Chapter 27
Aaron's head felt dizzy as his vision began to clear from the complete limbo he emerged from. The hum of the digitizer died away above him. His vision finally began to focus, taking in the swivel, ceiling, mounted touch monitors and the pure white walls, covered with holographic projections. The screen on the far wall displayed a full map of the Grid. Aaron pushed the glass door out with his palm and stumbled off the platform. His legs felt like jelly as if they hadn't been used in a long while. With a few more steps, the feeling went away. He looked down his body noting his old clothes having replaced his light suit with his backpack back on his shoulders. He stepped up to the map projection, reflecting fondly on specific locations as he gaze scanned over them. A fond smile crept onto his face upon finding the old Defender's hideout. As he came over Chaio's shop, his smile faltered. At the edge of the Grid's land mass, a solemn expression took hold. The small peninsula of the gateway to the Beta-Grid was forever imprinted in his memory. The place was gone forever, erased from the Grid entirely. He could still see himself standing before the gateway still inside, using his User ability to eradicate the abomination from the network of the Grid, never to be found again. His gaze then carried back over the city to the mountain formation to the west, where Kevin Flynn's sanctuary was hidden. The smile came back as he remembered his Great, great, great Grandfather. "I won't fail you," he said beneath his breath. There in the corner, the processor block hummed and thrived, the blue power light glowed bright, catching his attention. He fondly patted the processor. Behind him, he heard a commotion. Aaron turned to find the source, which carried through the open door way at the far end of the lab. He frowned as he briskly walked to the door and clambered up the stairs. The voices became clearer and clearer, able for him to identify them.
"No, no Trey, I don't want to hear it! He's been gone for six damn hours!" Aaron emerged from the open door, to find his father shoving his index finger directly into Trey Furgueson's chest. His face was red with fury. Trey turned to find Aaron standing in the doorway with a puzzled look on his face.
"Aaron," he exclaimed with joy. Charles turned his head, his body still directed on Trey.
"Aaron? What in the hell were you doing down there!" Aaron breathed in calm air as he stepped towards them.
"Your job." Charles' eyes grew in shock and he nearly exploded again. "No just listen Dad," he continued. "You wouldn't know because you've never seen it for yourself. There is a world down there," he pointed back down at the open doorway beneath the neon TRON sign. "A world with lives. They've suffered because we haven't been there. Now you've chosen to ignore it and that's fine. But it is our family's legacy and I will uphold it." Trey watched with pride and wonder. This was not Aaron Dietz, the police officer for the L.A.P.D. The man before them was wiser, bolder with a purpose. He was a Flynn. "I will be back every month to do what has to be done." Charlie tried to interrupt but was cut off by his son. "If you try and stop me, then I will pull a Great, great, Grandpa Sam here at the tower."
"And how will you bypass security?" Charlie snorted.
"It's amazing what you can learn in just six hours Dad," Aaron said with a grin. Trey could barely contain his chuckles. Charlie was speechless, either with fury or shock, Aaron didn't know. Aaron nodded at Trey before walking with bold steps through the office door. "See you next month," he called out from the hall. Aaron walked down the short, bright hallway, pass the reception desk and straight to the elevator at the far end. The doors opened immediately at the touch of the button. He stepped inside, a calm cool feeling flowing over him as the doors closed, he was finally ready for his vacation.