Cameron versus the Queen
Chapter Five
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 Training Facility…
Weaver looked about the empty training facility. Disgusted, she decided there was nothing more she could do to make the underground facility more presentable. She had complained to Wilhelm all night while her few trusted aides, John Henry, Savannah and one of Wilhelm's squads toiled to meet her expectations.
"At least it's clean and well lit," Catherine grumbled to Wilhelm.
"It looks fine. I do not see what the issue is," the hulking T-800 mumbled, instantly regretting the comment.
"This is TechCom's first ever diplomatic summit! We have no appropriate emblems, banners, decorations, flowers, and everything else necessary for a proper summit."
"It's a post-Judgment Day summit Catherine and you have worked wonders," John said smiling as he approached. "It meets my approval."
"Thank you General. I assure you the next summit we host will be in proper conditions," Catherine fumed, casting an evil glance at Wilhelm before she left.
"What did I do?" Wilhelm asked, confused by his spouse's attitude towards him.
Derek laughed as he adjusted his dress uniform. "You married her and you were there."
"Yep, that pretty much explains it," John said in agreement.
Wilhem adjusted his dress tunic and followed his superior officers. "So human wives are just as unpredictable?"
"Females, Wilhelm, females," Derek reminded the Major.
Frustrated, Wilhelm pulled out a large Cuban and rolled it in his fingers. "I'm going for a smoke in one of the unfinished tunnels. I won't be gone long."
As the giant T-800 snuck away for some stress relief, John surveyed the set up Catherine had worked so hard to arrange. Facing each other in two parallel lines were long tables, covered with blue clothes, artificial flower arrangements and notebooks and pens carefully arranged at each chair. Pitchers of filtered water with ice chips were located conveniently and each chair had a napkin and glass neatly placed.
Inside the two long tables for all of the delegates from both parties were two short tables, each with two chairs. Like the outer tables, both were decorated and had a pitcher of water. John smiled. The two inner tables were for the lead delegates. He was interested to see how Racineaux held up under the stressors he had planned for her.
The last of the electronics and p.a. system had been finished by John Henry and tested. Everything was ready. All that remained was for the delegates to arrive.
Cameron entered attired in her dress uniform. She promptly took one look at John and began tugging and realigning his uniform. Taking her hand in his, John cleared his throat, attracting Cameron's attention. Motionless, she looked up at her husband with her large brown eyes.
"Remember the briefing from this morning. It will be all right. Sarah will handle Racineaux. I need you to get the best read you can on everyone from their delegation."
Cameron nodded her understanding and went back to adjusting John's uniform. He noticed her left hand was trembling. At least the glitch was not in full swing he thought.
TechCom Dormitory…
"You need to let me do the talking today," Comeaux insisted for yet a third time. "We must secure a military agreement."
"I am fully aware of that! It's just I can't stomach the thought of machines, metal, being in our territory, our nation!"
"We don't have the ability to fight that splinter group at the old Skynet Airbase. Their patrols are infringing further and further into our forests. If we had metal of our own we could ambush them and drive them away."
"Humph. It's not worth the risk I tell you. Insist on human forces only! These TechCom humans clearly know how to deal with, with metal," Racineaux spit out in disgust.
"Metal troops would allow us to conquer the small bands of humans on the Oregon border. We could expand our nation much quicker, giving us more resources to build with, to start commerce."
Racineaux sat in silence, frustrated with Comeaux.
"You're husband didn't send me here with orders to make you happy," Comeaux reminded Racineaux. "He sent me here with orders to come back with an army we could control. You are here only to keep an eye on me, not to interfere, which you have done enough of already."
"Do not forget your place Delegate Comeaux!"
"And don't you forget yours Delegate Racineaux! Remember how your husband ascended to the throne," Comeaux warned. "Don't let your hatred for metal ruin this!"
"Your wife didn't sleep with a metal," Racineaux hissed.
"Yeah, well you took care of that didn't you, along with about seven or eight other humans with that bomb of yours," Comeaux snarled as he stormed off to begin his final preparations for the negotiations.
Racineaux fumed in rage, pacing in the small room granted to her during the visit. "One metal. Just one metal and the evil thing seduced my husband," she muttered to herself. She thought back about the moment she caught her husband in bed with the metal.
Her attempt to stab the metal seductress had shocked her husband as much as it had her when the blade slashed through the blonde's beautiful face to reveal the hideous grinning teeth below the shorn flesh. Racineaux knew she'd been lucky to survive. It's identity revealed, the T-800 had thrown her across the room only to be tased by her husband.
Racineaux had retaliated quickly by placing the Teller mine outside the door of the cell holding her husband's mistress. Her inexperience with any form of weapon had proved fatal for not just the T-800 but the guards in the area as well.
Waving off the memory, she reminded herself what was at stake. Her husband was determined to expand his kingdom. It had taken unspeakably degrading sex acts to win his trust again and make her way back into his bed. She would never forget what he'd put her through.
And when the time was right, she'd become a widow. Until then, being Queen would have to do. Racineaux quelled her anger. Comeaux was right. For her plan to unfold, they had to return with a small, well-equipped force of combat troops, preferably human. For now, she would do as she was ordered.
"Be careful Delegate Comeaux," Racineaux whispered to herself. "I have a long, long memory. And I hold a grudge."
The Summit Begins…
Cameron watched from behind TechCom's long table as the northerners visiting delegation began filling into the repurposed training facility. She wasted no time visually locating first Comeuax and then Racineaux. Carefully, she adjusted her auditory sensors in an effort to listen to the two northern delegates.
Racineaux mixed with the various representatives and aides from TechCom, introducing herself and complimenting them on the progress made in building TechCom City. Cameron watched and listened as Sarah approached the hateful delegate with purpose.
Dressed in black boots with medium heels, Sarah wore form fitting black pants, a dark grey top with a black jacket. She wore her raven hair down with only enough makeup to highlight the features of her face. The lone piece of jewelry was her wedding bands.
Noticing Sarah's approach, Racineaux smiled in recognition, inwardly pleased that her own attire was much more colorful than Sarah's. Her form fitting dress extended to the floor and was made of a soft royal blue fabric that shone brilliantly. With her hair up in, the gold earrings and pearl necklace were displayed prominently. Her fingers bore her wedding bands as well as several other rings with rare gemstones. Racineaux looked every bit the wife of a king and a diplomat in her own right. The males of TechCom looked at her appreciatively, a fact that failed to escape her notice. Racineaux felt she was in her element.
Sarah walked with her long, purposeful strides, swinging her hips seductively as she approached Racineaux. Just as Racineaux's beauty caught the eye of the TechCom males, Sarah's raw sensuousness and simple attire that flattered her caught the attention of the northern males.
Watching Sarah approach Racineaux, Cameron smiled inwardly. John was right. Sarah was a predator tracking prey. Racineaux's agenda for the morning was about to change.
"Good moring, Sarah," Racineaux purred, extending her hand to Sarah.
Ignoring the delegate's hand, Sarah stepped to within inches of the other woman's face and stared. Silence fell around the two women, making Sarah's words seem louder than perhaps they actually were.
"You upset my daughter-in-law. That upsets me. I know it upset John. It does not say much for your ability as a diplomat." Sarah paused to allow her words to sink in, both with Racineaux and those around her.
"You said you wanted to gain an understanding of Cameron and how our society worked. It should have been obvious Tin Miss is important to all of the leaders of TechCom. We all owe her our lives. Yet you made it a point to belittle her as a mother, something you had no cause, or right, to do."
Taken aback by Sarah's verbal assault, Racineaux took a step back in order to create space between the two women.
"It was never my intention to make Cameron feel that way, I can assure you," Racineaux replied. "I will be more than happy to humble myself and apologize."
Sarah took one step forward, drawing even closer than before to the delegate, violating the woman's personal space a second time.
"You do that," Sarah barked. She glared at the delegate with an intensity that almost matched Cameron's Terminator Death Glare. "Our clan takes insults of that kind personally. When you belittled Cameron, you insulted all of us. Cameron is a good mother to my granddaughter."
Sarah executed an about face and marched away from the speechless Racineaux. As Sarah made her way to her seat she made eye contact with Cameron and winked.
Comeaux stood watching Sarah walk away. He'd witnessed the entire exchange and heard every word. Why the King had sent his wife, the most ardent voice against allowing metal into their society became apparent to Comeaux. The orders to closely watch King Racineaux's wife and report anything and everything to the king became clear.
Under the best of circumstances, forming the desired alliance would be difficult. While sending his wife as a delegate might very well doom the negotiations, it would also expose her. Her provocative behavior was hardly surprising. He smiled as he watched the shocked Racineaux regain her composure and introduce herself to the black Security Chief and the Catholic priest.
Regardless of the outcome of the negotiations, he would benefit from having made the difficult trip. The King would value the report on his wife. A report the arrogant Queen might have trouble explaining away.
Lunch at TechCom Cafeteria…
Delegate Comeaux walked in silence, matching John Connor step for step. The TechCom leadership had not reacted when Comeaux had laid out the northerner's interests in a military alliance. No reaction was better than a negative reaction, but Comeaux needed some sign of the General's mood in order to plan for the second round of discussions in the afternoon.
The pair sat down together at places set for them and several TechCom cooks staff brought their meals to them. Comeaux took the opportunity to engage John in conversation in hopes of judging his mood.
"I wish to thank you again for your hospitality to uninvited guests who come asking for favors."
John sat silently, chewing his food, impassive.
Comeaux felt compelled to move to more dangerous ground and satisfy some of his curiosity at the same time.
"Cameron is quite a lady," he ventured hopefully. "Very interesting individual."
John sat his fork down and looked at Comeaux, reading the man's expression carefully. "Yes, I find her interesting."
"I miss my wife," Comeaux found himself blurting out unexpectedly. "She was quite a unique individual too. I lost her and my two girls Judgment Day."
Watching the man's face replay memories, John realized Comeaux was sincere in his expression of loss. "Everyone lost somebody that day. I was lucky. My immediate family is still with me."
"Life goes on General. We find a way to survive as you well know. If nothing else, TechCom's people are survivors."
"And that's why you chose us to form an alliance with?"
"Hardly," Comeaux replied. "You defeated Skynet California. You and your people are legends throughout the world's resistance. TechCom gives hope to all human survivors."
"I wouldn't know about that," John replied humbly. A slight feeling of suspicion crept into his mind as a result of the praise.
Comeaux set his fork down. "General, you live in TechCom. It's your world and you do not need to set a single foot beyond the boundaries of your nation. So you don't hear what the rest of the world has too say."
John considered the delegates worlds. Since their victory, all of TechCom's attention had been focused on the need to build their underground city and fortress. John and was all too aware their victory would make TechCom a target, both to the other Skynets and to any predatory force looking to expand their empire at TechCom's expense.
Not wishing to reveal any information about TechCom, their efforts at communication with outside resistance groups had dropped dramatically. Something John now realized had been an error. TechCom needed to control any and all information being messaged about their status.
Hearing TechCom City being referred to as a nation also gave John pause. He'd never looked at things from that perspective before. He and Cameron simply wanted a safe place for their people to live, safe from enemies, the environment and unforeseen danger. John shook his head. Perhaps Comeaux was right. They were building a nation-state.
The sound of Comeaux's voice brought John back to the present. "I'm sorry delegate, would you repeat that if you don't mind."
"Of course, I was merely stating you have led an interesting, albeit difficult, life. To share that life with a partner as interesting as Cameron must be personally rewarding."
"Fishing expedition Delegate Comeaux," John replied, smiling.
"No," he replied. "Envious of your relationship. A wife of Cameron's beauty and, how do I say this politely, character and interests would be challenging and fulfilling. She is a wife worthy of a leader such as yourself."
Again, John sensed sincerity on Comeaux's part. "Your wife must have been special."
It was Comeaux's turn to fall silent and muse for a moment. "Yes, my Caroline was unique. I married well."
At another table…
"I just love your gown. It is impossible to find fabric like that in the Wastelands and we simply do not have the ability to make something like that yet."
"Thank you. You are most kind. It is my understanding you arranged for the décor in the meeting hall."
"Please, do not hold that against me," Catherine replied, allowing her facial skin tone to change hue as if she was blushing. "I hardly had the proper materials necessary. I hope I live long enough to see our city properly finished."
"It is so hard living in the world now after Judgment Day," Racineaux said agreeably. "A lady cannot find anything proper, especially servants. I admire you. How do you work in such horrible conditions? Underground no less. Our city is above ground but is in a beautiful forest. We have been able to light portions of our city, making it quite pleasant during the day. None of this endless darkness."
Catherine sighed, indicating her agreement. "It's bearable because my children and my husband are here too. My son is the city engineer and my daughter works in the medical unit. I am fortunate to have us all here together, especially after Judgment Day. So many of us in TechCom lost family. There are challenges, but I feel fortunate all things considered."
"What does your husband do here at TechCom," Racineaux asked, finally feeling like she was in the company of someone worthy of her time.
Catherine beamed with pride at the question. "My Wilhelm is an officer in the military, a decorated combat veteran."
"Really," Racineaux replied, gently touching Catherine's hand with her own for a brief moment. "My husband served in the military before Judgment Day. I am sure you are proud of your husband."
Pleased to have met a potential ally with something in common, Racineaux complained about the lack of amenities for proper ladies living in a post-Judgment Day world. Catherine, for her part, was happy to join the grump session in full force. The lack of "manners" in particular was a favorite gripe of the two women.
Their complaint session was interrupted by the unexpected arrival of Sarah and Ruth. Sarah sat down next to Catherine across from Racineaux and Ruth quietly sat next to her mother, hiding in part behind Sarah, looking furtively at the delegate while trying to be unnoticed.
Racineaux sat upright, rewarding Sarah's presence with a chilly silence. Catherine ignored Racineaux's reaction and began trying to get Ruth's attention, starting a game of peek-a-boo with the little Terminator. In a few seconds Ruth was smiling and giggling as Catherine was always too late as Ruth leaned to the front or the back of Sarah.
Annoyed at the interruption, Racineaux watched as the little T-1000 played with Catherine. Finally, Ruth let Catherine "see" her, ending their impromptu game.
Sarah spoke up, her voice even but firm. "Delegate Racineaux, I see you have met Catherine, our City Administrator. Catherine is the adult T-1000 I told you about who has been so helpful with Ruth."
Racineaux's head snapped to her left, looking her gaze on Catherine who mimicked a most human means of expression. She smiled and shrugged.
With her face contorted into an expression of disgust like she'd stepped in something foul and could smell it, Racineaux vented her disgust with Catherine; "You sat here and talked to me like you were human. How could you deceive me like that?"
"I am an infiltrator. In fact, if you didn't know Ruth was a T-1000 you would think she was a beautiful little girl, which she is." Weaver smiled, displaying a set of combat razor sharp combat teeth similar to Ruth's except Weaver's fanglike teeth were longer.
Sarah burst out laughing at the horrified reaction of Racineaux. "Oh my! Racineaux, you should see your self."
"My word!" Offended by being the object of ridicule, Racineaux regained her composure and snapped back, "it is rude to deceive, and to think Catherine, you yourself spoke of the complete lack of manners of most of the personnel at TechCom!"
Weaver's smile disappeared; her teeth morphing back to normal. Movement to the right of Weaver caught her attention, causing her to smile.
"Delegate Racineaux, you are in luck. My family has arrived." Catherine stood and offered her cheek to Wilhelm who, despite looking slightly embarrassed, leaned his massive bulk over to kiss his tiny wife on her cheek.
Catherine turned to her son who hugged his mother gently. Smiling with pride, the T-1000 faced Racineaux. "This is my son, John Henry. As I told you, he is our City Engineer."
Moving to the other side of the males of her family, Catherine hugged the young red headed woman. "And this is my daughter Savannah, who I raised from childhood. She is the chief of medicine for our community's Terminators."
"Raised?" Racineaux mumbled, confused by the implication of the choice of words.
"Yes," Savannah replied, her smile turning to a frown. "I'm fully human. Catherine is my adoptive mother. My little brother is a modified T-888, he thinks he's a genius but he's not. My step-dad is a T-800; we call his model the Uncle Bob model. All the women in TechCom love his Austrian accent."
"Delegate Racineaux, please don't act surprised," Sarah said with a hint of disgust. "You knew before you arrived here TechCom was a hybrid society. Given the havoc Skynet wreaked you shouldn't be surprised to see so many adopted and blended families."
"But you, you are young enough that, no. It couldn't be possible," Racineaux said in horror, standing to make good her departure.
Smiling at the delegate, Savannah gave voice to the horror in the delegates mind. "Yes, you are quite right. Catherine adopted me before Judgment Day."
Having taken in all she could stand, Racineaux took her leave and hurriedly departed, seeking others from her delegation.
"How did we do?" Wilhelm asked.
"You were perfect," Weaver replied beaming at her husband.
Ruth giggled, looking at John Henry who stared back in silence. "Savannah called you a dummy!"
Sarah fought back a smile and nudged Ruth, chiding her daughter, "Be nice Ruth." She watched Racineaux retreat to the safety of familiar people. "I don't like or trust her. She has far too much dislike of metal we trust and value. Did you see the look on her face Catherine when she realized you were a T-1000?"
"Most insulting, particularly her attitude about our family having a human child. And to think I thought she was a well-mannered individual. Sarah, I apologize for not taking your word earlier about what a despicable woman this Racineaux is."
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