The Baker Tapes

“Nervous, kid?”

Arin shifted his weight as Zacky looked at him expectantly. Nerves weren’t the half of it, really. The former mechanic knew that too well. But, his question was preferable to a number that he and the others really wanted to ask. Jason showing up at Arin’s place was the biggest ‘what the fuck’ ever and Zacky was still attempting to process his thoughts around it. Asking Arin about how he felt before the pending rally turned out to be a safer question all round. Relatively speaking.

Arin shrugged. “Yeah. But, you are too, right?”

“Yeah,” Zacky conceded, as he rearranged the equipment on his desk. “Not that much I’m not nervous about, these days.”

Arin nodded as he planted his ass on the edge of the desk and said, “Dad says he’ll be keeping an eye on proceedings.”

Zacky allowed a fleeting smile. “And, we’re all grateful for that. But, I wonder why he thinks it’s worth the risk?”

The younger male lifted his shoulders, smiling in return. “Well, he supported my other band. So, why not you guys?”

“You’re just kids thrashing it out in a garage,” came Matthew’s response as he loomed up behind them. Zacky rolled his eyes toward his friend then nodded to Arin.

“No offence to you kids, though.”

Arin laughed, a good natured response. “Matt’s right. We didn’t get further than that, really. It’s just a bit of fun to them.”

Matthew crossed his arms, tone serious as he said, “Meanwhile, what we’re doing…” He shook his head, glancing at Zacky’s set up a faraway look coming to his eyes. Zacky stood and touched his shoulder, bringing him back to the present.

“It’s the right thing.”

Matthew scoffed. “Says the guy who thinks it’s too dangerous.”

Zacky’s jaw tightened. “It is too dangerous. But, I could give a fuck. This is for Jimmy.” He ground his teeth together. “I’m doing this for Jimmy.”

Matthew lifted an eyebrow. “And Luke?”

The mechanic set his jaw. “And Johnny, and everyone who’s in the shit with The Creed.”

Matthew smiled then, his eyes becoming a little brighter. “Good to know.” He nodded to Arin. “You’re doing good, kid.” He paused then as Zacky’s phone started to skitter across the desk, vibrating loudly.

Zacky grabbed it before it fell off the edge, answering in a tight voice. “Gen-Eskino? To what do we owe this pleasure? Oh?” Matthew cocked his head to the side at the note of surprise in his friend’s voice.

“What, V?”

Zacky held up a finger. “Is it safe for you to be there? Is…that even a good idea?” He frowned then nodded, turning to hand the phone to Matthew. “Eskino’s at your parents’ place.”

Mathew blinked as he took the phone, brow furrowing as he held it up to his ear. “Sir? Oh…dad? This really isn’t…” He cut himself off, leaning against the desk next to Arin. Zacky tilted his head to the side, sucking at his bottom lip as Matt stopped talking and just listened.

He closed his eyes for a moment, dragging his hand through his hair.

“Dad, yeah…it’s good to hear from you too, but…this isn’t safe.” He grimaced, shaking his head. “Nothing’s been finalised- oh? Really? I’d talk to her, but that’d be an even bigger risk.”

Zacky looked askance at him; he lifted a finger for him to wait. “Yeah, that’s…fascinating. You’ll have to get Eskino to fill me in.” He smiled a little, nodding a few more times before ending the call and looking at his friend. “We have a financial backer.”

Zacky blinked several times and said, “Come again?”

Matthew’s expression of relief became even more apparent. “Eskino has found someone who will fund the whole project.” He set the phone back in the desk and smiled around the room. “An old friend of his. According to dad.”

Zacky’s brow furrowed as he said, “Got a name?”

Matthew shook his head. “Not a good idea, right now.”

His friend rolled his eyes before looking away. “Of course not.” He pushed away from the desk. “We gotta go practice.”

Matthew made no comment as he and Arin followed Zacky across the bunker to where Brian and Johnny were already tuning their instruments. There would be time for them to talk about the rally while they rehearsed; no point in worrying about something they couldn’t control. Time would tell whether it would all work out…or not.

* * * * *

Jason closed his eyes for a moment, before opening them to stare at the information scrolling the monitor. The thoughts running through his mind were not healthy at all. Doc James said that he needed to sort out what he was feeling about his work, but, he wasn’t the type who appreciated being shrinked. It wasn’t easy; they’d been friends. He and Shadows. But, he couldn’t afford to let their history influence how he dealt with the issue at hand. It was slowly killing him, though.

“Commander?”

He paused, glancing over his shoulder as one of his men stood in the doorway of the control room.

“Yes? What is it?”

The soldier held out a note. “It’s Eskino. He wants to speak with you. Line 6.”

Jason’s brow furrowed as he took the message and picked up the phone. “Any indication on what about?”

“No, sir. I didn’t ask.”

Of course not, Jason thought to himself. They were all trained not to ask questions of Eskino. It wasn’t a safe thing to do. Even if he was no longer in charge. The man was a mystery, really. He waved a dismissive hand at the soldier who tapped his fingers to his forehead and left. Jason answered the phone, careful to keep his tone neutral.

“Eskino, is there a problem?”

* * * * *

Eskino set the phone down and stared for a moment at the dust motes that swirled in front of his eyes, then he glanced across at Gary and Amelia.

“You think he bought that, Pete?” Gary asked, anxiety evident in his tone. Thatwas the little story that the rally was not something to get all up in arms about. That it wasn’t necessary to have a huge Creed presence at the event, just a few scattered men to ensure it didn’t get out of hand.

Shifting his considerable weight, Eskino got comfortable again before he said, “Whether he bought it or not doesn’t matter. Jason is on the edge, and I’m not sure how much longer he’s going to be able to hold back. You need to get to your son, Gary.”

Gary’s brow furrowed. “At the rally? But, we weren’t planning on returning to NH.”

“Then send his wife.”

Gary shook his head. “They arrested Val once, do you think they won’t try it again?”

Eskino closed his eyes for a moment, shaking his head. “I will go with her.”

Gary sighed. “Alright, consider we do this? Then what?”

Eskino was silent for a moment, pondering his friend’s question. Then he looked at him, eyes serious.

“Someone has to be their outside support. On the ground.” He folded his arms over his chest. “And I can’t be seen to be on their side. Not yet, at least.”

Gary glanced at Amelia, who murmured, “And it can’t be me?”

“What about your daughter?” Gary suddenly said, the question tentative. Eskino’s eyebrows crunched down as he thought on that.

“Melissa is already aiding them. It has to be someone closer to them.”

Gary nodded slightly. “And, what about Brian Sr?”

Eskino’s lips twisted in a semblance of a smile. “He’s backing them all the way to the church and back.”

Gary chuckled at the turn of phrase. “Of course, as they are him.” He sighed again. “Let me think on it tonight, Pete. It’s a lot to take in.” He glanced toward the door. “And I’ll talk to Val, as well. She and her sister are out tonight.”

Eskino nodded. “Of course.”

“Enough talk of business,” Amelia said, with a warm smile, drawing both men’s attention to her. Eskino smiled, nodding.

“Got any more interesting stories to tell?”

She laughed as they settled back allowing themselves a moment to relax and enjoy each other’s company.

Notes

Finally! A new chapter. Please let me know what you think :D Apologies for the long wait, I haven't had the inspiration for this one in ages.