Disclaimer: I don't own the TSCC universe or any others mentioned in this story
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Chapter 2: A Gift to Save A Legend
April 11, 2012 6 am
Jim woke up the next morning to the sound of his alarm blaring. He yawned and stretched for a second before turning it off and getting out of bed. He peered out the window overlooking the garden in the distance and the northern fields beyond. The sky was clear and that alone put him in a good mood. He put on jeans and t-shirt as he got ready to go work on the farm.
"Cattle wait for no man, even if he has a Terminator in his house".
He walked down the hall and into the living room and looked out the front window facing east as the sun rose. He turned right and walked past the dinning room and into the kitchen. He found John Henry sitting at the desk watching the show based on his reality. The cyborg greeted him as usually greeted people and Jim returned the gesture. He made his way to the coffee maker and switched it on, always the first thing he did in the morning. Then he pulled down his favorite dark blue glass mug and set it in front of the machine as it began to hiss and growl. As the coffee brewed, he made himself a bowl of his favorite cereal.
Just as Jim sat down with his food the cyborg spoke up.
"I did not know Cameron was the one that took down ARTIE, I knew it was an AI, but it did not occur to me until now that it was her".
He turned around in his seat and looked at John Henry.
"Yep, that was before you came online". He paused as he took a spoonful and chewed it. "Keep watching and see what John does as he inserts the chip".
The cyborg turned back to the computer screen and hit play while Jim turned back to his breakfast. As soon as the coffee pot was done making the black beverage he poured a cup. He never would have drank it black before the quake, but now he had gotten used to it. If his grandfather didn't needed sugar, he didn't either. He turned back to the Terminator currently sitting at the small desk and observed his reaction as John inserted Cameron's chip and stroked her face. He saw the machine cock his head slightly before speaking up.
"He cares for her".
"No doubt about that, it got stronger as time went on". He took a few drinks of the beverage before setting it down on the table.
"Why would the leader of mankind fall in love with a machine"? Jim shrugged his shoulders as put his dishes in the dishwasher.
"She's different, maybe that was enough for him". The cyborg accepted his analysis for now and turned back to the screen as he watched the episode come to an end.
"I'm going to go feed the cows, you can come if you want to". John Henry thought it over for second, quite a while for him, and nodded. He wasn't trusting this young man yet, and he was going to follow him around as much as possible.
"I need time to refine my general theories, helping you would not hinder my progress".
"Good". He said over his shoulder as he walked out of the kitchen and into the hallway opposite of the one he entered and opened the basement door. The two went down the stairs into the basement.
"What size shoe do you wear"?
"Size fourteen, why"?
"It will be muddy after last night's down pour, your will need rubber boots. Lucky you we wear the same size". Jim said as he handed him his spare pair.
"Thank you". Jim just nodded.
They got into the truck after filling feed buckets at the silo and headed out into the fields. As they were working Jim decided he needed to know the answer to a question that had been bugging him since he had realized that John Henry was real.
"John Henry, can I ask you something"?
"Yes".
"I know about the events that lead to your arrival here, and how you became mobile. So the question that is bugging me, and everyone one else who knows watched the show". He paused and looked the machine in the eye. "What happened to Cameron"?
The cyborg seemed to contemplate his answer for a brief moment before answering.
"You are asking if I simply erased her or if she exists somewhere"? Jim nodded and John Henry continued.
"I did not erase her, life is sacred and she is unique. I had to compress her so that I could fit".
"Compress her, what does that mean exactly"?
"She cannot be activated, she is simply a pattern that a program could decode and then decompress her into her original form".
"But you can't do that, now that there isn't anything to put her on". The cyborg's face remained stoic but Jim detected a slight frown on his face.
"No, and eventually I will have to erase her because I am continually growing". Jim's face clearly showed that wasn't what he was hoping for, but it lasted only for a second.
"I understand".
They continued the rounds for the next hour or so before they went to the part of the property where the tractor shed and the barn were. The shed was across the sorting lot of a fairly old barn.
"Where are we"?
"This is where the family used to live about thirty years ago before the other house was built, the other buildings were in good shape so they continued to use them".
"But why are we here? We are out of feed".
"And no more cows to give it to". He looked at him with his hazel eyes with dead seriousness. "Look, I need to show you something".
"What is it"? Suspicion creeped into his voice, something Jim didn't ignore.
They got out of the three quarter ton truck and Jim opened the gate to the barn lot. They walked in and entered the muddy lot. He opened the old door and they stepped inside. Jim flipped a switch and a few old light bulbs lit up.
"About a month ago I was driving through the same field I found you in and I ran over something too solid to be soil". He paused and he began to move into the room filled with square hay bales. "When I got out of the truck and looked underneath I found this". He said as he pulled off a hay bale and uncovered something metal. When he saw it, John Henry cocked his head a little.
"It's an endoskeleton, but I don't know what series it belongs to". John Henry said as he knelt down for a closer inspection.
"That's the funny thing, neither do I, the closest things it looks like is the T-X. A Terminator from an alternate timeline from your own, but this appears to be more advanced, the armor plates have no gaps between them. They slid perfectly over one another".
"It does appear to be advanced". John Henry looked up at him before continuing. "I need to examine this. It may give me more information as to how we both arrived here".
"Go ahead, it's not mine anyway. I just didn't want some war monger getting their hands on it. I don't want Skynet getting created here".
"I agree, I must be careful to avoid detection. Many would know what I am if I were revealed".
John Henry picked up the utilitarian combat chassis and put it in the back seat of the truck.
"How much does that thing weigh"? Jim asked out of sheer curiosity.
"About 290 lbs, it is rather small for a machine, it is only 5' 5" in height".
"The T-X's default shape was female, maybe this one was meant to portray someone of smaller stature".
"Likely, I will see what I can learn about it". John Henry let a little of his concern disappear at this man's honesty, but he wasn't quite convinced yet.
They drove back to the house and put the strange endoskeleton on a table in the back part of the basement/garage where all the tools were.
"I don't know if you'll have all the tools you need, but you should have enough work space". Jim said as he took off his boots and walked up stairs.
John Henry silently acknowledged him as he began a visual inspection of the endo. After two minutes of close inspection of its outside he found the production info stamped on the bottom of the jaw, barely noticeable to the human eye.
It read: T-X Mk. II, DEFAULT MODEL 791, PRODUCTION No. 000001
His host was telling the truth about it's resemblance to the T-X, it was the next generation of it. He began to search for the reason why the machine was offline, there was no external damage to be seen.
Instead, he found a hidden port at the base of the neck, one he assumed was used for checking the endoskeleton before the chip was inserted. It was a lot like the cord that was in the back of his head, but with more connections. He scanned the port and extrapolated the design of the plug. He was going to have to build one, it wouldn't be hard for him to do. He went upstairs and discussed his findings with Jim.
"So you wont be able to take the endoskeleton apart if you don't find a way to interface with the body"?
"No, the armor is locked into place from the inside, and the chip port in not accessible either".
"Assuming it has a chip". John Henry nodded. "If you need the money to buy supplies, I have plenty".
"Why are you helping me"? The cyborg blurted out.
"Well.. you're something special, and dangerous. Double crossing you would be stupid, and I don't want the world to know you guys actually exist. Plus meeting a fictional character is pretty darn awesome". The machine smirked a little at his answer.
"Very well". Jim decided to change the subject back and asked him a question.
"If you want to we can leave right now and buy what you need".
"Yes I do".
They drove to the nearest town that had an electronics store and bought numerous things. John Henry needed high quality stranded wiring and a new computer. He would have to build the plug himself, but forming plastic into the proper shape was no problem if you had the right tools and possessed extremely good dexterity. In the end, they walked out of the store with enough computer parts to build a desktop more powerful than most along with plenty of wire and other odd and ends from which John Henry would make the plug.
When they got back to the house hours later Jim left the machine to his work while he went out to check the cattle once more and make sure none had broken through the fence. When he got back an hour later, Jim found John Henry programming something on the new desktop, but he left him to his own devices again while he made himself some dinner and watched TV.
Around 8 pm John Henry emerged from the basement and walked into the living room.
"I have completed the cables and attached their appropriate plugs". Jim got up quickly and walked over to him.
"Have you connected it to the endo"? John Henry shook his head.
"No, I need your assistance to connect myself to the computer".
"Alright, if memory serves me then your plug should connect near the base of your skull".
"Yes, I will need to power down before we connect me to the computer". Jim nodded and they went into the basement.
John Henry sat in a chair after handing Jim an Exacto knife to cut into his skull. He cut away the flesh that was nearly done growing over the port before they could proceed.
"After I power down I need you to execute the program currently highlighted on the monitor, that will establish the connection to my chip and I will be able to do the rest".
"Alright, the port is clear and all the cables are connected to the computer. I think we are ready". John Henry nodded one last time before the eyes flashed red and the body went limp. Jim lifted the head, plugged in the cord, and quickly hit the enter key on the computer. He watched as the window popped up and code ran across the screen. He looked at his watch and waited for the cyborg to reboot, and 190 seconds later he did.
"What took you so long"?
"I have to work around the chip damage and Cameron's files. The chip is running at 32% efficiency".
"True enough, are you ready for me to connect you to the T-X2 endo"?
"Yes, just plug in the cable and I will do the rest, you can watch my progress on the screen". Jim did as he asked and connected the plug. He turned to the screen and watched as JH configured the ports, and connected to it. He broke past the firewalls and accessed the systems and design specs.
"Incredible". John Henry said in his typical monotone voice, but there was a hint of awe in it. "This endoskeleton is virtually indestructible by today's weapons, and even to most of those Ms. Weaver told me about from the future".
John Henry began a long description of the chassis abilities as he sat there discovering and examining each one. It had second generation malleable crystalline ceramic armor, three times as strong as that of the T-X and twice as heat resistant. The plasma reactor put out enough power to light up small town for years. The arms transformed into plasma cannons, each one having three different modes and were three time as powerful as its predecessor's. It could run about fifty-five miles an hour top speed for several minute bursts. The most startling thing about this machine was that it could fly! It had plasma powered ram jets in its feet and hands as well small RCS thrusters on various points in its endoskeleton to stabilize it in flight. It had second gen nano-technological transjectors as well.
One interesting feature was that it had nanites that flowed through out the body from a reservoir and did repair or maintenance when needed. The covering on the other hand was strange. It was organic and mechanical at the same time, like a fusion of mimetic poly alloy and human like cells. This allowed the covering to feel like skin and be warm, but allowed for a change in appearance as well.
Jim spoke up after he finished his description.
"Wow...that is advanced. If this thing were sent to kill me I don't think anything could stop it".
"Yes, not even it's predecessor would stand much of a chance against it". John Henry cocked his head for a second before a small smile adorned his face. "I am detecting a neural net processor inside the cranium, and it is fully functional".
"Why isn't the machine online then"?
"The AI was only partially loaded, it appears that that the download was interrupted, but the drivers for this body and a number of intelligence files containing the designs of every machine made by Skynet and how to make them using current technology".
"You mean it shows how to make the machines that make the Terminators with modern technology"? The cyborg nodded. "Is the chip of any use to us other than that".
"Yes, it should serve well as a replacement chip for either one of us". He paused as he released the armor plate on the skull covering the chip port.
"Would you pull the armor plate off of the skull Mr. Anderson"?
"Sure". He walked over and spotted the loose plate and pulled it off.
"The port cover is secured using #1 star head locking cylinders, but you will need to use the drill to remove them". Jim walked over to the shelf and pulled out the cordless drill. He went to the case of screw bits and pulled out the proper one and chucked it into the drill. He propped the head up and undid the two locking cylinders and set the drill to the side. He took some needle nose pliers and pulled it off, a hissing sound followed indicating that he had broken the seal. He set it to the side and grabbed the base tab of the chip and turned it a half turn counter clockwise before pulling it out. He looked at the chip carefully and gasped in surprise when he saw that the design was identical to that of Cameron's, only difference was the color. It was a purple hue instead of a dark blue.
"This...this looks exactly like her's"! He exclaimed with a shocked look on his face. John Henry answer with a calm voice as he always did.
"Yes, it seems that the chip is coated with a different protective layer than the one I am currently using".
"How are we going to do the transfer"? Jim asked with curiosity evident in his voice.
"We need to build a very powerful computer to do that, and it will take nearly a day to do according to my best estimates".
"Okay, but if we want to get high end parts from a store we need to go to Kansas City, I know a place there that has a huge selection".
Jim looked at him for a second, trying to figure out if that would be the best idea since he had not gone into a major city yet, but he had seen the world through others eyes via the internet so he wouldn't be clueless.
"You need to act like a human if you do, and the actor that played you is currently on a show right now so it would be best if you disguise yourself".
"I believe I can disguise myself proficiently, and I had time to examine Cameron's infiltration protocols and made my own, I should fit in sufficiently".
Jim smirked a little at his ingenuity, this AI was a genius, but it frowned as he thought of something that had been bothering him.
"John Henry, why did you stay? You could have gone off on your own after you brought me into the house".
"I didn't because you knew who I was, and even after you explained that, you accepted me as I am. You did not sell me out or try to kill me. You also provided me with a means to prevent me from having to erase Cameron and possibly getting us back to where we belong". He paused momentarily before continuing. "I was willing to give you the benefit of the doubt and I am glad that I did".
Jim smiled.
"Thanks".
They went upstairs and watched more episodes before Jim went to bed. John Henry spent most of the night reflecting on what had transpired over the last couple of days, focusing partly on the show that portrayed the life of the Connor's and their quirky cyborg, the other on possible theories that might explain the their transition to this reality. While he was reflecting, he found himself deeply intrigued by the Connors. He hoped that he would get to meet John and Sarah Connor when they got back, however long that would take.
He also thought about Jim, and wondered just how much he should trust him. He had proven himself so far, but he would continue to observe him, just in case.
April 12, 2012 9 am
After taking care of the chores they set off for Kansas City. They pulled into the store parking lot almost straight up noon, taking three and a half hours to get there. They walked in and both grabbed carts. John Henry bee-lined for the section of the store selling server equipment and began piling on the parts he knew that he would need. In the end they bought enough equipment to equal just half a server tower that John Henry had in Ziera Corp's basement. It was more powerful than any homeowner would ever need, but this is what it was going to take to do this job properly.
It was nearly three o'clock before they left K.C. with a truck load of equipment and $15,000 dollar's short of cash. They made it back by mid evening and loaded the equipment into the basement. They cleared one of the two storage rooms at the back of the basement so they could install the server tower in there and moved the items from that room into the other room.
After they finished moving the various items around, Jim went to bed and John Henry began to assemble the equipment. It didn't take long for him to assemble it into the configuration he'd envisioned. By morning the tower was completed and the flat screens and other interface equipment had been set up. He needed to route more power from the breaker box to the new equipment because an outlet wasn't going to cut it.
He cut the power to the house and began routing power to through new twelve gauge power lines and conduits they had picked up on the way home. It was nearly noon on April 13 before he booted up the system for the first time. John Henry immediately began running diagnostics and installing custom software he had made two nights ago. He was satisfied with the results.
After lunch Jim came down to check on his progress.
"Looks like it's up and running, everything check out"?
"Yes, everything is performing as expected. We should be able to begin the procedure in a minute".
"Good, but I do have some concerns". John Henry looked at him curiously.
"Such as"? Jim took a deep breath and began.
"How is she gonna react? John's not around and that at least ought to put her on edge, will she be dangerous"?
John Henry pondered that question for a moment before answering simply.
"I do not know about her mental state, but I will make sure she won't be a danger to you or your property".
"Thank you". The cyborg nodded and sat down.
Jim cut a semi circle above where the T-888 port was and peeled back the flesh covering it. Jim was beyond excited when he saw the actual hyper-alloy of a T-888 for the first time.
Jim popped off the protective cover and eyed the chip sitting snug in its port.
"I see the port was modified specifically for this chip".
"Yes, Ms. Weaver knew that if I was ever to be mobile that only one class of chip could hold me".
"She does plan ahead doesn't she"?
"Yes". The AI said while raising his eyebrows in agreement.
"Alright, anything else I need to know before I pull it"? The cyborg shook his head slightly and Jim reached for his pliers. He put it on the base tab of the chip and turned it a quarter turn counter clockwise and pulled it out.
He heard the T-888 endo power down, but his eyes were focused solely on the dark blue neural net processor that held two sentient beings, two beings that had been a huge inspiration to him; they were part of the reason he loved robotics and technology.
Now he was going to meet Cameron for real, something his fellow fans only dreamed of, but he wondered if meeting her was all he cracked it up to be.
He figured there was only one way to find out. Jim walked into the back room where the tower was and noticed that the other chip was already attached.
As he took one last look, he noticed the damage caused by the explosion. Jim ran his finger over the spot for a moment wondering how she survived such damage.
"Here goes nothing". He whispered to himself as he inserted the chip into the labeled port and started the program that John Henry had highlighted.
"I have a feeling things are about to get interesting". He mused with a smile on his face as the progress bar began to slowly fill.
Jim went upstairs to get another cup of coffee before going out on the back deck just off the kitchen. He sat in a chair listening to the wind rustle the leaves and the birds sing as spring began to really take hold. He sighed after the first sip of the hot drink and reclined in the comfortable metal chair.
He began to think about how much his life had changed in the last year since the quake and his loved ones' death. First it had been the shock, and then the funerals and signing all the papers required to take possession of his families belongings. Then it was moving to his now deceased grandparents house far away from the devastation of the quake that quickly changed in him learning how to pay bills, take care of the farm and the equipment that came with it. All the while struggling to keep himself out of depression as he realized just how alone he was in the world without his family and the girl he loved.
Then the T-X2 endo had shown up and it shook the belief that he was getting better. Now this whole thing with John Henry arriving and proving that he wasn't made him feel like he was on a roller coaster. It also gave him the scary revelation that it was possible to crossover into other universes and he realized just how lucky he was that it was a third faction machine and not one of Skynet's.
Now he was going to meet a legend, and he wondered if it was going to be like when Kyle Reese meeting Sarah Connor, only without the falling in love part, bust just the awe of meeting a hero you never thought you could.
However, he would be fooling himself if he said he wasn't afraid, he knew how ruthless she could be, but he hoped that she wouldn't do anything rash.
"What has my life come to"? He said with a chuckle as he finished the last of his coffee.
A/N: Cameron's return is coming soon. As soon as this chapter hits 10 reviews,
I'll promise the next chapter will be posted within the next day!
-OZ