Chapter 6

For most of their excruciatingly slow walk Sam and Gate had been silent, each reflecting on recent events; for Sam the recent events had raised more questions that he needed answers to, taking a deep breath Sam asked Gate the first question on his mind.

"You said that places like this may no longer be safe…"

"The female Program, she saw you. She looked deep into your eyes, she saw you… they all saw you… after being corrupted by The Ghost of The Grid a link is created between the infected Programs and the Ghost."

"Like wireless interfacing…" said Sam, mostly to himself.

"A link where interaction between two operators is not physical, the Programs saw you and so did The Ghost of The Grid which means we are all in grave danger, the knowledge that you have returned will most likely spurn The Ghost on to break down the walls we have built."

"You told me that the Ghost couldn't tear down these walls, that this was a haven."

"It would force The Ghost to expend great amounts of energy to enter a fortress like this one but it is possible, it is up to the Ghost to decide which is the better option. To wait for you to leave these walls which you must eventually do or break down the walls to take you now while you are weak."

"So one way or another I'm gonna come face to face with this thing no matter what I do… but leaving to face it on my own would spare your lives."

Sam's word trailed off as he came to his conclusion and the thought that he would have to leave Quorra perhaps once and for all in order to save her. He would fight The Ghost of The Grid alone and she would be safe, she could finish the life she started here. Sam's mind began to spiral into guilt and self-loathing, he had taken Quorra from her home, promised her a new world and a new life, and after teasing her with the marvels she could have experienced daily, he had lead her into pain and despair; leaving her would be the kindest thing he could do for her.

Before Sam's thoughts could darken further Gate's sullen voice filled his ears.

"We're here."

Sam looked up to see Gate disappearing into a dark room beyond a door, shelving his self-pitying thoughts for later Sam walked into the dark room ready for more complications and questions.

"Where's here?" Sam waited for a response from Gate that never came; Sam stepped into the darkened room and motioned down the middle of it slowly, his eye adjusting to the darkness around him, bringing the outlines of shapes and small details into focus.

Sam continued to make his way further through the room; Gate had stopped and was staring back at him, his glowing light suit illuminating him clearly. Sam looked to his left and then his right as Gate's glow brought thing into clearer focus; Programs on gurneys, their suits lifeless and dull, their eyes closed, their bodies motionless, there were hundreds of them. Sam stopped in front of Gate, he looked left and right one more time and then to Gate.

"…they're dead."

"No, think of it more like a coma, they are still aware, they are still alive. This is the end result of vaccinating the Ghost of The Grid's corruption, it takes so much energy that the host; once free of the corruption falls into a coma, it is believed that with the death of The Ghost of The Grid, their minds will be restored."

A million emotions and thoughts hit Sam all at once; he wanted answers to more questions but knew he knew as much as he needed to now. Anger surged through him, offended and deeply enraged at Gate's underhanded guidance which told him that he should leave and sacrifice himself. Sam could barely contain himself.

"Look! I get it, okay! I leave here; I sacrifice myself to save every life form on The Grid. The world my father created; and like a second coming you want me to rectify all the wrongs that I never caused. The only reason I came back here was too escape the mess I left in my own world! Hell, last time I was here, I got my father killed what makes you think I wanted to come back here after that, do you think it was my choice? I needed to save Quorra, that's all it was. " Sam stopped suddenly and took a deep breath trying to calm himself. His emotions and thoughts reversed themselves, he was grateful to see the wonders of The Grid, he was happy to have met Quorra and to have seen his father one last time; it was more than most people had ever known. Sam knew that the time for being selfish was over; Quorra was safe now and back where she belonged, she held no ill will towards Sam and she would always remember him.

Sam realised that his gaze had fallen to the floor in front of Gate, clenching his fist and raising his head to look Gate in the eye Sam spoke calmly and clearly.

"I'll need weapons."

Sam stood in the middle of The Sanctuary's armoury. His surroundings were all too familiar; another brief moment in the darkness and then the room was lit up with the familiar blue strip lights. Movement in the corners of the room caught Sam's attention just like last time, except this time four male shaman Programs emerged instead of four strikingly beautiful Siren Programs. The first shaman Program activated his laser and began to cut away Sam's clothes.

"Hey, it's got a zipper." Sam's words were slightly rushed and uncomfortable in his new company.

His clothes removed and Light Suit activated the shaman Programs each moved to opposite sides of the room and returned with a Light Baton and Identity Disc each. They fitted two Light Batons to each of Sam's legs and the Identity Discs to both of his forearms and shoulders; a final ID Disc was placed on his back and activated. The shaman Programs returned to their posts and were still. A door opened in front of Sam. Gate stood in the empty space looking towards Sam; Sam stepped forward and made his way towards Gate.

"Everything is prepared for you, Sam. A handful of brave Programs are ready to assist you as much as they can in your search for the others."

"Others?" asked Sam unable to hide the confusion in his voice.

"I spoke of other places like this dotted around The Grid, other sanctuaries that operate as safe havens to those within their walls. Sam, if you can make it to each of these sanctuaries and find the Program affected by The Ghost of The Grid's initial surge of energy that granted a select few of us knowledge of The Grid then perhaps are powers combined could help you defeat The Ghost."

"Where are they?" Sam's own tone surprised him, Gate hadn't told him this before but it was an ounce of hope before he rode off into the storm of an uncertain future, any chance is a good chance.

"One is located in The Outlands far from the city, I'm sure you know of where I speak. The second is located atop the highest tower of the city, the third is located in the Sea of Simulation and the last is located at what was once the Portal to and from this world."

Sam nodded taking in Gate's instructions. Staring at Gate Sam made on final request to Gate to be granted before he left The Sanctuary.