The Matrix: Reverberations
09/05/25
We're confined on board The Bethany until The Council are ready to meet. At the allotted time, I'm permitted to leave The Bethany and wait to be collected after being thoroughly searched. The Sentinel has been instructed to remain aboard The Bethany - I guess an unarmed ship is as good a prison as any.
Two Councillors appear and I walk between them to the chamber. Wordlessly they sit at their places at the semi-circular table. There's nowhere for me to sit, so I stand in full view of Council. Then there's what seems to be a very long pause but it probably only lasted a matter of seconds.
"Stupid Alice!" I tell myself mentally. "They're waiting for you to speak. You don't get an invite. Although it would be nice to know what Council protocol actually is so I'm not left standing here feeling like a complete fool. But maybe that's what they want, to make you feel as uncomfortable as possible to wrong-foot you." I clear my throat. I still haven't planned what I'm going to say, but I'm going to pitch my voice at a calm, reasonable level so that it sounds convincing.
"Councillors," good place to begin, I tell myself. "The Machines gave no obstruction to The Bethany as I approached Machine City and quickly gave me permission to land. In the centre of Machine City itself are two commemorative plaques, one for Neo, one for Trinity, and it is recorded that Neo negotiated the Truce," I pause. I wonder what Webb would think of my performance if he were here. So far, I'd give it zero, but even Webb used to tell me I was too hard on myself.
I realise the room's not entirely quiet. Some Councillors are exchanging glances and motioning to each other. I guess they find the commemorative plaque bit difficult to believe. I wait for the shushing to diminish.
"Neo acknowledged that both Machines and humans were tired of war. Both humans and Machines needed the rogue program Smith terminated. In return for this, the Machines were to withdraw from Zion, not to seek reparations and to maintain the peace. Sentinels have already been reprogrammed as solely reconnaissance machines and alternative fuel sources have been found. Neo terminated Smith and agreed that humans would maintain the peace." What I've just said doesn't convince me and I'm hoping the "alternative fuel supply" bit is true, but then it doesn't have to.
The two Councillors who brought me, rise and I gather I'm to follow them out again. I'm taken back to The Bethany.
The Sentinel plugs itself into the keypad, "Instructions?"
"Wait," I key. I sit in the control seat. "How much power do you have?"
"Two days' full power."
I nod. "You might need it," I think.
I wonder what's in store for me now. Effectively I'm redundant and whether I go back to the Military or get permission to lead a "normal" life, I know I'll be supervised. I lean back, focus on a blank space but can't conjure up the code that would have me watching sunlight dapple through a tree. Why do humans get so hung up on this issue of trust?
Someone approaches The Bethany. It's Webb: I recognise his profile the moment I see it. However, his presence suggests bad news. At least, I assume if it were good news, a Councillor would come and bad news gets delegated. We go through the usual procedures before I let him aboard: I'd only disappoint him if I didn't.
"At ease," he greets me in a tone as expressionless as his face. He glances at the Sentinel.
"Idle," I say. I remain standing, as he does.
"A successful mission, well done," he says begrudgingly although I know he's actually pleased.
I nod. "You didn't come here just to tell me that."
"The Sentinel must be returned."
"Yes, Sir."
"You think..." he begins and stops. "Clearance for take off is forthcoming."
"Thank you, Sir."
Webb leaves.
I rush through systems checks and power up The Bethany ready to leave. As Webb promised, authorisation comes through within minutes.
"You're going home," I tell the Sentinel and somehow squeeze a few seconds to type, "Destination: Machine City," on the keypad.
The Sentinel doesn't respond until we're clear of Zion and I've switched The Bethany to auto.
"Waiting instructions."
I think. Webb clearly wasn't going to talk in front of the Sentinel so I try and recall every word, every nuance. "Successful... returned... clearance... forthcoming..." leap out as keywords and he also wanted to remind me I'm my parents' daughter. Maybe he wasn't entirely bad news after all. I pull the keypad towards me. "Report that the humans will keep The Truce."
"1."
I smile. "Yeah, but how much did you understand?" I mentally ask. I lean back: time to get some rest. I still have to find out what my future will hold. My mind's eye can see Machine City. Part of me wonders at how beautiful it is: the light dappling against surfaces. Their welcome might have lacked the diplomacy of a human welcome, but it was a warm welcome nonetheless. I look at the Sentinel, who's reverted to idle. I'll miss it.
Could I stay in Machine City?
Twenty-four hours ago that thought seemed impossible. It doesn't seem so impossible now.
A/N: final chapter to follow.