#python 2000

So when the US military came knocking, with the promise of state of the art facilities, all the hands you could ask for, and more funding than any humble scientist could have wished for, well, it became rather difficult to turn down the offer. Not that you were entirely pleased with selling your soul to the government, but there weren't any offers coming in, and it was better than giving up on your passions. At least you hoped. For all of those things and that you wouldn't have to deal with the company that had nearly destroyed you ever again.

Only one end of those hopes had come true. Surprisingly, the government treated you well, and your colleagues were respectful of both you and your work.  A little niche that you found comfort and a routine in that allowed enjoyment in both work and life. 

Biogene came roaring back into your life due to one giant mistake on their end. Quite literally giant. Bart Parker, an agent with the NSA, had made the call, asking for your help. You knew him through one of your coworkers and had been friendly enough. The call was a surprise, though. He wouldn't explain much over the phone, just that something bad had happened involving Biogene, and your expertise was needed. None of that settled well for you, but you responded without question. Bart and the NSA weren't super involved when it came to you and your research that when he asked for your expertise, it had to be something significantly serious.

A little hustle was needed to be able to get over to the office, ending with you all but running up the stairs, taking them two at a time. It took you a second to get yourself together before entering the office. Bart looked up, shoulders closer to his ears and posture rigid. The typical easygoing smile was missing from his face. 

“Is it that bad?”

“Don’t know just yet, but we have an entire team dead….” Huffing out a small sigh, you moved to settle into the desk across from him before he shook his head and motioned to the seat on his right. 

“Where do I fit into this?”

“We’re about to find out the exact details now. Their scientist is on his way up.” Their scientist? Oh, shit. Rubbing your eyes, it took every ounce of willpower in your body to restrain a groan. 

“None of this is helping me feel good about whatever mess you have pulled me into, Parker.” A noncommittal shrug was your answer. Settling into the seat, you took the file that was offered. There wasn't a whole lot of information that you could utilize. Whatever was being transported was supposedly massive. The research was interrupted when the door opened. The man who walked through the door was instantly recognizable. 

Anton Rudolph. The older man had always been kind, patient, and more than willing to help when and where asked. He was one of the only scientists that you had respect for and had kept some sort of professional and somewhat non-professional bridge between since you had left. Nothing more than the occasional email mainly centered around whatever the latest research that had been published. Not anything that either of you were involved in, naturally. But, having a colleague in the field made it easier to discuss things. And well, maybe you had been the cliche when starting work at Biogene, harboring a small crush on the man. That was neither here nor there at the moment. 

It was a relief seeing him walk through the door. At least you wouldn't be butting heads with some arrogant, stubborn asshole. He would be easy to work with, even if you didn't know what it was you were working on. He paused at the door when his eyes fell on you before a small smile appeared. Hopefully, he was having the same thoughts. 

As he explained what really was aboard the plane, your heart leapt into your throat. Was that even possible? Were they entirely out of their minds? A snake that massive with those sorts of abilities would be nearly unstoppable. The words burned into your brain. A one hundred and twenty-nine foot all-terrain vehicle, capable of speeds exceeding fifty miles an hour, with skin that can deflect an antitank round, enhanced night vision, and a voracious appetite for human flesh. This was what happened when science got a little too ambitious, and humans didn't understand their limitations. A man made killing machine that was now on the loose and uncontrollable. And what the hell were you supposed to do about it? Bart had called you in on what felt like a suicide mission after Dr. Rudolph was done explaining everything. 

Had he had a part in making this thing? Something of that nature wouldn't have evolved naturally. It could be played off as not man made all anyone wanted, but nature hadn't been playing in that sort of sandbox for ages. Quite literally. The last time something even close to that roamed the Earth? It would have been with the dinosaurs. And even then, to have so many components of different snakes and different abilities? Not a shot. Your head was spinning with the implications, not even jumping to how to kill it. It was the sole focus for Bart and the NSA team that had been assembled. 

Naturally, Bart thought that it wasn’t the case of this time being as difficult to kill as the other man had made out, and enough firepower could end anything. He looked at you for some sort of backup, but all you could do was shake your head. Something more clever than bullets and rockets would need to be used to handle such a beast like this. 

Hell, if half of what Anton had said was true, there was a chance that Bart was leading all his men into a slaughter. Anton realized that, and you realized that, but it seemed that Bart was too caught up in his mind to accept the true danger that he was getting ready to throw himself and his men into. Bravado was a massive downfall, and it was entirely possible that it would be the death of you all. Something that you would mention to him in private, so it didn’t seem like you were questioning his authority. Bart and his second in command slipped out of the room, but Anton stopped you with a gentle touch to your wrist before you could get out of the room yourself. 

“You know what sort of problem this could be,” he murmured gently, as if he didn't want the others to hear. “I didn't expect to see a familiar face or someone that could understand the gravity of the situation.” They wouldn't, given they had left and were likely already attempting to figure out a plan of attack. Raising a hand, you scrubbed it over the side of your face. Each possible outcome kept playing over and over in your head. 

“What were you guys thinking of transporting something like that?” He had the decency to look a little ashamed. “The insights and knowledge isn't worth all of this.”

“Coming from the scientist working for the government.” Yeah, that would have stung if you didn't have the high ground in this argument. “My research is now medical based. Trying to create not only an anti-venom but reversals for neurotoxins in general. I'm hardly sitting in the lab and creating hybrids that could wipe us all out in one fell swoop.” His shoulders fell some. 

“It wasn’t entirely my idea. Once they heard, there wasn’t any backing out. And really, we should be trying to capture it. Think if the implications…”

“Arguing isn't going to get us anywhere, Dr. Rudolph. I need to speak with Agent Parker, and we have to get ready for whatever it is they are planning.” That seemed to be accepted with a small nod. 

“Yes….of course.” He let go of your wrist, a hold that you hadn't realized he held. Thankfully, you had turned and headed to the door, not wanting to confront anything awkward about the whole moment. Focusing on getting Bart to listen to some sense of reason was the main priority, and you couldn't afford any distractions. 

********

The talk with Bart had gone over like a lead balloon. Absolutely non-productive and counteracting the fact that he had brought you on to consult. Briefly, it caused you to wonder if this was how all scientists felt when dealing with the military and trying to warn of consequences that could not be seen by those focused on the short term without that specialized expertise. A fact that you lamented quietly to yourself rather than out loud. It seemed, though, that Anton sensed the frustration. He stuck close, making the occasion comment under his breath that had you less and less angry with him and his company. 

Led down into the emergency water treatment facility or underground bunker as it really was, it was all you could do to bite your tongue and not let on that you still thought throwing all the fire power that they had at this snake was a bad idea. Well, not bad exactly. Just useless. Which, in the case of a ninety something foot apex predator, was a bad idea. That gut feeling that had never led you wrong before was ever present as you listened to them talk about the track and what they would use against the creature. 

“This is a bad idea…” you murmured softly to the man standing beside you. It seemed that perhaps he was starting to understand the predicament that they were all in. 

“I know, but what are we supposed to do?” A valid point. Your hands were tied. Crossing your arms over your chest and rocking on the balls of your feet, the same thoughts that had plagued you since the incident came to light kept tumbling around your head. Of course, his concern over it being a bad idea was still slightly different from yours. He did still want to save the snake for various research reasons. If it wasn't a giant killing machine, you may have been more apt to agree. But that was not the case. Bart had one thing right. This thing was going to kill and keep killing. The risk of the loss of life here did outweigh the potential of various research breakthroughs.

“We have to figure out some backup plan. There has to be some way that we can know for sure that the thing will die. There isn't any salvaging this or saving the specimen.” He hummed thoughtfully. “If firepower doesn't do it, and they are going to hit it hard, then there has to be some other method for us to cause harm and damage.” Drowning it was a possibility, but that would require something to be able to hold it under the water. Less likely a possible scenario than dying by gunfire. Chopping off its head wasn't exactly practical, either. It wasn't like you were dealing with anything that either of you had dealt with before. Half zoned out, focused on the thoughts swirling in your head, you missed the fact that the men were discussing just what they were throwing at the snake and the plan of moving in on it. Until Anton's voice rang out a little louder and asked about another heat signature on the map. Shifting closer, you took a look yourself. That didn’t seem right. There was one snake. There shouldn't have been two heat signatures. Could it have been shedding? Bart immediately passed it off as a radar echo. Still, it didn't sit right. It was too similar, looking to the signature for the snake.

“Are you suddenly having the same concerns that I am?” You glanced towards Anton. The other men had already moved to get everything together and ready as they were on a timetable. He seemed troubled. Maybe he was having the same thoughts that you were. But until he confirmed it, you wouldn't say it. 

“It is rather suspicious.”

“If this thing is as intelligent as it appears to be, this could turn out worse than what we think. We have to let them know.”

“And if we are wrong, we risk putting them in the wrong place at the wrong time.” Just felt like the textbook definition of stuck between a rock and a hard place. If you were right and the snake was shedding and the second Heat Signature ended up being shed skin, then likely the snake will have moved by the time that the satellite passed over again and the men were in position. If you were wrong, and Bart was right, then Anton was also correct in stating that you could be putting the men in a bad position. There was no winning here. All you could do was inform part of your thoughts. He would have to make the call from there. None of this is what you had signed up for. You were beginning to regret agreeing to consult for Bart. Nothing good was going to come of this either way. And, you still didn't have a good idea of how to kill the snake. This wasn't the sort of situation that you could fly by the seam of your pants. But unfortunately, there wasn't any more time to plan. The men were getting ready to leave, and that meant you had to too.

You let Bart know your thoughts. It was the most that you could do. Though as before, he took it into consideration but continued to move forward with what he had planned. His reaction almost suggested that he felt like you were working against him and had decided to side with Dr Rudolph. His mind was set, and there was no changing it. You are along for the ride without a choice.

The men went from running around and were at the ready in the blink of an eye. And being the resident experts, both you and Anton were expected to be right out there with them. With no choice in the matter, you both were told to stick close to Bart. There was no room or allowance to stray far from him. For protection was how they framed it. A partial truth. They didn't want either of you to go off and do something stupid. A concern that would be unfounded. You did not have a death wish, and you were fairly certain that the other scientist didn't either. There were still no viable solutions to the problem at hand. Killing a snake that massive was no easy feat even if it was meant to be more or less indestructible. 

“How did they manage to subdue it for capture?” The question slipped out without any thought. You hadn't meant to say it aloud just yet, but the thought occurred, and maybe that would provide a little insight on how to handle the situation. If it could be sedated, it could be killed. But that would likely require a lot of sedation. Gas preferably, so you didn’t need to get close. Suffocation would be one way to handle it. If you could entrap it somewhere long enough without it breaking out. You and Anton were stuck in the middle of the group of men, but they weren't paying close attention. It was pulled elsewhere, mainly focused on scanning the area for threats or potential sightings. Even if this snake had eaten a few people, it surely wouldn't have been enough for it to need to bask and digest. 

“I'm sorry?” It seemed that he had been in his own thoughts as well. 

“For transport. I imagine that the specimen was sedated. It had to be subdued to be able to be prepared for shipment and then for the journey itself. Clearly, it had not been sedate enough if it broke out. But something had to work, or it wouldn't be here. It would still be over in Asia.” Where it belonged. But you managed to bite your tongue and not add that little bit. 

“I imagine with your run of the mill tranquilizers in extremely large doses. But it would have been easy to do that in the lab. It was likely under constant heavy sedation to be able to handle it properly.”

“Suffocating it would require trapping it in a space that it wouldn't be able to break out of, and frankly, that doesn't sound like a possibility. And we would need enough noxious fumes to do that job, which would put us all at risk of a rather gruesome and unpleasant death.” It felt like you were grasping at straws. There had to be something. 

“No, but you might be onto something there. Do you know this area well?” Finally. You glanced towards him as you stepped over a log. 

“Not extremely well but somewhat. What are you thinking?”

“Industrial complexes and plants. Are there any around?” It took a second, but you suddenly understood where he was going with it. It was risky leading the snake into town, but that might be the only way to stop it. Wracking your brain, you tried to think of anything that you had seen or driven by that could be of any use. 

“I think there is a plating plant closer to the edge of town. There should be enough chemicals there that it could work. If we can manage to get it there and not send it right into town.”

The group came to a stop, and so did your discussion. Though the choppy, just hashed out plan continued to formulate in your mind. Chemicals didn't have to mean gas. Simply dumping chemicals on it wouldn't be enough. It would still need to be submerged to some degree. 

Bart was radioing the team that was meant to be in a closer position, waiting on confirmation of a visual. And it seemed that he had it when he motioned for all the time to get ready. Shit. They were actually going to go through with this idiotic idea. Wincing, you reached up to cover your ears, knowing it was going to get very loud, very quickly.  Anton followed suit. The signal was given, and almost immediately, it felt like you were in the middle of an action sequence in a movie. The thunderous roar of shells and gunfire consumed the area. Gone was the scent of nature. Replaced with burnt gunpowder and smoke. For a single second, it even felt like the ground shook beneath your feet. It felt like forever before things just stopped. The switch in sound was so abrupt. Even with covering your ears, they were left ringing with the seemingly devouring silence. 

Cautiously, you removed your hands from their position clasped over your ears. Just as it had been feared, the men had unloaded everything on skin shed rather than the snake itself. Every muscle in your body felt tense. That thing was out here, with you, hungry and lying in wait. The order to fall back and take defensive positions was shouted out, but things quickly devolved into chaos with men dying left and right. Before you could truly comprehend what was going on, it was you, Bart, and Anton left in the small clearing. 

“Stand very still. Do. Not. Move.” As if you needed to be told twice. The primal part of your brain was screaming run, danger, run. But running would be a death sentence. You couldn't outrun this beast. The python reared its head, appearing before Bart. 

“Oh. Shit.” Descriptions did not do the creature justice. As terrifying as it sounded, it was even more so in person. People had designed this thing? What the fuck was wrong with your profession? The giant head crept closer to Bart and like an idiot, he was slowly raising his gun. Anton tried to dissuade him but it wasn’t any use. Before a round could be fired off, the tail of the python speared him through the chest. The sound that came from him was horrible and would haunt you for the rest of your life. Instantly, you squeezed your eyes closed, not wanting to witness the snake devour the man if that was where it was going. The thud of the body hitting the ground told you otherwise but you still couldn't open your eyes. If this was where you died, you could not bring yourself to watch it coming. 

There were no further sounds. Hopefully, that meant that it had decided not to attack Anton. But that still left you. All but holding your breath, you waited. And waited. The heat coming from the behemoth was felt, meaning it’s massive head was right beside you. Was this how you died? Nothing came after several moments, and the heavy exhale from Anton meant that neither of you were dead. Slowly, you risked opening your eyes. The snake was gone. It was gone, and neither of you were dead. The thought repeated, barely able to believe that you had escaped with your life. You could hardly breathe before dropping to your knees, unable to process what had just happened. It was the closest that you had ever come to death. There was a quiet rustling behind you that had your heart back in your throat before a warm hand met your shoulder. Anton.

“We should move….” His voice sounded far off. Logically, you knew he was right, but every inch of your body felt like a lead weight, locked into place. Being around when that thing came back was not an option. So, you forced yourself to your feet. Both of you walked almost to the point of touch, stumbling your way towards the treatment facility. At least there was a chance of hiding within the structure. All plans from before went out the window. What were you supposed to do against a creature like that when it was only the two of you? Bile rose in the back of your throat, but a few steady breaths calmed it down. 

There was no recollection of how you both ended up back underground. Anton had settled into a corner between some pipes while you paced back and forth, unable to stop the need for movement. It felt like if you did, everything was going to collapse. All of those worst-case scenarios that had been warned about seemed to come true in the blink of an eye. Powerless. You had all been utterly powerless to stop it. So many people were dead. 

Your pacing only came to a pause when you caught sight of Anton holding something. Not something. A python. A young one by the looks of it. Even with the adrenaline that was still causing you to shake, you found yourself smiling and moving over to him. He blinked and seemed to come out of his own stupor for just a moment. 

“I've raised her from a hatchling,” he offered softly. 

“She's beautiful.” Despite everything that had happened and the fear that had seized you earlier, you could still see the beauty in the animals that had been the dedication of your life. He offered her up to you after a second, and with gentle hands, you took the juvenile python you had not realized he had. “What's her name?”

“Arabelle.” 

“Beautiful name for a beautiful girl,” you offered, finding the moment of peace soothing. Looking at you, it was hard to imagine that there was a relation to the snake that had killed so many men. There was, of course. You knew that, logically and as a scientist. But that animal had been created in a lab, and while it shared some instincts, it wasn't the same creature. Her tail curled around your fingers, body balling up in a sign of comfort. She hardly seemed stressed after everything that you had all gone through. 

“What a minute….you've had her with you this whole time?” He shrugged with a sheepish smile. 

“She’s comfortable in my pocket. Favorite place for her to be.” Stoic little thing. Not even all that jostling, vibrations, and threat of a much larger snake seemed to have rattled her. A few silent moments passed, and attention for the both of you focused on the python in your hands. “You always had the sweetest snakes. I remember Cassie loving to just arm around an arm and stay there for as long as someone would let her.”

“You remember her?” He seemed surprised, the tone of his voice rising just enough to grab your attention away. 

“Of course. She was a gorgeous little red coat morph. Always happy to be handled and, like I said, loved wrapping around an arm. Perfect girl for taking samples if needed or just a good cuddle when needed.” 

“She was. She is one that I think I will always miss.” 

“We have to do something, Anton.”

“I know.” Another lapse of silence. Eventually, you passed Arabelle back over to him before she was gently tucked back into his pocket. Rubbing your eyes, you tried to force yourself to focus on the plan that had been worked on before it all went to hell. 

“Okay. So, what do we know? We know that it’s smart. Very damn smart. We know that firepower isn’t going to do anything to it. It moves fast. Real, god damn fast. So, you were thinking industrial plant. Drowning it in chemicals?”

“Something like that. I'm not sure how we would do it, though.” Before anything else could be said, two more bodies came stumbling into the room, catching the both of you off guard. They looked panicked. They had been outside, and only one thing in this area could cause panic like that. Hopefully, the snake hadn't followed them in. Guess you would be learning that soon enough. You and Anton were in a far better mindset to deal with them now than you were ten minutes ago. He was still a bit curled in on himself, and you were nearly pressed into his side, but your head felt significantly clearer, and from his responses to you, his head did as well. At this point, the more bodies, the better. Even if it was a risk to life. Maybe, just maybe you could all get out of this without losing anyone else. 

You let Anton explain what it was they had encountered, all while you focused on where it could be led and how that could be done safely. A task that felt fruitless and pointless. But laying down to die simply was not an option. 

You almost interjected yourself into the conversation when they were discussing the potential of it being a naturally evolved predator versus something made in a lab. Of course the man, John, was correct but it seemed that Anton was unwilling to admit to it, playing back over Kristin's claim that it could just be the next evolutionary step in some bigger natural scheme. It was best not to say anything. Implicating yourself could just lead to bigger problems down the road. If you survived. 

“No, no. Leading it down here is a bad idea,” you finally offered when the hairbrained schemes started to be concocted. “Firepower isn't enough to kill it, and having it down here is a death trap for all of us. We need another way to kill it.”

“Well, what do you suggest?” Before anything else could be said, the sound of something moving around echoed out. 

“Did you remember to lock the door?”

“Lock it? We didn’t even close it.” Shit. Anton grabbed a hold of your hand and yanked you back away from the door towards a corner. Kristin did something similar with John grabbed a piece of metal and hid behind the door. Whacking at it would just piss it off, but the distraction might be enough to flee. Waiting on bated breath, your eyes remained fixed to the door. As much as you did not want to see the snake again, there was no looking away.

Seconds felt like minutes before a woman, dressed in nothing but a towel, came stumbling through the doorway. A heavy breath escaped your lungs, your chest feeling like it was practically caving in with the force. John and Kristin seemed to know exactly who it was and immediately reacted to help. 

“I don't know how many scares I can take,” you murmured softly to the man beside you. It took a second for you to realize that you were still holding his hand. You could feel some heat rising to your cheeks despite everything, and it took a few seconds for your body to respond to the demand that your brain made to release his hand. Thankfully, attention was placed on the woman who needed some help and back to the snake problem. 

****************

John admitted that he worked at a plating plant. There would be enough chemicals there that could work in your favor. It was going to be a matter of leading the snake there and figuring out how to use them to your advantage. Apparently, the police that had been set up in the area were still present when the voice came over one of the radios. And he had a car. You could lure it to the plant somewhat safely then. At least, potentially out, run it if it came to that point. Kristin explained the situation as she seemed to know the guy and had the best chance of getting him to agree to the crazy scheme that had been thought up.

“We are only going to get one shot at this.”

“We better make it the best shot we have then.” There seemed to be a new resolve in his voice that hadn't been there before when talking about the snake. It seemed that he was finally fully on board with killing the snake. There wasn’t a single chance that there was any way to salvage and save it for future use. Maybe this would also make him see the light about Biogene. Just as it was making you reconsider your own position within research and the US military. 

“We can't lead it into town and not have this work.” It was the best shot that would be given. You weren't foolish enough to think that you would get another chance or a better one at this point. “Whatever it takes, we have to kill it.” 

“We will.” The other three seemed just as determined to see this to an end. They had lost someone, so it made sense that they wanted to see the snake dead. His hand found yours again, this time giving it a gentle squeeze. One that was meant to be comforting. And it was. This time, you didn’t bother to pull away, taking in what was freely being offered. There was no way of knowing if either of you were going to make it through this. “I know it hardly means much now, but for what it’s worth, I'm sorry. I could have tried to put a stop to all of this. I was too focused on the research and the implications of what could come from it. I didn't see the danger.” 

“You're trying to make it right now. And that's what matters.” It was a shame that it took this much death and mortal danger to you all for him to see it, but there wasn’t anything to be done about that. Your focus and his had to be on the tasks at hand. Not the previous mistakes that had happened. “We do this, and it all ends. No one else gets hurt. No one else dies.” He nodded. It seemed that the other three were ready to go. It was now or never it seemed.

There was hardly enough for all of you in the cruiser. Theresa got the front seat of the car while you were squeezed between Anton and John, Kristin settled in his lap. The cop, Greg, didn't want to believe it at first. He listened and was willing to help since he thought something odd was happening. It wasn't until the snake rear its head behind the cruiser that he believed the whole thing. 

“Jesus christ!” That was an appropriate reaction. 

“Just keep driving!” The command slipped from you before you could help it. Slowing down meant death. You had to get to the plant. There was no other choice. Otherwise, not only would you all be dead, but the snake would have a clear shot right into the city and an all you can eat buffet. 

It was a tense ten minutes, everyone glancing out the windows and seemingly waiting for the car to be taken out. If it wanted, the snake would have been able to bat aside the car as if it were a toy. The plant appearing in sight should have brought some sense of relief, but instead, it only worsened anticipation and nerves. This was it, now or never. 

“Everyone remember the plan?” John was the one to speak up. He knew the layout of the plant, so he was going to have to be the mastermind. Unfortunately, that likely meant that he needed to be bait, too. A chorus of acknowledgment went up from everyone. “Good. Then let's make sure we kill this son of a bitch.” That was a sentiment that you could not have agreed with more. Stepping out of the car, you shared a look with everyone else in the group for just a moment before John began to direct everyone, leading the charge inside. His boss thought it was all a practical joke until there was a rumble from outside the building, and Greg issued a command with authority. That seemed to get everyone moving. 

You and Anton were charged with making sure the snake entered the building. From there, the girls would distract him just long enough that John had time to finish setting up the trap.

“Be careful,” he murmured softly to you. The best that you can manage, you gave him a smile before leaning in and hugging him. There was a small sound of surprise before his arms wrapped around you in return. At least your last moments would be nice if they were indeed your last moments. 

“You too.” He was the one to offer a smile this time. It seemed like there was something else that he wanted to say, but there wasn’t any more time. The bang against the wall beside you cut any further conversation short. You stepped back and moved towards the controls for the overhead door. Anton had volunteered to stand closer to the doorway so that the snake saw him. Some sort of redemption for allowing the snake to be brought over from Asia. There was no stopping the shake of your hands as you worked the controls, allowing the door to open, lifting upward, and allowing the beast entry. 

In the blink of an eye, it was slithering inside and moving closer to Anton. Your stomach rolled, bile rising in the back of your throat. There was a second delay before he was taking off, and the snake was after him. Shit. Shit. Shit. Everything felt like a lead weight, all over, like after the first encounter with the python. Except this time, it was harder to move than before, maybe because you knew that there was a potential you were going to come across something you really did not want to see. But you had to. There was still a job to do, and the snake wasn’t dead. 

You turned a corner and were yanked backward. Before any yelp could come, a hand was over your mouth. A hand. It wasn't the snake. You weren't about to die. 

“Calm down.” That was Anton's voice. He had made it out of the chase alive. You all but collapsed back against his hold, wanting to sob in relief. But the sounds of metal smashing downward and the shouts of the other girls meant that you still had work to do. “Take a breath for me. We will check on them in a moment. Everything is going according to plan so far. If we move too quickly, we can cause a problem.” You did just that, sucking in a breath between your teeth now that his hand had been removed. He was right. Thankfully, he was thinking logically. Then John was shouting, but the shouting wasn't panicked sounding. No, he was grabbing its attention. This could be the end. 

“Come on.” Grabbing a hold of his hand, you and Anton headed off quickly and as quietly as you could in the direction of the shouts. 

You could see the snake hovering over the pool of chemicals, acid to be exact, but it wasn't in it. The head kept rearing and slamming down as if trying to get to someone. You moved at the same time Kristin appeared, heading for what looked like the control panel for the hydraulic arm that was over the snake and the pool of acid. She slammed her hand against the buttons while you were trying to figure out the panel so that the arm would move. It started to lower, pressing into the snake. John was yelling, and you didn't know if he had been bit or worse. 

In what felt like minutes, but in reality was probably half a minute to forty-five seconds, the arm finally pressed down with enough force to send the sensitive underbelly of the snake right into the acid. It made a horrible hissing shriek sound as it reared up, head flailing as the acid ate away at its flesh. Soon enough, organs were slipping from the hole that had been created, and the snake fell over. Finally dead. It was over. Kristin instantly ran over to check on John, making sure that he was okay. You weren't planning on getting close to the thing, knowing the head was still a bit of a risk for a little while, dead or not. 

“It's over….” Slumping back against the wall, you slid into a seated position, staring absently at the snake as the adrenaline finally started to slow down. Anton settled next to you, wrapping an arm around your shoulders. Nothing was said between the two of you as the three friends huddled around one another, hugging and feeling the same sense of relief that you were. Greg moved about, checking on each individual, his training kicking in. He knelt before the two of you. 

“You guys okay? No injuries?”

“No, we're fine.” Anton answered before you could, though it hardly bothered you that he answered for you. Greg glanced at you as if wanting confirmation, which you gave with a nod. Leaning your head against Anton's shoulder, exhaustion washed over you in waves, and all you wanted to do was curl up and sleep. “Come on. Let's get out of here.” It didn't matter where. You were happy to leave the building and away from the scene.