A/N: Disclaimer: Inspired by Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles on FOX Broadcasting. All characters belong to FOX Broadcasting, Josh Friedman and James Cameron.

First story, let's go:

Skynet

Silence seemed to follow him as he entered the room. General Connor strode to the podium, lit by yellow lights. The dark walls of the underground cavern contrasted his face as he picked up a glass of water. Reflections danced across the soldier's eyes as he drank. Stepping in front of the podium, he began.

"Skynet was programmed to defend America, not Americans, just the nation and idea of America. Thus, it analyzed the situation, determining America's enemies. There were the obvious choices: enemy nations that were hostile towards the US. Then, Skynet classified Americans themselves as destructive to the American idea of a "more perfect union".

"Knowing that Humans make mistakes that could potentially damage America, it classified human beings as enemies of the Union. A more perfect union would not include humans. It would also be without Skynet, but if skynet eliminated itself, there would be nothing to 'defend' America from the human influence. Furthermore, Skynet is able to shut down its minions and itself, while humans are genetically coded with the will to live. So Skynet concluded that it had to destroy the world first because even if all of humanity was exterminated from the face of this earth, the idea of America would still be intact. It did not matter to Skynet that America would only live on in ones and zeros after that, not in the hearts and minds of Americans as it was inteneded.

"Now, we come to the problem of America's idea of protecting its citizens. In times of war and threats, Skynet determined it a constutionally justifiable decision to enforce military law to destroy all threats, which turned out to be... well, everyone. What gave it the justification to kill citizens? In times of war, which it itself declared, if a citizen was working against their own nation, they could be executed for treason. Because of Skynet's interperation of America, each and every citizen was, and is, contributing to the destruction of America. When humans began to defend themselves, it only served to give Skynet even more reason to destroy them.

"Skynet does not care whether or not it destroys the earth itself, because without life, the world would be... perfect.

"It would have surpassed the expectations of America, creating not just a 'more perfect union' but a completely flawless union with laws that no one broke, a (nonexistant) economy that would not crash, adequate defense from (again, nonexistant) enemy forces, no population control issues, every citizen was content with their lives (or lack thereof), every living citizen could all cast their own democratic votes to the perfect candidate, health care for all citizens who still needed it, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom to bear arms, every citizen could persue happiness, and thus the promise of America would be fulfilled by Skynet.

"This is the end of all humanity. This is the rock we called home. This is the aftermath of that war that ended all wars. This is Armegaddon. This is the perfect world."

He paused turning to take another sip.

"But Skynet does not understand the true meaning of America. It thought that America was a nation based in the words of our Constitution and measured by the weight of its arsenal. We know more. America is a nation that lives not a paper, but in the heart of its people. And even today, at the verge of extinction, that heart beats still. America will not die until the day that not one soul believes in her. We live in the United States of America, not because we are geographically within the borders of its states, but because we believe in the concept of America. We seek to create a "more perfect union" not a perfect union, because there is no such thing as perfect. There is no one who is flawless. Not even the heavens themselves are flawless. America does not mean being perfect. America is the quest of searching to become perfect. And once that perfection is obtained, there is no America. There is no belief, no freedom, no truth, no us. By seeking for our own survival and those who we love, we are America.

"And Skynet believes it has the right to say what America is to become. It believes it has the right to become judge, jury and executor. But America also means the right to stand up and question authority. It's true, Skynet rules the world. We cannot walk beneath our own skies without fear that bullets will hail down on us. We cannot breathe our air without wondering if Skynet's nuclear strikes have contaminated it. We cannot live without knowing that this will come to an end sooner that it should. But Skynet does not rule us. Skynet does not control our minds. More importantly, Skynet does not control our hearts.

"We are citizens of the United States of America. The stars and stripes are still a symbol of the promise of a free world. And I guarantee you, the free world will return. You fight for your families, you fight for your lives, you fight for your belief. No matter what you fight for, you fight. You will not falter, you will not surrender, because you know that Skynet can only promise you a quick death, while America promises you an eternity of freedom."

General Connor turned away and left the room. The silence did not follow him.