Lost Souls
by FalconWind
Based on the Matrix Fanfic 'Angels and Demons' by JazzyMegster/Pejios
Disclaimer: I don't own The Matrix or any part of it. It is owned by Larry and Andy Wachowski. Please do not sue.
Chapter One - Birthday Boy
The hovership was called the Prometheus. It was a Bermuda-class Reconnaissance and Patrol Ship, one of the newest ships Zion had to offer. The class was named after the infamous Bermuda Triangle, where seagoing vessels and aircraft historically disappeared without traces. Fitting, because all Bermuda-class hoverships, including the Prometheus, were equipped with new sensor stealth systems. It was hoped that the new systems, recently developed, would allow the ships to move about with more freedom than other ships. Currently, Prometheus was the only one on active duty; all the others were still being built.
The ship was commanded by Orion, a gruff, no-nonsense commander who knew his trade. He checked the tunnel charts against the veiw outside the cockpit. "This is a good spot. Take us up 200 meters and hold position."
"Aye, captain," replied Hardware. He was the pilot and engineer aboard the Prommy. He knew everything about the ship, and damn near fell in love with it. The Prommy was his darling, and he took good care of it.
"Crash," said Orion, "extend the uplink arm. Access node is on the port side."
"I know, I'm getting to that, you don't have to tell me. I know what to do." Crash was the ship's Operator. He was quite the programmer when he was in the Matrix, and he didn't hesistate to show he still had it. He listened to heavy metal and punk bands, even his hair was dyed blue.
"Firewall, are you guys good to go?"
Firewall was the ship's weapons tech. He was supposed to be the most soldierly. "Yeah, boss, except I don't know where Doc and Gabriel went."
"Find them."
"No kidding."
Firewall found them in the infirmary. "Hey, you two, what's going on? The longer we wait the less time we have."
The Doc, who was one fine specimen of femininity, smiled. "Sorry, Firewall, but Gabe had a bad case of upset stomach."
"Aw, the guy's tough, he can handle it."
"I don't think so. You know that it would disrupt is neural kinetics, and besides, he might throw up."
"Yeah, yeah. Anyway, we have to go. We gotta make this quick and sweet." He slapped Gabe on the arm. "You ready to go, birthday boy?"
Gabe looked at him funny. "Are we..."
Firewall grinned. "You're damn right. That's part of the reason we have to hurry. We aren't scheduled for anything in particular, but Zion might call at any moment."
At this Gabe's face lit up. "Sweet! No more Cream of Nutrients!"
"Come on Gabe, we have a date with a birthday cake."
In the Matrix, at a pay phone in a deserted alleyway Orion, Doc, Firewall, and Gabe materialized.
Orion wore a brown trenchcoat, maroon shirt, and black pants. Doc was wearing a long leather jacket, black bell bottom pants, and sunglasses. Firewall wore a nondescript gray jacket and pants, and Gabe wore a jeans and a jean jacket.
Their first stop was a bakery shop. Their second, was a local steakhouse. One of the best things about the matrix, was virtual money. Crash had been kind enough to line their pockets with cash on the way in. They ordered the prime rib, and spared no expense on appetizers, and wine.
"Oh man... God, this is good!" exclaimed Gabe as he crewed his tender beef. "Oh, dammit, this is good!"
The others also savoured the taste of the expensive steak. After day after day of Nutri-Slop, they all enjoyed the experience.
"Here, try this," said Orion as he poured Gabe a glass of red wine. "You're 16 now, so it calls for something special."
Gabe took a sip. "Mmmm, it's good. Don't like the aftertaste, though."
"Wine improves with age," said Doc. "The older you get the better you like it."
They laughed. Firewall, ever vigilant, even as he ate his succulent steak, checked his watch. "We got 30 minutes until we have to start hurrying."
The rest of the dinner went well, and the cake was delicious. Gabe was having one of the best days of his life... until the authorities showed up.
Five squad cars screeched to a halt in front of them on the street, and the police pulled their guns on them. "Freeze! Put your hands up! All of you!"
Gabe sighed and shook his head. He looked at the others, Orion had a look of determination. Doc, a look a grimness, and Firewall, a look of defiance. "Oh, come on! It's my birthday for crying out loud!"
"Put your hands up, or we will put you down!"
"Clever," commented Doc.
"Sorry, officers. But we can't stay," announced Orion.
"I'm afraid we'll have to hurt you now," said Firewall, grinning. That was the signal.
Before the police even started to react, the each pulled out their guns. Orion pulled his dual Glock 18Cs and started moving towards the alleyway they had come from.
Everyone else followed their own guns blazing. Firewall had out his Mini Uzi, and Doc, her USP Match.
Gabe however, was still unfolding his ARES FMG Folding Submachine Gun. It looked like a nondescript retangular metal box when folded up.
They sprayed the squad cars, punching holes, shattering glass, and striking officers. Five of the ten went down immediately, the other's quickly followed.
Gabe, being the last one to duck behind the alleyway, layed down a stream of bullets to cover the escape as Orion dialed for Crash.
"Operator."
"Crash, get us out of here!"
One by one, they dissappeared until it was Gabe's turn. He picked up the ringing reciever and after firing a last burst, disappeared.
"Damn sloppy!" said Orion, as Gabe came back to reality. "Firewall, you're the one with tactical experience, why was Gabe the last one out?"
"Sorry, skipper. I didn't think."
"It's okay," said Gabe, "I can handle it."
Orion smiled. "Gabe, you're still inexperienced. Firewall has been doing this for six years."
"Seven."
"Seven, eh? Well then you should definately know that you're the last one out! You've got the training, you can handle it."
"Hey, calm down," said Crash. "I was watching Gabe, he handled it like a pro. Laying down surpressing fire and everything."
"If there had been an agent, you might not be so lucky. Gabe's training isn't complete."
"Stop treating me like a kid!" yelled Gabriel.
"Gabe," said Doc in a soothing voice, "it's not about your age. You're very mature and brilliant, but your potential in the Matrix is maxed out, as far as rule bending is concerned."
Gabe sighed. "I'll be in my room," he said and dragged himself out of sight.
"The poor guy just wants to be a hero," commented Firewall.
"We're not heroes, Firewall."
"No, but have you ever considered that Gabe might see us as heroes?"
"No, I didn't."
"He want's to be important, part of the team."
"He is important."
"Really?" asked Doc. "Tell me, what does he do? I'm the medic, Firewall's the soldier, Hardware's the co-pilot and engineer. Crash is the operator, and you're the leader and pilot. What is Gabe?"
Orion couldn't answer.
"That's why he's constantly programming those tools. He's trying to get an edge the only way he know's how. By programming gadgets, weapons, things that will help him."
"He wants to feel special. He want to have a postion on the team, not just a waterboy," said Hardware from the catwalk above. "I know the feeling. I have my mechanical skills, but Gabriel only knows computers, and the Matrix is the ultimate computer."
"So what are we gonna do?" asked Orion.
Doc shrugged. "I'm a medic, not a family counseler. But I don't think there's much we can do."
"Well, I know what I'M gonna do," said Crash with a big grin as he turned back to the computer terminal and started typing furiously.
To be continued...