Ripcord (as Zartan) is taken into the new Cobra base on Cobra Island, and Professor Appel discovers the deception when he sees Candy's picture on his person and Ripcord explains to him about where Candy is (or isn't right now). The Joes, launch a recon/search and rescue for Ripcord, then rescue him (actually Zartan), but Spirit's suspicious of him when he notices the bullet wound's all wrong. Snake-Eyes and Storm Shadow land on the island about to get whom they think is Zartan (the Hard Master's killer), when Appel launches the experimental new minifighter, saving Ripcord from harm.