Alpha
Biographical information
User	None
Compile Date	Unknown
Status	Derezzed
Physical description
Circuitry Color	Unknown
Gender	Male
Description	ISO
Other information
Functions	Founder of Vertical Slice Builder Leader
Equipment	Identity Disc
Allies	Kevin Flynn
Out of universe information
Appearances	TRON: Identity (mentioned) TRON: Catalyst (statue & mentioned)

Alpha was an ISO program in the Arq Grid who on cycle zero founded the city of Vertical Slice, the oldest city in the Arq Grid.^[1] He led the city's earliest settlers and directed the construction of the city's old capital and its first settlements.^[1][2]

Biography

Background

Alpha was a young ISO program on cycle zero, the earliest time period in the Arq Grid.^[2] It is unknown if he manifested natively in the Arq Grid along with other ISOs or if he was a refugee from the primary Grid.^[3]

Founding of Vertical Slice

On cycle zero, Alpha founded Vertical Slice, the oldest city in the Arq Grid. He led the earliest settlers and directed the construction of the city's old capital and first settlements.^[2] ISOs worked to expand it at a rapid rate. Alpha intended for it serve as a celebration of Kevin Flynn, the creator of the Arq Grid.^[4]

Flynn oversaw and was impressed with Alpha's development of the city. Alpha told Flynn that it will be a great city in celebration of him. Flynn replied saying that he would return to the Arq Grid after talking Clu 2 out of his scheme in the primary Grid. Alpha smiled and said they will await his return.^[4] However, due to the Clu 2's coup of the primary Grid, Flynn was never able to return to the Arq Grid.

Legacy

Alpha became a highly revered program across the Arq Grid. A statue of him was erected in the park in Vertical Slice, the site of his final conversation with Flynn.^[5] Since depictions of Flynn are considered taboo, only Alpha himself is shown, with the tilt of his head implying that he is listening to Flynn through eternity.^[2]

Vertical Slice would go on to become a bustling hub.^[6] Although it has since been dwarfed by grander cities, the city fulfills an almost spiritual role for the programs of the Arq Grid, representing a new beginning, with monuments throughout its streets celebrating that history.^[1]

General information

Appearance

Based on his statue in the park in Vertical Slice, Alpha had the appearance of a typical male ISO program and was bald.

Personality and traits

Alpha was a visionary builder, leading the construction of city's old capital and first settlements.^[2] He was a friend of Kevin Flynn, the creator of the Arq Grid, intending for the city to be a celebration of him.^[4] Alpha was concerned with the function of ISOs, noting their risk with every cycle, seeing the Identity Disc as part of makes them unique.^[7]

Skills and abilities

• Leadership: Alpha is described as a builder and leader. He oversaw the construction of the old capital and led the first settlers of Vertical Slice, with ISOs working to expand it at a rapid rate.^[2][4]
• Builder: Alpha was a visionary builder, believing that Vertical Slice would be a great city one day and forever, in celebration of Kevin Flynn, the creator of the Arq Grid.^[4] The city would go on to become a bustling hub.^[6]
• Identity Disc: Alpha was fond of Identity Discs as a weapon.^[7]

Codex (TRON: Identity)

Data Tree - Flynn's Promise

Flynn looked out over Vertical Slice. A small cluster of structures and buildings. Isos worked below to expand it at a rapid rate. He turned to the young program next to him, Alpha.

"You're doing well, real well!"

Alpha nodded, gratefully and with respect.

"It will be a great city one day, and forever. In celebration of you, Flynn."

Flynn winced imperceptibly, rubbed the back of his neck.

"Sure! We can work out the details next time I'm here. I gotta go back, give Clu one more chance to throw in the towel on his whole, 'perfect world' thing."

Alpha smiled.

"We shall await your return."

Codex (TRON: Catalyst)

VERTICAL SLICE

Vertical Slice is the oldest city of the Arq Grid. Here, Alpha built the first settlements, witnessed by Flynn himself.

Since then, Vertical Slice has begun to show its age, slipping into disrepair. Its smaller streets and structures are dwarfed by grander cities elsewhere. Following the demolition of the repository district recently, Core have made their presence more known as they assert themselves in the face of incoming Automata presence.

Vertical Slice fulfills an almost spiritual role for the programs of the Arq Grid. It represents a new beginning, and monuments throughout its streets celebrate that history.

ALPHA'S GIFT

On cycle zero, Alpha founded Vertical Slice. He led the programs who first settled here, and oversaw construction of the old capital.

This statue is placed at the site of his last conversation with Flynn.

Depictions of the great User are considered taboo, so only Alpha himself is shown, the tilt of his head implying that he is listening to his unseen creator, through eternity.

You are skeptical of statues of 'great programs'. They tend to be built either by their subjects, or by later programs looking to use their image as a statement. All history is, after all, written by someone.

The trees around the statue are a better monument, their data a more honest depiction of this area's history.

IDENTITY DISC

Each program on the Grid has their own Identity Disc, which stores their personal history, personality, and all other data. It is, on a fundamental level, the core of their processes.

It is also a weapon. Bladed and with otherworldly balance, the history of the Grid has been drawn with the edge of many Identity Discs.

The paradoxical quality of both life and death embodied in the same object has been the subject of much philosophical debate. As Alpha once said, "The ISO risks their very function with every cycle they run. What better weapon do we have, than that which makes us, us."

Gallery

TRON: Catalyst

Screenshots

A statue of Alpha located in the park of Vertical Slice, the site of his final conversation with Kevin Flynn.

The statue of Alpha located in the park of Vertical Slice as seen in the TRON: Catalyst - Archive web series in episode 1.

Trivia

• Alpha may be named after the "alpha" phase in a software release life cycle, which typically represents software that has recently been compiled and ready for its initial test in-house.^[8] The term is named after the Greek letter "alpha" (α), often symbolizing a beginning. This name may allude to Alpha being one of the earliest ISOs present in the Arq Grid.

References