Disclaimer: By no means do I own the Matrix, Zion or any of the characters that are obviously from the movies. However, Camelai, Wyatt and Alidah are entirely © to me.

Author's Note: This is the first Matrix fan fiction I've ever posted online. If you think that the beginning is slow, allow me to assure you, the further it goes, the better it will get. Besides, you'd have to read the whole thing to understand it.

Constructive criticism is appreciated. I'd really like some feedback so I know that I'm not wasting my time on this.

Substantial Purpose

By Athanay

Chapter One:

Painful Youth

"Come on, dear, we'd better get going."

"Oh, just a little while longer? She's so adorable!" The woman continued to watch over their six-month-old child who was contented in an elegant pram some feet away.

Her partner Wyatt chuckled. "Come along, Camelai. We can return later." His expression melted into an uneasily solemn one and his brown eyes grew dark as his brows were drawn together. "If we stay any longer they may get suspicious. It's a wonder they haven't figured out something's going on since we keep jacking in so often for no applicable reason."

Watching their baby girl from such a distance was difficult enough. Parents should have the right to hold their children and raise them on their own. In their case, that was impossible. They would undeniably be shunned and scolded if the crew of their ship were to be let in on the secret.

Camelai released a trembling sigh and took just one more look at her baby before stepping back from the bushes. Not another word was said as the couple turned and strolled briskly further away from their baby. Wyatt calmly wrapped his arm soothingly around Camelai. She demanded her thoughts would leave the topic of her daughter. Sniffing sudden tears away from her bright blue eyes, she took note of a nearby tree. It was like most of the others in the stunning park. The leaves were a bright green, healthy colour that swayed peacefully in the soft breeze. Pretty looking pink flowers also adorned the tree which managed to attract brightly coloured bees to collect the nectar within. The grass was just as green as the leaves with drops of dew on the blades that lingered since the early morning. Various species of birds lounged undisturbed on the thick branches, some tending to their nests. Indeed it was a marvellous day. It was a true wonder why most of the extensive park remained desolated. The empty park benches emitted a lonely feeling. The temperature was pleasant and the air smelled sweet. Spring was highly enchanting.

Too bad none of that was real. The bitter reminder entered Camelai's mind like a thunderbolt. The two made it out of the stunning park, still in silence. They looked both ways at a street and then crossed it, both listening to and concentrating on the upbeat sound of their footsteps as to not think of anything else. Their legs carried them both towards a tall nearby building that appeared as though it was in desperate need of a renovation. Wyatt's arm slid from Camelai's shoulders as he reached for the door. He opened it, allowing her in before him. He followed her inside after glancing around to make sure it the vicinity outside was safe. He scolded himself for not checking so previously. He may have otherwise endangered both his partner and himself. He would have to be more careful.

Minutes later, Camelai answered a ringing phone as did Wyatt precisely twenty seconds afterwards.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Her little hand clutched the little blue rattle. She had been shaking it energetically for the past few minutes and found great joy in doing so. Yet, she was still at a stage of learning how to release objects from her grip. She would often grasp her mother's finger tightly and refuse to let go. After all, she was only just getting the hang of using her rapidly strengthening muscles. She made a minor throwing gesture with her little chubby arm and released the rattle, although it was a slow action. Seeing her toy hit the ground with a clout and roll to a quiet stop made her entire face light up as she giggled. Her smile was enough to warm anybody's heart. "Alidah, are you trying to make me tired? I can't keep picking up your toys. You'll have to go pick it up yourself if you want it back." The young mother folded her arms and stared down at the baby.

Alidah returned the stare at her mother with gorgeous sparkling eyes that were so dark they were almost black. The woman sighed and failed in suppressing a smile. She wasn't able to resist the utter cuteness of her daughter. "Okay, okay, but this is the last time,"

Before she made a move, a dark stranger with long brown hair, a pair of conspicuous shades and completely black attire dashed past. In the process, his thick, heavy boot came into contact with the rattle and immediately snapped its handle off, destroying Alidah's treasured toy. The stranger, who smelled faintly of smoke and dust didn't seem to notice, therefore, it didn't bother him. "Hooligan," the mother muttered resentfully under her breath.

She took a step, attempting to reach the wrecked rattle when gunshots echoed throughout the area. "What is going on?" Glancing around and barely able to suppress her panicking, she couldn't see anyone.

Her question was short lived, as was she. More bullets were fired from the invisible source and instead of getting to the rebel they were meant for, they unavoidably hit Alidah's mother. Silence followed the obscene event. There were no more gunshots, no more bullets, not even a chirping bird. There were no more words, barely even a breath. The young women remained on her feet, frozen for the next passing seconds as it all sunk in. The poison of her pain slithered its way through her body and the colour drained from her face. It was impossible for her to battle the bullets encased in her dying form. Her vision blurred and swayed and her knees buckled from underneath her. Her limp body collapsed onto the path with an empty thud as her last breath was lost in haste.

Her cold and lifeless hand knocked the baby's rattle as it fell beside her. The sphere of the broken toy was jolted by the nudge and was driven away from her body. It rolled its way down a bank and bounced slightly before plunging into a pond full of lilies with a slight splash.

The baby's alluring eyes filled with salty tears and her youthful sight was blurred. Maybe it was seeing her favourite toy destroyed and lost that set her off, or maybe it was seeing the woman killed by the bullets of a phantom. Only she knew and it was doubtful she would commit to memory which it was.

The baby's desperate cries echoed relentlessly through the park, bringing out the pain, sorrow and loneliness in her heart.