Chapter 2

Gazing around the gleaming digitization module, Yori nodded with satisfaction. Things were humming along nicely, with Simulation Programs quietly testing subroutines at workstations around the margins of the circular space. The petite Administration Program wasn't exactly sure what would happen when all strings of digitization code were finalized and compiled, but she knew they were on the threshold of something very important. Yori was not a prideful Program, but she felt gratification at the progress her team had made under her direction, and she felt sure her User Lora was pleased.

To be honest, Yori had occasionally chafed at the slow pace of the work until the recent burst of activity. The ways of the Users were inscrutable, and it wasn't a Program's place to question them ... but Yori was an energetic, curious Program who preferred to be fully engaged in some useful task. Happily, Lora had recently been throwing her as much data as Yori could handle. Even Dumont had remarked on the uptick in activity.

A low tittering attracted Yori's attention, and she turned to see two junior Programs with heads bent together, giggling. Yori frowned. She was no despot, but she expected her subordinates to keep their minds on business. She walked quietly up behind them. "Something buggy in the code, Programs?"

The young females jumped and looked appropriately chastened.

"I'm sorry, Yori," said Nev, the bolder of the two. "I guess we were distracted by our visitor." She inclined her head in the direction of the portal. Yori turned and observed a tall, lean figure just inside the doorway, surveying the scene with a firm, serious gaze.

Yori had heard about the new Security Program who had been making the rounds on the Grid, but she had no idea what he would want here. She allowed her eyes to trace his form. He seemed somehow more solid, more substantial than most of the Programs she knew. Yori couldn't help admiring the sleek lines, the admirable symmetry of his circuitry. That was some well-crafted coding, she thought, smiling slightly. The Security Program's blue glow was steady and strong, but not garish as some of the Programs in the entertainment sector were these days. Yori had heard younger Programs in the lab lamenting their pale coloration, wishing for the flashy neon that was now all the rage. But Yori preferred her own muted shades, which denoted maturity and responsibility. She saw the same in this stranger.

He was moving now, his long, graceful strides covering large expanses of the Grid beneath their feet as he followed the perimeter of the room. Yori saw him pause to look over the shoulder of a Diagnostic Program, and her admiration was immediately replaced by irritation. Really, what business did he have here? She drew herself up to her full height – which, admittedly, wasn't much – and walked briskly to confront him.

Still engrossed in the activity of the Diagnostic Program, he didn't hear Yori's approach.

"May I help you?" she asked in her firmest voice.

He jumped slightly and swung around to face her. The startled look on his perfectly symmetrical face, so at odds with his imposing appearance, nearly made Yori laugh out loud. Instead, she placed her hands on her slim hips and looked up at him. "Is there something you needed, Program?"

He stood blinking down at her a moment, eyes wide, and Yori saw a faint ripple of rosy light flow over his circuitry. Previously planted solid and stalwart, he now shifted his weight from one foot to the other.

"Uh … hem," he stammered, "Greetings, Program." His voice was deep, with a slight, gravelly buzz that Yori found very alluring.

"You are a Security Program," she noted.

His circuitry flushed again. "Er, yes. My name is Tron. I am a Security Program."

Yori couldn't suppress a small grin. She was getting the distinct impression that this mighty Security Program was a little … shy! She saw his brows knit at her mirth, and she was instantly sorry for embarrassing him. It was never a good idea to get on the wrong side of someone with his clout.

"I'm Yori, administrator of this module," she said, extending a hand. Tron looked down at it as if he'd never seen such a thing before. Then, uncertainly, he extended his own. His large hand enveloped her small one completely, his long, slender fingers curling fully around her hand so that his fingers rested lightly on her palm. They were warm, and Yori felt the hum of power in his circuits. He was strong, this Program. But surprisingly gentle. Yori withdrew her hand a little reluctantly.

"Might I ask what brings you here?" she asked, making her voice coolly professional. "I can assure you there are no security breaches in this module. We are very careful about the integrity of our data."

"I'm sure that's true," he answered. He seemed a bit steadier now, on firmer footing as he shifted into work mode. "However, my User has directed me to inspect all modules on the Grid for potential vulnerabilities. Especially this one."

Yori felt a pulse of indignation. "Especially this one? And why is that, might I ask?" Her circuitry glowed an icier shade of blue.

"My User does not share the reasons for his commands," Tron answered, his own voice chilling a bit at her tone. "I was told to keep an especially close eye on this module, and that's what I intend to do."

"Just who is your User, Security Program?" Yori sputtered, indicating her contempt for him by addressing him by function, not designation.

"My User is Alan-One," he said reverently. "He is a User of especial importance."

"Never heard of him," Yori said tersely. "But I will be sure to inform MY User, Lora, about your User's especial interest in her work."

"Your interaction with your User is your own business," he replied stiffly. "As is mine. Now I have some additional inspections to make in the Accounting Sector. If you'll excuse me." He turned on his heel and walked – or rather stomped – toward the portal. "Until next time, Administrator. I expect we'll be seeing a lot of each other."

Yori watched him activate the portal and disappear through it. "Not if I have anything to say about it," she muttered, her delicate featured fixed in a scowl.