“OK, I’ll go through the plan one more time.” Reuben’s eyes blazed with frenetic energy. “I’ll get in and cut the tape around Kraka’s snout. If he’s alert and aggressive, the whole thing’s off and we regroup. Ever.” He pointed to the animal whisperer standing in front. “Do your thing. Zoe.” He pointed at her, hands pressed together. “Make sure he doesn’t lose any body parts.”

  He turned away from the two of them towards his team of nervous rangers. “Macca you’re on the ropes. Either top or bottom jaw is fine. Coops, you have the bag. Once’s Macca’s roped the big bugger, you get that bag over his head quick smart. Bob, got your numbers right this time? You’ll need to get up close to dart the croc. Careful he doesn’t whip you with his tail and break your neck. If Ever and Zoe have got it under control, you boys do nothing. Only move when I tell you, got it?”

  —-

  Reuben cut through the remaining tape. As soon as he backed away, Krakatoa’s jaw hinged open a few inches, revealing a sawtoothed grin.

  “Krakatoa.” The crocodile turned his head towards Ever, standing four yards away. Not too close, not too far.

  ^Who are you?^ The croc’s mouth didn’t move, but there was a sound like thunder scraping on corrugated iron coming from his throat.

  “I’m Ever. This,” he said, raising an arm to the vet, while keeping his eyes on the croc, “is Zoe.”

  ^I’ve never seen youse before.^ The croc spoke slowly. For the time being, Ever couldn’t detect anger in his voice. ^Are you with that loud-mouthed wanker?^

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  Zoe snorted; everyone in the swamp looked at her. Her mouth fell open and she took her wide eyes off the croc.

  “Ever!” She whisper-hissed, her eyes aglow. “I understood what he said!”

  “That’s nice,” Ever replied. “What’s a ‘wanker’?”

  “Ever, now’s not the time to be wanking,” Reuben said, “Unless that’s what Krakatoa’s been having issues with this whole time.”

  ^Did that wanker call me a wanker?^ Krakatoa exploded out of the murky water towards Reuben.

  “NOW!” Reuben yelled.

  “Wait!” Zoe shrieked.

  For all their nerves, Reuben’s squad worked efficiently. Ropes looped over snouts, bag pulled over head. Once the five rangers were on top of the length of the crocodile, Bob swept in like an assassin, putting the tranquilizer shot in one of the few soft parts of the naturally armored reptile. As fast the rangers swept in, they were all off. It all took a little under a minute.

  Everyone hurried single file back indoors.

  “So that didn’t go to plan,” Reuben puffing his cheeks out, hands on hips. “Well, it did, but it didn’t at the same time.”

  “I guess it was too dangerous after all,” Ever said.

  “Nah yeah, as good as you are mate, we’re not going to risk any lives.” Reuben said. “You and Zoe can head back to the hostel for now, or hang out with us while we check out some less dangerous critters, like emus.”

  “What do you think, Zoe?” Ever looked around the room, which was filled only with blokes. “She was just behind–”

  He met Reuben’s gaze; they both bolted for the door back to the swamp.