Facing the Enemy-chapter 16
"We gotta go, Piston." Throttle told her, placing his hand on her shoulder.
"You're the only one who calls me Piston around here." She said, in a low voice, "I really hate it."
The girl slowly got up like she was in a trance. Throttle gave her a gentle smile as his arm went around her. She glanced over at Mac who laid very still on the ground. The pooled blood under his head and neck had begun to coagulate. She gasped and looked away. Modo covered the body with a jacket.
"Mac... was like a father to me. Looked after me after Uncle Axle and Aunt Silky died." She said, looking down, then she looked up. Her eyes were stained with tears. Mascara ran unheeded down her cheeks. Modo went to wipe it away.
"Leave it. The Reek Fishes are going to pay for this big time!" She exclaimed.
Suddenly, more Plutarkians in land vehicles charged towards the Biker Mice and Minerva.
"We have to get to the camp of the rebel freedom fighters!" Minerva told them.
"Hop on!" Throttle told her, helping her on his bike.
"Awooo! Sorry, Stink Fishes, but you entered a blow away zone!" Vinnie crowed, socking one in the face while he collided with five others. Land vehicles crashed into burning heaps.
"Cool your jets, Deadeye. We gotta move this fight someplace away from this city." Throttle told him.
"He's right, bro. Don't want to endanger anyone's life but our own." Modo said, then glancing at Minerva, "Excluding present company, of course."
Throttle just socked a Plutarkian in the jaw.
"Very good, my young friends."
A Plutarkian in a long, colorful gaudy green and purple robe appeared and was clapping his finny hands.
"Limburger?" All three mice exclaimed.
"You will address me as Lord Limburger, the High Chairman of Plutark!" He shouted.
"Okay, maybe, I'm missing something here. Isn't Came-What's-Face supposed to be the High Chairman?" Throttle asked.
"If you mean my incompetent subordinate, you'd be wrong." Limburger replied, "Whoever you Martian Mice are, you and your female companion will die for attacking my soldiers."
With a motion of his hand, Plutarkian soldiers pulled our blasters and aimed them at the Biker Mice. Minerva clung to Throttle in fear as she eyed the blasters trained on them. They were inches from death. The Biker Mice didn't even flinch. In fact, they smiled with their arms folded.
"I see some things never change, bros. The same Stink Fish issuing the same idle threats." Throttle chuckled.
"Does Cheese Whiz really think he's scaring us?" Vinnie asked, grinning.
"Hallibutt almost has my sympathy." Modo laughed, then looked concerned at Minerva, "Don't you worry none, Miss Minerva ma'am, my bros and I, will protect you."
"Smoke and Brawl Number twenty-two, now!" Throttle told Modo and Vinnie.
All three mice hit buttons on their bikes discharging smoke bombs which dropped on the ground releasing a cloud of smoke. Within seconds, the mice and Minerva were hid from the Plutarkians' view.
"Find them!" Lumburger screamed at his soldiers. Within minutes, soldiers were yanked into the smoke and socked. Many were punched, kicked, and beaten by unseen foes. When the smoke cleared, a pile of beaten soldiers laid at the feet of the Biker Mice. The mice wiped their hands together.
"That all ya got?" Vinnie teased.
"Not quite." Limburger frowned. Plutarkians in land vehicles began rushing towards them.
"Oh, momma. Where'd that Lardbutt get all these Reek Fishes from? Goons-R-Us?" Modo asked.
"Time to Rock and Hide!" Throttle said, 'To rethink this thing through."
"No way! This mouse never runs from a fight! He blows through!" Vinnie said, throwing a lit flare. Plutarkians and attack vehicles went flying.
"Minerva!"
A young Martian mouse in an army uniform motioned her over. Minerva looked up and saw him.
"Guys! This way!" She cried out.
The mice blasted their way through as Modo fired his cybernetic laser cannon, Throttle used his Nuke Knuckles, and Vinnie used his flares. Plus, their bikes helped with firing at the Plutarkians as well. Within thirty minutes, Limburger's army of Plutarkians were beaten. The Biker Mice got away in a blaze of glory.
"Get up, you worthless bunch! And you call yourselves soldiers! "Limburger screamed at his soldiers. The ones who could still move struggled to get up. They fell back down again.
"It's so hard to get good help these days!" He groaned.
"Camenbert!" He screamed at the Plutarkian in question. Camenbert got up and nervously approached him.
"Mr. Screwup." Limburger said, arms folded and scowling at the cowering Plutarkian before him.
"Forgive me, Lord Limburger, but these Martian Mice took me by surprise. My soldiers and I fought them and..."
"Enough of your pitiful excuses! I should have you boiled in oil!" He shouted.
"Give me another chance! It won't happen again, Mi'lord. I promise." He said.
"Find those mice and bring them to me. Don't fail me again!"
...
"You made it!" The young soldier who beaconed to Minerva said.
They rode around till they came to an old dilapidated building. They climbed up under it. The mice were shocked to see so many hidden passages. They were lead through an underground tunnel into an enclosure. The mice saw green pine trees and blue skies. A brownish cabin stood off to the side. Several Martian Mice dressed in army uniforms were at a makeshift firing range shooting at pictures of Plutarkian targets. Other were being taught and practicing martial arts. Some were even sparing with others. Another person was kicking and hitting a punching bag.
"What is this place?" Throttle asked.
"A training camp that Uncle Axle set up to help us fight the Plutarkians and drive them off our planet." Minerva replied.
"Hey, where's Mac?" The young soldier asked.
"He's gone, Drexel." She murmured, quietly.
"No...he can't...how did it...the Plutarkians?" Drexel asked.
"Yeah. He died saving me."
"He'll be missed. I always knew he had it in him to be a soldier. Don't know what we'll do without his hot dogs. Plus, the others are restless, Minerva. They want to take action against our enemies now."
"That's why I brought my friends." Minerva said, then to Throttle, Modo, and Vinnie, "Guys, this is Drexel, the squad leader of this commando unit."
"How do you do?'" Drexel said, shaking hands with all three mice.
Minerva climbed up on a large tree stump. She put her hands to her mouth and let out a loud owl hoot. Everyone stopped what they were doing and ran over to where Minerva stood. The Biker Mice stood next to her.
"My fellow soldiers, you have all progressed in your fight and gun training. I know a lot of you want to take action now. But we must be patient. Our enemy is very strong. We must be stronger if we want to defeat him." She said, "My brother and his two friends are the Biker Mice From Mars and have come to help us in our fight."
There went out a super loud cheer from the group.
"We have heard stories about the Biker Mice. You don't know how happy we are to have you here." Drexel said, staring in awe at the mice like you'd stare at a famous celebrity.
"We'll do everything we can to help." Throttle told them.
Other mice came up and shook hands with the mice. Several pat them on the back. Some of the lady soldiers cast admiring glances their way.
Minerva was climbing off the stump when one of the high heels of her shoes caught in it she lost her balance and was about to fall when Modo caught her.
"You okay, Miss Minerva ma'am?" He asked her.
"Fine. Thanks to you." She replied, blushing.
The large gray mouse was holding her. He blushed as well. The two mice stared into each other's eyes. As a spark ignited between them.
"Um, you can let me go now." Minerva told him.
"Oh. Right." Modo said, letting her go.
She walked away from him.
"I have to change. Make yourselves at home." She told the Biker Mice.
What's wrong with me? Minerva thought.
Why did she suddenly have all these feelings? She was sure it was nothing. Her brother's friend was just being nice. A gentleman. It had been a long time since she met one. She noticed he had the strongest arms and the gentlest hands she ever felt. And his voice! Strong, powerful, and yet calm. What was wrong with her? What she falling in love? No. It couldn't be. Besides, she had to think about more important things like the war her people had with the Plutarkians. Her people needed her. She didn't have time to daydream about romance. But still...
"Wonder what it would be like to be kissed by him?" She mused, then shaking her head, "What I need is a super cold shower!"