It was with quiet caution that Alda stepped out of the helicopter. For several moments it had seemed as though a sense of odd calm had muted her fear, but now the effect was fading and her heart was thudding away, shaking her chest, but it didn't show. She walked slowly behind Estella and let her feet fall heavily; she'd read somewhere a long time ago that heavy footfalls had a good chance of scaring away snakes. Absently she reached behind her and felt at the handle of her axe for reassurance.  

[i]They could be anywhere,[/i] she reminded herself, [i]and it's against the odds that they'll be hanging around in the desert. I mean, there's hardly anything to do out here.[/i]

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