Gargoyles
Biker Mice from Mars
"Business Partners"
Chp 8.
"Well, someone's movie night certainly got ruined." Xanatos bemusedly joked kicking a piece of broken electronics as he surveyed the impressive amount of wreckage inside of His port dockside warehouse. "And I've got to admit, they were pretty thorough, even got those new DVD players."
The warehouse shook due to the booming sound of the giant metal shipping container being lifted away from the wrecked doors by one of the supersized dock cranes. He couldn't keep a smile off his face as the container rose up with metallic tearing and crunching sounds, because just like a curtain rising, standing behind it was Lawrence Limburger, looking like a Shakespearian Actor standing in the wings ready to make his big on-stage appearance.
"I've got to admit Larry, that I'm somewhat jealous of your talent at being able to make an entrance." The Chicagoan casually, yet expertly strolled across the rubble and refuse, seemingly quite at ease in the amongst the devastation and chaos.
"Well, you know the old saying David, the only difference between the theatrical stage and the business stage is the profit margins." Limburger chuckled at his flimsy pun. His humorous demeanor fading as he stopped next to Xanatos.
"I just had to come down once I heard of this most unprovoked and unjustifiable attack upon your holdings, and to share my concerns and sympathies directly." Limburger eloquently waxed his veneer of ersatz sympathy.
Xanatos just smiled and gave a shrug. "Oh, it's nothing worth really getting upset over Larry, it's all easily enough replaceable, and besides its insured to kingdom come. I'll probably make more money this way than by selling it. What does concern me is Who did it, and Why? Xanatos stated, his jocular manner vanishing, quickly replaced by a harsh firmness.
"Surely you've acquired an impressive list of, shall we say covetous & competitive rivals who might be persuaded to engage in some form of ill-advised corporate espionage of this type of criminally caustic misadventure?" Limburger oily soft-shoed around the topic. Once again smiling. Xanatos couldn't help but be both amused and impressed by his new business partners level of elusive eloquence.
"Heh, heh, Larry I just Love the way you put things, but you're right. I've got a list of Rivals that even this warehouse would be hard pressed to hold. None of which would dare to contemplate doing something as blatant as this, but I do intend to find out who is."
"As per standard procedure, our security has not notified the police of the event yet and port authority have been told that this was a simple industrial accident due to improperly maintained equipment due to personnel issues." The until that moment unnoticed but ever-present Owen said stepping next to his employer.
"Cameras didn't catch anything that could identify the culprits?" Xanatos asked and by Owens very not pleased frown he guessed the answer. "No, the entire camera and burglar detection system had been expertly disabled and the culprits timed it almost perfectly for a somehow overlooked window of opportunity when none of our security guards where in the area."
"Almost, so someone did see something?" Xanatos didn't fail to notice that. He also didn't miss Owen's even more annoyed frown increasing almost imperceptibly. "Yes, sir, one of our dock guards DID spot something, but as to how Reliable his information is might be up to a certain level of unreliability."
"You're not doing a very good job of satisfying my curiosity here Owen." Xanatos smirked, almost brining a splash of color to the always pale visage of his ever-efficient personal assistant.
"Sorry sir, its just that the guard I interrogated recounting of the events were something of a chaotic mess to put it mildly. "The Grin on His employer's face only got bigger. Owen was as close to being flustered as was thought possible. The Look on Xanatos's face was just that one of really wishing he had a camera right now.
"Yes sir, as I was saying, what tangible information I could divulge was that it appears the perpetrators appear be the same trio that made their uninvited appearance at last night's official gathering of the cities officials, and riding on rather impressive motorcycles"
"Them again huh?" Xanatos replied calmy yet clearly thoughts starting to race. "Speaking of trios, the guard also mumbled something about seeing a far more familiar Trio, that went GLIDING By at the same time."
This on the know little Hint only made Xanatos's smile, and curiosity increase a notch. "This just keeps getting more interesting. Did the Guard have any more to add to the events, I might want to talk to him myself."
"I'm afraid that that will not be possible sir." A shocked look popped up on Xanatos's face. "Owen, you didn't Fire him did you!?" It was Owen's turn to appear shocked, or as close as he could possibly get to displaying an actual emotion.
"No Sir, I did not terminate his employment, but I think that he is under the misplaced misconception that he was let go. Apparently, he was a guard at Servarius's Lab during one of the earlier incidents with our nocturnal Scottish guests."
"This just gets better and better. Could the Guard shed any light on what went down in the warehouse itself?" Again, the response was a regretful shake of the head. "Unfortunately, no sir. The Officer encountered the intruders by the perimeter fence and his personal radio was destroyed with the security cart, and by the time he reached a phone to call it in, it was mostly over."
"Now that's some bad luck, and it seems it was catching, judging by this mess. For an act of sabotage, this place looks more like an unexpected battle." He nearly laughed again but didn't. Owen matched his employer's dour demeanor.
"Do pardon me, I don't mean to interrupt the discourse, I of course couldn't keep from overhearing, but you did mention 3 oddly attired motorcycle riding miscreants?" The up until now silent Limburger demurely interjected.
Xanatos and Owen looked at him as if they'd forgotten he was there, which seems nigh impossible for such a larger-than-life type of character as the large size Chicago Entrepreneur. "Oh, Larry, yes, that would be them, I take it you've also had dealings with them to?"
"Alas, I woefully affirm that is indeed the regrettable fact." Limburger stated using his best lugubrious deportment. "They appear to be one of those new eco-terrorist extremists, and anti-corporation groups that seem to have become all the rage with the more hot-headed youths."
"Yeah, they've started popping up ever since Earth-Day started, pretty much every big business has had a run in with one of them. Just one of those things the business world must learn to live with."
"Sadly, I have to agree with you, er, David, being primarily a land developer, I've had more than my fair share objectionable encounters with this new young breed of big hearted if somewhat misguided activist." Limburger replied resignedly while attempting to use the more friendly forename.
"Although those tend to just be ecologically minded college students, and the odd goofball, whereas the three that infiltrated my castle and did this were very skilled, and also equipped with some very powerful and interesting technology."
"This troublesome trinity unfortunately is of the more Aggressively Hostile variety, with a militant twist, coupled with their anthropomorphic motorcyclist accoutrement." Limburger leaned over while whispering in a conspiratorial tone, as if afraid of being overhead.
Again, completely unable to keep the grin off his face, Xanatos leaned in happily joining in. It wasn't that often he got to have this kind of fun in the more regular side of business. "Yes, that was kind of hard to miss. Any idea as to who they are or what they want?"
"Ahh, that's just the duplicity of the situation! I cogitate that the whole Environmental Activist angle is all a Sham! I presume those repulsive rodents, er um I mean reprobates are about Industrial Espionage! "Limburger huffed, quickly covering up his little verbal faux pa. "What they really after is technology. OUR Technology!" Limburger had to silently congratulate himself on this little bit of thespianism, the mask hiding his reactions helped.
"Now that does make some sense and would explain a few things." Xanatos replied, a new aura of consideration taking hold. "The mix of rebellious side of the bike, plus the animal costume would endear them to the Eco-Friendly part of the equation, while masking their true intentions."
"I see that your deliberations have proceeded in the same direction as mine… David." Limburger smiled, acting like a proud teacher seeing a favored student solving an insidiously complex equation. "Now, this is why you are truly the most revered and feared mogul of the business world."
"Careful there Lawrence, such compliments could all go to my head." Xanatos replied with one of his patented smug smirks. "As if my building wasn't a testament to that already, and I don't think the city will let me make it any bigger."
Xanatos gave himself a silent point. That little joke got an actual honest seeming response out of his new partner. "Hah, ah, erm yes. Quite." Limburger chortled before getting himself back under control. "Putting the exuberance aside, I feel inclined to enquire if you think any of this raise's concerns for the Big Event?"
"Oh, I'm sure its nothing to get all that concerned over, but best not to take chances at this stage, I guess. I'll kick up our security procedures a few notches. Heck, maybe I'll even take a small personal involvement in it myself. Might help pass the time until The Big Event." Xanatos casually replied.
"Then that is all the reassurance I need, and as you know, time marches on and there's still much that needs done, so I will now make my exit. Until next time." Limburger gave a bow, turned and made his way towards his waiting purple limo just outside the warehouse.
Waiting for the limo to pull away, Xanatos turned to the until now Silent Owen standing next him. "Am I correct in perceiving that you're taking a Small Personal Involvement in the security implies getting the security contingent of a certain Steel Resolve ready, Sir?"
"100% Correct as usual Owen, bar one small addendum." He couldn't stop himself from smirking at the even smaller hint of annoyance that hinted at the edges of the stern face.
"That it also includes preparing your own Special Security Attire as well, Sir?"
"Be sure to apply a good wax and polish Owen, I do want to look good for our new guests in town, and it does so make the reds just pop. I just love that." Owen nodded and took note of it with the predictable reply "Yes, Sir, or course right way"
Xanatos looked at his wrecked warehouse again. He was tempted to remind Owen to be sure his "Suit" had a full power charge, but he stopped himself. Owen could only stand so much humor at a time. He had a hunch he'd need that extra juice, after seeing the tech of the newcomers, and if the remaining Gargoyles in town got tangled up in things too.
Xanatos vanished from the small monitor built into the rear Limo's front seat switched off. Limburger tossed the remote control aside. A small ugly smile stretched across his ugly face into a large ugly smile. His even uglier laugh grew into an echoing vile cackle as his limo continued its way into the already bustling morning of the city.
"ROOOAAAAARRR"
"RAAAAAAGHHH!"
"RUUUHHHHGGH"
The Trio of near Ear Shattering Roars rattled the metal walls, and shards of thins stone ricocheted all around as the 3 Gargoyles erupted from their stone sleep, with eyes all glowing a fierce Firey white!
"Where are We!?" Brooklynn growled, jumping up while untangling from the awkward position on the floor, instinctively dropping into a defensive posture. "Yeah, and where's Lex?" Broadway added while doing the same. "Hudson grunted from behind. "Why don't we ask them."
"Wow, I thought we were into Hard Rock, but You guys got us beat!" Throttle said. "Yeah, that was totally cool!" Vinnie remarked, clearly impressed. "Mph, I dunno, must get frustrating to have to sweep up every time ya wake up. "Modo joked, brushing some stone chips off his bike.
"Where are we?"
"Why did you bring us here?"
"Where's Lex!?"
Throttle grinned. "Very Direct. Gotta respect that. So, to answer your questions in the order asked. 1. You're in our Rented Storage Locker. sure you guys didn't want to be left in the warehouse in that petrified state. And 3. We don't know. He wasn't with you when you fell through the skylight."
"We were hoping you could answer the same question about Charley, neither of them was on the roof. "Vinnie butted in, almost letting his concern break through his normal façade of cavalier bravado.
"Last We saw of the Lass was when battling this Big Bog Beast up on the roof." Hudson said. "Big Bog Beast?" Modo repeated, puzzled look on his big face. "A big guy, with some thick nasty stuff oozing all over him, really big and strong!" Broadway excitedly added while waving hands around to try and empathize the size of the Beast Man! "Punches like a dump truck." Brooklynn said while rubbing his lower beak.
"GREASEPIT!" All 3 Mice chorused.
"He didn't say anything, like what Limburger was up to or where he'd take Lex, and Charley?" Throttle asked.
"Talked?" Brooklynn replied with a puzzled look. "He just grunted and growled."
"That don't sound like Greasepit at all." Modo uttered just as puzzled.
"Got that right normally you can't shut him up." Throttle said confused.
"Even if You Hit Him with a dump truck." Vinnie scoffed.
"You're sure Lex didn't just get missed up on the roof after all that, he is kinda small and easy to overlook sometimes, maybe he got tossed off somewhere before the sunrise?" Vinnie shook his head at Broadway's hopeful question.
"It's possible, we were busy loading you guys onto our bikes as fast as we could, the Port Security were on their way, didn't have a lot of time to scout the area. "Modo growled. "After we got you, guys secured here, we did go back, but security was literally crawling all over everything."
"Spent half the day keeping track of the warehouse to see if they found either Charley or Lex, but if they did, nobody made a big show of it. After that we scoured the town for a sign of where Limburger is hiding out, but that came up zilch too. Any clues to where Xondor would take them, while circling around to check on Xondor's Eyrie Building but if Limburger went back there, he managed to sneak unnoticed, and that's hard to do when you're that fat."
"Xanatos.' Brooklynn corrected Throttle who just shrugged. "He literally owns half the city either straight out or indirectly, so not really." What about Doctor Sevarius's labs at Gen-U-Tech, or that dungeon where Xanatos tried to use Hudson to become immortal? Broadway suggested while Hudson growled at being reminded of that little misadventure. "Heh, oops sorry Hudson!"
"That Twisted Geneticist hasn't been seen since he went to Scotland, so I'd guess he isn't involved this time. "The Mice exchanged confused looks. "Who-say-what-sis-now?" Vinnie asked. "Sure, some interesting names you got in the big city!" Modo chucked.
"Sevarius is a Mad Scientist that sometimes works for Xanatos, usually to preform cruel experiments on us." Broadway growled, which just got another look from Vinnie. "This guy doesn't look like a Mutated Buzzard with a watermelon shaped head and a rubber hose connected to it?"
"No, He's a red headed English guy with a creepy yet charming posh accent, why? "Vinnie shrugged again at Broadway. "Seems that there must be a service tout that supplies demented scientist out to rich bad guys. "
"OK, enough of the Comedy, we need to find Lex and Charley before whatever it is Xanatos, and that Limburger guy have got planned." Brooklynn snapped, cutting the two of them off. "You guys claim Limburger is the bigger threat here, so I'm more than happy to let you guys call the shots on dealing with him."
"We gotta find him first, but this is your town. You guys know the lay of the land and how its works way better than us, so We're happy to follow your lead on this one. "Throttle replied smoothly.
Hudson had to physically stop himself from grinning as some pride as the young and untested gargoyle leader displaying some tack by yielding to the more experienced leader that this Throttle clearly was. He was also impressed at how Throttle did the same and turned the tables by giving the responsibility over to Brooklynn. A move which clearly put a chink in that armor of attitude hie his inexperience behind.
"Well, like we said, Xanatos owns half this town, but there aren't that many buildings you can haul in a statue and a captive woman without getting noticed, and from what little I know about Charley is that she isn't the type to resist Quietly."
"Cause She's Spunky!" Both Broadway and Vinnie cut in with at the same time, then bursting out laughing. "Uh, heh, sorry." Broadway fumbled withering from the stern stare shot at him from both Brooklynn and Throttle. Vinnie just laughed again but did go quiet. The groans from Hudson and Modo just capped the moment.
"As I was saying, there are a few places I can think of they might get taken too where it wouldn't be noticed, but they're spread out over the entire city." Throttle smiled. "Sounds like your about to suggest the tried-and-true tactic of splitting up to cover more ground." The grin on Brooklynn's face confirmed it.
"Hey, sounds like we're gonna be getting our Scooby Doo on!" Vinnie joked. "Oh boy, I love that show, and I've been learning to be a detective, just like Elisa!" Broadway gushed, eager to start the search/adventure.
"Only thing I want to get on, is getting started on finding our clan members and then preventing the city from being destroyed." Hudson growled, his growing impatience starting to show. "I'm with him. Sooner we find Charly Ma'am and the Little Guy, sooner we can slow it down. We been running nearly 4 days straight, and I could use a nap." Modo added with a yawn.
"I'm with you on that big bro, but welcome to the city that never sleeps, so neither do the mice." Throttle added understandingly. "Ha, like the song goes, No Sleep till Chi-Town!" The Always Super Energized Vinnie teased.
"Well, we don't have the choice in skipping our naps, so Hudson is right, let's get going on this. Hudson you and Modo go check out that underground lair Xanatos took you too, me and Throttle will go check out the Gen-U-Tech labs, and that leaves Shaggy and Scooby to go scope out Xanatos's labs north of town." Brooklynn said.
"We got a Plan, so let's wipe some tail!" Throttle chimed in climbing onto his black cruiser and starting its engine. "Humph, I am so a Fred, not a Shaggy. "Vinnie Huffed. Throttle smiled back. "Sorry Little Bro, but you just don't rock the ascot like me." He said ruffling his red bandana. "And besides, who said you were even the Shaggy?"
"Ruck Roo!" Vinnie smirked while turning to his own bike. "Either one, I could go for a few Scooby Snacks about now. "Broadway said rubbing his rumbling belly. "Oh, Mama gives me strength. "Modo sighed rolling his eye. "See if she can spare some for me too Lad." Hudson chimed in sharing his sentiment.
"Check out your sites, keep in contact and if nothing else, we meet up at the Eyrie Building at Midnight! "Brooklynn ordered and with that all three engines now roaring, sidecars extended, they all mounted up. Remembering to open the Storage Door open first, they all roared off into the early New York Night.
"RAAAHHH!"
Lex awoke in the typical way, the near deafening roar, and eruption of rock shards scattering in every direction. His senses kicked into overdrive, as memories of the battle flowed back in to mind as he took in his surroundings.
"Grr, I hate waking up in strange places." He growled. "Especially when it's a cage." The Room was dark, but no challenge to his nocturnal eyes. It was a clustered mess of boxes and piled item, like brooms, mops and buckets and assorted chemical bottles. He had to admit this was the first time He woke up in a janitor's storeroom.
"At least these bars don't look very strong." He said and reached out to grab them in his curling claws. "I wouldn't do that if I were you." Lex spun, startled by the voice that came from behind him. "CHARLEY!?"
Sitting directly behind him in the just large enough cage, Charley Davidson with her legs pulled up to her chest, eyes wide open with little pieces of stone skin in her hair and on her clothes, which were still covered in messy grease stains.
"You, uh, you do that often?" Voice slightly quivering but the shock quickly fading. "Oh, Charley! I didn't see you, are you ok, I didn't hurt your or scare you, I'm so sorry!" Lex sputtered being careful in the cramped space to turn to look at her.
"No, no I'm fine, well ok you did kind of scare me, but it was more surprise really, so I'm just fine, really!" She reassured the Panicky Gargoyle. "I admit I was concerning thinking you'd been permanently turned to stone." She added wiping the debris off herself.
"Yeah, that's 100% natural for us. When we said we were nocturnal, we really mean it." He smiled leaning over to pluck a piece of stone out of her hair. "Thanks, oh, and really, don't try to bend the bars, their electrified." She reminded him.
"Really!?" He asked giving the bars a closer look. "Trust me, they are." She grimaced stiffly fidgeting. Choosing to ignore the look on her face, he instead asked if she knew where they were.
"No clue, after you changed, Greasepit, the big gooey guy you were fighting, came to his senses, or at least as close to it as he is capable of, grabbed us both, carried us off the roof and put us in the trunk of Limburger's Limo. I passed out shortly after that. "
"Did they tranquilize you?!" Lex asked concerned. "Oh, no. Nothing like that, it just really stinks in there." Deciding to not delve into that, Lex changed the subject. "If these bars weren't energized, I might be able to break us out of here. "He looked closer at them. " I don't see where they are connected to a power source but I can hear them humming so they got some voltage running through them."
"If I had my tools, I might be able to do something about that, but they've learned to make sure not to leave me with my tool-belt on." Charley grumbled leaning down to look to. He looked at her. "So, um, I take this this has happened to you before?"
"Far more often than I care to admit." She snarled. This just got Lext to smile. "Heh, yeah I totally relate to that." They both laughed. "Quiet!" Lex hissed, head snapping around. His eyes scanned the room and his large, finned ears twitched. "What is it?" She whispered. "Somebody's coming." He whispered. "A couple of Somebody's and I think they're pushing something too." They sat there. Charley strained her own hearing. After a half minute she too heard footsteps, one normal, the other with an odd shuffle, and wheels squeaking.
"WAAAAAH, HA,HA,HA, HA,HA,AAAHHHHH, WOOOOOHH!"
"AAAAAHHHHHH!?" Lex gasped as some…THING jumped up and grabbed the bars in front of him! Sparks and Smoke erupted off it, Howling and Groaning as the energy surges over it! A nasty burning smell filled the cage! He instinctively jerked backwards, nearly bumping Charley into the bars behind her!
"LEX, Calm Down!" She shouted and pushed him forward! "Huh, Oh, I'm sorry!" He replied. The Thing on the bars continued to jerk and spasm as the electricity kept on frying it, but the creature seemed to be getting a perverse pleasure from it, if its insane giggling and moaning was any indicator.
"What is that Thing!?" He asked, unable to pull his eyes off it. "Oh, that's just Fred, he's harmless, Hi Fred." Charley sighed while greeting the little monster. Uh, oh, heh, hee, woo that feels goooood, Hiya Charley." Fred the Masochist Mutant giggled finally letting go of the bars and falling into a smoldering heap on the floor.
The creature was a literal Frankenstein-ish mish mash of different body parts, and none of them coming from the same creature. Fred was about the same size as Lex, slightly bulkier in an uncomfortable lumpy way.
Webbed feet, a short furry tail. One arm was a long green tentacle, while the other arm looked disturbingly human. The Worst was his head. It looked like a deformed melon. Only two reptile like slits for a nose, and a long gash of a mouth filled with small, pointed fangs. Topping it off were the three mismatched color and sized eyes. Them being in the incorrect spots didn't help either. Nastiest of all was the Very Insane glow coming off them.
"Quite playing and get over here and help me!" A craggily voice rasped from the other side of the room. Fred peeled himself off the floor and hobbled towards it, giving Charley a friendly wave goodbye. She returned it but she kept her eyes steely fixed on the person the voice came from.
"Who's that?" Lex whispered. "That is Karbunkle, and he is NOT Harmless." She hissed. The Figure stepped into view. He was wearing a janitor's outfit of overalls and peaked cap with the Xanatos Company Logo on it. He also had an obviously fake mustache and beard on his face.
Peeling off the disguise, ordering Fred to take the mop bucket and put it back in its place in the room, he turned his attention to the duo in the cage. If Lex found Fred to be a disturbing character, Karbunkle was a down right revolting one.
No longer in disguise, Lex got a good look at this new adversary. Appearing human at first. but the closer he got you realized he wasn't. The Thin and Misshapen form garbed in a long white lab coat with disturbingly red stains on it. He slithered towards them.
A Bulbous head with a patch of orange straw like hair on top, that seemed too large to be supported on the thin neck that it was attached to the hunched back. and a long black tube connected to the side that ran down to a bottle on his belt Long skeletal Lizard-like legs, and arms that ended in 4 fingered hands with branch like fingers hidden by long black gloves.
His face had a Bent Beak-like Nose and a twisted mouth with thin snaggle like teeth. His small eyes were hidden behind green goggles with black lenses that seemed to like they were uncomfortably small for his head. Worst of all was the vile aura of cruelty and depravity that oozed off the twisted form.
"Aaahh, gooood, you're awake. You look like you could be an interesting specimen, I can't wait to cut you open and see how you work." Lex recoiled, bared his claws and fangs. "That won't be as easy as you think" He snarled back.
"Ooh, a challenge, I do so love a specimen that Resists, I can't Wait to get Started." Karbunkle wheezed, pulling a small device from a pouch on his coat, he pushed a button on its side. A seemingly impossible plethora of sharp, spinning and buzzing implements burst out of it. Karbunkle leaned menacingly towards them.
"KARBUNKLE!" A thunderous voice rumbled, as a viewing screen comically burst from a cabinet on the wall. Limburger's rotund face with an angry expression plastered on it. "Grrr, always interrupting when I start to have fun, YES My Lecherous Lactose Lurker, how may I help you now?"
"Quiet playing with your new pets and give me a status report, NOW!" His baritone voice bellowed, making the view screen rattle in its support arm. "Everything is going just as you are so strategically and prosperously pragmatically prearranged." Karbunkle oozed in his best sickeningly brown-nosing tone.
"It had better be, because those predictably problematic pests, the Biker Mice have allied with your new little divergent nocturnal oddity's cohorts faster than anticipated, so I'm moving up this operations timetable."
"What, but I'm only on my 15-minute break, I've still got at least 3 more floors to clean before the end of my shift!" Karbunkle whined. "Forget about that pointless drivel, your new yet Temporary Employer will momentarily be far to preoccupied by events to take notice of a few lavatories going un-sanitized." Limburger snorted sinisterly.
"As you command my Commandant Carp-a-diem!" Karbunkle grossly groveled. "Oh, and make sure our recently purloined business asset is activated and ready to step into its upcoming position, so to speak." Limburger devilishly added and with that the screen went blank and popped back into its cabinet.
"Bossy Bloviating Blowfish." Karbuncle mumbled a too late insult before going off to preform his appointed tasks, with Fred following. Seemingly forgotten, Lex and Charley silently watched them go.
"We need to get out of here." They said to each other in unison. Again, they smiled. "Ok, Good idea, Any ideas on how!?" She asked. "Hey, this nutjob is on your bad guy roster, not mine." Lex passed the buck with a smirk.
"Thanks." She grimaced. "Well, Karbunkle is as Brilliant with Science as he is Twisted, but when it comes to other things, like minding prisoners, he can be kind ignorant about how to do it properly." Lex thought on this for a few seconds. "Things like building cages?
"You got it." She said, they turned to inspect their prison. "Ok, the floor and ceiling are obviously not electrified." He said while reaching up and tapped it, just to confirm the theory. "Its just the bars, not the support beams at the bases either." Charley told him. She had been in the cage for a few hours by herself while He was in his stone sleep, and being in the room all by herself, she had plenty of spare time to kill.
"How is he at building things?" Lex asked as he looked at the support base. "Usually He is pretty good, but not when he is rushed, which happens a lot. His boss is a bit of a jerk if you haven't noticed." She replied with a smile. "Which the welds on this thing clearly show that he was."
Lex grinned. Sure enough, right at the corner, the two metals were visibly sloppily done. "But like I said before, if I had my tools, I bet we could pry that apart and disconnect it" She sighed. Lex's grin just got bigger.
"You're overlooking one thing." He said in a teasing manner. "Well, don't hold out on me buddy, spill it." He smiled at her again. "Not to sound self-insulting, but your cellmate has a set of power tools kind of built in." He raised his hand, and small but powerful claws popped out. "He is also a bit of a Wrench-head too."
"I knew there was a reason I liked you, so as one Wrench-Head to another, lets tear this thing apart, we've got a city to save!" And with that they attacked their prison. Both knowing that if they didn't get out to warn their friends, there may be more at stake than just New York City.
…To Be Continued.