Chapter 13

" You have entered this simulation before, you know the techs, right?"

Neo nodded, and seated himself in the chair. He looked around himself, looking around his surroundings. The room was small, and the only other people than him were two labrats that were clicking on all the monitors that was to his right. They had all the indicators that would hopefully tell the Counsellors what they wanted to hear and see, and every monitor were linked to him through the spike that would soon be inserted into his skull. It was kind of like being back on the Neb again, and the program he would be loaded into had all the similar rules as the Matrix had…

From outside of the room some of the counsellors along with their Fleet Commander Lock were standing. They would soon look at the gigantic monitors in their room, but right now their gazes were fixed into the simulation room where Neo was sitting down into the chair, trying to relax.

" I just don't see what this simulation is going to give us, " their Commander spoke, and one of the Counsellors stepped up to him. Lock, tall and sure of himself, did not falter. " It will hopefully give us more insight, " Counsellor Belen said, but Lock stood his ground.

" With all due respect, sir, insight is not the same as answers." One of the other Counsellors spoke up now, turning against Lock from the monitors at where he was standing. Lock instantly recognized Counsellor Hamann, the Counsellor who had such a blunt appearance, but had a sharp mind.

" We are not looking for instant answers, Commander. We are looking for insight, and how that insight and talent that the One possesses can aid us in our war against the machines, " Hamann said and he could see Lock seethe even though they were standing in other ends of the room.

" I do not believe in all this the One prophecy, Counsellor, " Lock explained with gritted teeth, irritated to his brim now. Hamann however, only found the scene peculiar, and he smiled as he spoke again.

" We do not require you to do so, either, Commander. If you believe this will give you nothing, you are welcome to leave. We require nothing of you."

Looking at the Counsellor, Lock turned his gaze back into the room where Neo was now laying down in the chair, having had the spike inserted to his head. He sighed, and shook his tense shoulders as he observed the room again.

Usually, Lock always demanded an explanation for everything; that was just who he was. He reasoned with logic and a strategic mind, he did not have the luxury of believing in miracles, or things un-calibrated that he could not explain.

In his eyes, Neo was that very thing. Someone that no one knew what he couldn't do, leaving him un-calibrated.

That was probably why he was here, too. Looking for an answer, like many others. But he also knew that he was not going to find one here today… he had been on every single one of Neo's simulations here in Zion except one, and they had all ended up with the same result- leaving people astounded and astonished, but no one closer to any answer to why he could do the things he did…

And a couple of hours, and a great frustration at least from his part, later… he found himself to be right.

" You can jack him out now, " one of the Counsellors ordered one of the labrats in the simulation room. Lock had stayed for all the time, watching as they put the man, Neo, through all of the tests, all the simulations to which they most of the time were left with their mouths agape, but gained no answers from the miracle man himself. He told them little information, if "… I just think it, and it happens, " could be counted as any information at all.

Sure, even Lock would have to admit to himself that he was impressed at what the boy could do, and that his gifts would be an asset, somehow in the war as the Counsellors kept agreeing on as they watched him. But that was his very problem; how was he going to be an asset for them? How could he use his superior powers and gifts, abilities, to help them?

And at some level, Lock knew that Neo was asking himself the same question.

But if he didn't know, who would?

As Neo joined them in the observation room, Lock turned to him from behind the Counsellors, holding his arms crossed in front of him. He wanted to know what the boy would say, even though he felt like he wanted to force things, demand answers from him. But he could also remember doing that once, and that had not worked at all; it had just made him even more introvert.

" I'm sorry I cannot give you any more answers… I honestly don't know how to give you an answer to something I cannot explain to myself, " he told them, and they all nodded, understanding his dilemma. Counsellor Mandina turned to him and laid a hand upon his shoulder, gently smiling at him.

" We understand. We will have these recordings analyzed, and watch them together and discuss them… if any questions arise we will talk to you. For how long is your ship docked?" Neo blinked, almost saying that they were going home tomorrow, then remembering that they would have an extra few days to be here. Inwards, he smiled, but he did not let it show on his outside.

" For 3 more days, at least. Maybe even 4, our ship is being modified at the moment."

The Counsellors nodded their understanding, and Neo thanked them all for their patience, and then left the room. The Counsellors all turned to each other after he had left, and Mandina was the first one to speak. " I say we let the technicians analyze the recordings and gather this evening to watch them, and discuss. I can speak for us all when I say that the boy is evolving for every time he comes here, " the elderly woman suggested, to the others nod.

One of the Counsellors removed his hands from his mouth, revealing a large moustache. He cleared his throat and then spoke; " Where will it end, that is the question…?"

And Lock spoke up, the first thing he had said since his argument with Hamann earlier. " If he doesn't know he can be a danger to himself… and others."

And as if on queue, Hamann spoke. " He is not a danger to himself more than someone talented with extreme intelligence, knowledge is a dangerous thing as well. We will analyze this tonight and leave all for further discussion then, all agreed?" Everyone uttered their agreement and walked out of the room. Hamann held the door for them all, and last to exit was Lock, who slowed down his pace when he reached the door.

He looked into Hamann's eyes, as if to say something, and the Counsellor met his gaze, but said nothing. A moment or two passed, the tension between them thick, but Lock soon broke gaze with him and exited.

Wishing for no trouble, Hamann sighed and exited the room.