Chapter 11
Sarah Connor was seated in a hard, metal chair while Cameron stood directly behind her. She folded her arms and leaned back just as Major William Tarras entered the interrogation room.
Major Tarras neared the table that separated him from his two detainees. He pulled out a chair and slowly sat down but placed a personal digital assistant on the table. "We skipped introductions earlier this evening, Miss Connor. I am William Tarras." He laced his hands on top of the table. "In the Resistance, there is a division of defense called the Crime Investigation Division, which handles internal crimes committed by Resistance soldiers. The CID is comprised of about a thousand soldiers and civilians, but of that only two hundred are special agents."
Sarah carefully listened to the detailed information about the CID. She hadn't expected for Major Tarras to thoroughly explain everything to her, but she was grateful.
"In 2025," the major continued, "the Resistance began capturing and reprogramming terminators particularly from the Series 800. After reprogramming, these terminators were placed into service and followed direct orders from your son. As you will recall, one such reprogrammed terminator was sent back in time to protect your son at a young age."
Sarah unfolded her arms and tried being more friendly. She offered, "I take it not all Resistance soldiers were thrilled by this development." She mentally pulled up Derek Reese's name on her list.
"You are correct," the major agreed. "There were several unexplained malfunctions from some reprogrammed terminators. The malfunctions varied in degrees and in consequences, but we also noticed another pattern." William briefly picked up his PDA but set it back down. "We noticed some malfunctions, the less serious ones, seemed to happen around soldiers who displayed phobic symptoms. Upon deeper investigation, the CID discovered that some malfunctions were maliciously caused by these Resistance soldiers, who wanted to destroy the reprogrammed terminator and needed the right reason to give to the CID."
Sarah softly huffed. Despite her and Cameron's history had been bumpy, she would never consider stooping that low but would have blatantly destroyed Cameron if she had threatened her son. Now she knew she wouldn't even do that after Cameron's accidental malfunction from the Jeep explosion.
"Just last year in 2027, as you may know or not, Cameron joined the Resistance without reprogramming," the major informed.
"Yes," Sarah replied, "we've discussed it." She glanced back at her friend, who silently listened to the conversation. She focused back on the major.
"At that time, there was a submarine, the USS Jimmy Carter, sent on a special mission by your son. It was captained by a triple eight named Captain Queeg." William leaned back in his chair again. "Needless to say, the special mission inadvertently caused a mutiny onboard, and Captain Queeg was destroyed by the commander." He then peered up at terminator behind Sarah Connor. "I'm sure you recall the incident, Miss Phillips since you carried out your investigation for Connor."
"Yes, I do," the terminator quietly replied.
William nodded then lowered his eyes to Sarah. "Due to the commander's actions on the Jimmy Carter, the CID, your son, and Miss Phillips developed a subdivision now known as the Cybernetic Organism Investigative Unit or just simply COIU. My unit solely focuses on crimes committed to or by cybernetic organisms, who are now a part of the Resistance. And it doesn't matter whether they're reprogrammed or not." Briefly his eyes flickered to Cameron then back at Sarah.
Sarah felt her shoulders slouch at all this information told to her. She carefully asked, "Have the attempts made on terminators been reduced due to the COIU?"
"Yes," the major replied. "So has much re-education and just time." He became slightly wistful and mentioned, "However, the reprogrammed terminator population in the Resistance has been slowly diminishing. It appears that Skynet has found a way to self-destruct terminators if the terminator's CPU is tampered with at all." He picked up his PDA. "It took the Resistance much effort to obtain and reprogram that T-888."
"Ah," Sarah murmured in understanding.
Major Tarras pulled out his PDA's stylus and started tapping on it. "I've investigated what happened earlier this evening by the cafeteria." He slid the stylus back into the PDA.
"And?" Sarah prompted. Her tone was calm compared to two hours ago.
The major leaned back in his chair and regarded the time travelers. "I reviewed the T-888's last minutes from his memory files. I also interviewed Casey Rilee and few other witnesses." He paused but continued talking after a beat. "We haven't determined what caused the T-888 to malfunction. However, we will continue to search through its programming and determine what's at fault."
"So," Sarah checked, "Cameron and I are not at fault?"
"We haven't determined any foul play and from accounts, it appears the triple eight had a severe malfunction."
"Severe enough to cause three deaths," Sarah reminded and some of her agitation slipped in again.
"Yes, sadly," the major relented. He glanced up at Cameron then back to Sarah. "Miss Connor, how many times has your terminator saved your life?"
Sarah narrowed her eyes, but she decided not to let him push her buttons. Instead, she straightened up and leaned over the table some. "First, she's not my terminator... Cameron is her own individual." She noticed how the corner of William's lips resisted a smile's tug. She now wondered if he wasn't purposefully testing her to find out her current opinion on terminators. "Second, if I determine how many times Cameron has and will continue to save my life then it'd far out count the total agents in the CID."
The major had a pleased expression and softly agreed, "Humans easily forget the good that terminators give us because it is easier to think of them as monstrous machines." But he became more serious. "However, that doesn't excuse or overlook those three deaths this evening. They will be properly honored, and their families cared for because of the loss."
Sarah nodded and knew his words were a compromise between her concern for the deaths and his duty as an investigator. She, like the major and Cameron, heard a gentle knock at the metal door.
The major glanced over his shoulder but scooped up his PDA. "Excuse me." He slipped away from the table and exited the investigation room.
Sarah twisted around in her chair and peered up at the mostly silent terminator. "Still with us, tiger?" She found blue orbs lowered to her.
"Yes."
Sarah furrowed her eyebrows at Cameron's simple reply. However, she didn't have a chance to dig deeper because Major Tarras reentered the room. She focused back on him despite Cameron's attitude concerned her. In the past, Sarah would have wrote it off as Cameron being her typical terminator self, but now Sarah was picking out subtle indicators that revealed Cameron's well hidden moods.
"Your son has arrived," the major announced. "He wishes to speak with you then you're both free to go." He had his hands behind his back. "I may contact you both later for further details about this evening."
"We understand," Sarah replied. She wanted to stay civil with the investigator. Nor did she have anything to hide about the incident.
Major Tarras was pleased and approached the seated time traveler. "It was a pleasure, Miss Connor despite the circumstances."
Sarah got to her feet and shook hands with the major. She felt better about the entire situation and more confident about the Resistance. "Hopefully we don't repeat this meeting."
William briefly flashed a grin, but he went over to the unsheathed terminator. "Phillips." He held out his hand.
The terminator peeled off the wall and took the human's small hand. "Thank you, major." She too wanted to be civil, and she could appreciate his duty.
Major Tarras nodded once then broke away from the women. He quietly exited the room but left the door open.
Sarah was still standing, but she sat on the table's corner just as her son joined them. "Hey," she softly greeted to him.
John approached his mother and glanced once at the terminator. "Hey," he returned in kind. He folded his thick arms. "I heard dinner started with a bang."
"Yeah, a real killer," Sarah quipped in a sad tone. She sighed and laced her hands in her lap. "I take it you heard the details."
"Yes." John leaned his hip against the table. "I'm sorry about the unstable triple eight. It's getting a bit harder to reprogram them properly. Skynet is making it harder." He looked over at Cameron, who still hadn't said a word. He turned back to his mother. "You're both okay?"
"Yes, I'm fine." Sarah looked over at Cameron.
The terminator just nodded and didn't verbally respond.
The Resistance leader's eyes flickered from the terminator to his mother. "The major said he went over everything with you."
"Mmmm," Sarah softly agreed. "It was quite educational." She tilted her head at her son.
John wasn't sure how to handle his mother's words. "COIU is important... for everybody's sake." He couldn't tell whether his mother was displeased by the COIU's existence.
Sarah developed a small grin. "I don't argue you." She noticed his suspicious look so she seriously offered, "I understand what you're trying to do here." She hesitated and bowed her head some. "I know you're my son, but I can't expect you to be just like me." She peered up at him. "For some reason, you've come to understand and accept terminators unlike me." She finally raised her head.
John considered his mother's words then shook his head. He rubbed his short crew cut hair and flopped his hand to his side. "You look at them like tools," he stated.
"Maybe," Sarah agreed. But she nodded at the silent terminator behind her. "Maybe not." She pushed off the table and grasped her son's arms. "You have an affinity for technology and machines... I don't think you got it from your father." She squeezed his muscular arms, let go, and started for the open door.
John stood there, motionless. He looked up from the floor and stared at the quiet terminator. "Come on, Cameron." He indicated the door and followed his mother's cold trail.
Cameron followed the Connors out of the investigation room. She met them out in the empty hall after weaving through the COIU office. She'd collected a few side glances from various COIU agents but none of them said anything to her.
"I have to stay and talk to the major for awhile longer," John mentioned. "I think Kate is going to meet with you two at your quarters. She is worried too."
"Alright," Sarah agreed. "We'll head back there."
John nodded and started back to the tinted glass door to the COIU's office. "Try to stay out of trouble, Mom."
"No promises," Sarah teased back. She separated from him and followed alongside Cameron to the elevator lobby. She became edgy because the terminator was so quiet. "What's up?" she finally asked after a long minute of silence. She saw Cameron's curious glance. "You're quiet normally, but you're not this quiet."
"I'm processing what Major Tarras said in the interrogation room."
Sarah softly hummed because she was doing the same thing. "You know what sticks out weird about a lot of this?" She peered up at Cameron. "And both points are directed at you." At Cameron's head tilt, she quietly explained, "John told me that after you joined the Resistance that he told everybody you were scrubbed when you were not."
Cameron silently conceded that it was true.
"But Major Tarras back there just said, and I quote that 'Cameron joined the Resistance without reprogramming.' That doesn't make sense." Sarah walked closer to her friend. "Plus when I talked to Andrew Marshal, I kinda tested him and mentioned your reprogramming. He grinned at me like he knew something I didn't know... or so he thinks."
Cameron hadn't considered this at all, but indeed the human was right. She stopped processing though because Sarah spoke again.
"The other thing that gets me," Sarah quietly started, "is that you told me you received threats from Resistance soldiers after you joined."
"Yes," Cameron softly replied.
"That was only a year and half ago," Sarah estimated. "So tell me why soldiers, like Thomas, Wayne, and Andrew, highly respect you and act like you're the greatest thing since sliced bread?"
"Sliced bread?" the terminator was confused how sliced bread had anything to with their conversation.
Sarah let out a low sigh but couldn't hide her grin. "It's a figure of speech that means praise for an invention. Way back in the 1930s, bread loafs were starting to be presliced and sold that way so it became all the rage." She shook her head at the winded explanation. "Anyway..."
"Thank you for explaining," Cameron mentioned.
"Quit that," Sarah insisted. "A simple 'thanks' does the job." She caught how Cameron tilted her head, which meant that the terminator was considering Sarah's suggestion. She switched back to the original conversation and mentioned, "Andrew also said something odd. He said that you were making amends by protecting our future... humans' future, I suppose."
Cameron contemplated it.
"Does anybody know you went to the past?" Sarah inquired.
"Not when I left in 2027. However, it does not mean the Resistance has been made aware of it in 2028." Cameron saw how the human had a suspicious look. "You are looking for a conspiracy theory."
Sarah sharply came out of her thoughts at Cameron's statement. "It doesn't add up, Cameron." She slowed down once in the lobby. She hit the elevator's up button.
"I left in 2027 when changes were starting," Cameron reminded the human.
"But this many changes in a year and half?" Sarah protested.
"It only took twenty-four hours for Judgment Day," the terminator declared.
Sarah tensed at the hard but good point Cameron brought up.
"These changes," Cameron pursued, "are not relevant to us. Our time, our mission is 2008 and protecting younger John."
Sarah sighed because the terminator was right. But she just couldn't help knowing or wanting to know what was happening in 2028. She needed to know if human survival was better and that Skynet was starting to lose. She hoped all her dedication since 1984 wasn't in vain.
The elevator dinged loudly and the two friends entered it. They both were quiet because they were in their own thoughts about 2028. Cameron wasn't truly concerned or that curious about any of it because she logically concluded it didn't change her mission in 2008. However, she knew that Sarah Connor was absolutely absorbed by it and wouldn't give up until they were sent back to 2008.
But once the elevator rolled to a slow stop, the doors drew open and the terminator stepped out first. Yet at Sarah's sharp tone, she paused and looked over her shoulder.
"Why didn't you say anything sooner?" Sarah snapped. Her features weren't angry but instead worried. She gingerly touched the terminator's midback. "It's from that damn plasma blast?"
Cameron knew the human was concerned about her charred, twisted backside from the plasma gun's shot. "It will heal."
Sarah sighed but peered up at her friend. "Does it hurt?"
"No," Cameron simply replied. She stepped out of the elevator before the doors closed, and she sensed Sarah right behind her.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"It was not relevant," Cameron factually stated.
Sarah glowered at the stoic terminator and informed, "It's relevant to me."
Cameron tilted her head at the human's concern, and it eased away her stoic attitude.
"How did you reboot so quickly? It’s supposed to take you two minutes," Sarah recalled.
The terminator had no immediate response and was obviously lost to find an exact answer. "I am unsure." She glanced down at the petite human. "I shouldn't have been able to do such. But before I shut down, I'd calculated the danger for you... I knew you would not survive if I was offline."
"That woman," Sarah softly started, "Casey was trying to protect me."
"It was not enough," Cameron argued, "she was not enough." She and Sarah slowed next to their quarter doors. "Only I could protect you at the time. I was angry about my shut down."
Sarah was confused, but she quickly opened Cameron's quarters and drew Cameron in with her. She shut the door and checked, "Angry? Why?"
"Because I couldn't protect you if I was offline."
Sarah folded her arms and shifted her weight to her right foot. She still had a perplex look as she tried figuring out why Cameron rebooted prior to the hundred twenty seconds. "Maybe it was your emotions." She dropped her gaze to the rugged floor.
Cameron considered the human's thoughts and summarized, "You believe my emotions for you overrode my systems." She immediately found jade eyes back on her.
Sarah nervously realized that was indeed what she meant, and she wasn't sure how she felt about it. She wasn't sure if she was quite ready to believe that the supercomputer could override her programming and machinery because of how the terminator felt for her. She let out a shaky breath and turned her head away.
Cameron carefully approached the human and gently stated, "It is possible." She was already doing an analysis on her systems to find out what'd caused her speedy reboot.
Sarah was uncomfortable, and her lips parted with untold words. She had glossy eyes that stared up at Cameron's metallic features. But before she gathered her courage, a knock at the door disrupted the moment.
Cameron's blue orbs shifted up from Sarah to the door. She started moving but a warm hand at her stomach made her stop.
"I've got it," Sarah murmured. She went to the door and poked it open enough. She was surprised by the guest after expecting it to be Kate Connor.
"Hi," Casey Rilee carefully greeted and had a shy smile. "I... just wanted to make sure you and Cameron survived the major." She quirked a small grin.
Sarah relaxed and drew the door open wider. "Oh we survived... come inside." She let the young woman pass then she shut the door.
Cameron was fixated on their guest, and she was doing heavy scans without any results.
Sarah realized she had to stick to the formalities since her friend was the learning terminator. She first opened it with introductions. "I'm Sarah Connor." She held out her hand.
Casey quickly stepped forward and took the time traveler's hand. "Casey Rilee." She then shifted to the tall terminator when their handshake ended.
"This is Cameron Phillips," Sarah properly introduced. But she attempted another test and added, "As I'm sure you know." She waited to hear Casey's response at her last words.
"Yes, definitely," Casey agreed. She was relieved when the terminator offered a handshake too. She, like Cameron, had an instant vital scan, but her results pulled up nothing due to the alloy skin.
Sarah mentally noted that Casey Rilee certainly knew Cameron from somewhere. She pivoted on her feet a little and smiled at Casey. "Thank you for your help earlier."
Casey backed up a step just so she could have a better visual of both time travelers. "It was not a problem. I wish I could have helped more, but I'd say you had plenty of it." She glanced up at Cameron then back to Sarah.
Sarah tried keeping her eyebrow down when she caught the admiration on Casey's face. She just couldn't help herself anymore and asked, "Are you-"
"Man or machine?" Casey joked.
Sarah had her mouth partially opened, but she closed it and grinned faintly. "Exactly."
"You are a terminator," Cameron declared.
"No," Casey refuted Cameron. "I prefer cyborg." She looked back at Sarah. "I was human but... an explosion later I'm a cyborg." She noticed the human's curious features. "It's a bit of a long story, but I was a Resistance soldier." But she shrugged and explained, "I still am. I was on a mission and suffered a bad explosion. I lost both my legs and my left arm. I was badly burned."
Sarah bowed her head at hearing Casey's story. She peered up though when the cyborg spoke again.
"I had a choice to either be honorably discharged from the army as a cripple or they offered me another life." Casey glanced up at the silent terminator but told the last of her story. "I chose the second option and a few days later I woke up to a new body."
"My god," Sarah murmured. "Are you..." She wasn't quite sure how to phrase her question.
Casey discerned Sarah's thoughts and replied, "My heart, brain, and other organic organs are my own."
Cameron tilted her head at this information. "You are a hybrid."
"Essentially, yes." Casey faintly smiled up at the terminator. "I was prototype at the time." Her eyes flickered to Sarah again. "To see if terminator technology could work with human's organics to this level. Luckily with some chip interfaces, it is possible and I have another chance to serve the Resistance... better than before."
"How long have you been a soldier?" Sarah inquired.
"This is my seventh year." Casey crossed her arms and sadly explained, "I was an angry soldier when I was human. I hated the machines." She didn't dare look at Cameron this time. "It became worse after the explosion... what I lost."
Sarah could understand the losses to Skynet and the terminators. She couldn't count all hers, anymore.
"At first I didn't want to be changed into a machine, to give up my human identity," Casey whispered.
"What changed your mind?" Sarah prompted.
"It's more of a who," Casey responded. Her features lightened after darker memories faded away. "You may not know them, but Liz and Nico spoke to me about it."
Cameron glanced down at her friend, who had met Liz Ford prior.
"I know her... Liz," Sarah replied. "I met her earlier." She saw Casey's smile then that similar admiration appeared in Casey's eyes.
"She and Nico make a great team," Casey mentioned. "After my transplant, I realized how the technology can save us." She hesitated but seriously offered, "It has been all along, and we just never knew it until more recently." She peered up at Cameron as if indicating she already knew about Cameron's mission in 2008.
Sarah wanted to pry more, but she was again cut off by another knock at the door. She mentally cursed then went to the door and found a worried Kate Connor. She welcomed her son's wife into the quarters, which caused Casey Rilee to bid goodbye. Sarah grumbled because she'd hoped to get more information from Casey. But Kate Connor visually checked over the time travelers yet only Sarah's mention about Cameron's back concerned her. Kate offered an inspection of it, but Cameron refused her and promised it'd heal quickly enough.
Kate then suggested they have dinner back at her home. Cameron nearly declined the invite, but her friend gave her a hopeful look so she agreed to it. Soon, the three women trekked through the underground city to Kate and John's home. But John wasn't there and instead still had work to finish tonight. Sarah attempted at helping Kate, who just merely asked her to set the table for them.
Cameron stood in the kitchen doorway and mentioned, "You must be aware of Sarah's cooking inabilities."
The topic of conversation twisted around after just setting the utensils down. "I can cook," she stated to the terminator then looked at Kate.
"You can burn," the terminator argued. She received a warning glare for her facts.
Kate decided to be cautious despite her faint grin. "John told me he would only marry me if I knew how to cook."
Sarah caught the terminator's amusement despite it was well hidden. She gave a low sigh and pushed off the dinner table. "I learned how to fire a gun, not wield a spatula."
Kate softened at the mother's words and mentioned, "There were other priorities." She met Sarah Connor's gaze. "I would have been the same." She shifted around in the kitchen.
"You were veterinarian when you met John?" Sarah asked.
"Yes." Kate was slicing dark bread for the meal. "I've since joined the Hospital Department. I work alongside Lauren Fields."
"Do you specialize in anything?"
Cameron shifted her attention to Sarah Connor, and she wondered what her friend was trying to find out now. She just leaned against the door frame in a rare display of relaxation like a human.
"Cybernetics," Kate easily replied. She put the bread into a basket and set it near the microwave for later. "We're a part of a growing team that focuses on cybernetics and organics." She glanced at the terminator. "We've been assigned to Cameron's case." She looked back to Sarah. "But Lauren and I head the team."
Sarah picked up her glass of water from the counter and mentioned, "Cyborgs are getting popular around here." She sipped on her drink.
Kate wasn't sure if it was sarcasm or not, but she could knew Sarah was poking her. She put her bread knife into the small sink then came down to John's mother. "Times have changed... attitudes are changing, Sarah."
Sarah peered into her glass then set it down on the counter again. "Time doesn't change," she argued, "People change." She twisted her head around and studied Cameron. "So do terminators." She returned her gaze to Kate and softly added, "I should know... better than anybody else."
Kate sensed it was a changing point for Sarah Connor, and she couldn't help a smile. But she became serious and mentioned, "You want to know what's happening here in 2028, Sarah." She went back to the oven, which had pork tenderloin cooking in it for dinner. "But all you really need to know is..." She closed the oven's door then faced the time traveler. "Is that all your effort and sacrifices pay off. They help protect a leader that many beings need now." She approached the older woman and softly told, "You are a great teacher, Sarah. You are an inspiration to this day... perhaps more than John at times."
Sarah bent forward some and shook her head. "I'll never understand why me." She felt a strong hand clasp her shoulder, and she peered up at Kate.
"Because you have all the right qualities for it." Kate flashed a smile then walked away. But she paused and looked over at Cameron, who stared directly at Sarah Connor. Kate could read the terminator's respect for the mother of all destiny. It made Kate's smile return because she knew that Sarah Connor fostered not just one great leader, but two of them. She was thankful for both of them.
Sarah gradually lifted her head and gazed over at the terminator across the kitchen.
Cameron tilted her head to the side and regarded Sarah Connor. She couldn't tell what the human was thinking about right now. And she was surprised by the wistful smile developing on Sarah's hardened features.
Sarah smiled simply because of the terminator's very human-like posture against the door frame. She did indeed understand how terminators could change too, just like humans. Many months ago, she'd seen Cameron in a more ridged and formal stance but not tonight. Instead, the unsheathed terminator was casually leaning against the doorway like she'd always been doing it out of habit.
Kate broke the silence when she announced dinner was ready. She told Sarah and Cameron to sit down while she quickly warmed up the bread. She would be glad when Cameron had her organic systems back so they could eat like a family. She just hoped the plasma blast to Cameron's back didn't hold up the resheathing.
After dinner, they talked for awhile longer then Sarah thanked Kate for the wonderful dinner. Sarah briefly shared a hug with Kate before she left with Cameron. On the stroll back to the quarters, Sarah walked close to the terminator in a new development.
Cameron noted this because typically the human kept a certain space between them, always. It eased her systems to know that the human clearly trusted her more. She and Sarah waited for the elevator to come to them.
"What time is it?"
"It is nine thirty-two," Cameron stated in her monotone. She noticed that Sarah's usual flinch at her monotone didn't happen tonight. It seemed as if Sarah was just use to it.
Sarah adjusted her leather jacket and mentioned, "Kate is a great cook."
"Yes," Cameron agreed. She recalled several meals at the Connor home before she returned to 1998 for Sarah and younger John. "It is as if her meals bring us together."
Sarah chuckled and grinned up at her friend. "It sounds like every dinner she cooks is Thanksgiving."
Cameron tilted her head at the holiday that she'd never experienced. She then posed, "Do you celebrate Thanksgiving?"
Sarah sighed and combed her fingers through her wild locks. "Not for some time, honestly." She stepped into the elevator that opened for them. "Thanksgiving and Christmas were John's favorite holidays out of the year." She stared oddly at the elevator's levels, and her fingers hovered over them. She made a sudden decision and hit the ground level button.
The terminator was curious as to why the human didn't want to go back to the quarters. She would soon have gamma shift patrol, and she wanted to make sure her friend returned safely.
"I need a short walk," Sarah casually explained. She slid her hands into her jacket pockets. "Fresh air too." She shrugged and peered up at her friend. "You'll be going on shift soon anyway."
Cameron just nodded and said nothing about it, yet she was curious about Sarah's quick decision. She went back to their earlier conversation and asked, "Is Thanksgiving and Christmas your favorite too?"
"I use to love Christmas," Sarah told the terminator. "I would go to Big Bear City... spend it with my mom in the mountains and lakes at her cabin." She hesitated but explained, "This was BC... before child." She had a brief grin.
Cameron considered this piece of history about Sarah Connor before there was Kyle Reese, John Connor, or Skynet. She quietly asked, "Why did you stop going to see your mother for the holidays?"
Sarah felt the elevator slow down near the ground floor. "She was killed in 1984." She swayed with the elevator's stop. "By the T-800." She peered up at the terminator as the doors drew open. She waited for Cameron's usual, inhuman response to losses and deaths.
Cameron was stayed quiet then seriously offered, "I'm sorry."
"So am I," Sarah murmured. She exited the elevator with Cameron in tow.
The terminator took her friend's side and tempted fate by asking, "What about your father?" She noted the human's lazy shrug.
"What about him?" Sarah followed her mental map to the exit to get outside. "He was never a part of my life." She again shrugged and mentioned, "My mother never spoke about him. I don't even know his name." She considered something then explained, "As far as I'm concerned, I don't have a father."
Cameron processed this new information about Sarah Connor. She knew many hard facts about Sarah as the mother of all destiny from her service time with Skynet. But she knew nothing further back such as Sarah's parents, if there were siblings, or what Sarah's childhood was like. She only knew Sarah's history starting at John's birth date and going forward.
Sarah inhaled deeply once she and Cameron stepped outside past the large mouth of the underground city. She was filled by the crisp night air and the chill felt wonderful against her face. "I love winter time." She led the way through the cobblestone streets there were lit by lights. "I mean real winter time... the temperature down in the thirties, snow, and the wind." She edged closer to the terminator. "That's why mom and I spent the holidays in Big Bear. The snowy mountains there were beautiful during Thanksgiving and Christmas."
Cameron considered the human's words then she mentioned, "I have never seen snow." She instantly found soft green eyes peering up at her.
"No?"
"No," the terminator confirmed. "I wish to though."
"Hmmm." Sarah toyed with the idea because the winter season wasn't far away nor was the distance between LA and Big Bear City. She just wasn't sure if she was absolutely ready to return to the resort town that held memories of her and her mother. "It's just white fluff."
Cameron detected the human's humor, and she posed, "It is precipitation in crystalline form."
"No two snowflakes are alike," Sarah reported.
The terminator tilted her head and stated, "However, it is plausible for them to be identical if their environments were exactly the same."
Sarah grinned at the terminator's logic. "But it's highly unlikely because their environment is changing so much."
"Yes." Cameron was silent for a beat while she studied the different humans on the street. "Humans are like snowflakes then."
Sarah surprisingly chuckled at her friend's comparison, but she had to admit it was indeed true. "I suppose so." She and Cameron came past all the buildings and out into the open landscape before the large walls. She strolled off the main road that went to the gates and found a lonely spot in the darkness.
The terminator stopped behind the human and followed the human's skyward gaze. Like Sarah, she took in the beautiful night sky that was blanketed in stars. But to the far west was the crescent moon that had two bright stars near its bottom tip.
"Do you know how to tell the difference between a star and a planet?" Sarah quietly asked Cameron.
Similar to a human, Cameron could not view the stars' details with a naked eye. She could zoom in on the moon better, but that was her only advantage. She finally replied, "I do not."
Sarah folded her arms to help block out the night's faint chill. "Stars twinkle but a planet won't twinkle. It's just a solid light." She then pointed to a bright object straight ahead in the southern sky. "There's Jupiter there... right above Scorpius."
Cameron followed Sarah's direction and pinpointed the bright star that held solid in the low southern sky. She then furrowed her eyebrows and asked, "What is Scorpius?"
Sarah was surprised by the terminator's question. She twisted her head sidelong and posed, "You know about constellations, right?" She felt the quiet terminator shift closer to her back.
"They are exact celestial bodies that are stars or planets, which make a pattern to the human's naked eye," Cameron defined to the human.
Sarah had a grin tugging at her full lips. "Yes." She regarded the Scorpius constellation in the southern sky. "I take it you don't know them though?"
"I do not," Cameron agreed. "However, I know all stars and planets data such as right ascension, declination, apparent magnitude, and characteristics." She looked from Jupiter down to the human in front of her. "It assists terminators with determining location, date, and even time."
"Very useful for missions," Sarah concluded. She could see why a terminator wouldn't waste space on data about the constellations that humans devised in ancient times.
"The constellations are highly inaccurate and serve no logical purpose." Cameron didn't say it harshly but stated a very true fact.
"I suppose so," Sarah softly granted. "It's more about human imagination." She studied the Scorpius. "In Greek mythology, Scorpio was a mighty creature that fought a hunter named Orion. At the time, Orion boasted he was the finest hunter of all and that he'd rid of all evil creatures in the world. But Artemis, the Goddess of Hunt, heard his bolster and decided to challenge him."
Cameron was curious by the story and shifted closer until she was almost touching Sarah's back. "How did she challenge him?"
Sarah had a faint smile at the terminator's peeked interests. "Artemis sent a scorpion with an impenetrable armor to sting Orion to death. There's story variations that he either killed Scorpius or Orion fled by swimming into the sea only to be shot by one of Artemis's arrows." She tilted her head and mentioned, "They say Artemis and Apollo hung Orion and Scorpius's images in the sky as a reminder that humans should not become so prideful. They also say that since the Orion constellation is always setting past the horizon before Scorpius that he's still running from his attacker."
Cameron had recorded the human's story from the old Greek mythology. She then asked, "You know the constellations and mythology?"
Sarah chuckled and gave a shrug. "I was fascinated by it all as a kid." She and Cameron went quiet for a few minutes. She knew it wouldn't be long before the terminator went on duty for the gamma shift. She secretly admitted she wasn't looking forward to returning to her quarters alone for the night.
Cameron lowered her head and studied the human's calm body language. She recalled many human interactions from her research at such a moment as this one. She made a calculated choice and raised her hands carefully then awkwardly placed her hands on the human's hips. She waited for Sarah's reaction to the situation and hoped she didn't err.
Sarah instantly felt the touch and sensed that the terminator was uneasy about a bold move. She at first glanced down at her right hip and saw the metal hand that gently held her. She blinked once then lifted her eyes back to the sky without any anger or chill flaring up inside of her. She just remained the same, calm and relaxed, with her friend.
Cameron hadn't expected Sarah to not move or say anything. She reworked her calculations and was thankful for the improvements. She then softly asked, "Where is the Orion constellation?"
Sarah smiled at the terminator's interests and told, "As Scorpius rises in the east, Orion escapes to the horizon in the west. But when Orion rises in the east..." She started turning on the balls of her feet to the east. "He is chasing Scorpius to the west. They shall never meet in the night sky to do battle." She now pointed up to the sky. "He is there."
Cameron now had her left hand on Sarah's lower stomach and her other hand at the small of Sarah's back. She twisted her head to the east and expected Orion to stand out easily to her, but it wasn't the case.
Sarah already knew this and stretched out her arm. She pointed directly at The Three Kings. "You see those three really bright stars?"
"Yes." Cameron pulled up her data on the three stars but closed the feed because she wanted to hear the human's version.
"Those three stars right in a row are called The Three Kings," Sarah explained. "They're also Orion's belt. Then the four stars..." She carefully pointed them out. "They're Orion's body." She lowered her hand until she inadvertently rested her hand on Cameron's forearm. "There are also three stars just a bit below the belt that are his sword."
Cameron had easily mapped out the stars Sarah showed her and now had the constellation down in her system. She then noted the vital sign feed coming from Sarah Connor, who still clung to her metal hand. She discerned that Sarah's fever was now gone, and the human operated at a normal body temperature.
Sarah gave a low sigh and muttered, "You have patrol duty soon." She looked from the stars to Cameron. "You'll be done at six in the morning, right?"
"Yes," Cameron replied.
Sarah just nodded but didn't move out of Cameron's hold.
"I wish for you to show me more constellations at another time," the terminator told her friend.
Sarah considered the request then softly promised," Alright." She smiled at the terminator, but somebody caught her eye behind Cameron. She suddenly broke from Cameron's hold and faced the person approaching them.
Cameron was briefly worried about Sarah's movements until she turned around and saw Andrew Marshal. She also spotted Max at the soldier's heels.
Sarah put her hands in her jacket pockets and hoped her flush didn't show on her face. She felt caught like a kid in a candy jar because she was enjoying the night sky while in the terminator's arms. "How are you, Andrew?" she started.
The soldier stopped a few paces from the pair, and he glanced at his now seated dog. "I'm good." He then focused on the terminator. "Hello, Cameron."
"It's good to see you, Andrew." Cameron had shifted back to her usual stature, her hands behind her back. "You look well."
Andrew smiled some and nodded. "I am." He then held out his hand to the dog. "So is Max... but I think he's missed you." He leaned down and unhooked the leash from the highly trained dog. "Go on, boy."
Sarah curiously watched the exchange between the terminator and dog. She knew that dogs were terminator detectors, but it could obviously be altered by how Max was receptive to the terminator.
Cameron slowly knelt down to one knee once the German Sheppard was in front of her. She was slow and careful as she initially touched him. She could not feel him, but she knew he could feel her which he would like.
Andrew shook his head at the oddity of it. "He must know it's you," he concluded. He'd thought the dog would be hesitant since Cameron didn't have her skin sheath. He was more confident now that dogs relied on a sixth sense that humans didn't seem to have or use.
"Yes," the terminator agreed. She ran her fingers through the seated dog’s thick coat. She retrieved the dog's vital signs and determined he was rather healthy. "It's good to see you," she quietly told the dog.
Max was happy that the terminator spoke to him. He turned his head and nudged her metal chin with his wet nose.
Sarah was in awe and briefly covered her open mouth before she tucked her hand away in her jacket again. Previously she'd seen dogs bark wildly at Cameron because she was a machine, but Max wasn't that way at all. She was stunned by the difference.
"I heard from Thomas that you're on the gamma shift," Andrew brought up.
Cameron remained knelt beside Max and petted him. But she peered up at the soldier. "Yes, until we're sent back to 2008."
Andrew glanced at Sarah. "I also heard about that triple eight going bad down by the mess hall." He caught Sarah's hefty sigh.
"I probably triggered it somehow," the time traveler joked. Sarah shook her head a few times.
Andrew grinned then played with his black, short hair because the breeze ruffled it. "You and Cameron were majorly drilled by Tarras."
"It was routine," Cameron stated.
Andrew was still amused and shot back, "It's all routine, Cameron... you know that bullshit still."
Sarah arched a faint eyebrow but didn't interject.
The terminator rubbed behind Max's ear one last time then stood up. "The CID follows protocol."
Andrew wagged a finger at the terminator. "You're still hooked on Connor's Kool-Aid... always will be." He then nodded at Sarah. "I thought Miss Connor would have smartened you up while on your mission."
Sarah felt her eyebrows hiked up at the hard teasing that Andrew was giving the terminator. She also had confirmation that Andrew knew about Cameron's mission in 2008.
Cameron folded her muscular yet metal arms and looked at Sarah. "Andrew is much like you about the Resistance." She shifted her blue orbs back to the soldiers. "He always looks for a conspiracy."
Andrew chuckled and protested, "I'm just a loyal follower." He calmed some then added, "Who doesn't mind asking a few questions."
Sarah chuckled now and decided, "It sounds like you two will have plenty to chat about during duty."
"I prefer Max's conversations," Cameron quipped.
Andrew was surprised by the terminator's fast wit, and he had to laugh. "Nice, Cameron." He then made a step in the right direction to the walls. "We have to go, Miss Connor. Have a good evening." He'd walked away from the women but stopped once he was out of earshot. He noticed that Max stayed beside Cameron.
Sarah zipped up her jacket because the breeze's chill was getting to her, finally. "I'll... see you in the morning." She looked at Max, who sat beside Cameron's heels.
"Thank you for tonight," the terminator mentioned. "I enjoyed it."
Sarah revealed a warm smile and realized she had enjoyed it too. "We'll star watch again," she promised her friend. "Be safe on duty," she added then hesitated once she realized her initial desire, but she pushed it aside and slowly walked away.
Cameron was rooted for another few seconds then softly ordered, "Come on, Max."
Sarah had a slow walk because her self-control crumbled apart. She quietly swore, "Shit." She turned around and called, "Cameron?" She widened her gait and easily caught up to the terminator, who was going to run late to duty shift.
The terminator paused and turned around just as the human was upon her.
Max was dancing on his feet because he wanted to go, yet he stayed at Cameron's left side.
"I just don't care anymore," Sarah told the terminator. She would do this despite all the stares and conversation this would probably start tonight and for some time. She moved into the terminator's personal space.
Cameron was surprised when Sarah initiated a hug that obviously wouldn't be a quick one. She accepted her friend's unusual display of affection and returned the hug. Despite she couldn't feel the hug, she was emotionally warmed by it. Both she and Sarah suspected that several onlookers, including Andrew, were taken by the terminator and human embracing.
Sarah hid her face in the terminator's warm neck that was also soft yet firm. She couldn't see anything and could barely tell Cameron was unsheathed other than Cameron's enlarged body. But none of it bothered her, and she breathed in the distinct metallic scent that was Cameron. She wasn't bothered by it yet reassured that Cameron was here to protect her and younger John.
Cameron bowed her head down closer to the human and reminded, "I must go."
Sarah loosened her left hand from Cameron's back and instead hooked the terminator's neck. "I know." She opened her eyes as she lifted her head and took in the blue glow above her. She unexpectedly pressed her lips into Cameron's cheek for a feather kiss. She then whispered, "I'll see you later, tiger." Just as fast as she showed up in Cameron's arms, she was also gone and putting her hands back into her leather jacket.
Cameron remained still and wistfully studied the human's receding form. She had a smile that pulled at the corner of her metal lips.
"Cameron," Andrew hollered, "we're late. Let's go." He had a smug look and couldn't wait to get Cameron alone during patrol. He finally had Cameron and Max on the move now.
Sarah Connor reached up and popped her jacket's collar in hopes it'd hide her smirking features. She played with her wavy hair for a beat. She replayed her hug and recalled how good it felt to her. She'd also caught Andrew's wide expression after she separated from Cameron, and she chuckled.
For most of her life, she never cared about anybody's opinion and decided now was not the time to start caring either. Cameron and Liz Ford were both right that all humans deserved happiness. However, Sarah went another step and concluded that all beings deserved happiness. In her book that also included Cameron, who was comprised of metal and organics but was a being. And Sarah would be damned if she weren't going to have her happiness before she died in the near future. If she could find that happiness with Cameron then she wasn't going to let small minds stop her.