"System co-admin, these days," he agreed. "Jalen covers for me when I'm Earth-side. I'm also CEO of Encom since Flynn retired, and some things can't be handled from the Grid."

He offered a tired shrug. "I don't know all the differences, but they must have started early. Encom went public with the laser in the late eighties in my world, and there's massive traffic between Earth and all the various systems by this point, whatever company built them. But there aren't many Earth-born on the Free Grid, even now. After what he did to the Isos--"

Clu broke off, shook his head, tried to refocus. Not the place or time.

"I'm not much like him, anymore, no."