Biker mice from Mars

Chapter 1

Dr Mathew Donway cast a glance over his shoulder, no matter what he did he couldn't shake the feeling he was being watched. The 'car sales man' looked him over "Yo chill man aint no one got the drop on Mad Mayhem."

Donway turned back to the wannabe gangster, "hay you got what I need or not?"

"YahYah mon I got you covered" Mayhem led him over to a rust covered Toyota "She works ok, and she's legal. Yah might wanna get her checked over before ya leave the city."

"This, is it?" Donway looked appalled

Mayhem laughed "don insult her yet" taking out a hand gun and waving it calming in Donways face "you aint seen what she comes wi'd yet" Donway stared at him emotionless "ya wan'ed somfin legal and somfin not. Take it or leave it mon"

Without breaking eye contact Donway pulled a brown envelope from inside. He couldn't stop the slight tremor in his hand nor the sweat on his forehead. Mayhem chuckled taking the envelope. He glanced inside then passed it to another 'sales man' Donway hadn't see approach. "Whys a nice up town man like you doin' a deal like dis anyway?"

Donways expression instantly darkened "none of your concern" he hissed taking the gun and giving it an experimental wave.

"Woah chill mon we aint got no beef" Mayhem said raising his hands jokingly.

"Keys?" Donway asked

"In the car, ammo in the glove compartment so no speedin'. And no grassin' neva" Mayhem jerked his chin towards a group of lads his age, all in the same gangster get up. Some made a show of flexing their arms and cracking their knuckles. Donway got the message loud and clear.

"Don't worry" he said "you don't know me and I don't know you," the car spluttered before starting, then Donway was off in a cloud of smoke.

What the hell am I doing? Donway wondered purposely taking the backroads, pulling over once to hide the gun and ammo in his briefcase. The car was a total wreck, the gears were sticky, breaks slow and he wouldn't be surprised if the dash board lights had been painted over. The engine growled angrily a few sparks spat out the back.

Turning down another empty road Donway sighed the things you do to protect the ones you love Donway had always thought himself as a man of good morals. A man who valued life and family. Lost in thought, he wondered how he had been driven so far. What drives a good man to buy a gun?

He almost missed the flashing lights behind him. Swearing he pulled over. Taking deep breaths, he wiped his brow on his sleeve and did his best to look calm. The police officer stepped out in to the grey streets and slowly walked towards him.

"Good afternoon sir," he greeted Donway "do you know why I've pulled you over?"

I can guess "no sir" Donway said innocently

"Your left break light isn't working sir" the officer said in a bored voice

"Oh" Donway smiled "that yes I'm literally on my way to get it fixed"

"Licence registration and insurance please sir" the officer said in the same bored tone

Donways blood ran cold "of course one moment" he opened the glove compartment taking out the registration document. "here's the registration" he passed it through the window, using the officer's momentary distraction Donway opened his brief case a crack, and slid out his licence and insurance details. "and here's the rest"

The officer looked them over glancing at Donway every now and then. "All seems to be in order sir, may I suggest The Last Chance Garage, just take a left at the end of this road and it's the only building currently still standing." The officer handed the documents back to Donway. "Have a nice day Mr Fredrickson"

Donway waited until the police car had vanished before he started the car again, praying it would go as the engine coughed and wined. After 5 attempts, it started. Donway took the officers advice and pulled into The Last Chance not a minute later. Suddenly feeling very tired. He got out the car and rang the bell on the desk.

"Good afternoon sir, how may I help?" The cheery brunet smiled while wiping her hands on an oily rag and moving to stand behind the counter.

"I need my car fixed asap," Donway said "I think she's overheating."

Charley glanced past him at the Toyota sitting on the pavement, smoke was coming out of the bonnet she frowned, the car looked like it should have been scrapped ages ago.

"Of course I'll look her over, can I just take a few details?" Charley smiled, Donway nodded. "your name, contact number, make and model of the car"

Donway pulled a disposable phone out of his pocket "lost my old one" he said giving her a charming smile, he held out the phone so charley could write down the number. "And the names Donway, Dr Donway, as for the car. I can tell you it's a Toyota that once was blue."

Charley gave a small chuckle, looking Donway over. He didn't seem the type to drive an old rust bucket; his tailored suit was probably worth more than the car; his black hair was cut smartly only a little dishevelled. Charley guessed by the pulled down tie and undone top button that the man had had a long day, leaning forward slightly she got a quick glimpse of his shoes. Smart shiny black with no scuffs or signs of wear. His whole body shouted importance, his charming smile and the way he held himself made Charley think more lawyer than doctor.

"well I've had a cancellation this afternoon, so you're in luck. But I can't promise when she'll be ready." Charley saw his face fall slightly.

"Miss…." Donway began

"Davidson, Charley Davidson"

"Miss Davidson, I needed this car on the road yesterday" Donway flashed another dashing smile and winked making Charley go weak at the knees "if you can give the old girl all your attention I'm sure she'll take a shine to you." He lifted his brief case onto the desk, "and I'm certain all costs can be covered, including your over time" he opened the case carefully keeping its contents hidden "cash ok?"

"So you just agreed to spend all night fixing this guy's car?" Modo said, bringing Charley her 3rd cup of coffee.

He was a nice charming guy, who looked like he had had a rough day" Charley replied still tinkering under the car. "Damn it, another hole" Charley rolled out, taking Modos hand he pulled her up "and between you and me Big Guy it was nice to flirt with another human for a change" she took the cup. "No offence" Modo just smiled and followed her over to Throttle. "Throttle can you find a whole new exhaust system that will be delivered tomorrow"

"That would be today Charley girl" Throttle replied picking up the phone yet again to call for parts.

Charley glanced at the clock 00:31 "only just" she called back "Modo why don't you go back to the score board? I'll send Throttle as soon as we've ordered the parts. No point us all loosing sleep"

"It's no problem Charley ma'am" he replied with a smile "besides I can't help but be a bit curious myself" he added jerking his thumb at Vincent.

Ever since Vinnie had heard Charley had let slip a man had charmed her to bringing life to a dead car, he had been scouring the CCTV tapes for a glimpse of his face. Dark mutterings had constantly come from the back office for the past hour as Vinnie fast forwarded through tape after tape.

"It was nothing like that, he just looked like he needed a break" Charley sipped her coffee "he called for a taxi to the hospital straight after we got his car in." she made her way over to throttle and leant against the desk

"So he's a Doctor" Throttle said glancing at her notes. "Should we be concerned?"

"It's not like that, I mean sure he's charming. But I'm in need of new clients and if all goes well with Dr Donway then maybe I'll get some more business. We all know I need it"

The mice looked around the garage guiltily. Large cracks and holes littered the walls thanks to their rough housing. A building inspector would have a field day. Donway however had handed over enough cash to fix his car twice, or so they had thought as the list of things wrong with the car increased Throttle had become more and more chummy with the warehouse staff who had agreed to stay very late to make sure all the parts where shipped. "Right so Theodore wants to know if he can go home yet Charley Girl."

"I'm going to give her one more once over then yes." Charley replied "with a hero's status"

"Hay Bros! Bros I found him." Vinnie whooped doing a back flip into the garage. Charley rolled back under the car while the bros all filtered into the back office. The small room barely fit all three of them in. "See there! There he is!" Vinnie jabbed a finger at the screen.

"Alright easy hot shot" Throttle said grabbing Vinnies head and pushing it out the way "let us all see."

True to Charley's word he had arrived late in the day, dark eyes and dark hair he walked with what could only be described as tired elegance. Charleys reaction to him was obvious, she tucked her hair behind one ear leaning forward gave the good doctor a glimpse of her cleavage. Charley could hear from under the car bonnet the wolf whistles and "chill Vinnie" cries from the back office.

Until all went quiet, a little too quiet for Charleys liking. Suddenly she was yanked out from under the car by a very concerned Throttle, behind him a worried Modo was calming an anger Vinnie.

"Charley at any point did this guy give you bad vibes?" Throttle asked his voice scarily calm

"no why? What's going on?"

"There was a gun in his briefcase Charley" Throttle said "A loaded gun."