DR. CATALYST STOOD INSIDE THE LABORATORY OF HIS compound, studying the new batch of hatchlings inside the tank. Only four weeks old, they were already approaching eighteen inches in length. While the embryos gestated inside their eggs, he’d injected them with a series of growth hormones. A normal alligator would take years to achieve a mature length of up to fifteen feet. His method advanced the process so that they would reach ten to twelve feet in a matter of months. At that size they would be more than capable of hunting and destroying a large snake.

With a large pair of thick leather gloves, he lifted one of the hatchlings from the tank. Despite their size, their teeth and claws were razor-sharp. Carefully he placed the small creature inside a tank on the other side of the room. This one held half a dozen small boa constrictors, none more than two feet in length. The tank was one hundred and fifty gallons in capacity, and the snakes were curled in a ball at the end. Dr. Catalyst placed the hatchling at the opposite end of the tank.

It lifted its neck. There was slight movement around its nostrils as it sniffed the air. Its eyes focused on the ball of snakes and it took a small leap; the folded wings between its legs stretched out, and it glided through the air, landing feetfirst on the pile of snakes. The boas were frantic to escape. Some tried to slither away, while others wrapped themselves around the hybrid, attempting to strangle it.

The snakes were no match for even the smaller beast. With gruesome efficiency, it bit down on the body of one of the boas, while its claws tore at another. The remaining snakes tried to flee the cage, but there was no escape. Within minutes the small hybrid killed them all, just as it’d been designed to.

Dr. Catalyst finished his study of the data he collected on Hammer’s and Nails’s behavior on the island with the Geaux and Doyle boys. The collars they wore contained small chips, which recorded the creatures’ vital signs when they were out of the lab. Nothing in the data indicated a problem. He attributed it to an anomaly. There could be no other explanation. In the end, he decided not to be concerned about it. They had both been in the swamp several times since the incident and performed as expected.

Returning to his control room, he turned one of his monitors to a local Miami TV station. Since his email was sent, the press, predictably, had worked itself into a frenzy of alarm. The video of Hammer and Nails destroying a python was replayed over and over again on television and hundreds of websites. A quick search showed that the video went viral, with millions of views. And Dr. Catalyst was now sending the news outlets regular email updates, warning the people of South Florida that he intended to take back and restore the Everglades. From now on, citizens were to enter the park at their own risk.

One of the local channels was now showing an interview of Dr. Geaux at Park HQ. The reporters peppered her with questions. She did her best to remain calm and professional, but Dr. Catalyst was a master at reading people. He could see the lines of concern etched into her face as she struggled to reassure the public that the danger was minimal.

“Any wild animal should automatically be given a wide berth. Here in Florida, we inhabit the homes of countless wild creatures. Contact between humans and animals is, at times, inevitable. If we remain calm, and call upon our local police, animal control, and first responders, we can help ensure that neither animal nor human is injured,” she patiently explained.

Another reporter shouted a question about the tape of the two strange creatures and asked for her opinion on the statements of the so-called “Dr. Catalyst.”

Dr. Geaux paused before answering, running a hand through her curly black hair.

“We are examining the video, but have every reason to believe it is a hoax. Alligators and pythons are apex predators who generally do not feed on each other. We believe whoever sent this video is taking advantage of an unusual migratory behavior of some species and has obviously used computer animation to dramatize an event to make it appear that these creatures are the reason we are seeing several species on the move in the Glades. This event has clearly been staged to create hysteria and panic. Giving in to that panic only allows this individual to gain the notoriety he or she seeks. The Everglades belong to the people, and will remain open for their enjoyment. We will, of course, advise caution to all who visit the park. But we believe this ‘Dr. Catalyst’ is a fraud attempting to perpetuate some type of hoax for reasons yet to be determined. The National Park Service is cooperating with state and local agencies, and we expect Dr. Catalyst will be exposed as a charlatan very soon.”

Reporters shouted more questions, but Dr. Geaux did not answer, instead walking away from the assembled media and returning to her office. Dr. Catalyst slammed his fist on the console in frustration.

Fraud!

Charlatan!

How dare that woman? Dr. Geaux deliberately lied to the people! She possessed a carcass of one of his creations and knew exactly the greatness of his achievement. She wished to keep the park open, did she?

He stormed to a cabinet along the wall, opening it to reveal a rack of tranquilizer rifles. Hefting one, he sighted down the barrel. It was time to raise the stakes.

Fraud.

“We’ll see about that,” he said to the empty room.