Alignment of Function

Alignment of Function
Date of Scene:	06 January 2013
Location:	Traverse Town
Synopsis:	Ah. Suspicions, especially if they cannot be proven-- are a burden and a tool only to ones enemies. Of course, there is nothing like a dance of words to try and further clarify and or obfuscate the issue. Enemies perhaps even find common elements in a chaotic situation.
Cast of Characters:	MCP, TRON

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TRON has posed:
TRON still bears lingering damage from his fight with CHIEF a few days prior, a few cracks in his appearance still not completely healed. He has assisted in rebuilding Sector 3 the best he can, but news of SARGON's candidacy to Traverse Town's office of mayor has been his primary concern.

The acronym of SARGON's entire platform is especially concerning, ringing a familiarity that equals nothing good. At all.

So, for now, TRON stands before Deelel's mural, hands folded behind the small of his back while studying the artwork. Though at the moment, he is seriously thinking and evaluating everything he has learned and encountered thus far.

MCP has posed:
Tap.

There has been a hush of activity as the campaign for SARGON gains traction in the surroundings of Traverse Town. The town, already bombarded with the victims of Manhattan's fall, look to someone who can provide them safety and security in a time where it seems like there is very little to go around.

The campaign has spread outwards with alarming speed and with no opposition, it looks like it will be ultimately successful. What this might mean for Traverse Town may be a mixed signal.

Tap.

Some of the damage CHIEF had wrought in the last few days is still evident as repair crews already overtaxed by building new residences and expanding current ones are stretched further. A program comes to stand in front of the mural, the cane resting on the ground with both hands folded over it as they look up and study the artwork. In particular-- at one glowing patch on the corner in which is scrawled a self illuminating message. Tap.

There has been a hush of activity as the campaign for SARGON gains traction in the surroundings of Traverse Town. The town, already bombarded with the victims of Manhattan's fall, look to someone who can provide them safety and security in a time where it seems like there is very little to go around.

The campaign has spread outwards with alarming speed and with no opposition, it looks like it will be ultimately successful. What this might mean for Traverse Town may be a mixed signal.

Tap.

Some of the damage CHIEF had wrought in the last few days is still evident as repair crews already overtaxed by building new residences and expanding current ones are stretched further. A program comes to stand in front of the mural, the cane resting on the ground with both hands folded over it as they look up and study the artwork. In particular-- at one glowing patch on the corner in which is scrawled a self illuminating message.

TRON has posed:
TRON himself is not hiding under an alias nor human clothing, for good or ill. There is currently no point in it.

His gaze cants over at the sound of approaching footsteps and cane-tapping, only the unfamiliarity of the gait keeping him from taking a more defensive reaction. And even when the other Program does fully come into view, TRON cannot say he recognizes him immediately.

Amicable-enough silence passes between the two, though TRON does note the other man's focus on the notation in the corner. "May I be correct in assuming you are SARGON?" His question is resepectful enough, but clearly cautious.

MCP has posed:
SARGON inclines his head slightly to TRON. Whether this is in agreement or simply in recognition is at this juncture somewhat uncertain. He glances at the program and then away back to inspect the artwork. "You should have that looked at."

the program remarks quietly as his eyes are drawn again to that small patch of illuminated mural. "There is never enough information about what trouble may come again into this world of chaos." The gentleman raises a hand in order to gently pat, pat at a pocket and then to withdraw a small vial of pinkish fluid with two fingers from the clothing folds. SARGON regards it with a sense of dry humor. It looks to be a simple Potion.

"I have found that these user artifices transfer across well enough." The gentlemen extends the small vial to TRON in a nonthreathening fashion. "Ah. Now I recall. I have logged you as being with the rebuilding efforts."

There is a pause before SARGON inclines his head very slightly again. "We need everyone possible to bring order again to the town."

TRON has posed:
TRON hesitates for a moment before accepting the offered Potion. There seem to be no tricks, perhaps a peace offering at best, but caution is hard-coded into his system. "My thanks," he says as he lifts the Potion briefly before drinking it. It does not take long for the lingering cracks of combat to stitch together and close.

He lets a corner of his mouth lift faintly. "Forgive me for being blunt, but I'm not sure I can trust you. The timing of your appearance is... interesting. And the acronym of your..." He tilts his head, unfamiliar at the User terminology of politics, "...'slogan'... has less-than-pleasant implications to certain Programs."

MCP has posed:
"Forgiveness is not mandatory, but also not required." SARGON returns, putting his hands again to the cane and leaning very slightly on the prop as he turns slightly towards TRON. He raises the cane slightly to gesture towards the surrounding buildings.

"What is it in particular that you so disagree with, may I enquire?" There is a pause, the program completely still before reanimating. "I would have thought that programs such as yourself" a gesture again to the buildings, which also takes in the mural. "..who have been so active in the protection and rebuilding of this location would agree with such basic tenants.

Prosperity for the system in which we find ourselves embedded. Mediation, so that we might find a common solution that disregards neither programs or Users. Compassion towards even those who have wronged us." The SARGON program gives TRON a smile that looks entirely wrong on his face, the expression an unpleasant and disused uncanny valley that clashes with his smouldering gaze.

"Users are often hypocritical." he says in a even quieter voice. "I should think programs are not."

TRON has posed:
TRON smiles thinly, though the 'smile' is anything but. He does not move, still standing at parade-rest, though his stance is surprisingly relaxed. "The disagreement is not in the message itself. On that, I am completely in agreement with you. It is the motive behind the message, the plan once power is obtained, that concerns me greatly."

He meets SARGON's gaze directly, a strong gaze simply seeking answers. "I am a very suspicious Program, sir. And hearing M-C-P in any form--especially in the context of a position of power--is enough to make me question everything connected to it."

MCP has posed:
"I have heard the murmurs of such discontent before." SARGON says in the same calm and flat intonation as he has used before. The unnatural smile has been replaced with a look of thoughtful intensity that meets and holds as TRON queries for information.

This query, such as it is, has been more or less flatly denied or held up in administrative backprocesses. "And I am aware of the tendancy of many programs to edge towards hysteria and superstition while they are attempting to process their directives through the medium of this realm of chaos.

This does not, however, decouple any of the original directives that this campaign is based upon. Whatever suspicions you may harbor, you may keep them."

There is a pause, then SARGON continues. "This is, by definition, a free system as laid down by the users themselves. I am only offering my services in making it a system in which order and safety can have their place as well. As everyone, inevitably, has their place and function."

TRON has posed:
TRON laughs a bit, unfolding his hands and holding them up in a loose shrug. "It is as you say. I have no way to prove my suspicions, and none to listen even if I could. As long as you do not bring harm to the Users, whether actively or by negligence, I have no right to interfere."

It is a bitter thing to admit, but the Security Program really has no alternatives. He is not a politician and wordplay is not his strong point. Besides, SARGON is clearly not one to show all his cards at once--especially considering the comparatively-outlandish accusations being implied here.

He averts his gaze back to the mural, walking over and touching the cityscape with his fingertips--just lightly enough to not disturb the art. "SARGON, I do have a question speaking solely Program to Program. Have you heard of LEXUS?"

MCP has posed:
SARGON frowns very slightly. There is a much longer than usual cycletime between the programs answer and the response he gives. "From your running processes and earlier actions, I make an assumption that you are a security program without a place to secure. And they must be frustrating for you."

SARGON continues after another tap of the cane. " LEXUS is simply another of many reasons for order to be re-established to this sector grouping, if only to keep viral materials from infecting and destroying both the system we have left and the system in which we find ourselves. In this, as in many things, our functions may be course aligned."

TRON has posed:
TRON nods slowly. "So it seems." Still no trust given, but acknowledging the truth is never a bad move. And after a moment's thought, he realizes that he's fed up with playing wordgames with SARGON. Regardless of his suspicions, he loses nothing either way.

He turns his back to the mural, fully facing SARGON once more. "You are correct in your assumption. My name is TRON. The primary focus of my function is protecting the Users, especially those who fight the Darkness or are incapable of fighting themselves." His expression flattens. "I have encountered a severe problem, however. LEXUS has made it clear he wishes to assimilate my code into his databanks and take over The Grid--and beyond, if his words are to be believed. As he is already a confirmed Shadow Lord with Heartless at his command, I have little reason to doubt him."

MCP has posed:
"Has he now?"

SARGON does very little in the way of acknowledging the identity of TRON other than for his eyes to glance casually over to the illuminated patch on the wall, and then slide his eyes back to TRON with the faintest raising of eyebrows. "TRON." he says in a lower register and at length.

"Well, well.. not just any security program then. I am moderately surprised at your appearance here in this realm of chaos, but perhaps this one should not be. There are many, many things to protect here. Many Users who live our their lives in the functionless desperation of the chaotic. I do hope, despite suspicions-- that you will continue to serve. Tell me more about this LEXUS. He is not only of the grid, but here as well?"

There is a pause, then a lower intonation. "Something, I --'believe' " he couches that one word in a great deal of scorn. "should be done about that."

TRON has posed:
TRON really didn't know what to expect with that auditory gamble. Expecting the worst, certainly, but this? It takes him a moment to comprehend the possibilities here. "I fight for the Users, SARGON--I always have. I will not stop now that I am in the Users' world, and certainly not because of personal suspicions."

TRON removes his Disc from its anchor point on his back and holds it in the palm of his hand like a plate. A holographic image flickers to life above it, showing LEXUS standing in front of a Shadow Passage surrounded by bug-like Heartless. "I have only met him once, after CHIEF's attack on District 3 the other day. That is when he issued his statement claiming my code as his own. I suspect he is freely able to move between the worlds using Shadow Passages, including moving between The Grid and any User world."

His eyes narrow sharply. "I have not yet faced him in combat. At the time of this image, he deemed me incomplete with my damages notwithstanding. He wishes for me to go to him and attack him with everything I have, and he is confident that he will be the victor should this happen."

MCP has posed:
SARGON's eyes flicker dangerously for a moment as TRON holds out the Disc, narrowing slightly as he assimilates the appropriate information being displayed about LEXUS.

He pays particular attention to the bug-like creatures that swarm in the background. He frowns very slightly with that intense concentration that seems to be pulling every frame of the animation apart and examining it. "These." he gestures to the bug like creatures.

"There is a difficulty that must be.. examined before a course of action can be described. LEXUS and these infected are a conglomerate process chain. The system will need to be properly partitioned, first against those lesser processes-- and later against the larger infection." SARGON slowly looks up from the animation, the picture of LEXUS between them and that uncanny and unfamiliar smile returns to his face.

"Your reputation precedes you many cycles, TRON. If this virus believes to consume you at your height-- perhaps it would behoove the both of us to make first this grid of the users safe, and then isolate LEXUS from causing further harm to our home system."

TRON has posed:
TRON's gaze follows SARGON's inidcations, tracking his observations accordingly. "Confirmed. Action that cannot negate the Heartless he commands will have no effect on LEXUS himself. To act rashly at this stage will only invite deresolution and put everyone and everything at risk."

His own mouth presses into a thin smile, somewhere between amused and uncertain. "My reputation does not give me power by itself. I was sent to The Games before I was fully operational, and any data gained afterwards has not made me complete. But what I do have is enough to create irrepairable damage in the wrong system."

The holographic image fades and he puts away his Disc to negate any possible misunderstandings. He studies SARGON closely, eyes flickering the same bluish-white light that comprises his circuitry lines, before he continues the conversation. "My personal concerns aside, we agree on two points: LEXUS cannot obtain my code no matter its state of completion, and LEXUS must be stopped."

He shifts his stance back to parade-rest, apparently his default stance of sorts. "If your goal is truly to make Traverse Town safe for the Users, I have no reason to interfere. I will protect the Users regardless, no matter where the Darkness rises."

MCP has posed:
"Suspicion is a useful tool in the hands of one's enemies." SARGON remarks with something like very, very dry amusement. There is another silence and then a slightly inclined nod in TRON's direction.

"There is no reason, as I said, for this campaign to be... interfered with. I would look-- disfavorably on the hypocrisy, but I need not concern myself with that. Now do I?" The program taps the cane across the ground again, preparing to leave.

"This one is assured.. that more information will be exchanged in the future along these lines. In the fullness of time." at this, the program tucks the cane underneath their arm and begins to walk away from TRON and the mural.

TRON has posed:
TRON chuckles dryly himself. He really did mean what he said--as long as SARGON's actions benefits and protects the Users, he has no right nor need to interfere. And if the Users want SARGON as their mayor, who is he to say otherwise?

"No. No, you do not." He inclines his head as SARGON turns to take his leave. "Until next we meet."