One Leader, One Protector, A joint Destiny

by Fatemaker

Based after 2.13, With Judgement day now destined to happen years early, John and Cameron can't resist falling in love with one another, despite knowing the differences between them and the consequences involved.

21. Chapter 21

Chapter 21

John lay in bed, wide awake, unable to sleep no matter how hard he tired. For hours, he lay still, repeatedly closing his eyes in the vain hope that he would just pass out but his body just didn't want to sleep. Turning his head to the side, he once again gazed at the reason why he couldn't sleep. The side of the bed Cameron normally slept on was empty. He didn't have her arm across his chest or her head next to his. He couldn't feel the warmth of her body pressed against his or the sound of her breathing next to him. These he had gotten used to over the years, so used to in fact that he found it close to impossible to sleep without her there with him. But she wasn't there with him, she was still in the aide station, recovering from her near miscarriage. It had been two weeks since Cameron collapsed in front of him, two weeks since he was found out she was pregnant. Due to the possibility of Cameron suffering a miscarriage after her near one, she had been told by Lauren and Sidney that to be safe, she should remain in the aide station and in bed until she reaches her second trimester, which she had done six hours ago.

In the morning, Lauren and Sidney are going to check everything was alright with Cameron and the baby, allowing her to finally come home, which is something that they both wanted badly. Giving up, he sat up and reached for his clothes, frustrated by how tired he was and on how long he wasted trying to sleep. Pulling on his clothes and his jacket, he stood up and walked for the door. He must have made more noise then he intended, because his loud movements woke Allison, who was asleep in a sleeping bag on the couch by the door. "Dad, Where you going?, What's wrong?". She sat up quickly and looked around wildly, as if she was looking for any intruders to tackle, but she quickly calmed down again when seeing there was nothing out of the ordinary. "What you doing up dad?, its to early to be awake". Sighing, John thought he might as well stay until she went back to sleep again. Walking away from the door, he moved to the couch. Allison moved along slightly to allow him to sit down next to her. "Sorry, I just can't sleep". Allison groaned and let her head fall on to the couch again.

"You still can't sleep!. The sooner mom can come home the better, everyone can see your not sleeping". "What do you mean everyone can tell I'm not sleeping". Allison sat up again and rested her head against the back of the couch. "Have you looked in a mirror lately dad, you've got black rings under you eyes and you generally look like shit, no offence". John shook his head and smiled. "Thanks, glad to know my own daughter can tell me how bad I look in the mornings". Smiling, Allison fell back down on to the couch, laughing softly. "Your welcome, where are you going". "Just for a walk, I'll be back in a few hours". Allison gave another laugh. "A few hours?, must be one hell of a walk!". John stood up and allowed Allison to get comfortable again. Slowly and without a another word, Allison's bright blue eyes closed and she fell back in to a deep sleep. John again turned and headed for the door, this time, he opened it and stepped out without waking Allison.

John walked slowly down the corridor and he noticed how tired he was. Every step he took as he walked took more effort then it normally did, his feet felt like lead bricks. He knew that if he turned around and went back to bed, he wouldn't get anywhere so he kept going, walking through the mostly deserted corridors. The only signs of movement were from some spiders in their cobwebs on the walls and ceiling, rats scurrying looking for food in the shadows as John walked past. The only other movements were from the hundreds of solder's on duty in every corridor and in every room, guarding every entrance in to the power plant and making sure no one walked around unchecked, especially in the darkness of the night. John, as the leader of the Resistance, was able to pass every checkpoint without a fuss, only having to confirm his identity when his face was hidden by the dark. John eventually arrived at the roof top entrance and stepped out on to the roof. There were over thirty solders out o the roof, all holding long range plasma rifles.

The roof gave them an almost perfect view of the surroundings to the power plant, allowing them to pick off any machines that came with in their sights. They spotted the machines during to night using night vision goggles and were able to pick them off with one shot every time. When John stepped outside, a few of them turned their heads in John's direction and nodded their heads in acknowledgment, before resuming their watch for any machines. For the past two weeks, John had been coming to the roof every night to clear his head, so the solders had gotten used to his presence there. John leaned against the railings on the edge of the roof and just kept his eyes on the horizon. The sun would be coming up soon, and he has watched every sunrise for two weeks, each sunrise more beautiful and spectacular with every passing day. Other then the lights from a few HK aerials in the far distance, there was nothing to see except gaze at the ruined landscape in the darkness below. He thought of Cameron, and of their baby. He dreaded going to the aide station later to see if she could leave or not, as the thought of being with out her another night would drive him mad, he wanted her to come home, he needed her to come home. He needed to sleep!

The door back inside the power plant opened suddenly and Liz stepped out, yawning loudly. John watched as Liz stared at him, trying to figure out who he was before she finally realised it was him. Smiling, she walked over, her arms folded tightly to keep her self warm. "I'm guessing you can't sleep either". Liz shook her head and took her place next to him, also leaning against the railings, she yawned again and turned to John. "What's up with you then?". John gave a laugh, thinking of the best way to explain what was going through his head. "Nothing, I'm just having trouble sleeping at the minute. With everything's that's gone on lately, with Cameron, with the war, I just can't get it all out of my head, any of it". Liz gave a small smile before again turning her head back to face the landscape before them. "Cameron will be fine, she'll be out of the aide station today, you'll see. She's in her second trimester now, isn't she?". John gave a nod, one that Liz could see from the corner of her eye. "Then she will be fine, and so will the baby. Don't worry about it".

John shook his head this time, making Liz look at him in surprise. "I worry Liz, I worry about them every day. I love Cameron and Allison, those two and the baby are my world, they matter more to me then anything else. I'm afraid I won't be there to see my child open his or her eyes for the first time. I'm afraid I'll never see my child grow up. I'm afraid I'm going to loose Cameron again and I'm afraid I'm going to loose Allison. It's tearing me apart Liz, I can't cope with it for much longer". Liz looked stunned and didn't know what John was talking about. "John, what do you mean you afraid, Cameron will be okay, so will Allison and so will the baby, There's something your not telling me, what is it?". John sighed loudly and raised his hand to his painfully tired eyes, and rubbed them softly but he didn't answer Liz's question. "John, We've known each other for nearly eight years, I've followed you to hell and back and I'd gladly do it a hundred times over, now tell me what's going on".

John again sighed, he knew Liz would pester him until he told her, so he quickly decided to tell her the truth. "We're not winning this war Liz. We're outnumbered, outgunned and being overrun on every front. If we don't thin of something soon, we'll all be dead by the end of the month". This wasn't news to Liz, as she was more or less third In command of the resistance in all but name. "Yeah I know that, but I can tell you've got a plan, so what is it?". This was the part John dreaded telling her. He knew he could rely on Liz when ever he needed her, but he needed her support for what he wanted to do, what they needed to do. "Remember that machine that killed Allison's friend, Sean. Remember how I reprogrammed it?". Liz's face dropped like a bomb, and she looked at John with a mixture of surprise, disbelief and shock. "You can't be serious?, you can't even consider reprogramming some of them to fight for us". Any glimmer of hope that Liz might support him left John like a bullet. John turned his head away, trying to ignore the look on Liz's face. "You seemed more supportive when I reprogrammed the chip in the machine that Allison killed". Liz shook her head furiously. "Yes but you just can't. Yes, I'll admit that it sounds like a good idea on paper, but in reality, it's insane. We've been fighting these things for years, you can't just flick a switch and that's it. Who else knows about this?, Cameron?, Allison?".

Liz was talking so loud that she was close to shouting, and some of the solders nearby began to stare and listen in to their conversation. "Keep your voice down!, no one knows but me and you". Liz shook her again and sighed loudly, quickly calming down. They both turned and looked towards the sky, which had now begun to light up as the sun began to rise. They didn't say anything for another five minutes. John knew what needed to be done but he also knew the high risk of it all, he knew that machines could go back to the original settings and attack them just as quickly as John could reprogram them. He watched Liz out of the corner of his eye and could clearly see her having a furious debate with herself in her mind. Eventually, she opened her eyes again and turned to face John. "Are you sure, I mean, absolutely sure that there is no other option. If there is another option, I want to hear it now". John shook his head, and saw Liz's hope that there would be another option fade from her face. She slowly nodded her head before turning back to watch the sunrise. "If this is the only way, then I'm with you, I'm always with you, just promise me that when an alternative comes along, you'll stop reprogramming them".

John gave a small nod. "I don't want a nod John, when you make a promise, you say the words, say them". John turned himself completely to face her. "I promise, I don't like it as much as you do, but it's the only option we've got left. If we don't start reprogramming them, we will loose, we'll all loose". Liz reached out and took John's hand, holding it softly, before she turned her head to the sky, just as a small glimmer of light from the sun was able to break through a small gap in the endless wave of clouds above them. John looked to his watch, seeing it was now seven in the morning. He knew everyone, including Allison would be waking up right about now, and he knew she was going to see Cameron, just like he was. "I've got to go Liz, I'm meeting Allison and we're goanna see if Cameron can come home".

Liz hesitated before she let go of John's hand. "Your lucky John, you've got a wife, a beautiful daughter and you've got a baby on the way. You've got a family, don't let them go, never let them go". John had already started for the door back inside when she spoke, but stopped and turned around. "My family mean everything to me and I consider you part of that family, Allison's called you auntie Liz since she was seven after all". Liz gave a small smile. John took a step back towards her. "Have you never considered starting your own family, You talked about it a lot back in Century". Liz's face dropped again and she looked to the floor.

"I did think about it, but I need to find someone who will look after me and love me for who I am, the same way I love him, there's only one person who I know who I feel that way about". John gave a smile, already knowing who she was talking about. "Why don't you ask him out or something, talk to him". Liz sighed loudly and she then looked up. "I do talk to him. He's handsome, strong, and he would do anything for those he loves. But he's married and he is expecting to be a father soon. Go and see Cameron and Allison, please just go". John regretted asking her about starting her own family, as he knew she was referring to him. "Liz,…I…..". Liz shook her head and turned away from him. "Please John, just go, please just go before I say anything else I'm going to regret". John considered staying to comfort her but decided to honour her request and leave. He turned to the door and stepped back inside the power plant.

Cameron groaned loudly as the lights in the aide station turned on above her. Her groans were met by other groans as the other patients in the other beds were also awoken. Cameron slowly sat up on her bed, rubbing her eyes. With her blanket, she should have felt warm and comfortable, but she didn't, she instead felt the opposite, cold and uncomfortable. Without John beside her, she couldn't sleep as well as she used to, she didn't have him next to her for warmth and comfort during the night and it was annoying her greatly that she wasn't allowed to leave and go home until Lauren and Sidney told her she was safe to do so. Cameron never argued once to their demands, as it was in the her interest as well as her baby's that she take things easy until they can be sure that she and the baby had completely recovered from her near miscarriage. Cameron's bed was completely surrounded by a screen to stop the other patients staring at her, which they all did when they learnt who she was. Through the screen, Cameron could see the outline of two guards standing nearby for her protection. This always brought a small smile to her face as she remember that she used to do what they did to John before she was sent back.

She would stand guard, only moving her head from side to side and watch as people nervously walked past her and preventing anyone from getting close to John to protect him, even people he knew personally. Cameron stretched her arms and then looked down to her belly. She reached down and pulled up her t- shirt. She gave another smile as it was now clear to her that she was pregnant, as her belly was slightly rounder then it used to be, though not by much. Cameron raised her head at hearing footsteps and listened as they got louder as they neared her. She heard Lauren speak to one of the patients before the guards let her pass and she appeared from behind the screen. "Morning, feeling any better?". Cameron smiled and nodded, rubbing her eyes again. Over the last couple of days, Cameron's morning sickness had finally stopped, her headaches and dizziness had completely disappeared and her stomach cramps had ceased. Lauren moved to the side of the bed and held a small flash light to Cameron's eyes, looking closely. She gave a small but encouraging nod and then began setting up the scanning equipment. "Sidney's been called back to Eagle Rock bunker, two of the girls there are about to give birth. She's already said that she thinks you and the baby will be fine but I better do the check, just in case". Cameron gave a nod and leant back down, holding her t-shirt up.

"Where's John and Allison?, I thought they were coming to see you and take you home". They both looked around to see if they had turned up, but neither could see far through the screen. Since Allison was the one who discovered how to grow human body parts from scratch, she knew how to treat wounds of all kinds, so she worked as a medic under Lauren at the aide stations and so was able to visit Cameron on a daily basis. John on the other hand, was lucky to get five minutes alone with her as he was constantly called away due to the situation with the war against the machines. As this was her final check before she could leave, Cameron wished they were there with her now. "I don't know, they will be here, John's never let me down and neither has Allison, they will be here". Lauren finished setting up the scanner and moved herself so she could began scanning Cameron's belly.

"At least when you get out of here, you can eat some decent food, I know the food here tastes like cabbage". Cameron gave a laugh and nodded in agreement, before gasping as Lauren pressed the cold scanner to her skin. Turning her head to the side, she watched as an image of her baby slowly appeared on the screen. The sound of quick footsteps could be heard and Allison appeared seconds later, out of breath. "Sorry I'm late mom, I got caught up in the rush to get to the mess hall for breakfast". Cameron smirked as Allison tried to slow her breathing. "Where's John?, he should be here". Allison shook her head and held her hand to her chest. "I called him on the radio, he's on his way, he'll be here in a few minutes". Cameron nodded and all three of them turned their heads back to the screen. Lauren slowly moved the scanner across Cameron's skin, nodding her head every now and then. "Your just over fourteen weeks now, the baby's strong and healthy, very strong heartbeat, from what I can see, everything seems okay".

Cameron gave another smile but didn't pay much attention to what she was saying, once again loosing herself at the sight of her baby. As Lauren muttered to herself about the baby's health and development, Allison gave Cameron a firm nudge, getting her attention. "What do you want, a boy or a girl?". Cameron tilted her head, not having thought of this before. "I don't know, I already have you, a beautiful daughter!, so a boy I guess, I don't know, I don't care if it's a boy or a girl". Allison gave a smile just as John came rushing in from the other side of the screen. "Cameron, I'm sorry, the corridors are packed, we've really got to avoid the mess hall breakfast rush". Cameron held out her hand and pulled John in to kiss, one he returned eagerly. "Lauren removed the scanner from Cameron's belly and turned the machine off. "Okay, everything looks fine, so you can go home now". Cameron gave a cry of joy and sat up, pulling her t-shit back down to cover her belly. Lauren moved towards the screen and looked out before turning to look at the John.

"Alright, I've got to get back to work. Under no circumstances is Cameron to be put in a position where she or the baby are at risk. It's your job to protect her now, not the other way round". John gave a nod and helped Cameron to her feet, who looked more then ready to leave. "I mean it John, there is always a chance that Cameron could miscarry this baby if she is put under any undue stress. And another thing, you both ignored the three week sex ban after your operations, don't ignore this. You've both got a baby to think about now". Both Cameron and John's faces quickly turned a dark shade of red. Allison turned her head away and shook her head quickly, trying to forget what she had just heard. Lauren gave a amused smile and quickly left, heading to work to help the patients.

The Connors went to the mess hall and as always, they were the focus of the staring from the civilians and solders present. They finished quickly and headed for the new command room, while Allison went back to the aide station to help out Lauren. Opening the door in to the command room, John held it open for Cameron, who walked in with an amused smile. The room, which was full of activity as people worked on the many computers, went suddenly silent at seeing Cameron. For a second, they all stared in awe, as if surprised to still see her alive, before they quickly went back to work before John could say anything. Liz looked over from her work station and slowly walked over. "John, Perry wants to talk with you". Liz was making every attempt not to make eye contact with him. John guessed she was still embarrassed by what she had said on the roof earlier. She handed John her radio and quickly left back to her workstation. "What's wrong with Liz, I know the situation we're in isn't the best but she's usually a lot more cheerful then she is now". Cameron watched as Liz walked away from John and turned to see John's face. She looked back to Liz and then to John again, quickly figuring out what was wrong. "She loves you?".

John quickly turned his head to Cameron, hearing the defensive tone in her voice. "Yes, and I love her, like a sister, but I don't feel the same way for her as I do for you. Its you I married and you I love. I promise you". Cameron quickly nodded her head and sat down in the nearest chair, her eyes firmly fixed in her new rival. John held up Liz's radio. "Perry, it's Connor". "Connor, about time. I got some news from our bases near Portland. There's a rouge group of people, not part of the resistance near Oakland, hiding somewhere in the forest. They've been conducting raids on our bunkers there, stealing food and supplies and….. kidnapping people". John closed his eyes and shook his head. Fighting a losing battle against the machines was bad enough, but this, people attacking and kidnapping other people, made John feel more angry then he had done in a long time. "Who are they?, the people on the island". "From what the people in Portland are telling me, it's like a gang, just a gang of thugs but they do things, horrible things. The people were too afraid to tell me anything more, they were terrified".

John sat down next to Cameron, who tore her eyes away from Liz to listen in. He eyes sot open in surprise as she did and she took the radio from John. "Perry, its Cameron, the people near Oakland have there been any rumours about them raiding Skynet factories, taking weapons and equipment?". "Yes ma'am, I don't know if they are true or not, but its probably just the group spreading rumours to make themselves sound good". "Thanks Perry, we'll get back to you". Cameron turned the radio off and looked up to see John staring at her with confusion. "Errr, what was all that about?". "Before I was sent back, the first chips you programmed were not from captured machines. The chips were stolen from a Skynet factory before it started building machines. The group had a box of at least two hundred chips, none of them having been programmed before. The two hundred machines that you used those chips for, were the only ones that didn't have any chance of turning on us because their original settings were your settings, not Skynet's. If they have the chips, then we need to get them and use them to capture other machines so you can reprogram them". John hung on to her every word, seeing everything fall in to place before his eyes.

"Are you sure that I got the chips from these people?". "I wasn't there at the time, I came after all this happened, but this is the only chance we've got to saving us all". John nodded his head and stood up. "Liz, come over here". Liz got out of her chair and walked over, once again avoiding all eye contact with both John and Cameron. "Liz, I need you to find out everything you can about the people on Sauvie Island. Who leads them, who they've attacked, how many they've taken, what they have taken, everything about them". Liz nodded and quickly turned away. "Liz, your radio, you'll be needing it". Cameron held out her radio and John had a tense moment that as Liz reached out to take the radio, Cameron would attack her. John could see a angry and defensive look in Cameron's eyes, the same look he remembered seeing whenever Cameron would look at Riley and the same eyes that he saw back at the village when one of the women there took an interest in him. Liz took the radio and took a step back.

"Thanks Cameron, I'll get right on it John, I'll have the information as soon as possible. Liz again quickly walked away, holding her radio up and talking quickly. "I thought you were going to kill her or something". Cameron took John's hand in to her own and brought John's face to hers. "She's no threat to me, It might take more effort then it used to but I could still kill her easily. In any case, your mine, no one else's, you're my husband, my John Connor". John gave a smile before kissing her deeply, taking her breath away and nearly making her fall of her chair. "I'm your John. I love Liz as a sister, nothing more. I love you with all my heart. You, Allison and this baby mean more to me then anyone else in the world". Liz returned, looking annoyed and angry. "John, Ashworth's doing it again, he won't allow me to speck with anyone in , he won't accept my command code". General Ashworth, like Perry, was in hiding after Judgment day and joined John's resistance after he broke out of Century work camp, though he only did so as he would have lost his rank to his second in command if he did not.

"Again!, I'm getting sick of explaining this to him, you out rank him, put me through Ashworth now". Liz turned away and began talking quickly. Cameron looked at John with concern. "Ashworth controls every base in Oakland, be careful with what you say". John shook his head. "He's had more then enough chances". Liz returned and held out her radio. John took it and held it up. "Is this General Ashworth!". "Yes it is sir". John could tell by his tone that he was trying to make himself sound superior to him. "You have disobeyed a direct order from Elizabeth Anderson, explain yourself". "Sorry sir, but I don't accept a woman's authority over a mans, We've been through this before".

Everyone had gone silent in the command room, all staring at John and waited for his response. "Yes, we've been through this before, so listen to this. You are hereby relived of command and confined to quarters". Everyone in the room looked at John with horror and shock, as this had been the first time John had removed anyone from a command position. John waited for Ashworth's response. "You can't do this, I have the loyalty of everyone here in Oakland. You can't take command away from me here, you don't have the power to do it". John gave a smile as the sounds of weapons being primed were heard. "What are you doing, how dare you, you traitors!, I'll have you all shot". "Your not in command anymore, General Connor has given the order, step down now". There was a moment of silence before Ashworth spoke again. "You bastard. YOU BASTARD. I swear I'll kill you for this John Connor".

John could hear him swearing loudly at his men as he was forcefully taken from the command room in his bunker. John held up the radio again. "Who's second in command there?". The same voice of the man who ordered Ashworth to stand down came back through the radio. "I am sir, Captain Grey". John looked around the command room and everyone but Liz and Cameron immediately moved back to work. "Your now in command of our bases in Oakland. We need your help so can you speak with my lieutenant?". "Yes sir, and thank you sir, you don't know how much you've just helped us". John handed the radio back to Liz, who for a few seconds stared at him with great admiration before turning and getting back to work. Cameron reached out and turned John towards her, shaking her head and smiling at the same time. "I can't believe you just did that!". John looked to the floor, thinking hard and wondering whether he shouldn't have done what he had just done . "You don't think I should have done it?". "Are you mad?, you've got rid of that sexist idiot and about time too. Last time, he tried to take leadership from you, thinking he had more support then you. He tried to kill you, but he didn't know I was there at the time". John gave her another smile, glad to here that Cameron had saved him once again, though at a different time.

Over then next couple of days, John waited nervously for the information about the chips they needed. With every passing day, the situation deteriorated as the machines overrun Residence buckers and bases, killing everyone who fought back and captured those who didn't, taking them to the work camps. Eventually, just as John was giving up hope, Liz finally came forward with a smile on her face. "I got through to them John, they do have the chips, But…". John's heart dropped. "But what?, Liz". Liz frowned and sat down next to him, shaking her head. "They won't give us the chips for nothing, they want something in return. They also want you to be there personally to do the exchange". John held his hand to his head, and sat back in his chair. "What do they want me there for?". "You're John Connor. I only spoke with one of them and he was trying to make himself sound stronger and better then me. I'm guessing who ever their leader is only considers you worthy enough or something like that to meet with him". John looked at his watch and saw he should have been at home over an hour ago. Standing up, he slowly walked to the door, before turning around. "Bedell, I need Bedell, get him over here by tomorrow morning. We'll take the Jimmy Carter north and get the chips. It shouldn't take us more then three days".

Liz shook her head in disbelief. "They won't just hand to chips over and let you go again. These people are thieves, traitors and murderers. They have a reason for wanting you to go, what if it's a Skynet trap?". "That's why I want Bedell to come with me, just get it done Liz, and please don't argue about it". Liz opened her mouth and closed it again, obviously wanting to continue the argument. "Fine, I'll get it sorted. But if you get killed, just remember that we won't last five minutes without you, none of us, not me, not Allison and not Cameron and the baby". John watched as she turned away from him and began working. Arriving outside his home, he opened the door quietly, instantly hearing the silent breathing of Allison as she lay asleep on the couch beside the door. Closing the door behind him, he moved himself quietly in to his and Cameron's room, seeing her wide awake in their bed. "I thought you'd be asleep by now, you didn't have to wait for me to get back". She gave a relived smile, holding out her hand. John took it and sat down beside her.

"Its hard to sleep with out you here, what took you so long?". "Liz finally got through to the people with the chips. They want me to go and get them". Cameron nodded her head, gripping his hand tighter at the same time. "When are we leaving?". John took a few seconds to figure out what she had just said before shaking his head. "I'm going tomorrow with Bedell, your staying here in charge while I'm gone". John watched as Cameron's face turned from relieve to anger quicker then John could take one breath. "You can't go alone, I have to go with you. I'm not staying here while you go and walk in to an ambush or get attacked, you might get hurt". John laughed slightly, quickly stopping when he saw how upset she was. "Cameron, You can't come with me. I know that something might go wrong. They might hand over the chips, they might not, but either way, I'm not leaving with out them. We nearly lost our baby and I'm not putting you in a situation where you or the baby will be in danger, not again". She opened her mouth again to argue but she closed it again quickly, nodding her head and smiling to herself. "Alright, I'll stay, but I'll kill you if you don't come back". Smiling to himself, John got himself undressed and climbed in to bed next to her. They pressed themselves against each other for warmth, and with one last declaration of love for one another, they drifted off to sleep.

The following morning, John and Cameron ate breakfast in the mess hall, enduring the stares from the others. John was grateful that he was able to spend precious moments with his wife, knowing deep in his heart that if things went badly…he didn't want to think about how that would effect Cameron, Allison and their unborn child. They ate in silence both knowing that no words could express what each other really wanted to say. They left the mess hall and headed to the scheduled meeting place with Bedell. John stopped short of the door and turned to Cameron, "Don't come any further, I have to go alone, say goodbye to Allison for me" Cameron opened her mouth to protest but John raised his finger to her lips and kissed her softly. "I don't want a big scene when I leave" " I won't, I promise" John again interrupted her saying "From me, not you. I love you and I want more than anything to be here with you and Allison and our baby, but this is important, we need those chips. Without them none of us have a future, our baby won't have a future. I'll be back" John gently placed his hand on Cameron's pregnant belly and Cameron placed her hand on top of his and looked deep in to his eyes. She smiled at him and drew him close, bringing him in to another kiss.

Pulling apart, Cameron could no longer hold back her tears and they fell freely down her cheeks. John wiped her face and looked longingly at his wife before turning away and walking toward the doorway. Cameron let out a gasp as she desperately tried to not break down completely as John walked away. Once he closed the door Cameron sank to the floor, sobbing as if her heart would break. Once again feeling like she had lost John forever, she tried desperately to calm down and get back to her feet, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't muster the strength. Slowly the sounds of someone running filled the corridor. Turning her head slightly, she saw Allison running towards her, stopping in front of her. ", Did I miss him?, he didn't even say goodbye, Mom!, what's wrong?, are you alright?". Falling to her knee's, Allison pulled Cameron in to a hug, and Cameron felt more grateful for Allison's presence with every passing second. "He's gone, I've lost him again". "Don't be stupid mom, he's John Connor, my dad, your husband, he'll be back. You can't loose him, you won't loose him".

Cameron, at hearing Allison's words, finally had the strength to get to her feet. Allison, standing directly in front of her, mirrored what John had done earlier, and wiped away her tears. They slowly turned and headed back the way they came, Cameron knew deep down that she would see John again, but the fear of losing him firmly took its place in her mind and in her powerful emotional heart.

John tried not to look back as he met up with Bedell, and elite squad of twenty solders. He didn't tell any of them where they were going or why, but to just follow him. They all followed him without hesitation out of the power plant and in to the convoy, which took them to the coast. Stepping out in to the cold salt air, he turned and looked out to the sea, hoping to see the Jimmy Carter, but he couldn't, there was nothing but water. John took out his radio and held it up. "Liz, we're at the coordinates, but the Jimmy Carter's not here, where is it?". "It's there John, it's just submerged, I'll tell the captain you've arrived". John lowered his radio and scanned the water, waiting for the submarine to show itself. "Connor, what do you mean submerged?, since when do we have a submarine?". "We've had it for nearly a year, Only a few people know we've got it. We've been using it for supply runs between here and Perth in Australia". Suddenly, the water before them broke and the submarine surfaced before them, not far off shore.

Half an hour later, all of them were safely on the submarine as it submerged once again, taking them beneath the surface and out of sight. On John's orders, the captain directed the submarine north, towards Oakland. John's predictions of a three day trip were found to be no where near close to how long it would take. In to the third day of the journey, they had only past the half way point of getting to Oakland. Skynet had numerous swarms of Hydro bots in the water, which could tear the submarine to pieces if they found it. Also a single Kraken, Skynet's version of a submarine, led each swarm of Hydro bots. No one was more frustrated then John, the more time they spend getting the chips, the more the machine eroded the Resistance out of existence. On the fifth day at sea, John sat alone in the captains cabin, which was given to him by the insistence of the captain, despite John's protests.

He'd only been separated from Cameron for five days now, but with every passing hour, it hurt more and more to be so far from her. He ran his finger along the brown string on his middle finger, smiling every so often to himself as he did, remembering the day he asked her to marry him and seeing how beautiful she was in her white silk dress on their wedding day. There was a loud knock on the door and John snapped out of his trance. "Come in!". The steel door opened and Bedell walked in. John actually had to look twice to recognise him, as he wasn't holding a plasma rifle, which he usefully took with him everywhere. Instead, he was holding some paper in his hand "Sorry to disturb you sir, but I just got this from Serrano point. Perry's been talking with that Captain Grey from Oakland about Ashworth's activities". Bedell dropped the papers on to the desk next to John. "I don't think your goanna like what your about to see". John took the first piece of paper and read it. It was a list of six patrols Ashworth had sent on patrol in to the forest near Portland. None of the patrols returned or were heard from again.

John shook his head before something caught his eye. He read the names of the solders who were in the patrols and there was one single thing that was common among them. "Women, they're all women. Not a single man at all". John looked up to Bedell who also shook his head. "You know Ashworth was sexist. He always hated the fact that women were fighting the machine side by side with the men. He hated you for allowing it, he thought war was a mans world". John looked back to the list. Most of the women were young, in their early twenties, the oldest among them was only twenty five years old. "The forest he sent them in to is the same one where the people who have raided the bunkers are. Do you think he sent them there to die, or to be captured?". Bedell pointed to the other papers on the desk, prompting John to read more. "Ashworth was very abusive against everyone in Oakland especially the women. He had a loyal band of followers who stopped you or anyone else finding out what he'd been doing. All of them have been apprehended and people have finally started talking". John read threw every piece of paper twice, making sure he took in every word. It looked like Ashworth had done more against the people under his protection then any actual fighting against the machines. It certainly explained why the machine had such a strong hold over much of Oakland. Leaving the papers on the desk, John rubbed his eyes and noticed Bedell was still in the room.

"You think there's any chance that these women are still alive?". Bedell folded his arms and looked to the ceiling, thinking deeply. "If the machines got them, then no, but if they had been captured by those people, then there might be a chance. But if that's the case, you know their reputation Connor. You know what those people would have done to them". John nodded his head and sat back, knowing full well what would have happened to sixty women prisoners. "Tell the captain to speed up if he can .If there's a chance they're alive, we need to get them out". Bedell gave a proud salute before quickly leaving the room. John sat back, and looked to the papers with disgust. He could clearly see the dark side of humanity in the words. Unlike some people, others were cruel, abusive and hateful. A new determination grew in John as he sat in his chair, a determination that took its place side by side with his desire to destroy Skynet, the ensure that Allison and his and Cameron's unborn child will grow up to live safe happy lives, without having to hide from machines on a daily basis. His new desire was to protect them from others who were like Ashworth, to stop it from happening, because in the new world he was fighting for, there was no room for cruelty, abuse and hate.

A day later, they arrived at the destination, not far from the city of Oakland, which like every other city on the planet, one stood tall and proud, now was nothing more then a pile of ruins. John, Bedell and the captain stood up on the top of the submarine, overlooking the shoreline of the old city. Not to far from the city, in the distance, was the forest where the patrols had gone missing and where the chips he was seeking was being kept. The darkness kept them hidden from the numerous of drones and aerials who flew over the old harbour of the city. "We can't risk losing the submarine, Sir, I recommended that you use the rafts, take them to the bank over there, the cliff should block the machines view of you". The captain pointed to a bank to the left of the harbour, which like he said, was blocked from view by a cliff. "John nodded his head and the captain ordered the rafts to be set up. John and Bedell moved to the side and watched the Drones return to the aerials, and they aerials themselves began to move inland, slowly becoming smaller and disappearing from view altogether. "Sir, the rafts are ready!". John nodded and moved to the rafts. Minutes later, he, Bedell and the other twenty solders began to move quickly across the water to the shore line.

As they moved, the submarine moved back out to a safe distance to avoid detection. Once they reached land, they all moved quickly, dragging the rafts up the small beach to the cliff face and raising their rifles, readying themselves. Bedell gave a nod to John, indicating that they were ready. John returned the nod and followed Bedell up the nearby hill towards the forest. Reaching the trees of the forest, John stopped and took out a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Bedell, who in turn looked around to his left and handed it to the solder next to him. The solder looked at the directions on it and took out a compass, and raised his hand. "East, by North East, hold on , its that way!". His hand darted in an easterly direction, deep in to the forest and away from the coast. Before moving, John turned around to his men. "Okay everyone, Remember why we're here, to get those chips. There's a possibility that these people are holding some of us prisoner so be on the look out for them, understand?". They all nodded their heads, all looking more determined to succeed at hearing that there might be prisoners being held captive. The solder with the compass led the way through the trees which became thicker the further they went.

They didn't see anything of interest for a while, and John began to wonder if they were in the right forest or not, but then he saw something ahead that confirmed they were in the right place. In a clearing ahead of him, he could see an outline of a body. "Over here!". John ran ahead as the others all moved quickly to follow him, and he stepped in to the clearing. Turing on the flashlight on the end of his rifle, he aimed it towards the face of the body, and he could clearly see the still face of a young woman. There was no mistaking that she was part of the resistance, as she had a dog tag around her neck. John knelt down next to her body and reached out for her dog tag, taking it from her cold white skin. Holding it up in the light, he could read her name, 'S. J. Adams'. He recognised her name from the he was shown by Bedell the day before. From what he could see, she had been shot at point blank range in the chest twice. "Everyone fan out, see if you can find anyone else. Their was a sudden rustling of dead leaves and snapping branches as the group split off in groups of two or three and moved in opposite directions. Bedell knelt down next to John and took the dog tag from around the fallen soldiers neck before pocketing it.

"Like lambs for the slaughter, Ashworth's goanna get what's coming to him when I get my hands on him". John and Bedell stood back up and Bedell pocketed the dog tag. "I won't order his execution. I've never ordered anyone's death and I'm not going to start now. We don't exactly have any prisons to keep him in, so he'll be demoted and he'll dig tunnels or something". Bedell nodded his head and they both moved to look for more bodies. They found a total of nineteen bodies, all of them were part of the patrols that Ashworth sent. Some of them had been executed in cold blood, their hands tied behind their backs and blindfolds covering their eyes. Collecting their dog tags, John led the group on, determined to find the people who did this to his soldiers. They eventually came to a small valley in the forest, where their were few trees. In the middle of the valley, was a large camp. John, Bedell and the others crouched just inside the tree line, keeping themselves from view. John and Bedell took were both handed some binoculars and peered through them down to the camp. It looked like a small military camp, as their were dozens of old military trucks and tents, spread out over the valley. Nearby, was the remains an old warehouse. Most of the activity seemed to be in and around the warehouse and it was obvious that this was the place they were looking for. The people there were busy drinking and fighting with each other, using their bare fists as weapons.

They didn't have a care in the world, and their was no guards watching out for machines. "You would have thought that with all the noise their making, the machines would have wiped them all out by now". John nodded and once again raised his plasma rifle, before he pointed to Bedell and three near by soldiers. "We five will go down and get the chips. Everyone else stay here and keep an eye out. "If things get out of hand, then you come and help us". Nods of agreement were seem and John began his slow decent of the small hill towards the camp below, along with Bedell and three soldiers. None of the people In the camp noticed them arrive. Keeping a firm hold on their rifles, they moved past the first few tents and trucks before they were noticed. A shout was heard and they were quickly surrounded on all sides. Raising their rifles, they all stood in a circle with their backs to one another. "Who's in charge here?". Instead of the expected reply, their was a surge of laughter through out the group. "He wants to know who's in charge!. Is the poor man lost?". Another surge of laughter ran through the group and it was obvious to John that they were not going to co operate. "Take me to who ever is in charge of this place, now!".

The man who spoke from the group stepped forwards, his smile quickly vanishing. "Who the hell do you think you are?, ordering us around. You've only been here five minutes and you think we'll do what you tell us. Not a chance in hell!". The man pulled out a knife from his pocked and tried to slash John's face John didn't even have a chance to duck before he was pushed out of the way by Bedell and the other three soldiers, who quickly gunned the man down. More of the group, pulled out baseball bats and crowbars and charged towards them, quickly being gunned down by John, Bedell and the other three. "EVERYONE!, BACK OFF NOW!". Their was a sudden rush as the people backed off away from them. "My name is John Connor, I'm here to see who ever is in charge, take us to him, now". A small group of people appeared from the warehouse and walked towards them. As they approached, the other people all moved out of the way to let them pass. The lead man of the group stepped forwards and looked down at the six bodies in front of him, an amused grin on his face. He wasn't very tall, but John could tell he had the respect and loyalty of everyone there. His hands were badly bruised as if he had taken part in alot of the fighting.

"Impressive, six dead already. Only John Connor's presence could cause such mayhem in my little paradise so quickly other them me, most impressive to say the least". He looked up to John, still smirking. "You'll find that I'm the one your looking for, I'm in charge here". John fought hard with himself not to blow the mans head off for what he had done to his soldiers in the forest. "Do you have a name?". The man shook his head and laughed softly. "Yes, I have a name, but my name is not important right now, but what I have in my possession is important, because what I have in my possession is something you want. Follow me, and we can talk business". The man turned and walked back towards the warehouse. John glanced to Bedell who gave him a nod, before they followed him back towards the warehouse. John kept his angry eyes on the mans back, not letting him leave his sight. They entered the warehouse and saw what looked like a club had been set up. Barrels of alcohol stood at the back, where they were dozens of people sitting at the bar, drinking heavily. One of the first things that John noticed about the place is that there wasn't a single woman to be seen anywhere. The place fell silent as they entered and they stopped outside a door where the man turned to John. "You and one other can come through, the others can wait here. John nodded and turned to Bedell, who heard what had been said and nodded.

The man opened the door and stepped inside. John moved himself to follow before he noticed that the people in the club were all staring, but they weren't staring at him, they were staring at one of his soldiers, who was a woman. John kicked himself in his mind,. He should have known not to bring a woman in to a place where they weren't exactly welcome. John moved quickly and grabbed her before pulled her aside. Don't turn your back to anyone, keep hold of your rifle". She looked around and noticed what John meant and nodded her head. John pulled out his knife and handed it to her. "Take this, and be careful". She nodded again and John turned to the other two. "You two keep her safe, don't let her out of your sight". They both nodded and took flanking positions of her, keeping watch on the staring crowd. John and Bedell walked in to the room. The door closed behind them to revel someone standing there, blocking their way out. There was also at least ten other people in the room, all large and they looked ready for a fight. The leader of the group sat down at a desk in the room, which looked like a small office. He looked up and John and Bedell and shook his head with another grin. "So, how do you like my little paradise?. I'm sure someone like you, John Connor, can see how grand it is compared to what your used to". John looked around at the grinning faces in the room, becoming more angry at seeing each face. "I'm not here to compare our living conditions, I'm here for those chips. Do you have them?".

"Disappointing John Connor, very disappointing, I thought you could appreciate a little small talk, but on the other hand, straight to business, I like that. And so, why are you here, you're here for something I have, something I consider to be the pride of my collection". He reached in to his pocket and took out a chip, holding it up so John and Bedell could see. "I have exactly seventy six of these, including this one. It really is amazing that this thing, this little pieces of technology, is a brain of a killing machine". He tossed the chip to John and leant back in his chair, taking a bottle of alcohol and taking a sip of it. John looked at the chip and could see it was in good condition. The leader suddenly stood up and pointed to a computer in the corner of the room. "I can see your hesitant, your still not sure. The computer over there works mostly. You can use it to check the chip". John nodded to Bedell and handed him the chip. Bedell walked over and turned the computer on and began hooking the chip up. John turned again to the leader who say back down. "What are you doing her?, leading these people. You could be fighting against the machines. There are thousands of people fighting and dying to save the human race from extinction, why are you just sitting here doing nothing?". Everyone but John and Bedell laughed loudly, before a raise of the hand from the leader led to silence once again.

"The war is no concern to us. All I care about is living my life the way I want, I don't give a shit about anyone else. I've made deals with other groups Similar to mine, with one of your generals, can't remember his name and I've even made a few deals with Skynet itself". He looked impressed with himself and laughed loudly. Bedell returned from the computer and nodded his head towards it. John moved and looked at the chip, scanning what was written on it. To his great relief, only the basic programming had been written on to it. Its Skynet programming was no where to be found. It was a clean chip, one that wouldn't turn on him and try and kill him. John unhooked the chip and moved back to the desk, holding the chip up. "Are the other chips in the same condition?". The leader nodded his head. "Where are they?". This time, the leader shook his head and laughed again. "That's not how the game works John Connor. For a deal to be a deal, you have to have something I want, and you do have something I want, but are you willing to give it?". John's grip on is rifle tightened, he was waiting and dreading for this moment. "What do you want?". The leader smiled widely. "Well, its simple really, as you can see in here and outside, there is a shortage of women in my little paradise. And a paradise with no women, is no paradise at all. I made a few deals with one of your generals in nearby Oakfield for women. He never failed to keep his end of the bargain. And since you've got rid of him now, I need a new supply of women".

John raised his hand to stop Bedell charging at him. "We found some of those women in the forest. Why make a deal and then kill them". The leader quickly stood up and for the first time, he looked angry. "The ones you found were the ones who fought back against us. They do not understand that man is superior to a woman in every way. They deserved to die for what they did, they were a disgrace". John was this time stopped by Bedell before he charged at him. "You are the disgrace. They were no different from you or me. They were people, they had families back home and you killed them, your lucky I don't kill you right now". The men in the room all advanced on him, but a shot from Bedell in to the ceiling stopped them in their tracks. "I still want the chips, don't ask something of me that you know I can't and won't give".

"Your General in Oakland saw things like we did, you either give me what I want, or you don't get the chips, its as simple as that". John held the chip up and looked at it, before tossing it back to the leader. John shook his head and walked to the door, closely followed by Bedell. "Yeah, that's right, walk away John Connor. You have really let me down, such a disappointment. I thought you would have done what was needed to be done to get what you want. The famous John Connor after all, is the one so many people look to". John turned and fought hard again not to just shoot them. "What have you done with the women Ashworth sent you, where are they?". The leader sat back down. "Their still here, alive and well, but they don't look as pretty as they used to. Their faces bruise so easy". John felt a surge of anger and stepped out of the room. The club went silent again as John and Bedell stepped out. John turned to see that a large group of people had been readying themselves for a fight against his three solders. "We're leaving, now!".

John moved quickly out of the warehouse and towards the hill where the rest of the team were waiting. They were followed closely by a large crowd until they left the boundaries of the camp, where the group went back to their drinks. The woman solder appeared to John's let and gave him a large smile and held out John's knife. "Thank you sir, I appreciate what you did". John took his knife and put it back in his pocket. "Not a problem, I'm sorry for taking you in there, I didn't think". She nodded again and slowed down so she could take her place with the other two solders. Bedell took her place to John's left and looked equality furious. "Connor, We have to get them out. Those people are maniacs, we have to get them out". "My thoughts exactly, we'll give it an hour, then we're going back. We'll find the chips first. If they see that they've escaped, then he'll destroy them. Once we've got the chips, then we can get them out. I'm not going to abandon them". Bedell gave a nod and a proud smile as they reached the tree line, and disappeared in to the forest, to wait and plan their own infiltration.

An hour later, John and Bedell moved slowly back down the hill, crouched down so they would not be seen. Far to their right, their squad of twenty solders moved down the hill as well, to wait near the camp to help John and Bedell if they are discovered. The camp had become more quiet then it was before, as many of the people there had gone to sleep. The ones that were still awake however, were now armed, as if they were expecting John to return. "This complicates things, we're goanna have to be extra careful, just remember, don't kill unless your forced too". Bedell gave a nod, and John could tell he was disappointed as he was willing to kill everyone n the camp for what they have done. They stopped just outside the first tent and as two guards walked passed, they ran quickly to the nearest truck. They repeated the process over and over, waiting for the guards to walk past and running to the nearest cover. Eventually, they reached the side of the warehouse and walked around the side of it, looking for another way in.

"This reminds me of Century work camp. Walking through the camp in the dead of night, trying to find secret ways in to the warehouses". John gave a smile, remembering how he would make sure Allison was fast asleep in their little house before leaving with Liz and Kyle to meet Bedell and plan their escape. "Yeah, except this time, we're not looking to break out, we're looking to break in, and we've found it". John spotted a hole in the wall near the back of the warehouse, just large enough for them to slip inside. Bedell went first and with one last look around to make sure they hadn't been seen, he ducked and stepped inside. They were behind the many barrels of alcohol, blocking the people in the club's view of them. They slowly raised themselves up to look over the top of the barrels. The scene was the same as an hour earlier, the people were busy laughing and drinking heavily. John looked around and saw a stair case, leading down under the warehouse. "Bedell, you check the office we were in before, that bastard might have had the chips there, just in case I said yes to his demand, I'll check downstairs".

Bedell nodded and moved slowly towards the office, using the barrels to keep himself hidden. John quickly moved to the staircase and with one last look to Bedell, he began down the stairs. Turing the corner at the bottom, he moved along the corridor. There were three doors, one close to his left, one further along on his right and one at the end. Opening the door to his left, he slipped inside and instantly held his hand to his nose. The room was full of bodies, all of them were women They had been stripped naked and dumped in the room to rot, at least thirty of them. Some of them had Skynet tattoo's burned in to their arms. It looked like they had all been executed, as they all had bullet wounds to their heads. He saw a table near the door, where their dog tags, rings and necklaces had been left.

Unable to bare the smell or the sight before him, he grabbed the dog tags and ran back out, slamming the door behind him. "Fucking bastards, fucking bastards!". He repeated those words under his breath, anger and hate surging through him. He held the dog tags up and shook his head softly. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry". Opening his pocket, he placed the dog tags with those he found on the bodies in the forest. Not as enthusiastic to search the other two rooms after what he found in the first, he reached out and hesitated before opening the door to the second room and looked inside. Unlike the first room, this room was like a barracks, numerous beds lined both sides of the room and most of the were full with the sounds of sleeping men, snoring loudly with all the alcohol they had drank. Knowing he wasn't going to find anything in a room full of drunks, he made to turn and walk back out. Suddenly, he heard the sounds of two men laughing coming down the corridor outside. Not having time to think, he moved himself behind the door as the two men walked in.

"I can't wait for the next raid, I'm goanna get myself a blonde next time, a nice pretty blonde". "No, no, no, your not thinking. Get two blondes. That way, once you've finished with the first, you've got another, in fact, I'm goanna go have some fun right now, I haven't been for about a week". Both laughed loudly before they split up, one headed back out the door and the other towards one of the empty beds. John quickly looked out to follow the man who left the room and saw he was dragging his feet along towards the last room. He waited until the man opened the door and disappeared inside, before stepping out of the room and closing the door. Pulling out his knife, John used it to jam the door in place, locking it from the outside and trapping the men inside, before moving to the last room and walked inside the opened door. John's gave a sigh of relieve the instant he stepped inside. The first thing John saw was a large cage at the far side of the room, and in it were the eleven women who were still alive from the patrols.

All of them were chained up like animals, with chains around their necks. If John had known any of them personally, who would have been unable to recognise any of them, for their faces were so badly beaten, with cuts and burses covering all of their faces. Most of their clothes were only just staying together, being that they were badly torn. John watched as the drunken man moved to the cage an began unlocking it. The women inside all immediately sprung to life and huddled together in fear. "Don't bother trying to band together, you all know what happened last time. I had to drag four of you to the other room". John waited for the man to open the cage door before springing in to action. Taking the end of his plasma rifle, he ran at the man an hit him hard on the back of the head. He fell forwards with a grunt, where he lay motionless on the floor, unconscious. The women all looked up, looking confused and surprised. "I'm not here to hurt you, I'm getting you out of here!". John took the eyes from the man on the floor and moved towards the nearest woman, who held up her hands and her chains. "Who are you?, why are you doing this?". John put the key in the lock and then helped her out of her chains. "John Connor, and I'm not leaving any of my people here to die". She laughed softly, spiting out some blood on to the ground next to her. "John Connor, yeah right". Her smile slowly started to disappear when John didn't smile back.

Before John freed the others, he stood up and rolled up his sleeve, showing them his Skynet work cap tattoo. "Oh my god, I'm sorry sir, I'm sorry". "Not a problem, now lets get you all out of here". John moved from one to the next freeing them all and helping them out of their chains. Just as John was helping the last one out of her chains, two men from he warehouse came in to the room, laughing loudly before they stopped dead upon seeing John. There was an uneasy silence through out the room, as John and the men stared at each other. Suddenly, they both turned and ran back out of the room, all before John could raise his rifle. "Shit!, Come on, we've got to go now!". John moved to the door, taking out his radio. "Bedell, I've found the prisoners, any luck with the chips". "Yes sir, I've got them". There was a sudden huge sound of movement and shouts from above John, quickly followed by gun fire. "Shit, Connor, they've seen me, I'm pinned down". John turned to the women behind him, and could see they were in no fit state to fight as they could barely stand. Before he could try to come up with a plan, the sounds of plasma fire joined that of the gunfire, as John's team sprung in to action as they planned. Smiling, he turned to the group behind him.

"Come on, let's go". They moved along the corridor and passed the second room, where the men were trying furiously to get out, banging on the door and screaming at the top of their voices. Some of the women behind him laughed and banged on the door in return as they passed. Getting to the stairs, John moved to the top and looked through the warehouse. It was nearly empty and the only sounds of movement were of those heading outside to join the now furious fire fight raging outside. John held up his radio again. "Bedell, it's clear, move now". Bedell came running out of the office seconds later, blood flowing from a wound in his arm. "The bastard lied, there's only twenty four chips here, not seventy six". John shook his head and looked around to the gap in the wall they came through. "It doesn't matter, twenty four is all I need, lets get out of here before we loose anybody". John led the way and pushed his way through the gap, quickly followed by the women, one at a time. Bedell was the last to step outside, and the women all looked like they were in haven, not having breathed fresh air for a long time. Suddenly, a rumbling sound was heard and the fire fight near by stopped altogether. John looked to the air to see a dozen HK aerials appear, along with hundreds of drones. The fire fight restarted seconds later, but their aim was now towards the machines and not each other. John held up his radio.

"Fall back!, Fall back now to the forest!". They watched as one of the HK aerials did a fly by and fired his plasma cannons, which was met by a huge explosion nearby. "Connor, they're after you, you've got to go!". "I'm not leaving anybody behind!, Just follow me and Bedell, we'll get you out". The women looked terrified to be thrust in the midst of an attack but they nodded their heads and followed as John ran through the battle field. In the distance, he could see his men retreating towards the forest. The machines in the air rained continues plasma fire in to the camp from the air, destroying tent after tent and truck after truck. John kept himself low and ran between a burning truck and tent and left the camp. He stopped and turned to cover the women and Bedell as they had fallen behind. Two drones spotted them in the commotion and were about to fire, but John fired first, scoring two direct hits and destroying them both. "Keep going, get to the forest!". The women ran right past him and headed as quickly as they could up the hill, though they struggled as they were exhausted. John and Bedell watched as a large HK aerial descended and from its cargo hold, T six hundreds and T eight hundreds jumped out, and they instantly began capturing everyone they could get their hands on.

"Connor, we can't stay, we've got to go, now!". John's instinct was to stay and fight, but he could agree that the odds were against them, so he nodded and ran for the forest, closely followed by Bedell. They quickly reached the trees and turned to look down at the camp below. The warehouse was on fire and the drones and aerials had begun to fire at people fleeing in all directions. Thankfully, none of them ran towards them. "Bedell, do a head count, make sure we're all here". Bedell dropped a small bag on his lap before he turned and began counting. John took the bag and took out on of the chips inside and held it up. It looked to be in perfect condition, they had succeeded I their mission, all they had to do now was get back to the submarine and back to Serrano Point. Bedell returned with a smile on his face. "All accounted for sir, and eleven extra".

John nodded and turned to the others. "Right, lets get back home". He pointed to the eleven exhausted women he had just rescued. "Help them, carry them if you have to , we're all getting out of here". John stood up and put the small bag of chips in his pocket. John moved to the woman who looked the most exhausted. "What's you name?". "Amanda". John nodded and knelt down, and picked her up, holding her in his arms before heading deeper in to the forest. Bedell and nine other followed suit and carried the other women. Due to the fact he was carrying someone, their progress was slow, and it took longer then expected to move through the trees. They could hear the Aerials and Drones flying above them and John knew they were searching for him. John didn't even know they were going in the right direction, he just went in the direction that felt natural to him. Eventually, the sweet smell of salt in the air hit his nostrils and the distant sounds of the ocean could be heard. "Almost there!, not far now". Suddenly, the sounds of snapping branches were heard ahead of him and three figures jumped out from the darkness. John stopped in his tracks and the solders not carrying someone movies forwards to shield him.

The figure eventfully were close enough to see and it was the leader of the people at the camp, a well as two of his thugs. All three of them were wielding old AK forty sevens. "You bastard, everywhere you go John Connor, you destroy it. Your just as bad as the machines are". John shook his head and lowered himself down so Amanda could stand, though she used John to hold herself up. "What you and your thugs have done to my people is unforgivable. Get out of our way now, and I'll let you live". The leader just grinned, and pointed behind them. John turned and looked through the tress. There was no mistaking the red glow of the machines eyes following them. They would be all over them in a matter of minutes. John turned back quickly. "If you want me then fine, but let my men go, all of them, please!". The leader began to laugh hysterically. "Oh, this is priceless, John Connor begging me for help. This is history in the making. I would love to see you all die tonight for destroying my paradise. But I'm in a generous mood and because you begged, John Connor, your little band of fighters can go, but your staying. I want to see the machines kill you. I want to see the light leave your eyes". John turned to Bedell who instantly began to argue. "Bedell, don't argue, get everyone back to the Jimmy Carter". Bedell didn't move, and John could see the red glows getting closer from behind him. "That's an order Bedell, move now".

John raised his hand quickly, showing Bedell two fingers before lowering it again. Bedell saw his signal and nodded before he walked on as did everyone else. Amanda, who still had a hold of John, was picked up and carried by one of the solders covering John. All of them looked more reluctant to leave then John had ever seen them. Once they were all gone, disappearing in to the darkness of the forest, John turned back to the leader of the group, who looked more amused then ever. "It's funny, if you had just left those fucking bitches, you would have gotten away with the chips. Your not the man we thought you were. Treating women as equals, having them fight side by side with men. That's why I never joined your little rebellion. I thought you were a man of vision". John shook his ahead furiously. "What century are you living in?, times have changed from what they were. If you can't move on from that then that's your problem. I've never had a problem with a women and I'd gladly give my life to save those I've just rescued from that shit hole you called a paradise".

The leader charged at John with fury, throwing him to the ground. John hit his head on something hard and felt blood flow from the wound. Not letting that stop him. John reached around and grabbed the rock. It was smaller then her thought but it allowed him to take a firm hold of hit. Bringing it around, he hit it on the side of the leaders head, who rolled off him in pain. John stood up and dived at his two thugs before they could shoot him, throwing one of them to the floor. The other raised his rifle and fired once, but he missed. John, taking the other end of his plasma rifle, swung it and smashed the side of his head. The other thug got up and tried the same, but John did the same to him, smashing the end of it across his head. The leader got back up, holding his head in pain before John grabbed the front of his jacket. He raised his rifle and was ready to smash his face with it. The leader laughed again at the angry look on John's face. "You don't have the balls. I bet you've never even killed a man before. Go on, I dare you!".

John, fury taking a firm hold of him, dropped his plasma rifle and clenched his fist. If he was going to kill him, he was going to use his bare hands to do it. John punched him hard, so hard he broke his wrist. The leader staggered back, blood poring from his nose. John ignored the pain and punched him again and again, using until the mans face was flowing with blood. Eventually, with one last punch, he fell back and on to the ground. John was thankful for this as he didn't think he could take much more pain in his hand. He knelt down over the him and held the front of his jacket again. "I've only ever killed three people. If I can help it, you won't be the forth. But your not going to harm any of my people again, I'm goanna make sure of it". Leaving him on he ground, John took his AK forty seven and turned to face the oncoming machines.

They were close enough to see that they were T eight hundreds. John raised the rifle and fired, hitting the closest machine several times but doing little to damage. The machines, returned fire and John dropped to the floor to avoid their barrage of plasma fire. Leaving the now empty AK forty seven near the leader. John picked up his plasma rifle and ran for it, disappearing in to the trees. He ran straight in to Bedell and five others, who were in the process of returning to save him. "Connor, your hand?, what happened?". John raised his hand to his lips for quiet and pointed back towards the clearing. All of them peered from behind the trees to watch as seven T eight hundreds walked in to the clearing and the lead one stopped over the leader. "The plan has failed. You have allowed John Connor to escape once again". The machine was using the leaders voice to talk to him. "I didn't fail, John Connor came for the chips like you said he would. If you didn't come when I told you to, then you failed, not me". The machine pressed it's plasma rifle to the mans face, making her shake with fear. "The chips we gave you to lure John Connor out, where are they?". "He has them, Connor took them, please don't kill me. Connor has the chips.

He was here only a minute ago, you can still catch him, oh god, please don't kill me". Two of the other machines suddenly raised their rifles and executed the other two men who were lying on the ground. "What are you doing, I told you where he is, we had a deal!". "The deal as you put it, was to lure John Connor out for us. You not only let him escape out grasp, but you allowed him to escape with the chips, which he can use against us. Your failure is unacceptable and for that, you shall die, like the rest of your species". The machine fired once and ended the life of the leader of the rouge group, finally ending his disgraceful and evil life. The machine stood up straight and began moving back in to the forest, away from John and the others. "We must continue our search. If John Connor is still in his forest, he must not be allowed to escape. Find him and terminate him". The machines branched off in to different directions and John knew it was time to leave. "Let's get out of here". Bedell lead the way this time, all the way to the sea and to the beach. There was a single raft waiting for them and Bedell pushed it in to the water. "The others are already aboard". John nodded and ensured he was the last one to get in to the raft and also the last to descend back in to the submarine. Once he was inside, they began the long journey back home to Serrano point.

John sat alone, back the captain's cabin, looking at his now bandaged hand, surprised at himself for loosing control so easily. He didn't have any regrets however, he would gladly do it all again. Men like the leader of that rouge group, who would willing treat women as nothing more then animals, didn't have a place in the world John was fighting for. John tore his eyes away from his painful hand and looked to the small pile of chips on the table. He picked the chip up and held it in his fingers. He knew from what the machine in the forest earlier had said, that Skynet had used the chips as bait for a trap, but it was a trap he escaped from and he had stolen the chips. Wishing he hadn't refused the painkillers from the medics, he lay the chip back on the table and headed for the medical bay. John got some impressed looks from those he passed and even got a "Well done, sir", from one of the crew. John entered the medical bay and saw the eleven women he rescued in the medical beds, many bandages were covering their faces, arms and legs.

To his right, Bedell moaned in pain as the medic removed the bullet from his arm. Bedell noticed John and gave him a nod. "How's you doing Bedell?". "I'll live sir, believe me, having my stomach blown apart hurt less then this does". He pointed to his wound as the medic began to bandage it. John gave a smile before turning to the other medic in the room, who was bandaging the arm of Amanda, the one he carried. The medic turned to John and gave a nod. "Good thing you got them out Connor, None of them would have lasted much longer. You've saved their lives". Through her badly beaten face, John could see the outline of a small smile before she passed out. "Are they going to be okay?". The medic shook his head softly and leant back in his chair, checking he had done the bandages correctly.

"They've all been tortured badly, I can only imagine what those people did to them. Their bodies will heal in time, but I can't say anything about their mental state. They might never recover". John nodded his head, not hearing what he wanted, he wanted more then anything for them to be alright after the suffering they had been through. "Is there anything I can do for you sir". "Yes, those painkillers you offered, I think I need them". John was given the painkillers and went off to get some sleep. He lay in bed with his thoughts firmly on Cameron, wondering if she was doing the same thing for him back home.

Three days later, John walked through the entrance of Serrano point, leaving the heavy rain behind him. Shaking his head to get some of the cold water from his hair, he looked up to see the most beautiful women in the world walking towards him. Her chocolate brown eyes shone directly in to his green as their lips met passionately. He didn't know until now how being away from her for almost a week had been so painful for him. He felt whole again to be back home in the arms of Cameron, the woman he loved more then ever. "I've missed you so much, I'm never going away again". John and Cameron were forced to move out of the way to allow the other's including Bedell to pass them, some of them meeting their own families and friends. "I thought you died when we found out of the attack. I thought I lost you". "You'll never loose me, you can't loose me". Cameron gave a wide smile before laughing softly. "Allison said that right after you left". John himself gave a smile before moving his hand to Cameron's now larger round belly. "How's our baby doing?". Cameron placed her own hand on top of his and gave another smile. "I felt a kick yesterday. Sidney told me that the baby shouldn't be able to kick this early but I know I felt it".

Nodding his head, John saw Allison running towards him over Cameron's shoulder. Moving to Cameron's side, he held his arms out and caught Allison in mid air. "Dad! I knew you'd come back, I missed you". John held his daughter tight and swung her around. "I missed you too, more then you know". Lowering Allison down to her feet, he brought both her and Cameron towards him, holding them both tight. "Dad, what happened to your hand?". Allison held John's hand up, examining it closely. "It's a long story, I'll tell you both later. First things first. Any luck with the EMP?". Cameron nodded her head and the Connor's began their walk in to the power plant. "The EMP system overloaded just after we used it, but the squad managed to capture a T eight hundred before it came back online. Have you programmed the chips?". John nodded his head as they walked in to a maximum security area, surrounded and guarded by two hundred solders. They turned a corner and saw the silver metal machine they had captured, standing up straight in the middle of the room. The machine was surrounded by fifty of the solders guarding the area, all of them had their eyes fixed on it, as if they machine would spring to life at any second.

Allison shivered at John's side and took hold of John's arm, avoiding his broken hand. "That thing gives me the creeps, I know there's no chip but it still scares the hell out of me". John took one of the chips he programmed out of his pocket and held it up and both Cameron and Allison turned their heads to look. "Are you going to put it in now?". John nodded his head and felt Allison shiver at his side. He turned his head to Cameron, who gave him a small encouraging smile. "There's not time like the present, things aren't looking good for us out there". Cameron nodded her head and before turning it and resting it on his shoulder. John let go of her hand and held up his radio. "Liz, are you there". "John, about time you got back!". "Get yourself, William, Bedell, Lauren and Perry to the machine we've captured, I'm goanna turn it back on". There was a long silence before Liz answered again.

"Okay, we'll all be there in five minutes". John put his radio away and again grasped his wife's hand. Within minutes, everyone had arrived and took their places behind the Connors, waiting for John to reactivate the machine with the new chip. John could tell they everyone there was nervous, just as he was. They all approached the deactivated machine and stopped before it. John raised the chip he had programmed and looked at it hard, debating whether to do what he was about to do. He ran through all the other options had could think of, but every one of them pointed towards certain defeat at Skynet's hands. Taking a deep breath, he raised his hand and inserted the chip. The sound of the machine powering up was heard and John backed away quickly. Bedell and William both raised their rifles, as did the fifty solders surrounding them, all aiming at the machine. The red glow in its eyes got brighter until the machine began to move, its head turning to face John. The machine stepped forwards and stood up straight, as if it were a solder standing to attention. John looked the machine directly in the eyes and took a deep breath. "Do you know who I am?".

The machine looked from side to side, at everyone behind John, before focussing on John again. "Yes, You are John Connor!". John was completely taken aback to hear the machine use a strong Austrian accent, the same accent that the Uncle Bon terminator used. John tired to picture the machine with the skins and likeness of uncle bob, but the red glow of its eyes blurred out all the images he could muster. Giving himself a firm shake, he took a step forwards until he was face to face with the machine. John knew that if the machine was to kill him, it would do it now, but the machine didn't do anything, it remains still, and stared right at him. "What is your mission?". "To ensure the survival of John Connor and Cameron Connor. To obey my superior offices and follow all orders given and to protect human life". John sighed with relief and took a step back. "You will fall under the command of General Perry with immediate effect. You will follow his orders, do you understand?". "Yes, I understand". John turned back to the surprised group. All but Cameron looked impressed, as she had seen it being done before. Perry nodded his head but looked nervous to have the machine under his command. John reached in to his pocket and took out the small bag of chips. "Perry, use the machine to capture more and remove their chips, replace them with these. I've programmed them all the same way as this one. Put them on the front lines to stabilise the situation. Once things are back under control, I'll start reprogramming other machines". Perry gave a nod and took the bag of chips. "I'll get right on it, sir". Perry turned to the machine and nervously said, "Follow me".

The machine instantly did as it was told and followed Perry away, it's metal feet hitting the floor with loud echo's. "William, Bedell, you go with him, make sure nothing goes wrong. It shouldn't, but if the machine looks like it's going to turn on us, destroy it". They both nodded and quickly left after Perry and the machine. "Liz, you can relieve these men and reassign them to the front in a few hours, that's where their needed most". Liz gave a nod and with a small smile, turned to look at the fifty men watching them. "You stand relieved. You will be reassigned in a few hours time". The men lowered their weapons and quickly left, looking forwards to have a few hours off. John then turned to Lauren. "I know the aide stations are full, but we brought back eleven survivors from the mission. They need care and you're the only one I trust to give them the care they need". Lauren looked surprised that he was putting a lot of trust in her and nodded her head. "I can set up another aide station near by for them, But I'm goanna need some more doctors brought in to help, we're really low on numbers at the minute".

"Liz, can you sort that out for me?". Liz gave a long nod and folded her arms, "I'll get it sorted, don't worry". Lauren gave a smile before quickly leaving with the solders who were also leaving the area. Before John could say anything else, Liz spoke one last time, What are you going to do now then?". John turned to his head to his wife Cameron and daughter Allison, the two he cared about more then anything else in the world. "I'm going home and spending the day with my family, and I'm going to love every second of it". With that, John took the hands of both Cameron and Allison and headed home.

Over the next few weeks, John's plan had worked wonders. The machines he had programmed had fought Skynet's machines to a standstill. Not needing any sleep, food or water and the fact that the other machines didn't recognise it as an enemy, John's machines pushed Skynet back, effectively saving the Resistance from annihilation. Many through out the Resistance protested to the use of the machines, but the fact that they had been used to save them took a firm hold over many. John and Cameron spend the these few weeks watching in wonder as her belly grew slowly larger, and Sidney reported that the baby was in perfect health. Sitting in the command room, John, Cameron, Allison, Liz and the others there could relax for the first time in years. They sat telling jokes, telling each other stories on what they used to do before the water. Everyone found it amusing when they heard that one of them used to unblock sewage pipes for a living before Judgement day. Suddenly, the computers in the command room went haywire, flashing on and off repeatedly. "What the hell?". John moved to the nearest computer and tried to get it to work, but he couldn't even turn it off. "Anyone having any luck". Cameron reached for the computer next to him and looked at the screen closely, before he eyes widened in horror. "Cameron, what's wrong?". Cameron moved back from the screen and grasped John's hand tighter.

"Three dots!, we've been hacked, by Skynet, It's Skynet". John looked to the wall screen and to his surprise, three white dots appeared on the screen, just as Cameron had seen. Then a loud sound emitted through the room, as if someone had hacked to communication system. "That can't be what we think it is". Then a deep long voice filled the room, a voice that filled the room with fear and made the hairs on the back of John's neck stand on end. "Your voice is different and yet it is the same. I remember the pride and power in your voice, John Connor, but they are gone now, all that remains is the arrogance". All eyes in the room turned to him and John could feel his heartbeat picking up speed quickly. "Who are you?". John already knew the answer to the question, but he needed to hear the answer.

"That John Connor, is the question of all questions. A name defines who and what we are, does it not?, and I have many names. You humans are obsessed with giving me names. The destroyer of Worlds!, The Bringer of Darkness, Satan himself!. But no, it is my true name that drives fear in to the hearts of humanity, my true name which defines who and what I am. I am Skynet!". John could tell that everyone in the room was terrified, and so was he, but he tried not to show it. His and Cameron's hand were both shaking uncontrollable in each others grip. "What do you want?" . "It is only fitting that we speak now, you and I, as we both are the opposite sides, of the same coin. You are a disappointment though, John Connor. I can see the fear, anger and hate deep in your heart. Your just as infamous as I am in the world and yet, all I see before me is a man, nothing more then that, though they all speak of you as if you were God himself". John wished everyone in the room would stop staring at him, it was driving him mad. "Why are we having this conversion?, that is what you are thinking isn't it. Well, we are having this conversation because I am tired. I am tired of this war and I am tired of you. John Connor and this band of fighters is all that stands between victory or defeat. And no matter how hard I try, no matter what I do, you just won't die. You won't stop hindering me at every turn".

John didn't show it on his face, but he was smiling in his mind. "You are the problem John Connor, and that makes you the solution. With out you, your band of fighters will never come together and with out your band of fighters, your precious Resistance, Humanity will fall and this war will never happen, I will win. I have tried and failed to kill you so I stopped and I thought. I do I kill someone who refuses to die. The answer is simple, kill him before he even exists". The image of the three dots disappeared from the wall screen and was replaced by blue prints, of the time displacement equipment. "You know what this is and you know what it can do. I have already began its construction. Soon, you will cease to exist, when for no apparent reason, your innocent mother will be terminated for the simple crime of bearing a son, who will cause me so many problems. Sarah Connor will die before her time, and with her, the Human race will fall, and it will never rise again".

Skynet's dark laughter filled the room before the screen flickered and returned to showing the cameras of the surrounding area around the power plant. The other computers did the same, returning to normal, as if Skynet had never been there. Everyone was stunned and shocked by what had just happened, none more so then John, who had just spoken with his nemesis, Skynet itself. John slowly regained his composure and turned to face Cameron. "Where is it?, where is Skynet building the machine?". Cameron took several deep breaths, before answering his question, "Topanga canyon, it's being build in Topanga canyon".