10100001010012012011110101Chapter 210012021021221022201220110221
100110122202201002011001120Lost212220001010000101000010100120010
"Sir, correct me if I'm wrong," Link said from the copilot's chair as the Nebuchadnezzar II slowly hovered through a dark rocky cavern, "But I don't think were in the sewer pipe system anymore."
"That is correct." Morpheus stated numbly.
"The navigation system's fried, so we have no way of knowing if we're even moving up or down," Link continued.
"That is correct." Morpheus repeated.
"So we're lost somewhere between the surface and the center of the earth," Link concluded, "In layman's terms: we're screwed."
"That is correct," Morpheus said again, in the exact same tone of voice.
"Do you have any idea whatsoever how unsettling that is, Sir?" Link asked.
"I have an idea."
"Good."
For over a week the Neb II had been trying to find a way to the surface, but with the navigation system trashed, it appeared to be an impossible task.
"Ok, I think I have the broadcast system back on line," Ghost said, walking onto the bridge, "But it seems we're not in broadcast depth. Or the machines are blocking Matrix access on this level."
"Both are possibilities," Niobi said, walking up behind him. "We really need to get to the fleet soon, the Neb's trashed."
"Oh God!" came a call from the hallway, followed by the sound of a steel door slamming against the wall and someone running down the hallway.
"Here we go again," Niobi sighed as she heard the bathroom door swing open. "I'll check on her."
Niobi peaked in through the still open bathroom door and saw Kim on her hands and knees with her face in the toilet. "You ok, Kimmie?" She was answered with a gagging sound. "Take that as a no."
Kim pulled away to sit on her ankles, and wiped her lips with the back of her wrist, "I wish this stomach bug would make up its mind, coming or going, coming or going, I'm getting sick of getting sick!" As soon as she finished her sentence Kim's cheeks puffed out, and she dove back toward the toilet.
Niobi turned toward the sink and opened the overhead cabinet. She pulled out a washcloth and wet it quickly, before getting down beside the girl and rubbed her back gently. Kim pulled away from the toilet and gasped at the cool cloth that was immediately wiping her face and lips. "Feel any better?" Niobi asked the girl she'd come to think of both as her sister and daughter.
"A bit yeah," Kim nodded, "Now I'm a bit hungry."
"You're something else, Kimmie," Niobi said helping the girl to her feet, "Come on lets get you something to eat."
1001 1__00_ 1
The crew worked through the night trying to stabilize the damaged hovership. It looked quite hopeless, but there was at least a small chance of getting it rigged enough to get her high enough to contact someone through the Matrix. Morpheus had no doubt if they could at least log into the Matrix, Ron could feel them and find them.
"You ok, Sir?" Kim asked, walking up to the captain, who was outside the ship, seated on the cool earth.
"I should be the one asking you that," Morpheus smiled wearily at the girl. No, not girl - young woman.
"I'd be better if …" Kim started, but drifted off.
"If he was here, I know, Kimberly," Morpheus placed a hand on her shoulder, "You've never really been apart, this must be hell for you."
Kim replied with a nod, "Be better if I knew if he was ok."
"I'm certain he is ok, alive, and searching for us as we speak, Kimberly," Morpheus sighed, laying back on the ground to gaze up at the darkened cave ceiling.
"How can you be sure he's ok?" Kim asked, with a slight tremble in her voice, "Because he's the One?"
"No, though that does ease a bit of the worry," Morpheus explained, "But because if I was in Ron's situation, and was separated from Niobi, death would fear even considering taking me until I found her."
"You think me and Ron will make it through this?" Kim asked laying back too, "Its weird, I've never been worried about it before. This isn't the first time Ron and I have been in a world saving situation, we've done it for years. Might have been in the Matrix but it was still real to us. It's always seemed real, but this time … maybe because he did die … it seems too real, and it's scary."
"Kimberly, I'm not going to lie to you. I had every expectation that even after the truth about the prophecy came out, that today I would be spoiling Neo and Trinity's children as if they were my own grandchildren. I was wrong about that, the one thing I am certain about is that Neo and Trinity died without regret and even in death their love changed the course of the war. Treasure your moments you had together, but do not grieve thinking that there will be no more. Because Ron will have to be killed before he stops trying to get to you, and you the same way. Also I have no doubt both you are more then most of the Machine's forces can handle."
Morpheus then glanced over at Kim, smiling knowingly before forcing it back to his usually set face, "Kimberly, have you and Ronald discussed having a family?"
"Wha? No … n-no we haven't really talked about it … I mean, we were only married a week last time we were together and … umm," She stammered turning a bright pink.
"I am merely making conversation," Morpheus fought back the laugh.
"I used to swear I'd never be a mother, I used to loath children, with a passion," Kim explained, calming down more then a little.
"But now?"
"With Ron its different, it's … I've seen him with kids, Morpheus, I've seen him with your kids," She shook her head, sitting up, "He wants to be a father more then anything, I can read it in his eyes. And after this is over with, I want to help him be one, and after seeing Niobi with Trin and Neo, I kind of want to try my luck too."
"That's good to hear, I'm certain you and Ronald will be excellent parents," Morpheus said standing up.
"I also can't wait till it happens and see mom's face when I tell her she's going to be a grandma," Kim smiled dreamily, "I can see her flipping out already."
"And if I've learned anything from your father," Morpheus placed a hand on the girl's shoulder, "Say the P word and he'll long to make you a widow."
"That's Daddy alright," Kim laughed as they entered the Neb II.
1001 1__00_ 1
The next morning was the typical ritual. All were awakened by Kim's gasp of 'Oh God', Oh Jesus' or 'Get the HELL out of the way'. As Morpheus walked past the occupied restroom he saw Ghost, Link, and his daughter sitting in the Bridge with large smiles on their faces.
"I do not know what you have done to my daughter, but I am well aware that it is more then likely not good and will lead you to scrubbing the toilet after Kimberly is finished," Morpheus stated glaring at the two grinning men, "So you better tell me what you have done, before I make you do it by hand without a towel or brush."
"We have done nothing, Cap'n," Link chuckled, "Trin here did everything."
"And what exactly is everything, darling daughter?" Morpheus turned his attention to the confident mini-Niobi.
"I fixed it," Trin said pressing the display button on the Navigation screen, bringing up a full map of their surroundings as well as a plotted route to broadcast depth.
Morpheus stared at the screen, and the expression on his face made the two other men burst out laughing. For the first time in his life, Morpheus was speechless.
He glanced from the screen to Trin, back to the screen, then back again to Trin, before looking down the corridor. "NIOBI!!!!"
Niobi came running with a sickly Kim in toe, "Look! Look what MY daughter has done!" Morpheus said proudly giving Trin a bone crushing hug.
Niobi stared at the screen, "We'll be able to contact the others through the Matrix in less then four hours travel?" Niobi gasped, before turning to her husband and daughter, "Your daughter my ass, I carried her, she's mine! You wanted a son you got him! She's MY daughter."
"How about I be both your daughter and daddy's daughter, and lets go find Ronnie, so Kim can stop sulking all the time?" Trin asked, and a moment later, Morpheus was in the control chair, powering up the Neb II's engines.
"You hear that, Kim," Link said giving her a squeeze, "We're gonna get you back to your husband quick fast and in a hurry."
"Yeah that's great … Link but if you don't let me go I'm gonna …" She tried to warn him but its too late and her cheeks pouched out before…
Link stepped away, turning a bit pale, "I'm gonna … go get … cleaned up … eww…"
1001 1__00_ 1
"Any luck?" Bonnie asked as Ron landed before the group.
"No sign of the Oracle anywhere, and Wade isn't picking up the Kimmunicator signal either," Ron said, as he looked toward Barkin, "I don't think Smith has her, he said programs still in on the system, I'm pretty sure Oracle broke from the main system around Sixth's time."
"I figured she'd show up considering all that's happened outside, but she seems to be avoiding me," Ron shook his head, but stiffened. There was a change in the code suddenly. Something just loaded on the other side of the city.
"Ron what is it?" Barkin asked worriedly.
Ron slowly turned in the direction of the change, narrowing his eyes in concentration. Ron didn't answer Barkin's question, but his stern face started to relax and his lips ever so slowly turned to a smile to a full out grin. "KP!!!" Ron shouted happily and took to the air with such speed it jerked the crew of the Mad Dog off their feet.
Morpheus stood in the middle of the park hold his cell to his ear waiting for someone to answer, while Kim, Niobi and Ghost stepped around the area.
"Sparks! Great to hear your voice too," Morpheus said, grabbing the attention of the crew, "the Neb II is damaged, but we made it this far, where's Kid?" Morpheus listened, "Ok, so they're on their way," he then turned his smiling glance to Kim, "Oh one in particular is moving quicker, yes … yes I'm well aware that his Superman Thing is murder to the code scanner." Morpheus said, smiling brighter when Kim's hands went up to her mouth to stifle a sudden sob. "Right, we'll be waiting, see you, Sparks."
Morpheus closed his cell, and stepped away from Kim and signaled the others to as well when what sounded like thunder roared in the distance.
Kim glanced toward the sound and only caught sight of a gray blur approaching her. She barely had enough time to close her eyes before whatever it was collided with her and knocked the breath from her. Kim opened her mouth to gasp from the hit, but found a pair of very familiar lips pressing firmly to her own. She'd know that kiss anywhere. She wrapped her arms around her still moving husband and returned the kiss with just as much fire as he was putting out.
'Ahem' Morpheus cleared his throat. "I assume you made it ok, Ronald," Morpheus asked, though the couple were still too preoccupied with sucking the other's face off. "That's great to know, we made it fine too."
A car pulled up and the Mad Dog crew exited it and joined the Neb II team. All seemed happy except Bonnie who was trying desperately to avoid looking in the direction of Ron and Kim.
Kim and Ron finally pulled away and she looked over the group.
"Great to see everyone from your group made it ok, Morpheus," Barkin nodded.
"If my ship would have made it in better shape it would have been even better," Morpheus replied, glancing over the group, a numb feeling coming when he noticed Napster and Kazaa's absence.
"Where's mom and dad?" Kim asked and the Mad Dog crew went deathly quiet.
"Are they back on your ship, they weren't hurt were they?" Kim asked nervously.
"Hey, Kim," Ron said taking her hand, and giving it a gentle squeeze, "lets … lets go for a little walk ok?"
"Ron, tell me where my parents are," she commanded, glaring at her husband.
Ron sighed and took off his sunglasses, "You might want to sit down …"
11021010122101000101001To Be Continued1001021220111000010210