Days of Sky Net

by keithallen

sequel to the 'day' series. John Junior and his crew have gone home. Now, John Connor faces the coming of sky net, and the rush to prepare for it. Knowing when J-day will arrive and having the time and knowledge to prepare for it, John is in a better position than humanity originally was. But then again so is Sky Net. Forget the 'genre', as always, I'll go all over the place.

3. Chapter 3

CH 3

Day 5, John called his people together for a meeting. Cameron, Sarah, Derek, Captain Grammer, Mary the Garden supervisor, Eric Snell the head electrician, and Trevor, who was now one of Derek's lieutenants came. Catherine Weaver, John Henry and Mr. Ellison also arrived.

John looked at everyone and said, "I thank you all for coming. We have three days left before Sky Net is active on the military network. At the moment Sky Net may or may not be watching satellites and people's movements. Once it takes control of the military network, it will be. John Henry, do you have any information on what Sky Net is doing?"

"Not directly," John Henry stated. "I have picked up signs that Grays in several cities are searching for you. I also tapped a connection from Sky Net. All the known underground places, subway tunnels, storm sewers, mines and intact basements are to be attacked the day after the nuclear attack. I have deduced that this is an attempt to ensure all humans are wiped out of the area. From the intel, Sky Net machines will be going after military bases and personnel. Grays will be tasked with wiping out the population."

"Good god!" Trevor said in a gasp.

"Mrs. Weaver, do you have anything to counter these attacks?" John asked.

Catherine motioned to John Henry and said, "There are several anti- aircraft missile batteries set up in the likely direction H/K's will be coming from. How effective they will be is in question. We also have twenty terminators in the process of being made. I am using the T-888 format with a modification of my own." She lifted an arm and morphed into the shape of a plasma canon. "This is only a shape, but adding my liquid matrix into the production models, these will have real plasma canons in their forearms. Since they are our creations, I am giving them a TX designation. They will not be ready for some time to come. By John Henry's development, I estimate they will be serviceable in one and a half to two years."

John nodded and said, "Don't rush it, make them right, Mrs. Weaver." He then said, "It looks like the most we can do is get people inside before J day, then look for survivors after Day zero. One thing I want to stress to everyone. Sky Net wants to destroy us, every last one of us. Therefore, the entire complex of underground area we have must be kept secret from Sky Net. We are weak at the moment, and if Sky Net finds us it will do it's best to kill everyone down here. Humans and machines. It cannot be allowed to discover what we've made."

"This shit is real," Captain Grammer said weakly.

"All too real," Derek told him.

John said, "Check with everyone under each of your command areas. Anyone who still has family on the surface is to go do their best to get that family here. Derek, those who do have their families here, start stripping the vehicles we have outside once those who need their vehicle is gone off to get their family. Separate and hide any vehicle that may be useful over rough ground. Siphon and fill the gasoline barrels from the others, strip out batteries, alternators, remove wheels and anything else that might be useful."

"What about the box trucks? We can use them," Derek said.

"Right, save the useful vehicles, The trucks, four wheel drives and the like. With the others, we want to create a junk yard, so on casual glance, nothing outside appears useful," John agreed. "Work at it today and tomorrow. The day after that, I don't want anyone outside visible from the air."

"I will help Derek and his men," Cameron said.

"Mrs. Weaver, the completion celebration is ready?" John asked.

Catherine said, "It is, and everyone will be entering through the LA facility. It will not appear abnormal to have many people coming to that location. The facility itself is bomb and radiation proof from anything except a ground detonation. Nuclear weapons are all air burst, except those used for bunker penetrations. Since Sky Net does not know about our facilities, there is no reason for it to use a ground burst weapon on any of our facilities. I would also recommend anyone leaving to get their families, enter through the LA facility. I have the directions. They will be less likely to be noticed."

"Thank you Mrs. Weaver," John told her. "All right, we have two days to collect anyone we can. After that, we take in whoever can get here. The morning of day zero, we close up tight. After that, we keep a watch out for who comes to us. If you see refugees, and can get them without endangering our facilities, do it. Also, we will need to watch carefully for any machines, on the ground or in the air. Any questions?" There were none, so John said, "Then let's get started."

Cameron got up, kissed John, then headed out with Derek.

"I didn't need to see that," Sarah grumbled. She motioned to Mary and said, "Come on let's get ready to store car parts."

John was doing all he could, but it still didn't seem like enough.

.

Cameron made tearing cars apart easier. Once the battery and alternator and voltage regulator were taken out, Cameron lifted the back of the car to pull out the gas tank. She'd had it to someone to drain it, then flipped the car over to look at the suspension. She tore out whole wheel assemblies, spring/strut and lower control arm with the wheel still attached. Once she had these out, she flipped the car back over and went on to the next one.

After she had de-wheeled three cars, Derek came over and asked, "What are you doing?"

Holding a fourth car up, she pulled the gas tank out and said, "We should salvage the suspension components so they can be used to make our own vehicles. In his studying battles, John found that a low tracked vehicle with the right gun is better at surprise attacks, and if it can move fast it can escape before large heavy machines can return fire. In one battle, a man in the German army named Michael Whitman took on 24 T-34 tanks with his lone Stug. A Stug was a mobile artillery vehicle built low to the ground with a short barreled 75MM gun. It cannot penetrate the frontal armor of a T-34. T-34's had a long barrel 75 mm gun that can shoot right through a Stug, end to end. Even though in a head on fight, a lightly armored Stug would not stand a change against a T-34, Michael Whitman hid in deep brush cover and let the T-34's go past until he had side and rear shots on them. He took out six before they even knew where the fire was coming from. Once they realized where he was, he moved around them and using terrain, attacked from another angle. By the time he was forced to retreat, he'd killed 16 of the 24 T-34's and ruined their attack. If we can make a low, fast vehicle like the Stug, we will have a better chance against the large, slower moving H/K tanks."

"John has done some studying then," Derek concluded.

"He has. John looks especially at the tactics used that are uncommon to military doctrine. Sky Net will be expecting the methods used by large winning armies on the battlefield," Cameron explained. "When you cannot out-power an enemy, tricks and traps work better than standard head-on fighting."

Derek grinned. They had a chance at beating Sky Net sooner and shorten the war.

After the sun went down, everyone went inside and helped store all the parts in a stockroom next to John and Cameron's workshop. The floor was full and things were beginning to pile up in there. They needed shelving, or a better place to put all these car parts.

John and Sarah had gone down to the cavern to see to things there. Cameron went outside and dialed up a number she knew on her cell phone.

After a few rings, a woman's voice answered.

"Hello?"

"Claire Young," Cameron said with a small smile. "How is Allison? Are you all healthy?"

"We're fine … who is this?"

Cameron frowned and said, "I called you once before, I was … confused. I thought I was Allison. I am sorry if I freaked you out."

There was a pause, then, "Yes, that strange call. Why would you think you were my Allison? She wasn't even born yet, and how did you know her name?"

Cameron swallowed and said, "Mrs. Young, I was very confused and forgot what year it was. It's complicated. I know who I am now. I also know what's going to happen. I want to make sure your family stays safe."

"Thank you for that. Can you tell me your name?" Claire coaxed.

"In this time, I go by Cameron Phillips," Cameron admitted.

"We don't know any Cameron Phillips," Claire said.

"You've had to reason to. I have much I want to tell you, but it is best if I do it face to face. May I come over to your house?" Cameron asked.

"Yes, what did you mean by that's your name in this time?" Claire asked.

"As I said, it's complicated and I can't stay on this phone very long."

"I someone after you?"

"Yes, many are. Please, let me come and explain it to you."

"All right. My husband will be home by seven. Any time after that will be fine."

"I do not want to interrupt your dinner. What would be a safe time after that?" Cameron asked.

"Any time between eight and nine thirty. Cameron, who is after you?" Claire asked.

"A large organization that is planning bad things in the very near future. That's all I can say right now. I will see you at eight thirty, Mrs. Young."

"See you then," Claire agreed. They hung up.

.

After Claire got off the phone, she looked over at Allison who was on the floor playing with blocks. This Cameron had thought she was Allison? Someone was after her? She called Daniel and told him about this girl Cameron, who was in trouble and had thugs after her. They had to help this girl.

.

Cameron saved one car from destruction. A two wheel drive mini-van. She did take the alarm system out and bypassed the 'key code' in it's computer so she could start it by jumping the starter. She jumped the van and left for Palmdale. Timing her trip to arrive at eight twenty five, Cameron was able to stay within the speed limit. She had her route to the Young's house up on her HUD.

Two blocks from the Young's house, Cameron scanned for police. Coming upon the house, she noted two cars in the driveway. She backed into the driveway for a quick exit. Not having a key, she left the van running and went to the front door and knocked.

A school-teacher-ish man in a light pullover and pants answered the door. "Yes?" he asked.

"I am Cameron, I asked Claire earlier if I could come over."

"Yes, yes! I'm Claire's husband, Daniel. Come on in, we're in the living room here," he said and ushered her inside.

"Thank you," Cameron said meekly and went in. Claire was on the couch holding Allison

Another man in a long coat was sitting in a chair across the coffee table. An empty chair was on the other side of him. Daniel ushered her to the chair.

"Can I get you something?' he asked.

"No, thank you." Cameron said meekly. She eye the other man. Under his coat, he had a 9mm auto in a shoulder holster and a revolver strapped to his left ankle.

"So, you're Cameron Phillips?" the man asked with a fake smile.

"Cameron, I want to know what trouble you are in," Claire said.

"Not just me," Cameron told her. "Everyone. We need to get to a safe place underground. John has that safe place. Please, come with me so nothing will happen to you."

The man in the overcoat said, "You thought you were Allison Young at one time, correct? You were in a halfway house. The supervisor their called because you made threatening statements about this John. I also found your picture in the archives. You were involved with a bank robbery with Sarah and John Connor, for a long time, all three of you were reported dead. How did you get out of that bank explosion?"

Cameron eyed him and said, "We did not rob that bank. The explosion was caused by initiating a time displacement bubble inside the vault where I had the teller lock us in. We traveled a few years into the future."

Claire gapped at her. "You're a bank robber?" she asked in a squeak.

"No, I was not there to rob that bank, but use the PDE that was in the vault," Cameron explained.

"I want to know where John and Sarah Connor are." the man stated.

Cameron glanced at him and said, "I will tell you in four days." Returning her attention to Claire, she said, "Sky Net is real. Machines are real. In Five days, October 11th, the entire country is going to suffer a massive nuclear attack. This will be pre-empted by jamming all communications. The first targets will be cities and military installations. No place at ground level will be safe. Please, come with me. Even if you don't believe me, it will only be a few days before you see if I am right or wrong. If I'm wrong, then you can come home and everything will be fine. If you don't come, you may well all die."

"OK, that's enough!" Mr. overcoat said. He got up and reached in into his coat. Cameron Snapped her pistol out and barked, "Freeze!"

The man paused.

"Take your gun out, two fingers. Then the one on your ankle. Place them on the table," Cameron ordered.

"You won't shoot me," he stated.

"I am not shooting because it will disturb Allison," Cameron stated. "Don't make me upset her."

The man slowly pulled out his gun by two fingers and laid it on the table.

"The one by your left ankle too," Cameron instructed.

He did, moving slowly as Claire an Daniel watched, growing frightened looks.

"You are threatening an officer of the law," the man stated.

"Are you coming with us?" Cameron asked. "You said you wanted me to take you to see John and Sarah."

"You would let me go?" he asked.

Cameron grew a crooked grin and said, "After I knock you out and handcuff you to that couch. I came to save lives, not take them. We need to save everyone we can."

"Cameron?" Daniel asked tentatively. "Holding a gun on someone is not the way to convince them of anything."

"You are correct," Cameron agreed. She reached over and crushed the man's revolver, dropped it on the floor, then grabbed his pistol. She put hers away then broke that gun in half.

"Fuck," Daniel said softly.

Cameron stood up and said to the man, "You are a policeman. You want to know the truth. Come with me and I will show you the truth."

"How many people are in the safe place you got?" he asked.

"As of noon today, 6425," Cameron stated. "21 more if all the workers who went to get their families return, plus the family members."

"How did you break my guns?" he asked.

"I am a terminator. I only look like Allison," Cameron stated.

"Whoa wait!" Daniel said. "What do you mean? You mean our Allison?"

Cameron turned her attention to him and said, "Yes, I am what Allison will look like when she is 19 years old. In the future, Allison was captured by Sky Net. I was made from Allison's DNA. I intend to ensure that does not happen in the future like it did in the future I came from."

"You're crazy!" the cop said.

Cameron flashed her red eyes at him. "Am I?" she asked.

He took a step back.

"What happened to Allison when she was captured?" Claire asked, looking scared.

Cameron didn't want to come out and tell her Allison was killed. She settled on, "When I came to be, Allison ceased to be. I am a cybernetic version of her."

"What does that mean?" Claire asked, hugging Allison close. She then said, "Hold on, that time you called, you thought you were Allison?"

"Yes. I was badly confused. I'd forgotten what I was. I do have many of Allison's memories."

"So my baby was ripped apart to make you!" Claire accused.

"It is complicated, but essentially that is correct," Cameron admitted. "I want to prevent Sky Net from getting their hands on Allison again."

"So parts of Allison were used to make you," Daniel said thoughtfully. "If you have Allison's memories, then your brain is intact"

Looking at Daniel, Cameron told him, "No. I do have elements of Allison's brain but my functions are controlled by a CPU." Becoming uncomfortable with the questions, Cameron added, "We need to go. Please gather everything you think you might need for the next six months. We have basic living quarters set up, but nothing personalized. Plan on your house being destroyed in the next four days. If you cherish it, bring it."

"Oh God," Claire whimpered as she stared at Cameron.

"I don't believe you," The cop stated.

"Just remember what I've told you. It may save your life," Cameron replied, then in a fast move, punched him, knocking him out. Claire gasped.

Cameron dug his handcuffs out and dragged him over to the back of the couch. "Hurry and get your things. If you need help, let me know," Cameron told the Youngs.

"I'll get us packed," Daniel said and ran for the stairs.

Claire got up and watched Cameron handcuff the cop in place. She put the handcuff key in front of him. "You came to make sure Allison is safe?" Claire asked.

"Yes, and of course you and Daniel," Cameron replied. Firmly, she added, "Claire, I need you to get your things together."

Claire's mind whirled. Speaking her thoughts, she said, "If you came here to save us, then part of you is still Allison."

"I am Cameron, a terminator. I am not human."

"Not any more, but there is still human in you, isn't there?" Claire asked.

"We need to go," Cameron stated. "Is there anything heavy you wish to save?"

Claire pointed at the decorative, wooden pendulum clock on the wall. "That was my mother's clock, can you get it down for me?"

Cameron went over and carefully took the clock down. "Please hurry," Cameron said, and took the clock out to the van.

Seeing what Cameron did to the cop and his guns, Daniel did what she said to keep any harm from coming to his wife or daughter. Claire was trying to understand in her own mind, how a person could be taken apart and made into a machine. She got Allison in the van in her car seat, then all her baby clothes and accessories. Daniel got their every day clothes packed and in the back.

By the time they were done, the back of the van was full of essentials. Clair sat in back with Allison, Daniel rode beside Cameron in the front. While Cameron drove away, focusing on the road, Clair focused on Cameron. Cameron claimed she was a machine. Machines didn't get confused, did they? That and how Cameron acted, not answering certain questions, told her that her Allison was still inside there somewhere.

Once Cameron was out into the countryside, she shut off the van's lights and used her infrared to drive.

"Why'd you turn the lights out?" Daniel asked as he braced himself.

"I can see better using my infrared, and the chance of someone following us is greatly reduced." Cameron explained.

"You can see at night?"

"Much farther out that what you can see by the headlights. Don't worry," Cameron told him.

"You are scary, you know that?" Daniel asked.

"Yes. I am a scary robot," Cameron monotoned.

"Do you have a boyfriend?" Claire asked.

Daniel looked back at Claire. "What?" he asked, wondering where that came from.

"I do," Cameron said sporting a small smile. "John is my boyfriend. I love him and he loves me."

"What kind of things do you do together?" Claire asked.

"We fight Sky Net and work to save everyone we can."

"You don't go out together?"

"We do. We go to school, we go get supplies together, we helped fix … a ship together, we go fight Sky Net together, we are building the underground complex together. Almost everything we do, we do together," Cameron explained.

"I mean go on a date. Going out, just the two of you to relax," Claire said. "Like going out to eat or to a movie or something, just for fun."

"We don't have time for things like that," Cameron replied.

"You poor thing," Claire said, looking at Cameron's dark figure.

"I am not poor. I have a bank I made to fund our activities. We have all the money we want."

"You made a bank?" Daniel asked.

"Yes. It is not hard to do," Cameron explained. "I hacked into the international banking system and registered it. My bank has made many loans to me, and paid our expenses with electronic money that does not exist. It will only be active for another five days. Once the banking systems collapse, my electronic funds will also. Of course after J-day, the 11th, money won't mean anything, any more, so it is not a large concern."

Daniel barked out a short laugh. "Is there anything you can't do?" he asked.

In monotone, Cameron said, "Stop Sky Net. At least, not yet."

.

Daniel let out a yelp when Cameron turned and bounced onto the dirt road, afraid they were crashing. All he could see were the shadows of scrub brush around them. Cameron turned the lights back on.

"We are getting close, I want the guards to see us coming," she explained.

"Thank you," Daniel said with a sigh of relief.

Another two miles of dirt road and Cameron pulled into what looked like a junkyard. She stopped behind a hill and parked.

A door on the hill opened up. A man with a pistol on his hip came out as Cameron got out.

"I have more people, they will need an escort to the caverns, and a cart to take them there," Cameron announced.

"Yes, Ma'am. I'll see if a cart is available," the man replied.

"Cameron, you are in charge here?" Daniel asked as he got out.

"No, John is." Cameron told him. She made sure Claire got out, then loaded herself down with baby things. Going to the back, she opened the back hatch and called Daniel back to load him down with luggage, then grabbed the clock.

"Where did this place come from?" Claire asked as she looked inside the hill.

"We made it. Follow me, please," Cameron replied.

They went in and down the stairs. A man in uniform nodded to Cameron on his way past and said, "General."

"Captain Grammer," Cameron replied with a nod.

"General?" Daniel asked.

"Yes, Lt. General. John Connor is the General of the resistance," Cameron explained.

Heading straight down the corridor, Cameron stopped at a room where the door was open. She stepped in and said, "John, I'm back … have you eaten anything yet?"

At his desk John jerked his head up and said, "Ahh, not yet. I was looking at a proposal to put a water wheel up on the river to power a larger generator. Who's that?"

Claire and Daniel were behind Cameron. Cameron told him, "This is Daniel, Claire and little Allison Young. They are going to live in the caverns."

"You are John," Claire said to the scruffy looking young man who looked like he hadn't slept in a week.

John offered her a smile and said, "Yes, Allison, of course. Welcome, Daniel and Claire. The caverns is the safest place we have and is a little more open than this bunker. I'm happy you could make it."

"You know Allison?" Claire asked.

"No, but I have heard about her," John offered. "We can't promise any luxury, but you will be safe here."

"I am going to take them down and get them on their way to the caverns, then I am going to bring you some food," Cameron said firmly.

"It's nice to meet you, John," Claire said. 'Workaholic' was what she thought. Following Cameron down another set of stairs, she noted that while there was light down here, much of it was dim like John's 'office' was, and drop lights were everywhere. Down the passage Cameron led them, she noted an open area. There was two golf carts with trailers in the area. One was being loaded with car parts.

"Jason," Cameron called to one of the men.

"Yes, Ma'am?" a middle aged man asked as he turned his attention to her.

Cameron motioned to Daniel and Claire. "These people need a ride to the caverns to the way point station and be assigned housing."

"A ride? Don't most people walk?" he asked.

"I said, they need a ride," Cameron stated.

"Yes, Ma-am," Jason said with a huff. He pointed to the empty cart. "Well folks, get in. Soon as the trailer's full, we're leaving."

"Thank you, Jason."

"Cameron?" Claire asked. "Will you be coming by later? I really would like to see you again."

"I will be by in a few days to make sure you are getting settled," Cameron said, then turned and left.

"Not one for small talk, is she?" Daniel noted.

Claire was expecting the cavern to be like the tourist cave they had visited on their honeymoon. A large open space with a walkway for visitors and big stalactites and stalagmites with colored lights shining on them.

After the trailer was filled with wheels and parts from cars, Jason got in the driver's seat, another man got on the passenger side of the front seat. He drove into the tunnel that was lit by drop lights hanging from the support rafters. It was not a fast trip, either. They came to a larger opening and drove along a small river, then crossed the bridge to find more tunnel. This tunnel was longer. They slowed and inched by another cart and trailer going the other way, then moved on what had to be a couple miles before the tunnel opened up.

The cavern was big, but the large points of rock were shaved off close to the base with buildings on them. There were lights by the stone surfaced road. Only lights from shed-sized houses burned off to the sides. They went though a smaller space with a low ceiling that looked like it had been carved out and into another large cavern. Here, there was that looked like a full town. The driver pulled up to the only large building and stopped.

Pointing to it, he said, "That's the way point center. Dinner's in the front. To the right is the registration desk. You'll get your house assignment there, and they'll tell you everything to need to know."

"Thank you," Daniel told him.

Carrying their luggage, the clock and baby clothes, Daniel was weighted down going inside. Claire had an armful of Allison, who was becoming cranky, and the other arm holding her car seat packed with baby supplies.

A man leaving held the door for them. Inside, they saw the long counter and tables. To the right was a woman at a desk, talking to another seated woman and jabbing her finger on the table to make her point.

"Excuse me?" Daniel said, coming up to them. "We were told to register here?"

Both women looked at him. Sarah, who was making the desk clerk understand that wheelbarrows had to be brought back, crisply said, "Welcome. Katy here will get you registered and assign you a house. Out the door behind me are wheelbarrows to help you get your things to your house. Don't expect any luxury, these houses are small, only twelve feet by twenty. You get a small grill, storage, two lights and one bed. For your baby, there are cribs coming if my son gets his ass in gear. We do not have enough wheelbarrows to go around, so after you get your things to your place, make sure you bring it back."

"We will," Daniel assured the tense looking woman.

"We also need workers in many areas, especially down by the lake. Feel free to volunteer. The only services and support we have, we make for ourselves," Sarah stated.

"Yes, Ma'am," Daniel replied.

"Ma'am?" Claire asked, "Do you know Cameron Phillips?"

Sarah frowned and grumbled, "I can't even get away from Tin Miss down here! Katy, take care of these people. I'll be back soon, I'm going to see Charlie."

Katy pressed her lips together. As Sarah walked away, she allowed herself a smirk. Seeing the newcomers watching her, she said, "Sarah doesn't get along the best with Cameron. Now, what are your names?"

.

Number 53 on First Rise road. The street sign was a board on a post. First Rise road was indeed the road just uphill of the main road through the cavern. Rock was cut and filled to make a fairly smooth surface to push the wheelbarrow down. With the wheelbarrow, they were issued a plastic LED flashlight that they could keep. While there were no mailboxes, rock tips and slabs had house numbers carved into them. Number 53 was on the downhill side of the road, placed on the chopped off stump of a stalagmite. The rough circle of rock that had to be thirty feet across bore chisel marks and was almost even. As they were told, the place was no larger than a good sized shed. Daniel noted the key was in the door, another key dangled from it.

Daniel opened the door and took the keys. "I guess this is how we claim the place," he said with a smirk.

Going inside, Clair noted the place was in deed small. It also had overhead storage in the roof and it looked brand new.

"Look's like we'll be living in our own motel room," Daniel noted.

Claire was still thinking about Cameron. Cameron had come and gotten them to get them to safety. From what Cameron had told her and thing's she'd refused to say, Claire was sure that even though she appeared to be very strong and had abilities no human had, Cameron was not all machine. Machines didn't get confused. Machines didn't have boyfriends or care enough to track people down. Machines didn't avoid answering questions. Machines could not behave as humanly as Cameron was. She felt in her heart that Allison was indeed inside Cameron, somewhere, and Cameron knew it. Cameron just did not want to admit, maybe to herself, that she was at lest partially human.

.

Day 4 saw the waterwheel that was going to run the generator being put up on the dam. On the other side of the bridge, a V shaped dam was taking shape to channel the downhill flow to put a second generator in. Moving water was cheap energy, and they needed all they could get.

Outside, Derek and crew finished stripping cars. Piling some up on each other, Cameron made a jumbled junkyard to shield the useful vehicles from easy discovery.

Inside, John noted work was going well, and they had enough parts and materials inside to keep building once the bunker was sealed up. With more generators coming on line, he had a bank of capacitors and electricity wired to the main entry doors. The row of car batteries were kept charged by a small battery charger. A simple knife switch put power to the main doors. The ground outside the doors was watered down, the positive wire from the door circuit was buried in the ground. Whoever touched that door would get shock, a big DC one. A person would scream, a terminator would overload and fall. The current flow would trip an alarm and alert the guards, who had been taught how to disable terminators and remove their chips.

In the incoming air room, John also had another hole made to get people outside. Low to the ground, the inside had a hatch like door. The outside door was a rock that had to be lifted up from the bottom to enter and exit. There was also a periscope added so those inside could see what was outside before they went out. The guard station at the entry intersection now had cameras to see outside, all the way around the hill. Like the phone system, the cameras and wiring were shielded from EMP.

John spend most of Day 4 looking over maps and working out a plan to minimize the damage after zero day. From the intel John Henry had gathered, the Gray forces were holing up in Beverly Hills, and hilly areas a few miles outside LA. The H/K's were suspected to come from the east from their hidden bunkers. Where the terminators would come from was a wild guess.

The initial radioactive fallout would be the thickest for the first couple days. Face masks and full body coverage clothing would be required. John knew to attack the grays would put his troops in danger just by being outside. It was also the last thing the Grays would suspect. That meant he had to do it. Looking at the maps, the closest place he could get his men to the surface was In LA, from Weaver's facility. They would have to hurry to the outskirts and set up before the Grays arrived. That would also be a high radiation area.

"Damn," John grumbled. Derek had only 150 men ready for combat. Even if they won with few losses, the rest of his men would most likely suffer from radiation sickness.

"General? Catherine Weaver's here to see you." a guard said.

"Show her in," John said immediately.

Catherine Weaver strode in. "We are ready, all that we need to do is bring in all the families for the celebration." Seeing him looking at the maps, she asked, "You are planning something?"

"A surprise attack," John replied. Pointing to the map, he said, "Gray plan on wiping out people who survive the initial blasts. I was looking for a way to stop them and remove them as a threat."

Looking down on the map, Catherine said, "The intel John Henry has gotten, indicate the Grays are going to move out on the day after the bombs hit. The radiation and remaining law enforcement will take care of most of them. I am sure Sky Net is using them as a suicide force. I recommend letting them suicide. John, the people in those cities are as good as dead. From want John Henry found, we believe Sky Net is going to cover escape routes from the cities. Bridge destruction and emplaced units will be waiting for the flow of humans from the cities. By the way, the GPS satellite over the pacific has gone dead. So had the internet communications satellite that serves most of North America."

John looked at her. "OK, then two satellites are gone. I take it JJ's charges went off early."

"Possibly," Catherine agreed. "If we attack the machines waiting for refugees from behind with tazers, we can not only help more people escape, but also find out the current tech Sky Net has," she added.

"Strategically, a more sound move," John agreed. "And Sky Net doesn't know we're here yet. We use tazers as our main weapons, and we can also drag the units back for study and possible reprogramming. Even if they are T-400's they can be used as cannon fodder."

"Sky Net is using the internet for communications. With the North American satellite out, it will not learn of the attack immediately, giving the resistance forces more time to deal with Sky Net forces before they are alerted," Catherine said.

"How much time are we talking here?" John asked.

"My best estimate is 35 minutes for H/K's to respond. In that area, I have batteries of stinger and other anti-aircraft missiles deployed. The are not going to just fly in unopposed."

John nodded slowly. "Yes, that does seem like a good plan. If Sky Net doesn't know what's going on immediately, we can set up a big trap and take out more than just a few static placed machines. If we do it right, we can get Sky Net looking for us someplace else than we are."

Catherine cast him a tiny smile. "You are already thinking about winning battles. It seems I have chosen a good ally," Catherine said.

John returned her smile. "So have I," he agreed.

John didn't like to admit it, but Catherine's plan gave them a good edge and was tactically more sound with better results. "Two days after the bombs drop. Full anti-radiation covering," he said to himself. The terminators would be looking the other way, also. Looking at the corridor they were talking about, there were two major roads leading out of California. With stealth and surprise, it was possible they could cover them both.

Still he had to do something to help reduce the numbers of Grays.

He got an idea and called for Derek's men to make one more trip out to town.

.

Day 3, John shared his attack plans with Derek and Cameron. John had watches set up on both major roads.

"Make sure the men dig in and shield themselves from the initial blasts," John explained to Derek. "We don't want anyone going blind or get severely burned from the blasts. Coms will be through signals from point to point. Nothing is to be transmitted until we are ready to engage. The scouts watch to see what comes down these roads. We need to know how many and what type are coming. After they go by, shadow them. We need to know where they are setting up, and in what number. Once we know that, we can hit the most vulnerable units first."

"I doubt any H/K tanks will be present, they are expecting unarmed civilian from the cities," Derek said.

"True, but do not take that for granted. Once we know the makeup of Sky Net's forces, we can deploy with the appropriate weapons. Be ready for worst case scenarios. Sky Net reinforcements and those units watching their back trail," John told him. "Green flares to commence the attack, red for vacate. Everyone knows all the hand signals?"

"They do, and how to stay low and follow terrain. No one is to make a sound until we attack," Derek agreed. "We also have guns mounted on two of the box trucks. They will stay back, advancing behind the troops and come forward when called for."

"Do we begin the broadcasts soon?" Cameron asked.

"Inform John Henry to begin tomorrow afternoon at 4," John told her. "Cover every radio and TV station he can for as long as he can."

.

Day 2, people were coming into Weaver's facility and getting train rides to the last station where the carts were now towing trailers with seats, took them to Way Point station. Outside the station, long tables were being set up. For the next couple days, a few women had a babysitting service set up to keep the young children corralled and watching out for the very young ones. Claire was volunteering to set tables and deliver food. Of the food, there was a massive amount. All the guests were given 'guest houses', which told Claire once they were here, they were staying whether they knew it or not. That was sneaky, but if it saved lives, Claire knew it was for the best. At the moment, it was a party atmosphere with more and more people arriving. She wondered how long that was going to last.

The road watches were set up off to the sides and in camouflaged, deep fox holes. The team of 20 were lead by Lt. Trevor. John and Cameron were not taking part of the festivities in the caverns, so they didn't get to hear Sarah breaking the truth to everyone, or the cries of denial and curses that met her. She also informed people that the train had stopped running, so for the moment, there was no going back.

.

Day 1, John had a satellite TV station playing in the background as he firmed up plans and alternate plans with Derek and the two Captains that were going to be leading their men in two days. Although the TV had the sound off, a radio was playing an FM station. John Henry's hack had gotten him on the air, warning people about what was to happen until just past noon, then it stopped playing. At least word was out.

"Standard equipment will be full covering combat gear, including gloves, face masks and goggles," John told them. "Weapons will be .50 caliber rifles and tazers. If you are able, use the tazers first to take down metal. We want then intact, chips pulled, so we can turn them to our side. That is why a knife and pliers are also required gear. If you can't disable them, then by all means shoot."

Cameron sat down in front of John and lowered her head. John pointed to the spot and said, "Right here is where the computer chip is. There is a round cover. Pop that off, then use the pliers. The chip comes out with a quarter turn counter clockwise. Turn and pull, and that unit is disabled. From the time you disable it, you have 120 second to get that chip pulled, so don't pause. Make sure all your men know. I will address all the troops before you set out, down in the assembly area. Any questions?"

There were none so John told Derek, "Make sure everyone is ready to go."

"Yes, General," Derek said and saluted John. John returned the salute. To his men, Derek said, "All right, let's go check to be sure we have everything we need."

Cameron told John, "The remotes are ready, under a Faraday cage and camo outside the mountain lookout. Two guards are up there. The location is shielded from blast waves."

"Good. You insist on doing this one yourself?" John asked.

"Yes. I know the primary targets, as well as the targets of prime opportunity. We only have five drones, I want to be sure we make the most of them," Cameron replied.

"I'm sure you will. Take no chances, got it?" John said firmly.

"Got it," Cameron said wit the same firmness. "Now that the formalities are done, You can relax for a short while," she said, and hugged him.

The TV went to snow. The FM station stopped broadcasting. John and Cameron looked at the TV. Cameron was closer and turned it off.

"It won't be long now," John said in a huff.

It wasn't. at ten minutes past midnight, the mountain top lookout reported bright flashes and large mushroom clouds on the western horizon. The concussion waves came a short while later, blowing over trees. The ground trembled.

Judgment Day was here.