Motor City Maniacs Chapter One

"Motor-city Maniacs" - Chapter 1

After strapping themselves to their chairs, the girls braced themselves as they went rumbling and tumbling into a park, finally stopping in a lake. Untying themselves, the girls got out through the ship's skylight exit to survey their surroundings.

"We must be in one of their parks," Renault speculated and then sighed, "I wish I still had my mini-comp. I would've been able to scan this area."

"So we'll do it the old-fashioned way. We'll have to scout the place out," Royce said. Lexus shook her head, "There might still be some guards inside. We'll have to do a clean-sweep of the ship."

Royce's hand automatically went up, "Ooh! Me! Me!"

Lexus smiled with a shake of her head, "Fine, you do it. Renny, you see what you can do about the ship. It might be our home for the time being. I'll scope out this place."

She had already rummaged through some of the storage areas in the ship and found some untouched clothing. After ripping apart a guardsman’s uniform and making a wrap out of it, she ventured out of the park.

Detroit City was big and noisy and full of life. Full of humans. Cave Mice observed the life of humans from Mars. A lot of things in their culture mimicked that of the people of Earth. The humans were a lot like what her teachers told her, though seeing them in person was a sight to behold. All the different hair colors, skin tones and facial features. The different eye colors were probably what awed her the most. All Martians had red eyes for some reason. But human eyes seemed to come in an array of colors. And they were apparently noticeable when they gawked at her as she passed them by. Loud traffic, energetic conversations and the awkward stares...just like she would've pictured it.

Royce came walking back into the cockpit of the Plutarkian ship, her hair slightly messed up. Renault turned from the controls, "Have fun?"

"Of course, Renny. There were three left. I locked them all up in the cells," she sat at the edge of the control panel, "I think we may have to kill them."

Renault frowned, "Of course. The last thing we need is these Plutarkians infesting another planet."

Royce frowned herself, "That's not all I found."

Renault looked up at her, "What?"

"We weren't the only prisoners on this ship."

Lexus happened to stumble across a bar somewhere in the city and a big grin formed on her face. She had always wanted to see what one of these was like! Upon arrival, people gawked and stared. Even better, a biker's bar! They were all over the place, clad in leather, vests, gloves and sleeveless shirts. There were beer containers and bottles on every table and almost every one was occupied. They continued to stare as she surveyed the place. She paid them no mind and walked up to the bartender.

"What do you have?" she asked with a smile. The bartender continued to gawk at her, causing her to sigh, "Just get me a cola."

She turned her back to him and leaned against the counter. The people were still quieter than before she entered. A lot of them wondered what she was, some wanted to know if she was single, and others wondered where she got her strange clothes. One of the inhabitants decided to get a closer look. Some big, thick guy dressed in a black muscle shirt, black jeans, boots and fingerless gloves walked up to her. His brown eyes were covered with black shades and he wore the typical biker hat on his messy, auburn hair. Lexus looked up at him casually, "May I help you?"

"What are you? Some kinda rat?" he asked rudely. She scoffed, narrowing her eyes, "I'm no rat, ugly. I'm a mouse. Don't get it twisted."

"H-Here's your drink, ma'am?" Lexus smiled the bartender and thanked him before perching on the stool and taking a sip from her glass. The man grumbled and continued to pester her, "You one 'a them costumed freaks from Chicago?"

She raised a brow, "What's a Chicago? And who said this was a costume?"

She got up to move to another table, but he grabbed her arm. Annoyed, Lexus looked back it him, "If you want to keep your front teeth, you'll let go of me."

"Or you'll do what toots? Cower in yer little mousehole?" he chuckled. As he said this, another biker approached her from behind and grabbed her tail, "Hey boss, she's got a tail!"

Everyone gasped suddenly as it wrapped tightly around his neck and pulled him face-to-face with an angry Lexus.

"I'm only gonna say this once: don't EVER touch the tail," she scowled before knocking him aside with an effortless punch.

"Hey, he was part of my posse!" the guy in front of her complained. She shrugged, "Do I look like I care?"

The man grumbled, "I don't I like your attitude, rat."

Lexus growled, "I'm a MOUSE not a RAT!!"

The biker was suddenly on his ass, far outside the bar. The streets were empty in this part of town.

‘Good’,

Lexus thought, ‘no interruptions.’

The other inhabitants of the bar had filed out to watch this spectacle with great interest. The biker rose to his feet, pissed, "Ooh, you're gonna pay for that one girlie."

"Ooh, I'm shaking," Lexus mocked as she started walking towards him, "Get up and prove it, ugly."

The man yelled and ran at her. She quickly sidestepped him and tripped him, causing him to fall flat on his face. A lot of people 'oohed' in pain while others snickered. The man was on his feet again and running at her, this time swinging. Lexus smirked and dodged each one easily before jumping and right-kicking him in the chest, throwing him off-balance. When her feet touched the ground, she punched him in the gut and scissor-kicked him in the back, causing him to fall on his face again. The crowd was hooked.

Lexus moved a few feet away from him, "Get up."

The biker struggled, but eventually got his feet. His posture was now hunched as his chest heaved for air. His face was bruised from making so much contact with the ground and he was getting even angrier. Lexus couldn't help but smirk as he pulled out a knife and ran at her with it. She rolled her eyes, dodging his swipes at her. He was tired and angry. The anger clouded his thinking and his weariness slowed the speed of his swipes. Without warning, she kicked his wrist, causing him to drop the knife and then did a jumping, roundhouse kick in his face, causing him to kiss the dirt once more. Lexus stepped back to admire her handiwork. The crowd grew silent as the biker suddenly started moving again. He got to his feet even slower this time. Lexus put her hands on her hips, growing a little annoyed with this game. Then he unceremoniously fell on his face again, out cold. Without warning, more men dressed in black leather came out of the crowd; all armed with chains, clubs and pocket knives.

Lexus sighed, "Don't you humans know when to give up?"

One of them approached her slowly, then grabbed her wrist and lifted it high, "Our new leader!"

Lexus blinked as the bikers surrounding her started to cheer and applaud the gesture, "Huh?"

"Lex hasn't come back yet. I'm starting to worry," Renault said, gazing through the visor of the ship. Royce smiled at her French-accented sibling, "You worry too much, Renny. She's probably just havin' fun."

"This is...really nice of you guys," Lexus said happily through mouthfuls of pizza. One of the bikers nodded and placed a hand on her shoulder, "It's the least we could do for ya, boss."

Another spoke up, "We were hopin' someone would take out that meathead."

Lexus blinked, "So that's how it works? If someone defeats your leader, the winner becomes the boss?"

The bikers all nodded. They were all a variety of colors and differences, though most of them were peach-skinned. There were maybe, three or four females in the entire group and she still didn't know how many there were altogether!

"So what will you do now, boss?" one of the bikers asked and Lexus looked up from a piece of pizza bread, "Well, I need to find someone to repair my ship."

They all looked at her. Another spoke up, "You're an alien?! Man, I thought you really were just wearin' a costume. Y'know, like them Biker Mice from Chicago."

Lexus' ears perked, "Biker Mice? Chicago?"

"Yeah, they showed up in the news once. Saved the whole town from gettin' covered in molten lava by destroyin' a theme park," one of the bikers said casually.

"Where ya from?" another biker asked. Lexus picked up another slice, "Mars."

Half the men spat out their drinks, the rest gawked, "You're a Martian? You don't look like them green ones with the big heads I see on t.v."

Lexus shrugged, "You can't believe everything you see on television. What will you guys do now?"

"Well, we're at your disposal ma'am. We follow whatever order you give us," a big, beefy one spoke up. Lexus couldn't help but smile, "Really? Well, I'd like to get back to my sisters, but I've walked a long way."

"No worries boss, we'll give you a lift," one of the guys said and they all got up. But then one of the female members came through the group, speaking in a slightly high-pitched Brooklyn accent, "Ya sure you don't wanna change inta somethin' before we go?"

Lexus looked at her attire and smiled, "Yeah, you do have a point. Know where I can find something?"

The woman grinned, "Sweetheart, you're lookin' at the Miss-Know-It-All of fashion."

Royce sighed and folded her arms behind her head in her chair, "This is gettin' dull real fast. I thought she was supposed to scope a little bit of the place and come right back. What if she's gotten into a squabble without us?"

"Yes, we'd be missing out on the fun, no?" Renault said with a knowing grin before removing a wrench from the inner circuitry of the control panel, she placed it's lid back on and proceeded to put it's screws back in.

"There, now we can receive television frequencies from this city," Renault said before pressing a few buttons.

A news channel came up and a reporter came into view, "...we're here live at the Stoker's convention for anime and video game buffs where the renowned 'Ashpalt' Jack McCyber is said to be making a guest appearance to present his latest virtual reality invention, said to already have people lined up to buy. If you all remember, McCyber is also famous for his latest renovations in the world of motorcycles, computer programs and video games. No dates have been released in terms of mass production of his V.R. invention, but we'll keep you posted."

"Hmm..." Royce looked at Renault's thoughtful look.

"You thinkin' what I'm thinkin', Renny?" Renault looked at her and smiled.

Jack yawned as he felt the satisfying crunch sounds you hear while stretching. Man was he glad to get out of there! As soon as he got inside that convention, he was swamped with fans that wanted autographs. This, he didn't mind. What he did mind was the dull press conference where he was forced to sit through annoying, personal and predictable questions for two hours straight! Half of them didn't make any sense! Many of the fans in the audience were computer geeks and nerds who wanted to know if he had any ties to "Nova Trek", what happened to 'Angel Revson', or if he was having an affair with "Linda Croft".

The famous computer genius leaned against a wall in the empty hallway, drinking from his bottle of geyser water. His bodyguards had gone to the restroom.

‘Morons’

, he grumbled. Ever since the incident with 'Angel', he was quick to leave Chicago and hire some protection. Of course, now he was beginning to rethink his decision. These guys were as thickheaded as that walking oil slick from Chicago. Thinking back to Chicago made him think of Charley. He wondered how she was doing. Man, he missed her. But then a stern look formed on his face. That goofy white mouse was probably hitting on her at that very moment. He frowned and sulked against the wall. He felt really stupid about that engagement. After all, he had only really done that to make Charley jealous. Then again, seeing that Vinnie character hanging all over her made him a little envious himself. He sighed and wondered what kind of misadventure she could be on at the moment.

"Excuse me, are you Mr. McCyber?" a voice broke his reverie and he gazed up to see a tall, black-suited man standing before him with black shades on. His hair was dark green and slicked back in a ponytail that stopped just past his shoulders.

"Yeah?" Jack looked up at the guy with a raised brow. The folded his hands together, revealing white gloves, "I am here with a proposition for you."

"Uh huh, then you might want to take that up with my attorney, I'm kinda busy right now," Jack said rudely before walking past him.

He had also had his share of scams as well. People had come by the dozens trying to get him to only invent products under their corporations or get him to sign phony contracts to try and cheat him out of his money. He had long since learned to be wary of people. He frowned. Now more than ever after 'Angel' showed her true colors. He finally made his way down the elevator and into the lobby where the glass doors were wide open, allowing some of the cool night air inside. Heading home was starting to look good. He was suddenly yanked back and pulled around the corner and then slammed up against the wall.

"Perhaps you didn't hear me clearly, Mr. McCyber. My employer has a proposition for you and I think it would be wise to listen," the man almost yelled. Jack coughed, "Sure, let's hear it."

The man released him, visibly pleased, "As I was saying, my employer Mr. Napoleon Brie--"

"Napoleon? Brie? What kind of name is that?" Jack looked at him incredulously.

The man before him glared before continuing, "He was hoping to interest you in a job working for him. He's heard of you technological skills and felt that it would be a great idea to have you under his employment."

"And I'll tell you and him like I tell all the others: I'm a free-lance genius, I work for no one. Besides, he'll want a cut of the money I make. Sorry, not interested," Jack said casually before walking off. Only to be grabbed by the shoulder and pulled eye-to-eye with the stranger.

"Maybe I didn't make myself clear, Mr. McCyber. I said Mr. Brie was giving you a job under his services. He wasn't giving you a choice," the man said.

"Tsk tsk tsk, now I don't think that's very polite," a woman's voice broke up the scene and the two looked to see someone rather unexpected: a Martian female.

"I think you should let that man go, whoever you are. If I recall, it's illegal to harass people," Royce said matter-of-factly. The shaded man scoffed and unhanded Jack, "You're in over your head, Cave Mouse. If you're smart, you'll return to wherever you came from. Preferably post haste."

Royce scoffed and strolled their way, a little surprised that he knew what she was, "And I think you better leave that man alone. Pickin' on a little guy like him. Why not mess with me? I'm a big girl."

The man shook his head, chuckling, "Have it your way, doll."

Though Jack was angered by her 'little' comment, he was however, impressed with her fighting skills. Very impressed. The shaded man ran at her top-speed, throwing lightning-quick punches at her that she seemed to be dodging easily. She eventually sidestepped him and kicked him in his back, making him fall on the floor.

"Are you alright, monsieur?" a kind, French, female voice spoke from behind Jack who nearly jumped.

Of course, when he turned around, he did just that. It was another Martian woman. Except this one was white with flaming red hair instead of gray like the other one.

She blinked at him with innocent eyes, "Is something the matter?"

"Yeah, you!" Jack exclaimed.

Royce seemed to having a ball with this guy, avoiding his kicks and punches while he narrowly missed her own. She ducked another punch and uppercutted him in the gut before pushing him onto the waxed floor. She snickered, "Come on, you can do better than that. I haven't been in a fair fight for months. I'm not even in shape now."

Jack looked at her incredulously, "She's kidding."

The white mouse shook her head, "No, she is actually quite serious. In fact, she's been itching for a good fight since we arrived."

Jack stared at her, "Oh."

Royce grabbed the shaded guy and tossed him unceremoniously out onto the curb on his rear and walked outside, standing at the doors.

"And if you try that again, I'll actually put some effort into wipin' the floor with ya!" she said before dusting her hands and heading back inside. Jack gawked at the two, "You two are mice."

The girls looked at each other, then Royce remarked, "Yeah, last time we checked."

"Man, I thought those guys in Chicago were the only ones!" Jack said before looking back up at the girls. Their ears perked at the sound of 'guys'.

"Guys?" Royce smirked. Jack nodded, "Yeah, three of 'em in Chi-town. They live with my friend."

"Hmm," Royce rubbed her chin deviously, "a road trip just might be in order."

"I leave you guys alone for an hour and you're already making friends without me," all heads turned to the door as Lexus entered the room, now dressed in short black shorts, a black corset-looking top with white lace holding it together, knee-high matching boots, and a black leather jacket. Her hair had been washed and curled inward at the tips.

"Lex! Girl, where have you been!" her sisters ran up to her and looked her over, "And where did you get these cute threads?"

Lexus smirked, "Some friends."

Royce scoffed, "Well I'd sure like to meet these friends."

"Another one!" Jack exclaimed as he walked up to the three. Lexus blinked, "Who are you?"

"'Asphalt' Jack McCyber: computer genius and motorcyclist. You must lead an exciting life," Lexus said as she laid on her stomach on one the lush couches in his hotel suite. Her trenchcoat was hanging on the armrest, a newspaper was in her hand.

"Yeah," Jack sighed, dropping onto the couch across from her, "tons of excitement. I spend most of my time brushing off contracts and scam artists."

Renault sat beside him, "Then what is it you really want?"

Jack frowned, "A friend. A true, real friend. Not just someone with me for my money, my inventions, or fame. And protection. Someone to protect me from weirdoes like that one that attacked me earlier."

Renault pulled him to her, resting his head against her lap and stroking his head, "Oh, poor Jacques. Do not worry. We will be your friends."

Jack scoffed, "Yeah, until I fix this ship of yours so you can head back home."

The girls frowned. Royce, who hadn't been paying attention at all, was looking out of his window.

"Man this place is so high," she looked back at the others with a curious look, "speakin' of that weirdo: who did he say he was workin' for?"

Jack sighed, feeling suddenly relaxed under Renault's, soft, tender hands, "Brie."

He scoffed at the funny name, "Napoleon Brie."

"My dear, Mr. Nuke. If I'm cowwect, Mr. Cyber was supposed to be meeting me hewe today, am I wight?" Brie narrowed his eyes at his black-suited lackey. They were in his tall, skyscraper-esque building. The room was dimly lit. A large window was to Napoleon's back as he sat at his black, wooden desk as he sat comfortably in his leather swivel chair. Nuke cleared his throat, "He...refused, sir."

"Well, why didn't you foce him into my empwoyment?" Brie asked. Nuke looked uncomfortable, "I did. But I was interrupted."

"By whom? Pway tell?"

"Mice, sir."

"WHAT?!?!" Napoleon screamed. Nuke flinched. He knew of his boss's anger. The man was a little on the kooky side all-around, but when he was angry? Look out.

"And what did these wodents wook wike?" Brie inquired.

"They were women, sir. One had gray fur and another had white fur. I ran into a tan-colored one when I was, ahem, thrown out," Nuke grumbled. Brie was a little surprised, "Women, did you say? Funny, I was expecting thwee muscle-bound biker bums. Anything else?"

"Besides the fact that the gray one was really strong? The white one had loud, red hair and a French accent," Nuke said.

"Wed hair? Fwench accent, hmm?" Brie looked intrigued.

"Yes, what do you propose we do, sir? I'm certain they're protecting Mr. McCyber now," Nuke said. Brie waved it off, "Fohget McCyber. He obviouswy doesn't want to work for us. And besides, it's these mice I'm more intewested in."

"Amazing," was all Jack could say as he got his first look at the Plutarkian slave ship. The girls didn't feel the same way as they approached it.

"I'm surprised no one's come after it," Lexus said as they headed inside. They showed Jack around the place.

"Plutarkians. Just like 'Angel'," he grumbled. The girls looked at him.

"You've seen Plutarkians before?" Royce asked. Jack nodded, "One in Chi-town, one in Cleveland and then there's this Brie character you told me about," Jack said. The girls all had grim looks as they led him out of the cell room.

"Plutarkians. Damn, I thought we had left them behind back in that damned ship," Royce muttered.

"Apparently not," Lexus put her hands on her hips as they made their way to the cockpit, "Looks like we'll be staying here a little longer than expected."

Her sisters looked at her, "What!"

Lexus nodded, "We'll have to capture Brie and take him with us. We couldn't possibly leave him here to steal Detroit's resources."

"Steal it's resources? Why would he do that?" Jack asked as they entered the cockpit. Renault looked at him, "The Plutarkians are an evil, wasteful race. They plunder other planets for their resources. They used up all of their own. Our planet was one of their first targets."

Jack frowned, "Oh, I'm sorry."

Royce grumbled, "Don't be, it wasn't your fault. We just have a priority: to make sure your planet doesn't end up like ours."

"That'll be a little easier said than done. We knew the Plutarkians were the enemy before they invaded. Brie, Limburger and Parmesana have already wormed their way onto this planet and have fooled the populace," she sighed, "and just when I was hoping I'd never have to deal with another Plutarkian until we reached Mars."

Royce placed a hand on her shoulder, "It'll be okay. Besides, we made it to this planet in one piece and now we have the aid of this computer expert over here, PLUS Renault. It shouldn't be that hard."

Lexus turned to her with a smile, "Maybe you're right."

"Well, before we do any scoping of this city, we'd better get you girls some clothes," Jack spoke up.

"All right! Now you're talkin' my language, Jacky-baby!" Royce said with a grin.