AN: Early update since we've just passed 500 visitors! This chapter wanted to get out anyway. I've really enjoyed writing this story so far and I hope it's going to stay this way. I've noticed, however, that reviews have become quite rare. Do you find the recent chapters less interesting? Please tell me what you like and don't like about the scenario or my writing style, your feedback is precious to me. I know, for example, that I tend to go straight to the action and dialogues because they're easier to write as a foreigner. Would you like to read more detailed descriptions? Let me know.

Thank you, Retrokill and Krisdaughter of Athena, for taking the time to leave a few words. And to the sixty other people who read the last chapter: speak up :)

Well, that was unexpected! Such was the only clear thought emerging from the furious maelstrom that Beck's mind had become. He had no answer to what just happened. As the silence went on, Paige realized that her ultimatum had caught him unprepared, and her menacing frown turned into a satisfied smirk. Beck didn't notice that, however. He was too busy trying to decide how he felt.

A part of him was beyond happy, of course. Paige did care about him! She thought he was a great program. She wanted to protect him from harm. She was willing to go as far as to threaten the Renegade himself! Granted, she wasn't exactly afraid of the formerly-white-suited program. Since their first meeting, punches, kicks and slashes had been her favorite methods of communication. Promising to end him if he failed to comply to her demands was but a habit. Only this time, it was personal! She wasn't asking for him to surrender to Tesler or to accept Clu's rule over the Grid. It was Paige talking, not the commander. Beck found himself way more inclined to obey the former.

On the other hand, he was quite confused by this sudden evolution in her behavior. Why had she dumped him and treated him so poorly ever since if she cared that much? She had made him feel like a gridbug for cycles and was still snapping at him a few hours earlier! Beck was pretty sure it wasn't some complicated seduction technique, which didn't leave any reasonable explanation he could think of. When she had broken up with him, did she really mean what she had said about losing her focus? If so, how exactly was secretly trying to protect him less distracting from Paige's duties?

Finally, Beck was kind of annoyed to discover that she thought he needed protection. Even worse, protection from himself! Naïve and reckless, uh? Didn't prevent me from making fools out of Tesler and his goons since they've been there... And out of her, too, on more than one occasion. But he realized that she had no reason to think highly of his fighting abilities as Beck. From her point of view, despite his nice performance in the Games, he had only survived because Cutler had decided to forfeit. He had saved her life later in the train, of course, but he had used fast thinking and his technical knowledge, not the most useful qualities to survive Clu's wrath. Then Pavel arrested them, and she had insisted on taking care of the guards alone during their escape. Beck had not protested at the time because it could have raised questions, but he now wish he had, so that she would know what he was capable of. But she wouldn't have threatened the Renegade if she had not been concerned for my safety, and I'd still be thinking that she was barely tolerating my presence…

Talking of presence, Beck realized she was still there. While he was processing her words, she had put her disk back on her back and crossed her arms. The smirk was gone too. Commander Paige was looking at the Renegade with a neutral face. Beck broke the silence.

"Why would I do that?

- You. The Games. Slow and painful.

- That's not what I meant.

- I know."

Beck sighed. She was not making it easy.

"Why do you care about this mechanic's life choices?

- It's none of your concern.

- None of yours, either. Don't you think the way he spends his time is his decision to make?

- No, I don't. Haven't you been paying attention?"

Had her answers not frustrated him so much, he probably would have enjoyed her banter. She was definitely good at it, yet he doubted her military life gave her many occasions to verbally spare. Beck suspected that their little wit battles explained at least a part of the commander's soft spot for the Renegade. A peculiar kind of soft spot, considering she had just threatened to derezz him for the hundredth time, but a soft spot nonetheless! It didn't mean she had the right to rule his life behind his back, though.

"Then we disagree. Maybe I should simply inform him of your worries.

- Do that, and I will-

- Yeah I know, slowly and painfully. So he doesn't get a say in any of this?

- He doesn't."

Beck almost wanted to take his helmet off and to ask the unwavering commander who had bestowed such authority upon her. But however satisfying that would be, he knew that would not end well, so he decided to change subjects instead.

"I'll think about it. You mentioned a second reason for this meeting.

- As I told you, I know about Tron. I also know about the other guy, the terrorist."

Users, how has she heard anything about Cyrus? Paige's ability to uncover his secrets was becoming worrying. At this rate, she's going to start telling me things I don't even know yet, like I'm actually an amnesic User, or the son of Tron, or whatever… She interrupted his thoughts.

"You're not like them, Renegade.

- Tron is nothing like Cy… like the other guy, either."

Paige didn't pick up on the slip, but her left eyebrow almost reached the middle of her forehead. He had to admit that she mastered this haughty look to perfection.

"He derezzed my whole squad.

- When you tried to arrest him, you mean? They were hardly innocent bystanders!

- How many times have I tried to arrest you, Renegade?

- I've stopped counting.

- Exactly. And how many programs have you derezzed trying… not only trying, but managing to escape every time?"

They both knew the answer, and Paige kept going before Beck had a chance to state the obvious.

"You're not like them, it's a fact. Don't let this go to your head, but you might not be as bad as I once thought you were. As far as I'm concerned, the other two are the real problem. Clu will be back soon, Renegade. Patience is not his main quality. Do you realize what could happen to Argon if the city is not pacified quickly?"

Her tone had turned pleading, and Beck remembered that the fierce commander used to be a medic. She believed in Clu's quest for perfection, but she didn't want programs to suffer along the way. It made her different from Clu, in the exact same way she thought he was different from Tron and Cyrus. Beck hoped she would come to realize that, eventually. She wouldn't accept it if he was the one to tell her, he coud only try to nudge her in the right direction.

"I do, commander.

- Good. Maybe you've noticed that I was trying to fix things up. No more sabotage means no more retaliation measures and no more curfew. No more Games! We can protect every program in Argon.

- We?"

That's new! Is she really suggesting what I think she's suggesting? Beck's tone must have showed his surprise, because Paige didn't reply immediately. She looked to the side, avoiding his eyes. Or his visor, anyway. Could our fearless commander be hesitating? The cycle isn't short on surprises... He patiently waited, and the explanation finally came.

"I've already asked you once, in the lightchopper... I hope your answer will be different this time. Work with me, Renegade."

There, I've said it. I'm theoretically a traitor. But she knew it was the right thing to do. Clu and Tesler were after Tron, they had no idea the Renegade was someone else. Someone who was misguided but truly wanted the best for Argon and its programs. She wasn't about to formally recruit him, of course. He still thought she was in the wrong camp, but he had proved his independence by defending her against his mentor. We're on the same side, somehow. He simply doesn't realize it. Yet his tone was curious, rather than incredulous, when he replied.

"What do you have in mind, exactly?

- Not you and me patrolling the streets side by side, obviously. But we could help each other. Share any information we might find about this mysterious impersonator of yours, for example…"

She knew better than to mention Tron at this point. The Renegade obviously still respected him. Given more time, Paige hoped she could help him realize that the Traitor didn't have his place on the new Grid. For now, stopping the terrorist would do. He was the one derezzing innocent programs. The Renegade must have come to the same conclusion, because he nodded.

"Alright, that much I can do. His name Is Cyrus. He was trained by Tron, but they disagreed on the ways to fight Clu. And don't say it sounds familiar."

She had been about to, so she let a slight smile curl her lips instead. The Renegade fortunately chose not to react and he kept going.

"Tron managed to imprison him, but he… err… he tricked me and managed to break free. Now he's trying to spread chaos, and I don't think he has renounced to resetting the Grid.

- What? That's his final goal?

- You can see why Tron disagreed."

That's insane. Completely insane. Resetting the Grid? Paige didn't even know it was possible from the inside. A User could have done it, for sure, but Users were gone. How was this Cyrus planning to achieve that? I'll ask him when I catch him, right before I put my disk through his crazy head.

"How can we find him?

- For now, I don't think we can. He's hiding. We'll know when he moves into action, believe me.

- We can't wait, Renegade. We have to find him before that. What does he look like?

- That's the good news, he's pretty recognizable. He has glowing tattoos everywhere, even on his face."

She let a loud sigh out.

"Really. Glowing tattoos everywhere?

- Yes.

- And when do you think you'd have mentioned that, if I had not asked?"

The look on his face answered for him. Paige slowly rubbed her temples and inquired in a cautiously neutral tone:

"Anything else worth sharing? I won't kick you if you tell me now. Later, I can't promise.

- He doesn't care about other programs, but you already know that. He's discreet and very crafty. He has a weakness, though. He's enjoying himself too much, as crazy as it sounds. He could be more efficient if he didn't waste so much time in provocation.

- Reminds me of someone, eh!

- You think I'm not efficient? How many times have you managed to arrest me, commander?"

The satisfied smirk that had just appeared on her face, after what she thought was a pretty clever jab from her, instantly disappeared. That's a low blow, Renegade. And she couldn't even complain about it, considering it was a mere retaliation.

"Forget it. So, dangerous program, glowing tattoos and too cocky for his own good, luckily for us.

- Spot on.

- We're not going to wait for him to unfold his next plot. We have to strike first.

- I guess it cannot hurt to try.

- Do you have to be so nonchalant about everything, Renegade?

- Isn't it part of my charm?"

For Clu's sake, is he trying to hit on me? She had to admit that his permanently relaxed behavior was not entirely unattractive. Supremely annoying, of course, but compelling in a certain way. He doesn't need to know that, though.

"I would hate to end our little truce, but I'll punch this grin off your face through your helmet right now if you force me to.

- You can't see my grin!

- I can hear it.

- Good ears. But would you call our present arrangement a simple truce? Some might say it's dangerously close to a temporary alliance.

- I don't care how you call it, Renegade. And don't imagine I'll hesitate to derezz you on the spot if you try to cross me.

- I'd never dare hoping for such mercy, commander.

- Keep it that way. Now, how are we going to communicate with each other? I can't exactly be seen in your company.

- Neither me in yours. I might have a solution… to both our problems."

Paige squinted her eyes. Both our problems? Is he talking about Beck? She thought she had been clear about the mechanic. Deciding to confront the Renegade about him hadn't been an easy decision, but she didn't regret it. She hadn't told Beck the full truth when she had broken up with him. He did soften her up, that much was true, but it wasn't a problem. He had made her realize that she missed her old self. Not the helpless program, but the cheerful medic. The ISOs had robbed her from her insouciance and the military life, no matter how busy it kept her, didn't bring back her peace of mind. Beck did. When they were together, she felt good. She didn't need to keep herself occupied in order not to think, because her thoughts were enjoyable ones, which had become incredibly rare since she had left Gallium in Tesler's tow.

She had no right to endanger the program who had unknowingly given her such a gift, though, and that was exactly what she had done by selfishly suggesting they date. Her life was too dangerous, Pavel's scheme had proved it. Breaking up was the only way to protect Beck. He would not have accepted that explanation, of course, so she had to lie. It was worth it if it could keep him safe. That was why she had been so furious to discover that he was helping the Renegade. By putting himself in the way of harm, Beck was wasting her sacrifice! Paige couldn't allow it. Having the Renegade prevent him from further implication in rebellious activities was not the perfect solution, but it was the best one she could think of. Whatever the masked program was about to suggest, she doubted it would please her, hence why she replied with extreme wariness.

"Now what kind of solution would that be, Renegade?

- You don't want Beck to help me anymore.

- I hope I made that clear.

- You did. But you have to admit that he's not likely to accept such a decision.

- Just cut contact with him, how hard can it be?

- Then he'd go looking for me and I don't think it would help… whatever you're trying to achieve."

I guess he has a point… she hated to think of it, but the probability of Beck simply accepting to back away from the rebellion was slim. He'd probably try to act on his own, which would make things worse.

"What do you propose, then?

- Just let me finish before you start screaming, ok?"

And a few moments later, she understood why he took the precaution of making her promise.

Beck's thoughts were a reference to Son of Tron and Born to Lead, the excellent stories by Elhini Prime. I guess most of you have already read them, but if you haven't, you really should!

If you have a few moments to spare, please let me know what you thought of this chapter and what you're looking forward to next.