Before this chapter starts, I just want to say thank you for who those who read and review this quite interesting story. Your positive feedback is my fuel to better improve these chapters.
Every review motivates me even more to get each chapter out as soon as I'm able. So again, thank you, and be sure to give me your feedback on anything you may think needs improving, or just like to put what you liked about it.
Anyway, without further ado...
Chapter 3: Taking Care of Business
Los Angeles California, February 2, 2008 (Connor Residence):
Everyone was gathered around Riley Dawson. The one whom was their key to sabotaging Jesse Flores' plan. The plan to separate John and Cameron.
In the future, Riley had explained to them, that Cameron was manipulating future John. Using him as a puppet to destroy the Resistance from within. Despite Sarah's strong dislike for the machine lately, she never thought that Cameron would go as far as to hurt John or manipulate him. Did she have some sort of trust in Cameron? She wasn't sure. Not since the car bomb where she had made an attempt on John's life.
"So, Riley." Sarah paced back and forth in front of the blonde. She was currently sitting in one of the living room chairs, while Cameron, Oliver, and Derek blocked every exit. Barry had confiscated her phone, just in case she were to somehow contact Jesse. He didn't know what this teenage girl was capable of, so he wasn't willing to take that chance. "How about you tell me where Jesse is." Sarah then demanded in a calm yet scary voice.
Riley's eyes immediately looked up at John as if she were pleading for help. But he was too angry with her, to give her comfort. She didn't deserve any of it. Not when she had been lying to him this whole time.
"Don't look at him." Sarah barked and used her right hand to forcibly lock Riley's head to look at her. "Answer the damn question."
Riley was breathing very hard. Her chest rose and fell very heavily at the presence of Sarah yelling at her, and a machine only a few feet away.
"You're not going to get anywhere with her, with the way you're handling it." Oliver spoke as he walked towards the two.
"Then what'd you suggest?" Sarah inquired. "You want me to hit her or something?"
"It would be effective in acquiring information." Cameron stated blankly.
"Look, we already know what she knows, so why do we need to interrogate her anyway?" Barry asked. He wasn't into the methods that Sarah and Oliver were thinking of using. It wasn't his way of handling the situation.
"Wait, how do you already know?" Riley inquired confusingly. "And what do you know?"
"Riley, stop playing dumb." John sneered. He was tired of all these lies and just wanted the truth, even if he did know it.
"Okay, fine." Riley hesitantly agreed. "I am from… the future," She mumbled the last bit.
"So, you were right, Cisco." Sarah responded with amazement. So far, everything Cisco had told them, held its truth. But could she say she trusted him yet?
"Why lie to us?" John randomly blurted. "Why lie to me when I thought you were the only person who understood me?"
"No, John, I didn't want to lie to you, it's just… I had to get you away..." Riley glanced her head to look at Cameron, and her face became sour. "From her."
"I don't need protection from her!" John snapped. "She protects me! And you thinking otherwise is an insult!" Riley broke down into tears, beginning to sob quietly as she looked at the ground. But John no longer cared. He didn't feel pity.
"Okay, let's tone down the drama." Cisco suggested. He didn't want to be in the presence of an argument. Cisco turned his attention to the young blonde and asked her a question. "So, we need your help."
"Why me?" Riley quavered.
"Because you're the only one who can contact Jesse." Cisco answered.
Riley's eyes widened at the mention of the name. As if something about Jesse had her scared to death. "No, no, no, I can't! She'll kill me if I give her up."
"You already did." Oliver pointed out. "If you know what's good for you, Riley, then I'd suggest you tell us."
Barry could still tell that she was hesitant. She was frightened. Almost as if the way Riley carried herself was similar to how he did when he was her age.
Barry walked up to Riley and knelt down. He used his hand to bring up her head so her eyes could meet his gaze. "If you tell us, then we can protect you, Riley. Trust me."
Riley glanced over Barry's shoulder and glared at Cameron who was staring back with intensity. "How do I know you're telling the truth?"
"Believe it or not, I save people, Riley." Barry explained. "I've saved countless lives, and if you give me the chance, then you will be safe. No harm will come to you. I promise."
Riley gave one more glance at Cameron, then John, then back to Barry. She took a deep breath and brushed away the tears that she hadn't noticed, emerged. "Okay… I will tell you."
•••
Jesse Flores exited her apartment through the elevator; where she made her way into the parking garage across the way. She was carrying a duffle bag that held radio transmitters, in which she planned to give to Riley. Her puppet. She was tired of being in the dark and only relying on Riley for her progress. Now it was time to have eyes and ears everywhere in the Connor household. Even with Riley not present, she could still monitor John and the wretched machine's relationship crumble into dust.
Jesse made her way to her vehicle, where she set down the duffle bag and retrieved her car keys from her coat pocket. No matter what the weather was outside- whether it be a hundred degrees, or just eighty; no preparation from the cold world of J-Day could prepare you for. Being used to constantly freezing temperatures was one she'd never shake away from.
As Jesse unlocked her vehicle, an arrow suddenly rushed past her and embedded itself in the door's white exterior.
Jesse quickly jolted in fright and drew her handgun. She aimed at where the source of the arrow had supposedly originated from. But there was nothing. No one was standing there, nor was there any trace, except some paper flying against the wind. The part of town she was living at, wasn't exactly star class. The parking garage sometimes went a week or two without cleaning, so garbage would start to pile up until someone took the initiative to do their job.
Jesse quickly looked back at the arrow and then back at the empty space she had originally gazed upon in confusion. She took hold of the arrow and pulled it out, all while keeping aim at nothingness.
Before she could process another thought, she looked back up and saw a man standing in front of her. A man who was wearing a dark green outfit, and held a bow and arrow.
Jesse immediately pulled the trigger, and fired at the man.
Oliver had managed to dodge the attack and countered with firing an arrow at Jesse; with it finding its way into the barrel of the gun. Due to the force, Jesse dropped the gun.
"Who are you?" Jesse snarled in absolute anger. "Robin Hood?"
"I'm your worst nightmare, Jesse Flores!" Oliver blared in his distorted voice. Aside from being frightened initially, Jesse appeared to be calm. This confused Oliver greatly as the Green Arrow was known for instilling fear into criminals.
"How'd you know my name?" Jesse inquired confusingly.
"You don't ask the questions here!" Oliver barked. "Now surrender, or else!"
"Or what?" Jesse snickered. "You gonna shoot another arrow at me?"
Oliver slowly yet cautiously advanced towards her, while drawing another arrow. He failed to notice Jesse silently pull a knife and lurched out him. Oliver dropped his bow, in order to block the sudden attack, and grabbed her by the wrist. Jesse used all of her strength and pushed down the blade on Oliver.
He had to admit with how impressed he was. For his build and strength, Jesse managed to gain an edge on him. Enough games!
Oliver kicked out Jesse's feet out from under her, with her landing on her back, on the concrete ground below her.
With knocking her out in mind, Oliver launched his fist at her face, with intentions of knocking her unconscious.
Jesse had rolled away from Oliver's fist, last second and immediately jumped onto her feet. She knew that she couldn't take this man on, so she fled and made a run to the stairwell.
Oliver grabbed his bow and began to give chase to the woman. He leaped out of the parking garage window and rolled onto his feet, on top of a parked delivery truck. On his left he could see Jesse running for dear life, as she had stopped to grab another pistol from a potted plant nearby; Where she then started firing at Oliver once more.
Oliver jumped off of the delivery truck and hid behind a concrete barrier.
"I'm having some trouble down here, where is everyone at, Overwatch?" Oliver sarcastically asked over his intercom.
"Well, Barry is busy finding Riley a new home, like you ordered, and Sarah and Derk are here with me." Felicity giggled. "You fought people harder than this, so why you making a big fuss?"
"It's Derek, not Derk!" Derek angrily exclaimed over Felicity's intercom.
"Well I'm not allowed to put an arrow in her, correct?"
"Correct." Felicity and Derek agreed.
"Why do you have to make this so difficult!" Oliver grunted.
"Oh, stop being such a big baby!" Sarah barked over the Felicity's intercom.
God I hate this earth. Oliver took a deep breath and emerged from cover, and fired one more arrow at the fleeing Jesse. The arrow exploded and a Bolas wrapped around Jesse's legs, causing her to fall to the ground.
Oliver walked up to Jesse, who was trying to pry the rope off of her feet, but succeeded to no avail, and stood above her.
"You're time of antagonizing the Connor's is over." Oliver sneered.
"Who are you?!" Jesse inquired in fear. Her voice broke as if she was going to burst into tears. "Why are you doing this!?"
But Oliver could see who she was. This Jesse would and will lower your guard to get the upper hand on you. In the years of fighting crime in Starling City, Oliver could read her like an open book.
"I'm the Green Arrow. And you're coming with me."
Los Angeles, California, February 2, 2007: (Connor Residence)
10:14 pm
Back at home, Jesse was tied up to a chair in the living room, with Derek scolding her. It wasn't pleasant to say the least. They both had their issues and Oliver wanted no part of it. It was best if he didn't get involved with their drama. Cisco, Felicity, and Caitlin were sitting at the dining table while John and Cameron were conversing in the kitchen. Oliver didn't know where Sarah was, and honestly, he didn't care. She was too stubborn and untrusting of them.
Barry had walked through the front door, fully dressed in his Flash outfit.
"So, you find Riley a place?" Oliver asked through the doorway.
"I did." Barry agreed. "She reminds me a lot of me when I was her age though. I don't blame her for doing the things she did."
"We can't afford to get too sentimental with these people, Barry."
"Why?" Barry inquired confusingly.
"Because, Barry, they are just fictional characters in our world. Nothing but an entertainment franchise that's been practically dead since the early 90's." Oliver explained in a whisper.
"How can you say that?" Barry sneered. "We're here, right now, helping them defeat an evil that we have never encountered before, and you think that we should just stop wasting our time with them?"
"That's not what I meant."
"Then what did you mean, Oliver? I don't see your reasoning at all."
Oliver sighed heavily and stopped leaning against the doorway that led to the dining room. "I just have a bad feeling that this isn't going to go our way. If we aren't careful. We could be very well stuck here. People could die." Ever since arriving, Oliver had that off feeling. That feeling that something was going to go wrong.
"And that's what you're worried about?" Barry asked. "Oliver. We have both faced dangers that make this pale in comparison."
"I highly doubt that." Oliver muttered.
"Guys." Caitlin spoke up. "We found something that you might wanna see."
Oliver and Barry agree, knowing that they could continue this conversation later, and follow Caitlin into the kitchen. There she sat down and Oliver and Barry gather around behind them.
"What'd you got?" Barry asked no one in particular.
"I managed to hack the Zeira Corps data frame and have arranged an appointment with Catherine Weaver." Felicity explained.
"Okay, so we're just going to waltz right in?" Sarah inquired as she entered the kitchen with John and Cameron following.
"Not we." Felicity clarified. "You." She pointed at Oliver and Sarah.
Both Sarah and Oliver's eyes widened as they immediately looked at each other. "Why us?" They both asked in unison.
"Because, Oliver has some business experience, and he is running for mayor in our world." Felicity explained further.
"Me and you also have posed as business investors before, Sarah." Cameron pointed out.
Why do I have to do everything around here? "Okay, so where do I get a suit, then?"
"Barry." Cisco looked up at Barry with a smirk. Barry nodded and ran out of the house, before returning moments later with a black business suit in hand.
"Here you go." Barry smiled and handed the neatly ironed and pressed suit to Oliver. He responded with an angry sigh but accepted it anyway. "Oh, and after we're done, we should really return it, before the tailor notices."
"Noted." Oliver simply acknowledged.
"Good, now we're all set." Caitlin smiled in satisfaction. "Guess this mission is going to be a breeze, huh?"
"Not yet." Derek spoke up as he entered the kitchen. "There's still Jesse."
"Weren't you just talking to her?" Oliver pointed out.
"I was." Derek agreed with a nod. "But she refuses to see the reality of the situation she's currently in. We might have to kill her."
Everyone, aside from Cameron, recoiled in utter surprise. Barry, along with Cisco and Caitlin, couldn't believe what they had just heard. They knew this earth was exactly peaches and roses, but this was just inhumane.
"That is not necessary." Barry shook his head in disagreement. "That's not what we do."
"It would be easier to kill her. No loose ends." Cameron opinionatedly stated.
Derek and Barry decided that it was best to ignore Cameron's input, knowing that she'd take the easier route in killing someone anyday. "If you don't want to kill, then what'd you suggest, speedy?" Derek sarcastically asked.
"I don't know, but we don't kill." Barry blared in annoyance.
"Let's have a chat with her, then." Oliver suggested.
Everyone made their way to the living room, where they all gathered around Jesse Flores. She had tears falling down her cheek and was whimpering. Oliver was certainly surprised because only a few minutes ago, when he was watching Derek snap at her, she had displayed no emotion. Just a blank mask like Cameron's. But he must of have said something that had caused her to break down.
"Are you ready to tell us why, yet?" Oliver politely asked the Aussie.
Jesse didn't immediately respond. Instead she just gazed at Cameron before speaking. "I'll talk when that bucket of bolts is out of my face."
"John." Derek pointed at the staircase with his head. John knew what he meant and grabbed Cameron by the wrist before dragging her upstairs.
"There. Happy?" Oliver asked in an annoying manner.
Jesse snorted in response. "Happy? I'll be happy when I see the metal melted down and used as sheet paneling for a roof."
"Jesse!" Derek snapped. "Stop being so damn stubborn for once in your life!"
"Sorry, love, but if Robin Hood is going to keep up with the dark brooding charade, then I'm fine being a smartass."
"What are we going to do with you? We don't need you anymore, so maybe we just get rid of you perhaps?" Derek suggested. He then pulled out a handgun from the waistband of his jeans and pulled the hammer back. "Oh look, there's a bullet that has your name on it."
"You don't have the balls." Jesse chuckled.
"Oh, yeah?" Derek inquired and aimed the gun at her forehead. "If I don't, then maybe the metal will. I'm pretty sure she's eager to shoot someone. To my knowledge, it's been awhile since she has killed."
"Okay, this is getting too dark!" Cisco announced. "There has to be a better approach to this. We all know what she is guilty of, so why force anything out of her?"
"Because, Cisco, she hasn't been punished for what she did. She needs to learn from this mistake." Oliver explained.
"Like what, exactly?" Barry inquired. Just the sound of punishment didn't sit too well in his gut. That word almost sounded like they were gonna get a painful punch to the face or be boiled in hot oil. Let's hope the first one is that kind of punishment. At least they can heal from that.
"I'm thinking that we give her the Sarah Connor Chronicles treatment." Cisco smiled mischievously. He walked over to the bookcase, where John had hid it earlier, and took out the dvd case. He pulled out the CD and place it in the dvd player.
"What is that?" Jesse frantically asked. She looked back up at Derek. "What is he playing?"
"Watch, and maybe, you'll learn something." Derek explained. He forcibly turned her chair so that her body was facing the television and watched Cisco press play on a certain episode.
"Let's see if this changes your outlook, shall we?"
Los Angeles, California, February 3, 2008: (Downtown Los Angeles - Zeira Corporation)
3:23 pm
Everything was now set. Today was the day that they see once and for all, who is Catherine Weaver. Everyone was located in a black van, that was parked several blocks away from Zeira Corp. Felicity, Cisco and Caitlin sat around a display of computer monitors, that displayed security cameras of the whole area. John, Barry, and Cameron sat behind the three, silently observing the plan fall through.
Derek wasn't present at all for the mission. He was given the task of keeping an eye on Jesse until they knew she could be somewhat trusted. Despite having her watching the episode where she killed Riley, a few several times, they still weren't entirely sure if she was accepting of the fact that her alternate life was on a dvd for all to see on a different world, adjacent to theirs.
Back in reality, in the monitors, Sarah, and Oliver could be seen walking into the main lobby of the building.
"Testing, one, two, three." Oliver could be heard tapping at his intercom. "Can you hear me?"
"Yes we can." Felicity agreed. "Why does every computer on this earth have to be as old as my laptop in college." She muttered as she typed into the keyboard.
"It's only 2008 in this world, Felicity. That's probably why." Cisco explained.
"Wish you could've told me that before we left. Otherwise, I would've brought my equipment."
"Okay, can we get back to the plan?" Oliver asked over the intercom.
"Sorry." Cisco and Felicity apologized. Felicity began typing into the computer and pulled up several decrypted files. "Okay, so all you have to do is inform the main desk clerk that you're here to see Catherine Weaver. Your names are Sarah Gale, and Bill Gale. Both of you are an investor couple that look into funding research in artificial intelligence."
"Wait, what!" Sarah exclaimed. "What do you mean we are a couple?"
"Uhh, Cisco? Maybe you want to explain to the nice lady why they are posing as a couple?" Felicity nervously asked.
"I'm good, really." Cisco nervously laughed. In response, he was given a severe glare from both Caitlin and Felicity. "Okay, okay! Jeez, I'll explain it to them." He irritably turned his attention to the computer and began to speak into the the tiny microphone. "Hello, Sarah."
"You better explain, fast." Sarah threateningly barked over the intercom, which made Cisco instantly flinch.
•••
Sarah and Oliver made their way inside the building where they were greeted with a luxurious looking lobby. Oliver had to admit he was impressed. Even Queen Consolation didn't have this luxurious type of lobby. Too bad it fell into the hands of other business investors otherwise he would have definitely considered remodeling.
"Dammit, Cisco!" Sarah sneered. Oliver turned his head and saw Sarah Connor angrily whispering into the tiny earpiece that she was given.
"What happened, now?" Oliver inquired.
"Cisco made us pose as a couple." Sarah answered angrily. I am so going to strangle that little hippy haired nerd later.
"You mean, like dating?" He asked unsure.
Sarah responded with a nod.
"Well, we can't disrupt the mission, so I guess we're going to have to play the part." In his mind, was fighting the urge to grimace at the fact that he probably had to show affection for the hardened woman if it was required. He hoped it wouldn't come down to that. He really hoped it didn't.
Oliver and Sarah made their way to the front desk where they were greeted by a young woman who had a smile on her face.
"Hello, how may I help you two?" She asked in a polite and even tone.
"We're here to see Catherine Weaver." Oliver answered with a forced bright smile.
"Ah, hold on one moment." The young lady replied and started typing into her computer. "I'm, sorry, but all of Ms. Weaver's appointments have been filled, sadly."
"I'm sorry to have to say, but my knucklehead husband here, forgot to mention our names." Sarah snickered. Oliver was unexpected to find that Sarah's arm locked with his as she pulled him closer.
"Oh, okay, so what are your names?" The young woman then asked.
"Sarah Gale, and Bill Gale." Sarah answered.
"Oh! Okay, I didn't know it was you two. My apologies." The woman replied embarrassingly. "You're appointment is in a few minutes, so if you may please make your way to the elevator, I'll give you access to Ms. Weaver's floor."
"Thank you for your time." Oliver nodded in acknowledgement and the two walked away from the desk and to the elevator. They waited for a short moment before it stopped on their floor and they walked inside. Once inside Oliver reached for the button but they were both caught by surprise when the door suddenly closed shut and the elevator began ascending upwards.
"Guess she's expecting us." Sarah grumbled in a quiet tone.
"I don't have a good feeling about this."Oliver then mentioned. "Felicity, do you still have eyes on us?"
"I do, but I'm losing you the more you go up." Felicity explained. "I can only stay on comms so once you get to Weaver's office, I won't be able to help find a way out if you need to immediately leave."
"So, we're on our own." Sarah sarcastically chuckled.
"We tried looking for blueprints on the building, but there was none, so yeah. We are for the meantime." Oliver agreed. He didn't know what to expect once they met Weaver. What was she going to do to them if she found out their true identities? He knew she probably wouldn't care much for him, but it's possible that Sarah could be a potential target if she recognizes her. She was in fact a terminator, but which one? Cisco had failed to inform them on what exactly she was. "Once we're inside, be on the lookout for any way out. It will probably prove helpful to us."
Sarah nodded in agreement to Oliver's plan. She knew it was the only chance they had. She was just relieved that John wasn't here. Otherwise Catherine could kill him just like that. He wouldn't need to blink, or even breathe. Terminators were ruthless like that. They lacked any pity or remorse. No feeling.
The elevator stopped with a simple ring, and the door slid open. They had arrived on Catherine Weaver's floor. They both took a deep breath and walked out of the elevator and down the hall, where they found a glass door that was wide open.
They stepped through, not knowing what exactly to expect. Was she waiting for them to just simply walk inside where she could kill them? Or was there a different game at play?
"Hello, it's nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Gale." The woman greeted as she sat up from her desk and walked up to the two. "My name is Catherine Weaver, but I'm sure you already knew that."
Sarah slightly recoiled when Weaver had slowly made her way to them. She couldn't predict what she intended.
But to Sarah's surprise, Catherine Weaver had extended out her hand and gave them both a firm handshake. They reluctantly accepted the gesture and returned it, in which they only felt coldness. Her hand felt similar to touching a cold metal surface of sheet metal. It felt unnatural.
"Come. Sit. We have a lot to discuss." She told with a small smile and motioned with her hand at the two chairs in front of her desk. The two accepted, and sat down in the two comfy leather chairs as Weaver had sat down in hers, adjacent to them.
Sarah had looked behind her once, before turning her attention to Weaver.
"There is no need to worry, Ms. Connor, there is no one else here."
Oliver and Sarah's attention was immediately gained, when Weaver had said her name, and their posture's became stiff as they were immediately stunned by Weaver's accusation. Sarah's mind began racing a million miles at once. How did she know who she was? Their plan seemed solid from the start, but what did they do wrong? What was going to happen now?
Sarah jumped out of the chair and took a long step back. "How do you know my name?"
The red headed woman smiled. "I didn't. Not until now."
Sarah closed her eyes. She felt stupid for falling into her trap. If she was a terminator, she clearly didn't show it that much. Even if she did display a blankness to her, she seemed almost human.
"After my… let's say, security, detected a change in appointment log, I was quite surprised to find a Sarah Gale in my roster. I wasn't exactly sure who to expect, until I had a good look at you, Ms. Connor." Catherine turned her head to look at Oliver with a confused expression. "I don't believe I know who you are though."
"Back away." Oliver sneered. He pulled a small pen like object from his coat pocket, and pressed a button, with the pen transforming into a recurve bow.
"Interesting choice of weapon." Weaver admired with a tilt of her head. "But you lack arrows to truly make it effective." Catherine then turned her attention back to Sarah. "I'm guessing you know who I am by the looks of your friend here."
"It depends on what you plan on doing with me and him if we do know." Sarah simply responded.
"Smart woman, but I'm not here to hurt either of you, or your son for that fact." Weaver explained in a simple tone. "I want to help you against your fight."
"How do I know you're not lying!?" Sarah spat. "It could be a trick for all I know."
"Again, smart woman." Weaver applaud. "It's no wonder you've survived so long. John Connor must be lucky to have a strong woman as his mother. Without you, he'd probably not be the man he becomes."
"Stop sucking up to us, already." Oliver demanded in a stern tone. He had a pen drawn as a makeshift arrow, ready to use it if necessary. Years of training made him skilled with all assortments of weapons, including swords, and different types of knives. But the bow just stuck as his favorite and most effective weapon.
"Gladly, Mr…?"
"Just stick to Gale for right now." Oliver suggested.
"As you wish." Weaver accepted. "Anyway, we have more important matters to attend to. The enemy. One that we cannot fight with conventional weapons or by conventional means."
"You're talking about Kaliba?" Sarah inquired. The whole time, they haven't discussed the group that was antagonizing them. One that was thwarting their plans to save the world from a nuclear holocaust.
"Skynet." Weaver corrected.
"You have my attention." Sarah said in acknowledgement, as she used her hand to lower Oliver's bow. She had questions on how he managed to hide such a weapon, but there was time for that later. Now it was time to hear what Catherine Weaver had to say.
"Excellent." Weaver smiled slightly. "But it's not a discussion that involves you. It's one that involves your son, and most specifically, his protector. Cameron, I presume?"
"They're listening." Oliver informed by tapping at his comm link in his ear.
Weaver tilted her head slightly but returned it back to its original position soon after. "Very well." She accepted. "The question is… Will you join us?"