Disclaimer: I don't own a thing but the OC.
A/N: Thanks for the reviews and advice, it's much appreciated.
Chapter 4: Down to Business
April 15 2012 8 am
Cameron watched Jim pull up to the house from the kitchen window. She'd pondered over what to do with the young man when the time came for them to leave. She didn't want anyone in this universe to know of their visit, she didn't want people crossing over and becoming massive security risks. Several options presented themselves to her, ranked according to efficiency and effectiveness. The one that had the highest rate of success was the most obvious one.
Kill him right before they left, plain and simple.
Cameron deleted that possibility as soon as it was offered, she would have done it a while ago, but this situation was different, she was different. She didn't kill Eric when he found out too much about her, but in reality he hadn't known much.
She would have to talk to John Henry about another option, but the point was moot if he couldn't find them a way home.
Speaking of the devil's brother...
She decided to seek out said cyborg for an update.
"Hello Cameron". He said with his trademark creepy smile.
"I want to know your progress on inter-universal teleportation". His smile left his face and became serious once more.
"Fairly well, the TV show gave me sufficient insight to develop a theory. I am still developing the mathematical theorems to explain how we got here, but I have the basics laid out".
Jim chose that moment to butt into the conversation as he was taking his boots off.
"I'm more than a little curious as to how that happened". He said and walked over to them.
"The simplest way I can explain it is that the TV show acts as some sort of connection to this universe from ours. I came to this conclusion because I emerged close to where her endoskeleton appeared. That suggests a common exit".
"But the field isn't in the same spot in the universe as the earth revolves around the sun, not to mention that it rotates. Is the tunnel some how geosynchronous"? Jim asked in confusion.
"I believe so, but I do not know the reason for that yet, but I do believe that we can exploit the tunnel to get us back to our universe of origin".
"How do we that"? Cameron let a little excitement leak into her voice.
"By building a modified TDE. My initial estimates predict a range of 1.5 to 2 gigawatts to operate".
Cameron and Jim's eyes widened considerably, and both momentarily stopped breathing.
"How in the hell are we going to generate that much power"? Jim said as Cameron ran the numbers.
"We will have to build our own high-efficiency fusion reactor. With the information downloaded from the TX-2, I have come up with a basic design for one capable of supplying that much energy. The smallest we can make it with current materials would be 6 feet in diameter and 9 feet tall".
"We need a bigger space to put it". Cameron said as he eyes swept the basement interior.
"That's not big at all. Why does it have to be so small"? Jim asked as confusion crossed his face.
"So we don't attract attention, the bigger we make this project it becomes more probable that the authorities will notice".
"Ah, makes sense". Jim said as the figurative light bulb went off in his head.
"What did you have in mind"? Cameron's head was tilted in curiosity.
"A small bunker built north of the house with a tunnel leading to it from the basement. There will be an anti-chamber housing the reactor, and a concrete wall in the main area separating us from the TDE chamber. A cargo elevator would be housed in a small building directly above the bunker to allow installation of big equipment".
"Sounds expensive, I don't know if I have the money to build that and buy the materials for the TDE". Jim' skepticism was clear in his voice, but he knew the cyborg wouldn't be telling them this if he didn't have some sort of plan already.
"Money won't be a problem". John Henry had a small grin adorning his face.
"True enough, cyberspace is your own backyard". Jim said with a little amusement. Cameron decided to get the conversation back on track so she spoke up.
"What do we need to do first"? John Henry turned his attention to her before he handed her a stapled pile of papers.
"I need you both to go to Kansas City and talk to this contractor, they specialize in this type of construction. I have already applied for the permits".
Cameron flipped through the papers and saw that there was a list of requirements and dimensions for the bunker to have, along with all the survey data they needed. Jim looked at it and nodded his head in approval, it would be interesting to see how this turned out, but he had his concerns.
"The house will remain unchanged correct? This place holds a lot of sentimental value and I don't want it modified".
"Only an access tunnel will be added to the back storage room, the house itself will remain unchanged".
Cameron, however, was already impatient. She saw no need in continuing this conversation right now.
"We need to leave". Her voice held clear annoyance in it and Jim raised an eyebrow in confusion.
"We have an appointment to make in four and a half hours, and I have nothing appropriate to wear". She turned around and walked upstairs to pack some things.
"I better go, you and I both know what happens to people who get on her bad side". Jim finished with a chuckle; John Henry raised one eyebrow in agreement.
"Indeed".
A few hours later both Jim and Cameron were still on the road in the Ram.
They didn't say much to one another as they endured the three and a half hour drive to KC, mostly because Cameron wasn't one for small talk and Jim was busy driving and listening to the radio. He didn't like talking while driving ever since he nearly ran off the road a few years back during a conversation with his sister.
When they neared the city though, Cameron decided to speak up.
"We need to find a mall so I can buy appropriate attire". She said in her typical monotone.
"Yeah, I know, but I'm not from around here, so could you use the GPS to find the closest one"? She didn't respond as she used the navigation system to find the nearest mall and promptly set the destination. 15 minutes later they pulled into a mall complex and got out of the truck. They went into the mall and Cameron immediately headed for the men's formal section.
"Why are we headed there? I have a suit already". She turned around and gave him a look, he immediately shut up and complied.
"Fine, what's wrong with the one I have"?
"We're going to a business meeting, not a funeral". She said as she turned to one of the dress shirts, all neatly folded and sealed in plastic, and picked out a solid blue one that was closest to his size.
Cameron scanned him to make a detailed 3D model of his shape. Jim was 6 foot 3 inches tall, broad-shouldered and built fairly well, but not overly. He had borderline black brown hair and a trimmed goatee. His tanned skin was about as dark as Derek's had been. His eyes were a hazel color, green center with brown outer regions.
If Cameron were a human woman she would have found him fairly attractive, but since she was not, she was basing her analysis on the hundreds of magazines she had read while everyone was asleep in the Connor home.
Not ten minutes later and Jim was wearing a suit that not only fit him perfectly, but one that also looked good.
"Not bad, I like it". He paused while he put his personal effects back into his pockets. "What about you? You need to get something too".
"I know, but I have received four stares in the last ten minutes or so, I need to alter my appearance temporarily".
"Good idea". He said as he looked around, noticing that some were indeed staring. Cameron spotted the restroom and turned back to him.
"I'll be out in five minutes". He nodded as she walked away. Jim loitered around for the allotted time trying not to look bored. He was fiddling around with a wallet's display when he felt a hand on his shoulder. When he turned around his eyes widened in surprise.
Cameron had changed her hair from slightly curled brown hair to curly honey blonde and she had removed the mole above her left eyebrow. Her eye color had also changed to one of ocean colored blue.
"Wow, I barely recognize you".
"That's the point". Cameron stated as she be-lined for the women's formal section. Jim rolled his eyes at her attitude, but it was to be expected when she had a goal to accomplish.
By the time he caught up with the cyborg she already had a navy dress and shoes picked out and paid for.
"Talk about efficiency..." He said as she began walking toward him.
"Its part of who I am". She paused for a beat while checking her surroundings. "I'll be a minute, I need to change".
He waited by the front door to the mall while she changed. Literally a minute later she clicked up to him in new high heels with her other cloths stuffed in a bag.
"Let's go, we can't afford to be late".
"Yes you told me these people like punctuality". Jim said as he opened the door for her and quickly followed her into the parking lot.
As they walked to the SUV, Jim looked at her in the dress, and it made him wonder something.
"John must really have a steel will if he managed to keep his hands off of you".
She gave him a sad smile to show him she understood the compliment, however it still hit home for her.
"He does". Cameron said in a soft voice. "I know he was attracted to me, but after the explosion, he very rarely showed it. He pushed his feelings for me aside."
Jim realized his mistake when he heard the tone she talked in, he had opened his mouth again without thinking. He looked over and saw her misty eyes, the autonomic programming John Henry added was doing it's job.
He put a hand on her shoulder and she looked over at him.
"Sorry, I do that sometimes, speaking without thinking". She gave him a small smile of forgiveness before reminding him that they had an appointment to make.
After they arrived at the building complex where they were to meet the contractor representing Zanthum Construction Corp. They waited in the lobby sitting side by side, but saying nothing to one another.
"Mr. Anderson, Mr. Peterson will see you now". The secretary said in a bored voice as she opened the office door for them. Jim and Cameron sat down in the chairs in front of a the cherry wood desk and waited for Peterson to finish an email.
"Sorry about that, forgot about something rather urgent". The forty something year old man stood up and shook both their hands before sitting back down.
"It's fine, we know your schedule is tight". Jim said as Cameron handed him the file folder.
"That it is, now let's get down to business. I recall you wanted a bunker constructed next to a current residence".
"Yes, we have the plans right right here". Jim replied while the contractor carefully examined the documents.
"Interesting proposal, and quite difficult as well. However there's a reason why my company has the reputation it does. I should be able to send estimates and a schedule to you within a week".
"Acceptable". Cameron said in monotone. "We will have our people go over the paperwork as soon as it arrives".
"It is, and the permits should come through by then". Jim added.
"Good, all the work you've done so far will make things progress quickly". Peterson said as he flipped through the pages again. "We should be able to begin within the next month".
"I hope so, were eager to get this done as soon as possible. We'll be waiting for the paperwork, Mr. Peterson". Jim said as he shook the man's hand again.
"I aim to please". He said as both walked out the door. He sat back down and looked through the data again. "This is going to very profitable". He said as he looked at the unusual design more closely. "If not interesting". He finished as he buzzed in his secretary to begin the preparations.
Not far from home, Jim spoke up about something that had been on his mind.
"Have you finished watching all the episodes yet"?
"No, I have only one more to go". She said as she kept her gaze out the window.
"You're putting it off". He knew she could have watched it by now, but he was sure that she was hesitant to see how John reacted to her departure.
Cameron looked over at him with surprise in her eyes, she was amazed at how intuitive he was.
"Yes". But she offered no more, and Jim decided to change the subject to the next topic he had in mind.
"How long do you think all this is going to take"? Jim knew that building the bunker would take several months at least.
Her eyes became downcast as they turned back to their normal brown along with her hair.
"I estimate it will take 5 months to build the bunker, another three building and testing the TDE and the fusion reactor. Then we must modify it to make it capable of traveling across dimensions".
"8 months to build just the TDE, and who knows how long figuring out how to get home...".
She nodded sadly.
"Yes, those estimates are only if things go according to plan". Her voice was becoming more strained as the conversation continued.
"I'm sorry, I know what's like to miss someone you love, but you still have hope that death has robbed me of".
Cameron blinked back tears and turned back to him.
"Hope is all I have left". She fell silent and Jim patted her shoulder in a comforting manner as he pulled in the driveway.
When they got out of the truck, Jim had one more thing on his mind.
"I want to ask you something, something I've thought about since you reactivated".
She turned her head towards him, trying to anticipate his question.
"When the inter-dimensional TDE is finished and it's time for you to go home, I want to go with you".
Cameron tilted her head as her face scrunched up in confusion.
"Why"?
Jim opened the basement door, but answered her before he walked inside.
"Because there is nothing left here for me"...
Later that night, Jim talked Cameron into watching 'Born to Run'. Both he and John Henry knew that she needed to know what John did for her, and what challenges lay ahead for them if they were to save him.
He hooked the computer up to the flat screen in the living room and began the series finale episode.
As Cameron watched it, Jim and John Henry noticed her getting more and more tense as the episode went on, knowing how accurate the series had been thus far didn't help her already growing anxiety.
When they got to the part when Cameron had John cut open her chest for feel her power cell, she blushed slightly in embarrassment. Knowing that millions of people had a close up view of what she considered to be a private moment between her and John was not something she relished.
At least it wasn't really them at all.
Finally, Cameron watched as the HK crashed into the building and Weaver turned into a shield. Both John Henry and Jim noticing her body jump slightly as she saw how close John had gotten to being singed by the explosion.
However, that paled in comparison to when John jumped to the future for her.
As the episode ended, Cameron stood up and walked away. She didn't say a word and her face was emotionless, but both John Henry and Jim knew she was anything but okay.
Jim knew it was the shock setting in, he remembered it all to well. Worried about her, he stood up and followed her out the back door.
When he stepped outside and got a whiff of the air as the wind blew around him. It was dark, and the lack of stars and moon meant that it was overcast, but just the smell of the air screamed that a storm was brewing.
He walked off the back deck and into the darkened yard, his eyes sweeping the area for Cameron. The wind was too high to hear her foot steps, but he was fortunate enough to see her silhouette from a lightning flash in the distance.
She was standing in the field beyond the backyard fence like a statue and Jim began walking toward her. When the sky lit up once more she had fallen to her knees and he picked up the pace a little.
Jim jumped the fence and continued toward her. As he got closer he could see her brown hair whipping in the wind, but her body would not bow to the it.
Cameron was so tough, so strong, and yet the actions of one man could build her up higher than the tallest skyscraper or destroy her faster than dynamite.
When he reached her side he saw her head bowed and her hands limp at her side. She was utterly defeated in that moment and Jim couldn't help but be reminded of himself twelve months.
"She shouldn't have to suffer like this". He thought to himself, and the more he did, the more he wanted to help her.
When Jim reached her he knelt in front of John's distraught protector, but she did not acknowledge his presence.
"Cameron". Jim spoke softly to the upset cyborg, knowing it loud enough for her to hear. Cameron slowly lifted her head, her tear stained face was lit up by distant lightning.
"Why"? Her voice was so soft it was hard to hear above the wind and thunder. "Why did he do that? Why couldn't he do what was needed? Why would he risk humanity and abandon his mother for me, a machine"?
"Why"!? She cried out, desperately trying to . The storm answered her question another roar of lightning and a torrential downpour of rain.
As the drops began to fall on them, Jim locked eyes with her as he put a hand on her shoulder.
"Because he's in love with you, completely and totally. Someone who didn't want to face the future war doesn't just jump into it for a protector or friend, they only do that for someone they care about more than themselves"! Jim yelled above the growing storm
"I shouldn't matter! He's the only one who does, I'm just a machine"!
"But that's where your wrong, what is John Connor without his army, his mother who trained him, or you who protected him and guided him, what is John Connor without those who made him the man he is"?
"He saves us all, he's the only one who can, all the people in the world are useless if he's dead or doesn't exist".
"Yes it was stupid to jump to the future, but think about it, maybe he's there to learn, to understand, and grow. Maybe this is how your John becomes the next General Connor".
"It's pointless if he dies! Machines aren't the only threat, other humans, disease, starvation, and radiation poisoning could all kill him. They killed humans all the time in the future, and he's just thrown himself into it"!
"Does it even matter to you that he cares that much for you? Do you even care that he loves you"? His voice filled with exasperation with each word he spoke.
She looked away, her lip quivering from the emotions.
"It does, you know that, but it wont matter if I can't save him".
Jim realized that it was pointless reasoning with her on this, the protector in her just wouldn't see his actions in any positive light.
John Connor was in danger, and she wasn't there to protect him. She couldn't protect the one she loved and there was the possibility that she wouldn't be able to.
Jim decided to do the only thing he could think of. He pulled Cameron into his arms and let her sob silently into into his shoulder, her breaths shaky as she tried to reign in the overwhelming emotions. As she fought the internal war, he wondered if he was helping or not, but he knew he wished someone had been there to comfort him when his family had died.
They stayed there like that for a few minutes as the rain pounded them until Cameron tamed the storm inside her.
"I didn't know how she felt". Cameron whispered as she lifted her head off of his shoulder. "Now I do".
It took Jim a second, but he figured out her meaning.
"Sarah, you know how she felt when she was in Pescadero". His answer as the slight nod of her head.
Not a second after he finished, another lightning bolt struck the ground, this one too close for Cameron's comfort.
"We need to go indoors, I'd prefer not getting struck by lightning".
Jim noticed her voice becoming more normal now.
"Feeling better"? He said as they stood up; she nodded as the began walking.
"Yes, thank you".
"You're welcome". Jim said as they walked in the basement door.
"I need to learn how to control my emotions, I can't let them compromise me in a critical situation". While she appeared calm on the outside now, in reality, she still had a storm buried inside her. Jim had helped her to an extent, why she didn't know, just that it did, but only John could wipe away the pain that she felt.
It was something that she would ponder until the early hours of the morning without any success.
Jim laid back in his bed, listening to the storm outside as he thought about the last few days, and what might lie ahead for him and the two AI's. He had a feeling that Cameron's initial timeline for completing the TDE wasn't going to be a problem, but modifying it, how long that would take was anyone's guess. There were too many if's and maybe's in this equation for everything to go smoothly, that he knew for sure.
A/N: Well, did you think Cameron was too OOC? If so, remember that she is simply exhibiting emotions she's had for sometime now.
Same goes as last time, fifteen reviews and I post within twenty four hours of the 15th post.
-OZ