Thanks to everyone who has read so far. If you haven't reviewed, please do. Reviews make me a happy camper =)

DISCLAIMER TIME! I don't own the bros, sadfaces abound. Please don't sue me, I'm poor. And please don't use any of my characters (Copper, Silver, Alloy, Lani, etc) without permission.

It took two days for the Catatonians to break through the fleet of Martian ships and land on the planet's surface. The Biker Mice were among the first in the wave of Martian fighters who attacked the Cats as soon as their ships landed, spilling Catwalkers out of their bellies. As much as Modo hated the situation, fighting alongside his bros gave him a sense of belonging he hadn't realized he missed. There was something amazing about blowing up your enemy with your bros.

The Biker Mice were out running patrols two weeks after the initial invasion before things started getting really interesting.

"Aahwoohoo!" Vinnie crowed when he managed to blow up the first Catwalker of the day. "That's Vinnie one, Modo nada!"

"Not so fast, Vincent," Modo said. Pivoting Li'l Hoss around, he sent out two well-placed missiles from his bike. Each one hit a Catwalker right between the legs where the engine was housed. The explosions were dazzling. "You were saying?"

"Aw man…" Vinnie whined. Suddenly he grinned, reaching out a fist to Modo. "It's good to have ya fighting with us, bro."

Modo looked at the offered fist for a moment before grinning and tapping knuckles with Vinnie. "Kinda good t' be here, Vin."

"Yeah, this party would not have been as fun without you," Vinnie said.

"Speaking of a party, we've got a special invite, bros," Throttle said, coming up next to Modo. "The kitty cats are attacking the base."

"How did they find it?" Modo growled, gripping the handlebars of his bike with such force Li'l Hoss beeped in protest. Since headquarters and the Regenerator had been moved underground, the location had been kept secret from all but the most trusted troops.

"I dunno, bro, but I'm starting to think we have a traitor in our midst," Throttle said, turning his bike towards HQ and pouring on the speed. "Someone gave them the codes to the defense grid so we couldn't spot them 'til they were close enough to bite our tails. Someone let them in on where we kept weapons stashed and someone told them where we the base is. There's no way those cats are that lucky."

"You told Carbine any of this?" Vinnie asked, unable to keep worry from wrinkling his brow.

Throttle nodded. "She agrees with me. She just doesn't know who and she doesn't know how they're getting this info."

"We gotta figure it out and before they spill the beans on where the females and children are hiding," Modo said, worry lacing his tone. It had been struggle enough to get Copper to shelter with the rest of the females and children in the mountains. If she knew the position was compromised, she would be out of there before Modo could stop her.

"Not just yet, bro," Throttle said grimly, the sounds of battle reaching them. "We've got bigger kitties to declaw."

The few mice left after the bloody surprise attack were taken to the medical ward to be healed. Those who remained were there only because the Biker Mice had interveined and turned the tide of the battle. The remaining soldiers were grateful but almost all of them were wounded in some way.

"Yer ok," Modo murmured to a young male no older than Rimfire who was struggling to get out of bed and find his blaster despite the blood running from his temple and arm. "It's over fer now."

"Not for much longer, though," Alloy muttered, coming up behind Modo. He had taken up the fight again, much to the distress of his sister. Truthfully, Copper was more angry she was stuck hiding out while Alloy got to go out and fight. "I don't know how much longer that seal you put on the hatch can hold."

"It'll hold," Modo growled, pinning the young soldier with a glare. The young male gulped audibly and nodded his head, finally resting back on the bed and letting a brown-furred medic look him over. "How ya been, Alloy?"

"Getting back into the swing of things," the younger mouse said with a grin, running a hand absently over his now-cropped hair. Since it was impractical to keep it so long during war, he had trimmed it down so it was a short brush on his head with longer bangs shading his eyes. But despite the troubles of war and loss of his locks, he was still smiling and optimistic. "Saw Copper last night."

"What was she doing outside the shelter?" Modo said, his tail twitching anxiously. "I told her to stay put."

"And that's where she was," Alloy replied. "I was ordered to take some supplies in to them. She sends her love and Silver wanted to give you this." He held out a small clay charm on a black cord. The charm was shaped into the ancient symbol of protection but was formed crudely, like by the hands of a child. "Said she made it during her last art class."

Modo's heart throbbed and he smiled, taking the thin cord and wrapping it around his wrist. He missed his little one something fierce and would have given anything in the universe to have her safe and wrapped in his arms.

"Copper also wants you to know if you get hurt, she will personally come and beat your ass," Alloy continued. "How'd you make her promise to stay put, anyway?"

"I just asked," Modo said, still fingering the clay charm.

"Man, she won't even do that for me," Alloy muttered. "You have a gift, my friend."

"No, he's got something else if you know what I mean," Vinnie said as he walked over, waggling his eyebrows in a suggestive fashion. Modo blushed and glared at the white mouse.

"Vinnie…"

"Relax bro, I was just kidding." Vinnie grinned and clapped Alloy on the shoulder. "How's it going, Alloy? And how is that fine female of yours? She up for grabs again?"

"Not hardly," Alloy grinned. "We've been keeping in touch by communicator. She's hiding out with her father the admiral."

"Yeesh, pretty and connected," VInnie said with a shake of his head. "Too bad she's frigid like ice."

"I'm working on it," Alloy said. "She's coming around."

"Did you need something, Vinnie?" Modo asked, uncomfortable with talking about Yana. He had spoken his piece about her to Alloy and Vinnie both. If they chose not to listen, he couldn't stop them. But he could change the subject.

"Yeah, our commanding officer wants us to go talk to the general about what happened," Vinnie said. "We're supposed to meet them in her office."

"Let's go then." Modo grinned and clasped forearms with Alloy. "If you see Copper again, tell her I'll call her soon."

"You better," Alloy replied. "She's worried about you."

"And I'm worried about her."

The walk to Carbine's office was short but harrowing. The underground complex was suspended over a chasm that went down almost to the planet's core. Walkways were narrow, mostly without guardrails and over nothing solid. It was good for defense but a pain in the neck for just walking around.

Modo and Vinnie met up with Throttle just in front of Carbine's door. "Be warned, bros," Throttle said as he keyed the door open. "She's in kind of a bad mood."

As they walked in, Carbine was standing with her back to them, staring moodily at her uncle's plaque. "What would you have done in my shoes, Stoker?" she asked it.

"Probably would have sold out to the highest bidder," Throttle remarked. Carbine automatically grabbed her whip, thinking it was an intruder, and sent it flying for Throttle face. Vinne dove out of the way, landing face-first on the catwalk with his hands covering the back of his head. Throttle caught the end with a smirk and tugged, pulling it from Carbine's hands. "Someone woke up on the cranky side of the bed this morning."

"You would know," she shot back, glaring at him half-heartedly though she had visibly lit up at the sight of him.

"Aww man, why does everyone want a piece of me today?" Vinnie whined as he stood up. Modo chuckled and helped the younger mouse to his feet.

Throttle handed Carbine back her whip, taking a curious glance at the Regenerator. "You sure it's the best idea, having it out like that?"

"We have to get it to a more secure location," Carbine said. "With the attack and our other little problem, this location is compromised."

"Got any ideas?" VInnie asked, sipping on a root beer he had swiped from the mess hall.

"Anywhere but here sounds good," Carbine said with a wry grin. Suddenly she frowned down at her feet; the walkway was trembling. "Oh no…"

Large rocks began falling from the ceiling, narrowly missing Modo's head. "What the hell was that?"

"We're out of time," Throttle snapped. "Guys, get the Regenerator. We're getting out of here."

"Oh no you're not," Carbine said, narrowing her eyes at her boyfriend. "I know what you're thinking. The Regenerator stays on Mars, under my protection. And," she said in a softer tone, cupping Throttle's cheek in her hand, "You promised you wouldn't leave again."

Throttle gently covered her hand with his own, turning his face to kiss her palm. "I know, babe. But we don't have a lot of choice if we want any chance of survival."

"Um, yeah, I know you guys are having a tender moment and all," Vinnie said, covering his head with his arms as pebbles struck him. "But it seems like we're under attack. Think you could wrap it up for now?"

"You said it, bro," Modo said, grinning despite the situation. "You lovebirds can finish this later, yeah?"

Carbine glared at the bros, sending chills down their spines. "You chuckleheads got any other comments before I yank off your ears and sew them to your tails?" She grinned at Modo, the baring of her teeth a look of pure evil. "Or before I call up Copper and tell her what you said?"

Modo paled and covered his ears. "No, Carbine ma'am. No need."

A sudden blast blew Vinnie and Modo forward, pitching them into the table Carbine had been using for a desk. Vinnie grinned and let out a whoop as he lay flat on his back. "Ahwoohoo, deadly tetrohydrocarbon explosives! Don't you love that stuff?!"

Carbine sighed and rubbed the bridge of her nose. "Oh, fine. When did you say you guys were leaving?"

"Um, before now would have been nice," Throttle muttered as Claw Troopers poured into the chamber.

"Man, why do these guys have to smell so bad?" Vinnie muttered. "Seriously, it's like wet fur mixed with rotten fish mixed with kitty litter."

"Vinnie," Modo said, his tone warning. "Shut up before the nice kitties decide yer big mouth needs to be shut." He grunted and began flexing against the ropes binding him. "This is humiliating," he muttered as he tried to get free. "If Copper saw me, she would laugh herself silly."

"It could be worse," Vinne said.

"How could it be worse?" Throttle growled, struggling against his bindings as Modo was. "We've been captured by Cats, thrown onto their ship, and they're got the Regenerator. How could it be worse?"

"We could be naked," Vinnie said. "I dunno about you bros, but my studlyness is too good for these Cats' eyes."

"Just when I think you've stopped surprising me, you say something like that," Throttle said with a grin. "Modo, any luck?"

"No, bro, they tied my blaster down," Modo said. "Can't get it free."

"Ok, then I guess we wait," Throttle said with a sigh. "They'll come get us for questioning sooner or later."

Fortunately, it was sooner. A group of armed Troopers pulled the three mice out of their cell, blasters aimed at them the whole time. The bros were taken into the main holding area where dozens of Martians were in cages, yelling taunts at their guards. The bros were brought before a hulking Catatonian who stood head and shoulders taller than Modo. He had thick, shaggy fur and evil green eyes that were currently narrowed at the bros. He stood with his overdeveloped arms crossed over his chest, his short bob tail twitching occasionally as though shooing off a pesky fly.

"So. These are the famous Biker Mice," the male smiled, showing yellowing fangs. "I would say it is a pleasure to meet you but, honestly, I'm disappointed at how easily you were captured."

"And I'm disappointed at the general lack of hygiene you seem to have," Vinnie said, his nose wrinkling. "Seriously, do you guys actually lick yourselves clean? Eww."

The massive commander growled and grabbed Vinnie by his bandana, yanking him to eye level. "I would watch your words, mouse, before I start thinking I would like a snack."

Vinnie stared defiantly at him. "Yeesh, even your breath smells. It must be too many tongue baths."

"Vinnie, shut up!" Throttle snapped before the male got himself killed. The big Catatonian growled again and tossed Vinnie to the floor.

"You are Throttle, the leader, yes?"

"Yes," Throttle said. "Who are you?"

"I am Cataclysm, leader of this invasion. Well, victory, now." The huge male chuckled, a sound like sandpaper scraping metal. "Now that we have the Regenerator, we will be on our way. Your people will make excellent slaves on Catatonia."

"Not gonna happen," Carbine snapped from her place in one of the cages. "You Cats are all the same: all your muscle is below the neck."

"Defiant as always, general," Cataclysm said, his smile widening to show all his fangs. "But there is nothing that can stop me now that your army and your Biker Mice are in my control. And now that the Regenerator is mine, Mars is finished. All that is left is to find the rest of your pathetic species and wipe them out. Females and children first."

"No…" Modo growled, his eye flashing red. "Not…gonna…happen." With one last cry of effort, he snapped the ropes holding his arm and sent a blaster shot right at Cataclysm. The big male was quicker than he looked and jumped to one side, the blast instead hitting the control panel on one of the walls. The machine beeped once, twice, and then burst into flame. The cell doors holding in the Martian soldiers sprang free and they escaped with one unified shout, each soldier attacking the nearest Trooper. Modo ripped the rest of the rope free from his body before freeing Throttle and Vinnie. "Let's get the Regenerator and blow, bros!"

"Damn, Modo," Vinnie said, impressed despite himself. "That was one hell of a shot."

"Like my mama always says," Modo said, casually sending out blaster shots at the enemy. "Don't ever mess with a mouse's loved ones. Now let's get out of here and—" A huge fist came hurtling in his direction, sending Modo flying into a wall. Modo hit the steel hard and crumpled to the floor, dazed.

"Oh, I will mess with your loved ones for this," Cataclysm said, green eyes narrowed with hate. "And when I find them, rest assured they will not die as peacefully as you are going to!" He raised a blaster, aiming it at Modo's prone form. "Nighty night, mousie."

"Not so fast, kitty," a voice said, stopping Cataclysm in his tracks. "Look what I've got." A dark-cloaked figure held up the Regenerator, taunting the hulking cat with it. "Leave the mouse alone or I'll smash it."

Cataclysm stopped, finger still on the trigger. "You wouldn't dare."

"Catch me and find out," the figure taunted, disappearing out an open hatch door. Cataclysm roared and followed, bellowing for several Troopers to follow.

"Get the Regenerator back!" Carbine yelled from where she was fighting a Trooper, dispatching it with a well-placed kick to the head. "Get it back and get it off the planet!"

Throttle hesitated but then nodded, blowing a kiss in Carbine's direction. "Stay safe!"

"You too!" Carbine called back. "Contact me as soon as you can." Throttle nodded again and leapt out the door, whisting for Lady as he did so. Vinnie and a slightly disoriented Modo followed him out the door, whistling for their bikes as well. The black bike came at Throttle's call, as did Sweetheart and Li'l Hoss. The bros landed with practiced ease and revved up, riding out as soon as helmets were strapped on.

"Well that's not good," Modo said as they came up behind Cataclysm and his group. They had followed the masked stranger into a canyon and had him cornered, his bike against the canyon wall. The stranger was stuck with no way out but through the Cats getting closer with every moment.

Before they could get any closer, the stranger suddenly revved his engine. Jet turbines emerged from the side of his bike and lifted him up and over the Claw Troopers. The troopers started shooting wildly despite Cataclysm's orders to stop. One blaster shot hit the back of the stranger's bike, sending him flying and the Regenerator strapped there spinning to the ground.

Not even Vinnie could have stopped it from hitting with a loud crash and a sparkling of destroyed wiring. Cataclysm howled and sprinted for the pieces, hollering in panic when he saw that it was beyond repair. He looked up and saw the stranger, eyes filled with hate. "You fool!" he snarled. "Do you realize what you've done?"

"Um, yeah furball," the stranger muttered, holding on to his ribs. When the bike had gone flying, it had sent him into the ground with his bike on top of him. He had managed to spin away, but not fast enough to stop a piece of the bike from hitting him in the ribs. "Regenerators gone and now we're all screwed. Good job blowing it up."

Cataclysm hissed and lunged out for the weakened stranger, but he was gone before the blow could be struck. The mice sped by, the stranger pulled onto the back of Modo's bike. The rest of the bros followed, streaking off to the secondary base while Cataclysm howled his rage up at the sky.

"Who are you?" Modo growled, his blaster held at the black-clothed stranger. They had stopped in a protected cave almost a hundred miles away from the Cats, their trail covered by a sandstorm that had kicked up. "Why did you steal the Regenerator?"

"I was trying to protect it," the stranger growled back, his voice distorted by the black helmet he wore. "You mudpuppies weren't doing that great a job, thought I'd have to do it myself."

Throttle blinked at the word mudpuppies. "Who are you?"

"Aww, come on, Throttle," the male said, carefully lifting his helmet from his head to keep from hurting his ribs. "I thought I taught you boys better than this."

The Biker Mice all stared, jaws hanging loose at the sight of the male in front of them. "Stoker?!"