Chapter Title: Landspeeder

Series Title: Unlikely Brothers

Ages in this chapter: Tanner (14) Dashen (20)

POV: Dashen

Chapter Summary: Tanner celebrates a birthday by taking Colton's favorite antique speeder out for an eventful spin with his brother.


By vehicle standards, the X-34 Landspeeder that Colton owned was ancient. Basically, older than dirt. It was odd too. Colton loved new, shiny, expensive things. He had the wealth for it and honestly I was surprised he hadn't traded Tanner and me in for new models by this point. This speeder though... there was an unusual attachment there and he babied the thing, somehow managing to keep it running long past it's expiration date. Honestly, it was a lot like the one that our solitary friend, Ben Kenobi tooled around in at times, but at least he had a valid excuse for using something of such an advantaged age.

For Colton... oh, and then there were the rules that went with driving it. Ugh! But! Today was the day! Tanner was finally able to get behind the controls and pilot this sucker. Fourteen. His birthday. His gift. Well, one of them. Not that Tanner couldn't pilot. As a Jedi, even as young as he had been, they'd learned early and often the ins and outs of various ships, speeders, swoops, tanks and so on. He hadn't flown or driven many of them, but the basic knowledge was there. Certainly the patience and responsibility wasn't an issue. The kid had that in spades and not a single ounce of rebel in his small frame. So the likelihood of him crashing into a building or running over someone's grandmother... eh, slim to none.

Excited, he sat behind the controls, floating gentle fingers over the delicate levels, buttons and knobs.

"This is really old, even older than Ben's." He said, always loving to state the obvious. "The newer ones are much more automatic and less... knobby."

Was that an insult? Depends on your point of view, I guess. Colton took it as one and threatened to remove my brother by the scruff of his neck if he didn't treat this piece of history with respect.

"Respect, Tannerlin." The intimidating blonde man said, standing over us. "I can't get that from your idiot brother, but I hold you to a much higher standard." Harsh. But not untrue. "One scratch on her and I will revoke..."

Okay, that was it. "Colt, seriously? One scratch? You are more protective of this damn archaic piece of garbage than you are of your ridiculously comfortable couch. And that means something." It did. He loved that couch. We all loved it, even though we were rarely allowed to sit on it. But that wasn't the point. "Come on, let the kid have some fun. You know his usual fun consists of staring blankly at walls, going to school and reading. How dangerous can he be?"

The big man pondered, head cocking momentarily to the side. In agreement. Finally. "Just be careful, kid. Don't do anything foolish and do not let Dashen behind the controls."

"Really?" My hands flew up in protest. "One time, one time! And the only reason I crashed into that wall was because I was being chased by a crazed hanadak creature that Rosina sent after me for stealing from one of her people. A people by the way, that you did not tell me was her people. She had - probably still does - that viscous hanadak at her disposal to scare the living crap out of me. That crash is your fault. Completely on you. I'm quite the good pilot if I do say so myself."

"Hey, Dash," Tanner chimed in from the pilot's chair, "Was the hanadak brown with black stripes and blue eyes? Her name is Yekus. She's really friendly and likes to be scratched behind the ears. When you..."

"No, no and no." I pointed in his direction. "Do not start on your animal kinship crap. Just because you have some weirdo magic over some creatures does not make that thing innocent and cute. It tried to eat my face, damn it! And why the hell does it have a name? Did you name it? Please tell me you didn't name it."

Tanner shook his head, long bangs falling innocently over his pale eyes as he said in all sincerity, "I didn't name it."

"Then do not tell me that it spoke to you and told you it's name."

When little brothers give you that look - the one that says you are the stupidest human being on the planet - at some point you start to recognize it before it actually happens. I'd seen it coming the second I stopped talking and of course, it happened and I swear if Tanner rolled his eyes at me any harder they'd get stuck behind his head.

"Dash, you're an idiot."

"You see my point then?" Colton's turn to dive back into the mix.

"Okay, okay. Whatever. Stars, you two. Can we just take a ride please?" I deposited myself into the passenger seat and gave a final glance at Colton who seemed to think this was the last time he'd ever see his beloved speeder. "It's fine Colton, I swear it. Come on, Tanner, let's go before he changes his mind."

—-

Yeah, so... it was not fine. Not only that, it was not fine in a way none of us would have ever expected.

Tanner, of course, was no issue. The kid flew straight, true and safe. The problem was we were being chased. Again. I should've just sworn to never again step foot into this vehicle. Ever.

Chased. Yes. Not by a hanadak this time, but by an old former part-time employer of mine who recognized me for stealing from him instead of for him once I'd started working mostly for Colton. Colton's rule, not mine. I was forced to cut ties without having a chance to let him know.

"Okay, um, Tanner, that blue creature up ahead? Avoid him. At all costs."

"He's screaming at us to stop."

"Do not stop. Veer off to the right. That man hates me." With valid reason, but hate was hate and I wasn't in the mood to deal with the drama. We were trying celebrating a birthday after all.

Wilsurian Teb was the guys name. I think it was foreign for 'angry blue guy'.

"But, Dash..." Little brother started protesting.

"Don't but Dash me, just go right. I've managed to avoid him for years, damn it." Why now? Why today? Why while I am in the landspeeder that I swore with my brother's Jedi braid that I would not damage?

Tanner swerved to the right. Teb followed. Fast and angry and blue and oh yeah, he had wings. Did I mention he had wings? Seems important. Especially now.

"I went right, Dash. He's... wait, can he fly? That's not a fair fight."

"Not fighting. Not fair. Just keep going. How fast can this antiquated thing go?"

"Well, it's older than Yoda, but he was kinda fast when he used Force speed."

"You just compared Colton's beloved speeder to a 8 million year old troll?" Tanner had told me all about Yoda, the tiny but powerful Grand Master Jedi. He was old. Ancient. But was now really the time to bring him up?

"He wasn't 8 million years old, Dash." Left hand turn this time.

"Close enough and don't even consider trying any of your magic on this guy. He finds out what you are and this is the last birthday you ever see. He'll sell you out in a second for the money. Greedy flying bastard."

Zigzag pattern now, around and through and over and under. The kid had talent. A natural for flight. I suppose he was utilizing the Force under it all, to some extent with his partially-trained self, just not visibly. We were managing to attract attention though. The galaxy's oldest operative landspeeder shooting around town being trailed by an irate, winged, blue criminal. Yup, we were a picture. Happy birthday, Tanner!

"I can't lose him, Dash." Tanner said, throwing me a desperate look as we slingshot around a large tree. "What did you do to him to make him so mad?"

"Long story. It was before I knew you. Man can hold a grudge though. Who knew?" My arm motioned to the right. "Can we head out of town? Maybe he'll lose stamina out in the open."

"Maybe we should call Colton."

"Oh, I strongly suspect he knows what's going on. We went around, over and past his bar at least four times. I know him, he's gonna let me figure this one out for myself."

"That sounds like him."

We hit the open space and Tanner floored the old heap, pushing it as fast as it would go. Still no sign of Teb slowing. Maybe it was time for a little magic as long at it was discrete.

"Tanner, can you throw something at him?"

My brother looked over at me with giant eyes, basically calling me an idiot without saying it. "You just said... no, Dash. No. Not only is that a bad idea because I would like to see another birthday, but I'm not strong enough to focus on not crashing, outrunning him, and throwing things as him at the same time. Ben could do it. I'm half trained and stressed and this is not a very good birthday!"

It was not. That much was true. I apologized for asking the ridiculous. Then he said to me. "Maybe you can shoot his wings off or something instead."

My turn to look at Tanner like he was the idiot. "You actually think I have a blaster with me? That's funny. Not only that, you also think I could hit an angry flapping creature from this distance at this speed with enough accuracy to whack off a wing? You think too highly of me sometimes, little brother."

"No, that's not it." He said bluntly. "We really need an idea. Keeping this kind of connection to the Force and under this pressure, I'm getting tired."

He was, I could see it in his reflexes each time Teb got close and he had to zig to the left or zag to the right. His reaction times were slowing. Time to plead for help.

I punched for Colton's comm, hearing him pick up within a millisecond. "It's about time, you idiot."

"Yes, I'm an idiot and Teb is not slowing down, but Tanner is. I know you have someone back there behind him. Somewhere. I can't see him, but he's there. So, a little help here, Colt. Tanner's wearing down and unless you want me to take over piloting duties..."

"Hell no," He said forcefully. Figures. "And she is back there."

"She... oh, Kishel?"

Kishel Greyer was a more recently employed party of Colton's security team. She had the close familial connections. His head of security, the giant dark man known as Sydenious Greyer was her father. We'd only recently found out about her. She didn't know of Tanner's background - yet - Colton had a probation period to determine who on his staff could know. So far, to my knowledge, only Sydenious along with Colton's hired healer, Quin, and her first-in-line, Fen, were in the know. I had no clue what was down the line for Kishel. I didn't really care at this point. We just needed help! Now. Tanner was fading fast, I could see him desperate to fight the obvious fatigue and Teb was closing in on us.

Last gasp, "Colt, please!"

I glanced back just in time to see a blurred swoop-speeder shoot past Teb, and then run acrobatic impossible circles around him until the dust was stirred enough to cause the right amount of disorientation for him to lose focus. It was enough for the second person behind us to take Teb down with a vicious flying tackle. The large dark form moved fast. Too fast for a man his size, but Sydenious was the best at what he was. Within seconds, he'd tossed a flailing Teb onto his own swoop and vanished back toward town. Most likely, Teb would be given the dressing-down by Colton about leaving his people the hell alone. No violence would come to him. This time. Warning shot only. But ignore that shot and well...

In the meantime, I turned my attention back to my brother.

"Tanner, stop. We're good."

Oblivious to what had happened behind us, I quickly filled him in as the speeder halted. Kishel floated up beside us. Face covered in dust and smiling broadly.

"Hello there boys."

"Kishel. It's good to see you again. Appreciate the help."

Kishel wasn't quite as tall or broad as her father (though she was taller than me) but she was formidable and had the same dark coloring and features. Adding to it was jet black hair pulled tight against her head with a shoulder-blade length ponytail braided behind. She held a bit more of a sense of humor than her father, but damn if her essence didn't scream 'don't screw with me' with every vibe emanating from her elevated and well-muscled form. She could no doubt become every way as intimidating as her imposing father, despite the fact that she was only a few years older than me.

"You have the tendency to attract trouble, Dashen Lesedi. I see that even without hearing the stories from my father."

Great. The senior Greyer was already spilling the beans about my... abilities. Just what I was hoping for. Or not.

"I also have the tendency to escape trouble. Just in this case, the trouble has wings of rage and I promised Colton we would not wreck his baby here." My words were drab as I flicked a hand toward our ride.

"Regardless, I look forward to working with you and your brother, Dashen Lesedi."

"Okay, first, please don't do that. First and last name? Really not needed. Second, my brother doesn't often work with me, he's busy with school and boring things like that. Right Tanner?"

I think I'd woken him. Tanner's head was leaned back against the seat, eyes closed. Probably in meditation or whatever. No walls to stare at, but that didn't matter. He responded with a "huh?"

"Kishel here mentioned you. Oh, never mind."

His head came forward and he turned in the direction of where Kishel still sat on her swoop. Her brand new, shiny, updated, non-ancient, non-piece-of-crap swoop, I might add.

"Hi Kishel. I like your swoop-bike. That's the newest model." Tanner, always easy to leap right in and take part in the conversation.

"Indeed. I only use the best. The job requires it. Colton spares no expense for those loyal to him."

I snorted. Spares no expense. Colton? Yeah. Sure. Okay. Hence the junk-mobile Tanner and I were currently riding around in. I was curious about the loyalty part though. She'd only been working in Colton's crew for a few months now and got the job at least, in part, because of her father. Though I knew she was more than capable. She'd just proven that. But earned Colton's loyalty already? Huh. There was a story there that wasn't public knowledge. Which wouldn't be surprising. Colton had meaning behind everything he did. No decision was ever random or impulsive. If Kishel had worked her way into his inner circle that quickly, she could be trusted. Whether or not he'd trust her with Tanner's secret, I didn't know. For me, I preferred the fewer that knew the better, and he'd always been on board with that. Though on occasion, my brother's background came into play and it wouldn't be the most horrible thing to have one more trusted person in the loop should we never need it. Time would tell, I suppose.

Back to the present. Kishel reached into her form-fitting jacket to retrieve a small jewel. She dangled it toward Tanner. "My father says today is your birthday, Tannerlin Vai. I bring you a crystal jewel from my workshop. I mold them myself. The blue color represents peace, calm and trust. Those things are you. Please accept this as a gift for your day."

Peace, calm and trust? She'd met Tanner a total of one time prior to this and for about ten minutes. Had she read him that quickly? I mean, the kid did wear his emotions on his sleeve, but still. A niggling in the back of my mind wondered if she already knew about him being a Jedi. If so, I was well behind the curve as usual. I'd discuss it with Colton later. He'd promised Tanner a delicious dinner at the bar. All his favorites. Assuming we came back in one piece from this far too adventurous ride in the landspeeder. So, time to work it all out.

Tanner accepted the crystal and well, yup, there he went. Leaping from the speeder and flinging arms around this woman he barely knew. A hug. As I'd told many in the past, the kid was nothing but consistent and he was what he was. People needed hugs. It's what he often told me. It made them feel good. Made him feel good. A simple act of kindness went a long way. That was Tannerlin Vai.

Fourteen today, growing so much since I'd literally pulled him from a wall five or so years ago. But still true to himself. True to his beliefs and his manners and his ways. There was no changing that. The look on Kishel's face went from surprise to smile. Unexpected, but appreciated. Yup, that was my little brother.

"Okay, Mouse, let her go. I'm sure she's got to get back on duty. Can't have you leaching her."

Tanner blew me off as he released his new friend. "Don't mind him, Kishel. Dash didn't get breakfast this morning, so he's grumpy. Thank you for the crystal. It's beautiful. The blue is perfect. I can feel it too."

"I know you can. Your essence is blue. It is truly what you are and what you will always be."

Yup, she knew. Damn it, Colton. Could you at least tell me when you spill secrets that could get my brother killed? At least she had been extreme in her subtlety should any enemy eyes be roaming the area.

All of that aside, the one thing we were finding out was that Kishel was far more personable than her father, the original Mr. Stone Face. Sydenious had never been a fan of mine since the days after Kossi died. He'd warmed a bit over the years, but given the opportunity, he's probably feed me to a rancor the first opportunity given. Kishel, she seemed... nice? Tanner thought so. He trusted her already. I held his instincts in high regard, but a part of me always remained wary.

Kishel climbed back onto her swoop and bid us farewell. "See you later, boys. Be safe. I'm sure we'll be seeing much more of each other now that I am full time on Colton's crew. A good birthday to you, Tannerlin."

And she was gone; a trail of dust the only evidence left behind.

Tanner climbed back into the speeder and started the engine. Our ride home was slow and methodical. He was exhausted but taking the reigns from him was not an option. Regardless of the reason, if Colton saw me at the controls of this thing I'd be paying the price for a very long time.

"So this was nice, huh?" I said to him, trying to make awkward conversation. Something I excelled at.

"Oh yeah, Dash. Great fun. I often enjoy spending my birthdays running for my life." Another eye roll. At least he had enough energy left for that.

"She knows." I didn't have to explain my comment.

"I know. It's all right. Colton wouldn't tell without complete trust. And it's nice to have her on our side."

"Yeah, she's like her dad. A serious butt-kicker type who takes names later. I think she actually likes us too which is different. Well, for me. Everyone likes you."

"They do." Not a boast for the kid, but a fact.

Arriving at Colton's bar, he and his giant blonde form greeted us with a glare. I immediately defended us. Me mostly.

"Not my fault, Colt. Not the kid's either. Who knew Teb held grudges for so many years? The man needs a hobby."

The speeder was in good shape considering. Okay, maybe good was the wrong term. It was as we'd received it, so we couldn't be murdered for harming his baby.

Colton did a once over of the vehicle and was satisfied enough to not even mention it's condition. Instead he said, "Teb has been... counseled." Sure, counseled. A polite was of saying that Colton threaten to remove his head from his shoulders if he ever put his people or his ancient landspeeders in jeopardy again. "You will have no further issue with him."

"So, he's still alive."

"He is. This time. It's Tannerlin's birthday, I was in a giving mood."

Worked for me. One less issue to deal with. And now... "Can we eat? You promised the kid all his favorites and..." I stopped when Colton motioned to the pilot chair. Tanner was leaned back, sound asleep. Out cold. "Yeah, that's about this day has gone. Can we put him in your office?"

Colton's office was like a small apartment. Had everything one would need to live a simple life and was often used by his bar manager as a place to crash when nights ran late. There was a soft sleep couch behind the office desk. I set Tanner down and pulled a blanket over him.

"Let him sleep, then we'll eat. You can help Kebrey at the bar for now."

Oh good. Work. Just what I wanted on my day off.

I did have one question though. "Colt, about Kishel..."

A hand went up to stop my thought and keep the words sheltered. There were those in the bar not privileged to certain information about my brother, along with customers and the like. If they had a ear nearby... "Yes, she is trusted. You and your brother have my word on that, Dashen." And that was that. I questioned it no further. If Colton gave his promise - his word - it was the most solid thing in the entire galaxy. That, I knew for certain.

"Okay then, I guess I'll go help out behind the bar until birthday boy wakes up. He really is a good driver, you know. Tanner. Until he started getting winded, he was outflying Teb like you'd not believe."

Colton nodded. "I saw. You blew by my bar about seven times. Almost ran over an elderly couple, grazed Bluc's food cart - which I have already taken care of - and irritated the majority of Kaolin. Well done."

"You had eyes on us the entire time." Just as I suspected.

"Always. I wasn't taken any chances with you idiots scarring my precious baby."

"You and that damn speeder. One day you'll tell me the story behind it. Why you care so much about that hunk of junk."

"One day." Colton ran a hand through his hair before pushing me out the door. "To work. Your brother is fine."

"I'll hold you to that. Hearing that story. One day."

"Yeah yeah. Get the hell out of my office."

Tanner slept a few hours and then we ate and ate and ate. As birthdays went, this one had been eventful and a bit whacky, but such was our lives. We'd lived through other day. I'd say we were doing pretty well for ourselves.


END