Gargoyles
Biker Mice from Mars
Business Partners
Pt 3
Gargoyles
Biker Mice from Mars
Business Partners
Pt3
"OK Lady, who are you!?"
"Where do you come from?"
"Why are you here?"
"Who are the daredevils on the bikes?"
"Where do you get the technology from?"
"What were you doing watching Xanatos's building?
"Do you work for Xanatos?"
"Do work for Macbeth, The Pack, or Demona?"
"Come on Lady, spill the beans!"
"Oh, that reminds me, we haven't had breakfast yet."
"This is an Interrogation Broadway, stay focused!"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, slow down. Let me get my bearings first, my head is still spinning!" Charley Davidson hollered, hands on her head, trying to get the world back into focus!
She couldn't tell if it had been mere minutes or hours since she'd been standing on that rooftop, watching the guys pull one of their nerve-rattling stunts through a pair of now lost binoculars when she'd heard what sounded like giant leather wings flapping, and coming at her from out of the darkness!
The next had been a nightmarish flight high above the busy New York Streets. The city lights appeared to her like they were miles below her, but probably only a few hundred feet (as if that was somehow better) while being held firmly, but not overly tight by rock-hard claws!
It had been a nightmare flight with the wind and hair in her eyes, she wasn't able to make out what had grabbed her, and she hated herself for this part. She'd passed out at some point! She really couldn't believe she was still capable of doing that, not after 4 years of riding with Vinnie. Having been through some of those insane maneuvers, it amazed her she was still susceptible to something like Vertigo!
She looked around the room she was in. It was obviously a clock tower of some kind, hence getting to see the reverse side of the large clock face above her, with the large mechanisms clunking away. In one corner was a small kitchenette, a portable stove, a microwave, and a little fridge.
Nearby sat a home computer setup. In the other corners were some small bookcases, with a variety of assorted books and VHS tapes. A large tattered throw rug in the center of the room with a small portable TV, VCR, and gaming system hooked up to it.
In front of the TV was a just as well-worn and lived-in recliner and other old and used chairs with a sofa clustered around it. She was sitting on a very uncomfortable folding metal chair. Oh, and there were also 4 Very Large Monsters in the room! Well, 3 Large Monsters and one not-so-large one that is.
The 3 of them were circled around her and staring very intently. A Large heavyset green one, a slightly smaller rusty brown one with long white hair, but looking very lean and wiry, and a small mustard green one. The 4th and clearly the oldest of the creatures sat in the old recliner, seemingly totally absorbed in watching some old rerun on the TV, with a small cat resting on his belly as he idly scratched behind its ear with a big claw.
"Answer the questions, lady!" The Brown one snapped, leaning in closer his beak-like face snarling at her point blank. The other two leaning in trying to add some extra menace. "Me? What about you guys!? What are You and Where are YOU FROM!?"
Charley jutted forward, jaw set and eyes returning the determination right back at them! The 3 Monsters awkwardly flinched and scrambled back a couple of feet, their eyes all wide open with shocked bewilderment on their faces. Not looking quite as sure of themselves anymore.
"Heh, heh. Lassies got some gumption; this may not be as easy as you thought." The Elder Monster chuckled while continuing to watch his show. The Yellow and Brown one looked at each other and then at the Older one. The Big Green one just looked at Charley, a confused look on his face.
"Us, uh, um. We, were uh, were Martians, yeah that's it! We're Martians from Mars! Grrr Growl!" He showed his big fangs, making clawing gestures at her, with big eyes glowing white!
Charley stared back at the Big Green one for a few seconds before…" Ptthh Ha, ha, ha, no, no you're not!" She burst out laughing, not able to hold it in for even a second. "How do you know we're not from Mars!?" The Little Yellow one asked with a puzzled look on his face.
"OK, how about this, if You're from Mars, how come He has a Scottish Accent!?" Charley threw out that rebuttal while shooting a thumb over her shoulder at the TV Watching Monster who just started another deep-throated chuckle. "Oh, this one's got a fire in her belly, I'm starting to like the lassie more and more!"
The Green and Yellow Monsters gawked at the Brown One, clearly letting him know the ball was in his court. A clawed hand went over his eyes as if trying to fight off an oncoming headache. "Ugh, ok fine, no, we're not from Mars, we are from Scotland. We're GARGOLYLES!" He growled, seemingly accepting defeat at using their appearance to scare answers out of their human captive, obviously failing miserably at it. This Human's reaction to them was not how, well every other human they met reacted to them at first sight. The Brown One wasn't sure how to handle this.
"GARGOYLES!?" Charley gasped, eyes opening wide! Now this was more like it. "You mean like the statue rain spouts on old castles and churches?" All 3 of the Gargoyles inhaled, the Green and Yellow one quickly sidestepping away in front of the now angry-looking brown one!
"NO! GARGOYLES as in the Proud Race of Warriors that Protected the Lands before we were SAVAGLY BETRAYED by the backstabbing…" The Brown one snarled, jabbing a claw at Charley's nose to empathize with each point before The Older One Interrupted.
"AHEM, maybe this would be better conducted as a Polite Conversation Instead of an Interrogation?" The Older One grumbled. "So, introductions would be a good place to start?" He dejectedly turned off the TV, got up from his chair, and walked over carrying the purring cat.
"OK, fine. I'm called Brooklynn, this is Lexington, and that's Broadway." Brooklynn grumbled indicating at his two fellow Gargoyles. "Hi." Both Lex and Broadway smiled. "And the Calm-Headed One is Hudson." The Older Gargoyle politely nodded and set the cat on the floor. The feline sniffed at her and gave her one of those odd cat looks before purring and rubbing against her boots.
"The Fuzzball is Cagney." Brooklynn sighed. Charley couldn't stop herself from smiling. "Well, I'm Charley Davidson and it's nice to meet all of you, Cagney included." She replied leaning down to give the cat a pat on its side and putting her other hand out. Brooklynn gapped at it for a few seconds before realizing he was supposed to shake it.
Human Hand and Gargoyle Claws took hold and shook. Brooklynn still wasn't sure how he felt about this weird human custom, but he did admit to himself it felt better to try things this way. "I don't mean to interrupt or anything, but I have to ask, you seem to be taking all of this kind of Calmly Miss Davidson." Lexington interjected curiously.
"Don't take this the wrong way, but I've seen lots weirder than you guys." This time all 4 of the Gargoyles looked at her and each other, not sure if they could believe that one or not. "Wow, really!?" Broadway gasped. She just smiled and nodded. "Yup, and please just call me Charley."
"It's nice to meet you, I mean it, but to get this back on point, we need to know WHY were you watching Xanatos's building. It's kinda important." All the Gargoyles nodded, agreeing with Brooklynn.
"We're Not here to watch this Xanatos guy. We're here to watch the guy that came to see him!" The Gargoyles exchanged another puzzled glance. "You mean the big guy in the purple suit that smells like some kind of weird cheese and fish that's gone bad?" Broadway asked.
"That smell was coming from him, I thought something on the Demolition Site had caught fire." Brooklynn added. "I thought Broadway's breath smelled bad after he used to eat those Cave Mold Snacks back in the hatchery." Lex laughed. "Hey, those tasted just fine." Broadway grumped.
"That's Limburger alright, but He's the one we're here for, not your Xanatos guy." This just got another odd look from Brooklynn. "So, what is it about this guy that you and your friends on the super cycles, who you also need to explain."
Charley's eyes popped as she looked at each of the 4 Gargoyles who were all looking back at her, politely waiting for her to answer them. "Oh, uh, gosh, I'm not sure even You guys will believe this!"
"That couldn't have gone any better, I have to congratulate you, Larry, you had them almost literally dancing to your tune." Xanatos smiled, leaning against a wall while swirling a drink in his hand. "You really must tell me where you learned your business acumen sometime."
"Why, thank you, David. You have no idea how much your admiration means to me." Limburger smiled, putting on his best modest face. "As for where I acquired my business repartee, well I'll just say that learning to swim with the sharks as they say, was not just required but a most mandatory skill if one truly wished to survive."
"Sounds like a real school of hard knocks, but like I said, the way you had the City Officials almost literally biting at our offer, looks like you passed with flying colors." Xanatos replied with a well-practiced expression of a mix of being impressed and slightly jealous.
"Indeed." Limburger simply replied. The momentary silence was broken by a ding, announcing the arrival of the elevator after making its long ascent from the building lobby far below. "Alas as another old saying goes, Business never sleeps, and even at this late hour I still have other vital appointments that I must attend to." He pointed out while checking his gold wristwatch.
"Oh, I certainly understand that I often put in all-nighters myself." Xanatos remarked. "So, don't let me hold you, just give me a call when you're ready to get this show on the road." He stepped aside as the doors opened.
"Then I will bid you a temporary adieu." Limburger nodded and stepped into the elevator pushing the button for the lobby with the doors swishing closed. "Yes, until that time." Xanatos mumbled looking into his glass and watching the ice for a few seconds.
"Owen, have you managed to find out anything…interesting about our new business partner might have failed to let us know about yet?" Owen Burnett, Xanatos's ever-present, and extremely proficient personal assistant stepped out from around the corner of the hallway. The professionalism was on display, showing no surprise at Xanatos somehow knowing he'd been there. He'd learned by now not to be surprised by his extradentary employer.
"No, Mr. Xanatos but we are still making enquiries. Has Limburger given you any hints or clues that might give us any areas that we should investigate? Xanatos looked from the now-closed lift doors to Owen. "No, not so much. Any "hints* Limburger may have dropped might be accidental, but I seriously doubt it. As he said himself. He is Very Good at Playing this Game."
"Dangerously good Sir?" Owen asked, not failing to notice that Xanatos seemed to be impressed. "Oh, but He is Owen. He is indeed, but that is what makes this so much more fun! The Game is always better when you've got an actual worthy opponent on the board." The smile on his face confirmed it.
"Speaking of the Game Sir, that is why I'm here. It appears that there are some others attempting to get onto the board. We have Intruders in the Castle, and it's not the Normal Night Life you would expect."
To Be Continued…