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Chapter 6

Niobe's crew returned a week later with bad news. They had found the Salome. The ship's mainframe had malfunctioned, causing the signal to become corrupted. They were unable to call for help. Somehow a glitch occurred in the construct as well. Those who were in the Matrix had been trapped there and were killed, it seemed, by agents when their exit didn't pan out. The others, the operators, mechanics, and pilots, had perished when the autopilot malfunctioned sending them into one of the main lines.

Because their collision with the circuitry had fried all systems, there was no telling what exactly had gone wrong. Even all that was said in the official report submitted by Captain Niobe was really just speculation. The ship was put together rather quickly and may have been launched prematurely; that was the most likely scenario. But sabotage was possible as well, and this was what many chose to believe had happened.

People became angry, frightened. A sort of hysteria erupted. All of Zion was talking about the possible sedition, debating about what the evidence showed, who might have been responsible. The Council called all military officers before them to discuss the tragedy as well as its implications for the future. Could the ship be repaired? Will the remaining crews agree to venture out in order to pick up the slack left by the Salome's failure? Is sabotage really a possibility? Could there be some sort of coup coming?

Neo and Trinity were both asked to return to the Nebuchadnezzar indefinitely. Lock had ordered all ships to launch within two days, giving them just enough time to assemble their crews. There was no decision on how long they might be gone, maybe weeks, maybe months.

"I know it's a lot to ask," Morpheus tried. "We need you, both of you. The council is convinced that we need to further increase our numbers of rescues. They believe that the deaths of the soldiers plugged into the Matrix prove that the system is no longer abiding by its promise to release those who wish to leave, that the agents are after us again. They are afraid that it is only a matter of time before they break the truce with Zion entirely and attack our city once more."

"There's no reason to believe that," Neo countered. "Besides, if anything our increased presence within the Matrix will only make them angrier. That may make the machines attack."

"Yes, but they feel we should have all the manpower we can get to prepare for what they see as inevitable."

"It is inevitable," Trinity interjected. "We always knew that. But it could be years, centuries even, if we just back off a little."

"I never thought I'd hear you say that," Morpheus said, leaning back in his chair.

"It's just happening too fast. We're doing more harm than good. The people we're pulling out are taking longer to adjust, and we try to convince them so swiftly that we end up turning some great potentials against us."

"That's true, Morpheus, the most recent recruits have been… sub par. We shouldn't be so anxious to get so many out that we lose sight of who we're freeing."

Morpheus looked at Neo, trying to absorb what he had said. "The purpose of the Resistance has always been to free as many as possible."

"But in an organized, logical manner. That's not what we're doing. That's not what Lock wants us to do."

"I understand what you are saying. I even agree with parts. But our mission remains as it always was; free those who can be freed, who are willing to be freed."

"That's the point. No one just immediately accepts the things we tell them, that the world they know isn't real. We're spending too much time trying to locate new recruits and not enough convincing the ones we already know of the truth."

Trinity looked at Neo tenderly, pleased that he was saying what she knew he believed all along. "When the agents find these people they do all they can to turn them against us. We're not helping that," she added. "We're turning them against all on our own and the last thing we need is more enemies."

"Quality not quantity? Is that what you're saying?" Morpheus asked sincerely.

"In a manner of speaking."

There was silence while everyone digested what was being said, what was being asked of them. Morpheus still hated Lock, hated having to follow his orders, but what was so wrong with this mission? He had always worked to save people, to rescue them from their lives of ignorant servitude. Wasn't he simply being asked to continue this work, just at a slightly stronger pace? But these people, Trinity, Neo, they were his family. He trusted them with his life. How could he not take into account what they were saying?

"I've always run my ship as I've seen fit. Our mission is to head out in two days time so that we may work to free the willing from the Matrix. How we do that, in what manner, at what pace, is up to us."

Both Neo and Trinity seemed pleased by that answer. They may not have liked the idea behind the mission, the strategy or lack thereof, but they couldn't argue with how Morpheus would go about carrying it out.

"We'll talk to Zee," Neo stated plainly.

"It's a lot to ask of her too, I realize."

"She's already upset that Link's going back out," Trinity commented.

"Just let me know if she's willing to take Nysa," Morpheus said as he rose and headed for the door. "I'll need to hear from you soon of course."

"Of course," Neo said showing him out. After shutting the door behind him he looked back at Trinity. Neither wanted to go, not really. They didn't want to leave their daughter. They didn't want to contribute to a system that had clearly become flawed. They didn't want to enter the Matrix knowing that the agents would be after them yet again. "Gonna be a tough sell."

"For who, Zee or Nysa?"

"Either, both." Neo rubbed his temples as he walked over to Trinity, eager to fall into her soothing embrace. "Shit. Happy birthday baby, mommy and daddy'll be leaving now."

Trinity had forgotten all about it being Nysa's birthday. Of course she knew, and had been planning a special dinner that evening, but it all fell away when Morpheus knocked on their door. "Oh no," she muttered, letting her head fall to Neo's shoulder.

"Just think," he went on, "she'll always remember this birthday as the one when Councilor Hamann cared more than her own parents."

"Don't say that." It was true though. The councilor had taken her on a tour of Zion's control room to show her the mainframe, a trip she had been looking forward to for weeks. All they had planned was a special meal and now it seemed they were going to end with an upsetting announcement in lieu of dessert. "She'll understand," Trinity said, more in an attempt to convince herself than Neo. "She's a good kid, smart. She'll understand."