The Search

(( Not yet sure exactly where I'm going with this ))

Dissever lay on his bunk in the Federation Outpost. He listened, and could hear nothing. Well nothing past the usual sounds of the Outpost running; the unit that was heating his quarters, the sounds of the various processing units throughout the compound that oxygenated the air, purified the water and operated the automated defense systems. He knew that Maia was resting, having prepared the Horsemen for departure. They hadn't seen another soul in many, many days. The merits of the Outpost seemed to be lost on the new Federation Captains. Dissever wondered if they even knew of its existence.
He found he had been wondering a lot of things lately. He knew the stories of crop fields of old; there were remnants of the records in Zion, and of course the yearly ritual of eating bread, bread grown and made from grain long harvested and carefully stored. Dissever had grown up in the Matrix and was well aware of the geography of the Earth, provided the machines had been accurate. Zion's scouting reports indicated that the current land mass was not dissimilar from that which Dissever learnt as a boy inside the Matrix. And this pondering had got him thinking about the mountains of the world. Those like Everest, the tallest peaks. Wouldn't those high points reach above the ferocious skies? He had decided it was time to find out. The only thing left to arrange was a meeting with those that remained with the Federation, to explain this goal and ask if any wished to join him. He expected that most would remain close to Zion and 01; close to the Matrix.
Maia, his operator and closest friend, had been adamant that she would join Dissever, insisting that he could hardly function the hovercraft without her. Dissever had smiled and been very grateful for that. She awaited him as he carried out this final task.
Dissever's head rested on the support that housed his personal jack, the line that would connect him with the Matrix. He reached over to his right and entered the commands on the Auto Operator, plunging the jack into his head and him into the whiteness of the construct. Checking his grey suit and adjusting the purple tie around his neck, he checked his ammo in case there was any trouble, and then turned to a small console on a pedestal which rose from the white at the level of his feet. He selected a jack in location; Camon Central, and hit Jack In.
His senses blurred as the world rushed around him, and for a moment he felt an intense disorientation, before his eyes showed the falling code of the Matrix. Immediately he reached for his cellphone.

Dissever's hand halted when he heard voices. Letting his vision adjust, he looked around at the gathered members. Redpills, all gathered around one man that they were questioning. His name was Eliseus, and he claimed to have information about Neo's remains:
"I recently had a couple of words with a Machine liaison who actually said they would be willing to talk about Neo's remains if EPN got on the same page."
Dissever hung around in the sidelines for a while, listening, until some Unlimit appeared and started shooting. Then he headed to the Cormorant Casino where he could arrange a meeting. Once there, he sat at the bar and finally spoke over the faction broadcast line on his cellphone:
"Calling all operatives: this is Captain Dissever requesting a meeting. Location Cormorant Casino, nearest hardline Camon Central."
Waiting a few minutes, he asked:
"Is anyone available to answer my request?"
It seemed that on his last chance to say goodbye to the faction, noone was around to meet him.
Well, time to tie up loose ends. Dissever got on the phone to Tyndall, who told him she had a very important mission for him, involving the elimination of a mole in the Pendhurst-Amaranth board of directors. While he was heading to the first meeting with Brenda Utley, he got a call from Laotsetong, who said he would join him. Dissever and Laotsetong struggled through many Agent and Unlimit attacks before finally completing the mission.
Standing outside the building in Tabor, near to the water and the docks of Uriah, Dissever explained to Lao that he would be leaving, asking him to pass a message to the Federation to look for a drop in the Matrix. The two old friends parted, Dissever heading to the Uriah northwest hardline to jackout.

Dissever startled as his eyes opened to the near-silence of the Outpost, the jack slipping from the back of his head. He sat up on the bed, swinging his feet around to the floor. Surveying his quarters, he realised it would be a long time before he saw them again, if he ever did.
He had already packed the items he would need for the journey, and all that remained here were the bare essentials. His thick overcoat hang on a hook by the door, the insulation against the harsh cold of the world outside that door. Dissever looked around the emtpy room once more. If someone got past the Outpost defenses, they'd make a nice home in a place like this. Of course, the systems were set up to only allow Federation hovercraft to approach unchallenged.
Before putting the room's computer terminal into standby, Dissever had entered his final addition to the Outpost log, stating his destination and date of departure. Anyone who returned to the Outpost could figure out what happened to him and the Horsemen.
Dissever wrapped the heavy overcoat around him tightly, and left his quarters, stepping onto the Outpost dock. At one time, the dock was full of ships, when the Apocalypse Federation boasted a fleet of over 20 hovercraft. Those days were long gone; many of the Captains at that time still preferred the tunnels of the Real as a broadcast location, and did not feel satisfied with letting their hovercrafts lie dormant in the dock. Dissever on the other hand had a different agenda, and had conducted much of his research in personal constructs using the jack in his quarters. Slowly his crew had left on the other hovercrafts as they came and left the dock, until it was just him and Maia left.
And now they were leaving too. Dissever walked briskly towards the Horsemen, which resided in the third docking bay from the main tunnel entrance. Maia was aboard, no doubt awake and rechecking the power cells and operational systems; these tasks she could probably do in her sleep. Maia was a very efficient ship's operator, and Dissever was always grateful that Zion, or perhaps Fate, had assigned her to the Horsemen.
He strode up the gangway and entered his ship, hitting the switch to close the hull door, and headed for the ladder to climb to the main deck.
"Maia!", he shouted, "Start the engines, its time to go!"

Dissever was going over the events of his last visit to the Matrix, as he guided the Horsemen through the tunnels of the Real. While the ship headed North, Dissever thought about how he had missed the chance to explain his absense to the Federation. He thought about how long he would still be within broadcast range of 01; probably still a day yet, with the upgrades the hovercraft had been given by the dock mechanics last time they visited Zion. he turned to Maia, who occupied the seat on his right, monitoring the ship's systems and adjusting the hoverpad voltages when necessary. "Maia, I want to go back into the Matrix, do you think you can keep us at broadcast depth while we're still moving?" Jacking into the Matrix while moving was dangerous on the Horsemen, as Maia needed to pilot the ship and could not be on the communications deck. Dissever had a Matrix feed installed in the cockpit so she could keep an eye on him in these rare circumstances, but other than that there was not a lot she could do without setting the ship down. But Dissever had faith in Maia's abilities. "Well yeah Diss, I've done it before. Sure. You want to see if they're there?", she asked. "Yes, I just don't feel right, leaving without speaking to anyone." "I'll put out a transmission over the faction communications line, maybe one of the ships will pick it up this time", Maia suggested. "Yes, great idea, I really hope they answer, I'm starting to worry". Maia got up and headed for the communications deck, descending the ladder and settling into the Operator's chair, her chair. She donned the headset that was her link to those jacked in, and began typing commands into the console. She soon had the line open, and over it she said:"Calling all Federation hovercraft, please respond to a request for a meeting from Captain Dissever of the Horsemen."

Maia came bounding back to the cockpit where Dissever sat watching the oncoming tunnels,
"Diss, there was a response from Crazi! He's been ill, but is recovering now. I told him you'd meet him in the Matrix soon"
Dissever beamed at the news, and began scouring the floor ahead.
"Ok", he replied, "I'll set us down over there, these tunnels look safe enough and I'm sure we can take a break from travelling. I think I could use your guidance in the Matrix tonight."
The Horsemen slowly lowered as Dissever brought it down into the spot he had selected, before coming to a rest on the tunnel floor with a resounding clunk. Powering down the hoverpads, the ship came to relative silence, but Dissever filled it with his pacing as he headed for the communications deck, Maia closely in tow. Once there, she began the preparations for broadcast, while Dissever checked the jack on his personal recliner, and adjusted some of his loadout settings in preparation for that steel in his head.
"Maia, don't bother with the construct, just put me straight in at Achan, I'll find Crazi once I'm there."
He sat back in the chair, preparing himself for that brief moment of disorientation, which he had never fully got used to. Maia was busy hitting switches and typing commands, but she soon was over his head with jack in hand. She smiled at him, and then Dissever was looking at the falling code of the Matrix.

Dissever dialled Crazi's cellphone. It rang for several minutes before Crazi answered:
"Hey Diss"
"Crazi, Maia tells me you have been ill, I hope you're ok. Can we meet? I have something to discuss with you."
Crazi replied, "Yes i have been ill and still am. I'm at Tabor north"
"Right, I will be there shortly." Dissever flipped closed the cellphone and turned back to the hardline. Maia was very efficient with keeping track of his destinations, and had usually patched the link through when he reached a hardline. Sure enough, it rang, and Dissever was drawn into it as he picked up the receiver. He materialised in Tabor, again watching the green symbols falling around him. He could make out the form of Crazi40 in front of him, clutching his side and with a slight limp, obviously unwell. Dissever saluted to the Federation leader.
"Long time my friend", Crazi greeted in response.
"Good to see you my friend. I see your illness is having an impact on you here in the Matrix." Dissever looked him over with an expression of concern.
"Yes", Crazi replied briefly. He seemed like he didn't want to discuss it. The two friends embraced in the typical manly hug, glad to see each other again.
Crazi40: So what the new my old friend?
Dissever: Ah. Well Maia and I have left the Outpost. We're headed North, my plan is to cut across towards Everest.
Laotsetong: nice to see you bro
Dissever: Hi Lao, good to see you again so soon.
Crazi40: I see do u thing its still there?
Dissever: Something as big as that? It'd have to be. Well I will find out.
Dissever: I figure I've got another day or so before I get out of broadcast range, I won't be able to jack in then.
Crazi40: Will let me know if it still there
Dissever: See, I've been thinking about the bread feast we have in Zion, and the stories of how we used to grow the grain.. if I can get to the sun..
Crazi40: If u can send any message
Crazi40: i hope your trip goes well my friend..
Dissever: Yes, I guess that could be difficult. Maia is pretty good, maybe we could route all the ship's power into the communications transmitters..
Dissever: Well, if we make it, I will cross that bridge.
Dissever: And are you both broadcasting from the tunnels?
Crazi40: Yes
Dissever: Crazi have you seen a doctor?
Crazi40: Yes i have e have a good one in the ship
Dissever: Ok, well if there is anything I can do, now is probably the time to ask.
Crazi40: just becareful my old friend and bring good new...
Dissever: Yes, I will. Listen, the Outpost is deserted now, maybe you could rest there. No need for the stress of the tunnels while you are recovering.
Crazi40: I'll Be fine need to fix some stuff here..
Laotsetong: dont worry i will guard crasy diss
Dissever: Alright. So, I hear Tyndall's going crazy, I should probably see if she has anything for me, before I get back on the road.
Dissever: You guys want to come?
Crazi40: *cough cough* Yes i got Lao..
Crazi40: sure
Laotsetong: why not?
Dissever: Good, will be glad for the company.
Dissever spoke to Tyndall, and they ran some errands for Ghost. It seemed that the machines were requesting access to the Zion mainframe. Sounded like a crazy idea! When they were done, the three were making their way to Tabor West, when Dissever had a call from Kasad, an ex-Federation Captain. He would meet them at the hardline. Dissever saw Kasad standing in a regal manner, hands behind his back, and asked him how things were going.
Kasad: Getting there, I think. Yourself?
Crazi40: What new?
Dissever: Well, I've started on a journey. This could be my last time in the Matrix for a while.
Kasad: Ah, yes, I think I have read about it...
Kasad: You're going to try and find the Mountains, aren't you?
Dissever: That's right, how did you know? Are you still picking up the faction broadcasts?
Kasad: Indeed.
Dissever: I see. Well I guess that's ok. Crazi did you know about that?
Kasad: I won't tell anyone. *Smiles*
Crazi40: No?
Kasad: I was wondering...
Kasad: Hmm.
Dissever: *returns the smile* So, the current records say you're not associated with any faction. What happened, the machines kicked you out?
Kasad: Ha, I guess so.
Laotsetong: you were machines?
Kasad: The new about an Operation I pulled some time ago...
Crazi40: So r u going solo
Dissever: Finally realised what you'd been doing to their systems eh? *grins*
Kasad: Ha ha.
Kasad: No, that is what I am meaning to ask. The Apocalypse Federation, are you still in need of Soldiers? Or captains?
Crazi40: Captain
Dissever: We could definitely use someone at the Outpost, I know that.
Kasad: Hmm.
Dissever: Its deserted now that Maia and I have left.
Dissever: You still have a ship?
Kasad: Unfortunately not.
Kasad: The Ravenger was destroyed by the *CENSORED* Cypherites.
Crazi40: Damm
Dissever: Have you spoken to Zion about availability?
Kasad: No, not yet. I'm still working things out.
Crazi40: I have a spot open if u want in entill u get a ship?
Kasad: Ah, thank you very much.
Kasad: Will Locke be OK with this?
Dissever: Locke can't think tactically about the Matrix.
Kasad: Aye.
Dissever: Besides, surely its up to us who we take on board? We know you've done good work for us in the past.
Kasad: Have things changed since I've been away?
Kasad: Ha ha, thank you very much, Captain.
Dissever: We had a bit of restructuring.
Kasad: Ah, yes?
Crazi40: Will i'm back from being sick
Kasad: That's good to hear.
Dissever: Unfortunately Crazi has been ill recently, yes. Just now managed to get back into the Matrix.
Kasad: Hmm.
Kasad: I havn't been jacked for a while.
Dissever: He has a good doc, apparently. Sounds like a nice ship for you to stay on.
Dissever: Oh, where are you broadcasting from now?
Kasad: Yes..
Kasad: A Hoverbarge.
Kasad: Though, I'd much rather be in a Ship.
Dissever: Good old hoverbarges. I used them a few times while I was on ground duty in Zion.
Kasad: Hmm.
Crazi40: Nice
Dissever: A good temporary solution.
Dissever: But you're right, its just not like a ship.
Kasad: No, too slow. And they don't move much, anyway.
Dissever: Indeed. Maybe you can arrange a pickup with Crazi.
Kasad: Yes, that would be fantastic.
Crazi40: So Kasad are u ready to come abroad..
Kasad: Maybe Zion? The Hoverbarge is scheduled to be returning there in a day.
Kasad: Of course. Thank you very much, Crazi.
Dissever: Ah yes. Crazi can you get to Zion?
Crazi40: I'm not that far..
Dissever: It could be good, maybe you could try to smooth things over with Locke while you're there. Surely if a faction leader puts a good word in..
Kasad: Hmm, yes. I'll get word to Tyndall.
Crazi40: I will
Kasad: Thank you.
Dissever: Although you could be right, maybe it will take a while longer before they grant you a hovercraft.
Kasad: Yes... I don't think he'd be too happy that I return to my seat straight away.
Dissever: *chuckles* No, that he wouldn't
Kasad: Although, with the scavenged parts I have the basis for a ship...
Kasad: I could search the real to see if there's any more parts I could pick up and use.
Crazi40: Be there in 5min..
Dissever: Surely you can find something. The Outpost probably has a few spare parts too, we used to repair ships there in its hayday.
Kasad: Thank you very much, Dissever
Dissever: Watch the automated defense systems though, best to go in first with Crazi.
Kasad: Ha ha, indeed. Wouldn't want to be blasted apart..
Crazi40: 2min
Dissever: Not after you just got put together.
Kasad: Oh, may I just ask... Has anything changed on the status of Anome?
Dissever: Tyndall informs me he was killed.
Laotsetong: ok guys all apologizes but i have a security call from my ship i had to go see you around if you need assistance just call my ship ...
Kasad: Ah?
Kasad: Oh, OK. Take care, Lao.
Dissever: Of course, Lao.
Crazi40: Thank You Lao
Crazi40: I'm here
Dissever: So would the newcomber like to introduce himself?
Kasad: Thank you very much, Crazi
Crazi40: Welcome back Old friend
Kasad: THank you very much.
Dissever: Well gentlemen, I have a lot of distance to travel, I should get going.
Kasad: I see. Well, it's been good to meet up again.
Kasad: Take care, Dissever.
Dissever: Yes it has, and welcome back. Hope to see you at the Outpost when I return. The personal jacks are still working there.
Kasad: Ah, fantastic.
Kasad: Will it be possible to contact you?
Dissever: As I told Crazi, we will try to periodically route maximum power to the communications transmitter, but eventually we'll go out of range.
Kasad: I see.
Dissever: I'll try to come up with something.
Kasad: I must be leaving aswell
Kasad: Again, good meeting up with you two.
Crazi40: Same here
Dissever: Definitely.
Kasad: Well, take care. And good luck, Dissever. *Smiles*
Dissever: Right, back to the road.. bye guys.
Crazi40: Be Well Diss
Kasad: *Picks up the phone*
Kasad: See you around...

Dissever saluted his gathered friends, and with some reluctance, picked up the ringing phone. He opened his eyes to the face of Maia, feeling the hard steel jack sliding out of his head.