Chapter 9
John Connor continued typing away on his laptop despite he'd called the newcomer to enter his office. From the corner of his eye, he recognized the distinct, tall form that told him who it was seated in front of his desk.
"How goes it?"
John typed another few seconds then turned away from his notebook. He softly smiled at his friend, Blue. "Dinner went really well last night."
Blue crossed her long legs and leaned back into the chair. Her sparkling, blue eyes leveled on her friend. "I bumped into her on my way home."
John tilted his head at this but didn't comment further. He became comfortable in his chair too and folded his hands in his lap. "I think it's definitely promising." He watched Blue nod once then he ventured, "You don't think you should talk to Mom?"
Blue blinked once and dropped her gaze to the floor. "I don't think it's wise." She met John's curious stare. "It could harm the timeline more than help it."
"I don't know," John debated. He tried reading his friend then softly decided, "I think you're using the Temporal Directive to hide from her."
Blue remained quiet and locked eyes with John, who wouldn't break the stare. She sighed and stood up from the chair. She switched topics and mentioned, "Nico will be here Sunday night."
John wasn't going to press his friend, who was having a hard enough time with the time travelers' arrival. He just nodded then checked, "She'll be here for Monday's meeting then?"
Blue tapped the desk's edge as she stood there. "Yes, she's been getting her speech ready." Then a grin slipped on her full lips. "She's nervous to give it."
"She'll do fine," John brushed off. "She's a great talker."
Blue chuckled at this and bobbed her head. "She talked me into marrying her."
John couldn't help a laugh, and he grinned wildly. He pointed a finger at his friend. "Be careful, Blue because soon she'll talk you into kids." He lowered his hand to the desk. "That's how Kate did it to me."
Blue softened at the mention of kids, especially John Connor's legacy. She gently inquired, "How's the first trimester been?" She knew pregnancy's first trimester was always the most fragile and uncertain.
John smiled and tenderly replied, "She's doing well." But he gave a dramatic sigh and mentioned, "We're arguing about whether we should find out the baby's sex or not. Kate wants to know so she can plan ahead, but I rather be surprised."
Blue had thin lips as she mulled it over and decided, "I would want to know." She then smirked and dared her luck. "Nico would want to know too... she's a planner, like me."
John folded his arms and just smiled at his friend. "Be careful what you say."
Blue softly laughed and started back towards the door.
"Leaving so soon?" John teased.
Blue stopped a few paces from the door's detection. She glanced side long at the Resistance leader. "You're about to have a visitor." She left it at that and headed out the door, which slid open for her. "I'll see you later, John."
"See ya," John softly called. He went back to his work, but it seemed that Blue was right because about fifteen minutes later Cameron Phillips entered his office.
"I wish to speak to you," Cameron informed the Resistance leader, and she stood in front of his desk.
John sensed it was rather serious by how Cameron stood and her tone. He'd learned how to read her underlining tones, postures, and mannerism over time. "Sit." He signaled the chair that Blue had occupied awhile ago.
The tall, metallic terminator took the seat and sat rather ridged with her back straight. She wasn't sure how to begin the conversation despite she knew what information she wanted from John.
John shut his laptop's screen then focused on his friend, who use to be his protector many years ago. "How'd it go with Mom last night?" He could tell that Cameron had something very specific on her mind, but he'd wait to see what cards she played to him, first.
Cameron actually calmed from her stoic attitude and replied, "It went well. We are trying to... settle our differences. We've come to an understanding now."
John revealed a faint grin, and he leaned against the desk with an expression like a conspirator. "She's not so tough after all huh?"
Cameron arched her melt brow and debated, "Her skin is stronger than coltan, steel, and titanium put together."
John laughed in response and leaned back into his chair. He settled and thought about Cameron's true words, but he shrugged. "Once you get past that then she's a big softy."
The terminator seriously thought about it, which made her recall this morning and how Sarah comforted her so well. "She does not like upsets."
"No," the leader murmured, "she doesn't." He thought back to several emotional conversations in the past with his mother that led to his mom's tears. He pushed away the memories and focused back on Cameron. "How's she feeling? I got Lauren's report this morning."
"She's doing much better," Cameron replied.
John studied the terminator then commented, "You were worried about her." At Cameron's faint nod, he further tempted, "You're feeling for her, Cameron." He watched how Cameron bowed her head as if she were caught doing something wrong. "You've been gone for a year and half," he started, "and I can already see how much you've grown since you've been on this mission."
Cameron raised her head and revealed her lit eyes. She could tell that John was proud of her, which made her feel good. "At times, I feel as if I haven't changed at all." She hesitated but gathered herself. "But I think about the ship... about Allison... and I see how far I've come." She lowered her head and whispered, "I may never live up to Allison Young's image, but I will not let my promise to her become a lie."
John felt deeply for the terminator, who was plagued by her past mistakes and fought to change them now. "Her death hasn't been in vein, Cameron."
"Hasn't it?" the terminator debated. "I killed her and stole her from those that loved her." She watched John's face for any deception.
John let out a soft sigh and argued, "But everyday her memory lives on... in us. You continue her legacy and her cause." He watched the terminator shake her head so he tried, "You just don't see it right now, but someday you will see it."
Cameron couldn't say much back about the topic and just let it go because maybe John was right that someday she'd understand it better. She instead carefully asked, "Do Sarah and I become mates in the future?"
John considered how to answer the question and drummed his fingers on the chair's arm once. Finally he replied, "You won't be disappointed, Cameron." He knew that Cameron wouldn't press him otherwise so he prompted, "Has Mom made a pass for you?" He had a smirk at Cameron's perplexed features so he explained, "Has she tried kissing you or anything?"
Cameron thought back to the kiss they'd share in Montana, but it truly didn't count in her mind. "Sarah and I have cuddled several times." She noticed how John's eyes glowed.
The bemused leader shifted in his chair a bit and held back his chuckle at hearing the stoic terminator use the word 'cuddle' with his mother's name. He just never imagined hearing such a sentence from his friend. "That's a start... a huge start with Mom."
"It does not bother you?" Cameron checked.
John rolled his eyes and chuckled. "My younger self may be a bit jealous at first, but I'll get over it." He gave a wicked smile because he thoroughly believed that his mother and Cameron were meant to be no matter the circumstances. Briefly, an old memory about how he found out that Cameron and his mom were together floated back, but he shoved it aside. "You just focus on Mom and the mission."
Cameron thoroughly agreed and now pushed the conversation in the direction she wanted it to go. "I have noticed that several terminators are here in the city."
John tried not letting his tense posture show, but Blue had warned him about this. He merely replied, "They're apart of the Resistance now."
Cameron eyed the leader and guessed, "They are not scrubbed." She could tell John wouldn't deny or agree. "I can't discern their series. But they're unique... like me."
John waited a beat but promised, "Nobody is as unique as you, Cameron." He laced his hands together in his lap. "I can't tell you much about them or what's happening in 2028."
The terminator's eyes darkened to a cobalt. "You don't trust me."
"It's not that," John fought, "and it's not even the directive. It's merely that you're not ready to know."
"You're protecting me," Cameron muttered. She thought back to Sarah's point about how John, no matter what, was always protective about her. But she decided on another tactic and mentioned, "Sarah is concerned about these terminators."
"She's safe," John promised. However, he knew too that his mother could be nosy and would try to find out the truth. He couldn't help giving in just a bit and told, "They're rogue terminators that have freely joined the Resistance."
"Impossible," Cameron instantly replied. She was obviously taken aback by this news. "Rogue terminators are extremely dangerous and unpredictable."
John sat silently for a beat then leaned forward in his chair. He then questioned, "Where do you think those rogue terminators retrieved food, water, and supplies for you and Mom?" He could tell his friend was stumped, and he was pleased it made Cameron stop and think. "They weren't that rogue. They were on patrol, Cameron."
The terminator couldn't process John's words fast enough. Her cybernetic brain started heating up from all the new data, and she bowed her head. "Patrol?" she muttered.
"They knew you nor Mom would trust them," John further explained. "We both know that as soon as Skynet received word that you were back that several terminators and HKs would be dispatched to capture you, and Mom." He shook his head and leaned over the desk further. He quietly asked, "Don't you think it's a little odd that it was easy to get here?"
Cameron stared at the leader, who she trusted fully but now she was unsure by what he told her. She suddenly rose up and remarked, "You knew we were coming... you were ready for us."
John tilted his head back so he could see Cameron's face better. "Yes," he seriously admitted.
"Then why did you let us travel here with such danger?" Cameron hotly fought. But she softly added, "Sarah was injured and ill."
John let out a low sigh and sadly told, "I don't think you would have trusted us, Cameron if we just showed up. I decided to let you and Mom find your way here, but we kept an eye on you both." He then stood up too and argued, "And Mom needed to learn to trust you... like I have."
Cameron kept running over it in her head then hotly whispered, "You should have not risked Sarah's life." Her eyes were still a dangerous cobalt, and she snapped, "I do not agree with your decision."
"You don't have to," John rebuked.
Cameron had angry features clearly showing on her alloy. She was tense with fisted hands. John was right that she would have never trusted direct help if the Resistance appeared with open arms. But she didn't like being played with or having Sarah's safety compromised. "Apparently I'm not the only expert at lying about important things." She saw how John was visibly stung by her remark. She gathered herself and headed to the door because she worried she'd say more hurtful things.
"I didn't lie to you, Cameron," John weakly tried.
The terminator stood in the open doorway but kept her back to him. "You needlessly risked Sarah's life which I never thought John Connor would do." She turned her head sidelong and showed her cobalt eyes. "That is a lie." She left the office.
John leaned forward until his hands touched the desk. "Damn," he muttered.
Cameron quickly moved through the underground city with true purpose. She noticed how many humans jumped out of her way because they saw her angry features. There were dark, heavy thoughts processing through her cortical node, and she needed to talk to Sarah. She hoped the human was back in her quarters after the morning walk.
Deep down in the city's levels, Sarah Connor stepped out of her bathroom after washing her face. She felt refreshed between a decent breakfast, a walk, and now cleaning up. She considered a nap too, but she realized she was actually a bit hungry. She really hadn't finished her breakfast this morning, and she figured that since it was eleven that she could get an early lunch. Maybe Lauren Fields was right after all.
Sarah gathered her leather coat this time and put it on only after she pulled off the armband. She reattached the armband and left her quarters. She headed down to the elevator lobby and hopped on the first elevator. Just as the elevator's door closed, she heard the neighboring one open up. She debated whether or not that'd been Cameron but decided it probably wasn't her.
Sarah rode up to the upper third level where the cafeteria was located. A few times the elevator stopped and filled with two others, but Sarah kept quiet. She could tell they noticed her armband so she mentally sighed. Once the elevator stopped on the third floor, she stepped off and made a right then another sharp right around the corner. But this time her body's senses made her jump back just in time before she ran into somebody.
"I was ready that time," Sarah quipped when two large hands were in front of her to cushion her from a collision. She spotted the band ring on the woman's left index finger that flashed under the light. At this, she smiled up at the dark woman's chiseled features.
"Yes," the woman agreed and lowered her hands. "We must stop meeting this way." Her blue eyes were lit up playfully.
Sarah couldn't lose her smile but stepped closer and held out her hand. "I'm Sarah Connor."
"Yes, I know." The blue-eyed bombshell briskly shook hands then introduced, "I'm Liz Ford, but my friends call me Blue." She released hands and saw how Sarah had amused features.
"Must be the eyes," Sarah guessed.
Liz Ford had a soft smile despite tension hid behind her eyes. "Yes, it is." Her nervous attitude showed a bit more, but she quickly recovered by asking, "Were you headed to the cafeteria?"
"Yes, actually." Sarah covered her stomach, which silently growled in protest. "My breakfast was... interrupted so I'm pretty hungry now." She had a coy smile. She noticed how Liz was debating something.
Liz gathered her inner strength and offered, "I'll join you then."
Sarah was surprised by this but didn't turn down the offer either. "Thanks." She started for the cafeteria, and Liz fell in step beside her. "I've noticed a lot of people avoid me because of this armband."
Liz glanced at the familiar armband and remarked, "Yes, people are concerned they'll overstep the Temporal Directive."
"Is there some kind of punishment if somebody does so?" Sarah inquired. She wondered if Liz even knew about such things.
Liz widened her gait and opened the door for Sarah. She merely replied, "It depends on the seriousness of the case." She followed Sarah in and noticed there were not many diners yet because it was early for lunch. "But we would take it on a case by case basis... we've never had anything serious, yet." She got in line with Sarah. "We hope we never do."
Sarah hesitated and checked, "We?" She glanced up at the tall blue-eyed woman, who looked to be Sarah's age or a bit older. She admired Liz's short, cropped hairstyle that framed Liz's chiseled features.
"I work with your son," Liz elaborated. "Actually, he and I wrote the Temporal Directive after a few incidents."
"Ah," Sarah murmured. But she now focused on her order to the chef that waited on her. She listened to Liz's order and slightly grinned that it was the same thing. She faced Liz Ford and inquired, "How long have you been working with him?"
Liz seriously considered the question and replied, "It's been just over a year now." She folded her thick arms that were hidden by her black, long sleeve top. She wore jeans that were boot-cut and a black belt that had studded design. "I'm apart of a council that's trying to develop a government for the Resistance." She then grinned and added, "We kind of liken it to the Roman Senate."
"Hence a council," Sarah murmured. "What were you doing before?"
Liz just shrugged and thought back on her past but finally answered, "I was here and there." Her expression was slightly hidden, but she explained, "I was a bit of a fighter, I guess you could say, but I got out of that line of work."
Sarah chuckled and bobbed her head. "I wish I could say the same." She turned when the chef gave them their plates at the same time. She and Liz collected drinks and utensils then found a lonely table in a corner area. Sarah became comfortable but first drank some of her ice tea.
"John said you came from 2008," Liz prompted after a minute.
"Yes," Sarah agreed. "We were on a mission, and I was taken hostage." Her tone showed that she wasn't pleased by this incident. "Anyway, Cameron was able to get us out of the bind. But we had to stop the Skynet agent that was after us." She then grinned and joked, "Needless to say, we stopped him but it didn't quite happen the way we'd planned it."
Liz chuckled and nodded a few times. "Next thing you know you're wondering through 2028."
"Yes," Sarah softly agreed. She began eating her waffle fries like Liz, and she occasionally dipped them in ketchup. "Do you know Cameron?"
Liz peered up from her full plate and held Sarah's gaze. "Cameron Phillips?" At Sarah's nod, she looked back down at her food. "I know of her." She swirled her waffle fry through ketchup then munched on it. "Her and John are close."
Sarah tilted her head at this comment and decided that John and Liz must be close too if Liz knew so much. She decided on prodding to see what reaction she could get from Liz Ford. She casually remarked, "She replaced Allison Young." Liz's reaction was immediate and caused Sarah to stiff when cold, blue eyes locked on her.
"Allison Young," Liz started in a dangerous voice, "was an amazing woman. Her... replacement was a huge loss, to many." She sensed her speech and attitude had made Sarah recoil some. She sighed and eased her tone. "I'm sorry... but Allison Young's death is a sensitive subject for many."
Sarah cleared her throat and nodded because she could understand how Liz felt. "I didn't mean to be rude." She noticed her apology calmed the older woman. "Did you know Allison Young then?"
Liz played with her fry in the ketchup and took a beat. "I met her, yes." She studied John's mother and added, "She was a brave woman." She ate her fry then glanced at her cheeseburger, which she'd loaded with ketchup and pickles earlier.
Sarah nibbled on her lower lip but grabbed her ice tea. "What you know about Cameron?"
Liz picked up her burger but didn't lift it high from her plate. "I know that John sent her back to protect his younger self." She shrugged and left it at that.
Sarah was interested by how Liz Ford didn't seem to be enchanted by Cameron like the rest of the Resistance such as Thomas, Wayne, Andrew Marshal, and even her son. She decided to let it go because there had to be some painful history there that could anger Liz Ford.
"John mentioned that you and her will be traveling back to 2008 on Monday if all goes well," Liz commented.
"Hopefully so," Sarah agreed. "But I have to admit it's been a nice break." She revealed a grin. "A bit unexpected though."
Liz smiled at this which caused her eyes to lighten again. She bit into her burger and enjoyed the flavor. She noticed that Sarah seemed to like her burger as well. But Liz became lost in Sarah's rich jade eyes that made her wistful.
Sarah caught the deep ridden sadness in the woman's sapphire eyes. She carefully asked, "Are you alright? It looks like I lost you there."
Liz bowed her head and set the burger down. She peered up with a bittersweet smile. "I'm sorry." She picked up her cup that was filled with water. "Your eyes remind me of somebody that I love."
Sarah hadn't expected such a confession and took a beat to swallow her mouthful. She put her half eaten burger down too. "No," she brushed off, "don't be sorry." She then signaled the wedding band ring on the woman's left hand. "I remind you of your spouse?"
Liz held up her left hand and regarded the wedding ring then smiled at Sarah. "Yes, actually." She saw how Sarah mirrored the smile back to her.
"What's his name?" Sarah drank some of her tea.
Liz lowered her hand. "Her name is Nico." She grew wide eye when Sarah Connor suddenly choked on her drink.
Sarah set her glass down and coughed a few times. She patted her chest and gasped, "Sorry." She covered her aching chest and cleared her throat.
"Are you alright?" Liz checked.
Sarah nodded and drank a bit more tea in hopes it'd sooth her throat. She cleared it again then set the glass down. "I'm sorry. I just didn't expect...."
Liz flashed a devilish grin and checked, "You assumed I'd be married to a man?"
Sarah sighed, but she showed an impish smile. "Yes, I'm sorry."
Liz chuckled at this and teased, "Well, I hope you're not homophobic or anything."
"No," Sarah quickly replied. She then softly repeated, "No... not at all." She finally relaxed and decided to go back to her meal.
"Her eyes have the same unique shade of green as yours," Liz explained to the time traveler.
Sarah tenderly smiled at this and now understood why Liz had been captivated by her. "How long have you two been married?"
"It'll be a year this January." Liz ate her last waffle fry. "The first year of marriage is paper... I'm having a hard time deciding what to get her."
Sarah chuckled and thought about it but asked, "I would tell you airline tickets to Italy but..." She sadly smiled at the older woman. "I don't think that'll work in 2028."
Liz solemnly nodded but mentioned, "She enjoys reading and writing so I'm sure I can come up with something." She then decided to redirect the topic back to Sarah. "You're not married, Sarah?"
Sarah had eaten another portion of her burger, and it took her a moment to reply. She swallowed her mouthful and answered, "No, but I was briefly engaged." She was slightly uncomfortable telling this to a stranger, but yet she also didn't mind telling this woman. "Just the whole married life and fighting Skynet just didn't match up too well."
"Ah," Liz murmured, "I understand." She seriously regarded the time traveler. "But you shouldn't give up on being with somebody." She tilted her head and her blue eyes held Sarah. "Every human deserves happiness in their life."
Those words jarred Sarah Connor because it made her think about Cameron's talk last night. She looked down at the small space that separated her plate from Liz's. She looked up with hooded eyes and replied, "I sometimes forget I'm allowed it."
Liz thought about this statement then confessed, "I understand... I've been there too." She grabbed her glass of water. "But then the right person comes along and changes everything for you."
"You speak from experience?" Sarah studied the woman's face and tried determining further what was on Liz's mind.
"Yes." Liz drank some water then set her cup down. She then pushed her plate aside now that she was done. "Nico wasn't my first love... so to speak." She folded her arms on the table and casually leaned against it. "There was another before Nico, and she... left me. I didn't think I'd ever be happy again after her but..." She went quiet for a second and held Sarah's stare. She finally finished, "But Nico found me."
Sarah was curious about Liz's previous love interest but could tell it was probably an old wound. She wasn't about to pry. She instead offered, "It's nice to be found."
"Yes," Liz whispered, "it is." She had a true smile that pulled at her full lips.
Sarah couldn't help but smile too with the older woman. She felt as if she'd met Liz in a previous life because their chemistry was right. She then dropped her stare and mentioned, "I need to be heading back."
Liz nodded and stood up from the table. She picked up Sarah's plate along with her own.
Sarah noticed this but didn't say anything either. She grabbed her and Liz's glasses and followed the tall woman to the dish drop off. Afterwards, she took Liz's side on the way out of the cafeteria.
"I hope you and Cameron safely return to 2008," Liz offered once they were outside the cafeteria. She stopped a few yards away from the main entrance.
"We will," Sarah agreed. She warmly smiled at the older woman. "Thank you, Liz for having lunch with me. It was nice to meet you."
"Please," Liz argued, "Just call me Blue."
Sarah became slightly coy but nodded. "Alright... Blue." She then shyly admitted, "Although, I feel like I've met you before."
Liz bowed her head some and sadly smiled at Sarah. "Perhaps in a past life." She was silent for a beat but added, "Maybe I'll see you again before you travel back to 2008."
Sarah had her smile again. "Hopefully." She started moving away from the tall, dark woman. "See ya, Blue."
Liz kept her smile and watched the younger woman head down the hallway until she was around a bend. Slowly her smile slipped, and she combed her long fingers through her short, midnight hair. "Damn," she muttered and let out a shaky breath. She turned around and headed in the right direction to get to her office.
Sarah toyed with her own hair just as she stepped into the elevator, which had emptied out of riders. She hit the negative five level and stepped off once she made it to the guest floor. She tucked her hands into her pant pockets on her stroll to her quarters and quietly slipped into her room.
However, there in her quarters waited Cameron Phillips, who looked rather agitated and stood ridged like a statue until Sarah entered the quarters. Sarah carefully shut the door and approached her friend, who seemed like she came to life all of a sudden.
"Where have you been?" Cameron instantly snapped. She had her arms folded but dropped them to her side.
Sarah narrowed her eyes at Cameron's abrasive attitude, and she typically reacted by getting hot tempered back. But she stopped herself this time.
"I've been waiting here for forty-seven minutes," the terminator informed.
Sarah lowered her head for a beat and took a deep breath. She felt better and now neared her friend, who needed to calm down more than anybody else. "I'm not sure what's happened but getting short with me isn't going to help the situation." She hoped her fair warning would settle the terminator. She was surprised that Cameron was this rattled by something because Sarah had never seen this before.
Cameron lowered her head and gathered her patience despite how shaken she was by John Connor. She lift her gaze and revealed more calm features now. "You are correct."
Sarah willingly accepted the unspoken apology and neared her friend. "So what's up?" She studied the terminator's face, which had gone more stoic like normal. "I take it the talk with John didn't go too well...?"
"It did not go as expected," Cameron agreed. She moved away from the human.
Sarah turned her head and watched Cameron. "What happened?" She was now more concerned than anything. "Did you find out anything about those terminators in the cafeteria?"
"They are rogue," Cameron answered.
"Rogue?" Sarah murmured.
The terminator came back to the human and read Sarah's shocked features. "They were rogue terminators, who have freely joined the Resistance."
"My god," Sarah muttered. She lowered her head and touched her hot brow.
"The two terminators who gave us supplies in trade were also apart of the Resistance," Cameron further explained.
"What?" Sarah murmured. She developed dark features and her brow furrowed. "Rogue terminators are joining the Resistance?"
"Apparently," Cameron agreed. She was pacing in front of Sarah.
Sarah considered this more deeply, but it didn't jar her too badly because she'd learned that Cameron had freely joined the Resistance too. She could sense that something else was bothering her protector too. She stepped into the terminator's path and forced her to face Sarah. "What else?"
Cameron curled her fingers into a fist. She realized that her actions and expression were making her more readable than normal. She tried falling back into her typical terminator attitude. "John knew we were coming here to 2028, but he decided not to directly help us despite he knew you were in danger."
Sarah now had insight to what'd really upset the terminator. "We made it here safely, Cameron."
The terminator bristled at this and remarked, "You do not need to defend his actions."
Sarah was taken aback enough by Cameron's remark that she leaned to the side. She had twisted features and whispered, "I understand why he did it though."
"Do you?" Cameron questioned. "I do not agree with his decision... with his choice to further endanger your life."
Sarah quietly sighed and moved closer to her tense friend. She gingerly grasped Cameron's upper arms. "You don't have to agree... you don't have to like it." She had a gloomy expression. "He's a leader and not everybody is going to like his choices every time... that is a leader."
Cameron had a tight jaw but said nothing else.
Sarah frowned at this and carefully guessed, "I don't think it's his decision that bothers you." She moved in slightly closer so she could read Cameron better. "You understand his decision and the logic behind it." She narrowed her eyes and concluded, "It's because his decision personally affected you... because it was about me."
"He did not protect you as he should have," Cameron argued.
"But you were," Sarah reminded. "And he trusted you to do that for him." She could tell her perspective impacted the terminator, who hadn't thought about Sarah's point.
"He wanted to put you in a position that would force you to trust me," Cameron revealed.
Sarah shrugged because it didn't really bother her. "I already trusted you."
"You're not angry with him," the terminator concluded after a beat.
Sarah wouldn't disagree despite she was annoyed with one aspect, but she'd take that up with her son later. She instead said, "I understand his decision." She watched Cameron's features. "I've made plenty of decisions during missions that you didn't agree with either."
Cameron couldn't dispute this because it often led to arguments between them in the past. "Our methods are different," she murmured.
Sarah slowly nodded but went back to the main topic. "But thank you." She saw Cameron's confusion and better explained, "For getting defensive on my behalf." She rubbed the terminator's muscular, alloy arms once then dropped her hands. "For him to be John Connor, he has to wear a heavy crown that requires hard decisions... some that he may not even like."
Cameron frowned at Sarah's distressing words, but it made her think back on a conversation she'd once overheard from John. "He believes that machines can be replaced unlike humans... it is why he sent the T-800 back to protect himself from the T-1000. He learned from Kyle Reese's death." Slowly, emotions started settling over her alloy features. "But when it came time to send another machine, he had a choice between two T-888s to send back to 1999."
Sarah tilted her head and carefully listened to the terminator, who was lost in old memories.
"At the time, I worked directly beside John... I tried to learn as much as I could from him," Cameron further told. "When I found out he'd be sending back a triple eights to protect his younger self, I volunteered to take on the mission. He denied me."
"Why?" Sarah murmured.
Cameron was quiet for a beat but remembered John's explanation at the time. "Because he learned some machines can't be replaced ever again." She watched how Sarah lowered her head, but Cameron kept telling the rest of the story. "Just as he became attached to the T-800 when he was twelve, he became attached to me and denied my request."
"Then how did you end up coming back?" Sarah whispered.
Cameron lifted her chin some and replied, "At the time, I was attempting to keep my promise to Allison Young. I assisted John greatly with pinpointing potential key terminators to join the Resistance."
Sarah was surprised by this news and wanted to know more. She thought back to her conversation with Andrew Marshal out by the walls. "Why though?"
"After I left Skynet, word had spread very quickly because I was the first terminator to every defect from Skynet and go to the Resistance without reprogramming. I made a choice, freely." Cameron could tell that Sarah was starting to piece it together.
"And you were the prototype terminator specifically designed to assassinate John." Sarah looked downward and thought this out. "I bet that caused a stir."
"Yes," Cameron softly agreed. "Prior to joining the Resistance, Allison Young had been captured. I interrogated and studied her on a daily basis until I had enough data to become her. In our last conversation, I had lied to her and told her that there were some terminators that wanted peace."
"But after you joined the Resistance," Sarah guessed, "you wanted to make that real."
"Yes, if I can break from Skynet then so can others."
Sarah wasn't sure what to make of it all. But it still left a huge question in her mind that bothered her. "Then why were you sent back to 1999 for John and me?" She now had an inkling that Cameron's mission wasn't just to protect John.
"There is a T-1000 in 2008 that I must find," Cameron explained. "It poses a threat to everything we know now... everything we've worked towards. It could change the entire timeline as we know it."
Sarah felt her stomach drop at this revelation. Now she understood why her son and Liz Ford had created the Temporal Directive. She walked away from the terminator and gathered herself. She felt lied to after so long, but yet Cameron had told her the truth when she could have kept hiding it. She touched her brow and faced the terminator. "Why didn't you tell me this sooner?"
"John didn't want to concern you with it," Cameron replied.
"Then why tell me?" Sarah tempted. She came back to her protector.
Cameron seriously processed the question and replied, "I do not want to lie to you anymore." She dropped her head briefly but quietly added, "And I rather have your help when the day comes."
"The day comes?" Sarah murmured.
Cameron faintly nodded then neared the human. "The day I switch sides."
Sarah stared oddly at the terminator and coldly whispered, "Skynet." There were hints of fear in her eyes and voice.
"No," Cameron argued. "I must join the T-1000."
Sarah let out a breath and separated from the terminator again. She kept her back to Cameron while she bowed her head. "What is this T-1000?" She rubbed her forehead.
"It is a rogue terminator," Cameron explained. "It became self-aware in 2027, but it hid from Skynet. The T-1000s are notorious for becoming self-ware... perhaps a program glitch."
Sarah slowly turned back to Cameron, who continued speaking about the T-1000.
"John and I managed to flush out the T-1000 from hiding, capture it, and it was to be brought back to Serrano Point."
"It didn't make it," Sarah muttered in realization.
"No, it was released from its prison inside of a submarine." Cameron tilted her head at the human.
Sarah tangled her fingers through her wavy, black hair. "So it came to the past... to do what?"
"I believe to develop another AI," the terminator replied. She saw how Sarah was becoming more tense and worried. "We've been following a trail of breadcrumbs to the T-1000."
Sarah narrowed her eyes and approached the larger terminator. "You're telling me that all these leads we're following aren't for Skynet?"
"No, some are for Skynet." Cameron answered, "But many are for the second AI."
Sarah fisted her hands and snapped, "You've been leading John and I on this entire time."
Cameron grew tense at the pending fight that was so common between she and Sarah. "Yes," she admitted without regret or apology. "Skynet is built by the government." She saw the fire enter the human's eyes, which told her the explosion wasn't far away.
"You said you had no idea who builds Skynet but you knew when!" Sarah gritted her teeth and her ire showed on her face. "You've lied to me since the start, misled me, and made me believe I could stop this... stop it for John."
"It is inevitable... Skynet is inevitable."
"Skynet can be stopped!" Sarah yelled at the terminator. She darkly glared at the terminator and hotly whispered, "You don't make a sacrifice because you already know your future is secure."
Cameron waited a beat in hopes it'd cool Sarah down. She then carefully explained, "Technology will evolve into a species just as the hominidae evolved into a species." She watched the human's mannerism for any indicators to her attitude. "You agreed last night that cybernetic organisms are a race."
Sarah tried grasping that technology would evolve this way. "Skynet is an evolution." She shook her head and muttered, "It's destined to happen."
Cameron could tell that the human now understood the future. She carefully neared Sarah and gently explained, "Originally, the mission was to stop Cromartie in 1999 and that's why John was going to pick between two triple eights. But once we found out the T-1000 escaped and made it to 2007, we had to adjust our plans."
"You were sent back to stop Cromartie quickly then take John and I to 2007 so we could help you track down the T-1000," Sarah softly guessed. She had a distraught look as the pieces fell together, but she became confused again. "But why you? Why not a triple eights?"
"The triple eights are smart," Cameron explained, "but not as intelligent as me. They also cannot infiltrate or demonstrate they've switched sides." She tilted her head. "Do you remember the spider at the hotel was mimetic pollyalloy?"
"Yes," Sarah murmured. But as she remembered those events, she started understanding why Cameron was specifically sent back.
"My tubules can extract the T-1000's chip if I'm close enough," Cameron revealed.
Sarah shook her head and muttered, "You have to switch sides to get that close." She peered up at her friend and checked, "You don't think the T-1000 is trying to build Skynet?"
"No." Cameron carefully explained, "John and I selected this T-1000 because it is against Skynet. It wishes to stop Skynet, but it is going about it the wrong way. It will only disrupt the timeline as it stands now."
"And if it was after John and I then it would have killed us by now," Sarah concluded. She gave a low sigh and rubbed her brow again.
Cameron sensed that Sarah had calmed down despite the brief argument. She'd expected it go far worse, but she also knew it wasn't completely settled either. "John ordered me not to tell you about my mission. But I did not want to continue lying to you about it."
Sarah tilted her head back and studied open, honest features. She knew that Cameron was being truthful with her now and also realized Cameron could have kept lying if she wanted to do so. But instead the terminator disobeyed her strict orders and told her.
"I don't wish for there to be secrets between us anymore," Cameron revealed.
Sarah shook her head and tried staying calm. "Cameron," she started in a strained tone, "if there are anymore secrets then you need to tell me." She wasn't sure if Cameron understood why so she figured it would be better to explain it. "If you're serious about... serious about us and about having a relationship then there can't be anymore secrets." She came closer to the terminator, who had an open expression. "For us to have a strong, lasting relationship, we have to have trust, communication, respect, and..."
Cameron put her head to one side at the human's hesitation. But she prompted, "And?"
Sarah gathered her courage and softly finished, "And love." She felt like she was ahead of herself and especially ahead of Cameron, but she knew it was true too. She then added, "It goes for me too."
Cameron almost said her usual grateful line about explaining, but she stopped herself this time. She instead simply yet importantly said, "I agree." She noticed how her change of response helped Sarah, who grew calmer. "I wish to tell you more about my past but perhaps later when we have more time."
"Alright," Sarah murmured. Indeed she wanted to know more about Cameron's past too. She moved away from her friend and sunk down on the foot of the bed.
Cameron turned around and studied the worn human.
Sarah folded her arms and slouched back some; her head was bowed in deep consideration. "Some of our missions have directly dealt with Skynet," she argued.
"Yes." Cameron considered the most recent ones and ticked off, "ARTIE, the nuclear power plant, and the Fields are all linked to Skynet and the Resistance."
Sarah finally peered up at the tall, calm terminator. "How do you know whether we're on this T-1000's trail?"
"I'm not positive, but I believe the Turk is important to the T-1000's objective to create an AI." Cameron cocked her head to the right. "The Turk is a perfect base system to create an AI."
"Damn," Sarah muttered. She stared back down at her boot tips. "I bet Sarkissian sold it before he came after us."
"It is hard to say." Cameron moved away and considered her plans for once she returned to 2008.
Sarah scuffed her boot's front sole against the rugged floor and prompted, "You said you need my help. Are you saying you can't handle this mission to stop the T-1000?"
The terminator faced the human, who still sat on the bed. "I can complete the mission. However, sometimes it's nice to have help."
Sarah gave a sad smile at the terminator's honesty, and she nodded. "Alright." She uncrossed her arms and rested her hands on her knees. "Do you have a plan or are you winging it?" She noticed how the terminator wasn't sure about her slang so she clarified herself. "Are you just waiting to find out what the T-1000 is doing so you can make plans?"
"Yes." Cameron came back to her friend and stood near her. "Although I fear I may be too late if the T-1000 has the Turk."
"I think it's hard to say what's going on until we find out more," Sarah debated. She stood up from the bed. "We'll have to go through our leads when we get back... see what looks promising." After Cameron nodded, she reminded, "We should find John."
Cameron silently agreed and followed the human out of the quarters.
Sarah stayed close to the terminator's side, which was a recent change in her habit. She tucked her hands into her pant pockets while a thoughtful look came over her. "Cameron?"
The terminator shifted her focus to the human next to her.
"Thanks for telling me... about your mission."
Cameron wasn't pleased but actually put off but not at Sarah. "My programming allows me to lie, and I can do it very well. I must do it to infiltrate, among other things." Her tone was laced with disappointment. "Because I'm programmed this way I didn't see it as wrong but more as necessity to complete a mission. I never considered the consequences nor did it matter to me." She saw how Sarah didn't expect her long speech. "Now I understand the consequences... it matters to me."
Sarah felt new security at Cameron's last statement. She was amazed by how quickly the terminator was growing and learning, especially recently.
"Thank you for understanding," Cameron softly added.
Sarah brushed her fingertips over her protector's bicep. "You're finally stopping and listening... I couldn't ask for more." She approached the elevator and hit the up button.
Cameron was silently considering this and discovered it was true that she was better paying attention. In the past, Cameron took Sarah's points just merely as observation and not as advise. She thought back on Sarah's earlier explanation about elements to a strong, lasting relationship. She analyzed it and concluded that Sarah was taking the offer more seriously. Her calculations told her that her chances were improving, drastically which caused the cobalt shade in her eyes to lighten. As she followed behind Sarah onto the elevator, a pleased smile creased her alloy lips.