Tape 1
24th December, 2010
Christmas Eve

News gets around really fast. Tal Cooperman is always ready for the scoop. Ever since high school… He covered that one fight I got into, you know the one. An all-out brawl on school grounds. My fault, I must admit. Anyway, I’m not talking about me right now.

Eskino has quit. Resigned. Effective now. I mean, Christmas Eve of all dates to choose. But, there you have it. Of course, I found out via Shads. We don’t risk tuning into the radio down here. It’s kinda sad that we can’t call Coop and ask him directly. The only other person we can trust to get that information for us is Matt Berry. He’s in the City though, hunting down resources for us…

I have no idea what Eski’s resignation will mean for the Creed. Shads has an idea, and it’s bothering him no end. I can’t say I blame him. The thought of who will become General…

He’s in the gym at the moment. Shads. Here…listen. You can hear the clink of the weights…

So. Eskino has quit. Major Thom hasn’t said anything, though he’s coming down here tomorrow. To see how we’re doing. Maybe spread some Christmas cheer. Though, lately, I haven’t felt like celebrating.

The project has come to a standstill. Shads hasn’t been writing; that kid, Arin? He’s had to return to the City to tie up loose ends with his current band. I’ve been listening to some of his stuff and part of me wonders why the kid is willing to leave them and come join us.

I mean, it’s going to be one helluva risk for him. He’d be safer, relatively, staying with his friends. And they’re good. Like, really good. Meanwhile, we suck. Well, okay. Individually we do okay. But, we’ve rehearsed together…and we sound like a dying cat. You can only get so far with raw talent. And, sure that one performance we did at Papa Gate’s campaign launch was okay…but we were running on adrenaline. It was like, we gotta get this right or we’re all fucking screwed…

Not that we’re not already screwed…

~~~~~~~

7th March, 2013

The stars seemed too bright from Zacky’s vantage point. He was squashed up against the passenger window in protest, really. Trying to stay as far from Matthew as was physically possible. Perhaps that was a childish reaction to his friend, but he was still pissed about the Major sitch. Of course Matthew wasn’t fazed in the slightest, which to Zacky seemed entirely out of character. He was currently laughing it up with the others.

The only other person who was at least empathetic to Zacky’s anxieties was Johnny. And that was hardly surprising…

“Dad says that he wants to talk about a rally that’s coming up in a couple of weeks,” Arin said, causing Zacky to shift in his seat.

Matthew cast a long look at him.

“Eyes on the road,” Zacky said, under his breath. His friend chose to ignore him.

“Yeah?” Matthew said. “He think it’s worth the risk?”

“Well, you guys haven’t been seen in public for ages. People are forgetting.”

“No,” Brian said in protest, looking up from one of many notebooks that were constantly keeping his attention, “They haven’t, Arin. The Creed have made sure of that.” There was quiet after his statement. It was true to some extent. But, only in that Jason was sticking his nose where it was unwanted. And speaking of unwanted, the lights of The Major’s humble abode winked at them as Matthew turned off the street.

Zacky grumbled, making known his continued displeasure with the former Commander. Matthew just lifted his shoulders before bringing the vehicle to a halt outside the front door of the Major’s house.

His wife, Heather, was at the entrance waiting to welcome them.

Heather Ilejay, as Zacky was soon to experience, was a force unto herself. He noticed that Arin looked nothing like her, except in the eyes. They had the same luminous stare framed by long dark lashes. Zacky couldn’t help but make the comparison as Arin stepped out of the car and went to greet his mother.

“You made it,” Heather said with what appeared to be a relieved smile.

Arin, smiling, said, “Yeah, I know the way home, Mom.”

“He steered us good,” Matthew said, as he walked up next to the younger male. Heather turned soft eyes to the big man.

“Matthew Sanders, it is a pleasure to finally meet you.” The truth of her statement was in the smile that graced her lips. “My husband speaks fondly of your father.”

Matthew blinked slightly. “The Major knows my dad?”

Heather inclined her head in the affirmative as she greeted the others. Matthew stood there, observing her in silence. Arin cast him a long look but said nothing as he also watched his mother.

She had a warm word for them all and her gaze was direct yet compassionate. Zacky felt like such a heel for his attitude up to now and he almost blurted out an apology to the woman – she didn’t look like the kind of woman who would stay married to a guy who would betray those who trusted him. But, she spoke before he could.

“Zachary,” she said, “Arin has a lot of respect for you. He tells me you’re documenting everything your friends are going through.”

Zacky nodded, thinking she didn’t miss a thing. “It’s risky, but I think it’s important.”

Heather touched his arm lightly. “It is a brave thing to do.” She glanced over at the others. “Thom is waiting for us.” Zacky could read the warmth in her eyes and decided he could at least try to be civil this night.

* * *

Major Thom was weary and, as the evening wore on and he listened to the casual banter between the young men sitting around his dining table, the exhaustion began to set in. It wasn’t just the normal tiredness of a day. This was a feeling of fatigue that came with the stresses of life. And he was aware it wasn’t going to get any better.

He kept casting furtive glances toward the door leading to the guest rooms.

Zacky noticed as he always did.

“Everything ‘right, Major?”

His lips twisted in a semblance of a smile, but before he could answer a voice came from the doorway that sent everyone to their feet.

“Well, this is nice and cosy.”

Zacky’s fists curled into balls at his side and a surge of fury ran through his veins. But, it wasn’t him who growled the man’s name.

“Jason,” Matthew was at the door before anyone could stop him and the cold anger in his eyes would’ve been enough to make the strongest of hearts quail. Jason Berry actually had the grace to step back from the bigger male.

“Shads…”

Matthew cut him off, voice tight in fury as he said, “What the Hell are you doing here?”

Jason cast a quick glance toward Major Thom. Matthew’s brow furrowing, he swung around to confront the elder man.

“What is Berry doing here?”

Running tense fingers through his hair whilst gathering his thoughts, Major Thom figured how best to answer his irate question. Jason remained in the doorway, Matthew’s hard gaze back on him as he waited. Zacky shifted on his feet, feeling oddly deflated though he was the one most upset by the knowledge of the Major’s alleged betrayal. Brian and Johnny just stared at their former friend. Arin observed without comment; he didn’t know Jason like the others.

“Thomas,” Matthew muttered an impatient edge to his voice.

“He needed lodging. I offered.”

Matthew’s nostrils flared his breaths coming shorter; the stress was evident in his expression as his eyes slewed across to the mechanic. Zacky shook his head at him. He didn’t want an apology from his friend. He knew how much Matthew wanted to be confident in the Major’s trustworthiness. He couldn’t fault him for wanting that.

Jason, drawing Matthew’s attention back to him, said, “The Major has done no wrong, unlike you and your friends, Shadows.”

Matthew’s lips drew together in a thin, hard line. “You planning on arresting us tonight, Commander?” The honorific slid off his tongue, contempt dripping from the word. Jason’s eyes narrowed slightly but then he shook his head, which surprised Zacky.

“None of this is what you think, Shads.”

“No?” Matthew took several steps back but didn’t return to his seat. “Enlighten us then.”

Jason shook his head again. “I’m afraid I can’t.” He cast his eyes over them. “Enjoy the rest of your night. I’ll find other lodging.” This last he directed to the Major. And as abruptly as he’d crashed the dinner he turned on his heel and left. The distant sound of the front door thudding shut behind him added to the shock they were all experiencing.

‘Fuck…” Zacky sat down hard as he realised he was shaking. The Major pushed another bottle of Jack his way. He took it without comment, downing half the bottle in one gulp.

Matthew’s expression was one of a man betrayed as he fixed his cold stare on the older male. “Tell me you didn’t tell him anything, Major.”

Thom lowered his own bottle, meeting his angry eyes. “It wouldn’t matter. He knows enough, anyway.” Lifting his shoulders he said, almost as an aside, “He’ll try and stop the rally. But, he won’t succeed.”

Matthew scowled. “Yeah. About that…” He sat once more, leaning back on his seat.

“Thomas believes it will help,” Heather said, her voice filled with a quiet strength that was almost reassuring. Zacky was uncomfortably aware of it. He didn’t comment, though. It wasn’t for him to protest. He’d leave that to Matthew. Though his friend didn’t seem to want to bite.

Instead the former Commander just let out a long sigh and drained his second bottle of Jack of the night. It was rare that Matthew drank, but his calmness belied the stress he was evidently feeling.

“I’m still not feeling it, Thomas,” he finally said.

The Major shook his head. “I know, Matthew. Neither am I, to be honest. But, I think it’s the best thing we have going for us.”

“Seriously? We could get arrested.”

“Does that actually bother you?”

Zacky watched as his friend’s expression actually became brighter. His response was enlightening.

“No. It won’t happen.”

Thom lifted an eyebrow.

Brian asked the obvious question. “How’d you figure that, Shads?”

Matthew’s lips twisted in a cool grin. “Because, Thom’s right. Jason won’t succeed in stopping us.”

Zacky frowned. “Yeah?”

Matthew’s tone was final when he said, “I won’t let him.”

Notes

I am seriously stoked by your comments my loyal readers :D Hope this update finds you all well.