Some of you veterans know this story well, as it was my ongoing fan fic for over a year. I've decided to return it to where it started...

Characters and story except for Matrix Characters are copyright of Hitman. ...so don't steal my stuff, kay?

As the doors on the ship closed, Hitman couldn't help but wonder the same two questions he wondered every time he passed the metal plaque on the wall. He read the commission date, September 16, 2077, as well as the manufacturing location, Maryland, USA1, before settling on the name of the ship. It was then, as always that he asked himself the same question. "Who the hell would name their ship the Viagra? And for that matter, how did I inherit a ship called the Viagra?" Hitman thought these were pretty important questions. Granted, the Viagra was one of the fastest ships in the fleet, but having a ship named after an impotence pill just wasn't right. Every time he received messages from the other captains in the fleet, he just knew they couldn't help but snicker. Hitman understood; hell, he'd probably do the same thing in their position.

Hitman sat in the captain's chair and sighed heavily. The Viagra was out on patrol searching for signs of the machines. It'd been quiet lately. Too quiet. The elders were nervous. The Matrix had seen very little agent activity lately, and the sentinels in the real world had all but disappeared. It seemed fishy, to put it mildly. The council had instructed the Viagra to patrol the lowest depths of what they believed to have once been New York City for any signs of machine activity. A simple scout mission. So why was Hitman so uneasy? He knew that a few other captains were fairly nearby: Oracle 2.0 of the Capricorn and Macleod of the Watcher, who were two of his closest friends (even though they probably laughed the hardest when Hitman told them the name of his ship); yet, something about this mission just didn't sit well.

"Hitman...we got problems..." The voice belonged to Solo, Hitman's number one and best friend. "Something's coming our way...something HUGE..." Hitman didn't like the sound of that at all. Hitman looked at Solo, then at the monitors. "Solo...take us in. Let's see what we've got down there." "Surely you must be joking...you want to investigate instead of lying low?" Solo questioned. Hitman grinned and said, "I'm not joking...and don't call me Shirley..." Solo laughed. "All right then...you do know how to take the edge off a situation...here we go." The Viagra's engines hummed softly as it skimmed the surface of what used to be Central Park. Few landmarks remained as what used to be one of America's greatest metropolises now lie in nearly unrecognizable ruin. The Empire state building was one of the few remaining New York standards, and even it was covered in debris and dust. As they approached it, however, both Hitman and Solo became extremely uneasy. Then they saw why.

"Sweet fancy Moses...what the hell is THAT?" As Solo pointed, Hitman's eyes grew huge and his jaw dropped. At first glance it appeared as though the Empire State Building was breathing. But both men knew better. As the grew closer, they realized that it was much much worse. It was a swarm. The biggest swarm of sentinels ever assembled. "We've gotta warn the others...NOW!" Hitman shouted. Solo grabbed the controls and began to back away to keep from drawing attention...but it was too late. One sentinal on the outside edge of the swarm had already sensed the Viagra's engines. The swarm surged, bulged, and then all turned in their direction. It was about that time that he knew he'd need a new pair of underwear...very very soon..."Get us out of here!!" Hitman shouted again. Solo masterfully spun the Viagra 180 degrees and accelerated away from the swarming Sentinels.

As they surged after the ship, neither Solo nor Hitman could get over one simple fact: They were on board THE VIAGRA. Despite the obvious gravity of the situation, the two couldn't help but crack jokes. "You know why they're after us, right, Hitman?" Solo queried. Hitman grinned. "Yeah, of course...even the machines know the power of Viagra!" Solo laughed. "So...now what do we do?" Hitman wiped his brow. "Well, Solo, old chum, I think it's time we went to plan B." Solo glared at Hitman. "What am I, Robin to your Batman? Don't ever call me 'old chum' again!" "All right, all right...no need to get snippy," Hitman quipped, "OK...plan B is simple...we haul @$$ outta here." Solo grinned, "I guess that's why you're the captain...but, uh, don't you think we should radio for help?" "Yeah...that's the second part of plan B."

The Viagra skimmed the surface of the scorched earth as its pursuers surged after it. The swarm surged and then split into three groups which attempted to close in on all sides.

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"They're closing on us, boss," Solo said, a bit nervous. Hitman grinned. "I learned this from an old movie back when I was plugged into the Matrix...remember Top Gun?" Solo smiled, "Yeah, of course...it's a classic..." Hitman looked at the monitors. "We'll hit the brakes, and they'll fly right by us." Solo looked a bit sheepish, then replied, "You sure about that? I mean, they probably saw that movie too..." Hitman grinned. "Good one, Solo...on my mark. 3...2...1...now!!!" The swarm moved and surged in on all sides. The Viagra tilted forward at a nearly 90 degree angle and the swarm closed in on itself, destroying most of the machines. "Vertical lift, NOW!" The Viagra shot straight up, spun around and high tailed it for the nearest underground tunnel.

"This is Captain Hitman, can anyone read me? We've a serious situation here. Please respond." Hitman waited nervously for a response as Solo navigated the dark, silent tunnels. "This is Captain Hitman...we've an emergency situation here...come back..." Hitman hoped to receive word from Macleod or Oracle 2.0, but instead his response was the voice of a stranger. "This is Truth of the Velocity....you've got trouble?" Hitman relaxed a little. "You could say that...we've got the biggest swarm of sentinels since the 6th war down here...looks like they're gearing up for something...something big..." "OK Hitman...I hear you. I'll escort you back to New Zion...by the way, what ship did you say you were with?" Hitman sighed and looked at Solo, who looked away. "The Viagra," he replied. The radio was silent. "Truth? Hitman calling the Velocity, are you there? Truth? Velocity, come in...." The radio remained silent. Hitman became agitated. "Velocity...come in....Aw man...you don't think the sentinels got them, do you?" Another moment's silence, followed by, "hee hee...Truth here... snicker....sorry...radio...snicker...we um...we've got a bad frequency...snicker...Velocity's on its way to escort...snicker....the Viagra." Hitman sighed. "You know, Solo, you'd think I'd be used to this by now..."

Hitman and Solo arrived at New Zion a few hours later, and after meeting with the elders and reporting his findings, Hitman was instructed to jack in to the Matrix to find the new Oracle and obtain whatever information he could. He'd been preparing for this moment his whole life. He would finally get to meet the next Oracle and learn of his path...the path he knew was his ever since he learned the truth...the path of the next One. He also knew he needed a reliable crew. Solo hadn't been home to New Zion in ages, so Hitman allowed him to stay home, despite his protests. Hitman approached Macleod with the news. He was game. "Ach, ye knew I'd be up fer it, dintcha? Ye know I'm always RED on an adventure!" Macleod had a way with words, to say the least. Hitman tried to contact Oracle 2.0, but she was nowhere to be found. Macleod suggested Truth accompany them. Hitman agreed, but with one stipulation. "No VIAGRA jokes, ok? If anyone jokes about that, it's me!" Mac agreed, as did Truth.

The trio headed deep into New Zion's control center and entered the upload room. Macleod eased into the reclining chair. "Ye know, I never admit this...but even though I know the Matrix isn't real, I canna wait to go back to Scotland..." Truth sat in her seat and glanced over at Mac and smiled. "I know what you mean. There is a certain beauty to some things in the Matrix, even if it is all a lie." Hitman sat and said nothing. He was focusing on the task at hand and the knowledge he was about to obtain. The operator spoke. "All right, lady and gentlemen, and I use the term VERY loosely with you two guys, I'll drop you in the Construct and you let me know what you need." Truth smiled. "Well, I can tell you one thing we'll need already." The operator perked up. "Oh? What?" Truth smiled wider, "Hitman's gonna need some water." Hitman glanced over at Truth. "What? Why?" Truth grinned from ear to ear, "You've gotta take your other blue pill!" Mac and Truth burst out laughing. Hitman smirked a little. "That's ok guys...that's OK...you'll see...keep messin' with me..." The operator stepped in, checked everyone's connections and walked back to the control panel. "Enough sit down comedy, people, into the Construct you go."

A blinding flash, and the trio stood in the white nothingness known as the Construct. The operator's voice boomed like an omnipotent being. "What do you need?" Hitman grinned from ear to ear. Macleod looked at him, and smiled. "Go ahead, Hitman, say it..." Truth looked confused. "Say what?" Macleod laughed. "Hitman's been waiting a long time for this..." The operator asked again. "What do you need?" Hitman, nearly giddy now, replied, "Guns. Lots of guns." With that, the seemingly endless rows of every weapon known to man appeared around them. Macleod slapped Hitman on the back, "Ye know, ye almost sounded like HIM too..." Hitman loaded up with several automatic weapons under his black trenchcoat, and then added, "I need my blade, too." A 5 foot diamond edged Katana appeared on Hitman's back. Truth glared at it. "What...is...that?" Hitman smirked. "That, Truth, is a special creation of mine...a combination of the best aspects of every legendary sword known to man...it's kind of my thing. You never know when you'll run into...unsavory characters." Macleod and Truth looked at each other and shrugged.

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The phone rang in apartment 101 of the Heart O' The City Motel on 10th Street downtown. Hitman picked it up. "We're in. Do you know where she is?" The operator typed, and searched the code of the Matrix. "Aha...a nondescript apartment, about 3 blocks from your location...am I good or what?" "Thanks...we'll be in touch soon," Hitman replied. Macleod checked his Desert Eagle, and then said, "Let's go...we've got a date with an Oracle."

3. "We've got a date with an Oracle." Macleod and Truth walked ahead of Hitman through the streets that had once been an everyday part of life; streets that had once been home. As they walked, they could feel the stares of those who had not yet been unplugged...those who were still batteries of the system. Anyone who came in contact with the trio could tell there was something unique about the trio, and most were very afraid. It wasn't just the fact that they were dressed in sunglasses and dark colors; it wasn't the fact that under their long coats they were armed to the teeth. Well, ok, maybe it was partly that. But more accurately, it was the different energy the trio maintained. It was an obvious difference in thought that seemed to surround them like an aura. And, unfortunately, it was this energy that drew Agent Roberts to right to them.

Macleod, Truth, and Hitman turned the corner of 101st and Smith Avenue and could see their destination...at the end of a deserted alley. "There. That's where she is, Hitman," said Truth. Hitman smirked and said nothing. Macleod walked ahead. As they passed under the fire escapes, someone on the third floor was calling the police. "There's a suspicious group of people walking down my street," the old lady said, "Three of 'em...they look like bank robbers...and one of 'em looks like he's got a big sword on his back...I'm so scared...send help right - " With those words, the old lady began to convulse wildly. Her features began to distort and change, almost demon-like, until her face twisted and surged into the face of Agent Roberts. Agent Roberts wore the traditional garb of the Agent: black suit, black tie, white shirt, black shoes, sunglasses; but he was a new breed. Ever since the One had appeared, the system was constantly upgrading Agents to combat what it believed to be the ultimate threat. Agent Roberts smoothed out his tie and looked below. As the freedom fighters passed underneath, Roberts smiled to himself. "This should be easy," he thought, "After all they're...only human."

Hitman continued to walk, pondering what the Oracle was about to tell them. He knew something unbelievable was about to happen, but he had no idea what. Deep inside, he sensed a greater purpose, but at that particular moment, he couldn't help feeling that something wasn't quite right. Hitman smirked a bit. "This is silly. I'm just being paranoid, right?" He said to himself. Out loud, Hitman said to Macleod, "One more block and we're there, old man." Macleod laughed. "Who are ye callin' old?" Truth laughed as well, "Really...you look older than both of us put together!" Hitman opened his mouth to respond when the ground behind them shook with an unholy shudder. Truth and Macleod spun around and drew their weapons; Macleod drew his desert eagle from his left holster and Truth whirled out her twin pistols from behind her back. "Oh sh!t!!! It's...it's..." "Roberts. Agent Roberts. I'm not going to question you. I know who and what you all are. Dead...or alive...you ARE coming with me." He stepped forward, and Macleod and Truth held their ground. "Hm. You're braver...than the rest. Or, perhaps more foolish." He stepped toward them again, and Macleod and Truth looked at each other. Hitman was still behind them and hadn't turned around yet. Hitman's hands twitched, ready for action.

"NOW!!!" he shouted. Truth and Macleod leaped to the left and right of Agent Roberts as Hitman spun with bliinding speed and drew his sword. Hitman saw Roberts draw his sidearm and the whole scene seemed to slow to a crawl. Truth and Macleod both were falling away on either side, twisting round and firing at Roberts. Hitman, drawing his blade from his back and slicing downward from overhead, could see each bullet leaving their weapons and the trails they cut through the air. He could see Roberts' own firearm discharging, the shell casing slowly ejecting from the barrel. As his sword sliced through the air, Hitman prayed his aim was true. Roberts had fired at him, and he knew it was no coincidence. Truth's bullets ripped through Roberts' left arm and chest, yet Roberts' seemed focused on killing Hitman. Macleod also was falling backwards, and emptying his clip on Roberts' right side. He was yelling something, but Hitman couldn't make it out. Roberts' bullet had left the chamber and was coming right at Hitman. Hitman's blade continued to slice downward as the bullet closed in on him. Hitman suddenly felt an inner calm fall over him. It was at that moment that he heard the voice. "Yes, Hitman. You are starting to believe." His blade slashed down, cutting the bullet in half. Macleod and Truth had landed on the ground, weapons smoking. Roberts just stood there, gun drawn, but not moving anymore. Hitman had stopped too, blade still drawn but now extended behind him. Truth looked at Macleod, and Macleod back at Truth. Then they both looked at Roberts and Hitman. Hitman glared at Roberts and Roberts at Hitman. Roberts twitched a bit, moved his mouth as though to speak. The bullet wounds in Roberts were many, and glistened with blood and began to smoke. His lip twitched a bit, and then he lowered his still extended firing arm. Hitman looked at his face. A trickle of blood formed at the base of Roberts' skull. His sunglasses split in the middle above his nose bridge and fell off of his face. Then he separated right down the middle and fell in two equal pieces on either side of Hitman with a sickening meaty splat sound.

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"Oh, that's just gross, Hitman," Truth finally said, getting to her feet, "I mean, really, didja have to go and cut him in HALF? .....ewwwww.....I think I got some Agent on me...." Macleod stood up as well. "Ach...That is pretty nasty work there...I guess that's why they call you the Hitman." Truth smiled, wiping Agent blood from her cheek. "Yeah...keep doing things like that, and you'll never hear another Viagra joke..." Hitman laughed. "All right, all right...let's get going. The system no doubt got word of that little incident, and I'm sure more like him or worse will be on their way here. The Oracle's right upstairs."

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Oh snap! I havent seen this in a long ass time. Thanks for bringing it back, and just in time for the re-birth of MH.

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4. Hitman, Macleod and Truth stood before the Open Arms apartment complex at the end of the alley where they'd just fought Agent Roberts. The clouds drew together ominously above as though warning the trio that they'd not like what was before them. Truth spoke up. "Well, this is it...any famous last words?" Macleod smiled. "I feel like we're about to go before the judge or something..." Hitman smiled back. "Oh come on...what could possibly go wrong?" Truth shot him a glance. "Geez...how's that for famous last words?" Hitman straightened up, and Macleod said, "There's no time to waste. We've got to find out what the Oracle has to say." With that, they started toward the entrance, and Hitman opened the door.

Walking through the lobby, the feeling of anticipation grew for all three as they headed for the elevator. Unfortunately for them, the elevator doors held an ominous sign. "Out of Order!!! ACH!!!! Ye bloody....Ale Spiller!!!!" Macleod cried. Hitman and Truth turned toward him. "Did you just call the elevator an...ale spiller?" Truth asked, half amused and half bewildered. Macleod shrugged, "I'm tryin' not to curse so much, lass," he replied. Hitman smirked, "Yeah, but is that the best you could come up with? Ale spiller? That's just..." "Weird," finished Truth. Macleod shrugged again. "Well, fine. Ye can make fun all ye want, but it's better for me not to curse so much." Hitman looked left, then right. "Guess we're takin' the stairs...to the...15th floor..." Truth smiled. "Come on, we'll make it fun...I'll bet both of you I can make it up there before either of you...I'll bet you your single cell protein breakfast ration tomorrow." Hitman frowned. "Are you kidding? Have you tasted that stuff?" Macleod laughed, "Come on...we're wastin' time." And with that, they started to run up the stairs.

Somewhere around the 7th floor, the trio began to realize a very simple truth: Matrix or no Matrix, fifteen floors is a LOT of stairs. "'We'll make it fun...' she says...what is she on?" Macleod was no longer in such a jovial mood. Truth panted along too, still ahead of the others but nowhere near as chipper as before. "Huff...huff...ok...ok...so it's not so much fun anymore...huff...forget the bet...huff..." Hitman brought up the rear. "Yeah...sure....huff...what happened...huff...to all that...huff...youthful....huff....exuberance?" Truth laughed a little. "Huff...well...at least my ship isn't named after...huff...a little blue pill....huff...." "Always back to that...huff...isn't it? You know...huff...if we weren't on a mission...huff...i've half a mind to turn you over...huff...my knee..." Hitman retorted. Macleod chimed in, "Yeah...well....huff...you've apparently only got half a mind...huff...if you thought taking the stairs....huff....huff....was a good idea....heh heh....huff..." The door to the 15th floor nearly flew off of its hinges from Macleod's force. "Huhhhh....huhhhh... made it.....bout....huh...friggin....time....." Truth leaned on Macleod's shoulder. ".........ow.......that's a lot...of stairs...." Hitman leaned against the door frame. "You've got...a keen grasp...of the obvious there, Truth....all right...enough fooling around. Let's focus. We're going to see the Oracle. She's at the end of this hallway." The trio straightened up, and hurried to the door at the end of the hallway, 1504. Hitman knocked, then reached for the doorknob, but the door opened before he could wrap his hand around it. "Welcome, Hitman, Macleod, Truth. She's been expecting you." The Greeter smiled warmly and invited them into the apartment. "She's in the kitchen...go on in." The trio stepped into the kitchen and immediately smelled cookies. "Don't you love the smell of cookies? I sure do..." Macleod and Truth's respective jaws dropped. "Oracle 2.0...You're the new Oracle? I thought it was just a name you had chosen..." Macleod was in shock. "Oh come on...like you didn't see THAT one coming," Oracle 2.0 replied, "I mean, really...we all choose our names for a specific purpose...consciously or unconsciously...Truth...mine was to be the second Oracle...so here I am, baking cookies in a nondescript apartment...seeing destinies and spinning the future...well, hey, it's better than school...by the way, Oracle 2.0 is such a mouthful...just call me O2, ok? "Now, on to why each of you is here..."

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5. "Before we get started," Oracle 2.0 began, "would anyone like a cookie? I've got milk, too..." All three nodded. O2 pulled the cookies out of the oven. "Well don't just stand there, one of you help me by getting the milk! What, you can't help out just because you're guests? Sheesh..." Macleod reached in the fridge and took out a gallon of milk. Truth took the glasses out of the cabinet. Hitman got clean plates from the dishwasher. O2 served the cookies and Macleod poured the milk. Then the four sat in the living room on the couch.

"Quick question, though, O2...I thought the Oracle was a Program...How are you now the Oracle?" Hitman asked. O2 smiled. "Faster than the rest...that's a good sign. Basically, I'm plugged into the Zion mainframe, where I am linked with remnants of the original Oracle allowing me to have the Oracle's...clairvoyance...and still be, like, human." Macleod smiled. "These are the best cookies I've ever had. I know they're not real and all, but man...I've never had cookies this good!" O2 blushed bashfully. "You really like them? I haven't been at this very long, but the Oracle handbook states that it's important to temper bad news with good cookies...it even comes with a recipe." Truth and Hitman looked at each other. "Bad news," Hitman said. O2 stiffened up a bit, then stood. "Yes, bad news...I guess we'd better get right down to it. The short version goes like this. The machines are preparing to strike again. Hitman has seen it first hand. That swarm of sentinels is only the beginning. They're searching for something...and whatever it is, its the key to everything. We need...." She sighed, took a deep breath, and then said, "We need the One."

Hitman swallowed hard. Here was the moment of truth...his truth. What he had believed his whole life since being unplugged and learning of the legend of the 6 was now about to either be confirmed or denied. "Hitman," O2 said, "I know what you're thinking, and I'm not going to answer that for you. I'll just say what was said a long time ago to another man who wanted to know the same thing. It's like being in love...you just know...balls to bone. Here, have another cookie..."

6. The trio stepped outside just as it began to rain. Truth was finishing the last of her cookie and Macleod drank the last of his milk. "Munch munch munch....these...munch...are the best cookies ever! Munch munch...so what...munch....do you think about what O2 said?" Macleod smiled at her with a mix of bemusement and a little something else that almost seemed to signal feelings of....well, let's just leave it at extreme fondness. "Well," began Macleod, "I think that O2's either very clairvoyant or she's gone off the deep end...heh heh....OW!!!" Just as he finished his statement a cookie fell from high above and hit him on the head. "I HEARD THAT!" shouted a voice from about 15 floors up. "Ach....ye....ye....MEAT SPIDER!! You'll pay for that!!!" Truth and Hitman looked at each other and then back at Macleod. "Meat..." began Hitman. "...Spider...?" finished Truth. Macleod rubbed his head. "Yes...the cursing, ye know...I'm tryin'...Anyway, Hitman, what d'ye think about what O2 told us?" Honestly, Hitman wasn't sure what to make of the new Oracle's proclamation. He did know that the Oracle had a tendency to state what one needed to hear at the time (he had a sneaking suspicion that that too was in the Oracle Handbook). "All I know is that we've gotta report back to New Zion...let the council know what's going on and figure out our next move." Macleod pulled out his cell phone. It rang...and rang...and rang...Truth looked at him with concern. Finally, "Uh...Freeyourmind speaking." Macleod looked at his companions, then said, "Who's this?" "I said, Freeyourmind speaking...in that sentence, Freeyourmind is the subject, which would be me...what part of English don't you understand?" Macleod frowned. "Where's our operator?"

"Well," Freeyourmind began, "He's not here anymore." "Why not? What happened?" "Well, see, there's like this monthly drug test, and your previous operator failed...miserably...so he's been replaced...by me!" Macleod sighed, then turned to Hitman and Truth while placing his hand over the mouthpiece of the cell. "Our operator failed his drug test so now we've got a new guy..." Truth and Hitman both moaned simultaneously. "All right new guy," Macleod said to Freeyourmind, "We've gotta set some groundrules. First off, your name's too darn long. I'm gonna call you FYM for short." FYM replied, "Wait...isn't FYM the same number of syllables as Freeyourmind? You're not really gaining anything by shortening it, you know?" Macleod growled. "Look, I outrank you! I'm a captain!!! Now you'll do as I see and get us what we need when we need it!!!"

FYM smirked over the phone, "Well, ya don't have to get all snippy...just making a little small talk...sheesh...Now, what do you guys need?" Macleod sighed, then said, "OK, new guy...we need an exit." FYM smiled and said, "One exit, coming up...there's a phone booth at Wells and Lake..."

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7. "Wells and Lake....why does that seem so familiar?" Truth asked. "Who cares? Let's just get back to New Zion," Macleod said with conviction and exhasperation mixed in his voice. The trio walked out of the alley and into the crowd walking the streets. People travelled to and fro, living out their existence in blissful ignorance. Hitman couldn't help but feel pity for them. These people were like sheep, mindlessly serving invisible mechanical masters...and yet, he also could see how there were those who betrayed the cause to go back to the blissful ignorance that was life inside the Matrix. Still, he wouldn't change it for the world. He knew the truth, as did his companions, and that was what would save them in the end.

"There's the booth," Macleod noted. Truth looked both ways. People walked about, and a few gave them brief nervous looks but all kept on their way...on their way that is, until a little boy stopped next to Truth. He stood there, staring at her. He was no more than 8 and had huge brown eyes. "Hello there, cutie," she smiled at him. " 'scuse me, miss lady ma'am, but why do you have a gun?" the child asked innocently. "There are bad people in this world, sweetie, and there are some people that need to carry guns to protect others from the bad people." "Oooh...I see..." the boy said. Almost at once, the boy's eyes glazed over, and he began to shudder...shake...and then contort. His face and features changed, his clothes faded to black and he transformed into an Agent...albeit an extraordinarily short one...after all, he did take over an 8 year old's body. "NOOO!" screamed Truth. "Yes. We've been waiting for you." The boy agent reached inside his newly formed jacket and revealed what appeared to be a disproportionately large gun. "Ach! Look out Truth!!" Macleod screamed and dove onto the boy Agent, knocking the gun out of his hand. The boy Agent slid out from under Macleod and took up a Jiujitsu fighting stance. Macleod looked at Hitman. Hitman smirked and then said, "I got this..." The boy Agent smirked at Hitman, adjusted his sunglasses and leaped into the air, kicking Hitman square in the jaw. Hitman stumbled back. "What the?" he asked, almost stupidly. "Well that was unexpected." The boy Agent spun round and kicked at Hitman 3 times. Hitman blocked all three and stepped back again. Then the kid threw a triple punch flying kick roundhouse combination, which Hitman skillfully blocked, blocked,ducked, ducked, and then caught the roundhouse. "That's it....enough Mr. Nice Guy..." Hitman growled. The Agent was surprised. Then Hitman held on to the Mini Agent by his still extended leg, and began to spin him around, faster and faster and faster, and just as he was about to let him go, the boy agent passed out and left the kid's body.

Truth ran to the boy's side. "Are you alright?" The kid puked on Hitman's shoes. "Ugh...I'll take that as a no," Hitman said, curling his lip in disgust. Then the kid jumped up. "Hi pretty lady! I must've fallen asleep! My mom's probably expecting me home, so I better get going...bye!" And with that, the kid skipped down the street, never having any clue about what had just happened, although the next day he would wonder why his foot hurt.

"That was ugly," Macleod said, "that just proves that ANYONE can be our enemy in here...we've gotta be more careful. Let's get out of here." Macleod called Freeyourmind on the cell. "FYM, we're at the exit." Freeyourmind replied, "Got it. Dialing now...see you in a few minutes."

8. Freeyourmind unplugged the trio as their minds rebooted from the Matrix. Macleod stood and faced Freeyourmind, arms folded and anger welling up inside. "So...you're FYM, huh? Ye don't look like much of an operator..." Freeyourmind stepped forward, grinning from ear to ear. "Yeah? Well I'm all you've got right now. I could end up being all that keeps an agent from taking a chunk out of your hide...so I suggest you be a little bit nicer to me, OK?" Macleod cracked his knuckles and then his neck. Truth put her hand on his shoulder. "Come on, Mac. Let's go get some grub." Hitman smirked. "I'd almost prefer grubs or any other insect over that runny goo we call food." Freeyourmind laughed and called after them, "Hey, at least you don't know what it's made out of..."

Macleod and Truth went to their respective chambers, which were directly across from each other. Hitman called to them, just as they were about to enter, "We've got to meet the Council in thirty. Don't get too comfortable...you crazy kids," and walked down the hallway, snickering. Macleod and Truth looked at each other. "What do ye think that was about?" Macleod asked. Truth shrugged. "Well...ye know, we don't get to spend much down time together...come over for dinner, won't ye?" Truth smiled. "Well, it has been a long time since I've had time to sit down and eat...ok. I'll be right there."

Hitman walked down to the Gathering Chamber, where the Council would meet to discuss matters pressing Zion. He breathed in the air deeply...then started coughing and realized it was recycled. "Always forget that, koff...don't I..." He sat on the table facing the council. Time passed, as it tends to, and the members of the council began to file into the Chamber. This was a collection of the greatest freedom fighters the Matrix had seen since the days of the One. Ultimate Trinity, Xehirut, Crahan, Wildcard, Tom, Iamatwin (who wasn't), Terikan, Jetfire90, to name a few. "Where are those two," Hitman thought to himself. Hitman stood before the Council. Ultimate Trinity spoke first.