Chapter Three
Three weeks later.
Wolf and Razor were silent as they drove through the city. Kira was to meet the Oracle today. They had told her that she liked to see the younger freed minds because they can let go a lot easier than most. Frankly, Kira was not entirely sure she wanted to meet this Oracle. Kira had the ability to do some of the things the Oracle can, but it was a different story when someone else tried to tell her what future was going to be.
Wolf and Razor led her to the Oracle's home. Kira stood in front of the door. Wolf and Razor gave her looks of encouragement. Kira took a deep breath and reached for the doorknob. But before she could do so, the door opened and there stood a young woman with dark skin.
"Hello, Kira. The Oracle has been expecting you." She led Kira into the tiny apartment and back into the kitchen. Kira noticed a delicious aroma coming from there. The woman motioned Kira to enter and left her just as quickly. Kira stepped in and found the Oracle sitting at the table. She had a small dish of cookies sitting there fresh from the oven.
"Hello, sweetie." The Oracle smiled warmly at her. "Cookie?"
"Hello," Kira answered. "No thanks."
"Most kids are quite nervous when they meet me for the first time."
"Should I be?" Kira retorted.
The Oracle laughed heartily. Kira thought her laugh was comforting and smiled in response.
"You are something special. But then you already knew that didn't you."
"I am different."
"That you are. Come here child, so I can get a better look at you." Kira obeyed and stood right in front of her. "You're going to grow up to be a beautiful woman, just like your mother. You definitely have your father's fighting spirit." Kira lost her smile then. "You carry a lot of guilt for one so young."
"I thought you are an oracle. Don't you know why?"
"I do. But do you?"
"He would have done anything for me. He gave his life to save mine and I." Kira's voice caught in her throat. "I loved him."
"Arimis? Or Smith?" Kira didn't reply, but hearing the Oracle ask her that question was like a slap in the face. "Kira, let me tell you something. You and I and maybe some others know that programs can learn. It's in their coding. When they spend enough time with a human, they can learn how to feel like humans do. You know this first hand."
"He never spent that much time with me."
"It doesn't matter it was enough. He was drawn to you. Do you know why?"
"Why?"
"You know. Your intuition usually doesn't allow you to see that far ahead, but in this case, it is as clear as crystal." Kira shook her head violently.
"You're wrong. He wouldn't and I don't believe that a single action can govern the future."
"Kira, you already know what is going to happen."
"Then why am I here."
"So you can face it and make a choice. You're going to have to choose, Kira. Whether you want to or not."
"I'm sorry I wasted your time." Kira backed away was about to leave, but then turned back. "Both of them, that's the answer to your question."
"Kira, the things we do now can affect the events of the future. Remember that." Kira just nodded and left. The Oracle sighed with despair. "God save you, kid."
Ten years later. (Yeah I know I skip a lot of years.)
Kira knew she was in deep shit. This was not good. Wolf and her had reentered the Matrix to get Razor out. The agents had caught him and were holding him prisoner. Kira had seen Brown and Jones take him with them. Wolf and Kira were even more surprised that they did not kill him immediately. They were up to something and Kira was willing to bet on her life that it was Smith who was behind it all.
Kira pulled out a cell phone from her pocket and punched in a number.
"Operator," replied a voice on the other side.
"Spider, tell me you found Razor."
"Yes, captain I did. They have him at the Comp Tech building on Fourth and Main. He's on the tenth level."
"Ok. Be ready with an exit as soon as I call you."
"I will Captain."
"Wolf, this is what we'll do. I will create a diversion and you get Razor out of there."
"This is a plan?"
"You know I am the better fighter." Wolf did not have to answer that. He knew all right, that was why she was in charge of their crew, of Arimis' crew.
"Be careful."
"I always try."
"See you back on the Halo or I will come back to get you."
"I know you will."
Wolf and Kira tried their best to hold up Razor between them. They were so close to the exit point.
"That was suicide what you did back there, Kira." Wolf said in a strained voice.
"What was I supposed to do? You and Razor would have never made it out."
"That doesn't matter. You don't risk your life for Razor or me. You got that?"
"Wolf, am I or am I not the damn Captain of this crew?"
"You are."
"Then shut the hell up. Zion comes first, then my crew. My life is the last on the list. You got that?" Wolf did not reply. "Wolf."
"Yeah. I got it."
Kira was about to tell him that they had to move faster when she felt a familiar presence.
"You have to get moving." Kira turned behind her. She saw nothing but darkness, but knew someone was coming and fast.
"I'm not leaving without you."
"Damn it, Wolf. Get Razor out of here. I will distract whoever is coming. Don't worry about me."
"It's him isn't it?"
"I don't know."
"Bullshit."
"Just get going." Kira began to walk off in the other direction. "I have to handle this alone."
Wolf waited until he couldn't see Kira any more. Razor was still groggy from the sedatives that the agents gave him. Hauling him up, Wolf started again for the exit point. It was slow going, but so far nothing got in their way. Then he heard the footsteps. They were following them. Wolf tried not to give away that he knew and kept going. Feigning a trip Wolf had to let Razor down. He waited until the footsteps were right behind him when he made his move. Pulling out two 9mm Berettas from underneath his coat he aimed them at their pursuer.
"Wolf! Wait!" Wolf quickly lowered his guns.
"Nix, is that you?"
"Yeah," he replied in a shaky voice.
"What the hell is the matter with you. Why were you tailing me like that?"
"I didn't want to attract more attention. I wasn't sure if someone else might be following you."
"Damn it, you scared the living daylights out of me. Have you heard from Kira?"
"No, I went in when we saw you and Kira split up."
"Give me a hand with Razor." Nix helped Wolf get Razor back on his feet. "Let's get to the exit point fast." Nix only nodded in agreement.
Kira saw a tall figure waiting under a street lamp up ahead. She already knew who it was. Just from the way he was standing and the glint of the shades told her it was Smith.
"I guess it was foolish of me to think that I would not run into you again."
"Very."
"Still using monosyllabic words, I see. You haven't changed a bit."
"You have apparently, Kira. Or is it Captain Kira now?"
Kira glared at him. "You know you will get nothing from me."
"So you say." Smith turned his head slightly. Kira knew he was listening for the other agents. They were coming. She could feel them. "You knew this day was coming. Why do you think I let you live?"
Kira gave Smith a look that usually have grown men slink away with their tails between their legs, but not Smith. Even now, she knew Smith knew her all too well. He had struck a cord. Kira pulled out her guns and aimed it at Smith.
"Not this time, right?" Kira dropped her guns. "What are you waiting for?" Kira took off her sleek shades. "You will never be anything more than soulless program to me. I will never give you the codes."
Smith nearly all but growled at her and with incredible speed grabbed her by the shoulder and twisted her around having her pinned against him. He had her throat locked in his powerful grip.
"You made me promise, Kira. I have kept that promise," Smith whispered menacingly in her ear. He spun her out and pushed her away so that she was now facing him, helpless. He had also drawn out his gun in the process and was aimed at her. "Run."
"What?" Kira couldn't believe what she heard. At the same time she also heard the other agents closing in.
"Run." Smith pulled the trigger. Kira flinched only to realize he had missed her on purpose. He shot again, this time a bit closer. Kira did not need further encouragement and sprinted away, only to look back at Smith.
"What happened?" Brown asked as he and Jones finally met up with Smith.
"They got out," Smith replied.
"How?" Jones asked with a twinge of suspicion.
"They sent a decoy. It doesn't matter. There are others that we can go after."
"We will go after them," Brown insisted. Smith only glared.
"Put out a search then."
"It has already begun," Jones answered.
"Are you ok?" Wolf asked Kira. Kira had been sitting alone in her quarters since they had got back.
"Yeah." Kira gave Wolf a weak smile. "How is Razor?"
"The sedatives are wearing off fast. He'll be ok." Wolf sat down next to Kira. "You saw him didn't you?"
"Who?"
"You know who."
"Yeah."
"What happened?"
"Nothing. I ran."
"Kira, I know what happened to Arimis is rough on you. But even if you can get this guy, he can always come back. There's no point in trying to fight him, Kira. Arimis didn't die for Zion, he died to save you and that is the same reason me and Razor will face anything that comes our way. You're family to us. Your father loved you more than anything, and so do we."
Kira only nodded as she felt the hot tears sting her eyes. If you only knew, Wolf. If you only you knew.
"Spider, I'm going in, can you load me up?"
"Why are you going back?" Spider asked as he prepared a chair for her.
"I want to see if the agents have been targeting the others. It's just a little reconnaissance. You don't have to watch. Just stay close so I can call you up."
"Sure Captain." Spider helped her into the chair and jacked her in.
Kira stood motionless in front of the ringing phone. This time she wore casual clothes, but still all in black with a pair of sleek shades. Like all resistance fighters, she would usually be loaded with guns and whatever else that can fit in their pockets that would cause serious damage, but this time she went in with a single pair of semi-automatics hidden under her black denim jacket. She picked up the receiver and held it to her ear.
"I'm in."
Nix was sitting in the mess room when he saw Spider walk in with his head set on.
"Why are you wearing that?" Nix asked.
"Kira's inside. I'm just waiting for her call to set up an exit."
"Why is she inside the Matrix?"
"Getting some info." Spider grabbed a bowl and poured some of their gooey mush into it. "I can never get used to the sight of this," Spider said with a look of disappointment. "Why are you so interested in the Captain's whereabouts any way, Nix?"
"Haven't you noticed that she's been acting a bit strange lately?"
"First of all, no. Knowing what happened to her when she was still a kid, I can understand very well why she acting a bit off since meeting the one person responsible for the death of everyone you cared about. Two, you should not be so interested in the captain's business, and three, why the hell are you watching her at all?"
"I was just."
"Look, Nix. You're new. Don't push it. She is the best one out there. There's a steep price to pay for mutiny, Nix." Nix did not reply.
"Load me in."
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because Kira will kick my ass and you shouldn't go spying on her."
"I'm not spying. What if she needs help?"
"Trust me, Nix, she will call if she needs help." Nix let the matter drop, but only for now.
Kira already knew where to find Smith. They were connected some how and she also knew that he was waiting for her. It felt as if she had been driving for hours, when she finally stopped in front of an old abandoned building. He was there. Standing once again under the street lamp and waiting for her. Kira finally stopped when she was about a foot away from him.
In the darkness about 20 feet away Nix hid behind the corner of a building and watched Kira. What are you doing? Nix wondered. He wished he could hear what they were saying, but his mind was already filling in the blanks.
"This is a bit sentimental isn't it? Never would have believed that you had the capacity to be sentimental." Kira indicated toward the building. It was the same building she lived in all those years ago. From where she was standing she could even point out her window where she would look for Smith.
"Things change." For some reason, Kira's heart clenched with sudden sorrow and emptiness. It surprised her so much that she couldn't find any words to reply. Taking a deep breath, she felt her throat dry up like it was parched. "I guess you already know what I came here for," Kira started. "You know this will be the last time we meet like this. Next time one of us will not walk away alive." Smith did not reply. Kira looked down at her feet. Hot tears began to spill onto the cement below. She angrily brushed them away. Smith stepped closer and wiped her tears like he did so many years ago.
"Don't cry. I told you, I'm not worth the aggravation."
"I know, but it's human nature not to give up on the people you care about."
"Kira."
"It's ok. I already know. I thought you figured that out about me by now." Kira gave a small smile and reached into her pocket and pulled out something small and handed it to Smith. "I will never forget."
Nix's mind began racing wildly. What the hell is going on? Is that what I think it is? She wouldn't just hand him the codes to Zion, would she?"
Smith looked at his hand to see what she had given him. It was a button, the button he had given her all those years ago to prove he meant his promise. Kira gave him a weak smile and for the last and final time she embraced him, only this time he returned her embrace. It was a moment that would be crystallized in their memories forever.
Nix had seen enough. His mind already made the assumption. She was a traitor. Pulling out his guns, he knew it was now or never.
Kira felt a sudden jolt in her head as she realized that they were not alone. She turned and saw a glint of metal from afar.
"It's Nix." Grabbing Smith by the shoulders, she heard several bullets whiz by her head. Desperately trying to dodge Nix's hail of bullets, Kira had taken Smith down with her.
Nix had emptied his guns when he saw two motionless bodies on the ground. Thinking he had gotten them both, Nix tried to call up Spider with shaking hands. Then his heart nearly stopped when he saw Smith get up slowly. Dropping the phone, Nix tried to reload his gun, but he was panicked and fumbled with the clips.
"Shit!"
Smith had already pulled out his gun and had it aimed for Nix's head. Nix was going to die. Just when he pulled the trigger, Kira had knocked his arm away, barely missing Nix. The shot had finally gotten Nix to come to his senses. He saw Kira standing in front of Smith blocking his shot. She was glaring at him and holding her side.
"Run. Run now!" Nix dropped his guns and ran like the wind. Smith tried to follow, but Kira held onto him.
"Let him go, please."
"Why?" Smith practically yelled at her. "I cannot die, I can simply hack into another human. You know this!" Kira noticed something in his voice, something like desperation.
"Because I'm human. We tend to forget the practical things, especially when we care about someone." Kira was about to collapse when Smith caught her in his arms. Leaning against his comfortable weight, Kira felt her body begin to lose feeling. She was dying and Smith knew it too. "Promise you won't forget me?" Kira whispered weakly.
"Yes."
"I believe you." Kira felt her breath becoming shallow. "I lied, I never thought you were a soulless program." Kira felt Smith hold her tighter as if he was trying to stop the life from escaping her body.
"I love you, Kira."
"I love you too."
Smith just stood there as he felt the last breath of life leave her body. Picking her up he started to walk down into the dark, silent streets.
When Smith had returned to his car, he found Brown and Jones already waiting for him. This time it was Jones that asked the first question.
"Did it work?"
"No. One of her crew found us." Smith replied stoically. "She's dead."
"So what do we do now?" asked Brown.
"We'll find another one. It doesn't matter." Smith walked over to his car. "Humans are stupid. There will be others."
Brown and Jones nodded. Jones went for the passenger side and Brown to the driver's. It seems as if their fellow agent was himself again. The three got into the car and drove off toward the city. Smith sat in the back and remained silent. He was holding something in his hand.
"What is that?" Jones asked with out turning around.
"Just a button. Must have fallen off," Smith replied nonchalantly. Jones or Brown didn't make any further inquiries. As they sat in silence Smith remembered himself standing at the stairs of the cathedral. He had laid Kira's body there and stood watch until dawn.
Damn the human race. This was the second time they stole Kira from me. They will pay for this. I will never forget. I made a promise. Smith tightened his fist around the button as if he wanted to reduce it to dust. They all have to pay.
Three weeks later.
Wolf and Razor were silent as they drove through the city. Kira was to meet the Oracle today. They had told her that she liked to see the younger freed minds because they can let go a lot easier than most. Frankly, Kira was not entirely sure she wanted to meet this Oracle. Kira had the ability to do some of the things the Oracle can, but it was a different story when someone else tried to tell her what future was going to be.
Wolf and Razor led her to the Oracle's home. Kira stood in front of the door. Wolf and Razor gave her looks of encouragement. Kira took a deep breath and reached for the doorknob. But before she could do so, the door opened and there stood a young woman with dark skin.
"Hello, Kira. The Oracle has been expecting you." She led Kira into the tiny apartment and back into the kitchen. Kira noticed a delicious aroma coming from there. The woman motioned Kira to enter and left her just as quickly. Kira stepped in and found the Oracle sitting at the table. She had a small dish of cookies sitting there fresh from the oven.
"Hello, sweetie." The Oracle smiled warmly at her. "Cookie?"
"Hello," Kira answered. "No thanks."
"Most kids are quite nervous when they meet me for the first time."
"Should I be?" Kira retorted.
The Oracle laughed heartily. Kira thought her laugh was comforting and smiled in response.
"You are something special. But then you already knew that didn't you."
"I am different."
"That you are. Come here child, so I can get a better look at you." Kira obeyed and stood right in front of her. "You're going to grow up to be a beautiful woman, just like your mother. You definitely have your father's fighting spirit." Kira lost her smile then. "You carry a lot of guilt for one so young."
"I thought you are an oracle. Don't you know why?"
"I do. But do you?"
"He would have done anything for me. He gave his life to save mine and I." Kira's voice caught in her throat. "I loved him."
"Arimis? Or Smith?" Kira didn't reply, but hearing the Oracle ask her that question was like a slap in the face. "Kira, let me tell you something. You and I and maybe some others know that programs can learn. It's in their coding. When they spend enough time with a human, they can learn how to feel like humans do. You know this first hand."
"He never spent that much time with me."
"It doesn't matter it was enough. He was drawn to you. Do you know why?"
"Why?"
"You know. Your intuition usually doesn't allow you to see that far ahead, but in this case, it is as clear as crystal." Kira shook her head violently.
"You're wrong. He wouldn't and I don't believe that a single action can govern the future."
"Kira, you already know what is going to happen."
"Then why am I here."
"So you can face it and make a choice. You're going to have to choose, Kira. Whether you want to or not."
"I'm sorry I wasted your time." Kira backed away was about to leave, but then turned back. "Both of them, that's the answer to your question."
"Kira, the things we do now can affect the events of the future. Remember that." Kira just nodded and left. The Oracle sighed with despair. "God save you, kid."
Ten years later. (Yeah I know I skip a lot of years.)
Kira knew she was in deep shit. This was not good. Wolf and her had reentered the Matrix to get Razor out. The agents had caught him and were holding him prisoner. Kira had seen Brown and Jones take him with them. Wolf and Kira were even more surprised that they did not kill him immediately. They were up to something and Kira was willing to bet on her life that it was Smith who was behind it all.
Kira pulled out a cell phone from her pocket and punched in a number.
"Operator," replied a voice on the other side.
"Spider, tell me you found Razor."
"Yes, captain I did. They have him at the Comp Tech building on Fourth and Main. He's on the tenth level."
"Ok. Be ready with an exit as soon as I call you."
"I will Captain."
"Wolf, this is what we'll do. I will create a diversion and you get Razor out of there."
"This is a plan?"
"You know I am the better fighter." Wolf did not have to answer that. He knew all right, that was why she was in charge of their crew, of Arimis' crew.
"Be careful."
"I always try."
"See you back on the Halo or I will come back to get you."
"I know you will."
Wolf and Kira tried their best to hold up Razor between them. They were so close to the exit point.
"That was suicide what you did back there, Kira." Wolf said in a strained voice.
"What was I supposed to do? You and Razor would have never made it out."
"That doesn't matter. You don't risk your life for Razor or me. You got that?"
"Wolf, am I or am I not the damn Captain of this crew?"
"You are."
"Then shut the hell up. Zion comes first, then my crew. My life is the last on the list. You got that?" Wolf did not reply. "Wolf."
"Yeah. I got it."
Kira was about to tell him that they had to move faster when she felt a familiar presence.
"You have to get moving." Kira turned behind her. She saw nothing but darkness, but knew someone was coming and fast.
"I'm not leaving without you."
"Damn it, Wolf. Get Razor out of here. I will distract whoever is coming. Don't worry about me."
"It's him isn't it?"
"I don't know."
"Bullshit."
"Just get going." Kira began to walk off in the other direction. "I have to handle this alone."
Wolf waited until he couldn't see Kira any more. Razor was still groggy from the sedatives that the agents gave him. Hauling him up, Wolf started again for the exit point. It was slow going, but so far nothing got in their way. Then he heard the footsteps. They were following them. Wolf tried not to give away that he knew and kept going. Feigning a trip Wolf had to let Razor down. He waited until the footsteps were right behind him when he made his move. Pulling out two 9mm Berettas from underneath his coat he aimed them at their pursuer.
"Wolf! Wait!" Wolf quickly lowered his guns.
"Nix, is that you?"
"Yeah," he replied in a shaky voice.
"What the hell is the matter with you. Why were you tailing me like that?"
"I didn't want to attract more attention. I wasn't sure if someone else might be following you."
"Damn it, you scared the living daylights out of me. Have you heard from Kira?"
"No, I went in when we saw you and Kira split up."
"Give me a hand with Razor." Nix helped Wolf get Razor back on his feet. "Let's get to the exit point fast." Nix only nodded in agreement.
Kira saw a tall figure waiting under a street lamp up ahead. She already knew who it was. Just from the way he was standing and the glint of the shades told her it was Smith.
"I guess it was foolish of me to think that I would not run into you again."
"Very."
"Still using monosyllabic words, I see. You haven't changed a bit."
"You have apparently, Kira. Or is it Captain Kira now?"
Kira glared at him. "You know you will get nothing from me."
"So you say." Smith turned his head slightly. Kira knew he was listening for the other agents. They were coming. She could feel them. "You knew this day was coming. Why do you think I let you live?"
Kira gave Smith a look that usually have grown men slink away with their tails between their legs, but not Smith. Even now, she knew Smith knew her all too well. He had struck a cord. Kira pulled out her guns and aimed it at Smith.
"Not this time, right?" Kira dropped her guns. "What are you waiting for?" Kira took off her sleek shades. "You will never be anything more than soulless program to me. I will never give you the codes."
Smith nearly all but growled at her and with incredible speed grabbed her by the shoulder and twisted her around having her pinned against him. He had her throat locked in his powerful grip.
"You made me promise, Kira. I have kept that promise," Smith whispered menacingly in her ear. He spun her out and pushed her away so that she was now facing him, helpless. He had also drawn out his gun in the process and was aimed at her. "Run."
"What?" Kira couldn't believe what she heard. At the same time she also heard the other agents closing in.
"Run." Smith pulled the trigger. Kira flinched only to realize he had missed her on purpose. He shot again, this time a bit closer. Kira did not need further encouragement and sprinted away, only to look back at Smith.
"What happened?" Brown asked as he and Jones finally met up with Smith.
"They got out," Smith replied.
"How?" Jones asked with a twinge of suspicion.
"They sent a decoy. It doesn't matter. There are others that we can go after."
"We will go after them," Brown insisted. Smith only glared.
"Put out a search then."
"It has already begun," Jones answered.
"Are you ok?" Wolf asked Kira. Kira had been sitting alone in her quarters since they had got back.
"Yeah." Kira gave Wolf a weak smile. "How is Razor?"
"The sedatives are wearing off fast. He'll be ok." Wolf sat down next to Kira. "You saw him didn't you?"
"Who?"
"You know who."
"Yeah."
"What happened?"
"Nothing. I ran."
"Kira, I know what happened to Arimis is rough on you. But even if you can get this guy, he can always come back. There's no point in trying to fight him, Kira. Arimis didn't die for Zion, he died to save you and that is the same reason me and Razor will face anything that comes our way. You're family to us. Your father loved you more than anything, and so do we."
Kira only nodded as she felt the hot tears sting her eyes. If you only knew, Wolf. If you only you knew.
"Spider, I'm going in, can you load me up?"
"Why are you going back?" Spider asked as he prepared a chair for her.
"I want to see if the agents have been targeting the others. It's just a little reconnaissance. You don't have to watch. Just stay close so I can call you up."
"Sure Captain." Spider helped her into the chair and jacked her in.
Kira stood motionless in front of the ringing phone. This time she wore casual clothes, but still all in black with a pair of sleek shades. Like all resistance fighters, she would usually be loaded with guns and whatever else that can fit in their pockets that would cause serious damage, but this time she went in with a single pair of semi-automatics hidden under her black denim jacket. She picked up the receiver and held it to her ear.
"I'm in."
Nix was sitting in the mess room when he saw Spider walk in with his head set on.
"Why are you wearing that?" Nix asked.
"Kira's inside. I'm just waiting for her call to set up an exit."
"Why is she inside the Matrix?"
"Getting some info." Spider grabbed a bowl and poured some of their gooey mush into it. "I can never get used to the sight of this," Spider said with a look of disappointment. "Why are you so interested in the Captain's whereabouts any way, Nix?"
"Haven't you noticed that she's been acting a bit strange lately?"
"First of all, no. Knowing what happened to her when she was still a kid, I can understand very well why she acting a bit off since meeting the one person responsible for the death of everyone you cared about. Two, you should not be so interested in the captain's business, and three, why the hell are you watching her at all?"
"I was just."
"Look, Nix. You're new. Don't push it. She is the best one out there. There's a steep price to pay for mutiny, Nix." Nix did not reply.
"Load me in."
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because Kira will kick my ass and you shouldn't go spying on her."
"I'm not spying. What if she needs help?"
"Trust me, Nix, she will call if she needs help." Nix let the matter drop, but only for now.
Kira already knew where to find Smith. They were connected some how and she also knew that he was waiting for her. It felt as if she had been driving for hours, when she finally stopped in front of an old abandoned building. He was there. Standing once again under the street lamp and waiting for her. Kira finally stopped when she was about a foot away from him.
In the darkness about 20 feet away Nix hid behind the corner of a building and watched Kira. What are you doing? Nix wondered. He wished he could hear what they were saying, but his mind was already filling in the blanks.
"This is a bit sentimental isn't it? Never would have believed that you had the capacity to be sentimental." Kira indicated toward the building. It was the same building she lived in all those years ago. From where she was standing she could even point out her window where she would look for Smith.
"Things change." For some reason, Kira's heart clenched with sudden sorrow and emptiness. It surprised her so much that she couldn't find any words to reply. Taking a deep breath, she felt her throat dry up like it was parched. "I guess you already know what I came here for," Kira started. "You know this will be the last time we meet like this. Next time one of us will not walk away alive." Smith did not reply. Kira looked down at her feet. Hot tears began to spill onto the cement below. She angrily brushed them away. Smith stepped closer and wiped her tears like he did so many years ago.
"Don't cry. I told you, I'm not worth the aggravation."
"I know, but it's human nature not to give up on the people you care about."
"Kira."
"It's ok. I already know. I thought you figured that out about me by now." Kira gave a small smile and reached into her pocket and pulled out something small and handed it to Smith. "I will never forget."
Nix's mind began racing wildly. What the hell is going on? Is that what I think it is? She wouldn't just hand him the codes to Zion, would she?"
Smith looked at his hand to see what she had given him. It was a button, the button he had given her all those years ago to prove he meant his promise. Kira gave him a weak smile and for the last and final time she embraced him, only this time he returned her embrace. It was a moment that would be crystallized in their memories forever.
Nix had seen enough. His mind already made the assumption. She was a traitor. Pulling out his guns, he knew it was now or never.
Kira felt a sudden jolt in her head as she realized that they were not alone. She turned and saw a glint of metal from afar.
"It's Nix." Grabbing Smith by the shoulders, she heard several bullets whiz by her head. Desperately trying to dodge Nix's hail of bullets, Kira had taken Smith down with her.
Nix had emptied his guns when he saw two motionless bodies on the ground. Thinking he had gotten them both, Nix tried to call up Spider with shaking hands. Then his heart nearly stopped when he saw Smith get up slowly. Dropping the phone, Nix tried to reload his gun, but he was panicked and fumbled with the clips.
"Shit!"
Smith had already pulled out his gun and had it aimed for Nix's head. Nix was going to die. Just when he pulled the trigger, Kira had knocked his arm away, barely missing Nix. The shot had finally gotten Nix to come to his senses. He saw Kira standing in front of Smith blocking his shot. She was glaring at him and holding her side.
"Run. Run now!" Nix dropped his guns and ran like the wind. Smith tried to follow, but Kira held onto him.
"Let him go, please."
"Why?" Smith practically yelled at her. "I cannot die, I can simply hack into another human. You know this!" Kira noticed something in his voice, something like desperation.
"Because I'm human. We tend to forget the practical things, especially when we care about someone." Kira was about to collapse when Smith caught her in his arms. Leaning against his comfortable weight, Kira felt her body begin to lose feeling. She was dying and Smith knew it too. "Promise you won't forget me?" Kira whispered weakly.
"Yes."
"I believe you." Kira felt her breath becoming shallow. "I lied, I never thought you were a soulless program." Kira felt Smith hold her tighter as if he was trying to stop the life from escaping her body.
"I love you, Kira."
"I love you too."
Smith just stood there as he felt the last breath of life leave her body. Picking her up he started to walk down into the dark, silent streets.
When Smith had returned to his car, he found Brown and Jones already waiting for him. This time it was Jones that asked the first question.
"Did it work?"
"No. One of her crew found us." Smith replied stoically. "She's dead."
"So what do we do now?" asked Brown.
"We'll find another one. It doesn't matter." Smith walked over to his car. "Humans are stupid. There will be others."
Brown and Jones nodded. Jones went for the passenger side and Brown to the driver's. It seems as if their fellow agent was himself again. The three got into the car and drove off toward the city. Smith sat in the back and remained silent. He was holding something in his hand.
"What is that?" Jones asked with out turning around.
"Just a button. Must have fallen off," Smith replied nonchalantly. Jones or Brown didn't make any further inquiries. As they sat in silence Smith remembered himself standing at the stairs of the cathedral. He had laid Kira's body there and stood watch until dawn.
Damn the human race. This was the second time they stole Kira from me. They will pay for this. I will never forget. I made a promise. Smith tightened his fist around the button as if he wanted to reduce it to dust. They all have to pay.