A small crowd had gathered near the gates, waiting for the team that went to engage the snake to return. After the snow outside was melted and the cars drove into the base, the audible sighs of relief could be heard.
Even though Major Elio had called to inform them that they were safe and, on their way, back, one could not trust the times they were living in. Anything could have happened on the way back. Even when the cars were outside the gate, they were not fully safe. Safety was when everyone was inside the wall and gates sealed shut firmly.
As men and women stepped out of the cars, some people broke protocol and rushed out to hug them. They did not care about the risk of contamination from whatever the squad had encountered outside. They would gladly follow them to the decontamination center.
The snowstorm had scared them greatly. Some people had almost given up on their loved ones, assuming that they were dead. It was a relief to be wrong.
