We'll Always Have Mars-Chapter 1
Throttle and Carbine stood on the balcony of the makeshift headquarters of the Resistance. It was once the home of the Martian Prime Minister. The military confiscated it from Plutorkian forces during the war. Throttle leaned over the side and took in the crisp night air.
"I'm really glad you're back, Throttle." Carbine said, placing her hands on his back and staring into his face,"I don't ever want you to leave me again."
The tan-furred mouse turned and gazed back at her. He took in her hazel colored eyes and long dark hair. He smiled as his hand cupped her cheek while his arm encircled her waist and his other hand rested on her back. A smile played on her lips.
"I don't plan on going anywhere." He replied. She then rubbed her cheek against his hand loving the feeling of his touch. Wanting it to last. They then kissed.
Deimos and Phobos, Mars' two moons shone across the dark purple sky like glittering pearls.
"Incredible." Charley breathed.
"Yeah, that's one thing I missed about home. When me and my bros first stayed on Earth, I had to get used to seeing only one moon." Vinnie replied.
They rode through Red Rim Pass and now over Olympus Mounds. Many of the Plutorkians had been driven back to Plutork by the Resistance but some stragglers had found shelter near the Sand Raiders camp. Vinnie and other Freedom Fighters had the task of keeping Red Rim Pass safe for travel. Innocent civilians, in times past, were captured by Rats and sold as slaves to Sand Raiders.
Charley insisted on going along with him to see the rest of Mars. They stopped for a minute to enjoy the view.
"I don't think I would ever get tired of looking at such a beautiful sight." She replied, gazing at the moons.
"Neither would I." Vinnie said, grinning.
Charley turned to see Vinnie staring at her. She then blushed and smiled.
Then a rush of cold air came whipping through. Charley then shivered trying to wrap her arms around her. Vinnie immediately took off his jacket and put it around her shoulders. She gave him a grateful smile. Charley gasped as she turned around.
"Sweetheart, what's wrong?" Vinnie asked.
"I stepped on something. In the bushes." She replied, pointing.
Vinnie took out his blaster then lit one of his flares. He shone a light into the place Charley pointed out. There on the ground appeared to be a bundle of clothes. Vinnie bent down and examined further.
"It's a body!" Vinnie said, "One of the Rats."
"Who-Who is it?" Charley asked.
"Mace." He replied, grimly.
Charley paled. She knew all about Mace. He was a traitor to the Freedom Fighters. The one who pretended to be one of them so he could bring down the Resistance. His plan would have worked if Throttle hadn't suspected him. Rimfire, Modo's nephew also caught him supplying info to a Sand Raider and told Carbine. As an act of revenge, Mace abducted Harley, Vinnie's girlfriend. She was never seen since. Vinnie always lived in the hope that they'd find her again.
"I'm sure Harley got away." Charley reassured him.
"I hope so. If he's..." He began, then stopped. It was hopeless. With Mace dead, how was he ever going to find out what happened to Harley?
Modo now rode up on his purple Fatboy motorcycle.
"Hey, Vin. Miss Charley." He saluted.
"Big Guy. Thought you were visiting your mom." Vinnie said.
"I was. I was on my way back to Martian command and ran into an old friend riding a Freedom Fighter bike. You'll never guess who." Modo replied.
"Harley?"
"How'd you know?" Modo asked, surprised.
"Found her abductor in the bushes a few feet away." Vinnie replied, pointing with his thumb at the grotesque bundle hidden by leaves and branches.
The gray furred mouse got off his bike and went into the bushes to look.
"It's Mace alright. Met a bad end. Looks like he got half his face blown off." Modo replied, grimly.
Charley stiffened.
"I better call Throttle. Also a cleanup crew to pick up the body."
"Harley say where she was going?" Vinnie asked.
"Martian Command." Modo replied.
Vinnie put on his helmet and got on his bike. Charley stretched out her hand but he was so lost in thought that he didn't see it. The white mouse took off like a shot. Charley looked disappointed. She felt a large hand on her shoulder.
"Vinnie didn't mean any harm, Miss Charley-ma'am. It's just that..."
"I understand." She replied. Did she really? He just ditched her to go see his ex. Someone he'd been romantically involved with during the war. Should she feel threatened?
"Give you a lift?" Modo asked her.
"Thought you'd never ask." Charley told him.
Meanwhile, Vinnie raced his red Sports bike through Red Rim Pass. A thousand thoughts swirled into his mind. Is Harley okay? How'd she get away from Mace? Will she forgive me for not being able to save her?
But his thoughts were soon put to rest the minute he entered Martian Command.
"Vinnie?"
A slender caramel-colored female mouse with honey-blonde hair now approached him. She wore khaki pants, black boots, and a beige shirt. Her baby blue eyes took in the big, muscular white mouse biker who now got off his bike and removed his helmet.
"Harley?"
Joy now lit up her face.
She instantly threw her arms around him. He smiled and hugged her back.
"Darling. I'm so happy you're alive." He managed to say.
"Harley told us about Mace."
Vinnie looked up to see Throttle standing near a table with Carbine.
"Modo had called earlier which confirmed it." Carbine said.
"It was awful. I...I thought I was going to die." Harley said, tearing up, "Mace had me. I tried to get away. He took out his blaster. I must've grabbed for it at the same time he did and...and it went off."
"You're safe now. That's what's important." Vinnie told her.
"It's a miracle you weren't injured." Carbine said.
"So how did you get away?"
Modo and Charley entered the building. Charley now approached Harley. The latter eyed Charley with suspicion.
"And you are?" She asked.
"Charley. A friend of Vinnie's."
Harley quickly caught on. The way Charley said " friend" seemed to imply that they were more than that.
"Charmed I'm sure. You know, I'm a little tired..." Harley said, as her knees buckled out from under her. Vinnie rushed to her side and caught her.
"I think I need rest." She said, then turning to Vinnie, "Could you show me to my room?"
"Sure. This way." He said, arm around her shoulders and leading her away.
"What was that all about?" Throttle asked.
"I don't know. Something about her story doesn't add up." Charley explained.
"You sure somebody isn't just jealous?" He teased.
"I'm not..." Charley began. Was she?
She tried to tell herself she wasn't but part of her was. The other part couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right with Harley.
"Vinnie, I feel so safe with you." Harley purred, putting her head on his shoulder and cuddling into his chest. She leaned her body closer. Vinnie blushed profusely.
"Well, here's your room." He said, quickly detangling her arm from his arm.
There was a bed and a small table.
"What's the matter? Don't you like me?" She asked, a little hurt at his rejection.
"I like you a lot."
"But you like Charley more? Is that it?" She questioned, angrily.
The blue eyes who moments ago sparkled happily now flamed like orange coals.
"Charley and me...we're sorta, going out." He explained.
"You can't be serious. She's a human. She belongs with her own species."
"Harley..."
"Vinnie, you trusted me once, you loved me once. Do you love me still?" She asked.
He saw longing in the blue eyes. And before he could answer, she covered his mouth with hers. He felt urgency in her lips as she kissed him. Her body pressed against his. It looked like his imagination was playing tricks on him but he could've sworned he saw her breasts get bigger.
"Couldn't be." His mind told himself.
She pulled away for a minute. Suddenly, purple, swirly waves flashed out of her eyes. Vinnie felt strange. He was going into a trace.
"What's happening? My mind's...I can't resist..." He mentally thought.
"Now...you're mine forever." Harley smiled, fiendishly as her eyes glowed purple.