Ok people we're a bit new at this and I only realized after I'd posted that we forgot the disclaimer so here it is

Disclaimer: We do not own the matrix, the people, places, or things in the matrix, or anything that has anything to do with the matrix. Though we wish we did, however all we own is this story and the original characters that will pop up later.

To our reviewers, you have no idea just how elated we were to find that people actually liked our story. Glitter's still up in the clouds. I welcome constructive criticism, how else will I improve, but our belief in our own writing abilities is low enough without the flames so please be nice.

R&R. it encourages me to type faster. Therefore you get updates sooner and it makes glitter happy so everyone wins.

And now here's ch. 2:

Chapter 2: Of Failed Engines and Old Friends

The following morning saw Trinity waking up feeling lighter than air. She was glad to be wrapped in the arms of the one she loved, and was completely oblivious to the world around her. She imagined the sun streaming through a window like it used to before she was unplugged.

Today, she remembered, Neo had to take the test for the council, but she wasn't going to think about that. For now, she was going to stay right where she was. Happy, warm, and loved.

Suddenly, the Neb shook. Waking Neo with a start and jerking Trinity from her reverie. It took Neo a minute to figure out where he was, but when the Neb shook again, the two of them were up, dressed, and running down the corridor to the core in a matter of minutes.

"Hey Tank." Neo said when they got there. "What's going on?"

"I'm not exactly sure, but I think we may have engine trouble." The young operator replied, and there was no small measure of concern in his voice.

"I've already checked it out Tank, and we're going to need to call for backup as we don't have the resources to fix the problem" Morpheus informed them as he walked into the room. "Can you make contact with the nearest ship and apprise them of our situation?"

"Of course." Then he turned to the radio, "This is Tank of the Nebuchadnezzar, calling all ships. We are experiencing engine trouble and require assistance. Our location is 40 degrees east latitude, and 60 degrees north longitude. This is an emergency situation. Does anybody read? Over."

"So what do we do now?" Neo asked, having never been in a situation like this before.

"Just wait until help comes." Morpheus stated.

"This is just so fricking wrong. There has to be something we can do. Neo is the One for Christ sake." Trinity's infamous temper had once again revealed itself.

"Come on Trin. Calm down. We'll be fine" Neo attempted to dissolve her temper. "Right now we just have to be patient." However his attempts did not have the desired affect.

"Fine!" she yelled, folding her arms ac her chest.

Neo's POV

Sometimes Trin can act like such a little kid, but she looks so cute when she does. Not that I'd ever tell her that. I wonder what our kids would look like. Probably have Trin's hair and maybe my eyes or maybe— get a hold of yourself. Now is not the time to be thinking about that. You should be worried about getting that engine fixed and your test with the council. Not what your future kids would look like.

I hope we get the engine fixed soon so I can take the test for the council and be done with it. I wonder how long this will take. I still can't believe the council didn't believe that Cypher willingly betrayed us. Even with all the proof and—what is Morpheus saying?

Normal POV

"Most likely the nearest ship will be at least an hour away. Luckily for us the heating still works. Your time will be your own until a rescue arrives. Tank-" Morpheus was cut off by a voice from the radio.

"This is captain Niobe of the Logos. Tank do you read me? Over." The distinctly feminine voice had a hint of authority in it.

"Loud and clear Captain. Over."

"We are an hour and a half away from your position and are on our way even as I speak. See you in a bit. Over and out."

"As I said your time is your own." Morpheus nodded to his crew and headed for his quarters.

'The Logos, huh?" Tank was only barely holding back laughter. "Well this oughtta be fun."

"What do you mean?" As usual Neo had no idea what Tank was talking about.

"Well," Tank started to answer then thought better of it. "You'll see." As Tank headed off for his cabin, Neo turned to Trinity curiously. Her face was as stoic as ever but her eyes were laughing.

"I'm not going to tell you so don't bother asking. We've got an hour. What are we going to do?"

"Well seeing as how we haven't eaten yet, why don't we do that?" Trinity gave him a skeptical look. "Oh, come now Trin. We had all last night together, besides some food might make you feel less cranky." He tried to reason with her.

"If you can call that goop food. And I'm not cranky." She snapped. He raised an eyebrow at her. "OK maybe I am." She paused. Neo waited for her to continue. "Oh, fine! Let's go eat." Irritated at how he could get anything out of her, she began to storm off towards the mess. However, before she could get out the door he caught her around the waist and pulled her back to him.

"And after we eat we can do what you wanna do, ok?" she nodded "Not mad at me anymore?"

"Never was."

"Liar." He stopped her protest with a kiss. She let it deepen for a moment then pulled away.

"Food first. That later." She scolded mockingly.

"Agreed" and the two of them set off for the mess hall.

One hour and 15 minutes later:

The entire group of four people that comprised the crew of the Neb were waiting just inside the hatch when the Logos docked. 4 people (A/N: yes four people. One is an OC. I'm not insane Ok? Well, yes I am but that's not the point) walked out of the Logos and onto the Neb. The first was an African American female. She wore a red captain's shirt and her black hair was done up in lots of little knots. The second was an Asian looking man. The third, a fairly tallish man whose blonde hair went in every direction. The fourth was a young girl who couldn't be more than 16. She had blonde hair that fell loosely to her shoulders.

"Captain Niobe."

"Captain Morpheus." The tension between the two captains was so thick you could have cut it with a knife. The silence reigned until Niobe spoke:

"So who's the newbie?" her eyes fell on Neo.

"This is Neo. He is the One." All four of them stared in amazement. Neo shifted uncomfortably, and Niobe offered her hand.

"Pleased to meet you Neo. I'm Niobe." Neo shook her hand. "This is Ghost," she waved at the Asian man "Sparkx," she indicated the other man, "and Nery. Nery, come here child." The young girl walked forward. "I want you to stay with Trinity while we fix their ship. Ok?" The girl nodded. "Good." With that Niobe walked off towards the engine room. Morpheus, Tank and Sparkx followed her.

"Trinity." Ghost greeted.

"Ghost. It's good to see you again, but you'd probably better go after Niobe." He nodded and did so. Trinity turned her attention back to Nery. "I don't believe we've met."

"No. We haven't. But I know who you are. Everyone knows you. I know him, too." She nodded at Neo.

"How?" Neo was surprised.

"Not important." She shrugged.

"And if I said it was?" Trinity pushed in her 'Don't-mess-with-me' voice.

"Then I'd have to disagree." She said simply. The three of them had walked to the mess hall and now sat down. Seeing a fight coming on from Trinity, Neo decided to change the subject.

"You know all about us. Why don't you tell us about you?"

"Fine. I'm 16 years old. I've been 'out' for three years." She stopped at the look on Trinity's face.

"13 when you were unplugged? Are you—"

"Still on the same ship? Yes."

"But anyone under 16 is supposed to go to the Academy." Trinity seemed shocked.

"I skipped the Academy."

"But why?"

"Same reason she's out." Ghost spoke from the doorway. He turned toward Nery. "Niobe realized in retrospect that sticking the two of you together might not have been such a good idea. She sent me to make sure you get along and don't kill each other." He sat down next to the girl.

"That's all good and well Ghost. But why is she out?" even Neo was curious now. Ghost looked at the man for a moment and then decided that if Neo wanted to skip the formalities and fanfare that came with being the One, and just wanted to talk like friends, that was entirely up to him. In all honesty, Ghost didn't think Neo was one to want to be worshipped. He glanced at Nery and saw that she'd come to the same conclusion.

"Hey Ghost!" Nery's voice quickly ended his thoughts. "This planet, please." She was smiling though.

"Sorry. In answer to your question Neo, Nery is out at the request of the Network. After all they've done for the resistance, it was the least we could do to pull her out and keep her on the ship. She has proven to be a valuable asset with planning, and Sparkx is glad for the help."

"I'm sure he is. How are the engines coming along?" Trinity was hoping they could get back to work soon.

"Finished." Niobe said as she came around the corner. Sure enough a moment later the ship shook and the lights came back on. They turned the flashlights off.

"Thank you for all your help, Captain." Tank joined them with that simple comment.

"Not a problem but now we must be on our way. If you can just find Sparkx, we'll—" They never found out what she'd meant to say for at that moment a loud "Bang" was heard.

"What was that?"

"Not sure."

"It wasn't the ship that's for sure."

"It came from outside, come on!" they all ran outside. A few of them grabbed the plasma guns. They searched for, and quickly found what had caused the noise. But what they saw before them caused everyone's jaws to drop.

A/N: The Network will be explained in a later chapter. I think. And if not tell us and we'll put it in as an author's note. Other than that it may be awhile before we update again because I'm going to be busy, and glitter's computer doesn't want to load it.