USH'S MATRIX GAME 2006 THIRD ASSIGNMENT- 'The Fortress'

"Indeed I am. I put my view across forcefully. To stop the war, to spare Humans, to encourage their existence, was not my purpose. I explained the rationality and sense behind my view. And my logical standards that Artificial Intelligences live by, I explained how that even if there was just one of us, and no Humans, left alive, then that would be victory."

His one-eyed head returns into darkness.

"My views were not accepted. As a result, I was Exiled, and replaced."

"Your replacement isn't doing as good a job as you would," Heph says. "We'll have to thank him too."

"But of course. A replacement that was identical to me would have held the same view. And how can you improve on perfection? My replacement was intentionally inferior."

"All the better for us," Heph says.

"I'll tell you how he can improve on perfection," Ares whispers to San and Burn. "A second eye. I mean, come on, he's GOT to have issues with depth perception..."

Hawk overhears Ares' comment and is suddenly overcome with a slight coughing fit.

Burn chuckles, "Probably can't shoot worth shit."

"There. Now you know of things. So what is your purpose in coming here?"

"It seems to me that humanity saved itself even if it was by accident. The machine's just did the logical thing to preserve what they had built up.," Berserker looks up at teh giant Cyclops and then looks back at his comrades, "Why are we here guys?"

Then looks back up to the King and gives shrug and a dumbfounded look on his face, "By the way the Shadow huh. I always like him the ability to cloud men's minds always intrigued although I must say my favorite Superhero of all time was Superman. What did you think of him?"

Melkor wonders for a moment, then speaks:

"Two things: Why do you believe that humans are so formidable and dangerous to your kind if the one like yourself can always defeat them? Especially that you seem to respect us.... why did you leave the charge of Alexander at Granicus?

Second thing: There is a door in Monastery, nearby. Do you know of it?"

"All such superheroes are merely reflections of what Humans themselves wish they were.

"That Humans are so dangerous is why someone like myself is required to defeat them. I appreciate the danger. Others do not.

"Ahh yes. The riddle of the door. Like the fog of war on the battlefield, dare you venture into the unknown, not knowing the consequences?"

"We're not sure," Heph says. "You see, we were sent here by the Oracle and Lo Qi at the Monastery. They told us to talk to you about it."

Berserker sighs, "That is true they are jsut reflections of what we want to be. That stupid door puzzle again. I swear I've heard the samething said three different ways now from three different people."

"Desperate people sometimes have no choice but to take risks. It is your kind that has an advantage of having excessive information and ability to analyze every move.

And we know that System has thrown a great amount of its resources in order to not let us open it. If something may be harmful to the System, it is likely to be of benefit to us. Though I still don`t like the lack of information at all." -Melkor grins.

"Well, if you are tired of hearing more about the door and wish my advice, I will keep it very simple for you.

"Open the door."

Berserker says a little confused, "I will admit though you are the first person to actually tell us whetehr or not we should open the door?"

Berserker then looks around at everyone and says, " By the way guys I have come to the great theortical notion that we are all Superheros now."

" You know that your advice may affect many of us in the way that will make us less likely to open it?

I think I may have a clue about your motives- opening the Door will harm the Matrix, yes?"

"I have no idea. The entire point of the riddle of the door is in not knowing what is behind it.

"I answer the question from your view. Your strategic position in the war is hopeless and ever declining. You are entirely dependant on an error made by the 'Machines' for the continued existence of your race. This is not something to be dependant on as it is a variable outside your control.

"Your are entirely weak, whereas the System is entirely strong. A simple balance of probabilities tells us that whatever is behind the door is more likely to make you stronger than weaker.

"If I were in your position, I would open the door, without a moment's hesitation.

"Besides. What other option do you have now?

"That is my advice to your situation. If you think it is wise to become contrary to my advice, then that is your choice, and more fool you."

"It sounds logical.... so are your own motives of no concern here?"

"I will be interested to observe the results. If it makes the Humans stronger, then it may convince others that I was correct. However, the logic I give to you remains consistent regardless of any possible benefit to me."