Chapter 21 He knows nothing - Does he?
They arrived at Zion and were met by a medical team to take Lewis to the infirmary. It was reported that he was attacked by an Agent but he had managed to get away. The details of the attack were sketchy and there was not a lot of information. Mia knew there would be whispers and rumours as Operators hardly entered the Matrix. She had no idea how this was all going to turn out. She had gathered her gear and was just ready to leave when she saw Captain Jackson and a counsel aid come towards her. She inwardly groaned. Captain Jackson looked at her and said, "They want to see us right now." Mia nodded and followed them through the city towards the counsel chambers.
She told them everything she had told Captain Jackson. She answered the questions the best she could and tried to keep her stomach from knotting. She was petrified they would find out that she and Smith had become lovers. Mia knew she would be shunned if anyone found out. Agent Smith and his partners had pursued and even killed many of the resistance fighters over this long war. The hate that many people felt towards them was justified and knew if everyone found out. Mia briefly closed her eyes and tried not to think about it. She knew better than to even try and defend Agent Smith's action so she had to be content with what ever the counsel decided. Counsel member Adera looked at Mia and said, " Mia, we know that Lewis should not have gone to the neutral area but it still does not change the fact that this Agent almost killed him. The counsel has not yet decided if we will allow these meetings to continue. We know these meetings to be an important link between the machines and us but Mia, we have to weigh the cost. Lewis was badly injured and we do have to take that in account. You will be informed of our decision. Thank you for the service you have provided us with. We now have information on the Agents and machines that we couldn't have got without your help and for that we are grateful. You are dismissed."
Mia watched as the counsel members all left the chamber. She heard Captain Jackson get up and say, "Well that went as I expected. Mia, you know I've never supported these meetings in the first place. This is probably for the best any way. Come on, let me buy you a drink."
The crew was able to stay in Zion for two whole weeks as Lewis recovered. Mia had avoided seeing him for fear of what he might say. The second week had started and she got her nerve up to go see him. She made her way to the infirmary and was relieved to see that he didn't have any other visitors in his room. He had not noticed her until she made her way over to his bed. He smiled up at her as she approached his bed and motioned towards a chair. Mia sat down and said, "I hear you're making remarkable progress! The doctors even say that you'll be out of here in no time. "Lewis shook his head and answered in a low voice," The doctors say my voice will be back almost as good as new. I have another week here and then I can return to duty. As much as we hate these damn machines, they were able to rebuild all the damaged tissue and bone." Mia nodded and said, "Good. I don't think the crew, me included would want another operator." Lewis looked at her as if expecting her to say something else but when she didn't, the silence seemed to stretch forever. Mia shifted uncomfortably in her chair before finally starting, "Lewis, I ." He interrupted her and said, "Mia, I know I shouldn't have followed you into the Matrix. But I had to know." Mia looked into his eyes and said, "I couldn't just let him kill you. I had to stop him - at any cost." Lewis closed his eyes and nodded. He didn't open his eyes and said, "Mia, I owe you my life and for that I am grateful and I owe you." Mia smiled and started to say," Lewis, you don't owe me anything I." But Lewis had opened his eyes and was now looking at her. She could see it in his eyes, he knew. Mia's voice faltered and she could only whisper," I'm so sorry Lewis. I never meant this to happen. I." Lewis shook his head and said, "So Mia, how's the crew coming along without me? No one's been messing around with my equipment while I've been in here have they?" They both settled in polite conversation about what was going on in Zion and aboard the Prometheus. Visiting time was up and as she got up to leave, she bent over and gave Lewis a quick kiss on the cheek. As she got up to walk towards the door, Lewis caught her arm. He said, "I heard that the counsel has banned further meetings. Mia, I think that's for the best. Programs don't get possessive and what worries me, he acted like you were his." Mia shook her head and answered, "I hate to admit it but I think you're right. It is for the best." She turned and left promising to come back in a few days. Mia was aware of the whispered comments as she walked by people. The people were told nothing about what had happened so they were left to make their own stories. The counsel had thought it best but she questioned their judgment and thought they should have at least been told something. She was often asked right out about what had happened but refused to answer on counsel's orders. The crew were all under the same rule but they were not the ones getting the snide remarks or the dark stares. Mia couldn't wait to get back aboard the Prometheus. It was the only place these days she felt like home.
The rest of the week flew by and she did keep her promise to visit Lewis but Agent Smith never again came into the conversation. Lewis was allowed to report for duty but wasn't allowed to strain his voice for long periods of time.
Life aboard the Prometheus continued as before. Lewis was back to full active duty and the incident slipped into the past. He and Mia were friends but things would never return to the way they had been before. Mia wasn't asked go into the Matrix anymore nor did she volunteer. The crew never asked why and she was content to leave things the way they were. She was afraid of running into Smith outside the neutral area and doing something stupid that would probably cost her life. Almost two months had passed and she managed to keep Smith out of her thoughts - for the most part. The only time she had trouble was at night. She still hungered for his touch and to feel his mouth upon hers. She often woke from these dreams in a cold sweat and wanting him. She focused on what the Oracle had said, 'As for you, I think you would eventually stop dreaming of him.' She was also haunted by the fact that she knew Smith would think she betrayed him.
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Agent Smith and his partners had found out who the resistance was looking for and were waiting for the rebels to show up and try and free him. They had been watching him for weeks before they noticed the first signs of the rebels. As they stood inside a darkened room watching the building across the street, it gave Smith time to think. He had been furious for over a week when he found that it had to have been Mia who had left the transmitter on the door. After he rationalized it, he knew there had to be a reason and luring that Human Lewis, surely couldn't have been her reason. He had thought about it logically and came to the conclusion that Lewis may have hidden the transmitter in the device without Mia's knowledge. She also had said he was jealous of him. That brought a sarcastic smile to his face - a human was jealous of him. He had not regretted his actions those many weeks ago but he had known it would cause a problems. He scowled as he thought of the time that had passed since Mia had left the Matrix. He also thought perhaps she was now afraid of him. He found that if he thought of her, it caused a curious sensation. He kept these thoughts from the mainframe but occasionally he would remove himself and let his thoughts wander. He wanted to see her again and found himself looking for her when ever rebels were reported within the Matrix. He had spotted her crew mates once but she was never amoung them and they got away before the Agents had time to react. Had he caught one of them, he would have surely ask what became of her. Smith also decided should he catch one of her crew mates, he would let them go as a gesture of his good will to allow Mia to continue the negations again. As for the rest of the rebels, they were just viruses and it was his job to eliminate them. Smith heard Agent Jones through the mainframe say, "The rebels are on their way to meet their target. Should we intercept?" Smith nodded his head yes and the three of them headed out the door. The Agents made their way into the apartment building and waited. They heard the rebels start up the stairs towards the 2nd floor apartment where their target was. Agent Jones was outside the window on the fire escape and Brown was on the ground floor if any of them tried to get away that way. Smith stayed out of sight and let them knock on the door and just as it opened, he stepped out and said, "I don't think so" and started firing. The rebel ran through the door just in time to see their target fighting with an Agent on the fire escape. He had his phone out and was yelling for instructions as he ran through the apartment with Smith chasing him. He broke through the back door and started down the old wooden steps but fell half way down. The rebel continued to roll down the steps and landed in a tangled mess at the bottom. Smith causally went to him to see if he was still alive. Smith smiled with some satisfaction to find that he was if only barley. He was still standing there when Agent Brown and Jones came up reported that several of the resistance fighters had been seriously wounded but managed to escape. Smith nodded his head and said, "Take this one back to Head- Quarters.
They arrived at Zion and were met by a medical team to take Lewis to the infirmary. It was reported that he was attacked by an Agent but he had managed to get away. The details of the attack were sketchy and there was not a lot of information. Mia knew there would be whispers and rumours as Operators hardly entered the Matrix. She had no idea how this was all going to turn out. She had gathered her gear and was just ready to leave when she saw Captain Jackson and a counsel aid come towards her. She inwardly groaned. Captain Jackson looked at her and said, "They want to see us right now." Mia nodded and followed them through the city towards the counsel chambers.
She told them everything she had told Captain Jackson. She answered the questions the best she could and tried to keep her stomach from knotting. She was petrified they would find out that she and Smith had become lovers. Mia knew she would be shunned if anyone found out. Agent Smith and his partners had pursued and even killed many of the resistance fighters over this long war. The hate that many people felt towards them was justified and knew if everyone found out. Mia briefly closed her eyes and tried not to think about it. She knew better than to even try and defend Agent Smith's action so she had to be content with what ever the counsel decided. Counsel member Adera looked at Mia and said, " Mia, we know that Lewis should not have gone to the neutral area but it still does not change the fact that this Agent almost killed him. The counsel has not yet decided if we will allow these meetings to continue. We know these meetings to be an important link between the machines and us but Mia, we have to weigh the cost. Lewis was badly injured and we do have to take that in account. You will be informed of our decision. Thank you for the service you have provided us with. We now have information on the Agents and machines that we couldn't have got without your help and for that we are grateful. You are dismissed."
Mia watched as the counsel members all left the chamber. She heard Captain Jackson get up and say, "Well that went as I expected. Mia, you know I've never supported these meetings in the first place. This is probably for the best any way. Come on, let me buy you a drink."
The crew was able to stay in Zion for two whole weeks as Lewis recovered. Mia had avoided seeing him for fear of what he might say. The second week had started and she got her nerve up to go see him. She made her way to the infirmary and was relieved to see that he didn't have any other visitors in his room. He had not noticed her until she made her way over to his bed. He smiled up at her as she approached his bed and motioned towards a chair. Mia sat down and said, "I hear you're making remarkable progress! The doctors even say that you'll be out of here in no time. "Lewis shook his head and answered in a low voice," The doctors say my voice will be back almost as good as new. I have another week here and then I can return to duty. As much as we hate these damn machines, they were able to rebuild all the damaged tissue and bone." Mia nodded and said, "Good. I don't think the crew, me included would want another operator." Lewis looked at her as if expecting her to say something else but when she didn't, the silence seemed to stretch forever. Mia shifted uncomfortably in her chair before finally starting, "Lewis, I ." He interrupted her and said, "Mia, I know I shouldn't have followed you into the Matrix. But I had to know." Mia looked into his eyes and said, "I couldn't just let him kill you. I had to stop him - at any cost." Lewis closed his eyes and nodded. He didn't open his eyes and said, "Mia, I owe you my life and for that I am grateful and I owe you." Mia smiled and started to say," Lewis, you don't owe me anything I." But Lewis had opened his eyes and was now looking at her. She could see it in his eyes, he knew. Mia's voice faltered and she could only whisper," I'm so sorry Lewis. I never meant this to happen. I." Lewis shook his head and said, "So Mia, how's the crew coming along without me? No one's been messing around with my equipment while I've been in here have they?" They both settled in polite conversation about what was going on in Zion and aboard the Prometheus. Visiting time was up and as she got up to leave, she bent over and gave Lewis a quick kiss on the cheek. As she got up to walk towards the door, Lewis caught her arm. He said, "I heard that the counsel has banned further meetings. Mia, I think that's for the best. Programs don't get possessive and what worries me, he acted like you were his." Mia shook her head and answered, "I hate to admit it but I think you're right. It is for the best." She turned and left promising to come back in a few days. Mia was aware of the whispered comments as she walked by people. The people were told nothing about what had happened so they were left to make their own stories. The counsel had thought it best but she questioned their judgment and thought they should have at least been told something. She was often asked right out about what had happened but refused to answer on counsel's orders. The crew were all under the same rule but they were not the ones getting the snide remarks or the dark stares. Mia couldn't wait to get back aboard the Prometheus. It was the only place these days she felt like home.
The rest of the week flew by and she did keep her promise to visit Lewis but Agent Smith never again came into the conversation. Lewis was allowed to report for duty but wasn't allowed to strain his voice for long periods of time.
Life aboard the Prometheus continued as before. Lewis was back to full active duty and the incident slipped into the past. He and Mia were friends but things would never return to the way they had been before. Mia wasn't asked go into the Matrix anymore nor did she volunteer. The crew never asked why and she was content to leave things the way they were. She was afraid of running into Smith outside the neutral area and doing something stupid that would probably cost her life. Almost two months had passed and she managed to keep Smith out of her thoughts - for the most part. The only time she had trouble was at night. She still hungered for his touch and to feel his mouth upon hers. She often woke from these dreams in a cold sweat and wanting him. She focused on what the Oracle had said, 'As for you, I think you would eventually stop dreaming of him.' She was also haunted by the fact that she knew Smith would think she betrayed him.
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Agent Smith and his partners had found out who the resistance was looking for and were waiting for the rebels to show up and try and free him. They had been watching him for weeks before they noticed the first signs of the rebels. As they stood inside a darkened room watching the building across the street, it gave Smith time to think. He had been furious for over a week when he found that it had to have been Mia who had left the transmitter on the door. After he rationalized it, he knew there had to be a reason and luring that Human Lewis, surely couldn't have been her reason. He had thought about it logically and came to the conclusion that Lewis may have hidden the transmitter in the device without Mia's knowledge. She also had said he was jealous of him. That brought a sarcastic smile to his face - a human was jealous of him. He had not regretted his actions those many weeks ago but he had known it would cause a problems. He scowled as he thought of the time that had passed since Mia had left the Matrix. He also thought perhaps she was now afraid of him. He found that if he thought of her, it caused a curious sensation. He kept these thoughts from the mainframe but occasionally he would remove himself and let his thoughts wander. He wanted to see her again and found himself looking for her when ever rebels were reported within the Matrix. He had spotted her crew mates once but she was never amoung them and they got away before the Agents had time to react. Had he caught one of them, he would have surely ask what became of her. Smith also decided should he catch one of her crew mates, he would let them go as a gesture of his good will to allow Mia to continue the negations again. As for the rest of the rebels, they were just viruses and it was his job to eliminate them. Smith heard Agent Jones through the mainframe say, "The rebels are on their way to meet their target. Should we intercept?" Smith nodded his head yes and the three of them headed out the door. The Agents made their way into the apartment building and waited. They heard the rebels start up the stairs towards the 2nd floor apartment where their target was. Agent Jones was outside the window on the fire escape and Brown was on the ground floor if any of them tried to get away that way. Smith stayed out of sight and let them knock on the door and just as it opened, he stepped out and said, "I don't think so" and started firing. The rebel ran through the door just in time to see their target fighting with an Agent on the fire escape. He had his phone out and was yelling for instructions as he ran through the apartment with Smith chasing him. He broke through the back door and started down the old wooden steps but fell half way down. The rebel continued to roll down the steps and landed in a tangled mess at the bottom. Smith causally went to him to see if he was still alive. Smith smiled with some satisfaction to find that he was if only barley. He was still standing there when Agent Brown and Jones came up reported that several of the resistance fighters had been seriously wounded but managed to escape. Smith nodded his head and said, "Take this one back to Head- Quarters.