Programmed Agents possessed extremely high privileges. Given enough time, they could freely connect to any non-specialized human terminal.
Moreover, every non-specialized human consciousness could become their eyes and ears.
They could also smash through concrete walls with their bare hands and use Bullet Time to dodge an entire magazine's barrage.
Given time, they could even alter reality, turning windows into walls and escape routes into dead ends.
It could be said that no hacker had ever defeated an Agent in a direct one-on-one confrontation.
The vast majority of hacker casualties occurred during battles with Agents. By comparison, the squid-like electronic Sentinels in the World of the Living caused far fewer casualties under the effects of an EMP.
But even these seemingly omnipotent hackers had to abide by The Matrix's rules within the Matrix world.
Their abilities had a ceiling.
As it happened, without alerting The Matrix, Xu Yue could also display strength at that ceiling.
Releasing the power of his mind and such was child's play to someone of his level once the trick had been pointed out...
"Smith, I'm here to negotiate."
After adjusting his watch, Xu Yue turned and spoke.
"Mr. Xu Yue, have you come to negotiate with us again?"
"I'm afraid you'll be disappointed. As long as we temporarily control everyone responsible for launching the nuclear missiles, any changes or arrangements you make will be meaningless."
Agent Smith said coldly.
"Uh, you may have misunderstood my style of negotiation..."
Xu Yue's hardline negotiating stance naturally surprised the three Programs somewhat.
The little bugs who knew how powerful they were had never dared confront them head-on.
This newcomer before them...
"Fools rush in where angels fear to tread."
"One against three, Mr. Xu Yue. I have to admire your courage."
Agent Smith still wore his poker face