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Chapter 09 Extract from the Journal of John Connor
Chapter 9
Murphy's Law
"If things can go wrong, then they probably will." Murphy's Law
From the Journal of John Connor
2027, Day 9
After Allison utterly embarrassed me in front of the fighters, I spent the morning teaching them the proper method in chip extraction. I only showed them once on the machine we had as I didn’t know how safe it would be to remove and replace the chip repeatedly.
After I was certain that they knew how to do it, I then began formulating a plan to take down multiple machines at once. I told them how out in the desert I used an electrically charged wire mesh and a metal rod. It wasn’t safe and we needed another method.
“What if you were to use two wire nets. Leave one on the ground and when the machines walk over it, drop another on top of them.” One of the soldiers suggested.
“That would work, but where can we get some wire netting?” I asked.
“Does it have to be netting?”
“No, just as long as its metal and light enough to carry.”
“Well I just thought that the chain link fence behind our old bus terminal is mesh-like and metal.”
“Let’s go take a look.” I said.
We walked back to the bunker, taking our new metal friend with us.
Out behind the remains of the old bus terminal was a ten-foot high metal chain link fence used to enclose the area where they used to park the buses when not in use. Some of the fencing was bent and damaged, but there seemed to be sufficient material to make the trap.
While Allison and a few others kept watch against HK’s and other metal, the rest of us checked out the fencing and how to get it down from the poles and straightened out. As we didn’t have the right tools to remove the fencing, I gave that task to the machine. I named him Alpha, as he was my first successful reprogramming job.
Alpha did his task well, snapping the wire ties and pulling the fencing down. We laid it out flat in the empty parking lot and measured off two semi equal sections. Using some wire pieces from the fence we stitched them together forming a large square. We took another two sections and stitched them together as well. When we were done, we had two large sections approximately twenty by sixty feet.
The work was hard and dirty, but the fighters went to it with enthusiasm. They had spent so many months and years in hiding and skulking around in the tunnels that today was like a holiday for them.
The next thing to do was to find an area to set the trap. I told the men to get some rest while I went below to check the map and speak with Kyle who was more familiar with this area.
Kyle was resting but was bored and aggravated because the doctor had him on bed rest until tomorrow. He welcomed my presence greatly.
“Hey Kyle. I could use your help.”
“You’re not going to try and kill my brother again are you?” he asks with a grin.
“He told you about that?”
“Tell me about it! Derek paced back and forth right where you are standing, cursing and swearing for about five minutes. He eventually told me what you did. You’ve got some balls Connor.”
I cleared my throat. “Well it was a risk, I know. But it convinced him and the others that the machines could be reprogrammed. I’ve had it outside helping us construct the trap we’ll use to catch more. Which brings me to why I came in to see you.”
“What do you need?”
“I’d like you to go over this map with me and help locate an area where we can set the trap.”
“What conditions are you looking for?”
I spread the map across his lap and told him the various things needed. “Well first, we need to construct it close enough to where metal has been active but not so close we draw their attention before the trap is finished. Second, the trap has to be in an area where we can keep them contained if we can’t get their chips removed before they reboot. Third, the trap has to be in a location that we can run an electric cable to, preferably out of sight.”
“Is that all?”
“Pretty much.”
“All right, let’s take a look at the map.”
We spent the next half hour to forty five minutes going over different locations and the pros and cons of each. By the time we were finished we pretty much narrowed it down to two, possibly three, locations where the trap could be laid.
We then compared those locations to access points to the tunnels. I wanted to lay in cables from the generator to the trap, but wanted to keep them out of sight for as much of the run as we could. Only one location turned out to be close enough to a sewer manhole that we could run the cables through.
I was just about to head topside to give some new orders when there was a sudden rush of fighters coming down into the bunker. The last one in slammed the lid shut while another went and shutdown the generator.
“What’s going on?” I asked.
“Allison spotted an HK flying a search pattern. It was making its way closer to us. So we all decided to make like a tree and leave.”
Ignoring the joke I asked, “Is everyone accounted for?”
“Everyone but for Allison and Alpha. They’re still topside.”
“What?!” I made for the hatch but the others stopped me.
“No one is allowed topside when HK’s are in the area. Standing orders from Derek.” I heard some one say behind me. I turned and Kyle was standing there on crutches, his face grim with either the news or pain. It was hard to tell.
“John, you can’t go up there. Not until we hear that it is clear or orders are given.” Kyle said.
“But Allison is up there!”
“I know. But Allison knows the rules. Don’t worry about her. She’s been fighting for as many years as I have. She can take care of herself.” His words rang true, but he looked as worried as I felt.
We waited for what seemed like hours in the dark. Perspiration ran down our faces as we waited. I could hear a low throbbing sound that got louder and louder.
“It’s coming.” someone said.
No one spoke or made a sound while the noise got closer. As the throbbing sound got louder a high pitch wine could also be heard. Dirt dribbled down from the ceiling. The floor and walls vibrated. I could hear the rats squeal from the high pitch whine of the HK’s engines. After what seemed like fifteen minutes we could hear it move further away. In time it got quiet.
Another ten minutes went by when suddenly there were three hard taps on the bunkers hatch. “Allison Young, 4, 21, 20, 11.”
Kyle and I looked at each other with relief when we heard Allison’s voice.
The hatch was thrown open and Allison entered. She saw the relief on all of our faces.
“The HK ran a standard sweep of the area.” Allison said. “However, I think our activity may have drawn it to the area.”
She then turned and looked right at me. “If you are going to spring that trap John, it better be today.”
“All right everyone, you heard the lady. We need to get the trap set up and we need to do it fast. Where’s the supply officer?” I shouted.
“Right here.” A big burly sort of fellow walked up from behind the crowd. I gave him one quick look.
“I need a length of heavy duty cable approximately 200 yards in length, a junction box and switch capable of handling 200 Amps of 120V AC electric. I also need approximately 150 feet of 8 gauge copper wire; four heavy gauge metal pipes, 2 ten feet long with an interior dimension slightly more than 1 inch with metal caps that screw on the end; 2 more ten foot pipes slightly less than 1 inch outside diameter; and something to grease the sides without causing them to stick.”
“Yes sir.”
“Jo!”
“Yes sir.”
“I need some of that C4 explosive that I brought here, no more than a quarter pound, two detonators, fuse wires and a remote operator.”
“Frank!”
“Here.”
“I need you to locate this sewer manhole.” I said pointing to the map. “It should be down one of these tunnels. Take Sam with you, don’t go unarmed. When you locate it, one of you stay there and the other comes back here. By that time the cables should be ready.”
“Allison, I’d like you to select a group of sharpshooters. Arm them with the grenade launchers and shotguns from the cache. The group will be backup in case this plan goes awry.”
“Yes, Sir.” She said with a little more emphasis than the others and a twinkle in her eye.
“Where’s the engineer?”
“Here.”
“This is what I need you to do. When the supply officer comes back with the 200 amp cable I need you to wire it directly to the main circuit breaker. When Frank or Sam show up they are to take the free end of the cable and bring it to the manhole and out to this location here on the map. Got it.”
“Got it.”
I glanced over at Kyle who hadn’t gone back to his bunk. He seemed to be watching me with new eyes.
“Kyle. When the supply officer gets back with the supplies I requested, could you have someone run the rest of them out to me at the trap location?”
“No problem. Now scat you’ve got a trap to build.” he said, grinning at me.
“The rest of you with me. We need to get that fencing to the trap location pronto.”
The pace was hurried and efficient. When we got to the trap location, I ran the copper wire through the fencing twisting it around each link to ensure a good electrical contact. After showing one of the fellows what I was doing, I let him finish it while I constructed the launchers.
My idea was to make launchers from the pipe to fire the net up over and onto the machines. I packed a a very small amount of C4 into one end of the large pipe. I inserted the detonator into each charge and fed the wire out through a small hole drilled in the cap. I lightly greased the smaller pipe and slid it inside the larger pipe. Making sure there was no obstruction to its free movement. I tied the end that stuck out to one corner of the fencing. I repeated the same action with the other pipes. The small explosive charge in the large pipe will fire the smaller pipe and launch the fencing into the air and on top of the machines. The electricity will then make the connection through fencing and through the terminators shorting them out.
While I was busy making the launchers the cable was run out to me and the other piece of fencing laid on the ground. Pieces of debris were used to anchor it down and help disguise it. I split the cable, running one wire to the fencing on the ground twisting it to the copper wire. The other wire I ran to the launch netting. I left plenty of slack in the wire and made sure that the connection was more secure.
The trap was set. The group I trained earlier in chip removal I set up as Team A. They are to run forward and remove the chips, while Team B, led by Allison, stands by with the heavy weapons should the terminators not go down, or if they reboot before their chips are removed.
I was scared about involving Allison in this scheme of mine. Not that I didn’t trust her abilities as a fighter, it was just that after my nightmare, I was nervous about her getting to close to the machines. I involve her as I know that is what she wants and it’s what she does as a resistance fighter, and I can’t tell her not to.
We had barely finished the trap and taken our positions when our spotter came running up.
“There are four endo’s on their way.”
“All right everyone get in position.” I yelled. “We’ve only got one chance to do it right.”
I took a position where I could see the hand signals from the observer. Once I saw his signal I would hit the switch that turns on the electric and launch the electrically charged fencing over the machines.
They came marching into the clearing. It wasn’t good. They were spaced too far apart for all of them to get caught. If I fired the trap now, many people may die before a single chip gets extracted. And it would be quite possible that none of the chips would get extracted.
I didn’t know what to do when I saw Allison leap up onto the rubbish pile she was hiding behind and shout at the machines.
“Hey tin heads! Over here!”
Two terminators on her right turned in unison, moving closer to the center of the trap and opened fire at Allison. She let out a scream and she fell back out of sight.
“ALLISON!” I yelled, then I hit the switch turning on the electric and launching the fencing.
The fencing launched out beautifully and landing on top of all four terminators. Sparks flew as they were electrocuted. They twitched and jerked as they fell to the ground.
Hitting the switch to kill the flow of electricity, I ran towards Allison yelling orders at the men. “Clear that fencing away. Team A get those chips out now!”
I ran around the trap and behind the pile of rubble to find Allison laying on the ground clutching her arm.
She smiled at me. “Did you get them?”
“Yes we did.” I couldn’t help but smile back at her.
I gave her a hand up, then asked, “Why did you put yourself at risk like that?”
“They were too far apart. For your trap to work, all four had to be closer together.”
“I was scared half to death. Are you okay?’
“I’ll be fine. It’s just a flesh wound.”
“Then why did you scream?”
“I lost my balance and fell just as they opened fire. If I hadn’t they probably would have killed me.”
I kissed her. “Please tell me you won’t do that again.”
“Okay. I won’t unnecessarily endanger myself, but I won’t shirk my responsibilities as a fighter.”
“That’s good enough for me. Come on, let’s see how we did.”
We walked back to the trap. The men were all standing around smiling. It had worked. Four machines were disabled and their chips removed.
“Well, the scary part is over. Now comes the hard work. Let’s get these machines away from here and the trap dismantled.”
One member of Team A approached me and handed me all four chips and their lids. I slipped them into my pocket and shook his hand.
“Team B remain on lookout until we get this stuff cleared out.” I ordered.
“Allison why don’t you go back to the outpost and tell them that we need help, and while there get that wound treated.”
She gave me a smile then quickly ran to the manhole cover we fed the cable through.
Instead of just standing around waiting for help, everyone but for Team B worked to move the machines bodies to another location. I broke the group up into two smaller groups so they could take it in turn so they wouldn’t over strain themselves. The problem wasn’t so much the machines weight, but the rough terrain we had to traverse with them. If we only had to go a short distance, it wouldn’t have been so bad but we needed to move the machines to a location far enough away not to be found near the trap.
Help came in the form of Alpha and four fighters with heavy weapons. I ordered Alpha to carry the other two machines behind the rubble pile with the others. I had expected it to carry them one at a time but it surprised me and the others by picking one up under each arm and carrying them with little effort behind the rubble pile. Seeing that, I rethought my plan and had the machine carry its brothers back to the outpost, each time with an escort. While it did that, the rest of us cleaned up the trap materials and headed back to base. It was almost dusk.
2027, Day 9 evening
Based on my earlier experience at reprogramming I thought I could save myself some time and simply wipe the blocks of code that require changing and simply replace them with the data backed up from the first chip.
Unfortunately these chips were proving more difficult if not impossible to wipe. Given the amount of time spent reprogramming the first it would take far to long to do all four individually and have them ready in time.
“Weaver, I hope you are having it easier than I am.” I mumbled to myself.
“Who are you talking to?”
“Huh, what?” Allison had come up to my door. I was so engrossed I didn’t hear her.
“Oh, hi Allison. How’s your arm?”
“The doc says its fine, just a flesh wound. Who were you talking to?”
“Uh, the computer. When I get frustrated, I talk to it.” I said sheepishly.
“No need to be embarrassed. Some of the soldiers not only talk to their weapons but name them too.”
She walked over to me sat down beside me and gave me a quick hug.
“So what’s the problem?”
“The chips we just acquired don’t want to be wiped. I was hoping to wipe them and just reprogram them with the data I backed up from the first chip.”
“The chips are preventing you from wiping them.”
“Yeah.”
“What if you could compare the data in your backup against the chips you have and just rewrite that portion that needs changing?”
“Well yeah I could do that, but it will still take a long time.”
“But what if the computer did it for you?”
My eyes grew big in realization of what Allison meant. I gave her a big kiss. “You are a genius. I’ll check that disc. There was a utility for testing the chips there must be one for doing a simple task like that.”
I gave her big smile and went digging through the files on the data disc that Weaver gave me. I came across a folder I hadn’t found before that gave me pause. I quickly collected myself and asked Allison if she could find us something to eat or drink that I was hungry. I hadn’t had anything to eat since breakfast.
After she left I went back to that folder. The folder was identified as TOK715. That was Cameron’s model number. She had told me that at one point after her glitch. I clicked on the folder and opened it. There was definitely detailed information on Cameron in that folder. She told me she was different from the other terminators I had met previously. She was never clear on that point, but now I could find out how different.
I didn’t know how long Allison would be getting us some food, so I closed that folder and went back into the utilities and located a program that would do exactly what Allison said. I don’t know why I didn’t think of that myself. Just too much on my mind right now, I guess. I need to focus.
The utility offered a couple of ways to go about it. The easiest was to have it read the modified chip and then have it read the chip I wanted to modify, and make changes based on what it read from the first chip. I got up and located Alpha in the storage room. Whenever it didn’t have a task, that’s where it stayed. I told it to submit to chip extraction. It complied and kneeled down in front of me where I used my tools to remove its chip.
I then went back to my room and began the procedure. It would take a couple of hours for it to scan the first chip and then twice as long or longer to reprogram each chip I wanted to modify based on the first.
Allison arrived with two bottles of water and two deep fried rats. Mmmmm, finger lick’n good. I swear if I eat one more rat . . . . When or if I get back to my own time the first thing I’m going to do is go out to a restaurant, any restaurant, and order a nice juicy steak and a salad.
“How long will this take?” she asked me, referring to the computer.
“Well it will take a couple of hours for it to read the first chip, after that it will take a few hours for each chip to be reprogrammed. It will take a long time but a lot less than doing it manually like we did the first time.”
“So we’ve got some time while we wait.” I heard a tone in her voice and looked at her. She had a twinkle in her eye and a grin on her face which spoke of things quite devilish.
“I take it then that you’ve decided to answer my question from this morning.” I said closing and locking the door.
“Mmm Hmm.” she said as she placed her hand behind my neck to pull me forward to kiss me.
I returned her embrace and her kiss.
We broke our embrace and I looked into those lovely brown eyes. So much like my Cameron’s and yet so different too. The difference was so subtle but it was there.
“I love you. Allison.” I said it to reinforce my own feelings for her and to shut Cameron out of my mind.
She looked at me with such endearing love and placed a kiss upon my lips. “Tonight I want this to be special.” she said softly.
I don’t know what I did to earn the love and trust of Allison. She loved me like someone who knew me my whole life. I returned her love with my own.
I placed my hands behind her waist and pulled her to me. Her warm lips pressed against mine slightly parting as her tongue slipped between my lips.
A soft moan escaped her mouth as she pressed herself against me, pushing me towards the bunk. My knees buckled as I backed into it. Alison let herself fall into me pushing me down onto the bunk, her lips pressing against mine.
We loved each other, caressing each other and kissing, feeling, never able to physically match the desire within our own souls. Allison was definitely taking the lead as she subtly directed the action making it clear she wanted to love me tonight.
As before she broke off and took a moment to remove her clothing. She is so beautiful. Like I said before, Venus in the flesh. The only thing marring the beauty tonight was the bandage on her arm. Yet that didn’t matter. Her lovely brown eyes and her long wavy brown hair which cascaded over her shoulders, the smooth curves of her body. She is so beautiful. I couldn’t take my eyes off her.
Did she know how I ached for her? How I wanted her so much? All I had to do was look in those eyes to see the same desire in her that I felt within me.
I got up and removed my few meager clothes as well and I embraced her, kissing her mouth, her neck and following a trail across her body. She gently stopped me and whispered, “Not now, tonight I want to love you.”
Our love making of the night before was slow and gentle as we became familiar with each other and explored each other before our ultimate act of love. Tonight as Allison and I made love, it was clear how passionate and free her love was for me. Her cries of pleasure were louder and clearer than before and I only hoped that no one could hear us. If anyone heard I knew there would be no hiding of our relationship from now on. Kyle and Derek knew, but they didn’t know our relationship had escalated this far.
As our love making continued, and she became more vocal, Allison eventually quieted her voice by kissing me hard and passionately. She held onto me for the longest time until her body relaxed after our heated lovemaking. I had never experienced anything like this before. She loved me with such passion and energy. Making love with Allison was the closest to absolute joy I have ever had in my life time.
**
Oh my lucky stars. To have such a beautiful woman like Allison with me was heaven.
Allison loves me because she found in me someone who desired her for something more than mere physical gratification. She needed someone who needed her; and despite how quickly our relationship grew, I found in her someone who completes me.
Allison professed her love for me because she saw the longing in my eyes, not realizing it was for Cameron. As much as I care for and love her, in my heart I still love Cameron. But there isn’t anything I can do at present to help Cameron. That hurts me deeply to know she’s here, but I can’t fix her right now.
I won’t betray Allison’s trust or love, but I can’t forget Cameron. She is my reason for coming here. But I have a greater purpose now. These people need my help, and Allison needs my love. And I am here alone, and Allison’s love gives me a strength and a hope that my presence here will help these people.
2027, Day 10 after midnight
Allison fell asleep after our love making. I wanted to sleep too, but there was that folder to examine on the disc. When I was sure that Allison was deeply asleep, I took another look at folder TOK715.
Inside I found detailed information about Cameron and her programming. What made the TOK model different from the standard T model was that they were custom built to match real human individuals at all possible levels. They also have a highly advanced physical repair system to their organic coverings. Whereas all T type cyborg units have to live with the physical damage they may sustain to their flesh covering, the TOK utilizes a sophisticated system of nanobot technology to repair its flesh. It is autonomous, operating independent of chip function or presence. It utilizes organic material that the body ingests to rebuild its tissues.
Oh my God! That would explain so much. Why her wounds healed so quickly. Why she ate so little though she was capable of eating. Why it seems she only ate just before or immediately after a mission. That last day in the hotel room, she begged me to eat something for the good of my health, but I couldn’t over my anxiety over Mom’s arrest. Instead I went and sulked falling asleep on the bed. After she woke me and had me check her power cell, I noticed as we were leaving that the food was gone. That is why her body is now restored, despite laying in that bunker for two decades. Once her flesh was restored, it would only take minimal power from her power cell to maintain its upkeep.
I went digging further through the files. Though like any other Terminator she had preprogrammed knowledge of weapons, fighting methods, tactics and other models of terminators, etc., there were also whole blocks devoted to subroutines governing her actions and responsiveness as an individual - human behavior. This was the most complex terminator model I have ever come across. It wasn’t that SkyNet was trying to mimic humans anymore, but it was like it was trying to recreate them utilizing some of the most sophisticated engineering I’ve ever seen.
While studying her programming, I discovered when she was on a mission, portions of her personality and emotional subroutines could sometimes be suppressed to allow more efficient pursuit of her mission. That would explain her sudden change in personality after she rescued me from Cromartie. After that, her mission was no longer to get acquainted with me, but to protect me and that’s why she changed. Her subroutine switched from infiltration to protection.
I studied her programming some more. It also appeared that when threat levels were low, the controls over her personality and emotional subroutines would be released. That is why at some of the most inopportune moments she would suddenly seem quite ‘friendly’ and less machine like, I realized.
I could remember one morning when Derek and I were sitting down to yet another breakfast of pancakes. Cameron came into the kitchen and as she walked in, she absently stroked the back of my neck with her fingers as she had done many times before. The first time she had done that, I didn’t know why. I was uncomfortable the first few times but soon it just became something she did. Her touch was very light, almost imperceptible. This time, Derek saw her do it. He got up abruptly and stormed out grumbling something about ‘metal *****.’ I couldn’t see Cameron’s face as she stroked my neck, but I saw it when she turned to gaze after Derek’s back as he left. For just a moment, I could see sadness and pain in her eyes and then they suddenly went blank, like someone flipped a switch inside her head. Why was I so blind not to realize it then?
I left the file containing her programming and looked into some of the other files. I went through a few files containing descriptions and directions of some of the finer points of tweaking her programming. I had just decided to call it a night when I found just what I wasn’t looking for, a folder containing Allison’s name.
I looked at my Allison beside me on the bunk still sleeping, and looking so peaceful. She even smiled in her sleep. I don’t know if I mentioned that before.
I clicked on the folder and inside were multiple files. Some of the oldest contained intelligence reports. Apparently someone had infiltrated my resistance group in the future time line that my Cameron and that other Allison came from. The infiltrator was probably a gray. He filed numerous reports on various people I spent time with and apparently the other Allison Young had spent a great deal of time with me. There was nothing in his reports to suggest she and future me were lovers but apparently there was definitely a bond between us.
I looked into newer files. I found out that the other Allison Young was captured and tortured. Under duress and drugs and hypnosis was forced to reveal information about herself and everyone and everything she knew. This information was used to program TOK715. TOK715 was built to look like Allison. No. That’s not right, TOK715 was built to be Allison.
Buried deep within Cameron’s programming was everything about Allison. This other Allison revealed more than just her relationships and her emotions. Its like they picked her brain for every little detail about her life. It went far beyond just interrogation. It was a complete biological, physical, mental, emotional and psychological analysis of her entire life. Cameron’s personality and identity may be her own, but inside she was Allison. That would explain the temporary breakdown she had, when she reverted to the Allison personality and identity after the car bombing. Whatever glitch she had must have temporarily released it until her own personality subroutines came back on line. Something like a cross between multiple personality disorder and sleepwalking.
I dug some more and came across something that hurt me very much. This other Allison, confessed under drug induced hypnosis that she had a deep love for the other future me. She was then asked if the other future me loved her. She said she wasn’t certain but felt he must by the way he looked at her and treated her.
In the last file, I read that after she made an escape attempt she was then killed . . . by her replicate. Afterwards TOK715 went through a total reprogramming job to add all information about Allison Young to her chip. I closed all open folders and files.
I felt so angry, scared, sad, and just sick inside. SkyNet created Cameron to be Allison long enough to get close to me to kill future me. Based on everything I read, she should have succeeded. She was the perfect model of Allison. Cameron said she was different. Was it because some of her personality and emotions and maybe memories as well were partially based on the Allison Young from her time line? Or was there more to it than that? How much of Cameron is Allison? And how much is she her own person?
**
I sat on the end of my bunk and grieved for that other Allison. The Allison that loved that other me, who died at the hands of the one built to replace her.
Oh Cameron. Did SkyNet program you too well? Was it Allison’s personality and emotions which drove you and not SkyNet’s programming? If Cameron loves me, it is because she’s more than just programming . . . inside she’s a real person. Oh, Cameron, I wish I knew this before. I love you and I promise to fix you. I swear on everything I hold dear.
**
2027, Day 10 morning
Dawn was breaking. I could hear the sounds as people rose from their slumber, as guards came on duty and others went off. I heard laughter from someone in the corridor. I had seldom heard laughter in my previous days here in 2027.
Allison began to stir beside me. I’d spent the night wide awake thinking about what I had read about my Cameron and that other Allison. When prompted by the computer I also swapped out the chips being reprogrammed.
“Hey there sleepy head. Its morning.” I gently shook Allison.
“Oh, hey John. What time is it?”
“It’s quarter past eight.”
“What! Why didn’t you wake me earlier?” She got up out of bed and started pulling her clothing back on rapidly.
“Calm yourself. You go out looking like you got dressed in the dark, people will know something is going on between us. Besides, those are my pants you are wearing.” I said smiling at her.
Allison looked down at herself and saw how crazy her clothing was, and yes she was wearing my pants. She broke out into warm laughter and kissed me on my forehead.
“You win. But if anyone finds out I’m sleeping with you, you are in so much trouble.” She straightened out her clothes and swapped my pants for her own.
“Why don’t I take a peak outside, and if its clear, you can run for your room.” I got up pulled on my pants and cracked my door open to look up and down the corridor. I couldn’t see or hear anyone.
“It’s clear.” I said.
Allison slipped out of my room and went down the corridor to her room. She went inside and closed the door behind her.
I heard her shriek. I grabbed my gun and ran to her room throwing open the door. Allison stood in the middle of her room a look of total embarrassment on her face. On the wall behind her was a banner that said, “Congratulations to the Happy Couple.”
I didn’t know what to say when suddenly a chorus broke out behind me,
“For they are a jolly good couple.
For they are a jolly good couple.
For they are a jolly good couple.
Which nobody can deny.
Which nobody can deny.
Which nobody can deny.
For they are a jolly good couple.
For they are a jolly good couple.
For they are a jolly good couple.
Which nobody can deny.”
I think Allison would have melted into the floor if she could have. With complete and total embarrassment I closed Allison’s door and walked back to my room followed by cat calls, wolf whistles, and all sorts of cheering, and hollering. I closed my door and wished there was a crack I could disappear into as well.
I didn’t go get my breakfast of rat. I was afraid of facing Allison and what I could possibly say, and I wasn’t certain we could even look at each other without getting some kind of response from the other troops. I checked the progress the utility was having with the latest chip, then I decided to visit Kyle.
**
Kyle was sitting up in bed reading reports that got sent to him from Derek. Derek was out with a patrol monitoring the armament factory we would be attacking soon.
“Hey Kyle how’s it going this morning?”
“Very good. The doc says I can get out of bed today. It’s about time I’m going stir crazy in this place.”
He then took a good look at me.
“What’s up with you? You look like hell.”
“I didn’t get much sleep last night.”
“That’s the rumor going around the bunker.” He said with a grin.
My face fell I couldn’t believe someone told him.
“Haha ha.” Kyle laughed. “What, you think I don’t know the two of you are now sleeping together?”
I couldn’t answer him.
“From the way I saw Allison react when she thought you had died out there in the desert. I knew that she loved you more than anyone else.”
‘Kyle, I . . .”
“No, don’t say anything. I love her and I care for her very much. We’ve known each other for basically our entire lives. I always hoped that she would someday love me the same way I love her. But she never saw me as anything other than an older brother. That was how Derek raised us.”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to . . . I didn’t want to come between you.”
“Don’t apologize for something you couldn’t change. I knew the day you arrived here that Allison liked you. You were different, besides the fact that you had no clothes on when we found you. I don’t know what it is you have John, but there is some kind charisma, some kind of charm you have with people. They like you and trust you almost immediately.”
He continued. “You know, out there in the desert when I lost my cool with you. It wasn’t just about being jealous over Allison. I was jealous of you. You’re the smartest soldier I’ve seen. What we know has come from experience. We are only alive because of what we’ve learned. But your knowledge goes beyond our experience. That and the way people respond to you.” Kyle paused and took a sip of water from his bedside.
“Derek and I are considered leaders, because we’ve pretty much kept these people alive. All right we’ve done some fighting, but pretty much just keeping them alive has been all we can do. But you’re a born leader, John. I was with you in the desert. I saw you take command in difficult situations and the soldiers didn’t even flinch. Here at the bunker, I saw you organize the men in getting that trap built. You lead without even trying. Don’t let anyone tell you differently.”
I was very humbled by what he said. I decided to move the topic off me, before I got more uncomfortable.
“Are those the reports from Derek?” I asked.
“Yes.”
“Can I read them?”
“Here you go.” he said as he handed them to me.
I looked through them very quickly. I scanned them for information relevant for our attack and capture of the factory.
“Do any of the tunnels here come close to that factory?” I asked him.
“Well there are some old metro tunnels heading in that general direction, but they’ve been closed for years. The ground is unstable and recent earthquakes have brought down the ceiling in some locations.”
“Are the tunnels still passable?”
“Yeah.”
“I’ve got an idea on how to take the armament factory. What if you and I work out an entire battle plan from these reports Derek has sent us and present it to him when he returns?”
“That sounds brilliant.”
“Great. I’m going to go grab some chow and check on the progress of my reprogramming. I’ll meet you back here in half an hour.”
“Well it’s not like I’m going anywhere at the moment.”
“Yeah, right. See you soon.”
**
I ran into the dining hall and grabbed myself a fried rat, oh yummy, and ran back to my room to check on the progress. The third chip was almost done so I decided to wait to swap it with the fourth.
I had just finished my ‘yummy’ rat when Allison stopped by.
“I somehow had the feeling you might try and avoid me today. What brings you back here?”
“You.” she spoke quietly.
“Did I do something wrong?”
“No, that’s just it. You didn’t do anything wrong. I did.”
“What are you talking about? What did you do wrong? I don’t understand.”
“No you wouldn’t understand. You’ve only been in the camps a short time. I’ve spent my whole life living like this with these people.”
“I’m confused.”
“I’m sorry. I’m just not explaining it well. I grew up with these people, John. I saw the bitterness and despair that filled these people. I strove my entire life not to be downtrodden by our circumstances. And as I got older, and saw how the boys started paying more attention to me, I knew what they wanted. But none of them had any life in their souls. They just wanted to use me as a distraction from their own miserable lives. I wanted more than that. I needed more than that.”
She walked over and sat beside me. “That day when we found you in the tunnels and I looked at you. I saw the way you looked at me. Not with the eyes of someone who just wanted me for a distraction, but your eyes were filled with joy and life and love. And then something like a dark shadow passed over your face and you collapsed into tears of grief and pain.”
“Derek had some of the men carry you into that empty room. I followed and stayed with you. I heard your grief. I wiped the tears from your face. It was like your world died for you on that day. But I saw your eyes when you looked at me. You looked at me like I was the only person you ever desired. Your soul is alive and it is bursting with hope and love, and I found myself falling for you.”
I was feeling a little choked up at this point.
“Out there in the desert, I lied to you. Derek didn’t order me to tag along to report on you. I volunteered. I wanted to see for myself what kind of a man you are.”
I took Allison’s hands in mine.
“That afternoon in the garage when I hugged Mike, I did it to see your reaction. I knew that Mike had no feelings for me and would accept the hug as it was meant. I saw the longing in your eyes. You tried to hide it, but I saw. And when I embraced you, it was like I was being held by someone who truly cared for me. Then you looked into my eyes and I knew then for certain that I had found the one person I always wanted. I saw the love in your eyes. I felt the desire in your arms and lips. I loved you fully from that moment on. I knew there was no one else for me.”
“So what you are saying is . . .”
“All of this is my fault, because I fell in love with you. I forgot about what life in these tunnels are like. I forgot that privacy isn’t a guarantee. Last night all I wanted was you and I put everything else out of my mind because of my love for you. Then this morning came and those people . . .”
“I love you Allison. I’ll never stop loving you. And it is nobody’s fault about last night or what those jokers did this morning. We may be embarrassed that the whole camp knows about us, but is that really so bad. At least now we don’t have to hide it. If it makes you feel any better, both Derek and Kyle has given me their approval. I think they are both finally glad that you have someone in your life now. They care for you very much and I think they were worried about you.”
“They don’t know that we sleep together do they?’ she said, sounding shocked.
“Well . . . Kyle knows. He told me this morning.”
“Oh, God.” she said, putting her face in her hands.
“Hey, don’t react so. He’s very happy for you, and for us. I spoke to Derek before he left on that reconnaissance mission, and he’s happy for you. He’s glad you have someone in your life now.”
I held her close. “Does that make you feel any better?”
“Some, but I don’t know how I can walk about and do my duties with everyone knowing what we do in private.”
“Don’t think about it. Let them have their little laughs and jokes at our expense. Just think of what our happiness has done for these people. I’ve seen more smiles today and heard more laughter since any other day since I arrived. What we have is special and private, but our joy brings them joy. And isn’t that what makes life special?”
“You’re right John. I do love you.”
“And I love you too.” I kissed her and held her for several minutes.
“Now I hate to leave you right now but I have a meeting with Kyle to discuss the attack on that armament factory. Would you like to come with me or stay here and keep an eye on that last chip?”
“I’ll stay here until the computer is done. Then if you’re not back by then I’ll come and join you both.”
“Great. Come and get me if there are any problems.”
**
Allison did more than just share a bed with me. She shared her soul with me. That is what makes her love so much more than mere words. I love Allison. But on that day when we saw each other for the first time, and I looked at her and she saw that look of hope and love, it was because when I first saw her I thought she was Cameron. When I realized she wasn’t her, and that I was all alone, that’s when I was filled with pain and grief. As much as I love Allison and I recognize her as the person she is, her very presence is a constant reminder of Cameron.
But now I understand Allison better than anyone else does. For years she carried a private desire for someone who was her equal and who didn’t go about with the despair of the world on their shoulders. Her heart was filled with joy and hope and love and she found that same spirit in me. But she didn’t know, oh she couldn’t know, my private desire to restore Cameron. I didn’t know how or when, but I made a promise to fix her. I will fulfill that promise. I must!
**
Kyle and I discussed possible attack plans for quite some time. The whole idea of the exercise was to capture the facility and hold it. If not permanently, then at least long enough to confiscate all the weapons constructed there.
I convinced Kyle that we should come up with two battle plans, one with the machines and one without. Then depending upon the success of the reprogramming and the latest reports from Derek, we could have an effective battle plan to use.
Kyle liked my idea of using the tunnels to get as close to the factory as possible. There was an old metro line that ran close to the site. Some of the ceiling had fallen in the tunnel, but it was passable. I wished we had access to the old city blueprints. They would tell us if any tunnels, sewer lines, or underground conduits came up inside the factory. The surprise of an attack coming from within as well as from without would certainly be in our favor.
“Kyle does the resistance have any of the cities old blueprints.” I asked.
“I don’t know. There might be some in the basement under the old City Hall, but very little survived Judgment Day.”
“Well then, do you think we’ve got time to send a couple of people on a quick investigation of those tunnels before Derek gets back?”
“I’ve got no idea when Derek will get back. That depends on Derek.”
“Who is the best explorer in the group here at this bunker?”
“I’d say either Frank or Jo.”
“Let’s see if they’re up for a little romp through the tunnels.”
Kyle told Frank and Jo what he wanted them to do and where he needed them to go.
I went back to see how the reprogramming was going and to see Allison again.
“Dammit. Stop!” I could hear Allison yelling.
I just walked through the door to my room when Allison yelled, “JOHN!”
“I hear you. What’s wrong?” I said clearing my head of the echo resounding within the room.
“The computer. Everything was going well until just a moment ago and then all this crazy text started appearing.”
I took one look at the computer screen and could see what Allison was talking about. Over top of the utility that was running to rewrite the chips a whole chorus of hexadecimal and ASCII characters were appearing filling lines and soon the lines began filling the screen and scrolling up.
I did the only thing I could do. I powered off the computer and unplugged the chip.
“This doesn’t look good.” I said.
“What’s wrong?”
“It could be any number of things really. The worse could be that my computer is failing. The next worse thing is that these chips can fight the reprogramming utility.”
“Is there a third?”
“Yeah, the chips could have found a way past the firewall and planted a virus.”
“What does this mean?’
“It means I won’t be able to reprogram the chips nor test the ones I have until I know it is safe to use the computer.”
“What can we do?”
“Well right now ‘we’ can’t do anything.”
“But Derek is counting on you to reprogram the machines.”
“I know. I’m going to have to go to someone for help.”
“Who?”
“Allison. You’ve shown me that you love me and trust me more than anyone else I’ve known, except for possibly my mother. What I’m going to tell you has got to remain between us. You can’t tell anyone. Not even Kyle or Derek.”
“I won’t. I promise. What is it?”
I closed the door and sat her down beside me on the bunk.
“I didn’t get to the main bunker on my own. I had help.”
“Who?”
“A friend, though I didn’t realize it at the time. But I realize now that she was a friend and was looking out for me.”
“She?”
“It’s not that sort of friendship. For one thing she looks old enough to be my mom. Her name is Catherine Weaver. She brought me to the bunker, the one you found me in. I didn’t say anything about her to protect her. She left me as soon as we heard people. She’s the only one who can help me right now.”
“Well how can she help?”
“Well, because she’s the one responsible for fixing my computer. If it wasn’t for her we wouldn’t have gotten as far as we have.”
“Well then how do we get in contact with her.”
“This is going to sound strange, but she may already know we need help.” I said, as I glanced at the cable that was part of her body.
“What is she psychic?”
“No, she just left me a gift and told me if I needed her all I would have to do was talk to it and she would hear me.”
“You do realize how strange that sounds?”
“Yeah I know. It sounded strange to me too.”
“How long until she gets here?”
“I don’t know. She has her own purpose for being here. She will show up whenever she’s free.”
“Don’t worry John. If she doesn’t arrive in time, we’ll figure something out.”
I gave her a hug in thanks for the support. It’s good having friends.
“I don’t know what I would do without you Allison.”
“Let’s go visit Kyle.”
“I’d guess we can tell him the bad news.”
----------------------
Don't Forget! Two new Chapters today!!
-- The1Russter 07-10-2009
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, Sep 16 2009, 6:08 PM EDT
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