Ein fehler in der Matrix (German): A glitch in the Matrix
7. Ein Fehler In Der Matrix
"Are you okay?" Trinity kindly inquired, looking between Neo and Enigma, noticing a change in their expression, like a secret they know but unable to speak freely.
"Of course," Enigma smiles as usual, but the raven knows better. Three years raising her allows her to notice her body gestures. Right now, she's hiding something beneath the calmness she displays. Something Trinity knows the girl picks up from her.
"Let's go," Morpheus said.
"Well, good news or bad news?" Cypher inquired.
"Later," Enigma coldly told as she and Neo enter the car. She never uses that tone unless it's something deep and too serious to be told.
Trinity enters the car, quickly concludes Enigma's reaction as bad news.
"Taste good, right?" Enigma teased Neo as he stares at the last bit of the cookie before chewing it in his mouth. "Her cookies are the best."
"Is that why she calls you more than once? You love her cookie?"
She nudges him with shyness as Cypher drives. "Not just her cookies. I... kinda miss her. It's been a while since I met her."
Now that surprises Neo. "You met her more than once?"
"She wanted to see me again after our first meeting. Just some small conversation." She lost her smile. "That was two years ago."
Trinity still remembers that day. Seraph, the Oracle's bodyguard, contacted Tank on the spur of the moment, saying that she would like to speak with Enigma privately. Trinity was a little worried about that request. Not because she didn't believe in Seraph or the Oracle, but because her motherly instincts were making her nervous. Morpheus assured her of that, and she did calm down.
Nothing happened at first, but when Seraph accompanied her home...
"Did something happen?" Neo asked, making Trinity's heart pondering with fear.
As Enigma's about to open her mouth, Morpheus calls. "We're here," he's pointing out they're already returned. They exit the car and enter the building with others.
Along the way, still hand-to-hand, Neo and Enigma spot a black kitten, making a small noise before moving away. "Cute," she commented. But then, just before they're walking upstairs, Enigma freezes.
Her eyes find another kitten doing the same thing.
"Whoa, deja vu," Neo realized, saying what Enigma fear might be the case.
Everyone quickly turns around. "What did you just say?" Trinity asked.
"Nothing, I just had a little deja vu."
"What did you see?"
Cypher looks around. "What happened?"
"A black cat went past us," Enigma shared, with a hint of panic. "Before another similar cat did it again."
"How much like it, was it the same cat?"
Neo shrugs. "Might have been. I'm not sure."
"Switch, Apoc," Morpheus warned.
"What is it?" He asked, not understanding.
"A Deja vu is usually a glitch in the Matrix. It happens when they change something," Trinity explained shortly, looking alert with Switch taking her gun.
Quietly, they hear a helicopter.
"Let's go," Morpheus told as they hurriedly ran upstairs. Enigma can hear a gunshot from up, follow by Mouse's yell. She covers her mouth, shaken by the realization as her blue eyes notice a flashlight downstairs while keeping her legs moving.
"That's what they changed," Cypher stated. "We're trapped. There's no way out."
"Be calm," Morpheus assured him. "Give me your phone."
Trinity gives hers. "They'll be able to track it."
"We have no choice," he said before calling. "Tank. Find a structural drawing of this building. Find it fast."
"Got it," Tank stated.
"I need the main wet wall. Switch, straight ahead."
"Neo," Apoc called, stopping him and Enigma while others already moving. He gives him a gun. "I hope the Oracle gave you some good news."
Enigma tries her best to calm down as they keep moving, enter into a small room. Morpheus opens a toilet room. "Good," he said before ending it. "We escaped using the hole."
With that, one by one, they quietly climb down using old pipes. Enigma struggled to control her breath which was constantly moving uncontrollably. Fear has taken over the body of the 8-year-old girl. She didn't want to face the Agents again. Not after last time.
Some dust started to hit her eyes. Enigma pressed her mouth harder not to scream with pain in her cornea. As if the situation isn't getting better, Cypher sneezes.
"They're in the walls!" A man shouted before proceeding to shoot. Enigma grunts a little when several bullets grease her legs and hands.
From tiny holes, Enigma vaguely sees a SWAT member transform into an Agent. But not any Agent.
"Smith," Enigma whispered in horror, remembering the man who chased her two years ago when Seraph accompanied her after some talk with The Oracle. The Agent kept insisting on calling her "Miss Lovelace" and determined to put her down.
Suddenly, Smith grabs Neo's throat.
"It's an agent!" Cypher realized.
"Don't!" Enigma yelled as Morpheus smashes into the wall. The Oracle's words echoed her mind.
"Morpheus!" Trinity shouted.
"You must get Neo out!" He ordered. "He's all that matters!"
"No. No, Morpheus! Don't!" Neo disagreed.
"Trinity, go!"
Trinity hates this. But with their situation, there's not much she can do. "Go!" She shouted to Apoc and Switch.
"We can't leave him!" Neo argued.
"You have to!"
"Please, Mom," Enigma begged, looking at Trinity in tears. She only calls her 'mom' in an emotional situation. "We can't... we can't..."
"I'm sorry," was all she said before pulling Neo's leg and grabbing Enigma's closer as they all fall.
▪︎1001▪︎
As they're all exit the building, Trinity quickly calls Tank. "Tank, it's me."
"Is Morpheus alive?" Neo asked, worried. Enigma, who's holding Trinity's hand, still sobbing with a solemn face.
"They're moving him. I don't know where to yet."
"He's alive," Trinity noted, glad. "We need an exit."
"You're not far from Cypher."
"Cypher?"
"I know. He's at Franklin and Erie."
Trinity recalls got separated from Cypher before. But she shook it. Focus on what matters. "Got it." She ends it, patting Enigma's head. "He's alive."
Enigma nods. No words coming to her mouth, even when they all arrive at the repair shop. Trinity won't blame her. Even while looking composure, inside she's a mess like Enigma.
The phone rings as they all crawl inside. "You first, Neo," Trinity suggested.
Neo nods, talking the phone, presses it closer at his ear. A minute passed. Then two. Then five...
"What's wrong?" Enigma asked, frowns.
"I don't know, it just went dead."
Trinity takes it. Nothing happens. She takes her cellphone, calling Tank, but...
"Hello, Trinity," Cypher's voice broke the silence.
"Cypher? Where's Tank?" She asked.
"...You know, for a long time, I thought I was in love with you. I used to dream about you. You're a beautiful woman, Trinity. Too bad things had to turn out this way."
Enigma's heart sank with a realization that froze her body like death.
"You killed them," Trinity concluded, looking horrified like Enigma.
"What?" Apoc trembled.
"Oh God," Switch murmured.
"I'm tired, Trinity. I tired of this war. I'm tired of fighting. I'm tired of this ship, being cold, eating the same goddamn goop everyday. But most of all, I'm tired of that jack-off and all his bullshit... Surprise, asshole! I bet you never saw this coming, didja? God, I wish I could be there when they break you. I wish I could walk in just when it happens. So right then, you'd know it was me."
"You gave them Morpheus."
"He lied to us, Trinity. He tricked us. If you'd told us the truth, we woulda told you to shove that red pill right up your ass."
"That's not true, Cypher, he set us free," Trinity insisted, trying to come up with a plan. But nothing comes up.
"Free? You call this free?! All I do is what he tells me to do. If I had to choose between that and the Matrix... I choose the Matrix."
"The Matrix isn't real!"
"I disagree, Trinity. I think the Matrix can be more real than this world. All I do is pull the plug here. But there, you have to watch Apoc die," Cypher chuckles. "Too bad it's not her. I was so sure she won't make it."
Trinity's lower lip quivers. "You told them about the appointment. About Enigma and the Oracle."
"She's just an annoying child. Oh how much I wish she never steps back into the ship. A distraction no one needs. But, hey, at least she suffered."
"Trinity," he calls quietly, darting his eyes to Enigma before slumping back.
"No!" Switch shouted, kneeling beside him.
Neo gently hugs Enigma as the girl's body shook. He's not usually angry, but right now, he wants nothing but punches Cypher's face. For him to sold Enigma before... and sold all of them now... he's a monster.
"Welcome to the real world, huh, baby?"
"But you're out, Cypher. You can't go back."
"Oh no. That's what you think. They're going to reinsert my body. I go back to sleep, and when I wake up, I won't remember a goddamn thing. By the way, if you have anything terribly important to say to Switch, I suggest you say it now."
Trinity shifts her eyes to Switch. "No, please don't."
Her gaze already convinces the white hair woman of her doom. "Not like this. Not like this," she pleaded before died.
Tears run down her cheeks as Neo tries his best to comfort her. This is too much for a child to witness.
"Too late."
"Goddamn you, Cypher!" Trinity cursed, eyes flooding with tears.
"Don't hate me, Trinity. I'm just the messenger, and right now I'm gonna prove it to you. If Morpheus was right, then there's no way I can pull this plug. I mean if Neo's The One, then there'd have to be some kind of a miracle to stop me. Right? I mean how can he be The One if he's dead?"
"Please don't," Enigma begged as Trinity looks at Neo, realizing that Cypher will kill Neo. They can't lose more people now.
"You never did answer me before if you bought into Morpheus' bullshit. Come on. All I want is a little yes or no. Look into his eyes, those big pretty eyes. Tell me. Yes or no?"
Trinity stares at his eyes. Neo looks innocent as ever, even while comforting Enigma. She knows him for almost three months now, but she knows, deep down, she cares for him. More than just a friend or crew.
She loves him romanticly like she loves Enigma in motherhood.
Before Trinity can say more, Enigma closes her eyes.
"Enigma, don't!" Trinity shouted, cursing herself for not realizing how reckless she is.
"Enigma?!" Neo reacted in panic, shaking her body as Enigma slumps back with him holding her body.
From the phone, Trinity's heart sank with a sudden shout from Cypher, followed by a scream and loud noises of a fight. "Enigma! Get back! Please, just get back inside the Matrix!"
"What's going on?" Neo asked, still holding Enigma.
Trinity's hand began to turn white. Her face looks panicked and desperate. "She jacked out."
▪︎1001▪︎
People knew that it was impossible to get out of the Matrix without the help of their Operator. Enigma certainly agrees with that statement... if only the experience that happened two years ago had never happened.
At that time, Enigma was afraid. Seraph accompanied her after finished discussing with The Oracle. That conversations were short and not that important. Just casual small talk, like meeting people you know at a nursing home. But she enjoyed that.
Yet, as soon as Enigma exited the building, she and Seraph suddenly came face to face with three Agents.
She remembered dealing with Agent Smith who was after her. She remembered bullets inside both legs. She remembered how Smith put his gun to her head... before she miraculously exited the Matrix and shocked all of Neb's crew to death.
"Shit!" Cypher cursed as Enigma launches a blind attack by pushing him away from Neo. The girl's emotions were in turmoil. Her body was also shaking like someone who had a severe heart attack. A side effect when haphazardly exiting the Matrix without Operator assistance.
But Enigma didn't care about her condition. Her mind's only focused on two things: get Cypher away from Neo and get Neo and Trinity out of the Matrix.
She launched another attack. But before she could, Cypher shoved her head against the floor, causing Enigma to wince in pain as Cypher hit her head continuously with Neb's hard floor. She fought back with both hands and feet. But Cypher continued to hold her back, not giving Enigma a chance as he continued to smack her in the face.
In her conscious and unconscious state, Enigma's eyes caught the figure of Tank standing with something in his hands. She immediately understands what's his intention. She gives everything she can as she shoves Cypher and crawls away, already worn out as Tank killed Cypher with a giant gun.
"Enigma!" He called. "Stay awake," he told her, carefully laying her into her seat and plugging her in.
▪︎1001▪︎
She returns with gasps, realizing Neo and Trinity hold her.
"Oh my God!" Trinity reacted, hugging her close before staring at her eyes. "Do you know how dangerous it was?!"
"I know," she replied weakly with a groan. "Tank's alive," she revealed, shocking both as the phone rings. "Hurry."
They both help Enigma to stand up. Neo takes it and gives it to Trinity. "You first," he suggested.
▪︎1001▪︎
Enigma opens her eyes. She uncovers her soft blanket, standing up, looking worriedly at Morpheus. She tries not to stare at the corpes of her fellow crew.
"What are they doing to him?" Neo asked.
"Breaking into his mind," Tank replied quietly. "It's like hacking into a computer, all it takes is time."
"How much time?"
"Depends on the mind. Eventually, it will crack and his alpha patterns will change from this to this," he presses the monitor, showing a pattern. "When it does, Morpheus will tell them anything they want to know."
"Well, what do they want?"
"Zion's mainframe computer," Enigma answered, rubbing her fingertips together,
Tank nods. "The leader of every ship is given codes to Zion's mainframe computer. If an agent got the codes and got into Zion's mainframe, it could destroy us. We can't let that happen. Trinity, Zion's more important than me or you or even Morpheus."
"Well, there has to be something that we can do."
"There is," Tank sighs. "We pull the plug."
Enigma looks away as Trinity approaches her. "You're going to kill him? Kill Morpheus?"
"We don't have any other choice."
"This isn't fair," Enigma argued.
"It never does," Tank agreed, stroking Morpheus's head. "Morpheus, you're more than a leader to us... you're our father. We'll miss you always."
Enigma closer her eyes. She can't see this.
"Stop." She looks at Neo who continues. "I don't believe this is happening."
"Neo, this has to be done," Tank argued.
"Does it? I don't know, I... this can't be just coincidence. It can't be."
"The Oracle," Enigma mumbled.
Neo nods. "She told me and Enigma this would happen. She told me that I would have to make a choice."
"What choice?"
Enigma quickly shook her head as Neo steps away. "No, don't," she insisted.
He stares at the blonde girl. "I have to try."
"What are you doing?" Trinity frowns.
"I'm going in."
"No, you're not."
"I have to."
"Neo, Morpheus sacrificed himself so that he could get you out. There's no way that you're going back in."
"Morpheus did what he did because he believed I am something I'm not."
Trinity, Enigma, and Tank look at each other, confused. "What?"
"I'm not the one, Trinity. The Oracle hit me with that too."
"No. You have to be."
Enigma was lost in her thought. Somehow, part of her knows that's the case. That Neo isn't The One. But another part also thinks otherwise. That Neo is The One... but he lacks something.
"I'm not," he stated. "I'm sorry. I'm just another guy."
"No, Neo. That's not true. It can't be true."
"Why?"
Before Trinity can answer that, Tank speaks. "Neo, this is loco. They've got Morpheus in a military-controlled building. Even if you somehow got inside, those are agents holding him. Three of them. I want Morpheus back too, but what you're talking about is suicide."
"I know that's what it looks like, but it's not," Neo remarked. "I can't explain to you why it's not. Morpheus believed something and he was ready to give his life for what he believed. I understand that now. That's why I have to go."
"Why?" Enigma asked, tilting her head.
"Because I believe in something."
"Bring Morpheus back?"
Neo nods. That reaction alone convinces Trinity as she types into a small monitor. "I going with you," she affirmed.
"No, you're not."
She looks back at him. "No? Let me tell you what I believe. I believe Morpheus means more to me than he does to you. I believe if you're really serious about saving him, you are going to need my help. And since I am the ranking officer on this ship, if you don't like it, I believe you can go to hell. Because you aren't going anywhere else."
No argument coming out of his mouth. To be fair, Enigma can't argue much with Trinity. She's very persistent.
"Tank, load us up. Enigma, stay here."
"But..."
"Stay here."
Yep. Her mother is very persistent.
