Chapter 9

"You know," Aaron started as he and Bril stepped back onto the street. "I'd be lying if I said that what she said didn't scare the crap out of me." Bril turned to face the user. Aaron was slightly taller than him but Bril was still commanding.

"If you are what we know you to be," Bril started. "Then I'm not worried." What Bril said brought no comfort to him. Now Aaron felt even more pressure. "Here," the program said as he handed Aaron back his backpack. Aaron started to sling it over his new armor and cloak. Bril instead stopped him and reached into his cloak, pulling out a small cube like device. "Try this out," he said as he activated the device. The top of the hand-held cube opened and a blue beam shot out onto Aaron's backpack. Before his eyes, Aaron watched his backpack disintegrate into the cube. The device then sealed closed and ceased it's glow. "Now Its portable and you can access it any time you want." Bril tossed the cube to Aaron, still amazed by the technology. Aaron stored it away in his robe.

"Sweet," he laughed.

"You haven't seen anything yet user," Bril mused. "Follow my lead." The program extracted his baton and broke into a run. As he ran, he pounced into an airborne dive. Aaron watched as Bril broke the baton in half and from the two pieces, a dark, sleek bike digitized into existence. By the time Bril reached the road again, the bike took off, gliding down street.

"Oh hell yeah," Aaron chuckled. He did as Bril had done, leaping into the air and splitting the baton in two. Still in a vertical position, Aaron's light cycle materialized in a wheelie before landing on both wheels and streaking down the road. With little effort, Aaron's bike caught up with Bril's. As the two met side by side, Aaron cheered in excitement with an ecstatic grin at Bril. "This is friggin awesome!" Bril rolled his good eye as he muttered under his breath.

"Newbie."

From the roof the program kept watch. Sage knew Bril well and also the Defender's route of choice. Sage had arrived back at the Defenders' home hours ago. Sneaking back through the wall of the city was routine for him now as it was to each of them. He had started to become worried when he learned from the others that Bril and Aaron had not yet returned. The program turned to face a new arrival.

"They're not back yet Tyree," Sage said with worry. Tyree sighed as he looked over Sage's shoulder. The defender winced as his shoulder sent another streak of pain throughout his body. Sage glanced back at him with a look of guilt. Tyree got hurt during their raid on the Temple of Flynn, and he blamed himself for it. "You okay?" Tyree stopped rubbing his shoulder and straitened himself

"I'm fine," he said quickly. "Don't worry." Suddenly Tyree's attention was caught by two bright lights coming down the street. "Incoming," he said as he reached for his disc. Sage turned again to see what Tyree had spotted. Sure enough, far down the road, two light cycles were racing to their position.

"Steady, that's them," Sage blurted. He spun to the stair way behind them and descended to a closed door. The hatch opened allowing Sage inside. As he emerged into the heavily lit room, the door on the far side split open. Two other Defenders pivoted with their hands ready for their discs. From the doorway, two figures flowed in with a flourish of their black cloaks. At the head of the figures, a program approached with a scar running down his eye; it was Bril.

"Relax, it's them," Sage said with his hand held out to the two programs. They eased as Aaron stepped out from behind and approached Sage with a broad grin. "Glad your okay," Sage exclaimed with a clap on the back.

"Yeah thanks to Bril here," Aaron replied. He lowered his hood from his tanned face which seemed to have lightened a shade since his arrival on the Grid. He ruffled his hair again to fix its flattened state. Sage stepped aside to face the other two Defenders.
"Aaron, meet Van, Orad and Tyree," Sage said as a third descended the steps and stepped into the room. "This," Sage proclaimed as he held out his hand gesturing to Aaron. "This is Aaron Flynn, the Grandson of Daniel Flynn." Orad Van and Tyree all softened their stares as respect dropped their expressions. Orad was a burly, dark skinned program with a short Mohawk topped on his scalp. Instead of a cloak, he topped his light suit with a jacket, lined with bright circuitry. Van was the shortest of them all and had a mop of a peculiar dark green for hair. Tyree looked extremely average compared to the extremes of build and heights, Orad and Van. The wide, mohawk wearing program stepped up to Aaron whom was cautious about whatever was coming his way. Orad was held an air of intimidation; definitely being the biggest than any man he had arrested back in LA. Instead, the program stooped and dropped his gaze in a respectful bow.

"A pleasure Sir," he bellowed. As he straightened up again, he backed away from Aaron who tried his best not to show his confounded feeling. Van too stepped up and greeted him but in a less distinguished manner than Orad. From the right, a door opened and allowed the entry of yet another figure. Aaron's back was to him as he was greeting Tyree. The figure stood silently behind the new comer for a brief spans.

"Flynn," he said simply. As Aaron heard his voice, his welcoming smile he shared with Tyree dropped from his face. His eyes went wide as his mouth gaped open. That voice, he knew it only all too well. It had been years since he heard it though with a different degree of strength, but there was no mistaking the very voice that entertained him with suspenseful bedside stories of a different world those many years ago. Slowly, Aaron turned to face the face that projected that heavy yet soothing voice. When his eyes locked on the very same eyes that once flared when telling the exciting part of the stories, Aaron stepped back with heavy breaths.

"Grandpa?" he gasped. The face of Daniel Flynn chuckled softly as a very 'Flynn-like' grin spread on his face.

"I'm sorry, I'm not Daniel Flynn; nor am I a ghost," he said softly. "Tell me though, when did he?" the program asked. Aaron started to calm his confusion as he began to understand.

"He died. Seven years ago." His Grandfather's likeness-program looked solemn as he took in the news. After a moment's contemplation, he spoke again.

"What about Charlie Flynn?" he asked. Aaron shook his head.

"My Dad doesn't consider you a priority," Aaron said bitterly. "Along with other things in his life," he added. Aaron looked back into his grandfather's eyes. "But I do. I swear that I will set right all that he has let happen." The program before him studied Aaron with a solid expression. Then smiled and clapped his hand on Aaron's shoulder.

"You've got your Grandfather's heart," he said warmly. "I'm Dep, personally purposed by your Grandfather for the protection of the Grid."

"Aaron," he said simply. The next few moments consisted of all the Defenders welcoming their new arrival.