Author's Note and Disclaimer: The characters in this fanfic belong to Warner Bros. and the writers of Terminator Salvation. The ideas are entirely my own but I'm sure others have thought of the same plots and written similar fics, but it was NOT my intention to plagiarize anyone in any way, shape, or form.
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Out of the hundreds of prisoners taken to Skynet's central hub in San Francisco, only around fifty managed to escape during the raid led by John Connor. The men, women, and children that were lucky enough to escape Skynet's research were nonetheless starving, dirty, covered in tattered clothes, and confused. The transports that had managed to provide John limited support brought the survivors back to an outpost of the resistance, but nobody knew what to do with them after that. So, they stood around, hoping for food, shelter, and further orders. The panic and confusion had mounted when word spread that Command couldn't be reached – and worse, that John Connor was mortally wounded. There wasn't anything anyone could do but to stand around helplessly outside of his tent and pray for a miracle.
From a distance, they had all gathered in grim silence to watch a redheaded female doctor tend his wounds and slowly kiss him on the forehead. Nobody could hear anything, but the facial expressions of the doctor and her comrades standing behind her were enough to interpret what was going to happen. There was a bated silence as they watched when the newcomer – the hybrid that appeared to be one of the machines, but was still a man – stepped forward and said something. His entourage stared at him in shocked silence, then the doctor slowly nodded. The raven-haired pilot stepped forward and said something to him. He replied. She kissed him.
Whispers of "what's going on?" and "I can't see what's happening," and "Is he going to be okay?" reverberated throughout the large group of refugees, which had seemed to be growing. Everyone wanted to know if their savior was going to live. The doctors and nurses had worked on him throughout the night, but as day broke there hadn't seemed to be much progress. Connor's skin had grown from a tanned ivory to a gray, pallid shade. The tiny team around him looked grim.
The hybrid stepped forward and allowed the doctor to take his arm. She drew a small sample of blood and started working at a makeshift bench, full of laboratory supplies and kits.
There was another long pause as everyone just stood there, anxious. A disappointed look crossed the doctor's face and she shook her head, saying something inaudible. Suddenly, the teenager stepped forward and yelped, "What?"
. . .
"What do you mean it's not possible?" Kyle asked in a panicked voice. "What's wrong?"
"There are too many risk factors involved," Kate explained with a controlled tone, although tears were threatening to return. "John's body will reject the heart. There's nothing I can do. We'll need another donor."
"Why?" Marcus asked sharply.
"I have a very limited amount of supplies out here to even remotely successfully perform a heart transplant," Kate replied. "That, in and of itself, is risky. I won't even attempt it until I get a heart that's compatible with John's blood type. I performed a hemagglutination test…" Kate licked her lips and looked down, averting her gaze, slowly shaking her head.
Marcus felt his jaw tighten. "What?"
She looked up at him and sighed. "You're not compatible with any of the human blood types."
Marcus narrowed his eyes.
"How is that possible?" Blair stepped forward.
"I don't know. The test could be faulty due to the lack of supplies, or…your blood and tissues are composed of something else entirely, something incompatible with the human anatomy," Kate looked at him apologetically. "In addition, I would literally need to saw through the metal endoskeleton without damaging the tissue – which, in the amount of time we have and the tools available here, would probably do more harm than good. I'm sorry."
Marcus set his jaw. "I'm getting used to it."
"What do we do now?" Kyle spoke up. "We need a heart for John! We can't just…give up! Here," he suddenly stepped forward and held out his arm. "Test me. Test my blood type."
"No," John's hoarse voice suddenly called out from behind them. He struggled to sit up, but a nurse gently coaxed him to relax.
Marcus yanked Kyle back. "You're too young, kid."
"So?" Kyle looked obstinate.
"Take mine," Blair stepped up and held out her arm to Kate. "Test my blood."
Marcus suddenly turned and glared at her.
"Take mine," a voice suddenly called out, snapping their attentions to the outside perimeter of the tent.
"Take mine," a second voice chimed in.
"He can have mine," another said.
"Test me," another added.
"Please, use mine," another called out.
Kate swirled around to stare at the gathering group of people that was approaching the tent. They were all survivors and soldiers that had been rescued from Skynet's California headquarters, and they were all offering John a heart in return. Tears pricked at her eyes and she swallowed them back.
"Take mine."
"Use mine, please."
"He can use mine."
"Take mine."
"I can't possibly expect one of you to…" Kate trailed off, but the insistent voices grew louder. They had made their resolve. One would die to let John Connor live. He was the one that would lead them to victory against the machines.
"Doctor, we don't have much time," a nurse silently reminded her.
Kate nodded and licked her lips. "Of course." She turned towards the large group that was gathering outside the tent. A few guards had to push them back.
"Please keep clear."
"Give them room. Don't come any closer."
"Um…if you really would like to help, I need a young male, preferably between the ages of 25 to 45," Kate called out in a shaky voice. "Please."
Slowly, some people started to shuffle forward. To everyone's surprise, a vast majority of the group had stepped up. Most of the women and children hung back and held onto each other, watching the scene with both hope and sadness.
"You'll need to leave," a male nurse nodded towards the group standing in the tent. "We have to make sure the area is sterilized as much as possible - "
"I'm not going anywhere," Barnes narrowed his eyes.
"He can stay," Kate nodded to the nurse. "I need everyone else out," she looked at the group. "I'll let you know how everything goes, as soon as I can."
As Kate turned back to the group of volunteers to pick out a donor, Blair silently ushered the rest out of the tent. Once outside, Kyle held Star's hand and reluctantly started to walk off. She tugged at him hesitantly. He kneeled down and uttered in a low voice, "Don't worry. He'll be okay. Are you hungry?"
She gave him a meek nod.
"C'mon. Let's find something to eat."
As they slowly walked away, Marcus turned to Blair. She was staring at the tent entrance somberly, which had just been closed by Barnes. With a sigh, she ran a hand through her hair and glanced at him. Her expression seemed neutral, if not slightly stern, but he could detect the hint of bitterness in her voice.
"It could be awhile before we hear anything. You should get some rest."
Before he could even respond, she turned and headed in the opposite direction. He narrowed his eyes and took a few swift strides after her, grabbing her arm.
"What was all that about back there?" Marcus asked her in a low voice, turning her around.
She narrowed her eyes at him. "All what about?"
"You were just going to give yourself up? Just like that?"
She yanked her arm out of his grip and set her jaw. "I think I can do whatever I damn well please with my own body," she hissed at him. "When it comes to John Connor, my life doesn't matter in the slightest. Besides, you were quick to end it all, weren't you?"
"That's different - " he snapped, but was interrupted.
"No, of course, since you're the only human in the resistance capable of surviving bomb blasts, gunshots, and infiltrating Skynet without a hitch," Blair retorted with angry sarcasm. "You're not much of a commodity at all. You won't help us. I was silly to think otherwise."
"I don't belong here," he growled.
"Neither do I," Blair glared up at him. There was a long pause as they stared at each other angrily until she spoke again. "But I got used to it, Marcus. We all did. We're all stuck in this nightmare." She turned and started to walk away, shaking her head and putting her hands on her hips.
He stared at the ground and scowled. Her voice made him glance up again.
"You know what? John might have leveled Skynet, and he might have rescued all those people, but he couldn't have done it without you. Has it ever occurred to you that maybe you're here for a reason? We need you, Marcus - "
There was something in that statement that bothered him. Skynet had told him something similar less than twelve hours earlier. "Spare me," he snapped. "If you're trying to help me find religion, don't bother. I'm already locked in the pits of hell."
She stormed off, not looking back.
He crossed his arms and frowned. Why was he even mad at her? Why did he give a damn? For starters, he was pissed off that he couldn't escape this shithole. Ending his life to save Connor's was a pretty good way to go. Besides…he owed him.
Guess it wasn't going to be that fuckin' easy.
On the other hand, he was pissed off that Blair was so ready to give up her own life merely seconds after he was told he'd still live. What the hell? A few days ago she'd risked her life to save him, then ten minutes ago she'd kissed him, then five minutes ago she wanted to end it all? She was just gonna fuckin' leave him there?
…And if she actually did, what would he do?
It felt weird, but along with Kyle and Star, Blair was one of the resistance members he'd sort of gotten attached to. Those three were the only ones that really treated him…like a human being. Along with Kyle, who was spunky and smart but still had a shit-ton to learn, and Star, who was pleasantly quiet, he didn't mind Blair's company. And, after she let him free, for some reason he felt obligated to protect her. The other resistance members – especially that asshole, Barnes – had given her looks and glared at her as if she was a traitor since she had warmed to Marcus. Needless to say, she'd pissed off a lot of people after freeing the machine. The only thing keeping them from opening their mouths and acting on it was Connor's decree that Marcus was now a member of the resistance, and Blair's behavior was excused…but who knew what would happen to Blair when Connor's back was turned? He couldn't protect her all the time.
Marcus glanced up and looked around. Speaking of…where the hell did she go?
He stood there, brooding angrily, not quite knowing what to do. He wasn't about to follow that hot-headed harpy and continue a stupid argument, but he didn't feel comfortable leaving her alone, either.
He blinked. What do I care? She can handle herself. Sure, she caused one gigantic snafu - but they have more important things to worry about. Like surviving.
...Right?
He grit his teeth. Whatever. This is war. People do fucked up shit in wars. I should go find her.
He didn't want to go back to Connor's tent, anyway. The doctors were busy working on him, and Marcus didn't want to see the lucky bastard who'd died – it should've been him, dammit – for Connor's survival. Assuming the heart transplant was successful.
Then a thought hit him.
If Connor dies...what then? What would happen to me? He's running the show now...but if he goes...it wouldn't be long until they all try to dismantle my ass...
...Not compatible with the human anatomy. Not a match for any of the human blood types. He gritted his teeth, bothered by Kate's statement. Glancing down, Marcus slowly lifted up his left hand – the metal endoskeleton that was exposed after a fight – and curled the fingers.
…What the fuck am I?
A tug at his coat made him turn around. Star was at his flank, looking up at him. He never could tell what that kid was thinking – she was remarkably calm in every situation, except when the machines were nearby.
He sighed. "Hey, squirt."
She took his hand and softly pulled. He didn't budge.
"What?"
She tugged again.
"Where's Reese?" he asked, attempting to hide his annoyed tone. He wasn't in the mood for babysitting.
She tugged a third time and Marcus relented, slowly following after her.
Kyle was sitting on the back bumper of a humvee, eating something that looked like a large rice cake, or something that had been freeze-dried. When he saw Star and Marcus, he broke off a piece of the substance and handed it to the little girl. He lifted up another piece to Marcus.
"Want some?"
Marcus set his jaw. He hadn't been hungry. At all. He figured that once he had the chance, he should talk to Kate before chowing down on something he might not even be able to digest.
Christ. How fucked up.
After seeing his expression, Kyle retracted the food and blinked. "Oh…right…" His eyes darted to Marcus's left hand.
Marcus suddenly realized that they had no idea what the hell had transpired only twenty-four hours earlier. Surprisingly, however, Reese hadn't even asked any questions. Star didn't even seem to care.
"Do you know?" He asked gruffly.
Kyle chewed the food slowly and looked away. "Well…not exactly. I just heard John's orders about you being one of us. Then I heard the doctor say the same thing and told the guards to back off."
Once the chopper had landed after their trip back from Skynet, some resistance members had immediately recognized Marcus as their escaped prisoner and moved in to restrain him. Through his semi-conscious state, however, John Connor immediately ordered them to stand down. Kate, who had noticed the tear in the back of Marcus's neck, now covered with dried blood and had already started to scab, confirmed John's orders and told Barnes to keep watch over Marcus but not to advance. Even two german shepherd dogs were brought up to inspect him, but instead of barking, they nervously sniffed his exposed hand and paced back and forth a little before settling down.
"I obviously haven't had time to ask," Kyle admitted with a dry chuckle. "I've been a little busy."
Marcus crossed his arms and stared at the dry, sandy ground. He didn't reply.
"Besides, I figured you'd tell us when you were ready," Kyle shrugged and took another bite.
I wasn't going to tell anyone, Marcus thought bitterly. I was going to die a peaceful fucking death and be done with it. He sighed. "Yeah, well…to make a long story short, I'm not one of them, so…"
"I know that," Kyle shrugged. "You wouldn't have gone through so much trouble to help us if you were."
There was a long pause. Marcus wasn't willing to continue the conversation on the subject, but Kyle's eyes kept darting to his mechanical hand. Marcus purposely turned his back on them and pretended to ignore it, glancing around the camp, keeping an eye out for a skinny brunette with a fiery attitude.
"Marcus?"
Nnngh. Damn. He turned his head, acknowledging Kyle silently.
"So…you never even knew…? That you were…?"
"Nah, I was purposely masquerading around California as a terminator with amnesia helping humans," Marcus replied flatly, wanting Kyle to get to the point. "What do you think?"
Kyle didn't reply.
Marcus stole a glance at Star. A small pout had formed on her face. He shook his head and sighed, staring at the ground. "Sorry. It's just…agitating. Being like this." He lifted up his mechanical hand and stared at it.
"Well. I just wanted to say that…whatever they did to you…we'll get 'em back for it," Kyle responded quietly. "We'll destroy Skynet."
Marcus glanced at him. He suddenly wondered if Connor would let him fight with the rest of the resistance. He glanced down and fingered the red patch on the arm of his jacket. Sure, he was technically an ally…and he had a shitload of advantages compared to a normal human…but would they trust him in battle? He was surprised to find that he hoped so. Now that he was still alive, he might as well make himself useful. He wanted to fight. More specifically, he wanted to destroy everything Serena Kogan had claimed would help the human race. It was her research in the first place that enabled Skynet to do this to him.
He almost chuckled. Or was it because of her that I'm actually going to try to help the human race?
Fuck. God has a sick, twisted sense of humor.
"What's funny?"
Kyle had noticed his dark smirk. Marcus sobered and shook his head. "Just agreeing with you. We'll get 'em back, all right."
There was another long pause. Star munched on a few pieces of food that Kyle gave her quietly, Marcus brooded silently, and Kyle glanced around the camp, observing all the members of the resistance and familiarizing himself with the new terrain.
"Weird," he uttered quietly.
Marcus glanced at him. "What?"
"Just…how I thought it would all be so glorious, joining up with the resistance," Kyle admitted. "That it'd be…I don't know…heroic or something. But…with John hurt…it's…not like that at all."
Marcus almost snorted. You're not the only one who got a cold slap in the face by reality, kid.
"I hope it goes okay," Kyle added quietly, glancing over at John's tent. It was still enclosed and guarded heavily while people stood close by, trying to catch a peek or listen in on any news.
"He'll pull through," Marcus narrowed his eyes at the tent in the distance. "Don't worry."
In the short time he'd known John Connor, he definitely got the vibe that the man wouldn't go down easily. He wasn't scared of the machines. He was a fearless leader. The man was a pile of conundrums that Marcus had yet to figure out – he stole a glance at Kyle, remembering Connor's earlier remarks – but it'd have to wait for now. But John Connor sure as hell wouldn't be taken out by a metal pipe through the chest. He was a born fighter.
"If you want some more, just let me know," Kyle looked over at Star and motioned to the dry cake he was holding. "They've got enough food here for us. I'll get some for you."
Star nodded and took another piece he cracked off for her.
After chewing some more silently, Kyle glanced up at Marcus again. "So…who was that woman?"
Marcus set his jaw. He knew exactly who Kyle meant, but he decided to act nonchalant all the same. "What woman?"
"You know who I'm talking about. The one who piloted us back here. The one who kissed you."
Marcus kept his back turned and gritted his teeth, trying to force the kiss out of his mind. That kiss damn near made him change his mind about wanting to die.
Guess it didn't matter. I'm still alive.
After Marcus didn't answer, Kyle continued to probe. "Seems that you've left an impression. What exactly happened after we were taken to San Francisco?"
Even though his questions could get annoying, Marcus knew that he wasn't intentionally trying to put him on the spot. Reese wasn't stupid. He was simply the speculative type, built from sheer survival and habit. Being informed was imperative. He was just gauging his surroundings and his allies.
Marcus sighed. "It's a long story."
Kyle shrugged. "We've got time."
Marcus glanced towards Connor's tent. "Yeah. I guess we do."
So he explained how he'd found Blair after Kyle and Star were taken into custody, and how she led him to John Connor. He purposely left out the bit about the scumbags who'd attacked her, or how she'd warmed to him that night. He told them about the magnetic mines…and how he woke up in chains. After he briefly mentioned how he found out what he'd become, he trailed off.
Kyle seemed to pale a bit. "Oh, man…" He swallowed.
There was a long pause. Star was staring at the ground somberly.
"Marcus…I'm…I'm really sorry," Kyle offered hoarsely.
Marcus shook his head. "Yeah, well…the resistance wasn't. Connor wasn't convinced. They all thought I was a spy." And I was, he thought angrily. I didn't even fucking know it.
"Then what happened? Why did they let you go?"
Marcus set his jaw. "They didn't let me go. Blair set me free."
Kyle's eyebrows shot up in surprise.
"She betrayed the resistance to save my life," Marcus said in a low voice.
Kyle blinked. "Were they mad at her?"
"I'd say so. They were trying to kill us."
"So then what happened?"
Marcus glanced at Kyle and Star. They were at full attention, sitting forward like kids at a campfire. "We split up. She was caught and I got away. That's when I went to Skynet's headquarters to try to bust you guys out."
And find out other things. Marcus also decided to leave that information confidential.
"Connor and the resistance eventually came after me, but because they were planning on a raid anyway," he continued. "They knew Skynet had hundreds of human prisoners."
Kyle nodded slowly and remembered how he boarded the helicopter with Star – and then Marcus followed not too long after, carrying a severely injured John Connor over his shoulder.
So much had happened that night, that Kyle couldn't even begin to ask how Marcus had gotten there in the first place, or how John Connor had gotten hurt. Then, once he saw Marcus's skeletal hand and bloody gash in the back of his head, revealing shiny bits of what looked like metal, he grew even more confused. His first thought was that Marcus had eventually been captured, like the rest of them, and was experimented on. Skynet was doing terrible things to the humans – he'd heard some screaming; inhumane sounds echoing off of the walls and drifing into his cell – but nobody really knew what.
Nobody except for maybe Marcus and John Connor.
He knew he shouldn't pry, but Kyle was curious about Marcus's past. When he first met him, he obviously didn't know anything about the machines or the war. Hell, he didn't even know what year it was. It was the strangest thing, as if he had a severe case of amnesia – but then he'd mentioned his brother once, and he knew how to hotwire things and drive vehicles – vehicles that had been out of commission since Judgment Day.
Kyle was afraid to ask, however, because he knew that the machines had done something unspeakable to him. He had some memories, but obviously not all of them. He didn't even know that he was a machine…or at least partially.
Kyle sighed. Things were starting to get complicated. If the machines were starting to manufacture human cyborgs, what did that mean for the resistance? How would they be able to tell friend from foe? And what if there were more out there? What if…they started to turn bad? What if amnesia was a side effect of the experimentation and the humans would forget who they were? What if they started to fight for Skynet? Was Marcus still in danger? If he had Skynet parts in him, was he still a threat?
There was a long pause. Marcus's back was turned to him, but Kyle glanced at the bloody patch on his neck and chewed another piece of food in thought.
He ripped it out. Marcus ripped his chip out. Skynet can't control him.
…Right?
Whatever. John Connor trusted Marcus. That's all that mattered.
"Marcus?"
Marcus turned his head slightly.
"The human prisoners…" Kyle trailed off and hesitated. He thought about what he saw at headquarters. There were dozens of dead bodies lying on operating tables. "…They're making more, aren't they?"
Marcus lifted up his left hand and stared at it. "More of me?"
Kyle nodded, shook his head, and shrugged at the same time, suddenly aware that he might've offended Marcus. "Yeah, well…no, I mean, not you, but…I mean…"
"Relax, kid. I know what you meant."
There was a long pause. Kyle exchanged nervous glances with Star until Marcus finally spoke again.
"I'm not sure. Probably. But…I don't think Skynet will need human prisoners anymore."
Kyle furrowed his brows. "Why?"
"Because I think the machines are finished experimenting on humans."
Kyle felt his heart drop into his stomach. "…What do you mean?"
Marcus wasn't really ready to explain how he'd synced into the Skynet mainframe and pretty much learned everything there was to know about the entire fuckin' database – from the tactical warfare used on Judgment Day to the godforsaken experimental procedures used on humans. Because he'd ripped out the chip, however, some of the information was lost. He'd only managed to retain bits and pieces, but he knew that Skynet was continuing to build newer models. Models with human shells.
"There were…finished products…" Marcus finally replied. "At headquarters…just sitting there, like goddamned mannequins ready to be shipped out of a warehouse. But…I don't know. Since the headquarters was leveled, maybe the machines will have to start over. I have to ask Connor. I'm sure he knows more about what's going on."
Kyle nodded silently.
There was another immensely long pause. Kyle slapped the crumbs off his hands and glanced down at Star. "Want some more?"
She nodded.
"Need some water?"
She nodded again.
"Okay. I'll be right back." Kyle stood up and glanced at Marcus, deciding to make an attempt to lighten the conversation again. "You still didn't answer my question, you know."
Marcus turned and narrowed his eyes at him. "About what?"
"About the pilot. Blair."
"Yes, I did."
"No, you didn't."
Marcus's expression grew darker. "You asked who she was, and I told you."
"Yeah, but you never told us why the hell she likes you so much," Kyle grinned at him. "You've only been with the resistance for two days, and you're already got a woman kissing you?" He turned and walked away, muttering, "Lucky bastard." He suddenly stopped and glanced at Star. "Ignore what I just said. That was a bad word." He turned again and kept walking, ignoring Marcus's black scowl.
Star smirked and her eyes darted to Marcus.
Marcus was not amused. He glared at Kyle's backside and let out a heavy sigh through his nostrils, teeth clenched. After a pause, he glanced at Star, who wasn't grinning…but she wasn't frowning, either. She was struggling to keep a straight face. He raised an eyebrow.
"You think that's funny?"
She shook her head. She was still pursing her lips, as if smiling might get her in trouble, and she was still debating whether or not to do it.
He held out his hands. "I don't know why she did that. Do you?"
Star shrugged. A smile started to peek out.
"Lucky. Yeah. Sure," Marcus rolled his eyes and motioned towards her. "Just wait. When you get older, you'll be torturing the royal piss out of poor schmucks too, like every other female on this planet. It's built into your DNA."
She blinked, not knowing what to make of that statement.
He crossed his arms and turned away, frowning, but he was only half-joking with the squirt. To reassure her that he wasn't angry, he glanced back and gave her a grim wink without smiling.
She beamed.
When Kyle returned with more food and water, Marcus decided to turn the tables on him.
"What about you?"
Kyle glanced up. "What about me?"
"Ever had a girl in your life?"
Kyle's expression darkened and he let out a snort. "What do you think?"
"C'mon. There must've been someone."
"No. There wasn't anyone."
Marcus turned and glanced at him. "Not one person?"
Kyle narrowed his eyes. "No."
Hm. Perhaps it wasn't a good subject to bring up, after all.
"Let me put it this way," Kyle sighed irritably, "We're much too busy worrying about staying alive than we are worrying about companionship. It's good to fight together and it's good to work together, but there isn't any time for anything to go any further than that. So, when the opportunity does come along," Kyle fixed his dark glare on Marcus, "don't throw it away. It's rare and it doesn't happen often."
Marcus raised an eyebrow in surprise. Amen to that.
"John and Kate are the only couple I've seen here," Kyle added. "In fact…they're the first ones I've seen together in years."
Marcus curled a lip. Wait a sec. Couple? Does he mean…? Gk. "Are you talking about love?"
"What else would I be talking about?"
Marcus stole a glance at Star. "Uh…nothing."
Kyle narrowed his eyes. "You're the one who brought it up."
Marcus rubbed his face. Yeah, but…I meant…the other thing…the physical part without the emotional baggage… "Forget it."
. . .
Blair strode through the camp angrily, refusing to look back. She knew that it was stupid to be pissed off at Marcus, but she couldn't help it.
I risked my life for him, and he's looking for an avenue out?
"Everyone deserves a second chance. This is mine," he had said.
He meant his chance to die, she set her jaw bitterly. What the hell was Marcus trying to pull?
It was childish and it was petty, but Blair felt hurt. It was as if nothing was worthy enough for him to stick around. Not even her. It was obvious he hadn't really had time to get to know anyone, and it wasn't like he had time to warm to the members of the resistance…but…
I thought…that maybe he at least…
She sighed in frustration. I thought what? That he liked me? That there was something there? How stupid am I?
She strode up to a blonde woman holding a gun and motioned to a tent. "Is this tent occupied? I need some privacy."
The blonde shrugged. "Go ahead."
Blair opened the flap, entered, pulled the flap closed, and unbuttoned her pants, tugging them down and plopping down on a cot in frustration. The tent was bare, except for the one cot and a blanket, and Blair took advantage of it while everyone was gathered around John Connor's tent or standing watch around the perimeter.
She lifted her leg and examined the gunshot wound in her back thigh she'd received during her escape with Marcus. There was a bloody splotch where Kate had removed the bullet, but it wasn't very bad. It could have been worse. She gritted her teeth as she removed the bandage and pulled out a wad of gauze in her pocket.
Her thoughts traveled to the gunshots and the bombs exploding around the minefield. Her allies trying to shoot her down.
God. What the hell possessed me to do that…?
She sighed as she dabbed at the sore wound. It hadn't yet closed up entirely, and it was still oozing, but at least it looked like it was healing normally. No infection. The bullet had been removed by Kate a few days ago after Marcus had escaped and after Blair was under strict supervision, but it hadn't gone very deep.
She sighed as she pulled the fresh gauze into a strip around her leg and ripped it from the roll. Wrapping it around her leg a few times, she tied it tightly and checked the wound again.
It doesn't matter, she thought to herself. I would do it all over again. He's human. He didn't deserve that kind of treatment. We're better than that. Otherwise, what are we fighting for…?
Blair swallowed as she remembered his face. He had been chained up, screaming and struggling, confused and in pain. When Barnes shot at him, the bullet had ricocheted off of the metal endoskeleton, but it was obvious that it felt like a real gunshot to Marcus as he bellowed out a pained growl. When she took the gun from Barnes and shot at him again, he hadn't yelled out a second time. Instead, he just stared at her. Lost. Vulnerable.
All of his thoughts – confusion, pain, sadness, grief, anger, and helplessness – a thousand questions in his eyes – were there for her to see. It killed her to pull the trigger, but she had to find out for sure.
There was no way a machine could display such raw emotion.
He didn't know or understand what had happened to him, but neither did they. It was obvious he was a horrible experiment concocted by Skynet, but he'd retained all of his human qualities. She couldn't just sit back and do nothing.
Whatever the machines did to him, no human should endure.
Blair sighed as she pulled her pants back up and patted her wound for last measure. She knew she shouldn't be angry with Marcus. Who was she to blame him? She knew absolutely nothing of his past, and from the looks of things, it seemed as if he could have suffered more than anyone else. If she had found out that Skynet had made her into a half-machine, she'd want to die too.
She sighed again and ran a hand through her hair. I should find him and apologize. Life's too short to be fighting amongst ourselves.
The minute she stepped out of the tent, however, Barnes had seemed to spot her immediately and advanced.
"Williams! We're going to need you to man a bird for a recon mission. Starts first thing tomorrow morning, before daybreak. Rest up while you can and get something to eat."
Blair blinked. "Whose orders?"
Barnes stared at her, as if she'd committed military blasphemy. "Does it matter?"
"I'm just curious since John isn't even conscious. I hope he knows about this decision." She hadn't meant to accuse Barnes of making a power grab, although that's exactly what it had sounded like. She was just cautious about orders flying around as soon as John was put under anesthesia. With Command unavailable - which was extremely bad news - it was a very dangerous situation.
"Yeah, well, why in the fuck would it make a difference to you?" Barnes snapped. "Since you didn't listen to John's orders about - "
"Just answer the question, Barnes," Blair rolled her eyes.
"It was a decision made by Kate and myself," Barnes replied flatly. "We're going back to the Skynet base in San Francisco to salvage anything that could be helpful to us. We want to haul ass and do this before the machines have a chance to sweep the area…if they haven't already. I'm only assembling a small group to do this, since we don't want to spare that many."
"Will Marcus be going?"
Barnes narrowed his eyes at her.
"He could be helpful, Barnes - "
"Jesus, Blair. You'll still vouch for that…goddamn experiment? An experiment made by Skynet?"
"He's a human being, Barnes - "
"If it was up to me, I'd blow it to hell," Barnes interrupted her callously.
"Oh, don't do this," Blair rolled her eyes and put her hands on her hips. "What else does he have to do to prove that he's not a part of Skynet? He saved John, and if it weren't for him, all those other prisoners would be dead too. You can't still believe that he could possibly be a machine - "
"It doesn't matter what I believe," Barnes snapped, "but it does matter what Kate believes, and she didn't mention anything about that thing going on this trip - "
"Then you allow it!" she shot back. "He's a powerful asset to us! For the first time in years, we've got the upper hand! He could have valuable intel on Skynet, and since he's infiltrated it, he might even know where to look!"
"Exactly my fuckin' point," Barnes snarled. "We'll be walking into the goddamn lion's den and you want to bring one of them back to it? We still don't know if the machines can control him somehow. Kate hasn't had time to examine him thoroughly. I won't risk - "
"Just give him a chance! He can help us!"
Barnes rubbed his face and shook his head. "Look, Blair, I don't know how you got this sick obsession and I don't care, but it's really starting to fuck up your perspective on things - "
"What is that supposed to mean?" she glared at him angrily.
"What? You want me to spell it out for you? He supposedly saves your life and he's got a pretty face so you'll betray the human race for a walking mechanical dildo - "
Her fist immediately connected with his cheek in response. Any bystander within the vicinity of the argument stared at Blair and Barnes in surprise, the latter resistance member with his head turned, glowering at the ground with a bloody lip. He licked it, spat, and glared at her out of the corner of his eye.
"That was out of line, soldier," Blair said in a low voice, hiding her burning rage behind a calm exterior.
There was a long pause. The surrounding resistance members eventually went about their business, figuring the situation would resolve itself. Barnes finally straightened and stared at her. His jawbones protruded from his cheeks and his nostrils flared in obvious anger, but he didn't reply.
"I'm really disappointed, Barnes," she finally said. "I thought you knew me better than that. I guess not." She turned and swallowed, forcing back the swell of unfamiliar emotion stinging the backs of her eyes, nose, and throat.
"...We leave at dusk tomorrow," he replied in a calm, quiet voice. His eyes, however, looked menacing. "Make sure you're prepared. That's an order."
She clenched her teeth. "Fine."
Without another word, he turned and walked back towards the direction of John's tent.
"Oh, and Barnes," Blair called out in a sharp tone.
He stopped and cocked his head to the side slightly, but didn't turn to face her.
She crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes. "Don't ever speak to me like that again."