Protector of Men Ch 87

It's an empty room.

"Things are going to change," she told him, "It might get dangerous for you."

"That's fine," he answered, "I have all I need."

"How far are you willing to go for this?" she asked, looking into his eyes for any sign of emotion. There was none.

"I'll go as far as I have to. You know me."

It's an empty alley.

"This is it," he whispers, preparing for the end. Now is the time he was made for; this is what his purpose had evolved into. Everything else may have changed, but this stayed the same. The deadly constant.

"Are you ready to go?" His opponent asked, the rage apparent in his visage.

"Yes."

It's a crowded square.

"I'm sorry," he said, palms up. The man's eyes widened, his gun became steady.

"Sorry?" he repeated, walking closer, "You're never sorry."

"He didn't do anything," she said, surprising herself by the sound of her voice. He stopped walking, but his gun was still trained on the man.

"You stupid whore," he spat, "He ruined my life."

It's an empty street.

"Oh, god," she pleaded, beginning to shake him, "Please, please - not another one."

But still he wouldn't wake. She noticed her hands were stained with her blood, and recoiled for a moment.

"Don't let me fail again," she whispered, shaking harder, "I need you."

It's a swirling mass.

"Punch it!" he commands, the fear evident in his voice. There is an explosion, then everything is quiet. His voice echoes in the deadly stillness.

"And now we wait."

It's a quiet ship.

They sit in dejected silence.

Zandra woke up silently, her breathing even. She was wide awake and staring straight into the back of Shade's head. Luckily, it seemed she hadn't woken him up. But unfortunately, she wasn't going to get any more sleep.

Her dream put their mission back into focus. Though her anxiety was general, it wasn't unfounded. There was still much to do… and it seemed now that there was no time. She had no idea when the Council would repeal the emergency measures, and even then – what would she do? She had to say goodbye to Neo – and to the Oracle if it truly was going to end soon. She had to talk to her professor soon and confirm his plans. She had to implement the virus and expose the truth to everyone…

But even then, would it work? Zion only had 85,000 people and though it seemed like a lot to them, Zandra knew it would be no match for the machines. They couldn't unplug more coppertops because the ships were imprisoned in Zion, and it wasn't safe anymore.

It was a pickle, no doubt about that. But she'd have to do what she could and hope for the best. Everything is chance in war, right?

Zandra found herself going out of Shade's apartment and into the hallway. She leaned against the banister and watched the city. Zion, she lamented, wouldn't be this quiet for much longer. She didn't notice someone coming by to join her.

"Not sleeping?" The Councilor asked as he approached. Zandra looked over to him and shook her head.

"Bad dreams?" he continued. Zandra just stared.

"It's not uncommon for a leader to feel anxiety before the gauntlet," he explained, "Anything in particular?"

Zandra sighed. "I just don't know what to do now that there's no time, and we're…" she trailed off into silence in a belated attempt to avoid offending the Councilor's authority.

"What were your plans before you were called in?"

"Not much." She paused. "We had a virus we were going to send through the Matrix."

The councilor nodded in thought. "Anything else?"
"I was just going to speak to a contact who knows the source where the code falters."

She figured he had somehow heard about that old project, because he only nodded again. Zandra looked up to the floor where her apartment was – Stephen's apartment - and felt a sudden pang of guilt. Stephen had left everything to her… and instead of honoring him, she was staying at Shade's place on a weak excuse that she was ill. Surely it was obvious to everyone that she was fine.

"Well, that seems like a valid plan enough," the councilor said with a sigh. He turned to her.

"Everyone is here because it's going to end – very soon."

Zandra nodded.

"And we have a plan of action for the inevitable attack. Emory has joined the Council again, and I think we might stand a chance if it comes to it. I understand that your place isn't here though," he continued, "But in the Matrix.

"If you can still do your mission, you have clearance from me. Teal won't contradict a Councilor. As long as you understand the danger out there, you can go. Sleep well."

She would have said goodbye, but she couldn't remember the Councilor's name. Soon she was alone again. Certainly Cover would agree that they had to go back in, and that meant it was only a matter of time before they'd be back in the Matrix again. She heard the door clink open behind her and Shade suddenly appeared to her left.

"Not sleeping?" He asked as he gazed down into Zion. Zandra laughed quietly at the repetition, and Shade turned to her with concern.

"Nothing," she said, waving his worry away, "Just bad dreams."

"What about?"

Zandra didn't answer, knowing that she didn't really want to know what, or more deadly: who, those dreams had been about. Those vignettes were about death, and Zandra knew that their faces were blank for a reason.

"We have clearance to go back in," she said instead, turning to him. Shade looked confused.

"One of the Councilors gave me clearance a few minutes ago."

"Which one?"

Zandra paused again before answering. "I don't know his name."

Shade smiled. "What'd he look like?"

"Kind of grey-ish brown hair, pretty messy. He was wearing green."

"Sounds like Balavan," he answered slowly, "Yeah."

"Well, he said we can go back in for the virus if we have to."

Shade nodded.

"Should we tell Cover?"

Shade walked back into the apartment, and Zandra followed silently. He looked up to their small clock on the wall and frowned.

"It's four, MMT. We can probably go."

Zandra nodded, and they left the room again.

His quarters were close; within minutes Zandra and Shade stood quietly before his door.

"Are you sure?" Shade asked, his fist hovering inches from the metal portal. Zandra nodded.

It was clear from his look that Cover didn't usually wake up this early. His dreads covered most of his small face and his eyes were burning a tired red.

"What is it?" A woman asked from behind. Suddenly Zandra noticed her – Captain Columbus – in the room with him. She too looked tired. Zandra tried not to stare.

"Councilor Balavan gave us clearance to go," she said, struggling to keep her eyes on Cover and not let them wander on his obvious ragged disposition… or Columbus.

"For Libertas?"

"We can go when we're ready," Shade said, his voice firm and convincing.

"Then let's get going," Cover said, "Get the crew."

"Aye," Shade said, getting excited, "Done."

Cover closed the door, and the two of them left for Kesia's room.