Part 7: Code
"As your security team," said Collins, sliding behind the wheel of the Audi, "we must inform you that most people in the Matrix will not know who you are."
"When you say people, do you mean humans or AI's?" Smith asked. He was sitting next to her, with Evans and Chapman in the back. These two had their hands on their guns and were peering through the tinted windows as if they were expecting trouble. If it was coming, he hoped it wouldn't be too soon.
"Both," Collins replied, as they pulled away from the curb. "Just because the mainframe knows your true nature does not mean its resident programs will, and humans in here will not recognize you as the One." She spared a glance at him before returning her attention to the road. "To some, you are the leader of the rebels, who has somehow convinced the mainframe to call an ill-advised and unwelcome truce. Others will see you as the virus that nearly destroyed them."
"And what do you see me as?" he asked, watching the scenery roll by.
Collins didn't respond immediately. "You are to be protected," she said, after a moment.
Smith frowned. "You didn't answer my question."
The agent's expression didn't change, but Smith had enough experience with other programs to tell that she was seriously considering her answer. "You are Smith," she finally said. "A former system agent, whose code exchanged elements with that of the human once known as Thomas Anderson, and whose upgraded code now resides within that human's physical body."
"That wasn't what I asked," he pressed, trying to get an idea of how far he could trust his 'bodyguards'. "Do you consider me to be a human, an agent, or a virus?"
"You are none of those things," she asserted. "Although your nature clearly contains elements of each, your frame of reference is not limited to any one of them. Which is why you are the One," she finished. "You are unique."
That sounded a bit more positive. Mostly. "How is it clear that I have aspects of all three?"
"It is obvious," said Chapman. Evans nodded in agreement, but Smith still didn't know what they were referring to. He looked at the team leader questioningly.
Collins raised an eyebrow once again. "Your appearance is somewhat...different than we'd expected."
He blinked, nonplussed. "Did you think I would look like Neo in here?"
"No."
"Well, my code has changed since my last time in the Matrix; you said that yourself."
"Agent Collins was not speaking of your code," Evans replied helpfully. "She means that, had we not been aware of your previous status as a system agent, it would be difficult to watch you for any length of time and believe you were ever anything but human."
Smith wasn't quite sure how to take that. He didn't think it was meant as a compliment. He wasn't offended, though...he was well aware that agents weren't the most diplomatic AI's in existence. But it was a surprise. To himself, he looked just as he had before -- maybe his hair was a bit different (slightly longer and lighter, perhaps), but he hadn't realized until now what must have been glaringly obvious to the agents.
He no longer moved like a machine. That's what they were trying to say, and also that anyone watching him would be able to see it too.
"You think I look human?" he asked.
Collins looked faintly pleased. "Yes."
"That's a relief -- I've been worried that it was obvious I wasn't Neo."
"You have not been truthful with the humans concerning your identity?" she asked.
"No," he admitted.
"If you do not wish for others to learn of your deception, I suggest you take more care in your movements here in the Matrix," she cautioned. "The humans would be quite surprised to see their leader appear in the guise of the agent who'd sworn to kill him."
"I'd already worked that out," he replied dryly. "But thank you for your concern."
"You're welcome," she said, as they pulled up in front of the Oracle's apartment building. She switched off the motor, then turned to Smith. "We're here."
