Shadows Creed

Elliott Johnston grimaced as he watched the live telecast. The phones were going non-stop in the background but he was focused on the screen.

“Sir?”

He glanced over at his secretary who was holding out one of the phones. “What?”

“It’s the Commander.”

Elliott motioned for the phone as he kept his gaze glued to the tv. “Commander?” He frowned as he listened to Jason’s strained words. “Pardon?” He turned away from the television and listened hard. “He what?” He started to pace the room. “Do what you need to, Commander. You have my full support.” He smiled, tight lipped, nodding as he listened. “Keep me informed. Right.”

He set the earpiece back in its cradle and returned his focus to the television, brow furrowed as he pondered the new information and what it was going to mean for them all.

* * * * *

“Fuck. Go! Go!”

Jimmy jumped off the stage and bolted through the crowd, heading for Dan’s truck. Johnny, Brian and Zacky were close behind him. They reached the truck as the Creed were spreading through the crowd, moving them on, which was easier said than done. Most of them were in shock. Just the whole reveal was too much for them. When Matthew, Jimmy, Brian Jr, Zacky and Johnny had hit the stage with their instruments and the first drum beats had echoed across the front of the Government House…the crowd was stunned into silence.

Meanwhile, on the stage, Matthew remained where he was, staring at Jason who stood several feet from him. The TaskerOne had his radio to his ear, speaking rapidly as he stalked toward the former Commander. Matthew stood his ground, waiting.

“What the Hell is this?” Jason came to a stop a hairsbreadth away from the bigger male. His breath was ragged, and the shock was still evident in his eyes. Matthew just cocked an eyebrow, the microphone held relaxed by his side, as he remained silent.

Jason shook his head his hand a fist on his radio. “You. You and…them…what?”

The words wouldn’t come and that didn’t surprise Matthew in the slightest. He still waited. He wasn’t going to put words in his former friend’s mouth.

It took almost a full minute, but the new T-One finally managed to compose himself and his gaze hardened as he spoke again.

“This is treason.”

Matthew’s lips twitched slightly. “Thanks for pointing that out.”

Jason scowled. “This isn’t a joke, Shads. I should arrest you.”

He took a step forward, lifting his radio to his lips. Matthew moved faster than either of them thought was possible and next thing, using his big body, he pushed Jason back against one of the large speakers as the radio skittered across the stage away from them.

“Matthew!” The fury in Jason’s voice was evident, but also a hint of fear as his breath hitched, eyes wide in response. Matthew held him there but didn’t speak for what felt a long time. Then he pulled back, glaring at him.

“You won’t. At least not until you’re sure this isn’t just a one-time thing.”

Jason’s brow furrowed as he pulled himself together. “I would hope you wouldn’t be that stupid, Matt.”

Matthew chuckled, coldly. “My intelligence has nothing to do with any of this.”

The T-One shook his head some more. “Matthew, don’t make me come after you.”

The former soldier laughed, a hard sound. “Bit late for that.” He stepped away, glancing toward Dan’s truck then returning the full force of his stare on Jason. “Do what you have to, Commander.” His tone held an ominous edge. “But, I’m not some wet-behind-the-ears kid. Just remember that.”

Jason stiffened, sensing the threat that laced his words. “I’m well aware of that.”

Matthew nodded then placed the microphone down on the ground in front of him before he slowly, deliberately turned and walked through the crowd.

Jimmy yelled to him from the open window of Dan’s truck, “Get in, asshole!”

Matthew smiled grimly as he jogged the rest of the way, ignoring the confused stares of the crowd as he jumped in the passenger side door. It slammed behind him and Dan gunned the engine, spinning the wheel before tearing across the lawn, bumping over the curb.

Jason stood where he was, watching them leave. Which really wasn’t the right thing to do. He knew he should go after them, but he was rooted to the spot, a mix of shock, fury and fear warring in his mind. Shock at what had just happened, fury that they would even try it. The fear was unexpected, though. But, then again it made sense. No matter the rift between him and Matthew…he still cared. And the fear was for him. Considering that he was the former TaskerOne if he was caught and charged, the death penalty would be the only sentence on the table. And no matter the lingering resentment between them, he would never wish that on anyone.

“Commander?” One of his men stood close, brow furrowed. He glanced sideways at him, shaking his head.

“Let them go.” He didn’t voice what was going through his mind, keeping his tone curt. The soldier nodded and turned to leave. Jason moved to retrieve his radio and checked it for damage. Then he spoke into it, ordering his men to stand down. He was going to have to figure out what to do next, and he couldn’t do that out in the field.

Sighing, he made his way back to the makeshift HQ. This was going to be a difficult situation to handle, and he knew he had to get it right, but first things first. Matthew was right, he had to make sure this was more than a one-time thing. He knew his friend though, or at least he thought he had. But, there was one thing that was for certain, Matthew Sanders never did anything by halves. This band would be an all or nothing thing. And that was not a happy thought.

* * * * *

“That was fucking amazing!” Brian was grinning madly as Dan sped along Main Street trying to put as much distance between them and Government House as fast as he could.

“Oh. My. God.” Jimmy spluttered, laughter in his tone. “I thought we were going to get shot!”

“That was madness…” Johnny said in quieter tones.

Jimmy chortled wriggling on his bottom as he leaned out the window again and literally hollered, “I want to do it again!”

“I feel sick…”

Matthew closed his eyes as he slouched down in his seat, the thrum of the tyres the only thing he really wanted to listen to. His friends’ voices were way too loud in his head. Zacky must’ve agreed with him because he was the one who had made the ‘I feel sick’ comment. He had his head against the head rest and looked ashen. Matthew could see this through the one eye he slit open at his friend’s words.

“They won’t come after us, now,” he murmured, reassuringly. The mechanic just rolled his eyes then shifted his gaze out at the landscape passing them.

After a moment, he spoke up, voice low. “That was crazy.”

Matthew’s lips twitched, “You enjoyed it.”

Zacky snorted, “While it lasted.” The plea in his voice was evident. He didn’t want to do it again.

Matthew sighed, “The campaign isn’t over.”

The mechanic blanched. “You mean we have to do that again?”

“You enjoyed it.” This time the former Commander’s tone was more forceful.

“Not enough to want to risk my life.”

Matthew sighed. “I know the risk we’re taking.”

“The Creed know,” Zacky’s voice was strained. “They’ll come after us.”

“Not yet. Jason will want to see how far we’re willing to take this.” Matthew slid his hand inside his jacket and brushed his fingers absently over the metal of his handgun. The mechanic noticed his movement and raised his eyebrows.

“You strapped?”

Matthew nodded, glancing out the window again, brow drawn tight. Zacky grimaced then shifted a little as Jimmy nudged his shoulder from the side.

“What?”

Jimmy chuckled, “You killed it, Vengeance.”

“What?”

“Dude, I didn’t know you could play that well,” Brian said from the front seat. He shifted sideways to look back at them. Johnny was squeezed in between him and Dan in the front and he looked back over the front seat as well.

Dan who had been driving silently, laughed low as Johnny muttered, “Must be compensating for his bad auto-skills.”

Zacky grumbled in response not wanting to be drawn into their banter. He was afraid that if he let that happen it would cause him to let his guard down and he was afraid of what the consequences’ would be if he did. Because somebody had to be the responsible one…

“Zack, relax,” Matthew’s calm voice cut through the tension in his mind. “It’s gonna be cool.”

Zacky forced a smile onto his face. “Sure. As long as we stay one step ahead of the Creed.”

Matthew just smirked an edge to the expression and returned to staring out the window. His friend made a disgruntled sound in the back of his throat.

Matt’s eyebrow lifted slightly. “Talk.”

Zacky sighed as he crossed his arms. “I’m scared, okay?”

“That’s it?” There was no inflection in Matthew’s tone.

“That’s it.” Zacky waited for Matt to make some comment about not letting anything happen or some shit like that. But, the former Commander surprised him.

“Me too.” He kept his gaze fixed on the houses outside the vehicle, jaw set hard. “I’m aware this could go to Hell, why do you think I have this on me?” Zacky looked over as Matthew opened his jacket. His Beretta was tucked into the inside pocket, solid and ready.

Zacky blinked once. “Oh.”

Matthew still didn’t move his head but kept talking in a quiet voice; the others were too busy talking about the campaign to hear him. “We’re doing the right thing, or at least I keep telling myself that.” He pulled his jacket shut and rested his hands on his knees, rubbing them slowly. “This could change everything…”

Zacky ducked his head down as the ghost of a smile played across his face. “That would be worth it…”

Matthew squared his shoulders and nodded. “And, so…we’ll keep doing this.”

Zacky let the conversation end there for the moment, but as Dan slowed at some lights, he shifted to look at his friend again.

“What’re you going to say to Val?”

Matthew shook his head just as Brian joined their conversation. “You’re worried about Val? At least she knows something…”

Zacky rolled his eyes. “Don’t tell me. You never said a word to Chelle?”

“What was I meant to say?” Brian shrugged. “Anyway, she went outta of town for work, gets back tonight, actually.”

“Nice excuse,” Matthew scoffed. Then he glanced at the mechanic. “Val knows everything now. There was no point in not telling her.” He shot a look at Jimmy who was now listening as well. “Our baby holiday was mostly us talking about all this.”

Jimmy nodded, his expression uncharacteristically sombre. “That puts her at a lot of risk, though.”

“I know,” Matthew said, flatly. “But, it had to be said.” He nodded to Brian. “You really should talk to Michelle. You normally tell her everything.”

Brian chuckled. “True enough.” He turned back to look out the windscreen as Dan turned into Elijah’s driveway. “Anyway, guess we should debrief first…”

Matthew looked up toward the front of the house and nodded, “Eli will want to know how things went.”

Dan parked the truck next to Matt’s bike which was still there from hours earlier. He turned in his seat to look back at him.

“How long we staying here, Shads?”

Matthew unbuckled his seatbelt, placing his hand on the door handle and said, coldly, “The Creed don’t know about this place.” Which really wasn’t an answer. But it would have to do.

The soldier nodded, ignoring his friend’s tone. “Right. Then let’s get inside.” The others all agreed silently.

And so the six of them, their conversations drying up, climbed out of the truck and headed for the house where they knew Elijah and Melissa would be waiting for them in anticipation.

Notes