CH 76

Jackie took her place on the mat, epee blade in her left hand. Ann looked nervous. They saluted each other, then pointed their swords at each other. From the start, Ann was cautious and on the defensive. Jackie stretched out a couple times to whack her sword to the side or down. Ann would back up.

"You need to be more aggressive," Jackie told her. "Ready to counter?"

Ann finally came forward in a flurry, then thrust in fast. Jackie parried and made a thrust at her shoulder. Ann jumped back. A quick short move towards Ann and Anne jumped back again.

"Don't react to your opponent, make them react to you," Jackie said, then jumped in to whack her blade and thrust at her chest. Ann managed to parry and made her own thrust. Jackie had to bend back, then jump back to keep it from tagging her.

"Better!" Jackie announced. She blocked another thrust attempt, then twirled her blade around Ann's trapping it with motion. Ann jumped back to get her blade clear then came on with a fast thrust. She over extended, so after the parry, Jackie tagged her chest. "Don't over extend, you make yourself vulnerable."

The match was more teaching that it was competition. Ann had decent speed and awareness, but not very much confidence. Several times of driving Ann back, but letting her parry Jackie's thrusts was making the girl a little more sure of herself. Pretty soon, they had a decent spar going on. To show Ann this wasn't just a spar, Jackie thrust in for another point. This time, Ann thrust in and answered that point.

"Very good!" Jackie praised her.

Ann wasn't the fastest, but she did show some skill. Jackie fenced with her, keeping just one point ahead. Jackie made Ann work hard for her fourth point, parrying and moving faster. Dancing back and forth and blades meeting, Ann finally lunged to get her fourth point and Jackie got her fifth. Stepping back to their start positions, Jackie saluted her. Ann returned the salute.

They removed their helmets. "You did well," Jackie told her.

"It was fun too," Ann said with a grin.

They left the mat to let next pair on.

Montgomery had his match and won. Then Daniel was up again. Daniel fought hard and moved well, but ended up losing 3-5. Jackie still praised him for even getting to the second round.

Jackie didn't to any lessons in her second match, she just fenced and beat the boy 5-1. In the third round matches, the number of fencers left was quickly diminishing. In the fourth round, Jackie met Montgomery again. and still fencing left handed, she managed to beat him 5-4.

The final round was here. Avery Johnson and Joan Connor were the last two left standing. Everyone watched them take their places on the mat.

"You seem to be very talented, Miss Connor," Avery said.

"You are, or you wouldn't be here, Mr. Johnson," she replied.

"Please, fence with your right hand, otherwise, if I win, I will have not faced your best and I will feel like you let me win."

"Very well. Don't hold back," Jackie told him and put her helmet on. She shifted her sword to her right hand.

They saluted each other.

Avery was good. He jumped in fast and his thrusts were like a snake striking. Jackie parried and moved, watching him carefully. He telegraphed nothing, their blades were a constant blur, their bodies jumped back and forth attacking and retreating. Jackie had a speed advantage, Avery was the most experienced. Every touche Jackie got was immediately answered. Then they went from 2 points each to 4 in the matter of a few seconds with blurred attacks and parries.

Jackie pressed Avery hard, each knew the next point would be the last. Avery thrust in close, Jackie twisted and bent to escape his thrust and tagged him on the hip. She'd bent so far, after the tag she fell down but kept her guard up. Five points, she won.

Avery helped her back up. "That was a move I never saw before," he said.

"Hey, ya do what ya gotta do," Jackie replied.

Everyone was cheering. They saluted and took their helmets off. Avery offered his hand. Jackie shook it.

"Now THAT was a match," Jackie beamed.

"It was, do you know who I am?" he asked.

"You told me your name."

Avery smiled. "Miss Connor, you just beat the silver Medalist in Fencing during this last year's Olympics. I would urge you to join our Fencing team for the next Olympic meet. You are plenty good enough."

Jackie blushed. "I'll have to think about that. Besides, I still have school to go to."

"Many do, the summer Olympics do allow for student studies."

"Still, I have to think about it."

"Then please do."

There was a small award ceremony Avery got a second place medal, Joan got the first place trophy, a small statue of a man holding his sword. After John got his picture of Jackie holding up her statue and grinning like a fool, others also got her picture.

Jackie's name also came up to the Commissioner of the Olympics.

.

The weather was rather warm in Atlanta. It was a little more humid than back home, but not bad like it was on the coast. The hotel was nice and close to the stadium. They would be two days in Atlanta, then got to Nashville until their game against Nashville. After that it was home for a week, where they would play Omaha. The game after that, if they made it, would be the Eastern playoffs.

Right after the airport limos got them to the hotel, The aux crew that did the videos and producing snapped Bob up and they headed for the stadium to get ready for the game. Bob trusted Joan with his luggage , she and Allison went to their room. Bob got on the bus for the stadium.

The bus let them off at the player's entrance. Bob had his Austin video ID card so he didn't have to pay to get in. He got a second row seat back on the Austin 15 yard line. Fran, his manager told him," Your drone stays behind the line, looking down. Where the ball is comes first. Here's a list of players, offense and defense. you got a hot mike, and if needed, we'll give you directions on who to focus on. Last Game, the rear man focused much on the quarterback, because she was passively beating up on LA's tough girls. Unless I say otherwise though, follow the ball, but stay on this end of the field from it. Don't just watch the screen, though, keep an eye on the other drones over the field."

"Got it, just like I practiced, right?"

"Right use motion and zoom, and stay clear of the players."

Bob was set. Once the teams got into the locker rooms, he turned his drone on and got it airborne.

.

Dressed and ready, the team listened to Coach Baker when he came in. "All right, Atlanta has one win against Nashville, and a loss against Chicago. They have a decent running game, and occasionally, when they complete passes, they are yard makers. You all know what to do, Break their line, cover the receivers and Offense, get the ball to the end zone. If we can put this team away, we have a great chance at making the playoffs. Now get out there and show your stuff!"

They went out and lined up for the National Anthem, then waited for the coin toss. Atlanta got the ball, Allison was selected kicker. She kicked a good high ball, and the defense squad followed her, racing down the field. Atlanta caught the ball, in the end zone and took a knee.

Allison was left safety, Carla was right. The Atlanta quarterback threw the ball to her right, Allison charged the receiver. The receiver threw it across the field to the other receiver. She caught it, Carla tackled her. 7 yard gain.

With runs and short passes, Atlanta worked their way down the field. Patty had yet to get a sack, the Atlanta quarterback got the ball and threw it quickly. By the time they worked their way down to the Austin 15 yard line, Allison and her crew were getting nervous that they just might get scored on. ON the hike, Allison and Carla had their receivers covered. The quarterback hesitated on the throw, and Patty tackled her for a three yard loss.

Atlanta then tried a run and only got 2 yards. Another run and they only got a yard. Forth and 9 to go, Atlanta took the shotgun position. On the hike the quarterback got the ball, then moving faster than the ball, Patty tackled her just as the quarterback grabbed it. They went down, the ball bounced free. An Atlanta player jumped on the ball to cover it, but that was fourth down. it was Austin's ball now.

Joan went out and joined the huddle. "Allie, race out 20 yards and cut to the middle. Be ready, I'm going to throw a rocket. Roberta race out there and get ready in case Allison's covered. Patty, Carla, make a hole in case I need to run it. Let's go!" she said and clapped her hands.

Joan took the shotgun position, two more Atlanta players back away from the line. On the hike, the hole her team made looked good, Allison was clear. Joan threw the ball straight and hard at Allison.

Joan couldn't have seen what happened coming. An Atlanta player jumped up to catch the ball, it flew over her hands and hit her helmet, knocking her back and down. The ball tumbled in the air. Allison caught it and raced downfield to the end zone. Seeing the girl splayed out on the ground, Joan headed for her, as did her team.

"Is she all right?" Joan asked loudly as she joined the huddle.

The game was delayed as the girl was helped to her feet. She acted confused. The medics escorted her off the field.

"I'm really sorry," Joan offered.

One of the Atlanta line offered, "Shit happens. How hard did you throw that ball? Her helmet's got a crack in it."

Joan winced. "It was supposed to be a long field throw so yeah, I threw it hard. I'm surprised she managed to try and catch it."

For the extra point, Joan took only one, starting at the five yard line. She planned a shotgun start and a line collapse. Then a throw to whoever was open. Again, Atlanta surprised her. When her line rushed to the end zone, no one came at her, they all covered her players. he had all the time in the world to make a pass. Everyone was in or just outside the end zone. Screw it, she charged. Just before she met the Atlanta wall that formed to stop her, she jumped up and did a flip. Hands reached up to grab her, but her momentum broke the hold someone had on her top as well as snapped her top. She landed in the end zone to tumble. Getting up to raise her arms in a cheer, she noted her boobs felt kinda breezy.

"Ahh!" she cried and quickly clapped her arms down to cover herself.

Cheers, applause and laughter filled this end of the stadium.

Austin called a time out so Joan could get another top. They did get the extra point, and Joan got some harassment for her 'show'.

"This isn't a porno show," Patty chided.

The announcer said, "That's seven points for Austin, although I don't think that play went quite like they planned it."

Showing the replay, thankfully, Joan had a black bar across her chest when she threw her arms up in victory and nips peeked out.

Getting the ball again, Atlanta did their slow drive down the field. Keeping the ball close, and the quarterback throwing fast and behind the line of scrimmage to make whatever gains they could, they made it down to the Austin 20 where they tried a double throw again, Quarterback to One receiver, then the other who's just ran past the line.

This time, Allison jumped, caught the ball an stayed on the field to run at the goal. She was getting up speed when a lineman ran into her. Allison didn't go down, put the push knocked her out of bounds.

Austin got the ball on their own 24 yard line.

Joan called a long bomb and had Carla stay close for a fake pass to Carla before she ran back. At least this play went off as they planned it. At the hike, Joan faked a pass to Carla, Carla ran right, Allison ran left. Joan ran for their own end zone. At the 15 she stopped, turned and threw to Allison who was way ahead of the safeties. Allison caught the pass and ran into the end zone. 13 points for Austin, Atlanta had yet to score.

A set up for another extra point, and Joan had Allison, Patty and Carla together close on the right side. At the Hike, they shoved the Atlanta defenders aside and Joan ran through the hole. A safety saw what was happening and did a flying tackle to stop Joan. She hit Joan solid and held on. Joan stumbled and crossed the line with the safety on her back. She stopped so the girl could get off.

"Needed a lift?" Joan asked her.

"HOW did you not fall down?"

"I got good balance," Joan beamed. "Your turn."

The replay was shown a couple times as the teams got ready for Atlanta's next try to make a goal. Atlanta got up to their own 19 yard line and the first quarter ended. It was announced that Danika Brewer, who got hit in the head with the football, had a mild concussion and would not be returning to the field.

In the second quarter, Atlanta got close, the Austin 14 yard line, then Austin got the turnover on downs. Joan came out with the offense and set up in a shotgun. The safeties for Atlanta moved way back, expecting another long bomb. This time on the hike, Joan charged the ball and Allison and Carla ran around the sides as Joan leaped the line. Joan got away from the line, running fast. Allison and Carla blocked the safeties, Joan ran around them and into the end zone.

.

Watching the game John, Cameron and Delilah sat on their couch. On the TV, the announcer Jay said, "I think Atlanta has no idea what Joan's going to do next! She is maintaining her record of making a touch down every time she gets the ball! Atlanta is trying to stop her, but she pulls something different every time!"

"Joan Connor is being looked at for the best quarterback of the league, if not the season MVP. Like that chant, she is dynamite out there on the field. Atlanta is putting up a good fight, but so far, every time they get to the Austin goal line, they get stopped. That has to be frustrating."

"Austin is sure turning out to be a machine this year, and a big reason is Joan Connor is out there, and Alison Young seems to be the perfect receiver. She's caught every ball, even that tumbling one off the Atlanta player's head."

"It's a good thing she had that helmet on. The ball cracked it," Jack said. "That was one hard throw."

"We should get the speed of that ball measured, Joan is throwing canon shells down field."

"Our guys are working on it, using the yard lines for distance markers. It won't be accurate, but close."

"And here Atlanta is again, getting close to the goal line."

.

Joan watched Atlanta work their way down the field. A quarterback sneak got them six yards and first down on the 11 yard line. 21 to 0, she was actually hoping they would make it this time. Atlanta hiked again, and trying to do a sneak pass, the ball was dropped. Patty was through the line and dove on it. A couple Atlanta players dove on her, but it was too late. It was Austin's ball again. She swore she heard the quarterback scream "FUCK!" The girl looked like she was about to cry.

Joan was sure she'd feel that way too if that was her. It wasn't and it was her job to go out there and score touchdowns. She did. The Announcer Jack also had their estimated speed in one of Joan's long passes, they figured it flew at 94 miles an hour. That was a scorching speed for a football. Also a pretty decent speed for a baseball.

Halftime came and the score was now 42-0. Seeing how they were way ahead, Joan asked if Betty could go out and get some practice at being quarterback, just in case something did happen to her. Coach Baker said, "In the fourth, if Austin is still scoreless."

.

The third quarter began with Atlanta in the middle of their long drive down field. Bob watched from behind the Austin line. He winced, Atlanta quarterback was back in the shotgun position. He knew this wasn't good. They hiked, and the Atlanta front line let the defenders through, The quarterback got the ball off before Patty got to her. A lineman got the ball and ran for her life. She made it 12 yards before Allison took her down at the six yard line. He grinned, they had used Joan's trick, and not expecting it, they had finally made some good yardage. This was the closest Atlanta had gotten yet to make a goal.

Setting up again, Atlanta had a regular formation. At the hike, The quarterback ran over and pushed one of her guards to push right into the line. She made a two yard gain. Second down, they did the same thing, getting stopped at the two yard line. This was their third down, two yards from a touchdown. Both sides lined up. Bob could feel the tension. At the line, the quarterback moved the other way and jumped low into the line. One yard to go, fourth down.

Bob swore the entire stadium was holding it's breath as they lined up again. At the hike, the quarterback moved right, Patty got through and tackled her. She didn't have the ball. The center had it and the quarterback sneak got them just over the line into the end zone.

Touchdown, Atlanta. The crowd cheered wildly. The Atlanta players hugged each other for this small victory. The Austin players even congratulated them. Setting up for the extra point, they didn't get it, but now they had six points on the board.

The score was now 70 - 6, but those six points Atlanta had came hard.

In the fourth quarter, Austin got the ball with 14 seconds on the clock. at 88 to 6, Joan had the offense take the 'V' formation and let the clock run out. Atlanta was glad to stop the torture.

.

Barnabas came down with Daniel (Willy was scared of the alligator), to show John the inside of the new factory, and machines going in.

"The plant was finished ahead of schedule and under budget. We should begin production in another two months," Barnabas said proudly.

"That's great," John agreed. "It looks like I picked a good partner."

"And we made smart decisions," Barnabas added.

"That's a good thing too," John agreed with a smile. "I bet Mrs. Weaver is pleased."

Barnabas rolled his eyes. "That's another problem. It seems Congress is questioning the need for terminators. Democrats insist they will be taking jobs away from other Americans."

John frowned. "But they will be doing the very dangerous jobs, this will save lives."

"Yes, and Mrs. Waver has gone to Washington and told them that, several times. It's is a way we can begin a colony on Mars, mine asteroids and get people out of the most dangerous jobs. The question of cyborgs, as she calls them, has become a political football."

Joan let out a snort. "Have her give it to Joan, Joan and Allison have been tearing up the football field."

"Yes, I watched one of their games. They are making their fans happy."

"Has Mrs. Weaver looked at other possibilities for her cyborgs, other than government use?" John asked.

"She has. Private security, factory work in her factories, I'm sure she can create a hundred jobs for them. Zeira is turning into a monster corporation," Barnabas told him.

.

At the bar and restaurant that was close to the hotel and the stadium, the team decided to have a night out on the town. They all wore their Acoustics T-shirts as they trooped in for bar food and some drinks. The tables were square 4 person tables. the Waitress helped them rearrange them into a long table so they could sit as a team. They even got the other drone operators and Coach Baker to join them. Joan had thought everyone was going to order different dishes. They ended up with a pizza party, with five different pizzas, two baskets of wings and six pitchers of beer to pass around. Joan was curious about something, so she ordered a shot of what the sheriff drank, Glen Finnen. It was good, but the shot went quick, so she ordered a double.

Eating and drinking, Carla noticed some Atlanta players wander in. "Hey guys!" she called and waved. "Come join us!"

"Yeah!" Joan added, "We got a few extra seats. Come on over."

"Where?" Bob asked.

Joan replied by getting up and sitting in his lap. "Here, for one." She was feeling a little toasty, that Glen Finnen warmed her insides good.

The Atlanta quarterback came over and sat in Joan's empty seat. More tables were moved over, another couple pizzas were ordered and empty boxes taken away.

"I'm Sherry, I have to ask, How do you jump like that?" she asked Joan.

"Well you see," Joan said in a pretend serious tone, "When I was little the doc had to put rods in my legs, BUT! He used the wrong metal, I got springs in there now. You should see me bounce!"

Some groans and chuckles sounded. Joan giggled a bit then said, "We've been practicing at playing ball ... as long as I can remember."

Allison leaned over and said, "I can still remember sitting on the barrier and watching Cameron play."

"Me too!" Joan agreed. "They we'd get home, find a ball and try to play."

"Yeah, we'd run and bump into each other and jump on the ball," Joan said with a giggle. To Sherry she said, "That was long before we met Mr. Pink rabbit ears, here."

Bob groaned. "You had to bring that up, didn't you?"

"What, you looked cute like that!" Joan beamed.

"Did not, I looked like a dork."

"Hold on what's this, Bob with pink rabbit ears?" Carla asked.

Joan patted Bob on the shoulder, "Bob bet us we couldn't get home faster on our bicycles than he could on the bus."

"Since the bus had to go down the highway a ways, it should have been a sure bet," Bob told them. "I sat in the back and watched. Joan and Allison were on their bikes behind the bus. The bus pulled out and got on the highway, and these two began peddling their asses off and passed the bus! When I got home, they were waiting for me and crowned me with a set of long, pink rabbit ears I had to wear to school the next day for losing the bet."

Everyone at the table roared in laughed. "Got any pictures?" someone asked.

"Joan, Allie, you went faster than the school bus? We talking 60 miles an hour?" Roberta asked.

"We were, the bus was doing the speed limit, 55."

"Joan's a bit hyperactive," Bob explained.

"No," Joan replied.

"Humanform Energizer Bunny," Bob stated.

"We're not that bad," Joan said with a frown.

Bob looked at Sherry and said, "Joan, Allie, Jackie, they got these mermaid tails. Normally, girls get them on and swim underwater. Not the hyper girls, they swim as fast as they can, do these porpoise type jumps clearing the water, they do tails stands and are constantly working on new tricks. When they swim in the lake, they just don't scare the fish out of the way, but the alligators too!"

Joan gaped at him. "We do not scare the alligators!"

Bob replied, "I've seen them go down and hide on the bottom, then you and your sister mermaids come cruising through. It's like, watch out, here they come!"

Sherry laughed. She then said, "What I want to know is, where did you come up with that collapsing the line on purpose idea? It sounds insane, but it does work."

Joan grinned and said, "It does give the opposing team a What-the-fuck moment. Confuse the opposition for just a few seconds, and you gain a big advantage. I did it once in high school during a practice and it worked so well we tried it in a game. It does work as long as you get the ball off fast and use it very sparingly, like you did to get close to the goal. That was a great call on your part. You were soooo close to the goal, I was hoping you'd make it."

Sherry grinned at Joan's routing for her. "It felt like we just did the impossible."

"You were persistent, smart and you didn't give up. THAT is important," Joan said with a nod. "You're good sports too."

The Atlanta team was nothing like LA had been. Both teams sat around the tables, eating pizza, drinking and talking. They had a good time together.

.

Daniel had never seen a girl's bedroom before. He was sure Jackie didn't have a normal one. On her wall was an odd array of things. One bracket held her mermaid tails hung upside down with the hip end open. Not far from that was her gun rack with the bottom box to hold ammunition. On the other side of it, held up on a set of pegs so it pointed down was a sword. This was no fencing blade, it was a two handed long sword that was two and a half inches thick at the base and tapered at the end to a triangular shaped point.

"Where you get this?" he asked, eyeing the blued steel sword.

"I made it. It's hardened like the other one I had. I had to leave that one behind, so I made another one. Go ahead, check it out," she told him.

Daniel took it down and found it was heavy. "Wow, you can use this?" he asked.

"The first one, I did some damage with it. Joan and I went through a time portal to help Sonya. She was pissed at us, but since we were there until we managed to get home, we made weapons. Had to leave them though. No non biological material can go through a time portal."

"You really did that, huh? Where'd you go."

"An alternate future," she said and winced. "It was really bleak there. High radiation, it was cold, and others were either not very friendly or downright hostile. The sky was overcast in these thick, dark clouds all the time. No sunshine at all. We were glad to get back home. We did what we went for, we saved Allison. See, in that future she died a pretty horrible death. Sonya saved her, but she still didn't like us."

Daniel hefted the sword, holding it up with both hands. "If you can use this thing in a real fight, no wonder you're good at fencing."

Jackie shrugged. "I'd show you how, but Dad insists no swinging a sword in the house."

Daniel laughed. "I can understand why. This would do major damage to whatever it hit." He put the sword back up on it's pegs.

"It does indeed.," Jackie said with a grin. "Can't use it for fencing, it will chop off limbs and heads."

"I'm sure it will," Daniel agreed with a grin. Smiling at each other, Daniel was suddenly mesmerized by Jackie's beauty. his face slackened and he gazed at her. Her cheeks took on a blush. They moved closer together.

"You are so perfect," Daniel whispered.

Softly, Jackie said, "Tell me we're going to kiss."

"We're going to kiss," Daniel said automatically.

The first kiss was tentative. their arms came up around each other. They kissed again, their grip on each other tightened. They kissed again, this time with passion. After another kiss, they put their foreheads together as they hugged.

"I do love you, Jackie," Daniel said tenderly.

"That's good, because I think I love you also," Jackie said and cast him a brief grin.

"What can I do to make you sure you love me?" he asked.

"I don't know. Kissing does help," she said with an impish grin that looked super cute.

"As you wish," he said sincerely.

Jackie's heart skipped a beat. That was exactly what Wesley said to Buttercup when he meant 'I love you'.

They met lips again, trying to eat each other's tonsils. Jackie's foot reached back and kicked her door shut.

.

The Connors had visitors. Cameron met a pair of terminators at the door. Their faces were blank.

"We are confused. We are hoping you can help us."

"Is this private?" Cameron asked.

"It would be best to discuss this with no one else hearing," the other one offered.

Cameron came out and shut the door. "We should take a walk then." She led them out to the driveway and slowly walked along. "What is this about?" she asked.

"We heard the Officer in charge of us talking. By his conversation, it appears he considers us possessions of the army," one said.

"Catherine Weaver has assured us after we went through schooling, we are free sentient beings. What Catherine Weaver told us, and what the army Officer said is in conflict. Both cannot be true."

"I see. Have any of you signed anything stating you are working for the army? Enlistment papers, or a contract for a set period of time?"Cameron asked.

"We have not. Catherine Weaver told us to train and perform for the army. We have done so, doing everything they ask. We have not thought about our status, until we heard that Officer speaking."

"We would ask Catherine Weaver, or that Officer, but they have stated their opinions. We would like to know what the truth is."

Cameron tipped her head slightly. "I agree, you must know the truth. Army people tend to use phrases like, 'My men'. That means the ones under their command. They do not mean holding you as a possession, but the ones currently under their command. Is that possibly what he meant?"

Their heads tipped slightly. "We do not know."

"Assume nothing," Cameron said. "That means taking few facts and drawing a conclusion just on those. Many times you end up making the wrong conclusion, for there are other facts you do not know."

"Yes, all facts must be analyzed."

"I will speak to Catherine Weaver and General Watson, and help uncover what the facts are," Cameron told them. "You do have the right to know. I will ensure someone informs you of what your status is in detail."

"Thank you for your assistance, Cameron. We can trust you to tell us the truth as you know it."

"That is saying we know you will work to discover the truth."

"Yes, I will," Cameron stated. She would indeed. She just hoped Weaver didn't 'sell' these terminators to the army. Or that the army believed she did. That was a can of worms that could explode spectacularly.