"Stop watching that trash!" Stoker snapped at several of the younger freedom fighters who were huddled around a TV at freedom fighters headquarters watching an intergalactic celebrity gossip show. Since Harley's death, Stoker had been in a foul mood, venting his anger whenever he could-at whomever he could.
One of the freedom fighters immediately grabbed the remote to shut the TV off but just before he could, the TV reporter said "…in other news, Lawrence Limburger, a Plutarkian industrialist currently based on the planet earth tonight finds himself in a jail cell. Limburger was arrested after evidence surfaced that he misappropriated funds allotted to him by the Plutarkian government. He is the second high-profile individual sent to prison by the Plutarkian government. Just a few days ago, Mace, the former leader of military operations on Plutark's Plutopia moon, was sent to prison for bribery, among other charges."
Stoker, who was walking out of the room where the freedom fighters were, froze when he heard about Limburger and Mace being put in jail. "Hold it, don't turn the TV off!" he shouted as he rushed back to the TV.
"Both Limburger and Mace, who both have been experiencing financial woes, could not raise enough money to post their extremely high bails," the reporter explained to TV viewers.
"I always knew drippy drawers would be the ruin of this family!" Limburger's sister, Latoya, informed the reporter who interviewed her about her brother's imprisonment. Latoya was in the middle of a book signing at a Plutarkian bookstore. She had written a book entitled Mummie Dearest, which was a tell-all account of her life growing up with her mother, the famous Plutarkian actress Joan Roquefort. Joan Roquefort was formerly known as Lucille Limburger. Latoya's book had been made into a campy movie best known for the line "no more wooden clothespins ever!"
"Do you plan to help your brother make his bail?" the reporter asked Latoya.
"Heck no, I spent all of my money at the fat farm," Latoya answered as she signed a book for one of her fans.
"So much for family solidarity," the reporter muttered when she thought her mike was off. "You're still on!" the cameraman whispered. "Oh," the reporter said in alarm as she cleared her throat. "Moving on, we will turn it over to our crew at the Plutarkian prison where Limburger and Mace are being held for a live interview."
The camera showed Limburger in his jail cell, weeping bitterly. He had been forced to share a cell with the Loogey brothers, whose stench was unbearable. The Loogeys were being held for failure to pay taxes on the prizes that they won for being declared "the scum of the universe." After showing Limburger, the camera zoomed in on Mace, who was located in the next cell.
"I refuse to say anything to anyone without my lawyer present," Mace told the reporter. He then slammed his fist against a wall. "Where is Provoloni when you need him? I called him hours ago!"
The reporter turned from Mace and faced the camera. "According to our sources, unbeknownst to his client, Plutarkian lawyer Perry Provoloni dropped Mace like a hot potato when he learned of the extent of the charges that he faced. He is now living in the lavish mansion on Plutopia II once owned by Mace. The mansion was a gift to Provoloni from one of his most famous clients, socialite and real estate maven Alexa Colby."
Upon hearing the name of his ex-wife, Limburger flew into a rage. "Alexa!" he yelled as he threw himself against the door of his cell. "Alexa, you'll pay for this! Mark my words Alexa, when I get out of here, you'll be sorry that you ever messed with the likes of me. As for that stupid sycophant Karbunkle, I'll terrorize him far worse than his first wife ever did. I will have my revenge!"
"You won't be the only one Limburger," Stoker said as he watched the TV, glaring at Mace. I made a promise on Harley's grave and I mean to honor it. Mace will pay dearly for the pain that he's caused."
Stoker and the other freedom fighters turned the TV off after the show went on to cover the story of "Elvis' Evil Alien Twin Brother's Attempts to Build Graceland on Black Rock Asteroid."
Carbine, Charley, Modo, Throttle, and Torque walked in the room immediately after the TV was turned off. The five of them had just returned from trying to find Vinnie, who had left Harley's funeral services soon after dropping the flare down the front of Greasepit's overalls.
They all knew something was wrong when they saw the enraged look on Stoker's face.
"What's going on here?" Carbine asked.
"I just saw Mace on tabloid TV, he's in jail on Plutark," Stoker said in a low, gravelly voice. "So is Limburger."
"It's about time," Modo thought out loud.
"What are they in for?" Throttle asked.
"Not for the reason they should be in jail-murder," Stoker said as he stormed out of the room.
"Out of my way punk," Stoker said as he brushed up against Vinnie as he walked by him. He was so angry that he did not notice that the missing Vinnie had returned. He also failed to notice that Vinnie was badly injured.
Stoker took a few steps past Vinnie before turning around and looking at Vinnie's bloodied figure. Stoker ran back to Vinnie.
"Vinnie, what happened to you?" Stoker asked.
Vinnie smiled weakly. "You know old timer, after Harley left us, I wanted to leave with her. I think I tried to get there too, when I tried to jump that cliff with my bike. I underestimated how high that cliff really was. My bike, she's okay, but I'm not, as you can see. I had enough strength to get back here on my bike, but that's about all. Vinnie then lost his footing and started to fall. Stoker caught him before he fell on the floor. He was quickly losing consciousness.
"Hang in there punk, we've already had enough tragedy," Stoker said as he carried Vinnie back to where the other freedom fighters were.
"I need some medics now!" Stoker yelled. Everyone turned to look at Stoker.
"Vinnie!" Charley screamed when she looked at Vinnie, who appeared to be near death.