PAW Patrol: Lockdown

Chapter 16- The Hive

In a futile attempt to contain the creature, Chase, Rocky, Marshall, and Zuma banded together to trap Feroxmalis in the vents. They had underestimated its intelligence, however, and the electrical stability of the building, two factors that led to it breaking free from the trap. In their desperate time of need, the last dog anyone thought they'd see suddenly emerged to rescue them: Liberty, their mutual friend from Adventure City. None of the dogs spoke at the sight of her, only the single uttering of her name.

Looking around wearily, Liberty took a moment to check behind them, surveying the path in case Feroxmalis was in pursuit. Seeing nothing but the darkness of corridors, she turned back to her friends to address them. "Okay, I know what you're thinking-"

Zuma butted in, "that doesn't even begin to describe it!" He barked, then winced at the volume of his voice, knowing loud sounds were an easy target for the creature. "How did you even get down here?"

"It's a long story," Liberty held up her paw in an attempt to reassure him. "But right now-"

"Oh no no no," now it was Chase who interrupted. "We've been through enough, and we've already lost two members because of all the shit that's been going on for the last week!"Hhe flattened his ears, staring down into the smaller dog. "Let me guess, you're working for the ACG, aren't you?"

"Those ruffians? Please," she waved off the question. "You think I'd work for savages like them?"

Rocky narrowed his eyes, "well you did throw an exploding fire bottle a few seconds ago."

"They're called Molotov cocktails, Rocky," Liberty shot back.

"Exactly, where the hell did you get that?"

Liberty went silent, flicking her gaze to the side while she kneaded her paws on the ground. It was true that she had a secret, but how to share it with four dogs who had clearly seen death was challenging. Chase and Zuma had her cornered, two significantly stronger dogs who were demanding answers from her. Rocky was standing behind, cradling a fearful Marshall although still not taking his eyes off of the Dachshund.

Realizing there was no way out, figuratively and literally, she spoke up. "Alright fine. You're right, I was sent here."

"I knew it," Zuma growled, bearing his teeth.

"But not from the ACG!" She protested, "I'm on a special assignment from the Archline Foundation," she hastily explained, trying to save himself from being torn to pieces by the larger dogs. "I assume you don't know who they are."

"You think we know jackshit anything?" Chase hissed, bristling his fur. "At this point, I'm willing to believe whatever. Who are they?"

Taking a deep breath, Liberty spoke, "Of course, Captain Cyrus wouldn't tell you. They're genetic researchers, hellbent on designing perfect animals or... something like that." She continued as everyone tilted their heads in confusion. "Recently, they had a breach in one of their facilities... a certain parasitic creature had escaped."

Chase recoiled. "You mean... Feroxmalis? It came from them?"

"Indeed," Liberty nodded. "They're not too happy about it, but they've sent me into Adventure Bay to gather samples."

"What do you mean, gather?" Zuma raised an eyebrow.

Rubbing her arm uncomfortably, Liberty knew this was the part they weren't going to like. "Even though Feroxmalis is out of control, they're taking the opportunity to see how it fares in the wild. So... they've hired me to investigate its behavior, and document whatever it does."