Chapter 12

The group buckled themselves into their seats, Carbine and Rimfire sat at the controls, the others a row behind. Carbine started the engines, making checks. The ship lifted off of the sand and into the air with a jolt and a creak. Throttle and Modo looked at each other nervously.

"Hey Carbine, you sure this thing is gonna make it back to Mars?" Throttle called anxiously.

Carbine remained cool headed. "This tin can as you put it, is on its last legs, but it'll make it back, just," she called back.

"Well that's reassuring," Throttle remarked dryly.

"Oh Mamma," Modo sighed, looking around at the ship's fittings.

"I've managed to get worse flying before," Carbine told them, somewhat proudly. "Besides, the mission was non-negotiable." She looked at Throttle for a second.

Vinnie studied the bolts on the walls, hoping the whole thing would hold together long enough. "Is there like, an emergency pod or anything?" he asked doubtfully.

Rimfire turned to him. "There was once," he shrugged.

"I guess we've been in worse situations," Vinnie yielded.

"Yeah, like being shot down on Earth," Throttle muttered, reliving the memory.

Charley looked concerned. "Are you guys gonna be OK in this?" she asked with slight alarm.

"Sure, don't worry Charley," Rimfire called to her. "We got it here OK, we'll get it back."

Charley nodded, unconvinced. She held Vinnie's hand as they sped across the outer atmosphere. She took little notice of the blackened space outside, scattered with tiny stars. Or of the spectacle of Earth from that angle.

Within minutes, Carbine started their decent, tapping in the Last Chance garage's coordinates. Charley felt sick, but the journey wasn't the reason. She breathed deeply as they lowered through the clouds into the Chicago night sky. The ship's cloaking abilities worked well enough, that was a bonus. As they dropped down into Charley's neighbourhood, there was little need for cloaking anyhow. No one walked the streets at night, not many people actually lived there since Limburger's demolition began. Carbine landed behind the garage with a thud.

She turned to them. "Rimfire and I will wait here, make sure the ship's ready for the journey."

"We'll get the bikes," Throttle gestured to Modo. "Go pick up our stuff from the scoreboard." He couldn't quite comprehend what he was saying.

Modo nodded to him and sighed. "Jus' can't believe this'll be our last ride through Chi-town."

They headed for the cargo bay as Carbine and Rimfire stood to acknowledge Charley. Vinnie waited by the door with one of Charley's bags as she said her goodbyes. Carbine hugged her, standing to look at her for a second, giving her a nod. Charley sadly walked with her case to the door, which Vinnie opened. He followed her down the ramp. As Charley opened the garage door, they heard Throttle and Modo roaring down the deserted road. Charley set her case to one side as they walked in, Vinnie put the other bag down next to it. She sighed.

Vinnie looked around, knowing it would be the last time he stood in the Last Chance. He noted the dented and scraped walls that had taken a battering from the trio over the years, not to mention unwanted visitors, the floor on which they'd fixed their bikes so many times and the windows that had been smashed on numerous occasions. There had been lots of good times too of course, lots of laughter and games. The scenes and sounds of the past echoed in his mind. "Can't believe I won't see this place again," Vinnie remarked, finding it hard to accept. "So many memories, huh Sweetheart." He spoke softly, treading carefully.

Charley smiled through her sorrow, giving a small nod. "Too many. This isn't the right place for me now. I don't wanna live in the past, not any more."

Throttle and Modo had gathered their few belongings at the scoreboard and loaded them onto the back of their bikes.

Modo looked around the space. "Man, I sure am gonna miss this place."

Throttle sighed heavily. "Me too, we had some good times here. Gonna miss watchin' the baseball that's for sure."

Modo looked down onto the field. "You can say that again. Sittin' there with a Root beer and chilli dog…"

Throttle chuckled, "Man, gonna miss those things too." His voice became more serious. "Anyway, we'd better get back, we've got a long trip ahead."

Modo nodded in agreement. "Last ride through Chi-town," he stated nostalgically.

"Let's do it," Throttle shut his helmet and led the way as they burst from the scoreboard onto the road. They passed familiar scenes as they sped along.

Modo spoke via his helmet. "Gonna miss seeing the lake, an' the trees, an' green grass..."

Throttle knew they'd have to get used to a barren landscape once again. "Blue sky," he added. They stopped at some red lights. "Not gonna miss these so much," he smiled. They passed Limburger tower, which stood empty. He scoffed, "Sure ain't gonna miss that."

"Yeah, this city sure is gonna smell better," Modo sneered as the tower disappeared in their rear view mirrors. They left down town Chicago behind and headed towards the Last Chance.

Vinnie and Charley heard the bikes come back. Modo and Throttle appeared shortly after. This was it. A solemn silence fell.

Throttle stepped forward. "This is it, Charley girl, time to say goodbye," he announced with regret.

Charley swallowed as she fought back the inevitable tears. "I don't know what to say, things won't ever be the same, you guys were my life." She hugged Throttle. "You all saved me and this city so many times, I can't ever thank you enough for that."

"All part of a hero's job," Throttle smiled. "It's been a blast Charley, you did your fair share too, don't forget that."

"Go be with Carbine," Charley smiled, her tears slipping down her face. "You two've waited long enough."

Throttle gave a small smile. "You take care babe," he told her, before walking out.

Modo stepped forward, hugging her. "Things won't be the same without you, Charley ma'am," he said softly.

Charley smiled weakly. "I'm gonna miss you guys more than you can imagine. I'm so glad I met you, and I'm so lucky."

"Aw, well we feel the same," Modo told her. "We won't ever forget our time here with you Charley."

"Enjoy being back with your family." Charley's face was filled with genuine happiness for him.

Modo nodded in thanks, muttered a goodbye and disappeared through the door.

Charley wiped her eyes, turning to Vinnie. She smiled sadly. "I never imagined things would end up this way, back in the day."

Vinnie nodded, giving her a small smile. "Me neither. Can't deny the whole thing's been one wild ride."

Charley gave a small laugh through her tears. "You can say that again."

Vinnie looked at her, then down at his feet as his smile faded. When his pink eyes met hers again, they were noticeably misty. "I'm gonna miss you sittin' behind me, holdin' on to me," he told her seriously.

Charley looked at him intently. "I'll always be holding onto you," she replied quietly.

Vinnie looked down again, he sighed, his mouth opening as he thought. He looked at her. "Sweetheart, I know I never said it, but-"

"-You don't have to," Charley cut in, smiling as much as she could muster. "Some things are better off that way."

Vinnie nodded in agreement. "Guess some things are meant to be, and some things just aren't?"

Charley gave a nod and shrugged, wiping her face. "Even if we can't understand it."

He pulled her into a hug. She clung to him, her body shaking slightly. After a short time, he stepped back, holding her arms. "Do what makes you happy, Sweetheart. Time to look forward, there's a whole world out there," he told her confidently, trying to smile.

She nodded, shakily sniffing back tears. "Hey you too, you got a safe planet now. No regrets, no pining, OK?" She pointed a finger at him.

Vinnie gave a short laugh. "OK." He held her face, kissing her, before pressing his forehead against hers. She held the back of his head in her hands and shut her eyes in the silence. He stepped back, their eyes met, knowing it was the last time they would probably see each other. They briefly held hands as Vinnie took another step back, giving a small nod of acknowledgement, his smile strained, as he turned and walked, not wanting to prolong the moment any further. Charley gave a nod back, and dropped her head, wrapping her arms around herself. Not looking up, she sat on a nearby tyre, holding her head in her hands, crying quietly, as Vinnie buckled himself into his seat numbly.

Charley's head hurt. She could hear the ship warming up in the yard. She started to shake her head. "No," she mumbled to herself, repeating it with more certainty as the seconds ticked by. This wasn't right. Her gut told her, it was never wrong, and she knew things couldn't end this way. She stood up quickly, her heart pumping and her breath ragged. Her eyes darted as her mind raced at a million miles per hour. She heard the ship's engines start up, jolting her into action. Her body propelled itself before her mind had time to process her movements, she ran to the door, yanking it open, the roar of the ship was deafening. She raced around the corner of the Last Chance, where the engines were blowing up litter and dust. Shielding her eyes, she started to run again, but she was too late. The ship loomed above her, ascending. She stopped abruptly and shouted up, waving her arms, but her voice was lost in the noise, the ship and her hopes getting smaller at every moment. Within seconds, it was gone. The cloaking device having been turned on. Charley's heart sank. It was her own fault. She'd missed her chance. Numbly she walked back into the lonely silence of the garage. She locked the door, taking herself off to bed. Her eyes were sore and she felt queasy, sleep was the best thing now. She got into bed, flicking through the photos on her phone. It all seemed like a distant dream, suddenly. Maybe the whole thing was. Maybe she'd wake up tomorrow and realise none of it was real.

Vinnie was in no mood to talk. He took himself off to the makeshift sleeping area, made up of some basic bunk beds. The others gave him his space. They busied themselves with talk of plans for Mars, and Carbine bought them up to speed with plans already in action, including the freeing of prisoners. There was plenty to do when they arrived. He would at least have plenty to take his mind off of things. It was going to be a long three day journey in the meantime.

When Charley woke the next morning, there was no luxurious bed, room or view. No swimming in the sea and no fancy breakfast. No mice. No Vinnie. The reality was hard hitting. She got ready and went downstairs to her battered garage. Forget a fancy breakfast, she had no fresh food at all, not that she was actually hungry. She opened her laptop to check her emails, more out of habit than necessity. She still felt numb, it was hard to think clearly. As the screen came to life, she frowned, baffled by what she saw waiting for her. It wasn't an email, that was for sure. Her mind was still trying to process so much. Maybe she needed to rest, maybe her mind was too exhausted and she should come back to this later. She left clicked warily, it confirmed she definitely wasn't imagining things. As she stared, her face turned a little pale. She looked up, not quite believing what she was seeing. She sat at her screen for some time before moving.

She knew there was so much to do that day, but at that moment, she needed to go to Limburger tower, needed to see the empty building for herself. Needed to see if anything had been left behind. If there was any information about Mars or the mice, she would of course destroy it, but there was something in particular she wanted to find.

She grabbed some cash and got into her truck. She drove through the streets and into the heart of the city, parking near the tower. She looked up at the imposing building. It certainly looked abandoned. There were no goons, no security. She walked up the steps to the front entrance. The doors were of course locked, secured with a huge chain and padlock. She looked through the glass, it was empty and very messy. She walked around the building, trying the side doors, but they too were locked, and probably alarmed. Getting back in her truck, she sighed.

"I knew it'd come to this," she muttered, driving towards the lake. She pulled up in a quiet spot at the shore, below ground level. A large pipe protruded slightly from the rocky wall, a thin river of water running along its base and into the lake. She'd known where the sewer outlet was, having been there with Carbine once before. She also knew it ran under the tower and that there was a direct entrance. Heaving herself up into the large circular pipe, which was easily fourteen foot in diameter, she switched on her torch. She got out her phone and found the map she'd saved from the previous navigation. She was relieved to still have it, there was no way she'd ever find her way in the maze of pipes without it. She set out, following the route, shining her torch ahead in the darkness.

After a while she finally came to a metal ladder leading to a manhole cover above. She climbed up, lifting the cover and pushing it to one side. She pulled herself up into the darkness. She remembered coming up into the basement before, but there had been lights. She found the door and walked out into a basic gray corridor, which had dim lighting set along the ceiling. She was confident she knew the layout of the building, having studied plans of it so many times with the mice. She turned a couple of corners before coming to large metal doors. She pressed a button, they parted with a hiss. She entered Karbunkle's lab, a vast room with no windows. The lights were again dim, humming quietly. The room looked like it had been ransacked, no computers or any technology of any kind had been left. Charley guessed that Limburger's goons had taken it to make some quick cash, on some kind of alien black market, no doubt. Just because the Plutarkians had left Earth, plenty of other unsavoury characters still visited, or resided, after all. What little furniture there was lay broken, bottles smashed, boxes empty. There was nothing left. She looked around, her heart sinking. She was doubtful the lift was working, but to her surprise it seemed to be. She went up to the ground floor of the main building. As she stepped out, she was thankful to see sunlight through the windows. Just like the lab, the rooms were trashed, emptied of anything of use of value. She went floor to floor, checking what was left. Every floor was the same. As she came to the living quarters, it occurred to her that Greasepit must still be out there somewhere, probably working for some other low life. Once she had looked around every floor, she was positive nothing of importance had been left there, and certainly not what she'd hoped to find. She felt sick. Swallowing back tears, she made her way back to the basement, and began the task of navigating the pipes once more.

She returned to the garage with some basics, having stopped off at the store. Pouring herself some cereal and sitting on the sofa, she once again checked her phone. No messages from Jack. The silence was something she would usually cherish, until the mice turned up. Now it was different. She turned on the TV, watching the news, giving her something to turn her attention to. Soon there was no putting off what needed to be done. There was so much to get sorted. She wrote out a list of jobs.

"Right, let's get started," she sighed to herself. She made the necessary phone calls related to her finances, storage and the garage. She grabbed some old boxes and started the task of packing up. She wasn't going to hang around any longer than she had to. By mid afternoon she'd had enough. Time for the next job. She walked round the corner to Chef Andy's diner to say her goodbyes, and dropped into a couple of other people. She had no close ties in Chicago, at least. No family, and her closest friends were now gone. When she returned to the garage, she did some paperwork and sent a few emails. The day had soon filled up and kept her busy, which was good. As she finished dinner that evening, her phone sounded. She picked it up, Jack had sent a text.

"Tomorrow lunchtime," Charley repeated to herself, reading it. She had an early night, the next day would be just as busy.

Charley got woken the next morning by the bright sun, shining through the bedroom window. A beam of sunlight was streaking through the gap in the curtains and onto the bed. She wasted no time in getting up and getting ready, and continued packing up. It was surprising how much stuff she actually had. The big stuff she would leave of course, her tools could go to LA.

It was approaching midday when she heard rotor blades getting steadily nearer. She ran out onto the street, waving her arms, as a black helicopter descended, whipping up dirt and litter around her. She shielded her face as her hair blew wildly. The helicopter landed, the blades gradually stopping. Jack took off his head gear and jumped out. He still had his shoulder length honey blonde hair and a fair amount of stubble.

"How you doing, kid," he greeted her gently, hugging her. She hugged him, pleased to see a good friend.

"Not so good," she replied, clearly upset.

He looked at her. "Hey, hey, it's OK," he told her soothingly.

Charley wiped a tear from her cheek. "It's all gone wrong Jack, I was so stupid to think me and Vinnie…"

He rubbed her arms. "You're not at all Charley, it's just life, shit happens."

She sniffed, taking a shaky breath. "Come inside, I wanna show you something." Jack followed her inside, where she opened her laptop. "I found this after they'd left," she told him with tense apprehension.

Charley nervously watched Jack study the screen. She could tell he was shocked, but he kept his cool. "Well that changes things," he remarked calmly, looking at her. "Have you been to look?"

Charley bit her lip and nodded. The tears in her eyes telling him she didn't find it. "I was even more stupid to think it was gonna be at the tower, it's not gonna be, it never was," she sobbed, tears falling down her face.

Jack hugged her once again, rubbing her back. He thought for a moment, a realisation washing over him. He smiled to himself. "Well, you know, I think you might be wrong."

Charley stepped back, wiping her eyes. She shook her head, "I'm not. It would've been there by now-" she started with certainty.

"-Charley," Jack interrupted, "trust me, you're wrong," he replied with equal certainty.

Charley frowned. "Why are you so sure?" she asked, confused.

Jack raised his eyebrows. "Come with me, kid." He gestured for her to get in the helicopter.

Charley looked at him doubtfully, but she trusted him. She ran inside, grabbed her keys and locked the door. She climbed in, putting on the head gear, her mind and heart racing. Jack jumped in and started it up. The blades rotated loudly as they lifted off. Charley had never been in a helicopter before, but she had to admit it was more comfortable than a flying bike. The neighbourhood got smaller as they got higher and higher, until the whole of the city was underneath them. Tall buildings glinted in the sun, and the rivers and lake twinkled and sparkled with droplets of sunlight.

They reached down town, Charley studied the city. Jack turned to the left, making for Limburger tower.

As they approached the building, Jack spoke into her headphones. "You were just looking in the wrong place," he smiled, bringing the helicopter around to circle the tower.

Charley looked at him, then down at the tower's rooftop. Her eyes widened when she saw it. "The rooftop!" she cried, her hands pressing against the glass, as she stared in shock.

"Saw it on the way in," Jack told her. "Didn't realise what it was."

Charley craned her neck, still staring at it as the helicopter circled. She was gob smacked. "I can't believe it ended up there!" she cried, a genuine smile forming on her mouth, for the first time in quite a while.

Jack tuned the helicopter back towards the garage. "So, lots to think about."

Charley nodded, her mind and heart racing even more than it was before. "… Yeah," she swallowed, "there is."

The afternoon was spent packing up the rest of Charley's belongings. The garage looked much bigger being so bare. It also felt cold and clinical. Jack helped shift boxes and load them onto her truck. They took it in turns to drive them to the storage depot. Jack would sort out their transport to LA at a later date. Charley had been ruthless in what she threw away. That required a trip to the dump.

She sighed as she looked around. The garage had been a part of her whole life. It had memories from every stage of her life, good and bad. It was only a few years ago Jack had left for LA, then the mice had come along. Now this.

"You OK?" Jack asked, seeing her contemplating.

She looked at him and smiled. "Yeah. Just thinking about all the times here. The Last Chance has been the base for so many chapters."

Jack nodded. "Well you won't be letting it go, it'll always be here."

Charley smiled and gave a small laugh. "And Limburger never did get his hands on it, after everything."

"And he never will," Jack added with satisfaction.

"But time to close the book now." Charley stated with certainty. "I wanna look forwards."

They cleaned the garage, ready for potential rental clients. Jack helped with some small DIY jobs. At the end of the afternoon, they took Charley's truck and bike to the storage facility, ready for shipment. That evening, she packed a case of essentials, ready for the journey. Jack slept on the sofa whilst Charley spent her last ever night in her bed, in her garage, in Chicago. She brushed her hair in the mirror before bed. Setting the brush down, she studied her reflection, and smiled.

The pair were up early the next morning. They gathered the last bits together and took some last minute paperwork to the bank. Charley looked around the garage, which now echoed more than before. It was hard to believe she was leaving this place for good. At one time she could never have imagined such a thing. But staying wasn't an option now. She had to look forward.

Jack walked up to her, knowing how hard this was for her. "Ready kid?" he asked gently.

She nodded, her eyes tearing up. Jack walked out, carrying her case. He waited outside. Charley knew that standing there was only prolonging things, she turned and walked to the door, giving the place one more look before heading outside and shutting the door behind her. Tears fell from her eyes as she locked the door and looked up at the building, and the Last Chance sign above the garage.

Jack hugged her, then looked her in the eye. "Ready to go?" he asked.

"Yeah," she replied, wiping her eyes. "I am."

They went round the back of the garage to where the helicopter sat. Jack put the case in and Charley climbed into the passenger seat whilst Jack did the necessary checks. Charley took some deep breaths. This was it. The new beginning.

Satisfied with the checks, Jack turned to her. "We're good. So I assume I'm stopping off at Limburger tower before heading to the airport?"

Charley looked at him, her eyes were still misty but determined. She nodded with certainty. "Yes please Jack."

He nodded, putting on his headgear as he started the helicopter. Charley secured hers as the blades thundered loudly. Her stomach flipped and her heart pounded. They lifted into the air as the Last Chance was left below, empty yet full with memories. It became smaller as they rose. Charley watched it shrink until she could no longer see it. She watched the neighbourhood pass by. She wouldn't miss that so much. The taller, smarter buildings of the city soon surrounded them. Jack turned, heading for the tower. They could see it approaching rapidly. Once he was above, Jack descended. He landed on the rooftop, the blades coming to a halt. Charley took off her headgear and got out, slowly, fixing her eyes on the object. Her hair blew wildly around her face, the wind ruffling her clothes and whistling every now and then. Jack followed, looking over it with curiosity. Charley walked cautiously towards it, looking it over. She stood in front of it, reaching out a hand to touch it, afraid it might not be real. It was there, it was real. She felt sick with anticipation.

Jack watched her, standing back a little. He gave her some time. Charley was silent, deep in thought as the wind blew around them. After a time, she turned to him. He could see the pained expression on her face, but also one of determination and certainty. He stepped up to her and hugged her. She hugged him back, a sob emerging from her. He held her, knowing what this meant to her. Any other sobs were lost on the wind as she wiped her face and looked up at him.

He held her arms and called to her. "Are you ready to go, kid?"

She nodded. "Yeah," the word quiet against the noise.

"Sure you wanna do this?" Jack asked her one last time. Charley shut her eyes and gave a hard nod, looking at him. He nodded back.

They walked as the wind whipped up, howling like a wolf.

Charley opened the door and got in, as did Jack, shutting out the chaos.

Jack put his headgear on as he looked at Charley.

She took a deep breath and smiled.

He smiled back.

Charley closed her eyes, there was no going back now.

Jack started up the helicopter, the blades equalling the noise of the wind.

Charley felt herself moving as the helicopter lifted off of the rooftop.

Jack turned, heading for the airport, the scene of so much trouble being forever left behind, and the city of Chicago.

Charley and Jack both smiled.

"Here's to a new start, kid." Jack spoke quietly as the airport came into view and he made his descent.

Charley opened the door after landing. She looked around. "Here's to a new life," she sighed, as she gazed out over the red barren landscape of Mars.