The outer door to her cell clinked as the key entered the lock, bringing the young Plutarkian girl to her senses. It hadn't been that long since her last meal. There was no reason for anyone to be entering her cell. She watched the door dispassionately as the outer door was opened.

"Move to the back of the cell," a voice from the other side of the inner door said. She did as she was told and the inner door was opened to reveal a high level security guard, shadows on the ground behind him indicating more in the hall. The girl looked at the guard and was momentarily nauseated. How she hated them.

"Ms. Limburger, you are wanted at a hearing in the Lord High Chairman's court now. Please remain seated and you'll be fine," he stated as he neared her with several chains. As he approached several more high level security guards entered the room. Just your regular medium green Plutarkians with the standard sharp fangs. The girl was repulsed by them.

As he chained her she saw the look in his eyes and the eyes of the others as well. They were viciously, cruelly triumphant and she knew it was time.

Ah, well, she thought, I was wondering when they'd get around to it. Solitary confinement was beginning to get real boring.

Pulling her roughly to her feet the guards, all of them heavily armed, shoved her into the hallway and placed her at the center of the group. Three guards in front, three in back, and two on either side. She gave a little sardonic smile.

So, they're not going to take any chances with me this time, huh? At least they're smart enough to learn from their mistakes.

As she continued down the long corridors she remained still and silent. Her mind whirling to figure if there was a way out of this one. After several minutes she mentally sighed. As far as she could tell there wasn't. They had learned their lesson too well after the last time she escaped from an armed guard. Resigned to her fate, but looking for any way to alter it, she trudged towards the court room in silence.

"LIMBURGER!!!!!" the all too familiar voice of the Lord High Chairman screamed through the large vid-com.

"Yes, Lord Camembert?" Limburger warbled nervously. As far as he knew he hadn't done anything wrong lately.

"First, the Plutarkian Greeting!"

Limburger groaned inwardly but performed the required ritual greeting. As soon as it was over he faced the giant Plutarkian.

"I'll get right to the point, Limburger. It's about that infuriating tadpole hatchling of yours."

"Oh great Moons, what's happened now? I thought she was in High Security Lock-Up in Solitary Confinement."

"She is. She's being sentenced today and I thought you should watch her sentencing."

Limburger smiled evilly.

"Why of course, your great Cheesiness. That child has been a thorn in my side for the longest time. As well as a stain on my family name and honor. I've looked forward to this day for a very long time. When is the sentencing?"

"Why, in a few minutes. Keep this vid-com on and you'll get to see all the fun." With that the High Chairman turned and Limburger could see the courtroom with several Plutarkians. A few minutes later a young Plutarkian girl was led in. Slim and a few shades lighter than your average Plutarkian she certainly didn't look like a prisoner that required the complete surrounding of heavily armed high security guards. Then again, her crimes weren't anything that had been seen by the Plutarkian population before either.

Pulling out a bowl of special gourmet worms Limburger settled in for a good show. He smiled evilly and with a bit of relief.

"About time," he muttered, then turned his full attention to the screen.

As she entered she saw the many assembled Plutarkians and the vid-cams.

Well, of course, she thought, this is a first among the Plutarkians. Every Plutarkian and his lackeys will be watching this. And no doubt one of them goes to that fat fish that helped hatch me. No doubt he's been waiting to see this.

She was roughly pushed to her place in front of a seat--one which she knew she wouldn't use--as the guards made a semi-circle from one side of her to the other behind her. Lord Camembert entered and sat in his chair at the head of the room.

"All but the guilty may sit," he said. At his command everyone save the young Plutarkian girl and her armed guards sat, looking expectantly at the Chairman.

"We are here to witness the sentencing of this young Plutarkian. Lania Lactate Limburger, daughter of Attila Swiss and eldest daughter and heir of Lawrence Lactavius Limburger. For the crimes of treason, murder, assaulting guards, escaping custody, resisting capture and arrest, destruction of government and private property, and aiding, abetting, coordinating and direct involvement in the escape of over 200 Plutarkian prisoners--including important members of the Martian Army and Freedom Fighters--you are hereby sentenced to death in the Acid Slime Pits of Karlisk Moon."

All around the courtroom Plutarkians whispered. Many thought it was a fitting sentence. Many thought she should be given a more torturous death, but were reminded that there weren't any choices for more painful deaths.

In his office on Earth Limburger smiled an evil and triumphant smile, clearly highly pleased with the ruling.

At her place Lania sighed. It was to be expected.

The entire room, and everyone watching, suddenly quieted as the High Chairman cleared his throat indicating that he was not finished.

"However, there has been a stay of execution for a period of 3 weeks," everyone gasped,"during which time Ms. Limburger will be sent to her father in a rehabilitation effort. Should this prove not 100 percent effective execution will take place 3 weeks from today. Take the prisoner away." Lord High Chairman Camembert rose from his seat, everyone standing quickly so as not to be jailed for contempt, and left the room. Lania was roughly pushed to the center of her armed guards and escorted out of the room. As she left she caught sight of her mother, who was smiling triumphantly, and smiled inwardly to herself in response.

On earth Limburger sat in his chair, stunned. He was jerked out of his shock by Camembert's loud yell and gruesome visage in the large vid-com.

"Lord High Chairman...this is extremely unusual...surely there has been some mistake...."

"No Limburger, there has been no mistake. The girl will be transported to you in one hours time. You are to take all necessary precautions to see that she remains in your custody at all times. If, at the end of three weeks, she has not been 100 percent rehabilitated you yourself may do the honors of carrying out her sentence. Assuming she hasn't managed to escape. That is all." The connection was cut before Limburger could protest.

"GREASEPIT!! DR. KARBUNKLE!! Get in here now!!!!" A minute later the short, slumped figure of Dr. Karbunkle and the oily mass that was Greasepit were standing in front of Limburger's desk.

"Yes, your supreme cheesiness??" the doctor wheezed.

"I'll be having a visitor for three weeks. I want you to come up with a way to make sure that I can keep my eye on her the entire time and keep her from leaving this building. And hurry, she'll be here in an hour." The doctor turned and left. Limburger turned to Greasepit, "And you, my boy, will have the dubious pleasure of being my daughter's personal guard. I want 10 other goons, the strongest and best shooters, to also guard her while she is here." When Greasepit just stood there and stared at his boss in surprise Limburger frowned. "Well, go!!"

"Yes, boss," Greasepit said and left the room quickly.

"All this trouble just for one little Plutarkian. But if she doesn't escape it'll be worth it to execute her myself."

Lania's guards shoved her roughly into a holding cell where she landed against the frame of a cot and lost her breath. Sneering at her they locked the door and left, two of them staying behind to guard the door.

As she tried to catch her breath she didn't notice the other occupant of the room, her eyes not yet adjusted to the gloom of the cell. He, however, noticed her. Walking quietly he gently grabbed her arm and helped her to sit on the cot while she caught her breath. The short fur on the hand and the barely seen tail did not go unnoticed, however, and she tried to peer at her helper in the gloom.

"Thank you, but what Martian are you that, even though I'm imprisoned by my own kind you help me up with kindness?"

"Lania, my dear, though you are of the same kind as them in appearance your mind and heart have always been that of my people," a soft and kind voice said.

Lania smiled as she recognized the voice of a friend. With her chains on she managed to hug the young Martian, and he returned the hug.

"Tirade, man, has it ever been a while." She frowned, squinting at the slim, dark-cream colored mouse, "What are you doing here? It's a far cry from the moons of Sashaat."

"Yeah, well, you know how it goes. Last I heard you were on your way to free prisoners at the Xelosian Prison Camp on Breeha. What happened? Don't tell me they caught you there?"

"No, no," she replied laughing, "Well, actually, yes. But they didn't manage to keep me for long. I freed a bunch of high security prisoners on Clathri 3. I was helping one of the few people I brought with me escape with the prisoners and wasn't paying good enough attention. When I woke they had me in chains up the wazu. Been in high security solitary confinement since I got here."

Now it was Tirade's turn to frown. "High Security Solitary Confinement? Then what, may I ask, are you doing in a simple temp holding cell?"

"Oh, nothing much. They just pronounced sentence on me and I'm here waiting to be transported." There was a curious mixture of resignation and morbid hope in her voice. Still, Tirade, of all who had worked with Lania, knew what sentencing meant.

"Oh, no. I'm so sorry Lania. How are they doing it?"

"Acid Slime Pits of Karlisk Moon."

Before she could go on her friend hugged her fiercely.

"Hey, you haven't heard the good news yet!"

"Good news? You've got to be kidding, right?"

"Nope, I've got a three week stay of execution."

"Go on..."

"I'm going to be sent to Limburger's for three weeks in a 'rehabilitation effort'. After that, if it doesn't prove to be 100 percent effective execution will be carried out."

"Okay, and how did you manage that one, pray tell?"

"Well, I didn't." Tirade gave her a questioning look. "On my way out of the court room I saw my mother, and she looked unusually triumphant. I'm pretty sure she got me the stay of execution on family honor." Tirade gave her a 'continue' look. "Well, the two Plutarkians who hatched me never did get along. In fact, Swiss hates Limburger, but he named me his family heir and she had to leave me with him.
"Look, for this to make sense I have to explain some of the Plutarkian family and honor system. First, every Plutarkian names an heir, almost always the first born, male or female. Well, Limburger was the heir to the Limburger name. He got a good amount of family honor for what he did to Mars. Well, when I was born I was named Heir. The heir is the one who brings honor to the family name..who keeps honor in the family. It's a somewhat complicated concept. Anyway, when it was discovered that I didn't think and feel the same way as other Plutarkians it took a lot of honor from my family. And when I started to act against the Plutarkians, well, that really hurt the honor of the Limburger family name."

"Why not name another Heir?"

"He can't do that while I'm alive."

"Oh."

"Well, if I were to be simply executed Limburger'd have to deal with the lack of honor I brought to the family name. If I were to be rehabilitated by him it would restore a lot of honor that I took away. If I'm not rehabilitated, then his performing the execution --which he gets to do if I'm not rehabilitated in 3 weeks-- would still restore some family honor."

"Okay, what I don't get is if this benefits Limburger all around how come Swiss got you the stay of execution?"

"Well, if there are two thing Swiss knows it's how Limburger acts and how I act. She knows that the chances of Limburger keeping me captured for 3 weeks is slim. In fact, the chance of my escaping is very, very great. If I escape it will really hurt the Family Name Honor. Swiss knows that. It sucks for her that I'll get away, but to her it'll be worth it to hurt Limburger's honor and cause him to be unable to name another heir. As long as I'm alive I'm the heir, and everything I do that can cause dishonor to the family name, will. To Attila Swiss that's more important than that I get executed."

"Wow, she must really hate him."

"Yeah, she does. Sure works to my advantage. Well, that's the end of Plutarkian Culture 101 for today, class dismissed." Both smiled at the attempt at levity.

"And what happens when you get free?"

"I don't know. I can't very well stay on earth. But there's no way to get anywhere without him finding out."

"You can't go to Mars anyway. With a Plutarkian they'd shoot first and ask later. Even if one of the Martians you rescued happened to be with them, which is a slim chance at best."

"Well, I've got three weeks, so I'll worry about it when it happens. Now, how about you? What are they gonna do to you? And what are you doing here?"

"Well, I was captured in a risk operation on one of the moons a few days ago. It was a small group, about 4 of us hitting one of the really small mining camps. I got caught. They didn't say anything to me then or since. I don't know what they're going to do." Tirade shrugged. "I'm sure I'll do fine."

"Where you're a Martian in good health you'll probably get sent to one of those prison mining camps yourself. If you're lucky no one will recognize you. Otherwise you'll never be in any of the lower security ones." She looked in his eyes. "You've saved my life so many times. If there was a way I could help, I would. I'll try to find where you are. I won't let you waste away in a prison camp. You've done too much good Tirade."

He gently touched her cheek. "Hey, I knew the risks that came with the job. Don't worry about me. I can take care of myself. You just take care of yourself and get away when you get to earth. You'll find a way to get to safety." He cleared his throat. "Um, I need to ask you a question. I know there's little chance you can, but I would like to get a message to Saph, I haven't seen her in a while. I just want someone to tell her that I'm doing okay and that I love her and that as soon as I can, I'll come back to her."

"Tirade, you know I'd do that for you. I'll make sure that she gets the message."

Footsteps outside the hallway announced the many guards approaching.

"My escort," she whispered. The two friends hugged fiercely. "We'll find each other again."

Tirade quickly pulled something off his ear and handed it to her. "Put it on your bracelet. I'll be with you always, friend. And with that you'll always be able to remember that there are those out there that care about you and love you."

Lania took the small, pale blue crystal earring and placed it on her bracelet. When she looked back at Tirade there were tears in her eyes.

"Take care of yourself. 'Till we meet again may the Guardians watch over you."

"And may they keep you safe as well."

Lania wiped her eyes quickly and Tirade moved to the other side of the cell before the cell door was opened. The guards grabbed her and pulled her into the hallway, pushing her to the center of them. Then, silently except for the sound of their boots on the floor, they walked away.

"Take care, Lania," Tirade said quietly to the empty cell.

Limburger, Dr. Karbunkle, Greasepit, and several goons waited by the transporter. After a few minutes the transporter began to glow and Lania stumbled out. When she caught her balance she looked around. Upon seeing her welcoming party she smiled wryly.

"Really pulling out all the stops, aren't you?" she asked, looking straight at Limburger as Greasepit grabbed her arms to keep her in place.

"Nothing but the best for my first Hatchling and Heir," he replied sarcastically. Then he motioned to Dr. Karbunkle. "The restraint if you please, Doctor."

Karbunkle walked to Lania, holding a small collar and two small bands. As Greasepit held her he put the collar on her neck and the bands on her ankles. When he was done he backed up.

"Thanks, but this isn't my kind of fashion statement," Lania said sarcastically.

"Oh, no, my dear, but it is. These bands are controlled by several transmitters throughout the building. If you should go beyond the perimeter they create, you will be shocked. If you stay beyond it too long," he smiled evilly, "then I'll just have to let the good Doctor try to 'help' you."

Lania raised her eyebrows. "And this perimeter is...."

"Oh, you'll figure it out. In addition, either Greasepit or these goons will accompany you at all times to see to it that you behave." He turned to Greasepit. "Show her to her room."

"Come on, girly," he said as he turned her towards the door and pushed her in it's direction. Lania looked up at him with a withering glare, but walked in the indicated direction.

After a while they reached a small door that opened into a small room. A few furnishings and a bed indicated that it was her bedroom. She entered, Greasepit and the goons following her. When she realized that she had unwanted visitors she turned around and glared at them.

"Do you mind!"

"Dahh, not at all. Wes'll just sits over here," Greasepit said as he and the goons began to move.

"NO, I meant would you please LEAVE while I change out of this drab prison issue," she said, indicating the dingy gray dress she wore, "I've been wearing this for far too long. Now out!"

"But, de boss says wes gotta watch yous all de time."

"Not while I'm changing my clothes!! Now out, OUT!!!!" she yelled, shooing them out of the room and slamming the door behind them. "Sheesh, I don't think they understand the meaning of privacy. Now, to find some suitable clothing...." Lania began rummaging through the few drawers in the room. After a few minutes of searching she came up with a pair of pants, a shirt, socks, and a pair of light shoes. No disguise. Frustrated she showered in the adjoining bathroom and dressed. When she was done she entered the bedroom and sat on the small bed.

"Well," she said out loud, "definitely the best and nicest cell I've ever been in."

Lania paced around her little room. She had been here for almost two weeks and the most she's been able to do was investigate some of the devices that made the perimeter of the area she was in and begin building a small facsimile to use to escape. The problem was getting the rest of the parts and getting past the perimeter itself. However, the chance to get away still hadn't presented itself. If it didn't soon, she knew she was going to be in deep trouble. She stared out the small window.

Of course, it would be difficult anyway without some sort of human disguise. She sighed as she looked out the window again, hoping against hope for some form of help.

At the Last Chance Garage the Biker Mice and Charley were enjoying a meal of (what else?) hot dogs and root beer. Though they were all enjoying the meal anyone who knew them could tell that the mice were restless. The slightly impatient and restless look on Vinnie and the almost wary looks on Throttle and Modo told of suspicion. (Or, in Vinnie's case, lack of action.)

When the meal was done the three mice fidgeted in the living room as Charley cleaned up in the kitchen. As she entered the living room she smiled to herself.

"I want to know what he's up to. He's been awful quiet. Not one peep out of Limburger or one sighting of Greasepit in almost two weeks. This just isn't like Limburger," Throttle said in a speculative voice.

"Yeah, no kiddin'. The most we've run into is a few small groups of guards. No sign of Grease Gullet or the big stink himself. That's just not right. He's up to something. Aw, man, I am just itchin' for some action!" Vinnie complained.

"I dunno bros, but we can't exactly attack without a reason," Throttle said as he flipped the TV on. The afternoon news was on and Throttle was about to change the channel when the story on caught his attention. He turned the volume up.

"...businessman Lawrence Limburger announced today that he would be willing to buy the land around the toxic dump. This land has been a curse on the city council for several months as no one was willing to buy it for development even though toxicity levels are well within safety limits. Mr. Limburger announced shortly after the contract was signed that he would be removing dirt and gravel for other projects and planned on building warehouses for his business. In other news..."

Throttle flipped the TV off and turned the Modo and Vinnie. "Well, I guess we know what he's up to now."

"Yeah, I bet that dirt and gravel is intended for 'projects' on Plutark," Modo said.

"Ooohhh, yeah! Finally, some action!! I wonder what took ol' stinkface so long?!"

All three mice mounted their bikes, Charley sitting behind Vinnie.

"Ah, ah, ah, sweetheart. Remember the rules? Manly macho mice only," Vinnie said as he lifted her off his bike with his tail. Charley just crossed her arms as the three mice revved their bikes.

"Let's rock...."

"And ride!!" and with that all three mice tore out of the garage, whooping in excitement down the street. Charley glared at the retreating bikes.

"Macho...manly...yeah, right. Sometimes I wonder how they managed to fight with Freedom Fighters of the female persuasion...always acting like I'm some breakable china doll..." Charley entered her work area still mumbling to herself.

The Biker Mice appeared at the site as Greasepit and several goons were removing dirt and preparing it for teleportation to Plutark.

"Hmm, hmm, hmm...ya know, I don't think City Council intended for the dirt to be used for projects on other planets. I think we need to, 'clean' this operation up...what do you say bros?" Throttle asked.

"Oh, yeah...definitely my favorite way to help clean up the city!"

"Let's show these goons the real dirt!" Modo said.

As the three mice began to dispense with the goons Greasepit called Limburger.

"What is it Greasepit, I have important matters to attend to," Limburger bellowed angrily.

"Uh, Mister Limburger, them meeces is messin' wid de goons and wes not gettin alla de dirt transported. Whatcha want me to do, boss?"

"Well, my dear boy...STOP THEM!!!!" With that Limburger cut the connection leaving Greasepit sitting in his three-wheeler confused and trying to figure out a way to stop the Biker Mice. In short order the Biker Mice were in front of him, the few remaining goons high tailing it to Limburger tower.

"Yoohoo, Grease Gullet! Havin' trouble thinkin'?" Vinnie asked.

"Duh, uh-oh!"

Greasepit turned and followed the goons. The Biker Mice looked at one another and grinned.

"Oh, man, is it going to feel good to demolish Limburger tower!!"

"Let's do it bros!"

The Biker Mice raced off after Greasepit and the remaining goons, catching the goons outside of the tower. They took care of the goons, then drove into the tower, demolishing to their hearts content and beating up goons like there was no tomorrow, all the while thoroughly enjoying themselves.

In her room Lania heard the occasional explosion and felt the building tremor every now and then. Suddenly the lights flickered, went out for a few seconds, then flickered back on.

"This just might be a good chance to get the last few parts."

Lania grabbed a small device, tucked it in a pocket and left her room, making sure there were no goons around. When she found the hallway clear she headed for a small room that wasn't exactly out of the perimeter, but too close for her to be comfortable in it. It took her a short minute or two to find the right parts. She pocketed them and left the room, heading back for her room.

As she walked down the hall she became aware of a low rumbling. It grew louder and became distinguishable as the sound of several engines. Suddenly from around the corner came the sound of an explosion followed by some flying metal debris and three Martian Mice on motorcycles. Lania froze. She'd heard a rumor of Martian Mice on earth, and now she knew it was correct. The three mice saw the young Plutarkian. Lania saw the looks in their faces and knew she wouldn't be able to move. All they saw was a Plutarkian, an enemy.

"Ooohh, looky here bros, I think we have a nice little advantage here," the white mouse said.

Lania shrank back as the three mice rode towards her, the white one catching her with his tail and putting her behind them.

"Hmm, can't say as I agree much with her fashion sense," the beige one said, eyeing the collar on her neck and the matching bands on her ankles.

Then they sped down the hallway. Lania could feel fear like an ice spear in her chest as she saw their route. They were taking her towards the edge of her perimeter.

As they approached the perimeter she began to squirm and struggle, trying to get free.

"No, no, please no, please, let me go, don't take me there. Please, please, don't. No, no, no, please," she murmured in a low voice.

"Ah, ah, sweetheart, I don't think so. You're coming with us. You're our insurance," the white one said.

Lania snorted,"Some insurance."

The white mouse turned and gave her a funny look, then returned to paying attention to what was in front of him.

As they crossed the perimeter Lania bit a scream as pain lanced into her neck and ankles, but the intense pain caused her to jerk violently. She held in screams as the pain continued.

The mouse stopped, the other two stopping in front of him, and he looked back at his prisoner to be greeted by a face scrunched up in pain. He loosened his tail in surprise. As he did so Lania had just enough presence of mind to throw herself from the bike. The three mice watched the young Plutarkian in amazement as she half crawled, half dragged herself down the hallway. Once she was back inside the perimeter she collapsed from pain in the hallway.

Throttle sniffed the air.

"What's that smell?"

"I don't know...smells like something burnt," Modo said.

"Well, she's no use," Vinnie stated. Several shots could be heard nearby, "and I think we should blast out of here!"

"Good call Vincent," Throttle said as the three blasted out the nearest window and disappeared down the streets.

Lania moaned and opened her eyes several minutes later. Her neck and ankles stung with pain from the severe burns from the bands. As she moved to get up she almost screamed as the bands rubbed against the raw skin on her neck. She gritted her teeth. If anyone found her like that she'd be in trouble. Slowly, biting her lip to keep from screaming, she stood up and walked painfully to her room. Once there she shut the door and fell onto the bed.

Several minutes later she got up, ignoring the pain in her neck. She entered the bathroom, grabbed a towel, wet it, and began the process of trying to clean the burns under the collar. After several excruciating minutes she had done as much as she could for her neck and ankles. Then she went back to her bed and collapsed from exhaustion.

Lania woke the next morning to a searing, burning pain in several places on her neck and ankles. She groaned in pain, then bit her lip. She got up, ignoring the pain as best she could, and made sure no one was around. Then she dug the small device and the parts she had grabbed from the room the day before.

She examined the parts and device, then went about attaching the parts to the small device. When she was done she checked every part of the device to make sure everything was connected right and was in the right place.

When she was assured that everything was in the right place she grimaced, then turned the device on. She cautiously opened her eyes when she felt no pain.

"Perfect," she muttered, "now all I need is a way to test it against the perimeter." She went to her door, listening to the activity outside and sighed in frustration. She could hear Greasepit and the goons outside in the hall. All she could do was hope for a repeat of the day before.

The guys were once again at Charley's. They were sitting around while Charley worked on a car, listening to their conversation.

"Ya know, I think there's something fishy with that little girl Plutarkian we saw at stinkface's yesterday," Throttle said.

"I hate to say it, but I agree bros," Modo and Throttle looked at him, surprised,"well, you didn't see the look on her face when I stopped and looked back at her. She looked like she was in an awful lot of pain."

"I wonder what Limburger's up to."

"She could just be a visiting relative or somethin'," Modo pointed out.

Throttle and Vinnie looked at Modo and agreed.

Charley paused from her work and looked at the three mice with amusement.

"Ya know, you three are just too eager to go back to Limburger Tower and beat up more goons."

The guys looked at her and she smiled.

"Come on, I've been working on this car for a few hours and I'm hungry. Let's go to Andy's and get some lunch."

"Woo hoo, now you're speaking my language, sweetheart!" Vinnie said as they headed for their bikes. Charley smiled and hopped on the back of Vinnie's bike. With loud whoops of joy the four headed for Chicago's Hogey Hot Dog stand.

"Oh, looky what I see, bros," Throttle called out, pointing to several goons who were trying to rob an armored truck.

Charley looked around, "Hmm, that's odd. No Greasepit."

"Ahh, who cares sweetheart! We get to do some pre-lunch goon beating!" Vinnie exclaimed.

"Oh, yeah! Appetizers!" Modo called out.

The three proceeded to pummel the goons 'till the few remaining ones fled. Throttle, Modo, and Vinnie watched them flee, mock sad and amused expressions on their faces.

"When will they ever learn that by doing that they give us the perfect excuse to trash the tower when we follow them back?" Vinnie asked no one in particular.

"Never," Throttle answered. All four laughed and took off in the direction of the tower.

Limburger sighed wearily at the report that the Biker Mice had once again interrupted one of his operations. It was quickly replaced by fear at the sound of several approaching vehicles. The most noticeable of them was the distinctive rumble of three Martian bikes.

"How many times have I told them that I can't have those meddling mice here destroying my Tower NOW. Just a week more, that's all, and I'll have her out of my hair and get to execute her myself." He punched the com on his desk,"GOONS!! ATTACK THOSE MICE!!!!!"

As Limburger watched he knew it was futile. Now that they were at his tower they'd cut through his forces as they'd done so many times before, then proceed to demolish his Tower. His only placating thought was that at least it would cause that traitorous hatchling of his a great deal of pain. He sighed and sat down at his desk, waiting for the inevitable as the first tremors ran through his building, announcing the arrival of the mice and the imminent doom of the Tower.

Lania heard the explosions and felt the tremors. She quickly found herself at her door, listening with a smile on her face to the sound of many retreating feet as all the goons and Greasepit ran from their posts to deal with the menace. She could just make out Greasepit's command.

"Come on yous goons, them meeces is in the building again. We's gotta go help de others gets rid of thems!"

Lania waited for a few minutes before she quietly opened the door and peaked out.

"No goons! Perfect! This is my chance."

Lania pulled her small device out of her pocket and activated it, then replaced it. She took in a deep breath and let it out slowly.

"Here goes nothing," she said and slipped out of her room like a commando on a mission.

She crept quietly and quickly down the hall. She didn't know how much time she had before the mice finished what they were doing, and she wanted to be well away by the time Limburger had a chance to remember that there were SUPPOSED to be goons watching her. As she got closer to the perimeter she felt hope. So far she was feeling no warning shocks. Suddenly her chest tightened in cold fear as a familiar sound reached her ears. As sure as Vinnie was egotistic, the bikes of the Biker Mice rounded the corner, only this time the white one had a human passenger. All three mice stopped, again.

"Well, well, well, we meet again," the white one said with a bit of surprise.

"Ya know, this gives me an idea," the beige-tan one said.

Lania decided not to waste any more time hanging around and bolted away from them. The three mice and the human all looked at each other and understood the leaders idea. They nodded in agreement, and went after the fleeing Plutarkian. The beige-tan one grabbed her with her tail and secured her on his bike.

"Not again," she moaned.

Her captor smiled,"'Fraid so," he said sardonically. Then they sped down the hall.

Lania gave a small sigh of relief as they passed through the perimeter. Her device was working great! Now all she had to do was get the stupid restraints off. Her slight joy was cut short when she realized something. These weren't friends, they saw her as an enemy. Therefor, there was only one place they could possibly be going. Lania groaned in displeasure as they crashed through a wall and into Limburger's office. Well, she thought, at least his office is in the perimeter, so he won't know there's anything wrong.

As the mice crashed into his office Limburger silently swore. Then he was terrified, happy, and extremely dismayed one after the other but managed to hide his reaction to seeing his daughter on the back of Throttle's bike as she was obviously supposed to be his captive. His mind whirled trying to come up with ideas to use this to his advantage. He decided to wait and see where the mice were going to go with this one.

"Well, Limburger, it seems we have a guest or relative of yours," Throttle said.

"Well, well, mice. I didn't think hostages where quite your style," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

All three just shrugged. Then Throttle pulled her in front of him, held her with one arm and with the other pointed a blaster at her head. Lania suppressed the urge to yelp from the pressure of the blaster against her temple and the bruising pressure of his arm around her waist, keeping her securely against him. This mouse was for real, and she didn't know HOW she was going to get out of this one.

"Well, we take what advantages we can get," he responded.

"Oh, yeah, some advantage," Lania muttered under her breath sarcastically.

"Shut up and stay quiet," he responded, the blaster pressing harder against her head. She quickly closed her mouth. They didn't know what they were getting into, but that blaster was very real and very deadly.

"Listen cheese butt, we don't have all day so why don't you just listen and keep your fat trap shut,"Vinnie said, aiming a blaster at Limburger.

Limburger saw what they were planning and decided to play along. He knew that if he made them suspicious it could spell trouble.

"Fine, fine, what do you want with my daughter you rotten mice?"

"Here's the deal. You replace all the land you took and relinquish the title on that dump, and we let little miss here go safe and unharmed. Simple as that."

Limburger could see the steel in his eyes, in the eyes of all three of the mice, and Lania could hear it in the voice of her captor. She didn't dare move, but she could feel dread welling up inside her. They had no idea, no idea at all what they just did.

Limburger suppressed a smile of triumph. Without them noticing he pressed a button to call some goons to his office. All he had to do was catch them by surprise and he'd be rid of all of them at once.

"Fine, you win," Limburger said. The three mice and the human smiled while Lania sat straight as a pin. Any moment now he'd pull his trap and they'd all be done for.

Limburger opened a drawer and pulled out what appeared to be the papers on the dump while hiding the fact that he had also pulled out a blaster. As he moved away from the desk to approach the mice the doors suddenly burst open as several goons entered the room, firing at the Mice and catching them off guard. All three bikes were knocked over. Vinnie was knocked off his bike, taking Charley with him to keep her safe. Modo was hit on his bionic arm, but it just bounced off. Throttle and Lania were flung from Throttle's bike.

"I can't believe he DID that," Throttle muttered as he quickly got up.

All three were so busy firing at the goons that they didn't think to pay attention to Limburger. He quickly, carefully moved to a position that gave him a clear view of Lania and Throttle. From his point Lania was a little closer than Throttle. He brought his weapon up and aimed. As much as he would love to get that mouse he wanted to get his daughter more, and it didn't look like the mice were going to do it at the moment. He sighed, aimed, and fired.

"THROTTLE!!!!" Vinnie yelled, seeing Limburger firing at his bro.

Throttle instinctively ducked and lunged sideways. Lania looked towards him and too late realized her mistake. She tried to lunge out of the way, but the blast caught her and she went down, her world fading to black as she hit the floor hard.

For a second Vinnie, Throttle, and Charley just stared at what they had just seen, not able to believe that Limburger had just shot his own daughter. A near miss jolted Vinnie to action and he got to work with Modo and Charley on the goons while Throttle went to Limburger, knocking him unconscious without even saying a word. When the goons were taken care of the four went to the immobile form of the Plutarkian.

"I don't get it," Charley said. "He shot his own daughter."

"Are you sure about that Charley-ma'am?" Modo asked.

"Oh she's sure all right. I saw it too. When I yelled to Throttle ol' stink butt didn't even flinch, and he was aiming for her."

"Well, before she wakes up why don't we take these collars off?" Throttle suggested.

It took a few minutes due to the nature of the collars, but they finally managed to get them off and were greeted by the sight of several severe burns underneath them. Charley looked at the inside and saw the metal electrodes which corresponded to the burns on her neck and ankles.

"I don't get it. He said she was his daughter but he treated her like a prisoner. These collars were meant as restraining devices and weren't supposed to come off. I'd like to know what's going on here," Charley said.

"All of us would," Throttle said. Lania began to stir, "And it looks like we're about to get our answers."

It took a few seconds, but Lania finally woke up to look into the faces of three Martian faces and one human one. She instantly tried to scramble away but the large grey one put his hand on her shoulder reassuringly. It was then that she noticed the looks on their faces. They weren't the cruel expressions she had seen earlier. Rather, they were guarded, worried, and curious. Before she could think of what to say Lania realized that her restraints were gone. Her hand went to her neck to find bare skin and several scars. She winced in pain as she touched the scars. Then she looked at the group watching her with interest.

"You took the restraints off. Thank you."

"You're welcome," Modo said in response to her obvious gratitude.

"Please, we'd like to ask you a few questions...what just happened here is, understandably, very confusing," Throttle said. Lania nodded. "Limburger said you're his daughter, but you had restraints and he out and out tried to kill you in cold blood. What's going on?"

Her face twisted in disgust, "Oh, he's my father all right, though if you don't mind I prefer not to be reminded of that fact. As for the restraints, I was here on a three week stay of execution and he didn't want to see me escape. I'm not exactly....well liked by the Plutarkian populace."

Suddenly Throttle's face lit up in recognition,"I've heard about you!"

"WHAT!!" Modo, Vinnie, and Charley all exclaimed at once.

"Well, I was talking to Carbine quite a while ago and she mentioned that one of her top men had been recently rescued from aPlutarkian labor camp, and a Plutarkian had been the leader. And bros, this is not the kind of soldier who'd mess up on identifying the species that freed him. Carbine also told me that she'd heard rumors that a Plutarkian was helping free Martian Freedom Fighters and Army personnel that the Martian forces couldn't get to, but until that commander was rescued she didn't know whether to believe them or not."

"Yes, I think I know who you're talking about. Commander Geans. We had to free him, and I'll never forget the response I got from him. Most Martian Mice either try to take me out before running, or they just get away from me as fast as they can on the rare occasions that they actually saw me. He was the only one who ever THANKED me."

"Wait just one darn minute," Vinnie said, disbelief coloring his voice "you mean to tell me that this Plutarkian is actually GOOD?! That she works AGAINST the Plutarkian forces trying to oppress the galaxy? I don't believe this, there's no such thing as a good Plutarkian."

Lania looked at Limburger who had begun to show the first signs of regaining consciousness. "Look, I'd love to stay and chat but I really need to get away, and fast!"

The discomfort in their eyes told her what they were thinking.

"No, no, no, that's not what I meant." All four visibly relaxed. "Listen, if I stayed on earth he'd do anything, and I mean anything to get me before my execution date. Any family, friends, acquaintances, anything he could use to hurt you he would use. No one who has anything to do with you would be safe. All I ask is that you bring me to the transport chamber, and fast. I can guarantee that he's got a lock down on it and it'll take a minute or two to break it. Then I'll teleport to a safe place and you'll never have to see me again or have your own ideas about reality shaken underneath you," she looked pointedly at Vinnie, but gave them all a glance.

"Then let's go," Throttle said while he placed her on his bike. The five arrived at the transport chamber a short while later. Before Throttle had even stopped Lania had jumped off his bike and ran for the controls, tapping at a furious pace on them.

"I have only one other favor to ask of you."

"That would be...." Vinnie said.

"I'm programming this to scramble as soon as it's done transporting me, but after it does that it would give me great piece of mind if you'd slag this whole thing. Then there'll be no way he could possible trace where I went." She looked at them. "Please," she said in a soft, earnest voice, hope and pleading in her eyes.

"You bet," Modo said. Lania smiled her thanks.

At that moment a revived Limburger and several goons appeared in the door way.

"ATTACK!!!!" Limburger yelled, "And don't let her get away!"

The goons attacked, but the mice ran interference, giving Lania enough time to activate the transporter. She waved bye to Charley and the transporter began to send her away. Just then a blast from Limburger's blaster found it's target and disintegrated the transporter. All fighting stopped at the sound of the explosion. Charley dived for the controls and rapidly typed away at them. Then she looked at Limburger with fury and hate.

"The signal left, but YOU destroyed the transporter before it could direct the signal anywhere. The signal just....scattered."

"Well, it's a week early and hardly a fitting and torturous death for her but at least NOW she's gone and out of my fins permanently," Limburger said in a cool manner.

The three mice and Charley stared at him in disbelief, finally realizing just how much Limburger hated his own daughter. Then Charley pulled out a blaster and slagged every last remaining component of the transporter. She silently and rigidly got on Vinnie's bike, and the four left, but not without demolishing Limburger Tower. Utter shock rendering them speechless as they sped away from the Tower.

Several minutes later Vinnie, Modo, and Charley had just sat down. Charley turned to the guys.

"Guys, I gotta tell you, I lied to Limburger back there."

"What?!?!" all three exclaimed.

"Her signal didn't simply scatter. Limburgers blast interfered with the transmission of the transporter beam but she did get transported. The problem is there's no way of knowing which planet she transported to, or if she even transported to one at all. And there's also a chance that her signal really did get scattered."

"So you mean to say..." Modo began.

"Yup, she could still be alive somewhere."

"Or, her molecules could be sub-atomic particles scattered across the galaxy," Throttle said.

"And there's no way to know which," Charley said somberly.