Venom

"How's it going, Nitro?" one of the men asked and Nightshade's eyes narrowed. He pivoted on his feet and began running back to the warehouse. Nitro dropped to his feet and brushed himself off.

"It's a fake," the bomb expert replied as he ran a hand through his spiked blonde hair. "It was a diversionary tactic. We were meant to focus on that while someone used the opportunity to sneak in."

"Well stop talking and let's go! We don't know what's going on in there," one of the other men said and began running back to the warehouse.

"I know how they got in," Nightshade said, once the others had reached him. "As soon as we came out to check on the bomb, he went in."

"There's only one?"

"One is less likely to be detected but if he succeeds, there will be more. Come on. Viper's sure to have stepped up the security so stay close to me."

"Where do you suppose Viper is?" Nitro asked as they ran into the building.

"I'm assuming his room. He's got Cobra back, doesn't he?" Nightshade inquired and Nitro shook his head.

"I never thought two snakes could be so compatible with each other."

"You guys split up and take the intruder down if you find him. I'm locating Viper."

Nightshade ran off down another hall and shut his eyes for a moment. He wished Wolfbane was with him but he knew that was not possible. He ran up the stairs and down another hallway until he reached an unmarked door at the end of the hall. He threw open the door and ran inside. Viper stood at a window touching various objects on a panel.

"So you made it in," Viper said and Nightshade nodded his head.

"I feel so stupid though. I should have seen that angle. Where's Jei?" Nightshade inquired.

"He's in the shower. I'm doing my best to track the intruder since the entire system has gone critical."

"Do you know who it is?"

"Hades."

"Hades," Nightshade repeated then folded his arms. Viper watched him for a moment then glanced out the window.

"If you decide to go against him, you'd better be careful. You know what happened the last time you ran into him," he said and Nightshade nodded his head.

"I know, but I'm not letting it happen a second time. Thankfully I bear no scars from that fight."

The bathroom door opened and Jei stepped out. Viper glanced at him and Jei hastily made his way to the dresser. He fumbled for a pair of briefs and Viper looked quizzically at him. Was he embarrassed? What cause did he have for embarrassment?

"What's the rush for?" he inquired and Jei looked at Nightshade.

"I didn't know he'd be in here," Jei replied and Nightshade glanced at him.

"I have more pressing things on my mind than your body," he said then turned his attention back to Viper. "Tell me where he is."

"I won't tell you exactly where he is, but I'll give you the general area," Viper said and Nightshade glared at him.

"All right. Where is he?"

"He's in sector fifty-eight."

"Already? I'd better get going. How did he get so far with your security system? It is operational, isn't it?"

"Of course it is. I'm trying to figure out what is going on. Hades shouldn't have been able to screw my system up so easily. He's not a tech expert."

"Do you want to go out and check the system out? I can stand watch for you," Jei said and Viper looked at him.

"No. There's got to be something I missed. Thanks for offering though, Stallion."

"You sure?"

Viper walked over to where Jei stood and kissed him. He took Jei's hand and tightly squeezed it. Nightshade watched them for a moment then walked out of the room. He had to get to Hades and force him to answer some questions. He had to know what Venom was up to. He had to know what was going on. Viper drew away from Jei and licked his lips.

"Well that was good. Damn!" Viper swore and Jei looked at him.

"What is it?" he asked as Viper placed a hand up to his ear.

"I remember what I forgot. I forgot the last safety catch. How could I have been so stupid?"

"Don't worry. There's still time to change it, isn't there?"

"Yes. I'm just upset that I didn't realize it before now. Give me a few seconds...There. That should make things pretty difficult for our intruder. Why don't you come with me and we'll check the surrounding area?"

"Can't you do that from here?"

"Well, I can do that anywhere since the system recognizes me as its creator. AI can sometimes be quite useful," Viper said as he walked back to the window. "I don't like the idea of staying in one place with an intruder in the place. Even if it is Hades."

"Is it possible that he could have gotten information out to Venom?"

"It might be possible. I don't know what Venom will do with the information, though. He could take direct action, which I doubt he will do, or he will wait. I don't think he'll take direct action because he's got a huge operation waiting for his word. That means his resources will be limited and he will most likely double his security around him. But if he does nothing, he's allowing us a chance to strike first which may be what he's been expecting all along."

"This is all so confusing. We can't spend the entire time second-guessing what he might do. All we can do is wait and see what happens. We can be prepared but we can't obsess about our possible demise."

"You're right. I think that's what I like about you, Stallion. That and the fact that you're my nightly companion. You're pretty amazing, do you know that?"

"That word has been used to describe me once or twice," Jei replied as the lights suddenly dimmed. "What's going on?"

"Don't be alarmed, Stallion. All this talk about sex has aroused me. That and the fact that you walked out with your asset in plain sight," Viper whispered as he began unbuttoning his outfit.

"Well there's not exactly an easy way to hide it. I thought you were worried about the intruder?"

"I am but Nightshade is very determined to take care of it. He's run into Hades before and he carries a sort of...grudge. Now don't fight it, Stallion. We don't know what tomorrow will bring."

"Savage..." Jei protested as Viper pushed him down onto the bed.

"Don't fight it or I may have to punish you for being naughty. I don't know if I feel that ruthless," Viper said and passionately kissed Jei. The clasp on his ear hummed and Viper sharply sat up.

"What's the matter now?"

"Nightshade's caught up with him. Let's see how the battle turns out," Viper said as he crawled off of Jei and brought up a large screen in front of him. He adjusted the focal length of the security camera so that they could have maximum resolution for the viewing of the pending battle.

"What about...?" Jei inquired and Viper looked at him.

"We'll finish later. This is much more important."

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

"So you're the one sent out to get me," Hades said and smirked. "I should have guessed."

"I'm going to make you regret the last time we met," Nightshade hissed and pulled out a dagger from somewhere inside his robes.

"Well we'll see if you've learned anything from the last time we fought."

Hades reached behind him and pulled out a staff from its holder. He swung it a few times then pointed it at Nightshade. Nightshade narrowed his eyes as he prepared himself for an attack. He could not fail a second time. He would not make it out alive if he failed again. Hades ran towards him and Nightshade watched him carefully. He had to find his enemy's vulnerable spot. Nightshade dodged Hades' attack and brought his leg up to Hades' legs causing him to lose balance. Hades placed his staff on the ground and used the momentum to right himself then came at Nightshade in full force.

"I should have known that you would try something like that. Clever trick, Nightshade but it's not going to do you any good. Not when you're holding a puny weapon," Hades said and swung his staff again.

"I don't need this blade to kill you," Nightshade hissed and threw the dagger aside. The lights in the room switched off and Hades smirked.

"I see your leader didn't pay the power bill."

"I turned them off. There's a reason why I'm called Nightshade."

"So you're telling me you've got some sort of secret power."

"That's right. I didn't use it last time since I miscalculated your attack but there's nothing to stop me now."

"Want to bet?" Hades asked as he swung his staff again. He stared at Nightshade, who stood on the edge of the staff, and Nightshade grinned. Nightshade raised a hand and Hades thought he saw the shadow of a dragon flit past him.

"The game is over, Hades and now I will send you to hell," Nightshade hissed and dropped his hand. The shadow attacked and Nightshade watched coldly as blood spurted up from Hades' deadly wound. Droplets of blood spattered onto the lens of the security camera and Nightshade took a step forward and wiped the lens off. He stared into the lens with his dark eyes for a moment then turned away.

"Did you enjoy my performance, Viper?" he inquired then raised his right hand. The lights slowly brightened, bathing the bloody scene in an eerie glow and Hades clutched his chest as he spat out blood. He searched through dimming eyes for Nightshade, but his enemy had already disappeared.

"Venom....will...kill...you...." Hades whispered harshly then fell forward as he took in his final breath.