Morpheus walks down the corridor and across a steel catwalk to another room, with pipes and computer looking devices hooked up all around us.  There stands Trinity, Apoch, and Switch, along with two men I've never seen before.

"You already know these three." Morpheus says, waving at them lightly.  "This is Tank, our operator." He says, introducing me to the shorter of the two men, muscular with a keen face and curly black hair.  He shakes my hand firmly.  "And this is his older brother Dozer."  Dozer's a good bit taller with a bald head and a kind smile.  "Good to see you up and about Mouse." He says, grinning broadly.

I look at Morpheus questioningly and he smiles.  "While you were asleep Dozer took to calling you Mouse.  I hope you don't mind, because generally his nicknames stick."

I smile, and shrug.  "It's alright with me.  I suppose I am starting a new life."

Dozer smiles even more broadly at this and I can't help but smile a bit wider too.

Suddenly my stomach growls loudly enough for everyone to hear and have a good laugh. 

"To the mess?" Trinity suggests.  Everyone else murmurs in assent and I follow them through the corridors to a room where tables are set and there's some plain flatware and tin plates.  I don't however; see any place where food could be prepared.  Dozer grabs some plates off the counter and puts them under a dispensing tube that extends out of the ceiling.  He pulls a knob on it and out of the nozzle gloops some whitish stuff into the plate.  He sets the plate down with a clatter and Tank quickly grabs it and a spoon and begins to eat.   Trying not to sound as disgusted as I am at the sight of this, I ask Tank, "What is that?" 

"It's a special substance made from synthetic vitamins, electrolytes, and amino acids.  It replenishes the body's needed chemicals so it can continue to function."

"It's everything the body needs." Dozer says, slapping a plate down before me.

Not. I think to myself, prodding the slop with a spoon.  But I'm famished at this point and accept anything they'll offer me.  Expecting a foul taste I'm actually relieved by its rather bland flavor. Or lack thereof.  I gobble down the rest, relieved to have a full stomach, and lean back slightly from the table and sigh.

Trinity smiles gently at me from across the table, but it's hard for me to smile when the one thing on my mind is Sherin.  I wonder how she's doing…

a/n: thanks for the wonderful reviews you guys!! Keep up the reviewing, and I'll keep up the writing!!!! ^_^