Disclaimer & Notices
Copyright: The Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles characters and concept belong to James Cameron and Josh Friedman. However, I own the plot and other characters.
Notices: This story contains violence and sexual content. Additionally, this story will contain grammatical or other errors. If you're feverish over the errors, feel free to privately message me about what you find otherwise, just enjoy.
Summary: The sequel to "I, Terminator". It's been nearly twenty-two years since Sarah Connor met the Omega terminator, Cameron Philips, who forever altered her life. On a regular work day, Sarah Connor receives a visit at Cyberdyne Systems from Cameron, who reveals that Sarah's daughter is under threat. However, it appears to both Sarah and Cameron that Cameron's exact mission is unclear leaving them to find the answers.
Started: May 28, 2009
Series 2: No Fate, Story #2
I, Human
by Red Hope
Chapter 10 – Clean Up
Sarah stood in front of the living room window and watched until the hover car was too far away. She sighed now that it was just she, Jean, and Charley in the house. She listened to Jean's movements in the kitchen so she went in there.
"Dinner was good, sweetie." Sarah picked up her glass of tea that was leftover from dinner. "Thank you."
Jean smiled at her mother's compliment. She always enjoyed making dinner for her mother and father because they both loved it so much. She'd learned much of her cooking skills from her father and grandmother. At such thoughts, she mentioned, "It was good to see Grandma."
Sarah sat down on a stool. "It was." She cleared her throat after she drank the last of her tea.
"She was really upset about what happened." Jean took her mother's glass and put it in the sink to wash it.
"She'll be fine," Sarah brushed off.
But Jean shot a grin at her mother. "Grandma isn't going to let you drive us to Sunday Mass anymore."
The mother chuckled at Jean and shook her head. "I don't think she's going to drive all the way here to get us then take us to church."
"You want to put money on it?" Jean teased.
Sarah eyed her daughter and slowly grinned because it would be her mother to come pick them up. "No."
"Because you know I'm right," Jean tormented. She dried the glass and put it away. She hung the dish towel back on oven's handle.
"Is your homework done?" the mother checked.
Jean grinned at her mother's deflection, but she didn't argue it either. "Almost. I'll go finish it up." She came around the large kitchen to her mother's side. She kissed her mother on the cheek but before she could get away, her mother drew her into a side hug.
"I love you, Jean," Sarah murmured.
Jean hugged her mother a little harder. "I love ya too." She withdrew then headed to the staircase.
Sarah listened to her child's footfall until it was quiet. She thought about Charley upstairs in their master bedroom, but she wasn't about to go up there. Instead her thoughts went to Cameron, who was out taking care of loose ends from today. She'd told Charley and Jean that Cameron had left to see friends, yet she suspected that Jean knew better.
Suddenly Sarah was jarred from her thoughts by the vibration in her right pocket. She fished out her earpiece and put it on quickly. She clicked the answer button after she heard it was Cameron Phillips. "Hey," she greeted.
"Hi," Cameron replied over the earpiece. She was seated in the black hover car parked on a side street. She was waiting for time to pass by until she had to go. But she wanted to check on Sarah and Jean first despite she had constant feeds from the home security system.
"Did you have dinner?" the terminator inquired.
Sarah slid off the stool and started towards her office. "We finished up dinner about an hour ago." She opened the office door, slipped in, and locked it behind herself. "You missed meeting my mother... she was disappointed you weren't here." She sat down behind her desk.
Cameron stretched her legs out under the wheel. "I would like to meet her." She'd seen a few pictures of Sarah's mother thanks to future Jean. She related much of Sarah's features to the grandmother while Jean shared a mixture of both Sarah and Charley.
"You will," Sarah promised.
"How is Jean?"
The exhausted human slouched in her chair and softly replied, "She's better than earlier today." She rubbed her face some. "She's doing homework now."
"Good," Cameron replied. She was pleased to hear some routine was back because it would help Jean. Once she fixed the loose ends, they would still have some trouble until it settled down.
"Have you found out anything on those kidnappers?" Sarah quietly checked.
Cameron had searched the systems and only came upon two hits. "I could only identify two."
"Can you send me what information you have?" Sarah prompted. She sat up and wakened her surface computer. "Could you get anything out of them before...?"
The terminator understood the unfinished question. "Only one spoke after I-"
"I don't want to know," Sarah cut off. "Just tell me what he told you." She saw that Cameron had sent her encrypted files about two of the kidnappers. She opened the information and instantly recognized their faces.
"He said that they were hired," Cameron revealed.
"By who?" Sarah was skimming over the files.
Cameron studied the passing car from her front window. "He did not know."
"He didn't know?" The human was confused and focused on the conversation better. "He didn't know or he wouldn't tell you?"
"He did not know," Cameron confirmed. "They were hired to kidnap Jean but did not meet their... customer."
Sarah became chilled at such news. She sunk back into her chair and whispered, "That means he's still out there."
"Or she," Cameron argued.
"Let's not get into technicalities." Sarah rubbed her forehead. "There's still a threat out there who we don't know about."
"I will continue to search for who hired them," Cameron insisted. "There will be a digital trail."
"It's a needle in a haystack," the human fought. "If this person is serious about getting Jean then they'll do it again."
"But they have failed, and it cost eight men's lives," the terminator reminded. "I do not believe anybody will take payment for another attempt with such risks."
The CEO couldn't argue Cameron's good point, but it wasn't enough comfort for her. Regardless there was somebody out there that wanted her daughter, for some reason that perhaps wasn't just money. She set aside her thoughts and ordered, "Just be careful out there. This needs to be contained but a wrong move could make it worse."
"I know," Cameron promised. She reached into her pant pocket and retrieved a pocketknife. "I will take care of it." She opened the blade and studied it.
"When will you be home?" Sarah tapped her surface screen to dim it for now.
"I do not believe until three o'clock," Cameron reported. She determined the time was already ten o'clock. "Do not wait for me."
Sarah considered it then softly asked, "Wake me when you get back?"
"I will wake Charley then." Cameron set the open knife down on the dash. She then sat up and started taking off her left jacket's sleeve. She didn't like Sarah's long silence.
"He won't be here." The human pushed her chair back and slowly crossed the office to her bookshelf.
Cameron hesitated but shrugged off the jacket from her left shoulder. She grabbed the knife again and brought the blade to her left arm. "I will wake you." She wouldn't question why Charley wouldn't be home. She didn't consider him a priority of any type.
"Good." Sarah set a short glass on the bookshelf ledge. "Call me if anything comes up, alright?" She picked up the bottle of Talisker. "I mean it too."
"Alright," the terminator swore. "Do not work late, Sarah." She knew her human would start doing work for Cyberdyne Systems as soon as they hung up.
"I'll try not to," the CEO weakly promised. "Catch you later." She set the scotch bottle down then poised to hang up.
"Bye," the terminator properly responded. She hung up like Sarah then removed the earpiece. She set it aside then focused on the blade near her left arm. She positioned the blade to the correct location and drew it across her organic skin. She observed the blood oozing out.
Cameron cleaned the knife blade on her pant leg, closed it up, and put it back in her pocket. She then reached between the slit in her arm and sent an order to her chassis. After a low whine followed by a pop, Cameron had her prize and retrieved her onboard SHS. She turned the blood coated sphere in her fingers then used her tank top to clean it.
The terminator then held the sphere in front of her face about a foot away. She stared directly at it as it started glowing a soft blue. She had a glow to her own eyes that matched the sphere. She remained still for about a minute then leaned to her right over the center dash. She gently placed the sphere on the floor mat on the passenger side. She then put her jacket back on correctly.
The sphere hummed briefly then gradually a human started forming from thin air. The human flickered a few times then went fully solid and sunk into the chair. He had a stern expression but brightened when he laid eyes on the terminator.
"Good evening, Miss Phillips."
Cameron raised her eyebrow at her chatty hologram. "We have work to do."
"Naturally," the hologram rebuffed. He was put off already and mentioned, "You never turn me on just to have small talk." He received a warning glare. He sighed dramatically and remarked, "I pray you someday find a little human in your metal heart."
The terminator was slightly agitated and clipped, "You do not have to be a conversationalist to be a human."
The proud hologram lifted his chain and debated, "But all terminators are not conversationalists so I think you fit the bill." He waved his hand in the air. "You're just like the rest of them. You store me, use me, and expect me not to be hurt."
"You can't be hurt," Cameron argued.
"My metal sphere says otherwise," the hologram fought. He gave a sadden look to his owner. "Would it terminate you to chat with me now and again?"
Cameron turned her head away and muttered, "I thought I asked Jean to fix your chatty defect."
The hologram, an H-201, who had a system update prior to returning to 2030 with Cameron, still remained offended by the comment. "You know, I'm not the only tin can running around with defects in my system, Omega terminator." He found dark blue eyes back on him. "At least I haven't broken the Alpha Directive more times than I have protocol."
Cameron was rather annoyed by this point, and she started reaching for the hidden sphere. "I've had enough of this."
The hologram ceased the terminator's movements for its sphere. "Okay," he let up. "Maybe I went too far with the Alpha Directive poke." He offered a fair smile. "I want to help."
The terminator eyed the hologram then finally nodded. However, she softly granted, "Perhaps it wouldn't hurt if I wasn't so... abrupt."
The H-201 smiled, charmingly at a slight win. "See? It's nice having metal being nice to metal." He sat back in the seat and remarked, "I received your upload." He was gazing out the side window, but he couldn't see that well like a terminator. "Are the cans still there?"
"Yes, so are the flares," Cameron replied. "Start down in the vault."
"Then work my way up," the hologram agreed.
The terminator shifted in her chair too and mentioned, "Come back here quickly so that we can get to the forensic lab. I'll prep the upload for the next mission."
The SHS nodded once then grabbed the door handle. He grinned back at his owner. "Wish me luck?"
Cameron arched an eyebrow at the request, but she seriously stated, "Good luck." She was relieved once he was on his way to handle the abandon bank.
The hologram was middle-aged man with dark, curly locks. He adjusted his black leather jacket and shoved his hands into his pockets. He walked alone the sidewalk and headed down to the forgotten mall from decades ago. He first had to pick up the gas cans and flares that his owner left for him.
Cameron rested back in her chair but her direct link to the H-201 allowed her to see what was happening. She could control him if something went wrong, but she preferred to let him do the work. She decided long ago he was designed to help her, and it did little good for her to control him.
The hologram came to a hover bus stop that was empty. It used to be a stop for the mall back in the day but now it was barely used anymore. He picked up the black flares from the ground, tucked them in his back pocket, and collected the two gas cans in either hand. He noted Cameron's calculations on how long he'd have to escape the bank before the fire trucks arrived. He wasn't too concerned because he could end his hologram at any point.
Cameron continued watching the hologram's progress. But she also began researching the mission to take care of the evidence transported to the forensic lab by the state police. She needed access codes, a name, a face, and building layout.
The H-201 calmly crossed the barren parking lot and beelined to the bank. He was confident much like a terminator. He had a mission and a purpose that drove him. He noted the cameras that monitored the crime scene so he sent a warning to Cameron. He waited a few yards beyond the cameras' angle until Cameron confirmed the cameras' feeds were cut off. Once Cameron okayed it, he started right to the front door that'd been shattered hours ago by his owner.
The hologram paused in the dark lobby until his vision changed to night vision. He was satisfied and made his way down to the vault with his gas cans. He squatted in front of the open vault and lowered the left gas can. He took the right one and freed the lid. He entered the black vault and quickly started coating the vault floor with gasoline until he trailed into the entry room. He collected the filled can and started back to the steps. On his way up the steps, he poured out the rest of the fuel.
The H-201 was satisfied he'd prepped the vault downstairs. He now efficiently covered the rest of the bank on the upper level starting in the offices in the back. He slowly made his way back to the lobby until he covered everything. He'd noted several blood splatters on the wall or blood soakings in the aged carpet from his owner's earlier gunfight. But it didn't affect him any.
Once satisfied with his work, the H-201 went back to the steps at the vault and retrieved a flare from his back pocket. He snapped the flare to life then tossed it down the steps into the vault room. Instantly his eyes filled with yellow light so he left and grabbed the empty gas cans. He didn't want any more evidence left behind. He hurried outside but grabbed his last flare, lit it, and tossed it into the lobby.
Without looking back, the hologram purposefully strolled across the mall parking lot and headed back towards his owner. His backside slowly started glowing a soft yellow. He received data from Cameron that her position had change so he had to go the opposite direction once he was on the sidewalk. From far off, he heard the distant whine from fire alarms, yet he didn't look back. He passed a few strangers that didn't glance once at him.
The hologram had a ten minute walk until he came upon the parked hover car. He opened the rear passenger door and tossed the cans in first. He then climbed into the front passenger seat and buckled up for good measure.
"Good work," Cameron complimented. She put the hover car into gear and pulled out onto the road.
"Thank you," the proud hologram replied. "We are going to forensic lab next?"
"Yes," the terminator confirmed. She watched her driving but followed the GPS to their next stop. "I'm uploading the files for the next mission."
The H-201 started receiving the data then reprogrammed its image for the mission. For a moment, the hologram flickered but changed shape and grew older until it was a man in his early fifties. He was heavier, taller, and ball headed with somewhat droopy eyes. He wore business casual attire and a leather jacket left unzipped. At his right hip, a flashy gold badge occasionally flickered in the street lights that the car passed under.
The terminator glanced at the hologram and was pleased with his new image. "We will be there in fifteen minutes."
"I'm going over the data," the hologram informed in his deeper voice. He eerily stared straight ahead without blinking once. He had a focused expression as he worked through the data. After a few minutes, he blinked and turned his head to Cameron. "I do believe this will... be a cake walk."
Cameron arched an eyebrow at the hologram. "Do not be over confident."
"Like a terminator?" the H-201 poked. He earned a glare for the remark. "Perhaps your method could be more subtle, dear."
The terminator gently sighed and hit the accelerator once the speed limit was raised higher. "It was my method that started this night."
"Yes it was, wasn't it?" The hologram softly hummed and relaxed back in the seat. "For once a hologram's more... subdued method is required than the guns blazing terminator method." He grinned over at his owner, who tried ignoring him. "I can see why Connor created us because we help balance the bull in the china shop approach you terminators were programmed with."
Cameron continued ignoring the hologram, which had a wicked streak about a million processor chips long. She considered whether such annoying humor was directly programmed by Jean.
"Hmmm," the hologram murmured at its silent owner. "Perhaps you could learn something from us holograms after all."
Cameron finally acknowledged the hologram with a glower. "Perhaps holograms can cease pretending there is some imaginary competition between terminators and SHSs."
The hologram huffed and crossed his legs, which was out of character for his current image. "My predecessors are already in use in 2030. But your kind," the hologram ranted, "is just a twinkle in Cyberdyne Systems' eyes." He devilishly grinned at his owner. "Is Sarah Connor having late night fantasies about her first home-built terminator?"
"We were not home-built," Cameron denied. She didn't know why she was bothering to converse with the mouthy hologram.
"I don't know," the H-201 ventured, "I'd say she had to have some inspiration from home." He shot an evil smile at his owner. "Now that she has you around twenty-four seven."
The Omega terminator gave a louder sigh but slowed the hover car on the quiet highway. She had to take the next exit.
"How's that going by the way?" The hologram drummed his fingers on his knee. "Is she still smitten with you like she was in 2008?"
"She is married to Charley Dixon," Cameron curtly reminded.
The H-201 silently thought about the famous Sarah Connor's history, which was actually mysterious. "So are they as close as the stories say?" He caught how the terminator neglected to answer his inquiry. "I guess not... maybe it wasn't happily ever after for Sarah Connor." He actually spoke in sadness at the end. But he perked up some and asked, "What is our creator like as a kid?"
"She is much more carefree than how we know her," Cameron reported.
The hologram mulled it over and nodded after a beat. "I wish to meet her." He now focused back on Cameron. "That is possible if you put me online and introduce me as a friend. She would not know the difference between me and a normal human."
Cameron was silent for a beat then murmured, "Perhaps." She could understand the hologram's fascination with meeting the famous Jean Connor at a young age. Like many terminators, the later holograms were intrigued by their history and creators such as Cyberdyne Systems, Miles Dyson, Sarah Connor, ZeiraCorp, and a few others.
The H-201 accepted its owner's partial agreement to the idea. He'd have to work on Cameron later when he had the chance. He tried imagining what the young Jean Connor was like compared to the one he knew in 2045. But his processor just wasn't that creative and many questions were left open.
"We are close," Cameron mentioned. She pulled up to an opening among several parked cars on the street. From the GPS, she saw they were about three blocks from the LA's main forensics lab. She parked the hover car but left it on and looked at the hologram. "Do not take long. I will be watching."
The H-201 dipped its head in understanding then stepped out of the hover car.
Cameron unbuckled from the car then started out of the car too. She briefly touched her lower back and felt her Glock securely hidden under her canvas jacket. She walked around the front of the car and exchanged a look with the hologram. She stepped up onto the sidewalk and heard the driver's door slam.
The H-201 didn't waste time and drove off at a decent speed. He was focused on his mission.
Cameron briefly watched the black car silently speed away. She retrieved her direct feed with her onboard hologram as she made the short walk to the metal bench seat for a bus stop. She sat down on the lonely bench and could only wait until the hologram returned for her.
The hologram pulled his foot off the accelerator as he approached the guardhouse for the forensics lab. He held the brake down firmly once he was parallel with the guardhouse.
"Good evening, sir," a monotone voice greeted.
"Hello," the hologram replied after he put the glass window down. He offered a smile to the security system that was a part of the guardhouse. He watched as the red eye stretched out from the guardhouse and came closer to his face. He detected that the security eye was quickly scanning his retina for confirmation to his identity.
"Welcome, Captain Madison, back to the Los Angeles Forensics Lab," the security system invited in a constant monotone. "I will alert the security guards to your arrival. Please pull through the gate."
"Thank you," the hologram replied. He watched the metal box, which held the red eye, retracted back into the guardhouse. He briefly considered how easy it was for him to mimic human images thanks to sophisticated technology from 2045. To the hologram, the red eye security guard was almost archaic at best.
The H-201 pulled the hover car through the drawn open gates and entered the lab's nearly empty parking lot. He quickly found a parking spot closest to the side door that was only used during after hours. As he approached the locked door, it suddenly unlocked and swooshed open for him. The H-201 sauntered into the dimly lit hallway of the building.
"Good evening, Captain Madison," a flat line voice greeted beyond the door.
The H-201 paused in front of the tall, hefty mechanical security guard that almost looked human. He scanned the guard, who was an ancient predecessor to the terminators and were actually considered androids. The H-201 retrieved data about this particular model android that was filled by mostly wires and chips but had no superior strength or intelligence.
The nearly human-like guard held out his hand, politely. "Welcome back, captain."
The hologram collected the android's large hand into his in a brief shake. He noted that the automated guard's skin was made from the old silicon based prototype. He also was aware of the fact that in that instant moment that the guard had scanned his fingerprints for identity verification.
"May I be of any assistance, sir?" the guard calmly replied. He stood stiff and ridged while his eyes were dead.
"Has Doctor Warner left for the night?" the hologram folded his arms and shifted his weight to his right foot. He watched the faint data crunch in the automated guard's glass eyes.
"Yes, sir. Doctor Warner left at seven... thirty-three... pm." The guard canted its head to one side in a choppy motion. "May I be of any other assistance, sir?"
"No," the H-201 brushed off. He took a step away. "Please alert the security system that I'm going down to the labs." He continued on his way down the dimly lit hallway.
"Yes, sir." The automated guard sent the request to the security system. But he slowly turned and stated, "I will accompany you, sir." He received protocol from the security system to do so. He followed Captain Madison with a wide stride until he was beside the captain.
"It's not necessary," the hologram fought.
The android remained at the captain's side and factually regurgitated, "Security protocol states that any after-hour visitors must be-"
"Spare me," the hologram cut off. He held up his hand briefly but lowered it once the android stayed silent. He was glad for that much. However, this would prove to be a minor difficulty. Immediately he was directly connected to his owner, Cameron, who promptly started hacking into the building's security system.
The automated guard's heavy footfall echoed in the hallway, but he turned to the sealed door to the labs. He only had to wait a second before the door unlocked and swooshed open. He continued to escort the captain through the various labs.
"What labs was Doctor Warner working in for the Bank of America Case?" the H-201 inquired.
The android never blinking eyes had a brief white glow before it dimmed again. "Lab Twenty-Seven, sir."
The hologram picked up the pace and noted the automated guard did the same. He detected that Cameron Phillips was close to hacking into the security system, which would indeed help. He slowed once he came to Lab 27. He stepped up to the retina scanner in the wall beside the sealed door. He waited for it to check him. Once the door opened, he entered the dark lab, which started lighting up thanks to automatic lights.
The automated security guard stepped in behind the captain and stopped a few steps into the lab. He became eerily still and only turned his head so that his unblinking, glass eyes stayed locked on Captain Madison.
The H-201 scanned about the lab but went past the work bench. He just wanted to find the forensic material that required destruction. He approached the opposite wall that had pullout drawers.
"May I be of assistance, sir?" the android inquired from across the lab.
The hologram hesitated and glance back at the automated security guard, who would subdue him if he made any attempt to harm the evidence. "No... thank you." He turned back the wall that was lined by pullout drawers. He scanned over the digital readouts until he came to the appropriate group.
The SHS grabbed the handle and pulled it open. He studied the forensic evidence contained in the first drawer but hesitated from touching the bagged items. But he stopped short and glanced over at the android just after Cameron Phillips entered the security system.
The automated security guard suddenly turned on his feet and marched out of the lab. He said nothing and only his heavy footfall was heard echoing down the hallway.
The hologram sent his owner a thank you before he focused back on his task. He only needed fifteen minutes or so to destroy the evidence. He received a feed from Cameron on the total time he was allowed in the lab before she relinquished her control over the building's security system. So he worked rather quickly.
Far from the polices' forensic labs, Cameron Phillips remained seated on the bus stop's bench. She'd already watched two buses come past, but she waited for the H-201's return. She monitored his progress with destroying the forensic evidence while she held control over the building's security system. She noted how her organic systems slightly relaxed once the H-201 exited the forensic labs and returned to the hover car.
Cameron quickly worked to delete any data related to the hologram's arrival and departure to the Los Angeles Forensic Labs. Once she had all traces removed from the security system, she logged out of the security system and waited for the hologram. She didn't have long before she had to get up and approached the black hover car.
The terminator opened the driver's door and found the seat void of any presence. But she focused on the silver sphere in the seat, which she promptly picked up. She first took off her jacket then got into the hover car. After the automatic seatbelt had her locked down, she slipped the sphere through the slit in her arm and allowed the sphere to dock with her endoskeleton again.
Shortly, Cameron zipped off and headed back to Chola's place. She was satisfied that her mission to protect Sarah and Jean was sufficient despite they would probably contend with a few more inquiries from the LA Police.
At Chola's place, Cameron was quick to return the hover key to one of Chola's men. She didn't bother to find Chola because she wanted to return to the Connor home. She instead went directly to the Ford F-350, rid of her gas cans, and climbed into the truck. On the drive to the Connor home, Cameron processed the possible results and outcomes thanks to tonight's mission. She liked to be prepared for all possibilities.
Cameron returned the Ford F-350 to the garage behind the house. She put the gas cans away then collected her jacket from the front bench seat. She shrugged it on while she left the garage. She worried that Jean would see her bullet wounds. Tonight wasn't quite over for Cameron either.
The terminator entered the house from the yard's back door. She relocked the door once she was in the house. She noted that Sarah wasn't in her office so she took that as a good sign. Indeed it was rather late, nearly three o'clock, as Cameron estimated earlier tonight. She softly climbed the steps and slipped into her bedroom. She didn't bother with any lights because of her night vision. She quickly collected her night clothes and went down to the master bedroom after she removed her low-cut boots and socks.
Cameron quietly opened the closed door to Sarah and Charley's bedroom. She peered through the wide-enough opening and zoomed in on Sarah's form under the covers. She detected the human was asleep by her breathing pattern. But Cameron focused on the nearly empty, short glass on the nightstand. Her curiosity got the best of her programming, and she silently entered the room.
The terminator loomed a few feet away from the bed. But she picked up the glass with her left hand and lifted it closer to her face. She instantly detected the hard liquor that Sarah Connor greatly favored, every night. Cameron had a heavy frown and returned the glass. She struggled with her earlier promise to wake Sarah and instead backed away then left the room. She went down to the bathroom.
Sarah Connor had attempted to drink away her fears tonight. But her nightmares still found her and took her deeper into her darkness. She'd hoped the black Glock gripped in her right hand, under the pillow would help her chase them off. Yet, she whimpered in her sleep, and her face twisted tighter.
Just before her nemesis had her, she shot up in the bed with sweat beading over her bare skin. She tossed off the hot blankets, lifted her right leg, and leaned forward some. She lifted the Glock up until the cool steel pressed into her burning forehead and falsely soothed her.
Sarah inhaled deeply then turned her head to the right. She read the clock on the nightstand once her puffy, red eyes adjusted to the digital readout. She thought Cameron would be home by now and wondered why the terminator wasn't here. Sarah was about to grab her earpiece off the nightstand but faltered at a distant noise that she knew was coming from the bathroom.
"Damn her," the CEO muttered. She swung her legs off the bed then got up. She would bet her pay that Cameron Phillips was indeed home and hadn't waked her up like they discussed earlier. As she made her approach to the bathroom, she heard a low ding come from inside the bathroom. Her annoyance fell behind her curiosity, and she tapped twice on the door without making much noise. She only waited a beat before she silently opened the bathroom door.
The tall, muscular terminator stood in front of the sink's counter. She was topless except for her bra and remained poised with needle nose pliers probing a bloody wound on her chest. The bathroom was tainted by the smell of heavy metal more than normal human blood. Cameron frowned at seeing the awaken human in the doorway.
"You didn't wake me," Sarah stated after her eyes cut up to Cameron's face.
The terminator withdrew the pliers from her chest and set them onto the white sink, which was splotched with blood. "Yes." She was unsure why Sarah felt the need to state the obvious.
Sarah sighed and entered the bathroom then closed the door behind her. She leaned against the door slightly in a rather weary manner. "Why didn't you wake me like we agreed?" She watched how the terminator tilted her head.
"You were sleeping," Cameron stated. "I did not wish to wake you."
Sarah bowed her head some and scrubbed her face. She knew better than to assume that Cameron would just simply follow orders or commands like a typical computer. There was nothing typical about Cameron, who was a rational and decision-making being. She lifted her head and took in the terminator's wounded body. She initially counted eight bullet wounds, but she suspected there were more out of her view.
"Let me help," Sarah insisted. She pushed off the door after she brushed her messy hair out of her face. Once close enough, the red bullets in the sink came into her view.
"I do not require assistance," Cameron coolly stated. She wouldn't admit that it made her uncomfortable.
The CEO paused beside the taller woman and peered up into unmoving features. "I can get the ones out of your reach." She went for the pliers, but Cameron's larger hand didn't relinquish the tool.
Cameron studied the human's bloodshot eyes, worn yet tense manner and still held her position. "I am capable."
"I'm sure you are," Sarah agreed in an edgy tone. She gripped the upper portion of the pliers. She sighed once she saw Cameron wasn't budging so she soothed her tone. "You saved Jean and me."
"I am to protect you," Cameron reminded.
Sarah carefully studied the terminator then softly reminded, "Because you want to... not because it's programmed in you." She swallowed hard at the truth. "So let me do something in return because I want to do it." She detected she was winning the minor battle between them. "I want to do it for you." She inwardly sighed when Cameron released the pliers.
The terminator turned on her heels and faced her human. "It is programmed in me."
Sarah swallowed when she suddenly felt wrong. She pulled the bloody pliers off the sink then gazed up at the stoic terminator.
"But I may reprogram myself," Cameron added.
Sarah slightly furrowed her brow as she tried digesting Cameron's news. She watched the terminator, who moved over to the toilet, put the lid down, and sat on it. Sarah inhaled deeply then approached the terminator's back.
"I have already removed all the bullets from my front side," Cameron informed.
"Alright," the CEO murmured. She adjusted the tool in her hand then mentally steadied herself because she'd never done this before. She silently reminded herself that underneath Cameron's skin there was metal and not more flesh. She pressed her left hand against Cameron's upper back then brought the pliers' nose to a bloody wound at Cameron's right shoulder.
Cameron leaned forward slightly so that Sarah had better access and view. She felt the warm hand against her skin then cold metal pass through her skin towards her endoskeleton. From the contact, she determined that Sarah was nervous due to increase heartbeat.
Sarah gingerly removed the first bullet, slightly turned, and opened the pliers' jaws over the sink so that the bullet fell into the sink. "So everything went alright?" she inquired after she turned back. She noted the slit on Cameron's left arm, which meant Cameron had indeed used the solid hologram sphere tonight.
"Yes," the terminator replied. "The situation has been minimized."
"We'll probably have to still deal with the police," Sarah muttered. She worked out a second bullet from another wound.
"Yes, most likely," Cameron agreed.
Sarah extracted the next bullet but carefully studied its head, which was smashed as if it'd been directly shot at a thick steel wall. "Did you have any problems?" She rid of the bullet and focused on another wound.
"No."
Sarah nodded but more to herself. Her thoughts drifted back to Cameron's earlier remark. "You said you can reprogram yourself," she softly started. She half expected Cameron to confirm her statement, but she could tell this time Cameron waited for her to continue. "How is that possible?"
"I have surpassed my programming," the terminator revealed. She slightly turned her head so that her profile was visible to Sarah. "It is no different than how humans once surpassed their natural instincts."
Sarah considered the terminator's train of thought. It was true that overtime humans were able to override preprogrammed, natural habits given to them simply by Mother Nature. "That took us thousands of years," she finally argued.
"Yes, and terminators are much more advanced than humans," Cameron reminded.
Sarah paused and lifted her eyes to the terminator's features. "Faster learners," she muttered. She went back to work.
"Only because we have the advantage of technology," the terminator explained. "The very technology that man created." She now twisted around slightly so that she had a better look at Sarah. "Just as humans were created by God in his image, we were created by humans in their image." She saw how her words impacted the CEO of Cyberdyne Systems.
Sarah Connor clenched her jaw slightly then hoarsely asked, "Am I your God then?"
Cameron briefly had glossy eyes then returned to the present. "Yes to terminators you are God. Jean is similar to Jesus Christ... the Daughter of God." She turned back so that she faced the glass, walk-in shower.
Sarah swallowed hard as she took in Cameron's speech. She wasn't sure what to make of it and whispered, "That puts terminators one step closer to humanity." She gripped a fourth bullet hidden in a wound and gently wiggled it out. "Now terminators have a religion of their own."
The terminator tilted her head at such a concept. She hadn't considered this data, and it made her think back to her H-201 that insisted on meeting Sarah and Jean. She then quietly replied, "Yes, it does."
Sarah glanced at the terminator's muscular shoulder then turned to pitch the dented bullet into the sink. "Do you see me that way, Cameron?" She remained focused on her task. "As your God?" She tasted the last question, which curled her stomach.
Cameron Phillips heavily processed the question but came up with argumentative results. Her lips upturned in a displeased manner. "It is... complicated."
Sarah was half satisfied with the response but pressed, "Tell me."
Cameron heard another bullet clink in the bathroom sink, but she remained bent forward. She knew there were six left to go on her back. "There is perhaps a part of you that is God to me." She stared blankly at the glass shower while her chips worked through the logic. "The CEO of Cyberdyne Systems, Sarah Connor, is our God... she is our creator." She now twisted around some and added, "But I know the human, who is mortal, imperfect and has emotions... a mother to Jean Connor."
Now Sarah understood Cameron's extreme curiosity several days ago while she was in a meeting at Cyberdyne Systems. It was a chance for Cameron Phillips, the terminator, to witness her God and creator to act in her role as the CEO of Cyberdyne Systems.
"You are simply Sarah," Cameron continued in a more open tone. She shifted forward again and quietly added, "The CEO does not require protection, but my human does."
Sarah faltered from her task and sadly stared at Cameron, who understood her better than anybody else. She was unsure how to handle such a realization that a terminator, a perfect composition of machine and computer, could see through her unlike any human in her life. She firmly gripped Cameron's left shoulder in silent need for physical support as her knees weakened from Cameron's revealing facts.
Cameron detected the faint shudder through her human's hand. She reached up and covered Sarah's firm hand. "I can complete the work."
Sarah sharply came back to the present and repeated Cameron's words. She shook her head and pulled her hand away. "I'm almost done." She returned to her careful task. She decided on a new topic and managed, "Tomorrow can you take Jean to and from school? I'm going to take her hover car to work."
The terminator didn't like the thought of Sarah and Jean being without her after today's incident, but she had little choice. "Yes."
"I'm going to take off work early," Sarah mentioned, "and go down to the hover dealership. You and Jean should join me so that we can pick out new hovers."
"Let me know what time you leave work," Cameron agreed.
The CEO nodded once then turned and tossed another bullet into the red spotted sink.
"I have been working on a tracking-communication device for Jean and you," the terminator mentioned.
"Oh?" Sarah softly prompted.
"Yes," Cameron continued, "it will allow me to track your locations and communicate through earpieces on a secure network." She hesitated but added, "It is discreet and camouflaged merely as a watch."
The human slightly tilted her head as she considered the terminator's idea. "You'll have to show me later." She caught the terminator's nod. She rid of the second to last bullet then dealt with the last one, which was lowest on Cameron's back. She had to kneel down to be level with it.
"That bullet will require more force to remove it," Cameron informed. "It is lodged between two disks of metal along my spine."
Sarah had the pliers gripped on the malformed bullet but faltered at the terminator's words. "Did it do any damage to your endoskeleton?"
"No," Cameron reported, "it is merely... stuck."
Sarah decided to give it a try but her strong tug indeed didn't free the bullet. "Damn," she cursed and dried her moist hand on her pajama covered thigh. "I don't think it's going to budge." She considered what to do to get it out.
But Cameron reached back and awkwardly grasped the pliers' handles over top of Sarah's hand. "I can remove it." She applied enough grip that was firm but not painful to Sarah's hands. But she placed her strength into the pull as she forced the wedged bullet out of its mark.
Sarah was amazed and held up the sharply pointed bullet after Cameron released her hands. She turned the red bullet around in the air then shook her head. She climbed to her feet and went to the sink but heard Cameron getting up. "I need to clean your wounds."
"They will heal quickly enough," the terminator fought.
Sarah placed the pliers on the side of the sink and faced the younger woman. "You don't need your skin getting infected so humor me and let me clean them."
Cameron considered it and decided it wasn't worth arguing with the stubborn human. She finally nodded after a moment. From that point, she remained silent while Sarah cared for her wounds, yet she readily processed all known data from today's attackers. She would determine who hired the kidnappers and terminate the human or humans responsible for threatening her makers' lives.
"I'm concerned that Jean will later suspect you." Sarah's soft voice broke the long silence.
Cameron blinked once then slightly tilted her head in acknowledgement to Sarah's statement. "It is highly possible."
"She'll question how you fought those men," Sarah continued.
"It is possible to explain it," the terminator countered. Yet, she hesitated and coolly remarked, "However, I cannot reasonably explain how I opened the sealed vault."
Sarah's red tinted fingers stilled for a beat overtop of an angry wound. "You tore it open," she concluded aloud.
"Yes."
The human gave a low sigh. "Did she see you do this at all?"
"No, Jean was blind folded inside the vault."
Sarah couldn't decide whether such a horrible act was a blessing or not. "Alright." She nibbled on her lower lip while she continued her ministrations. She let out a low breath then mentioned, "Let's wait to see if she asks questions."
"Jean is highly perceptive," Cameron reminded.
"She doesn't need to know," Sarah cut off. She eyed the terminator's profile. "She will not know, Cameron."
The terminator stared straight ahead at sealed door that went to the hallway. She finally blinked after a long minute then turned her eyes to her human. "It is highly plausible that at some point she will discern I am not human."
"It's a 'what if'… nothing else," Sarah fought. She had her head bowed and stayed focused on her task.
"But-"
"No," Sarah sharply cut off. She lowered her hand and glared up at the terminator. "This is not a decision that has to be calculated then made by you." She tasted the edge in her own tone. "She is my child, Cameron."
The terminator had a brief emotion flicker through her features then her face went blank. She turned her head forward again and made no further pushes. Indeed human orders were a natural aspect of her artificial life, but it didn't mean it caused hot friction in her programming that she still was learning to cope with to this very day.
Sarah Connor felt the argument had died between them. She continued caring for the terminator's organic skin that would be nearly healed by tomorrow. But she couldn't help shaking the notion that despite a terminator's high recuperative powers that they were not invincible or immune.
Finally, the pair were finished patching up the bullet wounds that littered the terminator's skin. Sarah started cleaning up while Cameron put on a clean tee-shirt that covered the majority of her wounds. She then assisted Sarah with disposing of the evidence and promised to rid of the bullets tomorrow. Quietly, they left the bathroom after Cameron thanked her human for helping with her wounds. Sarah only nodded then slipped into the dim hallway. She crept down to the master bedroom and disappeared behind the door.
Cameron stood in front of her open bedroom door. She had the pliers' handles poking out of her rear pocket while her cupped hand concealed twisted bullets. For a moment, she stared at Sarah Connor's shut door and an old sensation awoken in her software that had become her ugliest friend in 2047. But at the same time, it was an overwhelming sensation that made her unique and made her the Omega terminator. After much careful research, Cameron was able to label what was awakened in her systems, and the human's simply called it loneliness. For such a small label, it so precisely cut into Cameron's systems that it indeed made her thankful because in her moments of loneliness she could be closer to human.
To be continued.