"Why?" She challenged.

"Christmas has his hands full," he nodded towards the door where Lee was entering the plane carrying Briana Fuller. "Every time he tries to put her down, she rebels," Barney finished.

Catching Shady's eye, the Brit shrugged then settled down on one of the benches along the plane's body. Boots shook her head then joined the boss in cockpit. As Barney did preflight, Shady checked the weather information on her IPad. She angled the screen towards the pilot as she added, "You're not going to beat this storm out of here."

"Yeah, I know," Ross grumbled.

"And we really can't stay here," she stated.

"I know," the grumble got gruffer.

She smiled, "Suggestions?"

Barney glared at her over his glasses but before he could respond, Galgo appeared in the doorway. "I might have an idea."

Ross turned in his seat, "Yeah?"

"At the base of the mountains near Maolin, there is a scenic area that has a small landing strip and accommodations. While it does attract tourists, it is off the beaten path. Unless you are going there, you are not just going to drop in," Galgo explained.

"And we look like tourists?" Barney deadpanned.

Galgo shook his head, "No, we look like businessmen who got caught in the weather."

Shady cleared her throat, "Briana and I don't look like businessmen."

"Eh, no," Galgo got a sheepish look, "well, I did not say it was a perfect plan. I think you will not like the idea for you."

Shady glared while Barney chuckled, "Oh yeah, I can guarantee, she's not going to like it." He fired up the engines and they took off.