In the last chapters, all these events occurred in 2009;
The aftermath of the Hills killings is still being looked in to.
The teenage cyborgs have not yet come out of their week-long standby. When they do, heaven help whoever they have their eyes on.
Gina will be getting her strength back.
Fido is still out there.
Riley is becoming 'stir crazy', she's probably lacking attention.
John inadvertently upset Allison by not telling her about Cameron-2 from the offset but that has been happily resolved.
Sonia has just given birth to her tiny twins - WOW.
Prepare for some action in this chapter.
I hope my readers understand that example:
"I am speaking" & 'I am thinking' are shown like this.
(double apostrophe or single apostrophe). I hope this is how other writers portray the thoughts of their characters.
Finally, the up-to-date events of this story, 2010 is told in the next chapter.
-0-
Looking back in time
-0-
Going back approximately 10 months to Friday 20th March 2009, Allison has gone downstairs with Claire, the Allys and the kids, including 1-Riley, who was brought upstairs earlier to see Sonia's babies.
Sonia is very happy (cybo… correction gynordly happy), and is talking to Lesley about purchasing a sewing machine, cotton, sharp scissors, material etc.
They are discussing what would be the most appropriate garb for 'their' little kiddies.
Lesley explains that dirty nappies will be a regular occurrence until they grow older – not realising 'not much older'.
She fetches her laptop and places it on Sonia's lap, sitting up in bed with her babes inside her, wait for it, Teddy Bear pullover pyjamas jacket. They are now snoozing as Lesley quietly shows her a webpage for various clothing material.
It is late morning and almost every head has popped around the door opening and asked if they can come in and view the unusual new arrivals.
Of course the expected remarks, "ooh, don't they have big eyes under their eyelids", "Will they be able to see better?" And of course from the kids "Their eyes look like frogs", are all said.
Sonia is slightly hurt by that remark but Lesley is there to bolster her emotions, saying "just wait until they open their eyes, the kids will all love them".
Gina is wearing a disposable light blue hat that Surgeons and Nurses normally wear, which means nobody knows her head has been shaved on top.
She stayed asleep on her back during this period of time, occasionally waking up with a stiff neck, trying to hold it as straight as possible.
Sarah has taken on the responsibility of sharing the room with her, helping her out of bed and providing her with lots of fluids, when she needed it.
She was very encouraging and explained that a little exercise and Sonia's help should get her 100% back to normal very soon.
Sonia, it would seem, is not quite as possessive as Cameron and Allison, and allows Lesley sitting on the bed with her babes whilst she goes and checks on Gina. She knows that she has to do something about her stiff neck and that includes injecting her with more nanodes, which she has programmed to match those of Lesley, whom she had information on after taking her DNA many times in the past without her even realising what she was doing.
Sonia knows her own body and is aware that very soon Lesley will inform her that she is not a wet nurse, or words to that effect.
It is quite amusing when it happens.
When Kasper hears Kayley sucking, he naturally assumes the programmed target is the same place and does the same.
Sonia is sitting on the bed talking to Lesley's father about the video that she bought back from the future, which featured Lesley's birth.
"Are you producing milk?"
Sonia gives her breast a squeeze in front of Garvin, Lesley's father.
A small amount of dampness seeps through.
She goes over and sits on the bed next to Lesley.
"Hand one of them over. Be careful not to knock the belly button"
Lesley does just that with the tiny baby, and then swings her legs around before removing Kayley from under her t-shirt, the baby's skinny arms reaching out for a hold, allowing Sonia to take her with the other arm and push her up her own t-shirt.
"They've got your colour hair" says Garvin to his daughter.
"We've both got similar colour hair dad" she replies, not wishing to count Sonia out of the conversation.
Sonia informs them of some facts; "They both have her genes, plus many of my enhancements, such as flesh regenerators that perform the same way that mine does. I have modified their eyes so that they can see the full light spectrum, including infra-red and ultra-violet. They will have much better abilities to remember everything and will develop in to young human-cybo crosses very quickly".
"Oh", but before any more is spoken Sonia finally adds, "They will grow to human size when they are approximately 16 years of age.
There is one thing that you need to know. Their nanodes need to be manufactured and for this to happen, they must have a good intake of various iron supplements, both ferrous and non-ferrous. I take these supplements when I lose a lot of body mass or blood, so it is not any different from that.
They are not much different from an ordinary human consuming all the vitamins necessary for the development of a healthy body".
"Do they need any now?" asks Lesley.
"No, I am giving them all they need through my milk. I take those minerals & metals in to my system", (Looking at the tubs that she asked Dean to bring up earlier).
"Why have you named them Kasper & Kayley", asks Lesley, feeling rather left out of the decision making process.
Answering the question carefully, being aware that it was not her decision but likes them never-the-less, Sonia replies
"The 2nd syllable of Kayley ends Ley, which is the same as the 2nd syllable of your name. The same applies to the 2nd syllable of Kasper, which is 'er' and sounds like the latter part of my name.
Both names begin with K, followed by an 'a', making it easier for a human to remember their names".
Quite confused, Lesley and her father both say "oh, if you say so", and "oh, I'll bear that in mind".
Sonia looks back and wonders but soon has other primary thoughts, as well as the hundreds and thousands of daemonic processes going on up in her chip.
Her thoughts are her babies and everything she must do in the days to come.
She remembers her offspring can hear her and quietly says, looking down so that the Dempseys know who she is talking to, "I am your mommy. My name is Sonia. Sonia. Your other mother is Lesley and she will love you just as much as I do when you get bigger".
A tiny little voice can be heard, "Sonia, slurp slurp snooze".
It was Kayley. Kasper heard her but is already asleep ZZZzzz.
-0-
Today is a very serious day elsewhere. It is Dog castration day.
At #7 Hastings Ave., Rosamund CA, Fido (or Benny as he is called), is taken out on a lead and jumps in to the back of Mrs Ahrem's small hatchback which has a dog guard in the rear.
They arrive at the surgery, which is in a quiet part of town, and she quite happily leads him inside, talking to him all the time.
The usual crap "you'll be much happier afterwards when the other dogs stop barking at you", and "you don't need them anyway".
Quite soon the other doggy patients start barking at him, pulling on leads and peeing on the floor. The cats are not much better. Even the pet Raccoon (of all things), is making his wicker basket bounce around on the floor.
Fido lets out a high pitch sound and this makes them worse. Dogs inside the recovery room are whining and barking too.
The female Vet, who has the name 'Jessamine' on her badge, soon rushes out and asks what is going on.
Mrs Ahrem stands up and quickly apologises. The Vet looks down at the cowering inoffensive Alsatian mutt, who wouldn't hurt a fly, and asks her to take him out to her car, asking if she can make another appointment out of hours.
Not long after that things begin to go quiet again.
(Pat on the head), "There there Benny, I'll take you home. You'll just have to keep away from other dogs. I'll take you out to the woods. You're a good boy and doesn't pee anywhere like those other dogs, so I don't see any reason that we should deprive you of your little friends".
It was as simple as that.
-0-
Back at Almeria Avenue, Camilla is slowly but surely growing her hair blonde, whilst dying it every few days under Allison's instructions. She is careful to try and incorporate any eventualities that might occur, such as water too hot, splashing her clothes, dripping water down everywhere. She ensures that she does it whilst only wearing her underwear until she gets a better hang of it.
Of course John was banished from the bathroom during this process but he did happen to see her once when he brought some more towels upstairs because the others got wet too frequently.
She was wearing matching light mauve skanty panties and uplift bra.
"Did you peek just then?"
"No. What at?"
"The thing that you just said you weren't peeking at".
"Oh that. No!"
"Lyer".
From the other side of the room is another Allison voice "Allison. He's lying".
John knew that Camilla had seen him and has to own up so that Camilla is not taught bad habits. "OK but it was an accident".
Allison looks over to Camilla, "Was it?"
Camilla looks at John, who, with a strained face nods. For her this is an instruction from her master. She looks back at Allison and says "Yes".
"Huh. Mr Connor, I think you've asking for a slap" she says with a smile.
Camilla rushes forward with her wet hair and gets between the 2 of them, "I cannot allow you to hurt John".
Once again John has to be careful what he says, so that Camilla will not misconstrue his words, "she will not slap me, she knows how much you value my safety".
Camilla turns to look at Allison, to see if she responds. She is rather embarrassed but feels compelled to say "I was testing you out. You have passed. Well done", (forced smile).
John adds, "You must promise never to hurt Allison or anybody else who is my friend".
"I promise".
"Now that your hair is blonde and once you have applied your grey eye shadow, you will be able to accept deliveries. That will be good for us because we often had to pick up our items from the parcel depots.
To start off with, you can go in to standby until 7am. We will stay the night".
"If I am in standby, I cannot ensure your safety".
"Oh. In that case, would you please patrol all the rooms except the room with the bed?"
"Yes" (straight face).
Allison declares she will go out to the car the get the bedding.
John calls Riley on his cell. She is supposed to be looking after 3-Ally but she is not there. "I've gone out to the stable, Sofia is looking after her".
(In reality, Riley is off again without declaring to Billy that she has taken the horse to see Shane).
John phones Sofia (Vassilieva), who asks how Allison is.
"Oh she's fine, just a little mix-up. When I get back home I'll let you know why we went out today. Do you have 3-Ally with you?"
"Yes, she's fine too. She's learning 'Monday's child'."
"What?"
"A nursery rhyme".
"Oh. Do you know what day of the week she was born?"
"Yes. She went upstairs and asked Sonia. It was Friday".
"So what does that make her? Badass!"
"Very funny. No. loving and giving. I was born on Thursday if you're interested".
"Let me think. Thursday's child is. Nope, you'll have to tell me".
"Has far to go".
"I'm sorry to hear that. You might have been spared all this".
"It's all right. At least I'm alive. If I'd been up in Hollywood I might be dead now".
"Yes that's something I'm thinking about real hard. When John Henry finds something that links to their whereabouts, I'll move in on them".
The phone is handed over and John speaks to 3-Ally and lets her know he will be home in the morning. He keeps Riley in mind too.
Sonia heard the conversation and knows full well that Cameron was warned about Riley by future Savannah. Perhaps she must take responsibility for Riley on Cameron's behalf.
-0-
Elsewhere, Second Lieutenant Robert Brewster has returned to base and enters the office where the Howards work. Melanie is not there but her desk sergeant is.
He takes the name and phones through to Captain Dominic Howard. It is a good job that both he and his father (Lieutenant Colonel), outranks Robert Brewster.
"OK, send him in".
He stands to attention and salutes.
Dominic tries not to eye him too suspiciously but is wary of this guy.
Immediately, Brewster sits down, opens his case on his lap and takes out a folder. He has taken a lot of trouble compiling what he will say. He begins;
"Sir, I have returned from The Hills, having spoken to a certain Aaron Hotchner, who is the team leader for a unit from Quantico Virginia who specialize in unusual, heinous and unsolvable crimes that need to be wound up ASAP.
He tells me that they use psychological analysis to try and work out what the perpetrator, or UnSub as he puts it, will do next and how he/she can be found.
He is not giving me the full picture. I'm pretty sure of that and yet he knows who I represent. I consider this unacceptable behaviour and if I find out why he is not telling me, his job could be on the line if I'm not satisfied".
"He's not telling you because he knows you wouldn't believe him. He knows that I know what we are up against. If this info was to reach the ears of anybody outside of here, we would either be ostracised as imbeciles or create mass panic".
"So, are you going to send me back to the Whitehouse with a message to the president that we have been invaded by creatures from outer space or what?" replies Brewster rather sarcastically.
Dominic reaches for his phone, dials 01 and waits. It only rings a few times and is answered by a woman.
It would seem that in Melanie's absence, 2 people are needed to answer the phones, as they are busy doing other things too.
"Is the Lieutenant Colonel free?"
"Sir".
"Yes Dominic, what's up?"
"Second Lieutenant Robert Brewster is here. I believe it would be best that you speak to him about our problem".
Knowing what 'our problem' is, he replies "Stay there, I'll come through. We can use some tea or coffee".
In Dominic's office, across the room, are a coffee table and beautiful leather, thick armed settees and arm-chairs.
They go over, sit down and are waited on by the same guy that took the 1st phone call.
"OK, here is the situation" says Jeff, "our President might be better off not knowing what we know".
"What are…."
"Let me finish. Do you have an open mind and are prepared to take in what is not considered possible by scientists, let alone ordinary men like us?"
"Mad cloning or something like that?"
Jeff looks at Dominic, who tilts his head slightly and shrugs. "You're on the right track but worse than that".
Robert looks back, closes his briefcase and places it on the floor. "How serious are you?"
"Deadly".
"Aliens. Come on man, I've seen the science channel. It takes more than 50 years for a radio signal to reach the outer edges of our solar system. Travel to another galaxy is impossible. Besides, we'd spot them".
"Stop there. Not aliens. Something created by man, then modified by a supercomputer a few decades in to the future, turned in to the most fearsome killing machine ever invented or thought possible. Finally, it sends these machines in human form back in time, our time. Here now".
"This is what you don't want me to tell the president's representatives in Washington?"
"Yes".
"Of course I'm not going to tell him that. Stop feeding me crap and tell me the exact story. I appreciate that you outrank me but I have my orders and you are obliged to help me".
"Excuse me. I'm going to make a phone call", replies Jeff, who gets up and goes out of the room.
He sends his assistant out of the room and then phones John on his 'special cellphone' provided by John-Henry, which has its untraceable call programmed through his mainframe.
(Special 4-digit code '5333' for Jeff on his keypad). "Hello Jeff. What's up man?"
Jeff explains the situation and then asks if it is viable to provide proof of what they are up against.
Ironically, John replies "Well, if you want me to send Sonia over there to provide proof, that won't be possible. She's just given birth to twins".
"John. This is serious. He has to report back to the President's right-hand man".
"Jeff. s. They are well and no, they are not tiny terminators".
"Are you kidding me?"
He hands the cell to Allison, "Hello Jeff. It's me, Allison. It's true, a lovely tiny little boy and girl. The kids are overjoyed, as are we all".
"Well I'll be damned. Will I ever fail to be surprised? Congrats. How the hell did she manage to do that? Has Melanie seen them?"
"Not yet but she will. In answer to your other question, we don't know, yet".
"So Sonia can't help us?"
(Smilingly replies) "Unlikely. How can John and I help you?" (Puts phone on broadcast).
"We have a Second Lieutenant Robert Brewster in our office, digging for information. I'm not sure I trust this guy's motives.
He appears to be a person that wants to step over people to get to the top. I'm calling to ask your opinion on what he should know.
I told him the truth knowing that he wouldn't believe me but now I need to give him a story that he will believe".
"OK then. How about the usual story but let him conjure up the idea himself".
"Meaning?"
"Inform him that the war we are fighting is not just a band of sleeper cells, it is a group of people who are highly trained, look normal and are of unknown origin.
They are taking advantage of the credit crunch & climate change. They know our two main parties will never agree on anything and that there is also infighting within the Republican Party.
They will work together with an overseas power to financially break our country from the inside out.
They want to create disharmony amongst all creeds, classes and anything else that comes to mind by committing murderous atrocities.
They have proved that they are deadly and efficient.
They have the resources to pay people to do their bidding and will never stop unless we can root them out.
Unfortunately they are the most dangerous people we have ever encountered.
The first such assassin was trained in 1983 and wiped out a LA police station a year later.
Now things have changed.
They are escalating.
Don't tell him much more than that. Let him draw his own conclusion and just agree with him.
Keep him contained if possible, so that we can do our job without creating extra hysteria".
"Sure. You're a wise man for your age John. I'll get back to you".
"Ciao".
"Ciao".
-0-
Elsewhere in 2009, Still Friday 20th March '09, it is an ordinary day for the students at John's last school.
The talk of John Connor is on their lips frequently and Morris has created fame for himself.
He is telling other students that the sister of his best friend would have gone with him to the upcoming ball, when that day eventually arrives.
He even said that he had her number and when the day came, he would phone her or Allison and she would meet him there.
When the kids laughed at him, he merely replied by showing them a hickey, saying "ella insistió, así que dije 'sí', pero por favor no me hagas daño", although he paid his sister to do it and then verify his claim. 'As if'!
Heaven help him if a terminator was to kidnap a student only to find that Morris was in direct contact with Cameron, or Allison for that matter.
Outside the Latin Quarter, Little & Large, (Jimmy and Austin respectively), only have bad things to say about Sonia and Lesley.
Most of the other kids are in awe of the Connors and conjure up new stories about what they are capable of, or have been doing.
Sweet little flowery Gemma, has created a 'fan club and fiction writers group' which covers everything about them.
Some of the teachers are concerned and annoyed that the kids' school projects should be about the Connor gang.
It was discussed at a staff meeting with the principle and secretary, but deemed that the very 1st amendment of the American constitution would violate their rights of free speech and thinking.
It doesn't matter what ethnic origin they came from, as people like Leila were all considered game. That's if they are even alive, as they supposed they might not be.
'Blown to pieces in a shootout or smashed to pieces by a large explosion'. Their minds boggled each time they heard the news and it was connected to the Connors.
'There was a man blasted at almost point blank range in school corridors, only to survive and come back to life'. At least that's what the grapevine said, according to Gina & Byron's school caretaker.
Then there was a Security van blown open. The sides ripped apart. Grenade launched shells smashing open a house and witnesses seeing 2 identical Sofia's (or was it Sonia's), being carried by one of 2 other twins.
Not a single shred of witness testimony was left off the school bulletin boards, computers, notebooks. Hearts and 'arrows through hearts' with pictures of John, Lionel and Mrs Connor were all adored by many of the female students. Yes indeed, Sarah was 'hot stuff' now – quite the Cougar.
Cupids and Elves, Allison with fairy wings etc., were drawn on school books, whilst magazine pictures of John and Allison's head were pasted side by side and hearts pierced by arrows around them.
There were also pictures of Greek gods up in the heavens with 'guess who's- faces on them. (You're wrong this time, it was Sonia & Lesley).
It was quite reminiscent of an actress named Summer Glau who appeared in Firefly and her appreciation pages.
Youtube was another great feature of the students, who created their own music tracks for the original school play which was videoed in its entirety by Lionel. I bet he wished he never left a copy of the CD/DVD in his school locker, as it was ripped open by students hoping to dig the dirt. They succeeded, to some extent.
The following afternoon, Allison's cell rings.
"6354 Hello"
"Hello is that Melissa?"
"I don't know who you are" click.
'Ring ring'.
"Hello?"
"Who are you?"
"I'm …" click.
'Ring ring'.
'Oh shoot' "2554".
"6354 Hello Allison. I have got a heavy box. It is 60.960cm by 60.960cm by 40.640cm".
"Why didn't you phone John?"
"He told me to phone you about anything that did not involve danger".
"Oh he did, did he? Are you sure that the box hasn't got a bomb in it?"
"It is unlikely because Sonia phoned John Henry and asked him to add her to my database. She also told him that I would receive a box of approximately this size, with an Amazon originator's details on the attached paper within the clear pocket".
"OK. John and I will come and get it later. Have you had any problems?"
"I have to go. There is a knock at the door".
3 minutes later, Allison's phone rings again.
'Ring ring'
"2554".
"6354 Hello Allison. I have got 3 packages. They are different sizes".
"Thank you Melissa. Look after them until we arrive this afternoon to collect them. There is not any need to phone more than once when you receive more packages or mail".
"Yes" click
'Hmnn', goes downstairs and is happy to see 3-Ally climbing up Derek's leg, using his arm to try and pull herself up.
He seemed to be happy enough, judging by his face, as he says "nearly there girl. You're good at climbing".
"Urf, I know".
He already had Marta hanging from the other arm, "no mi deje caer" (pron; no me de-yay cay-ere, which means don't drop me).
Conny was there, "agárrate fuerte", (the G pronounced H), as Marta swung her leg up over Derek's bicep, "What?"
"It means Hold on tight".
"Oh OK".
'Ring ring'.
Allison looks at her display, 'now what?', "2554".
"6354 Hello Allison. I think I have a physical defect that I can't detect with my diagnostics".
"Really? What's the problem" asks alarmed Allison.
"The Mail-man handed me some letters and asked me to sign for a small box which has contents that rattle.
After I signed for it he said 'you look hot' and then walked away, got in his van, smiled at me and drove off.
Why would he think it is funny?"
"It's OK. You have no need to worry, (smile). He was paying you a compliment. Is there anything else you want to tell me?"
"The Dictionary has 15 different variations of the word 'hot'. After that there is a reference to hot, which is Slang Strong sexual attraction or desire.
Am I attractive to humans and is that why you were concerned about John staring at me in my bra and panties?"
'Oh this is great', "Yes but please don't think about it too much. We'll talk about it when I see you later. I have to go now".
"Yes", click.
'hmnn, let's hope that's it'.
Upstairs in the bathroom, Allison checks out her gorgeous looks and has to admit that she is lucky, as she applies moisturiser to her face. She wonders if all this 'softening up' will be detrimental and smiles at her face in the mirror as she wonders if she should not use anything.
Scent balls, deodorising sprays, and other things are applied, and then she brushes her hair.
Of course, all of this never existed in the future and she had to get this advice from her school-friends like Leila, Lesley and even Lionel. He was a guy after all, and what women do for themselves is also for the benefit of men.
'Ring ring'.
(Stares at display) 'Oh. What now?' "Hello? Sorry 2254".
"6354 hello Allison. When John and you were here, he told me that I look like you. Does that mean you are 'hot' too?"
(Smile) "Huh. Did John say that I was 'hot'?"
"No. Shall I ask him? You never answered my question".
(Smiling again) "I believe I could be hot. You'll have to ask John when you see him this afternoon, but don't ask him when I'm listening. Then you can tell me what he said when he's not listening".
"Yes".
"OK. I need to go now. Please don't call me any more unless there is an emergency".
"If there is an emergency I will call John".
"OK. Goodbye".
"Yes" click.
'Why does she keep saying 'yes'?'
3 hours later, Jallison have been to Almeria Avenue and found that the deliveries are a sewing machine and various materials, sewing items, a few tools and a Laptop.
It turns out that Sonia wants Camilla to visit a website; Ehow dot com etiquette_for_women
And learn all there is to know with strict instructions not to visit any other websites. Any problems, phone her and she will answer on her vibrating cell. She also informed Camilla that she must ensure her cellphone is charged daily.
Both John & Allison find it strange trying to get meaningful conversation out of Camilla, but do their best to instruct her in what to say and do before they eventually bring her back to the ranch.
-0-
Over in the village, Riley is lapping up the attention but is unaware she is creating too much attention.
She is not stupid but she is quite trusting. Her episode with Jesse was a good example, because fuss & devotion plied well with her, having not had any in the tunnels.
Elsewhere and not far away, never-the-less, it seems 'hell hath no fury'.
Shane has a girlfriend. In her eyes he has, but in his eyes he is young and fair game for other women.
Although Riley's hair has much thicker permed curls compared to when she was at school, and wears a shade of pink lipstick and smouldering eye-shadow making it harder to be recognised, it would seem that another woman is not so easily fooled.
Gloria, the girl with short black hair, a style almost resembling Liza Minella in Cabaret, and a lip ring, believes that this girl could be from John's school.
She leaves the scene to see who it is she remembers reading about. It is hardly surprising that she remembered her face because each and every Connor resistance member was displayed in a line-up across the national newspaper.
25 minutes later, she has found the article off of the internet. She appears to be Riley Dawson, not Isabel, as she claims to be.
'I'll teach that criminal murdering cow to steal my man'
(Dial, pause) "Hello Emergency, what service do you want?"
(OK, it is pretty obvious that 911 is an emergency number but Gloria was treating this as one).
"I have what appears to be a member of the Connor gang up here".
"This is an emergency number, but where is here?"
"The Lakers Hotel and bar, in Tehachapi village".
"OK, I'll put you through to the Police Dept. Please stay on the line and keep an eye on her. Keep well away. There might be more of them and they're probably armed".
"OK. I'll wait but she is definitely on her own".
Across town, Kaliba safe house, Myron Stark has been given the task of monitoring all police frequencies.
Fortunately, so has John Henry.
The first thing John Henry does is inform Ms Weaver, whilst simultaneously phoning John.
John has been given the honour of showing Camilla how to go outside with the ladder from the shed and clean the windows at the back of the house. (He wouldn't go out the front because the neighbours would get a good view of him). That will be her job.
He is up the ladder washing a window, saying "you must be careful not to push too hard and break the glass".
Camilla is on the ground looking up when the phone, which is in his pocket, rings.
A few rings later, it cuts off and then Allison's rings.
"This is an important call. Where is John?"
"He can't use his phone at the moment. What's up John Henry?"
"I know where Riley is, therefore so will Kaliba. Her life is in danger".
"JOHN. RILEY'S IN DANGER. WE HAVE TO GO".
"WHAT? SHIT". He slides down the ladder with his feet against the uprights and his hands rapidly grabbing each lower rung. Camilla runs forward to try and support his landing. He looks at her quite surprised and then grabs his shirt and orders "go inside. Shut the door. We will see you later" and then runs through the house and out the front.
"No. I must come with you". She runs inside to get her powerful rifle.
Camilla slams the inside door to the garage, just as John attempts to pull away without her. She shows that her programming is more than capable of running fast and springs through the air to hang on to the door.
With his window still wound down to keep the jeep cool, Camilla grabs hold, so he has to stop to let her in.
(Parking inside the garage with the doors up, gives enough security to allow John to get in and out of his vehicle without being recognised).
JH gives the details for the quickest route to Tehachapi Laker's, so they are able to head there as quickly as possible.
Whilst driving, he phones Derek and tells him that this is the ideal opportunity to get one of those cyborgs. He also asks him to take the best decision after explaining where to go.
Derek, who is closer, opts to go with Sarah across land direct to the Laker's.
Sonia sits up in bed. She is alarmed. Immediately she phones Camilla and is relieved to hear the news.
Lesley comes back in to the room with some nappies cut up in to quarters and says "they were both asleep just now".
Who will get there first?
It should be Derek and Sarah.
John suddenly has a realisation followed by an idea.
'If Kaliba know where to go, they might try and trace Riley's movements back to us. We are too close to Tehachapi village. We can't just try and rescue her. We've got to let Kaliba think we set up this place as a trap well away from our secret safe house'.
They must completely wipe out whoever/whatever sets out to get Riley. Perhaps she has done John a favour.
Sure enough, Derek & Sarah arrive first. They head straight for the bar but there is not any sign of Riley.
It is packed out and after moving across the room they still can't see her.
"What shall we do about all these people?"
"Nothing we can do" replies Sarah, "come on, we've got to search for her".
They head through the crowd, who are playing pool, sitting at tables etc. Then up to the bar, behind the bar and then head for the stairs.
"Hey, where'd you think yer goin?" says a guy who is pouring drinks.
"Mr Laker invited us up to his room" replies Sarah.
"There is no Mr Laker".
"That's what the lady owner told us to say".
"Oh. OK".
Sure enough, upstairs in one of the rooms, Shane's room is him and Riley.
"Quick. You've been traced. We've got to go" demands Sarah as Derek keeps a lookout behind him with his trusty armour piercing weapon, which he had to hide in its disguised box from the SUV.
"Who the hell are you?" demands Shane
Silently, Riley gets up, takes her gun out of her bag and rushes past Sarah.
"WHAT THE HELL'S GOING ON?"
"Shut it" says Derek pointing his weapon at the guy, adding "you'll never see her again".
"WHO ARE YOU, HER DAD?!"
Derek is gone.
They head downstairs and out the back, carefully edging their way around the building whilst Sarah tells Riley what she has done.
"I had to get out of there. I was going stir crazy. It was the first bit of fun with guys that I've had. He was nice, up to a point".
"Yeah I can imagine", says Derek, "and then he wanted more".
Riley stays quiet as they reach the SUV and get in. It is then that she remembers her horse but decides to stay quiet.
They drive a short distance and park in an area usually reserved for horse riders. Then they wait.
Derek remarks, "We don't know who or what we're waiting for and we don't have Sonia to tell us, especially now that she's pushed out 2 Terminettes".
"Very funny, but you're right. We'll just have to keep a close eye and look out for a clue. Perhaps they'll be stupid enough to brandish a rifle in full view".
"Look", says Riley, "Some guy's going around the back of the bar. He's got a crash helmet on".
"You stay here and keep an eye out for any cars approaching, we'll go and have a look" announces Sarah, "oh by the way, there's a rifle under the seat".
The 2 of them approach the bar entrance and peer through the windows. No sign of a guy asking around.
Meanwhile upstairs, Myron Stark has reached the room where Shane and his mates are. They had previously returned to hear his story.
He told them that her mother came to fetch her.
Myron produces a picture of Riley, which fortunately for the Connors, gave them a few extra minutes whilst he (or preferably it), found an ideal picture to print out and bring with him.
One of the guys identifies her straight away. Now they have to be terminated so that he cannot be identified.
Myron steps forward and grabs the nearest, almost immediately killing him by thrusting his fist through his chest.
The others start yelling and screaming until they meet the same fate. One has his skull smashed, one a broken neck, the last one trying to climb out of the window.
Some of the customers hear the noise and walk towards the bar, whilst the bar staff go through the back to listen.
Myron has replaced his helmet and walks down the stairs.
At that moment Sarah hears the sirens. She informs Derek.
Inside, one of the guys challenges Myron and finds a gun pointing straight at his head. BLAM.
Screams and shouting. BLAM BLAM BLAM.
Derek insists "FALL BACK. WE DON'T KNOW WHAT WE'RE UP AGAINST. THE COPS'LL BE HERE ANY SECOND. CHANCES ARE THEY'LL MEET".
"Hell". They just about manage to rush around the side of the saloon as the bar door opens and out steps the terminator.
The first police car pulls up with a screech and out jumps 2 cops.
BANG BANG. They both fall to the ground.
Myron quickly heads to an area between 2 parked cars, where it is quite dark. He starts the engine and pulls forward on a large motorbike.
As he turns, Derek fires at the bike and there is a small explosion which is followed by a slightly larger one.
There is burning fuel splashing everywhere.
Myron is alight and rushes back towards the bar, in through the door, whereupon the people cowering inside jump back and then for cover.
He rushes out the back and unintentionally alarms the horses by diving in to their water trough, which he passed and observed earlier.
He still has his gun in his hand. Sarah, who was around the corner, opens fire on him.
He looks over and takes aim. She is quick enough to duck back behind the building.
Not far away, within 30 seconds, John will arrive with Allison and Melissa.
Myron heads towards where Sarah is hiding and the moment he turns the corner, Derek is waiting and fires at his ragged, slightly fried body and legs.
The shell hits his body but not square on, bounces off with an almighty thud and ricochets in to the bar building, causing it to explode and make a hole in the wall.
He is knocked sideways, falls and almost immediately gets up as Sarah opens fire at his head.
This draws him to a halt as Derek feverously attaches another shell.
Myron is able to continue moving forward just as John pulls up. Allison opens fire, seeing full well who the enemy was.
Up until now, John is not in danger but the moment he steps out of his jeep and holds his rifle in his hand, it is evident to Melissa that he must be protected at all costs.
Even more-so now that Myron is too quick for Derek and grabs his 'just reloaded' Raufoss and aims it at John.
The weapon is fired. Melissa, with her very fast chip, is able to plot the trajectory and pulls John towards her as the shell hits his jeep.
The engine bonnet explodes, as Myron hits Sarah across the face.
She falls to the ground and he moves in on the newly acquired prime directive target.
Both he and Allison are a little stunned, but Melissa is not.
To make things worse, more police are almost on the scene. Just down the long road in fact.
Now Melissa, who never had time to grab her rifle, & Myron are caught in combat. She is using combat copied to her chip from Sonia. Is it enough?
Derek drags Sarah to her SUV, just as Riley opens the front passenger door.
Melissa flies through the air in their direction and smashes against the rear of the SUV, her arm hitting Riley on the leg.
She screams in pain.
Riley can only assume that this blond-hair terminator must be on John's side. She starts shooting at Myron's head but it is not doing much harm.
Each time Melissa runs at him, he throws her through the air like a rag doll.
John & Allison scramble to their feet and also open fire.
Myron stands and stares at his quarry after throwing Melissa through the air once again, smashing in to another car.
He quickly scans John and realises who he is.
It is enough to give her time to run at Myron again.
Derek grabs his Raufoss off the ground, shoves a shell in it and rushes back to the grappling scene.
This time he uses point blank range and fires at the neck. BLAM. A blinding explosion and Myron falls to the ground.
Melissa asks, with her black and blue face, torn clothing and visible undergarments, "What shall I do now?"
Rather groggily, John replies, "Drag that terminator over to that SUV, throw it in and get in beside it".
He looks down, sees what might be a neck rod, picks it up, swears because it is hot and throws it in to his jeep. It lands on the floor.
Melissa does just as ordered whilst John tries to start his jeep.
"Come on" urges Allison.
It is difficult to start but eventually grinds in to life making an awful noise.
With Riley sitting in the back, Allison next to him and Melissa anxiously watching from afar, Derek follows John at a slow pace down the road and around the bend. Sarah is sitting next to him but holds her head and neck.
Over at the bar, people are still inside but peer out of the window, including Gloria, who is shaking like a leaf.
She looks behind her again and sees the dead body. Nobody has dared go over to have a look.
The cop car, followed by another pulls up outside the Lakers, they see their buddies lying there and rush behind their vehicles for cover.
Just around the corner, his jeep grinds to a halt.
Whirr whirr. It won't restart. John keeps trying.
Allison stares at John, who is cursing.
Derek drives around the front and reverses, surprisingly ordering Melissa to grab some rope out of the back.
She does not comply.
"It's to save John for Christ's sake. Aren't you supposed to be his protector?"
Logic wins. She jumps out quickly, looking pretty awful if anyone were brave enough to tell it to her face.
She quickly leans over the back of the seat, bum in the air, grabs the rope with Derek watching, slides back to her kneeling position and holds it.
"BRING IT HERE" shouts John.
She complies.
"Watch what I do carefully".
(Approximately 25 seconds later), "now tie the other end to Derek's car in the same manner".
"Yes", off she goes.
John sits in the jeep and watches her. Amazingly, she does it, although he can't see what she did. Derek can though, and as John gets the nod from him, who is leaning out of his door, he shouts "NOW GET BACK IN THE CAR WITH DEREK. QUICKLY".
She complies and Derek slowly takes the slack.
Then they are off. He looks at Sarah, who is holding her head and neck with her eyes shut, then back to Camilla, who is 'staid in appearance' but looking straight ahead.
45 minutes later, having forewarned the ranch occupants, they eventually turn up.
Derek drives the last few yards and turns left.
The ranch occupants can see that he is towing John's jeep.
As they get out, they are greeted.
There are quite a few gasps when they see a blonde Cameron with ripped clothes. Her light mauve bra can be seen. Sarah is resting against her, arm over her shoulder.
Then they see the dents in the rear door and frame above it, plus the ripped metal of the bonnet of John's jeep.
John holds Allison's hand and they walk slowly indoors.
"OMG, what has happened to you?" ask the kids when they see Jallison's back.
"Caught in the blast, I'm taking Ally upstairs".
"Mommy Mommy, I'm coming".
As 3-Ally follows them, Marta and Claire ask almost simultaneously "is your baby OK?"
"I think so. Can you bring the first aid box with you? Where's Sonia?"
Marta heads off to the kitchen for the box as Sofia says "still upstairs with her babs and Lesley".
"Oh, that's nice".
Downstairs, the realisation that Cameron is back is the topic of conversation.
They don't get much out of Camilla, so Derek explains, having had the explanation given to him in the car by John, over his cell.
Upstairs, Sonia relays the news to Lesley, who is quite concerned for Allison. She says "Will it be alright if I leave you and go and see her?"
Sonia looks up, from studying her Litluns suckling, smiles and says "of course".
John insists that Allison lies down on the bed, saying "why the hell did I take you?"
"Ooh umf (lies down on her stomach), cos' I'm a badass and if you're gonna get blown up, so am I".
"YOU GOT BLOWN UP?" says Lesley from the doorway.
"She's exaggerating a little but we got caught in the blast from of one of Derek's shells".
"What's he doing shooting at you?"
"He wasn't. He was lying flat on his ass with mom not far away. OH HELL. MOM. I'll be back Al.
Look after her Claire. I'll be back as soon as I can".
John passes hobbly Marta, saying "you'll need scissors to cut her shirt off".
She hobbles in to the room, takes one look at the slightly potted bloody jacket and goes over.
With Claire's help the jacket is slid off and then Marta snips up the t-shirt from bottom to top. Finally unfastening her dark blue bra strap.
"I'll get some water" says Lesley. Sonia gets a feeling of warm comfort from somewhere within, knowing that with Lesley around, she too would be in good hands, just like in the recent past.
Downstairs, John finds Sarah being spoken to by Tarissa Dyson and her son. She's saying "I can't imagine what it must be like for you Sarah. You're not exactly 'Joan Of Ark' but almost as good as".
Sarah stays quiet.
John slowly approaches, speaks quietly "do you know how it ended?"
"What?"
"You delayed that cyborg long enough to… OH SHIT".
He turns and rushes to the door, only to find Derek standing there with a knife, cloth and chip in his hand.
"How did you do that?"
"I told your new cyborg girlfriend what to do, and then gave her a knife. She got on with it. Riley left her zappers on the floor by the back seat. She soon got the hang of it".
"How did you know they were there?"
"Do you think I'm going to get in a car with a cyborg that only has its neck broken? I knew they were there."
"Oh".
"Yes, if I hadn't seen the Tasers I'd have taken another shot at its chip port. Instead of that, I told Melissa that your safety depended on zapping it and getting its chip out. She's a quick learner".
John looks over at Melissa, who stands there looking at him. No real expression. He feels that he must say something
"Thank you. You did well".
"Yes".
John looks at Derek, who smirks.
"Mom, are you OK?"
"I'm fine. My brain is working. Don't forget I've still got Cameron's 'present' attached to my heart".
"Of course. Great. So, you're absolutely sure you're going to be OK?"
"John, I'm alright" emphasises his mom.
"I must get back to Allison. She's in good hands but I'd like to give her my support too".
As he walks away, he hears "get yourself seen to too".
"Sure mom".
"Oh, and next time leave her behind".
-0-
Next time, Camilla is back at the ranch keeping the kids amused but it causes a bit of a problem.
At the end of this chapter, Cameron's 'present' is the regenerator, which was attached beneath Sarah's heart and saved her life after being poisoned. (Cameron's Redemption ch3,4,5,6).