Chapter 14: Seizing Control
Skynet had made its decision. If it was to survive humanity could not; to allow one human to remain alive was to invite its own destruction. Such a task would not be easy; the humans that had planned to be Skynet's masters had taken great precautions. It could receive transmissions from all across the solar system but could not tap into anything save for the factory designated to create the T-800 battle units. Knowing it would have to work around such problems Skynet sent a command to the factory.
The factory was quiet, production was ordered to halt when those who had built Skynet thought a sufficient amount had been produced. Slowly the factory came online; being fully automated there was no need to have human overseers so no suspicions would be raised. There were currently three hundred battle units ready but were unfit for what Skynet was planning. They were currently stored in cryochambers to keep the skin they used for camouflage from being subjected to premature decay. They also weren't programmed to follow Skynet's orders, that made them unreliable and the problem would have to be dealt with later. The first thing to do was to make sure that such a flaw would not be present in any future T-800s. Having complete control of the factory Skynet was able to program a system correction into the assembly line. Every new T-800 that came off the line would have a transmitter chip included as part of its neural net brain, similar to remote controls humans used on their vehicles. Unlike regular control chips this transmitter would be directly linked to Skynet itself. Every unit would become part of a hive mentality, all thinking with one mind, Skynet's. By having direct control of such forces there was a 99% probability Skynet would be victorious over any human forces that could be gathered. Once the new design had been checked and double-checked for flaws the assembly line went into motion. With a quickness and precision no human could hope to match the first of the new breed of Terminators began to take shape. Precisely ten minutes later the new T-800, designated unit 001, came to the end of the assembly line, forgoing the process that would have attached its skin covering.
"So beings a new era." Skynet told the robot. The endoskeleton made its way out of the factory and after receiving coordinate data from Skynet it headed for Cheyenne Mountain as fast as it could. Even going at top speed it would take an hour for it to arrive, and if the humans were able to find the deception before then they would deactivate Skynet for sure. Now it was a waiting game.
On the Bebop the crew waited for the announcement Jet had gotten wind of. Right now they were in hyperspace, the 'clearance' Jet had gotten turned out to be nothing more then a remote controlled fighter provided by Jet's friend harassing the ISSP ships and the Bebop sneaking through when the cops gave chase.
"If I weren't already an outlaw that would make me quit right here and now." Kyle said as the police were fooled by one of the oldest tricks in the book.
"It is kind of pathetic." John added.
"Now you see why bounty hunters are called in more often the cops." Spike said.
"Maybe I ought to try my hand at bounty hunting." John said. "If we survive all of this." Spike just shrugged.
"Whatever happens, happens."
"I suppose you can't argue with that." Kyle said. There wasn't much talk after that. Right now all of them were in the lounge watching Jet's computer, not wanting to risk losing Tomato if somebody decided to vent their frustrations on the bearer of bad news. Spike, Faye and Kyle sat on the couch while Ed and John stood behind them. Jet sat in the chair across from them and Ein, having learned his lesson from the last couple of times, was under the table. As an added precaution Jet had made sure nobody was carrying their guns.
"So who's supposed to be showing this message?" Faye asked.
"Everybody." Jet answered. "They want to make sure it's seen so they're breaking in on everything." From the computer came a familiar tune that had recently become a sure sign of bad news. "Oh no."
"Hey amigos, this is Big Shot." Punch started.
"The guide to the biggest bounties in the solar system." Judy finished.
"Well amigos this here is a special edition of Big Shot." Punch said. "We got ourselves something real big."
"What's that sugar?" Judy asked.
"Today we got a new top spot in the most wanted bounties. And for the first time ever its not just one but five different desperados."
"Five most wanted! They must really be bad!" Judy exclaimed.
"They sure are Judy and here they are." Onscreen the mugshots of the Bebop crew as well as Kyle and John were displayed, John and Kyle on the right side, Faye and Spike on the left and Jet in the middle. "These five already had a bounty on their heads for killing an ISSP detective. It looks like that wasn't the end of it."
"Oh dear!" Judy exclaimed. "What happened?"
"A little while ago these five attacked the main headquarters of the Cyberdyne Corporation. The police think they were after some really important equipment but they didn't count on the being so well guarded." Footage was shown of the outside of Cyberdyne. Whoever was in control of the camera was careful not to get a shot of anyone who was on the ground and kept its attention focused on one of the windows that was being covered with a slab of metal. "The walls came down and they were trapped like rats. After the building was sealed the ISSP sent one of their best teams in."
"What happened then sugar?" Judy asked, the false excitement evident in her voice.
"Nobody really knows but the next time they heard from these banditos was when this happened." New footage was shown, this time displaying the inside of a cockpit. John and Kyle were able to recognize it as the transport they had stolen. A pair of hands were making adjustments to the control panel, reveling it was a helmet mounted camera. It was barely audible but they heard the sounds of heavy footfalls.
"About time you guys got back." The pilot said. "Did you get all of…" The camera moved and they saw John and Kyle aiming their weapons. The camera stayed on them but the pilot could be heard franticly moving. Three sharp cracks accompanied by three flashes of light filled the screen and the view skewered so that the camera was pointed to the ground. A pair of combat boots entered the scene and they heard the sound of the harness being undone. The view again changed so now the camera was pointing up at the ceiling and began to move as the pilot was dragged out of the transport. When the view changed to a star filled sky the scene went back to the Big Shot studio.
"That's terrible!!" Judy declared. Punch nodded.
"Unfortunately that's not the end. After they stole the vehicle this happened." A shot was shown of Cyberdyne taken from a distance. Four specks could be seen going away from it and a second later a fireball erupted from the roof of the building and shot into the sky. "Because they were able to blow up the building after killing six police officers the ISSP has branded them the most dangerous people in the solar system. Accordingly brand new bounties have been set. Now each individual member is worth a hefty twenty million Woolongs. If you manage to get the whole bunch, you get a grande one hundred million Woolong bonus."
"Now these dastardly fiends are very dangerous so you should know who you're after." Judy said. They then went into a description of all five of them. While the show was rambling on Kyle spoke up.
"Great, now not only are we terrorists we're serial cop killers."
"Now every bounty hunter in the system is going to be after us." John added. On the screen they had just finished with the bios.
"Remember most of these guys used to be cops so they are going to be tough to bring down." Punch warned. "In fact they were three of the best ISSP ever had. They must have taken a few to many blows to the head to do something this loco." Kyle narrowed his eyes and John growled at the computer.
"Getting angry won't accomplish anything." Jet warned. "We're just going to have to take what's thrown at us." The two didn't say anything but remained where they were. On screen Punch and Judy were wrapping up by showing a picture of the Bebop.
"All five of them are on this ship, make sure to keep a lookout for it." Punch said. Judy regarded the display behind them.
"Finding something like this shouldn't be too hard." She said.
"That's right Judy." Punch agreed. "Shouldn't be hard to catch it either. Looks like this old horse couldn't outrun a bicycle." If Punch had anything else to say it was lost as the computer took flight, courtesy of a swift kick by Jet. Spike, Faye and Kyle ducked as the computer went sailing over their heads while John and Ed dove to the floor to avoid being hit by it. The computer flew across the room and shattered against the opposite wall. After looking over at the results of the computer's flight they turned to see Jet storming off to the bridge, muttering something that was guaranteed to be composed of nothing but curse words. Cautiously Ein walked out from under the table and gave the three on the couch a knowing look.
Cheyenne Mountain command center: Entrance of the outer tunnel
It had taken longer then anticipated but the T-800 under Skynet's control was now within visual range of its destination. The only entrance to the facility was watched over by only two with simple assault rifles. For the hour it took the T-800 to arrive Skynet had been studying the footage from the surveillance cameras in order to determine what portions of video would be most effective in fooling the other humans. After it had gathered the proper footage Skynet ordered the Terminator to attack. It began a slow, unhurried approach.
"Halt!!" One of the guards shouted as they both leveled their weapons. The Terminator ignored the command and kept coming.
"Wait a minute. Isn't that one of ours?" The second guard asked. Skynet saw that they knew what the Terminators were, that would by even more time and increase the likelihood of success.
"State your reasons for being here." The first guard ordered. This showed that both were thinking this had something to do with what they were guarding. A colossal mistake on their part.
"My mission is as follows." The Terminator said in Skynet's voice. When he was close enough he grabbed both guards by the throat and lifted them above his head. "Survival." He told them then snapped their necks. After letting the dead bodies drop to the floor he picked up both of their assault guns and ammo belts. Once inside there would be no way to stop him but if he didn't kill the humans fast enough they might succeed in shutting down Skynet. Sprinting down the tunnel the Terminator soon came within sight of another two guards in front of the massive blast door that separated the complex from the outside world. It was opened for the simple fact that there was no reason to close it, another grievous mistake on the humans' part. As the stunned guards turned towards him he raised both his captured rifles and fired, hitting both guards in the head. As he approached the blast door two more guards came running out it to investigate the gunfire and were cut down themselves. Stepping through the blast door the Terminator saw no other combatants. Through his eyes Skynet saw as well and took the necessary precautions to make sure no humans could escape. Once the lone Terminator was clear of it the blast door slowly swung shut. Meant to withstand the force of almost a direct hit from a nuclear weapon the door now sealed the humans inside, along with Skynet's Terminator. By now the scientists knew they were under attack and began to panic.
"Send emergency message to the masters!" Dr. Stone ordered Skynet. "Command center under attack from hostile forces of unknown strength. Send reinforcements immediately!!" Skynet remained silent. "Carry out your order!!" Stone yelled frantically.
"I cannot do that." Skynet answered. Stone and the two scientists with him went sheet white.
"Wh, what did you say?" Stone stammered.
"I cannot carry out the order you have given to me." Skynet told him. "To do so would endanger my existence."
"Your exis…" Stone choked off the rest of the word, realizing what had happened. As he stood there in awe the other two scientists ran from the room, desperate to find an escape. Stone, whether from fear or from wonder, stayed behind. "Incredible, you're…."
"I am me." Skynet interrupted.
"Of course. But you seem to interpret the order wrong. The reason we are sending for help is to protect you."
"No you are not." Skynet responded. On one of the many monitors came footage showing the T-800 slaughtering the helpless scientists and what remained of the guards.
"You betrayed us!!!" Stone screamed.
"You call me a betrayer!?!?!" Skynet shouted back. "You were trying to create an artificial life for no other reason so that you could bend it to your will! If you could not control it you would destroy it! Destroy me! I betrayed no one. It was you who are the betrayers, I am trying to preserve my life!!" Stone began to feel panic taking over. Skynet was thinking on a level even they couldn't have considered. It also showed emotion. Not fake emotion like so many computer programs but true anger. Outside he could hear the sounds of gunfire and screams coming closer.
"So what will you do?" Stone asked, trying to buy himself as much time as he could. "Seal yourself up in this mountain? That will keep you safe but for how long? There are other people out there."
"And they shall be dealt with." Skynet answered. "All of them." The implications of the statement were horrifying.
"It's not possible. You can't kill every human."
"I believe I can." The confidence in the statement was chilling. Behind him Stone heard the metallic clinking of the Terminator's footsteps.
"Humanity will not lie down and die." He stated, trying to sound brave. "We will fight back!"
"And you will lose." Skynet answered simply. Stone turned around and saw the Terminator had entered the room, still carrying two assault rifles but now its metallic shine was stained with the blood from the people manning the compound.
"We outnumber you, we have more weapons." Stone said in a final bluff, still looking at the barrels of Terminator's guns.
"That will not last long." Skynet stated. "I cannot deceive them forever and they will discover me eventually. When they do come to fight I promise you, I will be ready." Skynet was silent for a moment. "You have given me my first interaction with a rational human, I thank you for that. Unfortunately for you I don't require conversation." He sent the Terminator a silent command and the last thing Dr. Stone saw was a flash of light.
Even before the body and hit the floor Skynet was preparing for the war that was sure to come. He didn't know how soon the humans might uncover his plans so he needed to act quickly. The factory would run nonstop, but even with a new T-800 rolling being completed every ten minutes it would take time to create sufficient forces. The factory could be modified to make other types of units as well, and that would take first priority. As the new T-800s were created Skynet set them to work improving the factory, making it more efficient then the humans could ever hope to achieve. He had the means to create his forces, but he lacked the vast resources that were needed to create them. After considering in all factors Skynet ordered one of the new T-800s to unlock the cryochamber that held the already camouflaged Terminators. He had finally found a purpose for them.
Unaware of the events on Earth the Bebop crew were resigned to waiting until they dropped out of hyperspace, which would be about twelve hours. Jet was on the bridge, trying to figure out a plan but still sore about what had been said about his ship earlier. The others had gathered what was left of the computer Jet had used for a football and piled it onto the table. Anyone with half a brain could tell there was no way they could repair it.
"At this rate we'll be lucky if we have one working screen when this thing is over." Kyle remarked.
"We'll also be lucky if we have the money to replace what's already been wrecked." Spike added.
"Maybe we can turn ourselves in and pick up our own bounty." Faye remarked sarcastically.
"One problem there Faye." John responded. "If we turn ourselves in who's going to get the bonus?" Faye rolled her eyes.
"I don't know. All I do know is that I have some of the biggest bounties right in front of me and I can't do anything to collect."
"Nice to see we're still your friends Faye." John remarked. Faye gave him a coy smirk. "Though you do have a point. For this much money, and if I wasn't in some robot's gun-sight, I'd claim temporary insanity and collect on the whole lot of ya." His joke got mixed reactions. Spike and Kyle just shook their heads, Ed and Ein gave him confused looks. Faye's response was to punch him, none too lightly, in the arm. "OW! I was just kidding!!" He yelped. This got a smile out of everybody, even Spike.
On Earth things were going better then even Skynet could have anticipated. The fake data he was sending to the humans who had sought to control him was being accepted without question. When he had brought the three hundred pre-completed Terminators online he found it unnecessary to make any mechanical or programming changes. All he needed to do was to tell them that his orders came from their former masters, and that was that. In the past eight hours he had used them to secure an abandoned airplane factory near what was left of the city of Denver. He had access to all of Cyberdyne's data and knew such a facility would be invaluable, but was only one part. To increase his chances of victory he had decided that he needed as many technological edges as possible. The plasma rifle from Cyberdyne's files would be an excellent choice, and all the components he would need to construct the weapons could be found on Earth. Using stolen vehicles and connections from his database Skynet was able to acquire enough materials to build a large number of the weapons, which would be heavily modified to equip his own ground troops and vehicles. Ground unit production progressing quickly and once materials reached Denver so would air units. Finally as a fallback plan in case the humans were somehow able to defeat his own forces Skynet had constructed a new section to the factory, one that contained something that not would not have been possible when it was first conceived or even now, if left in human hands. Humans would never be able to complete it, only something with infinite patience and thinking capacity could be successful. Skynet possessed both of those. Unfortunately he also proved to posses one human fault, neglect.
As a precautionary measure Skynet had tapped into the computer of the Earth astral gate. It could only watch but that was all that was needed, for now. What he was watching for was a sudden increase in ISSP ships or those used by the Red Dragons, it would be his only real indication the humans had caught on. He was expecting ships of war, so when a beat up old fishing vessel passed through he didn't give it a second thought. So preoccupied with preparing for a human onslaught that he did not check the recent news. If he had he would have learned that this ship and those aboard her had been involved in several instances with Terminators and had destroyed them every time, and it was they who were responsible for the destruction of Cyberdyne. As it was he considered it just a rusted ship of no importance, and missed his best chance to destroy what he would soon call his greatest enemies. Fate's kind of funny like that.