The Matrix: Legacy
Eight
Not Like Her

Ghost was hard-pressed to handle this albino who could dematerialise and avoid both his bullets and his blows. Fortunately, he didn't need to fight the program very long, just enough for Niobe to come around and pick him up. As he slid in, Niobe handed him a cell phone. "See where the kids are. I am not losing them to that lecher!"

"Operator," Link answered Ghost's call.

"Where are Krsna and Danaë?"

"In serious trouble. The other Twin thing caught them up. Krsna's trying to fight him -- oh, shit, that had to hurt!"

In the background, Ghost could hear Sparks cry, "Shit, not the phone!"

"What's going on?" Niobe asked, and Ghost repeated her query.

"They're in trouble," Link said, worried. "Kris is down, and that Twin thing just crushed their phone. Oh, my -- no, no, no, don't do that!"

Niobe grabbed the phone from Ghost. "Link, put Sparks on."

"Yeah, cap'n?"

"What the hell is going on?"

"I think your new medic is suicidal."

"Sparks," Niobe said warningly.

"She's fighting that Twin thing with a pocket knife," he replied, and Niobe groaned.

"Holy shit!" came Link's cry. "She just hit him!"

"Behind you!" Sparks yelped, and Niobe gunned forward, barely avoiding being rear-ended.

"Great. Sparks, direct me and have Link keep an eye on the kids."

"Go left!"

Niobe spun the wheel, turning and narrowly missing a head-on collision. "You want speed? I'll give you speed," she muttered as Ghost leaned out the window, opening fire.

A few minutes later, Sparks said, "Okay, you want the good news or the bad news?"

"Sparks, now is not the time."

"Good news is, you lost him. Bad news is, Danaë lost to his brother."

"Is she-"

"No, he's toying with her," Sparks growled, "and -- the hell? I can't see Krsna!"

"What?"

"He was there! He's just - gone!"

---------

One was greatly enjoying intimidating this little rebel. He could feel her trembling against his body and grinned. "We don't think we'll kill you... not just yet," he purred in her ear, enjoying the feel of her hair against his cheek. "It would be such a waste."

Danaë was terrified, fighting heard not to whimper at his touch. She didn't even notice that Krsna was no longer on the ground; all her senses were focused on the man holding her captive when without warning he went limp, falling away from her. She turned to see Krsna tossing away a manhole cover. "Bloody...," he muttered, examining his various cuts before turning to her. "C'mon, let's get out of here before Whitey there wakes up. I doubt he'll be down long."

She nodded, unmoving, just staring at the man at her feet. "Oh, for--!" Krsna grabbed her wrist and drew her along after him. "C'mon, we have to get away from here." She nodded, letting him drag her away.

Krsna had a God-awful headache, but at least he'd saved Danaë. He was just relieved that he'd been able to slam that freak hard enough to knock him out. He didn't know the capabilities of the Twins. Apparently, seeing him when he didn't want to be seen wasn't one of them.

Apparently, they also weren't from Shyama's time... which was good for him. Very good, or he was sure he'd be dead now... or being brought to the Frenchman. Where to from here? I know she's nearby, but I don't know where... damn it!

He felt eyes watching him and turned, but there was only Danaë, who was recovering from her Twin encounter. He turned back to watch where he was going and yelped in surprise to see a Chinese man in front of him. The man smiled a bit. "Fear not, Krsna. I have come to take you to her."

"Who are you?" Danaë asked from behind him.

"I am Seraph," he answered. At those words Krsna paled. He knew that name. Danaë, behind him, couldn't see, but Seraph could.

"I am not the one you should fear. Come. She's waiting."

"Who?" Krsna asked, still wary.

"The Oracle."

Krsna looked from Seraph to Danaë. Well, odds are Seraph had changed in the years since Shyama had encountered him, and if not, at least he'd kill Danaë quickly and not taunt her like the Twin had. Seraph supposedly had honour written into his program... though 'honour' generally was not a requisite of those working for the Frenchman.

Krsna detected the flaw in his thought process. If Seraph was still working for him, why was he then taking them to her? It was either a change of "heart" or a trick. Either way, Seraph the Frickin' Mirror could still kick his ass. Best to go with him. If it was a trap, hopefully he'd have the decency to kill Danaë instead of taking her to the Frenchman. No doubt he'd find her sh- RSI alluring.

"All right," he said at last, voicing none of his fears to Danaë.

Seraph led them away.

---------

Sparks heard Niobe sigh in relief after he reported that Seraph had found the kids. He didn't mention that Krsna's adrenaline had peaked when he saw the program, then hadn't gone down after the shock of him just -- being there. Hell, Sparks hadn't seen him coming, and he was watching the screen.

It was like Krsna knew Seraph from somewhere... but the kid hadn't has any known contact with any sort of program before being unplugged. Weird. Then there was his little disappearing act, as well as an odd fluctuation in his code for a moment after he reappeared. Something odd was going on with the Indian bomber. But what?

---------

Abel had snuck away from the cameras, leaving Cain snoring in front of them. This wasn't an unusual occurrence, so nobody bothered him as he made his way to Avalon's room. She was so focused on her dancing that he was able to unlock, open, enter, close, and lock the door without her noticing.

Interesting, that. Very interesting.

Morgain leapt on the beat, eyes closed as she spun in the air before coming down and landing in a crouch, legs splayed apart, one hand in the air, and one holding her balance. Breathing hard, she rose to her feet and spun as clapping met her ears.

'What are you doing here!?' she signed angrily as Abel drew closer to her. "Watching you dance," he said with a soft grin. "It's so much nicer in person than on camera, you know."

'Go to hell!'

"Been there. Not pleasant," he murmured as he approached her. Surprisingly, she didn't back away. "You're nothing like her, you know," he said unexpectedly. Morgain blinked. 'Like who?'

"Her. Trinity. I didn't see her for very long, but... from what I've heard, you two sound nothing alike."

Morgain's lips parted in an 'o' of surprise. That was quite possibly the nicest thing anyone had ever said to her. Abel apparently wasn't finished. "Sure, on the outside, you look like her," he went on, placing his hand against her cheek, his nose filling again with her scent, "but that really means nothing in the long run. No matter what, you aren't Trinity. And you don't have to be trapped in her shadow, either." He leaned in, speaking softly in her ear. "You can escape her shadow, you know. Don't ever let anybody tell you different."

Morgain stared at the man with startled blue eyes. This close, she could see the small brown soul patch on his chin as well as the playful glint in his steel grey eyes. There was more to this man than he let on. So much more.

She could feel his thumb idly stroking her cheek, but surprisingly, she didn't mind his touch. Not after what he'd said. Slowly, he withdrew his hand, leaving her skin where he'd cupped it cold, but flushed. He coughed, breaking their gaze. "I have to get back to duty," he mumbled, turning and walking away, leaving a rather confused Morgain in his wake.

Abel had to get away from her maddening scent. What are you doing, you idiot! he thought angrily to himself. She's a prisoner! A hostage! Start forgetting it, and you could end up like Shy! Argh, he could still smell her!

Abel found himself craving cookies again, and made a detour on his way back to duty.

Lehorn-- Goldfish are a brand of little fish-shaped crackers here in the States. Pretty good, actually, though the adverts are as annoying as all hell.

Music Playing: Just Communication by Two-Mix

…what?