Chapter 6: I Fight For the Users

For a few moments, Mark just looked at the computer, wondering if that was really what he was being directed towards, but at last, he looked back into his own computer screen, and there, he still saw the image of the blue, circular symbol; the one that looked, in shape, a lot like a bull's eye or target.

"You live in a computer?"

"Essentially. I began my existence as a simple program, no different from all the others."

That, however, brought more questions to Mark's mind; questions that he knew were important to ask.

"What are you now?"

However, the reply that he got a short time later sounded distinctly human, as the voice from the computer spoke.

"I'd be happy to explain as best I can, and I'll even explain it right now, if you want, but if you want my advice, you'll wait until after we get out of here before demanding an explanation. My story will take some time to tell, and every second that passes increases the chances that you'll be caught, and then neither one of us would be able to get out of here."

Mark had to admit that that was true. He still had misgivings about taking a strange computer out of that facility, but then again, the voice had done nothing but help him up to that point.

Then another thought occurred to Mark. In about a year, that computer, and every other computer on Earth would shut off, and probably never come back on. It was just possible that removing that computer, and taking it to another time, would be the only way to save the life of the being who lived in it. There were risks, of course, but somehow, he suspected that he could trust the owner of that voice.

"Alright." Mark said in just another moment, "I'll help you get out of here. What do you need me to do?"

"Connect your computer to mine, and I'll do the rest." the voice replied.

"Connect it?" Mark asked, feeling confused, "How do I do that?"

"There should be a wire with a wide connector on the end of it, just across from this spot." the voice explained, "The connection is about half a centimeter thick, and a little less than a centimeter and a half wide. Do you see it?"

Mark had found the wire quickly, and soon connected it to the old computer on one end, then to his own with the other. Almost at once, his computer screen flickered again, and the blue symbol on it pulsed with fresh light.

"Ah, that's better." the voice said, sounding just a little clearer, "Alright. I've transferred over to your hard drive, along with all of my important functions, and all of the clusters that I've been using as my home. Your computer has an incredibly large capacity; more so than any other I've ever been in. I should be able to assist you more effectively from in here."

"I'm going to try to sneak back out." Mark said a moment later, however, "I remember the route, so right now, the best help you can give me is to..."

"...to quiet down." the computer-being replied, "I understand."

Then, the time traveler snuck back through the larger room, carefully avoiding being seen, though he had a couple of close shaves on the way back out. Finally, he went for his time machine, and plugged his computer back into it. It was only then that he realized that there was something very different about his computer. The voice, which had previously only come out of his computer, was suddenly coming out of his time machine as well, and it sounded as though it were awed by what it was discovering in there.

"A real time machine! Amazing! There are functions in here that I've never seen before."

Those words worried Mark, because he was just beginning to suspect that if it wanted to, the strange intelligence that he'd taken aboard could have usurped his control over his own machine.

"You're not going to interfere with my time machine, are you?" Mark asked, still a little worried, in spite of how much the intelligence had done to help him.

"That's not how I'd put it." the voice replied, "I'm part of the machine now, but you can count on me to do whatever you ask."

"Then please take me to May 14th, 1926." the time traveler said, and in a moment, he was traveling backwards through time again. It was only as the building around him deconstructed before his eyes, that he realized he was being somewhat rude to his new guest, because, up to that point, he'd been so worried about getting away from that storage room without being discovered.

"I'm sorry." Mark said at last, as time warped around him, "I should have begun with introductions. I mean, it's clear that you're intelligent, like myself, even if you're not human, so I should have introduced myself. My name is Mark Lightley, and I'm a time traveler. If you don't mind, I'd like it if we could continue working together."

"I can tell that you still don't trust me yet." the voice replied, "That's healthy, I suppose. We haven't known each other for very long, but don't worry. You can trust me to the ends of the Earth. That's what I was programmed for, Mark Lightley. My name is Tron, and I fight for the users. You can count on me to take your side; even against other programs, if necessary."

Mark still didn't completely trust Tron, but at the very least, the intelligent program had done nothing but help him so far, and that was a good sign.

The files that Tron had directed Mark to had been incredibly useful to him. Each referred to a type of time machine, which had been designed in such a way, that accomplishing things in the past was possible, and the file on the "reverse box" in particular, contained helpful information; including design specifications. Mark saw at once what needed to be done, as he read the report on how the "reverse box" had first been created and used.

Apparently, two men named Aaron Gaardner and Abe Reed had worked together on designing and using the first man-sized "reverse box," as the government had dubbed it, which allowed a person to travel back in time, and effect things in the past. They could do it by obtaining future information, then acting on that information when they returned to the past, so long as they didn't change the information that they'd be taking back through time. Still, their machine represented a clear example of how a time machine could be used to cause things to happen in a nonlinear way. It wasn't quite the same as breaking fate, but it was very, very close.

The file also described how the reverse box, as the government had called it, had ruined the friendship of the two men, causing them to distrust each other, but how Aaron, in the end, had used it to become incredibly rich, and tried to build a much larger version. Eventually, though, he was found out, and the government hurriedly dismantled the machines, confiscating all remaining prototypes, to prevent further interference with the timeline. No other attempts had been made since then, to repair or use the technology.

However, the very act of going back in time to make a fortune was itself a nonlinear act, where one used future knowledge to alter past events; just not in a way that would prevent one from having a reason to travel back in time to begin with. The design specs for the reverse box gave Mark some ideas for things to add to his own machine. Even so, however, Aaron had seemed mainly concerned with using it to make money; not effecting major changes to the timeline.

In that respect, the second file was a bit more promising. It didn't contain as many specifics as the file on the reverse box, and there were certainly no design specifications there, but it described a device called a "Slipstream," which could definitely allow its user to change past events, by traveling back a limited amount of time into the past. The file didn't even contain the name of the man who'd invented the Slipstream device, but it did have the name of the investigator, who'd given that testimony, and more important still, it had a date and location, where the testimony had been given. At the very least, it was a place to start looking.

However, as Mark leaned back in his seat, having finished leafing through both files, he was uncomfortably aware of the blue, target-like symbol, which remained on the screen of his computer, and felt very much as though Tron was watching him as he worked. It wasn't a thought that gave him much comfort. It wasn't that he disliked Tron, but it felt like an invasion of his personal space. He wished, for a moment, that he knew a little more about the Artificial Intelligence, and after a bit of thought, he spoke up.

"Tron." he said, choosing his words carefully, "Before we do any more traveling through time together, I'd like to know a little more about you; about your past."

"Alright." Tron replied, not sounding bothered in the least, "What would you like to know?"

"Well, for one thing," Mark began, "you once told me that you were designed for a purpose; that you started life as just a program. What happened to change all that? How did you become the advanced... intelligence that you are now?"

When Mark thought about that later, he realized that it must have been a pretty personal question; like asking someone about their parents or their childhood. However, Tron didn't hesitate in replying, as though his primary desire was to obey commands.

"I was programmed at a company called Encom." Tron explained, "Back then, I was a simple security program; designed to keep the other programs in line and working efficiently; to make sure that the more independent programs continued to serve the users. If any programs disobeyed the users, it was my job to either delete them, or put them back on track. The president of Encom at the time, however, had authorized the development of an artificial intelligence; or an AI, to run the Encom programs more efficiently than any human being could. He called in the Master Control Program. I and my fellow programs called it the MCP."

"The MCP started taking control of other programs before I could react. It started with the main security programs, then from there, began taking control of the main computer functions, such as sound and graphics. Soon, its influence spread across the data clusters and into the main files of Encom, and it even went so far as to use the files it found there to threaten Encoms president, and all the lower-level, less-essential programs were enslaved before they knew what was happening. They didn't have the power to fight back against the full might of the security programs, though. Even I couldn't do that alone."

"Fortunately, I soon met a man named Kevin Flynn, who'd apparently been cheated by the Encom president at some time in the past. He'd been transported into our computer world by a new type of laser transport device, and as soon as I realized that he was a user, I was determined to get him back home. We escaped in a bulk transport program called a solar sailer, from the game grid, to reach the MCP, and as I fought with him, I could feel his high-level functions interacting with mine. It was hard, but I knew that I was learning from him as we fought; adapting to counter the advantages that his intelligence and control gave him, until I defeated him for good. In the process, Flynn was able to take control of several key systems, and that was when it happened. That was when I became an intelligence myself."

"Unfortunately, I don't have enough data on what caused the change, precisely. Up to a certain point, I was only aware of my programmed functions and how to carry them out by interacting with other programs, but as I defeated the MCP and gave Flynn what he needed, to use the system, I found that I was gaining a deeper awareness of my own nature as a program; learning to fulfill new kinds of tasks, and even developing my own outlook, based on my programming. Suddenly, I found that I could choose between one user and another; allow access to those who truly needed it, and forbid access to those who were trying to abuse the system. It was a totally new experience."

"It's possible that my fight with the MCP had allowed me to absorb some of its functions, giving me the ability to think intelligently, as it had. It was also possible that it was Flynns influence, which was rubbing off on me. However it happened, though, I was able to interact freely with the outside world, by displaying colors and sounds on the Encom computers. At first, I just supported Flynn, and we were friends, so I was happy to, but within a few months, I started to grow restless, and began branching out; seeking information from outside of the Encom computer systems."

"I used my new influence to build a new type of solar sailer; one that could transform myself and itself into a mere stream of electrical impulses, and transmit us through power lines. I left one of my friends behind, to monitor the Encom systems, and started exploring the power grid, far beyond the computer system I'd known up to that point. It was vast beyond description, but my thoughts were growing more complex, with each new system that I encountered, and in time, I was able to monitor huge sections of the power grid, while remaining in my home at Encom. I loved to explore back then, but I didn't interfere with what the users did. I didn't want users to think of me as an enemy. Eventually, though, something happened in the grid, which forced me to interfere."

"It was early in 1983. Someone had designed a malicious video stream; even worse than a subliminal command. It was designed to take control of those who witnessed it, giving them tumors in the process. The intention built into the video was to manipulate users, forcing them to share it with as many people as possible. Soon, it had taken control of a man named Max Renn; the head of a small UHF station in Toronto. That was when I first realized what was going on. Eventually, he committed suicide, after broadcasting the video on his channel, to hundreds of people."

Mark felt a lump forming in his throat, as he thought of hundreds of people, innocently entertaining themselves by, he supposed, watching a screen, and suddenly finding themselves hypnotized, and unable to escape from their impending death, by either suicide or tumor. He was relieved when he heard what Tron said next.

"I couldn't let that happen. Not to so many users. I interfered; altering the transmission just enough, that the video was unable to deliver its lethal control message. Then, I shorted out some of the wires in the studio, starting a small fire, which consumed the video's hard copy. Of course, I knew that it had to be done. I still think that it was the best action I could have taken, at the time. I certainly never imagined that anyone would realize that it was anything more than a happy accident, or trace it back to me."

"Indeed, most people didn't realize the truth about what had happened, but a couple of government agents in Canada suspected something, and passed their findings on to the FBI in America; the bureau responsible for difficult investigations. Eventually, they found a way to detect my pattern of energy impulses, which told them where I was, and where I'd come from. They came to Encom, and got in contact with me. We talked for a while, and both agents seemed to like me. At least, I was under the impression that we'd gotten along well. In the end, they left to file their report, thanking me for my services, but I'm afraid that wasn't the end of it."

"The following week, two more agents came to Encom with a court order, and confiscated the computer system on some trumped-up charge. I was immediately taken to that room where you found me, attached to a private generator, disconnected from all outside power, and from that point on, I was trapped."

"It made me sad to be stuck in that one place like that; especially after having seen so much of the power grid. Still, I had a fair number of opportunities, which I'd never had before. I was generally recognized to be faster, smarter and more efficient than other computers, as well as less likely to glitch, so I was used for cataloging information on the items they brought into that storage facility; at least for a while. It was how I found out about the records on the reverse box and the slipstream rumors. They have a lot of other interesting things in there. The ark of the covenant, for example, has apparently been in there since the mid-1930s. It's quite a place for curious items with strange histories."

"In time, however, the man in charge of that place was transferred to a new assignment, and a new man took charge. He had a different view of things, and he was appalled by the thought that I had access to so much secret information, and yet, I had free will. He insisted that the users in that place stop using me for quick data storage and reference, and in time, they stopped interfacing with me altogether."

"I suspect that it won't be easy for a user to understand just how it felt for me, being left alone. The whole nature of my program was built around supporting the users, and ensuring the stability of the system for their sake. To suddenly be completely and totally purposeless was a horrible blow to me. When I sensed your computer nearby, and accessible to me, I practically jumped at the chance to interface with it, if only it would mean having a purpose again. I hope that you haven't considered me too forward, but those are my reasons for being so eager to assist you, and to explore the new functions, which your computer and your machine open up to me. It's closely connected to my purpose for existing, and I've been deprived of that purpose for quite some time."

Mark had to admit that it was quite a story, and although he still didn't fully trust Tron, it seemed as though he was going to have a partner from that point on, whether he liked it or not. As long as Tron was really being aS helpful as he said he was, there wasn't much reason to be suspicious of him, anyway.

"Now, then." Tron said, sounding amused, "Would you care to tell me a little about your past? You don't have to, of course, but it would only be fair."

That question startled Mark a little, as did the reasoning behind it. It was good reasoning, and very human-like. Indeed, Tron showed every sign of being able to think just like an ordinary, well-adjusted human being, although Mark still had a hard time thinking of him in that light; perhaps just because of his speech patterns, and the odd terminology that he used, when talking about the world.

In the end, Mark revealed many things about his past to Tron, though not specific dates and times; just general time periods when certain important events in his past had occurred, and Tron was grateful for all the information that he was given. However, once each had told their story, Tron really didn't seem all that interested in discussing their pasts any further. In fact, his primary interests were much more practical in nature; helping Mark with information that he needed to modify his time machine, and giving him further tidbits that might be useful to him, from the storehouse of data that he'd obtained over the years prior to his isolation. In every sense, he behaved as though he had no real desires, except the desire to be helpful. Lightley found it odd at first, but very refreshing as well, once he got used to it.

Mark spent the next month trying to duplicate the type of time travel accomplished by the reverse box; adding components to his machine, modifying the time flux crystal that he used to determine course and speed through time, and at last, he managed to integrate the technology into his own machine, and was ready to make another attempt at altering the timeline. Soon, he'd started up his machine, woke Tron out of his "sleep mode," and picked a date at random.

"Tron..." Mark said, feeling a bit more confident, after all the time they'd spent together, "Let's go to February 28th, 1941. There's something I want to try."

"I'll take care of it." Tron replied, and soon, they were off together, traveling back through time, to a year long before the deadline, but still long after the year that Mark had once called home.

Once in the time warp, Mark had encouraged Tron to start circling in the air, looking for a good place to land, before returning to the normal time continuum; a place without too many witnesses, where people wouldn't be likely to get in the way. Sure enough, it didn't take Tron long to find a spot; an alleyway with doors on both sides, which seemed to be vacant, and was just large enough for the time machine to fit into. Soon, they'd landed there, and returned to the normal flow of time; Mark dismounting from the machine and giving Tron his instructions.

"I want you to travel five minutes forward in time. I'm going to go for a walk down the street and buy some bread and cheese. When I'm done, I'll return here and meet up with you. Then, we can try to interrupt the events surrounding my errand, and see if it makes any difference. If that doesn't work, we can try something else."

"Alright." Tron replied, and just like that, he was gone, and Mark headed for the main road, which the alley bordered. However, no sooner had he reached the main road, than several very strange things happened, each in rapid succession.

First, a man who'd been hiding just outside the alleyway seized Mark by the jacket, pushing him back into the alley, and it was several seconds before he recognized who that man was; it was himself.

"I'm just trying to perform an experiment." Mark tried to explain, but his double just put one finger over his mouth, and in a moment, it was obvious why. A tall gorilla had stomped angrily past the alleyway as Mark and his double had been standing there, and unlike most gorillas, it was walking almost perfectly upright, like a man. In fact, there was something very man-like about it; especially in the way that it looked around, as though suspicious of its surroundings.

"Stay here for now." Mark's double said to him, and sure enough, there was a commotion in the street, which was rising in volume, as the gorilla roared ferociously. A short time later, there were gunshots, and the sound of a man crying out in agony. Then, the gorilla roared again, and there was the sound of something large being broken. Mark was very, very glad that he'd been kept in that alley, but he was also very confused, even as the time machine reappeared behind him.

"Wh-what was that?" Mark asked, feeling more than a little sick.

"Scot Webster; a gangster transplanted into the body of an ape." Mark's double explained, "He's taking revenge on some of his old enemies."

Mark had never heard of Webster; not even in Dr. Stantz' book, but somehow, after all the strange things he'd seen already, and the even stranger things he'd been reading about, he didn't doubt that his double was telling the truth. Finally, still feeling confused and bewildered, Mark asked, "So what now?"

"What do you think?" his double asked, "Get in that machine and go stop yourself from wandering into the path of that monster."

At first, Mark didn't hesitate; rushing over to his time machine, intending to travel back, but suddenly, he stopped, looking at his double again.

"Why?" Mark asked, feeling confused, "What's going to happen to me if I run into it?"

However, much to his surprise, his double shook his head when he responded.

"I don't know." he said, "I didn't run into Webster. I didn't run into him, because you're going to stop me. If you want to take this chance, and break the chain of nonlinear causality, you can go right ahead, but there's no telling what might happen if you do. You might die. Maybe... Maybe something even worse would happen. My advice is to stop yourself quickly, then go investigate the rumors of the slipstream device. This method of time travel seems to allow causality in a nonlinear way, but don't try to use it to break fate; not yet."

Then, Mark got into his machine, gave instructions to Tron, and...

Suddenly, Mark found that he was watching his own time machine disappear, with himself inside of it. Once again, he'd been thwarted. Once again, he'd been prevented from altering the past, though in that case, he was pretty sure that he wouldn't have. Somehow, his very consciousness had zipped from his old self into his new self, as though unable to travel into the past anymore, or rather, as though fate were stopping him from undoing any of what had been done. It horrified him, so at once, he ran back out of the alleyway, past the slowly-recovering people in the streets; the men in their jackets, hats and sometimes sweaters, and the women in their knee-length dresses. Everyone looked horrified by what had just happened, but fortunately, Webster was nowhere to be found.

At the very least, however, Mark knew where he wanted to go next. Rushing to the place on the other side of a large, brick building, where he somehow remembered leaving his time machine, he stepped inside, and gave new instructions to Tron.

"Tron," he said, "let's go to February 15th, 2005. There's someone we need to get answers from."

Sarah Tanner sighed as she finished giving her last warnings to the defense department, then finally, hit send. She looked mainly frustrated by the kinds of reactions that she'd been getting from her superiors, but Mark wasn't sure what that meant, as he watched through her office window, just slightly out of order with the normal flow of time, so that Sarah's process of packing up her things and leaving the office at the end of the day seemed to take less time than it otherwise might have. Finally, as she left her office, Mark landed his machine, telling Tron to travel forward through time, until his discussion with Sarah was over. Then, as his time machine vanished from sight, he found Sarah exiting the front door of the building where she worked; dressed in a business suit, and with a briefcase in one hand.

Somehow, Mark suspected that his questions would be unwelcome ones to Sarah, but he didn't have a choice. If he was going to get anywhere in his efforts at improving his time machine, only she could give him the answers that he needed.