"Actually, that means you need to start cauterising the stumps," Lawrence said thoughtfully when he sent them to the printer. "That's what Hercules did in the myth. The Hydra was immortal so long as it retained one head, so he cauterised the necks so they couldn't grow back, and dipped his sword and arrows in its blood to finally kill it."

Oh god, he was starting to sound like Selwyn. There was a depressing thought. He'd never understand what Ivan had seen in the guy.

He smiled at Steve and nodded, then reached over to retrieve the print outs. "Not a problem. They sound like bad news. World would be better off without them."