Disclaimer: blah blah blah…ain't mine…….
Author's note: Alrighty, I decided that that first chapter was kinda sad, so I updated, now isn't that special? I thought so. Anyhoo, hopefully somebody actually likes this story so all my hopes and dreams are not forever crushed… J and onward!
---------------------------
A few hours later, the lights on the Neb flickered on, showing Cypher still intently working at the core.
"Dozer, when you finish eating, Switch, Cypher and I are going in."
" Right on Morpheus." Dozer quickly finished what was left of his slop and headed for the operator chair. "Please buckle up and hold on tight, cause we're going in!" He made sure everyone was plugged in and loaded us into the Matrix. Minutes later Morpheus, Switch and I were all standing by a telephone in an abandoned warehouse. The phone rang and Morpheus picked up, after confirming with Dozer that we arrived alive, we set out.
- - - - - - - - - - - On a University Campus -------------
IThank God! I need a break, that last lecture was a killer. Maybe I'll go to the restaurant around the corner. Oh screw the food! I need some chocolate! Baskin Robbins here I come!/I
A few minutes later Julie sat down with her ice cream. Julie was of course the name that the Matrix gave her, but it was a nice name. Why does Morpheus keep watching her? It's like he's waiting for the right moment to interrupt her (from eating a sundae she is very obviously enjoying) and give her the speech. God he had that thing memorized. He almost always says the same things, and us lovely copperheads take it, hook, line and sinker. I wonder how long it took to develop.
" I think you should talk to her Cypher." Morpheus's voice broke into his thoughts.
" What? Me? Why should I go?"
" Because she is closer to your age and I have a feeling you will have a better connection with her. Now go."
Why me? Morpheus always does the talking; it's his specialty. He knows the dream and he knows how to explain things. Hell, I've never been much of a 'people person'. Who boy, here we go.
" Hey Julie, rocky road right?" God, could I be any lamer?
She looks up surprised. Her blue eyes look me over and I can tell she's confused. "Ummm… yeah." She paused, " I'm sorry, do I know you?"
I grin, this could get interesting, the next few seconds of conversation will probably send her running thinking I'm some sort of stalker. " You don't truly know me Nous, but I know you. And, I know you're looking for him. I know you know that something in this world isn't right, and it edges at you. I know you know the question, and that you want to know more, to understand."
" I have no idea what you're talking about," she looks around nervously, like someone might hear. " And you used the word know way to many times in that sentence! Anyway, I got to …umm… get to class!" She threw the cup into the trash and made a beeline for the nearest exit. Damn it! Why can't I do this right! I hurry after her and intercept her just as she gets out the door.
" Nous, you're a smart girl, and I know you want answers. Don't miss this opportunity, what have you got to lose? Trust me, it's worth investigating." I put a cell phone in her hand. It's obvious her curiosity is peaked. I start to walk away, but I turn and give her a small smile, " Don't worry, my people will call your people, and I promise, I don't bite… hard" I watch as she smiles and watches me go. I have a feeling that I'll be seeing her again soon, and for some strange reason, that idea appeals to me.