Thanks to all reviewers, I'm sure you can guess where the replies are.
Chapter 14: Another day of Death and Pain
At first I thought the screaming was from a nightmare.
I don't know if you've ever been half asleep and heard things from your dreams that sounded like they were happening in the real world as opposed to the dream world. Anyway, my dream that night was about the battle of the previous day. Our fortunes were slightly worse however, and people were getting ripped to shreds left right and centre.
When I woke, all my slumbering mind could do was tell my arm to pick the quilt off of the floor. It took me a few minutes to realise that the screaming I heard from outside the door was actually real.
With this thought firmly implanted in my mind, I instinctively sprung to my feet and charged fool heartedly at the door again. Shreds of common sense restrained me once more when I realised that I didn't have a weapon on me. Granted, I didn't last time but it seemed doubtful that I'd find a conveniently placed dead person whose weapon I could steal.
In the end, and in minimal clothing that made movement slightly awkward, I charged out of the door.
*******************************************************************
The Oracle was seated upon the antiquated couch in the living room, one hand gripping a cigarette which was releasing foul smelling smoke into the air. I remember thinking that assuming I got back to the Destiny, I would have to edit myself so that I could turn off my sense of smell when I saw fit.
Anyway, the assorted corpses and still breathing mounds of flesh on the floor were blissfully silent. Those that had tried to get up had been subdued via a kick to the face. The rest of us were gathered around the Oracle.
"Sentinels have attacked Zion." Though I have less to do with Zion then a mouse pad does with an oven, I couldn't help but feel slightly shocked at this. "Programs and Demons are being uploaded into Sentinels and they have all been instructed to descend upon Zion."
There was gasping followed by silence at this statement.
"Who'd want to become a sentinel?" Asked Hawk after a few moments.
"Those who hate humanity, people who can't get unplugged, the list goes on."
"How much damage have they done?" This question had come from the second unknown person. I remember thinking to myself that he looked slightly familiar.
"Not much," she replied, "and they probably won't for a while. There are too few people to upload to make an effective force."
Morpheus. The infamous Morpheus, scourge of authority and legality in almost every country, I'd heard the name 'Morpheus' mentioned on the news more times then I can remember. Whenever I did, a number of bodies were also frequently mentioned.
"These sentinels are just pawns. They're simply mindless idiots that are following orders. Unfortunately, they're idiots who'll soon rank in too great a number to be defeated. The threat has to be removed now."
"Who are they taking their orders from?" I asked.
"Smith." Morpheus answered for her.
"Neo." She corrected.
"What!?" Screamed almost everyone present.
"Who?" I added.
"When Neo was absorbed by Smith. He caused their destruction, and his coding was consequently thrown across the Matrix. But not before what was left of Smith, his belligerence, his evil, took over Neo's mind."
Another silence lingered among the room of dumbstruck faces. I considered repeating my 'who?' question, but I decided to leave that for later.
"Listen to me Morpheus," the Oracle said, "you can save Neo, but we don't have much time."
*******************************************************************
If you've ever tried to beat a sentinel to death with a thin table leg then you know how difficult a task it is. I had to evade swinging tentacles and smash the beast about the head repeatedly. If it had been in working order it would have undoubtedly killed me.
I was somewhat relieved when Meridian arrived with a spare firearm. I accepted the weapon with a courteous nod and frazzled the sentinel where it lay.
Around me there were roughly 40 other sentinel corpses with people shooting at them to ensure that they stayed on the floor.
Behind me, Meridian looked like she was on the verge of laughing hysterically.
"Oh come on, it wasn't that funny." This brought forth the laughter that had been clearly been building up inside of her. Despite my irritation, I found myself laughing with her after a few moments.
We walked up the accursed stairs to Commander Locke's office once more. I had no doubt that this would be as fun as our last conversation.
Sure enough, I was right.
"You just never learn do you?"
"I'm not going to sit idly by whilst everyone around me gets killed." We were almost shouting at each other.
"Have you considered joining the infantry?" Meridian said unrepentantly.
"Dismissed." Locke said to her. She shrugged, saluted and left.
"Was there anything else?"
"No," he snapped, "get out of my sight."
I seriously considered punching him, but after a second I had a better idea. I bowed elaborately, and left. (That wasn't the idea.)
*******************************************************************
"Morpheus," I half shouted from the far side of the room, "you got a minute?"
Morpheus was on the verge of leaving. The Oracle had told us what we needed to do. For the ascended ones that meant killing Demons left right and centre.
Anyway, Morpheus closed the door and stepped back towards me.
"Yes?" He asked impatiently.
"Four years ago, a small café in Birmingham exploded, killing the three people inside," my voice was becoming chocked slightly, "the authorities claimed that you did it. Is that true."
A silence lingered in the room. Our conversation had peaked the interest of those present who were looking on with keen interest.
"Yes," he replied, "I had to; those three people had been transformed into agents, they were…"
I stopped listening after 'yes'. I inhaled sharply, nodded, and punched him in the face with as much strength as I could muster.
The reason I did this was because my brother died in this explosion. Afterwards I'd sworn vengeance and wanted more then anything to drain the life out of the motherless bastard that had killed him. When I realised that this was as close to impossible as was possible, I mourned, and got on with my life. Then I found him within my reach.
I drew one of my swords and lunged towards Morpheus, only to feel tight grips around both of my arms. I was screaming threats and fighting to get free of Manticore and Hydra's grip until Hawk injected me with something. I passed out after this.
To be continued.
Right, now for replies.
Angel-of-lightness: I have heard of your misfortuned misfortune from the review of my latest foolery. Good news is this, now your disease shall wither and die in the cold air of (Insert village name here) with any luck. I tried your screen saver advice but it doesn't work with PowerPoint presentations. Shame really, it would have looked like Matrix coding was scrolling down the screen. Oh well, thanks anyway and thanks for reviewing. Computer fixing may take a while. To be honest everyone seems happier without having to listen to it screech at us. I'll see what can be done rest assured.
Agent-Josie: I shall flick through the pages of a Calvin and Hobbs book assuming I find one the next time I go to Norwich. Then I shall loose track of time and wind up missing the last bus. Thanks for reviewing. Right, now I have to read and review your latest chapter.
Tai Wilson: I hate writer's block. I would offer advice on how to overcome it if I had any but alas I don't. Oh well. Have I said this in a previous reply? If so then I apologise. Thanks for reviewing. How'd you like the Animatrix?
Chapter 14: Another day of Death and Pain
At first I thought the screaming was from a nightmare.
I don't know if you've ever been half asleep and heard things from your dreams that sounded like they were happening in the real world as opposed to the dream world. Anyway, my dream that night was about the battle of the previous day. Our fortunes were slightly worse however, and people were getting ripped to shreds left right and centre.
When I woke, all my slumbering mind could do was tell my arm to pick the quilt off of the floor. It took me a few minutes to realise that the screaming I heard from outside the door was actually real.
With this thought firmly implanted in my mind, I instinctively sprung to my feet and charged fool heartedly at the door again. Shreds of common sense restrained me once more when I realised that I didn't have a weapon on me. Granted, I didn't last time but it seemed doubtful that I'd find a conveniently placed dead person whose weapon I could steal.
In the end, and in minimal clothing that made movement slightly awkward, I charged out of the door.
*******************************************************************
The Oracle was seated upon the antiquated couch in the living room, one hand gripping a cigarette which was releasing foul smelling smoke into the air. I remember thinking that assuming I got back to the Destiny, I would have to edit myself so that I could turn off my sense of smell when I saw fit.
Anyway, the assorted corpses and still breathing mounds of flesh on the floor were blissfully silent. Those that had tried to get up had been subdued via a kick to the face. The rest of us were gathered around the Oracle.
"Sentinels have attacked Zion." Though I have less to do with Zion then a mouse pad does with an oven, I couldn't help but feel slightly shocked at this. "Programs and Demons are being uploaded into Sentinels and they have all been instructed to descend upon Zion."
There was gasping followed by silence at this statement.
"Who'd want to become a sentinel?" Asked Hawk after a few moments.
"Those who hate humanity, people who can't get unplugged, the list goes on."
"How much damage have they done?" This question had come from the second unknown person. I remember thinking to myself that he looked slightly familiar.
"Not much," she replied, "and they probably won't for a while. There are too few people to upload to make an effective force."
Morpheus. The infamous Morpheus, scourge of authority and legality in almost every country, I'd heard the name 'Morpheus' mentioned on the news more times then I can remember. Whenever I did, a number of bodies were also frequently mentioned.
"These sentinels are just pawns. They're simply mindless idiots that are following orders. Unfortunately, they're idiots who'll soon rank in too great a number to be defeated. The threat has to be removed now."
"Who are they taking their orders from?" I asked.
"Smith." Morpheus answered for her.
"Neo." She corrected.
"What!?" Screamed almost everyone present.
"Who?" I added.
"When Neo was absorbed by Smith. He caused their destruction, and his coding was consequently thrown across the Matrix. But not before what was left of Smith, his belligerence, his evil, took over Neo's mind."
Another silence lingered among the room of dumbstruck faces. I considered repeating my 'who?' question, but I decided to leave that for later.
"Listen to me Morpheus," the Oracle said, "you can save Neo, but we don't have much time."
*******************************************************************
If you've ever tried to beat a sentinel to death with a thin table leg then you know how difficult a task it is. I had to evade swinging tentacles and smash the beast about the head repeatedly. If it had been in working order it would have undoubtedly killed me.
I was somewhat relieved when Meridian arrived with a spare firearm. I accepted the weapon with a courteous nod and frazzled the sentinel where it lay.
Around me there were roughly 40 other sentinel corpses with people shooting at them to ensure that they stayed on the floor.
Behind me, Meridian looked like she was on the verge of laughing hysterically.
"Oh come on, it wasn't that funny." This brought forth the laughter that had been clearly been building up inside of her. Despite my irritation, I found myself laughing with her after a few moments.
We walked up the accursed stairs to Commander Locke's office once more. I had no doubt that this would be as fun as our last conversation.
Sure enough, I was right.
"You just never learn do you?"
"I'm not going to sit idly by whilst everyone around me gets killed." We were almost shouting at each other.
"Have you considered joining the infantry?" Meridian said unrepentantly.
"Dismissed." Locke said to her. She shrugged, saluted and left.
"Was there anything else?"
"No," he snapped, "get out of my sight."
I seriously considered punching him, but after a second I had a better idea. I bowed elaborately, and left. (That wasn't the idea.)
*******************************************************************
"Morpheus," I half shouted from the far side of the room, "you got a minute?"
Morpheus was on the verge of leaving. The Oracle had told us what we needed to do. For the ascended ones that meant killing Demons left right and centre.
Anyway, Morpheus closed the door and stepped back towards me.
"Yes?" He asked impatiently.
"Four years ago, a small café in Birmingham exploded, killing the three people inside," my voice was becoming chocked slightly, "the authorities claimed that you did it. Is that true."
A silence lingered in the room. Our conversation had peaked the interest of those present who were looking on with keen interest.
"Yes," he replied, "I had to; those three people had been transformed into agents, they were…"
I stopped listening after 'yes'. I inhaled sharply, nodded, and punched him in the face with as much strength as I could muster.
The reason I did this was because my brother died in this explosion. Afterwards I'd sworn vengeance and wanted more then anything to drain the life out of the motherless bastard that had killed him. When I realised that this was as close to impossible as was possible, I mourned, and got on with my life. Then I found him within my reach.
I drew one of my swords and lunged towards Morpheus, only to feel tight grips around both of my arms. I was screaming threats and fighting to get free of Manticore and Hydra's grip until Hawk injected me with something. I passed out after this.
To be continued.
Right, now for replies.
Angel-of-lightness: I have heard of your misfortuned misfortune from the review of my latest foolery. Good news is this, now your disease shall wither and die in the cold air of (Insert village name here) with any luck. I tried your screen saver advice but it doesn't work with PowerPoint presentations. Shame really, it would have looked like Matrix coding was scrolling down the screen. Oh well, thanks anyway and thanks for reviewing. Computer fixing may take a while. To be honest everyone seems happier without having to listen to it screech at us. I'll see what can be done rest assured.
Agent-Josie: I shall flick through the pages of a Calvin and Hobbs book assuming I find one the next time I go to Norwich. Then I shall loose track of time and wind up missing the last bus. Thanks for reviewing. Right, now I have to read and review your latest chapter.
Tai Wilson: I hate writer's block. I would offer advice on how to overcome it if I had any but alas I don't. Oh well. Have I said this in a previous reply? If so then I apologise. Thanks for reviewing. How'd you like the Animatrix?