*Somewhere in the Matrix, a phone rang.*
*”Yeah?” he said.*
*”Is everything in place?” she asked.*
*”You weren’t supposed to relieve me,” he said.*
*”I know, but I felt like taking a shift.”*
*He almost laughed. “You like him, don’t you? You like watching him.”*
*”Don’t be ridiculous.”*
*”We’re going to get him killed,” he said. “Do you understand that? He’s going to die just like the others.”*
*”Oneira believes that he is the One.”*
*”Do you?”*
*”I . . . it doesn’t matter what I believe.”*
*”You don’t, do you?” he said.*
*”If you have something to say, I suggest you say it to Oneira.”*
*”I intend to, believe me.* ***Someone*** *has to.”*
*Somewhere in the Machine City, a number fell into place.*
*”Did you hear that?” she asked. “Are you sure this line is clean?”*
*”Yeah, ‘course I’m sure.”*
*”I better go,” she said.*
The police officers advanced down the darkened hallway. There were four of them, with weapons drawn. The hotel had been abandoned after a fire and there were shadowy burn marks wherever they pointed their lights. The call had been traced to Room 303. The biggest cop kicked in the door and they rushed in behind their guns. Read more »