Rated T for swearing and violence.
Disclaimer: obviously the Matrix characters aren't mine but Rogue, Syd, Angel and Dan Harris are so if you want to use these characters in your fics then ask me first. To see which characters are mine and which are from the movies then check out the characters page on my website- there should be a link to it on my profile page. Plus I'm making no money from this site or these fics so please don't sue me.
Reviews: I love em- just try to be nice cos I'm new to this whole "writing up my ideas" thing.
Note: This fic is set approx. 1 month after the first movie ended. Oh yeah there's a lot of action in these fics so I hope I don't suck too badly at writing about it.
Chapter 2 - The Meeting
Zion Apartments, Floor 218, Morpheus' Apartment.
Morpheus paced around his apartment. He had arranged a meeting between himself, Neo, Trinity and Tank- The only crewmembers of The Nebuchadnezzar left alive. Morpheus had placed 4 chairs into a rough circle in the middle of his living room. He had also placed some metal cups and a jug of water on the kitchen counter. They'll be here any minute. Morpheus thought to himself as he looked around his fairly spacious apartment. The only reason why it was so spacious is because Morpheus never really unpacked when he came home. He always saw it as a waste of time because he would be going back on his ship in a matter of days- Or in this case- Tomorrow.
This would be the first time Morpheus had seen his crew together for about a month because of the extensive repairs that had to be carried out on the ship- thanks to those damn sentinels. After Morpheus had fired the EMP, The crew were stranded and their ship was wrecked. They were very lucky that the Brahma was nearby and managedto tow them back to Zion for repairs. Plus their operator, Tank, needed urgent medical attention for his deep wounds from when Cypher tried to kill him with a plasma rifle. Fortunately fate was on Tanks side that day and he managed to pull through but Tank was never the same because Cypher didn't just kill Switch and Apoc, He also took the life of Tanks big brother Dozer- Something Tank would never forget…
Morpheus heard a knock on the door and immediately strode to answer it. He smiled when he opened it and saw Neo and Trinity standing there. He noticed Neos arm around Trinitys' waist. Obviously things are going well between these two… he thought as he stepped aside, welcoming them in.
"Neo, Trinity. Thank you for coming." He said as his guests each sat down on one of the arranged chairs before Morpheus came and took a seat himself. Neo leaned forward. "It was our pleasure Morpheus."
Morpheus smiled, he still found it hard to believe that he had found The One- a man born inside the matrix who had been prophesised to end the war that had been going on between man and machine for over 100 years.
Morpheus took in a breath before he started the meeting. "As you all know"-
"Wait! Shouldn't we wait for Tank?" Trinity interrupted.
"Tank will come when he's ready." Morpheus said in his usual understanding, knowledgeable tone.
Morpheus carried on. "I know this may seem a little sudden, but I believe that it is in our best interests that we start to look for new potentials for our ship."
Trinity looked up in alarm. Sure it was about a month since that bastard Cypher betrayed them and killed 3 of their crewmembers (4 if you count that if it weren't for Cypher, Mouse wouldn't have been trapped in a room and shot by a SWAT team), but the memory of it all still haunted Trinity- It haunted all of them.
"You're looking for new crewmembers already?" Trinity asked. It felt strange "Replacing" the others because how could you replace people that were your friends?
Morpheus sighed and leaned forward, placing his hands on Trinitys shoulders. "Trinity, I hear your concerns but I need you to trust me on this ok? I know that we have Neo now but that doesn't mean that we can't stop freeing the minds of those who want to know the truth about The Matrix."
Trinity nodded. "I do trust you."
Morpheus smiled. "I know you do." He took his hands off Trinitys shoulders and leant back into his chair.
"Do we have any targets yet?" Neo asked.
"I've been keeping my eye on a few potentials by using one of the systems here in Zion, but their not ready to be unplugged yet. However, when the time comes, I want us to be ready."
"Ready for what?" Everyones heads turned to see a well built, tall and handsome black man standing in the doorway.
Trinity smiled. "Hey Tank." She got up and went to gently hug her friend. "It's good to see you."
Tank returned the hug. "Yeah you too Trin." They ended the hug and Trinity went back to her seat. Tank went to sit down in the only empty chair as Neo filled him in.
"Morpheus wants to start looking for new crewmembers."
Tanks raised his eyebrows. "Already?"
Morpheus nodded. "As I said earlier, I know this may seem a little sudden but it has been three months. We won't be unplugging anyone for the time being but I've been keeping my eye on a few potentials. We can't let previous bad experiences get in the way of our goals. It has been about a month you know."
Tank nodded. "I understand sir, I just…wasn't expecting it to be so sudden…that's all…"
Trinity placed a comforting hand onto Tanks shoulder, her whole heart going out to him. Tank and his brother were very close- and because Dozer had been around Tanks entire life, how was Tank supposed to live without a big brother?
"Is there anything else?" Trinity asked.
Morpheus Nodded. "Just one more thing. As well as looking for new potentials, I feel we must try to contact The Oracle- for Neo." All eyes in the room glanced over to Neo, he just nodded.
Morpheus stood up and straightened the red sweater he was wearing. "Well I feel like I've covered everything. Just don't be late tomorrow morning- we won't have a minute to lose."
Everyone nodded as they rose from their seats. Morpheus walked them all to the door and opened it.
"You should all get some rest, you'll be needing it." He said as Neo was first to walk out onto the walkway. He turned around to wait for Trinity.
"Thank you Morpheus." He said in his usual quiet tone. Morpheus just bowed his head and closed his door after Trinity and Tank had walked out onto the walkway.
"Well, I'd better be heading back." Tank said as he started to walk back to his apartment.
"Are you sure you don't want us to go with you?" Trinity asked as Neo put an arm around her again. Neo hadn't known Tank or Dozer that long after he got unplugged but he knew that they must have been quite close because they worked with each other every single day. Neo knew that he'd be lost without Trinity by his side.
Tank nodded. "Yeah I'll be alright, besides I wouldn't wanna keep you two from doing you-know-what." He said with a cheeky smile whilst waving his finger playfully at them. Neo and Trinity smiled. Leave it to Tank to bring a smile to things- just like he always used to. Trinity thought as she saw her friend begin to walk away.
"OK then, just don't be late tomorrow." Trinity called over her shoulder as her and Neo began walking on the opposite direction.
"I won't!" Tank said in the same way. He smiled as he thought that this time tomorrow, he would be back on the ship where he belonged. He just had to convince Zee…
It took Tank about 15 minutes to get back to Zee and Links apartment from Morpheus' place. He had been staying with his sister and brother-in-law ever since he got back about a month ago. He just didn't want to be alone. Dozers widow Cas dropped by frequently with Tanks nephew and niece but he still remembered when he had to break the news to Cas that her husband wasn't gonna be walking through the door again- A day he would never forget.
The old metal door creaked as he opened it and he looked around. The apartment had similarities to the room he had on The Neb, with the steel walls and basic interior but at least it was real. Looks like I have the place to myself, which is good cos I don't want another argument with Zee. Tank thought as he headed into the spare room- his temporary sleeping place- to pack up his stuff. When he walked through the doorway, he stopped as he saw his sister sitting on his bed looking troubled. Tank took in a breath. So much for having the place to myself…
He walked into his room, weary of another fight. "Hey Zee…you ok?"
Zee just glared at him- it was gonna take more than a concerned look from her brother to make her feel better. She shook her head. "I can't believe you're actually doing this Tank."
"Doing What?" Tank mumbled as he picked up his bag and shoved some old sweaters into it.
"You know what." Zee said quietly but with an angry tone to her voice.
"We've been over this Zee…" Tank didn't look at his sister, he just carried on packing.
"Well we're going over it again!" Zee got up and linked her arm with Tanks. He took in a breath. Here we go…He thought.
"Tank, I still don't see why you want to go back on that ship."
"Zee…"
Zee held up her hand "No let me finish. Tank…" She turned him around so he faced her. "I don't like you going back on that ship. I know we've had this conversation a million times during the last month but I'm…afraid of it…I'm afraid it'll take you too…"
Tank felt a small twinge of grief come over as he thought about what happened to Dozer. He could see his sisters point. If he died on the Neb, then Zee would have lost all her brothers. Eventhough Tank knew that her husband Link would look after her, you can't replace the bonds of siblings.
Tank sighed. "Look I know what you mean Zee, but I can't just abandon my position on the ship just because of what happened."
"You wouldn't be abandoning it- you'd be saving yourself! - There's a difference! Please Tank don't do this!" Zee pleaded with her brother. She would have got down on her knees if she thought it would help.
"My minds made up Zee." Tank turned back to his bag and crammed some more stuff into it. "I'm leaving first thing tomorrow morning. I know you're not happy about it and I know you don't understand why I'm doing this, but having seen some of the things Neo can do-"
"Why what's so special about what he can do? Fancy karate kicks and dodging bullets? Tank anyone who has ever been unplugged and trained up can do that!"
Tank swung back to Zee again. "Can anyone stop bullets in midair? Can anyone kill an agent? Not just anyone Zee- Neo can. I saw it."
Zee folded her arms and gave Tank a scorned expression. She knew when she had been beaten- even if she was on the sane side of the argument. Tank placed his hands on her shoulders so she looked into his eyes.
"Zee, Morpheus believes that Neo will end the war. Dozer believed it too and so do I. That's why I have to go back. To do my part- to be an operator on that ship." He then hugged his sister and was slightly surprised when she hugged back.
Zee sighed. "OK. But for the record I'm not happy about this." They ended the hug. "Any of it."
"I know." Tank smiled a little and zee smiled a little back.
"I'm gonna miss having you around, always nicking the last piece of stale bread…"Zee said with a sad laugh.
"Yeah but you know I'll be coming home."
"You'd better." They hugged again for another minute then Tank broke off from it.
"I'd better finish packing my stuff up then get some rest. Like I said, Morpheus wants all of us there first thing tomorrow and I don't wanna disappoint him."
"OK. You'll say goodbye before you leave wont you? Even if you have to wake me and Link up?"
"You know I will sis."
Zee smiled a little. She knew there was no stopping her brother if there was something he had to do. Dozer was the same.
"OK then. Night Tank."
"Night Zee."
Zee left his room and Tank finished packing his bag. He then placed it at the foot of his bed then got ready for bed. He lay down and the feeling of anxiety bubbled in his stomach. He had a feeling that something would happen tomorrow. He didn't know if it was a good or bad thing but he thought it best to keep these thoughts to himself- the last thing he wanted was to make Zee even more worried than she already was- if that was possible. They were just pointless little worries about him doing his job wrong and whether Dozer and all his other deceased friends memories would be forgotten if-or according to Morpheus, When- The Neb gets new crewmembers. I was wondering when you crazy thoughts would kick in, he thought as he closed his eyes, knowing that sleep wouldn't come easily tonight…