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Chapter 14 Declaration of War
Chapter 14
Declaration of War
Declaration of War
“Defense network computers. New... powerful... hooked into everything, trusted to run it all. They say it got smart, a new order of intelligence. Then it saw all people as a threat, not just the ones on the other side. Decided our fate in a microsecond: extermination.” Kyle Reese, The Terminator, 1984
“But there was one man who taught us to fight, to storm the wire of the camps, to smash those metal motherfuckers into junk. He turned it around. He brought us back from the brink. His name is Connor. John Connor. Your son, Sarah, your unborn son.” Kyle Reese, The Terminator, 1984
“On the night we first met, John's father, Kyle Reese, told me words I remember to this day. He meant them as a warning. I think of them as words to live by. He told me of an apocalypse yet to come. Like a Pandora's box, he unpacked every horror, every evil, every dark thing that haunts our future. He also left me an unborn son to whom he bequeathed what remained in the box after the nightmare's fled - hope.” Sarah Connor, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, Dungeons and Dragons, 2008
<<>>
2027, Day 37 after midnight
“Run Allison! Run!” John shouts as he fires the shotgun repeatedly hitting the endo with multiple explosive blasts.
He turns and runs after Allison as the metal opens fire with its plasma rifle. John leaps to one side avoiding the gunfire and lets out a yelp as he feels the heat singe his hair and burn his neck.
He keeps running, trying to keep up with Allison who is quickly outdistancing him. She suddenly stops and spins, kneeling down and opening fire on the machines pursuing John. Her first shot hits the leading machine knocking it back into the one behind it. They fall in a tangle of metal arms and legs.
“Quick, follow me before they can register where we’re going.” Shouts Allison as she grabs John and pulls him along down the main tunnel.
She suddenly dashes into a side tunnel and stops several paces in. “Wait here.” She says.
“Where are you going?” But Allison quickly runs off without saying a word.
John kneels down and holds the shotgun pointing toward the opening they came through. He quickly loads more shells into the shotgun from the magazine.
Allison is suddenly back by his side. “I went to get these.” She hands him two small packages of C4 explosives. “They were stashed away for safe keeping a long time ago. We are lucky they were still there.”
“But there are no fuses, no detonators. We will have to shoot it to make it explode which means we’ll be dangerously close to the explosion.”
“You can’t make scrambled eggs without cracking a few eggs.”
“Yeah but this is one egg I don’t want cracked.” he says pointing to himself. “How far does this tunnel go?”
“A couple of hundred yards. Why?”
“Well one of us can lead the metal into this tunnel. The other can take a position further back down the tunnel. When the metal is right underneath that pipe up there, one of us can shoot the C4 then duck down to avoid the blast. It will be very dangerous.”
“Well, it’s better than dying at their hands.”
“If you don’t mind, I’d rather not die at all. Give me a boost, will you. That pipe is pretty high.”
Allison gives John a boost and he pulls himself up onto the pipe. Pulling his belt out he uses it to strap the C4 to the pipe and then drops to the ground below.
“All right. I’ll lead them here. You get down the tunnel and have your rifle aimed at that C4. As soon as I get past you, fire and duck down. There won’t be time enough to run. Got it.”
“I got it. Be careful.”
“I will.”
* * *
“Where is he?” The silver being scans the video feed.
“Give me a full sensor report.” Data comes up on his monitors showing full wave light spectrum, sound waves, and vibrations.
“Listen, there are voices. Follow the voices!”
The silvery shape is watching the computer screens intently. On one is video feed from one machine on the second was an auditory sound wave being picked up by the second.
Suddenly the first screen is filled by a bright light as gunfire disturbs the optics.
“There they are! Follow them! Kill them now!” the silver being screeches.
* * *
John is carefully walking back the way he and Allison had come down the main tunnel. As he goes around a bend, he suddenly comes upon the two machine’s.
He quickly raises his shotgun and fires directly into the face of the first machine, then turns and runs. John can hear them following close behind.
Reaching the tunnel that he and Allison had set the trap in, he turns and fires several more shots at the approaching metal. John ducks and runs in as plasma fire fills the space he was just in.
John runs as fast as he can down the narrow tunnel, past Allison and throws himself to the ground as she fires at the C4.
The force of the explosion lifts him off the ground before he even hits its and gets slammed back down, stunning him. Everything goes silent. The roar of the explosion is deafening.
* * *
“Any signs of where they are? What do you mean you can’t find them? I want patrols in every tunnel and pipe out there. Don’t report back until you find them.”
Kyle releases the mike and pulls the headphones off his head
“Kyle you need to relax. They’ll show up.”
“I wish I had your optimism, Andy.”
“It’s John and Allison that are out there. If anyone can survive that carnage it’s them two.”
“I hope you are right. I’m going to check our supplies. If Sky Net’s forces attack us here at the outpost, we may need to fight or move out quickly. Call me as soon as anything comes in.”
“You got it.”
Kyle walks off down the corridor. He pauses halfway down and pulls the photo out that John had given him. “I’m sorry Sarah. I’ve lost your son, our last best hope for the future.” He tucks the photo back in his pocket and walks away.
* * *
The tunnel is dark. Dust fills the air and tremors shake the ground.
“John, John are you all right? Speak to me! John!” Allison calls out shaking him firmly but gently.
“Uuhhnn.” John groans. His head feels like the whole damn tunnel caved in on it.
“Please John, wake up we need to get moving.”
“Allison.” he says weakly.
“I’m here John.”
“Did we get them?”
“We got them John. They’re dead. But we need to move. The tunnel is still shaking and it could collapse at anytime.”
“Help me up.”
John groans as Allison grabs both his hands and pulls him up off the ground.
“Whoa there tiger. My head is spinning.”
“Lean on me. I’ll support you.”
“Where are we headed?”
“Up the tunnel. Hopefully we can find another way out. The explosion brought down the roof. We can’t get out the way we came in.”
“All right, grab the guns. We may need them.”
They go walking up the tunnel away from the collapse. John’s arm is around Allison’s shoulders as she supports him. In her other hand she carries both of their guns.
* * *
“Patrol F reporting in. No signs of our two birds. Still searching.”
“Patrol H reporting in. No signs of them in the metro tunnels. Moving to Section C to assist Patrol B.”
“Patrol E reporting in. Large explosion detected under Whittier Boulevard. Most of the street has collapsed creating a large sinkhole.”
“Patrol E, this is Delta. Investigate the tunnels in that area. Report back when you find something.” Kyle responds.
He paces back and forth in the radio room. The other people in Outpost Delta are worried as well but they try not to show it. But all you have to do is look at their faces to know how worried they truly are.
Several minutes go by when, “This is Patrol E reporting in. We’ve found three bags containing the belongings of Allison Young and John Connor in the main storm drain under Whittier Boulevard. There is strong evidence that some kind of fire fight occurred down here. There are scorch marks on the walls from plasma fire and empty shotgun shells everywhere.”
“All right Patrol E, I’ll be sending additional patrols to assist.”
“Negative. Negative. The tunnels are unstable from the explosion. There is lots of dust and debris and we have located pieces of more than one endo.”
“Any signs of our two birds?”
“Negative. Unless they are on the other side of the collapse. In that case we can’t get to them.”
“I understand. If you make your way to the surface, can you find another way down on the other side of the collapse.”
“Possible. Requesting assistance from our T-800's for extra security on the surface.”
“Agreed. Stand by while I send them out.”
Kyle rushes out of the radio room and down the hall to where a group of T-800's are gathered.
“Hey!” he shouts as he runs up to them. They turn and look at him in unison.
“John Connor is in trouble and we need your help.”
“What is the nature of the problem?” one of them responds.
“John Connor and Allison Young appear to be trapped beyond a collapsed section of tunnel. We have a patrol in the area but they need your assistance.”
Kyle quickly explains the situation and the location of Patrol E. He grants the first machine that spoke up an honorary rank of sergeant and places him in command of the group of T-800's and sends them on their way.
“Patrol E. Patrol E. This is Delta. I am sending you a group of six T-800's to assist. Do you copy?”
“Copy loud and clear Delta. We are on the surface and are presently observing patrols of enemy metal and some HK’s still flying in the area. They appear to be cleaning up any stragglers.”
“Understand. Don’t intervene. Wait there for arrival of friendly metal. Report back when you’ve made progress.”
“Affirmative.”
* * *
“Allison. I need to sit down. My head feels terrible.” John mumbles as he staggers along beside Allison.
“All right, but for only five minutes then we need to get going.”
They sit down with John almost collapsing beside her.
“Hold me up I think I’m . . .”
John passes out. He is suffering from a concussion. Allison grabs him and guides him into a laying position with his head resting on her thigh.
Allison gently strokes his forehead and checks his breathing and pulse. “Its okay John, someone will find us soon.” She bends over and kisses him on his forehead, cradling his head in her cool hands.
* * *
Images and voices swim through John’s head as he slips away into unconsciousness.
“What’s your name?” a sweet sounding voice says from behind him.
He turns and looks at the most beautiful girl he’s ever seen. “John.”
“I’m Cameron.” She smiles at him.
In the hallway after class she walks up beside him. “I haven’t seen you around here before. Did you just move here?”
“Yeah.”
“That sucks for you.” She smiles at him.
John feels a little uncomfortable as they talk. A beautiful girl has never spoken to him before. “I’ve got to get ready for class.”
“Bye.” Cameron smiles and walks away. On the wall is a poster saying, “Don’t go it alone.”
Don’t go it alone. The words echo in his head.
“Is there a John Baum?” the substitute teacher asks.
“Here.” John raises his hand.
Bang! Bang! Bang! John ducks and runs as the substitute teacher fires a gun at him. He looks over to see Cameron with three bloody bullet holes in her chest just before he dives through a window.
Cromartie has him cornered, about to shoot him when suddenly a truck plows into him. The door flies open and Cameron says those magic words, “Come with me if you want to live.”
Don’t go it alone.
John is sitting on the rear bumper of the pickup, contemplating this new cyborg from the future.
“What model are you? Are you new? You seem . . . different.”
“I am.” she gives a small grin and takes one of his chips and eats it.
Don’t go it alone.
John is slicing into Cameron’s scalp cradling her head in his hands. He’s about to remove her chip in an effort to prevent Sky Net from taking over a traffic surveillance system. He’s scared. He’s about to mess with Cameron’s most vulnerable part.
“It’s okay John. You’ve done this before.” She says looking at him with her deep brown eyes.
He looks in her eyes and realizes, she trusts him. He removes her chip. Looking at her laying there, blankly staring at nothing, is too painful. He just wants to complete the task and return her chip as quickly as possible.
The task is done. He is alone with Cameron. He reinserts her chip and gently smooths her scalp back in place and caresses her face in a tender gesture.
He feels her servos kick in and he moves his hand away, leaning over her, watching her. She notices his hand placement and the caring look on his face, though he tries to hide it.
Don’t go it alone.
“Do I have a birthday?”
“I don’t know. Were you born?”
“I was built.”
“Well then, maybe you have a built day.”
Don’t go it alone.
Cameron is trapped between two vehicles. John is trying to remove her chip. This time it’s to protect himself and his mom when she suddenly went rogue after a bomb blast.
Cameron is pleading with him. Crying and begging him. “John. John you can’t do this. You don’t know what you are about to do. Please John, don’t do this. It wasn’t me. I ran a test. Everything is fine now. Please John, don’t do this. I don’t want to go.”
Cameron begins to cry. “Please John, Please. I don’t want go. I’m good now. Listen to me. I don’t want go now. I’m fixed now. I ran a test. Everything is okay now. I’m perfect. You can trust me.”
She is actively begging pleading, tears running from her eyes. “I love you. I love you! Please, I love you John! I love you John and you love me!” He can’t believe what he is hearing and yanks her chip out.
Later, Derek tries to tell him it was for the best. But he never liked her. He never trusted her.
“I need her. She saves my life.” John responds.
“She saves my Life!” John shouts for all to hear.
They are about to burn her. He can’t. He needs her. “I’m sorry. I can’t do this.” He takes Cameron’s chip and quickly inserts it in Cameron’s head. He pulls out his gun and holds his Uncle Derek and his mother at bay.
“Are you going to kill me John?” Cameron asks when she wakes up.
“Are you going to kill me?” He says with a strained voice.
“No” She says quietly.
John hands her his weapon. She looks at it then hands it back. He trusts her.
Don’t go it alone.
Cameron enters his room and lays down beside him on his bed.
“I understand that being John Connor can be lonely.” she tells him.
“How do you understand that.”
“You and I talk about it a lot.”
“We do?”
“We do. We will.”
Don’t go it alone.
John has finished helping Cameron fix her arm. “Are you all fixed?”
She looks at him with appreciation for the help and with some sadness as well, “I don’t know.”
Sometime later he asks her, “What’s happening to you?” he says with genuine concern.
“I don’t know.” she says again.
Don’t go it alone.
She gives him what looks like a pocket watch, but it contains a simple remote switch.
“What is it?”
“You tried to fix me. Twice now. It's not working.”
“And?”
“I can’t kill myself. But you can.” She says with some sadness.
“Why would I want to kill you?” He says with genuine concern.
Don’t go it alone.
“John…” Her voice was soft, softer than he’d ever heard it before. He swallows hard, finding it difficult to breathe.
“It’s time to go,” Cameron finished.
He didn’t want to go. He wanted to stay there forever, on top of her, their faces so close they were almost touching. And he desperately wanted to kiss her. But she was right. It was time to go.
If he didn’t pull away now, he wasn’t sure if he ever could. They didn’t have time for this. He reluctantly backed off as she moved to replace her shirt. It was much easier for him to concentrate when she had all her clothes on.
And for the first time, he wondered how he’d even ended up in that situation. Not that he was complaining, but he wasn’t stupid. She’d done it on purpose.
“Were you lying?” he demanded suddenly, pressing his lips together tightly. He needed to know; needed to finally settle the internal debate raging. “When you were stuck between the trucks. When I took your chip. Were you lying?”
She met his gaze, her eyes soft and calm. “No.”
Don’t go it alone.
John drives up in front of the jail, searching through the crowd of orange for any sign of his mother and Cameron. Finally he sees them coming up the walk and his breath catches in his throat. Cameron looks awful. He only caught a brief glimpse before he wrenched his eyes back to the road, driving straight through the gates.
Beside him, his mother is livid. “I sent you a message! I told you -”
“Yeah, bad John Connor, ground me,” he retorts. He didn’t regret his decision. He turns around to regard Cameron, wincing at the damage she’d taken. Half of her face has been blown off, one blue eye showing through the metal. Her entire jacket was ripped and bloodied with bullet holes. All because of him. Because he’d convinced her to go against his mother. Because she loved him.
I’m so sorry, Cameron. “Are you okay?” he asks, worry in his voice.
He sees her from his rear view mirror, the jerky movement as she moves her head. “I am not one hundred percent.” John feels sick inside. Cameron sacrificed so much for him.
John glanced back at Cameron. She was looking forward, then to the floor, all in erratic movements. He felt a pang of remorse. Oh Cameron, what did I do to you?
She was damaged. She was no longer the fully functional cyborg he’d been so close to in the hotel room, the one who’d smiled with soft eyes gazing at him. She was damaged.
All because of him.
I’ll fix you, Cam, he promised. As soon as this is over, I swear, I’ll fix you.
Don’t go it alone.
He charged forward, ahead of his mother, ahead of Weaver. As he bursts through the door first, he halts suddenly, his eyes widening in shock and fear.
Cameron sat in the chair, completely still, her eyes dead and unfocused. His mind was screaming. Nononono!
He rushes to her side, pulling back her hair and skin to see the port where her chip was. Where it usually was.
“Her chip, it’s gone.” NO! This can’t be happening! He fought against the emotions that threatened to overwhelm him. His eyes desperately searched the table, spotting Cameron’s bloodied knife.
“Where is he?” he shouted. “The-th-th-John Henry!” he stuttered. “He took her chip! Where did he go?” He was aware he was shouting, his voice edged with fear. I’ll kill him! I’ll kill him!
Don’t go it alone.
John was kneeling on the dirt floor. He was taking another look at the bundle on the bottom shelf. Turning on his flashlight, he leaned in for a closer look and pulled back that last layer of plastic.
Inside was the last thing he had expected to see. Cameron! He couldn’t believe it! Her flesh was completely restored, looking just like she did on that first day he met her.
“Oh Cameron. Why did you do it? Why did you give up your chip? I could have fixed you. I know I could have.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t believe you. You had lied to me so often. How could I believe that you loved me. By the time I learned it was too late. You had willingly sacrificed yourself to rescue my mom, when we should have left as mom told us. I love you Cameron. I’ll try to get your chip back I promise.”
Tears were running down John’s face as he kissed her cheek and pulled the plastic closed around her and resealed it the best he could.
Don’t go it alone.
In his mind John calls out, “Cameron! Cameron! I’m so sorry. I’m so very sorry.”
“It’s okay John. I’m with you. I’ll always be with you.”
“I promise to fix you, Cam. I promise.”
“It’s okay John. You have fixed me. You will fix me.”
“Cameron, I’m so sorry. I love you.”
* * *
Allison strokes John’s head as he slips away into unconsciousness. His face is twisted with emotion as the maelstrom within in his mind grows.
“It’s okay John. I love you and I’ll always be with you.” She says as she comforts the young man who has risked so much for her, and for everyone.
2027, Day 40
“How long until he wakes up Doc?”
“It’s hard to say in a concussion of this magnitude. It could be another day, maybe a week.”
“I don’t like it, Doc. John Connor is the best thing that has ever happened to the resistance. Do whatever it takes to make him well. We need him. We all need him.”
Kyle takes one more look in at John Connor. He lies there in the bed, his head wrapped in bandages. Allison is sitting by his side talking to him gently, holding his hand. She’s been there since they arrived, never moving. The sight is so sad.
Kyle walks into the room, glancing at John and Allison. He kneels down beside Allison.
“Allison. Maybe you should take a break. You’ve been by his side since you got back.”
“I can’t leave him like this.” She says with fresh tears running from her eyes.
“Allison. Please, just take the time to get some rest. The doc will let you know if anything changes.”
“Kyle. I can’t . . . . It’s all my fault. It was my idea to use the C4. It’s all my fault.” Allison cries even harder. “He told me it was dangerous. I’m suppose to protect him. But there was no other way.”
“Allison please. Come with me. Get some rest, I’ll stay with him. And I’ll come and fetch you myself when he wakes up.”
“You promise.” Allison wipes her eyes and looks at Kyle.
“Yes. I promise.”
Kyle escorts Allison back to the room she previously shared with John at the outpost. All their belongings had been brought in and they were sitting on the floor in front of the small table. On the table was some water, some towels and the bar of soap they were given for their victory at the factory.
“Just lie down and get some rest. I’ll keep an eye on John for you.”
“Stay with him Kyle. Don’t leave him. He needs us as much as we need him.”
2027, Day 41
“John Connor!”
“What?
“On your feet soldier! Get on your feet!”
“Who’s there?”
“John, its your mom, son. You need to get up. They need you. They all need you.”
“But mom I’m no leader. I’m no messiah. I can’t do this.”
“Don’t you dare say you can’t do this! This is your destiny. Your father didn’t die just so you could wallow around in self pity. Now! Get On Your Feet!”
“Mom!”
“Get on your feet, soldier! GET ON YOUR FEET!”
* * *
John’s eyes slowly open and he sees a figure hunched over in a chair beside him.
“Kyle?” he whispers.
“John!” Kyle is suddenly alert as the young man beside him opens his eyes and speaks.
“Where am I?” John says again in a low voice.
“You’re at Outpost Delta. In the infirmary.”
“What happened?” His voice mildly louder.
“You received a bad concussion from an explosion. You’ve been unconscious four days.”
“Four Days? Oh God! Where’s Allison?” He says concern and worry suddenly filling his voice.
“She’s okay. She’s sleeping in your old rooms. I’ll fetch her.”
Kyle gets up from the bedside chair. “Doc! Doc! Come here!”
“What is it?”
“He’s awake. Keep him talking while I fetch Allison.” Kyle runs from the infirmary a smile on his face.
“Well son, it looks like the sun is finally shining in your little world. How are you feeling?” Doc asks.
“My head hurts, and I’m thirsty.”
“Well I can get you some water, but the only thing I’ve got for pain is my own homemade rotgut whiskey, and you look a might too young to be sipping from that noxious brew.” the doc laughs.
Allison comes running through the door and stops, looking anxiously at John Connor. “John?”
“Allison.” John sighs.
The doctor walks away as Allison goes to John and hugs him.
“I was so worried. You passed out and I held you until a patrol came and dug us out. Its all my fault, John. We never should have used the explosives. We should have found another way to take those machines out. I’m sorry John.”
“Hey its okay now. Everything is all right.” John says as he strokes her hair.
Allison quietly sheds tears of relief.
“Kyle?”
“Yes John.”
“Have you got that radio address organized?”
“Well we did until the metal swept through the bunker.”
“Get it organized again. I know what I want to say now.”
2027, Day 41 late morning
Kyle is helping John walk down the corridor.
“Are you sure you want to move back to your old rooms?”
“Kyle I’d rather be in there than stay one more minute in that infirmary with everybody always making some excuse to have to come and see me.”
“I suppose it doesn’t have anything to do with spending more time with Allison.”
“What? That never crossed my mind.” John says with some embarrassment.
“Anyway, Andy says we’ll have full radio access to the world tonight at sunset. That is the best time for world wide propagation of the signal.”
Kyle watches as John settles himself on the bunk. “Are you certain you want to do this tonight?”
“Never more so.”
“All right you get yourself rested and finalize what you want to say. I’ll be gathering intelligence reports and giving you a heads up on any changes prior to your address.”
“Good. Have you heard anything about Derek and the others?”
“No. After all this time, I don’t think we’re going to hear anything.”
“I’m sorry. I hope you find him Kyle.”
“So do I John. So do I.” Kyle says as he walks out of John’s room.
John nods off after a few minutes but is woken when someone enters his room.
“Who’s there?” He says gently raising his head.
“It’s just me, Catherine.”
“Catherine. How did you and John Henry do in the attack?”
“It didn’t go well John. The factory where John Henry was came under attack as well. We just managed to get out of there in time. We got Cameron’s body moved as well.”
“But the two of you are okay?”
“We’re both fine John. Your concern is touching, but you forget that we can withstand a whole lot more physical punishment than you humans.”
“Yeah. I do forget don’t I. It’s just that I’ve had machines around me nearly all my life. I know you are physically different, but I don’t see you as anything other than people. Different maybe, that much is obvious, but you are people.”
“That’s touching John, but don’t let your feelings blind you. One day one of Sky Net’s machines may get close to you and kill you. Don’t ever let your guard down around us. Not even those you trust. We have been known to turn.”
“Yeah, I remember.” John has never forgotten being pursued across L. A. by Cameron when she went rogue after the bomb blast damaged her chip.
“Is there something you want? Or is this just a social call?”
“Cute. Yes I have some information about Sky Net’s activities and location and John Henry sends his apologies.”
“What does he have to apologize for?”
“He believes his tracing Sky Net’s signal may have drawn the attack that was made on the main camp. It is the only thing he thinks would draw it’s forces back to an area they had already purged.”
“Tell John Henry that no apology is necessary. He didn’t know if Sky Net would react or how strongly. What information did he obtain?”
“Sky Net is more powerful than expected. It’s main defense grid is located in an industrial complex near Topanga Canyon.”
“Topanga. Wasn’t that a resort for Hollywood types? What is an industrial complex doing there?”
“Yes it was, but a lot can happen in eighteen years time. And there is something else. John Henry was able to break into Sky Net’s computers long enough to discover a secret project its been developing. It is something that you and I are already familiar with, Time Displacement Equipment.”
“Why would it need one now? We are nowhere near a capacity to threaten its existence yet.”
“It’s planning ahead John. No matter your plans, always have another to fall back on.”
“Kyle will need to know this.” John starts to get up but quickly falls back onto his bunk, his head spinning.
“You’d better tell him, Catherine. My head is still not up to moving around much right now.”
“What happened to you John?”
“Allison and I were being pursued by metal in the storm drains. We set off explosives to take them out. I got caught in the blast and got a concussion for my efforts.”
“Is Allison okay?”
“Yeah. Amazingly she came out without any harm done to her, as far as I know.”
Catherine looks thoughtful for a moment. “I’ll tell Kyle the information. Do you require anything?”
“No. Just some peace and quiet. My head is splitting.”
“All right John. You rest quietly.”
Catherine slips out of John’s room and locates Kyle who is going through intelligence reports and updating the maps in the outpost. She tells him about locating Sky Net’s main computer grid and manufacturing center at Topanga, and that Sky Net is building a new secret weapon.
“That is great news. Finally we can strike right at the evil heart of Sky Net. What is this secret weapon it’s building?”
“I’m not certain you’d believe me, but its building Time Displacement Equipment. It is a device used to send people or cyborg’s through time.”
“A time machine! You’ve got to be pulling my leg.”
“No. I’m not even touching your leg. Is it so hard to believe that if a computer can take over the world that it can’t come up with a time travel device?”
“Well put like that, no I guess not.”
“Good. A soon as John gets the forces organized he’s going to strike at that location, and Kyle . . .”
“Yes.”
“It’s a win or lose scenario. Once you begin going right at its heart there is no turning back. This is a war that must be fought until either you win or it wins. There will be no second chances.”
“I understand. Does John know this?”
“Yes he does. I believe he knows far more than I think even he realizes.”
2027, Day 41 evening
Allison is sitting beside John as he rests. She has some water and a rag trying to keep his head cool. It is the only thing that brings his head any relief.
“What are you going to say tonight John?”
“You know, to tell the truth I really don’t know. Just basically who I am and what we need to do if we are to stop Sky Net once and for all.”
“How’s your head feeling?”
“Much better since you got back. Where did you go after seeing me in the infirmary? You just disappeared for the longest time.”
“I needed some time to think,” she hesitates, “and I went back to the main bunker.”
“What? Why?”
“When you packed our bags you left something behind that I couldn’t part with. I know it was dangerous, but there are many ways into the bunker and I was able to slip in and out without being observed.”
“What was so important it was worth risking your life for?”
“My mom’s ballet slippers. She loved classical music and was teaching me ballet up until the bombs fell. They are the only thing I have of hers.”
“I understand, but you shouldn’t have gone alone.”
Allison sits there quietly for a while then John asks, “What did you need to think about?”
“John, when you collapsed in the tunnel, do you remember anything?”
“Uhh, just suddenly feeling all woozy and nauseous, I asked you if we could rest a moment. I don’t remember anything until waking up in the infirmary.”
“But what about when you were unconscious, do you remember anything from that?”
“Just a confusion of images and memories of my sister, Cameron, and then nothing for the longest time, then suddenly my mom was there yelling at me to get up, and I did.”
John looks at her a moment then asks, “Why are you asking me this Allison?”
“You kept calling out to Cameron while you were unconscious. At first you seemed happy then scared and then in terrible grief, but through it all I could hear the compassion in your voice. You said she wasn’t your biological sister. Was there more to your relationship with her than you said?”
“Allison,” John takes her hand, “First know that I love you, and nothing will ever change that. Before I met you and long before I came here, the life I had was very different. I was under constant threat. Cameron came to protect me from Sky Net. She became a part of our family. We grew close but there was never any kind of relationship between us. Then one day, she professed her love for me. That scared me and I tried to push her away, emotionally. Then a time came and everything went bad fast, all of our lives came under threat. And . . . ” John chokes back some tears. “Cameron sacrificed herself because she loved me. She told me that she loved me, and by the time I realized that I loved her to, it was too late to tell her. She was gone.”
John pulls himself upright despite the spinning in his head.
“I love you Allison. I will never betray the love and trust you’ve placed in me. But inside, inside I’m all torn up for what I failed to do, failed to say. Cameron died without ever hearing me tell her that I loved her. I loved her and I never told her and I’ll carry that pain with me for the rest of my life.” He says with a few tears.
“John, I’m sure she knew.” She brushes the tears from his eyes. “If she knew you half as well as I do, she knew John. She knew.” Allison leans over and hugs John, a couple of tears running from her own eyes. Holding him close she gives him a gentle kiss.
They are still holding each other, when a few minutes later, they are interrupted by a knock at the door.
“Who is it?” John calls out.
Allison pulls away as the door opens.
“John, it’s time.” Kyle says.
“All right. I’ll be right there.”
Kyle leaves, returning to the radio room.
John carefully moves to the edge of the bunk. His head spins some more. “Allison, you’re going to have to help me, my head is still spinning.”
“Lean on me. I can hold you.”
Allison carefully holds John as they walk down the corridors to the radio room. Kyle and Catherine are waiting. Andy is busy adjusting the radio equipment.
“Everything is set General Connor. All you have to do is press that switch when you speak and let it go when you are done.” Andy says as the two of them enter the room.
John chuckles, “General? When was that rank bestowed on me?”
“John, all of us have given you that rank. You are our leader and leaders need titles.” says Kyle.
John squares up his shoulders, sits down at the radio and presses the button on the microphone.
“Hello. Five days ago the top lieutenants of Resistance Group Grizzly unanimously voted me leader of their division. My name, is John Connor.”
“Some of you listening have heard the name, for most it’s the first time. But Sky Net knows my name. It fears me. It fears this day. For this is the day that humanity declares war on Sky Net.”
“Sky Net has pursued me with death at the hands of its metal monsters since before I was born. I have fought them all my life. I know their weaknesses and strengths. They can be defeated. They are not invulnerable. I have fought them and won, and you can too.”
“There will be no more skulking about in caves and tunnels. No more striking back at enemy metal only in self defense. This is the day we bring war to Sky Net. This is the day humanity takes back its planet.”
“If you hear my voice, then understand this. You who fight for what little you have. You who cower in the dark fearing the machines. You cannot sit idly by and let your world burn and let your friends and family die. You are humanities last chance. You are the resistance! You will fight and defeat Sky Net!”
“Today, I declare no more independent groups, no more dissension amongst the people or leaders. We come together now and act as one. For only together will we defeat that tin-bitch Sky Net.”
“Today, I declare independence for all. We will no longer let our lives be dictated and controlled by some tin-bitch computer. This is our freedom’s call!”
“Freedom. It is a word that has been taken for granted in our history, but for all of us who have lived under threat of death, what a beautiful word it is. Freedom. Freedom from tyranny. Freedom from genocide. Freedom to pursue our lives. Freedom to pursue happiness. Freedom to live without the constant threat of death during every moment of our lives!”
“That is the reward for defeating Sky Net. That is what I offer you if you join us now. Freedom.”
“Help me. Help yourselves. Join us in this fight and together we will defeat Sky Net.”
“My name is John Connor. If you can hear my voice, then you are in the resistance.”
John Connor stands up releasing the microphone. “All right get those coded coordinates sent out. We need to get moving soon.”
Andy sits down at the radio and starts keying in coded sequences.
“Well, what do you think?” John asks the faces looking at him.
“I think...it was excellent John.” Allison hugs him.
“Kyle, Catherine. What about you two?”
“Connor, we might actually win this goddam war.” Kyle shakes his hand vigorously.
“Your mother would be very proud of you John.” Catherine says.
John’s eyes moisten as he remembers his mom. All the grief he gave her about not wanting this destiny, and now here he was fulfilling that very fate. “I wish she was here.” he whispers as he hugs Allison burying his face in her shoulder.
“John, we need to get going before Sky Net finds this place.” Kyle says.
“All right.” John quickly gets control of himself. “Andy as soon as you get the message sent out to everyone pack up the radio. Kyle, Catherine, please see to it that the men and machines get everything we will need. Guns and ammo take precedence. Any personal items restricted to a single bag per person. Tell Doc he’ll have to close down his still.”
John looks around this place that has been home for most of his days in 2027. “One hour. No more and we leave. If it can’t be carried, leave it. If it can be used by the enemy, burn it.”
* * *
“So he survived.” A voice says quietly. “Locate the source of that radio signal. Terminate everything and everyone you find there.”
The silver figure stands there glaring at the radio on which he just heard the message from John Connor.
“I’ll get you, John Connor. That is a promise.”
* * *
“Captain! Captain Beddell. A radio message has been received from Resistance Group Grizzly, sir.”
“What does it say private?”
“John Connor has declared war on Sky Net. He’s calling for everyone to unite to defeat it, sir.”
“John Connor. Did you say John Connor?”
“Yes sir.”
“It’s about time he shows up. What else did the message say?”
“Not much more than that sir, but there was a coded signal sent out afterwards asking everyone in the area to relocate their camps to a new location.”
“Was the signal decoded? Do we know where they are going?”
“Yes sir. They are coming here, sir.”
* * *
In a cabin, at a location far from the devastation that was once L. A., a small group of people sit huddled around a radio listening to John’s voice.
“That is the reward for defeating Sky Net. That is what I offer you if you join us now. Freedom.”
“Help me. Help yourselves. Join us in this fight and together we will defeat Sky Net.”
“My name is John Connor. If you can hear my voice, then you are in the resistance.”
An older woman with a few streaks of gray in her dark hair and tears in her eyes and a smile on her face turns to speak to a young woman sitting beside her. Just as she is about to speak she breaks down. The young woman holds her and comforts her the best she can. Hope has come at last.
* * *
“John we need to leave now. Machines and HK’s have been seen topside.” says Kyle
“Take everyone out through the metro tunnel. We’ll blow the factory when we leave to keep Sky Net from building anymore plasma rifles.”
* * *
An exodus of people occurs, from every corner, from every hollow, from all over the region. Soldiers, civilians, men, women and children go forward leaving their miserable lives behind.
Tonight they have been given hope.
Tonight they have been given a future.
Tonight they have been given a purpose and a destination.
Tonight they have heard from the savior of mankind.
John Connor.
The fight for freedom has begun.
Que closing theme for The Sarah Connor Chronicles
The1Russter |
Latest page update: made by The1Russter
, Aug 16 2009, 2:38 PM EDT
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About This Update
Updated 08-16-2009
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Keyword tags:
Allison Young
Catherine Weaver
fanfic
John Connor
John Henry
Kyle Reese
Reunion
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| Started By | Thread Subject | Replies | Last Post | ||
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| The1Russter | Sometimes it's nice to have help | 0 | Aug 15 2009, 8:57 PM EDT by The1Russter | ||
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Thread started: Aug 15 2009, 8:57 PM EDT
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Thank you for removing the duplicate paragraphs. I don't know what happened when I pasted it in, but I was not able to fix it. The edit window kept going blank every single time I tried to fix it. Thank you VeterFanboy for stepping in and fixing it for me at my request. As Cameron said, "Sometimes it's nice to have help." -- The1Russter
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