Martians and Mars

by Kelral Orlyana

An exploration of Mars and Martians, but also an exploration of the bros and who they might be beyond what was portrayed in the series. & A bro's exploration of Humanity and Earth.

4. Chapter 4

Modo: Protector, Healer and Guardian

By

Kelral Orlyana

Disclaimer: I have no doubt that by now we all know I don't own the Biker Mice or anything related to Biker Mice. This is purely a work of fiction I make no profit from that is written for the enjoyment of myself and my readers.

Author Note: Well, you guys were really eager that I write from all perspectives. It has taken me a while to get something written that I felt suited Modo's character. Modo is a protector and it seemed right that he is constantly shielding his bros and his girl at all times. Again, I made this seem a lot more intimate than it should be. I studied a lot of things about real mice, and I really wanted them to have that more natural, wild side. In the wild mice, especially the females will nest with her babies to stay warm. Considering how cold Mars was I thought it was a good idea to have the concept of 'huddling for warmth' as a cultural thing. Being alien they would not have the same morals as us, so men and women sleeping together in huddles would not be seen as perverted as it might be on Earth. I also thought because it is such an intimate thing to be sleeping together (I don't mean sexually, here) that touch may be taboo outside of the tribe/clan, hence the fact that the bros may be cautious about how they touch her. However, like with Vinnie's chapter, the writing can seem to be more intimate then intended. But hopefully this chapter conveys Modo's protective personality and adoration of Throttle, Vinnie and Charley. I kind of see Modo as this big cuddly mouse full of love, looks like an unforgiving soldier that can break you with his little pinkies but is a softie at heart unable to hurt the teeny tiniest of flies.

I mention briefly about the concept of mice clothing. In particular the jeans. I recently watched a youtube video that tried to work out the concept of Black Panther's armour and eventually coming up with microscopic springs somehow absorbing energy to project elsewhere, giving Black Panther a powerful superhuman punch. That doesn't really apply here, but it inspired the concept of an alien material. Instead of jeans that can be hard, stiff and sometimes very hot, the guys have another type of material which has the ability to circulate airflow. I thought this was a nifty idea because they have fur and surely, they'd overheat? They come from a very cold planet so Earth would be so much warmer to them, hence the idea that these jeans they wear may be 'airy', have an additional layer beneath the visible layer that allows air to circulate. I didn't go into much detail in the story because this story is about their feelings for one another and etc. but I hope this explains that small detail suitably. 😊

If I carry on write I'll probably write spoilers for my story so I'll stop here. But hopefully I've explained parts of the story that may seem odd. To recap, different morals as they come from different planets so the concept of intimacy is different between the bros and Charley and the bros are alien so it makes sense their clothes are unique too.

Warning: Intimate words and situations that could be taken a different way. And of course, like the previous chapters it does talk about religion and how the bros may see it. Anything written here is not meant in a biased way but simply an explorative writing that I hope does not cause offence. Again, it is all brotherly love in this story, platonic but the wording could be taking in alternative ways.

Hopefully you will enjoy this instalment of the story.

Modo: Protector, Healer and Guardian

Mars was much cooler than Earth, Charley could never imagine just how cold since she saw Mars as a hard, rocky, desert like planet. Even her planet's ice caps could not compare to a cold summer's night on Mars. Before the invention of technology, the multiple Martian species had to find comfort in other ways. Some got big and others like the mice found comfort in clans. The mice in particular would hibernate through colder times, huddled in large clans, multiple families and friends curled together in a tight nest in an attempt to keep warm. It was not unusual to find ancient remains of clans who never awoke from hibernation, infant bodies pressed closed to larger members, bucks and does pressed tightly together so there was no-way to tell them apart. Even now, on a rare occasion, scouts for the freedom fighters would stumble upon these ancient remains in old, unexplored caverns and deep ravines.

Modo's clan used to be larger, his parents, Vinnie's parents, Vinnie, Throttle and himself. There had been hopes this number would increase as Modo had met someone and Vinnie had loved Harley. Of course, there were now only three, just him and his bros, stuck on Earth and left to fend for themselves. The only good things about being away from Mars was the female they met, the abundant nutrients that Mars no longer possessed, that they were far healthier than they'd ever been on Mars since the invasion and that the planet was warm. They had enough water stored in their bodies to survive for months, their bikes were at tip-top condition and they could choose when to sleep whereas before the cold would eventually force clan to find shelter and rest. They may have been built for the cold, but the cold had a way of sapping strength and will. Fortunately, technology meant that deaths were incredibly rare and that hibernation was for the wilderness rather than for communities, but there were times when even a well-off clan like theirs needed rest and respite from their planet's cold grasp.

But that was on Mars. On Earth it was a different story, they slept together for comfort. Being three massive mice on an alien world, alone apart from a few human friends meant that they often missed the comfort of being around other telepathic mice, missed the ever-present hum of everyone's thoughts as they went about their day. Although Mars was cold, the cavern their community lived in was warm from all the bodies that inhabited it and now they missed that familiar warmth and the awareness of belonging that came with it.

Charley found them a few times, on a rare occasion when she visited the scoreboard at night. Modo, the largest, was often awake when the other two slept, a quiet sentinel as Vinnie and Throttle rested. More often than not Modo was the centre, the big muscular pillow of warmth that Throttle and Vinnie sought out in their unconscious states. Both would curl possessively over him, tucking under arms and tails seeking spaces beneath him. He wonders what Charley saw in the darkness, did she just see the silhouettes or did she see the peaceful expressions on their faces, expressions Modo loved to see. Throttle and Vinnie's eyes clenched tightly shut, whiskers and antenna drawn beneath the fur, ears pressed close to their ears, arms and legs tucked inwards so as to preserve heat. They were beautiful and Modo was honoured to protect them in times like this.

To most Earth was a paradise, a refuge from times of strive upon Mars but the bros knew better. Humans, while young, were a devastating force upon the planet. Trees, water and life as a whole was in danger from their greed. They took what they had for granted, if Modo could have he would have screamed at them to listen, to force them to learn about what they were losing but he would not break rank and he would not expose his brothers to the backlash of the humans' finding out that alien mice were on their planet. Instead he admired what the humans had and prayed to the Gods that the humans would see and understand. With so much water and life their planet was a paradise, he hoped they did not destroy it. From Mars Earth was a small ball of light and blue, he did not want that ethereal beauty to fade from the sky.

Throttle was despairing of humanity, Modo could read it in his thoughts every day. Having come from a colony of very backward thinking mice and having to endure so much death and torture as a result meant that Throttle was very much the sceptic and critical of the three of them. He made valiant attempts to see the good of man but other than Charley Throttle could see nothing else. At times Modo would agree but Modo saw things Throttle didn't, saw how good people fought everyday against the regimes of greedy, self-serving politicians and warlords. He saw those fighting to preserve beauty, freedom and life, fighting against the delusional, fanatical and greedy to preserve the God given gifts Earth possessed. It wasn't that Throttle was biased, thinking mice superior, it was more to do with the fact that he saw the worst in people before he saw the best. The first few times they met Charley Throttle was expecting her to hand them into her government or something just as terrible and Throttle would not have blamed her once, self-sacrificing creature that he is, he'd rather suffer in scientist's hands then let an alien woman be afraid of them. Throttle would gladly die to keep others safe, his life meant nothing to him, no doubt another result from his time with his family clan.

That self-sacrificing nature was the reason Throttle now lay unconscious and unmoving on the guest bed of Charley's garage and home. The stupid creature had pushed Vinnie out of the way only to be hit by the four by four that had been heading for Vinnie. Modo was thankful Vinnie was okay, but what was the real value of Throttle's sacrifice, he would still lose a clanmate if the Gods decided to take Throttle from him.

Charley hovered, frightened and fascinated in equal measure. Modo realised that she still did not know much about their biology. She studied him working with studious attention, analysing everything he saw, helping him and generally trying not to get underfoot whilst still being close enough to see what was going on. Modo welcomed it, she distracted him from his darker, fearful thoughts. He admired her interest and was glad for it since she'd not shown as much interest in them before this moment. Perhaps she didn't know how to interact with them, after all they were still aliens no matter how friendly they were towards her and there were many cultural taboos, men sleeping together was taboo for humans, for example, but common on Mars. But she never thought such ill thoughts of them, which is probably why Vinnie so wanted her as a clanmate but etiquette demanded she make the first move and express interest and claim them as family. Still, Modo would encourage her attention, no matter how sudden it seemed, because he wanted her as clan too. He thought of her as a sister and was eager to touch her as a sister, to shelter her in his arms as they slept and to feel her thoughts and know she was safe and content.

She was fascinated with their biology, studied their bones and muscles and was absolutely stunned by the organs that stored water. Surely, she would have guessed that much? On a cold, rocky planet like Mars where there was so little water, surely, she would have realised they needed to store water? And their primitive ancestors would not have carried flasks and such.

Modo gave her permission to use his bike's computer when she asked for it so she could be useful. Silly human, she was always useful. They were trapped on Earth and she was the sole reason they kept fighting when it was becoming too much. When despair took hold of their hearts, when the three warriors could not find their strength they would look to her, see her innocent smile and genuine affection and realise what they were fighting for. There was so much harshness in this universe, so much pain that preserving just one small creature full of beauty and compassion meant everything. They were soldiers, but they longed to be more. The war had taken so much. But then they saw Charley and knew every battle they fought was worth it if they were saving creatures like her. She made the fighting worth it.

Modo was made to protect the weak. It was in his blood. He had taken the feisty Vinnie under his wing when they were young and then Throttle had come along and Modo did not even think, he protected the fragile little wisp of a thing with his every breath. He followed them into battle, endured nameless unbearable tortures and followed them to Earth. He did not regret a single moment despite the pain, he would do it all again to protect his bros and he would do it for Charley in a heartbeat. They were his clan and clan meant everything.

Limburger was thankfully quiet because both Vinnie and he were not moving from Throttle's side. Instinct had them curling around him, providing him warmth, touching him to reassure themselves that he was still breathing. The steady up and down of his chest was reassuring to feel and Vinnie lay with his head beneath Throttle's to feel the soft, lazy breeze of each breath.

And then he opened his eyes and everything looked brighter. Throttle would get better.

Only…

Throttle couldn't see, he couldn't project his thoughts. Modo's mind was horribly empty, he could not feel his brother and Throttle was clearly disoriented and afraid. He clung to Modo when he first realised he couldn't see, his body language saying what he could not, that he needed Modo's strength. And Modo could only curl around his brother, becoming a Martian shield as Throttle overcame the terror of being blind and vulnerable. The last time Modo had seen Throttle like this he'd been bleeding from the eyes after the Plutarkian's had cruelly taken his eyes. He'd hoped never to see his tan-furred friend like this again, it was terrifying and it took all Modo's will to suppress his fear so that Vinnie didn't feel it and Throttle could not sense it through their touch.

Modo didn't think he'd moved for days, the three of them curled tightly into a ball of fur. Charley on the other hand was clearly moving around, he heard her talking to the bikes every now and then, though he did not hear what she asked. It was reassuring that she was taking care of their girls, not a single bro was going to move any time soon. In fact, Throttle could not move, Vinnie and Modo held him so tightly they were probably cutting off circulation somewhere, but Throttle did not complain, simply lay content in their grasps with eyes closed in an attempt to ignore his blindness.

Charley brought food and water to them, watching and gently ensuring they were comfortable as she went about their day. It was comforting, but they'd preferred having her with them. Her touch was like that of a clan, had the three followed etiquette she would have been banned from the room, from these intimate moments but they all wanted her included. Her help, her love was invaluable.

Then Throttle was ready to move around and they became his guides, something neither brother minded. Vinnie the feistiest of the three became still and calm, focusing all his energy on keeping Throttle smiling and laughing. Modo was the big comfort, he didn't think he'd stopped touching Throttle, guiding Throttle and keeping Throttle safe as he adjusted to his blindness. Of course, Throttle was different, he faced everything with a withdrawn calmness that came from experience. Over time he adjusted and moved as if he could see, but he allowed Modo and Vinnie to touch, found comfort in their touch, just as they found comfort in touching him.

Charley watched with fascination, studying their tails and interactions with an interest that spurred Vinnie's hope on. But they spoke quietly in their Martian tongue, it was forbidden to speak it in front of another culture or race because it was seen as rude to speak a language the natives could not understand but the bros felt comfort in a few small words here and there. She did not notice, her small primitive ears not picking up the whispered words.

And then she stopped studying the information from the bike's and stared at them with a forlorn expression that she did not think they saw. Something she studied brought her much sadness. The last thing she read, according to Lil' Hoss, was about their Gods. Had they turned her off of them? It would not be strange, Earth was a planet full of multiple religions and many killed if you did not believe in their God. But Modo had thought she was different and he clung to the hope that his religion had not caused her to hate him. Besides what could he do? Vinnie was devout, was he to force Vinnie to stop believing just so she would consider being a part of their clan? If losing part of their cultural identity was the cost of clanning her than Modo would have to accept that she will never be clan. He would not force her to believe, but she should not force them not to believe.

In truth, he was much like Throttle, he provided lip service to the Gods, thanking them for their continued mercy for allowing him to stay alive but otherwise sought answers through science. The Gods did not want fanatical followers, in fact they did not want followers full stop. The Gods did not need worship, they ruled all and did not need sacrifices and prayers to prove their lordship and existence, they just were. They did not need to justify their existence and did not need ridiculous rituals to survive and Modo offered none. He acknowledged them and that was all they wanted. If they wanted death, they caused it, they didn't need another mortal hand to do it, they controlled the winds, sand and beasts, they needed no mortal representative, no one to voice their wants. Modo knew this well, he sought only to survive each day and to receive the God's mercy so their fury would not turn on him or his clan.

And the Gods were being merciful because one day, a day like any other, Throttle opened his eyes and looked at them both, eyes shifting to look right at them from behind his shades. Modo could not help but cry, his joy unable to be contained when he felt Throttle touch his mind. They were whole again, that was the only way to describe it.

Now if only Charley was part of their clan and everything would be perfect. But she had become distant. Modo suspected she was up to something, the way she eyed them and seemed to be eager for when they were away. If Modo was as critical as Throttle he'd think she wanted to get rid of them but she was always so happy to see them and that is what kept Modo from taking offence to what she thought were subtle actions.

Subtle. Humans couldn't be subtle even if it saved their lives, a flick of the ear was subtle, open and obvious gazes were not subtle. But he'd give her points for effort as she truly believed they hadn't noticed. And they did not take offence to what they saw as rude gestures, the open staring at their tails, her shooing motions (often considered impolite on Mars) and her thoughts that often begged them to 'get out' for apparently no reason though Modo suspected she was preparing a surprise for Earth Christmas since she all but begged them to stay with her this year.

So that is why the bros found themselves at her home at Christmas. Charley girl complained about the cold, but to the bros it was a warm day, the only difference was the snow, something they still found fascinating and awe-inspiring. Vinnie of course had to roll in the stuff, but there was something satisfying about doing the forbidden. Had it been Mars the snow would have been collected, preserved, cleaned and used but here it was a toy, it seemed wrong to enjoy it so much, to do nothing with it but at the same time it was so much fun. Throttle got dragged in and in the end Modo could not help himself and threw himself at his bros, laughing as they all turned white as snow clung to their fur.

Charley joined them of course, but she looked absolutely ridiculous. Lacking fur and muscle she'd been forced to wear extra layers. Admittedly she still looked beautiful but she was puffy. She wore so many layers she looked like she was suffocating. He wondered how she handled so many clothes, their fur and skin were so sensitive that Martian's didn't wear many layers, instead they relied on their natural muscle mass and fur, even their jeans were designed to be lightweight, a special method of production meant that the sabretooth skin it was produced with kept warm but allowed for natural air flow so their fur didn't become overheated or uncomfortable beneath the material. But Charley was almost invisible under the jumper, coat, scarves and gloves. If not for her beautiful face they'd not have recognised her at first. Still despite her many layers she had a lot of fun and the bros could not begrudge her for staying warm, humans were so vulnerable that they had to take so many extra precautions.

Several snow angels, as Charley called them, and a snow ball fight later and she'd disappeared and the bros trudged in to sit and watch a James Bomb movie. They'd scrubbed the worst of the snow off but their fur still dripped with water. Throttle's was worst, his fur that little bit longer and thicker than theirs, leaving a rather uncomfortable puddle. Knowing Charley might complain Modo simply pulled Throttle to his lap. He didn't mind wet jeans, but Charley might not like a wet couch. Throttle didn't mind at all, simply settled on his new seat and kept watching the movie.

But then the smell tickled their noses. They knew this smell. Well not this smell, but something similar. Instantly they all thought of the New Year's meals where hunters brought back a large sabretooth squid and they celebrated making it through another year and mourned the loss of mice throughout said year. It was both an occasion of joy and of grief but more importantly it smelt of home. Modo's mouth watered and Throttle shifted uneasily whilst Vinnie, unable to sit still, paced and eyed the door to the kitchen.

When Charley called them they were instantly there, eager to see what was happening. Squid was at the table, alongside the more traditional Christmas foods. It took a moment to register that she had gone out of her way to make something crafted specially for them. Words could not express the thoughts running through their heads, she did not know what this meant, she could not possibly understand. The Martian's did not celebrate their culture in public, believing it to be a private thing, so for her to do this meant she was accepting them as a whole, accepting them for what they were. Did she understand the significance of what she'd done?

They ate heartily, the warmth of the food seeping further than their stomach. Modo did not think he'd seen Throttle so at peace as he was now. Throttle was letting etiquette slip, being more relaxed and friendly than what polite etiquette demanded. Charley didn't notice perhaps, but their touching of tails in front of her and their silent communication made obvious by looking at one another as one did in verbal communication was considered rude in most circles and very private. But if Charley noticed she did not mind, though Modo suspected she did not notice as her species eye to brain communication was much slower than theirs and although the bros made an effort to slow down their actions they were sometimes too fast for her eyes to follow.

After the meal the bros were all but shooed from the kitchen, not a rude gesture per se but not one the bros liked. Still they obeyed and left her to the tidying up. And then her thoughts were there, so loud and hesitant that the bros could not help but notice. She did not seem to mind that Throttle and Vinnie were all but draped over him, there was no judgement in her eyes which was a great relief to them all. They knew most humans saw two or more males being intimate as homosexual, a sin and taboo but she did not think that way, or at least they hoped she did not think this way.

"Modo, I may not have been completely honest about my research?" Modo almost sniggered but instead turned to give his bike a look. He already knew from the browsing history that she'd looked at more than just their biology. "I learned more about your culture and your beliefs and I was amazed." Well Modo could not help but feel some pride at that. Their culture may be private but Modo was still proud of who he and his people were and to have it acknowledged albeit briefly was a wonderful thing. "I have no end of respect for you. You've done so much for me that I think it's time I return the favour."

"Charley-girl…" Vinnie whispered. Perhaps Charley thought of it as a protest but Modo could feel the hope flaring in Vinnie's heart.

"No. I wanted to do this. You've been here long enough that I consider you close enough to be family and I hope you think of this places as a home away from home so I left a surprise in the room down the hall."

Modo had stopped listening after that. Family. Home. She'd finally said what they needed to hear. She had claimed them as family. They could clan her. They could become whole. Modo trembled and felt Throttle and Vinnie's tails wind around him, comforting him as he worked through the emotions running through him. Relief that she finally acknowledged them as family, hope that she accepted them whole-heartedly, fear that she didn't understand what she was letting herself into, love for her and what she'd just done, joy for being accepted. Gods, he didn't know what to do or where to start, so he just followed his bros as they led him away. Apparently, there was something to do about the third door on the left. Another gift?

And there… piled neatly were incense sticks, ornaments handmade that portrayed images of their Gods. So, this is why she'd wanted them gone, to make this in secret as a surprise. Well Modo can completely forgive her now, understanding her desperation to make them leave now that they saw just why she'd wanted them to do so. Vinnie was already setting up his alter and Throttle was working through emotions, falling on his knees to work on his own alter and make a small prayer. Modo was the last, unsure how to feel about himself, it was like a weight had lifted on his shoulders but then embedded itself in his heart. Surely the amount of love and adoration he felt was impossible. He fell to his knees, followed his bros example and then whispered a prayer, though words failed him. He thanked them for Charley, for continuing to live, for her understanding and acceptance of them before he gave up stuttering out words and just sat back on his legs and stared.

What exactly did this mean for them? What was the next step?

The next step was Throttle embracing her, his thoughts entering her mind before she even registered the three of them were in the kitchen as she returned from outside. He felt Throttle pushing so much thanks into her mind before Vinnie followed. Charley was clearly overwhelmed so Modo merely entered her mind and soothed the two previous intrusions from her thoughts, allowing her to adjust to the intimacy she'd just experienced. And then he felt her joy and realised this was what she wanted. Her learning of their Gods wasn't something that turned her away but made her realise just how little she knew of them. Moreover, she wanted to learn more about them, she wasn't frightened as Modo had first believed but intrigued and eager to mean more to them just as they were eager to mean more to her. Gods, she was a blessing in human form, sent by the Gods as a reward for their continued protection of Mars, surely that is the only reason for her existence? How else could they have come across such a compassionate and beautiful creature?

"You are clan now, Charley-ma'am, if you accept it. We want you as family, not just as a friend." He thought to her. Her primitive human mind was not able to master verbal communication through thought, her inner-words were jumbled and un-coordinated but he felt her eagerness, her joy at the idea of being family and Modo knew she agreed.

In seconds they were squashed onto the couch. Bodies entwinned. Charley just fit as if she was made to be with them, settled between Vinnie and Throttle encased in strong protective tails and adjusting to their warm thoughts pervading hers. She knew she lacked, that she was weak and inferior physically compared to the brothers but she was vowing to make up for it in other ways, to protect them in ways that she could by continuing to provide and love them. They were beautiful thoughts and Modo could not help but feel joy that he could now hear and feel them.

Throttle was coming to realise what Modo already knew, that there was beauty even in the species that seemed beyond hope, though Plutarkian's were proving an exception to that rule. Was there such a thing as a good Plutarkian? But Modo shook those thoughts off, he should be focused on his clanmates and Throttle was being more hopeful than he'd ever felt, Charley was a soothing balm to his harsher thoughts, her compassion a complete opposite to his more critical thinking. He'd been reluctant at first but Throttle now knew she was good for him, that a clan of three males needed a female mind to temper their more masculine thoughts.

Vinnie certainly need censure or he'd bring chaos to everyone's lives. Harley tempered him briefly, as had his mother and aunt (Modo's mother) but it had been a long time since they'd had a female in their clan and they'd forgotten just how soothing and reassuring it was to feel a woman's more even-tempered thoughts.

But Vinnie, little spitfire that he is, had other ideas. She'd been sitting playing with the tips of their tails, a clear indication for a play fight, at least in mouse terms and Vinnie was looking to accept that offer. Throttle was thinking of siding with her, clearly still feeling protective despite the fact that he knew Vinnie wouldn't hurt her.

Well Modo would not be left out.

"…. EEEEPP!"

Vinnie had Charley pinned helplessly to the floor, skilled claws finding sensitive spots of skin which had her squealing with laughter. There was no chance Charley could stop Vinnie, Vinnie was almost twice her size, full of muscle and with a grasp that could subdue even the most powerful of mice. The only way Charley was escaping was if Vinnie let her go. Modo took a few moments to make sure Vinnie was not touching her in forbidden places. After all they were not mates and touching her too intimately was a violation. When he saw Vinnie was being responsible and respectful he leapt into action.

Throttle only had time to turn and look, seeing Modo's cunning expression before he too was pinned on the couch. He had the strength to push Modo off, so Modo quickly subdued his tail, pinned Throttle's arms in his bionic hand before attacking with his other normal arm. Throttle made a valiant attempt to escape the coming attack but he could only huff out quiet laughter when knowing claws found the sensitive skin of his belly and arms.

Vinnie and Modo shared a look, affection passing through their minds, so much so it almost hurt. The shrill female laughter combined with Throttle's more quiet chuckles and huffs of laughter were like music to their ears. If Modo could he'd do this forever to feel and hear the happiness of his clan, but all he could truly do was make sure they were happy for this moment. The future was not certain but for now their clan was happy and whole. Perhaps in the future Charley will choose a mate and they'd have the innocent joy of children running through their minds and hear the little giggles and pitter-patter of feet as children ran around them and cuddled close to them. Modo missed the children of clan and he had hopes that Charley would choose one of his bros. He knew Vinnie loved her, she would temper his ego, that was for sure but sometimes Modo thought she'd be better for Throttle, his bro needed someone with compassion and understanding and he did not think Carbine suited this role. But who knows what the future would bring at least now he had hopes for a brighter one.