Chapter 34

Guests

Sarah took in what just occurred. She needed to keep her composure.

Kyle was still a little disoriented from the temporal transfer. He looked away from Sarah to Cameron.

"Allison?" Kyle asked.

Kyle wasn't sure. He knew it could be Cameron. Allison usually didn't look as good. He was able to rapidly regain focus.

Cameron smiled at him.

"I'm Cameron." Cameron said.

Kyle could never get over the fact how identical they looked. He wasn't sure how, but Cameron always seemed to look prettier. Her beauty captivated everyone in the future. She often portrayed herself as, 'Allison Young', to give the Resistance a 'face', along with John Connor. Nobody but a select few knew she was a cyborg. They thought it was best to keep the fact hidden. They didn't want to antagonize the 'Metal haters'.

Sarah looked on in awe, but she didn't want to show it. She tried to toughen up. Her dream was answered. Her wish was granted. Her prayer was heard. Her beloved was here and alive. It was almost too much to believe. She needed to tell John. It was turning into one of the best days of her life.

She also needed to keep it all in perspective. She previously knew there was a 'Kyle Reese' in the alternate future. She'd wanted to go there to see him. She knew he wouldn't know her. Now he was here. It was the same Kyle Reese, without the same exact experiences 'Her Kyle', Future Kyle, possessed. She would make sure Kyle noticed her.

Sarah decided to play the 'tough girl' card. She still held her weapon at the ready as she spoke.

"What's the story on the Terminators?" Sarah asked. "They don't look so hot."

Cameron glanced at Sarah, but said nothing. It wasn't the reaction she would've expected from Sarah, given who'd just 'returned'. She understood Sarah was afraid of being rejected if she came on too strong too fast. It was something she could relate to. She'd faced much the same reaction from John, when she came into the past from the future. John's actions, rejection, and replacement of her still hurt. She tried to move beyond it. Life moved forwards not backwards.

Cameron handed Kyle a bathrobe.

He took it from her. He'd forgotten he was naked after the temporal transfer. He looked at Sarah to answer her question as he tied the robe.

"It was determined it would be best to send the Terminators deactivated, so there would be no 'problems'." Kyle said. "I know the apprehension Terminators can cause."

Sarah continued with the 'tough girl' act.

"It was a good call." Sarah said. "We might have 'lit them up' otherwise."

Kyle thought it was extreme, and maybe a little overacting, especially since he was in the middle of it all. He wondered who this attractive 'hard corps' woman was. She looked combat ready and battle hardened. Maybe the past was in a bigger conflict than he was led to believe. He also understood things could have changed since those who'd arrived from the past, returned.

Cameron didn't want Sarah to put up an 'invisible wall'. She really understood Sarah's apprehension and worry. She could see it was time to do a little subtle 'match making'. She'd already laid the groundwork in the alternate future every chance she was able to with Kyle.

"Kyle, this is Sarah, Sarah Connor." Cameron said.

Kyle looked at Sarah again. He felt very much in awe. This was the woman he'd heard so much about. She was a legend from the past. She was the true 'founder' of the Resistance. This was someone to behold. He felt humbled in her presence.

"Sarah Connor? Do you mean the Sarah Connor? I thought John said you were his mother, not his sister!" Kyle said.

Sarah looked at Cameron when Kyle mentioned her name.

Cameron smiled at her and nodded.

Sarah blushed. She hadn't really been expecting it. It caught her off guard. She felt embarrassed because she was 'older' now than when they'd first met in the past. She did appreciate the directed compliment which indicated she looked more like John's sister than his mother. She regained her composure and carried on.

"I am." Sarah said.

She didn't feel right now was the appropriate time to mention she was the only Sarah Connor still alive from the area. Two others had been killed when the first Terminator was sent to kill her.

Sarah looked at Kyle and he looked back at her. They both seemed transfixed with each other. There was some instant chemistry. They could both feel it.

"I'm pleased to meet you. I've heard so much about you from John, Cameron and Bob. You're a legend." Kyle said. "You're the first member of the Resistance. The fact we are all still alive goes back to you."

Sarah knew she owed Cameron another one for speaking good things about her to Kyle. She knew Cameron was trying to help her. She remembered what Cameron said about not taking anything away from her. Cameron told her she would try to add to her life, not subtract anything. She was very pleased with the current addition.

Cameron did everything she could in the alternate future to promote Sarah to Kyle. She hadn't forgotten Sarah backed her play, and was the only reason she was still in existence now. Sarah chose to 'save' her, rather than terminate her. She told Sarah she wouldn't forget everything she'd done for her, and she didn't.

She didn't know for sure if Kyle would be sent to the past. She was certain Sarah would attempt to go into the future at some point to be with him if he didn't. She wouldn't want to see Sarah go there. It would have a very negative impact on John if she did. It would have a negative impact on her as well.

Kyle stepped forward and reached out his hand for Sarah to shake.

Sarah took it. She stood silently. She was unable to say anything else. Emotion gripped her to the very core. It was truly more than she could have ever really wished for. She stepped forward and embraced Kyle. She never believed she would hold Kyle in her arms again. She needed to check herself and not tear up. She didn't want to 'melt' at Kyle's feet. Not yet anyway. She needed to live up to her 'reputation'.

"I've heard so much about you too, Kyle." Sarah said. "I'm pleased to meet you. I've heard about you from John and Cameron as well."

Sarah glanced at Cameron again. She was really fighting to hold it together. It was all so unexpected.

It seemed everyone was caught up in the moment and at a loss for words.

Vanna burst into the room.

John Henry notified Vanna of the recent developments, as soon as he saw what they were on the security monitors.

"Kyle, I'm so glad to see you. How's Derek?" Vanna asked. "I can't believe you're here. I can't believe I'm here."

Kyle's face lit up when he saw Vanna. It was a face he doubted he would ever see again. Now here she was. She looked better than ever.

"Savannah, how have you been? We've all missed you so much. Are Allison and John here too?" Kyle asked. "Derek was fine when I left. It was only a few minutes ago."

Kyle gave Vanna a long hug. Sarah felt a little jealous. She knew their past wasn't sexual. It was based on survival. She was grateful Allison and Vanna found comfort in each other, not in Kyle. They were both beautiful and much younger than her as well. Vanna once told her she didn't think she could ever let a male touch her after what she'd experienced in the future. She wasn't so sure about Allison. It would be hard to get Kyle to notice her, if they were all 'active' with each other. She would sure try. She thought she could show the 'girls' what the 'women' knew.

Vanna stepped back and looked at Kyle. She then looked at the two Terminators on the TDE pad.

"Call me 'Vanna' in this time period, please. I'll explain later." Vanna said. "What's the deal with Pete and Re-Pete taking a nap?"

Vanna looked a little closer at the two deactivated Terminators. She wondered if they were damaged.

Kyle was given some instructions to carry out by Mrs. Weaver before he was sent into the past. He didn't have a whole lot of details. He did need to find someone specific.

"I'm supposed to explain everything to John Henry." Kyle said.

Vanna looked at Cameron for some further information.

Cameron did a scan on the two male Terminators.

"Their chips are in their abdomens." Cameron stated. "We're going to need to take a look at them before we do anything."

Vanna was in the middle of something in the lab. She needed to go back and finish it. She thought Sarah could assist Kyle for now.

"Kyle, you can follow Sarah. She'll show you around the base and where everything is at. I have some things I'm working on. I need to get back to them. I'll get the lab ready, Cameron." Vanna said. "As soon as I know where Allison went, I'll send her to look for you, Kyle. I'll send John too if I see him."

Sarah handed the Thumper to Cameron. She looked at Kyle and smiled. She wasn't sure if everything was just a coincidence or not. It certainly seemed to work in her favor.

"Follow me, Kyle. We'll stop by John's room and you can borrow his clothes this time. I heard about when he arrived in your timeline and about your coat." Sarah said. "After you're done with John Henry, we can get you some food and then you can rest, or I'll show you around some more. I know how 'time lag' feels."

Cameron could see Sarah was elated, but she tried to hide it. It was slowly slipping out. She could see how overjoyed Sarah was, and how she tried to hold it in. She liked when everyone was happy. She really believed Kyle's arrival was something Sarah needed. She didn't know how events would play out going forward. She didn't think the jubilation Sarah felt could be dampened by very much.

Kyle looked Sarah up and down. He was still in awe.

"Sarah Connor, I can't believe it. Show me where to go. You lead and I'll follow." Kyle said. "I've heard so many good things about you. It's hard to believe I'm in the presence of a legend."

Sarah thought his statement left a lot of leeway.

Kyle left with Sarah. He held the door for Sarah when she went to open it.

Sarah was very pleased. She couldn't remember the last time when a male held a door for her.

Kyle couldn't take his eyes off Sarah.

Sarah couldn't take her eyes off Kyle. Her heart pounded wildly. She thought it was how Allison must have felt during the 'double play'. She 'owed one' to John, Cameron, and especially Mrs. Weaver, for this 'gift'. She would cut Mrs. Weaver a little more slack. Sending Kyle to the past was something she didn't need to do, but she did because John asked her to do it. It did appear Mrs. Weaver kept her end of the bargain. It showed some level of trust and respect.

She needed to remember where they were at too. The Resistance base existed because of Mrs. Weaver. She'd originally thought Mrs. Weaver was building Skynet. She was pretty sure there was some type of personal dispute between Mrs. Weaver and Skynet. It really made her wonder what it was.

Cameron examined the two deactivated Terminators. She looked at Jim. He still covered both of them with the 'pig'. Everything indicated they were inoperable. She didn't believe they were a threat, yet. There were more than a few things she wanted to verify first.

"We'll stay here with these two until John Henry gets here, or we hear from him. I don't want any surprises." Cameron said. "I don't like surprises."

Jim nodded and took a position in the corner. His M60 was ready.

The door opened a few minutes later.

John Henry entered the TDE room and looked at the two prone figures.

"What exactly is going on here?" John Henry asked.

Cameron really would have liked to have been able to give him a better explanation. She didn't have one.

"These are the two Terminators sent by Mrs. Weaver. My scans show me there are chips inside each one's abdomen, along with other small electronic storage devices." Cameron said. "I don't know what anything is, or any more than you do right now."

John Henry quickly examined them. He came to the same conclusion.

"Yes, I show it as well. I don't detect anything suspicious or out of place. Jim, will you please carry one. I'll take the other one." John Henry said. "We'll take them to the lab for further evaluation before reactivation."

Cameron wasn't in a hurry to have them activated. She wanted to know everything possible first before their chips were installed in their chassis. She called Vanna in the lab and said they were on their way. She asked to have the door open.

It was time to find out a little more.

Cameron set the M79 down. She slung her M4 over her back. Jim handed her the M60. She checked the belt on the 'pig'. She opened the door and let them pass. She followed fifteen feet behind them. She wanted to have room to shoot, or fight, if something unforeseen happened. She didn't expect an elaborate ruse, but it was better to play it safe.

She doubted they were a 'gift' to the Resistance in the past, the present. More than likely they needed to carry out something for Mrs. Weaver. She wanted to know what it was before they did it. She wasn't sure how anything they would do in the present, would affect the future Mrs. Weaver was currently in. She didn't even know if Mrs. Weaver was still in it. Any amount of time could have passed in the future after Kyle, and the two Terminators, were sent there. The future hadn't happened yet, even if it already had.

The door to the lab was opened and they entered.

Vanna had everything already to receive them.

One of the Terminators was placed on the work bench. The other one was laid on the floor.

John Henry explained what the situation was. The incision marks were still visible where the electronics were inserted into their abdomens for transport. They must have been placed inside a day ago, as the wounds were closed and nearly fully healed.

Vanna looked over the naked form on the work bench. She could see they were both large Terminators in physical size, as well as elsewhere. She really would have preferred if Mrs. Weaver would have sent at least one female Terminator.

She made the incision and removed the items. They were sealed in an anti-static bag. She placed the bag on the Terminator's chest and put a few stitches in the wound. She did the same procedure for the one on the floor.

John Henry reached for the anti-static bag.

"I need to review what information, or instructions, are on these thumb drives and chips. I want to see what their mission and directives are." John Henry said. "I'll get back to you."

Cameron didn't want to take any chances. She wanted to see everything for herself. She didn't want some hidden agenda put into play. As far as she knew, there could be some 'sleeper code' which could be activated in John Henry. She didn't think so. She didn't want to take any chances.

Cameron handed the M60 back to Jim.

"You stay here with Vanna." Cameron said. "I'll accompany John Henry to review the files in person."

John Henry didn't think it was required. It made him feel like Cameron didn't fully trust him. He didn't mention it. He was sure it was more likely she didn't trust Mrs. Weaver. He could understand why. They still didn't know very much about her.

"It's not necessary." John Henry said.

Cameron felt otherwise.

"Yes. It is." Cameron said.

John Henry nodded.

"It will be as you desire." John Henry said.

Cameron looked at the two deactivated Terminators.

"I do." Cameron said. "I don't like surprises."

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Perspective

Perspective is everything
Tomorrow's yesterday is today
Are we only a short heartbeat away
From creating our own doomsday

Daily life gets rough
We cling to the past
We try to make
What's gone, last

A new dawn is here
Its demons we must slay
Is not life a smorgasbord
Offering us choices like a buffet

We think we're in control
We like to pick and choose
The story always ends the same
It seems we always lose

We try to be selective
But end up being reflective
We dwell on being defective
It's all a matter of perspective

Nobody