Ratpackers — Chris Blake

A couple of young ratbags are forced out of their inner-city apartment by murderous mobsters dealing in addictive rat poison. They set out on a rodent road trip across 21st century Austratlia, from the Wild West through the outback Red Center to the even wilder Far North. On the way they have to deal with various messes made by the humans. But these rats are clever (especially the girl); they know how to program robots and they want the right to bear arms (especially ones that grow back). On the way they get help (and hindrance) from unexpected places. Passing through the old Maralinga atom bomb test site in the desert they encounter the greatest threat to civilization ever known, the hideous after effects of mutation from radiation. Can they rise to the occasion and save us all?Robots, martial arts, genetic engineering gone horribly wrong, battle fleets, planes and guns; this adventure has them all. You'll never look a pet rodent in the eyes again.WARNING: this story contains some romance but no kissing. It also contains scenes of extreme violence.DO NOT LET HUMANS read this: it might give them ideas.