The next morning, Fabio, the Mighty Combo and the rest of the Combo Rangers were anxiously waiting for Lisa to return. Tati stood lookout on the roof of their hideout.
Fabio commented, "This was bound to happen because Lisa acted on her own. You can't call yourselves a unit if you're going to keep being like this."
The Mighty Combo assured Fabio. "Look, none of us know what's happening exactly. Let's just keep waiting." He went outside to check on Tati, who hadn't managed to find Lisa yet.
Suddenly, Lisa arrived back at the hideout. The Combo Rangers came out and greeted her before they went back inside to talk. They were relieved that Lisa was safe.
Everyone sat down at the table as the Mighty Combo scolded Lisa for her actions. "I told you earlier not to act on your own, Lisa. I hope you have a good explanation for this."
"I'm sorry, Uncle Combo," apologised Lisa. "I know that what I did was wrong, but I noticed that there was a secret entrance into Wagan's quarters, so I suddenly decided to stay. Look, this battle was too obvious. The sea monsters clearly knew that we were coming for them and it was all Fox's fault."
"So you thought you could make up for Fox's mistake," surmised Sara. "You really thought you could do it?"
"We wouldn't have been able to complete the mission if we kept going like this. I thought that if I could find out how the sea monsters were planning to deal with us, then we could come back prepared."
"Why didn't you tell anyone what you were planning?"
"Why would I? It was an impulsive decision on my part."
Fox told Lisa, "Tati was ready to go back in there for you. I didn't want you or her to make the same mistake I made. Uncle Combo has a point. We need to be more disciplined."
"That's enough, everyone," said the Mighty Combo. "Anyway, what did you find out, Lisa?"
"You got a map?" Fabio brought out the ground plans for Wagan's compound and unfolded it on the table. Lisa explained what she saw, pointing out locations on the map. "I saw Wagan swapping uniforms with one of his officers. He's planning on staying in the command room here, while his officer's staying at Wagan's quarters in his place."
Fabio was elated to hear this. "The sea monsters are shifting their defences to the command room. This is big news, but I don't have it in me to praise bad behaviour."
"I agree," said the Mighty Combo, "but good work. Give Fabio, Fox and I a little space. We need to work out what to do next." The rest of the Combo Rangers went back to their own rooms.
The Mighty Combo noted, "The sea monsters will be prepared for us now. Even if we attack the command room, we might not be able to capture Wagan alive."
"Then why don't we just kill him after we get the information?" suggested Fox. "I mean, nobody said we had to keep him alive."
"What I'm worried about is whether we're able to get the information in the first place."
"You don't sound that confident of yourself, Combo," Fabio stated.
"There's nothing wrong with preparing for the worst. All our plans have been exposed. At this point, barging in isn't the best solution."
Fox said, "Look, it's my fault things have come to this. If I had more discipline, I wouldn't have rushed to save that storyteller."
"Don't dwell on it, Fox. You did what you thought you needed to do, even if it wasn't an appropriate time to do it. Next time, run it by me or a superior first. You need to get used to the discipline of being a soldier."
"Thanks, Uncle Combo. You know, I might have an idea, but I need everyone to agree to it first."
"Okay then, let's hear it." Fox then told Fabio and the Mighty Combo about his plan.
Back at Wagan's base, the two vegans that the Rangers let go the day before reported to Isa.
"So, you're saying that the Combo Rangers saving that storyteller was an unplanned move?" said Isa.
"Yes, Your Highness," said the one who originally let the vegans into the bar. "One of them stood up and approached the soldiers to save that storyteller."
"I also saw two people on another table," said the other vegan. "A lady was about to stand up but the guy next to her stopped her. I didn't know they were together."
"Which is why you got taken unawares," said Isa. "You can leave now."
"Yes, Your Highness," the two vegans said before they left.
Isa sat down with Nico and Wagan. "So it seems you were right, Nico. Some hothead among the Combo Rangers exposed their presence. They attacked this base last night so they could discern our defences."
"It's just as well that we were sufficiently prepared," said Nico.
"Oh, that I understand," noted Wagan. "But I'm concerned that they won't come again tonight, given that they know about our defences."
"Au contraire, Uncle Wagan. I think they will come again tonight. They know that we've set up a substitute for you and so they'll put all their focus on the command room. They think we don't know about Lisa snooping around. The Combo Rangers won't let go of a chance as big as this."
"So in the end, we use their plan and flip it back on them."
"Correct, Uncle. This command room will be where they fall. If we capture them alive though… that would be interesting to see."
Back at the Combo Rangers' hideout, Fox called the others back to discuss their new plan. Fabio and the Mighty Combo waited outside, hoping to find out how much Fox learnt from his mistakes.
"What's the plan, Fox?" asked Ken.
Fox explained to everyone, "This is going to be risky, but it's the best plan we've got right now. We're going to give ourselves to the enemy and let them capture us. We'll work out the rest from there."