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.

36. Chapter 36

CH 36

Tina made her plan of attack. From what she was seeing, Sky Net was waiting for her to move first, so she did. First she made made some preparations. Derek agreed to send a sizable force from Italy to Libya at Tripoli. With Europe secure, he send an army from Europe by ship across the Med. Tina heavily mined the area just west of El-Alemein and had her troops there dig in. She did the same with her troops south of the Quatara depression. Most of her forces in Saudi Arabia and in the Sinai she moved into her hold on Ethiopia. Looking at scout reports, Sky Net armies were spreading out to the sides, but not advancing, as if anticipating an attack. How right Sky Net was.

Tina attacked the Sudan force with half of her forces from Egypt and most of her forces from Ethiopia. If Sky Net wanted to stop her, it had to commit it's large army in lower Libya. As her forces advanced and engaged, Sky Net tried to do exactly as she planned. The force she was attacking moved west, and the lower Libya force moved towards it. The Sky Net force in upper Libya headed for the constricted space across the top of the Quatara depression. A move to get behind her forces.

Derek's forces landed east of Tobruk and also headed for El-Alemain behind the Sky Net forces. Within a day the serious fighting began. Tina's eastern forces decimated the Sky Net forces that tried to retreat. Sky Net had nothing on the ground that could run away from the stugs, so they ran into trap after trap. Tina's H/K's and planes also tied up the Sky Net H/K fliers and helped reduce the Sky Net H/K tanks on the ground.

Sky Net forces attacked El-Alemein and found it was more heavily defended than Sky Net thought. Derek's 3rd army hit these Sky Net forces from behind. This Sky Net army found itself trapped and being reduced with no way out.

The battle went on for six straight days. In that time, the northern Sky Net army was obliterated. Derek's 3rd army and Tina's northern defenses expanded out to cover the top of Egypt and part of Libya. Derek also send a force into Morocco from the ruins of Gibraltar. Although some Sky Net forces did survive by retreating into Chad, their numbers were reduced so much they were no longer an effective fighting force.

Following the battle, Tina swept south and cleared Ethiopia and Somalia of Sky Net forces. The Sahara desert became a dangerous place for Sky Net as it was now being patrolled by scout aircraft searching for any Sky Net troops. Having to pick up the disabled terminators, Derek had Tina stop and regroup. He also reminded her about the main objective of taking Africa : the coltan mines in the Congo.

.

John Connor also planned an invasion of Africa. With Sky Net focused on trying to stop Derek's armies, he collected units from North and South America. Sky Net was defensive, and John smelled the blood in the water. New ships from three shipbuilding facilities and transports made in the Yucatan joined the Atlantic fleet to load on 190,000 troops from North and South America to sail to Gabon, Africa on the coast near the Congo. With three aircraft carriers, ten cruisers and 21 destroyers, the Atlantic fleet escorted the 40 transports filled with troops and materials across the Atlantic. General Jacobson was in charge of the force, leaving the Mayan General in charge of the forces in South America.

A large portion of John's forces were involved in this effort to take Africa, but it was also of strategic importance that the coltan mines were captured and Sky Net Africa was eliminated. John Henry helped by informing Sky Net Africa that reinforcements were coming from the west in ships to ensure the safety of the Congo. John Henry also warned John Connor of another Sky Net attempt to attack Europe, this time from central Asia. Sky Net's goal was to return to Kursk and recover all the units on the European line and attack to the south.

.

Sky Net Africa found the invaders very effective. The forces it had in Northern Africa could not make successful offence, and even when they retreated to regroup, they could not retreat fast enough to do so.

Marisa had checked out the Chernobyl area. There was nothing there. With having absorbed the lower half of the European line, she moved the radio jammers that were in the south to the east of the remaining Sky Net forces to keep them out of the coming battle. While the recovery teams continued to remove chips and pack up disabled Sky Net terminators, she moved her forces east past Moscow to receive this new army coming at her.

The forward units of Marisa's forces got radio tracker triangulations on two Sky Net segments. One was far away in the Perm area, and appeared stationary. The other was closer, just west of where the Volga and Kama rivers met. Still a good distance away, but this one appeared to be moving towards them. It was still 300 miles away, but scout planes could get to it, so she sent them out to find out what she as facing.

While she waited, Marisa got a string of reinforcements. Terminators arrived in transport trucks. Many of these were terminators who had been disabled in their European battles. Besides the so far, 240,000 T-800's she also got 20,000 more TX's and a long line of 8000 more Stugs. The Stugs were all the new ones sporting better armor and the triple plasma guns. While Sky Net advanced, Marisa's army grew. Upon the newest arrivals, her force to fight the oncoming Sky Net units grew to 1,200,000.

Scout planes returned with the photos they had taken. by count, she was looking at 700,000 terminators, 5000 H/K tanks and 2000 H/K fliers. A hefty force, but hers was bigger. Again, she spotted the huge H/K tank that had to be carrying the Sky Net segment. It was in the middle of the large force and as soon as she verified that was indeed the Sky Net segment, she would attack.

.

Back at his Headquarters in Cheyenne Mountain John had John Henry on his laptop over the secure network. His office door was shut for once. He had Maria standing guard outside.

"How is the baby making process going?" John asked.

Casting John his creepy smile, John Henry said, "Very well. The simulations have produced viable fetuses in both the female TX/ human male simulation and the male TX/human female simulation. Both fetuses have an internal structure of the hyper alloy skeleton and bio/metallic tendon and muscle structure as well as the tougher organs and skin layer. They are truly human/machine hybrids. I cannot detect why, but both are female. I have found nothing to determine why that has happened."

"Possibly they both happened to be female?" John asked.

"That is possible. With an equal change to be either sex, the likelihood is that as more are conceived, males will be appearing if more simulations are done," John Henry agreed. "There is an interesting note, both simulations have been running for 98 days, yet the fetuses are in their 180th day of development of a normal human fetus."

John shrugged and asked, "So what is the normal fetus development time of a TX? The simulations may be speeding up the process, or it could be how long these fetuses really are going to take to develop. I don't think that is a big concern. When we start having hybrid babies, we'll find out what normal is."

"Yes, there will still be many answers we find once test babies are conceived and delivered," John Henry agreed.

"Test babies?" John asked.

"Yes, the next step in developing the process will be to inseminate females to ensure the process works as simulated," John Henry explained.

John held up a hand and waved it, saying, "Hold on a minute. John Henry, the only ones who are to have babies are only those who truly want one. There will be no 'test' babies just to see if this process works."

John Henry tipped his head slightly and asked, "That would be unwise, John Connor. What if the process is a failure?"

"Then it fails," John stated. "This is creating life, real children. It's not just a science experiment. Those children will need real parents. Parents that will be real mothers and fathers. I'm not saying no volunteers. What I am saying is that couples who decide to volunteer must be willing to have children and raise them. They also must know that there is a chance of failure and be prepared for that."

"I understand," John Henry said. "You are right, John Connor. I will ensure that any couples who volunteer to have these children are aware of the danger of failure."

John nodded and said, "Then put me and Cameron on the list of volunteers."

"Yes, as soon as the simulations are complete, I will let you know, John Connor."

"Thank you, John Henry," John said.

The link terminated none too soon. Right after John closed the link, Maria stepped in and said, "Cameron is coming."

John got out his 'UN' paperwork he'd been working on as Cameron strode in.

"Still working on the constitution?" Cameron asked as she came in and sat beside him.

John grinned and said, "Yes, mulling it over." His grin was due to the fact there was a real chance at them having children of their own. He didn't want to tell her until the simulations were complete, just in case something went wrong. As usual though, Cameron detected something from him.

Glancing at the paper he was holding, Cameron noted, "You haven't added anything since I left."

"No, I told you I was mulling it over," he said defensively. "Like at the beginning here I was thinking about putting a 'Declaration of rights' to protect everyone. That is the whole purpose of doing this, isn't it?"

"Partially," Cameron agreed. "I you are unsure where to put it, then put the rights on a separate sheet. It can be discussed at the next UN meeting."

"Good idea," he agreed.

"John, why are you smiling at me?' Cameron asked.

"Can't I smile at you?" John asked.

"I would classify it more as a shit-eating grin," Cameron told him. "You found out some news, or have something planned," she told him.

"Yup," John said with a nod. "But for now, it is very tentative. Until I know for sure, I can't tell you about it."

Cameron shifted in her seat to face him. "Why is that?" she asked.

"I don't want to give you false information," John stated.

John's laptop beeped, signalling an incoming secure network request. John opened his laptop and connected. John Henry's face appeared.

"John Connor, you were correct. The simulation is proceeding in real time, that means the hybrid babies will take less time to develop that a human child," John Henry announced with his smile.

"Thanks for telling me, John Henry," John replied, then thought 'Your timing really sucked!'

"Hybrid babies?" Cameron asked.

John Henry said, "Yes. Hello, Cameron. The simulations for growing hybrid babies from a TX female and a human male, and a human female with a TX male are nearly complete. Instead of a nine month gestation period, it appears to be a five and a half month gestation period."

"John Henry, has the process of making eggs been completed? How about the aspects of fertilizing the egg?" Cameron asked.

John Henry commenced to tell Cameron that all the mechanics of egg production in female terminators and the sperm production in male terminators has been solved, and how the matrix involved allowed cross breeding human to machine as well as conceiving with similar species. Cameron listened intently as he explained the simulations have been in progress and are proceeding as planned.

"We volunteer to be test parents," Cameron said quickly.

"Yes, John has requested that. I will let you know the results of the simulations as soon as they are complete," John Henry said, then cut the connection.

Cameron stared at John. He shrugged and said, "The process isn't complete yet. I didn't want to tell you until this was a sure thing. Cam, hon, I didn't want you disappointed if it doesn't work."

Cameron cupped his cheek softly and kissed him. "I understand, John. You were trying to protect my emotions. I cannot fault you for that. I am sorry I ruined the surprise you had for me."

"No, Cam, You didn't. John Henry took care of that. That's beside the point anyway." He grew his grin back and said, "At least now I can tell you I am very excited about this. Even if this first simulation doesn't work, I'm sure John Henry and his team will correct whatever went wrong, and we will have children some day."

"Yes, we will," Cameron agreed and kissed him again.

"Private time?" Maria asked.

"Yes, " Cameron told her, then kissed John again.

Maria left, shutting the door behind her.

.

The operation in Australia was going well. Terminators were found and destroyed. All the searching resistance forces found were terminators. there were no H/K's in the sky and not an H/K tank was to be found. A submarine did find four Sky Net ships making their way across the Indian ocean in deep water. Timing it's torpedo shots, it hit all four at once. H/Ks that managed to fly successfully up off the decks did a surface search then flew away. After verifying the sinkings, the sub slipped away, rising to periscope depth to quickly signal,'four down', then left the area.

The Australian Prime minister also got a message from John Connor about the new UN that was forming, and the next meeting in Managua, Nicaragua, intended to form a new, world Government to ensure peace. He happily designated a representative to go.

Astrid was still bothering the police about rescuing her Daniel from the kidnapper.

.

Marisa waited and watched through her scouts a she positioned her forces. Half, she put directly in front of the mass of Sky Net machines. When Sky Net scouts came her way, she had them shot down. More H/K's came and were met with missiles from above from the attack planes she'd positioned to intercept them. When those planes retreated, the cloud of H/K's followed. Her planes led them right over more missile batteries. Catching fire from below, the Sky Net H/K's focused on the attackers, then her H/K's that had fallen in above and behind went to work on them.

While this was going on, a second flight of ground attack planes flew high over the Sky Net mass. Their primary target was the huge H/K tank. From 35000 feet, the Attack planes launched their thermite bearing missiles. The missiles rained down on the huge tank, the thermite burned bright on the hull, melting its way through. The planes kept two missiles in reserve each and flew back to base. On the way, they met some recalled H/K's returning to their base.

The attack planes fired the rest of their missile into them, then resorted to shoot plasma rounds down on them. One plane was lost when it crashed head on into an H/K. The others raced past the remaining H/K's the H/K's didn't turn to pursue, having been ordered to return and protect the Sky Net segment that was now melting inside a large pool of burning metal.

Being close enough to monitor and control the units, Sky Net Perm looked at the loss of 3200 H/K fliers and the Mobile Sky Net segment. With no more units near it, it changed the unit's orders to fall back and form a defensive line. The ground battle hadn't even started yet, and over half it's air power was gone. It did see the massive army it was opposing and made the tactical retreat until more units were finished and were able to assist.

Marisa got the report the Sky Net army was withdrawing. She wasn't going to let them get away that easy. The forces on the sides, already ahead of her line, were bracketing the Sky Net army. She had them close in and attack from both sides as well as send out the fast units on her line with all the troops they could carry. Once her air force was replenished with fuel and weapons, she sent them out a well.

The Sky Net mass was hit from north and south. While they returned fire from the attacking Stugs before being cut down, more Stugs and troops arrived at the rear to decimate the ones facing to the sides. In it's retreating battle, the Sky Net army shed more and more numbers. The slowest units, the H/K tanks, were hit the hardest.

In three days of constant fighting, Marisa's army cut the Sky Net army's numbers in half. Getting to their ordered positions, the Sky Net army tried to form a coherent line to hold the enemy back. Marisa formed a solid line to keep then shooting at her, and had the Stugs and troops that had passed by the line, head for Perm to take out the Sky Net segment.

Racing across the frozen tundra, The Stugs and carriers took two days to make Perm. By that time, much of the remaining Sky Net army was gone. Not realizing the Stugs had bypassed it's army, Sky Net Perm saw them only when they attacked the remains of it's forces that had been left behind. Sky Net Perm sent itself out in transmissions to Omsk in the middle and south of Russia and away from the attacking humans tearing apart the remains of it's forces. The transmissions were complete before it's server was directly attacked. It send a dire warning to the other Sky Net Segments : Perm, overpowered by humans using Sky Net equipment. Eastern Russia is lost. The factories in the Urals is out of reach.

As the Sky Net army was reduced to nothing, Marisa recalled her forces not currently engaged in battle to reform and regroup. Her army here was spread over 300 miles of tundra. She did not want to risk another Sky Net army arriving to take advantage of that. This was also a very long way to send back the mass of disabled terminators spread all over those 300 miles.

It was going to take her weeks to clean this mess up!

.

Tina made contact with the 3rd army General in Niger. Lt. General Bruce Patton was not a tall man, but stood straight and firm. On his hip was his great Uncle's pistol, an ivory handled revolver. When Tina came into his carrier, he saluted proudly. "General Tina, it is a pleasure to see you." he announced.

"Thank you, General Patton," Tina replied returning the salute. "I heard you were the grand nephew of General George Patton?'

"That is correct, Ma'am. I don't know if I can be his equal, but I certainly will try. I heard you have done some outstanding fighting yourself."

"We do what is required of us," Tina told him. "Lately, we've been required to perform some tactical feats. Let me show you the plan." Going over to the map, she said, "Our main goal is to find, seize and maintain control of the coltan mines, down here in the Congo. Since we do not know exactly where they are, we are going on two routes. You will take your troops down through Nigeria and Cameroon near the coast to enter the Congo from the northwest. John Connor's reinforcements should arrive in the next few days in Gabon to enter the Congo from the west I am going to go down through Chad and the Central African Republic. to enter the Congo from the northeast. From radio trackers, Sky Net is in the Congo, but from getting several locations from the transmissions, it may be mobile, or using multiple transmitters to hide it's location. The Coltan mines are the primary target, then, Sky Net itself. This Sky Net has been craftier than the others. I suspect it is the original. Don't count on brute force to take it, it has showed good tactics. Superior weapons are on our side, but as I said, watch this one, it's crafty. It has tried a few times now to goad me into a trap. If you have any doubts on what action to take, contact me."

Bruce looked at the map and said, "We should have an overwhelming force, but you are correct. Discretion is the better part of valor here. There is a mass of dead Jungle ahead of us. Prime bushwack territory. Care is the wise choice." Pointing at the map, he said, "There's going to be over a hundred miles between us. I suggest we keep scouts out to the sides to maintain a line. If we don't Sky Net might be able to get between us and mount an offensive to the rear. Hell, they may just sit and let us go past, then attack from the rear."

"A solid picket," Tina replied. "That is why I am not trying to go farther east. We don't know where Sky Net units are, and with the dying Jungle, they could be hiding anywhere. We advance slow and in a solid line. The good thing is the tangle we're going into will slow Sky Net units down also. If we have to burn up an area to go through safely, then we do it. We're a long way from any help until John's forces from the America's get here."

Bruce grinned and said, "I like your style, race across the open desert, then slow down for the Jungle fighting. You show good sense."

"Thank you. We will form our line of advance in the morning. Remember to expect anything From Sky Net. It has been trying to pull it's forces back to regroup. I don't doubt that more are coming from the south. As soon as we're ready, we begin the drive."

"Well then, let's get started."

.

To Tina, the thickening Jungle looked sad. All the trees and brush were brown and sagging low. That also gave any Sky Net units plenty of cover. The big problem Tina saw was this Jungle environment slowed the Stugs down. They would not be able to do their fast run around tactics of enemy units to strike from behind. Visibility was hampered also, as was the fact to move aircraft ahead meant a major clearing operation to make an airfield. Sky Net could not have made a more difficult situation for her if it designed one.

Once she checked with all her commanders and General Patton to ensure they were ready, Tina had her air force fly 50 miles to the south to shoot plasma bolts and thermite missiles into the thick jungle. The wind was moving south west. If she was Sky Net, she would put her forces deep into the jungle to hide them for maximum effect. After her planes took off, she ordered the advance at a slow walking speed, point soldiers out front but within sight of the line.

An hour after they moved into the thickening, dead foliage, she got the reports that they had started a series of forest fires 400 miles long, 50 miles in front of them. Spotter planes watched the fires to be sure they moved away from her slowly advancing troops. The first grew and joined together in a mass conflagration to grow to the south. It was going to take them two days to get that far. By then, she would know if the fires were going to clear the jungle for them, or turn back towards her troops.

In their slow advance, they took the rest of the day to make ten miles. As night fell, the orange glow on the horizon to the south stretched across her line of sight. Seeing how there were human troops in the 3rd army, she called a halt for the day. That night she kept tabs on the fires. Parts had moved few miles north, but most of the growth was to the south, and nearly to the coast. As of yet, nothing was seen of any Sky Net forces.

The morning of the second day, the fires had burned out from their original starting places and were indeed headed south. After breakfast, the combined armies moved ahead at their slow pace. It was going to take weeks before they finally even reached the Congo.

.

James Ellison went to Catherine Weaver's office for their scheduled meeting. He had his briefcase full of the latest school graduates, who was attending, and educational courses and his planned sermons for the next four weeks. He'd brought the now 16 year old Savannah with him. On the way she told him about her school day and 'this' boy who's name she didn't mention that was handsome and very nice to her.

James could see Savannah was turning into a real cutie. Some of her freckles had faded away as she'd grown. A few remained to let her keep her innocent look. That, her bright red hair and shinny eyes that spoke of mischief told him she was indeed becoming a young woman. He'd watched after her for so many years, he was thinking of her as his daughter. At times, when he insisted she do something, she'd smirk and reply with a "Yes, Dad." Despite how stern he tried to stay, he had to return her smirk.

Savannah wanted to get started on homework, so she stuck her head into the office to let Catherine know she was there, then took a seat in the waiting room to get started.

"Hello, James," Catherine said and motioned to the couch in her office. James sat down, Catherine sat down half facing him.

Usually, she liked to do the 'meetings' across her desk. James didn't mind he sat down and put his briefcase on the glass coffee table. "Afternoon, Catherine," he replied and opened his case. "I have all the latest figures for you."

Catherine sat and took the sheets of figures he gave her and listened to him explain. Usually sharp and intent on the subject, James noted for some reason, Catherine seem distracted as he went on. She listened, but her eyes somehow didn't look as focused as she normally did. Once he finished his reports, he asked, "Is there something bothering you? You don't seem ... all there today."

Casting him an intent look, Catherine said, "Yes, James, there is something bothering me, that only you can help with."

He immediately replied,"Tell me what it is and I will do whatever I can."

"James, I have known you years now, I have come to trust you completely," Catherine explained. "I know that with our affairs, and Savannah who you have been a wonderful help with, that you will never let us down."

"I will always do my best," he said slowly, knowing she was leading up to something. It wasn't like her to act like this, so he knew it must be important. "I would never willingly let you or Savannah down," he said sincerely.

"You know I will never be human, James. There are some things, like the emotions that Cameron has, I will never be able to truly feel," she explained as if pleading with him.

James nodded and said, "That is how you are. That does not mean you are in any way ... lacking. There are many humans who aren't very emotional either."

"Don't misunderstand, I do have a high sense of loyalty and devotion," Catherine explained.

"Yes," James agreed. "You also have done wonders in your work with humans and terminators. You have very highly respected for all you've done. I do feel you have a reason for telling me these things I already know?" he asked.

"This is just ... not easy for me James."

Her last words perked him up even more. Not easy for her? she was a T-1001, what could possibly be causing her stress? Since he'd met her, Catherine was THE iron monolith of confidence and willpower. Cautiously, he said, "I can't imagine what that would be, but as I said, I will do whatever I can for you. If you are having trouble with something, please share it with me."

Looking at him square in the eye, Catherine said, "I want a baby."

"A baby?" James replied, hearing the last thing he'd ever expect from Catherine Weaver.

"Yes, and for you to be the father," Catherine stated.

James' jaw dropped. "Me... to ... be..." he stuttered.

"Yes, please James," Catherine said in a rush. "You are the only human I would ever consider this with. I don't know how to be truly affectionate that seems others can do so effortlessly. You are the only one I would ever trust to be part of my offspring. As I said you are wonderful with Savannah, and I do believe she does see you as a surrogate father already. I am lost without you, James, I have no one else to turn to. Tell me what you want and I'll do it. This is something I truly need."

James sat staring at Catherine as she ran on. When she was done, he sat in shock, still gaping at her. He swallowed then said, "This is ... very unexpected."

"Yes, and I am sorry. If anyone can help me, you can," Catherine said sincerely.

In all the time he'd know her, Catherine had never lost her composure, especially like she was now. She sounded desperate. He'd never heard that from her before. Was she braking down? He dismissed that thought. "Ahhh Catherine, may I ask what brought this on? It's just that this is very unusual for you to request something like this."

"It is," Catherine agreed. "I have been trying to resolve this myself as well. I can't. If I made a small me, it would still be me, not a true offspring, an independent entity like Savannah is. I know you would require marriage, and that's fine. I will do whatever you require."

"It's not that simple, Catherine," he said gently. "Marriage and children do require a commitment. An emotional commitment that..."

"That's not fair!" Savannah yelled from doorway.

James turned to see Savannah had stuck her head in the door. She ran over, pushed the briefcase aside and sat on the table between them.

"You were listening?" James asked with a frown.

"I was, and a good thing too!" Savannah announced.

"Savannah, this was our conversation!" Catherine said firmly, clearly not happy with her.

"And you were both doing it badly!" Savannah added, casting Catherine the same firm look. "Now look! I've been studying human/machine relations. You both have points but are not seeing the other person's points!" Poking James with a finger in his shoulder, she asked, "Didn't Mom tell you she had no experience with emotions? huh?"

"Yes," James said taken aback by Savannah's ferocity.

"That means she doesn't know HOW. Mom has never dealt with them and does not know how to identify what they are. Just by the way she was talking to you, can't you tell she was trying to deal with something she's never dealt with before?" Savannah asked loudly.

"She did," James admitted.

"Great, now, tell me, What are the requirements for a successful marriage? Things like devotion, loyalty, trusting and looking out for each other?" Savannah asked.

"Yes, but..." James began and was quieted by Savannah.

"No butts yet!" Savannah scolded. "And I heard you say that you are willing to do anything for Mom, isn't that right?"

"I did ..." James replied. He was going to add another but, Savannah didn't let him. "Then really listen to her! Not just her words, but her actions as well!"

Savannah turned on her mother and said, "Mom, You have to do the same! I know you are use to giving a proposal, or orders with a snap of your fingers," Savannah said, and snapped her fingers. "This is different! You can't just sit someone down like this and say 'Let's make a baby!' Humans need some good emotions to let them know you are serious, Mom. I know it's not your fault that you don't know how, but you need to learn. whether you realize it or not, the way you told Dad about wanting a baby was very emotional for you. You just didn't realize that's what it was. Things like loyalty and devotion are also emotions that you didn't realize you are having. Mom, Cameron had John Connor to explain things to her. You never had anyone do to that for you. I'm not blaming you, I'm just saying you need to learn."

Holding her hands up in frustration, Savannah asked, "Do you see what I'm saying here?"

Catherine said, "There are things I need to understand."

"That's right," Savannah said firmly. "Mom, didn't you say that this man, right here, was the only one you can fully trust? The only one you would do anything for? The only one you would ever consider having a baby with?"

"Yes, that is correct," Catherine stated.

Savannah then turned to James and asked, "What does that sound like to you?"

James paused. Clearing his throat, he admitted, "It does sound much like love."

"Right, and not just sound like!" Savannah announced. "And many of the things you told Mom also sounded like love for her. Guys! I've watched you and I can see that you are good for each other. Because you are both too damn stiff and proper, YOU CAN'T SEE IT!" She then grabbed one of Catherine's hands and one of James' and clasped them together.

"I have a boy I'm fond of, Bill, he's a TX. Great guy but we do need to talk and explain things to each other. THAT is what people who really like each other do." Savannah got up and walked around the table to stop and frowned at them. "Now, will you both please talk to each other like the good friends you are? OK? Please?"

Savannah walked out and shut the door behind her.

James and Catherine sat holding hands and looking at the door.

"We just got yelled at," James said vacantly.

"We did. Savannah was very emotional about the subject of us. I believe she wants to see us together also," Catherine added.

James grinned and said, "She called me Dad."

Catherine tipped her had slightly and asked, "James, would you like to be? I certainly would like you to be."

James looked at Catherine and let out a sigh. "Catherine, yeah, I would like to be. At the moment, it feels like my head is spinning. This is a lot to take in so quickly." He paused and said, "Yes, I can see for you, today has been very emotional as well. I really would like to talk about this later today after work."

"Emotions I may have, or a baby?" she asked.

"That and more," James replied. "Maybe Savannah just finally got me to admit it. I do really like you, Catherine, for many reasons. I just never thought you would be interested in expanding your family."

"I am James, with no one but you," Catherine said honestly.

James got up and pulled Catherine up to stand. She complied, and they wrapped into a hug.

"After work?" he asked.

"Yes, and stay and hold me for a moment," Catherine said. "I do like this."

"It's pleasant to hold someone?" he asked.

"It is pleasant to hold you, my best friend."

"Yes, it is, my best friend," James agreed.

Peeking in the door, Savannah quietly said, "Much better."

.

Cameron checked on the status of the baby simulations. She had grown all the organs she was going to need, and was waiting on the egg construction and infant growth programs that were currently growing fetuses. So far, everything did look good. Another month to go and the simulations would be complete. Scrutinizing the simulated infants, Cameron could detect no problems or defects. The tiny infants had all their parts in all the right places, and nutrients were flowing to them and being processed.

Although she knew it wasn't going to happen, Cameron wanted to hurry the simulation up to see the end result. As the possibility of having a child loomed closer, she was eager to have her own child. She researched ways for John to increase his ejaculate flow. She wanted to be sure he flooded her womb so completely that there was no way a baby could not be made. It looked silly, but a headstand directly after sex helped everything run deep inside her. That and waiting two days, no less and no more needed, to build up John's reserve.

.

Logistics was now Derek's biggest problem. Getting supplies to his armies and retrieving terminators and scrap metal from the different battlefields. Like in North America, he was getting a couple train lines running to help with the mass amount of material that needed to be moved. In the Rhur valley in Germany, several rebuilt factories and new ones were putting out more war machines as well as train locomotives and cars, trucks and construction equipment. Of the 5 million people he had, 3 million were in the army, the rest were workers and support people. Only 1.5 million of them were humans.

It smaller towns that were away from major bomb-drop sites, domed glass covers protected populations from any radioactivity in the air and water as both were filtered before coming into the town. A new type of Inn was being made also called, 'standby stations'. These were buildings filled with closet sized rooms where terminators could go in, shut the door of their space, and slide the sign to 'STANDBY' statues to they would not be disturbed.

Laura was helping to design these as well as making human habitations. Around Nancy, the air and land was clean enough to do this. There were still large airlocks coming into and leaving town that could fit buss-sized vehicles. The train station ran past the town with it's own long decontamination chamber.

Anne had accompanied Laura in the final inspection tour of the train station. Although it wasn't exciting for her, Anne did like seeing the train tracks and the one locomotive with the box cars sitting on a side track.

One of the new arrivals that helped build the train station was there to greet Laura. The TX woman who'd been in Laura's class told about the work going on so they could have children of their own. She freely shared the bio-mechanics and organ requirements with Laura. Like others of them now, she was only waiting for the simulations to complete successfully.

Getting home that night, Laura made sure her nanites had the nutrients to make the proper organs, and Derek supplied the exercise to ensure they fit well together. She didn't know if it was the possibility of having a baby, or she was just a little more needy that night, but she did her best to wear Derek out. When he was primed and ready, she pulled him in tight, trying to force him deeper with her arms and legs.

"Give me a baby!" she cried in a silky coo.

"Ghaaa… wa…"Derek cried as he orgasmed. Trying to draw him in more, she made him squirt a little longer.

Derek, dizzy and panting at the power of the orgasm, lay limp on top of her. Desperately trying to speak, he asked, "a …. ba...by?"

"Oh yes, Some time soon, lover," Laura said in a soft coo and licked his ear. "Some time soon."

She had to giggle at the look of shock on his face.

.

John Henry had been wanting a couple volunteers for the first Baby tests. He got more than he asked for.

Catherine Weaver and James Ellison were the first to volunteer. John and Cameron Connor came directly after, followed by Derek Reese and his TX mate, Laura. When Marisa asked if John Connor would be the father to her baby, John Henry had to deny her to keep any baby battles from beginning. Besides, at the moment Marisa was in Russia, still collecting her army and tons of materials after the battles she'd fought there. In an engineering regiment in Australia, a woman named Cindy and a TX named Fred were eager to have a child, as was an Australian woman named Marla and a TX named Edgar.

For his test purposes, this group fit the bill.

.

Sky Net Africa was running out of options. It's northern force was not able to make a successful attack. Nor was it able to pull back and regroup before it had been hit again, and again. Remnants were all that made it back out of the deserts. The Human led armies were fast and deadly. Even coming to the jungles, there was no let up. Skynet planted explosives deep in the forest. The humans lit the forest on fire, blowing the traps up. If that wasn't bad enough, in trying to form defenses to protect the coltan mines from a northern invasion, another landed on the west coast.

This was intolerable. The mined coltan now had to be moved south as fast as possible to ensure the humans didn't get it. Prototypes for it's own fast H/K vehicle were just getting started. The forest fire near the factory was being fought to at least get a working prototype of a small fast vehicle done before the factory burned up or was overran by the humans. Sky Net had few H/K fliers left, and each engagement with the human aircraft meant even fewer remained. It had learned the humans massed their aircraft in layers. Let a factory be bombed, or the defending H/Ks would be shot down, then the factory bombed by another group of aircraft.

Sky Net did learn a few things. Sending orders to it's units to the south to come to it, the radio tower it used was heavily bombed. The humans were using it's own signals for location beacons. Sky Net Perm had found that out also. Help was suppose to be coming from Asia and North America. From the west had come an invasion fleet, not assistance. Right after this invasion landed, a radio signal telling all it's units to go into standby was sent, followed by radio jamming waves.

Sky Net tried to reverse that order and it did work on some units, not all. It also didn't have the H/K's to go destroy those radio jammers. It was loosing it's grasp on it's forces. It had to retreat and set up anew, with all new units someplace else. Africa was being swarmed with humans, and it wasn't able to stop them. It also realized that all the Sky Net segments were too far apart to support each other. It fled to join the India segment and have time to build new machines, leaving a copy of itself behind.