The Song of Charity
A Family Affair
Charity was furious. It seemed everyone on this damned ship was trying to convince her to stay, while they jacked into the Matrix. They didn't think she could do it.
Well, the hell with them, she fumed.
She was ready to burst, and it so happened that Neo was the first one to get in her way when she let it all out. She stomped right up to him, and poked him square in the chest.
"You don't think I can do it, do you?"
Neo was stunned. Her anger was in full force, and directed towards him. Great, he thought. Perfect.
"I believe you will have some trouble, yes." He answered calmly, hoping someone would chance by and help him out.
"That's bullshit, Neo."
"You didn't even complete your training." He pointed out.
"So run me through it! Complete my goddamned training. But you're deluded if you think you'll keep me here." Charity growled.
Annoyed, Neo stood, and soon they were standing toe to toe, noses nearly touching. "Fine. I'll run you through it. But if I think you'll endanger us, in anyway, you will be left behind, do you got that?"
"Just try it, bud." again, Charity poked him in the chest, knocking him back a step. "You just try it. You know I can do it, and I'm sick and tired of people around here treating me like glass. I can handle it, and I'll prove it to you."
They stood there glaring at each other intil Farmer cleared his throat. "Uh, something wrong?" he asked, eyeing them warily.
"No" Neo said, still glaring at Charity. "Just a difference of opinion. Get Tank will you? We're going to put Charity through her paces."
* * * * * *
Celeste hooked her up to the console, while Tank helped Neo into his chair. Jumping into his seat at the computers, Tank grinned widely. He couldn't wait to see them fight. He always did like a good match, and he figured this would be as good as when Neo and Morpheus fought.
Then he loaded them up, sending Charity into the sparing program.
Looking around, Charity gauged the program, spotting glitches here and there. Might have to look into fixing that later, Charity mused to herself.
"Well, you know the basic rules, Charity. Let's see what you can do, shall we?"
"Certainly" Charity bowed slightly, then moved into her stance, legs apart, and arms curved in front of her.
Neo moved fast. A blur of movement that Charity could barely keep up with.
Spinning on her heels, she caught him in the chest, but before he could flip her, she jumped and spun over his head, reversing their positions. Swinging, their arms connected, as they each blocked the other's blows. Neo then caught her arm, and flipped her over his back, into one of the pillars, knocking the wind out of her. Spinning her legs, Charity was up swinging again, and her fist barely connected with Neo's jaw.
The crew had all gathered around the image console to watch, some placing bets to see who'd win, since both Neo and Charity seemed to be equals in this arena.
"Damn, look at her move!" Sid muttered, his eyes following every movement Charity made, and winced when he noticed Charity kick Neo's legs out from under him.
"She looks like she's out for Neo's blood." Cruiser threw in.
"Ha! Like she could do that." Celeste replied.
They continued to watch as Neo pummeled Charity, sending her into the wall again. Flipping, her movements seeming to blur, Charity spun, and delivered three quick punches to Neo's chest, kicked his legs out, and fell on him, with her knee on his neck.
"Well?" Charity asked, smug. "Think I'll do ok?"
"Yeah. Now could you please remove your knee?" As he stood, Neo rubbed his neck, and rolled his shoulders. "Ok, you proved your point. But that doesn't mean you will be able to handle it mentally."
Charity groaned, and sat on the floor. "I don't believe this." she whispered. "Neo, when you first went back in, did you feel any need to stay?"
"No. But then, I didn't have anything keeping me there, either. And I didn't have an odd bond with the machines."
At this, Charity looked at him sharply. "What do you mean?"
Neo just gazed at her calmly, silent.
Sighing, Charity moved her hair out of her face and looked at her hands. "Don't worry, Neo. I'll be able to handle it. Too much is at stake."
"I hope you're right." he said, holding out his hand.
Taking the gesture for what it was, Charity rose. "I have to be. I've got no other choice."
* * * * *
As the crew prepared to jack into the Matrix, Charity tried to calm her nerves. Neo hit it dead on earlier. She did have a strange bond with the machines. She couldn't say what kind of bond it was. It just was. But at least they had a plan. To get Amy and Lily out, of danger and out of the Matrix.
Morpheus saw her sitting in a corner, wrapped in her habitual blanket she always wore. Moving silently to her side, he placed his hands on her shoulders. Giving comfort and support. "We've contacted another ship. Their crew will get Amy and Lily out. They'll met us there."
Breathing a sigh of relief, Charity leaned back into Morpheus for a second, then stood, her face set. "Let's go then."
The ride into the Matrix was smooth. Charity was the last to go in, reluctant to enter the world she once lived. She knew it would be different...she'd feel different. She opened her eyes slowly, looking around at the computerized existence. Though she couldn't see the code itself, she knew the individual code to each object she saw. The phone near her elbow, the tight black shirt and loose blue jeans she wore. Even the small hair-band that kept her hair tied neatly in a ponytail at the base of her head.
She noticed that they were in what most would assume to be an abandoned warehouse, with a few greasy tables and a phone hooked up to the wall. Wanting to test herself, Charity walked a dirty window, reached her hand out to touch it, and let her fingers hover over it. She felt the information for that window buzz in her head, and as she trailed a pattern over the window, her fingers left a clean mark, though they never even touched the glass. She didn't notice the others behind her, watching her...fascinated.
The only one who wasn't shocked was Neo, who walked up behind her. "Amazing, isn't it? That one simple task many can't do." He spoke softly, eyes on her face.
Charity said nothing. Just glanced at him, her eyes dark and disturbed.
Morpheus called Tank to let him know that they were all in. Then, with a swift look towards Neo and Charity, he walked out, followed by all of the crew except Tank, Farmer, and Sid. Trinity lagged behind, worried about Charity's first journey back inside.
With Neo's guidance, Charity joined the others in the car. Neo and Trinity, thinking as one, sat on each side of her, silently preparing to stick by her side...for protection and comfort, should she need it.
"While we're at the Oracles', she'll most likely want to speak to you...privately, Charity." Morpheus said.
Saying nothing, Charity kept her eyes glued to the window, watching as the images rolled by.
"She has been around a long time, and may be able to help you know and understand your path in life." he continued gently.
"I already know." she whispered.
* * * * * *
They pulled up to an old apartment building, one that had seen better days decades ago. As they unloaded from the car, Morpheus nodded towards Cruiser. "Wait here. Pilar and her crew will be here soon. This shouldn't take more than an hour." Celeste and Brace stayed behind with Cruiser, to stand guard by the apartment entrance.
The rest surrounded Charity as they walked inside, and entered a gloomy elevator. Charity felt excitement and hope surge up inside her. Amy and Lily were here. She could feel it. And if all went according to plan, they'd soon be together again, outside of the Matrix. Charity wondered, a little as an afterthought, about the Oracle. They firmly believed in her. She helped Morpheus find Neo, and helped Neo find himself. Though she doubted the Oracle could tell her anything Charity didn't already know, she had to admit, she was curious.
The elevator stopped with a jerk and a thud. As they led the way down the dark corridor, Charity noticed the grime on the walls, and the grease on the floor. As they stopped in front of a door, Morpheus raised his hand, as if he was going to knock. But it opened before he could.
A young black girl stood there, smiling at him. "Welcome. Come on in, they're waiting for you." The young girl led the way down a small hall, then stood to the side at the entrance to the living room. And there on the floor watching a Bugs & Daffy cartoon was Lily, laying on her stomach and laughing at their antics.
Charity smiled widely, "Didn't your mother ever tell you that sitting to close to the TV can hurt your eyes?" she asked casually.
Upon hearing her voice, Lily did a double take as she looked over her shoulder. Squealing in happiness, Lily launched herself at Charity. Scooping her up, Charity laughed. It was the first laugh Morpheus and the crew could ever remember them hearing from her.
"Deb! Deb! Deb!" Lily chanted. "You're here! I missed you!" Lily hugged Charity tightly around the neck. But she suddenly leaned back and glared up at her. "You worried me! You just left...and no one knew what happened to you."
"I'm sorry, piglet, but I had to." Charity murmured, as she pushed back Lily's long brown hair behind her ear.
"Mom said you were ok, but I could tell, she was scared. Are you ok? You're not hurt, right?"
Smiling, Charity put Lily back on her feet. "No, I'm fine. Want to meet some friends on mine? This is Morpheus, Neo, and Trinity."
As Lily smiled at them, Amy walked out of the kitchen, unshed tears in her eyes. "Deb, you scared the hell out of me." she accused softly. She moved forward and embraced Charity. "Next time you decide to run off, you better let me know what's going on, understand?"
"It's a promise. Look, Amy, we've got to talk. There's trouble heading your way, and we need to act fast."
"Yeah, I sort of figured. Some wonderful cardboard men in suits kept following us, and then The Oracle found us, and explained somewhat what's going on." Amy sat on the couch, and twisted her hands together on her lap nervously. "What's going to happen now?"
Morpheus moved to Charity's side, his eyes and manners kind. "We have some friends who are going to take you to safety. And if you want to, get you out. They'll explain in more detail, but if you go with them, you, Lily, and Charity will be able to have a more permanent reunion."
At the mention of Charity's name, Amy grinned at her. "Charity, huh? Well, its about time." She turned back to Morpheus as he explained the basic plan to her.
Neo and Trinity had moved to the shadows, letting Charity have a few private moments with her family before it was time to go.
"Neo, so good to see you again." Neo turned, and there stood the Oracle, smiling, smoking her cigarette. "Trinity, you look wonderful."
"Thank you."
The Oracle looked to where Charity stood, and knew what was to become of her. She also knew of her past, her beginning.
Though she couldn't see the reasons why, or who did it, she could see the squalling infant, in a half filled pod on a sterile metal table, as a large machine plugged in wires through her nose. She could even feel the confusion of the infant as her brain downloaded file after file of information. The misery of the child as she knew her father was leaving her when the machine caressed her face with one large arm. "Good-bye" it said, the voice a monotone, then with a push of a button the infant fell unconscience, the pod filled and sealed up.
The Oracle had to shake herself out of the vision. She looked to Neo and Trinity, and they were shocked to see tears streaking her cheeks.
"What's wrong? What is it?" Trinity asked, frightened.
"It's ok, Trinity. Just the past. I would like to speak with her. Could you send her into the kitchen, where it's quiet?"
"Sure. I'll get her." Trinity said, and walked away swiftly, worry creasing her forehead. "Charity, the Oracle would like to talk to you."
Charity tensed, then made herself relax. She just wanted to talk, she told herself. "Ok. Where is she?"
"The kitchen. I'll take you." Charity followed Trinity down a small hallway, and through a beaded curtain.
At a small table, she saw an old black woman, smoking and drinking a pepsi. She smiled brightly at their entrance, but Charity could see it was strained. "Thank you, Trinity." her voice was soft, with an edge of steel.
Charity moved slowly to her side, then sat at the opposite chair from her. Leaning back, Charity took her in. Her outward appearance seemed...superficial. Fake. The soft matronly woman couldn't hide the warrior underneath.
The Oracle smiled, reading her thoughts. "You look confused, Charity. I do not meet with your approval?"
"It's not up to me to approve or disapprove." she replied.
"Everyone has the right to choose what's appropriate. But that is neither here nor there. Do you mind if I ask you a few questions?"
"Only if you don't try to read my palm tell me my future."
"Oh? You don't want to know what will happen?"
"I know what I am. And what I'm meant to do. I don't need you to tell me what my fate is."
"Ah yes, we all think we know, if we even believe in fate. Do you feel important, Charity?"
"I know where I stand in the grand scheme of things."
"And you'll sacrifice for those you feel are more important than you. Tell me Charity, how much will you sacrifice, how much are you willing to give?"
"Everything".
"Even your life?" the Oracle asked, leaning forward, eyes intense.
"If my life is the payment to keep those I love safe, then I'll gladly pay it." Charity replied, meaning every word of it. "Like I said, I know what I'm meant to do." With that, Charity stood and walked away.
The Oracle, delighted, grinned at her back. She followed her out, and watched as Charity hugged her sister and niece goodbye, then they left with Trinity, to meet with the members of the second ship.
Charity sat, and put her head in her hands, preparing herself for the trip back to the ship, and the knowledge that she'll have to live through a battle before that will happen.
Yes, the Oracle thought, she was the Key. But she knew Charity didn't know the half of what she'll do for humanity.
Morpheus walked to the Oracle's side, eager to get moving. "We must be going, we've been informed that there's trouble coming. You spoke with Charity?" he asked.
"Yes. She has the strength of a lion and the soul of a martyr. Your heart never stood a chance, Morpheus."
And to this, he said nothing. What could he say, when she was absolutely right?
