"In every revolution, there's one man with a vision."
"Captain Kirk, I shall consider it."—Kirk and Imperial Spock from Mirror, Mirror.
This chapter is dedicated to one of my favorite ST:TOS episodes.
Also note: Small loophole in this chapter regarding Ellison and Allison. I'll have to explain their dynamic—specifically, how he's the only other one at the moment who would recognize Cameron and Allison's similarities. I'll do this in a future chapter.
John hoped Ellison and Gonzalez would not be hard to locate. He surmised they would be milling about the base, attempting to glean the results with the rest of the candidates. Nevertheless, he had two of his ubiquitous couriers on hand to search for his quaries.
Within 15 minutes, John's intuition was proven correct. The two councilors-elect arrived in the vacant office bright-eyed and smiling. John dived right in.
"Miss Gonzalez, Mr. Ellison, allow me to introduce you to Colonel Nishimira," John said, as the three exchanged hand shakes.
"What's this all about, John?" Ellison asked in that no-nonsense manner John had become accustomed to.
"We needed to get the three probable winners of the election together," John announced bluntly.
"So who's the third?" Gonzalez inquired. "Park? Muhammed? Davidson?"
John drew a deep breath. "It's me," he finally said, flatly, almost dreading the reaction.
"You?" Gonzalez said, exchanging an incredulous look with Ellison. "But you weren't on the ballot, Connor!"
"The write-ins carried the day," Nishimira interjected, handing each of them a copy of the vote tally. "I asked the same question, but it's not even close."
"Well isn't that convenient?" Gonzalez responded. "You count the votes and win? Doesn't anyone else see a problem with this?"
"I'm as shocked as you are,"John said. "The simple fact is that we failed to anticipate the possibility of write-in votes. Frankly, the return of democracy was far more complicated than any of us imagined."
"So if it's all the same to you, I'd just as soon relinquish my seat on the council, if for no other reason than I'm well aware of how it appears," John quickly added. "But there are far more important issues at sake here than deciding the winners of our impromptu election."
"Like what?" Gonzlaez asked.
Just then, Allison entered the office.
"Ms. Gonzalez, Mr. Ellison," Allison said, nodding a greeting to the two newcomers. "Excuse me, John. I have the latest ballot count."
"Show it to them, Ally," John said. "I'm assuming it hasn't changed."
"Actually, your lead has increased," Allison said sheepishly. "You've got more than 15,000 now."
John nodded an acknowlegement and offered Allison a smile. Inwardly, however, he cursed her poor timing.
"Colonel, please advise the others about the same information you shared with me a short while ago."
Nishimira nodded in turn. "What I'm about to tell you is highly senstitive and cannot leave this office," she said.
Following a 15-minute question and answer session with the colonel, Allison and Gonzalez reached the same conclusion John and Nishimira had only a short time before. Ellison, however, was hesitant to rush to judgment about his old friend Hoth.
"I'm unwilling to remove him from his post," Ellison said. "He's done so much to restore humanity's pride and confidence. We can't just write him off."
"But his tactics are poor," John said. "The corps had it's ass handed to them last time in battle and now he's going to sacrifice civilians. It's gotta change."
"In my opinion, his past record speaks for itself," Ellison replied. "I vote he stays."
"But I vote he's removed," John retorted.
"As do I," Gonzalez quickly added. "There it is—democracy in action. Two votes to one."
"Very well," Ellison answered. "But I want it on record that I opposed this."
"It is so noted," John said.
"So what do we do know?" Gonzalez aksed.
"If Hoth is going to be removed from command, only he needs to be replaced," Nishimira answered, matter-of-factly. "It's actually better if the rest of the command staff stays intact."
"Why's that?" John inquired.
"The command staff is merely an instrument carrying out their superior's orders," Nishimira explained. "All of the intangible work they do sight unseen—communication, logistics, organization, training, promotions and demotions, among others—is virtually irreplaceable. Anyway, it's the overall strategy that's the real problem."
"Okay, so we remove Hoth," Gonzalez said. "What if he resists?"
"Which he's almost certain to do," Nishimira replied, letting out a long sigh. "Then we'll have to arrest him."
"Is that really necessary?" Ellison asked angrily. "Isn't it bad enough to be taking away his job? Do we need to humiliate him as well?"
"That's really up to him," Nishimira replied. "But we best relieve him as soon as possible. The Skynet attack is still scheduled for July 7!"
"We'll do it right now," John answered.
"I hope you understand if I sit this part out," Ellison lamented. "I have no desire to see his demise."
John nodded in understanding and led the others out.
During the walk over, the colonel stopped and briefly talked with an aide. Moments later, the entourage was joined by two physically imposing soliders.
Nishimira shrugged. "Added insurance, in case he resists."
John nodded in agreement as they strided purposely toward the bunker.
When they reached the building, John grabbed Allison's hand and ushered the others inside.
"I don't want you to go inside, Ally," John said. "It's probably going to get rough."
Allison turned sharply in response to John's words. "What?" she said incedulously.
"You heard me," John chided. "You're finally getting better. I'm not letting you near danger. Not this soon."
"I don't care!" Allison protested. "To hell with that! I'm not letting you near danger! I'm not leaving your side!"
John tilted his head as if to mock her response.
"Besides you need someone to cover the change of command for the newspaper," Allison belatedly added.
Those words seemed to change John's disposition. Either that, or the fire in Allison's eyes. He drew her in close.
"Alright Ally," John whispered. "But you stay right next to me. No exceptions."
Allison allowed herself a big grin. "Just like I said—I'm not leaving your side."
John nodded and they locked hands as they walked inside. Allison's limp seemed more pronounced to John, but he decided not to mention it. In any event he slowed his stride to compensate.
Nishimira and her "helpers" were checking their guns with the guards, while the colonel simultaneously worked on clearance for Gonzalez. John and Allison already had their ID badges pinned on their coats.
The party passed through security without incident. The elevator ride down was deathly quiet. For his part, John was focusing on his initial conversation with Hoth. The elevator opened and the six proceed through the CIC.
John spotted Hoth and led the procession in that direction. He was addressing a group of technicians at one of the many computer terminals.
As they approached the general, Allison squeezed John's hand, as if she sensed the gravity of his mission. John felt it and returned the favor, marveling at the strength he derived from her touch.
"Excuse me, general," John said, simply. "We'd like to have a word with you."
Hoth tensed up and turned around slowly. Silently he regarded John's remark, staring John directly in the eyes. He then looked at the other members of the party, pausing only when he found Nishimira. Then he nodded in understanding.
"Of course," Hoth said, his words slicing through the tension. "In my office."
Without another word, he led the group through the maze to his office. As usual, Sargeant Harris was sifting through assorted folders and filing cabinets.
"Sargeant, see to it were not distrurbed until I give the word," Hoth barked.
"Yes, sir," he answered, after snapping to attention.
Hoth circled around to the opposite side of his desk, standing behind his chair as if it shielded him. He invited the others to sit while he remained upright. John introduced Gonzalez and briefly explained the preliminary results of the election, although he omitted the fact that Ellison was also a winner, for the moment.
John, Allison and Gonzalez took the three seats directly around Hoth's desk. Nishimira and her crew seated themselves on the perimeter.
A long silence lingered in the room, during which time Hoth finally took his seat.
"So what can I do for you?" Hoth belatedly asked.
"General," John said, after drawing a long breath, "You've been an incredible leader for the resistance all these years. With your help, humanity has been able to stand up and fight back against the machines. We'll never forget that. But…"
"But now it's time for me to step down," Hoth interjected. "Is that what you're here to tell me, John?"
"The newly elected council feels we need new military direction," John answered flatly. "The latest results on the battlefield have been unacceptable."
"Did you really reach that conclusion?" Hoth retorted. "Or did Colonel Nishimira reason it out for you?"
"Her input was part of our judgment," Gonzlaez answered. "We considered information from many different sources."
"I'm sure you did," Hoth replied. He was trying to be stoic, but the acid dripping from his reply was impossible to mask.
"General, I'm sorry it has to be this way," John said. "But even you said change was needed."
Hoth bowed his head, nodding in agreement. Then, without another thought, he reached into his drawer and produced a revolver. A large one.
And he leveled it straight at John's head, mere centimeters from actually touching it. The others drew a collective gasp.
John and Hoth locked eyes. The latter spoke first.
"Did you really think I would just roll over and play dead?" Hoth angrily snapped. "If history teaches us anything, John, it's that power is never just simply handed over. Revolutions always involve a struggle, and that struggle means blood."
John slowly—very slowly—traded his gaze with Hoth, turning to look at Allison. His movement was so subtle that she didn't notice it at first. Instead, she had a terrified expression and seemed to be trembling with fear, a natural reaction to having the life of someone you love threatened so bluntly.
Still, John remained focused on Allison, waiting for her to react. To John, part of him was resigned to the possibility that these moments were to be his last, so he wanted to spend them with her, at least somewhat.
Hoth became more agitated as he droned on. " I don't need some snot-nosed, wet-behind-the-ears newcomer telling me my business…" he continued. It didn't matter, though, as John was blocking him out.
Allison at last noticed John's stare, and, after glancing back-and-forth between John, Hoth and the gun, she locked eyes with him. Now he smiled, hoping to elicit a similar response. It worked—despite the circumstances, she smiled broadly.
Which was all John needed. He could never get enough of Allison's beautiful smile under normal circumstances, but here it emboldened him, reminding him of the more personal reasons for this need for change. One simple expression was enough for him to remember the war wasn't about the titanic struggle versus Skynet, wasn't about him fulfilling his destiny as mankind's savior, and it certainly wasn't about this petty argument with Hoth.
Once again, it was about Allison. It was about love.
"We were hoping the principals of democracy and reason would prevail," a steely-jawed John intoned deeply, snapping his eyes back toward his aggressor in the process. The voice he used was just short of a yell, but it had the desired result: Hoth's diatribe was cut off mid-sentence.
"One of the reasons civilization failed the first time, was a lack of trust and respect," John continued. "I was hoping you would trust the new council's decision of respectfully relieving you of command, and then continue to serve the resistance with same unwavering loyalty, courage and commitment that has inspired and united us through very troubling times."
These words brought serious pause to the general. He kept the gun leveled at John, but his expression softened as he became more contemplative. An uncomfortable silence lingered for a few moments.
"You're wise beyond your years, Conner," Hoth lamented, in a distinctly more level tone.
"But I'm not gonna be part of your army."
The answer confused John for a moment, until he realized that Hoth was merely mimicking John's response to him when they first met. Still, John wasn't exactly sure what the general meant.
But before he could ask, Hoth abruptly raised the gun up to his own temple and pulled the trigger.
Everyone was shocked. John merely stared blankly at the space formerly occupied by Hoth. Allison cried out in horror and turned her head into John's chest. Gonzalez lunged in a pitiful attempt to stop him and then just slumped on the desk.
Hoth's body had fallen over onto the floor after the fatal shot, so Nishimira quickly ran around to the other side of the desk to see if anything could be done. After inspecting the damage by twisting his head to-and-fro, she sadly shook her head, confirming the obvious.
Now, Harris burst through the door. "Was that a gunshot?" he asked, spotting Hoth's lifeless body. "Oh no! The general! Is is bad, sir?"
"He's gone, sargeant," Nishimira said bluntly, looking up at him. "He did it to himself."
Harris slumped in resignation at the news. More officers began filing in, asking the same questions, responding more-or-less in the same manner. Nishimira asked the two soldiers they had brought in to do what they could to prevent any further inquiries.
A long silence consumed the office. Allison, tired of the death and destruction that seemed to lurk around every corner, had been quietly sobbing while nestled against John's chest. John had been mindlessly rubbing her back, trying to console her.
"Are you okay, Ally?" John whispered.
Allison looked up at him, sniffled and nodded an affirmative. John gently wiped the tears from her eyes and kissed her forehead.
"I thought he was going to kill you," Allison admitted. "So when the shot went off, all I could think about was losing you."
"I drew the strength to confront him from you," John said. "Thanks for talking me into letting you come with us."
To this, Allison smiled faintly. "C'mon," John said, as he stood up.
"Well, that could have gone better," John said to the colonel. "I thought there were no guns allowed in the CIC."
"One of the many abuses of power," Nishimira said, shrugging. "I hate to say it, but it was either him, or us."
John frowned a bit at the colonel's callousness. "It's a terrible loss," he lamented. "We'll miss his knowledge and experience."
"But not his blundering tactics," Nishimira quickly responded. "So what do we do now?"
"Well, we proceed as previously discussed," John said, turning to Gonzalez for confirmation. "We'll broadcast a bulletin about Hoth's death, print a summary in The Resistance, and continue the vote tally and planning for the election announcement party."
"But what about Hoth?" Gonzalez asked. "We can't tell people he shot himself. We gotta say he died in the attack—you know—like a hero."
"He is a hero," John countered, all but snapping at Gonzalez. "Nothing can take away from that. But there will be no more lies. The Resistance is about the truth. And that's exactly what the readers are gonna get."
Allison smiled proudly at John's comments. Nishimira and Gonzalez nodded in admiration, if not awe.
"What about the pending Skynet attack," Nishimira intoned. "They're still on the way."
"Well," John said, stroking his chin in thought. "You're temporarily in command. Come up with a plan to defeat them."