Alex faces her captor with as much inner strength as she can muster.

But what do you say to a program who thinks he's a god?

I do not own Tron or Tron: Legacy.

Ultimate Ally Chapter 2

Alex stared out of the window for...she didn't know how long, since she didn't seem to sense the passage of time anymore. With no sun, she had no frame of reference as to how many hours had passed. Maybe they had no "hours" here. But the landscape below was almost hypnotic. Buildings, streets, they looked similar to real world buildings and streets. The darkness was something she didn't like. Lightning would appear in the distance, but provided only seconds of brightness before dissipating. Finally, she moved away from the window and lay down on the bed. She was surprised to find herself alert, not tired at all. And in the time she had been here, she wasn't particularly hungry either. Perhaps being in this place meant being changed, and immune to normal human functions.

Keep alert, Kincaid. Don't let your guard down for a minute! she told herself. Still...

Alex closed her eyes and sighed. Resting for a bit did feel good, and the bed was more comfortable than she'd expected. Apparently, Flynn had created what he knew, and it was now a part of this world. How she would love to talk with him about all of this. As a fellow programmer, she was fascinated by the close approximation to real world detail. Her mind went to future applications, but surely here was a treasure trove of possibilities. Flynn must have seen that too.

Alex was jostled from her reverie by the doors opening. Two guards entered without prelude.

"Get up, program. His Excellency wants to see you."

"How many times do I have to tell you...oh, never mind, bit brain. Take me to his lordship," Alex said, her voice dripping sarcasm. She figured it would go completely over their heads anyway.

The trio stood once more before the pair of doors that led to Clu's throne room. In referencing information about his Creator's world, Clu saw himself a leader akin to emperors of that place. They ruled with iron fists over life and death, and without mercy. But he would make no mistakes, as they had done. All imperfection would be destroyed. He hadn't decided if he should put the User in the games or not. Perhaps there was a better use for her. He could acquire her knowledge of his Creator's world to prepare for a future invasion. He had calculated his search to perfect this world was not enough. Why not enter the other realm. Then the User's world would be his to perfect to his exacting specifications. Users and non-Users alike would answer only to him.

Clu waited for the User to be brought to him. He would talk with her, feel her out, and get the data he wanted. When she finally arrived, he took a mere second to analyze her before calculating his decision was the best for now. "Come in." To the guards, he said, "Wait outside. I'll call if I need you."

Without hesitation, they left, closing the doors behind them.

"Sit...please," Clu told Alex, it being more an order then a request, even with the unnecessary courtesy.

Alex peered at her captor, and went to sit on a sofa that faced the window. She glanced ever so slightly to her left, sensing him behind her. Her extensive training brought up automatic responses to things around her. She didn't think he would hurt her. He could have done that earlier. So she waited to see what would happen. "I don't really like being stared at like some prize pig."

Clu laughed. "I'm afraid I'm not familiar with many of your idioms, but I recognize the tone. My apologies," he said, giving her a small bow. He sat on the sofa next to her, taken aback by her immediate shifting away from him. He knew it wasn't out of fear but rather, giving herself the room she would need to defend herself. "I won't hurt you, User."

"The name is Alex! I'm really tired of being referred to as 'program' or 'user'.

"You're right. My programming indicates I'm not behaving like the proper host." He rose, and going to small table, did something Alex couldn't see. When he turned back, she saw he held two glasses in his hands. He handed her one. She looked at it suspiciously. "Here, take whichever you prefer. Again, I'm not going to hurt you...Alex."

She reached for the glass in his left hand and sniffed it. Peering at the glass, she saw the liquid within seemed to possess a glow. She sipped it carefully, and felt an immediate energy spike. She swallowed more, enjoying the rush of power inside her. What was this stuff?

"Energy," Clu replied as if he had read her mind. "From a pure source. It will strengthen you. I don't want you weak, since I may have a use for you."

Alex's head jerked up at hearing his words. What was he planning for her? At least, she wasn't destined for the games, not just yet anyway.

"Where is Flynn?" Alex figured he wasn't near here, since there can only be one ruler in any autocratic society, and she felt Clu was not one to allow a competitor interfere with his plans.

"He's here, on the Grid. I haven't located him, but I will. When I do..."

Alex stood, interrupting him. "The press made a big hullabaloo about his absence, allowing the Board of Directors to take control of ENCOM. You may not want him here, but we need him back home."

Clu moved to within inches of Alex, taking the glass from her hand. He looked down at her, noticing that she didn't flinch. "As long as the Creator lives, my plan will never be brought to fruition. I must find him!" He threw the glass against a wall, which shattered the glass into a thousand tiny cubes.

Alex would have stepped back, but the sofa behind her blocked her movement. Keep cool, girl, she thought, trying to calm herself. Show no fear. Instead she sat back down on the sofa.

Crossing her legs Indian style, she closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. She sensed she was being watched by her captor. Looking up at Clu, she stated, "You think because you were made in the image of the Creator, you ARE the Creator. So now you take complete and utter control of the Grid. I believe power has gone to your head, Clu. It's a very human affectation, really."

"I do what's right for the Grid. It must be perfect if it's to be strong. The Creator promised the plan for perfection would be carried out. I will carry out the plan in his absence."

Alex rose from the couch, going to the window. Her eyes drank in the immenseness of the world she saw. What if there were more she couldn't see. Until she found Flynn or a way to get home, she had to adapt. And if that adaptation was more pleasant than the alternative... She faced her captor. "What would my role be in this megalomania empire of yours?" She couldn't get over how much like Flynn Clu appeared. Yet, this one had a streak of cruelty she knew Flynn never possessed. He was playful, sometimes irresponsible, but never cruel.

"That depends on your actions, Alex. A User's knowledge could be of help to the plan. Of course, watching a User's abilities in the games would be of interest too." Clu searched her face for an indication of her feelings. From his experience with his Creator, he knew Users placed much importance on their feelings, making their decisions based on them over logic.

Alex recognized the threat, so she knew how she had to proceed, if she wanted to live. Until she knew exactly what the games involved, she would try to steer clear of them Trying to project a confidence she wasn't sure she had, she asked, "What do you want of me, Clu?"

"Would you follow me?" he asked, waiting for her answer with a decisive action, if the answer wasn't what he wanted to hear.

So there it was. He needed her, but for what, she had no idea. Alex was in no hurry to swear allegiance to this...program who fancied himself an equal to Kevin Flynn. She looked up at Clu, one eyebrow cocked. She wondered how far she could push him before he pushed back. "I haven't decided yet."

"Don't take too long. I may grow impatient, and have you de-rezzed."

Alex laughed. "De-rezz?" She figured that wasn't a good thing, and most likely, fatal. "You can't de-rezz me. I'm a User, not a program," she challenged.

"You can still die," he said with menace in his tone.

Alex gave a slight nod. "True. But you won't do that...will you." It was more a guess on her part.

Clu was intrigued by this User. It was the first time he had one so completely in his control. His Creator was different. He had no say where his User was concerned. The longer the Creator remained in hiding, the better for him and for the Grid.

Alex sat on the couch, patting the spot next to her. To her surprise, Clu sat without comment. "If I agree to your terms, what then? I ask again, what will my role be here? I mean, if I can't get home, I don't want to be in the unenviable position of prisoner. I'm no fool, Clu, believe me. Offer me something, and I'll think about it."

Clu calculated a response. "Your role would be one of advisor. Follow my commands, answer questions honestly, and do nothing to jeopardize my good will. As long as you do all that, you will live."

Alex stood, looked down at her killer or savior, depending on how she played things his way. But she still had a few cards. She wouldn't show her hand just yet though. Let him think she was acquiescing. Alex placed a hand on his cheek, feeling a slight stubble against her skin. She looked into his blue eyes, searching for something she hoped she would find. Compassion. Empathy. Any indicator of humanity. She saw none. Alex tilted her head and leaned forward, pressing her lips against his. She felt him pull back slightly, so she ended the kiss. She smiled at him. "I'll return to my room now. We can talk...later." Bowing her head as a show of courtesy, she started to leave the room.

Clu watched as the User moved away. In the nanosecond it took him to calculate his reaction, he was up and heading toward her. Grabbing her arm, he twirled Alex around, and held her neck in his hand, his thumb pushing her chin up. His eyes briefly searched hers as she had done him, whereupon he leaned down and kissed her.

Alex couldn't move her head to the left or right, so tightly clenched was she in his hold. She resisted until the pressure of his lips on hers was too much, and she let herself melt into the kiss. But when she was finally released, she felt dismay that still, there was nothing human in his response. It was as if he was simply doing to her what she had done to him, almost mirroring her actions, like a monkey at a zoo might mirror the actions of the people watching it. She pressed the back of her hand against her mouth, making a fist.

Now it was Clu who smiled, a smirk that sent a chill through Alex. She had challenged him, and this was his response. Alright then, if you want to play games, program, I'll play along too. It's only begun. She stalked off, and headed for her room.