Archival Science Databanks
Communications intercept. Transmission detected Tue 04th of Sep 2007 at 09:20 PM by Unknown. Communique follows:
I joined the ranks of No Exit within my first few days of becoming disastisfied with Zion's radicalism.
It was a chance encounter near Club Duality, I was preparing to work on some coding, when I noticed a fellow Red Pill under attack. She seemed in danger, and so I went to her assistance. I kept her RSI from sustaining further damage, and distracted her attackers long enough for her to capitalize and defeat them. It was then that I met Eunoia and Beggar. They and Treius spoke to me about the Yellow Pill. I spoke with them about No Exit, and the futility of the war. They told me about the Truth. And, I wished to learn more.
And I did. They told me the Truth, and asked if I was willing to join them. I asked to think about it, and I spent the day thinking. I recieved work from Agent Gray, and learned more about how Zion was obstructing the rights of red pills to be reinstated into the Matrix, if they so chose. I spoke with several other Zionists. Many seemed to be on the lunatic fringe, like Morpheous. They were dangerous; one claimed to be ready to make any sacrifice to defeat the machines. They seem blinded, unwilling to participate in the compromise that was so hardly earned.
It was then that I was in Apollyon on business that I saw the Exile Flood. He, like Gray, had contacted me about work for the Merovingian. He was outside Raini's club, whispering about a meeting where the Merovingian himself would be present. I had heard Zion's side, and I had heard the side of the Machines. Thus, to be fully informed, I felt I had to see what the Merovingian desired. I entered late- I heard him say "watch him- but do not kill."
There, inside the Jacob's Ladder, were gathered twenty some Redpills. All of whom appeared to have been gathered by Flood. I caught a glimpse of the Merovingian leaving to a private chamber. I asked if that was truly the man, and prodded his followers for more information. They were tight lipped, and refuse to speak. They seemed thrilled with the thought of finding Morpheus- and of destroying anyone who got in the way. The Merovingian had promised them power and great gifts- I could tell.
It was then that I heard him whisper to me. He invited me to come see him. Alone. I felt a momentary twinge of fear- but then I decided that, to remain true to my convinctions of learning as much about the power struggle as possible- I must speak with the Merovingian. And I ascended into Jacob's Ladder.
"Greetings," I said to him, as I opened the door. "My name is Arthur Shields."
"Your persistence interests me." He said, gently- but intimidatingly. "Come in! I don't bite."
"May I take a seat?" I asked, motioning to the couch. He replied "Oui," and I sat.
"Tell me Mr. Shields, how much did you hear?" He asked. He seemed afraid- worried I heard too much.
"I merely heard you ask everyone to be observant." I lied.
"What brings you to this dreary club tonight?" I could not tell if he knew I had heard who he was speaking of.
"I must say," I said absent-mindedly. "that I am surprised to be invited to speak with you. I know very little about you, or your organization."
I lied again, when I had thought of an answer: "I had wished to see Raini about work."
He seemed satisfied with that lie: "Raini! She is but a drop of water of information in a vast ocean. Will you work for me?"
He was direct. I was evasive: "I do not understand your motivations."
"I am the benevolent guardian of the Exiles. I seek information, and you can help me. The question is: what are your motivations?"
"My goal is to save as many human lives as possible." I said, not lying.
"Ah! Our goals coincide in this instance." He exclaimed, standing from his chair.
"I know little of the Exiles." I told him, hoping for more information that he might let slip about them. I know enough. "Save that some have proven beneficial . And others... destructive."
"Then listen to this," The Merovingian said to me. "You need not know about my kind. And I need to know about one of yours. I believe that Morpheus is up to tricks. He says this and does that, speaking in his boring, bombastic way!"
The Merovingian was animated, throw his fists around, pacing. I answered calmly: "I believe that Morpheus is dangerous as well."
"His actions are the impetus for even more Exiles to forget on which side their bread has been buttered. Non? He seeks to upset the balance of power."
I agreed. I asked him about compromise. He replied that this was not a conversation about philosophy. "Watch this canker. Find him, observe him. Where he is. Who he speaks to. I want to know it all. If you serve me in this way, I can give you the most pleasurable reward. You have your instructions. Do not fail me, and go."
I thanked him for his time, and he thanked me. "A pleasure," He told me. "as it is with all humans."*
It was then that I met with Beggar, Badge and Prisoner in an abandoned bathroom, and then an abandoned hallway on the seventh floor of a building near Club Duality. It turns out, the seventh floor was not so lucky after all.
I recorded the conversation here, and I wish to present it for No Exit's perusal. I have the screenshot of the conversation, and will send it to Eunoia if so desired.
*The spirit of the conversation, and most of the words remained completely unchanged. However, the order was altered to make the conversation flow more smoothly, as in the actual conversation we jumped around, due to differences in typing speed.
*Merovingian is now on my in game Buddy List.