Journey to Icereach: All Ships are welcome!

Ok, I want my crew to please fall in. I would also like to extend a welcome to everybody else who would like to participate in this RP. Though there are rules to follow....

Please Read! (http://www.matrixmania.com/showthread.php?t=12040)

Please pm me if you intend to join and I'll note it down. Do not request to join in this thread. Any questions about anything, us pm. Crew, let your Captains know what you're doing, and please don't forget to read the rules. Thanks folks.


“IceReach is an incredibly cruel and harsh place for any human. I don’t want to see another human die up there due to the weather conditions, sir, with all due respect.”

HU looked pensively at 00032. The android sat emotionless, looking at HU, and after a little while, spoke again.

“I am merely weighing up the facts, nothing more. It would be suicide for humans.”

“00032, you have a lot to learn about the human spirit. I will however put your concerns to the Council, and then see what they decide. Thank you.”

“As you wish, sir. I will finish compiling my findings and then give it to you.”

Once 00032 left the room, HU slumped tiredly in his chair looking at the parchment in his hand. He knew the people of Zion had every right to read it, however he also knew many would die once the parchment was made public. Why, he wondered, were all the shitty decisions as of late up to him? HU stood, and collected his things. He knew one thing for certain; he had to let Mac know….

……………………………………………………………………………………………

“Ok, who moved it?” UT moved around the medlab creating a mess as she did so; moving and fiddling with everything she touched.

“Will you please stop it! Now!” NMN was angry. “Man, this place doesn’t look brilliant all by itself you know. Now, tell me, slowly, what it is that you are looking for and I just might be able to help.”
“Well, it’s long and silver. And it was next to your weekly report. Now it’s gone….”
“How very helpful. Yes, I know what you’re after now.”
“Really?”
“Nope, I lied.”
“Oh ha bloody ha ha. I mean the artifact the android brought back from IceReach.”
“Well, why didn’t you just say so? Jesus….” NMN gave her a friendly wink and walked over to a huge pile of papers lying in disarray on his desk.
“So what the hell do you call that mess?” She asked as he searched.
“Orderly disorder. Ah… here we go.” He produced a long silver device that seemed to be blinking.
“And why is it blinking?”
“No idea, but I think it’s time to take it the hell out of my medlab to be analyzed……Like NOW, UT.”
“Shhh… don’t yell, it’s bad for one’s nerves. Ok, stop looking all pasty white. I’m going, I’m going. Damn, you watch way too many episodes of the X files.”

………………………………………………………………………………………………

“What is so important that it can’t wait until I rise, HU, like in 2 more hours?” Mac was tired. Coming back from a mission the day before, he felt like he could sleep for a week.
“Forgive me Mac, but it really is important. You’ll understand when you get here. Sorry I can’t say anymore until you get here.”
“Ok, ok, just give me a minute to wake up and then I’ll be down.”

He switched off the com, and slowly rose from his bed, rubbing his eyes. This had better be good, he thought to himself….

If we're already on a mission (which is going nowhere fast) can we join this one?


-Please read the rules thread again MHD. There will be no exceptions- UT

We'll we're kinda waiting on AS_F.- Hack

Is there a ship idle a gunner

Eon: OK, Ghostjkr, I know you're new here, but please read everything that has gone on in the thread previously, especially when there are only 2 responses before your own.
Please read the rules thread linked in the first post before you post again.

- THE EDIT and PM BUTTONS ARE YOUR FRIENDS - UT

If you read the rules, Freddy, they say you need to finish your missions before you can join in on ours.

And since I'm so bored, I'll throw a little bit on the flame. If UT so desires, she can kill me for doing so.


"Bloody people, coming into my bloody medlab and messing up my organized clutter. Don't they realize it's all about knowing where things are? I should right have kicked her in the bum." NMN muttered to himself. He was now busy rearranging the mess the UT had made of the mess he had kept. He wasn't finished with his preliminary analysis of object the android had brought back from IceReach. It struck him as odd that it wasn't blinking when he first received it, but as UT grabbed it, it was blinking. "I'll brush that aside. The Zion engineers are much more capable with their findings then a lowly field scientist," he said to himself. A knock came to his door. "Right, who's come to make more of a mess to the only room in this ship I have to myself?" A young woman pushed open the dorr, and her long flowing hair whipped about her head. It was usually up, with all the safety regulations and such, but she was daring enough, so once it a while it was down. "Oh, hey, Eon, whatcha need?"
Eon flashed her winning smile. "More than you know. Anyway, UT passed by me on deck and said to come by and to thank you once again for being patient with her. She appreciated it."
"Oh, golly, I was only playing around. We've got that sorta relationship. Still shoulda kicked her in the bum."
"There was one other thing..." Her voiced tralied as she looked away to the ground.
"Yes? What is it?"
"I've been having these headaches. I don't know what they are. They started when 00032 came back from IceReach. I was lying in bed with Jaideska the other night and I got one so intense that I made a mess of the entire room. Jaid tried calling you on the line, but you didn't answer."
"Shit, I'm sorry. I think I was incapacitated... with... some...one."
"Oh, thanks, NMN. Glad to know you're on the job 24/7." She flashed him another smile, knowing he knew she was playing with him.
"Sorry, Eon, would you like me to have a look now?"
"Would you, please? I know I would have much better--ow, oh God!" She grasped her head and scrunched her face. Falling to her knees, she let out a yelp. NMN rushed over to her. "Eon! Eon! Stay with me... is it another one of your headaches? Well, what am saying, of course it is. Duh, grasping her head, writhing in pain." Eon looked up at him with terror in her eyes, but exasperated with his monologue.

A minute later, she lied unconcious on the medlab floor. NMN quickly called for a med-evac team to take her to the infirmary, the best the Zion military could offer.

***

Jaid hurried passed the onlookers, rushing up to NMN. "Is she gonna be alright?"
NMN grabbed his arm and squeezed it. "Yeah, her vitals are steady, and there seems to be no apparent cause for this."
"Shit man, I know I shoulda come to you sooner."
"Don't worry so much about it. She's in good hands now, and if they don't find anything, they'll send her back for active duty, whatever UT has planned for us. Then you'll have all the time with her again. Lest we run into trouble."
"I have a feeling that's going to happen whether we want it or not."

The hallways were emptier than usual. Condensation leaked from a pipe and ran down a nearbye bulkhead with a rusty tinge. Jaideska walked past a few physicians bowing his head as they continued on in a heated conversation.

He entered the lobby and a woman at the worn out desk watched him intently.

"Can I help you? Oh, I'm sorry I didn't see the insignia, you're from the Caduceus aren't you? Your crew member is in room fourty four, I'll buzz you in."

He nodded again, walking through the doors as the buzz rang out.

Eventually he reached the room, the door was ajar, and inside he could see UT sitting beside Eons unconscious body.

As the door creaked open she quickly turned to see Jaid walking in.

"I'm worried, but I can't even begin to imagine how worried you must be." She said, as he silently made his way to her side. She turned from him and looked onto Eon once again. "I've never seen anything like it, not even coma patience are like this, her wave patterns don't show any sign of torpor, it's weird. I'm not a doctor, but I can tell you that it's not normal."

Jaideska remained silent, looking at Eons motionless body before he reached out and took her hand into his. "I... " He looked at UT, tears becoming visible in his eyes. "I know you recruited me because you knew I could make the sacrifices needed to commit myself to your cause, but..."

UT put her finger up to his mouth. "Don't say another word." she said as she smiled softly at him. "I know love more than you may think, and this will be a blow to all of us, but moreso to you." She let her finger from his lips, and he kept his silence. "Nevertheless, the strengths I saw in you when I recruited you are still there. They may be weakened by this unexpected event, but I assure you that you have a power at your disposal now that you haven't even attempted to use yet."

He continued looking at her in silence, Eons hand still in his as listned.

"The Caduceus is a family Jaid, and when one of us is compromised we take no time in making sure that we can do everything in our power to help them. Unfortunately we both know that this here..." she looked at Eon in the bed as the machines around them buzzed and beeped. "... is the best we can do for her. You have a crew behind you Jaid, a family that will help you overcome the fear and pain that is bombarding your soul at this moment, and I can assure you that those strenghts I see are much less depleted than you imagine." She rose from her seat and looked down at him. "We still have a job to do, and Eon wouldn't have it any other way, she would kick your ass before letting you sit here by her side while you are called upon."

Jaid smiled and laughed inside himself at the truth behind her words.

"I'll see you on deck. But for now, take your time." She walked toward the door and stopped for a moment, sensing his words.

"Ut... Thank you."

she smiled and walked out the door.

Mac was still rubbing his eyes and straightening his hair when he reached HU’s quarters. He was on auto-pilot as he buzzed to be let in. HU immediately opened the door and gave him an apologetic smile, as soon as he saw how disheveled and tired Mac was. Mac shot him a sleepy smile and walked inside. Making himself comfortable he thanked HU for the coffee and gave a long yawn.

“It’s amazing, though after all these years I’ve only now realized you are the only person who has made me a coffee.”
“That would be due to the fact I am the only person who interrupts you in the middle of the night.”
“Oh well, why break a habit of a lifetime, huh.”
“Mac, I’ve just received word that Eon has been submitted to the landing base ER.” He said and poured himself a drink. “And before you ask why, there is more, so brace yourself my old friend.
If it wasn’t the coffee that waked him at that moment, it was HU’s last statement. “Ok, wait up a little here mate, let’s take it one step at a time. Now is she stable? And did it have anything to do with those headaches she started to complain about around the same time 00032 and I returned from our mission?”
“Stable, well that is debatable. conscious, no. However yes it stems from the headaches. Though how her condition is connected with it I’m not sure…yet..Though you know me, I won’t be able to rest until I find the cause.”
“Well if anyone can, it’s you old friend. I will visit her shortly.”
“There’s more. 00032 discovered something while at IceReach, an artifact.”
“But, I was with him on that mission and I know nothing of any artifact.”
“It’s a parchment, an ancient one to be precise.”
“Where? And why the hell didn’t that bucket of bolts inform me? I was in charge.”
“Technically ‘bucket of bolts’ is incorrect. It’s actually…”
“Please, I am aware, it’s simply a figure of speech. Now, since he obviously tells you more than he does me, what gives? Why the secret?”
“His intentions were very pure. His main concern was to protect you.”
“Protect me from what man.!”
“You doing something in the name of freedom……Mac, there are more Zionists. Several thousand actually. Living topside in IceReach.”

He passed the scroll to a wide-eyed Mac…

.....................................................................................................

Niva walked as slow as someone in panic and concern could down the corridor. Walking past the main desk, the woman behind it commented how lucky Eon was to have so many people who care about her. But Niva was half listening, more intent on seeing Eon.
She did however shoot her a polite glance and kept walking toward Eon's room. As she stood at the door, she smiled at the sight that confronted her. NMN was fast asleep in a chair next to her bed with his head thrown back, snoring heavily.
"psttttt hey foghorn, wakey wakey"
"Wha, who where. I was only resting my eyes. Honestly.....I was snoring again, wasn't I?"
"Enough to wake the dead.....well you know what I mean." She blushed and moved quickly next to Eon's side. "No responses at all?"
"No, not yet. And to be honest I'm bloody worried. This is yet is not a text book coma. Yet, there are no legions, clots, tumors, trauma. Baffling."
"Well as long as she is stable, then that's the main thing honey. You know that."
"Why are women much stronger at all this stuff than us men?"
"Don't worry, if it makes you feel any better, it's a charade....Well most of the time."
"And this would be?...."
"One of those times."

Niva stood in room a while longer.
She stood sitting with NMN who is exhausted trying to figure out what the hell is wrong with Eon.
All she could do is listen to him, listen to his conclusions about Eon. He was head stuct with what was happening. He loves a mystery to solve but when it comes to involving his friends he hates it. N puts all his energy in it.

"NMN, I am just the Operator here, ur the Medic. But come on, look around u. Look at the history we have gone through. U have to look out the box. This is a mysterious world we r living in. U ruled out legions, clots, tumors & trauma. There is something else, I know it, u know it. Shit man, we all fucking know it.
I know it frustrating for u. But I am here if u need any assisant." Niva said.

"Look out the box huh, Niva....Man, right now I wish I had the answers to everything of everything. Our Crew Member is laying on the bed in a coma, n we have no clue why. Just know it was caused by the headache. N now u want me to look out the box???" NMN replied.

"NMN, u know better than me, n know what needs to be done. She is fine, she has been cleared of all health risks that may have caused her to go into a coma. She is perfectly fine, well with the exceptions of her headache causing her into this coma...Look I am as worried as u r. She is dear to me, she's like my lil'sister. Who found love. We need to do more for her, I know ur doing ur best but not looking out the box.”

“Niva, what the hell r u trying to say. Why r u deciding to talk to me in riddles. I am in no mood to figure out riddles right now. Especially if I can’t figure out what the hell is going on with Eon. Just tell me what ur thinking, it can’t be that bad.”

“Sincerely NMN, I have no clue what the hell is wrong with her, ur the Medic. But my mind right now is going crazy trying to figure what the hell could be wrong. I sit infront of the monitors all day freaking long. Seeing codes is my specialty, u know that. I even have my way of saying smart terms, that u guys say so easily. N I just can’t say them.” She laughed under her breath because they always joked how she said some stuff, but knew what the hell she was talking about. “NMN, all I am saying we have nothing to lose here with her. She is healthy as u say.”

NMN starts looking at her, tyring to get in her mind to figure what the hell she is trying to say but is not being upfront with it.
“Will u spill it already, Niva??? Bad enough Eon, condition is giving me a headache n now u wanna add to that….”

“Fine NMN, I’ll be the stupid one to say. Lets plug her in. I wanna see her code, if anything has changed at all. Physically she is fine, right? Well except the fact that she is in a coma…”

“U know what u r asking…It may be dangerous for her, we have no idea whats going on in her head. N u wanna plug her in??

“Its not my choice, NMN. I am only asking, I haven’t even brought it to UT. I wanted to see her myself n think what u thought of the idea. Shit man, I thought of it now, watching her just lay here. U know she wants us to go all extreme to get her out of the coma. Man she can’t ever sit still, even while being plugged in.. She tends to always flicker one of her fingers. N watching her just lay here still is too painful for all of us.”

Jaid suddenly walked in the door, with a cup of coffee for him n NMN.
Niva walked upto to Jaid, n patted him the shoulder.

“Jaid, I don’t want to say…Just know we all here r trying to bring her back.” Niva put her head down n looked at her hands. N remembered the night that Eon was there for her, when she needed her most. ‘I may have lost my siblings to the Matrix, but in here she is the closet thing I have to a sister. N I will be damned if we don’t try everything. NMN, please go n talk to UT about what we discussed. I think it would sound more promising if its coming from u, the Medic.”

Jaid looked up, with his eyes big looking back n forth to Niva n NMN. “What is it??? Is there a change in her condition??? What is it???” Jaid asked wanted his answer to be answered immediately.

NMN looked at him, n knew he should say something because he looks so lost. “Jaid its just an idea. Nothing has changed in her condition…..Thanks for cup of joe…..Stay with her until I get back. If anything, I mean anything, like if she moves her big toe. U get on the intercom n call me immediately.”

As he walked out the room n called over to Niva. “Hey, u coming??? Or do I need to this myself??”

Niva looked at NMN, n smiled. “She is ur patient not mine, it was just an idea of mine. So I’ll leave u to UT, As I set it up. I just can’t explain it again. U know me, I need to keep moving. So I am off…”

“So u think she is going for it???” Asked NMN.
“As I see it we have nothing to lose. N I need to do something. N my mind right now is working on something new for her…Just hope it works….” She walked out before NMN. N left him there with Jaid, who wants answers…

“Jaid, let me talk to UT before I tell u…That is all I am asking. I will tell u, I promise.” NMN walked out, n headed to UT quarters.

As Jaid was alone with Eon all he could do is just grab her hand n caress her hair. N hope with all heart that Eon will soon be back in his arms.

“Hey Niva!!” Yelled Hitman who running down the corridor towards her.
“What the hell happened to Eon???”

Niva told him all she knew about her condition, as she kept n walking to her area of the ship.

“U seem to be in a rush?”
“Well not really, just my mind is working n u know how I can get at times. U should see her Hitman. She looks like something is missing. IDK. I just hate seeing that way.”

Hitman looked into Niva’s eyes n knew this wasn’t good.


*****


I hope my part is fine....I kinda went on a writing spree.

Jaid looked puzzled as NMN and Niva left the hospital room. After a few seconds, however, he turned toward Eon who was staring at him, wide-eyed. "Hey babe, where am I?" Jaid's eyes welled up with tears, and without answering, he hugged her. They embraced for quite some time. Jaid released and sat down, wiping his nose and eyes. "Uh, you're in Zion's Military Hospital."
"Why?"
"Because you've been in a coma for the past day and half."
"Whaaa?? Just two minutes ago I was talking to NMN in the Medbay of the Caduc."
"That was yesterday. You had a terrible headache. One of the ones you had in bed that one night, except this one was worse than all the other ones."
"Oh, I hope I didn't cause a panic."
"Too late. NMN and I have been keeping close tabs on you. Neither one of us has left your side."
"Aww, you guys are my two favorite guys. Real sweet."
"We do our best. How do you feel now?"
"I feel great. A little drowsy, but fit enough for a mission. Don't we have one scheduled for IceReach?"
"Yeah. Let me get a Doc in here, and give you a clean bill of health. Niva told something to NMN as he left, but I'm not in the loop, so don't get your hopes up yet."
She smiled. Jaid stood up, and walked out the door. A few seconds later, one of the doctors came in with Jaid.

*******

NMN briskly walked towards UT's officer chambers near the council chambers. It was quite a walk from the hospital, but NMN made it. He walked up to the door. Before he could knock, the door swung open. "Come in, angel eyes." NMN smiled, perplexed at the notion she knew he was coming. "How'd you--"
"Come on, N, you should know me by now. I'm just full of surprises. 'Sides, Niva commed me to tell me you were coming. Heard your heavy thumping a mile away." She threw a smile, and giggled a bit.
"Well, did Miss Niva say anything else?"
"No, but the hospital did. Eon is awake and been given mission clearance. We're going to IceReach topside."
NMN smiled and hugged UT. "Oh, I'm so frikkin' happy she's awake!"
"I know hon, but we've still gotta keep it together and get to IceReach."
"Fine, but I do want to ask you something, with your permission."
"Oh, don't give me that Captain-crew horseshit, you know you can speak freely around me anytime."
"I know. Just like hearing you say horseshit. Haha, gets me everytime."
She punched in the shoulder playfully. "Well, out with it, boy."
"Niva suggested we jack-in Eon. Run her through some trainging progs, get her brain activity going. See if her code has changed within her brain. She's obviously reacting to IceReach in some way. I don't know if going there would the best thing for her. But she is on the Caduc and the Caduc's crew sticks together."
"You gotta point honey, but the Council gave this mission specifically to me, black ops. The cover story for this is we're heading out on routine surveillance. I need everyone in this, including Eon. I know it's a risk, but it's a risk I know she and I are willing to take."
"Well, that's all well and fine, but let's just see what's up with her brain, then. She'll get rest on the way to IceReach, cause she'll be dead-tired when I get through with her." NMN saluted UT, stuck out his tongue, and heel-clicked out of the office.

*******

A few hours later, NMN met Eon, Niva, and Jaid on board the Caduc in the Zion Dock. They weren't going to jack inot the Matrix, but into a training prog Hitman made for training between himself and Macleod. Neither NMN or Eon have ever trained in it, so there wouldn't be any unfair advantage.

Eon was waiting to be plugged in, as NMN caem onto the deck and walked over to the chair. Eon smiled at him. "Ready to get your ass kicked by a girl?"
"Haha, you're funny, little lady. I may not have trained for sometime, but I still will hand your ass on a plate."
Jaid came over to jack them both in. "Ok, you crazy kids. Leave the trash talk for inside the prog?" He shoved the two pins into their heads simultaneously. Their eyes flicked and closed.




And that's all for now. if everyone would be so kind, I'd like to write Eon's and my fight scene. Ya'll can write something else, or wait for me to continue.

At the same moment, Hitman met up with UT outside of her quarters. "Cap...UT. I still haven't gotten used to that yet," Hitman said. UT smiled, clasping his shoulder. "Yeah, yeah, you know how I operate, we're all just a bunch of batteries here," UT smiled. "UT, what's the deal with IceReach? Why are we really going?" Hitman whispered. UT dropped her smile. "Hit, you and I have been through a lot together, and I trust you with my life...but this is one time that I can't tell you exactly what's going on. You're just going to have to trust me, mate. Everything is strictly on a need to know basis...and even I don't have ALL the facts...that's why I can't fill you in on the rest of the story. All I can tell you is that IceReach is pretty f'ed up, and we're gonna need all of us in top shape. Listen, Eon's gonna jack into a training program for diagnostic training...you should head down there...they're using the program you and Macleod created for training." Hitman smirked, "This outta be interesting...I'll have to see this one for myself."

Moments later, Hitman boarded the Cad and joined the others. "Sooo...you guys are just UUUUUssssing my stuff without permission," Hitman said jokingly as he approached the group. "Hit...hey, we're just getting started," Niva said, checking over the connections and reading the life sign diagnostics. "Everything looks good here..." she said, giving a thumbs up. "All right, let's see what these crazy kids can do..." Jaid said.

Meanwhile, Mac read and reread the parchment. "How...how can this be possible?" Macleod stammered. "I know it's hard to accept, but this artifact is real...and you know what that means," HU said, lowering his head. "Aye, I get it...but how.......what are we supposed to do? This isn't something we can keep a secret, first of all...and secondly..." HU raised his hand to interrupt. "Yes, yes...Don't you think I've already been through all of this in my head? No one can know about this yet....and I only tell you because you're the one person I know for a fact can keep a secret of this magnitude." Macleod paced the room, looking at nothing in particular, his hands behind his back. "Mac..........Macleod...I know this is hard to swallow. But, this is how it has to be until a ship makes it to IceReach and sees what's there now..." HU rubbed his forehead, then ran his hands through his auburn hair, then smiled at Macleod and said, "You think it sucks keeping a secret? It sucks even more being the first to know things..."

Whiteness engulfed the pair within the Construct. Niva's voice came over the com. "Ok, you two. This prog is EXACTLY like the Matrix. Hit designed it. He's letting me know, you're both gonna get it when you get back out, but that's for another time. Now, before I load it, hand-to-hand?" They both nodded, and stared back at each other. "ok, you're the bosses. Game on."

They shot through a multitude of sceneries before finally ending up into and open air dojo. They were set at opposite sides, garbed in silk training outfits. NMN smugly smiled. "Ready to get punked?" Eon chuckled. "You? Punking me? Ever before? Ha! I see now. You wanted to fight me because I'm weak and this is the only time you'll win."
"No no, I'm your doctor, and it's my job to assess your physical fitness."
"Sure, buddy."

The both grabbed a position and then gracefully gained a postion. After a few seconds of staring hard at each other, they charged. Fist and arms were up in seconds. Jab, block, thrust, block, kick, block, hook, block. Eon saw a punch coming from her left eye, ducked, and slid her foot along the ground trying to get a sweep of NMN. He saw the attempt and jumped. He landed and got a blow on her chest as she gained her height back. She flew backwards, sliding on the ground. NMN looked at her, and smiled. "This is gonna be fun..."

Back on the Caduc, Niva, Hit, and Jaid were watching the fight take place. While Jaid and Hit were intensely watching the feed into the video output, Niva was feverishly running Eon's coding through diagnostics. Jaid was more boisterous then Hit was. "Kick is ass, Eon! Teach him how to be a real doc!"

UT popped her head into the deck. "Niva, hun, how's she doing against NMN?" Niva wa startled by her name, as she wasn't even paying attention to the boys right next to her. "Oh, sorry, UT. I was focusing on the code. She seems alright. I dunno, there's a slight difference to her reaction time. She's slowly getting faster. Like she's seeing NMN's move before he's gonna do it. It's been increasing the entire length of the fight. She's kicking his ass now." UT giggled, leaning closer to Niva. She whispered in her ear. "We're off to IceReach topside. Get some sleep soon, and have someone else take over if them two are still at it. Ok?" Niva nodded. "Aye, Cap. In my opinion, she'll be fine now. When we get to IC, that's a whole different story..." UT acknowledged her concern, turned and headed off to her meeting with Mac.

NMN kicked out to where Eon had been only moments before, knowing she had been off balance, yet his foot connected only with air and he felt a blow to the back of his head.
'Ow! Do you mind.'
'Not at all.'
'I'm supposed to be your doctor here, not your punching bag.'
'You bring me into a dojo and expect me to be nice....are you on something?'
The two of them were standing fairly close together, eye to eye; NMN suddenly dropped to the ground, sweeping his leg around to knock her off balance...again she wasn't there.
'OK, how the fuck did you do that.'
She frowned slightly. 'I'm not actually sure. It's like I can just see what you're going to do. Hey you're the doc here.'

Niva watched their codes dance down her screen and turned to Hitman.
'You feeling up to something.'
'Depends on the something.'
'You want to get in there too, I want to see something.'
'Hell yeah, you know me.'
Jaid grinned at him. 'Be nice to my girl OK.'
'Yeah right, the way she's beating our doc to a bloodied pulp I don't think I need to hold back.'
He lay back on the dentist like chair and winced slightly as Jaid plugged him in, the real world fading in his eyes.

NMN almost fainted in relief as he saw Hit materialize behind Eon and attempted to hit her again, his fist once again finding empty air and his arm locked in her grip. Hit threw a punch at the back of her head and still she moved with impossible speeds, ducking under it.
'How you doing mate?' She gave NMN a shove and turned to face Hit
'Not bad Eon hun, how about you?' He darted back slightly, light on his feet as always.
'Bloody good.' She stepped back into a cat stance, her hands open in front of her.
'I gotta say you gave us a bit of a fright out there passing out and all.'
'So I hear, sorry 'bout that.' She leapt forward, one fist making brief contact with his right arm before he deflected it. 'So why are you here?'
'Niva's orders babe.'
'I see.' She ducked a strike he aimed at her nose and kicked in an arc towards his lower back as she did so, connecting.
They both paused in shock. Neither of them had ever known anyone to manage to break through Hit's defenses, unless you counted Mac, but few could match him with a blade.
'This isn't right.' Eon looked slightly staggered. 'What the fuck's going on?'
'When did you say these headaches started?' NMN stood beside Hit and they both looked at her carefully.
'When 00032 came back from IceReach.....what are you saying?'
'I dunno yet, but I have a feeling that Bot is partly, if not fully responsible for this and I intend to find out exactly what's going on. Time to head back to Zion.'
'Aw shit, do I have to, I hate feeling useless and being in a coma can really do that to you.'
'I'll work as quickly as I can to get you out of that, not promising anything though.'
'Thanks NMN, appreciate it.'


UT sat opposite Mac, the parchment in her hand and frustration printed on every part of her face and her fists clenching in an enormous amount of emotions. Already one member of her crew was comatose and now it looked like she'd have to risk the rest of them too.
'Fuck.'
Mac looked grim. 'I had a feeling that was how you would react.'
'What the fuck does this bot want?'
'Android, and he wants our help.'
UT looked at him and he shrugged.
'That's what he is.'
'I really don't care. OK, so he wants our help....how? and why us?'
'They need the backing of some humans.'
'To use as bait....or are we just the cannon fodder.'
'I honestly don't know UT, this is all HU gave me.'
'Where is the little ass of a bot.'
'Down at HU's.'
'Let's go, I want answers.'
The two stepped out of Mac's quarters to be confronted by NMN, almost crashing into him; he looked up in surprise.
'Oh hey, there you are.'
'What is it NMN?'
'I think I might have something on Eon's coma. It started when that bot arrived here.'
UT looked at Mac, told you it was a bot.' She looked at NMN. 'Are you sure angel?'
'Pretty much, it's too unnatural to be anything else.'
'Well isn't this interesting, that bot has a lot to answer for.'

Hitman rubbed his head. "I've never seen anything quite like it," he said finally, "She's getting faster...I bet if we check out her neural kinetics they're way above normal." Niva's voice sounded in like God's, surrounding them, "You're right, Hitman. With every action, every assault, her neural pathways change and adapt, allowing the neurons and electrons to pass through faster, and thus allowing her to process information faster." Hitman looked around, then said with a smirk, "Yeahhhhhh...what she said." Hitman looked closely at Eon, then spoke outwardly to Niva. "I don't know how it's possible, but her mind is...well, it seems to be evolving..." Eon rubbed her head. "Ugh. I'm not gonna start growing weird appendages or anything, am I? Gills, anything like that?" she said with a slight smile. "Thankfully, no," Hitman said with a smirk, "You'll still be just as hot as ever. Just...well, smarter." With that, the dojo fell away and everything went white. Then they jacked out.

Meanwhile, UT, NMN and Macleod made their way to HU's place. UT knocked on the door, and found that it opened with the force of her knock. She pushed the door open cautiously, and recoiled in shock at the sight before her. Mac pushed past her, as did NMN and they all stopped in midstep. "Awww man," NMN said. "That's not good." "00032...what are you doing?" Macleod asked finally. In the room, the android 00032 stood in the center, holding HU up by one arm. HU was unconscious. "SIR. FOLLOWING ORDERS. MUST COMPLY. FOLLOWING ORDERS. MUST COMPLY. FIND REPLACEMENT KEY HUMAN. MUST COMPLY. CODE CHANGE IMMINENT. COMPLY COMPLY COMPLY."

Macleod stepped toward the android. "Too bad this ain't the Matrix," NMN said, "We don't have quite as good of a chance against him in the real world..." "IT," UT said, correcting him, "Not HIM, IT." Macleod slowly raised his hand, "Android 00032, listen carefully. I am HU's friend, and I need to help him. I do not think he is the one you're looking for. Release him, and let's discuss your orders...maybe we can help you fulfill them..."

Android 00032 looked to Macleod, then back at HU. "ASSESSMENT CCORR...CORRECT. THIS IS NOT THE CORRECT HUMAN. SEARCH MUST CONTINUE." NMN raised an eyebrow at Macleod, then said, "Yeahhh, we'll help you. If you...shut down, we can plug you into the system and give you access to the file list of humans here in Zion...then you will be able to see which human is the one you're looking for, and in far less time..." Android 00032 looked at the humans in the room. "00032 WILL...COMPLY. LOGICAL STATEMENT, LOGICAL RESULT. ACCEPT COMMAND. SHUT DOWN INITIATED." Android 00032 dropped HU, and shut down. "Damn..." Macleod said finally, cautiously approaching HU. "He's alive, and apparently unharmed." UT shook her head. "Let's get this...bot...down for diagnostics. I want to know exactly what's wrong with this thing. Find out everything he knows. And then...let's get our asses to IceReach."

UT didn't leave HU's side until he woke. If anyone has answers, it will be you old friend, she thought to herself. HU slowly opened his eyes and suddenly sat bolt upright in his bed. NMN grabbed him and motioned for UT to pass him the sedation he had previously prepared. Wondering how NMN had anticipated its use, she grabbed it and gripped HU's arm.

"Now honey, this can go either in here or your ass. You call the ball. Personally I don't care either way," she said looking at him firmly yet motherly.
"No...I'm..fine. For a moment there I was wondering where the hell I was." HU looked too confused for NMN's liking. Sure, he thought, he's just been accosted by an android. But there was something different to HU and he couldn't quite put his finger on it.
"Check his eyes, N," UT said, still keeping a firm grip on him with one hand whilst holding the needle in the other. "There's something up here. The lights are on, but no one's home. And that is not normal for him. Anyone else, sure, but HU? Hell no."
"I agree." He grabbed a light and shone it into his eyes, checking for internal swelling or concussion. "What is your name?"
"I...am...not sure" HU looked dazed.
"Oh great, this bot's gonna be picking cotton out of his teeth when I'm finished with him."
"Ummm UT, last time I checked he wasn't wearing any garments."
"Where there's a will, mate, where there's a will. There is a way. I'll put the bastards on it first then I'll......"
"Settle down Tonto...just take a breath. Besides, that mental image just made me throw up in my mouth."
"Can't settle, need answers. If there is any change in his condition, let me know by com, ok? See you in a little while."
"Will do, but dare I ask where you are going?"
"Nope, don't want you to throw up in your mouth again."
They both watched as she turned on her heel and marched out of the room.
"Who was that?" asked HU.
"A crazy woman."
"Where is she going?"
"Oh, let's just say she's off to pick cotton. And leave it at that." NMN shuddered and proceeded to do a complete physical on HU.


"Ok Mac, where is that sonofasentinal?" UT stormed into Mac's office to find Councillors Hyroki and Panthos staring at her. Oooops, she thought to herself as she gave them an apologetic look. Mac was the first to speak.
"UT, it's ok, he's been on standby mode now since we found him in HU's quarters."
"With all due respect, IT just turned HU into a vegetable, and I want answers now, Mac. Forgive me councillors, I....." she trailed off.
"Child, we understand, though you know you will live longer if you listen to your head more and not your heart," Councillor Hyroki said.
She briefly smiled at him, thinking to herself it would be far easier for her to stop the sun from setting and turned back to Mac. "A vegetable?"
"Ok, well not so much a vegetable, but he definitely has amnesia."
"Well, since we are talking about HU, the former would be more appropriate." Mac said softly.
"A council meeting will be held immediately. Mac, UT, let's get as much information on this IceReach as we can before we commence." Hyroki said. "Let's prepare Panthos, there is much to do."

They both left Mac's quarters as they had entered it. Emotionless. And Mac didn't like it.