Here's yet another Chapter of LM's History. LM meets Commander Lock for the first time and gets assigned to a team. Apparently, he won't like the results. LM's friends decided that they would form their own team with LM as their leader. Plus, someone else wants to meet him. Guess who?
Chapter Notes
There is an appearance of Captain Mifune from Reloaded and Revolutions in this chapter.
Narrative: Italics
Disclaimer: I don't own the Matrix.
Chapter 12: Commander Lock
LM: Another month later, I've been going through all of Neo's training. He taught me everything he knew from flying to levitating objects off the ground and into his hands. Neo once told me that I'm a quick learner, and he's not kidding. I perfected in all of his techniques and improved on other type the training programs, like weapon training, balance, and acrobatic moves. By the time, I was done with everything; I graduated through Neo's class. I thought it would be all over, I was wrong. The next day, I'm supposed to meet with the Commander of Zion, Lock. Neo told me that when someone finishes with their training, they need to be reported to the commander to get assigned to a team. From that time, I was real nervous and I know it.
Morpheus and Neo took LM to Locks office in the military level with LM feeling nervous about it. He heard that there are fifteen teams in Zion and one of them is the Nebuchadnezzar. He wanted to be on that ship to get closer to Neo. But with fourteen teams in the way, it's going to be real difficult. When they approached the steel door that's labeled Lock, LM's hands started to shake violently. Neo noticed LM quivering, so he decided to comfort him.
Neo: Are you a nervous?
LM: You could say that. I mean I want to be with you in the Neb, but with fourteen other teams in the line, it's not going to be easy.
Morpheus: Don't you worry LM, Lock is a determine commander who makes the right decisions. I'm going tell you one thing. Whatever happens in there will happen, and there is nothing you could do about it.
LM bowed his head down knowing that what Morpheus said is true. Morpheus knocked on the steel door to see if anyone's there. They then heard the sound of the locks unclamping themselves, which means that the door is unlock.
Neo: Good luck LM.
LM: Thanks; I'm going to need it.
LM approached the door and opened it. He then entered the room and observed the place. On one side there's a planning station has blue prints and schematics of the docks of Zion and multiple screens above them. On the other side is a map of the dock's structure and a bookcase filled with old books, antique ammunition, and a bunch of other things. He then notices someone standing in front of a desk. He was wearing a leather vest with a red and white sleeve shirt and brown pants and boots. He then heard him talking to someone who was sitting at the desk. He could tell that the person sitting at the desk is Commander Lock.
Man: Even though both ships were severely damaged, both teams were able to survive with minor injuries. The problem is that it will take us months to repair two ships.
Commander Lock: How many sentinels were there?
Man: Well according to the Visanties, about ten to fifteen sentinels. Thankfully we were able to secure gate eight and lock it before the sentinels ever got a chance in entering.
Commander Lock: Excellent work Captain Mifune. If that gate hasn't been lock there would've been many casualties.
Captain Mifune: Commander, do you know why these machines were following both the Visanties and the Vigilant?
Commander Lock: I believe that the machines are desperate in destroying Zion. And one of the main reasons that they're trying to attack the city is because of Neo.
Captain Mifune: Neo? But Neo has been here for two years and he'd helped us free more minds then anyone we ever known.
Commander Lock: That's the problem. Because of Neo freeing more people from the Matrix, the machines must be real piss off. It looks like they won't stop at nothing to take Zion out, so we must protect this city by any means necessary. Now I want you to improve all our defenses and make sure that there are three APUs guarding the gates incase another incident like that happens again.
Lock then looked at LM looking at one of the screens above the planning station then looked back at Mifune.
Commander Lock: You are dismissed captain. Now please leave, I got a newcomer here waiting to be assigned to a team.
Captain Mifune: Yes sir.
Captain Mifune then left the commander's desk and exited the office, leaving LM with Lock.
Commander Lock: Now if you're done looking at my stuff, we will get started.
LM took his eyes off the screen and approached the desk.
LM: Sorry Lock, I was kind of interested in all this technology you have in your office.
Commander Lock: I could understand your interest in all my techs and mechanics. I mostly use this office as an operation facility in case the machines ever break through the docks. By the way, now that your part of Zion's soldiers, you can either call me sir or commander not Lock.
LM: Yes sir.
Lock looked at a clipboard with a few papers attached to it. While he was doing that, LM looked at Lock's desk. His desk has a few books, a desk lamp, an old war phone, and a mini computer.
Commander Lock: Now, your name it LM correct?
LM: (looking at Lock) Yes sir.
Commander Lock: And it says here that both Morpheus and Neo trained you on the basic training programs.
LM: Actually commander, Morpheus taught me the basics, Neo taught me all his skills. You know, the bullet stop, flying, the whole deal.
Commander Lock: I see.
LM: Is there a problem commander?
Commander Lock: No, it's just that people believe that Neo could end this war, but I don't. Having one person stopping a race of machines is a complete lunacy, everyone should know that. Now I don't want to talk about it, I want to talk about you joining a team.
LM: Yes sir.
Commander Lock: Now, you already know by now that when someone passes the basic training programs, he or she must enlist in a team. However, I'm the one that can make the decision on which team the person will be on. According to the notes on this pamphlet it say that you've been training for three months. A normal student always train for six to seven months before he or she get enlisted.
LM: Well sir, I was taught by the best.
Commander Lock: I can see that. Now judging by your progress and unique style in combat, I think I can assign you to the Mjolnir.
LM: The who?
Commander Lock: The Mjolnir, but they want to be called the Hammers. I don't understand why they want to change their name, maybe they want don't like the first name at all, saying it is confusing. Anyways, the captain of that team is Roland; you will be following his orders when you're on his ship. They'll be expecting you in a year so you better train long and hard if you want to survive in the Matrix. (handing LM a piece of paper) The picture of the ship is on the top page and it's parked at dock ten, be there at the time on the paper.
Lock then went back to his work but then noticed that LM was still in his office.
Commander Lock: Is there a problem LM?
LM: There is one problem sir. It's about me being assigned on the Mjolnir, I don't like being on this team already.
Commander Lock: What are you talking about?
LM: I'm talking about being on the Nebuchadnezzar.
Commander Lock: I'm sorry LM, but the Morpheus won't allow any crewmembers in the Nebuchadnezzar. I mean the only member they hired was an operator and they don't want any fresh blood.
LM: But sir, I want to be in the Nebuchadnezzar because-
Commander Lock: Because you want to be with your teacher, Neo? It's not going to happen kid, that ship is dangerous for anyone to be in. You're too young, you don't know about it.
LM: With all do respect sir. Neo was the one who taught me his skills and techniques; I should be the one to be assigned to the Neb. I mean he's the one chosen to end this war of yours. He's the one that would fulfill a prophecy. He's the one-
Commander Lock: I don't want to hear any of this shit! I don't care about chosen ones, prophecies, or destinies! I only care about one thing, and that's protecting this city from the machines. And in order for me to do that, I need soldiers that would follow my orders. Now I know that your teacher is Neo but I'm your commander, so whatever I say, you follow. And when I say your joining the Mjolnir, you're joining the Mjolnir. If you don't follow that order, you're going to find out how the machines torture us. Do I make myself clear?
LM didn't like what he heard, but he had no other choice. Lock is his commander and he can't refuse an order. So he sucked it all up and gave the commander the four words.
LM: Yes sir, understood sir.
Commander Lock: Excellent. Your mission will begin next year so I suggest that you continue your training immediately. You are dismissed.
LM left the desk and exited the office. When he went out the door, he saw both Morpheus and Neo waiting for him outside.
Morpheus: How did it go? I can tell it is bad.
LM crumpled the paper in his hand and left for the elevator without saying a word.
Neo: It's bad.
Both Neo and Morpheus quickly ran after LM before he would go berserk on someone.
LM: I was so upset after hearing that I would be joining the Mjolnir, and not the Nebuchadnezzar. I should have every right to be upset after that. But Lock is a strict guy and I didn't want to know about what Lock would do to me if I don't follow his orders. However, this gave birth to a whole new team the next day.
The following day, LM was at the orphanage cafeteria, sitting with his friends quickly scuffing the white slop like a pig. His friends were staring at him in a weird kind of way.
Night Owl: Uh… You know, you're going to get sick if you keep eating like that.
LM: I don't care. After what Lock did to me, I feel better drowning my sorrows in this slop.
Kill Switch: You mean Commander Lock?
LM: Yeah.
Kill Switch: What did he do that made you eating like a mad man?
LM: Well he assigned me to a team that I don't really need to be in.
Max Speed: And what team were you assigned to?
LM: The Mjolnir or the Hammers or whatever the hell their team name is.
Connector: So, that's a great team to be in, and Roland is a great captain to be with.
LM: Yeah I know that. But I feel better being in the Nebuchadnezzar, because my teacher's in that ship. I want to be closer to Neo but Lock put me into another team, farther away from Neo. I don't understand why I won't be on the Neb?
Night Owl: Did he tell you that the Neb is dangerous?
LM: Yeah, he did. Why do you ask?
Silent Night: LM, I think we should tell you about what happened to the Nebuchadnezzar. Two years ago, the Neb suffered a horrible fate. In one day, six member of the Neb died. One of them was a traitor among other things.
Kill Switch: Yeah, ever since that incident, Lock's afraid that if anyone else gets in that ship, they might get hurt or worse. That's why he doesn't want anyone in the Nebuchadnezzar.
LM bowed his head down in disappointment.
Kill Switch: Hey, don't feel bad about it LM. You're not alone in this place. Max told you that I was banned from the Nobalies, but the rest of us were either kicked out or suspended.
Connecter: Tell me about it. The Vigilant kicked me out for hacking the security grid illegally. Saying that the grid was incredibly hard to incriped.
Max Speed: I've been suspended from the Logos for not following a direct order from the captain.
Night Owl: I was banished from the Osirus for reasons beyond my control. It's a long story; I don't want to talk about it.
LM: And was Lock the one responsible for kicking you out of the teams?
All nodded.
LM: Figures.
Silent Night: He thinks that we don't obey either the rules or orders in Zion. But the thing is that we like to do what whatever we want in the Matrix.
LM: Well if you guys want to do whatever in the Matrix, why don't you form your own team?
Kill Switch: Hey that's it! We can form our own team and work together.
Night Owl: Yeah, we each have a different talent in the Matrix. We can do this!
Max Speed: Your right. To hell with Lock and his stupid orders! If we form this team, we can prove to Commander Deadbolt that we follow the Matrix by our own rules.
Silent Night: Guys, are we forgetting something? We need a captain to lead us.
Connecter: No problem, (looking at LM) we already have a captain.
All of them were looking at LM with clever smiles on their faces.
LM: What's everyone looking at? (realizing) Oh no, no way! I don't qualify as a captain. I mean I never lead any team in the high school gym.
Night Owl: Come on LM. Neo has taught you and you have the same skills and techniques as him. You'll fit perfectly in the captain position.
LM: Yeah but still, this won't work at all. In order to make a team, we need an operator to help us through the Matrix and a team name.
Connecter: Will work on that.
While they were talking about putting together a team, Link approached LM.
Link: I'm sorry, am I interrupting something?
All of them except LM was shaking their heads and started saying no.
Link: Good. Now if you don't mind, I have to take LM to see her.
LM: (looking at Link) Who?
Link: The Oracle.
That's the end of chapter twelve. On the next chapter, LM meets the Oracle. Please Review.
