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Biker Mice From Mars

IN

Decisions & Sacrifices

By: Whipblade

Part 15

**** Days Later****

"AARG!!!" Modo's scream echoing from upstairs, seemed to be becoming a ritual.

Charley opened the bathroom door. "hun?"

Standing outside the shower, shivering, Modo dried his fur. "Every time ah take a shower first thing in tha morning it goes cold." he complained. "It's been two weeks."

"Vinnie and Throttle both bathe each day, just like us."

"But they don't complain of cold water." Modo protested. "Ah can understand cold water in tha evenin' but first thing?"

Charley sighed not about to tell Modo about Throttle's midnight showers and laundry, not yet any ways.

"I'll take a look into a bigger water tank." She kissed him on the cheek.

"MODO?" Vinnie's voice hollered from downstairs.

"I best make those two breakfast." She sighed giving her mouse the once over. "Pity they're within ear shot."

Modo chuckled as the door shut.

Once downstairs, Charley did a double take of Throttle. The tawny mouse's new attire consisted of loose long sleeve tops, rather baggy track pants and running shoes all in black. He no longer wore his green shades or even asked about his spare vest. It was too obvious; this wasn't the same mouse from 4 years ago. She headed for the fridge. "What do you boys want?"

"Mmmm Bacon and eggs." Vinnie piped up.

"Cereal." Throttle muttered as he held the paper in front of his face.

Charley pulled out the eggs from the fridge and started cooking.

"Do you ever get tired of playing maid?" Throttle's voice held a chill as he talked to Charley.

She turned to stare at the tan mouse. "Excuse me?"

"I mean really. All you ever do is cook and clean. I thought you hated being our maid."

"Throttle." Vinnie snapped glaring at his sudden ill mannered bro.

"No, it's all right Vinnie." Charley said a little worried at Throttle's cold tone. "I am not your guys maid. I am simply helping." she kept her voice calm and neutral, hoping to disarm Throttle's sudden anger.

"You don't think we can do it ourselves do you?" Throttle demanded an answer from her.

"I believe each one of you guys are very capable of making your own breakfast." She stated turning her back to the tan mouse.

Throttle didn't say a word more as the human continued preparing the food.

Vinnie studied his tawny bro. 'what just happened?' he wondered to himself.

****

Later that day

****

"Hey, Charley-girl?" Vinnie called as he poked his head into the garage. "You in here?"

"Over here." She called working on some papers in her office.

Vinnie walked to the office door. "Where's Modo?"

"Root beer run" she said not looking from her work.

"Sweetheart, you really love that big guy? Or did you just settle for the last one alive? Maybe just to keep him here?" He hummed fiddling with his bandoleers over his green army top.

Charley turned around. "Vinnie, you can ask again and again till your ears fall off, but I love Modo. Even with you and Throttle back, I still love him."

Vinnie frowned for a moment. "Aww but sweetheart, my charm can cure anything." He winked.

"I got work Van Wham. We'll talk later." She sighed turning her back to the white biker.

Vinnie sighed as he walked back to the couch.

Throttle looked over to see Vinnie's dejected eyes. "Shot down again?"

"How'd you guess?" Vinnie snapped.

"Stop testing Charley-girl." Throttle warned. "She's with Modo, deal with it."

"Yeah, you can say that all you want. But are you dealing with it?" Vinnie countered.

Throttle didn't speak for a moment. "yes."

"Your late night treks to the bathroom has nothing to do with their bedroom door being open?" Vinnie asked his brow raised.

"It's usually shut." Throttle stated.

"Oh." Vinnie grabbed the remote with his tail. "Then why do you spend an hour up each night?"

"Shut up Vincent." Throttle growled.

*********

Nights Later

*********

The living room, a wash in the orange glow of fire roaring gently within its faux hearth. Throttle sat alone, gun in his lap. The small old clock ticked away the seconds before two AM. The noise from the streets surrounding the Last Chance Garage were oddly quiet. Two soft chimes echoed through the garage breaking the silence, interrupting the fake fires rhythm and Throttle's drifting thoughts.

Uncovered pink eyes glanced up from the gun to the ticking clock once it fell back into its' slow rhythmical ticking. His eyes shifted back to the gun sitting in his lap. Both hands on either side of it.

"I could just end it all." his voice, soft and distant filled the room. His left hand fingers caressed the handle of the laser pistol. "Simple as that."

Rolling his head back, he rested it against the chairs cushioned back. The cream ceiling glared back at him.

It would be simple. Putting the muzzle of the gun to his chin, his index finger lingered over the trigger.

Pull the trigger. A hole the size of a large grapefruit would appear. What's left of my brains would ooze and chunks would fall. Thick dark blood flowing down my back and face, soaking into the chair, my fur, my clothing. What's left of my head, cracked open with insides spilt, would dangle more on the right side, my right ear probably resting on my blood soaked shoulder, hanging by mere threads of scalp. Blood and brain splatter would encompass me. .Drip down the ceiling, walls and splatter the floor. My body emptying what little there is to, soaking my jeans and soiling the chair. My tail limp, my body slumped. Charley would be the first to find me.... no.... She plans to sleep in. Her first customer is for eleven. Vinnie or Modo would be getting up first. One of them would find my cold corpse.

I wonder if they would weep.

Would Vinnie cry?

Yes, yes he would. He doesn't know the horrors I went through, doesn't understand what Mace did to me. What I have to go through every time I undress. What I see and feel every time I look at a hotdog. Man! I can't even sleep the whole night without wetting the bed. Fucking nightmares.

Hot tears snaked their way down tawny cheeks.

DAMMIT! WHY! Why did I have to tell Vincent to keep going? Why didn't I order him to turn around!? Why didn't he go the right way.... no.... no I can't blame him. He blames himself enough. It wasn't his fault we were forced off track.

A sob escaped Throttle's throat. Gun still at his chin.

Why didn't you kill me Mace? Why was I saved? I .... I just want to die........ just.... die....

His finger slowly squeezed the trigger. Quickly letting go before it went off.

Vinnie's in good hands...... He won't miss me....how could he?

His finger rested on the trigger. Lightly caressing it's smooth worn surface.

_After all that I did. After everything I fucked up. He would never miss me. No one would, not even Carbine. Stoker would celebrate. Charley would be sad. But then she doesn't know it was me. Me who took Modo's arm, me who allowed Karbunkle to rip the flesh from Vinnie's face...... me.... who didn't do anything as Stoker's tail was removed. Me who got us caught the first and second time. Who let Mace into the Freedom Fighters and take Harley.......... it was all Me. _

_"_FUCK!!" Throttle yelled whipping the gun across the room. It bounced off the far wall and hit the floor. Face in his hands he slumped over and cried.

Vinnie stood on the stairs. He could hear Throttle sobbing. Slowly he quietly crept into the living room. Stepping over the laser pistol Vinnie frowned. 'Oh sands Throttle.... you weren't...'

Gasping for air Throttle jumped when a hand touched his head.

Vinnie frowned seeing Throttle's wet face, the sadness in his new eyes. "God Throttle." Kneeling down Vinnie pulled Throttle to him.

Having his bro, the one who was always considered the bravest, the calm and level headed leader of the Biker Mice, the next in line to lead the Freedom Fighters, cry like a frightened child in his arms scared Vinnie.'What did he do to you?' Vinnie wanted to scream, force Throttle to talk.

"Bro?" Vinnie tempted once the sobbing subsided, but the fists clutching his back fur didn't let up. "Come on Throttle. Let's get some sleep."

The tawny mouse didn't move. "Vincent...."

"Yeah?" Vinnie nudged Throttle's chin up. "What bro?"

Four pink eyes stared back at each other. Vinnie could see the torment and helplessness in Throttle's soul.

Throttle saw the fear, worry and torment in Vinnie's.

"Sleep sounds good." Throttle finally said.

Vinnie stood up helping his tan bro out of the chair. "Wanna sleep with me? Keep me company?" Vinnie offered.

Throttle nodded knowing his mattress was still probably damp.

" LOUSY FUCK-UP!" Mace roared as the whip snapped leaving a new blood trail on the tan body.

Throttle's eyes snapped open. The familiar pain fresh on his back. Blinking back the static darkness he sighed recognizing the sunny window and open curtains of the Last Chance garage.

"Bro?" his soft sandy voice called out to the emptiness of the room.

"Right here." Vinnie's cheerful voice chirped as the door opened. More light spilled into the room.

Sitting up Throttle looked around curiously. "The others?"

"Down stairs. They're waiting for you." Vinnie said gathering clothing from a drawer for his bro.

"What time is it?"

"Noon. Come on sleepy head. Up n' at em." Vinnie encouraged tossing clothing at his bro.

Pulling the clothing off his face Throttle caught a glimpse of the white tail vanishing as the door closed.

Modo n' Charley gapped at the figure making his way to the table. Covered in loose black clothing, his lack of shades and squinting made them uneasy. This was NOT the same mouse that left them 4 years ago.

Easing into a chair beside Vinnie, across from Modo. The tawny mouse studied the spread and paled.

"Anything other than hotdogs?"

Surprised Modo nodded. "yeah, Vinnie made soup."

Throttle turned to Vinnie who pointed to the pot on the stove. Throttle got up, as he poured himself a bowl, he thought 'balking at hotdogs? Man, what has become of me? Can't help it tho, I ain't putting anything in my mouth that looks like cocks in buns. Even Vinnie can't seem to choke them down.'

"So bros? what happened to yous?" Modo tried to drum up a conversation.

"Eh you know, this and that." Throttle shrugged trying to ignore their looks.

"Speaking of which...." Charley started she gave a hard meaningful look to both returned mice. "My living room is NOT the scoreboard. I'd appreciate it if you didn't leave your weapons laying around."

Throttle frowned trying to come up with some story that didn't involve him, the gun and his head.

"Sorry Charley." Vinnie piped up.

Throttle's curious glance at Vinnie prompted the white mouse to quickly continue.

"I must have knocked it off the stand. I'll be more careful and holster it." Vinnie said.

"Thank you Vinnie." Charley smiled.

"Vincent?" Throttle's voice barely above a whisper.

"Yeah?"

"You left your gun in the living room?"

"Yeah, well.... I was planning on practicing out side.... didn't get the chance." Vinnie shrugged.

Knowing Vinnie's our right lie made Throttle smile slightly. He patiently slurped his soup listening to the days plans.

**********

Once again Throttle woke up to the uncomfortable, familiar n' embarrassing sensation. Tossing back his covers he peered quickly to the still slumbering Vincent. Quietly and quickly Throttle stripped out of his wet clothing. Dragging on his bathrobe, he gathered his soiled bedding. Snagging his used towel from that morning, he tossed it on the bed in hopes it'd suck up most of the waste.

Making the trip all the way to the basement in the dark, and back up. Tip toeing past Charley n' Modo's bedroom, Throttle entered the bathroom.

Charley opened her eyes slightly, waking to the sound of the shower. Yawning she rolled over and returned to sleep.

Throttle made his bed before heading back down to the basement. He turned on the washing machine and headed back to bed in hopes of getting some sleep.

**

Charley was up and moving about the garage when she heard the heavy door to the garage open and slam shut.

"Sorry." Throttle's soft mutter sounded.

Charley turned to see Throttle, with his biker boots on, standing by the heavy fire door. "Morning. Your up early." she smiled unsure what Throttle planned to do in his PJ's.

"Vinnie started snoring. Then Modo did..... couldn't fall back to sleep." the tawny mouse shrugged walking over to Vinnie's red racer. "Vincent said his bike's mapping system was bugging." he quirked a brow to the human female.

"I haven't looked at her yet. I'm still fighting with my customers." she replied reading order papers and parts.

"hrmph." Throttle nodded pulling the engine cover off the red bike. Finding the right screw driver among the organized tool shelf, he unlatched and unscrewed the control panel to the bike.

Charley watched from the corner of her eye as Throttle fiddled with Vinnie's ride. Unsure if he was working on it, or sabotaging it.

Throttle pulled out a couple of wires. He rooted around the labeled drawers before finding the same wire gage. Replacing the parts he started the bike up and tested the mapping system.

Once satisfied he shut her down. "There." He said latching the engine cover down.

Charley watched as Throttle walked right by his own bike. He exited the garage. The heavy door slamming behind him.

**

Modo and Vinnie roared out of the garage with weapons drawn. They were ready to rumble. And Limburger was providing such an opportunity by attempting to bulldoze once again, the Wildlife preserve. Sweet Georgie Brown Radio station, GCTSAR 98.6 blared Iron Maiden.

"What happened to the old call letters?" Vinnie asked his gray furred bro.

Modo heard his bros' voice filtered through his helmets radio. "Sweet Georgie was bought out by the Tribune after they lost Quigley Field. Georgie is now the CEO and head DJ. It's still heavy metal and Rock and Roll. They play classics on the weekends." Modo replied.

"Cool. I think...." Vinnie replied as they turned off the highway. They revved their engines following the deep furrows made by Plutarkian Bulldozers.

"YYYYEEEEEEAAAAAHHHH!!!!" Vinnie hollered a war cry as he shot over a hill. Launching his bike into the air. "TAKE THIS YOU PLUTARKIAN SCUM BAGS!" he fired at random object.

Modo laughed as he swerved around the fiery remains of a dozer on its' side. "YO! Grease-ugly! We got a score to settle!"

Grease pit looked down from a back hoe. "Oh no! Duh, that moronic mousesie is trying to fight again. Duhhh I'll show him!" reaching beside him, Greasepit grabbed his big oil gun and started to fire down at Modo.

Unimpressed with the attempt. Modo fired a grappling hook.

Vinnie caught a glimpse of Greasepit jumping from a tipping Plutarkian backhoe. Striking a flare the white mouse tossed it towards some explosives that were piled. "AAAHHHHHHWWWHHOOOO!!!"

Limburger turned around from his station near the edge of a pond. "Was that?"

Vinnie yelled firing at the goons. He kicked his jets to life, once airborne Vinnie released a volley of fire towards to big cheese.

"AAHHHH!!!!! It's that deranged white mouse!" Limburger dove for cover behind his limo. "I thought I was rid of those pesky vermin once and for all!" he snapped watching the red motorcycling mouse tease goons while blowing up logging machinery.

Modo blasted a hole right through a three wheeler forcing the goon to bail. He headed right for the burning and exploding pile of explosives. Eight goons on his tail, hitting overdrive Lil' Darlin' jumped over the sparks. As the eight goons swerved, crashing into each other avoiding the burning debris.

Modo and Vinnie blasted their way through a few more goons still standing. Rejoining, the two rode together. Only to skid to a stop in front of the cowering fat blob of a Plutarkian, TRYING to hide behind the limo.

"Hello tubby." Vinnie grinned evilly.

"AH! UH! oh no..." Limburger stood up straightening his tie. "yes, I see your back. How unfortunate."

"Yeah, well you know." Vinnie shrugged grinning. "You realize something now, don't you?" Vinnie hummed in a sing-song voice.

"No, no what would that be?" Limburger paused trying to figure out what the white mouse meant.

"Your tower is free game! AAHAHHHHOOOOO!!!!!" Vinnie popped a wheelie, hitting his jets, he rocked over the pond. Racing up the far bank his bikes rear rockets fired.

"Direct hit." Modo smiled. "Heheheheh" He spun around kicking mud up at Limburger before shooting off around the won battle field.

"Oh no... NO ... NO!!!!" Limburger yelled falling to his knees, mud on his face. In the distance he could see his building crumble to the ground.

***********************

The End?

Not very likely.

The second half of this series is coming up.

Stay tuned for...... Shattered Freedom!

Whipblade

[email protected]

August 27 2005