"They're Saurians. The big fat one is Siege. The skinny one with all the different voices is Chameleon and the one in blue is Wraith."

"They still ugly no matter what they are."

"I have to agree with you there. So, he's really a Martian Mouse?"

"Yep. He has 2 other friends in Chicago who are also Martian Mice. Modo and Vinnie."

"What's with the heavy metal music, though?"

"Its what we listen to to get the blood pumping."

"And it works?"

"Sometimes. Depends on the circumstances. What Throttle doesn't know is that I like to listen to country once in a while."

"Wildwing was telling us that. He's developed a taste for it, too."

"That's good." I saw Throttle having fun running circles around the Saurians. They couldn't seem to hit him. I rushed in there and drop kicked the big fat one named Siege. He didn't know what hit him. Throttle saw that and cheered. "Way to go, Michelle!" Then he shot at the other 2 with the weapons on his bike.

Tanya was shocked at the kind of weapons that were on Throttle's bike. I looked at her and shook my head. "Not happening, Tanya. He won't let just anyone near his bike."

"Is he that protective of it? Its just a motorcycle."

"Its not just a motorcycle, Mallory. It's a Martian motorcycle. Complete with weapons and an A.I. chip that adapts to the rider. They just look like Earth motorcycles."

The next thing I knew Wildwing was throwing me keys to one of their bikes. "Take one of the DuckCycles, Mike. Its got weapons on it, too."

"Awesome! Thanks Wing." I went to the back of the Aerowing and grabbed one of the bikes and rode into battle with my boyfriend.

"Nice wheels, babe. It got any weapons on it?"

"Let's see what it has." Then I shot the lasers on it. "Nice. This is a badass bike."

The Saurians turned tail and ran or should I say vanished. I took my helmet off. "They ran away. No fair running away. I wasn't done having fun yet."

Throttle looked at me and shook his head. "That is so cute. You may not be a mouse, but you whip tail with the best, babe."

"Thanks. Let's see if there's any major damage we can help with." We turned around and rode up to the Ducks and asked if there was any damage done.

They all looked around then at us. "Doesn't look like it. Thanks for the help, Mike. You too, Throttle. That's an impressive bike. Where'd you get it?"

"Mars. I only allow one person near my bike. She's the best bike jockey in Chi-town."

"Let's head back to the Pond. We have a game to get ready for tonight."

"Hey babe. Maybe you better stay in the locker room during the game. I'd hate for the whole stadium to clear out cause of what you are. Know what I mean?", looking at Throttle.

"I get it. Not a problem. Just have fun out there."

"Always. Let's roll."

We all headed back to the Pond to get ready for tonight's game with the opposing team, whoever it is.

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

Back at the Pond, we noticed the parking lot was getting packed and quick. I patched into the Aerowing's comm. "Does it always get this packed quick?"

They noticed how quickly packed the lot was getting. "Not normally, but then again, it is the championship game tonight."

"Say what!?"

"Sorry for not telling you, Mike."

"Quite alright, Wing. I'll get some extra practice in before the game starts, if possible."

"You might be able to get some practice in. Tell Throttle it would be safer to bring his bike into the underground base."

"Will do." Then I told Throttle to follow them into their underground base.

After we got off the bike, the Ducks and I headed for the locker room to get changed. Wildwing suggested that Throttle could watch the game from the locker room TV's.

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

During the game, I noticed that something was wrong with one of the Ducks. I skated over to Wildwing and let him know. He noticed too.

"I know Duke is benched for the game, but we need to switch Tanya for Duke. He's healthy. Tanya looks a little green."

"You're right. Duke, you're in. Tanya, head for the locker room and get changed. Then watch the rest of the game from there."

They both nodded and switched out. Wildwing knew he'd get a rip about Duke playing tonight, but he was the only suitable replacement for Tanya.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

After the game, we all walked into the locker room cheering. "I'm gonna take it that you guys won."

"Did you doubt?"

"Not at all, babe. You looked good out there on skates. Maybe on the way back through, we could stop by here and you could teach me how to ice skate?"

"You don't know how to ice skate?"

"Nope. I'm glad you're not laughing at me."

"Why would I laugh at you for not knowing how to do something? There's some things out there I don't know how to do."

"Yeah? Like what?"

"I've never ziplined before. Skydiving. Running through an obstacle course."

Well, I guess we'll be doing all those things while here in California. Our next stop is the Redwood Forest to go ziplining and running an obstacle course."

"Seriously? Awesome!" Then I hugged him tightly.

He laughed a bit. "You're welcome, Michelle. I'm glad you're happy."

"When I'm with you, I'm always happy."

"I don't mean to ruin the mood, but…."

We looked at Wildwing. "Heh, sorry about that. I know. You need the uniform back. Give me a few to get changed." Then I went and got changed.

10 mins. later, I was back in my biker gear and handed Wildwing the extra hockey uniform. "Thanks for letting me play tonight, Wing. Appreciate it."

"No problem. It was good to see you again. Please come back soon, ok. We miss having practice with you, especially during the winter months."

"You also enjoy having me tinker with the Migrator, too."

"Well, yeah. You've added some great weapons to it last year. Hoping you'll upgrade some of them and maybe add new to replace some older ones."

"I'll see what I have planned this winter. I could be busy. I'll let you know."

Mallory walked up to me and held out her hand to me. I shook it and smiled.

"Told you that you might grow on me. You're a good fighter. Maybe next time, you and I could do some sparring."

"I'd like that, Mallory. Appreciate you giving me a chance out there on and off the ice."

"Well, I had my doubts at first, but now that I've seen you in action on and off the ice, I can say that I can trust you to have my back."

"Good to know." Wildwing was glad to hear that, as well.

"We gotta go, babe. We have a 4 hr. ride to the Redwood Forest."

"The open roads call out. Later guys." I waved as we left. They all waved back, watching us leave.

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

Out on the roads of Anaheim. "You have some….interesting friends, babe. They are good fighters, though. And definitely good hockey players."

"Thanks. I've known Wildwing and Nosedive for about 6 yrs. now. That's how I met the team and started practicing with them during the winter months."

"Were you surprised that I don't know how to ice skate?"

"Yeah, I am a bit surprised, but if you're wanting to learn, I'd be happy to teach you. I'm sure the Ducks will be too."
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

4 hrs. later, we arrived at the Redwood Forest. Throttle paid for everything we plan to do for the day.

"Ok. I wanna know how you're paying for all this? Opening a bank account would be a bit hard. So, how you getting the money?"

"Charley opened an account for me. I do some work around the garage for her now and then. The money I've earned goes into my account. I have a bank card that's paying for all of this for us."

"That's nice of her. Modo and Vinnie have accounts, too?"

"Nope. Just me. Charley had thought about opening one for Modo, but since his nephew has come on the weekends, they go out fishing. And Vinnie has no business with money. He'd spend it on worthless things. He did that back on Mars."

"Modo has a nephew? What's his name?"

"His name is Rimfire. Next weekend you can meet him. He's a nice kid."

We went looking for a place to park the bike so we could get on with the rest of our day. I couldn't believe we were going to do zip lining and an obstacle course. I was hoping we were going to do some skydiving, too.

After we found a spot, we parked the bike and got off. Throttle put the helmets in the saddle bags and locked them.

We headed for the zip line platform which was a long hike through the woods just to get there. I was glad I was wearing comfortable shoes and not boots, unlike Throttle. He was wearing boots.

As we were hiking, I noticed that Throttle was wincing with every step. His feet were hurting him. I don't think he was use to the long hike, especially in boots.

"You ok, Throttle?"

He looked at me and shook his head. "My feet are hurting bad, babe. I'm not use to the long hike in boots. Perhaps we should have stopped somewhere and gotten me some tennis shoes for this trip."

"We can do that before we do the obstacle course. Thank you for not bitching about the shirt, babe. I know you don't wear them much."

"When I'm with you, I'd be happy to wear a shirt and comfy shoes. When I'm with the guys, I'll wear my normal thing. That sound good to you?"

"Sounds great, hot stuff. How'd you get the tattoo?"

Throttle looked at his right shoulder then at me. "I got it about a year after the Plutarkian/Mars war started. You thinking about getting the same one?"

"Yeah, I am and have your name under it, too."