Chapter 17
Only hours after Home Plate fell to the machines, the resistance was in a state of shock. Not only was the headquarters of the resistance now gone, but a rumour that John Connor himself was killed in the attack spread like wild fire through out the resistance. Under the strain of Skynet's attacks and the low morale at the loss of their leader, the resistance was close to breaking point and Skynet was even closer to winning the war. It wasn't until John contacted every bunker and announced he was still alive, that the resistance fought back furiously, and destroyed every attack force against them. With the secret camp as his new headquarters, John led the war against Skynet.
Only a handful of John's lieutenants knew of the camp's location, making it almost impossible for Skynet to find it. In the months after the loss of Home Plate, the stalemate between the Resistance and Skynet was back in place, with neither side able to make a successful move against the other. The resistance was now known to be led by the Connor's and not just John Connor. Cameron was unwillingly pressed in to a second in command position, though she tried to avoid it due to her past. Though now second in command, Cameron always made a point to show that John was in charge, not her.
In the early morning, John awoke to the sounds of distant explosions, explosions that were to far away to be a danger to them at the camp but close enough to be heard. John frowned at being woken up again so early, he hadn't had a good nights sleep in weeks, his nightmares returning with a vengeance. He turned his head to see Cameron asleep next to him, her hair covering half of her face. He slowly rose his hand and moved her hair out of the way, showing John her face. Her ran his hand along her cheek, making her moan in her sleep softly. He slowly moved himself from under the blanket and off the bed, trying hard not to move to quickly and wake Cameron. Shivering due to the cold, he quickly found and put on his clothes. He turned to see that Cameron was shivering as well, small lumps appearing over her skin, so John reached over and pulled the blanket right around her, wrapping her up with it. She quickly warmed up, smiling in her sleep. John learnt over and kissed her on the forehead before heading for the door.
Stepping out in to the corridor, he was instantly met by Allison, who was in the process of trying to sneak back inside. "Oh shit!, err, hi dad". John closed the door behind him, looking around, he saw that they were alone. "Where were you?, I thought you were in bed". Allison looked to the floor and back to John again, clearly trying to think of an excuse. Unable to come up with one quickly enough, she shook her head in anger. "I just couldn't sleep dad, okay, I went for a walk, that's all". John instantly knew it was a lie, and Allison knew instantly as well that John had realised it. "Come on, lets go for a walk". Allison looked at John with surprise as he walked passed her and down the hall. She shook her head again and followed him. John led the way to the command room, full with terminals and computers. There was only two people inside, as the others were all asleep. Once they saw John and Allison, they stood up and saluted. "You two, you can go home early". They looked at each other with surprise but they didn't argue.
They made their way out of the room,, leaving John and Allison alone. "Sit down!". Allison looked nervously at John but did as she was told, sitting done on the nearest chair and looking towards the floor. John took another hair and sat opposite her. "Allison, ever since we've been here, you've been sneaking out at night, you used to tell me everything, now you don't , what's going on?". Allison continued looking at the floor, not saying anything. "Allison, you haven't slept properly in months, your not eating, you making your self ill, what's wrong?". Allison took a few deep breaths before saying, "I've been doing research". John found this hard to believe. "Research?, What kind of research makes you do it in secret and not tell me about it?". Allison looked like she was going to be sick, her skin was a very pale white. "Allison, tell me, we can sit here all day if you want, your not going anywhere until you tell me what you've been doing". Allison looked at John with anger but her anger quickly faded as she gave in. "I'll show you".
John watched as she stood up and walked over to the nearest computer. John stood up and walked to stand behind her. Allison immediately began access top secret files that only high members of Tech-com could access. "How are you getting in to all this?". Allison turned and looked at John as if h was stupid, and John did feel stupid for asking. He had taught Allison how to hack in to computers when they broke out of Century work camp. Eventually, Allison accessed a file and then moved away from the computer, allowing John to see it. "That's what I've been looking at". John sat down and looked at the file, seeing that it contained all the information captured about Skynet's attempts to grow living tissue. John looked to Allison with surprise. "Why are you looking at this?". Allison again looked at the floor.
"I've figured out how to make it, the skin, Skynet's having trouble but its almost figured it out". John closed the file and turned to Allison. "That's not what I asked, why are you looking at this". Allison reached in to her pocket and took out her photograph and handed it to John, who once again looked at himself sitting next to Cameron with Allison in her arms. "That's why, look at the picture, look at mom, she hasn't changed, she looks exactly the same as she did then, you and me, we don't look the same, we look older". John looked again and saw instantly what she meant. "You and me will keep getting older dad, your going to grow old and die and I'm going to grow old and die, she's not, she's going to stay the same, watch us grow old and then watch us die". For the first time, the thought of growing old without Cameron hit John like a stray bullet. He felt sick that Cameron was going to lose him and Allison eventually, he couldn't change that. "So, why the living tissue". Allison took the picture back from John and put it back in her pocket. "We've been here four months dad, I've spend nearly every night looking at this and I've figured out how to make the skin, it's only a matter of time before I can make organs". John nearly fell off his chair. "Organs?, you want to make organs, what the hell for?".
Allison smiled as she watched John regain his balance on the chair. "Mom's going to lose us, one way or another, you and me are going to die, and she's going to be alone, I don't want her to be alone, she doesn't want to be alone and I doubt you want her to be alone again. If I can get it right, I can grow her a heart, lungs, the whole thing, she'll grow old like us and she'll die a natural death". John though it strange that he was quickly agreeing in his mind to do something that would result in the death of Cameron. Allison smiled at John, knowing full well that the look on his face was one of approval. "You aren't doing anything until you tell Cameron what your planning, it's up to her if she wants what you want to do to her". Allison smiled again. "Not bad for a thirteen year old, is it?". It was John's turn to smile.
"Not really, you'd have to be thirteen". Allison looked confused. "What do you mean, I'm thirteen". "You were yesterday, it's your birthday today, you fourteen now". Allison looked stunned, having forgotten her own birthday. "Happy birthday, Baby". Smiling, she hugged John tightly. "Thanks dad". They stayed, hugging each other for a good five minutes, until they could hear sounds of movement from around them, as people began waking up to start their work. They separated, and Allison stepped back, allowing John to stand. "Right, you go and get some sleep, from today, no more sneaking out and doing this research or anything, do it in the day alright?". Allison nodded her head and yawned in exhaustion. She kissed John on the cheek and left, heading back home to bed.
Passing people as they came out of their rooms, Allison gave weak smiles to everyone who saw her. Most of them smiled back at her, and one person even saluted to her, making her smirk widely. Allison got to the door and pushed it open. Stepping inside, she closed the door as quiet as possible. Walking over to John and Cameron's room, she peered inside and saw Cameron had just woken up. Cameron spotted Allison in the doorway and pulled the blanket further up her body, making sure she was covered. Allison smiled and stepped inside the room. "Morning mom, sleep well?". Cameron straight away knew something was up as Allison only asked that when she wanted to say something. "Yeah, I did, where's Dad?". Allison sat down on the end of the end. "He's at the command centre, doing the usual leading the Resistance stuff".
Cameron smiled and just stared at Allison, waiting for her to say what she wanted. Allison took to staring at the floor again, both wanting and not wanting to tell Cameron what she wanted to do to her. "Allison, what's wrong?". Allison took a couple of deep breaths, before looking at Cameron. "I've been talking with dad and I need to ask you something". Cameron gave Allison her full attention, sitting up and holding the blanket to cover her chest. "Okay, I'm listening, what is it?". Allison again took deep breaths, hoping Cameron wouldn't react badly to what she was going to say. "I've been doing research, on living tissue. I know Skynet's trying to grow it, I've figured out how to grow it completely". Cameron's eyes widened slightly. "You've figured out how to make living tissue?, before Skynet?". Allison nodded nervously but was pleased by the impressed look on Cameron's face. She took out the photograph and handed it to Cameron, who took it with her free had, the other holding the blanket to her chest.
"Dad's got older, you haven't. If you and him stay together, he's going to keep getting older and your not, he's going to die and your going to keep on living". Unlike John, Cameron had thought about this on many occasions, but has never told John. The first time was when she used to go to the library and talk with her friend Eric. He had commented on never growing old and staying beautiful forever. At that moment, Cameron knew she wouldn't age like John would, but pushed it to the back of her mind and tried not to think of it. Cameron tired now again, not to think about it. Allison watched as Cameron's face turned quickly to one of sadness. "Mom, I've learnt everything I can about growing living tissue. If living tissue can be grown, then I think I can grow organs for you, so you can grow old with dad". Cameron sat open mouthed as Allison spoke, but she wasn't shocked or horrified by what she was saying, she was instead excited by it. "Before I was sent back, Skynet tired to make organs and failed, are you sure you an do it?".
It was Allison's turn to be open mouthed. "What?, you want to do it?". Cameron nodded quickly. "I spend over six years asleep without him. I might have been asleep, but I knew I was alone, I hated not being with John, I was scared, terrified with him not being there with me. I don't want to lose him again, I can't lose him again, I love him too much and I love you, I can't lose you either". Allison listened with all her force, making sure she heard every single word clearly. "I don't know if I can make them or not, but I'll try, I'll try for you and for dad". Cameron handed the photograph back to Allison, who put it back in her pocket. She then pulled Allison towards hr and hugged her. "Happy birthday, by the way". Allison smiled widely. "I didn't even know, you and dad both remembered". "That's because I was there when you were born, and that day was one of the best days of my life". Allison and Cameron both then separated. "It's your birthday as well, your birthday's the same day as mine". Cameron nodded and smiled. "Happy birthday, mom". They both smile and hugged each other again. Once they separated again, Cameron looked around for her clothes, spotting them all across the floor. "Can you pass me those?".
She pointed to the floor, prompting Allison to pick them up for her. Allison threw them to Cameron, before heading to her own room. "Dad told me to get some sleep, I'll see you later". Cameron watched as Allison left before letting the blanket fall and pulling her clothes on. Dressing quickly, she headed for Allison's room, finding her just getting in to bed herself. Allison sat on her bed and watched as Cameron reached behind her and took off her diamond necklace. Cameron walked over to her and sat on the bed next to her. "Hold your hair up". Allison did what she was told, holding her hair up and letting Cameron put the necklace around her neck. Cameron let go and Allison looked down to the diamond, seeing it shine as the light hit it. Cameron smiled again as Allison looked up at her. "Happy birthday!". Allison, smiling, lay down on her bed, holding the diamond in her fingers. "Thanks mom, but I didn't get you anything". Cameron smiled again and stood up. "You don't need to give me anything, your Dad gave me the necklace for my birthday a long time ago and now I'm giving it to you". Cameron turned on the spot and headed out of the room, towards the door, opened it and stepped out in to the corridor, leaving Allison alone as she fell asleep, the diamond in her hand.
Cameron walked down the corridor, getting the same responses as Allison did. Everyone she passed gave her a smile or saluted to her. Giving small smiles back, she stepped in to the now full command room, spotting John sitting alone at the back of the room. Making her way over, John spotted her and gave her a smile, before standing up and embracing her. "Happy birthday". Cameron, smiling, kissed him deeply taking his hands in to her own, before pulling away, seeing a concerned look on his face. "What's wrong?". John took a deep breath, and turned to the computer next to him. Pressing a single button, an images of what seemed to be an entrance underground appeared on the screen. "We found a Skynet research facility in the mountains, the machine's there took out the entire patrol that found it, but they got a message to us before hand. I need someone I can trust to go there, take it out and get as much information of what Skynet's been doing, it's research, find out what it's up to. I don't think I know anyone else I trust more then you". "Cameron separated herself from John, but kept her hands in his. "I talked with Allison before she went to bed, she told me what she's been doing, what she wants to do to me". John again nodded, hoping she would tell him what he wanted to hear. "And what do you think?". Cameron looked to her right and to her left, watching as everyone worked on the computers or talked to each other.
"I want to do it, I don't want to watch you grow old and die. I won't do that. If Allison can make it work, then I want to change, I want to die eventually with you, I don't want to be alone again". John again nodded before pulling Cameron in to another kiss. Cameron released John's hands and brought them to his cheeks, pressing her lips hard against his. Breaking the kiss, they let go of each other and Cameron took a couple of steps back, I'll be back soon, I love you". John smiled before saying, "And I love you". Cameron turned and headed out of the room, and towards the armoury. Stepping in to the armoury five minutes later, she was surprised to see seven solders standing there, weapons in their hands, ready to move out. "What's going on?". They all looked up at Cameron, and all stood up straight at the sight of her. "John Connor ordered us to suit up, your leading us to take out a metal base". Cameron smiled as John had already thought ahead. Nodding, she moved and took a plasma rifle from its place on the wall. "What's the plan?".
Cameron was stopped by the captain of the group of solders as she tried to leave. She turned and looked at him coldly, making him take a nervous step back. "We go to the base, destroy the machines, record all the research that we find, blow the place up and come home again, any questions?". None of them raised their hands or spoke up, except the captain. "The plans good, simple and easy to remember, we follow your lead, sir". Cameron gave a smile before heading out of the door, the seven solders following her. As she walked, she knew full well that seven solders and herself wouldn't have a chance of getting inside the base, so she took out her radio and held it up. "John!". John's voice came back through the radio. "Cameron!". Cameron smiled again at hearing his voice. "You know that seven men can't near the base, let alone inside it". "I know, that's why I've ordered troops from Hammerhead and Kansas to meet you outside the base, just follow the coordinates I gave the captain and you'll find them".
Opening the door to the outside of the base, Cameron held her rifle up, using her superior hearing ability to listen along the corridors of the old subway tunnels for any sign of movement. Not hearing anything but rats, she opened the door fully and stepped outside, the seven solders following her". Once everyone was outside and secured their position, Cameron closed the door behind her. Looking at the closed door, she saw how well it was hidden . Even to her, she couldn't tell if any kind of door was in the wall, and she couldn't hear anything from the other side, the walls being so thick to block out any sound. Turning on the spot, she found the captain looking at her, waiting for her. "Connor, gave me two sets of coordinates, he told me to go to one before the other". The captain took a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to her. Looking at the two sets of coordinates, Cameron recognised the handwriting as John's. "Hammerhead and Kansas are sending troops to meet us at the first set of coordinates, the base we need to destroy is at the second".
The captain nodded, before waving his hand, signalling the men to move out. Cameron followed the captain through the maze of corridors towards the surface, the captain purposely making sure he went first around every corner. Cameron guessed that John had also ordered the captain to make sure nothing happened to her, hence why he was leading the way, protecting her. The group moved in silence, eventually finding their way to an opening to the outside world. The captain moved the metal plates covering the entrance to the underground and looked around. He waved his hand to show everyone that it was clear and Cameron stepped outside, breaching in the cold air, making Goosebumps appear on her skin. The solders quickly covered the entrance again before securing the area. Looking up, they saw a single aerial pass above them, it's spotlights were scanning the ground, but it didn't scan where Cameron and the others were standing. It slowly disappeared in to the distance, Cameron turning her gaze to the north, where they needed to go. "Let's go?". Cameron this time led to way, moving quickly and quietly. The solders followed her, and had trouble keeping up with her. Cameron was forced to stop to allow them to catch her up.
An hour later, Cameron and the others came to a turn in the trail the were walking through. The trail was coved on both sides by rubble, making it look like a small valley. Cameron could see small amounts of movement in the rubble ahead of her, in one of the valley walls. Ducking down behind a ruined car, she instructed the others to do the same, which they did quickly. The captain took his place next to Cameron, peering through the car windows. "Something's coming". Cameron dropped to the ground, aiming her rifle beneath the car and saw the legs of somebody moving slowly towards them. Who ever it was, Cameron saw the person drop their rifle on to the ground. Cameron got back to her feet and stepped out from behind the car, aiming her rifle at the person's head. She recognised the person immediately as Lauren Fields, whom she had helped save years ago. Lauren looked at Cameron in complete surprise, slowly lowering her arms." Cameron?, I didn't expect to see you here". Cameron stopped right in front of her, lowering her rifle.
"A lot's changed since we last met, you a medic now?". Cameron's eyes fixed on the red cross on Lauren's jacket. Lauren nodded, noticing Cameron staring at the cross. "I can see you've changed, you don't sound like I remember you, you sound more….". "Human", Cameron finished her sentence for her, as Lauren gave a small nod. "I'm guessing no one knows about you". Cameron shook her head quickly. "Don't tell anyone, please". Lauren quickly shook her head. "I'm not telling anyone, you secrets safe with me, you saved my life, I wouldn't betray you, or John". Cameron gave a smile of gratitude. Lauren's eyes moved slowly to Cameron's left hand, holding her rifle. Her eyes fixed on the brown string on her finger. "I heard that John Connor had a wife, I didn't know it was you until I heard your name, Cameron Connor. I don't think Sarah would have approved".
Cameron gave another small smile. "Sarah knew about me and John before she died, she was happy for us". Lauren's face dropped slightly. "I'm sorry". Cameron heard a cracking sound behind her and found the captain had shown himself from behind the car. "No offence, but we can't watch you to chat when we've got a job to do". Both Cameron and Lauren smiled, Lauren kneeing down to take her plasma rifle back from he ground. The captain waved his hand behind him, signalling the six solders Cameron had with her to come out of hiding. Lauren did the same with her hand, and over fifty solders left their hiding places in the rubble, moving to Cameron's location. Lauren took a step back as Marten Bedell stepped forwards from the crowd. He saluted Cameron, before holding out his hand. "Your Connor's wife, it's a pleasure to be serving under you". Cameron, a little taken aback, took his hand and shook it, before quickly letting go. "What are out orders?". Cameron took out the paper with the coordinates and handed them to Bedell. "There's a Skynet base not far from here, it's a research facility. We need to capture it, see what research Skynet's been doing and then destroy the base, that's it". Bedell looked at the coordinates and nodded, before signalling the group to move out. The solders immediately headed east, in the direction Bedell was pointing. Cameron moved with the group, and found herself immediately flanked and surrounded by six of the solders, forming a shield around her.
Ten minutes later, the group reached what seemed to be a large wall of rubble. They climbed slowly up it, crouching at the top and looking over to the other side. They could see the entrance to the Skynet base as clear as day. The base looked like it was built in to an old underground parking lot. Above the entrance, Cameron could see Sentry gun emplacements, aiming in to the clearing below, where the bodies of the patrol which found the base still lay. Bedell took his place on Cameron's right, observing the sight before him. "If we want to get in there, we need to take out those guns, or we'll be torn apart". Cameron nodded, and tried to see if there was anyone other way inside, but not seeing any. "See if you can find a way around behind the sentry guns". Bedell nodded and disappeared back down to the floor below, instructing ten solders to follow him, and they left quickly, disappearing in to the dark. Cameron kept her eyes on the sentry guns, waiting for the moment to move. To her right, Lauren Fields appeared beside her. "I need to ask something, John Connor has a daughter, what is she to you?". Cameron turned herself to face her. "John adopted Allison when they were in Century, she's my adopted daughter too".
Lauren gave a small laugh. "Fair enough, I just wondered what she would say if she knew what you were". It was Cameron's turn to give a small laugh. "She does know, only you, her and John know about me, no one else does". Lauren raised her eyebrows slightly. "What about Derek, he knows what you are". Cameron's face changed immediately, he eyes falling to the ground, not looking at Lauren. "Derek's dead, he died before Judgement day". Lauren's smile vanished this time. "He died fighting the machine's?". Cameron nodded and they both turned to look across the clearing to the Skynet base, seeing that the sentry guns were still active. Cameron knew this was a lie, but thought it best to say that Derek died fighting the machines instead of saying John killed him for trying to kill her. Before anything more could be said, Cameron, Lauren and the others watched as the sentry guns turned and fired behind them. Cameron knew Bedell and his team had been spotted. "Everyone, take out the sentry guns.!".
Cameron and everyone else raised their rifles, took aim and fired at the guns. Most of them were destroyed instantly under the barrage, but the rest continued firing behind the base. Cameron spotted some barrels in place next to one of the guns. Taking careful aim, she fired. The barrels, exploded, taking the entire roof of the base with it. The explosion was that powerful, the ground beneath their feet shook. The sentry guns were all destroyed, leaving Cameron a clear path towards the base. Raising her hand, everyone quickly moved towards the entrance. Two HK drones appeared and fired four rockets from their right, hitting the ground and sending three solders to the ground. Cameron again took aim and fired twice, destroying both. Everyone seemed impressed by Cameron's accuracy when another drone appeared and Cameron destroyed it with a single shot before it could fire. Reaching the base entrance, two solders began planting explosive charges on the door, while everyone else kept watch. Bedell appeared with four of the solders, jumping down the top of a car. He approached Cameron, shaking his head. "The metal spotted us, fired before we could even blink, took out six of my men". Bedell raised his hand, showing Cameron six dog tags.
Before Cameron could reply, Bedell moved away and to the bodies of the patrol who found the clearing, taking their dog tags also. Once the charges were set, the doors were blown apart and Cameron entered the base, leaving twenty of the solders outside to guard it. Once inside, Cameron and Bedell split the remaining troops between them and headed in opposite directions, along two separate corridors. At first, Cameron hopefully though the base was empty, but dived for her life when six plasma shots were fired at her. She only just managed to get out of the way. Surprised at herself on how close she came to dying, she stepped back, allowing the solders who wanted to shield her to do so. The machines, which were T six hundreds, advanced down the corridor towards them, firing blindly at the corner they were hiding behind. "The corridor's small, throw grenades". One of the solders turned to look at her. "Grenades don't work against these things" . Cameron nodded but also said, "Yes, but it will give us a chance to shoot back, aim for their heads, their chips". Grins appeared on the solders faces, some of them taking grenades out of their pockets. They threw the grenades at the machines and they exploded, but as the solder said, the machines weren't destroyed, but they were blinded by the sudden flash of light, making them stop firing. Cameron stepped out from her shield and fired rapidly at the machines, destroying all of them before they began firing again.
Cameron proceeded quickly, with the solders following. They reached the only door at the end of the corridor. Cameron knew she could easily kick the door in but couldn't show she was a machine so she allowed the solders to use another explosive to blow it. The door was blown apart the group entered, finding what looked like a science laboratory. In the centre of the room, were two human bodies, one male and one female. Both bodies had been cut open, and many of their organs were missing. In the room, their were also large basins, full of what Cameron recognised as living tissue, in its red liquid form. The solders looked around the room curiously, holding their noses due to the smell. Cameron found what she was looking for and accessed the main computer in the room and was relived to see that the database was intact. Looking through some of the main files, she was surprised to find a list of high ranking people in the resistance that Skynet waned to be terminated, including her own name, Cameron Connor. She found Skynet's research in to time displacement, already having design's for a machine to send machines back in time. "Someone, download the database, all of it, now!". Cameron didn't know who, but someone moved near to the computer where she was and began hooking up the necessary equipment to download the database. Cameron found and accessed a file on the living tissue being made. At first, she found only information that she already knew. But then she found that Skynet had tried to create organs, and were using the two human bodies as a guideline to making them.
Cameron smiled and was happy to know that the information was being downloaded, as it would give Allison a head start in making organs for her. Once the database was downloaded, Cameron stood up and ordered charges to be sat to blow the place. The solders complied and began setting the charges. Cameron held her radio up, "Bedell, report!". Bedell's voice came threw from the other end. "The base is secure, we're setting charges to blow the place, we found a morgue, looks like the metal was doing experiments on us, the bodies are torn up to hell". "We've found the same sort of thing in the lab, we've downloaded the database and we'll take it back to the camp to be analysed". Cameron took some explosives herself and placed them on the computer she used. Once all the charges were set, Cameron ordered them to leave, everyone headed for the door and moved down the corridor, moving in single file. Once outside, they were met by Bedell's team. Bedell was holding three fresh dog tags in his hand. He handed Cameron his detonator and everyone moved quickly away from the base. Cameron, holding two detonators in her hands, pressed them at the same time. The base behind them shook as the bombs went off, the explosions got louder until the entrance itself exploded, throwing everyone to the ground. Getting up, they all ran for their lives, knowing the explosion would attract aerials to their location.
As they ran further away, they all managed to breath easy, as they could see aerials in the distance were searching for them in the wrong place. Cameron didn't realise that they had reached the point to separate back to their respective bunkers. Bedell, walked over to Cameron, saluted to her and held out his hand. Cameron again took it, before again letting go quickly. "I'm sorry for you loss, they were good men". Bedell looked to the dog tags of the men he lost, which were around his neck. "They were, and they will be remembered, its been an honour to serve with you, I hope we can do it again. He again saluted Cameron before heading in the direction towards Hammerhead and Kansas, nearly ten miles away. Lauren gave Cameron a small wave before heading off with Bedell and the others,. Cameron gave a small wave back, before turning to look at the men left with her, the captain and the other six were still there, waiting for her. "Who has the downloaded dada from the base?". One of the solders reached in to his pocket, before pulling out four portable hard drives. He handed them to Cameron, who immediately placed them in her pocket. Smiling, she took her rifle and again held it up. "Let's go home". The captain grinned and led the way back to the camp. They didn't meet any patrols on the way to the Skynet base, but they met three on the way back. Cameron and the group hid out of sight until the machine's past them.
An hour and a half journey's back towards the base seemed like only five minutes to Cameron when she saw the entrance to the underground come in to view. Cameron again listened hard for any noise from the tunnels that shouldn't be there and again, heard nothing but rats. She led the way back through the corridors, until they came to the entrance to the camp again. Cameron raised her hand and knocked three time on the door, a little harder then she intended. Nothing happened until part of the wall near her opened and a small speaker was hidden beneath it. "Identify yourself". Cameron learnt forwards. "Cameron Connor, wife of John Connor, second in command, operational specialty, Tech Com". The wall closed again and the door opened, allowing Cameron and the others access back inside. Once inside, as a protocol, they were all made to do an eye scan at gunpoint to show who they were. Thankfully, John had done Cameron's eye scan for her when they first cam to the camp, so she wouldn't be discovered.
Cameron had her eyes scanned first and was reported clear before she stepped forwards. Once the captain was through, she handed him her plasma rifle to take to the armoury. The captain gave her a small nod as Cameron turned and headed back to the command room. It was now late and Cameron guessed that John would be in bed now, she thought she would check the command room in any case. Opening the door, the room to Cameron's surprise, was in complete darkness. She heard footsteps from through the darkness and out of the darkness, was Liz. He arms were folded and she looked angry. "So, did you really think you, could have kept your secret from us". Cameron could feel her heart beat increasing at a frightening rate. "Wh.. What?". Liz gave a small little smirk as she stepped forwards again. She seemed amused by the frightened look on Cameron's face. "There's a war going on, we are fighting machines at every turn. Everything we do, everywhere we go, there they are, the machines, hunting us down, and killing us". Cameron began taking small steps backwards, ready to run for her life. Liz continued smirking. "That's why, when we have something to celebrate, we celebrate it, Happy birthday!".
The lights came on and everyone sprung from their hiding places, shouting, "Happy birthday!". Cameron's eyes widened and she sighed in relieve, her secret was still safe, but that had been a close call, she nearly did run for life. Liz stepped forwards, wrapping her arms around Cameron. "You should have told us it was your birthday, I didn't know your and Allison's were on the same day, what are the chances of that?". Liz then took Cameron's hand and dragged her through the crowd, all holding drinks in their hands and dancing to music. "Liz led Cameron to John and Allison, who were dancing together. The moment they saw Cameron, Allison let go of John and hugged Cameron. "Happy birthday, mom!". Cameron held Allison tight, more thankful then ever that her secret was safe. Before separating, Allison moved her mouth to Cameron's ear and whispered, " I'm sorry, I told Liz it was your birthday today like mine. Dad tried to stop the whole surprise party thing, but everyone wanted one, so he just let them get on with it". Sighing loudly, Allison separated from Cameron and left to dance with Liz. John gave a large grin in apology to Cameron, who looked ready to punch him. "I tried to stop the party but…". Cameron muttered, "Shut up!", under her breath and pressed her lips against John's, nearly pushing him on to the floor.
John ran his hands threw her hair and along her back, pressing her closer to him, and making her moan loudly. They heard loud cheers erupting from around them, someone having spotted them kissing was making everyone watch them. They separated quickly and everyone laughed before they went back to their drinks. As the night went on, John and Cameron danced together for the first time since they were in the village where they married each other. John commented that he would have asked her to the prom if he could have, prompting Cameron to blush. Allison and Liz watched from the sidelines and John and Cameron moved through the couples dancing together. Allison watched with a large smile as watched her parents dance together, completely lost in each others eyes. Allison turned to Liz, "I bet Skynet would smash through the door and kill everyone here, and neither of them would notice, have you seen them?". Liz had to stand to see John and Cameron over the heads of the others in the crowd. She sat back down, a large grin on her face.
"Probably not, they'd fall down a cliff and they wouldn't notice". John led Cameron off to the side of the room, off the dance floor, much to Cameron's disappointment as she was enjoying herself. She quickly changed her mind when John pressed her against the wall, biting her neck softly. Cameron couldn't stopped letting moans escape her as she found her breathing once again going out of control, as was her heartbeat. Allison spotted the pair, smiled and made her way through the crowd, to Liz who was leaving the room. "Liz, can I stay with you tonight?". Liz turned and yawned loudly, "Why?, what's wrong?". Allison pointed to the corner of the room, to where John and Cameron were now kissing each other deeply, running their hands all over each other. Liz looked over, smirked to herself and turned to leave. "Come on then, I know what its like to hear your parents at it, and it's not something kids want to hear". Allison followed Liz back to her room, nodding in agreement with her words.
The next morning, Allison slowly and quietly opened the door to her home, stepping inside and closing the door again as quietly as possible. Looking to the floor, she could see Cameron's and John's discarded clothes scattered all over the floor. Shaking her head, she moved to their room, and pushed open the door, seeing both John and Cameron asleep on the bed, their arms wrapped around each other and Cameron's hair was in more of a mess then Allison thought possible. Reaching over, Allison pressed her hand against John's shoulder and shook him hard. John woke up instantly, groaning as his eyes saw the light. His groans also woke Cameron, who spotted Allison and immediately pulled the blanket over herself and John. John slowly sat up, having trouble doing so as Cameron was half on top of him. He raised his hand, and rubbed his eyes, before looking at Allison. "What time is it?". Allison raised her wrist, showing John her watch. "It's nearly ten dad, Liz said you should have been awake hours ago". Yawning, Allison left John and Cameron alone and headed for her own room. "Allison, wait, where why you last night, you didn't come home". Allison turned in the doorway, seeing Cameron now sitting up, rubbing her own eyes. "I stayed at Liz's, neither of you are exactly quiet, especially you mom, when you two are, you know what I mean".
Allison smirked and went in to her own room, leaving both John and Cameron red in the face. Cameron, more red in the face then John was, turned to John, seeing that he was having trouble keeping a grin off his face like she was. Getting dressed was a challenge for both of them as they had to find their clothes, which were scattered over the floor". Eventually dressed, Cameron handed the four portable hard drives to John that held the data she found at the Skynet base. "I'll head to command and upload this information, I'll wait for you there". Cameron smiled, before kissing him, bring her hands to his cheeks again. They both separated quickly before they passed the point of no return and fell back in to bed together. John opened the door and left, closing the door behind him. Cameron went in to Allison's room and sat down on the edge of her bed. Allison looked at her and nearly fell to the floor in laughter at seeing the state of Cameron's hair. Allison sat on her knees behind her and began pulling her fingers through Cameron's hair, sorting it back in to it's usually position.
"Allison, yesterday, at the Skynet base, I found a lot of information from Skynet, about growing living tissue and organs. The organs all failed but the information might give you a head start". Allison immediately got excited. "Where is it, the information?". Cameron waved her arm towards to door, leading outside. "John's took it to command, someone will upload it to our database". Allison, smiling, finished with Cameron's hair, letting it drop down passed down her shoulders again. "I'll have a look at it, and I'm going to start and make them, I don't know how long it will take, but I'm not letting you down, I promise you". Cameron turned and kissed her on the cheek before standing up and heading to the command room herself.
With the information captured from the Skynet base, John had team of scientists and doctors brought in to work o the growing or organs. The research proved invaluable as the organs could be used to save the lives of many resistance fighters who needed them. Though it took many long months, they were finally successful. Using the DNA of the wounded resistance fighters, the organs needed could be grown within days to match their body. Allison would gain most of the credit for discovering how to keep the organs alive until they could be inserted in to the bodies of the people. Many in the resistance found it hard to believe that a fourteen year old had found out how to do something like this while Skynet had failed. When hearing the fourteen year old was none other then Allison Connor, no one flinched, having expected a Connor do something as big as this.
Cameron and John were both in the command room one day, diverting troops to Eagle Rock to defend it from a Skynet attack when Allison came in, looking for Cameron. "Mom, I need to show you something, now!". Cameron turned to Allison. "What is it?". Allison took Cameron's hand, dragging her away from the computers. "Just follow me, come on". Cameron followed her, curios by Allison's excitement. Allison headed out of the command room and towards the science labs. Cameron expected her to go in to the closest ones that were in use but she went on, to the last science lab, which the Cameron's knowledge, wasn't in use. Allison typed in a six digit code in the control panel and opened the door, taking Cameron inside. The first thing Cameron saw was Lauren Fields, smiling at her. "Hey, Cameron, good to see you again". Cameron smiled back and followed Allison in to the lab. Allison stopped next to the table in the middle and pointed to what was one it. Looking carefully, Cameron saw a human heart, lying in hibernation.
Cameron watched as Lauren raised what looked like a needle and carefully moved to the heart. The moment the needle touched the heart, it started beating, pumping blood through a series of tubes. "Mom, this is your heart". Cameron's mouth dropped to the floor as she watched the heart beat. Both Lauren and Allison gave grins to each other, understanding why Cameron was so speechless. "Mom, In three weeks, all your organs will be grown to the level of a twenty five year old. I know that's not your real age, but it's a nice age for you. In three weeks, we'll be ready to give them to you. You have until then to decide if you want them or not". Cameron instantly turned to Allison and embraced her, half crying and half laughing with joy. "I want them, I already told you I did, thank you, I love you". Cameron pulled away from Allison and looked at the heart again before turning again to Allison. "Does John know yet?". Allison shook her head and Cameron turned on the spot and ran for the door to tell John. She felt so excited that she might finally have her own heart, one that she could give to John, as well as her love.