Disclaimer - I don't own any of the characters from Biker Mice from Mars! Any characters and situations herein are purely fictitious, and any similarity between those and persons living or dead is coincidental :)

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

Short chapter again folks. ;)


Chapter 29 – Freda

Stoker strode into Freda's office and shut the door. He scratched his head as he regarded the human female.

"So what did you need to talk to about?" He asked warily watching the human trying to regain control of her breathing. At least she was trying to calm down before talking to him; maybe whatever she had to say had nothing to do with the scene that had just occurred. Stoker flicked his ears and waited.

"About Mars..." Turning, Freda sighed as she leaned against the heavy oak desk. "Look I'm not angry at you – I'm not even really angry at Carbine, her reaction was kind of understandable given the circumstances. Although before you ask I'm not taking back that punch! I'll apologise for it – but she damn well deserved it!"

"Agreed." Stoker nodded as he snagged a seat. "So, what about Mars?"

"Throttle talked to me a bit whilst we were in Wales, I offered to help, but I guessed I'd need to speak to you or Carbine about it. I'm choosing to speak to you." Freda shrugged. "I'm offering to help Stoker."

"How?" Stoker raised his eyebrows. "Look, Freda, I admire the sentiment, but this is our fight."

"I know – I'm not suggesting me with blunt swords fighting the Plutarkians!" Freda chuckled. "No I was thinking more along the lines of supplies, knowledge and general – well – help."

"I dunno." Stoker sighed heavily. "I fail to see exactly what you can do."

"Look Stoker – you know me, you know the group. We already do a lot of charity and aid work, we all love working with our hands. All I'm suggesting is channelling our efforts into helping Mars." Freda smiled. "After all we do kind of owe you."

"Yeah, I guess..." Stoker grimaced. "Never thought I'd see the day someone offered us charity."

"Grrr – will you stop being so damned stubborn and proud all the time! It's not like we're taking pity on you! We just want to say thank you!" Freda smiled "Throttle knows you and Carbine are keeping the full picture from him and the bro's – he knows Mars is in dire straits, so let us help out a bit. You've seen how much we produce on the farm in the UK – well I want to set up here on a smaller scale. I've already bought a large pocket of the wasteland Limburger has left in his wake; I can do a lot here in Chicago and the bro's can shuttle it up to Mars every so often. The group could easily keep you supplied with clothing, bedding, food, and the lord knows what else without even blinking! Keeping everyone in the group occupied is never a problem; it's what to do with the amount of items we produce! And another thing, I know a lot about horticulture, so if you have some kind of seed bank I'd like to filch a few seeds and try and grow them here on earth. Sort of set up a Martian plant nursery to take care of the plants until they can go back to Mars and be replanted in their natural environment. Maybe I could even care take some of your endangered species? Alec is already hinting he'd be willing to get a job in Chicago and help out in his spare time."

Stoker let out a low whistle; it was a handsome offer. He rubbed his neck thoughtfully as he considered the pro's and con's of Freda's proposal. He nodded slowly.

"I'm seeing way more up sides to this than down." He grinned. "You really wanna help that bad?"

"Yes!" Freda's eye's locked with his. "I'm totally serious Stoker. And why should the shuttle runs be a one way trip? Sure we can take stuff to Mars, but we could also bring people back; injured fighters, kids – you know, kind of like a rest bite from the war."

"Yeah I guess – but I thought you wanted to open up another place like the Gloucester farm? You know with visitors and stuff?" Stoker reminded her drily of the plans and dreams she'd discussed when he'd first met her.

"Yeah – but the house is private, and over half of my farm is private. The visitor centre only occupies a very small part of it; I could work out a similar set up here. Why don't I get set up and then you can take a look see? Then you can decide whether or not to approve!"

"Heh... Ok..." Stoker smiled. "And Freda – thank you. From the depths of my heart, thank you."

"It's ok." Freda blushed. "This whole arrangement will do me good too you know. I think it might just help me move on a little."

Stoker stood up and stared at her; she wasn't the most fragile looking of women, but still there was something about her that part of him yearned to protect. He sighed as he realised he didn't really want her involved in all this, but there again she already was involved. Grinning he stepped over and hugged her tight.

"Reckon we might just have found our winning card." He murmured softly.

"Stoker! Look out!" Freda screamed as she pulled the Martian General down and away from the window. The horrific sound of an explosion seemed to engulf the house as the windows blew in.

"What the what?!" Stoker struggled to get up. " Freda! Crap! You're bleeding!"

"Tell me something I don't know..." Freda's bitter retort was pained as she shifted to a kneeling position. "What in hell's teeth is that bastard up to now?"


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