Author's Note: Hey guys. Sorry this is so late. And that it's kind of boring. My brain is really fried. But this chapter needed to happen, and I promise it'll get more exciting soon.

Chapter 11-The Assignment

The Council chamber was noticeably less populated than usual. The faces of the councilors who were present were grim, and there was little question as to the whereabouts of the absent members—more victims of the "virus."

Niobe took a seat in the front row between Sparks and Ghost. The rest of the crew was seated along the hard, cold bench to either side. The Council table rose above them, towering like a wall. Since the fleet no longer officially existed, there were no other captains to attend the meeting and fill the wall of metal bleachers reserved for them. The chamber seemed huge and cold. Full of ghosts. Breath seemed to echo off every hard surface.

"All rise," announced Councilor Hamann, "and let the meeting commence."

Niobe stood for a moment with the others but let her gaze remain on the floor. She had no wish to look at Lock who was seated at the end of the table.

"You may be seated," continued Hamann, and there was a distant shuffling noise as everyone complied. Hamann looked uncharacteristically nervous, thought Niobe. He was usually the epitome of calm; he practically radiated confidence. But today his face reflected only weariness and a quiet sense of unrest.

"The Council is gathered today to hear the official report of the crew of the Athena on their findings regarding the current health crisis afflicting this city during their trip to speak with the machines in their native area on the surface."

Niobe resisted the urge to roll her eyes. As much as the Council claimed to be progressive, the meeting tended to be painfully longwinded and old fashioned. Zion was a city built on tradition and the people were not about to let those traditions go no matter how ridiculously dated they had come to be.

"Yes, sir," said Neo, getting to his feet.

Niobe turned slightly toward him on the bench, noting Lock's glare with a touch of satisfaction.

"With all due respect, sir, I don't think that the answer I'm about to give you is the one the Council wants to hear. The machines no nothing of the illness here. They cannot be responsible if they have no knowledge of the situation."

"Now wait just a minute—" started Lock, getting to his feet.

Hamann held up a hand for silence. Lock shut his mouth abruptly, though he continued to glare. One of the other Councilors said something in a low voice, and Hamann leaned over to listen.

"This claim that the machines have made, their statement that they have no knowledge of the recent occurrences here," he said after a moment, "do you believe it to be true?"

"Sir, if I may?" Trinity broke in, standing up.

Hamann nodded, though Lock's face seemed to contract even further.

"While I will admit that I did not speak to the machines myself and have had no diplomatic contact with them personally, I find it quite difficult to believe that they are entirely innocent. My crew is split on the matter, however."

Neo flinched visibly, and Niobe resisted the urge to shake her head.

What are you doing? she thought, wishing telepathy was possible at the moment. We agreed we were going to present a united front on the issue regardless.

"So you do or you do not believe the machines to be innocent?" repeated Hamann.

"I believe the machines to be innocent," said Neo simply, and sat back down.

"And you do not?" Hamann turned to Trinity.

"I…find it hard to believe that they have absolutely no knowledge of or involvement in the situation, yes."

Lock smiled at this; obviously he approved. The idea of the machines having no involvement must seem preposterous to him, thought Niobe. Anything at all unorthodox had always frightened Jason Lock to the extreme. Sentinels and agents he could deal with; the idea that the prophecy could be true—that was truly terrifying.

Councilor Hamann nodded once. "Thank you. You may be seated."

There was a long, uneasy silence as the Council members deliberated at their high table. Sparks tapped Niobe on the shoulder and leaned over to whisper to her.

"What's going on? This isn't the way it was supposed to happen."

Niobe shrugged.

"I don't know. I'm sure she has a plan. She knows what she's doing."

Sparks snorted and looked as if he wanted to say something else, but Niobe shushed him with an icy glare. A moment later, Hamann turned back to address the crew.

"The Council has reached an agreement. As I'm sure you all know, any attempt to jack into the Matrix and look further into this problem by either us or the machines would be in strict violation of the peace agreement. We are in a potentially grave situation here diplomatically. However, since this has the potential to be—already has been—extremely destructive to our city, the Council feels the need for further inquiry into possible involvement by the machines."

"Sir, what are you saying?" asked Trinity, a touch of impatience behind her normally cool voice.

"The Council has another assignment for you and your crew, if you would take it."

"What is it?"

"The Council requests that the Athena remain at broadcast depth for several weeks. Do not attempt to enter the Matrix. Simply monitor. Look for anything strange and any attempt to access it from outside by the machines. Report back."

"You want us to spy," said Trinity simply.

"Yes, in short."

"Do you really think that's wise?" asked Lock, getting to his feet again.

"That, Commander Lock, is not your decision," said Hamann. "Captain, do you and your crew accept this assignment?"

Trinity looked at Niobe and waited for her nod before answering.

"We do."

"Back to the sewers," muttered Sparks to Niobe. "Hallelujah."

Review please!