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YAY! The long awaited chapter! I'm soooo sorry it took so long, I hope you all forgive me and keep reading. I have the next chapter written, and am working on the one after that. The plot is thickening and its getting harder to write!! Ahhh.
Anyway, thanks again faithful readers, I hope its what you expected! (More later)
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Gathering her things, which wasn't more than the clothes she had on, she headed out of her apartment. And happily, she knew it was for good.
But why? Why would Niobe offer her ship when she didn't even like her?
Distracted by her thoughts, she, unsurprisingly, ran into Michael.
"Hey! Wow, I just heard, that sucks that you don't get to go on the Nebuchadnezzar huh?" he asked, changing his direction to follow hers.
She gave half a smile, "yea, I guess."
"Anyway, I just talked to Neo. He still denies ever helping me! It's so great to talk to him. I mean, The One. I wish I were you! Get to help hi- --"
"Don't ever say that" Genesis said, interrupting him and stopping to look at him.
He stared back at her for a second.
"Oh.. Ok, sorry." he said quietly, as they kept walking. His seriousness never lasted long; "What do you think its like? Being on the Neb. I mean? I asked for a position, but they said there wasn't room! That sucks."
"Well!" he said, "Good luck! I hope I get to see you again sometime."
She turned and forced herself to smile. "Good luck to you as well." she said, shaking his hand continuing as she heard him run off.
Turning the corner to see Niobe and Ghost outside the ship, she found herself unsure.
What was she suppose to say? Or do? Just ignore her? After all, she helped her.
Approaching them, Niobe turned around.
Genesis opened her mouth to say something, but Niobe already walked away.
She stood there for a while, before Ghost pushed her to enter the ship.
Feeling at home, she went into her old "room" and threw her small bag on the bed, and plopped down next to it.
She stared at the floor.
Now what? What was next?
She knew little than half of what had been going on, let alone what they would be doing. She was just a pawn in this whole situation, there because she had to be, because something that she didn't even believe in, said so. Ignorance was probably part of the job.
Ghost peered around the door in at her,
"Nice to be back?" he asked.
"Very" She said, smiling up at him.
"We're preparing to depart!" Sparks called from the main deck.
She smiled to herself. 'Finally.'
She found herself tired, but fearing sleep, she ignored it and stood, walking to her door.
Standing in the frame, she crossed her arms and looked around at the familiar view.
She almost couldn't wait to get back to the Matrix.
What was she thinking? All the times she went back, she caused so many problems, and almost getting herself killed each time. Bad luck, she guessed.
But her drive was to get better. To push herself to the limit every time, and to surpass all her obstacles. Then, she'd be ready. She'd take them down.
"It won't be a few hours until we're at broadcast.. you might as well take a seat, get something to eat.. or something.. That's about all there is to do around here." Sparks said with a sigh, falling back into his usual spot behind the computers.
"At least you get to keep yourself busy." she said, walking over to him.
"Ha." he said, folding his arms over his head. "You say that now."
"How do you mean?" she asked.
"Who do you think is watching your asses while your in there having 'fun'? Who's preparing exits so you can live long enough to go back and get your ass almost killed again?"
She chuckled. "That's true, I guess"
He looked up at her. "Well," he said, slapping her on the shoulder, "Good to have you back!"
"heh.. right" she said, unenthusiastically.
"You don't seem that excited?"
She was quiet for a second, "..Maybe if I were a little more welcome."
Just as she said that, Niobe appeared outside the Pit door.
"We'll be outside Zion's gates within the hour, broadcast within the next 15, I suggest you take a seat." she said, immediately leaving.
Sparks looked back at Genesis, who kept her eyes on the ground.
"Don't take it personally. That's just who she is. The only way to get respect as a captain, you know?" he asked, returning to his work at the computers.
* * * * * * * * *
Quite a few weeks later, she still sat, alone in her room.
Not having entered the Matrix in some time, she kept feeling the itch to do something, but too afraid to ask.
She never really knew who was in, who was out, or when. For one, she rarely left her room, for two, she didn't really care what was going on. When she was needed, she'd be called... just like always.
She spent a lot of her time thinking about her only friends. Noble.. what ever happened to him? Muse.. well, nothing else, he was dead now. She felt a pang of guilt, and tried to get her mind off of it.
Several times, she thought about what would have happened if she just had stayed. First, she wouldn't have lived more than a few minutes, not nearly enough time it would take for someone to find her. But before help came, they would have come, and it would have been all over anyway.
But what was there to live for there? Nothing. She was only here because she had to be.
She also hadn't had a vision in weeks, not sense she was in Zion. And, though she shouldn't think it, she was happy she didn't.
There was a knock on her steel door, followed by the clank of it opening.
"We're going to take you back to see the Oracle." Ghost said.
Genesis just looked at her lap. She knew it. Only when she was needed.
She pulled her self off the bed and stretched, following Ghost out to the deck.
Finding herself in a familiarly uncomfortable chair, she didn't mind the pinch of being jacked in, almost relieved to finally go back. But she stopped that thought.
Thinking she'd be in a warehouse, or an abandoned apartment, she found herself in the construct.
"Lets give you some weapons this time." Niobe said, just as endless rows of guns came shooting past them, racks filled with guns.
She picked up an automatic and cocked it.
This should be fun.
Ghost handed her a small wireless phone.
"If you ever find yourself alone, you'll find this more useful than a gun." he said with a smile.
She put the phone in her pocket.
Earlier, she had changed her self-image.
To fit in a little more, she now had a knee length black trench coat, that was, obviously, leather. Plain black pants, and a plain thin strapped shirt.
As if being pieced together, an old garage was slowly forming around them.
They were standing in an old auto repair shop, with the same maroon GTO in front of them.
She found herself smiling.
She really had missed this.
The familiarly shaggy apartment stood in front of her, the graffiti the same, the smell was even the same. It was almost hard to think that only a few months ago, she was completely different; ignorant, foolish, young...
She really had changed.
The soft hum of the elevator consumed the silence that was almost deafening.
It was uncomfortable.. hard to be around Niobe. She wondered how long it would be like this.
The doors slid open and she stepped out behind Ghost and Niobe.
She looked up to see the same exact man she had the first time she was here, in the same place.
He was blind, obviously, because he had a cane and dark glasses, sitting in the same seat, with the same clothes.
She nodded respectfully, and he nodded back.
She continued to walk, and had got 5 or so steps before it hit her.
Stopping mid-step, a confused look passed her face. '...But he's blind?' how did he see her?
"We're here." Niobe said, interrupting her thoughts and standing in front of the door.
Genesis caught up, and reached for the knob when it turned and revealed the same dark woman as before.
"We've been waiting," she said with a welcoming smile, "Please, come in"
They continued into the same beaded doorway that lead into the kitchen, were a familiarly warm face met them.
The Oracle stood with open arms and greeted them.
Genesis smiled, but her eyes rested uneasily on the man behind her.
Asian, and clad in white, he stood firmly in the corner of the kitchen with his arms behind is back.
"Please, sit." She said, putting down a cigarette.
Niobe took a seat, as did Genesis, but Ghost stood.
Niobe removed her sunglasses and leaned forward on the table. Genesis uneasily in the chair next to her.
"Its been difficult, I know" The Oracle started, picking back up her cigarette.
"We need to know the next step." Niobe said, "We have the One, and the Prophet, now what happens?"
The Oracle was quiet for a moment, and fixed her eyes on Genesis.
"Seems like your doing alright lately," she said with a smile, completely ignoring Niobe, who let out a frustrated breath.
Genesis smiled nervously, "I guess, yes." No matter how many times she'd visited the Oracle, she was still always nervous.
The Oracle only smiled, "...You know what you have to do now.. Don't you?"
Genesis stared at her for a moment, trying to hide her confused look. "..N-No, I'm not sure I do."
The Oracle tapped the ash of her cigarette, "Oh, but I think you do" she said, her expression becoming serious.
"Only at the time of complete peril, will hope present itself" she said, leaning back in her chair.
Genesis paused. She had absolutely no idea what was going on, but what she had said, made her want to cry.
"The One has done all he can for now. It's now the Prophet's time. Fulfill the Prophecy, and the Matrix will be destroyed." The Oracle said, a note of sincerity in her voice.
"We know that, now how is she suppose to play her part?" Niobe asked, pushing back into the conversation.
The Oracle was silent still.
Niobe stood and put her sunglasses back on, "We will return in a week or so, to get some real answers."
The Oracle smiled, "No, you won't."
"Thank you for coming by, always good to see you kiddo" The Oracle said, completely changing the subject, and hugging Genesis.
Niobe stopped for a moment, then turned and walked out of the beaded doorway, Genesis quickly following.
Ghost nodded as her turn to leave, but the Oracle stopped him.
"You doubt yourself," she said, taking her seat again "Outlooks like that get people killed."
Ghost stared back at her, confused, and staring suspiciously at the still man in the corner.
He quickly turned and left, meeting Niobe and Genesis outside the door.
They quickly left the building.
The sun outside hurt Genesis's eyes, she shaded them with a hand and stared forward at a black car next to their GTO.
Unconsciously, she reached for her automatic under her coat on her side, but Ghost's hand stopped her.
Niobe smiled, and walked forward, Ghost following, and Genesis not far behind, confused.
The passenger door to the black car swung open, and familiar black boots and the trim of a black coat appeared.
A tall black man with opaque frameless glasses stood next to the car, with a pleased smile.
"Morpheus" Niobe said, somehow unsurprised.
"Niobe, I was told I could find you here" he said.
"Were are you broadcasting from? Were is Neo?" Niobe asked.
Trinity, who had exited the drivers seat, looked at the ground, not seeming as strong as she had always appeared.
Morpheus's expression faded. "There was an incident, and he is unable to broadcast. We are temporarily stationed on the Apex, a fellow Hover Craft."
Niobe looked confused, but she knew when not to speak. "I see."
Morpheus placed his hand on Trinity's shoulder, "If you'll excuse us, we have business with the Oracle"
Niobe stepped aside to let Morpheus and Trinity by, "Its pointless, she has given us no useful information concerning the Prophecy." she said, quickly returning to her vehicle.
Ghost quickly followed and opened the backseat door before he entered shotgun, he stopped and stared back at Genesis.
She stood staring back at Trinity who entered the building with Morpheus shortly following. She felt bad, Trinity was never sad, or appeared weak, but she felt that today.
Genesis slipped into the backseat.
Niobe leaned over to Ghost, who nodded and exited the car.
Genesis looked up and watched him go, "Where's he going?" She asked, forgetting who she was asking.
"To find out what I was not suppose to hear." Niobe said in a monotone.
Morpheus entered the warmly familiar kitchen, were the Oracle sat at the table with a light clad Asian man stood behind her.
"Hello Morpheus. Trinity, my dear." She said, sympathy in her voice. "And Ghost" she smiled.
Morpheus took a seat, and Trinity stood, her head lowered.
"These really are dangerous times, unless that isn't hired help?" he said smiling, referring to the man behind her who made no gesture that he listened.
"More dangerous than you know, my dear Morpheus. I'm afraid we always have reason to fear, though." She smiled.
"I was hoping I could hear more about that." he asked.
The Oracle paused, and leaned forward in her seat. "Everything is falling into place, and you, just as we all, can see; consciously or not." she stated, her expression serious.
There was a short silence, she glanced at Ghost who stood near the door; she continued. "She's a program, Morpheus." She said, her voice low, "A Hardwire, just like me... just like the Agents."
Trinity looked up, and Morpheus stayed quiet; Ghost's expression was blank, his mouth almost opened to protest.
There was a long silence, but surprisingly, Ghost finally spoke. "What can we do?" he asked sincerely.
"Nothing" She said, getting up and placing a hand on the side of his face, "Sometimes, sacrifices have to be made for the greater good. Everyone plays their part, and the goal is achieved... with great loss, comes victory. You have to keep that in mind, don't let your mind stray from the real purpose."
She looked at him for a moment, "I'm sorry, it always seems I have bad news to tell you... but your time will come." she said quietly, returning to her seat.
Morpheus spoke up as Trinity looked at Ghost who stared at the ground, "What is our next move?" he asked.
"I have played my part, now its time for the other pieces to land in their place. I'm sorry, but this is all I can do"
Trinity stopped her, "But, what do you mean, 'Hardwire?' If such was true, she wouldn't have been able to be unplugged?"
The Oracle looked up and smiled, "Oh, my dear.. It's more complicated than that."
Ghost stood motionless, deep in thought. What did this all mean? The Answers didn't seem to be coming any time soon.
YAY! The long awaited chapter! I'm soooo sorry it took so long, I hope you all forgive me and keep reading. I have the next chapter written, and am working on the one after that. The plot is thickening and its getting harder to write!! Ahhh.
Anyway, thanks again faithful readers, I hope its what you expected! (More later)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------
Gathering her things, which wasn't more than the clothes she had on, she headed out of her apartment. And happily, she knew it was for good.
But why? Why would Niobe offer her ship when she didn't even like her?
Distracted by her thoughts, she, unsurprisingly, ran into Michael.
"Hey! Wow, I just heard, that sucks that you don't get to go on the Nebuchadnezzar huh?" he asked, changing his direction to follow hers.
She gave half a smile, "yea, I guess."
"Anyway, I just talked to Neo. He still denies ever helping me! It's so great to talk to him. I mean, The One. I wish I were you! Get to help hi- --"
"Don't ever say that" Genesis said, interrupting him and stopping to look at him.
He stared back at her for a second.
"Oh.. Ok, sorry." he said quietly, as they kept walking. His seriousness never lasted long; "What do you think its like? Being on the Neb. I mean? I asked for a position, but they said there wasn't room! That sucks."
"Well!" he said, "Good luck! I hope I get to see you again sometime."
She turned and forced herself to smile. "Good luck to you as well." she said, shaking his hand continuing as she heard him run off.
Turning the corner to see Niobe and Ghost outside the ship, she found herself unsure.
What was she suppose to say? Or do? Just ignore her? After all, she helped her.
Approaching them, Niobe turned around.
Genesis opened her mouth to say something, but Niobe already walked away.
She stood there for a while, before Ghost pushed her to enter the ship.
Feeling at home, she went into her old "room" and threw her small bag on the bed, and plopped down next to it.
She stared at the floor.
Now what? What was next?
She knew little than half of what had been going on, let alone what they would be doing. She was just a pawn in this whole situation, there because she had to be, because something that she didn't even believe in, said so. Ignorance was probably part of the job.
Ghost peered around the door in at her,
"Nice to be back?" he asked.
"Very" She said, smiling up at him.
"We're preparing to depart!" Sparks called from the main deck.
She smiled to herself. 'Finally.'
She found herself tired, but fearing sleep, she ignored it and stood, walking to her door.
Standing in the frame, she crossed her arms and looked around at the familiar view.
She almost couldn't wait to get back to the Matrix.
What was she thinking? All the times she went back, she caused so many problems, and almost getting herself killed each time. Bad luck, she guessed.
But her drive was to get better. To push herself to the limit every time, and to surpass all her obstacles. Then, she'd be ready. She'd take them down.
"It won't be a few hours until we're at broadcast.. you might as well take a seat, get something to eat.. or something.. That's about all there is to do around here." Sparks said with a sigh, falling back into his usual spot behind the computers.
"At least you get to keep yourself busy." she said, walking over to him.
"Ha." he said, folding his arms over his head. "You say that now."
"How do you mean?" she asked.
"Who do you think is watching your asses while your in there having 'fun'? Who's preparing exits so you can live long enough to go back and get your ass almost killed again?"
She chuckled. "That's true, I guess"
He looked up at her. "Well," he said, slapping her on the shoulder, "Good to have you back!"
"heh.. right" she said, unenthusiastically.
"You don't seem that excited?"
She was quiet for a second, "..Maybe if I were a little more welcome."
Just as she said that, Niobe appeared outside the Pit door.
"We'll be outside Zion's gates within the hour, broadcast within the next 15, I suggest you take a seat." she said, immediately leaving.
Sparks looked back at Genesis, who kept her eyes on the ground.
"Don't take it personally. That's just who she is. The only way to get respect as a captain, you know?" he asked, returning to his work at the computers.
* * * * * * * * *
Quite a few weeks later, she still sat, alone in her room.
Not having entered the Matrix in some time, she kept feeling the itch to do something, but too afraid to ask.
She never really knew who was in, who was out, or when. For one, she rarely left her room, for two, she didn't really care what was going on. When she was needed, she'd be called... just like always.
She spent a lot of her time thinking about her only friends. Noble.. what ever happened to him? Muse.. well, nothing else, he was dead now. She felt a pang of guilt, and tried to get her mind off of it.
Several times, she thought about what would have happened if she just had stayed. First, she wouldn't have lived more than a few minutes, not nearly enough time it would take for someone to find her. But before help came, they would have come, and it would have been all over anyway.
But what was there to live for there? Nothing. She was only here because she had to be.
She also hadn't had a vision in weeks, not sense she was in Zion. And, though she shouldn't think it, she was happy she didn't.
There was a knock on her steel door, followed by the clank of it opening.
"We're going to take you back to see the Oracle." Ghost said.
Genesis just looked at her lap. She knew it. Only when she was needed.
She pulled her self off the bed and stretched, following Ghost out to the deck.
Finding herself in a familiarly uncomfortable chair, she didn't mind the pinch of being jacked in, almost relieved to finally go back. But she stopped that thought.
Thinking she'd be in a warehouse, or an abandoned apartment, she found herself in the construct.
"Lets give you some weapons this time." Niobe said, just as endless rows of guns came shooting past them, racks filled with guns.
She picked up an automatic and cocked it.
This should be fun.
Ghost handed her a small wireless phone.
"If you ever find yourself alone, you'll find this more useful than a gun." he said with a smile.
She put the phone in her pocket.
Earlier, she had changed her self-image.
To fit in a little more, she now had a knee length black trench coat, that was, obviously, leather. Plain black pants, and a plain thin strapped shirt.
As if being pieced together, an old garage was slowly forming around them.
They were standing in an old auto repair shop, with the same maroon GTO in front of them.
She found herself smiling.
She really had missed this.
The familiarly shaggy apartment stood in front of her, the graffiti the same, the smell was even the same. It was almost hard to think that only a few months ago, she was completely different; ignorant, foolish, young...
She really had changed.
The soft hum of the elevator consumed the silence that was almost deafening.
It was uncomfortable.. hard to be around Niobe. She wondered how long it would be like this.
The doors slid open and she stepped out behind Ghost and Niobe.
She looked up to see the same exact man she had the first time she was here, in the same place.
He was blind, obviously, because he had a cane and dark glasses, sitting in the same seat, with the same clothes.
She nodded respectfully, and he nodded back.
She continued to walk, and had got 5 or so steps before it hit her.
Stopping mid-step, a confused look passed her face. '...But he's blind?' how did he see her?
"We're here." Niobe said, interrupting her thoughts and standing in front of the door.
Genesis caught up, and reached for the knob when it turned and revealed the same dark woman as before.
"We've been waiting," she said with a welcoming smile, "Please, come in"
They continued into the same beaded doorway that lead into the kitchen, were a familiarly warm face met them.
The Oracle stood with open arms and greeted them.
Genesis smiled, but her eyes rested uneasily on the man behind her.
Asian, and clad in white, he stood firmly in the corner of the kitchen with his arms behind is back.
"Please, sit." She said, putting down a cigarette.
Niobe took a seat, as did Genesis, but Ghost stood.
Niobe removed her sunglasses and leaned forward on the table. Genesis uneasily in the chair next to her.
"Its been difficult, I know" The Oracle started, picking back up her cigarette.
"We need to know the next step." Niobe said, "We have the One, and the Prophet, now what happens?"
The Oracle was quiet for a moment, and fixed her eyes on Genesis.
"Seems like your doing alright lately," she said with a smile, completely ignoring Niobe, who let out a frustrated breath.
Genesis smiled nervously, "I guess, yes." No matter how many times she'd visited the Oracle, she was still always nervous.
The Oracle only smiled, "...You know what you have to do now.. Don't you?"
Genesis stared at her for a moment, trying to hide her confused look. "..N-No, I'm not sure I do."
The Oracle tapped the ash of her cigarette, "Oh, but I think you do" she said, her expression becoming serious.
"Only at the time of complete peril, will hope present itself" she said, leaning back in her chair.
Genesis paused. She had absolutely no idea what was going on, but what she had said, made her want to cry.
"The One has done all he can for now. It's now the Prophet's time. Fulfill the Prophecy, and the Matrix will be destroyed." The Oracle said, a note of sincerity in her voice.
"We know that, now how is she suppose to play her part?" Niobe asked, pushing back into the conversation.
The Oracle was silent still.
Niobe stood and put her sunglasses back on, "We will return in a week or so, to get some real answers."
The Oracle smiled, "No, you won't."
"Thank you for coming by, always good to see you kiddo" The Oracle said, completely changing the subject, and hugging Genesis.
Niobe stopped for a moment, then turned and walked out of the beaded doorway, Genesis quickly following.
Ghost nodded as her turn to leave, but the Oracle stopped him.
"You doubt yourself," she said, taking her seat again "Outlooks like that get people killed."
Ghost stared back at her, confused, and staring suspiciously at the still man in the corner.
He quickly turned and left, meeting Niobe and Genesis outside the door.
They quickly left the building.
The sun outside hurt Genesis's eyes, she shaded them with a hand and stared forward at a black car next to their GTO.
Unconsciously, she reached for her automatic under her coat on her side, but Ghost's hand stopped her.
Niobe smiled, and walked forward, Ghost following, and Genesis not far behind, confused.
The passenger door to the black car swung open, and familiar black boots and the trim of a black coat appeared.
A tall black man with opaque frameless glasses stood next to the car, with a pleased smile.
"Morpheus" Niobe said, somehow unsurprised.
"Niobe, I was told I could find you here" he said.
"Were are you broadcasting from? Were is Neo?" Niobe asked.
Trinity, who had exited the drivers seat, looked at the ground, not seeming as strong as she had always appeared.
Morpheus's expression faded. "There was an incident, and he is unable to broadcast. We are temporarily stationed on the Apex, a fellow Hover Craft."
Niobe looked confused, but she knew when not to speak. "I see."
Morpheus placed his hand on Trinity's shoulder, "If you'll excuse us, we have business with the Oracle"
Niobe stepped aside to let Morpheus and Trinity by, "Its pointless, she has given us no useful information concerning the Prophecy." she said, quickly returning to her vehicle.
Ghost quickly followed and opened the backseat door before he entered shotgun, he stopped and stared back at Genesis.
She stood staring back at Trinity who entered the building with Morpheus shortly following. She felt bad, Trinity was never sad, or appeared weak, but she felt that today.
Genesis slipped into the backseat.
Niobe leaned over to Ghost, who nodded and exited the car.
Genesis looked up and watched him go, "Where's he going?" She asked, forgetting who she was asking.
"To find out what I was not suppose to hear." Niobe said in a monotone.
Morpheus entered the warmly familiar kitchen, were the Oracle sat at the table with a light clad Asian man stood behind her.
"Hello Morpheus. Trinity, my dear." She said, sympathy in her voice. "And Ghost" she smiled.
Morpheus took a seat, and Trinity stood, her head lowered.
"These really are dangerous times, unless that isn't hired help?" he said smiling, referring to the man behind her who made no gesture that he listened.
"More dangerous than you know, my dear Morpheus. I'm afraid we always have reason to fear, though." She smiled.
"I was hoping I could hear more about that." he asked.
The Oracle paused, and leaned forward in her seat. "Everything is falling into place, and you, just as we all, can see; consciously or not." she stated, her expression serious.
There was a short silence, she glanced at Ghost who stood near the door; she continued. "She's a program, Morpheus." She said, her voice low, "A Hardwire, just like me... just like the Agents."
Trinity looked up, and Morpheus stayed quiet; Ghost's expression was blank, his mouth almost opened to protest.
There was a long silence, but surprisingly, Ghost finally spoke. "What can we do?" he asked sincerely.
"Nothing" She said, getting up and placing a hand on the side of his face, "Sometimes, sacrifices have to be made for the greater good. Everyone plays their part, and the goal is achieved... with great loss, comes victory. You have to keep that in mind, don't let your mind stray from the real purpose."
She looked at him for a moment, "I'm sorry, it always seems I have bad news to tell you... but your time will come." she said quietly, returning to her seat.
Morpheus spoke up as Trinity looked at Ghost who stared at the ground, "What is our next move?" he asked.
"I have played my part, now its time for the other pieces to land in their place. I'm sorry, but this is all I can do"
Trinity stopped her, "But, what do you mean, 'Hardwire?' If such was true, she wouldn't have been able to be unplugged?"
The Oracle looked up and smiled, "Oh, my dear.. It's more complicated than that."
Ghost stood motionless, deep in thought. What did this all mean? The Answers didn't seem to be coming any time soon.
