The Lord of the Matrix

Chapter 4: A New Mission

“In another part of the universe, The Soyokaze gently drifted through space, carrying Backstabber’s unseen henchman, Apollyon. Fighting the boredom of his existence, he briefly wonders why he has not been brought into the conflict yet. 

“Backstabber must be saving the best for last...” he consoles himself. Meanwhile, he had his big screen TV and satellite dish to console himself with. Idly flipping the channels, he stops on a prerecorded fashion show. Watching the models strut, his mind wanders...

 “I need minions. All the big guys have them. They don’t really have to be effective; they just need to worship me. Models would work nicely.” He has a brief vision of pretty girls bowing before him, praising his prow ness, doing his bidding... “Hail, Aporazzo!” they would yell. A flash of green hair on the TV screen catches his eye. “Yes, models would do very nicely!” 

“OK, enough of your chatter people!” Azoric yelled over the crowd. “We came here to discuss our next move, not our love lives.” He glanced at foodmart. “Or lack of one.” The distraught vampire turned away, wondering once again what Ravenchan could possibly see in his overbearing manner. Just the other day, he saw them working out together on the treadmill Azoric had built for her out of some logs and tanned animal hides. The sight of them taking each other‘s pulse had finally driven him away, shamed by the fact that he had no pulse of his own. 

“We had the second terminal in our hands...and we lost it... Our mission is clear- we have to get it back.” 

“Um...” Punkr interrupted, “It’s on the bottom of the ocean floor. How are we gonna get it?” 

“Anyone up for some deep sea diving?” Azoric smiled. “Seriously. First we need to get or make a boat and then the best swimmers can take turns diving for Matrix pieces. It’s quite simple when you think about it!” 

“And do you think Savage is just going to sit back and let us have it?” Marrin’s question brought nods of agreement from the others. 

“Well, we need to prepare of course. Get a few weapons made, let Zor’s arm heal a bit, get Duo some more practice with that cloak. I say we begin the actual operation in one week.” 

Zor motioned for attention with his one good hand. “Yeah, we’ve been relaxing a little too much.” He glanced at Punkr, who had the good sense to look guilty. “We need to get back on track and finish our mission. Then maybe we can all get home.” A wave of homesickness seemed to cover them all. Then, one by one, their resolve strengthened. Plans were made. 

Back on board The Soyokaze, Apollyon was still quite bored. He had pondered the best ways for him to attract some minions. He was going to have to use all of his considerable charms. But first, he would need some practice. So he cranked up the karaoke machine... 

Gonna get you, like a Space Boy! 
Boom boom boom boom! 
I need you babe! 
Gonna get you, I’m your Space Boy! 
boom boom boom boom! 
Take a chance with me baybeee!

Ravenchan power walks around the town, striving to be in the best physical condition possible before the mission begins. Once again she thanks any gods available for letting her find that Sports Authority store, tucked away in a corner of the town market. “Man, those things are everywhere...” she mused. It was sheer joy trying on all her new gear- purple sports bra (no more bouncy-bouncy running through the forest!), black capri length leggings, and most importantly, silver gray New Balance cross trainers, with lilac outlining the “N” logo. Functional and cute! 

She was a little concerned about Fields, though. She seemed a little odd during their shopping trip. Like when she didn’t want to share the changing booth. “Oh, it was OK when she was helping me,” Raven thought, “but when it was her turn... Well you just don’t see a shy model, is what I’m saying. I can’t believe she kicked me out! Perhaps there was something she didn’t want me to see? Maybe she has back acne or something?” She rejected the thought immediately, but the word “back” seemed to echo through her mind, like the tail of a forgotten whisper. 

Back on the Soyokaze...  

Here we stand 
In the shadow of the Master Plan 
Makin trouble where ever we can 
Stir it up (stir it up, stir it up) 
Can’t you see? 
This boy is goin’ cheap 
Knocked down to a basement deal 
But I really won’t stop ‘till I get to the top 
Take it from me 
I’m waitin’ here on my knees 
And I love the way you tease...me, Ow! 
Such a wonderful person! 
Don’t play rough 
Easy when you know your stuff 
Say please and sure enough 
So kind! 
I’m makin’ love to the ultimate mind 

Come on take a look, put it to me baby 
You could feel love come tumblin’ down 
I just wanna wrap myself in you baby 
We can tell the world we’re foolin’ around 
Ultimately, I think she’s toying with me 
It’s a case of wait and see 
But right now.. I’m gonna keep my pants on 
A to Zed, she’s doin’ it to my head 
We don’t need to go to bed 
You’ll find, to make love to the ultimate mind... 

“Marrin,” said Zor, “where the heck are you taking me?” The question was asked as Marrin drug him by his good hand out of the city and into the surrounding woods. 

“I told you I was going to make you feel better,” she answered as they came to a familiar looking pond. 

“Ah...” replied Zor, “a romantic lakeside interlude. How sweeeeeeet!!!!!” This last word was yelled as Marrin picked him up and flung him into the water. He struggled with his casts underwater before righting himself and coming up for air. “Jesus, Marrin! I though you wanted to help me, not kill me!!” 

She smirked at him before replying. “Notice anything different? How’s that arm feel?” 

He wiggled his fingers, surprised by the lack of pain, then rolled his shoulder experimentally. “Feels good. How’d you do it?” 

“This is that healing pond foodmart keeps dragging Raven off to for her feet. Frankly I’m surprised no one’s told you about it sooner. Perhaps this Q person has reasons of her own for keeping you in the hospital.” Zor was baffled by this observation, but he soon forget about it as he began pulling off his now mushy cast. When he was free of it and back on dry land, he looked around. 

“What? No picnic lunch?” he asked. Marrin just glared at him... 

“What do you think I am? A friggin’ Iron Chef? It’s been a long time since I’ve needed to cook anything. Need I remind you that I prefer my meals.... rare?” She gave him a look that Zor decided he should not interpret... 

On the Soyokaze... 

Show me the meaning 
Of being lonely... 

foodmart was in a black mood. He had seen Raven doing her power walk around town, but he could not think of a good reason to approach her. The last time he had intruded during her work out cool down, she said “Leave me alone, Food Spot! No, wait... Food Spot, sweetie, I really could use a foot massage...” He had eagerly complied, overlooking her messing up his name. He was beginning to think there was hope when Azoric came in, telling him to get cracking on building the boat. foodmart knew Azoric had given him the assignment knowing that vampires dislike crossing water. So here he was, on the shore, listening for Raven’s approaching footsteps. He had to do something to win her over! 

He quickly jumped in the hated seawater when he heard her nearby. “Help! *gurgle, cough, cough* Heeeellllppp!!! *cough, cough* Can’t swim!!” As expected, Raven came running to drag him out of the water. 

“Quickie Mart, you idiot, what do you think you’re doing?” she yelled as she pulled him out. 

“The Matrix...*cough, cough, sputter* had to get it...*cough* for you....*gurgle, cough* it’s all....for ...you.....” His eyes rolled up into his head. Raven quickly searched for his pulse. There wasn’t one. The sun was setting as the song “My Heart Will Go On” began to play in the background. 

“foodmart! Why didn’t you just tell me you liked meeeee????” 

Punkr and Duo had been practicing their surfing further up the beach when they heard someone screaming. They ran over to find Raven kicking the unliving crap out of foodmart as he laughed hysterically and rolled in the sand. 

“You jerk! Of course you don’t have a pulse! You idiot! Don’t you know that salt water will make the color run in these clothes???!!!” *kick, kick, kick* 

“Ow! Ow! Ow! oh, it was worth it!!!” 

Punkr and Duo just stared at them for a while. 

“So, Duo, what do you say to a little Beach Blanket Bingo Party tonight?” Punkr asked. 

“Man, I don’t know. I really don’t think I should be using this cape just to whip up some girls for you,” Duo replied. 

“Not just girls, my friend! Amazon girls! ha ha!” They left Raven still beating up foodmart and continued to argue over the party as they walked along the shore. 

TODAY’S MISSION... FAILED!