Eight Months Later

"Hurry!" Bree yelled at her brothers and neighbor.

'It' was happening. What the past couple of months had been devoted to stopping. What had so many people holding their breath about. Hoping, willing, praying that 'it' wouldn't happen.

But 'it' was.

Despite thousands of protests and speeches, Grey had finished his petition. Unfourtunately, the bionics were home alone when it was passed. Donald, Tasha, and Douglas were in Austrailia.

Grey's law was that any bionics turn themselves in and have their chips removed. Twenty-two percent did just that immediately. But others believed that they could fight it, go underground.

The boys and their friends had dug out an unbelivable 360 more rooms in the tunnel. They had worked hard everyday, telling themselves it was just a precaution. It had been.

Had.

The word could be used to describe so many things now. Bionics had been legal. Life had been peaceful. Everything had been normal.

But now life was torn to a million pieces and tossed to the wind. Or at least theirs was. Everything that had been worked for after the past sixteen years was destroyed.

Over the months, the family had loaded capsules into most of the rooms connected to the tunnel. Food and other necessities were loaded into the remaining. Over all, almost five miles of the tunnel was rooms. And there was still much more tunnel that ran all over California, leaving more room for expansion.

Chase was presently making sure that many bionics they knew to come. As long as everyone brought something to contribute, such as food, clothing, bedding and water, there should be enough for everyone.

Adam and Leo were hefting barrels of food and water down the secret entry. They of course had a lot of rations, but it never hurt to be over-prepared.

June was in tears as she threw her things down the hole as well. She wiped them away and continued to toss.

Bree was speeding around grabbing other things, like sleeping bags and pillows.

Three hours later, just about everyone had appeared. Families and singles had shown up, all hoping to stay safe.

"Okay, so, hi everyone. I wish we could all be meeting under more...peaceful circumstances. But, I'm glad to see that this many people decided to not turn themselves in. Life here isn't going to be easy, and I'm pretty sure most of you have realized that. If we can band together, we may be able to stop this, and the world will return to its previous state. In the mean time, this is going to be our home for...uh..." she stumbled.

"Well, we don't know how long yet, but hopefully not that long." Chase saved her. "So, first things first. We have a few rules that are going to be set in place.

"One, no contact with the outside. I know it's going to be hard, but we can't be found. That would mean death for all of us

"Two, no speeding in the tunnel. That would create a suction effect, and well, that's very not fun for the rest of us."

Laughter rippled through the crowd.

"Three, in order to conserve rations, no eating outside of meal times.

"And four, no leaving. If any of you have changed your mind, you can go now. But this is your last chance to leave." Chase pointed to the hole.

Nobody budged.

He smiled. "Good. In the mean time, go find your new rooms! Families, if you go down the passage a little ways there are both larger and double rooms."

"Sorry, but the only form of door we have right now is curtains." Bree winced. "But in time we are hoping to get something more...permanent."

Conversation started up with the crowd as everyone went for a room. Girls chatted and tried to find rooms that were adjacent to each other. Boys pushed and shoved to see who could get to the end of the tunnel fastest. Families struggled to keep together.

The three let out a sigh of relief as they hopped off the ladders that had been used as a podium.

Adam, who had remained silent, looked down sadly. "I guess this is it. I always hoped these rooms would just wind up being storage space. I was wrong."

Bree's eyes got misty. "I know. Everything's gone. Our life and just...dreams. I was living mine a year ago. We had peace and didn't have to hide our bionics. Now it's back to what it was like when we were teenagers."

Chase nodded his agreement. "So was I."

Leo came running up to the three with tears in his eyes. "Guys! Did you hear?"

"About what?" Asked Chase.

"They're gone."

"Who?" Bree pressed.

"Mom, Big D and Douglas!"

"What?!" the three yelped together.

"It's true." he looked down sadly. "They were arrested. Grey has them."

Adam was heart broken. "I never thought this could happen."

"None of us did." Bree quietly replied.

"We'll get them back." Chase growled. "And end this."

*O*

"Ugh!" Chase mumbled. He had been trying to hack Grey's data base for information on the captives for the past two hours, but his search remained fruitless.

A week had passed since the double blow. Life had begun to settle into a basic routine. The tunnel was now home to 157 people, such a small number compared to the world. But he knew that their small settlement was just a small piece of the puzzle. Thousands of others were in the same predicament, though maybe not literally underground.

Bree sat in her "room" quietly. Her cheeks were streaked with tears as she flipped through a scrapbook she had been able to save. Inside its worn covers was everything she and her brothers had done since leaving the lab. First day of school, being discovered, graduating and many more memories rested in it. Despite everything that had happened throughout the years, technology and all, she had held on to it. And now it comforted her in this new hard world.

Adam dug with the other men, making more room for everyone. Despite how much room there was, it was still slightly cramped. Or at least in the family area. Even through all the work, his heart was still heavy. The only family he had aside from his siblings was gone. The work just kept his mind off it. To everyone around him, he was just a happy go-lucky guy. But that was just a cover, a shell for the pain inside. Inside, he wanted to lash out, give Grey what was coming to him. But, that time would come. For now, he helped the 'community.'

Leo took the news hard. He hid out in the tech area most of the time, working and keeping busy, much like Adam. He hurt, a lot. The pain was raw and fresh - a wound. But, as life had shown him time and time again, wounds heal. Besides, as he kept telling himself, they weren't gone forever. Just until he could get to Grey.

Chase's patience was beginning to run short when a beeping sound started.

He slid the lock on the tablet screen to see a new message from an unknown number. A hologram lit up the room as a man began to speak.

"Hello, fellow bionics in hiding. Before you hit the decline button out of fear, let me speak."

Chase pulled his hand back from the screen.

"My name is Ian Green, and also have my own hiding place. The reason I know you exist is because one of my agents has taken refuge in your shelter and told me your story. I know that you are well prepared,Mr. Davenport. I would like to ask if you would consider being part of my rebellion. Many across the world are joining me. Should you agree, my agent will fill you in on the details. In the meantime, stay safe. And strong."

The hologram flickered and disapeared, leaving Chase deep in thought. This could easily be a trick. But if it was, and there really were agents, wouldn't they have struck already? He mulled it over in his head. He would have to take a vote among the fugitives.

Well, that's a word I never thought I'd have to use. A small smile flickered across his face. But none the less, it was true.

We are fugitives.

Well, here is the first chapter! Whoo-hoo! Anyway, the next chapter will start the action. I'm a Star Wars geek, and I enjoy the idea of teens/padawans fighting. But not to Hunger Games extent. That's where it starts to get disturbing :P

Anyway, time for some replies:

BTRlover1122: I'm glad you like it, but please don't use language on my stories. But thanks for reviewing! :)

AllAmericanSlurp: Yes, it is Marcus. His intent will be revealed closer to the end, maybe the beginning of the next story, Divided We Fight. In the mean time, glad you like it!

RissA15: Yes, I know! But, in my defence, I spent near a half-hour trying to find a name that starts with 'm' and means deceptive. No luck :( Also, did you know Mark/Marc/Marcus means 'god of war?' Ya learn something new every day :D Glad you liked it!

Daphrose: Yay! Star-Wars fan! Up high! Anyway, I have a reason for him not burning out. But, that will be revealed in later chapters :) I SO get what you mean about Star Trek and Star Wars. Star Wars is more popular for a reason! I don't know which came first, but Wars is making out better! No offence to anyone who likes Star Trek.

Till' next chapter!