the connors chronicles: f05e08 - cameron's identity

7/30/2019 The Connors Chronicles: F05E08 - Cameron's Identity

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Terminator:The Connors Chronicles

"Cameron's Identity"

F05E08

Written by

Lumir G Janku

This document is fan-produced fiction based on the television series,

Terminator - The Sarah Connor Chronicles, and two seasons worth of fan-

fiction, F03 and F04, written by CJ Carter. This is done in spirit of fan

fiction, to have fun and enrich the total fan experience beyond the

limitation of the original story vehicle.

In that spirit, and holding to the long tradition of free promotion and

support that fanfic brings to the fictional verse, this story is being made

available to the show fans for entertainment purposes.

Copyright 2011 Lumir G Janku


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2.

ACT ONE

FADE IN:

INT. ZEIRA CENTER, CONNORS' APARTMENT -- DAY

CATHERINE, TOSHIRO, LAUREN, LES and MIA with ALENA in a

sling enter the room.

CATHERINECameron! Glad to see you awake,finally!

CAMERONHello.

Cameron looks from one to another and stops at Mia.

CAMERON (CONT'D)Can I see her?

MIAYes, of course. She's sleeping.

CAMERONMia, what's her name?

Mia looks quickly at Lauren and Catherine, as if giving asignal to play along. She approaches Cameron and takesAlena out of the sling, and hands her to Cameron. Alenaopens her eyes and looks at Cameron. Cameron smiles andAlena smiles back.

MIAAlena.

CAMERONThat's a nice name.

LESIt seems that she wants you as agodmother, Cameron.

CAMERONLes--

Cameron is suddenly quiet and seems as a confusion isovertaking her. Cameron'sface displays frustration andincomprehension.

CAMERON (CONT'D)John, do I have amnesia?

LAURENCameron, I...


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3.

LAURENI need to tell you something. Iwanted to wait, but John wasinsisting that you should knowright away. Hope that he's right.

CAMERON

Something bad?

LAURENNo, not bad. Something you may notexpect--

CAMERONI--

Cameron is turning her palms up and looking from one toanother, as if she's trying to read from them some sort ofmystery that may be etched into them. She looks up atLauren.

CAMERONI suppose I can't be more confusedthan I'm already.

LAURENVery well, then. Cameron... youare a human.

CAMERONI am a... what??

Cameron's eyes enlarge. She's looking at all of them, one

after another as if that may bring the end of her torment.

CAMERONBut how can that be? That's notpossible!

LAURENWhen we got the chip, there wasnot much to salvage. We could onlyretrieve the images and theirstructure and sequences. But wecouldn't retrieve the logic, youpersonality threads, just somefragments. It was gone. We've cameup with the idea to use Allison'sclone that we got from a defunctSkynet program and implant thememories into the clone, to let itbecome you.


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4.

TOSHIROIt's a bit more complicated, butin essence, that was how we gotyou... that was the only way toget you back.

CAMERON

(all serious, looking at John)And you agreed to this?

JOHNCameron--

CAMERON(interrupting)Am I? AM I CAMERON?

CATHERINEA good question. Let me ask you...who did you think you are when you

woke up?

CAMERON(thinking)

Catherine, you... you're right. Ithought of myself as Cameron. Ihave my memories as Cameron. Someare a bit ... fuzzy ... not thatclear. All right, maybe I amCameron, for now it seems like agood presumption.

Cameron's expression changes, her eyes' movement reveal

that she is trying to comprehend.

CAMERON (CONT'D)(scared look in her face)

I'm mortal!

JOHNCameron, you died. Being a cyborgdoes not a guarantee immortality.

CAMERONApparently not.

Cameron takes her head into her palms for a moment. Thenlooks up at John.

CAMERON (CONT'D)This may take a while getting usedto. Not being strong. Fragile.Inaccurate perceptions.


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5.

CATHERINEYou've got all of us and we'llhelp you as much as we can.

CAMERONI appreciate it. Thanks, Toshi,Lauren, Catherine... and...

CAMERON(pointing her index finger)

Les...Why do I... How do I know who youare? I haven't seen you and Miabefore, or did I?

MIAYou know us on a... subliminallevel. We've been in the programsince it started. Or rather, even

before it started.

CAMERON(NODS)

A strange explanations's betterthan none. I feel a bit... tired?

LAURENYes, it is understandable. It isquite a shock, I imagine.

CAMERONI have this weird pain in my

stomach area. It is not really apain, I am not sure how to defineit.

JOHN(laughing and then smiling)Cameron, you are hungry!

LAURENOK, let's give Cameron a rest andI'll ask nurse to bring a lunch,something really yummy forCameron's tummy.

CAMERONJohn, please don't go!

JOHNI'm not going anywhere! I prayedfor months that one day you dowake up. I want to have as much ofyou as possible!


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6.

CAMERONGood, we have to talk. My onlyregret is that I don't have acoltan skeleton, it will be somuch more difficult to beat youup! But I'll give it my best!(smiling)

TOSHIRORetreaaaat everybody!

They all leave the apartment, and John sits himself closeto Cameron.

CAMERONSo, I am Allison's sister now?

JOHNYou sort of were since we've gotto this timeline, or shortly

after, but now it is even more so,a twin sister in fact.

CAMERONHow soon I can get out of here?

JOHNThere need to be some tests done.I have to teach you a thing ortwo. Toshi has to finish someneural work with you. Lauren hasto give you a thorough physical.Les has to see to it that your DNA

and RNA is working correctly. Miahas to give a seal of approval.And Catherine is the finalarbiter. I tried to teach youwhile you were asleep--

CAMERON(interrupts)

Unconscious.

JOHNMore of a sleep state, really. Itried to teach you as much as Icould. But there are things a girlwould be better at explaining toyou. I'll get Allison in here soon.

CAMERONYes, that would be nice to haveher here. Does she know?


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7.

JOHNYes, of course. She had toconsent. She was a bit reluctantat first. Not because of herownership of the biology, it wasmore a concern that something maygo wrong. We all were a bit

worried about that.

CAMERONStill might... as in somethinggoing wrong.

JOHNThe best brains were working onbringing you back. Including you.

CAMERONJohn... does that mean I amfully... functional?

JOHNWhat do you mean?

CAMERONCan I... have children?

JOHNYes, of course you can.

CAMERON(smiles)

I think I may put the beating on

hold.

Cameron pulls John close and this time she initiates thehug.

JOHNCameron, I've got to go... I'll beright back, okay?

Cameron NODS and submerges herself into a deep reflection.

END OF ACT ONE


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8.

ACT TWO

INT. ZEIRA CENTER, CONNORS' APARTMENT -- LATER

JOHN is back at Cameron's bed.

JOHN

Missed me?

No response.

JOHN (CONT'D)Earth to Cameron!

Cameron's mind returns from the far away place and shesmiles.

CAMERONJohn, my muscles seem to be in agood shape. And I can command them

without much difficulty. How come?

JOHNIt took some work. Your bed's atension bed. And I helped you toexercise.

CAMERONI have some vague type ofrecollection of it. In thirdperson... is probably the best wayto describe it.

JOHNYou probably have it all inmemory, just the recollection ofit is another thing. I can imaginethat not having your cyborg memoryaccess may be a bit ... difficult.

CAMERONIs there a word for an ultimateunderstatement?

JOHN(smiles)

Human memory is not that precise,but has more a wider aperture.Maybe it would be better if youtalk with Toshi, it isn'tsomething I can really explain indetail. You have a normal humanbrain, but your original memoriesare stored in a microchip andimplanted.


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9.

CAMERONHow that works? Why I need it?

JOHNIt's used to bootstrap yourcognitive functions. But in theprocess, you may have lost the

ability to access that directly.What you now recall are thereflections, copies. He may beable to teach you how to accessit, in a conscious state.

Cameron thinks for a few seconds.

CAMERONSo, I'm some kind of Brandi.

JOHNNo, not at all. She was at her

latest stage almost a cyborg. Youare a full human. The implant is... a pacemaker for brain. Toshiwill tell you how to work with it.

CAMERONEnhanced human.

JOHNYeah, one may say that. It'srather specific to you, a part ofwho you are. No magic superpowers.

CAMERONI'll stop torturing you. Thishungry thing... I had no idea--

JOHNHmmm, where is it? Getting hungrytoo!

CAMERONJohn, I want to try to get out ofbed and we can sit at that tablein the corner. I hope that I can.I am not sure, so stay close tocatch me.

JOHNOf course. You don't need to ask.

CAMERONI do. You don't know if I am ableto manage this body or not.


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10.

Cameron gets on the side of the bed put her legs over theedge and stretches out her right arm. John provides asupport for the arm and gets ready. Cameron slides down onher feet and almost falls over. John catches her aroundwaist. Cameron straightens up and starts to shuffle legs.Then she stops and looks down.

CAMERON (CONT'D)This is not what it looks like...John, why is sand on the floor?

Cameron closes her eyelids and tries to remoisten her eyeswith her fingers. She opens her eyes.

CAMERON (CONT'D)Sorry, thought I'm seeing beachsand.

Cameron moves one of her feet forward again.

CAMERON (CONT'D)Hmmm. More complicated than Ithought it would be.

JOHNYou'll get it in no time!

CAMERONI hope so. What good would be adecrepit Cameron? Let's get tothat table!

Cameron is now more certain after a few steps, but still

prefers John's support.

CAMERON (CONT'D)John, did we do this before? Idon't know why I have thisimpression.

JOHNMaybe you dreamed it.

CAMERON(thinks for a second and then NODS)Maybe.

Just as they sit at the table, the nurse (JEN) enters witha rolling cart loaded with food.

JOHN(to Jen)

Thank you.

Jen looks at John and seeing that she won't be needed,leaves.


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11.

CAMERONI have this sensation... goingthrough my nose, is that smell?

JOHNYeah. How does that feel?

CAMERONNot sure, but it feels... pleasant.

JOHNThen it's good. Let's eat!

Cameron starts dumping food on her plate. John takes herplate and puts it in front of him and gets the other plateand puts a small quantity of food on it.

CAMERONJohn! I am really hungry!

JOHNI believe you. I fed you onceevery couple of days food througha tube in your throat, but yourstomach is not trained yet, fully.You were on IV for... almost untila few days ago.

CAMERONThat doesn't--

JOHNIf you gobbled up all what you put

on the plate, you may get verysick, or even die.

CAMERONThank you for...

JOHN CAMERONExplaining! Explaining!

CAMERON(laughs)

That sounded just like the old me!

INT. FRESNO, ALEX'S HOUSE -- EVENING

The sound of the DOORBELL cuts into quiet ambience. ALEXopens the door. She looks at a young man and turns her headhalf way in.

ALEXTawny, this one's for you.

Alex leaves the door half open and goes back to thekitchen.


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12.

Tawny is not sure what Alex means but she goes to the door.She sees the young man. Her face turns to a radiant widesmiley.

YOUNG MANI think--

Tawny puts her finger on her lips and gets closer to theyoung man.

TAWNY(whispering)

I'll explain later.(normal voice)

Give me three minutes, okay, I'llbe right out.

The young man NODS, and waits. Tawny runs into her room andchanges quickly, grabbing a small purse and some money froma drawer. Tawny runs out, in her better skirt and a

colorful t-shirt. She inserts her hand under young man'sarm.

TAWNY(casually)

Let's go.

They are a few meters from the house. The young man ismustering all his wits to ask what is going on, and Tawnysenses the tension.

TAWNYI'll explain. Just let's get a bit

further from the house, okay?

Young man NODS, thinking that there seems to be enoughjustification to keep his mouth shut.

TAWNY (CONT'D)What's your name?

YOUNG MANAlexei.

EXT. FRESNO, NEAR ALEX'S HOUSE -- LATER

TAWNY halts her walk for a moment.

TAWNYI'm Tawny.

ALEXEIAlready know. Where we going?


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13.

TAWNYTo the park at the end of the nextblock.

They walk for a couple hundred meters, quietly.

TAWNY (CONT'D)

Okay, we're far enough. You canask.

ALEXEIWhat's going on? I went to thewrong house, Someone hired me formowing grass. I'll lose twentybucks.

TAWNYEver thought it may be possiblethat you were at the right house,at the right time? I've got forty

bucks with me, so if you reallyneed that twenty, it's yours.

ALEXEIReally?

TAWNYNo sweat. Was the job one time orrecurrent?

ALEXEIOne time.

TAWNYGood. No biggie then. Can I askyou a few questions?

ALEXEIBefore I say yes, I need to ... Idon't understand what's going on.

TAWNY(waiting a few seconds)

A chain of unlikely coincidences.I'll take a raincheck onexplaining, but it's in some waysrather amusing. And I needed tofind and excuse to get some freshair. Is it my turn now?

ALEXEIYeah. Quizz'up.

TAWNYAre you a grass mower?


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14.

ALEXEI(laughs)

No. I just need to make some extracash once a while. I work at atooling warehouse.

TAWNY

Sutter?

ALEXEIYep.

TAWNYOh my!

ALEXEIWhat, do I lose 50 points?

TAWNY(giggling)

You're funny. No. It just happensthat the company's owned by afriend of mine.

ALEXEI(long face)

Sutter's your friend?

TAWNYSutter's just a manager now. AlMoss has 70% majority.

ALEXEI

Good or bad?

TAWNYMore like a small world. Neithergood, nor bad. It just is.

ALEXEII saw Moss a few times. Thoughthe's a client. He's an old man.

TAWNYNot that old. I think he's noteven 60. And he's a nice guy.

ALEXEIDoes not help me.

TAWNYWhy?

ALEXEISutter's a rabid pit bull.


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15.

TAWNYWhy, how that manifests?

ALEXEIHe's morose, normally. But forsome reason, he's on my back allthe time. No reason. Just to annoy

me and cause me a grief.

TAWNYI've got an idea.

ALEXEII object! It may just make thingsworse.

TAWNYAlexei, you don't trust me?

ALEXEI

Well, we just met, Tawny. Butthat's beside the point. If youtry to intervene on my behalf, hemay really create a hell on earthfor me. I'll deal with it.

TAWNYBut if that gets worse, I don'twant to hear whining, just tell me"it's a go" and I'll fix it.

ALEXEIYou've got a funny vocabulary. Are

you a spy or something?

TAWNY(laughs)

You're perceptive. Yeah, a bit.

ALEXEII am not sure there is such athing as a spy-a-bit, eitheryou're a spy-yes, or spy-no.

TAWNYWhat if my job is tracking througha computer.

ALEXEIUh! Haven't thought of that.

Tawny and Alexei reach the park entrance.

END OF ACT TWO


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16.

ACT THREE

EXT. FRESNO, PARK NEAR ALEX'S HOUSE -- EVENING

TAWNY and ALEXEI walk along the path cutting through themiddle of the park. Tawny has no longer locked her armunder Alexei's.

ALEXEIReally?

TAWNYReally what? My job? It's notreally spying.

ALEXEINo?

TAWNYI'm a system configurator. But

it's used for tracking. That'strue.

ALEXEISigh of relief.

TAWNYWhy?

ALEXEIIf you were a spy, I mayaccidentally reveal a secret andyou'd have to kill me. I'm too

young to die now.

TAWNY(laughs)

Well, I should go back, Alex mayget worried.

ALEXEIWho's Alex?

TAWNYMy step mom. Well, she's notreally a step mom officially, butin a way she is.

ALEXEII saw her scars. What happened toher?

TAWNYSkynet. She's sometimes called LaCazadora.


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17.

ALEXEIWhat? Oh my god! Tell me that youknow John Connor and I'd slitheraway quietly.

TAWNYJohn's my best friend.

ALEXEIYou're pulling my leg.

TAWNYCan't help it. Serious. And don'tsli... go.

ALEXEII don't know what to say.

TAWNYHow about where you live? Let's

walk and you can tell me on theway home. Do you have a paper and... wait, I have a pen. Give meyour hand.

Tawny is inscribing her phone number on Alexei's hand,tracing it several times so it does not get smeared offeasily. They walk for a while quietly.

TAWNY (CONT'D)Where do you live?

ALEXEI

With my aunt. She has a tiny houseover there at Calwa. See that redroof? That's it.

TAWNYWhat about your mother and father?

ALEXEIMy mother... died when I was 2. Myfather did not return from the EM.

TAWNYI'm sorry to hear that. Yourfather was a hero.

ALEXEIMany haven't. You could just gohouse to house and there is almostalways someone missing.

TAWNYAlexei, we're here.


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18.

ALEXEIRight. So quick...

TAWNYWill you call me tomorrow?

ALEXEI

Tawny, I don't... no phone. Whatif we meet? For a while. Maybeafter dinner. I can sometimes usethe company phone, but if Sutterfinds out, I'm a toast.

TAWNYSeven?

ALEXEISeven thirty. My aunt has usuallythe dinner ready at six thirty, soeat, and run here...

TAWNYSeven thirty here. You've got agirlfriend?

ALEXEINow? Uh... No girlfriends come tomind.

Tawny has to stand on her toes to reach Alexei's face, togive him a quick kiss. She then turns around, runs the fewmeters, enters the house and closes the door behind her.Alex looks out from the kitchen toward the hallway.

ALEXFun?

TAWNY(blushing)

Um... yeah.

ALEXIt's uncanny. From all the youngmen out there, you just had topick one that looks like John'sbaby brother. How did you pullthat off?

TAWNYA secret. And... whose name isAlex. Alexei, really.

Alex's shaking her head.


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19.

ALEXWhat the world's coming to? Comehere.

Alex gives Tawny a heartfelt hug. Tawny then goes to herroom grabs her phone and dials.

TAWNYAl, Hi.

MOSS (O.S.)Tawny! How are you?

TAWNYGood. Al, how much would be a newphone?

MOSS (O.S.)Your's broken?

TAWNYNo, I just need... one spare.

MOSS (O.S.)LD?

TAWNYNo, local.

MOSS (O.S.)Do you know where Sutter Toolingis?

TAWNYYeah.

MOSS (O.S.)I can arrange for you to pick itup there.

TAWNYAl... Do you know Alexei?

MOSS (O.S.)Varga? From Sutter?

(starts laughing)

TAWNYWhat so funny?

MOSS (O.S.)A spare phone, huh? It's okay,he's a fine lad.


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20.

MOSS (O.S.) (CONT'D)I'm planning to pull him out ofthere and give him a job managingone of my new offices, and thatcomes with a phone. So if we gethim one now, he doesn't get onethen.

TAWNYReally? When?

MOSS (O.S.)About a month from now. But keepmum about it, in your own bestinterest. If he thinks you havesomething to do with it, you'd bein a trouble. He's fiercelyindependent.

TAWNY

Yeah, I think you're right aboutthat.

MOSS (O.S.)Let me think... He's on Friday atthe westside warehouse, so thatwould be the best time to pick upthe phone, between 9 and 10 AM. Goto the main office and thereceptionist, Lynn, will give itto you. Say your name, she'll know.

TAWNY

Al, I don't know how to thank you.

MOSSSimple. Just say it.

TAWNYThank you.

MOSSYou're welcome. Gotta go. Give mea buzz when you get it.

INT. ZEIRA CENTER, TOSHIRO'S LAB -- DAY

CAMERON sits on a couch and TOSHIRO pulls a small box fromhis desk drawer.

TOSHIROCameron, I need to put contactlenses on your eyes.

CAMERONWhat're they for?


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21.

TOSHIROThey are tiny projectors. We usedthem for transfer of memories, atthe start. But now you need to dothat process consciously, so youget the feel for it. I hope thatafter a while, you would be able

access the implant just byfocusing.

CAMERONIs this what's called abiofeedback?

TOSHIROWell, not exactly. It works in asimilar way, but we are trying toaccess a non-biological element.

CAMERON

Oh, I remember! The bugs! That wasa bit similar, no?

TOSHIROI wouldn't say so. But it helpedme to get a head start on yourdevelopment.

Toshiro places the contacts on Cameron's eyes. Then heplugs in small earphones into her ears.

CAMERONI see light but all's blurry.

TOSHIROCorrect. The ambient background isblurred on purpose, so it does notinterfere with the lensesprojection . You'll see when westart projecting scenes.

Toshiro turns on a switch.

CAMERONOh! That's amazing!

TOSHIRO(smiling)

Yeah, I think so too.

TOSHIRO (CONT'D)Now, concentrate on the scene.We project it externally, but itis stored in your chip. Your brainknows how to access it.


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22.

TOSHIRO (CONT'D)It was a part of your initialentraining. But now you need tofigure out how to match theprojected scene with a scenestored in the chip.

Toshiro turns the switch off.

TOSHIRO (CONT'D)Now try to recall that scene, butnot as a recollection of theprojection. Retrieve it up fromthe chip.

CAMERONBlank.

TOSHIROExpected. This would take a while.

CAMERONHow long?

TOSHIRONot sure. May take weeks.

CAMERONOh! So I am stuck here until I getit right!

TOSHIRO(laughing)

No! You can get out of here whenall test are done and you arephysically able to take care ofyourself. You can schedulesessions and come here to get thisworked out whenever you like aslong as it is on a regular basis.

CAMERONSo I won't lose a... a track?

TOSHIROTrace, maybe. It is lessmechanical. The neural processesare more distributed.

CAMERONDo I really need it?

TOSHIROI think so. It is a part what youare. Your identity. Our teamdecided that it is essential.


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23.

TOSHIRO (CONT'D)Catherine was adamant that youneed to be as close to your cyborgpersonality as possible. Even withyour data, we wouldn't be able tomake another Cameron. It was moredesirable to try a human form. The

cyborg would acquire its ownpersonality. It may be close, butno cigar.

CAMERONNo cigar? I don't understand.

TOSHIROAn idiom. A winner gets thereward--

CAMERONThe winner gets a cigar!

TOSHIROYep, you grok!

CAMERONToshiro, be considerate. You areusing a confusing vocabulary!

TOSHIROI recommend books. John's got ahookup to the library system, soask him to show it to you.

Cameron NODS.

TOSHIRO:We are done for today. Tomorrowwe'll continue at the same time.

CAMERONWait! Something just hit me...More desirable to use human form?The cigar aside, why? Is theremore to it than a functioningplatform?

TOSHIROCatherine can explain therationale to you.

CAMERONWill ask her.

END OF ACT THREE


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24.

ACT FOUR

INT. ZEIRA CENTER, CONNORS' APARTMENT -- DAY

CAMERON is browsing through library files, marking up filesfor reading. She seems to be completely absorbed in theactivity. JOHN exits the bathroom and stands beside

Cameron, watching her.

CAMERONJohn, there must be another way.

JOHNWhat you mean?

CAMERONHow do you cross-reference thingsin your head?

JOHN

Comes with the hardware. Don'tknow, never thought of it how I doit.

CAMERONI do understand the basics of howit works, but it seems to be soinefficient. Very fuzzy logic. I'dlike to use something like asearch function.

JOHNConceptually, it's a pattern

recognition and relationalchaining.

CAMERONI'm smarter now. But really, how?

JOHNThe more you cross-relate things,the more you are able to pull themout. It's an associative process.You can chain associations in longstrings.

CAMERONOkay, say I've got two words thatI need to relate. How I do it?

JOHNFind something they may have incommon. It does not matter whatthat is. It may be an associationas well, something that hasseemingly no connection.


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25.

CAMERONA semantic connection?

JOHNThat's one way. It can besomething visual. And if it hassome sort of emotional quality, it

seems to work better. It's likeyou attribute a meaning to it.

CAMERONSo I have to do it consciously?

JOHNYep. Well, you do itsubconsciously all the time, butthat means you have less controlover the results.

CAMERON

I was thinking about somethingmore in the way how this librarysearch works. Two words input,cross-reference, done.

JOHNI don't think that's what yourimplant can do. It is a storage,not a processor, if I understandit correctly. You can ask Toshi,but he'd probably say the samething.

CAMERONI had that functionality. Before.

JOHNAs an auxiliary process. Analgorithm that was not reallyinternal. I think what you need todo is to create your ownalgorithm, consciously, somethingthat works for you and then startusing it. In time it will becomealmost automatic part of how youprocess information.

CAMERONHow you do it?

JOHNIt works the best if I findsomething funny, a commondenominator that does not need tobe really related.


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26.

CAMERONThe juxtaposition creates theassociation.

JOHNRight. You should talk to Les. Theprograms he used for your

development may give you moreideas how this works.

CAMERONI thought his field is genetictriggers.

JOHNHis main field. But thedevelopment part was also in hisjob description. He did not createthe programs, but I think he's gota pretty good idea how they work.

CAMERONWhat about Mia?

JOHNShe's... a good example how theintegrated functions work. I'm notsure if she has the same depth oftheoretical knowledge that Leshas, but she sure knows how toapply it.

CAMERON

Well, they both got me so far--

JOHNIt won't be an imposition. Theywould be glad to help, I'm sure. Ican only make somewhat educatedguesses, based on materials thatLes and Lauren gave me. Twobuckets of salt, apply generously.

CAMERONTwo buckets? Uh! A grain of salt!Why two buckets all of the sudden?

JOHNI feel generous!

CAMERONI see... Since you are offeringopinions right and left, Iremember reading books...devouring would be better term.Now it's slow.


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27.

JOHNNot sure you can ever match thespeed, but you can learn to readvery fast.

CAMERONReally? How?

JOHNTake a page, and position yourfocus in the center and run youreyes down. Now, your brain doesnot know what you are trying todo. It would think that it's notimportant what you've justscanned. So, you've got to tryrecalling the content.

CAMERONAll right, let me try.

Cameron pulls up a page on the screen. She scans it formtop to bottom, in a 3 seconds sweep.

CAMERON (CONT'D)I've got no idea what was on it!

JOHNPractice. It doesn't come cheap.The brain's trying to limit inputto prevent overload. You simplyforce it, after some practice, todo it right.

CAMERONThere seems to be quite a fewtrade offs.

JOHNTo being a human?

CAMERONYeah.

JOHNIt's not that bad. Maybe theinitial software library's a bitlacking, but there's no limit whatyou can do with what you have.

CAMERONAre we still at the two buckets ofsalt?


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28.

JOHNNope. I sort of know what I amtalking about, in this case.

CAMERON(laughs)

I want to believe!

JOHNAsk Toshi for a second opinion...But it's the use it or lose itprerogative. He'd probably say thesame thing.

CAMERONMaybe you're right. The dataaccess that I'm learning with himseems to be in the same mold. Withsome gadgets, but it's the sameprinciple.

JOHNThere you go! I may get togetherwith Les or Mia and find someshortcuts.

Door opens and ALLISON half enters the room.

ALLISONMay I?

CAMERONAllison! Come in!

JOHNOkay, I think I can use a break!

(terminator tonality)I'll be back.

John leaves the room.

ALLISONSo, sis, how are you?

CAMERONAll my circuits are functioningnormally.

ALLISON(looks a bit puzzled and hereyes narrow)

Cameron, are you all right?

CAMERON(smiling)

Did I fool you for a moment?


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ALLISON(laughing)

Just for a second!Well, a lot to talk about...

CAMERON

Where is Michael?

ALLISONAt school, no skipping allowed.But he wants to see you, so I'llget him here over the weekend.

CAMERONAnd Jason?

ALLISONOn a trip. He'll be back in 5days, so when he gets back, he'll

visit too. Yea, he knows, I calledhim as soon as I knew.

Allison looks for a few seconds like thinking.

ALLISON (CONT'D)I think we start with a shower.How's your walking?

CAMERONNot perfect, but I am gettingthere. You may need to give me abit of support here and there.

ALLISONSure. Did you go to toilet already?

CAMERONYea, with the nurse. She's sosweet and helpful. I did not knowat first she's a cyborg. I wasquite surprised that she pickednursing.

ALLISONI'm not that surprised. K's aregood at what they do, and they'reall over the map in theiroccupations these days.

CAMERONIt's quite new to me, the humanmessy stuff, that is. It worksdifferently for cyborgs. One ofthese things that are harder forme to get used to.


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ALLISONI can imagine. All right, let's gowhere Cameron hasn't gone before.

Cameron and Allison head for the bathroom.

Allison and Cameron return and sit doewn at the table. John

opens the door and peeks in.

JOHNMay I?

CAMERON(categoric negation)

Not now!

(conciliatory tone)Sorry, John, can you please comeback later... in 15 minutes?

Love you!

JOHNUm... Yes, 15 minutes. I'll beback... I think I should stopsaying that.

CAMERON(smiles and blows a kiss)

Thanks!

John leaves and mutters under his breath.

JOHNGirl talk...

John appears pleased despite being shown the door.

INT. ZEIRA CENTER, TOSHIRO'S LAB -- DAY

TOSHIRO looks up when CAMERON enters his lab.

TOSHIROCameron, welcome back!

CAMERONToshi, I think I figured it out.But how, that would sound silly, Ithink.

TOSHIROWhy? How's not important. Ipresume it's something ratheridiosyncratic, correct?


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CAMERONI had this dream. And there I hada chart of pathways how to reachmy chip. But it was encrypted, Icouldn't make a sense of it. Butthen I dreamed in my dream and inmy dream within the dream I had a

key for the whole thing. It wasetched in sand on a beach. Circlesand lines, several hundred metersof it. Not sure why, but when Iwoke up, I could access my chip.

TOSHIROIt makes a perfect sense. Iactually expected something likethis to happen. The brain works inits own language that has to betranslated into our consciouslanguage, informing you that the

pathways were in place and ready.It just was your brain trying tofind a way to get you thatinformation.

CAMERONI'll take your word for it. I'mglad it's working. I feel morelike myself, if that makes a sense.

TOSHIROIndeed it does, again.

CAMERONBut just to be sure, I want asession. I'll tell you whatsegments and indices, and you getthat projected and you and Icompare. If there is a match, thenwe know it's working.

TOSHIROBrilliant idea! Darn, I shouldhave thought of that! Cameron,will you work for me?

CAMERONToshi, would love to, but I haveother plans for a while. I'll takea rain check, okay?

TOSHIRO(grinning)

No pressure, but please soon!

END OF ACT FOUR


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ACT FIVE

INT. ZEIRA CENTER, CATHERINE'S OFFICE -- DAY

CAMERON is sitting at the coffee table and CATHERINE isfacing her from the opposite side.

CATHERINEYou seem to be getting better withthe locomotion.

CAMERONTook a bit of time, but I nowhave pretty much a handle on thisbody.

CATHERINEGlad to hear that. We were a bitworried how this all will turnout. Not the command of the body

aspect, that was presumed to bewithout a glitch after somegetting used to your body, butabout you, Cameron personality,identity and essence.

CAMERONLike you said the first day. Ifeel like Cameron. Most of thetime. There are some short periodswhen I have doubts and I don'tknow who I really am, but I thinkthat is something natural to

humans.

CATHERINEExistential uncertainty, I callit. Noticed that with humans.Savannah clued me in on that partof human makeup.

CAMERONI think it is something temporary.Well, maybe it is always present,but in a different form. One isdefining oneself all the time.

CATHERINEInteresting.

CAMERONI had a similar experience as acyborg.

CATHERINESimilar? In what way?


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CAMERONWhen my chip got damaged, I hadquite a few times of uncertaintyand had to find myself. I justthought that humans have less ofit.

CATHERINEMaybe some. Usually humans thatare reaching their developmentplateau. But it's ... like alittle death. They are reactivefrom that point on. Closer toautomatons. Yes, it seems thatthere are far more commonalitiesbetween humans and cyborgs, theyare just manifesting in forms thatare typical for the species.

CAMERON

What about the differences?

CATHERINECyborgs don't seem to get stuck.But humans that don't get stuck,have a tremendous potential, moreso than cyborgs.

CAMERONI've never thought of it in thatway as a cyborg. It now seems moreinteresting.

CATHERINEI think about these things often.There are many things I don'tunderstand yet and I do want tounderstand. The more I understand,the more I am aware what I don'tunderstand. It is quitefrustrating. But that is not whatwe are to talk about today, is it?

CAMERONPerhaps it's a part of it.I'll be direct. Why did you insistthat I must be human?

Catherine thinks for a few seconds before replying.

CATHERINEWell, do you know thecircumstances surrounding youdeath?


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CAMERONBrandi killed me. Is theresomething I was not told?

CATHERINEProbably not on purpose. I thinkeveryone was waiting for me to

explain it. After all, I insistedon the human form, so you shouldknow my reasoning.

CATHERINE (CONT'D)There were only two choices,really. One--to base yourresurrection on the MPA platformand the second--on human platform.The MPA platform is not ready, notyet, maybe in 10 years.

CAMERON

I understand. But can't it bereverse-engineered based on yoursample?

CATHERINEAfraid not so simple. We'll getthere one day. We've started onthat just a short while ago,thanks to a serendipity. We simplydid not have anything ready foryou at the time.

CAMERON

Toshi's working on it?

CATHERINEA new addition to our staff. NealHort. I'll introduce you to himsoon. You'll like him.

CAMERONBack to your selection--

CATHERINEThere was an epidemic caused by avirus that was released by Skynet.

CAMERONHow is that possible? Skynet isgone for years!

CATHERINEThat is what everyone thought.

Catherine pauses for a moment.


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CATHERINE (CONT'D)The virus was released either byBrandi or by accident before Johnfound her remains. In any case,all the humans got infected and itchanged their genetic makeup.

CAMERONSo, I am infected too?

CATHERINEAll the humans except two as faras we know. John Connor andAllison Young. The virus did nottouch John at all, except a milddiscomfort. It made Allison ill,but not the same way as otherhumans. She recovered, except herreproductive system is somewhataffected. So, by inference, you

are not infected and can't be.

CAMERONWhat about the virus? What is it?

CATHERINEWe've analyzed it in detail. Stillworking on it, it's very complex.But I'll skip over the complexityand state the core issue. Skynet.

CAMERON(shocked, her eyes enlarged,

almost screaming)What?

CATHERINESkynet code. As far as we coulddecide, it is a fragment ofSkynet, but it contains some corelogic components.

CAMERONBut how--

CATHERINEIt was encoded in the RNA sequenceof the virus. The virus attackedbone marrow and injected codons inall the cells with newinformation. It also attackedreproductive system, so allchildren conceived after theoutbreak contain the code in alltheir cells.


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CAMERON(horrified)

That is incredible... horrible!

CATHERINEYes, it is. We don't know wherethe remainder is, perhaps it was

not deployed. We may be lucky. Butwe can't be sure.

CAMERONWait... I am human. I can havechildren. I am not infected. Johnis not infected.

CATHERINEBright woman. I figured that itwas not just John's leadershipabilities why Skynet put a mark onhim. That was just a notion put

out by Skynet for a publicconsumption, for grays andcyborgs. But it seems now thatSkynet knew from some othertimeline what the real reason is.Or had a fair idea about John'sother importance.

CAMERONI understand. I can't say I agreewith your choice, though. I don'tknow what to think. John couldhave children with Allison.

CATHERINE:Yes. that was another option. Idiscussed it with Allison, but shefelt reluctant to go with it. AndI agreed. There are some aspectsthat I believe have some bearings.They are more in an intangiblerealm, as John Henry would put it.In fact, he did put it that way.Allison thought that resurrectingCameron was the best option.

CAMERONBut what if my resurrection didnot work out?

CATHERINEIt did work out. You are here. Andall the tests we ran so farindicate a resounding success.


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CAMERONBut you couldn't know if I wake upand hate John, or--

CATHERINEWe did take some risks,admittedly. But given your mutual

closeness and trust, we felt thatthe Cameron Project has a highchance of success.

CAMERONHow much John knows?

CATHERINENot much about the Skynet aspect.We--

CAMERONWe?

CATHERINEI, Toshiro, Lauren, Mia and LesDanilo, who that raised you in away before we took over the Skynetcloning project.

CAMERONOh, thanks.

CATHERINEWe thought that it may not bedesirable to let him fully know

all the aspects of the project fortime being. His part was to decidefor himself what mode of Cameronhe'd accept. He was explained whycyborg Cameron may not work. Heaccepted the idea of humanCameron. He should know, though,in time. It would be up to you todecide when he is ready.

CAMERONYou trust my judgment? Isn't thata bit premature?

CATHERINEThere are always risks. In for apenny, in for a pound. I trust myjudgment in that regard. It workedquite well so far for me.

CAMERON(thinking, then)

John Henry?


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CATHERINEYes. Let me ask you a question, ifit is not too personal, andpossibly inappropriate. Do youlove John?

CAMERON

(searching herself for acouple of seconds)Yes. I do. I always did. He didnot know for a long time. I triedto tell him in some moments, butwere afraid to let him know in adirect way.

CATHERINEInteresting. I think I got quiteclose to understanding thatconcept, but I still don'tcomprehend it fully.

CAMERONExistential uncertainty.

CATHERINEPardon me?

CAMERONIt is the same principle. Love isnot just something static, a setof definable parameters. It isalways in flux, developing andgrowing, or fading out. That is

how I understand it. Not thebiological part of it, that isjust a carrier wave. Therelationship, that is what I mean.For me it is unconditional. Ithink the trust is a natural partof it. Destroy trust and it allfalls apart.

CATHERINEWe have to talk more often, Ithink I can learn from you.

CAMERONThe feeling is mutual. I found inthe past I can understand yourmotives. People often saw you as amystery, but to me you were quitetransparent.

CATHERINEBased on that, you think you cantrust me?


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CAMERON(smiles)

Yes. But that's not unconditional.

CATHERINE(smiles)

We do understand each other. You

know, I think that the CameronProject was even more success thanI could hope for!

CAMERONThank you.

CATHERINECameron, something rubs me an oddway. When you said you couldunderstand my motives... Wherethat's coming from? You rememberthat? Or John somehow implied that

in his narratives?

CAMERONThere's more that I remember thanI should. I'm sure that John'snarrating was very helpful. Butthat's not all. I can't tell youat the moment... I have a hunch,but want to make sure that Iconfirm it before telling anyone,or discard it.

CATHERINE

I hope I'll be among the first toknow.

CAMERONAffirmative. Well, I gotta go,must do something about thathungrything.

CATHERINEPlease come in for a chat as oftenas you like.

END OF ACT FIVE


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ACT SIX

INT. ZEIRA CENTER, LAUREN'S LAB -- DAY

CAMERON knocks on the door to Lauren's lab but hears noreply. She looks through the door glass and sees LAUREN Inthe back of her lab. Cameron turns the door knob and enters.

CAMERONHi Lauren!

LAUREN(looking up from her cellgrowth chamber scope)

Oh, hi Cameron! What can I do foryou?

CAMERONI was talking to Catherine.

LAURENShe told you about the Skynet code?

CAMERONYes. I have a question... Here'sthe part that I don't fullyunderstand. I can have what...maybe 8 children. But there'snearly 400 million humans now. Thegenes I and John carry aredominant in my lineage, but may benot dominant with other people.So, in time, the dominance may

disappear.

LAURENI see. Catherine probablyforgotten to stress one aspect, orthought you would assume it andshe emphasized metaphysics. Thetransfer via XX chromosomes isalways dominant. That means thatany male produced from yours andJohn's children would carry theimmunity.

CAMERON(looking surprised)

Oh! It's the John Connor thing! Aslong as there is John Connor,Skynet does not win! I would notsay that is a metaphysicalconcept. It is logically coherent.


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LAURENYes, one can see it that way. It'slogical, it's just Catherine...she finds sometimes metaphysicalaspects in things. John Henry'sinfluence.

CAMERONYes, I remember bits of some of mydiscussions with him, he had thatstreak.

LAURENSo, in the case there may besomething going wrong with therest of humanity, your lineage maybe what saves it.

CAMERONIsn't there some way to repair the

damage, to get a rid of the Skynetsequence?

LAURENI hope so. So far, I am unable tofind a way to reverse the change.Not mentioning the children...they are Skynet code through out.But maybe in time, we can get thatout. Meanwhile, we have to be surethat we as species would survive.That's John and you, and to somedegree Allison. Her immunity's not

that strong as John's. Michael'sinfected, but she may have anotherchild that may be not. We are notyet sure, and may not be forwhile.

CAMERONI see. I never thought thatCatherine's so ... fond of humans.

LAURENJohn Henry. He really influencesher quite a bit. Maybe more sothan Savannah. She thinks that themetaphysical aspects of humanexistence are very important. Shewould like to somehow transferthat to cyborgs as well, but shedoes not know how.

CAMERONWhat specifically? Does she defineit in some way?


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LAURENI'm not sure she really knows whatthat is. She talks about a soul.

CAMERONI did die twice, didn't I? Oncewhen Brandi got me and second time

shortly after I was taken out fromthe growth environment.

LAURENHow ... How do you know? No onewas supposed to talk about it!

CAMERONI know because I went on a ...journey. I have a vivid memory ofit. It's hard to describe it, toput it in words. But I knew Idied, but I also knew I have to go

back. What happened?

LAURENWe miscalculated the requiredadjustments for the transitionfrom a tank to a normalenvironment. Fortunately, wemonitored you all the time, so itdid not take long to realize youflatlined. We got you back in 4and half minutes. It was a scarymoment. But I still don'tunderstand how do you know.

CAMERONMaybe that's the part of themetaphysics Catherine is searchingfor. I never experienced anythingsimilar when I was a cyborg. Therewere several times when I waspowered down and chip removed. Ifelt dying, but then there was adarkness, nothingness. This time,it was different, it was just theopposite, light and... I felt morealive.

LAURENCameron, you should tell her. I amnot sure what she would do withthat information, but it may helpher with her MPA project. At leastshe would know that her concept isnot entirely hypothetical.


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CAMERONSo you think I was not justhallucinating it all, in some way?

LAURENWere you? I would be normallyskeptical, but since there is no

way you would know that youflatlined, I have to consider thatyour recollection is accurate. Idon't know what it is, but thatdoes not mean I'll shove it underthe rug because I can't fit itinto my concepts of reality.

CAMERONOkay, will tell her. Do you stillhave that ladybug pin?

LAUREN

No I lost... Wait, you saw it? Youcouldn't possibly, your eyes wereclosed.

CAMERONI were looking down.

Cameron pauses and looks around as if collecting herthoughts.

CAMERON (CONT'D)John... Does he have a clone too?"

LAURENNo. John requested discontinuing.We can now produce replacementtissues when needed, like fortransplants. But in your case, itwas different. Everyone agreed onthat.

CAMERONWhy was John not told about thetrue reason behind all this?

LAURENWe thought he needs a bit of restfrom thing related to Skynet, asmuch as possible. For all thoseyears since his time jump,everything was on his shoulders, Ican't imagine anyone but him beingable to stand after all that.

CAMERONYes, neither can I.


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LAURENIt has been a while since Skynetdefeat, but you probably rememberhow fast he aged. During the lastfew years, he got some of hisvitality and youthfulness back. Ileave that up to you. Maybe if you

prepared him a bit.

CAMERONI can't keep things secret fromhim. I have to tell him and he hasto decide what to do with it. Ourrelationship is based on trust.That is something I intend topreserve by any means.

LAURENYour call. I think you are thebest judge.

CAMERONThanks. Will let you know how itgoes.

LAURENYou know, I'm reasonably openminded. But that ladybug pin...That's something. It blows my mind.

CAMERONJohn says regarding physics thatwe don't know a half of it. I

think he is exaggerating. What wedo know is far, far less than wedon't know a half of it.

LAURENCameron, what are your plans?

CAMERONAre you offering me a job?

LAUREN(smiles)

I see, someone already did. Toshi?

Cameron NODS.

CAMERONI have quite a mundane life aheadof me, at least for a few years.

LAURENFamily?


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45.

Cameron NODS.

LAUREN (CONT'D)Not mundane at all! That ismundane only for those that lackimagination.

CAMERONI think that I will work part timefor Toshi or Neal, just to preventrust settling in.

LAURENYou've met Neal?

CAMERONNot yet, but planning to.Catherine told me about the MPAproject. It sounds like quite achallenge.

LAURENWe'll need the best brains forthat project. No doubt. I have afeeling that yours is among those.

CAMERONI'm not sure, but for what it isworth, it surely is unique!

LAURENPerhaps that's what's reallyneeded.

INT. FRESNO, ALEX'S RESIDENCE -- EVENING

The door bell RINGS. ALEX is coming down from the stairsand heads toward the door. She opens it and at the sametime as she's opening, has her speech ready.

ALEXAl--

For the moment she seems to be surprised. She steps a bitback as if allowing a room for a visitor to pass in.

ALEX (CONT'D)That is not much of a disguise. Ican't imagine what kind of pickleyou must be in to show up here.Well, come in, Fred.

the connors chronicles: f05e08 - cameron's identity

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