Hey people! I'm back on track and to prove it I'm posting an extra long chapter!


ENJOY!


It took some time to explain everything to Malachi.

How the biker mice came to be on earth. How they met Charley. The Plutarkian threat. Throttle, Angela, and Tiffany's unexpected species change and their trip to and from mars. They told of Limburger's torment, their escape, and the return of their friends.

Crucible took up the story again, telling what he'd learned from the computer. "Greasepit failed Limburger once too often. Karbunkle was ordered to create a better breed of henchman. Something strong, fast, and deadly. Something totally subservient to Limburger, and yet intelligent enough to carry out orders, and adapt to new situations."

He looked over at Throttle and Modo, who were leaning against the couch. "He chose the snake specifically with you three in mind, as earth snakes eat mice."

Throttle raised his eyebrows at Modo. "I don't know, should we feel flattered?"

Modo grinned. "Daw if th' big cheese went t' all that trouble for us, I think it's the least we can do is feel flattered."

Throttle nodded. "Yep, that settles it. We'll have to return the favor once Vinnie's back up to snuff." They glanced worriedly at their white furred friend.

Crucible's sedative had done it's job well, he hadn't stirred once. Crucible kept a near constant watch on him, even fastening a small sensor to Vinnie's wrist, which sent constant updates of his condition to Crucible's scanner.

Catching their worried glances, the scientist glanced at the scanner's readout on the white pelted Martian. "He's stable." He reassured them.

"Why can't Erick remember me?" Malachi butted in.

"Let me guess." Throttle said grimly. "Karbunkle's notes said something about a 'mind bender beam'?"Crucible nodded. Throttle swore softly. "Cheese. Some gizmo's just never go out of style, do they Modo?"

Modo's eye glowed red in answer.

"I remember hearing about the machine. The Plutarkians used it on General Stoker." Buckshot said from his cot. Malachi gave a start. Up until now, he hadn't noticed the occupants of the other cots. Buckshot looked to Modo. "Didn't they almost use that on you?"

Modo growled, and his eye glowed even brighter.

Charley sighed and rubbed her temple. "You know, I never thought I'd be saying this, but you guys seriously need to break that."


Lunch was well underway, when Charlie suddenly yelled above the noise. "Hey quiet down!" Silence fell and Charlie turned up the radio.

"…and when asked about his generous offer to build the wind turbines for Chicago, Mr. Limburger had this to say."

Growls emanated from the various mice in the room, and Askook's rattle began to buzz quietly. Limburger's face suddenly appeared on the screen. He was at his most polite in front of the camera, and a sickly sweet smile was on his face.

"My dear fellow citizens of Chicago. It pleases me greatly to be able make your lives easier in any way that I possibly can. So when I learned of the city's plans to erect wind turbines in answer to the current power shortage, I was only too happy to offer my services! And at a mere third of the price." He smiled at that last. "Thus saving the taxpayer's dollars."

Modo wrinkled his nose as the news reporter came back onscreen. "Yuck. Th' big cheese is layin' it on awful thick ain't he?"

Throttle nodded grimly. "He sure is big fella. And I don't like it." He was silent for a moment, then called to Charley. "Save some for me Charley girl? I'm gonna head out to the work site and see what I can dig up."

"Ok. Be careful Throttle." Charley answered, waving back.

Throttle chuckled. "I will. You hold down the fort. Knowing these guys, your job'll be harder!" The tan mouse ruffled Tiffany's hair on the way out the door.

His bike rumbled to life a few minutes later, then the sound slowly faded as he drove away.


Malachi curled against Erick on the cot. It felt good to be in Erick's arms again. It was one of the few places he'd ever felt safe.

"So I am your cousin?"

Malachi craned his head to smile up at the snake. It was good to have him back. Even if he had lost his memory. "Yeah. You came to live with us after your mommy and daddy went away to heaven. You slept in the room next to mine."

Askook smiled. "Tell me about it. I want to know everything."

He felt the little boy's fingers curl against his scales reflexively. He flicked his tongue out, tasting the boy's scent on the air. He still had a hard time telling where scent ended and taste began. But smell, taste…whatever. The boy was afraid of something. He put his arm around Malachi protectively.

"Tell me…" he said softly.

Malachi wrapped his arms around Askook's waist. "You kept me safe…"

Askook brought his coils up onto the bed, draping them in ever widening coils around himself and the boy. "I always will." He gave Malachi a reassuring squeeze. "Who did I protect you from?"

Malachi was quiet, and after several minutes of silence, Askook decided he wasn't going to answer. Who had he been protecting Malachi from?

Guilt assailed him as he realized that whoever it was, his kidnapping had left Malachi vulnerable. His fault or not, he hadn't been there for Malachi for several months.

He hadn't been there for him when he needed him.

"Malachi…" he waited for the boy to look up at him. "Who did you need protecting from?"

Malachi turned his head to put his face against his cousin's flat belly scales. "….daddy…"


DUM Dum dum...! Mwahaha yes I'm in an evil mood today. Not as evil as when I tortured the bro's and almost killed Vinnie and Buckshot, but still...evil none the less. :D

It's highly satisfying and tharapeutic, you should try it sometime! LOL.

...So...Questions? Comments? Concerns? Shoot 'em all this way and I try to catch you bullets with my teeth!...Or maybe I could just wait untill they stop flying and pick them up, my teeth see enough abuse as it is...

Untill next time...