Protector of Men Ch 37

It had been sixteen days since the crews had arrived in Zion, and Zandra was becoming antsy. Though she was still grieving, she knew that Stephen would have wanted them to get back to the war effort. Whatever that was. She was still quiet, but was mentally getting ready to leave.

They were finishing dinner as a group. Cover sat next to Zandra, on his other side was Alias. Kemp, Kesia, and Shade were on the opposite end of the table, and Trim was at the head. For a moment he enjoyed the thought of leading the group, but it was a fleeting feeling. They were chatting irregularly, with more uncomfortable pauses as the subject wore thin. After a few minutes they gave up, and left the table for their bunks. It would be another uneventful day.

"Zandra," Cover asked under his breath, touching her wrist. She was about to leave with Kesia and Kemp, but turned around. Cover looked serious.

"A few days ago the Calling contacted us," he started, folding his arms. Zandra's heart fell – folded arms did not mean good things.

"They said the oracle-" Zandra's eyes widened at the thought, she's showing herself! – "contacted them."

Zandra nodded furtively. Zandra might finally be able to get revenge. Maybe.

"She said that she wants to speak with you-"

Zandra sighed. Speaking wasn't what was going to happen if Zandra had her way. Cover sighed too.

"- but only if you are willing." His eyes had the look of a parent's, reproaching, questioning. Zandra digested the words thoughtfully. He waited while she thought, watching her eyes for any sign of a decision.

"I'll go," she said plainly. She hid her true emotions, her rage and contempt.

"Are you willing?"

"Yes," she replied, almost offended by his repetition. He shook his head.

"Okay," he sighed, uncrossing his arms, "We'll head out in a few days then."

Zandra nodded and took her opportunity to leave. So it was done. She walked back to Kesia's room, her head a sudden explosion of thought. Soon the Oracle would regret her actions, or in this case, her lack of action… and Stephen would be avenged. A small part of Zandra hoped unconsciously that perhaps vengeance would take away the pain of his death. Two-four-nine.

She was going back to the oracle. And the oracle was showing herself. Zandra would be able to get to her. But certainly the woman would know her feelings – the uncontrollable rage that she had been in once Stephen had been killed…

She sighed sadly, remembering why she was so angry. How could she forget?

If the oracle had really been the cause of Stephen… his death… then there was no doubt in Zandra's mind that the woman could do the same to her. So if she was really going to do it, she'd have to hide her motivations until the moment of truth.

But how? If she was an oracle, she'd see it coming. Zandra sighed in frustration, going into Kesia's room. They silently greeted her as she entered.

"We're going," she told them frankly. They both looked confused.

"What?" Kemp asked, getting out of her chair.

"We're leaving soon," she repeated.

"Now?"

"No," she said, shaking her head slowly, "In a few days."

They both nodded in comprehension, and went back to what they were doing. Nothing.

Two days later they were packed and ready to go. They piled into Purgatory quietly and purposefully, ready to do what they were meant to do. Fight the war. Even Zandra understood. Within a few minutes, they had touched off and were on their way to leaving Zion. Zandra silently said her permanent good-byes to Stephen. Back to the grind, back to work.

The first stage of Zandra's effort was over. The learning was over, the connection to the Matrix was gone, because of Stephen's death. She had learned her limits, she had learned others' limits, and realized that the two were very different. In the process, she lost what was dear to her – but it made her see the truth. It wasn't real. None of it was. All the pain came from the lies, and it would only be fixed if others knew the truth. And that was her job now.

Veritas. Truth.

End of Part One – click on my name to find part II and III.