Protector of Men Ch 27

Zion was just as amazing as when Zandra had seen it the first time. It's blinding light compared to the dark tunnels, it's huge open ship bay, the sheer amount of people in the city; it was just as awe-inspiring as before.

"Holy shit," Kemp had stated factually, "This is a city?"

Zandra gave Cover a weary look that he did not return. Kemp was definitely getting on her nerves, but she was somewhat settled by the fact that in Zion, she could at least be with other people.

"Damn," she continued as they settled down on the concrete, "this is the shit."

Is she always going to be this foul mouthed? Zandra wondered quietly…

"We're down," Kesia said into her headpiece. She took it off slowly and got up.

"Let's go," Cover said, walking over to the doors. They opened with a loud creak.

"Stephen!" she exclaimed, surprised. There stood Tevy, already dressed in Zion's clothing, and welcoming them back to their home. He offered to take Zandra's things, (Which she politely allowed him to,) and asked if she wanted to join him in getting something to eat.

"You know where to get something?" she asked, excited about the proposal of getting some food other than the slop that she was getting so used to eating.

"Oh," he replied, rubbing his hands together nervously, "I went ahead and asked Colombus if there was anywhere we could sit and eat, you know…"

"Oh," she said, "thanks."

And they walked over to the restaurant, casually located in the center of the ship bay. It was a circular building, only two floors tall, with high tables and chairs. A young man came and asked them what they wanted to order, and neither of them quite knew.

"What's good?" Zandra asked. Stephen shrugged, then smiled.

"The vegetable bread is our special," the young man suggested, shifting on his feet. He kept looking from Tevy to Zandra, as if he didn't know who to talk to. Zandra, upon looking the boy over, noticed that he had no plugs on him, and felt an odd pang of jealousy. Somehow, she had the idea that he was freer than she without the metal holes. She unconsciously began to trace the metal plug on her arm with her finger, going in ravenous circles that she didn't notice.

"That'll work," said Stephen, nodding at Zandra. Bread was good enough for the both of them. "Okay, that'll be up in about ten minutes," the boy said, and walked off so quickly that Zandra was startled and had to stop herself from laughing.

"So," Stephen started, settling down in his chair, "The guys went to see this oracle?"

Zandra nodded. "Yeah, they haven't said anything about it though."

"What is she supposed to tell you?"

Zandra paused. Oh hell, she thought, why not tell him…

"The future, is what she at least insinuated to me," she answered. Stephen looked a little impressed.

"Do you think she was right?"

"I think, I'm not sure though."

"And you said she wants me?"

Zandra nodded. "Yeah," she answered.

"Colombus asked me about it the other day," he said, leaning forward, "she talked to Cover and she wants me to go."

Zandra paused again. "Okay," But wait… "But wait," she suddenly said, "Are you sure?"

Stephen frowned. "Why?"

"The agents," she explained.

Stephen shook his head, "I'll have cover."

"Cover?"

Stephen laughed. Why is he laughing? "No, I mean I'll have people with me."

"Oh," she said disjointedly.

"What?" Stephen asked, putting his hand on hers under the table. Zandra was a little surprised, but didn't move her hand. Since when had he been so caring…

"It was just strange," she said, staring at the floor.

"The oracle?"

"Yeah."

"What did she say?"

"She just said she wanted to see you, called you Stephen."

He made no movement, expecting more to her explanation - but none came. He gave her a confused look.

"I didn't mention you."

Stephen replaced his hand on his own leg and leaned back in his chair, digesting the thought.

"Well," he said slowly, "I guess that's what oracles do."

Zandra made a face and nodded at the ground again. The boy came back with their bread, and set it on their table before quickly leaving again. They began to eat, gratefully and voraciously, both insanely glad that they were actually eating solid food. Zandra was just amazed at how good it tasted. Taste; she had honestly worried that there was no taste in the real world. But there was. Her mouth watered with each anticipatory bite, and she relished the feeling. After a few minutes of silence, Stephen piped up again.

"So, they're making me do more practice while we're here."

"Really?" Zandra replied, "I didn't think you could do that."

"Oh," he said, waving a hand in the air, "It's just a construct. They just think I need more experience."

Zandra nodded. "Oh."

Speaking of which, she should probably go see Emory again, now that she had seen Neo. Maybe she'd go while Stephen was training, she would go see him.

"You should have seen my agent training," he said with a laugh. Zandra perked up.

"Oh really?"

"Oh my god, Alex, it was abysmal."

Zandra snorted. "I'm sure it wasn't that bad."

He made a face. "Alex, our ideas of bad are very different."

"Oh really?" She mentally sighed, not this again…

"Yeah, I got hit after thirty seconds and they thought I did good."

Zandra took a moment before answering. "Well, everyone has to start out somewhere," she offered. Stephen still was unbelieving.

"Not everyone can terminate an agent, Alex."

"I know, okay?" She was a little angry, a little embarrassed that he kept on bringing up that subject every time they talked. So what, she killed an agent. Okay, three. But to her, it wasn't a big deal. To her, she could have done better. You can always push more…

"I don't think you understand, Alex," he repeated.

"I understand, okay Stephen?" she barked. Zandra looked around – a few eyes were on them. Her face turned red, and she sat down further in her chair.

"Allright, you do," he allowed, "But no one's gone as far before."

Zandra nodded, knowing that arguing would get her nowhere. Stephen sighed.

"All I'm trying to do is tell you that you're doing well. Hell, you're doing the best anyone's done."

She didn't say anything. Stephen leaned forward in his chair, shaking his head as if in disbelief.

"You're the same person, Alex, you just amaze me." Zandra smiled.

A woman approached their table - both Stephen and Zandra watched her as she walked towards them with trembling servility.

"I'm sorry," she managed, her eyes wide, "But I couldn't help overhearing your conversation."

Zandra waited a second before realizing that the woman was talking to her. "Oh," she stammered, "That's okay…"

"You're Zandra?" she asked. Zandra was confused. I'm always confused, she told herself.

"Yeah…" she replied, trying to draw more out of the woman.

"Thank you… for all that you've done," she said, and placed a pile of what looked like rubbish on their table. She nodded once at Zandra, then stumbled away and out of the small restaurant. Both Zandra and Steven were speechless.

"What was that?" she asked, still watching the place where the woman had left. "Thanks for what?"

"Geez," Stephen breathed, "Look what she gave us."

Zandra took a closer look at the pile and picked up a piece of what looked like paper. On it were numbers, one note read ten, another fifty… the woman had given them money.

"Why would she give us this?" Zandra asked, still confused.

"I guess she heard us talking?"

"Great," she breathed, still inspecting the notes. "Well, I guess this will help us pay?"

Stephen looked up. "Damn, I hadn't even thought about that."

Zandra almost laughed. "Well, I guess we don't have to think about it anyway." With that, she placed a ten and a fifty on the table and got out of her tall chair. Stephen followed suit, but much slower. It seemed he was in a daze. Zandra led him out quickly, trying not to attract any more attention. Still, it seemed to her like eyes were following them out of the restaurant.

Behind them, the young waiter gazed in amazement at the pile of money on the table. He thought everyone knew that it was a free restaurant, kept in business by the council for crews. Yet, he wouldn't refuse money when it stared him in the face. He quietly stuffed it in his pocket and picked up the dirty plates with a small smile on his face.

"Wow, I guess the words out," Stephen said as they continued to walk.

"Guess so," she replied darkly. Stephen was getting tired of her anger. Maybe she had changed after all. "Well," he said, after a minute, "I guess I should get started on my practicing."

Zandra stopped walking. So he was going to leave her. But that was fine, she actually wanted to be alone for a while. Or at least that was what she'd tell herself. "Okay," she said quietly, "I guess I'll go find Emory then."

Stephen wasn't sure who Emory was, but didn't ask. He figured that for now, she needed to be left alone to figure things out for herself. He waved goodbye and walked over to one of the elevators nearby, waving again as the doors closed. So she was alone again, in a place with too many people.