AUGUST 29TH 2007, 1:20 A.M. SOMEWHERE IN L.A.
"Hey Stefan, how was your work today?" Brendon asked while getting out of his load truck.
"Don't ask me, Brendon. Today was one hell of a day. I think the boss is screwing with me on purpose. Bastard." Stefan mumbled under his breath. Both men looked like they are in their mid-forties, with dark hair.
"Why is that? I think the boss is a good man." Brendon asked curiously.
Stefan snorted. "Good man? You need to open your eyes, you are just too trusting. Look around in his factory man. Do you know how he treats the labours in his factory? He forces them to work almost 24/7 with negligible pay. But most of all look at me, I haven't got my last month's salary yet and he is forcing me to do overtime."
"Force you to work? Man, how can an employer force you to work? If you don't like your job you can simply quit." Brendon looked confused.
"It is not so simple man. For how many days you are working here?" Stefan then asked.
"Less than a month." Brendon answered.
"Figures. You don't know anything what trouble we all put ourselves into."
"Trouble? What trouble? Man you are talking nonsense." Brendon argued.
Stefan signalled Brendon to stop talking. "Listen to me my friend. It may not be late for you. So, I would suggest you to quit your job tomorrow. Go work somewhere else." He tried reasoning.
"You are asking me to quit my job? Why would I do that? And if I find anything unsatisfying, I will quit then." Brendon said.
"No, you can't. If you want an out they will just remove your existence." Stefan revealed.
Brendon's eyes widened in shock. "W-what do you mean?"
"Do you care for your family? Do you want to live with them? Then do as I say. You won't have a chance later, my friend. If you are involved then you can't quit your job. No one can. Why do you think I'm still here? Because if I leave, my family will be dead along with me." Stefan explained.
"What are you saying? Our employer is a murderer or a terrorist of some kind?" Brendon persisted.
"I don't know man. I only saw our boss once. He wasn't like this back then. He was well mannered, treated his workers well." Stefan explained simply. "Everyone was happy, he made a good reputation. That's why there are so many workers in there. But since those two men arrived last year, everything has changed. We rarely saw the boss. It's just those two men. They are running that place."
"You mean those two large guys?"
"Yes. I don't know who they are or from where they came from, what they want. We know nothing, but everyone fears them because they carry death with them. It has gotten more than worse for the last two days man. It is all because of that young woman or should I say a girl." Stefan frowned.
"You mean that brunette girl?" Brendon asked fearfully.
"Yes." Stefan clarified.
"I thought she was our boss's daughter."
"No. I know his daughter, she is a good young woman. She and my son used to study together in high school. But I have no idea who this young brunette is. She is even scarier than the two hulking guys and they listen to her only."
"What about the police? You should take help of the police." Brendon strongly suggested.
"Neither the police nor the FBI can do anything. There's gossip among the workers that someone may have complained to the police once and they came to investigate. But one of those hulking guys killed them in the blink of an eye."
"And there were no further investigations? How is that even possible?"
"Everything is possible if you are well connected and have money. The factory is not the only source of income for our boss. I have heard he has several other sources and he is connected even with the top politicians, police and even the FBI. It was no big deal to close the case."
"It seems we are in shit load of trouble. But how do you know all this?"
"Have you ever checked what we transport in our trucks?"
"No. I never thought I should. It is my job to carry them to the factory. Not check them." Brendon replied.
Stefan sighed. "Like I said, you are too trusting man. You should check what you are transporting every day."
"Am I carrying drugs?" Brendon asked.
"No. Something far worse than that. You, I and others are carrying advanced weaponry and an unknown metal. I have never seen anything like it. It almost looks like iron but it is like two times tougher than it."
"What!? Weapons? I am transporting illegal weapons every day?"
"Not every day. But at least twice a week."
"How are these not caught by the police?"
"Like I said, our boss is very well connected. He has the police, FBI and other politicians in the palm of his hand."
Brendon looked panicked. "What have I gotten myself into?" He murmured to himself.
"There's still time for you. Maybe you can get away from all this." Stefan said.
"I….." Brendon couldn't finish his sentence because he was interrupted by sounds of electricity. Both of them saw a spark behind their truck.
"What was that?" Stefan asked.
"Let's check it out." Brendon suggested. Stefan nodded in agreement. Both of the two men carefully moved towards the area where they saw the sparks. It was past midnight and this particular area has almost no light. Luckily, they both had flashlights in their pocket. They switched on the flashlights and began to search for the source of the disturbance. They didn't find the source but they found something else. Something that they never expected to see. It was a girl lying on the ground on her stomach, fully naked. She wasn't even moving.
"Brendon look at that."
"Is she alive?"
"Hey are you okay?" Stefan asked, shining the light away from the girl. He was no pervert and wasn't interested in what most guys were. If anything, he was concerned for the girl. The girl groaned and moved a little. But just a little. It was enough for them to know that she is still alive.
"Brendon get the sheet from my truck. It will be enough to cover her."
Brendon ran away at once and grabbed the large sheet from the truck and returned a moment later. He gave the sheet to Stefan and he draped it carefully over the girl's body.
"Hey, are you alright?" Stefan asked softly.
"Stefan look." Brendon pointed at the right side of the girl's waist. Stefan shifted his position and saw what Brendon was pointing at. There's a horrific wound on the girl's body where Brendon was pointing at.
"She needs medical attention now." Stefan exclaimed in worry.
"Where will you take her? If you take her to a hospital now, they will just ask too many questions and you may get into trouble with the police. Who knows who this girl is? She can easily get us into trouble." Brendon pointed out. There was a possibility that this girl was a criminal or something.
"Brendon, is this really the time to think about all this stuff? She is dying and needs our help. If you don't want to go, then don't. But I will make sure that she gets the right treatment!" Stefan snapped angrily.
"Stefan, think before you act." Brendon strongly suggested.
Stefan thought about it for a moment. Brendon may be right, so he decided what he will do. He will take the girl to his home. His wife is a nurse, and can help this girl. Stefan carefully wrapped the sheet around the girl's body and picked her up in his arms. She looked only about 5'6" and a slim body. So Stefan had no problem carrying her into his car which was beside his truck. He carefully laid her down on the back seat. He looked at the girl's face now. She looked no older than seventeen at most and was quite beautiful. But there were several cuts on her face and her bare shoulders. It looked like she went through hell.
Something bad must have happened to her. That poor soul. Stefan thought. He saw Brendon staring at him. "Where are you taking her?" Brendon asked.
"I am taking her to my home. My wife is a nurse. She can help her." Stefan explained and got into his car. Brendon nodded and was leaving but Stefan called him back. "And Brendon, please don't mention this to anybody. Not even to your family." He requested. Brendon nodded. Stefan drove away and Brendon saw his car disappearing into the darkness.
Brendon looked around his surroundings. There was no one around at that time in the streets, and it was almost one in the morning. Then something strange happened. If any normal person would have witnessed this, they would have either gone crazy or would've thought that they are just dreaming. Brendon's body began to shimmer. His height shrunk, his body mass lessened and every other parts of his body changed. Now, instead of Brendon there stood a woman with red hair. She was dressed in an expensive white business suit. She looked around again before disappearing into the darkness of the midnight streets.
Connor Residence: (Next Morning)
9:00 A.M.
John came downstairs to find Cameron, his mother and Derek were sitting around the table, discussing something important. Sarah and Derek were discussing something about a Kaliba factory, while Cameron just sat idly observing them.
"What about the Kaliba factory?" John asked.
"We are not sure whether it is a Kaliba factory or not. But it is worth checking out. I suspect they are supplying Coltan from their factory." Derek repeated what he just explained to Cameron and Sarah.
"Supplying where?" John asked.
"I don't know. I tried to detect it by placing a tracker on one of the supply transports, but the tracker didn't work. There was something that disabled it. I suspect there's something big going on there." Derek explained.
John put down his bag. "Okay. So when are we leaving?"
"You are going to school, John. It's too dangerous. But we will be taking Tin Miss with us." Sarah informed.
John's face turned red in anger. "Will it always be like this? While you are putting yourselves in danger and I'm going to attend school. How much more pathetic can that be? Some leader I'm going to be one day. Huh?"
"John, Sarah is right. It-" Derek tried to say but was cut off in mid-sentence by John.
"I don't want to hear it Derek. It has always been like this. You people risk your lives for me while I sit around in a corner hiding from everything. I….." John was about to say more but a soft touch on his shoulder stopped him. Cameron had got up from her chair and stopped him from saying anything which he will regret later.
"It is too dangerous for you, John. Besides, we are only going to scout the factory. If we want to take any further actions in the future then we will take you with us." Cameron explained to him.
John sighed. He knew Cameron was right. "Promise?"
"Promise." She replied with the tiniest of a smile.
"I guess then I'm going to school to take my English class." John frowned.
"Yes. Math and Biology too." Cameron added.
"What about you? What excuse will you have now for missing out a day?" John asked.
"I am sick. I have fever." Cameron stated simply.
John rolled his eyes. "How many times do you get fever? That will be weird."
"Yes. I am a freak." Cameron answered.
"Shut up! You are not." John playfully argued.
"Hey, aren't you getting late John?" Derek reminded him angrily. It disgusted him how John always talks with the machine like it is actually a person.
"Oh! Yeah. Umm. I am just going okay?" John said while getting into his truck.
Derek got inside the house, but Cameron went near the truck. "I will not be there, John. Be careful from Riley." Cameron warned him. "Don't do something stupid."
"Geez. Cam. It's okay. Riley won't shoot me? Will she?" John asked.
"There's a 0.01% probability of Riley shooting you." Cameron said with a blank face.
"See? But I will be careful anyway." John assured her with a smile.
"I don't know. Jesse Flores may be there. She will not shoot you but she is still a threat." Cameron explained.
"All right, Cam. I will try to stay out of trouble."
"Promise?"
"Promise." John reassured Cameron and drove his truck away from the house towards his school.
Unknown to both John and Cameron, Derek and Sarah were watching them intently from inside the house. "You see, Sarah? It is manipulating him with her looks and fake emotions. The machine needs to go. If we don't do something now, we will regret it later." Derek grumbled.
"Enough!" Sarah stopped Derek from being paranoid. She also hates machines as much as he did, but Derek is like in a personal war with Cameron. "Why do you hate her so much, Derek?"
"Her?" Derek snorted. "It. Sarah. It." Derek's words reminded Sarah of her own words she said to John in that garage when John stopped her from destroying the CPU of his T-800 protector. Sarah wanted to get rid of the machine, thinking that they will do better alone. But John insisted that they needed the terminator. And he was right. Without the T-800 they would've never survived and the terminator's loyalty to John was unquestionable. Just like Cameron, if she forget about the day, when Cameron tried to kill John.
"You know Derek, I used to think just like you once. Back in 1997 when Skynet sent a T-1000 after John, a T-800 protected us. I thought that we will fare better without the machine. But John told me to trust his decision regarding the T-800. And you know what? He was right. You don't have to trust her Derek. But trust John to make the right decision like I trust him."
"Alright. But I don't trust it." Derek mumbled.
Later: At School
John went to school like he was told by his mom. He was still mad that they never let him help in anyway whatsoever. How was he going to be John Connor; the savior of mankind, if he is to always stay behind? There's another reason behind his reluctance to come to school. He is actually feeling alone without her by his side. He is so used to her presence now, now it feels alone without her. She is the only true friend he ever had. But there was no use arguing, and besides, he had his own mission right now: Expose Riley Dawson.
As soon as John waltzed right into the classroom, there she was, ready to greet him and invade his personal space. "Hey John!"
Oh boy. "Hi Riley. Did you finish last day's assignment on English?" John asked.
Not to his surprise, Riley pulled out a fully written essay and handed it to John. She's just doing this to get close to me again, John thought.
John spent the beginning of the class, copying the answers down on a sheet of paper until the bell rang, signaling the start of the class. Not a minute later, Mr. Trivio entered the classroom."Morning class," Mr. Trivio greeted as he entered. He was an alright teacher if you didn't get on his bad side or if you always turned in your assignments in on time. He went through the students attendance sheet as usual. He only stopped at Cameron's name when he detected her absence.
"Where is your sister Mr. Baum?" He enquired John.
"She has high fever and a massive headache. She went to see the doctor with mom." John lied easily. Riley snorted at John's answer. John noticed it. She didn't believe me. She knew I lied. But how? Most probably because she knew who Cameron is. John thought. But his lie was good enough to convince his teacher. Mr. Trivio nodded and closed the attendance register.
"Pass up your papers to the front and then, open your textbook to page one forty six." The teacher ordered in a simple manner.
The students did what they were told and passed their assignments to the front row, where Mr. Trivio picked the papers up and studied them.
"Miss Dawson, Mr. Baum. May I speak to you two for a moment." The teacher motioned at the door. The two hesitantly got up from their seats and followed Mr. Trivio out of the classroom, and into the hall. "Do you two think I'm stupid?" He then snapped. "I mean your papers are exactly the same!"
"We both worked on the assignment together." Riley convincingly lied, but Mr, Trivio didn't believe one word.
"Miss Dawson, this was an independent assignment! There are no partners!" The teacher snapped again, angrily.
"It was me, Mr. Trivio." John spoke up. "I pressured her into letting me copy down her paper."
"What are you saying Mr. Baum?" Mr. Trivio crossed his arms.
"I mean it wasn't her fault. I didn't do the homework, but she did, and I asked her to let me copy it down." John explained.
"But she did let you copy so therefore it is still on both of you." Trivio pointed out their mistake. "You both fail the assignment."
"But-" Riley was about to argue until Trivio cuts her off.
"No buts Miss Dawson!" Mr. Trivio spoke sternly with no room for arguments. "My word is final." The two looked at the ground sadly and stormed back into class with the teacher following closely behind. John and Riley took their seats, still bummed that they had both failed the assignment. As Mr. Trivio was about to close the door, the door flung open, sending Trivio onto the floor near his desk. A man wearing a back ski mask made his way into the classroom with an assault rifle in hand and fired off several rounds into Trivio. He was dead instantly.
The kids, including Riley and John jumped out if their desks, and hid behind them, fearing for their lives. Several students screamed seeing murder before their eyes. The man aimed his rifle at the teenagers, but didn't fire. "Stay down!" He barked at the kids inside the classroom. "Anybody tries to be the hero will be shot!"
After what seemed like forever, two more men, wearing similar clothing, entered the classroom. "Everyone else is secure sir." One of the other men informed.
"Good, subdue these kids and get Jerry to get rid of this body. It's starting to smell like shit. And get rid of their cell phones. No exceptions." The man ordered. By the looks of his posture and the way he ordered the other one around, he must be the leader, John concluded. The man nodded and ordered the kids, including John and Riley, to all back up against the wall. The leader had exited the room with one of the men, only leaving the other man to frisk and take anything that could be used as a weapon from the students including their cell phones.
"John, I'm scared." Riley admitted as she watched the man holding the rifle watching them like a hawk.
"Don't worry," John reassured. He was trying to keep a calm and collected attitude towards the whole situation. "Help will be on the way."
"Shut up kid!" The man snapped and took aim at John. This didn't affect John whatsoever as he just glared daggers at the man. John looked around the room, studying it further for any escape points that he could access. There were only the windows on the far left side of the room, and the desks were blocking the way. Unless John could disarm this man, he was going to remain hostage with his fellow classmates.
Kaliba Warehouse: (Unknown Location)
"I see five men inside. Three armed. Two unarmed." Sarah whispered. She was watching the inside of the warehouse through a ventilation shaft.
"Any metal?" Derek asked while loading a fresh clip into his assault rifle.
"They don't look metal." Sarah informed.
"Then this won't take much time." Derek muttered and began to load a fresh clip into his Beretta handgun.
Sarah and Derek were ready to get inside the warehouse and burn it down to ashes. "Wait!" Cameron stopped them.
"What?" Derek snapped angrily.
"T triple eight." Cameron pointed out. True to her word, there was a man standing at the dark corner of the warehouse, still as a statue. But he was barely visible from outside. If it wasn't for Cameron's enhanced vision, Sarah and Derek would've never noticed the machine and would have most likely perished them in the battle.
"I don't see shit." Derek admitted. It was too dark and he didn't have a great view as Cameron.
"I see it." Said Sarah, pointing at the dark corner where only a pair of unmoving feet could be seen.
"Okay, so what do we do now?" Derek asked.
"We go in. Tin Miss will take care of the metal, and we will take care of the others." Sarah commanded in a whisper.
"You are the boss." Derek nodded and double checked his rifle.
The gunmen inside the warehouse weren't aware of the people who are about to attack them. Sarah, Derek and Cameron took them by surprise. But they seem to be trained in combat and weren't easy to takedown. Cameron went for the triple eight which was rebooting. Cameron thought that she had the advantage, but she was wrong. There was an electrified trap on the floor which she didn't notice. The high current forced her to reboot her system and her body went flying backwards. It would take one hundred and twenty Seconds for her system to fully reboot.
Sarah and Derek killed one of the gunmen already, and two of the unarmed men ran away in fear. But they were having difficulty in taking down the other two. "Derek keep them busy. I will blast them with grenade launcher." Sarah suggested. Derek nodded and started concentrating fire onto the enemy. "Where's Cameron?" Sarah whispered to herself while frantically looking around. Suddenly she spotted her, lying on the ground unmoving, and the triple eight approaching her with a switchblade in its hand. Sarah had only one grenade and a choice to make. She could either blast those gunmen to hell or help Cameron.
Sarah made decision in a split second, and whirled around, taking aim, and firing the grenade projectile from her rifle.
"Sarah what are you…?" Derek trailed off.
But Sarah's aim was accurate. The grenade hit the machine right at the middle of its chest and was thrown back against the solid steel wall of the warehouse. It was enough time for Cameron to reboot her system. She was on her feet within seconds and grabbed a long steel pole. She smashed the machine in the head several times. It took the hits but the damage wasn't enough to stop it. It grabbed the pole and kicked Cameron away. Cameron crashed against a pile of crates but got up quickly. The terminator tried to smash her head with the pole but Cameron blocked the hit with her left hand and punched the terminator, then kicked it in the chest. The machine fell down on the ground.
Cameron looked around and spotted what she was looking for on the ground. Her Remington shotgun, fully loaded with thermite rounds. She went to get it but the triple eight caught her foot and tripped her on the ground. The terminator had also spotted the shotgun. After it tripped Cameron on the ground it went straight for the shotgun. Sarah saw it. She fired several round at the machine's face, forcing it to stagger back. Cameron took the opportunity and hit its legs from behind. Then she smashed its face with the steel pole. She quickly got up and picked up her shotgun. The machine got up too but it was too late because Cameron had already fired two shots at its face destroying part of its skull. The machine fell down on its knees. Cameron fired again. This time a large chunk of metal went separated from its face. Now the circuits inside the skull of the terminator was visible. Cameron never wasted a second. She fired several more and completely destroyed its face. The machine went offline and fell down on the ground.
Cameron switched her attention to Sarah and Derek. Sarah didn't notice but one of the gunmen has flanked them. Cameron knew her shotgun is useless because the gunman is far away from the shotgun's range. So she did what she had to. The gunman fired at Sarah but in the last second Cameron got in the way. She covered Sarah's body with her own, taking several rounds on her back. Sarah whirled around and finished off the gunman instantly. Now there was only one left. Cameron jumped forward and grabbed the man. He tried to shoot her but she simply pushed the weapon away from his hand. Derek pulled out his Beretta and simply shot the man point blank in the head.
He was dead. All threats were neutralized.
"These men were trained for combat. And they knew about Tin Miss. That's why the trap. Who are these people?" Sarah said.
"Kaliba?"
"They don't know about her, Derek. There is someone else." Sarah answered.
"Sarah is right. They don't know about me." Cameron supported Sarah.
Derek nodded. Sarah was looking at Cameron who had an usual blank expression on her face but Sarah was well aware of what Cameron did. Cameron just saved her life. But why? It isn't her mission to protect Sarah. The T-800 protected Sarah back then only because John had requested it to do so and it was programmed to follow John's order. But what about Cameron? Now Sarah had to admit to herself that she is now seeing glimpses of what John always see in Cameron - Humanity.
"What now?" Derek inquired, holstering his weapon.
That got Sarah's attention. She will talk with Cameron about this later. "Now we burn down this place to ashes." Sarah said and began placing explosives around the warehouse. Cameron and Derek assisted her. After ten minutes the warehouse was burning and they were driving back to their home.
•••
BACK AT SCHOOL
John had been sitting in the same spot for almost an hour already. He observed as the leader had re-entered the room and conversed with the guard for a brief moment before walking back out. John had overheard their conversation and knew their plan. They had every classroom locked down like the one he was in. There must have to be over a dozen of these men if they can control a school of this size. Their plan was to take the students as hostages, and make demands to the police force.
By the looks of them, these men are well equipped for something like this. John observed their outfits and saw something similar to the riot gear that the swat team would use in domestic situations. They had several smoke grenades on their belts and several magazines for their assault rifles. If a battle were to ensure against the police and these men, they would be well prepared to take them on. There would be casualties on both sides and possibly themselves if they weren't careful.
"I can't believe they killed Mr. Trivio!" One of the students whispered to one of their nearby friends. They were scared, none of them had never been a situation remotely close to this one. They hadn't gone through what John had. Always being shot at, and being chased by things that want to end your life.
When the men were busy barricading the windows with desks, John had managed to grab of the mechanical pencils that had fallen onto the ground and hide it in his jacket sleeve. He was surprised that he wasn't caught with it when one of the men had frisked him. John wasn't exactly sure how he was going to use the pencil as a weapon. Even though these men weren't machines, they were still stronger than him. Even one mistake could alter the turn of events and he would end up like his english teacher.
John continued to study his surroundings and the men as the leader would occasionally enter the room to check on everything.
"This is the Los Angeles police department!" A voice shouted from the outside. "You're surrounded! Either come out peacefully, or we will use brute force!"
"We have hostages! If you even step one foot in this building, we will blow this place apart. We have explosives rigged in every square inch of this place!" The leader shouted back at the police. His voice was faint, considering he was in another classroom, but John could understand him nonetheless.
That confused John even more. He didn't see one set of explosives that were set. They weren't set in this classroom, but it was possible that they were set in the rest. John couldn't take a chance by informing the police that there aren't any bombs in the building because honestly, he didn't know for sure. John needed to be sure before he could help. Even then, the men wouldn't hesitate to threaten them by killing hostages. By killing students.
One thing was for sure: If they were Kaliba or working for Skynet, they would have recognized him by now. They were someone who aren't connected to the end of the world at all. They were just a group of men that wanted the government to give them what they desire, and hurt people in the process.
CONNOR RESIDENCE
Sarah entered their safehouse followed by Derek and Cameron. She was so exhausted that she fell down on the sofa and closed her eyes. Derek went to get beer from the fridge in the kitchen, and Cameron stalked upstairs in search of John. A few minutes passed by silently until Cameron came stomping back downstairs, with a worried expression on her face.
"John is not home." Cameron announced worryingly as she frantically looked around.
Sarah's eyes flew open, all hints of weariness disappeared instantly. "What?!"
"Sarah look." Derek pointed at the television. Apparently he had switched on the TV, switching between channels when he came across the news. On the news it was showing that the students and staffs of John's schools are kept hostage inside by terrorists. They are demanding 50 million dollars and release of their leader from prison who is waiting for trial because of murdering over 50 people a month ago.
"John is in there. We…" Sarah wanted to say something to Cameron but she was not even there. Sarah saw the front door is open. She quickly went there and spotted Cameron getting in the truck. There it was again. Cameron's protective side for John. A machine will work systematically but so far what Sarah saw, Cameron reacted out of….. emotions? She cannot deny it. It is there. This is more than Cameron's mission. She showed dedication, devotion and even if she dare to think about it….. this is Cameron's way of caring for John, more accurately loving John. No machine react the way Cameron reacted. At that moment Sarah realized two thing: First, Cameron is indeed different and secondly, John was right about Cameron.
But Cameron was already leaving. "Cameron, wait." Sarah stopped. Cameron? When did I start calling her Cameron and not Tin Miss? Sarah thought. Sarah got her weapons and entered the car beside Cameron.
"Let's go." Sarah commanded. Cameron gave a nod and put the truck into gear.
"Don't you dare leave without me!" Derek shouted from behind.
"Not a chance. Get inside quickly." Sarah smirked. Derek opened the passenger door and hopped inside the back. Cameron grabbed the steering wheel and started the engine. Sarah could swear that she saw Cameron's eyes flashed blue just for a second. What was that about?
With that Cameron sped off, out of the driveway, on a rescue mission.
Back at School: 6:00 P.M.
John sat in a corner with other students in a classroom, where they were kept as hostage. The police have to fulfill the demands of the terrorists within three hours or all the hostages will die. John knew the terrorists weren't bluffing. The way they killed Mr. Trivio in cold blood, their hands won't shake to kill all the students and staffs. But he must get out from here and help to rescue the others. The question is how? They are being constantly watched by one of the terrorists. John knew if he try something stupid, he will be dead for sure. Still he can't just sit here and do nothing. He needs a plan.
Suddenly an idea struck him in the head. Isn't there a small window opened in the bathroom in the next corridor? He have to get there somehow.
"Hey, I need to pee." John informed the terrorist. The terrorist called his partner over the comm who guided John to the bathroom. John closed the door behind and checked window. To his luck it was open but John couldn't reach it. It was at much higher ground. He needed leverage or something to climb upon. But there was nothing like that. He exited the bathroom and the terrorist guided him back to the classroom. John kept his eyes open on his way back to the classroom. He noticed there weren't any terrorists roaming the corridors. All are probably busy guarding the school against police and keeping the students and staffs as hostages.
John took his place on the floor. There isn't anything he can do. If the students are to escape, they need to get to the bathroom and for that he had to get rid of the terrorist who's guarding them now. John leaned his head back against the wall. He wished that Cameron was here now, with him. He was watching the terrorist unmindfully but suddenly he noticed something. The terrorist kept on glancing towards Riley occasionally. John closed his eyes but kept them open slightly. John kept on watching the terrorist. He seemed young and new in this terrorist business. It figured because he got the simplest job among all: Guard a few students. Now he spotted the terrorist openly ogling Riley. At that moment he got a plan. He felt bad about what he is going to do, but there's no other way. John opened his eyes and the terrorist turned, obviously not to let him know that he is getting distracted.
The bastard is lusting after Riley. John thought. He felt disgusted, not jealous.
He leaned towards Riley's ear. "Riley, do exactly what I will tell you to do. Don't ask questions." John whispered.
"Okay. What do you want me to do John?" Riley asked with doubt and fear.
"Open the top two buttons of your shirt when I signal you." John said but he felt bad too.
"What?! What are you saying?" Riley asked angrily.
"Trust me, Riley. We are going to get out of here." John assured her.
John then changed his place and got among the students who were brave and strong enough to follow him. "Look I got a plan." John whispered. He then shared a glance towards the terrorist who wasn't paying any attention to what they were talking.
"Plan? We can escape?" Jason asked.
"Yes." John whispered.
"What do you have in mind?" Jason asked. John whispered his plan to him and three others.
A moment later John signaled Riley to open her shirt button. Riley seemed hesitant but she did it anyway. Sure enough the terrorist spotted Riley's exposed chest and he was getting hard time to control himself. He slowly begin to step towards Riley, his gaze fixed on her cleavage. Riley backed against the wall fearfully. The terrorist extended his hand to touch her but at that precise moment John stabbed the terrorist in his eye with the pencil he stole earlier. The terrorist couldn't even scream, because Jason and a few others has lunged at him from behind right at the moment John stabbed him. They grabbed his face from behind. He was struggling but someone Riley got up, grabbed a wooden stick and smashed it on his head, rendering him unconscious.
John gave her a thumbs up and urged her to close her shirt buttons. "I am sorry but there was no other way." He apologised.
"It's okay John." Riley gave him an almost forced smile.
"Baum you are a genius." A few students whispered together.
"So what's next?" Jason intervened.
"We need to get to the bathroom in the next corridor. We can escape through it." John said.
"What about him?" Riley asked indicating the terrorist.
"And what if someone come back to check on us?" A girl asked whom John didn't recognize.
"We have to take the risk." John sternly whispered. If they stayed here, they would surely die.
"Baum is right. We are wasting time here." Jason agreed.
John and Jason took the lead through the corridor to the bathroom. But suddenly the whole Corridor went dark. It was pitch black inside the school corridor. John wasn't sure whether his plan is going to work or not but darkness is their best friend now. If anyone sees them they will be all dead and it will be all because of him. He has a responsibility now. To lead. He got a taste of what is coming for him in the future. He have to do this all the time.
The weight of the world was on his shoulder now the fate of these students also depends on him.
Where are you Cam? I need you. He thought desperately.
"We go inside two at a time." John said. Jason and the others nodded. According to John's plan, the students got inside two at a time. They reached the opened high window with each other's help. John's plan was working perfectly. Now, only Jason, Riley, John and another student left. Jason shook John's hands. "You did well, Baum."
"You too Jason." John said.
"Will see you outside." Jason said.
"Just a request Jason. Don't talk to anyone about me." John said.
"Why?" Jason said. "You should be appreciated for what you have done."
"I don't want any publicity, Jason. Please." John requested.
"Alright. Done." Jason thumbs up at John. Then he and his friend climbed up to the window and easily got outside.
Now only John and Riley were left. "Alright Riley, I will help you to climb up. Then you get me up there." John suggested.
"Okay." Riley said.
John helped her up then Riley was about to lend him a hand, but suddenly the door burst open and a terrorist entered with an assault rifle with a flashlight mod attached to it. It was the leader. "Get down here!" He ordered, pointing his gun at John and Riley. "Or I will shred your bodies with automatic fire."
Riley got down as she was told and stood beside John. "Where are the others?" The terrorist asked but John and Riley remained silent. "I won't ask again. Where are they?"
"They are gone." John said. He tried to remain calm but inside he was terrified.
"What?! Who helped them escape?!" The terrorist yelled in anger and shoved John back against the wall. "It was you, wasn't it? You are trying to be a hero kid?" John didn't say anything. He simply glared back, not backing off.
The terrorist's answer was a blow to John's stomach with the butt of his rifle. John fell down on his knees grabbing his stomach. Then the terrorist kicked John in his face. John's face split open, and blood begin to run freely. John fell on the ground helplessly. There was nothing he could do. Riley didn't say anything at all. She stood in a corner, petrified. The terrorist did a number on John who is now shaking on the ground in pain. "Your time is over, kid." He said and pointed his gun right at John's head.
John closed his eyes for the inevitable. He is going to die and there's nothing he can do about it. He wanted to see his mother, Derek and most of all her for the last time. But he knew his wish won't be fulfilled.
The terrorist was about to pull the trigger but just before he could do it someone grabbed him by his collar and smashed him against the wall. The terrorist had no idea what happened. He could only see a pair of glowing blue eyes staring at him with anger and hate in the darkness.
Outside The School: A Few Minutes Earlier
Derek's black dodge ram came to a sudden halt right in front of the school. The whole building was surrounded by police vehicles and SWAT vans, with barriers surrounding each exit point. Getting in was going to be tricky. Cameron was the first to exit the vehicle, with Sarah and Derek following close behind. Sarah and Derek left their heavy weaponry in the truck after seeing all the police officers guarding the place. It took a lot of convincing by Sarah and Derek to get Cameron to leave her weapons that couldn't easily be concealed. They weren't getting inside the usual way anyway.
"So what's the plan?" Derek asked as he observed the whole school.
"Save John." Cameron simply stated, stalking towards the front entrance. She is stopped when Sarah grabbed her by the wrist, telling her silently to wait.
"Think about this tin head, you go in there acting like a machine, you won't just compromise our shot in getting in, but what you really are as well." Derek explained to Cameron as simply as possible. "We need another way in."
"Is there a basement located under the school or a sewer that we can access?" Sarah asked Cameron.
Cameron responded by shaking her head. "No. This part of the city doesn't have any underground access tunnels except the subway systems a few blocks from here." Cameron answered. Derek and Sarah sighed hopelessly. So far they have no way of getting to John, that didn't involve arousing suspicion or chaos.
"Derek, what about you? Do you have a plan on how we can get in?" Sarah asked the soldier, hoping that maybe he had a plan in mind.
"Actually I think I do." Derek smiled mischievously as his gaze met a large breaker box in the alley, near the building in front of the school. Sarah followed his gaze and immediately understood Derek's plan. "Okay, Sarah I'm gonna need some help disabling the generator." Derek ordered Sarah to follow him. "Alright metal, when the lights go out, that's your cue to enter the building, find John and get the hell out of there!" Derek then informed Cameron. He honestly liked the idea of bossing the machine around.
Cameron nodded and stalked away from the two, and got into position near the window. Derek pried open the generators protective cover with a lead pipe with Sarah cutting the wires with a small pocket knife.
Suddenly, the lights went out. In an instant, the whole street was engulfed in complete darkness, and the people around the area started going crazy. The police had to take away their attention from the school, and calm down the worried and panicking families.
That was Cameron's cue to enter the school and find John. She couldn't let anything happen to him. She wouldn't let anything happen to him. Cameron broke the window with her bare fists. The glass shattered easily and she stepped inside. The hallway was dark. No one could see anything with the naked eye. No one except a cyborg with enhanced vision.
Cameron walked down the dark corridor, scanning each of the heat signatures of the habitants in each room as she passed. None matched John's. She had to keep searching. "Get down here!" A faint voice shouted from across the school. Cameron's head jolted towards the sound as it caught her attention. She broke out into a full sprint, down the hallway in pursuit of the source of the sound. She kept running as she heard the shouting become more and more audible.
She reared the corner where she saw an opened bathroom door. Cameron entered inside only to find John lying on the ground, with a large man standing above him, with his assault rifle pointed at him. Riley was also there cowering at a corner, but Cameron wasn't bothered about her. This man was about to kill John. Her John. And John was hurt. This man has hurt her John. He will pay for that. Cameron's fists balled up tightly as a she felt a surge of… anger? That was an entirely new feeling that she experienced. She felt sadness, even jealousy before. But anger? This is new to her but she had no time to analyze it because John's life is in danger.
Cameron walked up to the man, grabbed him by the shirt collar and smashed up against the wall. Her eyes glowed, as rage had filled her CPU. Cameron tossed the man through the doorway, with him landing on his back. The leader never saw anything like this before. All he could see was a pair of blue glowing eyes approaching him. He almost wetted his pant. It was like seeing a horror movie. The man grabbed his handgun from his thigh holster and started firing aimlessly at Cameron.
The only thing that the leader could see was sparks ricochet off of Cameron's face, with the sparks illuminating from her face for a brief moment. "W-what are you!?" The leader snarled in frustration and fear. He felt like she was just toying around with him.
"I'm your worst nightmare." Cameron stoically responded as she grabbed the man by the throat. She hoisted him up into the air, and stared at the man who was about to mindlessly execute John. Before Cameron could make the final blow that would end the man's life, light shone behind the man. Cameron didn't need to look to know that there were more of them. She already knew by the heat signatures that there were over a dozen armed men. They had flashlight mods attached to their rifles so the darkness wasn't going to work this time.
"Drop him now!" One man barked at Cameron. "Now!" He repeated. He was surprised that a teenage girl had their leader lifted in mid air with just one hand. She showed zero signs of dropping their leader, so that left them with no choice. Everyone rose their rifles, taking aim at Cameron and concentrated fire onto her position. She moved the leaders body so that it was absorbed the bullets. Cameron whirled around, and chucked the now lifeless body at the other men. With two of them falling over like bowling pins.
Cameron bolted at the remaining men with incredible speeds, with their flashlights searching for her. Cameron slaughtered each one of the men gruesomely. Soon every single man was dead. Nothing but lifeless corpses littered the school hallways. One of the men's flashlights illuminated the scene perfectly, with Cameron surrounded by the bodies. The skin on her face was torn up slightly, with metal slightly being seen underneath. Her chest was also riddled with bullet holes as blood stained her shirt.
After it went silent, John hesitantly got up off the floor. His body was still aching badly from being hit in the gut with the butt of the rifle and also the kick in the face.. Riley was still huddled up in the corner, fearful of what was happening but he didn't pay much attention to her. He exited the bathroom, finding Cameron standing in the middle of a pile of bodies.
At that moment, Cameron just stood there and take a look what she had done. She didn't act like a machine would do. She just slaughtered these men out of anger. It was only because they had tried to kill John. She acted emotionally. "Cameron…." She heard someone calling her name from behind and it just wasn't anyone's voice. It was John's voice. He is okay. Cameron felt something similar to relief. Then she spotted the wounds on his face.
John couldn't see his saviour clearly. It was dark. But from the lights of the flashlights he could tell it was none other than Cameron. "Cameron." He called her. She turned around instantly. She came near him and traced the wounds on his face with her fingers. Then she did something unexpected. She enveloped him in a hug. John was beyond surprised. It took several seconds for him to get out of his shocking state and hug her back. "Thanks, Cam." He whispered.
When she pulled back and let John go, what John saw next left him in more than shock. There were tears running down Cameron's brown eyes. "Why are you crying?" He asked, confused.
"Because they hurt you. You are in pain." She simply stated.
John couldn't help but smile even if it hurts for him to smile. There can be no greater proof of Cameron's love for him. She really loved him. Like none other. She can't even tolerate his simple pain. John touched her left cheek with his hand. Since she was close to him he could see the damage on her face and body. John's eyes turned sad. "I'm okay, Cam."
Cameron nodded. "Sarah and Derek is waiting outside for us. Let's go, John."
"We need to get Riley. She is still there." John said. Cameron didn't reply. Seeing her reluctance to do anything regarding Riley, John decided to get her from the bathroom. But Cameron stopped him.
"You can't see clearly in the darkness. I will get her." Cameron offered. John could only nod.
A few seconds later Cameron guided Riley out of the bathroom. She came near the pile of dead bodies and snatched a rifle. "Cam, what are you doing?" John asked, holding his ribs.
She simply detached the flashlight from a gun and handed it to John. "You will need it." She also handed Riley another flashlight. At that moment Riley saw Cameron's damaged face and body. Her body was covered with blood. But she didn't react the way any normal person would after seeing Cameron's true nature. John noticed that. It's now or never. He seized the chance.
"Riley aren't you surprised?" John stated boldly.
"Surprised? Um… Yeah. I mean…." She stuttered because she knew she has messed up.
"Stop lying!" John snapped. "I know you are from the future."
Riley's eyes widened. "John I…"
"I don't want to hear any excuse Riley. Why are you here?" John asked angrily. "Tell the truth or I swear I will tell Cameron to get rid of you." John bluffed. In reality he will never do that.
"Right! 'Cameron'? You gave it a name John. It is a machine. I came here to rescue you from it." Riley snarled.
"Why do you need to rescue me from her? She was sent here to protect me." John asked.
"Because in the future it has taken over the Resistance. You don't speak to anyone except it. She runs the Resistance. Don't you see, it is manipulating you John. What if it decides to kill you?" Riley answered.
Cameron got angry at Riley's accusation. She took a step forward to snap Riley's neck but John gently held her wrist in his hand. "That will never happen. She is my friend and I trust her." John replied.
Riley snorted. "And you said she has taken over the Resistance in the future. Have you seen it with your own eyes or you believed everything Jesse told you? You say that I don't talk to anyone except her, it is because I don't trust anyone except her and my mom. No one else. I thought I could trust you but you deceived me, Riley."
Riley's eyes widened at John's revelation. He knew about Jesse too? "How do you know about Jesse?" She asked surprised.
"I have my sources." John didn't reveal the truth. "I know Jesse wants me to get rid of Cameron but tell her it will never happen. And stay away from Cameron. If Jesse comes after her, I will kill her." John warned.
"John it's time to go." Cameron has heard the SWATs coming in.
John nodded. His ribs was badly hurt so he struggled to walk. Cameron knew they have to hurry. So she simply lifted John up in her arms and begin to carry him bridal style. "Hey!" John protested. But Cameron didn't listen. She returned the same way she entered the school, carefully avoiding the police.
Once they were outside and near their car, she put John down on his feet. "Cam, you destroyed my male pride. It should be me carrying you." John said.
"You will have difficulty lifting me, John. Even if I am much lighter than the other terminators I am still heavy." Cameron looked confused. John just shook his head. He knew she didn't understood what he tried to say.
"John!" Sarah yelled while coming running towards him. In the next second John was in the tight embrace of his mother.
"I am alright mom." John reassured his mother.
Sarah pulled back to have a good look at her son. "You don't look alright to me. What did they do to you?" She asked.
"One of them was beating John. I killed him." Cameron intervened.
"Yeah, that's the only thing you can do. That's what you are made for. Killing people." Derek added sarcastically.
John's face turned red in anger. "Enough!" He snapped at Derek.
"Derek not now. John needs first aid. Now." Sarah saw that the situation was getting out of hand. Her son was both physically and mentally exhausted and Derek's words were doing no good.
Derek grumbled under his breath and got inside the car. Cameron and Sarah led John inside the car. Sarah took the front seat beside Derek while Cameron took the rear seat beside John. Exhausted, John closed his eyes and fell asleep within a few moments. In his sleep his head fell on Cameron's shoulder and he unconsciously snuggled close to her. Cameron put an arm around his body, like she was shielding him from all harm and a tiny but loving smile played on her lips while she was watching John. Sarah saw everything in the rear view mirror. She didn't like this closeness between her son and Cameron but she trusts her son's judgement. For now she will hold on to it.
STEFAN'S HOME: 4 Days Later, 1:30 A.M.
Stefan got home at his usual time. He unlocked the door with the spare key and got inside. He knew his wife is probably tending to the girl whom he brought here two days ago. His son will not be at home for the next six months. So the girl was able to occupy his son's room for now. He has no idea where she came from, or how she got a severe wound like that. His wife treated the wound and told him that it's a burning wound. But what did that, was unknown. Maybe the girl can tell them when she wakes up? She still hasn't gained consciousness since Stefan saw her and brought her in his home.
He placed the spare door key on the table and went to check on his wife and the girl. Sure enough he found his wife, Kacey sitting beside the unconscious girl on the bed.
"How is she, dear?" Stefan asked.
"Her fever is gone. I would say she is improving but she is yet to wake up. Look at her, Stefan. She looks so young, no older than seventeen. Who could've done this to her?" Kacey mumbled, running her hand over the girl's forehead in a tender manner.
"I don't know, Kacey. But I thank God that I found her in time. At least we were able to save her life." Stefan smiled a little.
"Yes. At least she is safe now." Kacey said.
At that moment the girl's eyelids began to move, and started mumbling something. "What happened?" Stefan asked the young girl with concern.
"I think she is waking up." Kacey pointed out.
Kacey just completed her sentence and in the next moment the girl's eyes shot open and she sat up immediately. She looked at the two strangers with wide brown eyes. She looked both suspicious and cautious. Kacey tried to touch her, but she jumped away. Kacey tried not to scare her anymore. She smiled a little. "We do not want to harm you."
"Where am I?" The girl asked taking in her surroundings.
"You are in our home. My husband…" Kacey pointed at Stefan. "Found you four days ago, wounded and unconscious. So he brought you here. And my name is Kacey. I am a nurse. Don't be scared child. We are only trying to help you."
"What date this is? Which year?" The girl asked.
Stefan and Kacey looked at each other. "September 2nd, 2008." Stefan answered.
The girl sighed in relief. She has travelled back in the right time. So, the time to make things correct is still there. They can still save their future. "I have to go." She said. She have to leave immediately and search for the Connors. There's no time to waste.
"Child you are still badly wounded. You are in no condition to leave." Kacey said.
"I have no choice." The girl replied stubbornly. "Please."
"Alright." Stefan sighed. "But at least stay the night. It's almost 2:00 A.M. now."
"Okay." The girl agreed and sat down on the bed. "Can you arrange some money for me tomorrow? I know I can't pay you now. But I assure you I will come back."
"Hush! We will make the arrangements tomorrow." Kacey smiled. "And you don't have to pay anything."
"But…." The girl tried to argue.
"I said no." Kacey persisted.
The girl sighed. "All right."
"Where do you want to go? And how did you get that wound?" Stefan asked.
"I'm sorry, but I can't tell you. The sooner I leave from here, the better." The girl answered honestly.
"Okay," Kacey reluctantly agreed. "We understand that you can't tell us anything. But can we know your name?" Kacey asked.
The girl nodded. "It's…." She thought whether she will tell them her true name. But then she thought at least she owed these people that much. "My name is Allison."
NOTE: Sorry for the delay of updating this story. I and my co-writer ran into some difficulties and problems while writing this chapter. There are a lot of things to be taken into consideration. I hope you will like it. Many thanks to Hobokat, without whom this chapter would've never be finished at all. Let me know by reviews.
P.S: A late Merry Christmas to everyone and Happy New Year in advance.
