Authors Note: PLEASE READ- Excuse me peoples, my exposition is showing…
Okay, so I'm going to quick lay down a few facts about how Encom/Tron City is run- simply because it's not something many of the characters would bring up (old news why would they discuss it in detail.)
Tron City (now called 'New Mecca') and Encom are now Twin Systems. At first this was done as a sort of 'life support' for the destabilizing Tron City. But as Sam incorporated more and more of Encom's coding into New Mecca to stabilize it, a sort of symbiotic relationship formed grew between the systems… New Mecca is the largest singular system, but Encom is more vast- multiple parts and cities making up the whole. (New Mecca is the Beijing of cities- HUGE- but Encom's more like the size of Russia)
The majority of functions fall to Encom because of its size/ resources, but New Mecca- still being a somewhat closed system- handles a lot of the sensitive data and projects. Also, because of Flynn, most programs in New Mecca are comfortable around User's, something the Encom programs are just getting used to.
Anyway, that's my ramble… So, now you know.
Warnings: Minor language at best… Shameless harassing of characters.
Synopsis: An old friend comes back, and a new one is introduced.
"You're serious."
"Yes."
"Not even once."
"No."
"You're telling me that you- claiming to be a fully-fledged flesh and blood male- have never actually once even thought about it."
Rezz paused in his work and tilted his head to listen as Sam Flynn and his Creator approaching from the Southern hall.
"No Sam, I can honestly say I have never even thought about it… Hell, I didn't even know it came in aerosol form."
He downsized his project folder, shifting the data over to a table and prioritizing the information necessary for the re-boot; then he turned and waited for the User's to come into view.
"Honestly man, I don't think I'm ever going to be able to look at you the same way again… I think… Ed, I'm very disappointed with you."
"I'm sorry you feel that way, Sam… Had I known the importance to child development attempting to see how much Cheez It I could snort was- you could be sure I would have made it a priority."
Rezz chuckled. He'd actually come to find he enjoyed listening to the various User banter. Although Sam liked to refer to him as 'a stick in the mud' he did understand humour, he just wasn't particularly good at executing it. Though Cole had once told him he had a biting sarcasm that would make sharks- whatever those were- envious.
"Dude, seriously… What kind of childhood did you have?"
"Apparently one deprived of the magic of willingly shoving cheese up my nose."
Rezz rolled his eyes but smiled as the two User's came into view, followed by Tron and Quorra who were watching the exchange with a mixture of fascinated horror and amusement. Tron spots him and nods at the humans.
"And these are the ones responsible for shaping future systems."
Rezz crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow.
"User's save us all…"
Both Sam and Edward laughed as they issued their greetings before setting up the necessary equipment for the job at hand. To be honest, Rezz found himself excited about meeting the new program, its function- combined with his own- would let Encom, as Edward put it, 'make those National Defence Programs look like pansies'.
Rezz was proud of his programming; he was unique- able to shift between functions as the need arose. If the systems were under attack, he could allocate programs and resources, assisting Tron in securing the threat. During normal cycles his time fluctuated between acting as Co- Administrator to both systems and occasional project manager in New Mecca.
What he was truly honoured to have been given was the ability to 'Watch Dog' not only the system, but User's themselves, allowing him to take a pro-active stance on any detected threats. If anyone- including a User- tried harming the systems, he was able to shut them down and lock them out.
It was revolutionary formatting for a program, and Edward had once told him that 'Popular Science' had done a front page commentary on it. That was humbling to say the least.
The addition of Anon's function would take it to a whole new level. Right now the systems defences were reactionary- only coming into play when a threat was already in the system or at the threshold. Anon was to act as one part Monitor and two parts Spyware; investigating any programs or files wishing to interact with Encom's mainframe by backtracking it to the source. If a threat was discovered, Anon would shut it down before it ever reached Encom.
Rezz smiled as Ed came beside him and patted him on the shoulder.
"So, ready to make a friend."
Rezz looked down at the screen in front of him, scrolling through the elegant coding that would make up the program. He nodded.
"Always."
(Impute commands: Install 'Anon101' now (yes/no))
((yes))
(Beginning installation)
A whisper, a faint command…. Live.
(Current operating parameters altered from previous systems memory: Restore to function (yes/no))
A pause, a hesitation over further instruction
((no))
(Restore memory (yes/no))
((yes))
The whisper turns into song as there is a pull towards something more
(Initialize new parameters setting (yes/no))
((yes))
And once more function and form fill the void.
(Install complete: Upload to system (yes/no))
((yes))
The system- his system- calls to him, embracing him in its familiar code. He stretches out sensors, linking his function to it. The system has changed, grown- but he remembers it all the same; remembers everything.
(Final format check: begin re-boot (yes/no))
((yes))
Code becomes pixels, pixels become form.
And once more Anon joins the grid.
His re-boot is soft, bringing him to function slowly as upgrades and additional formatting slowly weaved its way through established code; when he finally does come online it's in a small room with programs surrounding him. He does a quick scan and re-evaluates his early assessment.
Three programs and two Users.
He slowly stands and flexes his arms, moving around as the last of the formatting takes hold. He turns to regard his company. Three he does not know; the two Users and one program- clearly created by the shorter human- are foreign to him. He pauses as he sees the other two.
Tron and Quorra.
He nods, happy to see that his last mission had been successful- the ISO remained intact. Quorra walked up to him, strange liquid collecting around her eyes as she placed a hand on his shoulder.
"It's good to see you again, Anon… It's been a long time."
He pings her an agreement as he turned to Tron, tilting his head in query of status. Tron smiled gently at him and nodded.
"The system is running at full function… We found an old data storage cache with program formatting information inside- yours included."
Tron held a hand out to the User's.
"Sam Flynn and Edward Dillinger; they're always on the lookout for a few good programs. Quorra and I suggested you."
Anon tipped his head, acknowledging the effort and offering thanks as he logged their individual designations into his memory; there was a pause and suddenly Edward made a noise in his throat.
"Um… So, big moment and all that… Anyone want to say anything."
Sam tilted his head thoughtfully before shrugging. Then he laughed hysterically; Anon jumped, startled.
"It's ALIVE!"
Edward groaned as he put his face in his hand; the unknown program shook his head. Tron and Quorra simply laughed as the third program came up to him and signalled a greeting.
"Wait until you get to know him…Then he really gets annoying."
"HEY!"
Tron laughed even harder as he motioned to the program.
"Anon… This is Rezz' he's the systems overseer of sorts. Your function dictates you'll probably spend a lot of time together… Rezz, Anon."
Rezz pinged system stats and information to Anon; instantly he was updated with current events and issues as well general information about system management. It was a considerate gesture and Anon was pleased to find he was thinking he'd probably enjoy Rezz as Administrator far more than the last program he met.
Rezz smiled.
"I'm looking forward to it."
Tron clapped him on the shoulder.
"Come on… We've got a bit of a meet and greet prepared at the Club- I'll show you the way."
Anon nodded as he stepped down off the circular platform. Tron led him out of the room, walking on one side while Quorra linked her arm in his and walked on the other. He could sense the others falling into step behind him. The one designated 'Edward' was the first to break the silence, whispering low.
"It was a good choice Sam; you just have to look at him to see that."
'Sam' chuckled.
"I know… Besides- look at them- all linked arm in arm down the yellow brick road… There so cute."
"I'm surprised with Anon though… He's quiet."
He heard one of them hum thoughtfully.
"Considering the decibels you two are capable of, I chose to mark that as a positive."
Both the User's laughed.
"Yes, thank you Rezz."
"Welcome."
Under his helmet Anon smiled. The system had endured, and once again he was a part of its function.
He was…. Home.
Authors Notes: Ladies and gentlemen, Anon is BACK! The whole thing with 'pinging' and 'signalling'… I think Anon DOES talk, but it's in flash form that only other programs can register… Way I see it, programs 'talking' in more for our benefit than ours (computers translate everything into 1's and 0's- but will inform us about stuff with letters) Programs 'ping/signal' each other more often than talk when User's aren't around. It's faster, more efficient, more 'natural' to them… At least, that's the way I see it. (ALSO- I really wanted to come up with a good reason why Anon never says anything)
As Always, reviews are always appreciated.