The sun set on another busy day in Megacity. The last of the sun fell down behind MegaCity International Bank. And, for a short moment the silhouette of a man could be seen on the rooftops. If you had blinked, you would have missed him.

A loud thud was followed by a crack as the concrete gave way to the immense power delivered upon it. In the epicentre, a sole man crouched. The same man in fact who was briefly seen, not less than 40 stories up, mere moments ago. The man, smartly dressed in white slowly rose to his full over-bearing height. As he got up, the man adjusted his tie and collar using the murky reflection of a puddle nearby. The few city bankers, shoppers and tourists that littered the streets stood frozen in amazement. A few shopping bags dropped to the floor, spilling their contents, as their owner let go in shock of what they had just seen. The rest just stood there catching flies. The man, however, seemed unconcerned. He had seemingly just performed a miracle, but simply pulled his shades from his jacket pocket, sliding them onto his face, before swaggering off down the street. As he walked away, he flicked a phone from his trouser pocket and made a call. The conversation, if that is what you would call it, was concise.  "This is GreyMountain. I need an exit."

With that, the man ended the call and slid the phone back into his pocket. Without pause or hesitation, the man pulled out his concealed pistol. As quick as lightning he loaded, cocked and pulled the pistol over his right shoulder. And, without looking back, pulled the trigger three times. The man holstered the weapon and seemingly vanished. Behind him, not more than 20 metres back a man slumped against the wall and slid down to the pavement. Blood poured from the new holes that now adorned the man's chest and head. The rifle, which moments ago was pointed at the smartly dressed man, dropped to the floor and was ominously silent.

GreyMountain had barely got the jack out of his head before he heard the ominous footsteps pounding towards him. "Goddammit Grey! Just what the hell is your excuse this time? Don't tell me, someone looked at you funny? Or they were waiting for you?" Screamed Aracher, Captain of the True Grave.

"I just wanted to spice things up. The place was empty, and I just needed to unwind." Responded GreyMountain sarcastically.

"It was a rhetorical question." Yelled Aracher, his face red with rage and his mouth positively foaming. "The mission was a simple one. Not even you should have been able to compromise it. You were there solely to await contact from our Machine spy. There was to be no combat, no flirting and certainly no showboating. All of which you do within 10 minutes."

GreyMountain risked a smile as remembers the particularly nice blonde Zionite he bumped into Downtown. "And wipe that smile off your face." Aracher said, his breath now getting short after his yelling marathon. "Your antics could have compromised months of undercover work done by our Operative. And not only that, but your little fire-fight could have attracted the attention of programs a lot more powerful that building security. And, despite what you may think, you're not Neo."

"Oh back of Arac...SIR. We got the intel you've been so antsy about. And so what if I kicked up a little fuss toward the end. I was miles away from our meet by then. There was no possible way I compromised our little spy."

"You got it? Thank god. It's about time too. This operative has us running all over the place for it. What did you have to do get it? Last time she had me going through 15 different hardlines all over the city, followed by a subway trip and venture into the sewers." Aracher said, his temper turning to tension as the good news he was hoping for was delivered.

"It was quite simple really." Replied GreyMountain, giving off a little chuckle at the thought of Aracher knee deep in the sewers. "With everyone interested in Wrights presence in Downtown, and those new programs that are popping up, it was relatively simple. Just did a few hardline runs and she was satisfied."

Aracher responded with a rather annoyed grunt and a mumble about it being easy.  The door from the crew quarters opened with a loud creak before banging against the wall.  A sleepy-eyed Rauni yawned before stretching.  Her grey tank-top rising up to reveal the toned slender chest that now had Aracher and GreyMountain staring intently.  Stifling another yawn Rauni quickly said, "I'm up here guys."  The two operatives shook their heads before turning giving their full attention to Rauni.  "What's with all the noise?  I was having a rather nice dream about Ghost.  We were..." Noticing the somewhat disinterested and weirded out expression of the other two's faces, Rauni stopped talking.

"What were you saying Rauni?" replied Aracher, fully expecting to having to listen to another one of her fantasies.

"Err, yeah, so, what's with all the noise?" Rauni asked.

"Grey here decided to kick up a little heat after his meet with our Machinist friend." Aracher responded.  His temper dissipating rapidly at the sight of Rauni.

"She still around?  Huh.  I would have expected her to be dead by now.  The ways you lot always manage to find trouble I thought the Machines would have noticed by now."  Rauni said as she laid down on her chair for comfort.

"Hey, I can't help it if my guns make too much noise." Retorted Aracher sharply.  "And no, she's still around.  And from what she said earlier, I think she just gave us the intel jackpot."

"Yeah, about that.  Don't go celebrating too soon sir." Said Servo, the ships operator, sheepishly as he peered from behind the door.

"Oh great.  Wait, don't tell me.  I can read you like a book Servo.  The...information...the data, the data is corrupt.  Yep, that's what he's about to tell us."  Said GreyMountain sarcastically.

"Err.  Close I guess.  I mean, as far as I can tell all the information is there.  But, err, yeah, I, umm, can't seem to read it." Servo avoided contact with any of the three Neonates standing at the opposite end of the room, instead choosing to divert his gaze toward the hard, cold reinforced steel floor, before slowly sloping back to his computer.

"What do you mean you can't read it?" Replied Aracher sternly, marching in after Servo.  "Are you sure you've used the right decryption program?"

"I've ran it on every piece of decryption software we have.  Twice."  Responded Servo, pushing his thick rimmed glasses closer to his face, before tapping away on his keyboards to bring up the file.  "See.  Now, unless I've missed the memo said we're no longer speaking English and have instead turned to Mumbo Whatever, then this, this my friends and esteemed colleagues is just plain unreadable.  That is, except for one small text string."

"Which must mean was right and the data is corrupt." GreyMountain interjected.  A little chuffed at his apparent mind-reading he winked at Rauni, followed by a cheeky smile.

"No." Responded Servo.  GreyMountain's cockiness disappearing as quickly, if not quicker than it had appeared.  "No, this string seems to suggest that our little operative has took, shall we say ‘precautions' regarding this intel. 

"Hmph, I knew Michael shouldn't have sent her.  Too worried about her own *** to do things right. Aracher said, with a heavy sigh.

"Well, whatever her reasons, this message says she wants another meet.  And, if you want the rest of this intel then you're going to have to extract her."  Said a rather glum looking Servo.  Scratching his nose it wasn't hard to see that the man looked disappointed, almost defeated.  "6 months.  6 mother f*****g months and we get this. Dammit.  So close."  Servo slowly, seemingly painfully, switched off the computers for the night, before get off and shuffling towards his quarters.

"Extraction?  The woman wants extraction?  Has she not been following recent developments?  Surely she should know we lost a lot of good men, women and ships in the no fly-zone.  There is no way we could mount an attack on a machine craft." Aracher said, also looking defeated.  Aracher turned and walked to the door.  He punched the wall in anger.  Muffling his scream he wondered off to the Captain's quarters.

"Well, excuse me mister cocky." Rauni said, cutting through the silence, "but I have a certain Ghost to be getting back to."

"Yeah, yeah, in your dreams ma'am." GreyMountain said, slowly stirring from his own little world.

"Exactly Grey, exactly.  Night."

"Night."  GreyMountain let out a yawn and slowly walked to the door.  He turned to the powerless computer system.  Hoping to realise something Servo had missed.  But, nothing.  Dejected, GreyMountain shut the door and strolled to his quarters whistling. 

((great portrayal of aracher and Possible Rauni will have to check on that heh))

30 stories up, overlooking the International skyline GreyMountain crashed into the roof of the tower with an almighty thud.  Brushing himself off he looked around the deserted rooftop and chuckled.  "Early as usual." He said, pushing out his chest in his usual cocky matter.

"Hey numb-nuts.  We're over here." Bellowed Aracher.  GreyMountain immediately looked deflated. 

"At least you're early." Laughed ExternalError.  GreyMountain casually walked up to the edge of the rooftop and, with ease, leapt the 30ft gap between the two towers.  By the time the meeting was scheduled, over 20 Neonates had left their mark on the rooftop.

With all the Operatives assembled the 3 Council Members moved to the front, the rest proceeded to sit or kneel.

"Thank-you for coming."  Said Phrack, standing at ease between the other two Councilmen.  "It's been a long time since we've had to call a meeting like this.  Naturally, a lot of things have changed.  As you may have noticed, we're, let's say, a little light on Council personnel.  Vaico hasn't been seen or heard from in months.  It has to be assumed the ship and its crew have been lost to the war.  As for Archangel.  We assume him to be alive.  Our latest intel suggests he survived the battle in the no-fly zone that took so many of our new crusaders.  We have to assume he is MIA.  But, I might like to had, presumed alive.  Just, maybe not well.

"Quick question.  Where's Michael?  There's, erm, things I would like to do...I mean talk, talk to him about." Rauni said, moving her seating position to something more seductive.  Aracher, GreyMountain and probably the rest of the group, couldn't help but stop and stare.  "Perverts." Rauni muttered.

"Now" Said Aracher, taking a step forward and moving in front of Phrack.  "Before Phrack proceeds to the real reason we're here, I must assume none of us were followed?"

"What do you take us for?" Chuckled Odj.  "Cypherites?"  The entire group burst out into fits of giggles and laughter.  A few mumbled stories to one another of their experience with Cryptos and his gang.

"Will you girls shut the f**k up!" Bellowed Darminian.  "Have you all turned into f**king 5 year old girls!  Get a god d*mn grip on yourselves and zip it!"  Everyone fell silent instantly.  A few muffled "Sorry Sir" could be heard amongst the snappily dressed Neonates.  "That's better" Continued Darminian.  "Now, can we get back to the matter at hand?"

"Right, yes, thank-you Darm."  Piped up Phrack.  Darm bowed his head in acknowledgement.  "We'll assume that any tails would have made themselves known by now.  Furthermore, Corinne has reported nothing out of the ordinary on her screen.  Now, as Aracher is the closest to this operation out of the three of us, I'll pass it him to fill you in."

Aracher again stepped forward, his gaze focused intently on the rabble in front of him.  "Thank-you sir." Said Aracher.  Aracher took another step toward the operatives, his red outfit making him stick out amongst the dull city surroundings.  Aracher's gaze now became transfixed on GreyMountain.  GreyMountain started to become increasingly self-conscious.  "Grey here recently met with our little Machinist spy."  GreyMountain gave a little wave as everyone's attention was now on him.

"And what Aracher is about to tell you is none of my fault." Remarked GreyMountain.  "I'll repeat for emphasis, NONE of my fault.  That is assuming Aracher hasn't yet found a way to blame me."  A smirk rose on GreyMountain's face as the realisation dawned that he couldn't be reprimand for his remark.

"Quite, as Grey touched on, the intel we received is currently unreadable.  From what we can tell the information is all there.  And the level of info is huge.  Once we can access it, we'll probably all be busy for months."  Several members of the group rubbed their hands with glee, others whispered to one another.  The atmosphere had certainly become rather excitable.

Windfaller grabbed his rifle with both hands, raised it above his head and yelled, "Woooo, time for a little party then gang?"

"Shut up and pay attention you d**che bag." Yelled Darminian.  Windfaller stopped mid jig, put his rifle back over his shoulder and slumped back to the ground.

"No time for celebration yet Wind.  I'm afraid it won't be that easy.  The access problem is down to the lack of a decryption key, and all attempts to engineer one have been fruitless.  I'm afraid to get the information we need to get our operative out of there." Said Aracher glumly.

"Impossible!"  Yelled Novunnum

"What the hell is that operative's problem?"  Followed Traikon

"Why can't we just ask her for it?" Said ExternalError

"Well." GreyMountain stood up to address the crowd.  "This little madam has taken it upon herself to get extracted early.  We want the key, she wants out.  And, quite frankly, she couldn't have chosen a worse time for this."

Back down on street level three men dressed in pure black suits looked up towards the sky.  In synch the men raised their right hand to their ear.  Again, in unison, they nodded.  The two flanking the taller one in the middle, motioned their hands.  From the dark, secluded alleyways either side of the tower, a tactical security team moved toward the doors.

"So, you see our predicament." Phrack spoke, breaking the silence as everyone was left to ponder on the news just broken.  "We believe this information to be extremely vital.  And while the odds do seem stacked against us, we do have the element of surprise."  Everyone looked pretty confused. 

"How does a craft, neigh several, as that's what we'll need, charging toward a machine ship be classed as a surprise?" Asked Marshy, somewhat taken aback by the suggestion.

"One word.  Shimada." Aracher said, butting in front of Phrack.  The operatives still look confused.

"Precisely." Said Phrack staring at Aracher.  "With the unfortunate and untimely death of Shimada, the last thing the machines will expect is a full on attack from us.  They have to assume all our attention is focused on the Cypherites, and of course Veil.  Now, for the plan.  In order to get this spy extracted we need to keep the machines and their redpills busy both in the simulation and in the Real.  We have 14 ships and their crew at our disposal.  We're going to have a 50/50 split.  7 in the Real, and 7 in the Matrix.  All the Captain's have been informed of the...." Phrack paused as his phone started ringing.  To some it appeared to ring even louder than usual.  Phrack put his hand into his pocket.  With his free hand he motioned to the group to wait a moment.  He opened the phone and placed it too his ear.  Phrack immediately looked more interested in his location.  He proceeded to look around, scouting the surrounding skyline.  His eyes moved toward the roof access door.  Phrack nodded and closed his phone.  "Ok guys, we're going to have to cut this short.  Everybody needs to proceed to their exits.  Your respective Captains will detail the rest.  Those who wish to stay and have a little gun practice, I welcome the diversion.  We have a squad of SWAT supported by 3 Agents.  I have no issue you with leaving now."

"You don't think too highly of us do you?" Said Odj, getting up and cracking his knuckles.  "This is why I'm here."  Odj proceeded to pull on his gloves.  The relatively new operatives took their leave, knowing full well they would be more of a hindrance than a help.  Those that remained did a little warm-up, cocked their weapons and got ready for the skirmish ahead.

"Rauni don't you think you better leave?  I don't want to see that little body getting bruised." GreyMountain said, winking.  "If you need someone to comfort you..."

"Go screw yourself Grey.  There are a great many things I could probably teach you.  But, I'll save those lessons for someone a bit more worthy." Rauni replied sharply.  Cocking her pistol she blew a kiss before licking her lips.

GreyMountain laughed.  Pulling out his two pistols and kissing each one.  "Fair enough, guess you'll miss out on the fun."  GreyMountain said.  Rauni let out a sigh and shook her head.

"Ok, they're on the floor below.  Expect them to be organised.  Take positions." Phrack said, closing his phone again.  He pointed his rifle squarely at the door and looked down the scope.  Odj took up position against the wall by the door.  Darminian seemingly vanished as he quietly snuck behind the roof access structure.  The other 5 Crusaders took up positions on the rooftop.

The door blew open.  The force of the explosion sent the door sailing across the roof and over the edge.  A large commotion could be heard from the street and cars screeched to a halt and pedestrians screamed.  Whispered orders could be heard coming from the hole where the door once stood.  Odj dusted himself down before preparing to see to the next person who comes through the door.  The barrel of a rifle peered from the smoke.  Odj moved closer to the door.  He snapped the rifle from the hands of the SWAT member, pulling him into the open.  Shots from all over the rooftop rang out.  The man fell to the ground, dead.

"Heh, this isn't too hard." Said ExternalError. 

"Move in team!" Shouted a voice from the stairwell.  A large number of feet shuffled and stormed their way to the stop.  Another  11 SWAT members stormed through onto the roof.  The Operatives all backed away in an attempt to get them to spread out.  Rifle shots burst out from the two far corners of the roof.  3 SWAT dropped their weapons and clutched their throats.  Warm claret flowed through the hands as the fell to their knees.  Another shot to the head ended their pain and the fell to the ground.

"F******************ck you!" Darm screamed, running up behind one of the opposition before kicking him right between the legs.  The immense pain was visible was on his face, even through the helmet as his body was lifted off the ground and sent across the floor.  He laid there clutching his crotch before a rain of gun fire took him out permanently.

"Now this is the kind of action I haven't seen in a while." Aracher said, over the noise of his submachine guns."  Two of the SWAT team were left peppered with bullets as Aracher stormed towards them, unleashing yet another magazine into each of them.

A bullet soared toward GreyMountain, narrowly missing his ear.  The noise took him by surprise.  Kicking an enemy to the ground and breaking his neck with a stamp he looked up.  "Okay you b******s.  Which one shot that?"  GreyMountain said angrily.  His face filled with rage as, unsurprisingly, no one answered.  He backed up to the roof's edge, reloading his pistols as he went.  Anger fully took over as he ran toward the last of the SWAT team.  GreyMountain leapt into the air screaming.  He quickly unloaded both magazines.  GreyMountain took down two of the team, leaving a third still standing.  As he came towards the ground GreyMountain rolled to a stop, pointing both pistols at the, now cowering man.  Grey fired.  Nothing, no bullet, no dead SWAT guy.  Just a click.  The chambers were empty.  The SWAT member took this as his opportunity.  GreyMountain struggled to reload as the enemy aimed his rifle.  A mass hail of bullets is heard.  GreyMountain cowers in the hopes the soldier misses.

"Grey ya idiot.  Get the hell up." Chuckled Aracher.  "You didn't honestly think that we'd let him shoot you?  Ya idiot."  GreyMountain got up somewhat cowardly.  As he looked up he saw the smoking barrels of every operative on the rooftop.  Rauni stood their laughing her head off.

A loud explosion could be heard from the stairwell.  Before anyone could comprehend what was going on, Rauni fell to the ground clutching her shoulder.  GreyMountain laughed.  "Oh dear Rauni.  What'd you do?  Manage to shoot yourself again."

"F**k off Grey." Screamed Rauni, clearly in pain.  "It wasn't me." 

"Slow as usual I see Mr Chadwick." Coolly said the voice from the doorway. 

"You humans were always slow on the uptake."  Said another.  Everyone turned to the door, guns drawn.  In the doorway stood the 3 Agents.  Adjusting their black ties they moved forwards.  Everyone unloaded their weaponry, but managing to hit nothing but air or brick.

"You humans are no match." Said the third Agent.

"As expected." Said Phrack.  "I guess this party is over.  Everyone retreat to an exit."  The Agents marched towards the group.  Aracher and GreyMountain helped Rauni up and moved toward the roof edge.

"Guys, I think we're going to need a little distraction while we get this one to safety." Said Aracher, clearly struggling as he trained a gun on the Agents, and helped Rauni to the edge.  "Just make sure to get out of here once we're clear."

"Roger that Sir." Said Odj.  The remaining Neonates proceeded to keep the Agents occupied.  Taking it in turns to fire their weapons.  They probably wouldn't ever get a hit on those three programs.  But, with them dodging bullets, they were unable to do anything else.  With the assistance of GreyMountain and Aracher, Rauni leapt from the rooftop toward the nearest escape route.  Once clear, the rest of the group leapt from the building.  Windfaller fired one last burst in the desperate hope of hitting something.  As expected however everything missed the Agents.  Windfaller felt slightly disappointed as he jumped away.

"Servo will fix you up good as new Rauni."  Aracher said calmly as he got up from his chair.  Pulling his jack out, he moved towards the whimpering Rauni. 

"Yeah.  You'll be fine Rauni.  And when you're better you can teach me those lessons you told me about." Said GreyMountain solemnly.

"If you get me some quality time with Ghost and Colt, then I'll teach you something." Rauni replied, now being helped to the medical room by Marshy and Shinkom.

"Really?"  Said GreyMountain truly surprised.  "Cool."  GreyMountain puffed out his chest and held his head high.

"No you bloody idiot!  Never ever, ever will it happen." Responded Rauni, clearly struggling with the pain.

"Ok, Marshy, Shinkom.  Get Rauni to the medical room.  Servo is waiting for her.  Grey, come with me.  We need to discuss our craft's role in the lovely extraction we need to undertake.  And FYI, our lovely little spy has recently decided she wants you to be the one to tell her our decision."  Aracher said, trying to shift the subject from sexual frustration to the job at hand.

"Me? Why me?" Said a confused GreyMountain

"Beats me.  But we need this intel and we won't screw it up on the simplest thing." Replied Aracher shrugging his shoulders.  GreyMountain followed Aracher to the canteen where they and the remaining, uninjured, crew would lay out their plans for the coming battle.

((another fantastic entry "Windfaller stopped mid jig" dear god it made me laugh))

The rain fell heavily on the ground throughout MegaCity.  Cars rolled past kicking up a spray, their windscreen wipers on full speed.  The streets were deserted bar a few running through the storm, their umbrellas pounded by the raindrops.  GreyMountain strolled through the streets of Westview, past the run down clubs, bars and strip joints that littered the roadside, seemingly not bothered by the rainfall.  GreyMountain came toward a large puddle by the curb, he braced for the inevitable.  A large red sedan drove straight through the puddle, sending a wave of dirty brown water in GreyMountain's direction.  GreyMountain stopped in shock.  His brilliant white suit and trousers reduced to nothing more than a soggy grey mess.  GreyMountain's mood immediately took a turn for the worse.  He grumbled further up the road till he reached a parked car similar to that which splashed him.  He kicked the passenger door nudging the car several foot across the road, and putting a huge dent in the chassis.  The car alarm wailed as GreyMountain walked off laughing.

GreyMountain eventually reached his destination.  Quite possibly the most run-down, dilapidated building on the street.  Almost all the windows were smashed, a few didn't even have a trace of glass.  The door was hanging on one hinge and a large hole in the brick work made for a good view of the city for occupants on the third floor.  A water pipe within the building could be seen through one of the windows leaking, apparently for some time, onto the damp, mouldy carpet.  GreyMountain peered in, slightly confused.  He pulled out his phone and dialled.  "Servo.  Are you sure this is the place?  It doesn't look very nice."

"Positive Grey.  But I would advise you enter from the top.  There's a few programs on the first few floors that may question your presence there."

"You're the boss." Replied Grey

"Actually, Aracher is the Captain so he's the bo... ." Responded Servo, somewhat missing the point, before GreyMountain ended the call.  GreyMountain took a brief look up towards the roof before leaping.  The homeless bluepill cowering in an entranceway of one of the shops rubbed his eyes in disbelief.  He looked at his bottle of whiskey, shrugged, and took a large swig.

GreyMountain entered the rooftop door.  The metal stairway echoed with each step down.  He reached the door to the top floor, leaping over the last few steps.  Turning the knob rather cautiously he pushed the door open.  GreyMountain expected to find a very badly maintained room.  Perhaps with little or no carpet, and very few furnishings.  GreyMountain was taken aback with what he saw.  Had you not seen the rest of the building you would have assumed he had just stepped into the CEO's office of some big business in Downtown.  The room was extensively furnished with very expensive looking equipment.  The carpet was thick and inviting, just begging to be walked on.  The large windows overlooked the city, peering across the river to Richland.  GreyMountain checked his watch and tutted.  He looked round the room, found the comfiest looking chair and took a well deserved break.

"Made yourself at home I see."  Said a voice.

"You know me."  GreyMountain replied.  "I'm not one to pass up the amenities on offer.  Which begs the question..."

"I'm not part of the services available."

"Shame.  But, excuse me for noticing.  You're voice seems somewhat different to the last time we met."

"Oh, we haven't truly met yet."  The voice said, still obstructed from view.

"Really?" GreyMountain's interest spiked.  The slowly moved his hand to his side, pulling a pistol slowly from its holster.  He slid it carefully up, hiding it inside his jacket.  His finger was primed on the trigger, ready at a moment's notice.  "I hope you don't mind me asking you a question then?"

"Fire away GreyMountain."  The figure now moved from behind the obstacle.  It, however, stuck to the shadows.  The silhouette was all that was visible.  A female silhouette.

"Now it's going to have to be two questions.  One.  How do you know my name? And two.  Why are you here?"

"I know you're name because I requested you be here.  And I'm here to see if you've accepted my deal."  The voice responded coolly.  The mysterious female moved toward GreyMountain, and out of the shadows taking in GreyMountain's look of disbelief and shock.

EDIT - Not at all impressed with that entry.  going to redo this part.

“Whoa!” GreyMountain said in total shock.  “Whoa, whoa, whoa.  Just ease it up a bit here.  Sensory overload.”  GreyMountain took a step back shaking his head.  He took a few deep breaths before composing himself.  As he did he pulled out his gun and aimed at her head.

The woman chuckled and slowly moved towards GreyMountain.  She raised her hand to his face.  "It really is me Jason.  This is exactly the reason Michael didn't tell you who the spy was.  And was exactly why I used Simulacra in our meetings."

GreyMountain slapped her hand away and stepped away, backing himself against the wall.  "No, I still can't believe it.  Last time I checked you were happily married to some arrogant bluepill jack-a*s."

"Yes.  Some of our old friends said he reminded them of you.  They miss you, you know?  I missed you more than you'll ever realise.  We all thought you were dead.  How do you think I felt when I saw you coming toward me on our first meet?  I probably reacted much like you are now."  The woman slowly wondered over to the large glass window.  Peering out to the horizon she pulled off her leather jacket and threw it on the chair.  "It always amazes me how blind I was to the truth.  How willingly I followed the crowd and accepted the world for what it was.  Even now I can't quite put my finger on what I felt was wrong.  All I know is the doubt started to surface when you fell off the face of the planet."

"You'll find it a strange experience at first, no doubt." Responded GreyMountain cautiously.  "You'll get used to it eventually.  I do have to ask though Mel, who freed you?  How? Why? When?"

"All in good time Jazzy."  Mel replied, seemingly lost in the sunset.  GreyMountain looked up, a confused look took over.

"What did you just call me?" Asked GreyMountain.  Slowly backing away from Mel.

"Pardon? I called you Jason." 

"No, you said Jazzy." GreyMountain now started fumbling for his pistol.  Struggling to unclip the weapon from the holster, GreyMountain stumbled into the drinks cabinet to his right.  A bottle of whiskey toppled, rolled off the table and shattered on the ground.

Mel turned her head round sharply in the direction of the noise.  GreyMountain froze, hands still struggling underneath his coat.  Mel dropped her head and sighed.  "I had hoped to come to this topic of discussion somewhat more freely.  Nevertheless..."  Within a flash Mel was on the other side of the room next to GreyMountain.  GreyMountain felt a heavy blow to the back of his head.  As his head recoiled in pain a black, leather-clad leg came up to greet him.  Mel's knee slammed into his nose.  The impact was so great that GreyMountain flew several metres into the wall behind him.  He slid to the floor, blood gushing from his nose.

"Well spit it out woman!" GreyMountain shouted.  Spitting blood onto the heels of the aggressor.  "Are you angry I made you think I was dead?"  Mel looked at him sternly.  "No?  Oh, this is more serious."  GreyMountain smiled, blood dripping down either sides of his chin. 

"Da*n right this is more serious."  Mel spat.  She strode towards him, placing a fresh magazine into her pistol and cocking the gun.  A fist flew toward GreyMountain and landed squarely in the jaw.  "How about a little Machinist spy running around pretending to be EPN?  That seems serious to me. No?"

GreyMountain laughed.  "No.  I think you've gotten a little confused.  You see you're the spy and you're pretending to be a Machinist."

"Don't p*ss around Jason.  You know perfectly well what I'm talking about."  Mel aimed the gun and shot GreyMountain's right arm.  He winced in pain as Mel pressed hard against the wound.  "Now, play nice and I'll make the kill quick."  Mel pressed the pistol hard against GreyMountain's temple.

"Getting the wrong end of the stick as usual I see.  You should really check your facts before believing everything someone tells you."

"Explain!"  Mel shouted menacingly.  Her teeth grimaced as a bead of sweat rolled down her cheek.

"I worked for the Machine.  I'll admit that.  I sought the power and strength I thought they gave.  But..." GreyMountain wiped his mouth of blood and chuckled.

"But what?"

"But, for some reason it felt wrong.  For some reason I felt that you wouldn't agree with it, if you were there.  That's when I went back to Zion and begged forgiveness."  Wincing with the pain of a gunshot, broken nose and a gun to his head, "You honestly think Michael would have given me this task had he not full trust in me?  You think Michael doesn't know the truth?"  GreyMountain laughed again.  "I'm a hunted man, probably one of the most hunted men if they knew the truth.  That's why I got the name change.  That's why only a select few know the truth.  That's why Zion has my files so classified even I can't read them."

"You're lying!"

"This is the truth.  Sorry to spoil your day of glory.  But this is the truth.  Whether you like it or not."

"How do I know?" Tears starting to well up in Mel's eyes.  Her hands visibly shaking.

"You've know me longer than most.  You know more about me than most people.  You should be able to look at me and realise I'm telling you the truth.  If you can't then you're obviously not the person I thought you were."

Mel dropped the gun to the floor as a tear rolled down her cheek, landing on her breast.  GreyMountain grabbed the gun and threw it out the window.  He leaned forward and kissed Mel on the forehead, before punching her in the face with his uninjured arm.  Clutching the shot arm against his chest he carefully got up.  "Now, if you ever doubt me again.  If you ever even think I would betray EPN I will kill you.  Everything I did since leaving you has been for you.  To even think that I would do something  different is, is, is just wrong."

"Ok" Mel whimpered as she crawled to the chair in the corner.

"Good.  Now we have a deal.  The group is currently working on a plan to extract you, but we need to be sure this is legitimate data."

"Fine" said Mel through a fat lip.  She pulled a disk from her jacket and threw it hard at GreyMountain.  GreyMountain unwittingly reached for the disk with his injured arm.  He yelped in pain as he caught it.  Mel let out a little smile as she dabbed the blood away from her lip.

"We'll be in touch then."  GreyMountain slowly moved toward the door.  In doing so he reached into his breast pocket and pulled out a piece of paper.  He screwed it up and dropped it to the floor.

"Hey, you dropped someth..." Mel shouted after GreyMountain

"I don't need in anymore." Came a response from the corridor. 

Curiosity set in and Mel picked up the paper and unfurled it.  She smiled as she kissed the piece of paper.  Placing it in her pocket she got grabbed her jacket and left the building.