July 30th, 2001
Distorted Voice: The mission was a success. You and the Rovers successfully apprehended Pepe Hernandez and delivered the canisters to the United States government.
Max: Yeah. That thing that Hernandez said about my father. That he's happy to see me again.
Distorted Voice: Yes. Hernandez wanted you to pursue what he was saying to you.
Max: Yeah. And I now get what he was saying. I can't believe it.
Distorted Voice: Alright, take us to the 29th, Mr. Parker. Did everything seem to be fine that morning?
Max: Yeah. But something didn't felt right. Something was off...
July 29th, 2001
Max lies on his bed, reading an entry in his journal.
July 28th, 2001
Today was truly a crazy day. We went to Nepal to apprehend a drug lord from Mexico named Pepe Hernandez who was transporting a WMD (Weapon of Mass Destruction) across the Asian border. He was hiding in a base in a mountain range of Nepal. While me and a couple of the guys were snowboarding down a slope, three men in snowmobiles. The two guys left me (when they could have just helped me) to leave me with them. I was able to get rid of them no sweat at all and make it to the base. Hunter split us into two groups; Exile, Kai, Javier, and Blitz would take the base while me, Hunter, Rejean, and Colleen looked at the helicopter and found the gas there. It was a trap that Hernandez made. He took us on one plane ride that you never want to go on. He intended to crash the plane, killing me, the guys, and the entirety of Nepal. Luckily, we were able to apprehend Hernandez before he had a chance to crash the plane. I was able to safely land the plane in a lake, saving Nepal from being a wasteland. When I had a private conversation with Hernandez, he mentioned my father, who I never met, nor do I even knew he existed. He said that he's happy to see me return to him. What is he even talking about? Is he trying to say that my dad is...? No. He couldn't be. My mother told me that he was a truck driver and decided to leave my mother to work full-time in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. If she wasn't telling me the truth, why couldn't she tell me the truth at least at some point in my adulthood? Was she afraid? Wouldn't I be able to understand? Well, I don't think I'll get any answers just from questioning myself. I think I should be able to go out there and pursue what Hernandez is talking about. But I can't, at least not right now. I have a job to do. I will when I get the chance. I don't know what I'm expecting to see, but I just have a bad feeling about who I think it is. And if it is exactly who I think it is, then it would make sense why it happened on January 3rd last year. It would all make sense.
Max finishes reading and goes to eat breakfast. Max goes inside the kitchen.
Hunter: Good morning, Max.
Max nods and smiles.
Max: Good morning.
The other Rovers bid Max 'good morning' also. Max goes over to make himself a cup of coffee. Colleen goes over.
Colleen: Oh, Max. Let me make it for you.
Max looks at Colleen, confused.
Max: My coffee?
Colleen: Yes.
Max: What do you know about making coffee?
Colleen: I've been known to dabble a bit. Come on, Max, let me get your coffee for you.
Max looks at the coffee machine and then back to Colleen.
Max: I appreciate you being generous, Colleen, but, no thank you. I've been making coffee for a year, I think I know what I'm doing by now.
Max goes to make his coffee when he gets touched by Colleen's hand on his right hand.
Colleen: Max, I believe you know what to do every morning. I'm just trying to be nice to you and I think you should do something different for once. Just let me make your coffee, Max. We help each other. It's what best friends do, right?
Max looks in the eyes of the Rough Collie, moving his eyes to see her smile.
Max: (sighs) Okay. Do you know how to make it?
Colleen: No. You never told me how you like your coffee.
Max: Oh. Okay, you're ready?
Colleen nods.
Max: I'd like my coffee warm with one teaspoon of Folgers, two little packets of sugar, and one cup of French vanilla cream. Stir it well.
Colleen nods to everything he says.
Max: You got everything?
Colleen gently smiles.
Colleen: For an American dog, you are exceptionally cultivated.
Colleen pats his shoulder. Max smiles back as he goes over to the counter to get him a bowl of Wheaties. He sits at the table, sitting next to Javier and Blitz. Colleen makes Max's coffee but puts three packets of sugar, instead of two.
Max: Hello, Javier.
Javier is sitting, eating a breakfast quesadilla.
Javier: (nods) Hola, amigo.
Max looks over to Blitz, who is reading a newspaper.
Max: And how are you doing on this fine morning, Grandpa?
Blitz puts the newspaper down, glaring at Max.
Blitz: "Grandpa"?
Max: With you reading that newspaper, I might as well call you that. Only old people read a newspaper in the morning.
Blitz: Hey, I may be three years away from turning ten, but I am for sure not a 'grandpa'.
Colleen: (placing the coffee down) Coffee's done, Max.
Blitz scoffs and gets back into reading his newspaper. Max looks at the coffee and kindly takes it. He takes one sip of it and looks at Colleen.
Colleen: Well?
Max nods.
Max: Perfect.
Colleen: See? What did I tell you? I am your regular barista!
Max: Yeah. Next time make me a cappuccino.
Colleen leaves Max with a chuckle. Max gets back into eating. A couple of minutes from eating, he feels slobber going down his shoulder and hears panting in his ears. He looks over and sees Muzzle, he has his tongue out, slobber going down the muzzle he's wearing. Max looks at his bowl of Wheaties.
Max: Ah, what the heck?
Max takes his spoon of Wheaties and gets a spoonful of the cereal. He moves the spoon close to Muzzle.
Max: Here, Muzzle. Knock yourself out.
Muzzle gets the spoon in his mouth, bites down, and violently shakes his head. Max pulls the spoon out, with the end intact.
Max: Sorry, Muzzle. Better luck next time, okay?
Max pats Muzzle's head as he looks at the spoon in disappointment. He hops away from Max.
Max: It's a good thing that Hubert made these indestructible spoons, otherwise, we would have to keep reordering regular spoons.
Max continues to eat his breakfast. A couple of minutes have passed. Max had finished eating his bowl of cereal, as well as finishing his coffee. The Master speaks into a speaker.
Master: Rovers! Come to the mission room for your mission today!
The Rovers go to leave the dining room to go to the mission room. As Max gets up, he felt something in his stomach. It started mild, then it started to hurt him. Max groans, making the other Rovers hear him and walk to him.
Hunter: Max? What's wrong?
Max starts sweating.
Max: I-I-I don't k-k-know. My stomach doesn't feel right.
Max looks at Colleen, his forehead getting sweatier.
Max: Did you put something else in my coffee?
Colleen shakes her head.
Colleen: No. I did exactly as you told me.
Max: Well, something isn't right here.
Max, sweat going down his fur, looks at the door that leads to the mission room. He wouldn't be able to make it through the whole presentation like this. He has no other choice.
Max: Um, guys... I-I can't do it! I need to go to the bathroom real quick! Just let me know what we're doing, okay?!
Max runs out of the dining room and heads to the bathroom. The Rovers look at each other.
Hunter: All right, guys. This gives us enough time. Let's go.
The Rovers leave the dining room to get to the mission room.
The Rovers get to the mission room, sitting in their usual seats. The Master stands in front of a gate of white light.
Master: Good morning, Rovers. Is Max gone?
Hunter: Yes, sir. We did exactly as you told us.
Master: You used the laxative, Colleen?
Colleen: Yes, sir.
Master: Alright. Now-
Kai: Master-san.
Master: Yes, Kai?
Kai: Why did you make us do that to Max-san? This isn't like you.
Master: I don't want him to know what we're doing. Trust me, with this mission you're about to do, you'll thank me, later.
Kai: (sighs) Yes, sir.
Master: All right. Now, here's what I have prepared for you today.
After relieving his bowels, Max exits the bathroom.
Max: Whew. I thought I wasn't going to make it. What was wrong with my coffee? It tasted fine. Maybe there's something wrong with the machine or something.
Max realizes that he has a mission today.
Max: Oh, no! I got to get to the guys! They're probably in the docking area!
Max runs to the docking area as fast as he could, making sure that he doesn't get left behind. After a couple of minutes of running, he makes it to the docking area, where he sees the Rovers getting onto the Cloud Rover.
Max: Hey! Wait, guys!
Max runs to them. When he gets to them, he stops to catch his breath.
Hunter: Hey, Max. Are you feeling better?
Max: Yeah. I just had to relieve myself. Well, what are we doing on this mission?
The Rovers look at each other.
Hunter: This mission is classified. We actually can't tell you.
Max looks at them with confusion.
Max: Oh. Well, I'm sure I'll find out once I get in-
As Max starts to walk up the ramp, Hunter stops him.
Hunter: You can't come with us, Max.
Max looks at Hunter, even more confused.
Max: Why not?
Hunter: Because Master feels you need a break from doing missions.
Max starts laughing until he sees the seriousness in Hunter's face.
Max: You serious? Hunter, I've been doing this for a year and a half, I never get tired of doing it and I never complain about it. Why should I get a break from doing missions with you guys? I love my work and I have fun doing it.
Hunter: I know you do, but it's Master's orders. Come on, Max, enjoy your break. It's only for one day.
Max: What am I supposed to do when you guys get back?
Hunter: I don't know, be here at the base, hang out in your room, enjoy the wide-open spaces. I don't care, you just can't come with us for today.
Max looks down and then back to Hunter.
Max: Are you sure you guys will be fine without me?
Colleen chuckles and walks to Max.
Colleen: Come on, Max. Quit worrying about us. We'll be fine. Maybe I'll teach you a couple more moves when we get back, okay?
Max bows down to her like a samurai warrior.
Max: Sure thing, sensei.
Colleen: (chuckles) You never fail to amuse me, Max.
Colleen smiles and walks back to the ramp.
Hunter: Oh, Max. We also have another order from Master. If you need to leave here at the base, do not do so without seeking permission from me or Master.
Max: Don't worry, Hunter. I ain't going anywhere. I don't feel like going anywhere, other than Bob's Burgers for lunch.
Hunter chuckles a bit.
Hunter: All right, that's one place we trust you going to.
Max: Fine. But you owe me, Hunter, and not for saving your tail for the eleventh time.
Hunter: Tenth time.
Max gets confused by this comment, but then it comes back to him.
Max: You still don't count what happened in Antarctica?
Hunter: Yes. It doesn't count.
Max: Me saving you from a pack of rabid polar bears doesn't? The last time I checked, I was the one who got you out of there.
Hunter: And I was able to scare them off leaving a fire circle. So, on a technicality, I got myself out of there. You were just assisting me.
Max gets slightly annoyed but lets it slide off him.
Max: Don't you guys have a mission to do?
Hunter: (sighs) Yep. We do. I'll report to you when we're done. Enjoy your break.
Hunter leaves with a smile, with the Rovers following him.
Max: I will.
The Cloud Rover turns on and fly's out of the base, leaving a worried and confused Max.
Max: (thinking to himself) "Master wants me to have a break and let these guys go on a mission without me? I have a bad feeling about this..."
The Rovers land at a grassy field. They see a white Victorian ranch-style house with two floors and a big porch in the front. It takes them a couple of minutes to get there. On their way, they get into an argument.
Kai: Hunter-san, do we have to do this?
Hunter: Yes, Kai. We have to.
Kai: I just don't know if we're meant to. Something about this just doesn't feel right. We never did anything like this before; interrogating someone that we don't know.
Blitz: Were you not paying attention to what Master was saying?
Kai: No, I'm just simply saying that it doesn't feel right to be going to some stranger's house.
Javier: I agree with him. This feels out of place for people like us to do. Interrogation is a job for local police or the FBI, not us dogs.
Hunter stops. After taking a sigh, he looks at Kai and Javier.
Hunter: Look, guys, I am in the dark as much as you are. I've been the leader for nearly five years and I've learned that no matter what, we do what Master instructs us. I am sure the mission will become clear as we go along with it. You have to trust me, Kai and Javier.
Kai and Javier look at each other and nod.
Kai: Yes, Hunter-san.
Javier: Si, amigo.
Hunter continues to walk, with the rest of the Rovers follow suit. They reach the porch with Hunter knocking on the door.
Colleen: Nice house.
Exile: I know. Beautiful porch, too.
Hunter knocks on the door again. The door opens, with a woman staring at the dogs with curiosity.
Hunter: Are you Stacey Louise Myers?
Stacey nods.
Stacey: Yeah.
Hunter nods.
Hunter: Good morning, ma'am. My name is Hunter, these are my colleagues: Colleen, Exile, Blitz, Kai, Javier, and Rejean. We're with the Road Rovers.
Stacey: Oh. How can I help you?
Hunter: Well, we came here to ask you a few questions that our boss think will be helpful on what's going on with General Parvo...
As soon as she hears his name, Stacey gets worried and looks down at the River Stone stained wood. Knowing what they came here for, she was wondering where her son was. Max didn't seem to be here with the team. Wanting to be sure that these dogs are the team that Max is with for the past year, she looks back at the Golden Retriever.
Hunter: ...and what he is scheming. If you answer all of the questions we have, we'll see what we do from there.
Stacey sighs and nods.
Stacey: All right. Come in.
Stacey opens the door further to let the Rovers in. She closes the door when they all get inside. Some of the dogs are fascinated by how the house looks from the inside, more than they did when they saw the outside.
Kai: Wow, nice place. Tell me, Mrs. Myers, did you do this by yourself?
Stacey looks at the Akita with a smile.
Stacey: Yeah. My husband and I started building this house in March 1976 and got it done by Thanksgiving that year. That shed we built was done in May 1977. It's been here for quite a couple of decades. Every decade, we renovate it to fit in with the decade. We just renovated it last year in June.
Colleen: Well, Mrs. Myers, I have to say, you and your husband have quite a taste for architecture.
Stacey: I should since I manage my own contractor business here.
Hunter goes to the dining table and sits on a chair. Stacey sits on a chair by Hunter. Kai notices a stack of VHS tapes.
Javier: Woah, this is a lot of tapes here.
Stacey looks over at the three dogs who are looking at the tapes.
Stacey: Yeah. My husband and I always were a bit productive in filming our lives.
Indeed, they were. Kai, Javier, and Rejean looked through the tapes and these were tapes recorded from 1977 to 1996. The first tape they see is a video cassette labeled in barely faded black pen, "August 30th, 1977, going to see Star Wars for the 27th time". They look through the stack, seeing the events labeled; "Christmas 1977", "March 15th, 1982, Max's 10th Birthday", "June 15th, 1990, Max's High School Graduation Ceremony", "June 16th, 1990, Max's High School Graduation Party", "August 2nd, 1990, Max leaves for the Persian Gulf", "February 24th, 1991, Max Returns Home", "March 15th, 1993, Max's 21st Birthday", "May 24th, 1996, Max's College Graduation Ceremony", "June 12th, 1996, Max's College Graduation Party", among others. One tape caught Kai's eyes: "April 25th, 1991, Max receives Medal of Honor". Kai and the other two kept seeing this name pop up all over the tapes. Max? Such a strange coincidence that they also have a member of the team named Max. They put the tapes back where they were. To pass the time, they sit on the furniture until Hunter is done questioning Mrs. Myers. Hunter puts a tape recorder on the table and hits the record button.
Hunter: Okay, Mrs-
Stacey: Stacey, if you please.
Hunter looks at Stacey, who returns with a smile. Hunter looks back at his notepad.
Hunter: Okay, Stacey, let's start from the top.
Thirty minutes have passed. Hunter is getting near to the end of his questions.
Hunter: So, your son Max Parker, after he graduated from college, he went on to work in a research facility here in Salt Lake City?
Stacey: Yes. That is correct.
Hunter: What was he doing there?
Stacey: It's called LIFE Corporation. He said that he and other genetic scientists were working to provide a cure for all forms of cancers and other diseases that affect the human body. And he was happy where he was. He met and became friends with many people working there and has met with other scientists around the world that could help contribute to the facility. And again, he was happy and there didn't seem to be any problems with him there. That was until he left for a 'business trip'.
Stacey pauses. Hunter moves his hand onto her left hand on the table.
Hunter: Business trip?
Stacey sighs.
Stacey: Yeah, as he told me. He told me that he was going on a business trip and asked me to look after his house while he was away. He'd been on these trips before to travel the world to meet with other scientists, but this was completely different. He never went on a trip that took him over a year to get back. He was contacting me as much as he could, but after August 1999, I never heard from him again. After I didn't hear from him for a month, I reported him missing to the police. But since he didn't tell me where he was, I couldn't say the last time I saw him. After an investigation they made, they told me that he was missing, presumed dead. They couldn't find any more information on his whereabouts. But I was sure that he was out there somewhere. He would never disappear like that. And in January last year, he did come back. But something happened to him...
Stacey pauses again. Hunter does a slight shake on her hand.
Hunter: Stacey?
Stacey's eyes begin getting teary-eyed.
Stacey: I was in the kitchen making dinner for myself. Dan was away on a business trip at this point. I was cooking pasta in the pot when I heard a knock on my door. And then I heard his voice. I haven't heard that voice for six months. He told me to let him in, and like his comedic self, told me that it was freezing out. As I was walking to the door, these emotions and thoughts were building in me. Anxiety, excitement, and fear. Was this my son? Am I hallucinating? As soon as I open the door, my eyes couldn't believe what I saw...
Stacey has a tear stream down her cheek. Hunter hands her over a napkin, which she kindly takes and wipes the tear and her eyes. She looks at her kitchen, her eyes turned away from Hunter.
Hunter: You saw your son?
Stacey: Yes. Only it wasn't his normal self. I was looking at an Alaskan Malamute standing on two legs and was speaking to me.
Hunter is shocked after hearing that she was looking at an Alaskan Malamute. The other Rovers share the same emotions with Hunter.
Stacey: I grabbed a knife and started to attack him. After a couple of moments of struggling, he was able to calm me down and I was able to recognize him as my son after I started to hear his voice a bit clearer. He helped me make dinner. After he finished eating, he told me that it wasn't a business trip. He went to work with Parvo to develop a new army for him. After a year of development, they came up to make a new form of cano-sapien, capable of turning a human into one. He was involuntary the first test subject. It was a success and they started training on him. During the previous year, he kissed Groomer and Parvo found out. He punished them by having Groomer go through the cano-sapien process and sent them to prison. Five months later, they escaped from that prison and they split with the cano-mutants. On their way to Hudson Bay, Groomer got shot by Parvo. Max kept going and was able to get to the plane and get out of there. He told me that he left Groomer's body at a hospital and drove here to let me know that he was alive. Two days later, he left to join the Road Rovers.
Stacey looks at Hunter, his eyes widened with shock, as the other Rovers are in shock too.
Stacey: Hunter, is my son alright?
Hunter wasn't paying attention to what she said due to being in shock.
Stacey: Hunter.
Hunter looks at Stacey, his eyes still filled with shock.
Hunter: What?
Stacey: Is my son alright?
Hunter: (stammering) Uh, y-yeah. He-he's alright, Stacey.
Colleen walks over to her boyfriend, comforting him.
Colleen: Yeah. He's been working with us for a year now.
Stacey: Has he been cured yet from his cano-sapien form?
Exile walks over to Stacey.
Exile: Well, our good friend Hubert has been working on it for a year and it is in its final stages, so I wouldn't be surprised if your son will be cured in no time.
Exile tries to smile, but can't due to being in shock. There's a long pause, with Stacey smiling, knowing her son is alright. Hunter pushes the stop button on the tape recorder.
Hunter: I think this interview is over. I want to thank you for taking your time with us, Stacey.
Stacey nods as the Rovers prepare to leave. Hunter is about to open the front door when Stacey walks to them.
Stacey: Hunter?
Hunter turns around to look at the short woman with long brown hair. She hugs Hunter.
Stacey: Thank you so much for keeping my son safe. I'm happy to know how great he's doing as a Road Rover. I cannot wait to see him again.
Hunter slowly hugs Stacey back. Blitz looks at Stacey and gives a kind smile to her, despite being in shock.
Blitz: I think that just might be around the corner soon, Mrs. Myers.
Stacey nods at the Doberman as the Rovers leave the house. Hunter takes one last look at Stacey.
Hunter: Goodbye, Stacey.
Stacey: (nods) Goodbye, Hunter.
Hunter nods back as he closes the door. He walks to the Rovers, who are in shock.
Colleen: Max is that woman's son? Meaning that he's human?
Exile: He worked for Parvo and hit on his devushka?
Blitz: So, that means he lied. He lied to us about where he came from!
Kai: Maybe he did that so we can gain our trust in him.
Javier: Si. He never told us about the truth because maybe he was afraid.
Rejean: Afraid that we would never trust him because he worked for Parvo.
Hunter: Guys. I don't think we're going to get the real picture here if we keep guessing ourselves.
Blitz: But aren't you worried? What if he ends up being like his father?
Hunter looks at Blitz, with his face changing from shock to seriousness.
Hunter: I'm sure that won't happen, Blitz. We've only known him for a year. I highly doubt that he's psychotic. We'll ask him personally when we're done, but for now, stick to the mission Master has for us.
Blitz, after a couple of moments hesitating, nods.
Blitz: Okay.
Hunter nods back.
Hunter: Okay, everyone, we need to gather more information about Max. Blitz, Exile, Javier, and Rejean; Master told us that there's a base in Panama that may be linked to Storm. After we're done here, you guys find out what he's up to, and see if you can get more information on Max.
The four Rovers nod.
Hunter: Me, Kai, and Colleen will stay here to figure out more about Max. We'll start at the research facility.
Kai: Hunter-san, I request that I stay here at his mother's house.
Hunter: (confused) For what?
Kai: I have to look at the tapes that Stacey has in her house. I have to be certain that our Max-san is truly her son.
Hunter looks at the house and then back to Kai.
Hunter: Okay, Kai. If that's what you need to do, then do it.
Kai nods as he pulls out a professional video camera.
Kai: Once I'm done and we head back to base, I'll put the voice in the computer and see if it matches with our Max.
Hunter: All right, guys. Let's get this mission done.
Hunter puts his hand out, with the rest of the Rovers following suit.
Hunter: 1, 2, 3!
Everyone: Roll out!
The Rovers split. The rest of their mission has begun, unbeknownst to all of them of what has yet to come.