CH21
Allison and Byron sat side by side on the couch as on TV, John Connor took his place behind the podium. Dressed in his uniform, Allison thought her father looked handsome. A glance over at Gramma Sarah showed pride on her face. "I'm proud of Dad too, Gramma," Allison said with a smile.
Sarah returned her smile and patted her shoulder. "We all are, dear."
"Good Evening. For those of you who don't know who I am, I am General John Connor. I have some things I'd like to share with you."
He glanced down at the paper in front of him then said, "Two point six billion people dead so far. Not million, billion. That's half the world's population. Entire countries are laid waste, cities lying in radioactive ruin. That is what Sky Net has done. Sky Net is not finished with us. It will keep killing and destroying until we are all gone. That is, unless we stop it. This is not a war of ideals, land grabbing or glory. It is one of extermination. Sky net will not stop until EVERY one of us is dead.
We should take a hard lesson from what has happened so far. Sky Net used our...petty differences to cause countries to fight each other. It laughed as we, ourselves began the devastation raining down on us. It wasn't until too late that we realized what was happening. When I say 'we', I mean the human race. Gone is the day when what you are makes any difference at all. We who still live, need to work together for our own survival. Gone too is the day when any of us who are left can afford to be selfish. The only way we will survive is if we pull together for the good of all. Sky Net had gotten as far as it has because it was able to split us up. Now, it is taking the world apart piece by piece. The phrase, 'United we stand, divided we fall', has never been truer than it is today!
WE do not have one battle to fight, or just one war to win. Simply staying alive is going to be a battle in the coming years. Besides the obvious threat of Sky Net machines, we are also going to have to suffer through a long nuclear winter and radiation soaking the air, water and the ground. If we cannot face these challenges and emerge victorious, then will be no more generations. No more children or grandchildren. Unless we win humanity dies. That's it, end of story. Unless we all put our petty differences aside and fight together, there will be no more generations.
The tools for survival are in our hands. As long as we come together as one, everyone working and fighting hard for the good of all, we will defeat Sky Net! We will stand tall and be able to give our children and theirs a world that is habitable and free from the terrors we face.
It is not just the soldiers and front line fighters that must unselfishly give their all. Everyone from the common worker to the executives needs to be involved. Beside the combat, we have to put our all into making the radiation proof gardens sealed in long green houses to ensure we have contamination free food. Radiation free dwellings for people and livestock to live in, radiation filters for our water. People, in a couple short months, the radiation clouds from China and Russia will be here. If we are not ready, many, many more will die from the slow agony of radiation poisoning. Another vital fight is rebuilding our manufacturing facilities that became degraded after all our trade deals. There is no more China, or trade with the far East where ninety percent of our goods came from. It is just as critical that we begin to manufacture everything from the filters and air purifying units, to circuit boards and machinery. We're no longer working just for a wage, or to make money. WE are working for our survival. Just like the men out there on the front lines, everyone must put forth all their effort into finishing these vital projects.
Some scientists and political figures are saying we should try to maintain as normal a life as possible. People, they are LYING to you! There IS no more 'normal' life. We, every last one of us, are in the position of DO or DIE. I know it will be hard, many parents are not going to be able to see their children for months at a time due to being stuck at work in a factory while your family is stuck in at home, each protected from the radiation that is swirling about on the wind right outside the door. It will be necessary for survival. The radiation is coming, there is no stopping it and no short term answer for making it go away.
I want each of you, man , woman, old and young, to consider yourselves as soldiers. Not ones who carry a rifle, but ones who are on the front lines of fighting for survival, for THAT is what you truly are. Remember that and keep it at the front of your mind in the coming years.
I am John Connor and with the help of you, our human army, we will destroy Sky Net and ensure our future. Thank you for listening."
A roar of applause followed John off the stage. The TV went to a commentator who summarized John's speech, then it shifted a split screen with another commentator as they discussed the speech, then added a White House aide who disregarded John as an 'overly concerned fear monger' and claimed people could not live the hard constantly working life he was suggesting. He stressed there were hospitals if people became sick, and there was no need to go to 'all out war' over this 'issue'. He assured everyone that the government had a handle on the crisis, and refugee camps were being made available for those who could not protect themselves.
Sarah turned the TV off. "Idiot politicians," she grumbled.
"Dad's right," Allison mussed. "The previous show already told about hospitals being strapped, not having enough medicine or room for the people they have now. They can't possible take care of everyone."
"That's right, hon," Sarah agreed. "So that's why I need help to get the hydrostatic filters connected to the water lines before you go to bed tonight."
"We're on it!" Byron said as he shot to his feet.
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John returned to his command bunker to find a list of messages for him. Besides the White House wanting him to explain his speech, the entire chain of command had also left messages that he was to explain why he didn't get authorization to go on camera. Only one General, Perry, left a message commending him for his 'truthful but brash action'.
Cameron was proud of him, and met him with a hug and kiss. She then told him what had transpired while he was away. "Sky Net initiated their attack thirty two minutes ago. John Henry has control of the antarctic forces, and expects to take over the Sky Net forces heading for Africa in one hour and ten minutes. He will time his attack with those forces so they arrive in India simultaneously. The European Union will begin their attacks one day after that. They are planning on Sky Net sending all it's reserves to help defend India. John Henry calculated they are partially correct, he computer sixty seven percent of Sky Net's reserves will be called in."
John frowned and said, "So if they have another diversion along with John Henry's attacks, that will draw more of Sky Net's forces away from their Western front."
"Correct."
"Cam, how many long range double pulse rail guns do we have in Oregon?" John asked in thought.
"Only fifteen. Their rate of fire is two projectiles a minute. There are twenty more in Washington state, in groups of five. Where did you want to attack?"
"From our satellite recon, Vladivostok has the largest Sky Net factories in that area," John said as he mussed. "If Sky Net thinks we are going to attack the factories, they will reinforce the area. That will keep those units busy waiting for the attack and keep them from joining the real battles. Order those guns to open fire on Vladivostok right before John Henry's units reach India. We'll use the guns from the Canadian border down to the eighth LR artillery unit in Northern California. If we destroy factories, fine. If not, we'll at least keep some units occupied."
"I will coordinate with John Henry," Cameron replied and left to fulfill his orders.
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Sarah checked the air cleaning systems after she got the kids in bed. The main air intake now went through a dual filter, coarse then fine for the mechanical filters, then an electrostatic filter to remove any ionized particles to remove radiation from the air. The radiation sensor on the roof was still within limits, but she noticed it had risen over the past week.
Connected to the back door was the sealed green house where the seeds she had planted were sprouting up. Even if it became cool outside and the coming radiation hit them hard, the vegetables would be safe to eat. Tonight they had finished the water filtration system. The attacjed garage was ready to be set up as an air lock and decontamination station, if the air got so bad they had to go out with protective suits on. For the foreseeable future, their house was going to be safe to live in. She figured eventually, they might have to move underground, but Sarah was going to keep their house protected for as long as possible.
Exhausted, Sarah got a quick shower then crawled in bed herself.
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Since both Allison and Byron were a few years ahead of their studies, they arraigned to do half days of school, and spend the other half helping to ready Palmdale for the coming radiation. One neighborhood was planning on a dome over a five block area. The people there were asking for help, so Allison and Byron started there.
The 'rad free' zone association headquarters was a two car garage with tables and plans. There were only three people inside, two women and a man.
"Excuse us," Allison asked as they approached. "We've come to help."
The short blond woman reviewing the plans laid out on the table looked at them. "Allison Connor?" she asked.
"Yes, And this is my friend Byron," Allison replied.
"Oh good!" the woman said happily. "I'm Sally, the machine your parents freed and saved from Sky Net. That's Jeff and his wife Mary. We're planning a big elongated dome over the neighborhood. We are going to need someone to lift materials up high."
Allison and Byron looked at each other. "Why not cover the houses, then make covered walkways between them?" Byron asked. "That's what we're doing on the base. Wouldn't that be a lot quicker and easier?"
Sally tipped her head slightly. "But then, the streets would not be safe," she replied.
"We are installing filters for incoming services, and Gramma made the garage ready to be an airlock for entering and leaving the house," Allison explained. "From what Daddy says, we don't have the time to build the kind of thing you're planning."
"And if your big dome gets a rip, everyone in the area suffers," Byron added.
"I suppose we could bring that idea up at the next meeting," Sally said in a mussing tone.
"And dig really deep basements for safety, and possibly living in if needed," Allison added. "These are things people can do right now."
The brown haired man asked, "So, Allison, right? You know this will work?"
Allison nodded. "Yep, Gramma Sarah has been planning it for a long time. She knew Sky Net would attack, and has been getting ready for it. The places that need to be protected are your home, and your gardens. She already has air and water filters installed, and has sealed the house up so no air leaks can get in. The radiation we have to worry about is the tiny particulate kind, think of really small dust particles. They can be cleaned from water and air by electrostatic filters," Allison explained.
"Could you show us how she did that?" the other woman asked.
"Sure! Let me call Gramma, and see if she will come explain how to do it," Allison said brightly.
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Sarah agreed to come explain to a large group of people how to 'safe' their homes from radiation. In lecture type of presentation, Sarah showed people how to build a double filter, to remove the negative charged Alpha particles and positively charged Beta particles. She then went on with the importance of 'sealing' the home and keeping radiation out of the ground where food was grown.
The neighbor hood decided to get people working on their own houses first, then cover the streets if they had time. Sarah became the 'expert' and was invited to other meetings about radiation proofing homes. Byron helped move materials, Allison held roof lumber up in the air for men to nail in place as they worked at covering their driveways.
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By the time they got home, Allison was tired. She was got a pleasant surprise as she walked in the door. John and Cameron were in the kitchen talking.
"Mom, Dad!" Allison cried and ran in to give each a firm (but not too-firm) of a hug. Sitting down next to her Father, Allison beamed him a smile. "Have you been OK? You've both been working very hard lately."
"We're fine," John told his daughter. "Just doing what we have to do."
Allison then asked Cameron, "Mom, how are John Henry's plans working out?"
With a tiny smile, Cameron said, "You mean the plans you and Byron helped John Henry with? Very well. So far, everything is going perfectly. We have control of the Sky Net attackers, the Antarctic bases are destroyed, we have control of the Sky Net communication hubs, and all the forces are on their way to attack India."
"The European Union is set to invade right after Sky Net sends reinforcements to India," John added.
"That's great," Byron added.
"I'll make diner," Cameron said, getting up. "John, show Allison our plans. Maybe she can think of something we haven't."
John nodded. Shifting his gaze between Allison and Byron, he asked, "Shall we?"
Both kids nodded.
John led them into the living room. Sarah moved to help Cameron start dinner and said, "I noticed you turned the active filters on. The radiation is not above long term limits yet."
Cameron eyed Sarah and said, "It is above background, You cannot afford to absorb much radiation. You are loosing wight. I've scheduled you an appointment with your doctor."
"You think I've got cancer?" Sarah asked.
"I don't know. You have been working hard, so it just may be that. I would like to know for sure," Cameron replied. "And no, we don't tell John until we know for sure."
"Thank you, he doesn't need to worry about me," Sarah said with an appreciative nod.
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Allison looked at the maps and the strategies. She then played the 'Sky Net' side, and looked for counters. Byron sat biting his lip as he studied the maps.
"Hey, Dad," Allison said as she looked at the projected thrust into south eastern Europe. "This thrust here can be countered by the northern line coming down behind the main thrust. Giving that Sky Net probably knows we need warm weather and less radiation, they could well strip the northern lines to counter attack."
"Yeah, they could," Byron agreed. "They don't care if we take the northern areas. Most of the food and oil is to the south. We don't have much reason to drive deep into the north."
"So, that is probably what we should do first," Allison said. "Up here in Finland, drive into Russia and right down the east side of the current Sky Net forward lines. If nothing else, that will keep the Sky Net
forces busy so they can't travel south. At best, it will cause Sky Net to focus more on the northern lines, and that will give the southern strike force a better chance at success."
John nodded and said, "That has been considered. There is much talk of retaking Moscow. I'm pretty sure Sky Net is spying on us, and may be expecting an attack. The problem is, Europe only has so many men and materials. Field Marshal Schmitt, the overall commander of the European Union, does not think they have the forces to make the additional attack. We've been after Argentina and Brazil to provide extra men."
Allison studied the map with a frown, then said, "I'll do it."
"What!" John cried as he gapped at her.
"Ally!'" Byron cried in horror.
Allison cast her Father an innocent look. "Dad, warfare is deception, right? Sneak me over to Norway, I'll go to Finland and get behind the lines. I tear Sky Net up as the attack starts, Sky Net will think there is a lot more forces attacking that there really are. They will have to bring up more forces to stop the offensive. Between the battles in India and those in the north, Sky net will have to thin the lines on it's western front."
"No, you're not going," John said firmly.
"But Dad, it will work!" Allison insisted.
"It's cold, radioactive AND very dangerous," John told her firmly. "You won't be able to find food or a place to even rest! Allison, I refuse to put you into that kind of position," John said, frowning angrily at her.
Allison threw her arms up and cried, "How else are they going to win over there? Sky Net is pumping out machines that fight day and night, right? The Europeans don't have mini Stugs yet, and not very effective drones. They are loosing masses of men just holding Sky Net back."
"We have total control of the Americas now," Cameron said as she came in from the kitchen. "A surprise attack by us would be the most efficient means of performing this northern operation. Sky Net will not expect it."
"Right, Mom!" Allison agreed heartily with a nod of her head.
"We use our cargo plane with escorts. Refuel in Canada, and fly to Sweden. The official purpose of our flight will be humanitarian supplies. Sky Net will not view that as a high value target. We pass though Norway, then engage the Sky Net forces just ahead of the attack. Supplies can be brought to us by drone," Cameron explained.
"And Sky Net will react, seeing this as an opportunity to destroy the human army in the north," Allison agreed.
"No!" John insisted.
"It is a tactically sound plan," Cameron stated.
"It's our daughter, Cam," John said pleadingly.
"Yes, that is why I am going with her," Cameron replied. After a pause, she added, "Think about it John. You did say we are all soldiers."
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John could not believe what Allison proposed, and Cameron was going along with it! Even as he thought about keeping his family out of the fight, he also knew Allison and Cameron were good at it. Very good. Allison was a Juggernaut when she got going, wiping everything out of her way.
Rubbing his face in his hands, John knew the coming offensive was important and by plane, they could get there on time to join the offensive. Or make their own. He didn't like it, but Allison and Cameron were making sense. With a huff, he let out a long breath. "I'll go contact the joint chiefs. We have to get their approval."
Cameron tipped her head slightly and said, "Report from John Henry. The re-purposed Sky Net units have begun their attack on India. Factories and H/K airfields are being hit." She then looked at John and said, "If we're going to do this, it has to be now."
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During dinner, Cameron relayed with John Henry to let John explain the plan to the Joint Chiefs as an 'assist' to the European forces. By the time dinner was done, ammunition and supplies would be waiting for them in Canada. General Schmitt sent word his northern forces would be to 'hold off' the expected Sky Net attack in Finland to make Sky Net believe they would be staying on the defensive.
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Allison noted Byron seemed distracted. After dinner, John scooted everyone off to bed, stating they had to be up before the sun in the morning. Allison went upstairs, got cleaned up and went to bed.
Lying in bed and playing with Bip, making the stuffed monkey dance across the bed for her, Allison looked up to see Byron in the doorway.
"Ally, can I come in?" he asked quietly.
"Sure." Allison put Bip over on her dressing table. She made it look like Bip was flying flapping his arms on the way there.
Byron smiled briefly on his way over to her bed. He sat down by Allison. Quietly, he asked, "Please, don't go away again."
"I have to."
Lying down beside her, Byron let out a sniff. His face in her infrared vision looked hot. "Byron, are you ill?" she asked.
"Yeah, I am," he admitted. "I'm scared you're going to get hurt, Ally," he whispered. "And I'm not going to see you again for a long time. Thinking about you against ... the entire Sky Net army ... well, it makes me feel sick to my stomach."
"Mom will watch out for me," she offered. "I won't take any foolish chances either. I'll stay well within my limits."
"You better. If something happens to you, I'll never forgive you."
Allison was going to miss Byron also. She shifted over to allow him more room. "Hey Byron, let's stay together tonight,OK? It's our last chance to be together for a while."
Byron nodded and climbed under the covers. Facing each other, they held hands as they gazed at one another.
Suddenly, Allison let out a giggle. "Gramma will freak if she sees us," she said quietly.
"Your dad would too. Is this really OK?"
"I don't know. I don't see why not, we're not doing anything bad."
"I just want to see you all that I can."
"Me too. We better go to sleep. Night, Byron."
"Night, Ally."
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In the morning, Cameron got up and rousted John, then went to Allison's room to get her up. Going in, she saw Byron and Allison close as they faced each other, their arms wrapped tight around each other. Walking over to the bed, she each gave them a stiff flick on the head.
"Ouch!" Byron complained in a groan.
"Owwwie!" Allison cried as she tried to scrunch her head deeper into Byron. "Byron, what did you do that for?" she asked in a sleepy voice.
"Time to get up," Cameron announced clearly.
Byron came awake suddenly. With a cry of shock, he backpedaled off the bed to thump onto the floor, taking the covers with him. Cameron noted at least Allison was wearing her pajamas.
Allison shifted her now wide open gaze from her Mother to the floor. Sitting up and leaning over, she asked, "Byron, are you OK?"
Shooting to his feet, Byron stared at Cameron and swallowed hard. Stuttering, he squeaked out "Mrs ... Conner ... I ... didn't mean to ..."
Cameron returned his stare, blank faced. "I am making breakfast. Return to your room and get dressed. This sort of thing is not appropriate, you are too young to be doing that."
Byron fled from the room. Allison offered, "Mom, We were good, honest. Byron just wanted to spend the night with me. He's real upset we're going someplace again."
Cameron shifted her blank stare to Allison. "Get dressed and come down. We don't have long," she stated, then turned and left.
.
Cameron said noting about how she found Allison and Byron, though Byron wore a guilty face through breakfast. Seeing his obvious guilt, Sarah asked an off hand question. "Allison, I didn't know your bed was large enough to hold two," she asked lightly.
Allison shrugged and said, "There wasn't much room, but ..." Her words fell off as John stared at her, then Byron. Byron flushed red.
Quickly, Allison said, "It was our last chance to see each other! We were good, we didn't do anything!"
John dropped his head and scrubbed a hand over his face. Returning his glare to Allison, then Byron, he said sternly, "That will NOT happen again. Understood?"
"Yes, Sir," Byron said meekly.
"Yes, Dad," Allison agreed sheepishly.
"You behaved themselves, but John is right. You can't do that again until you are much older," Cameron said. She then put their plates down in front of them.
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John, Sarah and Byron saw Cameron and Allison off with hugs and best wishes to return safe. Once they were on their way, John went into his command center to verify everything was set for the delivery of the 'humanitarian aide'. To keep Sky Net from intercepting them, a close watch and air cover was provided on the cross country flight. In Canada, the military had C-130's standing by to carry the mass of the drones, so they would have plenty of fuel for CAP duties once they arrived in Sweden.
The ten heavy lifters flew guarded by the standard fighter and drone escort over Greenland and the arctic Atlantic. Other than a surface to air few missiles from a couple Sky Net subs they flew over, and the three A-747's shot down, they made the coast of Norway unmolested. Sweden was another story.
Sky Net was involved with a mass air raid over Finland. Cameron had their drones released from the C-130's to help in air defense. Figuring Sky Net was getting ready for an attack, Cameron had them fly right into Finland at the only airport left standing as their drones fought off H/K's.
In the air, smoke trails and explosions marked where the two forces met. The sky was filled with twisting, shooting and falling craft. Like in Nicaragua, Cameron had Allison catch the crates as the heavy lifters performed 'combat drops' to dump their cargo, then fly away to Norway where they could refuel and have some measure of survival.
In the battle to get on the ground, Cameron lost half their drones and a A747 that could just not shoot fast enough to down every H/K that came at them. First the drones protecting it were shot down, then the H/K's mercilessly attack the plane. The A747 fought desperately even as it was loosing altitude and burning from both wings. A final plasma round hit the plane on a wing root, causing it to explode.
Cameron also noted the H/K losses were heavy. Each one stayed in the fight until it was destroyed. Having the drones do a wide sweep of the area, she found not a single Sky Net unit was left.
Cameron was in the number two drone control vehicle when the local commander came in to greet them. He was an Englishman. Marching in, he saluted Cameron.
"Good show Lass! I am Major Smith. I must say, these supplies are not what we expected to receive."
Cameron returned his salute. "Hello Major. After we reorganize, we will be headed for the front. Please send a land line communication, or a runner to inform the commander in charge. If he would guide us to the largest concentrations of Sky Net in the area, I would be grateful."
Raising an eyebrow, the Major asked, "Feeling a bit ambitious? We have not been able to completely halt the advance of Sky Net. We're slowly being pushed back on a daily basis."
"It is our turn to push on them," Cameron replied. "We attack upon arrival at the front. Please inform your commander."
"Shall I ask when you will be moving out?"
"Within the hour."
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Allison rode on the third light tank from the front of the long line behind her. Four British light, wheeled tanks proceeded the long line of Mini Stugs, supply trucks and artillery pieces at a blistering pace. Bundled up in a parka, ski mask , goggles, snow pants and boots, Allison sat on the turret, watching the sky as they ran down the road. Farther back in the column, Cameron guided the drones flying guard overhead.
It wasn't long before artillery shells came lobbing down at them. Allison reached out to knock the shells to the sides. Following the radar track of the shells, drones sped off to stop the bombardment.
Allison heard her Mother's voice come over their secure radio link. "Attention all forces. The Sky Net artillery is being destroyed by our drones. The weak H/K force opposing them has been cleared from the sky. Three miles ahead we will pass through the Finnish lines. Half a mile past that, we will run into Sky Net Terminators and H/K tanks. Allison, after we pass the Finnish lines, I will send drones down on the Sky Net defenses. Go low and attack the largest targets first. The mini-Stugs will be right behind you."
"Got it, General," Allison replied.
In the hatch beside her, the tank Captain looked up at Allison. "You're going to lead the attack?" he asked in disbelief.
Allison nodded. "I'm pequeno rosado la diablo," she said.
"What's that mean?"
"It's Spanish. You'll see." Into her mic, she said, "This is Allison, moving up to the front tank." She then jumped up in the air and landed on the second tank to bounce back into the air and land on the lead tank.
"Fuck me," the tank Captain said as he watched her fly from one tank to the other while they were traveling along at seventy five kilometers an hour.
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Allison noted the entrenchments, and the men within were watching her as they sped on for the Sky Net lines. The tanks slowed so the mini-Stugs could catch up and move to either side of them. Shells, bullets and plasma rounds came at them in a heavy rain. Allison was kept busy knocking the rounds away and exploding shells long before they reached her tanks. To each side, mini-Stugs were pounding the Sky Net machines.
Closing on the lines of terminators, Allison pointed to a large H/K tank. "Over there, charge it!" she yelled.
"You're daft!" the tank Captain snapped. "Driver, get us into that hollow to the right!"
The H/K tank was on the left. She had no time to argue. Leaping of the tank, Allison flew right at the H/K tank. She blocked a few round coming at her, but most of the Sky Net fire was on the mini-Stugs now. On her way she smashed a few Sky Net mini-Stugs, then grabbed the remains of an artillery piece and flung it at the H/K tank. The wrecked metal bounced of the tank doing no damage. Seeing the huge tank was well armored, Allison wasn't sure if she would be able to punch through it. Instead, she landed beside it and flipped of over. With the underbelly expose, she slashed into the metal. Finding the power source, she ripped it out.
Jumping up on top of the disabled tank, Allison surveyed the scene. Spying another H/K tank, she raced for that one. Taking swipes at machines she flew behind, she slashed Terminators, a few more mini-Stugs moving to join the battle, and a couple smaller tanks. Reaching the huge H/K tank, she did the same maneuver again, flipping it over to slash it open and rip out the power supply.
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With the heaviest weapons gone, no air cover, and being reduced quickly in numbers, Sky Net moved it's forces back to regroup and bring in reinforcements. Unfortunately, the human forces pressed on, all but destroying the defenders. A coordinated defense was no longer possible. The units left were ordered to attack separately. Sure this was the beginning of a main offensive, Sky Net stopped the reinforcements to create a bulge that it would attack from the north and south to collapse the bulge and trap the humans. Once this was accomplished, the humans would no longer be a threat to this area.
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Allison paced herself. After she destroyed the H/K tanks, she took advantage of the chaos to flip the Sky Net mini-stugs and mobile artillery. Staying behind the Sky Net attempt of a line, she attacked from the rear, rushing place to place. The human forces were advancing, finishing off the Sky Net units she, or the drones didn't get.
After a thirty mile advance, Cameron stopped the attack on the forward front and had her forces dig in, then shifted to attack their southern flank. Allison had Cameron bring a drone in low, and caught a ride
to the largest concentration of Sky Net machines to the south. Before the sun set, Allison destroyed three more H/K tanks, and more mini-Stugs and Terminators than she could count.
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With the success of the 'American' attack, the multinational army of the Finns, followed up attacking to the north and south, as well as reinforced the new lines. Pulled together to counterattack what it thought was the main attack, Sky Net forces were taken by surprise. The line collapsed. Pulling back, Sky Net tried to reform a new line to find it's southern forces were eliminated. It pulled all it's unit's back out of Finland to bring in every unit available.
The attack from the humans did not make sense. There was nothing for them in the cold, radioactive north. Analyzing the attack, it found a reason. If these humans could get behind the long main line, they cold possibly fold up the entire western defense. Unlike the other attempts to keep it back, this attack had been swift and gained ground quickly. Seeing through this plan, Sky Net assumed the attack far to the south in India was a distraction. It would not be fooled so easily. Sky Net sent reinforcements up to the new defense line in northern Russia.
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Cameron was looking for an airfield. Sky Net had build one close to the front lines. All the buildings were gone, and several H/K's burned on the ground, but she could land and resupply drones there. She knew the operators were getting tired. Directing the supply trucks and military vehicles, Cameron made this air field her new base as more humans troops filled the area.
Allison arrived at the base to find two of the wheeled tanks she'd ridden on were guarding the perimeter. Walking up to one, she waved and asked, "Hi, do you know where I can find General Connor?"
The tank Captain put a light on her making her squint, then moved the light off her. "Aren't you that 'diablo' girl?"
"That's me. I have to find General Connor," Allison told him as she held a hand up to keep the light from shining in her eyes.
A pair of MP's came up to her. "ID," one said firmly.
Allison rolled her eyes at them. "I got my school meal pass, will that do?"
"Sorry, miss, this is a military installation. Where's your parents?"
Allison pulled her hood back and took off her ski mask and goggles. "General Conner is my mother, I have to report to her so please tell me where she is," she insisted.
"Hold crap. What's that on your head, kid?"
"Come on! I'm tired and it's cold out here," Allison whined.
The other MP radioed in. He received a command to bring her to the general ASAP. "OK, you're cleared. Get in the car."
Seeing the open topped four wheel drive, Allison took a leap over them and guided herself down into the back seat. She put her ski mask back on and pulled her hood up. Seeing them gape at her, she asked, "Are we going or what?"
The tank Captain barked out a chuckle and said, "That's her all right."
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Inside the drone control / command vehicle, Allison had curled up into a corner to get some rest. She awoke to Cameron handing her a bowl of steaming food.
"Wake up, Allison, we have a busy day today," Cameron told her.
Allison ate in her corner as a few other generals came in and talked with her mother. The generals were overjoyed at their success, and planned out the supply routes to keep the army attacking before Sky Net could recover.
Cameron accepted their congratulations, then showed them the map she'd made from drones and John Henry's intel. "Sky Net is retreating a hundred miles into Russia, to set up a defense line here. It is bringing up reinforcements, ground and aerial to contain us, then attack when our attack falters. It is the sound and practical thing to do."
A German General nodded. "It is. Do you have a plan to get past them?"
"Yes. Sky Net will expect another head on attack. They will be planting units in hiding to observe us all though the open area between here and there to track our movements. We move along two corridors, searching for these units. We also send infantry out in a picket line behind the searchers to let Sky Net see we are advancing. That will keep them in place. We want Sky Net's attention on us."
"What about the attack?" a general asked.
"We do not attack, only make it look like we plan to," Cameron stated.
"We have the advantage, we should keep them under pressure while we can," the German General stated.
"No," Cameron said. "We do not have an advantage and at this point, any ground gained is insignificant in the strategic plan. What is important is keeping those Sky Net units focus on us. The rail artillery and mini-Stug guns will shoot into the Sky Net lines at the points that match the searches going on for Sky Net units. I will also send drones and fighters to strike their lines and beyond to draw out their H/K's. We make them think we are attacking but we strengthen our positions here along out current line and build a defense one mile deep. I and my daughter, Allison, will take care of harassing their lines to keep them occupied."
"Two of you?" the French general asked with a hint of amusement. "And how will you manage that?"
Cameron looked at Allison in the corner, watching them. "Allison, is your bowl empty?"
"Yes, Mom," she said, which caused all heads to turn to her.
Cameron held her hand out. "Then pass it to me."
Allison let the bowl go. It drifted over into Cameron's hand. "Here, Mom."
"A small child, capable of destroying the Sky Net heavy machinery can sneak around at night and reduce Sky Net defenses. Sky Net will conclude it is losing more units to accurate artillery fire. If we can succeed, we can force the Sky Net line back farther and save your troops until they are needed," Cameron explained.
"What was that?" the German General asked. "How did she do that?"
Cameron set the bowl down and explained. "Allison has powers. That is how she overturned and destroyed those H/K tanks, and many of the Sky Net ground units before we even engaged. In this cold, her outer clothing helps to protect her from infrared scans. Sky Net cannot detect her attacks. It is the perfect way to reduce Sky Net numbers."
"A little girl is going to attack those machines and live?" the French General asked with a snort.
Allison spoke up. "Who do you think opened the holes in the Sky Net lines for you?" she asked.
"Allison, rest today, you'll be leaving in the late afternoon, an hour and a half before sunset."
"OK, Mom, don't forget to pick me up in the morning."
.
True to it's style and it's efficiency, Sky Net H/K's came out to attack the vulnerable search parties and men advancing towards it. Met by drones and fighters, it became a battle in the air. To the south, a single drone flew low over the ground with Allison riding on it. The reports of a single drone and it's course did not alert Sky Net. It's air defenses were ready to shoot down the lone craft. Ten miles before the drone reached the new line, Allison jumped off and the drone turned back.
Keeping to the low ground and holding herself up just off the snow, Allison lay just above the ground as she walked along on her mental arms. Looking at the world in infrared, she saw the heat from Terminators and slipped around them. Seeing a pair of mini-Stugs, she smashed them.
All night, Allison snuck around smashing Sky Net equipment. Finding fuel tanks, she punched holes in them to let the fuel out. An H/K flew low overhead to inspect the damage. Allison jump high and split the H/K in half. It fell burning and ignited the lake of fuel beneath it. She flew away quickly, and went back to ground beside a road. Fire suppression units came racing down the road. She destroyed these to leave them in a traffic accident.
The sky colored with pre-dawn, Allison made her way back though the Sky Net defenses, smashing every unit she saw with enough force to leave craters in the ground. She met the drone that had come for her and jumped aboard.
Returning to the base, Allison learned the southern European offensive had gotten off to a good start. Initial losses were many, but fast tanks and mobile infantry had gotten through. Not long after she arrived, the air raid siren went off. A pack of H/K's raced at the base. Between the rail driven anti-aircraft units and the drones, not one survived.
Every day was the same. Allison slept as guns in the distance pounded away and the rumble of their aircraft took off and landed. Late in the day, Allison got up, ate, then caught a drone to go destroy more Sky Net units the artillery wasn't shooting at. The fifth night Allison went to go wreck more machines, she didn't find any. All she found was tracks and ruined buildings. Lifting herself up higher, she didn't find a single active unit. Sky Net had pulled back again.
The forward picket walked fifty miles with no sign of Sky Net except a few observation units, small unarmed tracked vehicles that ran when they saw humans coming. Some marksmen and snipers shot the vehicle's sensors heads. A British light tank platoon and a Finish light tank brigade went ahead of the infantry picket all the way to St. Petersburg before they found any Sky Net resistance. To the east, Sky Net had massed it's forces between the giant lakes in the region to shorted up their lines. They had abandoned the area of land north of the Baltic sea.
Unconvinced, Cameron had the whole area scrutinized for any sign of Sky Net. Helicopters dipped sonar probes in bodies of water and along shorelines. A flight of drones sped over the Sky Net concentrations. Three were shot down, as she would expect, but she did find masses of machines at their lines, and miles behind, set back for a solid in-depth defense. Sky Net was using a lot of machines, waiting for the attack that was never going to come.
Just to keep Sky Net from being bored, Cameron had the area between two lakes targeted, and bombarded the area with artillery and some leftover older rockets. The rockets wouldn't do much damage, if any, but it would signal to Sky Net that an attack was about to occur.
The second week they were in the north, Cameron opened a secure comm link to John. Allison sat beside her as the link opened. Byron was beside John. In separate windows below, General Parks and President Livingston's faces appeared. While Byron and Allison waved to each other, Cameron gave her report.
"General, President, Sky Net has backed away from the Baltic region, and set up their line from St. Petersburg, northeast through the large lake region. We did significant damage and are shelling them to imitate precipitating an attack."
"Why have you not gone on the attack?" General Parks asked.
"Two reasons. The armies here cannot maintain a long front line. They also do not yet have all the equipment to sustain an advance. We gained ground through trickery," Cameron explained.
"You have done well tying them down," John told her. "The southern front has broken through, and India is total chaos. John Henry reports Sky Net is sending units to India from central Asia. That means it is hard pressed to deal with the situation. If you pressed hard, you just may get through."
"Is that possible, General Connor?" General Parks asked. "General Schmitt would very much like to start an offensive through Poland."
"We will need more supplies and equipment. I only have 22 drones and 31 mini-Stugs left. The Finnish army does have tanks, but they are not very effective against Sky Net," Cameron told them.
"We will get you those supplies," General Parks stated, then asked, "If that is approved with you, Mr. President."
"Hell yes!" President Livingston announced. "Go kick their asses! Miss Connor, I take it you have been helping your mother beat back Sky Net?"
Allison nodded. "I sneak in at night and crunch them up," she said, beaming the screen a smile.
"You just keep up the good work, Little Lady. We're all proud of you."
"I will do some recon over the Sky Net forces across the Baltic sea. Let me know when to redirect my rail gun fire to help General Schmitt's army," Cameron said.
"Will do," John said with a nod. "Both of you be careful, John Connor out."