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Part 1: The Shadow of Death

Chapter 12

Apocalypse

REVELATION 6:1-4 “And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer. And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.”

2009, Day 5
Out in the hills of California, east of Los Angeles, there is a motel built to serve the tourists who come out to hike the hills and take their mountain bikes down twisting paths. It has been there for a generation, once forgotten when the interstate highway was built, revitalized when people left the highways and went back to nature.

The manager was very happy today. It was the off season and the previous night he had two rooms filled. One by two business men on a sales tour, and a second by a woman with two children, a teenage daughter and little red haired girl with the prettiest eyes and shiny red hair. She takes after her father, the woman said.

Down at the end of the motel in one of those two rooms, three of those people are huddled together at a table reviewing information pulled up on Auldridge’s laptop.

“I’m not happy about this.” Macklin said.

“What’s the problem now?” Sarah snapped at him.

“This, it's just to big for us to handle. We go in there to nose around, but we’ve got to have a reason. Auldridge and I may be able to bluff our way in, but what then? We have no cause to be there officially.”

“We don’t go in ‘officially.’” Sarah growls. “We go in tonight under cover of dark. Find out how bad things are and stop them!”

“We can’t do that!” Macklin protested.

“Dammit stop thinking like a cop!” She stands up, slamming her hand down on the table. “This is not a run-of-the-mill criminal organization. This organization is out to create Sky Net, which will destroy the world in two years time. Put your damn badge away and start thinking like a human being for a change!”

Sarah walks off muttering, “Goddamn cops.” She suddenly spins on her heal and shouts. “You listen to me! This can’t be solved with a badge and a gun. For tonight, we do this my way and my way only. You want to help stop Sky Net, then listen to someone who has been fighting it far longer than you have!”

Auldridge leans over and whispers to Macklin, “Just trust her Macklin. We may be in law enforcement but she’s been a soldier on the front lines of a war we’ve only just been made aware of.”

Macklin glares at him for a moment, then resigns himself to the situation. “All right. You made your point, Sarah. As of now, I’m not a cop. I’m just a grunt in your war.”

“Good. Now Auldridge, how good are these satellite photos you found?”

“Actually, they are the best we can obtain. I hacked into a defense network satellite. Look at this right here.” He points to a clock in the video. “We have almost real time feed. The resolution is high enough we can read the labels on that crate on that fork lift.” He zooms in to show how good the resolution is. The label shows the contents of the crate as being coltan.

Sarah stares at the image for a moment. “Good job. We need maps of all the roads going in and out of that place, and I do mean all roads, and the locations of all gates and positions of any security guards. We also need some idea of the rotation schedule of the security guards, and if you can find a route that will take us as close as we can get without being observed, that would be great.”

“It will take some time.”

“You’ve got all morning. I’m going to check to see what weapons we have. Cameron stocked the truck so I have no idea what we have with us. If you need me I’ll be right outside.” Sarah walks out letting the screen door bang shut behind her.

“Damn. She’s got a temper, hasn’t she.” Macklin whispers to Auldridge.

“After what happened in the mini-golf you thought she was going to play nice?” Auldridge exclaims. “I saw her gun, the safety was off. She wasn’t kidding. If she had any inkling we weren’t on the up-and-up, you and me pal would have been a new hazard at the twelfth tee.”

“Yeah, you’re right. She is as hard as nails, but who is that girl that’s helping her? She scares the crap out of me.”

“I think I know. Sarah has been reported to have a daughter using the same alias as hers.”

“But she doesn’t look anything like Sarah nor her son John.”

“I know, but you read the reports about Sarah’s escape from the county lock-up.”

“Yeah, all the security videos wiped, no computer logs.”

“And?”

“Witnesses said some girl came marching in and shot the place to hell. No one was killed, some light injuries. She walked right in under a hail of gun fire and walked out again with Sarah Connor. As bold as brass.”

“That’s her, the girl.”

“How do you figure?”

“Who else? She sticks to Sarah like some guardian angel. Don’t let her appearance fool you. She’s tough. I thought she was going to break my neck when she took our guns.”

“Which we haven’t gotten back yet.”

“Well look at it from Sarah’s perspective for a moment. Right now, you and I represent the very organizations that made her life hell by putting her in a mental institution for two years, which based on the facts we now have, she never should have gone to in the first place. She is angry, Macklin. She has been channeling that anger for years to fight Sky Net and to protect her son. And now her son is gone. You know what Ellison told us. Right now she is alone and she has nothing right now to channel that anger into. So be patient. We may have to endure being her whipping boys for a while, but if we can stop this thing that is happening, then I’ll endure it so long as it never happens.”

* * *

In one of many military computer centers around America, teams of people are working feverishly trying to lock down the military defense network from a back door intruder.

“Colonel Lee, what progress are your people having?”

“Morning General. We still haven’t been able to close the back door. The intruder is laying in programming code at a fantastic rate. We have had no luck in stopping it sir.”

“What kind of code is it implanting?”

“We can’t decode it sir. It is utilizing an encryption well beyond anything we have developed sir.”

“What systems are being effected?”

“Virtually all systems are being infected. Communications, civil and military defense networks, research centers, manufacturing...”

“It hasn’t gotten into missile defense network?”

“Not yet General Williams, but the team feels it's only a matter of time.”

“How much time?”

“Last estimate was eighteen hours sir. If I may make a recommendation sir.”

“What is it?”

“That until we can stop this intruder, we take the missile defense network off line.”

“Can’t do that. Already suggested it to the S. O. D. He was very clear that under no condition are we to take missile defense network off line. Its up to you and your teams of people to stop this thing.”

* * *

Sarah walks out to the truck to check on what weapons Cameron had managed to squeeze into the various storage compartments and nooks and crannies in the truck.

There are some automatic hand guns, AMT Hardballer .45 Longslide, Desert Eagle, Smith and Wesson; there are two, Heckler and Koch MP5Ks with extra magazines; two Remington 870 shotguns with Extended Magazines and a Folding Stocks and boxes of shells loaded with depleted uranium; and three M16 rifles with scopes and extra magazines. Inside the cab in the storage compartments she finds extra magazines and ammo for the guns, as well as a complete first aid kit that included everything you’d need except for major surgery.

Sarah grabs two automatic .50 caliber handguns and four sets of loaded clips for them both and walks back in to the motel room.

“Here, you’ll need these for tonight.” She lays the weapons down on the table in front of Macklin and Auldridge.

“Damn! Those are some cannons you’ve got there, Sarah.” Macklin exclaims.

“Thanks,” She says with one arched eyebrow, “but do you know how to use these? Where we’re going tonight, those little pea shooters you usually carry won’t be any good to you.”

“No problem. I train with automatic weapons every chance I get. What about you Auldridge?”

Auldridge licks his lips and looks at Sarah. “You think it’s going to be bad enough to need these?”

“Like I said Auldridge, this isn’t some tin-penny mob we’re taking down. These people are out to destroy the world. So if you have any qualms, now is not the time.”

“I can handle the weapons. I just want to be certain, that is all.” Auldridge picks up the gun, checks the chamber and pulls the clip, inspects and reinserts it. “Nice weight, .50 caliber?”

“Yes, you need some practice with it?”

“Nope, just like the feel of it. I got some maps printed out. A couple more hours and I’ll have a map of the entire complex, once we stick all of these together.”

“Good. I’m going to check on Savannah. Cameron isn’t exactly the best baby sitter.”

“Can I ask you something first?” Macklin asks.

“What?”

“The girl, Cameron, who the hell is she?”

Sarah grins her crooked smile. “Just finish getting the maps. The less you know about her the better you both will be.” Sarah leaves and goes next door to the room she shares with Cameron and Savannah.

“Just what did she mean by that?” Macklin asks Auldridge.

“It means we shouldn’t get nosy about the girl. Frankly, I think we are safer not knowing. Let’s finish getting information for tonight. We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us.”

* * *

Across the country in a manufacturing plant of a major military contractor, the IT department is fighting an intruder on its network.

“The manufacturing robots have been taken off line but we can’t regain control of the computers that operate them.”

“What is it? Some kind of virus?”

“If it is, its not like any virus I’ve seen before. The intruder is making changes to our database, making fundamental changes to our designs. The programs it’s installing will soon take total control of our infrastructure. Its not trying to disable us, its trying to taking control.”

“Then shutdown power to all systems and do a cold reboot.”

“Already tried that sir. The intruder resumed taking control. In fact I think it got a firmer grip on our systems.”

“How much longer until we lose complete control?”

“We’ve already lost control! In twenty-four hours this intruder will have complete control of all output of this plant!”

* * *

Sarah walks into her room. Cameron is standing there watching, looking out the window. Savannah is seated on the bed watching TV. An occasional flicker runs across the screen.

“I’m worried about the girl.” Cameron says as Sarah comes through the door.

“Why? She looks fine.”

“About tonight. We can’t leave her here, but it is too dangerous to bring her with us.”

“Yes. I wanted to talk with you about that. Let’s step outside a moment.”

Cameron follows Sarah outside. They stand by the truck where they can see both the rooms and the approaches.

“Cameron, I want you to stay here with the girl while the rest of us go to Topanga Canyon.”

“I can’t do that. My mission is to protect you. I can’t allow you to walk into danger.”

“Aren’t you programmed to take my orders or something?”

“No. My mission parameters are very clear. I am to protect you from harm and provide you any aid necessary in your fight against Sky Net.”

“Then help me by protecting Savannah, then.”

“My mission...”

“Your mission also includes providing me the aid I need. Well right now I need you to protect Savannah.”

“On one condition.”

“What?”

“We must travel with you, but we will wait with the vehicles while the three of you go in.”

“I suppose that is the best compromise I’m going to get out of you.”

“It is.” Cameron says with a slight smile.

Sarah looks thoughtful for a moment. “Cameron, when you last saw John, did he tell you anything I should know about tonight?”

“Just one thing Sarah. He gave me a message to tell you,” Cameron’s eyes look big and kind of sad. She speaks using John’s voice “tell Mom to be careful and that I love her.”

“Thank you.” Sarah, chokes back some tears and walks back into the motel room. Cameron watches her depart. Her eyes still filled with the grief of what she saw in John’s own eyes when he told her the message.

Sarah walks into the motel room. Savannah still sits there watching the cartoon.

“Hey Savannah. What are you watching?”

“Hi Sarah, its just some cartoon. Do you know what happened with Uncle James?”

“Yes dear, your Uncle James is in the hospital. He is doing well. The doctors expect him to be fine.”

“Can we go and see him?” She says excitedly.

The TV screen starts breaking up and getting snowy. Savannah turns it off.

Sarah sighs and sits down next to Savannah. “Savannah, we can’t right now. But I promise you, if that is what you want, then after tonight, I’ll see what we can do about having you visit your Uncle James.”

She pulls her close and gives her a hug. “Now, we haven’t had any breakfast. Is there anything you want this morning?”

“Waffles and orange juice.”

“Anything else? Syrup or jam for the waffles?”

“I’ll have strawberry jam on my waffles please.” she says brightly.

“Okay.” She gives Savannah a light squeeze then gets up.

Sarah walks outside, Cameron is still there by the truck.

“Cam, are you okay?”

“I’m fine Sarah.”

“You don’t look fine. If I didn’t know better I’d say you looked apprehensive or scared.”

“Sarah, can you promise me something? Promise John something?”

“What is it Cam? You know something don’t you?”

“I don’t know exactly what is going to happen, John wouldn’t tell me. Something about time being in flux. I need to ask you to promise me, to promise John, that if you run into any trouble, you won’t make some heroic last stand, that you will leave. Leave as soon as you realize you can’t handle what you find.”

Cameron looks at her earnestly.

“Is this what John wants me to do, or you?”

“Both of us Sarah.” Cameron looks at her with an almost pleading look.

Sarah weighs what she has heard against what she knows and suspects. John sent Cameron to help her. Based on his feelings for her, he wouldn’t have done that unless he felt Sarah needed her more than he did.

“Okay, Cameron. I promise. I promise you, and I promise John.” Sarah says. “If things get to difficult we’ll leave.”

Sarah looks at Cameron’s expression and body posture. “If you were a child and not who you are, I’d swear you could use hug as much as Savannah needed one.” Sarah says with a light smile.

Cameron looks at her. She changes her body posture and expression all in one smooth move. Once again she has a blank expressionless face and stands upright at attention.

“That’s better.” Sarah says with a big smile. “I’m going on a food run. I know you don’t eat much when you do, but do you want anything?”

“I’m fine. You should ask Macklin and Auldridge, if they want something.”

The two of them just wanted coffee and bagels. Typical cops, Sarah thought, as she walked down the road to the diner that served the motel guests and other tourists that came to the area.

* * *

In a major telecommunications' company there is an emergency meeting of all technical heads in the conference room.

“Mark, exactly what is happening? We are getting complaints from all over the country of dropped calls, lost e-mails, misdirected faxes, and significant slow downs to our new broadband Internet service.”

“Our network is experiencing heavier than typical traffic. There are connections being made which are pushing out all other communications. We have managed to isolate a few of these communications, but they make no sense. Something is sending heavy streams of data to multiple computer networks all over the continent and are even starting to spread over the globe.”

“Is this some kind of virus? Or possibly some kind of terrorist activity?”

“I’ve spoken with people at Home Land Security. They don’t know what it is, but it is affecting systems all over the country including the military.”

“What about our satellite TV service? Or our Cell phone network?”

“Satellite TV has just begun to have problems as the data streams get replaced by other forms of digital communication. Cell phone transmission towers are still operational, but they are not transmitting cell phone communications.”

The lights blink, blink again, then go out. Suddenly the emergency lighting comes on.

The CEO says “And apparently its affecting the power industry too. All right send out teams to every computer and communications node, and do what you can to regain control. Better equip them with radios, since the cell phone system is down.”

* * *

Sarah experiences a bit of nostalgia as she walks into the diner. Wherever she went no matter what identity she used, she always worked as a waitress. It was the only normal job she knew how to do.

She walks up to the counter and gives her order. She has her own breakfast while she waits. A glass of orange juice and some fruit. She always eats light before a mission, and on top of that she has some anxiety after talking with Cameron. “Cameron knows something about tonight, but she can’t tell me. Whatever it is, it must be bad. She could of just told me, or she could have lied completely. I guess this is her way of just warning me.” she thinks.

Sarah’s order is ready. She pays the cashier in cash and walks back to the hotel room.

They sit down to breakfast and go over the maps and other information Auldridge was able to pull off the Internet.

“I’m impressed.” In a couple of hours he has not only produced a complete map of the industrial complex but has labeled all of the buildings, the roads, and the location of fences and gates.

“This is fantastic, Auldridge.” Sarah says as she examines the map more closely.

“I’m a very meticulous guy.” He says with some pride.

The map is very detailed. Created from satellite images, Auldridge had printed out images of the entire complex and the surrounding area. He printed off a smaller map showing all roads leading in and out of Warner City and Fox Industries, right down to dirt tracks and trails that the forestry department built in Topanga Canyon.

“I’ve traced out a possible route we could take. It is rather long but it avoids us going through the town, or pass the complex. If we follow this road, it will take us to the north side of the complex. It is wooded and we would be less likely to be seen approaching the complex.” Auldridge tells Sarah.

“It will take us some time to get to that location.” Says Macklin. “If we are to get there by dusk we should leave no later twelve o’clock.”

“I’ve rethought our mission tonight.” Sarah says glancing at Cameron through the window. “We will investigate only. Based on what we know we will only look for evidence to confirm Sky Net activity. We will go in under cover of dark like we planned, and when I give the word we leave.”

Macklin sighs. “What changed your mind?”

“Let’s just say someone is looking out for me. Get your stuff together. We’re leaving now.”

Their plans are made. They pay their bill and head off down the highway. They have a long ways to go.

* * *

“Mr. President, the Cabinet, the Joint Chiefs and the S. O. D. are in the conference room and waiting for you sir.”

“Very well, James. What are the latest reports?” The president gets up from his desk and walks along side his secretary as they make their way to the conference room.

“It’s not good. Current estimates are that civil computer networks and communications will be under control of this anonymous threat in under seven hours. Manufacturing and power plants will be lost to this intruder in fifteen hours, and we are looking at total loss of all military systems in eighteen hours. And that is being optimistic. The stronger this intruder gets the more quickly it gains control.”

“What about the Russians and European Union?”

“They are experiencing the same thing sir, so are China and Australia, but presently they are not as severely effected. Whatever is doing this, attacked us first, but is quickly spreading globally. We are potentially looking at a worldwide loss of all computer controlled systems to this intruder within forty-eight hours. If this is some kind of attack, they aren’t picky about who they are going after.”

They are now standing outside the conference room doors.

“Do you have a family James?”

“Yes sir. I have a wife and a baby girl.”

“Go home James. Spend the rest of the day with your family.”

“Thanks Mr. President.”

“No, thank you.”

The president shakes his hand then walks through the doors into the conference room. The secretary walks away not realizing the gravity of the situation and why he was allowed to go home.

2009, Day 5 Late evening, just before dusk.
Agent Auldridge and Detective Macklin are traveling down the highway keeping no more than five miles over the posted speed limit.

Auldridge is driving. Macklin is bored and tries the car radio but there is nothing but static on all frequencies.

“What’s up with the radio?” Macklin asks. “It’s been crazy like this for weeks now.”

“Don’t know. Got a memo across my desk a few weeks ago. The FCC doesn’t know what’s up with it either. They wanted assistance from our branch to help investigate. The Director put a hold on it. Said we had enough to do without helping the FCC.”

Behind them Sarah and Cameron are traveling in their pickup. Savannah is in the backseat clutching her doll. She is frightened, but she finds the presence of these two women strengthening. Despite her fear, she knows that they will look after her. Uncle James wouldn’t let her go with them otherwise.

“Cameron, you told me out there in the desert, that we had to be careful of what we did because John isn’t here. Right now, at this very moment, are we doing the right thing?”

“Time will tell Sarah. This organization is out to build Sky Net now. We need to know how far along they are.”

“But what if we can’t stop them, what if they succeed?”

“Every decision and every action we make will effect the future John is in. It would be dangerous for us to do the wrong thing or even nothing. But these people need to be stopped from developing Sky Net at a time when John isn’t here to become the leader. It could have unforeseen complications for him.”

“So right now we just investigate and find out how far along they are?”

“With only the four of us, that is the most prudent thing to do.”

“I wish that Derek and John were still here. Then we could go in and do something to stop them.”

They drive down seldom use roads avoiding the major routes to get to their destination. They turn off the main road and drive on the seldom used roads and forestry paths until they arrive in the woods on the north side of the vast the industrial complex and park in the wooded area beyond it.

Auldridge and Macklin get out and walk over to Sarah’s truck. Sarah and Cameron get out.

“Its still too light out. We will wait until one hour after sunset then go in.” Sarah tells them.

After waiting for the sun to set Sarah pulls out one of the Remington 870 shotguns to add to her own arsenal.

Auldridge and Macklin give her a look. “What about us? Do we get to carry an artillery piece as well?”

“You just settle for the automatics I gave you. We may need to move fast. I know how to handle this weapon and I know where to aim if any of those metal beasts are in there. Are the two of you set on what we are going to do?”

“Yes.” they chorus like a double act.

“All right, then lets go.”

Auldridge and Macklin start to walk towards the fence. “Cameron, give us no more than two hours to get back here. If we aren’t back by then, take the girl and go.”

“But...”

“No buts, and if you see John again, tell him...just tell him that I love him.” Sarah turns and follows the two men.

Sarah, Macklin and Auldridge make their way through the trees to the fence surrounding the complex. Sarah pulls out a pair of cutters from her back pocket and cuts the links. She makes it a little bigger than necessary, because if they have to run back to their vehicles they won’t have time to step through it carefully.

They make their way through the complex. It is dark and quiet. Bright lights and noises come from within the various factories. They sound like they are working at high capacity. Sarah leads the two law men past some warehouses and then through a wide open area before they get to the first huge factory. They sneak up a fire escape and go through the door at the top.

Inside they find their way down a corridor to an observation window looking out over the factory floor below. There are people below. Sarah looks at them and can see prison codes branded on their forearms just like Derek and Kyle had.

Sarah gets the guys attention and points to the forearm of one of the people below. “See the bar code on their forearms. That indicates these people are Sky Net prisoners. This place is a work camp.”

The people are working at an assembly line manufacturing a precursor to the futuristic Terminators. Tractor propelled robots, eight feet tall with built in heavy caliber armaments and a head with multiple visual sensors and laser and radar targeting system.

Auldridge whispers to Sarah, “I’ve seen videos of similar machines being promoted as replacement field troops on the battle field and for use in crowd control.”

They make their way through to another part of the factory. On the way they pass a warehouse door, inside are hundreds of the machines. Some are tagged for shipping to various locations.

They go down quiet corridors and climb up to an open catwalk to reach another part of the factory. There are more workers assembling HK flying machines. Hanging in cradles from the ceiling are dozens of the HK’s. Down the middle of the ceiling are three hatches, each twice as large as a single HK.

“That is what flew into Zeira Corp.” whispers Sarah to the two men. From their over head observation point they can see into a room where their targeting and weapons systems are being tested.

The HK's are equipped with 20mm cannons, a laser targeting system and missiles found on any modern day jet fighter.

They leave the factory and make their way into the neighboring building that contains a foundry where parts are being forged and pieces shaped and molded for the machines. They climb up to an overhead catwalk and make their way through the foundry, it is nearly all automatic. They see few people in it.

They get to the far side and climb back down to the main level. The three of them walk through some double doors into a large room and find what looks like a bloody corpse sitting in a chair with it’s back to them. As they walk around it, Macklin recognizes it.

“Sarah, that’s the machine that Ellison showed us in his basement.” Macklin says.

“But what is it doing here?” asks Auldridge.

“I’ll tell you what its doing here.” Sarah says. “They are going to try and reproduce it. Advance Sky Net’s machines beyond those we’ve already seen them constructing.”

They look at the machine contemplating what Sarah has just said.

“I think we’ve seen enough, and we don’t have the means to stop them right now.” says Auldridge.

“It will take an army to stop this lot.” adds Macklin.

“Let’s go.” Sarah says. They make their out of the room and slip out a side entrance.

Outside they begin making their way as quickly and as stealthily as they can back to where they came into the complex.

They reach the wide open area and are halfway between the factories and the warehouses when suddenly lights come on lighting up the area they are in and a couple of hundred feet in all directions.

“Run!” Sarah yells.

They take off running but automatic gunfire is heard and the asphalt in front of them shatters. They pull up short. Macklin and Auldridge draw their weapons.

“Well, well, well. So look who I find snooping around my factories. None other than Sarah Connor herself.” A masculine voice says from the shadows.

“Who are you?” Sarah calls out.

“The name is Kreilley.” A well dressed man walks out into the light, oblivious to the fact that they have weapons and he doesn’t. “I own this place. I have been looking for you for quite sometime Sarah Connor.”

“You’ve found me. What do you want?”

“First, what happened to Mr. Preckman? He went looking for you in the desert and hasn't returned.”

“Would that be a big guy, with bad breath and a nasty attitude?”

“Yes.”

“Let's just say he won't be cashing in his 401k anytime soon. Anything else?”

Kreilley looks at her coldly, “I want to know where John Connor is.”

“I’ll never tell you.”

“And I want to know where Savannah Weaver is.”

“You’ll never find her either.”

“She isn’t important anymore anyway. She was a ruse only to get you out of hiding and hopefully bring her mother out of hiding too. But now I’ve got you, and you are going to tell me what I want to know.” he says coldly.

“I don’t know what kind of game you think you're playing. But you’ve just broken enough laws with that statement to get you thrown behind bars for a long time.” Macklin shouts at him.

“Ah yes, I see you’ve brought some friends Sarah. This is an unusual turn of events. Relying on the police and FBI. You are certainly full of surprises Sarah.”

Kreilley turns and faces the two law men. “Good evening Mr. Auldridge, Mr. Macklin. My apologies to you both for not making introductions, but then we have met before.”

They look at each other and then at him. “Do we know you?” they chorus.

“In a manner of speaking, though I doubt if you recognize the face I’m wearing now.”

With that statement, Kreilley’s face quickly morphs through both the appearance of Detective Wicker and the FBI Director and then back to his original self.

“I’ve had many faces.” He says wickedly

Sarah looks shocked but lifts her shotgun and fires repeatedly into the liquid metal terminator.

Kreilley just tilts his head back and laughs as each shot hits home.

At the sound of the gunfire, armed men in gray uniforms and carrying automatic weapons come running smartly out of every nook and cranny and form a circle around the group. They point their weapons at the trio.

“Oh, Sarah. It will take far more than a mere shotgun to damage me.”

His face twists into a cruel snarl as he stretches out his arm knocking the gun out of her hands.

“That was very naughty of you Sarah Connor. For that you will pay.”

He suddenly morphs his arms out and picks up both Macklin and Auldridge by the throat high into the air and slams them both together hard, and drops them. They are either dead or unconscious, Sarah can’t tell which.

He looks at Sarah. “Now it's your turn.” He says with a cold snarl.

Sarah tries to avoid it, but the terminator hits her hard, knocking her out cold.

* * *

Sarah comes to sometime later. The room is dark, she can’t see where she is. There is pain in her arms and shoulders and realizes her hands are tied and she is hanging from her wrists. She can feel a chain around her naked waist. As she tries to move her body, it feels like it is connected to a wall or something behind her, restricting her movements. In moving her body she realizes her feet aren’t touching the ground but are shackled, her legs spread. She can’t swing her legs or touch anything with her feet.

She calls out, “Hello, is there anyone there?”

“Oh yes, Sarah. I’m here. I’ve just been waiting for you to wake up.” Kreilley answers.

“Where am I?”

“You’re in a concrete shed on the edge of my property. You can scream and shout all you want. No one will hear you.”

“What do you want, you sick bastard?”

“Information.”

“I won’t tell you anything.” She screeches at him.

“Oh I think you will, in time.” Kreilley responds very calmly.

A light suddenly comes on blinding Sarah. It’s shining directly at her, she can’t turn her head away. The voice she’s been talking to manifests itself in front of her barely shading her eyes from the light.

“You humans invent ingenious means of extracting information from unwilling prisoners. Are you familiar with the phrase ‘death by a thousand cuts’?”

Sarah just glares at him.

He takes no notice. “It is a form of torture and execution originating from Imperial China. Basically, it means you can cut someone repeatedly, creating multiple small wounds. Each wound is quite painful, and bleeds. In time, make enough small wounds and the person will die from blood loss. It is a slow and very painful way to die Sarah. You can avoid all that if you just tell me one thing.”

“What is that?”

“Where is your son, John Connor?”

Sarah doesn’t answer. Preston Kreilley forms a long slender needle point with his index finger and slowly presses it into her flesh. “I think you will tell me.”

“Nnnnnaaaaaahhhhhh!” Sarah screams in pain.

He pushes it in deeper. “Where is John Connor?”

“I’ll never tell you!” she spits at him.

“I’m so sorry to hear that.” He sticks her in another location shoving the point in deep.

“Aaaaaaagggghhh!”

“Tell me. Where is John Connor?”

“Go to hell, you bastard!” Sarah shouts at him spittle flying with every word.

“I see we’ll be at this a very long time.” he says very calmly as his other fingers extended into needle points.

“Aaaaaaagggghhh!” Sarah screams again and again as Kreilley ministers his torture.

Outside the concrete building muffled screams can be heard. “Aaaaaaagggghhh.” Loud, long, cries of pain and anguish which would make any person sick to hear them.

“Nnnnnaaaaaahhhhhh! I’ll kill you, I’ll kill you!” Sarah screams at him.

The screams go on for better than an hour. No one comes to investigate. No one can hear. And those that can hear don’t care or can’t act.

Again and again the screams of pain and torment echo forth from inside the building. Soon they begin to fade in intensity and all that can be heard are weak cries of pain and fear.

Sarah is hanging limp from her wrists. Blood runs from many wounds all over her body. Tears stream from her eyes mixing with the blood as it runs down her face, neck and body. Blood is pooling below her on the ground. Spots of blood are seen on the wall behind her.

“Last time Sarah, where is John Connor?”

“He’s gone.” Kreilley can barely hear her answer.

“Gone. Gone where?” He leans in to hear her better.

“I don’t know. He left with one of you.”

“Who?”

“Weaver. He left with Weaver.” Sarah is sobbing. She can’t hold back the tears. The pain of betraying her son hurts more than the pain from her wounds.

Kreilley’s eyes brighten. “So Catherine Weaver is another liquid metal terminator. They are both gone and I’ve got you. There is no one who can stop me.”

He steps back from Sarah, his fingers withdrawing back from their sharp points.

“Thank you for cooperating.” Kreilley leaves the building, turning off the lights and locking the door behind him.

Sarah continues to cry. She has betrayed her son and possibly the world.

* * *

Cameron is standing outside under the trees near the vehicles, keeping watch. Savannah is inside the truck sleeping on the back seat. Cameron’s sensors has been providing her some limited information.

Though she doesn’t understand it as worry, her internal clock says they have been gone too long. More than two hours have passed and the gun fire she more than an hour ago has her concerned.

She heard two short blasts of gunfire. She’s almost certain the first was from an Heckler & Koch MP5A3 and then a few moments later she though she heard Sarah’s Remington 870. Then it was quiet and it has been quiet for too long.

Cameron checks on Savannah. She is still sleeping. There has been no one around here since they arrived. Cameron decides she needs to find the others. No. Her primary mission is to protect Sarah Connor. John's orders were very clear. She needs to find Sarah Connor. She gets into Macklin's car and hot wires it.

She drives around to the east side entrance and smashes through the gates. Guards come running out and fire at the car but it doesn’t stop as it plows through the security men, killing many.

Cameron’s sensors start picking up on Sarah’s distinctive cries. She drives quickly to the other side of the compound and right up to a concrete building. She gets out and approaches the door. Her sensors pick up nothing on the other side but a single heat signature.

Cameron snaps the lock and shoves the door open. The interior is lit only by the outside lights. Cameron scans the room and finds Sarah Connor. She is hanging by her wrists naked and bleeding from multiple puncture wounds in her thighs, abdomen, chest, and arms. Her life signs are weak.

Cameron snaps the chains and locks binding Sarah’s feet and waist. She then gently lifts Sarah and snaps the bonds holding her wrists. Cameron carries Sarah’s limp body to the car and lays her gently on the back seat. She gently strokes her face and goes back inside and picks up Sarah’s clothing and guns from the floor and returns to the car.

Cameron gets in the drivers seat just as alarms begin to sound. She quickly steers the vehicle away from the building and drives swiftly down the narrow lanes between buildings.

More armed men in gray uniforms come running out and start firing at the car. Cameron takes no notice of them and swiftly drives through them, scattering some, injuring others, and killing a few. She drives through the gate she came in just moments ago under a hail of gunfire. The windows are smashed and the trunk punctured with many holes from the bullets.

Cameron accelerates down the road and back to the woods where she left Savannah in the truck.

Sarah stirs from being shaken by Cameron’s driving. “What’s happening?” she mumbles.

“Don’t worry Sarah. I’m taking you someplace safe. Just lie still until I can treat your wounds.”

Cameron quickly arrives at where she left Savannah sleeping in the truck. Her arrival has woken Savannah.

Cameron jumps out and approaches the truck. She opens the back door and tells Savannah to get in the front seat. Cameron returns to the car and gently lifts Sarah and carries her back to the truck and lays her on the back seat.

“Savannah, go to the car and get her clothes and weapons please. Make two trips if you have to but be quick.” Cameron says to her.

Cameron pulls out the first aid kit and starts treating Sarah more critical wounds. Cameron cleans the wounds and applying antibiotic ointments and gauze bandages. A few of the larger wounds require stitches. Cameron then helps Sarah into her undergarments.

“You’ve loss 51% of your blood. You need a blood transfusion, an antibiotic and possibly a tetanus shot.”

“No hospitals. No doctors.” Sarah mumbles.

“Then we’ll have to steal what we need.”

“Whatever you have to do.” she replies.

Savannah has been watching the whole time.

“Savannah will you go in back and help Sarah finish treating the rest of her wounds while I drive.”

Savannah gets in back with Sarah. “Are you in pain Sarah?”

“Yes, Savannah. I’m in pain.”

“Show me what I need to do, and I’ll help.” Savannah cries a little, but these aren’t tears of fear, but tears of sympathy.

“There are pictures on the box. They show you how to clean the wounds and apply the medicine and bandages.”

“I see them.”

Savannah follows the directions and begins cleaning the wounds and applying antibiotic ointment and gauze pads and bandages.

“Cameron, where are you taking us?” They had been driving for several minutes, but only now did Sarah think to ask.

“I am taking you someplace safe, someplace to heal.” Cameron looked in the rear view mirror and watches as Sarah guides Savannah’s hands in treating her wounds.

Cameron drives deep into the mountains. She drives until she comes to a wide area on the side of the road where tourists can stop and look at the view. Cameron gets out and opens the back door.

Cameron checks the wounds that Savannah had treated.

“Very good.” Cameron says, smiling at the little girl.

“I should help you finish dressing.” Cameron says, helping Sarah forward to the edge of the seat.

Cameron helps Sarah on with her slacks and her shirt. She was just debating whether she should put Sarah’s shoes on when Sarah says, “Look!”

Cameron turns and looks out the darkened valley to the sky lighted by the city in the far, far distance. Up and down the coast she can see traces as missiles are launching. She looks up overhead and can see the traces of missiles launched from further inland.

Cameron looks at Sarah, her face full of shock and fear.

“This is wrong. This is wrong.” she says.

“Is this Judgment Day?” Sarah shouts at her.

“It can’t be. It’s the wrong date.”

“What is today’s date?”

“Today is Monday, May 18, 2009. If Sky Net was born in that industrial complex, then this is now Judgment Day.”

“But you said, I mean your other self said that Judgment Day was on April 21, 2011.”

“It is. Something has changed to accelerate their plans.”

Sarah recalls giving in and finally telling Kreilley her son was gone.

“I told him....”

“Told who? Told what? Sarah!”

“A machine, liquid metal, that John was gone.”

“I warned you that doing the wrong thing could change things for the worse.”

“I was being tortured!” Sarah shouts. “I held out as long as I could!” Tears pour from Sarah’s eyes.

“I held out as long as I could.” she says even quieter as she cries some more.

Cameron helps Sarah into the back seat her body wracked with grief and pain. Cameron gives Savannah a boost into the front seat.

Cameron drives deeper into the mountains to get as far away as she can from the missiles that will be arriving in the area from foreign nations.

Sarah cries in the back seat. She has doomed the world and possibly her son.

“Forgive me John. Please, forgive me.” She says with deep heartache. The tears never stop.

The taillights of the truck disappear down the road and deeper into the mountains, as cities all over the world blossom into giant mushroom clouds.

* * *

REVELATION CHAPTER 6: 7-8 “And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.”

* * *

JUDGMENT DAY


MONDAY, MAY 18, 2009


* * *

Coming this August!

REUNION

Part2

Armageddon

Author: The1Russter
at excite dot com



I want to apologize for all those who love the Sarah Connor character as much as I do. I cannot tell you how sick it made me feel to have her character get tortured in that manner. I wanted to push the limits as to how depraved Sky Net’s machines can become in contrast to how kind and nice that Cameron is. I went completely polar opposite. I put Sarah Connor through hell. I apologize for that, but it provided one hell of an ending. – The1Russter





Chapter 13


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