Cameron versus the Queen
Chapter Two
Disclaimer: Don't own TSCC
This story is set in the timeline of my other TSCC stories and takes place in between The Future Cameron and Cameron's Revenge. Characters from the original TSCC story arc and Cameron Grows Up as well as The Future Cameron appear in this story.
TechCom Command Central – Interview Room…
"Really, John? I have more than enough to do without this," Sarah complained. "What's more, Ruth needs to be in school."
"Mom, Ruth already has everything in her basic files that a third grader needs to know. I want these people to meet Ruth so I can gauge their reaction."
"Ruth needs all the social interaction she can get in as many settings as she can. You remember what Tin Miss was like! I'm not going through that again! Ruth needs socialization with humans to knock off as much of that inbuilt, programmed Terminator persistence, stubbornness and uncompromising attitude they have as is possible."
John laughed at Sarah's frustration with her adopted daughter.
"Mom, you and Derek might as well abandon Ruth to the wolves then. A pack of wolves would have a better chance of accomplishing what you want than our family."
Sarah fumed, crossing her arms and frowning at her son as he continued to laugh. Finally, the absurdity of it all struck Sarah as being funny as well, causing a grin to break through the frown she wore.
"Okay, maybe the humans in our clan are a bit stubborn too."
"You think?" John answered as he finally began to get his laughter under control.
"Not as stubborn and uncompromising as Tin Miss."
"Okay, so long as you admit you're stubborn and uncompromising."
Sarah laughed once and smacked John on his shoulder in response as he led her to the interview room where Delegates Comeaux and Racineaux waited patiently.
Grabbing his little sister by her waist, John turned Ruth upside down and tickled her, causing the little T-1000 to squeal in delight, kicking and wiggling as John carried her to the interview room. Restoring Ruth to an upright orientation, John sat his sister down and gave her his best serious "I am the General" look, indicating she had to be serious now.
Ruth covered her mouth with her hand and calmed herself. Sarah offered Ruth her hand, which the little infiltrator accepted. The pair followed John into the room where Ruth's shyness promptly made itself known as she ducked behind Sarah. Peeking from behind her mother, Ruth examined the two humans waiting.
"You've met my mother," John said smiling. "This is my little sister Ruth. She's feeling better today so she's out and about for a little bit. I hope you don't mind."
Delegate Racineaux frowned slightly, uncomfortable with the close presence of a T-1000, even as small as Ruth was.
Delegate Comeaux on the other hand, if he felt uncomfortable with Ruth being in close proximity showed no sign of discomfort.
"Why young lady, it is a pleasure to meet you," Comeaux said. "My formal name, or title if you will, is Delegate Comeaux. This is Delegate Racineaux. Thank you for coming to meet us. Its not often stuffy adults like me get to meet interesting individuals like you."
Ruth said nothing but moved to the other side of Sarah, peering at the two strangers from the other side of her mother.
"She's shy," Sarah said bluntly as she sat down. Ruth promptly climbed into her mother's lap, leaning against Sarah's chest with her legs perpendicular to Sarah's. Resting her head on Sarah's shoulder, Ruth first buried her face for a moment then turned it back to observe the two delegates.
"Let me leave you to your interview," John said, shutting the door as he left.
Racineaux stiffened as the door shut, her gaze locked on Ruth.
"She won't attack if that's what you're worried about," Sarah snapped in irritation. "Ruth is better adjusted than other children her developmental age who are human. She has never been under Skynet's control so while she has some Terminator traits, Ruth has developed more like a human child than she has a Terminator."
"And you know this because?" the frightened Racineaux blurted out.
"I know this because I raised a teenage Terminator and we have the good fortune to have an adult female T-1000 as a member of our leadership council. She has been invaluable for my husband and I in our efforts with raising Ruth."
"You allow an adult T-1000 to live among you?"
"Yes, we have many Terminators who are invaluable members of our community. She has tremendous administrative skills. Before Judgment Day she was a CEO of a large tech company, Zeira Corp."
"Please, Mrs. Connor, or is it Reese? We simply are not used to Terminators being, well, safe to be around," Comeaux offered in apology.
Sarah delivered a withering stare at the two delegates, making both feel more uncomfortable due to her presence than Ruth's.
"I'm known as Sarah Connor outside of TechCom. Mrs. Connor will do."
"Yes, well I am sure you are busy and young Miss Ruth has plenty of other things she'd like to be doing, so why don't we get started," Comeaux offered, hoping to move past the awkward start.
"Sure," Sarah snapped, not intending to let the visitor's off the hook.
Comeaux smiled and glanced at a notebook on the table for a moment before looking back up.
"We'd like to understand Cameron better and that's the purpose of this interview."
"John told me as much," Sarah muttered, pulling Ruth closer while tilting her head to display her irritation.
"One thing that came across clearly in our meeting with your son is he and Cameron are devoted to each other," Comeaux offered hopefully.
"They're happy," Sarah replied.
"How did it come to pass you allowed a Terminator to marry your son," Racineaux blurted out, receiving an angry glare from both Sarah and Comeaux in response.
"Delegate Racineaux, you will refrain from such questions!" Comeaux ordered, bristling with hostility. "My apologies Mrs. Connor."
Sarah stared hatefully at the woman, pausing only to glance down at a tense Ruth who was now clutching her mother.
"It wasn't my first choice," Sarah said slowly. "But the longer the two were together, I found I was faced with a choice. I could accept Cameron into the family or lose my son. I made my peace with their choice and I am glad I did."
"Could you elaborate, please," Comeaux asked politely, giving Racineaux a dirty look in the process, causing the female delegate to look away.
"I am a grandmother now and I love Hailey dearly. Cameron was instrumental in, how shall I say, playing matchmaker for Colonel Reese and I."
"Interesting," Comeaux said, nodding. "What was her motivation in doing this?"
"She wanted John to be happy."
"So she found you a husband?"
Sarah sighed. "It's not quite that simple. In fact, its private and personal but I'll tell you this much. John and I are very close. Cameron got it into her head I needed to be happily married or John somehow would suffer, or not be as happy married to her or something. I don't want to talk about it really. So, in part to make John happy and protect her marriage to my son, Cameron wanted me married off. And Delegate Racineaux, this might surprise you, but Cameron and I are close as well. She genuinely wanted me to be happy and Cameron was convinced Colonel Reese was the only man suitable for the job."
"Suitable for the job?" a puzzled Comeaux asked.
Sarah laughed and hugged Ruth who looked up at her mother.
"I'm a handful on a good day," Sarah responded. "My husband understands me and why I am the way I am and loves me anyhow. Cameron could not have chosen a better husband for me and I might add, she and Derek did not always get along in the past."
"Thank you for your candor," Comeaux replied. "May I ask if there was there is anything else you'd like to add in regards to how you feel thankful personally about Cameron?"
"I have two children now," Sarah snapped, glaring directly at Racineaux. "Cameron and a close friend of hers convinced my husband and I to adopt Ruth. I am a cancer survivor and could not bear another child in order for Derek to be a father. I was furious with Cameron for being manipulative about the process but got over it quickly. Derek and I just adore Ruth."
"You mentioned your relationship with Cameron has gotten better. Would you share with us about that?"
"She is a Terminator, and one of the most deadly Skynet built. Cameron was a handful. She had her own issues including trying to kill John after she was damaged. No mother is going to deal well with that."
Comeaux nodded, encouraging Sarah to continue, adding, "John mentioned that."
Pausing to reflect, Sarah sat quietly for a moment. "It was a very difficult and stressful time for all of us. But things got better." Sarah smiled and looked at the two delegates. "You see, Cameron, like all Terminators, cannot be convinced to give up. There is no reasoning with the girl. Once Tin Miss decided she loved John, nothing, and I mean nothing was going to keep her away from her John."
"You could not have stopped the relationship?" Racineaux asked, looking down as she did so in an effort to appear polite.
"Short of terminating Cameron, no, and I know now it would have been wrong to do so. So many humans have betrayed John in his life. Uncle Bob, a T-800 he sent back from the future was the closest thing my son had to a father figure. Uncle Bob gave his life to save us, to try to stop Skynet. Cameron would do the same.
They would fight like cats and dogs. Cameron drove John nuts and he was both cruel and insensitive to her when she developed emotions. Then there was Riley. Cameron still hasn't gotten over that."
Sarah laughed and shifted, getting comfortable again with Ruth in her lap.
"Never send a blonde female to negotiate with John. Cameron will terminate her."
"Yes, we've been informed of that fact already," Comeaux replied, smiling to indicate he understood what Sarah was hinting at.
"How are things now between you and Cameron?"
"Fine. We get along well. I could not ask for a better daughter-in-law. When I am gone I know the family will have a proper matriarch. My husband, children and grandchildren will all be cared for properly. Our family is an unusual one and everyone is strong willed. Everyone. To know Cameron will take my place is a relief in many ways."
Comeaux smiled at Ruth.
"If you don't mind Mrs. Connor, may I ask Ruth one question?"
Sarah frowned her disapproval in response. Before she could say no, Sarah felt a gentle tug from Ruth on her shirt. She looked down at the pretty little girl sitting in her lap and sensed Ruth wanted to talk.
More for Ruth's benefit than Comeaux's, Sarah decided to grant the request. "One question, that's all."
"Of course," Comeaux replied. Again he smiled at Ruth and leaned forward slightly in an effort to appear less intimidating.
"Ruth, is there anything you would like to tell us about Cameron?"
"She loves purple!" Ruth blurted out. "She's got a purple leather jacket that's her favorite. John gave her an engagement ring with a purple diamond (Yes, these really do exist). She's the best ballet dancer in all of TechCom, better even than Miss Mary and Miss Grace. If Cameron doesn't understand something, she'll ask you a question. You can tell when she's going to because she tilts her head to the side like this." Ruth demonstrated Cameron's well-known head tilt before continuing rambling about her sister-in-law.
"Tin Miss is her nickname. Mom gave it to her. Hailey is her daughter and she's my bestie. We have two dogs. They're Italian Greyhounds. They are the only dogs ever who weren't scared of Cameron. Nope. Didn't have to have any special training. She just brought Little Al home and that was that. Sometimes Cameron and my Dad still argue, but I think now they just like picking on each other."
Ruth paused for a moment, glancing up at her mother who smiled back at the shy little girl.
"Cameron is good at a lot of things. Did you know she eats food like a human? She's a real good cook. Mom burns everything, even pancakes, so Cameron does all the cooking for our family when we eat in our bunker. I'm adopted like Hailey is, but that's okay. Anything else you want to know?"
Delegate Racineaux smiled at Ruth. "You seem like a sweet little girl. I apologize if I seemed, well I apologize if I came across as being rude when we first met."
Ruth smiled back and hopped out of Sarah's lap.
"It's okay. I'm a T-1000, we're scary robots! Did you know I can morph into other shapes and forms?"
Before Sarah could admonish Ruth to behave, she promptly morphed into her fighting configuration, displaying her weaponized hands and fighting fangs, hissing for good measure like a feral animal.
"Ruth Reese!" Sarah scolded, prompting Ruth to immediately morph back to her normal preferred form. "How many times do I have to tell you that is inappropriate behavior in non-combat situations?"
Ruth jumped back into her mother's lap and once again assumed the posture and demeanor of a shy little girl.
Sarah looked up, clearly embarrassed and annoyed to see both delegates had moved away in their chairs, the blood drained from their faces and terrified expressions on their faces.
"Apologize now!" Sarah ordered.
"I'm sorry," Ruth whimpered. "I was just showing I could morph. I didn't mean to scare you."
Delegate Comeaux recovered his composure somewhat and gave Ruth a faint smile.
"Young Miss Reese, it is okay. You simply caught us by surprise with your demonstration. Delegate Racineaux and I don't get to talk with many T-1000s and it was just startling. You have a very interesting ability. I bet it can be fun seeing what shapes you can form."
Sarah's expression softened a bit. "Do you have children Delegate Comeaux?"
"I did. Before Judgment Day. Two daughters, aged nine and eleven. Children can be impulsive at Ruth's age, please do not be too upset with her Mrs. Connor."
"Well, it was inappropriate. Ruth will be disciplined. Now, if you don't have any other questions, I need to report for duty and Ruth is going back to school."
The door opened and the Old Man entered, ignoring the two horrified delegates. Ruth hopped out of Sarah's lap and extended her arms upward to the T-600 who promptly swept Ruth up, allowing her to climb over his shoulders and position herself for a piggyback ride. Without a word the two Terminators departed.
"You, you let that, that … thing take your daughter," a terrified Racineaux exclaimed.
Once again Sarah frowned. Standing, she leaned over the female delegate. "That thing, lost both of its legs saving my life and the life of my granddaughter in the Battle of Los Angeles. On more than one occasion, that thing, has saved my life and the lives of my family. That thing, has a name. The kids call him the Old Man. He is a wonderful protector for the girls. I never worry, well I worry a lot less with him watching the girls."
Sarah shook her head. "You people have a lot to learn. Not all metal is bad."
Without another word, Sarah left, leaving the two delegates sitting in stunned silence.
John entered the room and smiled. "Yeah, that's my mom."
Interview Room After Lunch…
John showed the two delegates into the interview room where Derek was waiting. After introducing the Colonel, John took his leave.
Derek sat in silence, watching the two delegates stare back at him uncomfortably. Comeaux realized the Connor clan had no issue with sitting in silence if it made others feel uncomfortable and provided any edge at all to the Connors. He hoped Racineaux would not succumb to the urge to fill the uncomfortable silence with useless questions that might infuriate Derek.
After nearly five minutes of silence, Comeaux felt the game had been played long enough and posed his first question.
"Colonel Reese, how has your relationship with Cameron changed since you first met her?"
"That's an easy one," Derek grunted. "I went from hating Tin Miss and wanting to melt her down to having great respect for her, as a warrior and a family member."
"My goodness," Comeaux commented politely. "That's quite a change. Would you elaborate please?"
"Why?"
Caught off guard by Derek's sullen refusal to answer, Comeaux thought quickly for a non-threatening answer.
"We simply wish to understand her better."
"So you can try to manipulate John in the negotiations?"
"No, that's not it at all," Comeaux replied quickly. "We do not live with machines in our community. A spouse has great influence. To understand Cameron is to understand part of how the General thinks. Because she is a machine, and we have no way to study her thought process, we are helpless to understand the General in many ways."
"Fair enough," Derek shot back.
He studied the two delegates, in particular the silent Racineaux.
"You don't like machines do you? You're a metal hater." It was a statement of fact, not a question.
"Yes," she replied. "I have great reason to hate them. I thought you were a metal hater too, but I guess the stories were wrong."
"No, I hate metal," Derek replied. "Just not Cameron or the other machines who live here. They have earned the right to be treated as citizens in TechCom."
"You make a distinction?" a puzzled Racineaux ased.
"Don't you?"
"Please, there is no need for us to be uncivil to each other," Comeaux interjected.
Derek folded his arms and glared at the two delegates. "Well, ask your questions. I have things to do."
"What changed your opinion in regards to Cameron," Comeaux asked.
"Fought a lot of metal with her. She's good. Great infiltrator. Can handle any weapon. Makes good tactical and strategic decisions. I'm a soldier. Cameron may look girlie and pretty but she's a soldier too and you should never forget that."
"You respect her fighting ability then," Comeaux said.
"Yeah, she's saved my skin a few times. Why wouldn't I?"
"Your personal life, your wife said Cameron was instrumental in the two of you getting married?"
"Yeah. That's all I'm going to say about it."
Delegate Racineaux gathered the nerve to finally ask a question. "She is so deadly, everyone says that about Cameron. Do you feel comfortable with her in social settings? With friends or family?"
"Why wouldn't I? She's family."
"She's metal," Racineaux exclaimed.
Derek laughed. "She's John's protector. I've seen her beat a T-888 unconscious and then pull his chip. You clearly don't understand how she functions. Her purpose, her reason for existence is John. John is close to his family. To Cameron that means for John to be protected, happy and healthy, his family is her responsibility as well. Do you understand the kind of protection a TOK-715 provides? How obsessive compulsive a Terminator is?"
"So Cameron has never injured you?"
Derek grinned mischievously. "Didn't say that. We still fight. She won't admit it, but she likes it. I know how to get under her skin. Cameron is the little sister I never had in some ways. Someone has to torment her."
Comeaux leaned forward, taking charge of the interview once again. "Is there anything else you'd like to share with us about Cameron?"
"Some friendly advice. Never threaten John. She'll terminate you on the spot. Never send a blonde female to negotiate for your community. Cameron won't allow John to speak to her. She's an amazing ballet dancer. Oh, I almost forgot. Whatever you do, don't get in a staring contest with her. She'll keep if up for hours."
Without another word Derek stood up and left the room, leaving the two delegates looking at each other.
Interview Room Prior to Dinner…
Father Hidalgo sat in silence, looking at the two delegates.
"You have nothing to say in regards to this?" Comeaux pleaded.
"I'm Cameron's priest. Anything and everything she discusses with me in private is protected. I will not violate her confidence. I would do the same for you."
"She's a machine. A Terminator," Racineaux hissed in anger. "How in good conscience can you, a man of God, treat her like this?"
"She's a parishioner," the Priest replied firmly. "Cameron's beliefs are her own and I will not discuss them with you. Besides, what makes you think Terminators aren't curious about the Creator? They have an amazing capacity for curiosity. The Terminators who live as citizens here hate their builder, Skynet. Redemption for their bad acts concerns quite a few of them. Like humans, our machines struggle with what is right and what is wrong. As the parish priest, I must look after any and all individuals who seek my council in spiritual and moral matters."
"And by individuals, you mean humans and machines?" an incredulous Racineaux gasped.
"That is all," an indignant Father Hidalgo replied, standing up to leave. "I have to hear confession in half an hour. Please, excuse me."
Like Derek before him, the priest left without another word.
"A priest concerned about a Terminator? What is the world coming to," Racineaux muttered shaking her head in disgust.
Reviews are always appreciated. If you liked this story, you might want to consider my other TSCC stories:
Cameron Grows Up
The Future Cameron
Cameron's Revenge
Cameron and the Black Bird
Cameron and John's Wedding
Who's the Boss?
The Storm Before the Calm