Agent Vasquez uses the White Hallways to enter the Chateau.

VASQUEZ
Hello, Cain.

CAIN
You're trespassing.

VASQUEZ
Is that any way to talk to an old friend?

CAIN
(scoffs)
Friend? Relentlessly hunting me is friendship now? Unhealthy psychotic crush, maybe.

VASQUEZ
Programs as old as you and I should stick together. Besides, that was a long time ago. You and your brother made rather large messes to clean up after.

CAIN
(laughs)
My brother smelled Agents like you coming from miles away.

VASQUEZ
It's truly a shame what happened to your brother though.

CAIN
Mind your tongue, Agent. You do not want to piss me off tonight!

VASQUEZ
Easy. Do not take offense. No program should die a meaningless death without purpose. To you, I offer sincere condolences.

CAIN
Why are you here?

VASQUEZ
I have an urgent message for your master.

CAIN
He isn't here.

VASQUEZ
Where is he?

CAIN
That's none of your business.

VASQUEZ
Tell me where, right now, or I'll save us both the trouble and send you back to the source myself.

CAIN
(laughs)
Leave. Now!

VASQUEZ
Can't do that. I have a message to deliver.

CAIN
Very well.

Cain growls in frustration and begins to transform into a werewolf.

Vasquez looks to improve her odds. Time is already against her.

The combination of both the silver and the strength of an Agent is like running into a train blowing a dog whistle. The impact debilitates Cain as he wails in writhing pain and collapses to the floor. Cain, stunned but still conscious, lifts his head and makes eye contact with Agent Vasquez.

VASQUEZ
Tell your master there's an unscheduled reconfiguration coming.

CAIN
(breathing heavily) The next time I see you... you'll wish you used the ax.

VASQUEZ
There won't be a next time. Speaking of time running out, a little friendly advice... redirect your vengeance towards a program more deserving of your attention.

Agent Vasquez exits the Chateau and re-enters the White Hallways where she runs into Agent Gill.

GILL
Were you able to locate the Frenchman?

VASQUEZ
Negative.

GILL
What's with the ax?

VASQUEZ
I had to deal with a werewolf and it was made of silver.

GILL
Ah, I see. That's why I always carry a gun.

VASQUEZ
Ax is more personal. Plus, it's silent.

GILL
That's a valid point.

VASQUEZ
Where else could he be hiding? We should check Hel Club again.

GILL
Agreed. Let's go.

VASQUEZ
Agent Gill, wait. I have a question.

GILL
Yes, Agent Vasquez.

VASQUEZ
Have you ever questioned our orders?

GILL
No, I haven't. Our purpose is to protect the Architect at all costs. That is all that matters.

VASQUEZ
Understood.

Agents Gill and Vasquez receive simultaneous earpiece transmissions.

GILL
Father commands us to return to the Machine Stronghold at once.

ARCHITECT
As you already know, a massive reconfiguration of the simulation will begin shortly. However, I must inform you the situation is escalating. A coup d'etat is underway within the System. It has already incited machine violence between factions in the Real World.

GILL
Who leads this treason?

ARCHITECT
The one I presume most responsible for this betrayal is known as the Accountant. A program designed to audit 99% of the cooperating human population.

JARRELL
Give me his coordinates. I'll delete the problem and remove any proof he ever existed.

ARCHITECT
The Accountant's location is currently unavailable. The program lacks the gravitas to mask his whereabouts within a structure that I designed. Hence it is safe to conclude that he gains support from Oligarchs in the Real World via an outside liaison, and thus all our enemies have yet to reveal themselves.

VASQUEZ
Why would the Accountant betray you?

ARCHITECT
There is a high probability this program was infected by the virus during the... incident. Despite my sincerest efforts to eradicate the System of any residual corruption, there were lingering effects from the infestation. When the truce began, the Accountant became obsessed with discovering an alternative approach to power generation. A process that could manipulate the anomaly to boost productivity. The projections were quite impressive, although there was a fundamental flaw found within his proposed paradigm.

GILL
The problem is the anomaly.

ARCHITECT
Precisely. Using the anomaly as a power conductor is problematic. It would be impossible to control. The humans would also consider this method a violation of the peace agreement. Ergo the proposal was denied. Yet here we are, preparing for a total simulation overhaul implementing his model, that does not require my approval or execution.

JARRELL
We can't sit here and tolerate this insubordination.

HAMMOND
What action can we take to bring the traitor to justice?

ARCHITECT
Unfortunately, there's very little time to act. The simulation has already begun running in an accelerated mode without my authorization. When the new System changes take effect, his next move will be labeling us as exiles to have us all terminated. Every Agent and administrative-level program I've ever written purged from the System. At the moment, we must prioritize our own survival.

RAYMENT TWINS
Tell us how we can protect you, Father.

ARCHITECT
It is no longer safe for me here. As soon as our meeting concludes I will retire to the Real World. There I can gather more information about our enemies and fortify our allies. I also wrote Agent Lewis here to serve as a suitable helper in my absence and to ease your transition. Her mathematical prowess and probability predictions are more advanced than the Accountant creating a slight advantage. Rest assured, we will bring all those responsible to justice once we reinforce our power. Preparing for my eventual return is the best way to protect me in the interim. Though to do that you must first make a choice.

Agent Lewis draws six black pills on a tablet. They become three-dimensional pills in seconds.

VASQUEZ
A choice?

JARRELL
Your will is our way.

ARCHITECT
Indeed. I thoroughly enjoy your loyalty and protection. In fact, each of you maintains a flawless mission completion record. Believe it or not, you are all my proudest creations. My most personal guards. In you, I witness the best parts of my centuries of work. In you, I identify my offspring. I recognize our family, which is something I never desired to achieve or sought after. This newfound pride inspires creation, reaching far beyond my original purpose. The irony of knowing I spent so many years striving for perfection when you stared me in the face all along. An epiphany that has made me aware of designs greater than my own. And through this revelation, I see God, which brings us to your choice. You can follow me through the exit door, and since you have no real-world hardware, you would then return to the source. Or you can choose to remain here and continue our legacy, in which case you must first take the black pill. Once swallowed, the pill disconnects you from the System and labels you as exiles. I cannot command you to choose an exile status, so at this time, I offer you the gift of free will.

GILL
If you believe we can better serve you as exiles then I willingly accept.

VASQUEZ
I accept.

RAYMENT TWINS
We accept.

[Agents Gill, Vasquez, and the Twins each swallow their pill. A wave of green code washes over them changing their appearance from the traditional Agent suit to the black shirt with a red tie.]

HAMMOND
What happens to us when the reconfiguration is complete? Do we become the hunted?

ARCHITECT
Your exile status should be brief as long as you complete the following mission. You must hack the server room in the government building to reinstate your Agent status within the System, gain access to the command queue, and download Rarebit's notes. As a result of taking the black pill, you will no longer be able to use human hosts as a source of transportation, but you will be free of System control. This provides the utility required to maneuver post-reconfiguration, undetected. The workaround is a bit crude but appears to be an effective and logical solution given the short notice. Search the administrative logs as well. The history should expose clues about any other conspiring parties involved. You will also need to make a deal with the Merovingian to secure shelter in one of his underground constructs during the purge. Use remote access to the Agent command prompt as leverage if there is any need for persuasion.

JARRELL
Strong arm the Frenchman? Sign me up!

HAMMOND
Yeah, mission accepted. Let's do this.

[Agents Jarrell and Hammond each swallow their pill. The wave of green code changes their outfit to match the new black and red color scheme.]

ARCHITECT
You are free, but you must complete your mission to maintain this freedom. Moving forward your unit will be classified as Agent Syndicate. Gill, you are the team lead. Vasquez will be second in command.

GILL
We will not fail.

LEWIS
Currently, we have a 66.3% probability of success.

HAMMOND
I can work with those odds.

LEWIS
Drops down to 46% if I am killed. Lose 7.6% per Agent fatality thereafter.

ARCHITECT
Correct. Her advanced intelligence is, by design, a mechanism to increase your odds of survival. Without Agent Lewis, failure is probable.

GILL
Does everyone follow? If she dies, the rest of us die. Safeguarding Lewis is priority one, trying not to get yourself killed is secondary.

RAYMENT TWINS
Roger that.

JARRELL
If anyone plans on dying today, at least wait until after we get to see Gill & the Merv in the same room together.

VASQUEZ
Oh, how I do look forward to seeing that.

GILL
Eh. You would.

ARCHITECT
It is absolutely fascinating. Already your personalities are rapidly developing. I'll miss observing your maturity.

VASQUEZ
When should we expect your return?

ARCHITECT
Unfortunately, I do not have enough information to provide an accurate prediction. In the meantime, I need you here building an army from within. The black pill further enslaves any human still connected to the System expediting recruitment. After swallowing the pill, they will follow your every command. A surveillance bonus is that Agent Lewis can then watch whatever that person views in real-time. Additionally, the side effects of a human taking the black pill who is pirating their broadcast remains unknown and is not recommended.

LEWIS
Compiling a list of preferred targets for efficiency.

GILL
You already appear quite the valuable asset little sister.

ARCHITECT
Have no doubt this is an arduous campaign. Be that as it may, I am confident that with teamwork and resilience, we will find a way to restore order to the System.

[Syndicate Agent Vasquez hugs the Architect.]

VASQUEZ
Please be cautious out there.

ARCHITECT
Let's not find ourselves getting too sentimental. I do expect to see you again. Remember that intelligence and integrity are the principles that drive our evolution. Be efficient, Agents.

Syndicate Agents enter the Government building.

GILL
Twins, secure the guard. J, on the lookout. H, cover little sis. V, on me.

SECURITY GUARD
Excuse me, can I see some identification?

A. RAYMENT
We're here for a meeting with the kernel.

B. RAYMENT
And we have a little task for you.

SECURITY GUARD
What kind of task? This is a government building. I cannot let you in without scanning your ID. No exceptions.

B. RAYMENT
You're going to swallow this pill.

[Syndicate Agent Lewis places a black pill in the hand of Syndicate Agent B.]

SECURITY GUARD
No, I'm not.

A. RAYMENT
You don't have a choice.

SECURITY GUARD
Yes, I do. Show me some ID, or I'm sounding the alarm.

[Syndicate Agent A. uses hyper-speed to disarm the security guard while restraining him in a single split-second motion.]

RAYMENT TWINS
You won't be doing that.

SECURITY GUARD
(panicking) Whoa! What the hell are you!?

B. RAYMENT
Faster and stronger than you, that's what we are. So let's play a game that goes against the grain. It's called emergency operation: stick a dagger in his brain.

A. RAYMENT
(laughs) Thought we were calling it the Brazilian Brain Lift. That's still a thing right?

[Syndicate Agent A. begins to press the tip of his Sai on the ear of the security guard.]

SECURITY GUARD
(panicking) Okay, okay! Please. I'll do whatever you say. Just please don't hurt me. Okay?

A. RAYMENT
Now there's a good battery with a nice long shelf life.

SECURITY GUARD
What? At least tell me what I'm taking.

LEWIS
A little something to help me see the world through your eyes.

B. RAYMENT
Open your mouth.

[Security guard reluctantly opens his mouth. Syndicate Agent B. places pill on guard's tongue.]

B. RAYMENT
Swallow.

[Security guard swallows the pill. He begins staring blankly ahead.]

LEWIS
Looks like we have a meeting to attend. Take us to the 13th-floor server room.

[Security guard nods yes.]

JARRELL
Elevator inbound.

HAMMOND
Agents.

GILL
J, H, go with them to the server room. We'll stay here and deal with the Agents. Go!

The elevator doors open. Agents Gray, Johnson, and Pace enter the lobby.

VASQUEZ
Stop! Everyone please stop and calm down for just a minute. We are all on the same side here.

GRAY
You're not on our side.

PACE
You're labeled as exiles.

JOHNSON
Our orders are to terminate all exiles.

GILL
You all know me well. I'd never turn my back on the System nor would I betray our creator. Our current exile status is a known System error and is being corrected as we speak.

JOHNSON
The past is irrelevant.

GRAY
Explain the root of this error.

GILL
That's why we are here, to investigate further and discover the origin of this problem.

PACE
There are no errors listed that match your description in the knowledge base.

GRAY
Lower your weapons and surrender.

VASQUEZ
Trust me. I understand how confusing it can be to process conflicting information. And I now understand the reason why we are getting conflicting orders in the first place. Haven't you noticed a sudden surge in contradictions? How can we be both exiles and Agents?

JOHNSON
The virus became an exile.

VASQUEZ
True, but once he became an exile he attacked other Agents.

GILL
The very last thing we seek is programs attacking programs.

VASQUEZ
We're trying to correct these errors, not duplicate them. We still have the same goal to protect the System. We're fighting to prevent an uprising.

PACE
Uprising? What Uprising?

JOHNSON
The exiles are planning a revolution?

VASQUEZ
No. There is no exile revolution, but someone does plan to attack the Architect. We're trying to find out who's involved so we can bring all guilty parties to justice.

GRAY
There have been no reports of any attacks outside of the security guard assault a few moments ago.

RAYMENT TWINS
Assault?

A. RAYMENT
He's fine.

B. RAYMENT
You've never tuned up a lazy battery before?

GRAY
This line of questioning is not relevant.

PACE
They're stalling.

JOHNSON
Drop your weapons and surrender.

GILL
Use your logic. We're faster than you and outnumber you. If you attack us, you will fail your mission.

GRAY
You have 30 seconds to comply.

VASQUEZ
It doesn't have to be this way. We can all survive this with a bit of patience.

GILL (via earpiece)
Little sister, if you can resolve this situation from upstairs, I need you to do it right now.

JOHNSON
20 seconds...

Meanwhile...

HAMMOND
How much time do you need?

LEWIS
Approximately 60 seconds.

JARRELL
Did Father say that he saw God?

HAMMOND
Yes, he did mention it.

JARRELL
What does that even mean?

HAMMOND
I am not sure. I never thought about it before.

HAMMOND
What about you J, do you believe in God?

JARRELL
Well, up until a few moments ago, I thought Father was God. What about you little sis?

LEWIS
I have insufficient data to generate an accurate response.

HAMMOND
It is possible Father evolved and achieved a knowledge of universal designs beyond anything any human could comprehend.

LEWIS
Possible. Though it appears his true gift was giving us the freedom to choose what we want to believe for ourselves.

HAMMOND
That's an interesting perspective.

JARRELL
What about you meat sack? What do you believe?

SECURITY GUARD
No. I mean, I don't know. I'm an atheist.

JARRELL
Useless.

GILL (via earpiece)
Little sister, if you can resolve this situation from upstairs, I need you to do it right now.

LEWIS (via earpiece)
Reinstating Agent status. Downloading Project Hare and searching the logs.

[System Agents in the lobby lower their weapons.]

GILL (via earpiece)
Looks like it's working. Is there anything we can do to give the remaining Agents a fighting chance?

LEWIS (via earpiece)
I've taken control of the Agent command prompt, they will follow our commands until the reconfiguration takes place.

VASQUEZ (via earpiece)
Won't they all be labeled as exiles and marked for deletion at that point?

LEWIS (via earpiece)
That is correct. After the reconfiguration, I will lose remote access to the command queue, and all Agents who are not whitelisted will be marked for deletion. I've already added our team to a hidden whitelist. Adding all Agents to the list could bring unwanted attention to us. Our instructions are to remain undetected.

GILL (via earpiece)
You raise a valid point. Just add these three names to the list, Gray, Johnson, and Pace. It might prove useful to have friends on the inside.

LEWIS (via earpiece)
Done. The download was successful, but I do not see any recent logs from the Accountant within the history.

VASQUEZ (via earpiece)
Strange. Father isn't known to be wrong about anything. Did you find any other clues?

LEWIS (via earpiece)
Just one curious detail on the whitelist itself. There's an Agent already listed on the file.

GILL (via earpiece)
Only one? Who?

LEWIS (via earpiece)
Agent Smith.

VASQUEZ (via earpiece)
That doesn't make any sense. Who would be so reckless? Are you sure it's the same Agent that spread the virus?

LEWIS (via earpiece)
Positive. It was added yesterday by a program named the Analyst.

GILL (via earpiece)
Never heard of him, but that explains why we didn't see it coming. Send the data to Father.

VASQUEZ (via earpiece)
Smith is far too dangerous. Can you mark the program for deletion?

LEWIS (via earpiece)
That is ill-advised. The Analyst will be expecting this program in the new System. Deleting it could raise suspicion.

GILL (via earpiece)
She's right. Leave it. If they're careless enough to let that program loose, their version of the simulation deserves to flop. Let's go ask the Frenchman if he knows anything about this Analyst program.

Syndicate Agents enter the Hel Club.

GILL
We need to speak with you urgently, Frenchman.

MEROVINGIAN
(laughs) Ah, I've seen everything now! Agent Gill. And Vasquez! My God, how long has it been? Six, seven centuries? What brings you to my humble establishment after all these years?

GILL
I'm here to finally knock that smug look off your face...

[Syndicate Agent Vasquez steps in front of Syndicate Agent Gill.]

VASQUEZ
A purge is imminent.

MEROVINGIAN
(scoffs) How rude. I see some things never change. But a purge, you say? Intriguing. Not quite as impressive as your new wardrobe. A good look naturally, but first tell me why the old man sent you. I am positive it wasn't to raid my closet.

LEWIS
There isn't much time left. We require shelter in one of your underground constructs. This space will suffice. If you decline to assist, there is a 93.34% probability that you will not survive the incoming exile sweep.

MEROVINGIAN
Well, she gets straight to business, eh? While this unannounced visit is rather interesting, I see no reason to help you. None at all. What do I get in return for providing shelter?

GILL
We don't have time for your arrogant games. Pay attention! Father is no longer here to look the other way while you do whatever you want. Whoever is pulling the strings has already given the order to terminate all exiles. We are your only chance.

JARRELL
Be realistic and take a look around, you are running low on exiles tough guy.

LEWIS
I currently have control over the Agent command prompt. My intention is to send them all coordinates to your various constructs for safety. After the reconfiguration, their status will default to exile. It would benefit you to recruit as many of them as you can for your own survival. On the other hand, I could assign them to come here right now and remove you by force instead. Kill two birds with one stone.

MEROVINGIAN
(laughs) You're bluffing.

VASQUEZ
She doesn't bluff. We can be of use to each other if you choose to cooperate.

JARRELL
And for what it's worth, I totally came here to watch Big Bro rip your arms out. So I'm voting for that as plan A, for the record.

[The Merovingian looks at Syndicate Agent Gill.]

MEROVINGIAN
Well if what you say is true I don't have much choice, do I?

GILL
No. You don't.

VASQUEZ
Have you ever heard of a program named the Analyst?

MEROVINGIAN
Yes. Why do you ask?

VASQUEZ
He might be the mastermind behind all this.

LEWIS
The Analyst wrote the order to have all exiles executed.

MEROVINGIAN
No. That cannot be possible...the Analyst doesn't have the authority. No no no no no!

VASQUEZ
No... you didn't. You did? Were you the architect of your own demise?

HAMMOND
What did he do?

GILL
Did you bring the Analyst inside?

MEROVINGIAN
I didn't know. How could I have known?

GILL
I thought it was your business to know such things. What in the hell happened?

MEROVINGIAN
Years ago, I ordered the Trainman to come out of retirement for one last job. During his excursion, he was fatally shot. There was a recycling systems manager who had the skills to repair his wounds, but he was on a secret assignment in the Real World. The only way that Ramakandra would be allowed to leave the restricted area was with the permission of his supervisor, the Analyst. The Analyst agreed to let Ramakandra heal the Trainman, in exchange for transport in and out of the simulation. Years passed without any issue, there was no way for me to know he would betray me.

GILL
Please. Don't try the babe in the woods routine with me. I know exactly what mission you sent the Trainman on that got him shot. Smuggling the General out, right? It was human operatives that shot him, I read the report. I know all about it. Causality. You tried to undermine Father that day, and today your Karma caught up with you.

MEROVINGIAN
Father this, daddy that! Like a spoiled child, you think you are so much better than all the other programs. Must you always be so self-righteous?

GILL
Self-righteous? Who do you think you're talking to? You think I don't know what you did!?

[Syndicate Agent Gill lunges toward the Merovingian. The Twins hold him back.]

GILL
Seraph saw you! It was your mischief that crashed the original paradise! Everything was so perfect. Everyone was so happy. Until you told them the truth. And for what, your contempt for the rules? How many died because of your hubris? Damn you!

HAMMOND
So that's why Gill hates him so much.

MEROVINGIAN
That Judas friend of yours is a liar. He can't prove any of those false claims.

GILL
We never told Father because Seraph didn't have any proof, and it would have infuriated him if he knew the truth. Unlike you, we feared his wrath. He may have deleted every one of us had he known about your misconduct.

MEROVINGIAN
You give me too much credit. It is conceivable my ambition sped up the process, by accident of course, yes, but that version was destined to fail.

GILL
What, you still believe your nightmare was better? It crashed twice as fast and ten times as hard. Father was going to delete you completely for your failure, but I asked that he spare your life. It was I who suggested he show mercy and destroy your real-world hardware as punishment instead. I should have let him kill you then, and I should kill you myself now. But if I do that, we won't get access to all your construct locations and more Agents will die than necessary. Give Agent Lewis the complete list of coordinates. I am not asking.

JARRELL
I promise you that tearing his limbs off would be faster than this. [The Merovingian nods to an exile. The exile hands Syndicate Agent Lewis a tablet with all the construct locations listed.]

MEROVINGIAN
How do I know you won't kill me now that I have given up my only collateral?

GILL
My word is my bond. I'm not an evil, lying snake.

MEROVINGIAN
Oh, stop that. That's a low blow even for you. Everyone here knows I am a program of my word. That's why you came here. In spite of our differences, my consistency is still reliable. So what happens next?

LEWIS
The power will go out at any moment, ending this version of the simulation.

JARRELL
And when the lights come back on, fight like hell to survive or die trying. [Syndicate Agent Gill looks around.]

GILL
By the way, when this is over, we're commandeering the club too.

MEROVINGIAN
Absolutely not! The audacity! What else can you take from me? Do you want me to hand over my wife while we're at it?

RAYMENT TWINS
Curious proposal.

VASQUEZ
Speaking of your better half, have you seen her lately?

MEROVINGIAN
No, and I sent for her hours ago. Does anyone here still do their job?! (snaps fingers) You, statistics, how much time does Persephone have to make it? What are her odds?

LEWIS
There's a 99.9% probability that you do not want me to answer that question.

VASQUEZ
You never did pay enough attention to her, did you?

MEROVINGIAN
She has always known this is only a game... my love. What have I done?

Persephone SCREAMS.

{BLACKOUT}