What Are Dreams?
A story featuring John and Cameron from "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles." Let's not hold back anymore, the entire regular cast of Season 2 is in this story.
It appears my story has evolved into an alternative storyline to the final episodes of season 2. Amazing things that occur in the mind when writing a story.
I do not claim any rights to the characters or the TV series.
My apologies to all of you who have been waiting so long for an update to this story. You've been very patient with me and I thank you for your patience. My thanks to all of you who have reviewed this story.
I hope to put some more time into this story which has evolved and grown from its beginnings as a one off story featuring John and Cameron. As some of you know, I have been posting chapters for "Reunion Part 3: Babylon." I have finished writing that story, but I do take time to make small improvements and proofread each chapter before posting. As it comes to its end, I will be able to spend more time on "What Are Dreams?" - The1Russter 04-10-2010
Previously: Derek pursues Jesse, but when it turns out someone else is also following her, Derek intervenes. While Jesse gets away, Derek investigates the pursuing vehicle, only to be captured by the terminator who was driving the van. John and Sarah have a heart-to-heart talk about his and Cameron's new relationship. The terminator brings Derek to an underground enclosure. The person he is working for recognizes Lieutenant Reese. Cameron takes John to the garage and gives him a pocket watch. Inside of it is a detonator for a small explosive she has planted next to her chip. John tells her that he couldn't, but she makes him promise her. They then have sex where they are discovered by Riley. Derek discovers he is in the tunnels that the resistance used in the future. They are part of an old fall out shelter last used during the Ford Administration. Weaver discovers that the Mr. Bennett pressuring her is not the real Mr. Bennett. He is presently undergoing dialysis and is being taken care of by his nurse and fiancé Emily Dawson. What no one but Riley knows is that, they will be her parents. Riley has a talk with Cameron in the morning and learns that she can feel pleasure, so that means she enjoys the sex she has with John. Ms. Weaver shares what she has learned about the fake Mr. Bennett with Ellison and then asks him to find the Connors. It is Ellison's and her impression that Bennett is building Sky Net. Cameron and Sarah talk. Cameron reveals that Sarah might be in the early stages of leukemia. Sarah is fearful for what it means for John's future. Cameron tells her that she can fight it and beat it. She can take over John's training until she is better. They are interrupted by a shriek followed by John dashing through his mom's room into her bathroom. He had accidentally walked in on Riley coming out of the shower.
Chapter 12: Ballet Dreams
"I don't think this is wise. You should remain in bed and rest." Cameron tells Sarah though she continues to help her get dressed.
"I need to discuss things with the three of you and I don't wish to do so from my bed." Sarah protests as she pulls her slacks on under her nightgown.
"Are you sure you don't want my help?"
"I'm fine." Sarah pulls her night gown up over her head, and lays it on her pillows baring her breasts.
"You should put those back in their holster." Cam says handing Sarah her bra.
Sarah grins as she hears the line that she once told Cameron. What was it two years ago, ten if you include the time jump, since she said that. She pulls her bra on, but has trouble doing the catch.
"Do you mind?" She says turning to show the bra catch undone and the flower tattoo just above the strap. Cameron reaches over and connects the catch for her.
"Thanks" Sarah says then pulls on her gray turtleneck.
"I didn't know you had tattoos before yesterday. John never mentioned them in the future." Cameron says. "I like the flower on your back. It's tight."
"Thanks. Got that in Guatemala in 89." Sarah says as she stands wobbling a little on unsteady legs as she buttons her slacks. "John was four years old. He thought the tattoo artist was hurting me. I had to hold John's hands and quiet him so the man could do the work."
"Do you think I could have a tattoo?" Cameron asks as she helps Sarah slip her feet into a pair of sandals.
"I don't know." Sarah says with a half grin. "Depends on if the ink is compatible with your synthetically grown flesh. You wouldn't want to ruin your appearance if it is toxic to you."
"It should be safe. My living tissue is ninety-five percent compatible with human tissues. The only real difference between mine and yours is that mine is self regenerating."
"So I've noticed." She says with a bit of a grimace. The girl doesn't even scar. "If you got damaged, your skin wouldn't reproduce the ink used, you would have to get it redone."
"Then perhaps I shouldn't."
Sarah sits back sown on her bed. "Sit here." she says patting the bed beside her.
Cameron sits down and waits for Sarah to speak. Judging by her facial expression , Sarah has something on her mind but is probably thinking of way to phrase it.
"If there is something you want to ask me, you don't have to worry about hurting my feelings. You've been very frank when speaking to me before. I wouldn't expect you to speak to me any other way now."
Sarah grins nervously, then jumps in. The girl said as much.
"John said you couldn't get pregnant, but you've got everything any human girl would have?"
"That's correct. A gynecologist wouldn't be able to distinguish my sexual organs from that of a human girls. But Sky Net doesn't construct us for procreation, just for infiltration."
Sarah grins, "So, Sky Net doesn't want any hybrids running around calling it Grandpa, I guess."
Sarah notices the tiniest frown come to Cameron's face. Damn, that was probably not very nice, what she just said. John is right she does have feelings. She just doesn't express them as broadly as we do.
"Sorry Cameron. I shouldn't of said that."
"Apology accepted. You are still worried about John, and you are especially concerned with our decision to have a physical relationship. You are trying to cope with that by making jokes."
"Great, now I'm being psycho-analyzed by my sons girlfriend. One last question then we go downstairs."
"If you are worried about STD's, I'm not susceptible and John doesn't have any."
Sarah raises her eyebrows and asks, "Do you read minds too?"
"No, but that seemed the most likely question you'd be asking." Cameron grins lightly.
"You're right. Now how about giving me a hand downstairs."
##
The door opens to John Henry's room, in the basement, and Mr. Ellison walks in.
"Good Morning John Henry."
"Good Morning Mr. Ellison. Did you sleep well last night?"
"No I didn't. Office chairs aren't exactly made for sleeping in."
"I'm sorry to hear that. Perhaps Ms. Weaver would allow you to bring in a cot. Humans need sleep to function properly. I can go years without placing this body on stand by. But then my body isn't so weak as to require a bed for laying on, while in standby." On the plasma screen behind Ellison, a picture of someone sleeping has been displayed while they talked.
"Good for you John Henry." Ellison says sarcastically and sits down across from him as he usually does during their educational times, unfortunately this meeting isn't for that.
"John Henry, I need your help. I need to find the Connors, Sarah and John." Behind Ellison the monitors shift to showing images of FBI reports of the Cyberdyne incident.
"You were assigned their case after Sarah Connor blew up Cyberdyne and killed Myles Dyson. Her son too is wanted for that crime. They disappeared when supposedly they blew themselves up in a bank in 1999. The case has grown cold. You are no longer in the FBI. What is your interest in them now?"
"Because John Henry, they are not dead. They are fighting Sky Net and the machines it sends back. Like your body which at one time was a machine posing as a man called George Lazslo. He killed twenty well armed men. That is the last case I worked for the FBI. He later showed up in Mexico where he tried to assassinate John Connor. I met him and his mother there. They are both still alive. Now I need your help to find the Connors. They could be in great danger and we need their help to fight Bennett. Ms. Weaver and I think Bennett is building Sky Net."
"I can perform a search of state and federal records, but I would probably only find the same records you had access to when at the FBI."
"Get me copies of those files anyway, but concentrate your search on city records. My instincts say they are still here in Los Angeles."
"Instinct?" John Henry "The belief that something is true, without facts to back it up. What some people call a 'gut feeling.' Is that what you mean by instinct?"
"Yes, John Henry. That is exactly what I mean." Mr. Ellison gets up from the table. "I'm going home to get a bite to eat, shower and change. If Ms. Weaver asks for me, tell her that's where I'll be, but I'll be back later for our meeting. Could you send those files to my office computer?"
"Yes Mr. Ellison. I could send them to your home PC if you'd like?"
"You can do that?" Mr. Ellison looks surprised, then shakes his head with realization. "Okay. Send them to both."
Mr. Ellison gets up and leaves the room. "Thanks John Henry."
##
Morning at school. Their teacher is taking the class on a small outing to explore the wildlife on the school grounds.
"Each of you have your assignment." The teacher explains. "Find an example of each of the items on your sheet. If you have any questions about an item you find, get my attention and I will help you. Stay in pairs, don't go off on your own."
The children go scampering across the school grounds in pairs. Savannah and her classmate Lucy begin looking for examples of plants on their list. Vines, grass, ivy's, flowers, bark, stones.
"Ooh, look." Lucy says, pointing to a rotting hollow log bellow them in a ravine. "There ought to be lots of insects there."
"We can't go down there. We are suppose to stay in sight of our teacher."
"I'll stay here and talk to you. Ms. Jenny will think you are only out of site. It will only take a second to grab something from the log."
"Well okay, but you hold my basket."
Savannah carefully crawls down the slope and then walks past a tree to get to the log. She barely clears the tree when she is grabbed.
She tries to scream, but her face is muzzled by a damp smelly cloth. She quickly falls unconscious.
At the top of the slope, Lucy screams. The man looks up at her. There is a bright pink scar that angles across his face. Deciding the screams could bring danger, he dashes off with Savannah under his arms.
The triple-8 runs for a black Ram with a damaged tailgate and places the girl in the back seat. After getting in behind the driver's wheel, it pulls a cell phone from his pocket and dials a number. When he hears the other line pickup he says just one thing. "I have her. I'm bringing her to your location now."
##
John is sitting on the edge of his bed after getting dressed. He just pulled on any old thing, jeans, T-shirt, the combat boots that are too big for his feet. He's been working at his computer, trying to find some more information to help in their current search.
There is a quiet knock on his door to the connecting bathroom.
He sighs. "Come in. Door's open." John closes his laptop and slides it to one side.
"Hey." Riley says not quite able to look John in his face. She's wearing a pair of blue denim shorts over purple leggings and a green T-shirt.
"Hey too." John says not able to look at her either.
Awkward silence.
"Sorry about this morning I should have knocked." John says breaking the awkward silence. "I'm just not used to someone else in the bathroom first thing in the morning. Cameron only uses it at night, while I'm asleep or after I'm already up."
"I'm sorry too. I should have locked the door. Thought I'd be out before you woke up."
There is more awkward silence.
"I see Cameron is claiming her territory." Riley says trying to sound cheerful.
"What do you mean?" John says actually looking at Riley this time.
She points and says. "She left her clothes with yours. Watch it, next thing you know she will be borrowing your clothes." She gives a half hearted grin.
John grins too. He hadn't noticed Cam's clothes laying on his own in the corner of his room instead of in the hamper where she normally puts them. He can't help but grin. To think Cameron was in his room changing. A shame he was asleep. He would have enjoyed that.
"So. What are we going to do today?" Riley asks, sitting down beside John.
John thinks a moment. Cam said that to help Riley shift her trust to them fully, they would have to make her feel more welcomed in their family. He'll just tell her what they've been doing. Involving Riley will require say-so from mom. He's stuck out his neck enough this weekend.
"We? Don't know about that. How much do you know of what we are doing?"
"Well, Cameron told me that you guys are investigating the names on the basement wall. That some may be helping Sky Net or need protection from it. Is that what you are doing now?"
"Well it was until this Sunday, then you happened, then mom got sick. So right now I'm just trying to gather some more information before breakfast."
"Like what?"
"Well . . . a guy we were investigating this weekend has some ties to an organization we learned about through one of mom's previous investigations. Something called Kaliba. Apparently it was behind some dummy corporation setup to construct Hunter Killer drones. This guy we're looking into. . ."
"What's his name?"
"I don't see why you shouldn't know. His name is Bennett. E. R. Bennett."
Riley swallows nervously but listens intently.
"I just learned this morning that this guy is in control of a dozen or more small, modest, and large tech companies. Those he doesn't own outright he controls through his investments. I didn't know this before Mom went on her stakeout this weekend. Until this weekend we were going to find out who he was investing in. But that seems to matter very little compared to what I've found out he is doing."
Riley is feeling scared. This doesn't sound right. This isn't what her mother told her about her dad before she died. Her dad was just an investor. His family came from old California money.
"We need to take a closer look at Bennett. Then decide what to do about him." John continues.
##
"Dammit!" Derek swears as once again he comes across another access point from the future that is presently blocked or locked.
Waste of time. He knew it was no guarantee that the same entrances used in the future would be accessible now, but he had to check. But it looks like they are still locked and the bunker has sat unused since the Ford administration.
Throwing a rock in frustration down a tunnel, he makes his way back to the underground facility. He has no idea how they got him inside the place and that seems the only other likely place to find an entrance or a telephone.
Cursing his luck and angry as hell. He only hopes he can alert Sarah and John before the cops or Sky Net itself finds them.
Letting off a flurry of curse words, Derek returns to the facility. Considering it wasn't there in the future, he wonders if what they will do in the present to cause that area to collapse.
##
Sarah is seated on the sofa. There is a blanket over her lap and a bowl of some of Kacy's soup in her hand.
Across from her sit John and Riley, avoiding looking at each other after that mornings incident, and right behind John stands Cameron.
"New ground rules." Sarah says setting her empty bowl on the end table with a clunk.
"Riley, right now no one knows you are here but us. John and Cameron assure me that no one saw you arrive. We need to keep it that way until we get you a new ID and change your appearance. From this moment on, you do not go outside during daylight hours, you stay away from all windows, and if you go out at night, you will restrict yourself to the backyard and to using just the entrance from the basement. Do you understand?"
"Yes Ms. Connor."
"That's another thing. Continue to use our name Baum at all times. Slip up and use our correct name at the wrong time could be disastrous."
"Cameron, use your skills and change Riley's appearance so if she is seen, no one will recognize her."
"Change her appearance in what way?" Cameron asks.
Sarah thinks a moment then grins. "You had that Gothic look down when you were going to school. Try that on her, but go more extreme. There is hair coloring kit under the sink in my bathroom. Use it to darken her hair, make it black as possible. For make-up, use black eyeshadow, blood red lipstick, black nail polish. Wardrobe might be a problem. Scavenge what you need from everyone's closet to complete the Gothic look."
Riley just sits there and looks at her golden locks. She loves her blond hair.
Cameron sees Riley look longingly at her blond locks and quips, "A good thing you got that wax job, or else we'd have to dye the carpet to match the drapes."
John and Sarah make eye contact. He snorts laughter while Sarah just grins.
Still smiling Sarah says, "We'll get you a new ID, once the heat settles around the unfortunate deaths of your foster family. If the police learn you were dating John, they may send someone around to ask questions. If anyone comes to the door, regardless of who they are, make yourself scarce. Hide upstairs or in the basement. If the police get nosy, go out the back and into the garage, regardless if it is day or night."
"Now you two." Sarah says turning her attention on John and Cameron.
She can't help but notice Cameron placing a hand on John's shoulder, and John reaching up and squeezing it lightly to reassure her. Accept for that one movement on Cameron's part, she hadn't been betraying any emotion throughout Sarah's talk. Thinking about it, there had been quite a few small exchanges like that between her son and Cameron, especially before the unfortunate circumstances that drove them apart.
"The cover story I told Kacy is just that, a story. There is no documentation in our fake history to support it. So from now on when the two of you are outside of this house, you continue to act as brother and sister. No romantic exchanges of any kind, nothing that could be misconstrued by an observer."
Sarah looks at John, who looks as if he is about to say something, and then sits back quietly.
"Living arrangements. I understand you've let Riley use your room Cameron. Keep it that way. If we have any visitors they shouldn't be finding a brother and sister sharing the same room. They wouldn't find anything unusual with two girls sharing a room."
"Mom . . ." John starts to protest but gets cut off by a stern look from Sarah.
"I know the relationship you now have. To say I am happy about it would be an outright lie, but I can't ignore it either. John you know the dangers beings like Cameron represent. If you are to continue to have a personal and physical relationship with Cameron, these are the rules: One, never have sex when I am in the house. The last thing I want to hear is the two of you going at it. Two, regardless of Cameron's insistence she is unable to get pregnant or contract STD's, you are to use protection at all times. That is the responsible thing to do at your age."
"You mean you are just going to let them continue!" Riley shouts standing up. "You're his mother! He's John Connor! He shouldn't be having sex with a machine! I thought you would stop them!"
Sarah turns an icy glare on Riley. "Shut up and sit down, Missy! Right now you are under our protection. You are a link that could lead Sky Net to John. You've already endangered his life once by leaving the alarm off. If people other than those who broke in here got our I D's, John might have ended up dead. You continue to endanger his life by merely living here. You should consider yourself lucky that I don't have Cameron take you out back and kill you now! I'm sure she still wants to."
Cameron looks at Riley who shrinks back from both women's gazes.
"You have no say in the decisions I make until you prove yourself. John is old enough to make some of his own decisions. I've listened to what both of them said, and after a great deal of internal struggle with it, have decided to support them. John knows the risks. You will just have to live with him choosing Cameron over you. Get over it."
Riley walks off in a huff and goes upstairs. They hear the door close to her room.
Sarah looks at the two young faces looking at her. Both in equal shock, if Cameron's almost placid face displays shock.
"Rule Three," Sarah's 'don't tell me what to do' face smooths out to one more motherly. "Cameron you told me once that you made John promise to deactivate or destroy you if there was ever any doubt about you being safe. Make it possible."
"It's already been done." Cameron says, sounding sad. John's other hand briefly touches the watch hanging under his shirt. While Cameron's gives his shoulder a gentle squeeze.
Sarah sees the same strained look cross both John's and Cameron's faces. It's obvious they've already had this discussion. Perhaps she shouldn't make too much of it, but John's life is more important than his relationship with Cameron. It was more important than their relationship as mother and son.
"John, would you give me a moment alone with Cameron?"
"Mom. I found some more information on the Internet concerning Bennett I need to talk with you about."
"Later."
"But..." His protest dies on his lips as he gets that serious look from his mom. John leaves, returning to his room.
Sarah pulls her feet up on the sofa, shedding her sandals as she does so, and tucks her feet under the blanket. She resumes speaking in a low voice.
"Cameron, I need to contact Charlie Dixon. He can help me get the medical care I need."
"What are you planning Sarah?"
"We will let a day go by and let some of the heat settle like I said, but we are leaving. You take Riley and John and get out of Los Angeles before Sky Net finds him. If the police learn of John and Riley, then it is just as likely that one of Sky Net's machines will realize that John Baum is John Connor. Take them to the safe house in the desert. Get yourself, John and Riley new I D's."
"You want us to leave you behind," Cameron says with realization. "with Charlie."
"Yes. And don't come back for me. No matter what happens."
"John won't like that."
"John doesn't have to know. After leaving me with Charlie, he and I will just leave. If I have cancer I will just slow you down. But if I don't or if I'm cured, I will find you again."
"I understand." Cameron says, her head dropping.
"Cameron," Sarah reaches out and takes her hand. It feels as warm to the touch as any other human. "John is your responsibility. Finish his training, protect him. If you love him, and I do mean love him, protecting John requires great personal sacrifice. You will have to make decisions based on putting his life ahead of your feelings, ahead of your relationship. Such decisions can hurt you both. Can you do that?"
Cameron looks into Sarah's earnest gaze, a tear trickles from her eyes, "Yes, I can do that. I will do that. I'd die for John Connor."
Sarah gives her hand a gentle squeeze. "Let's hope it doesn't have to come to that. I'm going to rest. Get Riley's appearance changed. Start packing my truck. One bag per person, plus the guns and intelligence we've gathered. We'll leave first thing tomorrow morning."
"Before we leave. Can I show you something?"
"What Cameron?"
"I'd like to dance for you. You've never seen me dance."
"You mean your ballet?"
"Yes. John bought me a new outfit and before we leave, I'd like to dance for you."
"I'd like that." Sarah smiles. "Just let me rest a while first."
Cameron walks away a small smile on her face. She gets to do two things today. Do a make over on Riley and dance. At the moment she isn't sure which she is looking forward to more.
Sarah settles comfortably on the sofa. Kyle said in her dreams to trust them. So that is what she will do. Kyle has always been there in her dreams, guiding her in her darkest moments. She has to admit, she feels better treating Cameron as a person. That constant tension being fearful of what she is, probably wasn't doing her health any good either.
##
Derek has been having a difficult time finding a damn phone, or a way out. He didn't see any back at the facility, though the view from the air ducts was limiting. So he returned to the old part of the bunker that he was familiar with.
All the exits he knew of in the future are locked, from the outside and his improvised lock pick won't do him any good. There are no phones in the old part of the fall-out shelter, which means he will have to go back to the underground facility and try to find one there.
Watching the technicians again through an air vent, they seldom move from their tasks. The only one that seems to circulate a lot is the one that Mr. Bennett was talking to earlier.
Derek follows him and watches his actions from the shadows. As he moves from room to room, occasionally he presses his left forearm up against some kind of electronic device beside the door.
On one occasion, the man's lab coat takes time to slide down and Derek can see a bar code on his left forearm, very similar to his own.
##
John is sitting at his desk, still searching for information on companies that Bennett has invested in when Cameron enters his room from the bathroom. As she enters a strong smell of chemicals wafts in with her.
"Phew" John wrinkles his nose. "How is the coloring job for Riley's hair doing?"
"It will take thirty minutes to set and then it will be time to rinse. Wardrobe is proving difficult like your mom said. May I borrow one of your T-shirts?"
"Sure but wouldn't something from your's or Mom's closet be better suited?"
"No." Cameron says as she rifles through John's dresser. "Her bust size is larger than mine or Sarah's and our tops would be too tight. Best she has something from your wardrobe." Cameron turns holding one of John's black T-shirts. "This will do."
John is looking off into space with a vacant half smile on his face.
"John?" She gets no response. "John!"
Startled, "What?"
"Were you daydreaming again?"
"Ah, um, yeah, I was." he replies feeling embarrassed.
"What about?"
"Don't be angry, but it's your fault for putting the idea in my head." John replies. "I was thinking about breasts."
Cameron looks at him slyly, "Anyone's in particular?"
"Your's of course!"
She kisses him on the forehead. "Right answer. After I finish changing Riley's appearance, I will be dancing ballet for Sarah. I'd like you to be there."
"Sure! I'd love to see you dance." John smiles brightly. He's only ever seen her do her floor exercises, but to actually dance. He can't wait.
"I'm happy. It might be the last time I'll be dancing for you. We are leaving tomorrow morning. Pack one bag and have it ready to go. I've already packed one bag for Sarah and one for myself."
There is the sound of a timer going off in the bathroom.
"I must go. It is time to rinse Riley's hair."
John stands quickly. "Wait Cameron!"
"What?"
He kisses her gently on the lips. "Thank you for being so patient with me. It took me forever to finally see you as a person and not a machine. I just want you to know, that I love you. I think I have since the first time you said hello to me in Red Valley, New Mexico."
Cameron smiles sweetly at him. "Having patience with John Connor is a requirement. You can be a very stubborn man in the future, but in the end you always make the right decision. And I love you too, John Connor. Now I must go and rinse Riley's hair."
John watches her walk out of the room. He can't help but notice her movement isn't as stiff as it was before the weekend. She's walking fluidly, like she's dancing, like she's happy.
Smiling, John returns to his computer to find his search program has found additional information on Bennett's investment with Zeira Corp. The company that Cameron identified out of his three choices for the visitor that Bennett got this weekend. The owner of Zeira Corp is one Ms. Catherine Weaver. The picture, dated two years previously, shows her with her husband and a little girl. They look like a happy family. Another article says that her husband Lachlan died in a helicopter accident. A new picture comes up showing Catherine Weaver in a white business dress in her office. Gone is the smiling face and the warm family portrait. John feels a shiver as he looks in those cold lifeless eyes. Something is not right.
His thoughts are interrupted when Riley cries out. "My hair!" followed by sobs.
##
Ellison is just about to sit down at his kitchen table to eat a sandwich, when his mobile rings. Pulling it from its holster, he sees the call is from John Henry.
"Hello John Henry. I wasn't expecting you to call."
"I've found something. Please go to your computer."
"All right John Henry."
Ellison gets up from the table and goes to his laptop on the kitchen counter.
"Okay I'm here."
"Yes. I can see you on your web cam. I've sent a file to your email. I've found John Connor mentioned in a report from Child Protective Services on another person I haven't found mentioned in any other reports on the Connors, either Sarah or John."
"I'm looking at the file now. This girl, Riley Dawson, does she appear in any files with LAPD or FBI?"
"There is a file at LAPD. Ms Dawson's foster family were murdered and their house set on fire yesterday afternoon. They are presently searching for the girl who was last seen at school on Monday. They have no clues as to who killed the family or set the fire other than a utility van was seen in the driveway of her home. I can send you the police report."
"Yes, please do that. And while you are at it expunge John Connor's name from Riley Dawson's file before anyone sees it."
"I'm afraid it's too late for that. Someone has already accessed her file."
"Who?"
"I don't know, but it wasn't any law enforcement agency. Whoever read the file broke into their server's much like I did. I'm afraid, someone else is looking for John Connor."
"Remove his name anyway. Send me updates on any files related to Riley Dawson."
"There is one file on record with LAPD and it is referenced in the file I sent you. Ms. Dawson attempted suicide in the home of her boyfriend, John Baum, approximately one week ago. Child Protective Services was supposed to have sent a representative over to his home to speak to his parents. As far as I can determine from the files, no one has checked with Mr. Baum's parents. Do you think John Baum and John Connor are the same person?"
"I don't know. Do you have an address for John Baum?"
"I'm presently checking school records. I am assuming Ms. Dawson and Mr. Baum attended . . . I have found him. John Baum and his sister Cameron took exams to leave school early. Riley Dawson is still attending. Ms. Baum passed all her exams and has received her high school diploma. Mr. Baum passed all but Physics, Chemistry, English Literature and Ancient and World History. Mr. Baum had to complete his physics course and is allowed to be home schooled on the remainder."
"That's all very interesting, but do you have an address for John Baum?"
"He and his sister live with their mother, Sarah Baum, a single parent. I have the address. I'll be sending you their school file."
"Thank you John Henry. Do me a favor? Delete their files from the school administration computers."
"Of course Mr. Ellison. Will you be returning to the office today?"
"Yes. Tell Ms. Weaver that I will be joining her this evening as arranged. Thank you for your help."
"No problem."
Mr. Ellison reads through the files John Henry sent him. What he could have done with someone like him on the force. His sandwich sits uneaten as Ellison finishes reading the files.
Forgetting his meal, he dashes upstairs to change into a clean suit. Time to visit an old friend.
##
John enters the living room to find his mom resting, but awake on the sofa.
"How are you feeling mom?"
"Much better." she smiles at him. "That soup of Kacy's was good. Do we have more?"
"Yeah, I can heat some up for your lunch if you want."
John takes a seat across from his mother.
"Cameron says you want to leave in the morning."
"It's time to move on John. We've drawn too much attention to ourselves."
"When you say we, you mean that I have." he says frowning.
"Well, I didn't want to point any fingers, but going out with Riley was dangerous and stupid. However, you did the smart thing to bring her here. But she is still dangerous. She's brought attention to you and it is just a matter of time before the police come around here asking questions. And if the police come here then some of Sky Net's machines can come here. We're leaving, before dawn."
John looks around the living room. "Yeah, I guess it's about time. You know this is the first placed we have lived that actually started to feel like home."
Sarah reaches over putting a hand under her sons chin lifting his face so she can look at it. "There'll be other places, other homes."
"You're right mom. No matter where we live, as long as you're there it will be home."
John misses the faltering grin on his mom's face as he gets up from the chair.
"Cameron is getting changed to dance for you. She asked me to come down here and move the furniture back to give her more room." John explains as he begins pushing the furniture against the walls.
"Where's Riley?"
"Last I knew she was in Cameron's room crying over her hair." He turns to look at his mom. "I think she really loved her blond hair."
"It will wash out in time. But for now it will do to help disguise her appearance. What about her wardrobe?"
"I don't know. Cameron took one of my black t-shirts. She said that, um, Riley's, um, were, ah too big . . . never mind." John breaks off as Sarah grins at his embarrassment.
Sarah raises one eyebrow, "Let me guess, her breasts are too large for anything of Cameron's or mine to fit?"
John turns three shades of red, and Sarah just smiles. "You live in a house with three women now. You are going to have to get used to frank and open discussions of female related topics."
He feels embarrassed at first but then reality hits. "Do you realize you just referred to Cameron as a woman in your statement?"
Sarah looks at her son lovingly. How she wishes she could tell him what will happen when they leave tomorrow. Why it is she has brought herself to accept Cameron as a person. Maybe if she had done that sooner, they could have been doing more to prepare John. "I know John. I'm sorry for the things I've said about her and to her."
"Well at least you only said bad things. I spent the last few months being rude, mean, and just plain ignoring her. And still she never gave up on me."
"What made you finally break it off with Riley and turn your attentions to Cameron?"
"Would you believe it all started because Cameron asked me about daydreams? Then I watched her dance, in her room, and it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. And that was just her floor exercises. We should be in for a treat later."
"Talking about a treat, how are you going to handle Riley being in the house. Your ex-girlfriend under the same roof with your current and they don't exactly get along."
"They'll work it out. I mean how bad can it get?"
Just then they hear Cameron shouting at Riley.
"Stop your blubbing Riley! The coloring will wash out in a week."
"A week! I thought you said it was permanent?" She shouts back.
"Did I? Sorry, my mistake." Cameron replies her voice laced with sarcasm.
"You damn..." bang! "dirty..." bang! "...liar! I hate you!"
"The feeling is mutual Riley. You should pick up your shoes before you trip over them."
Sarah and John fall apart laughing.
##
Inside the underground facility, Mr. Bennett is talking to Mr. Topper.
"Mr. Topper, I've passed your ideas on to Joshua for modifying the design of these cybernetic units to accommodate the limitations of current technology. It has produced a set of designs that I would like you to look over."
"That's excellent, but we are just getting ready to try broadcasting that modified signal."
"Mr. Topper, that can wait. The designs are in my office. Viewable on the holographic projector. Please review the plans. I'm sure these gentlemen and ladies can take care of the final stage without your supervision."
"Yes Mr. Bennett. May I ask what you will be doing?"
"I have some loose ends to clean up. I will be back in an hour."
Derek watches from his hiding place. He is torn between following Mr. Bennett, who is more than likely heading for an exit, or following Mr. Topper who is going to an office, where there might be a phone.
Coming to a quick decision, he follows the hapless and clueless Mr. Topper.
##
John and Sarah are sitting on the sofa when Cameron comes down the stairs in her leotard and tights. The tights are white and the leotard a very dark purple, almost black but for when the light hits it. On her feet are the new ballet slippers. Pink, with ribbons that wrap around her ankles in a criss-cross pattern and tie off mid calf in a bow. The outfit is more form fitting then anything else John has seen her wearing, and she looks absolutely lovely with her hair tied back with a pink ribbon that matches her ballet slippers
John can barely tear his eyes away from her as she walks to the stereo and places a CD in the tray. Cameron sees John watching her and a small grin and light pinkish blush comes to her face. Sarah grins watching John staring at Cameron.
"Is Riley coming down to watch?" Sarah asks.
Cameron turns to face the couch. "I asked her, but she's still mad at me. Besides, she doesn't like the wardrobe I chose for her, but it was very difficult to find items for a Gothic look."
All of a sudden Sarah shouts. "Riley! Get down here, now!"
They hear a sullen grumble, and the sound of someone walking upstairs. Soon she starts to slowly come into view, and the more John sees, the more his mouth hangs open.
"I borrowed your fishnet stockings and black stilettos and your black leather skirt. The skirt is a little snug, and she'll have to be careful when sitting. The top of course is John's T-shirt, and the black leather jacket I found in storage from the previous occupants." Cameron explains as Riley comes into view.
John continues to stare slack jawed taking in Riley's new appearance. Black hair and eyebrows, red lipstick black eyeshadow and nail polish, a leather skirt that comes mid-thigh, and black fishnet stockings.
He comes to the realization that Sarah has been shouting at him. "Hey! I said close your mouth before you start drawing flies."
"Huh, uh yeah sure." John looks embarrassed and so does Riley as she takes a seat in the room.
Sarah leans over and whispers to Cameron. "She looks like a prostitute, did you do that on purpose?"
Cameron just displays a tiny grin and walks to the middle of the room. John wonders why his mom would have those items in her wardrobe, especially when she had that large packet of condoms. He takes his mind off that and focuses on Cameron. What his mom does in her private life is none of his business.
##
Mr. Topper enters Mr. Bennett's private lab. It is located next door to the server farm where the AI resides and all files and programs the technicians work on are stored. Looking through the large insulated windows, he can see the lights blink on the servers and network switches and router's.
Mr. Topper bares his left forearm and lays it on a scanner beside a computer terminal.
"Hello Mr. Topper." A voice emanates from everywhere and nowhere at once as speakers are embedded throughout the room.
"Hello Joshua. Mr. Bennett says you've produced designs based on my suggestions."
"Yes I have."
"Would you display it on the holographic projector please."
"Certainly."
Mr. Topper turns in his chair and observes as a three dimensional projection of the robot based on modifying designs taken off the chips of the units in the other room.
"Highlight the location of the processor, please Joshua."
"Being close to the power cell, is there any danger of heat build up damaging the chip?"
"I've inserted a heat shield between them, and improved ventilation of the power cell."
"Good. How soon can we begin production?"
"I've sent the portions of the designs to the appropriate manufacturer's owned by Mr. Bennett. If they begin constructing the parts immediately we can begin assembling a prototype by the end of the week. If they turn over production fully to this design, we can have a hundred in two weeks. Ramp up production and turn over operation of the factories to the units so they can run twenty-four hours a day, it could be possible to build a thousand per month."
Suddenly Mr. Topper feels something sharp against his jugular and swallows nervously.
"I've heard enough." A voice growls in his ear. "Tell me right now where I can find a phone, or you are dead."
"Who are you? How did you get in here?" Topper asks, followed by some nervous laughter.
"I got in here with this." A left arm is shoved forward in front of Mr. Topper's face and he can read a bar code on it similar to his own.
"But who are you?"
Before the man can answer, Joshua speaks. "He is First Lieutenant Derek Thomas Reese with the 132nd S.O.C. Operational specialty Tech-Com."
"Wait a minute! Joshua, how do you know this man?"
"He knows me, because Joshua, as you call him, is Sky Net, and this place is a work camp. You are a prisoner just like me."
"Joshua what's going on?"
"I'm sorry Mr. Topper, but Lieutenant Reese is correct. You and the other technicians are prisoners and have been ever since you were branded."
Mr. Topper stutters and stammers, but ignoring the sharp edge against his throat manages to stand up from his chair. "What the hell is going on here?"
"I'm sorry Mr. Topper, but I don't answer to you." At that moment one of the Cyborg's from the lab enters the office. "Please return to the lab and finish carrying out Mr. Bennett's orders. I'd hate to start off our new relationship by having you killed."
Mr. Topper looks at the unshaven, rough looking man in the army surplus coat, then at cyborg standing menacingly inside the door to the room. Swallowing nervously, he quickly leaves and returns to the lab.
"Lieutenant Reese, please stay a moment. I'd like to ask you some questions."
The triple-8 in the doorway approaches standing between Derek and the exit.
"You can do what you want, but I'm not telling you anything."
"Lt. Reese, there is something very base and crude using torture. Please take a seat in the chair that Mr. Topper so recently vacated. I only wish to talk."
##
Former FBI Agent and now head of security for Zeira Corp is racing across town as fast as he can for the address that John Henry found for the Baum family.
The description of the family easily fits Sarah, John, and that cyborg, Cameron, they have protecting them. John Henry doesn't know who broke into the server's to read their files, but it was obvious they didn't care if they were found out.
As that thought comes to mind, he wonders if he is doing the right thing. If they left behind traces, then maybe they, whoever they were, wanted someone else to know that someone other than them were looking for the Connor's as well.
Acting quickly, Ellison double backed on his route looking for anyone possibly following him.
##
Cameron presses the button on the remote to start the CD. She tosses John the remote and assumes a position. Her right leg is crossed in front of her left, toes pointing. Her arms are bent in arcs with the tips of her middle fingers just touching in front of her waist, and her head is bowed.
As the song she selected begins to play, John realizes it is the one she listens to the most - something by Chopin. Her arms and head raise, her hands above her head, her right foot remains pointed, but arcs around until it is pointing to her right.
Sarah watches as Cameron goes through her many poses, slender body stretching, moving gracefully to the music, never missing a moment to interpret the music so beautifully with her movement.
John takes his eyes off Cameron to look at his mom, as she watches Cameron. She's smiling. He glances at Riley, who is watching with awe and surprise, but still with a sullen expression. There is no love lost between them two, he thinks.
He returns to watch Cameron as she gracefully executes a spin.
##
Mr. Topper enters the lab to see the technicians looking nervous. Looking around he sees the other cybernetic organisms have been activated. One of which stands by the entrance to the lab. His assistant, Lillian Chin, approaches him. She sees the look of fear and shock on his face.
"Tope. What's happening? The units suddenly activated and have taken up positions by the doors."
He just looks at her a moment, staring at her lovely Oriental face, before saying, "Joshua has taken control of the base in Mr. Bennett's absence. We will continue our work. Everything is fine."
"No. Something is wrong. You look in shock."
Mr. Topper runs a hand over his face and says with more control of his voice. "Everything is fine. Please return to your work."
He walks away from her to his computer terminal. He stairs blankly at the screen for a moment, and then begins responding to requests to look over blocks of program code.
When he took this job straight out of university, graduating ahead of his class, to become the chief technician of the Research, Acquisition and Development arm of The Kaliba Consortium, he thought he was onto the biggest opportunity of his life. Now to find out he is nothing but a glorified slave, in charge of other slaves, who like him are nothing more but prisoners.
The threat wasn't made, but it was implied by the entrance of the cyborg into Mr. Bennett's private lab. Work or die.
He delves into the work, double checking the altered lines of code. The computer can scan and compare more quickly, but he likes to watch it. In just moments he thinks, screw this, and adds all the modified program blocks for the broadcast.
"Prepare the transmitter for broadcast. Someone contact Mr. Bennett and inform him of what we are doing. What is the status for the transmitter?"
"Transmitter will be at full power in 1 minute."
"Lillian, please monitor transmission of program. I'll monitor the return signals from the rogue unit."
##
Sarah, John and Riley are watching enraptured with Cameron's performance. She gracefully turns and stretches, arms raised and bows. Rising again and quickly moves, dancing on her toes, her hands making graceful moves in the air. Cameron's placid angelic face frowns as once again she feels her left hand begin to twitch, ruining what so far has been a flawless performance.
Ellison is driving as fast as he dare on the residential streets to the address he has. Reaching the shared driveway, he stops a moment to collect himself. What is he going to say to Sarah, who told him in no uncertain terms to stay away. And what about Cameron and John, who both know or suspect he took the machine that now resides in Zeira Corp's basement. He is distracted by balloons and streamers tied to the neighbor's mailbox. One large balloon says, "It's A Boy!"
Collecting himself he turns down the driveway.
Cameron is in the far corner of the room and runs forward two quick steps and leaps like a gazelle. John watches and is surprised when she lands hard, not making any effort to land with any care. She slams into the bookcase with a sickening thud. She then falls to the floor face down.
"Cam!" John dashes to her side and rolls her over. Her eyes are closed.
"Cam! Cameron!"
Her eyes open and they are glowing red.
"Run John! Run!" She yells, her face filled with fear.
Ellison comes to a stop and gets out of his car just in time to hear a girl scream, several gun shots, and the sound of breaking glass.
Drawing his weapon from his ankle holster, he runs for the front door.
##
Ms. Weaver is working at her desk, handling the daily requirements of running a business, when her computer informs her she has an email.
Pausing in her signing of forms, she opens her email program to find a new email from Mr. Bennett. Curiosity aroused, she opens it.
I want to make my point very clear. Turn over to me the cybernetic body of John Henry by the end of business on Friday, before you force me to raise the stakes again.
Ms. Weaver scrolls down to find a URL link. Clicking on it, a video plays of Savannah sitting on a bare concrete floor in the corner of what looks like a cell, without windows. Her head is on her knees, and Catherine can hear her crying.
END OF CHAPTER
Today marks the one year anniversary of the final episode of "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles" here in the U S A. As I've said many times before, it is and always will be my favorite television program. It is the only TV show for which I've bought the DVD's. It is a great series and deserved better treatment than it got by the network that aired it (Boo FOX!) and the production company that backed it. I hope that with Halcyon's troubles out-of-the-way, that WB will at some point in the near future produce a movie or a mini-series, or publish a novel that will bring closure to what has been the best two seasons of any TV show. "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles" will live forever in the hearts and heads of the fans who love the show. God Bless.
The1Russter 04-10-2010