Morgana came into consciousness, true consciousness, for the very first time in her life, aboard the Jupiter. With blurry eyes, she saw Natasha patiently sitting next to her. Feeling a deep sense of calm for once, perhaps due to the sedatives, she blinked time and time again, adjusting her vision.
"She's waking up, Captain," Natasha said with a smile.
Groaning a bit, frowning at the light that both blinded and hurt her eyes, Morgana returned to deep sleep.
"Or maybe not," said Orion, and they laughed.
Time passed before Morgana was stable enough to return to Zion. The Council, of course, especially wanted her account of the story. As Morgana was instructed on the ways of the Matrix, shown the reality of the world, and completed training programs, she realized she felt a bit haunted by what she had gone through.
"Sometimes, I feel like I have second thoughts," Morgana confided to Natasha.
"You know, we all do," she said. "It's okay."
"Does it make me a bad person, for thinking this way?" Morgana asked.
"Not at all," said Natasha. "It makes you human. Once you see Zion, though, you'll feel better."
"Thanks," said Morgana, with a smile.
Upon arriving to Zion, the crew took a rest day before attending their Council hearing. Morgana, amazed at this underground city, full of free, genuine people, instantly felt like she belonged. A sincere smile shone on her face as she saw the cute children running in the streets, a band playing music on the streets, and everyone smiled at each other as she walked on by. Nearby, she could see hydroponic gardens and the people who tended to them; Zion was nice and warm.
So this was home, she thought.
"Morgana, you have to try the food here in Zion," said Marcus. "Much better than the stuff we get on the ship."
"Can't wait," she said.
The next day, Morgana, dressed in a plain cotton long-sleeve and simple pants, followed the crew to the Council Chamber, where the twelve leaders sat. Amidst their wizened faces, their eyes shined with intensely-piqued interest. After calling their session to order, Councilor Dillard spoke.
"Morgana Greer," She began. "We have heard of your rather peculiar dilemma during your time in the Matrix, concerning one Agent Smith. As you are aware, his aberrant behavior will be the subject of many of our following questions. You may begin by providing us with your account of the situation."
Starting from the very beginning, Morgana detailed her account honestly. Marcus, who had seen most of it unfold through the screens out of anyone, was still surprised when Morgana spoke. When the Council members asked if they had been physically intimate, Morgana minded this question a bit, but confirmed it. While everybody suspected it, they still raised their eyebrows, blinked in rapid succession, or shook their heads in disbelief. The Councillors, above all, seemed to be the most incredulous to this revelation, but they accepted it.
Next, the crew were questioned on their mission, with everyone talking about Smith's particular actions towards the end. Again, the Council murmured and spoke amongst themselves. An entire day passed as questions piled on and on—so many, in fact, that they would extend the hearing by another day. Morgana was already getting tired of getting asked the same types of questions over and over again, for the entire time she was there, she was straining to summon all her might to keep her from crying. All this did was invoke the memories with Smith, none of which had been given enough time to process. All she wanted to do was to be alone and crawl into bed, cry until she dried out like the desert, and forget about everything else, but for now, she still had to keep herself together.
The next day, the crew and the Council reconvened again, but this time, their focus was on Natasha, after concluding the questioning about Smith. Morgana was glad for this.
"Morgana, you are extremely lucky to have a sister like Lieutenant Natasha," Councilor Hamann said. "Few would go through the extreme perils and unusual elements that this mission entailed. You are standing here due to your sister's bravery, and of course, the crew of the Jupiter."
Morgana said, "Of course. I can't thank you enough, Natasha, everyone. I can't believe you did all this for me."
Natasha nodded and smiled, tearing up a bit. "I'm used to saving your ass from trouble," she joked, and everyone laughed.
The rest of the crew beamed in their victory, and Captain Ulrikson swelled up with pride at having such a crew. After the Council continued their concluding statements, Morgana had a final question.
"So ... does this mean that I could never join a crew? That is, enter the Matrix again?"
"It would be far too dangerous, Morgana," said Councilor Hamann. "I urge you to ask yourself, if in the minute that you entered the Matrix, would it not be extremely likely that he would know where you are, where to find you, at a moment's notice?"
"It's true," confirmed the Captain. "He will always be on the lookout for you. He'll be listening in for your voice, and as soon as he's got it, he'll be there before you know it."
"Your presence alone will endanger those around you," said Councilor Dillard. "You must remain in Zion from now on, unless you're willing to incur a very serious risk to you and your crew mates."
Morgana felt disappointed at not having the freedom to go in and out as she chose to, but she'd be crazy to endanger others for her whims. She could stand to endanger herself, she thought. I could even see him again ... But before the thoughts continued, she realized that it was the broken heart speaking, not her.
"I understand," she said, knowing that she could still experience programs and simulations, after all.
"Having to suppress the natural desire to liberate other minds that many freed individuals carry with them is hard, certainly," Councilor Ysasi began. "So naturally, we hope we can accommodate you in Zion as best as possible."
"I'll be honest, it is," said Morgana. "But I'm also fully aware of the consequences. If it involves anybody else getting hurt, I couldn't do it. It would cause more harm than good, so it wouldn't even matter."
"You have a good head on your shoulders, Morgana," Councillor Marino said. "Is there anything you would like to do in Zion? Anything that interests you?"
Morgana gave it a bit of thought.
"Well, in the Matrix, I always pursued medicine," she said.
"A noble pursuit," Councilor Marino said with a smile. "We have a school here in Zion. I will see that I find you placement. Healers are in great demand here."
Even though she'd be overjoyed in typical circumstances, she appreciated the opportunity, but for now, she wasn't quite sure what she wanted to do. She just needed time to process everything, especially Smith.
"Thank you, Councilor," she said with a smile.
"And one more thing," Councilor Ysasi added. "Lieutenant Greer: due to your display of extraordinary courage in leading the operation to rescue your sister, the Council, with your Captain's recommendation, have approved of your promotion to Lieutenant Commander. Congratulations."
Hearing these words, Natasha uttered, "No way," before smiling and putting her hands up to her face. She couldn't believe it! Turning around to look at her excited crew mates, all cheering for her, she smiled. She now had her sister back and was doing a good job in Zion. Life was good. Morgana beamed at her sister.
"Thank you, Council; thank you, Captain Ulrikson," Natasha said. "But I couldn't have done it without everyone here. Thanks, everyone. Each one of you is a badass."
"Of course," said Councilor Grace. "You should be proud of your crew, Captain Ulrikson. They are one of the finest."
Ulrikson nodded and said, "Absolutely."
"Your promotion ceremony is in three days," said Councilor Dane. "Congratulations, and this concludes our hearing."
"One more thing—" interjected Councilor Dillard. "This entire series of events remains classified until cleared. Do we have an understanding?"
Everyone agreed, and after ending the session, the crew congratulated Natasha as they poured out to the streets of Zion. It was nighttime, by this point, and the crew decided to celebrate with drinks at a bar. Though Morgana was content at her opportunity to do what she loved in Zion, and was proud and appreciative of her sister, the melancholy of losing Smith dragged her down. She felt like she was so stupid for missing him in the first place.
After Natasha's decoration ceremony, which coincided with awards given to other soldiers, Zion threw a big rave, open to everyone. As the dance floor began warming up, Morgana took a chance to be alone with Natasha.
"Hey, I'm sorry if I haven't taken the time to properly thank you enough," said Morgana, with a bit of shame. "You've done so much for me, you risked everything ... I feel like I've been ungrateful."
"Nonsense, dummy," smiled Natasha. "The only thanks I need are you being alive and well." Trying not to get emotional by going the playful route, Natasha ruffled Morgana's hair, but she couldn't hold it in. Morgana was already tearing up. Embracing each other again, they cried for a little bit before Natasha said, "Oh fuck, let's not get cheesy," before pulling away, causing each other to laugh.
"But in all seriousness," Natasha said. "I couldn't just sit and watch it happen. You're my sister; it goes without saying that I'll always have your back."
"And I'll always have yours, too," said Morgana with a smile. "I love you."
"I love you, too," Natasha said.
The rave went on with loud music and beats making Zion pulsate with heat and vitality. Natasha and Marcus decided to hit the dance floor, as the rest of the crew imbibed in some Zionian moonshine, joining them after a few rounded. After a few songs, and talking to some people for a bit, Morgana decided to slip away and head to her assigned quarters. A nice soft bed waited for her—comfier than the one on the ship—and a shower to wash the day away. A small kitchen and living room decorated with banners that read "Welcome Home!" were full of food and some gifts.
For once, she was finally alone ... She sighed deeply, sitting on the bed, and began to go over everything in her head, as she had done countless times. Even though it was wrong of Smith to deceive her and slip her a blue pill to make her stay, she realized that the love was genuine—as twisted as it was. Because he was an Agent of the Matrix, never designed for the feelings he experienced, he had no choice but to lie and cover up everything.
Mixed feelings of disgust and pain filled her, but after a while of moping, she felt so much lighter now. Suddenly, everything made sense. Yes, even though the part that missed Smith was hurting, she completely revoked him after realizing he wanted to control her and take away her freedom ... Can you believe it? She thought. He wanted you strip away your choice to even decide for yourself where you wanted to go. He never wanted you to be with Natasha, to open your eyes ... Can that really be called 'love?'
No, she concluded. It was obsession, not love. It was selfish, and pathetic, and she swore to herself to never be that naïve again.
Back in the Matrix, at the Agent Headquarters, Smith continued to think about Morgana. The pain and yearning he felt had slowly turned to his baseline hatred, and he now included her amongst the rest of the humans, after she betrayed him and left him alone and void of any joy or pleasure. The part of him now that was capable of love had died, stomped and killed by his ruthless, metallic nature.
Only humans can invent something as insipid as love, he thought.
As Agents Brown and Jones dragged in another rebel to interrogate, strapping him to a chair, Agent Smith fixed his sleeves and began his work.
If I can't get out, he thought. I might as well enjoy hurting as many of these parasites as I can ...