Chapter 3: Return Home
"And that's all."
Hunter had just finished telling Exile everything they knew on what happened during these missing ten days of Exile's memories, and during it all Exile listened closely to every word. He reflected on the story, hoping that going over it again in his mind would spark something in his mind. He tried to remember riding the Cycle Rover, he tried to remember how he got captured, and he tried to remember escaping and losing consciousness on the Sonic Rover. All he got were blurry images which were all hard to make out.
"Is any of this ringing any bells to you?" Hunter inquired.
"Nyet," Exile responded as he rubbed his face in his hands. "I...I'm sorry, comrades. But I can't remember, no matter how hard I try."
"It's quite all right, Exile." Colleen placed a comforting hand on the Husky's shoulder. She smiled to keep Exile's spirits up. "It'll all come back to you. 'Sides, you're safe 'ere, with us."
"Yah," Blitz added and bared his teeth. "And if Parvo tries to hurt you again, I will personally sink my teeth into his tooshie as hard as I can!"
For reasons that escape him Exile groaned as he shook his head and said, "Don't be a weird boy..."
The Rovers all looked at each other and smiled. Now there's something from the Exile they know and love!
"Hey!" Hunter grinned from Exile's all-too-familiar reaction. He patted Exile on the back before continuing. "See? You are starting to remember!"
Exile managed to shed a smile at Hunter. To be honest he didn't know from where that reaction came from, it was just something that came to him, just like his accent and the Russian words. There was just something about Blitz's remark that just disgusted him and the words just rolled out of his muzzle. Regardless of having no memories about it he felt this was a common thing whenever Blitz opened his mouth with something that gets under his fur.
"Dah, you might be right." Exile scratched the back of his head with a grin. He must be starting to remember things on a subconscious level, and it's only a matter of time before it all comes back to him. He would wish it would come back to him faster, but beggars can't be choosers.
He looked at each of the Rovers with a slight smile. He placed his hands together and spoke, "I…I'm feeling very grateful for coming to my rescue, comrades. Even if I cannot remember much of the Road Rovers, there was...A feeling that told me you'd be coming for me. I thank you all from the very bottom of my heart."
He gave a genuine smile as he stood up and held out his arms. "I would like to give all of you big thank you hug and kiss."
Blitz gulped, remembering the last time that happened. "W-What? No, you start with dhe kissing and I will start with dhe biting! E-Exile, stop!"
Despite Blitz's complaints Exile managed to scoop the three Rovers in his arms for a crushing hug. As if the hug wasn't enough he began assaulting them with kisses and licks to their cheeks, much to Blitz's disgust. Hunter and Colleen though laughed from the treat as they tried to get their friendly Husky to heel.
"Hahaha, okay okay, Exile! Heel, boy! We missed you too! Hahahah!"
"Blimey, hahahah! Down, boy! That's enough! You're ruinin' my fur, hahahah!"
"Stop it, you snowball! I can't breathe! Uck, dog slobber!"
Extremely happy to see their family back together again and in high spirits Shag couldn't help but join in on the fun as well. He scooped them all up in his big arms, hugging them all against his fur coat in a tight squeeze.
It was all like one big happy family reunion for the remainder of the day.
Despite finally being awake after three days from a coma it was considered to be in Exile's best interest to retire for the night early. Exile didn't complain as he was exhausted after his terrifying ordeal...Or what he can remember of it at least.
He was still drawing a blank whenever he tried to remember his past, but the Rovers chose not to push. It would be wise to let him rest first and have the memories come back to him a little bit at a time. Perhaps a good night's rest will be all he needs.
Exile stood by the door, eyeing the bed room which was apparently his. Behind him Hunter stood patiently after leading his friend back to his quarters, giving him the space for him to get reacquainted with his belongings.
Hunter eyed his friend, once again looking over the new clothes he was wearing. Being it completely black Hunter got the impression they were specially made for sneaking around and stealth missions. They looked comfortable enough for such a thing as well. He began to wonder again what Parvo exactly wanted with him.
Hunter would ask again, but he's sure he'd get the same response.
"So, how's it feel to be back in your own room?"
"It feels...Pretty good," Exile replied a bit apprehensively. He stretched a little, very much welcoming the slight familiarity of the place. He doesn't remember the room, but there was something about it that made him feel...Safe.
Hunter smiled and nodded. "Well, I'll let you settle back in and get some sleep. You had a long day after all." He turned to take his leave but stopped midway before looking back at Exile. "Hey, Exile?"
Exile looked back at Hunter. "Yes?"
"If you need somebody to talk to about what happened, or if you want to try to remember other things, I'm here for you, all right? Just let me know."
Exile smiled at the Retriever and nodded. "I will."
Hunter held his hand up to him. "Well, night, Exile."
"Night, comrade Hunter."
After Hunter closed the door as he left Exile turned back to his room. He eyed the place. While he had little recollection of the room he could feel the familiar aura of the place. He walked over to the bed and ran his hand over the sheets all the way up to the pillow. This feels familiar...At least, he thinks so.
His eyes glanced to his left and saw a dresser with a mirror. He walked over to it and looked at himself in the mirror, staring at his own reflection. He looked pretty tired, and his fur was just a mess. He shouldn't be surprised; running through the desert under that sun and being missing for seven days can't be good for you.
Exile's eyes lowered as he sighed and spotted a pile of four books on the end of the dresser. He picked the one at the top of the pile and looked at the title. It was titled Go, Dog. Go!, a children's book by the looks of it. He opened the book and glanced through the pictures and words. The mere look over the content stirred memories within his mind, and one of them came back to him in a slight blur.
"I do not understand this book called 'Go, Dog. Go!' Why does the boy dog not like hat of the girl dog? Seems like perfectly fine hat."
"Well, you gotta read the whole thing, Exile."
"Oooh, there is pay-off. Aaah, I will read on."
Exile closed the book. He remembers now how the story ends. The boy dog turned out to actually like the girl dog's hat after all. He remembers crying over the joyous ending, followed by giving Hunter one of his big hugs.
He turned back to set the book down and looked through the other three books, finding signs that someone's been reading through them as well. They were mostly books for children and young adults, but the book at the bottom caught his attention the most. He dug it up and looked at the title. It was written in Russian, but he was surprised that he could understand it, let alone read it.
"Life of Alexander Nevsky," Exile read the title out loud. He let the name simmer in his thoughts. It had a nice ring to it. "Alexander…"
He opened the book and skimmed through it, his lips wording the words as he read. Much like the title indicated the book was about the life and career of Russian ruler and military leader, Alexander Nevsky. It described him in the most fascinating light, the words had him hooked as every now and then he would actually find himself reading from the book out loud to himself at the most interesting and intense parts, such as Alexander's battle against the Teutonic Knights in 1242.
The man led a fascinating life, and while Exile wanted to read more in detail he wasn't sure he had the energy now. He set the book down back on the dresser and looked up into the mirror, once again face to face with his own reflection. He feels like he's beginning to know more and more about this dog staring back at him through the mirror after going through some of his things, but he stills has more to learn and uncover.
"Well, comrade." Exile crossed his arms over his chest as he began to talk to his own reflection. "Your name is Exile, and you are Road Rover. You've been missing for seven days with Groomer and Cano-Mutants after you." He leaned against the dresser. "But why...What they want with you..."
The mere thought haunted both him and the other Rovers. Why was he kidnapped, and what did they want with him, and what did they do to him – if anything – during those seven days? Exile knew that if he could remember those details the Rovers could help him further and make plans to find and go after the ones responsible if there was more to the plans.
He shook his head and looked down at the clothes he's wearing. The black clothes he was found in, obviously given to him by his captors. In a way he felt disgusted even wearing these. It made him look like a bad guy from one of those movies set in space with the laser swords and guns. He doesn't remember the title but he's getting the vibe Hunter used to went on and on about them.
"Why am I still wearing this?" He finally asked himself the question that's been on his mind.
He pulled off his gloves then proceeded to take off the robe before discarding them aside. He opened his closet for something better to wear and found something that made him gasp and freeze in his tracks. He stared at the thing, tilting his head as he analyzed the thing with his eyes. When he came back to the mirror he stared at the reflection, gently placing his fingers over the reflection in the mirror.
He looked at the silver chest plate and the red belt. It fit him just right, and everything about it felt familiar. He adjusted the gloves and patted the boots on the ground as he got a feel of the material, then looked back at the mirror and stood tall and proud as he placed his fists on his waist, mirroring a mental image he had ever since he set his eyes on the uniform. His blue fur complimented the armor, and it just felt...Right wearing the thing.
"Huh," he hummed, slowly forming an accepting smile. "This is better, I suppose."
There was a surge of emotion stirring within him. It was a pleasing feeling. He deciphered it and knew what he felt. It was pride. He couldn't help but smile. This felt incredible; he couldn't help but feel proud as he wore the uniform. It felt like he was just reunited with a long lost relic, something he truly adored. He felt like himself again, finally matching the images of himself wearing this exact suit.
With a broad smile he stared back at the reflection. Any minute now it might stir more of his memories.
...But none came.
He sighed in frustration and looked down at the discarded clothes. He picked them up, contemplating on getting rid of them to put behind him whatever unpleasant memories it would return to him, but something stopped him from doing so. There was something about it…
For seemingly no reason Exile stuck his hand into the robe and found a hidden pocket inside. How he knew about it he couldn't remember, but once his hand was in it he felt something. It felt metallic and round, a little cold to the touch.
Raising an eyebrow Exile pulled it out of the pocket and looked at it. It was a round metal container, a little nuclear reactor from the looks of it. This looked potent enough to power any kind of machinery that required plenty of power. Only question is how did this end up in Exile's belongings?
His ears twitched as they heard the sound of the alarm. He looked up as he heard the blaring sound. There's an emergency out there, and the Master wants the Road Rovers to report to the briefing room.
For a moment he hesitated. Would he be a burden by going out there with little to no memories about his experiences as a Rover? Not to mention the injury to his head from which he still had a bit of a headache from.
He narrowed his eyes and shook his head with a snarl. "Peh, I am going."
Exile placed the item back into the robe's pocket and stored it away in his dresser before heading out of his room. His instincts as a supposed Road Rover told him to report for the situation, regardless of the condition he's in.
"Parvo's Cano-Mutants have been spotted again, Rovers." The Master began briefing the team on the latest emergency. "It seems like they've moved from robbing banks to another research facility."
Hunter rubbed his chin. Yeah, their last robbery was on a research facility as well. Much like the bank robberies they were late to the party and the main thieves already went off with the goodies. They did have some Cano-Mutants left to deal with, but no real clues as to who or what made the steal.
"Any ideas on what they're after?"
The Master shook his head. "From what we know the Cano-Mutants have stolen a Cellular Stabilizer from their last robbery three days ago. It's difficult to say exactly what Parvo's up to, but with such a device in Parvo's hands, I'd be lying if I said it didn't worry me."
Everyone agreed. The Rovers had little to no idea what a Cellular Stabilizer is used for, but if Parvo wants it then it can't be good news.
"For all we know I reckon' Parvo could be making stronger Cano-Mutants with it," Colleen spoke out her thoughts.
The Master nodded. "All the more reason to find out what Parvo is up to, and stop him in the act."
Blitz glanced to his right and noticed they were one head short. Scratching his head he looked over at Hunter. "Hey, aren't we missing someone? Where's Exile?"
Hunter glanced at Colleen who returned the same glance. Yes, Exile's missing, that's for sure. But after just waking up from a three day coma and still seeing how tired and weak he was they all decided it may be for the best to leave him out of the action for a couple of days.
"We thought it would be best for Exile to stay behind." The Master was the one who responded for them.
Blitz yawned before responding, his shoulders sagging from how tired he felt. "Lucky dog."
"In any case," The Master went on. "You all have a mission to do, Rovers. Stop the robbery in progress, and find out what Parvo is up to."
Hunter faced the Master and nodded. "We understand, Master." He then turned and pointed toward the hangar. "Let's head out!"
The team agreed and all made a dash toward the hangar bay, but just when they were about to take their leave one of the doors to the briefing room was pushed wide open. A loud bark immediately made them stop in their tracks.
"Wait!"
The Rovers turned to see Exile running into the room. He was wearing his Rover uniform, and in a way it made them a little glad. It meant Exile's slowly starting to come back to them. But seeing him up, and in his Rover uniform…
"Exile." Hunter turned to face the incoming Husky.
They knew what Exile was here for.
Exile panted as he made it up to the team. His memories of Mission Control were still a little cloudy, and he almost got lost a couple of times trying to find where they usually assembled before a mission. He took a left instead of a right, a right instead of a left, but he was satisfied he managed to find them before they left.
"I…" Exile took a breath. "I am going with you."
The team traded worried glances. They weren't sure about letting Exile out on the field again so soon, especially after waking up from a three-day coma. They wanted him to get some rest, at least keep him out of the field until he was well enough.
"Exile…" Hunter scratched the back of his neck, trying to find the words for this without hurting his friend. "I…We thought it might be better if you sit this one out."
"Yah. You're not exactly all dhere in the head," Blitz added while drilling a finger to the side of his cranium.
"'ey!" Colleen frowned and elbowed Blitz in the stomach, knocking the breath out of the Doberman to shut him up. "That's not what we mean." She turned her head to Exile. "What we mean is, you're still 'urt from what 'appened in the desert, and-"
"No!" Exile startled them all with a shout as he waved his hands to the sides, letting them know that excuse won't work. "I am fine. I want to go!"
The Rovers were more than silenced by Exile's determined glare; he was really determined to go. Exile couldn't explain from where this determination within him comes from. He knows the Rovers have his best interest at heart, he completely understands from where they're coming from. But something inside of Exile just refused to sit around and do nothing. He wanted to go out there and help the Rovers with their mission.
From where the Master watched he could see Exile wasn't going to back down. He sighed and took a step forward. "Exile…Are you sure?"
"Dah," Exile replied, once again letting loose a Russian word. He looked over at the Master and pointed his thumb to his chest. "I am a Road Rover; I should be out there and help comrades fight!"
There was fire in his eyes, a look the Master knew all too well. Exile was always the proudest of the Rovers, never one to turn down an assignment or an opportunity to help his friends. That determination is one of the reasons why the Master chose Exile to be a Road Rover. He was a bit more assertive and pushy than usual, but the determination was there.
Hunter knew he was cornered. He nodded in agreement in the end. "All right, you can come along. But be careful, all right?"
Exile looked at Hunter and gave a firm nod. "Right, comrade, I will be careful."
Hunter smiled. "All right, then!" He turned to face the door to the hangar bay and pointed. "Let's head on out, team!"
The Master watched as the Rovers took running toward the hangar bay. His eyes went to Exile and took a step forward to stop him. "Exile."
Exile was about to follow the Rovers when the Master stopped him. "Master?"
He is called Master...Right?
"Before you go, this is for you." The Master reached into his lab coat's pocket and slid something across the table toward Exile. "Your collar."
Exile stepped toward the table and picked it up. It was a red collar with a dog tag. Exile tilted his head as he examined the collar. Funny, he knew something looked off when he saw himself in the mirror not too long ago. He was missing this dog collar. His dog collar.
"It'll help you stay in touch with the others, just in case." The Master explained one of the collar's functions to Exile, just to remind him. "Plus, a dog shouldn't go around without his collar."
Exile couldn't help but smile at the Master's last touch there as he strapped his collar back around his neck. Now the uniform was a complete set, and Exile truly felt like a Road Rover. He looked down at the dog tag and flicked it gently with his finger.
"Thank you, Master," Exile said, smiling at the Master.
The Master nodded with a smile. "Be careful out there, Exile."
Exile nodded. "I will."
With that said and done Exile reunited with the rest of the Rovers down at the hangar bay. The room was huge and spacious with a big insignia in the middle of the floor, the Rover's insignia. Exile scanned the place with his eyes, amazed at the space of the room. He watched as an automated machine brought to them a white aircraft. It looked familiar, but Exile couldn't put his finger on it.
Either way, it looked great, and it looked fun to drive.
"Colleen, Blitz, you two take the Sky Rover." Their leader began issuing them their vehicles as usual.
Blitz beamed and mentally gave many thanks. Every time a mission comes along the Doberman would always be paired up with Exile despite his hopes of being paired up with Colleen. He always had a crush on Colleen and seized every opportunity he could to swoon her, even hoping they'd share a vehicle together on their way to their mission.
Blitz grinned toward Colleen's direction as she walked by him toward the Sky Rover. He was giddy with excitement. "So, we're finally going together. I can't believe this is happening!"
"Right..." Colleen arched an eyebrow at the Doberman with a slight smile. "But if we're going to work together, I reckon' we should introduce ourselves first. I'm Colleen." She then pointed a waging finger at Blitz. "And you are again...?"
It was at that remark that Blitz's jaw dropped. She couldn't possibly be serious...
Blitz nearly cut himself with his own claws as he held his head in frustration. "How many times do I have to tell you? My name is Blitz!"
Exile raised an eyebrow. It struck him as something familiar the little exchange between Blitz and Colleen, and for the second time today Exile felt the urge to call Blitz a weird boy again. He shook his head, but stilled his tongue.
"Exile, Shag." Hunter faced the center of the hangar and pointed. "We'll take the Street Rover."
Exile turned to the center and watched as the insignia in the middle of the floor opened up. A platform rose from the hole and lifted up to them a red car, the front and hood in shape of a dog's head, complete with the eyes as the headlights and teeth bared.
Exile went up to the Street Rover and placed his hand on the vehicle, admiring the paint job and the seats inside. He couldn't help but smirk. "Street Rover, eh? Looks like good vehicle!"
He watched as Hunter stepped on a pad by the edge of the car, opening the doors. "Yup, ol' Street Rover here has never let us down! It's comfortable, fast, and best of all you can stick your head out the window!"
Exile beamed as he rubbed his hands together. He may not remember riding the Street Rover at all, but all in all he was still a dog, and sticking your head out the window of a moving vehicle sounded so heavenly his tail began to wag. "Hahah, this is going to be so much fun!"
Hunter arched an eyebrow with a smile. Maybe it was just him, but Exile's vocabulary has been a lot better than usual. He shook the thought aside for now; they have more important things to do. He jumped into the Street Rover right into the driver's seat while Exile went around and jumped into the passenger's seat after Shag climbed into the back seat.
Hunter turned the ignition while Colleen made the preparations on the Sky Rover for take-off. With the preparations done – and after putting on their seatbelts – Hunter nodded approvingly and held his finger out down the runway. "Let's hit the road, Rovers!"
Hunter stepped on the gas and the Street Rover shot out forward through the hangar bay's hatch – modeled after a doggie door no less – while the Sky Rover made its exit up through a tunnel up through the ceiling of the hangar. Soon both vehicles were out of Road Rovers Mission Control and set toward their destination.
Exile rubbed his fist in his hand. He was excited, more than ready to be out on the field and, well, being a Road Rover. Deep inside he felt that he loved this kind of action despite missing the memories that support the feeling. Either way, he refused to miss this.
He glanced back at Shag, seeing the Sheepdog looking a little nervous about the mission, but he mostly kept his cool. His temperament didn't come as a surprise to him, somehow.
He looked over at Hunter, the leader of the Rovers, who was currently sticking his head out the window with his tongue hanging out. That looked typical behavior for him when he was behind the wheel of the Street Rover, at least Exile thinks so. Must be why Hunter likes the Street Rover so much.
He stuck his head out the window for a moment to look at the Sky Rover. A part of him made him feel he'd be more comfortable on that one, most certainly piloting the vehicle.
Hunter glanced at the Husky. He was still worried about having him come along, not entirely confident that Exile should be out and about after just waking up from the coma. "How ya feelin', buddy?"
Exile blinked and stuck his head back into the Street Rover. "Um, I'm feeling fine, comrade."
Hunter nodded. "Cool. Hope you're ready for this."
"Never been feeling more ready," Exile said, trying his best to look the part. His memories may be gone, but his spirit as a Road Rover was burning more than ever.