Note- I just wanted to say Thank You, the reader, for reading this story, and thanks to those that have helped me in getting this story out.

A big Thank You to my reviewers ( Nomad79, Nyrki, The1Russter )

Chapters are going to get longer from now on and things will start to ramp up for John, as he tries to figure out what he can do to unite people in the fight against Skynet.

I am also going to employ/enslave another beta reader to help in double checking my story format and the Tech stuff to ensure mistakes are kept to a bare minimum.

Thanks again for reading !!

meanoldmoe

Chapter 4: Mission of hope

Crystal Peak- Resistance Stronghold

John continued down the corridor towards his quarters, hoping to meet up with Kate and Kayla before breakfast. Again he ran into familiar faces on his way back to his room, he managed to smile and say his hellos without getting stopped and made his way quickly to his door without delay.

John twisted the knob and entered the room. Kate had just finished changing baby Kayla and was in the process of dressing her for breakfast.

"Hi sweetheart, how are my two girls doing?" John asked as he leaned in to kiss both Kate and Kayla on her cheek.

"We are doing better now, we're all dry and smelling much better." Kate answered with a smile.

Kayla gurgled her approval and lifted her arms up to her father. John reached down, grabbed Kayla by her waist and hoisted her up into his arms, she wrapped her arms around John's neck and rested her head on his shoulder. He turned his head to place a light kiss on Kayla's forehead.

"Are you going to join Mommy and Daddy for breakfast?" John whispered.

His answer was met with goos and baby babble, with the occasional Mum and Da thrown in for good measure.

Kate smiled "Okay, I'm ready to go."

"Well then it's off to breakfast we go"

John went towards the door, with Kate following close behind, Kayla perfectly content being held in her father's arms. They made their way quickly to the Mess Hall, stopping only briefly to say hellos to people they passed in the hallways.

Crystal Peak, was almost as well equipped as Cheyenne Mountain, but with less of a military set up, and more of a Bureaucratic set up. It had some military computer equipment, but they had not been upgraded since the 70's. This facility was geared more towards maintaining a government presence, in case of disaster. Unfortunately, the only people to make it to Crystal Peak during Judgment Day were John and Kate.

It was after they had blown up Skynet Central in San Francisco, that John and the remaining resistance decided to set up their main base at Crystal Peak. Seeing as the top military leadership had been wiped out, it seemed logical to find a new Headquarters to co-ordinate the resistance.

John and his family arrived at the Mess Hall just in time for breakfast. The line up was not too long and there were still plenty of seats available for eating. John passed Kayla over to Kate, grabbed a couple of trays and motioned for Kate to find them a spot to eat.

John looked up to see the hulking mass that could only be Hugo. He was bringing in a fresh tray of pancakes up front for serving

"Connor, nice to see you made it in for breakfast. I have something special in the back for Kayla" He said with a grin. "You grab yourself some food and I'll bring ya Kayla's food to the table"

"Why thank you Hugo, you always go out of your way for her" John smiled back at Hugo.

Hugo nodded and proceeded to bustle his way back into the kitchen. Various sounds soon emanated from behind the kitchen door, dishes clattering and pots clanging, followed by yelling from Hugo. John couldn't make out the words, but it sounded like all hell had broken loose in the kitchen. He shook his head and smiled, Hugo, always the slave driver.

John continued down the line, gathering various items of food as he went along. Besides pancakes, they had managed to get some fresh apples, as well as Venison which Hugo had made into delicious sausages. A pretty girl of about eighteen was just re-filling the large coffee dispenser, she turned to see John and smiled.

"Good morning Commander Connor, its fresh coffee someone found and shipped here. Seems the cans it was in remained intact, so we get a treat today" She beamed

"Lana, that's great news, do we still have any sugar and coffee whitener?" John asked

He was glad he remembered her name, sometimes it was difficult to remember names when so many people passed through the encampment. John knew it was important to remember people, he needed them to be there for him, especially now.

"I'm not sure Commander, but I'll go take a look for you" Lana smiled and turned to head off to the kitchen.

"Thank you Lana "

John couldn't help but smile, he poured 2 cups of coffee and placed them on the tray he was carrying. Looking over he saw Kate sitting with Kayla, she smiled and waved to John.

John made his way over to where they were sitting, placed a tray in front of Kate and the other tray in front of his self, as he sat down.

"Lana says they just got in a shipment of fresh coffee, and she's going to look for some sugar and whitener for us"

"You mean for YOU John" Kate smiled "I think she has a crush on you John Connor"

"Oh ya sure, I think she just likes to be nice, and helpful. Besides she likes Kyle." John smiled and shook his head. "You know my heart belongs to you Kate"

"I know John, besides I'd kick yer ass if I found out you were looking at other women" Kate's eyes burned into John's, but she had a faint smile on her lips.

"Well there are only two women in my life, you and Kayla" John replied with a big grin.

It wasn't a moment later when Lana returned to the table with sugar and fresh cream, she also had a small dish of something mashed up, on the tray too.

"What's all this?" John asked with a surprised look on his face.

"Morning Ms Conner, Hi Kayla" Lana chirped out with a big smile, then she turned to John. "Commander, we seem to have gotten a cow from somewhere, so we have fresh milk and cream for coffee and other stuff. Oh, and Hugo made some kinda mushy stuff for Kayla, it has fresh apples in it, he asked me to bring it here too." Lana smiled at John and quickly averted her eyes from his, she brushed a loose strand of hair from her face and blushed a pale shade of red.

"If you need anything, let me know"

"This is fine Lana and thank you for bringing Kayla's food" Kate said with a grin.

Kate looked over at John as Lana left, but he was busy pouring the sugar and cream into his coffee. Noticing he wasn't paying attention to her, Kate gently kicked John's leg under the table.

"Owww, what was that for" John spat out, with a look of pain on his face.

Kate narrowed her gaze, her eyes burned into John's, making him feel very uncomfortable. "I told you she had a crush on you, sometimes you are such a geek John"

"Well I didn't notice anything" John shot back, shrugging his shoulders.

"Well, you're a man, so that could be part of it. I can see why she would like Kyle too, he does share the same genetics as you, and the same bull headedness." Kate smiled.

"Ah, she was just being friendly and helpful Katy" John smiled back, his eyes sparkling.

"Remember that night in Mike's basement? When we first kissed?" Kate asked with a mischievous smile. " It was junior high?"

"Yeah, what about it?" John answered, while not really paying attention to Kate.

"I thought you were the hottest boy there, the one with the bad boy attitude and a quiet confidence, or so I thought." She answered, leaning in closer to John.

"What do you mean by that Kate?" John perked up to listen closer.

"Ummm, how can I put this nicely to you?"

"What?"

"You kissed me for like two seconds and then made some lame excuse you had to go. I was all ready to get into the kissing, like the others, and you wimped out John.

"NO"

"YES, you did. You were scared of girls then and you still are now, especially when it comes to flirting. You have the finesse of a drunk chicken, when it comes to picking up a girl." Kate smiled

"You want me to pick up girls now?" John lifted his eyebrow in question.

"NO, silly, I just wanted to point out you are still the same cute, awkward and shy boy I met all those years ago." Kate reached over and gave John's hand a squeeze.

"So you love me for my body and not my mind then." John smirked.

"Who said anything about love?" Kate grinned.

"So it is all about abusing my body then?"

"Oh my God, YES John." Kate put on her best rendition of overacting and then lightly tapped John's hand again. "You are such a bone head sometimes John, but I do love you very much."

John smiled at Kate and his face showed a little hint of pink as he thought about what she had just said.

Kate smiled back warmly at John, even her eyes were smiling as she took hold of his hand and squeezed it tightly.

Anyone looking at them would see a couple deeply in love and lost in each others eyes.

It was Kayla that broke the moment of peace between the two lovers.

Kayla started to fuss a bit, so Kate put her into the highchair and started to feed her the porridge Hugo had made. Finding it tasty, Kayla would barely swallow, before opening her mouth for more. John had to chuckle, it was times like this when things almost seemed normal and there was nothing to worry about. He hoped Kayla would soon be able to go outside without the worry of a Skynet patrol, or band of raiders sweeping in to kill. Sometimes he even thought of just taking his family and going away to somewhere safe, but he knew nowhere was safe, as long as Skynet was still active.

John, Kate and Kayla were just finishing breakfast, when Blair entered the Mess Hall.

She had a look of worry on her face, and she was gazing around the hall trying to pinpoint where John Connor was. I hate to bother him like this, but he needs to know what is happening. Blair thought, as she peered around the room.

Finally Blair caught a glimpse of John sitting down with his family, she quickly made her way over to the table and cleared her throat to get their attention. John and Kate looked up.

"Sorry to bother you Connor, but some more news from LA has just come in. Seems raiders have been hitting a number of underground bunkers. They are killing and stealing anything they can get their hands on, including kidnapping women and children and killing the adult males that survive the attacks. We just got an urgent call for help from one of the bunkers that still has a means of communicating by radio sir" Blair had a pained look on her face, she knew what happened to the women and children that were kidnapped. Some were kept and others sold as slaves to the raiders, it made her sick inside to think what these people might have to go through.

John sat for a moment, his brow knitting together in deep thought, he let out a deep sigh and brought his hands up to run through his cropped hair. He looked over to Kate, pain surfacing across his normally calm features, she nodded her head for him to go, fully knowing he was needed to help.

"John, you go off with Blair, see what you guys can do for those people. Kayla and I will be fine." Kate softly spoke.

"It just boggles the mind that despite all the pain and suffering Skynet does to people, there are still those low lives that feed on making others suffer." John's face turned red with rage as he spoke, he was barely controlling his anger at what he had just heard.

"Blair, get some people ready to move out in an hour, we have to stop this crap from happening, I am sick of this kind of shit going on." John spat out and he clenched his fists in anger.

"Yes Sir Connor, I'll get right on it." Blair spun around and quickly made her way out of the Mess Hall, not willing to waste a moment's time to get the team ready.

Kate sighed and moved her hand across the table to stroke John's hand, her eyes softened as she tried to calm her husband. She knew he needed to go, but at the same time she always worried he might not come back. She hated to see him leave, but she knew the people needed him.

Gently she took his hand, brought it to her cheek and kissed his knuckles.

John sighed and managed to smile at Kate.

"John, you need to go, those people need you."

"I know Kate, I just wish people would smarten up and fight the real threat, instead of each other." John's smile faded as he spoke the last few words.

John got up, leaned over to kiss Kayla and then Kate. Kayla smiled and waved her hand in a goodbye gesture while saying mostly baby talk and the occasional"Da Da", Kate also smiled, but it failed to hide her sadness at seeing her love leave yet again.

"John, be careful out there, we want you back here safe and sound" Kate spoke as her eyes started to well up with tears. It always tore her up to see her husband leave, she never knew if she was ever going to see him again.

John smiled back, fully knowing Kate didn't want him to go, but he had to go help, he had to stop this craziness from continuing, someone had to stand up for these people.

"I'll be back before you know it sweetheart" John smiled and quickly turned to leave, his eyes glossing over from fighting back the emotions he was now feeling.

Kate's eyes welled up, but she kept up a brave face as best she could, watching her husband go off into danger, yet again. She gazed at him until he exited the doorway and turned the corner.

Looking back at Kayla, Kate smiled and held out her hands, without hesitation, the little girl lifted her arms up and smiled. Kate leaned over and picked up Kayla "C'mon sweetheart, lets go find something for you to do" She kissed the little girl and headed out of the Mess Hall towards their room.

As John made his way out of the Mess hall and over to the armory to gather supplies he would need, he thought about how his day was shaping up. I was right, today is going to be a long day. Suddenly he felt very tired, the weight of everything happening was starting to take its toll on him.

John took in a deep breath and quickened his pace to the armory.

LA, same morning.

Derek awoke with a stiff neck, the result from sleeping at an awkward angle and from not getting enough sleep, not to mention a backpack makes a poor pillow.

He glanced around at his surroundings, in the early morning light, things still looked colorless and pale inside this collapsed parking garage.

Derek stretched and twisted to get the kinks out of his body, reaching into his backpack, he grabbed some dried meat and stale crackers he had taken with him. Feeling thirsty he grabbed his canteen and swallowed some warmish water to help wash down the dry food.

Wiping his chin, Derek pondered over what he needed to do next. I should get these people over to some other safe place, maybe another bunker nearby, but which one?

Deciding it was no good to just sit around, Derek decided to get up and stretch his legs for a bit. He slowly and quietly made his way back to the entrance the group came through last night. He decided to go outside and look around at the surroundings, and to get some fresh air. Maybe a little walk outside will clear my mind and I can figure out where I need to go to next.

Derek made his way outside to take in the view by day.

The sights before him were of complete desolation and destruction, the usual sights seen in the LA area. He made his way out to a pile of rubble, so he could get a better view of the area. Upon climbing up and looking around, Derek managed to get his bearings.

Hammerhead bunker should be close by, towards the East. Derek mused over the exact whereabouts of Hammerhead, as he had only been there once before. What he did know was that it was a resistance outpost of that mysterious leader known as John Connor.

He had never met the man, but had heard plenty about him and his daring attack on Skynet Central, in San Francisco a couple of years back.

That was it then, he would take his group of survivors to Hammerhead, tell the resistance what had happened and maybe manage to get some help.

Derek quickly made his way back to the temporary hideout to get the group ready to leave. He slipped between the pillars and crept inside the hideout.

Looking about, Derek realized there was no need to be quiet, as most of the group had arisen and was in the process of either eating or gathering up items to be stowed away for the day's journey.

"Listen up people, I have a plan to get us to a safe place, but it will require everyone to pay attention" Derek looked around, making sure he had everyone's attention.

"We are going to go to Hammerhead, it's a bunker over to the East and it is part of Connor's resistance. I've heard good things about this John Connor and I think we can trust his people"

Derek's gaze was met by looks of approval, many people knew of John Connor and what he had done to Skynet in San Francisco. Besides, after what had happened to them, this would be their best chance to get help and to escape being caught by either Skynet, or the dreadful Raiders.

"If there aren't any questions, then I suggest we get moving, it will be a long walk"

Looking around at the people, Derek waited to see if anyone was going to protest, but it seemed like everyone was in agreement to follow him to safety. Quickly he went over to his spot, grabbed his backpack and made his way out of the hideaway. the others in the group finished gathering up their things and moved out to follow Derek to hopefully a safer place.

Crystal Peak

John was waiting outside by one of the Hummers, his gear already packed away in back of the vehicle. He looked over to see Blair and Kyle make their way out from behind a tent pitched up outside for sheltering vehicles from being seen from up above.

Not that it mattered too much, as Skynet seemed to be uninterested in Crystal Peak, and the small village of refugees camped outside the facility.

"Connor, we're ready to go, if you are" Blair called out as she and Kyle made their way closer to the Hummer.

"How many volunteered Blair?" John asked

"We've got thirty people, including you, me and Kyle"

"Good, we are taking two Strykers, three Humvees, Two M-35's and some supplies to Hammerhead." John looked relieved at finding out he was traveling with a fair sized force for the investigation into the attacks on human hideouts by others, and possible rescue of any survivors.

"Ahhh, look who's joining the party Connor." Kyle was pointing towards the back end of the line of vehicles, and he had a huge grin on his face.

John looked over to see what Kyle was all worked up over, right away he had figured out why Kyle was grinning.

Among others coming, John could see Melissa Webster sauntering up to the vehicles.

Her blond locks tied up into a pony tail and a baseball cap with an I'd rather be fishin'

slogan written across the front. She was wearing her ass kicker boots, DCU pants and jacket, but wore a black T-shirt, three sizes too small. John smiled and shook his head. She must be out trolling for a fresh man to chew up and spit out.

Melissa stopped in front of John and smiled. "Hey there Connor, I signed up for this little trip to the city. When do we leave?"

"As soon as we get everyone loaded up and settled into the vehicles Webster, you can ride with Blair, Kyle and me." John answered.

"You can sit with me Melissa" Kyle squeaked out.

Melissa smiled and nodded to Kyle. Quickly he spun around to give John the thumbs up sign and scurried into the Humvee.

Blair looked over at Melissa, her eyes starting from Melissa's feet up to her head and stopped. "Aren't you all dressed to kill Webster, you planning on capturing a fresh recruit for your harem of men?"

"Nah, I got plenty of dumbasses falling over each other to get into my pants, it's just not challenging any more." Melissa winked at Blair. " Besides, yer lookin fine today Williams. If I wasn't mistaken, I'd say it was you out on the hunt for a man."

Blair shook her head and spun around to climb into the Hummer. John thought he heard her mumble something about Melissa being a mega heartbreaker and too hot for her own good.

I'm not going to say a thing, I'll just sit back and watch the drama unfold. John smiled to himself and climbed into the drivers' seat.

Most of the other volunteers had arrived and were already settled into their respective vehicle. John looked forward and to the rear of the convoy, grabbed the mic to the secure radio channel and barked out the order to move out.

Just like in the old days at the car races, vehicles sputtered and crackled to life, engines revved up, and black smoke billowed out from the exhaust pipes.

John turned the key, fired up his vehicle and put it into gear. Looking over at Blair, he smiled, grabbed his sunglasses from the dash and put them on. "Okay, let's move out"

"Ready when you are Connor" Blair winked and slid her sunglasses onto her face.

Slowly the convoy made its way down the dirt road, away from Crystal Peak, Southwest towards the remnants of Los Angeles. If all went well, John figured they would be at Hammerhead within a couple of hours.