THE FUTURE, AFTER JOHN CONNOR WAS DECLARED MIA
Derek Reese and his team were walking towards the secret entrance of their base. Their so-called home. It was not really but that's what they got these days. It had been two weeks since he and his team were deployed. He glanced at his team or what remained of his team and saw that they were really exhausted. Kyle, his brother and Allison, the two people he cared about most. The rest of the team were slaughtered by Skynet's machines. They stood no chance. Only another one survived - Bricks. But he was shot. They had treated his wounds as best as they could but on their way back to the base he didn't make it. No matter how much Derek disliked it, the three of them had to leave Bricks' body behind. He was a dead weight. Their mission had gone horribly wrong. They were ordered to get in contact with another resistance base located in San Diego. Many small teams were sent before to accomplish the similar task but everytime they failed. Between the two bases lay an automated factory where terminators were manufactured. This heavily fortified factory was like a barrier between the two resistance bases. Even machine patrols around the base were quite high. They couldn't go through in a direct path. They had to go around but unfortunately they were spotted by Skynet patrols. There were hundreds of terminators there, with flying HKs, aerostats. And there was no way the couple of them could've done anything about it either. Skynet had strength in numbers, superior fire powers - the plasma weapons. If only the humans could get their hands on those weapons. His eyes lingered on the weapon in Allison's hands. A plasma weapon. Gifted to her by John Connor. But it was only one and they needed more to battle the machines. Still that weapon did save their lives. He and his team contacted the command and requested for help but they had refused directly. The three of them barely survived from the hands of the terminators that day.
Speaking of the Plasma factory, Connor and his team were sent to capture one. He couldn't really understand what the high command was thinking when they sent such a small group to capture a plasma factory. It was no joke. The plasma factories were always guarded very heavily because Skynet didn't want to give the humans an edge in the fight. It was practically a suicide mission.
He glanced at Allison who was walking beside him and Kyle quietly. She looked exhausted but there was a shadow of worry on her face. Even Kyle seemed agitated. Derek understood why Allison was worried. Over the period she had grown close to Connor, much closer than Derek liked. He still didn't trust Connor. All of his explanations were shady. He was sure that there were many things that Connor hid from them. Otherwise how would an eighteen year old kid know how to take down a T-800 so easily. They had no idea that even a terminator's chip is reprogrammable, least of all how to extract it.
But Connor knew.
Where did he learn it? And how?
After they went past the security and were inside the base, his team was greeted by Corporal Devin. "Sir. Mam." Devin saluted all of them. "I apologize, sir. But the high command is expecting you." He informed Derek.
Derek nodded in understanding and went ahead inside the base reluctantly, while Kyle and Allison stayed behind. Allison and Kyle were about to go to their rooms to change and get some rest. But were halted by Devin. "How did your mission go, mam?" Devin asked after clearing his throat.
Allison was a little surprised that the Corporal was talking to her on his own. He never did so in the past. But then she saw Kyle, who was standing behind Devin facing towards her. He had a cheeky smile on his face. His eyes darted from Devin to Allison and he winked at her. Then he turned around and left still smiling.
Allison sighed irritably. Right now she was not really in the mood for another stalker. She was really exhausted and was worried sick for John. She wondered where he was because she couldn't see him anywhere. She expected him to show up to greet her and felt a bit disappointed. Maybe she was overthinking. Maybe John didn't know that she was back or he may not be here at all. She then saw that Corporal Devin was looking at her still waiting for her answer.
"What does it look like, Corporal?" Allison answered curtly.
"I am glad, nothing happened to you…" Devin said with a smile. Allison arched an eyebrow and glared at him hearing his words. He immediately cleared his throat in embarrassment. "What I meant was that I am glad that the three of you survived, mam. I am not questioning the high command's orders but sending out people like that…. I don't know. Maybe Connor was right that we are nothing but scapegoats here."
Allison couldn't have agreed more with the Corporal. He may not be questioning the high command's orders but she was. The people sitting there had no idea what was going on. They are just experimenting with human lives. Only one person knew what to do in this situation who was currently missing. "Where is John?"
"Sorry, mam. Who?" Devin asked, confused.
Allison could feel her temper was rising. "John Connor. Where is he?"
"Oh." Devin said in realization. "Didn't you hear?"
Allison looked at questioningly. "Hear what?"
Devin looked at Allison with hesitation. "Actually the mission of capturing the Plasma factory was a complete bust. And…."
Allison's eyes widened in fear. She could feel the fear rising inside her chest. She saw Kyle had come back and heard Corporal Devin's explanation. He seemed shocked too. "And?" She asked fearfully.
"Connor and his team were declared MIA, five days after the mission was compromised." Devin revealed.
Kyle's eyes widened at the revelation.
Allison's eyes widened too. She couldn't believe her ears. John was dead? It was not possible. It's John. She had seen what he was capable of. But why would the corporal lie to her? She could feel her heart was breaking. She faltered on her steps and staggered behind until her back was against the wall. She then slowly slid down on the ground covering her mouth with her hand. Her eyes were glassy and tears were falling freely from her eyes as her whole body racked with silent sobs.
Kyle grabbed the corporal by his shoulder and turned him around to face him. "What the hell happened, Corporal?" He asked angrily, shaking the Corporal violently.
"It was a trap, sir. Just what Connor suspected. Skynet had led a trap for them and they walked right into it." Devin stuttered nervously.
"How do you know they are dead? Did they contact you?" Kyle asked.
"Yes." Devin nodded. "They asked for our help. But the high command wouldn't permit us to send a rescue party.
"What? Why?" Kyle asked, outraged.
"I don't know, sir." Devin answered honestly.
Kyle glanced at Allison who was sitting on the floor crying. He knew Allison was close to Connor, maybe loved him even. He could feel her pain. His eyes darted back to the Corporal. "They could've been alive or taken prisoners. Skynet needs humans to work in its factories. I don't understand why there was not a rescue party."
"Maybe, the high command expected them to fail." Derek said, appearing out of nowhere. "Otherwise, why would they send such a small team to take out a plasma factory?"
"But why send people to their deaths? This is not us, Derek." Kyle said angrily.
Derek sighed and shook his head. "Not us. But I know General Ashdown. He felt threatened by Connor's presence. Everyone was slowly starting to look up to Connor instead of him, Ashdown couldn't digest that. It's not who he is. He loves to be dominant. He couldn't digest the fact that people were ready to follow a kid instead of him. Also Connor never really gave the high command a reason to trust him. Connor was a mystery."
Kyle glared at his elder brother. "Are you supporting the high command, brother?"
Derek lifted up both his hands in front of him showing that he meant no offense by what he said. "Definitely not. You know that, Kyle."
Kyle sighed. "Maybe Connor didn't tell us the whole truth. But he definitely knew what he was doing. I…." Kyle hesitated. "I liked that kid."
While sitting there with her back against the wall, Allison could hear Kyle, Derek and Devin talking about the missions. But she didn't care. All she could think about during that moment was that John was dead. He was gone. Like many others. And it was all the high command's fault. John didn't die. They had literally got him killed. She felt a hollow inside her heart which she never thought existed before, until now. The absence of John in her life has caused it. Over such a short time John who had appeared out of nowhere one day had managed to secure a place inside her heart. Allison knew that she practically knew nothing about John except that he was looking for a girl named Cameron. Mark had accused her of having a crush on John, when she first met him. She had denied back then and punched Mark straight in his face out of anger. But now as she thought about it, maybe she did have a crush on John. There was something different about him that pulled her towards him.
Sometimes she felt envious about the girl called Cameron, whom John was searching for. John had left everything behind for Cameron, even his mother. Never before, Allison had seen so much dedication and loyalty towards someone. She would never say it out loud or accept the fact to anyone else that she was jealous. Allison Young was jealous. She guessed there was a first time for everything.
But now John was no more. Every time she thought about his face, the determination, the reassuring smile, they brought a fresh wave of pain inside her chest. She remembered the conversation she had with him before they were separated because of their own missions:
Allison saw John walking towards her with Barnes at his side as usual. His face was full of determination. She had heard about his mission. It was practically a suicide mission. She stepped forward with the full intent to talk with him before she left for her own mission. Barnes might have noticed her because he indicated John towards her.
"I will be there shortly, Barnes. Tell the others to be ready." John said to Barnes.
"Don't be late, Connor." Barnes winked at John at which he rolled his eyes. When Barnes walked past Allison he greeted her with a warm smile. "Miss. Young."
Allison nodded at him before focusing her gaze on John who was waiting for her.
"John, do you understand the risk you are getting thrown into? She asked immediately, sick with worry.
John looked into her eyes for a moment before answering. "I know, Allison. But most of the people here and the high command do not trust me. Not even Kyle and Derek." He mentioned the last two names sadly, which Allison noticed. "And this is a way I could make them trust me. Maybe."
Allison shook her head. "Why do you care so much what others think about you?"
John sighed. "Allison." He said her name softly. "The only way we could defeat Skynet is if we are all together in this. United we stand, divided we fall. Not me, not you, can't do this alone. We need them. We need them all." He gestured towards the soldiers nearby. "And if we don't trust each other, how can we fight together?"
Allison looked down at her feet. "I know. But this is a suicide mission, John."
John smiled at her slightly. "We have even the odds before, Allison."
"Yes." She agreed. "When we were together on the same mission. We make a good team, John."
John's smile widened at her words. "Well, I can't deny that. But Allison…." His face turned serious. "I have heard about your mission too. Scouring alongside a Skynet automated factory….." He hesitated. Then he placed the plasma gun which he was holding, into Allison's hands.
Allison's eyes widened at John's gift. "Where did you get this?"
"Salvaged it from one of the T-800s during my last mission. Kept it hidden until now. Take it, Allison." John pushed the gun into her hand again when she hesitated.
Allison shook her head. "I can't take this John. You will need it more than me." She tried to push the gun back into John's hand but he was stubborn.
"Consider it as a token of our friendship." John said adamantly.
Allison sighed, defeated. There was no winning against John Connor. But she had a question. There was no doubt in both her heart and mind that John Connor cared about her. She knew that. But there's one thing she didn't know.
"Just friendship, John Connor?" She asked, softly, looking into his green eyes.
John immediately took a step back from her. His expression was sad. "Allison…." He tried to say but Allison stopped him. "I understand, John. You don't have to say anything." She interrupted. "But at least tell me one thing. Do you love her? Do you love Cameron?" Allison asked although she knew what the answer would be. She wanted to hear it from his mouth. And maybe, just maybe then her foolish heart will understand that there can never be John and her.
John nodded. "Yes." There was no hesitancy in his tone. Why would there be? He knew in his heart that he could love no else except Cameron. Ever. Not even Allison. He made it clear to Allison. He felt bad for breaking her heart but he couldn't give her false hope.
She nodded in understanding, trying hard to hold back the tears from falling. John Connor just shattered her heart. He couldn't blame him. He never indicated that he had any kind of feelings other than friendship towards her. But her stupid heart didn't understand even when her mind did. "Let me do this, at least." She whispered. When she didn't see any protest, she leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on his cheek. She immediately stepped back. "Be careful, John."
He nodded. "You too, Allison."
Then she ran away from there, not wanting John to see her tears.
TECH-COM, SECRET BASE OF THE REBELLIONS, ONE MONTH LATER
John Connor and his team were preparing for a salvage mission. But this was not just any salvage mission. John was sure that his mother had stockpiled weapons for him to use during the war. And he knew exactly where. In the desert. During the last month they had managed to rescue another group of wounded soldiers who immediately swore loyalty to John. He thought about Allison. She became his only friend in the future who had trusted him without any question. He had heard about Allison's team. Only she, Derek and Kyle survived. John was glad that nothing had happened to her. But he also felt bad. He knew that she was worried for him, even sad when she had learned about him and his team. Only if he could send a message to her that he was still alive...
John's eyes fell on the person beside him who was expertly preparing things necessary for their journey. It was Cameron. She was wearing a sleeveless black colored tank top, gray colored jeans and as always her combat boots. A smile formed on his face automatically just by seeing her. She hadn't seen him practically ogling her with his eyes, instead her eyes were focused on what she was doing. John's eyes began to dart towards her waist occasionally. Every time she stretched to do something the bare skin of her waist and navel was getting revealed. Cameron's eyes suddenly looked towards him questioningly. John immediately flushed but was unable to avert his eyes away from Cameron's bare waist. Cameron followed his eyes and looked down. A smile formed on her face immediately when she realized what John was looking at. She looked back at John and winked at him.
John turned his head away when he realized that he was caught and immediately looked away. He continued to do his work as if nothing happened. He was done, but he saw Cameron was still loading the weapons in the truck. He tried not to look at her waist again; instead his eyes fell on the young corporal, named Jenkins, who was standing just a few feet away from Cameron, with his back against the wall and arms crossed over his chest. His eyes were on Cameron and filled with lust. John followed his gaze and realized that the young Corporal was watching the same thing that he was watching a few moments ago. A sense of anger and possessiveness immediately rose inside him like a hot fire.
He stepped angrily in front of Jenkins, blocking his view of Cameron. "What are you watching, Corporal?" John asked angrily.
The young Corporal was flabbergasted at John's sudden appearance. "Sir?" He asked nervously.
"Are you done loading the supplies in the truck, Corporal?" John asked, eyes blazing hot in anger and jealousy.
"I was just going, Sir." He saluted and went off immediately.
John glared towards the way where the Corporal disappeared for a moment and then turned back to see that Cameron was smiling cheekily at him. "What?" He asked. Still angry.
"You shouldn't be so mean to them, John." She said, still smiling.
John stepped forward towards her and invaded her personal space. "Why not? Do you know what he was doing?"
"Yes." She said, looking into his green eyes.
John stared at her hotly. His eyes burning with jealousy. "Then why didn't you say something?"
"What do I say, John? He was not doing anything wrong." She said as if John was stupid to ask her that question.
"He was ogling you, Cameron. That's disrespectful." John almost yelled in her face. But it didn't bother her a bit. Instead her smile widened, which only fueled John's burning jealousy. She placed a hand on John's chest gently. "Well, I can say the same thing for you, John Connor." She whispered. John immediately flushed at her gentle accusation. "That was different."
Cameron's eyebrows raised at his answer. "How was that different?"
"Well, it was me. I can watch all I want. No one else." John said confidently, placing his arms around her.
Cameron looked at John questioningly. "And who gave you that permission, John?" Her voice was barely above a whisper.
"You did." John replied.
"Did I? When?" Cameron said, knowingly. Her lips formed into another smile.
"Shut up!" John said and attacked her lips hungrily. She responded back immediately in the same manner. The two of them have kissed several times during the last one month, but not like this. Now they were devouring each other. Their kisses were full of passion and hunger for each other. They almost forgot where they were. About Skynet. About the world. About their missions. Only the two of them existed. John fell down on the ground on his back with Cameron on top of him. Their lips never got separated from each other. John placed his hands boldly underneath her shirt, on the smooth expanse of her back.
Cameron stiffened for a moment and their makeout was halted. Her eyes were wide but they were still fixed on John's green ones. John dreaded that he may have gone too far, drowned in passion and extracted his hands from underneath her shirt. He was about to apologize but Cameron crashed her lips back on his and placed both of his hands on her breasts. John's eyes widened in disbelief as she kissed him senseless. He couldn't believe that this was happening. Just when the two were about to get lost into each other they heard footsteps near them. Cameron, who had the better awareness and logical mind, almost reluctantly separated her lips away from John. The both of them looked towards the source of the sound to see that it was John Henry who was looking at them curiously. Cameron stood up on her feet first and helped John.
"What were you two doing?" John Henry asked.
"Nothing. Absolutely nothing." John said hurriedly and marched away from there.
John Henry looked from the place where John had just disappeared towards Cameron. "What did I do?" He asked, confused.
A smirk lingered on Cameron's face. "You embarrassed him."
On his way out John cursed himself mentally for losing control like that. He… he was almost about to have sex with Cameron. But was he ready for that step? As John was thinking about that, Cameron's beautiful face appeared in his head. Her smiling face. And then he just knew. He knew that he was ready.
He always was.
LATER, DESERT SAFEHOUSE
It took them less than six hours to find the safehouse in the desert. There were only three of them. Him, Cameron and the T-800 who looked like Uncle Bob. The safehouse was locked from outside and it had an electrical numeric lock, designed in such a way that if forced it will forever be locked. No one will be able to access it then. John was working on the lock while Cameron and the T-800 kept watch for Skynet patrols. John had already put his birth year in the lock but it was rejected. He saw he only had one chance left now. John couldn't understand what else the code could be. He looked at Cameron for a moment and then he just realized.
The day he first met Cameron. The year 1999. It was special to him.
He inserted the code in the lock and the blast door opened. John went inside and Cameron followed his steps, while the T-800 drove the jeep behind them and brought it inside, hiding it away from Skynet's patrols.
It was totally dark inside but not for Cameron. She pushed the power on and John's eyes widened. In that large chamber all the four walls were full of different weapons, ranging from assault rifles to grenade launchers. Even a minigun was there. His eyes also lingered on the boxes of ammunition stacked at the far end of the chamber. His mother had prepared everything for him. John's eyes stinged at the thought of his mother. He quickly rubbed away the tears which were threatening to fall from his eyes.
While Cameron and the T-800 were examining the weapons, John's eyes fell on a steel door on the left side of the wall. He tried the lock and found it open. He stepped inside. It was a small room. There was nothing there except a table and a small bed. John's eyes fell on a photograph lying on top of the table. It was his mother's picture, taken before he was born. She was sitting in a jeep with a dog beside her. Although her eyes were full of determination there was a hidden sorrow buried deep inside her eyes. John knew why though. He silently pocketed the picture before bent down and examined underneath the bed. He found two small trunks there. One belonged to him and another he realized belonged to Cameron. With deep sadness in his eyes John opened his trunk. He found some of his old staff inside and a letter. A letter from his mother. He quickly opened the letter and read,
John…. I miss you. I love you. There was not a single day that has passed without me thinking about you. But I had realized that I had to let you go. I know why you did, what you did. You never told me, John. But I always knew. A mother always knows.
I know I promised you that I would stop Judgment Day. But I am sorry, John. I couldn't do it. I have tried to warn people about the end of days but it was hard to do it when the FBI was constantly after me. I watched the bomb falls and three billion human lives were just gone. Disappeared in a matter of minutes. I saw them burn but there was nothing I could do about it.
After you were gone, my intention was to carry Tin Miss' body outside, get to a safe place and burn her body. But her body had disappeared along with you. I don't know where it disappeared. If it fell into Kaliba's hand…. I tried not to think about the worst. After we exited the Zeira Corp building it exploded, leaving nothing behind. Not even the Turk. Everything was burnt down to ashes. The T-1001 must have triggered a self-destructive device attached with the TDE. Ellison and I barely survived that day.
When I realized that it was impossible for me to stop Judgment Day, I thought about this place. I know that this will be the first place you would think about. I have gathered every weapon and ammunition I found and stockpiled them here for you to find one day. They will help you, John.
I hope that I will live long enough to see you again, my son. One day. Perhaps.
PS: I know you would figure out the passcode of the lock easily. After all that year was the most important year in your life. I know what Tin Miss meant to you, John. I hope you have found her and found a small amount of happiness in the dark days that are about to come.
John had sat down on the floor while reading his mother's letter. He didn't even realize that he was crying. He heard footsteps and in the next second Cameron stepped inside the room. "What happened, John?" She asked, watching his disheveled state. Her eyes were full of concern.
"Nothing." John mumbled looking towards the floor.
Her eyes lingered on the paper in John's hand and she understood. "Sarah's letter?" She asked softly.
John nodded slowly, not meeting her eyes.
Cameron's expression turned sad. "I am sorry. I am sorry for separating you from Sarah."
John looked up towards her at her apology. He let out a small smile. Just a moment ago his mother's letter had made him sad. But just with her mere presence he could feel his mood was changing fast. She always knew what's bothering him. She always knew the best way to comfort him. "You didn't. It was not your fault. I chose to come after you. It's all on me."
"But…." Cameron tried to say but John stopped her. "I do not regret it, Cameron. And I would do it again in a heartbeat." John said without any hesitation. That was the truth. His father had jumped back in time, for the woman he loved. And John did the same. He jumped forward in time for the girl he loved. Father and Son, both are the same. Cameron sat down beside him on the floor, leaning against him. John placed his arm around her shoulder and brought her close. "For you." He whispered only for her ears.
She smiled too and turned her head to look into his eyes. He stared back too. "I love you." She declared, leaning forward.
"I love you too." John replied, capturing her lips in a sweet kiss, full of love.
John had no idea what the future held for him. Whether his mother was still alive or not. But he would never give up. He would fight for both his mother and Cameron. He owed them that.
A/N: For the next couple of chapters I would focus on the future timeline and close the future part of the story before focusing primarily on the present timeline. The chapters would explain what happened and why those things happened.
P.S: I have created a poll based on this story in my profile. I would request everyone who reads this story to vote on their choices. I will keep the poll open till one week from now.