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Chapter 15 Valley of Peace
Chapter 15
Valley of Peace
Valley of Peace
“Why would she do that?” Charley Dixon
“Well, you know, Mr. Dixon, it’s the robots. The ones from the future, the ones Sky Net sent to kill her son, which makes total sense because, in the future, John’s not only her son but [reading] ‘the leader of the resistance, fighting artificially intelligent machines determined to annihilate the human race.’ Did he strike you that way? Leader of a scrappy band of rebels? Luke Skywalker type?” James Ellison
“Next time you do what you’re trained to do. You run.” Sarah Connor
Terminator The Sarah Connor Chronicles, Pilot 2008
<<>>
2027, Day 41, 11 PM
The sound of gunfire and plasma fire echo in the distance as metal approaches the outpost, exterminating humans still lagging behind.
Soldiers run forward to stop their advance while civilians and the injured are escorted by soldiers, moving from the service tunnel to the hills beyond the factory.
Standing, observing all that is going on, General Connor watches and waits for word on the enemy movements. A young soldier comes running up, looking no older than John himself.
“General Connor, three HK’s are approaching from the north, southeast and west sir.”
“Thanks Anderson.” John Connor turns and calls out to a familiar face. “John Henry, have the T-800's stand their ground for as long as possible and draw those HK’s as close to the factory as possible. Once they are close, don’t hang about. I’ll only give you one word of warning and then I’m blowing the joint and hopefully take some of those HK’s with it!”
“Yes John Connor.”
John Connor rubs his head as the headache starts returning. “Anderson, get those people moving. Get them out of here now!” There were still people straggling in from the outpost and refugees from the main bunker. Anderson and several more troops run forward and started helping the people out of the service tunnel and away from the factory.
“Connor!”
“Uhh,” John rubs his head again. “What is it Kyle?”
“We’ve got more enemy metal approaching. Looks to be about fifty Triple-8's with automatic weapons and plasma rifles.”
“Send out a detachment with plasma rifles and MM1 grenade launchers. Hold them back while we get these people out of here.”
John Connor turns and shouts at the people still moving out of the tunnel. “Move it people! We’ve got enemy metal coming and they are heavily armed. Drop everything but weapons and ammo. Move it people! Move it!”
John winces from the pain in his head. The people are moving as quickly as they can away from the factory and up a ravine and into the hills. But for the detachment and John Henry’s T-800s, John Connor is the last up the ravine.
When he reaches the top, he can see the HK’s approaching from three points on the compass trying to encircle the factory. The T-800's are firing at them, not enough to cause serious damage but enough to draw them in closer. Two of the HK’s come sweeping in close to the factory trying to hit the those who are firing at it.
John speaks into his radio. “Reese, Henry, get under cover I’m blowing the factory.”
Without waiting for a reply John hits the trigger on the remote. There is a slight pause then the factory blows sky high taking out two HK’s. One of the HK’s crashes into the burning inferno below it while the other goes spinning off with one engine in flames then crashes into the ground, where it explodes on impact. The people cheer. The explosions continue one after the other as power cells for the incomplete rifles and fuel for backup generators ignite. Flames shoot up of red, orange, yellow and purple. The people cheer again!
“One HK still in the air! Get that SAM launched now!” he shouts.
A T-800 lifts a missile launcher up onto his shoulder, lines up the shot, and fires. The missile goes streaking out towards the remaining HK. It turns and fires it plasma cannon, but too late. The missile scores a hit taking out its starboard engine. The HK spins uncontrollably and crashed into the ground and explodes.
The people cheer again.
“Kyle Reese, report in.” Connor shouts into his radio.
“Kyle Reese, here. Everyone is OK. That shot was one in a million.”
“John Henry, are you there? Report!”
“John Henry here. We have six T-800's unaccounted for, five are damaged beyond repair, and seven with both mild and severe damage to their systems..”
“Affirmative. Reese, Henry get back to the main group as quick as you can.”
John Connor checks on the people. The civilians are frightened, though elated over the recent victory. The soldiers look all geared up for another battle. He finds Allison helping the doc with the wounded.
“Hey, how are you doing?”
“I’d say I’m doing better than you. Your headache is back isn’t it?”
“I don’t think it ever truly goes away. Just sort of cycles between severe and mild pain.”
“I’m sorry John. I should have done more to protect you.”
“There wasn’t time. As soon as you hit the C4 there wasn’t time for you or me to do anything but duck.”
“I know, but I can’t help feeling responsible for your current distress.”
“There was nothing you could have done. It was our only option.” John gives her a quick one arm hug.
He looks around at the various injured people. “We need to get moving. Does Doc have everything he needs to get the injured people out of here?”
“Yes. Most injuries won’t impair their movement, though some will need assistance.”
“All right, requisition any materials and people you need. Tell them I ordered it if need be.”
Allison leaves to get the people and materials she needs as Kyle comes running up.
“John!”
“Kyle, how did the fight with the metal go?”
“I love these plasma rifles! Three maybe four hits to their power cell and they blow up. A direct hit to their chip and down they go, permanently. Much better than automatic weapons or shotguns.”
“Great. Organize the fighters into groups. Some forming a perimeter and others following the people.”
“I’ll get right on it.” Kyle runs off to arrange the perimeter.
John sees a tall familiar face approaching from the ravine. It is John Henry, formerly Cromartie, a terminator who was out to kill him but was reprogrammed by Catherine Weaver and is now pursuing a mission of integrating morality and ethics into Sky Net’s program. He first successfully integrated the new programming into the machines now helping them.
“John Henry, over here.” Connor shouts at him.
“Hello John Connor. How are you tonight?”
“I’m fine John Henry. How are your T-800's holding out?”
“We’ve suffered some casualties and some are damaged requiring major repairs. A few only have minor damage and can continue for some time without needing immediate service.”
“Do you have sufficient materials for conducting repairs?”
“No. Some of the more damaged ones will have to be deactivated for parts to repair the others.”
“Are they okay with that? Do they understand what it means for them, this sacrifice of theirs?”
“John, your concern is unwarranted. They do not have feelings. They only comprehend that they are unable to carry out their mission, but if deactivated their parts can be used to repair others who can complete the mission for them.”
“John Henry, these T-800's may not have feelings, but I know for a fact that they can comprehend their meaning. Please inform them that I thank them for their services and their sacrifices. I will not forget what they have done.”
John Henry smiles. “I know why the men and machines follow you John Connor.”
“Why is that?”
“You make no distinction between them. You care equally for both. But be careful John Connor. Don’t let your feelings interfere with your judgment. Some day one of these machines could get close enough to kill you, and if they go rogue, you wouldn’t have a chance.”
“Catherine Weaver gave me pretty much the same advice. Where is she by the way?’
“She and two T-800's are looking after something of yours.” He says then walks away.
John Connor had almost forgot about Cameron. After the explosion had knocked him out he had a strange dream about her. Every moment they had together, from the day he first met her up until the day he lost her, went through his confused mind. Throughout it all were the words from that school poster, “Don’t go it alone.” What did it all mean? He didn’t know. He could have sworn he talked to her, but that must have been the confusion in his head, because the next thing he remembered was his mom yelling at him to get on his feet that the resistance needed him. And he definitely knew Mom wasn’t there.
He had put everything aside in trying to get the people out the outpost and to safety while Sky Net’s machines purged the area of humans. Thanks to his radio address and Sky Net’s actions, he had a real chance at building an army to go against Sky Net’s forces.
John looked around at all the people. They all looked at him with expectations of what he was going to do next. He was their leader. They had elected him above others who had more experience, but he gave them something that they hadn’t had until now, hope.
John Connor had attended many a Catholic mass as a boy in Central America, but he wasn’t of that faith. He was trained by men who put great faith in their religion, and valued prayer as much as they valued their guns and their knives in a fight.
“God. I don’t know if I can lead these people. They are looking to me to save them from something far bigger and more powerful than I know how to fight. I need help. Please help these people.” He prays as he looks out over the people who have placed their hopes and their trust in him.
John climbs up on top of a rock. “Everybody, listen up.” he shouts.
They all looked at him to hear what he was going to say.
“I know you are all tired and scared, but we need to move now. It won’t be long until Sky Net will send more forces to the area so we need to move further into the mountains. It will be a long walk, but by dawn we should find a place to rest for everyone. Let’s go!”
John hops down from the rock and marches through the crowd, giving them an encouraging smile as he goes.
He soon catches up with Allison who is helping the wounded.
“Hey Allison. Are you ready to move?”
“Yes John. How’s your head?”
“Right now, not too bad.”
They walk along giving what support they can to the weak and the tired. Troops walk along either side guarding the civilians and the children. Scattered throughout are John Henry’s T-800's with some taking up the rear to provide defense from any surprise attacks.
Like a modern day Moses, John Connor leads his people to the promise land, Camp Pendleton. He just hopes to avoid the forty years wandering in the wilderness.
2027, Day 42
Extract from the Journal of John Connor
It is morning. After we blew the factory, we marched all night until we found a place to shelter, with fresh running water. Here there are a few small trees trying to grow in the ashes of a dead forest. You’d think out in the hills, something would have survived Judgment Day. But devastation is everywhere.
The people are tired. The adrenalin rush of fleeing under a firefight has passed and they just have the drudgery of a long march. I am hoping that there is still equipment at Camp Pendleton. But even if there isn’t, it will make a fine base to organize these people into a proper army.
The machines are keeping watch twenty four hours. But to keep the men disciplined, I have them on a rotating eight hour watch. That way each man can get eight hours sleep, but still provide sufficient eyes to guard the people. I’ll be taking point tonight, so I am taking first watch. I am up on top of a hill with two machines and two other soldiers as I write this.
They were a little surprised to see me. I guess they thought that the leader shouldn’t bother himself with guard duty. Well maybe he shouldn’t or maybe he should. It all comes down to should a leader be apart from his men or should he stand beside them. I’ll go for the latter. Besides I’ve got too much on my mind to sleep and tonight will be hard on all of us.
2027, Day 42 Noon
John makes his way to the center of camp. Some of the people greet him. Most remain in slumber until tonight. He reaches the center of camp to find Allison has just returned from her position where she had been keeping watch.
“Hi John.”
“Hello yourself. Just finished taking watch?”
“Same as you. I know I’m a Lieutenant now, but I still feel it necessary to take watch like everyone else. I am now responsible for the people from Outpost Delta. I’ve got to pull my weight the same as any other fighter. Oh, since we no longer have an outpost, we’re now calling ourselves Delta Squad Grizzly.”
“That sounds appropriate.” John looks around and can see no else awake and in close vicinity.
“I want to send a scout party ahead. Do you know who amongst the fighters will be good for that?”
“Yes, I know a few people.”
“Do any of them have rank?”
“Yes. There is Sargent Simms. He’s an excellent scout, and there are three to four others that are nearly his equal.”
“All right. I’d like you to organize the scouting party.” John pulls out the map and shows it to Allison. “This is our current position. This is Camp Pendleton its northwest of Carlsbad and southeast of our current position. It is a former Marine base and according to our intelligence, no activity by metal has been seen there. That is where we are going.”
John points to a pass through the mountains. “That is where I want the scouting party to go. Find the quickest most direct route, but avoid the old highways. The people would be sitting ducks on the open roads. We’re not much better here in the valleys, but at least the hunter-killers can’t see us before we’d see them.”
“All right John. You get some rest. We’ve got a long night ahead of us.”
Extract from the Journal of John Connor
Rest. I only wish I could. Destiny never comes with a warning label, saying your life will never be the same again. That sleep is something you do before the worries of the world rest on your shoulders. Is this what future me is going through? When the sleep doesn’t come and the worries fill his mind, what does future me do? I hope in his war he finds the peace that eludes me.
Hopefully just two more nights and we should be at Pendleton.
**
John was just about to lie down when Allison returns with John Henry in tow.
“Hey John Henry, what brings you down from the mountain top?”
“The mountain top?”
“You know up there where we’ve got your troops keeping an eye out for enemy forces.”
“Oh yes. The mountain top.” He grins. “You were making a joke.”
“Yes, a rather small joke it seems. What can I do for you?”
“I need to speak with you.” He turns and looks at Allison for a moment. “Alone.”
“Do you mind Allison?”
“No, you two go and talk. I’ll still be here when you get back.”
John Connor and John Henry walk some distance away.
“I’ve heard from Ms. Weaver, John. She has moved Cameron to a secure location far from Sky Net and other humans. She says if you want to continue with restoring her, the task will have to be done in the next few days.”
“Why so soon?”
“She says the window for using her T D E is closing fast. Apparently there is insufficient power to keep it operational beyond that.”
“I don’t know if I’ll have her chip ready in time. Cameron is a more sophisticated cyborg than any others I’ve dealt with.”
John Henry gives him a questioning look. “In programming the chip that is.” John Connor adds.
A thought suddenly dawns on him. “John Henry, if there is a time limit on how much longer she can use her T D E, that means the three of us won’t be able to get back home. I won’t be able to get back home.”
“I’m afraid not John. We need to complete our missions before we can go back.”
“So this is it. One shot to send Cameron back. Then we are stuck here.” John is crestfallen. Catherine told him he would get back home. She told him they would be returning.
John Henry looks at him studying his features as various thoughts and emotions run through Connor’s head.
“All right. I don’t know what means of communication you have with her. But let her know, I’ll have the chip ready. I don’t know how, but I’ll have it ready if it kills me.”
“I’ll tell her. Don’t worry. You’ll get Cameron fixed. I know you will.”
John looks around at the mountains and the people in the valley. “Please keep your troops on high alert. We aren’t out of danger by a long shot.”
Drawing on his inner strength Connor takes control of himself and walks back to the center of camp. Allison is laying down using her bag as a pillow. The ground was nothing but bare dirt with just a few sprigs of grass trying to grow after the nuclear holocaust from twenty years ago. Dust hung in the air where light breaths of wind would stir the surface of the hills
He settles down on the ground next to Allison, using his own bag as a pillow.
“What’s wrong John?”
“What makes you think something is wrong?”
“The way you walked over here. The spring was gone from your step. I could hear it.”
John lets out a long sigh. “I just got some bad news from Catherine Weaver concerning a project we’ve been working on together.”
“What project is that?” Allison says rolling on to her side to face John.
“We’ve been preparing a special cyborg for transfer using Time Displacement Equipment she has access to, but it doesn’t look like I’ll get my part of the project done in time.”
“Why not?”
“Because there is only a few days left in which she can use her T D E and I don’t know if I’ll have the chip programmed in time. I have more responsibilities now then when I started.”
“Is this project important to you John?”
“Allison. This project is very important to me. It was my whole reason for coming here.”
Allison moves closer to John and lays her head on his chest.
“There is something you haven’t told us, haven’t told me, isn’t there?” she says in a lower voice.
“Allison, I came here for a special reason. Not just to join the resistance and I certainly wasn’t looking to become leader. But those duties have become paramount in my time here. This special cyborg, that Catherine is helping me with, is very important to me on a personal level. I wish I could explain more, but there isn’t any point if I can’t finish it.”
“I can help. So can Kyle and your lieutenants.”
“How?”
“Delegate responsibility. Give us each certain responsibilities. We carry them out under your guidance, and we only come to you with problems if they are too great for us to handle individually.”
“You’re right. I don’t know why I didn’t think of that myself.”
“John you were unconscious for four days and then we had to leave the bunkers while under fire. There wasn’t time to get the resistance organized. We’ll start now while we are on the march and when we get to Camp Pendleton we’ll streamline the organization making it a proper army.”
“Thanks Allison. I’d like to make another suggestion.”
“Oh, what’s that?”
“I’d like you to be my adjutant and advisor. That way I’ll have more time to do those things that I need to do. You can advise me and pass my orders out and debrief the troops when they return from missions.”
“Is that all?” she asks with a smile.
“As far as duties go, yes. There is something else you should know and then I’m going to ask you something.”
“What is it John?”
“Catherine told me weeks ago that when my mission here was done, she’d be able to get me back home. I had hoped to return and if you were willing, have you come with me. It now appears that Catherine won’t be able to get me back home and I will be staying here, permanently. If or when this war is over, would you consider making this arrangement of ours permanent?”
Allison raises up and looks him in the face. “Are you asking me to marry you?” She asks with a smile.
“Yes, Allison. I am.”
“Then my answer is yes, John.”
She kisses him warmly and he holds her close. As happy as John is, he is also sad. Once Cameron is fixed, she will be going home. Sent to help his mom at a time when she needs Cameron’s help the most. Once Cameron leaves, he will never see her again. But he has friends now and he is not alone. He has Kyle, John Henry, and Catherine Weaver as his closest friends, and Allison. The girl he didn’t expect to find, didn’t expect to fall in love with, and certainly didn’t think he’d spend the rest of his life with. She’s not only his lover, but she’s also the best friend he has. He couldn’t be happier.
“I love you.” he says as they lay there quietly holding each other and enjoying the time they have together.
Until the camp rose to leave that evening, John and Allison found rest and peace in each others arms.
2027, Day 42 Dusk
“John the sun is setting. You need to get up.” Allison shakes John gently from his slumber.
“Good morn . . . uh, evening, Allison. Have I told you how beautiful you look in the light of a setting sun?”
“No. And don’t you dare. I look terrible.” She says with smiling eyes.
“I don’t care. You will always be beautiful to me no matter what.”
She gives him a quick kiss. “You need to get up soldier. The troops will leave without you otherwise.”
The camp is breaking up and getting ready to move out. The sun is just disappearing in the west. A sort of hazy twilight hangs in the air as John picks up his weapons and his bag with his few meager belongings and his computer and chips.
Allison picks up her one bag and her weapons as well. “Is it much further to Pendleton?”
“No, if we are lucky we will be there by the end of the following night.”
“That’s good. I don’t think these people could walk further than that.”
“Yes, it is hard on them, on all of us, but it’s better than staying in the bunkers and getting slaughtered.”
John and Allison walk forward through the camp to take point in leading the people through the valley. After they’ve been walking for about an hour, Kyle joins up with them.
“Hey Kyle, where have you been?” asks Allison.
“I’ve been busy organizing human spotters and checking on available weapons and ammo. All the troops are equipped with the plasma rifles, but there are still uses for conventional weapons as well.”
“You’re very good at that kind of thing Kyle. You know these people well and they know you on sight.”
“You’re building up to something John. What is it.?”
“Before my sudden election to this position of General, what rank did you have under Derek’s command?”
“Well we never really had ranks. The people just looked up to us as leaders.”
“Then I’m giving you a rank. From now on you will be a Colonel in charge of the human resistance forces and second in command. Each of the smaller groups will be formed into proper squads led by their lieutenants. Like Allison and Delta Squad.”
“Thank you, John. What brought about this idea?”
“Well, you and the others bestowed a rank on me. The least I can do is return the favor. And if you see John Henry, tell him he’s a Colonel too. He’ll be leading the machines. He can organize them as he pleases.”
“You seem to be taking charge quite well.”
“No, not really. I’m just acting on advice to get the resistance organized. I’m in command, but I need to delegate responsibility. I can’t be there for every problem. I need to be free to concentrate on what I do best.” John turns from Kyle and looks at Allison. “Right, Allison?”
Kyle looks slightly surprised. “This was her idea?”
“Not about assigning ranks, but I did advise him to delegate responsibilities.” she replies.
“And Kyle, I’ve made Allison my adjutant. She will be responsible for handing out my orders to troops and debriefing them on their return.”
“You’ve thought this through then, haven’t you?”
“Well I didn’t have time to do anything before now.”
“What about Catherine Weaver? Are you going to bestow any rank or responsibility on her?”
“She’s busy with her own thing right now. She has offered me good advice, even when I didn’t want to hear it. I will certainly include her in our discussions when she’s here. But to give her a rank? Somehow, I think she would only be amused by such a thing.” John chuckles.
2027, Day 43, Midnight
They’ve been making progress for well over four hours when John and the others meet up with the scouting party, who are returning to meet up with the main party.
“General Connor. There’s a problem up ahead.”
“What’s the situation?”
“The pass up ahead has been blocked. Appears to be a landslide. ”
“Have you checked other trails, other passes?”
“Yes. That’s why we’ve only just now caught up with you. All passes beyond this valley are blocked. There is no means of getting through any of them. They are all completely blocked.”
“Quick, someone give me a light!” John pulls out the map and checks their current location against where they’ve come from. They’ve come almost ten miles and with the passes blocked ahead, they are effectively in a box canyon. There is no way forward.
Kyle’s radio begins to crackle.
“Observer 12 to command. Do you copy?”
“We copy loud and clear. What’s the situation?” Kyle responds to the radio call.
“I can see HK’s flying in from the west. There appears to be a whole fleet in formation and they are heading in our direction!”
“Stay on look out and keep us advised. Command out.” Kyle looks at John Connor.
“It’s a trap!” John shouts.
Kyle, Allison and the others look at him.
“It’s a trap! Sky Net knows we are here! Get these people back down the valley now!” John shouts.
John pulls his radio out. “John Henry, this Connor. Do you copy.”
“John Henry here.”
“HK’s have been spotted coming out of the west. We are boxed in and are turning around. I need you and your troops to provide us cover until we are out of this valley. Over.”
“Understand. T-800's are ready. We can see the HK’s approaching. Good Luck.”
Without responding Connor puts the radio back in its holder. “Let’s go! Get everyone out of these mountains and out to the old highway!”
The people run for the opposite end of the valley as they begin to hear the screams of the HK’s engines as they approach.
Plasma erupts from their cannons and blasts the sides of the mountains bringing down hundreds of tons of materials cascading down on the people below. People scream in fear as they get buried under tons of rubble.
HK’s come swooping in firing their plasma cannons at the people below. The T-800's return fire using their own plasma weapons and their missile launchers. Some shots hit on target others just miss as the HK’s swoop, dive, climb and twist ever maneuvering firing at the people and machines.
“John Henry form a perimeter around the people. Keep the HK’s at bay until we get to a defensible location.” John shouts into his radio.
John leaps over a rock and turns huddled down with his plasma rifle ready for action. HK’s come swooping overhead and he fires at the port engine on one causing it to spin and crash into its neighbor. Without waiting to see what happens he gets up and runs again.
“Kyle, where are those missile launchers?” John shouts into his radio and then dives to the ground as more HK’s come sweeping through firing at the people as they run. People scream. Soldiers return fire, even when it exposes their positions. Many do so, if only to save the civilian population with them.
Gunfire erupts from the mountain side above him as one of the machines begins firing a heavy caliber machine gun at the passing HK’s. A passing HK gets riddled with bullets but its companion returns fire blowing up the gun, terminator, and creating a crater in the side of the mountain. John runs like hell following the other troops as the whole mountain side slides down to the valley floor.
* * *
Allison runs down the valley firing at the HK’s flying overhead when she stumbles upon a group of young adults, middle aged women and small children.
“Come with me.” She says to them. “I’ll guide you to safety.”
They start down the valley the older children helping the little ones.
Allison pulls out her radio, “Delta Squad , this is Lieutenant Young. I need your help to protect a group of civilians.”
More HK’s come flying over firing at running groups and at those who stand to fight. The civilians with her drop to the ground as Allison fires at them with her plasma rifle.
“Where the hell have they all come from?” she swears.
2027, Day 43, 3 AM
“Kyle. Do you copy? Over” John shouts into his radio as he leaps behind some boulders to avoid the latest round of plasma fire.
“John Henry. Are you there?” he shouts trying to raise someone on the radio.
Explosions rip through the valley as plasma fire hits dropped crates of ammo. Screams of people are heard as they both flee for safety and are struck by shrapnel and plasma.
“Goddamn it, what the hell is happening?” John shouts.
Just then three people leap over the boulder and land right beside him. One of them is Andy the radio operator from Delta Squad.
“Andy is your radio working?” John shouts at him over the explosions and gunfire.
Andy looks up surprised not expecting anyone else to be behind the rock. “Yes sir.”
“Then get someone on that damn radio. We are pinned down.”
Andy pulls his backpack off and begins tuning the radio.
“The rest of you keep firing.”
More plasma beams strike the area sending up large plumes of flame and debris. John raises up and fires his plasma rifle at the HK as it flies past. The others do the same striking it in the engines and fuselage.
They all drop down as the HK spins, firing its cannon and hitting the boulders just next to their own. It continues to spin and crashes with a loud explosion as the fuel tanks explode.
“Yea!” the men cheer.
“General Connor, I’ve got someone on the radio but I don’t recognize the call sign, sir.”
“Hand me the radio.”
John takes the radio and listens.
“Air Fox Epsilon 4 to Desert Eagle Air Command. Do you copy? Over.”
“This Desert Eagle Air Command. What’s your position AE4?”
“Present position 30 miles west of Salton Sea. Eta to Camp Pendleton 15 minutes.”
John keys the mike. “This is General John Connor of resistance group Grizzly. Do you copy?”
“This Air Fox Epsilon 4. Who did you say you were?”
“This General John Connor of resistance group Grizzly. We are under heavy air attack and need assistance. Can you help us?”
“We sure can General Connor. What is your position?”
“We are located in the Santa Anna mountains approximately 4 miles east of Trabuco Peak and 1 mile northwest of Lake Elsinore. We are under heavy air attack by HK’s. We need assistance.”
“Affirmative General Connor. We will be at your position in 20 minutes.”
“What aircraft are you flying so I know its you?”
“We’re flying every damn machine still working. Be on the lookout for just about anything that isn’t an HK. AE4 out.”
John puts the mike and headset down. “Men, help is on the way.”
2027, Day 43, 3 AM
The troops on the ground continue to return fire at the multitude of HK’s flying through the mountains. All the time making for the rendezvous on route 15.
Allison and Delta Squad continue to protect the civilians as they make their way around burning wreckage and corpse as more HK’s zoom overhead. Delta Squad only returning fire when fired upon. It’s getting harder for everyone to maintain the pace.
John Henry can do little but watch and return fire. He and the other machines with him and around the area fire their plasma rifles and missiles striking down what HK’s they can. They are always moving forward maintaining a perimeter around the people as they flee out of the mountains. John Henry is searching the skies with his night vision binoculars and he can see something approaching from the southeast. They aren’t HK’s.
John Henry turns his binoculars to the valley below. Machines, endo’s as the humans call them are marching up the valley killing the wounded and the stragglers. He turns his binoculars to look further up the valley and can see Allison and her troops helping a group of civilians, women and children. They don’t have a chance against the endo’s approaching.
“Cease fire.” John Henry says calmly. “There are human troops in the valley below who need our protection. Follow me.”
* * *
“Lieutenant. We’re falling behind the main party.”
“I am not abandoning these people. They need our help and protection.”
An HK screams overhead as it flies quickly by.
“Just stay alert and keep moving!” Allison shouts at him.
Gunfire erupts from behind. Several troops fall. Some turn to fire back.
“Endo’s” shouts one of the civilians as they begin to run even harder than they thought they could.
“Grab the children!” Allison shouts.
She drops to the ground and begins firing at the endo’s as they come up the valley towards her.
Her first four hits on the leading endo pays off as its power cell explodes.
Making use of the distraction she quickly rolls to one side grabbing a grenade launcher from one of the wounded. She quickly fires off the grenade and rolls again firing rapidly with her plasma rifle.
She continues to fire until the gun is too hot to handle. Dropping the gun she runs towards a small group of rocks grabbing an automatic rifle. It isn’t as powerful as the other weapons but it will be enough to hold them off while the people get away.
She lets loose a stream of bullets and ducks quickly down to avoid being hit by plasma fire. Raising the gun above her head she fires her weapon blindly until the bullets are gone. Taking a risk she gets up and runs like no one has before.
Allison doesn’t get far when she runs into something solid and falls back and hits the ground with a soft thud. She looks up and there is John Henry.
“I’m sorry I got in your way Lieutenant Young. Please continue up the valley. We will stop the endo’s.”
“Thanks John Henry! Meet you at the rendezvous!”
She gives him a quick hug and takes off running.
“Well. I certainly wasn’t expecting that!” John Henry says with a small grin.
“They are coming. Prepare to fire on my command.” He says to the machines that are with him.
Endo’s come walking towards them out of the dark. HK’s scream overhead as they fly after the fleeing humans.
John Henry sets his jaw firmly. “Fire!” he shouts.
* * *
John Connor runs out into the rendezvous area. There are twelve other soldiers with him including Andy, the radio operator. They are all exhausted, but the fights not over.
“Colonel Reese calling General Connor. Do you copy?” The voice crackles over John’s radio.
“Now the damn thing works.” he says then keys the mike. “This Connor. We’ve just arrived at the rendezvous. What’s your position?”
“I’m about quarter of mile down the road from your position. We’ve got Centaurs and metal coming up the highway approaching your position. We are doing our best to hold them back.”
“I understand. I’ve got good news. We’ve got air support coming in.”
“How did you arrange that?” Kyle exclaims.
“You can thank Andy.”
“The radio operator?”
“Yeah, he was just lucky. And we can all do with some luck tonight!”
An HK goes screaming overhead firing its plasma weapons at the people and object below.
“Have you seen Allison or Delta Squad? I lost them in the fight.”
“Negative John. I haven’t seen them.”
“Affirmative. Do you need assistance?”
“We are holding our own. We’ve laid down some explosives to take out the centaurs. You should see the explosion from your location.”
“Acknowledged. We’ll hold position here and gather up any stragglers and try to keep the HK’s occupied until the . . . .”
A large explosion rips the night sky followed by two more.
“Reese. Reese. Do you copy?”
“Yea haw! That was beautiful! Did you see that Connor?”
“We saw it. Excellent job.”
Just then more people come running up out of the valley behind John. The people consists of civilians and soldiers. The last person to show is Allison. John can’t help but smile in relief.
“Allison! Over here!” he shouts.
She looks over in his direction with a look of relief and quickly runs to his side.
“John Henry and the other machines are presently fighting off some Endo’s that were pursuing us through the valley.” she says as she approaches John.
“He’ll do fine. Are you okay?”
“I’m alright. There are still people back there in the valleys. Delta Squad did what we could to get as many out as possible.”
The air is ripped apart as more HK’s fly overhead firing their weapons at the people below. Now that John is out in the open, he can observe their flying pattern as they swoop and dive circling the people on the ground, firing randomly but seemingly not hitting anyone.
“Damn! They’re not trying to kill us. They are herding us into a group! Andy! Get Air Fox Epsilon 4 back on the radio! Tell them we need air support now!”
Andy pulls the radio out and sets it for the proper frequency. “ Grizzly calling Air Fox Epsilon 4. Grizzly calling Air Fox Epsilon 4. Do you copy?” He calls into the mike. The only thing he hears is white noise.
“John! Look over there!” Shouts Allison pointing northwest.
John squints but can’t see anything in the dark. Pulling his night vision binoculars out he takes another look. “Oh Shit!” John exclaims.
Andy makes a small adjustment to the radio. “Grizzly calling Air Fox Epsilon 4. Do you copy?”
More white noise . . . . a crackle, more crackles, then “AE4 to Grizzly. Our eta is 4 minutes can you verify your location.”
John takes the radio from Andy. “This is General Connor. We are at the rendezvous northwest of the lake on highway 15. We are still under attack by HK”s. We also have endo’s and Centaurs on the attack. We require immediate assistance. Over.”
“We read you loud and clear General.”
“We also have two machines to our northwest heading in our direction. One is a massive flying HK and the other is some kind giant walking machine heading southeast along the old highway in our direction!”
“Affirmative General. All right boys, this it. Drop external fuel tanks! Let’s go get us some metal!”
John turns to the soldiers around him. “Help is coming!”
“Yeah! Yahoo! Hurray!” the men cheer.
“Allison,” John says while handing her the night-vision binoculars, “Keep an eye on those machines and let me know when they are in range.”
John grabs his radio. “Kyle, do you copy? We need your assistance right away. Looks like those machines that took Derek and the others at the factory are on their way.”
“I hear you Connor. We are on our way. Kyle out.”
“What is happening John?” Allison asks.
“We are being herded for collection. Those HK’s weren’t sent to destroy us, they were sent to draw us out of the mountains. Those two machines are coming to collect us. We are nothing but cattle to them, to be harvested and culled like sheep!”
“Thank you....” Allison starts to say when John unintentionally cuts her off shouting a command.
“Andy, stay in radio contact with AE4. Make sure they know our position, Kyle’s and John Henry’s positions too!”
“Yes General.”
“All right people let’s see how much damage we can do before they get here!”
The soldiers begin firing at the HK’s overhead. Most shots miss but some hit home. The odds are against them. Their only hope are the fighter jets heading their way.
---------------
The chapter title is both a reflection of the chapter, quiet in the middle with action at beginning and end, and is in reference to the name of the cemetery in Terminator 3. -- The1Russter
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, Aug 21 2009, 8:15 PM EDT
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Allison Young
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