Foundations of Code (Zionites)

[Valaro]

Foundation's of Code

As the wind bustled along the streets of the Megacity, bluepills wandering left right and center unaware of the grand scheme of events taking place without there knowledge.

For Valaro and the crew of the HvCFT Tiger standing around at hardlines had become pretty routine. Valaro was on his phone to Ocelet, when suddenly the phone went dead. He closed his phone and opend ait and redialled that last number. There was no dial tone.

He looked up at the rest of his team

"Cell phone went dead Ceege try yours"...

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Karaa waited at the hardline with the guys making sure it was clear. For the first time she wished she was actually on the strike team. Waiting at the hardline didn’t feel right. Though, hardly anything felt right anymore. She heard Valaro speaking and she came out of her musings. At first she didn’t understand what he was saying, “cell phone went dead, ceege try yours bro..” cell phone went dead? What?
She immediately took out her cell phone and flipped it open. “Operator?” No response. Her gut twisted. She looked up at Valaro and shook her head, “Nothing.”
Ceege was already trying his cell as was Angelis and Radomir. She looked up toward the skyline and hoped that the strike team was alright and that this wasn’t something more than a bad connection.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ceege grumbled under his breath and dug into his white trench coat pocket for his phone.
He would much rather be jacked in to party at Polyvinyl or dueling his fellow pride members in the international district dojo. He couldn't remember the last time he got to put on his Gi or gold party hat. It seems these days the strikes were becoming much too common, those damn Machine's seemed to recruiting at an alarming rate.
"Nada, nothing, what the hell is going on."
He didn't show it but his nerves began to get the better of him and he looked up and down the slum streets warily.
"Wasn't Rycus on the strike team?" he mumbled to himself, already knowing the answer was yes.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Valaro, got a bad feeling. He put his Cell away in his pocket and looked around.

"There Jamming us. And you all know what that means! There Coming for us and them! If we cant call the ship in the real that means, we cant call the strike team either! And we cant risk giving up the hardline, because then our exit is screwed! Any ideas?"

Valaro wondered why Eichdee hadnt come with him, she was usually first to jump at the oppurtunity to help out, but not this time. He looked up to see if anyone had any suggestions.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Karaa looked at ceege, she knew rycus was on the strike team just as he most certainly did. She took a deep breath and focused on what Valaro was saying. They needed to act now and make the decision quick. Rycus wasnt the only pride member on that strike team, if they didn't get them the support they probably needed....a shudder went through her body, she couldnt think that. Pride was family. She looked around at their faces, all grim, set and determined. Her eyes locked with Valaro's.
"Three at the Hardline, two to offer support. If the we lose our exit it will be pointless but from the look of it the strike team is walking into an ambush." she paused and glanced down before looking back up and around their little circle, "We need to hurry."
Just as she finished her sentance, Karaa heard footsteps coming up behind her...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ah Operative Karaa said an evil voice. This is where you and your friends die! You have attacked many of our Outpost's and stolen very senstive data, this cannot go on any longer!

Valaro grabbed Karaa's arm and pulled her behind him.

"I'm Looking for Catzi"

"Never heard of her, who is she some other random Operative? There are countless in Zion these day's what makes her so special?"

"She is the Leader of the Faction you serve. Do not try to fool us human"

"Im sorry you must be confused with someone else, I am The Leader of The Pride"

He glanced at Ceege qucikly then back to the Agent. They all knew that the story would only buy them a little time.

"GO!" Shouted Valaro...

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

All five of them quickly turned to run.
"We need to split up!" Ceege shouted as he could feel the Agent close behind them, "Val, Karaa you follow me, Rad, Ang you go West, whoever the Agent follows, lose him and we'll all meet where the sister is always present". They all knew this meant Mara church.
Rad and Ang nodded, a silent good luck in their eyes, and hyper-jumped to the nearest building roof.
Ceege, although he didn't want an agent pointing his FM-1500 at his head, needed the Agent to follow their group, he knew three had more of a chance at losing this infernal machine or best case scenario, defeating him. It had been done before, but only with casualties or The One present. He hoped today that The One was somehow looking over them and his close friend Rycus and the other Pride members in the strike team.
Bang! Bang! Two of the Agents bullets hit an already destroyed building in the slum that the three just managed to duck behind. Stamos wasn't new to the sound of gunshots, all the doped up bluepills around didn't seem to even flinch.
"Now what?" Ceege looked at Karaa as she turned round to see how far away the owner of those bullets was...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Karaa turned as she heard the voice behind her and froze. An agent. Then she felt pressure on her arm and she was being pulled forward and behind Valaro. She looked up at Valaro, his hand was still on her arm. She shifted her gaze to the agent. His face was contorted into what she could only guess was a smile. This was bad, Karaa started looking around for a exit option but couldnt see any that would give them what they needed to get away from the machine in front of them.

"I'm looking for Catzi." The agents voice was monotone

Catzi? What is going on? Karaa checked her watch, the strike team would be moving into the building soon, ten minutes. It wasn't going to be enough time to warn them. She felt panic pushing in on her and did her best to tap it down. She couldn't go to pieces now. There is always a solution she thought. She just had to find it. She heard Valaro speaking and knew they only had minutes. She looked over at Radomir and Angelis their attention was on the agent, posed to attack. Karaa moved her eyes back to the agent in front of her. THINK! she commanded.

"...I'm the leader of the pride." Valaro's statement hung in the air.

She saw Valaro's gaze flicker to ceege. They would have to fight she thought. How would they make it out of this? No operators...no exists.

Karaa heard Valaro shout "GO!" and everything began to move in slow motion...

They all turned to run. She heard Ceege shouting and followed his lead. As they tore down the streets of stamos. They ducked down an alley as bullets hit the side of the destroyed building.
"Now what?" Ceege asked next to her shoulder.
Karaa looked around the wall and then immediately pressed against it.
"Mervs..." She whispered, "idoits are always looking for some action." She said harshly. Mervs and an agent...this couldnt get any worse!
She looked at Ceege, "The strike team is going in that building in five minutes. We don't have time for this." Frustrated, Karaa took a deep breath. "We have to warn them." She closed her eyes and tried to think.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Valaro, just managing to duck out of the way of two silver fine polished bullets heading towards him and his team. Out of breath he took cover behind a small wall, partially collapsed and returned fire towards the Mervoingian Exiles heading from the other direction.

"THATS NOT ALL THERES CYPHS COMING IN 3 O CLOCK!" Time was running out and the odds were stacked against them!

A Small doorway leading to a small childrens play area in front of one of the heavily damaged buildings was to there left. They all ran through quickly and again took cover. Valaro turned to Karaa.

"Take this, and go! Theres a hardline 6 minutes north of here get to it and warn the strike team! Hopefully it wont be too late! Well hold them off. You must get out, do you understand! Find Eichdee shes on the Tiger! Tell her that Code Alpha 6 is in effect!". They all knew what that meant. In Zion code that meant your captain has died in battle, and that she was in command now, Karaa had just been trasferred to the Tiger to help with the Operations inside the system, along with Ceege and Angelis. This was at Valaro's request. He knew they were the best. But nothing can stop a team of Mervs and an Agent.

Karaa took off running as fast as she could...

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As Karaa took off Ceege wanted nothing but to follow her and protect her from any danger, she was like his little sister but he knew he stood a better chance of helping her by standing his ground against the coming onslaught and he knew she was the fastest, one of the reasons Val had requested her transfer to the Tiger.
"Well I guess it's me and you Val, hope you remembered your ammo" Ceege said as he unlocked the safety on his twin FM's. "We can take the Cyph's, there's only a couple to back the agent. And perhaps the Merv's, only saw three or four but if that Agent comes, we do what anyone else would do, we run our asses off".
By now Karaa was no longer in sight, and Ceege and Val could hear the running steps of several people.
Ceege was on one end of the wall, nearest the Cyph's and Val on the other. Then from around Ceege's end two exiles dressed in red suits came into view just as one male and one female, both masked popped came from around Val's side. Ceege turned, nodded to Val who nodded back. "FOR THE PRIDE!" Val shouted and both began firing their weapons whilst performing a flurry of acrobatic turns and flips, off the wall and into the street. The enemy returned fire as one Merv and the female Cyph hit the floor, not even having a chance to pull out their weapons.
Ceege seeing the second Cyph drop out the corner of his eye couldn't help a small smile as he remembered why he had joined the Pride and the Tiger, they were some of the best soldiers in and out of the Matrix...

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Valaro shoved the item into karaa's hands.
"Take this and go! there is an hardline 6 min from here."
Karaa's hand curved around hard metal. She looked down to see a sub machine gun and next to it was a data file. She never carried a gun anymore but she knew she would need it this time. she looked up to protest but the words never came out of her mouth, she saw the look in his eyes and knew that there was no arguing. Pylat and telemancer had that look, it would be pointless to try. She nodded and then looked at Ceege and held his gaze. She mouthed the words "stay safe." and she took off towards the other end of the playground. She had to make it to the hardline, she had to get to the strike team.
Karaa was running so fast she felt like her feet weren't even touching the ground. 6 minutes north, she chanted over and over. She had to make it in less time if she wanted to stop this operation.
Her mind flashed back to Valaro. "Code alpha 6...." She shook her head. No they would be ok. She had to keep telling herself this or she would turn around and go back. How did everyhting get so bad so fast?

Karaa skidded through a puddle as she heard the distinct sound of a gunfight breakout behind her...

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The loud racket of metal cracking and melting under the flame torch, mixed with the flaming sparks flying all around the room would seem unsettling for almost anyone. But any person who lived outside the simulation for as long as a month got used to those conditions pretty quickly. Living in stone, metal and mud became routine, while discarding the comfortable reality or a warm bed and a hot shower. But at least this is real

EichDee, dripping wet from sweat under her cheap tank top, was working on repairing the damage the Tiger had taken in their last encounters with sentinels. Her captain, Valaro, had asked her to come along with the crew for the blue-milk run, but she refused - she deemed the repairs as a more pressing matter than sitting at a hardline for an hour waiting for the strike team to come back unarmed. These kind of operations were frequent, and she did not feel the need to accompany them on the mission. They were all qualified operatives, and she feared not.

Stopping for a second to catch her breath, she closed the torch and took off her steel mask. If someone had told her before she would one day do this kind of work instead of her old job sitting behind a desk, she would've called them crazy.

Someone entered the barely lit room behind her. She turned around and smiled at her operator, Ocelet.

- I guess this part is done! she said, with relief in her voice.
- We may have a problem, Dee, answered Ocelet without taking notice of what she said.

With a concerned look on her face, EichDee followed her friend to the broadcast room, where all her crewmates were sitting, jacked in the Matrix. Ocelet quickly threw herself on her seat, and started typing like crazy.

- You'll say I'm nuts, but check this out.

Ocelet pointed on the monitor showing the infinite rain of codes of the simulation. With time, everyone became able to at least decipher it a bit. What Dee deciphered didn't please her.

- They're not there! she said.
- Exactly, confirmed Ocelet. I can't pinpoint the location of any of our crew, and I mean, at all. Not the extraction team, not the strike team. None at all.
- You tried calling them?
- I was on the phone with Valaro when it suddently cut. At first I thought a bad connection maybe. But I wasn't able to get a line any time after this. I triple-checked everything, and it's not a problem coming from us - it's from the Matrix.
- What, are they jamming us?
- Maybe, but I don't know how they managed to actually cut us off from them completely...
- I've never heard of that...
- Me neither. Maybe if --

Their conversation was cut short when one of the operatives - Ceege - convulsed and coughed up blood. Then Valaro, then Angelis. One after the other, they all started acting like they were in some intense fight.

- Oh shit! almost screamed EichDee, jumping towards them to apply medical treatmen.
- It makes no sense!! said Ocelet, typing on her terminal faster then she ever did. I'm not picking anything up, no fights, no machines, nothing!
- Use the emergency jackouts!
- I can't! It won't work if I can't pinpoint their location!

What the hell was going on in there? How could someone cut them off completly from the real world, and block any information about their situation? None of it made sense. Turning her head, she noticed that Karaa didn't look injured, though her heart beat was going nuts. She had to do something, and fast. At this rate...

- Can you jack me in?
- There's no way I could know what's happening to you, so you're not going in there until we know more.

Godammit! she cursed to herself, wondering what she could do to help. For the first time in a long while, she felt totally helpless. All she could do was to stand by, and heal what she could of their wounds.

Please be okay, guys...

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The fight had started well, both Cyph's were now being put into body bags by their operator in the real and two of the four merv's were down. But just as Ceege and Valaro were starting to enjoy themselves the Agent, who had been watching the fight from a distance decided to intervene.
"This is not your fight exiles! Leave now or face deletion" he ordered. And they obeyed. One winking at the Pride members as they slowly backed away down a nearby ally. Both Ceege and Valaro knew they wouldn't catch Karaa but would be off to tell The Merv their findings, he loved all gossip, he would say "it is his business to know such things."
"Karaa's got 3 minutes left. We need to buy her more time, this Agent could move to any bluepill by her in a second." Valaro whispered to Ceege.
"I heard a rumor that every person who has fought an agent has died? No-one said anything about two persons." Ceege replied.
"Let's hope Karaa makes it and somehow manages to find a way to contact EichDee so we can emergency jack the hell out of here. Lets see what this agent can do." Ceege said cracking his knuckles and removing his now dirty white trench coat as Valaro took his kung fu stance.
"Where is the one you call Catzi, the leader of your weak faction" the Agent again asked.
"We'll show you weak!" Calvin yelled as they both ran at the Agent launching into the air legs outstretched. They got the first hit, sending the Agents glasses flying to the ground, but this Agent was no weaker than all other Agents, for every punch and kick the Pride members landed the Agents hit was worth ten. He soon had the upper hand. Having punched Valaro into a nearby wall, nearly knocking him unconscious, he had Ceege against a wall throwing what seemed like a hundred punches in a second into Ceege's ribs.
Ceege gritted his teeth as blood trickled down his chin and over the collar of his black shirt. C'mon Karaa, you won't let us down, he thought through the pain...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Karaa was breathing hard now. She tried to remember that it wasnt air she was breathing but that did little to steady her frantic gasps. She was so worried that somehow this wasn't going to work. Hardlines would be ok, they can jam us but not hardlines, she kept reminding herself. She glanced down at her watch 2 min. Then she saw it, the hardline. She crashed into it a seond later and seemed to have the phone in hand with the same movement.

"Operator?" Karaa asked breathelessy.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Valaro getting up off the ground, spitting the blood out of his mouth. The agent still punching at Ceege, was so occupied taht he didnt see Valaro running up behind him. He ran at the Agent and Time slowed down, Valaro leaping through the air with a Handgun firing bullets into the agent. He didnt have a chance. The Agent fell dead to the ground.

He helped Ceege yp and said "You Ok Cal?" Yeah im beat up but I can handle it dont worry". Valaro remembered back to when he was interviwing Ceege.

"So youve been a part of The Pride for a while now. One of the reasons you havn't met me or my Crew is because where the, how would you say. Dark Teams. We dont exist. Some might say we operate the missions that were never thought of. You understand?

Yes Captain I Understand.

Im going to get down to Brass Tacks here Ceege. Ive seen your potential Ive seen what you can do. In fact the way you handled that little Merv Operation last year I have to say youd make a fine addition to my Crew. I understand you have friends, Family almost. But to be honest I need you. Dee said you helped her out of a Jam. And well it seems you were destined to be a Guardian Angel to Tiger almost. I need you" He patted him on the back as they ran towards the hardline with due haste! We dont have long he thought to himself. At that moment, a bluepill morphed into An Agent. The fight was back on...

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ocelet saw Karaa pop up on the screen.
"Operator?" Karaa asked breathelessy.
"Karaa! What the hell is going on??"
"Extraction team is under attack in central Stamos. Strike Team is walking into an ambush. I need priority emergency jack out for Valaro, Ceege, Angelis, and Radomir. I need you to contact the operators for the crews involved in the strike teams and tell them they need extractions."

Ocelet's mind was reeling. "The emergency Jack out isn’t working."
Karaa's body went stiff and then she practically yelled into the receiver, "get it up and running!"
She took a deep breath, yelling at Ocelet wont help.
"Karaa...I don't know how, it’s the matrix, nothing on our end."
"Is Dee there?" karaa asked quickly.
"Here, Karaa." Came Eichdee's sure response.
Karaa paused for a second.
"Alpha code 6 is in effect." Karaa hated how weak her voice sounded.
There was silence on the other end of the line.
"Find a way to get the guys out of the matrix." Karaa’s voice was low.
"Where are you going?" Ocelet shouted into the receiver.
"To warn the strike team." Karaa answered.
"Karaa, there is no time, they're already moving." Answered EichDee
"I'll make it; just find a way to get the teams out of here."

Karaa hyper jumped to the nearest building not bothering to hang up the phone.

"Karaa?!?" came a barely audible voice from the dangling receiver.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ceege and Valaro broke into a run, they knew they might not survive another Agent fight.
"We should get to the church" Ceege gasped, his insides still sore, "Karaa will be ok, no-one would have noticed her with the speed she can go, we need to make sure Ang and Rad are ok too and buy more time for Karaa to help the strike team".
Bang!
The Agent fired a shot just missing Ceege's arm but ripping his shirt and grazing his arm, he shrugged it off, no time to cry over small wounds.
They had reached Richland but still had some distance to cover. Then they saw them.
Valaro stopped for a brief second and Ceege said a silent "no, they can't have..."
There in the distance, surrounded by a gang of about ten masked Cypherites was Angelis, clutching his chest, blood everywhere. They weren't doing anything though. Taunting him probably, or maybe waiting for this Agent.
What had happened to Rad? Worry gripped Ceege and Valaro but not fear, they forgot about the Agent tailing them and ran full speed towards their fellow Pride member...

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Running at full speed with Ceege, Valaro was thinking out strategies on how to take on the CYPH's, thats when he realized it wouldnt be as easy as he first thought.

At that point Ceege was struggling to keep up due to the amount of damage the Agent had done and thats when it ht him. He grapped Ceege by the thorat and threw him to the ground. Ceege about to jump to his feet, was pushed down by Valaros foot.

"Don't Get up!"

Ceege pushed his foot away and jumped to his feet.

"What the hell?"

"I told you not to get up!"

Ceege ducked a right hook and punched Valaro in the rib, dazing him. Valaro then went for a roundhouse and missed, Ceege ducking from Vals foot, didnt see the Dim Mak Strike coming. Ceege spurted blood from his mouth and fell to the ground. He was Loosing conciousness fast.

"You were a replacement for me Ceege, no hard feelings eh" and delivered a final blow to the skull. Ceege was out cold, barely breathing.

Valaro walked up to the Cyph Team, all of them ready to take him on but at the same time wondering why he did what he did.

"Im joining you! I've had enough of running, with the odds constantly outnumbering me! I want to be put back in, and pretend this never happened. You have my allegiance!"

One of The Operatives stood forward.

"If thats true then were happy to have you aboard, but this seems a little strange. We need you to do something for us. Call it an act of good faith? Kill him" he pointed to Angelis.

Valaro looking at him says: "He was a close friend of mine and has valuable information regarding several of the other Crews in Pride, hell be useful." The CYPH leader looked at him. "What of that one?"

Valaro looking back at Ceege. "Dead, he was a liability or I would have brought him too"

"Very well. Come with us we need to get you to safety. What about your ship theyll be able to see this wont they?"

"No, he Machines have found a way to block transmissions to ships in The Real. Theyll think I'm being held Captive".

They turned and walked away slowly. Valaro took out his Colt and shot himself in the arm, therefore giving the impresion in the real that he had been wounded. He punched angelis in the face rendering him unconsious and left with the Cypherites along with him....

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Karaa landed on a roof above the given location for the strike team. She ran to the edge of the building and looked over, relief flooded her. They hadn't gone inside yet! She jumped from the building and began running towards them.
"Rycus!" she yelled.
He turned to her with a surprised look. He turned to a man standing next to him, though Karaa was too far away to hear what was said. Everyone in the group stopped inches from the door of the building.
She closed the distance between them and crashed into Rycus, landing them both on the ground.
"It so good to see you!"
"Karaa, you really need to work on the whole stopping thing." groaned Rycus.
Telemancer jogged over from the front of the group and said, "Karaa what are you doing here?" She accepted his outstretched hand and was on her feet in the next second.
"Ambush. We're being jammed; my group was attacked at the Hardline. We're scattered all over right now."
"Ambush?" Telemancer asked incredulously.
"Yes, it seems the agents are out for pride blood. If you went into that building you wouldn’t have gotten out. The agent that attacked us was looking for Catzi. We need to get everyone to a Hardline. Emergency Jack Out is on the Fritz."
Karaa turned to the group and said, "Agents will be here soon. Go to the nearest hardline and jack out."
The group turned to look at Telemancer, he nodded his agreement and everyone took off it different directions.
She made it. She warned them and now they were on their way out. Karaa suddenly felt exhausted. She looked to the west; she had to get to mara church. Hopefully, the guys were already jacked out but there was no way she was leaving without them.
Karaa turned to Telemancer and Rycus, "is Catzi in the matrix?"
"Don't know."
"I have no idea."
"Tele get to a hardline and see if you can find Catzi. Tell her what’s happened." She turned to Rycus, "Angelis and Radomir headed west in Stamos find them and then jack out."
They both nodded, "What about you?" asked Telemancer.
"I'm heading back to where I left Ceege and Valaro."
Both men looked worried.
"I'll be fine. Catzi needs to be warned and Ang and Rad need back up. I left Ceege and Valaro, I have to go back. We have to be careful; someone had to tip off the machines." Karaa took a deep breath. "Rycus, if you can't find them in stamos, try mara."
He nodded, "Be careful."
"Yeah, I won’t be putting you in a body bag." Telemancer said tensely.
"I'll be fine." Karaa assured them.
They all nodded and then took off in separate directions...

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- Karaa? Karaa, come in!

EichDee threw the headset on the floor and cursed out loud. Talk about a blue-milk run! She turned towards Ocelet, who was waiting for instructions.

- Can we still pinpoint her? EichDee asked.
- We never did, actually. We only got a phone call from an empty hardline.
- Seriously, what the --

The sounds of a heart monitor went nuts, sending loud and high pitched bips across the room. As she checked, she saw Ceege go into critical state, and his heartbeat suddenly slowed down all in one shot, to a desperately low rhythm. He probably had lost consciousness, and was near death. Another monitor acting crazy. This time it was Valaro. From the diagnostic screen, it looked like a bullet injury. At this rate...

- That's it, you're jacking me in! she said, resolve in her voice.
- I'm sorry? opposed her operator. No way I'm --
- You heard it like I did, Ocelet; Code Alpha 6 as been ordered. It means I'm in charge; My ship, my rules. You're jacking me in, and there's nothing you can say that will change my mind. They need all the help they can get.
- I... Understood, resigned Ocelet.
- Meanwhile contact the other ships and transmit the info. Priority is to get our friends out of there!

She quickly sat in the last broadcast chair available and started setting up the computer, not even waiting for her operator. Ocelet, with a face that strongly disagreed, plugged Dee into the Matrix.

* * *


Wearing a black business suit, black skirt, black sunglasses, stockings and high heels, EichDee was gazing the city from the top of a thirty stories high building. Her hair was tied in a tight bun, instead of the dirty ponytail she had in the Real, and she wore light makeup. She gave off a very Agent-like impression, result of the time she spent as a machine operative, not even aware at the time that she lived in a simulation.

She even wore the earpiece Agents were identified by, another cause of that time. She was issued with one back then, and she created some kind of dependence to the flux of information constantly sent by the device. Jacking in without it was like jacking in without eyes, as a comparison. It even gave her insight on the small regular updates within the Matrix, and position of Agents; a very useful tool. She only used it as a receiver, though, so machines never managed to trace her position that way.

Her cell phone rang. She slided it open, and put it to her ear.

- Dee here.
- Good, seems I can reach you for some reason, said the voice of her operator.
- I guess they don't know I'm here yet... But... Doesn't that mean they didn't block the ship, but rather the operatives on board?
- What do you mean?
- I mean, I thought the Tiger got jammed, but since I'm okay... The crew members on the mission were targeted individually?
- That doesn't make any sense. There is no record of the Tiger. We don't exist, machines have no idea --
- There's a mole, concluded EichDee.
- No... No way.
- Consider the possibility. For now I'm going to back Karaa up.

Closing the phone without waiting for an answer, she jumped down to the streets below.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Meanwhile somewhere in International...

Valaro had just came out from another Hardline. He looked around. He knew the location all to well. Furihata, one of the clubs Catzi loved to hang out at alot was right near here, an so was her apartment. Where CYPH's in on this too?

"That Agent said something about looking for Catzi, whats that about?"

"Yeah were looking for her too, Agents came to us and made a deal. In exchange for help with finding that bitch, we would be given secret EPN Operative Location data."

"Ok ill let you guys kow one thing. I may believe in Cypherite Ordeals, but I dont agree in fightig EPN. The Kids gone off on a wild card and is making trouble for himself. Hes going to get alot of people killed and the further I am away from that the better you got it?"

"But we tought you said you resent Zion now?" he turned to face Valaro.

Valaro took off his Black Void shades "Your weakness is your ability to find a difference between two completley seperate factions. E Pluribus Neo are not Zion. EPN do something in the public face to get there message across. Whereas crappy old Zion, have dark teams and missions that "never happened", it wold be wise not to confuse to the two... Name?"

"Its Bracio, and I guess your right. Alright were almost here. Ive informed the boss, he says to get you kitted out with CYPH Elite gear, your being put to work in... *looks at his watch* an hour. Be ready got it."

They entered a CYPH safehouse, and Valaro went into an empty room and sarted changing into his gear. On the bed beside him was a document titled: "Valaro - Eye's Only"...

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"You were a replacement for me Ceege, no hard feelings eh" then nothing but darkness creeping in around him. There was no sound, just a slight distant mumbling.
Then after what felt like hours his eyes slowly opened, the Matrix sun beaming down on his face. It felt so real and warm, what he'd give to feel the real sun on his face in the real. As he fully came to all he could feel was pain. He crawled to a nearby bench and forced himself up onto his feet using the bench for a crutch.
His mind was all a blur, the Agent, then the Cyph's and Valaro attacking him?! Had he betrayed them...no...he said something about Ceege replacing him. And his attack seemed part of a plan, maybe to help.
His head hurt too much to remember all the details and just then he remembered the place he told them to all meet, Mara Church. This was his destination, who knows how much time had passed, would they still be there?
He limped off into the direction of Mara central as quick as his aching legs could take him.
Bluepills looked at him like some sort of crackhead the whole way, not one seemed bothered enough to ask if he was alright, he laughed in irony to himself knowing that one day he may be seeing some of these faces in Zion and that he was fighting for their freedom without them even knowing it.
He could see the church in the distance, just up those steps.
He pushed aside the big wooden doors with the large crucifix embedded on them. If ever a Jesus did exist in the real he could use his help now.
"Ceege!" he heard a familiar voice shout.
Rycus ran over and put Ceege's arm over his shoulder for support and led him to one of the pews where Radomir was sat. The one bluepill in the building tutted and walked towards the exit, obviously this intrusion had disturbed her prayer time.
"Man am I glad to see you guys!" Ceege said joyfully, "Please someone tell me just what the hell is going on here".
Rycus explained his side of the events, about Karaa finding them before they entered into the death trap and how she sent him to find Angelis and Radomir.
Radomir followed with his explanation. "After we split up we managed to get to Mara but were ambushed by a whole troop of Cypherite scum. Angelis made it clear that one of us had to make it to the church if we were to have any hope of helping the strike team. I was about to plead with him to let me be the one to stay and fight but he was having none of it. He darted towards the Cyph's before we'd even finished deciding and i knew that was that. Every ounce of me wanted to stay and help him but I knew that would be dishonor his choice, I...I don't know what happened...I couldn't bare to turn around to see..." Radomir's voice began to choke and he stopped there.
"I saw him, he was badly injured but alive" Ceege explained, seeing Rad's face light up ever so slightly at the news. And then Ceege explained what he remembered of Virago's actions.
"Hmmm" Rycus muttered "perhaps he knew that would be the only way you'd be left behind, considered dead and hopefully he found a way to keep Angelis alive too. Karaa went back to find you and him by the way, hopefully she'll find her way here soon when she realizes you're not in the slum anymore. And hopefully if she runs into trouble someone will help her. Shall we go?"
"Karaa is a tough chick, and fast, we best stick together and wait here for her before we all get into trouble again"....

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Karaa ran through the playground to where she last left Ceege and Valaro. Even though she had been here a few minutes ago in seem liked a lifetime. She looked around and couldn’t see anyone. Karaa went closer to the destroyed buildings and saw trails of blood. She grimaced, please be ok. She looked around the corner and saw dead bodies. Karaa gasped and her hand went to her chest grabbing a fist full of her shirt. She walked closer and immediately saw that these were cyphs and mervs. She took a deep breath and lean against the broken wall. "I'm getting too old for this..." She said out loud. She was one of the younger members in the crew so whenever she said this particular comment everyone just shook their heads and laughed.
Karaa decided to take one last look around before she headed toward Mara church. Something caught her attention off to the side of the broken building she was just leaning on. From the look of the body it was a local. Karaa tilted her head. Could he have been caught up in the cross fire? No, she immediately dismissed the explanation, stamos locals were smart for the most part, when a big gun fight breaks out, they usually duck and run. Karaa continued to stare at the body ....Her eyes grew wide..."Agent." she whispered. Then a smile form on her face, that’s my boys.

"Miss Johnson." Said a monotone voice.

Karaa immediately froze, her blood gone cold. He was too close. Shit. She caught movement from her peripheral vision, she turned towards it and another man emerged though he wasn’t dressed in a suite. CYPH, she guessed.

"Hey girlie" He said with a smile on his face.
Disgust crossed Karaa's features but that only made the cyph smile wider.

"The trouble you've cause Miss Johnson has become irreparable." Karaa turned so she could see both their faces.
"It’s unfortunate that I have to terminate you, Miss Johnson. You were able to practically predict human behavior; we have not found such a bluepill since your ....departure."
Karaa remembered this particular agent. He used to be her contact with the FBI. That life seemed so far away.
"I would offer you a spot on a machinist ship but I know you will refuse, as you have in the past. Your stupidity astounds me."
Karaa stayed quiet during his monolog, trying to think of a way out.
"The only thing Zion is known for is idiots’, death and defection. Your own crew is not even immune to these universal truths. You have all three."
Karaa locked eyes with the agent.
"Oh, you are unaware?" Karaa could see that the machine was enjoying this. She glanced back at the cyph who was inching closer.
"Not even 5 minutes ago your crew member lost his life by the hand of your captain."
The statement seemed loud in Karaa's ears. She couldn’t swallow. What? No...No she didn't believe it.
"Lies." her voice was shaking.
"Do not personify me with human vices, Miss. Johnson. We both know I am above such things."
“You were a valuable asset before you were so rudely awakened. Now you are nothing more that a human faced with deletion.”
“Too bad, you’re a cute one.” The Cyph was closer now. She hadn’t been paying attention to him. Her mind was in overdrive. Move. Move. Move. Her mind was screaming at her now.
“Goodbye, Miss Johnson.”
There was no where to go. This was it. Karaa looked up wanting to see the Sky rather than the agent’s face. There was a building off to the side relatively intact. That’s strange for Stamos she thought. Then she realized that was her point of exit. She smiled.
They were both pointing the guns toward Karaa now. She knew she had to time her plan perfectly or it would be the end.
Karaa hyper jumped just as she heard the shots. As soon as she landed on the roof she began to run.

………………………………………………………

The agent turned toward the Cyph. The man was holding his left shoulder.
“Ouch.” He laughed.
“Your assistance is no longer required. Return to your captain and assist in the capture of Catzi. I will retrieve Miss Johnson. Tell your captain, that the tiger crew is on the spiral downward.”
“Yes sir, I will update my fellow crew members on the situation.”
He turned to go, “Really is too bad about the chickie…” he shook his head and was gone in the next second, his departure hidden by crumpled buildings.
With their captain gone, one member captured, one member dead…soon to be two, the tiger would finally be destroyed. A major victory for the machines…
With that the Agent gave chase. He would catch her. Miss. Johnson would not escape this time.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

At the same time in International:

Valaro slowed down time, and managed to just dodge the 3 bullets fired at him by the Exile Operative. He ran towards him at full speed and put his right hand out and rested it on the gun, while he switched positions and grabbed the Exiles face with his left hand, and almost without moving turned the gun and shoot him in the head, Blood spattered all over the wall. He dropped the gun.

He had been given an Agent earpiece to keep in contact. He proceeded into the next room and said "Clear".

Valaro went to the safe on the floor and placed his ear against it. "3, 35 left, 41 right" The safe clicked and the door opened. Inside was a document entitled "Zionite Crew Log. Part 1 of 4: Richland Ship's"

"I have what were looking for. HvCFT Catzi's Kitten's? According to the File she isn't in Richland. Yes. The Tiger wont be a problem unless Eichdee decided to start working overtime on repairs. Look the prototype cloaking device was damaged in the last sentinel attack. Ok. Ill re-organize this team of idiots you gave me and start... Ok well I cant guarantee with these slops. Ok. Let me speak and make a deal with the.... Ok. Ill be in touch in a few days."...

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- Well, this is a gruesome scene...

EichDee was standing in a backalley in Stamos, one of the many poor districts of Westview. Before her were puddles of blood, some shell casings, and the distinct feeling of a deadly battle's aftermath. No bodies in sight though...

Blood or not, Westview always disgusted her, even back in the days she actually lived in the Matrix. The whole Westview sector was the poorest area in the entire city; buildings were mostly abandoned, streets were cracked open and suspended ones were almost all crashed on the streets bellow. You could really see the difference when crossing the bridges between Richland and Westview. Almost no one lived there these days, only low lives and scums. Not a nice place to visit.

A familiar sound from far off brought her back to reality. A very familiar sound. The sound of a metallic hammer slamming into the primer of a .50 caliber shell casing, causing an small explosion with a very distinct noise. The noise only one weapon in the world had. A Desert Eagle .50AE, often called the FM-1500. An Agent! Where?!

As she thought this, she noticed the noise was coming from way up. As she tilted her head back to see, she saw someone jump from rooftops to rooftops across the buildings where she was. A few seconds after, she saw an agent follow across. Karaa!

Not wasting any time, she jumped up and landed on the roof of the twenty story-high bulding, and gave chase. But she soon noticed that, even though Karaa was still speeding in the distance - and what speed she had - there was no one chasing her. Only an old man was standing on the next building, looking very confused. Shit, he spawned out!

The second after, Dee saw the Agent break through a roof exit door, right beside Karaa, who was taken by surprise. The Agent quickly took his massive handgun out, and started unloading. Karaa had barely the time to take cover behind nearby aeration pipes. She was pinned down. The Agent walked forward a little bit, just to be in sight of his target.

- Goodbye, Ms. Johnson, said the Agent, about to shoot the finishing bullet.

But instead of the loud, dry and metallic sound of the FM, the bullet fired had a dramatically softer sound, almost like a loud whistle. The Agent spawned out, his host dead by head shot, and EichDee - who managed to catch up - was holding a barrel-smoking silenced Westek hangun.

- Dee! Karaa said, a sigh of relief escaping her mouth.
- Are you alright? Did you get hurt?
- No, I'm good. Thanks. But... why are you here?
- Don't tell me you thought I wouldn't come after that little phone call of yours!

Karaa threw a timid smile. Of course she knew. EichDee always had a problem with acting on impulsions, jumping the gun so to speak. It was no surprise that she actually showed up, people were getting used to it.

- That Agent won't give up just yet, we have to go, said Karaa.
- Right, just don't outrun me.
- I'll try, you slowpoke!
- Ms. Prevost, talked a new voice right behind them.

As they turned around, they saw the Agent right behind them. How did he..!? As she looked, she noticed the confused old man was gone. Of course... He just took his old host... How careless of me...

- I find it... amusing that even after all this time, you still wear your old outfit.

It took Dee a second to catch on. But when she did, she was filled with an immense feeling of irony.

- Agent Norris... she said, recognizing him. Wow, isn't this one big family reunion!

EichDee and Karaa, when still bluepills, both had gotten a job in the federal building, and were working directly under Agents, thinking they were normal feds. It was all part of an experiment conducted by the machines to track Zion operatives easier. Potentials had an affinity to draw out more of their kinds, as Zion constantly searched the Matrix for them. The machines used those potentials as baits, offering them jobs under their secret watch. When they would be contacted by Zion, Agents would come in and eliminate the operatives.

EichDee, personally, was responsable for the deaths of over twelve Zion operatives that, at the time, she thought were criminals. The machines didn't use this plan the same way every time, or Zion would've caught on. Karaa had a different, and yet similar experience, but years later. The machines probably had a better way by then, since Karaa didn't seem to have inherited the dependence to the earpiece like she did.

The one point that linked directly Dee and Karaa was, as a matter of fact, Agent Norris, as he was their superior to them both back in those days. And now the three of them were standing on a rooftop, about to decide what to do.

- So, Karaa... What's your call? Run or shoot?

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Karaa Stared at agent Norris…she hated him. He filled her nightmares in the real. Her hands formed fists at her side. All the lives she ended because she thought she was working for the good guys. All the Zion operations she stopped, all the people her actions killed.... all their loved ones that waited in Zion for them…and now knew they weren’t coming; instead their murderer joined their ranks. She gritted her teeth. She was so caught up in the possible death of ceege and defection of Valaro that her anger had not risen. Now her anger flared. She tried to atone for her actions. She took spots on suicide runs away from other operatives, volunteered readily for missions…anything…anything to try and repair the damage she had done, knowing that her actions never could. She was blind and now their blood was on her hands. She pinpointed their operations, profiled them, and practically handed them over to the machines in a nice neat package. Karaa always had excelled in predicting human behavior; she enjoyed her job and never felt bad about it until the day the operative that awakened her ending up in her interrogation room. Karaa’s knuckles were white now.


“I’m tired of running.” Karaa practically spat.
Eichdee looked over at Karaa for a brief moment, taken aback by the intensity of the emotions behind her words.
“Shoot it is…bad day for you Agent Norris.” EichDee was always in control. Karaa knew she could depend on Dee for anything. Whenever Karaa was in trouble there was Dee with her Wesket gun, dragging her ass out of the fire. She hoped one day she would be able to return the favor.

“My two greatest protégées’ this is like something out of a bad human novel. Turning on your mentor. Like I said before Miss. Johnson, universal truths for your species.”

EichDee Turned to Karaa, “What is he talking about?”
“Valaro.” Karaa whispered.
“What?” Eichdee hissed.
“According to Norris, Val killed Ceege and joined the cyphs.”
Eichdee shook her head, this didn’t add up she thought. Before she could respond, the Agents voice cut into her head.
“You will finally meet you end Miss Johnson, I have waited long to be this deliverer!”
Eichdee’s head snapped back to the agent but he was gone. The next thing she heard was Karaa scream in pain.

Karaa felt her back crashed into the concrete and couldn’t help the scream that escape her lips. The pain was everywhere; her vision became spotty as her air supply was being choked off. Karaa gasped and then locked her foot around the agents outstretched arm while her other foot connected with the side of his face. Karaa felt herself fall and the very distinct sound of a gun click by her head. She became still as she looked up into a FM 1500.
“How does it feel Miss Johnson? Knowing that this is the end for you? That I will be the one to end your pathetic existence?”
Karaa shifted her gaze upward. She wouldn’t look away this time.
“Never took you for theatrical, Norris.” Karaa rasped.



----------------------------------------------------------------------------
International:

The wounded cyph walked into a dojo in sai Kung central.
“Caius, where have you been?” asked a man sitting at a laptop computer screen.
“Was tailing the chickie, until the agent showed up, you can take her off the list.”
“Your arm?” the man asked.
“She’s a fast girlie.”
“Better update the boys Ace.”
Good, Ace thought. “She was trouble, glad to hear she’s out of the picture.”
Ace put his hand to the wire in his ear and said, “Attention, Operative Karaa has been removed for the priority list, one more to go boys…”
Ace put his hand to the wire again.
“Termination” He added.
Caius titled his head as he looked at Ace. Someone was asking questions? Heh, must be the new addition...
“Agent Norris.” Ace said into the wire.
Ace turned to Caius, “Here is your wire, go assist in the search for Catzi, Help out the new guy.”
Caius smiled.
“Be nice.” Ace reminded him.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Caius walked into the room with Valaro who had just slid his phone closed. Valaro walked over to the Window and looked out.

"Storm's Coming".

"Yeah weather forecast says its to be rainy. Nothing we aint seen before, as long as that little tyke Sati is stil runnin around well be all right. So uh whyd you leave? I mean forgive me but it seems a little suspisious to me that when we start chasing your crew all of a sudden, and we got you backed against a wall you just become CYPH?"

Valaro took out his gun. A Revolver. Chrome Silver. 8 Shots. The initials S.P engraved on the barrel. He turned to face Caius, who was taken back by his glance. Staring at the gun he slid his hand back and forth along it and starting slinging it swicthing between hands. Suddenly his stare met with Caius.

"This gun is the best there is. Given to me by a very close friend as a gift for inviting her to my crew. I've killed countless Merovingian Exiles, Machine Operatives and even some EPN scum. I've been able to kill a man before the thought to draw his gun and shoot me got to the end of his nervous system." His glance hadnt broken with Caius. "So ask yourself. Do I really look like the kind of guy, that needs to formulate a plan to save his crew mates and himself, when i could have simply gunned down every Cypherite Operative that stood in my path?"

Caius was shaking as Valaro's gun was now trained on him. Small ounces of sweat was sliding down his brow, his heart rate had increased and he was breathing irradically.

"I... I'm Sorry, I didnt mean.." CLICK! Valaro pulled the trigger...

Caius, was so scared he urinated himself. Valaro looking down at the Cypherite grinned, and went into the next room. BANG! This time a real shot went off. Caius sat in total fear listening to the door opening and then the elevator doors closing. Valaro had killed Ace and left Cauis too afraid to even try and stop him. He sat in the room by himself, Valaro now gone. There was a silence.

Valaro walked out into the street below. A strong breeze blew past him, the streets had now become deserted as it was late at night and the majority of the bluepill population had gone to bed. A light drizzle started to drop over the city. Valaro began walking North in the direction of the Aquaduct Bridge, leading to Downtown...

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Angelis' eyes opened slowly... blurry at first, he came to realize he was being transported somewhere by the group of Cypherites he was battling and fell victim to just moments earlier. He couldn't help but think how he should have been able to take them.... especially since he uploaded an ability, one of his prized possessions that he had gotten from Tank ages ago. Tank and Angelis use totrade rare items during their free timesitting around each others bunks in Zion which were both cluttered with rare items, hence why they were sometimes called "collectors" by other Zionites. This ability Angelis uploaded before the mission is one he had been trying to master. It was old, Tank wasn't sure where it came from, maybe another instance of the matrix, or maybe even an exile. The Ability's Disk was labled "ZM" -thats all. It was like a drug. He knew he wasn't suppose to mess around with abilities that weren't studied and passed as safe by the council. But no one knew, so curiosity got the best of him. Not even Karaa knew what he had been doing behind everyones back. He started to wonder if this ability was traceable by the machines, and if this is all his fault? If something happened to Karaa because of him he wouldn't be able to forgive himself. Then remembered Valaro shooting one of their own... Did that really happen? What the hell is going on? Angelis slipped back under consciousness...

---

Dee turned her head, her eyes wide open. Norris was now over Karaa, his .50AE pointed at her head. It all happened so fast; even Karaa didn't seem to pick him up. She was laying down on the roof's cement, a huge crack under her, with blood splattered all around. She probably cracked her head open with that fall, and with the look on her face, she was nearly unconscious.

- How does it feel Miss Johnson? Knowing that this is the end for you? That I will be the one to end your pathetic existence?”

She threw a hard stare at his black sunglasses, and with a grin, even if it was probably painful as hell, she said:

- Never took you for theatrical, Norris.

With a simple hum, Norris cocked his handgun, ready to pull the trigger. Without thinking, and even though it was probably futile, EichDee jumped at Norris at high speeds, causing a collision that dropped both the Agent and EichDee on the hard floor. Unfortunatly, he had the time to unload a round, which lodged itself into Karaa's left clavicle, right next to her shoulder. She screamed in pain, but would probably live. At least for a little moment longuer, Dee thought, honestly not knowing what to do with the Agent still under her.

Norris gave her a curious look, and said:

- Ms. Prevost, I'm afraid what you just did delayed the inevitable. I hardly doubt you can beat me again all by yourself, and if you somehow manage to do it, I will come back a few seconds later. Please stop your stupidity and accept her death.
- Like I'll let you do it without a fight, she hissed back.

She jumped back on her feet with agility, while Agent Norris calmly got up like nothing had happened. He groomed away the dust on his suit, and took back his stoic attitude. Dee gave a look at Karaa; she wasn't moving anymore, but she could see her breathe slowly. If only she could --

An immense pain resonated through her body, as the Agent went to the offensive without warning. He had punched her in the gut with a left low strike, and immediately followed with a right hook, crushing her jaw. She went flying and crashed-landed into the wall of the roof exit. Stunned, her weight seemed to have tripled, as she was struggling to get back up. Blood was spurring from her mouth, and her glasses were shattered.

The Agent grinned, and cracking his neck, began walking towards her. Dee managed to turn to her side, holding her stomach in pain. She knew it wouldn't be of much use, but she unholstered her 9mm and started unloading at the coming threat. The Agent simply dodged every shot, as predicted, and soon she found her pistol's slide to be locked back. She had wasted her entire magazine. Talk about a rescue!

As Norris came to deliver the finishing blow, he suddenly stopped, and changed course towards Karaa. What the... Why is he ignoring me? Picking up his Desert Eagle dropped on the ground earlier, he took once again aim at Karaa, helpless on the ground. Dee quickly changed her weapon's mag, and shot him again. Even if he had his back turned, he dodged the four shots. Agent Norris tilted his head and gave her an annoyed look.

- You are becoming an annoyance, ms. Prevost. Unfortunately, I have no business with you today. You should escape while you can, and tell those cave crawlers Ms. Johnson was killed in action.
- Why are you..?

She had to do something. In a few seconds, she had gone from top shape to ridiculous state. No wonder no man alive had stood his grounds against an Agent. He's too strong...

She managed to get back up, and took an offensive stance. The Agent seemed even more annoyed, dropped his gun, and went back at her. She attacked first this time. She opted with quick karate strikes, which he blocked with no difficulties. She focused all her strength into her right fist, and went for a left strike to his head, which he dodged as expected. She launched her right fist right at his nose, which cracked upon impact.

The Agent took a few steps back, and looked at his opponent. EichDee grinned.

- You have a nosebleed, she said, pointing his nose.

She thought she saw a vein appear on Norris' head. He went back at her and launched a flurry of strikes to her already injured gut. She blocked the first few, but the dozen who followed managed to hit her. He finished with a side kick that had her flying away once more. She surprised even herself as she managed to land on a knee. But the Agent was already standing in front of her, and she could see the next move coming; a straight uppercut. At this distance, and with the fact she was kneeling, it was a decapitating strike. This is it...

BLAM!!!

The powerful noise of the FM-1500 was heard. The Agent, who was about to finish her off for good, spawned out, blood splattering on Dee's face. The body of a young girl fell to the ground, dead. Behind her was Karaa, difficultly standing on her feet, holding the Agent's weapon he had dropped a minute ago. She grinned, and fell back to her knee, dropping the gun on the ground in a resonating Tac!

- Karaa! screamed EichDee, getting back up to help her friend.

As she passed her hand around Karaa's waist, the latter rested her head on Dee's shoulder. With a small, struggling voice, she said:

- That guy is an ass...
- You got that right! Come on, we've got to get out of here!

With Karaa's arm around her neck, EichDee jumped off the roof, going back into the maze that were the back alleys of Westview.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Karaa leaned heavily on EichDee as she dragged her down the alleys of stamos.
“Thanks, Dee.” Karaa said softly.
EichDee glanced at Karaa, “Back at ya.” She winked and Karaa smiled.
Karaa’s smile was lazy, “God that felt good, with his own gun!” Karaa’s smile widen. “That was pretty awesome how you tackled him Dee. Entirely worth the splitting headache I have right now.” She sighed contently. Karaa seemed to sober up then.
“Dee, what the hell is going on?”
EichDee shook her head, “I have no idea. I was hoping you could tell me.”
“My cell isn’t working and I’m pretty sure I can’t use the Hardlines. When I was on the phone with you earlier, it felt different, it felt like it use to when I was a bluepill, a normal phone call.”
“Karaa, you need to jack out.”
Karaa sighed. “I don’t think I can Dee.”
EichDee got quiet, Karaa knew she was thinking.
After a moment Karaa asked,” Do you think…do you think that Norris could be right? Valaro turning and Ceege…” Karaa trailed off unable to finish.
“Ceege is alive. He went into a critical state but he stabilized before I jacked in.”
Karaa stopped shuffling, “Thank God.” The relief evident in her voice.
“Karaa you need to keep moving, we can’t stay here.” She immediately started moving again.
“I don’t like being in the dark. We need answers.”
EichDee shifted Karaa’s weight, “We’ll get them. Just need to get you fixed up first.”
“I’m fine Dee. Might need a health pill though…” Karaa laughed a little at her last comment.
EichDee rolled her eyes and smiled at the woman she was dragging down a particularly disgusting alley.
“It’s a mole.” Karaa said suddenly
“It’s a possibility.” EichDee corrected.
“What else could it be?” Karaa said exhausted.
What else could it be? is a very good question EichDee thought.
“Where is the rally point?”
“Mara Church. But I doubt will get answers there.” Karaa replied.
“The others may have information.”
“Agent Norris is probably getting another host as we speak, we don’t need to lead him to the others.” Karaa took a breath and continued, “If he thinks Ceege is dead I rather he not be enlightened.”
They were silent for a moment as they continued their trek through Stamos.
“We need to find Valaro. Agent Norris seemed pretty confident that he had him in his back pocket.” Karaa said.
“Ok let’s get you fixed up; I know there is a vendor in this area that deals with medical supplies.”
“How do we find the captain of a dark ship?” Karaa mused out loud.
“I have a few ideas…”
“I knew you would Dee.”

---------------------------------------------------------------------