Histories

Vedren

((Well I've been playing since BETA with the Winter Brood, first on Linenoise and now Syntax. We're a pretty RP centered Faction and over that time many of us have written RP stories on our personal forum. I thought I'd transfer some of My story here. The events in this particular story take place after a Brood run player event called Schism where most of the Brood were killed or went MIA, I think this event happened almost a year ago now, and some of the out of game RP can still befound here in this section of the forums. I also have an origin story that I wrote before BETA started which I will post as well in a different thread after I work out some issues with it. Comments and Crits are always welcome, but please no flaming. Well this should answer any questions you may have about the quiet bald guy hanging around Marta C and Tabor West..))

Vedren

*Chapter 1 - Cause and Effect.*

The Doctors were now allowing Vedren limited access to the Matrix, between his treatments. The doctors at Zion had prescribed extended stays in a construct, specifically designed to Vedren's view of a perfect world, in the hopes it would take some of the stress off his weakened mindset. The construct consisted of mirrored versions of The Matrix and Zion, versions where the One had returned, bringing a true peace to the Matrix, and the Brood had survived the Cypherite attacks.

Vedren found it hard not to get lost in these lies before him, they were warm and welcoming, but no matter how real they appeared, he knew they were still only lies. He had convinced the Doctors that he had made some progress and they had given him clearance to leave with the Prometheus, under Bell's watchful eye, and they had cleared him for limited access to the Matrix, under the condition that once a week he would remotely jack into the "treatment" construct.

Afew quiet weeks went by on board the Prometheus, and Vedren did as directed by the doctors, once a week he would jack into the construct to visit the ghosts of his family and friends, if only to harden himself from further hurt in the future. Vedren's mind, now constantly berated by the past sought to tie up some loose ends from his blue pill life...Something looked down upon by Zion Command.

On very still nights in the service tunnels old memories would return to Vedren and haunt his sleeping, memories of his daughter, and the fire that had consumed her and the rest of his blue pill life..These were the events that eventually led up to his awakening. No answers had ever been found as to the cause of the fire and his daughters remains had never been recovered. An empty grave, next to her mother, was the only thing left that marked her existence, a fate that in his blue pill life Vedren shared.

Vedren didn't know if it was the treatments or something else that was causing these memories to stir, but he was now consumed by them, and the unanswered questions they awoke in himself.

It was a cold night in the Matrix...a rain was coming. Vedren walked down the familiar street in the area now known as Richland. After a few minutes he could see it, the burned out husk of a place he once called home. Vedren moved slowly up the concrete steps twards the door, his hand falling on the cold iron railing, This was about the point where his daughter would rush out and greet him...

Tonight though, Vedren was greeted only by rotten boards covering the charred door to his once home. With a deep breath Vedren began to tear the boards from their fittings, and with each *crack* the memories of that night flooded his head..

Vedren stepped off the bus at the corner, he could see his breath in the cold night air..It had been a long night at the "Ladder" where he bounced to make ends meet. Only halfway down the street he could smell it... the smoke, and something in him told him to run. When he rounded the corner he could see it..his fear realized. His small home glowing red from within, and smoke seeping out the cracks of doors and windows. Vedren jumped over the four tiny stairs leading up to the porch and smashed through the door at full speed. Vedren glanced around the inferno yelling for his daughter, embers stinging at his flesh.

And then her scream shattered the silence from upstairs..Vedren made his way to the staircase and began bounding up it ,the steps creaking with every footfall. As Vedren neared the top a large shadowy figure leaped into his path and kicked Vedren back down the stairs knocking him unconscious, the last thing he heard before the darkness were the screams of his daughter...

Vedren shook off these old ghosts as he removed the last board, they hadn't found a body or any clues to lead them to the intruder. It was about time someone closed this cold case.

Vedren moved into the charred husk and glanced about, he still remembered the heat. Slowly he climbed the stairs, to her room. There wasn't much fire damage here, which was weird considering the rest of the house had been all but gutted by the fire. He searched the room looking for anything out of the ordinary, but it was useless the broken window had let in all kinds of debris from out side over the years. Vedren moved back down the stairs, wondering if it would still be there...

He moved around to the door, leading to the space under the stairs, and knocked down what remained of it. Vedren knelt down in the small space the dust and soot flying about in the air. He unholstered one of his handguns and began pounding at the floor boards smashing them, and eventually tears away a whole section. There it was...A large metal box, stained with age, but its markings could still be seen, a pale and faded white U.S.

With a weak bash the lock shattered, and Vedren opened the lid which let loose an eerie squeal. Inside were ghosts from another life...A folded flag, a uniform, a smaller box full of medals and trinkets, from which Vedren removed a small silver locket...Inside were pictures of himself and his daughter..It had been his wife's before she'd passed on. Vedren pulled the small locket over his head letting it rest about his neck. After removing everything from the box Vedren reached in and tugged at two screws which revealed it had a false bottom, and here were the "prizes" he was looking for..A small black book,and a ring, marked with a now familiar crest. Before standing Vedren scooped up a small medal in the shape of a heart and purple in color and shoved it in his pocket...purple was her favorite color...

It was time to start getting some answers..I'm stronger now, I'm wiser now, I know how the "world" works, and I know just where to start, Vedren thought, while making his way out of the small husk and down the street.

Vedren

A day had passed since Vedren's little visit to the past. The crew of the Prometheus jacked in as usual and like most other days Vedren headed off by himself. The others had become so accustomed to this that they seemed oblivious to it, which granted Vedren certain freedoms.

Vedren headed twards Downtown via the subway. He was going to see someone who he thought might have some leads he could follow. The Merovingian had his hands in everything, and kept close watch on those he employed. In Vedren's bluepill life, he would occasionally take on certain "tasks" for the program, but at that time Vedren had no Idea who he was working for, or his true nature, as he was always contacted by a man named Flood. Vedren of course, knew now who these men actually were, and that made him more convinced they could help...If they were so inclined.

The train screeched to a stop and Vedren proceeded up the long stairs to street level, where he was greeted by stinging sunlight. He removed his cell from the inner pocket of his jacket and punched in the contact number for Flood...The old bastard owed him one, and Vedren knew if he were going to garner a meeting with the Merv himself he would have to go through the "chain of command".

After a few beeps Flood answered in his usual haughty tone...No..No...I'm not looking for "work"..This is Vedren er...umm..Lazarus..The name caused a pause from the other end of the line. Yes...I'm still scrambling about in "that" cave...No...No..Listen the Merv can't buy me..I'm calling in that marker and I need a face to face...Another pause longer this time...Yes I have it..After a few mumbled obscenities an answer was given...Yes I'm alone..Fine I'll be there in half an hour.

Vedren Flipped the phone closed and began walking down the sidewalk..The stroll through Downtown would at least take that long...Time enough for Vedren to formulate a plan, so as to not get caught off guard at the meeting should something go wrong.

Vedren

After a brisk walk through the maze that is the downtown area Vedren finally reached the Italian restaurant where Flood had specified the meeting would take place. Apon entering Vedren couldn't help but feel out of place, the restaurant had a "regal" air about it and all the bluepills that filled the space were dressed in the finest the Matrix had to offer.

"Hello Sir?"..Vedren's thoughts were interrupted by the man now standing next to him..."Do you have a reservation?", The man asked in a thick Italian accent...No..No I don't I'm here to meet someone, His name is Flood.. Vedren replied .

"This way Sir", The man said motioning for Vedren to follow. The short journey ended at the desk near the front of the restaurant where the man flipped through a large heavily bound book..."And your name Sir?", The man asked looking Vedren over curiously.

Ved...Lazarus...Vedren replied, as the man began to look over his selected page."Yes Sir, Mr. Lazarus..Follow me, Mr. Flood is expecting you" , the man finished as he made a "B-line" through the restaurant to the area that housed the "private rooms"

After passing a few doors the man stopped and knocked on the one in front of him and then leaned into the room.."Mr. Flood your guest...Mr.Lazarus is here now, Do you wish for me to send him in?" After a few mumblings from inside the room Vedren heard the fimiliar voice..Yes send him in please...

The man swung the door wide and motioned for Vedren to enter, and after he had cleared the threshold quickly shut the door.

Vedren wasn't surprised to see Flood Sitting alone at the cozy table, surrounded by the "were" programs he was so fond of...Many of the exiles passed Vedren threating grins and looks as he approached the center table, and took a seat across from Flood.

"First things first...Lazarus..Do you have it?", Flood asked Vedren impatiently.

"Yes I do..It's right here", Vedren stated pulling a large gold ring bearing the seal of the Merovingian, out of his jacket and slapping it down on the table. in front of himself.

Flood quickly reached out to grab the ring, but found himself interrupted as Vedren followed suit by heavily slapping his handgun on the table next to the ring.."Like you said first things first.." Vedren replied gruffly, over the mumblings of Flood's guard dogs.

Now, Now my pets..Settle down I'm sure he meant nothing by it, he is after all only protecting his assets", Flood tells his guards, motioning for them to calm down. He then places his hands infront of his face, his fingertips touching..."What is it you want Lazarus?", Flood asks coldly.

"I need a meeting with the Merovingian, face to face.", Vedren replies.

"I think I can arrange that give me just a moment to see if he can clear a space on his calendar for you.", Flood states pulling a silver phone from his jacket and dialing a number...

"Flood here, Yes, Yes..I have that taken care of....I called you because I have an old.."Friend" sitting in front of me who requests a meeting with you."..."Lazarus...Yes..Yes thats the one." Flood says clenching his teeth.

"Yes Sir, I will inform him of such.." Flood hangs up his phone and places it on the table. "He is waiting for your arrival at his resturant, my driver will take you there, If that is acceptable." Flood states waiting for a reply.

"Yes quite..", Vedren says standing up from the table and reholstering his weapon. " Here ya go", Vedren says, with a smile flipping the ring into the air towards Flood, who quickly snatches it.

Vedren moves to the door and opens it..." It was nice seeing you again Lazarus..Let us hope this is the last time." Vedren hears Flood call sarcastically as he closes the door.

Vedren makes his way through the resturant and out to the street where a man stands holding open the door of an expensive sedan..."Mr. Lazarus I will take you to the Merovingian." The driver states motioning for Vedren to enter the car. Vedren slides into the soft leather interior as the door is shut behind him. As the car purrs to life Vedren begins making preparations for the meeting.

Vedren

The leather was cool to the touch, but was so soft movements on it were not accompanied by the normal "squeaking" sounds, of most leather interiors, but Vedren hardly noticed as he opened his jacket and began pressing keys on a small device. The display lights up revealing a strait horizontal line. Vedren then moves to the other side of his coat and removes his .50 caliber pistol...This pistol had been with him for quite a while..Since the dark times, and had not failed him yet, and he hoped it would serve him well now if need be.

Vedren slowly ejects the clip and chambered round before removing the slide and barrel. From an inner pocket Vedren removes a second slide, barrel and clip. The slide is gold in color and is in sharp contrast to the steel of the rest of the weapon. The clip holds a substantially smaller ammo type..9mm.Vedren reassembles the gun and loads the new ammunition placing the gun back in its holster and the spare parts into an inner pocket of his jacket.

After a few minutes the car comes to a stop in front of a high rise building, known to all red-pills as the place that houses the Merovingian's restaurant. Equally known are the dangers within thanks to an intel report filed by Morpheus after he and members of his crew "visited" the Merovingian in the last days of the war. Hundreds of guards, surveillance, and the most important part...every floor wired with C-4, the detonator presumably held by the Merovingian, in case his party should be crashed by unwanted visitors.

The door of the car swings wide and Vedren steps out looking up to the top of the building the sunlight glaring into his eyes. Vedren steps through the revolving door and up to the front desk, where a beautiful woman greets him. Her emerald eyes seemed to pierce his soul. "Mr. Lazarus...The Merovingian is expecting you please take the main elevator up to the penthouse restaurant." She says with a warm smile, pressing a button on the desk opening the elevator.

Vedren walks past the guards near the elevator looking them over...They seemed human but looks can be deceiving, especially here. As Vedren enters the elevator one of the guards reaches in, pressing the button for the penthouse. The golden doors slam shut followed by a small bell and the familiar feeling of vertigo of the car lifting into the shaft. Vedren opens his jacket and looks at the small device which now reads like a heart beat monitor..."Revolving signal..High-tech..Very high-tech, most likely a hand held radio detonator with a hard point redundancy onsite." Vedren mumbled to himself.

Vedren turns to the back wall of the car and places a hand on the wall.."You were here.", He thinks to himself dropping his head. The bell rings again signaling the arrival of the destination.. Vedren turns to the front of the car as the doors slide open. Vedren steps out into the receiving area..."May the One guide me.", Vedren says to himself walking through the area.

Fifteen hostiles...Five Non-combatants...presumably...Vedren runs the numbers through his head and decides to call it twenty combatants to be safe. Vedren stops at the heavy marble desk in the middle of the room. An elderly man wearing wire framed glasses looks up from a thick book...Mr. Lazarus..Please enter The Merovingian is expecting you." , the Man states in a light tone.

Vedren walks around behind the desk to the two heavy double doors leading into the restaurant proper. The guards there swing both doors open wide revealing the grandiose interior of the restaurant, and the Merovingian sitting at the furthest table on a raised platform, like a king in his court.

Vedren

Vedren walks down the isle towards the Merovingian's table, the "beautiful" people of the Matrix occasionally stop to stare at him, seemingly out of place in his black leather and plastics.

As Vedren steps up on to the platform the Merovingian stands with a smile."Ah yes Lazarus..Come..Sit.It has been quite sometime since I've heard your name around these halls, and Flood, it seems wish it had been a bit longer."

Vedren takes a seat across the table from the program. "Something to drink? If I'm not mistaken you preferred bourbon." The Merovingian states taking his seat and raising his hand motioning for a waiter. A few moments later a man of middle eastern decent approaches the table."Bring my guest a bourbon on the Rocks.", The Merovingian tells the man. The man nods his head and heads off to a nearby door.

"So what is it exactly that brings you here after all this time Lazarus?", The Merovingian asks in a curious tone.

"I require some information...." Vedren is interrupted..

"You need power...You know by now there is a price for my information Lazarus, you should be prepared to pay it even before asking your question. Are you?", The Merovingian asks with a slight smile.

"I am prepared....To do whatever it takes."...The words echo in Vedren's head as he says them, and he couldn't help but feel that he had sold his soul to the devil. As Vedren dwells on what he'd just done a door near the table opens and the vision of an angel enters the room. She walks over giving the Merovingian a peck on the cheek.."Hello love", She says taking a seat next to the program.

"Ah Persephone, how nice of you to finally show up", The Merovingian replies to her in a sarcastic tone. The waiter approaches the table, and places Vedren's drink on the glimmering oaken surface, and quickly heads back the way he'd entered.

"Who is this love?", Persephone asks the Merovingian, staring at Vedren with a hint of a smile on her face. "This is Lazarus, perhaps you've heard me speak of him sometime in the past..." The Merovingian replies to her. "Ah the man whole saved Flood's life..." She replies with a slight giggle.

"Yes my love one in the same though that was when he was only a ...what do they call it...a blue-pill, I'm sure he is even more capable now." The Merovingian says turning his attention back to Vedren. "So what question brings you here to me? Let me guess you wish to know of the One or perhaps your beloved Morpheus, like many of your "brothers" in arm? I would suspect it is the latter if the information I've received on your activities is correct over the last months.", The Merovingian replies with a wide smile.

"In the past you would have been correct, but not today. I require information for something far more personal.", Vedren replies looking into the program's eyes.

"Now that is a surprise. Your unwavering loyalty to Neo, rivals that of even Mr. Popper's..It must be important then. Go ahead ask your question, but know once you do its answer must be paid for, that is the way of the Matrix."

Vedren

Vedren takes a deep breath..Knowing that with each following syllable he would descend deeper into the lion's den.

Vedren removes his sunglasses folding them neatly and placing them in his jacket, something not many operatives would do in the presence of an "enemy". It was a sign of equality and trust, an unspoken gesture of respect, to let another look you in the eyes.

"I know your habits when it comes to anything in the Matrix..You have to know everything that goes on here especially if it involves someone in your employ. You watch everything and everyone of note. I have a question about my past...When you employed me as a freelance merc..When I was a "blue"." The Merv leans back in his chair contemplating where this might be going while taking a sip from his wine glass.

"Obviously you know of the fire...I know you would have been watching me, That is what you do...My daughter was in the house when it happened, along with someone else who I believe started the blaze. The intruder was strong...exile strong, no evidence was found and no body was recovered.....", The program interrupts Vedren.

"Family affairs are such..messy.. business, are you sure this is the question you wish to ask, I after all could tell you something of Morpheus or even your Neo..If you wished it, surely you would use this meeting for something more important....

"No..This is...important...to me. The rest of the Matrix can be swallowed by hellfire for all I care at this point..so DO NOT patronize me..I want to know what happened to my daughter, I know you have some knowledge of it."

"Ah, how ...romantic my love ..would you do that for me? Give up your edge, your power to find me, my love?" Persephone asks the program with a sweet smile.

"No, my love, I am afraid I would not. With my power I would be able to find you regardless, now be quiet." The program answers her coldly.

" I see I can not change you mind on this..I however do not have the information you seek at this time...But there is a program in my employ who will have it. He keeps track of all the information I deem.... unimportant, he is called The Archivist. I will contact him and retrieve what information I have on this subject and deliver it to you." The Merovingian states, wiping his mouth with a fine silk napkin.

"Now comes the part of your payment, and you well know I require it up front. You are in a position to deliver to me something stolen from me long ago, and that would be the one you call TelAviv. Deliver her here to me...Alive... and I will give you this information and..." Vedren cuts off the program with a harsh look.

"It's never going to happen...Ask for something else, anything else!" Vedren shouts jumping to his feet. The Merovingian stands and places his napkin on his plate and begins to walk away...

"Then our business here is done there is nothing that I desire, that one of your skills could deliver to me, Please do not contact me again until you are willing to pay the price." The Merovingian states approaching the double doors on the side of the room.

"The eyes of the Oracle." With those words the Merovingian stops in his tracks and turns to face Vedren.

"You think you can deliver those to me, when I myself failed to retrieve them?" The Merovingian asks with a cold stare.

Vedren thinks about what he just said and the consequences of it..."Yes I can, do we have a deal?"

"Fine deliver the eyes to me and you will earn your answers and my respect which is far more valuable. I trust you can see yourself out?" The Merovingian finishes placing a key in the door unlocking it, and then disappearing through its archway.

Vedren then proceeds back to the elevator pressing the button for the lobby. He turns and punches the wall.."What the HELL did I just do...You damned old fool, you could never leave well enough alone." Just then the elevator comes to an unexpected stop on the tenth floor, and the doors slide open.

Vedren

*Chapter 2 - Expect the Unexpected.*

Vedren's gaze falls upon the face of the woman in front of him.

"If you are to accomplish the task which you have bound yourself to, you will need some assistance." Persephone says as she turns from Vedren and slinks down the empty hall.

"But.." Vedren is cut off.

"Follow me if you wish to succeed." The program states turning her head toward Vedren with a smile, then proceeds on down the hall.

Vedren follows her at a respectable distance until she stops in front of a door leading to what appeared to be a a janitor's closet. Persephone removes a tube of lipstick from her purse and applies it to her lips.

"As my husband has stated nothing is the Matrix is free, but my price will not be quite as high as his, and far more pleasurable in the payment. You see in the beginning our...relationship was filled with emotion, as much as we programs can mimic at least. As time passed my husband became more interested in his power and the gaining of it, than with me. Which brings us here, our relationship is now nothing but a cold thing of convenience. What I require from you is but a kiss, but not just any kiss you must put your strongest emotions into it, so that I might feel them, It has been some time since I have felt anything." Vedren nods quietly to her as she finishes her statement.

The program moves in close to him, pressing herself against his body and placing her hands on his face.Her lips were warm against his, but Vedren's eye were cold his stare never leaving her eyes. after a few moments the program takes a step backwards placing her hand on her lips.

"Oh...So strong.." Persephone whisper between her fingers, her face paler than normal.
"I fear for those you now hunt, they do not know the creature that follows their trail..One without care, or fear of death, but one who seeks it..." The program seemed lost in the moment like some sort of seer channeling the dead, her whispers trailing into silence as she turns and places a key in the lock of the door.

Persephone turns the key and swings the door wide walking through it, bidding Vedren to follow. They enter what appears to be a room filled with priceless artifacts from ages past. The room was adorned in marble and laced in gold. Weapons and armor adorned the walls and racks of the room, some of it though seemed more modern.

"This is my husband's armory. This is where he keeps codes useful for combat or codes he fears may cause him harm if in the wrong hands. There is a piece which may be of some use to you.." She states moving to a display rack holding what appeared to be a standard bulletproof vest.

"Its just a bulletproof vest...My EJP protects me from...."Vedren is again interrupted.

"As you well know nothing is as it seems here. This piece is far older than it appears. It is from a very old version of the Matrix. It was once the armor worn by a man driven by strong emotions...such as yourself, one without fear..." The prgoram brushes a strand of hair from her face and continues.

"You have been told stories of Achilles, Yes? They are inaccurate, his invulnerability was not a gift from some god, rather it came from the code embedded in this armor, which an ancient exiled program crafted for him. Its appearance has been changed to fit with the current times but the code is still very stable. Take it, you will need it." Vedren removes the vest from the rack, and takes off his jacket and begins to put it on.

Persephone's hand falls to his.."Be fore warned however the code within will override your EJP."

"I don't think I'll be needing it if what you tell me is true." Vedren says calmly closing the Velcro straps.

"You are aware of how Achilles's story ends...The crafting program knew that there had to be a balance, to the power he gifted to Achilles and to do so he created a *CENSORED* in the armor, as it were. Sufficed to say don't be taking any arrows to the heel." She finishes with a slight smile.

"I'll remember that." Vedren says putting on his jacket over the vest.

"Come this way it is time you should leave.." Persephone says to Vedren rushing him towards the still open door.

As Veden exits he turns and faces the program."Thank you..." The door quickly closes, but before it does Vedren catches the door across the room swing open revealing the Merovingian. Vedren quickly makes his way to the elevator and down to the lobby, and out into the teeming masses on the street.

The Merovingian wouldn't be to happy about this , and Vedren meant to put as much distance between himself and the Merv as quickly as possible.

"WHAT....?" The Merovingian screams, and then composes himself. "What have you done, my love?" He asks between clinched teeth.

"I was only making sure he would be successful in obtaining the Oracle's eyes my love, you know he wouldn't be able to do it on his own." Persephone answers with a smile.

"But...but...Ah, woman you will be the death of me." The Merovingian finishes as he storms out of the room.

"No my love, not I..." Persephone whispers looking to the door where Vedren had exited.