Title: A mouse by Any Other Name
Author: Mandragoran
Rating: R (For violence)
Disclaimer: The Bikermice do not belong to me, they belong to other people other then me...the other mice characters belong to me though...please ask permission before using them...thanks
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The sound of metal on metal filled the old abandioned Plutarkian
base.
"How much longer?" A voice winned
"Not much I'm almost there..." Another replied
"I'm sick of being stuck here....how much longer?"
"Would you shut up?!"
The sound of metal snaping and a door swinging open.
"There!" The two voices said together. Footsteps padded down the
empty coridors, but oddly enough it was only one set. The door
to the old base opened for the first time in about five years
and a figure steped out into the red sands of Mars. She was
female about five foot in height. Her red hair that hung down to
her waist was like liquid moten and her skin like ash. On closer
look you could see what was a tail. It dragged behind her in the
sand making pattens in the shifting sands. She wore the tattered
remains of some kind of uniform, of what is undefinable.
"Where are we?" She asked squinting in the sun.
"How the hell would I know?" She answered herself but in a almost
diffrent sounding voice.
"I just thought..."
"Shut up! No one asked you!" The woman stood there in the sand
arguing for all apeariences with herself.
She heard the sounds of motorcycle's approaching and one part of
her almost shouted in joy and the other sneared in contempt. She
ducked into the shaddows of the doorway crouching low in the
dirt. A lone rider came over the sand trailing dust behind him
like a typhoon.
"Easy prey..." The meaner side said and slunk through the sand.
The rider didn't see her until she was in his path. He slambed
on his breaks and she jumped at him. He struggled in her grip
and she slambed her elbow into his unprotected throat, crushing
his windpipe. He spasmed for a moment and went still.
"Why did you do that?" She asked as she moved her hands over the
young man's clothing taking them off.
"We need his clothing and his bike." She took off his helment and
it was a young mouse underneith.
"A mouse?" She gestured to his tail and then their own. "Do you
think we arethe same species as this one?"
"It doesn't matter, only survival matters....besides he didn't
help us back at the building did he? Didn't let us do when the
rest left? Didn't find us? We helped ourself and that's how it
will always be!"
She undressed the young mouse and dressed in his clothing.
"I wonder why his ears are so large? We don't have such large
ears...."
"Then were not like him and it doesn't matter." She climb aboard
the motorcycle and sped off over the dunes, this seemed famillar
to her.
"Were to now?"
"We're going to make them pay for hurting us...make them pay for
even thinking of hurting us! We shall have or revenge and then
we will have some more!" An inhuman laugh rippled from her
throat her lips twisting up in an evil smile.
'
Zip' A ziper closed the nylon bag and two mice lifted it up and
bought it into the compound.
Carbine rubed her fingers against her temples. "Any leads
Chrome?" She asked to the orange mouse by her side.
"Sorry," He said, shruging his shoulders. "Me and Jess
found him out by that old Plutarikan base, you know the one out
by the southern desert?" She nodded and he continued "Found him
just like that...poor bugger."
"Wonderful." Carbine sighed, her tail flicking through
the air. "Just what this planent needs more plutarkians."
"I don't think the Plutarks did it." Jess came up between
the two of them and folded her arms over her chest. "There were
tail marks in the sand, maybe a rat?"
"Makes sence," Chrome nodded "Rats and Mice don't get
along."
"True," Carbine sighed but was still frowing. "But I can
see a Rat taking his bike but his clothes?"
"Not gona get far in a Freedom Fighter garb!" Jess
muttered "He'll stick out like a soar thumb."
"I don't like this, not one bit." Carbine turned around
and looked towards the compound. "STOKE!!" She bellowed.
About a minute later an older mouse walked out of the
compound and towards the three of them.
"You called?" He asked in a dry sarcastic voice.
"I want guards increased around here." She gestured
around. "And I don't want any mice going out alone."
"Slow down girl." Stoke shook his head "The 'don't go out
alone' we can manage but 'the extra guards' is going to be a
problem. We're under maned as is!"
"Just do it!" She snaped at him and turned on her heel
marching back into the compound.
Stoke muttered something snide under his breath and
turned towards Jess and Chrome.
"Don't you have somewhere to be?" He asked
"As a matter of fact.." he gave Jess a meaningfull look
and picked her up, slinging her over his broad shoulder.
"CHROME!" Jess protested "You chouder head! Let Me
Down!!"
"Patiance Lover." He promiced a hidden hint in his voice.
"And stop calling me that!" Jess thwaked him up back of
the head and he chuckled.
"Sure thing lover!"
"AHHHHH!!! MEN!"
Stoker shook his head and went inside to see where in the
world he could conjure up some extra guards.
III.
Jess leaned her head on the window pane and looked across
the slowly lighting Martain sand. Rain would suit her mood right
now but when was the last time it had rained here? Months? It
felt like years....She ran her hands over her arms and folded
them across her stomach. Tears sprang to her eyes and she bit
down on her lip to force them back, they sparkled in protest.
Dry lightneing flashed across the sky and she was blinded for a
moment. Damn it wasn't fair. She'd only been back here for about
two years but it seemed that she had aged centurys in the last
26 months. She placed her palm flat against the pane and lowered
her head squeezing her eyes shut. The memories still hurt and
she tryed to change her thoughs to something else. Turning from
the window she looked over to the bed where Chrome lay fast
asleep. Did she love him? No, she didn't think so. Cared deeply
but not loved. She shivered in the cool night air and was
suddenly aware of how cold and how alone she felt in this world.
Moving back over to the bed she sliped under the sheets
and curled up against Chrome's side. He stiried in his sleep and
looked down at her.
"Don't tell me your up for a second round already?" He
said in a dreamy voice. She snuggled into his chest and he put
an arm around her to find her shaking slightly.
"Hey Lover," He looked down worry on his face. "You okay?
Your backs not bothering you again, is it?"
She shook her head no and burrind her face into his fur
letting herslf cry.
"Oh doll...shhhhhhh." He murmered stroking her hair.
"It's going to be okay, I'm hear for ya...."
She pulled back from him. "I don't need your simpithy!"
Lightening flashed in the sky and reflected in her eyes. "Don't
you dare pity me!"
He stoped himself from being snarky with her he could
feel her pain and he knew that she did this when she was scared.
"I don't. But I'm always here for ya Jess you know that."
Her eyes softened and she reached out and stroked his
face. He closed his eyes at her gentle touch. "I-i'm sorry
Chrome."
He smiled "Hun, you got nothing to be sorry for." He
assured her. He pulled her close to him again and she snuggled
into him wraping her arms around his neck, her finger played
with the fur along the back of his neck.
"That's what I love about you Chrome," She managed a part
smile "Your full of shit!"
"Now, now, Lover," He teased "No need for name calling."
"My heads just all screwed up...somedays I just don't see
the point." She rested her head on his chest again.
"The point of what?" He asked running his fingers through
her hair.
"Everything." She sighed "Sometimes I think it would just
be better if I had died in that explosion."
"Jess! Comon, you can't mean that."
"Damn straight I do!" Anger building in her voice. "The
fightings never going to stop! So we get rid of the
Plutarikians... we still have the Sand Raiders and the Rats!"
She sighed her anger expelling through the breath.
"You'll see...someday this place will be as we knew it!
The fighting will end and we'll all live happyily ever after!"
"Anyone ever tell you your a hopeless optimist Chrome?"
"Anyone ever tell you your a hopless pessimest?"
Jessie looked over his shoulder her eyes distance.
"Once." Was her reply. Her eyes wandered over to the clock on
the table next to the bed and she sat bolt upright.
"What is it?" Chrome proped himself on one elbow alarmed.
"Shit!" Jessie muttered throwing the covers off herself
and started searching around for her clothes. "I told Pirro that
I'd be in to watch the obtobsy this morning, on the mouse we
found! I'm late!" She struggled into her Freedome Fighter
uniform smoothing it in place.
Chrome watched from the bed her movement tantilizing him
in the slowly awakening dawn. "mmmmm....you should dress for me
more often." He said grining at her but with a underlying
hunger.
"Chrome, I'm late already! You know the shit Pirro's gona
layon me as is??" She pulled on her gloves, tugging them into
place.
"Oh let him wait!" Chrome grabed her with his tail and
pulled her over to the bed. "That mouse ain't going anywhere."
The scowl that came over Jessie face told him that he'd
just steped into it big time. "That's awful of you to say! He
was a fellow Freedom fighter, show a little respect!"
Chrome winced "I didn't mean it like that," he apoligized
"I wasn't thinking."
Jessie smiled down at him. "No, you were just using the
wrong part to think with," She unwound his tail from her waist.
"Just hold onto those happy thoughts, I'll be back." She petted
the end of his tail patrinizing.
He sighed. "Oh ya,right!" He muttered sarcastically. He
got up and start hauling on his own uniform. "I might as well go
with you, not much for me to do here by myself."
"Well..." She gave him a wicked look.
"I don't think so." He said putting his hands on his hips
and looking indignent she even thought he would. It looked
pretty comical with him half into his uniform the rest around
his hips and laying on the bed.
"Comon Rusty, get the lead out."
Chrome looked at her and scowled hurrying to get dressed.
"You know I don't like that name."
"Ya, well I don't like it when you call me Lover." She
swished her tail in front of his face and then teasingly over
her body. He quickly looked back to getting dressed.
When he was finished dressing the two made their way down
the hallway and Chrome although much taller was hard pressed to
keep up with the lith white mouse.
"I just want to know what the hell is going on here!" She
muttered marching down the hall towards Pirro's lab. "I mean who
kills a mouse and takes his clothes too?"
IV.
"Your late." Was all Pirro said as the two walked into
the room.
"I got held up." Jess said looking pointingly at Chrome
who smiled in responce.
"I bet you did..."Pirro muttered "Here," He passed a box
full of plastic gloves in her direction. He pulled back the
sheet and Jessie looked at the mouse in front of her. His throat
was a mess of fur, skin, and cartlige. It looked as if something
had tried to wrip his throat out.
"Direct blow to his windpipe." He moved his hand over the
wound and nodded in satifaction. "Feel here?" He moved her hand
to the position and she felt the bones and noticed the edges
where smooth.
Pirro looked up. "Who ever did this knew right what they
were doing. I figure an females elbow or some small object of
the same shape."
Chrome cocked his head to one side. "Why say a females?"
"There's no bruse marks around the throat and no broken
bones on the side. It had to be small and conpact. Maybe a male
that was small but I'd rather place my bet on a female. Or like
I said something small shaped in the same form." He pulled his
gloves off and thew them in a trash, Jessie did the same.
"So, what did he die from?"
"Lack of air...crushed windpipe does that. I assume your
asking if there was any sign that he was killed other then the
obvious. Not that I can see, there are a few bruses on the upper
shoulders. Looks like he grapled with someone. Small, also
suporting the female theory."
"Thanks Pirro." Jessie nodded "Find anything else you let
us know right?"
"Course," Jess and Chrome turned to leave when he spoke
again. "How's the back doing by the way?"
"Fine." Jess answered curtly
"You were susposed to some see me yesterday for a chech
up." He frowned at her.
"Well as you can see I was kinda busy." She gestured to
the corpse on the table.
"I expect to see you here today then." He told her.
"I'm going to be busy today, there is a killer running
around." Jessie put her hand on her hip.
"Which you can catch after I say your fit for duty."
Pirro raised his chin. "I want you here after lunch, if your not
I'm pulling you from duty."
Jessie clenched her fists and her eyes flashed with
anger. "Fine." She muttered turning her back on him and left the
room.
V.
"How does that feel?"
Jessie bit back a wince. "That's fine." She said in a
tence voice.
"These stitches aren't healing as fast as I hoped." He
frowned and prodded her back again with his fingertips. "What
have you been doing lately?"
"The usual," She replied testly "Eating, sleeping, riding
my bike, blowing up Plutarkains, sex. You know the usual stuff."
"I thought I told you to take it easy. Expecitally on the
physical exertian."
"You did," She snapped "I just didn't listen."
"Well your going to have to listen!" Pirro snaped back
"This is your life were talking about here Jess! " He prodded
her back again and she bit down on her lip to keep from wincing.
"I felt you tence at that." He glared down at her. "Go get
dressed. That's it I'm removing you from duty till those heal."
"WHAT!!" Jessie exploded rounding on him "You can't do
that to me! I've got things to do!"
"Well they'll just have to do without you for about a
month or so. I'll inform Carbine and Stoker about my
desicision." He turned from her and she grabed his arm in a firm
grip and he winced with the presure.
"You can't do that." He voice was low and mencing. "I can
do my job. This is all I have."
"The desision is made Jess." The finality was hard in his
voice. He pulled his arm from her grip her fingers having left
red marks. "Go get dressed."
"This is not the end of this, Pirro." She threatened.
He ignored her turning back to his chart in his hand.
VI.
The door slambed in the room and Jessie walked past
Chrome who was sitting in the sitting room listening to the
radio. He turned it down as she came by.
"So how did it go?" He asked following her movements
across the room.
The door to the bedroom slambed in responce.
"That well hunh?" He muttered going back to the radio and
fiddiling with the dial. Finally able to pick up a radio signel
he left it there for a few moments.
~Reports have it that the Plutarkian have moved west
across the Taro Dunes into the city of Shazian. There is no word
of casualitys yet but the militlary have told us that they have
sent renforcements. The numbers seem overwhelming though in the
sight of the superior firepower of the Plutarian forces....wait
a minute...I've just gotton a report...~ there was a pause in
the broadcast as the reporter talked with someone off mike.
~There seems to be a freedom fighter out on the field.~
Chrome sat up straighter. Charbine had sent military out
there eariler this morning but as far as he'd known Stoker
hadn't sent anyone out that way.
~Yes, a mouse who is definally wearing freedom fighter
garb. We are uncertain if it's male or female at this instance
but red hair and a tail was said to be seen. They drove into the
middle of the battle and plowed through the Plutarkians with a
vengence, seemly helping the poor citizens escape. The bike was
black in color flecked with red paint along the left side.~
Every mussle in Chrome's body grew cold and his fur stood
on end. "Jess! You better get the hell out here!" He bellowed.
She apeared in the door way instanly dressed in a long
t-shirt. "What's going on?" She asked her voice holding a sence
of inpatiance.
"That mouse that died yesterday? His bike has been spoted
on the battle field out by Shazian."
Jessie stalked over "Fighing with the Plutarkains no
dout."
"No, that's the weird part. Their helping the citizens
escape FROM the Plutarkains."
"Comon," Chrome urged gesturing at her "Get dressed
Stokes gona need to know about this."
Jessie muttered something under her breath "I'm coming."
She went back in the room and got dressed and the two went to
see Stoker.
VII.
The freedom fighter base was a flurry of activity by the
time they got there. The two moved up by the side of Stoke who
was already trying to calm a pirticular vocal freedom fighter
who was insisting they all charge out there and grab the rouge.
Chrome opened his mouth but Stoker raised a hand.
"I've heard, and no. Carbine and her group can take care of it."
"Hump," Jessie snorted snidely "The army can't take care
of a coctail party."
"What was that, Leutient?" Stoker said glaring down at
her.
"I said the army is a bunch of fools, Sir." She snaped at
him.
"You are way out of line, officer. They are our allies
and none of the mice here may agree with their tactics but we
are all on the same side."
"Now we are, but how many mice had to be slaughtered
first."
"That is quite enough. Now listen people," Stoker said
looking around at the group gathered around them. "The army has
asked us to stay out of this conflict. Shazian is a miltiry
town, and under the goverments juridiction. If we all go
barelling in there then we may just kiss out alliance with the
miltary goodbye. It's alway been on shaky ground as it is,
expecitally this last month, with the capture." Many of the mice
looked to the ground and placed hands on other mouses shoulders.
"We need to keep it together, to show the military that we can
be of use. We will catch this rouge mouse, or rat or whatever
the hell it is, and they will be held responsible for Shon's
death."
Many mice nodded in responce with and before they could
say anything else Stoker once again held up his hands. "I'm not
about to let this go unchecked however. If there is a freedom
fighter running around out there without otherizatin I want to
know. That's why I'm going to send a couple of you mice out
there to keep an eye on things." A few murmers went up from the
mice about. "Under no curcumstances will anyone confront the
enemy. This is an observation mission not a infiltry." He looked
about. "Shandy, Raid, Steel, and Tau. I want the four of you out
there and report back." The four mice nodded and they were out
the door before he could say another word. "Shah, and Orlin. I
need a couple extra guard out on along the east boarder." They
both nodded and hurried away. "And the rest of you....get the
hell outa here. Take some R&R or something while you can." A few
mice chuckled nerviously and the croud started to thin out. Stoke
turned and found himself facing Jessie. "What?" He asked
"I want to go out there Stoke, Chome and Me found
the body. I want this."
"That's out of the question." Stoke put his hands on his
hips "You shouldn't even be here. You've been suspended from
duty."
"What?" Chrome started turning to her "You didn't say
anything."
"That's because there's nothing wrong with me!" She
glared at Stoker "I can do the job, Stoke. You know I can."
"Not according to Pirro and he's the physician around
here. Untill he says your fit, your off duty. Go home, relax."
"No!" Jessie grabed his uniform and slambed him into the
wall. Her eyes were wild and they seemed to bore into his. "This
is what I do! You can't take this from me!"
Chrome grabed her arms and wressled her away from Stoker.
He straightened his uniform and cleared his throat. "Take her
home." He told Chrome. "She's to volitile to be of any good to
me."
Jessie struggled against Chrome's grip but he held her
like a vice. "Let me go!" She screamed "I won't let you do this
to me! This is mine, do you hear me! I want this thing, I'm
going to hunt them down and kill them for what they've done!"
She was nearly histerical. "I won't let them win!"
Chrome struggled with her now, as she flayled about in a
frenzy. "She histerical!"
"Someone get Pirro!" Stoke yelled "And tell him to bring
some seditives!"
Jessie suddenly bit down hard on Chrome's hand and he
yelled in pain letting go of her arm. Blood welled up from the
bite. She took advantage and elbowed him in the stomach. He
doubled over in pain and Jessie managed to escape from his grip.
She pulled her gun from it's holser on her thigh and she leveled
it finding Stoker with one leveled at her.
"Jess," Stokes voice was soft but held a raw edge to it.
"You don't want to do this. Comon give me the gun." He reached
one hand out before him and her eyes darted back and forth at
the tence mice who had reacted to her screaming.
"Keep away from me!" She yelled "I'm not going to let you
stop me." She was looking for a way to escape. He eyes darted to
the closed window by her side and Stoke realized her plan one
instant to late. She jumped through the pane, her arms before
her face, shelding her eyes. Glass scratched across her arms and
she fell towards the ground. She hit hard rolling to her feet
she grunted in pain and wraped an arm around her waist. Whisling
through her teeth she ran across the sand away from the Freedom
fighter base. Her bike came speeding up by the side of her and
she jumped on. The two speed over the next sand doon and out of
site.
Pirro hurried into the room with a hypo in his hand only
to hear the mumering going through the room. He came over to
where Chrome was leaning against the wall holding his hand.
"What happened?" He asked inspecting the wound.
"It's nothing." Chrome said wincing as Pirro looked at
the bite.
"Looks like someone bit you!" he said astonished.
"Doesn't it?" He grined grimly.
Stoker came over. "It was Jessie." He said "She just went
balistic and flung herself from the window."
Pirro's eyes went wide and Stoker shook his head. "Damn
it. I should have seen this coming. She's been under too much
stress."
"What did you say to her?" Pirro asked
"I told her that she was removed from duty and she went
nuts."
Chrome looked at him. "I'm not surprised. She hasn't been
herself for the last month or so. Just before we got back. She's
actually calmed down since then though."
Stokers eyes looked as if something had just dawned on
him and he cursed under his breath. "Well we have to find her. I
can't let her run around in that condidtion, she's a danger to
herself and everyone she somes across."
"Let me look for her Sir." Chrome asked "If anyone can
get through to her I think I can."
"Agreed," Stoker said nodding his head. "But your going
to need someone to go with you. Pirro?" He turned to the doctor.
"Me?" He asked startled "But Stoke I'm no fighter, or
tracker."
"No but your a doctor and our only shrink, although the
later you kinda stink at." Pirro gave him a wry grin.
"Thank you sir."
"Go with him, she looked like she hurt herself in that
fall, and you may have to sedate her to get her back here. Try
not to hurt her but Chrome, if she does anything stupid, like
ride into the middle of that war zone, then get her the hell
out. Batter brused whatever as long as she ain't dead."
"I understand."
"Do you?" He asked "Our tail are this close," he held his
two fingers but inches apat. " to getting shut out of this thing
all together. If Carbine gets a glance at her in this unstable
condition she might just stop cooperation with the Freedom
Fighters. We need all of us working together to win this war. We
have to make the leaders sacrifice count for somthing."
VIII.
Chrome and Pirro looked over the dunes before them each
on a bike, "She went..." they both started.
"I think out of the two of us I know Jessie better."
Chrome said "And if I know Jessie she's headed into the middle
of battle."
"You may sleep with the mouse," Pirro quiped "But I'm the
one that treats her. You'd be amazed what your patients tell you
and if you ask me, I say she would try to find out about this
thing more before she charged headlong into battle."
"Well nobody asked you," Chrome shifted in his seat atop
his bike. "And I think she tells me a little more then her
doctor."
"Jessie has some phycological theropy with me to after
she got back."
Chrome started and looked over at him. "I didn't know
that."
"I'm sure there's alot about Jessie you don't know." He
said smuggly "Like first of all Jessie isn't her full name."
"It's not?"
"No, it's Jessica. Although she doesn't like it." Chrome
looked back over the dunes.
"Why?" Chrome asked "Jessica is a nice name."
"I can't say, patient confidality." Pirro said a bit to
smuggly
"Bull shit!" Chrome looked to him. "What else do you
know?"
"Alot."
"I don't think you know anything else, and that Jessica
thing probabbly isn't a secret. I only knew Jess a couple months
before we were sent out on that mission. She wasn't very
talkitive after that."
Pirro nodded. "She was alot more friendly before that.
But then again she hadn't lost someone close to her before
that."
"And what's that susposed to mean?"
"Well it's just that she was close to one of the Freedom
fighter leaders, or so I've heard."
"Close?" Chrome's voice held a sort of how close term to
it.
"Like that." Pirro crossed his fingers. "She never talked
about it to me though. Wouldn't even bring it up. Though we
talked extencivly." He emphizied the last point. "She must have
loved him very much. It's a shame really."
He let the silence go for a few minutes. Before he turned
back to Chrome. "So, how long have the two of you been
involved?"
His tone sounded light but the implication was there.
Your just a subsitute. She didn't love you. Your just the
rebound guy.
Chrome gritted his teeth. "Almost two years now."
Pirro let a whissle out between his teeth. "That's a long
time. And she never told you?"
His tone once again light but the implications were
there. Two years and she still hasn't confided in you.Can't love
you that much if she still didn't trust you with her feelings
yet.
"No." He said testly.
"Hmmmm."Pirro rubed a hand under his chin. "After this is
all over I wonder what she'll do, I mean I can never see Jessie
to settle down."
The with you was left out but Chrome could almost hear it
there.
"I wonder what type of mouse it would take to tye that
one up for good."
"Are you implying that I couldn't??" Chrome finally
snapped
"I never said anything of the sort." Pirro objected but
the hint of that smug smile was there. "But now that you mention
it...I mean it has been two years."
"Oh and I suspose the type of mouse would be you!" Chrome
shot back.
"Well, yes. At least I listen to her. Not to mention her
back, I mean I care about her saftey after all."
The next thing Pirro saw was a fist coming at him and he
fell to the sand. Reaching up he held his jaw. Chrome stood over
him blocking the sun. "You barbarian!" Pirro struggled to sit
up.
Chrome put a foot on his chest and forced him back into
the sand. "I never came across a mouse that I didn't like." He
said in a snarl "But I beleive I'm gona make an exception for
you. Just because Jessie hasn't told me things about herself
doesn't mean she doesn't love me, you got that?"
"But you have to wonder don't you?"
"Listen," Chrome reached down and pulled him to his
feet."I have to work with you to find Jessie but I don't have to
like you. And you don't need you tounge to help her, so you
either shut-up or the next word you say's gona be you last." He
smoothed the doctors unifom and steped back. "That clear?"
"Crystal."
A beeping was heard over Chrome's radio.
He walked over to it and flicked a switch. "Chrome here."
~Chrome this is Stoker, we got a sighting of Jess over on
the south side near that old base. Over~
Pirro looked over and then to the sky.
"I got that Stoke, We'll check it out. Over and out." He
looked over at Pirro and got on his bike. "Not a word." He
warned. Pirro said nothing but that hint of a smile was there.
Chrome bent over his bike and took the lead. He'd been right
about this....what else could he be right about?
Author: Mandragoran
Rating: R (For violence)
Disclaimer: The Bikermice do not belong to me, they belong to other people other then me...the other mice characters belong to me though...please ask permission before using them...thanks
**************************************************************
The sound of metal on metal filled the old abandioned Plutarkian
base.
"How much longer?" A voice winned
"Not much I'm almost there..." Another replied
"I'm sick of being stuck here....how much longer?"
"Would you shut up?!"
The sound of metal snaping and a door swinging open.
"There!" The two voices said together. Footsteps padded down the
empty coridors, but oddly enough it was only one set. The door
to the old base opened for the first time in about five years
and a figure steped out into the red sands of Mars. She was
female about five foot in height. Her red hair that hung down to
her waist was like liquid moten and her skin like ash. On closer
look you could see what was a tail. It dragged behind her in the
sand making pattens in the shifting sands. She wore the tattered
remains of some kind of uniform, of what is undefinable.
"Where are we?" She asked squinting in the sun.
"How the hell would I know?" She answered herself but in a almost
diffrent sounding voice.
"I just thought..."
"Shut up! No one asked you!" The woman stood there in the sand
arguing for all apeariences with herself.
She heard the sounds of motorcycle's approaching and one part of
her almost shouted in joy and the other sneared in contempt. She
ducked into the shaddows of the doorway crouching low in the
dirt. A lone rider came over the sand trailing dust behind him
like a typhoon.
"Easy prey..." The meaner side said and slunk through the sand.
The rider didn't see her until she was in his path. He slambed
on his breaks and she jumped at him. He struggled in her grip
and she slambed her elbow into his unprotected throat, crushing
his windpipe. He spasmed for a moment and went still.
"Why did you do that?" She asked as she moved her hands over the
young man's clothing taking them off.
"We need his clothing and his bike." She took off his helment and
it was a young mouse underneith.
"A mouse?" She gestured to his tail and then their own. "Do you
think we arethe same species as this one?"
"It doesn't matter, only survival matters....besides he didn't
help us back at the building did he? Didn't let us do when the
rest left? Didn't find us? We helped ourself and that's how it
will always be!"
She undressed the young mouse and dressed in his clothing.
"I wonder why his ears are so large? We don't have such large
ears...."
"Then were not like him and it doesn't matter." She climb aboard
the motorcycle and sped off over the dunes, this seemed famillar
to her.
"Were to now?"
"We're going to make them pay for hurting us...make them pay for
even thinking of hurting us! We shall have or revenge and then
we will have some more!" An inhuman laugh rippled from her
throat her lips twisting up in an evil smile.
'
Zip' A ziper closed the nylon bag and two mice lifted it up and
bought it into the compound.
Carbine rubed her fingers against her temples. "Any leads
Chrome?" She asked to the orange mouse by her side.
"Sorry," He said, shruging his shoulders. "Me and Jess
found him out by that old Plutarikan base, you know the one out
by the southern desert?" She nodded and he continued "Found him
just like that...poor bugger."
"Wonderful." Carbine sighed, her tail flicking through
the air. "Just what this planent needs more plutarkians."
"I don't think the Plutarks did it." Jess came up between
the two of them and folded her arms over her chest. "There were
tail marks in the sand, maybe a rat?"
"Makes sence," Chrome nodded "Rats and Mice don't get
along."
"True," Carbine sighed but was still frowing. "But I can
see a Rat taking his bike but his clothes?"
"Not gona get far in a Freedom Fighter garb!" Jess
muttered "He'll stick out like a soar thumb."
"I don't like this, not one bit." Carbine turned around
and looked towards the compound. "STOKE!!" She bellowed.
About a minute later an older mouse walked out of the
compound and towards the three of them.
"You called?" He asked in a dry sarcastic voice.
"I want guards increased around here." She gestured
around. "And I don't want any mice going out alone."
"Slow down girl." Stoke shook his head "The 'don't go out
alone' we can manage but 'the extra guards' is going to be a
problem. We're under maned as is!"
"Just do it!" She snaped at him and turned on her heel
marching back into the compound.
Stoke muttered something snide under his breath and
turned towards Jess and Chrome.
"Don't you have somewhere to be?" He asked
"As a matter of fact.." he gave Jess a meaningfull look
and picked her up, slinging her over his broad shoulder.
"CHROME!" Jess protested "You chouder head! Let Me
Down!!"
"Patiance Lover." He promiced a hidden hint in his voice.
"And stop calling me that!" Jess thwaked him up back of
the head and he chuckled.
"Sure thing lover!"
"AHHHHH!!! MEN!"
Stoker shook his head and went inside to see where in the
world he could conjure up some extra guards.
III.
Jess leaned her head on the window pane and looked across
the slowly lighting Martain sand. Rain would suit her mood right
now but when was the last time it had rained here? Months? It
felt like years....She ran her hands over her arms and folded
them across her stomach. Tears sprang to her eyes and she bit
down on her lip to force them back, they sparkled in protest.
Dry lightneing flashed across the sky and she was blinded for a
moment. Damn it wasn't fair. She'd only been back here for about
two years but it seemed that she had aged centurys in the last
26 months. She placed her palm flat against the pane and lowered
her head squeezing her eyes shut. The memories still hurt and
she tryed to change her thoughs to something else. Turning from
the window she looked over to the bed where Chrome lay fast
asleep. Did she love him? No, she didn't think so. Cared deeply
but not loved. She shivered in the cool night air and was
suddenly aware of how cold and how alone she felt in this world.
Moving back over to the bed she sliped under the sheets
and curled up against Chrome's side. He stiried in his sleep and
looked down at her.
"Don't tell me your up for a second round already?" He
said in a dreamy voice. She snuggled into his chest and he put
an arm around her to find her shaking slightly.
"Hey Lover," He looked down worry on his face. "You okay?
Your backs not bothering you again, is it?"
She shook her head no and burrind her face into his fur
letting herslf cry.
"Oh doll...shhhhhhh." He murmered stroking her hair.
"It's going to be okay, I'm hear for ya...."
She pulled back from him. "I don't need your simpithy!"
Lightening flashed in the sky and reflected in her eyes. "Don't
you dare pity me!"
He stoped himself from being snarky with her he could
feel her pain and he knew that she did this when she was scared.
"I don't. But I'm always here for ya Jess you know that."
Her eyes softened and she reached out and stroked his
face. He closed his eyes at her gentle touch. "I-i'm sorry
Chrome."
He smiled "Hun, you got nothing to be sorry for." He
assured her. He pulled her close to him again and she snuggled
into him wraping her arms around his neck, her finger played
with the fur along the back of his neck.
"That's what I love about you Chrome," She managed a part
smile "Your full of shit!"
"Now, now, Lover," He teased "No need for name calling."
"My heads just all screwed up...somedays I just don't see
the point." She rested her head on his chest again.
"The point of what?" He asked running his fingers through
her hair.
"Everything." She sighed "Sometimes I think it would just
be better if I had died in that explosion."
"Jess! Comon, you can't mean that."
"Damn straight I do!" Anger building in her voice. "The
fightings never going to stop! So we get rid of the
Plutarikians... we still have the Sand Raiders and the Rats!"
She sighed her anger expelling through the breath.
"You'll see...someday this place will be as we knew it!
The fighting will end and we'll all live happyily ever after!"
"Anyone ever tell you your a hopeless optimist Chrome?"
"Anyone ever tell you your a hopless pessimest?"
Jessie looked over his shoulder her eyes distance.
"Once." Was her reply. Her eyes wandered over to the clock on
the table next to the bed and she sat bolt upright.
"What is it?" Chrome proped himself on one elbow alarmed.
"Shit!" Jessie muttered throwing the covers off herself
and started searching around for her clothes. "I told Pirro that
I'd be in to watch the obtobsy this morning, on the mouse we
found! I'm late!" She struggled into her Freedome Fighter
uniform smoothing it in place.
Chrome watched from the bed her movement tantilizing him
in the slowly awakening dawn. "mmmmm....you should dress for me
more often." He said grining at her but with a underlying
hunger.
"Chrome, I'm late already! You know the shit Pirro's gona
layon me as is??" She pulled on her gloves, tugging them into
place.
"Oh let him wait!" Chrome grabed her with his tail and
pulled her over to the bed. "That mouse ain't going anywhere."
The scowl that came over Jessie face told him that he'd
just steped into it big time. "That's awful of you to say! He
was a fellow Freedom fighter, show a little respect!"
Chrome winced "I didn't mean it like that," he apoligized
"I wasn't thinking."
Jessie smiled down at him. "No, you were just using the
wrong part to think with," She unwound his tail from her waist.
"Just hold onto those happy thoughts, I'll be back." She petted
the end of his tail patrinizing.
He sighed. "Oh ya,right!" He muttered sarcastically. He
got up and start hauling on his own uniform. "I might as well go
with you, not much for me to do here by myself."
"Well..." She gave him a wicked look.
"I don't think so." He said putting his hands on his hips
and looking indignent she even thought he would. It looked
pretty comical with him half into his uniform the rest around
his hips and laying on the bed.
"Comon Rusty, get the lead out."
Chrome looked at her and scowled hurrying to get dressed.
"You know I don't like that name."
"Ya, well I don't like it when you call me Lover." She
swished her tail in front of his face and then teasingly over
her body. He quickly looked back to getting dressed.
When he was finished dressing the two made their way down
the hallway and Chrome although much taller was hard pressed to
keep up with the lith white mouse.
"I just want to know what the hell is going on here!" She
muttered marching down the hall towards Pirro's lab. "I mean who
kills a mouse and takes his clothes too?"
IV.
"Your late." Was all Pirro said as the two walked into
the room.
"I got held up." Jess said looking pointingly at Chrome
who smiled in responce.
"I bet you did..."Pirro muttered "Here," He passed a box
full of plastic gloves in her direction. He pulled back the
sheet and Jessie looked at the mouse in front of her. His throat
was a mess of fur, skin, and cartlige. It looked as if something
had tried to wrip his throat out.
"Direct blow to his windpipe." He moved his hand over the
wound and nodded in satifaction. "Feel here?" He moved her hand
to the position and she felt the bones and noticed the edges
where smooth.
Pirro looked up. "Who ever did this knew right what they
were doing. I figure an females elbow or some small object of
the same shape."
Chrome cocked his head to one side. "Why say a females?"
"There's no bruse marks around the throat and no broken
bones on the side. It had to be small and conpact. Maybe a male
that was small but I'd rather place my bet on a female. Or like
I said something small shaped in the same form." He pulled his
gloves off and thew them in a trash, Jessie did the same.
"So, what did he die from?"
"Lack of air...crushed windpipe does that. I assume your
asking if there was any sign that he was killed other then the
obvious. Not that I can see, there are a few bruses on the upper
shoulders. Looks like he grapled with someone. Small, also
suporting the female theory."
"Thanks Pirro." Jessie nodded "Find anything else you let
us know right?"
"Course," Jess and Chrome turned to leave when he spoke
again. "How's the back doing by the way?"
"Fine." Jess answered curtly
"You were susposed to some see me yesterday for a chech
up." He frowned at her.
"Well as you can see I was kinda busy." She gestured to
the corpse on the table.
"I expect to see you here today then." He told her.
"I'm going to be busy today, there is a killer running
around." Jessie put her hand on her hip.
"Which you can catch after I say your fit for duty."
Pirro raised his chin. "I want you here after lunch, if your not
I'm pulling you from duty."
Jessie clenched her fists and her eyes flashed with
anger. "Fine." She muttered turning her back on him and left the
room.
V.
"How does that feel?"
Jessie bit back a wince. "That's fine." She said in a
tence voice.
"These stitches aren't healing as fast as I hoped." He
frowned and prodded her back again with his fingertips. "What
have you been doing lately?"
"The usual," She replied testly "Eating, sleeping, riding
my bike, blowing up Plutarkains, sex. You know the usual stuff."
"I thought I told you to take it easy. Expecitally on the
physical exertian."
"You did," She snapped "I just didn't listen."
"Well your going to have to listen!" Pirro snaped back
"This is your life were talking about here Jess! " He prodded
her back again and she bit down on her lip to keep from wincing.
"I felt you tence at that." He glared down at her. "Go get
dressed. That's it I'm removing you from duty till those heal."
"WHAT!!" Jessie exploded rounding on him "You can't do
that to me! I've got things to do!"
"Well they'll just have to do without you for about a
month or so. I'll inform Carbine and Stoker about my
desicision." He turned from her and she grabed his arm in a firm
grip and he winced with the presure.
"You can't do that." He voice was low and mencing. "I can
do my job. This is all I have."
"The desision is made Jess." The finality was hard in his
voice. He pulled his arm from her grip her fingers having left
red marks. "Go get dressed."
"This is not the end of this, Pirro." She threatened.
He ignored her turning back to his chart in his hand.
VI.
The door slambed in the room and Jessie walked past
Chrome who was sitting in the sitting room listening to the
radio. He turned it down as she came by.
"So how did it go?" He asked following her movements
across the room.
The door to the bedroom slambed in responce.
"That well hunh?" He muttered going back to the radio and
fiddiling with the dial. Finally able to pick up a radio signel
he left it there for a few moments.
~Reports have it that the Plutarkian have moved west
across the Taro Dunes into the city of Shazian. There is no word
of casualitys yet but the militlary have told us that they have
sent renforcements. The numbers seem overwhelming though in the
sight of the superior firepower of the Plutarian forces....wait
a minute...I've just gotton a report...~ there was a pause in
the broadcast as the reporter talked with someone off mike.
~There seems to be a freedom fighter out on the field.~
Chrome sat up straighter. Charbine had sent military out
there eariler this morning but as far as he'd known Stoker
hadn't sent anyone out that way.
~Yes, a mouse who is definally wearing freedom fighter
garb. We are uncertain if it's male or female at this instance
but red hair and a tail was said to be seen. They drove into the
middle of the battle and plowed through the Plutarkians with a
vengence, seemly helping the poor citizens escape. The bike was
black in color flecked with red paint along the left side.~
Every mussle in Chrome's body grew cold and his fur stood
on end. "Jess! You better get the hell out here!" He bellowed.
She apeared in the door way instanly dressed in a long
t-shirt. "What's going on?" She asked her voice holding a sence
of inpatiance.
"That mouse that died yesterday? His bike has been spoted
on the battle field out by Shazian."
Jessie stalked over "Fighing with the Plutarkains no
dout."
"No, that's the weird part. Their helping the citizens
escape FROM the Plutarkains."
"Comon," Chrome urged gesturing at her "Get dressed
Stokes gona need to know about this."
Jessie muttered something under her breath "I'm coming."
She went back in the room and got dressed and the two went to
see Stoker.
VII.
The freedom fighter base was a flurry of activity by the
time they got there. The two moved up by the side of Stoke who
was already trying to calm a pirticular vocal freedom fighter
who was insisting they all charge out there and grab the rouge.
Chrome opened his mouth but Stoker raised a hand.
"I've heard, and no. Carbine and her group can take care of it."
"Hump," Jessie snorted snidely "The army can't take care
of a coctail party."
"What was that, Leutient?" Stoker said glaring down at
her.
"I said the army is a bunch of fools, Sir." She snaped at
him.
"You are way out of line, officer. They are our allies
and none of the mice here may agree with their tactics but we
are all on the same side."
"Now we are, but how many mice had to be slaughtered
first."
"That is quite enough. Now listen people," Stoker said
looking around at the group gathered around them. "The army has
asked us to stay out of this conflict. Shazian is a miltiry
town, and under the goverments juridiction. If we all go
barelling in there then we may just kiss out alliance with the
miltary goodbye. It's alway been on shaky ground as it is,
expecitally this last month, with the capture." Many of the mice
looked to the ground and placed hands on other mouses shoulders.
"We need to keep it together, to show the military that we can
be of use. We will catch this rouge mouse, or rat or whatever
the hell it is, and they will be held responsible for Shon's
death."
Many mice nodded in responce with and before they could
say anything else Stoker once again held up his hands. "I'm not
about to let this go unchecked however. If there is a freedom
fighter running around out there without otherizatin I want to
know. That's why I'm going to send a couple of you mice out
there to keep an eye on things." A few murmers went up from the
mice about. "Under no curcumstances will anyone confront the
enemy. This is an observation mission not a infiltry." He looked
about. "Shandy, Raid, Steel, and Tau. I want the four of you out
there and report back." The four mice nodded and they were out
the door before he could say another word. "Shah, and Orlin. I
need a couple extra guard out on along the east boarder." They
both nodded and hurried away. "And the rest of you....get the
hell outa here. Take some R&R or something while you can." A few
mice chuckled nerviously and the croud started to thin out. Stoke
turned and found himself facing Jessie. "What?" He asked
"I want to go out there Stoke, Chome and Me found
the body. I want this."
"That's out of the question." Stoke put his hands on his
hips "You shouldn't even be here. You've been suspended from
duty."
"What?" Chrome started turning to her "You didn't say
anything."
"That's because there's nothing wrong with me!" She
glared at Stoker "I can do the job, Stoke. You know I can."
"Not according to Pirro and he's the physician around
here. Untill he says your fit, your off duty. Go home, relax."
"No!" Jessie grabed his uniform and slambed him into the
wall. Her eyes were wild and they seemed to bore into his. "This
is what I do! You can't take this from me!"
Chrome grabed her arms and wressled her away from Stoker.
He straightened his uniform and cleared his throat. "Take her
home." He told Chrome. "She's to volitile to be of any good to
me."
Jessie struggled against Chrome's grip but he held her
like a vice. "Let me go!" She screamed "I won't let you do this
to me! This is mine, do you hear me! I want this thing, I'm
going to hunt them down and kill them for what they've done!"
She was nearly histerical. "I won't let them win!"
Chrome struggled with her now, as she flayled about in a
frenzy. "She histerical!"
"Someone get Pirro!" Stoke yelled "And tell him to bring
some seditives!"
Jessie suddenly bit down hard on Chrome's hand and he
yelled in pain letting go of her arm. Blood welled up from the
bite. She took advantage and elbowed him in the stomach. He
doubled over in pain and Jessie managed to escape from his grip.
She pulled her gun from it's holser on her thigh and she leveled
it finding Stoker with one leveled at her.
"Jess," Stokes voice was soft but held a raw edge to it.
"You don't want to do this. Comon give me the gun." He reached
one hand out before him and her eyes darted back and forth at
the tence mice who had reacted to her screaming.
"Keep away from me!" She yelled "I'm not going to let you
stop me." She was looking for a way to escape. He eyes darted to
the closed window by her side and Stoke realized her plan one
instant to late. She jumped through the pane, her arms before
her face, shelding her eyes. Glass scratched across her arms and
she fell towards the ground. She hit hard rolling to her feet
she grunted in pain and wraped an arm around her waist. Whisling
through her teeth she ran across the sand away from the Freedom
fighter base. Her bike came speeding up by the side of her and
she jumped on. The two speed over the next sand doon and out of
site.
Pirro hurried into the room with a hypo in his hand only
to hear the mumering going through the room. He came over to
where Chrome was leaning against the wall holding his hand.
"What happened?" He asked inspecting the wound.
"It's nothing." Chrome said wincing as Pirro looked at
the bite.
"Looks like someone bit you!" he said astonished.
"Doesn't it?" He grined grimly.
Stoker came over. "It was Jessie." He said "She just went
balistic and flung herself from the window."
Pirro's eyes went wide and Stoker shook his head. "Damn
it. I should have seen this coming. She's been under too much
stress."
"What did you say to her?" Pirro asked
"I told her that she was removed from duty and she went
nuts."
Chrome looked at him. "I'm not surprised. She hasn't been
herself for the last month or so. Just before we got back. She's
actually calmed down since then though."
Stokers eyes looked as if something had just dawned on
him and he cursed under his breath. "Well we have to find her. I
can't let her run around in that condidtion, she's a danger to
herself and everyone she somes across."
"Let me look for her Sir." Chrome asked "If anyone can
get through to her I think I can."
"Agreed," Stoker said nodding his head. "But your going
to need someone to go with you. Pirro?" He turned to the doctor.
"Me?" He asked startled "But Stoke I'm no fighter, or
tracker."
"No but your a doctor and our only shrink, although the
later you kinda stink at." Pirro gave him a wry grin.
"Thank you sir."
"Go with him, she looked like she hurt herself in that
fall, and you may have to sedate her to get her back here. Try
not to hurt her but Chrome, if she does anything stupid, like
ride into the middle of that war zone, then get her the hell
out. Batter brused whatever as long as she ain't dead."
"I understand."
"Do you?" He asked "Our tail are this close," he held his
two fingers but inches apat. " to getting shut out of this thing
all together. If Carbine gets a glance at her in this unstable
condition she might just stop cooperation with the Freedom
Fighters. We need all of us working together to win this war. We
have to make the leaders sacrifice count for somthing."
VIII.
Chrome and Pirro looked over the dunes before them each
on a bike, "She went..." they both started.
"I think out of the two of us I know Jessie better."
Chrome said "And if I know Jessie she's headed into the middle
of battle."
"You may sleep with the mouse," Pirro quiped "But I'm the
one that treats her. You'd be amazed what your patients tell you
and if you ask me, I say she would try to find out about this
thing more before she charged headlong into battle."
"Well nobody asked you," Chrome shifted in his seat atop
his bike. "And I think she tells me a little more then her
doctor."
"Jessie has some phycological theropy with me to after
she got back."
Chrome started and looked over at him. "I didn't know
that."
"I'm sure there's alot about Jessie you don't know." He
said smuggly "Like first of all Jessie isn't her full name."
"It's not?"
"No, it's Jessica. Although she doesn't like it." Chrome
looked back over the dunes.
"Why?" Chrome asked "Jessica is a nice name."
"I can't say, patient confidality." Pirro said a bit to
smuggly
"Bull shit!" Chrome looked to him. "What else do you
know?"
"Alot."
"I don't think you know anything else, and that Jessica
thing probabbly isn't a secret. I only knew Jess a couple months
before we were sent out on that mission. She wasn't very
talkitive after that."
Pirro nodded. "She was alot more friendly before that.
But then again she hadn't lost someone close to her before
that."
"And what's that susposed to mean?"
"Well it's just that she was close to one of the Freedom
fighter leaders, or so I've heard."
"Close?" Chrome's voice held a sort of how close term to
it.
"Like that." Pirro crossed his fingers. "She never talked
about it to me though. Wouldn't even bring it up. Though we
talked extencivly." He emphizied the last point. "She must have
loved him very much. It's a shame really."
He let the silence go for a few minutes. Before he turned
back to Chrome. "So, how long have the two of you been
involved?"
His tone sounded light but the implication was there.
Your just a subsitute. She didn't love you. Your just the
rebound guy.
Chrome gritted his teeth. "Almost two years now."
Pirro let a whissle out between his teeth. "That's a long
time. And she never told you?"
His tone once again light but the implications were
there. Two years and she still hasn't confided in you.Can't love
you that much if she still didn't trust you with her feelings
yet.
"No." He said testly.
"Hmmmm."Pirro rubed a hand under his chin. "After this is
all over I wonder what she'll do, I mean I can never see Jessie
to settle down."
The with you was left out but Chrome could almost hear it
there.
"I wonder what type of mouse it would take to tye that
one up for good."
"Are you implying that I couldn't??" Chrome finally
snapped
"I never said anything of the sort." Pirro objected but
the hint of that smug smile was there. "But now that you mention
it...I mean it has been two years."
"Oh and I suspose the type of mouse would be you!" Chrome
shot back.
"Well, yes. At least I listen to her. Not to mention her
back, I mean I care about her saftey after all."
The next thing Pirro saw was a fist coming at him and he
fell to the sand. Reaching up he held his jaw. Chrome stood over
him blocking the sun. "You barbarian!" Pirro struggled to sit
up.
Chrome put a foot on his chest and forced him back into
the sand. "I never came across a mouse that I didn't like." He
said in a snarl "But I beleive I'm gona make an exception for
you. Just because Jessie hasn't told me things about herself
doesn't mean she doesn't love me, you got that?"
"But you have to wonder don't you?"
"Listen," Chrome reached down and pulled him to his
feet."I have to work with you to find Jessie but I don't have to
like you. And you don't need you tounge to help her, so you
either shut-up or the next word you say's gona be you last." He
smoothed the doctors unifom and steped back. "That clear?"
"Crystal."
A beeping was heard over Chrome's radio.
He walked over to it and flicked a switch. "Chrome here."
~Chrome this is Stoker, we got a sighting of Jess over on
the south side near that old base. Over~
Pirro looked over and then to the sky.
"I got that Stoke, We'll check it out. Over and out." He
looked over at Pirro and got on his bike. "Not a word." He
warned. Pirro said nothing but that hint of a smile was there.
Chrome bent over his bike and took the lead. He'd been right
about this....what else could he be right about?
