Epp 14

As the sun set, Mary sat atop of the bunker roof with Eddie. Eddie had carefully tended her wound, which was not necessary, but very kind of him. He cleaned the wound, applied antiseptic and a cream to help healing, then applied a camo-colored bandage across her forehead.

"There, that should do it," Eddie said absently. "Mary, I really glad you're not dead."

"Me too. Thank you for tending to me," she replied. Mary noted that his hands carefully touching her had felt nice. The intent look of concern he had also made her feel good. She decided she liked Eddie.

Mary hoped mother was wrong about another attack being imminent, but they were sure this Mr. Williams was the one working for Sky Net. If Sky Net was sure Step Father was here, it was going to try again.

"Mary, you hungry?" Eddie asked and offered her an MRE.

"No, but thank you for asking." Looking at this kind man, Mary added, "Eddie, we are sure another attempt will be made. It would be safer for you and your men to leave. The whole point of your group is to survive, isn't it?"

"It is," Eddie agreed. "But not to the point of leaving you here with just your sister to hold off what might be an even bigger attack. If this Sky Net is smart like you say, then it won't be just a few mercs with common guns coming up here. They will be coming with shit that can hurt you. I won't let you face that alone."

"We won't be. Mother has a plan. She and John have fought Sky Net for many years," Mary explained.

Looking at her intently, Eddie said, "Mary, I consider you my friend. I won't leave a friend in trouble. I'm sticking by you."

"I appreciate your loyalty, but I do wish you would go. I don't want to see you hurt."

"Well, I don't want you hurt, so we better watch out for each other then, huh?" Eddie asked with a grin.

Mary returned a smile.

"Jake is coming," Elanore announced from her place on the ridge.

They looked to see Jake plod over the ridge top carrying a crate on his back. As he approached, Mary's phone rang.

"Hello?"

The security code sounded. Mary responded.

"Father here, Mary. The latest satellite imagery shows seven individuals walking towards you from the south, following a natural ridge. I cannot make out which models, but all seven are terminators. At their current rate of movement, you have fifteen minutes before they are in visual range. They are carrying automatic rifles and rocket propelled grenade launchers."

"Thank you for the information, Father. Is Mother in position?"

"Yes, and Jake should be in visual range. He has the C-4, detonators and flares. You will have time to set up before the terminator arrive."

"Thank you, Father," Mary said and closed up her phone. To Eddie, she said, "Seven terminators are coming with rocket launchers. Eddie, you and your men really should leave."

"How long do we have?"

"Fifteen Minutes."

Eddie got up and said, "I'll get the boys together, armed, and in the fox holes. We're not backing out on you."

"Eddie, you might die," Mary said firmly.

"Then how about a reward if I don't?" he asked. With a grin he asked, "Say, trying to make a baby with you?"

"There is no point in that until my Step Father can finish his work and make it so I can have a baby," Mary told him as she got up.

Stunned, Eddie watched her get down. He then followed. "So, that's not a 'no', right?" he asked hopefully.

.

Mr. Williams scanned ahead as he led the T-600's on the opposite side of the ridge where the old anti-aircraft bunker was located. It was verified there was activity at this site, and by the gunfire then disappearance of the men he'd sent, this had to be the location Connor was at. He timed his arrival after night fall so his approach would not be noticed.

Upon first sight of the bunker, he dropped down and had his T-600's move behind cover. Once the sun was down, he had them begin encircling the bunker at a distance. They would close in after they had the bunker surrounded. John Connor and that AI was not going to get away.

.

"We have contact," Cameron's voice said over the radio. "They are to the south, and moving lower to both sides. It looks like they are going to encircle you. Stay hidden and do not fire yet. Wait until they close to sixty yards. I will give the command to shoot."

Behind the stacked rocks twenty yards from the bunker and level with it, Mary lay peeking between the rocks in front of her. Elanore was on the other side of the bunker also in cover, Jake was behind the bunker on the ridge top with the radio detonators. Cameron was on the next ridge over, a mile and a half away with a 50 cal sniper rifle. Eddie and his men were out, spread out and under cover in the foxholes they made. Ducked down out of sight, they waited for the word to start shooting.

Only a few yards away from Mary, Eddie had a hard time staying down, knowing Mary was just covered by a few measly rocks. He ached to peek up to see what was coming, but to do that might give them away.

All stayed quiet as the T-600s slowly encircled the bunker. Moving into place, they all came closer, stopped and pointed their rocket launchers at the bunker entrance. Mr. Williams aimed his rocket launcher and fired. All the T-600's with a view of the bunker fired with him.

Explosions roared out of the bunker, the hot balls of flame shot out to turn the air and ground red. At this happened, Cameron zeroed in on the downhill T-600 and shot. The heavy armor piercing bullet struck the base of the terminator's skull. "Fire!" Cameron said as it fell. She then zeroed in on the next one and shot again. She hit the rockets on it's back, which exploded. Mary and Elanore lined up and hit T-600's with their plasma rifles, dropping them.

Mr. Williams was surprise they were waiting for him, but he still had the advantage in numbers. He strode forth, shooting his assault rifle on full auto. Flares shot up around the bunker to burn brightly over the terminators, showing their positions clearly. Eddie and his men rose up and fired their rifles.

In the mass of shooting, two more terminators went down. A man screamed as he was hit. The last standing terminator on the bunker side shot another rocket as a bullet from Cameron struck his head. The rocket flew in and over the man that was the intended target, hitting the ground right beside Mary. She was thrown into Eddie's foxhole by the explosion. Eddie kept shooting his clip. He hit the man shooting at him, knocking him down. Reaching for another clip, He saw Mary was the thing that had slammed against him.

She looked dead. Mary's side was torn up, blood everywhere. He could see exposed metal down her side and one leg had the blackened flesh peeled off to show the metal underneath. Her eyes were closed. She looked very dead.

Eddie slapped another clip in with vengeance in his heart. A powerful explosion shook the ridge top. A terminator was flung into the air. Not seeing any others standing, Eddie got out of his hole and searched for another one to kill. "Come on, you BASTARDS!" he yelled. Bolting to the one who'd been shooting at him, Eddie poured his entire clip into the prone man's head. Flesh tore away to show the terminator skull that now had bullet holes in it.

Running to the top of the ridge, Eddie loaded another clip and looked down the other side for something else to kill. A single silver terminator was trying to get up. Eddie fired shot after shot into it. A plasma rifle hit the thing also. It jerked from the hits and tumbled down the slope, breaking into pieces.

As suddenly as it started, the fight was over. In the silence, Eddie ran back to his hole. He dropped his rifle and jumped in to lift Mary up. Damn, she was heavy. He managed to get her sitting up, and held her body close.

"I'm so sorry," he sobbed.

Mary twitched. "Not your fault," she said in a static filled voice.

Eddie stared at her. Part of her face was gone, exposing her metal skull, and he could see into her neck. "You're alive?" he asked.

She nodded, the pistons moving her neck on the right side in full view. Looking at him with one mutilated eye, she said in her static filled voice, "I am only thirty one percent functional, my outer covering has been severely damaged, but yes, I am alive."

Eddie was so happy she didn't die, he laughed. "You sure looked dead a moment ago."

"Ninety second reboot," she explained.

"So, like, you were knocked out?"

"Yes. Are you hurt, Eddie?" she asked.

"That's funny. You look like you were ran over by a bulldozer, and you're worried about me?" he asked.

"You are my friend. Yes, I am worried about you." Mary stated.

"I'm fine. Let's get you out of this hole and looked after."

Over the radio, Cameron said, "Verify all T-600's and the triple eight deactivated. Jake, Elanore, Mary, pull their chips."

Eddie replied. "No can do. Mary is in bad shape, she needs assistance." He dropped the radio to help Mary up and out of the hole. Even with her jerking limbs helping, Eddie had a tough time getting her out. This was Mary though, he struggled hard and got them out and on their feet.

"Holy FUCK!" Todd cried as he watched them stand. He stared at the apparent massive damage done to Mary.

"Yeah, Mary got tore up. I need help here!" Eddie barked.

.

The cleanup after the battle took much longer that the battle itself did. In front of the blasted out bunker, Eddie made Mary lie down on the only other piece of flat ground available. A burnt blanket under her, and most of another over her, covering her torso and her upper legs. Her bare metal leg showed from the knee down. Eddie made her stay in place as he bandaged her up as much as possible.

"I'd say we didn't do bad," Bill said as he came up to them. "One dead, two wounded. Yeah, we lost Carl," he explained to Eddie.

"Who else got hit?"

"Tom got clipped in the arm, nothing major. Sure as hell not nearly as bad as Mary there. Good thing she's build of tough metal. That would have killed most folks."

Mary offered them a weak smile. "Thank you for staying. If you had not been here, there is a very good chance I would have been killed."

"Hey! What are friends for?" Eddie asked.

Mary turned her head to him and said, "Eddie, I'm sorry I look so ugly now."

Eddie frowned at her. "I'm just happy you survived," he stated. "Your folks can fix you up, can't they?"

"Yes. It may be a long time before I am back to one hundred percent."

"You'll get there, right? Don't worry about it."

Cameron walked into the firelight. "Mary, are you functional?" she asked.

"Thirty one percent. I was hit by a rocket," Mary explained.

Eddie stood up and faced Cameron. "Ahh, Ma'am, I'd like to help Mary, umm, get well. She's awfully torn up, right down to her metal bones. Anything I can do for her, please tell me."

Cameron tipped her head slightly. "You have seen her endoskeleton and you are not revolted by the sight?" she asked.

"Well, yeah!" Eddie said indignantly. "Like I said, Mary's in a bad way here, of course I'm upset she's so badly hurt! Aren't you?"

Cameron cast him a small grin. "I am upset my daughter has been hurt. What I mean is, you have seen what she is made of, and you still want to help her?"

"Yeah," he said, like it should be obvious. "Mary's my friend, and I know what she's made of, she already told me. Seeing it sticking out like that makes me feel bad for her. That's gotta hurt."

Cameron nodded, pleased with Eddie's reaction. "When we're finished picking up the pieces of terminator, Jake and I will carry Mary down. If you want to come and help Mary recover, you are welcome to. I would advise everyone vacate this area tonight. Sky Net may be back with even stronger forces."

"We've worked hard on this place," Bill complained.

"And now it is known to Sky Net. You won't be safe here," Cameron explained.

"Guys," Eddie said. "The old mine up north should be safe. Pack up what you can and head there."

Todd asked, "Aren't you coming?" he then glanced at Mary and added, "Not for a while, huh?"

"Not for a while," Eddie agreed.

.

John was greatly relieved all of his family made if back alive. Sending them out in danger while he stayed back to play 'general' was hard. If they did not succeed in stopping Sky Net, he knew he'd have to get used to it. That was his destiny.

He was surprised they had picked up one more. The furry faced Eddie was suck tight to Mary's side. When John and Cameron laid her on a table in the workshop to replace some of her parts, Eddie stayed right there, fussing over Mary and holding her hand for comfort.

Once the mechanical repairs were complete, Cameron showed Eddie how to stitch up wounds (he learned some from survival training, and insisted she needed antiseptic for her wounds), and convinced John to leave Mary in his care.

Outside the workshop, John asked, "Cam? You're going to let him stitch her up by himself?"

Drawing her husband into an embrace, she said, "John, I have seen his attentiveness before."

"You have?"

Cameron nodded and said, "I have. Every time you stitched me up. He shows the same care and tenderness to Mary, as you show to me. Let them have this time together. They have earned it."

"So, Mary has a boyfriend," John concluded with a huff. After a moment, he said, "He's gotta loose that beard."

"Their choice, not ours," Cameron said softly, and kissed him.

.

Catherine got a call she had been waiting for.

"Mrs. Weaver, this is General Watson from the Air Force procuring department. How are you today?"

"I am fine, General, I hope you are also."

"I'm good. Mrs. Weaver, I called to talk to you about the proposal you have generously offered. As I understand, you made quite a compelling argument on why the Government should accept your product for use. As I understand, it is top quality and more than suitable for our needs."

"I am happy you approve, General. Perhaps we can get together and discuss the details?"

"I would love to, but apparently we already have a vendor supplying what we require in that area. We are bound by a five year contract, so unfortunately, we cannot accept your product until bidding is open again in this area. I do encourage you to apply again when this contract is up. I am sorry we cannot accept your proposal at this time."

"I understand, General. Thank you for the information."

"You are most welcome. Have a good day, Mrs. Weaver."

"You too, General."

After she hung up, Weaver barked out, "DAMN!"

.

Knowing now that Kaliba was in communication with the Air Force, John Henry tapped lines to possibly trace a call, and monitored the internet to stop a possible downloading of Sky Net onto government computers. Listening in on conversations, he searched for clues to Sky Net's location.

Jake and Elanore scouted around Johnson Corp. The factory wasn't in operation, few people came and went, and they could find no tunnels leading underground in the area. It seemed for the moment, There was nothing they could do but wait.

.

Eddie spend hours cleaning and sewing up what he could of Mary's damaged flesh. Mary thought he was going to cry when she told him all the skin and meat on the lower and mid part of her leg had to come off so she could grow new. He did trim it off as she asked, shedding tears as he did so, then wrapped what was left of her upper thigh carefully, so it was able to heal. Her right eye was ruined, Eddie carefully removed the damaged eye, disinfected the red orb below, and put a patch on it for her. The whole time he worked on her, he praised her for her bravery.

When Eddie was passed out in a chair from fatigue, Mary went into standby for a few hours. When she came out, she got up to go get them some food. Eddie was still snoring away. She put her shoes back on so her metal foot didn't click on the floor and wake him up.

Cameron was making breakfast when Mary walked into the kitchen.

"Good morning, Mary, how are you doing?" Cameron asked.

"Better. I am 94 % functional now, and Eddie spend more time that required sewing my flesh up. He was very intent on his work, so I didn't mention all the disinfectant he applied was not needed," Mary said.

"How is he doing?"

"He is very upset. He didn't want me to get up in fear I might hurt myself more, so I waited until he fell asleep in the chair. He has not had any sustenance Since yesterday afternoon, and I also need nutrients to grow my skin back."

Cameron cast Mary a grin. "Do you know why he has been very attentive of you?" she asked.

"Yes, he is my friend, and hates to see me damaged. He told me so," Mary said matter of factly.

Cameron smirked. It was more than that. Mary had no experience in romantics. She flipped the blueberry pancakes and checked the pan sausage. "Mary, he is attracted to you. That means he wants to be more than just a friend."

Mary tipped her head slightly and said, "Please explain, Mother."

Seeing it was time, Cameron began breaking eggs on the griddle as she talked. "Normally, when people see our endoskeletons, especially for the first time, human have a bad reaction. Did Eddie even react on seeing yours?" she asked.

"He did," Mary stated. "In the fox hole when I rebooted, Eddie was holding me and crying. It took all his strength, but he got me up and out. He yelled for help."

"But he did not shy away or make a face like he was shocked?"

"No. Todd did. His mouth opened really far and he yelled, 'Holy FUCK!' as he took a step back," Mary explained, yelling Todd's words.

"That was a normal human reaction on Todd's part." Cameron told her. "My point is that even though he saw you all but bare metal, the only thing Eddie was concerned about was that you were injured. Mary, that is highly unusual. That means Eddie truly cares about you, no matter what you are."

Sarah ran into the kitchen, followed shortly by John. Sarah looked around and asked, "Why the scream?"

"What happened?" John asked.

"It's nothing, sit down, breakfast is almost ready," Cameron told them.

"How are you feeling, Mary?" John asked.

"I am 94 % functional, and Eddie has sewn together all the living flesh I have left," Mary reported.

John eyed her and asked, "An eye patch too?"

"Yes, Eddie doesn't want my eye to be infected before it can grow back."

"You're not going to get an infection," Sarah stated.

"I know that, but Eddie insisted," Mary explained.

"He really cares for her," Cameron said, and cast a grin at John. "Mary, will Eddie be awake to eat?"

"He has been sleeping for seven point three hours. He does need nutrition. I'll go get him," Mary said, and walked out.

Cameron took the last of the pancakes off and put the plate stacked high on the table, then took the sausage off and stacked it on a platter. She got another plate and tableware out for Eddie. With the eggs, she picked up the griddle and slid them directly onto people's plates. She got the muffins out of the oven and made toast as the morning crowd assembled.

John Henry came up not to eat, but to spend time with his family. A sleepy eyed Savannah sat next to her older brother. "Morning John Henry, morning everyone," she said with a yawn. Max trotted in and sat down beside Savannah, knowing who would slip him food.

"But, can you really walk OK?" Eddie's voice asked.

"I can, Eddie. I am fully functional, and you have done a fine job sewing me up," Mary replied.

"Doesn't it hurt?"

"I don't feel pain like you do. Please, relax," Mary said.

Mary came in, followed closely by Eddie, who was watching her intently in case she fell. He held a chair out for her and helped her sit, then sat down himself. Just then, he noticed the large table was filled with people. "Ahh, hi everyone," he said with a wave.

"Morning, Eddie," came a reply chorus.

Eddie's eyes lit up at seeing all the food. "Wow, this is a spread!"

"Mother likes to ensure we are well fed," Jake told him.

"I guess. It smells great!" Eddie said, beaming Cameron a smile.

As they dug in, Eddie kept commenting, "Wow, this sausage is good, I mean really good … What did you do with these pancakes, they're wonderful! Aww man, these muffins are the best."

John was happy about one thing. Besides his high praises for Cameron's cooking, Eddie made sure Mary had everything she wanted. He was acting like a teenager in love, doting over Mary even though she was covered in bandages and had one metal leg exposed.

John Henry was more direct. "Eddie, you like Mary?" he asked.

"What's not to like?" Eddie asked, as if was obvious. "She's pretty as a picture, that is when she's not all banged up, strong as an ox, ain't afraid to work, a great friend, kind, and one hell of a fighter. It's like she's the perfect woman!"

John had to laugh at his exuberance. Cameron smacked him under the table. "Oww," he chuckled.

"Well, I'm right, aren't I?" Eddie asked.

"Yeah, you are," John said. He cast a soft look at Cameron. "Just like her mother."

"Well there ya go," Eddie said with a nod.

"It doesn't bother you at all that she's a terminator?" Sarah asked.

Eddie frowned and said, "Not really. Don't care what Mary is, it's HOW she is that's important. Isn't it? In fact, if she wasn't one, she wouldn't be alive right now, so I think It's a good thing Mary is built like a tank."

"He's got it for her all right," John said quietly.

Much quieter, Mary asked, "Eddie, do you think I'm ugly now?"

"What?" he asked, eyeing her. "Mary, I think you're injured, yeah, but you can't be ugly. Least not in my eyes."

Thank you," she said and offered him all the smile she could with half her face bandaged up.

"It's the truth," Eddie stated. "Say Mary, you want more of anything?"

"I'm fine."

"OK, then I'll grab that last muffin here. Mrs. Cameron, you make a great meal," Eddie said and raised the muffin in a toast to her.

"It's Mrs. Tok," Cameron said. "You can call me Cameron."

"So like, were your ancestors Asian or something?" Eddie asked.

"Yeah," John offered.

"That's odd," Eddie said with a frown, and dove into his muffin.