So... since this is what I'm famous for... I figure I should keep up my trend... in the beginning I like to release the first few chapters, in quick succession, and since I'm going to keep these chapter shorter then my other story... I think it should be easy to keep up the pace.
Another, Insane Choice.
The Mission, The Problem
"Fuck!" Derek stated, angrily as he listened to Alex's explanation.
"So... If SkyNet can send, any machine that it wants... where are they?" John asked, after a moment of silence.
"Judgment day needs to happen. SkyNet can't risk, it not happening, if it doesn't, that means that SkyNet will have to face the full of humanities armies. So... my guess, they're in hiding. Protecting SkyNet assets, the uncovered metal can't be seen by humans until the war begins." Alex explained. It made sense, if machines were seen running around killing people, it would definitely make humans rethink their decision to build an artificial intelligence.
"Even if they're not attacking us directly, SkyNet machines could easily begin construction of automated factories in preparation for Judgment day." Cameron, added in a monotone voice.
"Yeah... John sent other teams back to deal with that." Alex told them. By now he had removed his snow cap, and he sat comfortably on the couch, the Connor's stood around him, boring him with questions.
John analyzed the future soldier... a part of him, wondered what his connection was to this guy. First it was Kile Reese his father. Then it was the T-800, that was sent back. Then Cameron, then Derek, and now this guy. Everyone he sent back had a connection to him in the future. John wondered, what kind of connection he had to this guy.
Alex, had pale skin, and bleached blonde hair, he looked almost albino. His hair was shoulder length and he had green eyes. John sat next to the future soldier, examining him more closely. John could just barely make out what looked like lines on his face, he could see them where the skin was thin, like on Alex's forehead and around his eyes. Alex glanced over and noticed John staring at him. "Sub-dermal fiber-weave." Alex said with a smile.
"What is it for?" John asked, not caring that he was staring.
"It's like armor. It's basically a mesh of little strands of bio-organic material, that are interlaced together, they are interwoven so finely, that they act like bullet proof armor. Not to mention, it's heat resistant. This weave covers most of my body... it's like I'm wearing modern body armor, all over my body. It's everywhere except for my chest, stomach and back." Alex explained.
"Wouldn't you want it to protect those areas?" John asked, slightly confused.
"Yeah... instead of the fiber weave, I have sub-dermal armor plates, protecting my organs. This stuff basically, makes me as tough as a T-X. Though it's highly experimental, and the process of installing it, is irreversible." Alex answered with a grin.
"T-X?" Sarah asked with a tilt of her head.
"Highly advanced, anti-terminator, terminator. Heavily armored, they posses on-board weapons, as well as nano-technological constrictors. Their combat chassis can change size, and they are covered in a mimetic polyalloy." Alex stated, coolly.
"Anti terminator? That is bullshit!" Sarah growled, bringing a hand up to cover her mouth.
"...And it can change shape like the T-1000?" John asked, remembering what the T-800 told him about the T-1000.
"Yes, it is highly adaptive and difficult to create. I know for a fact that there are at least seven, here now." Alex informed them.
"Seven! Are you serious?" Derek, asked as he ran his hands over his head.
"How do we stop them?" John asked, in a serious voice.
"You don't." Alex replied, giving John a look. "I've been asked to baby sit you. Until your ball and chain, enters your life. Then I'm under orders to move you and her to a safe place." Alex added.
"What?" John asked giving him a look.
"Cameron isn't a combat model. A T-X would wipe the floor with her, and... worst case scenario, it would use it's nano-technological constrictors to take control of her CPU, and use her to hunt you down. That would be bad... and what makes it worse, is Cameron has intimate knowledge of Connor's activities in the future, the T-X would gain access to that info." Alex explained.
"Don't let Cameron fight the super robots. I get it! But we've made the decision to fight. We aren't going to run. Not again." John told him.
"How is that working out for you? Fighting?" Alex asked, with a tilt of his head.
"You tell me." John replied, giving him a forceful look.
"I don't think you wanna know." Alex responded, with a sigh.
"We're winning. You're the first person from the future to ever say that to me. Until now... all I've heard about, is a war without an end. Now all of a sudden we're winning? We must be doing something right." John countered.
"Nine days." Alex stated.
"What?" John asked, glancing over at his mother. She gave him a confused look and they both turned back to Alex.
"In nine days... Derek Reese will die." Alex said in a cold voice, his eyes locked on John.
John recoiled slightly, and slowly glanced at his uncle, who was staring at Alex with a distant look.
"July 14, 2011. Sarah Connor is terminated by a T-X infiltrator, that then assumes her appearance and spends the next forty-two days hunting you down. At the end of that forty-two day hunt, Cameron Philips is killed, while destroying the T-X." Alex explained coldly. "Do you really think that fighting is the best course of action?"
John, let out a sigh. He felt anger, anger and despair, begin to well up inside of him.
Sarah placed her hands on the small of her back, and stared up at the ceiling.
"Nine days... huh." Derek said in a low voice as he bit the inside of his cheek.
"Can we stop it? Stop them from dying?" John asked, he sounded like he was in pain.
"I don't know. Look... I'm not here to stop you from fighting. You're John Connor and it's your choice, and I'll follow you no matter what you choose. I'm simply informing you of my mission. Once I determine who you future wife is. I am under orders to move you and her to safe place, until the bombs fall. Whether or not your family is with us... is up to you." Alex finished explaining.
"You... know about Derek?" John asked, glancing at his uncle, then at his mother.
"You told me a lot of things... John. Like I said... I've known you since I was born. My mother is one of your closest advisers... and friends. I don't think even she knows about your connection to the Reese's or even that you had a wife. You trusted me with this info though, and I don't really know why. You told me things over the years... but it was only when I was older did you start to open up about yourself. You told me about Sarah... and your father, Kyle. You told me about Derek, and Cameron... about how you named my mother, after your protector. You taught me how to fight... and how to lead, you told me about your wife... and children..." Alex trailed off, he had a distant look on his face.
"Children...?" John asked, with a bewildered look.
"... You're a chatty drunk... you know that Connor... never used to drink... then we started to win. Once we started to win, we started to celebrate... when we celebrate we get drunk... I can't even recall the number of times, we've sat alone sipping back moonshine, listening to the sound of cheering, echoing through the base." Alex stated with a faraway look.
"Do you posses the ability to destroy these T-X units?" Cameron asked, after a moment.
"Connor sent back one-hundred and eleven of us. He also supplied us with about forty tons of weapons and ammo. I have at my disposal, enough firepower, to turn California, into a third world state." Alex boasted, with a grin.
"Forty tons and over a hundred guys. Connor's not taking any chances with this Op." Derek commented.
"They are all separated into eleven squads of ten, all with different missions. Mine however is more important, and they are all under strict orders to drop what they are doing and come to my aid if I call them." Alex explained.
"What are they doing?" Sarah asked, her eyes narrow.
"Hunting SkyNet forces. They are waging a covert war against the machines. One hundred men, ten cyborgs, plus me." Alex added.
"Ten! What models?" John asked, curiously.
"Five 800's, three 888's, one 1000, and one 1100." Alex stated, off the top of his head.
"Holy shit..." Derek stated breathlessly, "... that's a lot of metal."
"You said I sent back a T-1000?" John asked, not believing it.
"His name is Fred... he likes birds." Alex replied, innocently.
"What about the T-1100? I've never even heard of that." Sarah, interjected.
"Highly advanced on-board AI. They were used by SkyNet as mobile, command platforms. While in proximity with other machines the T-1100, can utilize on board sensors and other equipment to send data to the terminators and increase their combat effectiveness and battlefield awareness. They aren't combat models, and are physically weak compared to other models. Their strength comes from their armor, they are small, but heavily armored and capable taking a pounding before going down. They can also hack into freed, machines and corrupt their CPU's it takes some time and the machine is aware of it, but given a few minutes they can cause one of ours to go berserk... Bastards!" Alex explained, from his tone, he obviously, confronted one of these things before.
The group, stood in silence for a few moments as they thought about, all that they had learned. After a few moments Sarah finally sat on the couch next to Alex, and locked eyes with him. "Explain to me... in as much detail as you can, what your mission is. What can you tell me about John's wife? Do you know when they meet? Did John give you a name? Tell me everything." Sarah ordered, her voice firm, and focused.
"My mission is to locate John Connor, and wait until he crosses paths with the woman who is to be his wife. John didn't give me a name, but he told me she was 'special' and that I'd know her when I see her." Alex began to explain, though stopped and glanced at John. He gave him a look before letting out a sigh and continuing, "...As for when they meet... One drunken night, John Connor told me about the first time he and his wife... ever... um... you know." Alex scratched his, as he tried to explain, the fact that this was John Connor's mother, had not escaped him, and this whole conversation had quickly became awkward.
"Do you really want to hear this?" Alex asked, as he rubbed his temples.
"No... but I need to make sure that the Tin Miss, doesn't try to murder this girl, when she shows up. So it's best that I know everything." Sarah replied in a stale tone.
Derek let out a single laugh, as John just hung his head, in embarrassment.
"You're heart rate is elevated, John. Are you nervous?" Cameron asked.
"No... just embarrassed." John answered with a sigh.
"Why? From what he had told us so far, future John was only explaining the first time that he ever engaged in sexual intercourse with his future wife." Cameron asked, tilting her head to emphasize her confusion.
John let out a sigh, as he continued to stare at the floor.
"Look... if you wanna step out, go ahead, but we need to know everything that future you told him about your wife, every last detail." Sarah told him.
John let out another sigh, before shaking his head, "No, I need to hear this too. Every last detail."
"Alright. Keep it PG, okay." Sarah stated, addressing Alex.
Alex nodded before beginning, "John Connor spoke of a woman, he called the most beautiful woman in the world. He told me that he was seventeen the first time they made love... He told me that, for a moment, while he was in her arms. There was no SkyNet, no Judgment day, just him and her. He said that she had the perfect body... almost like it was made specifically to fit his tastes. It was surreal whenever he was with her, he told me that he felt 'safe', whenever she was around. He was drunk while he explained this to me... but I was able to understand most of it... but there was a moment... right at the end of his explanation, where he sobered up. I swear he looked right through me and said, 'I now know what my mother meant, when she told me about the few hours she spent with my father. I now understand what she meant when she said that they loved a lifetimes worth.' I don't know what Connor meant, all I do know, is that whomever this woman is... John loves her very much." Alex finished telling the story, and stared off for a moment.
"He didn't tell you anything else?" Derek asked after a moment of silence.
"The next day, four of Connor's personal guard barged into my room and dragged me into high command. They brought me right to Connor's office, and he asked me about what we talked about the prior night. He later informed me that, any information regarding his wife, was considered beyond top secret. So naturally I had to swear upon the bones of three billion lives that I would never speak of it again, or they would tear out my tongue." Alex finished with a laugh.
"Hey... have I met you before?" Derek asked, as he listened to Alex's laugh.
"Good ear, lieutenant! The last time I saw you, I was only thirteen." Alex replied looking at Derek.
"When was this?" Derek asked trying to recall when exactly he met this guy.
"Warington fields. 2026." Alex stated with a grin.
Derek stared at him for a moment, before realization struck him. "Mercury!"
"Damn straight!" Alex replied.
"Holy shit! You grew up." Derek said with a smile, as he reached out to shake Alex's hand.
Alex stood and shook his hand firmly. "It sure is good to see you again, Lieutenant."
"I take it that means that you two know each other?" Sarah guessed as she watched the two shake hands.
"Yeah... he was one of the kid soldiers, that would often sneak onto the battlefield and cause some chaos for the machines. Alex here was one of the best, he was just a kid last time I saw him, but I'd recognize that laugh anywhere." Derek explained.
"Missed having you and Kyle around to call me names... what was it that Kyle said to Perry after we first met... I was a 'waste of strategic assets and should be thrown into the stockade'." Alex stated, with a shit eating grin.
"Well you did, lead us into an ambush." Derek commented.
"I was twelve... what the fuck were you expecting?" Alex asked.
"Yeah well... I didn't hear him complaining much after you overcharged his plasma rifle for him." Derek replied with a laugh.
"Shit... He loved that fucking thing. I don't think I've ever seen a man take the loss of his weapon so badly." Alex joked.
"Kyle... got attached... that's just how he was." Derek stated, he still held a smile, but there was obvious sadness in his voice.
The two men stood in silence, both thinking about their fallen comrade, and brother.
After a moment, John finally decided to break the silence. "So, why did they call you Mercury?"
"They called me that because, just like the planet, I spent way to much time, playing with fire. It was kinda lame, but it grew on me. That's what everyone calls me, only Connor and my mother, call me Alex." He replied with a small smile.
"We need to take a step back... … … I think we need to leave." Sarah stated, suddenly.
"Mom! We can't leave... if I'm supposed to meet up with this girl, then I need to stay where I am, otherwise I might never meet her." John started to argue.
"I'm not saying we move to another state, or even another town. I'm saying we need to find a new home. These three machines walked right up to our front door, it was that easy for them. We need to move somewhere else." Sarah explained.
"She's right. This position is not tactically sound, any longer. We should move." Cameron agreed.
"I assume you're going to be sticking close?" Sarah asked looking at Alex.
"Yes... though I've lived in shit holes my whole life. I don't need comfort. Find a place for yourselves, and I can camp out on the couch or something." Alex responded.
"Alex... you said you brought back weapons... Do you think we could borrow some?" Derek asked, eying him curiously.
"Sure... like I said, we brought enough weapons and ammo, to effectively arm over a thousand soldiers, for at least two years. We've got more then enough to spare. I'll take you to the safe house, my comrades set up, and we'll arm up." Alex replied.
"Good... a good old fashioned rifle is nice... but plasma will drop those metal bastards, with ease." Derek stated with a grin.
"John, Cameron, go online and look up new places that we can live, when you get the chance." Sarah ordered.
John nodded and glanced over at Cameron, his eyes drifted past her and he noticed the vacant seat at the end of the couch.
"Where is Riley?" John asked, glancing around the room.
"She left, while we were questioning Alex. I think she wanted to avoid a confrontation." Cameron stated.
"Why didn't you say anything?" John asked, as he stood and pulled out his phone.
"She doesn't need to be here. Luckily, she left before she overheard our plans to move." Cameron replied.
"John." Sarah stated, giving him a look.
"I know!" John replied as he stepped out of the room and began to dial Riley's number.
"So... it was my laugh that tipped you off, to who I really was?" Alex asked Derek.
"Yeah... like I said, I'd remember that laugh anywhere. What was it that Connor said to you after, Baker's field, that caused you and Kile to fall to the ground and laugh your asses off?" Derek asked with a smile.
Alex thought for a moment, before realization struck him, "That was when I single handedly turned the whole battle in our favor."
"Don't be an asshole, what did Connor say to you?" Derek asked again, keeping his smile.
"Command chimed in and asked what the hell I thought I was doing. I ignored them and shouted 'Damn, I'm good'. Then Connor chimed in over the radio... I think he said something like... 'Stop show boating you little bastard, and get back to work!'..." Alex recalled.
"...And then you turned around and shouted towards the broken remains of that AA tower, 'Go home! Let's not turn this rape into murder!', What did Connor say after that?" Derek asked recalling the event.
"He said, Sargent Reese, if Mercury doesn't stop bragging, I want you to back hand the little piss ants, teeth out." Alex stated with a grin.
"I don't think I've ever seen Kile laugh so hard." Derek stated with a smile as he shook his head.
"I know what you mean. Damn, my mother gave me an earful when I got back to base." Alex giggled.
"Connor chew you out too?" Derek asked, a wide grin on his face.
"Holy shit, did he give me an earful. I don't think I've ever seen a man, so carefully caught between anger and pride, before." Alex stated as he recalled that day.
"You and John were close, I take it?" Sarah asked, she had been listening intently to the story, it was strange to see Derek so comfortable around someone.
"... … … John Connor was the closest thing I ever had to a father. He's my mothers best friend." Alex replied with a distant look.
Sarah cocked an eyebrow, as a question crossed her mind, Alex saw the look on her face, and new immediately what she was thinking.
"This is a picture of my mother." Alex stated, as he reached into his pocket, and pulled out a photo. He offered it to Sarah, who took it and gave it a quick analysis. The woman in the photo was young, she had pale skin, with short brown hair, she looked a little like Cameron, but with slightly less defined cheek bones, and smaller eyes. "Her and John are just friends, besides, Connor only met my mother after Judgment Day, so she can't be the woman, we're looking for." Alex explained.
"How can you be sure?" Sarah asked handing him back the picture, "Maybe John made up a story about how they met." Sarah offered, as an explanation.
"Believe me... I've done my homework. Samantha Cameron, doesn't exist. Not now... I've looked, John gave my mother that name... and if they were both lying to cover something up, my mother has done nothing to prove it. She says she can't remember what it was like before the war... if she's lying, she's damn good at it, cause she's never slipped up." Alex informed them.
"Right well... that's one name to check off the list." Sarah stated dryly.
"Riley's not answering." John stated as he walked back into the room.
Sarah let out a groan, and brought her hands up to her face... this was going to be a long day.
K theirs chapter 2 hope you like it... I know it's starting slow... but I've got to establish the story.. so give it some time... ... Alex, is not main character of this story... he is simply another character, like John, Cameron, Derek, and Sarah. Anyway just thought I'd clarify... got to work on my other story... so it will be a few days before I update again... let me know what you think. Later!