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Disclaimer: I don't own the Biker Mice, Charlie, Rimfire, Harley, Stoker, Mace, Limburger, or Brie. I do, however, own Mari, Mandy, Turbo, Tactica, Sparky, Starfire, Brigit and Ice. I will not be making any money from this. These works are for other fans of the Biker Mice to enjoy.
This is a 'what if' kind of story. The date is New Years Eve 1999 (not all that far in the future), and what could become of a deep feeling for two people from so very different backgrounds. This story also isn't what you'd call a very happy story. But then again, when is war a happy occassion?
As always, read and enjoy.
When Love Breaks
Part Two
(C) 1/12/1999 All Rights Reserved
By Goldenmane
*********************
Night. Peaceful bliss of sleep. Tired.
So very tired. Sleep eluding. Restless dreams
conquering will. So very weary. Need rest to heal. Need
time to mend the wound. Time will ease the pain, but never
completely heal the wound.
Mari turned restlessly on the couch. She tried
to sleep. Tried to forget she had just lost a mate and very
good friends. She wanted to stay there, snuggled against
the warmth of Vinnie's arm, never to leave. She wanted to
be held by another like she knew her mate never could again.
Turbo.
Mari wept inwardly at the thought of his
name. Vinnie did remind her too much of Turbo. Full
of youthful vibrance no matter what the war had thrown at
them. Though both Turbo and Vinnie had lost people dear to
them, neither had given up the fight.
But Vinnie also reminded her of herself.
No one could deny that both of them had the
exact same style of laugh, nor that neither of them liked their
action hot. Their bikes had the same style, though Ice had
the cooler blues to Vinnie's choice of bright red. They
nearly matched in height, Vinnie standing only an inch
taller. And their abilities seemed nearly identical in all
things.
And then there was Snowfall, their child of
nearly three.
Mari slowly opened her eyes, smiling at the
furry hand that stroked her hair. Then a tinge of sadness
crept back into her thoughts. Vinnie had Charlie and they
needed each other more than they would care to admit. Even if
Snowfall was Vinnie's daughter.
She rose to thank him, jumping backwards when
she saw Rimfire instead of Vinnie.
"He went out with Charlie," Rimfire
said to her unasked question. "Mandy and Carbine are
upstairs celebrating the new year."
"At least some people can enjoy
themselves," Mari said, lowering her head.
At long last she raised her head.
"So?" she began with a half smile so like Vinnie.
"I guess all the doomsayers found out they had no need to
panic. The world did not end at midnight."
A low rumble brought them to their feet.
"Maybe not then," Rimfire said.
"What in the name of Mars made
that?" Carbine asked, scaling down the ladder, Mandy not far
behind.
Rimfire flicked on the tv. "News
report. Looks like something exploded."
"Word is just getting in from the
scene," the reporter said in a calm voice. "Word has it
the city of Chicago is under attack from an unknown enemy.
War planes have been confirmed and the National Guard is
preparing to meet them."
Mari's eyes widened. "That's no Earth
ship. That's a Stingray."
"The Plutarkians finally decided to
attack Earth outright," Carbine said matter of factly.
"Mount up and ride," Mari said going
for her helmet, she paused when she heard Snowfall begin to cry.
"Go on without me. I hope the guys and Brigit are ok."
"They went out with Brigit again only
because Brigit wanted to," Rimfire said. "And Vinnie
and Charlie are out at the lakeside..."
Mari looked back to the tv.
"Wait," the reporter said, a confused look on her face.
"I'm getting word that other Earth cities are also under
attack. Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Cleveland, Detroit and New
Orleans. The hardest hit for Chicago is the business
district and the fireworks festival."
"Other Plutarkian riddled cities,"
Mandy said. "They better not damage the Changing
Times."
Her stomach grew cold as scenes flashed across
the tv showing raging fires, devastated buildings, and bodies
strewn everywhere.
"Casualties are mounting all over the
city and it looks like there are no survivors at the
festival," the reporter said.
"Mari," Carbine said. "Go with
Mandy and check on Vinnie and Charlie. Rimfire stay
here and watch after Snowfall, and I'll get to the ship. At least
we can try to cut their numbers down by some."
Mari nodded, going for Ice. "Meet back
here." She mounted her bike. "Let's rock,"
"And ride," they chorused, exiting
the Last Chance garage.
Outside Chicago burned. Panic-stricken
citizens flooded into the streets in an attempt to escape the
horrors around them. Mari and Mandy made their way to the
lakeside best they could. Overhead they could see the
Stingrays continue to bomb the city.
It took what Mari considered a lifetime to
reach the lakeside. She stopped, parting her visor. the entire
lakeside had been turned into a graveyard. Charred bodies lay
strewn along the burnt ground. Several areas still smoked and
others remained on fire.
Mari searched around, punching several buttons
on Ice. She located a signal from a Martian bike and headed in
that direction. If his bike had survived, then there stood a good
chance that Vinnie and Charlie were all right.
When Mari found his bike, it stood alone, yet
active. She slid Ice in beside Vinnie's bike. Mari looked down,
patting the bike on the seat. "Any idea where your rider
is?"
Vinnie's bike beeped once, heading off in a
cloud of dust. Mari kicked Ice into gear and followed. She knew
his bike would take her to them, though she hoped it would be in
time. If neither of them had been with the bike, then something
must have happened.
"Mandy, I've got Vinnie's bike. The old
girl was alone and is taking me to them," Mari called over
her helmet's radio. "Home in and follow."
"Gotcha," came the reply.
Mari reigned Ice in as Vinnie's bike skidded
to a halt. Mari dismounted, setting Ice and his bike to protect
her and them. She parted her visor and ran to two prone figures
on the ground.
She turned the nearest one over and choked
back a tear of fright. In the darkness she could just make out
the dark mingling of red and green blood. Mari pulled her visor
down and increased the luminosity. She had to find out how much
blood came from whom.
Mari barely acknowledged Mandy when she
arrived, only calling for the med-kits from both Mandy's bike and
Ice.
"By the god of good," Mandy swore.
"Alive?"
"Barely. Help me get the bleeding
stopped. Looks like he tried to shield her from the blasts.
Charlie doesn't seem to have any major wounds." Mari wanted
to scream. Wanted to get away from the death and destruction
around her. First she loses Turbo, and now Vinnie.
"Call the others," Mari said after a
while. "We'll need to get them back to the garage. If it
still stands."
Mandy trotted to the bikes. Mari turned her
attention to the makeshift binds. They had managed to stop the
bleeding and cauterized many of the major cuts and burns. Now
came the task of getting all of them back to the garage in one
piece. They would be sitting ducks with the Stingrays out there.
"Help's on the way," Mandy yelled,
much to Mari's relief. "Carbine's coming in for a pickup.
She says the Stingrays've broken off the attack and have headed
out of sensor range."
Just the break they needed, Mari thought.
"We might make it out alive after all," she whispered
to no one in particular. "You said you'd be there for me,
now I'm here for you. My word is my honor."
Mari sat back on her heels, staring into the
darkness. Soon she could hear the roar of the ships engines and
rose. She watched the ship land and Carbine run down the ramp.
"How are they? Mandy didn't say,"
Carbine asked.
"Alive. Charlie's in better shape than
Vinnie," Mari said, helping Mandy to lift Charlie. Carbine
carried Vinnie over her shoulder.
Once aboard the ship, Mari could do nothing
but wait during the flight back to the garage. Her mind ran over
the days events, one endless loop after another. She kept her
gaze level, forcing herself not to look at Vinnie. She tried in
vain to keep herself from thinking about how Turbo died and what
she would do if she lost the friendship she had gained with
Vinnie.
Mari closed her eyes and prayed. Something she
had done allot of over the years.
#
"How are they?" Throttle asked, his
clothes covered in soot.
"Resting," Mari replied, holding a
sobbing Snowfall, trying to sooth her daughter. "Mandy's
settling them in."
Modo walked to Mari, laying a hand on her
shoulder, wiping tears from Snowfall's cheeks with the other. She
turned, head bowed. "We'll make it," he said.
"What about Brigit?" Mari asked
after a small silence, noticing the child was not there.
"Funny thing about it," Throttle
said, nodding to Mandy as she entered the room. "She bolted
from my bike shouting something about her father being dead and
her mother hurt and ran into a building."
Mandy sighed, running a hand through her hair.
"There's more, ain't there?"
Throttle nodded. "We saw the building get
nuked buy a Stingray. No way she could have survived."
"By the way, Charlie should come around
soon. As for Vinnie..." Mandy said quietly.
"Mice heal faster than humans, and
better," Modo said, a trace of doubt in his voice.
Mari only shrugged. "Time will tell. He
did take quite a beating."
"Company's coming," Rimfire called,
turning from the window, laser drawn. To their questioning looks
he replied: "Plutarkian soldiers loaded to the gills with
weapons."
"Bomb the city into submission, then send
in the clean-up crew," Mari said. She could tell by the
looks in the other's eyes, except Mandy, they knew what she
referred to.
Throttle drew his laser. "There's only
one thing we can do. Let's rock."
"And ride," the other's chorused.
"Time to whip some tail," Modo added
with a yee-haw.
Mari watched them go to their bikes "Rock
'em till you drop 'em," she further added with her own
battle cry.
"Freedom Fighters, let's roll out,"
Carbine finished.
The small group headed out in
somewhat better spirits, leaving Mari to watch over Charlie and
Vinnie. Mari waited as they headed out, turning to Snowfall. She
girl still sobbed, but seemed to had quieted some. "Don't
worry, sweetheart, it'll be allright."
She sat down, listening to the fight outside.
She closed her eyes, casting her mind to find Mandy. She so
wanted to be out there fighting with them, but knew she couldn't.
Not with Snowfall. She instead sought to look through Mandy's
eyes, if even for a brief moment.
The second the group burst from the open door
of the Last Chance, they found themselves under heavy attack by
the Plutarkians. They fought with all they had, giving none and
expecting none in return.
"Heavy artillery in sight," Rimfire
called.
"I'm on it," Mandy replied.
"Rimfire, you're with me."
She let her battle training override her
worry, and set to work destroying as much as she could of the
Plutarkian's reinforcements. She had never worked with Rimfire,
but had heard from his uncle Modo just how good a fighter he
really could be.
Mandy drew a grenade, pulling the pin. She
lobbed it towards the nearest group of Plutarkians, contented
when it ripped a large gash in the side of one of the heavy
artillery tanks.
She lobbed several more grenades, giving a
whoop of joy when two of the tanks exploded in great fiery balls.
She turned back to see how Rimfire did and smiled when she saw
him jump his bike over a tank, dropping a grenade on top. The
tank exploded.
"They're turning tail," Carbine
called.
"Can't be,"Mandy said. "Not so
soon."
She turned her bike, heading for the others.
"I know Rimfire and I destroyed their tanks, but-"
"-Mandy, duck," she heard Rimfire
shout.
Mandy skidded her bike sideways, holding on for dear
life. She could feel the heat of the laser blast as it shot
overhead.
"That's why they turned fins and
ran," Throttle said. "They've brought their Stingrays
back."
"Wanted to flush us out," Carbine
said. "We can't lead them back to the Last Chance. Anywhere
else we could go?"
Mandy picked herself up with Rimfire's help,
remounting her bike. She thanked him. "What about the
scoreboard?"
"Good idea," Throttle said.
They ducked into a side alley and waited for
the Stingrays to fly by. Once out of sight, they returned to the
road, riding hard, the streets devoid of life.
#
Once there, they sat, pondering what next they
could do. They would have to let Mari know they were all right.
Not to mention they would have to find a way to get rid of the
Plutarkians along the way.
Several ideas had been thrown about, including
going directly to Limburger Tower and confronting the Plutarkian
directly. Another thought had been to demolish the Tower then
trash the Plutarkian Stingrays. Or transport the Stingrays back
to Plutark. Or simply for them to return to Mars and forget the
whole thing.
"We gotta do something." Modo said.
"We can't just sit around while the Plutarkians turn
Chi-town into swiss cheese."
"But what?" Rimfire asked.
"We've seen what they can do. Besides if we clear them out
of Chicago, what about the other cities?"
Throttle shook his head. "If only we had
the answers."
"We won't get any sitting around
here," Carbine said.
"It's not safe out there. If only we had
reinforcements..." Rimfire began.
"But we don't, and we won't get any
either. It's us or nothing," Carbine said, looking to each
of them. "We've got to think of something, anything, not
just sit around here bemoaning ourselves."
Mandy slowly nodded her head, her thoughts
returning to Mari, Snowfall, Vinnie and Charlie. They had to do
something. Something to try and salvage what they had left for a
city.
"We need to sneak into Limburger Tower
and see Just exactly what is happening. If Junior's back..."
Mandy began.
"Agreed," Carbine said. "Who'll
go?"
Mandy rose, plopping her helmet on her head.
"Split up. Some stay here, some go back to the garage, and
the rest to the Tower."
"Any volunteers?" Carbine asked.
"I'll stay here," Rimfire said.
"I'm almost out of ammo anyway."
Throttle rose. "Someone want to come with
me to the Tower?"
"I will," Carbine said. "Modo,
stay here?"
"Might just as well."
Carbine nodded. "I guess that means you
get to head back to the garage and check on Vinnie and
Charlie."
Mandy only nodded. "Guess so."
"Ok, then. Let's head out," Carbine
said, going to her bike. "We'll leave the ship
concealed."
Mandy waited for Carbine and Throttle to leave
before heading out herself, hoping for the best, but preparing
herself for the worst.
#
Mandy thanked every god and goddess she could
think of when she saw the Last Chance in one piece. Mandy had
cautiously opened the door, laser drawn just in case something
had happened.
"Mari?" Mandy asked.
"Everything all right?" Mari asked,
as Mandy shut the the door quietly.
Mandy went to her friend, hugging her.
"So far so good."
"Where are the others? I kind of looked
through your mind to see the battle, but I lost you when you all
retreated." Mari asked, worry tingeing her words.
"We decided to split our forces. Throttle
and Carbine went to Limburger Tower, Rimfire and Modo are waiting
a the hangout, and I got sent back here." Mandy removed her
helmet. "How are they?"
"Charlie's regained consciousness and is
worried sick over Vinnie. As for him...I don't know." Mari
closed her eyes. "Too much death."
"We gotta keep a stiff upper lip, I
guess," Mandy said. "At least this place still stands.
I called home from the scoreboard and got the answering machine,
so at least I still got a garage standing."
Mari half smiled at the humor Mandy could find
in all of this. "I'll be right back. I want to go check on
them again."
Mandy accepted Snowfall and moved aside to let
Mari pass. Mari entered the room turned into a makeshift
hospital. She could see Charlie sitting, rather weakly, beside
Vinnie's bed.
Mari bowed her head, stifling a tear. She had
seen enough bloodshed on Mars to know this would be a time to
worry. At least he should have come to by now. The stillness with
which he lay bothered Mari. She could almost feel his soul being
tugged in several directions.
Mari cleared her throat, watching Charlie as
she raised her head, face streaked with tears.
"You're sure he'll be ok," Charlie
said, he voice a bare whisper. "He will, won't he?"
The pity and heartbreak in Charlie's voice was
almost more than Mari could bear. She walked to the human,
pulling a chair over with her tail. She sat with a thud, a
comforting arm around Charlie.
"Too many loved ones have died
today," Mari began. "We won't let Vinnie become one of
them. I've already told you that."
"But he's lost alot of blood."
Mari sighed. What could be done? She was at a
loss for words.
"I know how much he cares for you,
with Snowfall and all. He told me before the
fireworks," Charlie said quietly, her gaze never leaving
Vinnie. "He means alot to both of us, doesn't he."
Mari looked up, her cheeks tinged with a
blush. A guilt she had lived with for the past three years.
"In a way, yes." She paused. "He reminds me so
much of Turbo. And of myself. Ever since I got to know him
better, I sometimes wondered if we couldn't be brother and
sister, though I know we aren't."
"I've seen the similarities and I've
wondered why he didn't go completely after you because of
them," Charlie said. "I love him, and I know he does
me, though it takes some great act for him to admit it."
Mari softly chuckled. "Stubborn streak
I've seen before." She half smiled. "From what I've
heard, he's pulled through tougher times, he'll make it now.
Trust me. I can tell."
Charlie looked to Mari, a faint smile on her
face. "I hope you're right."
Mari rose. "I'll let you two have some
more time alone together. Just wanted to check up on you both
again."
"Thanks," she said, looking back to
Vinnie.
Mari sighed inwardly walking out the door. She
noticed Mandy sitting in a chair, eyes closed, Snowfall had
fallen asleep on her chest.
"So? What's the verdict? And the truth,
this time," Mandy whispered so not to wake Snowfall.
"Without a transfusion, he might never
regain consciousness. And the longer he remains in a coma, the
greater the chance for brain damage," Mari said.
"And the humans have enough on their
hands without a group of mice walking in and requesting
aid," Mandy said. "Besides, who says any of you would
have the same blood type as he does. Do you know the odds on
that?"
"I know. That's why I'm
worried." Mari sat on the couch, arms folded, chin on
her chest.
"There's got to be something we can
do."
"But what?"
"If we can get word to Mars, then maybe
Stoker could lend a ship," Mandy said.
Mari rose, going to her friend, taking
Snowfall into her arms, cuddling the child. "Who says there
are any other ships besides the one Carbine and Rimfire used to
get here?"
"There has to be. This is no way to start
a new millenium."
Mari began to speak when she heard a voice on
the CB. "Mari, Mandy, you there?"
Mari raced to the CB, nearly nocking it over
in her haste, waking Snowfall in the process. "Mari here, go
ahead Throttle."
"Limburger Tower seems kinda quiet. No
sign of life. Almost like when Junior tried to take over,"
Throttle said in hushed tones.
"Copy," Mari said, soothing the
startled Snowfall. "Little change here. Charlie's
awake."
After a small pause. "How's Vinnie?"
Throttle asked pensively.
"The truth or a good lie?" Mari said
quitetly.
"That bad?"
Mari hesitated a heartbeat. "He needs a
transfusion, bad. I don't think..." Mari turned at a sudden
noise from the other room.
"Mari, what?" this time Carbine
spoke.
"Later, something's up. Call back in a
few," Mari said, slamming the reciever down with more force
than she intended to. She lept to her feet cradling the now
squalling Snowfall, just behind Mandy.
When they entered, they saw Charlie standing,
her chair had tipped over. She had one hand on the bed, the other
over her mouth. In the side of the wall gaped a small hole.
"Everyone ok?" Mandy asked.
"There was a bright flash, I thought I
saw someone there, then the wall blew out," Charlie said.
Mari shrugged, reholstering her laser.
"We'll move both of you to another room." At the sounds
of small explosions nearby she sighed.
'Damn the war,' Mari thought with vehemence,
cradling her child, her ice-blue gaze lingering over Vinnie.
"Mari," she heard Throttle's voice
call softly over the CB. She composed herself and walked over.
"Yeah? We got a small situation here.
I'll get back soon as I can."
"You don't sound so good. Anything
wrong?" Throttle asked.
Mari paused. "Just go ahead. I'll fill
you in when you get back"
"Lardbutt's meeting with Camembert. Looks
like all cheese is about to break loose," Throttle said.
"Carbine's gone to get the drop on them. Maybe with the head
cheese out of the way, we can stop this war."
"Copy," Mari said, trying in vain to
keep any emotion out of her voice. "Just don't damage the
transporters. We may need them later."
"We'll try," Throttle said, signing
off.
Mari turned, her body wracked with sobs. She
burried her face into Snowfall's hair, hugging her daughter
tighter. Finding out about the loss of Turbo and the Rockers, not
to mention the current state of affairs, was too much for her to
handle right now. Life definitely was not fair.
When she heard Mandy approach she turned, gaze
on the floor. "No. I gotta ride. I gotta get this out of my
system. You know that."
"I understand," Mandy said.
"Just watch your back. We don't need another casualty. Want
me to tell 'em?"
Mari shook her head, handing Snowfall to
Mandy. "Wait. They don't need distractions right now."
Mari turned and walked out the door, Ice
following. She mounted Ice and sped off into the night, her
thoughts in a haze of pain and sorrow, her heart breaking more
than she could imagine.
First thing I remember,
There's askin' pappa why.
'Cuz there were many things I didn't know.
And daddy always smiled,
Took me by the hand,
Sayin' "Someday, you'll understand".
Well I'm here to tell you now,
It's in every mother's son.
You'd better learn fast,
You'd better learn it young.
'Cuz someday never comes.
But time the tears went by,
And I collected dust.
For there were many things I didn't know.
Then daddy went away,
He said "Try to be a man",
"And Someday, you'll understand".
Well I'm to tell you now,
It's in every mother's son.
You'd better learn fast,
You'd better learn it young.
But someday never comes.
Then one day in April,
I wasn't even there.
For there were many things I didn't know.
Yet a son was born to me,
Momma held his hand,
Sayin' "Someday, you'll understand".
Well I'm here to tell you now,
It's in every mother's son.
You'd better learn it fast,
You'd better learn young.
But someday never comes.
Oooo Someday never comes.
Think it was September,
The year I went away.
For there were many things I didn't know.
And I still see him standin',
Trying to be a man.
I said, "Someday, you'll understand".
Well I'm here to tell you now,
It's in every mother's son.
You'd better learn it fast,
You'd better learn young.
'Cuz someday never comes.
Oooo Someday never comes.
****************************************************************
Someday Never Comes (C)
Creedence Clearwater Revival