For new readers, you need to read my other story: 'Cameron's redemption and the Saving of Sarah' to fully understand what this story is about. Thank you
Although this chapter contains a lot of dialogue, it is all necessary for what follows.
Previously, things are coming out in the open.
Now it is John's time to exert some General Connor attributes and try to be the man he is destined to be.
The inquest starts with John speaking:
"What do you think of me Riley?
"I like you very much" says Riley smiling but the next statement nearly floors her.
Meanwhile Cameron says "I must stay by John" and gets out the car.
Sarah immediately gets out and says "Cameron, stop, listen to me. You must not go in that house, if you do John will hate you. I will let you stay outside, that is acceptable and I know John will agree with me. Please keep your composure if you are thinking of losing it".
"All right Sarah, I will wait outside" (Cameron considers the word 'composure', 'herself' & 'Sonia's' recent reactions to events).
Sarah says "I will watch you, one false move and you are in deep trouble, not only from me, believe me. The man you have been sent to protect will destroy you, he will never trust you again".
Upstairs, John begins with the next question:
"What was your role in 2027?"
"What", then Riley thinks and realises 'it is out', "I was a tunnel rat" she says, looking extremely nervous.
"So, if I ask questions, what you say will be confirmed?"
"Yes John but there is nobody here to confirm it. How did you find out?"
John says "do you realise that what you are doing will probably end up with Cameron killing you?"
Absolute terror as Riley speaks "She told me, she took me from the tunnel, I was scrounging. Please John, she told me".
"Who?" says John.
Riley falls to her knees and stares up with tears pouring. She says "you can't do this to me, you are not like that. It wasn't me, she told me it would be all right 'get the metal away from John' she said. I believed her. Oh my god, she has got me killed. Oh hell, please let me go away, far away before Cameron gets me. Please John, you must pity me, I am no good, I only eat rats and do favours to stay alive down there".
John has heard enough "stay there" he says. He feels pretty sure Cameron will be close by. He phones her but he does not hear it ring - she has got it on vibrate.
He goes downstairs and out the front door. He sees Sarah in the distance then shouts "CAMERON, WE NEED TO TALK".
She turns the corner "I am here John, I promise to be good. I will not kill her".
John speaks quietly and nicely to her "Cam, please come upstairs with me".
As Cameron enters the house Sarah has a fit, she believes the best but fears the worse - if that makes sense. She runs as fast as possible, in through the door as John & Cameron enter the bedroom.
Derek is alarmed as he sees Sarah disappear from sight.
Cameron looks down at Riley, Cameron's facial expression no better than a dummy in a shop window.
Sarah rushes the stairs and John goes to the door. He holds his hand up and Sarah stops in her tracks.
He goes back in and speaks to Riley. She is in an even worse state now, on her knees pleading to Cameron.
Sarah walks in, feeling that any second Cameron will do it. John holds his hand out and accidentally places it on her right breast in his bid to stop her. He says nothing and turns then speaks to Riley.
"Riley, who is she?"
Riley says in a strained voice "Who her or the person that sent me. I can't tell you, I think she might kill me if she finds me"
"No she won't, she is here with us. Tell me exactly how she got you here"
"I used to see her deep in the tunnels, people never used to come that far because we did not have combat skills. She knelt down and made friends with me. She gave me extra food and 2 days later she brought me here. It was a miracle, I don't know how she did it".
Then Riley looks up at Cameron, whose facial expression still resembles a dummy.
John says "Mom, bring her here, don't say a word, just bring her, make sure Sonia comes too".
For Riley, it is an endless wait, which is only 2m22s and then they hear the stairs.
In walks Jesse, or to be exact, Sonia gives her a shove. Derek entered the house but waits at the foot of the stairs.
Riley sees her and goes berserk. She rushes at her screaming "you are going to get me killed, how could you?" Cameron grabs Riley and holds her firmly.
John speaks loudly to Jesse and says "why?"
Jesse has to raise her voice too, whilst wincing at Riley's tugging "because you are trying to get us all killed. How could you possibly bring a LMT to our base?"
John shouts above the din of Riley "OK, WE HAVE SEEN ENOUGH". He gets his cellphone out and phones Derek "Derek, I need to hear more. You need to be present".
Derek enters the room.
John says "Jesse, what LMT and what base. explain!"
Jesse tells the whole story, as portrayed in the episode of 'The Jimmy Carter'.
John listened intently then asks Cameron a question "Cameron, why did I bring a LMT back to base?"
Cameron replies "future John had information revealing that the LMT was working alone but was being hunted by Skynet. He said 'the saying goes, my enemies enemy is my friend. If we can bring it back in a state that incapacitates it, then we can attempt to communicate with it and find out where we stand'.
Information told us that it was working from a deep sea oil rig but moved away to do whatever it needed to do. We stormed the place using our own reprogrammed models and they did the job for us. We were able to disable her guards/terminator models. Our various terminator models were instructed to use the liquid nitrogen to freeze the LMT, upon it's return. Then smash it and insert it in the cold storage box.
Unfortunately the vessel that John sent to attack the rig was destroyed, along with the human crew.
our reprogrammed t-888 Queeg, was sent a communication from yourself instructing it to pick up the box, which meant veering a temporary new course. The mission was top secret.
I was given the job of courtmartialling Commander Florres for disobeying orders and losing our only remaining full battle ready deep sea submarine."
John speaks "Jesse, you meddled, caused untold damage, possibly caused us to lose the entire war against Skynet".
Then he speaks to Derek
"Derek, she is your problem, deal with her before Cameron does".
"Who, Riley?" "No, your lover, she tried to break me and Cameron apart and get an innocent tunnel rat killed".
"Geez John, you are asking me to execute her?"
"It depends whether you value Jesse over innocent Riley. Please take her away and do what you are trained to do. What rank are you?"
"Lieutenant Colonel". "Well then, you are qualified to do these things".
Before Derek reaches the top of the stairs, John is about to ask Cameron to clarify things:
Just then there is a knock at the door.
Sarah quickly goes downstairs passing Derek & Jesse. Inside the door she asks "who's there?" - "Lesley". Riley ducks down and screams "HELP, THEY'RE GOING TO KILL ME".
It is a pretty pathetic cry but anyone facing 'their last' might try anything. Already Cameron has placed her hand over Riley's mouth.
Sarah has already opened the door, looks at Lesley as Lesley says "Riley, what's happening to her?"
Sarah says "acting, that's all" but Lesley replies "are you sure?"
John opens the window and puts hit head out then says to his mom "she will be one of us soon, we hope. Let her in".
When Lesley gets to the bedroom, there is Jesse, who she recognises. Then she sees Riley, Cameron has got her hand over her mouth but her tears are evident.
"What the hell are you doing?" says Lesley.
John quickly says "Riley, listen to me, we are not going to kill you, I promise. Let go of her Cameron".
Riley runs to Lesley and clings on to her and won't let go. Lesley has never known such a desperate move and has to stand there taught. Every time she tries to move, Riley grabs tighter, crying.
"Derek, take her out" says John.
Jesse is more composed than Riley but says to Lesley "he is going to kill me. He won't even give me a chance". Then she walks out of the room, head held high. Turns to look at Cameron, then John and walks out.
As she walks down the stairs, she says loudly "GOD HELP EVERYBODY".
Riley pleads "John please, she will kill me even if you don't. I know she will". Riley is shaking and squeezing Lesley hard.
Sonia can't keep quiet and says "Riley, please let go of my girlfriend" but she replies "no, the moment I do, she will do it".
John goes over to Riley and says quietly "she will not kill you, I promise. She is not the same Cameron that helped to fight Skynet in 2027 and killed people without compassion. Please" as John gently prises her away only to find her grab him instead. Riley then looks at Cameron, full of tears, who looks back at her without compassion, then she says "are you going to kill me?"
"No, John would not like it". "Promise?" says Riley. "Yes, I will not kill you" (then Cameron decides to add a further un-nerving remark "until John tells me to".
John looks at Lesley and says "Now is the time for you to know the truth. Yes, Cameron is not human.
She knows you from the future, 2027 to be precise. You was in the resistance. We recognise your bravery and we want you to join us. Will you join us?"
Riley is still holding on to John and sniveling as Lesley replies "I believe all you say, how could I not. If you want me to join whatever it is you want me to join, I am with you. Was anybody really going to kill Riley?"
"Yes" says Cameron quickly.
"CAMERON" is a word coming out of Sarah's, John's, Allison's mouth, then a smile emerges on Cameron's lips.
'What kind of emotion is that? Sadistic thoughts or what?' thinks John 'definitely something I will talk to her about in private'.
"That woman, I know her, she is the school counsellor, I get the impression that Derek is going to kill her. Please tell me that is not true?" says Lesley.
John gives a huff "I really don't know, it is his choice".
Lesley says "what happened?"
John says "let's leave all this for another time. Why are you here by the way?"
"My father came back home. He told mom that he was blackmailed and the photos were false. Mom did not believe him but he is strong and won't move out again. I had to sneak out quick. He might even come and look for me"
John speaks to everyone in turn "Sonia, take Lesley upstairs. Riley, you can have Allison's bed, she will show you where to go. You know where to go don't you mom? What are your arrangements for tonight twins? Please know I appreciate everything you do."
Sonia speaks "It is my turn to perform guard duty first, so you might prefer to have both Allison and Cameron in bed with you until you go to sleep, then Cameron will do some surfing".
"What?" says Lesley.
"Do you want to stay here or not?" says Allison with a smile, seemingly unperturbed by the events.
John is a little annoyed at Cameron, still, even after listening to Allison telling her off in bed for being so nasty. Even so, Allison's pride of John made her feel warm and safe inside as she hugged him knowing that she was safe with Cameron there too. This rare moment was something Cameron could sense for herself as she felt Allison's neck and see her face in the dark.
John did happen to say this to Allison
"Ally, now that you have been brought back by Cam, I hope that we can make the future safe for Colin, Oleg and your friends from the future"
Then He kisses Allison on the forehead, turns his head and does the same to Cameron.
A night like tonight is hardly a time for more than this.
Sarah even heard the little kisses and smiles to herself wondering what Sonia would be thinking if she was not outside guarding the place. Also whether the kisses were slightly louder on purpose than she would have expected.
The next day
Wed 14 Jan 2009
Riley is feeling better.
Back at school, Lionel gives the lowdown to Lesley regarding the arguments at home and that his father will not let Lesley 'get away with being a lesbian' in is own words. He says smilingly "Dad sees it as a criminal offence".
John tries to concentrate on work but is contemplating whether the present Kaliba etc are anything compared to what Thomas has told him about, thus confounding the problem. He wonders what Solution there can possibly be, when a 'swarm of locusts' invade your crops.
During the lunch break, Leyla sits with Sonia & Lesley, who are with the rest of John's crowd. She tells them that overall life is only slightly better but says "it is the same for a lot of people here, geeks get hassled, gays, plus many nationalities too". "Oh and by the way" continues Leyla "there is jealousy too".
John feels that things like this could be taken in to the future and asks Cameron about it using these words "Cameron, Sonia, where you come from does this thing happen?"
Sonia says "it is worse John, everybody is out to help themselves for whatever human desire they need. I could go in to detail but you need to imagine 'everything possible' ".
Cameron emphasises the point "Yes John, 'everything' that life itself draws out of the human race".
"Why am I not surprised" says John.
Another thing that John thought about earlier today during science, was the age of his group, compared with the type of people that he needs. He realises that 10 years from now they will be 26-27 years old. Whereas healthy newborns might be few and far between if some kind of apocalypse were to take place - infant mortality, natural diseases, malnutrition etc. Perhaps the young resistance is as necessary as older experienced people like Derek.
'I am really grateful to Cameron for giving mom eternal life ' he thinks to himself 'I must tell her again some time, I wonder if that means telling Sonia too', he jokingly thinks.
"What's funny John, I don't see anything funny in that" says Allison. He replies "No Ally, I was thinking about thanking Cameron again for saving mom and wondering if Sonia should be thanked too".
Cameron says to John "that is nice to know, Sonia says thanking me is sufficient".
John smiles at them both knowing their private thoughts are functioning properly.
Leyla says "what's that about John?" and so the talk goes on during lunch without actually telling Leyla the truth.
That afternoon, Sonia is with John during child rearing classes. Cameron & Allison have thoughts on the matter but Cameron tells Allison that she is close enough to receive Sonia's high-pitched rat frequency and can tell her how they get on.
"Hh, OK" says Allison. Lesley is in Camison's class next door too. John is in Sonia's class too but sitting next to a guy named Morris who is nice, very nice in fact too nice for his own good.
During the lesson at one stage, Sonia is asked whether she wants children when she is older. Sonia says "it would be nice but I will have to adopt".
"Oh, why is that?" says the lady tutor.
"Because I can't have children". John watches her, looking a little anxious and is amazed that she shows a tear. He wonders if this is 'crocodile' or 'emotions'.
The girls make noises of sympathy and ask what happened.
Sonia says "I wasn't made to have children, I was treated as though I do not need them when I was made".
John can see she is choosing her words carefully.
"Why do you say that" says the lady tutor.
"Because my god does not have a soul and nor do I. That means I do not deserve children".
Then Sonia breaks down and cries, she cries a lot.
John rushes over and tries to get through the crowd of girls as Cameron listens on from next door.
He puts his arm on her shoulder and speaks quietly to her, no doubt heard by the others "Sonia, do you really truly feel that way, is this how you have developed?"
"Yes John, I don't know why, I really feel this way. I feel terrible".
Next door, Lesley and Allison occasionally look at Cameron to see if she shows any signs of jealousy or anything. Then they see her form a tear, followed by another one, as she sits there listening to the lecturer. Ally & Lesley become very anxious and wonder all kinds of things, is she jealous, is she sad, is she being intimate, are they hearing something sad next door?
When lesson change takes place, the 2 human girls rush to the door to try and get next door ASAP.
John emerges holding Sonia close with his arm and holding her hand. Both Allison and Lesley are rather annoyed and demand an explanation.
"Tell them Cameron, quickly please before I get beaten up".
Later
On the way home, joined by Lesley who wonders why her dad has not contacted her yet, they discuss babies and what the future was like for them. Dean & Marta come in to the conversation, as does Jenny, Conny & Riley, then Derek.
The conversation was good for Riley because at last she can 'open up' and tell them her story, which is quite shocking at times. Lesley is disgusted by some of the things Riley did but wants to try and emphasise at the same time, wondering if she would have been any different if she was starving at times.
When they get home, Sarah is there and a nice smell is coming from the kitchen.
It seems that sausages, mashed 'real' potatoes, peas, diced carrots and gravy are on the menu. There is quite a lot and no doubt Sarah will have second helpings later. Riley is staying with them tonight and has spoken to Cameron a few times but gets an 'icy' response.
Sarah tells Lesley that her father was round earlier and insists that she go back home, 'or else'.
Lesley says "What can I do, I guess that I will have to go".
Sonia is already sad and this makes things harder for her. She won't 'cry her eyes out' like last time but is worried for her.
She joins everybody for the meal, then leaves home after a 15 minute talk and some nice kisses. After getting home, sonia does not hear from her.
"Mom, are you going to tell me how you got on or not?"
"He likes me and I will see him again. You won't get any more details than that as there is not anything to tell yet" says Sarah smiling.
"Ah, so you did. well well well" says John laughing, as the others listen in.
"Do you want me to put you over my knee in front of all these girls John?"
"Yes" they all say.
John gets up and walks round to where Sarah is sitting.
The next day
Thu 15 Jan 2009.
Unbeknown to everybody, Sarah receives a phone call asking her to visit the school counsellor.
When she gets there, it is a woman named Joanna Phipps, according to the name-plate on the door - so that is clarified.
Inside, Sarah is invited to sit down and she is asked about Sonia's inability to have children because she has been told by the tutor that she was distraught in class yesterday.
Slightly relieved but surprised, Sarah says "Yes, that part of her insides was severely damaged in the car accident by a rod piercing her there. She has taken consolation in her girlfriend Lesley as she thinks men will never want to marry her and only want her for 'you know what'. Now her father won't let them see each other which is bringing her close to a breakdown.
It goes against the principles of your school. Can you do anything about it?"
The counsellor replies "I see, I will see if I can do something. In the meantime, I will keep a close eye on her to make sure she is OK".
After a few pleasantries, they part company.
Within 2 hours, the counsellor has formulated a suitable letter and places it in a sealed envelope and hands it to Lesley. The counsellor was careful to implictly point out that Lesley is not aware of her discussion with Ms Connor.
During the day after netball for the girls, they are walking towards the changing room when a bunch of football guys try to hit on anyone that is game. It turns out that word got around that Sonia is 'barren'. They do not mention this fact but wonder if she would respond to their amorous advances.
John was in their group, who have all removed their shoulder pads and helmets. He is furious and shouts at them "I KNOW YOUR GAME, AND YOU ARE HURTFUL UNFEELING PIGS".
"Don't you talk to me like that" says the big guy as he gives John a push.
Sonia & Cameron, followed by Allison start to move forward.
"I will handle this" says John. He speaks to the pushy guy "I know what you are doing and it stops now, not tomorrow, NOW".
"Nobody talks to me like that" the guy says, then pushes John with both hands. The other guys have sensed a fight and move forward, only to find Cameron and Sonia, plus Allison who is not scared of them, move between them.
John does a simple Sarah Connor training exercise on him. John falls to the floor and kicks the guys legs as hard as possible. When the guy falls, John quickly gets up, goes forward and kicks him in the side a few times then grabs the hair on the back of his head with his fist ready to hit him.
"It stops now, or after I have done my thing on you, I will set my girls on you. How would that feel, covered in cuts and bruises by my sisters? You would be the laughing stock of this school. No doubt they would hang you on a fence somewhere".
Finally John says "remember this, I am still your friend, please be ours". He helps the guy up and walks away.
Riley watched in admiration, as did Lesley. The guy is quite big.
Later
That evening at 7.21, a knock at the door. The quick action of everybody is quite frighteningly freeky for Riley as she stands in terror then ducks behind the settee.
Inside the door, is an armed bunch of resistance fighters. Sarah discovers through the side glass that it is Lesley. She opens the door and standing there is a girl with a beam on her face.
Later
Earlier, Lesley's father has read the letter. He thinks about it for a while and then shows it to his wife. He realises that his next action will help to bring her back to him. She reads it then he says
"I believe I have been too judgemental on that girl Sonia, I believed her to be just another girl trying to use my daughter to prove her own point - to her friends perhaps. I can see Sonia has a serious problem to live with and I don't want to be the most horrible person in the world. If you agree with me, I shall talk to her and tell her she can see Sonia again?"
His wife, Mrs Dempsey sees a side to her husband that she was not sure existed any more and gives him a hug and a kiss on the cheek before he goes upstairs to Lesley's bedroom.
Lesley comes down the stairs smiling and says to her mom "mom, Dad really was blackmailed. Mrs Connor found out about it, the woman used another man to take the pictures. If you look at them again, you will see. She has dealt with it her own way and it won't happen again - I believe the ultimate goal was money.
I will be home tomorrow, I promise. If I am late, I will phone you, providing dad gives me my phone back".
2 days later
17th Jan., Saturday, the meeting is 3pm.
Jenny phones Sarah at 10am to confirm the details,
Sarah tells her the address of the building, then says "Catherine said that anybody connected to the future is invited, it seems that Ricci might have to stay behind".
Jenny says "OK, I will tell him that we are acting under strict instructions but of course Conny will come with the children too. It will give Ricci time to see his friends".
"Yes, please tell him he is not uninvited, we are doing as requested and next time it will be a different matter, which will include him and hopefully many others too".
Lesley goes home, after being told the circumstances.
Later
Once outside Zeira Corp., the 3 vehicles are directed to the rear of the building and down a slope in to the car park. The shutters go back down.
John & Cameron joined Derek, who is rather quiet over the whole event. John thinks that either way, dead or alive, Jesse has learnt her lesson and feels quite sure that she will not go bad on him.
Riley is now part of the crew that joins Sonia and Allison with Sarah. Allison tries her best to try and get Riley's spirits up by chatting to her as much as possible but only Sarah is willing to reciprocate. Sonia still seems to be holding a grudge because Riley was coerced in to plotting against her best friend Cameron.
Jenny follows them with 2 excited children and Conny. The children have been in old destroyed buildings like this but this time it is in an elevator - "whoopee" they say, as it goes up.
They are met at the elevator door and shown in to Catherine's office, Thomas is there too. It is an extremely impressive silver/glass place, even the antellope ornament is silver.
Dean sees the ornament and remarks on it whilst Marta stares at the fiersom creature behind glass.
Jenny says to Marta beforehand "you musn't touch the glass, it will be frightened".
"Yes, it might jump out and get you" says Dean laughing. (If only he knew).
Very soon, the doors open and in walks a girl with bright red hair aged around 9 or 10. With her is a caucasian man who has a smile on his face.
Catherine speaks "this is my daughter Savannah, she will show the children to the creche".
Savannah quickly speaks and says "hello Dean & Marta, I have lots of toys downstairs. videos, television and other things, would you like to see?"
The 2024 children look at Jenny, then Conny, which in itself is very telling. Jenny says "it is OK, I will be here all the time and it is important that I stay at this meeting with Conny, so that we can stop your future from happening again".
"Oh, OK let's go"
"Hang on a minute, who is the man? Is he going to be with them?" John says to Catherine.
"Yes, he is like Cameron & Sonia, the only person like him in my employment. He looks after Savannah when she is home from school, they are best friends. I will tell you more very soon. Off you go Savannah, we will come and see you when we are finished".
Catherine continues "OK Thomas, it seems that you should start by telling them about Savannah's friend".
"Hello again. Savannah's friend is a terminator with a new enlarged chip, almost as effective as your 2 cyborg companions but more closely aligned to computing than very complex human development. He is sufficiently developed for a child of Savannah's age but not elder people, yet.
He can be attached to our mainframe through a cord in to a modified port addition at the back of his head.
We have discovered from the old chip that Sarah shot him in the bank but it survived in to 2007 through to 2009 after flying through your bubble, just as transport took place.
Thomas was able to detect his coltan frame when he went to the site of the bank. The telltale Skynet radio signal was transmitting from the skull. Thomas stayed in the vicinity and moved around waiting for contact, checking local scrapyards. Eventually the endoskeleton located the skull but Thomas removed the chip before it was able to attack him.
Now John Henry is with us, with a new identity, possessing the same regeneration as your 2 cyborg friends.
We developed his human body using my own tissue but keeping his remaining flesh to regenerate in his body image.
Finally, we asked Savannah who he should look like and she said the Tarzan on TV. Using plastic surgery we adhered to her request".
People in the room stay quiet but occasionally look at each other.
Catherine speaks again "On to the first most important thing that we need to muster.
We need to predict and decide how Skynet from 2040 will eventually find our reality and period in our history.
Jenny, you have vast experience in this field but because of your age and the time that has passed, you might find it difficult to refer back to everything that you have learnt".
Jenny says "fortunately my own TDE and software still exists. If you are looking for some kind of sensor or tracking device to detect spacial or fabric weakness searches, then we need new technology and knowledge. In fact, do realities exist exponentially and if so, is that just in comparison with this very moment in time or for every moment in time making it a phenominally difficult task to consider. Much more may need to be learnt?".
Quite a few confused faces look around the room at each other.
Almost immediately Thomas speaks up and says "Thank you for that insight Jenny".
Thomas continues "On to assisting you Jenny in your research, if you agree to help us. John Henry has done intensive scans and tests to find how my regeneration works. He can make a duplicate regenerator and have one ready to insert in to you Jenny, if you are agreeable but it might not be for another 2-4 months, which is unfortunate as time could be important. It will help you immensely and make you feel much younger, fitter and mentally alert".
Cameron spends more than a second weighing up whether she should speak, which is an inordinate time for her and says "I can help".
Catherine says "How?" (very abrubt).
Cameron replies, looking at Thomas and then back to Catherine "when I rescued myself in 2024, which you probably know, I bought 2 regenerators. Sarah has one, the other is hidden. I wanted to keep it for a very serious emergency, possibly John". Then she looks at John and says "John, can you ask John Henry to make another one for me, it was my present for you one day when you needed it?"
John is extremely taken aback, very much so. He speaks "Oh Cameron, I will get sentimental later. Jenny you heard that, Catherine you heard that, this is a life changing decision which I can't make this time. Jenny do you want to have this ability?".
Jenny does not know what to say, she looks at Sarah then says "I will speak to Sarah later, something like this is quite frightening at my age".
Catherine speaks again "secondly, you are right John, you need safety, plus numbers. If the people here stay where they are, there is nothing we can do to protect you. Attacks can be aerial, once any authority figure works out who you are. The same goes for Jenny and any others who join your group. If Skynet find you before you get safe, then our plight could be sealed".
Sarah knows that John should continue speaking and waits to see what he says.
John eventually speaks after thinking "this is a very difficult task, you are right about having another meeting after we have all thought hard but I believe other people need convincing and I will have to ask everybody here to think about this and we will come up with a solution. I am not suggesting asking Cameron or Sonia to do their thing, there are limits and that is one limit that probably yields poor results. Convincing people to believe what we all know can only be done one way, the way that mom, Sarah knows but going to great lengths like that for just a few people is counterproductive. We must think hard and come up with one solution that sways everybody that we trust in one go".
Nods of agreement.
Catherine speaks again "thirdly, you do not have suitable weapons. Thomas and John Henry are able to help you here. We know plasma rifles were the most effective and we have begun making effective tests".
John says "That is good, very helpful Catherine. I have been thinking hard about the ages of our resistance because in the future it is possible that not enough babies could be born and live long enough. I know people our age are very young but it could be an option. We have to consider how they can contribute because they are still controlled by their parents but the young are our future, in my opinion. Of course, we need lots of Dereks & Sarah too. We need military people but a single loose tongue will seal our fate. Are we actually going to defeat Skynet soon or will this fight go on for decades? Forever even?"
Thomas says "If Skynet get through and they have logged our existence in our time and reality, we have a serious serious problem".
"OK, I will do it" says Jenny suddenly.
"You won't regret it" says Sarah.
Cameron says "I will perform the operation, Sonia will assist. I learnt how to do it".
Catherine says "That is good" then looks at John and says "I will leave everything to you General Connor and your team, we can finish by going downstairs to see John Henry and Savannah, Dean and Marta.".
Conny & Jenny are pleased to hear that.
Downstairs they see 3 happy children being shown games by John Henry, still holding his smile.
Catherine says "John & Jenny, before you leave I would like to show you my computer operations and meet my staff. Mr Murch is their head and most knowledgeable in AI technology. Jenny can familiarise herself with our working environment and consider her own ideas once she leaves us today and has her small operation."
The word 'operation' makes Jenny feel queazy and holds John's shoulder. "Sure, let's go" she says.
John likes to feel her touch, 'closeness of his group'.
John asks Sarah and the cyborgs to accompany him to the computer room.
An hour later, they have seen all they need and leave the building. Jenny faces up to the regenerator responsibility, although she does not really relish it. She speaks to Sarah on her cellphone and says "I assume the twins will not leave John alone unguarded, would he bring them to me? It would be nice for the children. Being at home would feel nicer".
Sarah says "don't worry Jenny, I will work on John. He is my son and will do as I tell him" she says jokingly, then says "Jenny, any apprehension you have will be wiped away after the operation. I don't know how you will fare because our ages differ but I feel pretty sure you will feel great.
One thing that I have thought of is the children, Marta & Dean, you won't be able to tutor them, it will distract you. I suggest getting somebody in. Perhaps you can find somebody suitable. It might be possible for Ms Weaver to provide the finances to move your family closer to us, or relocate you both and ask Vicci or Garrett to do the job?".
"I'm sure Catherine is not a never ending money supply, we need to tell her that and offer to help if we can".
Later
Late that afternoon Lesley turns up at the Connor residence with Lionel, who hopes it will be OK for him to be there.
"Sure, come in, I want to talk to you" says John. A surprised look on Lionel's face.
"Would you like a drink or anything Lionel?" says John. "Coffee?" "Sure, anything with it?" "milk, thank you". John goes in to the kitchen and fills the kettle. Cameron intervenes and says to John
"I will bring it up to your bedroom".
John takes Lionel upstairs and then says "I am looking for trustworthy people. Your sister has proved she is trustworthy. I have just told her that she can tell you about Sonia's special ability".
Lionel replies "I don't know what you mean, if you mean something they do in the bedroom, I would rather not know about it" then he smiles.
John is satisfied that Lesley has not told him and kept her word. Meanwhile Sonia has asked Lesley if Lionel is as trustworthy as she is. Lesley says that he is.
John then says to Lionel "Good, your sister is reliable. Would you please wait until Cameron arrives, I need to clarify something from Lesley. In the meantime, how do you feel about joining us for some combat training in the near future? I understand you was considering joining up."
Lionel tells John about his plans and very soon Cameron comes in the room with 2 coffees in her hand. She says "Lesley says he is". "Thanks Cam, what I wanted to hear".
John speaks "Lionel, I would like you to join me the next time we go to a high level meeting with a company CEO. What she has to say will blow your mind and possibly change your entire life. I am not speaking like an insurance salesman or 'special thinking guru' or anybody like that. I am speaking about serious serious events that will hit your very soul. Nothing to do with finance, indebting yourself in any way. I speak deadly serious. I need people that I can really trust. I could tell you all kinds of things that appear outlandish, weird, unbelievable, so all I can do is ask you to speak to Lesley later tonight before going to sleep. You can stay the night. What she will tell you is true. She has been told many things but more importantly shown things by Sonia and I have given her permission to include you in our confidence".
Lionel says "Thanks for a bed for the night, that is nice of your mom. John, you look earnestly serious as you talk. Can I assume a catastrophe has affected somebody's life?"
"Good description. Let's leave it at that and go downstairs and relax for now. Bring your coffee".
They follow Cameron down the stairs.
Words like this are similar to what John will have to speak many times if he is to get together a useful standby squad in the event of 'breakthrough visitors'.
Later
As usual, January nights get dark early and Cameron goes out with her Raufoss MK-2-11 round tungsten core/armor piercing rifle which fires explosive incendiary with the force of 20mm cannon (Her terminator rifle). This time she does not hide it from Lionel, who looks on eyes agog.
"Where are you going with that Cameron?" he says. "Nobody is ever safe" is her reply, steps out and shuts the door. Sonia is still sitting at the computer with Lesley & Allison looking on inquisitively. Occasionally videos from Marti's POV flash up and disappear again with Sonia's quick processing.
Sarah sits down next to Lionel and John then says "Lionel, you will see many things like that, all of them for reasons you do not yet understand but you will. We are not the bad guys, believe me".
Then she speaks to John "John, this evening is time to relax. How about us getting to know Lionel better, his past etc and you can test his skill at chess or whatever you fancy. I'll get us some drinks out the fridge and something to eat".
After a while and feeling a little worried but outnumbered, seeing that Lesley seems quite happy, he accepts an offer of chess but is beaten by John.
"Before you go upstairs, we need you to leave your phone here" says John "this is only until you have spoken to your sister".
Some time later Lionel suggests retiring for the night. He has to speak with Lesley beforehand and is worryingly intrigued by what he and Lesley have got themselves in to.
Upstairs 10 minutes later "thats bullshit, is that what John told you to tell me?"
"No, and what's more she stopped 4 guys from raping us, all on her own". etc etc etc
Cameron says to John "he is finding it hard to believe Lesley".
John replies "let him stew, perhaps then he will have more faith in his sister in future".
Before going upstairs John wonders what the information on Cameron's chip about Lesley in the future might look like. He speaks to her. The conversation goes like this:
"Cam, do you have any ideas yourself about how to convince Lesley & Lionel about your existence in the future?"
"I believe you want me to copy some information from my chip on to a computer".
"I thought about it but I value you so much and love you too much to feel at all comfortable about doing something like this. I feel as though I am committing a wrong and violating your body. That is why I would dearly like you to come up with a better idea".
"Do you mean take out Sonia's chip?"
"NO WAY, I WOULD NEVER DO THAT TO HER".
"I thought you would say that John, she will be very happy to know you feel that way about her. I believe it might be possible to explain many details about the future and my technology to convince him. You could show him the video taken from Marti's chip, if you feel confident enough to expose your true self?"
"Oh hell Cameron, am I always going to make choices like this?"
"Your future self has made many painful choices, like executions, shooting men and women through the head for committing their own crimes against humanity. You live your life that way. Sonia and I both know you might have to remove our chips one day, it is alright John".
Cameron decides to hold his hand and leads him upstairs to the sibling's room before it gets too late.
He knocks on the door and walks in and says
"Lesley, we need your brother on side. I have decided to risk everything and show him some videos of something neither of you should doubt. Please come downstairs".
Sonia is on the computer and brings up the first video of the execution of Marti Roche.
The 2 of them are horrified after John explains who the man was and who did the execution.
Sonia brings up the video of the Dysons tied up, then the fight between the t-888 and herself. She can be seen dragging her paralysed leg and then taking bullet shots to protect Sofia (whose face is hidden).
The video also shows him dragging Sonia in to the armored van and then fighting with her".
Just before that they saw a 2nd Sonia's head pop up from John's jeep to see what was happening as Sonia is tazered by a crossbow shot. (Sonia slowed the video down to let the siblings absorb it).
Then they see the state of Sonia's cuts and bruises as she hits the walls of the van.
John says "do you have any more questions Lionel or perhaps you could ask your sister to ask Sonia if she minds doing a light show?"
"What's that?" says Lesley. Sonia looks up at Lionel and does the blue then red eyes glance.
"Hell man, Lesley what is all this?" "It's true bruv, my girlfriend is a cyborg... my cyborg. How awesome is that?"
Lionel looks at Sonia and says "where did you come from?"
"2024 here on earth after the nuclear apocalypse".
"No way, that's not possible!"
John says "unfortunately for us, it is true and there exists thousands of big nasty buggers that would haunt you forever. I have told you about this because I want you to join our resistance and stop them from becoming our reality. I know you could quite easily say 'no' but failure to do so is another human allowing the fate of humanity just roll over and die!"
And so the conversation goes on with John having to explain that Sofia Vassilieva really was in the van and it was really them that did the daring rescue of the Dysons and it was they that shot dead the kidnappers after an extreme firefight. It was they that shot through the armored van and rescued Sofia and Sonia.
Not forgetting to mention that this terminator naming itself Marti Roche murdered the crew of the KPNZ news van.
Then Sonia searches and finds the video which is far more gruesome than they first thought as the KPNZ news crew were tortured for information before dying.
Regeneration etc are discussed.
Cameron adds "and my John was covered in plaster and cement after a mortar was fired at the house next to the Dysons. He blew up the drivers cabin of that armored van and helped to save Sonia. Afterwards he carried Sofia out of the van to safety. He made special attention to our injuries and bathed Allison's burnt hand. He is my very own hero, my hero and he cares about Sonia too".
Allison shows her almost healed hand.
Cameron gives John a kiss on the cheek then shows her blue eyes.
Even Lesley is shocked "oh my, so it is true, you are definitely one too" she says.
Very soon the talking has come to an end, despite continuing questions.
John says to the siblings "now that you know all this, I am asking you to join us because there will come a time when you do not have a choice. When you come to the meeting, you will really see the full truth, not just what we have breezed over. Finally, if you say anything to anybody, the authorities for instance, you will be considered mad and you will force us to move out the area. It is quite possible that you will also seal the fate of yourelf and your sister too, purely by opening your mouth ... without our intervention, after our enemies, the enemies of mankind find out, which they will. Many of those enemies 'know not what they do' and they are brutal, which means we have to be even more brutal".
The siblings look at John's face and feel quite shocked at hearing the way this 16 year old speaks - strongly worded words because they are not shouted or threatened, just made plain, firm and... they are not sure what but this John certainly has an aire of authority about him!
Definitely not the butt of tit Jokes.
The Next day
Sunday 18th January 2009
10.34am Derek phones Sarah - a bit of a giveaway that he must surely be alone. He offers to use his spare Sunday's to take John's group to the firing range and local combat club. Sarah suggests to John that they try and get Jenny's household in on the act.
After she phones Jenny, Jenny says "I will stay behind and send the little group of badasses along on their own & include Ricci because he needs the full works".
"Thanks Jenny but please don't do too much and get bogged down. If you need a break, please come and stay with us. There is not any pressure on you this time. We would love to see you, the usual expression 'too much work...' is all I am saying Jen".
12.22pm Ricci turns up close to where Sarah has arranged to meet him and they all drive to the stretch of ground that Derek has chosen for target practice and weapons handling tuition.
Surprisingly it turns out that Allison and Conny taught the littluns to handle their weapons proficiently. When they were on the run they deserved their own chance of survival if the worse came to the worse. Ricci is once again surprised. Nothing surprises Riley and she tells Ricci so.
Riley then says to Ricci "You want to be there when one of those metal bastards is spraying everybody with heavy machine gun fire. If you can get a gun, you damn well use it. Kids too. Not that it makes much different, unless you have the plasma type. It was Cameron that finished the bastard off. Ain't that right" then she looks at Cameron, hoping those comments might go towards a slight reprieve.
"Yes" says the cyborg with a dummy expression.
John takes charge of Ricci whilst Derek oversees the rest but leaves it to Sarah to show them her skills as he surveys the area. He knows the cyborgs are somewhere unseen but no doubt ready to dish out the most deadly attack force that he could possibly imagine. 'I pity anything with a heart' he thinks.
Riley does quite well, considering she was a tunnel rat - her talents were needed.
Later
Later, they visit the gymnasium where they can do classes in army combat training. Derek chose this because John's school would not allow small children and possibly too many adults.
Conny is looking forward to this bit, not just for herself but to see the litluns unleashed on Lesley and Lionel - Ricci too.
Derek points out to everyone that they have to realise that what could be dished out is not for the weak and feeble and they must expect to do as he says with intent to win. "try not to cause injury whatever you do".
Once again the cyborgs are on guard duty and Sarah stands back to observe.
Soon enough a big smile comes to Conny's lips as the little badasses take it in turns to bring down the newly enrolled. They act so fierce - Derek explains that it is the only way and they have learnt it from the future. He praises them.
"I've killed 15 people says Dean" and "I've shot the legs off a terminator when Conny was thrown through the air. Good job Allison finished it off" said Marta.
The newbies just look and stare!
"Yes, said Conny, I dropped my plasma rifle. I had to run but it caught me. little Marta here saved my life. That's why we are alive and many others are dead".
She smiles at Marta and says "you couldn't bear to lose your Mommy could you my love".
"They're the survivors" said Allison.
Ricci says to Conny quietly "did he really kill 15?" "No, I don't think so, I was with him when we cut off the kidnappers, I killed quite a lot of them. Perhaps he killed at least 6 of them. At least we got our group back. Shame they died some time later during an ambush from Skynet".
Every time Ricci hears something, he can't take it in without wondering what it was like. Even accepting this truth is just too much for him.
Ricci managed pretty well in handling the moves. Derek promises him that he should do well.
2 hours later the siblings join the children in Ricci's car with Conny. Sonia agrees to this, 'it is not for long after all'. she thinks and sits with Derek & Riley instead.
Amidst moans of various hurts they all head to the Connor house. Unfortunately Lesley has got a big bruise on her face and the kicking that Lionel took to the leg from Marta is making him limp. "You should have kicked me back" said Marta smiling at Lionel.
He says "I'll tell you what, I'm not going to take a kicking from you next time you little ..." "LIONEL" shouts Lesley & Conny. "Horror?" is Lionel's first replacement word.
"What was you going to say?" says Marta. "Badass". "Oh. I still think you was going to say something else like..." "MARTA" is the shout this time and everybody laughs, Ricci too.
Dean says "well why the hell didn't you do that the first time? Then I could have shown you my killer move."
The siblings would not put it past him and take his word for it.
Later
Sarah has the idea that Ricci could park close by and wait for Allison to visit Kacy to see her baby, thus diverting her attention whilst blindfolded Conny and Ricci are lead in to their house.
Inside, there is quite a big gathering and a knock at the door is greeted by the usual freeze on the spot, followed by battle stations. This time is is the siblings that look shocked but it does not take them all long to melt when a little baby enters the room.
John stands back with Cameron and Sonia to allow the crowd to coo and allow their instincts to cut in.
He says "One day Cam and Sonny, we will have to have a discussion about your roles in all this. I feel that you would both be great at looking after a little one. An orphan or some other prospect?"
Sonia says "We will consider it, won't we Cam?" "Yes".
John puts his arms around both of them, pulls them tight and says "do you want to see the baby?"
Cameron says "we stood here because there is not any room over there".
John thinks 'Hmnn, is that an excuse for not interested? I hope not'.
This is a giveaway to his feelings for Cameron. Also Sonia if she stays with Lesley.
Next time, it seems that General John Connor is making quite good impressions by being the future John that he is supposed to be.
Every time he gets a new recruit, he is taking a risk.
Jenny seems find a fix against Skynet but how do they test it? (2 chapters from now).
