Chapter 12

Meant to post this yesterday...but then I was feeling really sick. So sorry.

Five days later, Nico entered to see Roy was waiting at her cubicle again. But something about his expression made her stop in her tracks.

"Is something….wrong?" Nico asked as she approached Roy.

"You're not going anywhere today."

Nico was shocked, "But_"

"No buts. You're going to put in a full day's work today."

Nico didn't argue, but her shock was replaced with frustration. She couldn't do this today; she had to go the Grid. She had to.

Sighing, she sat down and logged onto her computer, feeling Roy's gaze on her.

"Good."

She didn't say anything, hoping her anger was enough for him to understand.

It worked; he sighed, "I didn't want it to come to this, but you gave me not much of a choice. Now…stay here and work."

She turned and glared at his back as he left, then turned to her screen. She was mad; but already, she was planning. If she remembered right, the only way she could get out was if she got sick in some sort of fashion. Without the supplies and her limited movement, she couldn't do any of the old tricks. She supposed she would have to experiment, then.

She waited. Fifteen minutes passed. Thirty minutes.

At forty five, she figured it enough time for Roy to be in his work, so she stood. She saw him glance so she stumbled, hand going to her head.

"You alright?"

"Yeah…just need some water." She said to one of her co-workers, before faking a shamble up to the water fountain. Now, she would have to wait a couple moments. This part was the hardest of her semi-improv plan; not only was locking her legs painful, but she would have to let herself blackout for a moment in order for it to be convincing.

Here goes nothing.

She felt herself begin to fall and she let herself go, fainting as soon as she hit the ground.

She was woken by Roy, whose face was worried, "Are you alright?"

She looked up at the crowd of programmers surrounding and instantly, she felt bad for duping all of them like this. But she held that feeling back as she nodded, "I-I think so."

"You're really pale. Are you feeling alright?"

She grunted and began to stand, "F-Fine."

He took in her pale face and lips before sighing, "Go home for the day. You've gotten yourself sick. But I expect you back at work as soon as possible."

She nodded, "Y-Yes s-sir."

"Can you walk?"

"Y-yes."

"I'll let you go then. Go down and call a ride, alright?"

She nodded and he opened the door for her. She made herself walk unsmoothly out and waited until the door was closed and a moment more before dropping the act. She was a little shaky, but not as much as she had acted, and even then, it was fading quickly. She turned and walked the opposite direction of where she was supposed to go.

Little did she notice, the familiar face of Sam Flynn, watching from the darkness of the hallway as she went down that hallway. Something in him set him to fear, but he made himself stay calm. After a moment in which he glanced at her retreating figure, he opened the door and went inside. He needed to talk someone about their employee.

"There you are! Where were you?"

Nico jogged up to Beck and Paige, who were waiting with crossed arms.

"Sorry, complications in the User World. But I made it!"

Paige rolled her eyes with a smile and grabbed their wrists, "Come on! It's time to go!"

"Okay!" Beck said after a short laugh and followed Paige to the large boat.

Beck easily stepped on and Paige did as well, but Nico stumbled as the boat rocked.

"Careful." Paige called back before joining Beck in preparing to leave. Slowly, Nico sat down, gripping the edge of the boat. She felt ill.

Must be karma, she thought, this is what I get for pretending to get sick earlier...

"You alright?"

She looked up to see Paige kneel down next to him.

"I dunno...I think I might be-"

She felt it rising up. Holding up a finger to suggest one moment, she got on her knees, leaned over the edge, and threw up. She heard one of the diplomats make a noise of disgust but Paige was expressionless when she turned back around.

"...You're seasick?"

Nico gave a final cough and looked pale, "Apparently."

"Alright then. Let's get you inside the boat. The only compartment is the control room, but it will have to do."

Nico nodded, not trusting herself to speak. Paige helped her to her feet and led her into the control room.

Beck was inside at the controls. He looked up as they entered, "Everything alright?"

"Yeah. Nico's just a little seasick and considering some of the other diplomats have weak processors, I figured it would be better to being her in here."

Beck's eyebrows furrowed, "You get seasick, Nico?"

She nodded and he glanced to her.

"I suppose you've never been on a boat before."

She grunted, swallowing back the sick feeling, "Never."

"Well, just lie down somewhere and it should be smooth sailing from this point on."

When Nico gave a grunt of acknowledgement, Beck turned to Paige, "I got Nico if you want to check in the others."

She nodded and walked out, closing the door.

Nico sat down slowly and curled into a ball on the floor. Beck glanced to her as he directed the boat, but she didn't get sick again. She didn't even move until the boat stopped and Paige came in, kneeling next to Nico.

"We're here."

"I need to meet with the port guards before we get off the boat." Beck said, walking past them, "Can you make sure no one gets off until we're cleared to do so?"

Paige nodded and Beck smiled before leaving the boat. After a moment, Nico pushed herself into a sitting position.

"You alright?"

She nodded, "Yeah."

She stood, though in a shaky fashion. She felt the slight movement of the ground and put her hand against the wall to steady herself. Paige watched as after a moment, Nico took her hand off the wall and slowly followed Paige out.

The diplomats milled about on the deck, talking amongst themselves. The women didn't have to much of anything; the diplomats were hesitant to leave the boat and after a long moment, Beck returned, flanked by unfamiliar guards.

"Okay, we're clear to get off. The guards here will escort us to the council meeting."

No one said a word as they led off the boat and into the city. Nico looked around at the programs. They were so much like the programs back in New Argon, only they didn't glare at her because they didn't know if she was a User or not. Rather, they seemed to gawk at all of them equally, at Beck's police markings, at the diplomat's uniforms, everything. But no one showed hostility. Nico, glad for this, took the opportunity to smile and wave in the midst of a conversation led by Paige, who was in awe of the structure of the city.

They came to a stop in front of a large building, which made the other programs stop and stare at them in questioning. After a long moment, the door opened and they were led into the the building in almost a single-file line.

They entered a large, ornate lobby that showed all the beauty a program's design could offer in one room. Nico gasped in awe as she looked at the large chandelier hanging above them, the blue glass reflecting the lights all around.

This is so...beautiful.

Beck stopped in front of the large curved desk. The receptionist nodded and gestured with her head to the large door behind her, "They're in there."

Beck nodded, "Thank you." He led the way to the large door and opened it. He held it open as he let Nico and the diplomats pass through before following, closing the door behind him as he went.

This room was much darker than the lobby. It was large, but plain court-room like room with five council seats. Most of the members are men, except the leader. Her skin is a dark tone and her onyx hair is pulled back from her face. Her eyes are level, calm, and one that didn't demand authority. Her whole aura made even Nico want to kneel and listen.

"Greetings." Her voice was level, and it echoed through the room, "Introduce yourselves."

"We are representatives from New Argon, which lies near the edge of the Grid.

No one said anything for a moment.

"Ah. Renegade."

Nico was surprised when Beck was the first to look up at the old man on the woman's right.

"I thought you would be holed up somewhere, wishing you were dead."

Beck set his jaw and met his gaze firmly, "And you thought wrong."

The councilwoman turned to her fellow council member, "We are not here to talk about the past of any program."

She turned back to the group, "State your business, programs."

Nico stepped forward, "Uhhh...hi. My name's Nico, and we're here because New Argon is having problems."

The councilwoman tilted her head, but did not say anything.

Beck took over from there and began to explain all that had happened to the town of New Argon since what he referred to as 'That cycle'.

"We've been able to rebuild since then, but we have CLU loyalists attacking citizens and the city. We've been able to hold them off this long..."

"But our resources are being stretched." Paige said, cutting in over Beck, "Our hospital is straining to treat not only those injured by the rebels, but those still rehabilitating from the explosion and common issues."

The other diplomats began to explain what was going on in their industry of the city.

"Peace." The councilwoman spoke and everyone went silent. As her gaze swept over them, Nico fidgeted slightly and the council woman's gaze stopped on her.

"Nico, yes?"

She jumped and after a moment, nodded.

"You seem nervous...is something wrong?"

I'd better be honest with her...

"I was not...aware of all this..."

"Why so?"

"I...I'm a User."

When the councilwoman didn't say anything, she explained, "I've only been on the Grid a short time and I didn't know..."

"...I see."

"Get out. I see no more point in this."

Nico turned as the others began to argue and she looked to the man on the councilwoman's right.

Beck stepped forward, "Why?"

"Indeed, to repeat the captain's question." She turned to her fellow councilman, "Why?"

"First we have TWO questionable programs: a Renegade and an Occupation soldier! Then a User!"

"FIRST OF ALL," this was the first time she heard Beck raise his voice in anger. When he was certain he had everyone's attention, he leveled his voice again, "Paige is no longer a soldier but a medic. And I'm no longer the Renegade; there is no need for one. We have left our pasts behind us, do the same."

He sighed and glanced to Nico in a 'don't speak' look before continuing.

"Nico may be a User, but she has agreed to help us in any way she is needed. That's why she is here."

"What if she has ulterior motives?"

"And why would she?"

"Well..." The program sputtered, "She's a User! The last time we had even one User everything_"

"I remember that well. But she's not here for that_"

"We don't need a User to lead us!"

"Well good." Nico found herself cutting in over Beck as he opened his mouth to argue, "Because I'm a terrible leader; literally don't put me in charge of anything."

When she realized she had the attention of everyone, she sighed, and continued.

"I realize all of you are hesitant to even have me around. I know you think I want to lead. But the truth is, I don't. You all seem to be leading very well yourselves, and I've been protecting my side of the portal from the other Users, because I don't even know what they would do if they came here. Call me selfish, call me whatever you want but I've seen what you guys can do! You guys...you're amazing! Why would I want to take that from you?"

No one said anything for a long moment; everyone was watching her. After a long moment, Beck cleared his throat to speak, but the councilwoman held up a hand.

"Enough for now."

She addressed everyone in the room, "We will take a moment of delegation before we reach a decision."

The guards led the group out of the room and Nico was able to glance back before the door closed behind them.

In the lobby, Beck paced. Everyone else sat down, watching him. Nobody said anything, as if the silence was enough to convey everyone's uneasiness. Nico glanced up at him, unconsciously tapping her fingers against her leg as it bounced.

She looked up as Paige put a hand on her shoulder.

"Hey. You alright?"

"Fine." She tried to give a small smile, "Just nervous."

"You did fine."

"Did I say too much?"

Paige watched Beck pace for a moment then shook her head, "Nope. I think you have everyone an insight to you, and proved yourself to be not like the other Users. I feel like it at least gave the programs in there an understanding."

"What about you and Beck?"

"...I wish programs would leave our pasts alone. We're trying to leave it behind, but it's hard when they keep bringing it up."

"But maybe...in a way, you have to confront it before it can be put behind you."

Paige gave her a long look before looking away, "Maybe."

The doors opened and everyone looked to the program at the door.

"They're ready for you." The program said.

Beck stopped pacing and nodded as the others stood. Wordlessly, they entered where the council people were sitting.

"We have reached our conclusion." The councilwoman and met Nico's gaze. After a long moment, she spoke again.

"We agree to join New Argon out of their isolation as a recognized city of the Grid, and in a couple cycled time, we will send forces and supplies until the city can become self-sufficient once again."

Beck sighed in relief before nodding, "Thank you."

She nodded, "The least we can do. You have proven that all of you," her gaze lingered on Nico before she continued on, "are trustworthy and worth what you ask of us. And we thank you for that."

She stood, her white circuits glowing royally, "This council is adjourned."

Only when the tension was lifted did the group of delegates celebrate and cheer.

"We did it." Beck said, stunned for a moment, then slowly grinned as Paige hugged him.

"We did it!" He hugged her back.

"I knew we would!" Paige said.

Nico grinned, watching it all. They had done it; and things on the Grid were going to look up.