The LAB

Chapter 6

"Sir, all workers have standard white paint as of last shift."

Devan stood in a room overlooking one of the laboratory rooms, a white Humvee was parked behind him at the door.

"And the hounds?" Devan inquired, not even glancing back to the large SUV behind him.

"Most of the older ones are repainted, the new generation are being altered and bred for white and silver coloration, sir." Devan nodded slowly, "Then let's get on with the tests. Open the arena tonight. We have some special tests to do." The Humvee froze, "But Sir, we've only gotten past the second gen of hybrid vehicles, they're not ready for that sort of testing!" Devan spun around and shot a glare to the SUV, enough to make the military made vehicle back up a bit with a gulp.

"Tonight we open the arena. We will figure out how tough they are as of right now. Then, we will continue. Am I clear?" The Humvee nodded before backing out of the room. Devan turned back to the glass, lifting his front tire and rubbing a headlight. "

Hybrid vehicles... a mixture of human flesh and normal vehicles. Weak to most things... but enhanced mobility." He stopped, placing his tire on the glass with a huff.

"I've made myself weaker, but faster? Can it be so?"

"So wait, let me get this straight, we make squishy things and they are going to make them fight the hounds?" A group of workers gathered around the Humvee in the lounge area, away from overlooking eyes and ears.

"Rick, you sure you heard the guy right?" The Humvee looked down to the Ford Focus who questioned his words.

"Look Dustin, I don't like it either, but it's what I was told. We've altered these vehicles with beings pulled from another dimension. That's already fucked up. Now he wants them to fight, and I don't think he'll use us. I think he will make them fight the Hounds or even other subjects." Other workers mumbled to each other, concerned for many things that could go wrong.

"Dude, there's a code in the works for giving a vehicle the ability to fly! That room isn't made for that, not to mention the Mack that was shipped in last week! Even with Hounds, this seems like a horrid idea!" A Toyota Camry shouted from a distance away, more upset than anything else.

"Listen guys, I know it's messed up. Hell, everything we're doing here is messed up, but we have to obey his orders. You remember what happened to that Nissan awhile ago? I hear Devan sent Hounds outside the facility to hunt him down and kill him. So unless we want to wind up like that, we better follow these orders." Everyone cringed at the memory of the Nissan, and the thought of what could happen to them. This wasn't a choice, none of it was.

"So, we all clear on this?" The Humvee looked around the room as most nodded and others gave a verbal reply.

"Spread the word, everyone needs to know about this. Testing will continue as usual, but the arena opens tonight."

Devan drove through a dark corridor with not even his lights on. Turning into a darker room to be met with the scent and sounds of distress and many flesh beings both alive and dead. Cells and cages with various animals, and even humans, kept in horror movie standards with no regard for life or death. He stopped at a cage where a large feline stayed curled in a corner, grinning a fanged smile.

"Yes, knowing your hunting ability, you will be perfect to use," he spoke lowly in almost a feral growl. His words earned a protective roar from the caged beast, a flick of a tail caused the bars to rattle. Some of the humans hurled insults, and some other objects, at the Honda. Devan spun around and roared, his tone loud and feral enough for every animal to cower in their places. His fangs bared just as great as the lion fighting for its life in a cell, making the room fall silent.