Disclaimer - I don't own any of the characters from Biker Mice from Mars! Any characters and situations herein are purely ficticious, and any similarity between those and persons living or dead is coincedental :)
I do own my own characters - these are all characters that come from my own work, although I have altered names and occupations slightly so they fit into the real world! I also own The Legacy - unfortunately only on paper but I can dream! :D
Chapter 14 – Crafty Escape
Freda woke some time later to find Throttle sitting by her bedside.
"What in hells teeth are you doing here?" Freda sat up wincing, she'd been in bed for far too long and her body was protesting painfully.
"Charley was worried." Throttle sounded so quiet and withdrawn it immediately attracted Freda's attention.
"Where's Stoker?" Freda hissed, throwing the quilt off herself. Throttle screwed his eyes shut as he realised Freda was going to get changed in front of him; he could feel himself colouring in embarrassment.
"Stoker, Carbine and Vinnie went out early this morning, they're not back yet." Throttle murmured, his tail lashing restlessly. His ears twitched at the sound of rustling fabric.
"They've gone to Limburger's." It wasn't a question, it was a statement and Freda was furious.
"Yeah, Stoker put something in your juice this morning." Throttle nodded. "He is right about one thing though – Limburger doesn't make empty threats. He will have Kai prisoner."
"Humbug, humbug, humbug!" Freda said emphatically. She strode out of the room; Throttle slowly opened his eyes and sighed. He felt terribly alone; he curled himself up tightly in the chair.
Freda clattered into the kitchen to find Momma and Charley having a quiet conversation. Charley looked up guiltily.
"Sorry – Stoker was determined to go. I didn't know he'd drugged your drink until it was too late." Charley apologised. Freda breathed deeply and smiled; time to prioritise.
"I know that man has a one track mind some days." Freda admitted dryly, "Do you think they should be back by now?"
"Hard to tell, but I'd say this is normal considering they're breaking into the tower as oppose to just blowing it up." Charley grimaced. "At least I hope this is an ok length of time."
"I'm sure they're fine." Momma said reassuringly. "Stoker and Vinnie can take risky decisions, but Carbine is very level headed."
"Hmmmm." Freda hummed. "Well more company means I better get on and finish some more rooms."
"How many rooms are there?" Charley asked in surprise.
"Er – a lot, you guys haven't even really seen half of this place yet. I built it with company in mind – mainly my re-enactment friends." Freda rolled her eyes. "I think I'll get Throttle to help; might help him a bit."
"Well Rimfire seems to be doing better now." Momma nodded happily. "So if there's anything Primer and I can do as well?"
"Probably, is Modo still here too?" Freda asked. "Just there's furniture needs shifting again if he'd be up for it."
"I'm sure he would be." Momma replied thoughtfully. "It'll give Rimfire a break from fussing family."
"What about me?" Charley interjected.
"Charley you've had the garage closed for two days, and the two days before that weren't exactly nine to five – how's about finishing off your workload?" Freda suggested.
"Sounds kinda good actually." Charley laughed. "I've missed tinkering with engines! But I had actually kept like – two weeks free to give myself a break!"
Freda grinned and took her leave; she found Throttle still curled up in the chair in her room. She gently placed a hand on Throttle's shoulder, rousing him from whatever thoughts were consuming him. Throttle slowly uncurled and looked at her. She slowly removed his shades; Throttle screwed his eyes up at the light. Freda drew the curtains and knelt in front of him. Pulling a face when she realised he still couldn't see her clearly; she gently replaced his shades, smiling as he focussed on her.
"I could use some help." Freda spoke very softly.
"What with?" Throttle asked despondently, he wasn't really interested in helping.
"Your choice, there are rooms to be finished off, I need to buy the makings of more furniture and I also need to go see my land agent about purchasing some more of the land that's currently just wasteland." Freda sat back on her heels and waited for Throttle's decision.
"Oh." Throttle mulled it over slowly. "Well if we went to see the – er – land agent then stopped off to go furniture shopping?"
Freda nodded at the suggestion. It's what she would have done anyway, but she wanted Throttle to feel that this had been solely his decision.
"So are we taking your 4x4 then?" Throttle stood up, he still sounded down, but Freda detected a note of interest in his voice.
"Nah, we'll take your bike." Freda grinned. "It's been ages since I rode pillion."
"You sure? What about dragging stuff home?" Throttle asked sceptically.
"I can get it delivered – it'll be a mite big for my 4x4 anyway." Freda explained.
Over an hour had passed since they left Charley at the Last Chance, Throttle had happily driven over to the land agents office and listened intently as Freda ruthlessly bargained with the land agent and relevant parties over the land purchase. The land agent seemed worried by the purchase, but seemed to relax when Freda set out her whole plan. It would ensure Limburger couldn't get hold of the land on a very permanent basis.
They were back on the road and heading to a place Freda had found that sold the types of wood she wanted. Throttle had found it strange having Freda nestled against his back to begin with, but he'd now relaxed and was beginning to enjoy the sensation.
"Turn left here." Freda's voice crackled over the helmet's communicator.
"Okay." Throttle confirmed, steering his bike up the narrow street and parking by the timber yard entrance. Freda hopped off, removed her helmet and began wandering amongst the timber stacks; a look of great reverence on her face as she examined different woods. Throttle removed his helmet cautiously and joined her, still carrying his helmet.
"What are you after exactly?" Throttle asked looking down at the pile of oak Freda was examining.
"Stuff for furniture, all the stuff I have at the house was made by me or friends of mine." Freda explained.
"Wow." Throttle was astounded at the reply. "So was it you who made the quilts too?"
"Uh-huh, yup, I made them." Freda smiled happily. "You like?"
"Yeah, a lot actually." Throttle shuffled his feet. "We don't really have stuff like that on Mars currently."
"I see, well I could use a trip to the fabric store as well." Freda replied, a devious smile crossing her face.
"Right, okay." Throttle sounded puzzled, but seemed ok with the idea of the added shopping destination.
"Hello!" A friendly shout came from a dilapidated shed. A middle aged man in denim overalls strode down to meet them.
"Hello Chippy!" Freda greeted him cheerfully. Throttle ducked out of sight behind a pile of timber, cursing silently. Freda simply reached down and tugged Throttle's tail gently to encourage him to come back out.
"Well – so you bought a friend with you this time." Chippy stuck a hand out to Throttle. "So you're one of them bikers that are making a name for themselves against that wretch Limburger?"
"Yes." Throttle replied slightly stiffly.
"Oak again?" Chippy asked Freda, politely overlooking Throttle's discomfort. Throttle pricked his ears forward in interest. He didn't know much about wood, but these two evidently did.
"Well I'll definitely take more of this white oak – did you have any luck with that black oak I asked about? Oh and a friend's staying with me and will need some walnut, ash and teak." Freda looked thoughtful.
"Black oak arrives next week, as fer the other stuff – yer in luck, I have some in stock." Chippy grinned, "And I have that oak, ash, yew and pine you wanted in the warehouse – could drop it round this afternoon."
"Chippy – I love you!" Freda hugged the timber yard owner excitedly. Throttle raised his eyebrows at Freda's enthusiasm; he had no clue what half of the wood was for, but Freda evidently had plans in mind. She concluded her business with the aptly nicknamed Chippy and followed him back down to his bike. Throttle revved the engine slowly and spoke through the helmets communicator.
"Where now?"
"Fabric store – I have some ideas for more sewing projects." Freda sighed contentedly. "I have a house to finish and I already decided I wanted to leave most of stuff in the Gloucester house rather than packing it up and shipping it all over here!"
"So you have two houses now?" Throttle asked curiously.
"Yup, the one you've seen and a big old farmhouse near Gloucester in the UK." Freda explained. "Plus I have access to other properties owned by my families."
"Wow. So what have you got in mind sewing wise?" Throttle asked clearing his throat.
"Wait and see." Freda was grinning; Throttle could tell from the lilt of her voice. He guided his bike back out onto the road and followed Freda's easy instructions. He parked up and looked around sceptically. Freda slid of the back of the bike and took off her helmet; nudging Throttle she pressed a wad of notes into his hand and pointed at a diner down the street.
"Why don't you get something to eat? It's usually pretty quiet in there." Freda suggested. "Or you can come with – I don't mind."
"Ah, I'll wait here." Throttle looking at the money before handing it back.
"Okay." Freda looked worried. "Well I'll be quick as I can."
She disappeared into the shop and Throttle leant forward on his bike gazing down the street. An empty paper bag blew past, in the distance he could hear the sound of children playing and people going about their daily business. The sound of engines drew his attention; he twisted his head and saw Stoker, Carbine and Vinnie approaching, Throttle groaned.
"Hey Throttle!" Stoker greeted him cheerfully enough. "Came looking for you – where's Freda?"
"Shopping." Throttle jerked his head toward the craft shop. "What are you guys doing out here – this place is miles from Limburger's."
"Charley was worried you guys had been gone so long." Carbine explained slipping off her bike and taking her helmet off with a sigh.
"Whoa – where are you going?" Stoker asked in shock. Carbine shook her hair out and confidently walked over to the shop's entrance.
"Inside to find Freda." Carbine answered simply as she pushed the shop door open. Throttle wrinkled his nose; Carbine seemed so relaxed about being seen. He pulled his own helmet off and sat looking at the door; curiosity won out and he slowly swung off his bike. Stoker and Vinnie had followed suit, they cautiously approached the door. Bracing themselves for screams they stepped inside the shop. No shopkeeper in sight. The three male Martians exchanged glances; Throttle's ears twitched, he could hear the women laughing in another room. He slowly picked a way through the Aladdin's cave of craft materials; Vinnie and Stoker followed nervously. They eventually found themselves in a room filled with bolts of fabric, a large cutting table stood to one side and three women were standing by it flicking through a catalogue. Nothing too odd about that, except one of the women was Carbine and they were evidently discussing sewing patterns.
"That's nice." Carbine reached over and tapped the catalogue. Freda looked at the women's shirt pattern and laughed.
"I have that pattern at home – now Carbine will you stop going off on tangents!" Freda chuckled and flicked through the catalogue, "I was looking for a dress pattern I saw in a sewing magazine the other day. There!"
Throttle twitched his ears this way and that before clearing his throat quietly. All three women whipped round, Freda and Carbine grinned, and the shopkeeper relaxed as soon as she realised she wasn't neglecting other customers.
"Why don't you boys take a look see?" Freda suggested. They came over uncertainly and squinted at the dress.
"Well, it's, er, very nice." Stoker mumbled, looking at the classic figure hugging bodice with its full skirt.
"Wow." Vinnie's eyes popped.
"It'd look good on you Freda girl." Throttle said hesitantly.
"Hey! What about me?" Carbine wriggled suggestively; Throttle raised his eyes heavenward.
"Yeah I guess – you'd have every Freedom Fighter drooling though."
Carbine smirked.
"Could you order it in Di?" Freda asked; the shopkeeper nodded and smiled.
"Of course; now fabric – you were after cottons?"
"Yeah, new project – more fabric." Freda shrugged. "Not that I don't already have a remnants stash that is taking over my work room!"
Freda and Di discussed the merits of various fabrics, experimented with colours and finally agreed on a beautiful selection of materials for Freda's new project. Whatever it was, it was going to require a massive amount of fabric Throttle decided watching Di measure yard after yard of material out.
"So I take it Kai is at my place?" Freda enquired looking around to check she hadn't missed anything in the fabric department.
"Well, no, not exactly." Stoker sighed; he'd been dreading this exact moment.
"We searched the entire place, no sign of him anywhere." Carbine shuffled her feet. "I'm sorry Freda."
"Well we still destroyed the tower." Vinnie added hopefully.
"Hmmmm." Freda cocked an eyebrow sceptically at the youngest biker mouse. She paid Di and bundled her purchases up carefully into two packages before carrying them outside and lashing them to Carbine and Stoker's bikes.
As they headed for home a call came through from the garage's communicator.
"Charley girl?" Throttle answered worriedly. "Did something happen?"
"You could say..." Charley sounded amused, the mice exchanged looks. "There's a guy here who looks like he's Freda's twin – he says his name's Kai."
"What!" Stoker, Carbine and Vinnie yelled.
"News to our would be rescuers I think." Freda laughed.
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