The Matrix: System Shutdown
Chapter 1
Captain Glitch came walking down the corridor, seeing his way through the darkness. Glitch had been down the corridor enough times to go through it with his pale blue eyes closed. His hand was running along the metal wall, brushing against wires every once and a while. After he hit a large single wire, he stuck his other hand in front knowing that he had finally met the corridor's end, he pushed open the metal door. The latches released, letting him walk into the dimly lit room. Three people were gathered around the rusting green table. The forest green paint was chipping revealing a dark color gray underneath. The walls were brown with different shades of oranges and browns on it. Glitch didn't want to know why there were different colors on the wall; he only wanted to get through his business then leave. A single dim light was hanging over the table casting shadows behind the three around it. Glitch's hair looked gray with the shadow towering him, but it was actually a whitish blonde color that matched the two pale blue eyes that looked around. None of his pale skin showed through his light gray sweater and gray sweatpants. The sweater stuck to Glitch's body as if like a second skin showing how fit and healthy he was. Glitch noticed there was one empty chair next to a woman. He knew it wasn't for him because he liked to stand while discussing things.
Glitch stood for a minute looking at the three people after he shut the door. This was his first time seeing these people. They were all wearing ragged gray, black, and white loose fitting clothing. Nothing but thin sandaled shoes kept their feet from touching the dust covered floor. They all turned their attention to Glitch. He took another minute to observe them all and get a feel of them. There was a young man that had to turn all the way around so that his back wasn't to Glitch. The young man's skin color was very dark, long dread locks went down to the middle of his back having tan colored beads end them. His eyes were brown, nearly black, making it seem that his eyes were only shadows. The boy was wearing a white tank top with a few holes here and there, revealing his muscular body. His young face showed eagerness, but the other two people around the table looked calm and ready.
The one to the young man's left was lightly tanned. Glitch knew that there was no way his skin could've made contact with any sun so he figured this was his real color. His hair was golden brown and it folded down and around his head. Green eyes peered through the hair. The guy didn't move the hair from his face, he just continued to stare. He was small and not as muscular but he looked slightly older than the other dark skin guy.
To the young man's right was a woman. She had black curly hair that touched her shoulders. She was pale and had fierce blue eyes that made Glitch shiver slightly. Her face was triangular; her hair was behind her ears showing slightly pink cheeks. She was petite, but there was something more to her that Glitch couldn't describe. He was hoping he'd be able to place it soon or he wouldn't be to trust her.
After Glitch made his observations, he walked steadily to the table putting his hands on it in front of him to make his body tower over them all. He looked them over one last time and he saw the woman was looking at his muscular arms. He wanted to smile, but he held his face neutral.
"So you all are going to be part of my new crew?" Glitch said, breaking the silence at last. He didn't try to sound overpowering or bold. He wasn't new to the job of being captain so he knew the act wouldn't work anyway. They all nodded not really knowing if he wanted a response. Glitch pointed to the eager boy. Glitch had a liking to the kid already because of his eagerness. "What's your name?" Glitch asked.
"Hex." He asked. The boy tried to sound older than he was. Glitch smiled.
"And what do you want to do as part of my crew?"
Hex thought about the answer for a second. "I wanted to be the operator. I heard your last one didn't make it through the last battle, so I was hoping to fill him in. And if I could, would I be able to be second in command?"
Glitch thought for a moment, he remembered how his last operator died and he blamed himself for it. Three others had died along with the old operator and having people take their places made it hurt him. One of the people that died was someone he loved and felt that no one could replace her. "Don't get ahead of yourself. I can't decide right away for you to be my second in command. As for being operator, you can read the matrix code inscriptions and you can download and uploads things from and for files?" Glitch made it a question.
Hex grinned. He was happy he knew all about computers. "Oh yeah, and a whole lot more." Everyone in the room slightly smiled noticing his eagerness.
Glitch gave him the job trusting Hex. He knew he could, but he didn't know if he could give him second command. His old lover was second in command and there was no one else he felt he could trust but Hex just beamed with happiness so Glitch felt he could give him a shot at being second in command hoping he made the right decision.
Glitch turned to the woman. She looked him straight in the eyes. By her doing this, he knew that she was a very direct and open person. She had no innocence; this was what Glitch thought was missing. "What's your name and what do you want to do as part of my crew?" He asked.
She tilted her head slightly not having to think about her question at all. She had everything planned for herself. "My name is Chat. I'm a fighting specialist so I'd be able to help you with fighting routines and show you how to be better and stronger." Glitch looked at her. She didn't look strong to him, but he knew that looks were deceiving.
Glitch sighed then he thought to himself. He wanted to test her, see how she could handle jokes though she didn't look like a joking person. "That's what we have fighting and dojo programs for." They all laughed even her though not as much. She was willing to laugh at herself, its good people can do that, Glitch thought.
"Captain Glitch, I can see things differently then most can. I have an ability to see something before it happens therefore giving me the ability to know what to do to people before they can do it themselves." She said in a collected voice. It sounded soothing to him.
Glitch thought as very interesting. "Power of premonition. But why do we need you if we don't have your 'ability'? We can't use what we don't have." He answered. Glitch liked testing people. Seeing how far they'd be willing to go to get what they wanted.
Chat stood up, her face was close enough to Glitch to where he could smell her. She smelled like apple cinnamon. She's very bold, Glitch thought himself. "I can teach you how to counter the attacks. The programs are only made to show you how to fight, not to counter. We need to know how to attack, but it's the defense that keep us alive." She said, her voice was low, but everyone could still hear her. Glitch looked back into her eyes. He felt they were having a staring contest. Her blue eyes pierced into his, feeling like they were searching for something.
Glitch broke first and she smiled. He looked at the other man that he hadn't spoken to. "Fine, we could use better fighting techniques. Those programs are old anyway. I'd say their ready for deletion." Glitch said.
"Well since you gave the kid second in command can I…" Hex interrupted Chat.
"My name is Hex, not kid." He said. Glitch was glad Hex was able to stand his ground.
Chat moved her eyes from Glitch to Hex slowly. "How old are you?" She asked.
Hex's voice wavered as he answered. "18."
Glitch didn't know if he wanted an eighteen year old for second in command, but he felt he could trust Hex to follow orders better than Chat.
"Too young to join the team don't you think?" She asked. This was her way of being deceptive without even trying. She wanted to be second in command and it was obvious to Glitch.
"I've read the damn papers over and over to make sure I made the requirements. It was says eighteen and up. I've waited for this my whole life and I don't need a bitch like you to screw it up." Hex gritted through his teeth but he sounded like he was trying to control his anger. Chat laughed; well obviously she didn't mind being called a bitch. Glitch didn't trust her to be second in command anyway.
"I'm 24; I don't think you should talk to me that way." Chat said slyly, she was joking, but Hex was offended.
Glitch put his hand up before anyone else could speak. He was chuckling. "Don't worry Hex. No one will take your place. Continue with your question Chat." She looked at Hex as if to be mad, but her facial expression changed when she turned back to Glitch.
"Can I be third in command?" She asked. She made her eyes sparkle. Glitch smiled, well he could give her a chance, but he wanted to see what the other man had to say if he wanted third command. Glitch didn't want her in charge of anything. Fighting seemed to be all she needed.
"Hold that thought Chat. I'd like to hear him before making a final decision." Chat mumbled a word, but it wasn't audible. Glitch turned to TJ. "You know what I'm going to ask you already so out with it." Glitch was getting tired of standing. The seat looked inviting, but he refused to sit hoping that this would be over soon, then he'd be able to return to his sleeping quarters. He'd have to turn down the person that wasn't here to take the seat. To him if you weren't there then you won't be able to be there for anything else.
The other guy shook his head making his hair fall back from his eyes, he obviously had practice with this but there were still a few strands in his face. The guy ran his hands through his hair revealing a small diamond earring in his right ear. This surprised Glitch, he didn't approve of guys with earrings but he couldn't prejudge the man now. His eyes looked empty, holding no life. This scared Glitch, he wasn't happy with the way this guy was, but he'd have to see what he was applying for. Chat looked at the man smiling, it was obvious she approved of him. The man spoke breaking Glitch from his thinking. "I just want to fix things since I don't have much left to do with my hands. I'm great with fixing things and I have training with combat from my father." His voice didn't hold any excitement. It was like he was just there.
Glitch said, "Who's your father?"
TJ looked up finally meeting Glitch's eyes. "My father was your last captain." Glitch thought for a moment then he remembered.
"Captain Volaski?" Glitch didn't mean to say it out loud. "I didn't know he had a son."
TJ's expression stayed blank and empty. "Well he did and I'm here. So do I get the job?"
Glitch nodded. "Sure you'll be the maintenance officer." TJ's eyes went from Glitch to Chat. He looked at her long and hard through his plain green eyes. He looked mad at her. She repositioned herself in her chair slightly smiling.
"Keep your damn hands off of me. I mean it." TJ said lowly. Glitch looked at them both not believing his ears.
Chat smiled slyly. "What happens if I don't?" Chat's hand disappeared underneath the table. TJ jumped up.
"Glitch, tell her to back off!" Glitch stood up on his feet taking his hands off the table. He folded his arms over his chest. He was surprised to be brought into this.
"That's Captain Glitch now. Chat if you're acting like this then how do you think you'll get to be third in command?" The smile was wiped from her face.
She looked at TJ. "How old are you TJ?"
He looked at her, his eyes finally held something, anger. "I'm 23."
"You should be to take care of yourself instead of running to the captain. Well then, I won't touch him." That was all she said. Without more that could've been said, the door opened with a creek. Everyone turned their heads to it forgetting the situation before it. A young woman walked into the room. Her hair was blond and short. It barely touched her shoulders. She had eyes that were mixed between grey and pale blue. It reminded Glitch of frost. Her skin wasn't tanned at all which made her pale. She was wearing a very loose fitting tank top so it was tied at the bottom to make slightly tighter. Her pants fell around her feet. It seemed she glided into the room not tripping over her the pants. Her eyes were just as observant as Glitch's'.
Glitch's mouth dropped, but he put his lips back together. She looked like his last lover. His last fiancée, but it wasn't her because his fiancee's eyes were bluer and her hair was longer, but they looked similar. She held the same beauty and lurid glow that his fiancée held. She walked past Glitch, her face not showing any emotion, but she noticed that everyone stopped talking after she entered the room. She sat down in the empty chair.
Glitch turned to her. Chat looked almost jealous by the girl's beauty. It had shown on her face too. It made TJ happy to see Chat unhappy. Hex looked mesmerized. Glitch finally broke the silence. "Who are you and what do you want?"
Chat looked at Glitch. "That's rude don't you think? I suggest you rephrase that question."
Glitch sighed. "Sorry. I'm just having a rough time right now, but you do know what I mean."
The girl graciously smiled. "It's ok. My name is Mara; I came to see if I could be second in command and if I could be the coordinator of the ship." Glitch looked at Hex then Chat. He didn't know why, but his heart told him to make her second in command. It couldn't have been the beauty, but it was the fact that he felt he could trust her. He asked himself why did he trust her so quickly though. He felt like he knew Mara in some why, but didn't know how he knew her. He had never seen her before. He knew exactly why he trusted her though. It was the fact that she looked just like his fiancée and he trusted his fiancée. But there a small part him that didn't hold any trust for her. He was about to tell her no, but Hex said something before he did.
"I'm second in command. Maybe you could be third." Chat looked evilly at Hex. He turned away from her eyes and she smiled.
Glitch was beginning to sort reasons in his mind to make Mara his second in command. Hex was too young and he needed to learn the ropes. TJ hadn't asked to be any sort of commander and there was no way in hell that he'd let Chat be his second. It seemed feasible enough to him. "Hex your new and young on the job and…" Glitch began but was roughly interrupted by Hex.
"You didn't ask how old she was! You didn't ask her why she was late. You can't trust someone when their late!" He had a point.
Before Glitch could get a word out, Mara answered with her voice. It was soothing like Chat's but she didn't have to try like Chat did though. "I'm 23 and my brother is part of another team. He's their third commander and I feel that I can do this. And Hex, you know the exact reason I was late, so don't you dare go there about that." She had hissed the word Hex and he flinched when she did.
Chat looked at Mara, her face was neutral. Mara looked back into Chat's eyes showing no fear of Chat. Chat spoke, "Well most of us don't know why you were late, so how about explaining."
Mara looked at Hex. "He told me the meeting was canceled, but I was talking to my brother just a minute ago and he said that the meeting was never called off."
Glitch looked at Hex. "Why did you lie to her?"
Hex hesitated then his shoulders slumped. "I knew she wanted to be second in command, but I want to be it so much and I know she's older than I am so I didn't think that I'd be able to. So I told her that this was cancelled hoping she wouldn't make it."
Chat laughed. It made them all shiver including Mara. TJ leaned back in his chair, making the legs raise from the floor. Hex had now given Glitch the perfect reason to let Mara be second in command. "Hex, being second in command deals trust and I'm not getting any trust from you right now. But there is something I am willing to do. I'll let you be third in command and Mara you can be second and you can be the coordinator." Glitch raised his hand before Chat could protest. "There is no way I'm going to let you be second Chat, I'm going to tell you that right now. So we have this sorted out now because I'm going to bed." Hex got up looking at the floor. Chat was certainly not happy, but she brushed TJ when she got up. It was obvious it wasn't an accident and TJ knew it. TJ pushed her away, but before he drew his hands back, she grabbed them, crossed them and put them against his chest. He hit Chat's head with his head then he kicked her below the knee, but she pulled her leg up before he could kick her. She went down to her knee then slid totally to the floor. She lashed her foot, sweeping underneath TJ. He fell backward, but Mara caught him before he hit the floor. Glitch was impressed by all three of them.
Chat got up, brushing the dust off of her clothes. "I knew you were going attack me TJ, or I wouldn't have picked my leg up." She winked at him, and then left the room.
Mara looked at Glitch, "Give the kid second in command. I can take third. No problem."
Hex smiled. He didn't even bother to correct her for calling him a kid. Glitch was wondering what Mara was getting at. He considered her suggestions. She flashed him a smile and Hex pretended to look pitiful. Glitch felt that he'd regret making Hex second in command, but he did it. "Yeah, Hex you can stay second in command. Mara will be third."
Mara kept looking at Glitch with her cool eyes. "When does the ship leave port?" She asked. Glitch forgot to tell when they were leaving.
TJ crossed his arms, his eyes looking at Mara. "We leave tomorrow in the morning. I'll send someone to knock on your door, but don't bother to answer; they won't be there to greet you." Glitch said.
TJ looked around at everyone. "Who's going to the Departure Ceremony tonight?" he asked. Glitch forgot about the Departure Ceremony too. Being tired made him forget things. Most people called it a ceremony, but it seemed like a night out at a dance bar. Then the Council Elder comes and gives them wise words of encouragement. Glitch didn't feel like going. He was drained already. Hex and Mara said they were going, so did TJ. TJ looked like the type to party, but just didn't act like it.
"I have to be at the cermony. My girl is going to be there!" Hex said with a wide smile on his face, his dark eyes erasing the shadow.
Every one laughed. "Meaning your girlfriend?" Glitch asked, he knew the answer though.
"Hell yeah!" Hex answered. "Why are you going Mara?" Hex asked.
She looked at them. "I like to dance, and anyway, my brother will deliver the speech."
Glitch looked confused. "I thought Elders did that."
Mara smiled. "They normally do, but this time they wanted someone young and someone who came back from the last battle to do it for a change."
"What group is he from?" TJ asked.
"Alpha Cross." Mara answered. Glitch knew that group. The team had consisted of just males, that are why it was called Alpha.
"I've seen your brother. He looks nothing like you." TJ said.
"Well, different parents. We were both part of the matrix and I was adopted while being in the matrix. He was a hacker and that's how I learned to hack because he helped me and we both believed the matrix wasn't real so we both ended up here in Zion." Mara zoned out, as if looking into space while she was talking.
"So you consider him your brother even if your not blood related?" TJ said.
"Yeah, I don't see what is wrong with that. We were part of the same family in the matrix after I was adopted, I considered him my brother. He helped me when I needed help, he loved me, and treated me like family." She looked at TJ for a second. Glitch didn't want anything to get out of hand, so he stepped back, unfolding his arms.
"Alright you guys." Mara looked at Glitch. "And girls, go to the party but don't stay up too late." Glitch said with a sigh.
Hex got up from his seat and looked at Glitch, his dread locks swaying as he moved. "So now your our father?" Hex asked as if to be offended.
Glitch closed his eyes then opened them. His crew seemed be having a bad day or something. "You could say that Hex. I'm your captain, but I won't control how late you stay up. That's your choice, not mine." Hex didn't reply, he just glared at Glitch. Then Glitch broke the silence again, wanting to leave. "Remember, we're leaving tomorrow after someone knocks on your door. Everyone will meet at port 2 for the ship called 'Lazuris'. Got that?" Everyone nodded. Glitch looked at Hex, "I'm going to let you start your job tonight Hex as second in command."
Hex's eyes lit up. "Really?! Doing what?"
Glitch smiled knowing that Hex wouldn't like what he was about to do. "Since Chat left, you're going to have to tell her when we leave, where to meet, and the leaving signal."
Hex sighed. "This is great." Everyone including TJ, laughed hearing the sarcastic in his voice.
"She'll probably be at the ceremony, so you can tell her then. See, not a lot of work there!" Mara said trying to cheer Hex up. She patted his back lightly.
"So everything is settled. You're all dismissed." Glitch stood watching everyone leave.
Mara brushed against Glitch, but she didn't look back. Glitch's eyes followed Mara until she disappeared around the corner. Hex turned around after TJ left too.
"Are you coming Captain?" Hex asked.
"Yeah." Glitch walked out of the room, locking the door with his keys. Glitch went to his room and laid down on his bed only removing his shirt. He laid his head on the pillow, closing his eyes. He didn't go to sleep immediately. His thoughts were on Mara, who reminded him of his ex-fiancée. He decided that he'd take a nap then go to the Departure Ceremony.