Thank you all so much for the kind words on the first chapter.

If anything is confusing (in case you haven't read the prequel 'Family Matters') I'm trying to add moments in the story with little reminders of what happened.

Enjoy this new chapter!

Chapter 2 - One flip too many

The Scoreboard

"Nothing, huh?"

"Nothing, zero, nada." Throttle replied.

"Maybe something is wrong with the connection?" Modo suggested but the tanned mouse shook his head.

"That's not the problem. Charley updated the radio to the strongest and clearest frequency. If the satellite is aimed just right, Stoker should be able to contact us with little effort. They probably just haven't arrived yet."

"Or they have other things on their minds."

"Yeah, well,-" Throttle tapped the armrest of his chair and stared at his bro. "At least the microfilm is with them. Safe and sound."

The room turned rather quiet after he said that. It was a bit of a sore topic to talk about. The three bros hardly ever disagreed on things and if they did it was usually over something small and rather insignificant. But the subject of the microfilm and its blueprints, that was another thing entirely.

Those blueprints were actually schematics of an orbital long-range scanner. A device which could warn the Freedom Fighters of any incoming vessel from outer space. Near or far and detailed to the nines. To know who was approaching their planet would be the biggest advantage they'd ever have since the war. Even though the war with the Plutarkians was over, there were still other species ready to enter Mars and take the planet's little resources that were left.

"Does Charley ever mention it?" Throttle dared to ask.

Modo was about to shake his head but then stopped. It was true that she hardly ever mentioned the incident which happened over a week ago. But Modo knew that his girl was still upset and angry about the whole thing.

Stoker leaving in the middle of the night taking Izzy with him and to top it of they'd also managed to take the microfilm with them. Charley had hidden the small object inside her apartment to make sure nobody could do anything with it just yet. In the end that idea failed miserably.

"She doesn't like to be reminded of it. I still don't understand how Stoker found it in the first place. Charley was convinced that hiding the film inside that case of Izzy and Sam's wedding video was a smart move."

It would have been a smart move. Throttle agreed with him on that. But considering they had watched the actual tape earlier that day and the case had still been laying in plain sight that very same evening, it was a too obvious find.

But what Modo didn't know, what none of them knew actually, was that it had been Throttle who found it and that he had been the one to give it to Izzy. Everyone had been fast asleep while him and Izzy quietly searched Charley's living room for the microfilm.

Throttle shrugged.

"I get that she's upset, but she can't stay mad forever. Besides, the only reason Charley wanted the schematics destroyed was because her brother asked her to. I'm sure she wants Mars to have this chance, just as much as we do."

Modo twitched his nose at hearing Throttle's words, not caring much for his tone either.

"Don't forget that she's mostly worried for it becoming the cause of another war. Especially if those people whose names we saw on that list of potential buyers, will come after it. As soon as any of them find out it's on Mars, chances are at least one of them will come for it."

Throttle clenched his jaw a little. There was truth in that argument. Of course he was hoping it wouldn't come to that, but if it would they will be right there standing at the frontline ready to defend their planet. Surely even Charley could see that it was all worth it? A risk they should all be willing to take. For their future. For Mars's future.

He turned his head the other way to look at the youngest Martian in the room. "What do you think, Vincent?"

Vinnie sat a couple of feet away from his two bros, having listened quietly to their conversation. An endless discussion which he wanted no part in. Yes, he had his own opinion on the matter. But he wasn't in the mood of being the one tipping the scale in favour of another. He slouched in his seat and propped his feet on the table.

"I think we should pay a visit to Limburger and make him withdraw that twenty thousand dollar reward he put out for any golden tip on Morden's murderer. There's no way lard-face cares for any of that. He's just hoping for a hint to get his fishy fins on those schematics before any of those other buyers do."

"We all agree on that, but you know why we decided against confronting him. The moment we show up. old stink-fish will suspect we have something to do with it." Throttle said, once again reminding Vinnie why they were purposely laying low for a while.

"The moment he does, he will surely make his way over to Mars or worse, call in the aid of those already there. We don't know how many rats or sand-raiders are still in cahoots with the Plutarkians. Ready to jump at the chance to do their dirty work for resources, money or land." Modo added.

Well it was good to hear that when it came to Limburger all three mice agreed on what was best. Although Vinnie would love nothing more than to kick some Plutarkian butt, he understood it was best to stay out of the fish's sight.

"Yeah, you're right." Vinnie stood up and placed his hands in his pockets. After a few seconds he looked up at the others. "I'll be honest though, sometimes I think I should have left for Mars with Stoker and Izzy when I had the chance."

Throttle and Modo turned to look at each other as he said that. They both knew that Vinnie had been playing with the idea of leaving for Mars. But when it became apparent that Stoker and Izzy were going to leave Earth soon, the white mouse had decided to stay. They had no idea that, ever since those two have been gone, the thought of leaving at crept back into Vinnie's head.

"It just sounds like that is the place to be, you know?" He explained further. "The excitement of building that machine and the possibility of having to defend it,-"

Suddenly he stopped realizing he must sound like a mouse with a thirst for action and blood. There was a good reason why their planet was referred to as the planet of war. It was all Vinnie knew, what most of them knew really. Sure, he lived during the time when water was still common on the planet. But the thing which was imprinted most on his memory was that of fighting, firing guns and getting punched in the face.

It wasn't as if he disliked Earth. He loved the planet. But he also loved Mars. Not to mention that he was also still a little bit hurt with Charley falling in love with Modo and not him. Although that feeling wasn't as heavy as it had been when he found out Modo and Charley crossed the threshold from friends to lovers.

Modo grumbled for under his breath. "That might happen sooner than later. Thanks to Stoker taking those schematics with him, Mars has been placed back on the map as a place of interest for other planets."

It wasn't as if Modo was against any of it. Of course he wanted Mars to have all the advantages an defences it could have. He was simply worried of the planet being thrown back into another war. Especially with his family being there. Throttle stood up and walked over to the grey mouse.

"It's alright, big guy. We don't know for sure what will happen. But if something does, we will get there as soon as possible." He said to him.

Vinnie watched the two of them from the corner of his eyes. His mouth twitching a little as he listened to Throttle reassuring Modo. There was another reason why the white mouse had been reluctant to voice his opinion on the matter. That reason being a certain Martian currently standing next to Modo.

Now, Vinnie was anything but an innocent creature and even he had his share of secrets, but he would never lie about it in front of his bros. Not even twenty-four hours ago, he discovered a secret their leader had been keeping from them. Entirely by accident, of course. It wasn't as if he'd been looking for a secret to reveal itself.

::::::...::::::

Yesterday

Vinnie looked at the letter currently clutched between his fingers. He wasn't even sure where it had come from. It had just been there on the floor. Alright, actually he might have some idea where it had come from. But it wasn't as if he'd done it on accident. Just like he hadn't really meant to read the letter.

It all happened so quickly and before he knew it, he finished it. Perhaps if the letter had been in an envelope and properly addressed to someone, he wouldn't have read it at all. A little peek sure, but that was it...

He glanced at the words again. It was such a neat and clean handwriting. His eyes were already darting from left to right, reading the words for the second time.

XOXO

I hope it won't be too long until you find this letter, but by the time you do we'll already gone.

I have to be honest, I wasn't one hundred percent ready to leave. I mean who is ever ready to leave their planet for another?

It was actually you who managed to convince me. Your passion for your home and how you were willing to do just about anything for it.

Despite the way things are now, it must have been a magnificent place once. How could I not go there and help out in my own way?

Especially after everything all of you have ever done for me...

I want to thank you for helping me with the microfilm. Had there been more time I would have shown my appreciation it in a more proper manner.

Perhaps one day I'll get that chance...

There is one thing I feel bad about and that is for misleading you today. I should have told you about the plan Stoker and I had. After all, you've always treated me with honesty and kindness.

I hope you can forgive me for telling you I'd come back and then never did.

You're a good man, Throttle. Thank you for everything.
Give my best of wishes to Modo and Vinnie.
Take care of Charley for me.

We'll contact you as soon as we're there.

Yours sincerely,

Isabel

XOXO

Okay, so maybe Vinnie read the letter a couple of times before placing it back where he originally found it. Although the letter was as normal as could be, it felt as if he'd discovered some huge secret.

It wasn't as if he'd found it rummaging through drawers or tucked between a mattress. Although the latter was the reason how he found it in the first place.

After watching some weird programme on television about how to maintain a spick and span household, Vinnie had gone into the bedroom to try some of it out. Not that he watched those types of shows. Of course not, this also had happened on accident. Some days were just, what one would call, a series of unfortunate events .

Because who cared about a clean and lemony fresh smelling house? He sure as heck didn't. Still, no harm no foul. But one of the tips, was to flip your mattress every once in a while.

Vinnie wasn't sure why, the lady didn't really explain it. She just stood there and watched as these two guys picked it up and turned it over. Vinnie didn't need two men to flip his mattress. He could obviously do it himself and just for the heck of it, he was going to flip Throttle's too.

So there he was in the room he and his bros slept in. Well,- two of them.

Modo didn't sleep there anymore. He had stayed over at Charley's every night since Stoker left Earth. For that reason alone, Vinnie saw no reason to flip the other mouse's mattress. With incredibly ease he had flipped his own first and then went on to take care of Throttle's.

It was easy enough, albeit a bit difficult as Throttle's bed was positioned near the door and Vinnie wasn't entirely sure how to properly flip these things. His own bed was currently standing in the middle of the room because he might have used too much force with throwing the thing. Placing his hands underneath the soft object, he bent through his knees, moved his tail and jumped up.

Things did not really go as planned. Throttle's mattress hit the wall, fell down on top of a small table, which couldn't handle the weight and a loud crack ensued. The mattress was now on the floor and the thing that used to be Throttle's bedside table had been flattened. Well, part of it anyway.

But that's when Vinnie found the letter written by Izzy. After he'd managed to throw Throttle's bed towards the other side of the room to see the damage he'd done, he noticed that piece of paper on the floor.

It was obviously written right before she and Stoker left for Mars. The other thing which had caught his eye was that one sentence. The one that said, "thank you for helping me with the microfilm."

All of them had wondered how it had been possible for Stoker to get his hands on that little object which Charley had hidden and now Vinnie had discovered how it had all been done.

::::::...::::::

Present

It had been thanks to Izzy and Throttle. They found the film and she took it to Mars. It hadn't been Stoker at all. Although there was no doubt in Vinnie's mind that it had been him to have come up with the plan of stealing the film from Charley's apartment. He probably convinced Izzy to do it for him. That was less suspicious. Stoker was notorious for never abiding any rules or respecting people's boundaries.

And Throttle was a sucker for Izzy. If she asked him for his help, he obviously wouldn't have said no. But if Vinnie had to be really honest, he also wouldn't have said no if Izzy or Stoker had asked him for his help. Perhaps that was another reason why he was annoyed with them. Because they hadn't included him into the equation.

Ultimately, it no longer matter. Mars now had a fighting chance. But man, he wanted to be there.

The only things that Vinnie didn't understand, was why Throttle was lying about who took the microfilm from Charley's home. He wasn't denying the accusations Modo was throwing around regarding Stoker. Instead of owning up of having a part in it, Throttle diverted the conversation towards a different direction. But why?

Was it because he didn't want Modo and Charley to be angry with him? Or because he didn't want to add more fuel on the fire of an already touchy subject?

Vinnie decided that he was going to confront Throttle about it tonight. Let him know that he knew what happened that night and that he completely supported what Throttle, Izzy and Stoker had done. He was just happy that at least this time it didn't involve matters of the heart.

The red planet.

Words could not describe what she was seeing. Maybe if she'd been to places on Earth that resembled these surroundings a little, things would have been different. But then again...

Izzy tilted her head and looked up at the sky. It wasn't blue or grey as it was back home. It wasn't easy to put it into words either. A mixture of various hues of red and orange, with a little yellow on the horizon. Like a sunset only it was currently daytime on Mars.

A soft hand caressed the side of her face, down her jaw and towards her chin where it then stopped to grab hold of her. Stoker appeared in her line of sight and he stared at her with his burgundy eyes.

"Told you this place was beautiful, didn't I?" He grinned.

"It's a great first impression." Izzy replied averting her gaze to glance over his shoulder. "Where are we going to next?"

Stoker let out a chuckle. "Eager to see more, are we? Well, first we'll go to headquarters. Let them know we're here...or maybe we won't." He then quickly added.

"We won't?"

"I doubt there'll be a moment of peace once we get there. I wasn't exaggerating when I said I have a certain reputation." Stoker explained.

Izzy huffed. "Cocky."

"I prefer the word, confident."

"Overly confident, I'd say."

Stoker spun her around and pulled her against his chest. "Alright, you'll see. Don't say I didn't warn you. Now, for your next lesson on the Martian environment."

He raised his arm and pointed into the distance. "Make sure you always steer clear of those large open field in between sand dunes. Unless I'm with you, obviously."

Izzy followed the direction of his finger, but saw nothing out of the ordinary except for hills of sand going on and on for what seemed like miles. "That sounds creepy. You've got giant worms crawling within underground tunnels below the sand?"

"Eh," Stoker clacked his tongue. "Squids more like."

"Squids?"

"Sabre squids."

"Do I want to know what those look like?" Izzy furrowed her brow with genuine concern. Already she didn't like the sound of the word squid, but added with the word sabre and the image of giant eight legged creatures with fangs, popped up in her head.

"Nothing cute, I assure you."

That was exactly what she was afraid of. "I've been on this planet for exactly a few minutes and already you're trying to give me reasons to fly back to Earth."

The hazel mouse smiled and coiled his tail around her leg. "Never."

"Do you think,- Do you think your friends and fellow soldier will accept me being there?" Izzy paused for a second as a wave of nervousness hit her.

They'd talked about this more than once already. It was an uncertainty both of them had. Although Stoker wasn't as concerned about it as she was. The reason for that was that the hazel mouse simply did not care what anybody else thought. This was his life and his choice and if anybody disagreed, he was going to make sure those opinions would never see the light of day.

"Hey, as I said before, you've already won me over. That's a tough hurdle to conquer. The moment they see you, they'll be mesmerised. As much is allowed, obviously." Stoker tightened his hold on the woman in his arms and he lowered his head to nuzzle the side of her neck.

Just to be on the safe side, to make sure his fellow fighter knew where they stood, Stoker rubbed his nose against the soft tissue below Izzy's ear. Then he moved his mouth and gave a gentle tug at her skin with his front teeth.

He'd already marked her as the object of his affection back on Earth, but in case anybody needed a reminder that she was his, he made sure it was more visible now.

"Mmm, tough hurdle? Weren't you the one hiding in my trunk the day I arrived in Chicago?" The honey haired woman joked.

"I have no idea what you're talking about, gorgeous." He moved back and pulled her with him towards the ship. "Let's get my bike and off we go."

Sorry for the lack of Charley, she'll be back in the next one with somebody paying her a visit...who could it be?

For this chapter, I wanted there to be a bit of a focus on Vinnie. How he is dealing with things. Because he is going to have a much larger roll in this story than the other one :) (I'm not saying anything yet!)

Hope you all won't mind!

Thank you for reading and until next time!