The CloudWolf Chronicles: Peace Protest.

(( Based during Chapters 8.2.3 - 8.2.5 of The Matrix Online ))

The rusted chair buckled and sighed as the captain eased himself into its cold embrace. The thin layer of scavenged material did little to support any deception of comfort while the gentle hum of the engine's core could almost be felt vibrating through the air.

It alienated what would normally have been a peaceful night's rest. If only it weren't for the end of the truce.

"Is this really what the world has come to?"

CloudWolf had spoken his thoughts aloud, initially by mistake but then again, purposely, to remind himself of the situation.

"Again?"

The room in which he sat was only one of many aboard The Leviathan. The ship wasn't the lap of luxury by any standards, no hovercraft this old was, but after years of service it had become his home.

To him it far outweighed any palace, temple or city.

It would have to for what lie ahead.

Focusing, he reached over to his left side, opened his bunk's cabinet drawer, fumbled with the scattered contents within and finally removed a small electronic device. It was dull, dusty and cold.

Lightly pressing a button on its underside the palm sized cuboid came to life, a soft glow emerging from the dust covered screen. CloudWolf brushed the dirt aside, took a deep breath and pressed a second button simply marked "Record".

"Fellow Captains of Zion, this is CloudWolf of the Hovercraft Leviathan - ship of The Omega Syndicate."

A brief pause followed as he collected his thoughts.

"I speak to you now to announce my departure from New Zion."

"For the last few months I have walked its streets and pathways, its caves and forums. What I have seen both troubles and scares me."

Scanning the crude read out of the device as he spoke the warrior soon realised the rising volume of his voice and was quick to compensate.

"Let me tell you why. When I first set foot on its soil I expected to be welcomed with the rational thinking I had come to expect from our people, our military. After all, this new generation is one of opportunity, of the chance for peaceful coexistence with the machine. At first this expectation was indeed satisfied, my earlier doubts lifted as I saw others, despite obvious confusion, striving for peaceful solutions."

Another deep breath kept the captain speaking. He was determined to explain and justify his position as much as possible. Not only to the other captains but to himself as well.

What he was about to do was perhaps the most difficult decision of his life.

"But apparently, it was not to be. The months drag on, each day the pain and suffering of a war that was supposed to be lost to the sands of time continue to consume our world. Those who would stand for peace lose hope while those who would see our future burning in the fires of rekindled aggression continue to promote and drive our damnation."

By this point the resolve in his voice was unmistakable.

"I look around me and fear it is only a matter of time before the people I aspired to see inherit this earth turn back to repeat a past that has already lead so many into enslavement."

"The time is now. It is time for me to make a stand before it is too late. To try and show you all that there are those who will not stand idly by and watch our race doom itself all over again."

"I will return to Old Zion, a place that, to me, holds the memories of a peace defending people, of hope and of potential. I do not ask others to follow, merely recognise the situation that threatens to engulf us as a people. Oppose it in any way you personally feel capable. Self defence, understanding and reasoning are the tools of a brighter future. Not vengeance, not hatred and not aggression."

"Yes, I know many will have questions but let me just say my actions have been cleared through the Zion Council. They have had the compassion and understanding to allow me to choose my own path. For this I thank them."

The blinking of a small red light in the corner of his vision warned the redpill he hadn't much time left to finish his message. Not that it mattered; he had only one last thing to say.

"As for the fear of sentinel attack many seem to be harbouring I say this: I would rather die protesting peace than live in a world forever doomed by its own ignorance.

That is all. CloudWolf out."