((it's become increasingly difficult for me to produce NR posts i actually enjoy or even care about these days. Mainly since the nullification of the whole NR area in my eyes by the higher ups of the matrix online, in any case i don't really like this post either but i already wrote it and it's got a violent ending so i enjoyed that part. Anyways voila.))
A small café on the east side of Richland, the spiky haired individual suited with sneakers, the man across from him, a messy suit, pale skin and general sense of detachment with his surroundings.
It's not pretty, but it's the truth.
That seems so .... So, well impossible.
I didn't say it was easy, merely the truth.
So now what?
Well now I guess it's time to choose which world you want to be a part of.
I don't follow.
Withdrawing the small silver case from within his coat, he placed it on the table and slid the lid off, the shining blue and red objects placed carefully upon the black velvet interior of the case.
In one world, one chapter you've yet to write in the novel that is your life, you remain you. Jason Clarke- university drop out, suffering in a repetitive job, wandering throughout life with more questions then answers more visions than aspirations. More notes about society than attachments to it. A battery to the system.
Darminian paused to take a sip of his tea. Scowling slightly at the taste, not the Asian style he had preference to.
In the other you're the newly awakened Jason Clarke, perhaps going by an alias of your choosing. Now lost in the choices that surround you, who to fight for who to fight with. What to believe in - what truth is for you, and the question that plagues us all early on finally answered.
What is the matrix?
He nods with a slightest outline of a smile on his face.
So.... What now?
Red or Blue my friend. Red means you see how far down the rabbit hole really goes. Blue means you stay in the dream living the life you lead now.
He reached towards the case slowly.
There is a price for either choice, not nearly as severe as what it once was.
What?
If you take the red pill you give up the life you lead now, all the pleasantries, all the nice things. The friends you might have, the family you know - the things about this place you might appreciate. You can never come back to this exact life, you can have others if the system deems you worthy of re-connection to the matrix - but you will no longer be Jason Clarke.
He nodded slowly, taking it all in.
If you take the blue pill, all of this will be dream you may never have again. Each day wondering if it was more than a dream and if your chance to learn the truth about our world and lead a life that could perchance mean more to you. And everyday you will have second thoughts that might plague you.
His hand went back to his side as he stared down at the table.
Right now you stand on an axis that you control, you stand at a threshold that only you can cross or walk away from. I only offer unto you the choice, I have no preference in what you choose- as it affects you and not me.
Then why do this, why seek to ‘free me' as you've said?
Because I think we all deserve the chance to choose, and I know you like me are longing for something more than the reality you live. Why should a machine decide our fates when we have the ability to control it. You need to think carefully before you choose.
Just then the front of the café door opened, a man in a black trench with a grey mask on stood in the frame. The man behind the cash register skin turned to a ghostly white, as he watched the cypherite move towards the table of the two men.
Are you Jason Clarke?
The blue pill looked at the masked man and squinted slightly.
Yeah, what's up?
You need to come with me right now, your life is in danger and this man is going to get you killed.
Darminian rolled his eyes and followed it with a sigh.
Jason this is a cypherite, he is effectively the yin to the yang I've established with you. He's going to tell you that I'm lying and that you should either run or take the blue pill. His baser goal is either spiting me or keeping you from the truth.
I'm saving his life- before you get him killed. Now Jason - come with me.
I'm not going anywhere.
There you are, he's made his choice and he doesn't want to deal with you, you best run along my masked friend. Besides I think you're disturbing the rest of the people here. And the cashier is getting suspicious.
No way - I'm not going to let you get another one killed - I'm going to protect him.
Why don't you just let him make the choice?
Because I know you lied to him, probably haven't told him anything about the real world.
How it's a barren wasteland, a dead earth and effectively like every cinematic portrayal of a post apocalyptic world?
The cypherite looked to Jason whose composure didn't change at all.
Uh.... Yeah. Ok, how about how the machines will hunt him down and kill him?
You mean how the machines will tear him limb from limb if he takes action against them, and he's more than likely to be hunted non-stop in the matrix if he takes action against the truce or the system?
So..... You told him the truth?
That's the only way they can make the decision themselves, what else would I have done.
I figured you would have force fed him the red pill.
Well, what's your next move then?
I guess I'm just going to have to kill you to stop you then.
And what about our friend Jason here, the trauma he'll suffer from seeing a murder in front of him over all of this business.
As long as he's safe -
Safe - you'll scar him for life. You might even ruin the life you're trying to save.
Shut up - you're not giving him the red pill.
It's up to him, not me or you. So why don't you sit down and let him choose.
The man in the trench sat down at the table and watched Jason reach out towards the box and take the red pill. Still unsure of which action to take, he could only watch.
Minutes later the two men in trench coats stood outside the café.
I trust you're ship is going to move in to pick him up?
Nah, one of the Zion pick up ships got him.
Hmm. Well I suppose you guys won this one, it's not about winning it's about the choice, but I'm not looking for a debate.
Darminian replied adjusting his tie and watching the traffic flying back and fourth in front of him.
I've got to say, you maintained your composure well, I figured I would have had to fight you or had to kill you.
Darminian chuckled.
I didn't think violence was the best route to take when dealing with one of the fragile blue pill minds of the matrix.
Suppose so.
Pulling his gloves more snugly onto his hands, he grinned.
Of course, now that he's gone.....
Without warning the masked man was shoved into the lane of the road ahead of them. Stumbling fourth he turned to face Darminian just as the vehicle collided with him. The cracking of bones preceded the body flying across the road and rolling limply across the ground, blood staining his path. As he coughed and spluttered on the ground, he heard the sound of the sneakers moving along the road, and could barely make out the suited individual standing over him.
Every, last, one.
The last three words he heard as the round from the lancet pistol spiraled out of the barrel and entered into the cypherites head.
((see violent ending, not nearly as much as i would have liked, but you make do. If you wanted more than i'm sorry.))
Darminian
