T-15 cycles to migration:
"The attack is ten clicks outside of Argon City. Bugs are swarming in masses larger than we've ever seen them and will likely overtake the city with in the cycle, sir." Shaddox maps the attack on the wall sized vid screen in the emergency council room.
"Reinforcements are on their way. Keep us informed," Tron issues orders.
Shoving his head back on his chair's head rest, Clu focuses on the ceiling as he twirls the orbs in his hand, "Why did another memory chip choose to fail now?"
Kris pipes in, "I've just messaged Flynn and Alan. We can't hot swap memory. But if they can bypass that memory chip and we max out the 2 remaining ones, we may make it to migration with out having to go through system restart. Granted, processing will be slower and traffic will be bogged down. I'm just concerned that our system has been running non stop for so long, that if we restart it - it might not come back up. I've seen that happen in the User world. And we're not ready for migration. But it's your call. Would you rather we reboot or try to limp along?"
Clu pinches the bridge of his nose. "I agree. Restart is not an option for us at this time. We'll have to conserve resources and deal with the attacks as best we can.
Tron, have all programs in the affected areas evacuate to higher ground where the attacks are least likely.
Dyson inform the public to conserve resources and prepare for possible shutdown, just in case. We're likely to start seeing shortages and slow downs with in the next couple of cycles if the Users outside can pull this off."
"I'll be going with the battalion to Argon City," Kris informs the council.
"No, I'd rather you were here," Clu gives her a warning glance.
"Clu, you know I can help speed up the creation of a barricade. And I just got my armor upgrade a few cycles ago," she protests and purses her lips in a pout.
He glowers now, "We'll talk privately." Addressing the group in general, "Are there further reports or concerns before we adjourn? …No? You are dismissed, with the exception of you, Kris. We'll talk on the way."
A few sniggers, can be heard and Kris's eyes narrow as she points with two fingers to her eyes then to Shaddox and Dyson as they exit- 'I'm watching you, two.'
…
Kris strides down the hall, with her hounds loping behind her, determined to go with the strike team.
Clu blocks her path. "Kris, I'm just getting used to you being 'our' User. I don't let others close to me and I won't let anything happen to you," he intends to book no opposition. When she looks for an opening around him, he anticipates her moves.
"I'm glad we're closer. It truly means a lot to me. But, that doesn't change my mind. I have a responsibility, Clu."
"Why do you insist on going against my wishes?" Clu speaks through clenched teeth.
"Because, I am not you. You asking me to stay goes against my wishes. We're our own sentient beings. I need to be of use here on the grid. You know that," her voice gets louder as she stands her ground. Then she softens, hoping to avoid this escalating further, "Clu, I know you mean well. And it's sweet. So many programs are in danger right now. I've got to go."
His intention was to keep her safe, he'll be darned before he looses this battle. "User, you don't know what you risk," he growls and continues down the hall, with silence between them.
When she and the hounds board the light chopper that will lead the recognizers, Clu does too.
"What are you doing? Aren't you going to coordinate the troops from HQ?" she can't suppress her confusion.
"Shaddox is capable."
"But, this will be dangerous! The grid can't be without you," she starts to protest, but realizes her hypocrisy and what a lost cause the argument is. He's not going to be told what to do any more than she is.
He rolls his eyes and straps in, "Only *now* would a User think of such things…"
Tron reasons if he pushes their buttons they'll shut up for a bit. "If you two are finished with your little lovers' spat, we're ready for take off." Kris's whole face burns red as she buckles up and Clu pretends to ignore her when he sees the blush. Tron raises his eyebrows in a hint of amusement, knowing darn well he was right. Then he signals the pilot.
…
Seven clicks from the attack, they get a visual on the waves of bugs.
"Tsunami…" Kris blurts in horror. For the benefit of her colleagues she explains when she sees their lack of comprehension, "In the User world, it's a huge wall of water that starts from violent shaking under the water a ways away." she swallows and starts coding as she talks, "This may not just be one memory stick going bad…"
Her hands move in a blur as character streams start to form and cast a blue green glow on the faces that watch her. "How high do we anticipate the waves of the attack will grow?" she asks to the group in general.
Clu taps his communicator, "Shaddox give us a projection for the highest of the waves."
Kris adds, "I'll need to know the force generated and the expected length of the attack."
Shaddox's voice comes through the speakers. "You don't want much do you, User? Let's see here. Based on previous attacks and noting the expoential progression of the intensity…I'd say 25 meters, lasting hopefully no more than half a cycle before decreasing, and a force of 1300 kilograms per every cubic meter of the wave."
"Oh, my…well beyond the hounds capability. And taller than I'd hoped. But not as tall as a rectifier. O….kay..." Kris starts to fret as she works. "Well, I'd hoped to be able to make a solid wall. But I don't have the time right now to code something that large to withstand that kind of pressure. Here's what I can manage...If we can set down ahead of the waves, we can erect a series of electrical wall panels that overlap with the rectifiers as the support columns (skinny side to the onslaught of the wave). I think we can re-direct the attack back to the ocean or at least to a lesser populated area. I'll have the baton codes ready to transmit to the rectifiers in just a second…right about…now. The most dangerous part is we need programs on the ground to plant the batons, to make the wall between the rectifiers about 3 rectifiers wide. I didn't have access to a rectifier to make the change there. Would it be better to just help evacuate programs?"
"Argon City isn't small enough to evacuate quickly. We need to give them time to head to higher ground. The wall may give them the time they need. This will give us a method to deal with future attacks too," Tron gives his thoughts.
"It carries high risk for those setting up the barrier. But the most benefit." Clu gives a grim nod and transmits the codes to the rectifiers.
"That will leave the evac teams to bring in personel carriers. Each program on that team will need to take a light jet and a personel carrier. Have them make those baton copies now," Tron relays the info.
"The ground team will each need a wall baton and a form of transport away from the wall area, in case of a breach. A soldier from each rectifier will need to create the wall to the north of his rectifier," Clu finishes out the plan and has the pilot send the barricade creation instructions.
When the rectifiers land between the city and the oncoming wall of grid bugs, the ground crew has less time than originally calculated to create the shield wall.
"Scramble!" Clu gives the order. He and Kris remain in the copter on the ground to oversee the mission. The hounds run the perimeter to lay down a small initial barrier in front of the main one. The rising flood hits the small wall first, buying a few microcycles of extra time to complete the big wall.
But when one of the soldiers can't get his barrier baton to activate, Kris runs out to help. Clu follows, muttering curses. She throws up a code wall between the rectifiers to suffice until the baton can be activated. She struggles to help the sergeant to get the baton to work. Much of her concentration is invested in maintaining the shield wall section. As the wave hits, it puts too much strain on her and she drops the baton. Clu snatches it midair, tweaks it and slams it into the ground to activate the wall section. Relieved that she can lower the shield, she leans on the sergeant who helps her run as the trio heads back to the copter. Kris sees the hounds go down as the tsunami catches up to them on the outside of the transparent barrier. "Farewell, faithful ones," she whispers in respect for their sacrifice, "I'll miss you both."
As soon as they are aboard, the copter takes off at full throttle before they can even strap in. The ascent is so quick that the recognizers look like toys before the trio can look out.
"Monitoring shield wall status. It's holding," Shaddox reports to Clu, who gives a sigh of relief.
"I don't feel so …" Kris's grip on the handhold slackens. She crumples and tumbles out of the climbing copter.
Clu bounds out the side of the chopper after her. He puts up his helmet and makes himself as aerodynamic as possible to give himself the best chance of catching her.
Maneuvering to the side he glides in beside her and latches on with both arms. The shock he receives knocks the breath out of him, as her energy starved body absorbs a tremendous amount of energy from his circuits. It's all he can do to hang on to her. They're drifting down toward the grid bugs that are crashing against the barricade.
Desperately, he musters a bit more strength and pulls out his light jet baton. He tries to activate the multi seat option with one hand, but his hand isn't where the button is on the cylinder. "Come on!" he mutters. Finally, he just jabs the thing into his hip, hoping to activate it. The rezzing of the light jet is the sweetest sound he's heard in megacycles. Struggling to dump her into the seat behind him, but when he finally does he pulls the plane out of free fall just above the waves. Only then can he focus on trying to breathe again. His gasping breaths suck in enough air to keep him from passing out.
Now to get her to the medical center, away from this chaos. When his breath has returned enough to speak, he contacts HQ. "Shaddox, have a team ready to meet me with Kris at the top of the medical center. She needs an energy infusion immediately," Clu snaps an order.
"What happened? Tell me she's gonna be OK, Clu. The news went live about how she helped save Argon City. We can't lose her! Programs are just starting to put faith back in the Users."
"I'll explain later. Clu out." He can't bring himself to express how worried he is, or to speak of the event just yet. It takes all his will to concentrate on just getting to the center. His insides knot tighter with each microcycle.
Finally their destination is in view, and he slows the jet so it can hover over the roof. He closes the baton and grabs her as the jet disappears.
Dealing with the dead weight of an unconscious person is difficult at the best of times. When you don't have your strength it really sucks. Luckily, the medical team is there to assist. He tries to follow in a run but almost collapses at the door. One of the medics peels off from the group and helps the leader of the grid into the facility, despite Clu's protests.
He hasn't said a word yet, but he hovers anxiously at the door. After they get Kris hooked up for the energy transfusion, they let Clu into the room.
Taking a last swig of the potent phosphorescent drink they gave him for his own recovery, he pulls a chair up next to her bed. "Hang in there, Kris," his voice is tight.
Nearing the end of the cycle, she opens her eyes again.
"Hey you," Clu says in a hush.
"Hey," she croaks back.
"You almost scared the circuits off us."
"Ssssorry, hadn't passed out before," she refers to when she's spun code on the fly like that.
"Evidently when you do that, it's powered by your life current. Putting up the wall almost drained you of energy and you shut down," he explains.
They hear a knock on the door frame and Dyson greets them, "Our celebrity is finally rebooted. Excellent! I'll be right back! You two have to see something…" He disappears and returns with a wheelchair. "Let's get you into this, Kris, so you can get to the window to see."
Helping her into the chair, he explains to Kris, "It was all over the mid-cycle vid cast, how you all saved Argon City - and how you almost derezzed in the effort. Sergeant Ott told everyone how you saved him and maintained the shield wall. Then you shut down and Clu rescued you. Ott organized a get well vigil for you, out of gratitude."
Dyson pulls back the curtain and pushes her chair forward and beckons Clu to come see too. From the 4th floor window, they see a river of programs with circuits doused, all holding light sticks and wishing for her recovery. At the front is Sergeant Ott and he salutes when he sees Kris wave. The gathering extends as far as the trio can see.
"Oh, and Ruby sent you this," Dyson hands Kris a small bouquet. "I need to get back, she's waiting for me."
Grinning like a Cheshire cat Kris slugs him in the arm, "Dyson, you sly dog! When did this happen?"
"Well, she needed a ride here…" he beams from ear to ear.
"You'd better get back down to her then," Kris frees him from any obligation. "Thanks for checking on me and for showing me. It's so touching that everyone cares so much," she gestures to the window.
"Glad to!" He rushes out and waves his goodbye.
Clu is still gazing out at the gathering when she asks, "So you saved me? All I remember is everything going black, then waking up with you here."
"Yes," he clasps his hands behind his back.
"What happened?"
"I…I thought we were going to lose you when you fell…" his hands fall to his side and his shoulders slump as he loses the stoic facade.
"You must have gone after me," she reasons.
He nods, unable to meet her gaze.
"So what aren't you telling me? Was it a close call or did the barrier fail?"
"VERY close. We were almost both derezzed. When I caught you, it should have been easy. But in your depleted state, you sapped my energy - in the middle of free fall. It was difficult to activate my light jet…"
"Oh my God! You took a terrible risk for me. Thank you…" she expresses and reaches for his hand.
He steps away, "I should go. My energy is restored enough for my duties."
"But, Clu…" she stammers. "What's wrong?"
"Shaddox said he wanted next watch over you," Clu informs, putting distance between himself and her.
"Clu!" Her shout echoes down the hall after him.
…
"When are they going to let me out of here, Shaddox?" Kris whines.
"When your strength is back," his usual playful tone and speech mannerisms are gone. "User, we need to talk...about Clu."
She hugs her pillow and gestures for him to continue.
Shaddox tensely licks his lips before starting. "Clu was created for one purpose. All of his focus has been on that purpose. He's relentless as he pushes himself to work toward that every single cycle. It's caused some serious friction between him and Flynn. Every time Flynn showed up, he added more chaos into what Clu was working on. But Clu still idolizes his creator. So your arrival has been even more chaos for him to deal with. Also programs all over the grid have started to lose faith in the Users since Flynn last visited. Clu was one of the most strongly affected. And you're uniting the grid, something that he hasn't done yet.
But, girl, something about you is driving the poor program crazy. And you believe in him. He needs that more than he'll ever tell you..."
"If that's so, why did he just walk out. I was just saying thank you for saving my sorry butt and going to give his hand a squeeze? I know things remind him of Flynn, but this is different isn't it?" the perplexed expression wrinkles her nose.
"I'm getting there. Girl, you gotta learn some patience…," he pauses to remember where he was in the conversation, "After he told me what happened and let me know it was my turn here, I could see the conflict. He was pacing back and forth so indecisively it was almost like he wasn't himself anymore. I suspect that he didn't know whether to hug you or choke you for being so reckless today. Clu does not worry much about others. Yet he risked himself for you and wouldn't leave your side until you awoke. I've known him since I was created. Please, don't push my bro or you'll break this fragile thing you two have. And it may break him too."
She pouts as she hugs her pillow tighter. "All I wanted when I first saw the grid in code form, was to meet him."
"Girl, the Love Doctor is here. You wanna tell me what you see in him?"
Her pillow swings in an arc and thwacks Shaddox on the head.
"Hey! I was just trying to help!" Shaddox protests and puts his arms up protectively.
"And you'll analyze it in the log later…"
"I analyze everything. It's my function. So just get it out, already," he makes no bones about her accusation.
Tugging at the corner of her pillow she acquiesces, "Fine…It started when I first saw his code. Not just as functions - but I had a glimpse into the real him at source code level - kind of like into his soul. I could see what he looked like, his potential, and the comments Flynn had left in his creation, the uniqueness of his nature as a program, everything but his very thoughts. All I knew was that I wanted to meet him."
"A rather invasive way to fall for someone," Shaddox jibes.
"You're one to talk," she bites her bottom lip to try to keep from grinning.
"Back to the issue, though. We know there's something holding him back. We've got to find it and help him face it." he puts it as clearly as he can.
"Got it," she answers meekly.
"Now if only Dyson's issue could be solved…" Shaddox ponders.
"You may have to work on your observation skills 'Doctor Love'," she teasingly emphasizes. "Didn't you see him and Ruby down at the gathering together?"
"No?! It finally happened? Dang, that boy took long enough," Shaddox leans on the back of the chair, elated that things came together for his close friend.
Kris flops back in her bed, with a smug look on her face, "I knew something you didn't. Nanner nanner!"
"Gimme that pillow, girl!"
"No way!" Kris dodges and hangs on to it for dear life.
Chapter End of Line