The instant he heard the lock disengage and felt the collar slacken around his neck, Creed yanked it away and exhaled deeply, as if he had been trapped underwater for far too long and finally had a chance to breathe. He groaned delightfully – like Baird would have if ate a second chocolate sandwich – as he felt the rush of his healing factor and suppressed strength surge and pulsate throughout his body.
“Mmm….now that’s more like it…”
Sabretooth’s instincts demanded that he crush the collar, or pitch it outside through the window. Or better yet, latch it around the neck of the goddess, then take out Baird with a punch so brutally forceful, he’d push his nose into the back of his brain.
However, to him, taking down LAMBDA was more important, and if he ever expected this select group of heroes to succeed, Creed didn’t need them stressing – more than the usual – about his loyalty and unit cohesion.
In a surprisingly humble gesture, Victor extended his arm and handed Baird the collar back, as if it were a tool the ex C.O.G soldier needed to continue his own maintenance repairs, and offered a slight nod.
“Here I was, thinkin’ you’d give me nothin’ but lip – like ya’ did when I was in that cell. An’ just when I figured you an’ me would go to blows over this damn thing… Smart move, Sunshine.”