This will be a long post, with a number of quotes from transcripts and storyline articles, so be careful.
I've re-read the storyline articles concerning the "Race to Find the One" event, and I've come to the conclusion that the only purpose for Neo's RSI fragments was to give the three organizations power to fight off the false Agents. This power came in the form of the "Neo's Insight" item.
Let me start at the beginning, with the article that announced the event.
"Rumors spread of inexplicable emanations within the Matrix, granting vast power to those who can find and control them."
During the event, Niobe talks about where the fragments came from. Here's a transcript ...
"It looks like Neo made certain changes to the Matrix while he was here. We're
not sure why or what they're supposed to do, but the Machines have discovered it
too. As you can imagine, they're not happy about it.
The Machines are throwing all their best code breakers at it. But now we think that
by dismantling the programs Neo put in place they've triggered a failsafe. Neo's residual programs are fragmenting, but we think that's what they were designed to do. The fragments are flowing through the Matrix now and it looks to some people like they might have left us a message or maybe even a weapon.
What we need to do now is find these fragments and discover what they really are
and what they really do.
It's a sure bet the Machines and the Frenchman will also be gunning for these things
so watch yourselves. The truce isn't going to mean a thing when you cross paths
and you all want the same scrap of code.
We also have another problem - there's another group out there too. They seem to be
marked by bright lights but they can disguise themselves - be careful.
As far as numbers go we need as many as possible.
If you get one of the special fragments we have a series of clandestine drops set
up on the streets of the Matrix - get your frags to one of these collectors and they'll
give you some additional resources that you can use to keep looking for more.
I know some of you may have heard other things on the street from Captain
Morpheus but I urge you to stick to the facts as I have outlined them to you here.
Ok that's enough standing around - get out there and hit the streets people - there's
no time to waste!"
Later, she talks about Neo's Insight and the fact that the Merovingian is gaining power due to his operatives gathering more than Zion's.
"Ok I think we can begin now. If any come later, please fill them in. It is very important.
I thank you for coming Warriors of Zion. But I'm afraid I'm not here to pat you on the back. So did you all get it? You know, the... I hope you know what I'm talking about. This is... it is amazing, you can't help but be amazed. Until you realize that for every single fragment we have managed to collect, the Merovingian's rodents have collected two.
The connection between the total RSI fragments collected and the... the gift in our inventory. Listen to me, Warriors of Zion! Listen well, and don't even think about interrupting me. Yeah sure you're awestruck by the power in your hands, you felt it when you read the enclosed message, right? How did this happen? What does it mean? I don't know. But seeing is believing, and the truth is staring you in the face.
Now buckle up warriors, because if it hasn't dawned on you yet, what I'm about to tell you is going to change everything. The power we wield in these gifts is nothing compared to the power wielded by the Merovingian and his people. Do you follow me? What I'm saying is that yesterday, we weren't able to collect as many RSI Fragments as the Frenchman. If the Merovingian and his toadies continue to outsmart us, he grows in strength beyond even his wildest dreams! It simply cannot come to that. Today, tomorrow, from here on out! You need to work harder. You need to work smarter. You had better be listening, because I don't know any other way to say this. There is only one way to stop those freaks from leading their ringleader, and that is by beating them to the punch. We find these red-eyed agents, destroy them and recover their fragments. And when we think we've done enough. We'll do it all again, only faster then the first time.
If the Merovingian isn't stopped, it will become open season on the Zionites faster than you can say crepes. And there will be nowhere to hide. Do you hear me soldiers? Do you understand the magnitude of what we are up against? I should hope so. Then the time for talk is over. Move out soldiers, you fight for Zion! Don't let me down. I will be in contact."
From what I've seen, the other organizations' representatives basically pointed out that the more fragments the other organizations get, the more powerful they become. At one point Flood displayed his version of Neo's fragmented RSI and said "This is only a fraction of the power we now wield". At another point, the Merovingian did the same and stated that part of Neo's power now belonged to him. Plus, earlier in the event, the Merovingian said this about the fragments: "These pieces, once combined, work in concert together, to emanate still more powerful vibrations".
Possibly the most important message in this theory of mine is the Oracle's first speech.
"
You see, there are forces at work here beyond you or perhaps even me. Powerful entities that aren’t happy with the agreement Neo made.
But there’s a chance you can stop them. You and your friends.
And you have Neo to thank for that.
That’s right, somehow he was able to anticipate this.
Honestly, I don’t know how. He was just special like that.
He’s left pieces of himself in the Matrix.
You’ve seen them. They were all collected by the intruders, the ones with the glowing eyes.
You’ve all done a wonderful job taking them back.
But you’ve been selfish, squandering something that was meant to be shared by all."
And finally, while this is a minor point compared to the above statements, here are two quotes from the event's recap ...
"On the dawn of the third day, players received 'Neo’s Insight' for their efforts in collecting fragments. The gift brought toughness to those in the leading Organization on their given server, toughness that would be needed to meet the challenge of a greater influx of red-eyed Agents."
"Unfortunately, the Oracle’s message fell on deaf ears. Organizational leaders, drunk with the notion of possessing the power of The One, greedily set out to grab power for themselves instead of heeding the Oracle’s warning."
In closing, it seems to me that Neo's RSI fragments are not a resurrection plan of any sort. He left them because he knew the three organizations would need them to fight off the false Agents. Enough fragments would generate "Neo's Insight" amongst the members of the organizations.
He also left means of opening a line of communication to the Oracle so she could explain all of this.
Oh, and in case you were wondering about the purpose of the Shapers ... Didn't a number of people gain an item called "Neo's Gift"? I think it replaced Neo's Insight after the event. I certainly didn't get it, but apparently a number of people got it, most likely those in the organization that "won" the event or collected the most Shapers on the respective server. My reasoning for this comes from a line in the Oracle's first speech ...
"Whoever is able to control the shapers will share the greatest portion of Neo’s gift."
It's just a theory, but if you re-read the text from that event, it does seem to make more sense, at least to me.
