Tron Legacy - It's Your Call - Initiate Sequence (5 page)
Read Tron Legacy - It's Your Call - Initiate Sequence Online
Authors: Carla Jablonski
Tags: #Fiction - Young Adult
A
few days later you ride your motorcycle onto the movie set to report for your first day of work. It's crazy busy, with people barking into walkie-talkies, equipment being hauled, vans unloading, and actors milling around drinking coffee and bottled water.
“Hi, Jax,” you say, catching sight of her familiar face.
Jax glances at you, nods, then goes back to explaining a stunt to her crew. “Got it?” she asks. The three men and two women nod and head for a motorcycle and a stunt car parked nearby.
You start to follow them.
“Where are you going?” Jax asks.
“Those are the vehicles for the stunts, right?” you say. “Just clue me in on my bit and I'm ready.”
“You're not in this stunt,” Jax says.
“Oh,” you reply. “So you want me to prep for something else?”
“I want you to get me a coffee refill. Black, six sugars.” She hands you her thermos.
“Butâ¦But I thoughtâ¦What?” you sputter.
“Kid, no one starts with stunts. You work your way up, learn the ropes, get used to the set,” Jax explains. “Then you get a shot. Maybe. For now, you're a gopher.”
Y
ou really should answer your phone,” Alan scolds. “What's the point of technology if you don't use any of it?”
“What's so important?” you ask. You limp over to the fridge and grab a soda. Man, you could really use a long soak in a hot tub. Every muscle is screaming after the long session on your bike.
“The board of directors has forced you out, and a new owner has come in,” Alan informs you. “Encomâthe company your father builtâis gone.”
You shrug. You've had no interest in Encom from day one. You can earn your own way. That company just represents everything you despiseâcorporate greed, soulless guys in suits. Andâoh, yeahâwhere your dad spent all his time. When he could have spent it with you.
“I'll be fine,” you tell him. “I've got some irons in the fire.” With your riding skills, you figure your motorcycle buddies can help you find some kind of gig.
“I
s she going to be okay?” you ask, gazing down at Quorra.
“I don't know,” your father admits, hovering over her. “I have to identify the damaged code. It's very complex.”
“She risked her life for me,” you say.
“Some things are worth the risk,” your father says. He pats your shoulder.
He stands up and adds cryptically, “Time to knock on the sky and listen to the sound.” He walks away and settles down in a quiet spot.
Quorra's eyes flutter open. She sits up and looks around, disoriented.
B
artik drags you out of the club to a dilapidated shack nearby.
You try to explain who you are, but he doesn't believe you.
He thinks you're using what you overheard as leverage. The
questions go on and on and they just confuse you. This place is
so crazy!
Then one day, a long time in the future, Bartik disappears! Right in front of your eyes. And in his place is Alexâall grown up!
“Sorry I took so long,” Alex says. “It took a while to crack the codes.” He smiles. “Time to go home.”
Those are the best words you've heard in centuries.
THE END
Y
ou don't want to risk bailing without any idea of what's happening. You still have to get to the Portal. So you hurry along the huge containers, searching for a good place to hide. All of a sudden, the containers flicker to life, startling you.
Your eyes widen in shock. The lights in the translucent containers illuminate the cargo inside. And what strange cargo! Hundreds of peopleâprograms, you remind yourselfâare packed in together, tight as sardines.
“What is all this?” Quorra asks.
“Clu can't create programs. He can only destroy or repurpose them,” your father finally answers, puzzling it out.
“Repurpose them for what?” you ask.
You sidle forward past the last of the containers and toward the edge of the ship. You look out beyond the cargo area to see the docking bay.
Cargo ships are being loaded onto what looks like an enormous aircraft carrier. The Rectifier, you realize. Tanks and other military vehicles are being fueled. You see thousands of troops gathered in formation.
“Clu is building an army!” You gasp. “That's what all these programs are for!”
J
ust when it looks as if you're going to crash, your mysterious driver flips another switch on the console, firing two light missiles that rip a massive hole in the wall. Man, you think, this vehicle comes equipped with serious firepower. The vehicle blasts through the opening. As it does, knobs grow out of the tires, turning it into an off-road vehicle.
“Made it,” the driver declares with quiet triumph.
Your breath starts to return to normal. The driver turns to you as her helmet retracts on its own, revealingâ¦a ravenâhaired beauty.
“I'm Quorra,” she says.
“Uhâ¦uh, thanks, Quorra.” You glance in the rearview mirror and notice that the remaining driver has given up his pursuit.
“He's turning around,” you say. You frown. “He's just giving up?”
“Not by choice,” Quorra explains. “They can't go off-Grid. They'll lose power.”
“What about us?” you ask.
Quorra smirks. “Obviously not.”
“Where are you taking me?” you ask.
She guns the engine. “Patience, Sam Flynn,” she says. “All your questions will soon be answered.”
Y
ou didn't mean to make the kid cry. He's about eight years old and small for his age. You figure if he's hanging around abandoned arcades he probably doesn't have too many friends. Now you feel like a big bully.
“Hey,” you say, trying to think of a way to at least get him up off the ground. “You did an awesome thing. I mean, you got us transportedâ¦into the computer, no less!”
It seems to work. “I did, didn't I!” Alex pops up again and pumps his fist in the air. “I totally rule!”
Man, this kid has serious mood swings. Were you like this when you were his age? Maybe he's been having too much sugarâ¦.
“Time to explore!” he says, tugging your hand. “I have to be home before dark, so we have to get moving!”
“What are you talking about?” you ask, shaking him off. “It was already dark when I found you at the arcade.”
“Oh, right.” He breaks out into a big grin. “So I'm already in trouble! I can stay here as long as I want!”
His words remind you of something. You're not completely sure how you got here. So, how are you going to get back home?