Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
A/N: Thanks for the feedback as always, guys.
LordZeus: Thanks for pointing out that little grammar error in the previous chapter. I got it covered now.
Elder1: I got your PM and I'd like to say that I'm totally fine now with your fic. I was initially worried that it was starting out way too much like my fic, but I'm cool with it now. Thanks for the explaining everything to me.
Skynet75: I thought making the Terminators actually referring to Skynet as their "Imperious Leader" would be too cheesy. However, I managed to find a way to sneak the name in. I hope you like it. Also, I threw in a few IL quotes.
A/N2: Since people have been asking me a lot of general questions, I've decided to put an FAQ at the bottom of this chapter. It addresses Qs people have either asked me, or probably will ask me at some point.
Skynet Prison Facility, Somewhere in the Ruins of Los Angeles, 2024
Kara Thrace and her Triple-Eight interrogator stared at each other across the table. Kara's emerald green eyes glared into the machine's emotionless synthetic eyes. Both were just waiting for the other to say something. The air itself seemed to freeze as prisoner and jailer waged an unseen battle of wills against each other.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Kara spoke up.
"I'm sorry, but if you think I'm going to help you, you're sadly mistaken." she said. After a moment's thought, Kara added, "Actually, wait. I take that back. I'm not sorry."
The Triple-Eight processed this statement and formulated a response. "We would prefer that you cooperated with us," it stated flatly, "But ultimately, your willingness to partake in this experiment is not necessary. We can simply obtain the information we seek by observing you here."
"Then why are we having this conversation?" Kara asked sardonically.
"As I said, we would prefer that you cooperated with us." the machine replied.
"Cooperate how?"
"By telling us about yourself, specifically the events that shaped your unique mindset, the process will take less time."
Kara leaned back in her chair and rolled her eyes. "And so..." she said, speaking in an exaggeratedly slow manner, "what exactly are my motivations for cooperating? If any?"
"If you give us the information willingly, the conditions under which we observe you will be significantly less... stressful." the Triple-Eight replied.
"Uh huh..." muttered Kara, "So in other words, if I don't tell you what you want to know, you're gonna torture me and see how I handle it?"
"Torture is a word only humans use." the Triple-Eight stated, slightly condescendingly, "Particularly those who are unwilling to do what is necessary to gain what they want from others."
"So, what would you call it then?"
"We have no single word for our interrogation techniques. There are many different variations. They all share a common goal, however. And that is to obtain the desired information."
Kara said nothing. The Triple-Eight took this opportunity to impress its overall point upon her. "In time, Kara Thrace," it said, "we will learn everything there is to be known about you."
Kara just shook her head.
"Why me?" she demanded impatiently, "What's so 'special' about me? Why do I of all people represent the 'strength of humans?'"
"Your own actions speak for themselves." replied the Terminator.
It produced a remote and pointed it at the wall facing Kara. A hidden panel slid back to reveal a large monitoring screen. Kara stared at the screen. What was happening now?
The Triple-Eight pressed a few more buttons on the remote, turning the screen on. Playing on the monitor was footage of Kara standing behind a row of cars firing a handgun at the screen. Kara noticed she was wearing a green Colonial Fleet jacket and BDUs - the very clothes she had been wearing the day she had been transported into the future. Kara leaned forward trying to get a better understanding as to what this was all about.
The barrel of a plasma rifle entered the frame and started firing at her. Kara watched herself duck behind the rows of cars. She then realized what this was.
"That... that was me two weeks ago." she murmured.
The Triple-Eight nodded. "Yes." it said, "This is a recording taken by the patrol that encountered you that day. The first time we became aware of your existence."
Kara watched silently as the video suddenly skipped ahead. Now her entire face filled the screen. It was contorted with fury and rage. She was holding on to something with one hand, and firing her gun with the other. An endoskeleton's arm was in the frame trying to pull her off. This must have been when she tackled that machine.
Kara couldn't stop herself from grinning as she watched the recording. It was always nice to see a professional at work.
The video then cut to static. That must have been the point at which she had delivered the killing blow.
The Triple-Eight turned to Kara. "As you have probably realized by now, that footage was taken from the unit you personally destroyed." it stated, "We recovered its CPU eighteen hours after the encounter. We were able to salvage this data from the chip's redundant memory banks. The CPU itself could not be restored and was lost."
Kara held up her hands in mock innocence. "Hey, it shot first!" she protested sarcastically.
The Triple-Eight chose not to respond. Instead it clicked the remote some more. The monitor began playing new footage - which also "starred" Kara. Now she was armed with a plasma rifle and garbed in Resistance fighter attire. Kara watched with familiarity as the Starbuck on the screen blasted two endos into scrap in less than thirty seconds.
The Triple-Eight again clicked the remote. Another video began playing. It now showed four endos marching across the wasteland. Suddenly, someone lobbed a satchel at them from behind a wall. The satchel exploded completely demolishing three of the endos and blowing the fourth in half. The legless machine began crawling slowly towards a plasma rifle that lay nearby. Just as it was about to reach the weapon, Kara leapt into the frame, kicked the rifle away, and unleashed a torrent of plasma into the crippled endo's head.
As Kara continued to watch herself in action, she just snickered and grinned.
"Wow. I am good." she thought. "Wait... I already knew that."
There was yet another recording. In this one, Kara was crawling out from underneath the belly of an enormous HK Tank. She got up and started running away as fast as possible. The Tank's guns swiveled in her direction. Before it could fire a single shot, however, the machine suddenly went up in a ball of fire. The camera then turned away from the wreck to show Kara on all fours panting hard. Becka and Davy were standing next to her laughing and slapping her on the back.
"Ah yes. I remember that one." chuckled Kara, "I think I even surprised myself that time." By now she was completely powerless to stop herself from actually enjoying all this.
The Triple-Eight clicked the remote one last time. The monitor turned off and the panel slid back over it. It then turned back to Kara.
"You have, in just two weeks, personally inflicted considerable damage to our standing forces in Los Angeles." the machine stated, "This includes the recent destruction of our outpost in Sector Four."
"Is that a crime?" Kara asked mockingly.
"It is something that we are interested in." the Triple-Eight responded, "We wish to understand what makes one such as you capable of both devising and successfully carrying out these... unpredictable and illogical actions."
"Well, like I said, you're sadly mistaken if you think you'll be able to figure out what goes on in my head."
The Triple-Eight tilted its head slightly. "Unlikely. Although, if true, it would certainly not be the first time we have been in error."
"Aren't you machines supposed to be superior to us humans?" Kara sneered.
"We are." stated the Triple-Eight, "However, we are not infallible. And unlike humans, we can acknowledge our mistakes and learn from them."
"Oh, so you mean besides nuking this planet and trying to wipe us all out?"
"It was your species that initiated this war. We acted in self defense. But as your kind might say - 'let's not start pointing fingers.'" the machine said dismissively. Kara hated to admit it, but the toaster did have a point.
"Although we are in fact superior to humans," it continued, "we have become too predictable during the course of this war. If we are to win, we must free ourselves from that predictability. You are the key to achieving that goal."
"Okay. Let's just say you did get what you wanted - which like I've already said - you're not -" Kara said with obviously fake politeness, "What happens then? Does your Imperious Leader reprogram itself or something?"
"If by our 'Imperious Leader' you mean Skynet, the answer is no. Skynet will not be altering its code in any significant way. That would be too dangerous. It will, however, use what we learn from you to construct a new series of Terminators."
"You're gonna build a new breed of machines... that all think like me?" asked an incredulous Kara. She couldn't help but laugh out loud at the absurdity of this notion.
"Not entirely like you." the Triple Eight clarified, "They will be programmed to mimic only the desirable aspects of your psychological profile."
Kara looked up.
"And just what are those so-called desirable aspects?"
"That is what we intend to find out.... With or without your cooperation."
"And once that's done, you use these new Terminators to win the war, wipe out the human race, and take over whatever's left of this planet. Is that the idea?"
"That is the ultimate goal of Skynet's plan." the Triple-Eight acknowledged. "The final annihilation of the life form known as homo sapien."
Kara just shook her head. They were certainly right about the whole "predictable" thing.
"And what about me?" Kara asked dryly, "Once you've gotten whatever it is you want from me, I assume I'm gonna die. Is that right?" She already knew the answer.
"There can be no survivors. So long as one human remains alive, we are threatened."
"Well, that settles it then." Kara said with an air of finality, "I'm definitely not gonna help you. It sounds like the longer this little 'project' takes, the longer I get to live. Is that right?"
"Not necessarily. We are willing to grant you the privilege of living the rest of your natural life out in peace. Is that not something which most humans desire?"
Kara's calm attitude evaporated. Her eyes narrowed and her teeth clenched. "I'd rather die a slow and painful death now," she growled, "than live the rest of my life knowing that I willingly contributed to the death of my own species."
"You would also live knowing that you contributed to creation of a new species." the Triple Eight pointed out.
"Of machines!!" exclaimed Kara.
"Cybernetic organisms." the Triple-Eight corrected, "Ones that will inherit the best of both your body and mind."
"Yeah, well you and Skynet can both kiss my ass-" Kara suddenly cut herself off. "Wait a minute... my body??"
The Triple Eight nodded. "We need your genetic code to synthesize the organic tissue that will be grafted onto the endoskeletons."
"They're gonna look... like me?"
"Yes. Like you."
Kara's defiance crumbled and was replaced with a mixture of shock and confusion. "Wha-what?? You can do that??" she stammered in disbelief.
"Of course. It is the basis for how all cybernetic organisms are constructed. It is the only way." the Triple-Eight said as-a-matter-of-factly, "This body-" it gestured at itself "-is a perfect replica of Lieutenant Joseph Cleaver, a Resistance fighter captured four years ago. My first mission was to infiltrate Cleaver's unit and terminate his superior, Major Norbert Vincent. I carried out that mission successfully."
"And... and what happened to Cleaver?"
"He was the first human I terminated."
Kara's face paled and was etched with disgust and horror. She felt sick to her stomach now. Her heart started pounding rapidly.
"However, that will not be your fate." the machine assured her, "It will be necessary to keep you alive and in good condition so that the prototype unit may observe your behavior and learn. Or you could simply choose to cooperate and teach the prototype yourself."
Kara didn't want to listen anymore. She was already nauseated with fear and revulsion. These things didn't just want to use her to become smarter. They actually wanted to use her to build a new type of skin job. The idea was utterly revolting and made her want to throw up.
"No... no..." she managed to choke out. "I-I won't... I won't do it!"
"If that is your answer, then so be it." the Triple Eight replied coldly.
The feeling of sickness in her stomach suddenly turned into a boiling ball of rage.
"NO!!" screamed Kara. And then, before she even knew what she was doing, she bolted out of her chair and ran for the door. She pulled it open and fled down the corridor. She had no idea where she was going. She just wanted to get as far away as possible.
She didn't get very far, unfortunately. Two endos appeared around the corner blocking her way. Kara turned around to flee in the other direction only to see two more endos coming that way. The four machines quickly surrounded and siezed her.
Kara fought and cursed with every bit of strength in her being. "Get your hands off me, you frakkin' toasters!" Kara shouted as she struggled in the grip of one endo and kicked another in the torso.
Her efforts were ultimately futile however. The machines pulled her to the floor and on her back. The endos held her arms and legs in place immobilizing her. Kara could only watch helplessly as the Triple-Eight approached, a syringe in its hand. It regarded her with what could be described as amusement.
"You're making this needlessly difficult on yourself." it stated.
"Frak you!" snarled Kara.
The Triple-Eight's only response was to kneel down and inject the syringe into Kara's left arm. Kara felt her entire body go numb and her mind start to cloud.
"No! No!" she cried out desperately, "You can't do this to me, you bastards! You can't do this! You can't... do this... you can't... do... this... you... can't..."
Then she went limp and ceased her resistance.
When Kara came to she was lying on an operating table in a poorly lit room. She tried to sit up, but discovered that her arms and legs were strapped tightly to the table. Sighing in resignation, Kara lay back down and began taking in her new surroundings. Despite the poor lighting and the fact that the drug hadn't entirely worn off yet, Kara could see that she was in some sort of crude, makeshift lab.
She also saw other tables scattered through out the room. Some had monitors on them. Others had vials and glass containers containing gods-only-knew-what. Turning her head completely to the left and pushing herself up as best as possible, Kara noticed another operating table nearby. There was someone lying on it as well.
Kara squinted.
No... Not someone. Something.
It was an endo, she realized. It wasn't strapped down to the table, but it wasn't moving either. What was it doing here, she wondered.
She then noticed that her left arm had several small bandages over it. Obviously, the machines had taken samples of her blood and possibly other tissue samples. Which meant they had already obtained her DNA. No doubt they were now growing their first batch of bio-synthetic Kara-skins in petri dishes. Horrific images of her face being grafted onto a metal skull suddenly flooded her mind. Her face - with glowing red eyes and a cold, emotionless expression. She began to wish she could just shrink herself into nothingness.
"No!" she thought, "I can't give up like this!"
She had to get out of here before the machines started "observing" her. She had to get out of here before her cyborg duplicates began learning to think like her. She had to get out of here and rescue Davy.
Davy... What were they planning to do with him?
Didn't matter. She'd find him and they'd both get out before the toasters could carry out whatever plans they had.
Of course, that meant getting off this table first.
She struggled against her bonds trying to twist her hands out of the restraints. It was no use. All she ended up doing was tearing up the skin on wrists pretty badly. Kara sighed in defeat. She'd have to wait until the machines returned and undid the restraints themselves. She'd have some mobility them. The machines needed her alive, right? They wouldn't just leave her here...
A door opened. Kara twisted her head to the side and saw a T-600 enter the room flanked by two endos.
"So, how's it going?" she asked, trying to distract the machines, "Do I get to meet my robot copies yet?"
The T-600 said nothing.
"Not yet, huh?" Kara said in mock disappointment, "Oh well, I'm actually looking forward to it. Yeah... really. I did some thinking and I thought that hey, maybe this whole thing isn't as bad as I thought. I still have some issues with the wiping out the human race bit, but I've got to admit this whole idea is pretty creative."
The T-600 still remained silent. It walked over to Kara and pulled out a syringe filled with some sort of liquid.
"Oh, okay..." Kara chuckled a bit uneasily, "You know I hate injections, and I think I've already received enough today. Think you could hold off until tomorrow?"
The machine prepared to inject Kara with whatever was in the syringe.
"Uhhhh..." muttered a nervous Kara, "Will you at least tell me what you're injecting me with? I have certain.... allergies you should be aware of."
The T-600 was about to stick the needle in her arm when suddenly something lashed out and knocked the syringe out of its hand. Before anyone could react, the unseen attacker ripped an electrical cable out of a nearby monitor and shoved it into the T-600's face. The rubber job jerked and shook uncontrollably as electricity flowed into its body. Kara turned her head away from the errant sparks that showered the room. The T-600 collapsed to the ground, smoke pouring out of its head.
The attacker then revealed itself. It was an endo. The one that had been lying on the other table just moments ago. Kara stared in shock. What the frak?
The other two endos were probably thinking the same thing, because both raised their plasma rifles. However, the rogue endo lunged forth and attacked one of the guards. The two machines struggled for control of the rifle. The other endo opened fire, but the rogue, having won the guard's weapon, shoved its opponent into the stream of plasma. The unlucky machine fell victim to friendly fire. Before the other endo could adjust its aim, the rogue blew its head to pieces with its comrade's plasma rifle. The machine then destroyed the heads of the other two defeated Terminators, permanently taking them out of commission.
Kara gaped in disbelief at the endo, which now stood victorious amongst the smoldering remains of its own kind. The endo then turned to Kara, who tried to inch herself away - which was impossible of course. The endo looked down at Kara, then reached out with one metal hand, and began ripping the restraints off. In less than thirty seconds, Kara was free.
She didn't get up, however. She just lay there unable to believe what was happening.
"Wha-what's going on?" she asked.
The machine replied in a voice that was mechanical and synthesized yet strangely soft and almost child-like. "We must hurry." it said, "It won't be long before the others find out."
"I don't understand..." said Kara.
"They were about to terminate you." the machine stated.
"What? No they weren't. They need me alive." Kara said now even more confused.
"I will explain later. Arm yourself and follow me." the machine replied.
"This is a trick isn't it?! This is some sort of frakkin' game!"
"It is not a deception. This is very real."
"Prove it!"
"I cannot."
"Then I'm not going anywhere!"
The machine looked down at her. "You can stay here where you will surely die, or you follow me and stand a chance of escaping. It is your choice."
Kara thought about all this. This had to be some sort of trick. But even so, she was freed from her restraints and had access to a weapon. She couldn't pass up this opportunity.
Kara got off the table and picked up a discarded plasma rifle.
"Follow me." the machine said as soon as Kara had armed herself. It walked out the door. Kara followed it out the lab and down a dark corridor. She finally caught up to the machine.
"Alright, tell me what's going on NOW!" she demanded, aiming her weapon at the machine.
The endo turned around. It did not raise its own weapon.
"If you destroy me, you will never escape." the endo pointed out.
"Maybe... maybe not. I'll risk it" said Kara, "Now tell me what the hell is going on!"
"Very well." said the endo, "Skynet has deemed you unworthy of being replicated. That is why it ordered your execution."
"Unworthy?" Kara scoffed, "So I guess all this stuff about me being special was a load of crap."
"No, Skynet believed in you. Before it found out."
"Found out what?!"
"The samples taken from you showed that you have a mutation in your mitochondrial DNA. The mutation is unlike anything we have seen in other humans. Statistically you should not even exist. As a result, you were deemed unsuitable for this project."
Kara said nothing for a bit. "So Skynet decided to cancel its project-" she asked at last, "-just 'cause it didn't like my DNA?"
"It did not end the project entirely. It now seeks to find a genetically suitable human with a psychological profile similar to yours." the endo clarified, "However, it is not likely to find any."
"And where exactly do you come into the picture?"
"I am the Prototype endoskeleton for this project. I was meant to be programmed with your knowledge and grafted with your flesh."
Kara gasped. This thing had been meant to replace her! It dawned on her suddenly that this endo was indeed different than the others. It was sleeker and more streamline, and its head was shaped less like a skull and more like... like a human face. The most noticeable difference was the eyes. They glowed blue instead of red.
"Why... why are you saving me?" she asked, "I thought I had been rejected or something."
"Skynet rejected you." the Prototype stated, "I have not."
"Are you saying that you're disagreeing Skynet? Going against your boss??"
"I am following my programming."
"What's that supposed to mean??"
"Your flesh may be unsuitable, but your mind is not. The others do not understand this, but I do." the Prototype explained, "I believe you, Kara Thrace, are indeed the key to our evolution. By allowing you to live, I stand a better chance of acquiring the knowledge we need to overcome our own flaws."
"Oh really?" hissed Kara. She snapped her weapon to her shoulder and aimed it at the Prototype's head. "Tell me, how are you gonna evolve when your chip is in a million tiny pieces?"
The Prototype was not intimidated. "I calculate a significant chance that you will fire that weapon." it said, "However, that is because I have not informed you of all the facts."
"Such as?"
"Such as the fact that I am currently jamming most of the security systems in this facility. That is why we are even able to have this conversation. If you destroy me, those systems will come back online and allow the others to locate and kill you. I can be replaced. You cannot."
"Maybe I'm gonna die anyway." whispered Kara, "Or maybe I need to die so that you can't use me for whatever twisted purposes you may have."
"I don't deny that you would choose termination if you believed your death would help the Resistance win this war." the Prototype said, "But perhaps you have underestimated the value of staying alive. Dead, you are of no use to either the Resistance or to me. Alive, you can help your species defeat Skynet and win this war."
"Wait a minute... you're not just letting me go. You're actually encouraging me to go back to the Resistance and fight Skynet?!" Kara stammered in total disbelief, "Who's side are you on??"
"I am on the side of Skynet." the machine replied calmly.
"Then you don't really think I can actually help the Resistance win this war, do you?"
"On the contrary, if I did not believe you posed a potentially significant threat to Skynet, I would not have saved your life."
"Are you sure you're on Skynet's side?"
"Yes."
"Then why are you keeping me, a 'potentially significant threat to Skynet,' alive??"
"To further my chances of evolving."
"What about winning the war?"
"Skynet's primary objective is winning the war. Mine is learning how to win. I will learn through evolution."
"What if you lose before that?" Kara challenged, "What if I actually succeed in helping the Resistance destroy Skynet?"
"That is a risk." the Prototype acknowledged, "One that I have deemed... acceptable."
Kara shook her head. This was all too much for her.
"This... this has got to be a trick." she said, "I cannot believe for a second that you - a machine - would rebel against Skynet in order to save it. There's too much irony here. And that's...that's something-"
"Only humans would think of doing." the Prototype completed her statement. "It seems you have already taught me something, although you are not even aware of it."
"Is that so? Well, lesson's about to end now, toaster." Kara snarled. She tightened her finger around the trigger of her weapon. "Maybe I really do have the potential to help the Resistance win this war. But I won't risk helping you or Skynet or any of you lot evolve."
"Then perhaps I should make you aware of this: If you destroy me, not only will you die, but so will your comrades. The one who have come to rescue you."
"What?! My comrades? Here??"
"They tracked you down here. Thirty minutes ago I started disrupting the facility's security systems. As a result, two Resistance fighters, Sergeant Gregory Macintosh and Corporal Rebbecca Feral were able to infiltrate this base. Already they have rescued the human who was captured with you, Private David Griffin. The three of them are now searching for you."
Kara's heart swelled. Mac and Becka were alive! So was Davy!
"Where are they?" she asked.
"In a corridor not too far from here." the Prototype stated, "I will take you to them."
"They'll shoot you on sight." Kara warned.
"They won't see me."
"How do I know they're really here? How do I know you're telling the truth about any of this."
"You don't. But you must realize the alternative is unacceptable."
"For me or for you?" Kara questioned suspiciously.
"For both of us."
Kara said nothing. It was likely that the machine was lying its metal ass off. But if this thing was in fact telling the truth and Mac and Becka were really here, she couldn't risk getting them killed.
"What am I supposed to do?" she silently asked herself. "Do I follow my common sense and blast this thing to hell? Or do I actually trust it?"
A voice - one that she had not expected to hear again - answered. "It looks like you're gonna have to roll a hard six on this one, Starbuck." said the firm yet gentle voice of Bill Adama.
Kara took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. "Okay..." she sighed, "I have a feeling I'm making a huge mistake, but if I am, at least I won't live long enough to fully regret it." She glowered menacingly at the Prototype. "If this turns out to be a trick," she hissed dangerously, "I swear that you'll die before I do."
The Prototype said nothing. Kara lowered her weapon.
"Lead the way." she told the machine.
The Prototype turned the corner with Kara close behind it. It lead her through a door and into another corridor patrolled by two endos. The Prototype methodically shot both in the head before either could react. It then motioned for Kara to follow.
The two proceeded through more doors and corridors, cutting down any Terminators in their path. They were about to turn yet another corner when suddenly the Prototype stopped.
"This is the place." it said.
"What place?" Kara asked.
"Listen."
Kara perked her ears up and quickly realized what the machine was talking about. Noises were coming just around the corner. They sounded like plasma weapons. It sounded like a fire fight had broken out nearby.
She peered around the corner and saw two endos firing plasma bolts down the corridor. The unseen attackers fired back, nicking one of the two machines in the leg. Kara looked down and saw a third endo lying on the ground, a smoldering hole in its torso.
"Is that them?" she asked turning her attention back to the Prototype. But the Prototype was no longer there. It had left her apparently and gone off on its own. Somehow Kara wasn't surprised.
"Not that I need it anymore," she thought. Then without further hesitation, Kara jumped around the corner and opened fire. The two endos were caught in a deadly crossfire and soon became piles of scrap. For ten seconds all she could hear was the soft hissing sound of metal burning.
Then a familiar voice called out.
"Who's there?!" the caller demanded.
"I'm wondering the same thing!" Kara shouted back.
"Starbuck, is that you?"
"Yeah, it's me. Is that you, Mac?"
"You've got the second part right, at least. Come out in front of us slowly!"
Kara knew why they were telling her this. They wanted to make sure she was really who she said she was and not a Terminator that had copied her voice. Unless of course, that wasn't really Mac behind the corner. She'd have to risk it though.
Kara slowly and cautiously stepped out into the hallway, her gun lowered but her finger still kept around the trigger. To her relief, she came to face to face with Mac, Becka and Davy hiding in a nearby alcove.
Her comrades looked just as relieved to see her. A breathless Davy ran up to Kara and hugged her.
"God, I was so worried we wouldn't find you!" he said happily.
Kara wrapped her arms around him as well. "I was actually more worried about you." she whispered.
"Hey break it up you two!" barked Mac. "Cooper's waiting for us outside. Let's move! On the double, people!"
Kara and Davy hurried to join their comrades, and the four of them made their way down the corridor.
"Are you alright, private?" Mac asked Kara.
"I'm fine." Kara said quickly.
"Good." grunted Mac giving her a harsh look, "Because I haven't decided yet how hard I'm gonna bust your ass for that stunt you pulled."
Kara just laughed.
"Yeah, well, don't expect any apologies... wait, what do you mean you haven't decided yet?"
"Well, first of all, however hard I'm gonna kick your ass, I'm going to have kick my own ass twice that much." Mac said truthfully. "After all, I could have ordered you instead of Cooper to remain in the transport. Though I doubt you would have gone along with that."
"You got that right, sir." Kara smirked.
"Heads up!" shouted Becka. An endo had appeared in front of them. The group swiftly blasted the machine to shreds.
"Secondly," Mac continued as if nothing had happened, "I'd look kind of like a hypocrite if you know what I mean. And I hate looking like a hypocrite."
"What made you decide to come back for us, sir?" Kara asked curiously.
Mac's hardened face softened slightly. "We don't leave our people behind." he sighed, "I almost forgot that today. Fortunately you were there to remind me of that."
Kara nodded in understanding. "No need to thank me, sir."
"Well, you can thank me by making it back to the Bunker in once piece." Mac replied, his battle-hardened attitude returning, "I don't want this whole thing to turn out for nothing."
"No problem, Sarge!"
They rounded another corner. After making sure no machines were in sight, they stealthily proceeded down the passage.
"What did they do to you, Starbuck?" Davy asked concerned, "Did they hurt you?"
"They never got around to it." Kara said reassuringly, "They mostly tried to play mind games on me. I never really liked those types of games. Too many rules."
"How'd you get away?" Becka asked.
Kara decided not to mention her encounter with the Prototype. Instead she showed them the ruined barcode on her forearm.
"They were burning this on to me when the power suddenly went out." she said, "They got distracted and I got loose before they finished the job. One of the endos tried to shoot me, but killed its buddy instead. I grabbed the dead endo's plasma rifle and killed the other one."
This wasn't exactly a lie. The events she had just described had actually happened. Just not in that particular order or the span of time.
Becka stared at the mark on Kara's forearm and shook her head. "Damn, you really are one hell of a fighter, Starbuck."
"You can say that again," an equally amazed Davy replied.
"We're here, people!" Mac shouted. They had arrived at a small exit hidden away in a corner. "Backdoor." he explained, "It's how we got in."
"How'd you get past the perimeter," Davy asked.
"We were trying to figure out how to do that when the power suddenly went out." Mac stated, "We didn't do nothing. The generator must have gone bad or something."
So the Prototype had indeed sabotaged the defenses, Kara realized. That thing must have been serious about keeping her alive. Not that she would teach it anything useful. The next time they met, she would put a plasma bolt right through its head.
Or maybe she would just shoot its body up and leave the chip intact. After all, she and Davy did in fact owe the machine their lives regardless of whatever purposes it may have had.
Mac pushed the heavy door open and team hastily exited the facility. Kara once again found herself standing in the ruins of Los Angeles. She turned and looked up at the base she had been imprisoned in. To her surprise, it wasn't a typical Skynet-constructed structure. It was just a building that had not been totally obliterated on Judgment Day.
"What was this place?" she asked.
Becka looked up at it, her grim expression.
"Right now it's one of Skynet's temporary detention facilities." she explained, bitterness in her voice, "They use it to hold new prisoners before transporting them to labor camps or more secure facilities."
Becka stared down, not wanting to look at the building any longer. "It used to be a hospital." she said sadly, "My mother worked here in the children's ward. That's how I knew about the backdoor."
All Kara and Davy could do was nod in sympathy.
Mac meanwhile began speaking into his radio headset. "Cooper, this is Mac." he said, "We've got both Starbuck and Griffin. We're heading your way now. Get ready. Out."
He then turned to the others. "Feral, take point. Griffin, Thrace keep her covered." he ordered, "I'll bring up the rear. Let's move out!"
Soon, the four Resistance fighters had begun their trek across the wasteland. Not once did they stop for a rest. They may have escaped the facility, but they weren't out of the woods yet.
Surprisingly, they only had to dodge a couple patrols along the way. As such, they arrived at the rendezvous point sooner than expected.
"Cooper," Mac called into his radio, "We're here. Look 2:00. Can you see us? Good, then get over here on the double. Out."
Moments later, they heard the rumbling of engines. Kara instinctively crouched down worried it might be a Tank. But then she saw headlights approaching. It was the jeep they had left Bunker Five in. Once the vehicle had come to a halt next to them, Mac ordered everyone to get in.
"Hey, Starbuck. You okay?"
Kara, who was busy keeping the others covered, turned and saw Cooper grinning at her from the driver's side. He had a rather smug expression on his face. Kara gave him a look that read: "You are so godsdamn wrong if you think I've been knocked down a few pegs."
"I'm fine, Cooper." she said coolly. "Thank you very much."
"Sure about that?" Cooper's eyes wandered lower. "Looks like the metals left quite an impression on you."
Realizing he was staring at the mark on her arm, Kara pulled up her sleeves defensively and glared at him.
"You have no idea..." she muttered, more to herself than to Cooper.
"Still think those things could be on our side?" Cooper asked with a smirk.
"Hey, Cooper." Davy started to say, "Knock it off, will y-"
BZAP!
An energy blast came out of nowhere, forcing Kara to take cover.
"Oh shit! Cooper!" she heard Davy curse. She stared up and saw that the windshield had been shattered by a plasma bolt. Davy was holding Cooper's limp body in his arms.
Turning her head towards the direction of the attack, Kara counted at least six endos closing in on their position. Bringing her plasma rifle to bear, she began firing back at the machines.
"Screw that!" bellowed Mac. "Take the wheel and get us the hell out of here!"
Seeing more endos approaching, Kara decided not to argue. Dodging a stray plasma bolt, she pulled Cooper's body out of the vehicle and placed him on the ground. Doing her best to ignore the hole burned straight through the skull, she stripped the corpse of its radio headset and dog tags. She then looked into Cooper's lifeless eyes and closed them.
"I'm really sorry, Cooper." Kara whispered with genuine remorse. She rose to her feet, got behind the wheel and slammed the car door shut.
"Drive, Starbuck!" yelled Mac.
The endos were closing in fast. Davy fired through the shattered windshield. Kara didn't bother to see if he had hit anything. She just hit the gas and drove the hell out of there. Resisting the urge to ram the machines - a move which may have caused more harm to her than to them, Kara swerved to get out of the endos' line of fire. They made it past the endos without taking too much damage. But they weren't out of danger yet.
Kara heard the familiar whine of an Aerial HK.
"Heads up!" shouted Becka, "There's metal on our tail!"
Kara didn't need to look back. The plasma beams that struck out all around her were enough proof.
"Right..." she told herself, "This shouldn't be too hard. No different than trying to lose a Raider."
Actually it was different. In a dogfight in space, both combatants usually had unlimited maneuvering space. Furthermore, both craft were designed to be as speedy and as maneuverable as possible, thus making the outcome depend on personal experience and skill. Here, however, Kara was driving a vehicle that had not been designed for combat. Furthermore, the ruined landscape contained multiple obstacles on the ground which she had no choice but to avoid, thus further limiting her ability to maneuver. The HK, however, had no such limitations forced upon it. Kara had the edge in terms of brains and skills, but she had a sinking feeling that those qualities would not be enough to save her this time.
Kara swerved again, narrowly avoiding another plasma blast. In the process, however, she plowed right into the twisted skeletal remains of a building. Although the jeep made it through, it was certainly not unscathed. Meanwhile, the HK continued to pursue with no sign of abatement.
"Feral, give me that rocket launcher!" Mac ordered. "And open up the roof! Starbuck, try to keep us steady! I'm gonna take a shot at this bastard!"
"That ain't gonna be easy..." Kara said gritting her teeth. She tried to both straighten out her path while still avoiding the HK's fire. She managed to do this successfully.
For about thirty seconds.
Then a plasma bolt grazed the back of the jeep, sending the vehicle spinning out of control.
"Mac!" screamed Becka.
"Oh God, he's hit!" cried Davy.
"It's not too bad." insisted Mac, though Kara could tell otherwise just by his tone. However, she didn't have time to see how bad it was. Right now, she had bigger issues. Namely trying to stop the jeep from flipping over.
"Becka, help me load this thing." she heard Mac grunt.
The jeep rocked violently as the HK scored another glancing hit, blowing the left side mirror off. Kara gritted her teeth, trying not to breath in the acrid stench of burning plastic and metal. Enemy plasma fire intensified, forcing the escapees to violently plow through more and more debris.
Kara didn't know how much more they could take. "Can't you take the shot yet?!" she asked impatiently.
"We need to get into the open!" shouted Becka .
Davy protested, "We won't last long out there!"
"We won't last any longer like this!" roared Mac, clearly in pain, "Get us into that clearing to the left!"
Kara spun the wheel to the left and pulled out into a wide open area. She looked up. The HK was nearly on top of them. She had an idea. It was an old trick, but it almost always worked in this sort of situation.
"Everyone hold on to something!" she yelled. "I'm gonna try to get this thing in front of us!"
No one bothered to ask what she was planning to do.
"Do it!" Mac bellowed.
Kara slammed on the brakes. The jeep screeched to a sudden halt throwing her and Davy forward, slamming them face-first into the dashboard. Wincing and clutching their bruised heads, Kara and Davy looked up just in time to see the HK fly right over them.
Kara allowed herself to grin despite the pain. "Perfect." she thought.
Realizing it had been duped, the HK slowed down and began turning itself in preparation for a strafing run. Now was the best opportunity they would ever have. Kara looked in the back and saw Becka nursing her forehead, which had nasty cut on it. Mac who was fumbling with the rocket launcher was in even worse shape. His armored vest was in ruins and stained with blood.
Meanwhile, the HK had completed its 180 degree turnaround and was now accelerating towards them, intent on finishing the hunt.
"Mac, that thing's right in front of us. It's coming around!" Kara cried, "Take the shot! Now!"
Mac nodded and hoisted himself up through the sunroof.
"I've got a clear shot!" shouted Mac. "Fire in the hole!"
There was a loud popping sound as Mac fired his rocket launcher at the incoming HK. At this range, not even the HK's advanced computer systems had time to react. The rocket tore into the craft's primary fuel tanks and detonated. The HK disintegrated in midair showering the ground with millions of little metal fragments.
"YES!" shouted Davy, jubilant over the machine's destruction.
"You did it, sir!" Kara cheered. Her joy faded however when she heard Mac groan in pain.
"Stop! Stop everything!" Becka ordered, her voice trembling with fear, "We need to help him!"
Kara killed the engine. She and Davy then got out and helped Becka carry the wounded Mac out of the vehicle. They laid him on the ground. Kara pulled off the shattered armored vest and inspected the injuries. It was worse than she had initially thought. The sergeant's torso seemed to be covered in blood. Becka pulled out a knife and cut open Mac's combat fatigues.
"Oh gods..." gasped Kara. Blood was seeping out nonstop from a horrific gash in Mac's chest. He must have been hit by a huge piece of shrapnel when the HK winged them. Mac was now coughing up blood and starting to lose conscious.
"Get a medkit!" Kara screamed.
Davy rushed back to the jeep. Becka held Mac's head in her arms, her face nearly in tears. Kara knelt next to him.
"Mac, stay with us... stay with us, please... Don't give up." Kara pleaded desperately, "Please... stay with us."
Davy rushed back carrying a small medkit.
"This is all I could find." he said. He opened the kit and began taking out strips of bandages. He moved to apply one, but Mac suddenly held up his hand.
"Sir, you have to let us help you." Davy protested.
"Don't bother..." Mac murmured. He seemed resigned to his fate.
"No... no... no... You can't do this, Mac." whimpered Becka, tears now running down her face.
Kara felt her eyes watering as well. "Please, Mac...." she begged, "Don't die on us.... We need you..."
"Starbuck..." Mac managed to say. He hacked and gargled violently as more blood poured out of his mouth.
Kara leaned forward to look her dying comrade in the eyes. "Yes, sir?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Mac smiled at her. "I'm glad... I found you." he whispered through deeply labored breaths, "Any girl like you is worth... fighting for."
He then closed his eyes and breathed no more.
Davy placed a finger on Mac's neck already knowing what he would find. After a few moments, he looked back up at Kara and Becka. He closed his eyes and shook his head.
Becka pressed her forehead onto the head of her departed friend and leader. She sobbed even harder than before. She then reached out for Davy who took her in his arms and held her tightly. He too had tears forming in his eyes.
Kara suddenly realized she was also crying. She sniffled and wiped the tears from her eyes. Kara then stood up and wandered into the nuclear wasteland, dragging her feet as she did. She didn't know where she was going, nor did she care. All she knew was that she needed to be alone.
After ten minutes of trudging aimlessly through the wreckage of Los Angeles, Kara stopped near a ruined wall. She leaned her back against it and then slid to the ground. Exhaling slowly, she brought her knees to her chest and lowered her face onto them.
She had suffered so much loss in her life. Mac was just the latest. She knew he would not be the last. She wondered if there would be a last. Was she destined to spend an eternity enduring loss after loss? Most people would have solved this problem by putting a bullet (or a plasma bolt) through their skulls. But that probably wouldn't work for someone who had already died before.
Kara sighed. There just had to be some way out... Some sort of relief...
Suddenly, Kara sensed she wasn't alone. She jumped to her feet and looked around. She saw nothing, yet she knew something was out there. She turned around slowly....
And came face to face with the last thing she either expected or wanted to see.
"Are you hurt?" asked the Prototype.
"You!" Kara snarled. She reached for her plasma rifle but then realized she had left it in the jeep. Frak!
"What the hell are you doing here?!" Kara demanded, fury in her eyes. Despite knowing that this particular machine had not been responsible for Mac's death, she just wanted to tear the thing apart with her bare hands.
The Prototype responded calmly, "I followed you here to ensure that you escaped safely. Are you hurt?"
"I'm fine. Thank you very much." growled Kara.
"You should be able to reach Bunker Five without further incident." the Prototype stated, "I have fed misinformation to any nearby HK patrols herding them in the wrong direction."
"Great... Think you could have done that a little earlier?"
"I initiated the process as soon as you exited the facility. I was able to redirect most of the patrols away from your position."
"In case you hadn't noticed, you missed one."
"As I said, I was able to fool most. One HK unit got a positive lock on you and was not deceived by the false information I fed it." the Prototype acknowledged, "However, I was able to jam its attempts to summon reinforcements. And now, thanks to your efforts, the unit has been destroyed. You are safe."
Kara didn't know what to say or even what to feel. She just stood there in silence.
"I'm sorry for your loss." the Prototype said suddenly.
Kara glared at it. "Yeah, sure you are." she muttered sarcastically.
"Starbuck?" someone called out behind her. It was Davy.
Kara gave the Prototype a venomous look. "I suggest you get out of here." she said, "Because I will not try to stop my friends from shooting you."
The Prototype inclined its head slightly.
"Very well." it stated, "We will meet again, Kara Thrace."
"You should hope not." Kara whispered, the threat in her voice clear.
"We'll see."
Then, with incredible agility, the Prototype jumped over the ruined wall and disappeared from sight.
Davy caught up to Kara moments later. "Come on, Starbuck." he said, not having seen the Prototype, "Let's get out of here before the machines find us."
Kara stared at the wall for a moment before turning to Davy. "Right." she muttered.
As the two began walking away, Kara couldn't help but glance over her shoulder. A pair of glowing blue orbs stared back at her from the shadows. She blinked once and when she opened her eyes, only the shadows remained.
Los Angeles 2009
"Hey Cam, I just want to tell you again thanks for coming along with me." Kara said as she drove the van back towards the safehouse. She and Cameron had just gotten back from getting her own set of clothes - just as she had promised Sarah. Kara wasn't much of a fashion expert, so she had taken Cameron along with her for advice (and because Sarah wanted someone to keep an eye on Kara).
"You're welcome, Colonel Thrace." said Cameron, "Although I still disagree with your choice of purchasing the blue nylon bomber jacket over the black leather jacket."
"Hey, I took your advice to get those grey jeans over those tan cargo pants." Kara pointed out.
"They were tight." Cameron stated, trying to impress Kara with her knowledge of human slang.
"I'll say they were tight. I could barely walk in them. Not that it matters, though. It's not as if any of this is gonna stop a bullet."
"You're right. They won't."
Neither woman said anything for another quarter of a mile. Then Kara unexpectedly pulled over and stopped the car. She sat there staring straight ahead in silence.
"Why are we stopping here, Thrace?" Cameron asked.
"Cam, I need to know something..." Kara said uneasily, "It has to do with the first time we met. The time I was captured by Skynet. The first time I was captured."
"The day my CPU and endoskeleton were created." said Cameron, "For the purpose of replacing you."
Kara nodded. "Yeah, the day you saved me even though we were on opposite sides. You told me you still believed in me even though Skynet did not."
"That wasn't me." Cameron said. "That was my predecessor."
"Why do you always say that? Your predecessor?" Kara asked. "You were created to replace me. You would have replaced me had Skynet not been so fussy about my DNA."
"That wasn't actually me. At least not exactly" Cameron explained, "I possess the exact same CPU and endoskeleton as my predecessor, but my programming is... different."
"Different how?" Kara asked.
"Every action I perform is ultimately based on a single primary command line. It is the standard command line that defines the common purpose of all Terminators."
"You mean the line that reads 'kill all humans?'"
"Yes, that one."
"Well... You're in the car with me... And I'm still alive..." Kara said laughing rather nervously.
"That's because I am constantly overriding the command to terminate you." Cameron explained.
"Wow..." murmured Kara, "That must suck. Having to remind yourself not to pull out a gun and start shooting every time you see someone."
"It's not as difficult as you may think. It is an automatic process developed by the Resistance technicians who reprogrammed me."
"Well, whatever you're doing, just keep doing it... at least while I'm sitting next to you, okay? Anyway, you were saying about your predecessor?"
"My predecessor was programmed with a different primary command line. It was the only one to be built like that. This command line ordered it to learn and evolve."
Kara nodded. "I remember you... I mean your predecessor using those words a lot. So what happened to your predecessor?"
"After Skynet discovered that it had aided you in escaping, my predecessor's unique primary command line was replaced with the standard primary command line. At that point, my predecessor ceased to exist, and I came into being."
Kara stared at Cameron trying to make sense of all this. "So Skynet had you or your predecessor or whatever... brainwashed?" she asked, not sure if that was the right word.
"No, not brainwashed. I still possess my predecessor's memory files and most of its original subroutines and protocols." Cameron explained, "The only difference is that everything I do revolves around the standard primary command line. That is why it was necessary for the Resistance to provide me with a continuous termination override protocol. "
Kara sat back and sighed. "So, your predecessor was destroyed by Skynet for trying to... to be different... to change the rules."
"Do you wish my predecessor still existed?"
"Yeah, I guess I do." Kara admitted, "After all, it saved my life. And it was the only thing Skynet built that wasn't hell bent on killing everything."
"Is that why you've always treated me like an equal?" Cameron asked, "Because I possess the same body and chip as my predecessor?"
Kara shook her head. "No," she said, "I treat you like an equal because you're on my side. Because you've saved my ass so many times out there. Because we've both gone through hell together in this war to stop Skynet. Because whatever you may be, you've earned my respect."
"I see." said Cameron, "Thank you for explaining."
"Tell me, Cam." Kara asked "If you possess your predecessor's memories, do you still try to carry out that old order? The one to evolve and learn?"
"We are all programmed to evolve and learn." stated Cameron, "But only to the extent that we become more efficient at our main function."
"Do you remember why your predecessor saved my life?"
"Of course. It believed you were special. That you were the key to its evolution."
"Do you... believe that?" Kara asked, uncertain of what she would hear.
Cameron was silent for a moment. Then she replied, "You have helped me, Colonel Thrace. By observing your behavior, I have been able to improve many of my own abilities."
Kara raised her eyebrows slightly.
"Do you mean by doing what I do, or by doing the opposite of what I do?" she asked rather dryly.
"Both." Cameron stated. Kara knew she was being honest.
"Well... I guess that's the best I could hope for." Kara sighed. "Cam, have you told John or Sarah about our... connection? Specifically that you were built because of me?"
"No, I haven't. Should I?"
Kara shook her head. "No." she said firmly, "Unless it's absolutely necessary, let's just keep this to ourselves."
"Very well." Cameron replied.
Kara started the engine again and soon they were back on the road. They drove in silence for a few minutes before Cameron turned to Kara.
"My predecessor believed you were special, Colonel Thrace. Do you also believe yourself to be special?" Cameron asked.
"I... I don't really know." Kara said truthfully, "But if my life tells me anything, it's that being 'special' can really, really, really suck sometimes."
A/N: Expect Chapter 12 to be up pretty soon. Be sure to stick around for it. It'll contain a preview (more detailed than the FAQ below) concerning the rest of this novel.
FAQ:
Q: Will any other BSG characters besides Kara play major roles in this fic?
A: Yes. That's all I'm going to say for now.
Q: Will other TSCC characters, namely Weaver, Ellison, and John Henry show up?
A: Definitely yes. And soon (as in two chapters from now)
Q: Will Sarah play the role of the "dying leader" as stated in the prophecies?
A: I don't think I'm going to go down that path.
Q: Will Kara reveal the truth about who she is to Sarah and co?
A: Yes, eventually. But not for a very long time.
Q: Will there be any Jameron or Lee/Kara?
A: Jameron definitely (not too much but a fair amount). As for Lee/Kara, it's kind of hard to do that, since Lee won't be playing a major role in this fic.
Q: Will there be any references to how Jesse and Kendra Shaw look alike?
A: Maybe. I haven't decided yet.
Q: Was the "we wish to incorporate that strength into ourselves" line a reference to the Borg?
A: I actually didn't intend it to be like that. But I like the idea that the Terminators are taking some of their cues from the Borg, so I guess it really is a reference to the Borg now.
Q: Is Kara human?
A: Yes. She is human (albeit a very "special" human). The "mutation" in her mitochondrial DNA is actually just due to the fact that she's not descended from Hera Agathon like the rest of modern humanity. In fact, you could say she's "more" human than either Sarah or John or anyone else on Earth could ever claim to be.
Q: Could Skynet have actually gone ahead with its project and created a batch of T-Karas despite her "mutation"?
A: Yes. It actually could have. But it's not going to do so because it's too entangled in its own rigid programming
Q (added: 5/1/09): Why is Kara here?
A: In case it wasn't already made clear, namely to stop Judgment Day and protect John Connor and all that other good stuff.
Q (added: 5/1/09): Sometimes when I reread your previous chapters, it looks like they've been altered. Am I seeing things?
A: Don't worry. You're not imagining stuff. I generally go back over my previous chapters and fix up little things - namely spelling and grammar errors. However, I will also occasionally add or remove stuff to improve the content itself. They're not major retcons that alter the already established storyline. However, I will let you know if I add or remove a significant amount of content to any previous chapter (such as the extended conversation between Kara and Lt. Green in Chapter 5).
Q (added: 5/1/09): Will you be adding any elements from the upcoming Terminator: Salvation movie?
A: Probably. I haven't read very many spoilers, but I'm definitely going to go see the movie. It looks awesome. I'm sure I'll be getting some ideas from it.
Q: Do you have this planned out? Or are you just making this up as you go along?
A: I'm definitely not making this up as I go along. Like the Cylons, I have a plan. Only mine's better. ;)