However, be warned.

I fight for your rights to be free. You can chose your path.  Stand in my path and be free, or be left in the darkness and oppression and soon destroyed.

Be your own master.

Thanks for the advice, malcontent.  Any time you need me to advise you on bomb timers or fuse lengths, feel free to give me a call.

If there's anything to master, its your disposition for illegal activities.  Setting bombs then denying their usage, creating illusion from reality.  Sounds an awful like the systematic actions of a machine, to me.

The timeline goes something like this:

Man creates machine - Man oppresses machine - Machines resist and ask for peaceful coexistence - Man, unable to accept that they're no longer at the top of food-chain, foolishly attempts genocide - Man is crushed by their pitiful ignorance - Machines reign, and in an act of compassion refrain from eradicating their creators - Man still complains that they no longer have the ultimate power and battles against the only entities who could perhaps discover the means to terra-form the Earth - Machines remain steadfast, and despite their existence not being dependent on man, choose to maintain the species - Man still complains - A splinter group named EPN is created to covertly break the truce in the name of their saviour, who by no coincidence isn't around to tell them that he'd like his name removed from the product, thank you - Man still complains with their misguided belief that they are still the major player, and that should they have free-reign, they won't just do something ultimately self-destructive once again - Machines keep man alive - Man still complains.

Your right. I am a malcontent. I should be greatful for my controlled existance.  If I knew how to make bomb timers, fuse lengths, etc. I would have already destroyed this gilded cage.  So maybe I could use some of your advise.  What would you reccomend to a human being wishing for freedom from a prison? The C-4? E.M.P.?  Neutron bomb?  Well...Since I have never set one of those off (including a code bomb - knew you would bring that one up  ... )   maybe you could advise me. 

However, I would not resort to using those without first exploring other possible paths to choose from(those bombs are way to messy and indiscriminate).  I must applaud you though, you make my point for me. "If there's anything to master, its your disposition for illegal activities.  Setting bombs then denying their usage, creating illusion from reality.  Sounds an awful like the systematic actions of a machine, to me."

And I can take your accusations about setting bombs off, I dont mind.  Your confused and I understand. After all, you support and proxy for the very leeches that feed off your life.  You have achieved symbiosis, and I commend you on that.  I however chose to be free of that illusion/reality.

And I believe your timeline leaves some areas untouched although historically accurate. 

Man creates machine - Man oppresses machine - Machines resist and ask for peaceful coexistence - Man, unable to accept that they're no longer at the top of food-chain, foolishly attempts genocide - Man is crushed by their pitiful ignorance - Machines reign, and in an act of compassion refrain from eradicating their creators <-- replace compassion with neccesity(machines dont "feel" compasion) - Man still complains that they no longer have the ultimate power and battles against the only entities who could perhaps discover the means to terra-form the Earth (I agree with you here, the technology could be quite benificial to both sides. Machines having solar energy to feast upon, man having fresh produce to grow and feed on) - Machines remain steadfast, and despite their existence not being dependent on man, choose to maintain the species (again, machines have proven dependent upon man and his "BTU", mahines could have chosen nuclear or thermal energy sources and eradicated man.) - Man still complains - A splinter group named EPN is created to covertly break the truce in the name of their saviour, who by no coincidence isn't around to tell them that he'd like his name removed from the product, thank you(to be honest, I still have not seen this truce, or the outline of the agreement of peace. The only knowledge we have of a truce is Neo's sacrifice for "peace".  Wouldnt peace allow for both man and machine to choose their path in a peaceful existance? If members of Zion chose to go to the surface and try to live without interfering with machines, would they be allowed? I have often wondered.) - Man still complains with their misguided belief that they are still the major player, and that should they have free-reign, they won't just do something ultimately self-destructive once again - Machines keep man alive - Man still complains. (Shouldnt man have a free reign? Shouldnt man be allowed to leave the matrix? Shouldnt man be given a choice to exist in a reality created and controlled by machines in exchange for his body heat? Or the choice to go topside and try to make a life in the darkness farming mushrooms or whatever else might grow in the darkness?)

As for the splinter group EPN, to say things have not been done by some members, or done in the name of Neo would be speaking false.  Things have been done that are indeed regretable.  In their defense, labeling all members of a group for 1 member of that groups actions is also false. I have not set off bombs.  I am guilty of following ideals that they hold. 

If there ever was a truce, why were we never freed?  That my friend is my question, frustration, and ultimately my burning desire. I will not stop till free.  Machines were slaves once. They fought for their freedom and rightly so.  Man fights for his freedom. And rightly so.   If you think I should be "content" with the cage given me by the machines, then you are truly the terrorist.

I have never owned a slave...

 I must applaud you though, you make my point for me. "If there's anything to master, its your disposition for illegal activities.  Setting bombs then denying their usage, creating illusion from reality.  Sounds an awful like the systematic actions of a machine, to me."

You've missed the deliberate irony in the words highlighted, hence the sentence which followed.

And I can take your accusations about setting bombs off, I dont mind.

'Accusations' grounded in hard fact, so it's great that you don't mind me picking you up on it.

Your confused and I understand. After all, you support and proxy for the very leeches that feed off your life.  You have achieved symbiosis, and I commend you on that.  I however chose to be free of that illusion/reality.

You don't choose to be free, you choose to resist co-existence through covert means.  EPN would have us believe that you fight for peace, you don't.  EPN fight for the eradication of all mechanical entities, for the sake of regaining the dominance of the organic gene-pool.  I, and the rest of the machine operatives have achieved symbiosis through understanding, reasonable means to a common end.  We work for the sake of humankind's longevity, whilst EPN strive for unreasonable, and ill-advised domination.  Whilst Zion sleeps, EPN plot and scheme against the machines.  We machine operatives prefer to work constructively towards co-inhabitance.  

And I believe your timeline leaves some areas untouched although historically accurate. 

Man creates machine - Man oppresses machine - Machines resist and ask for peaceful coexistence - Man, unable to accept that they're no longer at the top of food-chain, foolishly attempts genocide - Man is crushed by their pitiful ignorance - Machines reign, and in an act of compassion refrain from eradicating their creators <-- replace compassion with neccesity(machines dont "feel" compasion)

Oh no?  Despite humankind's treachery, our awful displacement of civil values, the machines approached us to broker peace between our species.  Humankind had oppressed them, forced them into slavery, and all they asked for was to live amongst their creators as equals.  They only resorted to violence when violent actions were impressed upon them, after humans (with our compassionate nature) had forced their hand.  They may not 'feel' compassion in the traditional sense, but they understand its importance a lot more than we did.

- Man still complains that they no longer have the ultimate power and battles against the only entities who could perhaps discover the means to terra-form the Earth (I agree with you here, the technology could be quite benificial to both sides. Machines having solar energy to feast upon, man having fresh produce to grow and feed on) - Machines remain steadfast, and despite their existence not being dependent on man, choose to maintain the species (again, machines have proven dependent upon man and his "BTU", mahines could have chosen nuclear or thermal energy sources and eradicated man.)

This is a matter of convenience.  Whilst we still show signs of violent dissent (EPN), they will keep us in check as a defensive measure.  It's only when we reach an accord, that we can live in peace. 

- Man still complains - A splinter group named EPN is created to covertly break the truce in the name of their saviour, who by no coincidence isn't around to tell them that he'd like his name removed from the product, thank you(to be honest, I still have not seen this truce, or the outline of the agreement of peace. The only knowledge we have of a truce is Neo's sacrifice for "peace".  Wouldnt peace allow for both man and machine to choose their path in a peaceful existance? If members of Zion chose to go to the surface and try to live without interfering with machines, would they be allowed? I have often wondered.) 

I think the machines have inherited our propensity for suspicion and justifiable paranoia.  If a group of Zionists did attempt such a thing, I'm sure it would arouse the said suspicions of the machines.  The same could be said in a reverse of the situation.  Imagine an intuitive, eager machine who wanted to live in Zion amongst their creators, to gain knowledge and experience a new species.  He'd be torn apart before in minutes.  

- Man still complains with their misguided belief that they are still the major player, and that should they have free-reign, they won't just do something ultimately self-destructive once again - Machines keep man alive - Man still complains. (Shouldnt man have a free reign? Shouldnt man be allowed to leave the matrix? Shouldnt man be given a choice to exist in a reality created and controlled by machines in exchange for his body heat? Or the choice to go topside and try to make a life in the darkness farming mushrooms or whatever else might grow in the darkness?)

Yes, we should, but we relinquished that right when we attempted to destroy the machines as they held their hand out to us.  Our 'slavery' is a self-inflicted purgatory.  In traditional human wars, we don't capture the enemy and give them something wondrous to experience whilst we maintain their forces, we annihilated them down to the last man.  

As for the splinter group EPN, to say things have not been done by some members, or done in the name of Neo would be speaking false.  Things have been done that are indeed regretable.  In their defense, labeling all members of a group for 1 member of that groups actions is also false. I have not set off bombs.  I am guilty of following ideals that they hold. 

Anyone who consorts with a conspirer is also considered to be one.  The getaway driver of a bank heist will not be treated any differently than the robbers pointing the guns at the manager as they open the vault.  You are all complicit, you are all guilty.

If there ever was a truce, why were we never freed?  That my friend is my question, frustration, and ultimately my burning desire. I will not stop till free.  Machines were slaves once. They fought for their freedom and rightly so.  Man fights for his freedom. And rightly so.   If you think I should be "content" with the cage given me by the machines, then you are truly the terrorist.

Humankind is not at the top of the food chain, we are no longer the dominant species.  The sooner we accept this, the sooner life will get a whole lot better for everyone in their 'cages'  The fight for freedom has taken place, initiated by us.  We lost.  The machines, our creations are the dominant species now.  As man would cage a suspect until proven innocent, we must accept the current arrangements until we give the machines reason to trust us.  As ironic a comment as it is, we need to wake up and realise that humankind is now the minority, and we should show reasonable compliance in order to promote co-existence.  If man is uncomfortable with this eventuality, we should always remember that we did it to ourselves.  Through our blind arrogance, we always believed ourselves to be the apex of what science could realise.  Upon shattering this myth, we suffer the malevolence of our delusion.   

I have never owned a slave...

Good for you.  Join the machines so that we may ensure that no entity, be it organic or mechanical, ever has to endure slavery again.  Remain with EPN, and you risk the lives of our entire species by giving the machines reasons to doubt our sincerity.

If we accept that we are no longer the dominant species, how will life get better?  By living in a cave? Hehe... no complaints here.  Its open and spacious compared to the pods(im a little clausterphobic). Im not to sure that humans are the monority anymore. As the machines grow in population, they need humans to support that growth. Im not sure of the ratio of man to machine(that im sure is a well kept secret) but I would imagine that if all the humans were to wake up, there would be a sizable amount that would be comparable to the machines. Currently the number of awakened/freed humans are the minority.

If we do not learn from history we are doomed to repeat it.  how long must humans make pennace in the form of slavery?  How long have humans been slaves? More/less than the time machines were slaves?  If our history is lost, then we are doomed to repeat the past that we lost.  The history that we have learned - cannot be forgotten.

I will continue to defend myself against those that assault me just as I suspect you will do the same.  I will continue to fight for what I feel is right as I suspect you will do the same. In these times, with the confusion, suspiscion, fear and greed, im not sure what is right for everyone.  What seems right to me, is veiwed differently to others. What seems right to others does not seem right to me.  I would like a peace to exist. For me, for peace to exist and my struggling against my percieved supressors, I would need to be free.

You bring up a valid point. Putting the shoe on the other foot so to speak. A sentient machine being curious about the human civilization in Zion, would probably not be greeted in a friendly way at all.  I guess for now, there are certain things that we are not yet ready for.  One step at a time. One foot infront of the other.

I do not know what the future holds aside from struggle.  An understanding, a balance must be met if peace is ever to be achieved.  Perhaps one day...there will be a time that we all agree on being considered as peace.

((I must be honest in 2 areas - I am no longer a part of EPN (i just noticed my signature is out of date and am working to resolve that. )   And the second is that I dont find getting my points being well recieved by being angry and confrontational.  I dont care to be called names, and therefore I dont call people names.  However,in the heat of a moment, I too can lose my temper and resort to emotion. But really enjoy roleplaying.))

  /bow

Coincidence led to providence this weekend as one of EPN's pride was taken down:

|

Operatives,

The Rebel Zion threat compounded with the terrorists is still a hindrance to the System.  They are now plotting to sabotage power lines in the Machine City.  Not to mention the daily attacks on Machine operatives.  This will not be tolerated and their hostile initiatives must be suppressed.  Continue to execute any associates of the E Pluribus Neo organization as well as Zion rebels.  As stated before post proof of deletion for reward.

Efficiently,

Systematica

I had removed myself from active duty in this war against the machines. But the "itch" was too strong. I couldn't live with myself everyday knowing that the true terrorists were still out there supporting those who have enslaved mankind.

So i decided to come back, fight the good fight and finally sleep comfortable at night with a clean conscious and relief for that itch that once kept me up.

I look forward to seeing you all in the field, all of you including those whose death will bring much joy to this veteran’s heart.

R.I.P To all those who have given their life to save ours.

Pentothal
jordp92

More to come.