Biker Mice from Mars - Mountain Drift

Chapter 9: Figuring Things Out

A Couple of hours later...

After Manuel had explained how they had met, along with Throttle's situation, things were a bit calmer, though still clearly tense. Even after introductions.

"So, after your confrontation with fish-man/alien...thing, you managed to fix your ship and were on your way back to Mars when you were shot down?" Iketani asked, referring to Limburger.

"Yep. That about covers it." Throttle said, sitting in the recliner.

"So where are your other two friends? Did they crash around here, too?" Itsuki asked, not as nervous as before as he drank some water.

"I don't think so. Otherwise, I would have found their debris on those satellite maps we looked over last night..." Manuel said.

"Okay," Takumi said. "But where could they have crashed?"

"That's what I tried to figure out since we looked," Manuel answered, looking over the maps on his computer again. "So far, I've narrowed the results of the two other crash sites to two areas in the United States: Illinois and Florida."

"I don't think the vacation time you have, nor your current budget will cover that kind of search radius," Iketani said sadly.

"Well, it's not like I'm going anywhere for a while, either." Throttle said, pointing at his braced leg. "When I rode my bike down Bogus, I think I jarred something. It hurts now when I stand on it without having to lean on the crutch..."

"Yeah. I think the vibrations from his motorcycle's engine might have slightly worsened a fracture he has on that leg..." Manuel said. "I had to help him up the stairs last night when we got back with his motorcycle."

"So where is his motorcycle?" Iketani asked.

"I put it under a tarp in my garage unit downstairs," Manuel said. "I don't use the garage much, except for storing and working on the CR-X. Besides, I'm afraid someone might steal it if we left it out in the open."

"Either that or whoever shot him down would be looking for it as well," Itsuki added.

"I wouldn't be surprised by that." Manuel sighed, then turned to Throttle. "Do you have any idea who could have done this to you, Throttle?"

"To be honest, I have no idea..." Throttle answered, shrugging his shoulders. "Last time I checked, all our enemies were K.O.'ed..."

"That is strange." Iketani scratched his chin. "Manuel, you don't think it's the government, do you? Do they know about Throttle and his two friends?"

Manuel shook his head. "I doubt it. Otherwise, they'd have a platoon of FBI agents kicking down my front door by now. Thankfully so far, that hasn't happened."

"Well, alright," Iketani said. "I just can't figure out who would do something like this... So, on other subjects, what about that race you said you were going to take us to tonight at Bogus?"

"Well, I'm not sure if I can go with Throttle here!" Manuel said. "We planned all that out before I found him. I'm sorry, Iketani but Things have changed, so I'm not sure if tonight is a good idea. He still is having trouble walking, and I'm not sure if the local crowd at Bogus would allow him to blend in that well..."

"Manuel, Chill. I can walk, and it's not like I'm going anywhere for a while. Don't let me be here affect your plans." Throttle said.

Iketani scratched his chin. "Manuel does have a point, maybe Throttle can't blend in with his current outfit, but if we can find something that could fit him, like a hooded jacket or something, that could help him blend in..."