Drifter's Way: Prologue

By Drifter Song

April 15, 2000

Revised February 20, 2002

Copyright Drifter Song, 2000-2002 all rights reserved

It was dusk when a large, tired caravan stopped to establish and construct a new city. The violent toils they had faced are evident by the number of flat bed trailers being hauled by the motorcycles they rode. Several of the carts over-laden with supplies and building materials for building simple, sturdy constructions to live in. Many more carried the bodies of the wounded, carefully loaded on the trailers covered in canvas when the supplies were moved to accommodate them.

"Star, what is our current casualty count?" The leader of the caravan asked the woman sitting on the motorcycle next to him, surveying the land as the caravan stopped.

"I'm afraid that it's pretty bad," The woman responded in a strained and tired voice. "We lost forty brave men and women tonight and we have nearly a hundred wounded to contend with." She paused, her as her voice lowered, "We took quite a beating this time but, at least the enemy didn't reach the outpost."

"Bring the torches. This is where we'll start building," the leader said with a tired sigh. "Have everyone who is able to work, meet here with me."

"All right but, take it easy brother; the last thing that we need right now is for you to give out on us," Star stated before she rode out among the rows of the caravan to spread the order.

Not long after Star left, members of the caravan began to arrive with torches; some walked while others rode, in response to the leaders call. There was shimmer of what appeared to be molten silver in the flickering torchlight. This faint shimmer, like that of a twinkling stars was caused by the light reflecting off of the leader's long silver hair, a trademark of his lineage. It was a stark contrast to his dark fur, which shined like polished obsidian. Removing his helmet revealed the features of a handsome Martian mouse. The torchlight glittered in his ice-blue eyes, eyes that were very rare to see in male mice. His expression was one of great sadness and worry as he looked over the gathering group of men and women.

"Thor," the leader called to a huge chestnut-colored mouse.

"Yes, my prince," Thor responded, his voice was rich and deep as he stepped forward.

"I want you to organize everyone who is here to start the construction," the leader commanded, and then added. "I'm tired Thor, and that is the only reason why I'm not going to argue with you tonight about your insistence of calling me by my formal title."

Thor just smiled as he got off of his bike and started to issue orders to those who were assembled and ready to work. He towered over the other workers, at 7'3. His hair was cut in a short butch cut with the exception of a small ponytail that barely reached his shoulders. Two braids fell down just past his shoulders from behind his ears. Thor could accomplish the work of ten mice due to his massive strength, size and stamina. No one could match his raw power, except his commander. Many rumors have been whispered throughout the clans about the giant mouse, that there is more then mouse blood that runs through his veins.

"Sir, can I speak to you a moment before you go help Thor and the others?" A young female mouse called to the commander as he got off his bike. She had tan fur, long chocolate curls, and a look of intense concern.

"What do you need, Ashaylea?" He replied in a gentle, almost seductive voice.

"Where is a good place to move the injured, sir? I'm worried that they'll be in the way of the workers who are building the city walls," Ashaylea asked, as she studied her commander. She could see that he too was tired and under a lot of strain.

"Where are the wounded located?" He asked as he looked down at the doctor, who had to be at least a foot shorter then him.

"Many of them are located very close to where the southern wall is to be constructed, sir." Ashaylea responded.

"Hmmm…how many people do you need to help move them to a safer location?" He asked Ashaylea. "And will you please stop referring to me so formally? I am no different from you or any other member of the Drifter clan."

"Alright sir," she started before shaking her head, sending chocolate curls bouncing about her shoulders. "I mean…Silver. I shall try," Ashaylea said with a small smile. "I think that I'll need at least ten people to help move the everyone to a safer location."

"I want you to talk Thor and see if he can spare ten workers to help you. I'll start moving the wounded while you find out," Silver replied with a grin and turned to leave.

"But sir! You can't move the wounded by yourself!" Ashaylea gasped. "You shouldn't even help with the city's construction. You should be resting and letting your own wounds heal." There was a strong note of shock and alarm in her voice as she grabbed Silver by the hand.

"Everyone here is my responsibility, Ashaylea; especially the wounded. It won't take long for others to reach the area of the southern wall. I'll be fine; don't worry." Silver replied softly, as his grin changed to a gentle smile, before he raised a furred brow. "Now will you please let go of my hand and go talk to Thor?"

"Ok, just as long as you promise me that you'll take it easy." Ashaylea replied sternly, still holding on to Silver's hand. "If I find out otherwise, I'm going to make you stay with wounded."

"I'll be careful," Silver repeated gently, as he waited for the doctor to release his hand. "I promise."

"You know the consequences," Ashaylea remarked coolly as she let go of Silver's hand. The sternness of her expression melted away. "And remember, it wouldn't be good for morale if you collapsed, OK?"

Silver just smiled at the doctor, then he turned and walked across the encampment.

I don't know how I'll make Silver stay with the wounded if he breaks his promise, Ashaylea thought as she watched Silver walk away, but I'll find a way if I have to.

I hope that we can have at least the walls done before dawn, Silver thought as he walked through the encampment. Everywhere he looked, he saw his people, exhausted and worn. We can't handle another assault, not in this state. The area that Silver walked through consisted mostly of exhausted young children who, slept in the care of a few women that could not help with the construction. So many young faces, Silver thought, taking off his vest. He knelt down to gently cover a small trembling child. Sighing he got up and continued on. He knew that many of these children were now orphans, and that thought weighed heavily on his heart. Damn Plutarkians, Silver thought bitterly, why can't they just leave Mars alone for once? It's not like we have much left to offer those filthy fish anymore, since they already strip-mined the planet years ago.

When Silver arrived at the site of the southern wall, he sighed, silently and wearily. His people had gone through so much in the last few months, fighting with incredible courage against innumerable odds; and yet so many barely escaped with their lives. There was at least ONE good thing about everything that has happened, Silver thought, as he stood among the injured. At least the Plutarkians that discovered our city are no longer around to tell about it, or find it's new location. Carefully Silver made his way through the wounded to those who were still able to walk. This will be a good place to start, Silver thought, as he knelt down next to a young, red furred male mouse.

Ashaylea watched Silver make his way across camp. I wish that I could do more to help him, she thought, but this is getting me nowhere. And if I keep standing around here well we'll never get the injured moved. Ashaylea thought, then she shook her head to clear her mind. Then the doctor turned and started walking toward the outskirts of what would be the city's eastern wall. Ashaylea marveled at how her people could find the energy to work so quickly under such strained circumstances.

* * *

"Silver," the red furred youth said groggily as he was eased gently to his feet. "Did…did we win the battle?"

"Yes, we did… but…" Silver responded softly before his words trailed off as he looked down at the youth he supported, knowing full well that he must have been unconscious throughout the end of the battle.

The youth's face brightened a bit at first, before his ears drooped with the trailing away of Silver's voice. "The city fell," he said softly as he adverted his crimson eyes from the look of sadness that shown deep within the black mouse's eyes.

"We shall survive, Phoenix," Silver said gently, "we shall rebuild our city and carry on with our duties. The death of our people will not be forgotten." He paused for a moment as the youth looked back up at him. "Now it is time to get you a safe distance from the southern wall before Ashaylea worries herself to death.

* * *

"Thor," Ashaylea shouted, waving to get the chestnut-colored mouse's attention over all of the noise of the construction. "Can I speak with you a moment?"

Hearing someone shouting his name, Thor turned to see the doctor standing on the ground below him. He jumped down from the wall, to speak with her.

"Is there something wrong, Miss Ashaylea?" Thor asked in concern as he walked over to her. "What can I help you with?"

"I was wondering if you could spare ten workers to help move the wounded to a safer location? They may be in the way of the construction of the southern wall. Silver is already starting to move people, but I don't want him doing it all by himself. He's done enough already." Ashaylea explained. "Can you help me?"

"Hmmmm," Thor said then turned to face the workers. He let out a loud whistle.

All of the workers stopped what they were doing when they heard the whistle and looked to chestnut mouse.

"Listen up," Thor shouted, his voice rolled like thunder in the silence. "We need to move the injured to a safer location. They are in danger of being too close to the construction of the southern wall. Since our number one priority is the safety of our people, I want all of you to help move them. Am I clear?"

Thor turned back to the Ashaylea and asked with a smile, "Will this be enough helpers for you Miss?"

Ashaylea watched in amazement as all of the workers put down their tools and made their way down from the walls to join her and Thor.

"I think that will be fine," Ashaylea replied softly, with a grateful smile.

It took them a little more that an hour to move everyone, Ashaylea marveled, as she stood in the middle of the camp surrounded by the wounded. She shook her head in amazement as the last of the workers returned to the walls to finish the construction.

"Is there anything else we can help you with?" A soft voice asked from behind her.

Turning, Ashaylea saw Silver, followed by Thor, deftly moving through the mass of people to stand next to her.

"No," she replied in a soft and gentle tone, " the two of you have done enough already. Thank you for all your help."

"Then I believe that it is time for me to return to my work, Miss," Thor replied, then turned to Silver and asked. "Are you coming my Prince?"

"Of course." Silver responded, clapping Thor on the shoulder, then he began to walk toward the construction. "We have much to do before the sun comes up."

"Yes we do," Thor said as he followed his commander.

"Please, be careful," Ashaylea, said quietly to herself as she watched the two men leave. "I don't want to lose either of you," then she turned and looked at her people, and thought, yes, we do have much work to do before the sun comes up.

* * *

Several days later, as the sun rose, Silver stood a top the northern wall by the gates of the city watching and thinking. From his vantage point he could see the Martian outpost bustling with activity.

It all seems so peaceful, he thought in wonder. It's hard to believe that only days ago a battle took place. Thankfully the walls that face the outpost were finished before dawn. The outlanders stationed at the outpost know nothing of our presence here, which is good. There is still much work to be done and I worry for everyone's safety. It seems as though the Plutarkians are hunting my clan, trying to eradicate us.

"I thought that I might find you here," a woman's voice seemed to float though the haze of Silver's thoughts.

Silver turned to see Star, his sister, as she made her way up the wall to stand next to him. Star was an attractive woman with deep obsidian fur like her brother and short cut silver hair. Though, unlike Silver, her hair did not appear as true molten silver, it carried a dull, almost tarnished tone.

"What are you thinking about?" Star asked her brother as she stood next to him and looked toward the outpost.

"I was thinking about going to search for help." Silver replied simply as he leaned against the wall, arms folded before him.

"What do you mean search for help?" Star cried out, on her face was a look of shock.

"We need help Star; you know that as much as I do. We've been hunted by Plutarkians for several months now. If I don't find help soon I'm afraid that they will eradicate our people." Silver explained to his sister. "We've lost so many; I can't bear to lose anyone else,"

"But who will you go to? The outlanders at the outpost will only try to kill you. We have no one to turn to brother," Star responded with a sigh, turning her gaze back to the outpost.

"We have one chance, Star, on Earth," Silver replied softly, as he turned to look at her.

"Earth!!! Are you crazy!!" Star nearly shouted in shock, as she turned to face her brother, who leaned so casually against the wall. "Who are you going to find? It's not like the humans there are going to be much help!"

"It's not the humans that I'm searching for. It's the biker mice," Silver stated calmly to his sister.

"The biker mice?" Star questioned, hands placed on her hips as her tail twitched in frustration. "What makes you think that they'll help us?"

"I believe that they will understand what is happening to us, they will be the only ones who will see us for who we are, not what we're claimed to be," Silver said gently, he stood up and placed a hand on Star's shoulder.

"The young one will never listen. He's too egotistical and hot headed; he'll fight before he listens…." Star started, she shook her brother's hand off her shoulder and backed up a few steps.

"Yes the young one will take some convincing but the leader is and honorable man and will listen. He will not judge us. The gray one is also honorable; he will wish to help the children. Even the young one is honorable if a bit hard to control," Silver explained softly. "I have to try, sister. Our lives are at stake here."

"Then let someone else go," Star pleaded as she took a step forward and grabbed her brother's hand, raising it to her cheek. "We need you here, you're our leader."

"All the more reason why I must go. The people of this city are my responsibility," Silver replied, pulling his sister into a gentle hug. "I will leave in three days; by then the walls and defenses should be complete. I will leave you and Thor in charge while I'm gone"

"Does Thor know that you're leaving?" Star asked in a choked voice as she pulled away from Silver. She was determined not to cry. "He'll want to go with you."

"Not yet. I'll tell him later this evening," Silver said with a smile. "Now I should quit standing around and help around the city."

"Let us both help," Star said with a small smile, thankful for the change of subject.

Then brother and sister took one last look at the Martian outpost before walking side-by-side down into the heart of their bustling city.

* * *

Later that evening Silver decided to go break the news to Thor, it was not an easy task to undertake but it had to be done.

"What!!! My Prince you can't go to Earth alone…." Thor started in shock.

"I will go to Earth, Thor," Silver interrupted. "Alone," the tone of his voice finalized the matter but he still knew that his friend would still try to dissuade him.

"But...but...but you can't go alone," Thor nearly shouted in exasperation.

Three days later Silver mounted his motorcycle and left the city alone.