After Abigail spoke of an ancient prophecy that foretold the end of the world, her animal guests fell silent. One by one, they scattered across her cozy living room, each finding a comfortable spot. Once settled, they spoke in unison, their voices soft but urgent, begging her to tell the old Native American story. Ears perked, eyes wide, they waited as Abigail began to unfold the tale.

ABIGAIL: “Well, as I said, according to Dylan’s explanation, this prophecy comes from ancient Native American lore. It tells of a black snake that would slither beneath the ground, crossing rivers and hills, poisoning the water, silencing the birds, and bringing fire to the land. If no one stopped it, the world would fall out of balance… and begin to die.

Dylan and others, including me, believe it’s a metaphor. A warning about pipelines: methane and oil lines burrowing under rivers, wetlands, and forests. Feeding the monster we now call a cracker plant. If we don’t stop the snake, it will poison everything.”

SCOUT: “My father warned me about the black snake. Said if it ever reached the big rivers, we’d be in real trouble. I didn’t think we were this close.”

BEAUREGARD: “Hell’s Bells, if y’all’ll pardon the expression— that cracker plant down in Beaver County ain’t just some local nuisance. It’s one of the biggest in the whole wide world. A beast built to turn gas into plastic faster than a frog can blink.”

ABIGAIL: “This particular snake is ninety-eight miles long, slithering through Ohio, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania—through once-pristine waterways, including the Ohio River and the Ambridge Reservoir. It’s meant to carry ethane straight into the belly of the cracker.

PUNXSUTAWNEY PHIL: “Forgive me for jumping in, but I know what’s been going on underground in these parts and the black snake you are talking about has a name. It’s called the Predator Pipeline…”

QUINN: “Thanks, Phil, for that important information. Indeed, what a perfect name. Can you tell us more?”

PUNXSUTAWNEY PHIL: “Can I ever! The Predator was built fast and in secret, with faulty corrosion protection. In fact, Investigations by the DEP, the Attorney General, and even the EPA have been ongoing since 2020. There have been and may continue to be landslides, leaks, and even explosions. But the pipeline just keeps on transporting its compressed gas.”

QUINN: “Abigail, do you know how many people may be affected by this Predator?”

ABIGAIL: “Sure do. Over 8,000 people live in what’s called the ‘vapor zone.’ That includes schools, daycares, and even first responders — all within a blast radius if an explosion ever happens. If we don’t stop it, the River is next. And after that… who knows how far the damage could spread.”

QUINN: “Are there other pipelines and cracker plants out there?”

PIERRE SHADEAUX: “Mais oui, mon ami. I can tell you one thing for sure—there’s a whole slew of ’em down in Louisiana. Pipelines crisscrossin’ the bayous, cracker plants poppin’ up like mushrooms after rain. And they causin’ a heap o’ trouble for my folks back home. Folks call it Cancer Alley.”

BUCKEYE CHUCK: “It ain’t just Louisiana. We’ve got trouble in Ohio, too. Smaller crackers, sure—but they’re spreading. Pipelines are slicing up farmland like nothing. Folks don’t even know what’s under their feet anymore.”

PUNXSUTAWNEY PHIL: “I used to watch the skies, the soil, and my shadow to predict the seasons. Now, I watch for spills, smoke, and sinkholes. It’s not weather any more—it’s warning signs.”

SCOUT: “Then it’s settled. This isn’t just about Beaver County. It’s bigger. If the Predator Pipeline is just one piece, we must map the whole network of black snakes. And fast.”

QUINN: “I’ve heard enough! This pipeline—the Predator—is not just a threat; it’s the artery that feeds the whole operation. If we sever it, we don’t just stop the flow of methane… we send a message.”

ABIGAIL: “Eureka, Quinn—you’ve done it. You brought us all together. Through your interview, and everyone’s input, you’ve helped us see the path forward. It’s a two-step plan:

Step One: First we must gather the beavers. They can cut off the pipeline at its most vulnerable points and deliver the first shock to the system.
Step Two: Take the fight to the source—the cracker plant itself. That beast in Beaver County must fall. Not just for the River, but for every community watching and wondering if resistance is still possible.

If we succeed, we won’t just stop a pipeline. We’ll start a movement.”

Stay Tuned For My Next Blog Post