Right, so I'm going to start this chapter the same way I did last time. It's been a while and I'm so sorry!
Nothing bad was going on, only good things, but incredibly time consuming.
Just to share a little:
We bought a house! Finding a one was a struggle, then getting our offer accepted was also a struggle. We got outbid numerous times. It was insane!
For those of you who don't know, I live in the Netherlands and the housing market is off it's trolley, but I know a lot of countries are dealing with the exact same problem.
At long last, we finally succeeded and moved! Now we have a house as well as a car (my first car ever and yes I'm over 30...). So yeah, things have been pretty busy and hectic and stressful, but in the end it's all worth it :)
I don't know when this chapter will be uploaded, but I'm assuming around mid November when we've settled in completely.
(Edit, nope it became the end of December, obviously).
If you read all of that, thank you so much.
Now, time to continue the story!
Enjoy!
Chapter 10 - Back to Mars
The Freedom Fighter Base
Izzy followed Havoc quietly as he led her through the tunnels. How many turns they had made so far, she didn't know, for her mind was elsewhere. Every now and then she would raise her head to see if the tall dark grey mouse was still there in case she might have missed a sudden turn. She hopped closer each time she noticed she was falling behind. If Havoc was aware of her absentmindedness, he sure didn't show it. Perhaps his thoughts was also someplace else just like hers. It wasn't until at least a couple of minutes had passed, that he stopped abruptly. Izzy caught it just in time and skidded to a halt only mere inches behind him.
"Rimfire's place is just up ahead." He told her, pointing at a nearby door.
"He's Modo's nephew, isn't he?" Izzy asked.
"And my first cousin once removed." The mouse smiled.
"Oh, right." She knew this, Havoc was Modo's cousin after all. "Will you tell him the big news?"
Havoc's ears wiggled as he looked at her slightly puzzled. "Big news?"
"That Modo is going to be a father?"
"I probably don't have a choice. He'll know something is up the minute I tell him Stoker wants him to go to Earth to retrieve his uncle." Havoc grinned and continued walking. "Otherwise he'll just become concerned thinking something bad must have happened."
Izzy nodded and followed him. "Wouldn't want that to happen. This is great news after all."
She frowned and began to slow down until she came to a complete halt. Havoc glanced over his shoulder as he sensed her falling behind once again. She'd been doing that ever since they left Carbine's office. He figured it had to do with the possibility of Stoker leaving the base and that her thoughts were with him, but based on her latter comment he was beginning to suspect it might be something else. He stopped and turned towards her.
"What's wrong?" He asked softly.
"Mmm?" The woman looked up and stared at him for a second before blinking. "Oh, no. Nothing at all. It's just,- Charley is pregnant."
She averted her eyes and let out a quiet chuckle. "She's going to have a baby." She bit her bottom lip.
"Are you,-?" Havoc squinted and leaned towards her. "Crying?"
Izzy raised her hand and touched the skin underneath the corner of her eye. It was wet indeed. "Guess I am."
"Are you sad?"
The mouse looked at her slightly confused. Wasn't this suppose to be a happy occasion? Or was she perhaps crying because she was excited for Modo and the human female? Havoc wasn't sure he understood what was going on. Was he suppose to do something? Comfort her? Get Stoker? But she didn't look sorrowful at all and he couldn't sense any emotion on her other than happiness.
"No, I'm not. I'm thrilled." She laughed and finally smiled broadly. "I'm going to be an aunt."
"An aunt? You are related to her?"
"Charley is my sister-in-law,-" Once again Izzy fell quiet.
Technically she wasn't any longer, as Stoker had once blatantly put, but in a sense it still felt like she was just that. Perhaps she was even proud of the fact to call Charley a relative, despite not being blood related.
"Your sister-in-law?"
Havoc turned his head towards Rimfire's door for a quick moment. It seemed informing the mouse of his assignment was going to take a little longer than expected. But frankly he was a little more interested in hearing Izzy's story.
"Her brother, Sam. He was my husband." She explained.
Havoc blinked with surprise. Stoker's girl was married to another man? This was certainly news to him and rather unexpected at that. Did this mean that humans were like them in that sense? Polygamy was common amongst Martian mice, but did this mean that they weren't the only ones who were used to having multiple partners? This was interesting indeed. It seems their species had a lot in common with Earthlings than he'd originally thought.
Havoc didn't know a whole lot about Earth and the human race, apart from what he had seen in movies or what he'd heard on radio frequencies. But Stoker had already told the Freedom Fighters often that you shouldn't believe everything you see on those televisions as it's not at all like the real thing. Well,- most things weren't. Their physically appearance seemed true so far from what Havoc could gather.
"He'll never know." He suddenly heard Izzy whisper under her breath.
This time he could feel a wave of sadness from her. Her smile was gone, her eyes glossy again. He titled his head until he managed to catch her gaze with his. "Know what?"
"About Charley. Sam will never know his sister is going to have a baby. He uh,- he died not too long ago."
"Oh,-" Havoc straightened himself, feeling a surge of discomfort shooting through him. "I'm sorry to hear that. May I ask how it happened?"
How? What was she going to tell him? The original story, how she'd initially thought he had died? Or the truth, one she had only learned of not too long ago. A more grim and darker version compared to what she'd always deemed to be true. Telling the real story would mean wasting Havoc's time and he probably wouldn't understand even half of it, as she hardly even understood most of it herself. No, she'd rather not. Not now at least.
"It was an accident. I'd rather not talk about it."
Havoc nodded and decided to pry no further. He was no stranger to loss, as were all of the Freedom Fighters. Everyone had lost someone dear to them at some point in their lives and he could tell this tragedy was still freshly imprinted on Izzy. He'd also noticed how she'd raised her hand unconsciously and touched the side of her face, near her jaw, where a white long scar was visible. Of course he'd seen it before, it was anything if not conspicuous, but he never dared to ask her or Stoker about it. After hearing her story, he was beginning to suspect that it had very much to do with how she'd lost her husband.
"I understand. Let's continue and tell Rimfire the good news then. I'm sure he would also be happy to meet you." Havoc smiled at the woman but found it rather difficult to divert from their heavyhearted conversation.
They walked up to the nearby door, where the tall grey mouse clenched his fist and banged it against the metal frame. "Cuz! Rimfire! It's me, Havoc. Open up, youngling. Boss needs you on a mission!"
As he lowered his arm, Izzy was beginning to feel a little anxious of what was about to take place. She had indeed not met Modo's little nephew yet. Up until this day she hadn't even known he had one. What was he going to look like? Probably just as large, broad shouldered and dark like his uncle and Havoc, she reckoned. Though soon she'd learn that not to be true.
The door opened and an obvious younger mouse appeared. Strong looking nonetheless, toned and muscled, just like the rest of the Martians. But he wasn't dark of fur. He was light, lighter than Throttle but nothing at all like that of Vinnie. His hair was short and brown, and through its centre ran a lighter shade similar to orange all the way to the back.
"A mission, you say? Stoker is running it? Word in the tunnel is that he,-" The mouse suddenly stopped as his eyes landed on the female earthling standing slightly behind Havoc. "Oh,- I wasn't expecting company?"
"Rimfire, meet Isabel. I'm certain the name rings a bell." Havoc introduced the woman next to him.
"Definitely. You've been the talk of the base ever since you fai,- arrived on Mars." Rimfire extended his hand and grabbed Izzy's before she had any chance to respond herself. "Welcome to Mars! I'm sorry I haven't come by to meet you myself. I haven't got any excuse really,- Uh, don't tell uncle Modo about that though. I'll never hear the end of it."
Out of all the mice she'd met so far, Rimfire was definitely different. His mannerism unlike that of the others, as well as the way he spoke to her. He was still shaking her hand vigorously even after he'd stopped talking, his grasp tight and unwavering. Was he really related to Modo and Havoc?
Izzy smiled and nodded. "He won't hear it from me. It is nice to meet you, Rimfire."
"Likewise and thank you." This time he stopped and let go. His demeanour then changed as he turned back to Havoc. "So, Stoker needs me?"
"He asked for you specifically. He needs you to head for Earth and pick up your uncle Modo."
Rimfire's eyes widened. "Modo? Just Modo? Why? Is something wrong? Is he okay?" The young mouse grabbed hold of Havoc's arm.
"Calm your tail, nothing is wrong. Not with Modo anyway." He explained to his little cousin. "Charley is pregnant and they need to get to Mars, safe and sound. But they have no means for transportation, which is why you were the first mouse that came to mind for this important mission."
"Did you say Charley is pregnant?" The same wide-eyed expression was still ever present on Rimfire's face, only this time his jaw had also dropped a little.
What Izzy didn't know, was that Rimfire had met Charley on more than one occasion. Or maybe she did know but simply couldn't recall it in this very moment. But it was clear the mouse was over the moon for a smile slowly formed on his face and it got bigger and bigger with each passing second. Suddenly he belted out a loud cheer, one that could have matched even one of Vinnie's victory cries.
"This is great news! I bet Vinnie is more than excited to become a father." Rimfire laughed.
"Vinnie?" Izzy mouthed, but Havoc was the one who set the record straight.
"Vincent van Wham? No, it's your uncle, Rimfire. Modo is the father."
"Say what?"
"Modo is the father." Havoc repeated.
"Oh, Oh! Wow!" Rimfire raised his arms and then punched his fist against the frame of the door. "Yes! Even better! I'm going to be an uncle! Of course I'll go and pick them up! Oh, this is do I leave?"
It was almost as if Rimfire didn't even seemed faze by the fact he'd initially thought that Vinnie was the father and not Modo. As if he could have been equally happy if it had been the other and not his uncle. But he hadn't been the only one. Even Carbine had been surprised to hear that Modo was with Charley instead of Vinnie. Or so Stoker had told Izzy. Apparently the white mouse had led many to believe that he was the one who would ultimately end up with the female mechanic.
Havoc laughed and patted Rimfire on the back. "Won't take long I suppose, Stoker is currently discussing matters with Carbine. I'm sure you'll hear soon enough. So stay on base until then."
Rimfire nodded. "I will. Hey, in the meantime, why don't we celebrate the news of Modo becoming a dad. Unless you're busy?"
Havoc was not one to turn down a chance to celebrate, but getting the information to Rimfire was the only thing Stoker had asked of him. But perhaps he could do both somehow? The dark furred mouse turned his head towards Izzy. "Stoker did ask me to bring you to his quarters?"
It sounded like he was asking her for permission. Izzy did feel very much like celebrating, but was it ethical to do so with Vinnie missing? Havoc hadn't even mentioned Vinnie's disappearance to Rimfire. Had he done that purposely? She wasn't going to question it. She'd already noticed that all of the Martian mice were driven by acts heroism and felt very strongly about fighting for justice. Adventure was the code they lived by. Perhaps telling Rimfire everything that was currently going on could cause him to change plans and decide to join the search party instead?
But that wasn't something for her to focus on, for Havoc had just, though a bit backhanded, asked her what it was that she wanted to do with regards to Rimfire's suggestion of celebrating Charley and Modo's upcoming parenthood. She still hadn't seen everything on the base and she had seen all there was to see of Stoker's quarters.
"I'm sure he'll understand." Izzy replied, throwing him a short smile. "I for one would very much like to celebrate, if only for one drink. If that is what you Martians do when you 'celebrate' something?" She eyed both mice questioningly.
"That is what we do, only,-" Havoc paused as he diverted his gaze to Rimfire for a quick second, who grinned as he closed the door behind him.
"Only?" The woman frowned.
"It's usually not just having a drink."
Carbine's office
"I really think you should reconsider this plan." General Carbine urged the leader of the Freedom Fighters. "There is enough here for you to take care of. Analysing those blueprints you brought with you and then building the actual thing. Not to mention other tasks which require your specific attention and I'm certain I don't have to remind you that you also have your human girlfriend to take care of." She then shook her head. "No. I can't support this."
Stoker ran his hand through his hair and let out a deep and frustrating sigh. "Look, you make good and valid points, Carbine. But we both know that in the end it doesn't matter whether or not I've got your support. This is something I have to do."
He uttered each word of the latter sentence slowly, emphasizing that he had made up his mind and that there was no way she could sway him. This was his job. Vinnie was his responsibility. He owed it to the younger mouse and to Modo and Throttle. He knew him better than anyone, not to mention the fact that he was also one of the few mice who had ever been to the upper Northern area of Mars before and had managed to get through it unscathed. Well, not completely unmarked, but he had survived it.
"I know you think you do. But there are others just as capable as you. Perhaps even someone who could one day be fit to take over your role as leader?" The female mouse went quiet and eyed Stoker cautiously.
Clearly Carbine already had somebody in mind, otherwise she would have never said that. But who could it be? One thing was certain, she didn't mean Throttle or Modo, nor Vinnie. For none of them were at the base. A few names popped up in Stoker's head, one of them being Carbine herself. Though he very much doubted she would want the job for herself. If he were to ask her, she probably would say no, despite having all the qualities of a leader.
Stoker arched his brow and crossed his arms. "So you want to use this mission as some sort of test?"
"If the opportunity calls for it, yes. What better test is there than traversing through Boreas and rescue one of the best fighters that we have?" Carbine admitted.
She knew the risks of her proposal. If the person who she had in mind, wouldn't make it. They would not only lose one but two of their best. And that one puny unfamiliar human, but Carbine honestly didn't even bother to count that Earthling into the equation. But she had faith and was almost certain that the mouse she was thinking of would be able to pull it off. All she had to do was try and convince Stoker and then she had to go and sway that other mouse into actually going.
"And who do you want to send out there instead of me?" Stoker asked.
Carbine took a deep breath. "The mouse you just ordered to fetch Rimfire."
Stoker didn't even blink, for Havoc was one of the names which had gone through his head as a possible candidate. But her suggestion was out of the question. He stared at the female mouse standing behind her desk, who was eagerly waiting for him to convey his thoughts. Oh, how he was going to disappoint her.
"Absolutely not." He said.
"Not? Give me one good reason why you think Havoc is unsuitable?" Carbine demanded. She was clearly upset and perhaps even slightly surprised by his refusal.
"I don't think he is unsuitable. But I need him here while I am out there searching for Vinnie."
"I can't believe you are this selfish. Right, if you're so eager to get out there and find that ego-centric white mouse yourself, be my guest. But at least take Havoc with you. Better yet, let him lead the party. That way you can,-"
"I said no, Carbine." Stoker repeated himself. "It's still my call. I'm not letting Havoc risk his life, no matter how suited I think he is for the position of leadership. I need him here in case things go wrong. I'll test him as soon as I decide it's time for me to step down."
Carbine scoffed loudly. "When you arrived here you wanted nothing more than to stop being the Rebel leader and now you're telling me you reconsidered?"
He hadn't reconsidered. Stoker was still planning on hanging up his Freedom Fighter vest. He needed to if he wanted to live a peaceful life with Izzy. A life where he could watch her sleep into the late hours of the night because there would be no need for him to be on constant standby. To have diners together. Ride off into the sunset. Watch her create that little botanical garden she was planning on making to help Mars become more green again. Heck, perhaps even one day marry her. Grow old with her. Start a family...
"Stoker?" Carbine's loud voice shook him from his thoughts.
"I can't focus on more than one thing at a time, Carbine. My mind is busy with multiple things. But this,- finding Vinnie, that is my number one priority."
"I thought Izzy was your priority?"
Stoker glared at the female mouse. "You know she is. But that doesn't change who I am or how I feel about this. I don't understand why you're pushing this into my muzzle. Since when are you such a huge fan of Modo's cousin?"
Carbine pressed her mouth together in a tight line as she stared back at him. If Stoker hadn't ever been suspicious of something having happened between her and Havoc before, he would most certainly become so now. She stayed quietly for too long and it got even worse when she averted her eyes from him. She was a great at keeping things from others, but all of a sudden she seemed to fail at keeping her poker face up. Perhaps it was because of the talk she'd had with Throttle yesterday, when she'd confronted him about Izzy and his supposed interest in her.
"Wait a second." Stoker then said as he narrowed his eyes and his ears twitched. "Is there something going on between you two?"
"Don't be ridiculous. Even if there had been, it's no longer relevant. My reason for vouching for him as a possible successor is purely professional."
"No longer relevant? Wait, you're saying that something did happen? When was this? I didn't catch your scent on him."
Carbine let out the biggest sigh. Of course he hadn't. It had been months since she slept with Havoc, but it did very much happen even if it was only that one time. Although she had tried to persuade him again after her talk with Throttle yesterday, though she wasn't planning on letting Stoker know about that. But she might as well be honest with him about the rest.
"It happened a while ago. You weren't on the base at the time. It was a heat of the moment slip of the mind, so to speak. A one time thing. We both agreed on that. Adamantly."
One thing was for sure, Stoker had not expected the conversation to turn in this direction. It seems the entire discussion they had earlier on who was going to lead the search and rescue mission, was no longer necessary.
"Does Throttle know?" He asked.
Carbine averted her eyes. "He will."
It was a rather dumb question. Because as soon as Throttle would see her, he would be able to tell something along the lines that she had been unfaithful to him. They weren't bonded together as she had been dead against it when he'd asked her. But they had still connected multiple times. He knew her and she knew him. She wouldn't be able to hide it even if she were to try.
"Let's forget about my private life and focus on the task at hand." Carbine quickly reminded Stoker.
"Agreed. I don't want to postpone this any longer. The more we wait, the more we're putting Vinnie's life at risk. I'm going to put that team together with only a small number of mice. The less casualties the better." The older mouse straightened himself and stepped away from the desk.
"Alright. I'll trust your judgement. How long do you think it'll take for you to put a team together?"
"Ey, you know me, Carbine." Stoker grinned as the metal door slid open in front of him. "Slow is not my motto."
"Oh, we all know that." She muttered under her breath as soon as he had left her office.
The dark haired female dropped down in her chair and closed her eyes for a second. She let out a deep groan and cursed herself for everything that she'd said to Stoker just now with regards to Havoc. He wouldn't tell Throttle, she was certain that he wouldn't. The thought did cross her mind if he would reveal anything to Izzy, but she doubted it. Stoker might be a blabbermouth, but he did have a sense of morality every now and then. Especially when it came to matters of the heart.
::::::...::::::
At first he was planning on heading straight for his place, mainly because he was going to have to talk to Izzy before doing anything else. He couldn't very well put the team together without having told her what he was planning on doing. That he was going to leave her for an unknown number of days, without any means to contact her. His heart felt heavy, his mouth dry and his chest tight. He had no idea how he was going to tell her. The easiest way would be direct, short and perhaps a little distant, to make it easier for both of them.
But knowing her, she probably already knew this was coming. Had she not asked him to consider taking her with him as Vinnie was her friend too? An admirable but incredibly foolish suggestion. Yes she'd had her share of difficulties in life. Dangers. Threats. Deaths. Which was exactly why he wasn't going to listen or even agree to her request. Boreas was no place for a mouse, let alone a human. Though that talk would have to wait, for he knew Izzy was not where he was hoping she'd be.
When Stoker left Carbine's office, he immediately decided to follow his nose in order to find her as there was no hint from her scent down the path which led to his place. As always a mouse's sense of smell was the best way to go when you were looking for something or someone. Thus he went after that shimmering cloud of gold specks he could see ever so slightly as he squinted his eyes every time he took a whiff.
The tunnels were quiet at this time of day. Most Martians were either having a meal or enjoying some form of entertainment and it just so happened that when Stoker came to a crossroad within one of the longer tunnels, that he noticed Izzy's trail heading down to just that place. The Mess Hall. The place where every Martian would unwind after a day of hard labour or fighting. Thankfully the latter hardly occurred nowadays, but that didn't stop a mouse from hanging out there nonetheless. A local bar, as humans would call it. Where there were drinks, food, comradery, music and even some innocent wrestling for one to find.
Stoker rounded the corner and finally reached the end of the corridor, but instead of entering the large hall, he halted just on the edge of it. His burgundy eyes scanning their surroundings, until they caught sight of the person he was looking for. The rebel leader stepped over the threshold of the entrance. but stuck close to one of the walls so he could stand and watch Izzy from afar for a couple of seconds. He crossed his arms and leaned back against the metal panelling behind him.
She was sitting on a high stool, resting one of her arms on the counter top. With her other hand raised, she was tracing the rim of a wooden cup with her fingers. There were two others surrounding her, familiar faces that Stoker trusted well enough, though he did notice the stares his fellow soldiers were giving his girl from various corners of the mess hall.
Rimfire stood on her left, while Havoc sat on a stool on her right. The three of them were laughing, and Stoker's mouth twitched slightly. They seemed to be having a good time. His gaze landed on the darker furred mouse within the party, clinging his mug against that if Izzy's and downing the drink in one go. Stoker felt a tug inside his stomach. Havoc and Carbine.
He couldn't believe it. He didn't want to believe it. Truth be told he wasn't a fan of Throttle at the moment because of everything that occurred between the two of them while he'd been on Earth, but to think that Carbine slept with another mouse behind his back. Normally these things happened with consent of the other mate within the Martian culture. But that was not the case this time. Havoc knew Carbine was in a relationship with Throttle and still he let it happen. A one time thing, Carbine had said.
Stoker wasn't sure what to think of it. He surely hoped this nonsense wasn't going to have any effect on the upcoming mission or on anything else for that matter. This was a private affair between those three and he wanted to hear none of it. The hazel mouse turned his attention back to his own woman, who was still laughing at something Rimfire had said.
Her cheeks were glowing and her eyes sparkled. The rebel leader hadn't seen Izzy in an environment like this. Drinking and smiling, in a friendly manner, with his comrades. She was happy, he could see it on her face. Stoker inhaled deeply and let out a shuddering breath before rubbing his hand across the back of his neck. Izzy...
As if on command, the woman turned in her seat and looked around the room until her eyes landed on him. Her smile never faltered as she waved at him. Stoker really wanted to talk with her alone. But perhaps joining them was a better idea, if it only was for a little while. Stoker pushed himself away from the wall and walked towards them.
"There you rascals are. You ain't getting my girl drunk now, are you?" He pushed himself between Havoc and Izzy, placing his arm around the woman's waist as he did.
"Of course not, sir. Though perhaps after a few more,-" But Havoc quickly swallowed his words and cleared his throat. "I mean, we're celebrating."
"Celebrating my return to Mars?" Stoker joked as he smacked the back of the other mouse, perhaps a little harder then he intended to.
Havoc wobbled on his chair but steadied himself quickly. "Celebrating Modo who's leaving behind a life of peace and quiet. Not to mention his bachelor years."
"We will miss him." Rimfire chuckled as he raised his glass.
"A good cause indeed. Which reminds me,- Rimfire!" Stoker bellowed all of a sudden and the young mouse immediately started to cough as he choked on his ale.
He set his drink down, hit the front of his chest. "Yes, General?" He squeaked.
"Did Havoc inform you that I selected you for a mission?"
"Aye, aye, sir." Rimfire nodded vigorously. "He explained everything. When do I leave?"
Eager as always this youngster was. Stoker grinned at his enthusiasm. "As soon as the ship is ready. Carbine is putting everything in order. Probably around tomorrow morning at its earliest. You better be ready."
"Born ready." The mouse saluted him.
"That's the spirit! Havoc,-" Stoker turned his head to the major. "Carbine and I have been talking,-" He paused and twitched his nose. "and I've decided to ask you if you're willing to be my eyes and ears back here on the base. Take care of important things while I'm gone. Make sure no harm comes to them."
The ebony haired Martian's eyes shifted into the direction of the woman leaning against Stoker's tall frame. He'd understood perfectly what the Army General was asking of him. Considering who she was and what she meant to him, this task carried a lot of weight and he wouldn't give this job to just anybody. Though Havoc initially thought Stoker was going to ask him to join the search and rescue party. After all, he was one of the most experienced mice within the field and he wasn't one to sit back and wait matters out when he knew he could be of use. But if this was what his boss wanted, he was going to execute this assignment perfectly.
"It would be my honour, General." He answered.
"Good." Stoker nodded. He suddenly felt a light push against his side and looked down to see Izzy shoving his arm away from her. "Izzy?"
Before he realized what was happening, the honey haired woman had jumped off her high chair and was making her way out of the mess hall. Stoker didn't wait for a second and ran after her as fast as he could. Izzy! Not wanting to draw attention, the mouse kept sending over and over again. Izzy! IZZY! Until it was loud enough that she actually had to stop and press her hand against her head. Stoker hurried to her side.
"Sorry." He apologized immediately. "I didn't mean to,- why are you running from me?"
Izzy lowered her hand and stared up at him, her blue eyes harsh and narrowed. "I think you know very well why I walked out of there. 'Take care of important things while I'm gone? Make sure no harm comes to them?' That's laying it on rather thick, isn't it? Don't pretend you don't know what I'm talking about." She quickly added as Stoker was about to open his mouth.
"I had honestly expected we were going to talk about this before making any decision, but clearly you have already made those choices yourself."
She was being unreasonable. This was his job as leader of the Freedom Fighter. To take the upper hand in dangerous situations and weigh up pros and cons to ultimately make a decision of which you knew not everybody was going to like it. In this case he would never ask Izzy for her opinion, because he knew what was best for her. She didn't know the planet, least of all the dangers it held. But he knew she was thinking with her heart and not her mind.
Stoker kept his mouth shut and reached for Izzy's hand. He held onto it firmly and pulled her with him down into the tunnel. Thankfully she didn't struggle nor objected along the way. Within a minute they reached the familiar hall which led towards their room and it wasn't until Stoker had opened the door, went inside and set her down on his bed that he dared to breath again.
He lowered himself in front of her and moved her hands towards his nose. He inhaled deeply to get a jolt of that intoxicating feeling whenever her scent hit his inner senses. Still as sweeter if not more as the day he first smelled her. He had to make her realize why he would never allow her to come with him to Boreas. Any other place, perhaps. But not this part of the planet.
"You have to understand." He whispered against her fingers before planting a kiss on them.
"But I do understand." Izzy countered as she tried to retract her hands, but Stoker didn't let her.
He moved and sat next to her. Without saying anything he leaned forward to rest the tip of his antennas against the top of his woman's head. Words would not be able to convince her, he knew this for when had they ever? No, he had to show her what Boreas was like. What he had seen, what he had experienced. As soon as he showed her the start of it all, he felt her hands clench, her fingernails digging into the palm of his hands. But this was only the beginning.
The trembles from the thunderstorms which roared constantly, drowning out every other sound in the area every time a bolt of lighting hit the ground, leaving nothing behind but multiple collections of hardened spikes of glass in odd and tall shapes. Fulgurite as they called it. But what was even a more terrifying sight was what could happen if one was hit by one of these strikes. Stoker couldn't stop his thoughts from showing her this and Izzy let out a soft cry.
The lightning was unpredictable. As were the creatures that lived in the area. Sand worms, pit snakes and Sabre squids, different and larger in size compared to the Southern part of the planet. Thankfully Stoker had only seen them from afar, but it was well enough to send a chill down your spine along with a good set of nightmare fuel.
But it was the quicksand which had caused him to lose his team that day. He would have lost his own life as well, had he not been caught by a sand tornado and pulled out of the pit as by some miracle. To this day he still didn't know how he survived that hurricane, but he had. This all happened a decade ago, he must have been the same age as Throttle back then.
The memory was over. However, Stoker didn't release Izzy just yet. He couldn't let her go without making her feel something else. Sharing a painful memory, an intense one at that, could do more harm than good and she was not Martian. The first time he had accidentally touched her, he had managed to knock her out if only for a split second. She'd handled his sending more than perfectly since then. Heck, he'd even bonded flawlessly with her. A blessing he was going to cherish to the end of days.
It was this feeling, this specific memory he sent to her. Remind her how she made him feel and what she meant to him. If you die, I would be inconsolable. He'd told her that once and he needed to help her remember that. He didn't ask for permission this time, as they were already bonded, but he did it again. One mind and one soul. How she'd bewitched him. A warm surge went through him and it spread from every part of him into her. He finally let go of her hands and wrapped his arms around her in a tight embrace.
'You're staying right here, where I know you'll be safe.'
'If I'm staying then you can't go either.'
'Haven't you learned by now that we are different than humans, my heart? We're stronger, quicker, basically build for survival.'
'You always say that. But you're not invincible, are you? Nobody is. What if something happens? You're out there with no means to contact us. What if you get hurt or worse?'
"Hey, hey,-" Stoker stopped his sending and slowly removed his antennas before opening his eyes to look at her properly. "You worry too much."
"You don't worry enough." She breathed.
"You honestly think I don't worry?" He asked with a frown.
"Not about yourself. It's almost as if you believe yourself to not have any weaknesses."
She wasn't wrong there, not entirely. He could do much more than most, at least he thought so. But she was mistaken to think that he had no weaknesses at all. "That's not true."
Izzy went quiet for minute to think and then she furrowed her brow. "I don't think I know it."
Stoker chuckled softly. "Isn't it obvious?"
He removed one of his arms from around her and pressed his hand against the side of her face. His thumb gently rubbing the area where he had marked her as his back in Earth.
"How can you not know my weakness?" He whispered.
She reached for his hand and squeezed it strongly. "All the more reason for you to stay. There are others."
"You know I can't do that. You've felt it. I'm Vinnie's best chance."
Izzy knew he was, but she didn't want him to be. She'd already lost a man she loved. If it happened again,- how many times could one go through something like that?
"Is there no way for me to convince you?"
By the Goddess. She was not making it easy on him. When had any woman loved him this intensely? He could feel her hurt and she smelled more delightful than ever before. This was going to be his last mission. He was making that promise right here, right now. After Boreas, finding Vinnie and bringing him back safe and sound, Stoker was going to retire. He was going to make this woman his wife and he was going to start a family with her.
He pulled Izzy towards him and captured her mouth with his, pouring every inch of his heart and love he felt for her in one passionate kiss. 'I'll always come back for you, my heart. Always.'
The Last Chance Garage
They left in the middle of the night. Swift and quietly. Armed as always, but one of them packed with a little bit extra. Well, two of them were, but you would think one merely by looking at the back of Throttle's motorbike where a black duffle bag was situated. The contents within it did not all belong to him. Charley had added a couple of things for him to bring back to Mars. Things she reckoned that might aid them with finding Vinnie as well as a few small things she figured Izzy would love to have on the red planet.
Throttle didn't mind being an errand boy for he was more than eager to get back home as quickly as possible. The one thing he hoped for was that it would happen without too much trouble, but considering they were currently headed for Limburger's tower, safety was no guarantee. However, getting into the building wasn't the difficult part. The hard bit would be making it to the teleporter, enter the coordinates for the Freedom Fighter's base and leave Earth. The tan furred mouse was more concerned with Modo and Charley leaving Ol' stinkfish's place in one piece. But knowing his slightly younger bro, Throttle was certain they would make it out safe and sound.
"Now, you remember the plan? We ride in. Drop Charley off at the control panel and make sure she can enter the numbers without any interruption." He reminded the others as they were standing in a nearby narrow street.
"It's rather quiet, don't you think?" Charley commented as she peeked her head around the corner.
The streets were rather deserted, which wasn't that odd considering the current time, yet this was Chicago. Not known for it's quietness, even during the middle of the night. It didn't necessarily worry Throttle, he was more focused on what lay ahead. Limburger tower. But it did manage to send a chill down Charley's spine, though she could just be nervous about all of this. There was a lot going on in her mind.
Her best friend was missing. The fact that she was carrying a little baby inside of her. Izzy having left on a whim without telling her and now Throttle was leaving as well, albeit with good reason. Somehow having to deal with Limburger, lasers and what else she considered an every day occurrence because of the biker mice, all felt different now. Probably because she had more to protect now compared to before.
"Don't you worry about anything, my Charley-girl." Modo said deeply under his breath. "Nobody will get within twenty feet of you. Otherwise they won't live to see another tomorrow."
Her heart fluttered at Modo's words of comfort. As always he would be there to protect her, like he had always done from the moment they met. She nodded and sat back down on Lil' Hoss. Modo pulled the woman's arms around his waist and shut his visor. It was time to head inside.
::::::...::::::
The last time Throttle had been here, Vinnie disappeared without a trace along with an FBI agent named Burrows. Now, twenty-four hours later, they'd already figured out that Vinnie was on Mars. Though as luck would have it, not in the safest part of the planet. Leave it to Vinnie's luck to be transported to the most hostile environment that place had to offer. Boreas. But why had the coordinates been set to that area in the first place? Had it been an accident? Or was Limburger planning something they didn't know about and were now on the verge of accidentally discovering?
It was probably something they would figure out with time, until then the main focus was changing the numbers to that of the Freedom Fighter base location and then erase it from the drive. A job cut out for Charley as the mice would be too occupied with other matters. Throttle and Modo were left to fend off Limburger, Karbunkle or anybody else of the fish's goon squad ready to attack them. Though as it now seemed, after having been inside the tower well over five minutes, there was no team of hired men, not even Greasepit, to meet and kick them out.
"I don't like this, Throttle." Modo growled as his eye shot around the room. "When has it ever been this quiet?"
"Whenever we trashed the place or when the big Cheese is out of town." But even then there would always be someone around watching the place. Throttle went quiet and looked behind him.
They'd only encountered half a dozen of Limburger's goons at the entrance of the building, a good start one might say. But after that they sped through nothing but empty hallways, past empty rooms. The closer they got to the transporter, the more suspicious the mice were starting to get due to the lack of attention they were getting.
"You reckon we should check Limburger's office?" The grey mouse suggested, despite not really wanting to draw out a confrontation. Normally he would love nothing more, but just like Charley, big goodhearted Modo also had different priorities at the moment.
As if Throttle could read his mind, the leader shook his head. "Nah, let's do what we came here for. Just, be careful when you leave. It might be a trap."
Modo's eye glowed red. "We'll jump out immediately...safely." He quickly added.
Charley jumped off of the bike and removed her helmet as she approached the controls. She had to dig in her memory how she'd done this the last time she'd been here, but thankfully it wasn't too complicated. Back then she was sending the mice back to Mars along with Limburger. It wasn't too long after that that Karbunkle and Greasepit had taken her prisoner as a bargaining chip to get Limburger back from the biker mice. That was the first time she'd been in the transporter as well as her first time on Mars. What an adventure.
"Alright, it's all set. If these coordinates are correct, you should land about a mile away from the base." Charley raised her head to look at Throttle who had just settled himself and his bike in the teleportation device. "Let's not have the same thing happen to you as what happened to Vinnie."
"I'm sure it won't, considering you're the one handling this." Throttle smiled to her. "Let's just hope we're not too late. I'll contact the garage as soon as I'm with the Freedom Fighters. They'll be in a for a surprise seeing me, that's for sure. I'll make sure they'll send one of the ships to Earth asap. Unless,-" He paused for a second, not finishing his sentence.
But Charley knew what he was talking about. "I still think the way we discussed earlier is the safest." She moved her hands and placed them against her lower stomach. "I wish I dared, but,-"
"No, don't." Throttle replied firmly. "This is for the best."
He then took a deep breath and threw the female mechanic a nod, telling her it was time to flip the switch. Followed by another look at his bro, who raised his arm and fist pumped the air, Freedom Fighter style. "Let's rock,-" Modo began.
"And ride!" Throttle shut his visor and Charley pushed the lever forward.
The glass door of the transporter lowered and hit the floor. Lights went on and electric sounds crackled all around the tan furred mouse. Even the tiniest of his hairs seemed to tingle. The machine began to hum, it's bass increasing with each passing second until he could feel it pounding in his chest. Then the light flashed one bright time and Throttle quickly shut his eyes.
A loud beep sounded in his ears and it continued to linger there for a few seconds until it finally started to fade. Throttle didn't dare to move just yet as he could still feel little pricks across his fur. But then it stopped and replaced with a different sensation, a light breeze. This time he did shift in his seat and slowly opened his eyes to see where he was. He blinked a couple of times in the hopes of clearing his vision a little.
The area was dark and he knew he was definitely no longer in the same place as Charley and Modo. The circular cubicle he'd been in earlier was gone as were his friends. the view before him was familiar and, despite the grim and sombre look, welcoming. The sand was murky, the sky a heavy navy colour with hints of burgundy purple and a few stripes of noctilucent clouds. From behind one of the larger dunes Throttle spotted a familiar round shape, one of the planet's moons.
He was back on Mars.
He took his helmet off and breathed in deeply. The air was a little heavier than back on Earth and it smelled different too. It still was far from how it was all those years ago, before the wars, and Throttle barely remembered it but maybe one day that were to change. He leaned forwards and tapped the screen in front of him. He was about two miles away from his destination.
The mouse grinned. "Well done, Charley girl."
Throttle turned around and double checked the bag behind him. He tightened the straps and made sure it wouldn't have a chance to fall off during the ride. It was time to continue. His tail wiped back and forth and he clenched his hands around the handlebars. He would be lying if he said he didn't feel nervous about seeing everyone again. There was a lot going on and a whole lot more coming.
Shutting his visor, Throttle pulled up the topography of the surrounding terrain as it was too difficult for him to navigate by sight alone. There were no streetlamps to light the way for him, all he had were the stars and though they were magnificent, more vibrant compared to what you could see from Earth, the clouds here obscured them too much at the moment. He should have realized it would be night time by now. If it had been just a little bit clearer, he probably would have been able to see the familiar sight of the large dormant volcano.
A place he knew and dared to call his home. The Freedom Fighter Base.
Long chapter (compared to what I normally post). But I felt that I had some catching up to do. After all it has been 4 months.
With that being said, I hope you all had a Happy Christmas and I wish all of you a happy new year.
May 2022 bring good times to all of us.
Until next time!