Disclaimer: I don't own BMFM, sadly.
Chapter 3
Throttle gingerly rubbed his aching head, trying to recover from the caterwaul that had been unleashed right in his ear. Vinnie came over to him, limping slightly on one paw. You okay, bro?
I have a pounding in my head like a ticked off Froc jumper, the tan mouse said. Other than that, I'm fine.
The white mouse turned his attention back to the cat, where Modo was examining the slightly kinked tail. How's our boy?
Modo looked up from the furry tail. Well, first off, the poor thing's lucky the lid didn't break the bone, just bruised it pretty deep. And secondly, this cat isn't a boy. He blushed at his own words and the cat seemed to mimic the gesture, to their complete surprise.
And I'm beginning to think this cat isn't a cat, Throttle said thoughtfully. He stepped up to the feline, motioning it to duck its head. She complied, lowering it to the mouse's reach. She's way too smart to be just a cat.
You think she was changed too? Vinnie asked.
No doubt, the tan Martian said. He looked the cat over again. Brown fur with just the barest hint of red, deep green eyes, incredible intelligence. His eyes widened in sudden thought. Earlier that day, they hadn't been able to get a hold of--Charley? Oh gods, its Charley, he said in horror. It made too much sense. She had rescued them from the cage, had attacked Limburger, hadn't tried to eat them like a normal cat would.
Charley-girl?! Modo said in shock. He changed Charley into a cat?!
So she would eat us?! Vinnie said in horrified disgust. Oh that is just so Fish-lips style. One friend kills all the others.
The tan mouse moved so that he was in range to Mindwalk. Don't worry, Charley-girl, we'll understand you in a minute. His antennae glowed as it touched her head, and the familiar rush of memories, thoughts, and emotions ran through both minds. The link was made easily as she had already been touched by Martian mind abilities. Throttle?
Hey, Charley-girl, the tan mouse said softly.
I can understand you! Oh thank god! she said ecstatically. What in the hell is going on?! I was in the garage working on Manuelo's truck when all of a sudden I'm furry like this. I never even saw them coming.
We think Karbunkle invented a DNA scrambler thingy, Vinnie said, coming over to stand beside her. He twitched his whiskers at her, I always knew you were a little kinky.
She growled at him, If this is a comment about my tail--
Oh no, babe, but you got to admit, its a little suspicious just how eager you were to put your mouth on me.
Both mice and cat stared at him in shock before Charley recovered. The mechanic-turned-cat bared her white teeth at the mouse and hissed full out, making him instantly shrink back. And for your information, you taste terrible, she snarled.
A sudden noise had them all turn towards the door, freezing in place. We need to get out of here and find that ray gun, Throttle said. Charley, mind us hitchin' a ride?
She laid down so they coudl all climb on. No problem, but Vinnie, one more little comment like that and I'll go see if there are any real cats around. The white mouse gulped in fright, knowing he had gone just a hair too far, and wisely kept his mouth shut. The mice held on tight to her fur, bracing themselves for travel. She went slow so they could adjust to her pace as she crept towards the door.
The noise came again, the sound of voices ringing clear. "You miserable mutant, you moved the camera away from the box! Now we didn't get to watch them being eaten." Karbunkle growled as he came towards the door. "Well, lets see if we can't--What the--?! Catch that cat!!!"
As soon as the door had opened, the cat streaked out, running full out down the hall. The mice held onto the thick brown fur for dear life as she raced down the hallway. Karbunkle followed, Fred the Mutant chasing her with a cage in hand. She dove under couches and chairs as she ran, knocking over trash cans to slow down the pursuers.
Take the stairs! Throttle called. If we can get to the basement, we can get to the furnace.
Charley's head reared back in shock as she ran. The what?!
What the hell do we want with the furnace?! Vinnie asked incredulously.
This is no time for bar-be-que, bro! Modo exclaimed.
Not that! The ventilation systems, the tan mouse explained. They've probably figured out that we're just as smart in these forms as our real ones. After that little break out, they'll be watching the doors and windows to the lab. But chances are pretty good that they won't even think about the ventilation ducts.
Alright then, Charley said, hold on tight! She charged a large set of heavy double doors that one of the goons had opened to the stairwell. The man whirled, trying to slam the door shut, but just barely missed her. The tip of her tail was badly pinched, making her yowl in pain as she jumped halfway down the first flight of stairs. I swear to god, I'm never making fun of you three when your tails are hurt ever again, she whimpered.
The doors burst open, several goons coming out with laser pistols firing. Vinnie yanked his tail back before it could get singed from a close shot. Is it me, or is their aim getting better?
Its not you--whoa, Momma!! Modo shouted as he grabbed hold of Throttle's tail when the tan mouse lost his hold. Thanks.
No prob, the grey mouse replied. Charley bounced up from the stairs and off the side wall of the stairwell as another thug popped out from the 22nd floor. She dodged a close blast from his gun, several whiskers smoking. I'm really missing your bikes right about now!
This is taking too long, Vinnie said privately to his bros. At this rate, Charley's gonna get shot.
Well, is there any other way into the system? Throttle asked.
Maybe the filters, Modo said.
What filters?
For the smell. You know, Limburger's smell. When I was spying on him, last year, I met a maintenance guy who said that they had to replace the filters all over the building all the time because of the stink, the grey mouse explained. If any of those are opened, we can get in.
How often is all the time? Throttle asked, his grip tightening as Charley careened around another tight curve.
At least one gets replaced everyday, the grey mouse said, lifting his mech arm in reflex before he shouted in frustration. I wish I could shoot somebody!!
I wish had my bike! Vinnie snapped. Me and my girl would teach those lousy bog-dogs how to shoot.
I wish I was sure about this, Throttle muttered. Charley-girl, cut out through a door and look for one of the janitors!
I hope you know what you're doing, she panted, racing out from under a shooter's legs and down another hallway. She past several doors before they spotted a janitor and luck smiled on them. He had just opened up a vent to replace a filter. One of the thugs fired a few shots down the hall, blindly trying to hit the cat. The janitor ducked under a small table for protection and Charley ran into the vent. She made it around a corner, staggering as the adrenaline left her before she collapsed.
Charley!!
Charley-girl, you okay?!
She gasped for air, her limbs trembling with fatigue. You know.....I don't think....I'm cut out....to run on all fours.
Modo checked her over, clucking to himself as he saw that one side of her whiskers were half as long as the other side. She'll be okay, she just needs to rest.
Shh! Throttle motioned them to be quiet as they heard the janitor hammer in the new filter. The sound of screws being turned in to secure the vent cover made them all wince. And then came the sound of thundering footsteps. The duct shook with the force of them, and voices echoed as the thugs spoke. "You find 'em?"
"No, lost 'em as they came around the corner."
"The boss and turnip-head ain't gonna be happy about this," the first one muttered.
"Keep lookin', that mangy cat can't have gotten far."
The other one snorted in laughter. "You ain't ever owned a cat, have ya?"
Who's he calling 'mangy'? Charley growled.
Shh, Charley-girl, Modo soothed, scratching behind her ear. He don't know nothin' about mangy. The mouse's teeth gleamed in the dim light in a snarl. And he shouldn't talk about a lady like that.
The girl tried to smile at his words, but only ended up baring her teeth. Have I ever told you how sweet I think you are?
Once or twice, the grey mouse laughed.
Any idea where to head to now? Vinnie asked.
Up, Throttle said. As soon as Charley recovers, we need to head back up to the lab. We check it out, look for the right time to bust in, get the ray gun, and get back to normal.
And then we make--what'd that guy call him? Turnip-head? We make turnip-head pay for makin' us tiny, Vinnie said with gleeful satisfaction. He sniffed the air, making a face. You guys smell that?
We are in Limburger's tower, Modo pointed out.
No, not that. The other disgusting smell, the white mouse said. Like, wet fur and drool and-and--I wanna say bad fish but not so rotted.
Vinnie, I'm trying to keep my last meal down, okay? Charley growled, stretching out as she got back on her paws. She made a disgusted face as she caught the scent. Ugh, that's just gross. Like locker room B.O. gone rancid.
Yep, that's it, Modo nodded. Almost reminds me of someone, but I can't think of who.
How do you forget a smell like that? Throttle asked, climbing up onto Charley's shoulders.
Don't know, but I'm sure it'll come to me, the grey mouse said with a shrug. As soon as Charley caught her breath, they made their way further into the duct system. As they went, the smell got worse. I think it's actually worse than Limburger, and I never thought I'd say that, Vinnie said, both front paws over his nose to block it out.
No joke, Throttle said, his eyes watering at the reek. How you holding up, Charley-girl?
Trying to breathe as little as possible, she said. The cat jumped up to another duct. What floor are we on now?
I think the 42nd, Throttle said. Only a few more to go.
Thank god. You guys might be little, but you weigh a- The sudden sound of claws skittering across metal made her jerk around.
Wahh! Warn a mouse before you go off like that! Vinnie complained.
Shut up, she said quietly. The mice went still as she cocked an ear to listen. Did you guys hear that?
I don't hear anything, Modo said.
Throttle frowned, his whiskers twitching. I can hear something moving. Below us.
What do you think it is? Vinnie asked.
My best guess would be rats, Charley said grimly.
Rats?! Modo exclaimed. No wonder I know that smell!
Oh great, that's just what we need, Throttle growled.
Bring 'em on, Vinnie said eagerly. I'd love to whip some tail about now!
You're joking, right? Charley said incredulously. Earth rats compared to Earth mice are three times your size and weight. Their teeth are bigger, too. One could fall on you and break all of your ribs!
Vinnie blinked at her. So you're saying they'd be a challenge?
Charley let out a low growl of frustration. Remind me again why none of us have shot him?
He makes great waffles, Throttle said with a shrug. Of course, he blew up the waffle iron twice.
And he's good with fixing bikes, Modo chimed in. Er, once he figured out how Earth tech worked.
I only broke one! The white mouse protested.
My favorite customer's bike, Charley nodded, turning her around to bare her teeth at the mouse. He still hasn't come back, you know.
I said I was sorry!
The scraping sound rang out again, louder now. The brown fur on Charley's back stood up, her tail fur bushing out. How about we just get going?
Sounds good to me, Throttle said. A rumbling sound made Vinnie and Modo look at him. The tan mouse felt his cheeks redden in embarrassment. Eh-heh, maybe we could find something to eat first?
None of us got any grub for breakfast, Modo said.
I can't believe you three. You really can't wait until you're back to normal to get food? Charley asked in exasperation.
Nope, the three chorused.
She sighed. The mysteries of Martian Mice and men would forever remain unsolved. Let's head out that grate. If it's loose, the cat said, nudging it. The screws were loose enough that the mice could reach out and twist them out of socket. The grate opened with a slight screech as they stepped out. Four noses twitched as they scented out the air to try and find some food.
Fifteen minutes later, the four streaked back to the duct. They hurried to pull the grate back on as seven of Limburgers goons thundered down the hall. You just had to have the whole sandwich, Modo scolded Vinnie. Couldn't just take half, could you?
But I'm hungry, the white mouse said as they finished putting the last screw in place. He dusted off a spot on the floor with his tail and pulled out his prize, a turkey and mustard sandwich. He bit deep into the thick crust. Got to hand it to that goon, he makes a good sandwich. Modo smacked the back of his head, hard. OWWW!!! What?!
You didn't offer some to the lady, the grey mouse scolded. Charley had to carry that thing all the way here and you don't even ask if she's hungry!
Vinnie blushed in embarrassment. I'm sorry, babe. Want some?
Charley rubbed the side of her jaw against Modo's ear in the cat version of a kiss to the cheek, making the mouse blush red. Thanks, big guy. And yes, actually, I'd really appreciate it if you'd give me a piece of turkey. The bread doesn't sound too good, right now.
Well you are in the body of a carnivore, Throttle said as he helped Vinnie pull out a piece of meat. It wouldn't sound good.
She ate with some gusto, her white teeth gleaming in bit of light that came through the vent. The three mice stared as the cat ate. That's almost enough to put a mouse off his feed, Modo said, taking a bite out of his sandwich.
Thanks guys, she said sarcastically as she licked a bit of mustard off her muzzle. She waited patiently as the three mice made quick work of the remaining sandwich. They headed out into the duct system a few minutes later. By this time, the stench was almost over-powering. Charley had to stop at almost every vent they came on to try and catch her breath. The mice were in no better shape, their sensitive noses running constantly. We must be close to Limburger's office, Charley said.
I hope so, Modo gagged. I don't think I can take much more of this.
You and me both, bro, Throttle said. Wait, Charley, go back to that grate! Its the lab!
As the four got ready to force open the vent, they didn't notice the dozens of gleaming red eyes in the duct behind them......