Back in the main conference room at HQ.
"The simulations I've run with the light hounds have stopped the bug waves, and retrieved a sample to study. I'd like to proceed with testing two hounds in the hardest hit sectors," Kris presents confidently. "They are intelligent, but not fully sentient. So they will be good defenders, without loss of life. We'll need a sample grid bug for them to track. But once they know what a grid bug is, they'll always be able to track them and alert us when the bugs are near. I'd like for the citizens to vote if we keep them after the move."
Clu inspects a miniature holo model of a wolfish dog in a predatory lope. He looks up, "You have a beta version ready for test?"
"Right here." She tosses a file on the floor, and is transforms into a sliding door which releases two almost shoulder high rather scruffy but lean hounds that sit and bark at a visual cue. Their circuit lines go along their collars, ears, and feet. "Magnus and Ulf are their names. They're modeled after wolfhounds from the User world." She rubs them behind the ears, "You're good such good dogs aren't you? So ist brav."
Clu's head tilts in puzzlement at the last phrase.
"Oh sorry, I forgot to mention that. They are trained to follow commands in a User language called German. That's to help avoid confusion. Only their handlers will be able to give them commands. Would you like a copy of the commands? I'd like to send Ulf with you on your inspections today, so all the programs can get used to him."
Clu holds out his disk without hesitation this time. While the commands download, she introduces the dog to him, "His brain is scent based. Put your hand out to him for him to smell, and he will know you."
While he puts his hand to the hound, its nose glows on contact, and she says, "Ist Clu." Ulf sniffs and barks to let her know that he knows the program now. "Pass auf (gaurd) Clu," she commands and the dog goes to Clu's side. "He's loyal and obedient to a fault. Please don't do anything like asking him to fetch something that can't be fetched. He'll derezz himself trying to please you."
Clu gives a slight grimace at the thought, "Sounds familiar." It's too close to home, so he changes mental gears, "What do you have for the migration?"
"Well, the immediate need is keeping the populace from mass panic, right?" When no contradiction comes, she continues, "They need something to do to help mentally prepare for this. Then we all can focus on the construction of the terminal connection and mass transit needs for the move.
I'd like for them to see the hounds moved, so we can record that and share the vid. I'd also like for them to start setting aside 7 cycles worth of energy. Lights are scheduled to go out at about T-3 cycles. It's best to have a few cycles worth on either side of that. Do you think that it will help them focus then on the terminal and additional trams?" she hopes for his input.
"It should ease their circuits. The terminal will be completed on time if they aren't too distracted. Will Alan and Flynn be helping to create the trams we'll need?" he counters.
"Yes. They left a message verifying the population count, so they're making progress," she adds relieved to finally be working with him, instead of against him.
...
Kris is eventually able to take a few half cycles to start training for the games. She's determined to try this with out User skills. But it's kicking her butt. Sports have never been her forte.
Tron and Shaddox have been encouraging her to keep trying. But she's starting to fear that even they might give up on her ever improving.
At disk practice, she tries to throw her disk repeatedly at a target and can't hit it for anything. Finally her arm just won't throw anymore. She keeps telling herself as she rubs her aching arm, "Practice makes perfect! I can get this!" Magnus and Ulf retrieve the disk for her, which helps take the sting off a little.
When she overhears, "Hey look at that beta program! She couldn't use her disk if Flynn guided her moves!" It gets under her skin and she slams her disk to the floor and lets out a string of swear words that would make a sailor blush.
Her only strength seems to be the light cycles, though battle from them doesn't work out well.
From fighting practice, she has more bruises than she can count. "She's beyond hope, bro. I don't wanna dis the girl, but can we just send her home before she starts cryin'?" Shaddox whispers to Tron.
Tron ribs him hard and hollers to her, "Use your center, Kris!" He's lost count of the times that he's repeated that phrase.
Clu decided to see how she's progressing, fully expecting to see Flynn's game talent. His jaw drops at how utterly awful she's performing. "I thought you said your talents were close to Flynn's!" he protests and stomps onto the field. "What in the name of the creator, do you think you're doing here if you can't even master basic grid skills?"
It distracts her and her opponent sees the opening, kicking her into the air toward Clu. She sees the oncoming collision. Clu's strong aversion to her friendly touch gestures had been received so badly, that the thought of crashing into him makes her shudder.
Instinctively, she starts a dodge function, her hands move as if holding an invisible ball and then pull a part. Her white circuitry turns a sky blue hue. Bright light emanates from the center and unwinds into tendrils of blue characters that protectively wrap around Clu and herself. When her right hand closes, the strands whip her like a leaf around him and she lands in a crouch as the ribbons of code fade. Clu's hands sift the fading lines in bewilderment.
"Dang, Kris! We should have had Clu visit sooner, 'cause that was 'da bomb!" Shaddox exclaims. "You were just waiting to show off for the boss, right?"
Clu's eyes roll. But she chuckles and smoothes back her hair, "Aww, no. Just didn't want to tick him off again by bowling him over with my complete lack of grace."
Tron lifts an eyebrow in Clu's direction, then walks over to the user. "Code is your center, Kris. Don't keep trying to avoid the fact that you're not quite like us or even Flynn for that matter. Accepting what you are will help in all areas of your life cycle."
"So much for trying to fit in..." she deflates.
"Programs would stand in line for many cycles to see that bit of wizardry. They'd be hounding you for autographs," Shaddox tries to cheer her up.
She pats his arm, "Thanks, but that's what I've been afraid of... I'll see you all later..." Clu is heading off the field and she jogs to catch up and her hounds follow.
Tron gives a knowing nod in her direction, and Shaddox has to cover his mouth to keep from snorting in laughter. "So. Someone's got it bad for the boss..."
Quietly snickering Shaddox adds, "Oh that will be a good one. Think he knows?"
"Dunno. Could get interesting around here," Tron muses.
...
"You managed some real talent back there. Why didn't you tell me about your abilities?" Clu broods as they walk. "I should have been informed of such things."
"I don't want the notoriety. If programs want to hold Flynn in that kind of status, fine. But I don't want it. I was the only one to be able to out code Flynn at the interviews. It was what gave me the chance to be here. He and I talked quite a bit about how it would affect the grid and how it would affect me. The burden of godhood is heavy," she's noticeably uncomfortable with the idea as she chews a thumbnail.
"You should have kept your talent secret, then. You can't avoid it now, User," he points out, but doesn't say the reference to her with malice.
"But I was headed straight for you..." she protests.
"So, you chose to protect me instead of hide your power."
"Duh, Captain Obvious," she retorts.
He glowers at the reference, her tone explains the phrase fully though. "Would you choose otherwise?" he probes, trying not to remain perturbed.
"No. I guess not..." she's more contrite now.
"Very well then," he closes the conversation.
"That wasn't much of a pep talk..." she scrunches up her face. But he's right. She's got to live with her actions.
...
T-41 cycles to migration. Clu and Kris seem to banter instead of argue, now. Kris feels more like she's finding her place, despite the reverence most programs show her. Her hounds have proved their worth in helping to defend the weak sectors of the grid. Bug samples haven't turned up what she'd hoped and she doesn't feel she can keep the bug samples long - for fear they'll attract a new wave. Clu isn't fussing about the ISOs as much, perhaps because he's got other things to think about. But Kris isn't ready to broach that topic quite yet.
"Hey, you," she pulls a chair up next to his at his favorite conference table.
Vid screens are spread out all over, showing the progress made, steps left to accomplish, messages from all over the grid asking for help or info, status of each sector, grid bug incident reports, ISO status, and all manner of other things. Clu closes a few of them and rubs his temples.
"Can I get you anything?" she offers.
"Focus. I can't stay on task right now," he lets himself be vulnerable for a moment.
"What can I do to take some of the load off of you? You don't have to carry it all alone."
He waves her off. "I'll manage," he insists.
She shakes her head, "I knew you would say that. So I brought you a couple things - a double shot energy drink and a little surprise." She puts the glowing glass in front of him first, then a small velvet box with a loop clasp.
He seems unsure as he does a double take, so she coaxes him, "Go on, open it."
Slowly his fingers move the clasp from the loop and flip back the lid to the box. "What are these?" he asks of the black spheres with orange stripes.
"They're for meditation. They'll help you focus. May I?" she explains as she reaches for the spheres. Placing them in one palm and rotating them, she ensures they don't touch as they go around. "I see the way you're looking at me like I'm crazy. But humor me. Once you get it, it's relaxing and helps keep the random thoughts away." She drops them into his palm.
He holds out his hand, fumbling just a few times before finding the coordination for it. "Hmm..." he tests flipping through vid screens one handed while he twirls the orbs.
Taping the desk as a signal that she's done here, "All right then. I'll let you get back to work. I was serious about helping you more, though."
Turning back to her, he indicates the gift and drink, "Thank you...Kris."
"Someone has to watch out for you," she smiles as she walks out the door.
When she's safely outside, she can't resist a little victory dance, because he used her name this time. His guards try to pretend they didn't see the odd User behavior. But they have to straighten up quickly to cover when she gives them 'the look' and they know they've been caught gawking.
Chapter End of Line