The aerial HK flew past lower LA; over the rubble that had accumulated over the decades. Most HKs were the same thing: metallic beasts armed with plasma weapons and an insectoid brain. Skynet loved these things. They were its only creations that didn't scare the shit out of it.
Unbeknownst to the HK as it passed the remains of a downtown neighborhood, a human was watching its every move through a small telescope, peering from a small grate in the sidewalk. This human was a resistance fighter. Any disorganized human would have just hid in the shadows without any tools whatsoever; but no, this human was productive.
And of course this human had a leader.
"General Connor, this is sergeant Ralph reporting from trench bunker; we've been watching the skies and the rubble for a few days now and there seems to be some unusual HK activity just a few blocks down. I think you should get over here very soon."
"What kind of activity?" The general stated.
"Well, there seems to be an unusual number of them."
"What does that suggest?"
"Well, it could mean a multitude of things. It could mean they're building a new factory, it could mean they're constructing a new base, hell it could even mean they've discovered the deep sewer project we've been working on for the last three years and they're planning an attack."
"And how long did you say this has been going on for?"
"Exactly 12 days... about 2 weeks."
"That's your idea of a few days? How was I not notified about this? Goddammit sergeant, you know how much work was put into making those pipes habitable! This is probably the greatest rescue effort since the radioactive dust from judgment day cleared! You do know there are over 8 thousand people down there, right sergeant?"
"Well..."
"Right?"
"9,431 actually. We just finished a census. Another camp was freed just two days ago."
The general sighed.
"I wasn't notified of this either?"
The sergeant froze.
"Listen...Ralph. I need to get my bearings to understand the threat. I'll meet you guys at approximately 2200 hours within about 48 hours."
"Can't you get here sooner?"
"You know as well as I do what happens when you travel by day. Remember Tom's transport?"
Ralph shuddered.
"Nearly 200 people died in that transport because he thought it would be a good idea to carry out the unit extraction operation by day. And he never made it back. Once again, I'll meet you guys by 10pm."
"Yes, sir!"
"And, Ralph?..."
"Yes."
"Take care of Kate and Rachael."
"I will, sir."
"Goodbye."
In the county of Los Angeles, in the remains of the suburban city of Glendale, in the basement of an abandoned industrial building, stood a confused commander, across the room from Connor. He could see it in the general's eyes. There was something wrong.
This commander was Justin Perry.
"What's wrong Connor?"
"The machines are amassing in downtown L.A.."
"What are they up to now?"
"There's reason to believe they've found out about trench bunker." His comment arose both fear and rage from Perry.
"Those metal bastards!"
"I need a transport ready by 8 tonight."
"But general, what about the attack plans for for the countryside factories? We need you here..."
"Perry, there are 10,000 lives down there in the sewers. Helpless lives. There are less than 10 here. Trench bunker is one of the most successful bases and shelters Tech-Com's pieced together, and Skynet may have found out about it. It doesn't even have a real commander. We can't afford to lose it. We'll have to scrap the factory ideas for now."
Perry sighed.
"Very well, general. I'll arrange for a pickup by 2000 hours. Will I be joining you?"
"No Perry, you're needed here. I'll keep radio contact to keep your men informed on the situation."
"Yes, Connor. In the untimely event we have to leave, what should be done with the mainframes? They're too large to carry."
"Destroy them; we can't risk leaving anything strategic behind. I don't even want to imagine what would happen if Skynet got a hold of them..."
meanwhile...
Ralph left his post under the sidewalks and began his journey to control. He turned left and went about 50ft straight through the metal canal, then beneath his feet he lifted an assortment of rubble.
Beneath was a trap door.
He carefully arranged the junk as so it would fall back over the manhole when he left. He then stepped into the entry and pulled it shut behind him.
He was now in another tunnel, and he continued in the same direction. At the end of the tunnel was a door with a wheel lock on it. He went through it and there was yet another trap door on the floor. He stepped in.
He was now at the top of a darkened staircase, and he began his descent, which seemed to take an eternity. After he reached the bottom (~85ft~ down), he exited what was a small pantry with metal shelves lining the walls (with some food). He turned right after he passed the doorway to the small room; into the darkness, The further he walked, the more light there was.
He was now in another sewer pipe, but it was much larger, almost large enough to accommodate a walking crowd 10 people wide. Additionally, various doors and exits littered the otherwise featureless curved walls.
It was now fully lit.
As he passed about a dozen rooms where survivors resided, he began thinking about what a blessing this was.
Ten years ago, about a third of everyone who stayed underground died of disease, be it a cold, frostbite, or even dysentery. Shelter from the machines was a nightmare, albeit lesser than the machines themselves. But now, with project channel complete and trench bunker fully fortified, we have decent shelter. The sanitary conditions and the food here almost rival that of a fallout shelter. And we've rounded up thousands of survivors. It's not the end of the war, but it's a start.
The soldier passed some more doors and a couple flights of steps every so often before he came to a steel door that was locked. It's appearance fortified the thought to any bystanders that it was the barrier to something important.
He knocked.
The small holes in the grille embedded within the door's upper frame emptied as a circular cover was lifted on the other side. His eyes were met with that of a tough male, although Ralph could see fear in his eyes. Fear that Ralph was not human.
"Ralph Dillon, Tech-Com affiliate, serial # HC39235, requesting permission to see the Connors."
"Let him in." An aging, but bold female voice assertively remarked.
The cover was replaced and the door was opened.
"Mrs. Connor.." his vision met the caring eyes of second-in-command.
"Ralph? This isn't about Antonio fortification again is it..." Kate asked.
"No, actually, it's about this fortification, trench bunker. You remember those HKs we've been watching over the past few days? We don't know why there's so freaking many of them, but Connor is on his way over here to help figure out what the hell is going on."
"Did he say how long to expect him?"
"About 2 days. You know as well as I do he has to travel by night."
"Yeah. But this HK thing, it's.. nothing to be alarmed about, right?"
"We don't know yet. But from the looks of it, Those machines are up to something."
Kate sighed.
"Let's hope this isn't another crisis. Rachael just finished her studies and she's beginning to realize what's semi-normal life is again."
Ralph chuckled.
"Yeah well don't let those machines steal your love for your family. That's one thing those metal bastards can't take from you."
"Yeah. Well I'll meet you guys in tech tonight."
"Yeah. See you Kate."
And with that he left the Command. Kate stood there thinking for a moment.
"Rachael, honey?"
A couple seconds later and a much less obtrusive door opened, and out stepped a 7 year old in pajamas.
"Yes, Mommy?
"Daddy's coming beck here in a couple days, just to give you a heads up."
"He is? Yay! But then why did he leave last week anyway?"
"He had to take care of some business in Glendale, sweetie."
"Oh, okay...can I go to sleep now?"
"Of course honey. I'll be over to tuck you in in a bit."
"Thanks." Rachael went back to her bunker.
Kate laughed lightly.
They're so energetic...just like we used to be. Waaaayy back in what, the 80s? Boy, those were the good times. I'd give anything to let Rachael see that world...