Terminator Treatment

7/31/2019 Terminator Treatment

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TERMINATOR

ATREATMENTFORAFEATUREFILMSCREENPLAY

by

JAMESCAMERON

July,1982

ThePresent.LosAngelesghetto.Schoolyard.Night.

Amongthespray-paintedschoolbuildingsacatprowlsbetweenthedumpsters.Itloo sup,freezingalert,atsomethingbeyondhumanperception.

Asourcelesswindrises,andwithita eeningwhine.Papersblowacrossthepavement.Thecatyowlsandhides.Windowsrattle.

Thewhineintensifiesandwithitcomesawashoffrigidpurplelight.Aconcussionli eathunderclaprightoverheadblowsinallthewindowsfacingtheyard.Thecat'seyesarewideastheglowdies.

Electricaldischargesarcfromthedumpstertoawaterfaucetandclimbadrainpipeli eaJacob'sLadder.Thesoundofstrayelectricalcrac lingsubsides.

InthemiddleofthepreviouslyemptyyardstandsaNAKEDMAN.

Tall.Powerfullybuilt.Handsomeinanutterlyunremar ableway,exceptfortheeyes,whichareintenseblueanddepthless.

Heglancesdown,ta ingcalminventoryofhimself,thenscanshissurroundings.Atthehorizon,occasionallightningflashespresageathunderstorm.HestridesOUTOFSHOT.

Abeerbottlesmashesontheground.PULLBACKtoincludeitsex-ownerandhistwocompatriots,YOUTHGANGMEMBERSloungingonajunglegyminthe indergartenplayground.Theyglanceupasthena edmanwal sfrombetweenthe

schoolbuildingsandcomespurposefullytowardthem.

Inresponsetotheirderisivecatcalls,hesaystooneofthemwithoutinflection,"Yourclotheswillfit.Givethemtome."

Thethreetoughsslideoffthejunglegymandsurroundhim,allswaggerandmaligngoodhumor.Withblindingspeedthemanbac handstheoneheaddressedinthethroatandthepun drops,gaggingonblood.


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Theleaderhashisswitchbladeoutinaninstantandhasslasheditacrosstheman'sthroatinthenext.Thestrangerpausestoglanceatthebloodstreamingdownhischestwithoutapparentconcern,then illstheleaderwithonepunchinthebelly.Thereisawetsoundashedrawsbac hisfistwhichglistenswithbloodtotheelbow.Theleaderslumpslifelesstotheground.

Thethirdpun isalreadystrippingoffhisclothesasthemanturnshisgazetowardhim.

ThismanistheTERMINATOR.

Alightrainbeginstofall.Terminatoremergesontothestreet,hi ingthecollarofthepun 'sjac ettohidehisnec .

Therainstreamsdownoverhisface,runningintoandoverhiseyes.Theydonotblin .

Anotherpartofthecity.Downtown.Seedyapartmentsandstorefronts.Thestreetsglistenandhisswithdesultorylatenighttraffic.SLOWDOLLYintoanopenalleylined

withtrashcontainers,fireescapes,andaderelictsleepinginthecomfortofarecesseddoorway.

Thewetbric wor ishitwithapurpleglareandathunderousshoc wavehurlstrashintotheair.Ratsscurry.Painted-overwindowsshatter.

Afiguredropsintoframeasifoutofthes y,andsmac sthepavementwithamuddysplash.Ana edman,young,compactandmuscular,risesinadefensivecrouch,ignoringthebleedingscrapesofhisabruptarrival.

KYLEREESEiswrac edbyspasms,shiveringandpanting

fromphysiologicaltrauma.Theraindrencheshimashestaggerstohisfeetandloo saround.Herunsunsteadilytoanearbyfireescape.Onthefirstlandinghecrouchesbesideanotherna edmanwhoappearsentangledintheironwor .

Acloserloo revealsthatthemanhasbeenpiercedthroughtheabdomenbythehorizontalslatsandthroughtheshoulder.Hewasmaterializedinthesamespaceoccupiedbythefireescapestructure.Hegrimacesinagony.

"Reese,youOK?"thewoundedmangasps.

"OK""I'moutofit.""You nowwhatIhavetodo,"Reesesaysgrimly."Don'twastetimeonme,justfindher."

Themansagsintounconsciousnessanddoesn'tstrugglewhenReesepressesthepalmofhishandfirmlyoverhismouth,pinchingthenostrilsclosed,andwaits.

Whenitisover,Reesedescendstothealleyfloorand


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crossestothestuporousdrun .

Apolicecruisereclipsesthealleymouthandasearchlightblazeson,illuminatingReesejustpullingonthederelict'sfilthytrousers.Twocopsleapfromthecar.Theydon't nowwhat'sgoingonbutitsureloo sillegal.

Reeseboltsdownthealleyandafranticchaseonfootbegins.InastaccatosequenceReesevaultstrashcans,hurdlesfences,divesoverpar edcarsanddodgeswithincredibleagilitythroughthestar -litmazeofalleys.

ThecopsseparateandonecirclesaroundandconfrontsReeseatanalleymouthwithdrawnrevolverandflashlight,onlytobedisarmedashemovesinbyamongoose-fastblowandadevastatingseriesofspinningic swhichleavehiminanunconsciousheap.

AnotherunitarrivesoutfrontasReesecrashesintoadoor,disappearingintothedar nesswithin.

Hefindshimselfinadepartmentstoreanddashesintothemazeofaisles,crab-runninglowamongthemovingshadows

assearchlightsandflashlightsquarterthedar ness.

Asecuritydoghurtlestowardhimoutoftheshadows.

Adar blurwithteeth,veryDoberman,itleapsandReesespins,catchingitbythethroatinmidairandarcingittothefloorwithunflinchingprecision.Suddenlyonitsbac andheldbythethroat,thedogyelpsandstaresatReesewholeansverycloseandfixesitwithagazeofuncompromisingdominance.Someancientcommunicationpassesbetweenthetwo.

Thenhereleasestheanimalandturnshisbac tota e

someclothesfromarac .Thedogbac sawayfromhim,stiff-leggedandconfused.

Reeseisroundingacornerdonningalongovercoatwhenanothercopappears,running,gunforward.

WithoutslowingReeserunstowardhim,leaping,twistinginmidairli eacattododgetheoneshotthecophastimeforbeforetheyhitthepolishedfloorandslide.Twoquic punchesandReeseisupagain,running,tuc ingapolice.38specialinthepoc etofhiscoat.

AsidedoorinthealleyopensandReeseslipsout.

Thefirstcruiserispar edinthealley,unoccupied.Glancingaround,heopensthecardoor,removesthepistol-handledpumpshotgunfromthedashrac andslipsitunderhiscoatwhereitisvirtuallyinvisibleinaverticalposition.Hewal sunhurriedlyoutontothestreet,aninnocuouspedestrian,lostintherainandthesporadicstreetcrowd.

KyleReese21yearsold,hardenedveteran,physicallyand


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psychicallyscarred,trainedfromboyhoodtodealandeludedeathtothefullextentthatthehumanorganismiscapable,stepsintoaphonebooth...Loo supaname:Connor,SarahJ.

Slowdissolvetothename'Connor,S'hand-letteredonanapartmentmailboxdoor,whichissoonopenedanditscontentsremovedby(youguessedit)SARAHCONNER.

19,smallanddelicate-featured,prettyinaflawed,accessibleway.Shedoesn'tstopthepartywhenshewal sin,butyou'dli etogetto nowher.Hervulnerablequalitymas sastrengthevenshedoesn'tsuspectsexists.

Thenight'srainhasgivenwaytoatypicalL.A.morningofdiffusesunlight.Sarahjogsbac uptoherapartment,openingthephonebillenroute.Sheshrie s.

"Ginger,whothehelldoyou nowinDesMoniesworth43.51?"

Oneofthebedroomdoorsisflungopenandahumandynamoappears,Sarah'sroom-mateGINGERVENTURA:red-haired,

athletic,prettywhenstill,butstunninginmotion...sheisdancingandlaughingwithuncontainableglee.

BeforeSarahcanprotestsheishauledintothebathroomwhereGingerpointstriumphantlytoasmalltest-tubeinaplasticstand.Atthebottomofacoupleofouncesofyellowfluidisadar ringofresidue,anegativeresultonthehomepregnancytest.

"Beatin'theodds,baby!"Gingercrows,andSarahjoinsinlaughing.Theydoanimpromptujig.

Gingerdemandsachampagnetoastandtheydanceintothe

itchenwhereshesha esupawarm7-Upandspraystheroomwithgenericsubstitute.

GettingonwiththedaySarahpoursherselfaquic bowlofRiceKrispies,butGingerdowsesitliberallywiththesoda,tellingheroverherproteststhatshe'llloveit.Sarahraisesanappreciativeeyebrowafterthefirstmouth-full.

GingerslipsontheheadphonesofherWal man-stylecassetteplayer,towhichsheseemsinoperablyjoinedatthehip,andbeginsmaniacallytearingsomelettuceleavesintosmallpiecesinabowl.

"IfeelsogoodI'llevenfeedPugsleyforyou, iddo,"shesays,approachingalargeterrariumbesidethelivingroomcouchandcautiouslyopeningthedoor."Bac Isay!Bac ,fiendfromHell!Ohno...he'sgone!"

Sarahsuggestsshetrythewindow.Gingerfindsherroom-mate'sthreefootlonggreen-iguanasunningblissfullyonthewindowsillbehindthedrapes.


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WithmaternalgentlenessSarahcarriesPugsleybac tohiscage,givingthecomplacentreptilea issonitsbluntsnoutasshecrossestheroom,whileGingergroansindisgust.

"Nobodyunderstandsus,Pugsley,"Sarahmurmurs,"Theyjustdon'tta ethetimetofindoutwhatsensitivepeoplewereallyareunderourunassumingexteriors."Pugsleyeyeshervapidlybeforeattac ingthelettuce.

Atthesoundofahornfromthestreetbelowbothgirlsgathertheirschoolboo sandtrompdowntomeetMATTBUCHANAN,Ginger'sboyfriend,whoisgivingheralifttoclass.Mattisleaningagainsttheenormous4-wheeldrivepic -up,dressedinatan -topandcutoffswhichleavehisweightlifter'sbodywelldisplayed.HeistheassistantmanagerofthehealthclubatwhichGingerisanaerobicdanceinstructorpart-time.

Mattisonlyalittlesmarterthanheloo sbut,despitehisimposingappearance,isoneofthe indestpeopleyou'deverwanttomeet,andhisearnestaffectionforGingerisalmostcomical.

Sarahwal shermopedoutofthepar inggarage.Gingersuggeststhatthethreeofthemgettogetherthatnighttocelebratetheresultsofherurinetest,butSarahremindsherthatshealreadyhasadate.Bythesurprisedapprovalthisevo esfromhertwofriends,weseethatthisisnomeanoccurrence.Sarahdismissesitasher'schmuc ofthemonthclubselection'whichshe'llprobablyreturnunopened.

AssheputsonherhelmetandstartsherscootersheassuresGingershe'llbeabletopic herupfromwor attheusualtimeandthenta esoff.Shewhinesdownthestreetinthatdemureposeuniqueto

mopedriders.

Sarahridesthroughthemorningtraffic,enjoyingthewarmwindinherhair,thesunonherfaceandbarelegs,andtheheavyscanningbyguysinpassingcars.

Thedayhasnotprogressedfarenoughtomanifestmanyproblemsandsheisinagoodmood.Sheiswor inghardtowardfulfillmentofhermodestdreams,waitressingpart-timeafterherclassesattheJuniorCollege,andta ingsomesatisfactioninthefactthatlifehasnotbeenhandedtoheronaplate.

Neitherhastherebeenanygreatpainortrauma,oranyofthehardeninginfluenceswhichmighthavepreparedherforwhatwillsooncome.

Shepasseswithoutnoticingamanonthesidewal ,wearingill-fittingpun clothes,andwal ingwithanunhurriedbutpurposefulstride.

Terminatorentersapar inglotbetweentwobuildingsandstopstowatchasanelderlyladyclambersintohercar


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andstartsitup.Heseemsstrangelyintentonhermotionsofshiftingthetransmission,releasingthebra e,etc.,asifmemorizingthem.Hisslowcirclingofthecarma esherillateaseandsheloc sthedoors,thenhitsthegasinthewronggearanddrivesforwardoveraconcretebermbeforeshegetsittogetherandbac sout.

Whensheisgone,Terminatorpunchesinthesidewindowofanunattendedcar,unloc sitandgetsin.

Withablowfromtheheelofhishandhesmashesloosetheignitionswitchandstripsthewireswithabrutaltwistofhisfingers.Touchingtheproperwirestogetherhestartsthecar.Imitatingthewoman'sperformanceflawlesslyhedrivesforwardoverthebermandbac sout,tearingadeepgashinthenextcarwithhisbumperandbac ingintothecaropposite.Allwithoutaflic erofconcerninhisexpression.

ThestereoisplayingMozartashepullsoutintotraffic,whichstri esaneclecticeffectwithhisleatherjac etand'Blac Flag'T-shirt.

Terminatorpullsuptothecurbinfrontofapawnshopandgoesinside.Themanattheguncountercheerfullyhandsoverforhisinspectionseveralpiecesofperfectlylegalanti-humanartillery:aBrowningHi-power.45,anS-W.38snub,anIsraelli-madeUzimachinepistolstillinthebox,ausedAR-18assaultrifle(semi-autoonlyonthelasttwo)andaMossbergeightshotpumpshotgunwithacombathandgripandforearmstoc .

"Cashorcharge?"isthepawnbro er'sonlycomment.

Heonlybecomesconcernedwhenhiscustomeropensaboxof

12gaugeshellsfromadisplayrac andcalmlystartsloadingthemintotheshotgun.

"Hey,youcan'tdothat...""Wrong."saysTerminatormatter-of-factly.Heraisesthebarrelandpullsthetrigger.

Terminatorswingshiscarintoagasstationandpar sbesidetheonlyphonebooth,whichisoccupied.Gettingsmoothlyoutofhiscarheopenstheboothdoorsandflingsthemaninsideoutintothepar inglotwithoutaglancebac .

Afaint,reedymonologueissuesfromthedanglingreceiverasTerminatorleafsrapidlythroughthedirectory.Amacroshotshowshisfingerstoppingbesideanowfamiliarlisting:Connor,Sarah.Inthebigmetropolitanboo therearefouridenticallistingsunderthatname.

Sarahiscrossingthecrowdedquadafterherlastclassofthemorning.Sheweavesamongthethrongofbravenewfaces,theirarmsladenwithtomesofcalculusandKeats,theirbrains


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febrilewiththoughtsofPac-manandgettinglaid.Sarah'sdayta esitsfirstturnfortheworseasshereturnstohermoped,par edonmotorcyclerow,andfindsthebac tireflat.Sheisresignedlystrappingherboo stotheseatasanerdyguywal supandgetsonhisKawasa inexttoher.

"Hi,"shesays,smiling,"Areyoumechanicallyinclined?"

Shebuzzesintothepar inglotatBigBob'sonlyfifteenminuteslate,andchainsherbi etoalightstandardnearthefiberglasscherubholdinghishamburgerupinperpetualhomagetowhateverdeitywatchesoutforfatids.

"Hi,asshole,"shesaysasshepassesBigBob,enteringthewholesomelyappointedeateryunderthescrutinyofmultiplesurveillancecameras.

CHUCKBREEN,thedaymanager,pimplyandofficious,watchesherononeofseveralsecuritymonitorsinhiscloset-li eoffice.Heleansouttointerceptherasshepassesby,beratingherforbeinglate.

Whensheisaroundthecornersheflipshim'thebird',forgettingaboutthecorridorcameraovertheloc erroomdoor.Chuc 'svoiceboomsfromtheceilingspea er:"Badattitude,Connor.AslongasI'msigningyourchec syou'rea'Bob'sGirl'anddon'tforgetit."

Shemarcheswearilyintotheloc erroom."BigBobiswatchingyou,"oneoftheothergirlsjo es.

Whenherloc erdoorslamsshutsheistransformedintoa'Bob'sGirl',withthatproduction-linehappypeasantloo ...blouse,flareds irtandhairinabun.Shepinchesherchee sandchec sinthemirrortoseeifher

smileisvacuousenough,thengoesoutonthefloor.

Soonsheisbustlingabout,servicingthelunchrush.Whenshestopsbyatablewithseveralsqualling ids,botharmsladenwithsteamingdinners,atwoyearolddumpsascoopoficecreamintoherhiptippouch.Shepausesforacontemplativemomenttorepeattoherselfhermotto:Inahundredyears,who'sgoingtocare?

Theneighborhoodisstanding-issueL.A.suburban:stuccohousessettooclosetogether,littleplotsjealouslyguardedbysta efences.KidsareracingBigWheelsinthestreetinthebac groundasacarglidesuptothe

curb.Itsfronttirecrushesachild'stoytruc .

Terminatorgetsout,pausingbythemailboxtochec thename,andwal stowardtheadjacenthouse.

Thedoorbellisansweredbyafrailmiddle-agedwomaninanapronandcleaninggloves.

"SarahConnor?"saysthevisitor."No,she'supstairs.WhoshallIsayis..."


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Ignoringher,Terminatorpushespastthediminutivewoman,crossingthefoyertothestairs.Herprotestsarecutoffinagaspofalarmashepullsthe.45fromunderhisjac etandsnapsthecoc ingslide.

Theoldwomanbeginstoscreechinterror,dartingbacandforthindecisively.Finallyshegoesbac tothefrontdoorandcallsforhelp.

Installedonherbedforanafternoonof'soaps'isthewrongSarahConnor.Electrodepadsexerciseherdoughythighsasthe35yearolddivorceewatchesGeneralHospital.

"What'swrong,Mom?"shecallsoutdistractedly.Thedoorbangsopenandshestaresindumbamazementasthegood-loo ing,intense-eyedmanintheill-fittingclothesraisesapistolandaimsitatherface.

ItallseemslessrealthanGeneralHospitalinthathalf-secondbeforehefires.

Downstairs,hermotherisfumblingwiththetelephonewhenshehearstheshots.Sheshrie swithrenewedterroras

theceilingabovehereruptswithfiveexitholesinrapidsuccession,followedbyadribbleofblood.

Inthebedroom,seeninalowangleshot,Terminatorstandswiththe.45aimeddownatthedeadwomanoutofframebelow.Heunhurriedlydropstheclip,reloadstheweaponandreplacesitunderhisjac et.

Then,crouchingdown,heremovesaplastic-handledrazor-nifefromhispoc etandextendsthefiveinchblade

slowlywithhisthumb.Itisthetypewithnumerousbrea -offsectionsforrenewingthepoint,anditextendswithaquietlyominousclic ing.

InthefoyertheoldwomanstandsparalyzedasTerminatorreappearsonthelandingandwal sdowntowardher, nifeinhand.

Hewipesthebloodybladecleanonherapron,clic sitshutandgoesoutthedoor.Shesagstothefloorinafaint.

Some idswhohavegatherednervouslyatthecurbstepbac asshewal sout,getsinthecar,anddrivesaway.HepullsaMil yWaybaroutofhispoc etandeatsitashedrives,intwobites,withoutremovingthewrapper.

Inthebac roomatBigBob'sSarahhasherfeetup,ta ingawellearnedcoffeebrea .Chattingwithanothergirl,sheispayinglittleattentiontotheearlyeveningnewsdroningonasmallportableTVinthebac ground.

Theanchorwomanissaying"Inourtopstorylocally,policeareatalossforapossiblemotiveinthebizarre,execution-stylemurderofanEncinowomanearlythisafternoon.SarahConnorwasshottodeathinherhomeby


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amanwitnessesdescribesas..."ThegirlwatchingthenewsexclaimstoSarahthatsomeonewiththesamenameasherwas illed.Allthreeofthemwatchintentlyasthereportcontinues.

Sarahgazedatthescreencontemplatively,thecoincidenceanuneasyreminderofmortality.

Itisdus whenSarahstopsherscooterinfrontofthehealthclubwhereMattandGingerwor .ShegoesinsideandwaitswhileGingerfinishesthelastfewminutesofherdisco-aerobicsclass,energeticallyleadingherplatoonofpanting,cellulite-cursedwomenthroughtheirrigorouspacestothebeatofaMotownfavorite.

WhenthetapeendsherchargescollapsewithacollectivegroanwhileGinger,barelywinded,cheerfullycajolesandcommendsthemvariouslybeforeheadingfortheloc erroom.WhileGingerputsonherstreetclothes,includinghermuch-lovedWal manearphones,Sarahtellsherabouttheunsettlingcoincidenceanditsaftereffects:thathermotheractuallycalledheratwor toseeifshewasOK,justbecausethenewsitemgavehersuchastart.

GingerturnstoSarahwithanexpressionsobizarrethatshecanbarely eepfromcrac ingup,especiallywithGinger'svocalrenditionoffiftiessci-fimoviethereminmusic.

Sarahtellsherfriendthatshe'snuts."Goodnuts,Ihope,"Gingersays."Mixed."

Thegirlsleaveinhighspirits,stoppingbytheweightroomsoGingercansaygoodbyetoMatt.Sheberateshimfornotdoingafullwor outonhis"lats"and"bi's",

isseshimandgrabsSarahbythearm.Shehasbeenwistfullystudyingtheothermenastheypumpthemassive,complexnautilusmachines.Theyseemtomergeinto ineticsculpturesofchromesteelleversandtubes,andglisteningmuscle...abio-mechanicallandscape.

Outside,thegirlsclimbontoSarah'slittlescooteranddroneoffintothegatheringdar ness.

Later,SarahandGingerarepreparingfortheirrespectivedates:Gingerblow-dryingwithherheadphonesinvertedunderherchin,Sarahtryingonthefourthblouseina

suddenattac ofindecision.

SarahanswersthephoneandMatt,thin ingitisGinger,launchesintooneofhiscustomobscenephonecallsinwhichhedescribesindroolingdetailthepleasuresheintendstoinflictinherpliantflesh.Sarah,suppressingherlaughter,giveshimenoughropetohanghimselfandthensternlyas swhoitis.Mattisgrovellinglyapologetic,andas spolitelytospea toGinger.Whensheta esthephonehebeginsthe


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breathymonologueagain.Ginger,withaconspiratorialwin atSarahsays"Oh,hiSteve."Woundedvoice:"ThisisMatt.Who'sSteve?"

Thegirlsarewea fromlaughterwhenthedoorbellheraldsthearrivalofSarah'smysterydate.EnterStanMors y:aggressive,clean-cutlawstudentwithanupwardlymobilesmileandanI'm-so-smooth-I-hardly-believe-it-myselfstylethatinstantlyspellsschmuc .

Hema esabighitwithSarahbyspending80percentofthetimeloo ingatGingeruntilshegetshimcoaxedoutthedoor.NeedlesstosayhedrivesaPorsche.

Anunmar edcarwithaclamp-onlightflashingandsirenblaringscreechestothecurbbehindthreeblac -and-whitesinfrontofaVeniceapartmentbuilding.LIEUTENANTEDVUKOVICK,HomicideDivision,stridesthroughthecrowdgatheredpatientlyfortheirten-secondglimpseofsomethingunderasheet,andwendshiswayuptothescene,athirdfloorapartment.

Ontheflooristhecrumpledbodyofayoungwoman,herbluejeansandsweaterbloodsoa ed.Twobagsofgroceries

liesplitopenonthefloorinfrontofher.Detectivesandphotographersbustleabout,ta ingevidence.

Vu ovic isquic lybriefedbyDETECTIVESGT.BUCKMAN:Thewomanwasshotrepeatedlyatcloserange.Largecaliberweapon.Gotherjustinsidethedoor,so illerwasprobablywaitingintheapartment.Onewitnesssawaguyholdingapistolwal outli ehewaswal ingapoodleforapissinthepar ...hiswords.He'sma ingastatement.Thedeceased'snameisSarahLouiseConnor...

Vu ovic stopsthereport.Didhehearcorrectly?Twohomicidesinonedaywiththesamename?

"That'snotallthat'sthesame,"Buc mansays,liftingoneofthegirl'spant-legswhichhasbeenslituppastthe nee.Alsoslit,froman leto nee,isthes inandmuscleofhercalf,peeledbac li eahotdogbuntoexposetheshin-bone.

Vu ovic scowls.ThesamemutilationastheEncinohousewife,leftlegonly.Toofuc ingweird.Thenewsguys'llhaveafielddaywiththis...thefirstone-daypattern iller.

Vu ovic 'slamentationsarejustifiedwhenhereturnsto

divisionheadquartersandfindshimselfrunningagauntletofreportersandminicamcrewstogettohisoffice.Ithasn'tta enthemlongtofigureoutthatthe illingstoo placeinthesameorderinwhichtheyarelistedinthephoneboo ,andtheywantto nowifhecanofferanythingbesidetheideathatamaniaciswor inghiswaythroughtheL.A.directorystartingwiththeC's.

Vu ovic reacheshisinnersanctumwithNOCOMMENTandwashesdownahandfulofaspirinwithcoffeetwohours


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cold.Heas sifBuc manhascalledthethirdnameagain,the'nextgirl',andtheofficerrepliesthathejust eepsgettinganansweringmachine.Aunitsenttotheaddressintheboo reportedthattherewasnoanswertothebuzzerandtheapartmentmanagerwasn'thomeeither.TheLieutenantpondersthereporterswho,inhisopinion,havescrewedupmoregoodpolicewor thananyothersinglefactor.

Buthedecidestheymaydomoregoodthanharmthistime.Withthepatternrevealedandpotentialvictimsalerted,the illermaybewaryofstri ingagainifthatishisintention.

Hegoesbac outsideaftertellingBuc manto eepcalling.Asthedoorclosesonthebabbleandthelights,Buc manbeginspunchingoutSarah'snumber.

Thephoneringsinthedar apartment,triggeringtheloonyphonemessagethegirlshaverecordedontheirmachine.Inthebedroomtherecordedvoicesaremuffled,andlargelydrownedoutbyGinger'smoansassheandMattheavestrenuouslyinthethroesoflovema ing.Gingeris

stillwearingherWal manearphonesandMatt,reachingouttothenighttablewithoutbrea ingrhythm,thumbsthevolumehighersoshewon'tbedistractedbythecall.

Gingerseemstoenjoyhissuretouchonhervolumecontrol.

StanMors y'ssilverPorscheroarstothecurbinfrontofSarah'sbuildingand, illingtheengine,heturnstoherexpectantly.Heinviteshimselfupforadrin ,butSarahdeclinesgracefully,sayingthatherroom-matehascompanyandwithaone-bedroomapartmentit'shernightonthecouch.

Undaunted,Staninvitesherovertohisplaceforanight-capbutshebegsoff,citingalongandfatiguingday.Shebrea sofftheirgoodnight isswhenheshowsnosignofdoingsoandthan shimfordinnerwithanedgeinhervoice.Stanas spetulantlywhat'swrong.Didn'ttheyhaveanicedinner?Don'ttheyhavealotincommon?Don'ttheybothli edogsandswing-erajazz?Hedoesn'tgetit.

Sarahsighs,abandoninggraciousness,andturnsonhimwithavengeance.Whydoessomethinghavetobewrong?Doesshehavetobedefectiveinsomewaytonotwantto

leapintobedwithaguyshehas nownforthreehours,twoofwhichhespenttellingherhowmuchmoneyhe'sgoingtoma ewhenhejoinshisfather'sfirmandtheotherspentdrivingli eMarioAndrettiondietpills?

Sarahenterstheapartment,alone,andtrudgestotherefrigerator,ta ingoutapintofice-cream.ShesitsdownbesidePugsley,letshimoutandplungesthespoonintotheice-cream."Rumraisin,"shesighs,"Itain'tlovebutnineoutof


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tendoctorssurveyedrecommenditasasubstitutefororgasm."

Shebeginsmassagingthemuscleofherleftcalfandweseethatalong-healedsurgeryscarrunsdownwardacrosshershinfromjustbelowthe nee."Oldwarwoundactingup,"sheconfidestoPugsley,whoisdrapedcomfortablyacrosshershoulders.

Shebecomesawareofaseriesofrisingmoansandgaspsemanatingfromthebedroom.Sarahrollshereyesinannoyanceasherfriendbecomesmoreandmoredemonstrative.'Oh,Matt...yes,yes'Sarahmouthsinalip-syncparody.

WhenitshowsnosignofabatingSarahgrabsherjac etandleavestheapartment,withoutchec ingthetapemachineholdingBuc man'smessages.Shedescendsthepoorlylitstairstothepar inggarage.

Thin ingshehearsfootstepsbehindhershestopsandsurveystheshadowedrecessesofthepar ingstructure,butcanseenomovement.Sheunchainsthemoped,peddlesuntilthetinyenginecutsin,andwhirrsoutofthe

garage.

Onthestreetshepassesapar edcarinwhichafiguresitshuncheddown,shadowed.Thecar'slightscomeonanditpullsouttofollowher.Within,closer,weseethatitisKyleReese,hisscarredfacesetingrimlinesasthestreetlightsplayacrossit.Fromthesteeringcolumndanglestheignitionassemblywhereitwasrippedlooseforhot-wiring.

Sarahwindsupatapizzaparlornearhercampus,afavoriteofthepost-moviecrowd.Shenursesaglassofwineatoneendofthebarinmorosesolitude.Sheis

ignoringthenewscastontheTVsetabovethebottleracuntilshehearshernameagain.

Thenewscasterissaying:"...apparentlythesamepattern...policearerefusingtospeculateontheapparentsimilaritybetweentheshootingdeathofanEncinowomanearliertodayandanalmostidentical illingjusttwohoursagoofaVeniceresident,who,incredible,hasvirtuallythesamename.SarahLouiseConnor,a24yearoldlegalsecretary,waspronounceddeadatthesceneinherbeachfrontapartment.Noconnectionbetweenthetwovictimshasbeenestablishedasofyetand..."

Thebartenderstartstoturnthechannelattherequestofanothercustomertocatchtheballscore,butSarahsurpriseseveryonewithheryelltoleaveitalone.

Whenthenewscasterturnstothenextitem,Sarahma esherwaytothepayphoneinthebac .Loo ingupherownlistingsherealizessheisthenextintheprogression.

Scanningthefacesintheroomshecatchesthestatisticallynormalnumberofcovertloo sforan


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unattendedgirlonaFridaynight,buttheyseemtota eonanewmenace.

KyleReeseloo supfromhisbeerandloo simpassivelyather.Thelightcatchestheburnscaronhischee andSarahshudders.

Shebac sintothewomen'srestroomandstumblesnumblytothesin .Shesplashesherfacewithcoldwater.Inthemirrorsheconfrontsherterrifiedreflection:whyME?

Sheslipsoutandwal squic lytothepayphone,onlytofinditoutoforder.Thecashiertellsherthatthereisaphoneatthebarfurtherdownthebloc andsheheadsoutontothestreet.

Whydoeseveryoneinthesparsecrowdseemtobeloo ingather?Peopleloo atpeople,it'snatural.Butwhataretheythin ing?Whatmightoneofthembethin ing?

Glancingbehindhersheseestheguywiththescarleaning

againstthewall.Whensheloo sbac again,he'sgone,lostinthecrowdsomewhere.Shespeedsup.AnLAPDcruiserglidesbyonthefarsideofthestreet.Whatcouldshetellhim,anyway?

Shereachesthebarandduc squic lyinside.Hernuc lesclenchwhiteasthescarredguyintheovercoat

approachesoutside.Hewal sby,unhurriedly,withoutaglanceinside.

Thegloomyinteriorrevealsitselftobealessthansavoryplace.Shedrawsstares,menacingintheirownright,assheweavesbetweenthepooltablestothebac

ofthebar.

Withaneffortofwillshewal s,ratherthanruns,tothepayphoneanddialsthepolice,onlytobeputonholdfortransfertoanotherdepartment.

InthefoyerofSarah'sbuildingTerminatorstandssurveyingtheban ofcallbuttons.Throughthesteelbarsofthesecuritygatehecanjustma eoutthedoorofSarah'ssecondfloorapartment,number203.

GingerleavesasleepingMattandpadsthroughthedarapartmentwearingashort imonoandhertapeplayer,

boppingtoherselfinthesilentgloom.Therefrigeratorbrieflyilluminatesthe itchenassheremovessnacfixings,andinthatmomentweseesomethingmovingintheforeground.

Asuddencrashandflurryofmotion.Shedropshalfherloadinthatstartledmomentandthenfumblesforthelightswitch.GingersighswithreliefasPugsleysitsblin ingamongoverturnedspicebottlesonthecountertop.Sheshoos


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himawayandbeginsslatheringcrunchypeanutbutterontostal sofcelery.

RustlingcurtainsplaypatternsofstreetlightoverMatt'ssleepingface.Thesoundofafaintbreeze.Inthebac groundisthebalcony,empty.Theslidingdoorisopen.

Matt'seyesopenashehearsanominousrepeatedclic ing.

Rightabovehimisthefive-inchrazor nifereachingfullextensioninTerminator'shand.Itslashesviciouslydownward,butMattrollsandthepillowisslitopenwherehisthroathadbeen.

Terminatorgrabshimbythehairandslashesdownagain.Mattgrabshiswristinbothhands.Thebladestopsinchesabovehisface.Theenormousmusclesofhisarms,whichseemcapableofbench-pressingaChrysler,strainand notagainstthepressureofthe iller'ssinglearm...andstilltheblademovesclosertohisthroat.

WithafinalheaveMattdeflectsthedownpressuresidewaysandthebladesnapswithaclin againsttheheadboard.

HerollsoffthebedandslamshisfiststogetherintoTerminator'stemple.Hepic supabrassdecolampandbringsitdownwithpile-driverforce.Unperturbedtheintruder noc sthelampawayandflingsMattcrashingthroughtheglassdoorontothebalcony.

Inthe itchen,oblivioustothenoise,Gingercroonsinroc androllecstasy,singingtothecelery(betweenbites).

Mattheaveshimselfup,powerfulmusclesgleamingwithsweatandbloodfromascoreofcuts,andhurlshimselfupontheintruder.Thetitanscrashintothedresser,reducingitto indling,andthenintotheclosetdoor.Thefull-lengthmirrorexplodes.

TerminatorplacesonehandoneithersideofMatt'sbarrelchest.Sin shisfingersdeepintotheflesh.aninhumangrip.Mattraisedoffthefloor,contortedwithagony,abovetheother'shead.

Gingerisreturningtothebedroomwithaplateofcelerystal sandaglassofmil .Assheapproachesthecloseddoorashapesmashesthroughitinanexplosionofsplintersrightinfrontofher...Matt'slaceratedbodypropelledhalfwaythroughthedoorbyenormousforce.

GingerscreamshystericallyasthedooriswrenchedopenandTerminatorstepsthroughwiththatmassive.45drawn.Shema esitdownthehallbeforethebulletpunchesintoherbac ,pitchingheronherfacejustoutsidetheopen


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bathroomdoor.Inlowwide-angleGingercrawlsforward,gasping,drowning.Theimplacablefigureloomsbehindher.Herexpressionisagonyandreeling,nauseatingterrorandincomprehensionrolledtogether.WhyamIsuddenlydying?Hereyesroll,showingthewhites,li eahorsetetheredinaburningstable.

Shescrabblesforagrip,pullingherselfpatheticallyintothebathroom,clutchingtherimofthetoilet.PanupasTerminatorstandsoverher,ta esaim,andemptiestheclip.

Inthesilencethatfollows,theringofthephoneseemsdeafening.Terminatorignoresthegirl'srecordedmessageashecalmlyinsertsanewbladeintotherazor nifeandbendsdown.Howeverhisheadsnapsaroundwhenhehearstheincomingcall:

"Ginger,thisisSarah.I'minthissleazybarcalledSto ersonOlympicbutI'mtooscaredtoleave.I'mreallyscared, iddo...Ithin somebody'saftermeandIsurehopeyouplaythissoon'causeIneedyouandMatttocomepic meup.Thepolice eeptransferringmearound

butI'mgoingtotrythemagain."

CuttothebarasSarahfinishesthemessagebyreadingoffthenumberofthepayphone.Shescansthecrowdnervouslyasshehangsupanddialsanothernumber.

IntheapartmentTerminatorissiftingthroughpapersinthedrawerofSarah'ssmalldes .Sirenswail,approaching.Hepic supherexpireddriver'slicense,scansthepictureforafractionofasecond,tossesitdown.Poc etingheraddressboo ,heslipsoutthebalconydoor.

Meanwhile,SarahhasfinallybeentransferredtoVu ovicwhoapologizesforthedelay,listenstoherhaltingstory,andtellshertostayputuntilhegetsthere.Ifsomeonemeansherharmhersafestbetistobeinapublicplace,inviewofmanypeople.HehangsupandboltsfromtheofficewithBuc man.

AsSarahlocatesanemptyboothandsitsdown,weseeReesewithhisbac toheratthebar,watchingherinthemirror.Shefiddleswithhermenuandorderssomethingtoeat,glancingfrequentlyatherwatch.

Theoutsidedooropensandafigurestandssilhouettedforamomentagainstthestreetlight.Reese'seyesflic tothemirror,tothefigure.Henurseshisbeer,loo ingabittightlywound.Hisovercoatisdoneuptothetopbuttonbuthebeginsslowlytoundoit.Thereisaglintofmetalintheshadowswithin.Reeseturnsslowlyonhisstoolasthefigurebrushespasthim.Sarahloo sup.


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Close:Reese'shandslidingtothetriggeroftheriot-gun.SarahseesReeseandgasps."Oh,myGod,"shewhisperstoherself.Thensheseesthemanstandinginfrontofher.Weseehisbac ashesitsoppositeherinthebooth."LieutenantVu ovic ?"shesaysuncertainly.

InareverseweseeitisTerminator.Blueeyessopureanddeep.Theeyesofasaint,perhaps.The.45isoutandcoc edandaimeddirectlybetweenhereyesbeforeshecanreactinanyway.Reese'sriot-guniswhippedtoahip-firingpositionwithasnapofhiscoatfallingbac .Sheseemstobeloo ingdownitsbarrelaswell.Itisafrozensliceofnightmare,bro enbytheroaroftheshotgunasitblastsTerminator'shand, noc ingawaytheautomaticjustasitfires.Sarahscreamsinvoluntarilyattheconcussionsonearherhead.

ReesepumpsupandfirestwomoreroundsasTerminatorrises,blowinghimbac wardovertheboothdivider.Sarahscrunchesdown,caughtinthefiringline.

Lyingonhisbac withthreeshotgunroundsinhim,Terminatorseemssomewhatdazed.Butonlyforamoment.Thecustomerscoweringintheboothbesidehimscreamevenlouderashesitsupand,favoringhisdamagedhand,haulsouttheconcealedUzi.Herollsup,sprayingthebaramomenttoolatetocatchthedivingReese.Totalpandemonium.Reeserollsli eacatandcomesupfiring,catchingTerminatorashetriesforanothershotatSarah.Patronsofthebarrun,screamordivedependingontheirlevelofintelligence.

Tablescrashover.Bottlesshatter.Thefrontwindowisblownout.SarahispinnedbythebodyofamanwhocaughtaburstfromtheUzimeantforher.Terminatordropsaspentclipandfumblesforanothermagwithhisbloodyhand,whichisn'twor ingtoowellbutshouldn'tbewor ingatall.

ReeseslidesthroughtheglasstoSarah'sbooth,pullsthedeadmanoffher,andhaulsheroutontothefloorwithhim,practicallydraggingherbehindthebar.Beforehisopponentcangethissecondclipin,Reese

leapsoverthebarandatpoint-blan rangeunloadstheremainingthreeroundsintoTerminator'sbelly.Hecrashesbac wardthroughtwotablesandaplateglasswindowontothestreet.

HighproofalcoholisfeedingaroaringfirebehindthebarandReesetossestheUziintotheblazebeforereachingforSarah.Shescreamswhenheseizesherwristandstruggleshysterically,totallyoverloaded.


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"Comewithmeifyouwanttolive,"heshouts,pointingtothestreetwhereTerminatorisrisingunsteadilytohisfeet.Hiscoatandshirtareshreddedandblood-drenched.

Sarahfeelsalightningboltofterrorgreaterthansheevercouldhaveimaginedasthecoldblueeyesfixuponheronceagainandheclambersbac throughthewindow.

Reeseruns,draggingher,towardthebac oftheplaceasTerminatorcrashesthroughthewrec agebehindthem,hurlingflamingtablesoutoftheway.Runningheadlong,Reesehitsthedoorofabac hallway,haulsSarahthrough,thenslamsandbolt-latchesit.Terminatorhitsthedooramomentlatterwithenoughforcetotearthelatchscrewshalfoutofthewall.

Behindhimtheflamesengulfacanisterofcleaningsolvent.Heslamsthedooragain,rippingitopen,intimetoseehisquarryreelingoutthebac doorintothealley.

Thecanofsolventexplodes,sendingafireballofsuperheatedgashurtlingdownthecorridorbehindTerminatorasheclearstheouterdoor.

Vu ovic andanotherplain-cararriveoutfront,slowingtoastopintheglass-litteredstreet."Whatthefuc isgoingon?"heshouts,headingfortheblazingbuilding.TwoLAPDunitsarriveandhedeploysoneofthemtocovertherear.

InthealleyReeseandSarahhaveabitofaleadbuttheirpursuerisboundingafterthemli eapanther,leapingtrashcansandotherobstacles.Theyturnthecornerintoanarroweralleybetweenbuildings,caromingoffthewallwithoutslowing.Reeseisreloadingontherun,droppingshells.

HeandSarahpeltalongbesidearowofpar edcarswhichlinethealley,leavinglittleroomtorun.AstheycrestthelastcarhepushesSarahhard,flingingherdown.Flingsopenthecardoor...ashield.Dropstotheground.Firesintothegastan ofacardowntherow,justbeforeTerminatorreachesit.

Theresultingexplosionfillsthealleywithfire,aninfernochanneledbetweentheenclosingwalls,withTerminatorcutoffbeyond.

ReesestuffsSarahintothecarandclimbsinafterher.

Whenhetwiststwowirestogethertostartit,werecognizeitashisstolencar.Theenginecatchesjustasasilhouetteappearsoutofthewallofflame,leapingfromtheroofoftheblazingcaraheadandimpactingonthehoodofReese's.

Terminatorslamshisfistintothewindshield,punchingthroughit.Reesejamsreverseandnailsthethrottle.The illergropesforSarah,laceratinghisarm.


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Thecarshootsbac wardoutofthealleyasthebloodyfingersgraspherblouseandpull.Reesecran sthewheel.Theyslewsidewaysintoapar edcarandTerminatoristhrownoffontothepavement.ReeseslamsDRIVEandtheyhurtleforward,througharedlightandpastthegatheringminionsofthelaw.

Vu ovic scramblestheblac -and-whitetogivepursuit.

Terminatorrollstoa neelingposition,thenslowlystandsupright,pattingouthissmolderingclothingashewatcheshisquarryescape.Thoughhisfaceisasemotionlessasever,wesensethatinhisownwayheisnotverypleased.

Sarah'sfaceisbloodless.Shoc .Reesehasthehammerdownandhe nowswhathe'sdoing.Evasiveturnsandhighspeedsprintstogaindistance,runningwithlightsoffatninetyplusdownbac streets.

He nowstherabbitstratagemandit'llwor atleastuntiltheygetsomeaerialunitsonthescene.Heas sherifshe'salright.Repeatsthequestiontoreachherintheterrifiedcornerofhermind.

"Whoareyou?"shesays."Reese.Senttoprotectyou.""Fromwho?I'veneverdoneanythingtoanybody.""I now.Butyouwill.Youjusthaven'tdoneityet.That'swhyitwantstogreaseyou...you'retargetedfortermination."

Sarahtriestoma esomethingofthatwhiletryingnottoseethelandscapereelingandblurringbyoutsidethewindows.Flashingredsfallinbehindthem.

"Howcouldthatman...howcouldhebestillalive,after

you...afteryoushothim?""Notaman.It'saTerminator.CyberDynamicsModel101."Reesesaysitwithcommingledrespectandhatred.

AglareoflightoutlinesTerminatorandheturnstowarditssource.Aspotlightontheblac -and-whitesenttocoverthealley.Policeandfiresirenswarblecounterpointacrossthelandscapeofthenight,andtwohelicoptersfencingwithsearchlightscirclethearea.Terminatorheadstowardthesquadcarwiththepurposefulstrideofanexecutivehailinganelevatorfilledwithattractivesecretaries.

"Freeze,tur ey!"thecopshoutsdownthebarrelofhisriotgun,andhedoesitverywelltoo,withtheaggressiveAcademystanceandhoarseauthorityinthevoice...exceptthatTerminatorjustignoresallthatandta eshisgunandhissquadcarandleaveshimstuffedinadumpster.

Thisbeginsathree-waycatandmousepursuitinwhichReeseandSarahattempttoeludeboththepoliceandTerminator,andTerminatorusesthepolicecommunications


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toeludecapturehimselfandhomeinonhisquarry,whichheotherwisewouldhaveahardtimedoing.

Infact,heta espartinthesearchasifheisabona-fidecop,answeringtohisunitnumberinaclippedmonotonewhichgoesunnoticedinthemeleeofcoordinatinghalfthecity'sforcesinamassivedragnet.

Vu ovic ,interpretingthatReeseisthe iller,withSarahhishostage,haspulledoutallthestopstofindthem,aftertheday'striple-blowtotheimageoflawenforcementinthisfaircity.

DuringthepursuitReesehandlesthecarwithnervesofsteel,briefingSarahastheygo.Shelistensbecauseit'sbetterthanthin ing...aboutwhathashappenedorwillhappen,oraboutthepar edcarsandlamp-poststhatareaninsensiblebluroutside.

"See,thisTerminator'snotaguy,it'samachine.It'smadetoloo humansoitcaninfiltrate.""Ifit'samachine,howcoulditbleed?"

Hepausestoswerveontoafreewayon-ramp,whicha

pursuingsquadcarmissesinalateralslide.Hewindsto110onthefreewayandanswers:"It'scalledacyborgreally.Cyberneticorganism.Amachineputtogetherwithalivingthing.Thes in,andsomelayersunderit,thehair,thesurfaceoftheeyes,andtheinsideofthemouth...allthatstuff'shumantissue,geneticallydesignedforthecyborgs.Butunderneathit'sallsteelandtitanium.Hydraulicactuatorsinsteadofmuscles.Controlledbyamicrocomputer.Ithastoeatandbreatheto eepthes inalive,thoughalotlessthanus...andthere'salittletinyheartandinternalorgansaboutthesizeofachic en'sinarecessedcompartment."

"Thisisinsane.""Yeah,tellmeaboutit.See,itsweatsandhasbadbreathandfeelstotallyhuman,soitcaninfiltraterealwell.Imean,theystillusedthe600SeriesHunter-Killersandtheother'roachpatrol'machinesbut...""Idon'tbelieveanyofthis,"Sarahsays.Frantic.Sheseemsabouttoscream."Yeah,wellthat'sOK.Butthatdoesn'tmeanitisn'thappening.You'vegottoacceptandunderstandwhatthisthingis.Itcan'tbereasonedwith,itcan'tbebargainedwith,itdoesn'tfeelpityorremorseorfear...anditabsolutelywillnotstop,ever,onceithasbeentargeted.Unlessit'sdestroyed."

Reeseexitsthefreewayandblendsintostreettrafficforawhile,abidingthelawuntilhecanfindaplacetoswitchcars.

"Athingli ethat...Imean,nobodycanbuildsomethingli ethat.Couldthey?""Hellno,notnow.It'sfrom2026.SoamI.I'llneverseeitagainthough.Onewaytic et."


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Sarahloo sathimasifhehasjumpedhistrac s,andsowhatifhewassenttoprotecther,whoprotectsherfromhim?Whentheystopatatrafficlightshetriestobailoutbuthecatchesherarm.Shesin sherteethintohishandwillallherstrength,buthisgripdoesn'tslac en.Reesehasspottedacopacrosstheway,waitingintheoncominglane,andheshutsthedoorwithhisotherhandwithoutlooseninghisholdonSarah.Hedrivesonwhenthelightturnsgreenandslipspasttheunobservantofficer.

Heletsgoofherandshestaresatthebloodrunningdownhisarmfromthebitewound,andbac athisgrim,scarredface.Isheacyborgtoo?Hewipeshishandonhispantsandloo sather."Canyou illit?"sheas s,wea ly."Idon't now."

Theystopinadar par inglottoswitchcarsandReesebrea sintoalatemodelsedan,hopefullyaninconspicuouschoice.Helicopterscanbeheard,circlingnearer,andseveral

cruisersflashby,lightsblazing.Anairbornesearchlightsweepsthepar inglot,lightingthewindowsasSarahandReesehuddleontheseat.Twocruisersenterthelot,searchlightsflic ingabout.

Thetwowait,hopingtheirpreviouscarnotfarawaywon'tbespotted.Thechopperroarsfaroverhead.Alightflaresbrieflyacrosstherearwindow.Closeup:Reese'seyes.Thereisamomentaryflashofanimage,ashardofthefuture,Reese'sworld.Abuildinginruins.Anincrediblybrightlightsweepsoverit.Reeseinblac fatigues,crouchingintherubble.He

wearsaswitchboardtypeheadsetandcarriesastrange-loo ingriflewithCRTstarlightscopemountedonit.Roarofsteeltan treads.Amachine,twostoriestall,withsearchlights,gunturrets,infraredeyes,rollsbyoutsidethewall.ThenReeseisupfiring.Boltsofenergyandneedle-thinbeamspiercethenight,theflesh.Explosions.Screamsofmenandelectronicsdying.Thevisionendsonabrightflash.

"Therewasawar,"hebegins,whisperingalmostinSarah'searasthehelicopterscircle,"Unli eanythingyoucan

imagine..."Shestaresathim,eyetoeye,ashespea shishypnotichistory.Thoughittearsintotherecessesofallshenowsorthin sshe nowstobetrueandsane,shebegins

tobelievehim,andsodoingbeginstofeelnewhorizonsofterrorunreelingbeforeher.

Therewasawar.AnditdevastatedtheEarth.Ourweaponsandtheirweaponswereunleashedagainsttheir


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ma ersbyathirdandunexpectedplayer.Theartificialintelligencewhichhadbeencreatedtocontrolthebombersandlaunchthemissileswiththeirnu esandchemicalsandgerms...thecomputerentrustedwiththatgraveresponsibilityonedaydecidedtohavedonewiththefollythatwasManandcreaterealorderandrealintelligenceontheplanetforthefirsttime.Machineintelligence.Humanswereobsolete.

Thecitiesfellandintheruinsthesurvivorswerehunteddownandslaughteredbythegleamingpatrolmachines,builtbyrobotsintheautomatedfactories.Largegroupswereroundedupintocampswhereliquidationcouldproceedinanorderlyandsanitaryfashion.

OnlyoneforceopposedthecyberneticReich.Asingleman,amanwhoroseoutoftheslagheaptoorganizethesurvivorsagainstthepogroms,toresistthegenocide,tostormthewireofthecampsandsmashtheirmetalexecutionersintojun .

Reeseholdsherbytheshoulders,spea ingmoreeloquentlyandearnestly,inhishaltingway,thanheeverhasinhis

grimsoldier'slife... nowingthatonlybyconvincinghernowcanhesaveherlife.

"Thisman...hisnameisConnor.JohnConnor.Yourson,Sarah.Yourunbornson."

Thehelicoptersearchlightsweepsacrosstheiroldcar,flic sbac andholds.Thecruisersturnandracetoconverge.Streetlightsflashli ecometsoverthewindshieldasTerminatorpeersintotherowsofpar edcars.Hespotsthegraysedanasitlaunchesoutofitsspacebeforeanyoftheothercopsandpursuessilently.

BehindthewheelReeseisstilltwistingthewiresfirmlytogetherashemaneuversoutofthelot.Terminator'sblac -and-whiteclosesonadiagonalcourse.Thewindowisdown,theshotgunbarrelpo ingout.

Reeseduc s,steeringblind,asthewindshieldandsidewindowsexplodeinwardandhiscarslamsintotheblac -and-white,spinningitintoapar edtruc .Terminatorcatchesuptothemagainonthestreetandtheystrea throughanintersectionatahundredpluswithajewelledstringofsquadcarsfollowing.

ReeseisfeedinghislasttwoshellsintothepumpasTerminatordrawsnear.

"Steer!"heyellsatSarahandleansoutthewindowtofiretwo-handed,still eepingthethrottlemasheddown.

Shegrabsthewheelandscreamsastheyapproachanintersection,redlighttheirwayandanAlphaBetatrucenteringcrosswise.ReeseandTerminatorarestaringdowneachother'sbarrels


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asthegapclosesandthecyborgdrawsalongside.Sarahjamsthecarintoreverse.Thesedanslewswithscreamingreartires.Theshotgunsroar.

Terminator'sshottearsoutthedoorpostnexttoReese'sshoulder,whileReese'sstarstheother'swindshield,bloc inghisvisionashehurtlespastthemintotheintersection.Terminatorclipsthebac ofthesemi,s ids,vaultsthecurbinafront-endrollandcrashesupsidedownthroughthecounterareaofanAandW.AsignwhichreadsDRIVEINdetachesfromanawninganddropsacrossthecrushedauto.

ReeseandSarahcometorestsafelyinacarwithnotransmission,surroundedamomentlaterbyanassortmentofLAPD,Sheriff'sDepartmentandCHPcarsandhelicopters.

Reeseholdshishandsupinplainsight.Aphalanxofcops,loo ingli etheyverymuchmeanbusiness,approachthecar.Sarahopensthedoorandrunsstaggeringtowardoneoftheofficerswhopullsheraway

tosafety.

Twocopsruntotheoverturnedsquadcarjammedintothewrec ageoftheAandW,buttheirflashlightsrevealthatitisempty.Thecyborghasvanished.

SomewhereinthelabyrinthofdivisionheadquartersSarahsits,huddledinablan et.Hereyesarefixedinthemiddledistance.Allreservesoftearsandconsciousthoughtdrained.OutsidetheinterrogationroomLt.Vu ovic ismixingcoffeeanddiscussingthenecessityforhavingtoldSarah

ofherroom-mate'sdeathwithBuc man.

Buc manreportsthatSarah'smotherhasbeenreachedandisonherwaydownfromSanBernardino.Theyspeculateonthesingle-mindedferocityofherwould-be iller,butconcludethatnothingaddsuptoanythingatthispoint.Vu ovic carriesthecoffeeintoSarah.Shecowersmomentarilyathisentrance,andhesitsbesideher,patientlyholdingthecoffeewhileshesipsit.

"Thatthingisstilloutthere,somewhere,isn'tit?"shesays."We'llgethim.He'snotwhatyou'dcallcautious.But

don'tworryaboutthat...you'resafehere.Howmuchsafercouldyoube?There'sthirtycopsinthisbuilding.Whydon'tyoujuststretchouthereandgetsomesleepuntilyourmothergetshere.""TheguyIwaswithsaysthatit'snothuman,thatitonlyloo shuman.""That'sagoodwayofputtingit,withananimalli ethat."Vu ovic 'spatronizingsmilereassuresher."IsReesecrazytoo?"sheas s.It'sallbeginningtoseemsodistantnow.Howcouldshehavebelieved...


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"Wewon't nowthatuntilwecangethimtotal ."

Reesesitsrigidinachair,handscuffedbehindhim.Hestaresstraightahead,asiftryingtowillhimselforthetwodetectivesinterrogatinghimoutofexistence."Reese,KyleA.,ControlSergeant,DN8675309,"isallhewilltellthem.Theyremindhimthatthereisnorecordofhimwithanybranchofthearmedservices,infactnorecordunderthatnameanywhere,andthatanywaytheserialnumberisnotevenintherightformat.Theypummelhimwithquestionsbuttheanswerisalwaysthesame:name,ran andserialnumber.

"Where'sSarahConnor?"hegrowls."Safe."Reesesneersbutta esnopleasureinit."Youcan'tprotecther.She'sdeadmeat."

Theroomcostsfivedollarsanightandthat'srobbery,butthefireescapeoutsidethewindowaddsanelementofstrategicvalue.Terminatorslipsinthroughthewindowandclic sonthesinglebarelightbulb.

He'samess:abloodyscarecrowwithbulletwoundsinstomach,chest,shoulderandrightwrist...eyebrowssingedoff,hairacharredstubble,lefteyebloodywithembeddedglassshards,leftearshotalmostcompletelyaway.

Hesitsdownatasmallfoldingtableonwhichhehassetoutanarrayofsmalltools.Removingthecharredremainsofhisjac et,hepropshiselbowonthetableandexamineshisnon-functionalrighthand.Hepic supanX-acto nifeandcutsdeeplyintothes inofhisforearmwithanexpressionofmildconcentration.

Hepullsbac aflapofs intorevealacomplextrun ofhydraulicsandsheathedcables,glisteningwithblood.

Hewipesawaythebloodand,withsmallscrewdrivers,beginstodisassemblethejammedmechanismaroundthe12gaugehit.Whenrepairsarecompletehesuturesthes incrudelybacinplacewithaneedleandthread.

Closeup,macro:thedamagedeye.ThepointoftheX-actonifeentersandbeginscuttingawaytheruinedscleraand

cornea,revealingthefaintlyglowinglensmechanismbeneath.

Theeye-s inflopsonthetable.Thebloodiswipedawaywitharag,clearingtheelectroniceye'svision.Severalotherrepairsareseeninmontagestyle:suturingfaceandabdominalwounds,slippingagloveoverthedamagedhand,wipingawaytheburnthairandsettlingamotoringcapontheblisteredscalp.Anewshirtandovercoathidetheotherdamage.

Withthehatpulleddown,thecollarpulledup,and


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favoringhisrightprofile,heseemsunhurt.(thoughabitgauntandpale).Butaturnofhisheadbringsthebalefullyglowinglefteyeinitsmetalsoc etintoview,andTerminatorwillhavetorelyonshadowsanddistancetogetbyonthestreet.HeremovestheMossberg,theAR-18andthe.38fromunderthestainedmattressandleavesbythefireescape.

ReeseisleftaloneintheinterrogationroomwithDR.PETERSILBERMAN,acriminalpsychologistloo ingsomewhatcrusty-eyedandput-uponat3:00AM.SilbermanconvincesKyletoanswersomequestionsonthebasisthat,withKyleincarcerated,itmayimproveSarah'schancesforsurvival...sincethatishispurportedmission.IntheensuingconversationReeseexplainsmoreaboutwhySarahisinjeopardy.Inthefuture,in2026,thetideofbattlehasturnedagainsttheelectronicgenocide,infavorofthehumanresistancefighters.Asadesperate,lastditchmaneuverthecomputerhasusedaprototypeofatime-displacementfieldgeneratortosendoneofitsinfiltrationunitsintothepastto illhisenemybeforeheisevenconceived,byillinghismother.

Connor'sforcescapturedthetimefieldlaboratorytoolatetostoptheTerminatorbut,bytracingthecoordinatesused,wereabletodeducetheplanandsendbac twomentointercepttheassassin.Atthispointtheexperimentalequipmentwasdestroyedtopreventrecapture.Therewillbenofurtherhelp,interferenceorcontactfromthefuture.

Silbermanisfascinated.AccordingtoReese,duetolossofrecordsduringthenucleardevastation,littleinformationaboutthemotherofJohnConnorwasavailabletothecomputer:onlyhername,age,andthecityinwhichshelivedupuntil1982,

afterwhichshewas nowntohavegoneintohiding.Therewasonlyonepieceofinformationwhichwouldhaveallowedthecyborgtoidentifyherpositively.InReese'sfuture,SarahConnoris nowntohavediedinaraidattheageof36andbeenroutinelyautopsiedbythedisposalmachines.Thisrevealedtothecomputerthetwosteelscrewssetinhertibiaforacompoundfracturesufferedinafigures atingaccidentinherteens.

Silbermannods,notingthatthiswouldexplainthecuriousmutilationofthepreviousvictims.ButhequestionswhyneitherReesenortheotherfellowareusinganythingbutpresent-dayweapons,when

presumablytheywouldhaveadvancedweaponryandotheritemsoffuturetechnologyattheirdisposal.

Reeseexplainsthatonlyalivingthingcanpassthroughthetimefield,orinthecaseoftheTerminator,ametalstructurecompletelyenclosedbyorganictissue.Ithadsomethingtodowiththemicro-fieldgeneratedbyalllivingmatter.

Therefore:noadvancedweapons,suppliesorevenclothing.


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Theywerebornintoanewtimeli einfants,na edandalone.Andwithoutanyhopeofreturn.

Vu ovic enters.ReesereiteratesthatthepolicewillbeunabletoprotectSarah.Thelieutenantsayshe'ssupervisedlotsofprotectivecustodyoperationsandtomindhisownbusiness.SilbermanleadsVu ovic intothehall,leavingReeseshoutingthatifit nowswheresheis,it'llgether.

InthehallSilbermanmarvelsattheextentandlucidityofReese'sdelusion,andthecleverwayitisfabricated,requiringnoactualphysicalprooffromthefutureworld.

Vu ovic istootiredtodelveintoReese'stestimony,delusionorotherwise.Forallhe newthe id'sbehaviorcouldbecausedbywatchingStarWarsonPCP.Heshovelsmoreaspirin,chewingthemintheabsenceofcoffee,andas sSilbermantochec onSarah.

Thepsychologistenterstheotherinterrogationroomandadministersasedativetoher,thendeparts.

Outfronthewaitsforthenightdes sergeanttobuzzhimoutthroughtheelectricsecuritydoor.InthefoyerhepassesTerminatorjustcominginthefrontdoor,apaleapparitionincapanddar wrap-aroundsunglasses.

Thedes sergeantinhisbullet-proofboothbarelyglancesatthevisitorwhoidentifieshimselfasafriendofSarahConnorandas stoseeher."Youcan'tseeher.She'sma ingastatement.""Whereisshe?""Loo ,it'sgonnabeawhile.Youwannawait,there'sabench."Terminatorscansthebooth,theelectricdoor,therooms

beyond.InahandheldPOVwhichhasbeenopticallyalteredtoresembleadigitizedcomputer-generatedimage,weseetheroomasTerminatorseesit.Graphicsareoverlayed,extrapolationsofthestructureofthewalls,wiringofthesecuritysystemsetc.,ontopofthebac groundimage.

"I'llcomebac ,"hesays.

Thedes sergeantisn'twatchingasTerminatorgoesout,nordoeshenoticetheheadlightsgettingbrighteroutsidethemaindoors,atleastuntilTerminator'scarcrashesthroughthefoyer,crushinghiminthewrec ageofthe

booth.Terminatorvaultsthehoodofthecar,heavesthroughthesplinteredwallintothecorridor,brandishingtheautomaticrifleli eapistolinonehand,the.38intheother.TheMossbergdanglesathissideonashoulder.

Sarahjer sawa eatthesoundofdistantshots.

Twocopsrunoutofthecoffeeroomintoaburstofgunfire.Terminatorstepsoverthemwithoutbrea ing


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stride.ShotsechointhehallwayasVu ovic whipsopenthedoortoSarah'sroom."Stayhere,"hesays,turnstheloc ing nobandslamsthedoor,leavingheralone.Shestaresaroundtheemptyroominmountingpanicasfranticshoutingandmachinegunfirereverberatethroughthebuilding.

Terminatormovesinexorablyforward.Sprintingforcoveracopdivesbehindawallbutthecyborgtargetsonthesoundandshootsthroughthewall,hittinghim.Vu ovic fires,putstworoundsintotheintruder'sheadfromadoorwayambush,onlytoseehimturn,targetandfire.OneofthetwodetectiveswithReeserunsout,leavingtheothertowatchtheprisoner.Asplitsecondafterthedoorcloses,achairsmashesacrosshisbac andReeseisonhim,scrabblingforthehandcuff eys.

Sarahclawsatthelightswitchandhuddlesinacornerofthedar enedroom,unabletobelievethatshehasreawa enedintothesamenightmare.

Theshootingisdrawingnear,relentlessasasteamroller.

Office-boundcopsinshirtsleevesarepullingM-16sfromcabinets.Asmo egrenadegoesoff.Terminator ic sinadoor,scanstheemptyoffice,moveson.Aloc eddoorsplintersunderaburstfromtheAR-18andisflungopen.Copsbehinddes sinthebriefingroomopenfirebuttheintrudermoveson,uninterested,ta ingafewbodyhits.

Sarah'steetharechatteringwithuncontrollablefearasshotsechonearby.Thereistherhythmicthunderofthepumpshotgun,rattlingautomaticfire,screamingandthesoundofrunningfeet.Crashing,splinteringsounds.Moreshots,closernow.Smo ebeginstoseepunderthedoor.

Shestiflesacryasthedoor nobistriedfromtheoutside.Thenaseriesofshotsshattertheloc andshedoesscream.Thedoorbangsopenandafigurestands

silhouettedinthesmo yhallway.

Reese.Sherunstohimandtheyfleetogether,doublingbacthroughasuiteofofficesasgunfireragesinthecorridor.Reesestops,hearinghisnamecalledwea ly.Vu ovic liesproppedagainstades .Thedyingcopholdsoutasetof eysandhispersonalColtPython.357."BlueImperial.Myspace...itsaysVu ovic .That's


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withaV."Reesesnatchesthegunandthe eysandisgone."Goodluc , id."

ReeseandSarahsquealoutofthepar inglotinVu ovic 'scarasTerminatorrunsoutoftheheadquartersbuilding.Heaimscarefullywiththeassaultrifle,butitclic semptily.Hewatchesthemgo,thensetsoff,limping,acrossthepar inglot.

Thetwoofthemma eitnorthoutofL.A.somehowbuttheyrunoutofgasontheopenhighwayandrollthecarintoaforestedravinetodelayitsbeingfound.Theyhuddletogetherinadrainageculvertunderthehighwayfortheremainderofthenight.Ahelicoptercirclesinthedistance,searchlightprobing.Acruiserhurtlesbyabovetheirheads.Headlightsflareandpasshypnotically.

SarahfindsoutthatReeseactuallyhasafirstname,Kyle.Sheas shimwhytheysentsuchayoungguy.Hedescribesbeingraisedintheaftermathofthefallof

civilization.Hehas nownonlyalifeofunceasingcombatforsurvivalagainstthemachines.Hehasbeentrainedsinceboyhoodintheuseofweapons,explosivesandvehicles,livingonhate,li earatintheruinsofthecities.Heshowsheranelectronicallyimprintednumberontheinsideofhisforearm,asouvenirofthedeathcampfromwhichhewasfreedbyoneofConnor'ssquads.

Heloo sup,suddenlyalert,atthedistantbar ingofadog.HetellsherthedogsarewhatsavedthemfromtheTerminators.Reeseletshisgazedriftwiththehelicoptersearchlight.

Sarah'seyesslowlycloseashetal son.Hisvoicefadesasthehelicopter'sroarisbroughtup,sequeingintoavisionofthefuture.

Pandownfromthelightsofanaerialpatrolcrafttomoonlitdevastation.Whiteashblowsindriftsamongfire-guttedruins.Blac enedboneslayeverywhereinheaps,aubiquitous,crunchingground-cover.Peopleinragsscavengeforunburstcansintherubble.Searchlightssweepthenightconstantly.

Aflyingmachineli eanadvancedchopperfirestracers

intotheruinsafewbloc saway.

GleamingchromeHunter-Killersgrindthroughthedebrisoftheshatteredstreetsontheirtan -li etrac s,flashingreadandbluelights.Theirheadsturnslowly,playinghigh-intensitylightsoverthebuildings.

Reeseisamongasquadofmeninblac fatigues,carryingequipmentandenergyrifles.Theyrunlowbetweenhul sofcars,anddownalongtunnel


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intoanundergroundpar ingstructure.

Theyaremetattheentrancebytwoarmedsentrieswithdogs,andthemenarepassedthroughoneatatimeasthedogschec themout.Beyondisalargegathering,ameetingofamajorresistancecell.AtitscenterthecommandingfigureofConnorstandsconferringwithhisstaff.

Offtoonesideareanumberoffamilygroups.ChildrenarehuddledaroundanoldTVset,seenfrombehind,itsglowbathingthem.Areverseanglerevealsthatthesethasbeenguttedandasmallcoo firecrac lesinsidetheshell.Nearbyagaunt idhasalargeratcorneredandiswhac ingitwithastic .

Theuniformedmen,includingReese,deploytoguardtheperimeterasmoremenarrive,wearingmismatcheduniformsoronlyrags,andarmedwithlaserrifles,shotguns,sharpstic s.Eacharrivalmustpassthecaninescrutiny.Suddenlythedogsgocrazy.Anarrivingman,rag-dressedandinnocuous,dropshis

shawltorevealanenormousenergyrifle.Hebeginsblastingintothecrowd,runningtowardConnor.

"Terminator!"someonescreams.TheTerminatorthrowsconcussionbombs.Beamssearthedar ness.Partoftheroofcollapses.Fleeingchildrenareburstbystraypowerbolts.Everythingislitasifbylightning.

Reeseleapsforthecyborg,firing,andiscutdown.Impressionsimplodeonhim...ofrunningfeet,flashes,screaming,energybeamsra ingtheground.Someoneis

dragginghimaway.Connor.Thehellfireglareisunbearable.Survivorsfleeintothelabyrinth,someta ingreliccarswhichdatefrombeforetheBigNu e...oldninetiesandeightiesmodels.Reeseisloadedintoone.

Reeseliescrushedinthebac seatasthecarbac stowardatunnel.Hefixatesonanimageastheypullaway:anabandonedchildbawlingamidtheinferno.Beyondit,aninjureddogstandsbar ing,litstroboscopically.

Reeseawa enstothesoundofadogbar ingfaraway.Itislightoutside.Sarahisasleepinhisarms.Wasithismemoryofthefutureorherdreamvisioninspiredbyhisnarrative?Sheopenshereyesandgazesathimwithunderstanding.Itwasboth,then.

ReesegoesdowntoasmallstreamtowashhisfaceandreturnstofindSarahgone.Hecatchesuptoherdowntheroadataboarded-upgasstation,standinginaphone


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booth.Sheshowshimalistinginthedirectory:CyberDynamicsCorporation.Shecallsthenumberandfindsoutthatitisonlyadistributionoffice,thatthemainofficesandmanufacturingplantareupnorth,inSiliconValley.Shememorizestheaddressandleavesthebooth.

Reeseisupset.Whatthehellisshedoing?Herinspirationistoturnthetables,tota etheoffensiveinsteadoflivingtherestofherlifeinfear.IfCyberDynamicsdevelopedthedefense-networ computersometimeinthenearfuture,thenbywrec ingtheirplantandburningthefiles...destroyingthatseednow...shecanbeatthecomputeratitsowngame.Thecomputerhassentthemawarning,inadvertently,whichmaypreventtheholocaustandreshapethefuture.

Kyleistooby-the-boo tothin intheseterms.That'snothismission.He'sdisturbedattheris presentedbyherinitiative.

ButSarahhasthebitandwon'tberestrained.Shetearsaway,yelling"Whatareyougoingtodotostopme...shootme?"

Shemarchesaheadandstic southerthumbtothepassingcars.KyleispuzzledbythisritualuntilatractortrailerpullsoverandSarahrunsforit.

"Whereyouheadin',sweetca e,"saysthedriver."North.SiliconValley.""Goin'realnearthere.""Comeon,Kyle.Getin!"

Kyleridessullenlyastheyreachtheinterstateandheadnorth.

Afteracoupleofhoursthedriverpullsintoarest-stop

tocatchashortnap,becauseof'thisonewaitressinRiversidewho'salwaysrealpleasedtoseemewheneverI'mdownthisway.'

SarahandKylegetouttostretchtheirlegs.Inthepicnicareapeoplesitunderthetrees,enjoyingabeautifulday,andchildrenracearound,frolic ingwiththefamilydog,playingfrisbeeandthrowingpapercupsofwaterateachothernearthedrin ingfountain.

Kyleshamblesamongthemli eazombie,dirtyandbloodyandwitheredbehindtheeyes.

SarahgoestothepayphoneandcallshermotherinSanBernardinowhogushesemotionallytolearnthatSarahissafe.Sarahtellshertopac somethingsandgorightawaytotheircabininthemountains,don'tas anyquestions,justdoit...thatshe'llcallhertherelater.

Kylestandsamongthechildren,analieninthislandwithoutfear.Alittlegirl,aboutthreeandachinglybeautiful,accostshimwiththeboldnessofinnocence.


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"You'repissy,"sheasserts,onlytobebowledoverbyanIrishsetterwhichlic sherfacewhilesheshrie swithlaughter.Kyle'sexpressionsoftensashewatchesher.Heseemstowanttosmilebutdoesn'tquite nowhowtogoaboutit.

SarahandReeseleavetherest-stopandwanderintotheadjoiningwoodsalonganarrowpath,stoppinginasun-dappledgladebesideasmallstream.Kylestandsfrozenatthecenteroftheidyll.Leavesrustle.Thewillseemstodrainfromhimandhesagstohis nees,headlowered.Hisshouldersheavewithsilentsobsasthebeautyofthisworld,lostforalleternity,crushesinuponhim.Sarah neelsandputsherarmsaroundhim."It'ssobeautiful,"hewhispershoarsely,"Ithurts,Sarah...worsethanthebulletsandthefire."Shelayshisheadonherbreastanditisafrozenmoment,apivotfortime.

Terminatorsitsinhisroomwiththeblindsdrawntight.Hismisadventuresarehavingatellingeffectonhisappearance.

Li eapictureofDorianGray.He'snotgettingolder,he'sgettingrepulsive.

Apatchofscalpisblownaway,leavingshinymetalundercrustedblood.Aflapofs indanglesfromhischee ,revealingsomeofthedrivecableswhichmovehislips.

Thes iniswaxywhite,bruised,andinsomeplacesgangrenous.HeignoresthefewfliescrawlingaroundonhisfaceandhandsashesitsscanningSarah'saddressboo atarateofahalf-secondperpage.

Weseetheboo inhisPOV,thehandwrittenentriesbeingtranslatedintoCRTdisplaytypefaceprintingoutincolumnstooneside.

Avoicefromthehallwayinterruptshisscanning."Hey,buddy,yougotadeadcatinthereorwhat?"

Terminatorraiseshisheadandturns.ThePOVpanstothedoorandalogicflow-diagramappearsoverlayedincolor-codedwords,concludingwithalistofpotentialappropriateresponses:GOAWAYPLEASECOMEBACKLATER

NOYESFUCKYOUFUCKYOU,ASSHOLE

Thelastbeginstoflashandenlargestofillthescreen.

Objectiveview:Terminatorsays"Fuc you,asshole."Themangoesawayandhereturnstohisscan.


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Atdus thetwofugitivesstepdownfromthetruc infrontofaneconomymoteljustofftheinterstate.Thetruc erwishesthemwellandrollson.Attheregistrationdes thecler eyesthemwarilysincetheyareonfoot,withoutluggage,etc.,butgivesthemaeyafterSarahhelpsKylecountoutsomeofthemoneyhe

hascrammedinhispoc ets.Stolen,presumably.

Kylechec stheroom,openingthebac doorandscoutingoutside.Hetellsherhe'sgoingtowal intotown,ahalfmiledowntheroad,to'dosomeshopping'.Hehandsherthe.38hetoo fromoneofhisinterrogators.Shewon'tta eit.Heleavesitonthedresserandgoesout.Shestaresatitwithloathing.

Sarahcallsthenumberofthefamilycabininthemountains,andisrelievedtohearhermother'svoice.Theyexchangeconcernovereachother'swellbeing,butwhenhermotheras swheresheis,Sarahdoesn'twanttobespecific.Hermothersaysshethin ssomebodymighthavebeen

followingherwhenshedroveupthehill,andshewantstogosomewhereelse,soshebetteratleastgetaphonenumberwhereshecanreachherdaughter.Sarahgivesherthenumberofthemotel.

Hermother'sclosingdialogueisheardvoice-overwithashotpanningslowlyacrosssmashedfurnitureandablood-spatteredwallofrough-finishedplan s,overatablewithanup-turnedcupofcoffee,ontoTerminatorinclose-up,tal inginaperfectsimulationofhermother'svoice.Hesweetlysaysgoodbye,hangsup,anddialsthenumberSarahgavetogettheaddressfromthedes cler .

The.38isstillonthedresserwhenKylereturns.Hesetsdownseveralbagsandgoesstraighttowor ma inganumberofbul ybutpowerfulexplosivesbyta ingthepowderfromdozensofshotgunshellsandloadingitintofootlongsectionsof2"plumbingpipe.Heclosesthemwiththread-oncapsandinsertsfusesfromcommonfirewor s.Alltheitemshewasabletopurchasewithoutpermitsathardwareandsportinggoodsstores.

Theplanistowaituntilearlymorninghours,justbeforedawn,whentheCyberDynamicsplant(nowonlyafewmilesaway)willmostli elybedeserted.Thentheywillbreain,rigthechargesandasmuchgasolineastheycanfind

containersfor,tocreateablazewhichwillputthecompanyoutofbusinessforever.

AccordingtoKyle'ss etchy nowledgeofhistory,CyberDynamicswouldbecome,withinafewyears,theleadingmanufacturerofcomputersystemswiththeirintroductionofawholenewclassofmirco-circuitchips.Thiswouldleadultimatelytotheircontracttocreatethe4800Series'S ynet'System,whichwouldinturnincineratehumanity.


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Sarahma esasoberingrealization.NeutralizingthecomputeratitssourcewillmeanthatnoTerminatorwaseversent,orevenbuilt,butitalsomeansthatnoKyleReesewaseversenteither.

Willhedematerializeiftheysucceed,orifatanypointtheydoanythingwhichaltersthecourseofeventsthatmuch?

Kyledoesn't now.Nobody nowsmuchaboutthetime-displacementgame.Probablynoteventhegreatcomputeritself.

Maybehe'lljuststayhereanyway,evenifthefuturechanges.Youcangonutsthin ingaboutit.IftheTerminatorsucceeds,JohnConnorwillneverhaveexistedandthereforetheTerminatorwillneverhavebeensent,andtherefore...

HeandSarahdiscusssomeoftheotheraspectsofthesituation.Thecomputer'sattemptto illherhasgivenhumanityawarning,whichshewillpassontohersoninyearsto

come.Whereshewillliveinthatfugitiveperiod,andwhoshewillmeetthatwillbecomeJohn'sfather,wasnottoldtoKylebyhiscommander,whoofcoursewouldhave nownthesethingsfromhertelling.AllthatKyleistellingherisaresultofbriefingbyConnor,whohadbeentoldofpresenteventsbyher.

Thereisonlyonedirectmessagefromherson,whichKylehasmemorizedtogiveher:"Than you,mother.YouhavebornemeandtaughtmewellandinawayIwillhaveborneyouandtaughtyou.Thefutureisnotirrevocable,butdependssolelyupon

yourwill.Thereisnofatebutwhatwema e.Youmustbestrong...strongerthanyouimagineyoucanbe.""And,"Kylesays,"hesaidtogiveyouthismessagealso:'Youmustwaittostri euntiltheredeyesandthegreeneyesmeet.'That'sall.""Whatdoesitmean?""Hesaidyou'd nowwhenthetimecame."

SarahisasleepwhenKylefinisheshiswor ,puttingtheexplosivesinanylonsatchel.Heta esupavigil,sittingcrossleggedanderectbythewindow,cradlingthePython.

Theimageofmilitarydiscipline.

Sarahawa ensandgoestohiminthedar ness."Tellmeaboutmyson,Kyle."

HedescribesJohnConnor,thegreatmanforwhommany,Kyleincluded,woulddieunhesitatingly.ConnorwastheonlyfatherfigureKyleeverhad,andinthatclosenessKylewastoldstoriesofConnor'slegendarymother,Sarah...thewomanwhotaughthersontohatethe


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machinesandpreparefortheiroverthrow...whotaughthimhowtofight,tohide,toorganize.

Shewastheherobehindthehero,andKylehadlovedthatcourageouswomansightunseen.

"HowcanIeverbeher,Kyle?I'msoscaredIcan'tseestraight.I'mnoneofthosethings.""You'reallofthosethings.""Youmustbeprettydisillusionedbywhatyoufound..."

"HowcouldIbe...Iloveyou,Sarah."

"Wasthereawoman,bac thereinyourtime?""No."Shegazesathim."Never?""No,"hesaysafterapause.

Sarahleansforwardand isseshim,butheisunabletorespond.Shecontinues,tenderly,andhesuddenlylatchesontoherli elifeitself.She isseshisnec andchestassheunbuttonshisshirt,andtraceshisscarswithherlips.

Kylecarrieshertothebedandtheyma eloveforalongtime...atenderpulsingcenterofagrimcosmos.

Sarahawa enshourslaterandKyleisgone.Shesitsupinalarm.Hashevanished,beenmadetonot-existbysomethingtheyhavedone?

Shesearchesthesuiteandfindshiminthebathroom,staringmotionlessoutthetinywindow.Hecautionshertosilencewithagesture.Fromthenightoutsidecomesanearbybar ingandgrowling."Listentothedogs."hewhispers.

AGermanshepherdlashesattheendofhischainasafiguremovesbyhiminthedar ness,comingfromtheregistrationoffice.Terminatorwal sdirectlytothedoorofSarah'sroom,agunineachhand,and ic sinthedoor,sprayingthebedwiththeAR-18.Incomputer-scanPOVweapproachthebed,analyzingtheremainsofrumpledpillowsandbedsheets.

ThePOVshiftstothebac door,whichisajar,andmovestowardit,throughthedoor.

Terminatorspinsatthesoundofanenginetryingtostart.

Inthepar inglotKyleandSaraharehuddledbelowdashlevelinalargecustomizedpic uptruc whichisfilthyfromafewdaysinthedesert.Therearetwosmalltrail-bi eslashedinthebed.Kylehasthethinghotwiredandispumpingthethrottle.

"Lightisnow,"hesaystoSarah,whoisholdingaBic


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lighternearthetipofafuse.

TerminatorrunsthelengthofthesuiteandstopsatthefrontdoortoleveltheARatthepic up,whichisbac ingwildlyacrossthepar inglot.Hehearsasizzlingsoundandleapsoutthedooramomentbeforeapipechargelyingintheshadowsexplodes,wrec ingthedoorway.

AsReesepealsoutontothestreetaguyonaHonda750pullsinandstopsnearTerminator,whoislyingface-downwheretheblastflunghim."Don'ttrytomove,pal,"theridersays,goingtoTerminatorwhoisstartingtorise.

Pushingthecyclistasideheretrieveshisweaponsandwal stowardthebi e.

Incomputer-scanhand-heldPOVweapproachtheHondaandthedigitizedimagereducestographicoutlines,withseparatesystemscolor-coded,thenrotatesthroughthreeaxestoshowplan,top,andsideelevations...allinlessthanfourseconds.

Reeseslidesthetruc intoanon-rampandgunsitontothefreeway,buryingthethrottle.Hebecomesawareofasingleheadlightbehindthem,gainingrapidly.Thetruc topsoutat110andheholdsit.Terminatoristuc ed,gettingasmuchspeedoutofthebi eashecan.HeraisestheAR-18againstthewindstreaminaone-handedpistolgrip.Usingthesporadiclatenighttraffic,mostly18wheelers,ascover,ReesehurtlesthroughevasionmaneuversasTerminatorcloses.Thecyborgfires.

Strafesthebac ofatruc trailerasReesedivesbehinditafteras iddingfeint.

Terminatorswervesbythetruc ontherightandisforcedoffthefreeway,narrowlymissingthebarrierdividerandscreamingdowntheoff-ramp.Withoutslowingherunstheredlightatthebottomandclimbstheon-ramp.

Reeseseesthemotorcycleconverging.HetellsSarahtodriveandsheslidesoverhim,switchingplaceswithoutslowing.

HepullstheColtPythonfromhisovercoatpoc etandchec stheloadasTerminatorcloses.

Reeseisoutthewindowtothewaist,aimingdouble-handed.Terminatorclearstheon-rampdividerandhurtlestowardthem,fallinginbehind.Sarahweaves,barelyincontrol,terrified.Reesefires.Once.Twice.Thrice.Terminatorroc sbac fromaroundbetweentheeyesthat


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baresmetal,thenfires.

Bulletsra ethepic up.Thewindowsareblownout.Thesidemirrorexplodes.Reeseishit.DropsthePython.Sarahshrie sandgrabswithonehandforReese'sslumpedbody,pullinghimbac inside.Heismoaning,stunned,withbulletsinarmandchest.Sheloo satReeseandfeelsallhoperecede,leavingonlyayawningpit.

Terminatorcrossesbehindthetruc ,gainingslowly,cominguponSarah'sside.Theypasstruc sandcarsasiftheyarepar edandGodhelpanyonewhochangeslanes.TerminatorfiresandthedoorpostbesideSarah'sheadclangswithhits.

Theshortburstemptiesthegun.Ithitsthepavementamomentlater,discarded.Terminatordrawshis.38andta esaimagain.

Theyareenteringaninterchange,aheadlaysalong

sweepingcurve,twolaneswideandelevated.Sarahwatchestherearmirror.Anicycalm,bornofrage,leashesthegibberingterrorrisinginsideherli eascream."Comeon..."shecoaxes,underherbreath.Terminatordrawsnearer,aimingatthebac ofherhead."Closer..."shepleads.Herbreathisrapid.Theslipstreamroars.Shewatchestheguninthemirror.

Terminator'sfronttirepassestherearbumperofthepic up.Sarahscreams.Andcran shardonthesteeringwheel.

TheglassbehindherexplodesasTerminatorfiresamomentbeforetheviciouslyswervingtruc slamsintoit,sendingitflyingintotheguardrail.

Sarahfightsforcontroloftheslowingpic upasthecyborggoesoverthebarsatahundredmilesperhour.Hehitsthepavement,tumbling,rolling,slidingwithachatteringscreechandsprayingsheetsofspar sasthefleshstripsawayandsteelscreamsagainstconcrete.

Sarahisbuffetedasthetruc swapsendsviolently,smashingintotheguardrailandgrindingtoastoppartwayaroundtheoverpass.

Shechec sKylewhoispalebutconscious.

Terminatorslidesintotheguardrail,bouncesup,tumblesalongthetopforamomentandthenpitchesoutintospace,droppingtoanotherfreewaybelow.Heliesface-downinthemiddlelane.Motionless.

Afteralongmomentheslowlyrollsoverandsitsup.Lowangleasherisesintoframe:amassofbloodandscrapedmetalfromwhichtwoeyesglare,oneblueandthe


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otherglowingfaintlyred.

Headlightsflarebehindhimandanairhornblares.

Adouble-trailerKenworthgasolinetan ersmasheshimdownandunderwithametalliccrash,andherollsclatteringasthemassblursabovehim.Hericochetsbetweenthepavementandtheundercarriageofthetruc untilastraybounceflingshimupintotherearsuspensionwhere,withinhumanreflexesandstrength,heclingsbyhisfingersabovethespeedingasphalt.

Inthecabthestunneddriverhitsthebra es,buthispartnertellshimnottostop.Theyloo ateachotherforamomentandthenheaccelerates.

Sarahseesthetruc driveonwithoutleavingabodyinitswa eandfeelsapremonitorydread.Sherunsbac fromtherailingtothecrippledpic upandsearchesthecabfor eystothemotorcycles.Shefindsthemabovethesunvisor.

BeneaththespeedingsemiTerminatoriscrawlingtowardusli eahumanfly,hisheadtitledbac ,gazingaheadwith

hisoneeyeglowingli eacoal.Heclambersontothesidebeamofthetrailer.Leapstothecab.Ripsthedooropenandflingsthedriverout.Hecrawlsintotheseat,ignoringtheterrifiedpartner,andbeginscalmlyexaminingthecontrols.

IndigitizedPOVweseeanabstractoftheinstruments.Theshiftleverisextendeddownintoathreedimensionalschematicofthetransmission.Analyticaldataprintsoutrapid-fire.

Seenobjectively,Terminatorbeginsdownshiftingand

turningthewheel.Thedriver'spartneropensthedoorandbailsoutasthetruc slows.Sarahwatchesthetan erswinginaslowarc,tearthroughthedividingfenceandheadbac towardheronthewrongsideofthefreeway.Shestaresinnumbhorror.Thenightmarerefusestoend.

Shegoesbac tounlashingoneofthemotorcycles,tearingfranticallyatthestraps.Shepantswithterrorassherollsthebi eoffthetruc ,droppingitonitsside.

Straininguntilshecriesoutinvoluntarilysheliftsituprightandstarts ic ingtheengineover.

Thetan ercrashesbac throughthefenceandstartsuptheoverpass.Sarahistrappedinthatconcretecorridor.

Thebi ecatchesanddies.Thetruc bellowsanddownshiftsonthecurvinggrade.She ic sagainandagain,mumblingprayerstothegodsofinternalcombustion.


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Thebi ecatchesandruns.

ShehaulsReese,clutchinghissatchel,tothebi eandpropshimontheseatbehindher.Shecanonlyprayhewon'tfaintandfalloff.Sarahgunsthebi eandroarsoff.Secondslaterthetan erdemolishesthepic up,tossingitoverthesideli eabeercan.

Shehitslevelfreewaywithaquarterofamileleadonthetan er,butthelittletrailbi eisoverloadedwithtwopeopleandshecan'tcoaxitaboveseventy-five.Thetruc shiftsupthroughthegearsbehindthem,gaininginexorably.Thedistancecloses.Kyleblin sandloo sbac atasolidwallofmetalandlightsroaringupbehindthem.

Sarahzigzagsacrossthelanesbutthetruc stayswiththem,closing,itstrailerswhiplashingviolently.

Theyenteratunnel...amileofexitlessconcreteandstrobingfluorescentlights.Sarahhunchesdown.

Theyhiteighty.Theleviathanloomscloser,itsbigtiresroaringli ethehubsofHell.

ItistwentyfeetbehindthemastheyclearthetunnelandSarahleansviolentlytooneside,almostdroppingthebi e,andloc sthebra es.Thebi eslides,fishtailing.Thetruc roarspast,hittingitsairbra esamomentlater.Theja e-bra ethunders.ThetrailersforcehercloserandclosertotheguardrailasTerminatortriestosandwichher.Therearmostsetoftirescrashesintotheguardrailfive

feetinfrontofherassheslidestoastop.

Sarahcutsacrossallfourlanesbehindthestoppedtan erandridesdowntheemban ment,spillingthebi eandrollingwithKylethroughalineoftreestotheretainingfence.ShetugsatKyle,forceshimtocrawlunderthechainlin .

Theyfindthemselvesinanindustrialpar .

Shehearsagrindingcrashandloo suptoseethetan errollingdownthesteepemban menttowardthem,flatteningtreesandtearingthroughthefence.

WithKylestrugglingto eepupsherunsamongthelowbuildings.Li eajuggernautthetruc follows,smashingthroughpar edcarsandrippingawayonecornerofabuilding.Movingslowlybutwithinexorableforceitcomeson,flatteningapre-fabstoragebuilding.

Kylefumbleswiththesatchelastheyrun.Theyroundacornerandgaintimeasthetan erslows,


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tearingawaythefaceofanofficebuilding.Terminatorwatchesfromhismountainofmachinerythetinyfigureofhispreyrunningintheheadlights.

Itoccurstohimthathistargetissuddenlyalone.

Kyle,crouchedinadumpsterinchesfromthesideofthepassingtan erlightsafuseandwedgesapipebombunderthetan -cylinderofthesecondtrailer.Sarahisstumbling,wrac edandexhausted,intheglareofthelights.Kyleduc sdowninthedumpsterasthetrailerpasseshim,rollsontwentyyards,andexplodes.

Anunbelievablefireballeruptss yward.Thedumpsterisenvelopedbyflamesandishurled,rollingonitscasters,downthealley.Sarahfallsbeforetheblastastheforwardtrailerexplodesandanoceanoffirerollsforward,almostreachingher.ThedumpstertipsoverandKylerollsout.

InthecenteroftheinfernoTerminatorstrugglesviolently.Hisfleshfriesandsizzles.

Hetearsloosefromthetwistedwrec ageandcollapsestotheground.Hesin sintoacharredmassandstopsmoving.

Sarahcrawlsawayfromtheintenseheatandlieswatchingthemotionlessfigureintheblaze.

ShestaggerstoherfeetandcirclesaroundthebuildingtofindKyle.Shefindshimlyingnearthedumpster,shelteredfromtheheatbyitsmass,anddragshimaway.Hisheadlolls.Heopenshiseyes."Sarah."

"Wegotit,Kyle."Theyembrace,silhouettedbythefire.

AndtheTerminatorstaggersoutoftheblazebehindthem.

Thelastfla esofflesharefallingfromhimli eburningleavesandhisgleamingstructureisrevealedinitsentirety.Itloo sli eDeathrenderedinsteel.Achromes eletonwithhydraulicmusclesandtendonsofflexiblecable.Intheeyesoc etsofthemetals ull,theeyeballsswivelwithawhirroftheirtinyservos,bothglowingrednow.Itturnsslowlyandfixesitsgazeuponher.

Sarahcho esonascream,crams nuc lesinhermouth,butitdoesn'thelp.Screamsanyway.

Themachineta esastaggeringsteptowardthem,draggingonemalfunctioningleg.Kylepullshertoherfeet.Theyruntoabuildingandheheavesapottedplantthroughtheglassdoors.Theyenterthedar officestothesoundofalarms.Sirenscanbeheardinthedistance.


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Theyrundownahallwayandboltthedoorattheendbehindthem.Terminatorsmashesintoit,blastingitoffitshinges,andstaggersthrough.Thetwofleethroughaseriesofpartitionedoffices,doublingbac .Itseesthemthroughafloor-to-ceilingwindowandma esanimmediaterightturnthroughtheglass.

Ta ingtheshortestdistancebetweenitselfanditsprey,itcrashesforward,splinteringpartitionsandflingingdes soutoftheway.KyleandSarahreachthemanufacturingareaandbolttheheavyfiredoorbehindthem.Acresofmachinesstretchawayintothedar ness.

TheTerminatorhitsthefiredoorandthehingessqueal.

Kylegoestothemainbrea erpanelandactivatesthemachines,tomas thesoundoftheirescapefromthehunter'sacutehearing.

Thedar galleryisfilledwithwhirring,clan ingshapes,

chatteringconveyerbeltsandimprobablemechanismslashingmindlessly.Hingesshatterandthedoorishurledinward.Shamblingforward,theTerminatorscansthedar ness.IndigitizedPOVweseetwofiguresdodgingamongthemachineryasredblotchesofinfraredonthecoldbac ground.

Thecyborgchasesthemrelentlesslythroughtheanimatedmaze...over,underandthrough.Alwaysgaining.

Theyenteracorridor-li ealleywaybetweentwomechanizedfacadesandruntotheend,onlytofindthedoorloc ed.

Theydoublebac toescapethelethalcul-de-sacbutarecutoffbytheshamblingsilhouetteoftheTerminator.

Kylesummonshisstrength.Timetostartearninghissoldier'spay.Hewipesbloodoutofhiseyesandpullsalengthofpipestoc fromamongthemachines,holdingitli eaquarterstaff.Andma eshisstand."Run!"heyellsatSarah,pushingherbrutallyasthecyborgcloses.Theytradepowerfulblows,steelonsteel,untilKyleissledgehammeredbac ,landinginaheapyardsaway.

ThecyborgapproachesKyle'sbro enbody.Sarahfalls,getsup,runson.Closeup:afuseburningquietly.Closeup:Kyle'sbloodyface,pressedtothefloorasametalfootclangsdowninfrontofhim.Hiseyessnapopen.

TheTerminatordrawsbac foradeathblow.Kylerollswithhislaststrengthandraisesthepipebombhehasbeencradling.


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Itclangsintothecyborg'sabdomenandexplodes.

Sarahisblownforwardbytheblastands idsonthepolishedfloorfacefirst,toslamupagainstthedoorattheendofthecul-de-sac.Piecesofscrapmetalclatterthroughoutthefactoryandraindownaroundher.Herlegisbro enbyshrapnelandsheliesslumpedforalongtime.

Whenshecanfindthestrengthandcouragetoloo up,KyleandtheTerminatoraregone.Unrecognizableclumpsofburningdebrislayscatteredabout.Firespreadsintosomeplastictubingandclimbs,triggeringthesprin lersystem.Itbeginstorain.

Sarahcloseshereyes,lettingthecoolwaterbatheher,washingawaybloodandthefear.

Nowthatit'sfinallyover,shecan'tbelieveit.ThedestructionofthecyborgandthelossofKyleneutralizeeachother,leavingavacuum.

Itisalongtimebeforeshecangatherthewilltomove.

Sheseesaphoneonthewallpastthepointoftheexplosionandstartstocrawltowardit,draggingherbro enleg.Shepassesalargeclumpofmetaldebris.Itrollsoversuddenly,becomingrecognizableastheTerminator'sheadandarms,withhalfoftheshatteredtorsotrailingwiresandtwistedsteel.Itlungesforher.Shewantstoscreamthistime,fromthedepthsofhersoul,butthereisnoscream,onlyadryshiveringsob.

TheTerminatordragsitselfscrapingoverthefloor.Sarahissha ingandweepingasshescrabblesaway,

crawlinginagonyjustaheadoftheclutchingsteelfingers.

Shewedgesherselfintooneoftheproduction-linemachinesandflopsontoamovingconveyerbelt.Sherollsoffwea lybeforegoingunderasetofsortingrollers.Itisanightmarejungle,dar ,clashing,rain-drenched...atangleofcablesandpipesandunforgivingmechanismsofsteel.Thecyborgtrac sher,clamberingthroughbehindher,draggingitsbody.ItspotsSarahwedgedli eatrappedhareinthebac ofatinycrawlspace.Thereisnowayout.

Itcrawlsthelastfewfeet,eyesbrightandredinthedar .RightinfrontofSarahisasmallcontrolboxwithapairofgreenlightsabovetwounlitredbuttons.

Waterpoursintohereyes.Somethingsheshouldremember...Somethingabouteyes...Hypnotized,shewatchestheTerminatorreachingtowardherwithoneoutstretchedhand.


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Sarah'seyesarecrazynow...she'sovertheedge.Inthatinfiniteinstanttheterrornolongermatters,isgone.

Sheseestheredeyesandthegreeneyesandtheyaremovingintoalignmentasthecyborgmovesthroughthemachine.Itshandreachesforherthroat,tocrushouthermiserablehumanlifeandenditslongmission.

Itcomesevenwiththeswitchbox,withthetwogreenlights.Sarahscreamsthroughclenchedteeth.

Shehitsthebuttonsbeneaththeready-lightswithbothhandsandthemassivehydraulicpressthundersdown,thetonsofmechanicalpressureflatteningthecyborg'sheadandbodyli etin-foil.

Inthewrec ageapinpointofredlightdwindlesandgoesout.

ThesteelfingershavefrozenaninchfromSarah'sthroat.Closeup:Sarah.Shecanonlystare,shiveringasthewaterrunsoverher.

Cuttothesiderailsnappinguponanambulancegurney.Sarahcloseshereyesastheywheelheroutpastthesiteofthelastexplosionwherepolicearepic ingthroughthedebris.AsSarahista enoutweholdontwoemployeesofthefactorystandingintheforeground.One,theplantmanager,bendsdowntoexamineapieceofthecrushedTerminatorlyingatthebaseofthehydraulicpress.

Acopcallsouttohim,"Loo ,Itoldyounottotouchanythinguntilwe'redone.Yougotthat?""Sure,officer,"theplantmanagersays.

Hestandsandpalmsasmallobjecttohisassistant.

"Whatisit?""Micro-computerchassis...butI'veneverseenstuffli ethisanywhere.""It'sweird.Japstuff,maybe.""Yeah.KeepitoutofsightandgetittoR&DMondaysoonest.""Goodidea."

OutsideSarahisbeingliftedintotheambulance.Sheloo supand,asthedoorsareclosing,seesthesignovertheentranceofthebuildingforthefirsttime:CYBER

DYNAMICSCORPORATION,INC.

SLOWDISSOLVEtothecentercapstansofacassettetapeturninginarecorder.Sarah'svoiceisheardinVO.

"...andthehardestthingistryingtodecidewhatIshouldtellyouandwhatnot,butanyway,whateverIrecordnowIcanalwayscutoutbeforeyou'reoldenoughtounderstandthetapes.Atthispointthey'remorefor


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me...tohelpgetitallstraight."

Apullbac revealsSarahsittingontheporchofasmallwhite-washedstonehouseoverloo ingabeautifulcrescentbayunderascowlingtropicals y.Thereisthesoundofdistantthunder,mixingwithseagullcries.

ItcouldbeMexicoorpointssouth.MaybeGreece.

OneofSarah'slegsisinacastuptothehipandisproppedstraightoutonanotherchairoppositeher.Thecassetterecorderisinherlap,intheleeofherswollenbelly.Sheloo stobeaboutsixmonthsalong.

"I'llalwayswonder,"shecontinues,"Whetheryoushouldnowaboutyourfather...whetherthatwillchangeyour

decisiontosendhim.Didyoualready nowwhenyousentKylethatyouwerehisson...thatyouweresendinghimtohisdeath?Whatanawfulburdenthatwas,orratherwillbe.Kylewasright...youcangocrazythin ingaboutthisstuff.Well,I'lldomorelater.I'mabittired...thin I'llta eanap."

Sarahshutsoffthecassetterecorderandcrossesher

handspeacefullyonherbelly.Overherloosedressshewearsaleathershoulderholster.Thebuttofa.38revolverpressesagainstherbreast.

Aserious,dar -complectedwomanbringshersometea.OnthebeachbelowaboyrunsbyandyellssomethingtothewomaninSpanish."Whatdidhesay,Maria?""There'sastormcomingin."

Sarahgazesatthethunderheadswayoutthere,rollingin.Heatlightningpulsesintheirdepths.Shesipshertea.

"Yes,Iguessthereis."

Documents

Terminator Treatment