The Cubatão fuel store is located in the neighbourhood of Jardim Casqueiro, off the Anchieta Highway (SP-150/BR-050) before crossing the Casqueiro River into Santos. Much of the civilians living there had been driven out or slaughtered, something which was also happening in neighbouring Parque São Luiz, Vila Ponte Nova and Vila dos Pescadores. The clearing off of the neighbourhoods continued as the Salacians killed each and every remaining Drylander in them. Some were also captured and executed by firing squad.

The Combo Rangers met with Parker and his generals at a hideout in the middle of Cubatão as they discussed the situation at the fuel store; at the east side, the Salacians added two machine guns and guards every ten paces, changing every hour while also increasing the number of patrols. They also had numerous machine guns around the walls of the store in case of the Combo Rangers. At the entrance on the west side, there was a manned trench along with roadblocks and a barbed wire fence; no vehicles could enter the store and all entry was subject to strict checks with an 8 PM lockout, making it impossible to even sneak in. All of this had been implemented since King Marcos, Princess Isa and Prince Nico took control of the fuel store.

"Looks like we can't just barge in, then," said Ken.

"Of course you can't," replied Parker. "Once the Salacians inside the entrance hear any gunshots, they'll immediately move to barricade it. Even if you got in, you wouldn't even make it fifty metres before getting killed in the crossfire. That's not to mention that the fuel store is also manned by princes, princesses and Isa's Nokizaru task force."

Fox asked Parker, "So, where is King Marcos' command centre? Do we know his troop positions?"

Parker pointed out some locations on the maps. "King Marcos' base is in Parque São Luiz. He also has units stationed in Jardim Caraguatá, Vila Ponte Nova and Vila dos Pescadores. Those units can get to the fuel store within 15 minutes."

"This formation has to be Isa's idea. It's tight, effective and well-coordinated."

"Exactly," said Fabio Yabusaki. "One army can't hope to take down the fuel store alone."

"Then let's get Kiko throwing down grenades at the fuel store, blow that shit up," suggested Tati.

Parker replied, much to her surprise, "Can he throw 300 metres? The distance from the barbed wire fence to the inside of the fuel store is 200 metres, plus there's another 200 metres of open space. Saying 300 is already pushing it for me." Kiko was said to be able to throw a grenade up to 200 metres, but there was some doubt as to whether he could throw any further than that. "Whale King Giddeon and Sea Serpent King Shai are scheduled to arrive the day after tomorrow, so we only have two days' time."

Fox thought for a moment before suggesting a strategy. "This could be a long shot, but we can try a diversion strategy. We'll attack King Marcos' base and lure out Isa and Nico."

"But the Salacians know we're targeting the fuel store, not King Marcos. You might not be able to lure Isa out that easily," responded Parker.

"Then let's play it up," said Fabio. "We'll take down Marcos and wreck his base."

"We can do better than that." Parker was working out a strategy on the fly, as he was known to do. "Let's scare Marcos a bit tomorrow by attacking his base, then quickly retreating. Then the day after that, we'll go with your idea, Fox."

"Right," said Fox. "We'll attack Marcos for real then. We'll capture him and take his base."

Lisa wondered, "What do you want to do with him?"

"Once we're done with Marcos' base, we'll move onto the fuel store and take Marcos with us. I want us to sneak in and catch Isa by surprise when she thinks we won't have the ability or time to do it. In order for this whole plan to work, Parker, Lord Fabio, you'll have to create disturbances around the outside of the fuel store so Isa can still think our target is there while we're at Marcos' base."

"A provocative feint followed by a two-pronged attack. Good idea," said Fabio.

"Leave it to me. I'll bring a couple of my generals and come with you to attack Marcos' base tomorrow," said Parker. "Oh, and by the way, grenades won't be enough to blow up the fuel store. I've got engineers preparing stronger explosives for you."

Fox replied, "Thank you. You've been a great help to the Combo Rangers. I'm sure Uncle Combo would be proud of all of us."

Meanwhile, Isa and Nico arrived at the fuel store, where they personally checked the troops and their defence positions. They also welcomed the many princes and princesses who had been sent on such short notice. In case you're thinking that the Salacians wouldn't have enough strength to defend their kingdoms, keep in mind that not every prince or princess is necessarily on the frontlines, let alone kings or queens, and also, there are as many people in Salacia than there is on Dryland, plus multiple times the amount of animals who were ready to serve their kingdoms and the goddess Salacia.

As they inspected their defences, Nico said to Isa, "With the state of our defences as they are now, the Combo Rangers' attempts at attacking the fuel store will only prove fruitless."

Taking a moment to think, Isa stoically replied, "Fox Fonseca's only hope of entering the fuel store is to sneak in, but there are many ways he could do it. What tricks will he pull? Where will he strike?"

"This defence situation is unprecedented. No matter where the Drylanders strike, we'll be prepared ten times over."

Isa was relieved, but she still couldn't help feeling uneasy. She stepped up onto the parapets as Nico followed her. "Fox is bound to have a trick up his sleeve. Who knows what he'll do?"

"Our defences are as tight as we can get them. We'll just have to wait and see, but no matter what happens, we'll get through this together."

Isa walked to the edge of the parapet with Nico, facing outside the fuel store behind a barbed wire fence. "I have no way to sense what Fox could be thinking. All I can do right now is to fight and defend this place to the very end with all I have. That is my duty to the goddess."

The next day, Fabio led the Yabusaki army to the fuel store at Jardim Casqueiro and sent the fencebreaker team, led by Rodrigo "Rock" Rocha, ahead to cut through the barbed wire fence.

Meanwhile, the Combo Rangers went with Parker and the Kongming Army to King Marcos' base in Parque São Luiz. Angelina, Nikki, Kelvin and Marcia were the generals that Parker had selected for this mission. Everyone got into position outside the base as they prepared to execute their provocative feint.

Fox gave his orders to the rest of the Combo Rangers. "Right, Kiko, once we've taken out the SMGs, I want you to run ahead and start throwing grenades into the base. Now remember, this is only a feint so we're only fighting for 20 minutes. Everyone got that?"

"Got it," the Combo Rangers responded.

Fox took a look at his watch, then looked at Parker before they gave the signal. "Go!"

The Kongming Army began shooting at the guards outside the base. Kiko threw a grenade and took out three Salacian soldiers behind sandbags. Tiger Shark Prince Thiago opened the gate and was soon killed in the crossfire. Fox had Kiko throw another grenade into the base as they took out the soldiers just behind the entrance. The Combo Rangers continued to wait as Parker and his men continued firing into the base. After a third grenade was thrown, Parker and his men started to charge in.

Blue Whale Prince Jake led a unit out from the base. "Fire at will! Take no prisoners!"

"Kiko, you're up!" At Fox's command, Kiko rushed into the base, scaling the walls as he threw grenades from above, causing the Salacians to become confused.

The rest of the Combo Rangers rushed in right after. Ken took out some soldiers with his hand claws, Fox knocked away some soldiers with his Tai Chi, Tati threw her blades and Lisa danced around some soldiers with her palms, their faces going dark as they fell dead to the ground. Parker and his generals took down a few soldiers as well, even while using their swords alongside their sidearms.

At the fuel store, Fabio's men were hitting it with all they had. "Higor, you and your company take out the machine gun on that tower. Go go go!"

Isa and Nico came out to check on the situation. "This is only a small platoon of Drylanders," observed Isa.

"Then their main unit is attacking King Marcos," replied Nico. Isa continued observing with her binoculars while Nico took a rifle and took out Higor's company, including Higor and his friend, Eric. Rock and his fencebreaker unit got through as well, only to be taken out by the Salacians. It was then that Fabio ordered his men to withdraw.

Back at King Marcos' base, Marcos was with Leia's brother, Whale Prince Naimo, and Vivi's brother, Jellyfish Prince Sting, as the former had just taken a call for him. "Your Highness, Stingray King Rayzor is on his way here. He should arrive in a few minutes," reported Naimo.

"Do you think we can hold off the Combo Rangers?" asked Sting. "Maybe we should call the Nokizaru task force over to us."

"No. Isa will remain at her position," said Marcos. "This is Fox Fonseca's diversion strategy. We must not fall for it."

"Yes, Your Highness!" responded Naimo and Sting.

Suddenly, a grenade entered Marcos' command chamber. Marcos, Naimo and Sting managed to duck away, but the guards outside weren't as lucky and so were many other soldiers, who continued to be hit by Kiko throwing grenades at them from above the walls of the base.

Naimo and Sting were knocked out by the blast, but Marcos was able to stand back up. Taking his sword, Marcos went out, killed a soldier that was trying to withdraw, then ordered the others, "Guard the courtyard! Any who desert will get a taste of my Tsubame Gaeshi!"

"Yes, Your Highness!"

Parker took a look at his watch. "20 minutes. All units withdraw!" The Kongming Army retreated and so did the Combo Rangers.

As the Salacian soldiers were helping their wounded out of the trenches at the fuel store, Isa and Nico went to check on the damage to the fence. Some pliers were left where their enemies fell. "This is one of Fox Fonseca's cunning plans," said Isa.

"Maybe they're trying to test us," noted Nico.

"No. This isn't a test. He's pulling this trick to make us paranoid."

"From what's happened today, the Drylanders' target appears to be Marcos' base."

"A diversion strategy. That's what Fox is getting at."

"If that is the case, why did so many Drylanders attack the fuel store? Who would use their main unit in a feint? Besides, we've confirmed that the Combo Rangers were at the base."

"This sure is one hell of a conundrum."

Nico deduced, "Could the Drylanders be after King Marcos and his base?"

Isa concluded, "The Drylanders are definitely after the fuel store."

"But the attack on the base didn't seem like a mere skirmish."

Isa and Nico headed back to their stations. "No matter what happens to Marcos, I will not leave the fuel store."

"What if Fox and the Combo Rangers don't show up here, like what happened today?"

"Fox Fonseca will definitely come here. I just know it."

Parker, Fabio and the Combo Rangers went back to the hideout in Cubatão to discuss what to do next. "I don't believe Isa would stand idly by while we attack King Marcos' base," said Fox.

"Maybe the enemy reinforcements arrived quickly so Isa didn't need to do anything," deduced Angelina.

"This could be one reason. It only took fifteen minutes from the start of the battle for enemy reinforcements to start arriving and it wasn't even the task force. My army will have to hold for at least 40 minutes until Isa can be bothered to save Marcos."

Ken suggested, "Why don't we put a raincheck on the fuel store tomorrow?"

"No," replied Fox. "We're still attacking the fuel store tomorrow with double the manpower we had today. The reason why I suggested that we capture Marcos was because I knew that Isa wouldn't waver so easily. We'll stick with the plan. Parker, will you be able to hold out until you hear the explosions from the fuel store?"

"Even if it's just me left, I'll be waiting for your plan to succeed," said Parker.

"Are you guys going to be fine on your own?" asked Fabio.

Fox replied, "Until the fuel store goes up, I'm hoping we can infiltrate silently. I don't believe Isa won't go to help Marcos after she knows we're going after him."