Protector of Men Ch 90

Zandra stayed with Kesia after the crew had dispersed. It wasn't normal for Smith to be out in the open, and it worried her even more that he was being so obvious about his clones. Something was changing, and that meant that she had to speak with Dr. Sherman again.

"I need to talk to him again," Zandra told her quietly, as Kesia continued to monitor the Matrix for any sign of an agent trace. Kesia nodded silently and gave her the headset. She commenced to punch in the direct link, and soon Zandra was connected.

Dr. Sherman was in the staff room again. He sat stiffly on a desk and faced the door, as if waiting for someone to burst in. His heart raced, and sweat was dripping down his face and back. Alexandra had gotten too deep, and now her life was in danger. His life was in danger. Dr. Sherman looked around expectantly, but he was still alone in the room.

Kesia watched as he jerked to life once his phone rang. Dr. Sherman answered it immediately, as he was holding his phone in his hand.

"Yes?" he barked, foregoing his usual cordiality.

"It's me," Zandra said into the phone, "You have to be careful."

"Who was that?"

"Someone you should avoid." She paused. "Have you been approached by anyone?"

"No," he answered, "But I think I've been watched."

"Probably. If you see anyone suspicious, run."

Dr. Sherman scoffed for a moment, and was silent again. "I will."

"Can you make a report on the stars as soon as possible?"

"Tonight, if that works."

"Good. It needs to get done, and it needs to be good. I'm trusting you on this."

"It's an honor," he said quietly, and Zandra didn't reply for a few seconds. Kesia suddenly jerked backwards in her chair, and Zandra watched her for a moment.

"Sorry," Kesia whispered, and went back to watching the falling code. "Agent activity… you should probably wrap up."

Zandra nodded.

"Dr. Sherman, we should go. Remember, always run."

"I will," he answered, "Thank you."

Thank you, Zandra silently lamented. The line was cut off, and Kesia then made a new call to a different location, just in case the agents had hacked their line.

"How many agents?"

"Two. That's their first appearance since we've come."

"That's what startled you," Zandra said, almost to herself, "Is he safe?"

"Yeah," Kesia answered, distant. "It's just…do you remember that Veritas girl?"

Zandra nodded.

"Remember that construct?"

She nodded again.

"That's what it looked like… for a second there." Kesia sighed loudly, then put down the headset and pushed her chair back. "We should probably get to Cover."

At that moment Trim came in. He walked up to the main deck confidently, and rested his arm on a monitor casually before addressing the both of them.

"So, saved the world yet?" he asked, looking at Zandra. He didn't let her answer, and instead continued on what already looked like a tirade.

"Lots of work to do," he continued, "I suppose you want that virus soon? My one job… and to think it might actually be useful!" He paused at their lack of reaction. "Well, ladies, I'd better be on my way." And he left.

They met Cover in the cockpit. He was alone, and seemed to be thinking, because there was nothing, nor anyone, with him. They spoke together for a few minutes, deciding on their next plan of action. Trim would put the final touches on their virus, and then she and Shade would go back in. Before the virus was to be deployed, they'd visit the Oracle, and consult Neo one last time. It wasn't a concrete plan, but at least it was one. Cover nodded thoughtfully at their propositions, and it was agreed that they'd go in after a short briefing. Kesia left to watch for open hardlines, but Zandra stayed in the cockpit, waiting for the opportune moment to catch Cover.

"Cover?" she asked, approaching him from behind. He was about to leave, but he turned around to face her.

"Yes?"

"I have to talk to you."

"What is it?"

"Well," she started, making her way back to the table, "It's about Trim." They spoke in hushed voices.

"What's wrong with him?"

"It's not a big deal," she said, her eyes wide with honesty, "But I don't know. He's mad about something."

"Did he tell you this?"

"Indirectly…" Her eyes zoomed from right to left, and it was clear to both of them that it was hard to get it out. "I think he's mad because he doesn't get to jack in."

Cover nodded slowly, staring at the ground.

"It's probably not a big deal," she said quieter, "I just thought you should know."

"Thanks," he answered, surprising her with his informality, "I'm glad you told me.

"We've got to be united now. Libertas is small, and we can't rely on just you and Shade to get us through everything. If Trim is left out, we all fall apart."

He shook his head again.

"I hope this doesn't turn out badly."

"I don't think it will," Zandra answered, "I just wanted to let you know in case you'd seen it before."

"No, but all the same – thank you." He nodded slowly and left the mess room.

Ten minutes later they were all in the core of Libertas. The air seemed charged, and Zandra didn't know what to expect from anyone.

"We're going to visit the Oracle," he told them, turning to Trim, "And then you're going to deploy the virus."

Trim looked back at Cover nonplussed. Either he didn't believe what Cover had just said, or else he didn't understand what it meant.

"Shade, you'll accompany Zandra to see Neo. Trim, you'll stay outside with the Oracle. That way you can stay focused on the deployment afterwards. This shouldn't take more than half an hour."

Trim raised his hand meekly and began to speak. "I need a little bit to fix that program," he addressed to Cover, "If I can. It shouldn't take me long…"

Cover refused to speak, but condescended a short nod. Trim glanced downwards and shuffled out of the room, getting to work. Zandra locked eyes with Cover and silently thanked him, but he didn't acknowledge her. Instead, she and Shade followed Kesia into their seats and awaited Trim's reappearance. He looked nervous as he approached them again, and Zandra was baffled by his sudden change in attitude. Only minutes before he had been overly condescending, rude; now, he was outright timid. Nonetheless, it was a good change which everyone embraced. Kesia motioned for him to take a seat, and he silently obeyed.

"Are we ready?" Cover asked from behind the mass of computer monitors. Zandra looked to Shade and Trim, and then nodded. Cover returned the gesture and moved over to her seat, finishing her bindings.

"Try to be fast," he whispered to her. Zandra jerked her head minutely in response. There was the sound of metal, and the needle went in.

The room was familiar, but vaguely so. Much had happened since the last time she had approached the Oracle, and recent events were making the past fuzzy and uncertain.

"Let's go," Shade said, leading them out the door. It was a short walk from their building to the Oracle's usual hideaway, and Zandra made sure that they went as fast as they could. Trim followed the both of them at close to a run, and kept looking from side to side expecting anything to happen. They reached the door without problem, and Zandra knocked urgently.

Seraph opened the door wide and ushered them all inside the white hallway. "Hurry," he said in his thick accent, "It is not safe out here." They all shoved themselves inside the small portal and Seraph closed the door with a loud click.

A/N – feeling the urge to write original fiction again… fun stuff!

Alocin – I have a feeling you'll like the next chapters… :)

Radrandy – you and your helpful reviews! You say you're no writer… but that was a really great suggestion that I probably should have figured out myself… hahaha…anyway! Yes, more chapters coming. I think I just needed a weekend, and a good kick in the pants to get the plot moving… because they'll just tumble from here, I think.

Yay! Here we go!