Chapter Title: Bunker
Series Title: Unlikely Brothers
POV: Dashen
Ages in this chapter: Tanner (10) Dashen (16)
Chapter Summary: A raid by the Empire through Kaolin has the boys running and hiding for cover.
By figurative definition, a whirlwind is a person or body of objects or events sweeping violently upward. I can't say we currently qualified as violent, but the actions that would be brought on us - one of us in particular - if we didn't whirlwind out of sight, would be pretty damned violent.
So, we hauled butt, twisted and turned, packed a quick go-bag and in just under five minutes, were practically shoved into a panic room under the main house. The entryway was a hidden door behind a well camouflaged panel in the wall. A imperceptible panel leading to a concealed room that was actually designed to be found and one that decoyed the true area of hiding. It was brilliant to say the least. The searching party would find the veiled room completely unaware there was a second area of hiding beyond it. That beyond was through and down another door and was undetectable by heat sensors or any other tool the Empire seemed to have at their disposal. And only five people on the planet knew of it's existence. Tanner and I were two of those people.
Panic room. Bunker. Whatever you wanted to call it. A short crawl through a tunnel opened to an area about the size of my own bedroom with a wall-cooling unit, a sink, a table with two chairs. A tiny offshoot held a toilet and ridiculously compact shower. A fold-out bed enough for two people or one larger person such as Colton. No windows - as we were pretty deep underground - and topped off with a blaster proof door. We'd been down here only once before. Not long after we'd moved in. Colton said he'd had it built a number of years ago as a safety net for his own criminal empire. Now it doubled as safety net for the actual Empire, should they come calling. Which apparently they had.
As we'd packed a quick bag, Colton gave us the run down. A sweep of the planet had been ordered. Every house, store, cantina, all of it to be checked once or five times depending on the mood. Based on prior history, they'd leave once they blown up a few things and were satisfied that no Jedi were present. Their damn obsession with wiping these people from existence was perverted beyond what I wanted to imagine, but I sure as hell wasn't letting anything happen the one Jedi that was a regular part of my life. Those bastards weren't getting anywhere near my brother.
Inside the bunker and finally able to catch our breath, I stole a glance at Tanner, currently conducting a desperate search of his go-bag. Looking for something. Knowing he packed it, but unable to find it in his somewhat panicked state.
"I can't find it, Dash. Maybe it fell out when I packed so quickly. I don't see it..."
I came to his side, gently taking the bag from his trembling hands. "Let me look." I told him. Without even asking, I knew what he was searching for. That one thing most special to him in the entire galaxy.
Removing each item from the bag, I set it on the seat between us. Two books. Two lightsabers. A host of trinkets. A change of clothes.
I shook out the tunic he'd stuck in the bag and the object of concern fell from the sleeve. A small piece of brown fabric. A chunk of Jedi robe from his dead Master Ayden. The thing he held most dear in his life. The one last physical memory - other than the lightsaber - that he could hold onto.
The fabric was soft, but of high quality material. Rich brown in color. No doubt, it had seen many missions and battles and whatever else Jedi used to do - stare at walls and other exhilarating things. I handed it to Tanner.
"It's okay. Here."
He exhaled a relieved breath. Shaky too, but he followed with steadying ones to regain control.
"Thank you, Dash. If I had lost this..."
"But you didn't. You got everything else." And left no trace behind in his bedroom that a former Jedi had lived there. We'd be down here for who knew how long, but trusted that Colt's panic room would hold the safety and security we needed until the troopers had completed their sweep of the city and surrounding areas. "And we'll get back upstairs and home soon enough." I assured him. The kid didn't need anymore sudden shocking change in his life.
Looking around, the room was stocked. Always. Once a month fresh food, drink and other essentials were swamped out for the old. Bed linens and blankets were freshened. The lone air duct was cleaned of any dust or debris. Who did this for Colton, or when they did it, how they did it... not a clue. One of Colton's many mysteries. The man was full of them.
We could get com signals and holo-net coverage down here, thankfully. It was deathly and creepily silent in this place so music or a good holo-drama would be welcomed. Colton had shoved two data-pads in my hands on the way down here. All we needed for our time underground was in our reach. Well, except fresh air, comfort and normalcy, but keeping my brother alive was the most important thing. I could have remained topside. I wasn't being hunted. I wasn't the type that they wanted to fill full of blaster holes. I'd be fine not hiding in a hidden bunker. All those things were the truth. Also true was that the last thing I'd ever do is leave my brother scared for his life and alone in an underground shelter with future unknown and a swarm or soldiers with one instruction - find a Jedi, kill a Jedi.
Nope. Not this Jedi. Not on my watch.
Speaking of, said little brother had found a comfortable spot on the bed. There was no couch or soft reclining chair, so the bed was it for leisure. I found my spot next to him.
"How you doing?" I said with a nudge to his shoulder, to which he responded with a shrug.
"I don't like being down here."
"Yeah, it's nice for what it is. But still cramped and underground. At least Colton redid the lighting down here. Remember how dark it used to be?"
"Definitely better than that."
"You've got some studies on your data-pad. I know it's not your school lessons, but I'm sure you can make those up later. The school is probably all off-kilter right now anyway with herds of troopers roaming the city."
"Miss Sanya will wonder where I am."
"Colton will take care of it. It'll be all right."
"They won't find us here, right?"
"No way, kid. This place is as secure as you can make it. You know, Colton. Only the best for well, just about everything."
"And he'll be okay?"
Tanner. Always worried about others. "Colt? He's been living a crazy life for a long time. He's always prepared. He's okay. Try to not worry." He yawned. I followed. It was still the middle of the night. "We should try for some sleep." I said.
Didn't have to tell him twice. Reaching to his go-bag he grabbed hold of the brown cloth and held it tight in his hand, then scooted onto his side and snuggled to my side. Not all that unlike Kossi used to do when was sick or scared. Damn how I missed that kid. My baby brother. Too good for the entire galaxy. Definitely too good for me. Tanner reminded me so much of him at times.
I tucked myself in and we searched for our missing sleep.
We woke in a start, noise all around, but not in the bunker. Above. Outside. Blasters. Banging. Shouting. Tanner flinched into me. "They won't find us, Mouse. Promise."
He took me at my word. I'd never made a promise I didn't intend on keeping. We'd know each other for just over a year but I'd sworn a long time ago that I'd not let anything happen to him I'd if I had any say in it.
And I had a say in this.
Colton also had this placed loaded to the gills with firepower. A lockbox of various blasters, charged and loaded. Ready, if needed. I didn't carry a blaster. I rarely carried a weapon of any type. The idea of having to take a life, even one trying to kill me, was not an idea I envied. It just wasn't me. But for Tanner... I had one bedside now. We were safe, there was no doubt. Colton had told us so. I believed him. But I'd made a promise to my brother. I couldn't keep Kossi safe. I would make damn sure to keep Tanner safe.
My breath stayed steady, but evident as we listened with our eyes. Keeping still. Staying quiet. Until there was silence above. Tanner relaxed against me.
"Are they gone?"
"Shhh." I hushed him, waiting for the signal. Three long chirps on the com, followed by four abbreviated, then one extended at the end. "Yeah, Colt's okay."
The raids continued for days after the initial. We got more used to them and Tanner less nervous and me less weirded out. I kept the blaster by
the bed just in case. It was boring down here for more than a few hours. Tanner started losing himself in random studies and reading and his meditation crap - also known as staring blankly at walls. Good times
for him. He lived for peace and quiet and being boring. I needed things to do. Things to occupy my mind and my sometimes fidgety self. Sleeping was good, but one could only lay around being lazy for so long. We found a few holo-games to play. Trivia kicked my butt, as expected. Losing to a not-yet-eleven-year-old learning-obsessed former Jedi kid who got his kicks from studying every animal, plant and planet in the galaxy... that was bound to turn out badly for me. In fairness though, I kicked little brother's but in the more strategic games. Cons, thievery and being sneaky were more my thing.
By the end of day seven though...
"I am perhaps the most bored that I've ever been in my entire life." That was me. The confinement had finally done me in. It had been quiet for two days, but the com codes from Colton said to stay put. He had our best interests at heart - mostly Tanner's - but that didn't stop my brain from melting into my skull from the monotony of it all. We sat on the bed, shoulder to shoulder, staring a new holo-film on the data-pad. Even that was boring. No action. No adventure. Just talking and emoting and slow drama. Naturally, the kid was enthralled... I on the other hand found myself drifting off, eyes half-mast, leaning into my brother's small form.
Then, a noise. A knocking sound. The blaster I wanted no part of was gripped into my hand in half a second. Tanner inched closer and set down his data-pad, muting the holo. Voices. Closer.
I breathed in relief. The voices were just one. Colton. Hollering at us from the other side of the bunker. "All clear, boys. Time to set you free. Come on up."
Freedom! Loved the sound of that. "Grab all your stuff, Mouse." Which didn't take long. We had with meaning, but we had packed light. Two minutes tops and we were making our way back into the short tunnel, through the hidden door, entering the secret room and then through the second hidden door. Then, home sweet home.
The house was upright and standing, as was our large blond fake uncle. As expected, Tanner moved to him immediately for a hug, soaking in the warmth. I saw a light smile fall on Colton's face as he welcomed the greeting. Yeah, he liked us. He should just admit it already.
Tanner let go and Colton set a hand on my shoulder. "Welcome back. It's been interesting up here and around town. Sy has eyes on the troopers. They're raiding the western part of the planet now. No spies left behind. All friends are safe. I checked on Dec'lan at the shop, Tannerlin. He's well and asked about you. I still don't want you in town for a few more days, but the house is safe. But stay wary, always. Yes?"
Tanner nodded. I nodded. No argument from either party. It wasn't complete freedom yet, but I'd take it.
"Can I go see my room"? Tanner asked me next.
Colton nodded. "Go on." Brown blur hustled up the stairs as Colton motioned me to the kitchen and handed me a cold drink. "How'd he do? No flashbacks from being in hidden in another hole?"
I grinned. "Nah. None of that. Just anxious at first. He worried about you when he heard the raids going on. Eventually got lost in his reading and meditation. All those exciting things he loves to bore me with. Thanks for hiding him, Colt. That bunker room, it's compact and confining, but it serves it's purpose. You didn't have to do all that for him, but you did. Thank you."
"I always hope I never have to use the place, but things are crazy all over. Jedi or not, the kid is an unnecessary target. I can't stop their hunting of he and his kind, but I can give him a secure place to hide if needed."
"He'll be happy to check in with his teacher. Maybe he can get some of his missed work through the school holo-net site."
"So you'll know, the story for his class is that is he's been sickly and contagious and couldn't attend school until cleared by the healers. I told her that he'd return to classes once the Empire's presence is completely clear."
Easy enough story to remember. Tanner's teacher, Miss Sanya was one of a handful of people who knew of and protected his Jedi past. She was also one of the people he held in the highest respect. His ultimate dream of being a teacher himself one day helping to fuel that positive relationship.
I'd touch base with her tomorrow.
Tanner came bounding down the stairs a second later. "Dash!"
I feigned surprise. "What!"
"I'm hungry. But I can't leave the house."
"No, you cannot. I can though. Tell me what you want, I'll go get us something."
Colton opened the door to the kitchen's large cooling unit. "No need boys." He dragged out several containers. "I had Kebrey stop us by some dinner once I saw the troopers had pulled out. Got all your favorites, kid. And something you might like too, Dash."
Why did that make me sound like an afterthought? Whatever. Tanner's face lit up in a grin. "Set the table, Mouse. Your favorite thing, dinner with your favorite fake brother and your favorite fake uncle."
Setting the plates out, Tanner shook his head and gave me the most sincere of expressions. "Not fake. Not to me."
I set a arm around him. "Not anymore."
A few days later, life returned to normal. I went back to work. Tanner
went back to school. Mind you, with an invisible - if temporary - security tail on him on the outside chance that the Empire left a spy behind. I too kept closer tabs on him for a time. He checked in with either myself or Colton two times during the school day. Call me paranoid, but I'd gotten pretty damn attached to this kid.
My fake-not-so-fake little brother.
Bullseye on his back or not, he was family now.
END
