FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

** CHAPTER 47** Awakening

R105 went in high alert after they knew that Zonda had nothing do with the message sent with the coordinates of the machine's hive.

One thing was now for sure; someone or something knew about them and all the details about their journey alongside the Evocanis. Had they been lured into the machine's hive for some reason? It didn't really make any sense.

In a different sector of R105, the Evocanis had their own battles to fight. It had been a couple of days now after they managed to rescue three Evocanis from an imminent death. Their condition was stable but it was unclear if they would gain any progress soon.

"They are in bad conditions, but not one that they can't recover from." Red, the lead medic of R105 said as K9 and Hemi watched over the three unconscious Evocanis.

"The reason why they are unconscious is due to a drug that we found in their bloodstream. Apparently it keeps them in almost a comatose state while their consciousness side is active." The light brown Retcan medic said.

"Why would the machines drug them?" K9 asked. It wasn't clear why some Evos were apparently held in this condition while others were kept awaken.

"This is just a theory, but the machines probably keep them this way to study them. Probably they want to know how their brain works." Red replied.

"What I don't understand is why they would get rid of them all of the sudden." Hemi questioned himself. It was strange indeed and even though they had been studying the Hive for a while now they could not find any hard evidence on the machine's intentions.

"My theory is that their bodies couldn't withstand it anymore." Red theorized. "They probably need strong individuals for whatever tests they are performing in them.

"It makes sense, Red." Crystal interrupted while checking the status of the three Evos. "But only for one of them who is really in terrible conditions. The other two while in bad shape, they are not as bad as him." The female Retcan said.

Crystal was right next to one of the Evos. It was a male Siberian Husky Evocanis that was virtually only skin and bone. Next to this Evo, a male Rottweiler and what appeared to be a male mixed German Shepherd lied unconscious as well; though their condition was considerably better.

"Probably something in them was of no use for the machines anymore." Red said. He was not convinced, but he didn't want to complicate things more than they were for now. What mattered is that these Evos were safe and recuperating.

"I just want them to wake up now." Hemi said. "It makes me feel so terrible knowing the conditions in which our friends had been held for almost thirteen years now. It's so unfair."

"They will wake up. The narcotic seems be degrading in their bloodstream." Red assured. He had given them a very strong vitamin and other drugs that helped their liver and kidneys process and filter the strange drug in their systems. Hopefully with time, they would be awakened and will be able to taste freedom for the first time in many years.

Very close to the medical facility where the Evos were being treated, Hasky, Husky and Fx rested in a lounge.

Hasky contemplated space through a huge window while Husky and Fx just sat in a strange piece of furniture. There was a penetrating silence that helped so much to ease the stress that they had been going through for the last days.

"Where is Anubis and Ace?" Fx asked.

"I don't know," Husky replied. "You know Anubis. He's probably all around R105 looking at things and talking to every Retcan he can find in his way."

"That Doberman, Ace, she seems attached to him. Anubis has told me about her but not in much detail." Fx continued. It had been a long time since they could talk about Evo things. They both played with a holographic device that served as a strategy game that the Retcans loved. It was very difficult to play since it required multitasking at very high levels. It had a very complex checkered board with five levels and one required to control almost thirty pieces with different abilities and functions.

"It's good that he has managed to distract himself a bit." Husky said. "Things haven't been so good for us lately." Husky made his move, somewhat knowing what he was doing since Retcans had taught them how to play the game. Still, it was very difficult since every move had either a positive or negative effect in the pieces in lower or higher levels. At the same time, these effects could be used by his opponent to cause serious damage and get an advantage in a counter attack. Problem was that the counter attack could also heavily affect his side. At the same time, the opponent had to be aware of this to make a new move. One had to be aware and predict as much as ten movements in advanced.

"Do you want to play Hasky?" Husky asked Hasky after his move resulted in an embarrassing defeat. "Fx is too good for me and this thing is harder than it looks. And it does look hard so that's saying a lot." The young Husky chuckled.

"Sorry Husky," Fx smiled at him.

"Later," Hasky replied to the invitation. "I'm not really in a mood. I need to eat something."

Walking to a treat dispenser, Hasky got herself a couple of Canis Major made chocolate chip cookies and a warm cup of milk. Husky and Fx couldn't resist the chunky and squishy look of those cookies so they got themselves the same thing. Soon, the three of them were sitting in another sofa that faced the huge window.

"Listen, you two" Fx said. "I'm sorry if my behavior hasn't been good these past days."

"You've been acting like this since we got out of that planet. What was wrong with you, Fx?" Hasky replied. She got close to Fx and started brushing his tail with her claws.

"I don't know. I think it was the disappointment that the D.E Project was canceled after what happened in the planet. As I told you before, my goal was to become a permanent D.E1 member so I could find Fibi and Xy. I'm sorry if I never told you that when I started my training."

"We have found where our lost brothers are. It will take some time, but I'm sure we will figure out a way of getting them back. I hope that your parents are still alive; if they are, I give you my promise that we will bring them back safe." Hasky replied.

"And yet, here we are relaxing..." Fx said a bit irritated. "I'm so worthless; playing games and trying to relax while our brothers are still out there waiting for us."

"Fx, you are starting to act harshly again!" Hasky scolded him. "You've just told me that you were sorry for your behavior and you're doing it again."

"I'm sorry, Hasky! I can't help it."

"You two are witnesses of what happened a few days ago. We acted by impulse and we were almost killed in the Hive. Thankfully, we managed to bring back three of our brothers, but that could've endangered the others that are still captive. Right now I'm hoping that our actions didn't cost us the lives of the rest." Hasky admitted their mistake and set it as an example for Fx. It was frustrating to try to look for a logic to all that was happening since every decision could result in a potential failure.

"What I'm trying to say," Hasky continued "is that we must try to keep our minds clear and think of the consequences of our actions; just like that game you were playing. The lives of our brothers depend on that."

The situation had taken a toll on their mood. It had been a long time since they couldn't relax their mind and just be Evocanis. It was a similar situation of what happened to Retcans when they embarked in their meaningless journey after the great war left them with terrible emotional scars. All that they wished for was to rescue their brothers and return to their regular life.

After a while, Hasky decided to go check on the three Evos together with Husky and Fx. As they were about to walk out of the lounge room, they were intercepted by a very well known Evocanis.

"Hasky, you're here." The black and white Malamute said. It was Lay, but somehow he seemed different. His ears were down and he was avoiding eye contact as much as possible.

"Hi Lay. How are you doing my friend?" Hasky asked him tenderly. She approached him and placed her hand-paws on Lay's shoulders.

"Better. Thank you for asking." Lay just looked at her eyes occasionally. The rest of the time he maintained his sight down. "Hasky, I want to... to apologize."

"There is nothing to be forgiven, Lay." Hasky replied, immediately holding Lay in her arms.

Lay was surprised, but the warm embrace made him feel very good, though deep inside it made him feel even guiltier of his actions.

"I had no right to act that way; to attack you." Lay uttered. He now let himself go and wrapped his arms around Hasky. Laying his head on Hasky's shoulders, he embraced her harder.

"It's ok, my friend. I understand."

"I'm so sorry that I hurt you. I was afraid, and couldn't control myself."

"I'm sorry if I hurt you too Lay." Hasky said when she saw a scratch in Lay's nose.

Hasky shushed Lay before he could say something else and hugged him harder. The warm embrace slowly cured Lay's overwhelming feeling of remorse and made him feel in peace.

It is rare for two Evos to have an altercation like the one that Lay and Hasky had a few days ago. But as Evocanis are, those feelings wouldn't last for long.

Before they could take a seat and talk seriously about what happened between them, Hemi rushed into the lounge room looking very worried.

"I think our brothers are recovering consciousness. You have to come to the medical lab now!" the black Evocanis said. He didn't even wait for them and rushed back where he came from.

Fx, Hasky, Husky and Lay followed their friend until they reached the lab. There, Laser, Lya, Anubis and Ace were waiting. As they got in, they saw K9 working together with Crystal and Red.

Crystal and Red checked their vitals diligently while K9 stood besides the Evo that showed stronger activity. It was the husky.

"Brother, can you hear me?" K9 spoke to the husky. The heavily malnourished Evocanis twitched and turned while making whimpering noises. "Open your eyes my friend."

The rest of the Evos were suggested to stay behind a glass wall outside the lab. The place was not that big and medics needed all the space they could have. The rest of the Evos were very worried, but glad that their brothers would finally be awakened.

"His heart rate is increasing!" K9 said. "I don't know what's going on!"

It was worrying. The other two seemed ok, but this Evo was responding very erratically.

"His body is too weak to resist such stress. We need to sedate him!" Crystal said as she ran next to K9 with a syringe.

"Sedate him? Are you sure, Crystal?" K9 asked worried. He knew how dangerous it could be to administrate a sedative after his body was already dealing with a strong drug.

"It's either this, or let him suffer a cardiac arrest or a stroke. We can't risk that." She said as she placed the needle in the I.V that was connected to the husky.

"Trust us, K9." Red spoke from the other side of the room as he checked on the other two that appeared to be recovering consciousness.

But before Crystal could finish administering the sedative, the husky calmed down. K9 was extremely worried by this.

"What happened? Does it act that fast?" He demanded to know as he checked the Evo's vitals.

"I... I don't know. It shouldn't." Crystal vague response was even more worrying. She immediately stopped administering the sedative. "Red!" she then called for her friend and colleague. They understood now that they needed to focus all their attention in this husky Evocanis.

"Brother? Are you awake? Can you hear me?" K9 again talked to the husky. He got close to him and lightly caressed his head.

No movement came from the Evocanis anymore. But his vitals seemed to have stabilized. Before K9 could say another word, the husky swiftly opened his eyes. This startled K9, but soon he was full of happiness to see that the husky was awake.

"You finally recovered consciousness, my brother. Everything is going to be ok now." K9 said. He sounded very emotional, but nonetheless very happy.

His words seemed to grab the husky's attention and he immediately turned his silverish sky blue eyes to where K9 was standing. His wide opened eyes looked strange though; cold, empty and almost expressionless.

"You're safe now. How do you feel?" K9 asked. No one said anything and watched carefully as they awaited a response.

"Brother, I'm an Evocanis, just like you. You've been rescued from the ones who attacked us a long time ago." K9 continued speaking. He now placed his hand-paw gently in the husky's chest. It was strange, but the husky followed K9's arm with his sight, showing some signs of not feeling comfortable with physical contact. After K9 laid his hand-paw in his chest, the husky then returned his strange gaze at K9's eyes.

But before K9 could talk to him again, the husky jumped from the table and fell on the floor in the other side. He immediately tried to get up, even when his weakened body made it difficult.

"Calm down, brother. It's us. Canis Major still lives." K9 desperately tried to calm the husky down. They never expected such reaction of fear. "I imagine what you went through, my brother. Trust me; everything will be ok now." K9 still tried to calm the husky down, but apparently at no avail.

"Your condition is delicate, sweetheart. Please lay down on the table." The tender Crystal spoke to the husky as K9 tried to approach him. Red wanted to help, but apparently the other two Evos were starting to wake up and needed all of his attention.

The husky walked away from Crystal and K9 who only wanted to help him feel at ease. The husky didn't respond positively to any friendly approach and watched around the room for a possible route of escape. Outside, the rest of the Evocanis watched extremely worried for their confused brother.

In a sudden and unexpected move, the husky seemed to have spotted the door and ran towards it. He started scratching and hitting it until by pure luck he hit the opening button at the side of the door.

"No, brother!" K9 yelled. "Please get back. We only want to help you!"

"Alert in Sector 25; we have a situation in Medical Lab B." Red quickly spoke through a communication device. "Seal all Sector exits and be aware a subject Evocanis on the run. Approach with caution and avoid contact. I repeat; avoid any contact as possible! Subject's condition is delicate."

"Crystal, stay here with the other two." Red ordered. "K9; let's go!"

The husky looked extremely scared, and didn't respond to anyone. Being defensive over the presence of a Retcan was justifiable, since it was obvious that he hadn't seen one before. But what bothered everyone was that it almost seemed as if he had never seen another Evocanis as well.

The husky almost ran through one of the corridors surrounding the medical lab, but as soon as he saw the rest of the Evos, he stopped in panic, slipping on the floor and running the other way.

"Follow him with caution!" Red said. "The sector has been sealed so he won't go too far."

"Hasky and Husky, you can come with me. I have an idea." K9 ordered the group. "The rest of you stay here."

K9, Hasky and Husky ran down the corridor where the husky had escaped to. Red followed them at a safe distance since she understood K9's plans. He held a syringe with a sedative, just in case.

"He's going to a dead end. This corridor has been sealed off. I've also advised my brothers to stay out of sight so the husky doesn't get even more scared." Red informed. "I think it's us what scared him. He has never seen a Retcan before."

"I think it's more than that, Red." K9 replied. He had an idea of what might've been causing the Evocani's behavior.

They soon got to the end of the corridor and saw how a huge blast door had been lowered to seal the place. If not done so, the corridor would just circle around the whole sector. Thankfully, Sectors in R105 were nothing like Canis Major's almost-city-sized sectors.

"Where did he go?" Husky asked quietly.

Red made a gesture so they stopped talking and pointed at the Medical Lab's storage room. The door was opened, and the lights were off. They slowly made their way inside, activating the illumination inside the room.

They walked slowly, looking everywhere for a sign of where the husky might be. All around them were stands stacked up with medical supplies, so it was hard to know what lied deep inside the room.

"Close the door." Red ordered. Husky, who was behind, obeyed and closed the only escape route that the other Evocanis had available.

Because of the silence of the room, they could hear something moving in the far end of the storage room. They knew it was him.

"We would never hurt you, brother. Please don't be afraid." Hasky spoke softly, but loud enough for the husky to hear her.

K9 signaled Hasky and Husky to go with him. He then told Red to stay back. Red gave K9 the sedative, just in case the husky would get violent. Walking slowly, they finally made it to where they thought the husky was hiding. There, they found a small locker opened and saw how two paws came out of it; it was definitely him.

"Hey, brother." K9 said. He stopped Husky and Hasky from continuing. Looking around, he saw a glass panel lying on the ground; probably a spare panel since R105 was full of them. The panel was dark enough to create a reflective image and serve as a mirror. K9 signaled Husky to get it for him.

"I know you are scared, but I want you to know that we are your brothers. We are like you and you are home now." K9 said as Husky handed him the glass panel. K9 gestured at Hasky so she continued talking to him.

"I don't know what horrible things you went through, but I want you to know that it's over. You are safe now." Hasky said. Words didn't seem enough to calm the Evocanis, but served as a distraction.

The husky couldn't go anywhere and soon his fear escalated to aggressiveness. Hasky tried hard to cool him down by talking to him, but it didn't seem to work. It was not until K9 did something about it that the situation improved.

K9 placed the panel carefully in front of the locker where the husky hid. He then called Husky and told him to sit next to the panel. Seeing the reflection of himself, and Husky next to it, the nervous Evocanis somehow became calmer.

"You see? We are just like you. There is nothing to be afraid of, my brother." K9 said.

The husky watched closely but all of the sudden he grabbed his head, closed his eyes and entered in some sort of struggle with himself. It was very strange, but it seemed like he fought with his own feelings.

As sudden as his struggle started, it came to an end. It was strange but now his eyes expressed something different. They now showed some signs of life; the emotionless glare was gone. The husky then crawled slowly out of the locker to where his brother Evocanis were sitting. He reached for the closest one who was K9, then curling into a little ball next to him. His eyes were sill opened and somehow lost, but he didn't look nervous at all. It was strange, like if he was a completely different Evocanis all of the sudden.

"That's it, my brother. We will take care of you, I promise." K9 reassured him.

Husky and Hasky then got close to him and gently caressed him and gave them their warmth. Red called in for a stretcher so they could take him back to the medical lab and confirm that he would be ok.