Thail

Part II

By the time they finally touched down on the surface of Mars Charley was unconscious and struggling for every breath, though the wound seemed to be healing fairly well. They rushed her to the infirmary where a medical team was ready for her.

"Welcome home guys even though it's under these circumstances," a familiar female voice greeted. Angelica Tolie', the head of the science department and long time friend examined Charley immediately. Her signature crystal blue eyes flashed impatiently as she orders Charley put on full life support. The medical personal moved quickly to rush the failing human to the machinery that would keep her alive, with Vinnie attempting to follow.

"You have to stay out here there's a lot we have to do and it won't be pretty. Do you really think she wants you to see that?" The doctor told him as she put her hand to his chest stopping him from following.

"I don’t care, I stay with her." Vinnie stared defiantly at her pushing her hand out of his way.

"Look Van Wham I don't have time for this. I can’t do my job with you getting in the way. You want me to try and save her or what?" She glared back at him.

"Come on Vin let them do what they can, what's best for Charley." Throttle held him back.

"I'll do everything I can. If she gets any worse I will come get you I promise." Angelica's voice softens. As the door closed him out he touched the small window and leaning his head against it. Modo places a hand on his friend's shoulder.

"It’s okay Bros. I’d like to be alone if you guys don’t mind?" Vinnie's voice shaking as he tries in vain to keep his emotions in check.

"Sure Vin we will check in with Stoker, but we'll be back soon."

Vinnie nodded his head acknowledging he heard and they left.

As they walked the corridors to Stoker’s office it finally hit them they were home. Back at the freedom fighter base where they spent much of their youth. Back to the place filled with memories of so many lost friends and family. The planet where they had been born, raised, lived and loved.

They walked silently each consumed by their own memories. The silence broke by the sound of feet running up behind them. Modo turned to see his nephew and niece, to his knowledge the only remaining members of his blood relations, running toward him. They literally threw them selves into his arms and the big mouse embraced his family. Tears ran down everyone's faces, as they were totally absorbed in the joyous reunion.

"Oh Uncle Modo I've missed you so much," Primer wept. "They would never let me go with Rimfire when he saw you on earth but now your home, your home."

"Welcome home uncle Modo." Was all Rimfire could manage.

Throttle smiled and left them to enjoy the long awaited time together. There was some where special he had to be before he could do anything else.

Walking out into the Martian air he breathed in the sweet smell of home never realising just how much he missed it. His journey took him through one of the precious gardens that were just starting to regenerate. In a small clearing he stopped and knelt by two small plain head stones place among many others. His hands touched them ever so gently.

"Well Mom, Dad I'm home. I told you I'd be back."

As he knelt deep in thought he felt a hand slip into his. He turned to look up into her face. Carbine knelt down next to him. "I knew this was where you would come." Was all she said. Throttle smiled but continued silent. She understood they would have their time, but now he needed her by his side.

Stoker sat in his office waiting for them to report. He wanted to be there when the ship touched down. As much as he loved Charley he still had certain responsibility that had to take precedent, kept him from being there. But finally they all gathered in his office the older mouse greeting two more of his son's home.

"Good to have you boys back for keeps this time." He throws his arms around them. They returned the embrace and realized that no matter how much older he may have gotten the fire never left his eyes.

"So how's Charley? How could this have happened to such a wonderful lady?" And how's Vinnie taking all this?"

" He's just hanging on by a thread. He had just asked her to marry him and she had said yes." Throttle sadly informs him.

"No, seems like the kid can't get a brake. Well if any one can help her Angie is the one who can do it. The woman is best scientist, surgeon on Mars. Charley is in the best place she can be." Stoker reassures them.

"So tell me what you can report on Thail. He leave any other clues as to what he is planning." Stoker motioned them to sit.

"Nope, we are just hoping that we can figure out something before anyone else has get hurt. With those words Throttle got an uneasy feeling and looks concerned over at Carbine.

"Don't start Throttle." Carbine glared back at him.

"What?" He attempts to look innocent. " I didn't say anything"

"You don't have to I know that look. Don't come back here trying to be my protector. I don't need one. Not now anyway." Her voice a bit colder than she excepted. Throttle could feel a lot in her few words and realized that they had a lot to talk about when time permitted.

"Okay you two you'll have enough time for that later. We have business to discuss now. We have to try an figure out this guys next move." Stoker wisely ending the confrontation for the moment.

Back at the hospital:

After some time Carbine, Stoker, Throttle, and Modo made their way back to the hospital area to find Vinnie finally getting some sleep on a small wood bench. Angelica greeted them she just coming out to inform Vinnie of Charley condition.

"It's good you're all here what I have to say isn't going to be easy for him to hear." Angelica said gravely. "You'd better wake him up."

Stoker watched the once wild child of his group of extended children. Now an adult so much changed having to face one of life's most difficult tests.

Gently he shook Vinnie's shoulder.

"Come on Vin let's bring it back to the real world."

Squinting first not really sure of where he was but soon began to focus to the stark reality that he was now facing.

"Hey Stoke good to see ya." Vinnie half smiled but then turning his attention to Angelica. "Okay so how bad is it? "

Angelica wasn't about to try and soften what she had to say time was far too short to worry about any one other than her patient.

"We are dealing with a virus the Plutarkians had been working on but they found it too unstable from what we have been able to find out. Originally they were going to use it for a mind control weapon. The idea was; the target would be shot and it would look like any other blast wound healing relatively fast. Once the virus entered the system the victim's will would be slowly destroyed. This is that same virus but it has been altered. What it does now is destroys the nerves and the brains ability to communicating with the body while keeping all the thinking processes in tact. The victim is literally made prisoners inside their own body."

Everyone was stunned but Vinnie looked like someone had just taken the life out of him. If there was such a thing as a paler shade of white he was it. Angelica sat next to him.

"I didn’t say it was hopless Vincent give me a chance to explain. A year ago we got into one of the old Plutarkian labs and fortunately they had left some of their technological information on cell regeneration. With that information and what I have been working on I think we can help Charley. We are going to need a volunteer, a body sample of another female. What we plan on doing is rebuilding Charlie's body one cell at a time.

"But there aren’t any other human females on Mars" Vinnie says his voice filled with despair.

"Basically all humanoid physiology is the same so a Martian female will do fine. Once rebuilt the damage to her nerves should be repairs. It may change Charlie's appearance a little but that's not important now. As long as you know we are dealing with some unknowns. We have had a lot success with injured mice but not all of them made it. You have to realize this could possible kill her. The other alternative is the life support system could keep her alive indefinitely. We have a way she'll be able communicate but that's all we can do. The instruments say she's awaking up, and I'm going to talk to her. I thought you’d want to be with her."

Vinnie said nothing only slightly nodding yes.

"I’d like to help if I can. Will I do." Carbine volunteered.

"Sure you can go with the orderly he'll get you prepared just in case."

"Um…. Doc Carbine won't be in any danger will she?" Throttle asked cautiously hoping Carbine wouldn't bit his head off again.

"No, she should be fine maybe a little sleepy for a couple of hours but that's

about all."

Carbine only shook her head resigning to the fact that Throttle was going to be Throttle no matter what she said. She sighed and followed Angelica.

The longest walk Vincent Van Wham had ever taken was the few short steps to Charlie's room. His mind trying to come to grips with how wrong everything was. This is not how it was suppose to be. They should be making wedding plans, finally taking the time to enjoy loving each other. He should be showing off for her on his home turf, taking her to all the spots he'd envisioned sharing with her. They stopped outside the door Angelica entered first but as Vinnie followed seeing Charley he stumbled back out of the door falling against the wall. He did except she'd look so lifeless.

"Sorry Vinnie I should have given you more of a warning, I wasn't thinking." Angelica said apologetically as she went back out to him.

Seeing Angelica's frighten startled expression he stepped away from her. Grabbing his face sliding down the wall into shaking heap on the floor his voice whimpers, "I lose her my life goes too. Do you know what she means to me? How long I've loved her? To see her like that?"

Angelica knelt down next to him placing an arm around his shoulders.

"Vinnie she does matter to me and so do you. I have been told that my bedside manners need a lot of work but it doesn't mean I don't care. I know what it is to lose some one you love most in the world." Her hand unconsciously goes to the silver charm hanging from her neck.

"But your Charley is a pretty tough lady and with so many love ones on her side she's got a real fighting chance. Come on let see about giving her that chance."

Vinnie looked into her blue eyes and saw a determination that gave him extra hope. Gave him the strength to be stronger for Charley.

"Okay doctor lady. I hope you're as good as they say you are." He smiled standing up having a whole new respect for her.

"I hope so too Vinnie." She smiled as they re-entered Charley room.

Vinnie steady himself walked over to the bed and bends down kissing Charlie’s forehead, then both her eyes, than very delicately her lips. He lifts up her hand holding it close to his heart running his fingers lightly through her hair.

"Hey Sweetness how's my baby?" He tenderly whispers. "The doctor lady here thinks she can help us. She's gonna get you up and around. We can't… have much of a honeymoon… with you hooked up to all this junk." He moves her hand to his mouth softly kissing the back of her fingers.

Angelica now more determine than ever to give Charley as much of a life as she had the power to give begins to explain. "Charley I know you can hear me and you have to understand what's happened and what your options are. We have a way you can talk to us. You're connected to an experimental computer system that will transfer your thoughts to this monitor. You have to take your time, try to concentrate just make your answers simple. Yes, no, not too much else and I have to warn you the initial connect maybe painful but it's the only way. I'm going to connect you now."

Angelica turns the switch that starts the computer and Charlie's body immediately stiffens and her hand tightens around Vinnie's. He engulfs it in his own trying to help her endure the pain.

"How much longer your killing her?" Vinnie begs.

" Sorry, Vinnie just one more second"

After a moment Charley relaxes but doesn't release Vinnie's hand. Angelica smiles "That's good she does have some control. That's very good."

"Charley can you hear me?" Angelica watches the screen for her answer.

YES…. appears on the monitor.

"We have a connection," Angelica begins to explain the situation and when she has made sure she's told Charley everything she waits, they both wait.

NO LIVE LIKE THIS……..

LOVE TOO MUCH…..

VINNIE……

DO WHAT YOU CAN!!!……

All the while Charley never let's go of Vinnie's hand.

Well looks like the lady has made her decision. So let's get to it. Oh by the way Charley, Carbine volunteered. Seems like you got quite a family here.

GOOD FAMILY…

LOVE MUCH…

VINNIE LOVE YOU…..

TOGETHER NO MATTER….

Exhausted Charley relaxes her mind. The monitor indicating she having fallen into a restful sleep. Her hand still clutched in Vinnie's.

"Vinnie you can stay until we come for her."

"Thanks Angie. And Angie….."

"Yes Vinnie"

"I really mean thanks for everything"

"That's my job." She smiles and leaves to get the lab and equipment ready.

Vinnie watches Charley sweet and peaceful. How small and helpless his once vibrate soul mate appeared. "Charlene I am just beginning to know what life is because of you. We have a whole universe to discover together.

Fight hard to stay with me Sweetheart."

He caresses her cheek slowly then gives her an endearing kiss. One small tear traces a line down his cheek to hers as almost undetectably the corners of Charlie's mouth turn up into a very weak smile. His tear continuing it's path to mix with the one that flows from her eye.

The time moved slowly, after about 3 hours Carbine was walked out on the arms of two orderlies refusing to use a wheel chair. As soon as she sees Throttle standing waiting for her she pulls away from them attempting to move on her own power. If not for Throttle's quick reaction she would have hit the floor with a great deal of force. He holds her in his arms, "Look, I know I haven't been there for you but I'm here now let me help, please."

Whether it was the tenderness in his voice or the fact that she was too drowse to fight with him she leaned her head on his chest wrapped her arms around his neck and waved her hand in the direction of her quarters.

"Modo I'll be back as soon as I put the general to bed." Throttle said pulling Carbine closer to him.

"Take your time bro I'm not going any where." Modo smiled.

Modo rests his head back on the bench similar to the way Vinnie had trying to catch a little more sleep. But his ears picked up a strange familiar sound that made him sit up. He followed it down the hall to a room where the sound got louder and more pleasant. He stopped by a door brightly colored red with a smiling Bikermice symbol on it. This couldn't be what he hoped it was. As he turned the knob and opened the door the air was filled with the voices of laughing children. Children of all size, toddlers crawling around the floor, youngsters painting and coloring children filled the room. In the mist of all the wonderful chaos stood a young dark brown almost black female happily attending to most of their needs with the help of another female.

"May I help you?" Her bright voice asked him.

Modo was speechless as he just stared at the kids. Then with a gentle voice that was filled with surprise and wonder he uttered, "I never thought I'd ever see so many of them this healthy or happy."

She at first looked at him puzzled then realizes that he must be one of the returning mice she'd heard about.

"Yes it something of a small miracle but these have survived and more are being found every day. Looks like we just may make it as a race after all despite what the Plutarkian tried to do."

But Modo hadn't heard much of what she'd said he was too over whelmed at the sight of so many children.

"Miss Maggie why is he crying his too big to cry." A small wide-eyed little girl with two long curly braids asks looking strangely at Modo.

"Maybe it's because he needs to have a friend like you Tela." Maggie told her as she totally understood why Modo was reacting the way he had.

The little girl looked at him for a second than put her tiny almost matching gray furred hand in his and smile a beautiful smile, "It's okay don't cry I will be your friend."

Modo felt the tiny hand in his and looked into her innocent hazel eyes and picked her up holding her close to him, "Thank You lil darlin' I could use a friend like you."

"Ow.. you hug too tight," the little one complained.

"Sorry it's just you are so pretty I couldn't help it. You're so much like my little…." Modo put the girl down and walked out of the room.

"Did I do something wrong Miss Maggie." The little one asked concerned.

"No sweetie you didn't. Stay here and I will go make sure he's okay."

Maggie followed him out and found him standing at the far end of the hall staring into space.

"I am sorry she upset you. She didn't understand," Maggie tried to comfort the big mouse.

"It's just I lost my own kids early on in the war and so many other little one were destroyed. I had kind of lost hope but seeing those kids just reminded why we fought so hard. That my kids didn't die for nothing."

Maggie touched his arm. "You can come and visit the children any time you'd like but I'd better get back now.

Modo looked up and nodded watching her walk away, '"Will you be there?"

She looked back over her shoulder smiling shyly. "I'll be there. If not just ask for Magel they'll find me. And your name?"

"Modo and I will be back." He noticing how demure and graceful she walked.

He thought to himself, "Yeah I will definitely be back."

To be continued……