Title: What's In A Name
Author: gega cai
Pairings: Kate Brewster centric, eventual Kate/John
Rating: PG
Words: 2200+
Warnings: Language, violence, and some gore.
Summary: Judgment Day has come and gone. Kate Brewster struggles to find her new identity and purpose in a post-apocalyptic world.
Disclaimer: Characters and other likely inventive scenarios based on the world created by James Cameron and William Wisher Jr., John Brancato and Michael Ferris (?)

Author's Note: This fic references some events from T3 and T Salvation. Fic takes place in 2009, five years after Judgment Day according to T3 (July 2004).

Just some technical FYI: HK Drones were the mini, prototype aerial HK-looking drones seen in T3 (the one shot down by Kate). The aerial HK I depict in this chapter (and the one mentioned in the first chapter) are the first aerial HKs to be manufactured by Skynet and not by humans (like the HK Drones were). They are not as large or efficient as the HKs seen in the future in T1, T2, and T3. I took careful consideration in that both present-day T3 and T4 machines were not the kind of Skynet machines seen in previous films; they are precursors to the plasma-firing machines in the latter-future war that are shown in flash backs/forwards in T1, T2, and T3.

I like to think that plasma-powered weapons aren't developed until John Connor's Resistance has become formidable (years after Terminator Salvation) and Skynet takes their assault to the next level with better HKs, infiltrators, and fire power. I guess that makes the aerial HKs in this fic a part of my personal canon...I hope that doesn't confuse or offend anyone reading!

What's In A Name
Part 6

by gega cai

"John!" Kate cried into the com-link.

"Wha-" she heard him say before being cut off by Fritz's voice barking through the com-link: "Incoming! Two HKs Northeast!"

The radio station's walls shook violently; bits of the ceiling rained down and dust-covered framed pictures fell from the walls. They were under attack.

"--the hell out of here," Vince's voice yelled in Kate's ear. She could hear John calling out, but his voice was lost in the rumbling of the battle escalating around them. Yet, she could easily make out the sound of a large aerial Hunter-Killer outside; the hum of the engines were unmistakable. The upgraded aerial HK from the HK Drones (which were smaller and human-engineered) were larger, faster, and more lethal. Kate had seen many fighters ripped apart by their fire power.

A sudden collapse of the radio station's ceiling behind Kate sent her falling forward onto her right hip and shoulder. In vain, she kicked her feet out to get up and get moving. She knew better than to linger. The building was crumbling around her but she couldn't make out anything in the sudden darkness as her goggles had been pushed aside her face from the fall. Everything burned: her mouth and lungs were prickling from breathing in the debris; her eyes began to water from the dirt. She was blind and could hear nothing but the ringing from the explosion that had knocked her down. Clumsily, she got to her feet and ran hard to the only faint light she could make out in the dark, dusty air. Once outside the radio station, she was met with the sounds of artillery crisscrossing around her.

John's com-link voice broke through the ringing in her ears, "Fall back! Fall back! Take care of those--," a static hum interrupted his command and Kate only caught the end of it: "--and immediate evacuation! Vince! Help me cover them!"

Kate could hear the large, aerial HK a short distance away behind her. It was circling around, beyond the station and the tower, to sweep through them again with its fire power. Realizing the few moments she had to locate the others and join them, she re-adjusted her night vision goggles. She had spotted Vince, John, and Sharlene taking cover behind the rusted vehicle that had been blown several feet out, away from the station. No sign of Fritz, Matt, or Simon.

Ignoring her worry for the others, Kate ran to John. But a voice cried out for her to get down and she stumbled in mid-stride. Above her, a small HK Drone had dipped down and barely missed flying through her head. Confused, it stopped in mid air and looked ahead of itself for the missing target. Kate quickly got back to her feet and took aim at the back of the drone. Her finger had barely squeezed the trigger when a pair of arms wrapped around her and the weight of a man sent them both to the ground with a hard thud. Her aim was good: the confused drone had been hit twice and blew apart by the first rounds that escaped her rifle before a random spray of bullets escaped into the air. Kate watched as the broken drone fell to the ground. She turned to see Matt on top of her. Before she could ask what was going on, another drone flew above them from behind where she stood.

"Four drones now...and the big one," Matt explained as he looked out into the darkness with his night vision goggles. Kate looked out too and they both saw the glow of the large aerial HK's search lights coming in closer from behind the tower.

"Four drones? Where?" Kate asked rolling Matt off her.

"Simon and Fritz were taking care of two near the tower. There's another one around here. I think another is assisting the big HK --damn thing is flushing us out-" Matt winced. He grabbed his thigh and Kate could see he had been shot.

"How bad is it?"

"I dunno...hurts like hell," he gritted as he tightened the tourniquet.

"We gotta move. Looks like the purpose is to blow the station and us along with it...must have been some kind of sensor in there," Kate's voice trailed off in thought.

"Let's go, Kate," Matt hopped up on his good leg. The aerial HK's engines whirled in the distance and they could see dirt pick up and swirl in its approach. He gave the signal for her to go before him, he would cover her. She nodded and ran hard to the overturned car where John and the others waited. She ducked as bullets whizzed past her from the lone HK Drone closing in from above. Its aim was getting better and she could feel the pressure of the rounds passing close to her arms and shoulder. Through the blur of her night vision as she ran, she saw Vince pop up from the rusted car and easily take down the drone.

Kate was only a few yards away from the rusted car when a wash of bright light blinded her night vision. Kate stumbled and cursed aloud as she pushed back her goggles. A strong wind swept dirt in her face and pushed her backwards. She looked up, squinting to find the source of the light; everywhere she looked was nothing but a white brightness. She raised her arm to shield her eyes. Is this it? A quick and sudden death... Kate wondered.

"Kate!" she heard a voice cry out. Her head spun sharply, searching for the voice. But, something else caught her eye, high above. At first, she mistook it for an eye spot. It appeared to swim in the air. Kate made a face and realized what she was seeing. It was too late, the HK Drone had locked on and a shower of gunfire came down at her. She could hardly believe it: the scene played out in slow motion just like in movies.

Movies... Kate thought absently. I remember...

The thought of such a simple thing taken away by Skynet angered Kate and she glared back at the floating HK Drone in anger, her face twisted and determined. Instead of dodging the bullets, she raised her rifle and took aim. Her jaw locked and she squeezed the trigger.

Kate didn't have the pleasure of seeing her mark made as a spray of the drone's gunfire hit the ground around her. One round hit her rifle and sent it up and out of her hands. Another hit her square in the chest and she threw her head back, screaming at the assault. A third round hit the tip of her shoulder and a splatter of red blood spewed up and out from the wound like a wet firework as she fell back and crumpled to the ground. To the others watching, the moment had happened so fast; there was no time to get to her once the HK's search light found her and the drone shot her down.

Kate gasped, faced down in the dirt. She rolled on to her back from where she had fallen and felt the approach of the large HK.

"Kate? Kate!" Matt's voice yelled out over the sound of the machine's engine. Kate squinted in the bright light, searching. She could feel half her face was wet with blood and the other covered in dirt; she lifted her shoulders and carefully rolled to crouch up on one knee. It was Matt's voice she heard, but she looked for John's face. Suddenly, a hot, thick rush of air pushed by the large HK's engines passed through Kate. The aerial HK was just ahead of her now and she saw the newly upgraded turret arm swing and aim at her. A loud, mechanized boom roared from the machine. Kate finally heard John's voice call out to her: "Katie!"

Kate found him beyond the HK's search lights being held back by Vince. Desperately, John struggled to get free and go to her. But, someone else had come. Matt dropped and skidded on his knees to her side and in a single, swift motion, shoved her hard and sent her rolling out of the way of the HK's gunfire.

"Matt?" she mouthed as the ground exploded where she had fallen. Kate turned away as earth fell on her. "Matt!"

The dust cleared. Kate could see Matt's still body face down in the dirt a few feet away. She looked hard to see if he was breathing; she couldn't tell if he was alive or not. Kate tried to crawl to him, but her body would not go.

"Retreat! Get back to transport," she heard John command. She turned to his voice and saw him running hard in her direction, Vince close behind. He fell to his knees and gripped her good shoulder, pulling her close to him. His eyes were wild as he searched her face, "You were hit," his voice broke at the words spoken.

"I...," she shook her head. She was as baffled as he was. Instinctively, she grabbed at her chest where the pain was searing. Instead of blood, something hard pressed against the stinging in her chest. She searched with her fingers under the neck of her shirt and lifted a half-shattered bit of the pearlized pendant Matt have given her earlier. Both Kate and John's face paled at the realization. Impossible, she thought.

"Matt?" she yelled and leaned to look past John and saw Vince's back to them, crouched at Matt's side. Vince turned his head over his shoulder, his eyes lowered apologetically. He shook his head.

"No! No, damn you," Kate snapped as she struggled to get up.

"Kate," John started, but he let her go. Vince shook his head at her as she approached Matt's body.

"Move," she ordered.

"He's gone, Kate," Vince whispered as he stepped in her way.

"I have to see for myself," her voice shook as she struggled to get past him.

"Get back to transport, Vince," Kate heard John say behind her. Vince looked back at John, letting her go to Matt.

"I'm not leaving you behind, sir. The HK is circling back now and it'll waste us all if we don't get the hell out of here," Vince struggled to control his voice.

Kate ignored them as she sat on her knees beside Matt. His face was turned away from her, but she could see it was covered in blood like the rest of his body. Silently, she checked for a pulse. Nothing. Nothing but ringing in her ears and the distant hum of the approaching HK again. Still holding the the shattered piece of pendant, she looked down at it in her hand. Her chin began to tremble as she fought the tears. Instead of crying, she gave Matt a quiet goodbye in gratitude and stuffed the pendant into his blood-soaked pocket. Kate took his ammunition and weapon before standing above him, wiping a large streak of blood and dirt from her face. Kate turned and swung his riffle over her shoulder.

"Let's go," she yelled over the approaching HK. She watched the men stop and look at her. Vince nodded and shouted to her that the others were waiting at the truck and nodded to John who was looking passed him at Kate. Vince awkwardly stepped away, allowing them the moment.

The aerial HK was a few yards away from them, but quickly picked up speed and began firing as its search lights crisscrossed over them. Vince lunged to grab Kate and cover her, but they both paused to see John casually walk straight for the large, flying machine. He lifted his handgun and took aim, shooting two rounds at a time in the air at it. Incredibly, Kate watched as the large HK took the hits. Still, it hovered quickly to them. Kate felt she should run and take cover, but couldn't help but think John must know what the hell he was doing.

The ground around them began to break apart from the machine's gunfire. Vince and Kate watched as John fired two more rounds and heard an odd tang-tang of the bullets hitting something different from the other hits. The large HK began to whine and its left engine smoke. Suddenly, the smoking engine exploded and all three ducked as the machine lost control and began to sail down towards them.

"Incoming!" John shouted and ran for Kate. Hastily, he grabbed her by the waist and picked her up off her feet as she tripped to catch up with his gate. Foolishly, she turned back to see the aerial HK struggling to maintain its horizon and speed. Instead, its powerful engines whirred and shifted in an effort to slow its decent into the ground below.

"John..." Kate swallowed. Her eyes widened at what she was seeing: the HK was going to fall right on top of them. Kate turned away as a heavy wall of hot air from the engines cut through them. John, without looking back, clutched onto her and lept several feet ahead; Kate felt the quake of the machine crashing down on them and she rolled hard as she hit the ground. Kate raised her arms to shield against the heavy shower of large parts flying past her.

Kate could hear the mechanized shifting of the large HK trying to do whatever the hell it is they do to keep going. They never stop --that was what John had always repeated to get that across to anyone who thought otherwise. John...

John?

Kate opened her eyes to see that John had fallen on top of her. His face rested in the curve of her neck and she was relieved to feel his warm breath on her skin. His stubble lightly scratched her neck with each inhale and exhale. An embarrassing feeling came over her and she couldn't stop the goosebumps he was giving her.

"John?" she whispered.

He didn't respond. She looked past the rising and falling of his back to see the downed HK looming beside them. Kate couldn't help but to admire it; compared to all the military weapons and vehicles she was used to seeing and hearing about from her father, nothing could compare to what Skynet built. Though damaged and broken apart, the HK was still online. Part of its damaged engine tried to move and fire again. Somewhere, deep inside, a faint glowing shown through the cracks of the gaping panels. The light dimmed and danced, as if the machine was allocating the light source and energy.

John stirred and Kate felt him catch his breath as he regained consciousness. He let out a gruff moan against her and, as if to ignore the pain he was feeling, lifted his head to look at her.

"Kate?" his voice broke. "Are you hurt?"

She shook her head at him. John, relieved, lowered his head and tried to shift his weight off her and onto his free elbow beside her.

Kate gripped his shoulder and pushed to help him, "No, you?"

"I'll live," he said, the corner of his mouth lifted. Kate, ignoring his attempt to not alarm her, pushed more space between them and began to palm his torso. A thick, warm wetness soaked her hand. She brought her hand out to see it covered in dark blood through her night vision.

"Oh, my G... --John?" she looked back at him.

"It's not that bad," his voice struggled to mask the pain. "I think it went right through."

Kate felt the heat of anger and worry flush in her face. "The hell with you," she spat as she forced him over and onto his back, "and your mother's hard ass!" She looked down and just as quickly as she had became angry at his trifling concern for himself, she immediately forgave him; he had no choice in being this way.

There's so much blood, Kate shook her head as she looked up at John. Seeing her expression, John look down his nose at his waist. He saw his shirt was drenched in blood and his breath became erratic --the possible severity of his wound had hit him. John reached down and un-tucked his shirt, lifting the bottom to his chest. Kate and John saw he was deeply lacerated on his right side, above his hip.

"You're going into shock..." Kate spoke low in an effort to keep them both calm. "We've got to get out of here," she said to herself while wrestling with the shoulder straps of her medical bag. She rose to her knees and looked away from John to search the crash site for Vince. She couldn't carry John alone.

"Kate?"

She felt his hand grip her wrist. She turned back, ignoring the want to call out to Vince, and faced John. She was all thumbs with her medical bag.

"You've lost a lot of blood. I...I gotta stop the bleeding," she explained to John.

He smiled up at her and stammered, "Kate, I'm...trying to tell you somethin-" he winced uncontrollably at the pain. His eyes rolled back and he bucked at the pressure of Kate pressing gauze into his wound.

"Vince!" she finally cried out, ignoring John's heavily panted breath at the pain she was causing him.

"Kate? Connor!?" she heard a distant voice yell from the other side of the HK. Kate let out a relieved laugh: Vince was alive.

"We're going to get you out of here," she faced John. He nodded, pursing his lips together. His face softened, but his eyes revealed anguish.

"John?" Kate asked. He was losing consciousness. She moved closer as he tried to mouth words. "What is it, John?"

"I...s-s..." his voice faded and Kate watched as he passed out.