/Sunrise/
2009
/: Flynn?
/SFlynn/: Sam.
/: ok
/SFlynn/: How's it goin Kay?
/: good. The reforms Susan had enacted are great. The system does not run at its maximum potential, yeah, but the programs are happy with their administrator and you said that that kind of perfection wasn't important to you anyway, so...
/SFlynn/: And Tron?
/: Tron's reboot will take more time, after all he was very weakened when we found him. His strength is remarkable, though. Soon he will be the good old Tron again, just like the reprogrammed sentries. You think he will remember everything? Before and during his time as Rinzler?
/SFlynn/: Perhaps not everything, but I guess Susan and the others will remind him of the essentials if necessary. How is she btw?
/: Stressed mostly. The job isn't quite what one should impose on a born fighter, but she'll be fine, especially now.
/SFlynn/: She's doing a fantastic job, tell her that.
/: She'll be glad to hear that. You know, she's really taken you to her heart. Susan is so grateful for everything you did. We all are.
"Sam?"
At the sound of Quorra's voice he winced and turned around. "Yeah?"
"Alan is here. We can go now.", she said with a soft smile.
"Okay, I'm ready in a second."
She nodded and walked up the stairs to the arcade again.
/SFlynn/: Gotta go now. Is there anything of importance yet?
/: When will you come back? I know that time difference is exhausting to you, but while for you only a few day cycles have passed since the overthrow, it's almost a whole cycle here.
/SFlynn/: I'll try to come today.
/: Great!
/SFlynn/: Ciao Kay
/: See ya! Long live the Users!
/SFlynn/ offline
Sam rubbed his eyes, remained seated for a moment and followed Quorra then.
Outside stood Alan Bradley next to his car, waiting for him. Quorra sat on the back seat, a small bouquet of flowers on her lap, marvelling at it with a light smile.
"You like 'em?", Sam asked, as he got in the right side of the car, sitting next to Alan.
"Mhm..." Fascinated, Quorra stroked over the blue and white petals.
"Glory-of-the-snow, Susan's favourite flowers.", Alan explained, starting the motor. "Me and your father always bought her ones on her birthdays. Every time, she faked being surprised although she already knew we would buy her some. Oh, you should have known her, you'd really like her. You two are resembling in many aspects, you know?"
Sam looked out of the window, smiling.
With squinted eyes he watched the rising sun that bathed their whole environment in a golden gleaming light. He held an envelope in his hands and ran his fingertips over its edges.
"You... changed in the last weeks, Sam.", Alan interrupted his thoughts in a low voice, so that Quorra didn't hear him. "That you wanted to go there with me surprised me, to be honest."
"Well, I... found old photos and this letter and stuff...", he replied.
Alan sighed. "Ah yes, Susan's letters."
In spite of himself he touched the glove box where he kept his old glasses for more than 20 years now.
As the three got out of the car, Sam said slightly ruefully: "Lead the way, please. I can't remember where-"
"It's alright, boy." Alan patted his shoulder.
At a slow pace he went ahead, Sam with the envelope in his hands and Quorra with the bouquet following him. Wide-eyed, she marvelled at the tall trees, the green gras and the prettily adorned stones with all kinds of names on it.
Finally, they reached the grave Sam had wanted to visit so badly. Alan held his own hand, while speaking: "Good morning, Sue. It's nice to be here again. Lora couldn't make it today, unfortunately, but hey, I brought you Sam and his new friend Quorra."
Carefully, Quorra put the flowers down onto the green in front of the tombstone, plucked at it for a last time to make it look perfect and positioned herself next to Sam again.
"Hey, aunt Sue.", he said. "I'm sorry I wasn't here for quite a while. The last time was when... I dunno, when I was Ten or something. Anyway, I'm happy to be back now. Even though I didn't visit you the last years, I didn't forget about you. Alan and Dad told me the craziest things about you." They laughed quietly, before Sam continued. "You seem to have been really cool, just awesome..." He squatted down, opened the envelope and put the letter she had left him shortly before her death next to the white and blue flowers. Stroking over it to make it even, some of the last words on it struck his eyes: 'I'm not dead'.
Alan smiled. "If you just saw how much we miss you, Susan..." He out his hand onto the tombstone. "Rest in peace, my friend. I hope you're happy wherever you are now."
With these words he strolled over the cemetery back to the car.
Quorra linked arms with Sam, squeezing him to herself lightly. He smiled, whispering: "She is."
Together they followed Alan.
Birds were singing. Leaves were rustling in the light breeze of wind. The sun shined brightly, lighting the tombstone with the name of a woman who was a hero in her world: Susan Gifford.