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Chapter sixteen

Vinnie sat on his knees, tears made his vision unclear. His throat was burning. The pain in his chest worked his way up and there was nothing he could do to stop it. He was shaking uncontrollably, couldn't breathe. He was gasping for air, bend over, his hands on the ground. It felt like he was gonna choke. Suddenly, a hand on his back. He looked up and saw a blurry vision of Violet, who let herself fall on her knees in front of him. He saw those beautiful, green eyes. He couldn't speak. Slowly, he reached out and touched her face with a shaking hand. She took him in her arms and Vinnie cried. Cried like he had never cried before in his life. He couldn't stop. All the pain that had been stuck inside of him for all this time, worked his way out. The loss of his family, the war that took his home, the scars on his face, the loss of Harley, the explosion by the Last Chance Garage, the loss of Charley… The guild, the failure.
Violet just held him tightly and stroked his back, whispering that it was okay. After a few minutes that felt like hours, Vinnie slowly calmed down. He felt so tired and then there was that pounding headache behind his eyes. But the burden he had carried with him for so long, wasn't so heavy anymore. He could breathe again. He slowly began to realize they were still on a battlefield. But why was everything so quiet?

He opened his eyes and looked around. It seemed that the Freedom Fighters succeeded to drive the fishfaces away. They'd won. But for once, Vinnie felt no victory. The fight had caused a lot of damage. Had taken a lot of lifes. He had the nagging feeling this was only the beginning. That there was worse to come.
He turned his gaze on Violet. "Are you okay, sweetheart? Did they hurt you?", he asked with a hoarse voice.
"I'm fine. Thanks to you," she answered and hugged him. She never, ever wanted to let him go. Vinnie gently untangled himself and took her head in his hands.
"You've pulled the trigger. I'm so proud of you."
Violet looked into his watery, ruby red eyes. "I did it because of you. I couldn't stand the thought of losing you… You are too important…", she whispered.

Vinnie could feel all his walls break down. The fact that she had overwon her trauma, just to save him… That must mean something. That must be love.
He couldn't fight it anymore. The image of Charley appeared, but he pushed it away. I'm sorry, Charley girl… and he pressed his lips on Violet's. The kiss was different this time. It was a message. They belonged together. They both felt it. They both knew there was still a lot to talk about, but for now, the feeling of being loved was enough. Vinnie gently broke off the kiss and pressed his forehead against hers.
"Thank you, sweetheart. For saving me."
Violet knew he was not just talking about saving him from the Plutarkian soldier. She had saved him from himself.
"Anytime, cutie…" and she kissed him again.

The sound of clearing a throat made them stop. They looked up and saw Throttle and Modo. Unknown to Vinnie and Violet, they had seen everything. They were grateful that Violet accomplished to break down Vinnie's walls. All they ever wanted for their younger bro, was that he would have someone he could trust. Someone he didn't felt ashamed at to show his emotions. To recover. To rebuilt. It looked like he had finally found it.
"Ahem… Yeah… Hi bro's", Vinnie said blushing, climbing on his feet. He offered his hand to Violet to help her up. When she was standing next to him, he wrapped his tail around hers. "Thanks for the help back there", Vinnie said. Throttle and Modo smiled.
"Anytime bro, anytime!", Modo rumbled, patting him on the back. Throttle looked at Vinnie. He was a mess. Bloodshot eyes, dirt and blood stuck in his normally snow white fur, tears had made lines in the dust on his face… But even with all this, he looked better than ever. The pain in his eyes was almost gone, replaced by something else. Joy. Throttle was really happy for his bro, but unfortunately, it was time to get back to reality.
"Hate to break up this moment, but we have problems", he said, looking around. "We took a hard hit today. We need to come up with a plan. It's payback time!"
Violet gave a firm nod. "I'm with you guys! I'm sick and tired of being a victim. I wanna fight back. And I'm ready now!"
Throttle saw the determination on her face. "Good. Welcome to the family, Violet."
Violet felt a warm feeling inside. Despite everything that had happened, she felt she was at the right place. She had a family again. Something to fight for.
Vinnie smiled at her, feeling very proud. She sure was a fighter, something he really appreciated in a woman.

An hour later, everybody was gathered in Carbine's office again. Thankfully, the room had survived the attack. The rest of the Freedom Fighters were busy to clean up the mess. Normally, it was standard procedure that every mouse who had survived, helped cleaning up. But this time was different. It was priority number one that they would come up with something to stop the evil plan from the Plutarkians. To stop project Inferno.
Vinnie had told Violet what they had discovered during patrol and right before the attack. She had told them that the soldiers who took her, were talking about her being a good test subject. So, that made clear what the intentions were behind the attack.
Vinnie had felt his anger flame up again when he heard that they'd wanted to use Violet for their sick plans. But then, it was replaced by relief. Relief that he did the right thing this time. That he had made it time to save her. She was sitting next to him, their tails entwined.

Carbine had seen that there was something going on between them, but had decided to let it go. There were far more important things to do right now.
Jake was sitting next to Stoker. He did a good job in the battlefield. Together with his knowledge of computers, he was a good gain for the group. Carbine was glad he was with them.
"Well… We were not prepared for this kind of attack. They have played it really smart this time, something you don't really expect from a race like the Plutarkians. But, this is not the first time we underestimated them. This whole project Inferno is the prove of that", Carbine said, looking a little upset. "We've lost a lot of people today. We will never forget them and what they did for our planet. But, unfortunately, we have no other choice then to move on. We need to make sure they did not die in vain."
Everybody agreed. Then, Modo took the word.
"Well, I have been thinking. I think, we need to get everybody who is still in shape to fight together and go to that building. While the main part of the group distracts them, a few of us sneak inside."
"SNEAK?", Vinnie interrupted him. "Biker Mice DO NOT sneak!"
Modo sighed. "I just knew you were gonna say that. So I suppose you are in the group who creates the diversion and putting your life at risk, just the way you like it."
Vinnie thought about it. "It could be a catastrophe…" he whispered dramatically, but then smiled his trademark smile. "That's why I love it!", he cheered.
Stoker ignored him. "Modo, I think you just came up with a great idea! We just do the same thing to them as what they did to us. Because it's actually so obvious, they will never see it coming!"
Modo blushed and shrugged. "That's what I was thinking too."
Throttle patted him on the back. "Good work, big fella!"

Carbine took over. "So, we have a big group outside to distract them, make them think we want to destroy the building. Meanwhile, a little group sneak inside. They release the prisoners and find out where the virus is. Then, they take it with them and later on, we will find a way to destroy it. Hmmm… Yeah… I like the sound of it."
Throttle nodded. "Yeah… Only one thing is bothering me. The doors, the fence… everything is automatic. Knowing the Plutarkians, it is made by Plutarkian glass steel. How do we get inside?"
Jake waved. "Hello? Computer whiz over here! I can take the security down."
"Right", Throttle smiled sheepishly and then a thoughtful look came on his face.
"It's risky…"
"...difficult…", Vinnie continued.
"... and dangerous", Modo finished.
"Aaoww, sounds like life as I love it!" Vinnie's grin almost split his face in half.
Modo nodded. "A perfect way to spend the afternoon."

Carbine couldn't help but smile. "Well, glad you guys are up to it. Okay. Vinnie will lead the diversion, since he is the master of disaster. Throttle, Modo, Stoker, Violet and me will go inside. Jake, you'll find a place at safe distance to do your thing. At your signal, we will enter the building. Once inside, Stoker, Modo and Violet will free the prisoners. Throttle and me will look for the virus. When we are done and at safe distance, the building is all yours, Vinnie."
Vinnie almost bounced off his chair. "YES! Finally!"
Carbine looked at Violet, who was very quiet.
"You are sure you are ready for this, Violet?"
Violet nodded. "Yes. I am. Definitely!"
Carbine was still not completely convinced.
"So no freezing? No panic attacks? I really hate it to sound so insensitive, but there is too much at stake here."
Violet looked a little offended. Deep down, she understood why Carbine said it. But still, the lack of trust hurted.
Vinnie swung his arm around her shoulders and gave her a little smile before he turned himself to Carbine. "She is ready. Trust me."
Carbine gave him an amusing look. "Trusting you? Normally when you say 'trust me', I would run the other way. But there is a first time for everything. So okay, I will trust you. At least... I will try"
Vinnie just knew he was right. Violet was ready. He had seen it. She will prove herself. Carbine will see it for herself.

Throttle stood up and looked around the table. "Alright! It's tail whippin' time!"

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