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 14

Did Amos see the kid plant the bag on the fence? But maybe not. It ain' very dark yet but there's plenty o' shadows. The kid said he'd be careful.

Murdock tried desperately to quell his anxiety. Unsure of what to do, the pilot raised a hand in greeting and waved at the Keeper. His gesture meant to distract the other man was unnecessary. Kyle moved on ahead of him, briskly closing the distance between himself and Amos.

With the light from Amos's flashlight shining directly in the kid's eyes, Murdock saw even from a few yards away how scared Aaron was.

"What's going on?" Brother Kyle seemed to be barely keeping his voice under control as he demanded an explanation. Murdock wondered if there was some kind of backstory of tension between the two Keepers.

Maybe that can be used t' help us when the guys get here.

He knew he couldn't afford to make a mistake about that. But Kyle's loyalty to Reverend Barger probably would prevent him from helping to expose the property and money grab the pilot suspected Amos ran with or without the Reverend's approval.

"The kid's breaking the curfew for his age group. The rule was set in place for a good reason." Amos glared steadily into Kyle's eyes but released his hold on Aaron's arm. Murdock noticed the defensive postures both men seemed to be taking.

Like this ain' the first time they've done this li'l dance . . . hmmm . . .

"Brother Aaron?" Kyle turned to the boy as Murdock drew closer.

He didn't want to get too near the argument in case Amos thought he was eavesdropping. Instead, he dropped his gaze to the ground and shifted his weight from one foot to the other. He tried to shove his hands in his pockets only to remember he wore a robe and not his khakis. Crossing his arms, he hoped the kid wouldn't say anything to incriminate either of them.

But why would he? He said he wants t' blow this joint soon as he can . . . 'n' he needs our help t' do it . . .

Aaron pushed the dirt around with one sneakered foot before answering. Like Murdock, he kept his eyes trained on the ground.

"I had to go pee. He stopped me before I could get there." Aaron muttered his excuse, giving the latrine an anxious glance as if he needed to go badly.

"Then you must have a weak bladder. You were at the latrine an hour ago." Amos straightened to his full height and Aaron seemed to shrink away from him. Murdock fought hard to restrain himself from answering for the teen.

He's tryin' t' intimidate the kid.

Aaron chewed on his lower lip and finally blurted, "I had to go number two the first time!"

Nice! I couldn'ta thought of a better thing t' say.

Murdock noticed Kyle's eyes glint with amusement. Amos wasn't as mirthful about the answer.

"Then why did he happen to be there at the same time as Merle?" The Keeper crossed his arms and scowled.

The pilot didn't dare risk a look at the kid's face.

I can't say anythin' 'til Brother Kyle lets me. I gotta act innocent.

"I didn't know anyone was there, Brother Kyle. Honest! And he didn't say anything to me. I know he's in his Season of Preparation. I didn't want to ruin that." Aaron was babbling, almost begging for the kinder of the two men to believe him and rescue him from the punishment the other might inflict.

"Is that true, Merle?" Kyle turned his attention on Murdock. The pilot pointed to his own mouth and raised his eyebrows. Noting the action, the Keeper sighed and nodded. "Yes, you are allowed to speak to others as well as to me. You've finished the recordings." He gave Amos a scorching look before repeating his question. "Is what Brother Aaron said true, Brother Merle?"

"Yes," Murdock answered, trying to fake surprise that the question was even asked. "The kid here didn' say a word t' me. I wasn' gonna risk not gettin' through my preparation so I didn' talk t' him either." He paused for a second and added, "B'sides, I don' know this kid from the guy nex' door. What would we have t' talk 'bout?"

Amos narrowed his eyes.

"Brother Aaron, go do what you came out here to do and then go back to your hut immediately." Kyle nodded in the direction of the latrine. "And make sure you don't break curfew again, okay? Get everything done before curfew next time."

The teen nodded his head vigorously. "Yes sir, Brother Kyle."

Murdock watched as Aaron sprinted to the latrine and closed the door behind him.

"And, Brother Amos." Kyle gave the Keeper a stern stare. "Don't use strong-arm methods on our youth to make them obey. Remember our goals. They will follow the rules if we model what it means to be a Keeper."

Amos seared both Murdock and his fellow Keeper with a resentful look before stalking off.

Brother Kyle frowned, following Amos with his gaze until he stepped into the shadows between buildings.

Murdock cleared his throat to get the Keeper's attention. As soon as the Keeper became aware again of his presence, the pilot spoke. "He don' seem like someone I'd want t' make mad."

The Keeper's tone was acidic as he responded. "Just keep out of his way as much as possible." He paused, then started walking again at a brisk pace. "Let's go see Brother Luke."

Murdock was about to ask why they had to see Luke when he remembered the questions Kyle said he had to answer before becoming a member of the community. He had to sprint a few feet to catch up to the Keeper.

"I'm really anxious t' b'come a full-fledged Keeper. Think I'll make it?" The pilot suddenly realized he really did want to do just that. The chance to be free from his past nagged at his mind.

But the guys're part o' my past. I can't jus' leave them.

"I think if you're earnestly seeking peace you'll do just fine, Brother Merle. Here we are." Kyle stopped in front of the same building as they took Murdock when he first arrived. He opened the door to allow the pilot to enter.

Murdock removed his shoes without being asked and Kyle nodded approvingly. "I can't come in with you. Do well and I'll see you back at the dormitory." He patted Murdock on the shoulder and left.

Casting an anxious glance at the retreating figure, the pilot swallowed hard and entered the building.

"Welcome, Brother Merle. Come and sit down." Brother Luke motioned to a mat on the floor.

As soon as Murdock sat, crossing his legs in front of him Indian-style, the Keeper began his questions. "Brother Merle, have you listened to all of the recordings we gave you?"

Dumb question t' start with . . . did I have a choice?

As if to respond to the pilot's unspoken thought, Luke smiled. "I have to ask. Some people seeking to be Keepers try to skip through the tapes. Not enough to be very noticeable but enough that they didn't receive a fundamental understanding of Reverend Barger's teachings."

Murdock nodded. "I get it. Yes, I did listen t' all o' it. It helped me t' understan' so much."

Luke grinned wider. "Then you're going to do just fine, Merle." He paused. "Are you ready to rid yourself of the past that has damaged you so much?"

Damage. Yeah, that was a good word for it. And didn't damaged people get sent to places where they could be repaired and returned to society? But had the VA done that?

'N' the guys . . . they don' know how t' fix me either . . .

The pilot took in a deep breath and exhaled slowly. The time to answer had arrived.

oooooo

Face watched the van's red tail lights as B. A. drove away. The Sergeant went to change vehicles and head toward the front entrance to the compound while the other two scaled the mountain. Each of the men had a headset through which they could relay their positions. It was through use of the headset that Hannibal would signal B. A. to crash the gate.

The con man looked up the rocky mountain to the piece of plastic flapping in the breeze from its place on the fence. In the dark it wasn't yellow but it was lighter in color than its surroundings and it was the marker they were looking for.

"You ready, Lieutenant?" The question crackled over Face's ear pieces. Hannibal stood at the base, peering up. Loops of climbing rope hung from his left shoulder and crossed his chest to his right side. A piton hammer hung from the belt which also held the holster with his gun. A large carabiner held several pitons and was hooked to the belt. The con man's gear was similar, except the small rucksack containing the explosives was slung over his shoulders.

Face knew the Colonel was already scanning the rock surface for cracks and crevices to either hold onto with their hands or drive in the pitons. The con man walked over to stand beside his CO and stare up at the mountain. From the base, it seemed to be impossibly steep and high.

This is for Murdock, Face reminded himself. We have to get him out of there.

"Let's do it, Colonel," he muttered.