"A Tremor In The Matrix"

Chapter Two: Introductions

Trinity had called Morpheus, and he arrived at the farmhouse in a few hours. The drone had stayed outside while Trinity and Neo discussed what he had seen while inside the Matrix.

"It was like being in a movie, Trin. A space movie but unlike any I can remember seeing."

"Well, maybe once Morpheus gets here we will get more information. I wonder if the machines contacted him as well."

Morpheus soon arrived, and upon entering the farmhouse remarked "Nice 'guest' you have. When did it show up and what does it want?"

"Morpheus, it's great to see you again," Neo smiled and said to him. "I think that this is somehow connected with the unexplained deaths of humans we saw a few weeks ago."

A metallic voice from the drone said "You are correct, Neo." It extended three cybernetic connectors and said "Please allow me to explain what is happening".

The three humans took their places on comfy chairs in the living room, and the drone plugged them in to the Matrix…or something like it.

They found themselves in a building that we know as the Jedi Headquarters on Coruscant. Alone, they saw an older man dressed in robes walking towards them. He looked them over, smiled, and said "Welcome to Coruscant. I am Obi-Wan Kenobi, and I will explain this universe to you and why we need you, Neo."

Even though he was used to the machine world knowing his name, it still took him by surprise. "The dark figure I saw, was it another version of the Agent Smith program?"he asked.

"No, the program known as Smith was successfully deleted after your last battle." Obi-Wan said. "This universe was created by a human known as George Lucas, but it became so popular among so many humans that a flaw in the Matrix allowed it to expand. Now, it has reached a point where it threatens to destroy every human still connected to the Matrix, and it is not possible to disconnect everyone in time to prevent their deaths. This is where you come in, Neo."

Neo was puzzled. "Where I come in? What does the Architect have to say about this 'flaw' in his 'perfect' system?"

Obi-Wan looked them over, and said "The Architect has gone missing, and we believe that he is a prisoner of the Empire."

Neo said "And I guess that now would be a good time to explain what this 'Empire' is and how this universe works?"

Obi-Wan smiled and said "You have a good mind, my young Padawan."

"Padawan?", Neo asked.

"Learner, apprentice. It's a Jedi term. Please, be seated and we'll begin."

Over the next few hours, Obi-Wan explained how the Star Wars universe works and how Neo had been doing things attributable to the Force while in the Matrix. Blasters, light sabres, Force lightning, everything. Neo asked "Did something happen here that resulted in the deaths of over one billion humans?"

Obi-Wan looked at the floor, and reminded Neo that the body cannot live without the mind, same as in the Matrix. "In the story chapter titled 'A New Hope', a planet-killing machine called the Death Star destroyed a planet called Alderaan. This resulted in the deaths of the humans. While we have been able to slow down the apparent time within the Matrix, a future chapter titled 'The Force Awakens' has a new Death Star destroying five planets. If allowed to run its course unaltered or unchecked, this will result in the deaths of every human still connected to the Matrix."

Obi-Wan looked at the three of them, and said "You three are our only hope."

Neo said "I believe that I speak for all of us when I say that we will help you." Morpheus and Trinity nodded in agreement. "But who is the guy that looks like a black robot?"

Obi-Wan smiled and said "His name is Darth Vader. He was once an apprentice of mine named Anakin Skywalker." Then he had an idea…"Perhaps if we watched all eight films you would have a better idea of what you're up against and what you need to do?"

He motioned towards a doorway which led into a screening room. The four of them took their seats, the lights dimmed, and "The Phantom Menace" began playing.

When it was all over Neo looked at Obi-Wan and asked "Will we have the same powers as Vader and the Emperor?"

"Yes", replied Obi-Wan. "But, you must be wary of the Dark Side of the Force and stay strong."

"Where in the story will we enter, and more importantly, how will we exit? There don't seem to be any telephones in this universe."

Obi-Wan smiled and handed each of them a small, cylindrical device. "Pressing the button twice will allow you to exit the Matrix."

"Will we be going in alone, or as part of a group?"

"It would be easier if you went as part of the Rebel Alliance, as the story has them in conflict with the Empire after "Revenge of the Sith."

Neo said "Why can't we go in and prevent the destruction of Alderaan?"

Obi-Wan said "You cannot change that which has already happened."

Neo said "We need to return to our world to talk about this. Perhaps we can bring our friends from our own 'rebel alliance' as well."

Obi-Wan smiled and said "We need all the help we can get. As you can see, the Jedi Order is all but extinct. We will leave the drone with you, and when you return you will return here and I will be waiting for you."

The three of them activated their devices and exited the Matrix.