Title: Before the One
Rating: T+
Relationships: Switch/Apoc
Characters: All (Except Neo)
Disclaimer: Ain't at all mine, however, I'd like to claim the concept of Switch and Apoc... in this story at least... ;) Haha... It all belongs to the Wachowski geniuses.
Summery: Something's going on in the Matrix... they may have found The One... Story ends leading into the phone call Cypher makes in the beginning of the first Matrix movie.

Before the One Pt. 1

"Morpheus?" The voice echoed through the Nebechanezzer. "Are we within broadcasting distance?"

"Just reached it, Apoc. Inform Tank that we're ready to go in."

Apoc nodded and hurried toward the others. "We're ready, Tank."

"Got it." Tank hacked into the Matrix and sat back, awaiting his captain's next order.

Morpheus climbed up the ladder and into the main room. "Apoc, Switch, Trinity, you're with me. The rest of you stay here."

The four sat down and Tank inserted a computer cable into the back of their heads.

Suddenly the four rag-tag members were suddenly inside the Matrix; a computer generated world built inside a computer system designed to keep the Human race under control. The goal of Morpheus's crew was to find "The One." A person who was prophesied to return and free the minds of those trapped inside.

"Who now?" Trinity asked. Her question referred to their mission. They really had no idea what they were looking for, but Morpheus knew he would be the one to find this person.

Morpheus leaned over and picked up a phone that was ringing loudly on a nearby table. "We're in Tank." Hanging it up, he turned to Trinity. "A hacker who's name I've yet to learn, but his alias is Neo. His mind may be too old and attached to let go safely. So we must learn everything we can about him."

"Apoc, Switch, stay here. We may be being watched, I don't want to be surprised when we return."

Nodding, Apoc pulled his gun out and held it in front of him with both hands. Switch did the same thing.

They watched as Trinity and Morpheus pulled away in a black car.

"Do you think he's right this time?" Switch asked as her eyes swept the alley.

"He's never been right, but there's something about this one that makes me . . ."

"Makes you what?"

". . .I don't know . . . think."

She sighed and squatted down to study a set of loose boards on the porch they were standing on.

Long hours passed and they took turns watching and resting.

Sometime late in the afternoon, Switch leaned over to Apoc and gently nudged his shoulder. "I'm falling asleep. Can you take over for a while?"

He rubbed his eyes vigorously as he took his sunglasses off. "Sure. When do you think they'll be back?" He asked as he let her take his spot. He took off his coat and placed it on her.

"Hours or longer." She sighed heavily.

"Rest, my love."

Sometime around midnight, seven hours after they had first arrived, Apoc's cell chirped quietly. He fished it out of his coat pocket and flipped it open. "Yes?"

"We've got trouble. Nine sentinels."

"I'll alert Morpheus. We'll be out as soon as possible." He hung up and shook Switch. "Sentinels found the ship."

"Call Morpheus!"

"Already on it."

"Morpheus's voice was soon heard over the phone. "What is it, Apoc?"

"Nine sentinels. They've got to use the EMP. Are you near an exit?"

"Not even close–Trinity!" His answer was cut short by a panicked scream. The phone clattered to the ground and shots zipped through the air. "Agents!"

Trinity's voice sounded as she picked the phone up. "Get out of there! We'll try to make it."

"Trinity, we can't just-"

"Do it!" She hung up and Apoc looked at Switch helplessly.

"Should we do what she says?" She asked nervously.

"I don't see where we have the choice. Come on." He grasped her hand and pulled her inside an abandoned building.

Flipping the phone open, he explained the situation to Tank.

"Are they agents?"

"I believe so."

Tank made the call to bring them in.

"Let it ring" Was the first thing out of Apoc's mouth as he rushed to the control room where Dozer was trying to outrun the sentinels without losing the already unsteady connection with the Matrix.

"Thank Zion you're here!" Dozer breathed, surrendering partial control to Apoc.

Switch crept up behind the two and placed her hands on Apoc's shoulders.

Dozer screamed through the intercom at his little brother. "Tank, I have to use it now!" He placed his finger on the EMP switch as the sentinels began a violent attack on the outer hull.

He let his thumb slide forward and electrical systems on and off the ship died instantly.

To be continued . . .