Chapter 7

In the Construct, Eternity stood dressed in a black kimono and without sunglasses How I hate to show my eyes…

'Eternity' Morpheus called in his white kimono.

She lifted her eyes to him.

He smiled 'Hit me… if you can' changing into a defensive stance.

The young girl nodded, taking her own position.

Morpheus moved first, hitting Eternity with several punches. Though, she didn't even flinch.

The Captain of the Nebuchadnezzar stepped back, raising an eyebrow. She looked as calm as always. He decided to attack her again. So he did.

However, this time, his fists hit nothing but air. Eternity was avoiding every strike, easily, quickly and effectively.

'Are you sure you want me to hit you? Because… honestly, I can' she noticed, while blocking a beat.

He looked shocked and said nothing.

'I take that as a yes' she murmured. Next second, she was kicking him in his chest, hard.

Morpheus fell, over his back in the ground of the Dojo. He was about to comment her strength, but she didn't give him the necessary time to, because she was, literally, over his head. He rolled over his own body and her leg landed where his torso had been a few moments before, opening a hole in the ground of the Dojo.

Morpheus stood up and regained his fighting stance, now breathing deeply.

Eternity ran to him. Morpheus' eyes shot open in astonishment, when she passed through him going directly at the wall behind him. He didn't have time to think and when he put his eyes on Eternity again, she was running on the wall, back flipping and kicking him on his stomach. He fell again, but this time, Eternity stopped the asskicking she was giving him. As consequence of that, Morpheus didn't get up and just stood there, breathing hard.

Eternity lifted and eyebrow and asked, with a playful smile on her lips

'You think that's air what you're breathing now?'

Morpheus glanced a I-have-heard-this-before look at Eternity when he heard Niobe's voice 'We'd better get going'.

'Captain Morpheus of the Nebuchadnezzar' Councilor Hamann called.

Morpheus nodded, greeting the councilor.

The Council Chamber was empty. All Councilors were sitting in their chairs, Commander Lock stood sitting at a desk, surrounded by his papers and on the other desk were Morpheus and Eternity, while Niobe was in a spectator seat.

'And you must be Eternity' Councilor Dillard noticed.

'Yes, ma'am' she answered, standing up.

'Welcome to Zion, child' she greeted.

'Thank you, Councilor' Eternity nodded.

'Eternity, we need to ask you some questions' Councilor Hamann informed.

Eternity looked intently at the table full of Councilors.

'Eternity, we know that you have been raised by the Oracle herself. Is this true?' a white man asked.

'Yes it is' she confirmed.

'And why is that, Eternity?'

The newbie looked curiously at the Councilor. She had been waiting for this question for a long time. The corner of her lips showed what appeared to be a smirk. 'She took care of me, because she knew I was different from others'.

'How different? Special, maybe?' Councilor Hamann questioned.

'No, not special. I am as human as you are, Councilor.'

Morpheus flinched a little. He was expecting that. However, the Council wasn't waiting for the young girl to speak in riddles.

'I think I did not make myself clear. How different are you?'

Eternity became serious again 'I was born without a family. And The Oracle took me. You certainly know that she took care of many potentials'.

'So… you are a potencial?' Councilor Dillard concluded.

Morpheus became agitated, although his protests were shut by the girl's determination.

'You know as well as I do Councilor, that it is not possible. I may be gifted, however you cannot compare my talents to The One's' Eternity clarified firmly.

There were numerous whispers around the room. Commander Lock seemed furious with all that talking, but Niobe was proud of the young girl.

Seconds later, the whole room was silent again and another Councilor asked Eternity 'Why did The Oracle want you free? Obviously, you helped to protect her, although she sent you out. Why?'

'She told me that I am "meant to do great things". With all due respect, Councilor, I am not going to tell you what I am meant to do, since that would compromise my mission. All I ask for, is comprehension.'

Councilor Hamann nodded 'Are your powers related to this mission?'

'Powers?' Eternity asked.

'We have heard that your fighting skills are incredible' a woman noted.

'Then yes. My gifts are related to my mission.'

'We have been discussing about your mind. But, what about your body? You stand, though you were only released thirty hours ago. Your hair is as long as the hair of someone that was freed months ago. Your muscles didn't atrophy. What does this mean?'

'Can't tell you either' Eternity answered. 'I'm sorry. You'll understand very soon.'

Councilor Hamann smiled 'This meeting is over. I believe you have something much more important to do'.

Everyone stood up and the captain, the second-in-command and the newbie of the Nebuchadnezzar got out of the Council Chamber.

'You did well' Morpheus reassured the girl.

'Thank you' Eternity nodded.

'Morpheus' someone called from behind them.

They turned around and saw Commander Lock coming to meet them. He stopped a few centimeters away from the Captain.

'Let me advise you, Morpheus. You screw up again and you will be in serious trouble. I'll make sure you will. And this time, you don't have a Messiah to protect you.'

'I didn't realize I had screwed up before, Commander' Morpheus said with false curiosity.

'Let's make clear that I don't like this whole situation' Lock stated.

'Me neither, Commander' Eternity suddenly spoke. She stood there, next to Morpheus, with a confidence that no one had seen before in her.

'So this is it, isn't it, Morpheus? You let your newbie talk for you? Well, I won't take this kind of boldness' he shot a glare at Eternity.

'Why shouldn't you… Commander? Because you are my superior? Only in rank, since I doubt that your mind is superior to mine. With all due respect, we have got work to do' and with that, Eternity, Morpheus and Niobe left Lock behind them.

Three hours later, the Neb was in the broadcasting level and the crew was ready to get in.

'Everything is in place' Ghost informed.

'Not everything' Niobe informed.

'What?' Link asked.

'Where is this program' Morpheus questioned Eternity.

'And how dangerous is he?' Niobe added.

'We'll go to his shop' she answered the first question 'He works alone… And fortunately he owes me a favor'.

'Those are good news… for a change' Sparks muttered.

Morpheus nodded 'Load us up'.