Protector of Men Ch 80

"Thanks Kesia," Zandra said into her cellphone, "Everything's here."

She hung up the phone and placed it on the square desk in front of them. On top of the desk lay only a laptop computer, and two chairs sat in front of it. It wasn't a glamorous mission, but it had a purpose. They were to contact Dr. Sherman and hopefully make a convert out of him – all from a computer in an empty building.

"Let's get started," Zandra said. She motioned for Shade to get at the computer, and pulled a chair back for herself. The two sat back to back – Shade facing the computer, and Zandra facing the door. There were no second chances now, and every moment would count. Too many squids, too many agents. And that meant they had to be on their guard constantly.

"I'm starting up our internet," Shade said. Zandra could hear the laptop booting up behind her, and knew that the real job would be starting soon. It was a twist on a standard procedure; they were recruiting a coppertop. The twist was their bluepill wasn't a hacker, nor was he even interested in the matrix.

"Everything alright back there?" he asked. Zandra laughed quietly.

"Looking good."

"PaulSherman7 is on and available," he announced, adjusting himself in his chair, "What do you want to say?"

"Say hello first."

ItHasYou: Hello, Dr. Sherman.

PaulSherman7: Who is this?

"He wants to know who it is."

"Tell him it's an old accomplice."

ItHasYou: An old accomplice, persay.

PaulSherman7: Accomplice? I'd scarcely use that term in my field.

"He says he doesn't use that term."

Zandra was quiet for a second. That term had been a minute joke amongst the two of them, but it would make sense if he didn't recognize it. She had been gone for months, and rumors were running that redpills were terrorists once they jacked out.

"Okay. Ask him if he's looked at the sky lately."

ItHasYou: Have you looked to the sky lately?

PaulSherman7: It's one of my passions. Who is this?

"He wants to know who it is."

"We're just interested in what the stars have to tell us."

ItHasYou: Just someone interested in what the stars have to tell us.

ItHasYou: It's got you, Dr. Sherman.

PaulSherman7: Excuse me.

CONNECTION LOST: PaulSherman7 HAS LOGGED OFF.

"He logged off."

"Then get him again."

"What do I say?

"Ask him why he looks for clues when they're right above his head."

AUTOMATIC PORT INTERFACE TO IP:***.***.*.*** .

PORT 80 ACCESSED.

Untitled: Still looking for the clues? They yet hang over your head; you only need to look to see the truth.

Untitled1: Who the hell is this?

Untitled: A changed person who you used to teach.

Untitled1: Is this some kind of joke? This isn't funny.

"What's going on?" Zandra asked.

"He's pissed."

"We don't have a lot of time. Give him the closing speech and let's get out."

Untitled: I'm sorry, Doctor, my time is up. I leave you with this: No one leaves without a trace.

Untitled: The Matrix still surrounds you; the only solace you'll find is in the stars.

Untitled: Meet me past Orion's Belt, and we may yet run into each other.

"Done?" Zandra asked again.

"Done."

The two registered the sound of sirens outside at the same time. Shade slammed the laptop closed instantly. It took only another moment for him to fire once, rendering the computer a pile of smoking plastic.

"Go now," Zandra urged, pushing him out of the small door and down the hallway. Only two rooms to go and they were out. Right as Zandra made her way into the hallway the door behind them burst open, and shouts of "Freeze!" echoed their way.

"Go!" Zandra shouted, picking up her pace. Shade didn't look back.

Guns began firing behind them. Zandra heard them coming like trains on approach, but they never found their target: the two rebels were in the room before any harm could be done. Soon the phone rang and Shade was gone.

The phone rang again. Zandra picked it up, and right before she left an agent burst into the room. All she saw was a brief glimpse of his rage before she left the matrix. The world turned black and she was back in Libertas.

"Do you think it worked?" Kesia asked at the mess table. Zandra shrugged.

"I guess we'll find out in a while."

They all nodded in silent agreement. Zandra looked to Trim, but he didn't return her glance. He was staring at the table, his eyes dark and lips thin. Something was going on, and visions of their last encounter kept replaying in her mind.

"Zandra," Cover asked, "Is there anyone else we can contact in the meantime?"

She thought for a moment, but no names came to mind.

"It's been a while," she admitted, "But I'll think of some."

Cover nodded again. "We've got to keep moving quickly. There is not much time before our broadcast depth is compromised."

Again the crew nodded in agreement. Cover again looked to Zandra, and proceeded to give her instructions – or rather orders – regarding plans for their next jack.

"For the rest of the day I think you should make a list of the people you want to contact. Maybe tomorrow we can go back in, if you have a viable candidate."

"Okay," she answered. Everyone was silent. Cover nodded once and abruptly got up.

"Let's get some rest then," he said. Everyone else got up too, and people began to leave. Zandra watched as Trim rolled his eyes as he walked out the door. She looked to Cover, but he hadn't seen it. She wanted to tell him that something was wrong, but her conscience told her not to. It wasn't her place to make waves in the crew, and they were going through some hard times. Maybe Trim was just having a bad week. Maybe it was puberty – Trim didn't look over twenty, so that would have made sense enough. She didn't know, but she wasn't going to think about it any longer.

It was time for her to think – and the only possible place for that would be her bunk. She made her way to the room slowly as each of the crew found their own nook to pass the time in. She half expected Shade to be at her door, sitting there with a smile… but he wasn't. Nor was Kesia inside the bunk to greet her. Zandra sat on the cold floor atop her two covers and leaned against the metal hull. It was going to be a long and lonely day. So much had already happened, and it wasn't even halfway over. Zandra spent a few hours thinking, and more sleeping. Kesia came in only when it was sure that Zandra was not awake anymore. Kesia couldn't help but smile at the image of her sleeping on the cold floor. When awake she was a warrior but here, in the dark of night, she was delicate.

A/N – Thanksgiving break! Ah. I love sleeping in. Anyone have any insight to a fanfic discussion website? I'm really hoping it's more of a collaboration of ideas, because I really don't think that people would find much help from solely my insight. So please, if you have any ideas tell me!

Zuma – Trim is just about 18. Darn that testosterone!