Chapter 12

Everyone could see that the world had changed a lot in seven years. The once proud standing cities of the world were now nothing more but a heap of ruins, any structure that had been taller then three stories had been destroyed. Using backdoors to hack in to military systems, Skynet had launched mankind's own nuclear weapons against the world . In one day, half of the worlds human population had died in the fire, some three billion humans lives had vanished in an instant. The survivors at first, gave in to despair, as no survivor was lucky enough to not have lost someone close to them. The world it seemed was still as divided as ever, until they became united through fear.

Machines, created by Skynet, began taking over. They rounded up what people they could find, and forced them in to work camps, to build factory's to build more machines. The ones who couldn't work were moved in to slaughter houses for orderly disposal. Many people hid underground, hiding in sewers and bunkers. Many more fled in to open country, the forests and deserts, anywhere to escape the machines.

In LA, a large convoy, holding human prisoners was moving slowly over the ruins of a housing estate. The convoy was made up of three prisoner carriers, known among the humans as monkey wagons and an HK tank. The tank led the way, rolling over and crushing numerous human skulls that lay on the ground. Inside the monkey wagons, the humans were all sitting on the floor, most remained silent, others comforted those who cried. In the third and final wagon, everyone, like in the other wagons, sat silently on the floor, all except one man who stood by the only window, allowing light inside. He held himself up holding by holding on to the bars in the window. This mans name was John Connor.

It has been seven years since John hid in Crystal peck while the bombs fell and Skynet took over. If anyone who knew John before that day saw him, they would have to look twice to recognise him. He now had multiple scars on his face, one large one on his right cheek. He was also slightly taller then he used to be, and also more muscular and battle hardened after years of fighting. His green eyes were lit up as the sun hit them through the window as he watched the ruins pass from outside. Many things made John stand out from the other people with him. For one, he showed no fear as he was forced to get in to the wagon by the machines. Unknown to anyone, he had also allowed himself to be captured. John always knew that he had to spend the next six years in the work camp. It was at century, that he would meet and befriend Kyle Reese, his father.

He would also meet up with Martin Bedell, who will help him form the fighting force needed to fight back against the machines. As the convoy move, John noticed a young boy watching him from the crowd in the wagon. John looked over as the boy moved towards him, leaving his sleeping father behind him. The boy, who looked to be around only five years old, stood just under waist height to John. "What's that?". The boy, like John, didn't seem afraid of where they were. The boy was pointing to Johns left hand, to his third finger. Wrapped around his finger like a ring was a brown bit of string. "It's my ring". The boy, seemed fascinated by it. "It doesn't look like a ring, my dads ring looks different". John smiled, glad he found someone still had a sense of humour. "Mine might look different, but it was given to me by someone special, that's always better then a real ring". The boy smiled. "I'd still want a real ring". John again smiled. "If you can find me a shop that sells rings, then I'll get one". The boy looked confused suddenly. "What's a shop?".

John gave a small laugh before the wagon shook as it turned. The boy would have fallen over if John hadn't grabbed him. "You better go back to your dad". The boy muttered "okay", before running back to his dad, who had just woken up. Looking back out the window, John could see smoke coming from some large buildings, one the roof of the buildings, were terminator guards. Standing completely still, large guns instead of arms. For a brief moment, John could see a large construction site, hundreds of people were digging in to the ground. The wagon stopped outside another large building.

Everyone in the last wagon heard the first one open. Someone ordered the people inside to get out. A few screams were heard, along with gunshots. Panic and fear of the unknown spread quickly through the other wagons. It was the same with second wagon, some screams and gunshots. The doors on the last wagon opened and everyone stood up quickly, scared due to what they all heard. Standing there, was a man, flanked by four machines, all of which looked like the first design for a humanoid hunter killer. The machines all aimed at the humans in the wagon, who remained silent. The man stepped forwards, "Everyone out now, you have ten seconds before these shoot you". There was a large panic as everyone scrambled to get out of the wagon as fast as possible. John, who was already at the door when they stopped was one of the first ones out. John and the others joined a group of people who had gotten out of the first two wagons. The machines opened fire on those who didn't get out in time, killing twelve who were still in the wagon. John turned like the rest to the people who had just died. Among the dead was the young boy who had spoken to him and his father. The machines turned on the rest, just staring at the terrified group.

The man smiled as if pleased that an innocent boy had just been killed. One of the men in the group panicked. "I cant stay here, I'm going!". He tried to run for it, past the wagons. He didn't make it far before he war torn apart by the machines guns. The people around John began screaming, some also trying to run for it, others huddled together in fear. The ones who ran were quickly killed. John stepped up, not wanting to see more killed. "Everyone, don't move, if you try and run you die, just stay here!". Many members of the group looked at John as if he were mad, but none of them made a run for it. They quickly realised that John was telling the truth. The man leading the machines stepped forwards, facing John. "Welcome to Century, I'm the overseer of this camp". One man in the group muttered "Traitor", under his breath.

"As your friend here has already stated, trying to escape will get you killed so I'd advise everyone here to do as they are told. You're here to work, to build what Skynet tells you to build. If you don't work, you will be sent to the slaughter houses, if you cant work, you will be sent to the slaughter houses, and if your behind schedule with your work, you will be sent to the slaughter houses, understand?". Everyone but John nodded, thankfully no one noticed. The overseer went on. "You will now be taken to warehouse seventeen, which will be your home from this day onwards, you will be later assigned a work shift and you all start work tomorrow". The overseer then pointed to six people in the group, all men, including John. "You six will take these bodies to slaughter house three, you will then be escorted to the warehouse like the others". The overseer then walked through the group of humans and walked away. "Follow me".

All be the six chosen stayed behind while everyone else followed the overseer, three of the machines following them. The last machine stayed the looked at the six remaining. It pointed its at the wagon. "Move the bodies to this wagon". John and the other began the gruelling task of moving the bodies. John moved to the first wagon and looked inside. What he saw made almost made him sick. Inside were only five bodies, but two of them were children, haven't even reached the age of three. One of the bodies was just a baby. The other two were adults, seemingly having thrown themselves in front of the bullets to protect the children. Four of the men worked on the second wagon. The fifth man, seeing John alone, approached him. "Hey, you alright?". The man saw the bodies himself. He didn't say anything after that. "John climbed in to the wagon.

"It's not the first time I've seen this, its never get easier to see children like this, never". John held out his hand and helped the man in. "I know what you mean, thanks by the way, I was about to run before but when you told everyone to stop, I didn't moved, you saved my life, thank you". John tired to smile, but the site before him still hurt him. He simply nodded to the man. "What's you name by the way?". John looked up to the man for the first time, seeing his face. John didn't know why, but he seemed familiar. "My names Connor, John Connor". He held out his hand and the man took it. "Nice to meet you John, I'm Reese, Kyle Reese". John quickly backed off from him. Kyle Reese knelt down and separated the bodies from one another, making them easier to carry. John couldn't take his eyes off him. This was Kyle Reese, his father. He was a lot older then he was since he saw his playing baseball in a park when he was five. But this was him now, in his late teens, his father. Ever since the bombs fell, John knew he would have to spend six years in this work camp. He knew he would meet his father, who was younger then himself. Meeting his father was the only thing he looked forwards to since the bombs fell. "John, you goanna help me or what?".

John snapped out his trance. "Yeah, sorry". John helped Kyle carry the bodies to the last wagon. Neither tried to look at their faces as they carried them to the last wagon. Once the bodies were all loaded, the machine began closing the wagon door. John looked at the bodies as they disappeared slowly behind the door, he spotted the body of the young boy, his eyes wide open while the others were closed. "STOP!". He marched forwards quickly, stopping the machine from closing the door. The machine aimed its gun at his head. It didn't fire as it watched John close his eyes before stepping back. The machine lowered its gun and pushed John back before resuming the closing of the door. John rejoined the group, standing next to Kyle. "Why did you do that, it could have killed you?". For the first time since coming here, John smiled. "The machines are build to kill, they aren't build to be cruel".

All five of them stared at him. The all looked disbelieving, as if John was insane, considering that they had just killed children for being to slow. The machine closed the door of the wagon and the wagon moved along with the rest of the convoy deeper in to the camp. The third wagon broke off from the others and headed for the third building in the distance that had smoking chimneys on top of them, black smoke coming out of them. The machine turned to them and pointed down towards where the others had disappeared earlier. "Move".

Not need asking twice, John led the way, closely followed by Kyle, the four men and the machine. Turning a corner, they walked along what seemed to be a long street, on each side were warehouses, each with a large white painted number on them, the numbers getting higher the longer they walked. There weren't many people outside, the ones who were there just stared an the machine marched John and the others to warehouse seventeen. They stopped outside the door to warehouse seventeen. The door opened and a women stepped outside to greet them. "You better come inside, quickly, its nearly dark, and they kill on site when its dark". She looked at the machine which just stared back at her. John and the others headed inside, the women closing the door behind them, leaving the machine outside. "Are any of you related to each other?". She seemed hopeful but sighed when none of the answered them. John moved uncomfortably, as he was related to one of them, but knew he couldn't say anything on the subject.

Opening another door, she led them through. Inside the warehouse was what John could only describe as a shanty town. There were hundreds if not thousands of people cramped together, separating themselves with large bits of metal, which were made in to small houses. Some people had tents while others went without anything altogether. "Welcome home, follow me". The woman led the way through the town, stopping every now and then to tell on of the group that a certain spot was his home from now on. With just John and Kyle left, the woman came to a small makeshift house, inside was just enough room for two people to sleep.

"I hope you two don't mind but this is all we have left spare". Both John and Kyle looked inside, not an ounce of enthusiasm in their faces. John looked at the woman "It will do, thanks for your help". The women pointed towards a large metal door at the other end of the warehouse. "Once a day, after the work shift, the machines give us food, it isn't much but its better then nothing, you've both missed today's meal I'm afraid, you'll have to wait till tomorrow". The woman smiled and walked away, through the town. She quickly turned around and came back. "Be careful, the greys watch us on the cameras, don't try anything stupid".

She then left again, John looked up and saw dozens of cameras on the ceilings. Kyle did the same, "What the hell are greys?". John looked away from the cameras and stepped inside his new home. "Humans, working for Skynet". Kyle shook his head. "You'd think that we'd stick together with everything that's happened, but there's always some who think their better then others and side with the enemy". The woman who led them in shouted through the town. "Lights out, thirty seconds!". There was a hurry by everyone to get to their homes. Kyle and John watched with interest as people hurried past their house.

From their door, they could see much of the town as they were higher up from the rest, as if on a hill. The lights suddenly went out and the town was engulfed in darkness. Above them on a catwalk, spotlights were lit and shone down on the town. "We better get some sleep, don't know what will happen tomorrow". John nodded at Kyle's words and lay down next to him. They had only one blanket between them so they both agreed to share as it would be better then freezing to death. While Kyle fell asleep almost easily, John didn't fall to sleep for hours. He lay awake, running his fingers along the brown bit of string on his finger on his left hand, remembering the person who gave it to him. Tears silently fell down his cheeks as he did.

John had been asleep for only a couple of hours when he was shaken awake by Kyle. "What's wrong?". The woman was again back. "You two better come with me quickly". Kyle held out his hand and John took it and was pulled to his feet. The women led them through the town, quickly and quietly as everyone was still asleep. "Any idea what this is about". Kyle shook his head. The women led them to the front entrance, where everyone who had arrived in the convoy with them. The woman stopped as John and Kyle joined the group. "Right, I'm sorry for waking you all early, but its better that you're here now then later". She rolled up her sleeve and showed them all a tattoo on her arm, the same tattoo that John recognised as a Skynet work camp tattoo. Your to be given these, so Skynet can keep track of us, please don't fight it, the last time someone tried fighting back, the machines killed the entire group so just get it over and done with, okay". An alarm sounded and everyone was woken up, they all gradually dragged themselves to their feet.

The door behind them opened and one by one, everyone from the group was taken through the door. They could hear the screams of pain from each person before they retuned, all holding their arm where the tattoo now was. John went in next. Inside was a single machine. John walked towards it and held out his arm. The machine grabbed his arm and applied the tattoo. The pain was intense but John didn't scream out loud. Once finished, John looked at his tattoo, the serial number on it indicated that there were over a hundred thousand people in the work camp. John turned and left the room, once he was outside, everyone just stared at him, unsure how he was able not to scream in pain like the others. John ignored them and waited as Kyle and the rest were forced inside, one by one. After they got their tattoos, everyone left the warehouse and was marched to what seemed to be a factory in progress of being built. They were each given a different task and sent to work. John found himself and Kyle working together on building automatic machines to build other machines. John made sure he worked as slow as he could without drawing much attention, just like everyone else was doing. Kyle turned to him.

"Who's Cameron?". John looked up, not knowing how he would know her name. "What?". "Cameron, who is she, you talked in your sleep, woke me up, you kept saying her name". John looked towards the brown string on his finger before continuing on with his work. "Sorry I woke you, I didn't know I talked in my sleep". Kyle gave a small laugh. "No one does I guess, its just something that happens when your dreaming or something, so, who is she?". John didn't want to talk about Cameron but he also didn't want to lie to Kyle. Before he could answer, Kyle spoke again. "I know we've just met and that, if you don't want to talk about her, that's okay". John looked up at him. "Thanks, It's just hard, thinking about her, I miss her". Kyle nodded and continued with his work. "We all lost somebody, some close, some not". "Who did you loose?". John, despite not wanting to talk about Cameron, was enjoying the conversation with Kyle. "Both my parents died on Judgement day, my brother, Derek, took me underground when the bombs fell, I was hiding I the tunnels when they found me, the machines, my brother was out finding food for us, he's still out there somewhere". John tired to not look at Kyle when he mentioned his brother Derek.

John remembered how he was forced to shoot and kill him in the past, after he tried to kill him an Cameron. "He'll still be out there, he's looking for you". Kyle looked up. "How do you know?". "Lets just say I've got experience in that area". They didn't say anything more for a while. "John, yesterday, when we got here, you told that machine to stop and you looked it in the eyes, how can you do that, everyone I know wouldn't dare look them in the eyes". John didn't look up while Kyle waited for a reply. "I've been fighting these things for a long time, longer then most". An alarm went off and people around them began to get up and leave. John and Kyle didn't move till someone called over, "Works done for the day". John headed back with Kyle towards warehouse seventeen. The day had gone by quickly for John, though he couldn't tell Kyle who he was, he enjoyed talking with his father.

They got back to the warehouse and stood in the queue with everyone else for some food. The woman who led showed them where to sleep was in front of them. She kept muttering twenty six under her breath. John put his hand on her shoulder, making her jump. "Sorry, just wondering if your alright, you kept saying twenty six". The woman shrugged. "Twenty six of us didn't come back from today's shift". She tuned and moved to collect her food for the day. John looked at Kyle, who gave the same upset look. They sat together just outside their little house an ate was looked and tasted like rotten cabbage. The woman took a seat next to John. "Everyday, less of us come back from the factory, those who don't come back are replaced by others who are captured from outside". John watched as a group of seven men walked around the camp. Everyone they walked past, looked away from them, as if they were scared of them. "I'd avoid them if I were you". The woman had noticed him watching the group. "Who are they?".

The woman took a bite of her cabbage, nearly spitting it back out. "They do it every day, they take food from others, they attack anyone who stands up to them, the big one raped a young girl two weeks ago. She was so traumatised she couldn't work the next day, the machines sent her to the slaughter house". John felt an urge of fury at the men, as did Kyle. "The greys don't do anything, they just watch from their camera, they like watching us suffer". The men approached a large group of children. John and Kyle could hear what they were saying, but the children handed them their food, putting it in a box that was held out, before hiding. John tuned to see the woman had gone. Looking around he could see her running towards the men. She began shouting at them. "What do you think your doing, their just kids, give the food back". The men responded by laughing at her. One of them stepped forwards, by the way he was acting, he was the leader of the group. "You've come back for more have you, then lets have some fun".

He punched her in the face, throwing her to the ground. The men in the group laughed. John looked at Kyle who was thinking the same thing, they both got to their feet and ran towards the group. The ringleader positioned himself over the woman, he was holding her face in pain. He began tugging at her trousers, trying to pull them off her. "What are you fighting it for bitch, you know you want it". She continued to struggle beneath him. John and Kyle ran in to the group, catching the attention of everyone nearby. The ringleader looked up and saw John's boot as John kicked him hard in the face, breaking his nose. Kyle threw himself at the largest of the men, sending him to the floor. John fought two men at once, punching them both but receiving just as many in return. The woman who had been punched got up and saw what was happening.

She threw herself in to the fight, helping Kyle who was being beaten by the other members of the gang. A lot of the adults, seeing John and Kyle's heroic act, also joined in the fight, helping John, Kyle and the woman fight the thugs. The end result was John, Kyle and the woman ended up with some bruises and the seven thugs all lay on the floor, moaning in pain, The entire warehouse was silent and everyone was watching John, who had bent down and took the box of food from the ringleader. Don't you dare you bastard, that's my food". John looked back at the ringleader who had stood up. He pulled out a knife. " I said give it back". John put the box on the ground and stared at the man. "If you want it, come and get it". The man charged at John. The children watching screamed but they didn't need to. John easily disarmed the man of his knife before punching his to the floor again. John held out the knife to Kyle who took it. "I only got here yesterday. I was told what you've been doing, all of you and you will not harm anybody here again, you wont steal food, you wont touch anybody, you'll do nothing, understand?".

The ringleader stood up again. "Fuck you". He quickly turned to his gang. "Get up, we can take everyone here". They all got up but much to his surprise, they moved in to the crowd, disappearing from site in to the shanty town. "Get back here you cowards". When it was clear his gang wasn't coming back, he again turned to John. "You bastard, I'll kill you". He was stopped instantly when Kyle threw himself in front of John, holding the knife up at arms length. "Back off!". The woman also moved next to Kyle, shielding John. She was quickly followed by everyone else, the men, the women and children. The ringleader was furious, he tried to attack John through everyone but was quickly and easily thrown back on to the floor. He got up and with one last look at John, he spat on the ground and left, disappearing in the direction of the rest of the gang.

When he left, the children all jumped around, waving their arms in the air cheering. John picked up the box of food and went to the group of children who had their food stolen. John gave the food back, giving each an equal amount. The smiles on their faces was all John needed to cheer himself up. Once he finished he and Kyle headed back to finish their own meal. "Hey wait, what's your name?". John stopped and turned to see the woman he saved looking at him. Everyone again stopped what they were doing to listen. "John Connor". The woman smiled. "Thank you John Connor, and what about you?". She looked at Kyle. "Kyle Reese". The woman smiled again. "Thank you, thank you both". John and Kyle both headed back to the makeshift house. They sat and began to eat. They looked to each other and began the laugh. "Cant believe we did that". John couldn't argue, he had been here less then two days and he was already making a name for himself, and so was Kyle.

Over the next few weeks, John and Kyle's name was known by everyone in warehouse seventeen. Everyone looked up to them, the men, the women and the children. John also made sure to find out peoples birthdays and make sure it was celebrated. Derek had told him all those years ago that when you have something to celebrate then celebrate it. Because their were hundreds of people in the warehouse, there had only been one day with out a birthday to celebrate. When it came to group decisions, everyone looked to John, Kyle and Liz for answers. The woman who was attacked told them her name the day after they saved her, saying that John and Kyle were not just her heroes, but everyone's. After a tough work shift, in which they lost seven more people to the machines, six of them children, John, Kyle and Liz sat at their favourite spot, watching as seventeen people celebrated their birthdays, all together in a large party. "I spoke to someone from one of the other warehouses, they all know of you two". John and Kyle almost chocked on their food. "Really?, everyone?".

Liz nodded her head, chewing on her own food. She kept on looking to John's hands. John again was running his fingers around the brown string in his finger. "Who's the lucky girl?". Kyle shook his head. "Don't bother, he wont tell me, all I know is her names Cameron". Liz and Kyle grinned at each other. "My brother used to be obsessed with rings when he was young, he used to wear a different one a week, he stole my mums wedding ring once, my mum and dad were so mad". They all laughed. John turned to her. "I didn't know you had a brother". Liz smiled and looked down at the party below. "He still is my brother, we were separated, he's still out there, hiding somewhere, his name's William". John froze, thoughts running through his head. As Kyle and Liz talked about her brother. John thought of something he did before the war. He had saved two people, two teenagers from a machine, Elizabeth and William Anderson. Liz was a shorted name for Elizabeth. John turned to her. "Elizabeth Anderson and William Anderson, that's you and your brothers name?, isn't it".

Liz seemed stunned by his outburst. So did Kyle, who was watching them both. "Yes, how do you know my surname, I haven't told you, either of you". Kyle shrugged his shoulders, not having a clue either, they both looked to John. Looking again at the party below, John tried to find the right words. He looked at Liz, who looked concerned o how he knew her name. "Do you remember, before Judgement day, you and you brother were attacked, someone followed you, broke in to your house, tried to kill you both". Liz's eyes widened in complete astonishment. "It was you, you saved us, you drove him off, it was you". John nodded. Liz held her hand over her mouth, in complete shock. Kyle was just as confused as before. "Can somebody enlighten me please?". Liz told Kyle what happened all those years ago, Kyle was just as stunned as she was.

"What a coincidence, you two meet then and then you meet now". John shook his head. "It wasn't a coincidence, I don't know when I should tell you what I'm about to, but I'm going to anyways". John looked around them, making sure they were alone. John knew the greys were focusing on the party below. "The man that tried to kill you and your brother wasn't a man, it was one of them, a machine". Liz just stared at him, Kyle gave out a small laugh before seeing that John was serious. "How could he have been a machine, he was human and it happened before the bombs fell". John again shook his head. He took a long deep breath. "No, it was a machine, send back through time by Skynet to kill anyone who is a threat, you and your brother are threats to it, I stopped it from killing you both". Kyle again gave a small laugh before the look on John's face stopped him.

"I though time travel was just something in science fiction". Both Liz and Kyle were listening with all their might. "At the minutes, it is, but soon it wont be". Kyle again spoke, "What do you mean by anyone who is a threat to Skynet?, no offence to Liz, but she isn't exactly a threat". Liz gave him a meaningful look. "That's because she hasn't done anything yet". Kyle and Liz stared at each other, confused. "John, ever since we met, you've acted differently to everyone else, everyone is scared of the machines, but your not". John nodded. "That's because Skynet has been trying to kill me ever since I was born". Liz and Kyle were again confused. "Skynet's killing us off now John, why would it try to kill you in the past, what do you do to Skynet?". John frowned. "In six years, I'm going to lead a break out from hear, then I'm forming us all in to an army and I'm fighting back". John waited and waited for both of them to laugh but they didn't. He looked from one to the other, waiting for a response. "Why six years?, cant we break out now".

John was shocked at this, he looked next to Liz. "You have the support of everyone in here, everyone else in the camp has heard of you, if they hear your going to break out, they would all follow you". John could now smile freely. He next told them both everything he could. He told them about how his mother raised him to fight, how they tried to prevent Judgement day. He also told them what was going to happen, all about the war to come. He was careful to leave some details out, he didn't tell them who his father was an he didn't tell them about Cameron, though it hurt him deeply to not speak of her. When he finished, Liz and Kyle both looked at him with great admiration. Liz spoke first. "No one has ever been able to fight back against these things, but I think with what you've said, we can fight back, we will fight back". Kyle nodded in agreement before he stood up to attention.

"We need to spread the word, of Sarah Connor and John Connor, what they have done for us and what needs to happen". Before John could reply, Kyle left and headed down to the party. He called together some people and began talking. "I'll do the same, spread the word". John stood up with her. "Liz, tomorrow, I need you to ask around the other warehouses, ask for Martin Bedell, we need him". Liz nodded before leaving to join Kyle at the party. Already, as Kyle spoke, people were staring up at him, pride in their faces. John knew he was giving them all hope, hope for the future, that this wasn't the end for them all, that they would fight and fight and fight, until the win or die.

Within hours, everyone in warehouse seventeen had heard the legend of Sarah and John Connor. They were all careful not to talk about it next to a machine or so the greys could hear them. Within days, the legend spread to all the other warehouses. John, during the work shifts, avoided the gazes as the machines watched their factory being built. Liz, pretending to bring him some tools, approached John. "I've found him, he's in warehouse twenty three, he says he knows a way to avoid the cameras, he can sneak in to us". John nodded, "Okay, good work". At the end of the shift, everyone in warehouse seventeen celebrated as it was the first time they didn't loose a single person during a shift. As John sat in the middle of the party, Liz again approached him again. "He's here, he's at the hill". John and Liz found Kyle and the three headed for the hill. The hill I what they had nicknamed their spot, overlooking the shanty town. When they got to the hill, Martin Bedell stepped out from their house. He stood to attention and saluted to John. John gave a quick salute back.

"Better not do that here, we don't want to be caught". Martin just smiled before holding his hand out to John who took it. "I've been waiting a long time to see you again, I thought you might have died on Judgement day, but I'm really glad you're here". John smiled at him. "It was a close run thing but I'm still alive". They all took a seat on the hill. "We heard of the legend of Sarah and John Connor, the moment I heard it, I knew you were somewhere here". The four of them talked on what they had to do. It was eventually decided that they would lay low for a while before planning their breakout. It was almost lights out when Martin had to get back to his own warehouse. "Connor, when we get out, we will all fight for you, for you and for Sarah Connor". He again saluted John before disappearing through the town and out the warehouse. "The one thing I don't like is the saluting, I hope everyone doesn't do it". Kyle and Liz both saluted John, large grins on their faces. Laughing, he and Liz sat down and watched as the party began breaking up, everyone heading back to their homes. Kyle left them to help some of the orphans back to their house.

John found himself running his fingers again running over the brown string around his finger. Liz watched him as John focussed on the string. "John, it would help if you talked about her, about Cameron, tell me about her, what was she like?". John, shed a tear from his eye, as the weeks had gone by, he became more hurt with Cameron not being with him. He missed her more then anything. "She's beautiful, when I first met her, I couldn't believe someone like her would be interested in someone like me. Her eyes are chocolate brown and her hair is just like it. She loved it when I ran my fingers through her hair, it helped her sleep. She has a small round mole by her left eye brow, it makes he look cute. What I liked most was her smile, I loved that smile of hers, every time she smiled, it was like seeing a whole new her. She always knows how to make me laugh, cheer me up, she is why I'm going to fight, She is why I'm going to get everyone out of here. Because I love her. I've loved her ever since saw her. The best day of my life was when I married her. Before then, I had never seen her so happy. She's out there, and when we get out, I'm going to find her and I'm never going to leave her again". Tears were falling quickly down his cheeks as he talked about Cameron. Liz put her hand on his shoulder. She was lost for words as John pored his heart out. She gave him a reassuring smile before leaving as the lights went out.

The next couple of days was hard for everyone. The greys eventually picked up on the Sarah Connor and John Connor legend. They demanded to know who Sarah and John Connor were, where they were and what they had planned. Not one person gave John away, they all kept their mouths shut. Even after hours of torture, most still refused to talk. They willingly chose death instead of giving John up, something John would never forgive himself for, nor would he forget. The machines changed tactics, when they greys asked someone for information and that someone refused, the machines kill them. Twenty five refused to talk before they came to a child. Only then someone did speak up. The machines heard the legend but refused to say any more, which quickly resulted in his death The greys and the machines began looking for John. Their aim was to kill him before the legend inspired a rebellion.

If their was a rebellion, Skynet would have all the greys killed and replaced. John regrettably was forced to stop calling himself John Connor again and instead called himself John Baum again. The work shifts were greatly increased, pushing everyone to the limits. Hundreds were dying as they were worked to death everyday. They finished the factory they were building, which immediately began building machines. John and the others watched as large HK tank's and Aerial's being build. Also a newer machine was build, at first glance, John thought they were T triple eight before seeing them to be less advanced. Despite being less advanced, these new machines were stronger, larger and used more brutal tactics when dealing with humans, killing hundreds and capturing thousands to be brought to the camp.

"If they keep working us like this, we'll all be dead by the end of the month". Kyle had said this after a long work shift. John knew all to well what his mother said Kyle had told her when he protected her. He had said that they were so close to going out forever, humans were close to extinction. Looking around, John didn't think anyone could live to the end of the month, let alone five more years. Like everyone else, Liz began to suffer due to the workload. The machines began forcing them to dig in to the ground. Once they got a certain distance down, they were ordered to fill the hole again. Then they were forced to start over, being told that if they did the job slower then before, they would all be killed on the spot. John sat alone on the hill, both Liz and Kyle had been forced to go to the slaughter houses to load bodies. As John ate his food, he noticed he was being watched. He had gotten used to this as the rumours of him spread and that the greys were keeping an extra eye on them all. Looking behind him, he noticed a young girl he hadn't seen before watching him.

She continued to stair at him as he ate some more food. He held out his bowl to her. "Do you want some?, you can have it if you want". The girl hesitated before stepping out and walking slowly over to him. As she got closer, John was able to see her clearly. She looked no older the six or seven and had bright blue eyes. Her brown hair reminded him a lot of Cameron. She took to food and sat down next to him, eating to food quickly as of she had never eaten in a long time. He finished and handed John the empty bowl. She just looked at him as if fascinated by him. John watched as she took out a photograph from her pocket. She stared at the picture in her hand sand then to John. She then looked again at the picture. She did this a few times before she handed the picture to him. John, confused, looked at the picture. He nearly had a heart attack when he saw himself in the picture. He was sitting on a couch next to Cameron. In her arms was Allison, Kacy's daughter. John, thunderstruck, turned to face the girl. "Allison?". She nodded and smiled. "You look different from your picture, you have cuts on you face". John smiled before looking back at the picture, he focussed on Cameron. He smiled at seeing her happy face at holding the baby.

He again turned to her. "Where did you get this?". Allison lowered her head. "My mommy gave it to me, she said to find you, she said you would look after me". John's eyes widened. "Where is your mom". Allison's head dropped lower. "She went to sleep, she wouldn't wake up, I tried to wake my mommy up, but she didn't. Then the metal men came, they chased me, they wouldn't leave me alone, they brought me here". John reached over to her left arm. He rolled up her sleeve and saw Skynet's tattoo, fresh on her arm. She looked away from john, ashamed at what they had done to her. John rolled up his own sleeve and showed her his. She looked at his before rubbing her fingers over the tattoo. "Does yours still hurt?, mine still hurts". John shook his head, "No, mine doesn't hurt, it stops hurting after a while". She seemed a little happier knowing it wouldn't hurt for long. John, with one last look at the picture, handed it back to her. She folded it back up and put it in her pocket. "My mommy said you would look after me, will you look after me?". John, who hadn't expected Allison to service Judgement day, was just as unprepared to look after her as he was to leading a war.

The hopeful look in her eyes as she waited for his reply made sure John gave the right answer. "Yes, I'll look after you". John was nearly thrown on to his back when she jumped up and hugged him. "Thanks you, thank you, thank you". She just kept repeating those words until she was tired. John, with his back against the wall, had Allison sitting on his lap and she fell asleep. As she slept, John took the photograph from her pocket again. He opened it up, looking at the face of Cameron. He tired looking away as seeing her face hurt him as he missed her so much, but he found himself unable to look away. He was fixed on how beautiful she was. It wasn't until Kyle tapped him on the head that he looked away. "John, who's this?". John looked up, Kyle was back from the slaughter houses. He looked like he was close to passing out. He sat down opposite John, looking at Allison. "Who's she?".

John moved his hand to signal Kyle not to talk so loud as Allison stirred in her sleep. John held out the picture to Kyle, who took it. "This is you?, and that's Cameron?". John nodded his head. Kyle looked again at the picture, he shook his head in disbelief. "And, the baby, is that her?". He nodded at Allison, and John again nodded. "He names Allison, she was born just before Judgement day, her moms died an she found me, gave me this picture". As John spoke, Liz turned up, half dragging herself up towards them. Liz looked at Allison with surprise, before taking the picture from Kyle as her handed it to her. Her face broke in to a wide smile. "You were right, she is beautiful, and you looked better without the scar". John frowned as Kyle laughed.

John found it more bearable to live in the camp with Allison. Looking after someone, a child was something John had never thought about. Also, because he had married someone who couldn't have children, John never expected to be in this situation. He found looking after her day after day to not be as tough as he thought it would be. Though she was small, she was tough, and she kept John going in the next few weeks. It wasn't long before Allison started calling him dad, which took John a while to get used to. John himself, quickly took on a father role to her, telling her stories to help her sleep at night. He also began teaching her to speck Spanish and then told her the story of the Wizard of OZ, like his mother did to him when he was young. John quickly noticed that when he talked about Sarah to Allison, Kyle went strangely quiet. Even Liz commented on how well he was looking after her, finding it funny when Allison started called her Auntie Liz.

As the weeks went on, life became more brutal at the camp. The machines began marching people in to the slaughter houses in their hundreds as more and more people were captured from outside. John managed to hide over two hundred children in an old basement that they found beneath the warehouse, taking huge risks to keep the children hidden. As news of John's actions spread through out the camp, people were inspired to try and lead a breakout in his name. One such attempt ended with the execution of all those involved and eight hundred bystanders as a warning to others.

Warehouse seventeen was called in to repair the damage to the factory when an HK Aerial malfunctioned and destroyed itself. John got an idea to dig a tunnel between their warehouse to the factory so they can steal weapons. As Skynet didn't have cameras in the factory, it was a perfect opportunity. The tunnel was dug within days, much to John's surprise. Once the factory was up an running again, John began stealing weapons for use for the breakout. He made sure not to take too much at once, to not attract attention. During the explosion of the factory, one of the machines guarding the camp was damaged and buried in the rubble. John shocked everyone by removing the machines chip with extreme ease. Using the machines body, John, with Martin Bedell's help, began teaching as many as possible on how to destroy these machines, pointing out their weak spots, their eyes, and their circuits on the back of their heads, which were not covered like they were in later models, like the T triple eights.

After a year in the camp, John found himself more comfortable in a leadership role. For the first time, he was able to see them breaking out of the camp, fighting back against the machines. He also found it ironic that Skynet destroyed the world with their weapons, and he was going to break out of century using their weapons. He was going to do it, he was going to lead everyone out of here, he was going to fight and he was going to win the war, no matter what. More importantly, he was going to do it for Allison, who he now considers his daughter and he was going to do it for Cameron, his wife, who he missed more then anything in the world.