DR. CATALYST WAS MAKING THE FINAL PREPARATIONS at the aquarium. If everything went according to plan, the tide would finally turn. This next act would show the world how far he was willing to go. It would also strike a blow against Dr. Geaux and Dr. Doyle. After this, they would realize he was not to be trifled with. And they would leave him alone to complete his work.

The tank in the aquarium was buzzing with Muraecudas. Unlike the Pterogators, they required fewer hormones to accelerate their growth. They achieved full size and length in a matter of weeks. Swimming about in the backlit tank, they were fearsome to look at. Their long, undulating bodies and blunt faces filled with dozens of spear-shaped teeth made them look just as fearsome as their Pterogator brethren. The bodies were made for swimming hard and fast through the water, devouring whatever crossed their paths.

As they swam and circled the tank, some of them would occasionally surge toward him, bumping their heads hard against the glass when he wandered too close. They were ready to eat him, were it not for the barrier.

Dr. Catalyst used a large wrench to attach the final connector to an electronic winch bolted to the aquarium. Cable fed out of the winch to a pulley system on the ceiling. Hanging suspended above the open water tank was a steel cage. The sight of it dangling a few feet above the water was chilling even to him. Depending on what happened in the next few minutes, he would know whether or not he would be required to use it.

The governor’s next press conference was scheduled to begin momentarily. Dr. Catalyst punched a few buttons on his tablet and brought up a live Internet feed. There on a stage stood the governor, a tall, thin man dressed in a gray pinstriped suit. His hair was flecked with gray at the temples, and his face looked a little sunburned, as if he’d just been called in off the golf course. Behind him were gathered several mayors from South Florida cities, police officers, and FBI agents. He even saw Dr. Geaux in her park-service uniform among the toadies assembled there.

“Good afternoon,” the governor said. “I will make my remarks brief. I’m here to announce the expansion of our joint task force consisting of personnel and resources from several state, federal, and local agencies. This task force’s objective is twofold. First, to reverse the environmental damage being done to the state by the release of artificially enhanced species by the criminal calling himself Dr. Catalyst. Appropriate state and federal agencies will coordinate efforts to capture and destroy these animals before the harm they are causing becomes irreversible. Second, the task force will also use the law-enforcement capabilities of these combined agencies to locate and apprehend the fugitive calling himself Dr. Catalyst by any means necessary.

“Because of her scientific training, as well as the law-enforcement experience she brings to this job as the superintendent of one of America’s foremost national parks, I am asking Dr. Rosalita Geaux to serve as task-force director. Her efforts thus far have resulted in the safe removal of dozens of hybrid creatures from the Everglades. She has accepted these additional duties with my thanks, as well as the personal thanks of the secretary of the interior.

“I will say one final thing before Dr. Geaux takes your questions. We will not close the beaches. We will not close the Everglades. Though the park is federal property, I have the word of the president of the United States on this. Dr. Catalyst will not dictate policy to this state or any municipality. Our beaches will remain open. We do ask people to exercise caution, as these species are dangerous and unpredictable. But we will not allow a terrorist to dictate how we live our lives.

“I also ask the public’s help in this. Be vigilant. Report any suspicious behavior or activity, as it is unlikely a single person would be able to effectively carry out an operation of this size. It is very likely he has help, so watch for suspicious boats or individuals, or anything that appears out of the ordinary. Together we can bring an end to Dr. Catalyst and his misguided and malevolent schemes. That is all I have to say. Dr. Geaux will be taking your questions now.”

His rage building, Dr. Catalyst watched as Dr. Geaux approached the microphone. Reporters shouted questions, but his vision had turned red and his hearing dimmed to the point where he couldn’t concentrate on anything being said. Something about twenty-four-hour hotlines being established. Environmental teams dispatched to control the creatures. Extra beach and swamp patrols. It was all just white noise to him.

The governor had called him a terrorist. A terrorist! “Unlikely to be working alone,” he had said, as if he were some imbecile! The governor, who allowed the environment in his own state to be flushed down the drain, was calling him a criminal! What a tin-pot, small-minded, bought-and-paid-for, self-important fool!

Dr. Catalyst stomped back and forth in front of the tank, attempting to walk off his anger. He kneaded his mangled hand hard against his thigh. He would have punched something, had he not feared damage to his remaining working arm. It took several slow, gasping, deep breaths before the raw emotions receded.

If he was to succeed, he must not let these fools stop him. Looking up at the cage, he pushed a button on his tablet and the winch motor whirred, lowering it a few feet closer to the tank’s surface. He pushed another button and the cage floor, hinged along one side, swung open. Inside was an open container of lionfish. It splashed into the water and the Muraecudas immediately converged, devouring them in a matter of seconds.

His little device worked perfectly.

Terrorist. He would show them a terrorist.

The tablet held a map program, and he pulled up one of the marshes and inland waterways in nearby Florida City. The Aerojet Canal ran right behind the Doyle residence. With a little maneuvering he could reach it from his boat.

It was time to raise the stakes.