Chapter 6 – More than a Mission
Sarah turned on her side but inhaled sharply at the pain that ripped down her shoulder. She groaned and rolled onto her back after her mistake. She preferred to sleep on her side, especially her right but with the wound it made it impossible. For a few minutes, she tried to get back to sleep but her thoughts were too alive now.
Sarah Connor slipped out of bed and followed the garbled noise that led her into the lounge room. She ran her fingers through her wavy locks and squinted at Cameron's television show choice.
The terminator regarded the groggy, young woman. "You can't sleep?"
"I probably shouldn't have taken that cat nap on the ride here." Sarah sat down beside the terminator and asked, "What in the world are you watching?"
"The Forensic Files on TruTV," Cameron replied.
Sarah blinked then looked at the terminator.
Cameron still watched the television and commented, "Why do humans murder their significant others for money?" She turned to the human as if she were the only one that understood such a puzzling mystery.
Sarah took a deep breath then slowly let it out. She wasn't sure how to respond to it. "That's a deep question for three in the morning."
The terminator quickly informed, "It usually has to do with money from life insurance."
The college student slowly nodded then put together her thoughts about the topic. "Sometimes people dig themselves into financial holes and try to find a solution to get rid of their debt." She glanced at the Forensic Files episode then back to Cameron. "Some people choose this method..." She nodded at the television. "To get money." She trailed her eyes back to the television. "It's wrong... very wrong," she murmured.
Cameron noted those last words reminded her of Sarah's daughter. She tilted her head and posed, "I thought if one human marries another that they love each other."
"That's a naive assumption," Sarah argued. "Some humans marry out of convenience, they're betrothed, or any number of things." She was quiet but softly added, "Many do marry because they're in love... but that can change after some time."
"Why does it change?" Cameron questioned.
Sarah kept staring at the television, but she bit her lower lip at the thought of her parents. She blinked once then focused on Cameron. "It changes because people change." She sighed and gently elaborated on the topic. "Humans change over time and can either grow together or apart."
Cameron considered this and carefully asked, "Do your parents still love each other?"
"They do," Sarah replied. She peered up at her protector. "I don't think they love each other like they did when they first fell in love." She shrugged a bit. "It's hard... a relationship requires work but to love somebody should never require work."
Cameron was carefully processing Sarah Connor's thoughts and words. She then inquired, "Have you ever been in love?"
Sarah couldn't hide her coy smile, and she had to look away. "I wouldn't say in love." She now grinned and better explained, "I've had a few crushes when I was younger." She gave another lazy shrug. "There's never been anybody that serious."
Cameron recalled that the word crush could have a slang meaning but wanted to double-check it. "A crush is a brief infatuation?"
Sarah chuckled at the definition. "Basically, yeah."
The terminator stayed quiet for a few minutes and considered their conversation, carefully. "I have never experienced either." She found inquisitive green eyes back on her. "Omega says he has never experienced love, but he says he cares for your daughter." She had a distant expression but focused on Sarah again. "I sometimes think he cares about her because she is like a mother figure to him. She helped him develop and mature into a sentient AI."
"Do you care for my daughter?" Sarah curiously checked.
"At first, I did not because I was incapable of it." Cameron saw an emotion flash across Sarah's face, but she wasn't sure what it meant. "She was a mission, and I had to protect her. But overtime, I've come to care for her, and she has also taught me a great deal."
Sarah eased a smile at this and tried to imagine a future where humans and machines interacted in such a way. But yet, here she was interacting with such an advanced cybernetic organism herself. She lost her thoughts at hearing Cameron's voice again.
"It has happened the same way with you," Cameron confessed, "but at a much more accelerated rate."
Sarah was quiet and thought about it then posed, "Maybe because you've started a friendship with me when you're more sentient than when it happened with my daughter."
"Perhaps," Cameron softly granted.
Sarah decided not to dig any deeper and looked at the television. She wasn't in the mood to watch TruTV despite she normally would at her apartment with Kelly. But now that she knew mankind's pending future and how people currently treated each other didn't settle well in her stomach. Then it occurred to her that her I, Robot movie was still in Cameron's book bag.
"Hey," the college student mentioned, "you think we can watch that movie?" She squinted and tried figure out if there was a DVD player or not.
Cameron bent forward and grabbed the book bag. "There is no player." She unzipped her bag, grabbed her laptop, and cables. "However, I can connect my notebook to the television."
Sarah smirked and teased, "My hero." She chuckled at Cameron's puzzled expression, but Sarah said nothing else to it.
The terminator took the notebook, movie, and cables over to the television. It only took her a moment to hook it all up while the laptop booted up.
"Who made the laptop?"
Cameron quickly keyed in her password at the Vista login screen. "It is a Dell."
"A Dell from Hell," Sarah joked. "That's why it's taking so long to boot up."
The terminator was loading the software to play the DVD, and she slid the movie into the side tray. "It is sufficient, but I agree that Dell installs too much software... it hinders the notebook, significantly."
Sarah then tilted her head and devilishly asked, "Is your operating system Microsoft Windows?" She was surprised by the disgusted look she received from the terminator.
"The earliest terminators had operating systems that were based off of Linux."
The college student muttered, "Huh." She thought about her father's infatuation with Linux too so it didn't surprise her. She lifted her eyes to the flat screen that still showed TruTV.
Cameron stood up and switched the television to the correct station. She knelt back down and fast forward through the previews until the title menu displayed. She moved the mouse over the play option and clicked on it. She now rejoined the human on the sofa.
Sarah was now curled up and snuggled back into the corner of the sofa. She rested her head on the pillow. "Kelly is going to be mad I saw this without her." She saw her protector's silent question so she explained, "She's my roommate. She really likes the actor Will Smith."
Cameron nodded then returned to the movie. She was already intrigued by the opening that started out with laws. She read the first law, which stated that robots could not harm humans or allow harm to happen to them.
Sarah glanced at her protector and briefly debated how the terminator would handle this movie. She hadn't thought this out too well. She turned back to the screen and read the second law that declared a robot must always obey humans unless it conflicts with the first law.
Cameron carefully read the third and final law that ordered robots to protect its own existence if it did not tamper with the first two laws. In some ways, this reminded her of her subroutines instilled in her by Omega.
Eventually the movie shifted to the scientist, who was killed. Detective Spooner spoke to the CEO of the US Robotics Corporation. Cameron curiously listened to the conversation between the two humans, and she heard Sarah's low snicker at Detective Spooner's smart remarks.
The terminator quietly mentioned, "He does not like robots."
Sarah looked at the terminator and grinned. "I think that's the idea." She saw Cameron shifted her bright blue eyes back to the screen.
The movie's plot shifted to Detective Spooner finding the robot in the dead scientist's lab then the action packed apprehension of the robot. Then Detective Spooner interrogated the robot at the police station. Sarah glanced at the terminator, who intently watched the interrogation seen between Detective Spooner and the robot.
"He is right," Cameron murmured, "human emotions are difficult."
Sarah sighed and quietly replied, "I agree... and I'm human."
Cameron stayed silent though and carefully listened to the movie. At the moment the demobot proceeded to destroy the scientist's house, she leaned closer to Sarah and revealed, "It's the AI... VIKI."
Sarah took a beat to understand what the terminator said then she suddenly slapped her protector on the leg. "Don't spoil it!" She then stiffened at seeing how tense the terminator became after the slap.
"You should not do that," Cameron warned. "I have been programmed to immediately react to sudden, violent physical contact."
Sarah relaxed now that she sensed Cameron had done the same. "Sorry... bad habit." She then pointed out, "But you didn't react."
"Because I am to protect you." The terminator went back to the interesting movie about the unique robot, Sonny, and why the scientist died. After thirty or so minutes, she noticed that her charge was growing sleepy. "You should rest."
"I'm alright," the college student brushed off.
Cameron was confused by Sarah's neglect to get rest. "Why do you refuse sleep when you know you're tired?"
Sarah grinned at her protector. "It's because I'm enjoying myself more than I want to sleep."
The terminator studied the human for another moment then focused back on the movie. She considered Sarah's explanation. "You should at least lie down and watch the movie."
Sarah let out a sigh then grinned at the terminator. "You're persistent." She then pointed at the sofa opposite of theirs. "Go sit over there then, and I'll lie down."
Cameron looked from the sofa to the human then stated, "I wish to sit with you."
"Well I can't very well lay down with you on the sofa too," Sarah reminded.
The terminator tilted her head then objected, "It is possible." She decided it would be easier to demonstrate it so she proceeded to move both herself and Sarah. She eventually had her tall body stretched down the sofa, back pressed into the sofa, head on her propped arm, and her right hand over Sarah's stomach.
The college student didn't expect to find herself stretched out on the sofa with the terminator. But she sunk down into the sofa's pillows and back into Cameron's warm body. She lowered her head on the red pillow and focused on the movie. She didn't want to think about the fact she was safely tucked in her protector's arms; she just wanted to enjoy it.
Cameron was fascinated by the movie and carefully recorded all the details to her memory. She then tilted her head when the murdered scientist's coworker, Doctor Calvin, willingly decided to decommission the robot, Sonny.
Sarah shifted some and tucked her left hand under the pillow, deeper. She certainly felt for Sonny and more so because it made her think about such an event with Cameron. The scene now switched to Detective Spooner going out to the robot storage facility.
"Why does she terminate him when she does not want to?" Cameron inquired.
Sarah just shook her head because she wasn't really sure herself. She sensed the terminator's warm, large hand resting over her stomach. She wasn't sure why she did it, but Sarah took Cameron's hand into hers.
Cameron lowered her eyes and studied her long fingers intertwined with the human's. She trailed her stare up to Sarah's profile, but she slowly looked up at the television again.
The I, Robot movie continued past four in the morning and came to a dramatic climax but ended with promise. The robot, Sonny, was a unique robot, who had a free future upon him unlike his duplicates. The concept that robots would naturally evolve made the terminator think about Sarah's comment earlier in the truck.
At the credits, Cameron gazed down at Sarah and realized she'd fallen asleep at some point. She looked at their linked hands that hadn't shifted at all. She decided it was best to put Sarah in bed. Carefully, Cameron climbed out of the sofa then squatted down in front of the sofa.
Sarah shifted from her sleep once she felt her body lift up. She stiffened until she realized that she was safe in Cameron's arms. "Is the... the movie over?" She rubbed at her face.
"Yes." The terminator carried the human to the bedroom and gingerly lowered her down onto it. "You must rest now." She pulled the bed sheets back up and covered Sarah.
The college student softly hummed at being in bed again. She curled up on her left side and tugged the warming bed sheets over her shoulder. She shifted her head a bit and saw the tall terminator almost gone from the bedroom.
"Cameron?"
The terminator paused and partially turned back.
"Do you think that other terminator will find us?"
Cameron considered it then she honestly replied, "He will not." She was about to go but yet didn't move. "You are safe, Sarah." Finally, she left the room but closed the right double door and left the other slightly ajar. She returned to the lounge.
Sarah slept rather hard for the rest of the night and didn't get out of bed until almost nine o'clock. She made her way out of the bedroom while she played with her messy hair. She offered a sleepy smile at her protector, who was patiently waiting for her. She flopped into the couch but somewhat regretted it from the pain it caused her shoulder.
"I need to check your wound," Cameron prompted at seeing her charge's brief flinch.
Sarah just nodded and pulled up her legs onto the sofa. "How long will it take to get to Indian Springs?"
"No more than an hour," Cameron reported.
Sarah nodded then concluded, "So, we're in no real rush." She tilted her head to get a better view of Cameron beside her. "Did you like that movie?"
"Yes, I watched it again," Cameron informed.
Sarah softly smiled at this but seriously confessed, "I was kinda worried... considering what it's about and... who you are." She shrugged because she wasn't sure how to express her concerns.
"It didn't bother me, but it intrigued me." Cameron looked over at the notebook on the floor that had the movie's case with it. "The movie is fiction to some degree, and it was made by humans."
Sarah thought about this then mentioned, "There's another really good movie about robots called A.I. Artificial Intelligence. I think it was made a few years ago." She hadn't seen it herself but remembered its popularity at the time.
Cameron kept the movie's name in her records. She then suggested, "You should get ready."
"Do you want to check the wound before or after my shower?" Sarah slid her legs off the sofa and stood up.
"After," the terminator replied. She then tilted her head. "It would be faster if we showered together." She noticed how Sarah's face went bright red, and she was worried something was wrong with Sarah.
"Um," the college student nervously started, "I know it'd be more... efficient but... I can't..."
Cameron now stood up to her full six feet and unknowingly made herself imposing to Sarah. "I can help you since you're injured."
Sarah took one step back and coyly smiled at the terminator. "Thanks but... I can handle it." She then quickly added, "I'm just a little modest about myself."
"You do not have anything I do not have," Cameron stated.
Sarah still had that shy smile, and she gently patted the terminator on her stomach. "I'm sure, and it's not that but thanks for the offer." She didn't wait for anymore arguments and darted back to the bedroom.
Cameron shook her head and muttered, "Humans."
Sarah was relieved once she was alone in the bathroom. She had the door closed, and she softly sighed. Within a few minutes, she'd climbed into a warm shower that welcomed against her sore body. She'd left the band aid pad over her two wounds. Most likely the terminator would replace them after her shower. She'd been right too.
Cameron had waited in the bedroom and lifted her head once she saw the toweled human exit the bathroom. "I want to check your wounds."
Sarah just nodded but then mentioned, "Let me get some clothes on." She noticed how the terminator didn't quite catch her hint. So she prompted, "Alone."
The terminator gradually inclined her eyebrow, but she moved off the bed and left the room. A few minutes later, Sarah called for her to come back. She found the petite human in the bathroom, by the closed toilet. Cameron also had her first aid kit in hand.
"Sit down," the terminator instructed.
Sarah did so, on the toilet cover. She had on her jeans and a black bra. She sat left to right on the toilet instead of forward so that it was easier for Cameron.
The terminator set the medical kit on the floor and popped open the white top. She then gingerly removed the band aid pads and tossed them in the nearby trashcan. The wounds needed some time to breathe, especially after the shower. From careful inspection, Cameron determined that the dark, bruised wounds were properly scabbed. She was pleased with the progress so far.
Sarah twisted her head around and asked, "How's it look?"
"It is healing correctly." Cameron knelt and took an antibiotic ointment from the kit. She twisted open the tube then squeezed out the right amount onto her fingertips. "This may hurt." But she gently applied the ointment to the irritated skin and wound. She repeated the process with the front shoulder wound.
Sarah sat stiffly in her seat. Yet she curiously watched the terminator's stoic face, which was so close to hers.
Cameron finished up her administrations with new band aid pads. She made sure they were well attached to Sarah's skin then she announced, "You're finished."
The college student bent forward and took the first aid kit. She organized it while Cameron washed her hands of the ointment. She locked down the kit then stood up with it. She turned to her protector. "Thank you, Cameron."
Finally, the terminator eased a smile, and despite it was small, it was sincere. "You're welcome."
Sarah brushed past the terminator and went to the bedroom. She deposited the kit on the bed then finished getting dressed, but the bathroom clicked behind her. She knew Cameron planned to shower too.
After getting dressed, Sarah found her way out to the balcony that was attached to the Bridal Suite. She leaned against the metal handrail and stared at the beautiful mountains that stretched to the blue skies. The peace and quiet gave Sarah time to take in what'd happened these past days. It scared her that she was wanted dead and merely because of her future. And the fact that a machine from the future was sent back, by her daughter, to protect her from her killers was overwhelming. Then the idea that two warring AIs couldn't stop crossing through Sarah's mind. She unknowingly started slumping against the handrail in deep worry.
But Sarah set aside her worries and thoughts when soft footfall came onto the balcony. She turned her head to her protector, who joined her side. For a moment, Sarah tried to imagine what technology lied behind Cameron's skin, yet she was unsure. Instead, she could only take in Cameron's damp hair, soft features, tall form, and the clean clothes.
The terminator rested her arm on the rail but kept her back straight. She briefly considered the beautiful mountain scenery but faced the human. "We need to go soon." She regarded her charge's somber features and tried, "Do you wish to get breakfast?"
Sarah didn't look at Cameron and just remained transfixed by the peaceful mountains. "No." She now bowed her head and stared at the ground far below.
Cameron took a moment and discerned the human's mood. She concluded, "You are worried." She was unsure when the human smiled at her, but Cameron realized it was a weak, sad smile.
"Just a little," the college student murmured.
"You don't need to be," Cameron argued, "things will be fine."
Sarah dropped her stare again then shook her head. "Everything has changed... everything."
The terminator analyzed the declaration then mentioned, "This is why the Timeline Directive was enacted so that we didn't damage people's lives or the future."
Sarah combed her fingers through her damp hair then a soft ding sounded once her hand met the rail again. "Even if I didn't know about the future, the fact that I'm being hunted..." She looked at Cameron and murmured, "I'll never feel safe again."
"You will be," Cameron argued.
Sarah shook her head. "No." She lifted her worry features to the terminator. "What will stop the Resistance or John from sending other terminators? They'll just come again."
"Omega will send another terminator to protect you," Cameron promised.
"But how can Omega always know when John makes another attempt?"
The terminator stretched out her left hand and pressed her palm into Sarah's soft cheek. "Omega will know."
"I hope so." Sarah reached for the Saint Christopher necklace and rubbed her thumb across it. She lifted her eyes just as Cameron's touch disappeared. "Thank you for everything you've done... to protect me." She dropped her hand.
Cameron gazed down into emerald eyes that shined up at her. She would have typically told a human that it was just her mission. But she felt, for Sarah and that made it different. Cameron knew that she'd sacrifice anything to keep Sarah Connor alive. Cameron hesitated with her words, but she found them after a few beats.
"You are more than a mission... to me," Cameron softly informed. "I care for you, and you will not be harmed."
Sarah tried to calm the moment by nodding at her injured shoulder. "Other than the bullet wound huh?" She noticed her joke didn't pay off by the terminator's displeased features.
"I was not fast enough," Cameron sadly whispered. She looked away yet a tender touch turned her face back.
"I'm alive so that's fast enough," Sarah stated.
The terminator took the human's hand into hers and held it for a moment. She decided to let the conversation go and double checked, "You do not want breakfast?"
"I can hold out 'til we get to Indian Springs," Sarah answered.
Cameron nodded then released the human's hand. "Let's go then." She headed into the room; her hips rose and fell to her step. She had on her studded belt again, fresh jeans, and dark gray camisole. Her black boots were perfectly tied halfway up her calf under the jeans' legs.
Sarah followed her protector and quickly gathered her purse. She also collected a loaded Glock and stuffed away another magazine in her leather jacket. She pulled on her jacket then met Cameron at the hotel's door.
The terminator had gathered her book bag, which had the laptop in it. She also hefted the duffel bag in her left hand.
Sarah opened the door for them and left the room with her protector. She checked that The Do Not Disturb sign was in place then quickly joined Cameron on the walk to the elevator. Soon enough, she and Cameron were making their way out to the F-350.
Once they were situated, they started the journey north to the lonely town of Indian Springs that was an hour away. They followed US-95 again and eventually made it into little Indian Springs but Cameron drove into town and made a right onto Clark Lane.
Sarah peered through the window at the building's name, which read Oasis. She revealed a grin at seeing the RV park to the right, small one-family houses to the left, and far off in the distance were low mountains.
"Lunch huh?" the college student asked but with a tease.
Cameron shut off the truck after she parked it. "There are no reviews for this restaurant in Google Maps."
Sarah laughed while she unbuckled herself. She shouldn't have put it past the terminator to be able to access such information in her HUD's GPS. She merely joked, "I'm sure it's full of yocal locals too." She couldn't wait to see the menu and hopped out of the truck. Her protector went with her into the restaurant. It was no surprise when the locals stared at her and Cameron, but Sarah just grinned from ear to ear. She just loved a small, local restaurant.
Within forty-five minutes, Sarah strolled out with a fully belly and a content look. She hadn't expected the terminator to eat too, which almost prompted Sarah to ask Cameron about it. But she held back after she recalled they were in a public spot.
Finally, the pair loaded back into the truck, and Cameron headed back towards US-95. But she aimed the truck east and eventually drove right off the main roads and floored it out into the open, wide desert.
"An air force base is here huh?" Sarah had seen the sign earlier for the Creech Air Force Base.
"Yes." Cameron drove the truck east through the ash gray desert. Behind them was a distinct dust cloud that followed for several yards.
"Where exactly is this weapons cache?"
"Thirty-five point fifty-seven degrees north and one hundred fifteen point sixty-one degrees west," the terminator replied.
Sarah blinked at the coordinates and murmured, "It sounds like the middle of nowhere." She grinned over at her protector.
Cameron saw the grin, and she revealed her own. "We are not far." She noted an entranceway between two canyons that rose up over three thousand feet. She turned the truck down into the alleyway between the canyons and sped up the truck.
Sarah grasped the door's handle for better support against the truck's slight bounce. After a brief glance at her protector, she wondered what this cache would be like and what kind of weapons it would contain in it. Shortly she would find out exactly what could be stored in a secret weapons cache.
The terminator slowed the truck down as her small GPS display showed they were almost near the cache. She already recognized the area too. Cameron finally decided they were close enough so she braked the truck, parked it, and got out after she removed the keys.
Sarah hopped off the running board and caused a cloud of dust to rise around her boots. She came to Cameron's side and followed her several yards away from the truck. "It must be underground."
"Yes." Cameron slowed and took two last steps then knelt down. She brought her right hand to the dusty ground then swept across the ground.
Sarah curiously observed her protector but jumped back when the terminator swiftly lifted up a large, metal cover. She was impressed by the lack of effort it took for the terminator to lift the heavy cover and set it aside.
"It is dark inside," Cameron informed, "But I will turn on the lights. Just wait here until I call for you." She also wanted to be sure it was safe inside not that she expected trouble. She climbed down the iron rungs.
"How can you see?" Sarah debated. "You have night vision?" All that she saw in the black hole was Cameron's stern features directed up at her.
"Yes," the terminator merely replied. Then she was gone in the dark pit.
Sarah let out a sigh then scanned about her local surroundings and glanced at the overhead sun. The sun provided some warmth to her body despite the temperature being somewhere in the fifties. She crossed her arms against her body when the wind picked up and stirred dust around her ankles.
After a few minutes, Sarah heard a classic hum from a diesel engine then lights flickered down in the hole. Finally the lights went solid, and Sarah assumed it was safe so she edged to the hole. Cameron called for her so she easily went down the rungs then jumped off the second to last rung. Sarah turned around and stiffened at the weapons cache's inners that were mounted racks, shelves, boxes, and a center table that were littered with various weapons. She didn't know what half the items were called, but she knew they were all dangerous.
Cameron knelt beside a wood box that was about four feet in length. She grabbed the two rope handles on either end then hauled it out from under the low shelf. She brought it to the foot of the table, under the light, and studied the large padlock. She grazed her fingers over the Omega seal seared into the wood lid.
The college student neared her protect and knelt beside her. "You have the key?"
"Yes." The terminator wrapped her large hand around the padlock's body then suddenly, harshly jerked down on it.
Sarah jumped when the shackle snapped loudly and broke apart under the terminator's greater strength.
Cameron removed the broken padlock then gently tossed it to Sarah. "Universal key."
The college student chuckled and grinned at the broken padlock when she held it up. "Nice," she murmured then tossed it over her shoulder. She craned her neck after Cameron lifted the lid. She furrowed her eyebrows at the odd rifle that had large barrels.
Cameron removed the rifle that was neatly padded by soft straw. She brushed it clean then slotted her eyes at it.
"What is that?" Sarah inquired.
"It is an isotopic rifle," Cameron replied. She suddenly handed it to her charge. "However, it is missing a critical component." She stood up and started another search through the weapons cache.
Sarah stood up with the handles firmly gripped in her hands. She looked over the strange almost antique weapon and seriously wondered if it could be this isotopic weapon.
The terminator rummaged through the weapons cache in a hasty search for the missing piece. She started to become louder and slammed an empty rifle onto the center table to get it out of the way.
Sarah quickly looked at her protector, who was obviously frustrated by now. She furrowed her eyebrows and considered why the critical piece would be separate from the whole. She curiously stared down at the box and noticed a small metal item hidden under the straw. "Cameron," she called.
Cameron joined the human and spied the eight by eight metal box that Sarah dug out from the straw. She calmed at the possibility that it was the missing piece. She wasn't surprised by another lock, but she easily crushed it in her palm then pried it off.
Sarah peered into the box once Cameron opened it. She had the rifle in her lap.
The terminator reached in and pulled out the metal component that had a glass cylinder near one end. But her eyes grew wider, and she murmured, "No." She retrieved a small glass shard from the metal box and held it up too.
Sarah looked from the broken glass cylinder to her protector. "Can we still use it?"
Briefly anger flashed through the terminator's eyes, but she shoved the broken isotopic component into the box then took the rifle. She carelessly dropped it into the wood box on top of the small box. "No, it is useless now." She stood up but slammed the lid down.
Sarah got up too and studied the terminator's hardened profile. She sensed that Cameron was angry but tried to act calm despite the ruined situation. "Not something we can pick up at Wal-mart huh?" She sighed when she was met by silence. "Look, this can't be the end of the world." She found cold blue eyes on her because of her poor choice of words.
However, Sarah was not dissuade and held out her hand at the cache's weapons. "Can't something in here stop that other terminator?" She dropped her hand and scanned the countless weapons. "I mean there's everything in here but an atomic bomb and a rocket."
"The isotopic rifle would have made it much simpler and faster," Cameron stated.
"Well, we don't have it now." Sarah put her hands on her hips. "What's Plan B then?"
The terminator gently kicked the wood box and replied, "That was Plan B."
Sarah tried staying calm then tempted, "What's Plan C?" She saw that her protector wasn't forthcoming with anything so she started brainstorming. "How else can we stop it?" She held out her left hand at her protector. "You should know... you're a terminator too." She lowered her hand to her side. "I mean can we pull its power supply?"
"It is much too complicated and dangerous," Cameron replied.
Sarah tipped her head back and thought more about what could stop technology dead. She focused more specifically on computers then an idea came to her. She lifted her head and hastily asked, "What about its chip or chips? Can we stop it that way?"
Cameron now moved away from the human. "Yes." She began organizing weapons on the center table. "The Neural Net CPU can be accessed through the T-888's head." She was obviously looking for something.
"So, we just need to immobilize it long enough to get access," Sarah decided aloud. "It can't be invincible anyway." She started to think about what could be done to immobilize it. "What about a magnet crane?"
Cameron tossed a rifle onto the table's stack, paused, and answered, "Coltan does not have any magnetic properties."
Sarah had a grin at her mental image though despite it was now unrealistic. She let it go and focused on other ideas. "Hydraulic press," she murmured, "would do it." She realized her idea was definitely sound after she thought about her father's company. "There's a thousand ton four column press at my father's factory. We could easily lead him there and get him in that press."
The terminator grabbed a bullet belt meant to go across the chest. "It is too dangerous." She tossed the belt onto the table.
"No it's not," Sarah fought. She came over to her protector. "We can go there at night after it's shut down. I can get us in there and run the press while you get it on the press's bed." She had hopeful features. "It's perfect."
Cameron slammed a M4 carbine on the stack of guns. "You did not factor in the Reese Brothers." She finally found the weapon she wanted and pulled out an M-79 grenade launcher from the back of the shelf. She also collected the accompanying belt loaded with grenades.
Sarah let out a hefty sigh and checked, "You really think they'll all show up together?"
Cameron cracked up the launcher's barrel and checked that it was empty. "Yes." She easily jerked the barrel back up into its closed position. "It would be an opportune chance for them to obtain you while I'm distracted by the triple eights."
"Then what's your plan, pray tell?"
The terminator tilted her head at the slang but replied, "You will stay behind at the hotel while-"
"No, no," Sarah sharply cut off. "You tried that once, and it didn't work." She stared coldly at her protector. "You need help. I can help you."
"No." Cameron turned around and went to the other end of the table. She picked up rounds of ammunition meant for a carbine.
Sarah hastened around the table and met Cameron at the other end. "I won't stay behind." She instantly had icy eyes on her. "I can promise you that."
"Then I will restrain you," the terminator declared.
The college student believed it to be a hollow threat and smirked. "No you won't." She became more serious and sternly ordered, "I'm coming, and we're using my plan. It's our best bet."
"Not acceptable." Cameron spun on her heals and marched to the ladder, but she stopped when Sarah was in front of her.
"You're not going up until you agree," Sarah declared. She had dark features now and fisted her hands. "I don't care what it takes to get it through your thick-" But she was cut short and yelped because Cameron grabbed a handful of her leather jacket. She suddenly dangled a few feet up in the air and was some inches higher than Cameron. She peered down into lifeless blue eyes.
"You are a danger to yourself," the terminator concluded with a cock of her head. She set Sarah down but off to her side. She then proceeded up the ladder rungs but only made it up a few steps before a sure grip had her left ankle.
"But at least I know how to fight," Sarah hotly quipped, "unlike you." She already had her other hand around Cameron's right ankle. She swiftly did a powerful jerk forward and forced the heavy terminator off the rungs.
Cameron lost the launcher and carbine magazines and tumbled back to the floor, which was only a few feet below. She made it onto her boots though but dropped the grenade belt on top of the carbine magazines. She faced the human, who back stepped twice.
"You can't fight," Sarah informed the terminator. "And that T-888 will easily beat you because you match brawns against brawns." She then bent her knees and raised her hands. "I bet you I can drop you like a sack of potatoes... or patotoes."
Cameron slotted her eyes. "We do not have time for this."
Sarah revealed a devilish smirk and teased, "I promise not to hurt you." She bounced on the balls of her feet and watched Cameron's body. "Afraid a little human can drop you, machine?"
"You will be hurt," the terminator argued back.
Sarah gave a deep laugh that vibrated through her chest. "I don't think so." She waved for the terminator to come at her.
Cameron sensed her Alpha Directive flared up in her most basic routines when Sarah's temptation brought her combat program to life, but she directly disregarded the Alpha Directive after being challenged by the human. She stepped over the launcher and stared at her opponent.
Sarah gritted her teeth and prayed she could deliver on her earlier boast. She'd dropped many people larger than her, but she had no idea how much the terminator weighed. Hopefully her years of jujitsu would pay off now. She tensely waited for the terminator's move.
Cameron decided upon her earlier maneuver again. Her right hand shot out very fast for Sarah's collar.
Sarah blocked Cameron's strike with her forearm and stepped forward with her left foot. Next, she twisted counterclockwise on the ball of her left boot, ran her right arm behind Cameron's back, and grappled Cameron's right bicep with her left hand. Sarah then used her right foot to push out Cameron's right boot, bent her left knee, and proceeded to twist her upper body counterclockwise. She easily swung the hefty, tall woman around and landed Cameron solidly on her back. Sarah wrapped up the body drop by locking Cameron's right arm behind the elbow then drove her left knee into Cameron's neck. She'd perfectly executed the move on her opponent.
Cameron found that her left arm was immobilized by how Sarah pressed her down. She couldn't move her head or right arm without causing damage to Sarah. She remained still now that Sarah had made her point.
Sarah bent forward more and taunted, "It didn't hurt, did it?" She knew the answer but had to rub it in more.
The terminator decided to break the lock and reminded the human she was still much stronger.
Sarah couldn't do anything to stop Cameron like she could a normal human. She was about to back away but a strong hand around her jacket's collar again jerked her down. She found her face a few inches from Cameron's face. It instantly reminded her of the night she and Cameron kissed, which caused heat to rise in her cheeks.
"You have made your point," the terminator whispered.
Sarah had her left hand on the floor while her right pressed into Cameron's lower ribs. "If I made my point then you'll let me go with you."
Cameron released her charge but stayed on her back. "Why do you persist on wanting to be killed?"
Sarah let out a sigh and lowered her weight onto her right knee beside her protector. "I want to help you. You stand a better chance against them."
"But you don't," Cameron rationalized. She then became somber and asked, "Do you wish to die?"
Sarah couldn't believe how difficult this was for Cameron to accept. "No... I just want to help you. Two heads are better than one... teamwork."
"I was designed for this, you were not," Cameron remarked.
"Actually," Sarah corrected, "you were designed for infiltration, not fights. I've been taught to fight." She now had another smirk that was filled with pride. But she tried one last time. "Please just give the idea a chance here. We can work out something that puts me in the least amount of danger."
Cameron stayed quiet now.
Sarah took that as a positive sign if she wasn't being automatically denied like earlier. "I can show you some jujitsu moves that'll help you beat the T-888." She now shifted her right hand to her knee and softly pleaded, "Please, Cameron."
The terminator let out a soft sigh then focused on the human's face. "Only if you listen to me and do as I say."
"Alright," Sarah agreed.
Cameron was satisfied, enough and climbed to her feet like Sarah. "We need to load some supplies into the truck."
The college student nodded and now helped Cameron get prepared and stocked for the pending fight. She climbed out of the weapons cache and took the weapons or ammunition from Cameron, who carried them up the rungs. She stepped aside from the hole when Cameron finally came out too.
The terminator had shut off the small generator in the weapons cache then climbed out. She held a small black bag in her right hand, which she set aside with the weapons. She grabbed the gray manhole cover and concealed the entrance to the cache.
"What's in the bag?"
Cameron was squatted beside the sealed cache. But she grabbed the bag, opened it, and retrieved a long canister. She removed the lid and revealed a granular substance.
Sarah bent forward and caught a faint whiff of it. "That's thermite." She held some awe in her tone. Sarah knew the smell anywhere thanks to her father's company, and she knew it was used for welding often. "Why do we need it?"
The terminator closed the canister and explained, "Thermite is the only way to destroy a coltan endoskeleton."
"The high heat," Sarah murmured in realization.
"There can be no evidence left behind of the advanced technology," Cameron explained. She zipped up the bag and stood again.
Sarah arched an eyebrow and mentioned, "You know what happens if you throw water on burning thermite?"
"Steam explosions," the terminator replied.
The college student now smirked and folded her arms. "You think there's enough in there to destroy the terminator and cause a steam explosion?"
Cameron slowly narrowed her eyes at the human's idea. "Yes."
Sarah ticked off a back molar with her tongue. "Great." She went to the mixed pile of weapons and grabbed a few items. Together, she and Cameron loaded up the truck then left the remote area. On the quiet ride back, Sarah thought about how she and Cameron could handle the T-888 and the Reese Brothers. It would be tricky, but she had faith that it could be done without either of them being killed. Although she couldn't say the same for John's three agents because Cameron had murderous intents for this mission.
For a brief moment, Sarah gazed over at the terminator's expressionless profile and wondered what Cameron was thinking about right now. She imagined it was plans too for the mission. But would Cameron make alternate plans that she wouldn't reveal in case theirs went wrong? If it was one thing Cameron had shown to Sarah, it was that Cameron was well prepared. From that knowledge, Sarah felt rather confident and safe.
The terminator sensed the human's long stare so she met it. She studied Sarah's rich jade eyes that made Cameron feel sensations that were new and unknown. Slowly, Cameron focused on the drive that took them south to the hotel. Deeper in Cameron's programming there was a change that required better analyzing, but Cameron understood enough that it meant she'd utilize all her knowledge, skills, and strength to protect Sarah. For Cameron, this was no longer a mission but a deep, driven belief that Sarah Jeanette Connor II must live.