Thanks to everyone who have read and reviewed the previous chapter!
Dragon Seraphin: Thanks! About John and Cameron relationship, they're kind of dealing with their own problem now, without each other's help, so I guess it's only right they started to drift apart a little. Thanks again for the review!
XxDeathStarxX: Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it!
Morded: Thanks a lot! Hope you enjoy this one!
Kaotic2: Thanks so much!
Enjoy!
Chapter 21: Trapped.
When they arrived at Kaliba, it looked peaceful from the outside, all normal. It looked just like the last time they had worked here. Beside him, Cameron's posture tensed the moment they neared it. She was evidently uncomfortable having her charge to close to the enemy. The last time they seen the building, men were there looking to kill them. John shot her a quick apologetic look and then drove closer with Weaver's car behind them.
John narrowed his eyes as he studied the building. Everything looked fine apart from the fact that the security guards are not there on duty like they should be. He stopped right in front of the building and got out. Weaver, Sarah and Derek got out and joined John and Cameron.
"Something wrong?" Sarah asked as John studied the place.
John pointed a finger to the guard house, "See there? There are no guards. Last I remember, Kaliba seemed to be considering to increase their defense despite already having 5 men in one shift only for this entrance."
"Perhaps they took a break." Cameron spoke, "Humans are inefficient in that way." She stated flatly. John rolled his eyes and turned to Sarah.
"So are we still going in?" Sarah asked, shifting uncomfortably from one foot to the other.
"Yeah." John nodded, trying to look into the building through the glass entrance. He turned to Weaver, "Can you see if there is anyone at the counter?"
Weaver stared to that direction for a long time before shaking her head, "No."
Cameron backed that up. John spoke, "then let's go in. Forget the plan. Something is wrong here." He mumbled the last part, pulling out his gun from its holster and held it in a firm grip with both hands.
He walked slowly with everyone, to his annoyance, trying to shield him, including Weaver. They entered the building cautiously and found the place empty. Before they know what is going on, Cameron spoke, "John, look!" She pointed a slender finger towards the stairs. On the flawless glass stairs was a dead man. The body was slump on the railing. Blood was dripping from his limp fingers.
John walked over cautiously, "he's dead." Then they heard gunshots and screams from upstairs. Cameron and Sarah are beside John within seconds but no one came, "they're upstairs." John told them before running up the stairs. The rest of them followed. When they reached the second landing, they found more bodies, all on the floor over the corridor and some at the elevator door.
They proceeded upwards where the gunshots are heard. When they reached the third landing, a breath got caught in John's throat as he glimpsed a man walking down the corridor. He jumped behind a wall, gesturing for the rest to do so. All but Cameron and Weaver slid under cover.
Cameron cocked her head, studying the opponent. She took in his built and tried to use her scanners but they aren't functioning. She cried in frustration inwardly and instead, used her observation to conclude that he is a machine. Weaver seemed way ahead of her and threw herself at the terminator.
John glanced past the wall and saw Weaver stabbing the terminator in the chest, quick and simple. Its power source stood at the end of her silvery blade which was stabbed out of its chest. The terminator froze for a moment, looking at Weaver before slumping to the floor, dropping both its machine guns. Weaver stood there, examining her hand which was now in the form of a blade, coated with the terminator's synthetic blood.
John jumped out from behind the wall and ran. Cameron instantly ran with him. Sarah, Derek and Weaver followed, puzzled as to where both of them are going. Cameron know where John is going, it was where she would go. Eventually, Cameron surpassed him and burst into the room. She stifled a gasp.
John caught up, stopping beside her. He bought up a hand and rubbed his face. Cameron looked lost as she stepped forward into the room. Noah was slumped on the table. There were three plain bullet holes through his back. Christine was lying on the ground at his feet, her long straight red hair fanned out around her head on the floor, a bullet hole through her head. Cameron sobbed, trying to hold it all in.
Then they all jumped, pulling up their guns instantly upon hearing a sniff and a whimper. Cautiously, Cameron rounded the table. There, she found Abigail. The young raven hair girl was sat there on the floor, her shirt soaked with blood. In her arms was Sean. His strong and determined face splattered with blood. There were two bullet holes in his stomach and blood seeped out from them.
Abigail barely acknowledged them even if she knew they were there. Her dark hair was draped over her face as she held onto Sean, looking down at him.
"Abigail." Cameron said gently. She sounded relieved. Cameron knelt down and reached out to touch her shoulder but when she laid her hand there, Abigail jumped and looked up as if she didn't know they are there. Cameron saw the side of her face was grazed.
Her once bright and intelligent eyes were filled with fear, anxiety and depression. Cameron could see her dilated pupils in her eyes.
"It's me. Cameron." Cameron's voice was so soft it was like a whisper.
"Cameron?" Abigail's lips twitched at the edge as she tried to smile but couldn't. Then Sean let out a soft groan. Cameron looked down at him, "Sean! Sean can you hear me?" Abigail looked down anxiously. There was no reply from him. Cameron immediately felt for a pulse at his neck and felt one. John then knelt down beside Cameron, putting a hand on her back gently as he looked at Abigail.
"Look, you have to tell us what happened here Abigail. We-" John spoke but was interrupted.
"We have to go!" Weaver snapped. Abigail looked up, frightened.
"Is he back? Is he coming-"
"The machine is dead. I killed him." Weaver replied flatly, "We have to go." She repeated, her voice dead serious, "More are coming."
John jumped up at her last statement, helping Cameron up, "Come on." John turned towards the door, speaking to Abigail but the young girl sat there, unable to move. Sarah and Derek already spilled out into the corridor, guns at the ready to shoot if they see something metal.
"Come on!" John snapped at Abigail. She clung onto Sean, looking frightened from John to Weaver, who stood at the door, fixing her with a death stare.
Cameron bent over a little at the waist, reaching out with one hand, "Come with me if you want to live." She told Abigail. With a glance at Cameron's hand, Abigail took it. John picked Sean up and they ran out of room. Cameron held onto Abigail by her hand and they all ran towards the stairs.
"Is it here?" John asked Weaver anxiously. She didn't reply but took the stairs. They followed her wordlessly. When they touched down to the ground floor, after passing bodies on the way, the side door burst open and about 4 terminators entered. John gritted his teeth as Derek started firing. His slugs drilled into the terminator's armor efficiently.
"Go!" Weaver stepped forward, walking towards all of them. John instantly ran towards their car along with Abigail, Sarah and Derek. Then he skid to a stop at the door.
"Cameron!" He shouted to her and she glanced over her shoulder. John knew that look; it couldn't have conveyed the message better: Go, I'll be fine.
He stood there for while, hesitant till Derek grabbed his arm and pulled him towards the car. John adjusted his hold on Sean who was slumped over his back and ran to the car. They heard a few gunfire and John could only mutter prayers to any gods above who are listening. John placed Sean in the backseat with Abigail and jumped into the driver's seat while Derek and Sarah went to Weaver's car to start it up.
Soon, Cameron and Weaver walked out, looking unharmed. They marched briskly to their respective cars which they arrived in. Cameron rode shotgun and Weaver went to the backseat. Both cars shot off with only a sharp screech of the tires. Behind them, a loud explosion was heard and the tall building once known as Kaliba went up in smoke.
John glanced into the side view mirror while Abigail turned back to look, in the state of shock. Cameron barely acknowledged it as she looked forward. They drove away without stopping, speeding all the way to Zeira Corp. Cameron's hands balled up into fists as they sped to Zeira Corp. John glanced in her direction and placed his larger hand over hers gently.
No one spoke but they could hear Abigail sobbing in the back as Sean slowly died in her arms. They couldn't stop to save him; they couldn't stop if they wanted to save Zeira Corp and their children.
When they arrived at Zeira Corp. Cameron cried out, seeing smoke from the top of the building where Weaver's office would've been. Several vans are parked at the front of Zeira corp. The two security guards are shot dead, one of them slumped over the window from the guard house and another sprawled on the floor. Both of them covered in their own blood.
Cameron jumped out of the jeep. She ran towards the building, pulling out her gun. John shouted after her, dashing to stop her. He caught up and grabbed her arm firmly, pulling her back but Cameron struggled and easily shook John off.
"Cameron! Don't!" John barked but she was going with or without him. With a cry of frustration, John followed her. He glanced over his shoulder to find Sarah, Derek and Weaver already out of the car and following them. Then just as they ran past the guardhouse, they saw Zander running out of the building. His body splattered with blood. Behind him were John Henry, Savannah, Ryan and Ellison. Apart from Ellison, Ryan and Zander, the other two seemed free from blood.
Cameron ran to them, placing her hand on the side of Zander's head, yelling at him if he's hurt. He was clutching his arm and Cameron tried to pry his fingers away but he dismissed her worries.
"It's nothing serious. Mom!" Zander said to her firmly, "I'm fine." Cameron nodded reluctantly then she turned to Ryan who nodded, indicating he was too. John and the rest finally caught up and took in the situation immediately.
"John Henry, how'd you-" Sarah started to ask but was cut off by loud screams.
"We got to go." Cameron snapped, whipping around.
Zander's eyes widened, "We have to save them!" Zander shouted, his eyes filled with disbelief of what Cameron's asking.
"Zander…" Cameron took two steps back to Zander.
"Mom, we have to! They're dead in there!" Zander said, his voice shooting up an octave, "There are people in there, lives..."
Cameron grabbed his shoulder, careful not to touch his wound but her glare drilled into him and so did her touch, "Listen to me!" She seethed at him, Zander had never seen her so mad at him, "If we go in to save them now, we could lose more than just a hundred people!"
Zander was speechless but in his eyes burned determination and resilient. Cameron grabbed his unhurt arm harshly, practically dragging him to the car. She pushed him in with Abigail and Sean in the back seat. Ryan joined them to squeeze into the space while Ellison and Savannah went to Weaver's car. John jumped into the jeep and they drove off.
The ride was quiet. Abigail had stopped sobbing or she had run out of tears, Zander was fixing a hard gaze out of window; Ryan's stare was fixed on the floor. John glanced at the rearview mirror and turned out of the road. They stopped in the alley and John alighted. He pulled out the medical kit silently then helped Sean with his wound. Weaver and John Henry helped him as best as she could while Sarah and Derek kept watch.
Savannah, Ryan and Abigail sat at the corner watching John and Weaver work on Sean. Zander remained in the car like a statue. His hard gaze was still directed outside at nothing in particular. Cameron remained in the car as well. Silence engulfed the pair and all they heard was John and Weaver working on Sean.
"Zander." Cameron turned in her seat to face her son but he didn't respond to her. Eventually, Cameron came out of the car and opened the door to Zander's side and looked at him. His hard gaze was fixed on something behind her, "Zan…" She whispered gently but he didn't do anything, not even a twitch. Finally, Cameron had had it.
She swiftly grabbed at his chin with her thumb and the crook of her index finger, pulling Zander to face her, "Look at me!" He glared at her fiercely, "There's nothing we can do about them, Zander, it was all what it was. They are being killed, I know, but I can't let you save them. I…" Cameron's voice trailed off as she gazed at her son.
Zander's glare fall to a disappointed look, "You didn't see them. How they had shouted for help, hiding and just praying that someone could and would save their ass. Someone like us." Zander growled.
"You're not a hero." Cameron told him.
"No, I'm not." Zander replied, his stare still as strong, "But you are. You're supposed to be." He looked disappointed but didn't let that look hold. Cameron looked into his eyes, almost afraid to face them.
"Zander…" She let out a bitter laugh, "The thing is," Cameron paused, not sure how to start as her voice broke to the confession, "I'm not a hero. I never am. I might've protected your father and you…but I'm not, I'm no hero…" Cameron spoke, her voice's fading.
Zander looked like someone had splashed cold water on him or slapped him across the face, hard.
"I can't, I can't lose you, and I can't lose John." Cameron broke. She struggled to keep it contained. No tears fall from her eyes but Zander could tell, inside, they had already made a puddle. Zander knew all these while, he knew Cameron could act so strong for him but he just didn't know how weak she really was inside.
Now Zander knew. He saw it. His mother stood before him now without a veil covering an inch of her. This was Cameron all along, at least since he was born. She was just a normal loving mother, worrying for her husband and son in this war. Just as Sarah is to Ryan and John, Weaver is to Savannah. The only difference for Ryan and Savannah is, they didn't have a father like he does.
Even if they do, their father isn't the leader of mankind, their father isn't the hero, their father isn't like John, and their father would never be John Connor.
Zander glanced at John and then to Cameron.
"I'm so sorry." Cameron swallowed and her hand flew up to rub a tear off her face. She whipped around and marched briskly away. Zander stared after her and gulped.
He didn't know how much longer he can pretend. He didn't know if he could hold up the cold and strong front for his parents to stop worrying about him. He needed to grow up fast and the moment John told him the story of the machines and Skynet, he knew John had expected that at the very least from him and being the strong boy he is, he gave it to his father. Zander knew everyone had a point where they broke and lose faith and this is the time, when they needed a hero.
His mother was right, he was not a hero. But that didn't stop him from trying…
Weaver knelt over Sean's bloodied body and placed a hand on his wound.
"The wound is fatal-" Weaver said calmly, looking up at John. Abigail, who had been quietly sitting at the corner all these while, suddenly shot up.
"Just save him!" She shouted. Everyone turned to her. Weaver regarded her before looking towards John who nodded. She calmly reached for the medical kit. Abigail was like a hawk, she watched Weaver moved carefully with precision and she lost it, "What is wrong with you?" She dropped to her knees, trying to meet Weaver's eyes, "Can't you see he's dying?"
Abigail waited to see her reaction but there was none. Weaver acted like she didn't hear Abigail scold her.
"How inhuman can you get?" She snapped angrily as Weaver pushed anaesthesia into Sean.
Weaver didn't know why they were doing this in the first place. Firstly, Sean is not a mission priority. Secondly, she had already told John that his wound is fatal. She was about to tell him that the chances of saving Sean was close to zero. Thirdly, she was positive that machines are already on their tail. The war has already started. She ignored the girl's hysterical shouts and worked calmly; after all, the answer to her question was that, she can be very inhuman.
Human are inefficient; it was how Skynet described them which in turn is why all terminator described them. But recently, Cameron had stopped that but changed to use it to tease and diddle with John. Weaver, on the other hand, kept thinking it but refrain from saying it. It didn't help in her blending in and made humans become angry at her. They become twitchy in these situations and machines remain calm. But this time, Weaver would admit, she wished Sean would just stop breathing so that the humans around her would stop hoping.
She blocked out Abigail's complains.
Then, Savannah took Abigail and led her away to get her graze looked at. Weaver glanced towards her 'daughter' and concentrated on wrapping Sean's wound. Savannah had not found her that her real mother was dead. That the person standing before her everyone, the one she called 'mom', was a machine. She didn't know and neither Sarah nor Derek nor Ellison, who found out during one of the conversations, had the heart to tell the kind girl.
"Does it hurt?" Savannah applied some medication on the wound. She looked up to find Abigail trying to look past her shoulder and to Sean. When Abigail realized Savannah was talking to her, she flushed and struggled to remember the question.
"No, not so much now." She mumbled, "It just grazed past me. Barely. Sean, he…" He voice broke off before she could finish and she burst into tears all over again. Savannah put her arms around Abigail till she regained her composure before putting gauze on the graze. Savannah glanced at Sarah after realizing Abigail wasn't keen in making a conversation.
Sarah was leaning against the wall at the mouth of the alley, glaring at Derek with her arms crossed. Derek stood out of reach from her, uncomfortable at the constant glaring and the cold shoulder treatment he got. Savannah wasn't sure what happened between them. Sure Sarah wasn't always warm to Derek but she wasn't this cold either. Their relationship was complicated to savannah when she was young and it was complicated to her now.
She glanced towards Cameron, who was standing further out of the alley, like a statue. She was looking up at the sky, her face bathing in the evening sunshine. The sun is about to set and Cameron seemed to be waiting for that. Savannah remembered how Cameron was so nice to her when she was little but it was beginning to be blurry now, Savannah couldn't remember as much as she'd hope. But she was sure Cameron is good.
Savannah left Abigail slowly, ready if she should tell her not to leave but Abigail didn't. She sat there and stared towards Sean. Savannah left Abigail and sat down by the side with John Henry, who was getting comfortable. Ellison, who was standing close to John Henry, moved away to give them space. John Henry turned to look at her but she already had her hand on the back of his head, feeling where the cord used to be.
"The cord?" Savannah asked softly.
"Zander contained me into a chip. It is-" John Henry started to explain.
Savannah interrupted him with a sigh, "Can I not have another lecture about technology? I suck at tech…" She said gently.
"You don't."
"What?" Savannah furrowed her brows.
"You don't 'suck at tech'." John Henry told her, his eyes wide with honesty.
"Maybe…" Savannah played with the tip of her bag flap. She suddenly spaced out as her mind recalled what had happened.
They were sitting at the table with John Henry playing some card game. Mr Ellison was standing by the corner, impatient when they heard the shouts and gunshots. They all jumped from their position. Zander and Ryan dived for their guns and pointed it at the door but no one came in. It was then they all realized it was from upstairs.
"What's going on?" Savannah asked, shaking in fear. Zander looked away from staring at the ceiling and closed his eyes.
"I don't know. It's a mess up there." Zander stated. Ryan turned to him, thinking Zander is insane that he'll even try to hear what's going on.
"What do they want?" Savannah asked again, feeling John Henry's hand touching hers which was on the table.
Zander busied himself by rushing to pick up the shotgun. He pumped it readily. Savannah shrinks back but Zander was too busy to notice. Ryan placed a comforting hand on Savannah's shoulder. Then Zander tossed a Glock to Ellison, "Use it." He stated.
"Do you think they're here for us?" Ryan asked, opening the door a fraction to peep outside the empty corridors.
"I think they're here for him." Zander replied, jerking his chin to John Henry. He marched behind John Henry and started to access the rack of computer, "Help me remove the cord and prepare another computer." He told Ryan who nodded and went on the job.
"What're you doing?" Ellison stepped forward.
"We gotta get out of here but we can't carry the rack of computers with us. John Henry is as good as dead if he stays here." Zander replied swiftly, walking to John Henry.
"You're trying to make him mobile?" Ellison asked to double check his intentions, "Mr Murch has tried it and it wouldn't work. You change a piece you might change John Henry! You are-"
"Bear with me." Zander ignored Ellison and told John Henry, "Trust me." He looked up, telling Ellison as well as John Henry. And he pulled the cord from John Henry. The body went limp. Zander then pulled out a chip.
"Where'd you get that?" Ellison's brows knitted together. He was clearly disturbed with a ten year old boy meddling with John Henry.
"Took it off a T-800," Zander tossed it to Ryan who plugged it into a port along with the wire connecting John Henry in.
"Took it?" Ellison asked doubtfully.
"I killed it alright?" Zander faced Ellison, impatient with the questioning and doubting. He brushed past him and went to Ryan. Savannah watched the whole exchange and could only sit there, gazing at John Henry's limp hand on hers. She could hear the gunfire as well as Zander's voice, telling Ryan what to do. Savannah could tell the difference.
Zander is John's son while Ryan was somewhat Sarah's son. It was obvious who was the tech. Savannah knew a bit of this terminator stuff but she decided to stay out of the boy's way. Zander was taught and trained by John to deal with the chip and all the computers while Cameron taught him to fight. They both built up his instincts and capabilities. This made Zander, who was smart and brave. To make it simple, he would be a valuable addition to the humans in this fight.
Ryan was trained by Sarah. He became strong, determined and had skills that maybe even Zander couldn't match up to. But he didn't have much knowledge with computers which crippled him in this fight. However, Ryan was smart and witty, he learnt fast too. To sum it up, the two boys joined together could very well be two of the sixth of the people Skynet should fear. Other three would be Cameron, John, John Henry and Sarah.
Savannah didn't know where to put her mother yet but she didn't want her mother anywhere other than with her. Savannah knew her mother is a fighter but could only pray Skynet didn't deem her as big a threat that had to be terminated. She watched Zander pull out the chip and ran to John Henry. He cut a semi circle and opened up John Henry's head, literally. They all heard a whirl and John Henry was back online, minus the cord. He looked at Zander and nodded.
Zander smiled nervously and ran to the door with the shotgun in hand. Ellison picked up whatever they needed and was the last to leave the room. They went to the elevator and went up. John Henry stayed close to Savannah, almost as if he wanted to protect her. Ryan and Zander stood in front with Ellison covering the back.
The elevator door burst open and Zander was first to catch sight of a man in the middle of the lobby, holding a huge rifle.
"Duck!" He shouted out and shot at the man he already guessed was a terminator.
Ryan joined in the shot. Both of them pummeled its head with bullets. Soon, it fell to the ground, limpless. Zander gestured for the rest to stay back while Ryan and him took the first step. Zander pumped his shotgun as he spotted another walking towards them. As it raised its gun, Zander took aim quickly. They fired and Zander winced, feeling the bullet flew by his arm, cutting his flesh. Ryan covered him quickly and shot.
The man fall to the floor like the first one, two hole in his face. The blood splattered onto their faces
"Come on!" Ryan shouted to the rest in the lift. They burst out into a mad run to the main entrance. Zander deposited the shotgun into the bag Ellison was carrying and applied pressure on the wound on his arm. Savannah looked like she was about to show some concern by asking when they came out of the entrance. Cameron ran to them, grabbing Zander.
"Savannah?" John Henry snapped her out of it as gently as he could, "We are all here."
Savannah smiled. It was his way of comforting her. He'd been telling her that since she was a kid. At that time, it comforted her and it was surprising but she still felt happy when she hears it.
They had pretty much spent the time patching everyone up. Zander was still at the car. Sarah and Derek are keeping watch. Abigail was sitting by Sean on the floor, clutching his hand, trying to help him fight for his life. Weaver was stoning by John Henry and Savannah. Ryan is reloading the guns. Cameron is missing.
John realized for the first time after looking up from assisting Weaver with Sean. He started looking around anxiously. He walked out of the alley. Sarah pointed Cameron out to him, who was sitting on the curb of the empty street, watching as the sunset.
"Hey." John croaked. Cameron didn't turn but knew he was tired. He settled down beside her. John glanced at her before following her gaze towards the sunset, "You okay?" He asked, reaching for her hand which was by her side on the floor but it wasn't when he reached for it.
"Yeah." Cameron said, tucking her hand between her torso and her thighs which was in front of her chest, "Things change John. So fast, I just can't keep up." She chuckled bitterly.
"What things?" John probed her, shifting closer.
"Everything…" Cameron's voice trailed off. She turned to John. He nodded knowingly.
"Yeah, you're right." John made eye contact with her, "Well you're always right." He smiled.
"I-" Cameron was about to reply when Sarah came over, the sound of her boots crunching gravels getting their attention. They turned to face her questioningly.
"Weaver called for a meeting." Sarah told them and left to the rest. John stood up, taking Cameron's hand to help her up. They went into the alley again after glancing down the streets which was quickly darkening. John prayed that no one in this area was poor enough to live in this ally, except them…
He sat down crossed legged and helped Cameron. John sometimes saw the dizzy spells hit her like a ton of bricks but he didn't have the time to ask after her, not now at the very least. He sat close to her, listening intently as the 'meeting' commenced with all of them present.
"What the hell is going on?" Ryan asked as a start.
"John Henry thinks that Skynet has already been gathering its forces while we are distracted by the diversion." Weaver explained in that strong accent of hers.
"And what diversion is that?" Ryan raised an eyebrow, glancing at John Henry.
"They're playing dead." Weaver replied simply.
John resisted the urge to rub his hand over his face at the stupidity. How could they ever even let themselves believe it was over?
"We all hope it was…" Cameron whispered, glancing at him. John drew back less than an inch before going into a quick recovery. Everyone was looking at him.
"Well, whatever it is. We need a quick recovery. Is there a way we can salvage the situation? What is going on exactly?" John asked fiercely, almost wanting to jump to his feet to be on even ground with Weaver, who was standing.
"It's too late." Weaver faced him blankly, "We're at the end."
To be continued…
[Cameron]: "John, you can just be yourself," [John]: "you made it sound so easy. I've forgotten you are supposed to keep me human" [Cameron]: "No, you're keeping me human... I've always needed you" [Cameron sits next to Weaver] [Weaver]: "even if you didn't fight, you know the baby is killing you." [Cameron]: "I have no choice." [Weaver]: "Your place is beside John Connor. You could kill it before it kills you…"