Keeper of the Truth
Disclaimer: I do not own The A-Team movie or television series or any of the delightful characters found on The A-Team.
Chapter 13
Face set aside the mountaineering gear he was preparing as soon as he heard Murdock's whisper over the receiver. Finally! I wasn't sure he even remembered our mission.
Someone was with him. The con man hoped the pilot hadn't been discovered.
But wouldn't my buddy be . . . well . . . louder if it was someone he knew he couldn't trust? If he was being threatened in any way?
He couldn't hear the other voice very clearly but he did hear Murdock.
Aaron? What're you doin' here? Ain'tcha s'posed t' be at that meetin' . . . whatever it's for?
There was a quiet response. For a few seconds neither Murdock nor the other person spoke.
Then, My guys need t' know where the weak spots are t' be able t' get in here. That was a weak spot.
Face spoke aloud without realizing it. "Weak spot? What weak spot? Where, buddy? Where?" He gripped the edge of the table and leaned in closer as if doing that would magnify the voices of both Murdock and his visitor.
That ain' the only reason ya came t' talk t' me, is it.
"Whoever this Aaron is, he's risking a lot talking to Murdock. It's gotta be important," Face muttered. The hissed whisper that followed wasn't clear enough for him to understand but he did recognize the anger behind it.
After a minute of silence, he heard his friend speak again.
Look, Aaron. I got a li'l transmitter hidden in my glasses 'n' I can tell my friends where t' aim for when they climb the mountain. It would help if they knew 'xactly where the fence's weak. Is there some way . . . ?
There was some kind of answer and then Murdock responded.
I don' want ya t' take a chance o' bein' caught . . . but yeah, it'd help 'em a lot . . . jus' be careful when ya do it, okay?
"What? What's this Aaron going to do to help? And can you trust him?" The con man couldn't help but worry for his friend. Murdock had pretty good instincts as far as who he should divulge information to . . . but he's just been confined, deprived of water and food and forced to listen to a bunch of crap meant to brainwash him . . .
Hannibal opened the motel room door, startling Face. "Is the gear ready, Lieutenant? We move in an hour."
The con man put up a hand to silence him. Hannibal frowned at the receiver as Murdock said softly, Jus' be really careful. If it looks like anyone's watchin', don' try it. Okay?
Casting a puzzled look at his second in command, the Colonel sank into the other seat at the table. They both heard the worried insistence in the pilot's voice as he repeated, Okay?
Several seconds passed and the two men could only assume the visitor Aaron had left the latrine.
"Come on, Murdock. What kind of sign is this Aaron supposed to leave on the fence?" Face quietly drummed his fingertips on the tabletop and glared at the receiver.
Noticing Hannibal's deepening frown, he explained. "Someone called Aaron is helping us locate a weak spot in the fence surrounding the compound." After another second, he added, "But I don't know if Murdock should trust anyone involved with that group. He might not be thinking rationally enough to make that kind of judgment."
The receiver crackled with the pilot's whispered message.
Li'l Lost Sheep t' Big Gray Wolf. Hope ya hear me. Look for a yellow bag wrapped 'round the bottom o' the fence on the southwest side o' the mountain. That's your entry point. I repeat, that's yer target. There's a buildin' a few yards 'way that'll screen you once ya get under the fence.
Face sat back in the chair and stared at the older man. "What do you think, Hannibal? If there is a yellow bag somewhere along that fence, do we trust it was left there by someone who's wanting to help?"
The Colonel got to his feet and started working on the gear Face had left on the bed. "What do I think? We do as Murdock said and look for the yellow marker."
"But . . . "
"And we come prepared in the event it's a trap. Let's get ready to move in fifteen minutes."
Face came over to the bed to assist in preparations. "You said an hour."
Hannibal shook his head impatiently. "As soon as it's dark, we start climbing but first I need to take another look at that mountain. As soon as that marker is placed, any one of the Brothers in charge might see it and know something's up."
"And Murdock will be in danger," Face muttered as he worked.
oooooo
The Keepers of the Truth operate on the principles of God's word. It is for the benefit of the group that kindness, gentleness, love, be the catalyst for every action a Keeper takes in his daily walk. There is no room for jealousy, envy, idleness and other such negative feelings. Serenity and peace is our ultimate goal, Heaven our final home. Earthly possessions tether us to this Earth. Freedom from them cuts the ties and allows us to ascend to meet our Father. Are you prepared to join us in our journey?
There was nothing more. With a click, the recorder shut itself off, leaving Murdock to think about his answer.
Everything around him was quiet and peaceful. No voices competed in his head for dominance. No unwanted grisly memories demanded his attention. He rarely felt so calm and . . . sane . . . as he did right now.
The offer was so tempting.
Opening his eyes, Murdock removed the headphones and found Brother Kyle working on yet another robe. The man was so intent on his labor that the pilot wasn't sure the Keeper had ever monitored him.
Was he allowed to speak now that the tape was finished? What was the next step in his preparation?
Well . . . I can always take a stroll outside 'n' see what happens next. Wonder if Aaron's got the marker in place for the guys.
Suddenly the thought of having the guys barge in and disrupt this peaceful community with guns blazing didn't seem like such a great plan.
I mean, ain' there 'nother way? All we gotta do is get Schreiker's stuff back for him. That's all we're bein' paid t' do.
He smiled at Brother Kyle as he rose from the bunk. The Keeper smiled back. "Done? Welcome, Brother, to our community."
Kyle carefully set his mending aside and stood. Crossing to where Murdock stood, he clasped the pilot's hand in his, squeezing it warmly, and gave him a quick hug.
"So . . . I'm . . . " Murdock stammered, startled by the friendly gesture.
"I'll go with you to find Brother Luke and let him know you have finished the recordings. There'll be a few questions . . . "
The pilot paled a little. Brother Kyle patted him on the shoulder and added, "Really, the questions are more of a ritual. We must be careful that no one pretends to be one of us for the purpose of spreading discord among us."
Murdock cocked his head in curiosity. "Has that happened? People comin' in t' try t' cause trouble?"
Like the guys're gonna do when they break in.
A sad look passed over Kyle's features. "Once or twice. They've been discovered for what they are before any real harm has been done to our community."
"What kind o' harm?" The pilot suspected the latest 'troublemaker' had been the Schreiker kid's father.
The Keeper shook his head in response. "Nothing that couldn't be corrected. Don't concern yourself with it." After a second of reflection, he added,"Once the ritual is over, you will be paired with another Keeper in a job so you can grow and learn in your new journey."
"'nother Keeper? Like a wife? 'R a trainer o' some kind?" Murdock remembered the young woman . . . Rachel was it? . . . that seemed to look at him particularly closely.
Kyle chuckled and, clasping the pilot by his elbow, gently led Murdock to the door. "Are you looking for a helpmate?" When the pilot frowned in confusion, Kyle explained. "We don't have husbands or wives in the community. We prefer to say they are helpmates. The other nomenclature tends to establish a closer bond which doesn't always work. If we are united in our labors to a member of the opposite sex and find out that we are not compatible, or grow incompatible over time, we can change helpmates without the ugliness and discord of divorce."
"Ah." Murdock nodded his head as if he fully understood.
"Shall we?" Brother Kyle opened the door and gestured for his charge to go ahead of him.
As soon as Murdock set foot outside, he froze in place.
A few yards away, Brother Amos, his face red with rage and grim, gripped Aaron's skinny upper arm. The boy seemed terrified, sputtering apologetic explanations of what he was doing away from the hut he shared with his stepmother.