Chapter Text
It was moments like these when he could reflect and think. It was moments like these when a deep, unspoken fear hung in the air. It was moments like these in which you didn’t know if you were to be found or if you were safe. It was moments like these that the silence was a loud ringing of loss and sad memories. Moments like this when he started to regret, even if it wasn’t in any plausible way – his fault. He thought back to the days, so long ago, that he didn’t even ponder of the boy next to him. When his biggest troubles were teenage angst or trying to make his girlfriend happy. Even the world’s problems couldn’t compare to today.
He looked around himself, at the people he would never have met if it weren’t for their situation. Children who’ve lost their father and cried deep into the nights in fear of being taken away from this small sanctuary. Men who were trying to stay strong for their families and for the safety of the children. Women risked their lives out in the desert to assure that they all survived until they were saved. Erek – the now destroyed town’s engineer – was tinkering with an old radio they were able to scavenge in the town a few miles out. Seemingly losing hope as no one’s voice called to help them.
His hand brushed through his grandson’s soft hair as he slept in his lap.
He couldn’t help but feel bad for all the boy has gone through. Losing his father in a war and his mother in a burning hospital. He could only hope Hinata was alright in Akemi right now. He wasn’t sure how much of Earth was taken over by them but everyone could be in great danger for all he knew.
He coughed a few times, grabbing the attention of the other people awake in the bunker. He waved a hand at them, dismissing their concern. They turned back to their pondering with some hesitation.
“Ojiisan?” his attention was brought to a small voice next to him. He could only guess that his coughing disrupted his sleep. He looked down at the boy now sitting next to him. His silver eyes reminded him of his mother, so bright and caring. He looked so much like Kagami too. Looking down at him made him remember his late son and his great sacrifice. He felt almost comforted by his grandson. It was a distraction from how broken the world has become.
He wiped the smallest bit of dirt from his cheek – perks of living in a bunker – and gave him a reassuring smile, “I’m fine, Kashi. Don’t worry about me.” Takashi glanced over to the others in the bunker and looked at him skeptically. “Don’t be scared to speak in front of them, Kashi. They won’t hurt you.”
Takashi looked away, pulling into his side and closing his eyes. He has been very quiet ever since the invasion. He refused to speak around the others, even speaking Japanese so the others wouldn’t understand him. Daisuke was told that when he was out scavenging with the rest, Takashi kept to himself in the corner of the bunker. Barely looking at anyone. It would take some time but Daisuke was positive that his grandson will start speaking to the others. Even if only a little.
The quiet moment ended as he heard three slow knocks on the bunker door. Erek put down the radio on the metal table and both he and Samson opened the doors. Three women hopped inside with duffel bags hanging off their arms.
“We weren’t able to get much, but it’s something,” Emila said, placing her duffel bag on the ground and zipping open the top.
“There was a bakery in Arun Park, completely untouched,” Jesse said as she kneeled beside her sleeping children, Noah and Dawn. The third woman walked in without a word, sitting down in one of the two fold-out chairs and placing her bag dishearted.
“Where’s Ashley?” Samson asked as he closed the doors.
The three women went quiet, sharing a glance before turning back to their bags. The third woman – Kim – spoke up, “We were found sneaking out of the bakery by a scout droid. We got away but Ashley wasn’t so lucky. We were hiding in an alley until the scout left. We made sure we weren’t being tracked.”
Takashi pressed himself harder against Daisuke’s side, proving that he was still awake and well aware of what they meant. “I’m sorry, Kim,” Daisuke said, hugging Takashi closer to his side. “We know how much you loved Ashely and she really did a lot for us.”
Kim turned to him, looking ready to argue but deflating as there was nothing to get angry about. She took a few deep breaths before giving a small smile his way, “Thanks, Daisuke. Watching that droid take my sister’s life like that… just got me worried about my wife. I hope that she made it through the invasion.”
“I’m sure she did,” Samson said as he leaned back against the wall.
A moment of silence passed through the bunker. All of them tending to their work quietly. Erek broke the silence, “What’s up with that Garrison report then?” Everyone turned to him. He was referring to the Garrison broadcast roughly two weeks before. About citizens of Earth being captured by the Galra. “If people are being captured, why just kill a scavenger? Why not stun her and take her in?”
“It was a scout droid, not to mention, she wasn’t alone,” Jesse said. “Those kill on sight. It has been proven before with a lizard. There is no other protocol for them.”
“But they’ve sent out droids before, haven’t they? Are there really more casualty reports than the Garrison is letting on?” Erek asked.
Kim scoffed, “There could be. They're trying to make it seem a lot less life-threatening than it actually is. We’re not stupid, we know how bad it is out there. We have to survive through it every day until their bunker is ‘ready’ and they have a ‘plan’. By now, I just don’t believe them.” She zipped open her bag and started wiping down the shelves packed into the corners of the bunker. The others joined to help her.
Erek growled, turning to his radio, “I really don’t trust the Garrison. The one thing we have to trust is seeming rather untrustworthy.”
“A bunker is a big thing to get ready, especially for a lot of people,” Samson reasoned earning a glare from Erek. “I’m not saying they're right, I’m just saying he needs to understand both sides.”
Daisuke turned away from the two men, letting out a sigh. Takashi glanced up at him before closing his eyes again. “Are we gonna live down here forever?” Takashi whispered, barely heard by the others.
“No, Takashi, we are gonna be saved soon,” Daisuke assured. “And the aliens won’t be staying long either. This should all be resolved in maybe two years.”
“That’s long,” Takashi noted.
“It is, but patience yields focus, Kashi,” Daisuke assured him. “If you stay patient, you can focus on what’s most important at the moment.”
Takashi went quiet before his breathing evened out and he fell asleep. It was moments like these where he could let go of all his worries and regrets and just focus on what was most important to him. Right next to him.
Days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months.
Takashi was getting more comfortable around the others and no word came from the Garrison thus far. Emilia and Samson didn’t survive the last scavenging hunt and Kim disappeared a little less than a month ago. They were running low on food and Jesse’s daughter was starting to look sick. They’ve been keeping a close eye on her but they couldn’t quite guess what was wrong. Her brother, Noah, has sat by her side ever since.
Jesse left to find medicine for Dawn’s fever but never returned. Erek was still trying to reach a signal to the Garrison or any updates on the bunker but came up empty-handed. Daisuke had to take the role of guardian for the three children they had with them. But he felt weaker and weaker every day. He tried to push it to the back of his mind, but at times, Erek needed to take over and let Daisuke rest.
The stress was getting to Takashi as he watched their bunker fall into shambles.
One day, Dawn wouldn’t wake up and it didn’t take them long to realize she had passed. They snuck out in the middle of the night to bury her in a secure spot. Keeping a lookout to assure no scouts flew past.
Three nights after her burial, Takashi woke up to loud whispers.
“I need to see what’s going on.”
“But I can come –”
“No! You can’t come with me. You have to stay here with Takashi and Daisuke.”
“I need to know why their bunker is taking so long, it cost my sister her life! It could’ve cost my mother her life.”
“You stay here –”
“I am coming with you and that’s that. Even if I have to go alone tomorrow, I need to know why we aren’t being saved.”
There was a moment of silence. Takashi glanced up through the darkness and saw Noah and Erek standing off against each other. Both scowling. Erek righted his posture, glaring down at Noah. “Don’t say I didn’t try to save your skin.”
Erek pressed open the bunker doors and Noah hopped out. Followed closely by Erek. The doors shut, allowing darkness to fall on the bunker once more. Takashi pushed himself up and looked down at Daisuke. He lightly shook his shoulder, “Ojiisan? Ojiisan, the others left.” Daisuke groaned but didn’t wake up.
Takashi looked up at the bunker doors, waiting for one of them to return. But neither came back. He nuzzled himself into his grandfather’s back and ignored the bad feeling in his gut. He was sure they will come back with help. He was sure of it.
It has been a week since Noah and Erek left and there was no indication that they were coming back. Daisuke has been sleeping a lot more lately although he tried to be there for Takashi as best he could.
Takashi was sitting at the desk, fiddling with the radio the same way Erek used to, trying to get a connection to the Garrison. But half the time, he had no idea what he was supposed to be doing. He sighed as he placed the radio down and turned to look at Daisuke. He was leaned against the wall, eyes closed but not quite asleep. He got off the chair and kneeled next to him. “Is this how it was for Chichi?”
Daisuke turned to him with a raised brow.
“When he contacted us from the bunkers,” Takashi asked. “Was this how it was for him?”
Daisuke turned away from him with a thoughtful look, “Perhaps. There were moments he was in underground bunkers. He was always with someone to watch his back. He had a newer radio though. He didn’t struggle as much as we are now.”
“Would… would Chichi have been good with radios?” Takashi asked.
“He was quite knowledgeable,” Daisuke chuckled. “Very talented, ever since he was a little boy. Remember his old Koto?” Takashi nodded with a small smile. He remembered his father playing anthems on the engawa of their house, the music dancing through the air. He taught Takashi how to treat it once he was old enough to walk. “Hmm… he made that with an old friend of mine who created a lot of instruments. He was attached to it ever since.”
Takashi’s shoulders sagged, “Haha liked his songs. She said it was all she needed to cure her disease.”
Daisuke shifted enough to place a hand on his shoulder. Takashi looked up at him, defeated. “She is still here with us. Your father too.”
“Obasan Hinata too?” Takashi asked skeptically.
Daisuke sighed, letting his hand fall from Takashi’s shoulder, “Let’s hope not. She’s probably surviving in Akemi with all the neighbors. Wondering if we here are alright.”
Takashi looked down. He hoped Hinata was okay. He didn’t want her worrying for them in Akemi. She needed to survive with the others. She needed to make it through this invasion and meet them when everything dies down. His head snapped up when he heard Daisuke coughing. “Ojiisan…?”
“I’m alright, Takashi,” Daisuke waved him off. “I just need a bit more sleep. Don’t go worrying about me.”
“Are you sure?” Takashi murmured uncertainly. Daisuke nodded, leaning down to the floor to rest. Takashi laid down beside him, watching him until he calmed down. He turned to the bunker doors, still no sign of Erek or Noah. He got up off the floor and looked back down at Daisuke. His mother always told him that water helped a sore throat. He could just be dehydrated from running around so much. Maybe Daisuke just wasn’t getting enough water. He got to his feet and browsed through the shelves. But there was nothing but empty containers and boxes. A few empty bottles with not even a drop of water left.
He sighed before the blue duffel bag on the table caught his eye. He felt a sudden nervousness overcome him. But maybe this was the only way for Daisuke to feel better. He slung the bag over his shoulder and kneeled next to his grandfather.
“Ojiisan? I’m gonna go look for some water. Haha said that always helped,” Takashi got off the floor and dragged a crate over to the bunker doors. “When I come back, you’ll feel better.” He stacked another crate on that one and slowly balanced onto them. He used a broom handle that his grandfather used as a walking stick on scavengers to push open the bunker doors. He jumped and pulled himself into the brightness of the day. He looked down at his grandfather who was still fast asleep. “I’ll be back, Ojiisan.”
He closed the bunker doors and picked up the broom handle as a makeshift staff. He was gonna have to rely on the movies he watched to keep him alive right now. He ducked to the edge of the sand dune and glanced around it. His heart temporarily stopped beating as he saw the large structure in front of him. Not too far away, constructed over the cliffs, was a large purple dome. Ships of all sizes floating around the perimeter. He saw tiny figures marching around the entrances. He ducked back behind the sand dune, his heart racing. He took a deep breath and thought ‘patience yields focus’.
“If you stay patient, you can focus on what’s most important at the moment,” he whispered to himself before jumping into action.
He ducked behind the dunes and kept a lookout for the sky. He was passing through the desert pretty much unspotted. The sun was beating down on him and the sand seemed to burn his skin even if he didn’t touch it. He jumped when he saw a lizard scuttle across the ground, never having seen an animal in months. Thinking about it, he realized he hasn’t seen the outdoors in months. He was passing through without a second thought. He looked back at the sky, no sign of any alien ships. Just wispy, white clouds on a blue sky. He remembered sitting outside by the cherry blossom trees or traveling to the Great Tsuki Hill to see the stars glittering in the sky.
The stories his father would tell him when he was still alive, about all the constellations and how they have a history with one another. But the bright light of the sun hid those stories. One of his favorite things in the whole world. He heard an odd whirring sound at the back of his head and he jumped back.
A triangular droid floated from behind the sand dune, a stream of light scanning the sand in front of it. Takashi jumped back behind the sand dune, keeping a close eye on it. Being so close to the sand felt like pressing hot glass to his face. Daisuke told him to be prepared for the heatwaves of the desert but he never really did prepare himself for it. The droid turned in his direction and he threw himself back out of its sight. He held his breath, scared the thing could hear him.
The whirring of engines grew louder and he scooted back, away from the droid.
The droid turned sharply and Takashi yelped. It stopped on him, the small circle in the center of it glowing. It didn’t take long for Takashi to realize it was powering up. He grabbed the broom by his side and jumped to his feet. He brought the broom back and hit the droid like it was a meazly baseball and not a floating weapon. It whizzed across the dunes and got stuck in a cactus. He knew immediately that he needed to get out of there. He ran further in the direction he was heading. The heat of the sun beating down on him with every step.
He ran and ran and didn’t look back. He didn’t hear anyone following him but he couldn’t be so sure. He just kept going.
He tripped over his own feet and tumbled down a hill. He hit the concrete with his chin and felt an unwanted burning pain. He groaned and pushed himself to his feet. He looked around and noticed he was in an abandoned town. He noticed the old-looking shops and the cracked, dusty road. All the doors were hanging open, creaking in the wind. Takashi pushed himself up and looked around at all the stores. He went to the nearest supermarket but as he entered the store, he noticed that all the shelves were empty. He tried his luck, walking deeper into the store but he still saw nothing. He let out a sigh and turned back to the entrance. That’s when he heard a crash from the storage closet.
He jumped back, tripping over his feet and tumbling to the floor. He gasped, his heart racing, eyes locked on the storage closet door. He kept his eyes on the door, looking for any sign of movement but none came.
Then the door creaked open.
Slowly, inch by inch, the door opened. On the other side stood a robot with a triangular head slightly tilted to the side. The alien’s insignia worked into its chest. Sparks flew around its limbs and its gun was tightly held in its fists. Takashi scooted away from it as it scanned him. Creaking and twitching, it raised its gun and shot. It was a wonky aim, burning a hole into the ground right beside him. Takashi yelped and jumped up out of the store. He held the broom in his hands, the only defense against the robot he had. It hobbled out of the store, shooting aimlessly at his position. He jumped away from the fire, regarding it with cautious eyes.
It shot three more times and Takashi ducked behind a nearby trash can. He heard it start running and jumped out of the way just in time. The trashcan flew from the ground, knocking trash on the pavement.
The bot turned back to him and Takashi risked a hit to its face. Its head twirled on its neck a few times before it started shooting blindly. Takashi jumped out of the way and made a break for it. Trying to get back to the desert. He heard the heavy pounding of metal footsteps before he hit the dirt. He glanced up, his stomach throbbing, the bot stood before him. Its limbs sparking and the gun barely powering up. Takashi tried to pull away but he just fell back to the sand with a hiss. He looked up at the sentry as it leveled its gun to his face and he watched the light got brighter.
He tried to get up again but failed, getting a mouthful of desert sand.
He could already feel the sharp impact and the burning heat of the blaze. But it never came. He heard a sharp gunshot but it never hit him. He glanced up and saw a smoking hole through the bot’s head. Sparks dancing around its head.
The bot toppled over, clanging into itself. He looked ahead from where the bot once stood. A figure in orange, white, and grey armor stood with a bulky blaster. His face was obscured by a darkened visor. He hurried over, causing Takashi to scramble back. Flinching at his sore stomach.
“Hey, it’s okay,” the figure held up his hands in a placating manner. Takashi couldn’t help but notice an orange ‘G’ on the side of his shoulder. “Are you alright?” Takashi looked back towards the darkened visor, showing no sign of his identity. He nodded cautiously. He stepped forwardly slowly, placing his blaster by his knee.
“I’m not gonna hurt you,” he promised gently. He placed his hands on either side of his helmet and slowly pulled it away. He had a mess of light-brown hair and such bright eyes they seemed almost golden. He held out a hand, cautiously but insistent. “I’m from the Galaxy Garrison. We sent out a broadcast not long ago to save all survivors of the invasion. I’ve been patrolling the area for anyone who couldn’t get the word.”
That word caught his attention. The people who promised to save them from the aliens. The people who angered Noah and Erek into leaving. The Garrison. “Garrison?” Takashi asked.
“Yes, I’m here to help, promise,” the soldier said. He sounded earnest and kind. His hand didn’t waver. Giving him the choice. “What’s your name?”
“T…” Takashi stopped, unsure if he should be handing out information if his bunker hated the Garrison so much. But he did promise to help him and perhaps he could just save his grandfather. The soldier was patient, waiting for his answer in silence. “Takashi Shirogane. Wh-who are you?”
“Forgive me for not introducing myself earlier,” he smiled. “I’m Mathias. Mathias Holt.”