I do not own the Biker Mice from Mars (even if I wish I did cause it would still be on the air) This is written for my own enjoyment and for the enjoyment of my friends at the BMFM unofficial fan club. I do not own Stoker or Carbine. Strain and Terrance belongs to DecemberGirl and is used with her authorization as well as her own character BUT Pipe, Crystal, Stoke, Jag, Tank, Digit, Ripcord, Knockout, Rag and Tailgate belongs to me and are the source of my own craziness. Please ask for my authorization before making using them or making copies of this copies.

Rise of strangeness

By Crystal

July 26, 1999

A shadow walks in the infirmary, looking at the different beds. Slowly, it walks to Crystal's bed in the furthest corner of the infirmary. Softly, his hand brush her face, seeking a sign of conscience but there is none to be found. After they had brought her back to Mars, she had gone so crazy, they all had thought she would kill herself. Terrance couldn't understand what had happened to her and didn't dare to operate on her for risk of doing more damage than good. Every time they had tried to awaken her, convulsions had taken over her as her screams had deafened most of the nurses so they had to sedated her again. The scar on her head had healed nicely now after a month of care from the hospital staff. If only they could awaken her! If only they understood what was going on in her that made her so sick, they could help her instead of leaving her like this, in a coma between life and death! The shadow remembered that time when she had bent over a fallen young mouse friend. In the harsh light of the plutarkian lab her already pale skin had seemed like pure white fur while her short red hair seemed like molten lava. For a short instant he could see through her another girl, holding another mouse as a friend took a picture. "Sandy" the shadow whispered as he remembered his wife and took out a photo. It had been taken a few days before the plutarkians had come to the little city of Freedom Port, killing her and their newly born daughter, Storm. She would have been this girl's age now. He smiled at the thought then his smile was gone as he remembered how the poor child had been hurt. "Damn plutarkians!" He whispered harshly. She had seemed well when they had brought the last survivors from Europa. Only when she entered the infirmary did she start to act strange and had collapsed at their feet, screaming from the pain that showed on her body. Why? How could they find out what had happened to her? With a soft smile the shadow brought a chair next to the bed and placed his antennas on Crystal's head as he started to scan her mind.

Nurse Arial came in the infirmary after a check on the arriving squad when she noticed the drape pulled around the young human. "That's not right, the doctor is still with the Carbine... Who's there?" When she pulled the drape, she saw the old beige mouse sitting next to the bed, his antennas softly glowing, his mechanical tail not even moving. "SHIT!" She swore and, as she turned to call for back up, his head raised up in a snap and shouted:

"By the moons!" Noticing the nurse he added: "Get me the list of injured in this room. NOW!"

As she gave him the pad of cases , he understood and started to marvel at the girl's strength.

"Call Terrance, NOW! I found the problem!"

It wasn't long before Terrance and Carbine came running.

"Stoker! What have you done? What's wrong?" Carbine asked.

"I touched her minds and I found what's hurting her ..."

"Are you out of your rightful mind? She's half way crazy! You could have killed yourself! ..." Terrance replied but

Stoker interrupted him.

"You always say I'm crazy myself so there was no real danger, right Carbine? Anyway, I found the problem! She's a telepath! All the pain in the room and around is pouring into her mind and that's what hurting her!"

"Are you sure Stoker? She's not touching any of them."

"It seems she doesn't need to! When I was there, I could feel everyone in at least 200 feet! I could even feel my own tail itching through her! Now imagine how hard it is for her to survive with all the pain in this room!"

"Then we need to move her away from right now! But ... where?"

"I know a place. Sub-level 13 was used for storage before the war. There even was a an office with a room there. Now that it's empty, nobody goes there but I know that the room is still fine, even the bed is ok. I can have it cleaned and ready for her in a few minutes." Carbine said as she took her radio.

"You do that, I'll prepare her for the move along with everything she'll need."

"And I'll go move my things there."

"Trying to seduce her before she's able to push you back old timer?" Carbine giggled.

"You two are needed here, you don't have time to look after her. Beside, we already know each other and I don't have much to hide. I'm sure it will help her to see a familiar face."

"Ok Stoker, just make sure you call when ever there's any news."

"Will do general!"

"And promise me you wont do anything that stupid ever again!" Terrance added but Stoker just smiled and left.

"I've been trying to make him promise that ever since Rimfire brought him back from the camps. Think it will ever work?" Carbine asked. They both stared at each other for a few minutes then said :"Nah!"

Armorica base, sud-level 13

Crystal had been taken off the sedatives two hours ago by the time they had arrived in the old office. Carbine had been right, this place was still in good shape and perfect for the use they had of it. Carbine gave the order that nobody was to go there unless ordered to by her or a high ranking officer. Here crystal was safe from all interfering thoughts beside Stoker's.

As he sat beside her, he still marveled at the change that had already occurred since they had arrived. Her tensed face was now calm, almost smiling. How peaceful her slumber seemed. Stoker wished he could know what she was dreaming of but didn't dare disturb her again. The link that he had made before had drained him more then he dared admit to the others and would take time for him to recover. He still could remember the pain he had felt when their mind had touched. "How did she survive all of this?" He whispered to himself. "I wish my daughter had grown to be as strong as you girl. I'm sure your parents would be proud of you right now if they knew. They must be worried not knowing where you are. Your father is one lucky guy." Even if in his mind he saw what he was doing as gift from one father to another, he knew deep inside it was more of a way to have the illusion of having his daughter once more.

It was at this point in his thoughts that he felt something strange, like a soft hand brushing his mind. At first, he was surprised and fought back and the feeling left, then he kicked himself mentally for doing so and breaking his chance to make her at ease. Softly, he took her hand in his and filled his mind with calm, protective thoughts, thoughts he knew would help her relax. He felt her mind again touching his and her smile grew as her eyes opened. When their eyes met for the first time, his mind was over flowed with a hold that left him grasping for air. It barely lasted for a minute and left only to be replaced by a link as strong as if he had been touching her with his antennas.

"Hi! My name is Stoker. I don't know if you remember me, I was with those who got you out from Europa. How are you feeling?"

"Like a truck ran me over. The name is Christine but you can call me Crystal. Where am I?"

"On a secret base on Mars. We took you here to look after that scar you got on your head."

"Mars? I ... I remember Riffle thinking about it when ... when they were torturing him. Poor, poor Riffle! He was fighting so hard to hold on, not to betray his friends! I tried to help him! I gave him all the strength I could, I even tried to stop his pain but I couldn't! He was so proud of having kept his secrets! I felt it as he slept into the darkness, just how proud he was! If only he had survived! Why did he have to die? He wanted to see Mars again so much! Now I lost him, like I lost mom and dad back there! They didn't love me as much as they could have but they always cared about me, took care of me! Why did they do that? Why did they died protecting me? WHY???"

On that she started to cry uncontrollably as all the pain of the attack on Europa returned to her.

"It was her parents? No wonder she's in so much pain." Stoker thought as he held her, rocking her back and forth, trying to comfort her

"Yes, they were my parents, I am... was their only child."

"You heard my thoughts?"

She nodded. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to do it, it just happened."

"It's ok, I knew it could happen. Don't worry, you're safe now. We wont let anyone hurt you anymore."

She felt the truth of his word in his mind. He was also thinking of somebody else ... his daughter. In his heart, he had chosen her to replace his long lost daughter and felt the kindness of his soul. With a smile, she accepted this love and was proud to look back upon this man ... mouse as her surrogate father. He felt this acceptance and smiled too as a silent promise passed between them to look after each other like a family.

"Thanks."

"Hey! No problem. I suppose I should call The doc now." Seeing her frown he added "Don't worry, he's a good kid, bright and kind. He wont hurt you."

"If you say so Stoker, I trust your judgment."

He smiled and took his radio. Five minutes later they were still talking when Crystal became agitated and looked at the door.

"What is it Crystal?"

"Sorry, it's just that I felt that we're about to have company." As she said that there's a knocking on the door and Carbine came in followed by Terrance.

"Hi Crystal, it's good to see you awake. I don't know if you remember me, I was on Europa with Stoker. How are you feeling?" The young doctor asked as approached the bed. He was about to take her wrist when she jumped, pulling her arm away.

"Sorry, it's just that touching people is a bit... painful. Wait a bit, I use to be able to control it a little so that I wouldn't feel that ... doctor." She whispered before taking a few long breath, calming down. Slowly she reopened her eyes and raised her hand to

Terrance. As he slowly touched her hand he could feel her mind touching his but softly. "Sorry, I can't do better."

she said in a smile.

"It's ok. I'll try to hurry. How's your head feeling?"

"Like a van ran over it but the scar doesn't burn anymore."

"That's good. From what I can see you are going to be fine but I don't know what to say about that operation they did on your head. There was nothing alien added it's more like they activated something in it" He let go of her and she seems to relax a bit

"The scar is from the exploratory operation they did after activating some part of my DNA that was unusual... at least that's what I picked up."

"Why were you so tense?" Carbine asked

"Because physical contact seems to ... force a telepathical contact. It's also through if I stare at someone and they stare back at me. I can't be alone, can't avoid the voices, the pain of others... It's not something pleasant most of the time."

"That bad?" Carbine asked

"Worst. Some times I can control it. I suppose that with time I will learn to control it better but right now... having people around is painful."

"Well you can relax now that we know we'll make sure you're not hurt again. I don't know what we can do but we'll do our best to help you." Carbine said softly, trying not to make contact with the young human.

"Do you feel strong enough to eat or do you want to stay on the drip a bit longer?"

"I'm sure I could eat. I always had a good stomach!"

"Good." Carbine said while she took her radio. "Strain, are you still in the mess hall?"

"Yes general, anything I can do to help?" came a voice on the radio

"Look around and find me someone to take some food to me."

"Well, Knockout is waiting in line."

"Perfect! Have him take 4, no, 5 trays to sublevel 13."

"Anything special in them general?" The voice asked with an hint of a smile.

"I leave that to you judgment. Carbine out." She replied with a smile before letting go of her radio.

"What has the kid done this time carbine?" Stoker asked smiling

"The usual. He's such a pain! Yesterday he got in the middle of an exercise and almost got the others in the infirmary!"

"He's a good rider Carbine. And not a bad mechanic too. Maybe you should think of getting him in a squad."

"He'll be 18 soon then I can get him some supervision!"

"Is it me who forgot how to count or are we just 4?" Crystal asked softly

Terrance smiled to her "We're just 4 but the plates don't carry much so an extra wont be too much."

"Especially with that bottomless pit!" Carbine giggled pointing to Stoker.

"Hey! I'm a growing mouse! I need the energy!"

"Yeah! Tell that to the plutarkians and they might laugh hard enough to kill themselves!"

They all laugh at Stoker's face.

"And she wonders why Throttle doesn't come around too much!" Stoker whispered to Terrance, making them laugh harder. Well, all except Carbine! She was about to whip the smile of the old soldier's face when she noticed Crystal crisping. "What's wrong girl?"

"Someone's coming and he's pissed off! Too say the least! What a vocabulary! I don't want him to know I'm behind all this!" The young human said as she hid under the covers. Carbine barely smiled then got on a straight face and opened the door as the young beige mouse was looking for a way to knock with his hands and tail occupied.

"Yes ?"

"I was ordered to bring this to you general." Knockout replied, trying hard to hide his frustration but not fully succeeding.

"Oh, yes! Put them on the table then you can go back."

Silently Knockout placed the plates on the table and retreated before he could say anything nasty. He saw the form in the bed that seemed to be either laughing or crying but didn't stay to ask.

"Care to tell us what's so funny girl?" Stoker asked after the young mouse was back in the elevator.

"Just bits and pieces I couldn't help but hear."

"Like?"

"Nothing I'd care to repeat in public. What's on the menu?"

It's now been six weeks since Crystal awoke in sub-level 13 that is now her home. In the corner next to the table is her soon to be ready bike. She smiled as she remembered how Stoker had gotten her to build it.

Stoker: "What's wrong Crystal, you look down?"

Crystal: "Nothing. I guess I'm just bored. I don't have much to do beside working on my power and if I do too much at a time, I get headaches."

Stoker: "Well, I have an idea. You have Riffle's A.I. module and it needs a new bike to put it on."

Sadness filled her eyes as the memory of her young friend last moment filled her mind.

Plutarkian lab on Europa. Stoker and Centerline blew up the door to reveal a young mouse on a torture chair. The poor mouse fur is now red from his own blood instead of the soft beige color it once was. Probes come out of his head, chest and arms and are linked to the chair, clamps are pined to his antennas and a scalpel is deep in his right leg. By his side, a plutarkian interrogator is playing with the dials attached to the chair, sending various intensity of electricity into the poor mouse. As he sees them come in he throws the scalpel that is in his hand and tries to get a blaster. Unfortunately for him centerline is faster then him and he shoots him down.

Crystal ran pass them and got the scalpel out of him while Stoker and Centerline take out the rest of the torture equipment.

Crystal: "Riffle? Riffle, can you ear me? Come on, we're free! You've got to hold on!"

Riffle: "So, you're real... AHHHAH!"

Stoker: "Sorry kid. It was the last one. Our doctor is coming, you'll be all right now."

Riffle: "I did it. I kept silent. I didn't tell them..."

Terrance arrived along with Carbine and saw the young human holding the young mouse, trying to reassure him as she held a wound close. Swiftly, the doctor came next to the mouse and checked his wounds.

Crystal: "Save your strength. We'll be out of here in a few minutes. You'll have all the time to talk about this when you're better."

Riffle: "It was thanks to you... You helped me... saved me .. from dishonor."

Terrance (to Carbine): He lost a lot of blood... We need to make a transfusion and fast."

Centerline: "Plug me in. Carbine, go see if they don't have some in those fridge."

Riffle: "Gave me... TDRC... Wont help..."

Terrance: "Damn! I'm sorry ..."

Crystal: "What? What's wrong?"

Terrance sighed and looked at the floor, unable to face the young ones.

Riffle: "Drug... it kills, slowly, no way out. Don't cry. I leave happy. I keep my honor thanks to you... Wish I could keep my promise... show you Mars... protect you... protect... my bike! get my bike!" He pointed to a door next to his. Stoker opened it to find a martian bike all beat up and partially disassembled. He pulled it in where the young mouse could see it.

Riffle: "Bike... I'm dying. ... Promised to keep her safe. Take my place. Ride with her... OK?"

The bike's engine moaned and the head light blinked twice then everything on it went out. Stoker took out a circuit and gave it to the dying mouse who placed it in the human girl hands.

Riffle: "Take... Ride... free." Crystal could see the cold darkness of death fall over him as her mind held on to him, holding him back as his life passed in front of him and also into her. When he finally slipped away, she let out a scream to deafen everyone.

Stoker: "Crystal? Crystal, are you all right?"

Crystal: "Sorry, I was... elsewhere."

He sat down beside Crystal and placed an arm around her shoulders .

Stoker: "Here, your best weapon is your bike, especially if it's an A.I. enhanced bike cause then it can act on it's own. We lost the technology to make them but I can tell you that once you got one, you wont want any other . The bike takes on your personality and your style with time until there's only one rider for that bike. It's loyal beyond word and will protect you well. Remember how you told me you had lost Riffle? Well you didn't ! That module IS a part of Riffle. It's got his personality, his style and his knowledge. Riffle wanted to protect you, that's why he gave you this module, to protect you even when he would be gone."

Crystal: "I don't know a thing about riding, fighting or mechanic! Well, I can access Riffle's memory but that's all and it's nothing like the reflexes that comes from practice."

Stoker: " Don't worry kid. I'm used to teaching that. I'll have to present you to Rimfire, one of my students. Hey! You could get it straight form my mind!"

Crystal: " STOKER!!!!! You know I hate to even look in a mind! Imagine how worst it is to ... download somebody's memory! It sent me in choc to do it with Riffle! I can't! I ..."

Stoker(hugging her): "It's ok, I understand. Calm down kiddo. I'll just train you like I would anyone else. That will give me a reason to spend more time with you."

Crystal: "You'll never need a reason to see me."

Stoker: "Thanks. Now, what do you say? Want a bike?"

Crystal: "Sure!"

The new bike was now well on the way. The light frame was intended for her to be able to lift it on her own. The powerful engine would give her more speed then anyone else if she needed it. She had even surprised everyone when she came up with the dual mode handles. From the flip of a switch, the handles lowered themselves inside the bike until they were like on a racing bike while the back of her seat lowered itself to keep it from becoming a wind resistance. Switch it back and the seat returned to a more comfortable position to ride while the handles rose out to become like a chopper.

Standard light weight weapons had been her choice for both front and rear holsters. They had painted the frame a dark purple color with a kind of black marbling. Stoker had the rest chromed to a shine. Carbine had even offered to have a plate made for her bike. She never expected the text that Crystal had wrote down : "Boyz R lunch"

All that was now left was to finish the carburetor, load the weapons and install the A.I. module.

Crystal and Harley were working on the console when Crystal felt a wave of hate and pain run through the base. Surprised, she held her grounds and went to see what it was all about.

Harley: "What is it? What's wrong?"

Crystal: "Hate ... they found ... They found someone at the gates. He's ... He's part mice part... part rat. Bad blood they say. Someone's thinking hard about him."

*fade to black*

Voice 1: "That kid! I recognize him! He's the son of that rat that killed my wife!"

Voice 2: "The sandraiders that captured your team?"

Voice 1: "Yeah. I'm the only one that survived that! Now he's gonna pay! Let's see how that rat likes losing is only son!"

*return to the room*

Crystal: "He wants to kill him! I lost him! Where is he?!?"

Harley: "Calm down. First thing is to warn the security."

Crystal: "He could be from security. Stoker is with Carbine, I'll warn them."

Crystal (mentally): "Stoker? Stoker, can you hear me?"

Stoker: "Crystal? Is everything all right?"

Crystal: "Something's up. You guys found a kid at the gates?"

Stoker: "Yes, we did. About half an hour ago. Why?"

Crystal: "He's half mouse half rat."

Stoker: "We kind of noticed child."

Crystal: "His father is at the head of some randraiders. Somebody recognized him and want to kill him."

Stoker: "Carbine wants to know if you know who."

Crystal: "No, I lost him."

Stoker: "Too bad. We'll have to find somebody to guard him."

Crystal: "How is he?"

Stoker: "He got shot in the shoulder, he's dehydrated, famished, a few cuts and bruises. Terrance already took care of his shoulder so he's mostly dehydrated and tired."

Crystal: "Nothing that requires Terrance anymore, right?"

Stoker: "No, why?"

Crystal: "Cause the best way to protect him is to hide him. Send him here, nobody comes here."

Stoker: "But we don't know him! He might be insane or dangerous!"

Crystal: "Yes but I'm the best equipped to handle him. If he's insane, I'll be able to knock him down fast and if wants to betray us, I'll be the first to know it."

Stoker: "Are you sure you want to do this? We could find an other way."

Crystal: "Yes. Beside, I'll be the only one without prejudice toward him. Send him over."

Loneliness

Stoker spoke to Terrance in hushed words and made him stare in surprise but he hid it fast. He nodded and went to a nurse. Soon the boy was "lost" between two department and sent to sublevel 13. When his bed was rolled in the room, Crystal looked at his face and smiled. "He's kind of cute but he looks so lost, in such pain. What is your secret my lost friend?"

After he awoke...

Him: "Where am I? Why is it so dark?..."

Crystal: "Calm down, you're safe. It's dark because you are underground and it's night time. Give me a second, I'll open the lights. There, feel better?"

Him: "Who... What are you?!!"

Crystal laugh softly at his reaction and smiled.

Crystal: "My name is Crystal. I'm a human from Earth. You know, the third rock from the sun? What's you're name?"

Him: "My father called me Prize but my mother called me Stoker. Where am I?

Crystal: "Try not to move, the doc said you shouldn't try to move your shoulder for at least a day. You're on a military base. You've been found at the gate yesterday."

Prize: "So, we are prisoners? I'm surprised I'm still alive!"

Crystal: "No, we're not prisoners. You're here only for your own safety. Somebody recognized you and wanted revenge on your father. Since we both needed some medical attention away from the others they placed us together."

Prize: "What did they do to you?"

Crystal: "I met a few Plutarkians and they wanted to see what made me tic. Not a pleasant memory. How about you, what were you doing away from your gang?"

Prize: "Me and my mother escaped from my father's grip. Did you find her? Is she here?"

Crystal: "Sorry, you were alone. I'll let the others know she might be around. I'm sure they'll send a team to look for her. You should try to relax and get some sleep. You need it."

Prize: "Not tired anymore."

Crystal: "I was about to get up myself and call for breakfast. Feel strong enough to eat?"

Prize: "Me? Always! If we're not prisoners, why don't you go and get it yourself?"

Crystal: "Can't. Long story. Lets just say I can't handle crowds right now."

Crystal turned around blushing, not ready yet to let her secret known to him. She got up, took her pants from the chair and got them on in a hurry. She would have preferred to meet him fully clothed than in her panties and tank top but it was all she had for now. As she went to the door, she paused and said: "Take your time to get up. Your stuff was in bad shape. I couldn't save your shirt, too much blood and burn marks. I was able to repair your pants. They are on the chair next to you along with your boots."

Prize: "And my gun?"

Crystal: "General Carbine kept it until we could find out was are your intentions. You'll meet her soon."

With that she left the room.

Prize blushed a bit as he rose the covers to see that he was naked underneath. Slowly, he got up and started to get dress. He was thinking of his new room mate. "What a strange woman... Her hair seems to be growing back. I wonder why she removed them in the first place...no fur... must be cold all the time. but then again, it gives her great legs! I guess she's pretty, in an exotic kind of way."

As he got out, he looked around, saw the bike with the new paint that was almost assembled then he saw her at the table working over a carburetor with a blush that was close to bright red.

Crystal: "Stupid carburetor! Why won't you work?!" She whispered between her teeth.

Prize: "Can I have a look?"

Crystal: "Sure. Are you any good? Then again, you can't be worst then me!"

Prize: "I'm not too bad" He looked at the part on the table then with his good hand tried to use the screw driver to loosen a piece but the part just moved away.

Crystal: "Here, I'll hold and you work. ok?"

They worked together for half an hour before the part was again assembled. They were about to try to put it in the bike when Stoker came in.

Crystal: "Hey, Stoker! Good timing!"

Stoker: "Hey angel, good to see you too. I see your guest finally woke up."

Crystal: "Be nice old timer and I'll make the introductions. Stoker, meet ... " She turned to Prize "I never asked you which name you preferred to be called."

Prize: "I fought too long and too much to get away from my father to keep his name but I think it would be too strange to call us both Stoker. Call me Prize for now."

Crystal: "Well, Stoker, meet Stoker aka Prize. Prize, meet Stoker, my best friend and trainer."

Stoker: "Please to meet you. Hope you kids are hungry cause the cook was feeling generous with his ... what ever that is!" He took the top off the plates to show something neither green nor gray but a mix of both with small orange pieces here and there.

Crystal: "You sure we're suppose to eat it?"

Stoker: "Well, the cook said it wouldn't eat us... not that I'm that sure..."

Crystal: "I suppose it's better then starving... almost."

Prize: Well, can't be worst then rations. Who ever invented those things?!?"

Stoker: "A mother to punish her kids most likely. Come on, let's eat so we don't have to see this too long."

They ate with a speed that would never be beaten in Martian history.

Stoker left soon after, promising to come back as soon as Carbine would have some time to clear everything up. Leaving the Prize alone with his new roommate. He wasn't sleepy so he stayed with her as she started to install the carburetor. His first impression had been that she was somebody weak who needed to be protected but as he watched her he saw something more, a determination to do what had to be done, an easy smile that seemed to brighten the room and a genuine concern for him. The fact that he was part rat, part mouse didn't affect her. For the first time in his life he felt he didn't have to prove himself, that he was accepted. She was struggling with a hard bolt when he decided to just help her and placed a hand over hers. She let out a small scream as he felt something go through his mind, like a lightning bolt and felt himself fall on the ground.

Crystal: "Prize? Prize! I'm sorry! I'm really sorry! Oh God, what have I done? Prize talk to me! Please?"

Prize: "Calm down, I'm ok. What was that?"

Crystal: "You just surprised me, I didn't expect you to touch me. I know I should have warned you but... I didn't want you to be frighten."

Prize: "Hey, it's ok. What ever it is, it can't be that bad. Why would I be frighten of somebody who's been taking care of me with so much kindness? Listen, you don't look so good. Why don't you sit down and explain everything to me?"

Crystal: "I should... just remember, I would never hurt you willingly. Ok?"

Prize: "ok"

Crystal sat down at the table, still a bit shaking and started to play with her fingers. Prize sat down in front of her and waited.

Crystal: "I told you I met a couple of Plutarkians, remember? Well, me and my parents were sent into a plutarkian lab on Europa for some genetical manipulations. They found I had a small defect in my DNA that was connected to my brain and was also found in most of the martian mouse population but it was latent. They were able to activate it. That defective gene is linked to the martian telepathic capacities. All of a sudden I was able to read minds without having to touch anyone... I could feel their pains from even rooms apart. It almost drove me insane. That's why they have to isolate me here. I can control it a bit now but... touching or looking straight at people makes it almost impossible to put a barrier between our minds."

Prize: "Before I touched you, did you try to read my mind?"

Crystal: "Once, to make sure you were not here to destroy us or to plan an attack on us but I stayed on the surface. I didn't want to intrude. It's not a pleasant thing for me too. I'm sorry. I'll understand if you hate me for it."

He could see that she was afraid, afraid of his judgement and he relaxed. Somehow he knew she was saying the truth.

Prize: "No, I understand why you did it. I would have done the same thing. No damage done... even if my head is still ringing! Must be hard to have friend if it does that when ever you touch someone."

Crystal: "It only happened because you frightened me. It's usually less painful. It's even nice when I do it with Stoker."

Prize: "Would it hurt if I touched you now?"

Crystal: "No, it wouldn't."

Prize gently placed a hand on hers as he smiled, to let her feel that there was no hard feeling. He felt her mind touches his like his mother use to but in a much stronger way. He felt her fear, fear of rejection, her loneliness and the friendship she was offering him. She wasn't trying to control what he saw as she let her soul bare for him to judge. This alone touched him more then words could say and he sent back a kind wave of affection.

He now understood why she had ben blushing earlier, she had heard his comment about her being "cute in an exotic way". She smiled as she sent back : "That's one strange compliment but I'm not picky." He heard he laugh in his head and he liked it.

He broke the contact and said with a smile: "Well, I'll try to do better next time but don't expect miracles. Let's say that my father didn't show me how to talk to ladies."

She smiled as she winked at him then said: "As long they are hearth felt, I don't care."

Prize: "So, want me to help you finish that bike?"

Crystal: "Sure!"

Handsome.

Stoker, Carbine and Terrance found them the next morning next to the newly finished bike. After Crystal made the presentation Terrance looked at Prize's shoulder, giving him some time to examine the general. Prize could see in her eyes a fierce determination and knew this was not one to play with. Oh well, his mother had always told him the best thing to do was to tell the truth to other mice and that's what he was going to do.

Terrance: "The stitches are healing nicely and you should be ok in a day or two as long as you are careful."

Prize: "Thank you sir, I'll try to do that."

They all sat down at the table, Carbine at one end with Stoker and Terrance on either side, him at the other with Crystal next to him.

Stoker: "So, what's your story kid?"

Prize: "I was born from a rat named Scarab and one of his slave. Mom had caught his eyes when he raided her village for she was one of the few people fighting back. He loves to break people. He kept her in his tent, raping her when ever he could. I was born within a year of her capture. Since it was the first time one of his "partner" was with child, he got careful until I was born, keeping her next to him to keep an eye on the baby. When I was born, he had the heir he always wanted but he still needed my mother while I was breastfed so he kept raping her, delighted that she still fought him.

Even if she had all the reason in the world to hate me, she didn't. Using our telepathic bond, she started to teach me what a mouse should know. She was able to anchor it deeply in my subconscious so that no matter what happened to her after that, I would know who I am. As I grew up, mom kept touching my mind at night, telling me about other mice, our culture and mostly to value life. When I was 12, I saw him rape mother again and I had to hold back so I wouldn't get us both killed. I swore to her that night that I would get us out of there, no matter what. I played the grateful child, learning all that I could and he was so proud on how I could shoot! I even maneuvered him to give me my mother's half beaten bike to repair as my own.

With mom's help, the A.I. module accepted me and we started to prepare. 2 weeks ago, my father decided to finally sell my mother, saying that she didn't amuse him anymore. I knew I didn't have much time so with the cover of night, I got to the tent where he had sent her to "entertain" his troop, cut her free , got us as much firepower as I could and got out of there. Unfortunately, somebody spotted us and they chased us. Mom said we couldn't go anywhere with them on our tail so we made small ambushes to lower their number. We got caught at Moon Shadow Pit. Mom told me that we would have more chance if we split up... I didn't want to but ... she was right. I was more used to the desert so I left her the bike and a good part of the ammunition. I tried to take lure them to me but it didn't work. I stumbled on this place by accident and lost consciousness. Who knows where my mother is now but I have to find her. I promised her we'd be free."

Prize tried to get up but Carbine got him to sit down.

Carbine: "Cool your jets kid. First, that shoulder isn't going to be working much. Second, Moon Shadow Pit is a at least a day's walk. You'll be too tired to help her if she's still there. That is if they didn't catch her back. If that's the case, you'll need more then a gun to get to her. We have some people near there. I'll contact them and we'll see what they find. By then your shoulder will have healed and you 'll be able to be of some help to her. "

Stoker: " Crystal says that we can trust you and she knows what she's talking about so you can go around as you please but I don't recommend it until we know who recognized you. No need to have you get killed after patching you up now is there?"

Carbine: "But just in case you do, this should help you keep safe." She took the package that she had brought in and opened it to reveal a strange blaster unlike any they had ever saw. It was between 2 and 3 feet long with a very sharp edge and a handle like an old sword but the trigger in the handle told you that this was indeed a gun. "It's a nice piece of equipment you've got there. .I would have liked to have it examined but I don't think we have the time right now. Perhaps you'll let us examine it later?"

Prize was about to reach out and take it when Crystal placed a hand on his and sent him telepathically : "You could leave it there as a sign of trust." She was right, he didn't need it right now and it would look better so he left the weapon there and answered: "As soon as I get my mother back, I'd be more then happy to let you have a look at it."

Carbine seemed to be pleased by the sign of trust and said: "Good. Would you prefer to stay here or have a room with everyone else until we have some news?"

Prize: "I think it would be wiser for me to stay here. Beside, I like the company." He smiled to Crystal and she smiled back at him.

Carbine: "Well, we'll let you two alone. I see that your bike is ready Crystal. I left instructions to the armory to give you what ever you requested short of a nuclear missile."

Crystal: "I still need to install the A.I. module and see if it will accept me."

Carbine: "Well, good luck then."

They all rose and carbine offered Prize her hand that he accepted with good grace. Carbine left soon after with Terrance and Stoker for the ordinary work leaving Prize and Crystal alone.