The Takeaway SMP Novelization

Chapter 37 - Compromise

As the midday sun blared down upon the town of Spawn below, footsteps echoed along the wooden pathways leading towards the shore. In the front of the pack, Zombie walked first, leading those who followed behind. Ben, Farkie and T5, as armed and ready as ever, marched behind him. As the path snaked its way towards the coast before turning towards a small outcropping, marked with a small hill sandwiched between each beach, their target became immediately visible. Zombie was leading them to his summer home.

"He better not be leading us into a trap here," Ben whispered.

"I don't think he's fit enough to try to fight us right now," Farkie responded, noting the red gash on the back of Zombie's leg that had gotten worse.

"Right in here gentlemen," Zombie declared as he held the door open for them.

"You can enter first," T5 demanded, taking any necessary precautions to evade a trap. Zombie complied, leaving Ben to hold the door for T5 and Farkie instead as they entered into the small but utilitarian kitchen in the house.

Zombie went for the basement hatch, causing Ben to hurry over, his armour making a loud clattering sound as he did. Ben quickly grabbed the hatch from Zombie and peered down to scout for any danger. He waved Zombie on, forcing him to go first for their own safety.

Zombie descended the ladder before landing his boots on the stone floor with a thump. The clatter of Ben, Farkie and T5 following in his path echoed as they quickly entered the room.

"What the hell is he doing here?" Ben sneered, as Jambo turned to face them.

"You didn't bring them here to arrest me did you?" Jambo panicked as he turned to Zombie.

"No," Zombie replied, "Quite the opposite. With what you told me, it seems like you have a common interest."

"And what's that?" Ben questioned, his fist still tensed.

"Jambo here told me that he wants Josh to find peace with the Brigade," Zombie overrode Jambo as he was about to speak, "The problem is that Josh is unwilling to cooperate. I believe if you want to end this destruction, you might need some force and a little... compromise."

"I will NEVER compromise with a monster like Josh!" Ben shouted, his face red as he raged and pointed at Zombie.

"Then I guess the Brigade is doomed to fall," Zombie explained, "Blake will continue and continue to take ground from you until you have nothing left. And then it'll all be him and his Greggs."

"Where do we find Josh?" Farkie asked.

"No, no... just no," Ben stuttered in his anger, "We can't do this! He's lying, Blake is our ally."

Zombie shrugged as they looked at him.

"Don't shoot the messenger," he responded, "You want to end this, Jambo wants to end this, I'm just trying to make everyone get along."

"On second thought-" Jambo began.

"We'll pay," T5 suggested.

"How much?"

Two boats crashed onto the sandy shores to the south of Pogchester. Ben and Farkie quickly jumped onto the sand from their boat whilst T5 and Jambo took a slower pace to follow behind. The buildings of Pogchester were visible in the distance, the tower at the centerpoint of town guiding the way.

The walk over to town through the grass was silent and awkward, only interrupted by the clatter of armour and weapons. Jambo, despite wanting to end this war, held his head low in shame as he walked next to T5, a bag slung over his shoulder.