MORPHEUS IN THE UNDERGROUND, Chapter 1

Morpheus preferred to stand to make his reports to Zion Council. "Last time I reported to you that the machines accept our presence on the Matrix and that the sentinels leave our ships alone. That has not changed. I continue to believe, however, that any attempt to liberate anyone, or even for us to approach a 'field', would end the peace and that the machines would at once renew their attack upon Zion. With a heavy heart I believe that Captain Niobe's call to resume operations would be utter folly."

"Captain Morpheus, you and your crew spend more time in the Matrix than here in Zion. Could you tell the Council," asked Councillor Hamann, who knew very well already, "what you do do on the Matrix?"

"Yes," butted in another Council member, "and any news of Neo or Trinity."

"The Oracle," replied Morpheus, speaking calmly and firmly, as always, "believes that Trinity is dead. I do not doubt the truth of it. She is not clear as to Neo's fate, but she says that he will return to the Matrix. She will not say when."

"To the Matrix, but not to us, to Zion?"

"That seems to be her message, but she is not definite. Quite possibly she does not know."

"Please continue with your report, Captain," prompted Hamann,

"Yes, Councillor. We have become very interested in the sentient programs which 'inhabit' the Matrix. We have always known that the Agents were programs with a human appearance. Since Neo joined us we have encountered other programs, some working for the machines, others apparently free agents. The Oracle is a program, as is Seraph, her protector. We encountered a powerful and hostile program called The Merovingian who had – and still has - many other programs under his control. One, The Trainman, controls the movement of programs between the Source and the Matrix. Unfortunately, this program has proved hostile and intransigent."

Another councillor broke in with a question. "Is there any possibility that one of these programs could become another Smith?"

"The Matrix changed subtly after Smith's defeat. All indications are that it is no longer possible for a program to replicate as he did. However, there are many dangers in the Matrix. We still do not know how Smith was able to subvert Bane, but we do know that it went far beyond merely recruiting him as a traitor: Smith appears to have taken over Bane's mind completely. Essentially, Bane had become Smith."

Many councillors stirred uneasily in their seats at this. The questioning of Morpheus went on for some time.

Afterwards, Morpheus, Link, Niobe and Councillor Hamann gathered for a private conversation. "You noticed that the Council is becoming a little hostile?" asked Hamann. "Many feel that when resources are stretched in re-building Zion's defences and military strength, we cannot afford to indulge in dabbling in the Matrix. Fortunately, the need for intelligence is recognised."

"There is also fear," added Niobe, "They think that what you are doing on the Matrix could bring the machines down on our heads."

"And yet you would do more, not less?" queried Morpheus.

"I would take the fight to the machines. If we just sit here, waiting for them to attack, then we are waiting for our certain destruction."

"I agree," said Morpheus. "But we are weak and the enemy is strong. If we are to attack, we must know the enemy's weakness and have the weapons to exploit it. That is what we are about; it is what I have devoted my life to doing."

"Have you found anything, anything at all we can use?" asked Hamann, hopefully.

"Have you heard of Sati?"

"No, Morpheus, is that another program?"

"Yes, Councillor, and a very remarkable one," said Morpheus. "She is a young child, gifted and creative, but a child. The Oracle and Seraph look after her, but her 'parents' are two programs at the Source. This is the first case known to us of programs procreating. Interesting don't you think?"

"Remarkable," acknowledged Hamann. "And you think this … 'child' is a weakness we can exploit?"

Niobe snorted, but said nothing. Morpheus ignored her. "No! But she is a sign that things are changing, rapidly. It is not the machines that are important, it is the programs which direct them! Programs that create small children and care for them are not going to be inimical to human beings; they can relate to us."

Niobe was sarcastic. "That is your great hope, Morpheus?"

"It is a cause for hope. There are others. Sentient programs do not originate on the Matrix – or at least that has not happened yet – they come from the machine mainframe, the Source. We have been looking for a route from the Matrix into the Source; we now know that some programs have been creating their own routes."

"Like the Merovingian?" asked Hamann.

"That's right, Councillor. His establishments are staffed entirely by programs smuggled out of the Source, mostly 'exiles' – sentient programs from early versions of the Matrix. The same applies to many of his customers. One customer has been supplying us with information. Thus we have learnt of a program called Jareth. Link, tell them about Jareth."

Link hurriedly cleared his throat. "This Jareth was a regular at the Merovingian's nightclub, a high-spending customer and a classy dresser, a dandy. He was in the Merovingian's inner circle, and our source does not like them one bit! How did she describe them, Captain?"

"A bunch of pretentious poseurs: arrogant, self-indulgent and self-regarding."

Link grinned "Oh yes. That's Jareth alright. But he's different to the rest of them: he is a new program - more sophisticated, not a relic from the past. He and the Merovingian were close for a while. Then there was a fight; they clashed over Persephone – the Merovingian's 'wife' – and Jareth challenged the Merovingian to a duel in front of everyone!"

"Sounds quite a rumble," said Niobe. "Wish I'd seen that!"

"Me too," said Link. "Jareth never returned to the Hel Club, and we thought the Merovingian had had him terminated. Then we discovered the Labyrinth. Niobe, you should see that place!"

"She might," said Morpheus. "I am looking for volunteers to help me explore it."

_ -oOo- _

The battered old hovership nosed along the tunnel; inside was a crew of five: Morpheus, Link, Niobe, and two trainee operators. The Council had refused to allow more than three of the few remaining skilled operators on the same mission. Trailing the hovership, just outside the EMP range, was a single sentinel. Hovership crews were still getting used to this constant, passive surveillance; but the consensus was that you were OK provided there was only the one sentinel.

Once hooked into the Matrix, Link spent some time searching for the Labyrinth. "We think the Labyrinth was created by hacking the basic Matrix code," he explained to the others. "It can be accessed via the Matrix, but it's not a part of it. Jareth has made it his kingdom; he even calls himself "King of the Goblins."

"Goblins!" exploded Niobe, "What the hell?"

"We have no idea," said Morpheus, "But I intend to find out. … And Link is correct: the Labyrinth is NOT part of the Matrix. That is why it is taking him so long: he has to find a place in the Matrix close to an opening to the Labyrinth – and they are elusive. … How is it going Link?"

"I have found a plush neighbourhood. The way to the Labyrinth is close by, I just can't pin it down. But it's the best I can do."

_ -oOo- _

Niobe and Morpheus looked around; it was a most salubrious suburb: large and immaculate homes were separated by well-tended lawns and neat gardens. The few vehicles on the broad avenues were new, highly polished and expensive. Here and there flagpoles proudly upheld the Union flag. Everything signalled order, calm, privilege and comfortable wealth.

"Is this for real?" joked Niobe.

Morpheus grinned, but gave a serious answer. "It is realistic; the Matrix is a masterpiece of realism. This area is just as much a part of the late twentieth century as office blocks and the freeway. However, the place we are going to is different, a work of the imagination. The rules are different there."

Morpheus put the cell phone to his ear. "Operator, we're in. Any pointers to the Labyrinth?"

"Look for a park with trees and grass and a stream running through it."

"Got you, out."

The two wandered the empty streets looking for a park. "Where is everyone?" Niobe asked quietly. It was not the sort of place where folks shouted.

"This is a dormitory suburb. Everyone is in those big city office blocks earning the money it takes to live here."

"Not everyone. I can hear children, lots of them."

"Good. That could be our park."

It was an elementary school, but a polite inquiry of waiting parents sent them in the right direction. The park was larger than they expected, with large pools and quaint stone bridges over flowing water. It was deserted apart from a few dog walkers. Then Link 'phoned, "Morpheus, you are practically on top of the Labyrinth, it is there!

They spent an hour scouring the place looking for any anomaly which might point to the existence of the Labyrinth. Frustrated, they found a lone bench and sat down. Morpheus called Link to ask what was going on.

"Maybe it only becomes visible at certain times," Link suggested in reply.

"It could be after dark, that would make sense. How long 'til sunset?"

"About an hour."

"When does the moon rise?"

"I'll have to get back to you on that!"

"Get Kid to work on it."

"Yes, Sir! … Sir, hold on, something's happening … There's a sentient in your vicinity, and it's moving around fast."

"Is it an Agent?"

"No, Sir! … And it's not in human form."

"Track it! That sounds like something from the Labyrinth. What does it look like?"

"Don't know, Sir, not yet. Me and Kid are working on that."

"Don't loose it!"

"It's gone! Damn, damn, damn!"

"You lost it?"

"It disappeared, vanished, switched off. It went suddenly, like someone flicked a switch."

"OK, there's a callbox by the park entrance; it's raining, we aren't going to hang around in the wet."

Back in the real world, Niobe and Morpheus studied the recording that Link had made. "There was a girl with a big dog in the park," asked Niobe, "could it have been the dog?"

Link shook his head. "There is the dog," he pointed, "And there is the girl; nothing special about either of them."

Kid suddenly yelled. "Got it, Sir! It was a bird, flying about. See!"

"Good work," said Morpheus, who turned to the other trainee. "Keep a look out for it, it could return anytime. … Link, we must be ready to return to the Matrix at short notice."

"Sir, could I enter the Matrix now, just in case?" pleaded Kid.

"OK, Kid, it's time you got some experience. Keep in touch with Link and don't go far from that callbox."

"Thank you, sir. I'll be careful, sir!"

Kid was soon at the park and on his cell phone to Link. "It's getting dark and I'm getting soaked. You might have sent me in with waterproofs!"

Link chuckled, "It's not real rain you know, tough guy."

In the Matrix, the rain stopped for a while, the moon came out and Kid got bored. There was far off thunder and lightning – a storm was approaching. Then Link called: "Your bird is back, Kid, any chance you can see it?"

There was an un-expected double flash of nearby lightning, and Kid thought he saw something. "There is something in the sky, could be an owl."

"I see it too! The Captain is coming in to join you; stay where you are."

A few minutes later Morpheus and Kid were running together through pelting rain, along deserted streets, following Link's directions. Then Link announced that the owl had stopped, and they looked around for it, Morpheus using a flashlight.

Link's voice crackled loudly from the cell phone, "I knew it! Sir, he is in that house, it's Jareth! The owl was Jareth!"

"As I suspected. Where is Niobe? Send her in! … Oh, and give her a set of walkie-talkies." Morpheus looked around, buffeted by wind, backlit by lightning. "Kid, we should be seeing the Labyrinth, where is it? Stay here and wait for Niobe, I'm going to look round the back of the house."

Moments later Niobe emerged from the darkness, already talking to Link, "Operator, I'm in, and Kid is here with me." She looked around, "Kid, where is Morpheus, what is going on?"

After a hurried explanation, Niobe raced round to the back of the house, through the side gate which Morpheus had forced open, with Kid close behind. Morpheus was standing on the back porch, gazing out over their heads. He was stock still and did not seem to see or hear them. Only when they joined him on the porch did he acknowledge their presence, pointing out into the backyard. "Turn and look, there is the Labyrinth, and at the top there is Jareth's castle, his hideout."

They turned, and two jaws dropped. Where there should have been only darkness was the great Labyrinth laid out before them, and beyond it a hill, rising in the distance and topped by a large building, the castle. The Matrix storm had deposited its rain and gone, but the land before them was dust-dry, the vegetation little more than parched grasses, dried twigs and branches.

Morpheus spoke to Link, "Operator, we see the Labyrinth."

Morpheus put his phone away. "We have to split up; someone has to stay here, where the Labyrinth intersects with the Matrix. That will be you, Kid; on this spot you are in both the Matrix and Labyrinth worlds and the connection between the two will not close while you stay put. Niobe, we shall meet whatever the Labyrinth has in store for us."