From YKTTW
Are the machines really an
Ancient Conspiracy? Overall, they don't so much "lurk in the shadows" as exist in a separate reality from the Matrix; and they don't have any reason to manipulate governments or industries inside the Matrix. I think a key element in the trope is that what you previously thought were "mundane" events were actually all part of the conspiracy's plan. --
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Meocross: I edited this mage and added abit extra into about Matrix dodging, sorry im not good at "link redirecting" some of you people may need to activate links on the obvious trope sentences