Terminator: Kayden's Journey

No Fate

Underground Lab and Military Base, 2012

I walked though the base, nodding as which soldier I passed saluted me in respect. It had been eight years since the bombs fell and we had been gathering survivors and Kate had decided to try and start reprogramming terminators she finds early. John, of course, allowed this since she couldn't go onto the field because was pregnant. I was usually the one who went with her where she needed to go. I didn't mind since John was the primarily leader. I was more or less a backup so to speak but when I'm in the separate base than him, I would be the leader at the base I was at.

Kate had already reprogrammed a few T-700 terminators to be sentries that was stationed with the human ones not too far away but far enough so nothing gives away the positions of the base. Kate was also reprogramming something now but she didn't say what. All she said that it was a surprise and that I should be patient.

"Sir." a sudden voice came from behind me, making me look. A young man stood there, about mid-twenties with a military style haircut.

"Yes, Soldier?"

"You're sister-in-law wants to speak with you."

I nodded. "Thank you, I will be at the lab shortly."

The man saluted and jogged away, making me take a deep breath. I glanced over at panel of cracked glass that was leaning against the wall and caught my own reflection.

My hair was short, shorter than I had ever had it. There was a scar going down my jaw and under my chin and even at thirty-five, I hardly looked older than I was, despite all the stress and war going on.

I shook my head, fixed my military grade jacket and went on my way towards the lab. It wasn't a long walk and I got there pretty quickly.

"You wanted to see me?" I ask as I walked through the double doors. I could see Kate standing there with a terminator laying on the work table behind her, fully clothed. I couldn't see what series or model it was since the upper half of the body was behind a curtain.

"I have been doing some experimenting with the other programmers-"

"Oh, that can't be good." I joked, making her give me a playful glare.

"And its a surprise for you."

"Kate, I told you, you don't need to do anything."

"Oh, I know, I just figured out of some of us, you should be the one to be happy."

I frowned slightly. "What?"

"Close your eyes and turn around."

I gave her a disbelieving look but did as she said. I made sure to cover my eyes with a hand and waited. I heard her walk over to what I presumed to be the work table and I could hear her talking to someone lowly. Someone got up but I remained relaxed. Kate wouldn't do anything to harm me and I trust her.

I heard footsteps walking towards me and stopped close behind me.

"Can I look now?" I asked Kate as I lowered my hand but kept my eyes closed. I frowned when she didn't answer. Why was she so quiet?

"You can." an Austrian voice stated, close to my ear, making my eyes fly open and I quickly spun around.

A T-800 was standing there, dressed in all black, a familiar sight. He looked...more like the T-800 that came back all those years ago to help us against the T-1000.

"Surprise." Kate chirped as she passed us and out of the room, though I barely noticed. All I could do was to stare up at him.

"I see you lived well." He finally spoke and that jogged that memory, back in two-thousand-four.

"I...how...what do you..." I stammered, overwhelmed.

He reached up and tapped his head. "Everything. Katherine uploaded detailed files about those two attempts on yours and John's life. She made sure I was in write mode when she did it as well as show me some pictures and videos."

"What does this mean?"

"It means that you should call me by the name that John gave me." He stated simply and, before I could say and do anything, He reached up and trailed a finger against my scar. "It also means this."

He leaned in closer, and closer before his lips pressed against mine and it just felt rather familiar. His free hand came around and pressed against my lower back, making me inch closer to him.

After I got out of the surprise, I very slowly reached my own hands up and wrapped them around his neck, fully relaxing into him.

I guess, for some things, 'no fate but what we make' seemed to be relevant and I believed that this proved it.

The one thing I do know that's set is that we were going to win this war and when we do, we will rebuild and there will be peace.

When that happens, I hope I'll be alive to see it with John, Kate, their children and Bob.

END