Chapter 4

Meanwhile, the imperial flagship Trinity was heading to the machine city for the royal party. Her royal aid Sir Tank was behind the control panel.

"We will be approaching the machine city shortly your majesty." Sir Tank told her.

"Thank you Sir Tank. When will we be jacking in?" She asked him.

"Very shortly my lady."

"Good."

A few moments later they were greeted by sentinels who gave them an escort to broadcast level. Sir Apoc was getting a transmission. It was from Machina the Queen of 01.

"Princess, we have an incoming transmission. It is Queen Machina of 01."

"Patch her in." She told him.

"Greetings future queen of the human city and might we also wish you a very happy birthday."

"Thank you Queen Machina, it's always good to hear your voice."

"And it is always a pleasure having you in our fair kingdom dear princess." Machina told her.

"I hope that you will be at my birthday ball tonight."

"Oh my dear Kestra I would not miss this for the world."

"Glad to hear that Machina."

Sir Tank spoke up.

"We are reaching the landing bay of 01 princess."

"Thank you Tank."

The ship reached the landing bay, it landed with a slight thud. The doors opened and the priness and here entourage made their way through the streets of 01. They were greeted by a cheering crowd of sentinels both young and old. Out of the corner of her eye she spied a cute and very small sentinel with a drawing of the princess in it's hand. She walked over the child-like machine and gave it a smile.

"Hello there little guy. What's your name?" She asked as she greeted the machine child.

"I'm Tommy." The little machine answered.

"It's nice meet you Tommy." The princess said.

"I made this for you Princess." He said showing her the drawing.

"I love it, thank you Tommy."

And then she hugged the tiny sentinel and gave him a kiss on top of his little metal head making his little lights flicker. She set him bak down and he ran back to his parents looking like the happiest little machine in 01. For Kestra, it seemed so hard to believe that humans and machines were once enemies especially now that their two kingdoms were able will help each other. A long time ago they both realized that without each other they would not exist and they had to work together to survive. Ever since the days of Neo, both human and machine have lived peacefully side by side working together. She continued greeting the people of 01 until it was time to get ready for her birthday ball at Club Hel.

Finally it came time to meet with Queen Machina as she made her way to the center of the city. When she and her entourage reached it there was a horde. Most humans would have been frightened of the sight, but Kestra had known this horde ever since she was a child.

"Ah my dear Kestra, it has been a long time!"

"Yes it has Queen Machina."

The horde looked happy to see her and clapped it's hands as it giggled.

"Oh my dear you have grown into such a beautiful young woman! I remember when you were just a baby!"

Kestra smiled at the horde.

"It is good to see you again too Machina. Will you be coming to my birthday party tonight at Club Hel?"

"Darling I would not miss it for the world. Will your parents be joining you this evening?"

"Well they will be coming in a little later."

"Ah I see. If you see them before I do, tell them hello for me."

"I will do that, I will see you shortly and it's always a pleasure to see you Machina."

"I will see you at the ball shortly."

Kestra smiled and waved at the horde as she made her way out. The horde smiled and waved back until Kestra was out of sight.

"What a lovely human girl." She said out loud to herself.

It was time to get ready for the ball and she headed back to her ship to be jacked in. Her parents were waiting for her as they were all being prepared to jack in. They went to their seats and plugs were put into the back of each of their necks. Finally the three of them were in a place that was between the real world and the matrix. The king and queen were already in their royal garb and Kestra didn't seem to like what she was wearing. It was a light blue dress with a full ball skirt, puffy sleeves and big bow on her butt. Not to mention her hair was done in a god-awful bee hive hair do. She turned to look in the mirror and screamed at the sight of herself in this horrible ensemble. Over the cell phone she could hear Sir Tank and the others snickering.

"TANK! I am so gonna kill you!" She yelled.

"Oh I think you look lovely dear." Her mother told her.

"It looks lovely if I'm five and doing a ballet recital! Tank change this god-awful outfit to something else NOW! This ain't a Disney theme party I'm going to! And while you're at it, fix this damned hair too."

Out of nowhere a long line of gowns shot past the princess and stopped. She looked through and pick a long red PVC gown that laced in the back with high cut collar a full skirt and a low bust line.

"Now this is what I'm talkin' about." She said to herself.

"Don't you think that's a little suggestive sweety?" The king asked.

Kestra rolled her eyes.

"Dad , I'm twenty-five! I'm not ten anymore. Tank put me in this."

In a flash Kestra's outfit was transformed into the the outfit she was hold and it fit her well in all the right places.

"Ah much better, now what to do with this hair. Tank, how about giving me some curls instead."

Her hair had automatically changed to a simple turn of the century hairstyle, her head surrounded by long elegant curls and on top of her head was a modest crown with points. It wasn't too big and it wasn't too small. It was just right. She then looked down at her feet. And decided that she wanted to wear black patent boots up to her knees. Tank complied with her request and boots were on her feet instead of pumps. But something was missing and then she realized what it was.

"Tank, shorten the front of this dress by 18 inches."

Tank complied and the dress was exactly to Kestra's specifications, and it was now perfect. It showed off her boots quite well. Kestra looked at her parents.

"Now I'm ready for the ball."