4--
Night had just fallen when Sid skidded to a stop at an alleyway entrance, fragrant due to its proximity to the rear of a small restaurant. He shrank back to the shadow of the dumpster to which he had arrived, mostly spooked by the sight of Spike's gang in the dock clearing, but somewhat enjoying the smell of week-old soy sauce. Sid squinted in a concentrated effort to hear the distant rats, who were planting a skinny but brilliant red-and-white lava lamp out in the open, by a few crates stacked off from a fancy-looking shipper boat. The name "Jammy Dodger II" was painted across its stern.
"Jammy Dodger"--the name was familiar, but Sid couldn't place it as of yet...
"Careful with it, lads," Spike reminded Fat Barry and Ladykiller as they eased the lamp into a rather visible position. "We want this thing to look just as Rita remembered it--all the better to lure her into the open. Ted, you make sure she's alone. When the time is right, we DOGPILE her!"
"You really think she'll show alone?" wondered Thimblenose Ted.
"Natch. She's a prideful Malone, mate; into honor and codswallop like that. She'd do ANYTHING to seal a deal, like her dumb father. That's how he got all broke up like he is now!"
"Heh, yeh, he does look kinda funny, Spike," chuckled Whitey. "Kinda like you after that time you mixed up roseroot with poison oak..."
"Okay, that's enough of that, then," Spike snapped, shoving Whitey. "Find a place to hide, all you blokes, and wait for the signal." A sinister expression came over Spike's features. "You'll recognize it..."
That was it! The Jammy Dodger! Rita's boat...then Sid thought, and made the connection. Rita...those blackguards are settin' a trap for her! He had to figure out a way to warn her, but one thing Sid was NOT was good under pressure. His mind raced until he saw Thimblenose Ted flash something like a small torch at Spike. Spike then passed along a hand gesture to the others that was something like "get ready". All too soon, it was too late, as, sure enough, Rita Malone appeared at another alleyway entrance, several feet away from the lamp.
Rita looked around the empty wharf, thinking that things looked absolutely TOO good. There was the lamp, not too far from the Jammy Dodger II; was that where Whitey had left it? There was really no cover around it, no chance of sneaking up to it, and it wasn't like she could just swipe it and pocket it if there was. Rita swallowed, then began sneaking up to the lamp anyway. Sid, watching from his hiding place, was near frantic, but restrained himself from jumping out and giving himself away. If he was to be any help to Rita, he would have to try to time things just right.
As she came within two rat-lengths of the lamp, the gang revealed their positions all around her.
"I knew it looked too good..." she stated, rather matter-of-factly.
"And yet, you walked into it anyway," observed Spike, stepping out from behind the crates nearest the lamp, with Whitey just behind. "It's really gettin' too easy, Rita!"
"I don't suppose asking you to just forget you saw me and let me walk with the lamp is...very practical?"
The lads snickered, slowly closing in for the kill. Rita readied herself for another fight.
Meanwhile, Sid was cursing himself for having waited this long. If an opportunity didn't come, he'd have to make one. But on the other hand, the wrong move could get them BOTH killed...and he wanted to live a little longer! Rita could handle herself very well, but she seemed a little worn, and those blokes were sure to take advantage of it. As they circled, Sid locked on to Spike, who was now coming in front of his hiding place, although he was much closer to Rita than the alley way. Still, the shadows were on Sid's side. If he made an all-out run for it...yes! That was it! Sid rose to a crouching position, like a sprinter on a line. He waited for Spike to take another two steps to his left, then bolted at a dead run for him.
"Looks like this is it, Ms," said Whitey, in an even tone. "Nice knowin' ya..."
"What th..."
"Alright! Not another step!"
The gang ogled the sight that was now before them, mostly because it had appeared so fast. Rita was glaring in shock at Sid, who had Spike in a tight bear hug from behind, as the little thug rat kicked and squirmed to get free of the embrace.
"Leggo a' me, you walkin' trash dump!"
"Sid?? This is a surprise..."
"Heh, you know me, Rita...I love surprises."
As he spoke, Thimblenose Ted and Ladykiller chose that moment to advance slowly on Sid's left. He whirled to face them.
"None of you blokes move! I swear I'll crush this one!"
"I wouldn't do that, mate," warned Whitey, looking about as angry as an albino rat could.
Sid turned to face Whitey, and felt his blood freeze at the sight of him. He was quite a bit bigger, and rather dangerous-looking. He had just come to realize that he might be in over his head when a siren was heard from somewhere to the north, getting closer.
"It's the cops!" cried Fat Barry. "Hop it!"
The other thug rats scattered at the sound. In truly nasty fashion becoming a thug rat, Spike jack-swung his leg backward, smashing his heel into Sid's knee. Sid yelped and quickly knelt to nurse it, letting Spike go in the process. "We'll continue this another time, Malone..." Spike warned, before jetting off into the darkness.
"I'll be waiting," Rita replied, shortly after Spike had vanished. She turned toward Sid and knelt beside him.
"Is it bad?" she asked.
"Ah, just a scratch," said Sid bravely, while making an attempt to stand. Just as quickly, he collapsed again, groaning and muttering. "Well, maybe a bit more than that."
The police mice were now walking up to them, with Jonas Merriman in the lead. Rita put an arm around Sid. "You came to save me!"
"Naw, it was dumb luck. I wanted to see how you and ol' Roddy were gettin' along!" He winced again after moving his leg. "But maybe I better see a doc first..."
"Unfortunately," Rita observed, "We can make one trip do both tasks." As the police carried the lamp to a vehicle built for cargo, Jonas and Rita helped Sid limp to a nearby police cart.