Old Program (2.0 AU)
corruptedhacker:
xfightsfortheusers:
The Program smiled.
“Sure, I’ll be able to answer those for you. You’re in one of the central hubs of the Theta sector. In the ENCOM server, but I bet you already knew that, being a User.” The Program chuckled. “As for your friend…” The Program looked over his shoulder at where Lilith had gestured.
The ancient Security Program had once again checked the Energy container to see if any more liquid had magically conjured itself, but was once again disappointed to find that it was empty. He climbed on top of the Energy container once again, hoping that the amount of liquid would change because of the different perspective. However, the now empty container had held his weight for long enough and had been rattled long enough for it to suddenly topple over, taking the Program with it. Muttering something under his breath, the Security Program confirmed that the container was, indeed, empty, and he scurried off to see if there were any more containers around.
“… I wouldn’t know that for sure. It would depend on… what’s wrong with him. I know there are Programs specialized in disinfecting, if he’s got a virus or something… Looks to me like his memory needs some serious defragmenting, in my opinion. There are Programs for that, too, if you ask around…”
There was some noise in the distance (akin to containers rattling and female Programs screaming), and noticing this, Lilith’s guide added, “Although, at the moment, I’d be a little more concerned about keeping him under control.”
Lilith spun around to where the “Program” was just a moment earlier, but found only an empty container. “Oh shit, thanks for the information!” She quickly said to the guy, and ran off in the direction of the commotion.
It seemed as though the wayward Program had found himself something, whatever it was, to drink. Not wanting to gather the attention of the guards, Lilith grabbed the guys arm and practicality dragged him out of what seemed to be a bar; muttering a few “Sorry”, “Excuse me”, and “I got him under control now” to a few people as she exited. Things where starting to form together in her mind, and right now she needed less of this guy’s problems. Lilith couldn’t just leave him to fend for himself, seeing as something was obviously very wrong with him, so it seemed a good talking to was in order.
Finding a nice, secluded place to talk, she sat him down and stood over him. With a good grip on his shoulders, she looked him in the eyes; “Look I know you need help, and I’m going to help you get it. But you have to listen to me, and you can’t go running off. If you need something, tell me. Do you understand?” she said, shaking him a bit to get the point across.
Yes! He’d found another source of Energy. This one had more Programs trying to get at it, but he was the stronger of them, and he got past them easily, because he needed the Energy more than they did, right?
However, as the starved Program was gulping down several more gallons of Energy at a time, he felt that he was being grabbed again! He swatted at the intruder, but then he realized that it was Alan One again. Alan One, always looking out for him. That was a very funny joke, the User not being Alan One. Tron had almost believed it for a few moments.
Reluctantly, he obeyed his User and followed him to wherever it was that he wanted to go. Walking at a slow pace along the road gave him a chance to look at the scenery. It was very, very pretty, and Tron found himself looking in several different directions at various unfamiliar shiny objects in particular. It was all much, much better than that strange dark room he had become accustomed to…
Okay, now Alan One was talking to him. Tron tried to focus, but something else always caught his attention; he resisted the urge to run off again, though, because he knew Alan One wouldn’t like it.
But suddenly, he… he felt himself getting more Energy. His circuits grew brighter and brighter, and he felt warmer and warmer, not to mention a little more focused. The User’s appearance registered with him a little more. Alan One seemed like… a female? It didn’t make sense to Tron.
However, beggars couldn’t be choosers.
He nodded at the promise not to run away again, and he intended to follow through with that promise, because that was what good Programs did.