Chapter 146

Happy Birthday

John wanted to redeem himself somewhat. He went out on a personal recon with Jim and Bob. The Terminators would watch over him. They'd been given strict orders from Cameron. A recon, was a recon, and John wasn't to deviate from the plan.

They returned to the location they hit a few days ago. They would arrive from the back way and observe what was going on there, if anything. They viewed the latest satellite photos which were taken a few hours before they left. They didn't look any different than the ones taken the day after the raid, or any time in between.

John Henry could 'borrow' a satellite from time to time and change its orbit even. It could usually be done without anyone ever knowing. He would send the data from a previous pass in place of the actual data he received.

John was still a little upset how the last recon turned into a little more. He wasn't sure why Cameron made such a big deal about it. Everything worked out OK in the end. It usually did. He didn't think about Cameron's contribution, especially when she saved them from the ambush by the Gray who carried the L1A1. He followed Bob up towards the crest of a small hill. Jim was behind him.

The two Terminators wanted to make sure John was protected. They didn't want Cameron to take out any change of plans, John made in the spur of the moment, on them.

Bob slowed as he neared the crest and could look over the top of it. He observed the location below.

"There it is." Bob said.

John moved up as well. He looked at the collapsed building.

"I don't see anyone looking around the area." John said. "It should be a good thing."

Bob and Jim weren't so sure about it. There could be a number of possibilities. It was usually the case with anything which involved Skynet.

"They may have come and gone after we left." Jim said.

John hadn't seen anything detected on the surveillance cameras they left behind.

"We didn't pick it up if they did." John said.

Bob pointed out the obvious.

"Unless they were right down there, they wouldn't be seen." Bob said. "We're out of the camera's views too."

John wondered if maybe they shouldn't leave more surveillance equipment behind. Money wasn't an issue for them. They could spring for a few more surveillance cameras going forward. It made him wonder about surveillance cameras in general. The new revelation brought up another danger.

"What if anyone else decided to put up any surveillance equipment?" John asked. "Maybe someone wanted to see who came back here to check on things."

Bob knew it was a threat. It was why they came in the back way. He didn't want to find an ambush waiting for them, or have an assault team arrive. They already sent two teams of them earlier when they were there. He wanted to use some new terminology he picked up from one of the girls.

"It would appear Skynet has written this place off for now." Bob said.

John looked at Bob and smiled. He liked when the Terminators attempted to use more natural speech when they spoke.

Jim and Bob set up some additional surveillance equipment to watch the other approaches to the location like the one they used.

John wanted to go down and take a closer look at everything. It wasn't what they were there for. They were sure the location was destroyed. Their main concern was if anyone would come to check on it. They always seemed to miss a few who were out at the time of an attack.

Bob and Jim were satisfied with their work. Once they were done with it, they told John it was time to go.

John didn't protest or try to expand the mission once they were finished. They came to place additional cameras and it was what they did.

There was something John didn't know. Cameron didn't trust him to be able to follow simple orders and not expand the mission beyond its predetermined parameters. She sent Dan and Frank to shadow John's team. She thought about sending Al and Ed as well but didn't. She believed four Terminators could keep John out of trouble if he disobeyed instructions again.

Dan and Frank were already in place when John's team arrived. They were to remain undetected unless the operation went hot. Cameron already connected with John Henry server, JH, when he was away from it earlier. She told JH what she wanted and why. What she did with Dan and Frank was to remain undetected by John Henry, so he wouldn't alert John to the fact she didn't trust him to follow simple instructions.

Once John's team left the area, they were to wait for several hours, and then go down and physically check out the site of the attack. JH would loop the feed when they entered the target zone.

Dan and Frank waited the allotted time. They hadn't spotted any additional activity other than the Resistance team earlier. They made their way down to the site of the attack. The two shot up vans were still parked where they left them. The flat rock which covered the opening into the collapse passageway hadn't been disturbed. Everything was as it appeared on the surveillance cameras. They removed any further traces as to who was at the location when they withdrew.

Dan wondered about their specific involvement where they were.

"What do you think this operation was about?" Dan asked.

Frank wasn't sure.

"It may be a test of our proficiency." Dan said. "I don't know what Cameron's intent was."

Dan surveyed the area as they pulled out.

"All is as it was." Dan said. "I hope we passed the test."

They were both instructed they weren't to discuss the operation they went on with anyone other than Cameron. They were sure they were the ones being tested. They didn't know what Cameron's true intent was.

Cameron took Sarah, Kyle, Derek, Riley, and Holly on an excursion. She was aware of Derek's interest in Warbirds. She tracked some of what he followed. She knew it was a special day for him, even if it wasn't. It was his birthday. For his birthday, she scheduled a surprise for all of them. She really wanted to make Derek feel special. She wanted to atone for her 'friction' with Future Derek. She understood they were two different individuals. Maybe it was for her own peace of mind. She would like to have mended the fence a little more before Future Derek's termination. It didn't happen.

Her relationship with Derek was much better than it was with Future Derek. They'd fought together side by side in his future. The respect was earned on the battlefield. They learned each of them was a solid fighter and got the job done.

She felt the need to make those who disliked her, or hated her, change their views. She wasn't sure why. She felt they never gave her a fair chance and prejudged her without really knowing her. She wanted her actions to define her, not what people wanted to blame her for. She wasn't responsible for the actions of Skynet. She was only responsible for her own actions.

Cameron watched the Warbird calendar of upcoming events online. The perfect event was in the window for Derek's birthday. She believed it was rather significant.

There was a 'Doolittle Raid Reunion' scheduled at a nearby airport. She saw some options available and made the proper arrangements. Cameron knew it would fit the bill and go a long way in the plus factor for Derek and her. It seemed rather interesting as well. She was aware what happened in the past is what determined the future.

Cameron took the group on a 'private mission' in an SUV. She wasn't specific as to what was about to happen. It added to the suspense as she drove the group to the location. She was able to keep it a surprise right up until they passed the airport. It was to be a multi part surprise.

They arrived at the airport and parked. There were sixteen B-25 Mitchell bombers parked on the tarmac. Three were fitted with the eight gun nose. The rest were equipped with the glass nose. They carried a varied assortment of nose armament.

Derek and the others looked on in awe. It was an impressive sight. It gave a new perspective to the term 'Heavy Metal'. He thought this was a great event to see and be a part of, just to be at the airport. It was something he could witness first hand rather than view it later on YouTube.

Riley liked what she saw and how thrilled Derek was. She still wondered about their attire. She never wore anything like it before in the past, the future, or the present.

"Why did you have us wear this type of clothing, Cameron?" Riley asked.

Cameron looked at Riley and then at Derek.

"The 'flight suits' are to add some pizzazz to your flight today." Cameron said.

Derek looked back at Cameron. He was unsure of what she meant. Did she just indicate they were about to go on one of the aircraft? He wanted to make things clear before he got too excited. It was something he considered, but thought it was outside the scope of their mission. He always tried to remain available for an operation. It was how things were done in the past, the future. Cameron's words reached him with a rush of excitement.

"Are you saying we're going on a flight today?" Derek asked. "How can we fly?"

The prospect of being able to fly in one of the Warbirds was exhilarating to Derek.

"I rented all the spots available on one of the aircraft." Cameron said.

Cameron actually paid extra to make sure it would only be their group on the aircraft. She wanted to give all of them as much flexibility and room as possible.

Derek was very surprised to hear it on several levels.

"You can do that?" Derek asked. "You did it for me?"

Cameron smiled at Derek. She was very pleased at how happy he looked. She figured one 'happy' deserved another.

"Yes." Cameron said. "Happy Birthday."

They could all see Derek 'tear up' a little. No one commented on it, but they all liked to see his human side was still intact.

It especially pleased Kyle to know his 'brother' was still in there. There were times when he was sure he 'lost him' to the horrors of the past, the future.

There were flights available on most types of Warbirds. Even a lot of the single seat fighters could have a second seat added behind the pilot. With modern radios, it freed up a lot of space behind the pilot.

They looked at the group of parked aircraft. They heard the sound of an engine turning over. They watch the prop go through a number of revolutions before the engine started with a giant cloud of gray smoke. It was rather impressive. It cleared up instantly. The second engine went through the same procedure and fired up soon after the first one.

The loud sound and reverberations were felt by the entire group.

"Listen to that." Derek said.

The two big R2600 engines thundered.

It sounded like an entire field of race cars.

"Wait until there are thirty-two of those engines running." Cameron said.

Derek walked over to Cameron. He held out his arms and paused for a moment. Cameron smiled at him. He continued forward and gave her a meaningful hug.

The physical act of appreciation surprised all of the group, including Cameron.

"Cameron, I want to thank you for everything." Derek said. "You always know how to 'touch' someone."

Derek's positive comment made Cameron feel good about herself for a change.

"I try. I like to see everyone happy and feel loved." Cameron said. "Let's do the final check in and get to our Mitchell."

Cameron was happy everyone else was happy, especially Derek.

They checked in and went through a short orientation. Derek would get to sit in the nose and alternate between it and the top turret, as well as observe from behind the pilots. Kyle and Sarah would be in the front of the aircraft with him. They would alternate positions. Cameron, Riley and Holly would ride in the rear fuselage. There was a narrow passageway over the bomb bay if any in-flight readjustment was necessary. The plane would fly to a nearby airport for a lunch buffet and mini air show. The people could then re-position within the aircraft on the flight back.

As they walked to their aircraft, Derek looked at each of the three B-25 Mitchell bombers which were fitted with the eight gun nose as they passed by. He knew one of them was the plane which saved his patrol in the past, the future. He didn't know which one. He gently touched each one and silently thanked it. There were donation receptacles set up for each aircraft. He took all of the money out of his wallet and divided it among the three aircraft.

Cameron heard what Derek said and saw what he did. She made a mental note of it. The three aircraft meant something personal to Derek.

They climbed on board their aircraft. The ground crew stood by with a fire extinguisher near each engine. One prop rotated through several revolutions to clear the cylinders. It was followed by the start of the engine, with the usual cloud of gray smoke. It sound was deafening. They all wore headphones to dampen the thunderous noise, and to be able to communicate.

Derek slipped his headphones off to the side to take in the sound and feel the vibrations. The other prop began spin and soon the engine started in a giant puff of gray smoke and a throaty roar.

All around them the other planes began to start up. Exhaust smoke and thunder filled the air. There was a lot of reverberation in the air.

The aircraft formed up into groups of two and taxied for takeoff. There were two runways. The planes took off thirty seconds apart on the parallel runways.

Once they were airborne, they formed up into flights of four. Derek thought from the ground it must look like an 'aluminum overcast' to see the sixteen bombers in formation. There was more to come.

Soon after the planes were in formation, several fighters joined the group. Above them off to the right a dark blue plane with 'bent wings' closed up. Derek knew it was a Corsair. He wasn't sure if it was an actual F4U made by Chance Vought, or an FG-1 made by Goodyear. He was surprised to read in the Warbird media, most of the flying Corsairs were actually FG-1 aircraft. He was a little more surprised to learn Brewster made some as well. They carried the designation of F3A. They were completely identical. The big R2800 which powered it, gave it a major speed advantage over them. Two silver P-51 Mustangs flew up above off to the left in the distance over another bomber flight.

Derek smiled even wider as the P-40 they saw at the air museum previously, closed up with the Corsair. The giant number on the side, and the tiger with the little wings were all boldly on display, as was the brightly painted shark's mouth on the massive intake below the prop.

It was the best birthday ever for Derek. He loved Cameron so much for what she arranged. He believed Cameron was the greatest, THE GREATEST.

The flight took them out over the Pacific Ocean. They passed by most of the Channel Islands. They flew up the coast to Morro Bay and cut inland to San Luis Obispo. From there they continued over the Coast Range mountains into the Central Valley. The planes all touched down at the Warbird friendly airport at Madera. It's where the small air show was to take place.

After lunch, and the mini-air show, the highlight was a green razorback P-47 Thunderbolt. It was a big aircraft with the same power plant as the Corsair. It was equipped with something extra, a turbocharger. It was fast at altitude, but heavy on the ground.

One of the workers asked Derek if he knew how much runway it took for a P-47 to take off.

Derek did his homework. He knew the 'standard' answer.

"ALL of it." Derek replied, and it did.

It was time to go when the festivities wound down.

Riley and Holly rode with Derek up front, while Kyle and Sarah rode with Cameron in the back on the return trip.

Derek asked Cameron if she wanted to ride up front. Cameron informed him she'd actually flown several of the aircraft herself beforehand, as she researched the project. She falsified the documents and license with fake qualifications. On one of those flights the starboard engine began to lose oil pressure and started to overheat. The pilot said they needed to set it down as the Mitchell was a real Bitch to fly on one engine. She said it was no problem for her. She'd done it before….

The pilot on the flight saw Cameron could handle the plane better and easier than he could so he continued to let her fly. It was almost as if there was nothing wrong with the plane with her flying. He was amazed. He was sure she was the best pilot he ever saw.

Cameron kept the crew at ease by relaying the story of 'Tondelayo' to them. On a mission in 1943, 'Tondelayo', a B-25D, lost an engine due to enemy action. It was followed by an epic battle which lasted longer than an hour. It entailed dozens of enemy fighters trying to shoot it down. During the withdrawal, the turret gunner was credited with five victories, plus four others where the enemy fighters crashed into the sea as they attempted to attack the bomber. 'Tondelayo' maneuvered wildly as it skimmed the surface of the water. Flying so low, caused the enemy pilots to misjudge their attacks. 'Tondelayo' successfully returned to base on one engine, even with the heavy damage. It was repaired and continued to serve.

On their flight back, Cameron cleared a special song to play with the pilots. 'Birthday' by 'The Beatles', played for Derek, and everyone else in their headsets. It made everyone's day.

Kyle was able to see how much everything pleased Derek. He needed to say something to Cameron about it. It touched him almost as deeply as it did for Derek.

"Cameron, I really appreciate what you did for Derek today." Kyle told her. "You're the best. I really love you too for this."

Kyle previously watched all the joy and happiness slowly drain from his brother's life. Now, here in the past, the present. Cameron helped a lot to bring some of the joy and happiness back. It all helped to bring his brother 'back'. Cameron 'gave' him back his brother. In his book, Cameron was the best.

Everybody loved Cameron, except - Cameron.

Cameron only saw herself as 'not good enough'.

It didn't seem anyone cared about the things she wanted.

Cameron spent any time alone crying.

It seemed she spent most of her time alone.

Derek's birthday allowed Cameron to reflect on another birthday. The thoughts weren't very pleasant. She didn't feel what 'happened' was her fault. She knew they all blamed her anyway. Why? Why couldn't she be 'good enough'?

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Happy Birthday

Today is the day to celebrate
The wonderful day of your birth
You are loved and cherished
To many you have great worth

You are full of loving life
Happy and never depressing
To all whose life you touch
You are a joyful blessing

Each new birthday seems
To come faster than the last
May all good will and happiness
Each new year will the last surpass

To you my sweet love
Today and every day
With the best of wishes
Happy Birthday

These words to you
I was going to say
Then everything – changed
And ruined your Birthday

I AM SORRY

Nobody