Chapter Seven: Solar Sailer
Tron trudged through the outlands, searching for any sign of Kevin Flynn. Calyx's head shot up and he looked down, slightly startled.
"Wha"- He began before Calyx put a hand over his mouth.
"Shhhh. I hear something." She whispered. He stood frozen for a moment before Calyx jumped out of his arms and ran off towards a light in the distance. "C'mon!" She hissed, as he sprinted behind her, helmet sealing over his face. The light grew brighter as they approached and Calyx grinned. Flynn was leaning over Quorra and Sam was glancing around, looking nervous. She tapped his shoulder and he jumped, ripping his disc off his back and raising it to her neck. In surprise, she did the same, forming a full helmet around her face.
"Who are you?" He growled. Calyx remained silent, just to annoy him. "I will derezz you program, who are you?" He growled again, trying to sound threatening.
"I highly doubt that." She responded, voice deeper due to the helmet. The disc came closer and she grabbed it with her hand and kicked Sam's feet out from under him. She dropped the disc next to his face. "And Sam, I really don't appreciate the threat." She smirked, pulling back her helmet and putting her disc back. Sam looked up and raised an eyebrow.
"Don't wanna get on your bad side." He grumbled, sitting up. Flynn chuckled, remembering what she did to his nose.
"Sorry." She grinned sheepishly. Tron placed a hand on her shoulder and she smiled. "This is"- She began before Sam interrupted.
"Rinzler." He growled, pulling his disc off again. "Get your hands off her, you freak." He scowled. Tron frowned sadly under his helmet and stepped back. Calyx glared at Sam.
"Leave him alone." She warned. He scowled and pushed her out of the way. "Sam." She warned again. Sam turned around angrily.
"Shut up." He growled and turned back to the security program. Calyx grabbed his shoulder, gripping it tightly. Sam winced.
"Leave him alone." She growled for the last time. Sam elbowed her ribs.
"He's a monster!" He shouted at her. She punched him in the face. He reeled back and went to pull off his disc. Calyx twisted his arm behind his back and kneed him to the floor. "Let me go." Sam ground out, wincing as she twisted his arm further and held her disc at the base of his neck. Flynn stared between the two in shock.
"Apologize." She hissed. Sam glared up at Tron.
"Sorry." He muttered. Calyx released him and put her disc back, shaking angrily. Tron put his arms around her comfortingly and she relaxed slightly. Sam pulled himself off the floor and looked at the pair of them incredulously. "He's not even human." Sam shook his head disbelievingly. Calyx gave him a look and he turned away quickly.
"Now, as I was saying," She began, eyeing Sam warningly. "This is Tron, but I'm sure you already know that, don't you Flynn?" She finished. Flynn nodded, lips curling up in a grin. Tron's helmet slid back and he gave Flynn a small smile. He got up off the floor and eyed the program happily before hugging him tightly. Sam looked up almost apologetically, feeling stupid for interrupting her in the first place. And also for yelling and calling his childhood hero a freak and a monster.
"I thought you were dead." Flynn mumbled into Tron's neck. Tron looked down sadly.
"May as well have been." He replied shortly, feeling ashamed of himself. Flynn pulled away from him and gave him a curious look, before nodding. With Sam freaking out about 'Rinzler', it really wasn't hard to figure out.
"Not your fault buddy." Flynn reassured him, patting his shoulder before tending to Quorra again. Tron smiled at Calyx and she hugged him.
"Told you." She teased. He wrapped his arms around her waist.
"I guess you did."
-
Quorra sat up with a gasp. Sam patted her shoulder.
"Whoa, it's all right. You're safe now." He whispered comfortingly. Quorra's eyes narrowed as she saw the blurry shape of Rinzler.
"Rinzler." She growled. Calyx threw her a grin.
"Tron." She corrected. Quorra nodded slowly, relaxing into Sam. He picked her up and looked over at Flynn.
"Is it time to move?" He asked solemnly. Flynn nodded once and grinned at Tron and Calyx, who where talking quietly on the floor. Or rather, Tron was speaking and Calyx was snuggled into his chest.
"Time to go." Flynn smiled and Tron looked up. He helped Calyx onto her feet before standing up.
"What transport are we using?" Tron asked. Flynn looked at him.
"Solar Sailer." He grinned. Tron returned it, remembering their escapades in the ENCOM system. The group began to trudge forward slowly, Sam still carrying Quorra. After their fight, Sam avoided Calyx and Tron like the plague. Mainly because he felt stupid for what he did. Calyx slid her arm around Kevin's shoulder. He blinked, looking up in surprise.
"What do you miss about the real world?" She asked softly. His eyes flickered down and a small grin spread across his face.
"A lot of things, man. I miss video games, as weird as it sounds. Is also miss my buddy Alan. But mostly I missed Sam, and now he's here." He replied, gazing fondly at his son. Calyx gave him a half smile and an awkward side on hug. He patted her back gently.
"I'm sorry for what happened." She ruffled his hair. He chuckled softly.
"S'alright man, not your fault. Or yours." He looked at Tron, who bowed his head. Calyx grinned at Kevin before going back to Tron.
They were close to the city now and Calyx glanced at the large building along the edge of the city. Her gaze switched to Tron. He had a harsh gleam in his eye and she knew what he was doing.
"Stop beating yourself up." She hit his shoulder lightly. He blinked, looking up at her with a tiny smile. "Not your fault." She reassured him. It was obvious to tell that he wasn't really believing her, but he remained quiet.
"Thank you." He spoke softly. The user blinked slowly.
"For what?" She asked running her fingers through the hair on the back of his neck.
"For many things." He replied simply, pressing his lips to her forehead as he had seen Kevin do with Sam. Calyx grinned and looked up in awe at the large solar sailer transport system in the building above.
"Crap. Did you make these?" She whispered to Kevin, who nodded. The small group of programs and users stepped into the elevator. Calyx and Tron were squished in next to Sam and the female pressed herself into Tron's side. 'Most awkward elevator ride, ever.' She thought with a wry grin.
The group filed out and Flynn pushed them into a small platform.
"We should be heading east; towards the portal." Flynn spoke quietly and led then down to a small bridge area before the Solar Sailer began to move. Calyx sat down with Tron at the end and leant against his shoulder.
Everything seemed to be going well until the ship shuddered violently.