Protector of Men Ch 10
Purgatory was abuzz. Each crewmember was running around to do various preparatory things for the upcoming docking. Meaning everyone but Zandra. This time she had at least been given a job, however menial and brief it was. She had gathered Purgatory's gear dutifully, and was quickly in search of something to do again. Fortunately for everyone they were on the final approach. It would not be long until she would have more human contact than ever before, probably the most since she had been unplugged.
Cover came on the PA system, the machine crackling to life in every nook of the ship's existence - "They're opening the doors," he announced. Zandra ran to the deck - she had heard about this part.
What was usually dark and mechanical pipeways was now a brighter, more open area. Ahead of Purgatory was a crack of light running from thousands of meters below them to all the way above them, growing wider every second. The light was almost blinding because Zandra was now so used to the dark surroundings of the tunnels. She saw Kesia sitting at one of the control seats, obviously listening to something through her headset.
"Thank you," she said into her microphone, "We're glad to be home."
The doors were open. Zandra recalled that the others had said that this view would be awe-inspiring, but it was much more. It was life-changing. She stared in wonder as Purgatory slowly advanced into the lit area filled with ships and other machinery. It was a mecca but there was definitely an old-world feeling about it. A smaller machine guided them ahead, leading them to a docking bay labeled "Five-C". Above them, Zandra noticed the levels upon levels of rooms, probably where people stayed. It looked like a vertical city to her - she couldn't see anything on the ground beyond the docking bay. It truly was amazing, and Zandra felt secure knowing that there were others, other people out there that were alive, that were unplugged, that knew the truth...
She got her things excitedly as the ship halted on the ground. The ground! Together the crew stepped onto the concrete floor of the city as they prepared to take a break. There were four people waiting for them, each wearing different colored robes.
"Welcome home, Cover," one said with a nod.
"Thank you Eli," he replied, "It is good to have my feet on the ground."
"Indeed," he replied. Another robed man cut in, scanning the crew.
"We would especially like to welcome Zandra..." he said, still searching the crew. Zandra stepped forward and raised her hand a little.
"That's me," she said quietly, "thanks," She was silent for a moment, but couldn't contain her excitement for a second longer. "This is amazing," she quietly exclaimed.
"Thirty years of work," another said. The first robed man continued, talking only to Zandra, as it seemed.
"The council wishes to meet with you,"
"Now?" Trim asked. Zandra could see his ears turning red, and he took a small step backwards before mumbling what sounded a little like 'sorry'.
"If that is possible," the man replied, in a half-question. Zandra looked at Cover, who nodded back at her.
"Yes...?'"
"Good. Follow me,"
And Zandra followed him, leaving the rest of Purgatory to their own devices. Cover waited to leave until he was sure that Zandra had gotten to the council's meeting room. They will be quite impressed, he assured himself, and started the long walk to his home.
"Welcome, Zandra," said one councilwoman, an elderly lady with long gray hair.
"Thank you,"
"I'm sure you're wondering why you're here now," another said.
Zandra just stared blankly - she wasn't sure how to reply to a question like that...
"We councilpeople like to meet every person that is taken out of the Matrix. Now, we know that is a big number,"
" - But we like to know who is fighting for us."
"We are sorry to call you in so early,"
" - We're sure that you are eager to see Zion -"
"But we have heard good things about you."
Zandra stared at the ground, avoiding their eyes out of both respect and confusion.
"Tell me," one said, "What do you think it was that got you recognized?"
Zandra was a little overwhelmed by the council. There were so many people, so much talking, Shade was about right...
"Ah," she replied, racking her brain, what's the right answer?
"I think it was because of a physics project I did on the palpable evidence of the Matrix,"
"That's the story we heard." It was a younger man this time, his slate hair falling into his face. Everyone was silent for a moment. Some of the councilors were nodding, and others were looking at each other with raised eyebrows. Zandra had not a clue what they were nodding about, but thought it best not to ask at the moment.
"How has training gone?"
"Well, I guess," Zandra replied honestly. The council still stared at her.
"Well I did a spar with another crew member first -"
"How did that go?"
Zandra was put off a little. "It was kind of a draw." She trailed off. That sparring had not been a good experience.
"And after that?"
"I just did some agent training."
"Really?" One asked, drawing glances from the other councilors. The woman settled down in her chair a bit, as if embarrassed. Another cut in, in the first's place.
"What kind of agent training?"
Zandra thought hard, how would she word this?
"I first was in an urban setting, with multiple agents, and I got pinned after the programming glitched."
"First? You did something after?"
"Yes," Zandra replied, "I went into a multiple setting upload. There I fought three."
"How was it?" asked the one lady, getting more glances. She ignored the glances, and continued gazing at Zandra.
"I terminated two and evaded a third before getting out," she replied frankly. Zandra was surprised at the reaction she got - the council people broke into muffled tones and whispers.
"Are you aware of the significance of an accomplishment of that magnitude?"
"No..."
"No one terminates an agent in their first training. Some never do."
"Never?" Zandra couldn't hide her confusion. Cover hadn't even mentioned anything like this, he had just said that the agents were extremely hard to terminate... Why would he leave out such an important piece of information? Was she really supposed to just run from them?
"Obviously Cover has not informed you fully on this."
"Have you been informed on the current status of agent presence in the Matrix?"
"I have heard that they weren't active until now."
"Exactly."
"The only person traced by an agent before you was a man named Emory. I think you would be obliged to meet up with him."
A man walked up to Zandra from the corner of the room, and he too had on the robes that she had seen on the people that had first greeted Purgatory to Zion.
"This man will lead you to his quarters."
"Even Cover does not know your potential," the embarrassed lady said, "you will have to work hard, but you can help save our race."
With that, Zandra was led out of the room.
