Little White Lies and the Awful Truth

**ShiXinFeng**

Chapter 10

After being unplugged from the jack, but before he opened his eyes, he could sense there were too many people on the ops deck of his ship. He smiled, and said, “Captain Roland, what a pleasant surprise. If you had told me you were coming, I would have prepared for company.” He popped open his eyes to see his ‘guests’. When his sight had adjusted to the glare of the lights, he saw several operatives surrounding the jack-in stations.

“Don’t make me drag your *CENSORED* out of that chair, Captain.” Roland’s gruff voice seemed to have become even more gravely since they had last met, thought Shi Xin. “I’m here to return you to Zion to answer for your actions. Nothing says that you can’t be beat up a little when you get there.”

Gabe was standing at Shi Xin’s side when Roland made his intentions known. With only a growl for warning, he lunged for the nearest Mjolnir crewmember. The two grappled for a minute, and the whole scene quickly went to hell in a handbasket. After a minute of yelling and wrestling, during which Jell-O had two of Roland’s crew on their backs, Warden took the opportunity to grab an electrostatic pulse gun. He spun around, bringing the weapon up just in time to see Roland’s first mate, the 300-pound six-foot-five-inch Dante, bring an impossibly large scimitar up and lay it against Mercury’s throat. Merc, lying on his side on the deck with blood running from his already-busted nose, was straining his neck to avoid touching the cold steel. Dante wore a slightly-crazed looking grin.

“That’s enough!” yelled Shi Xin. “I won’t have brothers spilling blood on my ship. We are all Zionites here, and whether natural-born or field-born, we are still family. Warden, stand down.” Shi Xin was afraid his voice would crack. His real fear was that this would turn into a real bloodbath.

“I’ll drop it, when Big Boy there drops his.” Warden said. The nozzle of the ESP gun was not wavering in the least.

“If you don’t drop it, I’ll drop you,” Roland said in a low, menacing growl.

“As long as we’re standing on my quarterdeck, Captain, I’ll thank you to let me give the orders.” Shi Xin growled back, his eyes never leaving Warden’s. “Warden, I said rack it.”

After a brief hesitation, Warden jammed the power toggle to the ‘off’ position, and threw the gun to the deck. One of Roland’s crew bent over and grabbed it. Shi Xin looked at Roland who, after a moment’s hesitation, said, “Put it away, D.”

Dante took the scimitar away from Merc’s throat, and sheathed it on his back. Merc collapsed to the deck, with Lumina suddenly there at his side to mend him, grumbling something under her breath. All Shi Xin could catch was something about her not being able to keep them in one piece for more than an hour.

“Now what, Captain?” asked Shi Xin.

“Now we get you back to Zion, where the Council will decide what to do with you. My job was just to find you and bring you back. So far, so good.” replied Roland, coldly.

Roland took his job seriously. He hadn’t become the number one operative of Zion’s military organization by laughing his life away. He was a hard *CENSORED* with very little in the way of faith. Shi Xin didn’t see any point in trying to persuade him, a non-believer, into joining the cause. But he had to try something.

“Dammit, man, you were there!” Shi Xin blurted out. “You were with him at the end! How can you not believe that what we are doing is right?” Shi Xin yelled. He felt his pulse throbbing in his temple, as he pushed against those restraining him.

Roland looked dead at him. “I saw nothing of Neo that I hadn’t seen in any one of a dozen different operatives. What ever happened that day, whether he brokered some kind of deal for peace like Morpheus said, or whether it was some kind of massive stroke of luck in the form of a machine malfunction, I don’t give a d#mn, okay?” He was advancing slowly on the other captain now, stopping just a few inches from him.

“All I know for sure is that, for the first time in over a hundred years, we aren’t fighting. For the first time in anybody’s memory, we are at peace. And now you,” he jabbed a finger into Shi Xin’s solar plexus, “want to f*% that all up, looking for your god-da*#!d ‘holy grail’.”

Shi Xin said nothing. In fact, he realized, with sudden clarity, that it was not his way, to be mad at Roland. He was merely doing his job. This battle wouldn’t be won here, and it could deteriorate to the point that someone got seriously hurt or killed. When he spoke, it was with calm and restraint.

“No Roland, you’re wrong about me. I don’t want an end to the Truce; I want for peace to continue. But I want the Machines to give us that which means so much, to so many. I want to put Neo’s remains in a holy place in Zion.” Shi Xin was speaking quietly, soothingly. Roland turned and walked away. “I believe, and my crew believes, that only then will Zion be truly ready to take the next steps into the future.” When Shi Xin finished, he looked around at the faces staring at him. In some of those faces he recognized pity, or sympathy. In others, however, he saw the light of hope.

“If you think the Toasters are just going to let you waltz into 01 and search it for a dead, decomposing human body, without any reciprocity” Roland shook his head, apparently not believing that he had to say it out loud, “if you think that, then you’re as crazy as he was.” The veteran captain turned to walk away, heading for the cargo elevator. “Drum, you and Catharsis take our would-be savior here below, and lock him in his cabin. Andrev, Cail, and Magnet will pilot this ship back to Zion. The rest of you come with me on the Hammer. Let’s move, people.”

There was a flurry of activity as everyone began moving at once. One of Roland’s crew reached to grab Jell-O’s arm and promptly got his hand smashed. Shi Xin’s keepers turned him away from his crew before he had a chance to say anything to them, or even get so much as a meaningful glance in. The remaining members of both crews were jostling toward the cargo elevator. It would have been a good opportunity to create some confusion and try to get away. But, Shi Xin knew he could not rescue his entire crew from this new twist of fate. Just as he knew he could never convince the elder captain of the righteousness of this quest. As he was led away below decks by the Hammer’s crewmembers, he resolved to see his fate into the hands of the Council. Surely he could convince them to see the righteousness of his quest, even if he could not make Captain Roland understand.

* * *

Shi Xin had never seen so many captains gathered in one place. The Zion Council chamber was nearly full; row upon stone row was filled with the best leaders the city had to offer. Since he had not piloted the Roc into the city, he did not get the opportunity to see how many ships had been docked. The New Dock must be full to overflowing. Well, he thought, a rueful smile touching his face, with this many captains present, maybe I’ll have a better chance. Surely some of them feel as I do. Glancing over his shoulder, however, he felt the stares of his peers were anything but sympathetic.

The council members had not yet entered the chamber. It was customary to allow a time of fellowship among the captains and crews; it wasn’t often they were able to gather like this. The long stone table where the Council convened in judgment of matters of import dominated the room and was a stark contrast to the living buzz of the nearly two hundred people seated directly behind him. Shi Xin stood halfway between that great, gray rock table and the noisome crowd. He wondered what the gathered onlookers thought they would witness here.

He also wondered where his crew was. His heart ached when he thought of his crew, his ship. He felt as though he had failed them. Especially Lumina, who he knew must be in a million pieces right now. She wasn’t yet strong enough to deal with this kind pain and stress. If she regressed to her former life as a junkie, Shi Xin would die with that guilt heavy on his heart. If he lived long enough, that was. The rest of his crew would be beside themselves, too, he was sure. He could only hope they wouldn’t do anything rash.

His agitation at letting himself fall victim to this shortsightedness threatened to well up and overcome his usually passive nature. He closed his eyes and rested his chin on his chest, meditating silently to bring his chi back into alignment. He let his thoughts drift randomly, flitting from one memory to the next as a bee among flowers. The sight of the Roc’s mess hall; the feel of Agent Jones’ jaw yielding to the pressure of Shi Xin’s uppercut; the smell of Lumina’s hair.

The last few days were a jumble of emotions and lost time. After several hours of being confined to his quarters, Shi Xin had felt the Rocinante arrive at the gates of Zion. Needless to say, their entry into the city was uneventful. In fact, there had not even been any one to meet them when they descended from the ship. Without fanfare, the crewmates of the Hammer had taken him to a security area to wait for the Council to convene and decide the outcome of his life’s worth.

Shi Xin was fairly certain they would not execute him. With less people Awakening from the simulation these days, good ship captains were hard to come by. The more he thought about it though, the more he wondered if he would even be a ship captain after this. He could easily imagine the council stripping him of the commission and returning him to the rank and file. Of course, if his other vision of spending the rest of his life in the stockade didn’t come true.

When the Council began filing into the room, Shi Xin felt it rather than saw it. It was as if the air in the room had somehow become still and heavy. The crowd behind him quickly fell silent. The Hovercraft Corps had become arrogant since the end of the war, thanks in part to their ability to interface with the Matrix. That arrogance disappeared here, however, replaced with a profound respect for the group of Elders now seating themselves at the table. They began seating themselves and slightly conversing, but whether or not it was about him, Shi Xin could not make out.

Shi Xin smiled a knowing smile, thinking back to a conversation he had just had with one of these distinguished leaders.

“You really think you can do this? Find the One?” asked Councilwoman Janye. Shi Xin merely looked at her and said, “The Oracle told me what path to take. It does not get anymore certain than that.” Janye looked apprehensive for just a moment. “Well, from what your crewmates have told us, she wasn’t very pleased or forthcoming with the information.” Shi Xin immediately asked, “My crew is being taken care of? May I speak with them?” The junior Council member shook her head. “I am sorry Captain, but your isolation is not conditional. Please refrain from making any attempt to contact them throughout these proceedings.” Shi Xin nodded, expecting nothing different. The young council woman moved to the door of the room they had been holding him in. She paused, turning to speak with him over her shoulder, a sad look on her face. “I am the only friend you have right now, Shi Xin Feng. Please remember that, and know that I will help you all I can. You are not the only one who wants to see Neo returned to us.”

After she had left, Shi Xin wondered just how much sway she would have with Nardana and the rest of the Council. Not to mention Chancellor Lock. God, what were the people of Zion thinking when they made him Chancellor? Shi Xin pushed thoughts of Lock aside. He had to focus on his present situation. He would know Janye’s status soon enough. She entered the room and came to stand at the table slightly behind Shi Xin. He could sense her standing, waiting patiently and proudly. That was a good sign for his defense.

From the opposite side of the room came a man that Shi Xin had never met but knew by reputation as being Lock’s man. He appeared to be a commander of some import, perhaps Lock’s replacement in the military now that he had stepped up as Chancellor. The newcomer was followed by Captain Roland, who looked especially displeased to Shi Xin. Both men took their places at the other table that was also slightly behind Shi Xin.

Councilman Nardana stood at the center of the table. He held up his hand to quiet the last few whispers.

“This meeting of the Zion Council will now commence. Any who have business here, stand and be heard. All others be silent until asked. This is the rule.” His voice echoed through the chamber, which reverberated with the timbre of his voice. He sat down, whereby the woman to his immediate right, Councilwoman Erasani stood and raised her voice, saying, “The first order of business today is the hearing of Shi Xin Feng, Captain of the Hovercraft Rocinante. He stands accused of High Treason.”

Well, so much for getting out of this with a little community service, thought Shi Xin, a touch ruefully.

**ShiXinFeng**

Chapter 11

"Members of the Council," Janye spoke from behind Shi Xin. Her voice showed some signs of distress. "What Shi Xin Feng has done might be construed by some as disobeying orders," Shi Xin twisted around to look at the young Councilwoman with a raised eyebrow. Janye trampled on before he could make a noise, raising her voice as she went, "but it hardly warrants charges of high treason! This man, this decorated fleet Captain, is doing his best to serve the interests of the people of Zion"

Disobeying orders? he thought. Some defense. Doesn't she realize that will still get me locked up?

The officer standing at the table behind Shi Xin spoke up. "Council members, if I may?" Not waiting on a response, he plowed right into what sounded to be a rehearsed speech. "Shi Xin Feng stands accused of disobeying the express orders of both Zion Command, and this Honorable Council. He has led his shipmates into harm's way, wagered the loss of his ship, and defiled the memory of those who died in the war. Worst of all, he has jeopardized the Truce, thereby endangering every man, woman, and child in Zion. He should be grateful that High Treason is all he is being tried for."

Shi Xin could feel the stares boring into the back of his skull, like hot cattle brands. He expected no less than a full charge of treason. What else would they do? But it was not for his own hide that he was worried. No matter what they charged him with, at most it could only mean the end of his life. He did not want his crew to share his fate.

Councilman Nardana raised his hand. As the current Head of the Council, Nardana was used to being obeyed. His deeply lined face belied his age, but his eyes were the color of blue ice, sharp and cold. Shi Xin just noticed that when Nardana spoke, his long, thick mustaches, white like the hair on his head, bounced a lazy cadence to his words. It would have been comical under other circumstances. "Thank you, Calaphas. We all know Zion Command's stand on this matter." He paused, turning his piercing gaze on the accused. "Shi Xin Feng, I have known you since you first awakened. You have always been a man of honor, integrity, and patience. In the past five years, you have become an excellent operative, a good leader and tactician, and the proud captain of a fine ship. But, more than that, you have become a friend, brother, and father to your fellow Awakened. It is with a heavy heart that I convene this hearing."

He stood up from his seat. In a booming voice, he addressed the assembly. "It has come before this Council that the man known as Shi Xin Feng has willfully and intentionally placed this world and his fellow man in grievous and immediate danger." His voice echoed though the chamber, and seemed to hang in the air above their heads. Water could be heard dripping in the silence of his pause. "This charge is, by all accounts, irrefutable and beyond argument. Having heard the testimony of the crew of the Rocinante, and that of the Mjolnir, as well as a few others, this Council has determined guilt beyond a shadow of a doubt. The purpose of this hearing is to decide what will be done with him."

He sat back down. When he spoke again, it was directed at Shi Xin. "Four months ago, when you came to Janye and myself to get our blessing for this. . . quest," he spat the word as if it were a curse, "you were told to stand down and forget this insanity." The Elder's voice grew even harsher, though Shi Xin wasn't sure how that was possible. "I distinctly remember telling you myself, right here in this very chamber, to wait and watch. You were even told, in confidence, the Council was doing what it could to get Neo returned to us. Apparently, however, this was not enough for you."

His words caused a small stir in the gathered captains and crew members. This was the first time the council had openly admitted to seeking the return of Neo. There would be ripples from this hearing for some time yet. The Council would have to answer those questions now. Shi Xin felt that maybe it was enough that had brought the issue to the forefront of everyone's thoughts. Perhaps now, the Council would be forced into more aggressive negotiations with the Machines.

"What have you to say for yourself, Captain?" With that question, Nardana leaned back in his chair. His face had a tired, drawn look after his tirade.

Shi Xin was silent for a moment, staring at the floor in front of him. He could feel the tenseness of Janye and the officer, Calaphas, at his back. Both wanted to speak, albeit for polar opposite reasons, but this was not their time. It was his time. Time to make his case.

"Since Neo, we have learned that there have been. . .cycles of madness. Although there were others before him that shared his amazing talents, Neo was the One. The One that finally broke those cycles. For hundreds, perhaps thousands, of years the Machine has enslaved us. Even now, they seek to control us, to oppose us. Even now they laugh in our faces." Shi Xin looked up to stare at each of the council members in turn.

"I say, 'no more'. No more bowing and scraping to the Machines! No more to the oppression of those who would have us live out our lives down here in the dark and the damp, or worse yet, plugged into the Machine. No more to slavery!" He was breathing hard now. His words rang in the chamber.

Shi Xin gestured with his head back to the tables behind him. "The young officer here thinks that I have desecrated the memory of those who died in the War. Of those who gave their lives so that we may know peace. But this isn't peace; this is a cease-fire, a cessation of hostilities. It is only an evolution of the war. And let us not forget, let us never forget, that Neo sacrificed more than most. He gave of himself selflessly, without question or complaint or hesitation. He deserves. . .no. He will rest in a place of honor, so help me God." Shi Xin paused, to let the crowd register what he had said.

When he continued, his voice was softer, but no less intense. "Zion, I give you this pledge: I will never quit, I will never stop looking. If I have to go on alone, I will. But I will not stop, and I will not fail you. The Oracle has told me that I will find him, that I will find Neo. That is why I stand here, firm in my resolve."

"You're going nowhere but the Stockade, Captain!" shouted Calaphas. "You will answer for your crimes!" He broke off after a stern look from the Council.

The crowd began to murmur behind him. As well they should, he thought. They know, to the man, that if it was spoken by the Oracle, then it must be so.

Before they could get too loud, Shi Xin spoke up and asked, "Where is my crew, what has been done to them?"

Nardana hesitated, then motioned in the direction of the doors as the top of the audience seating area. They opened and, after a few seconds, the crew of the Rocinante filed in, Track in the lead. Not Gabe, Track. Something else was not right either. There was only. . .

"Where is Lumina, Gabe?" Shi Xin asked, but Gabe didn't even look up. Nor did Track answer. "Gabe? Track?"

He caught Jell-O's eyes, but she quickly resumed looking at the floor. "Jell, what is happening, where is Lumina?"

"Your shipmate, Lumina, is no longer among us." said Calaphas. Shi Xin could hear the sneer in his voice.

Janye shouted from behind Shi Xin. "What is the meaning of this, Calaphas?"

Nardana held up his hand. All the assembled quieted. "I regret that you have to learn like this Captain. But, I suppose there is no point in keeping from you. If it is any consolation, I am sorry."

"I'm getting really tired of hearing people say that today." Shi Xin muttered.

"Lumina has been Exiled from Zion. She was discovered as a Machinist Sympathizer and spy."

"LIES!" roared Shi Xin. All the blood rushed to his face so fast he could feel the heat emanating from it. His eyes welled, and his heart beat like a drum in his chest. It felt like it was trying to tear itself from his ribcage. "She would never betray Zion! She would never betray her crew!"

"Calm down!" Nardana waited to see if Shi Xin would continue to shout. "We have proof. Captain Roland?"

Roland stepped forward. He spoke in his calm, gravely voice, "When the Hammer was inbound, closing on the Rocinante's position, our operator picked up a Machine transmission. It was of the Agent, Jones, speaking with a Zion operative. We weren't sure who it was, although AK thought he recognized the voice. He was also able to localize it to Shi Xin's or Bokuro's crew. Later, once they were in custody on board the Hammer, AK recognized the voice from the transmission to the Agent. It was Lumina." He stopped and looked at Shi Xin. "When we confronted her about it, she didn't even bother denying it. She simply broke down, crying hysterically." Roland turned and walked back to the table, apparently finished.

Shi Xin was dumbfounded. He stood as if poleaxed. "What? How. . .?"

Nardana continued. "Our investigation found that during the last two excursions Lumina made into the Matrix, she contacted Agents both times. It was confirmed by her shipmates that, both times, the lives of other crew were at risk when the Agents to apprehend anyone involved in this mess. She did not deny the charge, and therefore, she was expelled from this city, never to return."

Shi Xin looked at his crew mates, tears blurring his vision. He saw Jell-O's face buried in Gabe's shoulder, but that isn't what killed him. No, what devastated him, what destroyed Shi Xin, was the single tear that ran down Track's face. That was all the confirmation he needed. That, and the words of the Oracle, floating back on the tide of memory to haunt him, "Still fighting your nature, child?"

Something cracked inside Shi Xin's soul at that point. His shoulders slumped, his chin rested on his chest, and hot tears streamed from his eyes. He didn't bother to look up for the rest of the hearing. He didn't even acknowledge Councilman Nardana's repeated attempts to get his attention.

He couldn't, lost in himself as he was.

He didn't so much as flinch when Nardana pronounced that, for his crimes, Shi Xin should have been executed; that the Machines were calling for his extradition so that they could deal with him. He felt no hope or even relief when Janye begged the council to spare him, in consideration of his years of faithful service to the protection of Zion, and Nardana agreed. Shi Xin was forthwith sentenced to life in the stockade, repairing hovercraft parts.

The only thought that kept hammering away in his mind like a baseball bat on a sack of rice, was, "Why?"

He felt nothing but pain as they led him away, past his friends, out of the Light and into the darkness of the prison that would be his home forever.

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