tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52188432191887802472024-03-13T22:53:29.843-07:00A Home for My Writing ThatGaymerGuyBBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08074666369157919363noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218843219188780247.post-78852289116869664782012-12-17T15:50:00.000-08:002012-12-17T15:50:09.966-08:00How Many Times Must I Say “I Love You”? A Critical Analysis of Mass Effect 3 and Downloadable Content <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">How Many Times Must I Say “I Love You”? A Critical Analysis of Mass Effect 3 and Downloadable Content <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">By: Michael Frias<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">University of New Brunswick<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Introduction to Critical Studies ED 6904<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Presented to: Dr. Linda Eyre<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">How Many Times Must I Say “I Love You”? A Critical Analysis of Mass Effect 3 and Downloadable Content<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Introduction:<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>For as long as I can remember, a significant aspect of my personal identity includes being a student. Despite how much or little time an individual spends in school the majority of people today have attended classes, learned and had homework assigned. A common struggle shared by almost every student is juggling schoolwork with recreational activities. Hofer et al. (2010) present a cautious attitude towards the motivational interference that can result in lack of academic achievement due to indulging in recreational activities. Leisure can include a diverse range of actions people choose to participate in. Whether an individual builds models or sketches, the key factor is to participate in an action that is enjoyable. Leversen et al (2012) argue that participation in leisurely activities provides opportunities for positive development in adolescents as well as improved mental health. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Some people have more free time than others. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It can be argued that everybody benefits from having time to forget the stresses of their daily lives and participate in activities to help relax. On the other hand, some people are believed to devote too much of their time to recreational activities and ignore their responsibilities. A great deal of activity in today’s society takes place in the digital realm. Ellen Rose (2000) discusses the information technology discourse of “techno-utopianism” in which human dreams are believed to be realized on the virtual realm. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In some regards, this has come true. We can type papers on computers, perform bank transactions online and research information on the internet. Participating in leisurely activities constitutes a large portion of the technological discourse of techno-utopianism as well. Digital media is a significant aspect of today’s culture. In order to participate in society, it is increasingly common for an individual to have a digital identity of some kind. A digital leisurely activity that is of particular interest to me involves playing video games. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Video games and digital media expose an individual to a new world of possibilities only limited by the imagination of those who create the games. Finding the time to play a video game has always been a challenge for me. I have always lived a life with a schedule directing my energy in other directions. The application of academics to digital media and video games allows me the opportunity to develop a greater appreciation for their value in society. Mitchell & Savill-Smith (2004) explored the significance computer games can play towards enhancing educational experiences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The use of games can enhance various virtues like information recollection, engagement of users and potentially improve social and cognitive skills (Mitchell & Savill-Smith, 2004). The styles of video games have evolved into ranging from a simple puzzle to allowing the player to construct and rule over and entire world. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">My interests have been drawn to a trilogy of games known as “Mass Effect” created by the video game developer Bioware. I will explore the impact of downloadable content (DLC) within the game through the application of critical theory. The third instalment of Mass Effect was released March 6, 2012. This game was the first in the series when player was able to create a male protagonist with the option of developing a romantic and even sexual relationship with another male character. In the previous two games the option was always limited to creating a lesbian. My critical focus will be on one simple phrase: “I love you”. When Mass Effect 3 was first released the player was given the option to pursue a romantic relationship (like in the previous games). In the original version there is a romance scene in which the female Shepard tells her male romance partner “I love you”. However if Shepard is male, this little piece of dialogue is missing. On June 26, 2012 Bioware released DLC which can be downloaded for free known as the “Extended Cut”. This includes additional storyline, gameplay adding to the original Mass Effect 3 game as well as alternative endings to explore. The Extended Cut also included a riveting scene at the end in which the male version of Shepard finally says “I love you” to his male romantic partner. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">These three little words have a significant impact on video game culture as well as society in general. Mitchell & Savill-Smith (2004) argue that video games can have an impact on the educational and social development of students. I argue that allowing the gay male Shepard the opportunity to admit his love openly for his partner demonstrates a potential for positive development as well as greater acceptance for LGBT’s. The decision to withhold this phrase from the original release of the game and insert it in the DLC also addresses the level of power and influence the game developer has over the player. If there is ever an aspect of a game the players are unsatisfied with, the developer simply can add content at a later time to appease the fans and therefore increase customer satisfaction. Greater attention needs to be given to this aspect of video games in order to understand the nature of video game culture.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Mass Effect:<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Mass Effect is an interactive role-playing game based in a science fiction theme. It is set in a futuristic universe where humans have evolved into achieving great technological advancements. As a result the human race interacts with an extremely diverse universe made up of many different species. There are multiple missions assigned to the main character and his/her crew which involve interacting with these species, learning about other societies and possibly even influencing their development. The game involves a great deal of conversation with other characters, missions that contain shooting, violence and exploration of the universe (to collect resources to improve weapons, armour, etc.). The primary mission involves a group a mechanical beings known as the “Reapers” who have attacked and now threaten the universe. Every 50,000 years the Reapers return to inexplicably purge the galaxy of technologically advanced beings. The goal of Commander Shepard and his/her crew of the space vessel “Normandy” is to save the galaxy from this threat at any expense. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">There is a great deal of violence and profanity in the content of this game which also means that players are warned before purchasing that it is rated “M” for mature. Bioware originally created the games to be available on the XBox 360 system but they can now be purchased on the Playstation 3 as well. The fan-base of this game has significantly grown as well as its contribution to the video game culture. There are several novels, comics published and merchandise available all relating to the Mass Effect universe. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An intriguing aspect of these games is how the events in their storyline occur in chronological order. I admire the attention to detail programmed into the story of these games by the developing company. One of the options is for the main character to develop relationships with the non-playable characters. At some points in the game choices the player makes can even determine whether or not a particular character will live or die. This influences whether or not the same character will be “alive” in the next game of the trilogy as well as the circumstances around future missions. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">From the very beginning of the first game, the player is given the ability to customize the main character known as “Commander Shepard”. The player is given the opportunity to choose Shepard’s details including first name, gender, physical appearance and personal upbringing. As the game progresses other decisions can be made as well like gaining the loyalty of selected crew members, upgrading aspects of the ship and improving weapons and armour. The storyline in Mass Effect is made up of a complex path with multiple options to follow as well as different difficulty levels to play. Mass Effect is a game that is very open for a variety of players with different preferences to play and explore. One of the most intriguing features of this game is how there is ultimately no right or wrong way to play. It is all about the decisions the player chooses for Commander Shepard. If however, there is a decision made that was not desired, the player must either restart at the previously saved point, or wait and start the entire game over again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Video games like Mass Effect present a great deal of personal and academic interest for me due to the impact they can have on the lives of players. Video games and other aspects of this “geek” culture are very often confronted by a negative social stigma. There is a great deal of academic research devoted to the negative influences video games can have on players like aggression and addiction. I disagree with these opinions. Video games can inspire creativity and have educational applications. Giving the option of a gay male character in Mass Effect allows the video game developer to reach out to a wider demographic and give LGBT’s an opportunity to resist negative discourses against gay people and geeks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Critical Theory and Mass Effect:</span></u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>According to Joe Kincheloe (2008) “knowing and learning are not simple intellectual and scholarly activities but also practical and sensuous activities infused by the impassioned spirit” (p. 11). Kincheloe was an influential figure in the area of critical pedagogy who sought to bring to surface the hidden politics of what is labelled as being neutral. Critical pedagogy identifies the human potential to enact social change, reshape his/her life, become a better scholar and realize cognitive potential (Kincheloe, 2008).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">As much as we like to think we have advanced in knowledge and evolved as a society, discourses preventing acceptance persist. Homosexuality is an issue with a great deal of controversy behind it. Lois Tyson (2006) defines homophobia as “institutionalized discrimination...against gay people because...we would be hard pressed to argue that such discrimination is based on anything other than collective, if sometimes unconscious, homophobia promoted by traditional American cultures” (p.320). In May 2012, North Carolina Pastor Charles Worley delivered a sermon in which he stated:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i>I figured a way out, a way to get rid of all the lesbians and queers...build a great big large fence...put all the lesbians in there, fly over and drop some food. Do the same thing with the queers and the homosexuals. And have that fence electrified so they can’t get out. And you know what? In a few years they will die out. You know why? They can’t reproduce. If a man ever has a young'un, praise God he will be the first.</i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"> (Eng, 2012). <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Eng goes on to discuss the reaction of how various anti-hate groups protested this opinion. Attitudes like those of pastor Worley are the result of living in a heterocentrist society in which the dominant discourse excludes the consideration of homosexuals in positive aspects of everyday language. Tyson (2006) discusses how such myths directed at homosexuals contribute to negative stereotypes and other problems like internalized homophobia. A part of the homophobic discourse is that it is based on universal rules and religious doctrine. False beliefs like all homosexuals are insatiable sexual predators who seek to corrupt and convert others continue to fuel the oppression of the gay community. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">In her book <i>Critical Theory Today</i>, Lois Tyson provides insights into a variety of topics including gay and lesbian criticisms. In most of her chapters, she applies theory in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel <i>The Great Gatsby.</i> The interpretation of language is a powerful tool utilized by Tyson in her application of theory to the famous novel. Tyson (2006) is a firm enforcer in the power that information and language can have to enact social change and enlighten societies. She discusses the significance of the double standard in terms of how classical writers have been acknowledged as protesting oppression towards groups like race and gender yet the issue of sexual orientation has been preferably ignored. This form of oppression continues today in the school system. When children are taught, there are no books or resources which present homosexuals in a positive manner.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> Issues of sexuality are very strongly neglected in schools. To be heterosexual is to be “normal”. Graff & Stufft (2011) argue that “while students and our society in general claim diversity, as a society we do not practice tolerance especially when it comes to sexual orientation” (p. 15). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">I agree with Tyson’s approach in which the language and discourses used must be explored and challenged. It is admirable to see the existence of anti-hate groups who protest individuals like Pastor Worley. However I argue that the progress sought by such groups is limited. Gay rights movements have made great strides in the fight for tolerance. In order to promote acceptance, I argue homosexuality must be included in the discourse of “normal”. According to Graff & Stufft (2011) the closed-mindedness of education systems and the refusal to integrate LGBTQ issues into curricula reinforce heteronormativity. Such attitudes continue to fuel the stigma against LGBTQ’s and hinders the very goal of education. Mass Effect 3 provides a positive approach towards promoting acceptance of homosexuals. Video games are another aspect of media with influence that parallels sources like movies and television (Van Rooij, 2009, Mitchell & Savill-Smith, 2004). The material placed in video games can have a great deal of influence over the people who play. The manner in which the public reacts to this game and the material in it demonstrates how much progress has truly been made towards acceptance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Gail McNicol Jardine (2005) argues power and knowledge never occur separately. Heterocentrism renders lesbian and gay experiences invisible within society (Graff & Stufft, 2011). As a result, when a video game like Mass Effect 3 presents the option of two men pursing a romantic and sexual relationship, controversial reactions are no surprise. Blogging is a common activity many people engage in on the internet. It gives individuals the opportunity to hold conversations with others around the world. I was not alone in experiencing discomfort in the fact that Shepard lacked the ability to say “I love you” to his male partner. On the Bioware Social Network, a few players brought up the issue wondering if it was due to a glitch from not continuing the character from the first instalment of Mass Effect to the third. The conversation ends with the players determining that there is no error. The game was intentionally designed to have the female character admit her love but not the male. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Video games have advanced a great deal in terms of the story and content placed within them. When one considers the fact that the industry is only thirty years old, the fact that a game like Mass Effect 3 could include such openly sexual material for both gay and non-gay options demonstrates the level of maturity the industry has achieved (Boxer, 2012). Boxer (2012) reports how after a few days of availability for viewing on YouTube, the male same sex-relationship’s 400 likes were overwhelmed with over 2000 dislikes along with homophobic comments. This demonstrates the impact a heteronormative education system has on the manner in which people perceive homosexuality. An interesting factor regarding sexuality in Mass Effect involves a comparison between the gay male relationships with the female options. The ability to make a lesbian Shepard has been present since the first instalment of Mass Effect. It was not until the release of Mass Effect 3 that the player was given the option to pursue a gay relationship with the male protagonist. The majority of blog posts tend to lean towards straight males being acceptable of lesbian interaction. As far as many bloggers were concerned, this was sufficient to promote tolerance for homosexuals. The emergence of a gay male Shepard spawned extremely negative posts including: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">This article boils down to morals. If you have morals(biblically based), then being gay in a game is ridiculous and stupid. If you don't have morals(atheist; an atheist can't have morals if he doesn't have a guide to follow, right?), then having a gay character is totally acceptable and it means that we're "growing" up. If you follow morals of culture(societal norms), then media like this site will subtly trick you into thinking that having gay characters in a game somehow means we are "growing" up and that it's a good thing. People want to fit in with the crowd(usually with media, fitting the political left views) so it makes sense that this article would be biased into persuading that having gay characters means we are "growing" up, meaning we are becoming more mature and less childish.<br />It literally boils down to where you get your values from; the bible(or any other religion), yourself, or society as to what it means for having a gay character in a game and what it means. I personally get my views from the Bible (which has fulfilled hundreds of prophecies I might add) </span></i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">(Boxer, 2012).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Many responses disagree with posts like this. I argue that such attitudes are the result of heteronormative discourse discussed by Tyson (2006). Because of the lack of inclusion of heterosexuals within curriculum, there is great resistance met when the option to create a gay character in a leisurely activity is offered. It can be understandable to see why Bioware chose not to include the option for the male to say “I love you” until a later time when the company learned it was what many players desired. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adding these three words can present a threat to societal perceptions of masculinity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Epstein et al. (2003) attribute resistance to homosexual themes in society being due to the manner in which people are educated. According to Dr. Linda Eyre there is “danger of alienating heterosexual students from queer perspectives through mismanaged attempts to incorporate queer theory into the curriculum” (Epstein et al., 2003, p. 108). A common discourse in society is the myth of childhood innocence. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The experiences of children in school have a strong impact on the personality of each individual. Graff & Stufft (2001) state “for many students, high schools are the center of life and culture, and they may be the most homophobic institutions in American Society” (p. 7). Childhood innocence is used as an excuse to prevent them from learning about issues like sexuality. Such methods are not only harmful to the children, but also justify enforcing powerlessness on them (Epstein et al., 2003). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">It may be argued that exposing young people to a video game like Mass Effect can be harmful due to the mature themed content. This can even be one of the reasons why Bioware originally neglected to include “I love you” for the gay male Shepard. Mass Effect 3 is a game with a great deal of shooting and physical violence occurring in it as well as mature language. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Przybylski & Ryan (2009) present data that violence in video games does not have significant negative effects on individuals. If the negative impact of violence in video games is not supported, the same can be said for content like exposure to sexuality. Rather than searching for negative outcomes from video games, greater attention should be devoted towards potentially positive influences. For example, the inclusion of different sexual orientations through video games promotes improvement in education as well as social justice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Farr (2012) argues the storyline behind Mass Effect can be interpreted as a “coming out” experience for Commander Shepard. The events male Shepard experiences in the games can be viewed as him waiting and responding to his environment. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">“If someone who is gay is surrounded by people who are straight, he won't have sex with them” (Farr, 2012). Shepard and his potential male partners do not behave in flamboyant manners, or express other physical stereotypes that are commonly associated with homosexuals. There is no expression of insatiable sexual appetites, or the desire to cross-dress and seek out others to convert. Shepard and his partner are simply behaving in a manner very similar to what would be labelled as a typical heterosexual male in contemporary society (outside of their romantic attraction for each other). As a result, a straight man may perceive their behaviour as a threat to what it means to be a man. If these two characters are behaving “straight” and still pursuing a relationship, then how can we know what is the “right” way to act? Farr’s (2012) article presents a threat to the dominant heteronormative attitude of how a man should behave in order to be considered “masculine”. As a result, threatened individuals will produce statements like:</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Well now, I do have a problem with gay people. Aka they are sick in the head and whatever excuse medics came up in USA when they realized they can't cure them did not just made them normal... Look, curing schizophrenia is not easy either. If possible at all</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"> (Jimquisition, 2012).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">There was also some support from people who identify as straight. Statements in support discussed how the storyline in Mass Effect is based on choices. Epstein et al. (2003) argue “</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">sexualities are not only institutionally produced in partial ways but are gendered, racial, and classed” (p. 15). The inclusion of material like homosexuality in a video game demonstrates resistance to discourses and language used to oppress gay people. A response to negative comments goes on to say:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Knowing gay people, talking to gay people gave me my opinion of them, and that opinion is that they're no different to straight people in any way other than who they're attracted to. The fact is that Mass Effect is a role-playing game, one with a particularly heavy emphasis on player choice. Having a gay relationship option is just another choice within that</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> (Boxer, 2012).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">It is intriguing to notice that the majority of negative responses to a gay male Shepard neglect acknowledgement that the game gives the player the choice on whom to pursue a relationship with. Mass Effect 3 is based on customization of Commander Shepard who sets out on a space adventure to save the universe. It is interesting to see the existence of a game in which the choice is open to play and behave homosexual, heterosexual or pursue no relationship at all. The end goal of the game is to stop the Reapers from purging the galaxy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">One of the most compelling aspects of Mass Effect 3 is the storyline. As Commander Shepard progresses through the game and forms relationships with other characters, the player can sense a connection to the Shepard character as well as others in the game. Mass Effect has an engaging science fiction story with attention to the details (character backgrounds, interests, hobbies, etc). The storyline behind Mass Effect has helped to generate a large fan base that branches off into other successful forms of entertainment (toys, clothing, novels, etc.). It is because of the popularity of the game I question the logic behind neglecting to allow male Shepard to express his love for his partner. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Restricting the phrase “I love you” to the heterosexual storyline demonstrates the level of control Bioware has over the Mass Effect trilogy. It suggests that for the most part, the majority of decisions made regarding the Mass Effect games were to appeal heterosexual males. There was little consideration given towards having a homosexual male until 5 years after the release of the first game. Even when the theme was added, the game developer chose to ignore attention to detail by limiting the expression of love to heterosexual relationships. Such choices can directly and indirectly hinder the development of rights for LGBT’s. It demonstrates even when queer individuals are included in the world, they are still not accepted. Similar treatment of homosexual workers are present in the education system in which “queer staff and students must negotiate their places within these institutions as universities have done little in either the hidden or taught curriculum to render heterosexuality less than compulsory” (Epstein et al., 2003, p. 118).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The story in Mass Effect 3 demonstrates a great deal of open-mindedness from Bioware as well as willingness to deal with the repercussions of adding a gay male option. The aversion to add “I love you” until release of the extended edition of the game demonstrates what Foucault would address as the relationship between knowledge and power. According to Foucault “we are thoroughly formed by the system of knowledge and power that we are born into and raised within...even our perceptions of what is around us is influenced by this” (Jardine, 2005, p. 2).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Adding “I love you” through the DLC that was released on June 26, 2012 appears to be such a small task performed by Bioware. The act of adding the phrase into the game is an example of what Foucault would describe as a technique of power. Through sources like the Bioware Social Network, the company was able to learn that fans of the game noticed the absence of the phrase in Mass Effect 3. An important marketing technique is to give the customer what he/she wants. By adding the phrase “I love you” through the DLC, Bioware was able to respond to the fans’ desires. This is an interesting aspect of video games that has not always been present. According to Jardine (2005), “the most basic theme in Foucault’s analyses is that knowledge and power function in our society to turn all individual human beings into objects that exist, act, or are knowable only in relations the rulers laid down by this power and knowledge” (p. 49). Players of games like Mass Effect are objectified by the video game developer into achieving the most important goal of a game, to produce profit. Offering downloadable content to customers is an impressive way of achieving such a goal. In the past, whenever a game was released and there was a feature fans did not care for, they could voice their opinions but it would be too late. The game was already programmed and released. Now, if the developer learns of something missing in a game, they simply need to create content that can be downloaded and adds on to the story of the game. “I love you” in Mass Effect 3 is a prime example of the players being the objects providing feedback freely to the video game developer. Whether or not the content would be paid for is the decision of the game developer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Conclusion:<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>It is unfortunate that the phrase “I love you” was not included in the game from the very beginning. Adding the phrase in at a later time through DLC is an excellent demonstration of the relationship which exists between the player and the video game developer. The content placed in video games can be argued to either exert a positive or negative influence over the gamers. Van Rooij et al. (2009) argue the social responsibility of problems like video game overuse lies with the publisher of the game. Typically when a game is announced to have mature content that is not appropriate for any demographic, the government tends to step in with rating systems and internet monitors. The majority of responsibility is placed on the player as well as the parents of children who play.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>There is a great deal of attention devoted to the potentially negative outcomes that can come from playing video games (addiction, aggression, etc). I disagree that video games exert the degree of negative influence that this opinion takes. Claiming that video games provide such a large degree of harm to the players contributes to the social stigma against the identity of “gamer”. The content within video games does have influence over players. What that influence involves depends on the game itself. For example, “Resident Evil” is another popular series of video games that has spawned a large fan base. The fifth instalment of the game stirred controversy after a teaser trailer was released in 2007. This trailer for the game depicted</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">“nothing but black zombies attacking -- and being shot over and over and over again by -- a white protagonist. It was highly charged imagery that led to allegations of racial insensitivity” (Pigna, 2010). If a short teaser trailer from one popular series of games can promote so much concern over racist portrayals, I argue another popular series like Mass Effect can promote social justice for an oppressed group.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Playing a well made game that meets an individual’s personal interests is fun. The positive feelings from having fun can place an individual in a state where he/she does not wish to think about the outside world and is undergoing the “willing suspension of disbelief” as described by Samuel Taylor Coleridge (Jacobsen, 1982). When in such a state, the content within the game can have a great influence over the player. The implementation of the option to have a gay relationship in Mass Effect 3 promotes positive influence on accepting the homosexual identity. This game and Bioware have undergone a great deal of criticisms from the decision. It does however demonstrate the serious consideration the video games industry is given. Even though it is an industry primarily based on leisure time, it is a significant aspect of many peoples’ lives. Adding the option to play a homosexual protagonist provides great strides in the inclusion of homosexuality as being part of a “normal” identity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">I applaud Bioware for the content placed in Mass Effect 3. As the influence of the heteronormative discourse persists, creating the option for a gay protagonist provides relief for gay people who simply wish to be themselves. Neglecting to add the phrase “I love you” into the gay male’s storyline however was unfortunate. The manner in which it was added at a later time demonstrates the relation of power Bioware has. Power “produces most, if not all of our ideas about what we should do and be...in order to locate, supervise and control individuals” (Jardine, 2005, p 51). It is important that the player is aware of this relationship in order to be able to think critically about what can be learned from the games he/she becomes so engulfed in. Video game developers can have a great deal of power when they create a successful game. Because so much work is put into the formation of a game, it is important that it makes as much profit as possible for the company. Creating the desire for more play time through downloadable content gives the developer more influence over the player by going back and correcting errors (like adding the phrase “I love you” for gay Shepard). It also enables the company more opportunities to increase profits. Leisure time is just another aspect in life in which it is important to think critical about. We can learn a great deal in our downtime. We need to remember to be aware of what we are learning when having fun.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">References<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Boxer, S. (March 6, 2012). Mass Effect 3: Gay Shepard shows games are finally growing up. In ComputerAndVideoGames.com. Retrieved November 14, 2012, from mass-effect-3-gay-shepard-shows-games-are-finally-growing-up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Bioware Social Network (2012). Retrieved November 14, 20012 from http://social.bioware.com/msg.forum/forum/Mass-Effect/Mass-Effect-1-amp-2-Characters-and-Fan-Creations-Spoilers-allowed/Male-Shepard-and-Kaidan-romance-missing-lines-10419971-1.html<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Eng, J. (May 22, 2012). Charles Worley, North Carolina pastor, faces backlash, outrage over call for gays to be put behind electric fence. In NBCNEWS.com. Retrieved November 24, 2012, from </span><a href="http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/05/22/11813973-charles-worley-north"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: blue;">http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/05/22/11813973-charles-worley-north</span></span></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Epstein, D., O'Flynn, S., & Telford, D. (2003). <i>Silenced sexualities in schools and universities</i>. Oakhill, England: Trentham Books Limited.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Farr, D. (May 14, 2012). With the Galaxy in Flames, My Video Game Hero Finally Came out of the Closet. In kotaku.com. Retrieved November 23, 2012, from </span><a href="http://kotaku.com/coming-out-of-the-closet/"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: blue;">http://kotaku.com/coming-out-of-the-closet/</span></span></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Hofer, M., Kuhnle, C., Kilian, B., Marta, E., & Fries, S. (2011). Motivational interference in school-leisure conflict and learning outcomes: The differential effects of two value conceptions. <i>Learning and Instruction</i>, <i>21</i>(3), 301-316.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Jacobsen, M. (1982). Looking for literary space: The willing suspension of disbelief re-visited. <i>Research in the Teaching of English</i>, 21-38.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Jardine, G. M. (2005). <i>Foucault & education</i>. New York, NY: Peter Lang Publishing, Inc.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Jimquisition: Mass Effect 3 and a case for a gay Shepard (2012). In The Escapist. Retrieved November 21, 2012, from </span><a href="http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/6.353118-Jimquisition-Mass-Effect-3-And-The-Case-For-A-Gay-Shepard?page=4"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/6.353118-Jimquisition-Mass-Effect-3-And-The-Case-For-A-Gay-Shepard?page=4</span></span></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Kincheloe, J. L. (2008). <i>Critical pedagogy</i>. (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Peter Lang Publishing, Inc.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Leversen, I., Danielsen, A. G., Wold, B., & Samdal, O. (2012). What They Want and What They Get: Self-Reported Motives, Perceived Competence, and Relatedness in Adolescent Leisure Activities. <i>Child Development Research</i>, <i>2012</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">MassEffectWiki (2012). Retrieved November 23, 2012 from </span><a href="http://masseffect.wikia.com/wiki/Mass_Effect_Wiki"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: blue;">http://masseffect.wikia.com/wiki/Mass_Effect_Wiki</span></span></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA;">Mitchell, A., & Savill-Smith, C. (2004). The use of computer and video games for learning: A review of the literature.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Pigna K. (August 25, 2010). Resident Evil 5 Racism Charges Spurred Changes in Capcom. In www.1up.com. Retrieved November 29, 2012, from http://www.1up.com/news/resident-evil-5-racism-capcom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Przybylski, A. K., Ryan, R. M., & Rigby, C. S. (2009). The motivating role of violence in video-games. <i>Personality and Social Psychology</i> <i>Bulletin, 35, </i>243-259.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Rose, E. (2000). <i>Hyper texts: the language and culture of educational computing</i>. London, ON: The Althouse Press.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Tyson, L. (2006). <i>Critical theory today: A user-friendly guide</i>. (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Taylor and Francis Group.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Van Rooij, A.J., Schoenmakers, T.M., Meerkerk, G.J., & van de Mheen, D. (2009).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Introduction to video games, their publishers, and social responsibility concerning video<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">game addiction. </span></i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Rotterdam: IVO.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08074666369157919363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218843219188780247.post-73240928856752878852012-07-30T13:06:00.000-07:002012-07-30T13:06:16.086-07:00Mass Effect Fan Fiction<div class="Body1" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Isaiah woke up in his tiny bachelor apartment on the Citadel and looked at the small holographic clock on his end table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was already three in the afternoon, he had finally gotten to bed at around six in the morning having been out all night at the bar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He and a group of people he would casually refer to as friends spent the night and most of the morning “dusting up” in Purgatory. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah was already a fairly gifted biotic having spent some time in the Alliance Navy and at the Grissom Academy when he was younger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He fell into a bad crowd while in the navy and never actually made it onto a space fairing ship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His superiors described him as gifted but severely uninterested, this resulted in his discharge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He moved from San Francisco back to parents’ home on the Lunar Colony.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah’s father was extremely disappointed in his discharge making it almost impossible to co-exist peacefully and it wasn’t long before he found himself on an Alliance freighter to the Citadel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had been given a decent sized severance allowing him to afford to get set up and live in limited comfort on the Citadel’s Bachjret Ward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The neighborhood he lived in was kind of run down but the price was right and it served its purpose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A place for him to rest his head in quiet after a night out with his friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Isaiah sat up and as he did he regretted moving so quickly. The blood rushing from his head made him dizzy; he quickly laid back in his bed again and waited for the room to stop spinning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sat up again this time moving slowly to not trigger any of the side effects.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The biotic amps that had been installed while he was at the Grissom Academy didn’t react well to the red sand and he knew he would probably feel drained for the rest of the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Red sand wasn’t something he did every day, he only liked to do it on weekends for the most part and Friday nights were the nights things got heavy with his friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of them were biotics as well some more gifted than others but none of them had any official training or amplifiers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah stood up slowly off the bed and walked over to the coffee maker that sat on his kitchenette counter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He poured himself a cup of coffee and took a sip realizing as it touched his tongue that it was probably sitting for a day or two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He drank it anyway not really wanting to get another pot started and have to wait.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As he sat the cup down on the counter again his omni-tool activated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He raised his arm and used the virtual keyboard to answer the call.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The holo-viewer opened and his Asari friend, Jedora appeared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Hey we’re getting together up on the Presidium, at Apollo’s Café are you coming?” she asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah thought for a moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The presidium was expensive, and they had other options.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I don’t really feel like paying for that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can’t we go to that little place on Zakera Ward?” he asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He took another drink of his coffee and made a disgruntled face, it was starting to taste worse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I don’t know how that guy stays in business down there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He serves bottom of the barrel human food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean isn’t that what ramen is?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just meet us there, I’ll pay.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah shrugged his shoulders and dumped his coffee down the drain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Whatever you say.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jedora was one of his only close friends it wasn’t often that he said no to her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being immune to the effects of the Red Sand often made her his guard when they were out partying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had even exchanged memories from time to time something that was certainly a strange experience for Isaiah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A common practise for the Asari, they would share with close friends or people they respected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She could be a bit wild at times because she was fresh into her maiden age at the ripe age of one hundred years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes they’d be a great pairing other times they were at one another’s throats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Okay, see you soon.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The holo-viewer closed and his omni-tool went back to standby mode as Isaiah walked over to his closet to get dressed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He picked out a shirt with jeans and over vest to wear and stopped before he put it on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Realizing how grimy he felt from the night before he decided on a shower before taking off for what he knew would be the rest of the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Isaiah stepped out of the elevator and onto the Presidium Commons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He started heading to the café knowing that they’d be waiting for him and Jedora would probably be wondering where he was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He walked down the main hallway and down a flight of stairs and into the courtyard of the diverse shopping area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nos Astra sporting goods was on his left and he could see the café.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It looked like it was unusually crowded for the time of day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He walked up the steps and into the café.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked around not seeing his friends anywhere but knowing they were probably sitting at the usual table over-looking the lakes of the presidium.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It didn’t take long for Isaiah to determine that the café was crowded because an alliance vessel was probably docked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were several men and women in alliance uniform ordering at the counter and sitting amongst the restaurant tables.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He walked down onto the over-look and Jedora waved at him from one of the tables.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their Salarian friend, Reloke was sitting beside her and their Turian friend, Terrick had his back to him on approach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Hey guys, how’d you all sleep?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m guessing not as long as I did.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Fine,” said Reloke, quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Half a human hour, far too long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Effects of alcohol not long lived on many Salarians.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah shook his head, Reloke was a recent addition to their group and it was an adjustment getting used to having a Salarian around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I wish I could only sleep a half hour and have that much energy,” laughed Terrick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I was awake around noon but I certainly wasn’t up.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah knew that Terrick had taken home a guest from the bar the night before they all knew what he was like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked at Terrick with a raised eyebrow expecting a little more of an explanation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What, she left an hour ago!” he cracked half a smile.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Did you at least bother to shower before you came up here?” asked Jedora.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“If I didn’t shower I’m sure you’d be able to smell it,” he laughed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the most part the table went quiet at the general disgust before Isaiah broke the silence.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Did you guys order your food yet?” he asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No sooner had the words left his mouth that the Asari waitress approached with their food hovering over her hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah looked at Jedora disappointed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“What they were hungry and you were taking forever,” she said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The waitress moved the plates in front of them and gave them a nod as to not disturb their conversation before walking away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s not like they take a long time to get anything ready here anyway.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“You could of ordered for me, just saying.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah looked around at the crowd of people forming around them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What’s with all the Alliance bunch?” he asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jedora finished chewing a bite of her meal and motioned with her fork instead of talking with her hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Um, an N7 ship the SSV,” she paused thinking, “SSV Norad I think it is, docked about an hour ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a frigate I think.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yes a frigate,” said Reloke looking at his omni-tool, “Not unlike Commander Shepherds Normandy, not quite as advanced though.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah looked around deciding it was time enough to stop watching his friends eat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’ll be right back.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stood up and walked over to the counter there was a group of N7 soldiers standing at the counter beside him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah noticed one of them looking at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was attractive stood around 6 feet tall with dark hair and hazel eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was of the average build to be expected from the finest selection of the Alliances soldiers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah smiled at him and looked to the server as she approached him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Hey I’m gonna grab one of the all-day breakfast specials,” he said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something he ordered by default because it was the cheapest thing on the menu.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The server smiled as she put his order through the register. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“That’ll be six credits please.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah passed her his credit chit and she passed it through the register before handing it back to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’re over there with Jedora right?” she asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A nod and a smile was his answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ll bring it right over.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The server stepped back from the counter and went to prepare the meal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah took a step back and bumped into someone behind him. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Oh I’m sorry,” he said turning to see who he had bumped into.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“My fault.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was the N7 that had been staring at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Are you okay?” he asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah looked at him confused wondering if he appeared to be so fragile that a small bump would falter him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yeah I’m fine, are you?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah decided to reverse the question to see if he would realize how silly it sounded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Ah, yeah,” he laughed awkwardly and quietly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“So what’s your name?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It quickly became evident that he bumped into Isaiah just to start up a conversation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah paused briefly looking into his eyes for any sign of insincerity but didn’t see anything he didn’t like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He decided he would play along and see how it went.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had been a long time since anyone had really tried to get his attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’m Isaiah, what’s yours?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The soldier smiled at the question.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Caleb, nice to meet you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah stayed silent waiting for Caleb to carry the conversation farther and was starting to guess that he probably didn’t do this very often.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though he was probably a killer on the battlefield he started to guess that he was pretty green socially.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Um, I really should be going, my friends are waiting for me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although flattered Isaiah wasn’t looking to be a learning experience and decided to make a quick exit and forget what happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Oh, yeah, I have to get back to the Norad soon, but we’re here for the night to get some repairs and a little R&R.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah sat wondering why he was telling him all this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m probably going to Purgatory tonight with some friends if you wanna talk later.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Sure,” said Isaiah, “Maybe.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah watched as a look of disappointment and embarrassment flushed over the N7’s face and he started to feel bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ll see you tonight.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He turned and walked back over to his table leaving Caleb standing there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sat down at the table with the others and Jedora gave him a strange look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“What’s that guy all about?” she asked.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Honestly not really sure, wants to go to Purgatory tonight though.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“He’s still staring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s cute at least.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah turned back and as he did the N7 walked out of the restaurant area glancing back at him as he stepped out of view. “He’s really cute.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“And really green, not sure if I’m into it or not.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The server walked over and sat down a plate in front of him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The rest of the day quickly past and Isaiah again found himself out at the bars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His friends decided that they wanted to go to the Dark Star Lounge on Zakera.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was almost one in the morning and not that the bars ever closed but he imagined that his N7 wouldn’t be around too much longer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He debated leaving his friends behind and just going to see the guy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t want him to think he didn’t like him, even if he hadn’t decided whether he was interested in him or not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was no reason a friendship couldn’t come of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah watched as Jedora danced with her alcohol in one hand with Reloke alongside her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Terrick was off perusing the evening’s current conquest at the bar, laughing and chatting with the human female.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Normally Isaiah would be up dancing with Jedora but his mind was currently elsewhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His guilt was really starting to catch up to him as he sat there thinking about the N7 that had approached him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wanted to leave but he knew he would catch flack for ditching everyone the next day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jedora would get up in arms particularly, as she could at times be quite possessive of him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He took a sip of his drink, a glass of Serrice Ice Brandy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not his usual drink, he didn’t want to get so drunk he would lose his senses in case he still ended up leaving and at this point it was starting to look like a good possibility.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As he sat his drink down on the table a group of guys approached him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah looked each of them over already gauging if he’d be able to handle them in a fight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were in Alliance uniform and Isaiah certainly didn’t recognize any of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Can I help you?” he asked the confusion obvious in his voice.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I don’t know maybe,” said the buff one in the lead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Our buddy Rodriguez approached you this afternoon in the Presidium.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wants you to meet him over at Purgatory, right?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“You mean Caleb?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess yeah, why?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything okay with that?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Are you planning on going over there or what?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah felt put off at the fact that Caleb’s squad mates were approaching him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wasn’t sure if he was about to get jumped or not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You know he’s waiting for you right?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah cracked a smile at the thought of someone being that naïve that he’d put his life on hold for someone, even if it was only a night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He’s a good guy you know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He doesn’t show interest in people often, you should at least go over there and let him down easy.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah sat for a few drawn out seconds thinking if he was going to go down there or if it was worth his time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally drawing a conclusion on the issue he stood up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’ll go say hi,” said Isaiah as he stood up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Good man.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The soldier hit Isaiah on the shoulder in a friendly manner and smiled at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Thought we were gonna have to rough you up a bit there for a second,” he laughed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah smiled at him only semi-sure if he was joking or not as he walked over to Jedora.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’m gonna head over to Purgatory for a bit, I don’t wanna be a jerk and leave that guy hanging,” he explained.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jedora stopped dancing and smiled at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“That’s okay, we’ll see you tomorrow,” Jedora leaned in and kissed him, “Go have some fun.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah nodded so he wouldn’t have to yell over the music before walking off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He left the club and started on his way to the elevator that would take him to Purgatory. It really wasn’t that long of a trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of the bars on the wards were conveniently placed close to the lifts so people wouldn’t have to stagger too far to their next destination.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He walked past the two C-Sec guards and into the elevator hitting the buttons to take him where he wanted to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lifts were efficient to say the least, it only took a couple of minutes to get to the Purgatory entrance. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">As he stepped off the elevator he could see the entrance to the bar and several groups of people outside talking amongst themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Typically he and his friends stayed away from Purgatory on Saturdays, for some reason it seemed to have a lot of Batarian’s floating around making everyone uncomfortable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He walked up to the door and it opened automatically into a hallway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a single Turian bouncer there who nodded him in and he kept walking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stepped through one more door and he was standing on the main floor of the bar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked around, the bar wasn’t packed but there was still the usual Batarian crowd hanging about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t see Caleb anywhere as he continued up the steps where the main dance floor and secondary bar would be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He walked toward the bar looking for the alliance uniform still not seeing anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah came to the top of the stairs and looked up to the bar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure enough Caleb was standing there, leaning on the bar with a drink in his hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had a grim expression of defeat in his eyes as he looked down at his drink, before giving one last scan of the bar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He shook his head and started away from the bar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He would have to pass Isaiah if he was going to leave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah started toward him, he was looking down at the floor as he walked he came within a foot of Isaiah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Hey,” said Isaiah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb stopped in his tracks, looked up and smiled at the sight of him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Sorry I’m late, I got tied up over at the Dark Star Lounge with my friends.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah decided on not telling him that his friends were ultimately the last straw in his showing up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“No it’s cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m glad you came,” said Caleb, “Wanna get a table?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb looked around trying to find a good spot that they’d be able to chat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yeah sure, over here,” Isaiah walked over to where he and his friends would normally sit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was on the second level on the opposite side of the dance floor away from the full blare of the music.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb followed him and they sat down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We should be able to hear each other over here at least.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah smiled at him and he returned it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Sounds good to me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb took a mouthful of his drink as if trying to get the courage to talk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“So tell me a little about you?” he asked with an odd questioning inflection in his voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’m a twenty-four year old, single, military dischargee, currently between jobs,” said Isaiah trying to push the N7 away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Really?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What were you discharged for?” he asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah’s answer seemed to have the opposite effect.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Lack of interest.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the two of them spoke Isaiah was keeping an eye on a group of batarians that seemed to be eyeing them as they chatted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a group that Isaiah had never seen before telling him they must have been new to the station.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He figured they were probably eyeing Caleb because of the N7 dog tags that dangled from his neck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Well military life isn’t for everyone I guess.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What do you like to do with yourself?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb sat forward in his seat and rested his elbows on the table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He smiled at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The more Isaiah looked at him the harder it was to not look at him, his strong features and boyish charm were getting the best of him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Well honestly I haven’t really found that yet I guess,” Isaiah let his guard down a bit as he spoke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Still searching maybe?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The group of batarians walked passed their table laughing and staring at them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Worthless N7 vermin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Human soldiers are such a joke,” they laughed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah looked at Caleb who sat back in his chair as they approached and tried to ignore them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah knew that he couldn’t say anything back to them on account of the Alliance code of conduct.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His guess was that the batarians knew that too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although there was nothing really stopping Isaiah from saying anything and unless they were all biotics he could probably take them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah stood up from his seat.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“No don’t,” said Caleb putting a hand up to stop him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The batarian in the lead had stopped in his tracks and was looking at Isaiah waiting for a reaction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah looked back at Caleb and could see the plea in his face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I thought so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Come on gentleman, I think we’ve made our point.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah stood staring at them as they walked away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“They’re not worth it,” said Caleb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah sat back down in his chair and thought briefly about the situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Thanks for not doing anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t wanna explain a bar fight to my XO tonight.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah sat forward in his chair and closed his eyes for a second focusing his biotics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What are you doing?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb could see the ripples in the air around him as he focused.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Suddenly a chair from the other side of the room flew across the room and hit the batarian in the back of the head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He then stood up and proceeded to look around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The chair didn’t hit him hard, just enough to make a fool out of him in front of his peers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Don’t worry just a little pay back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’ll never know it was me,” explained Isaiah.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“You’re a biotic?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s awesome,” said Caleb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah was surprised at Caleb’s reaction, human biotics weren’t typically well received among other humans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Is it all natural or did you get augmented?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“It’s natural, but I’ve got the L4 implants in as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re not bothered by it?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“No, my little sister is a biotic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s been at Grissom Academy for a couple years now.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb seemed to trail off waiting for Isaiah to continue the conversation, but the truth was he didn’t really like to talk about his abilities in public.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’m gonna grab a drink, you want another one?” asked Isaiah looking for a way to drop this portion of their conversation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Sure I guess, I’ll pay though.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb took out his credit chit and gave it to Isaiah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Here.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Suit yourself,” Isaiah shrugged and headed toward the bar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stepped up to the Asari bartender.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I want something strong and sweet. Surprise me and make it two.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bartender smiled and he passed her the credit chit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She charged it, passed it back to him and went about making two mystery drinks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“If you like it, I’ll tell you what it is.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She put the drink together quickly and passed them to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He took the two drinks in hand taking a sip off of one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was certainly what he asked for, it tasted good but he could tell it was strong and wouldn’t take many to get him drunk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t often that he felt like drinking, but the occasion called for it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>An hour or so and a few mystery drinks later, Isaiah had found himself on the dance floor with Caleb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had only been dancing for a few minutes and Isaiah could clearly see that dancing wasn’t part of the N7 training program.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb wasn’t that bad, he kept the beat, he just appeared to be awkward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The song that was playing, like all the other music in Purgatory, was upbeat and energetic in motion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other people on the dance floor wave and flailed their arms about in various motions with the music.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The dancing aspect of the bar was something that Isaiah had become very fond of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The energy that took over people on the dance floor made everyone seem at peace, like they had all but forgotten about the turmoil that took part of everyday life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb smiled at him and moved in a little closer extending a hand out to touch his side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah let it happen, briefly then pulled away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both of them had had more than their fair share of alcohol but he didn’t know if he was ready to take the guy home yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had been a very long time since he had taken someone home and the last time he did, it ended in disaster.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb leaned in to speak over the music. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah stopped him, the fact that he was apologising was enough for Isaiah to realize that getting to the bed together wasn’t his intention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah leaned in and kissed him on the cheek, not really sure if it was his own doing or the alcohol making him act out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb smiled at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Thanks.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah leaned in to speak into his ear, feeling as though he wanted to lay everything out on the table now rather than beat around the bush.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I need to tell you something,” he started, “You seem like a really good guy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your friends have a really high opinion of you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb gave him a strange look at the mention of his friends and Isaiah figured he should explain in a little more detail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I met them over at the Dark Star Lounge, they said you were waiting for me, I had already made up my mind not to come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They made you sound like a really great person.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb smiled and stopped dancing Isaiah did the same.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Then what’s the problem?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb asked sensing that there was about to be a “but” in the sentence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I just want you to know that I’m not in a really great place right now, I’m not looking for anything serious with anyone.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb’s smile faded from his boyish features.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I just need you to know that because I don’t want you to end up getting hurt.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb put his hand on Isaiah’s forearm, his skin was cool and clammy, telling Isaiah he was nervous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“When you’re not looking for anything is when it’s most likely to find you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t think I’m going to get hurt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I saw you on the presidium, I thought you just looked like an awesome person and from what I’ve found out about you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You seem pretty cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just wanna be your friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whatever happens after that, I’m okay with.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again Isaiah wasn’t sure if his judgement was off because of the alcohol or if it was Caleb’s deep hazel eyes that were clouding him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But he was okay with what Caleb was proposing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just because Isaiah wasn’t really ready for anything right now didn’t mean they couldn’t just be friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“That sounds like a really good idea.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb looked around briefly then back to Isaiah.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Do you wanna get outta here?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go somewhere a little quieter?” he asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Where did you have in mind?” asked Isaiah not really caring where.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Have you ever been on an Alliance frigate before?” asked Caleb cracking a smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All Isaiah could think about was the trouble Caleb would get into if he were caught sneaking someone onto the ship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You could get into a lot of trouble if your XO finds out.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“He won’t, he’s off the ship for the night visiting family.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything in Isaiah’s body was telling him no, but he couldn’t help but be curious of what was going to unfold before him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had been a long time since he had done anything outside of the ordinary.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“All right, if you say so.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Cool come on.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb grabbed Isaiah by the wrist and excitedly pulled him off the dance floor and out of the bar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They stepped into the elevator and the doors closed behind them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Welcome Lt. Rodriguez, please select your destination,” said the elevator VI.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb released Isaiah’s hand and stepped up to the elevator control panel, he hit a few of the buttons and the elevator started moving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He turned back to face him and smiled leaning against the wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Lieutenant huh?” said Isaiah smiling.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yeah.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They went silent for a few moments and the only sound was the hum of the elevator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb took a step toward him and Isaiah knew what was coming already making the decision not to fight it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb leaned in and kissed him, at first timidly on the cheek waiting for rejection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Isaiah didn’t object to it, Caleb brought his hand up to touch his face and kissed him on the lips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The two of them kissed passionately until the elevator stopped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb pulled back, his olive skin had a red hue to it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Sorry I know what I said but…”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“No, it’s okay,” Isaiah paused thinking his words through carefully, “I wanted you to.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah rubbed his hand through Caleb’s hair briefly before pulling away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb smiled and walked up to the elevator door, causing it to open automatically.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Welcome to docking bay D25,” said the VI.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The two of them stepped off the elevator and out into a long hall way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They passed through the security check point and headed down the hall which branched off into a passengers area and a customs office.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah hadn’t been to the military docking bays before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the end of the hall he could see out the main window and could see the Norad parked outside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An eerie light shone from in behind the ship from the colorful Serpent Nebula that the Citadel resided in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They continued on and into the main hall that attached to the air lock of the ship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They walked up to the door and it opened.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Are you sure you’re not going to get into trouble for this?” said Isaiah.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Nah, it’ll be fine.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They stepped into the airlock and a second door slid open from the top.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They kept moving and were on the bridge of the Norad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was only one person on the bridge whom Caleb nodded to and kept walking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The person smiled at Isaiah he figured greeting him, Isaiah returned the smile and they got onto the elevator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah watched as Caleb hit some buttons on the pad he was able to tell they were going to deck 3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah leaned against the wall waiting as the elevator started.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb took a step over and leaned next to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah caught him staring at him as their gazes met Caleb looked down trying to be less noticeable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was too late for that now he wanted to kiss him now that they had started.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah turned to face him and put his hands around Caleb’s waist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb looked up at him and smiled as Isaiah moved into a kiss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their lips barely touched at first giving him a few light pecks on the lips before moving into another passionate kiss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He felt Caleb’s hands running down his back and resting at his hips before he pulled him into him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It hadn’t been a minute when the door to the elevator slid open.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Hey Rodriguez, bout time you got back,” said a voice behind them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah looked at Caleb briefly scared to turn around, fearing that the voice was his XO.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb gave him a reassuring smile before standing forward.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Hey Monteith, didn’t realize we had a curfew, are we sixteen again or something?” said Caleb confidently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah turned around to see a man that appeared to be of similar age as he and Caleb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But with all of the available physical alterations through medical science it was hard to be sure of anybody’s age without asking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Monteith was at least 6’3 and two hundred pounds, but aside from his height there was nothing threatening about the guy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His wide green eyes, and seemingly happy features were welcoming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Are the others back already?” asked Caleb.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yeah man, they got back probably twenty minutes ago,” explained Monteith, “I think everyone thought you’d be spending the night off ship.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah raised his eyebrow at the comment, for a second, thinking back to his encounter with Caleb’s squad mates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“They all just bedded down for the night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was just heading down to the armory to check the weaponry.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Planning on a fight?” Isaiah couldn’t help but think it was suspicious checking weaponry in the middle of the night out of uniform.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Can never be too prepared right?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Monteith smiled awkwardly and scratched the back of his head, clearly not having expected Isaiah to bring attention to it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I guess not.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb glanced at Isaiah telling him that there was more to it that he didn’t know about.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“How about I go check it out for you tonight, instead?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You should get some sleep.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Monteith thought for a moment, it was clear to Isaiah Caleb was trying to find somewhere for them to be alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ll send a report, it’ll be waiting before you even get out of bed in the morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know you can trust me, dude.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Okay, Rodriguez, I’ll see you first thing in the morning then.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With that the officer hit the button on the wall next to him closing the elevator on them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Seems like a decent guy.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yeah, he’s pretty much my best friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wouldn’t have let anyone else check the armory for him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His family was taken by the collectors months ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After that he developed an OCD for checking the weapons every couple of hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess it’s just his way to cope.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had been six months since the collectors had been stopped by Commander Shepard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah had lost a couple of friends in different attacks on the colonies but not any family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb hit a couple of buttons on the pad and the elevator started again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Poor guy.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah paused and stared at the floor briefly remembering some of the people he lost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Who did you lose?” asked Caleb catching the thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I,” Isaiah sighed and paused figuring it was too late not to tell him. “My best friend died on Ferris Fields.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah wiped at his face hoping that the tears weren’t too evident.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I’m sorry.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb put his hand on Isaiah’s neck and pulled him into an embrace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah stood there quietly trying to regain control of his emotions before he lost it completely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had managed to go without thinking of Robert for months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was easy because no one else really knew to ask him about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He felt the tears run down his face and soak into Caleb’s shirt before he managed to pull himself together again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Thanks.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The elevator jolted to a stop and Isaiah pulled back from the embrace, Caleb kissed him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Sorry I haven’t really had to think about him for a long time.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“It’s okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You don’t have to explain yourself.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The elevator door opened into a large open room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb stepped off the elevator and Isaiah followed, looking around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He could see the weapon modifications table and what he assumed was the procurement interface as well as several other work stations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Beyond that there were two shuttles some variety of the Kodiak drop shuttle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The weapons hangar was off to the right Caleb headed over and stopped at the console just before it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He entered some information on the computer and Isaiah heard several unlocking sounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Should you really do that now?” he asked, “After drinking like we did?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb turned to him apparently having not thought of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’ll leave it until morning.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He hit some buttons on the console and the sound of pressurized locks echoed through the open room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb smiled at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Come on.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb walked toward the shuttle and Isaiah followed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He approached it and entered a code on the shuttle door causing it to slide open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Figured this’ll be the best way for us to get some privacy, unless you wanna spend the night in crew quarters?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb stepped up inside the shuttle and signalled Isaiah to follow.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“No thank you,” said Isaiah stepping up inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb used another panel to close the shuttle door and walked over to the overhead compartments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“There should be some blankets in here just in case of an emergency.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“You sure this qualifies?” asked Isaiah smiling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“I think so.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb grabbed some blankets from the compartment and laid them out on the floor with a single pillow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The blankets were a green military print as to be expected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb looked at Isaiah with a patient expression on his face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked as though he was waiting for an invite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah smiled and took a step toward him when Caleb grabbed him by the hand and pulled him into him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb started kissing Isaiah on the neck as he ran his hands up and down his body before putting his hands up his shirt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah decided not to hold back anymore as he let his body do what it wanted, grabbing and rubbing at Caleb’s muscular body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He slid his hands under Caleb’s shirt and lifted it over his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb smiled at him and leaned into a kiss before lifting Isaiah’s shirt quickly over his head and threw it on the floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Are you sure you wanna do this?” asked Caleb breathing heavily.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Are you kidding?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course I want to.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Okay.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb pushed Isaiah aggressively into the wall and started kissing him passionately holding him close to him with one hand on his neck and the other on his waist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah never expected Caleb to get so aggressive as he let his carnal instincts take over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah cupped his hands around Caleb’s face as they kissed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He felt as Caleb’s hand moved from his pants to his belt buckle, undoing it with ease.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The belt buckle came undone quickly and his pants fell to the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb pulled back briefly and looked up and down at Isaiah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’re so hot.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah felt himself blush at the comment, at the same time feeling silly for blushing given the situation they found themselves in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“You’re not too bad yourself soldier.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah smiled and leaned in for a soft peck on the lips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb undid his pants and stripped down to his boxers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Let’s lay down,” Caleb whispered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb backed up slowly and the two of them laid down on the floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was cold at first but Isaiah’s blood was running hot enough to keep him warm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah laid back with his head on the pillow and Caleb crawled on top of him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He kissed him on the cheek then they gazed into each other’s eyes briefly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb smiled and continued kissing him on the cheek and neck before starting to kiss his chest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As Caleb gazed down at him from through the low light of the shuttle, Isaiah couldn’t help but feel like everything was right and that what was happening was exactly like it should be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What followed was a night unlike any other Isaiah had ever shared with anyone before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It ended with them both falling asleep wrapped up in each other on the floor of the shuttle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both of them fulfilled and exhausted.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Isaiah slowly opened his eyes, he was still lying on the floor of the shuttle and he was naked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He panicked briefly not remembering where he was at first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sat up quickly only to be met with a head rush as his settled blood rushed from his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The hangover didn’t help matters either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked around for his clothes not seeing them anywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He started to feel a bit of panic as he started running different scenarios through his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What if Caleb really wasn’t as sincere as he seemed and he was just another notch on his belt, or what if Caleb had gotten into trouble. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Or what if you’re just overreacting and there is a perfectly reasonable explanation for everything,” he said to himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah felt a strange yet familiar feeling of motion telling him that the ship he was on had entered FTL speed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Shit.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah looked behind him and noticed there was a neatly folded Alliance uniform sitting beside the pillow he had slept on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He must be kidding.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He picked it up hesitantly thinking that it was probably better than the alternative and quickly got dressed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah stepped over to the shuttle door and looked at the door console next to it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He couldn’t remember the combination Caleb used to open it the night before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His head was pounding from a head ache and the FTL movement didn’t help his situation any.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He hit a button on the panel and nothing happened at first then the door slid open and Caleb was standing in the door way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Hey, something’s come up.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What’s going on, why is the ship at FTL speed?” asked Isaiah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb had a worried look on his face.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I don’t know the details but, Earth was just attacked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Arcturus station sent out a distress call but no one can make heads or tails of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fleets were recalled,” he explained.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Are you feeling okay?” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Not really.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m hung over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does anyone else know I’m on the ship?” asked Isaiah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yes I already told Commander Rawlings you were on the ship, but we didn’t have time to let you off the ship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told him you’re a biotic and you had some military background, so you’ve been unofficially drafted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can get you something for the hangover and something to eat is probably a good idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s go.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah stepped out of the shuttle and followed Caleb to the elevator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They took the elevator to the third deck and Caleb took him to the Med-Bay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was an older man there who Isaiah assumed was the ships medical officer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Hey doc, this is my friend Isaiah, he needs a shot to neutralize the alcohol in his blood stream.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The doctor looked Isaiah up and down and raised an eyebrow.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“So this is our stowaway is it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you were any other person Caleb you may not have had a career left.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The doctor walked over to Isaiah and started to scan him quickly with his omni-tool most likely just to find out the dosage he’d require.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“How much did you guys drink last night?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Young people these days,” he sighed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The doctor walked over to a sealed cabinet and punched in a code.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A clicking sound signalled the lock opening and he pulled it open, grabbing a small bottle and syringe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He walked back over to Isaiah and quickly drew up the amount of medicine and pushed the needle into Isaiah’s forearm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What is that?” he asked.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Butemeral, it’ll neutralize the alcohol in your system.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He withdrew the syringe and it was done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“There you are young man.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Thanks doc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s go.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb headed for the exit of the med bay and stepped out into the mess hall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah nodded to the doctor and stepped out behind him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Now what?” asked Isaiah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Well you might as well eat something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other than that all there is to do is wait for orders.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb walked over to the cabinets next to the food prep area and grabbed some wrapped food from up above.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah immediately recognized the wrappers of the typical military protein supplements and cringed at the thought of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“These’ll have to do we left before we could pick up any real supplies,” said Caleb tossing one of the packages at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah caught it and looked it over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I have a briefing to get to on the mission.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll be back in an hour.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah nodded to Caleb as he walked away. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Isaiah looked around at the empty mess hall, the entire crew must have gone to the meeting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He walked over to the table in the middle and sat in one of the chairs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He opened the ration and took a bite of it, the texture was that of a dried meat product of some kind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They hadn’t improved on the recipe any since he left the Alliance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t completely unbearable to eat but it wasn’t great to eat either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As Isaiah ate he started to realize just how hungry he was and how long it had been since he ate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He finished the ration and looked around the room again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He figured he try to find an active extranet connection and see if he could get a message out to Jedora to let her know he was okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He noticed a console in the corner that looked like a public access terminal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stepped up to the console and tapped a few buttons opening the extranet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He logged onto the server and placed a call to Jedora.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luckily the extranet traffic was currently low and he was able to send a real time call.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her tired face appeared on the screen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Hello?” she said quietly and clearly hung over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She looked unaware of who was calling her for all of a few seconds before realizing it was Isaiah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Where the hell are you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tried to call you this morning on your omni-tool before I went to bed!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I’m on that ship with Caleb, er the N7.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’ve been recalled to Earth for some kind of emergency. I woke up and we were already going at FTL speed.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I was worried about you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When will you be able to get back?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I have no idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We don’t even know what happened.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jedora looked at him strangely for a second.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Are you wearing an Alliance uniform?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yeah, they drafted me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again no choice.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah heard someone coming from the elevator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I better go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll be in touch.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jedora nodded as Isaiah turned off the connection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah looked up from the console just in time to see a young human women come around the corner from the elevator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was as tall as he was, pale skin and black hair, physically it was evident that she took care of herself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah smiled at her, she made little effort to return it when she noticed him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Hi,” said Isaiah simply trying to be polite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He figured if he was going to have to coexist with these people he should get along with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Where did you get that uniform, I don’t recognize you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The accusation was heavy in her voice although, Isaiah wasn’t sure what she was accusing him of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I was drafted, I was with Caleb when the ship left the Citadel.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Caleb?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You mean Lieutenant Rodriguez?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah was surprised.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb didn’t seem like he was old enough to be a lieutenant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also thought he may have heard a hint of jealousy in her voice.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yes.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You better be good to him,” she said before turning and heading back the way she came.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah sat and waited in the mess hall for what seemed like hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other crewmen started to show in the mess hall after some time had passed but Caleb was nowhere to be found.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was starting to worry that Caleb had gotten into more trouble than he had let on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Montieth walked into the mess hall and seemed to be heading toward him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah stood up to greet him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Rodriguez wanted me to bring you to the CIC to meet Commander Rawlings,” he said as he approached.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah thrown off not expecting to ever be in direct contact with the Commander.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He nodded acknowledging the statement.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Lead the way.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Several quiet minutes passed before Isaiah stepped off to see Caleb standing next to a man beside the galaxy map.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both of them were looking intently at it until he stepped of the elevator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The crew was at their stations and the CIC seemed to be staffed at a full compliment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb noticed him out of the corner of his eye and gave him a reassuring glance as the Commander turned to face him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah wasn’t sure if he should step up and offer a hand to shake or he should just stay put.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead he recalled his Alliance training and saluted him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb smiled at him as Commander Rawlings took a few steps toward him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“At ease soldier,” said Rawlings stopping a few feet from him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Rodriguez is telling me that you’re a biotic.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yes sir.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I spent some time at the Grissom Academy before I joined the Alliance,” explained Isaiah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Commander, we’re within range of the fleet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have a private communication from Admiral Hackett in your quarters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s priority one, sir.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah assumed the person talking was someone from the bridge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The voice was coming in over the comm system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Patch it through Private, I’ll go there now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ll have to excuse me Mr….”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Argent.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I have to attend to this.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah didn’t expect the XO to be so pleasant or accepting of the fact that a stranger was on his ship without permission.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He figured it was a sign of his respect for Caleb and not a sign that Caleb had taken quite a bit of flak for it already, but it didn’t seem that way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The commander walked passed him and into the elevator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Rodriguez you have the bridge.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Montieth walked to his presumed station and Isaiah walked up to Caleb.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You didn’t tell me you were second officer,” said Isaiah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew that only the second in command would be put in charge like this.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Didn’t seem important,” said Caleb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He seemed to have taken on a whole aura of responsibility that Isaiah didn’t see before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a soft jolt as the ship dropped out of FTL speeds and the pilot called over the comm. system.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“We have visual contact with the fleet, Lieutenant.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Open communication with the fleet leaders and see where they want us.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a brief pause as the pilot communicated with the fleet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Report Private.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“They want us as part of the evac team, Lieutenant.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The quiet hum of chatter on the bridge went silent as the Private spoke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one could imagine what would be going on if they were being ordered to evacuate Earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What does that even mean?” asked Isaiah not bothering to stay quiet anymore.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Can you get anything for the viewer?” asked Caleb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The galaxy map stopped projecting their destination and went black.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“The feed is coming in from Earth now Lieutenant.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The imagery system began projecting an image in front of Caleb of Vancouver.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A young women was reporting in though there was no sound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The camera showed several large ships off in the distance over the city skyline, each projecting a red laser in random directions. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The destruction was unimaginable, the crew on the bridge were stunned at the images.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Suddenly one of the lasers overtook the reporter and her camera and the viewer changed to another city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>New York, the skyline already in flames with the same machines towering over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The image changed again to the view of a random ground team, they were fighting something similar to the husks that had appeared on the Citadel two years ago with the Geth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another creature became visible, it was roughly six feet tall with fours eyes like the Batarians, but it appeared warped and twisted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead of visible eyeballs a strange blue light was projecting from the holes in its head and every other visible orifice, one of its arms had been joined with a gun of sorts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The feed ended as it shot the soldier and another feed started.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“That’s enough,” said Caleb, cutting the feed before more images of destruction fed the growing fear of everyone on the bridge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the image closed Commander Rawlings stepped off the elevator back onto the bridge and the crew turned to him still wearing a stunned look on their faces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Commander I…” Caleb trailed off.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Private, send a message to the rest of the Evac teams and position us over Toronto.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll be sending out two Evac shuttles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alpha team will be headed by Lieutenant Rodriguez and I will be taking Beta team.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The young women standing across from a terminal next to the captains spoke up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Commander, what are those things?” she asked the question that was plaguing everyone on the ship at this point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Officially they’re a hostile force that has completely over run us and surpassed our entire defence line at Arcturus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unofficially I’m pretty god damn sure it’s what Commander Shepard has been trying to warn us about.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Reapers…” Isaiah whispered and Rawlings glanced at him briefly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“We have lives depending on us people let’s move!” said Caleb trying to instill some form of confidence on a group of seemingly lost people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb started walking toward the elevator and Isaiah grabbed him by the arm.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“If you’re going down there, I’m going with you.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“No you’re not,” said Caleb quickly, “What if something happens to you?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“That’s irrelevant, you could use a biotic and I’m pretty sure I’m the best on this ship.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah looked Caleb in the eye with a desperate look on his face as he pleaded with him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Take him with you Rodriguez.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s got training and if he’s as good as you say he is,” Rawlings trailed off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Isaacs, Montieth, Pelletier, you’re with me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rawlings team stepped into the elevator, Caleb and Isaiah followed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The elevator ride was long and quiet, the look on Caleb’s face told Isaiah he was not pleased with him going along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He discretely reached out and touched his hand, Caleb smiled lightly at him and the door opened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The young women Isaiah met in the mess hall greeted Caleb as he stepped off the elevator.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Paisley suit up, you’re in Alpha team.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Aye, Lieutenant.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone walked up to their respective lockers and started to slide on their armor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb put his hand to his ear activating his short range communicator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“This is Rodriguez, Thompson get your ass down here I need an engineer.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The two shuttles began showing signs of activation as their Eezo cores powered up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Argent we have some Serrice Council gear in hangar six that should fit you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s designed for biotic enhancement.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb pointed to one of the hangars next to where the others were getting ready, Isaiah walked over and opened it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had only ever used the body armor once.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Should be a mnemonic visor in there as well.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah looked up inside and nodded before starting to suit up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ship suddenly shook violently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What the hell was that?” said Rawlings into his short range communicator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“We’re under attack Commander.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think I can shake them but everyone should hold onto something.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What’s attacking us?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rawlings activated his omni-tool and opened a viewer to the outside of the ship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Just a couple small fighters, I don’t know how they saw through the stealth tech.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Deal with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve got a mission to get to.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone finished gearing up quickly and the last teammate came down in the elevator and joined them in the Alpha team shuttle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pilot had managed to fend off the attackers and get to their designated drop point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each of the shuttles had departed and Isaiah now sat beside Caleb and across from Thompson and Pelletier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The shuttle pilot was in the cockpit and communicating with the others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah’s own communicator had been tuned to the rest of the team and he was able to listen in on the chatter between them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“We’re entering Earth’s atmosphere now Lieutenant.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb stood up and walked over to a viewer on the wall. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Can you give me a visual of the LZ?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yes sir.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it’s pretty ugly down there.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The viewer turned on to the area below.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had already done a considerable amount of damage to the structures and there didn’t appear to be any population in the streets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Sure is.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb stared for a moment before they heard Rawlings start speaking into their communicators.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Alright teams listen up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alpha team there is a group of Alliance Officials held up in an arena approximately two kilometers from the LZ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your job is to clear the way there so we can bring in the shuttles and hopefully get them out of there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If that proves to be impossible then we will have to escort them back to the shuttles on foot,” explained Rawlings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“We’re taking fire hold onto something!” yelled the pilot from the front.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah could feel the shift in motion as the shuttle pilot took evasive manoeuvres.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah gripped the handles on the wall and the whole shuttle shook.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Captain Rawlings shuttle just went down.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Beta team this is alpha leader, do you copy!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rawlings this is Rodriguez! Do you copy!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb yelled into his communicator sounding more desperate as he pleaded for someone to answer him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah realized that Montieth was on the other shuttle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Lieutenant, I can’t keep ahead of them much longer!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No sooner had the pilot spoke the word than the shuttle shook violently and something sounded like an explosion outside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We’ve gotta set down or we won’t have a shuttle to get home in!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t long before the shuttle took another hit and they were hurling toward the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah was sure they were going to die on impact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Dammit we’re outta control.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Impact in 20 seconds!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah braced himself for impact and started concentrating his biotic power to try and at least stop the shuttle from hitting at full speed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His implants activated at full tilt as he tried to envelop the whole shuttle in a mass effect field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The time quickly passed and the shuttle hit sooner than estimated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah bashed his head on the fixture behind him and he lost consciousness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Isaiah opened his eyes to a splitting head ache, he was still strapped in to the seat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked at his surroundings, his vision still a bit fuzzy from the knock to the head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He could see that the others were still strapped in but he couldn’t see Caleb anywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He tried to move but the straps were locked in place, the safeties hadn’t disengaged yet, telling him that the shuttle was completely shut down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He grasped at the strap but they wouldn’t let loose, he tried so hard that he grunted in frustration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He focused as hard as he could creating a mass effect field around the buckle breaking it in two pieces and freeing himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Dammit,” Isaiah hit the floor his head ache agitated with the use of his biotics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His vision was starting to clear up as he looked to the front of the shuttle cabin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb was laid out on the floor and the pilot was clearly dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah crawled over to Caleb to see if he was alive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Caleb wake up,” he said quietly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew that if Caleb didn’t open his eyes there was a very good chance he wouldn’t survive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah held up his arm and activated his omni-tool, quickly doing a scan of Caleb’s life signs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was still alive and appeared to be in overall good condition, most likely thanks to his helmet that Isaiah now noticed was cracked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Caleb!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He shook him lightly and then harder and harder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Startled, Caleb opened his eyes and quickly drew his gun on Isaiah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s me Isaiah, calm down.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb holstered his gun and rolled to his knee.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“How long was I out?” he asked looking at their surroundings.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I don’t know, I just woke up.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb looked at his omni-tool, and hit a few keys on the interface.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Dammit, how could we really be out for two days?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb took a step back into the cabin to check on the others, removing his helmet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Are the others okay?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He used his omni-tool to scan Thompson and Pelletier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Dammit,” Caleb sighed, “They’re both…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just then there was a sound from outside the shuttle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A thump then the sound of gunfire hitting the shuttles hull.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Dammit, what was that?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Are you able to fight?” asked Caleb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Because I think we’re going to have to.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah shook off his fear and collected himself quickly before nodding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were in a combat situation and there were people depending on him, he couldn’t afford to get emotional.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Okay.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb grabbed the M-8 Avenger from the magnetic clamp on his back and walked up to the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah armed himself with the Phalanx heavy pistol and got ready to focus his biotics into a barrier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb shot him a glance one more time before hitting the door release.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The door opened and slid across, revealing the war zone outside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was rubble scattered everywhere around them and the sun was on its way down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah could see several creatures closing in from in front of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They looked like warped batarians.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb immediately took into action opening fire on them and heading to cover, an upturned piece of pavement only ten feet from the shuttle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah followed close behind opening fire as well, but lacking Caleb’s precision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He fired several shots, sure that he connected with at least one of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The creatures returned fire at them, Isaiah could hear the small bullets chipping into the wall of concrete between them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had hoped that they weren’t smart enough to have modified their weapons for piercing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a brief pause and Caleb jumped up spraying an entire heat sink worth of rounds into the oncoming forces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb jumped back down and popped the heat sink out of his weapon and quickly reloaded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah peeked up over the concrete trying to get an idea of where the reapers were positioned, he knew that he didn’t have to really see his target to be able to hit them with biotics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He could set a singularity trap for them if he could just see where they were within three meters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Are you alright?” asked Caleb.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I’m fine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m gonna hit them with a singularity, be ready!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An eerie blue energy began emanating from Isaiah as he focused.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stood up and released a ball of dark energy that hurled down and around enemy cover turning into a ball of black energy trapping three of the creatures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The singularity lifted the three creatures into the air and Caleb opened fire killing one of them, just as several shots came flying at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah could see the shields in Caleb’s suit blocking the weapons fire before he ducked back into cover.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew it would only be seconds before the singularity gave out so he focused again preparing a warp attack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah stood up let loose a missile of dark energy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He hit one of the suspended targets and it exploded disintegrating and knocking the other one into the air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb looked over at him with a surprised look on his face, clearly he had never seen a biotic detonation before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Nice job.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah nodded at him and looked over their cover trying to gage how many they had left before they were alone again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It looks like there’s just one left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll take care of the last one.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb smiled as he raised his omni-tool and hit a command on it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He vanished from sight all but a slight distortion of the visual in front of Isaiah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He decided to distract the enemy just in case they could see through Caleb’s cloak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He fired several random shots out from behind his cover and he could hear the sound once again of rounds hitting his cover from the other side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah looked discretely around the corner and he saw the last reaper creature get knocked out from behind its cover and Caleb appeared standing over it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His omni-tool was active and a blade extended from it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb let out a grunt as he thrust the blade into the creatures warped skull.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He pulled the blade back and kicked the body once to check that it was dead as his blade disappeared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We’re all clear for now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good work,” said Caleb as he started walking toward Isaiah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“So what do we do now?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Should we proceed to our original objective?” asked Isaiah walking out to meet him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“No the mission parameters have changed, we have to try and re-establish contact with the Norad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think we have to assume that Beta team is dead.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Caleb we can at least try reaching them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There must be some emergency communication equipment in the shuttle that we can use.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah walked back over to the shuttle with Caleb close behind him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“There is, but any long range communication might give away our position.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah walked over to the communications console for the shuttle and activated his omni-tool, using it to scan the system.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“It’s a no go anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But we have to put out at least a short range communication, see what’s happening out there.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb nodded at him and Isaiah put his hand to his ear, activating his communicator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“This is Isaiah Argent of the Norad, I’m here with Lieutenant Rodriguez, our drop team was killed in a shuttle crash.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is anyone out there?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They both waited in silence for what seemed like an eternity before a sound started coming from their communicators.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At first too much static made it impossible to read.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb used his omni-tool to try and clear up the signal.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Rodriguez, this is Montieth can you hear me?” said the voice cutting through the static and getting clearer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A look of relief came over Caleb’s face at the sound of Montieth’s voice.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yes Montieth we hear you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is your location?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is Rawlings alive?” he said speaking into his communicator.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“No, we took a hit from a reaper unit and everyone died in the shuttle crash.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My omni-tool is malfunctioning so I can’t get of here without being spotted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From what I can tell I’m right in the center of an enemy stronghold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve got a working communicator with the shuttles emergency equipment, but I can’t reach the Norad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She might not be up there anymore lieutenant,” Montieth explained clearly trying not to panic.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Hang on we’re coming for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can triangulate your position from here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Limit communication from here on we don’t want them finding you before we can,” said Caleb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Aye sir.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah had activated his omni-tool and narrowed in on Montieth’s position.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“He’s four miles from our location.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Better get going.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb and Isaiah headed out into the ruins of the city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As they travelled they could hear the rattle of assault rifles off in the distance and the screams of people in the street.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They could see the skyscraper sized machines from every angle moving through the entire GTA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah couldn’t imagine how they were going to fight something so massive as they tore the city apart with their deadly red lasers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was horrifying, a huge loss of life that could have been prevented if they had only listened to the warnings that were right in front of them for the last two years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Get down,” said Caleb pulling him down into cover.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah peaked up over the rubble they hid behind and could see a pack of husks huddled over a body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“There’s six of ‘em.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You stay here I’ll move around to the other side and flank them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe we can catch them in a crossfire.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Don’t bother I can catch them all in a singularity field, then we can just take them out one at a time,” explained Isaiah already focusing his biotics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb nodded giving him the go ahead and Isaiah stood up thrusting his free hand forward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A ball of dark matter released from his hand and hit just above the group of husks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The dark energy expanded and pulled in the husks causing them to float in an orbital motion around it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each of them stood up and began firing into the mass of husks killing them one by one Caleb using his assault rifle and Isaiah, his heavy pistol.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One by one the singularity field dropped the dead bodies and dissipated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Simple enough.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Too bad they all won’t be that simple,” said Caleb as he walked over to the body the husks had been hovering around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb knelt down and Isaiah walked over behind him scanning their surroundings for anymore movement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Poor guy didn’t stand a chance.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah knelt down and looked at the body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A middle aged man, it almost looked as though he’d been eaten, or chewed on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah had to look away almost feeling sick to his stomach at the sight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Let’s go.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb stood up and they took to moving again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>They had been on the move for about forty minutes and Isaiah pulled out his omni-tool to check how far they were from their destination.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He scanned the area and was picking up Montieth’s signal within less than five hundred meters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Caleb, stop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re five hundred meters west of his location.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb stopped and looked at him with a strain in his features Isaiah had never seen before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Should I get him on communicator?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb nodded and Isaiah put his hand to his ear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Montieth its Isaiah, can you hear me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re close we need you to open communications so we can narrow in on your position.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was nothing for several long seconds before a static started in with Montieth’s voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I think they’re going to find me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You guys need to hurry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With my omni-tool malfunctioning I’m stuck with just a gun to defend myself,” said Montieth cutting in and out.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Hang on, we’ve got you,” said Caleb as he patched himself in.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Lieutenant, be careful, they’ve got some strange looking monsters running around in here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some are huge, and some look like warped Asari, with powerful biotics. You’ll…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a static overload and they lost communication.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb looked at Isaiah with a sense of urgency in his eyes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Let’s go.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb started running heading west using his omni-tool to guide him. They headed down an alley way when a Reaper troop stepped around the corner ahead of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instinctively Isaiah launched a singularity at him but it didn’t lift him off the ground instead all it did was stifle him a bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This told Isaiah he was protected either by a barrier or kinetic shields.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The singularity dissipated and the reaper troop threw a grenade at them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb rolled and scooped up the grenade throwing it back toward the reaper when it exploded ten feet from him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a sound similar to glass shattering as Caleb’s shields dropped as the emitter in his suit overloaded to compensate for the shrapnel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb staggered back and the reaper opened fire on him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Three shots hit him before Isaiah jumped in front of him and used a barrier to encompass them both.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The barrier stayed active as Isaiah focused his biotics as hard as he could releasing a shockwave toward it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The shockwave staggered it long enough for him to use his SMG to take out its shields at close range.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb finished it off with his pistol and a quick shot to the head before falling to his knees from the pain of the shots, all in different parts of his abdomen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Are you alright?"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah verified that the creature was dead before dropping to the ground beside him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"I'll be fine, the medi-gel just hasn't kicked in yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn't realize my shields would drop that quick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That's some weapon he was using."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb stood up and brushed his hand over the bullet hole in his armor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Good as new.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Better be careful though we only have three more of those applications."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a quiet buzzing sound and a small flicker of light as Caleb's shield generator recharged and re-established the barrier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Come on we must be getting closer."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb stood up and started heading to their destination.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah had all but forgotten the cooling slimy feeling of the medi-gel applicators present in any and all battle armor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most people found the feeling uncomfortable at first but would eventually get used to it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah followed Caleb around the corner the reaper had come from.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As they turned the corner the destruction seemed heavier, opening up into what looked like it had been a warehouse loading area for several businesses in the area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a transport truck and large loading trailer over turned behind a large crater, most likely an impact point for one of the destroyer's weapons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Keep quiet."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb made several hand signals, pointing toward the overturned rig and some of the other rubble that could easily be hiding spots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah nodded acknowledging the hand signals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The two of them took several steps forward when they started hearing a loud groaning noise, followed by a loud clanging noise that had the consistency of footsteps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah looked around and couldn't see anything in the immediate visual area but the loading trailer shook slightly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"God dammit," said Caleb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Take cover."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The two of them slid behind a dumpster not sure what to expect as they watched in wait for whatever it was to show itself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Whatever it is, it definitely big," said Isaiah already trying to get his focus for a biotic attack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a loud growl followed by a smashing sound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah peered out of cover to see a huge armored creature with the skull of a turian and the warped body of a krogan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That unfortunately wasn't the only threat they were going to have to deal with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had burst out of the trailer and several husks were funneling out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"What the hell do we do?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Look at the size of that thing."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb peered around their cover then put his back to the wall.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"I can keep the small ones busy but I think our best bet against that big bastard is your biotics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Doesn't look like anything out there has a gun so as long as they don't get close to you, you should be fine."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb spoke quickly as he checked his assault rifle over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Think you can do it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I'll distract them for a minute my cloak can get me around them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Give you enough time to unleash some hell on them."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah took a breath not sure if anything he could do would stop something so big.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the same time he knew he didn't really have a choice, there was only two of them and Caleb couldn't do everything himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Go." Isaiah nodded to Caleb and he activated his cloak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah moved into his place and peaked around to get an idea of where the brute of a creature was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He watched as Caleb's almost invisible shape moved across the battlefield right through the enemy and completely un-noticed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb took up a defensive position before opening fire with his Avenger assault rifle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He managed to kill several of the husks before they even had enough time to turn around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of them turned toward Caleb and Isaiah jumped out of his cover just as the large one took to running at Caleb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He grabbed it with a biotic pull stopping it in its tracks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The giant turned to face him as Caleb continued to deal with the smaller husks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It started walking toward Isaiah and he hit it with a warp attack hoping to dissolve some of its armored covering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew that his SMG wouldn't deal much damage to it until the armor was stripped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The warp collided with it and it stumbled slightly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He couldn't tell if he was even doing any damage to the creature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It appeared that all he was doing was irritating it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He hit it again this time the creature took to charging at him, he rolled back out of the way when the creature swiped its massive armored claw at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It missed him but was close enough to hit and collapse his barrier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He could feel the stress on his mind as the biotic barrier collapsed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah figured all he could do was to turn and run there was no way a close up fight would do him any good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He quickly got to his feet ignoring the pain in his head and took off to the left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He heard the creature let out another roar and he felt the ground shake as it moved slowly toward him likely getting ready for another charge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah felt comfortable with the distance he had put between them and turned just as the creature bounded toward him again, he mustered everything he could into a powerful shockwave, it hit the creature and combined with the warp effect causing a biotic explosion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All it did was knock the creature back and stop it from charging right away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Dammit!" yelled Isaiah in frustration sure that the biotic explosion would have finished it off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Caleb I don't think this is working."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was no answer and Isaiah quickly searched the area hoping that Caleb hadn't fallen to the husks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb appeared behind one of the creatures and jabbed his omni-blade through its torso.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah let out a sigh of relief and as he did felt something wrap its arms around his neck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A husk had come up behind him while he was distracted and grabbed him shaking him violently about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He felt it clawing at his armor, his barrier wouldn't protect him for long against physical attacks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He focused as fast as he could throwing the creature away from him and into a wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah turned his attention back to the brute creature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He turned to face it just as it brought its massive clawed arm down on him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah put everything he could into his barrier and hoped for the best.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It hit him and he could hear his barrier shatter as it hit him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amazed that he was still alive and sure that if he hadn't of turned to face it the creature would have cut him in two pieces, he fell backwards and hit the creature with another warp attack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was sure it was over for him as the creature took several more steps toward him as he laid there, when he could hear a clinking sound and sparks flew from the creatures head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb had opened fire with the mantis sniper rifle he carried with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The creature started toward Caleb taking long drawn out steps that got quicker with its approach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb fired and the high velocity round impacted the creatures face, the armor had been weakened and they both could tell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"You're going down you ugly son of a bitch."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb quickly reloaded the heavy weapon and took aim then fired again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time hitting the creature in one of its tiny eyes, Caleb thought for sure it would falter but it just kept coming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took to running at him and Caleb fired loosely hitting the creature in the chest before rolling to dodge the oncoming onslaught.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The brute crashed into the rubble and Caleb opened fire again with the rifle, still managing a head shot from the awkward angle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even from the distance he was, Isaiah could see a definite crack in the armor protecting its head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb attempted to take one last shot thinking it would finish it off as it turned to face him again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a loud beeping noise telling him that the gun had over heated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Dammit."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb didn't have time to load another thermal clip as the creature took to charging.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah watched as Caleb through the gun to the ground and took to running at the creature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He ran up an overturned shuttle car and bounded into the air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His omni-tool activated and the blade extended from it, Isaiah knew that if Caleb missed he would most like be killed by the brute creature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The creature looked up as Caleb came within range of it and he thrust his blade down into its skull.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The creature let out a hideous roar as the life left it's body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb landed a foot on its shoulder as it took to rolling and bounded off hitting the ground and rolling to his feet with his pistol pointed at the brute as it flopped to the ground lifelessly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He waited for what seemed like hours for the creature to get back up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When it didn't he holstered his pistol and ran to where Isaiah was laying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah felt his suit working to repair the damage on his body, the cool wet touch of the gel touching his body gave him chills as the pain numbed itself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Are you alright?" he asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah staggered to his feet as Caleb walked over to him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"I'll be okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb watched Isaiah for a second as he got his balance.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Man I saw him hit you, I thought he was gonna cut you in two."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Yeah I managed to support my barrier enough to take most of the hit but I'm sure there's still a gash in my abdomen."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah rubbed his stomach a bit over his armor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb took couple steps ahead and looked at their surroundings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"We must be close to him by now but he could be anywhere in these buildings."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah looked up and around following Caleb's gaze.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"I don't think so, he didn't say anything about being inside."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"But he is in hiding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let's head up see if we can see anything from up top."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb pointed to a fire escape that led all the way to the top of the tallest of the apartment buildings that surrounded them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"There, we can take it all the way to the top."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Okay let's go," Isaiah agreed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah followed Caleb over to the fire escape and the two of them went up the ladder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was apparent that they were in a poor part of town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The apartment buildings were older and the fire escapes were damaged, in places barely holding onto the building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The two of them climbed up the steps of the fire escape at a steady pace when they started hearing the familiar groaning noises of the husks from below them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah looked down and could see several starting to climb up the building after them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some were right on the fire escape and others climbing up the wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah opened his mouth to signal Caleb just as he opened fire with his heavy pistol leaving a ringing in his ears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The shots found their targets blowing off body parts and knocking them off the building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah un-holstered his SMG and opened fire on the husks coming up the escape behind them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The small rounds ricocheted off the grated metal floor but for the most part found their targets stopping their pursuers in their tracks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Come on, let's move!" yelled Caleb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The two of them took to running to make it to the top of the building before more husks came.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As Isaiah ran it felt like the whole fire escape was about to fall off the building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb jumped from the fire escape to the rooftop just ahead of Isaiah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Shit!"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah heard followed by several gunshots from Caleb's heavy pistol.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah hurried up the last ladder and looked over the edge of the building before making the move to the rooftop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He saw Caleb standing there over a dead reaper trooper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"God damn thing scared the shit out of me."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb turned toward him and walked over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Must have been a look out or something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It's safe for now though."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah climbed up over the edge and landed his feet on the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah looked out over the skyline of the city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were several of the reaper machines moving through the city in the distance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Looking at them it was hard to imagine how it would be possible to stop them, he knew it was going to take a miracle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"If that guy was a look out then I wonder what he was watching."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb holstered his pistol and removed his sniper rifle from his back piece.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He used the zoom on the sniper rifle to zoom in on the surrounding rooftops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"They're definitely watching for something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Use your visor take a look at the other three buildings."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah brought himself back from the bleakness of the horizon and looked in the direction Caleb's sniper rifle was following.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He tapped the side of his headpiece and the zoom function activated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He could see a reaper troop pacing back and forth on the buildings across from them on either side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Definitely look outs of some kind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But what are they..."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah trailed off as he took to walking along the side of the building following the line of sight of the watchers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"What the hell?"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah looked over the edge of the building where the corners met the other three buildings to see what must have been hundreds of people all huddled into a mass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb came over and looked down beside him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"What the hell are they doing down there?" asked Caleb, clearly not expecting an answer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"I don't know, they're massing people together for some reason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wonder if that's where Montieth is."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"We've gotta save those people."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"How even with Montieth there's only three of us against all those troops."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"I... don't know."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb trailed off and looked away with a saddened expression on his face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"The reaper forces don't seem to be that organized, their numbers are their advantage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We'll figure it out."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few seconds passed long and drawn out, when Caleb's omni-tool communicator began to activate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Rodriguez do you read me come in!"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb lifted his arm and opened the communicator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"I'm down in that encampment you’re looking at.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They know you’re there, they're coming to..."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The transmission was cut off and Isaiah heard a gun-shot go off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Shit."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah got low to the ground instinctually and un-holstered his heavy pistol.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb activated his cloak and moved over to where Isaiah was crouched down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Caleb I..."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Stay down, I'm going to see if I can take a look around."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb quickly moved around the rooftop looking to see if he could see any sign of what was coming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah could hear the steady moans of husks coming from all around them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The noise grew steadily louder as the creatures got closer to the top of the building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah knew that they wouldn't be able to last against a hoard of reaper forces as they approached.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"This is Isaiah Argent of the Norad, does anyone read me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need extraction we were on a rescue mission that has since failed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our target is presumed dead and we have reaper forces closing from all ends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I'm emitting a low band signal to help you locate us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We'll hold out as long as we can," said Isaiah into his head piece as he programmed his omni-tool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Please if you're out there..."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah heard a horrid shriek that seemed to be all around him, it felt like it was going right through him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb came back from his circle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"I put out a distress call.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hopefully they will get here before it's too late."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first of the husks started to pour over the edges of the rooftop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a flash of light and a creature appeared, it was clearly female and Isaiah got a better look it was a warped Asari.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The creature was covered in reaper technology and armor, Isaiah could only imagine the biotic potential such a creature would have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"That thing is our biggest threat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don't hold back."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb cocked his assault rifle and unleashed sweeping fire on the husks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah stood up and immediately unleashed a biotic attack on the asari creature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His attack was absorbed by a biotic barrier not surprised Isaiah knew this thing would be a problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The creature let out another shriek and wave its clawed hand sending a slow moving ball of biotic dark matter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah rolled backwards and to the left to attempt to dodge and the projectile followed him, colliding with his barrier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He could feel a resonating biotic effect lingering on his body armor, leaving it almost vibrating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah opened fire with his SMG, hoping it would affect the creatures barrier like it would a normal barrier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rounds seemed to do the damage he hoped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was another flash of light and the creature jumped to only a few feet away from him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah hit it with a shockwave and there was a biotic explosion, stopping the creature in its tracks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The creature let out another horrid shriek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A light began to surround the creature and it let out another shriek sending out a radial blast wave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The shockwave hit Isaiah and sent him over the edge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah managed to grab the edge of the building with one hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked down and there was nothing close enough below him even with biotics that would make the landing possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Caleb, help!"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was no response but Isaiah heard an angry grunt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Caleb grabbed the husk by the face and slammed it to the ground, before trampling its head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He quickly powered up his omni-tool and fired an incineration blast at several approaching husks, burning them alive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked around urgently trying to see where Isaiah was, after losing Montieth and the rest of his crew he didn't want to lose anyone else he cared about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He saw the creature walking toward one side of the building and opened fire with both his heavy pistol and his omni-tool attempting to overload it's barrier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The creature turned it's attention toward him and biotically jumped at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb quickly used his tactical cloak and jumped behind the creature, running toward where it had originally been focused.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As he got closer he could see Isaiah's hand gripping the edge of the building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He jumped at it just as his cloak dropped and grabbed his hand.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Gotcha," said Caleb as he grabbed Isaiah's hand and pulled him up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Are you alright?"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb asked quickly and Isaiah nodded.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"I don't know if I can take that bitch alone, her biotics are too much."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The creature let out another shriek and jumped back over to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Look out!"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah hit the creature with another warp attack this time he was sure it's barrier was at least weakened substantially.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It staggered a bit but otherwise seemed unaffected, it came within arm’s reach of them and swiped at Caleb with long clawed fingers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb instinctually rolled to the side opening fire on several husks that had climbed the wall behind them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Suddenly the maintenance door opened to the left of them and several of the warped Batarian creatures came piling out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah threw up a singularity to field to hold them in place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb un-holstered his sniper rifle and started firing everything he had at the biotic terror that was still almost within arm’s reach of them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Isaiah Argent, we see you hang in there."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They both heard over their communicator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"We're heading to you from a southern trajectory."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah looked south and could see a shuttle flying toward them at high speed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With renewed hope Isaiah erected a biotic barrier around the two of them and fired a shockwave at the levitating creatures all of them exploded from the biotic combo.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"They're almost here, keep fighting!" yelled Caleb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another wave of husks jumped up from over the edge of the building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And more reaper troops appeared in the door way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah kept a strong singularity field up and blocked the most of the creatures but several were protected by shields.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb used his omni-tool to hit them with a jumping electrical charge, shocking and stunning several of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The shrieking banshee of a creature let out another shrill call before letting loose another shockwave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time Isaiah recognized the motion of the attack and strengthened the barrier around them to absorb the hit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The creature jumped at them again and reached through the barrier quickly grabbing Isaiah by the neck before he could get away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb turned his attention to the creature and fired on it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah could feel the creatures breath on his face as it held him kicking with one hand and pulled him closer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The creature raised it's free hand claws pointed when there was an explosion behind it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Distracted it looked to the side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The shuttle had pulled around to the side and fired on the banshee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It dropped Isaiah and started to slowly move toward them powering up for a jump.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The shuttle opened fire with it's main gun, making short work of the creature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah fell to the ground almost in a daze with what had happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The shuttle aligned itself with the edge of the building and the door opened two soldiers appeared yelling to them and firing on the surrounding reaper forces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb grabbed Isaiah by the hand and pulled him to his feet running toward the shuttle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They made a final bound into the shuttle and the door slid shut behind them, they were for the most part safe for now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Rodriguez is that you?" asked one of the soldiers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb looked up at him as Isaiah took to standing on his own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man took his helmet off and Isaiah recognized the face as one of the men from Caleb's group of friends at the bar. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Grenier?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is the Norad..." Caleb started.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Alive and well, man it's good to see you, we thought everyone was lost."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb smiled and grasped his shoulder.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"It's good to see you too," said Caleb, "Montieth died signaling us about the reaper ambush.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone else died in the attack on the shuttles."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other soldier walked up to Grenier and passed him a pad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Lieutenant this is from Admiral Hackett."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grenier passed the pad to Caleb and he looked it over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Get us back to the Norad private."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Aye sir," said the same pilot who flew the Norad originally.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"This says that I've been given command of the Norad and we're to join the Fifth Fleet in the Horsehead Nebula to assist in keeping the reapers at bay."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"I don't think Commander Rawlings would have had it any other way," said Grenier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb smiled at the recognition and sat on the shuttle bench.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah sat down next to him and they both leaned back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grenier left the shuttle cabin and went to the front with the other soldier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"We made it," said Isaiah quietly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"I just wish we could of saved Montieth."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"I've never been part of a mission with so much loss before," said Caleb keeping the tone of the conversation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"I just ..."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Caleb people are going to die, the reapers are every bit as bad as Commander Shepard warned us it would be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We just have to make it so they're sacrifices are worth it and they're not forgotten."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah leaned in and kissed Caleb on the cheek placing a hand over his.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked at him and smiled.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"With people like you behind me that seems possible."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb wiped a smudge from Isaiah's face and he smiled at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Thank you for not giving up."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"You're welcome."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"I guess it's a good thing your superior officers were wrong about you," Caleb laughed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Good for you."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">War Asset Acquired: Norad and Crew</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The Norad and her crew were part of the initial assault on the reapers, directly after they attacked earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The new commanding officer, Lieutenant Caleb Rodriguez, lead a rescue mission to the city of Toronto, in an attempt to rescue several Alliance officials.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The mission was technically a failure, on descent into Earth’s atmosphere both Norad shuttles were shot down by reapers forces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In which the Norads original commanding officer was KIA .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were unable to rescue their targets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although Caleb Rodriguez and a young biotic, Isaiah Argent, spent two days on the surface and the tactical intel they gathered will be a major help in dealing with the reapers on other fronts.</span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0400; mso-bidi-language: X-NONE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: #0400;"></span></div>Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08074666369157919363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218843219188780247.post-18740421096108063152011-02-23T21:03:00.000-08:002011-02-23T21:03:32.407-08:00Matrix Fanfiction Chapter 33: End Game (Part One)Chapter 33: End Game (Part 1)<br />
<br />
Brandan sat in the drivers seat of the Navras they were flying cautiously through the tunnels to find another place to sit the large vessel while they were completing there mission inside. Dan sat beside him in the pilot seat with Isaiah at the holographic's station and Colin was manning the main gun.<br />
"Have you got anything for me Isaiah?" asked Brandan.<br />
"Hmm, seems to me like there is a place that's about a kilometer away from our current position, take a left at this next junction," said Isaiah.<br />
"Colin anything on the weapon scanners?"<br />
"No sir all is clear if there is anything around us then it's just out of scanner range, so they don't know we are here either."<br />
"Take another right up here Captain that'll pretty much place us in the spot we should be in." Brandan flew the ship around a large corner and could see the spot Isaiah was speaking of. They flew silently to the desired spot and Dan and the captain parked the vessel. Brandan looked back at the others they nodded to him and got up to head to the broadcast deck.<br />
Isaiah and Colin walked down into the broadcast deck just as the ship landed. They could feel the jolt as it hit the ground and they could see that Parker and the others were checking out the systems running diagnostics on everything. It was 3 am and everyone still had the just woke up look on their face.<br />
"How is everything going?" asked Colin.<br />
"Everything is up and running smoothly the rest is up to you guys, all systems go," said Parker.<br />
"How is everyone holding up?" asked Isaiah looking around at the others.<br />
"Well the girls are slightly nerved up about the situation, but that's nothing different, this is a major mission." Isaiah and Colin walked over to the seats. Brandan and Dan walked down the stairs and the ship went into power save mode and everything went dark except for the code screen and the broadcast system.<br />
"All right guys we're ready to go. We're gonna load into the construct program and our information will be uploaded and explained in detail," said Brandan.<br />
"Have you been into contact with the other captains yet?" asked Tarra.<br />
"I was in communication with them last night we will be givin the meeting place once we're inside and we will have to be there for 0400, so let's get in there and get started." Brandan walked over and sat down in one of the chairs, the others shortly followed and Parker went around jacking each of them into their computer.<br />
"Alright guys good luck with the mission and call me if you need me." Parker sat down in his seat and began to type in the commands to send them into the construct.<br />
Brandan opened his eyes and they were standing in the construct program, the others were standing around him.<br />
"Alright guys here's the plan," said Brandan as a table appeared and they each took a seat.<br />
"Zion's most skilled operators have been working on a top secret weapon. We have seen examples in the past of this weapon, it's a special bomb designed to disrupt the very fabric of the matrix. Doing this it will literally wipe out the fields if we do this right. There are six retrieval ships that will be put on stand by to retrieve the ones that are released. Our job is too make sure that these weapons are properly planted in the right spots so that it will effect the entire matrix as a whole. If we fail to do so then our efforts will be completely in vain. The points that these bombs must be planted at have been uploaded to you. There will be three placed. One will be placed in the main city close to the freeway, the next in little Tokyo next to the slums, and the final one will be placed in the subway system."<br />
"Do we know who we will be assigned with yet?" asked Tarra crossing her hands on the table. Brandan nodded.<br />
"Yes, you and Isaiah will accompany Niobe and Ghost. I will be going with Binary of the Vigilant and Tabatha and Dan. Colin, you and Saba will accompany Captain Soren, any questions?" Brandan looked around the table at his crew waiting for someone to say something. "Then I take it we are ready to go then." They each stood up and the table and chairs disappeared and the weapons table loaded up. They each walked up to the table and picked a weapon.<br />
"Alright here we go," said Isaiah looking at the others, as they were loaded into the Matrix.<br />
All three of the vehicles loaded up, Brandan climbed aboard the Captain's Thrown, Dan and Tarra jumped into the Acura Integra, and Colin jumped into the drivers seat of the Mustang and Isaiah, Tabatha and Saba followed him in. The engines started and began to rev as they pulled out of the warehouse and started through the city to the meeting spot. Brandan flew down the road with the two cars close beside him as they drove they were joined by Niobe and Soren's crew, Niobe in her Thunderbird and Soren in his Chrysler m300. The two other vehicles pulled up along side of Brandan, he looked at each captain and nodded as they pulled ahead of him and continued on. Brandan continued down the road and they each made their way to the sewer system where they would be meeting with the others.<br />
Brandan and the others pulled into the parking lot and stood up next to the other two cars parking his bike alongside the others. They each walked into the sewer system and went down the stairs to see Niobe, Ghost, Soren and Binary all standing at the table.<br />
"Captain," said Niobe nodding to him.<br />
"Niobe," Brandan nodded back to her as they filed down the stairs.<br />
"Alright guys," said Soren as the last of them made it down the steps, "You've all been given your orders correct?"<br />
"Yes Captain Soren, we can leave when ever you're ready," said Colin stepping forward.<br />
"We'll be taking the subway isn't that how it works?" asked Saba smiling and stepping up beside Colin.<br />
"That's correct, we need to leave now, Binary go with Brandan to Little Tokyo."<br />
"Ok no problem Captain, I'll see you when this is over. Good luck." Binary nodded to Soren as they walked by her and headed out.<br />
"Good luck guys be safe," said Brandan.<br />
"Isaiah I'm glad to be able to work with you once again," said Niobe walking over to him and patting him on the shoulder. Isaiah smiled at her.<br />
"Are you ready to leave yet?" he asked. Ghost and Niobe walked over to them.<br />
"Come on we're taking the subway system," said Ghost. Tarra and Isaiah nodded at the others and went up the stairs just as Soren's car was pulling out of the parking lot.<br />
"Well Tab, Binary, Dan let's go," said Brandan.<br />
"Aye, aye Captain," said Binary as they head up the stairs.<br />
They went up stairs and had gotten outside just as Niobe's Thunderbird was pulling out of the parking lot.<br />
"We're taking the Mustang, Dan you drive," said Brandan. They hopped in the vehicle and sped off. They pulled out of the parking lot and drove through the city to the crowded streets of Little Tokyo. They parked the car in an alleyway and went out into the street. "How close to the building are we Binary?" asked Brandan. Binary looked at her wrist watch locator tool and then looked back at him.<br />
"Its about a quarter of a mile up the street from here, Captain," she explained.<br />
"Ok good lets keep moving." Brandan and the other continued on pushing there way un-noticed through the mass of people. As they walked Tabatha looked around trying to see the sites that used to be some of her favorite places to go. Now all they were was just a jumble of code in a false reality that she had almost grown to despise now that she had experienced the real world andthe life it had to offer was almost hard for her to believe that there weren't more people like her and the others that were out there realizing the fakeness of their surroundings. She knew that others obviously existed but why were there only so few? They quickly came up on the building they were to enter. It didn't look like anything special on the outside, but in reality it was one of the main server points for the matrix itself. Brandan looked around and there were no guards visible on the outside. "Do you guys see anything?" he asked.<br />
"Nothing here," said Dan.<br />
"Yeah I don't see anything either," said Tabatha.<br />
"What about on the inside Binary?" Binary focused and brought up a hack screen, doing a window hack so that she would be able to see inside the building.<br />
"There's nothing that I can see on the first point but the actual server point is on the third floor, so we may not run into anything until we get there," she explained.<br />
"Alright guys lets move in then, we don't have the time to waste," said Brandan. Brandan jumped up to a first floor window that just so happened to be hanging open, the others quickly followed.<br />
Brandan got his feet on the floor and looked around the building focusing on the code trying to see exactly where he should set the bomb. The others got in and they walked calmly and quickly toward the stairs that would take them to the floor where they were to set the bomb. They walked up the steps and turned a corner to keep going when they heard a noise on the second floor.<br />
"What was that?" asked Dan. Tabatha took out her gun and cocked it.<br />
"Keep going you guys I'll secure this floor," she said as she stepped off the stair well.<br />
"Ok good luck," said Brandan. The others kept moving while Tabatha went to look into the noise they had heard on the second floor.<br />
Tabatha slowly opened the door and swept the room with her eyes before entering watching for any type of movement. Seeing nothing Tabatha slowly stepped into the room and looked around the corners quickly.<br />
"Hello?" she called out hesitantly. She seen a dark figure step into view, it was one of the Merovingian's exiles. "What are you doing here?" asked Tabatha pointing her gun quickly.<br />
"Funny I was just about to ask you the same thing little lady." The man stepped into complete view. It was Kane one of the Frenchman's head fighters. Tabatha having been informed of the Merovingian's full roster opened fire shooting the man several times not seeming to have an effect as the man approached her.<br />
"All right I guess I will just have to do this the old fashion way." Tabatha quickly flew into him with all her might hitting him several times in the face then jumping into the air and kicking him in the face. Kane quickly recovered from her attack and bent his neck then looked at her and smiled.<br />
"Is that the best you can do?" Kane took up a fighting stance and started to attack her quickly swinging at her Tabatha blocked most of the attacks.<br />
"No actually it wasn't I was just seeing if I was gonna have to try to kick your ass or not fucker!" Tabatha focused and time seemed to slow down as she hit him in the stomach with her fist, then snapped him in the face with her other hand and as he bent over kneeing him in the face, she ended with a powerful kick hitting him against the wall.<br />
"Bitch!" Kane got to his feet and took a gun from his trench coat. Tabatha's eyes widened as she saw the gun.<br />
"Uh oh!" Kane let several bullets fly at her and she jumped in the air spinning sideways as the bullets whisked by her, noticed that the bullets were shining silver. She landed low on the ground balancing herself on one hand and jumped up grabbing the gun out of his hand and throwing him to the ground as she spun around. Tabatha pointed the gun at him and fired off a round hitting him in the arm.<br />
"Ah damn." He jumped up and kicked her into the wall and jumped out a nearby window.<br />
"Damn it, got away." Suddenly her phone rang and she picked up, it was the captain.<br />
"Are you ok down there?"<br />
"I'm fine, did you expect otherwise?"<br />
"No of course not I fully believe in your ability to take care of yourself. What was all the commotion down there?"<br />
"It was one of the Merovingian's henchmen, I shot him and he took off out the window. I'll clear the rest of this floor and catch up with you soon."<br />
"Ok see you soon Tab." Tabatha hung up the phone and went on to check the floor.<br />
The others were just about to the spot they were to plant the bomb and the captain had just hung up the phone.<br />
"What was the noise, is she ok?" asked Binary.<br />
"Yes she's ok, apparently one of the Merovingian's men was in the area, she took care of him though," said Brandan looking around as they arrived at the place, "We're here Binary get the bomb set up but don't set the timer yet." Binary nodded and went about setting up the bomb with Dan's help.<br />
Meanwhile at that very moment, Niobe pulled onto the freeway with Ghost in the passenger side and Tarra and Isaiah in the back seat.<br />
"So Niobe where exactly is this place that we're looking for?" asked Tarra. Niobe looked back at her in the rearview mirror.<br />
"It's located in a construction site just off of exit fifty five," she said, "Don't worry its not that far from here."<br />
"I'm not worried, just wondering."<br />
"What kind of resistance can we expect?" asked Isaiah. "That is something we won't know until we get there," said Ghost checking his gun over. They drove slowly and a cop car pulled up and passed them. Niobe took out her phone and put it to her ear.<br />
"Sparks?"<br />
"They haven't sent out any calls yet so I think you should be fine but make sure you get off there as quickly and quietly as you can or you could get some unwanted attention."<br />
"Ok." Niobe quickly hung up her phone.<br />
"Everything ok Captain?" asked Ghost.<br />
"We're fine for now." The exit they were to turn off of quickly came up and they took it, shortly they arrived at the site. The parked the car in an inconspicuous spot and got out.<br />
Isaiah got out of the car and looked up.<br />
"You've got to be kidding me." The construction site was a half finished skyscraper that had already had about thirty floors onto it. "How the hell are we going to find the place to plant it with such a broad place to check?" Niobe smiled at Isaiah.<br />
"With a little hope and help from the ones that watch over us," she took out her phone, "Sparks where is the spot and is the elevator working?"<br />
"The utility elevator is working but they have placed armed guards, should be no problem to take down though, it's about twenty feet away from you on the other side of the building. And the spot you are looking to plant out little toy is on the seventeenth floor. Doesn't look like it's being guarded I'm not seeing any activity."<br />
"Great." Niobe put her phone back in her jacket and started to walk. "Follow me, there is an elevator over here, Tarra we're gonna need a slight distraction there is some guards just something small so Isaiah and I can get in there and knock some heads."<br />
"Alright," said Tarra. They followed Niobe to the corner of the building. Niobe nodded at Tarra and she pulled up her hack screen, she tapped a few buttons on her screen and the guards suddenly started to break out laughing at each other seemingly. Tarra nodded back to her and Niobe smiled at her then looked to Isaiah and they both quickly took into action moving until they were behind them un-noticed. They each grabbed one of the guards and put him in a chokehold until they shortly fell limp. They tossed the guards limp bodies to the ground and Niobe hit the button for the elevator return, and they waited for a few minutes.<br />
"Gotta love the hasteful maintenance elevators," said Isaiah.<br />
"Yeah really we could of ran up the building faster than this," said Ghost his arms folded. Just then there was a slight grinding of metal as the elevator came to a halt. Isaiah was the first to step in as the door opened, the others shortly followed.<br />
"By the way Tarra what did you make them see that was so funny?" asked Niobe.<br />
"I made them see each other naked," she answered.<br />
"Nice," said Isaiah smiling as the door closed. Niobe looked at Tarra with a smirk on her face and hit the button to take them to the seventeenth floor. "So what now?" asked Isaiah. Niobe leaned against the wall and crossed her arms.<br />
"We wait." Isaiah leaned against the wall and slid down to sit in wait.<br />
"You know Isaiah we really don't know what's at the top of this elevator, you should be ready for anything," said Tarra.<br />
"Yeah your right." Isaiah stood up and took out his gun to be ready. Tarra stood and watched the elevator go up in number as it went slowly from floor to floor, 4, 5, 6, 7. Tarra brought up her hack screen and typed in a hack to watch through the elevator door as they went up floor-by-floor 10, 11, 12, 13.<br />
"So what do you see anything we should be worried about?" asked Niobe.<br />
"No I don't see anything watching the doors yet." 15, 16, 17. Niobe hit the stop button.<br />
"Are we clear?" asked Ghost. Tarra nodded and Ghost hit the button to open the door. Niobe and Isaiah jumped through and then swept the room before they quickly began to file in.<br />
"Ok guys let's move we're clear," said Niobe urgently. With Niobe in the lead and guns drawn they quickly headed to the spot they were to set the bomb.<br />
Captain Soren, Saba and Colin we're in the car with Soren driving slowly through the traffic of one of the busier strips of town heading to the subway.<br />
"We would make it there quicker if we parked somewhere and walked there," said Saba.<br />
"Yeah that's what I am beginning to think," said Soren turning a corner to a back street.<br />
"We can park back here and walk to the subway." Soren drove a short distance into the alley and parked under an emergency stairwell to one of the apartment buildings. They got out of the car and walked back toward the main street. "We're about two blocks from the subway let's go."<br />
They made their way slowly through the crowd trying not to seem in too much of a hurry so they would blend in with the crowd. The people in the street were pushy and impatient almost running into them on several different occasions. Colin looked around at the businessmen and women in the streets these were the people that supposedly ran the world that he used to be part of, it was so weird to be an onlooker now, why couldn't they see past the lie. Soon enough . . .<br />
As they walked Saba couldn't help but feel like she was being watched but she could figure out where the feeling was coming from even by focusing on her surroundings. She decided to dismiss the feeling as they came to the subway stairs. They headed down into it and it was surprisingly empty considering the time of day it was. Just a few loners and a bum laying in a bundle of rags in the corner.<br />
"Where is everybody?" asked Saba.<br />
"Good question," Soren put his phone to his ear," yeah, where is everyone?"<br />
"Three of the main subway terminals are undergoing some heavy construction so the public bus system is now overloaded with the people that normally take the subway. There doesn't seem to be anything strange going on from what I can tell just be on guard." Soren put his phone away and they started walking.<br />
"We'll be fine it's just slow due to some construction in the other subway stations. Come on we have to get this over with." Saba and Colin looked at each other and kept following Soren.<br />
They reached the bottom of the steps and three exiles dropped from the ceiling.<br />
"We don't know what you are doing here, but the boss doesn't like it so we're here to stop you," said the one in the lead in a demonic voice.<br />
"We don't have time for this," said Soren with his arms crossed.<br />
"Let's get'em boys," said Saba. The three of them sprang into action taking on the one that was closest to them. The leader drew a gun and Soren quickly grabbed it from him and back handing him across the face sending him to the ground. Soren jumped in the air and slammed his knee down on the mans face then kicked him off the side.<br />
Saba began with a series of kicks hitting the man with a full four hit combo stunning him, she hit him three times in the chest then kneed him sending him into the wall with a shattering crash.<br />
"Do you really think you can hurt us with such attacks foolish humans."<br />
"We'll see how this goes!" said Colin. Colin quickly jumped into action attacking the third exile with a six hit combo swiftly and easily landing each blow as the exile was stunned he drew his knife and did a flip around in the air off his back then slit the exiles throat quickly the kicked him in the back sending him flying across the room.<br />
"They aren't so tough." The exile Saba had attacked got back to his feet and came at her swinging, she blocked four of the five attacks and began to focus getting frustrated. Time seemed to slow down as Saba struck the exile several times in the face then ducked down and grabbed his foot and slammed him against the ground. Saba tilted her head and smirked at Colin.<br />
"Good job," said Colin smiling back.<br />
"You fool did you think I would die so easily," said The Demonic voice. The three of them turned to see the exile Soren had fought standing as though nothing had happened. They each looked at each other and took after the exile together.<br />
Saba jumped into the air and dropped kick the man and bounced off his chest flipping backwards in the air as to get out of the others way. As he was stunned from Saba's attack Soren hit him three times in the face swirling around with his last hit putting his weight behind the final blow knocking him to the ground. Colin jumped into the air with his knife in hand and dove at the man plunging the knife into his chest.<br />
"Good work you two," said Soren, "Now lets do what we came to do, secure the area make sure there is nothing that will stand in our way from here on."<br />
"Alright Captain," said Colin. Colin and Saba dispersed around the area to secure it.<br />
"Is this where we are supposed to set it?" asked Saba.<br />
"Yes its one of the main system focal points for the matrix. If this plan goes right then it should disrupt the entire matrix."<br />
"Oh, what happens if we get caught in it?"<br />
"The body cannot live without the mind you know this." Saba nodded and went about scanning around the area.<br />
"Looks like everything is clear," said Colin, "There is no further activity in the area." Soren nodded and took his phone.<br />
"Sparks we're in position how are the others doing?"<br />
"The others are ready when you are?" Soren took out the device and set it down on the ground getting ready to arm it.<br />
"Get the others on the line and tell me when to arm it, I don't have to tell you if we are even a second off then our efforts will fail."<br />
Back with Niobe's team they had made it to the proper place undisturbed. Niobe was on the phone with Sparks and Soren as she placed the bomb into position.<br />
"Alright guys I'm ready to blow this thing when you are, just say when Sparks where is Brandan's team what is taking them so long?"<br />
"Hold on I have an incoming call on line three. It's Brandan."<br />
"Ok Sparks I've got this thing set just tell me when to hit the button." Brandan looked around at the floor they were on things just seemed to be going a little too easy.<br />
"Alright everyone on three?" asked Niobe.<br />
"On three," repeated Soren and Brandan.<br />
"Ok . . ." said Sparks, "One two."<br />
"Oh shit Niobe look out!" they heard Isaiah's voice yell."Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08074666369157919363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218843219188780247.post-63963436553359343072011-02-20T20:57:00.000-08:002011-02-20T20:57:37.495-08:00Matrix Fanfiction Chapter 32: Simulations<div class="storytext" id="storytext">Chapter 32: Simulations<br />
<br />
Brandan woke up and looked around the captain's quarters, they were one day away from one of the biggest mission attempts in human history within the matrix. He would need to hone the crews' skills today to be sure that all seven of them were ready to take on this huge responsibility. This was also most the first time that they would be all be working with other captains and they would need to prove themselves. He got up out of his bed and got dressed then headed down to the bridge to get stats on where they would need to be for the next mission. He got into the bridge and Dan, Tarra and Colin were sitting in the control seats.<br />
"Report," he said.<br />
"We just about to the co-ordinance you gave me Captain," said Dan. Colin, who was sitting in holographics, looked over at Dan.<br />
"We're in the clear for now I'm not seeing anything within range of the scanners," he explained.<br />
"Good, Tarra has there been any communications activity from Niobe or Soren?"<br />
"They called Parker a while ago and told him that they weren't into position and that they probably weren't going to be ready until tomorrow," said Tarra.<br />
"That'll be perfect it should coincide perfectly with the mission time." Isaiah steps in from behind him.<br />
"Is there any word on what the mission will be exactly?" he asked. Brandan sat down in the secondary pilots seat next to Dan.<br />
"Well all I can tell you is it's an attack on the power plants main frame server. I don't know exactly how it's going to go down and I don't know how they plan on even going about it, but I do know that it's the biggest mission attempt in human history. We will be working closely with the other teams as well so we definitely need to be at our best and you guys know what that means I assume."<br />
"Simulations," said Dan unenthusiastically. Isaiah stood between the two pilots chair.<br />
"When do we get started?" he asked.<br />
"As soon as we're parked, Colin, Tarra, Isaiah you guys go get ready. I'll stay here and help Dan get her seated." Tarra, Colin and Isaiah stand up and go downstairs to the broadcast zone and Brandan stays with Dan to help park the ship.<br />
The three of them walk into the broadcast zone and Saba and Tabatha are looking into the code screen with Parker. Parker points to something on the screen.<br />
"The exiles are really active all of a sudden, I wonder what they are up to," said Parker. Colin walks over to the code screen and looks in.<br />
"Captain says we need to train hard for the next mission, it's the biggest mission attempted in the history of the human resistance, so loader up," he explained. Parker turns his chair around to face the others.<br />
"Did he at least tell you what one?" asked Parker. Colin shook his head.<br />
"Um, no, he's coming right down though, they just gotta get the ship into position."<br />
"Alright then, you guys wanna get the broadcast chairs set up for me?" he asked whirling his seat back around to get the computer ready.<br />
"Yeah sure," said Tarra. Everyone walks over and starts to get there own chair ready to go, setting up the bio readers and the mental scanners. They felt the ship jolt slightly as Dan and Brandan put it into place.<br />
"We must be parked," said Tabatha checking some connections.<br />
"Sounds like it, I don't hear the engines humming anymore," said Isaiah.<br />
Brandan and Dan walked through the door to the broadcast deck.<br />
"Is everything ready?" asked Brandan stopping a few feet away. Dan walked by him and went to one of the seats to start checking it over.<br />
"Everything should be ready to go captain. What do you plan on testing us on?" asked Tabatha. Brandan walked over and looked into the code screen and hit a few buttons on the keyboard.<br />
"I'm going to set up a test to help each of us with our weaknesses within the matrix so we can try to hone our skills a bit," he explained, " I want each of us to be ready to do whatever the other crews require of us, we need to be ready for everything and anything." They each begin to set up a chair and they each sit down. "Actually guys I plan on sending you in each one at a time and doing individual tasks. First I wanna ask you what you each think your weaknesses are?" Brandan stood up and looked at each of them, they all seemed to be dazed by the question.<br />
"Well?" Brandan shrugs his shoulders getting impatient.<br />
"Um well I guess for me it would be my hand to hand combat abilities," said Tarra.<br />
"Very good, anyone else?" Saba took a step forward and looked at the captain shyly.<br />
"My confidence could use some work," said Saba quietly. Colin looked puzzled and stayed quiet as Dan stepped forward.<br />
"I need to work on my speed if anything." Tabatha had a puzzled look on her face as she stood up from her seat.<br />
"I've still never really used my gun I need to work on my accuracy with my handguns I guess," she explained. Brandan looked at her finding it hard to believe what he was hearing, but thinking back, she was right she hadn't been required to use a gun in any previous missions.<br />
"Yeah we will get you set up with that later today. Anyone else wanna step up and take a stab at your weakness?" Isaiah and Colin looked at each other, each waiting for the other to say something. Colin perked his eyebrows at Isaiah.<br />
"Well captain, my weakness has always been my strength, my attacks are really fast and accurate I just need to be able to put a little more power behind them," said Isaiah having a thinkers look on his face. Colin nodded his head at Isaiah.<br />
"Your turn Colin, you're the only one that hasn't gone yet."<br />
"Well I don't really think that I have any problems, I'm fast, accurate, powerful, confident, I don't have any trouble in battle with anyone, except agents." Brandan looked at Colin and smiled slightly.<br />
"Your definitely right about that but you do have one slight problem and I think you will find out later on in the simulator," said Brandan sitting in the operators station, "Alright who wants to go first?" Tabatha stepped forward.<br />
"Might as well be me, no sense wasting any time contemplating." Brandan nodded and sat down in one of the terminals and Isaiah walked over to her and helped her get set up.<br />
"I'm going to load you into the gun training program, its going to give you what you need to know when you load in. Hook her up Isaiah." Isaiah took the jack and slid it into her neck and Brandan loaded her into the construct program.<br />
Tabatha loaded into the construct and looked around, she put her glasses on and the weapons table loaded over to her.<br />
"Did you want me to pick any specific gun or just take one?" she asked.<br />
"Take your weapon of choice." Tabatha picked up the Difesa 092.<br />
"This one will be good, it's got a clip that holds fifteen rounds so it'll last fairly long." Tabatha looked around as a room loaded that was full of pillars and places for things to hide. Her instructions loaded into her, she wouldn't be able to use anything to stop her enemy but her gun. She would only be able to use physical force to keep them away from her. Brandan's voice could be heard all around her.<br />
"Alright Tab are you ready to start?" he asked. Tabatha cocked her gun and took one last look around.<br />
"I'm ready when you are captain," she said, flicking her hair back. Just as she finished speaking she could hear movement begin all around her.<br />
Just then a man became visible to her right, Tabatha quickly responded and turned to shooting him between the eyes. Another man came from behind her and fired his gun. As the bullet left the barrel of his gun time began to slow down. Tabatha bounded into the air back flipping backwards several times in mid air as she fired another round from her gun going right through the top of the mans skull. He fell dead and several more men appeared in the area around her as she jumped off one of the near by pillars twirling around in the air as several bullets whisked by her. She began to fire and knock down the men one by one as she spun in the air. Tabatha landed on the ground and a man put a gun to her back. She focused as hard as she could, bent over forward and kicked the man in the stomach she then twirled around and grabbed the gun from him then shot him three times in the stomach. Tabatha suddenly sensed a bullet coming behind her and did a back flip sending it between her legs. Balancing herself on one hand she shot the shooter with her handgun right in face.<br />
"Is this all I've gotta be able to do," she said jumping back to her feet. Suddenly she felt a gun being pointed right into her back and a man put her arm around her neck.<br />
"Now I've gotcha little girl," he said.<br />
"Really are you sure?" she said. The man started to pull the trigger on his gun but before it went off Tabatha quickly whipped around and backhanded him in the face knocking him to his knees. "Sorry but you don't quite have it on me bub!" She kicked the man in the stomach sending him twirling and then to the ground, she knocked him in the stomach and he slid across the ground dropping a shotgun. Tabatha did a cartwheel and grabbed the gun on her way by just as the man was getting to his feet. She landed back on the ground and shot the man in the abdomen throwing him away several feet. Tabatha cocked the gun and took another look around. "Is it over Captain?" she asked.<br />
"You're doing really well, but you're not out of the woods yet keep it up," said Brandan, "These guys that your fighting are only the equivalent to an average building security guard I'm upping the difficulty level to three."<br />
The men that Tabatha had disposed of disappeared and she could hear more movement in the area. A man stepped into view dressed in a black and white swat uniform and holding an assault rifle. The man took aim and opened fire, Tabatha quickly reacted by running up one of the pillars as the bullets whipped by her. She bounded off the pillar and twirled in the air as the bullets quickly flew by her as she spun and landed behind the man and shot him in the back. Several other men appeared around her and began shooting, Tabatha did several back flips to avoid the shots fired. She dodged as much as she could until she got behind one of the pillars. She cocked her gun and did a cart wheel between the pillars firing two shots hitting both men with ease. Tabatha new that as long as she held her focus she would be all right. She put her back to a pillar and listened. "I know you're there," she whispered to herself. Tabatha quickly looked around pillar and ended up staring down the barrel of a shotgun. The man pulled the trigger and time slowed down as the bullet moved through the barrel. Tabatha tilted her head back and dropped to the ground as the bullet whisked by her, she did a back flip and kicked the gun out of his hand. She stood up straight and raised her gun smiling at the man as she pulled the trigger sending a bullet to his head.<br />
"Ok Tab here comes the big one lets see what you can do," said Parker.<br />
Just then an agent stepped into view and several of the pillars vanished to give her room to fight. Tabatha's eyes widened as the agent straightened his tie, she took a near bye gun from the floor and reloaded it. She took to running at him with both hand guns firing at him, the agent began dodging with ease as the bullets whisked by him. Tabatha got with in arms reach just as the guns were empty. The agent reached for her but as he did, Tabatha moon-saulted over him and did a cartwheel grabbing an assault rifle from the ground as she rolled. Tabatha quickly turned around and ran back at him doing another moon-sault and firing down at the agent as she floated over him. Several of the bullets hit the agent knocking him down, Tabatha landed on the ground and dropped the gun as he fell to the ground.<br />
"Dealt with." Tabatha stood as the area around her transformed back to the construct program.<br />
"Well done Tab," said Brandan, "we're pulling you out now."<br />
Tabatha closed her eyes and opened them again to be look up at Colin as he pulled the jack from her neck.<br />
"Good job Tab," he said, "Captain who's going next?" Brandan looked around at each member of the crew as Tabatha walked over and stood beside him. Colin shrugged his shoulders and stepped forward.<br />
"I'll go," he said. Isaiah walked over to a chair and Colin followed him and sat down.<br />
"You think your ready for what's about to happen, Colin?" asked Brandan. Colin smiled.<br />
"Just get me in there." Isaiah shoved the jack in and Colin closed his eyes as he was loaded into the program.<br />
Colin opened his eyes to the white zone of the construct.<br />
"Alright Colin get ready this won't be easy," said Parker. Colin stood up straight as the rooftops loaded around him. A hunched over man with a strange look on his face appeared at the other end of the rooftop.<br />
"Who's this guy?"<br />
"This is a simulated version of an exile that has been giving the rebels trouble since before Neo was around. His name is Cujo and he works for the Merovingian, no one that has encountered him has been able to beat him to this date," explained Parker.<br />
"Thanks for the info, I doubt that will be true after this, is he an exact replica?"<br />
"You got it the program is starting." Cujo looked at Colin and smirked.<br />
"This is ending here," he said and walked toward him.<br />
"You don't know how right you are pal," said Colin cracking his knuckles and starting to walk toward him. Cujo jumped into the air and landed right in front of Colin, beginning a series of powerful blows hitting him hard. Colin blocked the majority of the attacks successfully then kicked him back and began his own series of attacks finishing with an uppercut.<br />
"Not bad for a human!" Cujo was knocked into the air and landed flat on his feet. "Now lets see how you handle this." Cujo landed in front of Colin so quickly he had no time to react and struck him once in each side the slapped him across the face with both hands knocking him down.<br />
"Holy shit where did that come from I can see this is gonna take some serious concentration."<br />
Colin got to his feet quickly as Cujo ran at him, he focused and time began to slow down. Colin attacked Cujo relentlessly striking at him with his fists and feet flying.<br />
"Let's see how you like this!" Colin jumped in the air and did a round house kick hitting Cujo in the chest and sending him to the ground. Colin quickly ran over and kicked Cujo across the floor. Cujo laid on the ground for a few seconds as Colin stood ready for him. "That's what I thought." Colin stood up straight and cracked his neck.<br />
"Is that all Captain?" There was no answer, Colin walked over to the body and looked at him. "Hmm." Colin went to bend over and Cujo jumped up kicking him in the chin, Colin did a back flip and landed on his feet. Cujo flew into him with both feet hitting him in the chest and knocking him into a near by utility shed. Colin's nose started to bleed and Cujo grabbed him by the neck.<br />
"You foolish human you think you can get me with a pitiful attack like that?" Cujo squeezed tighter and tighter around his neck as Colin grabbed Cujo's arms.<br />
"Your not doing as good as you think vampire!" Colin kicked him in the side several times trying to get him to release his neck. Using the wall as grounding Colin lifted his feet and pushed on Cujo as hard as he could sending him away from him.<br />
As Colin continued to fight inside the computer Brandan and the others looked on from the outside.<br />
"Captain, what is the point of this test?" asked Saba.<br />
"Saba Colin needs to learn when to give up in situations like this, he doesn't seem to realize that he inside the matrix he is not always going to be able to win," said Brandan.<br />
"I see, well how far are you going to let it go?"<br />
"Don't worry Saba the program can't kill him, it can definitely give him a good thrashing though." Tabatha walked over and looked at him in his chair.<br />
"He could definitely use one of those I think," she said.<br />
"Parker let's give him a little more competition I don't think he realizes that he can't win just yet." Parker nodded and hit a few buttons on his keyboard.<br />
Back inside the program Colin had just hit Cujo away from him and was getting his composure back two more exiles appeared and jumped onto the building. Before they could respond Colin ran at them and tore into them with a combo knocking one of them off the building and hitting the other one to the ground. Colin felt a fist sink into his back and he fell forward.<br />
"God damn it how am I supposed to do this Captain? I don't understand." Colin held himself up on his hands and looked at the ground as he thought for a second.<br />
"Are you ready to give up human?" asked Cujo walking over to him with a knife in his hand.<br />
"I think I get it now." Colin jumped up in the air and landed on the other side of Cujo kicking him in the back with a horse kick, then took off running. As he came to the edge of the building time seemed to slow down as Colin focused his hardest as he bounded into the air between the buildings. He landed on the other side and looked back drawing his gun. The exiles were running at him and as they jumped into the air to follow him Colin drew his gun firing at both of them knocking the underling to the ground below, the bullets collided with Cujo's chest and blood sprayed but he stayed on track. Colin turned to run again and took off focusing his hardest of staying ahead of the creature that wasn't far behind him. He jumped into the air and his phone rang, he grabbed it and quickly put it to his ear.<br />
"What is it?"<br />
"Get to the phone Colin," said Saba on the other end. Colin put his phone away and he could hear a phone ringing in the distance. He landed on the ground and quickly scanned the surrounding buildings for the sign of the phone. He spotted the utility phone four buildings away and took to running again just as Cujo hit the ground. Colin pushed himself as hard as he could focusing his speed to as much as he could muster. Colin began moving so fast that he became nothing but a blur to his enemies and made the last jump to the building the maintenance phone was on. Colin turned around to be starring Cujo right in the eye.<br />
"Foolish human, you need to learn to never look back." He swung at Colin hitting him several times in the chest then grabbed him by the jacket and through him of the building.<br />
Colin was now falling to the ground below but was luckily able to grab a hold of a flagpole sticking out of the side of the building. He flipped around on it several times and threw himself back toward the rooftop landing his feet firmly on the ground. Colin ran at Cujo and jumped over him landing several feet away out of reach of his long arms shortly reaching the phone and being taken to safety.<br />
Colin sat up in his chair as Tabatha pulled the jack from his neck.<br />
"What the hell was that?" he asked.<br />
"That was a test to see whether or not you knew when to give up, and you passed," said Saba.<br />
"Whew," Colin stood up and walked over to the computer,<br />
"See I'm even good at retreating."<br />
"Maybe so . . . Saba your next have a seat." Saba took up a position in her chair and Colin walked over and jacked her in kissing her on the lips.<br />
"Good luck babe." Saba smiled and closed her eyes as she was loaded in.<br />
"What should we do for her captain?" asked Parker.<br />
"We're gonna send her into a situation that she can come to the top in. Load her into the training dojo and make her have to deal with three enemies at once all at her level of skill." Parker nodded and loaded her in as the captain ordered.<br />
Saba opened her eyes and she was in the training dojo in full battle uniform. Suddenly three large men walked into the dojo from three separate entrances.<br />
"Remember you can do this," she said to herself. The first of the three men started to run at her and time seemed to slow down as she ducked to trip him then kick him in the chest in mid air knocking him away. The two others started towards her and she ran back at them and quickly engaged them to a quick surprise attack. Saba jumped into the air kicking both of them, one with each foot, then tore into one of them as she landed on her feet. She attacked the man relentlessly until on of the others came up behind her attempting to grab her, Saba did a backwards round house kick hitting the back attacker in the face stumbling him. The man she had been attacking took advantage of the distraction and as she landed hit her in the face. Saba took the hit with grace, back flipping away from him. Saba got her feet on the ground and regained her bearings and the first one she had dealt with had regained his composure and was near her. The man kicked at her and Saba blocked with her forearm, then grabbed him by the leg and threw him into the others who running at her.<br />
Meanwhile on the outside Brandan and the others were watching Saba as she fought.<br />
"She's doing really well, I somehow didn't expect this much from her," said Parker.<br />
"She and I have been practicing with our free time on occasion," said Colin.<br />
"Really shows," Brandan paused and looked at Isaiah who was sitting quietly, "Ok Isaiah get ready you're going in. Parker set up the computer to run two different simulations." Brandan walked over to the chair and beckoned to Isaiah who shortly followed as Parker began setting up the system. Isaiah smiled at Brandan and laid down in the chair.<br />
"You ready?" Brandan slid the jack into Isaiah's neck.<br />
"How ready are you ever for that feeling I still can't get used to it." Isaiah sat and waited for Parker to configure the computer.<br />
"Are you ready yet god, I can't just sit here like this it's itching." Brandan walked over to Parker and looked at the computer.<br />
"What's taking so long?"<br />
"Sorry Captain, the system wasn't adapting right I've got it now though." Parker hit several keys on the across the board and there was a strange noise as the power went up as the computer set up to run on two separate driver systems. The main power came back on and the system was successfully separated.<br />
"Ok can you send me in already!" said Isaiah. Parker hit a few more buttons and Isaiah was inside a separate training simulator.<br />
Meanwhile Saba was still dealing with the three men getting frustrated. Saba jumped into the air as one of the men ran at her and kicked him in the head breaking his neck. The other two men stopped in their tracks and looked at her as she landed on her feet.<br />
"Who's next?" Saba turned to look at them and they each looked at each other, then back to her and began to run at her. Saba jumped into the air and kicked each of them in the face with her feet twirling in the air and landing facing them again. Saba attacked the next one as fast and as hard as she could delivering several blows before he could react. Saba threw one last hard punch and the man fell to the ground as his neck swung around, breaking under the pressure.<br />
Isaiah opened his eyes and he was inside the construct program.<br />
"Ok Cap, what do I gotta do?" asked Isaiah.<br />
"Just wait a second the processor is a little slow loading its not done yet," said Parker. Isaiah stood and watched as the program seemed to load in slow motion all around him. In his vision everything was severely distorted and almost like a choppy old video game.<br />
"Captain are you sure its safe to be doing this, seems kinda choppy or something. It's like a bad video game or something." Isaiah looked around he had been loaded into a carnival.<br />
"What the hell . . ."<br />
"Just sit tight Isaiah, Parker is still working out the bugs in the system we have never used the Navras' computer to do this before," said Brandan. Isaiah sat on a nearby bench and waited for the program to be adjusted. He looked around and everything seemed to phase in and out of virtual reality and was back to normal.<br />
"Ok so now that, that problem is fixed. I bet your wondering why your in a carnival?"<br />
"Yeah kinda." Just then a tent appeared in front of him.<br />
"Inside the tent you will find your test," Isaiah walked into the tent, "It's a pretty basic test just hit until you hit the top." Isaiah looked at the pillars in front of him, there was a bell and a spot for him to hit.<br />
"You have got to be kidding me."<br />
Back on the outside.<br />
"Captain who came up with that idea?" asked Colin. Parker smiled.<br />
"It's an adaptation of a children's program from Zion, I just made a few tweaks to it." They watched as Isaiah began hitting the spot on the pillar sending the bell up it a quarter of the way. "He can do a lot better than that," said Parker.<br />
"I don't understand he doesn't seem to know how to focus on everything at once," said Parker.<br />
"He can but he just doesn't know how to proportion his abilities properly." Brandan looked into the screen at both of the crewmen. "Saba's doing really well."<br />
The simulations went on all night until Brandan had decided that the crew's ability was up to snuff the night ended and they had retired for the evening. Colin and Saba were lying in bed in each other's arms.<br />
"Colin how do you feel about tomorrow?" asked Saba.<br />
"I think if we all do our best we will come out on top for sure."<br />
"We'll be working directly with other teams all of us working as one. What if we can't perform as well as the rest of them and we mess something up?" Colin put his arms around Saba and squeezed slightly.<br />
"Don't worry babe we'll come out on top, we always do. Just relax and try to get a good sleep." Saba laid her head on Colin's chest and closed her eyes.<br />
"I love you Colin."<br />
"I love you too." Colin and Saba went to sleep in anticipation of what was to come.<br />
Brandan was up in the Captain's quarters at his screen having a conference meeting with Locke and the other two captains' that were involved.<br />
"Brandan you, Niobe, and Soren will be working together as a single unit to get this mission done I am uploading the information to each of you. This plan will work but it will be extremely difficult, you must all be at your guard. As such your crew must do the same is that understood?"<br />
"Yes sir," said all three Captains.<br />
"My system is showing that the upload has complete it, I suggest that you and your crews review it thoroughly and begin at 0500 inside that matrix. Commander Locke signing off." Locke's transmission ended and the other two captain's were still on the screen.<br />
"Well boys you better get to bed we've got an early day tomorrow," said Niobe.<br />
"We'll be fine guys we can do anything we put our minds too," said Soren.<br />
"Are we going to be going in as an entire crew?"<br />
"No however your entire crew will be mobilized as my crew only consists of Ghost and myself."<br />
"Alright no problem, I'm signing off I will talk to you both at 0400 good night." The captains nodded and Brandan signed off the system.</div>Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08074666369157919363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218843219188780247.post-12026296747454169932011-02-14T22:29:00.001-08:002011-02-14T22:29:59.666-08:00Matrix Fanfiction Chapter 31: The Exile (Part 2)Chapter 31: The Exile (Part 2)<br />
<br />
Brandan laid down in his chair and waited for Parker to jack him in, he looked around at the entire crew some of which this would be the first mission they would embark on. Colin was sitting next to Saba he looked over at her and she took his hand.<br />
"Don't worry, we'll be fine," Colin whispered with a smile on his face.<br />
"I know," she said. Parker helped Isaiah up and walked him over to his chair, then jacked him in. Tarra tapped a few buttons on the screen over her chair and then leaned back to wait.<br />
"So the hacks will be uploaded into my database when I get in there but I need to wait for you guys to knock it out before I can try any of them," she said walking herself through the plan one last time.<br />
"Exactly, piece of cake right," said Parker. Parker jacked her in and then followed with Dan and Tabatha.<br />
"Alright, psych yourselves up guys we're gonna need it," said Tabatha as Parker slid in the jack. Isaiah leaned back in his chair, the pain in his stomach was still fairly prominent. He couldn't wait to jack into the matrix and the pain would be gone. Virtual reality was better than morphine could ever be, Parker pushed the jack into his neck and then into Brandan and went back to his station.<br />
"Alright guys call me if you need me, you know the number."<br />
"Parker you're such a fool sometimes," said Tarra, "Now send us in already." Parker typed in a few commands and sent them into the construct program.<br />
One by one they began to appear inside the construct program. They each walked up to the weapons table and picked up their handguns.<br />
"Alright guys were taking a little extra fire power this time," said Brandan. Just then a larger table appeared in front of them with more artillery.<br />
"Colin take the rocket launcher, Dan you grab the two assault rifles and the sniper rifle. We are gonna go in with two groups, Tarra, Dan, Tabatha you guys are in the Acura. Colin, Saba, Isaiah you're coming with me," said Brandan. Colin looked around at the construct.<br />
"Here we go guys, you ready?" The matrix loaded around them and they were all standing around a hard line phone on a circular table, it was ringing. Brandan picked it up and put it to his ear.<br />
"We're in," he said, "We'll get back in touch with you when we need to find the exit." Brandan placed the phone back on the receiver. They walked down the stairs of the building and out onto the street where the cars were waiting. Tabatha, Dan and Tarra all got in the car and drove away. Colin walked to the driver's side and opened the door.<br />
"Hey dude not this time, I need you to arm that rocket launcher," said Brandan coming up behind him.<br />
"Aye captain." Colin hopped into the car through the sunroof and sat in the back. Isaiah got into the back seat next to Colin and Saba sat in front with Brandan. Brandan started the engine and took off.<br />
"Saba get the radio channel open to the other car," said Brandan. Saba nodded her head and took out her cell phone. She dialed the number for the other car and hooked it up to the radio. There was a bit of static at first but it cleared up quickly. "Tarra can you guys here me?"<br />
"Loud and clear Captain," Tarra's voice came from the car radio.<br />
"Alright good, first things first we have to try and lure it out of hiding, park in the general area of the sighting that we had last and we will meet you."<br />
"Ok." Brandan sped up slightly to get to the destination quickly.<br />
They drove into a parking lot where the Acura was parked and pulled up beside it. Tarra, Dan and Tabatha were still inside. Brandan got out of the car and the others followed.<br />
"Ok split up, we've gotta search the area when you find it call us. We're gonna go in two teams, Saba, Tabatha you come with Colin and I because of your inexperience. Isaiah go with Tarra's team," Brandan ordered. Isaiah nodded and walked over to Tarra.<br />
"Come on you two I will show you where I found it," said Isaiah. The two teams split up and went in different directions.<br />
Isaiah led Tarra and Dan to where he found the creature the first time.<br />
"When you found it, you couldn't see it without focusing could you?" asked Tarra.<br />
"Yeah it somehow blended in with the code, I don't think I even seen it until it wanted me to."<br />
"Great." Dan checked his hand loaded his handgun and looked around at the basement surroundings. "This should be fun." The three of them looked around the room, they starred right into the code but could not see anything.<br />
"I don't think its here, lets go," said Isaiah. They walked up a flight of stairs to the old apartment building, there was people in the building an old man walked out of one of the apartments.<br />
"What were you doing down there?" he said sounding like his age was creeping up on him.<br />
"Don't worry about it old man," said Dan, "We're looking for something." They walked by the old man and he grabbed Dan by the arm. Dan looked at him with a surprised look on his face and the others stopped and turned to look at him.<br />
"If you seek death it will surely come for you," whispered the old man, "there is something lurking in the shadows of this neighborhood, something evil." Dan pulled his arm away from the man.<br />
"Go back in your apartment old man we will take care of it," said Dan. The old man looked at the three of them then at Isaiah.<br />
"I watched you engage this creature last time, this time you may not be so lucky, beware." The old man went back into his apartment and slowly shut the door. Dan and Tarra looked at Isaiah, he turned and they kept walking down the hallway.<br />
Meanwhile the others were not to far away in one of the other apartment buildings.<br />
"You'll have to focus on the code to see it, so make sure you look carefully," said Brandan. The others nodded as they each began to scan the room.<br />
"Whoa, this is weird," said Tabatha.<br />
"I don't see anything," said Saba, "What about you Colin?" Colin shook his head.<br />
"Nothing."<br />
"Then let's move on," said Brandan. The walked down into the basement of the apartment building, it was dark, slightly cool and damp. "The last time we encountered it Isaiah ran into it in a basement. While you two were training he told me that he kept hearing noises before he found it so it was probably hunting him or something, is what I figure." Colin noticed something on the wall as they walked by and into the center of the floor.<br />
"Captain look at this." Colin walked over and touched the wall, it was a large claw-like indent in the wall.<br />
"It had to have made this," said Brandan looking it over. Tabatha looked around the building at the walls, getting the slight feeling that she was being watch by something.<br />
"I don't see anything here either, do you Saba?" she shuttered slightly as she spoke. Saba joined her looking around focusing hard on the walls around them.<br />
"Wait." Saba caught a quick glimpse of what looked like a foot, but then it was gone.<br />
"What is it?" asked Colin urgently.<br />
"Nothing I thought I saw something but it was nothing."<br />
"Are you sure?" Brandan focused as hard as he could and looked around quickly, there was nothing he could see.<br />
"Yes I'm sure. It was nothing." Just then a middle aged man came down.<br />
"Hey folks you guys can't be down here it's a restricted area."<br />
"Sorry sir we were just looking for somebody," said Saba innocently.<br />
"Well if they live in this building or any of the ones around here they won't be down here if they know me." The old man smiled and went back up the stairs they followed him shortly. On the way up the steps Brandan saw a strange shadow pass over the old man and move out the door.<br />
"Colin," he whispered. Colin looked back at him.<br />
"I know." Saba had seen it but for some reason it didn't engage them.<br />
Tarra, Dan and Isaiah had taken to the roof tops in there search they were on top of one of the larger buildings and were looking over the edges and to the other buildings to see if they could see it.<br />
"I don't see anything, do you guys?" asked Tarra.<br />
"I think," said Dan. Tarra and Isaiah ran over and looked where he was looking the creature was slightly phased out of the code and was nothing but a blurry image.<br />
"What's it doing?" asked Tarra.<br />
"I don't know," said Isaiah.<br />
"Look ahead of it a little in the alley," Dan instructed. Tarra and Isaiah did as he suggested and could see that there was a bum searching through the dumpster of the alleyway. Isaiah took out his phone and put it to his ear.<br />
"Yeah Captain, we've found it, we're on top of the largest building in the sector looking down on it, it's in the east alleyway."<br />
"Ok stay there do not, I repeat, do not engage it yet. We're on our way!" Brandan yelled.<br />
"Ok." Isaiah put away his phone and looked around at the other buildings wondering which one the others would come out of. They appeared on the other side of the street that the alley was on, they looked up at them and Brandan signaled for them to get down there.<br />
"Lets go," said Dan. Tarra and Dan headed for the door back inside.<br />
"Isaiah what are you waiting for come on," said Tarra.<br />
"I'll meet you down there." Isaiah jumped up on the ledge of the building in a crouching position balancing him self with one hand.<br />
"All right!" Tarra and Dan ran down the stairs and Isaiah focused his hardest. He balanced himself on the ledge he stood up and began to run down the building, as time seemed to slow down. He ran about half way down and the creature looked up noticing him, he jumped off the building and fell towards Brandan and the others. <br />
Brandan watched Isaiah fall toward them the creature turned its attention to them.<br />
"Ok guys get ready." All four of them took up a fighting stance and Isaiah landed right in the middle of them shaking the ground slightly.<br />
"Tarra and Dan will be down shortly," said Isaiah.<br />
"Alright let's go." All five of them took off at the creature. Tabatha took to the air and kicked the creature in the face landing behind it and turning around. Colin and Brandan both went into a powerful onslaught of attacks on the upper body using combo after combo. Saba slid through its legs and got behind it with Tabatha, Isaiah worked the lower body. Tabatha and Saba began to attack the creature from behind hitting it swiftly with combos of their own. Dan ran out through the door and joined Tabatha and Saba while Tarra waited for the time she would be needed. The creature seemed to be taking the abuse from the six fighters quite easily. "Come on fight harder!" yelled Brandan. The six of them began to focus in sync and they each began to push themselves to the limit.<br />
Tabatha focused her hardest and time seemed to slow down as she land a series of ten blows in just under ten seconds.<br />
"Ya!" she yelled as she hit one last time moving back into regular time. Saba continued attacking as best she could focusing along with the others. She began to feel a heightened sense of awareness as she fought. Her attacks seemed to be landing more and more precise each attack. Isaiah began to speed up and work as fast as he could with all the power he could muster from his body. Isaiah moved so fast that he hit the creature almost thirty times in ten seconds. Dan focused and attacked with ease, not relying on speed but accuracy and power to make his attacks matter. Brandan hit the creature several times with his fists then jumped and kicked the creature several times in the head. Colin focused as hard as he could on where his hands were hitting, his strength is what made his attacks count not his speed hitting the creature only five times the last hit he jumped into the air right after Brandan's kick and hit the creature in the face as hard as he could, almost turning its head all the way around. The creature's hand dropped to its sides and a strange shockwave knocked them all away. Tarra focused and called up her hack screen, she hits the buttons with ease and used a float hack to stop them from hitting the wall. "Holy shit!" yelled Tabatha.<br />
They watched as the creature tilted its head to fix its neck.<br />
"Oh god here it comes get ready!" yelled Isaiah. The creature shot at Colin like lighting and began to attack him, he successfully dodged most of its attacks. Colin moved to the left then to the right then jumped into the air and bounded off its shoulders. Brandan jumped at the creature with his fist out and time seemed to slow down as the creature swung at him with its long arm knocking him into a nearby wall.<br />
"Ah shit!" Brandan fell to the ground and began to pull himself up. "Is that the best you got? Colin lets get this thing." Colin ran over and stood by him until he was up, the creature had taken off after Tabatha.<br />
"Oh shit!" she said as she moved to dodge. Colin and Brandan ran at the creature together initiating their twin element. They began to attack the creature as they did last time but this time from behind. Tabatha rolled out of the way to safety.<br />
"Tarra get ready!" yelled Dan. Tarra watched intently from a distance as Colin and Brandan jumped back from the creature. Colin put his arms out and Brandan jumped into the air using him as a propeller. Colin ran at the creature and attacked it as he had done before. Isaiah realized that he could help at this time and ran at it.<br />
"Dan come on!" he yelled. Isaiah and Dan joined Colin in his attack to hold the creature still long enough. The three of them fought as hard as they could to keep the creature from regaining composure. Brandan suddenly fell on the creatures head only this time it didn't get driven into the ground but grabbed him by the foot and threw him at Colin then whacked Dan and Isaiah away with one fowl swipe. Saba watched as the others were thrown away and realized that she and Tabatha would have to attack it next to give them time to recover.<br />
"Tabatha we need to help!" she yelled as she ran at the creature. Saba ran at the creature and time seemed to slow down as she jumped into the air and kicked it in the chest knocking it back slightly. Tabatha quickly joined her and swiftly tripped the creature then dropped her foot down on its neck.<br />
"Stupid move," Tabatha said to herself as the creature grabbed her by the leg. The creature threw Tabatha and she stopped herself from hitting a wall with her hands. Saba jumped back to avoid a massive fist and the creature stood still for a second.<br />
"Uh oh." They watched as the creature's fingers grew in to sharpened and lengthy claws.<br />
"Oh no," said Tarra under her breath.<br />
Tarra focused and brought up her hacking screen and used a hack to hold the creature in place.<br />
"There guys, that should slow it down a bit, if nothing else." Just then they heard the sound of gunshots being fired and seen bullets hit the creature's chest and head. Brandan looked around.<br />
"Who the hell?" he asked, confused. Just then three agents fell into the fighting circle.<br />
"Oh shit, not now," said Colin.<br />
"Wait a minute." Two of the agents engaged the creature and the third walked over to Brandan. Brandan took up a fighting stance ready for anything.<br />
"This creature is of great threat to both of our factions we have been ordered to help you destroy it, our attempts to reconnect it have failed, you must do so." The agent looked at Tarra. "She is a hacker is she not?" The agent jumped over to Tarra and she backed away.<br />
"What do you want?" she said slightly frightened.<br />
"We need your ability as a hacker we have developed at hack for you to use to get rid of it, now permit me to upload it to you." Tarra looked passed the agent at Brandan.<br />
"Let him," said Brandan. The agent thrust his hand into Tarra's chest and a strange light went over her as the hack uploaded.<br />
"Use it on my signal we will only have one chance human."<br />
"Help them guys, I know its different but we have no real choice here." All three of the agents began to fight the creature with the help of the others. Tarra watched them fight as one of the agents was gouged by the creature and fell to the ground. They all fought hard and one of the other agents hit the creature with one final swipe knocking the creature down, everyone that was fighting dispersed away.<br />
"Now human!" yelled the agent. Tarra focused and called up her hack screen, she tapped in the code and a strange light began to come from the creature's eyes and mouth. It got to its feet and began to thrash around as it was reconnected to The Source. The light began to completely engulf the exile when it suddenly exploded and pieces of it went everywhere.<br />
"Fuck yeah," yelled Tabatha excited. Isaiah rushed over to Brandan.<br />
"Captain I think we should take our leave and celebrate back home." Isaiah had a worried look on his face. Brandan looked at the agent.<br />
"Thanks for your help, seems peace may be possible." The agent quickly turned to face him.<br />
"Only human." The agent ran at them.<br />
"Guys go, get back to the cars!"<br />
"Should of known we couldn't trust'em long!" Colin yelled as he and Saba bounded into one of the windows of the apartment building. Tarra and Dan took to running down an alleyway. Brandan, Tabatha and Isaiah took off down the street and turned a corner the cars weren't that far away.<br />
Colin and Saba crashed through the glass of the window to the vacant apartment hand in hand.<br />
"Come on, we have to hurry the cars are on the other side of this building," said Colin getting to his feet and pulling Saba along. The two of them ran through the apartment building hearing footsteps behind them, they came to a door and Colin kicked it open and they began to run down the hallway and then down a flight of stairs finally seeing the door. <br />
Brandan, Isaiah and Tabatha ran down the street with one of the agents close behind them.<br />
"I hope the others get there as soon as we do, cus we won't have much time to be sitting and waiting!" yelled Tabatha. They heard gunshots behind them and felt the bullets whisk by them.<br />
"Shit keep going," yelled Isaiah. The three of them began to run as fast as they could focusing there hardest to run from the agent. Tabatha could feel a bullet coming behind her and time seemed to slow down as she focused on her next move. She jumped at the wall and ran a few feet as bullets whisked by, she flipped off the wall and they kept going.<br />
Tarra and Dan ran down the alleyway and could see a fence.<br />
"Keep going right up and over!" yelled Dan. They continued to run together and jumped right over the fence landing on an old car hood. Dan landed and looked back at the agent chasing them.<br />
"Go!" Dan pulled out his gun and fired off several shots to distract the agent then continued to run. They came to the other end of the alleyway on the other side where the cars were. Brandan, Isaiah and Tabatha came running from a different angle and Colin and Saba crashed through a window on the bottom floor of a nearby apartment building.<br />
"Good job guys," yelled Brandan as he jumped over the mustang and hopped in the drivers side. Tabatha hopped into the drivers seat of the Acura and the others each loaded in. Isaiah hopped in through the sun roof of the mustang and Colin loaded in the back with Saba. Both cars started immediately and started down the road.<br />
Brandan drove down the street and could hear the sirens of several cop cars coming close to them.<br />
"Isaiah get Parker on the phone and tap him into the radio." Isaiah did as he was ordered and the frequency was opened.<br />
"Captain I've got some bad news for you," said Parker slightly static.<br />
"What's wrong now?" asked Brandan frustrated.<br />
"The agents have destroyed the exit you guys are heading for I am trying to figure out another one for you guys to use right now. But it looks like your gonna have to head across the river so head for the bridge."<br />
"Ok." Colin took out the rocket launcher they had brought with them and stood up through the sunroof.<br />
"Try to hold'er steady captain, I'll do the rest." Isaiah rolled down his window and took out his gun to wait for the cars to become visible.<br />
"Saba call Tarra and tell them to head for the bridge." Saba nodded and took out her phone dialing the other car.<br />
"What's the scoop?" said Tarra calmly.<br />
"Bad news, we have to go across the river they destroyed our original escape exit," said Saba.<br />
"Saba tell them to take a different way that way it'll split up the forces," said Brandan.<br />
"I heard him will do, we will see you on the other side," said Tarra.<br />
Tarra took her phone away from her ear and put it back in her belt.<br />
"Tabatha take a turn here."<br />
"What, why?" asked Tabatha confused.<br />
"The captain wants us to take a separate route to split up the forces." Tabatha swung the car around and drove down the street Tarra had pointed out. Tarra brought up a map on the onboard computer with the direct path laid out for her to follow. "Use this map to guide you for now." Just then several cop cars turned the same corner while several others kept going after the other car.<br />
"Hang on guys!" Tabatha pushed on the accelerator and the car jolted ahead as she changed gears. Tarra rolled down her window and began firing her gun on the police force. Dan was in the back seat he mounted the sniper rifle on the back dash and shot out the window.<br />
"Tarra here use this!" Dan passed Tarra the assault rifle that he had kept after putting the other one in the mustang.<br />
"OK." Tarra nodded and dropped her hand gun then pointed the other gun out the window. They could hear the bullets hitting the car up the side and in the trunk. Tabatha swerved to avoid traffic and weaved in and out of the traffic.<br />
"Damn cars get off the road grandma!" she yelled. Just then one of the cop cars rammed them from behind and Tabatha twisted the wheel every which way to keep her control and sped up.<br />
"Try to keep ahead of them at all costs," yelled Dan firing off the sniper rifle. Several of the cars began to blow up as Tarra and Dan got the final hits in on some of the cars behind them.<br />
"Good work Tarra!" yelled Dan, "Keep it up."<br />
Back with the other car. Colin was blowing up the cars left and right as he saw them with Saba helping him reload the launcher. Isaiah ran out of bullets in his handgun.<br />
"Did I see Dan put that other assault rifle in here before we fought the creature?" he asked.<br />
"Isaiah its right here," said Saba as she passed up the gun for him to use. He took and began pointing it out the window.<br />
"Much better." Isaiah let several rounds fly.<br />
"Agent!" he yelled.<br />
"Colin take him out," said Brandan. Colin fired at the agent vehicle and it swerved to avoid the shot.<br />
"Shoot." He ducked down and Saba passed him a shell to load into it.<br />
"They dodged." He reloaded the launcher and stood back up.<br />
"Take this you suit wearing mother fuckers." Colin fired off again this time another car had gotten in the way taking the hit. When the explosion cleared the agents were not in sight so he had successfully repelled them for now. Just then he could hear another assault rifle being fired and could see the shots moving up the back of the car. He ducked back inside to avoid being shot. "That was close." Just then a cop car came out of nowhere and rammed the front of the car from the side sending them into a spiral.<br />
"Hang on!" Brandan slammed on the breaks and turned the wheel into the swerve getting them balanced. The car stopped spinning and there were several cop cars in front of them, they had gotten turned around.<br />
"Damn it!" Brandan looked back and began to back up as fast as he could.<br />
"Isaiah, Colin get out there and get rid of these fuckers!" Colin reloaded the launcher and got back into the sunroof and let the rocket fly blowing up two of the cars that were driving close together.<br />
"Good shot Colin," said Isaiah firing at one of the other cars.<br />
"Ok guys hang on to something." The car flew into a small opening and they all were pushed to the back of their seat as the car stopped. Brandan floored the gas pedal and the wheels squealed as they spun around a couple of times and the car jolted forward back to a high speed. Brandan drove as fast as he could without going off the road, he could see the bridge they needed to cross not to far away. They were coming up on a checkpoint as the checkered yellow and black block was lifted they seen the little red car come and whip around the corner from the right. The car sped off with several police cars behind them and Brandan drove the peddle to the floor to get caught up with them. "Come on we're almost there," said Brandan under his breath. Isaiah and Colin continued to fire at everything that they could to keep the coast clear even firing at the vehicles chasing the others.<br />
"Man there is way too many of them I'm almost out of shells," said Colin. Saba looked at where she had been getting the shells from and then looked at Colin.<br />
"We've only got two left."<br />
"Save them we might need them!" Brandan swerved to avoid the cop car that had just taken a ram at them. Colin put down the rocket launcher and took out his handgun keeping in the roof as he opened fire.<br />
"Tarra call Parker we need to get to the exit quick," said Dan. Tarra took out her phone and called.<br />
"Operator," said Parker.<br />
"Yeah Parker can you tell us where the exit is yet?" asked Tarra keeping her calm.<br />
"I am going to send you guys to a different exit then the others if you go to the same one. There will not be enough time to get you all out before you get caught. Head for the corner of Smith and Robins street!" Tabatha looked in her mirror and could see the mustang catching up to them. Tarra put away her phone and began to fire back at the approaching cars.<br />
"Tabatha head for the corner of Smith and Robins once we are off the bridge." Tabatha nodded and kept driving.<br />
Back in the mustang Brandan had gotten on the phone with Parker as he was driving.<br />
"Captain I am gonna send you to a different exit than the others."<br />
"Why?" Brandan asked.<br />
"If you guys were to all go to the same one then you might not all be out by the time your pursuers caught up to you. I want you guys to head to the church its not that far from the bridge but you need to move faster."<br />
"Alright." Brandan put his phone away and sped up and went right passed the other car, they stayed fairly close and then came to the end of the bridge. The Acura took a hard left and the Mustang took an even harder right as the car was temporarily up on the two side wheels. It dropped back down and they could see the massive church in the distance.<br />
"That's our exit guys we're almost home," said Brandan.<br />
Tabatha pushed the little car as hard as she could and they were coming up on their exit. Tarra's phone rang and she picked up.<br />
"Yeah!"<br />
"Your exit is in the fourth apartment building on the third floor, in apartment number 308, good luck." Tarra put her phone away and Tabatha swerved the car to a halt as they hit the corner of the two streets. The three of them jumped out of the car.<br />
"Its in that building on the third floor apartment 308. Let's go!" yelled Tarra as her feet hit the ground. The three of them took off into the building as fast as they could running by several of the locals. The agents quickly pursued as they pulled up outside. "Hurry!" All three of them got into the elevator and Tabatha hit the door close button and then the up button. As the door to the elevator closed they seen the agents come in the door down the hall.<br />
"Whew," said Tabatha relieved.<br />
"Its not over yet," said Dan.<br />
"I know." Tabatha leaned against the wall as the elevator moved into the third floor.<br />
"Alright get ready." The doors opened and all three of them took off with Tabatha in the front. They could hear the hard line ringing as they came closer to apartment 308. They quickly came to it and Tabatha kicked the door open and they went in.<br />
"You first Tab." Tabatha picked up the phone and vanished. Dan quickly put it back on the hook and it began ringing again. "You next Tarra." Tarra quickly grabbed the phone and put it to her ear vanishing. Dan pointed his gun at the door and put the phone on the hook. Just as the phone rang an agent came through the door and he opened fire as he picked the phone up and put it to his ear. The agent walked over and grabbed the phone just as Dan vanished and threw it against the wall.<br />
The other car had just pulled into the church parking lot along with several cop cars. They all hopped out of the car and the police cars swung into position. The cops got out of their cars and took out their guns pointing them at the car.<br />
"Come out with your hands in the air!" One of the cops spoke through a megaphone.<br />
"What do we do captain?" asked Saba. Brandan opened the door and looked back at the others.<br />
"Get out of the car, follow my lead." The others opened their doors and they each stepped out of the car slowly.<br />
"NICE AND EASY!" yelled the cops. Isaiah was the last to get out of the car.<br />
"Drop your weapons," they heard from the megaphone. Colin heard several guns hit the pavement as the others dropped the gun he followed. As the guns dropped several of the officers began to approach them with their guns still trained on them.<br />
"They won't shoot there own," whispered Brandan. The four approaching officers had just gotten into arms reach. "Go!" yelled Brandan. The four of them each grabbed the policeman closest to them and disarmed them. They each grabbed an officer and held a gun to there heads. All four of them began to back into the church in a back to back formation pointing there guns everywhere when suddenly the cops they were holding began to turn into agents.<br />
"Shit!" said Colin pulling the trigger stopping the transformation as the others did. The only problem was now they had no cover.<br />
"Open fire!" They heard one of the men yell. Gunshots began to fire off and they each moved to dodge.<br />
Isaiah bounded out of the way and did a cartwheel as time seemed to slow down and the bullets whisked by him. One going between his legs and the other between his arms he landed out of the way of the bullets. Brandan jumped into the air toward the church and timed seemed to slow down as the bullets flew up by up him one almost hitting him but missing just as he did a mid air flip. He landed in the church through one of the windows. Saba flipped forward toward her destination as the bullets whisked by her so close she could feel the air displacement caused by them. She dodged until she made it to the church door and kicked it open. Time slowed down and Colin could see the bullets heading for him as he focused on what was going on around him. Colin dodge the bullet by moving to the side then laying almost on the ground as the next flew by him. Colin did several back flips as he dodged his way to the door which Saba had just kicked open. Colin backed through the door and kicked it shut as he landed on his feet.<br />
Saba could hear a phone ringing but could not see Isaiah or the captain.<br />
"Colin come on!" Saba ran at the sound, which was behind the minister's podium in the office. They both ran and made it into the room of the phone as bullets blasted into the door. They ran in the room and over to the phone.<br />
"Saba you first." Saba quickly picked up the phone upon arriving and put it to her ear returning to the safety of the ship. Colin quickly put the phone back and it rang again. He put it to his ear reaching safety.<br />
Colin opened his eyes as Tarra pulled the jack from his neck and he sat up.<br />
"Where are the others?" he asked jumping up and heading over to the screen.<br />
"The captain is one floor above where he needs to be and Isaiah isn't even inside yet," said Parker answering him.<br />
"Shit!"<br />
Isaiah was hidden behind a statue and was scanning the area for another way into the church that wouldn't be so obvious. He took out his phone and called Parker.<br />
"Operator."<br />
"Parker is there another way in that's not so obvious?" he asked.<br />
"Hold on . . . there is another entrance but it leads to the basement its quite a distance from the hard-line. It's on the left side of the building you will have to go all the way around to get to it."<br />
"Holy shit." Isaiah sighed and shook his head as he put his phone away and started around as quickly and un noticeable as he could be.<br />
Meanwhile Brandan had made it all the way to the balcony overlooking the church seating area he could see where the hard-line was located and it was still clear. None of the others were in sight. Brandan took out his phone as he walked closer to the phone from the area above.<br />
"Operator."<br />
"Parker did everyone make it out so far?"<br />
"Everyone is out but you and Isaiah, who is on his way now." Brandan looked down at the exit. The cops still hadn't entered the building.<br />
"Is the exit clean?"<br />
"Clean as you could ever hope for."<br />
"Ok." Brandan put his phone in the pocket of his jacket, he jumped down over the balcony and landed in front of the door, he kicked it open and walked in to a ringing phone. "Good luck Isaiah." Brandan picked up the phone and put it to his ear.<br />
Meanwhile Isaiah was ducked down running along the side of the building that he was supposed to be on, from here on he knew he would have to hurry to make it in before the officers started to flood the building because once that happened he would have to find another exit. He came to the window to the basement and quickly slid through. He found himself in a dusty basement filled with several religious relics. He ran passed them and up some steps that led him to a wooden door. He walked through and a bullet hit the door as he realized there were agents in the doorway to the church. Isaiah began to focus as hard as he could as he ran and time seemed to slow down. A barrage of bullets whisked by him as he ran at the door that led to the hard line. Isaiah bounded into the air up and over the flights of stairs that led up to the podium. Bullets continued to whisk by him as he took to the wall, the door had been left open so he ran right in and stayed on the wall. He jumped off the wall toward the ringing phone and grabbed the phone in mid air and put it to his ear vanishing just before he would have hit the wall.<br />
As the jack was pulled from Isaiah's neck he sat up and gasped for air.<br />
"We did it," he gasped.<br />
"Good job team," said Brandan, "You all deserve a bit of a break, I have to contact Commander Locke about our next mission." Brandan walked out of the broadcast zone and walked up to the Captain's Quarters to speak with Locke. He sat down at his computer and turned on the screen and dialed a direct link to Zion. He put on a headset as the commanders face appeared on the screen.<br />
"Good evening Captain Brandan I assume you are calling me to report on the new exile that we had discovered."<br />
"Yes commander, I am pleased to report that we have successfully eliminated the new threat and we won't have to deal with it again."<br />
"Glad to hear it, I knew that you and your crew would not let me down. I will be assigning you all the mission we talked about soon, you are currently on stand-by I will contact you in one day, until then rest as I suspect you and your crew well need it," said Locke.Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08074666369157919363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218843219188780247.post-42128568484132931422011-02-13T07:17:00.000-08:002011-02-13T07:17:59.190-08:00Another Un-edited Sample From Isaiah's Love<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Isaiah couldn’t believe that they had talked on the phone all night as he sat on the edge of his bed running his hands through his hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had learned a lot about Caleb from their conversation, his favourite colour, his favourite food, that he played an instrument.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fact that Caleb was quite skilled in the acoustic guitar was something Isaiah had a hard time wrapping his head around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently his grandfather had taught him before he passed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah took a deep breath and shut off his alarm before it sounded, he could hear his mother moving around in the kitchen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She would probably be coming in soon just to make sure that he was awake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His eyes were already starting to feel heavy and he wasn’t sure how he was going to make it through any of his classes today let alone the Tuesday practice that he had to attend tonight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Are you awake, sweetheart?” Carla called from the kitchen.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yeah, I’m up mom,” he answered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah shook his head and took another deep breath trying to wake himself up a bit then went to his drawer to get out a his clothing for the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He quickly grabbed a tee shirt and pants combo then went into the bathroom to start his shower hoping that the water would wake him up a bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He decided not to take his usual hot shower thinking that if he got to relaxed he would end up asleep on the bathroom floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I’m leaving I will see you tonight, don’t forget to lock the door behind you!” called Carla.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I won’t!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah could hear the kitchen door open and shut as his mother left and he turned on the shower and stripped down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He got in the shower quickly not giving the water time to get warm giving himself a jolt and goose bumps from the cold feeling against his skin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The water slowly went from seemingly almost freezing to bearable and Isaiah began his shower routine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Holding his head under the water and watching it run down the drain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He lathered up his body with his body-wash not bothering to wash his hair since he would be showering again after the practice, he didn’t see the point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not giving himself any time to relax Isaiah rinsed the soap off and jumped out of the shower turning off the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He quickly towelled off and got dressed, he walked out into the kitchen and looked at the clock, he still had about twenty minutes before Caleb would be there to pick him up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah decided that it wouldn’t hurt for him to use a small pick me up to help stay awake for the morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He walked over to the counter and filled a mug with some water then put it in the microwave and set the time for 3 minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked outside it looked like it was going to be a sunny day which was always good for practice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah stared out into the back yard through the kitchen making the three minutes pass quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The microwave beeped letting him know it was ready and he grabbed a teabag from off the counter as he walked over to it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He opened the door and took the mug out by the handle being careful not to burn himself and dropped the teabag in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah wasn’t a huge fan of hot drinks in general only ever drinking his herbal green tea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He found that it helped him wake up and it made him feel like he was doing something for his body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah put the cup to his mouth and breathed in the aroma of the tea steeping the drink still far too hot for him to be able to drink it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sat down at the table and sat his drink down waiting for it to cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Caleb pulled into Isaiah’s yard and looked around not seeing him anywhere outside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He decided he’d wait for a few minutes to give Isaiah a chance to come outside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb sat in the truck staring at the house for what felt like an eternity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew that the day was going to be painfully long, it had been a long time since he had pulled an all-nighter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t like doing it for a few reasons, the main one being because he hated the feeling of wanting to close his eyes all the time but otherwise it was just bad for your body and he sometimes could have his father’s temper and it was harder to control when he was overtired.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb looked at the truck clock, the face read seven forty five, he had been waiting for ten minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He honked his horn slightly and waited a minute still getting no response.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb shut the truck off and got out to go see what was taking him so long already expecting to find that Isaiah had gone to sleep on him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He walked up the stairs of the patio and put his hand on the doorknob.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked in the door window and could see Isaiah slouched over on the chair by the sliding doors that led out onto the deck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb tried to turn the doorknob and it wasn’t locked so he walked into the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He smiled at Isaiah as he stepped through the door and into the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not bothering to take his sneakers off, Caleb walked over and knelt down on his knee in front of Isaiah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb smiled up at Isaiah hating to wake him but knowing that he had to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb put his hands on Isaiah’s face and kissed him rubbing his cheek with his thumb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah slowly came to and brought his hands up to Caleb’s face and started to kiss him back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb pulled back still smiling softly at him.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Good morning,” he whispered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah stayed silent and rubbed Caleb’s face with the back of his hand smiling back at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Come on we have to go.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah nodded as Caleb stood up in front of him and pulled him to his feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah walked into his bedroom and came back with his back pack that he had loosely packed while they were on the phone, over his shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He walked over and slipped on his sneakers and the two of them went out to the truck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb got in the truck and turned the key as Isaiah got up in the passenger’s seat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Today is going to suck so bad,” laughed Caleb.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Tell me about it,” Isaiah laughed with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Have you thought about how we’re going to survive that biology class this morning?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb just looked over at him with an eyebrow raised.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t tend to find it easy to keep his eyes open in the class when he wasn’t tired let alone when he was running on no sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yeah all I can say is, not likely.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08074666369157919363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218843219188780247.post-49911655970121420212011-02-11T20:19:00.000-08:002011-02-11T20:19:39.431-08:00Matrix Fanfiction Chapter 30: Training SessionChapter 30: Training Session<br />
<br />
Tabatha and Saba loaded into the construct program in residual self-image. Saba was dressed in white leather, with a blue tank under a shining white jacket, she had no glasses on and her hair was held back in a blue headband, she smiled at Tabatha. Tabatha had taken the quick and slim routine, dressed all in a black vinyl suit that fit tightly to every curve on her body, wearing silver frame glasses with black lenses.<br />
"Alright girls I'm sending you in," said Tarra from the outside, "I'm gonna start you off in the third difficulty level so we can get you going, and hopefully you will be ready for the mission tonight." The area around them loaded, and they were suddenly standing in an open arena. Around them they could see several different fighters approaching them, a security guard, a police officer, a swat member, an agent and one of the Merovingian's vampire exiles.<br />
"All right Saba, are you ready?" asked Tabatha. Saba nodded her head.<br />
"As ready as I'll ever be."<br />
"Ok take out the weaker guys first we will handle the agent after words." The both of them took up a fighting stance and each ran at an opponent.<br />
Tabatha ran at the police officer who had just put up his hands and was ready to fight. He took a swing at her and she ducked to avoid the attack then hit him in the stomach with her fist and as he bent over kneed him in the face. He stumbled back and Tabatha focused jumping into the air and delivered a kick in his chest breaking his chest. Saba ran at the swat member who was ready when she got to him she took a quick hit to the face but recovered quickly countering with a quick kick combo, ending it with a quick fist to the face and knocking him down. Tabatha looked to her next target who would be the vampire exile. She ran at him and delivered a quick combo and round housing him in the face. She saw a stake appear on the ground as he began to stumble. She flipped toward it and grabbed it off the ground and hitting him in the chest as she got back on her feet. Saba took into her next target the security guard which barely seemed like a test of her skill after practicing with Colin. She ran at him quickly and swiped him off his feet knocking him into the air then kicked him sending him a distance away and sliding a crossed the floor.<br />
"Good job guys just one more to go," said Tarra from outside. Tabatha and Saba looked at each other as the agent put up his fists, Tabatha nodded at Saba and they took off at him.<br />
"Let's get'em!" yelled Saba. Tabatha and Saba initiated a twin element attack with Saba attacking high and Tabatha attacking low, much like Brandan and Isaiah. They attacked with speed and ease landing several blows on both counts. The agent got his grounds and attacked them both at once with his fist sending each of them a distance away. They regained there focus in mid air and landed on there feet.<br />
"Where the hell did that come from?" asked Tabatha surprised at the attack.<br />
"He's an agent you remember the training program. Every rebel that has met with an agent and fought died, with few exceptions," said Saba. Tabatha's look on her face changed.<br />
"Oh my god that's it." Just then there surroundings changed to that of the rooftops and the agent drew his gun.<br />
"GO!" yelled Tabatha as she turned to run. Saba quickly followed her and they took to running with the agent behind them and firing his gun. They could see the bullets denting the walls as they ran passed.<br />
Meanwhile Brandan was in the medical bay with Isaiah who's recovery was underway. Brandan walked over to Isaiah's bed, he had fallen asleep because of the anesthetic he had been given. He put his hand on his sleeping friends face and he was warm to the touch.<br />
"You're gonna make it," he whispered to him. Brandan checked his life signs, the anesthetic would be wearing off soon and he would be able to fight again just fine. Brandan had to make several decisions regarding this new threat, he was sending in the entire crew but would he be able to do that as well as be able to contact Zion for the information regarding the major mission that they had spoke of in one of his last debriefings. What Parker said was right though, this creature must be dealt with before it manifests itself inside the matrix and becomes more of a threat than it already is. Brandan dropped his hand to his side and Isaiah turned his head to face him, his eyes still closed kind of like he knew he was there. Brandan heard a noise in the doorway behind him and turned to see Colin standing there.<br />
"What's up?" he asked.<br />
"Not much just making sure he stays stable is all." Colin walked in and walked over to one of the panels.<br />
"Everything seems good to me," he said. Colin took a seat in one of the waiting chairs next to Isaiah's bed and looked at Brandan strangely.<br />
"Can I help you?" Brandan asked suspiciously.<br />
"I'm good, I'm good. I was just thinking about a few things."<br />
"Like what?" Colin sat up straight to stretch then slouched over again to get comfortable.<br />
"Did you ever picture this when you were inside the matrix, when we both worked at Subway and everything was normal?"<br />
"Can't say I ever did, but I somehow new everything wasn't as it seemed." Colin shook his head.<br />
"I know what you mean dude, just always felt like something wasn't right, did you ever wake up before you were pulled from the matrix?"<br />
"Maybe once or twice but the images are kind of faint. How about yourself?"<br />
"I can remember waking up a few times, it happened when I was in judo practice and I was really pushing myself to deal with one of the bigger guys that was in the group with me." Brandan leaned against the wall.<br />
"You mean Caleb, don't you, I remember you used to tell me at work all the time he was your biggest challenge." Colin nodded his head.<br />
"Yeah and now I know why, he's not even human, he was a program that eventually went exile."<br />
"I wonder what his purpose was?" Colin shrugged his shoulders.<br />
"Who knows."<br />
Isaiah opened his eyes and looked at Colin then Brandan.<br />
"Hey, how you feelin?" asked Colin. Isaiah sat up slowly and put his hand on his stomach.<br />
"I feel . . . good," he spoke slowly, still groggy from the anesthetic. "Wow that stuff Tarra gave me really knocked me on my ass."<br />
"Yeah she had to get you still for a bit so it had to be pretty strong. Do you think you'll be ready for tonight?" Brandan asked taking a step over to the bed.<br />
"I feel good, I'll be great I think once I am inside."<br />
"Good," Brandan nodded, "I've got to go talk to Parker about the exile I will be back to see how you are doing later."<br />
"Ok I will see you later then." Isaiah smiled and laid back down on the bed.<br />
"Colin are you busy for the next little while, I don't really feel like sitting down here alone all night."<br />
"Sure bud whatever." Colin sat back and put his feet up on the other chair in front of him.<br />
"So where is Saba?"<br />
"Tarra is training her and Tabatha in the training program."<br />
"How do you think they are gonna do tonight?"<br />
"I don't know but all of us will be there to cover them if we have to."<br />
"I don't think we are going to need to lets just hope they can hold their own . . . just a little faith I guess."<br />
The two of them were quiet for a few short moments.<br />
"You did really good in there tonight, if it weren't for you I wouldn't be here," said Isaiah breaking the silence.<br />
"You're welcome as always buddy," said Colin.<br />
"I wish I knew how you got so strong so quick? I've been free longer than you and you're still the better fighter."<br />
"I don't know, even when I wasn't free I was still a pretty good fighter, I've always had a strong sense of belief in myself, and as we both know, inside the matrix . . . believing is what makes you strong. And don't be so hard on yourself, not one of us can match your speed on the inside."<br />
"You are right about the whole believing in one self. I believe in myself, maybe not as much as I should, but there is a reason for everything though right." Colin nodded to Isaiah and stood up.<br />
"I suppose I should go talk to the captain, and you should get some more rest we've got quite a mission ahead of us."<br />
"You're right just wake me when they are ready I guess."<br />
"You know we will." Colin walked through the door and headed for the broadcast zone of the ship. Isaiah closed his eyes and drifted back to sleep.<br />
Brandan had been speaking with Parker about the mission that was ahead of them.<br />
"So do you think we should take extra weaponry?" asked Brandan.<br />
"I don't really know, I can't actually give you the answer you want to hear. You can take bigger weapons but again, it may not even do you any good," explained Parker. Brandan was silent for several longs seconds in thought.<br />
"Hmm, what I think we need to do is try to find out what the machines were planning on using to get rid of this thing."<br />
"It was probably some kind of command that they would send to disconnect the hardware that they would use to power it thus, shutting it off." Brandan was quiet again.<br />
"A command huh?" Brandan looked over at Tarra and then back to Parker. "You mean like a hack, maybe?" Parker looked at Brandan and smiled.<br />
"I think you might be on the right track. I'll try to develop some different hacks and just load them into Tarra's database when she jacks in."<br />
"I doubt the hacks would work right away on it though, we'd probably have to knock it out like I did the last time before they will have any effect." Parker shook his head agreeing with him.<br />
"Alright then I will get started on trying to develop a hack for her then, I should be able to make a couple before you guys are ready to go." <br />
Colin walked up behind them and stood listening for a few seconds.<br />
"So did you guys come up with something?" he asked. Brandan turned to look at him and Parker turned his attention to him as well.<br />
"We think we are on to something but we won't know for sure until we actually fight the damn thing again," explained Parker.<br />
"I see, I see."<br />
Meanwhile the girls were still inside the training program battling different fighters they had moved their way up to the Merovingian's Twin Exiles.<br />
"Saba look out!" yelled Tabatha as one of the twins drew his knife. He swung at her and she stopped his arm in mid swing and hit him in the face a couple of times, when he phased out to get away from her. Tabatha and Saba both jumped back from them to regroup momentarily. "How the hell are we supposed to beat these things if every time we get a few hits they go all ghostly on us and recover any damage we do," said Tabatha getting frustrated. Tarra's voice was all around them as she spoke.<br />
"Sometimes the key isn't always to win but to know when to give up. . ." she said.<br />
"We obviously can't beat them," said Saba.<br />
"So what do we do then?" Saba looked at the twins walking toward them then back to Tabatha.<br />
"We run, now go!" Saba turned and took off away from them with Tabatha close behind. Saba broke down a door that led into an apartment building and they ran for the stairs the twins were not very far behind. "Come on hurry!" yelled Saba turning up a flight of stairs. They kept running up the stairs and turned a corner and kept climbing as fast they could. Saba came to another door that would lead them to the top.<br />
"Hurry up open it!" Tabatha focused and pushed Saba aside hitting the door with her foot knocking it open they kept running they were suddenly outside on top of the large building. They could hear the footsteps coming up the stairs behind them.<br />
"Where do we go now?" asked Saba almost in a panic. Tabatha looked over at the next building.<br />
"We go over there." She could see the ringing phone on the other building. "There is our exit." Saba and Tabatha ran together and jumped at the same time toward the other building, they both landed and rolled to their feet and ran right to the phone just as the twins realized where they were on the other roof. "You first Saba." Saba quickly picked up the phone and put it to her ear, as she vanished and the phone dropped Tabatha put it back on the receiver. The phone rang again and Tabatha put it to her ear just as the twins had landed on the building.<br />
Tabatha opened her eyes and jumped up out of her seat as the jack was pulled from her neck.<br />
"Yes! We did it," she yelled excited, "We rock girl!" Saba smiled at her from her seat and then leaned back, still slightly worked up from the chase.<br />
"I think you guys will do fine tonight," said Tarra standing up from the operators station. "But for now I think you guys should go rest I am gonna go talk to Dan." Tarra walked out of the broadcast zone and headed to the bridge of the ship.<br />
Dan sitting in the pilot's chair looking at the holographic projector at a sentinel squadron, that was somewhat close by. He put his headset on and adjusted the mouthpiece.<br />
"Captain I think we should move to another spot the patrols are getting kind of close to our position," he said.<br />
"Ok then take us out of here sound the alarm if you need us to take the turrets," said Brandan from the other end of the headset.<br />
"Will do." Dan powered up the engines just as Tarra walked through the doorway.<br />
"What are you doing?" she asked.<br />
"I've just gotta move the ship to a different location the patrols are getting pretty close. Take the holographic station would you?" Tarra sat down next to him.<br />
"Sure." She typed a few commands into the keyboard and a scan started to run. "You must be pretty lonely up here all day huh." Dan looked at Tarra from the corner of his eye and smiled slightly.<br />
"Its not as bad as you might like to think. I have a lot of time to think about stuff." The scan quickly finished and brought up several squadrons in the area.<br />
"Wow there is a lot of activity around here. Think they know that we are around here somewhere?"<br />
"No not yet." The ship flew through the tunnels easily avoiding the unaware squads of sentinels. "Wish it was this easy all the time."<br />
"Do you think you will be ready for the mission?" Tarra spoke starring at the passing walls of the tunnels.<br />
"Of course how hard can it be with all of us there."<br />
"This thing isn't like anything else we have ever dealt with inside the matrix though, just prepare yourself for the worst, I'm warning you now."<br />
"We'll be fine." Dan smiled at her leaning over to kiss her on the cheek.<br />
"I hope you're right."Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08074666369157919363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218843219188780247.post-34303924247959922492011-02-11T20:16:00.000-08:002011-02-11T20:16:26.757-08:00Matrix Fanfiction Chapter 29: The ExileChapter 29: The Exile<br />
<br />
The construct program loaded all around them.<br />
"Tarra when we load in, instead of the car I want the Captain's Thrown," said Brandan checking his shades.<br />
"Sure thing anything else?"<br />
"No we're good load us in." As Brandan finished his sentence the matrix loaded around them with the Captains' Thrown right next to him. Brandan looked at Isaiah. "Let's go." Brandan hopped on the motorcycle and sped down one of the quiet streets of the Slums district.<br />
"Is this where the thing was spotted?" asked Isaiah.<br />
"Yeah pretty gloomy huh." It was a short drive to where they needed to be and Brandan parked the bike in an alley under a set of stairs. "Alright, split up, if you find the creature do not engage it, call me and we will pursue it together." The sun was setting slowly shining an eerie light over the city streets.<br />
"Alright captain good luck," said Isaiah checking his gun. Brandan nodded and went up the fire escape they parked under.<br />
Isaiah walked into the building the fire escape connected to. The room he walked into was a basement that much was clear, the room was dusty, dark and cluttered. He jumped up on the boxes that were in his way and then jumped back to the floor and walked through the door way, all the while looking for clues as to what he might be looking for. Isaiah had a lot of ground to cover he realized it was gonna be awhile probably before he found anything. In the meantime he would have to beware of the local gangs of exiles that they already new about. The Pit Vipers, the Dog Pound, the Destitutes and Silver Dragons to name a few of the more mentionable groups, he walked through a few more doors and something caught his eye on the wall. He walked over to it to get a closer look and realized that it was a huge claw mark. Isaiah dragged his hand across it, the engravings were pretty deep.<br />
"What the hell could have done this, this is quite a creature we are dealing with here." Isaiah heard something move behind him, he quickly jumped up and turned around scanning the room. He saw a cat run out from under a box letting out a cry. Isaiah relaxed and walked into the next room.<br />
Meanwhile Brandan had been a few buildings over and was searching through an apartment building. He walked into the one of the abandoned apartments, there were some teenagers smoking a joint inside.<br />
"Oh shit man," said one of the trying to hide it.<br />
"Do I look like a cop to you kid?" he asked.<br />
"Hey you never know nowadays." I walked over to them.<br />
"Have you boys seen or heard of any strange activity in the area?" The boys looked at each other and then back at Brandan.<br />
"There has been a sighting of this giant strange creature, it looks like a modern day version of Death or something. Its all black with a skeleton face," said the shortest of the three.<br />
"Has it been seen for sure who saw it?"<br />
"Just my little sister, she says that right after she saw it, it disappeared."<br />
"Did she say where she saw it?"<br />
"It was in the abandoned building two blocks over. Don't ask me what she was doing there my mom was soo pissed."<br />
"Ok kid thanks." Brandan walked away from the teenagers and they went back to what they were doing. He walked out through the door to the apartment and went down the stairs of the building. The building the creature was sited in was where he would head but he would take the streets instead. Brandan walked down through the fire escape and heard a women scream. He looked down to see two members of the Pit Viper gang throw a woman on the ground. Brandan didn't really feel like wasting the time but he couldn't just let the women be killed or something. Brandan took out his gun and shot one in the head. The women screamed and the other turned to face him pulling out his gun.<br />
Brandan dropped down on to the ground and the ground rippled as he hit. The Pit Viper quickly drew his gun and started to fire at him, Brandan quickly and easily dodged the bullets long enough to get close and knock the weapon from his hand. The man attacked him hitting Brandan in the face then in the gut, not phasing him.<br />
"Is that all you've got?" said Brandan, "This is what happens when you pick on people you shouldn't be bothering." Brandan rose into the air and time seemed to slow down, the man watched him rise. Brandan kicked the man in the chest focusing and knocked the man into a nearby wall. He walked up to him and delivered one last blow to the head and he fell to the ground. The women got to her feet.<br />
"Thank you, friend," she said walking over to him.<br />
"You're welcome now get home, these neighborhoods aren't safe for someone such as yourself ma'am." The women nodded her head and Brandan ran back into the alley.<br />
Isaiah walked into an alley, he had searched two buildings all the while seeing nothing but hearing several strange noises. Some that sounded like growling, a grunt one other time, but he never saw anything. Isaiah turned around suddenly feeling as though he was being watched.<br />
"Alright that does it." Isaiah took out his phone and called Tarra.<br />
"Operator," she said.<br />
"Yeah Tarra is there anything else in this room or following me." Isaiah could hear Tarra typing something.<br />
"Well I don't see anything directly but the code along the left wall is slightly distorted."<br />
"Could it be something hiding or is it normal?"<br />
"I don't know Parker would have to look at it and he is busy."<br />
"Alright well how about I just assume." Isaiah hung up the phone and called Brandan.<br />
"What is it? Did you find what we are looking for?"<br />
"I think get over here have them trace my call."<br />
"Ok." Isaiah put away his phone and just starred at the wall. <br />
Isaiah began to focus on the wall and he began watching the code. He could see the shape of something seven feet tall with a skeletal face. Isaiah stared at it and it whipped its head around and looked at him. Isaiah jumped back startled. The creature began to phase into sight. Isaiah jumped back and ran out the door. "Holy shit." He ran out into the street and drew his gun. The creature became visible through the door and he opened fire on it. The bullets hit dead on but only sank into the skin. The creature ran at Isaiah at an incredible speed and swiped at him with its huge hand. Isaiah focused his hardest and quickly dodged the attack. Isaiah attacked the creature hitting it in the chest with everything he had attacking with every part of his body with a combo that didn't seem to end. Isaiah jumped into the air bouncing off its chest and jumping back a few feet in mid air and shooting back at the creature with his feet pointing down hitting the creature in the face and going right over his head landing behind him. Isaiah looked behind him at the creature, it turned around to face him and fixed its neck, then roared a blood curdling sound at him. "Oh no. Come on just believe, you can do this!" he said to himself. Isaiah ran back at the creature, it swiped at him this time landing its target. Isaiah focused his hardest and ignored the pain and jumped into the air kicking it.<br />
Brandan saw Isaiah get swiped across the stomach and pulled out his gun as he jumped down. Brandan opened fire on the creature getting its attention, the creature whacked Isaiah with the back of its hand as Brandan hit the ground. Brandan ran at the creature focusing his hardest and swept it off its feet then punched it in mid air only sending it a few feet.<br />
Meanwhile outside the matrix Tarra watched as Isaiah's body jerked from taking the damage.<br />
"Oh no," said Saba.<br />
"Saba go get Colin and Parker," said Tarra panicking. Saba ran out and went to get the others.<br />
"Hang on you two," she whispered. Tarra walked over to Isaiah the front of his shirt was soaked with blood; he was bleeding right through his skin from the wounds on his chest. "Can someone get some medical supplies too please," she said in the headset. Parker and the others came running in and Parker sat in the operator's chair while Colin jumped into one of the seats.<br />
"Jack me in, what are you waiting for?" he said. Saba rushed over and plugged him in and gave him a kiss on his cheek.<br />
"Alright I am sending you right into the battle," said Parker.<br />
"Give'em hell Colin!" said Tabatha. Colin smiled as Parker sent him in.<br />
Colin was inside the construct he took his gun and knife off the weapon table and got into position. The matrix was put together around him and he could see the fight going on below him, he was on top of one of the large apartment buildings. Colin drew his gun and jumped down with his gun pointed he began firing on the creature as it walked toward Brandan who was distracted helping Isaiah to his feet. The bullets hit the creature dead on in the face not doing any damage but making it stumble back slightly. Colin hit the ground and drew his knife.<br />
"Colin look out, this thing is even more dangerous than the agents as far as I can tell," said Brandan helping Isaiah to his feet, "Distract it as long as you can I will be back, Parker will find us an exit." Colin took into the creature swinging his knife in all directions seemingly landing all the blows but again not doing damage. Colin jumped into the air and wrapped his legs around the creature's thick neck. Colin used his hands to grab the creatures legs and put it in a hold stopping it from moving. The creature jerked around but couldn't get free or hit Colin. Colin focused his hardest using all his strength to hold the creature while Isaiah and Brandan made their way to an exit.<br />
"Come on guys, I can't hold on much longer." The creature managed to grab Colin by the legs and throw him into the air. Colin regained his composure easily focusing himself to the ground. "Is that the best you can do?" Colin jumped to his feet and flew into the creature delivering ever kind of attack he could think of with his fists and feet flying. Colin knew his attacks might as well be effortless because he could not beat the creature. Colin hit it with an uppercut sending it into the air away from him, suddenly the creature bent in the middle and flew toward and over him. Brandan appeared behind the creature with his foot in the base of its back, he landed beside Colin as the creature flew over him.<br />
"Lets get him!" said Brandan looking at Colin. Brandan and Colin took into a fighting stance. "I've got upper right, you go lower left." Brandan and Colin attacked the creature with an onslaught of joint attack initiating a twin element of attacks. The creature swung back at the both of them, easily being evaded at their heightened awareness. Colin and Brandan both jumped back. Colin looked at Brandan and took up a stance with his arms out. Brandan jumped up on his arms and bounded high into the air. The creature was getting frustrated at not being able to take them out easily. Colin attacked the creature before it struck at him and kept attacking it with all he could give.<br />
Brandan was close to thirty feet in the air and still rising, he watched as Colin fought to keep the creature busy. Brandan focused till he was close to seventy feet in the air, he then focused his hardest to make himself shoot down at the creature almost like a bullet with his foot out. Down below Colin continued to fight with the creature to keep it busy like he knew he was supposed to. Sometimes he and Brandan could do better with a look then words ever could. Colin hit the creature one last time and then Brandan came crashing down on the exiles head with his foot driving its face into the pavement and cracking it. The creature didn't move as they stood anticipating what was going to happen.<br />
"It can't be alive after that," said Colin. Brandan's phone rang and he picked up.<br />
"Yeah."<br />
"Hey, its not dead get the hell out of there I don't even think you can kill it yet!" said Parker, "You've got a few minutes before it starts back again."<br />
"OK," said Brandan.<br />
Brandan looked at Colin with worry on his face and the two of them took off running. They took off down the street and quickly turned into an alleyway. "Come on the exit is up here," said Brandan jumping onto a ladder. They began to climb the ladder when suddenly it was ripped off the wall.<br />
"Holy shit!" yelled Colin holding onto the ladder tightly. They hit the ground with the ladder on top of them.<br />
"Shit!" They looked up to see the creature standing on the roof with part of the ladder in his hand.<br />
"Damn it! He's blocking the exit what do we do now?" asked Colin.<br />
"Looks like we will have to lure him away then make our way back here. You stay I will distract him," said Brandan.<br />
"Captain that's crazy."<br />
"Trust me I will be fine, now stay under here till we are outta sight!" Brandan slid out from under the ladder and bounded up the walls to the rooftops. He headed away from the creature and just like he planned it followed him.<br />
Brandan jumped from the building with the creature right behind him, swiping at him. It missed him as he managed to stay one step ahead of it with his speed. Brandan ran across the long rooftop focusing his hardest to stay at his top speed even though he was becoming tired. Brandan jumped to another building to the left as he started to make the circle to the exit. He ran faster and faster as the creature came closer and closer to him. Brandan dove under a fence and slid, then rolled right to his feet again and kept running. The creature ran right through the fence and stayed almost right behind him. The creature reached for him and he had just managed to jump to the next building, as it reached it lost its balance and fell between the buildings. Brandan kept running almost to the exit, so close he could almost taste freedom. The creature wasn't faltered by the fall and jumped right back up on the building and started to run again, now quite a distance behind him. Brandan looked back as he jumped to the exit, it wouldn't catch him now, he ran down into a small stairway from a door on the roof, he could see the phone on the wall, it was ringing. He made it to the bottom of the steps and picked up the phone just as the creature crashed through the doorway. He put it to his ear and vanished.<br />
Brandan opened his eyes and sat up.<br />
"Man what the hell is that thing?" he said angered, "No matter what we did we couldn't hurt it."<br />
"Not what more like is. It was going to be the new agent program but before it could be properly initiated it went exile and malfunctioned," explained Parker still starring at the screen.<br />
"Is Isaiah ok?" asked Brandan, "He took quite a beating in there that time."<br />
"He's down in the medical bay, with Saba and Tarra," said Tabatha looking at the code screen with Parker.<br />
"I'll be back up shortly, work on finding that things weaknesses will ya." Brandan went downstairs and Colin followed.<br />
They walked into the infirmary to see Saba and Tarra standing over Isaiah's body, which was lying on the stretcher.<br />
"Is he gonna be ok guys?" asked Colin as they walked over to them.<br />
"Yeah he should be fine but he has lost a lot of blood, he may be off his feet for the next few days," said Saba. The claws of the exile had damaged Isaiah's body internally, there was blood on the compress that they used to cover his stomach wound.<br />
"Is he bleeding internally?" asked Brandan.<br />
"Yes captain, but we broke the skin so the blood wouldn't weigh his body down internally. Have you guys decided on what that creature must have been at one time?" asked Tarra.<br />
"I have no clue, but what ever it is, it's ten times faster and more powerful than any agent." Isaiah who had lain unconscious until now looked at Brandan and Colin.<br />
"You guys made it out . . .," he whispered.<br />
"Of course, you expected otherwise?" said Colin smiling.<br />
"How do you feel Isaiah?" Brandan walked over and put a hand on his face.<br />
"It hurts to talk captain. Am I gonna be ok?" Brandan smiled.<br />
"Of course you'll be fine, don't worry about anything. Saba take care of him, Tarra, Colin come with me we need to see if we can destroy that thing." Brandan, Tarra and Colin went back upstairs after Colin kissed Saba goodbye.<br />
Parker had been analyzing the creature through and through based on the data he had been able to gather from there little spat with it. The data read out was telling him that it was designed to be something like the agents but more powerful and not able to move in and out of software. It was designed to be deployed where needed and then destroyed after it had completed its task. But what they hadn't planned on was the creature developing a mind of its own and going exile, now it would appear that the creature is out of control hunting agents and rebels alike. Now to develop something that could destroy it, he would most likely need more information so that meant someone would have to fight the damn thing again. Parker glanced at his schematic one last time as the captain and the others came from one of the doors.<br />
"Any luck?" asked Brandan.<br />
"I can't do anything with the data that I have gathered, I just need more information on it?" Parker explained.<br />
"Well how are you gonna get more information can't you just use the code screen to watch it?" asked Colin. "Not if I want to gather tactical data, me watching it would only tell me its behavioral patterns. One of you guys is gonna have to go fight it again, if its possible then I want you to test its limits."<br />
"How are we supposed to do that, the damn thing's way faster than anything we have ever encountered," said Tarra.<br />
"It's faster than one of you, but if all of you were to go in and work together I think you could do it." Brandan had a weird look on his face.<br />
"I'm not willing to risk the entire crew to figure this thing out," said Brandan. Parker looked at Brandan.<br />
"Then you should have never been given the control of a ship." Brandan looked at Parker, as did the rest of the crew.<br />
"Excuse me?"<br />
"A true Captain would be looking at the bigger picture here. If we risk our crew than others may not have to die at the claws of this thing, forgive me but do you understand?" They all shifted their glance from Parker to Brandan.<br />
"Alright Parker, let's do it your way then. Saba and Tabatha need to be trained tonight because they need to be at their best for tomorrow when we strike. Just keep your eye on that thing for the night Parker. Tabatha jumped in one of the seats, which one of you guys is gonna train me?"<br />
"I'll send Saba up and you guys can train on the computers training program," said Brandan. Brandan and Colin went back to the medical bay and Tarra took the main operators station.Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08074666369157919363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218843219188780247.post-13748623603322238502011-02-10T18:26:00.000-08:002011-02-10T18:26:34.235-08:00Matrix Fanfiction Chapter 28: The Pick Up<div class="storytext" id="storytext">Chapter 28: The Pick Up<br />
<br />
Brandan sat up quickly as soon as the plug was pulled.<br />
"Go, go, go!" he yelled as he struggled to get the headset on. The ship quickly got into the air and took off at full speed out of the cubby. Just as the ship lifted off the proximity alarm went off.<br />
"Shit I thought that was gonna happen for some reason. Everyone get to a gun turret we have to take'em down!" Brandan and the others quickly rushed to the weapons deck and Colin had just finished pushing in the last of the bullet casings to load the turrets. Saba, Colin, Isaiah, Brandan, Tarra and Parker all manned a gun turret while Dan flew. Saba looked into her viewer and could see a large squadron of sentinels forming behind them.<br />
"Shoot to kill as always guys," said Parker as all of them opened fire on the sentinels at once.<br />
"Guys is anyone monitoring her position so I know when to drop the grapple?" asked Dan as he flew.<br />
"Don't worry Dan just fly I am watching everything else," Parker answered. Colin aimed carefully but quickly, taking out sentinels one by one as fast as he could.<br />
"Holy shit, there's a lot of them!" he yelled.<br />
"Keep going we have to keep them off the ship!" yelled Isaiah. Several of the sentinels began to cling to the hull of the ship and attack with their lasers cutting away at the armor of the ship.<br />
"Guys what's wrong aren't you watching your monitors!" yelled Brandan getting frustrated at the crew for seemingly not paying attention. Just then Tarra and Saba both began firing on the sentinels on the outer hull shortly followed by Colin and Isaiah. This quickly disposed of the ones on the ship but there was far more trouble coming behind them.<br />
"They must know we are after something," said Saba.<br />
"Ah Captain look up ahead," said Dan as the ship burst through the tunnels out into the fields. Brandan switched his viewer to the front of the ship and could see a swarm forming up ahead.<br />
"We've gotta bust through them, Tabatha is just on the other side! Saba, Isaiah focus on the approaching swarm ahead of us the rest of us will take out the followers," Brandan ordered. Saba and Isaiah quickly followed the orders which made sense the two of them not being overly great aimers all they had to do was focus on the forming mass ahead not the maneuvering sentinels behind them.<br />
"Dan I'll drop the grapple soon just be ready to bring it to a quick hault!" said Parker.<br />
"Gotcha." Dan jerked the accelerator around trying to maneuver around the swarm ahead of them.<br />
"Shit they're fast little bastards to," said Colin aiming for the ones closest to the ship.<br />
"You didn't just figure that out now did you?" asked Tarra following his lead. They fought for the life of there ship for several moments when they came to the spot.<br />
"DAN STOP!" Parker dropped the grapple and Dan reversed the accelerator as hard as he could bringing the ship to a harsh halt everything shaking. The grapple fell and grabbed Tabatha and several sentinels started to attack it.<br />
"Keep them away from the grapple, Dan get us back to the underground!" yelled Brandan refocusing his turret on the grapple. The ship was now almost completely covered in sentinels as it started to head back to the tunnels of the real.<br />
"PARKER charge the EMP now get down there!" Brandan ordered. Parker let him self out of the turret seat as the ship flipped almost a complete 360 to head back underground. The grapple had gotten back inside just in time as they hit back into the underground.<br />
"Saba go make sure Tabatha is ok!" Saba nodded and cautiously made her way to the cargo hold. Isaiah, Colin, Tarra and Brandan were the only active gun turrets, this was the most difficult swarm they had ever been chased by. They must have been tracing them when they were fighting the agents within the matrix.<br />
The ship was once again flying through the tunnels and the EMP had been charged.<br />
"Dan hurry up and sit her down somewhere I'm ready!" said Parker getting impatient. Dan got the ship into the smallest hole in the wall he could fit it into and sat it down. The gun turrets went dead and the ship went dark all except for the red lights of the alarm.<br />
"Make sure they are all in range," said Brandan. They could hear the metal clanking of the sentinels hitting the ship and soon enough they were all in range.<br />
"Parker now, hit it now!" Parker turned the switch and everything went quiet as the EMP was released. They could hear as the sentinels fell from the hull of the ship and hit the ground of the tunnels.<br />
"Whew, that was close," said Isaiah as his arms fell to his sides and he put his head back.<br />
"Saba is everything ok down there?" asked Colin.<br />
Saba's voice was slight muffled meaning the internal communication system was most likely damaged.<br />
"Yeah everything is fine she made it with no injuries at least," said Saba. The lights began to come back on and Brandan went down to the cargo hold to help Saba get Tabatha to the medical bay. They had moved her to the medical bay, and Parker and Dan had been ordered to start on the repairs. Tarra, Isaiah, Colin and Brandan all worked on the restructuring while Saba monitored the computer.<br />
Tabatha opened her eyes and sat up, she was in a small dark room and dressed in some shabby clothing. Was this the real world? She thought to herself.<br />
"Where is this?" she whispered to herself. She saw a light shining out from under the door and slowly walked over to it putting her hand on it. She pulled on the door gently and it pulled open. The door opened into the broadcast room, Parker, Brandan and Tarra were checking the equipment. Each of them stopped what they were doing and looked at her. Brandan smiled and walked over to her.<br />
"How do you feel?" he asked. Tabatha smiled back as she spoke.<br />
"I feel good." Tabatha punched him slightly in the arm.<br />
"So ah, when you gonna get around to showing me what the matrix is dude."<br />
"Whenever you're ready." Brandan walked over to the chairs and sat down. "Have a seat," Brandan beckoned to her. Tabatha walked over and sat in the chair and Tarra walked over to her.<br />
"Lay back, and relax," said Tarra gently pushing her back into her seat. Parker jacked Brandan into the jack and Tarra hooked Tabatha in.<br />
"Well this is kinda uncomfortable if I do say so myself," said Tabatha.<br />
"Don't worry it gets easier every time," said Brandan looking over and smirking at her, "Parker send us into the construct." Parker sat down in the chair and typed in the commands necessary then hit enter.<br />
Tabatha opened her eyes and her and Brandan were standing inside the construct program.<br />
"What is this place?" Brandan walked over to her and directed her to a chair that seemed to appear out of nowhere.<br />
"This is what we call the construct program," said Brandan, "Its our loading program we use it to jack into the Matrix. And the Matrix . . ." Brandan sat down in the chair and clicked on the television that appeared in front of them with the remote that appeared in his hand.<br />
"The matrix is control. A system created by the machines in the real world to enslave the human race." The images on the screen changed as Brandan was talking. Images of the barren upper world and also of the machine empire.<br />
"Oh my gosh are you serious, how did this happen?"<br />
"Tabatha the world you live in. . . the time frame is around the year 2001 when in all actuality, it is closer to the year 2101."<br />
"Oh my god, are you serious?"<br />
"After seeing what you seen when you awoke do you not believe me?" Tabatha had a very sincere look on her face as she spoke.<br />
"Yes I believe you."<br />
"Good, now what I am gonna show you may seem hard to believe at first but it is real." Parker loaded the jumping program.<br />
"Whoa, what's going on?" she asked.<br />
"Don't worry its just loading." Tabatha shrugged her shoulders. The program loaded and they were on top of the building. The matrix is a program in a computer and just like a computer program you can change things. You can defy gravity, move at incredible speeds even dodge bullets." Tabatha had a doubtful look on her face.<br />
"How can I do that?"<br />
"All you have to do is believe, watch." Brandan walked over to the edge of the building and looked over.<br />
"What are you doing?" Brandan walked back a few steps and then broke into a run. "OH MY GOD STOP!" yelled Tabatha as he jumped off the edge. Brandan jumped to one of the slightly distant buildings. "Holy shit!" Tabatha yelled to him.<br />
"Come on you can do it to, all you have to do is believe in yourself. None of this is real!" Tabatha looked at Brandan then at the ledge and herself.<br />
"Hell if he can do it I can." Tabatha ran at the edge and jumped, she started off well and made it almost to the building Brandan got to but had to just catch the edge. Brandan grabbed her and helped her up onto the building.<br />
"Good job. Parker take us out, you and Colin can take it from here."<br />
Tabatha opened her eyes and Tarra pulled the needle from her neck. Parker walked over to her and then extended his hand.<br />
"Come with me I'll show you everything you need to know," he said.<br />
"Alright." Tabatha took his hand and stood up then followed him. Brandan sat up in the seat and watched them walk away.<br />
"Isaiah there has been reports of a strange new exile that they want us to investigate suit up you and I are gonna check things out," he said, "Tarra take the operators station." Tarra nodded and walked over to the station and put on the operators head set while Isaiah jumped into his seat and laid back. Saba walked over and jacked them in, Tarra loaded them into the construct program.</div>Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08074666369157919363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218843219188780247.post-43616163942591048812011-02-10T18:24:00.000-08:002011-02-10T18:24:11.346-08:00Matrix Fanfiction Chapter 27: Crew Final EntryChapter 27: Crew Final Entry<br />
<br />
It had been several weeks since Saba's freedom had been completed and she and Colin were practicing in one of the dojo training programs. The two of them were both in kimonos Colin was on the right and Saba on the left the two of them were both blind folder this was a program developed to test their awareness inside the matrix. Starting with their backs to each other they jumped away form one another and took up fighting stances, Saba flew at Colin and he bent back almost touching the floor to dodge her. They suddenly took into one another attacking with several combos and also both dodging Colin obviously taking it easy for Saba her being new. Saba threw a left, a right and an then attacked with a kick combo, Colin easily dodging.<br />
"Your doing good Saba, keep it up. . . here we go," he spoke softly to her as he bounded away from her. Saba took up a defensive stance as Colin came back at her almost running. Colin came within reach and began to quickly attack her landing blows that were all blocked quickly by Saba. Saba began to improvise and ducked to attack from the lower quarters. She managed to almost get up under him, and hit him with an uppercut that he jumped onto the ceiling to avoid. Saba looked up at him.<br />
"Neat trick but your not getting away quite that easy babe," she said. Saba bounded into the air and drew back her fist then throwing a punch that hit Colin in the chest sending him into the wall. Colin straightened himself out in the air and landed, looking up at her with a smile.<br />
"Good going babe, I'm impressed," he said.<br />
"I know you were holding back," she said walking over to him.<br />
"Even still Saba," they heard the captain all around them. "You did well your getting the hang of it I think. But I need you guys to get out of there we are ready to start the next mission."<br />
"Alright take us out." Colin stood up and smiled at Saba as the surroundings changed back to the construct and they were pulled out.<br />
Colin opened his eyes to Isaiah looking down at him smiling he jumped, slightly startled.<br />
"Why do you have to do that," he asked, slightly irritated.<br />
"I like to see you squirm sometimes is all," Isaiah laughed along with Saba who was sitting up in her chair next to him.<br />
"Alright guys grow up for a bit if you could," said Brandan walking over to the code screen.<br />
"We've got a plan to get out the final member of our crew, but the problem is they know, and they are watching her," said Parker.<br />
"Captain Niobe and Ghost are waiting on the inside to help create some distraction. Not unlike what we did with you Colin, just in a bigger area, Tabatha lives in the city so we are going to deploy everyone in different major areas to create there own little distractions." Isaiah walked over to the code screen and stood next to Brandan.<br />
"Do I Get to blow up a police station again?"<br />
"Maybe, but not on your own this time that much I am sure of. The city police station is way bigger than that one you were in and the staff is twice as large in quantity." Parker hit a few keys on the computer.<br />
"They are waiting for you. I'll send you in with your instructions downloaded into your P.P.U.'s."<br />
"Alright," Brandan walked over and sat in the chair. Saba got up and looked uncomfortably at Colin.<br />
"Don't worry Saba, you're doing good, but your not ready yet for your first mission," Brandan warned. Saba walked over and plugged him in and followed with Tarra, Dan, Isaiah and Colin.<br />
"Good luck," she said kissing Colin on the forehead. Colin smiled. "Whenever you're ready Parker, this isn't exactly comfortable," he said.<br />
Isaiah pulled on the ends of his jacket and cocked his head to the side.<br />
"Cool, Niobe and I are gonna take out an office building," he said to himself. Colin looked himself over.<br />
"Looks like I'm taking out a police rally with you Brandan." "Hey what can I say, we make a good team." Dan stepped up beside Colin.<br />
"Looks like I'm the getaway car with Ghost in the side seat." Tarra shrugged her shoulders.<br />
"Well looks like I get to be the freedom fighter this time." Brandan put his glasses on and looked at them all individually.<br />
"Alright guys we are all being sent to different places so good luck and I will see you on the other side." Everyone except for Colin and Brandan disappeared as the construct sent them to the matrix and loaded the Mustang next to them.<br />
Brandan looked at Colin and opened the passenger seat door.<br />
"Hop in your driving," he said sitting in the car. Colin nodded at him and got in, he started the engine and pulled out of the garage.<br />
"Here we go." Brandan put his phone to his ear.<br />
"Yeah Parker, send the map to the car computer so Colin can get us there."<br />
"Aye, aye captain, done." The map came up on the computer screen in the dashboard with a small blinking light representing the rally. Colin started to drive and it wasn't long before they pulled into the rally parking lot, there was about a hundred cars in the lot. It was being held in a large hotel ballroom it would be kind of difficult to fit in long enough to get an attack pattern formed. Brandan got out of the car first, there was a few people in the parking lot having a cigarette. Colin shortly got out of the car and locked the doors. They walked toward the doors of the hotel and the people looked over at them. One of the women looked at Colin.<br />
"Hi," she said seductively. Colin smiled at her.<br />
"You shouldn't smoke its bad for your health," he said being cocky. They walked on passed the coat check.<br />
"Alright all the people are in here try to blend until you get to the other side of the room I will call you and instruct you from there.<br />
Meanwhile Dan and Tarra headed to the call center where Tabatha worked.<br />
"Alright are you gonna be ok or do you want me to go with you?" asked Dan.<br />
"I'll be fine you just stay in the car ok," answered Tarra. Dan nodded and they pulled up into the parking lot of the call center. "Alright just stay put I will be back soon." Tarra got out of the car and Dan laid his seat back to wait. Tarra walked up to the building and there was a card scanner for permitted entry. She called up a small hack screen and hacked it forcing it open. She walked into the building and passed the front desk. One of the guards looked at her strangely but she kept walking un-phased. Tabatha was at the back room and Parker should have been talking to her right now telling her to be ready for her.<br />
Isaiah stood in the middle of a large parking garage where he would meet Niobe. He put his phone up and dialed her number.<br />
"Captain Niobe." Niobe was on the other end.<br />
"You got me kid I'm on the floor above you, I'm coming down now." Isaiah heard the engine of a Firebird rev slightly and start to get closer. He could see the purple car coming down the turn.<br />
"Alright I see you now." He ran over to the car and jumped in the open window.<br />
"Get us there," he said smiling.<br />
"Alright kid hold on to your glasses here we go." Niobe stepped on the gas and they were quickly on the street. "Ok kid all I ask of you is that you listen to me and be responsible we aren't just on some big run of destruction. We're actually using a bomb that Sparks designed to slightly disrupt the matrix, so you are gonna have to be on your absolute guard at all times ok, keep your focus. Nothing unnecessary you got that?" Isaiah nodded as his face changed to a serious look once he began to realize the seriousness of the situation. He could tell that Niobe was very serious about what they were doing he couldn't mess this up.<br />
"I'll do exactly what you tell me Captain." Niobe smirked from the corner of her face.<br />
"That's all I ask kid." Niobe drove on down the empty street and pulled up to the office building. "Alright," Niobe shut the car off and opened the door, "You coming?" Isaiah jumped out the window.<br />
"Coming." Niobe looked at him and smiled.<br />
"Nimble little thing ain't'cha." With that said they walked toward the office building.<br />
Dan waited outside for Tarra in the little red Acura Integra when his phone rang, he put it up to his ear.<br />
"Hello."<br />
"Hey yeah, Dan my man where are you guys at?" It was Ghost on the other end.<br />
"We're over here at the call center, Tarra has gone in to get her."<br />
"Alright I'm coming to you stay there."<br />
"Will do." Inside Tarra had just walked on to the huge floor where all the call center worked were on the phone, she could see Tabatha and started to walk toward her. She was talking on the phone to Parker right then. Just then a call center guard walked in front of her.<br />
"Ma'am I'm gonna need to see some id please," he said.<br />
"Oh um, sure thing sir," said Tarra routing through her pockets. The guard crossed his arms becoming impatient. Tarra perked her eyebrow at the guard as Tabatha walked over to the guard.<br />
"Tarra oh my god what are you doing here, its been so long?" said Tabatha to trick the guard. Tabatha hugged Tarra and smiled at her. "Don't worry about her Charlie this is my best friend she is here to pick me up from work." Tabatha grabbed her bag and put her arm through Tarra's. "Lets go." Tabatha's expression changed to serious when the guard couldn't see her face. They started to walk and two guards stepped in front of them as they got to the floor exit.<br />
"We just got a call that your friend here is wanted for questioning by the authorities. Tarra quickly brought up a hack screen and did a basic force wave hack that sent the guards out of the way.<br />
"Run!" said Tarra.<br />
Colin had just reached the other side of the ballroom and picked up his phone.<br />
"Colin are you in position?" asked Brandan.<br />
"Yeah I'm good to go."<br />
"Alright initiate your phase of the distraction." Colin reached into his jacket slowly and noticed that he was being watched by several of the cops in the area. Colin quickly drew his assault rifle and began to fire into the crowd. Just as he did several cops pulled out there handguns and fired at him. He moved to dodge quickly and could feel the bullets all whisk by him. Just then Brandan opened fire at the same time killing several of the patrons. Several of the police had hit the floor the ones that hadn't we're on the floor in a puddle of their own blood. Just then Colin's phone rang and he picked up.<br />
"Agents look out get the hell outta there, now!" yelled Parker on the other end.<br />
"Oh my god Colin run." He could here Saba in the background. Colin looked over his should and there was an agent pointing his gun at him. Colin took off in a run as the agent began to fire at him. He could feel the bullets cut through the air and move swiftly by him. Brandan was standing at the door and started to fire his gun at the agent.<br />
"Hurry up Colin!" Brandan fired at the agent missing of course, but succeeding in slowing him down. Colin dove for the door and hit the ground in a roll Brandan quickly went through and closed the door. The two of them began to run as Colin quickly got to his feet and headed out the door. They ran and jumped into the Mustang as there were more gunshots fired. Colin started the car and pulled away quickly.<br />
Meanwhile, Niobe and Isaiah had just made it to the top floor of the office building. They were on the roof, security was pretty thin in the building so the machines' obviously hadn't detect what they had been planning to do.<br />
"Are you ready to run kid?" asked Niobe.<br />
"It's kinda sad, but running is one of the things I am known for," said Isaiah with a smirk on his face, "I just hope you can keep up." Niobe laughed out loud and looked at him sideways.<br />
"You know what Isaiah, I like you." Niobe had just began to set up the bomb. "No but seriously I hope we get enough time because this bomb will disrupt your residual self image. It might do some real mental damage to you in the real world."<br />
"Really, wow Sparks must be really good huh?"<br />
"Well yeah when he isn't bitching about something." Niobe hit the last button to start the countdown.<br />
"Alright lets go." Niobe stood up and there was an agent right behind Isaiah. "Duck!" she yelled pulling out her gun and fired at him.<br />
"Oh no." Isaiah jumped out of the way and rolled to the ground. Niobe took up a fighting stance.<br />
"Isaiah go, I will distract him!"<br />
"Niobe I can't leave you here are you crazy?"<br />
"What was the only thing I asked of you!" Isaiah looked at her with a desperate look on his face.<br />
"But . . ."<br />
"Now go." Isaiah nodded and took off out of site.<br />
"Good kid." Niobe attacked the agent ruthlessly giving it all she could muster throwing all the most powerful combos' she could think of. The agent attacked her and hit her with a three hit combo and sent Niobe hurling into the wall. Niobe quickly got to her feet and ran up the wall propelling herself off of it into a kick, hitting the agent in the face and knocking him down. Niobe kicked the agent in the side sending him sliding several feet across the floor away from the way Isaiah had ran. She turned to run and heard gunshots begin to fire off behind her. The bomb they had planted exploded sending a strange shockwave out over the area. Time seemed to slow down as Niobe joined Isaiah and they ran together. Niobe grabbed him by the hand and jumped into the air the shockwave right behind them. The shockwave seemed to dissolve everything it touched including the agent. They crashed through the fourth floor window and were falling toward the ground where the car had been parked, the building was starting to collapse when they hit the ground. "Hurry!" yelled Niobe getting in the car. Isaiah quickly jumped over the car and into the other seat, Niobe started the engine and took off.<br />
Meanwhile Dan was still waiting with Ghost in the side seat, his phone rang.<br />
"Yeah Dan, it's Brandan is she out yet?"<br />
"No she hasn't come out yet are you guys alright?"<br />
"We are in one piece and we are heading in your direction, we will be there shortly." Ghost looked over at Dan.<br />
"The Captains on his way huh?" Dan nodded at him. Ghost jumped in the back seat as he noticed Tarra and Tabatha come running out of the building with a couple of guards trailing them. Ghost shot the guards in the forehead and the girls were quickly in the car.<br />
"Tarra call the Captain, tell him we are on our way to the spot, he can meet us there," Dan instructed. Tarra quickly took out her phone and called Brandan and Colin as Dan sped away from the call center.<br />
"Yeah Brandan we are on our way out of here we got her just meet us at the spot." Tarra hung up her phone and nodded to Dan. Just then several police cars pulled on to the road.<br />
"Hey Ghost looks like we are going to need some of that fancy shooting I have heard so much about." Ghost readied his assault rifle.<br />
"You just keep it on the road Dan I can do the rest."<br />
The car sped down the street following the map that Parker and Sparks had provided with several cars behind them. Ghost fired continuously at them with his assault rifle blowing several of the cars sky high.<br />
"Tarra if you want to lend me a hand here it would be nice," said Ghost reloading the assault rifle.<br />
"Alright I am going to do a shield hack," said Tarra bringing up the hack screen. She tapped in the code and blue shield came up around the car.<br />
"Alright that should help a bit, I have manipulated the code so that it will stop the bullets from going through on our end but you will still be able to shoot them." Ghost opened fire on the cop cars once again hitting each of them with ease now that he didn't have to worry about being shot. It wasn't very long before Niobe's Firebird, the crew Mustang became visible and pulled up beside them. The cop cars were still firing on them, Brandan was on his cell phone.<br />
"Ok Niobe were almost out of here let's just help ghost get the rest of those bastards." The other two cars fell behind to take care if the police cars. Tarra watched as the mustang rammed into one of the police cars pushing it into a road divider to one of the exits, smashing the front end. Isaiah hung out of the Firebird and fired his handgun at the drivers of several of the vehicles making them crash. The three methods were quickly taking out what was left of the police force. When an agent vehicle became visible.<br />
Dan's phone rang and he picked up.<br />
"Dan get out of here as fast as you can take it out we are gonna handle the agents," said Niobe.<br />
"Ok." Dan put the peddle to the metal sending the car into the two hundred and sixty range speeding down the highway.<br />
"Holy shit!" said Tabatha holding onto the seat.<br />
Meanwhile Niobe was quickly devising a plan to rid them of the agent.<br />
"Alright Isaiah we have to get rid of them so that they can get Tabatha out at all costs," she said sternly.<br />
"Ok," he said, "I'm ready." Isaiah climbed out through the car window and jumped onto the roof and pulled out his gun. Colin climbed out through the window of the mustang and Brandan took the wheel. The agents began to fire at them with their handguns; there were two of them in the car. Brandan and Niobe attempted to block them in with the cars as to keep them from getting passed while Colin and Isaiah shot at the cars tires.<br />
"Colin look out." One of the agents was climbing onto the roof, he faced Colin and fixed his tie, Colin readied himself. The agent squatted to jump but instead of jumping at Colin it jumped backwards and knocked Isaiah off of the Firebird.<br />
"Isaiah!" yelled Colin. Isaiah had grabbed a hold of a passing tractor-trailer carrying cars and was dangling from the vehicle.<br />
"Hang on I'll come get you." Isaiah held on as tight as he could, trying to regain his focus, but he couldn't he was too scarred of falling.<br />
"Colin help me!" The agent jumped up on the trailer and pulled out his gun after balancing himself on rafters of the trailer and pointed it at Isaiah. Colin focused his hardest and jumped at the agent kicking him away from Isaiah and quickly grabbing for his hand. Isaiah reached for his hand and the agent came out of nowhere hitting Colin in the side and almost knocking him off the trailer. Colin grabbed the edge and jumped back up on the rafter the agent was on.<br />
"Alright dude, you asked for it! Isaiah get the hell up you need to focus!" Colin took up his fighting stance as best he could maintaining his balance. The agent came at him quicker then he could of ever imagined, they must have upgraded them again. Colin blocked what he could and sent back his own attack that was easily blocked by the agent. Colin focused his hardest ignoring the pain of the blows to the face and hit the agent in the quickest most powerful combo he could muster. Isaiah climbed up the side as Colin fought his hardest and just as he was ready to uppercut the agent Isaiah tripped him and sent him flying into the air for Colin to uppercut. Colin's blow sent the agent flying to the road and off into the distance.<br />
"Good work Isaiah thanks, that was way to close," said Colin as he turned to look for Brandan and Niobe in the cars. The truck they were on had been going a lot slower than the cars were and neither of them were anywhere to be found. "Shit where are they?" asked Colin.<br />
"They must be really far ahead of us we aren't going as fast as they were," said Isaiah pulling out his phone. Isaiah dialed to Parker.<br />
"Operator."<br />
"Hey Parker, how far up are the others?" "Too far you guys might as well just find a way off the road and get to a different exit. . . or steal a car from that truck." Isaiah looked at Colin.<br />
"We'll take option number two. I'll need an upload to hotwire a car though."<br />
"Done and done. Good luck guys." Colin looked at Isaiah expectantly.<br />
"So what do we do now?" Isaiah dropped down and ran to the back of the trailer to where there was a two door Cavalier.<br />
"Lets go!" he yelled as he opened the door and hopped into the front seat.<br />
"Gotcha!" said Colin as he followed. Colin walked over to the small car and shot off the chains that were holding it in place. "Alright I'm driving." The car was started and Colin walked over to the drivers side, Isaiah slid over and Colin got in.<br />
Colin started to slowly back the car up luckily there was nothing coming behind them. Colin hit the gas one last time and the car flew off of the back end of the truck and as they hit the ground the car began to drive forward as Colin had shifted to forward in mid air.<br />
"Nice driving, now come on we got to catch them," said Isaiah. The drove on and saw the agents car crashed on the side of the wall spewing black smoke.<br />
"Looks like they took care of the agent," said Colin.<br />
"Just because the agent isn't anywhere to be found doesn't mean they took him out," said Isaiah. Colin nodded in agreement.<br />
"Right, right." Colin drove faster and faster and Isaiah called Parker again.<br />
"Parker how much farther ahead are they, and is the agent gone?"<br />
"The agent is gone and you should be seeing the Mustang any minute now, the don't have the Firebird anymore, it was sacrificed. Just head to the spot Dan has already gotten there and they are ready to free Tabatha," said Parker.<br />
"Alright thanks." Isaiah put his phone away.<br />
"Hey there is the Mustang." Colin pointed to the car, it was a little beat up but Niobe and Brandan were fine, they waved as Colin drove up beside them, Brandan smiled and Niobe nodded to them.<br />
Back with Tarra and Dan they had administered the red pill to Tabatha and were eagerly awaiting the others, Ghost had already been sent back to the Logos.<br />
"So what is the real world like? Is it better than this one?" asked Tabatha. Dan kind of looked at Tabatha funny then at Tarra.<br />
"Its better if you're a free mind and you like to have control over your destiny," Tarra explained.<br />
"Awesome can't wait to see it." Just then they heard the two cars pull in the yard outside.<br />
"That must be them, get ready," said Dan. Dan took out his phone and dialed Parker. "Parker start the trace and take me out of here." The phone on the table began to ring and Dan picked up and disappeared.<br />
"Holy shit, where'd he go?" asked Tabatha shocked.<br />
Niobe, Brandan, Colin and Isaiah walked in the door and Niobe went right to the phone and took out her cell phone.<br />
"Alright Sparks I'm just waiting on you to get me outta here," she said. As soon as she hung up the phone the phone rang and she picked up and put it to her ear, sure enough she vanished into thin air.<br />
"Good to see you Captain, Parker has already started the trace program and Dan is on the helm on stand by," said Tarra explaining the situation.<br />
"Alright Colin, Isaiah you guys need to get back to the ship, go now and Tarra and I will be along shortly. Parker you heard me now come on." The phone started to ring and Isaiah and Colin walked over to the phone, Colin urged Isaiah.<br />
"You first little guy." Colin gently hit Isaiah's arm, "You had a rough go this time dude." Isaiah picked up the phone and smiled at Colin as he vanished. The phone dropped to the table and Colin put it on the hook.<br />
"Alright. Goin home."<br />
"Colin when you get in get the gun turrets ready we may need to fight our way around a bit." Colin nodded as the phone started to ring, he picked it up and put it to his ear, vanishing.<br />
"I've got her traced already Captain hit the switch to disconnect her," said Parker over the computer radio.<br />
"Send Tarra and I the signal to get out and I will hit the button before I leave."<br />
"Ok." The phone rang and Tarra quickly picked up.<br />
"See ya!" Tarra vanished and the phone fell the length of the cord. Brandan put it back on the hook and it started to ring, he picked up and held it in his hand.<br />
"Tabatha don't be scarred when you wake up we will be there to get you shortly." Brandan hit the trace button and put the phone to his ear as Tabatha disappeared.Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08074666369157919363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218843219188780247.post-4654258238175359132011-02-09T11:59:00.001-08:002011-02-09T11:59:27.758-08:00Matrix Fanfiction Chapter 26: Saba's Freedom<div class="storytext" id="storytext">Chapter 26: Saba's Freedom<br />
<br />
Dan jumped into the navigation chair and Isaiah got into the holographics chair and started up the scanner.<br />
"Alright he's out now go," said Parker over the head set, "I've sent her location to the Navigational Computer. All you gotta do is get us there in one piece." Dan hit the throttle and shoved the steering handle as far down as he could as the ship lifted off and shot down the tunnels of the real like a bullet from the barrel of a gun.<br />
"We're almost there keep going," said Isaiah looking over the holographic projection.<br />
"Are we still clear for sentinel activity?" asked Dan.<br />
"Yes, we're good to go." They came to a sharp turn in the tunnels and Dan made a hard left causing the ship to rotate a full 360 degrees.<br />
"Whoa Danny boy could you try not to do that again, there's not much to hold onto down here in the cargo bay," said Brandan over the headset.<br />
Colin, Brandan and Tarra were all waiting in the cargo hold of the ship holding onto grip handles on the wall.<br />
"This is one of the things that's still taking me awhile to get used to," said Tarra smiling.<br />
"What's that?" asked Colin.<br />
"The twists and turns of the real world." Colin smiled after all he was only moments away from getting back the one person that would make his life complete, whom he had thought about everyday since his freedom.<br />
"We're almost there Saba hang in there."<br />
Saba was sitting up and looking around at the fields she had just sat up from the goop that she had been laying in.<br />
"Colin? Where am I?" she whispered to herself. Suddenly there was a loud noise as and a large machine came from nowhere and began to shine a red light in her face. Suddenly all the tubes that she had felt connected to her body flew out of the tiny holes they were plugged into and the liquid started to drain as she was seemingly flushed down a long tunnel. She hit the cold water at the bottom and there was a bright light shining in her face and suddenly the feeling of cold metal on her skin as she was hoisted up out of the water. She could feel people touching her as they lifted her to a bed or stretcher. She slowly opened her eyes to see a blurred Colin standing over her. "Colin is that you?" she reached her hand up to touch his face.<br />
"Yes," he whispered, breaking to tears, "I'm so glad your finally safe, I was so worried. Welcome to the real world." Colin bent over her and put his arms around her laying his head next to hers.<br />
"Let's get her to the medical bay so we can start the restructuring process," said Brandan moving to the back of the stretcher. Colin stood up and went to the front they both lifted and carried her up to the medical bay.<br />
Tarra had gone up ahead and started to prep the medical bay for the restructuring process. She turned on the blue sterilizing light to help clean the area, then took out a metal box containing the electron needles and placed it on the rest for the main operating table. She wiped down the table with a cloth soaked in sanitizing solution and just as she finished Colin and Brandan walked in with Saba on a stretcher, which they sat next to the main operating table.<br />
"Alright just lift her on to the table then we can get this whole process started ok," she instructed. Brandan and Colin both nodded and looked at each other placing there hands on the stretcher preparing to lift Saba.<br />
"On three," said Colin, "One, two . . ." The two of them lifted Saba off the stretcher and placed her on the table. Tarra placed a blanket over her.<br />
"Saba how are you feeling?" she asked.<br />
"I feel strange," Saba answered plainly, "It's a feeling I have never had before I don't know what to think." Tarra smiled at her.<br />
"I know that feeling, it's the feeling you get when you wake up for the first time." Tarra proceeded to hook Saba up to the monitoring machines to keep an eye on her vital signs.<br />
"Colin you have got a few minutes go download the Restructuring Process, from the ships computer, and you can help me with this."<br />
"Alright," said Colin heading out to go to the broadcasting room.<br />
"Tarra I will leave this to you ok? I have some captain business to attend to, I will send Isaiah to help you." Tarra nodded and went back to prepping Saba.<br />
"Good luck," she said.<br />
"Yeah ditto." Brandan walked out of the medical bay and went to his room.<br />
Brandan sat at his computer and spoke into the headset.<br />
"Isaiah report to the medical bay and assist Colin and Tarra. Dan set us down somewhere good and quiet we don't need to be in broadcast depth, so I suggest that you take us to a nice quiet cave somewhere."<br />
"Aye, Captain." Isaiah and Dan both answered at once. Brandan turned on the computer to discover that he had two new messages, both encrypted. He opened up the main inbox server to discover that one had came from Zion and the other had been sent by Captain Niobe of The Logos. He opened the one from Niobe and she appeared on the screen.<br />
"Brandan, this a thank you for you and your crew in the retrieval of the broadcast drop sent by Locke, I probably would not have been able to retrieve it had it been left to us. I also need a progress report on the status of your crew; have you gotten them all yet and if you need any help in retrieving, we would be more than welcome to provide assistance. As for now good luck and I hope to see you well when we return to Zion next." The message ended and closed as she stopped speaking. Brandan had to think of his next move he would have to reply to the message later when he had decided his next course of action, now to look at the message from deadbolt. He opened the next message and Commander Locke's face appeared on the screen.<br />
"This an emergency message to you Captain Brandan. There has been reports as to the sighting of a strange new exile in the slums district we here at headquarters have decided it best that we investigate this strange sighting with caution. And we are giving this task to you, investigate at your own discrepancy." The message ended and the screen shut off. He didn't know what to think of this message although it did say at his own discrepancy, he would most likely wait until he had freed the final member of his crew, Tabatha.<br />
Meanwhile Tarra, Colin and Isaiah had started the restructuring process on Saba. Isaiah was monitoring her life signs on the computer to make sure she stayed stable, while Colin and Tarra worked on the placing of the needles. Colin was up by her head and Tarra took the feet, Saba was lying with her eyes squinting against the blue cover light.<br />
"How do you feel?" asked Colin as he placed the needles in her face.<br />
"I don't know Colin, its really hard to see you, why?" Tarra was bent over Saba's leg placing in the needles and watching closely.<br />
"That's what happens when you've never used them," she said.<br />
"Colin what is going on, what is this place?"<br />
"I said to you earlier, this is the real world we freed you." Saba closed her eyes as the light became to much.<br />
"Freed me from what?" Colin looked at Tarra not sure if it would be ok for him to tell her or if it was better left for the captain. Tarra nodded to him.<br />
"It can't hurt, can it?" she said quietly. Colin went back to what he was doing as he talked.<br />
"We freed you from the virtual world we know as the matrix. I will let Brandan tell you more he can make it easier on you. Just don't worry about anything right now."<br />
"Isaiah how are the vitals?" Tarra looked up from what she was doing.<br />
"They are a little fluxxy but nothing out of the ordinary parameters," said Isaiah hitting a few buttons on the panel.<br />
Colin carefully placed the last of the needles in her face and moved on to her neck and chest.<br />
"What's Parker doing wouldn't this go faster with the three of us working and him monitoring?" he asked.<br />
"I don't know where he is actually, Isaiah give Parker a shout he should be down here getting this over with if he has nothing better to do," said Tarra. Isaiah nodded and walked over to the wall-mounted communicator and pressed the activation switch.<br />
"Parker if you're not busy could you report to the medical bay please?" Isaiah took his hand away from the button and the speaker activated from the other end.<br />
"Give me five minutes and I will be down to help," said Parkers voice somewhat staticy. Isaiah walked back over to the monitoring station.<br />
"There you have it."<br />
In the meantime Dan had dropped out of broadcast depth and was slowly cruising through the stone tunnels of the real. The ship was starting to respond less quickly to the navigation stick but it was probably due to the lack of routine maintenance, they had been gone for almost a month from Zion. He kept an eye on the holographic scanner as he guided the ship, he was looking for a cubby whole in the stone walls to get the ship hidden for a bit so he could take care of some of the maintenance work. He flew for several more minutes when he found the perfect spot. He slowed the ship down and slowly maneuvered his way into the spot.<br />
"Captain," Dan spoke into his head set, "I've got us parked and I am going outside to do some maintenance on the engines."<br />
"Alright Dan report in every hour," Brandan answered.<br />
"Will do." Dan un-strapped himself and went down to the cargo bay where he would exit the ship. He grabbed an EMP rifle and his maintenance kit and then went outside to start his work on the ship.<br />
Parker had been watching Tabatha, the next person they were to free, to try to get an idea of her schedule and routine. She apparently worked at a call center now and that meant it would be easy to get her on the phone and she was a regular bus traveler all they would have to do is intercept her on the bus, he had it all planned out in his head how they were going to do this. All he needed was confirmation from the captain. He would have to wait anyway he had just been called to the medical bay to help with the restructuring of Saba's body. He got up and headed to the medical bay to help the others.<br />
Colin put was still working on the needles in Saba's chest and stomach when Parker walked into the door.<br />
"You guys seem to be doing pretty well for yourselves. I'll take the arms guys," he said upon arrival. Parker picked up the needles and began to carefully place several in Saba's arms. With Parker there the conversation seemed to halt and the procedure went several times faster than normal.<br />
"Wow things got real quiet suddenly," said Isaiah breaking the hour-long silence.<br />
"Needs to be quiet so you can concentrate, it's a delicate procedure," said Parker placing the last few needles in her arms, "See how easy that was?" Parker smiled.<br />
"Yeah and how many times have you done this?" asked Tarra.<br />
"A few."<br />
"Hundred," said Isaiah finishing his sentence for him. Parker walked over to the computer Isaiah was standing at.<br />
"Alright guys come out of there so I can start the electro trans dermal nerve stimulation.<br />
Parker typed in a few commands as they walked out of the safe zone.<br />
"Testing the connections. . . all good. Starting the generator now." There was a slight buzzing noise as the machinery activated. They stood back and watched as the lights came on and the process was started. They could see the blue electricity moving from needle to needle as it revived the nerves in her body.<br />
"Does she feel any of this?" asked Colin.<br />
"No she can't feel anything until you take the needles out." Colin nodded his head and leaned back against the wall to wait.</div>Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08074666369157919363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218843219188780247.post-84205003925319039092011-02-09T11:58:00.000-08:002011-02-09T11:58:11.043-08:00Matrix Fanfiction Chapter 25:The PlanChapter 25: The Plan<br />
<br />
Colin opened his eyes as Tarra pulled the connector from his neck, and sat up.<br />
"Someone tell me what the hell just happened back there man, why did we see that coming how did they know we were after her?" he said in an angry panic. Brandan and Parker were looking at the code screen to follow the SUV.<br />
"I think they tapped our phone lines once you were inside, they are taking her back to one of the Merovingians clubs. Club Transient, its in the club district of the main city," said Parker.<br />
"So what do we do now Brandan?" asked Colin.<br />
"We plan our attack. Parker and I will devise something just go rest for now," answered Brandan.<br />
"That's it, that's all you can tell me." Colin was angry at the fact that they hadn't devised a back up plan if such a scenario should arise. "I'm gonna have to train I can't just sit around and wait. Tarra send me back into the training program. Isaiah stood up out his chair and started to walk over to Colin.<br />
"I'll monitor him on the secondary system, just in case you guys need the main computer to run simulations." Isaiah sat down at the small terminal behind the main view screen and turned on the system.<br />
"Alright then," The Captain agreed with him.<br />
Tarra walked back over to Colin and jacked him back into the system.<br />
"Whenever you're ready Isaiah, send me into the fighting program, put the fighters up to hardest difficulty and we will go from there." Isaiah nodded and sent Colin into the training program.<br />
Colin opened his eyes, he was in the construct program in his residual self image. As the program started to load the white surroundings of the construct started to change to that of a open road in the middle of the city. Colin looked around him and there was three strange looking men walking toward him. Colin took up a pose and got ready to attack. Suddenly the three men jumped into the air and landed on three sides of him grabbing him by the arms. Colin immediately took to action and started by jumping into the air kicking the three of them away from him. Colin ran at the first one and attacked dead on swinging and ducking as he needed to. The other two quickly rushed up behind him and started to grabbed onto him by the shoulders holding on to him. They pulled him back and held onto him while the other one started to try to attack him. Using the two men as balancers Colin pushed himself into the air and wrapped his legs around the man's neck and twisted himself to break it. Colin swiftly elbowed one of the guys that was holding onto him as he hit the ground and then through the other over his shoulders into a wall. As the guy he elbowed stumbled back he attacked him with a swift punch combo hitting him with one last blow breaking his neck.<br />
"Ok Isaiah high difficulty plus one now make it harder, keep'em coming." Three more men ran into sight and jumped into the air flying at Colin in a kick. Colin ducked and grabbed the guys foot and slammed him into the ground instantly killing him. The other landed right in front of him and took a swing. Colin ducked and tripped him then punched him before he even hit the ground. The next one hit Colin in the side with a quick jab, he responded with a roundhouse kick combo sending the man hurling through the air away from him. "More, harder!" Colin yelled as he started to release his rage. Isaiah sent more in and upped the difficulty level again to plus two. Three more men came running in, faster this time. As the first of the three got into reach Colin jumped into the air and time seemed to slow down as he kicked the man in the face hitting him into the wall. As he fought and the men got stronger Colin began to focus his hardest on them delivering some of the most devastating attacks he had used since he had been free. The next man Colin grabbed and attacked with the tsurikomigoshi throw stepped on the man's chest and broke his arm. The third man jumped into the air and hit Colin in the chest with a power kick forcing him to stumble back a bit. The man came at him again, barely giving him time to recover and attacked with a full fisted combo. Colin got his focus back just as the man took his last swing and countered it, grabbing his fist and twirling around. The man was flipped in mid air and hit the ground, as he did Colin jabbed his throat killing him instantly.<br />
"Is that the best they can do come on now. MORE!" Colin became more and more infuriated at the thought of Saba being captured by the Merovingian. Isaiah again upped the difficulty level and then sent in three more men. Colin seen the men running at him but instead of waiting he ran at them himself. Colin jumped into the air and did a hand stand on the closest ones head. He twisted himself with his legs and easily broke his neck. He landed on the ground and the man fell dead behind him. Colin grabbed the next closest one before it had a chance to react and squeezed its face letting out a call of anger and the mans face shattered in his hand. He then quickly turned and hit the other in the face dead on forcing his neck back all the way and killed it. Colin was fighting with the one thing he didn't use vary often . . . rage. "Alright!" yelled Colin breathing heavily. "Where's the next one?" Isaiah upped the difficulty level and sent in an agent.<br />
Colin seen the agent walk into sight and straighten up his tie. "Only human," it said as it started into action. The agent was quickly in front of Colin and attacked him swifter than Colin could of imagined. The agent was almost on the same level as the ones inside the matrix but it could not kill him. It hit him several times in the torso then finished with an uppercut that sent him flying toward the wall. Colin regained himself mid-air and grounded his feet against the wall propelling himself toward the agent. He landed and pulled out his dagger and started to swipe as fast as he could. Swinging left, right and left again, only hitting the air. The agent kicked him and knocked him down again Colin quickly got to his feet and took to the air. Once above the agent who watched him in mid air in the middle of his moonsault Colin took the knife and slashed at the agents head almost cutting his skull in two. As he landed the agent fell to the ground in a bloody mess and Colin stood with his dagger in hand, dripping blood.<br />
"Do you wanna keep goin, or do you think you've had enough for now?" Colin heard Isaiah all around him. Colin put his knife away.<br />
"Move in to difficulty four. . ."<br />
Colin continued his training while Brandan, Parker and Tarra worked on a plan to free Saba.<br />
"We've got to look at the outline of the club first, I think before we do anything," said Tarra.<br />
"She's right bring it up," agreed Brandan. Parker brought up a schematic of the actual bar and also a projection of what the bar looked like. "Send Tarra and I into the construct program and make an exact replica of the bar as it would be when its empty." Brandan walked over to a chair, Tarra followed and Dan jacked the both of them in.<br />
"Alright now lets work something out," said Parker as he sent them in. Brandan opened his eyes and he and Tarra we're standing inside the Construct program.<br />
"Alright load us up," he called out. As he stopped talking the bar began to load all around them.<br />
They looked around they could see a huge dance floor of which they were standing in the middle of, a vast bar that spanned about fifty feet there was a stairwell that led up to the VIP area most likely where the Merovingian would be sitting. The bathrooms were off to the left of the dance floor and the entrance elevator was only a few feet away.<br />
"Wow doesn't look like we really have much to work with in the lines of terrain I don't think this will be much of a planned mission really. We more or less bust in and get out. . ." said Tarra.<br />
"That's the way it's starting to look, Parker project the people that might be here on a busy night." Parker project the crowd that the club would usually turn out, the place was packed wall to wall, it was tighter than a can of sardines. "Should we just go in and mingle and try to get close to the Merovingian. . ." said Brandan thinking aloud.<br />
"I can make you fit in guys," said Parker, "If that's what you need." The captain was silent for a few seconds looking at the crowd, they were mostly dressed in leather fetish clothing, slightly S&M.<br />
"Hmm what's your input Parker, what would you advise?"<br />
"Well I can think of one situation before where I had to deal with the Merovingian, we lost one of our crew. It was on a ship that's long out of commission by now. We had to go in and try to retrieve a broadcast drop from him at one of his other clubs and he is by no means reasonable," Parker explained.<br />
"And how did you guys go about it, how many members of the crew did you send in?"<br />
"Well Captain Branaugh went in himself along with his first officer and one of his regular crew. They pretty much had to do the same thing that you guys are thinking of the club wasn't much different. All of them have the same layout."<br />
"Parker I've got an idea, we're goin to run a simulation to see how this goes. Load up an exact replica of Colin and Isaiah and put us in appropriate clothing outside the bar." The replica of Colin and Isaiah loaded and they were suddenly standing outside the bar. Tarra and Brandan's clothing changed to fit in with the crowd and they walked up to the front entrance in the outside parking garage. Brandan looked at Tarra and put his hand on the door. "Let's go." They opened the door and walked in, as they entered they were confronted by a bouncer.<br />
"Can I see some I.D please?" The bouncer was a large bald man in a long leather trench coat. They each took out the altered I.D's they had been given along with the clothing and the bouncer checked it over. "Clear, go on in." They walked passed the bouncer and went into the entrance elevator.<br />
"Alright so far so good guys," Brandan nodded at the others as the elevator began to descend. They could hear the music below them as the elevator got closer.<br />
The elevator stopped shortly, the doors opened and they walked into the already packed dance floor. There was strobe lights flashing and green laser lamps flashing from the ceiling the bass was blasting from the speaker system and the music was so loud you could hardly hear yourself think.<br />
"Blend in," said Brandan walking into the crowd and starting to dance. The others followed his example and walked into the crowd. The people on the dance floor were dancing and grinding with one another making it hard to get to the other side. The whole place was like one big bisexual love fest. One of the muscle men grabbed Isaiah and started to kiss him, Isaiah pulled away and smiled shaking his head. The guy shrugged his shoulders and moved on to the next person and kept dancing. Isaiah slowly made his way to the stairwell that led up to where the Merovingian was sitting. Brandan followed close behind the replica and went up the steps with him. At the top two large men stepped in front of them to stop them.<br />
"What business do you have with HIM?" asked the one on the left.<br />
"I am here to speak with him about something he has that we need," said Brandan. The man nodded to the other and he went to speak with the Merovingian. He spoke to the Merovingian and shortly returned.<br />
"He will speak with you now," he said upon return. Both of the men pulled out guns and trained it on them. They slowly walked up to the Merovingian and he tilted his head and smirked.<br />
"Speak now and speak quick, for I do not usually allow this," said Merovingian in a strong French accent.<br />
"We want to know why you have taken Saba the girl from the Motel captive?"<br />
"Ah yes the girl," The Merovingian looked into his whine glass, "You see the girl, she has been set with a special encoding. She has the ability to heal and I have harnessed this ability."<br />
"We have come to retrieve her from you, would it be possible to make a trade?" The Merovingian smirked and sipped his wine.<br />
"What could you possibly have that I might want?"<br />
"Good question, Parker pause it," Brandan smiled and kinda laughed, "He's right what do we have that we could trade?"<br />
"You could offer him fake access codes to the Zion mainframe computer. But you better make sure you get out before he notices that they are fake," suggested Parker.<br />
"And how long do you think that will take?" There was a short silence.<br />
"A few minutes is probably a good estimate." Tarra waved at Brandan from down in the crowd.<br />
"Captain if you want I could create a distraction just as soon as you hand him the fake codes," she yelled.<br />
"That's a good idea lets give it a try. Un-pause on my mark." Brandan got back into the position he was as Parker paused the simulation. "Mark." The simulation resumed with the Merovingian looking at Brandan in wait of an answer. "I have something that will give you great power over the machines," said Brandan.<br />
"Oh and what is that?" he asked intrigued.<br />
"Zion's access codes. . ." The Merovingian sat back in his seat with one eye brow perked.<br />
"Hmm how am I to know that this is not some trick. You humans value your city and freedom over anything at all, foolishly." Brandan stood up and reached in his pocket, suddenly everyone standing around them pulled a gun and he froze.<br />
"Geez guys relax he asked for proof let me give it to him. . . pause it." Everything froze again.<br />
"Tarra if this happens, and I suspect it will I want you to project a dummy of your code screen in front of me, I will then enter a code making it look like I know what I am doing. As I hit the last button on the panel I need you to project a fake image of Zion's main frame. Alright?" instructed Brandan.<br />
"Ok," said Tarra.<br />
"Good." Brandan nodded, "Resume." The program took back to motion and Brandan pulled out his phone and pushed a button. The code screen popped up in front of him and he made it look like he was typing in the code. As he finished the code changed to that of Zion's mainframe image. "Is this the proof you needed?" The Merovingian looked the image over.<br />
"Bring me ze girl!" The code screen went away as several men brought out a teary eyed Saba.<br />
"Give them to me," he demanded. Brandan took out the envelope and started to pass it to him just as they were in the Merovingian's hand there was several bright flashes of light as fireworks were apparently set off in the club. Isaiah bounded off the balcony and Brandan grabbed Saba and jumped into the air and into the stunned crowd. Colin cleared the way as Brandan ran for the elevator where Tarra was standing in wait, the door already open. Brandan and Colin ran in but Isaiah had been held up. As the elevator doors began to close Isaiah ran toward them but was shot by one of the snipers before he could make it.<br />
"Oh my god," said Tarra. The elevator doors closed and it began to ascend, Brandan and Tarra just looked at each other.<br />
"It's only a simulation," said Brandan. Tarra nodded. The simulation stopped.<br />
"From that point on it should be pretty clear sailing those big guys at the front shouldn't provide much resistance just be quick. And keep in mind that simulation is only one of the many possible outcomes, we may loose someone we may not but that is the risk you take every time you enter the matrix," explained Parker. "I'm going to pull you out now guys hang on." Tarra vanished and Brandan closed his eyes to get back to reality.<br />
Brandan sat up in his chair as Parker took the jack from his neck.<br />
"Isaiah is Colin still inside the training simulator?" he asked.<br />
"Yeah, you should see him he's really kicking ass, he's all the way up to difficulty seven. He's channeling his rage into his attacks. It's really working for him," explained Isaiah.<br />
"Alright well shut him off we're going to get ready to go now." Isaiah nodded.<br />
Isaiah put on the headset and began to speak to Colin.<br />
"Colin I am taking you out of there now, the captain says we're almost ready to go," he said.<br />
"Alright when ever you're ready." Colin's voice could be heard from the earpiece. Isaiah hit the button and Colin opened his eyes in the chair, Isaiah walked over and pulled out the jack from his neck.<br />
"Good job Colin. I've never seen anybody fight so hard." Colin looked at Isaiah with one eyebrow perked.<br />
"Have you ever seen anyone that was fighting for there love before?" asked Colin not expecting a reply.<br />
"Actually . . ." Colin jumped up out of the seat and walked over to the main broadcast seating then sat down.<br />
"Ready when you are Cap." Parker walked over and jacked him in while Dan got Tarra jacked in. Brandan lay down in the seat and waited for Parker to jack him in. Isaiah sat down in one of the seats next to Brandan.<br />
"Isaiah no, you're not coming with us this time," said Brandan.<br />
"What why not?"<br />
"The less of us that go this time the less chance there is that we will loose someone. Trust me I know what's best we went through the simulation."<br />
"Alright," said Isaiah walking over to Brandan to jack him in,<br />
"Good luck." Isaiah forced the jack into Brandan's neck. Parker hit the commands and loaded them into the construct program.<br />
Brandan opened his eyes and they were inside the construct.<br />
"Alright, guys Parker download Colin's instructions to him upon entry to the matrix place us within walking distance of the club and load us with appropriate clothing and I.D. so that we can get into the bar," said Brandan. Colin's eyes fluttered slightly as the information was downloaded to his mind. The environment began to piece together around them they were in a warehouse in the bar district of the main city. Brandan's phone rang and he picked up. "We're in."<br />
"Good now just to let you know Captain there is a lot of gang activity in the area so try not to piss anyone off," said Parker.<br />
"Noted." The captain put his phone back in his leather vest. "Alright let's go." They took to walking and went into the underground parking garage that would lead to the entrance elevator. They came to the lowest level in the parking garage and could see the entrance that was being guarded by two large bouncers. They walked up to the bouncers.<br />
"Can we see some I.D please?" asked The Bouncer. Brandan nodded and they each pulled out an I.D and passed it to him. He looked each of them over and passed them back. "Alright go on in." The elevator door opened and the three of them stepped inside.<br />
"Alright people get ready to blend," said Tarra adjusting her outfit. They could hear the music playing just like in the simulation the bass shaking the elevator.<br />
"Alright I will talk to the Merovingian you two have your orders," said Brandan. The elevator came to a halt and the doors opened, they stepped into the crowd each heading in a different direction.<br />
Tarra slowly danced her way toward the bathrooms the music was so loud that she could feel the vibrations from the bass hitting her body. One of the men grabbed her arm and pulled her into him, they began dancing along with the music. It had been a long time since Tarra had actually been to a bar even longer since she had danced. Colin had gone more toward the bar area of the bar, he kept an eye on Brandan who had already made it to the stairs to the Merovingian's private area. Brandan looked back into the crowd as he walked up the stairs to see where he and Tarra had positioned themselves and went on to talk to the guards.<br />
"What business do you have with him?" asked the bouncer with a rifle.<br />
"I need to speak with him about a trade, I have something he would be very interested in," said Brandan. The other bouncer went to speak with him while Brandan waited, he shortly returned and stepped aside.<br />
"He will see you now," said the one that had returned. Brandan nodded and walked over to where the Merovingian was sitting.<br />
"Make zis' quick human, consider your self lucky, I do not do zis' often," said The Merovingian in a strong French accent.<br />
"I would like to know what you want with the girl you took from the motel," said Brandan.<br />
"Ah yes ze' girl. You see she has a special encoded ability inside her to heal. I have harnessed zis' power for my own . . . personal use."<br />
"I have come to retrieve her from you, would it be possible to make a trade?" The Merovingian smirked at him.<br />
"What could you possibly offer me that I would want?"<br />
"I have something let me show you." Brandan stood up and reached into his outfit pocket and pulled out a disc. The fake code screen appeared in front of him and he began pushing buttons, then the map appeared.<br />
"Do you know what this is?"<br />
"The Zion main-frame." The Merovingian's eyes widened at the site of the mainframe. "Bring ze girl!" he called out. Two large men brought Saba out and the code screen disappeared.<br />
"So is it a deal?" Brandan asked.<br />
"Yes now give me the codes."<br />
"They are all on this disc." Brandan passed him the disc and as the disc hit the Merovingian's hand, Brandan jumped into action and grabbed the teary eyed Saba off her feet. Brandan quickly jumped the ledge and landed into the crowd close to Colin, several gunshots whisked by them and into the bodies of the dancers.<br />
"GO GO GO!" Colin pushed there way through the crowd to get to the door to the elevator, where Tarra was already standing with the door open. They jumped into the elevator. Brandan got to his feet as the door closed and took out his phone.<br />
"Parker have them meet us in the old motel, room 8 they need to set the freedom equipment.<br />
"Alright, they will be there." Saba wrapped her arms around Colin.<br />
"Oh my god Colin, it was so awful," she cried into his chest. Colin put his arms around Saba and rested his lips on her slightly frizzed hair and closed his eyes.<br />
"You're ok now, don't worry we are gonna get you out of this." Just then the elevator stopped and the door opened three men were standing in the way, two were dressed in white and looked exactly alike, the other was Caleb standing at the point.<br />
"You're not leaving," said one of the twins.<br />
"Without his permission," the other finished the sentence. Colin thrust Saba into Tarra and jumped out of the elevator at Caleb.<br />
"Take Saba and get her out of here! I'll hold them." Brandan looked at Tarra and nodded.<br />
"Go get her to the spot we'll join you shortly."<br />
"Come on Saba!" Tarra and Saba took off running to get to the motel while Colin and Brandan distracted the enemy.<br />
"Let's get'em," yelled Brandan. Colin jumped into Caleb and began an onslaught of attacks. He gave him everything he had throwing landing several combos, Caleb almost seeming un-phased by much of it.<br />
"IS that the best you can do old friend." Caleb attacked Colin with three hit combo ending in an uppercut flipping Colin in the air. Colin focused and landed on his feet.<br />
"No this is!" Colin began to focus his hardest and started attacking at such a speed Caleb couldn't prepare for it. Hitting him from the left then the right and attacking him from above with a mid air round house. Colin jumped into the air and kicked Caleb in the chest three times doing a back flip off him with the last kick. Caleb fell to the ground and quickly jumped back to his feet.<br />
"Still not good enough buddy."<br />
Meanwhile Brandan had engaged the twins jumping into action and hitting the first with a scorpion kick.<br />
"We won't let you stop us!" he yelled. Brandan jumped into the air with his arms spread he kicked the other in the chest. He struck as quick as he could at both of them. As he took one more swing at them both directly in front of him they faded away to what appeared to be smoke and re-formed in front of him. Stunned Brandan stopped for a second. "What the hell are you!" As he stopped one of them hit him with a roundhouse in the face knocking him to the ground. The other pulled out a small knife and attempted to bring it down on him. Brandan quickly refocused and moved out of the way drawing his gun and getting to his feet. "Let's see how you like this!" Brandan opened fire on the twins and they began to fade in and out as the smoke images. Brandan watched as the bullets made entry holes in the smoke and they both reformed. "Shit," he whispered.<br />
Colin ran up the wall and did a flip off it flipping right over Caleb's head, Caleb watched as he drew his gun. Colin opened fire in mid-air hitting Caleb in the shoulder several times. Colin hit the ground and put his gun away.<br />
"This is almost over!" he yelled. Colin began to focus his hardest and channel his rage into his attacks. Colin threw a punch and time slowed to almost a halt as it collided with Caleb's face he cocked his head to the side. Colin took his chance again and swung again with his other fist having the same effect. Colin bounded into the air in a twirling motion, extended his leg and dropped it down on Caleb's shoulder knocking him down and jumping back into his fighting stance. "I'm sorry it had to end this way." Colin took out his gun and shot Caleb as he laid on the ground looking up at him. Colin shook his head.<br />
"Captain let's go!" Brandan jumped out of the range of the twins and started to run.<br />
Brandan and Colin both took off running but meanwhile Tarra and Saba were on their way to the motel so far un-bothered. They were walking through the slums of the third district of the city.<br />
"We're lucky so far, Brandan and Colin must have distracted them well enough," said Tarra. Tarra reached into her coat and pulled out the pill, "you need to take this before we get to our destination." Saba took the pill in hand and looked at it. "Trust me Saba, its for the better." Saba nodded and quickly downed the pill.<br />
"Are we almost to the spot?" Saba asked.<br />
"I think so." Tarra took out her phone and called Parker.<br />
"Operator," said Parker.<br />
"Yeah, how are they doing back there?" she asked. "They are on their way, should be there soon they're really moving."<br />
"Alright." Tarra placed her phone back in her pocket and they kept moving toward the motel. "Colin and Brandan are on their way they should be here shortly." Saba and Tarra walked on through the slums, keeping sharp.<br />
Meanwhile Isaiah had just finished setting up the equipment in the motel.<br />
"There that should do it, is she almost here?" said Isaiah into his phone.<br />
"They are about five minutes away now. So turn everything on and be ready to start the process. Have you got the pill on hand?" Isaiah pulled the pill out of his pocket.<br />
"Good to go." Isaiah sat down at the computer that they would use to trace Saba once she was freed and hit the power button. "All systems are go." Isaiah sat in wait and looked over the computer. Just then Tarra and Saba walked in. Isaiah jumped. "Holy shit, you guys were closer than we thought, you trying to give me a heart attack." Tarra smiled and walked over to the machine.<br />
"Have you got the pill. Let's get this show on the road," she said.<br />
"Should we wait for Colin and the captain?" asked Isaiah.<br />
"No just get it started," said Parker.<br />
"Alright." Isaiah hung up the phone and walked over to Saba and held out the pill.<br />
"Take this pill your freedom awaits you." Saba took the pill in her hand.<br />
"How do I know that this is all not just some dream?" she asked.<br />
"That's just it, it is a dream and we are here to wake you up. Please just trust us Saba it's all you can do really?" Saba took the pill and Isaiah guided her over to the chair.<br />
"Tarra get the computer ready to trace her." Tarra sat at the computer and typed in a few commands.<br />
"Everything is ready." Saba sat in the chair.<br />
"See you on the other side," said Isaiah. Saba nodded and Tarra hit the trace button just as Colin and Brandan walked in.<br />
"Parker get the others out of here I will finish the trace myself," said Brandan.<br />
"Alright." The landline that sat in the corner began to ring and each of them took turns getting out.<br />
"Have you found her yet?"<br />
"We've almost got her," there was a short pause as the computer completed the trace, "Got her." Brandan hit the commands on the computer to separate her signal from the matrix. "Alright get me outta here and make sure Dan has the ship ready to fly she is quite a distance from our position. The landline began to ring and Brandan put the phone to his ear, vanishing.Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08074666369157919363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218843219188780247.post-26478700887684503842011-02-06T21:27:00.000-08:002011-02-06T21:27:40.746-08:00Isaiah's Love Sample #4<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Caleb opened his eyes to the sound of his alarm blaring at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He reached over and hit the top of the clock, stopping the sound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb sat up and looked over at the clock it read quarter to six.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb stood up and stretched his arms long and high.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was time for him to go get Jonathan and head to the gym for a bit of a strength work out like they had done every Sunday for months before practise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb heard his phone vibrate on the table reminding him about the message that Sheena had left for him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He picked up his phone and pressed the one key to go through to his voicemail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He pushed in his access code and put the phone to his ear after hitting the option to listen to the new message.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Hey Caleb, I just wanted to say I was sorry for freaking out the way I did today,” said Sheena’s voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb almost couldn’t believe that it was her apologizing, it was the first time he could actually hear a bit of remorse in her voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He couldn’t help but laugh a little bit at it, she didn’t get it, it was over between them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I wanted to tell you that for now I am going to keep your secret,” the message continued.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb suddenly felt a pit in his stomach as he could tell the message would continue as she took another breath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But there’s no way I’m going to keep his.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I already told Stephanie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not going to tell the guys, yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But you and I need to talk.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb dropped his arm to his side as he felt his anger in the pit of his stomach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb threw his phone down on the bed and quickly put his clothing on and grabbed his duffel bag then went out to the truck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb stepped outside, the morning air was cold and he could see a slight remnant of his breath as he exhaled deeply in his anger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He pushed the button on the key chain to unlock the doors as he walked towards the truck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As he got close enough he threw his duffel bag into the back of the truck and jumped inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He started the truck and turned on the heat, letting it idol for a few minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb worried about Isaiah knowing just how vicious she was about to become, but also knowing how it was just another way she was trying to control him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb started to drive deciding on the way that he wasn’t in the mood to deal with Jonathan’s attitude.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew that since he was angry he would probably not be able to hide it to Jonathan and it would probably be an argument when Jonathan started to pry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t know what to do at this point, he didn’t want to be responsible for Isaiah getting hurt but he wasn’t about to let Sheena control him anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Jonathan woke up and looked at his clock, it was quarter after six and Caleb would be there soon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He got out of bed and quickly threw on his work out clothing and grabbed his duffel bag. He listened briefly and the house was totally quiet his parents were never up this early in the morning giving him more reason to enjoy it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He headed upstairs and went outside right away he didn’t like to eat before a work out because he would feel sick to his stomach or get a cramp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He walked outside still slightly groggy and locked the door behind him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cold morning air hit him snapping him out of the tired feeling quickly, giving him goose bumps on his arms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jonathan stood at his door jumping slightly to keep warm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wondered where Caleb was as he rubbed his hands up and down his arms using some of the friction to keep warm.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“What the hell’s taking him so long?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jonathan looked at his watch; Caleb was usually there it was six o clock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jonathan took one last look around and decided to start walking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb would see him either way and he didn’t want to stand in the morning air anymore being cold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The walk would help keep him warm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jonathan walked down off of the patio and trotted to the end of the driveway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked up and down the road to check for any signs of Caleb not seeing anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jonathan started up the road toward the school it would take him about an hour to get there if Caleb didn’t come get him and he didn’t feel like walking the whole way there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jonathan grabbed his cell phone out of the side pouch of his duffel bag and called Caleb’s cell phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Man there’s just no way he would sleep in,” said Jonathan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He listened into the phone it rang seven times and went to the answering machine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Um, hey C it’s Jonathan, just wondering where you are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pretty cold morning out here, I’m walking up the street right now look for me see you soon … hopefully.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jonathan hung up his phone and tucked it back into the duffel bag continuing on up the street.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Man come on where are you?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jonathan continued on up the street on his way to school.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Isaiah opened his eyes and sat up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked around his room the curtain’s were closed and it was still dark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked at his alarm clock that was showing the time in green letters as seven o clock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah didn’t usually even wake up until seven thirty as that was what he set his alarm clock for and practise was at eight o clock every Sunday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He usually dreaded going in at first because it was usually just him and a few of the other guys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The coach didn’t get there until eight but Caleb had a key and would unlock the gym, he went in early every week with Jonathan to do weights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah was excited to see Caleb again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had been only a little over twenty-four hours but that was too long as it was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah wanted to call him all day the night before but didn’t want to seem to clingy right off the bat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had read some magazine that guys didn’t like that. Not that he invested too much thought in what a magazine might say but why risk it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah crawled out of bed and made sure his alarm clock wouldn’t go off then walked over to his closet to get his workout clothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah opened the small closet and pulled out his clothing just a hoody and pair of tearaway track pants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He slid them on over his underwear he wore to bed the night before and grabbed a change of clothes for after his workout.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah didn’t have a separate bag for the gym yet so he just emptied his back pack out onto his bed and stuffed what he would need in it every time he went.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah emptied the backpack and stuffed his clothing into it quickly he walked into the bathroom and picked up his body wash and deodorant and put it in on top of his clothing along with his towel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah walked out into the kitchen where Carla was sitting drinking a coffee and doing a crossword still in her nightgown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had her morning toast sitting on a small plate beside her crossword book, she looked at the clock and then looked to Isaiah.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You’re up early,” she said stating the obvious.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Yeah I got a pretty good sleep last night, I couldn’t sleep anymore if I wanted to,” explained Isaiah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Carla took a bit of her toast and swallowed.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“You didn’t want me to take you in now did you?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Carla looked up at him clearly not wanting to leave just yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah took the cue from her and decided to get some stretches done before going in, not wanting to disturb her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Carla was used to having the morning to herself so Isaiah would let her have it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her job demanded long hours and she did it all for him so he understood why she enjoyed her downtime so much.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“No I’m going to get some stretches before I go, just to warm up mind taking me in about a half hour though?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Of course I can.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Carla gave Isaiah a warm smile and he smiled back at her as he went into his bedroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He drew the deep blue, light filtering, curtain and looked outside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He could tell just by the way everything was standing still that it was a cool morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah stood in the middle of his small room and started to do the stretches he had researched online when he started his get in shape kick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08074666369157919363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218843219188780247.post-81435471404242935352011-02-02T21:59:00.000-08:002011-02-02T21:59:09.934-08:00Matrix Fanfiction Chapter 24: The New AdditionThis Chapter had to be recovered from another website so the formatting is different then the previous chapters. <br />
<br />
Chapter 24: The New Addition<br />
<br />
I sat in front of the code screen starring at Saba with Colin by my side. We had been watching her for awhile, trying to figure out what was the best way to get her out of the matrix. Colin suggested that we use the direct approach, go in and free her immediately tearing her from the matrix quickly with no process.<br />
"But what if you go in and she doesn't believe the story, then the agents take over her and we loose her forever?" Colin shook his head in agreement.<br />
"Good point, very good point," he said.<br />
"I'm thinking that next time she is at her computer we send her a message, you can do it." Colin nodded his head and sat down at the computer. "Captain if you don't mind I would like to watch her alone."<br />
"I understand." I walked away knowing how much Colin loved her and also knowing how hard it was for him being away from her. I left the broadcast zone and headed upstairs to the navigation deck. Dan was sitting in the pilot chair and we were flying through one of the ducts just to stay away from the patrol units.<br />
Saba had just gotten out of the shower with a towel around her. She put on a pair of jeans and a sports bra and sat in front of her mirror. The sun was shining through her bedroom window; it was warm on her skin. She dried her hair and began to run a comb through it, her computer desk was visible in the mirror and she noticed the screen turn on. She turned to look at the screen to be sure she wasn't seeing things.<br />
"What the heck?" she said to herself. She stood up and walked over to her desk shutting off the screen. She went back to her mirror and her hair, she put on a shirt and buttoned it up the front, the computer turned on again as she walked by it. Writing began to show up acrossed the screen. Saba, this is Colin and no you are not dreaming. I miss you a great deal, and I know you feel the same for me, but I am in a very different world now, the real world. Have you ever felt like you were dreaming when you were wide awake? If you let me and trust me like I know you do I can bring you into this world as well but you must trust me. . . Saba looked at the screen one last time and walked from the room with tears in her eyes, she was on her way to work at the art gallery and she was sitting in her car with her mother, Maboobay.<br />
"What's wrong you look troubled today Saba?" she asked.<br />
"I'm alright just a little tired. I had another dream about Colin." Maboobay shook her head slightly.<br />
"Ah yes that was a great tragedy that he went missing, we all miss him. But no one as much as you. . ." They drove the rest of the way into town in silence.<br />
Colin watched Saba look out the car window for the rest of the drive with tears in her eyes and started to well up slightly.<br />
"Don't worry Saba, it won't be long now," he said to himself. She got out of the car and walked into the art gallery, when Colin got up and went to the navigation deck to discuss a strategy on how to get her out. He walked onto the deck and Isaiah was in the navigators chair with Brandan next to him.<br />
"So Colin what's the word, have you decided what you think would be the best course of action?" asked Brandan.<br />
"Honestly Captain, I think we should go straight for it and just extract her quickly no visits. I go in and get her, administer the firewall and take her to the motel, and you guys can take it from there . . . how does that sound?" explained Colin.<br />
"I trust your judgment and if you think that is the best course of action then lets go for it. When do you want to do it Colin?" There was a short silence as Colin contemplated.<br />
"The sooner the better is all I can say, you set the time though Captain it is your decision after all." Brandan looked at Isaiah.<br />
"Set down in the nearest broadcast point and then head down to get the equipment calibrated." Isaiah nodded and Brandan got up and walked out of the navigation deck.<br />
Colin got up and went back down to the broadcast room. Parker was already there and sitting at the operators screen.<br />
"The Captain just called me, the others will be here shortly, are you ready? I guess that the captain is just gonna send you and Isaiah to retrieve her, I've already told her to go to the Lord Beaverbrook Hotel. She seemed convinced that it was you talking to her so she went pretty easily." Colin nodded.<br />
"I'm as ready as I'll ever be." Colin walked over and began to set the computer system to the right broadcast frequency. Isaiah and Brandan walked through the door of the room and walked over to start setting the computer system.<br />
"Colin the only thing I have to say to you is, be prepared for anything. Every time we go on a mission like this we never know what is going to happen because we never know who or what is watching us," said Brandan.<br />
"Captain don't worry I am completely aware of what is going on around me inside the matrix my mind and body are one. . ." Colin hit the last few buttons on the terminal he was working on and it was completely configured. "Alright Captain I'm ready.<br />
Colin sat in the chair and Tarra walked over to him to hook him in, Isaiah sat in the terminal next to him and Brandan hooked him up.<br />
"Remember Colin, make sure she takes the pill before you give her the reason your there, Parker thinks that she is being monitored by the machines so she can't be told anything until she has the firewall in her software," explained Brandan. Colin nodded his head and Tarra shoved the jack into his neck. Colin opened his eyes and he was inside the construct program, Isaiah shortly appeared beside him.<br />
"Ok guys," they could here Parkers voice all around them, "The time is about 8 p.m. inside the city and the room you are looking for in the hotel is on the main floor . . . oh ha! It's the girls bathroom so try not to be too noticeable." Isaiah rolled his eyes.<br />
"Where are we gonna be loaded to?" he asked. "I'm sending you guys to the Scotia Bank entrance of Kings Place Mall. Good luck." Just then they were loaded into the bank standing in front of the bank machine.<br />
"Alright here goes," said Colin as they walked out the door un-noticed. They walked out and there was very few people on the street and a few cars on the road at the stop light.<br />
"Good, things look pretty quiet, shouldn't be any trouble at all," said Isaiah as they crossed the street.<br />
"Let's walk down queen it'll be quieter I think," said Colin as they headed toward the royal bank. Isaiah and Colin walked on for several minutes passing several pedestrians, it was mid-November so the weather was fairly cold and the sky was dark. They walked under the streetlights, which provided the only light in the street other than the headlights of passing cars on the one-way street. They could see the hotel and Colin could feel himself getting anxious, in just a few hours he would be able to hold Saba again and feel her lips pressed against his, just then his phone rang and he quickly picked up.<br />
"Yeah," he said being short and caught off guard.<br />
"You guys need to hurry something is wrong."<br />
"What the hell happened!" said Colin.<br />
"Some of the Merovingians men have captured Saba, they are taking her out of the building now." Colin could see several men walking out of the building he could see Saba in one of there arms.<br />
Isaiah took out his gun and looked at Colin, who had just put his phone in his pocket.<br />
"Let's get'em!" He shouted as they took off as fast as they could to get to them. Colin ran up to the one holding her and as he got close he realized who it was.<br />
"Caleb! What are you doing?" he shouted. The person holding Saba was Colin's former best friend and biggest competition, Caleb.<br />
"I work for the Merovingian I don't know why but I have been ordered to take her to him." Isaiah took into a few of the others quickly striking them with a few focused attacks.<br />
"Well, if that's the way it is then so be it, but you'll have to get through me first!" yelled Colin full of rage. Colin swiftly took out his gun and fired at Caleb. Time seemed to slow down as he fired the gun seeing the bullets whip through the air in a circular pattern. The bullet collided with him and Caleb suddenly turned to nothing but a ghostly image as the bullet passed right through him. "What the?" said Colin confused.<br />
"The Merovingian also gave me a few specials powers to combat people like you with."<br />
"Let her GO!" Colin rushed at him when suddenly some of the other men got between them and Caleb jumped in an SUV with Saba.<br />
"Colin help me," yelled Saba as they pulled away in the SUV. "Saba!" Colin began to focus his hardest and knocked the two men away from him and into a wall and ran after the vehicle. Isaiah knew that Colin wouldn't be able to catch the vehicle if they got to the main road just down the street so he began to focus his hardest and took off after the vehicle.<br />
"Colin I'll try to slow them down. Try to keep up." Isaiah passed Colin and ran up behind the vehicle and jumped on the roof.<br />
Thinking quickly, Isaiah took out his gun and began to shoot into the drivers seat, it didn't seem to affect the SUV's speed. Isaiah had emptied his clip into the roof of it. As he got the last bullet off the car swerved sending him flying into a brick wall and turning onto the main road.<br />
"Damnit!" yelled Colin. He ran over to Isaiah as he looked around noticing that they had made a lot of commotion. Colin was holding back the tears as he helped Isaiah to his feet.<br />
"Come on we better get to the exit before any agents come." Colin took out his phone and put it to his ear.<br />
"Yeah Parker, where is the nearest exit to here."<br />
"It's in the Beaverbrook the payphone that is in the lobby by the bathrooms, but be careful you guys have drawn a lot of negative attention, there's a bit of activity in the area."<br />
"OK." Colin put the phone away and put Isaiah's arm over his shoulder to help him to the hotel that was now a few meters down the street. "Come on dude, you've gotta focus, we're almost home." Isaiah started to get his focus back to himself and started walking on his own.<br />
"I'm ok now let's go." They walked the rest of the way to the hotel. As they entered they could here a cop car pull up and also here the phone ringing.<br />
"Isaiah go!" Isaiah ran to the phone and picked it up placing it at his ear, he looked back at Colin and disappeared. Colin walked over to it cautiously and placed it back on the hook keeping his gun pointed down the hall. The phone began to ring and Colin quickly picked up and put it to his ear, vanishing.Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08074666369157919363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218843219188780247.post-86284490177631899702011-02-02T21:54:00.001-08:002011-02-02T21:54:57.979-08:00Matrix Fanfiction Chapter 23: The Drop Off<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Chapter 23: The Drop Off</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">I opened my eyes and sat up as Isaiah pulled the plug from my neck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Good going team, you all did great,” I said walking over to the operators station.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Captain we’re not out of the fire yet take a look at this,” said Parker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On his screen was the proximity alarm viewer re-routed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I looked at it, it showed that there was a swarm of sentinels on an attack course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I looked at Dan and he glanced at the screen, seeing the screen instantly Dan took off for the navigation deck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I’m on it,” he said on his way up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Captain should we man the turrets?” asked Colin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Go to the weapons deck you guys, don’t fire at anything yet I will give the signal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But we should be able to get to a spot to use the E.M.P. before they get into range.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin and the others ran to the weapons deck and took their posts and Brandan went to the top deck to help fly the ship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Colin sat in his post next to Tarra, she looked over at him with a worried look on her face, he gave her a reassuring smile and turned to look into his viewer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“You guys think we will be able to make it to a place without firing a single round?” asked Isaiah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I certainly hope so,” said Tarra. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Yeah we might need the ammo for more dangerous situations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re gonna be out here for a long time so we need to conserve everything as much as we can,” explained Parker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Well after this all I want is a good meal and some sleep would be nice,” said Colin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Jeez Colin you’ve been sleeping for twenty years you would think you’d gotten enough of it after all that,” said Tarra.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They each put on a headset and turned them on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Ok Captain, just give the word and we’ll blow them away.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They each watched as the ship flew through the tunnels, the sentinels were still a distance away, they were gaining fast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Come on Danny, fly,” whispered Tarra.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ship was flying incredibly fast but the sentinels were catching up quick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Um Captain, are you watching these things?” asked Isaiah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Don’t worry I can see them but were almost at the safe spot, don’t worry everything is under control guys,” said Brandan over the headset.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the sentinels had gotten in reach and clung to the hall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Hold steady guys!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin watched as the machine came onto the ship and got right in front of his viewer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Holy shit!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Colin don’t worry they’re through like twenty feet of armor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This ship is one of the most heavily armored in the fleet,” said Parker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ship began to slow down as they approached the spot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the sentinels clung to the hall instantly starting their laser cutters; the ship came to a halt and sat down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“EMP charged and ready!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just then the ship went dark and the EMP fired, they listened as each of the sentinels fell against the hull making clunking noises as they hit the cold armor of the ship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I told you we’d make it,” said Brandan in a clearly relieved voice, “Ok well guys I’m getting a little hungry so why don’t we go grab a bite then we’ll contact Niobe in the morning.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Sounds good,” said Colin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Good for me,” said Tarra.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They each took off their headsets and got up to head to the table in the residence deck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">They all walked to the residence deck and went to the table where they each grabbed a bowl and lined up at the spout.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tarra placed her bowl under the spout and pulled the lever, the food they lived on during their time away from Zion poured into the bowls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The food was a mixture of complex carbohydrates, proteins and amino acids having all the body needs and not going bad easily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tarra walked over and took her place at the table, then Colin, Isaiah, and Parker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brandan walked in and took up a plate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Man this stuff has got to be the hardest thing to get used to in the real world,” said Isaiah taking some in a spoon and pouring it back in the bowl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Man you could suck this shit through a straw,” Colin laughed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin ate a couple of spoonfuls and looked back up at the crew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Hey its exactly what we need though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s the perfect protein supplement Colin,” said Brandan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin shrugged his shoulders and kept eating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m really impressed with the job you all did in the mission today.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brandan took a mouthful of his food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Captain, I’m so sorry about the disk, I really should of checked for it before I got out of the car,” said Tarra.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“You’re right you should of, you could of cost the drop and the mission would have been a total loss if you and Colin hadn’t of been able to hold out,” Brandan paused, “But it didn’t and we pulled through ok so all is well and you’ll know for next time.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tarra nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“For sure.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The crew went about eating their food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They did some routine maintenance checks on the ship, Parker kept watch on the ship for the night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the dinner table Brandan had discussed the plan of attack for the next day, first they would get a hold of the Logos and then set up a meeting place with Niobe and Ghost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Brandan arose out of bed and could feel that the rest of the crew was already up and about and going about their orders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He got out of bed and got dressed then headed to the main deck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dan and Isaiah were in there usual stations and Tarra and Colin were on the broadcasting deck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Report Isaiah,” he said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Well Captain, we’ve contacted the Logos and we’re looking for a safe broadcast zone right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Niobe and Ghost are gonna meet us in the old sewer treatment plant,” explained Isaiah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Good work team,” said Brandan surprised, “Have we got an ETA on a broadcasting zone yet Dan?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“We’re just about at the place I found, it will only be a few minutes,” Dan continued on the course he had laid in, </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Tarra and Colin are working on getting the broadcast terminals ready for us, you should head down there Isaiah and I will join you in a minute.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brandan nodded to Dan and headed on his way down to the Broadcast deck.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Colin had just checked the last computer and walked over to the operators station, as Brandan walked in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Good morning Captain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got all the terminals ready,” he said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tarra walked in from the adjoining room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“The core is all in check, we’re ready as soon as Dan gets us a broadcasting spot,” she said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Is the meeting spot clear Parker?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“It’s good for now we should be fine,” said Parker typing in a few commands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ship stopped moving as Dan set them down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Alright Captain we’re in place,” came over the headset.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“We’re on our way down Captain,” said Isaiah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin and Tarra both sat down in a terminal and Parker walked over and jacked them in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Captain.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Parker motioned to Brandan to sit down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He walked over and sat down in the chair and Parker hooked him in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I’m gonna wait and load you all in at once when they get down here.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah and Dan walked through the door, Isaiah smiled as he saw that the others were hooked in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I see you guys have started without us, time for us to catch up eh Dan.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah jumped into the seat and quickly fastened himself in with the leg straps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dan shortly but less enthusiastically followed his example, Parker followed them and jacked them in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Ok now that we’re all ready can you just hit the damn button, the needle is starting to itch,” Colin squirmed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Ok guys just to let you all know, this should be pretty easy, just get there give them the package and get to the exit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You should be fine,” explained Parker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Alright just hit the god damn button man, please,” said Colin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Parker typed in several commands and hit the enter key sending them each into the construct program.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Ah, finally,” said Colin, scratching the back of his neck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Oh stop your complaining, you whiner,” said Dan checking his gun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin took out his gun and did the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Alright guys here we go,” said Brandan as the program began to load into the matrix.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The two cars and the warehouse loaded all around them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Alright Isaiah, Colin you’re with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tarra, Dan you guys go together and follow behind.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They piled into their expected vehicles and pulled out of the warehouse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin drove the mustang and Brandan sat in the passenger seat with Isaiah in the back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Colin the meeting place is marked on the map I trust you’ll be able to get us there,” said Brandan looking at Colin over his sunglasses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Aye Captain, we’ll get there, the map says were not really that far away so I wouldn’t worry,” said Colin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brandan sat back in his seat and looked out the window as they drove down the crowded city street.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To watch all these people go about there daily lives was strange, knowing that they know absolutely nothing of the real world and of the people who were fighting for their freedom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of the places they passed were places that he and Isaiah used to go to together for supper or just to shop or hang out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Hey Isaiah,” he pointed, “ you remember that place?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah looked to see that Brandan was pointing at a restaurant that they used to eat at quite frequently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Yeah of course, how could I forget they have the best salads in town.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah smiled and took out his small dagger just looking it over to kill time. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Colin pulled the car into an alley beside a large abandoned building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Here we are guys, lets go.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin shut off the car and opened his door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brandan got out and looked for Niobe’s Thunderbird and it was nowhere to be found.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah got out just as the Acura pulled up and shut off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brandan pulled out his phone as they started to walk into the building and put it up to his ear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Parker are they here yet or have they been held up?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“No Captain they are fine, check your clock you guys are still a bit early.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Ok good then I will talk to you later.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brandan put his phone away as they walked down a hallway and eventually into a manhole that had been covered by the building and was hidden by a rug.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They each dropped down the manhole and Colin sealed it off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brandan looked at Colin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“When they get here I want you and Isaiah to go watch the main door.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Well do you want us to go now and keep watch for them?” he asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Actually you’re right, yeah go now then call me if anything happens.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin and Isaiah nodded and went back up the manhole to keep watch at the main doors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Dan, Tarra and Brandan waited for Niobe to arrive and shortly her and Ghost walked through the back doors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Your just on time,” I said checking my watch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Niobe smiled at me and walked over to the table in the middle of the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Of course did you expect otherwise?” she said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tarra, Dan and I walked over to the table and I took out the package.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Here it is this is what we’re here for,” I said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sat the package down on the table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Great going Brandan, you and your crew are to be commended for your work in retrieving the package,” said Niobe as she picked up the package.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Have you gotten my next orders yet or will they be sent directly to me?” I asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“For now.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ghost interrupted her in mid sentence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Captain wait,” he said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“What is it Ghost?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is there something wrong?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ghost walked over to one of the other entrances to the sewer system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ghost swung the door open and pulled a strange looking pale-faced man out by the arm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man had a gun in his hand and Ghost quickly and easily disabled him and pinned him to the floor with the gun trained on his forehead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Who are you and what are you doing here?” said Ghost firmly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Shit I didn’t even hear him, Ghost how did you know he was there?” asked Dan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I refuse to tell you anything?” said the pale-faced creature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“He’s one of the Merovingian’s exiles that much is obvious,” said Niobe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“The Merovingian?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who’s that?” asked Tarra.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Niobe looked at Tarra then the man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“The Merovingian is one of the most sinister, evil programs ever created in the matrix.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knows everything that goes on around us, mainly because of these little goons that he dispenses all over the place.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Niobe picked up a small sharp piece of wood and walked over to the man on the floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">She knelt down beside him and placed the piece of wood at his heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Either you tell me what you were doing here or you get a deep gouge in your chest.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Niobe pressed the sharp edge of the wood into his chest slightly causing him to bleed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Well.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man squirmed slightly as he began to talk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Alright already, the Merovingian found out that the feds were looking for a special drop that was to be dropped off here, my orders were to find out what is was for and to report it back to him.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Niobe looked at Ghost then back at the man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“What should we do with him Captain?” he asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Niobe was silent for a few short seconds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“The Merovingian he should start doing his own dirty work or at least hire someone with enough brains not to get caught!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Niobe forced the wooden stake through his heart and he started shaking violently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Niobe stood up and watched him for a second then returned her attention to the others again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“As I was saying, your new orders are to complete your crew compliment and then report to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will then commence on our attack on the mainframe.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Alright.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I nodded my head to her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Well if that’s all we needed to discuss then I see no reason for us to stay here any longer than necessary.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Yeah your right lets go, get to your exit and good luck,” said Niobe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Ghost and Niobe walked back through the door they came from and Tarra, Dan and Brandan went up the stairs to where Colin and Isaiah were keeping watch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Did everything go ok?” asked Colin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brandan nodded to him and walked through the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Everyone head back to the exit were heading back to get ready for the next mission,” said Brandan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They each walked to their cars and got in, this time Dan and Tarra took the lead and Colin followed behind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah got on the phone to Parker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Parker is there any suspicious activity in the area?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>he asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“No it looks like you guys are pretty much in the clear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The phone will be ringing when you get there.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah hung up the phone and put it back in his pocket, they kept driving.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“So what’s the next mission Brandan?” asked Colin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brandan thought for just a few seconds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I think our next mission is Tabatha. . .”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin nodded his head and kept driving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“So who comes after that any idea?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin had an expecting tone in his voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Saba is after Tabatha don’t worry I thought all of that ahead of time.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We pulled into the warehouse and got out of the car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The hard-line on the table was already ringing as we walked up to it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tarra picked up the phone and placed it to her ear she disappeared and the phone was left swinging in the wind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brandan hung up the phone and looked at Isaiah as it started to ring again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Isaiah your turn.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah quickly picked up the phone and put it to his ear as his image vanished Dan caught the phone and hung it up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I’ll go next,” he said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The phone rang and he put it to his ear, Brandan hung up the phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“After you man,” said Colin as the phone started to ring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brandan picked it up and put it to his ear and vanished.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Colin slowly picked up the phone and put it on the hook, before it started to ring he looked around to make sure the coast was clear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Meanwhile outside the matrix Parker was watching the screen and just as he sent Colin the signal the phone exploded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Oh no, Captain we have a problem here,” he said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brandan rushed over and looked over his shoulder at the screen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“What is it?” he asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Agents, they traced us!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Back inside the matrix Colin had turned to see why the phone exploded and turned to see a Lexus and two agents standing in the doorway to the warehouse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Oh my god,” he whispered to himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin looked at the large window to the warehouse he ran as fast as he could take himself and bounded through the high window. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">He landed on the ground outside and took out his phone as he started to run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Captain what do I do?” he asked panicked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Colin stay calm and don’t panic, you have to focus, we’re looking for the nearest exit for you right now, just focus.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin kept the phone to his ear as he ran, gun shots were fired from behind and he could feel the bullets whisking by him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He dived and rolled behind a nearby building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Have you found anything yet?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Yes, it’s in the top floor of the apartment building your leaning against, the entrance is only a few feet away from you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin looked to his left and seen the entrance, he immediately took to running.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin kicked the door open and kept running passing several onlookers along the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“What’s your hurry?” yelled an old man he passed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin came to a stair well and began running up the well circling breathing heavy, the phone still in his hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Colin the phone is actually on top of the building it’s a maintenance phone, good luck I know you can do this.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin hung up the phone and burst through a door that led him to the last floor of the building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He could see the steps that led to the roof at the end of the hall with a red exit light at the top of the doorway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He darted down the hall and slammed the door behind him as he could here the footsteps behind him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He ran through the door way and up the steps bursting his way through the door at the top.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Once he got on the other side of the door he could hear the phone ringing but there were also two swat soldiers walking towards him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin focused and took into the first one with a serious of low landing punches. One last hit in the gut sent the man leaning over, he focused his hardest and time slowed almost to a halt as Colin delivered a massive uppercut send the man hurling through the air and off the building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other man looked at him and turned to run when he fell to the ground and began to turn into an agent as his body warped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin darted for the phone as he realized what was happening, he quickly picked up the phone and put it too his ear just as a bullet flew into the wall right next to the phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He pulled the cord to its full length and jumped into the air as high as he could vanishing in mid air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Colin opened his eyes as the connector was pulled from his neck, he sat up quickly and gasped for air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“That was close,” he said breathing heavily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I knew you could do it, great job,” said Brandan, smiling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin smiled and collapsed forward on himself making a strange moaning laughter.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div>Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08074666369157919363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218843219188780247.post-74568940667071965422011-02-01T22:13:00.001-08:002011-02-01T22:13:47.758-08:00Matrix Fanfiction Chapter 22: Classified Part 2<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Chapter 22: Classified Part 2</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Just wait a second you two I’m sending the others in, then the Captain and I are gonna give you the run down,” said Parker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah and Colin stood looking around when Tarra suddenly appeared behind them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She looked at them and pulled down her glasses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“This is gonna be fun I think,” she said winking at both of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah smiled at her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Probably more fun than we’re ready for.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dan appeared next to Tarra with his arms crossed and looked over at her and smiled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Finally some action.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tarra smiled back as the Captain appeared behind Colin and Brandan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brandan flicked his shoulder and stretched out his jacket a little.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Everyone ready to go?” he asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin and the others nodded at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Ok then.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brandan took out his remote control and flicked a button.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The construct program loaded a meeting table with several objects on it including; a sniper rifle, a computer disk, a cell phone, and a USP link cable for a cell phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Everyone took a seat at the table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Ok guys, for this mission we will be dividing into two teams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tarra, Colin and I will take the interior, Tarra we will need your skills to hack into the system and get the drop, using this cell phone and the jack. You will then upload the drop onto that disk,” Brandan held up the cell and the computer link, “ Colin and I will be your escorts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah you and Dan will be our distraction, also our cover.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will take this sniper rifle and be on top of the next building over providing cover for us while Tarra completes the upload.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dan picked up the sniper rifle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I’ll handle this.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“You will take the Acura, while Tarra, Colin and I take the Mustang.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just then all of their cell phones rang as Parker called them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They each picked up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Just to let you all know these buildings are both heavily guarded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah you will have to be watching Dan’s back when he is snipering, you will have to deal with an onslaught of swat teams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It won’t be easy.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I think we can handle it,” said Dan confidently, smiling at Isaiah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“With that said guys, I bid thee luck and safe return, and call me if you need anything,” said Parker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each of them stood up and stepped back from the table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The table disappeared from the area and then the system loaded the warehouse and the two vehicles placed together in front of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Ok guys,” I said opening the door to the mustang, “suit up.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah and Dan jumped in the Acura and sped away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Ok Colin, you’re driving.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin jumped in the driver’s seat and Tarra and I got in the car, Tarra sat in the back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Colin started the car and got out onto the city street.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I turned on the internal computer in the dashboard of the car and brought up the map.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Ok Colin this map will take you right to the place that we need to park in and we will proceed on foot from there,” said Brandan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin nodded and kept driving according to the map.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“We should be there in a few minutes, its not very far,” explained Colin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They drove in silence for a few minutes and came to a stoplight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tarra looked the special cell phone over then stuffed it in her jacket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“This is going to be hard, are you sure three of us is enough, Captain?” she asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I’m quite confident that Colin and I will be able to handle the force.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The car came to a red light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Captain the parking spot is just around the corner,” said Colin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Ok, Tarra have you got everything you need?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Make sure you don’t leave anything here.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tarra nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I’ve got it all.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Little did she notice, but the floppy disk she was to carry the drop on had fallen out of her pocket and was sitting in the seat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They pulled up in the parking spot and got out of the car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Acura was parked next to them and it was empty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Meanwhile Isaiah and Dan had made it to the outside of the building and walked into one of the basement windows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah went in first while Dan watched the entrance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Ok, we’re clear, come on.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dan crept in through the window and they started up the steps, they came to a door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Call Parker see if this place is clear?” said Isaiah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dan flipped open his phone and called Parker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Hey is this door clear?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Hey I did say it was heavily guarded.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Do they know that we’re here yet?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“No but you better act quickly.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dan put his phone in his pocket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Ok there is a lot of them, but they don’t know we’re here yet.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah nodded and leaned against the door; he held up his hand in a counting position and took out his gun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dan nodded his head and took out his own gun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah busted the door open and they immediately started firing at the large SWAT force that was inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both Dan and Isaiah hurled themselves forward at the swat force firing their weapons rapidly; they each landed on separate sides of the room and dived behind several large crates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They looked at each other and signaled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Several bullets whisked by them and into the crates they hid behind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah put away his gun and signaled to Dan to do the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dan nodded at him again, and they both jumped toward each other, using their feet as footing they jumped into the bunch of them and began to attack them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dan, surrounded by three swat members, jumped into the air kicked the two beside him and then punched the one in front of him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah pulled out his gun and shot several of them at close range.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of them began to reach for his gun, Isaiah noticed just as the man pointed the gun, he bounded into the air and kicked the gun from his hand, then kicked him in the head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah hit the ground and turned to face the three Dan had been fighting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dan grabbed one by the neck and threw him against the floor crushing his face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He then tripped the other and kicked him across the floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah came up behind the third and broke his neck and letting him drop to the ground limp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Good work, let’s keep moving,” said Isaiah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They began to make their way through to the next floor.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Back with the others, Colin, Tarra and Brandan had found an entrance that was currently unguarded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Ok, let’s move, the guard will be back around any second now,” said Tarra.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin broke the glass in the window and they slipped in through the window.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They walked in a formation keeping Tarra in the middle, Colin in front and Brandan bringing up the rear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They slowly made their way through the building trying to get to the elevator, sneaking past security.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin peered around the corner and Tarra and Brandan leaned up against the wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Is it clear?” I asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin looked around the corner and then back to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“There’s two guys over there with assault rifles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Man these guys really mean business,” said Colin, with a worried look on his face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We heard several pairs of footsteps start toward us, I signaled Colin with my hands and counted to three on my fingers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On three the first of the men were spotted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“We’ve go two males and a female here!” yelled one just as Colin punched him in the face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other one raised his gun and Colin took to the air, while Tarra and I jumped out of the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin kicked the gun with one foot and then kicked him in the face knocking the man into the air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I rolled along the ground and grabbed the assault rifle the man had dropped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got to my feet and emptied an entire clip on the other men around the corner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The entire team had been taken care of and dropped to the ground dead, I threw the empty rifle to the ground and started walking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Let’s go.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">They came to an elevator and hit the button.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“We need to go to the 63<sup>rd</sup> floor,” said Brandan, “We better be on guard things are gonna get hard from here on out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are just about to get to the main computer lab, we’ll have to hack the system from the main operations computer, that’s where the drop is located.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin and Tarra nodded, and Colin took out his gun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No fire arms Colin, if we make a mistake and hit the system power supply or damage the main computer, then quite frankly if that happens . . . we’re fucked simply.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The elevator came to a stop and the door opened, they stepped in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took out my phone and called Parker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Operator.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Is there any sign of agent activity in the area yet?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I’m not seeing anything yet Captain but be on your guard.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Have Isaiah and Dan reached their position yet?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“They’re getting to the area right now actually.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Ok.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hung up my phone and looked at the elevator reader, we were at floor 52, just about there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Dan had just begun to set up the sniper rifle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah was leaning against the door with a gun in his hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Are you almost done?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>he asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“It’s almost ready, just got to get it aimed right,” said Dan looking through the scope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Ok good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think we’re clear for now, they must be regrouping.” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Cool I got them on my scope they’re in the middle of a fight.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dan quickly started aiming at the cops and fired the rifle, the glass shattered as the bullets went flying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Keep them covered, there is no way they can handle all of those men.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah watched the men fall one by one as Dan got them with the rifle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Ok, good to see that Dan and Isaiah are doing their job, Tarra hook up the link you have to hack into the system!” I yelled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tarra jumped the computer desk and sat in the chair, she took out the link and phone then proceeded to hook the link cable into the back of the computer, she started to use the phone to hack the system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a loud bang every time Dan fired the rifle and a man would fall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What Dan hadn’t been able to take care of Colin was engaging in hand to hand combat, Brandan stood and watched as Tarra hacked into the system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tarra tapped in several different codes as they came up, each code she tapped in sequence gave her another number in the pass code of eight digits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“This isn’t very difficult for a massive computer system although it looks like it might be alternating,” said Tarra, still tapping in codes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just then a full regiment busted through the door and started to move in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Ah, Captain I’m gonna need your help there’s getting to be too many of them!” yelled Colin as he punched a soldier right in the face. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Ok!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hopped the counter and started to help Colin deal with the force.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I swung at one of them and he ducked out the way hitting me in the side, I countered with a kick in the chest knocking him into one of the other soldiers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin grabbed one of them by the face and hit him against a wall, swung him back and forth and slammed him head first into the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Wow Colin, talk about over-doing it!” said Tarra.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did a round house hitting one of them in head and knocking them down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Several others went down as Dan took them out from the other building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Captain I’m almost in!” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Dan had just finished helping the others clear the room of soldiers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah could hear several swat soldiers regrouping outside the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Dan put the gun down I’m gonna need your help here, I hear them outside,” said Isaiah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dan put the gun down and got ready pointing his handgun at the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah waited against the wall for the door to open with his gun in his hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He could hear someone talking on the other side of the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Ok, get ready team we have no idea how many of them there may be in here use extreme force,” said the mans voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The door was suddenly forced open and Dan quickly opened fire on them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah kicked the man out of the way and as they came in they shot each of them one by one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dan’s gun ran out and he through it down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He jumped up to the rafter’s and grabbed hold of them, he grabbed the next closest man with his legs around his neck and twisted, there was a loud cracking noise. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He fell to the ground and punched the next one in the face knocking him over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah took out the next one with an intense fast combo as he fought as hard as he could.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Where are they all coming from?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>yelled Isaiah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Get them restrained as quickly as possible and with any means necessary!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>yelled the Commander.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the men grabbed Isaiah from behind and tried to throw him to the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Got you now you little squirt!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I don’t think so!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the other men was coming toward Isaiah, he wrapped his legs around the mans neck and used him as a weight to throw the man holding him over his shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dan grabbed a gun from one of the bodies and shot the three that were left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah forced the door shut quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“That’s all of them for now, how are the others doing?” asked Isaiah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dan picked up the rifle and looked through the scope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“There doing pretty good there is no one in the room other than them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin and Brandan took care of it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I wonder if Tarra cracked the code yet.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Tarra are you in yet?” I asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I’m just about there hold on,” she answered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tarra typed in three more quick codes and there was small ping indicating that she had made it in to the system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m in!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now all I have to do is get the drop from the inbox of the computer, what was it entitled?” she asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“It’s called “Dear Sparks” it should be in the junk mail folder on the computer.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tarra nodded and gained access to the junk mail folder of the computer she reached in her pocket for the disk and realized it wasn’t there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Captain!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just then several soldiers burst through the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“What is it?” shouted Brandan as he kicked a soldier so hard in the chest his foot almost went through him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I left the disk in the car!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tarra had a look of high worry on her face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“You’ve got to be kidding me,” said Colin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Fuck are you serious?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brandan was angry at the incompetence that she had shown in forgetting the disk but realized that now was not the time to react to it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Where is it?” he asked hitting another soldier with his foot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“It must be in the back seat of the car, unless I dropped it on the way here.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brandan walked over to the broken window and looked down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I’ll go get it, you guys hold your ground here the best you can!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brandan jumped out the window and took out his phone to call Isaiah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“What are you doing Captain?” he asked as he picked up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Tarra dropped the disk we need to put the drop on, I need to go back and get it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Give them as much cover as you can.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brandan did a flip in the mid air and spread his arms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He hit the ground shortly hurting his legs, he ignored the pain and regained his focus starting his dash to the car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Focusing as hard as he could he quickly made his way to the Mustang.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s got to be here,” he said as he flung the door open to the back seat where Tarra had sat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure enough the disk was there in the seat, he grabbed the disc and stood up out of the car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He turned around and an agent was standing behind him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Oh shit!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The agent fired his gun and Brandan moved to dodge, jumping to the left and taking off toward the building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As he ran the bullets whisked buy his head he bounded into the air and pulled out his phone, calling Colin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Colin tell Tarra to be ready I’ve got an agent here and I don’t know if I am gonna be able to take car of him by the time I get back to you guys!” I yelled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Ok,” acknowledged Colin from the other end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brandan put the phone away and kept running, he broke through the door and ran right by the front desk, the agent in hot pursuit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Isaiah and Dan were sitting watching for the next wave to attack the other team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dan watched in the scope as Colin took out his phone and looked over at them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah’s phone rang and he picked up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“What is it?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>asked Isaiah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Yeah we’ve got a problem guys, the captain went back to the car to get the disk, he ran in to an agent on the way there see if you can see him in the lower floor offices.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah ran to the window and looked at the lower levels and put away his phone away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“There he is and the agent is closing in on him.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah pointed to the Captain running along a hallway about a quarter of the way up the building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Dan see if you can take care of the agent from here.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dan readjusted the sniper rifle and tried to get a lock on the agent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He fired a few rounds off missing the agent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Yeah, I don’t think I’m gonna hit him.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just as Dan finished the sentence the agent caught up to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Just as the agent grabbed him Brandan turned around and ran up the wall kicking him in the face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He began the most ruthless onslaught of attacks he could muster focusing as hard as he could and pushing himself to the limit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The agent wasn’t as thrown off as much as had been originally planned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“They must have been upgraded again.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every time an agent was killed by one of the rebels the machines upgraded the program making them stronger, faster and smarter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The agent took a few of the blows then started to block and counter the attacks with ease.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The agent grabbed him by the scruff of the neck, he kicked and struggled as the agent threw him through the wall of an office.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Gotta make it back to them.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brandan got to his feet and took out his gun, the agent came around the corner and I pointed the gun and walked toward him firing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I won’t let you stop me!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each word spewing out the same time as the bullet left the nozzle at the end of the gun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The agent dodged the bullets as he was approached.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’re not gonna stop me, you bastard.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“You’re only human.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The agent moved so fast that time seemed to slow down, he swung his fist and hit Brandan against the wall.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Isaiah watched through the window that Brandan was getting beaten.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Dan keep trying, we have to save him, if they catch him then we will have to abort the mission!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dan tried several times but couldn’t hit the agent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Damn it, to hell with this, I’ve gotta save him, he needs help.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah focused as hard as he could and backed up against the back wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m coming,” Isaiah whispered to himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He took off as fast as he could and jumped through the glass, Isaiah seemingly floated to the next building window and crashed through the window where Brandan was fighting the agent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He went through the window and crashed into the agent feet first, knocking him into the wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah looked at Brandan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Let’s get’em!” he said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both of them began using there twin element attack on the agent and backing him toward the window.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The upgrade wasn’t enough to ward off them both.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Go, come on faster!” yelled Brandan as they attacked the agent was almost to the window.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With one last teamed kick they kicked him through the window knocking him to his death.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brandan took one last look at the body laying next to the building on the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Thanks Isaiah, he would’ve killed me for sure back there,” said Brandan, “Now let’s get this disk back to Tarra.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah nodded and they set back on their way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Meanwhile Colin and Tarra were fighting off another wave of soldiers, and were not doing to good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Colin keep going!” yelled Tarra as she jumped and kicked one of the soldiers in the head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I’ll be fine just take care of yourself.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tarra focused and brought up her hack screen, typed up a code and a blast of weird fire set the three that she had been fighting to flames.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Whoa that was weird,” said Colin as he cracked another soldier in the face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin focused and time seemed to slow almost to a halt as he tripped the soldier in front of him and then kicked him in mid air sending him into the wall leaving an indent in the wall the man sticking in it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We’ve got to clear them out before the captain gets here, keep fighting.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin jumped in the air doing a mid air roundhouse kick breaking the neck of the soldier he had hit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tarra called up her hack screen again and used it to create a brick wall in front of the door so only the captain could get through easily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“That should keep anymore from coming in!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin sent the last of the men flying out the window with a yokowakari throw.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin took out his phone and called the captain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Yeah Captain where are you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve cleared the room again.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“We’re in the hallway on our way down to you now, I can see the brick walls tell Tarra to drop the brick wall Isaiah is with me and he won’t be able to walk through it like I can.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin nodded at Tarra and the wall dropped to the ground, not long after Isaiah and Brandan walked in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Alright I’ve got the disk get it done,” I threw the disk to Tarra and she grabbed it as she walked to the computer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Got it ok now lets get the hell outta here,” said Tarra sitting at the computer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She slid the disc in and got back into the system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Alright I found it, all I have to is upload it to the disk then we’re home free.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tarra typed in several commands and the computer began the upload.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It should be done in a few minutes Captain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You should call Dan and tell him to head down to the car now.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brandan flipped open his phone and called Dan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Hello, what can I do for you?” asked Dan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Head down to the car now we’re ready to go, and be careful.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Ok!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dan hung up the phone on the other end.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Dan put his phone in his pocket and stood up from his crouching position by the gun put on his glasses and walked out the door to start on his way down the building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He walked out of the room, the hallway was clear so he made his way to the elevator swiftly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dan stepped into the elevator, the door closed and he hit the down button, as the elevator started to descend he stood in wait against the front wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gun in hand he waited for the door to open, thinking what was he going to do if there were fifty men at the bottom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The doors to the elevator opened and he swiftly did a sweep keeping his gun trained toward the opening and got to the other side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From what he could tell there was nothing there to fear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dan cautiously stepped out into the room and stayed against the wall moving swiftly towards the door, when he heard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Get him there he is!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After that all Dan heard was the sound of gunfire, he turned to see where it was as he focused and began to dodge the bullets flipping around and jumping off the walls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He fired back at the six men that were behind him, hitting two of them, he would have to get rid of them before he went to the car so they wouldn’t follow him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dan jumped behind a pillar and checked his gun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He did a cartwheel to the next pillar on one hand firing his gun and taking out two more of the men.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Get him men, extreme measures!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dan saw a grenade role across the ground and turned to run away from it and toward the door when the grenade exploded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The shockwave from the explosion knocked Dan to the ground he covered his head and ducked as he realized he was out of ammunition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dan got to his feet and ran right at the officers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They started firing their guns again, the bullets whipped by him as he focus and dodged the bullets, running as fast as he could.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He quickly made it over to them and jumped at one of them kicking him and knocking him to the ground, as the man fell Dan kicked him and sent him sliding across the floor tripping the other man who was left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dan ran over to him as he tried to get up, and Dan broke his neck the other one didn’t seem to move.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Realizing the coast was clear Dan made a break for the car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He jumped in the driver’s seat and waited for the others quietly, he laid back in the seat to try and keep unnoticed. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">The upload had just finished on the computer and Tarra slid the disk out of the machine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“We’re good to go Captain,” she said, smirking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Isaiah, you should take the disk with you, if there is any trouble escaping you can still take off and make sure the mission is complete,” Brandan instructed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah walked over and took the disk from Tarra. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Let’s role,” he said walking through the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The others followed Isaiah out into the hall and to the elevator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin brought up the rear with Isaiah and Tarra in the middle and Brandan at point, all with guns drawn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Stay alert people we need to get this drop to Niobe,” said Brandan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They walked quickly and cautiously to the elevator and stepped inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brandan took out his phone and called Parker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Parker, is the elevator clean?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>he asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“They are moving to intercept you right now, they’re getting into formation, get against the wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think they’ll shoot when the doors open.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brandan got against the wall and signaled for the others to do the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“They’re also equipped for extreme force so they will probably be using grenades, that’s all I can tell you for now Captain, see you when you get back.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brandan put his phone back in his coat, the elevator came to a halt making a dinging noise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The door slowly slid open and sure enough a gas grenade came flying in, Colin looked at Brandan then at the gas-spewing grenade and picked it up hurling it out into the lobby back at the forces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">This sent everyone into action Isaiah ran out and headed for the door while Brandan, Tarra and Colin jumped out into the lobby with their guns hurling bullets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Get them extreme measures team!” yelled the Commander.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the soldiers attempted to block Isaiah’s exit route, Isaiah ran at the man as fast as he could in mid focus and jumped kicked the man in the head, breaking his neck and flying right over him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah made a quick exit leaving the others behind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brandan rolled on the ground and watched as Isaiah flew out the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Good boy,” he whispered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Suddenly one of the men ran up to him and through a punch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brandan grabbed his hand and smiled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Good try.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With that said Brandan wrapped the mans arm around his head and pulled it so hard that it broke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Colin dodged a bullet and ran at the man who fired it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin grabbed him and bashed his head off the wall and dropped him to the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tarra brought up her code screen and used her most difficult hack she had learned turning all the men to stone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Whoa,” said Colin just as he punched one shattering his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Good work Tarra.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Come on guys we got to get to the car and get the hell outta here.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The others took off running on the way to the car.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Isaiah had just got to the cars, Dan sat up at the sound of someone coming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Did they get the drop?” he asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah took out the disk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“It’s right here.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah got in the car and took out his phone and called Parker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Operator!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Yeah Parker are they ok back there?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“They’re on there way to the car right now they should be there in a few seconds.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just then they heard the engine to the Mustang start up and looked over Colin was sitting in the drivers seat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked over at them and gave them a stupid smile as the captain and Tarra jumped in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“All right guys try to stay together, Parker is gonna send you the directions to where we need to be once you get on the highway,” said Brandan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dan started the engine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Good luck we’re headin onto the main highway.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Both cars pulled out and sped down the city streets all around them was silent for now but they knew it wouldn’t be like this for long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin looked at Brandan unsure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“We’re going to the highway, the stuff I’ve read says. . .”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Yes I know but don’t worry we’ll make it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We pulled into the highway with Dan right behind us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Let him get in front of you, he needs to get away.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hooked my phone into the car radio so we could be directly linked to Parker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Colin I’m sending you the location now,” said Parker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin nodded and kept focusing on his driving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dan pulled up passed us and waved as he went by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Captain I’m reading several agents in the area, be ready.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The highway was extremely crowded with other vehicles, trucks, cars, SUV’s, and transport trucks were as far as the eye could see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We could here sirens coming from a distance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Ok guys we’re gonna have to get the top off the car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tarra you take the back clamp and Colin and I will take the two up here.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin and I both put our hand on the clamps and Tarra got ready to release the back clamp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“On my mark guys. . . 1,2,3, go!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In sync all three of us hit the clamps releasing the roof and sending it flying off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hopped in the back seat and took the large box off the bottom of the floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Colin you just drive leave the rest to us ok.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I opened the box to reveal two large mountable assault rifles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Grab one,” I said looking at Tarra as I took one out and began to mount it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tarra grabbed one quickly lifted to the side and mounted it to the back of the mustang like I had just done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made sure I had complete control of the gun being able to turn it both ways easily and Tarra did the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It hadn’t been a few seconds later and we could see about seven cops cars pulling up on us, they had began shooting at us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tarra and I began shooting at them back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Tarra try and aim for the tires it’ll take them out quicker.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tarra nodded looking back into the scope and opening fire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I kept firing and shortly there were several explosions as the cop cars crashed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just then an agents car came into site with two agents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We’ve got agents incoming guys keep sharp!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The agents weaved there way through traffic and quickly caught up to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tarra and I both fired at the car, they fired back leaving holes all up the side of the car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We fired but the car wouldn’t seem to blow up it was full of bullet holes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We came to a tunnel and everything was slightly darker, making it almost hard to see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the agents got out of the car and got on top of the roof.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“He’s gonna jump over here!” yelled Colin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stood up balancing myself on the back of Colin’s chair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The agent jumped toward the car and I jumped into the air, time seemed to slow down as I twirled around in the air, the agent came close and my foot hit him in the chest and sent him flying into a wall, soon he was out of site.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">I got back down into the chair and took my gun back in hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin started to drive faster and began to weave through the traffic, the agents and police weren’t far behind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Can you guys get them off me?” asked Colin, sounding nervous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“We’re trying, it’s not that easy,” said Tarra.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just then a cop car attempted to ram them off the road, Colin turned the wheel hard right to compensate and push against them, both Brandan and Tarra focused their gun fire on the cop car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another one tried to block them off from the front.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin swerved to avoid them and went even faster getting passed them just as the car that rammed them from the side exploded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Colin just keep away from them, go as fast as you need to!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin hit the accelerator as hard as he could and the car jolted forward as the speedometer began to move up faster.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Dan looked into his rear view mirror and could see that the others were having trouble, but he new that there was nothing he could do so he just sped up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I hope they make it out ok,” said Isaiah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“They will, don’t worry, I know they will,” said Dan confidently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah looked out the window and noticed a driver in one of the other cars turned into an agent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Holy shit!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah took out his gun and started firing at the agent, the agent dodged the bullets and climbed on top of the roof of the car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Oh no, he’s gonna jump over here.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Isaiah, you have to get out of here!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll handle the agent,” A transport truck pulled up beside them, “Jump onto that truck.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just then the agent jumped and landed on the hood of the car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah focused as hard as he could, jumped out the window and ran up the trailer of the huge transport.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah watched as Dan swerved and the agent fell off loosing his balance on the hood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Whew,” Isaiah wiped his forehead in relief.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He turned to walk the other way but fell over as he walked right into an agent that was right in front of him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Oh no.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The agent gave him an evil grin and stepped toward him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I believe you have something we want,” said the agent, “Give it to me now and you will live, we can spare your friends as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All you have to do is hand me that little package.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah got to his feet and looked at the agent with his head cocked to the side, he cracked a smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“You know I really get a kick out of you agents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You come after us seemingly appearing out of nowhere and just expect us to give in to you simply because almost every rebel who has ever fought an agent has died,” Isaiah gestured with his hands, “But about ninety-five percent of us live when we run!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah quickly bounded to the next car and then to another, the agent close behind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah focused as hard as he could and ran along the top of several cars and trucks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dan sped up beside him in the car and he jumped in the side window.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Go get away from him, before he jumps on the car again!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah started shooting at the agent as Dan sped away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Suddenly the agent got shot from a different angle and fell into the traffic, Isaiah looked behind him and the mustang pulled up beside them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin, Brandan and Tarra waved at them and they both pulled into the exit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah took out his phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Parker is the exit clean?” he asked. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“You’re all good to go Isaiah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re almost home,” said Parker over the radio.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both of the cars pulled into an empty parking lot where the exit was located, a pay phone in the lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Ok guys lets go,” said Brandan as the phone started ringing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They all walked up to the phone still keeping watch for anything suspicious around them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Isaiah you first.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah smiled and nodded at the rest of them as he picked up the phone, Isaiah vanished as he put the phone to his ear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brandan nodded at Tarra as he put the phone back on the hook.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tarra walked over and the phone started to ring again, she picked up and put it to her ear vanishing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brandan hung up the phone again and nodded to Colin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Your turn, you did good man, great first performance.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin waited for the phone to ring and picked up putting it to his ear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As he disappeared Dan walked up next assuming and put the phone back on the hook.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“By all means.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dan smiled and picked up the phone as it rang.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brandan put the phone back on the hook and waited for it to ring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It rang and as he picked up he took one last look around and put the phone to his ear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An agent vehicle pulls up and two get out of the car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“We were too late,” said one in a deep voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Send in the sentinels, they will take care of them,” said the other putting a hand up to his ear-piece.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div>Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08074666369157919363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218843219188780247.post-1142475963740829702011-02-01T22:12:00.000-08:002011-02-01T22:12:08.826-08:00Matrix Fanfiction Chapter 21: Classified<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 120pt 0pt 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Chapter 21: Classified</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">The next day as I sat in the navigation room I had been called down to the broadcast zone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“What is it Parker?” I asked as I walked over to the operator’s station.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Commander Locke just called, he needs us to pick up a broadcast drop and then drop if off to Niobe and the Logos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He says it’s a level 8 classification so we won’t even be able to look at it,” explained Parker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Where did he say it was?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Parker hit a few buttons on the keyboard and brought up the location.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A computer center in downtown of the city, the drop was located on a certain computer and we would need to upload it from the system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“How long do we have to get a hold of this thing Parker?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Deadbolt gave us two days, but the police force has already started to search through the building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They know its there they just don’t know that it is on a computer.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Great, I’ll call a meeting.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I walked out of the broadcast zone and went to the ships conference room, from which I called the meeting over the headsets.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Dan sat the ship in a cubbyhole or the tunnels and Isaiah set the scanners to auto.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tarra, Dan and Isaiah walked down to the meeting room and Brandan was sitting in the chair at the head of the table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Parker stayed in the operator’s station to monitor the activity inside the matrix.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“What’s with the sudden gathering, I take it the call was something pretty important,” said Tarra.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“To say the least,” I said, “It’s a level 8 security clearance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t even have access to this.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“What is it?” asked Dan getting straight to the point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“We have been ordered to pick up a broadcast drop and relay it to Captain Niobe, of the Logos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have about two days to get it and relay it to her.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“That’s not a lot of time when do we leave?” asked Colin, as he stepped into the doorway and leaned his shoulder against the wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“It’s going to take a lot of careful planning to get through this one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The building is already heavily secure and the police force is patrolling it frequently,” I explained, “Parker is formulating a plan of attack for us right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For now return to your stations and await further instructions guys.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They each pulled away from the table and stepped out the door except for Isaiah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“This will be our first real mission as a crew other than freeing people it’s gonna be hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m a little worried,” said Isaiah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Isaiah you can’t doubt yourself inside the matrix you won’t be able to focus at your best.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah nodded agreeing with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I will try to pull myself together.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Tarra and Dan had just stepped up on the navigation deck and sat down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“How do you think this is gonna go?” asked Tarra.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I don’t know, but personally,” said Dan, “I don’t think we should have to do this alone either though if its for Captain Niobe then why didn’t they send her the message of where it was?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why do we have to get it?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“They probably couldn’t get the communication to her they might be out of Zion’s comm. range.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tarra sat down at the holographic scanner. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I hope we can do it, I guess its almost a military building that we’re going into, at least that’s what it sounds like to me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Isaiah had made his way down to the broadcast zone and Brandan went back to the Captain’s chambers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah walked in and Parker was sitting at his station peering into the code screen and hitting buttons on the keyboard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah walked over to him un-noticed and starred into the screen, he was looking at a schematic of the building structure; all the possible entry points, where guards were posted, when shifts changed, when they did there rounds, the access to the stair wells and even possible escape routes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was the type of operation that made Isaiah glad he was not the operator, and also glad that they had one as good as Parker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Isaiah start getting the broadcast equipment ready, do the check list on them to make sure they are running properly,” he said not taking his eyes off the screen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Ok,” said Isaiah moving to do the list on each one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He went to the first of them and began the routine check of the terminals, he started by checking the jacks on the terminals for bugs, then going over the computer system input and output lines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He repeated this process for all the terminals taking him about a half hour to complete.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“They are all good to go Parker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Should I go get the others?” he asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“No its gonna take me a bit more to do this, go get Colin and practice with him inside the training program for a bit.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah nodded at the strange order and left to go find Colin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Colin sat in his quarters on the bed and was looking at the dark décor of the ship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a brand new hovercraft but it still looked like it was about twenty years old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The floors in spots were rusted and in other places the metal was almost molded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sat in a meditation state concentrating on himself inside the matrix and how he would perform.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Suddenly there was a knock on the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Hey can I come in?” he heard Isaiah from the other side of the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Sure man come on in,” Colin invited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah walked in and looked at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Parker wants you to come train with me in the training program before the mission,” said Isaiah, “he said we have about an hour, so let’s go ok.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin stood up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I’m ready when you are.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah shrugged his shoulders and the two of them walked out of the room and back down to the broadcast zone.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">They walked into the room and got ready to enter the program.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Alright lay down,” said Isaiah as he guided Colin over to one of the terminals. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin laid down and Isaiah hooked him in then did himself in the next one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Parker load the fighting and speed simulator for me please.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Parker loaded the program silently and Isaiah and Colin entered the construct program.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Isaiah waited as the battle program loaded and they were standing in an arena.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Alright Colin,” Isaiah took up a fighting stance, “Let’s practice.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin smiled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Man cool outfit,” Colin took his own fighting stance, </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Ready when you are and you better not hold back.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Bring it!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin jumped at Isaiah with a fist in the air, Isaiah jumped back and dodged as Colin smashed the ground causing a shock wave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He then jumped forward again and began to attack him using a variety of kung fu moves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin successfully blocked Isaiah’s speedy attacks and attempted a few of his own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Inside the matrix, Isaiah new that Colin would be a challenge for almost anyone, his confidence and belief in himself was a powerful weapon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah jumped into the air and kicked him in the chest several times as fast as he could then returning to the ground and taking back to his normal attacks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin began to speed up he knew that Isaiah was known for his speed and he would have to be quicker to beat him as he knew his physical power inside the matrix was higher.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin hit Isaiah into the air and punched him mid air sending him flying a few feet away and to the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah quickly got to his feet and jumped into the air, time seemed to slow down as his foot connected with Colin’s face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin grabbed him by the foot and threw him into the air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah stood up quickly and raised his hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“That’s enough of that, you’re obviously a skilled fighter already.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But let’s see if you can catch me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The roof-tops of the city quickly loaded and they were standing on a large building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah raised his hand, there was a red flag in it, he showed Colin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“If you can get this from me, the game ends.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah took off, jumping from the building to the next.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Quickly Colin followed close behind, Isaiah started to gain leeway on him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were getting close to the edge of the building and Isaiah didn’t look like he was going to jump.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“What the hell are you doing?!” Colin yelled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah kept running and ran right over the edge Colin stopped and looked down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Holy shit!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah was running down the building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Well here goes.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin jumped off the building but wasn’t falling as fast as Isaiah was running.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah made it to the ground and was looking up as Colin fell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin landed right beside him and Isaiah jumped off of his shoulders and kept running along the streets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah looked back over his shoulder and Colin was no where to be found, he turned to face forward and Colin had somehow gotten right in front of him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah bounded into the air and jumped off of Colin’s chest and did a Moon sault in mid air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In mid air the program changed back to that of the construct program.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah landed on the ground and looked around waiting for someone to speak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Playtime’s over guys its time for the real thing,” they heard Parker’s voice all around them.</span></div>Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08074666369157919363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218843219188780247.post-11789738441629211782011-01-30T21:17:00.000-08:002011-01-30T21:17:26.091-08:00Isaiah's Love Sample #3<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was what he had feared, he had done what he had been thinking about and the worst possible outcome had happened, Isaiah was clearly freaked out about the whole situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb wished he could take back everything, Isaiah had enough troubles with people at their school and Caleb felt horrible for adding to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had to explain himself to him and hoped that Isaiah would forgive him, the last thing he wanted him to think was that he was playing with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Caleb stood up and walked to the door but then heard more footsteps thinking it was probably Jonathan he decided to wait for Isaiah to come back up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He flicked the light off to try and avoid drawing Jonathan’s attention to the room.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">A few minutes earlier Jonathan had just woken up from a deep sleep, already feeling the effects of the hang over he was going to have tomorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was extremely thirsty for a glass of water his mouth feeling like he had been eating feathers since he went to sleep, as a result of the alcohol.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sat up slowly dizzy at first, he sat his feet on the ground and looked back at Casey who was fast asleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had been sleeping in a spooning position.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cuddling wasn’t something Jonathan did very often, he didn’t like to really to get to close to anyone, particularly the girls he slept with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t feel as though he made a qualified boyfriend and this was why he was single, he didn’t have the time or the care to put in any effort toward a relationship, being tied down wasn’t something he ever thought would be him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Casey for some reason he couldn’t figure out, was different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stood up and put on his boxers that sat on the floor by the bed and adjusted himself, he walked out of the guest room just in time to see Caleb’s light shut off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Isaiah started down the stairs slowly, the large house was dark and quiet, it was a little creepy at night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As he walked down the stairs it seemed like every other step made a bit of a creaking noise, he didn’t know why but it made him nervous he didn’t want to wake anyone up even though he knew the only other people in the house were Casey and Jonathan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He made it to the bottom of the staircase and looked around, the moon shone in from all the windows it was bright enough for him to see most of the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The silhouettes of the large television and stereo was prominent, the few tables that were in the living room the moonlight illuminated and twinkled off of several of the left behind bottles from the nights events.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He started to walk through the living room careful not to bump into anything and made his way into the kitchen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stepped through and the kitchen was equally illuminated by the moonlight, the counters were littered with bottles that were reflecting the moonlight in different directions leaving patterns on the walls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would almost be an interesting sight if Isaiah hadn’t been so tense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He walked in farther and over to the cupboard, opening it up he reached in and pulled out a glass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked out through the kitchen window at the pool, the water moving gently in the wind with the moonlight bouncing off of it was somewhat calming to stare at.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah looked down at the glass in his hand and suddenly remembered what he was there for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still looking at the glass he turned and took a step toward the fridge he looked up to see where he was going, to see Jonathan standing in the doorway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Startled, Isaiah dropped the glass on the floor shattering it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The noise of the shattered glass seemed to echo through the quiet house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah let out a quiet breath in fright but quickly regained his composure trying not to show anything Jonathan could use against him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08074666369157919363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218843219188780247.post-60853452258154571712011-01-29T21:04:00.000-08:002011-01-29T21:04:06.967-08:00Matrix Fanfiction Chapter 20: The Final Phase<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Chapter 20: The Final Phase </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Colin woke up in his cot to Parker standing over him apparently starring at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Ah!” he jumped startled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What the hell are you doing?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin sat up and looked at Parker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Did you sleep well?” asked Parker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Well yeah, did you?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I slept just great thanks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now get the hell up and let’s get your upload finished, so the Captain doesn’t freak out at me today ok.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Parker threw Colin’s clothing at him and left the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin got up out of bed and quickly got dressed, he finished and left the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He headed to the broadcast zone where he assumed Parker would be waiting for him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He walked in and sure enough Parker was sitting at his station waiting to hook him in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I assume I just take a seat, huh?” said Colin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Yeah.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Parker got up and walked over to one of the terminals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin followed him and he hooked him in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Parker sat back down at his computer and picked up another disk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Ok so, since yesterday we did all the combat stuff, now I’m gonna give you your operations protocols.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stuck the disk in the computer and began to type.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Colin felt the information begin to flow into him through the jack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew so much now, it was really strange how the learning process worked here in the real world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Knowledge was just a click of a button away, it was a lot better than sitting in school for hours on end that’s for sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">I had just woke up and gone to the navigation deck Colin’s training had been started again for the day and I was sitting in the navigation center with Isaiah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“How did you sleep?” he asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I slept well, how about you?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah shrugged his shoulders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I can’t complain.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">I looked at Isaiah and half began, for some reason, to wonder if he would have been happier in the real world or if I should have just left him in the matrix.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah looked at me and smiled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I’m glad you freed me, you know that right?” he said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Now that was timing. . . I was just starting to think about that actually.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I know, I heard you somehow.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Isaiah looked at me for a second and Tarra walked in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Good morning you two.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Morning,” we both replied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Dan is on his way up I assume, his pilot shift is about to start.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That and there is a group of sentinels heading toward us, I don’t think they have spotted us yet,” said Isaiah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“He’s on his way up, he is just getting dressed.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tarra took a seat at one of signal terminals where we monitored the matrix net activity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Dan walked in and stood next to Tarra waiting for Isaiah to move from the chair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah stood up and moved to the holographic scanner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dan sat down and got the ship airborne.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Dan I’ve laid a course into the computer for you to follow, make variations if you think you need to,” I said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Aye Captain.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got up from my seat, while Colin was in training, Parker would be busy so I went to monitor the operators station.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">I walked into the downstairs and Colin and Parker were just getting done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Man I need to go lay down, I feel really dizzy all of a sudden,” said Colin as he sat up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Yeah that’s a good idea you have taken in a lot of information in the last two days, you need to rest your mind,” explained Parker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin got up and nodded to Parker and walked out of the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Good morning Captain.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I nodded to him as I sat in the operator’s chair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I think its time we check in on the media, see if anyone has made any big appearances lately.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">The code screen activated and I was looking through the green at the local newspapers and news broadcasts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Parker stood beside me with his arms crossed and gazed into the code.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Looks like the usual paper stars eh?” he said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Yup, Morpheus, Niobe, Soren, the best of the best.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I say we need to make an appearance soon.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I glanced through the missing column at the different people, both Colin and Isaiah were mentioned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was soon to be some action.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just then the proximity alarm sounded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I put on my headset and talked to the navigation room. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“How many is there Isaiah?” I asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“There is one loner and another group closing in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You better come up here Captain.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah spoke through the headset.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I headed back up to the navigation deck, I walked in and we were already landed Colin had met me on the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Brandan what’s going on?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Shh,” Tarra shushed him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“That’s what is called a sentinel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are the machines hunters and they only have one purpose,” I paused and looked at him, “Search and destroy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are nothing but brutal killing machines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah charge the E.M.P.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin looked at me strangely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“What’s an E.M.P.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lights on the ship went out and all was silent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tarra leaned over to Colin and started to whisper to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Electro magnetic pulse, it’s our only weapon against the machines that is guaranteed to knock’em out in one hit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It knocks out there power supply, damaging electrical systems, that’s why we have to kill the power in the ship every time we use it,” she explained.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Shh,” I shushed the both of them and walked closer to the window out of the ship looking for more of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“We have to wait for all of them to get in range, when will they all be in range Isaiah.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah looked at the small holographic scanner in his lap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Maybe a minute, tops.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just then we heard as the sentinels began to cling to the hull of the ship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Oh shit!” yelled Colin, startled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Its ok,” said Dan, “Just try to stay quiet.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We heard several more of them cling to the hull of the ship and use their lasers to cut through the hull.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Hang on, steady, steady as she goes guys. . . Isaiah is that all of them.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah shook his head no.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“There is still two more coming.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We heard another cling to the hull and the light on the E.M.P. switch was fully lit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“One more, come on baby.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“We’ve got a breach Captain,” said Parker through my headset.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One more clung to the hall and I flicked the switch releasing the E.M.P. and shorting out the sentinels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the E.M.P. cleared the sentinels one by one fell from the ship and the lights began to come back on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Parker where was the breach at?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“It was in the weaponry compartment.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Ok, I’ll send Dan to help you meet him there and get rid of that thing and fix the hull.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m going to take care of the last phase of Colin’s training.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Confirmed.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dan got up and went to meet Parker and Tarra took his place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Isaiah, Colin come with me please.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tarra you keep watch ok.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Alright Captain.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Isaiah and Colin followed me downstairs to the broadcast zone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Isaiah I want you to take the operators station,” I ordered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah sat down and put on the headset.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Ok Brandan lets get going.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin got into one of the chairs and I loaded him in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sat in one of the chairs and Isaiah came over and started to hook me up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Load the jumping program then we will do the agent program, ok?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah nodded and hit the load button.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">I opened my eyes and we were standing in the construct program, our surroundings quickly changed to that of the building tops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Ok Colin as I had told you before, the matrix is a system built on another system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This system is not unlike a computer program, thus the rules can be bent, or even broken.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I walked to the edge of the building and looked over, Colin did the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Pretty high up huh?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Damn straight.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin looked to the next building over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Being inside the matrix and being able to bend the rules does that mean we can do a lot of crazy shit.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I looked at him with my eyebrows perked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I don’t know you tell me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Hmm.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin had a thinkers look on his face as he glared across the sky at the next building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I bet you I can jump to that building over there.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I shrugged my shoulders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin suddenly leaped into the air and seemingly flew across the sky, landing on the next building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“HAHA I’m unstoppable in this place,” yelled Colin excitedly from the next building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I quickly and easily joined him on the building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Congratulations, not everyone makes that first jump.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But now here we go.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The surroundings change back to the construct program and then to a crowded city street near a fountain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">I began to walk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“There is some small things I wish to go over with you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He followed me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“All the people you see inside the matrix, doctors, teachers, lawyers, fast food workers, these are the minds of the very people we are trying to save.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But one thing you must remember is that the human mind will have such a hard time letting go of this false reality that it will do anything to keep it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fact is that all these people are our enemies as long as they are connected to the matrix.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A young blonde women walks by in a provocative dress and Colin whips his head around at her, I stopped walking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Colin were you listening to me or were you looking at the blonde women?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Oh a sorry Brandan, what was that last part again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I kinda drifted off there. . .”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Look again.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin turned his head around and was starring down the barrel of an agents gun, he ducked and the program froze.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I thought we were in the matrix.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I shook my head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“No. This is an agent they are sentinel programs that can move in and out of any software still connected to the matrix.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are everything they are everywhere and they can be anyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Inside the matrix they are the keepers of the gate, almost every rebel that has met an agent and fought has died. This is one of our most important training sessions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s purpose is to teach you one thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are not one of us then you are one of them, do not be fooled.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin nodded his head in acknowledgment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We loaded back into the construct program.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Hey can I ask you something before we go back out.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I turned to look at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Of course.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“How do you look so damn cool?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where did you get those cloths?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I smiled at him and pushed a button on the remote for the construct program.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Suddenly we’re standing in a clothing aisle that stretched for miles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Welcome to the rebel clothing store.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pick out whatever you want whatever you need.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Cool!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin ran down the aisle and looked at almost every article of clothing on the way down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He picked out his clothing. “Hey so how do I avoid doing this all the time.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“When you load up picture yourself exactly as you want to look in the matrix and the computer will save it for you if you want it to.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Ok Isaiah pull us out he is done.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08074666369157919363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218843219188780247.post-11501642570462049082011-01-29T21:02:00.001-08:002011-01-29T21:02:44.365-08:00Matrix Fanfiction Chapter 19: Departure<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Chapter 19: Departure</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">I opened my eyes the next day and looked at the clock, it was almost 10:30 am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I arose out of bed and Isaiah had already gotten up to go work on the ship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got dressed, walked out of my room and went to the dock to help them finish getting the last things ready on the ship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stepped on board and seen Parker walking with a checklist in and around the other technicians.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“All those extra ammo crates,” he called out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Check!” called out a Technician.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Ten extra power cells!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the other technicians was rooting through boxes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Check, we got all ten.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Six months supply of food!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“You got it right here.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of them held up a bag of the mix we used to make food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Spare water supply!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Good to go sir.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Extra E.M.P. coils just in case we blow one?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“We got it!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Extra medical supplies including muscle restructuring tools and equipment.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“You’ve got it all sir, the ship is ready for launch.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Parker checked his list one last time and lowered it to his side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Good work guys we’re good to go.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The technicians began to file out of the ship in small groups taking all their equipment with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">I walked up next to Parker and took the list from him, I looked the list over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Everything’s done already?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I said surprised.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Yeah we’ve been here since 7:30 this morning,” said Parker, he turned to look at me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Great work Parker, that’s what you’re known for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where are the others?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“They’re through out the ship checking on the computers.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Ok thanks.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I passed him back the checklist and walked into the ship, I made my way to the ships Navigation Center, Dan was there looking over the navigation computer and Colin was just sitting in one of the back chairs he appeared to be in deep thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“How’s everything going Dan?” I asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I’m just doing the last of the system checks and then we will be ready to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Should take me about twenty minutes.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Good work Dan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So Colin, how did you sleep?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin snapped out of his state of deep thought and looked at me strangely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Not really, sleep isn’t the same in the real world, the dreams are so unpredictable,” he explained.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Yeah that’s something you’ll get used to though don’t worry about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ll sleep well tonight, Parker is going to train you once we’re one our way.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin nodded his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Sounds cool.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I walked to the holographic panel and looked it over making sure it was in decent shape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Realizing that was in order I went to the broadcasting zone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">I walked down the steps to the broadcasting zone and Tarra and Isaiah were checking on each broadcasting terminal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Hey Brandan, did you sleep well?” asked Tarra.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Yes great thanks for asking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How are things here coming along?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah stood up and looked at me with a small amount of oil on his face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“We’re just about done checking the terminals for bugs captain, maybe another hour or so,” said Isaiah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Wow an hour, Dan said he will be done in twenty minutes or so, anyway you guys can be done quicker?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Maybe if you and Parker helped us we might be able to get it done quicker,” said Tarra.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Ok we can help then.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I put on a headset and talked to Parker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Hey Parker, you wanna come give us a hand with broadcast equipment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d like to get this show on the road as soon as possible.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“OK Captain I’ll be right up,” Parker answered me through the headset.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The three of us started to work while we waited for Parker to join us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“How many have you guys got done Tarra?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked as I got down beside one of the machines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Well, out of the eight that we have here, Isaiah and I have worked on five since this morning.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“You guys are doing well then.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Tarra, Isaiah, Parker and I worked on the last three terminals then Parker checked the operator’s terminal and we were ready to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“All right Dan, fire up the engines and lets get this show on the road,” I said into my headset.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah, Tarra and I went to the main deck as the ships engines activated and the ship began to rumble.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sat in the navigation chair next to Dan, Isaiah took his station at Holographic and Tarra sat next to Colin behind Dan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Say goodbye to Zion everyone, it’s gonna be awhile before we see her again,” I said as I watched the dock through the window of the ship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ship turned to face the exit to the dock and the gate slowly opened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Captain what are our orders anyway?” asked Tarra.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“When we get a full crew compliment, we are to contact the Logos and talk to Captain Niobe, she will deliver our orders from there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As for right now. . .”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was interrupted by a com signal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Who could that be?” asked Isaiah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I opened the communication button and Captain Thadeus’ voice came over the headsets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Good luck Captain Brandan to you and your crew, the crew of the Osiris and I wish you luck on your journey and we will see you again in a few months,” he said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Thank you Thadeus, good luck. . .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyhow as I was saying, as for now we have to get Colin trained,” Colin lifted his head at the mention of his name, “and we have to figure out how we are going to free Tabatha.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“She’ll be fun to have around,” said Isaiah. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">The ship had just cleared the gates and we were well on our way again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I looked at Colin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Report to the broadcast deck Parker is going to start the first phase of your training.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Ok Captain.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin walked down to the broadcast deck and Parker was sitting in his chair, he smiled at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Ah,” he said, “how is my latest student?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I’m doing good,” said Colin, “So where’s the arena anyway, how are you going to train me with such limited space?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Parker turned to face his computer screen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Simple have a seat.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Parker pointed at one of the broadcast terminals and Colin walked toward it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Parker got up and walked to the terminal as Colin sat down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“This might hurt a bit, but you know that already right.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Parker quickly pushed the jack into Colin’s connecter point and sat back down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin wiggled a bit from the slight uncomfortable feeling of the jack but then was still and waited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“So what now?” he asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Parker sifted through some disks and then chose one and placed it inside the computer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Ah combat training this’ll be fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hold still now!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Parker pushed a button and the information from the disk had began to upload into Colin’s mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">It had been almost a full day since we had left the dock and Colin and Parker had been in the broadcast room since the morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Captain don’t you think it’s been awful quiet?” asked Tarra, “You would think that we would at least have got something on the holographic scanner by now.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I looked out the window silently she was right it was quiet, too quiet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I don’t know, you’re right though it is definitely strange, the machines seem to have gone into hiding or something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am going to go check on Colin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah keep running scans consecutively, when one is done run another until I say not to ok?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah nodded his head and I got up and went to the broadcast zone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I walked up behind Parker and put my hand on his shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“How is he doing?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Parker looked at the computer screen and then back at me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“He’s been going for almost thirteen hours straight . . . unbelievable, only Neo went longer than this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve gone over 92% of the information already.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Alright stop him.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Parker hit the button and Colin opened his eyes and looked at me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Dude I’m a black belt in Judo.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin gave me the thumbs up and smiled foolishly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Ok,” I said, “Show me then.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Parker hooked me into the terminal and I was inside the training program with Colin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Welcome to the training program, it was created similar to the matrix, with rules and parameters that are almost the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They can be broken.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took up a fighting stance and beckoned to Colin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He took up his own fighting stance with both his hands in front of him, clenched in a fist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Let’s go,” said Colin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin ran at me and attacked me with his fists swinging as fast as he thought he could.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I easily dodged his attacks for a few minutes and then knocked him against the wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Man,” he got to his feet, “How are you moving so fast, you could have never beaten me a year ago?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stepped over to Colin and looked him in the eye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Like I said this world is not the real one, several rules can be broken.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Such as the rules of gravity,” I explained, “You can move faster than you are moving all you have to do is believe you can do it and you will succeed.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took a few steps back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Now let’s do this again.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I retook my stance and Colin readied himself once again.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Colin jumped directly ahead of me and once again started his onslaught of attacks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He began by punching and kicking me top then bottom and back again, I still dodged and blocked easily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Come on Colin, I know you gotta be better than this,” I nagged him on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I swung at him and he grabbed my arm and caught me in a Satomakikomi judo throw and I quickly countered him with a Kataguruma landing him on his back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He quickly got to his feet and jumped high into the air, I watched him go through the air and waited for him to land.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just as his feet hit the ground I took to the air myself and time seemed to slow down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With both arms spread out I kicked Colin against the wall again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin quickly got to his feet I could tell he was pissed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Damn it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What the fuck was that man?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Colin calm down, you have to focus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The second you loose that focus you loose the fight.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Alright Colin, focus. . .” he said to himself jumping and swinging at the air to get himself together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Alright now you better get it this time.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I said getting ready.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin came at me again, this was it I knew it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He swung at me several times this time landing a few small blows to the side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I swung back not connecting, but just ending up with a knee to the side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He quickly followed up on his attack with a series of punches and kicks and then swiftly uppercut me into a wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was it he finally got it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got to my feet and Parker took us out of the training program.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Parker pulled the jack from my neck and I sat up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin was already sitting up looking at me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Great going man, you did it, but your training isn’t over yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Parker is gonna finish with you and then tomorrow we will have another little encounter, as for now hit the sheets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll see you in the morning.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got up and went up to the navigation deck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin’s training was now well under way, as for the next one I would have to think of a way to take her out of the matrix.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div>Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08074666369157919363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218843219188780247.post-3880221916268381662011-01-27T19:21:00.001-08:002011-01-27T19:21:37.715-08:00Matrix Fanfiction Chapter 18: What is the Matrix?<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Chapter 18: What Is The Matrix?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">I opened my eyes the next day and got up out of bed, I looked at the time and then at Isaiah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was still fast asleep; I decided not to wake him and got dressed for the meeting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I quietly walked out of the room and into the city streets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made my way to the elevator and went to the dock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I entered the main Command Center and walked to the meeting room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got there to discover that the meeting hadn’t started yet and there were several others waiting inside the room for Commander Locke to arrive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I recognized a few of them, Captain Niobe of the Logos, Captain Soren of the Vigilante, Captain Thadeus of the Osiris, and Captain Mifune’ was there as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Several other unfamiliar faces were there; Morpheus was nowhere to be found.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I leaned against the wall and put my head down to wait for the commander.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“How fares the newest Captain in the fleet?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I heard in a deep voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I lifted my head to see Captain Thadeus standing in front of me with Niobe alongside of him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I smiled to greet them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I’m doing great I’ve almost got a full crew on the Navras,” I said in response, “We’ve had a few close ones but we made it back in one piece.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Captain Thadeus put his hand on my shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Glad to hear it, we’ve all had our close calls, but we will always pull through, you can always count on that.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I smiled at him and he dropped his arm back to his side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Niobe smiled at me and reached out her hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I don’t believe I had a chance to welcome you to the fleet,” she said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I shook her hand and smiled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Thank you Niobe your hospitality means a great deal to me, I look forward to when the time comes for the two of us to fight side by side.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“As do I.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just then the commander walked in and stood at the head of the table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Alright people let’s get this meeting started,” he said sternly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each of the captain’s took a seat at the table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Alright Captains what are the latest reports on the machines?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Captain Soren glanced at me then looked at Locke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“They have been stepping up their patrols lately, where there was only one patrol before there is now four or five,” he said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Captain Soren is right, the machines are stepping up their patrols almost three and four times as much as they used to be,” said Niobe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“They must be trying to keep something under wraps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tunnels are crawling with them, it’s absolutely insane,” said one of the others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sat forward in my chair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I can’t speak for the rest of you but in my personal experience, the machines seem to be getting smarter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their A.I. seems incredibly more efficient than it was when I was first freed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They seem to be getting faster.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On our way here yesterday, my crew and I couldn’t keep the sentinels off, we wouldn’t have lasted another minute.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Commander Locke looked at me strangely for a second.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“You think they are getting faster?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">The meeting dragged on for seven hours and still was not over yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah sat in the room and waited for Brandan to come back when there was a knock at the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah got up and opened the door to see Tarra standing in the doorway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Hi, mind if I come in for a visit?” she asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“No not at all, come on in.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah stepped aside and Tarra walked in, he closed the door behind her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tarra sat down on the bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“So is Brandan still in that meeting?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Yeah.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Tarra had a surprised expression on her face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Wow still, how long does it run, do you know?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“No he never told me, but he was long gone when I woke up.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Holy shit, seven hours with Deadbolt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That would drive me crazy.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah sat down on his side of the bed and lay down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I didn’t sleep very well last night, how did you sleep?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I slept better than what I thought I would but still, it wasn’t all that great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why didn’t you sleep well any particular reason?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Actually to tell you the truth, it was something that Dan said to me that set me a little uneasy.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tarra looked at Isaiah seemingly confused.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Really, what did he say that bothered you?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah looked at Tarra, she was waiting for his response with the look of worry in her eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“When we were in the elevator yesterday going to meet you guys he told me that if you weren’t here then he would go back to the matrix.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re the only thing keeping him here,” Isaiah explained.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Danny isn’t going anywhere because neither am I, trust me don’t worry yourself about it, it won’t affect his performance in or outside the matrix.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I won’t let it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah nodded and looked away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“If you say so, I’ll leave it up to you.” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Tarra looked at the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Do you want to go for a walk or something, maybe grab a bite to eat?” she asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah thought for a quick second.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Sure we might as well, Brandan is going to be a while anyway.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah stood up and walked to the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Let’s go.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tarra followed him and they walked out the door together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“There’s a really nice place over on the fifth level to eat they have the best salad ever,” said Isaiah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“You know this city better than I do so lead the way.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They made there way to the elevator and stepped in there were several other people already inside heading in the same direction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Cool this shouldn’t take very long at all,” said Isaiah as the doors closed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The elevator started to climb the levels and the wait began.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Good afternoon young ones, how fairs the new ship?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They heard a female’s voice from behind them and turned to see who it was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The woman was Asian and she looked familiar to Isaiah from the christening of the Navras, it was Cho Wei, the first officer of the Osiris.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“It’s great never been better and yourself Cho Wei?” asked Isaiah smiling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“We are doing as good as ever since Neo came along, we have freed so many minds,” said Cho Wei happily.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Meanwhile back inside the meeting room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“That plan will never work!” said Captain Thadeus standing up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“To go inside the core network is suicide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no way two crews can destroy two of the main network points they’re too heavily protected.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I looked at Thadeus and then looked back to Commander Locke who looked rather annoyed at Thadeus’ outburst.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Captain sit down please,” he said, “This mission will be difficult yes but not impossible.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I think it’s possible, with the proper planning and determination,” said Niobe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Do you want to be the one to do it?” asked Thadeus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Niobe looked at Thadeus unshaken with courage in her eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I will have no problem doing it I put complete faith in my crew.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I also have another mission for you Thadeus . . .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone needs to patrol junctions 400 through 550 near the surface of the earth.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I looked at Thadeus and back to Locke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I’ll do that if you won’t Thadeus,” I said to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thadeus looked at me for a second.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“We can’t send a newbie Captain into the front lines of the surface.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I shrugged my shoulders and looked away slightly annoyed at being called a newbie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Commander Locke looked at me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“What do you have to say about all of this Captain Brandan?” asked Locke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Being inside the core network is suicide like Thadeus said, but I think my crew and I could do it once we get a full roster,” I said confidently,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Niobe would you mind accompanying us for the trip?” I smiled at her and she smirked back at me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Anytime kid, anytime,” she said nonchalantly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I raised an eyebrow at Locke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Well what’s it gonna be?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Isaiah and Tarra had just found the place Isaiah was talking about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were sitting at the table waiting for their food, they had just ordered and were expecting to wait for about twenty minutes based on the people that were in the restaurant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Gosh I’m so hungry and I just realized it now,” said Isaiah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“It’s amazing how hungry someone can be once they actually sit and think about it, huh?” Tarra laughed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Hey where’s Dan at anyway?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“He said he wanted to stay in the room in the training program for a bit to get his driving skills up to snuff. . . god, boys and their toys.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Isaiah smiled and took a drink of his water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Suddenly the intercom of the city became active.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“All members of a hovercraft crew please report to you respected ships in forty-five minutes,” said a female voice. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Looks like we’ll have just enough time to scarf this down and get the hell outta here,” said Tarra.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Back inside the meeting they were beginning to come an understanding of how things were going to be gone about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Great then it’s settled,” said Locke, “Thadeus you take the Osiris and gather scans of junctions 400 through 550.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Niobe, you will accompany Brandan and his crew until they have a full roster, after which you will report back to me and start the attack on the core network.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Captain Soren, I want you to take the Vigilante and keep an eye on police and agent activity inside the matrix, but be careful and stay as safe as possible.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">As each of us were given our mission we walked out of the room together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Niobe and I were followed by Thadeus and Soren.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Thadeus good luck on your mission and be careful,” said Niobe looking back at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thadeus nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Same to you Niobe.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Soren stay safe, don’t let your guard down.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soren smiled at me as I glanced back at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Don’t worry about me kid, just look after yourself.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I’ll be fine.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Niobe smiled at me and then at Soren.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“After all I am going with him remember,” she said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">We walked in silence for a few short minutes and went our separate ways to our own ships to brief our crews on the situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">I walked on board the Navras through the lower entry port and went to the conference room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The others were all there waiting for me in there chairs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I entered, the room went silent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“So what’s the word Captain?” asked Parker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sat in my chair and looked at each of them individually.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Captain Niobe and her crew are going to help us free Tabatha and Saba, then when we have a full roster we’re going to report to Commander Locke for further instructions on our upcoming mission inside the core network.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re leaving as soon as Colin becomes trainable, which should only be another day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re probably looking at tomorrow afternoon as our departure time.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Now have you decided to train Colin yourself, or are you going to get one of us to do it?” asked Isaiah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I will do the training myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But for now that’s all unless you guys have any questions.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Colin had just opened his eyes for the first time since his body had been restructured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was lying in a bed in a large open room with several other beds lining the walls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a young woman at the side of his bed setting down a tray with some kind of food on it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Excuse me miss, but where am I?” he asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The woman turned to face him startled by his voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Oh umm, hi,” she said in a somewhat ditsy voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin perked his eyebrow at her ditsyness and slightly shook his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I’m sorry, you startled me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re in the recovery ward, you just had your body rebuilt pretty much, how do you feel?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin sat up slowly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I feel decent I guess.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So is someone going to explain what this is all about? The last thing I remember clearly was the escape from the police?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The woman shrugged her shoulders slightly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Your captain will be here soon to tell you the rest of the story just open your mind and be willing to listen. . . But for now just enjoy your first real meal, it’s a salad made from the freshest vegetables in Zion.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The woman passed him the tray.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Thanks what’s your name by the way?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I’m Anna, I’m the head nurse here in the infirmary.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin nodded his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Cool so I guess I’ll be seeing a lot of you then.” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Anna smiled and walked away from him as he picked up his fork and started to eat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t long after he had started to eat he saw Brandan enter the infirmary and talk to one of the nurses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had a short exchange of words and the nurse pointed towards Colin, obviously showing Brandan where he was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brandan walked through the mass of beds and made his way over to Colin and sat down at the foot of the bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“How are you feeling Colin?” he asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I’m feeling good man.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Have you tried to walk yet?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin shook his head no, he hadn’t even thought to try and walk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“No, I haven’t.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brandan looked around to find the nurse, and waved her over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Nurse could you get this man a something to wear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just regular crewman clothing will be fine.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The nurse walked out of the infirmary to get some clothing and returned shortly with a regular crewman outfit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She gave them to Colin and he put them on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Come on I’m gonna show you around the ship, and by the way. . .” Brandan said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“What’s that?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I looked Colin directly in the eye giving him a very sincere look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Welcome to the real world.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brandan stepped back and extended his hand to Colin, he took the offer and Brandan pulled him to his feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin was wobbly for a few seconds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Whoa,” he laughed, “I feel all wiggly ‘n’ shit.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Brandan smiled and walked away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Come on you have a lot to see.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Meanwhile back on board the ship Isaiah and Parker were working with several technicians, preparing it for the long hall and making sure it would have several back up energy packs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Have all the system scans been performed yet or have you even started yet?” asked Parker seemingly impatient.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Sir we’re working as fast as we can but we’re having a few small problems,” said one of the technicians.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“What kind of problems?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>asked Parker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I don’t know sir it seems that you guys might have picked up a minor virus from the matrix.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The computer can’t seem to trace it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The technician had a puzzled look on his face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Why can’t we trace it?” asked Isaiah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Well right now the virus is in stealth mode because it isn’t large enough yet to do any damage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we find it now, I’m sure you won’t have any trouble with it, but if you can’t find it then it might attack the system when you’re inside the matrix, and that would be fatal.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Well I know that,” said Parker, “So how do you suggest we find it, the ship needs to be ready for tomorrow afternoon.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The technician thought for a second with his hand on his chin, he looked at Isaiah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Well you could theoretically find it inside the construct program somewhere if we sent you into the core computer of the ship.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Parker looked at Isaiah expectantly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Do you think you can do it?” he asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I’ll do it, hell it has to be done right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jack me in man.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They walked to the broadcast zone and started to hook Isaiah into the machine.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Now once you get in there the virus could be anything, we’ll give you the antivirus as soon as you enter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’ll be in the form of a gun,” explained the Tech.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Ok, is there any chance that virus will infect me?” asked Isaiah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“As far as we know, no it can’t but we have installed a firewall on your jack so that it won’t let any attachments to your program into your body.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah nodded as Parker finished strapping him in and had inserted the needle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Alright Isaiah I’m gonna send you to the ships motherboard, I’ve set it up to look like the Navras inside. Remember the virus could look like anything so be careful.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Ok, I’ m ready when you are.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Parker hit the enter key and Isaiah loaded into the construct program.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">The construct program loaded up slowly, it looked different then usual, he could tell there was something wrong with the computer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The construct program was changing colors from white to blue to green and on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His cell phone started to ring and sounded digitally distorted, he picked up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Isaiah I’m sending you to the motherboard,” said Parker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The reception on his phone was extremely highly static and it was hard to hear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Ok send me there now,” said Isaiah in an echoed voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah looked around as he loaded into the computer core of the Navras.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Suddenly he was standing in the broadcasting room again, he looked around and decided that he would check the other rooms in the ship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Alright virus, look out because the cure is here.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah cocked his gun that he assumed was the antivirus, it had been loaded directly into his hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Isaiah walked over to the computer core and typed something into the computer, a map of the ships motherboard came up on the screen he typed in a system scanning code that he had been told about some time ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The viral locator system began to work and one of the rooms on the map of the Navras began to flash red.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Ok there you are.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah stood up and ran out of the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He dashed through the rooms going through the bridge, on his way by he noticed that it looked like they were in the tunnels based on the computer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He kept running and entered the last room it was the medical bay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were no lights on and about 80% of the room was shrouded in an eerie darkness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah hit the light switch and the lights came on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a large crouched over dark figure in the corner, he crept closer to it and reached for his gun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When suddenly the creature attacked him unexpectedly, its eyes were a blood red and it looked like Brandan. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah jumped out of its reach and kicked it in the face knocking it backwards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Foolish human you will never beat me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah began to attack with his hands hitting the virus high and low.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“We’ll just see about that!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah struck the virus repeatedly seemingly weakening it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It fell to the ground and Isaiah quickly drew his gun and pointed it, he pulled the trigger hitting it several times with the weapon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The virus began seizing on the floor and light began to shine through the holes that the bullets had made, it disappeared shortly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah took out his phone and dialed the operator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Parker mission accomplished pull me out.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">His surroundings changed to that of the construct program that was completely back to normal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah closed his eyes and he was uploaded back to reality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Problem solved,” he said as Parker pulled the needle from his neck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Yeah kid it looks like you got it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Meanwhile Brandan and Colin had just entered the dock and were slowly making there way to the Navras.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Man why am I all shaky like this?” asked Colin,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And why the hell am I so skinny man this really sucks.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Colin it sounds hard to believe but this is the first time you have actually ever used any of your muscles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ve never even moved before.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin walked slowly beside Brandan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Your going to be starting your training tomorrow as we are lifting off, we’re going to free Tabatha next and I would like you to be ready to go before that.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Ok throw it at me whenever you’re ready man, you know I’m always up for a challenge right.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I nodded my head at Colin’s enthusiasm, this was why I new he would be a great addition to the team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His willingness to be forever better than before would be his strength.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We walked up to the Navras and enter through the cargo bay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Welcome to the Navras, this is my ship, it’s a hovercraft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the main tool in the war against the machines, we are all soldiers.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin looked at me strangely seeming confused.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“So what year is it anyway?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“No one really knows that answer for sure, but all your life you have been lead to believe that it is the 21<sup>st</sup> century when it’s probably safe to say it’s closer to the 23<sup>rd</sup> century.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“How can that be?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t get it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“That’s why I am going to show you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We walked into the broadcasting room where Tarra and Dan were helping monitor the equipment checks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Hey Captain, how’s it goin?” said Dan smiling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Just fine,” I said smiling back, “Can you guys get two of the jacks ready for me I’m going to show him something.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tarra looked at Colin and smiled as she started to ready two of the chairs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Hey Colin, how are you coming along?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I’m doing great, learning some pretty weird shit though.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Yeah we all went through it though,” said Dan getting the other machine ready.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I walked over and sat in one of the chairs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Tarra, get him loaded in.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tarra walked over to Colin, placed her hand on his shoulder and guided him over to the other chair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dan and her both worked on getting him jacked in I hooked myself up and waited for them to plug in the connector.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tarra had just finished strapping him in and picked up the needle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Alright now this is going to feel a little weird.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tarra shoved the connector into Colin and loaded him in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She loaded me in second.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Colin opened his eyes shortly after feeling the sharp pain in his neck and he was in a massive white open space.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He did a full turn around not seeing anything or anyone, when suddenly Brandan appeared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Where are we?” asked Colin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“This is the construct program, it is our loading program.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From here we can load anything, clothing, weapons, even vehicles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is from here that we jack into the matrix,” I explained.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“The matrix,” Colin whispered, “It does exist.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I pushed a button on the remote in my hand and a television appeared a picture of the city on the face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“This is the world as you know it, the world as it was at the beginning of the 21<sup>st</sup> century.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Crazy man, that’s fucked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know if I’m buying that.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“It is now closer to the 23<sup>rd</sup> century actually.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The world now is not quite as great a place as you are about to see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hit the button again and the surroundings of the construct program changed to the vast wasteland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Welcome to the desert of the real.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“How did things get like this?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“At the turn of the 21<sup>st</sup> century all of mankind was united as one, as we marveled at our ability to play god, we gave birth to A.I.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Artificial intelligence.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Exactly Colin, and that artificial intelligence gave birth to an entire race of machines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We don’t know exactly who threw the first punch but we blackened the sky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the time they had only one source of energy, the sun, and we believed that if we blocked out the sun they would soon die off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But we were wrong. . .”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The scenery changed again to that of one of the power plants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The machines found all the energy they would need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The human body puts out more bio-electric energy then a 120 volt battery and over 25,000 BTU’s of body heat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are fields that span for thousands upon thousands of miles where humans beings are no longer born . . . we are grown.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The construct program changed as I spoke to the disturbing images of the fields.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin had a look of disbelief of his face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I know what you’re feeling right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t want to believe it either until I saw it with my own eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I watched them as they liquefy the dead so they could be fed intravenously to the living.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Standing there I came to realize the answer to that question that until now you were never asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is the matrix?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I looked at Colin who had a believing look on his face as he stared blankly at the images of the construct program.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Control,” he whispered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Exactly the matrix is a computer generated dream world, built for one thing to keep us under control.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In order to change a human body into this.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I held up a coppertop battery to Colin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin had an angry look on his face as he grabbed the battery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“How do we stop this?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I smiled at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“We are all soldiers in an ongoing war, each person plays his part, tomorrow you will learn how you are going to help us out in the training program.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I shook Colin’s hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Welcome aboard.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">They pulled us out of the construct program and we were back on the ship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Tarra tell Isaiah and Parker that I want the ship ready to go at 1200 tomorrow.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tarra smiled and nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Ok.” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div>Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08074666369157919363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218843219188780247.post-75400983905145477252011-01-27T19:20:00.001-08:002011-01-27T19:20:10.615-08:00Matrix Fanfiction Chapter 17: Restructuring/Back Home<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Chapter 17: Restructuring/Back Home </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Tarra, Parker and I were in the medical lab in the main building of the shipping dock, Colin was laying on the operating table in front of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had just begun the process of restructuring the musculature on his body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tarra was slowly placing the electron needles into the muscles on his legs and I was working on his upper body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Parker was closely monitoring his vital signs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“This the third time I’ve done this, and I still feel uncomfortable doing it,” I said as I pushed one of the needles into the side of his neck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin was still unconscious from the anesthetic we used but he would be out of it soon, not that it would matter, he still would not be able to feel anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Well thank god that we can use the computer program to insert the process of how to do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To learn this stuff would require some kind of medical degree or something,” said Tarra as she continued pushing the needle into his right leg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">I continued to place the needles into his skin one by one. The process was long and tedious and very dangerous, one misplaced needle, sticking one in to far almost anything could cause the loss of use of a limb or lack of feeling in a section of skin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Parker how are things looking from your point of view?” I asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Parker was sitting with his arms crossed and with one hand by his mouth. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Things are still looking good but he is going to come around in a few minutes, just a warning.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Ok.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Once the process was begun you could not stop until it was finished, which would definitely take a few hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were going to be here for a while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tarra pushed several more needles into his leg and had done almost half of both of Colin’s legs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Parker, this section is almost ready for the electro trans dermal nerve stimulation process,” said Tarra.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“You’re hurrying along,” I said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Hey I don’t want to be here all night, I don’t know how you feel about the whole situation.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Your right, good work, you’re really getting a knack for this.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I smiled and went back to the needles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was standing over Colin’s head and his eyes slowly opened into a squint.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Ah man, where am I?” he asked quietly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“You’re in the real world man it’s the real thing.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Why can’t I feel anything, why are my eyes burning like this?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“While you were hooked into the matrix your body grew but the muscles and nerves didn’t develop properly because they were never used.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is also why your eyes are burning, you’ve never used them before.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“We’re slowly rebuilding you, you should just try to rest,” said Tarra.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin slowly lost consciousness and faded back to sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Tarra and I continued to work steady on Colin’s body for almost two hours and we had gotten all of the needles into his muscles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tarra held a medical scanning device in her hand and slowly began to run it over all the needles that had been placed in his body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Everything seems ok so far.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She came to the middle of his stomach and the scanner began to beep with pauses in between beeps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“There is a loose one around his abdominals somewhere.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I walked over to his mid-section and began to check the needles one at a time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Move the scanner around a bit it should beep faster when it gets closer to the one that’s loose,” I said carefully checking several of the needles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tarra nodded and began to run the scanner over the area, it began to beep faster and faster.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She got to a single spot and the scanner went crazy beeping faster and louder, she pointed to one of the needle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I think it’s that one.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I reached over and put my hand on the needle and sure enough it was the one we were looking for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I pushed the needle in a little farther and the scanner stopped beeping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I nodded at Tarra and she continued scanning along, she shortly came to the end and stopped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Parker, he’s ready when you are,” she said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Ok you two come over here now I am getting the computer ready to start,” instructed Parker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tarra and I did as Parker instructed and stood next to him in the computer room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">We watched Colin as Parker began the electro trans dermal nerve stimulation process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a quiet buzzing noise as the process started and Colin’s body began to jolt slightly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was completely normal the process was working well, his body was responding perfectly. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Parker continued the process for approximately thirty minutes un-interrupted, and then the machine began to power down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“He’s done now all we have to do is leave him in the recovery ward for a few days and he will be fine,” said Parker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“That’s great, well done guys,” I said walking away from them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Parker go tell the nurses to get him to the recovery ward, after that go for a break, you’ll be called in a day or so before we leave.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I walked out the door and into the hallway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was the second step completed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made my way out into the building and to my room in the city.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Meanwhile Isaiah had been showing Dan around the city of Zion they were all the way to the bottom in the temple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“This city is huge how the hell did they build it?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>asked Dan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I’m not really sure but I know that the humans did it,” answered Isaiah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dan shook his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“So where do we go now?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah looked at the temple clock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I think they should be done by now let’s go check in on them.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Isaiah and Dan walked over and into the elevator and pushed the top floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The doors closed and the elevator started steadily up the levels of the city, it would probably take them roughly twenty minutes to get to the main dock floor.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“So Dan I’m curious, what do you think of the real world?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>asked Isaiah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dan was quiet for a few seconds apparently in deep thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Personally I think it really sucks, I mean the humans have almost nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Death could come for us at any moment, anywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only reason I even stay here is because Tarra is here, if not I would be right back in the Matrix.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah looked at Dan and put his head down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“What would happen if Tarra were to die or something. . .”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dan looked away and glared into space.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I don’t . . . really know.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah shook his head and they waited the rest of the ride out in silence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The elevator came to a slow halt and they stepped out onto the main floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“They should be in the main medical lab come on.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah and Dan walked toward the medical lab and Tarra and Brandan walked out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Isaiah and Dan walked toward us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I wonder what they did while we were working?” asked Tarra.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I actually asked Isaiah if he wouldn’t mind showing Dan the city,” I answered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Hey Captain, I took him on the tour, how did things go with Colin?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah asked as he walked up to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Everything went great, the newest member of the crew is in the infirmary resting.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Great, I can’t wait to train with him.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dan walked up to Tarra and they kissed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“How did you enjoy the tour?” asked Tarra.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“It was great, this city is amazing.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I don’t know about the rest of you but I need to go get some sleep,” I said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Yeah you’re right let’s go to bed,” Tarra agreed, “I’m exhausted from all the shit we’ve done today.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Today was definitely long,” I agreed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Truth be known we hadn’t slept since we got to the dock, it had been several hours and it was now about ten at night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">We each got into the elevator and started on our way down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Isaiah are you still gonna bunk with me or are you going to get your own room?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I think I’ll stay with you for awhile longer, not really to big on being alone at all.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah looked at me and smiled uncomfortably.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“So Captain who is next?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have you decided?” asked Tarra.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I don’t know if we should get Tabatha or Saba next, Colin will definitely want me to free Saba.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But there is also a lot to take into consideration between here and there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess only time will tell.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The elevator came to a halt at my level and Isaiah and I got off of the elevator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“We’ll see you guys tomorrow, ok.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tarra nodded and smiled as the elevator door closed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah and I stayed in silence as we walked to our room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Are you ok?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked looking at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Yes why?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“You just look troubled is all.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Maybe I’ll tell you later, not ready just yet.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I nodded and we came to the door of our room and walked in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sat on the bed and laid down letting out a sigh of relief.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I have a Captain’s meeting to go to tomorrow,” I said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Is that the first one you’ve been to?” asked Isaiah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I shook my head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“No I’ve been to two before this but that was before the Navras even left the dock.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah took off his shirt and lay down on the bed next to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I don’t know how you can go to them with Commander Locke running them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t stand the guy, he’s so arrogant and he treats us “pod bourns” like crap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re the ones doing the majority of the fighting, you’d think we would get more respect from people.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“Don’t worry how other people treat you, for it is how you treat other people that will matter in the end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just remember that.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I lay with my eyes closed and felt Isaiah lay his head close to mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">“I will,” he whispered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We went to sleep and slept soundly through the night.</span></div>Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08074666369157919363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218843219188780247.post-89315932474866989432011-01-26T20:12:00.001-08:002011-01-26T20:12:57.534-08:00Matrix Fanfiction Chapter 16: Return to Zion<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Chapter 16: Return To Zion</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">I opened my eyes and Isaiah pulled out the jack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Ok everyone's out go, go, go."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ship quickly lifted into the air and took off in high-speed flight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah and I made our way up to the bridge while Tarra was preparing the medical bay for Colin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Parker tell me when we're over him," said Dan as we stepped into the bridge and took our stations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah sat at the holographic scanner and I took the seat of the co-pilot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Isaiah keep an eye on any sentinel squads in the area, after we pick up Colin we're heading straight to Zion."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah nodded and his scanner activated as he started to scan the area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Captain I've got a lot of activity in the area," said Isaiah, "they are already heading for us."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Alright, Dan it looks like were gonna need some fancy flyin' after we pick up Colin, you better hurry." </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ship picked up speed as Dan pushed on the accelerator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We burst through the tunnel opening and we were out into the fields.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Ok Dan slow down, we're coming close," said Parker in the headset.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Ok," said Dan, "just say when so I can drop the grapple in time."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We hovered slowly over the wasteland for several long moments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"OK Drop it!"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Suddenly came out of the headset.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dan quickly hit the drop button and the ship shook slightly as the grapple dropped, picked up Colin and retracted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"I've got him," said Tarra, "Now get us the hell home Danny!"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dan drove the accelerator to its fullest speed and the ship took off once again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Just then the proximity alert sounded and the ship's lights began to flash red.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Great how many is there?" I asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"It's a good sized attack squad there is about 20."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Isaiah, Tarra, Parker, we have to man the gun turrets."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Ok."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All three of them answered me through the headset.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah and I took off out the door to the weapons level of the ship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We met Tarra and Parker there and each manned a turret.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Alright guys remember as always shoot to kill!"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Well dah!" said Isaiah as he opened fire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"What the hell else would we shoot for!" yelled Tarra pulling the trigger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Parker and I joined the others in firing into the swarm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"How far from Zion are we captain?" asked Tarra.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"We'll enter the defense perimeter in about 22 minutes, we just need to hold'em off until then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Try to get us there in one piece Danny."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Got it," said Dan in the headset.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we flew through the tunnels more and more sentinels were drawn to us until there was a massive swarm behind us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Holy shit look at them all!" yelled Isaiah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were several in my viewer that had clung to the hull of the Navras.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Never mind the swarm just help me keep them off the ship."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I shot several off and Tarra followed my example, while Isaiah and Parker concentrated their attacks in the swarm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Good work Tarra keep shooting."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we knocked off the sentinels that had clung to the ship, two more were there to replace it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"God dammit, you two we could use some help keeping the ship together," said Tarra frustrated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah switched his target to the ones attacking the ship directly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Eat led you god damn bucket of bolts!"</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">We fought for the longest minutes in our lives as the ship whirled through the tunnels at a great speed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sentinels relentlessly attacked the outer hall of the ship literally picking it apart at the seems with there lasers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"How much time have we got left?" asked Tarra in a slight panic while she fired her gun turret.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Just sixteen more minutes you guys hang in there, keep yourself and the ship together!"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hit two sentinels in my viewer sending them rolling in a ball of fire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of them suddenly clung to Tarra's turret and started the cutting laser.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Can someone get him off me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He's just out of my viewer."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Hang on I think I can get him!"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Parker yelled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Parker got the sentinel in his view and opened fire, quickly making short work of the sentinel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Thanks Parker!"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just then the sentinels began to pick up speed and suddenly the entire back end of the ship was immersed in the swarm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Holy shit!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Danny go faster use the auxiliary power to make the ship move faster!"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah yelled at the sight of the attackers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Got'cha, but I don't think we can move much faster than this!" said Dan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Alright everyone focus your attacks on the ones clung to the hall, we need to get those things the hell off us before they completely destroy the back end."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I yelled as I began to fire non-stop into the swarm that had attached themselves to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other four turrets began to do the same, firing continuously into the swarm of sentinels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Several more long moments passed as we slowly cleared them off the hull, the ship had continually began to pick up speed as the auxiliary power was pumped into the hover engines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Come on we can make this you guys!" said Isaiah trying to sound enthused that we were going to make it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just then the ship lost an engine and we dropped in speed slightly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Shit they got one of our engines Captain!" said Dan, "we're gonna loose some of our speed."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Just concentrate on what your doing, we'll handle it!"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I said frustrated, "alright guys step it up a bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We just need to last a little over seven minutes."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Captain, maybe we should use the EMP and wait for another ship to come to our aid, I don't think we'll make it."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"We'll make it trust me!"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I shot as many of the sentinels as I could, but still they closed in on us faster and faster.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The time was seemingly running long when everything including the ship went dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had made it. . . now to restructure and train Colin.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div>Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08074666369157919363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218843219188780247.post-57209499202782598392011-01-26T20:11:00.001-08:002011-01-26T20:11:49.251-08:00Matrix Fanfiction Chapter 15: Distractions<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Chapter 15: Distractions</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Colin woke up to his phone ringing next to his bed, he picked up and put the receiver to his ear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Hello," he said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The voice on the other line was familiar, even though he hadn't heard it in awhile he knew it was Brandan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Colin the time for you to be free draws near and when the time comes it may be difficult for all of us."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"How will I know when it is time?"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"I will call you to warn you but if something should happen between now and then you may be contacted a lot sooner so just be ready."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Ok."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin hung up the phone, got up out of bed and wiped his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The dream he had, he thought about it as he rubbed his arm, it did feel kind of different did what he dreamt actually happen?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin got dressed for the day and left to go to work at the restaurant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">I watched as Colin went to work in the code screen after my call.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were watching him very closely; I could tell they were just waiting for us to try something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The police were lingering in the area and there was even a sign of S.W.A.T.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>activity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got up and walked over to my unit and sat in the chair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"You're not going in are you?"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>asked Parker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I shook my head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"No, I'm just trying to think of our next move.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He's being watched by everyone there is in there to make this that much more difficult."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah was leaning against the wall next to the operator's station.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"We can all go in, you retrieve him the rest of us could create a few decent distractions to keep them busy," he said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"I'm thinking about it," I paused for a second, "How about this," as I spoke Tarra and Dan walked in, " I go straight for him while you guys attack the police station, and the city hall building."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah and Dan both smiled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"I'll take the police station when do we go?" asked Isaiah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"I think we can handle city hall," said Dan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I walked over to the operators screen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"We launch at 1200, get ready to go guys."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would only be a few hours and we would be inside the matrix taking on our biggest plan as a crew yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dan and Tarra decided to kill the time in combat training and Isaiah went to his room to prepare himself mentally.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Colin looked at the clock, it read shortly after 11 a.m. that meant the lunch rush would start soon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His co-workers were running around preparing for the rush of people that would come at 12.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Tabatha are you sure you're good to cut?" he asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tabatha nodded her head and walked over to the cutting line with knife in hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Yeah I'm sure, don't worry," she reassured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first group of people walked in the door and Trish, his manager, walked out to the dressing station next to Tabatha.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Looks like you're on cash buddy."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin nodded and stepped up to the cash awaiting the first customer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Trish I'm waiting for an important phone call and I may have to leave just to let you know."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trish just shrugged her shoulders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"You gotta do what you gotta do."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first few customers went through the line and several more walked in to replace them, including one of the men that had been after Isaiah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin tried hard not to stare at him and the phone suddenly rang.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin went to the back and picked up the phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Colin it's me they have found you, you have to run to Officers Square I'll be waiting for you now go!"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Colin took off as fast as he could out through the back door, the agent realized he had run and took off after him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin ran and dashed down the alleyway shedding his apron and hat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He came through the alley way close to the police station where there was an explosion, he seen Isaiah jump in a little red car with Tarra and Dan and speed down the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He heard a gun shot behind him and ran down the street on the sidewalk, the meeting place was in view and he could also see a black mustang parked close by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">A few minutes earlier Isaiah had just gotten in through the window to the police station.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had the bomb in his hand all he had to do was plant it and get the hell out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was in the main hall of the police station he could hear people talking in one of the adjacent rooms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah walked up to the open doorway of the room and looked around the corner, there was two that he could see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"So you're on the late shift again tomorrow huh?" said one of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Yeah, yeah."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Isaiah flipped passed the door swiftly and un-noticed and kept moving with his back to the wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was almost where he needed to be, the main radio room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As he got closer to the room he could hear the noise of the officers radioing in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"We got two unidentified persons in a red 2004 Acura Integra we need back up!"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Isaiah quickly glanced in and pulled away again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were six in the room he would have to get rid of them before he could plant the bomb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah focused and ran into the room grabbing the first from behind and breaking his neck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Holy shit," said the next drawing his gun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah quickly kicked the gun out of his hand and then kicked him in the face knocking him down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah drew his gun and shot the next two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Number five took a swing at him and Isaiah quickly blocked him, jabbing him in the throat and upper cutting him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other grabbed him from behind and held on, he elbowed him in the side and punched him in the face knocking him to the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the police were laying on the ground either dead or knocked out, Isaiah walked over to the radio equipment and planted the bomb on the front of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He set it for a minute and turned to run, there was an agent in the doorway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bomb was ticking and Isaiah seemed trapped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He jumped in the air and attacked the agent knocking him out of the doorway focusing as hard as he could on his attacks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah managed to slip passed the agent who was in arms reach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He grabbed at him missing, Isaiah hurried toward the steps to the next floor to his exit and there were guns shots fired from behind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bomb exploded and time seemed to slow down as Isaiah ran for the large window.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He pulled out his own gun and shot the window out, running with the fire of the explosion just behind him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He bounded out the window to the next building over and rolled to the ground, he saw Colin run by as he looked up and Tarra and Dan pulled up infront of him, he got in the car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">During that time Tarra and Dan had just pulled up infront of City Hall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Ok, you ready babe?" asked Dan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tarra smiled and nodded as they both got out of the car and went in the front door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tarra walked up to the receptionist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Um excuse me Maam could you tell where I can go to use a computer in the building?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need to look up some information on the city for a University professor."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Yes you could go to room sixteen."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tarra walked on and Dan followed her down the hall, they went up some steps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They walked into the room labeled 16 and luckily there was no one in the room, Dan closed the door behind them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tarra sat down at one of the computers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Ok, all I have to do is get into the main server for the building."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tarra typed in a few commands and a computer list came up for the entire building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She clicked into the building power controller and hacked the server, she was now inside the main system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Here goes."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">She continued typing and got into the building systems setting off all the alarms and knocking out the main computer destroying all the vital information about the town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The alarm sounding several armed guards busted in through the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dan took out his gun and shot them upon entry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"OK LET'S GO!" he yelled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tarra got up out of her seat and they both ran down the hall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gunshots came from behind and Tarra called up her hacker screen creating another wall behind them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They ran out the front door and jumped into the car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dan started the engine and squealed out of the parking lot just as the Police Station exploded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He drove quickly around front just as Isaiah hit the ground and stopped the car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah jumped in the car and they sped down the street to officer's square. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Colin jumped over the fence that surrounded Officer Square and ran over to where Brandan was standing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dan and Tarra pulled up and waved to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Come on let's get out of here!"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dan yelled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I looked at Colin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Come on, run to the black Mustang!"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took off running with Colin close behind me and jumped in the drivers seat of the converted Mustang. Colin bounded into the back and I started the engine and led the way to the highway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could here the sirens of multiple police cars behind us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I called Dan on my phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Yeah!"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said as he picked up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"I assume we got everybody!"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Ah huh were good to go."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Good just make sure you guys can keep those pigs off me ok I haven't got an extra man to fire."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Ok see you at the hotel."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">I put away my phone as we hit the highway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I began to speed up and pass by the traffic, which now zipped by me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Man what the hell is happening here?"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"We're freeing you today, it was a lot sooner than I had planned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I'll explain everything later."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could here the bullets hitting the car as I drove when suddenly a cop car exploded a distance behind us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Good job guys."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I said as I forced the pedal to the metal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The needle on the car was in the 300 range we were quickly loosing the police force.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Meanwhile back with Isaiah they weren't having as good of luck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were police cars on either side of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tarra pulled out her handgun and was firing at the one on her side while Isaiah hung out the sunroof with an assault rifle firing at the others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two cars exploded on the side and behind them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Good shooting keep it up man!"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah reloaded his gun and began firing again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"You need to speed up the mustang isn't even in sight anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hurry up and loose these guys like we know you can do it, Dan."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Dan focused on his driving and then everything around them seemed to slow down as they whipped by them at an incredible speed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah blew up several of the cop cars by shooting at them with his rifle; they kept going and made it passed most of the police force.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Colin and I had just pulled up to the hotel and gone in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The air around us was silent all there was to be heard was the ticking of the car's engine after working so hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Come on," I said as we walked into room 109.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I gave him the red pill, him already having made the choice to be free and we went into the adjoining room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guided him to the seat not saying a word, I took out the debugging program and stuck it to his arm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Hold still a second."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I pulled the trigger and the bug they had placed in his arm was pulled out through his skin and quickly healed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bug was safely contained in a glass casing, I emptied it on the ground and then stepped on it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made sure Colin was securely hooked in and then went to the consol.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My phone rang and I picked up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"What is it Parker?"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Captain, you can't start the trace program yet, you have to wait till the others get there."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Where are they?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are they ok?"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"They're actually in pretty good shape, they are just turning off the highway now, they should be along in a few minutes."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Ok, as soon as they pull in the yard start the trace program, contact them and tell them what is going on."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Ok."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hung up my phone and sat in wait. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Dan's phone rang and he picked up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Talk to me!" he said into the phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Yeah just to let you know the captain is waiting for you, we need you all there to start the tracing program so get your ass in gear!"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Gotcha."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dan sped up slightly they were practically in the yard of the hotel already.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They drove for another short distance and pulled into the driveway of the hotel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Ok, come on the Captain is waiting."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They jumped out of the car and went into the building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">I had already started the tracing process as the others walked in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Glad you guys could make it," I said on sight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Hey it wasn't that long," said Tarra.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The hard-line on the table began to ring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"That's for you Dan, we need you out to pilot the ship after we get him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hey Parker did you get him yet?"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Got him!"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin and Dan both disappeared and the phone began to ring again, Tarra smiled and picked up the phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Ok Isaiah your next."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The phone rang again and I picked up and passed the phone to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The phone began to ring again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Your quick at least."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I picked up and put the phone to my ear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div>Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08074666369157919363noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5218843219188780247.post-76450831368376894232011-01-26T00:18:00.001-08:002011-01-26T00:18:54.763-08:00Matrix Fanfiction Chapter 14: Decisions<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Chapter 14: Decisions</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">I pulled the needle from Isaiah's neck and he sat up, his nose was bleeding slightly, he wiped his arm across his face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Man I almost didn't think I would make it out of there," said Isaiah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tarra walked over and stood next to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Are you ok, your bleeding?"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>she asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah looked up at Tarra and then stood up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Yeah I'll be fine the bleeding will stop on its own soon."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah looked at me. "I told him what you want he will be ready for when you call him."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I smiled at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Good work Isaiah, you have done well."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I walked toward the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Come on Dan we have to find a new place to broadcast from we have been in one spot too long."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dan followed me out the door with Tarra and Isaiah shortly behind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Parker keep an eye on Colin."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">We got to the bridge and took our chairs with Dan and I piloting, Isaiah on holographic and Tarra in the seat behind Dan watching the proximity alarm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dan lifted the ship into the air slowly and we took off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Brandan I think we should head back to Zion for a recharge we only have enough power left to do the EMP one more time without using up the whole energy reserve," said Tarra.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"We'll be heading back once we get Colin back we should be fine for now don't worry."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went back to navigating the ship.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Back inside the matrix Colin was just starting on his way home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He began to wonder why the men that attacked Isaiah didn't bother with him at all, once Isaiah ran they followed him even though he threw one of them off the bridge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin continued his walk home, back the way he came.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had concluded that the people that attacked Isaiah were the reason he felt he was being watched.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The stuff that Isaiah told him . . . free him from this reality?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What other reality is there?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colin decided that he would run the rest of the way home and broke into a run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After about an hour of walking Colin was home and walked into his drive way and up the steps and into his house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His parents are long asleep and the house is completely dark, he walked into his room his computer screen was flashing black and green.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sat down infront of it and looked into it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He hit the monitor switch and it was off he got up and went to bed falling asleep quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That night he dreamed that he was on an operating table having the muscle in his arm repaired because he had severely damaged it in a Judo Tournament . . .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Back on the ship I was sitting in the operator’s chair watching Colin in the code, everyone else had gone to sleep and the ship was completely dark to save on power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I watched as he tossed and turned in the midst of what was called a dream inside the matrix.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were bugging him I could tell and I was expecting it, they weren't just about to let him go knowing that we were after him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Getting him out was going to be extremely difficult if we weren't careful, this was going to take a lot of skill and planning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Suddenly I got a call from somewhere with in the matrix.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could hear the ringing inside the headset, I clicked the answer button on the keyboard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"This is the Navras who is this?"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The voice on the other end was one that I had never heard before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"I bring you word from the Oracle you must come at once?"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Ok!"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">The Oracle till now was someone whom I had heard much about but never seen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I buzzed Parkers room and he arrived shortly as I was getting my chair ready for broadcast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"What is it Captain?"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>he asked sitting in his chair and placing the headset on his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"The Oracle has contacted me for some reason," I said as I sat down, "It sounds urgent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have never dealt with her before, strangely."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Parker walked over to me and I laid my head back, he slid in the needle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Alright Captain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go get'em?"</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">I loaded into the construct program and grabbed my gun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Send me to China Town, the coordinates are there already."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">The program loaded and I was inside a small abandoned building, I walked out of the building and into an alley-way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I looked to the other end of the alley to see the crowded streets of China Town, I walked out into the streets and began to walk to the place I knew to go to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I walked through the crowd and passed by several of the small shops a lot of them were just normal shops others had skinned animals hanging in the window.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I came to the building that I assumed I was to find the Oracle in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a medium sized Dojo I walked in and there was an Asian man inside sitting and sipping his tea at the back end of the Dojo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stepped inside the door and closed it behind me I walked over to him and he looked up at me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Are you the Oracle?"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stood up and placed his hand one over the other resting infront of him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"I am Seraph, guardian of the oracle, and I will take you too her, but first I must apologize?"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>he said in a strong Asian accent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I looked at him strangely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Apologize for what?"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"For this."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seraph jumped in the air seemingly in slow motion and kicked at me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did a back flip away from the attack and took up a fighting stance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I jumped into action and attacked him with a chop and a fist combo then finished it with a kick, he successfully blocked most of my attacks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He began to attack back at me quickly almost seemingly matching me in strength and speed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I blocked his attacks and jumped into the air doing a powerful kick attack sending him into the air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He landed on his feet and stopped putting up his hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Enough, you do not truly know someone until you fight them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Come with me."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">Seraph walked over to the back door of the dojo and slid in a key."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The door opened into a vast hallway of doors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"These doors lead all over the matrix," said Seraph.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He walked over to one of the doors and opened it for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Remember the Oracle knows all, listen to her."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I nodded to him and walked through the door and it led me to a park out house I was standing just outside it and I looked around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I seen nothing but some old women on a bench.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She seen me and waved me over to her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I walked hastefully over to her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Do you know where the Oracle is?"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked, blindly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Have a seat I am the Oracle."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hesitantly sat down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"What is it you are here to tell me?"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Oracle smiled at me and nodded looking out at the nearby birds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"I have brought you here to tell you that in the near future you will be faced with a choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The choice you make will either save a member of your crew Brandan, or you will have to watch one of them die."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"How do you know this?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am not going to watch one of my crew die?"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"I know because I must know."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Is there any way for me to avoid this situation?"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"No, once things have been set in motion there is no way for them to be set back."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">I shook my head not wanting to believe what she was saying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I slowly stood up I was well ready to leave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Is that all ma'am, please forgive the way I am acting but this choice you speak of will not be an easy one, and it is definitely not easy to hear about."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Oracle smiled gently at me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"I know Brandan, I understand your anger about this, it is the hardest choice that you will ever have to make as a captain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But for now that is all I have to tell you, you can leave through the Cathedral whenever you are ready."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I bowed to the Oracle and walked toward the cathedral she pointed to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I walked in and there was a hard-line in plain view, it was ringing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I walked over and picked up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">I opened my eyes and sat up not saying anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"What did the Oracle say to you Captain?" asked Parker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">"Nothing that I can discuss with any of you at this time."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Courier New";">I stood up out of my seat and went to my sleeping quarters I sat on the bed and laid back with my eyes closed, thinking of what my next move should be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We still needed to get Colin out and into training, my mind asked with the thought of all the decisions I was going to have to make. . .</span></div>Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08074666369157919363noreply@blogger.com0