Disclaimer: Own neither Firefly or TSCC.
"Tin Miss, explain."
Cameron looked up and looked directly at Sarah, her empty expression irritating the Connor family matriarch further.
"Given the fact in this timeline the human race has expanded to multiple worlds and the population has increased exponentially…"
"Stuff the math," Sarah ordered. "Why is there another you!"
Deciding Sarah was being unreasonable in not allowing a full explanation of the statistical probability involved, Cameron did the next best thing to irritate Sarah.
She shrugged.
Letting out an exasperated cry, Sarah stood and began pacing in the small hotel room the family was holed up in.
Deciding Sarah's angst would stress her John and ruin any chance Cameron would have to get her John to take her out for an evening of just the two of them, she decided to shorten her original answer.
"Probability is such that sooner or later the correct genetic sequencing would occur to create a human offspring identical to Allison. I cannot be expected to have prevented this occurrence from taking place."
"So this is just bad luck?"
"I would not call it bad luck," Cameron monotoned. "John finds me very appealing physically as do other males. I am sure my doppelganger has a similar effect on human males."
Suddenly interested in the conversation, Derrick spoke up. "Doppelganger? Is she metal?"
Cameron looked at Derrick and paused before answering. "No. Human. She possesses excellent reflexes and intuition. I would not be surprised if she has a much higher than normal IQ and the ability to anticipate far better than a normal human. I also believe her to be conversant in multiple forms of combat."
"So, I think what has Mom so freaked is the fact there could be a Skynet presence in this timeline. That we didn't out jump it."
Cameron tilted her head to the side, considering her John's question. "I have seen no indication of other Terminators in the one month, five days and twenty-one hours since we made the time jump. Of course, traveling in a spaceship as stowaways severely limited my ability to seek out information that would allow for a confirmation or denial of Skynet's existence."
Sarah's pacing continued unabated to the irritation of the males in the room.
"I'm hungry," Derrick announced.
"We aren't going to learn anything staying cooped up in this room," John complained, trying to prod Sarah into some free time.
"I need access to data sources," Cameron added, winking at John.
"Gang up on Sarah time is it?"
"Mom, we aren't ganging up," John responded. "We're tired, hungry and curious."
"If the metal behaves," Derrick chimed in, "she can recon and get basic intel we need, like how to dress, sources of information, who the local authorities are so we can avoid them."
"Yeah, well, you saw how well that plan worked," Sarah snapped back.
"I cannot be expected to not defend myself or John. Nor can I be expected to have known my human doppelganger would be present."
"Look, we'll just avoid that part of town. We have to eat. C'mon, Mom. Cameron did just fine in the fight. The other two backed off and we got out of there without anyone following us."
Surrender never came easy to Sarah. Thinking of ways to at least make a tactical retreat that would save face, she glared at the trio watching her expectantly.
"One hour. That's it. Then we head back and compare intel. We eat first. Cameron, you look for a source to link into for data. Derrick, supplies. John, you stay with me. We're going to people watch."
Sensing John's frustration level was about to overflow, the result being the argument would continue, Cameron intervened. Touching John on the back of his neck as she walked by, brushing lightly against John, Cameron smiled for just second, giving him her best puppy dog eyes.
Without a word, John simply followed Cameron to the door. She handed him her purple jacket with a smile and turned her back to him so he could help her slip into the coat. John quickly donned his own jacket and opened the door for Cameron who flashed a tiny smile again before proceeding out into the hall. Pausing to scan for threats, Cameron gave the all-clear sign and waited for John to take her hand and walk her to the lobby.
Hands on hips, Sarah fumed, speechless.
"It was your idea to bring Tin Miss when we jumped," Derrick reminded her. "If she's right, and there is no Skynet or metal, John's days as a free man are over."
"Not on my watch," Sarah growled, shooting Derrick a look meant to kill several times over.
He just laughed as he helped Sarah into her black jacket. Extending his hand towards the door, Derrick waited for Sarah to leave first before shutting and securing the door behind him.
"Since when did you side with the metal anyhow?"
Derrick shrugged. "Did you notice how smooth she was luring him out the door? Just shut that argument right down Tin Miss did."
"Don't remind me," Sarah answered tersely.
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"This stuff is not too bad," Derrick mumbled through a mouthful of food. "I could get used to this."
John smiled at Cameron. Like Derrick, the food agreed with him.
"I have ascertained the necessary ingredients," Cameron monotoned. "It will only require one or two experimental cooking sessions to produce a reasonable approximation."
"See, Mom. I was right to insist we bring Cameron."
Sarah picked at her food, forcing herself to eat.
"Possible danger," Cameron noted aloud, watching a short man wearing an old-fashioned bowler hat. Dressed in the tattered remains of a once fashionable suit and sporting several days' growth of beard, the source of Cameron's concern made his way to the bar at the back of the restaurant. Followed by two thugs whose weapons were barely concealed, she traced the trio until they seated themselves at the bar.
"You should leave," Cameron said calmly. "Take John back to the hotel. I will remain and gather intel."
Sarah eyed the trio. "Are you certain, Tin Miss?"
"We don't know enough yet to take unnecessary chances. I will be fine."
"Cameron, no. You're coming back with us," John protested.
"I'll stay with her," Derrick offered. Cameron glared at him in response. "What? You'll attract less attention sitting her by yourself if I'm with you."
"Cameron, Derrick stays," Sarah ordered. "C'mon on John."
"I can take care of myself," John protested, refusing to stand. Cameron touched his hand on the table, drawing his attention. "Please, for me John. So I can gather the intel?"
Frustrated, John stood and left quietly. Sarah stopped and paid for their meal at the entrance to the tavern and left.
Changing her seat at the booth so her line of sight was unimpeded, Cameron adjusted her auditory sensors, filtering out sounds and conversations until she could listen to the comically dressed man talk.
Derrick watched Cameron's face impassively, noting other customers as they entered or paid and departed.
"The little man is negotiating an illegal deal involving shipping contraband off world. The customer is adamant the Alliance be avoided at all costs. Evidently the Alliance is the governing body."
Responding with a nod, Derrick watched as several young women entered, laughing. Smiling at them, he openly leered at the women, clad in what went for revealing clothing for the locals.
"I wouldn't let Sarah see you do that," Cameron monotoned. "Sarah's not here," Derrick answered, quickly glaring at Cameron. "I can't live on edge all the time any more. Neither can John. Truth be told, neither can Sarah. So what if I look? You didn't see me go chat them up did you?"
"Sarah would still be displeased."
"And why would that be," a frustrated Derrick responded, leaning back to create space between himself and Cameron.
"Answer that question for yourself," Cameron responded, her attention focused elsewhere. "Contact approaching."
"Well, well, and just when I thought I knew all the pretty birds who frequented this establishment," the bowler clad man pronounced in a faux cockney accent.
"I have a boyfriend," Cameron announced, scowling at the man.
"Now, now, no need to be presumptuous. Is this the lucky gent?"
Derrick laughed out loud, causing the short man to scowl.
"No. He is not the lucky gent." Cameron directed a harsh gaze at Derrick. "I have much better taste in men."
It was the short man's turn to laugh while Derrick frowned.
"Well, allow me to introduce myself. Name's Badger. Local entrepreneur. If you have any business deals that need tendin' too, I'm the man to help arrange matters."
"Thank you, Mr. Badger," Cameron monotoned as she stood. Derrick followed suit in silence and followed Cameron as she quickly made her way out of the tavern.
"Oh, I like that one," Badger chuckled. "Reminds me of that little hellcat Captain Reynolds has for a pilot now, that one does."
Reviews are great and appreciated.
If you like TSCC you might want to read some of my other stories. To name a few:
Cameron grows up.
The Future Cameron.
Cameron's Revenge
Cameron versus the Queen
Cameron's Expedition