Thane (Gabrielle)
The arena that I had practiced in was an interesting place. Obviously, nothing I had ever been exposed to. The idea that I could have the power to construct was consuming but when I was given the view of the actual world, it was a hard pill to swallow. This existence was a tragedy to behold. Prior reality seemed bleak but this was even harder to believe.
After being let out of the construct Morrigan approached me, understanding of the heavy things that had just been revealed.
"Look, I know what you just saw was a lot to process, but you have to understand there is nothing for you in that world. You are special in a way that can bring us toward something better than this. It may not seem like it right now, and it may not seem like with have any power over it, but I assure you, being self aware to the real realities is our only way to release ourselves from this slavery." Morrigan reached out for my shoulder in a show of support.
"I always thought things were bad for women, I never dreamed that it could be worse. Granted it is worse for everyone, but still." the shorter woman rushed out.
"That's the thing, would you be able to go back to ignorance knowing what lies just beyond the surface?" wise beyond her years Morrigan wasn't one to sugar coat the importance of what had just been revealed.
"No. I couldn't you are right. I just don't know how to process this. Everything is all fucked up and it is overwhelmingly fucked up." I breathed out. "How do you even feel like anything can even be changed."
"The oracle has foretold that there is the One. That special person would be able to lead us in a fight to awaken all from this existence."
My eyes widen in terror. "Do you understand that not being awake isn't as bad as being awake from this? I wish I could go back and choose differently! Millions of us dealing with this reality all at once? How could we even support that awakening all at once. There isn't enough logistics or resources to accomplish this."
Morrigan paused with her mouth slightly opened. All this time everyone was focused on getting out of slavery and I probably had been the only one to focus on the long term of what that could mean for them all. "Thane, if I thought this slavery is what was best for us, I would have stopped. I was in your shoes once. I was in that panic, in that anger, sadness, and despair. What it came down to is could I live knowing this and not do something about it? That answer was no. That is where you come in. You will have to decide that for yourself. I can certainly let you stay jacked into the matrix, but now that you know, you are a target. All those who are jacked in and aren't energy sources can be tracked and will be tracked, that's what the machines do. They need to maintain the illusion and they aren't willing to let you just do whatever you want in their construct."
"Damned if I do, damned if I don't. Isn't that how it always works for us women." I confessed. This was all a shock but Morrigan was definitely right, I didn't have a lot of options. I could either resign myself to something that was fake, or deal with the reality and hope to make a change for the greater good.
Avalon (Xena)
Hearing the play by play from Morrigan was promising. Everyone was waiting arduously for a savior and this pint-sized woman was not what I had envisioned. She walked by me on her way out of Morrigan's quarters after having a long talk with Morrigan.
"Hey, I know this can be really tough to process, I've been there. I just wanted to say that we all hope you can be a part of our operation. I haven't seen your skills in a while. I'd probably put you on par with me." Hoping a positive spin on things would encourage Thane to not spaz out about everything.
"Look Avalon, I know you mean well, but honestly I'm not in the mood to talk. Morrigan gave me all the details. I hate to be a kill joy, but the idea that a "ONE" person can get this fight anywhere is optimistic at best. I'm nobody's savior, I'm barely my own. Not only that, trying to pit the success against such overwhelming odds on one person seems risky and that last answer I would think there would be." the shorter woman turned to me with an unsure look.
"Yeah, I'm not one for fairytales either. No one person can save the world really. At most they can lead the charge. I just don't think I've met anyone ever- beyond Morrigan -who I can even imagine would be able to drum up support from what is remaining of the woke world." I sighed heavily, looking downward. "At best it is a pipe dream."
"That's one thing you and I can agree on. Can you tell me how you decided to be on this team? I don't take you for much of a team player kind of person." a smile etched across Thane's face as she spied a view she hadn't seen.
Thane started walking across the gangway heading towards the front of the ship. Inside the ship wasn't much to brag about, but coming from the Matrix and seeing the dark void from the ship front windshield was intriguing enough to provide a pull to most newbies.
"Beautiful isn't it? It has always been so crazy to me- this darkness in contrast to the matrix. Dark nothingness with crazy machines flying through the void with spastic lights blinking from different sources chaotically. It's a sociopath's dream." I tell her as I watch her stare into it.
"Yeah, in a Dante's inferno type of beauty. Avalon, I know you are supposed to be the elite of the team and you put on a tough exterior, but I see through it. You are a softie at heart." Thane whispered, not knowing I'd hear her.
I growl in disgust and head to the mess hall. If anything, I can try to understand what Morrigan's plans are; whether Thane stays on the ship or if we will need to be finding a drop off at the nearest halfway house refuge we can find. On my way out I make sure to tell Thane my thoughts on why I stayed.
"I stayed for the greater good." I dart away from the area. I really don't care to see her response to my answer - her response only matters if she decides to stay.
AN: Is there anybody out there? Drop me a line if you think I should bother finishing this.