Radley and Reggie were in The Galley telling the group how Reggie had gone from being a normal Canine to what he was now..... A Cybernetic Canine. Radley continued the story of what happened to Reggie at Quest Lab California
Jonny awoke me, two hours had gone by. Jonny said the his father was still working on Reggie. He offered to find me some clean clothes.
I was still wearing my Falcon Costume and part the security guard disguise. I was still even wearing the Wig and Glasses. I was dirty from the fire, so a shower was in order. As this was not just a place of work but Benton's and Jonny's home too. The living quarters were as good as I remembered. Peeling off my clothes and took a shower. The water felt good. I had a few cuts and grazes on my body, but nothing major. I found some bits in the bathroom cabinet, and patched myself up. Afterwards I lay on the bed and fell asleep.
I was awoken by someone liking my face. "Reggie, I shouted" and sat up. It was not Reggie, it was Jonny's dog Bandit.
"How you doing Boy ?" I said giving him a pat on the Head. He sniffed my hand and jumped off of the bed.
At the end of the bed was a set of clean clothes, I assumed that Jonny had laid them out for me. What was left of my Falcon costume was gone and the Guards Uniform too. So long Lou Malcom I said to myself. I quickly dressed and raced back to Medical Section. Dr Quest was waiting outside. He had a very serious look on his face.
"Benton" I yelled, "Is Reggie OK ?"
Shaking his head he replied " Sorry Radley, I could not save all of him. Too much damage had been caused to his internal organs. His burns were serious. Jonny is in there with him at the moment."
My heart sank, I was in shock, I was truly alone in the world. I heard a bark from inside the medical bay, I assumed it must be Bandit. Then I thought of what Benton Quest had said. He had said "I could not save ALL of him !"
"Doctor Quest, Benton" I shouted , " Is Reggie still alive ?"
" Yes, and No.... Its complicated, come see for your self" He replied. As he did Bandit plodded around the corner and walked up to the medical bay doors pushed them with his paws and entered. The bark must have been from Reggie.
I walked up to the door, thinking maybe Reggie may have lost a limb, or his tail. It did not matter, he was still alive. I pushed open he door. The room was dimly lit. I could see a what looked like a body laying on the operating table under a sheet "Reggie?" I asked looking at the special dog collar that Benton had given to Reggie with the Gold Q on it.
"Yes" Replied Benton from behind me. He continued " I was unable to save Reggie's organic body, but transferred his Brain Matrix into a new Bionic Body.... I used your MUTT idea, we finally made it work.... I also used the old Jonny/ Reggie Matrix we recorded all thous years ago.... and believe it or not it worked ."
The lights came on and I saw Jonny standing next to a strange looking dog. It looked a bit like Reggie, but different. He Barked and wagged his tail.
" Reggie ?" I said.
The Dog ran across the room jumped up and licked my face. Then the dog smiled and said " Yes, I am Reggie... all better now !"
I was taken aback., but it made sense. Here was a dogs brain mixed with that of a a 6 year old boy. So why shouldn't he be able to speak.
"You can speak" I laughed
"I doooooooo Much Much More " Reggie replied.
Reggie then showed Radley some of what he could do. As he had demonstrated earlier to the Doctor and Space Ghost in the Park the previous day.
Radley then explained that Dr Benton Quest wanted and still needed to run some tests to make sure Reggie was functioning correctly. I agreed to leave Reggie for the next week with Benton and Jonny whilst they ironed out any kinks.
Reggie's new body was something Benton had designed a few years back. Benton had originally contemplated building a Robot in the form of a dog that could assist in rescue operations. The military had liked the idea, but that cost was too high, so this prototype body was the only one that was ever built.. Originally it was meant to have a simple AI brain. That could be programmed to do a number of tasks. Now the unit had a complete down load of Reggie's brain patterns so had independent thought. He said it was based original on the look on Reggie, but he said he did not want to replicate my dog completely so he changed a few bits.
He showed me some of Blue Prints that he had. I was very impressed.
Dr Quest explained that although Reggie had a Metal body, his outer layer was constructed of a man made polymer that looked and felt like real fur. So anyone touching the body would believe Reggie was a real dog. Plus if I wanted to change his colour, or his markings that could be done. I told Benton the new Reggie looked perfect as he was.
Reggie then changed colour to show off what he could do this himself.
I wondered why Dr Quest had out fitted Reggie Mk 2 with so many gadgets and equipment. All he did was smile and say, why not ! He said that an old friend of his Dr Raymond Palmer had dabbled in building micro transistors that could change size. They required a lot of power to do this, but they worked. Reggie Mark 2 was initially powered by a micro atomic generator housed inside his chest. Later upgrades would change this to a much safer power source,
I spent the rest of the weekend with the Quest's getting to know the new Reggie, before heading back to Big City. It gave me time to get used to the New Reggie. It was so strange Reggie remembered every thing that has happened to him over the years, and he told me and reminded me of things I had done with him. It was so strange that this new version was just like the my old faithful friend. The only real difference was now Reggie could talk back to me.
Jonny said he had hidden my Falcon Car in one of the secure outbuildings. He had discovered that I had a spare uniform onboard. So I did not have to worry about exposing my identity if spotted by any of the Lab Staff when I left. On Sunday evening I bid everyone goodbye and headed home.
When I returned a week later, I had come back dressed as The Blue Falcon. I had traveled in the Falcon Car. When I arrived some of the staff were around, many wanted my autograph, and said they knew that I had saved the Big City Quest Lab from the Metal Dragon... so my meeting with Dr Quest did not cause anyone to question my being there.
The Dragon or what was left of it had been brought out to the California Lab to investigate its origin. It was too early to make any assumptions, but many parts had been manufactured by Lex Corps.
When I finally went up to Dr Quest's office. There was Benton, Jonny and Bandit. .... But no Reggie. What had happened ? Had the Matrix failed ? I must of shown my despair and concern.
" You can come in now" laughed Jonny.
A closet door opened and in walked a Grey Dog wearing a Green Mask, Cape and Boots.
"Reggie?" I inquired
" No, not Reggie. I am Dyno -Mutt, the Dog Wonder. " he said. He continued " And I am your new Partner "
He winked and ran up to me...... elongated his neck and whispered " Its really me BF, its Reggie !"
I noticed that the lighter grey fur from under his neck was now gone. I asked him why did he change it?
The answer was simple, it was all about him keeping his secret identity secret.
He came up with idea himself Dr Quest told me , he even had made and designed his own costume too. He wants to be able to protect you like he did when he got injured,
"Yes , he beat me to it, I was going offer my services also. I thought I could be Kid Falcon" Jonny laughed
"One super hero in the "Family" is more than enough" said Benton with a smile.
"Don't you mean TWO ?" said Radley pointing at Reggie
I was not sure at first that The Blue Falcon needed a Partner, but it did not take me very long to find out I did. Dyno - Mutt was the perfect partner. He could be a little over eager at times, but over the years he has matured.
Back in the Galley .... Reggie said " And that is how we became Dyno - Mutt the Dog Wonder and the Blue Falcon "
"He means The Blue Falcon and Dyno - Mutt Dog Wonder" corrected Radley.
Everyone either at Crowne Towers or at the Mansion accepted my story that the original Reggie had died of old age. I told them that I needed another dog in my life. Many were surprised when they first met Reggie Mark 2. He looked different, but many noticed that he was very much like his original name sake.
As Dogs cannot normally speak Reggie knew that he could not and should not speak when he was off duty and out of costume, but when he was Dyno - Mutt he could. Dyno - Mutt after a little bit of training and practice soon started joining me of my Blue Falcon Missions and became my full time partner.
With Dr Quest's and my up grades he became the hero he is today... and long into the future I hope.
I buried Reggie's Organic Body in the Private Cemetery in the grounds of the Mansion. I placed him beside the Graves of Parker and Penny, which was very near to that of my parents.
All the staff came to the funeral, as they knew how special he was to me. Benton and Jonny also came along.
"Great Story" announced the Doctor, "But its time to return to the meeting room as I want to discuss the next members of our team before we arrive at their location.
"Did I do well BF ?" asked Reggie looking at Radley
"Yes you did " replied Radley patting the back of Reggie's neck.
"Uncle Radley, Reggie always calls you BF. Does that stand for Blue Falcon ?" asked Jan
"No, he calls me BF, as he is my BEST FRIEND as I am His" Radley replied.
" BF, stands for Best Friend" Laughed Jace
"COOL !!!" The Twins said in unison.
Next Time preparations to meet three extra special Boys In the Band !
He is a little taster......
Until Then ENJOY !
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