"But they're certain the video was hacked from inside the colony?"
"Yes. I've moved on to plan B though."
"What's that?" Hope asked as she plopped down in Viper's lap in their sitting area.
"Boaz has been spreading a rumor that he's almost broken the code on who hacked into the feed." Viper said as he nibbled her neck.
"Fake it till you make it baby." Hope replied. It was a good idea to draw out the traitor.
"How are the plans going for the ceremony?"
"My dress is almost done. Beyond that I'm leaving the details to your mother and Acris. Acris knows the basics of what I want, and it seems to make Hyla happy so..." Hope shrugged her shoulders.
"Don't let her take over, this is your day."
"Yeah but I'm kind of intrigued to see what they come up with. We do need to come up with vows."
"I have something in mind."
Well at least one of them did. Hope wasn't big on making speeches or grand emotional gestures.
Viper started licking and kissing the mating mark at her neck.
Hope sighed. She loved him. The last several days had only cemented that fact.
"Do we have to go to that creepy lab today?" Hope whined. She wanted go snuggle in their bed and show Viper just how much she wanted him.
"Yes." Viper said with a kiss. "Not only are we doing an inspection but my sire and I need to show the staff that we appreciate their hard work and sacrifice. "
"I get it. I'm not really complaining. Although the sooner we get back..." Hope wagged her eyebrows at him.
Viper moved to tackle Hope, but she was up and off his lap racing down the hall.
"No sir we've got some place to be!" Hope squealed.
The laboratory was a high tech facility deep under ground. All the security was necessary in case of an emergency. Adder, Viper and Hope were flanked by Canebrake and five other guards. They were on the deepest level of the facility where they kept the creepy Morbo.
Hope peered into the containment cell while Viper talked with one of the Anguis scientists.
"Nasty aren't they?" Adder said at her side.
The Morbo were far more frightening in person than on film. They had two grasping appendages that looked like deformed hands and two legs. Their head wasn't much more than a round bulbous lump on a gangly body. The thing had no discernible eyes, ears or nose. It did have a mouth though with a sharp lolling tongue. And just to round out the disturbing picture, the thing looked like it had been de-fleshed, and that was its natural state. Nasty was an understatement!
"Disgusting bastards!" Canebrake said as he studied the containment security panel. "Adder Rex I think the scientists want to show you and the Prognatus the lab."
"In a minute." Adder said.
Hope noticed the look of agitation on Canebrake's face over Adder's shoulder. He probably didn't want to be here any more than Hope did. There was a reason this place was so far underground. Hope shivered.
"It's my greatest desire to see these beasts eradicated in my lifetime. Viper has done a good job holding them at bay, but I don't want you to fear, there are others who can take up that battle." Adder mused as they peered into the cell.
Hope liked Viper's father. He was an intelligent kind man. Must be where Viper got it from. Adder was proud of what his son had accomplished but he also wanted her not to fear that he'd send Viper into space to fight these gross creatures.
The siren that started blaring took Hope by surprise.
She watched in horror as the wall of the containment room in front of her started to split open. The surrounding commotion was confusing. A glass wall slammed down separating her from Viper. He was roared as he pounded at the thick glass.
Adder grabbed Hope's arm and tugged her back but something had latched onto her leg.
Hope looked down at the Morbo creature that held her.
Canebrake tried to pull Adder away but lost his grip and fell back.
Canebrake barely had time to clamor out of the way as the second wall fell into place, locking Adder and Hope in with the fleshless creature.
Viper continued pounding frantically at the dense glass wall.
Hope kicked at the grasping humanoid virus but its grip only tightened on her calf as it pulled itself through the crack in its cell.
Adder struck the monster with his fist, using the spikes on his arms to cut the beast as his punch followed through. The creature's sharp tongue lashed out cutting a swath in Adder's arm.
"No!" Hope screamed, and it was echoed by Viper.
The beast stumbled back but unfazed it lunged towards Hope. She felt an agonizing pain in her stomach and looked down to see the Morbo's tongue buried in her skin.
"Oh god!" Hope cried out.
No no no! This wasn't supposed to happen.
Adder tackled the creature, but it was too late for both of them. He pummeled the beast with his fists till it ceased to get up, yet still it's tongue snaked out, stabbing at the air. Adder kicked it back into the containment room as Hope lay huddled on the floor clutching her belly in pain.