Part 3: Strange Truths

Smith was still smirking a bit when they reached the operator's station. Once they sat down in their chairs, however, he assumed a more neutral expression -- he knew it still unnerved Morpheus to see the agent's expressions on Neo's face, and he didn't want to cause any unnecessary problems. He'd actually been on his best behavior around Morpheus…and also around Agent Collins. He wasn't taking any chances, in the real world or in the Matrix, since he had a sneaking suspicion that any untoward behavior would be reported by the agents to the mainframe.

Not that he'd be doing anything untoward, of course.

"OK, guys," said Link, as he readied them for broadcast. "You're all set up. You're going in at the corner of 4th and Walnut…you need another hardline, just call me."

"All right," he replied, watching as Morpheus was hooked up. Morpheus, for whatever reason, preferred to jack in first. Smith didn't know if he wanted to make sure everything was safe for the One, or if he simply didn't want to spend those few moments of vulnerability with Smith already inside.

A few seconds later, the other man's voice came over the relay. "I'm in," he announced.

"You ready?" Link asked. Smith nodded, then closed his eyes as he sat back, preparing himself. He felt the probe going in, then the brief wave of disorientation, and when he opened his eyes again he was standing next to Morpheus in front of one of the city's typical corner stores.

Morpheus, as always, had been watching him as he reappeared in the Matrix. "I'm never going to get used to that," he said.

Smith shrugged and looked away, but he didn't reply. Even without looking, he knew that his appearance was now his own. The other man's reaction was all the proof he needed. But he would look later, anyway…he always did, whenever he went back into the Matrix. Always knowing that he will see a human version of Agent Smith, dressed in the black clothing and sunglasses of the previous One.

Smith glanced back at Morpheus, but by now his attention was elsewhere. He was looking down the street, scanning for the familiar black Audi that was scheduled to meet them. "Are they close?" Morpheus asked.

Smith shut his eyes again, reaching out with not-quite-human senses for the presence of the agents assigned to him. "Yes, very close," he replied.

Morpheus nodded. "You can feel them, the way you used to feel your partners when you were an agent."

"Not exactly," Smith confessed. "But I can tell when they're nearby." They were very near now, he could sense them. His gaze followed the other man's, and a few seconds later he was rewarded with the sight of the agents' vehicle pulling up to the curb in front of them.

The driver's side window rolled down. Agent Collins was there, her face as impassive as ever.

"Hello, Collins," said Smith, as politely as he could.

She looked at him. "Get in."

"What, no hello?" Smith asked sardonically. "I did say they needed to practice their social skills, Morpheus."

The lead agent raised an eyebrow curiously, as she looked from him to the other man and then back again. "Hello Smith, Morpheus," she replied, as if puzzled by the need for ritual greeting among humans, but willing to participate anyway. "There's been a great deal of exile activity in the past two weeks, so if you're ready to begin, we can start our briefing." She paused thoughtfully. "So get in…please."