<strong><br/>~Marissa~</strong><br/><br/>Alan listened attentively as they walked, holding the door open for her, into the corridor beyond. "There will be training, I can promise you that. Training is vital really, interfaces down here are a little different to what you are use to, so are the consequences of actions performed here. Some things you should pick up quickly, while some things will take time."<br/><br/>He paused close to the doors by the other end of the corridor and placed his hand on the wall, a holographic interface shining through as the segment of wall shone like glass. Bits of code flew pas the display as Alan said, "Excuse me, I'm just checking the status of some of the events in the surrounding sectors before we move out, there was trouble shortly before we got here. I will need to talk to an appropriate Program for a full report but I can check infrastructure like this and see the location of nearby Tanks."He paused, eyes on the display and data there before continuing to address Marissa, "So, Programs. Yes, they are sentient. Some stand out more then others, usually the older ones but not always. We don't see it on our side of the screen because we perceive so little of what goes on down here, how they all interact. The corruption down here does influence the Programs but it depends on what the corruption is. Some programs<em>are</em>the corruption, or part of it.  Some of the corruption has infected parts of the grid itself, sectors that are mostly abandoned as far as we know. Programs that set foot there are at risk."<br/><br/>Closing the interface with a flick of his fingers, the wall returned to normal. "All clear."<br/><br/>Pushing open the doors into the street outside, two groups of guards in tight body armour, coloured with blue or blueish green glowing circuitry lines stood guard a little off to either side. Around them an enormous city loomed, gleaming skyscrapers and high walkways overhead. Beyond that, a dark stormy sky that crackled with electricity.<br/><br/>Placing his hands into the pockets of his coat, Alan looked up at the city around them. "It is dangerous here, I wont lie about that. To be honest, we aren't entirely sure how dangerous. We have some immunity, I know Humans can survive things that a Program could not we we haven't tested all the limits yet. Every day it seems we are finding more and more. So, whatever you can help us with, whatever you can do, it will be welcome."<br/><br/>