It had been several weeks sense both the Neb. and the Logos had left,
along with quite a few other ships.
She was still getting the hang of things, and feeling more run down than ever.
It was so hard to tell what was a vision and what was just a dream. She still rarely slept, unless she was having a vision, and she just wished she could always stay awake, that way she wouldn't have to suffer.
She didn't much like the attention either. People were always stopping to bow for her, or tell her how happy they were that she was finally back, or that their great great grandfather knew her father; which wasn't much to her.
The reality had finally started settling in, and she found herself secluding herself more, which was, again, nothing new.
Only when called upon, would she, still unwillingly, talk to people. But only to let them know what she had envisioned.
But what had been troubling her the most, was the dream she had had two or three nights ago. She wasn't sure if it were a vision or not, and she hadn't let anyone know.
The Sentinels were devising something... and the Nebekenzer would fall victim.
She only had the image of the ship exploding. Not sure of who was inside, or what happened before, or after. Just that it was the Sentinels, and the Neb.
The only thing she liked to do, was watch the potentials.
Several children, between the ages of 7 and 12, had some type of dominant ability. There was a young Monk, two girls with telepathy, and only a few others.
When she wasn't in her room, and wasn't being questioned, she'd always watch them. She wasn't quite sure why either, but they seemed to enjoy her company just as much as she did theirs.
They had a small construct there, like that on the Logos, with the plug and everything.
It kept her busy. She kept up her Martial art skills, weapons training, etc. It was more of something to do than it was practice.
Other than that, there really wasn't much to do.
She left her room and almost ran into a kid that was running down the walk.
She stepped to the side just in time, and paused.
... she was really going to have to get used to this.
"Oh sorry! I didn't even see you!" He said, turning to apologize.
Once he looked at her, a look of pure surprise crossed his face, and he immediately bowed.
"Oh, geez. Forgive me!" he said.
She started to walk off, trying to ignore the feeling of hierarchy that people believed her to be.
"Wait! I mean.. Aren't you--"
she didn't even look back, she just continued.
"Wow!" He said, running up next to her. "I've heard all about you! Though, not much, I just got here myself. I can't believe it! I never thought I'd really meet you!"
He was too hyper, it made her tired. She just wanted to tell him to leave, but she was so tired, and her migraine was killing her.
"I'm Michael. Michael Popper. Great to meet you" He said, stopping to hold out his hand.
She stopped and looked at him, shaking it quickly and continuing.
"Hey, I heard you are suppose to help Neo! That's so awesome! Have you met him? I only did once, sadly. I wanted to talk to him, but he was in a rush. He helped me, you know!" he said excitedly.
"Really?" She said, not at all interested. Hoping he would get the hint.
"Yea! Can you believe it? The one! Helped me! He says I unplugged myself, but I know he was the one who helped me. He's so humble, you know? Doesn't want the credit!"
She stopped, but he kept walking, he got four paces before he noticed.
"You unplugged yourself?" she asked, now giving him her full attention.
"Yea.. well no, Neo helped me! I wish I could talk to him again ---"
she just stared back at him. "That's an interesting story, I didn't know it was possible."
There was a loud voice across the intercom, and she held her hands to the sides of her head, covering her ears.
"Oh! I have to go, but nice to meet you!" He said, bowing again before running off.
For the first time, she had a vision awake. It was the same thing. The Nebekenezer exploding. Her head still hurt when she opened her eyes to find herself kneeling on the floor of the walk.
It was about time she told someone about it.
She sat up on the hard rock slab she was beginning to hate more, drying her eyes.
Holding her head, she painfully asked. "So?"
"It is definitely serious. The strongest vision I've ever seen. But you knew it was real.. didn't you?"
Her head was killing her. Her mind felt like it couldn't take it.
"We will inform the Commander of Defense immediately, and they will call back the Neb."
There was a sharp flash in her mind and the pain coursed through her body. She saw the Neb. again, along with the huge Sentinels.. but there were so many. The ground was swarming with them, the mass thick.
She opened her eyes again and looked at the woman.
"Its too late" She said, hands clung to the side of her head.
When they walked into the Commanders office, he and a few other officials, were standing in front of a screen, the blue-gray flicker emanating their sad expressions.
The Commander turned off the screen and turned to find Genesis and Thera standing in the door way.
"Call the Nebekenezer immediately." the woman said, taking a step forward.
"What is going on?" He asked firmly.
"The ship will be attacked by Sentinels shortly. But I'm afraid that's all we know."
"It already happened..." Genesis said quietly, looking down in a daze.
Everyone in the room looked at her.
"How are you sure?" one man said.
"It doesn't matter, get the Nebekenezer on line" The Commander said, walking to his station.
One of the men walked to a large computer and there was a clicking of connection.
"Umm.. Sir, there is no connection."
"What? Try it again!" The commander said firmly.
There was a pause, a second attempt. "No, still nothing sir. We can't even locate the ships signal."
Genesis turned and walked out of the room, walking slowly down the catwalk, when the Commander came after her.
He grabbed her by the shoulders and looked down at her.
"What happened? Why weren't we warned?"
She always seemed to fuck something up, she couldn't even play her role right.
"Useless..." The commander sighed, leaving her standing on the catwalk.
He barged in the room where Thera still stood. He looked at her angrily.
"The Prophecy is Bullshit! I never believe it, and this is proof!"
Several days later, she still hadn't left her room.
She killed them, all because she didn't want to suffer herself.
She really was selfish.
Pulling herself out of bed, she was still in the same clothes.
Opening the door, she went to the balcony and stared down. Stepping on the lowest bar of three to the railing, she leaned over and looked down.
How easy it could be.
"Hey! Heeey!" An annoyingly familiar voice called.
She opened her eyes and looked down three flights of stairs to see the same kid waving up at her.
Letting out a sigh, she got down and started to walk in the other direction.
"Hey wait!" He called after her.
It was that Michael kid, he seemed happier than usual... if that was possible.
"How can you look so sad?!" He asked hyperly.
She just gave him a blank stare.
"You didn't hear the announcement did you? Where have you been?!" he said, with a laugh. He immediately wiped the smirk off his face when he saw her giving him an evil stare.
He cleared his throat. "Neo's back. Along with the crew of the Nebekenezer. Everyone was saying they were dead! Not me! I knew it from the start, you can't just -kill- the one!"
She stood up a little straighter and looked at him.
"...Here... they're here." she asked.
"Well.. yea. Some ship found them, after their ship was atta----"
She quickly pushed past him and walked as fast as she could push herself.
"You'll be lucky if you can see him! They just got here, still helping to unload the ship!" he called after her as she went quickly down the steps.
Reaching the lower docking level, she peered around the corner. Trinity and Link bent over some luggage, helping the ship that brought them, and Morpheus stood talking to the captain of the other ship.
She couldn't believe it.
But.. where was---
"Looking for someone?"
she must have jumped a clear 20 feet.
Neo stood behind her smiling.
"N..No" She said, her face turning red, she quickly pushed past him.
"Where are you going? We don't get a welcome?" He asked.
She paused and turned around. "I'm sorry" she said, jogging up the stairs.
He looked after her, confused.
-----------------------------------------------
"Where is your mind?" Niobe asked, sending her left foot into Ghost's side.
He leaned forward and tried to catch his breath from the unexpected blow.
"This is pointless, your not even paying attention." She said, suddenly jacking out.
Ghost stayed, slumped over staring at the floor.
He had been so distracted. He kept loosing his train of thought lately, and he didn't know why, it wasn't at all like him.
Sitting up as Sparks unplugged him, he looked over at Niobe who was glaring back at him.
"We're should be in Zion tomorrow, you can rest there. But I expect you to be back in your full state of mind when we leave. Your current state will get you killed" she said, getting up and walking into her room, closing the door behind her.
'Zion' he thought. He had thought about it a lot, and who was there. It would be weird to see her now, after all this time.
---------------------------------------------
The cold air of the huge conference room made her shiver. Or maybe it was the stare from the Commander of Defense.
She sat on her hands, looking down into her lap. The voices muffled as she concentrated on other things. But the sound of the Commanders voice caught her attention.
He stood, and faced the council. Neo, Trinity and Morpheus on the other side of the room at a similar podium.
"This matter was brought to my attention to late for me to prevent. This 'Prophet' is not valid. With all due respect. I have never believed in the Prophecy, and this error proves that fact; The Prophecy is nothing but a myth." He turned to Morpheus. "Yet we sincerely apologize for the fake presence you so loyally trusted. This will be dealt with immediately, and the Prophet along with the Prophecy will be disposed of in Zion. We will survive just as we always have, with no help from a mere theory."
"Yet we are still here." Morpheus said bluntly. Genesis raised her head to look at him, Neo and Trinity at his sides.
"You can believe what you will, but when the Prophecy is fulfilled, and the Matrix destroyed, you will be left to admit the truth." Morpheus continued.
The commander's expression turned from one to complete disgust, to one of pure anger.
"Then why has it not yet been fulfilled? Why has the roles in 'the prophecy' have not lived up to their expectations?"
His attempts at angering Morpheus did not work, Morpheus simply smiled.
"That has yet to come."
"This -----" The Commander started.
"Then what of the Prophet?" A strong female voice rang.
Genesis's attention, along with everyone else's, was quickly drawn to the doorway to the room.
There stood alone Niobe, arms crossed, she walked farther in, and bowed her head.
"Council" she said.
"Ah, Niobe! We have been awaiting your return." An old woman in the council answered.
Morpheus grinned.
"Obviously, the Nebekenezer cannot take in the Prophet as was intended. But she will need to return to the Matrix in order to aid The One in the fulfilling of the Prophecy." Morpheus said.
"That is understood. As we all know, it is not safe here any longer for the Prophet. She will need to be removed immediately. What she could do here is now done." One of the council members stated. "We will discuss this now. I ask that all members here that are not a Captain of their ship, leave. This matter will be kept discreet as possible. Thank you for attending."
There were a few moans from the crowd as everyone but 20 or so people got up and left out the door.
Trinity walked over to Genesis and motioned her to stand.
They were the last to walk out of the door, and Genesis glanced back into the room.
They were deciding her fate, and she couldn't even be there to hear it!
Walking out into the lobby outside, Trinity stood next to Genesis.
"What's wrong with the Commander?" She asked, looking at Trinity.
"I don't know, really. He's always seemed to have something up his ass" she said bluntly, without even a smile.
Genesis broke into laughter. It was the first time she had laughed in.. who knows how long. Not so much what she said, but that she actually made a joke.
Trinity looked over at her with a half smile. But her eyes were looking past her.
Turning to see what she was looking at, her face immediately went expressionless.
Ghost stood a few feet away, smiling back at Trinity.
It had been quite awhile. Genesis looked so much different. And it was the first time he ever heard her laugh. Her hair was so much longer now, and it looked like she adapted (most likely forcefully) to the life- style.
Genesis immediately turned back around and looked at the ground, not sure what to do.
"Nice to see you again, Ghost. Excuse me." Trinity said, turning to leave.
Genesis wanted so badly to stop her, or walk away with her. She was so uncomfortable.
"Good to see that your alive and well" Ghost said, walking up next to her.
Not sure what else to do, Genesis just smiled half-heartedly and kept from looking straight at him.
After awhile, she looked up at him and smiled.
"Listen, I just want to apologize. I was really hysterical, and I wasn't quite myself." she said, finally sounding her age.
He just smiled and looked down at her.
The door not far behind them slammed open and Niobe walked out, not even stopping, she headed towards the docks.
Ghost quickly left Genesis and followed.
Left confused, she peeked in through the door to the conference room and saw Morpheus and Neo heading towards the door.
She moved out of the way as they stopped in front of her.
"Sense the Nebekenezer can not take you as planned, the Logo's has offered their services." Morpheus said, a smile crossing his face, "looks like you get to go back".
With that they both left, Neo smiling as he passed.
Genesis stared after Niobe who was at the base of the stairs.
She didn't even like her.. why would she offer her to stay?
* * * * * * * * * * *
-------------------------------------------------------
CathrynJ- I still appreciate your further support! :D I'm glad I have some people following my story, and sincerely apologize for not updating like I should. Thanks again! I'm still writing more, and editing XDDD
Warship Galleon, Sephiroth, Cheatachu, KattyKat, Princess, lilgymprincess2, Lion heart, fire heart, firepaw, sweetiepie916, Day Dreamer 4495, orlandlover; Thanks for the support!!! Keep reading!! XDD
Alocin- hehe, thanks. To be completely honest, at first I didn't know if I was going to make her a part of the prophecy, it just worked out that way, I write as I go along, no guidelines, don't know were its gonna take me.
MsMimic- Thanks for following along, glad your still reading!
She was still getting the hang of things, and feeling more run down than ever.
It was so hard to tell what was a vision and what was just a dream. She still rarely slept, unless she was having a vision, and she just wished she could always stay awake, that way she wouldn't have to suffer.
She didn't much like the attention either. People were always stopping to bow for her, or tell her how happy they were that she was finally back, or that their great great grandfather knew her father; which wasn't much to her.
The reality had finally started settling in, and she found herself secluding herself more, which was, again, nothing new.
Only when called upon, would she, still unwillingly, talk to people. But only to let them know what she had envisioned.
But what had been troubling her the most, was the dream she had had two or three nights ago. She wasn't sure if it were a vision or not, and she hadn't let anyone know.
The Sentinels were devising something... and the Nebekenzer would fall victim.
She only had the image of the ship exploding. Not sure of who was inside, or what happened before, or after. Just that it was the Sentinels, and the Neb.
The only thing she liked to do, was watch the potentials.
Several children, between the ages of 7 and 12, had some type of dominant ability. There was a young Monk, two girls with telepathy, and only a few others.
When she wasn't in her room, and wasn't being questioned, she'd always watch them. She wasn't quite sure why either, but they seemed to enjoy her company just as much as she did theirs.
They had a small construct there, like that on the Logos, with the plug and everything.
It kept her busy. She kept up her Martial art skills, weapons training, etc. It was more of something to do than it was practice.
Other than that, there really wasn't much to do.
She left her room and almost ran into a kid that was running down the walk.
She stepped to the side just in time, and paused.
... she was really going to have to get used to this.
"Oh sorry! I didn't even see you!" He said, turning to apologize.
Once he looked at her, a look of pure surprise crossed his face, and he immediately bowed.
"Oh, geez. Forgive me!" he said.
She started to walk off, trying to ignore the feeling of hierarchy that people believed her to be.
"Wait! I mean.. Aren't you--"
she didn't even look back, she just continued.
"Wow!" He said, running up next to her. "I've heard all about you! Though, not much, I just got here myself. I can't believe it! I never thought I'd really meet you!"
He was too hyper, it made her tired. She just wanted to tell him to leave, but she was so tired, and her migraine was killing her.
"I'm Michael. Michael Popper. Great to meet you" He said, stopping to hold out his hand.
She stopped and looked at him, shaking it quickly and continuing.
"Hey, I heard you are suppose to help Neo! That's so awesome! Have you met him? I only did once, sadly. I wanted to talk to him, but he was in a rush. He helped me, you know!" he said excitedly.
"Really?" She said, not at all interested. Hoping he would get the hint.
"Yea! Can you believe it? The one! Helped me! He says I unplugged myself, but I know he was the one who helped me. He's so humble, you know? Doesn't want the credit!"
She stopped, but he kept walking, he got four paces before he noticed.
"You unplugged yourself?" she asked, now giving him her full attention.
"Yea.. well no, Neo helped me! I wish I could talk to him again ---"
she just stared back at him. "That's an interesting story, I didn't know it was possible."
There was a loud voice across the intercom, and she held her hands to the sides of her head, covering her ears.
"Oh! I have to go, but nice to meet you!" He said, bowing again before running off.
For the first time, she had a vision awake. It was the same thing. The Nebekenezer exploding. Her head still hurt when she opened her eyes to find herself kneeling on the floor of the walk.
It was about time she told someone about it.
She sat up on the hard rock slab she was beginning to hate more, drying her eyes.
Holding her head, she painfully asked. "So?"
"It is definitely serious. The strongest vision I've ever seen. But you knew it was real.. didn't you?"
Her head was killing her. Her mind felt like it couldn't take it.
"We will inform the Commander of Defense immediately, and they will call back the Neb."
There was a sharp flash in her mind and the pain coursed through her body. She saw the Neb. again, along with the huge Sentinels.. but there were so many. The ground was swarming with them, the mass thick.
She opened her eyes again and looked at the woman.
"Its too late" She said, hands clung to the side of her head.
When they walked into the Commanders office, he and a few other officials, were standing in front of a screen, the blue-gray flicker emanating their sad expressions.
The Commander turned off the screen and turned to find Genesis and Thera standing in the door way.
"Call the Nebekenezer immediately." the woman said, taking a step forward.
"What is going on?" He asked firmly.
"The ship will be attacked by Sentinels shortly. But I'm afraid that's all we know."
"It already happened..." Genesis said quietly, looking down in a daze.
Everyone in the room looked at her.
"How are you sure?" one man said.
"It doesn't matter, get the Nebekenezer on line" The Commander said, walking to his station.
One of the men walked to a large computer and there was a clicking of connection.
"Umm.. Sir, there is no connection."
"What? Try it again!" The commander said firmly.
There was a pause, a second attempt. "No, still nothing sir. We can't even locate the ships signal."
Genesis turned and walked out of the room, walking slowly down the catwalk, when the Commander came after her.
He grabbed her by the shoulders and looked down at her.
"What happened? Why weren't we warned?"
She always seemed to fuck something up, she couldn't even play her role right.
"Useless..." The commander sighed, leaving her standing on the catwalk.
He barged in the room where Thera still stood. He looked at her angrily.
"The Prophecy is Bullshit! I never believe it, and this is proof!"
Several days later, she still hadn't left her room.
She killed them, all because she didn't want to suffer herself.
She really was selfish.
Pulling herself out of bed, she was still in the same clothes.
Opening the door, she went to the balcony and stared down. Stepping on the lowest bar of three to the railing, she leaned over and looked down.
How easy it could be.
"Hey! Heeey!" An annoyingly familiar voice called.
She opened her eyes and looked down three flights of stairs to see the same kid waving up at her.
Letting out a sigh, she got down and started to walk in the other direction.
"Hey wait!" He called after her.
It was that Michael kid, he seemed happier than usual... if that was possible.
"How can you look so sad?!" He asked hyperly.
She just gave him a blank stare.
"You didn't hear the announcement did you? Where have you been?!" he said, with a laugh. He immediately wiped the smirk off his face when he saw her giving him an evil stare.
He cleared his throat. "Neo's back. Along with the crew of the Nebekenezer. Everyone was saying they were dead! Not me! I knew it from the start, you can't just -kill- the one!"
She stood up a little straighter and looked at him.
"...Here... they're here." she asked.
"Well.. yea. Some ship found them, after their ship was atta----"
She quickly pushed past him and walked as fast as she could push herself.
"You'll be lucky if you can see him! They just got here, still helping to unload the ship!" he called after her as she went quickly down the steps.
Reaching the lower docking level, she peered around the corner. Trinity and Link bent over some luggage, helping the ship that brought them, and Morpheus stood talking to the captain of the other ship.
She couldn't believe it.
But.. where was---
"Looking for someone?"
she must have jumped a clear 20 feet.
Neo stood behind her smiling.
"N..No" She said, her face turning red, she quickly pushed past him.
"Where are you going? We don't get a welcome?" He asked.
She paused and turned around. "I'm sorry" she said, jogging up the stairs.
He looked after her, confused.
-----------------------------------------------
"Where is your mind?" Niobe asked, sending her left foot into Ghost's side.
He leaned forward and tried to catch his breath from the unexpected blow.
"This is pointless, your not even paying attention." She said, suddenly jacking out.
Ghost stayed, slumped over staring at the floor.
He had been so distracted. He kept loosing his train of thought lately, and he didn't know why, it wasn't at all like him.
Sitting up as Sparks unplugged him, he looked over at Niobe who was glaring back at him.
"We're should be in Zion tomorrow, you can rest there. But I expect you to be back in your full state of mind when we leave. Your current state will get you killed" she said, getting up and walking into her room, closing the door behind her.
'Zion' he thought. He had thought about it a lot, and who was there. It would be weird to see her now, after all this time.
---------------------------------------------
The cold air of the huge conference room made her shiver. Or maybe it was the stare from the Commander of Defense.
She sat on her hands, looking down into her lap. The voices muffled as she concentrated on other things. But the sound of the Commanders voice caught her attention.
He stood, and faced the council. Neo, Trinity and Morpheus on the other side of the room at a similar podium.
"This matter was brought to my attention to late for me to prevent. This 'Prophet' is not valid. With all due respect. I have never believed in the Prophecy, and this error proves that fact; The Prophecy is nothing but a myth." He turned to Morpheus. "Yet we sincerely apologize for the fake presence you so loyally trusted. This will be dealt with immediately, and the Prophet along with the Prophecy will be disposed of in Zion. We will survive just as we always have, with no help from a mere theory."
"Yet we are still here." Morpheus said bluntly. Genesis raised her head to look at him, Neo and Trinity at his sides.
"You can believe what you will, but when the Prophecy is fulfilled, and the Matrix destroyed, you will be left to admit the truth." Morpheus continued.
The commander's expression turned from one to complete disgust, to one of pure anger.
"Then why has it not yet been fulfilled? Why has the roles in 'the prophecy' have not lived up to their expectations?"
His attempts at angering Morpheus did not work, Morpheus simply smiled.
"That has yet to come."
"This -----" The Commander started.
"Then what of the Prophet?" A strong female voice rang.
Genesis's attention, along with everyone else's, was quickly drawn to the doorway to the room.
There stood alone Niobe, arms crossed, she walked farther in, and bowed her head.
"Council" she said.
"Ah, Niobe! We have been awaiting your return." An old woman in the council answered.
Morpheus grinned.
"Obviously, the Nebekenezer cannot take in the Prophet as was intended. But she will need to return to the Matrix in order to aid The One in the fulfilling of the Prophecy." Morpheus said.
"That is understood. As we all know, it is not safe here any longer for the Prophet. She will need to be removed immediately. What she could do here is now done." One of the council members stated. "We will discuss this now. I ask that all members here that are not a Captain of their ship, leave. This matter will be kept discreet as possible. Thank you for attending."
There were a few moans from the crowd as everyone but 20 or so people got up and left out the door.
Trinity walked over to Genesis and motioned her to stand.
They were the last to walk out of the door, and Genesis glanced back into the room.
They were deciding her fate, and she couldn't even be there to hear it!
Walking out into the lobby outside, Trinity stood next to Genesis.
"What's wrong with the Commander?" She asked, looking at Trinity.
"I don't know, really. He's always seemed to have something up his ass" she said bluntly, without even a smile.
Genesis broke into laughter. It was the first time she had laughed in.. who knows how long. Not so much what she said, but that she actually made a joke.
Trinity looked over at her with a half smile. But her eyes were looking past her.
Turning to see what she was looking at, her face immediately went expressionless.
Ghost stood a few feet away, smiling back at Trinity.
It had been quite awhile. Genesis looked so much different. And it was the first time he ever heard her laugh. Her hair was so much longer now, and it looked like she adapted (most likely forcefully) to the life- style.
Genesis immediately turned back around and looked at the ground, not sure what to do.
"Nice to see you again, Ghost. Excuse me." Trinity said, turning to leave.
Genesis wanted so badly to stop her, or walk away with her. She was so uncomfortable.
"Good to see that your alive and well" Ghost said, walking up next to her.
Not sure what else to do, Genesis just smiled half-heartedly and kept from looking straight at him.
After awhile, she looked up at him and smiled.
"Listen, I just want to apologize. I was really hysterical, and I wasn't quite myself." she said, finally sounding her age.
He just smiled and looked down at her.
The door not far behind them slammed open and Niobe walked out, not even stopping, she headed towards the docks.
Ghost quickly left Genesis and followed.
Left confused, she peeked in through the door to the conference room and saw Morpheus and Neo heading towards the door.
She moved out of the way as they stopped in front of her.
"Sense the Nebekenezer can not take you as planned, the Logo's has offered their services." Morpheus said, a smile crossing his face, "looks like you get to go back".
With that they both left, Neo smiling as he passed.
Genesis stared after Niobe who was at the base of the stairs.
She didn't even like her.. why would she offer her to stay?
* * * * * * * * * * *
-------------------------------------------------------
CathrynJ- I still appreciate your further support! :D I'm glad I have some people following my story, and sincerely apologize for not updating like I should. Thanks again! I'm still writing more, and editing XDDD
Warship Galleon, Sephiroth, Cheatachu, KattyKat, Princess, lilgymprincess2, Lion heart, fire heart, firepaw, sweetiepie916, Day Dreamer 4495, orlandlover; Thanks for the support!!! Keep reading!! XDD
Alocin- hehe, thanks. To be completely honest, at first I didn't know if I was going to make her a part of the prophecy, it just worked out that way, I write as I go along, no guidelines, don't know were its gonna take me.
MsMimic- Thanks for following along, glad your still reading!