Please see Chapter 1 for disclaimers and notices.
Started: April 5, 2009
Series 1: The Cameron Connor Chronicles, Story #2
Note: I apologize for the delay on an update. I didn't think I had a chapter ready to go, but I actually did have one. This story and the prior one, No Programming, finally have a series title as you'll see above. Thank you to all my readers that have reviewed and continue to encourage me. I always appreciate it. Enjoy the update!
What Are Terminators Made Of?
by Red Hope
Chapter 6
"Yes, I need you to wear these," Thomas informed the time travelers.
Sarah steadily eyed the armband meant for her then summarized, "They identify us from the past."
The soldier just nodded and still held out the blue armbands that had the capital letter for alpha imprinted on them.
Sarah gave in and took the one meant for her. She managed it her around her left arm then neatly velcroed it. She watched Cameron take hers, which was also velcro but instead had a red alpha. "Thank you for the tour, Thomas." She noticed her praise won a smile from him.
"It was my pleasure." Thomas put his hands behind his back. "I believe you have dinner plans already...?"
"Yes, thank you."
The soldier dipped his head then took one step back. "Have a good evening then." He gave a smile to both time travelers but quietly left them.
Sarah silently stayed beside the terminator, who regarded her. She realized she was weary after the long tour and badly wanted to slip into her quarters nearby and rest.
Cameron tilted her head and commented, "You did not take the antibiotic before we left."
"No," Sarah softly admitted, "I was a bit distracted." She hadn't been snide despite their earlier fight, before they saw John, was fresh in her mind.
"It'll be an hour before John comes for us," Cameron continued, "Perhaps you should rest."
Sarah played with her hair then gave a soft nod. "Wake me before he comes...?"
"I will," the terminator promised.
Sarah gave a faint, appreciative smile then slipped away into her quarters. She noted the guards were finally gone as her son promised earlier.
Cameron studied the worn human going into her room, and she went to her quarters too. She needed to finish repairing her corrupt memory files thanks to the spider. Just before six, she'd repaired ninety percent of the damaged files and was pleased that her memories about future John from 2027 were preserved again. Cameron disabled her repair program, which stopped the intense burn in her cortical node from all the taxing work it caused on her system. She would have sighed heavily if she had her lungs because she was worn from it.
The terminator sat at the desk and her pulsating, blue eyes went solid again. She robotically stood from the chair then her human graces instantly took charge once more. She left the quarters and quietly went to Sarah's room. She was glad at seeing Sarah's restful form in the bed.
Sarah forced her eyes open when she heard her name on Cameron's metal lips. She rolled onto her back and discovered the blue glow above her in the dim room. "Hey," she hoarsely greeted in her sleepy voice.
"You were sleeping hard," Cameron observed aloud.
Sarah rubbed her face. "I think it was the medicine." She showed her puzzled expression. "Is John here?"
"Not yet." The terminator went back to the door and turned on the overhead light. "But he will be here soon... he is timely."
Sarah blinked a few times then dragged herself out of bed. "Have you met his wife?" She slowly made her way to the bathroom.
Cameron returned to the same centered spot she'd occupied earlier this afternoon. "Yes."
"What you know about her?" Sarah called from the bathroom.
The terminator heard the sink running, and she considered Sarah's requested information. Without a doubt, she knew that Sarah wanted cold facts so that Sarah could have history on John's wife. "Her proper name is Katherine Brewster before she marries John. Prior to Judgment Day, she was a veterinarian at Emery Animal Hospital. Her father was General Robert Brewster, who was in charge of the Air Force's Cyber Research Systems."
Sarah strolled out of the bathroom with awaken features. "And after Judgment Day?" She sat at the desk and put on her boots.
"She became a medic in John's unit before he became the leader of the Resistance, but John would not allow her to become a field medic despite her desires," Cameron informed.
Sarah peered up at this news. "He was protecting her, but she wanted to prove something."
"Yes." Cameron tilted her head at the human.
"Do you like her?"
The terminator had waited for Sarah to prompt her for an opinion. "Yes."
Sarah knew Cameron's one-word answer was simple yet very revealing to her. If Cameron did not like somebody it was because Cameron didn't trust, respect, or believe they were competent. She finished lacing her right boot and peered up with inquisitive eyes.
Cameron took the hint and further explained her rationale. "She is an excellent fit for John. She is strong minded, has the same beliefs, and restless drive. She is also very intelligent and quick to adjust to adverse situations."
Sarah was focused on her last boot, but she steadily listened to the terminator.
"However, she has a temper," Cameron informed. She hesitated yet explained, "John has explained it is due to her red hair." She tilted her head and argued, "I do not believe him though because you have the same temper."
Sarah smirked and stood up, but she grabbed a dark gray top from her desk that'd been delivered, among other clothing, to her quarters. She pulled it over her head and jested, "Flattery gets you nowhere, girlie." She adjusted to shirt then pushed up the long sleeves past her elbows. She then recalled putting on the armband that identified her as a time traveler from the past.
Cameron was quiet for a beat but finally concluded, "Kate is very much like you."
Sarah chuckled at this conclusion. "They say if a son marries a wife like his mother then it's a compliment."
"I'm unsure why John would want to do that to himself," the terminator coolly stated yet her blue eyes flickered with something in them.
Sarah suspiciously stared at the terminator then lightened up after she realized Cameron had teased her. "As long as she doesn't gush over me like the rest of these soldiers then we'll be off to a good start."
Cameron highly doubted that would happen, yet she didn't have a chance to comment because of the knock at the door. She and Sarah stepped out of the quarters and were greeted by John.
John fell into step between the time travelers. "How was the tour?"
"It was informative," Cameron answered.
John softly grinned at the terminator because he imagined it was due to the fact that the city had changed greatly since Cameron left in 2027. He shifted his attention to his mother.
"I was impressed by the three towers," Sarah mentioned.
The leader softly moved his head in agreement. "But they are very much needed since the city's population is increasing."
"You're not worried about air strikes?" Sarah prompted.
John had long ago considered that angle. "Not at all." He cocked his head to the side. "Did you see our turrets along the walls?"
"Yes." Sarah grinned at him. "Those plasma cannons are impressive too."
"And excellent for targeting any HK planes." John saw his mother's satisfied look so he changed topics easily. "Who was the Skynet agent that was sent back?" He looked between his mother and Cameron.
"His name was Sam, but we don't know his last name," Sarah replied.
"He had several soldiers with him," Cameron supplied.
John mulled it over then murmured, "It couldn't have been Sam Norder." He returned his attention to the pair. "He was crippled after he joined Skynet."
Cameron put her head to one side at this information. "He had bionic legs."
Sarah furrowed her eyebrows and looked at Cameron. "You didn't mention that earlier."
"It was useless information after I terminated him."
John flinched at how casually Cameron made that remark about Sam Norder's death. He silently reminded himself that Cameron was still young in certain respects. He could read his mother's displeasure, but he wasn't sure if it was over Sam's death or the bionics.
"It was most likely him," John sadly concluded. "He left the Resistance about six months ago and joined Skynet... so did many from his unit."
"Why did he defect?"
John sighed at Cameron's question but glazed over the story. "He was the captain of his unit before he defected from the Resistance. He wasn't happy about some of the recent changes or orders given to him. After an incident six months ago, he immediately defected to Skynet and took some of his unit with him."
"I'm surprised any human would defect to Skynet." Sarah curiously glanced at her son to see if she'd get more information.
"Things have changed, greatly," John softly admitted. He and the time travelers entered the elevator after he'd hit the up button. Immediately the doors slid open, and they filed in together.
Sarah noticed the ride up went to ground level, past it, and stopped at the sixth floor up. She hadn't expected it to be that far, but she noticed there were seven upper levels and five lower levels which didn't include the ground level.
Once on the sixth floor, Cameron noticed there were more humans here than at the fifth lower level. After some analysis, she decided that on the sixth upper level many humans resided here. The long, gray hallway was similar to where she and Sarah stayed except the numbered doors were much more spread apart. From her files, she recalled that a new residence level was being built into the mountain, but she hadn't expected it to be complete.
"Here we are," John announced at the last door on the left. He stepped up to the retina scanner, which identified him, gave him a charmed greeting, and slid open the door. He escorted his guests into his home and was happy to see his wife coming to greet them.
Sarah took her son's side and sensed Cameron just at her back. She honed in on John's wife, who warmly smiled and approached them. Immediately Sarah absorbed soft features, shoulder length fiery hair, and rich brown eyes.
"Mom, this is my wife Katherine Connor," John properly introduced.
Katherine Connor held out her hand and still had her white smile. "Please just call me Kate, Miss Connor."
Instantly Sarah mentally grumbled at the formality, but she took the larger hand into hers. She then argued, "Only if you call me Sarah."
John let his chest fall in relief and his tense shoulders slumped down. He knew how critical his mother could be and the night was still young, but he had plenty of faith in his wife, who was strong minded like his mother. He just hoped it wouldn't cause them to butt heads.
Kate released hands then warmly offered, "It's nice to be able to meet you despite the circumstances."
Sarah didn't taste any sarcasm or hero worship in the wife's tone. This made her more at ease, and her smile showed up. "It is nice." Her green eyes were softer than normal.
Kate held the mother's gaze for another beat then slowly looked up at the terminator behind Sarah. "Cameron," she warmly greeted. She gave a commanding nod to her right.
The terminator understood the hint and stepped around Sarah Connor. Both her body and program were warmed by the fact that Kate Connor hugged her. Cameron hadn't expected such a welcome from Kate even though they'd developed a close friendship in 2027.
Kate pulled back from the terminator but put her left hand on the terminator's broad hip. "It's good to have you back even if it's temporarily."
Sarah narrowed her eyes and wondered how Cameron had developed such relationships with her son and his wife. She suspected a lot had happened in 2027 after Cameron left Skynet.
The terminator slightly bowed her head in gratitude to Kate's kind words. She focused back on John's wife. "I wish I could enjoy your dinner tonight."
"Don't worry," Kate argued, "I'll make your favorite later."
Gradually, a smile formed on Cameron's silver lips.
Kate relinquished her hold and announced to everybody, "Let's go to the gathering room." She led the way up a few steps just ahead.
They entered an upper floor that had a long sofa and chairs that were done with inviting red leather. There was a low, glass coffee table too that held a piece of contemporary sculpture work. But what highlighted the room in symphony reds and oranges was the sunset's light that streamed from the large window in the right wall.
Sarah was instantly fascinated by this window and went to it. She was captivated by the beautiful waterfall just below them that roared loud enough to faintly vibrate the window once she put her hand against it.
John came to his mother's side and enjoyed the river accented by the sunset. "Beautiful isn't it?" He found sparkling green eyes upon him. "It's Government Canyon that we're overlooking."
Cameron approached the pair and studied the beautiful scenery. Overtime, she'd slowly developed a sense of appreciation for nature's beauty, but only after she'd gone to 2008 to fully witness it.
Sarah looked at the terminator, whose alloy glowed in the sunset and made her elegant in crimson despite the color was often a sign of evil in this era.
John followed his mother's stare, and a smile tugged at his lips at how his mother was more captivated by the terminator in the sunset than by the canyon.
Cameron finally turned her head to the pair and commented, "Yes, it is beautiful." Her response was to John's earlier question.
Sarah was transfixed on the terminator but looked over her left shoulder when Kate entered the gathering room from the kitchen. She felt a rumble in her stomach at seeing the wood plate of cheese and crackers.
"Sit down and eat," Kate ordered the group. She was glad when they came back over, and she asked, "Anything to drink, Sarah?"
"Just some water," the mother answered. "Thank you."
"Honey?" Kate waited for her spouse's drink then went back to the kitchen.
Sarah sat down on the sofa at one end while her son sat in the neighboring sofa chair.
Cameron had taken the other opposite sofa chair but only after she manipulated her size accordingly. She was back to the height and lithe form she kept when she posed as human. She sat comfortably in the chair once she was satisfied her weight had trimmed down from the manipulation. She absently watched the humans chat and snack on the appetizer.
Kate came in and out from the gathering room. She would stay to talk and eat for a few minutes before she went back to the kitchen. Her cooking food had drifted into the gathering room.
"Cameron," John started and caught her full attention, "what was the last mission before you and mom arrived here?" He already knew the answer, but he wanted to get Cameron to converse with them.
Sarah just leaned forward and made another cracker with cheese and sharp mustard on it. She waited to hear Cameron's answer.
"We were attempting to obtain the Turk," Cameron replied.
"So you haven't succeeded?" John tested.
The terminator studied the leader in silence then glanced at Sarah before she looked back at the leader. "I believe you would know better than Sarah or I."
John was a bit on the spot now so he sipped on his water then set the glass down on the table. He leaned back in his chair then spoke again. "Yes, I suppose."
Cameron narrowed her eyes and furthered, "You also knew we would be here in 2028."
Sarah had a mouthful earlier, but she studied her son's pensive features that told her plenty. She drank some water from her almost empty glass. She kept the glass in her lap and finally stepped into the conversation. "You were never very good at lying or hiding things, John."
The Resistance leader broke his long stare from Cameron and focused on his mother. "No." He laced his hands together in his lap. "But I can't explain everything."
"Because of the directive?" Cameron tested again.
"Yes," John replied to the terminator.
"Despite how much I've found out about the future," Sarah reminded, "it still hasn't changed anything."
John shook his head at the false statement. "Judgment Day was pushed back because you've made several attempts to stop it. If you continue to do so then it's possible Judgment Day is pushed back so far that I'll be too old to become a leader."
Sarah stiffened at this thought process.
But Cameron was intrigued by another angle this brought to her mind. "You presume that Judgment Day is inevitable."
"Some things are destined," Kate Connor remarked once she returned from the kitchen. She sat on the sofa, near her spouse's mother.
"But there is no fate but what we make," Cameron quoted and saw that Sarah Connor agreed with her.
"Fate," John reminded.
Kate leaned back in the sofa with a cup of cranberry juice between her hands. "The Resistance believes there's a difference between fate and destiny." She looked from Cameron to Sarah. "It's a theory we're still testing though." She hesitated because she didn't want to reveal too much, and she glanced at her husband. "There are some things that must happen and some things that are in our control... that we can change."
"So you believe," Sarah summarized, "that Skynet is destiny?" She toyed with her chilled glass. She seriously regarded Kate Connor.
"Yes," Kate simply answered. Her eyes flickered to her husband then back to Sarah. She could tell her answer bothered Sarah Connor, but she wouldn't overly press it with the woman, who was considered the mother of all destiny.
Sarah leaned forward and slowly set her glass down on the table. She straightened back up and softly declared, "I will not stop trying."
"We know," Kate murmured. She didn't want Sarah to stop her cause, ever.
Cameron, like John, had been silent and carefully watched the exchange between Sarah and Kate. She easily sensed the tension between the two like-minded women. But Cameron sympathized with Sarah Connor, and it wasn't because she was programmed for this mission. Instead, Cameron realized it was because she believed in the mission, in Sarah's mission.
Sarah had nodded to Kate's acknowledgement and looked at John. "Can you tell us anything about 2028?" She hesitated but mentioned, "We know the war is still on-going."
John solemnly nodded but explained, "It's better though... we're in a better place."
"Is Skynet losing?" Sarah tempted.
"Skynet is losing ground," Kate replied. "And losing control over certain key facilities like terminator factories, power plants, and armories." She didn't go into further details, too worried it'd cross the Temporal Directive.
Sarah was relieved to hear such news. She then commented, "It seems like a desperate attempt for Skynet to send humans back to obtain Cameron."
"Yes, it was," John agreed with his mother. "Skynet most likely used humans because Cameron would have picked up on terminators."
"You can't tell us why Skynet has a bounty on Cameron?" Sarah tried.
"It is because I'm unique," the terminator answered for Sarah.
Kate stood up at this point and quietly went to the kitchen. She was almost finished making dinner.
John studied the now petite terminator, who stiffly sat in the opposite chair. "You were since your design." She turned back to his mother. "Cameron is the most superior human infiltration terminator ever designed. I suspect no other terminator will surpass her design."
"How is she superior?"
John glanced back at the terminator and softened his features at his thoughts of her design. "She was designed to control her own programming so that she could learn and grow. Cameron can perform as a better infiltrator this way." He turned back to this mother. "Even her alloy and hardware makes her more superior... maybe not for combat but for infiltration it does. Cameron can manipulate her size and shape so that she can better mimic humans."
Sarah was silent and digested the information. She looked at Cameron and commented, "Your body doesn't make that same machine whine like other models."
"Not unless I'm damaged." Cameron demonstrated her body's silent movement by crossing her ankles.
"An interesting tidbit about Cameron's alloy," John brought up in excitement, "is that the malleable feature makes her alloy more like skin."
Sarah focused on her son and developed a puzzled look. "Like skin?" She couldn't disagree because when she touched Cameron's alloy, it was almost as soft as human skin, but she knew a bullet couldn't pierce it.
"Yes," John hastily started, "her alloy is the closest thing you'll find to a terminator's version of human skin." He couldn't hide his grin. "You know how terminators' skin is considered more of a sheath over their endoskeleton?" At his mother's nod, he continued. "In Cameron's case, the skin sheath bonds with her alloy... it's not really a shell around the endoskeleton. The flesh, organs, and blood actually have a symbiotic relationship with Cameron's alloy." He sat back in his seat and added, "It's why Cameron can analyze vital signs, blood, chemicals, weather, or whatever else she touches and feels."
Sarah was in disbelief about Cameron's makeup. She stole a quiet minute by brushing her fingers through her hair. Yet Kate's call for dinner broke up the conversation, which relieved her because she needed more than a minute.
Shortly, they'd moved to the small dining room attached to the kitchen and gathered at the dinner table. The table was properly set, and Kate told where each individual to sit including Cameron. She then indicated each item on the table and explained to pass it around amongst each other. While everybody filled their plates, John chatted with Cameron, who sat next to him.
"After dinner, we'll upload that map," John offered.
Cameron was please at this idea. "Yes that would be helpful."
"How long do you think it'll take for Cameron to be ready?" Sarah inquired. She was busy filling her bowl with salad.
"Well..." John softly mapped out, "Tomorrow we can do the NIC implant." He was loading his plate with a piece of parmesan chicken. "I've already put in a request for the organs to be grown or set aside." He now took some garlic bread. "On Friday, we can start prepping your endoskeleton." He set the bread basket aside and looked at Cameron. "I think two sanitization rounds would be best."
"We typically only do one," Kate explained to Sarah. "But with Cameron, she has far more organs and the bond between her alloy and skin makes it more risky." She noticed everybody had filled plates. "Go ahead and start." She picked up her fork.
Cameron leaned back in her chair and idly watched the humans. If she didn't feel out of place with her skin sheath, she certainly felt that way without it. But she appreciated John's attempts to keep her welcomed with them.
Sarah started with her salad and initially pushed around the lettuce. She was obviously thinking then speared a few pieces along with a cucumber. Before she took the mouthful, she looked at Cameron and asked, "What organs do you have?"
The terminator hadn't expected Sarah's interests to be peaked, but she wouldn't hesitate to answer. "I have all the customary organs related to the circulatory system, digestive system, endocrine system, integumentary system, lymphatic system, nervous system, partial reproductive system, respiratory system, and urinary system."
John had a faint grin and looked at his mother, who was obviously overwhelmed by the heavy list. But he held his tongue to say anything smart.
"You said partial reproductive system," Sarah prompted after a quiet moment.
Cameron slowly nodded and better explained, "I do not have ovaries in my system."
John was cutting his chicken apart. "It doesn't make sense for a terminator to have them." He shrugged and glanced across to his mother. "They can be added, but it's hard to say what will happen."
Sarah instantly shook her head. "I don't think I can go there, myself." She hadn't said it in a nasty tone but obviously stated her opinion and mindset about the topic. "So, do you think we can travel back to 2008 by Monday?"
The Resistance leader considered it then slowly nodded. He first swallowed his mouthful down. "It's definitely doable. It'll all hinge on how Cameron's organic systems adjust to her cybernetics."
"It typically goes smoothly," Kate mentioned, "but this is the first time we've done Cameron's more elaborate systems." There was a touch of excitement in her tone that she tried to hide.
The terminator switched to another topic, quickly. "Perhaps I can help with patrol?"
Kate became more serious and focused on her husband for his thoughts.
John mulled it over thanks to his full mouth. He peered up at the terminator beside him. "It's possible... I need to do some checking first."
"I can be placed on the gamma shift," Cameron tried again. "I have counted three terminators on the alpha shift."
Sarah furrowed her eyebrows but stayed silent. She hadn't realized there were other terminators in the city, but it shouldn't have surprised her.
"It would keep Cameron busy," Kate argued in behalf. "And they're always looking for more help with the gamma shift."
John softly sighed but seriously replied, "I'll look into it, Cameron but I can't promise anything... especially with this Temporal Directive."
"I understand."
The Resistance leader was glad that Cameron didn't persist any harder because he wasn't honestly sure how it could work out. He understood Cameron's desire to do something since she didn't need sleep, but he couldn't risk the Temporal Directive. Yet, he knew that on the gamma shift there was much less risk than the alpha or beta shifts. He'd have to consider it longer and talk to Thomas since he was in charge of the gamma shift.
The conversation continued at the dinner table and towards the end of dinner, it somehow ended with stories about John in his younger days. There were several funny stories that Sarah told Kate once they wound up back in the gathering room. They continued to trade stories while Cameron and John slipped away to John's small office.
John was shaking his head but watched his computer boot up. He grinned at the petite terminator and joked, "I figured her and mom would get into my childhood."
Cameron, like John, was standing behind the desk and watched the computer screen. "She has many fond memories from your childhood."
The Resistance leader softened in acknowledgement. "Yes." He typed in his password then watched the desktop load itself. "It's nice to see mom again."
The terminator processed his quiet confession. "She died many years ago." At John's faint nod, she studied his profile. "You have missed her."
"Everyday," John murmured. He wanted to change the mood and teased, "So, has she been exactly how I described her to you before you left?"
Cameron tilted her head and recalled her memory files about John's verbal description of his mother before she stepped into the temporal sphere. "Yes, she is temperamental, hot headed, stubborn, single-minded, and irrational." She focused back on John. "I believe that was your exact description."
The leader softly laughed and bobbed his head. He double checked the map file for the city and concluded it was the most current edition. "Go ahead and hook up to the computer." He tapped the black box to the right of his desk. "The USB ports are on the bottom front."
Cameron shifted closer to the quiet computer. She identified the two USB ports on the front so she dropped her right wrist. Instantly her tubules snaked in the air then linked up to the USB ports. "What is the file name?"
John knew that Cameron was in his computer, and he reported, "Little Troy... it's a pdf file, actually." He watched Cameron's metal features.
The terminator obtained the file from the computer's hard drive then extracted her tubules. As her tubules disappeared back into their home, she was loading the file into her HUD screen. Immediately her screen was filled by the city's layout both above and below ground. She could easily zoom in and out of the maps thanks to its file type.
"This is tight," the terminator mentioned. She didn't expect John's sudden laugh so she switched back to her normal heads-up display and turned to the human.
John still had an amused look and teased, "Tight?" He shook his head once he recalled from his teenage years that Cameron would use slang from that time period. "It's nice to have you back here, Cameron." He then became more serious and asked, "How's it going with you and mom?" He started shutting down his computer.
Cameron was quiet for a long moment then confessed, "It has been harder than you said it would be." Her tone was almost neutral except for a faint shake to it. "You told me that she grew fond of the T-800... that she even helped you activate its learning routines." She had a clenched jaw for a moment. "It seems as if she grows to hate me."
John wasn't prepared for Cameron to reveal so much nor express herself so easily. He could detect a mixture of frustration and upset coming from the terminator, which he hadn't expected from her so soon. "You have to give her time."
"It has been nine months," Cameron sharply reminded. "Our relationship regresses, steadily. I am only online now because past you gave me a second chance after I attempted to kill you."
The Resistance leader turned off his monitor then completely faced the terminator. He could tell his advice could tip Cameron one way or the other. He carefully gathered his memories and softly concluded, "The Jeep bomb."
Cameron didn't acknowledge the statement since it was obvious now. She softly confessed, "We were getting closer before we came here to 2028. But she is falling back into her usual habits with me." She'd been frustrated in the past, but she rarely displayed it to anybody. "I do not know what to do." She now turned her glowing eyes to John. "How do you get somebody to stop hating you?"
John released a heavy sigh, but he gently grasped the terminator's arm. "She doesn't hate you, Cameron."
"She judges me by my metal," Cameron snapped.
John added a squeeze in hopes it'd calm the terminator. He'd seen these frustrations from the terminator in the past. He seriously regarded the terminator. "You need to cut her some slack, first." He loosened his grip. "You have to understand that all she's known about the future is that mindless, evil machines wipe out mankind and that she's the only hope. That's what's in her head right now." He watched the terminator's face and eyes that could be expressionless at the worst times. But tonight, John saw her thoughts clearly on her metal features. "Unfortunately for you that's a lot working against you."
Cameron shook her head once then whispered, "My emotions continue to grow... I experienced regret for the first time only a few days ago." She bowed her head. "I felt regret for volunteering for this mission."
"No," John sadly fought, "don't allow yourself to feel that way." He tilted his head to the left. "You said things were improving before you came here to 2028. What do you think happened?"
"I don't know," Cameron solemnly murmured.
The leader let out a deep breath then hypothesized, "I think since you're without your skin sheath that it's a stark reminder to her that you're a terminator." He sensed his theory may have clicked with Cameron. "You need to be patient with her." He hesitated and tempted, "Do you try to talk through your fights with her?"
The terminator now focused her attention on the human. "We only argue. We had a fight this afternoon before you performed your identification test on me."
"But did you resolve it?"
"It cannot be resolved," Cameron coldly replied.
John smirked at this though and teased, "Did you try? If it's one thing about my mom, she loves to talk and hates to argue."
"Perhaps with you, but she is argumentative with me."
John lost his smirk and honestly explained, "That's because when you argue, you don't leave room for other opinions, thoughts, or logic. You're not open-minded and have tunnel vision, Cameron. You must keep in mind that not only do humans think differently than you, but they each see the world differently from one another." He tilted his head back and watched the terminator's changing features. "Not everything is one plus one equals two with humans... it rarely ever is."
"Humans are very illogical and difficult," the terminator solemnly agreed.
"Yet, you're fascinated by us," John bantered.
Cameron faintly let her shoulders drop, and she admitted, "I am." She lowered her head. "I am most fascinated by Sarah... she has immeasurable depths."
"And I think you're just on the surface of her," John informed. "Mom can be one of the kindest, gentlest people I know, but she only shows it to who she trusts." He patted Cameron's arm and dropped his hand. "Just try talking to her, for once and being receptive to what she has to say. Don't shoot her opinions down either because she'll keep getting defensive with you."
Cameron thought this out, and it was true that she always forced logic against Sarah's opinions or emotions then Sarah automatically became angry and belittled Cameron back. Often it was a vicious cycle between them that could easily be stopped if Cameron simply listened and respected Sarah's voice. She already respected Sarah's prowess, strength, and solid combat knowledge.
After a silent beat, Cameron nodded and murmured, "You are right." She offered a thin smile at the human. "Thank you, John."
The Resistance leader felt the tension flow out of his body at managing the serious talk in the right direction. "My pleasure... you know I missed our girl talk." He grinned.
The terminator wasn't sure if it was true or not, but his smile made her decided it was true. "I have good girl talks with your younger self."
"Oh, I know." John chuckled then started around the desk. "We better get back to them." He and Cameron left the office and rejoined Kate and his mother in the gathering room. John caught the tail end of a childhood story his mother was committing to his wife's memory.
Kate let out a good laugh, and she slumped back in the sofa. She had her right hand on Sarah's knee.
Sarah had a conspirator's smile on her lips upon seeing her son.
"I was like four or five," John fought with his wife once he flopped into his sofa chair.
Kate chuckled a few more times and laced her hands into her lap. "Four," she corrected.
John rolled his eyes then looked at his mother. "What other stories did you tell her?"
Sarah just smirked and didn't divulge anything. She figured he'd hear about it later from his wife. Instead, she focused on Cameron, who had walked behind the sofa near her. "Are you going to sit?"
Cameron placed her hand sofa's arm, which was close to Sarah. "I'm going to return to my quarters." She could see protests about to come from John and Kate, but she explained, "You must spend more time with John."
Sarah faintly nodded then surprisingly placed her hand partially on the terminator's petite but alloy hand. "Can I catch up with you later?"
John couldn't help but narrow his eyes, and he barely hid his grin because it was a good sign from his mother.
"Of course," Cameron replied. "I will see you then." She watched Sarah's touch go then she politely said, "Thank you for tonight, John and Kate."
"We'll do it again, Cameron," Kate promised, "And we'll have your favorite for dinner." She shot a wink at the terminator.
Cameron actually showed a lopsided smile and nodded. She started to the door but called, "Goodnight."
John and Kate called goodnight to their friend before she was gone. Sarah just silently watched the small terminator disappear beyond the sliding door. She turned to Kate, and her eyes were inquisitive.
"What's Cameron's favorite dinner?"
Kate chuckled and honestly replied, "Cheeseburgers."
Sarah stared at her son's wife then repeated, "Cheeseburgers?"
Kate bobbed her head and murmured, "Cheeseburgers... loaded with bacon, tomato, and barbecue sauce."
Sarah just was in disbelief and curiously looked over at John for confirmation. Her eyes were wide.
John chuckled and thoroughly enjoyed his mother's shock. He affectionately joked, "She's an all-American girlie, Mom."
To be continued.