Chapter 130

Tie

Sarah, Kyle, and Derek were out on a day trip. They liked to spend some alone time together. They knew there was always a Terminator close by. They stayed out of the way as they watched over them. They knew it was nothing to be concerned about. They were actually thankful for the extra protection. They all needed to deal with Skynet Terminators before. Having one or more of their Terminators close by was actually a comfort.

Derek felt a little down now since Riley and him were having a little break up spat. Maybe he should say another one. They happened from time to time. It was always over some little thing which didn't need to happen.

He understood it was the way relationships tended to go. Things were usually good for six months, to two years, before the bottom fell out. When it occurred, the people were faced with a choice. They could either move on, or choose to 'tolerate' what they currently possessed. Generally for most couples it was what they did.

Often when the spats happened, Derek would try and reach out to Jesse. It never seemed to go anywhere anymore.

What Derek didn't know:

Jesse always made sure she didn't let Derek get too close. Cameron asked her to try and not get involved with Derek again. Cameron told her she wanted Derek and Riley to stay together.

She knew what Cameron really wanted. Cameron didn't want Riley to be 'free' and 'hungry' around John. She was aware John failed before. Even though she wouldn't have minded sharing with Derek again, just for the sex, she knew she needed to sacrifice her desires for Cameron. She knew love was about sacrifice, She loved Cameron. She sought out Allison more during those times to quell her desires toward Derek. Allison was a nice 'stand in' for Cameron.

Allison was also very exciting to be with as 'herself'. Usually Vanna wasn't too far away either. Often what started out between her and one of them, turned into the three of them. There were no complaints on her part. She liked to have them side by side on the bed, so she could switch back and forth. It was always a big thrill for her.

Derek interrupted the quietness of the drive.

"I checked online about some activity at the air museum we visited." Derek said.

Kyle expected a little more explanation. Derek didn't say anything else. He decided to prompt him.

"And?" Kyle asked.

Derek wasn't sure if they were up to it. He didn't want to impose his desires on them. He figured he might as well spell it out since it was a rather rare event.

"They're going to have a little 'competition' today." Derek said. "I'd like to see it, if you guys want to."

Sarah kept track of where they were at all times. Maybe it was something interesting. She could use a little excitement for a change. It would help break up the monotony of the same old thing, over and over.

"We aren't very far away. What is it?" Sarah asked.

Derek was unsure what the best way to describe it was. The nature of the competition was very mismatched. Each aircraft held a distinct advantage at a different point in time.

"It's a 'drag race' of sorts." Derek said. "It is between two different types of aircraft."

It sounded somewhat intriguing to Kyle. A little friendly competition could liven things up a little. He didn't see any reason why they couldn't check it out.

"When will it be?" Kyle asked.

Derek was unsure of the exact time. It was something they wanted to keep low key, even if it seemed to be widely known in the local Warbird community.

"It is supposed to be around noon, more or less." Derek said.

Sarah ran a calculation of time based on where they were currently at. She didn't see any conflict. They should even have a little extra free time.

"We can make it with no problem." Sarah said. "We should have time to look around the museum again too."

Derek was thrilled with the thought. It brought a big smile to his face.

It pleased Kyle greatly to see his brother smile. He seemed to have been 'down' for some time recently. Maybe they needed to do more things together again. He spent most of his time with Sarah. There was no reason they couldn't hang out with others every now and then.

Derek wasn't sure how to express himself.

"Thanks." Derek said. "I kind of have Warbird fever. I watch all the videos on YouTube. I love the R2600 sound on a B-25, especially at start up. There's one video on YouTube called, 'Catch 22 Take Off Scene', it's totally awesome. I recommend everyone watch it. I don't think anyone will be disappointed."

Sarah was turned on to a lot of things on YouTube by Cameron. It was a venue which was available for a long time. It was just something she hadn't got into. She was glad she did.

"I'll check it out. Cameron has me watch the songs she wants me to listen to on YouTube also. She always picks the ones which have the lyrics with them." Sarah said. "Sometimes it is hard to catch the exact wording, the lyrics on screen help."

Derek could see Sarah seemed to get along quite well with Cameron. He wondered how much of it was 'for John', and how much of it was 'for real'. He didn't know if it was the right question to ask or not. He did want to know though. She could always yell at him if she wanted to. He was aware at one time it was a touchy subject.

"Sarah, how do you really feel about Cameron?" Derek asked. "I mean at this time, not before, not in the past."

Sarah didn't even need to think about the answer. She'd gone through quite an evolution over the years. Most of it happened rather suddenly. It was when she realized she needed Cameron. She needed Cameron, and she needed Cameron's help. She didn't want to be alone. She wanted to get John back. She wanted to give an honest account of her feelings.

"You know, Derek, I didn't care for her at first. I thought I would have to terminate her, and destroy her. I wanted to burn her. I wasn't very nice to her either. I regret both of those things." Sarah said. "I said a lot of things I wish I could take back. She's turned out to be the most remarkable and loved individual I know. I'm aware she still has some 'problems', but we all do. I have problems too. Cameron just doesn't have as much experience dealing with them as we do. I know for her, her problems are always as if they just happened. Time can't dull her pain as it can for us."

Kyle didn't think all the blame landed on Cameron's shoulders. Many of her problems didn't 'just happen'.

"It didn't help most of her 'problems' were created by others who acted against her." Kyle said. "She needed to deal with a lot of things and still protect the future."

Sarah felt some remorse creep back in. She didn't bring up how Future Derek acted towards Cameron, and how he felt. She was sure even he'd come around some regarding Cameron before his untimely death. Cameron went out of her way to rescue him. She was almost terminated in the process. Future Derek wasn't the only one to point the finger at.

"John and I both feel guilty about it." Sarah said.

Kyle always saw Cameron for the leader she was. When she arrived from the past to assist them, in what was now the future, she was a hard hitter from the moment she arrived. She never hesitated to take the fight to the enemy. She never hesitated to help someone who was in a jam.

"I would follow her anywhere." Kyle said. "She's like no other."

Sarah totally agreed with Kyle's statement. She watched Cameron in action plenty of times.

"As would I." Sarah said.

Derek was very impressed with her performance as well.

"Me too." Derek added. "I have…."

Sarah thought things came a long way from where they started. It was a good thing too. Things seem to be working rather smoothly for the Resistance. There weren't any more attacks directed at John or her. Savannah hadn't been targeted again either. She believed it was all because of Cameron.

Judgment Day was delayed more than one time. She thought it all needed to count for something. She thought it all revolved around one individual. It was all because of Cameron.

John was in the lab with John Henry and Vanna. Cameron was incapacitated.

Vanna asked them to leave. They didn't want to. Things turned into a shouting match between John and her. It was a very uncomfortable and unpleasant episode. Things were said which probably shouldn't have been said.

John paused and looked at Vanna and the inactive form of Cameron. He wasn't happy he needed to leave.

"I'll be back." John said.

John and John Henry left the lab.

Vanna disabled the security feed.

She took a scalpel out and made an incision near the inner base of Cameron's left breast.

Vanna carefully removed the locket. She was actually somewhat relieved it was even there. At least this was the same Cameron she helped to rebuild. It wasn't a clone or an imposter. If the locket wouldn't have been there, she didn't know exactly what she would have done next. It could have been possible for Cameron to have removed it. It could have been damaged in combat. Her biggest worry would have been it might never have been there. It was there, so there was no need to worry about it.

She looked inside the locket.

'Oh no'. Vanna said to herself.

When she opened it, there were two pictures of Cameron side by side. She looked harder. It was what she feared. They weren't both of Cameron.

It was River and Cameron.

John's picture was under River's. Hers was under John's. Allison's was under hers.

Vanna gently closed and sealed the locket. She carefully returned it to where it was. She quickly put two sutures in the wound so it would heal it faster. She wiped away the little dab of 'blood' and readjusted Cameron's bra and shirt. No one would be the wiser about what she did and where she checked.

If Cameron wanted them to know she possessed a heart, it would be up to her to tell them.

Vanna composed herself and walked out to the hall. She faced John and John Henry. They both looked a little indignant. At least she could give them some positive information. It didn't change the situation any.

"This is the same 'Cameron' I rebuilt and fixed when we first came here. I know it for a fact." Vanna said. "I just need you to trust me."

John was still unhappy he needed to leave the lab. He should know everything about Cameron. He didn't like the secrets. Vanna told him it was personal to Cameron. He really wondered what it was.

They all went back into the lab.

John wondered where it went from there. Something needed to be done. Where should they start? What should they do? What shouldn't they do? It was all very perplexing.

"So do we pull her chip and try and look at it?" John asked.

Vanna wanted to do it so she could make a 'server copy' for herself. She also knew Cameron's wishes. Cameron didn't want to be trapped in a metal box again. Cameron felt it was like prison to her. She remembered the true test of love was sacrifice.

"Cameron doesn't want that." Vanna said.

John wanted to try something. It was evident there was a problem, a big one. He knew it might pose some risk to another Terminator. He looked at John Henry.

"Can you interface with her directly, John Henry?" John asked. "I don't want you to be damaged in the process."

John Henry thought it was an invasion of privacy on his part. She could be suffering from 'malware' too. Since they didn't know exactly what the problem was, it could be anything. There could be multiple problems. If it was an 'attack' of some type, it might be exactly what the attacker wanted them to do. There were several different things to consider.

"Yes, I can do it, but I don't have her permission to do so. If she's corrupted, I might be 'infected' as well." John Henry said. "She's an individual."

Vanna wasn't sure any option was good. There were a few they could try.

"We could plug her into her old server and John Henry could access the information through the server. I still think she would feel 'violated' if we did any of these things." Vanna said. "Maybe when she gets better we should establish some type of protocol for any future events. It would be like having a designated person to handle someone's affairs if they became incapacitated. Everyone would know what was supposed to be done, and by whom."

The answers John received so far all did nothing to 'fix' the problem. They only seemed to irritate him. He wasn't sure just being a spectator was the solution.

"So we do nothing, and leave her on the table?" John asked. "Then what do we do? What happens then? Where does this go? How does anything happen?"

John Henry thought it was a little deeper than John made it sound. He was sure things were actually happening inside Cameron.

"I detect a high level of internal activity. I believe she's in a deep 'maintenance cycle mode'. She's attempting to self correct whatever is wrong." John Henry said. "John, she's fixing herself as we stand here."

John cringed a little at the explanation. It was what Cameron did before when she was damaged. She'd already repaired herself when she was between the two trucks. She told him she was fixed. He wanted to believe her, but he didn't. He listened to his mother screaming at him to terminate her. It was what he did. When he reactivated her, he found out she was 'fixed'. She could control herself.

Jim and Gail arrived.

Bob and Holly did as well. They returned from their earlier mission. They could always go back out.

John Henry looked at them. He was pleased to see them arrive on their own.

"We will take turns sitting with her for a few days to see what happens. Two of us will be here for her at all times." Gail said. "In case she has some additional 'problems' upon rebooting, we will be here to help."

Everyone knew what it meant, another rampage.

Gail gently moved the hair from Cameron's face, her hand rested on Cameron's cheek. Her action of 'concern' and of 'caring' wasn't lost on anyone.

Vanna tried to unclench Cameron's left hand. She couldn't. From past experience she knew it was 'emotional trouble' of some kind when she spotted the symptom. She knew what Cameron asked of her 'again'. Cameron told her she didn't want to ask Riley if Allison and her wouldn't 'act'. She was aware Cameron shut down outside Riley's room. She knew what was 'wrong'. She knew what NEEDED to be done to 'fix' it, to 'fix' THIS. It was time to act for Cameron, if nothing else.

"Thank you." Vanna said to the Terminators.

Vanna took John out of the lab. It was time to put the ball in John's court. They were going to need several 'players' on the team to get things across the goal line.

"John, I know what's wrong and why." Vanna said. "You're not going to like it…. I know I don't."

John wondered what new problems things were going to spawn.

"It seems there's less and less for me to like everyday around here anyway. What else is new?" John asked disgustedly. "I want to help Cameron. It's the only thing which really matters."

Vanna thought it best to explain her theory. The best thing to do was start at the beginning. It was as much of a 'failure' on her part as it was anyone else's.

"John, this is what triggered this specific event…." Vanna started.

Sarah, Kyle and Derek went to the airport and stopped by the museum. They checked to make sure the event was still on. It was. There was still about an hour to go. They looked around a little.

They spotted a couple visiting Warbirds which weren't normally at the museum.

One of the planes caught Sarah's attention. She noticed something different about it compared to the other aircraft.

"Why are the exhaust ports behind the cockpit on the one plane?" Sarah asked. "It's the only one here like that."

Derek smiled. It was something he knew.

"It's a P-39 Airacobra. The engine is behind the pilot." Derek said. "There was a later improved variant made which looked very similar. It was known as a P-63 King Cobra."

Kyle looked at the front of the plane.

"Then what's in the nose?" Kyle asked. "I see what looks like two guns. It seems like there should be more."

Derek smiled.

"There is a 37 MM cannon there that shoots through the propeller hub." Derek said. "A few variants used a 20 MM cannon instead."

Kyle nodded and moved to the front of the aircraft.

"I thought it looked like a gun barrel." Kyle said. "A 37 MM cannon delivers a heavy hit."

Sarah pointed at the wings.

"I see a couple more gun barrels there." Sarah said.

Derek knew there were different options.

"There were several variations on the wing armament." Derek said.

Kyle wondered about a forced landing. There was usually a sharp 'jolt' at some point.

"Did the engine ever rip loose and crush the pilot on a belly landing?" Kyle asked.

Derek was aware of some of the rumors.

"I read there were a few reports of it happening. I don't know if they were true or not." Derek said. "The driveshaft also passed underneath the pilot. It caused some concern as well."

Kyle and Derek both pictured the drive shaft breaking, and whipping around beneath the pilot. They thought about how it could tear someone up pretty fast.

A few more Warbirds landed as they looked around.

They watched as the two aircraft to be used in the competition were rolled out of a hangar. The real show wasn't going to be at the starting line. It was going to be at the finish line for the competition.

"I think it is time to head for the end of the runway." Derek said. "It looks like the action is about to get underway on schedule."

Kyle wanted to be in position at the finish line.

"Let's go." Kyle said.

They arrived at the end of the two parallel runways. they were off to the side a little bit. There were quite a few people there. Some were placing bets.

A flare was fired in the distance.

There was a deep roar and a thundering sound.

A small dark cloud began to form on the east runway.

The thundering and screaming sounds grew more and more intense.

There were two objects just above the runways

Suddenly the two aircraft were upon them.

A P-51B was in a 'take off' race with an F-86. Each pilot stated they were faster to a half mile past the end of the runway.

The two aircraft screamed overhead. The Mustang held its own. It was slightly ahead of the Sabre, the Sabre was catching up quickly. The noise was incredible. It caused Sarah to hold her ears.

Both aircraft were LOW. Neither one was willing to trade speed for altitude, yet.

Then they both went into climbs at the 'finish line' in different directions. The Sabre slowly pulled away. As far as top speed went, there was no competition. The jet was faster. It just wasn't faster on takeoff. It needed a lot more runway.

The neighbors were already calling the FAA.

Kyle was as excited as Derek was.

"It was GREAT." Kyle said.

Sarah still tried to put it all together.

"Who won?" Sarah asked. "It looked close."

Derek thought the answer was obvious.

"WE did." Derek said.

Kyle didn't believe there was an answer to Sarah's question.

"I think it was a tie." Kyle said.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Tie

Many things in life
Seem like a competition
It can play out like a dance
Brimmed with contrition

Is it really necessary
For two to compete
It doesn't add anything
It makes things less complete

Everyone's the same
We are who we are
If we lack at the finish
Will we ever get very far

Not everything before us
Needs to end in a perceived win
It leaves one with thin skin
With erupting anger within

Things best end in a tie
Then there's no blame
Is this really the way
We need play life's cruel game

Nobody