The moon fell on a slender figure through the gauzy material against the large window before the bed. They tossed and turned as dreams, memories filtered through their sleep, making them uneasy.
Blue eyes opened and a soft sigh fills the room. "I can't believe that happened." Astra whispers in the dark.
Closing her eyes, she puts a hand to her forehead and sits up. "Why would someone do that? Especially in the ENCOM System." She wondered aloud, for her dreams had been of when Tron had left the System, and one particular Program who was on the Council during that time had taken to making advances on her. He had said that Tron was gone and likely wouldn't return, that she should spend the time in his bed, a thought that disgusted her, as she never wanted to be with anyone other than her Tron, whom she loved with all her heart, and knew, he loved her the same. No-one could compare, especially not a slimy individual looking for more power, which she was certain why he had chosen her, and yet, she knew, he had more than one Program sharing his bed, another thought that disgusted her further.
This Program, had, in a last attempt to get her attention, "touched" her bondmark. The feeling had been the same then as what she had felt in the club last cyc-yesterday. She shuddered at the memory and wept silently, for the feelings were still fresh.
She had dealt with it much differently then than she had at the EoL Club however. Though she had never experienced such a horrible touch nor feeling before, she knew that it could happen, she understood what a "touch" was fully, and she had been hardened by having to protect the people of the System from each other. This coupled with the fact that she was fed up with this Program's advances, made it possible for her to react as she had. She yelled at him and made sure he knew she was the one in charge, that he was in the wrong, and that he would never do it again.
This fact only helped very little and it would be some time before she would fall into another fitful sleep. She remembered the children then, the bomb planted in the nearby town just outside of the city that she had helped build for the "User Curious", she remembered defending them and becoming a vigilante in disguise to do so. An Angel in White, as she was called by those she protected, for it fit for a User Curious hero.
She would awaken much earlier than usual that morning, unable to sleep further, she showers and gets ready for the day, letting her hair dry even as she attempts to sleep once more. Her dreams are tranquil this time, though when she awakens again at the sound of her alarm clock at noon, she is still quite tired from the night before. With a sigh, she tiredly sets off for work.
Tron had fared no better that sleepcycle, having replayed the memory of what had happened to Astra over and over in his mind, reflecting on how it hurt his heart, and memories of Rinzler plaguing his dreams. When he had also awoken early, his mind was more on how Astra was feeling, would she ever wish to return to the Grid after that? She had needed him so badly after it had happened… No, even before then she had needed him… That bondmark. He thought with a worried heart. It has to mean someth-no. No, it musn't. He continued to fight with himself.
He rushed to the User World early to fulfill his duties as head of security, though he secretly did so in order to catch Astra when she would arrive. The hours ticked on, and with each passing minute, his heart grew heavier and a tightness grew in his chest.
He began to pace, he didn't know when he started it, at the security desk in the main hall. Thoughts of her not returning gripped him as fear took its hold. He glanced at the door what seemed a million times a minute, hands behind his back, then at his sides, then crossed before him. His stance went from rigid to hunched, and back again, until, finally, at 1pm, he caught sight of her walking up to the glass doors.
His head snapped up, as hope soared through him just as fear gripped him, and a love and compassion he had yet to admit to took hold. He rushed to her as she walked in the door, taking her arms gently within his hands. "How are you feeling?" His eyes spoke clearly of his concern and love for her.
She simply smiled and rose her hands to hold his arms as well. "I'm alright." She said in a soft voice, reassuring him as her heart soared at his compassion. "I just had a rough night…" She leaned in close to whisper in his ear. "I can tell you later." Though her smile was tired and her words soft, the very sight of him had lifted her spirits, as it always did, especially after her dreams that previous night. What she now accepted as memories made her wish all the more that her Tron would see her for who she is, though changed, for she now sees the Bondmate she remembers, though also changed, and she loves him all the more for it, a fact that glistens within her eyes and swells within her heart as she looks up at him.
Relief travelled through "Trevon" at her words, though concern still gripped him. Memories again? He thought, and wondered what she must have remembered that would give her such a sleepcycle. He had heard of what had happened within the System after he had left, though he did not know of the "touch" which had violated her by that one Program upon the Council. With this in mind, he spoke, eyes saying clearly that he was still concerned. "Dreams again?"
She nodded, eyes closed. "Yes."
She didn't get to say more as the alarms blared within the building! People rushed to their stations as "Trevon" and Astra looked on, then at each other, both sharing the same thought. The Grid!
They made to dash for the elevator when a familiar voice cut through the chaos. "Breach in the System!" Riven shouted, heading for Tron, for he knew if someone was able to keep the System protected, it was him.
Tron and Astra both nodded, let go of each other and ran for the elevator to the rezzing room, hoping to get there in time.
Behind them, Riven watched after them and returned to his station, leaving his forgotten coffee within the break room, where had been only moments before and had overheard what was going on. He knew where "Trevon" could be found, as he had been pacing there for some hours since arriving in the User World.
He sat at his terminal. "We've got to get this thing closed before they cause as much damage as last time!" He shouted to no-one in particular.
"We're on it!" Dev shouted back as chaos erupted around them, the sound of keys clicking upon many keyboards and chatter filled the room as they hurried to close the breach.
Meanwhile, Astra asked in a hurried voice. "Has the prototype been finished?"
Tron nodded, rushing to the control screen in the wall, and growled. "Yes. I tested it this cycle. But we only have one!" His mind filled with horrible possible outcomes from another attack. With only one prototype ready, they weren't likely to survive another attack without casualties. His heart hurt. He couldn't bare to see another Program lost due to the misguided actions of other Programs. However, they were more prepared than the last time, having expected another attack, the security had been trained and increased, Tron Tower was more protected, and the prototype was functional. They stood a chance against a higher risk attack.
His mind quickly ran over what needed to be done even as he worked the controls and they both rezzed within the Grid. He had to be the voice of reason and the sold code in this time of crisis!
The sound of attacks and explosions greeted their ears as they rezzed onto the Grid. Both acting fast to get to the source of the attack, Tron rezzed his lightcycle and hopped on, Astra was close behind him.
"They're close!" He shouted over the din as he headed for the source of the sounds.
Fear gripped Astra as a determination and fierce protectiveness took over. "I'll try to create a barrier! I've worked on my firewall skills in my down time, I've never used them here… But I'm sure I've got it!" She called back to him. She could only hope that her time practising and improving her firewall skills would come through and save as many lives as she hoped.
Tron nodded, hope flaring through him, if she got her firewalls up in an improved state, they may be able to save more than a few Programs! He was also impressed that she dedicated so much of her time to protecting the System.
"Good." He called back to her. "I'll be needed at the head." His place was on the front lines, commanding and protecting, his skills were needed, he had to let her know, this was what he did.
She understood.
He lit up his comms and spoke into them in a commanding and loud voice. "This is Tron. All units to the battlefield! Repeat, all units to the battlefield! I will meet you there!" He held confidence that his team would know what to do and who to leave behind to guard the containment cells down below and keep the tower guarded and working the controls there. But he needed everyone available to fight beside him if they were to make it out of this alive!
Suddenly the side of a building near them shattered! Spraying them with debris and causing Tron to maneuver around large chunks that had fallen onto the road!
"They've got tanks!" Astra shouted as he swerved, fear gripping her. If they had tanks, they were bound to have more than the last time! Which meant bad news for everyone within the System!
Tron growled and jumped his lightcycle over a large chunk via a makeshift ramp from the falling debris. "What are they after?" He all but whispered to himself and drove around the corner to assess the situation on his own.
Tanks filled his vision, driving down the next street heading straight for Tron Tower! Just as a voice came over their comms. "Zed here. Tron, get closer to the Tower or you'll be blown away! We've got the prototype up and running and it's working beautifully, but it won't work on those tanks! They've got ten of them!"
"Affirmed." Tron replied back and altered his course. They wouldn't survive against so many tanks, and his very code screamed that he should be on the front lines already!
Three of the tanks he had seen started to turn towards them as he drove away!
"Flynndangit, they're following us! Hold on!" He called back fearfully to Astra. He wasn't as afraid for his own life as he was for hers! He had to get her to safety!
Taking a detour, he dives through side streets, over and behind debris, and through alleyways as shots fire after them, missing and blowing holes in the buildings even as they reach out of their sight!
Holding on tight, Astra watches in horror as more damage rips through the Grid and more Programs are possibly hurt! She's thankful she never sees anyone derezzed, it gives her hope that none had been.
Finally, they ramp off of a fallen piece of building and land before Tron Tower while Tron compresses his lightcycle, heading at a run for the doors!
Astra fares a bit better this time, stumbling as she fights to keep up.
"Status report!" Tron barked as he enters the building.
"Sector One and Three are under attack! There are less Programs than before and one extra tank! No casualties as of yet." The female Program ran off.
"Good." Tron nodded, relief flooding through him. If no casualties have happened since the attack, with so many tanks, then they were in good standing order. "I'll help keep them at bay." No smile graced his features as he turned to Astra. "Astra. You're to stay behind. I don't want you too deep in this fight." His voice forceful though still tender.
Astra nodded, understanding. He would be on the front lines and he didn't want her to follow. Love flooded her for this man though she did not smile, the situation was far too serious as her protective instincts took over and she followed him out of Tron Tower to head left, away from the front line of defence. She felt she was of better use out there than in the Tower. "I'll hold my walls, that should protect some of the city." She said from beside him as they walked.
"That's best." He did not smile, though love and relief filled him that she had listened this time, and yet she still fought to protect the Programs and System. Turning back to her, he told her. "Be careful." His eyes holding all the worry and love he felt.
She smiled, reassuring him. "I will." And continued on to the location she knew she should erect her walls from.
Tron didn't watch her as she walked away, instead, he ran for the front line, rezzing up his staff, and took up stance there, hope surging through him at what he saw.
Zed and Mara were both operating the prototype and fighting when needed, using capture balls they had on stock with them. Within a good range of them were many captured Programs already, and none on either side seemed to be in bad enough a state as to worry about derez. However, there were wounds among many, and his Monitor team was also there, shields out, staves in hand as they fought to keep the onslaught of Programs at bay.
It was a battlefield. The line was being held, but barely, as the few tanks that had made it this far fired into the fray and at buildings to create debris that would be hard for Tron and his team to navigate. The tanks couldn't reach Tron Tower with their shots yet.
Tron shouted. "No disks! Hold the line! The battle ends here!" And slams his staff into the ground, creating gaps under unsuspecting Infinitas Programs and rising some up to be captured.
Zed woops at the display and at the now easily caught Programs. Victory was upon them. Tron had appeared!
The Monitors all smiled and some even pumped an arm, though their hands were either full with a shield or staff. They each felt hope and happiness that Tron's own orders from before this attack had been to use no disks to protect as many Programs as possible if an attack was to come. Staves couldn't kill if used correctly, their weapons of choice were optimal.
Once Astra found her location some ways away from the fight, trepidation fills her and determination. She rezzes her staff, and, with a flourish, twirls it within her hand before grabbing it with both and slamming it into the ground! All the while she concentrates, consulting her memories as Yori so that she may alter the very code of the staff, tie it to her body, and share her energy with it to create…
A wave of blue energy erupted from her staff, encasing the area around her as it spread outward! Higher and further it rises and pushes out, until all of Sector One is engulfed in its light, bands of blue energy whipping along it not unlike lightning and water combined.
Immediately she felt its drain, but, she pushed further, closing her eyes and concentrating, connecting with the very System to output her desired result. It wasn't something she felt she could have done in her previous life, however, now, as a User, she could. She felt the System, the very Grid beneath her feet, found her desired location, and, another blue energy shield erects in Sector 3! And another in front of Tron Tower! Each connected to her staff, and through it, to her, a fact she feels as the first shot from a tank hits one of her shields and her energy levels drop! She digs her heels into the ground and holds the shields up, never wavering, she can handle this. She just didn't know for how long.
The feeling of keeping the shields going while they were being attacked by more Programs and tanks felt, familiar to her, she frowned. Having to keep them going meant others being hurt. Though, it was surprising to her that she felt the same then, as she had in the past. The same love, determination and strength flowed through her. She smiled.
At Tron Tower, Tron smiled in triumph! The city was protected! And more than a quarter of the invading Programs were captured! Only a few of the tanks were in their bubble, and he knew, the Users Lora-Prime, Alan-One and Sam were working in the other sections to take down the other tanks! They were going to win with minimal damage! Astra's shields truly brought hope to those fighting on their side.
That's when Astra saw something… A few of the Programs bearing the Infinitas symbol pulled three civilian Programs into the breach they came in! Fear gripped her and she almost let go of her staff to go after them! But she had to keep her shields up! Oh no… She thought. She couldn't stop them!
She looked in the direction of Tron Tower, and then, heard Alan speak over her own comm in her suit. She hadn't known she had one! "I saw that. They were right in your field of vision. Don't tell Tron. We'll rescue them later."
Astra looked incredulous, she couldn't believe they weren't going to help them! But, he had a point, the battle was here, they couldn't go after them until everyone was safe on this side, and there was nothing they could do as their hands were all tied. She trusted him. "I trust you, but, it won't be easy. Where are you?" She said back to him.
Alan's voice came back strained, as he fights to keep the tanks under control. "We're fighting them off from behind! We came in just after you. Sam and Lora are here too. They don't stand a chance!" Though he held a grin in his voice.
Lora pipes up then in a voice that holds a grin and pride, determination on the edge. "Good job Astra! We'll get you in on the rescue mission when we're done."
Astra's heart swells as Tron's and her Users come to the rescue, just as she had always imagined they would if they knew what was going on in the System! This was a dream come true! Yet, it was also a nightmare. No battle should have to happen, but the Users being here gave her hope, as she knew would also give the others fighting alongside them.
The chatter went dark after that as everyone focused on stopping the invading Programs and tanks.
Sam worked at the rear, using his User powers to pull tanks backwards while Lora ran up to them and render them useless, using her own User powers as she placed her hands upon them, concentrated, and accessing their code.
Alan fought alongside them, using a staff of his own, keeping Programs from getting too close by using it and cleverly using his powers to push them away without touching them. In a moment of inspiration, he closed his eyes and concentrated, accessing the System directly, altering the terrain around the tanks and attacking Programs by pulling some hexagons down or up.
Surprised cries could be heard as the unsuspecting Programs fell or rose, only to be caught as one of the Users created binds for their hands and disks.
Alan smiled, and waved his hand before him, creating a myriad of screens which showed him the battle and every User and Tron that was within it. He thought with a wry smile, that he may be old, but his mind was still sharp, as he worked to protect all by accessing the System and altering the terrain there or creating binds for Programs who got too close!
Tron narrowed his eyes in concentration as he fought, concentrating on not hurting the Programs coming for him. He rezzed his shield and bashed some away, used his staff for others, and his capture balls, as Astra now called them, for yet others, until he became surrounded by a group that thought they could take him out!
His staff flew as he twirled it around him in a whirlwind of attacks, his shield compressed for the time being, blocking every attack with ease and knocking the Programs either back, or out. He almost smiled at the attempt, if he had been training, he would have, but the situation was too dire.
He almost had them all out when a tank fired at him, hitting the ground right in front of him, sending him, and the others flying!
He growled and took down the last Infinitas Program near him and ran for the tank! Jumping up on it smoothly he used his disk to stay on as it swivelled its canon. He glared. They aren't getting away with that so easily! He thought as he cut into the tank's side, taking out its manoeuvrability! After that was done, he climbed up on top and cut into the enclosed space that held the opening into the tank and jumped in!
The Programs inside looked back at him surprised!
He stood tall and spoke. "You accuse us of hurting other Programs! But all I see is you doing just that!" And pounced, using his compressed staff baton to knock out those who tried to fight him! None lasted more than a few micros against him, they were no match, and soon, the tank was rendered useless and all of the Programs within captured.
Exiting the tank he saw there was only one left, and all but a handful of Programs were left of the invading force. He almost smiled, and ran for the other tank, doing to it what he had done to the last.
By the time he finished, the battle was over and cheers filled the air as he hopped down from the tank. "All Programs in these tanks are captured. Send all captured Programs to the containment cells! We will build more as needed! Tend to the wounded and someone get some energy to Astra!" He barked out his orders as his eyes travelled to the energy field around them. He knew she was alright, otherwise the walls would have come down. That energy field is something I had taught Yori how to do… He wondered if she got that from her dreams.
With the relief of knowing she was alright, he headed for Tron Tower to take care of the aftermath and assign teams to cleanup.
The whole battle must have lasted maybe half a microcycle. He thought as he assessed the damage. It was a small attack, smaller than the last.
In another Sector, Astra was thinking the same thing, only she had added to it. It must have been because their main objective was to take those Programs. With a sad tone to her inner voice.
Her energy having been depleted and the battle over, she slumped to the ground, her shields dissolving around each Sector, and fought not to black out. The massive amount of damage the shields had taken from both Programs and tanks had taken its toll on her, she felt even worse than she had when she had healed Reeve. She shook her head, vision swimming before her as she hears a male voice calling her name politely.
Blinking, she looks up to see a male Medical Program holding a tall glass of energy out to her. "You used a lot of energy with what you did. Now. Drink up. Tron's orders." He smiled.
Astra giggled at that and took the glass, uttering a grateful. "Thank you." And quickly downed the contents, shaking off the effects as her lightlines flared back to life. She hadn't noticed how dim they had been a few moments before...
She didn't get to think on it further as Alan, Sam and Lora walked up to her and stood or knelt beside her as her light blush faded.
"We need you outside. Come on." Alan said and offered her a hand up to which she took gratefully and handed the empty glass back to the Medical Program.
"I'll be back soon to help with the damage." She reassured him with a smile.
He smiled back, nodded and left while Alan led her away with the others for Tron Tower.
They ran for the Portal room once in the building, Astra a bit slower, still recovering from her energy loss, something Tron took note of as he stared over five Program's heads that he was currently talking to about the attack.
He noted the look on each of their faces, filing it away for later analyzing, he remained unworried, as he thought they were going to heal the System from the User World, and with the attack, he was too busy to question them. He trusted each of them with his and the System's lives. He knew he had nothing to fear. Though a tingle of doubt would seep in sometime later, when he found out, none of them had been working on the System in the time they were gone.
YyYyYy
In the User World, the group headed to the only person who could help them locate the kidnapped Programs, Roy, who was seated in his office surveying the information from the attack.
Alan crashed through the door first, surprising Roy and making him jump a little in his chair. "Roy, we need a location on where those Programs came from and went back to! They took three hostage, can you locate them?" He asked quickly.
Roy collected himself and nodded grimly. "You've come to the right guy! Alright, let me see…" He said as he swivelled back to his screen and began working on the problem.
It would be some time before he would say anything further, he was so engrossed in his work, while the others sat around his office.
Astra was the first to speak. "Why didn't you want Tron to know about the kidnapped Programs?" Though she trusted them, it still hurt that they didn't want to let him in on the situation. She would have told him first, if it was up to her.
Alan answered, clasping his hands in front of him. "Because he's a Program. We don't know where those Programs went and if Tron got caught, he holds more information than any other Program in the System. Can you imagine what that would do in the wrong hands? And, he's like a son to me. I couldn't imagine him being hurt." He said softly.
His last words hit home to Astra. If they needed to get Programs back safely, what would they do to Tron if he were caught? She suppressed a shudder at the thought. He didn't deserve that.
Nodding, she met Alan's gaze and spoke her mind. "Alright, I don't want him hurt either." She does shudder then. "I can't imagine what kind of torture they would put him through to get the information… And the thought of a malicious User going over his code makes me sick."
Alan sat back, unclasped his hands and nodded, pleased with her answer. "Then you understand."
Roys office was dark, something that weighed heavily on the others within while they waited for Roy to find something, anything, on the whereabouts of the kidnapped Programs. It seemed like hours before he finally stopped his work and turned to them.
"Found them! And you're not going to like it." He said in a not so victorious voice.
Each of them got up from their seat and crowded around him. "Where are they?" Sam asked.
"They're not in a System." Roy said flatly, his eyes shining, knowing they would be difficult to save.
Every last one of them looked at him with surprise.
"Then were?" Lora asked her voice shook with fear.
"They've been rezzed into our world via stolen plans for Lora's laser just outside the factory complex." Roy stated seriously.
Alan roared, rage coursing through him! "Stolen plans?! How?!"
Roy shook his head. "From the first attack. They got into Tron Tower. They must have studied the portal and brought the information back with them. Or, taken it directly from the System." He swivelled on his chair to look at all of them. "The location is there." He gestured to his screen. "But we need a plan."
Astra's eyes lit up. She had an idea, the prototype used in the battle made her think of it. She only hoped she could pull it off… That it would work. She did not raise her eyes nor look at anyone as she said seriously. "The prototype."
Everyone looked at her.
She looked around her then, to each of them, her voice full of worry, determination, and bravery. "It's perfect. I can do it. Let me. I'll get them out of there!" She was ready to put her life on the line for these Programs. She wasn't going to let those Users do to them what the others did to the Programs from the ENCOM System! Another memory which had come to her that previous night… Of when she… Died.
They all exchanged looks and looked at her.
Alan met her gaze and said carefully, he didn't want to lose her as he and Lora saw her practically as a daughter now, but, she had the heart of Lora, he knew she would do it if she felt she needed to. "Are you sure you want to do this? It hasn't been tested..."
Astra wasted no time in answering. "Yes. If we go now, we'll have them out in the hour."
Lora's heart clenched within her chest, but she nodded. She had to respect her wishes. "Alright." She said and looked to Sam. "Sam? What do you think? You're in charge."
Sam looked to Astra for a long moment, then nodded. Out of everyone in the group, she was the newest and most expendable. She had the courage and the diplomacy to handle it, and she had less knowledge about each project going on behind the scenes. She may know of them, but not how they work nor how to build the things they had in their world. "Yeah, I think she's the one to do it."
Alan sighed and nodded, speaking for everyone and getting things started. "Alright, then we'll wait in the rescue vehicle outside the building while she gets them out. We have just the company white van for it. It should fit all of us, I only saw three Programs kidnapped."
Lora nodded in agreement, she knew just the van he was talking about, it had been kitted out with the latest ENCOM technology, and could hack into any system near it if given the right user.
Roy looked around at them, concerned. If they were going to rescue these Programs, than they would need his hacking skills to get to them, and get them out. "I'll come with you guys. You might need me."
Sam nodded, already forming escape and distraction plans within his mind. "Alright. Let's go!" He said and started for the lab.
YyYyYy
Back in the System Tron had become agitated, he had been keeping tabs on each User that was working on fixing the System and Programs who had been damaged from the attack, but could find nothing of the four who had actually been there.
"Beck, look after things for a bit here for me. I'm heading to the User World." He said with a slightly hesitant tone, worry clearly in his voice.
Beck nodded, his thoughts on why his friend would have worries about the User World at this time. "Yeah, sure." He said as he lowered his pad and watched his old mentor head up to the portal room
YyYyYy
He was just stepping out of the elevator when he saw the group he was looking for heading for him. He eyed them warily, worry etching his features. "What's going on? You've not been at your stations for the past microcycle." He asked, looking at the five of them, a bit surprised to see the User Roy with them. What could they possibly need Roy for? He wondered.
Sam stepped forward and lied easily. "Researching what the attack was all about." Pointing to Roy he continued. "We needed his help."
Tron stared, catching the lie, though having no idea why Sam would lie to him. He gazed at each of them, noting Astra's "deer in headlights" look as he asked the next question. "Where are you going?"
Alan's voice was fatherly as he clasped a hand heavily upon his "son's" shoulder with a wary smile. "Out, we need a break, but we want to check something first. We'll be back soon. You take it easy while we're gone."
But whereas Alan's tone was sincere, "Trevon" caught the lie at the beginning. He was worried about him… Why? His eyes flashed with recognition of that fact, he knew something was up, though no-one caught that look.
He nodded. "Alright, have fun…" He said as he stepped aside, eyes on Astra. He noted her movements, she was worried about something, and clearly uncomfortable. The look she gave him spoke of an apology and fear. That worried him more than any of the words spoken by the others.
Inwardly, Astra was thinking she knew he couldn't be on this mission. If he was, he risked capture and much worse! Plus, she was a terrible liar. She couldn't hide any of this from him for long!
"Trevon" kept a poker face as he watched them file into the elevator and head for what he thought would be the rezzing room.
Once in the lab, they grabbed up the communicators and teleportation device, a few other things as well and headed back up for the van. Alan had been right, it was just big enough for the five of them and three others. They would be able to complete the mission with one vehicle, and therefore be better at avoiding detection.
Alan drove as fast as he dared, it didn't take long for them to get there.
YyYyYy
"Trevon" had waited for them to rez into the System before heading back to the Grid himself, fear gripping his core. What could they possibly be leaving me out of? He thought as he checked the logs on who had digitized into the System after the five of them had went down the elevator. Anger filled him when he found none of them had rezzed into the System like they had suggested they had! Then, fear travelled through his circuits as he realized something. If they were keeping something from him, then it must be very dangerous for a Program… And they had Astra in on it… His heart clamped in fear! Astra couldn't defend herself properly! She wasn't like him and she was the most likely to get herself into trouble by volunteering for it!
Quickly, he looked through Roy's logs, and found he was looking for a location… Where the Programs had went through the breach. His eyes widened as the only reason they would do that filtered through his mind! "They're going to take them head on!" He whispered in shock and fear, already running for the portal!
As he passed Beck, a look of masked determination was upon his features as he called to him, though his voice was commanding. "Beck! You're in charge! I need to go to the User world!"
"Got it!" Beck didn't question him and set to work. He knew better than to question Tron when he had that look.
YyYyYy
Back at the building the Programs were being held captive, Astra was being outfitted for her mission. The black box upon her waist, earpiece in her ear. The van had been parked behind a growth of trees in a clearing near the building, close enough to tap into the building, far enough to avoid suspicion.
"Now, all you need to do is think of where you want to be and you can teleport there." Lora instructed as she grabbed up what looked to be a User World variant of a baton. It was made of metal and held no words nor buttons. "We've grabbed a few other things too. This will transport to you from here with a thought, it's connected to the teleportation device. It will unfold much like rebuilding a limb back on the Grid, but much faster, making a full staff."
She reached over and grabbed another item, it looked like a glass monocle. "This will help you to see in the dark. Say "night" and we'll shut off the power. It probably won't last long, so make the most of the time you have."
Astra took the glass and fastened it to her ear to have it in front of her left eye.
Alan spoke up then. "We want you to do what you do best, negotiate. If that doesn't work, say "night" and we'll shut off the power so you can get you and the others out. Be careful." He felt much like he was setting his own child into this and it spoke within his eyes. Lora fared no better.
Astra nodded with a serious and determined look. She wasn't going to let anyone be left behind! "I will. Don't worry." She added in the last softly as the side door opened and Astra stepped out.
Roy was already on the computer hacking away at the security system.
She snuck up to the building, and tried the door, it was unlocked. Roy sure is fast! She thought and entered.
Inside the hallways ran long and constantly twisted and held more attached to them, each having a myriad of doors against them. Astra had no idea where to start! So she said cryptically, quietly. "This place is like a maze!"
Roy came in over the comms. "Hold on, locating the building's map…"
Astra kept walking.
"Ok, third hallway to your left and down to the 4th door. It should be a lab of sorts." Roy informed her, the sound of keys typing in the background.
"Got it." She whispered and continued on. She knew Sam was helping with the hacking as well. She really relied on them for this, and she knew she could count on them. Alan must be waiting in the driver's seat, waiting for the getaway. Lora's probably ready to get the Programs into the van. I know this will work! She thought with hope as she walked up to the door mentioned, and opened it.
Inside revealed what looked to be a makeshift lab of sorts, fear gripped her, until she saw the three kidnapped Programs huddled in the middle of the room looking untouched. Thank the Users! She thought before she could correct herself and stepped in.
There were two men with guns inside, both dressed in black and looked quite well built. Muscle to keep them here. She thought. Two others, one male, one female, dressed in white lab coats were also there. Scientists. Was the single word that ran through her mind with anger. And finally, one other normally dressed man was within the room. She turned to him. "I have come to negotiate on behalf of ENCOM. We want the Programs set free, they're people, not mindless beings! You have to realize that!" Her voice was soft, pleading, yet there was a note of command, an assuredness that spoke of truth and that she would not be budged.
"You're wrong little lady." The normal dressed man scoffed at her. "They're advancements in AI, they have to be! And we're going to take that technology and release it to the WORLD! Stopping ENCOM's plans to take over!" He gloated, arms in the air, then he looked back down at her. "Just how did you get in here?!"
Astra's eyes flashed, she had no time. "I have my ways." She puts a hand on her hip with a saucy smile. She had to make them think she was alone.
"And what's that on your face? I want it!" He reached out to grab it and Astra twisted out of his reach. "I want the Programs set free! Will you do it?"
He roared. "NEVER!" And stepped back calmly, flicking his hand over his head in her direction, the "guards" moved.
"Night." She speaks the single word, cryptic and solitary. The lights went out and the room falls into darkness!
Cries and growls erupt from the people in the room as Astra hurries over to the Programs and whispers. "Come with me." Grabbing one of their hands and tugging them firmly along.
They don't hesitate to follow her, holding on to each other's hands so as not to lose any of them.
Astra pulls them out of the room and rushes down the hallways, leading to the door to the outside that she came in.
Suddenly the lights come on, revealing more guards heading their way, each of them holding a gun in their hands!
With no time to spare, Astra ushered the Programs out the door and calls the baton to her hand, unfolding it into a full staff. Whistling loudly at the security guards, she puts a hand to her waist and swings her staff lazily. "Oooh booys! It's me you want!" She grins sassily and promptly activates the teleportation device, teleporting to somewhere else in the single floored building.
She blinks, stumbling a bit as she lands safely in her new location. It worked! I didn't die! She thought happily and ran. Keep up the act, keep up the act. Hoof it! She didn't know where to, but she knew she had to keep up the distraction so that the Programs would be safe! "Go without me! Get the Programs away from here! I'll be fine!" She said over the comms.
Sam shouted back to her. "No-one gets left behind! Now get back out here!" His voice was worried.
"I'll try!" But she didn't get to say more as security had found her. She flashes them a cocky grin and teleports away again.
This time, she didn't get far and had to hit one of them over the head with her staff as she rounded a corner! She teleports again.
But each time, seems to get worse, and this time… There was no escape. She had teleported right into the middle of four of them!
They hold their guns at the ready, just waiting for her to make a move.
She knows she won't escape in time this time. Their gunfire would surely hit her before the device teleports her to a new location. So, she says solemnly, heart sad and pounding, not wanting them to know she wasn't working alone. "I'm glad I got to do what I did." A truth that spoke louder than words. Her comms immediately erupt into chaos as everyone tried to shout at once! They knew what that meant!
She closed her eyes, trying to think of a place in the building, but, Tron's face kept flashing before her eyes, she wanted to be with him more than ever… When she died… He wasn't there the last time, though she thought he might have been… But it must have been Alan-One. Alan-One… She was thinking like her past self. She smiled, an almost peaceful expression upon her face, and teleported, just as gunfire went off!
She hit the floor with a thud as she cried out in pain! Her leg and collarbone had been shot! Distantly, she hears her name being called by a warm baritone.
"Astra! Can you hear me? Hold on!" Tron says as he rushes for her.
She had teleported a few feet away from him! He was in the building! She tried to smile, but it hurt too much, and there was so much blood! Her hand went to her waist. The teleportation device had been shot, blood oozed from its location. "Tron?" She asked weakly and pulled the buzzing comm device from her ear, stuffing it in a pocket.
He nodded, tears in his eyes as his hands ghosted over her wounds. "I'm here. Hold on, we'll get you back to the van. You'll be fine." He tried to convince himself, but her wounds looked severe. He had done a bit of research on healing Users after Alan-One had healed him. He was worried one of them might derez… Which was much different then in his world. All through this, his mind was in turmoil! He had seen how she had kept the guards busy! So confident and cheeky, and now, she may die. Something clicked, she might die, and he couldn't live without her. It didn't even matter if she were Yori or not, but her dreams, the way she acted, everything said she was Yori. He would not doubt it any longer, but he wasn't going to tell her when she was on the verge of death!
"What are you doing here?" She weakly asks.
Quietly he shushes her, heart filled with fear and love. "Shh. We need to get you to safety." He says as he tries to pick her up.
She stubbornly resists, wanting to show strength she just didn't have physically. "I can walk on my own... I'm not supposed to be the damsel in distress. I'm supposed to be the one saving everyone!" She says as she tries to stand on her own, and fails as pain shoots through her leg and side… She can't move well with her wounds.
He simply grunts and picks her up anyway, heading at a run almost immediately. "You already have. Right now you need to focus on staying awake and getting to a safe location." His voice gentle as he speaks. Truly, he only loves her more and he cannot help but smile within at her inner fire. She has truly grown since I left the System. He thinks with love.
Relenting, she nods. He was right, she was losing a lot of blood, but the box seemed to be stopping the most of it on her side. She wished she could do more… Suddenly, the reason why he shouldn't be there returned to her! She looks up at him, trepidation filling her, worry and love within her gaze. "Promise me something... Promise that you won't let them know that you're different." She had to know he wouldn't endanger himself for her!
He looks down at her, shocked. So that's why they didn't want him there… But he was going to do everything in his power to save her. "The exit should be close now..."
Astra shook her head and said sternly. "Promise me."
Tron just keeps on running and says. "We're almost there…"
She gives him an angry though loving look, her heart in turmoil. This was just like her Tron! Giving everything to protect others. She loved this man with all of her heart for what he was doing right now, but she also hurt over it, he could get hurt! She wanted him to promise so much. In this moment, she hoped he would listen. "Don't let what I did be for nothing, we didn't want you on this mission because of what they might do to you!" Her heart broke. He was the one person she didn't want hurt the most, the one she loved the most in all of the worlds! She would die protecting the others, but him, most of all.
Tron looked down at her finally, hearing her heart break in her words. He knew he couldn't avert the subject again. He said softly. "I can't promise anything." Doing his best to comfort her and give her the truth.
Those words both comforted her and cut through her resolve. She knew, she knew she would do the same in his position. It hurt, but she understood. Nodding, she says nothing and leans her head upon his shoulder.
Tiredness suddenly swept through her… She would have blushed having been carried like this by him, and at how strong he was to be able to run and carry her, but, it was simply too hard to keep her eyes open.
Tron noticed and looked down at her, love in his gaze. She understood. She was so much like her past self. Then, fear gripped him as her eyes closed! He wasn't going to let her die! He had to keep her talking! "Stay with me… Do you remember when we first met?" His voice was tender, loving, no fear showed through it.
"Yes." She laughed and opened her eyes a bit more, the memory filling her mind. His voice helped, that love… It was so much like when he would talk to her in the System…
"Tell me about it." He said as he glanced down at her.
Astra thought for a moment on the whole encounter, a smile gracing her features as she remembered. "You were such a flirt! Even if you didn't mean it outright." She giggled. "I loved it, you were the first man to treat me that way." She smiles warmly as her eyes half close in fondness.
He smiles back with a chuckle. "I was a bit over the top to try and show Alan-One up." He admitted. "Tell me about training."
Astra's eyes open once again as they had fluttered closed. "It was a lot of fun. I love challenges… And, that first time." She blushed this time, though weakly. "I really liked it."
Tron noticed the blush and soft smile upon her lips. He smiled as well, also remembering the time fondly. He had never taught someone through touch other than her since Yori… She is Yori, so it doesn't count. He thought as he continued on, the door was in sight. "Tell me about your first time on the Grid." Her eyes were closing again. His heart clenched in worry.
Her eyes opened halfway this time. "I-, it was beautiful! I felt more at home than I had in my whole life! And Alan and Lora were there." She started to talk slowly, like she had trouble with it and remembering. "You outfitted me with that such revealing suit!" She smiled. "So cheeky and flirtatious." She said tiredly. Then, she added as her heart panged. She had to know. "Do you like me?"
Shock filled Tron as he looked down at her. How could she think otherwise? But then he remembered, he hadn't told her yet… He said lovingly. "Yes... I do."
Astra nodded, hope filling her, if he would say what she hoped… She had something to say in return. "How much?"
He takes a moment and breathes in. "Very much." He says quietly.
After a moment, she gathers her courage. "Then, I have something I have to confess." She had to tell him, if she didn't now, he might never know! How much she loves him.
Tron shook his head and stopped her before she could say any more. "So do I, but not now. We're almost there." He didn't want her to say something when she was on the verge of death and not thinking clearly, the words wouldn't be genuine, and if he were to tell her now, she might not remember. So he chose to keep it to himself.
They were at the door now, no guards in sight, luck was on their side! Tron rushed through it, pushing it open with his shoulder and running past his motorcycle to hop into the open door of the van. "GO!" He shouted and the van roared to life even as the door was closing.
Alan put the petal as close to the floor as was safe, the van speeding down the road away from the building to safety.
"What happened to her?!" Lora exclaimed as she climbed into the back to inspect who she considered almost a daughter by now. Fear gripped her as she saw Astra's condition, she was covered in blood and looked on the verge of death!
"She was shot as she teleported from some guards. She has injuries on her leg, collarbone and waist… They hit the teleportation device." Tron answered her, voice filled with worry.
"She won't make it to a hospital." Sam said quietly.
"She wouldn't be safe there anyway!" Alan called back.
"So what do we-" Sam started to say when Lora spoke over him sternly. "Give me the vial."
Sam looked at her incredulously!
Alan also looked back for a second.
"You can't be serious! You know what that will do!" Sam cried.
Lora shook her head. "She was a Program before already. Give me the vial."
Astra had already closed her eyes and was breathing shallowly, to which Tron almost panicked and tried to shake her awake!
Sam nodded after a moment of thought, if Lora trusted Astra to use becoming an ISO responsibly, than, with what he's seen of her added, he would accept this request. Reaching into a special pocket in his coat he pulled out the vial and handed it to Lora.
Lora took it quickly and grabbed a bag with the needle it hooked up to from her own pocket in her coat. She made short work of hooking it up as Astra's breathing grew shallower. Finally, she gave the shot to Astra in her arm.
She didn't improve.
Tron just looked on, tears in his eyes. She is so close to death! She feels so cold. Will she even survive this?! His thoughts tormented him as he watched and prayed to Alan-One and Lora-Prime that she would live!
They all stood back, hoping, praying, no improvement seemed to come, and then, slowly, the blood began to stop, and the wounds began to heal, pushing the bullets and pieces of plastic out of her body as she did so.
Tron watched, amazed. Hope soared in his heart! "She's going to make it!" He shouted happily, tears still in his eyes as he leaned over her to kiss her brow. He hadn't let go of her hand since entering the van.
Lora smiled. "She is." Her eyes flickered to Tron, she knew he believed now, it was in his eyes, the way he treated Astra. It was something she herself believed since she heard of Astra's first dream. It made perfect sense. A motherly warmth spread through her at that. Her "daughter" would be ok, and finally with the one she loved most of all, after all this time.
Slowly, Astra's eyes opened, an odd feeling travelling through her. "Mmmnah. Where am I?" She asked, feeling different, yet the same all at once. "I feel funny." She said tiredly.
Tron just held her close. "You're in the van. You're going to be alright." More tears squeezed past his guard.
Astra smiled and hugged him back as tight as she could, her shoulder still hurt. "I will." She reassured him and affirmed for herself, she felt somehow, that she was almost going to revisit the fate she had met once before already. Her foggy mind cleared and she looked up quickly, remembering something. "The Programs, are they ok?!" She looked around, and found them huddled at the very back by the doors.
"They are." Lora reassured her softly. "We got them in as soon as you got them out. They're by the back doors so they won't be seen."
A smile touched Astra's lips and she nodded, resting her head on her Tron's shoulder. "I'm tired… Do I have to stay awake?"
"That would be best." Alan said from the front, in all honesty, he was feeling the same as his wife over the young woman, though he couldn't see what was happening, he knew within his heart that she would be ok, and that she had been on the verge of death, that his "son" had finally come around to believing in who she really is, and they would be happy from here on out.
Astra nodded and sighed. She would stay awake then. "Alright."
Tron took it upon himself to let her go and walk around her so that he could sit behind her, pulling his legs beside hers to hold her tight around the middle and chest. His head dropped onto her shoulder.
She winced. "My leg and side are still sore." She said apologetically, but didn't move, in fact, she held his arms in place around her.
Both blushed happily at the new arrangements as Lora went to her seat at the front and they finished their drive to ENCOM.
Once there, they ushered the Programs and Astra inside, all going to the rezzing room.
Lora turned to Tron. "Keep her on the grid for now, it's the safest place. From what you've reported to us, they know everything about her, it's not safe for her to go home."
Tron nodded, holding Astra close, her wounds now fully healed. "I will keep her safe."
Lora and Alan smiled. "She's in good hands." Alan said and entered the command to digitize.
The first thing Tron noticed when they entered the Grid was Astra's arms, which were wrapped around him. The little dark spots that had been on them… Beauty marks he recalled them being named, were glowing white! He turned her to look at him, which she did very tiredly, she had still lost a lot of blood. Even the one on the left side of her face, just under her eye upon her cheekbone, and the one on her left ear were glowing!
He smiled. "You really are an ISO now." He whispered.
Astra looked up at him, surprise etched upon her face. She hadn't heard nor felt anything about that needle! "What?" She asked, her voice calm.
"In order to save you, you were injected you with the serum made from Quorra's blood." He informed her with a light squeeze and a happy smile.
Astra's eyes fell to his chest as she stared there numbly. "I… I'm a Program again!" She was thrilled, yet also surprised! She would be able to share all of the things with him that she had in the past! She was… Herself again!
Holding him back with equal fervour, she smiled happily, memories resurfacing of happy times in the ENCOM System. "I… I'm going to have to learn how to create simulations again." She said in a calm sort of surprise and happiness. It was such a huge part of her before, she needed to learn again!
Tron chuckled and kissed her brow. "In time. Right now, you need energy and rest. I'll bring some up to my room. You're sleeping with me." He said lovingly yet firmly.
Warmth flooded through her at those words, her lightlines, and now circuitry, flared brightly.
Tron chuckled again and squeezed her tight.
Smiling, she giggled and nodded. "So you're inviting me into your bed?" She teased as she tapped the centre square of his symbol.
It flashed brightly at her touch and he smiled back. "Yes." He said teasingly, he wasn't about to tell her why yet, she needed to be at full health for that.
Her eyes widened with a bright smile. "No denial?" She teased. Her heart secretly soared, perhaps… He would never treat anyone but Yori this way… She thought as tiredness started to hold its grip over her once again.
He nodded with that flirtatious and cheeky smirk of his. "Nope. Now, hop on." He said as he rezzed his lightcycle and slid on.
Warmth flooded her again at those smooth movements of his, something she wouldn't know to be from when he was Rinzler. Lightlines dimming down back to normal again, she shook her head with a smile and a light blush… He still hadn't let go of her hand, and hopped on behind him, holding on tight.
It didn't take long for them to reach the Tower, though she was already asleep upon him halfway there. Carefully, he wrapped her up in his arms as he got off his lightcycle, and carried her into to the Tower.
Beck was waiting for them, three Programs talking to him when they arrived. He excused himself and walked up to them. "What happened?" Then his eyes went wide. "Her arms!" He said as his gaze snapped to Tron.
"I'll explain later. Right now she needs energy and rest, she will be staying here the User night." Tron said as he walked past him with an apologetic look.
Beck nodded, feeling sad for what had happened to make Astra so tired and covered in User blood. He worried who had hurt her so, and went back to the three Programs. He would wait for his answer.
Once Tron had Astra in bed, he went down to get some energy and headed back up. His heart soared finally. His bondmate was alive! And in his bed! He would never have to miss her again! It was with this thought and smile that he entered his room to find Astra still asleep.
He looked down at her lovingly. He had to wake her up… He looked to her symbol, he knew just how. Sitting down on the bed beside her, he reaches over and "touches" her symbol, her feeling, her passion and arousal flow through him as she feels his own and his love.
Gasping in her sleep, her eyes flutter open. "Tron!" She moans, and smiles up at him. She loved how he had awoken her, so like before…
"You have to drink energy." Tron says teasingly, lovingly.
Astra just gives him a look. I can't believe he did that just to get me to drink energy! She thought with a laugh. "Yooou." She growls out lovingly. "I'll get you back for that." She says with a laugh and takes her glass, downing it quickly. That's the second time I've done that this cycle. She thought with amusement as her lightlines flared to life and heat pools within her abdomen... And, this time, all over her… Like she was a Program and a User both… So this is part of being an ISO… She thought curiously.
Tron had felt her arousal through her symbol and growled low. "If you weren't so low on energy I would take you right now." He said as he leaned over her.
She blushed several shades of red and her arousal at his words travelled through her circuits to her symbol where his fingers touched. Her eyes went dark. "You would?"
He growled low again and began purring. "Later." He whispered the promise and climbed into bed with her. "Right now, you need rest." He ordered gently as he wrapped his arms around her.
Happiness filled her at his actions and words, she knew now, more than ever, that he must believe, but she needed him to say it. Next cycle. She smiled happily as she cuddled into his arms, head upon his chest, arm wrapped around him while the other also rested upon his chest.
They slept peacefully that sleepcycle.
The next morning, Astra awoke to someone stroking her arm, down, to her chest, then waist, and finally her hip. She opened her eyes to find her Tron looking at her lovingly. "Good new cycle." He said lovingly down at her.
She smiled back up at him and reached up to trace the lines upon his chest. "Good new cycle." She said back with equal love.
"I have something I want to tell you today." He said as he stopped his stroking to bring her hand up to his lips.
Astra blushed and smiled. This man should be illegal! She thought at the amount of love he was showering upon her, how hot he was for it, and just being hot. "What is it?"
"I love you." He said with all the love he felt, and sent it through her fingers to let her know just how much he did.
She gasped, her heart resonating and soaring all at once! He truly loves me! Ran through her mind over and over as her own love spilled forth through her fingers into his. "Then I have something to confess as well." She said with hooded eyes and a shy smile.
"I already know love." Tron said, voice low, loving. "But I want to hear it."
Astra's eyes met his and she said with all the feeling in her heart. "I love you too." And leaned in to kiss him, something he welcomed gladly, taking in all the feeling of her and her love, now finally accepting that she felt like Yori, because she was Yori.
Their lightlines glowed happily, brightly, at the intimate touch, and both didn't want to end the kiss, but after a long moment, they pulled apart.
"I know you're Yori." Tron said breathed out.
Astra's eyes filled with happy tears and she held him close. "Finally!" She breathed out.
"Though I would have been with you even if you weren't. I love you, truly and fully, for who you are. You truly are my match, in every life." He said with love as he held her tight and rested his head upon hers.
She held him happily. "I'm so glad. I love you, in every life as well. No-one has ever matched you. I love you." She all but whispered into his chest.
They stayed like that for some time, basking in each other's love, their lightlines and circuits flaring brightly every moment, everywhere they touched, until, it was time to get up.
"We should head downstairs after getting some energy. The others are likely worried about you." Tron said finally with a kiss to the top of her head.
Astra sighed and nodded. "You're right. But I expect more cuddles this sleepcycle." She teases him with a smile.
He laughs and nods. "Oh, you will, and more." He purrs out with a growl as he takes her up into his arms and places his lips upon her neck, kissing and gently grazing there with his teeth.
She gasps as passion awakes in her anew and she finds herself wanting a lot more time alone with him this beginning of the cycle. "You know just what to say." She says, heart soaring with love.
He chuckles. "Always." He whispers back to her the word she once said to him, long ago.
She smiled happily up at him and let him get out of the bed. That's when she looked down and noticed the blood covering her frame. "I need a shower." She said embarrassedly.
Tron looked to her blood covered areas, fear and sadness echoing through him at seeing them. "You do. But it will have to wait, it will be too much work to make one here right now and you're still healing. Wait for Alan and Lora to help." He said with concern. He didn't want her to start creating and altering the Grid just yet, she still had a lot of healing to do.
Nodding, she went about helping make the bed with him.
Shortly after, they went to the bar, which was quite busy that time of the cycle.
Tron grabbed them seats and handed Astra her energy first, which she took with a sly smile, putting her hand on his as she took a deep gulp, keeping her eyes upon him the whole time.
His symbol lit brightly as he gasped at the unexpected arousal that passed through him. "Ooh you." He said with a purr and a heated look.
Astra just giggled and leaned in, whispering. "Got you back for waking me up." She purred back. She leaned back at that. She purred! Actually purred! Just like him! Blushing, she smiled and said in a half amazed voice. "I guess I can do that now too."
He chuckled. "You will be able to do a lot more than that now." Running his thumb over the back of her hand, he finishes his energy and motions for them to go downstairs.
Once there, they found Beck and the others waiting for them.
"Can you tell us what happened now? Three Programs rezzed in just before you two did. And Astra's condition and arms…" Beck trailed off.
Tron breathed in and nodded. "Three Programs had been taken hostage by Infinitas and rezzed into the User World using stolen blueprints of Lora-Prime's laser. Astra, Alan-One, Lora-Prime, Sam Flynn and Roy all went after them. Astra was shot in the process." He was the only Program who knew of the device Astra had used, he couldn't tell Beck. "As for her skin… She's an ISO now, having taken the serum that was developed from Quorra's blood to save her life."
Beck breathed in sharply. "She's one of us now?" And looked over to Astra, looking at her with new eyes.
"Yes." She said with a smile.
"There's more… Astra, is Yori. And I have claimed her as my bondmate." Tron said as he wrapped an arm around her, he had been holding her hand with that one the whole time before he did.
Beck smiled at that and stood straighter. "About time." He said simply. "We've got some work to do, maybe Astra can help?" He said and they got to work that cycle.