Power of the Pack - Ch. 6
Title: Power of the Pack
Chapter: 6
Fandom: Road Rovers
Character(s): Master/Professor William Shepherd, Colleen, Hunter, Exile
Genre: Family, friendship, drama, some action
Rating: K+/PG
Disclaimers: Road Rovers © Warner Bros
Notes: After somehow getting back into this nostalgic show from my childhood, I got this idea for a story based on something I noticed in the first episode. That, and I really wanted to write a story about my favorite character, Exile, anyway. And not really needing an excuse to write fanfics anyway, I went ahead and gave it a try. Enjoy.
Summary: He joined the Road Rovers without any hesitation. But even after all this time, he never forgot everything he had to give up.
[Chapter 5]
~*~*~*~
"Exile?" the Master called suddenly. "May I speak with you for a moment?"
Exile paused at the sound of his name, his attention drawn away from the others. The Rovers had just returned from their first mission, a little tired but pleased by their success, and had been on their way to get some well-deserved rest. But curiosity quickly replaced the husky's weariness as he made his way to the Master's platform.
"Yes, Master?" Exile asked a little nervously, his tail drooping just so slightly as though he was about to be reprimanded for doing something wrong.
"It's all right, Exile," Master assured him. "I just wanted to talk to you about placing you in a new home."
"Oh." Relieved, he seemed to perk up a bit. "Are you already finding homes for us?"
"Yes, I think I have an idea of good homes for all of you. But there is something I have to ask you, Exile."
Exile blinked, looking at the man with a questioning incline of the head. "Is everything okie-doki?"
"Well..." The Master paused, rubbing his chin thoughtfully as he tried to think of the best way to explain. "I've found a home that's suitable for you, Exile, and it would be easier to situate some things. But...well, technically, you do already have a home."
At first, the husky looked at him with a confused expression. But as he realized what the man meant, he winced and looked away. "O-oh..."
"Now, Exile," the Master said gently, calling the Rover's attention back to him, "I want you to be in a place where you can be happy. So, if you'd like, I can return you to your previous home, and we can set something up there for when you need to return here."
Exile looked up at him, his ice-blue eyes wide with surprise. "You...you would allow me to go back?"
Master frowned at the strange question. "Of course. Since you already had a home before becoming a Road Rover, you can be allowed to go back until you're needed again here. If that's what you want to do. Otherwise, I can place you in a different home, and you can live there instead."
Exile's ears flattened against his head as he looked down at the floor. But the man already caught what looked like pain on the husky's face. He wanted to ask about it, but as he was about to Exile looked up again, all traces of pain gone.
"I think," Exile spoke slowly, "it would be better if I am placed in new home, rather than return to old one."
Master blinked. "Are you sure?"
Exile nodded. "Back home, I am sled dog. If I am returning there, I will continue working, and as Road Rover this is being difficult. So I must give up old life if I am continuing to this. Old home...is no longer being a place of home for me."
Something in the husky's voice made the Master's frown deeper, and he could feel that there was something else Exile wasn't telling him. But knowing that he shouldn't pry, he let the subject drop. "Very well," he finally said. "I'll make the arrangements, and you and the others should be able to settle in to your new homes by tomorrow."
Exile nodded. "Thank you, Master."
"You're welcome. Now I think it's time you get some rest."
With another nod, Exile then turned and slowly headed out. But the entire time he left, Master couldn't help but notice that Exile's tail was drooping again.
---
Master was pulled out of his thoughts by movement on one of the nearby monitors. Sitting back in his chair, he closed and rubbed his eyes as they began to sting from staring at one screen in front of him for the past few hours, looking for Parvo.
Although he had to admit, he hadn't been completely focused on finding Parvo.
Sighing, he glanced up at the surveillance monitors, trying to find the source of disturbance that attracted his attention. The cameras set around Mission Control were mostly for precautionary reasons, and were sometimes necessary in order to keep track of what was going on in an area as big as their headquarters, as well as the grounds surrounding it.
Of course, the cameras also tended to pick up more... personal moments, and he couldn't help but recall the recent event with Exile. He wasn't trying to pry, but the Master was also worried about Exile's behavior and wanted to understand what was wrong. He saw when the other Rovers found Exile on the beach, and he listened as Exile explained everything. And while he was surprised by most of it, he knew he should have expected it.
Just as he had expected it before.
The night that he had first called the Rovers, he had made the call to Exile first because he knew that the husky might have some trouble with the other sled dogs, especially since Exile wasn't the lead dog. But he never realized just how hard those huskies would take Exile's departure. The night when he spoke to Exile about sending him back home suddenly made sense, and he understood why Exile hadn't wanted to go back...why he felt he couldn't go back. And as much as he wanted to do something, he knew that ultimately Exile was the only one who could deal with this problem.
As his eyes swept over the monitors once more, he finally found it was Exile that had been the activity on the screen. He was walking through the halls of headquarters, though he didn't seem to have any particular destination, as his mind seemed to wander as much as his feet. Frowning, the man checked to see where Exile would end up before rising from his chair and heading out of his room.
Light from the corridor behind him poured into the dark room as Master stepped out onto his platform, overlooking the transdogmification chamber. But Exile didn't seem to notice as he continued to stare off into space.
"Exile?" the Master called.
Looking up, Exile seemed a little surprised about where he was. Then, seeing the man, he turned towards him.
"What are you doing up so late, Exile? You're the one who probably needs the most rest."
Exile rubbed the back of his head. "I know..." he replied slowly, "but I am...unable to be sleeping."
Master sighed. He suspected that everything still wasn't quite all right with Exile. "What's on your mind?"
The husky sighed. "I do not know what to do."
"About your family?"
Exile nodded. "I am unable to bring myself to fight family. But I don't wish to let others down again. And stopping Parvo may mean I must fight family."
The man stood silently for a moment, thinking it over. "Are you worried about hurting your family?"
Exile fidgeted slightly. "Da...but..."
"But what?"
"I am..." Exile glanced at the floor again. "I am also worried that I will be more...unforgiven."
The Master frowned. "What do you mean?"
Exile glanced off to the side as he played with his hands. "My brother, Shurik...He is already very angry when I leave. If I fight him...fight them, then he may hate me more, even if we change them back. I...don't want them to hate me."
Another moment of silence passed before the Master cleared his throat. "Exile...you are aware of how Parvo transmutates dogs, right?"
Exile looked at the man curiously. "Um...he puts them in machine?"
The man couldn't help but chuckle a little. "That isn't quite what I meant. You see, when you and the other Rovers are transdogmified, the machine draws on your qualities, things you already possess, and makes them stronger. It emphasizes your intelligence, your loyalty, as well as each of your own personal traits, like your vision, Hunter's speed, or Shag's strength."
Considering this for a moment, Exile then nodded.
"Now, when Parvo transmutates dogs, he also accents certain characteristics and makes them stronger. Except the traits he chooses can be a bit more negative. A dog's ferocity, savagery, fury, willingness to attack and fight, things like that."
Exile frowned. "Parvo is not needing dogs' loyalty or intelligence?"
"He does, but since a dog already has those things, he's not interested in changing them. What he wants is to make a better fighter, so he magnifies a dog's negative qualities in order to achieve that."
"Ah." Exile paused for a moment, before finally asking, "But what is this doing with my family?"
"Well," Master said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully, "it's possible that your brother's...resentment towards you is only because of Parvo's transmutation."
Exile blinked. "Really?"
The Master nodded. "Anger is one of those things that the transmutation would stress. So Shurik's animosity for you might only be because of the effects of increased aggression."
Thinking for a moment, Exile shook his head. "But this is meaning that Shurik is still angry with me. It must already be there, if Parvo's transmutation makes bad things bigger."
"But it may not be as bad as you think," the man pointed out.
Exile sighed. "Even if this is so, I do not know if I am able to fight him...all of them."
The Master frowned as the husky once again turned away. "Listen, Exile," he said gently, "I know it can be hard to have to fight against your family. But sometimes, we have to do what's hard in order to do what's right."
"Can this really be right?" Exile wondered. "Fight family or let others down? To do both feel wrong."
"I know. But when the time comes, you'll know what to do, and you'll make the right choice."
"How are you being so sure?"
The Master smiled. "Because out of all others dogs, you were one of the ones chosen, Exile. I know I made the right choice...and I know that you can do this."
Exile frowned, feeling much less confident about his abilities than his master. But he wasn't able to say so when a sudden beeping could be heard around headquarters. "What is this?"
"Parvo..." the man muttered.
Exile's ears perked up in interest. "You are finding him?"
"It would seem so." Looking back towards his chambers, he then glanced at Exile. "Go wake the others. You'll need to prepare to depart."
"Now?" Exile asked, surprised. Then he paused as the rest of the man's words sunk in, and he added hesitantly, "All of us?"
"Yes. Whatever Parvo's up to, you all need to stop him as soon as possible. Get the others and get ready, and I'll prepare your coordinates." With that, the Master disappeared in his veil of light.
The tense silence seemed to make the trip to Antarctica much longer.
There hadn't been much time for sleep before the Master detected strange energy activity from a small island off the coast of Antarctica, and connected it to Parvo's transmutator. So the Rovers hurried off in hopes of catching up to the bad guy and quickly put a stop to his plans...whatever those were.
But even in their fastest jet, the flight to the South Pole was a long one. It hadn't been so bad before when most of them were catching up on their sleep. But as they were nearing their destination, they all had to be alert and ready to go. And they could all feel the uncomfortable heaviness that penetrated the air.
Colleen's grip on the steering wheel tightened ever so slightly as she sighed softly. It was her turn to pilot the jet after taking over for Hunter who, though wasn't asleep, needed to take a break and rest up before they landed. Since he had driven most of the time down there, she figured he could use a break.
She glanced at the copilot seat next to her carefully, not wanting to get caught looking. But Exile sat turned away from her, his arms crossed and his body stiff as he stared out the window, that he wouldn't have noticed her concerned eyes on him anyway.
But she was concerned, and she could tell that the others were as well. In the reflection from the glass, she could see the intent, solemn expression he wore as he watched the billowing ocean waves below, looking but too lost in thought to really see anything. His rigid posture gave away how stressed he felt, discharging it throughout the cabin for all the rest to feel. And he sat silently, never having spoken a word since waking them all up to leave.
She frowned as she once again looked to the empty sky before her. She knew something had to be said, anything to break the ear-splitting, nerve-racking silence. But Exile obviously wasn't going to make the first move, and the others didn't seem willing to either...not even Hunter, which rather surprised her. She had expected the retriever at least to say something a long time ago, when they were all awake enough to feel something wrong. But since he wasn't saying anything, she decided that she would.
Now all she had to think of was what to say...
Well, to start things off, she would first have to get Exile's attention. "So...Exile?" she said slowly, doing her best to sound nothing but casual.
The husky's ears twitched slightly, and he spared her a sideways glance.
She could also feel the others' attention shift onto her, curious to see what she was up to. But she ignored them for the time being as she turned to Exile, hoping her next few words wouldn't worsen his already dreary mood. "What...what's your family like?"
"Hey, c'mon, Colleen," Hunter suddenly said, his tone edging on a reprimand. "Give the guy a break, will ya?"
She turned to look behind her, seeing the retriever sitting back in his seat with his arms folded behind his head. "What?" she asked, genuinely confused that Hunter of all people was shooting down her attempt so quickly. "I was just curious."
"If he doesn't wanna tell us about it, then we don't need to know. It's none of our business, so just leave him alone."
Hunter didn't get very snappy too often. In fact, she could recall very few times when he did. But his reply reminded her of the time he was searching for his mother, and how touchy he had been when Blitz started getting nosy. At the time, he wouldn't talk about it, and he didn't want the others to interfere with his personal matters until he was ready to tell them.
And then she realized, that was exactly why Hunter didn't say anything to Exile. He recognized how very sensitive the subject was, and he was giving Exile the space he needed to talk about it or not if he wanted to. Just as when he hadn't wanted them intruding into his own private affairs, he didn't want to bother Exile about something as personal as his family until the husky himself was ready to talk about it. And she felt a little sheepish for not realizing that sooner.
She glanced back at Exile, who once again was staring out the window, appearing to ignore the exchange between Hunter and her. Frowning, she then concentrated on piloting. There was no more point in trying now, and it would be best to follow Hunter's example of leaving Exile alone and just ignoring the tension as best she could.
The silence easily settled back over them, but only for a moment before Exile sighed, "My family..."
She turned to him, seeing as he sat back in his seat and closed his eyes. But even though his arms were still crossed, his body seemed to be a bit more relaxed. And the expression on his face wasn't quite as hard as it was before. In fact, she could've sworn she saw a small smile.
Then he opened his eyes again, and looked at her with an expression that seemed much more Exile-like. "I don't mind talking about them," he said, "but exactly what is it you are wanting to know?"
She paused, rather unsure herself. She wanted something to break the ice, and while she was glad that it worked, she hadn't really thought up anything specific. After a few more moments, she grabbed an idea and turned to Exile. "Well, there's a certain structure for sled dogs, right? Almost like a sled dog hierarchy?"
"There is?" Hunter asked curiously.
"Da," Exile confirmed, letting his arms fall to his lap. "In sled dog teams, members of pack are put in certain place on harness based on what position they serve. Based on dog's ability, dog is placed in either front, middle, or end of harness."
Shag muttered a soft curious question.
"Well, front of harness is Lead dog's place, middle of harness is swing and team dogs, and end of harness is wheel dogs. Each position is being different, so dogs must be suitable for task. But all serve important functions on sled dog team, and musher must be choosing dogs very seriously to put in which spot."
Colleen couldn't help but smile a little. No matter what Exile said about his previous life as a sled dog, he was true to his breed and seemed to enjoy talking about his work. "So what was your sled dog team like, Exile? 'o was put where?"
Looking out at the sky before them, Exile once again fell quietly contemplative as he remembered. "At head of team is Shurik, as Lead dog. He is most serious of team, but also smartest and bravest. When sled team is changing and needing new leader, we all feel Shurik is best choice and help him be chosen by musher."
Hunter, who had come up to stand between Exile and Colleen's seats, exchanged a glance with the collie, and knew she could hear just as well as he could the kind of respect and admiration Exile used when talking about his brother. They could tell just how much Exile looked up to him.
"After Shurik, I am placed with older female, Anushka."
"Second behind the leader?" Colleen asked, impressed. "That's a really important place too, right?"
Exile nodded. "But it is necessary place for us. Anushka is oldest of us, and part of sled team before even Shurik and I are arriving. So her experience is important to be having near top. Plus, she is caring of everyone, and takes care of those behind us as well as keeping Shurik from working too hard. Anushka is being like everyone's mother.
"And I am placed there because I am needing to be close to Lead dog, as I am Second lead."
Hunter blinked. "Wait, what?"
"You were second-in-command of your team?" Colleen asked, looking at the husky.
Exile frowned. "Is this so hard to be believing?"
"Well...no, I guess," Hunter replied, scratching his head. "But how come you never said anything about it?"
Exile looked up at him, clearly not understanding. "What is it mattering?"
Hunter and Colleen glanced at each other once again. While positions were never officially set other than Hunter being the leader, they all acknowledged that Colleeen was in charge after Hunter...that she was second-in-command. And they both wondered if things would have been different if Exile had spoken up about his experience in such a position.
"After Anushka and me," Exile continued, unaware of what his teammates were thinking, "there are two more females, Eva and Star. Eva is most fastest of us, and she is loving to run as fast and as long as she can."
"Well that doesn't make any sense," Blitz retorted, standing behind Hunter's empty chair and leaning against it with his folded arms resting on the top. "If sledding is all about being the fastest team, shouldn't the fastest dog be de leader?"
"Now see, Blitz?" Hunter said jokingly. "Aren't you glad I'm the leader?"
The Doberman rolled his eyes. "It's not the same thing, Mutt boy."
"If fastest dog is put first," Exile suddenly interrupted, "they may set pace the rest can't follow. In sledding, being fastest dog is doing no good if other dogs can't keep up."
"Oh...I guess that's a good point," Blitz reluctantly conceded.
"Eva is put in middle to keep control of her speed, since she is forced to follow behind others and must keep pace set by Shurik. But because she is fast, she can also motivate dogs behind her, making sure they are not lagging behind and putting strain on harness."
"So how 'bout that other girl?" Colleen wondered. "Star, was it? What's she do?"
"Star..." Exile said slowly, and a small smile lit up his face. "When I leave, Star is still in need of much training. She is newest to pack, and youngest of all us. She is full of energy and very playful, but always wanting to do her very best. She is having great chance of being very good sled dog."
"Hmm...sounds like you really liked that girl," Blitz commented in a teasing tone.
Exile frowned as he caught the hint. "We were close," he explained, his tone bordering defensive. "When Star is first arriving, I am in charge of doing most of her training as sled dog."
"Really?" Colleen asked. "Shouldn't the Lead dog do that?"
"Shurik is busy with much other stuff, so he ask me to take care of Star. That is why she was behind me, so to watch how I behave and do as I do."
Pausing a moment to count on his fingers, Blitz then said, "You only named four dogs. Weren't there six up in the mountains?"
Ears flattening a little, Exile glanced out the window, and Colleen wished she was close enough to throttle Blitz for reminding Exile of his family's condition. But the husky seemed to shake himself out of it as he replied, "I haven't talked yet of Ilya and Danya. They are ones at end of harness, closest to sled. Although Danya maybe could do job himself, since he is biggest and strongest of group.
"But though Ilya is mischievous and likes to play jokes on others, he is very stubborn to get job done, and so very trustworthy and able to hold own as well. Plus, two dogs are needed to balance harness and make suitable anchor."
"Anchor?" Hunter echoed curiously.
"Da. In case something should happen to sled, the strongest dogs must be close to pull sled out of danger. Or if something happens to dogs in front, they can hold ground to help rest of team."
"Huh..." Hunter murmured thoughtfully, "sledding is a lot more complicated than I thought."
"There is much thinking when sled dogs are being put together," Exile said. "Mushers always must make careful choice and know well dogs' personalities, and dogs themselves must have understanding of each other to work together."
Colleen glanced up at Hunter, noticing that he seemed to have something else on his mind...a question waiting to be asked. But as a light on the consol began to flash, she didn't give him the chance to say anything when she announced, "We're here..."
The guys glanced out the window as Colleen carefully landed on the empty snow-covered ground. There was not a trace of anything around them, but they already expected that. In fact, it was a good sign. The plan was to land the jet some distance away from Parvo's coordinates in order to avoid detection, and cover the rest of the way on the ground, since it would probably be easier to infiltrate Parvo's operations with the element of surprise. But based on Parvo's coordinates, they knew he was stationed at the base of some mountain, and that served as his protection on one side. So they would still have to be careful, since Parvo most likely would have troops around to protect the exposed areas.
As soon as the engine was shut off, the Rovers headed down into the lower section of the jet. Since they were traveling on the ground, they would have to take a suitable vehicle to travel the snowy terrain. Luckily the Master had modified the Tank Rover's sled mode, giving it a small motor in order to give it a self-sustaining mobility, making it a more covert mode of transportation.
"How cold is it out there?" Hunter wondered as he grabbed one of the specialized jackets provided for them.
Colleen zipped herself up before grabbing the thermometer that hung by one of the doors. "Let's see...-10 degrees Fahrenheit."
Blizt groaned. "Wonderful...as if my tooshie hasn't frozen enough already. I hate cold!"
"Could be worse," Hunter said with a shrug. "We could be hear during the winter."
"Yeah, then it'd be freezin' and dark," Colleen added.
"Still, you better bundle up too, Shag, just in case," the leader suggested, glancing at the sheepdog.
Shag murmured a short reply.
Hunter blinked. "You are?"
Shag nodded, pulling back some of the fur strands of his apparent-jacket to reveal a zipper running down his front.
"Huh...all right then..." Hunter wondered when the other had put on a jacket that looked exactly like the rest of his fur, but decided not to ask about it. Instead, as he opened the hatch doors and looked out into the frozen environment, he said, "It's too bad we couldn't bring Muzzle along. He probably woulda had a lotta fun."
"Yeah..." Colleen said in a soft tone, "but you know why we couldn't."
Hunter briefly glanced in Exile's direction, seeing the husky staring hard at the sled. The reason they hadn't brought Muzzle this time was mostly for Exile's sake, in the chance that they encountered his family again. Because Hunter knew that, if he was in Exile's place, he would never want to release Muzzle on his own family either, no matter the circumstances.
Seeing that the other still hadn't put on his equipment yet, Hunter said, "Better get moving, Exile."
Exile hesitated slightly, tearing his eyes from the sled and seeing the others finish getting ready. Then he shook his head.
"C'mon, Exile," Hunter said, pulling his jacket hood over his head. "I know huskies are used to cold weather and everything, but you still gotta be careful."
Glancing away, Exile said softly, "I am...not going."
"What?" The other Rovers looked towards the husky in surprise. "What do you mean 'not going'?" Hunter asked.
Exile closed his eyes. "I...I can't. I cannot do this..."
Hunter frowned. "Exile..."
Swallowing thickly, Exile then looked up at the leader. "Hunter..." he said in a rough, shaky voice, "on night Groomer try to take me from my home, I leave behind many other huskies Groomer already capture. And I promise to rescue them, no matter what. But I am unable to keep promise if I cannot fight my family."
"Well, maybe you won't 'ave to," Colleen insisted. "With the amount of dogs Parvo's stolen, I'm sure you could avoid 'em."
Exile shook his head. "Nyet. If they are there, then Shurik will certainly be finding me. And I am unable to face him again this way. But if I do not fight him, then I might again cause problems for comrades, and...I don't wish to be letting you down again."
Hunter stood silently, studying the husky with serious eyes and a thoughtful expression.
Exile looked at the leader again, a strange mix of pleading determination in his eyes. "Please," he said softly. "I must keep promise to help save other dogs...even if it is meaning I must remain here and do nothing."
For a moment, Hunter said nothing, and he looked away as he ran the situation through his head. Then, turning back to Exile and placing a hand on his shoulder, he finally answered, "Don't worry about it, Exile. You stay here and we'll take care of everything."
Exile sighed. "Thank you," he said, but the slight look of guilt seemed to offset his relief.
Hunter smiled reassuringly. "No problem. You just rest up and keep an eye on things from here, okay?"
Nodding, Exile then headed out and back towards the cockpit.
Once he was gone, Hunter, ignoring the others' curious gazes, headed for the powered sled. "Let's get going. We've gotta make tracks if we're gonna get to Parvo."
Slowly, uncertainly, the Rovers got into the sled as Hunter started the engine. Nothing was said as the sled drove out of the jet and onto the sleek ground of ice, and for a while the only sound they heard was the running motor of their vehicle and the frigid wind whipping around them.
But finally Colleen glanced at the retriever. "Huntie..." she said slowly, "are you sure that was a good idea?"
Glancing at her, Hunter blinked curiously. "Hmm? Was what a good idea?"
She frowned before motioning her head back to where the jet stood, a fading gleam of silver as they drew farther away from it.
"Oh..." Hunter sighed softly. "Maybe...I dunno. It might not be, really."
"Then why let 'im stay behind?"
"He just...he needs some time, I guess. This wouldn't an easy thing for anyone, and Exile seems to be taking it especially hard. I don't wanna make it any worse for him by making him fight his family."
"We might need 'im," Colleen pointed out. "We're already without Muzzle, and 'aving Exile stay behind might make things harder."
Hunter nodded. "I know. But Exile's gotta sort things out first. He's got a tough choice to make, and if he's gonna do something, he has to be sure that he's gonna do it, and that he can do it."
Thinking it over, Colleen then nodded and sat back in her seat, crossing her arms. "All right...I just hope you know what you're doing."
Hunter laughed, but it didn't disguise his uneasiness. "Me too."
TBC
[Chapter 7]
Chapter: 6
Fandom: Road Rovers
Character(s): Master/Professor William Shepherd, Colleen, Hunter, Exile
Genre: Family, friendship, drama, some action
Rating: K+/PG
Disclaimers: Road Rovers © Warner Bros
Notes: After somehow getting back into this nostalgic show from my childhood, I got this idea for a story based on something I noticed in the first episode. That, and I really wanted to write a story about my favorite character, Exile, anyway. And not really needing an excuse to write fanfics anyway, I went ahead and gave it a try. Enjoy.
Summary: He joined the Road Rovers without any hesitation. But even after all this time, he never forgot everything he had to give up.
[Chapter 5]
~*~*~*~
"Exile?" the Master called suddenly. "May I speak with you for a moment?"
Exile paused at the sound of his name, his attention drawn away from the others. The Rovers had just returned from their first mission, a little tired but pleased by their success, and had been on their way to get some well-deserved rest. But curiosity quickly replaced the husky's weariness as he made his way to the Master's platform.
"Yes, Master?" Exile asked a little nervously, his tail drooping just so slightly as though he was about to be reprimanded for doing something wrong.
"It's all right, Exile," Master assured him. "I just wanted to talk to you about placing you in a new home."
"Oh." Relieved, he seemed to perk up a bit. "Are you already finding homes for us?"
"Yes, I think I have an idea of good homes for all of you. But there is something I have to ask you, Exile."
Exile blinked, looking at the man with a questioning incline of the head. "Is everything okie-doki?"
"Well..." The Master paused, rubbing his chin thoughtfully as he tried to think of the best way to explain. "I've found a home that's suitable for you, Exile, and it would be easier to situate some things. But...well, technically, you do already have a home."
At first, the husky looked at him with a confused expression. But as he realized what the man meant, he winced and looked away. "O-oh..."
"Now, Exile," the Master said gently, calling the Rover's attention back to him, "I want you to be in a place where you can be happy. So, if you'd like, I can return you to your previous home, and we can set something up there for when you need to return here."
Exile looked up at him, his ice-blue eyes wide with surprise. "You...you would allow me to go back?"
Master frowned at the strange question. "Of course. Since you already had a home before becoming a Road Rover, you can be allowed to go back until you're needed again here. If that's what you want to do. Otherwise, I can place you in a different home, and you can live there instead."
Exile's ears flattened against his head as he looked down at the floor. But the man already caught what looked like pain on the husky's face. He wanted to ask about it, but as he was about to Exile looked up again, all traces of pain gone.
"I think," Exile spoke slowly, "it would be better if I am placed in new home, rather than return to old one."
Master blinked. "Are you sure?"
Exile nodded. "Back home, I am sled dog. If I am returning there, I will continue working, and as Road Rover this is being difficult. So I must give up old life if I am continuing to this. Old home...is no longer being a place of home for me."
Something in the husky's voice made the Master's frown deeper, and he could feel that there was something else Exile wasn't telling him. But knowing that he shouldn't pry, he let the subject drop. "Very well," he finally said. "I'll make the arrangements, and you and the others should be able to settle in to your new homes by tomorrow."
Exile nodded. "Thank you, Master."
"You're welcome. Now I think it's time you get some rest."
With another nod, Exile then turned and slowly headed out. But the entire time he left, Master couldn't help but notice that Exile's tail was drooping again.
---
Master was pulled out of his thoughts by movement on one of the nearby monitors. Sitting back in his chair, he closed and rubbed his eyes as they began to sting from staring at one screen in front of him for the past few hours, looking for Parvo.
Although he had to admit, he hadn't been completely focused on finding Parvo.
Sighing, he glanced up at the surveillance monitors, trying to find the source of disturbance that attracted his attention. The cameras set around Mission Control were mostly for precautionary reasons, and were sometimes necessary in order to keep track of what was going on in an area as big as their headquarters, as well as the grounds surrounding it.
Of course, the cameras also tended to pick up more... personal moments, and he couldn't help but recall the recent event with Exile. He wasn't trying to pry, but the Master was also worried about Exile's behavior and wanted to understand what was wrong. He saw when the other Rovers found Exile on the beach, and he listened as Exile explained everything. And while he was surprised by most of it, he knew he should have expected it.
Just as he had expected it before.
The night that he had first called the Rovers, he had made the call to Exile first because he knew that the husky might have some trouble with the other sled dogs, especially since Exile wasn't the lead dog. But he never realized just how hard those huskies would take Exile's departure. The night when he spoke to Exile about sending him back home suddenly made sense, and he understood why Exile hadn't wanted to go back...why he felt he couldn't go back. And as much as he wanted to do something, he knew that ultimately Exile was the only one who could deal with this problem.
As his eyes swept over the monitors once more, he finally found it was Exile that had been the activity on the screen. He was walking through the halls of headquarters, though he didn't seem to have any particular destination, as his mind seemed to wander as much as his feet. Frowning, the man checked to see where Exile would end up before rising from his chair and heading out of his room.
Light from the corridor behind him poured into the dark room as Master stepped out onto his platform, overlooking the transdogmification chamber. But Exile didn't seem to notice as he continued to stare off into space.
"Exile?" the Master called.
Looking up, Exile seemed a little surprised about where he was. Then, seeing the man, he turned towards him.
"What are you doing up so late, Exile? You're the one who probably needs the most rest."
Exile rubbed the back of his head. "I know..." he replied slowly, "but I am...unable to be sleeping."
Master sighed. He suspected that everything still wasn't quite all right with Exile. "What's on your mind?"
The husky sighed. "I do not know what to do."
"About your family?"
Exile nodded. "I am unable to bring myself to fight family. But I don't wish to let others down again. And stopping Parvo may mean I must fight family."
The man stood silently for a moment, thinking it over. "Are you worried about hurting your family?"
Exile fidgeted slightly. "Da...but..."
"But what?"
"I am..." Exile glanced at the floor again. "I am also worried that I will be more...unforgiven."
The Master frowned. "What do you mean?"
Exile glanced off to the side as he played with his hands. "My brother, Shurik...He is already very angry when I leave. If I fight him...fight them, then he may hate me more, even if we change them back. I...don't want them to hate me."
Another moment of silence passed before the Master cleared his throat. "Exile...you are aware of how Parvo transmutates dogs, right?"
Exile looked at the man curiously. "Um...he puts them in machine?"
The man couldn't help but chuckle a little. "That isn't quite what I meant. You see, when you and the other Rovers are transdogmified, the machine draws on your qualities, things you already possess, and makes them stronger. It emphasizes your intelligence, your loyalty, as well as each of your own personal traits, like your vision, Hunter's speed, or Shag's strength."
Considering this for a moment, Exile then nodded.
"Now, when Parvo transmutates dogs, he also accents certain characteristics and makes them stronger. Except the traits he chooses can be a bit more negative. A dog's ferocity, savagery, fury, willingness to attack and fight, things like that."
Exile frowned. "Parvo is not needing dogs' loyalty or intelligence?"
"He does, but since a dog already has those things, he's not interested in changing them. What he wants is to make a better fighter, so he magnifies a dog's negative qualities in order to achieve that."
"Ah." Exile paused for a moment, before finally asking, "But what is this doing with my family?"
"Well," Master said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully, "it's possible that your brother's...resentment towards you is only because of Parvo's transmutation."
Exile blinked. "Really?"
The Master nodded. "Anger is one of those things that the transmutation would stress. So Shurik's animosity for you might only be because of the effects of increased aggression."
Thinking for a moment, Exile shook his head. "But this is meaning that Shurik is still angry with me. It must already be there, if Parvo's transmutation makes bad things bigger."
"But it may not be as bad as you think," the man pointed out.
Exile sighed. "Even if this is so, I do not know if I am able to fight him...all of them."
The Master frowned as the husky once again turned away. "Listen, Exile," he said gently, "I know it can be hard to have to fight against your family. But sometimes, we have to do what's hard in order to do what's right."
"Can this really be right?" Exile wondered. "Fight family or let others down? To do both feel wrong."
"I know. But when the time comes, you'll know what to do, and you'll make the right choice."
"How are you being so sure?"
The Master smiled. "Because out of all others dogs, you were one of the ones chosen, Exile. I know I made the right choice...and I know that you can do this."
Exile frowned, feeling much less confident about his abilities than his master. But he wasn't able to say so when a sudden beeping could be heard around headquarters. "What is this?"
"Parvo..." the man muttered.
Exile's ears perked up in interest. "You are finding him?"
"It would seem so." Looking back towards his chambers, he then glanced at Exile. "Go wake the others. You'll need to prepare to depart."
"Now?" Exile asked, surprised. Then he paused as the rest of the man's words sunk in, and he added hesitantly, "All of us?"
"Yes. Whatever Parvo's up to, you all need to stop him as soon as possible. Get the others and get ready, and I'll prepare your coordinates." With that, the Master disappeared in his veil of light.
The tense silence seemed to make the trip to Antarctica much longer.
There hadn't been much time for sleep before the Master detected strange energy activity from a small island off the coast of Antarctica, and connected it to Parvo's transmutator. So the Rovers hurried off in hopes of catching up to the bad guy and quickly put a stop to his plans...whatever those were.
But even in their fastest jet, the flight to the South Pole was a long one. It hadn't been so bad before when most of them were catching up on their sleep. But as they were nearing their destination, they all had to be alert and ready to go. And they could all feel the uncomfortable heaviness that penetrated the air.
Colleen's grip on the steering wheel tightened ever so slightly as she sighed softly. It was her turn to pilot the jet after taking over for Hunter who, though wasn't asleep, needed to take a break and rest up before they landed. Since he had driven most of the time down there, she figured he could use a break.
She glanced at the copilot seat next to her carefully, not wanting to get caught looking. But Exile sat turned away from her, his arms crossed and his body stiff as he stared out the window, that he wouldn't have noticed her concerned eyes on him anyway.
But she was concerned, and she could tell that the others were as well. In the reflection from the glass, she could see the intent, solemn expression he wore as he watched the billowing ocean waves below, looking but too lost in thought to really see anything. His rigid posture gave away how stressed he felt, discharging it throughout the cabin for all the rest to feel. And he sat silently, never having spoken a word since waking them all up to leave.
She frowned as she once again looked to the empty sky before her. She knew something had to be said, anything to break the ear-splitting, nerve-racking silence. But Exile obviously wasn't going to make the first move, and the others didn't seem willing to either...not even Hunter, which rather surprised her. She had expected the retriever at least to say something a long time ago, when they were all awake enough to feel something wrong. But since he wasn't saying anything, she decided that she would.
Now all she had to think of was what to say...
Well, to start things off, she would first have to get Exile's attention. "So...Exile?" she said slowly, doing her best to sound nothing but casual.
The husky's ears twitched slightly, and he spared her a sideways glance.
She could also feel the others' attention shift onto her, curious to see what she was up to. But she ignored them for the time being as she turned to Exile, hoping her next few words wouldn't worsen his already dreary mood. "What...what's your family like?"
"Hey, c'mon, Colleen," Hunter suddenly said, his tone edging on a reprimand. "Give the guy a break, will ya?"
She turned to look behind her, seeing the retriever sitting back in his seat with his arms folded behind his head. "What?" she asked, genuinely confused that Hunter of all people was shooting down her attempt so quickly. "I was just curious."
"If he doesn't wanna tell us about it, then we don't need to know. It's none of our business, so just leave him alone."
Hunter didn't get very snappy too often. In fact, she could recall very few times when he did. But his reply reminded her of the time he was searching for his mother, and how touchy he had been when Blitz started getting nosy. At the time, he wouldn't talk about it, and he didn't want the others to interfere with his personal matters until he was ready to tell them.
And then she realized, that was exactly why Hunter didn't say anything to Exile. He recognized how very sensitive the subject was, and he was giving Exile the space he needed to talk about it or not if he wanted to. Just as when he hadn't wanted them intruding into his own private affairs, he didn't want to bother Exile about something as personal as his family until the husky himself was ready to talk about it. And she felt a little sheepish for not realizing that sooner.
She glanced back at Exile, who once again was staring out the window, appearing to ignore the exchange between Hunter and her. Frowning, she then concentrated on piloting. There was no more point in trying now, and it would be best to follow Hunter's example of leaving Exile alone and just ignoring the tension as best she could.
The silence easily settled back over them, but only for a moment before Exile sighed, "My family..."
She turned to him, seeing as he sat back in his seat and closed his eyes. But even though his arms were still crossed, his body seemed to be a bit more relaxed. And the expression on his face wasn't quite as hard as it was before. In fact, she could've sworn she saw a small smile.
Then he opened his eyes again, and looked at her with an expression that seemed much more Exile-like. "I don't mind talking about them," he said, "but exactly what is it you are wanting to know?"
She paused, rather unsure herself. She wanted something to break the ice, and while she was glad that it worked, she hadn't really thought up anything specific. After a few more moments, she grabbed an idea and turned to Exile. "Well, there's a certain structure for sled dogs, right? Almost like a sled dog hierarchy?"
"There is?" Hunter asked curiously.
"Da," Exile confirmed, letting his arms fall to his lap. "In sled dog teams, members of pack are put in certain place on harness based on what position they serve. Based on dog's ability, dog is placed in either front, middle, or end of harness."
Shag muttered a soft curious question.
"Well, front of harness is Lead dog's place, middle of harness is swing and team dogs, and end of harness is wheel dogs. Each position is being different, so dogs must be suitable for task. But all serve important functions on sled dog team, and musher must be choosing dogs very seriously to put in which spot."
Colleen couldn't help but smile a little. No matter what Exile said about his previous life as a sled dog, he was true to his breed and seemed to enjoy talking about his work. "So what was your sled dog team like, Exile? 'o was put where?"
Looking out at the sky before them, Exile once again fell quietly contemplative as he remembered. "At head of team is Shurik, as Lead dog. He is most serious of team, but also smartest and bravest. When sled team is changing and needing new leader, we all feel Shurik is best choice and help him be chosen by musher."
Hunter, who had come up to stand between Exile and Colleen's seats, exchanged a glance with the collie, and knew she could hear just as well as he could the kind of respect and admiration Exile used when talking about his brother. They could tell just how much Exile looked up to him.
"After Shurik, I am placed with older female, Anushka."
"Second behind the leader?" Colleen asked, impressed. "That's a really important place too, right?"
Exile nodded. "But it is necessary place for us. Anushka is oldest of us, and part of sled team before even Shurik and I are arriving. So her experience is important to be having near top. Plus, she is caring of everyone, and takes care of those behind us as well as keeping Shurik from working too hard. Anushka is being like everyone's mother.
"And I am placed there because I am needing to be close to Lead dog, as I am Second lead."
Hunter blinked. "Wait, what?"
"You were second-in-command of your team?" Colleen asked, looking at the husky.
Exile frowned. "Is this so hard to be believing?"
"Well...no, I guess," Hunter replied, scratching his head. "But how come you never said anything about it?"
Exile looked up at him, clearly not understanding. "What is it mattering?"
Hunter and Colleen glanced at each other once again. While positions were never officially set other than Hunter being the leader, they all acknowledged that Colleeen was in charge after Hunter...that she was second-in-command. And they both wondered if things would have been different if Exile had spoken up about his experience in such a position.
"After Anushka and me," Exile continued, unaware of what his teammates were thinking, "there are two more females, Eva and Star. Eva is most fastest of us, and she is loving to run as fast and as long as she can."
"Well that doesn't make any sense," Blitz retorted, standing behind Hunter's empty chair and leaning against it with his folded arms resting on the top. "If sledding is all about being the fastest team, shouldn't the fastest dog be de leader?"
"Now see, Blitz?" Hunter said jokingly. "Aren't you glad I'm the leader?"
The Doberman rolled his eyes. "It's not the same thing, Mutt boy."
"If fastest dog is put first," Exile suddenly interrupted, "they may set pace the rest can't follow. In sledding, being fastest dog is doing no good if other dogs can't keep up."
"Oh...I guess that's a good point," Blitz reluctantly conceded.
"Eva is put in middle to keep control of her speed, since she is forced to follow behind others and must keep pace set by Shurik. But because she is fast, she can also motivate dogs behind her, making sure they are not lagging behind and putting strain on harness."
"So how 'bout that other girl?" Colleen wondered. "Star, was it? What's she do?"
"Star..." Exile said slowly, and a small smile lit up his face. "When I leave, Star is still in need of much training. She is newest to pack, and youngest of all us. She is full of energy and very playful, but always wanting to do her very best. She is having great chance of being very good sled dog."
"Hmm...sounds like you really liked that girl," Blitz commented in a teasing tone.
Exile frowned as he caught the hint. "We were close," he explained, his tone bordering defensive. "When Star is first arriving, I am in charge of doing most of her training as sled dog."
"Really?" Colleen asked. "Shouldn't the Lead dog do that?"
"Shurik is busy with much other stuff, so he ask me to take care of Star. That is why she was behind me, so to watch how I behave and do as I do."
Pausing a moment to count on his fingers, Blitz then said, "You only named four dogs. Weren't there six up in the mountains?"
Ears flattening a little, Exile glanced out the window, and Colleen wished she was close enough to throttle Blitz for reminding Exile of his family's condition. But the husky seemed to shake himself out of it as he replied, "I haven't talked yet of Ilya and Danya. They are ones at end of harness, closest to sled. Although Danya maybe could do job himself, since he is biggest and strongest of group.
"But though Ilya is mischievous and likes to play jokes on others, he is very stubborn to get job done, and so very trustworthy and able to hold own as well. Plus, two dogs are needed to balance harness and make suitable anchor."
"Anchor?" Hunter echoed curiously.
"Da. In case something should happen to sled, the strongest dogs must be close to pull sled out of danger. Or if something happens to dogs in front, they can hold ground to help rest of team."
"Huh..." Hunter murmured thoughtfully, "sledding is a lot more complicated than I thought."
"There is much thinking when sled dogs are being put together," Exile said. "Mushers always must make careful choice and know well dogs' personalities, and dogs themselves must have understanding of each other to work together."
Colleen glanced up at Hunter, noticing that he seemed to have something else on his mind...a question waiting to be asked. But as a light on the consol began to flash, she didn't give him the chance to say anything when she announced, "We're here..."
The guys glanced out the window as Colleen carefully landed on the empty snow-covered ground. There was not a trace of anything around them, but they already expected that. In fact, it was a good sign. The plan was to land the jet some distance away from Parvo's coordinates in order to avoid detection, and cover the rest of the way on the ground, since it would probably be easier to infiltrate Parvo's operations with the element of surprise. But based on Parvo's coordinates, they knew he was stationed at the base of some mountain, and that served as his protection on one side. So they would still have to be careful, since Parvo most likely would have troops around to protect the exposed areas.
As soon as the engine was shut off, the Rovers headed down into the lower section of the jet. Since they were traveling on the ground, they would have to take a suitable vehicle to travel the snowy terrain. Luckily the Master had modified the Tank Rover's sled mode, giving it a small motor in order to give it a self-sustaining mobility, making it a more covert mode of transportation.
"How cold is it out there?" Hunter wondered as he grabbed one of the specialized jackets provided for them.
Colleen zipped herself up before grabbing the thermometer that hung by one of the doors. "Let's see...-10 degrees Fahrenheit."
Blizt groaned. "Wonderful...as if my tooshie hasn't frozen enough already. I hate cold!"
"Could be worse," Hunter said with a shrug. "We could be hear during the winter."
"Yeah, then it'd be freezin' and dark," Colleen added.
"Still, you better bundle up too, Shag, just in case," the leader suggested, glancing at the sheepdog.
Shag murmured a short reply.
Hunter blinked. "You are?"
Shag nodded, pulling back some of the fur strands of his apparent-jacket to reveal a zipper running down his front.
"Huh...all right then..." Hunter wondered when the other had put on a jacket that looked exactly like the rest of his fur, but decided not to ask about it. Instead, as he opened the hatch doors and looked out into the frozen environment, he said, "It's too bad we couldn't bring Muzzle along. He probably woulda had a lotta fun."
"Yeah..." Colleen said in a soft tone, "but you know why we couldn't."
Hunter briefly glanced in Exile's direction, seeing the husky staring hard at the sled. The reason they hadn't brought Muzzle this time was mostly for Exile's sake, in the chance that they encountered his family again. Because Hunter knew that, if he was in Exile's place, he would never want to release Muzzle on his own family either, no matter the circumstances.
Seeing that the other still hadn't put on his equipment yet, Hunter said, "Better get moving, Exile."
Exile hesitated slightly, tearing his eyes from the sled and seeing the others finish getting ready. Then he shook his head.
"C'mon, Exile," Hunter said, pulling his jacket hood over his head. "I know huskies are used to cold weather and everything, but you still gotta be careful."
Glancing away, Exile said softly, "I am...not going."
"What?" The other Rovers looked towards the husky in surprise. "What do you mean 'not going'?" Hunter asked.
Exile closed his eyes. "I...I can't. I cannot do this..."
Hunter frowned. "Exile..."
Swallowing thickly, Exile then looked up at the leader. "Hunter..." he said in a rough, shaky voice, "on night Groomer try to take me from my home, I leave behind many other huskies Groomer already capture. And I promise to rescue them, no matter what. But I am unable to keep promise if I cannot fight my family."
"Well, maybe you won't 'ave to," Colleen insisted. "With the amount of dogs Parvo's stolen, I'm sure you could avoid 'em."
Exile shook his head. "Nyet. If they are there, then Shurik will certainly be finding me. And I am unable to face him again this way. But if I do not fight him, then I might again cause problems for comrades, and...I don't wish to be letting you down again."
Hunter stood silently, studying the husky with serious eyes and a thoughtful expression.
Exile looked at the leader again, a strange mix of pleading determination in his eyes. "Please," he said softly. "I must keep promise to help save other dogs...even if it is meaning I must remain here and do nothing."
For a moment, Hunter said nothing, and he looked away as he ran the situation through his head. Then, turning back to Exile and placing a hand on his shoulder, he finally answered, "Don't worry about it, Exile. You stay here and we'll take care of everything."
Exile sighed. "Thank you," he said, but the slight look of guilt seemed to offset his relief.
Hunter smiled reassuringly. "No problem. You just rest up and keep an eye on things from here, okay?"
Nodding, Exile then headed out and back towards the cockpit.
Once he was gone, Hunter, ignoring the others' curious gazes, headed for the powered sled. "Let's get going. We've gotta make tracks if we're gonna get to Parvo."
Slowly, uncertainly, the Rovers got into the sled as Hunter started the engine. Nothing was said as the sled drove out of the jet and onto the sleek ground of ice, and for a while the only sound they heard was the running motor of their vehicle and the frigid wind whipping around them.
But finally Colleen glanced at the retriever. "Huntie..." she said slowly, "are you sure that was a good idea?"
Glancing at her, Hunter blinked curiously. "Hmm? Was what a good idea?"
She frowned before motioning her head back to where the jet stood, a fading gleam of silver as they drew farther away from it.
"Oh..." Hunter sighed softly. "Maybe...I dunno. It might not be, really."
"Then why let 'im stay behind?"
"He just...he needs some time, I guess. This wouldn't an easy thing for anyone, and Exile seems to be taking it especially hard. I don't wanna make it any worse for him by making him fight his family."
"We might need 'im," Colleen pointed out. "We're already without Muzzle, and 'aving Exile stay behind might make things harder."
Hunter nodded. "I know. But Exile's gotta sort things out first. He's got a tough choice to make, and if he's gonna do something, he has to be sure that he's gonna do it, and that he can do it."
Thinking it over, Colleen then nodded and sat back in her seat, crossing her arms. "All right...I just hope you know what you're doing."
Hunter laughed, but it didn't disguise his uneasiness. "Me too."
TBC
[Chapter 7]