A/N: Alright everyone, I'm trying again, and this time I know what I'm doing.

Disclaimer: I own nothing. Poseo nada. Je possede rien.

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Chapter One

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"First off, I'd like to commend you for you excellent job in holding off the enemy, and second..." Niobe

paused and the screen flickered, "I'd like to thank you. We wouldn't have made it without you."

Morpheus tried to sound as professional as possible, "You would have done the same."

Niobe smiled and the screen went blank.

Morpheus swivelled in his chair to find Neo, Trinity and Link with their arms crossed, grinning widely.

"What?" Morpheus questioned.

"Nothing, nothing!" They all replied. snickering softly. Morpheus sighed and switched the monitor back to

the rolling green code.

It was getting harder and harder to hold back the machines. This and the continuous exile threat from

within the matrix kept the rebels constantly on their toes.

The Neb had blown a main engine during their rescue of the Logos. Niobe and her crew were

exploring to map out one of the deep caverns of the earth when they were attacked. The Neb was closest and

heard the distress signal, immediately flying to their rescue. Neo, Trinity, and Link knew that Morpheus had

his own personal reasons for responding so quickly...

"We're going back," Morpheus finally spoke, "We've got no other choice. I trust Link has told you

about the recall-"

"Actually sir," Link interrupted with a wince, "I didn't quite get around to telling them- what with

the whole damage report to make, and the few small repairs..."

Morpheus closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. Link's mistake was understandable,

but at a time like this, the Captain had to struggle to find the patience to deal with such slip-ups.

"Commander Locke has requested our presence back at Zion for an assignment. So either way, we're going

home."

"An assignment? Like what?" Trinity asked, her monotonous tone failing to emphasize that she was

asking a question.

"I'm not sure. That's why we have to go back."

He stood up and looked over his crew for a moment before resting his gaze on the operator, "Link,

call Zion and tell them we're on our way."

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"Gee," Sparks stood with his arms crossed as Niobe stood up, "You think you thanked him enough?"

Niobe glared, "I owe my life to the Nebuchadnezzar and so do you. They risked their own lives to save ours,

not too many people would have done that."



"Yeah, but there's nothing the "almighty" One wouldn't do." Sparks made air quotes with his hands and

took on a sarcastic tone, "And Morpheus is getting the whole goddamn council buying into that prophecy

shit! He-"

Ghost looked from his laid back position in one of the chairs, "Sparks."

"What?"

"Shut up."

The operator glared, but obeyed reluctantly, "I thought you were meditating..."

Niobe looked quizzically at Ghost, "How come he listens to you?"

Sparks looked insulted, "I don't listen to any-"

"I said shut up," Ghost interrupted calmly.

Sparks closed his mouth immediately and Niobe sighed, "What's the damage report on the ship?"

Ghost stood and sat down at the computers, bringing up digital models of the Logos. He pointed at the

screen, "There's a lot of external damage on the ship's roof, the main covering is completely gone-

annihilated. You obviously saw the massive damage to the left side- some of the rooms are missing."

Niobe peered over her first mate's shoulder and examined the diagrams, "So your saying...?"

"We're fucked up," Sparks spoke.

Niobe turned around, "Thank you for your input, but might I remind you of your rank on this ship?"

Ghost laughed softly and Niobe went back to watching the screen, "I guess we're going home, then. We're in

severe need of a mechanic." She straightened up, "I'll contact Zion and tell them we're on our way."